Project Glyph
Project Glyph is run by the same people behind Onnki Donburi, situated next to it on a lower level.
The cafe specializes in baked goods made on site throughout the day, especially a rotating range of Korean-style macarons.
The 30-seat space is bordered by benches with comfy pillows, the decor taking on a minimalist theme similar to Onnki Donburi.
Though most other items have a Japanese influence, macarons here are done in the Korean style. That means they're fatter and taller than most typical macarons, and come with wild toppings and fillings.
Topped macarons are $3.25, $3 for flavours without extra decoration like red velvet, espresso and other flavours. There are typically about six to eight options available at a time that rotate every few days, and they're always coming up with new flavours in the open kitchen.
The red velvet and Oreo macarons stuff thin, crumbly, chewy almond cookies with a cream cheese-based filling, the Oreo variety blended with pounded cookies. They're sweet and satisfying, but rich at the same time.
The most unique macaron might be a cheese variety that imitates Ritz Bitz with an almost alarming level of success, especially helped by a whole Ritz cracker on top. The sharp processed cheese flavour won't be for everyone, but it combines with the sweet element of the cookie in an interesting way.
There's also a Kit Kat matcha variety that gets most of its matcha flavour from the matcha Kit Kat piece stuffed into the buttercream. A peanut caramel variety is more caramel and salt than peanut, topped with a mini pretzel.
A brow-kie is like a brownie and a cookie combined, dense brownie studded with chocolate chips and topped with cookie pieces. This item comes in different varieties too, like matcha and Oreo.
Roll cake ($5) is perfectly executed in its simplicity, the cake very spongy, and the house pure whipped cream inside nicely sweet but very delicate.
Strawberry shortcake ($5.50) is similar, the sponge and whipped cream layered rather than rolled, the light cream studded with fresh strawberries.
Tea lattes ($4.75) are available in matcha and chai varieties, and there are also London Fogs.
All teas are obtained from Genuine Tea, de Mello Palheta's Dancing Goats on deck for coffee.
Lemonade ($4.75) is also made in house here, and the sugar and citrus is combined beforehand, with sparkling water added to order.
Garnished with a preserved lemon wheel, the lemonade is served with the bottle of water so you're able to modulate its tartness.
Project Glyph is perfect if what you're looking for in a cafe isn't so much natural light as seclusion and style.
Hector Vasquez