Cafe Cartel (Marina Square)

Used to really enjoy going to this outlet mainly because of their free flow freshly baked crusty bread... They used to have this bread counter where they will bring out loafs of freshly baked bread from their oven and you could self serve with loads of butter, olive oil, vinaigrette and other consignments available at the counter.

Yar.. maybe you think that i'm a cheapo that will order a bowl of soup and eat loads of bread and well.... i cannot say this thought never crossed my mind, however when you are there you cannot but be tempted to order the other stuffs on the menu. The BBQ ribs are extremely nice, soft and chewy, full flavored and portion is big. Seafood platter also serves up the ocean, breaded and fried, crispy and portion is definitely good to share. However because the bread is so good, I always indulge myself with too much bread and walk out feeling like a balloon.... Now we are already floating up mid air and I have yet to touch on the dessert and drinks.

Coffee comes in all sorts of styles here and you could get them to be served with ice-cream and so are their sodas and fruit juices.... Its really too many to list. The dessert choices are a headache because everything is just so yummy....

All in all, the menu takes like 15 minutes to digest and another 5 to decide because there are just so many stuffs to choose from.. and always go with a group of friends because you tend to indulge in ordering too much. Just sad that the free flow bread is no more, they do still give you a basket of bread but all the fun of going there to cut it yourself, though the bread all comes back ugly and oddly squeezed, its the fun of doing it yourself that makes the difference..

CAFE CARTEL..... I HOPE YOU HEAR ME..... " PLEASE BRING BACK THE FREE FLOW BREAD COUNTER!!!" " I'M LOVING AND MISSING THAT ALOT!!!"

Cafe cartel. It is seriously a cartel, when it comes to prices, cos its super expensive! i just don't like the thought of paying so much for something which tastes better elsewhere, with similar pricing.

Coming to its service, i just have to applaud them for being so bad at its service. i went here once, and i have to call them up so many times to ask if my food was ready, as it is taking super long to be cooked.

I also do not like the idea of squeezing, but today, i have to squeeze with a dozen other people. I am paying restaurant pricing, and thus i expect better service and better ambiance, but here, the restaurant seems abit too crowded. I know they want to earn as much as they can, but they also cannot compromise the attitude towards a customer right?

The only redeeming factor is the food. The food is pricey, but it has at least some standard, although i can go elsewhere and get similar food which is better. The pasta here tastes nice too! had linguini that time i went here.

Overall, cafe cartel certainly live up to its name of being a cartel. Pricey and only meeting expectations food, but not exceeding expectations. If not for my gathering with my friends, i will never step into cafe cartel. Be thankful that i went once.

Rating 2/5 ( alot to improve on)