The Landing Point Afternoon Tea @ Fullerton Bay Hotel

Housed in the posh Fullerton Bay Hotel, the former Clifford Pier Ferry Terminal, the Landing Point is one mandatory spot for all ladies to visit at least once in their lifetime for afternoon tea.

You’d know why when you continue reading on.

We drove here and parked at the Fullerton Hotel. Access to the Fullerton Bay is a bit troublesome as you have to walk through One Fullerton unsheltered towards the hotel.

Ever since visiting the newly built Fullerton Bay Hotel a few years ago, I’ve always wanted to lounge along the corridor of the hotel lobby that faces the stunning Marina Bay Sands from a distance.

It seemed like the right time to visit when my mum wanted to have high tea for her birthday. The Landing Point came up as one of my first few choices, and I made the reservation a few days ahead and made sure I opted for these couch seats.

I like how it’s comfortable and had the view of the beautiful Marina Bay Sands skyline. Coincidentally, my mum thought the same way for quite some time already on wanting to dine here! Girls think alike hehe…

Although the first seating of the afternoon tea started at 12.30pm, I made reservations for 1.30pm because we all wanted to sleep-in on a Saturday. The restaurant was already three-quarter filled when we have reached!

There were other seats by the bar, but they were not as comfy as these ones I picked.

The Landing Point serves refillable tea and coffee and afternoon tea for $45++ per pax, and I was glad that their selection of teas is from TWG – my favourite – because they are the best in Singapore, in my opinion.

Their infusions are always so unique and rarely disappoint me. I used to be a frequent patron of TWG during my Junior College and University days whenever I’m back in Singapore when they had first open. Ah, those young taitai days…

One thing that was lacking from the menu was their offerings for the afternoon tea. What went on my mind was: how am I going to review them?

Thankfully, the waitress cared to list everything on the stand. I managed to note everything down like a studious pupil. She further explained the reason why they do not print them out on the menu was because they do not serve them on a fixed basis.

I wondered how much the menu varies.

When it was time to order our drinks, I had the Silver Moon Tea and a cup of Mocha.

The rest of the girls had the Jasmine Queen Tea, Decaffeinated Cappuccino, and Espresso. My sister’s Cappuccino had a cute “latte art” of the Fullerton, supposedly.

It reminded me more of the Facebook icon.

Our afternoon tea set came within 20 minutes and three of our portions were split into two stands.

There were 17 pastries and finger food in total.

For the 1st tier we had:

1st tier:

1. Truffle and Egg Sandwich
2. Lobster Tartlet***
3. Salmon Quiche*
4. Smoked Salmon Sandwich*
5. Duck Burger

2nd tier:

6. Canelé**
7. Madeleine
8. Lemon Tart***
9. Fruit Cake***
10. Chocolate Square
11. Eclair***
12. Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart***

3rd Tier:

13. Cucumber Sandwich
14. Prosciutto Bagel
15. Brie Cheese Cracker***
16. Chicken Wrap (below)

*** Must try
** Not bad
* It’s all right
NIL Meh

And finally, the Raison Scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam given  individually on the side.

From my ratings, I would say that most items were mediocre. However, these are my top 5 picks that left a lasting impression on me.

GOOD

Ranked #1 is their Lobster Tartlet, which I asked for refills after having one immediately.

Taste: 4.5/5

With a crispy sesame tart crust, the lobster chunk that rest on it was fresh and was a sweet composition with the mayonnaise. Lobster was also not overcooked, thank goodness for that!

Our refills, however, took more than an hour to arrive.

Ranked 2nd: Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart that literally blew my mind.

Taste: 5/5

Not huge fan of caramel, so I was sceptical of this plain-looking tart, but one bite instantly changed my mind.

Salted caramel oozed out from the centre of the tart and I squealed in delight! It was so good that I finished the whole tart at one go, and started to contract a sore throat an hour later… Told you that my throat is super sensitive.

I think it was worth it.

#SoreThroatTookForeverToCureThough

Ranked 3rd: Brie Cheese Cracker 

This can be found next to the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart.

Taste: 4/5

The delicately-assembled snack had a wholegrain biscuit as its base, topped with a brie cheese square, raspberry jelly and cranberry.

It must have been the cheese that made us all like it.However, the quality of the crackers were inconsistent, as the subsequent ones given during the refills were not as crunchy as our first.

Ranked 4th: Lemon Tart

Taste: 4/5

Taste: 5/5

This is one tart that can pair flawlessly with your sweet TWG tea. I’m a fan of all things citrus, so its tangy flavour woke me up – in a good way. Tart crust was also not too thick.

It reminded me of a key lime pie, but a mini version!

