3 Must-Visit Melbourne Cafes Within Half A Day: Lune Croissanterie, Hammer & Tong, and Top Paddock

Having a quick stopover at Melbourne, but afraid that you have not enough time to enjoy their famous brunch spots? Don’t worry as this Bunny has got a game plan for you busy travellers!

This guide will take you to the crux of the cafe hopping scene in half a day, so you aren’t missing out on anything. Good thing is that they aren’t too far away from each other.

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HALF-DAY MELBOURNE CAFE GUIDE

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#1 LUNE CROISSANTERIE 

Set your alarm clocks on to 7.30am because you have to get out of bed for this one. Trust me on this one, because it’s going to be all worth it. The lines just speak for themselves. I was here at 8.30am and at least 30 people were already in the queue.

Looks like Singaporeans are not the only “kiasu” ones.

Why are their croissants famous?

Well for one, they have been dubbed by the New York Times as “possibly the world’s best croissant” and the founder had apprenticed at the renowed Paris boulangerie Du Pain et des Idees.

And as the menu suggests, they offer a wide range of croissants from the Traditional [$5.50] to novel ones like Coconut Pandan [$9.50] and Carrot Cake [$12.50].

All baked fresh within an immaculately sterile glasshouse, I managed to snag the Twice-baked Almond [$8.50] and Traditional Croissant [$5.50] in 30 minutes.

Taste: 4.5/5

The texture was everything that I expected; feathery, honeycomb thin layers which flaked on every bite. For the Twice-baked Almond ones (pictured below), you’d find a pleasant surprise inside too, as the interior was filled with an ooey gooey syrup, making it even more irresistible.

This is by far, the best croissant I’ve had to date!

The bad part about the cafe is the limited number of seats that were tiny and claustrophobic. It wasn’t the best place to chill – unless you’re here alone. It was on first come first serve with no table service.

I had no time to waste and headed down to my next stop nearby after savouring my croissant. I kept the other one for a mid-day snack, as the best must be saved for the last.

Lune Croissanterie
+61 3 9419 2320
119 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Opening Hours:
7am – 3pm (Mon)
7.30am-3pm (Thurs, Fri)
8am – 3pm (Sat, Sun)

 lunecroissanterie.com

Stop #2 HAMMER & TONG

Take a 5-minute stroll from Lune Croissanterie and you’d find yourself at your next destination – Hammer & Tong. It is located along the main street of the unpretentiously hipster suburb of Fitzroy.

While its popularity may not match up to the previous cafe, I had been admiring their eclectic modern Australian brunch spread on Instagram for awhile. I wanted to to order everything on it!

I managed to boil down to one dish that is stunning in every way.

Coconut yogurt with strawberry, jasmine and lemon balm [$16]. 

Taste: 4/5

 

Hammer & Tong
412 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
+61 3 9041 6033
Opening Hours:
7am – 4pm (Sun, Mon)
7am – 10pm (Tues to Sat)

Stop #3 TOP PADDOCK

• 10-minute drive from Melbourne CBD. Parking can cost up to AUD10 per hour. I parked for 2 hours.

If you have not heard of Top Paddock, you’re missing out on the what could be the world’s most popular hotcakes.

Many cafes overseas, including Singapore have duped it, but I wasn’t impressed with them. Those I had here were cakey, cloying and very much like a dessert instead of a wholesome breakfast.

I hoped that the real ones weren’t like that.

To demystify this, I insisted on visiting Top Paddock no matter how packed my schedule in Melbourne is. Lucky for me too, the cafe is a short 10 to 15 minutes drive from the CBD.

Coffee aroma was already in the air, as I approached the vicinity. I loved how diners seated by the windows could pop their heads out to take a breath of fresh air.

Once I was in, I felt like I have entered the busiest cafe in the entire history of my cafe hopping experience.

Brisbane’s cafes were usually small, serene and cosy. But this was the total opposite: loud chatters, a long queue for takeaway coffee, shrill clings of cutleries and waiters manoeuvring around with a tough balancing act on their arms.

Welcome to Melbourne.

We were led to the extended alfresco area and had my order of a Mocha Latte. It was a decent cuppa with a distinct shot of espresso and cocoa.

For the savouries, we had a Hanger steak sandwich [$21.50] with red onion jam, wasabi butter, horseradish, tempura beetroot leaves in a brioche roll to share.

Taste: 4.5/5

One of the better steak sandwich I’ve had! Beef was tender and not chewy at all.

In particular, I was amazed by the chef’s attempt to blend the East and West. The wasabi butter definitely helped to add a kick to the protein, and the beetroot leaves were deepfried to perfection with a crisp edge.

I had never imagine them to be treated in this way, as tempura vegetables to Asians are usually long beans, okra or squash.

Another dish I couldn’t resist not getting was the Fresh Queensland soft-shell mud crab [$24] with fennel, dill salad & lime mayonnaise in a brioche bun.

Taste: 3.5/5 

While the Soft Shell Crab burger looked so enticing, I was left utterly disappointed! The crab was unpalatable with the heavy hand on the salt. The lime and dill mayo didn’t add much value to it.

Felt like there could be a better condiments to match the perfectly fried and plump crab that was oh juicy. Sorry Queensland fishermen, the chefs didn’t do justice to your crab. I would totally toss it into my Thai Curry!

Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcakes [$21] with maple syrup, seeds & cream.

Taste: 5/5

This, thankfully did not go wrong.

It wowed me not just in its aesthetics, but also its texture! Nestled inside the batter were small chunks of ricotta, as well as blueberries that were oozing out their juices.

You can be assured that it is not cakey, and the occasional sweetness from the maple syrup was not overpowering. Still, it was a tad too large for one to finish. I would recommend sharing this between 2-3 people. I enjoyed crunching on all the nut toppings and made me feel lots healthier.

While it was about an inch thick, the hot cake was incredibly fluffy, light – and nothing like dupes that I’ve tried. The original one is indeed the best. However, I would like the Marscapone cream to be replaced with an ice cream scoop like Bailey’s onto the warm hotcake for a temperature contrast!

The rest of my day was spent dog-watching, and wishing that I could have this alluring piece of Matcha, Black Sesame & Mandarin Slice [$6]. Perhaps next time!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Hangar Steak Sandwich, Blueberry & Ricotta Hotcake

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RATING

Overall Taste:  4/5 Mostly hits! The Ricotta Hotcakes matched up to our expectations and Hangar Steak Sandwich was executed really well. Such a pity about the Soft Shell Crab Burger, but I hope they would tweak its salt content soon.

Ambience: 4/5 The cafe was unexpectedly huge with a modern and relaxing decor! Plants surround the cafe, and flowers are spotted at each corner. I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t have a seat at 1pm, but it was unfounded for. It could easily fit at least a hundred people. There is an indoor and alfresco area, which was so lovely. Dog owners even brought their pets here while they have their lunch!

Service: 5/5 Staff were genuine and unpretentious. I was impressed by how well they are trained – despite being such a busy cafe! Sometimes staff from highly reputable cafes can get aloof, but this one is as good as it gets. They memorised my orders and was alert in refilling our water.

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Top Paddock
658 Church St, Richmond
VIC 3121, Australia
03 9429 4332
Opening Hours:
7am – 4pm (Mon to Fri)
8am – 4pm (Sat, Sun)
Website
info@thetoppaddock.com

Bookings for groups of 4 or more Monday to Friday. No bookings on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

 

Directions: 

• 10-minute drive from Melbourne CBD. Parking can cost up to AUD10 per hour. I parked for 2 hours.

Hopping out…

ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

DON’T BE A STRANGER!
STAY CONNECTED WITH 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 ❤

 

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

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

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