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 ❤

 

 

 

 

 

Paddy Hills Dinner Review @ 38 South Buona Vista Road: Worst Cafe in Singapore – Atrocious Service & Rip Off Truffle Fries & other food

Paddy Hills… Where do I begin?

I’ve long heard about this cafe – well-known for its Berry Ricotta Hotcakes that they copied from Top Paddock, and riding on its “success”, it has been an extremely popular hipster cafe that everyone raves about on social media.

My experience of Berry Ricotta Hotcake was bad at Curious Palette and I was reluctant to visit PH until I came across their seasonal Truffle fries with REAL TRUFFLE imported from elsewhere in the world.

So, I came along with my friend with lots of excitement, as we are both fans of truffle fries! Nonetheless, our visit turned out to be the worst meal I’ve had at a cafe and accessing here wasn’t easy at all.

The cafe is located in a row of shophouses in the middle of a private residential area. There were only 1 to 2 buses available, which weren’t even buses that led to the MRT. We spent 40 minutes trying to navigate from Haw Par Villa MRT station (nearest station to Paddy Hills).

When we finally made it, and the ambience undeniably looks good. But, no one bothered to welcome us and we had to look for seats ourselves.

Never mind that as we found a two-seater table one corner against the wall. Since it was small, I began to get up from the seat to explore the space for a more comfortable dining experience. Despite having a couch seat available on the right of the cafe, a male waiter glared at me (as if I was wrong to look at other tables) and told us to remain at our seats because we only had 2 people (Point 1).

When we had the menu and make a quick decision on the dishes, none of the waiters bothered take our orders within 15 minutes of seating. We also took another 15 minutes to get the waiters’ attention  as they were always lurking at the back (Point 2).

When I told the waitress that it took 15 minutes to catch her eye, she told me she’s busy with something. Ok sure.

The food came and I missed the shaving of the truffle on our fries, unfortunately. Nonetheless, it looks quite glorious like in photos.

But it’s a lie.

Truffle Fries with 5g fresh Italian Summer Truffle with smoked salt, pecorino & homemade truffle mayo [$26+]

Taste: 2/5

Fries are thicker cut than Mc Donald’s and its crispiness was maintained throughout (maybe that’s why I have a sore throat now).

We were told that the Summer Truffles are from Umbria, Italy. However, in reality, the truffle flavour was lacking by A LOT. There was no distinct hint of truffle most of it was just cheese. The truffle merely covered one quarter of the fries, which caused us to just fish for the top ones.

The most infuriating thing is the Truffle Mayo Dip, which was given in an extremely small saucer; it was barely enough to dip one quarter of our fries! The waitress told us it would cost another $2 to top up the dip – WHAT???(Point 3).

There wasn’t any hint of truffle oil even through they claimed they added it. I think we are better off with PS Cafe’s truffle shoestring fries, which is almost half of the price.

If you need to have one dish from Paddy Hills, everyone would recommend the Hei Rice – Squid ink rice, garlic, mentaiko mayo, flank steak  & sous vide egg [$24+]

Taste: 3/5

My first taste of the Squid ink rice is quite pleasant. It had a nutty texture with a wok hei burnt flavour, but the egg didn’t really add much value to the dish, as it the rice is too buttery to absorb the yolk.

 

Worst part of the dish is the STEAK. I have had soooo many steaks in my life and this was as tough as rubber. I ordered “medium well”, and while it seemed rare in the middle, it was extremely dry and tough. My friend couldn’t even down the slices that I offered her! I can cook better steak than this.

Also had a sore throat after that after finding out that the rice was fried.

My friend had the Roasted Chicken with purple sweet potato, yuzu & wham bam sauce [$24+]

Taste: 2.8/5

For this price, we would expect a bigger portion as we mistook it for a side dish. The plate is a lot smaller than mine as well.

I could get a whole chicken at Coles supermarket in Australia for $10 and this was… half of it. While the sauce was interesting as it contained yuzu. However, the chicken was overcooked at certain parts like the breast.

No wonder other customers couldn’t finish theirs portion.. Furthermore, for $24+, you’d expect a Western meal to have sides, but this lacked vegetables and carbs for a well-balanced meal. Lots of points taken away.

We’re much better off with Astons.

Since the cafe closes at 10pm, we thought we could stay longer. By 9.15pm, the “Rise and Grind” neon sign outside was switched off and we were upset that we couldn’t take photo before we left.

