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 ❤

 

 

 

 

 

Brawn & Brains @ 100 Guillemard Road: Hearty & Affordable Brunch At Geylang

Amongst the cluster of our beloved durian, dimsum and frog leg porridge stalls at Geylang that Singaporeans frequent, a hipster cafe has chosen to open here – out of all places.

Introducing… Brawns & Brains, a cafe you wouldn’t even know it existed without taking second look while the rather worn-out Insight Gym, also known as the former Singapore Badminton Hall .

I can’t believe I missed it and circled around the compound for 15 minutes!

Other patrons didn’t think it was inaccessible though; the space was packed to the brim on a Saturday afternoon that I had to wait for another 20 minutes.

They were slowly enjoying their brunch and having small talk with their company. My friend and I are famished by the time we had seats!

On a side note, everything is self-service here.

You have to eye and wait for the specific seat (like at the food court) and order from the counter.

All offerings are listed on a large chalkboard at the entrance and there’s a selection of pastries at the counter.

Within 15 minutes, brunch is served.

We shared both of these dishes.

I savoured the Oven Baked Molten Eggs with Avocado and Melted Cheese [$12.90] first, and it was one Insta-worthy dish cos of all dat melted cheese!

Taste: 4.5/5

Almost perfection.

I was worried how baked eggs would taste without a piece of toast underneath to soak up the yolky goodness. Thankfully, I’m glad that there was a crispy tortilla hidden underneath, which kinda  BLEW MY MIND.

Paired with the runny egg and fresh baby spinach, each bite with the semi soggy-crispy tortilla was delightful!

One little thing I’d be dissatisfied would be the lack of black pepper and a lemon wedge that would help offset the saltiness from the cheese.

The lemon would also be awesome with the avocado (how Aussie am I?). Essentially, this dish is something that I could have for breakfast everyday!

The next dish that seemed interesting was the Open Face Toast with Slow cooked egg and Smoked Salmon [$14.90].

Taste: 3.75/5

Unlike the previous dish, it had only one egg.

Luckily it was compensated by the refreshing salad that contained thin slices of apple, which I quite liked! My friend, on the other hand, didn’t like the idea of being overloaded by veggies.

For the toast, we agreed that it was mediocre as the bread wasn’t very fresh and smoked salmon tasted fishy. Lola’s Cafe’s  Eggs Benny and Mushroom Toast is TONNES better than this for the same price.

Thank goodness we didn’t add on more smoked salmon for our Oven Baked Molten Eggs!

Furthermore, since Earl Grey Croissant that my friend and I wanted was sold out, we settled for a Cinnamon Bun because Cinnamon makes the world go round, right?

Also read that the coffee here is good so I took a shot at it.

Iced Latte (Single Origin)

Taste: 3/5

I didn’t have a good impression of Single Origin when I had it for the first time in Australia. This is my second time, and I can say that it is STILL not my favourite coffee.

While it was smooth, espresso and acidity were very mild. Disappointing. Maybe I should have ordered their house blend.

Similarly, their Cinnamon Bun was underwhelming.

Taste: 2/5

Like how it looks, the bun is dry inside out. It was not fluffy or moist.

The only saving grace was the cinnamon that was stark in our palate. Wish the cafe could serve fresh bake goods throughout the day so the taste will not be compromised.

Although accessing here without a car is difficult, I can tell why it’s so popular amongst Singaporeans.

No one can give up on the idea of having brunch in such a chill hipster cafe with pops of bright yellow, and sunlight peering from the floor-to-ceiling window.

It is a motivating reward to have brunch here after a vigorous workout at the gym.

For me, their Oven Baked Molten Eggs is one reason to get up in the morning and head straight to Geylang.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

NOT SURE IF I’LL RETURN.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Oven Baked Molten Eggs

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RATING

Overall Taste: 3.4/5 Only one dish was up to our expectations. Felt like the chefs should work on improving the rest to ensure that all are equal standards in terms of taste and presentation. I do like the fact that most dishes are less than $15.

Ambience: 3.5/5  Although the decor is pretty like most of the cafes in Singapore, the seats had no backing and we did not really had much privacy since the tables are communal. We need a more compelling reason to lure us back.

Service: 1/5 Very difficult to get a seat because it’s “free seating” – pretty much like a hawker centre or food court, where you have to wait for one. There is also no tap water – first time encountering a cafe that doesn’t have free flow of H20. Quite ridiculous!

Brawn & Brains
Address: 100 Guillemard Road, #01-02 Singapore 399718
Tel: 6348 0501
Opening Hours:
9am – 7pm (Tues to Fri)
9.30am – 7pm (Sat, Sun, Public Holidays)
Closed on Mondays.
www.brawnandbrains.sg
Facebook

Directions: 

• Nearest MRT: 10 minute walk from Mountbatten MRT station
• Best to drive here. Carpark is available at the gym that the cafe is located at

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

Rise & Grind Coffee Co. @ Bukit Timah Plaza Review: Cosy Cafe with Brunch That Will Wake Your Tastebuds Up!

Rise and grind! Ah, what an apt phrase to capture our dread of waking up to work daily. But hold up, that dread would be erased immediately – when you rise to nosh that is not only good-looking, but delicious as well!

Nestled outside Bukit Timah Plaza is the unsuspecting Rise & Grind Coffee Co. – a small, yet inviting café serving brunch fares in the day and dinner at night. Despite being around for a year, the café has garnered a loyal following on social media; I had first known about the café through the gorgeous food flat lays circulating on Instagram, which were extremely hard to ignore by an ardent cafehopper and foodie like me.

Stepped in at 1.45pm and I was overwhelmed by the diners had a good mix of students from nearby schools and working adults. Business seems to be doing pretty well!

An alfresco area is also available for seating, but it can get hot easily with Singapore’s humidity.

After settling down, I noticed how there was so much going on in the decor department.

They were something that Martha Stewart would approve of, especially the industrial hipster-looking counter that serves as a window to the kitchen.

This means that there’s no central kitchen!

And when you have the chance to look up from your devices, you’d find a cute message written on the wall. I think that such messages are much-needed reminders to take a breather, notice our surroundings and SMILE at your neighbours more! Because #CoffeeMakesTheWorldGoRound

Onto the food, the menu appears to have an ideal selection of brunch items, mains and desserts from different continents.

What do I mean by continents?

Take their Avo-ka-dukkah [$15] for example. It actually makes me recall what I usually have at cafes in Australia – avocado and dukkah… A “duh” moment!

And their Hei Amigo [$16] and Confit Duck [$17] without a doubt, are inspirations derived from Mexican and French flavours; I thought it was a wonderful way to expose Singaporeans to other cuisines because this seems to be lacking in most cafes! I can get tired of the same old pancakes and eggs benny kinda run-of-the-mill dishes.

