Combining the different artistic sides of the coffee process, A.R.C. (academy, roaster, and café) offers a wholesome coffee experience, letting you appreciate the process from the bean to the coffee in your cup. Along with that come beautifully presented and creative dishes.
A Creamy Start
Offering both a separate lunch and dinner menu, our A.R.C. Coffee review took place in the latter hours of the day. As I was recommended to try their Portobello Salad, I simply couldn’t resist. The rewarding result was a whole mushroom that was stuffed with a creamy mushroom filling and topped with a layer of molten cheese, creating an extra level of goodness.
All of it was sitting in a bed of arugula leaves, tomatoes as well as a few almonds and walnuts. The mushroom and its filling had a different texture and feel, making them combine well, as one was rather creamy and the other had a chewier feel.
One of their various sides was the Truffle Mash, offering a very strong truffle smell and taste. The potato mash was quite creamy too. Although I haven’t tried their truffle fries yet, this version could easily become a new favourite. The truffle oil softened the typical potato taste, making it a smooth starter. The homemade crispy potato chips were not just a mere garnish but gave the dish a little extra texture.
Creative and Substantial
Although A.R.C. has a separate lunch and dinner offering, there are also all-day pasta dishes on the menu. Despite their Laksa Pasta sounding very tempting, we chose their signature Ruru Mian, which is A.R.C.’s twist on Aglio Olio. The perfectly cooked pasta comes with spicy prawns, herbs, and fresh basil leaves. The prawns were quite big and juicy, giving the pasta some extra flavour. The portion was as well very satisfying and beautifully presented.
However, even more creative was their homemade Tiramisu, as it was presented in a cute little flowerpot, including its very own spade that served as the most creative spoon ever. The garish, three little herbs sticking out of the pot, not only made the dessert look like a real growing flower, but also emphasises the café’s focus on the creation of food and beverages.
Offering a varying selection of coffee brews and beans every day, most coffees are available as either hot or cold. Ordering a standard café latte, my coffee was way above the average, as the milk foam on top of the coffee was creamy, making it very pleasant to drink.
We also tested their milkshakes and cold-pressed juice. While one was not too milky, but rather very fruity including small strawberry bites, the cold-pressed apple juice was very refreshing and offering a lot of natural sweetness.
Travelling, eating, and drinking his way through life, Peter is continuously hungry for more. Always looking something new and exciting every single day, his day starts before the sunrise and ends longer after the sunset.