And one final point, while we were still having dinner, the staff whipped out their brooms and mops to clean the cafe. My friend and I agreed that other restaurants would NEVER do this while customers are dining and before closing time. What if more customers come over for dessert?

There was a strong smell of detergent throughout from 9.15pm, and I can imagine all the germs going inside my food (Point 5).

Overall, Paddy Hills has left a bad taste in my mouth even though our total bill came close to $100 – the most I’ve spent on a cafe! Wanted to come here for brunch, but this experience (5 points listed) has made me call off that decision. It is apparent that their staff lacks training.

Paddy Hills, you’re just a beautiful mess.

This was my real dinner after visiting your cafe:

McDonald’s > Paddy Hills anytime.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

This is the most honest review I can ever get, and would warn all diners to stray away from this cafe. Its ambience and food are just a gimmick.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Don’t bother.

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RATING

Overall Taste:  2.6/5  Barely passed. Food is not value for money. This is one cafe that I’m blacklisting and would never go back again even how much truffle they are importing from Europe and Australia. I’ve never felt so angry after spending so much on a meal!

Ambience: 3.5/5 Nice decor, cork walls and eclectic tiles. Nonetheless, Paddy Hill’s ambience is not be a reason for visiting – especially when it’s located in such a secluded area. I can find similar cafes elsewhere.

Service: -1000/5 Staff the worst I’ve encountered so far in all the cafes I’ve been to in Singapore. Rude, aloof, and pretend as if we are invisible and non-existent. Is it because there’s no service charge? Customers shouldn’t be treated like that and I would pay extra just to have better service.

Had high hopes, but it all went down the drain due to the crew.

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Paddy Hills
38 South Buona Vista Road
Singapore 118164
Tel: +65 6479 0800
Opening Hours:
Daily: 8:30am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Har Par Villa
Facebook

Directions: 

• 15-minute walk from Haw Par Villa MRT or take Bus 10

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
STAY CONNECTED WITH 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 ❤

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’!

Clinton St. Baking Company Review @ 31 Purvis Street: American-Style Diner with Big Portions

Originated from New York’s Lower East Side, Clinton Street Bakery Company opened its doors in Singapore last year – joining other well-known food establishments like Saveur, Yet Con and Jai Thai located along Purvis Street. The fact that it is the latest venture across the Atlantic has created a lot of buzz from the media and throng of pancake fanatics who have tried the real deal in NYC.

Although I have visited NYC last year, it did not make it to my well-researched itinerary as I was preoccupied on visiting other more famous foodie places that made it to the top 30 of Trip Advisor, such as Magnolia Bakery, Katz Deli, and Chelsea Market. I did not know what Clinton St. was about until I saw articles on it and reviews on Instagram.

It is currently ranked #88 on Trip Advisor’s Restaurants in NYC. While their pancakes looked plain without much garnishes, but they seem really thick and fluffy, which is their main selling point. The main outlet was voted as “New York’s # 1 breakfast spot” by Lonely Planet and “Best Pancakes” by New York Magazine twice!

Moreover, an Australian foodie-friend whom I met up with during her vacation in Singapore during the Christmas period last year raved about their French Toast – instead of their famous pancakes – so I made a point of trying it out. I told her the best I’ve had is Artistry’s PB&J which I brought her to try, but she guaranteed that it’s the best French Toast that she has had and I’d love it.

I am usually quite picky with my French toasts so I came to see what Clinton Street Baking Company’s version is all about. I came here another time for their Pancakes after that so read on to find out more!

Saw this sign outside and I was so happy! I knew that they usually open till 6pm.

BREAKFAST FOOD FOR DINNER?

HELL YEAH!

We arrived here at 2pm on a Sunday, hoping that there would be no queue. The longest queue I’ve waited for was Lola’s Cafe so I heaved a sigh of relief. The host took my number down and told me it would take around 20 minutes for our table to be available.

I then suggested to walked around Purvis Street to kill time and browse the shops within the vicinity. Almost wanted to have a plate of Chicken rice at Yet Con, since it seemed quite popular amongst the locals, but we resisted our hunger pangs and continued waiting for our seat. Thankfully, the host kept his word and we were ready to go in!

The cafe had a good mix of two and four-seaters. We were directed to the table nearby the barista counter against the wall on the right.