I wonder if you guys reading would feel the same?

I was pleased that they serve Chai Tea Latte and Thai Milk Tea. Definitely not your regular hipster cafe because they cater to the likes of tea lovers!

And finally, the best thing about the menu was the prices, which are all in NETT. Hurray!

Oh, and when I wrote I was sick of the same old eggs benny dishes, I ironically ordered one here.

However, I beg to differ on how Rise & Grind’s is the “same old” ones served at other cafes! I rely heavily on social media and reviews on selecting my dish, and judging from the feeds, Ocean’s Thirteen [$17] appeared to be one of the staples customers would order at Rise & Grind.

And on first bite, I can tell you exactly why and assure you that it is NOT YOUR AVERAGE EGGS BENEDICT!

Taste: 4.5/5

How so?

Firstly, it is the most gorgeous plate of Eggs Benedict that I’ve set my eyes upon!

Together with a striking splash of hot pink (notice this, ladies) beetroot yogurt on the side, the plain sourdough is embellished with two large wobbly poached eggs, thin sprigs of asparagus, savoury smoked salmon, salmon roe, beetroot and a generous helping of apple cider hollandaise sauce.

Secondly,  I was pleased with the healthy balance of greens and proteins, and how each bite contained refreshing elements, such as the occasional crunch of beetroot and playful, yet satisfying burst of umami derived from the salmon roe.

The further effortless explosion of yolky goodness generated by the poached eggs signalled an instant full marks for this dish! It was screaming at me to stop taking photos and eat it up now.

I have tried over thirty poached egg dishes, and so far, none have come close to Lola’s Café – the longstanding winner of the best Eggs Benedict in Singapore, in my opinion.

Lola’s poached eggs never fail to impress me, but I have found their contender!

Moreover, despite the sourdough being substituted by a croissant (because they ran out of sourdough that day), I’m not complaining about the crispy and flaky pastry that acted as a safety net to collect all the juices from the poached egg at all! This dish has also surpassed Flock Cafe’s Smoked Salmon Croissant, where their standards have fallen.

Some improvements, however, can be made to make this dish full marks!

The  asparagus could be fresher and thicker (mine was thin and wrinkly) and the croissant was drenched with too much Hollandaise – to the extent of becoming too salty. Don’t forget that we already have smoked salmon on it.

Moreover, I didn’t get to touch much of the beetroot yogurt – since the Hollandaise was overwhelmed me, so maybe they can have either one of them. Or even combine them – the Hollandaise sauce can be infused with beetroot so that we can  keep that pretty pop of colour on the side!

My company, on the other hand, is not a big fan on brunch food and loves her caaaaarbs! So she had the Chili Crab Linguine [$16], which is something that she usually orders at cafes.

Taste: 3/5

She rated it 2 because she has had better ones elsewhere, but I thought it was all right! I’m not too picky with my pasta, as long as it is al dente and the sauce is in abundance to cover them.

At Rise and Grind, the pasta fulfilled both criteria and the Chili Crab sauce wasn’t too spicy or thick. One downside was the sloppy presentation that is miles worse than my Ocean’s Thirteen, oops.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Ocean’s Thirteen

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3/5 Despite the pasta was not as appetising than the dish that I had, their offerings are all VERY value-for-money, where most of them are under $18 (no added GST and service charge) and served hot and fresh from the kitchen!

Perfectly poached eggs are hard to find nowadays and this is one cafe I would instantly return to for brunch; their Mentaiko fries, Avo-ka-dukkah and Tom Yum Pasta are crowd favourites that I might want to savour next time!

Ambience: 4/5 I didn’t expect the cafe to be this squeezy where the proximity of the tables are about one foot! It was so cosy enough for us to strike a long conversation with our next-table customers who just moved to Singapore from Florida!

That being said, I have to stress that it is not an ideal space for groups bigger than four. The cafe can also be a bit stuffy as the kitchen is in the middle.

And for the food Instagrammers reading this – Rise & Grind has fancy backgrounds and props to play with; the photos turned out really nice with the natural light shining in from the side window. No wonder it is regularly featured on social media!

Service: 4/5

Friendly and smiley faces when we walked in and out! Our food was delivered in 10-minutes, which is really commendable. Everything is self-service though; there is a small counter on the side to grab water, cutlery and serviettes. Cups were a tad too small and I had go a couple of times for refills.

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Rise & Grind Co.
Bukit Timah Plaza, 1 Jalan Anak Bukit #L1-CA1
Singapore 588996
Tel: +65 9154 8550
Opening Hours:
10am – 9pm (Mon – Thurs)
10am – 10pm (Fri)
9am – 10pm (Sat)
9am – 9pm (Sun)
www.riseandgrind.co

Directions: 

• Nearest MRT station: King Albert Park (Blue, DT Line), cross the overhead bridge and walk 10 minutes from there.
• Carpark available at Bukit Timah Plaza.

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

Dessert Project Review @ 22 Havelock Road: *Almost* the Exact Replica of After You Dessert Cafe, Bangkok

Behold… Those who have tried After You Dessert Cafe in Bangkok will understand the withdrawal symptoms that you suffer when you’re back in Singapore – because I do. I crave for these babies once every few months, and it’s killing me!

They are so delicious that I went twice in three days during my trip to Bangkok last year just for their thick toast. One was for my post-dinner dessert, and another being my breakfast! Even though I was so stuffed from the delicious Thai food, I managed to wipe the plates up spanking clean!

Ferrero Rocher Toast, After You Bangkok

Sticky Toffee Toast, After You Bangkok

Just glancing at the pictures that I took is making enough to make me drool!

To better understand why it is so popular amongst Singaporeans and the cafe scene now, you just gotta try and see it for yourself.

My personal criteria for a good Shibuya or Thick Toast that I always look for are as follows:

1. Toast served thick, hot and crispy on the outside
2. Accompanied by not just one, but two scoops of cold, fresh (non-melting) ice cream to generate a temperature contrast AND ensure that there’s enough to melt and soak through the hot bread. This is highly crucial for maximum enjoyment of the toast.
3. Insides of the toast must be fluffy, while having a thin wall that is easy to cut through
4. Able to taste the eggy, buttery flavour that’s not too overpowering
5. Adequate toppings and other ingredients for added sauces like chocolate sauce, maple syrup, fruit compotes, caramel etcetera.

Guess what?

After You has hit ALL THE RIGHT SPOTS.

#TakeMeBackToBangkok

While we do not have an After You branch in Singapore, cafes serving similar renditions have sprouted, including Assembly Coffee, Dazzling Cafe, Tuk Tuk Cha and Stateland Cafe – but have they got the recipe right?