Ranked #5: Fruit Cake, Éclair

Taste: 4/5

These were in tie for the 5th position because they were not exactly perfect – but better than average ones out there.

Fruit cake had traces of cranberry and sultanas embedded into the pastry and a bit of rum that made it more aromatic. One element that turned me off was the piece of dried apricot, which was too tough to be eaten.

Must have been left out in the air for a long time.

On the other hand, the éclair surprised me with a chocolate-filled centre!Éclairs are not my thing, but this was really not too bad with a soft, fluffy casing.

BAD 

The ones that disappointed me the most were the Raison Scone, Cucumber Salad and Duck Burger that made it to my “bad” list unfortunately.

Raison Scone was overly overly moist and did not flake much when sliced through.  Not enough butter I guess? Strawberry jam given on the side was also served as a big blob and was difficult to spread on the scone!

I really miss the ones served at Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong, sigh.

The Duck Burger and Cucumber Sandwich were the worst I’ve had. The Duck was too wet and had too much mayo onto the small piece of burger bread.

Similarly, the Cucumber Sandwich from the third tier had cucumber slices that were rather thick; I had finer ones at the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong, which were extremely easy to bite through.

As a result, the bread became moist and caused the overall sandwich to be unappetising.

Here are some pictures of rest of the items:

Chicken Wrap

Salmon Quiche 

Smoked Salmon Sandwich

Pandan Madeleine

Canelé

#OOTD

Overall, it was a pretty rushed afternoon tea as we reached quite late. Therefore, make sure you book at 12.30pm and don’t repeat the same mistake as me.

Afternoon tea is all about spending quality time with your girlfriends; 12.30pm is indeed the ideal time slot to slowly chat with your friends, enjoy the spread of pastries and finger food while admiring the gilded floors and stunning Marina Bay scenery that was right in front of us until the next seating at 3pm.

BUNNY’S VERDICT:

MAYBE.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Lobster Tartlet, Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, Brie Cheese Cracker, Lemon Tart, Fruit Cake, Éclair, Canelé

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.5/5 It was decent to say the least due to the hits and misses. I wouldn’t say it’s the best afternoon tea I’ve had, but it undeniably has the best view!

Regent Singapore’s weekend afternoon tea buffet would be a better choice for foodies searching for an even mix of sweet and savoury quality high tea selections, which you can pick according to what you are craving on that day itself.

Ambience: 4.5/5  Just as what we imagined, it’s indeed one of the best places in Singapore to chill your afternoon away with comfy sofa seats and view of the Marina Bay! Spending your time here can get pricey though.

The rest rooms were a bit far away, and there was live singing at the lobby area that made the ambience a tad “ge tai”. Our experience was slightly ruined by the music.

Service: 4/5

The staff seemed underhanded with merely one or two people serving ten tables. There was this particular waitress who graciously explained to us the items on our afternoon tea, but became rather impatient after we asked her to help us take photos. I can understand that she’s really busy though.

Furthermore, true to other reviews, when we asked for refills for the lobster tartlets, they took AGES to come. I asked at 1.45pm and it came after they asked us for our last orders more than an hour later.  They offered us more common staples like the sandwiches and tarts that we weren’t not very interested in.

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The Landing Point
Fullerton Bay Hotel Lobby
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: 6597 5277
Opening Hours:
7am – 12am Daily
Reservations through Chope
Website 

Lunch
12pm – 2.30pm (Mon – Fri)

Afternoon Tea
3.30 – 5.30pm (Mon – Fri)
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
First seating: 12 pm – 3pm
Second seating: 3pm – 5pm

Dinner
6.30pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri)
6.30pm – 10.30pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays)

Directions: 

• Nearest MRT station: Raffles Place or Esplanade
• Best to drive here – it’s $5 per entry on weekends!

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
STAY CONNECTED WITH MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤

 

Dinner at Spago Singapore by Wolfgang Pück Review @ Marina Bay Sands: Exquisite Seasonal Asian Fusion Cuisine with Genuine Service

Since October last year, The Club at the iconic Marina Bay Sands Skypark was taken over by Spago, which launched its Asian debut right here in Singapore.

For those who aren’t familiar with this chain of fine dining restaurants, you’re not alone. But I am very sure that you have heard of the person who owns it – at least.

Does Wolfgang Puck ring a bell?

CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes has been known for being one of the top restaurants in Singapore; the celebrity restaurant has received accolade from visitors all around the world!

Likewise, Spago has left traces in the global fine dining landscape. They include Las Vegas, Maui and Istanbul. Every outlet, however, has varying menus that are seasonal, and inherently inspired by environments, as well as cuisines from the local culture.

My visit to Spago was to celebrate a special celebration – my mother’s birthday with 4 other family members. It was the perfect opportunity to find out more about this relatively new establishment that I’ve been very curious about.