While we were distracted at their all-day breakfast and lunch offerings, I was adamant on getting my Brioche French Toast [$18]. Their Chicken & Waffles [$21] looked really good while I was peeking at our neighbouring tables, but its reviews indicated that they were mediocre.

Focus, Andrea, focus…

And then it came to the dessert menu.

We gotta rewind to the desserts bit now; they looked REALLY APPETISING and would steal your attention as soon as you walk into the restaurant.

Reading them off the menu does not do them any justice!

Almost ordered their Apple Pie, but I found out that my  company does not like them… Awh.

Our food took about 20 minutes to arrive, which was reasonable, since it was full house.

Brioche French Toast with caramelised bananas, roasted pecans, warm maple butter [$18].

Taste: 3.75/5

This is not the fanciful type of Brioche French Toast that you may find in your typical local hipster cafes today.

It is a different rendition that goes back to the basics; humble and simple, yet tasty due to the fresh thick-cut brioche, paired with the sweet caramelised banana compote. Warm maple butter can be drizzled on top for some depth of flavour, but I would caution not to add to much; it may become repulsive towards the end of the meal.

I still see myself reaching out for my all-time favourite PB&J French Toast at Artistry in the future – instead of this. Sure, it is tasty, but I like more unique takes on the traditional French Toast. Nevertheless, I like how it is filling and just nice for two to share!

Oh sure, LOTS of butter at that too.

We came back and gave their pancakes a try for dinner this time

Having pancakes for dinner is a dream come true! Just look at how tall they are…

I chose to have their classic Wild Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter Maple Syrup [$18], which most diners ordered; their Chocolate Chunk one looked quite pathetic on photos with merely bits of chocolate, and I’ve already tried their banana toppings on the Brioche French Toast.

Since their maple butter was a bit too heavy for our liking after our first try, I asked for maple syrup instead and I was so glad that they were able to do this substitution!

Taste: 3/5

What distinguishes Clinton St.’s pancakes over others is not only the thickness of each pancakes, but also the techniques on making the pancakes. I could taste the crispy caramelised edges of the pancakes – which was interesting! I have never came across such a texture before. Moreover, the pancakes seemed to be able to absorb all the maple syrup goodness quite well.

Found out that the bottom of each pancake had blueberries underneath too.

My company, however, wasn’t impressed since he usually has the ones from McDonald’s. He actually prefers the latter! I am not too fussy about pancakes – but they gotta be fluffy and I usually require an abundance of sauces to dress over them, or else they would be dry.

No one likes dry, flavourless pancakes. The ones I had at Populus Coffee & Co. is a perfect exemplification.

Spamming them with maple syrup, which is a great alternative for those who do not want their food to be drowned in their sinful signature maple butter!

Although the amount of Blueberry Sauce is just nice, one thing that turned me off  was the thick solid ball buried within, which I chewed on. I think it’s corn starch that was not stirred through properly. Eek. What an oversight by the chef!

Other downsides include lacking maple sauce to coat all of our three extremely thick pancakes comfortably, they were not not as soft and fluffy as I expected them to be.

I usually consider my pancakes”fluffy” when I am able to  break it loose with a lone cut from my fork with one hand and I could taste many air pockets in the batter that is akin to a chiffon cake.

This did not happen, unfortunately.

Posing with the pancakes to prove that they are as big as my face!

The crowd on a weekday was drastically different from the weekend – only one table was occupied when I entered. I would encourage anyone to visit then; I arrive at about 6.30pm.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

MAYBE?  

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Brioche French Toast, if you die die must try!

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.4/5  Food is not very memorable besides the massive portions. All I hope is that the same dishes taste even better at the main branch in New York! Having been to the US, I fully know that Americans love their sugar and butter. However, maple syrup is probably the limit that I can take on my breakfast food, so for the more health conscious and people who dislike oily foods, I suggest you to switch your maple butter to syrup! It could be comfort food for those who used to reside at America, and are craving for legit American grub.

Considering that our bill for each visit totalled up to about $21 per dish inclusive of GST and Service Charge, it is quite expensive for dishes that can be found commonly in cafes that would charge $15-20. That being said, the dishes I had were shared by two, so it can be value-for-money for smaller eaters like us.

Clinton St. would definitely not be a frequent hangout for our Pancake or French Toast fix. Desserts next time, perhaps?

Ambience: 3.5/5 The interior of the cafe is pretty traditional and conservative – simple with walnut wood finishings, old-school lights and waxy floors. The lighting has largely yellow hues though, which may affect your photography. The washroom deserves a special mention, as it is quite well-sanitised during both visits, which not many cafes would bother about!

I believe that an important aspect for a cafe to commands respect from customers is to maintain a decent quality for the hygiene of their washrooms! Does anyone agree with me on this? Or am I just plain weird?

Service: 3.5/5 I was generally pleased by the accuracy of the estimation of our waiting time during our first visit on a busy Sunday. We were seated within 20 minutes of waiting  on the dot and service was friendly and attentive even though it was packed to the brim.

The quality of service backslid on our repeated visit though. One of the waiters seemed quite aloof, as she pretended not to see us when we raised our hand for more tap water. This happened when the restaurant was less than half-filled. We also felt being judged when requested to takeaway some leftover pancakes (we had chicken rice before this). Well, their inconsistency in service may be an additional reason for us not to visit again.

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Clinton St. Baking Company
Address: 31 Purvis St, 188608
Phone: 6684 4845
Opening Hours:
8am – 10pm Daily
clintonstreetbaking.sg

Directions: 

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

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

 

 

 

Montana Singapore @ PoMo Review: Sweet & Savoury Waffles Done Right

The search for the best waffle in Singapore battle continues as more cafes are producing epic-looking and tasting waffles – one after another.

First, it was the waffle topped with a photogenic swirl of soft serve and sprinkle of nuts on top and other customisable ingredients on the side, then came the black Charcoal waffle and the thick buttery drizzle of Salted Egg Yolk sauce. Cafes have also been banking on more unique ice cream offerings like Butter Beer, Truffle and Thai Milk Tea to lure Instagrammers and the adventurous foodies to pop by.

Being an avid waffle fan, I have visited eight cafes serving waffles, including Salted Caramel, Sunday Folks, Twenty Grammes, Rabbit Owl Depot and Fat Cat Ice Cream Bar; Salted Caramel was one of the few dominant waffle cafes in the late 2000s serving the round waffle. I can’t believe how the rest popped up within the recent years!

Famous for its Mac and Cheese and Red Velvet Waffles, Montana Singapore is under these additions and after visiting two times at its revamped outlet at PoMo, I can safely say that has made it to my top three to-go waffle places in Singapore!

 

Came here for Sunday brunch at 1pm and it was a sizeable crowd.

Since it was in the afternoon, all I was interested in was their savoury waffles.

I had a hard time deciding between the Assam Crab Waffle [$18] and Bulgogi Beef Waffle [$16.80], but settled on the latter since my company is not big on assam or gula melaka. *Sniffs*

The Bulgogi Beef Waffle had an eye-catching presentation with the dash of red Gochujang sauce and green spring onions on top.

Taste: 3.5/5

The Gochujang rice waffle comes with sous vide bulgogi beef, kimchi coleslaw and poached egg; the flowy egg signalled a good start to our meal. After drenching the waffle with the yolk, we proceeded to dig into the crispy waffle and realised that the waffle had the taste of the Gochujang, which gave it an orange hue. Yummy!

After savouring the waffle a couple of times, I noted that the beef was served cold and did not feel very fresh. It was a bit limp and not those that you have during shabu shabu, where the meat is springy on the outside and tender within. On second thoughts, for the price, I guess it’s all right.

My company, on the other hand, articulated that the waffle had a milky taste; I thought that it could be due to the marinade of the kimchi? It wasn’t a huge factor for me to put down my cutlery!

Overall, the components came together quite well, especially for the waffle; batter was tasty and crispy. I would rate it higher if all the ingredients were served warm. Great effort on making a fusion Korean-Western waffle!

On another occasion, since I was around the vicinity for a dinner with my Junior College buddies, I decided to give Montana’s sweet dessert waffles a go!

One was craving for waffles too, but I was nervous because I had no idea if they were any good. This happens to me when discovering a new eatery with my friends from time to time; I feel pressurised sometimes to make sure that the food is good, since I usually do an in-depth research before visiting anywhere and tried many more places than my friends and family LOL. Does anyone feel me?

Anyways, when we arrived at 9pm, my friends thought I have brought them to a bar and they don’t drink. Well, I found out that cafe does serve alcohol at night! The place was also one-quarter filled, so business seemed not too shabby for a weekday.

We ordered two waffles because the guys were in a good mood; we were still full from our ramen meal before that! After waiting for 20 minutes, we were wondering where our waffles have gone to. I looked back and saw the chef assembling the red velvet one in utmost concentration.

