Acoustics Coffee Bar to open second outlet at Owen House with Asian-inspired dishes

Seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of working life? Popular Tanjong Pagar cafe Acoustics Coffee Bar is opening its second outlet at Owen House! 

Slated to open officially on Feb 1, it’s the perfect spot to unwind over a cuppa and engage in deep conversations, all amid a cosy, comforting setting.

It’s currently still in its soft launch phase.

Acoustics Coffee Bar’s new location at Owen House sits in the heart of Farrer Park. For those not in the know, the area housed Singapore’s very first racecourse, which is why it has street names such as Race Course Road. 

The new Farrer Park cafe pays homage to the area’s heritage and culture by weaving Asian-inspired dishes into its menu.

The interior

Similar to its original outlet at Neil Road, Acoustics Coffee Bar’s space at Owen House features acoustic panels to reduce echo and absorb noise. 

The place is also furnished with wooden fittings, cushioned benches and accented with green plants to create a welcoming atmosphere that’ll make you feel right at home.

This aligns with the brand’s philosophy to create a restorative, calming destination for diners to kick back and relax. 

So go on, order your favourite cuppa and sink into its plush seating.

Acoustics Coffee Bar’s menu comes with Asian-inspired dishes

Various dishes on the menu are specially curated by 2023 Masterchef Singapore finalist Mandy Kee, who clinched third place in its most recent fourth season. 

Her creations for Acoustics’ Owen House outpost include the nasi bakar (S$18), which features juicy, tender chunks of coconut-spiced chicken with aromatic lemak rice. 

The dish comes encased in a banana leaf and is served freshly steamed. Accompanying the dish is a side of piquant homemade ACB (Acoustic Coffee Bar) pickles, which consist of Japanese cucumbers, red onions and pineapple. 

As inviting as it looked, we did find the parts of the rice to be unevenly cooked. While we enjoyed the protein and its flavours, we were not a fan of the texture — the unevenly cooked rice was less than ideal, although we do understand from the crew that this is to be expected of this steamed dish.

Prefer the standard brunch care? Acoustics’ truffle cheese toasties (S$20) are a great option — get your grilled toasts with three different types of cheeses: Melted cheddar, mozzarella and comte. 

The caramelised onions in the sandwich add an extra layer of crunch and sweetness to the dish, and coupled with a finishing dash of truffle oil, the seemingly simple sandwich turns into a winning combination of flavours and extra oomph.

While it may not look like much, the sandwich is incredibly hearty and we were surprised by how filling it is. You can order it as a sharing plate (there’s enough to go around), or devour the entire thing yourself if you’re in for an all-rounded treat.

I’m personally not a huge veggie fan, but the cauliflower steak (S$15) is surprisingly enjoyable. Acoustics serves up a sizable grilled cauliflower on top of a creamy hummus base, topping it off with a generous serving of its spritely chimichurri sauce. 

The contrast of the crunchy cauliflower, velvety hummus and tangy sauce makes for a harmonious mix of flavours in your mouth. 

While the dish itself isn’t particularly outstanding compared to its other signature offerings that we tried during our visit, it’s still worth a shot if you’re feeling a treat that feels light, yet packs a good amount of punch.

A must-try item on the menu is the pandan tiramisu (S$16), a local take on the Italian dessert. 

They say you should never play with your food, but the rules don’t apply to this do-it-yourself dessert. This innovative creation by chef Mandy is an interactive dessert that diners can assemble and play with. 

You’re provided with two small jars that you can pour over the crispy lady finger biscuits — the first contains a special blend of ACB (Acoustic Bar Coffee) espresso and the second, silky pandan sabayon (a sweet sauce made with egg yolks, sugar and wine). 

For those who might have specific taste preferences when it comes to your desserts, this DIY approach is perfect for tweaking the espresso-to-biscuit ratio and adjusting the amount of cream you’d prefer. 

Remember to sprinkle the Asian-inspired toppings — namely toasted coconut shavings and sweet potato powder — both of which go impeccably well with this unique dessert. 

The Cloud beverages 

If you only have time for coffee, then be sure to grab a cuppa from Acoustics Coffee Bar if you’re in a hood, specifically the ones from the best-selling Cloud series. 

Regulars will be familiar with the beverages from this lineup, all of which tout a fluffy cloud of cream, as its name suggests. 

We had the outlet-exclusive hojicha Cloud (S$9), which comes with a roasted hojicha latte underneath a dollop of sweet cream and dusted with a smattering of hojicha powder. We enjoyed how delicate creamy sweetness worked in tandem with the latte’s fragrant, nutty notes.

We also got the pandan Cloud (S$9), which comes with gentle notes of sweet pandan and is great for anyone, even non-pandan lovers.

This was a hosted tasting.

For the latest eats, check out Sichuan Alley for hearty Sichuan fare and European-style pastries at Ami Patisserie. Alternatively, catch up on the newest openings in town. 

Book a ride to Owen House and try the Asian-inspired menu at the upcoming Acoustics Coffee & Bar. 

Do explore the new GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals.