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

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

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

Does Wolfgang Puck ring a bell?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Their menus can be found here.

 

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

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

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

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

This is an absolute MUST ORDER.

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

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

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

Taste: 4/5

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

It is usually hard to go wrong with foie gras.

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

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

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

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

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

Taste: 3.5/5

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

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

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

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

Taste: 5/5

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

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

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

Taste: 3.75/5

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

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

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

Taste: 4/5

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

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

Taste: 3.5/5

 

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

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

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

Taste: 5/5 

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

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

Taste: 5/5

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

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

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

Phew for that!

 

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

Taste: 4/5

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

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

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

 

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

Taste: 3/5

 

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

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

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

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

Taste: 4/5

This is a laksa that is so unique.

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

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

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

 

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

Taste: 4.5/5

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

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

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

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

Taste: 3.5/5

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

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

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

Taste: 3/5

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

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

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BUNNY’S VERDICT: 

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

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

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RATING

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

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

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

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

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

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

DRESS CODE

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

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

AGE RESTRICTION

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

Directions: 

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

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

We were brought to a table in the centre instead.

Full menu can be found here.

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

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

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

Taste: 3.5/5

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

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

Pacific Eggs Benedict

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

Taste: 4/5

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

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

Riders Cafe almost nailed it.

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

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

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

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

 

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

Taste: 2/5

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

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

I would not recommend this at all.

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

Taste: 3/5

It is not something I would actually order again.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Taste: 5/5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swoosh! Look at that smooth silky tail.

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

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

BUNNY’S VERDICT:

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

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

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RATING

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

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

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

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

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

 Directions: 

• Free carpark available at the Saddle club

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taste: 4/5

This is the epitome of how beef should be like!

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

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

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

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

Macaroni Cheese with Black Truffle  

Taste: 100/5 

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

I went crazy over this!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taste: 3.5/5

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

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

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

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

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

Won’t recommend this to anyone!

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

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

Taste: 4/5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES! Best for birthdays, anniversaries or corporate meals.

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

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

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RATING

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

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

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

 

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

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 Equinox Restaurant

Swissôtel The Stamford

Address: 2 Stamford Rd, Swissôtel The Stamford, 178882

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

Opening Hours:

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

Buffet Lunch:
Saturday and Public Holidays: 12.00 – 14.30

Brunch: Sunday: 11.00 – 14.30

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

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

RESERVATIONS: book now

GENERAL INFO
Dress: Smart Casual
Capacity: 110 persons

 Directions: 

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

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

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 ❤

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This means that there’s no central kitchen!

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

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

What do I mean by continents?

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

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

I wonder if you guys reading would feel the same?

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

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

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

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

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

Taste: 4.5/5

How so?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taste: 3/5

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

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

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES!

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Ocean’s Thirteen

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RATING

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

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

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

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

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

Service: 4/5

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

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

Directions: 

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

Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY

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

Asanoya Bakery @ 15 Queen Street Review: Best Matcha Breads & Most Innovative Salted Egg Croissant to Date!

THE #CROISSANT WAR CONTINUES.

With more bakeries like BreadTalk, Antoinette and Da Paolo pulling up their socks to stay relevant in the Salted Egg Croissant food fad by launching their own variations and other interesting ones like Matcha, Chili Crab, Charcoal Kaya  Croissants and counting, we foodies are in for a treat!

The question now is… Are you on TEAM MATCHA OR TEAM SALTED EGG?

If you asked me, I would reply:

I’M ON THE FENCE BECAUSE I LOVE BOTH

Amongst all the flavours, I’m most inclined towards Asanoya’s MATCHA SALTED EGG CROISSANT, which had raided Instagram for a few months now. I was a bit unsure at first – especially when they don’t seem to be the best flavour combination. However, I am pretty surprised by the rather favourable reviews so I have been DYING to try it. I’ve already had THE ORIGINAL  Salted Egg Croissant from Urban Bakery, Hong Kong last year  – so  breads filled with Salted Egg are a passé for me now. I guess they are not so hipster anymore, sorry!

For those who are not familiar of Asanoya, let me give you some background. It is an 83-year-old bakery that originally catered to foreign embassies and diplomats of various countries. It then became so popular that the aristocrats would frequent the store.

Asanoya is  also the first bakery in Japan to install a Spanish-made stone oven, and to cope with the rising demand for European hard breads, the chefs have successfully mastered the skills and meshed Japanese and Western breads to create novel flavours that no one would dare to dream of and Matcha Salted Egg Croissant would be an exemplification of that.

For Singapore’s clientele, Asanoya has been consistently wonderful on review websites, and  all my attempts to visit have failed on the weekends because few of my friends either dislikes matcha or croissant (how can such people exist?!) and Asanoya is so out of the way.

Thankfully, I have a friend who likes Matcha (but not Salted Egg), but she is adventurous enough to tag along on a weekday afternoon, which I reckon would not be so crowded.

The exterior of Asanoya is quite plain and any passers-by would assume that it is just an office space!

Unlike the usual purchasing procedure of bakeries in Singapore, you have to order the breads and beverages from the staff over the counter at Asanoya, and they will pass them to you on a tray. Water and serviettes are self-service, where they are located on two counters at the middle of the bakery.

Not only does Asanoya offer pastries and bread, but also takeaway lunch pack, Swiss rolls and cakes – but you’d be dumb to fill yourself up on those though!

We transformed into kids when we were peering at the bread display… All of them looked so enticing! They were oven-baked till golden brown, and the smell of bread = HEAVEN.

I called up an hour before arriving to check if there were any Matcha Salted Egg Croissants left (because they had limited stocks daily), and they said they had four. We were quite surprised because it was only 2.30pm and most of them were sold out!

However, when I was there, it seemed like they have restocked them.

Yay to freshly baked bread!

I was quite tempted to get their Matcha Cube after spotting it on Instagram. I showed it to my friend before we arrived, but she didn’t seem interested.

However, when we realised that it was the last piece left in the bakery, my friend said, “let’s get it” without revealing any signs of hesitation. We also grabbed two more breads each for our family members, since they looked so good, and we weren’t sure when we would ever return!

A wide selection of drinks and sandwiches can also be found at Asanoya. I’m quite surprised with the beer section. Beer and bread do not seem like a good pair at all!

Time for the long-waited Taste Test!

First, we had the Matcha Salted Egg Croissant [$4.80].

Taste: 4/5

When the croissant was sliced open, the Matcha Salted Egg filling did not flow out really fast like what we expected it to. Not sure if the bread was not warm enough to melt the fillings – even though the lady had already heated it up for us.

Besides that, the filling had a thick and grainy consistency, which indicated how it is truly made from  LEGIT Salted Egg. On first bite, all we could taste was the Salted Egg, and we were wondering where the Matcha went to! Thankfully, it became more obvious as we continued eating, and Matcha and Salted Egg Yolk strangely complement each other really well! Asanoya has definitely managed to achieve a perfect balance between the saltiness from the Salted egg, and mild bitterness from the Matcha.

I was also pleased about the generous amount of fillings that we were able to dip the ends of the croissant with. I’ve read that Antoinette is stingy with theirs.

Just one downside would the croissant.

As you can see from the picture above, the quality of the croissant is not very good. It is more towards the doughy side – neither crispy nor flaky. A tad disappointing for me, as I have had better croissants elsewhere at Lola’s Cafe and Rise & Grind Co. (upcoming).

The pastry that we had high hopes on – Matcha Cube [$4.50] was filled with rich white chocolate & green tea cream. They currently sell this in Salted Egg, which is also really popular as well.

Taste: 3/5

While it is extremely “hot” under the #sgfoodporn department, looks can be deceptive.

Pictures on Instagram made it look as if the white chocolate filling was oozing out by itself, but it did not happen in real life! We were actually struggling to let it flow out while prying the cube open. #KenaCheated

And when I asked my friend who tried it first whether she could taste the White Chocolate, she replied, “no, it tastes more like custard”.

True to her words, I could barely taste any chocolate in there! The edges of the cube were not crispy as well; we expected it to possess a crust akin to a Shibuya toast.

Overall, everything about the cube was bad, except for the rather obvious hint of matcha flavour.

Since I hardly come to Asanoya, I decided to takeaway two more breads for my mother and grandma, and one of them is their Danish Coffee [$3.20] – just because my mother is a die-hard coffeeholic.

Taste: 4/5 

I was happy to say that it is very flaky, crispy and the coffee taste is strong! I also daresay that the pastry is even better than their Matcha Salted Egg Croissant *gasps*.

Pardon my shaky  photography, but this was eaten in the car while my mum was hungry on the expressway. I just wanted to illustrate how the interior layers had a thick notable spread of coffee fillings, which contributed to its pronounced flavour.

My mum was a bit taken aback by the icing on top though, which can be daunting for those who do not have a  sweet-tooth.

One more word of caution: do order a drink to accompany this, as I got choked by the dry and flaky bits of the danish that peeled off.

Not a good feeling against the throat.

For girly girls like me, I’m sure you won’t be able to look past their Bonjour Sakura [$2.80] – simply because IT’S PINK!!! I’ve never had pink bread in my life!

Taste: 2/5 

It was described as a fluffy sour cream-sakura dough filled with Hokkaido red bean paste and bits of Sakura leaves. It sounds like the chefs have generated a more atas or higher-class version of an Anpan.

When  I tore it into half, there was large piece of Sakura leaf embedded within, which I’m not sure that it was meant to be eaten – but I did. It reminded me of the Pandan leaf from Ang Ku Kueh, which has a bitter aftertaste; it was bearable when ingested together with the sweet red bean paste.

While the amount of fillings were just nice, the sweetness of the smooth red bean paste further became extremely prominent once the Sakura leaf was gone; I’ve never tasted such red bean fillings before and suspect that they have added too much sugar. I felt like I would get diabetes from the paste alone – that’s how sweet it was!

I also wished that the red bean paste contained whole red Azuki beans, which would add more texture to the bread. I was extremely disappointed with this one.

Another bread that looked super delicious is their Karuizawa Green Tea Loaf. We sampled it (last piece left) and it had a heavy taste of Matcha.

My friend was amazed and even goes on to say how other bakeries would sell green-coloured bread, but taste nothing like Matcha. For me, I don’t usually buy Matcha-flavoured bread, but this was not only good, but AWESOME. I can imagine smearing some Black sesame spread, or pair it with Chrysanthemum or Yuzu tea. Yummy!

I can foresee coming to Asanoya for more Matcha-flavoured breads and Matcha Salted Egg Croissants!

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BUNNY’S VERDICT:

YES I’LL COME BACK BECAUSE I AM #TEAM MATCHA & #TEAMASANOYA!

HOW ABOUT YOU? WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

#TEAMMATCHA OR #TEAMSALTED EGG? 

Which bakery do you think has the best version of the Salted Egg Croissant?

BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Anything with Matcha, Coffee Danish

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RATING

Overall Taste:  3.2/5  A couple of hit and misses, but we were definitely impressed by the matcha-flavoured bread and Asanoya’s attempt to fuse Japanese Matcha with the local food fad.

If you are on #TEAMMATCHA, you would definitely appreciate this place a lot! However, for French pastries like the croissant, it was too chewy and was not the best I’ve had. The bakery can make more improvements in perfecting their croissants and fillings for their Matcha Cube and Bonjour Sakura.

#TEAMSALTEDEGG, don’t worry as will not be left out with their Salted Egg Cube and Salted Egg Croissant! The latter is also the cheapest amongst the other competing bakeries; it is going for $6.50++ (dine in)/$6.50+ (takeaway) at Antoinette and $7.50 at Flavour Flings.

There is no GST or Service Charge for this cafe, which is a plus against other bakeries and cafes.

Ambience: 3.5/5 Very minimalistic and sanitised; not the best for food photography. I felt like I was in the bread factory, and everyone had to be screened before entering. Space was huge and plenty of tables for large groups of people. It is best to visit during weekdays during their non-peak hours to grab those popular breads.

Service: 3/5 I was glad that they were lenient enough to reserve the Matcha Salted Egg Croissant prior to my visit even though one of the staff said they were not allowed to.  You can try your luck!

I didn’t really like the system of not being able to take the bread ourselves like a normal bakery would do as the staff was not very attentive at times; some were chatting amongst themselves even though we were ready to order. Although the level of cleanliness is quite high, some tables had cup and water traces left by previous customers that we had to wipe ourselves.

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Asanoya Bakery
Address: 15 Queen Street #01-03
Singapore 188537
Phone:6703 8703
Opening Hours:
9am – 8pm Daily
www.asanoya.asia/

Directions: 

• Alight at Bras Basah (Circle Line) or Bugis (DT, EW Line) station. It will be a 5-minute walk from the former (250 steps), and 10-minute for the latter.

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 ❤

 

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