Not gonna lie about this one — visiting Vernacular Coffee is probably one of the most surreal experiences for us. For those whom have yet heard, Vernacular Coffee is one of the latest entrants to the local specialty coffee scene thus far. Situated at the site of the former Singapore Badminton Hall at 100 Guillemard Road, Vernacular Coffee is an entirely new concept that had opened its door right at where the former location of Brawn & Brains Coffee used to be that faces the main road — a spot that we are especially familiar with since this was very much the same space that we had seen Brawn & Brains Coffee grown ever since their move from the smaller shop space that faces the carpark leading out to Cassia Crescent. Now home to Vernacular Coffee, the space does see quite a number of remnants that would remind one of the space’s former tenants whom are not related in any way to the current tenants of the unit — these folks have pretty much kept to the same layout except for knocking off some parts of the counter and the partitions segregating the dining area and the kitchen area. Some of the furnishings like the tables had been repurposed and refurbished, while some fittings like the lamp shades have been retained; one very peculiar detail was a re-used metallic signboard previously made by the former tenant at their older space within the same compound that is also re-purposed with Vernacular Coffee’s branding that now hangs outside of the cafe. There are some attempts of Vernacular Coffee still creating a character for the space; the use of patterned tiles for the walls behind the espresso counter and the painting of the walls in a shade of dark green did help in adding a bit of its own identity to the space somewhat.

Whilst Vernacular Coffee does sound like a spot that has a good emphasis on coffee, it does seem like these folks are more of a croissanterie if one looks at the food menu here — the menu having their danishes segregated into Classic, Breakfast Danish, Fruit Danish and Ice Cream Sandwich sections. For beverages, there is a focus on specialty coffee; they offer eight (8) different types of single-origin beans — some roasted by themselves while some being brought in via collaborations with other local cafes like Humble Origins Coffee Roasters and Flip Coffee Roasters, which can be opted to be served in espresso-based format or filter brew format. There are also a variety of other beverages such as drinking chocolate, ginger ale and apple juice for those whom are not into specialty coffee. Skimming through the menu, it is well-noted that Vernacular Coffee does serve up a wider variety of danishes than what is being displayed in the display case at the counter — do enquire with them should there be a particular item that one is interested in that is not displayed. We found ourselves being drawn to the Scrambled Eggs & Spam Breakfast Danish — perhaps so considering how this seems to replicate that of the scrambled egg with spam rice bowl that one can find at establishments such as Dan Lao 蛋佬 and Kovan Scrambled Egg Rice 高文滑蛋饭 that has gone popular on social media for quite a while now; something which we found to be really comforting and familiar as well. The menu does not describe about the elements about what the Scrambled Eggs & Spam Breakfast Danish comprises, though it is observed that the Scrambled Eggs & Spam Breakfast Danish does come without much surprises — a round Danish which comes with scrambled egg over it, as well as some cubes of spam with chopped spring onions as a garnish.

It is noted that the Scrambled Eggs & Spam Breakfast Danish is actually prepared upon order; probably so to avoid the Danish from soaking up all the moisture from the scrambled eggs. Digging in to the Scrambled Eggs & Spam Breakfast Danish, it is noted that the Danish itself comes light and flaky with a bit of a buttery note — something which we found to be rather well-executed. The scrambled eggs that come above came just with the right texture as well; all runny and being creamy with a good hint of eggy flavour as well. There is nothing that can go wrong with the combination of scrambled eggs and luncheon meat ever; a classic pair that always see the spam adding a meaty and salt-ish touch to the scrambled eggs that is oh-so-ever comforting to have — the cubes of luncheon meat also coming in appropriately-sized cubes that makes it easy to have. The addition of spring onions helps to add a bit of crunch; all that whilst adding a colour contrast to the other elements for a vibrant look. Overall, an offering that is undoubtedly breakfast-y as it promises to be; one that would be hearty enough to start the day with. It is pretty odd knowing that the space is no longer run by the folks of Brawn & Brains Coffee anymore considering how tied their roots have been to this locality; that being said, it seems like Vernacular Coffee does present itself well as a spot for light food / sweet treats and great specialty coffee considering the stuff we had tried here. Their range of Danish are priced between $5 to $12, with most items within the $10 to $12 range — a little steep but understandably so when some of their items consist of elements like Honey Camembert and Medjool Dates. A spot that is worth checking out at least once to see what they are all about!