Review: DEN @ Boon Tat Street

DEN transforms from a café with breakfast and lunch options in the day, and a lively tapas bar at night. With a huge bar counter occupying the central space of the entire café, I assumed that they were a place just for drinks, and definitely did not expect them to serve up a breakfast/lunch fare. Of course, with alcohol being the central theme of DEN, they have their happy hours starting as early as 11am!

The Place

Tucked inconspicuously along Boon Tat Street, a few units away from the now pretty popular FYR, lies DEN. A space that would be easily overlooked if you’re not looking out for them. Even for us, we nearly walked past the place without noticing them. We heard from people working in the CBD area that they have never seen DEN before even though they have been frequenting that street for work.Whilst they may experience a lower traffic as a result, I thought their inconspicuous exterior was a charm. It feels like a respite from all the hustle and bustle, as we all know how crazy it can get in the CBD area on weekdays. Can you imagine: taking a break from all the craziness with a drink in hand and some good food during your lunch break? SHIOK.

The Food
We kick started the tasting session with their in house Prosecco (PERFECT on a hot day), with a really cute name placard placed on our table. A paper plane because DEN rides on the theme of travel collecting, so having your meals here will just be like a journey to different places.

We tried items from the Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner menu, just so I could give a full rundown of what’s good on their menu. See, the sacrifices I make to my weight just for you guys!

Breakfast/Brunch

For the Breakfast menu, we were given 2 items to try, and both of which are readily packed as a to-go item for you to pick up on the way to work too.Bircher Muesli ($8): Rolled oats, dried and fresh fruits and berries, apple sauce, maple yogurt and vanilla granola.

The only oats I eat are my homemade overnight oats. I’m not a fan of oats because I tend to think of them as old people’s food, and it’s mushy porridge. However, this bowl of steel cut oats, perfectly dressed with apple sauce and fruits changed my mind forever. HAHA.

This was very refreshing, and I especially liked how they added applesauce to the oats so that it could have a thicker consistency, instead of a watery mess. VERY YUM, it makes me feel healthy and pretty filling too!

Croque Monsieur/Madame ($13): Pain de mie, truffle bacon béchamel, honey baked ham, cheddar and mozzarella, with side salad. Egg/no egg.

A heavier option for breakfast, but certainly very fulfilling – makes you go AH… burp, after you finish it. My favorite part of this dish was the truffle bacon béchamel, which made the entire dish so fragrant and every bite so flavorful. It’s like a party in my mouth!

Flat White ($5.50): They got their beans from Gentleman Coffee, and this cuppa is pretty decent. The coffee was smooth and of a right temperature, but I wished it could be slightly more acidic. You may need an extra shot for your much needed caffeine kick.

Lunch
 Den Burger: Brioche bun, Russian dressing, vintage cheddar, caramelized onions, tomato chipotle, lettuce and fries.

This is just a slider version of the actual burger, because I forgot to take a picture of the entire burger. My bad. This burger is far from bad though. THAT patty was soooo chunky and juicy. We tried to slice the slider into half and saw the juices creeping out of the patty. How satisfying. AND BRIOCHE BUN! I CAN’T RAVE ENOUGH ABOUT BRIOCHE! The fries dusted with chipotle was a huge setback to my waistline.Seafood Malfada: Fish, squid and prawns, tomato and cream sauce, yuzu dressed rocket salad and linguine.

Definitely a satisfying choice if you’re craving for pasta. We wished for a little heat in this one though, because the sauce could get mild after a while.

Dinner
Shortrib and Mash: Braised shortribs, mash, sautéed mushrooms and garlic bread crumbs.

The shortribs were braised perfectly, with the protein being slide off the bone good and tender. However, the garlic bread crumbs made this dish a tad too salty for my liking.

Beer and Blue Cheese Mussels: A dozen mussels, Asahi, Roquefort, chervil, ciabatta.

A good dish to share, as too many of these at one go may make you feel a little gelat. I loved the “broth” that came with it though, but like the shortrib, it was a little too salty.

Desserts

No meal is complete without desserts!Lemon and Olive Oil Cake ($8): Basil oil, vanilla ice cream, white chocolate milk crumble.

A twist from the usual lemon tarts we may have. Instead of butter, they’ve used olive oil in this one. The first mouthful may taste a tad bit weird, but after awhile, you’ll find that the cake makes a perfect end to a heavy meal, as it was light and very refreshing. The white chocolate crumbs also added some much needed texture and sweetness in this dessert.

Brownie Fudge ($8): Homemade crumble, honey cinnamon butter shavings, toasted marshmallow ice cream.

RICH. This is really rich, and I do not recommend you to have this if you just had a heavy meal. Thick and chocolatey, would definitely satisfy any chocolate lover. A downside though, the brownie we had was a little too hard, and tough to even slice through. Otherwise I thought this would make a perfect chocolate dessert!