Upon reaching the restaurant by the lift, we were greeted by these beautiful ladies from Ukraine at the SkyPark. One of them led us to our table that I’ve reserved for 6.45pm.

Just like my previous visits to fine dining restaurants, arriving just before the sun sets has become a routine because it guarantees a spectacular view of the red azure skies. This is even better when you are 57 levels off the ground!

The restaurant, too, was bathing in the golden hues from the retreating sun.

The design of Spago is a tad different from other fine dining restaurants that I’ve been to; there are two sections – the lounge and alfresco bar for tapas and drinks that is non air-conditioned, and an indoor restaurant for the full dinner service.

The indoor restaurant is further split into two dining halls, where there is a bar that separates them. While making our way to our table, I couldn’t help but notice their floor-to-ceiling white-trimmed windows, wooden floors and floral centrepiece, which featured our national flower.

The decor is so American and I thought I was at Rodeo Drive at Beverly Hills! The atmosphere generated by its interior is stylish, elegant and inviting with classical music played in the background.

Sometimes I wonder if the bottles at the bar are for display or do they actually use it for their concoctions?

The table that we were put at overlooked Gardens By The Bay and the sea beyond, and they had such a calming effect on me.

It was the opposite at the other side though, as the skies transitioned into an intense burst of colour contrast between the red and blue tones. I was amazed by this sight and just had to snap it – just because we don’t regularly dine 57 levels above with this view of the sunset, right?

According to their website, Spago offers “American cuisine with global accents”. This is particularly apparent from certain Asian fusion dishes like ‘Kaya Toast’ [$38++], Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi [$38++] and even Pan Seared Red Snapper Laksa [$58++]. 

I was drawn to many of them, which is probably the reason why we over-ordered. All of us shared 5 appetisers, 2 mains, 1 side and 1 dessert. I also had a handcrafted cocktail because reviews seem optimistic about them.

Their menus can be found here.

 

For the bread service, they served multigrain, cranberry, olive ciabatta and French baguette that evening, and all the ladies went straight for the olive ciabatta and cranberry.

We also had a marble slab, where perched atop were unsalted butter and seaweed salted butter in an adorable cylindrical shape.

To start, we had Spago’s signature Big Eye Tuna Tartare Cones [$36++] with chili aioli, shaved bonito, scallions and masago.Taste: 5/5

Despite half of us having a sore throat, I insisted on having these because they were highly raved by reviewers at its flagship restaurant. Out of everything we had, this left a deep impression on our minds even after the meal!

This is an absolute MUST ORDER.

Our main concern – the chili aioli was not spicy at all, as the marinade of the fresh tuna cubes was more attuned towards the Japanese palate due to the bonito flakes and massage. Another element that took this dish to another level was the black and white sesame cone; it was so fragrant that I thought that it was served to us straight from the oven!

 If this is not adventurous enough for a fusion dish, you’d be shocked at this re-creation of our favourite Singaporean breakfast… the kaya toast!

‘Kaya Toast’ with seared foie gras, pandan-coconut jam, toasted brioche, foir gras-espresso mousse [$38]. 

Taste: 4/5

I was appalled by how it was plated. This looks nothing like a kaya (pandan-coconut jam) toast with the thin biscuits defying gravity against the foie gras. Nonetheless, I was excited to savour it.

It is usually hard to go wrong with foie gras.

With the kaya jam spread onto the brioche and topped with a slab of foie gras, the whole orchestra was… well, interesting. The hint of kaya was not very strong and I was enjoying the fatty and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the foie gras.

Moreover, the next star of the dish was the espresso mousse, which was a hit amongst the ladies. The coffee flavour was distinct and comforting to coffeeholics.

While saying this, I felt that the toasted brioche wasn’t very crispy, perhaps due to it soaking up the kaya jam. Apparently, this fusion dish has a lot of potential, but it has not reached the mind-blowing stage yet.

Having a thicker slice of brioche may not be the only solution though.

For that night, I wanted something that is leafy and easier for the stomach. My mum doesn’t like Beetroot, so we chose to have the Warm Octopus Salad [$29] with Spanish chorizo, shelling beans, romanesco, gremolata, and red wine reduction.

Taste: 3.5/5

Unfortunately, we were a bit stumped by this “salad” because it was not a bowl of greens that we expected. Although the romanesco (roman cauliflower) was crunchy and octopus was tender, where you need minimal effort to chew, the sides of shelling beans and gremolata were too mushy and watery for my liking.

Some of us felt that they did not match the octopus.

This was an interesting attempt to combine the East (octopus) and West (seasonal vegetables), but it was difficult for us to appreciate. Moreover, the price wasn’t really justified for such a small portion that was easily polished up with four spoonfuls.

Alaskan King Crab Risotto [$42++] with zucchini, confit tomato, squash blossom, garlic and lemon butter.

Taste: 5/5

I wished we had a bigger portion of this because it was so perfect! The risotto is unexpectedly sweet; not sure if they added sugar into it.

Risotto was nutty and not too mushy. It contained delicate cubes of zuchinni that lend a fun crunch to the dish.

The waiter also recommended us to have the Hand Cut Agnolotti [App $32++] with first season sweet corn, mascarpone, sage and parmesan. I was sold when he told me that he felt like he had an orgasm after trying it.

Taste: 3.75/5

Topped with finely grated parmesan, the cute little envelope-shaped agnolotti bursted out with the creamy sweet corn and marscarpone. I wasn’t sure if it is orgasmic, but those who love corn and cheese – I promise you that it will give you that sensation. *winks*

As a seafood lover, this took the back seat after having the Alaskan King Crab Risotto; I don’t like anything corn-flavoured because I prefer it to be all natural – steamed sweet corn cobs are enough for me!

Honey Miso Broiled Black Cod [$62++] with chilled egg noodles, orange chili dressing, black sesame vinaigrette and coriander.

Taste: 4/5

Tender but it ws a bit dry, requires a watery sauce to match. It is also a bit charred on the sides. Cod is sweet by itself and the decorative sauces didn’t really add much value to its taste.

Slow Roasted Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast [$56++] with morel mushrooms, farro, leeks, asparagus, fennel puree, cherries and natural jus.

Taste: 3.5/5

 

Duck Breast was roasted to perfection and was extremely tender and sweet! The sauces unfortunately was a bit on the salty and oily side and overpowered the juices of the duck when paired together. I also could not taste the cherries. Perhaps a lighter fruity sauce would be a better fit for this dish.

I like the touch of morel mushrooms though, as it is not readily available in Singapore, I believe!

In addition to our mains, we had a side of Caramelised Brussel Sprouts [$18++] because my brother loves it.

Taste: 5/5 

I’m obsessed! I don’t usually like brussel sprouts because it has a natural bitter taste to it, but when it is caramelised with some charred sides and topped with small bits of “rice krispies”… Umm, it’s good. This came in a big portion and was pretty filling for five of us.

Handcrafted Cocktail Rough Love with Tanquery No. Ten Gin, Champagne, Shiso Umeshu [$26++].

Taste: 5/5

I am a huge sucker for floral and fruity cocktails, and having one is a no-brainer at Spago because reviewers have raved about them. I was stunned by how it is served in an abnormally large wine glass and contained a huge block of ice cube that lasted throughout our two-hour long meal.

With floral accents and a tangy tinge from the Shiso Umeshu, the name Rough Love may not be the best fit for the cocktail. Nonetheless, it is THE best cocktail I’ve had so far!

Our dinner was not complete without ending on a sweet note. I already had the Salted Caramel Soufflé in mind and it was also a dish that my family and waiter recommended.

Phew for that!

 

Salted Caramel Soufflé [$24++] with Farmer’s market Fuji apple sorbet.

Taste: 4/5

We all had a good laugh because its appearance looks like a pimply teenager’s face!

I had not much qualms about the soufflé because I haven’t had many; it rose perfectly and had a lightly toasted crisp on the outside, and warm creamy interior. Instead of having sauce to go with it, the red round jelly-like candy that gave it some chewy sweetness and sourness from the Fuji apple sorbet. contrast to the warm souffle.

After having the sorbet, we felt that the Fuji apple sorbet was the star of the dish! It was delightfully sour and rejuvenated our tastebuds after such a filling meal.

 

On my second visit a few months later, I ordered their Burrata with Caramelised Mission Figs [$29++] with prosciutto di parma, marinated artichokes, arugula, aged balsamic and candied almonds.

Taste: 3/5

 

This is one starter that was interesting, but not one that would satisfy everyone’s palette if they are not into figs or a soft fluffy cheese like burrata.

I was surprised by the fresh figs incorporated as I expected dried ones.  This is a good thing. The whole composition was a blend of varying textures and flavours of sweet, salty and sour (from the aged balsamic).

But, this dish is not something that we would order again as it is slightly too exotic for us.

From the menu, you’d probably be put off by how expensive a Laksa can be at Spago because it’s priced at $58++. Nonetheless, it is not just any ordinary one! It contains Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut – a fish that is not commonly found in Asia and the head chef has just imported it. I am quite lucky to try it as it is not a staple ingredient in Singaporean restaurants.

Taste: 4/5

This is a laksa that is so unique.

Prawns and fish cakes are usually added, but it was wonderful to have a fresh cut of fish inside! The halibut was firm and had a thin layer of crust. Everyone at the table raved about it.

I loved the concept of having fried rice noodles instead of the thick bee hoon, as I prefer thin noodles. The thinner the better! Basil is also included to add a “Vietnamese” twist to it. As for the broth, chilli lovers may be displeased by how “mild” its spiciness is. However, I’m happy about it since I am sensitive to spicy foods. The level of heat was just right.

My only gripe is how little the soup was given. Is it due to aesthetic purposes? If the broth was poured enough just to cover the noodles (keeping in mind the noodles to broth ratio), everything would have been perfect.

 

For our other main, somehow we keep gravitating towards Spago’s risottos!  This time,  Bamboo Clam Risotto [$52++] was on their menu! Yes Bamboo Clam.

Taste: 4.5/5

I’m glad to say that Spago whips up one of the best risottos I’ve tried. Besides the main star (bamboo clam), it consisted of crispy house cured guanciale, white wine clam broth, wild marjoram, parsley and parmesan.

I looked forward to the clams as I usually have them as a whole during Chinese New Year! But for this dish, the clams were chopped into small and manageable slices, which was great.

I’m not too sold on the guanciele though. It was just like adding fried bacon to a pasta, that was a no-no to me. Totally mismatched.

For our side dish, we couldn’t resist the Black Truffle Golden Yukon Potato Puree [$24++] because… BLACK TRUFFLE!

Taste: 3.5/5

The mash was fabulous. Made with Golden Yukon Potatoes that aren’t found anywhere in Asia, it was extremely smooth, creamy and not too thick that it sticks to your throat.

Despite it being so, we were more unimpressed by the fact that the truffle was only found at the top of the mash. Its flavour was gone after a few seconds – i.e. the first few scoops! Felt a tad cheated. Sniffs.

A meal at Spago is not complete without their handcrafted cocktails, of course. After being smitten with Rough Love, I was eager to try others like this one – Pandora’s Box [$26++] with Hendrick’s, St Germain, Elderflower and Lemon. 

Taste: 3/5

It had a light tinge of elderflower, but was nothing special. It was a tad too sweet for me.

I should have had Rough Love on replay to prepare for a rough night ahead.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

WILL BE BACK AGAIN! Great for couples and families for special celebrations.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Tuna Tartare Cones, ‘Kaya Toast’, Honey Miso Broiled Black Cod, Laksa, Rough Love Cocktail

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RATING

Overall Taste:  4.3/5 More hits than misses for food, but I’ll definitely be back for their cocktails. This is a place for special occasions. While each dish was priced quite high, the quality of the food is not compromised as they were novel interpretations, which took us on a fun dining experience. My mum thought the food tasted better than Justin Quak’s Sky on 57, which I also visited before. I think each has its own strengths.

Ambience: 4.5/5 The atmosphere was very romantic at night Almost perfect for any special occasion with family members or loved one. I like how the restaurant has both round tables and seats for two. Nevertheless, I found that the arrangement of the tables could be better because not all had a view of the Marina Bay, or Gardens by The Bay.

Service: 5/5 Stellar. Waiters and waitresses were exceptionally-trained. Probably the best I’ve experienced at a fine dining restaurant. They were polite, all-smiles whenever I walk past them. Furthermore, they were eager to help us take photos and kept on refilling our water, and took note of my request on having a birthday wish on the dessert.

Our waiter, in particular, was helpful in describing the dishes and asked us another for another round of breads after the two of our appetisers came. Moreover, he returned my sunglasses just before I took the lift down. Very thankful for that.

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Spago
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Sands SkyPark, Tower 2 Level 57,
Singapore 018956
Phone:6688 9955
Opening Hours:
– Dining Room
Lunch: 12pm – 2:30pm
Dinner: 
Sunday – Thursday, 6pm – 10pm
Friday & Saturday, 6pm – 11pm

– Terrace Lounge
Breakfast Buffet: 7am – 10:30am (S$43++ per adult | S$22++ per child)
Drinks & Bites: 12pm – Late

DRESS CODE

Dining Room: Business casual
(Long Pants, Collared Shirt, Covered Shoes)

Terrace: Smart casual
(Please refrain from wearing pool & gym attire, robes and hotel slippers)
Business Casual after 8pm

AGE RESTRICTION

Dining Room: Over 12 years old and to be accompanied by an adult
Terrace (after 9pm): Over 18 years old

Directions: 

• Alight at Esplanade (Circle Line) or Bugis (DT Line, EW Line) station. It will be a 10- minute walk from both stations.
• Parking available at Marina Bay Sands Shoppes

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!  FOLLOW MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤

Riders Cafe Review @ 51 Fairways Drive: Perfect Getaway Brunch Spot For Horse Lovers

Anyone who like secretly wanted to own a horse or see a stable, your dream is answered.

I used to be obsessed of ponies and even learnt how to groomed them – but given Singapore’s land space, it’s impossible. Good news, though for horse-lovers… There is a cafe where you can actually get up close to horses if you’re lucky enough!

 

 

As what the signboard suggests, the cafe is located at Bukit Timah Saddle Club and the ambience reminded me of a colonial house with white-washed walls and wooden frames.

My family and I were greeted immediately upon reaching the bustling cafe on a Saturday afternoon. The cafe seemed full house as most tables at the side were taken. They had a view.

We were brought to a table in the centre instead.

Full menu can be found here.

Our food arrived pretty fast and almost all were served at the same time.

We unanimously agreed on having the famous Pacific Benedict with poached eggs, crab cakes, smoke salmon flakes & hollandaise [$18++]!

This is featured in numerous listicles of  Eggs Benedict To Try In Singapore.

Taste: 3.5/5

While the Crab cakes were an interesting touch, they were a tad too moist. The salmon flakes lent a dominant hint of saltiness to the dish.

I was a tad displease with the overcooked spinach because the nutrition level plunges. At least the poached eggs were flowy!

Pacific Eggs Benedict

One other famous dish is their Brioche French Toast with burnt bananas, bacon, honeycomb butter [$16++]

Taste: 4/5

A look at Instagram, and this is wildly popular on other people’s feed. Must be good right?

Well, YES. Although French toast with bananas are very commonly done these days in cafes, finding one that hits all the right spots is hard.

Riders Cafe almost nailed it.

It may look like quite a small portion, but nope. The dish was so satisfying; it consists of sweet, creamy caramelised banana and fluffy BRIOCHE (a must-have bread for all french toasts) that had the eggy aroma. It smelt heavenly.

I was also glad the maple syrup given was also enough to cover the bread!

On a side note, I think vanilla ice cream would work well in this dish for some temperature contrast! French toast and ice cream are usually a match made in heaven, and Riders Cafe should consider topping up a scoop on it.

I’ve had many French toasts experiences, and I think this is way better than Clinton Street Baking Company. I like how whole bananas were given. They were caramelised with a crispy residue of  glaze that you could crunch into.

 

On top of that, we had House Truffle fries [$10++].

Taste: 2/5

My mum was craving for them, but man, this fell flat taste-wise. It was quite soggy and truffle oil given was very mild. Texture of the fries are worse than McDonald’s!

Good thing was the variety of sauces given for FREE: mayonnaise, thousand island and ketchup! The Truffle Fries at Paddy Hills had a small saucer for a big bowl of fries and expected us to top up money for more. Geez.

I would not recommend this at all.

With many dishes on the heavier side,  something refreshing was chosen to further cleanse our palate – Watermelon & Crab Salad with avocado, edamame & feta [$18++].

Taste: 3/5

It is not something I would actually order again.

There seems to be a lack of sauce to tie all the elements of the dish together.  A basic balsamic vinaigrette dressing should do the trick.

Avocado was also somewhat underripe. This would never happen in Australia.

Huge chunks of fresh crab were given, but I actually confused it with the feta cheese! The latter overpowered the sweetness of the crab. At least the crab is not crabsticks – which may be the reason why the portion is kinda small for its price.

 

Finally, we had a separate stomach grown just for desserts.

We just couldn’t resist while browsing the menu. These are NOT kaya toast sticks, but…

Pound Cake Cinnamon Churros with Vanilla Cream & Chocolate Ganache [$10++]!

How glorious do these look?! And I betcha that it tasted better than it looks. Hohoho…

Taste: 5/5

I’ve had many disappointing Churros in Singapore that I don’t actually want to try anymore, but this was B O M B dotcom! The only churro I’ve had that has enough cinnamon!!!

It was love at first bite… as cheesy as it sounds.

I like the idea of replacing the usual stick churros with pound cake, which was fluffy and moist. It could even be a healthier alternative to the usual deep fried churros!

There were also plenty of dips to go by, and we couldn’t stop ourselves from reaching out towards them even though we were already falling into a deep food coma.

That’s how good they were. I reckon I could have these all these by myself!

For our drinks, we had their Mixed Berries Smoothie [$6++] and Mocha Float [$6.50++] with Vanilla Ice Cream.

They were pleasant with rich, creamy berry and chocolatey goodness.

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Midway eating, I started wondering: Where are the horses?

I didn’t see any up to this point, and decided to get up to “look” for them. Coincidentally, while I looked out of the window, there was one beautiful white horse that was heading towards the pen!

My sister and niece were already there. I was so ecstatic that I sprinted ahead of them to take a closer glimpse of the horse!

As I haven’t gotten up-close to one in a long time, I took a couple of selfies and even patted when it came closer to the edge. However, do take note that the pen is surrounded by electric wires and the caretaker has locked it inside.

I spent about 15-20 minutes just observing it from the fence and left when it started snotting at me haha.

Swoosh! Look at that smooth silky tail.

With a great ambience and brunch dishes you may  familiar with, this may be a perfect spot for your weekend afternoon!

I mean, how often can you dine with horsies close-by?

BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES! Perfect hangout for couples, girlfriends, taitais and families.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: French Toast, Pacific Benedict, Pound Cake Cinnamon Churros

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RATING

Overall Taste: 3.75/5 Had a wonderful time with my family! Riders Cafe seems to be a forgotten gem with many openings of other cafes. While it’s my first time here, the food that didn’t fall short on its taste and execution! Some dishes can be fine tuned though. I can see myself coming back here for a solid brunch fare.

Ambience: 4/5 My first alfresco dining in awhile! Relaxing with charming European rustic vibes. There were occasional flies and smell of horse stables, but they were no biggie. How often can you dine amidst the lush greenery, fresh air and upclose to horses?

Service: 4/5 Friendly and quite attentive. Eager to serve us with a smile!

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Riders Cafe
51 Fairways Drive
Singapore 286965
Phone: +65 6466 9819 (reservations)
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
riderscafe.sg (menu)

Opening Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 8am – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 8am – 10pm
Closed on Monday

 Directions: 

• Free carpark available at the Saddle club

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!  FOLLOW MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤

 

 

 

 

 

Equinox Restaurant @ Swissôtel The Stamford Review: Unforgettable Truffle Macaroni Cheese & Panorama of Singapore

Equinox has been known as one of those restaurants that people would visit for special occasions. However, I know that it recently has been overshadowed by many other new restaurants, or the one next door (JAAN), which has received a Michelin-star a month ago.

Nonetheless, I chose to dine here for my 2nd Anniversary with my boyfriend and it was a great experience! This is one sky dining establishment that you can’t miss with your special someone *wink wink*

To gain entry to level 85, you’d have to enter its designated lift lobby and walk through this dark corridor towards a HOLOGRAPHIC lift. There were no hosts were there to lead us, by the way (minus points!).

One you step out of the lift, VOILA – Singapore is at the tip of your feet!

This space is also connected to the New Asia Bar and Michelin-star restaurant, JAAN.

We noticed that Equinox has varied seatings for couple and group dining – perfect for families, couples and business meals, which is wonderful.

Once the sun started to set 6.30pm, we began to scramble for our cameras for some intense photography of Singapore and us (hehe). I’d suggest those interested in taking photos to head up earlier!

I mean, how often do we get such opportunities to see Singapore at this angle?!

FYI, we reserved a table in advance with a view (topped up $20++ for it, yes we had to pay). The table above  was what they assigned. Not exactly what I had in mind, as I preferred the one closer towards Marina Bay (to the left).

Thankfully, the manager helped to check the availability of the tables for the night and there was one left! Yay.

We had this view! I find staring into Marina Bay and the horizons very therapeutic. It’s my all-time favourite scenery of Singapore, and I’m proud of how beautiful Singapore is!

After our photography session, we made our orders as our bellies were getting hungry.

To be honest, the food menu that featured “modern European cuisine” was pretty limited.

It was the mains that really caught our eye. I knew that they are known for their steaks. In the end, we went with two mains, as we didn’t feel that the appetisers were worth it.

To begin, we had complimentary starters that my boyfriend liked. I didn’t have much impression of them though.

I was looking forward to the 300g New York strip [$85++] instead!

Taste: 4/5

This is the epitome of how beef should be like!

We asked for medium rare, and cut was tender-perfection. The accompanying truffle butter was also extremely addictive with ample truffle tones (oh yeah). Could even spot the black truffle bits swirling in the glass saucer.

When you actually see this happen, you know it’s legit stuff.

One aspect of the dish that didn’t please us was the side of bone marrow. It was really oily and didn’t add any value to any of the components.

While the steak was great, what left us  yearning for more was actually the…

Macaroni Cheese with Black Truffle  

Taste: 100/5 

Gosh, this outshone the beef, and it’s something that I’d return again and again for! This is coming from a person who doesn’t even fancy Mac n Cheese or pasta. I know friends who go crazy over them.

I went crazy over this!

Served in an adorable cast iron mini pot, it was literally “so cheesy I can die” moment!

It was also the only dish that retained its heat even though I took a gazillion photos. I daresay this is by far the best Macaroni and Cheese I’ve had – due to the obvious TRUFFLE taste. It was also not cloyingly creamy.

Overall, it was aromatic, contained a subtle saltiness and macaroni was not mushy or overcooked. I’d like to add that the Crème brûlée-like caramelised crust was heavenly.

Didn’t know that mac n cheese could be made this way!

Nonetheless, please be sure to devour it immediately when served, as the cheese hardened at the sides of the pot; we were multitasking with our food and neglected it for awhile, oops.

Finally, our last dish – Saddle of Lamb Saddle [$60++] didn’t perform up to our expectations after the first two dishes – unfortunately!

Taste: 3.5/5

Asked for the lamb to be done medium, but it came out medium rare… so rare that I could taste the rawness of the meat and blood. Not a good sign.

I wonder why this happened, as the beef was done just right.

Also felt like the chef’s attempt to weave some level of Middle Eastern sophistication with European cuisine was a failed one. 

I didn’t like the sour pickled celery and mint purée.

The greens didn’t match the red meat at all, causing the entire dish  to be a bad orchestration. Just bring over the BBQ sauce, guys. The lamb samosa was passable, but pastry wasn’t crispy (maybe we left it out for too long?).

Won’t recommend this to anyone!

All date nights should end on a sweet note! Went to have a glimpse of their menu, but we were happy to receive a complimentary chocolate cake!

Very grateful for it (prepared by the restaurant, not my boyfriend though HAHA).

Taste: 4/5

Thought it may be “cheap tasting”, but nope. It was no ordinary cake!

Top tasted something like a tiramisu – covered with cocoa powder, and the layers were rich with dark chocolate (at least 60% I reckon). We finished it even though we were really full!

My boyfriend and I exchanged gifts after that. I received personalised vouchers LOL.

Not long after, we were presented with another complimentary dessert! It had caramel, hazelnut and raspberry sweets, which would satisfy the sweet tooth (aka my boyfriend).

We spent the rest of our night admiring the city skyline and MBS lightshow – enjoying our final moments at Equinox. Had to make use of our $20++ to the fullest!

We also explored the nearby New Asia Bar (one staircase up), since it was free for all diners at Equinox. It was quite empty on a Friday night. Maybe because it was still early at 10pm.

Went on to visit City Space bar too. It looked super cosy with thick plush seats. Wanted to chill there but it was full house!

FYI, the way to the  toilet from Equinox is a bit troublesome it is located at the “basement” of these establishments. They are big though.

There’s also a huge wine cellar next door if you like looking at wines!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES! Best for birthdays, anniversaries or corporate meals.

This would most definitely be my top 3 list of sky dining in Singapore! You can’t get such clear panoramic views of Singapore at Stellar at 1-Altitude (One Raffles Place) and Spago @ Marina Bay Sands (places I’ve been to).

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: New York Strip Steak, Macaroni and Cheese with Black Truffle

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RATING

Overall Taste: 4.2/5 Although we only came here to enjoy the view, the food surpassed our expectations. If only I could order the Macaroni and Cheese on its own! Found out that it is only available for the dinner service *sniffs* Price is quite reasonable for the views that you get, but quality will of course be better next door (JAAN), which charge a lot more per head at night.

I’m just happy with my $20++ view, Macaroni and Cheese, and company!

Ambience: 4/5 Restaurant was a bit dated compared to other fine dining restaurants, but the view made up for it! The ability to have a bird’s eye view of the entire Marina Bay, Central Business District and Clarke Quay made my dining experience a memorable one.

 

Service: 4/5 Friendly and attentive. Even entertained my random request to heat up the steak when it turned cold (air con was quite strong & cold steaks don’t taste so good).  They even topped up a bit of the truffle sauce for us, which was a touch that we didn’t expect!

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 Equinox Restaurant

Swissôtel The Stamford

Address: 2 Stamford Rd, Swissôtel The Stamford, 178882

Phone: +65 6837 3322
Email: reservations@equinoxcomplex.com

Opening Hours:

Semi-Buffet Lunch:
Monday to Friday: 12.00 – 14.30

Buffet Lunch:
Saturday and Public Holidays: 12.00 – 14.30

Brunch: Sunday: 11.00 – 14.30

Early Bird and Pre Theatre
Dinner: Monday to Sunday: 17.00 – 18.30,
Last order at 6.15pm

A la carte Dinner: 18.30 – 22.30
Pink Brunch: Every Last Sunday Of The Month

RESERVATIONS: book now

GENERAL INFO
Dress: Smart Casual
Capacity: 110 persons

 Directions: 

• Nearest MRT station: 5-minute walk from City Hall MRT

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
FOR MORE HONEST REVIEWS, FOLLOW MY MUNCHING JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM ❤