Face it, not all of us are coffee connoisseurs, as TCC would like to fool itself into believing, but all of us have been to some coffeehouse on some basis, be it weekly, daily or monthly. With our growing affluence, commercial coffee culture can only keep growing and new chains opening up every few years or so.
So how do normal busy and stressed out people like us distinguish which chains are good and which are bad?
To start off, examine what your needs for going into a coffeehouse are for. I’ve listed a few criteria which most people go by and will be using this to review the major chains crammed on this tiny island.
1) Comfort (where you can hang out with your homies)
2) Quality (of coffee)
3) Speed (of which your order is executed)
4) Friendliess (of baristas as you whistle and look the other way to avoid conversation)
Starbucks
Have you ever really taken a look at the logo? Look at it and tell me what you see. If you ask me, I see a woman with long flowing hair with a crown, holding her two legs apart for all the world to see.
Gives you some fuel for the playground tagline, “coffeeshop open 24 hours” doesn’t it?
Now that I’ve welcomed you into my warped mind, it’s impossible for you to trot into any location on this urban jungle and not see an image of your favourite lady holding her legs wide open.
It’s arguable that Starbucks is the most successful coffee chain around and quite possibly, moulded commercial coffee culture as we know today. First opened to sell whole and roasted coffee beans, Howard Schultz joined in 1982 and went on a business trip to Italy. He came back with a brilliant idea to bring Italy’s rich espresso tradition to America.
Today and in Singapore, that white mug you’re holding is the result of the global exchange and influence. Starbucks outlets can be found every 100 metres along Orchard Road making it extremely accessible and sickeningly common.
If you’re looking for a place that’s not too quiet, with some decent coffee, Starbucks would be it. Its drinks are not too thick or rich though it could do with more volume. Its presentation isn’t quite up to par if you don’t order whipped cream (who needs that extra calories especially this season?), what with them being poured into a white mug and straight into your hands with no extra thought.
The staff are really friendly and I’ve come to notice that they maintain some form of eye contact with you as you place your order. I noticed too that if your order is “to-go” and say that you’re in a hurry, they really do put in effort to get it done quickly.
All in all, a decent place for you to hop to for a chit-chat session. Starbucks is, one of the better chains around here.
Recommended items: Hot chocolate, hot mocha, frappuccinos
Rating: 
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Or just Coffee Bean in street speak. I don’t know what is it with people but they
tend to love drawing comparisons with Starbucks and Coffee bean. I have plenty of gripes about this company because the baristas they have behind the counter always seem to put on a stony expression.
They just take your order and tell you to proceed to the collection point without a courtesy smile.
What is it with them in hiring such unhappy people? It’s a coffeehouse for goodness sake. Can’t they at least act like they’ve swallowed just one miserable espresso shot before starting work?
Gripes about service aside, the brown gold we lust after isn’t all that either, tasting rather diluted. Once I ordered an ice blended drink and there were full chunks of ice floating around. I decided to play the demanding customer and sent it back.
But they make up for it with their teas. One sniff of the aroma and you can tell it’s good quality stuff.
Recommended Items: Earl Grey Tea
Rating:
The Coffee Connoisseur 
Homegrown brand The Coffee Connoisseur or TCC for short scores with its service and art boutique concept.
If you like to be surrounded by fancy contemporary decorations without thinking they’re trying too hard then this will be the place to drag your tired soles to chill out or catch up with friends. The environment is relaxing with plenty of space to call yours as you sip your cares away.
With it’s first two outlets opening in December 2003, TCC has since been whipping up a delectable selection of over 60 types of coffee drinks from your usual lattes to Liqueur Kaffee.
Their drinks have never once been disappointments; rich, full flavored and served attractively in quaint cups or mighty tall glasses, the little bit extra you pay for is well worth the quality and overall experience. Other chains seem like drive-throughs if you compare them with TCC. Needless to say, the only membership card I’ve ever and will ever have based on coffee-drinking, is with them.
Recommended items: Café Royal (Flambé)
Rating:
Spinelli Coffee Company
Fact: Spinelli’s was one of the best rated coffee sellers in San Francisco since it was founded in 1983. It was never one of the biggest players there, nor in Singapore but it’s coffee is still much better than average and the number of outlets here is just about enough to go around.
Spinelli’s strongest selling point is in the quality of its drinks. Flavourful and full-bodied without being overpowering, they cost a tad lesser than Starbucks and Coffee Bean, though the portions are slightly smaller too. But that’s great because you’re not forced to get a big ass mug like Starbucks’ venti-sized drinks.
If you’re looking for coffee quality, Spinelli’s would be your recommended destination. Its seats are comfortable and I’ve sat for long hours catching up with friends or just by myself with my iBook sipping a latte while writing.
Oh yeah, and the outlet at The Heeren… let’s just say that it’s a regular haunt for men who bat for the other team.
Recommended items: Caramel latte, lemon mint tea
Rating: 
Pacific Coffee
Who would’ve thought that one of my favourite places to go to on a rainy day would actually be from Hong Kong? I like its large couches, cozy armchairs and plenty of power points to shove my iBook’s plug into.
Pacific Coffee wins with its slow pace and comfortable environment. Drenched in maroon and wooden brown, anyone would feel instantly at home and relaxed from the point they step into the cafe.
I personally like how their coffee is served in nondescript mugs so big, they might as well come with nipples. And I don’t get the distinct feeling like I’m patronising a huge coffee company, I feel at home.
I’ve sat on their armchairs for hours writing, reading or catching up with friends. Not enough power points to go around? No probs. Just unplug one their lamps and use it. The staff don’t really mind – in fact, one of their baristas suggested it to me.
Recommended items: Iced lemon tea, cappuccino
Rating:
And there you have it. My painstakingly-written review of four major coffee chains. I’d like to review Gloria Jean’s but the only thing I’ve ever bought from any of their outlets is their bagel (which I grabbed for lunch since I was rushing off).
Next on my coffee series: How to tell if your cuppa is as good as it should be. Stay tuned folks! 
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