Despite my aversion to overpriced coffeehouse chains, I’ve always had a soft spot for Gloria Jean’s, probably because their strawberries & cream chiller was the first ice-blended drink I ever had.
That being said, like Starbucks and CBTL, I’ve never found GJ’s factory-made pastries and cakes to be particularly appetizing. So when I discovered that waffles were now part of their lineup, I had mixed feelings—optimism that I would have some new content for this blog and pessimism that the waffle wouldn’t be very good.
Sure enough, the Waffle was exactly what I expected: pre-baked in a central kitchen and left in a refrigerated display for who-knows-how-long before being reheated, likely in a microwave, which resulted in a mostly soft and chewy texture. Though there were some random crispy parts, it made me question whether the entire waffle would have fared better with a longer reheating time or a different reheating method. Obviously, compared to most freshly baked waffles I’ve had, this one was quite average and left much to be desired. However, I suppose it could have been worse (some of the absolute worst waffles I’ve ever had were freshly baked, after all).
The Cold Brew Soft Serve, on the other hand, struck a nice balance between sweet and intense. I rarely enjoy coffee-infused ice cream (I prefer coffee as a drink rather than as a dessert), but this one had me thinking about going back for another round. Surprisingly, even though I asked for it to be served on top of the waffle instead of in a cup, the ice cream retained its smooth, creamy and slightly dense consistency, and didn’t melt too quickly.
As for the ambiance, this Gloria Jean’s outlet is situated in Marina Square, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. The decor is spiffy and homey at the same time, but the place doesn’t seem to get much business during off-peak hours, which actually makes it an ideal hangout if you’re looking for a quiet café to kick back or get some work done at.
Ratings
WAFFLE: 3/5
COLD BREW SOFT SERVE: 4/5
Address (Marina Square outlet):
6 Raffles Blvd, #03-132/133/133K Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Contact: 6993 2089
Website: gloriajeanscoffees.com.sg
