Hi there
I have always wondered why there is such a cute looking shop at Parco Millenia which called itself Octa Hotel but selling so many gorgeous looking jewellery and decorations stuff. However the thing that interest me the most is the cafe in there. 🙂
Octa Hotel first opened in Fukuoka in Japan and has a histor of over 20 years, with 27 branchnes to boot in the Kyushu. You will feel like you are instantly transported to Japan once you entered the shop. Greeted by Japanese staff once you step in and the whole ambience just draws you in effortlessly.
They have a modest menu, ranging from desserts, sandwiches to some hot food like stew with rice. Not many, but that might just how they can differentiate themselves from other cafe, focusing on the few best.
The place is as authentic as it gets, most of the staff there are japanese, and some have difficulties to understand all the English, but that’s why it is a gem, and patronized by many Japanese too.
You can’t help but feel this sense of calmness when you dine in there, pastel colors and hint of French influences, which is just what you want after a hectic morning. 🙂
Everything from utensils, diningware down to serviette, are all strategically placed and design to give you this little French cafe connection. 🙂
Even their specials are all hand written and drawn, down to the basics.
You will also find baskets underneath the seatings so that you can place your bags in there, how thoughtful. 🙂
Now come the food, we opted for Smoked Salmon Avocado & Cream Cheese Sandwich ($14.90++), which comes in thick slices and generous amount of smoked salmon. And they are served in some oh-so-cute wooden container, full of cottage feel to it.
You know, cream cheese is always good with smoked salmon,right?  but what’s better? To add creamy fresh avocado slices in between! 🙂
Love how it does not goes with fries but rather some light corn chips, so your palate is more focus on the sandwich itself. The only thing that bugs me thou was that the avocado was not fresh enough, there are brownish patches on the avocado, which means either they forgot to squeeze lemon juice on the avocado once it is cutor it has been kept for a long time.
But taste wise the avocado was perfectly fine so it should be lack of lemon juice, its a pity the look of it spoiled this rather perfect sandwich. Bread was gorgeous and toasty so you can get this crisp texture with the velvety cream cheese and savory of the salmon. Yum…
The plates all comes in colorful flowery prints, and will definitely cheer up your dining experience. 🙂
Next is one of their most popular dish which is the French Toast with Mixed Berries ($13.90++), when they first served it, we were quite surprise by how much cream there were! And I started to panic a little, as I am not really a fresh cream fan, and there are only a handful of stores which I am keen to try.
Obviously my doubt was all brushed aside once I took my first bite. It is so cloud light and delightfully sweet! Love it!! The french toast are soft and fluffy and perfectly infused with all the golden maple syrup. What top it off is the frozen berries that goes with it. So tart yet bursting with fruity flavours, at the end of it all it left are trails of berries syrup on the flowery plate.
Goes perfectly well with the cream. 🙂 It is definitely a sure hit in many diner’s books.
This place also host mini parties, and events and they do cater to various themes too. 🙂
While leisurely enjoying your meal there, you can also pop by the shopping area in the shop.
You will be so spoilt for choices, as there are so many gorgeous looking photo frames, home decorations, it is literally like a museum of gorgeous china and jewellery. Makes you want to get everything back home.
And how can you leave the place without trying their Parfait, it is a must have if you visit Japanese cafe. 🙂 We had a hard time to order either the Rum & Pear Parfait or Mixed Berries Parfait, but as we had the french toast with mixed berries, we decided to go with the Chocolate Parfait instead ($12.50++).
Exciting texture to be explored, generous twirling of chocolate fudge interwine with the sweet soft cream ice cream, with layers of cornflakes and rice puff in between, hit all the right spots and to have it topped off with melty chocolate cubes, we really did end the meal with a wonderful sweet note. 🙂
Judging by how we cleared our plates so nicely, I would say they have made us very happy customers.
It is really a place that is so nice to just chill out and once you “Check In” to Octa Hotel, you might actually find it is gonna be a hard time to “Check Out” of it. (Sorry for the “cold joke”, was dying to say it ever since I went there, hahaha….)
Overall, lovely place and lovely food, with affordable pricing, and out of the hustle and bustle, what’s not to love. 🙂
CAFE REVIEWS : OCTA HOTEL AT PARCO MARINA PAY
Locations : 9 Raffles Boulevard #P1-39 Parco @ Marina Bay Singapore 039596
Tel : 63364614
Operating Hours : Mon to Sun / 1030am – 930pm
Happy Dining!
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Cheers,
Dawn