Started in July 2007, Food for Thought is a relatively new café but it has a great ambition. It aims to serve the community by donating its profits to various social causes. Students who want to chill out but are restricted by tight budgets would love it here. The economic snacks and friendly environment would keep you on the seats for hours, especially on rainy days where you crave for somewhere warm and cosy.

• The Vibe
  A very rich aroma of mushroom soup will hit you the moment you step into the café, even before you take in the environment visually. The place is rather small and is quite packed even after lunchtime. Thus, customers looking for privacy or lots of leg room would probably find this place cramped and uncomfortable. However, the ambience is very homely and welcoming. There seems to be a lot of interaction between the regular customers and the crew.

• The Food
  Food for Thought mainly serves sandwiches, salads and soups, though they also have a selection of desserts like cakes and muffins to satisfy your sugar-fix. The health-conscious may like the Shitake Mushroom Fennel Soup ($4). You will be surprised that though the soup is thick and creamy, it does not contain any cream. Instead, it is filled with shitake mushroom slices that are smooth and fragrant. Unfortunately, the soup tastes rather bland, and is only slightly redeemed with a sprinkle of salt.

  The adventurous can opt for the Chinese Chicken Caesar Salad ($7). Greens accompanied by slices of chicken breast are tossed in the Western salad way but garnished with braised eggs and a Chinese sesame ginger soya dressing. The generous pile of vegetables no doubt offers a whole load of dietary fibre and vitamins but its curious mix of sweet, tangy and salty tastes can get overwhelming after a while.

  On the other hand, the Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwich priced at only $7.90 is quite a gem. Though it is only lukewarm when served, the tender pieces of pork coated with barbeque sauce is appetizing. The sandwich is served with roasted sweet potatoes, spinach leaves and crisp pork crackling, a creative change from the usual coleslaw and chips. Each bite satisfies with a combination of texture and taste. The bread, spinach leaves and pork cracklings are crispy while the succulent pork pieces drenched with barbeque sauce is soft and juicy with a faint hint of sweetness.

  Alternatively, check out Mama Heng's Spicy Braised Pork Sandwich ($7.90). As the name suggests, this dish is inspired by a personal recipe of Head Chef David Heng's mother. You can see it as the western version of the well-loved Chinese dish, kong bak bao which consists of a bun with a piece of braised pork belly. Though the meat looks and tastes a little oily, the chef attempts to strike a healthier balance by serving it with grilled tau kwa (dried beancurd), coriander leaves, chilli and pickles. If you are coming with a few friends, or simply want to try a little of everything, you will be delighted to know that various combo sets and platters are also available, starting from $7.90.

  End your meal on a sweet note with a refreshing glass of the café's special drinks. Imagine big chunks of sweet and juicy watermelon frozen into slush, joined by freshly chopped mint that adds a tinge of refreshing taste to the drink. It is no wonder the Frozen Watermelon Mint ($4) is so popular. What is even better comes in the form of the Frozen Lychee Sage ($4). Sweet, smooth and icy cold, this drink never fails to please, especially on a hot, tiring day.

• The Service
  The crew consists of a bunch of very young and cheerful people. The united team spirit they portray is heart-warming. However, most of them are always standing behind the bar (probably not wanting to take up more space in the already restricted area), so customers have to self-service most of the time.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on Food for Thought
If you are not very fussy about food, Food for Thought offers a good alternative to the predictable and often overcrowded Starbucks and Mind Cafe. Its cosy and unpretentious ambience serves as a lovely hideout for you to while lazy afternoons away with friends. However, if you are particular about smells, you may not like the mild whiff of mushroom smell in your hair and clothes after you leave the place. Also, some may find the limited space in the café too suppressing. All things considered, I would say this is a soulful place where you can bask in loads of warmth and love; and it is also friendly to your wallets.