I’ve tried almost half of  lists of “Best Shibuya Toast in Singapore” written by famous food bloggers, and so far, none have reached the level of Dessert Project!

The exterior of Dessert Project is fairly simple, with black window grills that makes it look like a greenhouse. There is only one menu, which is at the counter, and two tables were occupied on a weekday mid-afternoon.

Like After You, Dessert Project offers a range of Thick Toasts for you to opt from, such as Classic Maple [$13.90], Nutella [$14.90], Sticky Toffee [$14.90], Matcha [$14.90], Gula Melaka Coconut [$14.90] and Pina Colada [$14.90].

It is interesting that they offer Maple, instead of Honey toast, and their Sticky Toffee definitely is not the same as After You’s – since it has Coffee ice cream on it.

It’d be a pity to leave the cafe without ordering any of their homemade ice creams! Their renowned Truffle flavour exactly tasted like truffle with a smooth and creamy consistency, but I certainly do not want it to be on my toast. Not sure how much Truffle Oil is added inside, hmm…

To generate a fair comparison between Bangkok’s After You and Dessert Project, I opted for their Nutella Toast [$14.90], but I wanted to replace the vanilla ice cream with Thai Earl Grey that was packed full with Earl Grey goodness.

However, the owner said that we could not replace the ice creams on their thick toast with fancy ones that you see on display. *inserts crying face* So if you want to have a try of their ice creams at the counter, you have to add $4-4.50 – which was I did in the end.

Is this a way to earn more revenue from their ice creams? You be the judge.

Nutella Toast [$14.90] with Ferrero Rocher and Vanilla Ice Cream + Thai Earl Grey Premium Scoop [$4.50].

“Can we dig in now?”

Taste: 4.5/5

The toast itself was aesthetically pleasing that I couldn’t bear to eat it! It was totally worth the 20-minute wait that we had.

The texture of the toast was exactly what I was looking for… Hot, toasty and the cold drizzle of chocolate sauce sealed the whole package together. All my criteria were checked.

What was lacking is the Ferrero Rocher on top that After You has!

I came down on another occasion to try their other popular thick toast, the Gula Melaka Toast [$14.90] with Coconut Ice Cream, Grated Coconut Flakes & Gula Melaka Syrup.

Taste: 3/5

On first bite, I felt it was rather bland.  This could be due to both scoops having a subtle Coconut flavour and Gula Melaka syrup being kind of water. I sensed no flavour burst like what the Nutella Toast had. What a letdown!

Moreover, the edges of the toast this time round were quite thick and tough this time round. I had trouble slicing through the toast… Not sure if it was day old bread, but their quality has gone down. I don’t recommend anyone to order this, unless you are craving for a thick toast and thinking of something less decadent.

But why would you do that?!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

YES, it has become my go-to Thick Toast place.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Nutella Toast 

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.5/5  The Gula Melaka Toast did not live up to my expectation so it pulled down the rating of the overall taste and its price is not justified for the toppings and ice cream that came with it.

The Nutella Toast will be the one that I will continue to come back for; it is crispy and had had ample butter within the toast. I just wished that they allowed us to choose the flavours of the ice cream on it! The extra scoop of their premium flavour is pretty pricey as well at $4.50. But what to do? This shall suffice till my next Bangkok trip!

Ambience: 3.5/5 Very minimalistic, simple and nothing much to look at. It is Instagram-friendly though, with small potted plants at the long bar seats that you could use to take your food photos with, which I did it on both visits.

Service: 4/5 All smiles during our time at the cafe, and although the toasts took about 20 to 25 minutes to prepare so be prepared to wait!

Dessert Project
Address: 22 Havelock Rd, Singapore 160022
#01-673
Phone: 8113 5385
Opening Hours: 
12 – 9.30pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun)
12 – 11pm (Fri, Sat)

Directions: 

• Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru. It’ll be a 10-15 minute walk from the MRT, but there is a shortcut if you walk by Bukit Ho Swee Link and Jln Bukit Ho Swee, and behind the Havelock Food Centre that has a staircase down to the block that the cafe is located at.
• Parking is available at Havelock Food Centre or the nearby HDB Estate Multi-storey Carpark.

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

 

Healthy No-Butter Buckwheat Cinnamon Pancakes | RECIPE

Looking for something quick, delicious and healthy to whip up for breakfast? These Buckwheat Cinnamon Pancakes that contains NO BUTTER might keep you satiated till lunchtime – while satisfying your sweet tooth! Personally, I start my day off with something sweet ALL THE TIME, and fruits or preserves have to be involved in my breakfast. Think French toasts, muesli with dried fruits, PB&J sandwiches, oatmeal, Shibuya thick toast with ice cream… I’ll stop right there.

While I was looking through for some healthy pancake recipe and coincidentally bought some buckwheat flour from the supermarket, why not make Buckwheat Pancakes? I feel that it lends a nutty texture in comparison to white baking flour that makes it tastier!

Research has shown that buckwheat can aid in improving heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels and contains disease-fighting antioxidants. It also provides highly digestible protein that helps to improve digestion.

The buckwheat pancakes I had a few months ago at Populus Coffee & Food Co. wasn’t too impressive, as the thick 1-inch pancake left my last few bites dry due to the lack of maple syrup and jam. This is exactly why homemade food is always the best because you can adjust all your seasonings or ingredients towards your taste without any additional cost!

Moreover, you know best what’s in your food. I make sure that no nasties included in my breakfast food and try to keep them butter-free – unless it’s desserts like cakes and puddings. Sadly, the latter requires butter to maintain its quality and taste! *insert crying emoji*

Now, back to the main focus, there are numerous Buckwheat Pancake recipes online and I’ve managed to sift out those that require no cornstarch, buttermilk, or butter – I switched them for low fat milk with lemon, and grape seed oil. Since I usually add cinnamon into my breakfast foods, these pancakes can’t escape from it!  I feel that that he spice complements carbohydrates and milk so well, and it is packed with so many health benefits like boosting brain function and reducing the rise in blood sugar levels.

And great new: these pancakes keep well in the freezer! Perfect for people who are always in a rush in the morning; you can make them ahead and reheat them in the oven for your breakfast every few days.

This is a solution for leftovers too, but why would anyone not finish ’em them?

BUCKWHEAT CINNAMON PANCAKES

Feeds: 2 hungry piggies
Just nice for 3
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Photo-taking time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

DRY:

• ½ buckwheat & ½ flour of choice (You can use 1 cup of buckwheat if you want them to be super healthy, but fluffiness of pancakes may be compromised)
• 1 tablespoon brown or natural cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (my touch of magic)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

WET:

• 1¼ cups milk*
• 1¾ tablespoons of lemon juice*
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• grapeseed oil (or any vegetable oil of your choice) for the pan

TOPPINGS (optional)

• seasonal fruits (I had grapes, bananas & blueberries on hand)
• honey or maple syrup
• chia seeds

* MAKE YOUR OWN BUTTERMILK WITH DAIRY-FREE OPTION:

Combine 1¼ cups low fat milk (any variety of low fat milk should do—almond, soy, rice, low fat coconut) with 1 tablespoon + ¾ teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

The nutty texture of buckwheat flour! I got mine from Origins in Singapore, but it is usually available at the organic store or dedicated health food corner at your local supermarket.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the buttermilk substitute, combine the milk (I used low fat) and add the lemon juice in a measuring cup and leave it on the counter for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, mix together the sifted flour(s), sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Check back on the buttermilk: to judge if it is ready, the milk will be slightly thickened and you’d notice small curdled bits surfacing – refer to the pictures below. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

4. All at once, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter should have some small to medium lumps.

5. Preheat your non-stick pan over medium-low heat and brush with 1½ teaspoons of your choice of oil. Give the batter a light swirl with a spoon in case the buckwheat is starting to separate from the liquid.

6. Scoop the batter onto the warm pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles form on the surface of the pancakes. You’ll know it’s ready to flip when about 1 inch of the perimeter is matte instead of glossy and the bubbles have popped.

Flip and cook on the opposite sides for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown.

7. Transfer the cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and place in a preheated 200 degree Fahrenheit or 90 degree Celsius oven to keep warm.

Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter, adding more oil when needed. Then stack them up however you like and serve immediately with your favourite fruits, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.

Because everyone needs some sweetness in their pancakes, right?

Bon appétit! I like how these pancakes are not taxing on your digestive system or lead anyone to a food coma.

Say goodbye to the sinful pancakes from Clinton Street Baking Company and Populus Coffee & Co. and impress your girlfriends, or the hungry hubby today!

Do let me know how it goes and post it on Instagram using hashtag #HeyICanHopNCook! I would love to see your own creations.

GET HOPPIN’ AND COOKIN’!

Dukkah | RECIPE

The first ever recipe post on bunnymunchestheworld.com has gotta be Dukkah because it’s probably one of the best foodie discoveries I’ve had in my entire life.

Not kidding.

Most Singaporeans – including me, are not very exposed to Middle Eastern food because it is not very commonly found in Singapore. Thankfully, I’ve encountered it while I was cafehopping back in Brisbane and Gold Coast! Now that I’m back in Singapore, I would not expect Dukkah to appear anywhere in my dishes.

To satisfy my cravings for it, I would make one batch every 1.5 months to pair with my food at home! It is not only delicious, but also healthy!

Moreover, something serendipitous happened during my Valentines day lunch at Salt Grill and Sky Bar, which made me squeal when the waiters arrived with our starters.

You would know if you’ve read my post here.

When I saw the plate filled with nuts and spices, I was hyperventilating: Who, What, When, Why..?

“Why is there Dukkah here?!!”

After a few moments, I laughed to myself because silly me… I forgot that Salt Grill is a modern Australian restaurant! I have passed by the Surfers Paradise outlet before, which slipped my mind.

Well, it is obvious I am still not over with Dukkah. Before I started making my own, I had no idea what it is or made of – apart from the sesame seeds that I usually spot. Nevertheless, the fusion of ingredients definitely made WHATEVER I ATE super tasty.

If you like nuts and spices – you HAVE  to try Dukkah one day. Read on to see how to make this deliciousness that originated from Egypt!

What is Dukkah?

Dukkah is an Egyptian dry mix of roasted nuts, seeds and spices finely blended together. Traditionally, dukkah is eaten by dipping fresh Egyptian bread first into olive oil and then into the nut mixture, but it also serves as a versatile seasoning in Egyptian cooking. Somehow, dukkah was introduced to Australia and it seems to be one of the staples in their cuisine!

Here are some of the dishes I’ve had in the land Down Under, which added Dukkah in them! I’m salivating while writing this. *cries*

The last two dishes were from the same cafe and it’s apparent that they’ve added Paprika into their dukkah to give it a reddish hue. So dukkah is really a versatile staple to have on stand-by for any occasion as an appetiser or main dish.

It can be sprinkled on a salad, avocado, eggs, wraps, bread, or even coated on meat or fish, etcetera.

Dukkah can be made with any kind of nuts, including hazelnuts, macadamias, pepitas, walnuts. However, I like mine with pistachios because they have that mild hint of bitterness from their skin, and the nuts smell so fragrant when removed from the oven!

DUKKAH

Feeds: 6-9 piggies
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 110g (2/3 cup) nuts of your choice (hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamias etc.)
• 80g (1/2 cup) white sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt (like Maldon brand)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Spread the nuts over a baking tray and cook in preheated oven for 3-4 minutes or until toasted. Rub the nuts between a clean tea towel to remove as much skin as possible – this is needed for hazelnuts with skin on.
3. Place the toasted nuts in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl.
4. Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Add to the bowl with the nuts.
5. Place coriander seeds and cumin seeds in frying pan over medium heat, and cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes or until aromatic and seeds begin to pop. Transfer seeds to a mortar and pestle. Pound until finely crushed (alternatively, use a coffee or spice grinder).
6. Add the crushed spices, pepper and salt to the nut mixture and mix well.

Recipe adapted from Taste Australia.

DUKKAH IS BEST PAIRED WITH

• Extra virgin olive oil and crusty bread
• Poached eggs
• Avocado
• Roasted potatoes
• Salads
• Wraps

EXTRA NOTES

• Store remaining dukkah in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Coriander and cumin seeds are available from most Asian grocery stores and supermarkets.
• Microwave tip: Place the nuts in an oven bag and twist the opening to seal. Cook, gently shaking the bag every minute, on High/800watts/100% for 3-4 minutes or until lightly toasted and aromatic.

Let me know if you’ve tried this recipe!

The aroma and aesthetics of dukkah would impress anyone coming over to your place for a meal. I like mine with a little more salt and pepper for that extra kick and warmth. All seasonings should be to your own taste.

KEEP ROCKIN’ AND COOKIN’!

 

Australia: 10 Best Cafes in Brisbane & Gold Coast in 2015!

I’ve been wanting to do this post for awhile, especially since I’ve visited over forty cafes in Brisbane and Gold Coast within five months before graduating in 2015. Cafehopping only became a full-time hobby when I was left with such a short span of time in Brisbane; I thought it would be a wonderful way to explore the nooks and crannies of the deceivingly small city before leaving the place that I have lived for the past four years.

Thanks to my trusty car, I was able to travel alone to the outskirts of downtown and the process of finding the cafe further became a challenge and adventure. It also made me become even more independent, unafraid of spending quality time alone outside (I previously did not dare to eat alone in the uni canteen!), and improve on my food photography skills!

