Cars and cafés – an unlikely but not entirely new combination, what with the launch of Porsche Studio and its in-house Cafe Carrera early last year. Gone are the days when car viewing involved bitter coffee dispensed from machines into paper cups.
Another luxury car brand, Audi, is also redefining the showroom experience. This year, it is collaborating with Burnt Ends Hospitality Group to introduce a bakery-café and cocktail bar at the new Audi House of Progress on Cross Street. The Audi X Burnt Ends Bakery and GT Bar officially opens on February 15. And there’s more to expect at the showroom, including completely free experiences for the public. Read on to find out more.
Savour German bakes and coffee at the Audi X Burnt Ends Bakery
Burnt Ends Hospitality Group runs the award-winning barbecue restaurant Burnt Ends, which houses an adjacent bakery and bar within the same compound in Dempsey Hill. This new 30-seater bakery is Burnt Ends’ second, and features a selection of German-inspired bakes and Burnt Ends’ signatures curated by chef-owner Dave Pynt himself. Why German? It’s a nod to the car manufacturer’s roots, which trace back to Chemnitz, Germany in 1885.
Look forward to stuffed doughnuts which come in 12 flavours, including must-orders like Black Forest ($7) and apple strudel ($6). More local flavours include the pandan and the milo doughnut ($6 each). The savoury section of the menu features pizzas ($10), pies ($16), roast beef sandwiches ($18), and pretzels ($9) – a quintessential German snack.
The coffee bar uses Burnt Ends’ Slayer’s Blend with origins in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, but you can opt for other single-origins and blended coffees on the menu (from $4.25). On top of espresso-based coffee, filter coffee, cold brews, juices, and tea, the café offers four signature drinks ($10 each), including a tiramisu latte, clarified coffee milk punch, the Dirty Cherry, and the Apple Passion.
Check out a Gran Turismo-inspired cocktail bar
Gran Turismo fans are in for a treat at the GT Bar, a 15-seater space dedicated to the legendary racing game. Concealed by glass panels in the day, GT Bar comes alive from 5pm till late daily, serving German-inspired cocktails ($28) and a list of wines synonymous with the country – think Rieslings, Pinot Noirs, Sekt, and more.
Signature cocktails on the menu include the Blackforest, a whisky and Kirsch blend with chocolate and black cherries – a nod to the Black Forest gateau dessert. There’s also the barrel-aged sloe gin negroni and drinks crafted with Burnt Ends’ cold brew like Not A Bavarian Coffee. What’s more, the bar offers an approachable beer selection including a pale lager named after the Austrian village Fugging, as well as bar bites like currywurst.
More experiences at the Audi House of Progress
On top of attractive F&B offerings, the Audi House of Progress is an all-in-one retail and lifestyle space dedicated to customers, fans of the brand, and motorsports enthusiasts in general. Customers can view, test drive, and purchase current and future Audi models at the new facility. The space will also be used as an event venue for workshops and associated engagements, such as the launch of the new Audi A5 which will be hitting Singapore’s roads soon.
There are several interactive elements at the Audi House of Progress which are completely free for the public. Visitors can try their hand at the two Gran Turismo driving simulators beside the GT Bar, or play a round of golf at the virtual golf experience modelled after the annual Audi quattro Cup. There will also be rotating displays that celebrate the legacy of the automotive brand.
Find out more about the Audi House of Progress here.
The Audi X Burnt Ends Bakery is open daily from 8am to 4pm, while the GT Bar is open from 5pm till late daily. The Audi House of Progress is open daily from 10am to 7pm at Cross Street Exchange, 18 Cross Street, Singapore 048423.
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