Tanjong Pagar has seen many new F&B entrants lately.
From Haven Coffee and Amuse Dessert Co. at Tanjong Pagar Road to Stay Gold Flamingo at Amoy Street, Acoustic Coffee Bar, Chez Suzette, QUEIC and Coexist Coffee Co. near Keong Saik, that’s quite a handful of new places to explore.
Located on the 2nd floor of the shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road, directly opposite O.BBa Jjajang, Cotta is a gelato dessert-specialty cafe that can accommodate 5 tables for dine-in.
Housed in a mini attic, a space under the pitched roof (roof that slopes downwards), Cotta has tall ceiling and hanging bespoke lighting that creates a warm and cosy vibe.
Their signature is the selection of intricate desserts made in-house, all made from gelato.
Diners can look forward to Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7), Piedmont Hazelnut Sandwich ($7), Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), Dark Chocolate Sichuan Peppercorn Tart ($9) and TRIO ($11).
As a matcha lover, I decided to go with the 2 matcha desserts on display, namely the Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) and the Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), made from a blend of 3 different matcha powders from Uji, Japan.
The Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9) has a more intense matcha flavour, a matcha tart shell with a layer of yuzu compote at the bottom, topped with matcha gelato and sprinkled with matcha powder.
The result is distinctive vegetal notes with hints of bitterness, well balanced by the citrusy and refreshing notes of yuzu.
The tart shell is also pretty well made, brittle and crumbly without being too dry.
The Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) has a more earthly flavour and has more distinctive black sesame taste in it.
Shaped like the ice cream sandwich that we are familiar with, the bread is replaced with a matcha cookie sable, with both matcha and Goma (black sesame) gelato sandwiched in between.
Meant for takeaways although it can get a little messy trying to bite into the ice cream sandwich with the gelato melting under the hot weather.
Apart from gelato desserts, Cotta also serve 8 gelato flavours (Single $5, Double $9, Premium +$1) on their menu, with very interesting options.
Check out the savoury options Roasted Corn and Gorgonzola, or sweeter flavours such as Zesty Pink Guava, Matcha & Cookies, 80% Dark Chocolate French Rose, Muscat Grape Sake, Violet & Berries and Sicilian Pistachio.
Cotta Waffles ($7) are available as an add-on for a more fulfilling treat.
The Roasted Corn ($6) tasted like the real corn on its own, using fresh corns roasted before cold-pressing to remove the fibres for a smoother texture.
Comes with brown butter salted caramel sauce drizzled on top, it elevates the taste by adding a combination of sweet and saltiness to it.
I preferred the Muscat Grape Sake ($6) that has a slight resemblance to the Yakult grape flavour, more creamy and milky with a lingering taste of sake.
Apart from coffee from Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Gryphon Tea, Cotta also offers several Specialty Drinks on their menu.
These include The Cotta ($9) using pistachio cream, espresso and milk, Military Latte ($8) with matcha, cocoa and espresso, Coconut Charcoal Einspanner ($8) and Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8).
The Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8) comes with a layer of cream on top, torched before serving to add some smokiness to the light, refreshing and orangey drink.
Overlooking the bustling Tanjong Pagar Road, Cotta is like a tranquil heaven on its own, a perfect place for a quiet afternoon.
Cotta
104A Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088524
Opening Hours: 1:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