After visiting so many places, I thought that it would be productive to shortlist those that have left a deep impression on me when I’ve finally found time to pen all my experiences down in prose. I hope this guide would be useful for anyone travelling or studying in Queensland.

Additionally, I want to prove people wrong that Brisbane IS NOT AS BORING AS IT SEEMS.

Watch out Melbournians!

Brisbane’s coffee/cafe culture has started to flourish and I’m extremely proud of that! I remembered that when I first arrived Brisbane in 2011, it was a tad… dull, to be honest. I would either stay at home to cook or eat out the same places. There weren’t many cafes to hang out at besides Pancake Manor and a few other establishments.

Conversely, Brisbane has become such a dynamic and vibrant city that I do not mind residing in. And also, a cuppa of freshly brewed Chai latte every morning would be a dream come true!

So without much further ado, I bring you… Brisbane’s and GC’s Top 10 Cafes in 2015!

#1 Shouk Cafe

If I would to ever visit Brisbane again, the first cafe I would head to in a heartbeat would be Shouk!

Shouk is nestled in the depths of the Paddington – a hipster suburb full of cafes! It’s a great place to do some window shopping after your meal, especially along Latrobe Terrace, where there is an Antique Centre full of vintage goodies.

It is generally the most ideal situation to drive here, or else it’d be an arduous journey from the nearest train station, Milton; Paddington is well-known for its topsy turvy steep roller coaster hills that I, sometimes, have difficulty driving during my first few trips.

Best seats are by the back of the cafe. It has a great view of Paddington’s lush greenery. I hadn’t got the chance to sit by the window because they were always taken!

As you can see, they are outstanding for their fun Middle Eastern flavours and never fail to to pull me back several times to discover their new offerings when transitioning into the next season.

The first dish that blew me away was their Challah French Toast [$17]. It was undoubtedly the most exotic and sophisticated French Toast I’ve ever seen and tasted!

Challah is a type of Jewish bread, and they have interestingly soaked it in a spiced egg mixture to form the French toast, and topped it with candied walnuts, balsamic macerated berries and vanilla bean semifreddo, which is a sliceable semi-frozen ice cream.

This dish alone produced the first spark for my intrigue with Middle Eastern cuisine.

Little did I know, the second dish that I ordered, Honey Panna Cotta with Smashed Baklava, Spiced Syrup & Pistachio Floss [$15] was even better; it became an all-time favourite dish of mine from Shouk. What was so unique about it would be the smashed baklava coated with freshly grounded pistachios. They complemented the Jewish pastry really well due to the added crunch sprinkled on top of the finely ground ones embedded within.

I loved it so much that I had this dish all to myself during a repeated visit. #Fatdieme.

Determined to try the rest of their menu, I have visited Shouk at least five times, and tried almost every dish. The waiters have also begun to recognise me!

Their Challah French Toast was then updated with a twist; it was accompanied by Pistachio Halva, Ricotta ice cream, Turkish Apricots poached in vanilla syrup, and Almond & Pistachio Praline Crumble [$19].

Another popular dish – Belgian waffles with Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream and Chocolate Halva [$18].

If these sweet treats aren’t your jam for breakkie, Shouk’s classic Latke Stack – a permanent item on the menu – is always a crowd-pleaser! Similar to rosti, Latkes are potato pancakes that Ashkenazi Jews have prepared as part of the Hanukkah festival. It’s a dish that the boys would adore; their eggs are always perfectly poached!

Dining at Shouk has always been an educational and enjoyable affair; my knowledge of food has expanded thus far, and that is what eating is about. I am also very proud of them to be crowned as with the Best Breakfast in Brisbane for the Golden Fork Awards in 2015! Likeminded foodies like me have voted for them because they truly deserve it.

Delicious food comes at a price; everyone whom I have brought here had to Shouk-it-off after such a sinful meal. Perhaps a walk back home from the steep hills of Paddington would do?

Shouk Cafe

Address: 14 Collingwood St, Paddington QLD 4064, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3172 1655

Opening Hours: 7.30am–3pm daily

http://www.shoukcafe.com.au/

#2 Grocer and Grind

Gold Coasters, I’m so envious of you guys. This cafe is the epitome of the beach lifestyle; it’s a place where I would totally hang out at after a great tanning and surfing sesh!

Grocer and Grind provides all-day breakfast food that is hearty, wholesome and beautifully executed. Thankfully, the cafe is located only 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise – the touristy belt, which is accessible to both travellers and locals alike.

The layout of tables reminds me of Artistry Cafe in Singapore.

The baristas in action.

I’m always spoilt for choice whenever I’m here. They offer an extremely broad menu – from All-day-breakfast, salads, to savoury hot lunch sandwiches.

Breakfast for champions! Their Protein Pancakes with Coconut yogurt [$14] is a definite must-try.

I also ordered an Acai Bowl with Quinoa Cookie Crumble [$15] that was too pretty to be eaten! Fruits were so fresh that they tasted like they’ve been picked from the orchards seconds ago. This is the best acai bowl I’ve had in terms of flavour and presentation. Trust me, I’ve had quite a few and even attempted to make my own, but it wasn’t as spectacular.

Enjoying my usual cuppa Chai latte :’)

This is another occasion, where I ordered the French Tower [$17], which was again fantastic! Despite trying many variations of French toasts in Australia and Singapore, this was my first try with banana bread being adopted. I liked how it’s topped with walnuts (a compulsory addition to banana bread), coconut yogurt, goji berries and small figs.

Pictured in the background are the Lamb & Beetroot Burger [$18] and Truffle Scrambled Eggs [$17]. Besides the scrambled eggs being a bit bland, we finished our plates spanking clean! I would definitely be back to try their Veggie Stack, which has gained quite the reputation on Instagram.

Grocer and Grind

Address: 1/1 Sunshine Blvd, Gold Coast QLD 4218, Australia

Phone:+61 7 5527 6223

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6am–4pm

www.grocerandgrind.com.au

#3 John Mills Himself

If you have some time to spare in the Brisbane city during the morning or early afternoon for a cuppa, I would encourage you to visit JMH. Not only do they serve the best coffee and hot chocolate in the CBD, the process of searching the cafe is an exciting one as well.

There are two ways to access the cafe; first being from Charlotte Street (just before the Pancake Manor), and another from Elizabeth Street. The easier option would be from the former, where you have to go past an antique book store sign, and a Wildlife store.

John sure hides himself well!

 

Tada! Here he is!!! I was instantly amazed how the cafe was filled by working adults when I was here for the first time – despite its seemingly secluded location. Had a *Proud hipster moment*.

The prices for their drinks are considered really reasonable – since the cafe is situated within the CBD. Although they do coffees, I would recommend their flavoured Hot Chocolate for something novel.

Be sure to ask for the Hot Chocolate menu that lists all the different flavours that they have. They include Ginger, Rose, Lavender, Sea Salt, Chili, Rosemary, Lemongrass etcetera. Very extensive.

 

BEST PART of JMH: You get to customise your Hot chocolate with Dark Chocolate, Dairy Milk or White Chocolate.

How cool is that?!

I’ve never come across anything like this!

As I wanted to be adventurous and play it safe to avoid disappointment on my first try, I selected a floral flavour – Lavender with White Chocolate [$4].

And thank goodness… My virgin White Chocolate Experience was the best decision ever made!

There were small bits of white chocolate floating on top too!

Where I sat.

Red brick – CHECK, Marble – CHECK, Pretty and tasty drink – CHECK!
Their decor is fullproof for any Instagram newbies – I never fail to take rustic-looking shots with their wonderful ambience.

 

John Mills Himself

Address: Access via 55 Elizabeth Street, 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia

Phone:+61 434 064 349

Cafe Opening Hours: 6.30am–3.30pm (Mon to Fri)

http://www.johnmillshimself.com.au/

#4 Sourced Grocer

Sourced Grocer has got to be those one of the cafes that Australian farmers would boast about. It literally has a grocer within the cafe, and employ the freshest local produce for their dishes – meaning pesticide-free, and perky fruits and veggies.

So health food freaks, this is the place for ya! *Guilty as charged* hehehe..

When I arrived, my eyes were directed straight towards the lovely potted plants hanging on the wall!

Perfect excuse to window shop.

 

 

 

Creativity juices flowing with crates acting as makeshift tables!

Cabbage Pancakes with Goats Cheese Dressing, Crispy Brussel Sprout Leaves and Chives [$16] looking all photogenic under the natural light.

Although the exterior seemed dry, the pancakes were incredibly moist! And sous vide eggs burst out at the light pierce of my fork.

Another stunner was The Bircher: House rolled Organic Oats, Barambah yogurt, Seasonal Fruit, Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Honeycomb [$13].

Hundred points to Gryffindor! This is the first time I’ve seen bircher muesli plated extremely well! I usually see it being poorly served as a sloppy mess, or filled in jars to conceal its unappealing appearance.

The matcha powder sprinkled on top of the yogurt added another dimension to the otherwise already sweet dish, predominantly from the natural sweeteners derived from the fresh fruits. There were also passion fruit, sultanas and seeds hidden within the creamy oats, so I was very pleasantly surprised! I did not mind a second helping of this dish.

If you are intending on coming here for a meal, I would recommend their breakfast food; lunch menu portions were rather meagre.

Sourced Grocer

Address: 11 Florence Street, Newstead QLD 4006, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3852 6734

Opening Hours:
7am–8pm (Monday to Thursday)
7am–7pm (Friday)
7am–5pm (Saturday)
8am–4pm (Sunday)

www.sourcedgrocer.com.au

#5 Little Loco

Just a 3-minute drive away from Sourced Grocer is Little Loco that is a nondescript house converted into a cafe. I actually visited the cafe when it first opened – before their signboard even was up.

 

 

 

Like their minimalist clean decor, the food that Little Loco serves are chic and Instagram-friendly.

I came specially for their Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes [$16.90], which was trending on within Brisbane foodie scene in April 2015! The dish had finally arrived after suffering so much food envy from the Melbourne cafes that first invented them. They truly warrant all the social media attention.

 

 

While the pancakes had been taken off the menu in mid-2015, Little Loco is always reinventing their seasonal menu and producing quality health food dishes that customers would adore. I had their Quinoa Salad [$18.90] that contained a wonderful amalgamation of seasonings and textures – comprising of organic quinoa tabouli, pumpkin puree, roasted and pickled beetroot, goats cheese, tzatziki, and dukkah.

Oh, and did I mention that their presentation is always on point?

Little Loco
Address: 121 Merthyr Rd, New Farm QLD 4005, Australia
Opening Hours:
6.30am–3pm (Monday to Friday),
7am–2.30pm (Saturday and Sunday)
www.littleloco.com

 

#6 I Heart Brownies

I’m not a sucker for anything too chocolatey, as I have a sensitive throat. I get a sore throat if I take a bite of anything fried and full of rich, dark chocolate. While this is so, I daresay that I Heart Brownies has THE BEST brownies hands down. It’s almost impossible to believe that they are GLUTEN FREE.

This also means that they are healthy. Right… right?

According to their website, every brownie is 100% gluten free, and contains: Belgian black cocoa, couverture chocolate, free-range eggs, QLD cane sugar, Australian butter and gluten-free flour.

Stole a chance for a picture because the store is always filled with customers!

I Heart Brownies serves a wide range of brownie flavours, such as the Original [$4], Double Chocolate [$4], Turkish Delight [$4.50], Salted Caramel [$4.50], Raspberry [$4.50], Peanut Butter & Jelly [$4.50], and many many more!

I’m really jealous right now because I think Salted Caramel wasn’t invented until recently!

Don’t go breaking my heart~

Well, I’m glad I did. Because this was the most delicious thing I’ve ever had!

I’ve tried the Turkish Delight [$4] and Peanut Butter & Jelly [$4.50], as seen above, and I felt that the latter triumphed the former.

This is due to the dense ooey-gooey PB&J fillings against the moist and firm chocolatey interior! It was even better when paired with coffee – because bittersweet works. Thus, I suggest you to head to a nearby coffee shop to enjoy these babies like Campos Coffee or Bellissimo Coffee in Fortitude Valley.

I do have to warn though, as popular flavours like this run out fast. Be sure to drop by before noon because early birds grab dem brownies!

I Heart Brownies

Address: 7/694 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4005, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3252 8473

Opening Hours: 7am–6pm (Monday to Friday), 8am–5pm (Saturday), 8am–4pm (Sunday)

www.iheartbrownies.com.au

#7 Dip Cafe

One of the mandatory things to do when you come to Queensland is to visit Byron Bay. Although it’s not situated IN Queensland, it’s merely a 1.5 hour and 45-minute drive from Brisbane and Gold Coast respectively to see the golden fire ball rise over the faraway ocean horizon at 6am!

And there is nothing better than a hot scrumptious breakfast with your friends and family after all that sea breeze that has frozen you over, particularly during winter.

While there are plenty of cafes around the Byron Bay town, my go-to is Dip that opens early at 7am – just nice after you’ve taken hundreds of photos of the sunrise.

Dip exudes a relaxing and cosy ambience, and it is a cafe that the locals residing at Byron Bay would frequent.

Full menu can be found here.

I was really fond of their Mushroom Stack [$18], where the poached eggs beautifully rested on a bed of spinach, goats cheese and crispy fried potatoes. Now trying to recall back… I’m pretty sure it was because of those juicy mushrooms marinated with truffle oil that made the dish so tasty.

This was popular in the reviews – Bacon and Egg Roll [$10.90]. If you like bae, this could be your thing. My company felt that their chili that was incorporated with the garlic mayo masked the natural taste of the proteins in the panini.

The most memorable dish out of all was their Pecan Ricotta Honey on Sourdough Toast [$8.90]. I never knew that sweet cheese would match the bread so well! Loved it so much that I started making my own as soon as I returned to Brisbane.

For a taste of an Aussie mum’s cooking, Dip would be the perfect choice.

If you have some time to spare after breakfast, do consider spending the rest of your morning taking a stroll around the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is filled with craft, souvenir, surfing and book stores, which would take less than two hours to cover.

Dip Cafe

Address: Shop 1/21-25 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia

Phone:+61 2 6685 5141

Opening Hours: 7am–3pm daily

#8 Samson and Sophie

Not many tourists would know about Samson and Sophie, since it is a cafe situated within an apartment building at the Newstead suburb. It’d be a place where you would have to drive to as its location could be a bit far off from the centre of Fortitude Valley.

Opened in 2014, the cafe focuses on fine, fresh, local food done well. I’ve heard that their coffees are amazing too. Interior is humble and rustic-looking that reminds me of a garden and old provision store.

While scrolling through Instagram, I was immediately drawn to their Gluten free Apple & Coconut Hot cakes with Whipped Ricotta and Sour Cherry Reduction [$16.90]! You may perceive “gluten free” as something dry, less appealing and tasty, but I was proven so very wrong.

The first spoon was absolute pure heaven! It contained apple, shredded coconut, and spammed with a lot of cinnamon – all of my favourite foods. I have even found six large slices of apples on the hot cakes. So awesome that I went back again for this exact plate of messy goodness.

Not a fan of coconut or cinnamon? Other popular dishes like their customisable Avocado and Co [$12.90] with add-ons of your choice (Poached eggs, Smoked Salmon, Haloumi), as well as Roast Pumpkin Fritters with Honey Carrot, Wilted Spinach & Pepitas [$16.90] would be sure to tantalise your tastebuds.

Samson and Sophie

Address: 2 Macquarie Street, QLD 4005, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3172 1194

Opening Hours:

6am–3pm (Monday to Friday),

6am–2pm (Saturday and Sunday)

#9 Goodness Gracious Cafe

Goodness gracious… The name of this cafe is already interesting, and it’s a 10-minute drive from my University – so why not try it?! This is my first time encountering a cafe with its own carpark in Brisbane. Hurray! If the carpark is full, don’t worry because the road opposite is usually clear.

What I adore about this cafe is the sunlight peering into the cafe in the morning. There are also outdoor seating if you do not mind the heat.

While glancing at the menu, I was instantly attracted to the Pistachio Granola, Cornmeal Waffles, Spiced Chickpeas and Dukkah Spiced Eggs. Gosh, if only I had four stomachs… As I couldn’t make up my mind and my stomach was rumbling, I heeded the waitress for some advice, and told her that I was in the mood for something refreshing in the summer.

She then promptly recommended the Dukkah Spiced Eggs [$19] with Marinated Mushrooms, Sun dried Tomatoes, Labna, Asparagus, Chutney, Boiled Eggs and Buckwheat Lavosa. With foreign ingredients like Labna and Lavosa, I was keen on trying something new!

When the dish was brought out, my jaw dropped.

Check out this wonderful piece of architecture made with purely food! #BalancingSkillsOnPoint

While eating them halfway, I further squealed in delight upon discovering that the boiled eggs hidden underneath the structure were PINK and HALF BOILED! It was not stated in their menu.

I felt that Goodness Gracious could be the next Shouk cafe. I would rate this dish full marks in terms of its execution and flavour combinations. All were spot-on.

Just wished that I had more time in Brisbane to try the rest of their dishes for an in-depth review of the cafe. Nonetheless, if you are feeling adventurous on trying some creative fusion food and live in the West of Brisbane, Goodness Gracious would be your answer to the next brunch date.

Additionally, the drive to the cafe would be scenic, as you would cross the Brisbane river along the Walter Taylor suspension bridge!

Goodness Gracious Me

Address: 250 Oxley Rd, Graceville QLD 4075, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3162 9092

Opening Hours:

6am–4pm (Monday to Friday),

7am–4pm (Saturday and Sunday)

#10 Passion Tree

Passion Tree is one of those cafes that I frequent so often that I felt that it may be pointless to introduce – because it is very popular amongst students. However, I felt compelled to add it in here because the Asian in me is still very attached to the ambience, service and food that they offer.

They do not serve your usual Australian breakfast fare like avocados on toast, but rather sweet Korean desserts like thick toasts and bingsu – a shaved ice dessert topped with fruits and sauces, as well as an array of iced coffees and blended drinks.

Since Brisbane’s CBD is so small, Passion tree tends to be the one-stop hub for all the sweet-toothed to satisfy their late night dessert cravings after dinner. It opens till 12 midnight on weekends, and is only a 5-minute walk from the Brisbane Central station, and 2-minute from Queen Street Mall.

Their waffles on display.

Whenever I visit the city for dinner or some shopping , I would make a point to stop by here for their Green tea bingsu [$14.90], which remains the best green tea bingsu I’ve tried.

I’ve had several versions, but I still dream about Passion tree’s. They provide the most generous servings of red bean, almonds, macadamias, and not forgetting the most important ingredient… Fresh and crispy CORN FLAKES. Very few green tea bingsus in Singapore include cornflakes! Even if there are, they were stale and not as crispy as Passion tree’s.

I like how the corn flakes turn semi-crispy and soggy when incorporated into the chunky icy mountain. Their green tea ice cream also does not taste artificial and leans towards the sweeter side.

Another bingsu that had me at first bite, and respect the owners of Passion Tree even more was this beauty!

I’ve seen honeydew/melon bingsus… But PINEAPPLE? HELL NO!

I have been so curious on how they managed to scoop out the pineapple flesh into perfectly round spheress! Sadly, it is only served for a period of time in summer and by the time I went back for a second try – they have pulled it out of the menu. My friend and I were devastated. That hefty pricetag of $20 was well worth the one-of-a-lifetime dining experience.

Unsurprisingly, the place I chose bid farewell with my friends before leaving Brisbane for good was here. With great food, free Wifi and comfy cushioned seats, I have called Passion Tree my second home in Brisbane. My friends would also agree on that one with me.

Passion Tree

Address: 103 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia

Phone:+61 7 3012 8865

Opening Hours:
10am–11pm (Monday to Thursday, Sunday),
10am–12am (Friday and Saturday)

www.passiontree.com.au

Final Words

I have filtered down those that have left a lasting impression on me – in terms of all my aspects like taste, presentation, ambience and service. If these cafes have changed their menus and dishes in 2016 (which I expect them to do), I’m so sorry about that! However, I would still recommend them to anyone out there because I have full confidence in their potential on generating even more palatable dishes!

On a side note, the forty over cafes that I’ve been to have at least 75% ratings on Urbanspoon and located within half an hour from my place. For the case of Gold Coast, I refuse to post the overrated ones like Black Coffee Lyrics and Elk Espresso because their food and service were so bad that I do not want to add on to their unwarranted hype.

While cafehopping has burnt a large hole in my pocket, my journey in Queensland had an outcome that’s priceless – the exposure to so many cultures and cuisines have further fueled my passion for this hobby and interest in cooking. I have attempted to recreate some of the dishes I’ve eaten, like Dukkah with poached eggs and Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes, and even cooked them for my friends! I also pair my homemade pistachio Dukkah with bread and sweet potatoes on a daily basis.

Hopefully, Singapore like Brisbane, would soon be open to more diverse sensations and create more fusion dishes with our well-known local foods to make a name in Australia as well.

For those who are tight on their budget, cafehopping in Australia can be quite an affordable affair like Bangkok – with added advantages:

Cheaper coffees, most dishes being below $18 at nett prices without additional GST or service charge, and warm welcoming waiters with genuine smiles on their faces. Lastly, no language barrier!

Again, I hope that this guide would come in handy for those travelling or studying at Queensland. LUCKY YOU!

For more pictures of my cafehopping and food adventures, follow me on @bunnymunchies on Instagram here.

 

Hopping out…

ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

 

The Populus Coffee and Food Co. @146 Neil Road Review: Popular Cafe on Instagram, Subpar Pretty Food

Word says that this cafe… oh wait, there’s no word about the launch of this cafe in December – except for a few reputable food bloggers blogging about it.

Posts generated from their social media accounts are minimal. And yet, they have a sizeable following (more than a thousand followers on Instagram in less than a month!) and numerous pictures of their sundaes served in iconic sepia-toned glassware trending on Instagram.

Could this be an indication of a #hipster cafe, where only curious insiders and foodie Insta-sniffers like me know about this cafe?

And so, I knew I had to check this mysterious cafe. Opportunity arose when they were taking reservations during the Christmas period – I could secure a table without waiting long hours in the sweltering heat. Thank goodness!

Arrived here at 12.30pm on a Saturday. While outside looked serene, I was obviously fooled; inside was bustling with diners once I opened the door. It was no different from a wet market – except that it’s being filled with youngsters and middle aged parents with their children in arms. This is most likely due to the festive period where friends and family hold their mini gatherings here.

Thankfully, I was seated immediately directly in front of the entrance by a young male waiter. He then gave me a huge glass bottle of water and menu not long after. Since not many cafes in Singapore are this swift at these two steps (the wonderful service in Australia has spoiled me too much), “impressive” is one word that came to my mind.

I was eyeing on the Ricotta & Herb Bread Pudding and Buckwheat Pancakes…

And my eyes drifted towards their sundaes…

In the end, I let my company decide because I might raid the whole cafe hehehe. We opted for two dishes to share. Orders are taken at the counter.

Here’s a quick shot of their fridge: nothing eye-catching.

Buckwheat Pancakes with Berry fruit compote, cornflake crumb, passionfruit curd & thyme infused maple syrup [$20].

The pancake was served with a cute (but un-photogenic) rubber glove for the iron pan.

Despite the cafe being full house, the pancake did not take too long to emerge from the kitchen, and this choice seems to be a good one. Besides its beautiful presentation, it is healthy as well.

Just take a look at the cross-section; thick and fluffy air holes filled with small dark specks of buckwheat! Ooh! #PancakePorn

Taste: 3.5/5

Although I would like to rate it higher because of its fluffiness and usage of buckwheat as a healthier option as opposed to white flour, we felt like we were suffering in the desert heat halfway through. The pancake was unfortunately TOO THICK! Got boring after a few bites. There was also not enough berry compote or maple syrup to last the pancake.

I have eaten over 10 different kinds of pretty pancakes in Australia and some were not dry at all. To counter this problem, perhaps they could separate the batter and make two pancakes instead? And line the bottom and in-between pancakes with fruits and more compote. A more indulgent addition is a scoop of vanilla/hipster-sounding ice cream! Warm carbs and cold ice cream are just a match made in heaven that I absolutely ADORE.

And here is the star attraction. Probably the most Instagrammed dish out of their menu!

Dark Chocolate Sundae with Passion fruit curd, raspberry puree, hazelnut crumb, chocolate crumb, honeycomb & whipped cream [$14].

Taste: 4/5

It is basically an edible brown mountain with layers and layers of surprises hidden underneath. Every spoonful you get is something new as you reach towards the bottom. It was quite fun to eat!

While eating halfway, we were bummed by how creamy the soft serve is. It did not melt even though we have left it alone for ten whole minutes. As it is quite rich and filling, I suggest sharing this amongst 2-3 people! Otherwise, it does have the legitimate bittersweet taste of the dark chocolate.

Seen above is the fate of the leftover pancake; we transferred some soft serve to finish our last bit that lacked sauce.

BUNNY’S VERDICT:

This is one of those cafes that I might or might not visit again because the food was a hit and miss. Definitely overrated by food bloggers and influencers.

However, if I do visit, it would be for another flavour of their sundaes because it is awesome for photos, and rather innovative for the tastebuds. The rest of the menu does not look that appealing to me as well. Pulled pork bowl is really cheap and easy to make 😉

Similarly, the pancakes were not worth the 20-dollar price tag. I’ve actually been wanting to make my own buckwheat pancakes; I’ve bought a big bag of flour a few months ago, but did not have the time to make them. I may try to do it soon!

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RATING:

Overall Taste: 3.75/5 I recommend their unique, yet decadent Dark Chocolate Sundae.

Ambience: 3/5 I was unfortunately seated directly in front of the door, leaving left me with little to be impressed by. It was only the pentagon-shaped tiles that was interesting. Decor seems to be nicer inside the cafe.

Service: 4/5 Efficient and quick at bringing out the goods.

The Populus Coffee & Food Co.
Address: 146 Neil Road Singapore 088875
Opening Hours:
9am – 7pm (Mon, Wed),
9am – 10:30pm (Thurs – Fri),
9:30am – 10:30pm (Sat),
9:30am – 7pm (Sun), Closed on Tuesdays.

Hopping out…

ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY