The hype: The people behind Forty Hands and Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) add another notch to their belt, with a sleek, chic dining space on Stanley Street for the working crowd. With a full menu of well-thought out offerings that take you from brunch to dinner, Common Man Stan proves that the 8-year-old brand is far more than just its excellent coffee.
The vibe: While Stan’s cousin over at Martin Road has nailed the buzzy but laidback cafe vibe, the decor here leans more towards an upmarket space for a chill night out with friends; CBD-appropriate but still casual. Picture marble tabletops, gilded light fixtures, and a clean color palette—perfect to take your boss to for casual drinks, too.
The food: Headed up by Chef Rue previously from the CMCR kitchen, the menu at Stan is essentially fusion takes on brunch classics—injected with Rue’s distinct Filipino touch. If you’re coming by for dinner (5-9:30pm), start slow with the Quinoa Rosti ($16) with smoked salmon and dill cream, an obvious homage to a brunch favorite. Then move into the Tofu Sisig ($16), a Filipino dish traditionally using meat, but here substituted with fried tofu in tangy dressing for a healthier alternative. It’s a great sharing plate that tastes both Asian and very Western at the same time; must be the nacho chips that come with.
For mains, try the Pork Belly Cha Shu ($25)—Stan’s Western, melty take on char siew with hints of truffle from the truffled kang kong. If you like your flavors strong, the Shimeji Mushroom Gnocchi ($22) features hand-cut gnocchi in a creamy tahini and miso sauce that’s almost offensively peanut-ty.
But the undisputed star dish is the Charcoal Crack & Cheese ($12), a creamy plate of three-cheese (parmesan, gruyere and cheddar) mac & cheese with generous shavings of black truffle. Every mouthful is explosively indulgent, with the truffled power to make you crave again for it late in the night, when you’ve got the post-party munchies, or after a break-up; you name it. The dish was previously a bestseller back at a separate venture Broadcast HQ before it closed down; thank the good Lord they brought it back.
The drinks: Obviously coffee, though Stan also offers Nitro Cold Brew ($8) prepared live at the bar. Else, there’s the fresh and fruity Nitro Iced Tea ($6), rotating draught craft beers ($12), and a simple selection of wines and cocktails like the photogenic Stan Spritz ($15)—botanical gin in an affecting violet from butterfly pea syrup.
Why you’ll be back: Consistent innovation has paid off for a household name that could have easily chosen to just rest on its laurels. Come by Stan for honest good food, a lovely space, and that addictive Crack & Cheese.
