Fans of FRIENDS are no doubt excited about the opening of this new themed café at Central Mall, so we popped by to see what all the fuss is about
Fans of FRIENDS will no doubt be familiar with Central Perk, the fictional café that had been the iconic backdrop for all manner of wacky shenanigans on the comedy hit show. Feeling nostalgic already? Now, you can recreate your favourite moments between Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey and Chandler, at Singapore’s very own adaptation of the hip hangout at Clarke Quay’s Central Mall. But is it authentic? Is it all hype? Would it lure singer-songwriters doing covers of “Smelly Cat”? We popped by to suss out this trending café, and here are our first impressions of the new joint.
The Ross & Rachel Breakup Pizza
When we saw this on the menu, we knew we just had to try it for ourselves, anchovies and all. Verdict? If you’re not a fan of this much-maligned pizza topping, you’ll find nothing extraordinary here. Unfortunately, the pizza base was hard, crusty and not unlike frozen pizza from the supermarket. And for $26, we expected a far bigger portion than what we got.
Brews named after characters
Central Perk offers distinctive brews inspired by the series’ loveable cast of misfits. We tried the Phoebe, Ross, and Rachel brews, but weren’t terribly impressed either. The Phoebe-inspired coffee employed a nutty roast, reminiscent of the character herself, but offered only the mildest hazelnut taste. The Ross cappuccino billed itself as a mild, less-acidic brew, but tasted rather flat and bland. While the Rachel brew promised to be “light and floral”, but tasted too similar to the Ross. All roasts can be ordered as a cappuccino, latte or mocha for $8, while an espresso will set you back $4.
But fans will feel right at home
This is where Central Perk positively shines. The café is a loving homage to its onscreen counterpart and features neon signs, brick walls, and the signature orange couch where we reckon you and your mates would share life stories on for hours. The café is also home to a small store offering character-themed memorabilia like t-shirts and totes along with a recreation of Monica’s kitchen, perfect for Instagram shots.
While the café certainly scores points for authenticity, we were rather disappointed with our brief foray into the menu, and we hope the rest of the menu items are more inspiring. Not to mention, the prices here – for what we got – might discourage most from becoming regulars like the gang on FRIENDS. If you’re a fan, we’re certain you’ll have few complaints once you find yourself naturally whipping out your phones to re-enact scenes from the series. But if the show’s novelty flies over your head, you might wanna give this a miss.
Central Perk, 1 Magazine Road, 01-01 Central Mall, Singapore 059567. Open Tue-Sun 10am-10pm. Closed on Mon. p. 9025 2524.