A hot chick to die for

The latest place hipsters are raving about is a.e.i.o.u.

Located at an industrial area, in what used to be an antique shop, it serves cafe food with a healthy slant. Its menu is peppered with dish names so quirky, they were mildly irritating.

The names weren't the only aspect which stood out. The cafe also includes a retail section, where you can pick up items made from junkyard scrap.

When I ate there last Tuesday, the air-conditioning hadn't been installed so the fan blew in our faces, which was surprisingly pleasant.

The serving staff were a little rough around the edges, but sincere and polite.

a.e.i.o.u. opened last month, and has been discovered by the cafe chasers.

You can expect it to be packed all weekend.

From the gates - left untouched from when the previous owners operated the place - to the cakes and food, every inch of the space is Instagram-worthy.

All this should not turn you off.

Visit the cafe on a weekday afternoon because the food is worth it. Explore the neighbourhood after that and bask in the glory of the hipster lifestyle for a day.

VEG TERRINE

An interesting item on the menu is one for the vegetarians.

The Rainbow Me-di-Te-ra-ne ($22.90) is a refreshing terrine but may not go down well with the masses. for those who appreciate the texture and taste, it's a great treat.

NEW EXPERIENCE

The Avocado Coffee ($8) is an exciting find. I love the creaminess of avocado but when you pour two shots of espresso into it, it becomes a whole new experience. I'll be back for another dose.

BIG CHICK

The Hot Chick from Head To Toe ($22.90) is a must try.

The whole chicken is sizeable, and surprisingly tender and juicy.

The sides are lovely too. The mash is creamy without being too heavy and the brown sauce added the right amount of saltiness.

SHARP START

My first taste of the Moo-Licious Cheeks ($24.90) caught me by surprise.

There was an unexpectedly bright after taste to the sauce, thanks to the balsamic vinegar. The beef cheeks were super tender too. It's hard to find fault with this dish.

BASIC WINGS

While I liked almost everything I tasted at the cafe, this was the one dish I didn't really enjoy.

The Grounded Chicks ($6.90) are baked instead of fried.

The marinade tried valiantly to be interesting but it was a flop.

Order this if you must have chicken wings - some people actually can't live without them - but otherwise, there are way more interesting dishes on the menu.

This article was first published on February 4, 2015.
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