Mango Berry Waffle [$13] with Fresh Mango, Mixed Berry Compote, and Vanilla Ice Cream.

Taste: 4/5

The description sounded basic, but it turned out better than expected! The waffle had two toppings that were just enough to coat the waffle. I preferred the side with the fresh berry compote; it had a sweet and tangy flavour with the texture of fresh berries.

I believe that the compote is made from frozen raspberries and blackberries.

The maple syrup given on the side thus wasn’t needed anymore.  The waiter also allowed us to choose between crispy or fluffy waffle and we had the crispy one. It was crispy to the extent that I could taste the dryness throughout – equivalent to a death sentence to my throat.

However, one of my friend LOVED it so much and finished most of the mango side by himself that lacked a sauce, whereas my other friend and I were fighting for the berry compote side because we liked the semi-soaked waffle.

Soggy waffles, come to Mummy…!

The winner of the day has got to be the Red Velvet Waffle Stack [$14] with Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream and White Chocolate Rose Syrup, as I found myself hogging over it!

Taste: 4.5/5

This is a must-order at Montana! It was so B.O.M.B. and exactly what I needed to wow my tastebuds.

I noticed that previous food bloggers had this classic waffle with Vanilla ice cream, which was in the old menu; I’m glad that they switched it to Strawberry Shortcake flavour as it has a richer taste and complemented the red velvet flawlessly! The waffle also had the appropriate amount of crisp and was fluffy inside.

This would have been full marks if the ice cream didn’t melt so fast; it melted waaaay faster than the vanilla on the otherMango Berry Waffle. I also felt that some ingredients were missing and made the dish “empty”.

Perhaps some red velvet cake crumble, marshmallows or berries would be nice to accompany the waffle? My friend actually transferred some of the berry compote for an added texture and taste to the red velvet. That could be an idea.

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

YES, I WOULD HOP BACK FOR THEIR WAFFLES!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Bulgogi Beef, Red Velvet Waffles

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RATING

Overall Taste: 4/5 Montana seems to be gaining the upper hand through their unique waffle creations in Singapore. Although I prefer all my waffles to be sweet, I’m sure that their savoury would be popular for lunch or dinner. I would love to return for their Red Velvet and the rest – Black Sesame and Carrot Cake Waffle. They all sound so interesting! Price-point wise, it might be steep for the extra GST and service charge that cost us $5 more. Their location is not bad nonetheless, accessible from the city area.

Ambience: 3/5 Decor had a Middle Eastern atmosphere, largely due to the exotic-patterned tiles and gigantic spread of red tapestry spanning across the cafe. The boys loved the test tubes on each table that held salt and pepper. However, we were seated on the same table as my previous visit and surrounding decor was not very photogenic or Instagrammable.

Service: 3/5  Mediocre service. Staff were not very welcoming, but still attentive at filling our waters. Food took around 15 t0 20 minutes to be served.

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Montana Singapore
PoMo, 1 Selegie Road #02-25
Singapore 188306
Tel: +65 98331790
Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Facebook

Directions: Nearest MRT would be Bras Basah (CC Line), or Dhoby Ghaut (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line).

• I usually walk from Dhoby Ghaut and it would take 10-minutes. Walk towards the Cathay and along School Of The Arts at Princep Street, and PoMo would just be next to it.

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

The Laneway Market @ 266 Tanjong Katong Road Review: All About The Vibes

The Laneway Market has been on my cafehopping list for over a year now. I mean, the name itself already sounds so hippie. Iconic for its suspending bouquets of flowers and rustic embellishements, it has been featured on quite a few programmes on MediaCorp and YouTube series, and their food is oh-so-hard to ignore on Instagram.

You’ll find out why soon.

I have considered coming here on so many occasions, but my plans usually fall apart because the cafe is too out of reach from where I live in the North! The MRT station is also not located anywhere nearby. When I was notified that my brother was going to be overseas for a few days, I grabbed the chance and borrowed his car without any hesitation!

The Laneway Market is situated amongst many well-known eateries like Domino’s, With A Pinch Of Salt, Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, Eng’s Noodle House, and Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint.

When we first arrived at about 1pm,  every table was occupied – except the bar and communal ones. I told the waitress that I have reserved a table the day before; she didn’t bother checking and immediately asked a customer in green, who was left with a drink, to shift the communal table instead.

I felt so bad! Nevertheless, I was impressed by how she handled it so professionally.

Browsing the menu was redundant for me, as I knew the two dishes that I wanted to try! I noticed that most of their dishes are actually not very friendly for vegetarians; sausage and ham seem to be the VIP staples in the menu, where they make quite an appearance in almost every dish.

Did I mention that it’d be bad for the waistline? Oops.

Dining at the Laneway Market would be incomplete if we did not order a cuppa! Out of all the coffees offered, I was interested in their Earl Grey Latte [$6].

I was really excited to try it.

Indeed, the coffee is infused with a light Earl Grey note and was not acidic at all. However, I felt that it was inclined towards the milkier side. Just wished that it would have a heavier ratio of coffee to tea.

Taste: 3/5

Our brunch dishes came one after within 20 minutes. Voila!

The Laneway Market’s Dashi Risotto [$20] with Hon Dashi, Field Mushrooms, Onsen Egg and Crispy Mushrooms is forever on their Instagram feed, as quite a number of influencers have raved about it. I was keen on trying it because I didn’t mind Dashi, onsen egg, and I like my carbs to be wet and soggy – which means that risotto should be fine?

When the dish came, however, it did not look like the ones I’ve seen on Instagram; I asked their waiter about it – with a reference of the Instagram picture. He checked the issue with the chef and later told me that dish is in transition of changing its presentation style.

Needless to say, I was a tad disappointed because previous version had bonito flakes in it. The other waitress then came and said she can help me add some. Now, that’s some good service!

Taste: 3.5/5

My company, who had a bad impression of risotto, actually liked the dish!

For me, I wanted it to be wetter, with a soggier texture. It tasted like hard rice to me. Since our responses were different, I think that opinions of this dish would be subjective based on your personal preferences of how you like your risotto to be – wet or dry.

It definitely turned out better when the sous vide egg was cut open and we could combine all the yolky goodness with the risotto.

A splash of Dashi sauce for this dish would be great addition too, I feel.

After the letdown, the second dish we had – Stacked French Toast [$15], which came with Bacon strips, Caramelised bananas, Granola, Banana toffee sauce and Blueberry Marmalade, fortunately cheered me up again!

Taste: 4/5

Everyone by now should know that I’m a HUGE sucker for French Toasts, and this is the dish that first lured me here after spotting it on Instagram. Despite the portion size looking rather small, I was already bloated by the time I was halfway through the dish!

The banana was almost perfectly caramelised – where the charred sides were quite obvious. Nevertheless, the rest of the ingredients scored well; bread is fluffy and tastes even better when soaked in the toffee sauce that’s not too sweet.

Granola bits are abundant and they even had corn flakes in it! MAJOR LOVE. Hands up to my other corn flake homies out there?

The dish still tasted great after being left out for my photo-taking session, but I reckon it would be absolutely divine when eaten hot. Both of us liked this dish better.

The rest of our afternoon was spent at the cafe watching the Siglap Secondary School students’ having a photography field trip! So envious of them. We did not have thuch programmes back then.

I was interviewed by four students, which turned out to be an amusing experience. They asked me questions about the food here and whether I would be back. “This is exactly your forte”, my company commented.

True that. So here’s what I told them:

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

YES, I WOULD HOP BACK FOR THEIR BRUNCH!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Stacked French Toast

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.75/5 I would definitely return whenever I am craving for a French Toast and have a car. Prices of the dishes are also predominantly wallet-friendly i.e. below $20. All prices are NETT with no GST or Service Charge! Very comparable to Lola’s Cafe.

While the space is small, it is a rustic and and cosy cafe that would be wonderful for a girly meeting here. However, I would advise visitors to reserve a table a day or two before coming here. Walk-in customers would be directed to communal tables if you don’t mind them.

Ambience: 4/5 The cafe seems to be popular amongst young girls and foreigners, which could be due to the attractive design of the cafe. We were seated next to a Caucasian couple and a group of male ABCs who spoke with an accent. I guess they could be living nearby? Regardless, cafe is suitable for small groups of 2 to 4 people. Any larger than that would be a squeeze.

Service: 4.5/5 I have to give credit to their service, as the waiters regularly topped up our water and were pretty smooth on dealing with issues that propped up during our experience. Another problem, in particular, arose when I had a discount code for a minimum spend of $40 and forgot to use it while we were footing the bill. They kindly refunded me the extra money that I paid for! I was really touched by this action and would like to give a shout-out to them.

Thank you so much for being so flexible and making my first TLM experience a positive one! 🙂

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The Laneway Market
Address: 266 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437053
Phone: 6719 8832
Opening Hours:
10am -9.30pm (Wed-Sun)
Closed on Mon and Tues
http://thelanewaymarket.com/

Directions: 

• It would be best to drive here and park along the stretch of shophouses; it is actually free in the early afternoon! Wasted a coupon because I wasn’t aware of it.
• Nearest MRT would be Dakota MRT station. Take Bus 31 towards Tampines Interchange. Take 3 stops and drop off at “Katong PO”. Walk 2 minutes to the cafe along Tanjong Katong Road.

 

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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’!

 

Boufe Boutique Cafe @ 308 Tanglin Road Review: Service More Impeccable Than Instagrammable Food

Iconic for its white-washed walls, old-school swing and brunch dishes like their French Toast and Strawberry Shortcake – which looks exactly like the emoticon, I’m sure anyone who has scrolled through Instagram on trending Singaporean cafes would have come across Boufe Boutique Cafe.

Boufe has long been on my list of “to-go” cafes in Singapore since its opening in January 2015, but the location can be a little far off to where I usually hang out at – Orchard; there are only two buses that pass by Tanglin Road. Nevertheless, the perfect opportunity arose when they have recently launched their new menu two weeks ago, and my best friend had her whole afternoon free on a weekday.

We therefore embarked on our cafe-searching adventure!

As usual, I brought my trusty umbrella and water bottle in a bid to battle the hot sweltering heat! After half an hour of transport and navigation from Somerset MRT station, we managed to reach the cafe just before 2pm (specific directions to the cafe will be posted below).

I’ve always thought that Boufe is an independent colonial house – seen from pictures online, but it is actually linked to another building of offices at Phoenix Park, where Spruce is situated as well. The exterior of the cafe is very inviting for photo-taking due to its dark wooden decks and minimalistic black and white design.

We had to give taking #ootds on their swing a miss because it was too hot, and our poor stomachs were growling! #anotherreasontocomebackagain

When we opened the door, the waitress immediately asked us where we would like to be seated. I promptly replied: by the window!

I had three dishes in mind: Brioche French Toast [$19] (because I’ve been the ultimate French Toast and Brioche lover since forever), Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish [$18], or Scotch Egg Guacamole [$19].

Since my company wanted the Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish, I decided on Scotch Egg Guacamole for a double #Eggporn brunch!

When this dish was rolled out in the menu, it gained quite a significant popularity on Instagram – obviously riding on the salted egg yolk craze in Singapore’s foodie scene.

Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish [$18] with duck yolk sauce, in-house baked buckwheat bun, sautéed mushrooms  & cherry tomatoes.

Taste: 3.75/5

My company adores salted egg yolks and mushrooms, so it was a no-brainer for her. She squealed in delight while having the mushrooms. They were tasty and juicy. When asked how she is going to “attack” the crayfish, she wasn’t sure.

Later, something magical ensued…

She was able to pick the shells right off the pieces of crayfish! This was really a thoughtful gesture from the chefs and marked a positive start to our meal.

Other great indicators were the fluffiness of the buckwheat bun and salted egg yolk sauce that was drizzled evenly on it. We joked that I was taking “food pornography” as the crayfish was literally lying naked on the soft bed of bun!

I had a portion of her dish, and we unanimously agreed that the crayfish was overcooked. It was simply tough and required some effort to break it apart in our mouths. Nevertheless, I was smitten with the sauce and crispy edges of the freshly-baked buckwheat bun.

I’m sure my company did too; I couldn’t help but notice that she had brushed almost the entire bun up!

She rated this dish either a 3.5 or 4, so I chose the in-between for her. It would have been a 4 if it weren’t for the overcooked crayfish.

Scotch Egg Guacamole [$19] with homemade guacamole spread, fresh greens, crème fraîche, pan-seared vine tomatoes or edible flower. Having a choice of sesame rye bread, walnut rye bread or sourdough, I settled on Sesame Rye Bread as I found it novel.

Oooh… When the dish came, my heart skipped a beat. The success of the flowy scotch egg is impressive! I had a friend who tried making half-boiled scotch eggs during Christmas, and not all of them had runny yolks.

Moreover, my company who has eaten quite a few noted that Boufe’s version has an outer crust that is not as dry as others.

I liked the sausage meat; it was moist with just the right amount of saltiness. The greens and roasted vine tomatoes also came with generous servings, and their seasonings were on point.

On the contrary, I was disappointed by the Sesame Rye, as I thought that the sesame would be within the bread and not on the surface of the loaf. In addition, it was difficult to cut through the crust and both of us left the edges untouched in the end. This is a common problem for artisanal breads. Perhaps it needs more time in the oven?

I was looking forward to having the Guacamole, but it fell short of my expectations. I’ve made my own before, and am used to quite strong lemon, garlic and pepper flavours. Theirs was tasteless and felt more like an avocado spread. The crème fraîche  also proved to be redundant, especially when the scotch egg already encases a burst of flavours. Despite this, I rate it higher than the Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish due to its presentation, fresh greens and technicalities behind on creating the perfect scotch egg.

After eating, I had a mini tour around the cafe:

Their cakes look really enticing. I did not lie about their Strawberry Shortcake loking like the emoticon, right?

I had no idea that it has Liqueur Syrup in it. This makes me want to try it next time!

Another part of Boufe that is impressive is their in-house bakery; self-produced bread means they are fresh out of the oven!

The final section is the reason why they chose “Boufe” to be their cafe name – the boutique! Because Boutique + Cafe = Boufe.

Their were various items – from shoes to home decor on sale. What a range! Smart move to make the accompanying boyfies to buy their shopaholic girlfies something that they want; there’d be no chances for negotiation since it shares the enclosed space with the dining area.

This shopping concept also brings me back to the several cafes in Australia I’ve encountered with a small grocery store. No harm looking at pretty stuff, right? Consumerism at its best hehe…

The cafe had a little power failure at 4pm, where it caused all the kitchen appliances and cash register to be down. Thank goodness it only lasted for about 15 minutes!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

YES, I WOULD HOP BACK FOR THEIR BRUNCH AND DESSERTS!

Although Boufe’s location can be a bit far, it is definitely a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the city life. I might be back to explore their tantalising desserts that look so sexy in the display. I also feel that the new menu is worth a try! If the elements that I pointed out were to be improved, I’m sure they’d wield the potential to sustain a loyal following for their new brunch items.

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Salted Egg Yolk Crayfish, Scotch Egg Guacamole

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.9/5

Ambience: 4/5 What’s not to like about the minimalistic interior with lots of natural light shining in? Photos of their food on Instagram always look so perfect. Cafe seems popular amongst hipster youths for brunch, and taitais, who drive here for tea time with their children after 3pm.

The atmosphere is also boosted by their playlist… The owner is an obvious Bieber and Bruno Mars fan. Some nostalgic songs that I loved in secondary also started playing in-between like “Why Can’t I” by Liz Phair. Couldn’t help but sing along to them.

Service: 5/5 Prompt in serving food, where both dishes arrived TOGETHER within 20 minutes and the waitresses were polite and well-trained from the moment we stepped in, until we left. This particularly applied to the young waitress who served our table; she was attentive at refilling our water, and to my surprise, she even asked for feedback about our food. Furthermore, during the power outage, she apologised to the customers seated at every single table.

As we all know, the service of an F&B establishment can make or break anyone’s perception of it, and most of the time, the additional 10% service charge in Singapore does not define the quality of their service. This was one of those rare times that it was translated to our experience. Kudos to her and her manager!

They remind me of Brisbane’s Shouk Cafe while I was still studying there; the staff would never fail to ask comments about their dishes (I’ve visited over five times). This brings hope to the cafe service in Singapore because let’s admit it, our quality of service here ain’t great and it has a large room for improvement. I truly wish that every customer would receive such lovely treatment during their visit!

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Boufe Boutique Cafe
Address: 308 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park #01-01

Singapore 247974
Opening Hours:

Closed on Mon

8am – 10pm (Tues – Fri)
10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

www.boufesg.com

Directions: Nearest MRT would be either Somerset or Redhill.

• For me, I took 111 from the bus stop directly opposite 313 Somerset, and alighted at “Bef Chatsworth Rd” after 8 stops.
• Walked along Tanglin Road towards Chestnut Drive and cross the road towards Phoenix Park that is a commercial property for office rentals.

• Turn left when you see the sign above and walk all the way inside to building 308. It would take around 10 minutes to walk there.

• And… Tada! Boufe is located at the back.

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY