Posted on Sun, 2 Oct 2011
Boys Closet, Cafe And Cocktails
Where does a single girl go these days to meet a straight (hopefully) man who enjoys shopping, good eats and is willing to kick back with you over a menu of chi chi cocktail? Borders, the Gym, the Airport – all passe, it seems. Opening in November this year at Kandahar Street along Singapore’s recently trendy Haji Lane is a new men’s wear boutique, cafe and cocktail bar called Maison Ikkoku. Translated into English as “House of the Moment” this new artisanal coffee bar and multi-label menswear retail store is actually a converted 4000 square foot three story shophouse. 
The ground floor houses a contemporary cafe serving premium coffee prepared by Baristas that were trained by Japanese latte art specialist Hiroshi Sawada. They serve an interesting menu of gourmet sandwiches and house specialties like the MI Pork Bun which is actually Kong Bak Bao or steamed bun filled with a homemade stewed pork belly, MI Musubi which is a Japanese short grain rice with seasoning and spam, the Spicy Chicken and Gruyere which is actually Cajun chicken strips with gruyere cheese, rocket, fresh tomatoes and extra virgin oil.
The second floor is all about shopping and has several interesting brands from Japan including Deluxe, Discovered, Hobo, Kuro, Lad Musician and Nuggets, from the US there is Industry Of All Nations, Miansai and Publish and from France there is Teddyfish and Twins For Peace and from the UK Orlebar Brown. On the third floor adjourn for drinky poos. Check out their website at www.maison-ikkoku.net.