Closing Remarks

I was pretty pleased with the food served and the ambience at DEN. It had definitely exceeded my expectations because I certainly did not expect a bar-like looking place to serve up such decent offerings, besides the usual wings and such.

A little tweaking may be needed in terms of the seasoning for some dishes, otherwise I think it would make a pretty good place for lunch for the CBD folks on weekdays, and a perfect chill brunch spot on weekends! They even have “power lunches” delivery for the people in the gyms from the area. Damn. I would want some of that too! These healthy lunches are also available at $10++, and they all come with a choice of salad with a complimentary soft drink, juice, coffee or tea! How neat!

How to get there?
29 Boon Tat Street
Singapore 069624

Opening Hours
Monday and Tuesday: 8am to 11pm
Wednesday to Friday: 8am to 12mn
Saturday: 11am to 10pm

Closed on Sundays

Contact
Facebook: www.facebook.com/den.singapore
Instagram: @den.sg

Review: Palette @ Capitol Piazza

Palette Restaurant and Bar, a multi-brand dining concept has joined the BreadTalk Family as its youngest member, housed in the newest luxury mall, Capitol Piazza! Palette is a dream come true for individuals who have often dreamed of having quality local delicacies and street food all at a place, in a more comfortable and refined setting!

While the noise, smoke, and heat may be part of the Singaporean hawker culture we would love to embrace, there are really times when I wish that I could just have my plate of hokkien mee in a more comfortable and private setting, especially with the crazy hot weather these days. Besides, we often have to travel from one end to another just to get the best Char Kway Teow, but the very hawker may not have good fish ball noodles, which limits our dining choices when dining in a group!

Palette solves all these problems by housing TEN specialty food brands who are known for their expertise in different Asian Cuisines, and there are over 400 items on one menu. WHAT. That’s all the good food you can get in one place, and not forgetting the comfort as well!

The Place
 Located at B1 of Capitol Piazza, lies this 420 seater restaurant. I know I know, at first look it just looks like a HUGE atas food court. That was exactly what most of us thought, but the quality of food served and the service are definitely of restaurant quality! Prices too! HEHE! I loved the turquoise coat on the chairs, and don’t worry, it’s not like a food court, you don’t have to queue up for your food. All you have to do is, order it from this iPad and just wait to be served!
Seamless and efficient, where got food court like that one? Haha!

The Brands and FOOD!

The 10 brands housed in Palette are as follows:
1. Ah Koong Restaurant

A Johor Bahru noodle joint known for its HANDMADE fishcake and fish balls, all made from ikan parang (wold herring) fish paste, to make sure they are of the QQ bouncy bouncy texture.

Ah Koong Fried Fish Cake ($4.90++) makes a good sharing starter, crisp skin enveloping the smooth fish paste, MUST EAT TOGETHER WITH THE CHILI SAUCE. Bagus.
Ah Koong Fishball Noodle (Dry) ($7.90++), i’m not a fan of fishcakes and fish balls but I couldn’t stop eating the ones from Ah Koong, I guess that says something eh? But well, to me, fish ball noodles are fish ball noodles, they honestly tasted just like any other to me.

2. Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant 

Who doesn’t know powerhouse- Ah Yat? The internationally recognized Hong Kong brand strives to serve diners with Hong Kong style dishes like dim sum, roast meats, congee, noodles, rice dishes and of course, seafood!

Noodles with Abalone ($18++): The abalone served with the springy and addictive noodles was plump, and every bite released the abalone essence. Prepared with the top secret recipe, Ah Yat’s abalone sauce, this dish, I like. A LOT. BECAUSE MUSHROOM and ABALONE. Really very delicious, albeit pricey!

3. Balestier Bak Kut Teh 

Looking for a comforting meal amongst the myriad of choices on the menu? You can always lie back on the ever familiar Bak Kut Teh from household name, Balestier Bak Kut Teh!

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a bak kut teh here because I have had my fair share of bak out teh on a regular basis! However, the slide of the bone rib came as a very pleasant surprise to me. It was by far the most tender ribs I’ve had in any bak kut teh and I was very, very impressed! The broth though, requires more flavor to it, as the one we had was mainly peppery, without its distinct flavors.

4. Delhi 6

Delhi 6 prides themselves with their North-West Indian cuisine. Their electric tandoors (Indian clay oven) are the stars in their stall as most of the dishes are cooked in them!

 Chandi Murg Tikka ($13++): My favorite dish of the night. Chunks of tender chicken with garlic and cashew nut cream sauce. So damn fragrant and the chicken, was out of this world tender. I’d have had this all by myself if I wasn’t forced to share. HEHE.Multani Barrah Kebab ($20++): Tandoor grilled Australian mutton cutlets marinated with cinnamon and crusted with spices. I’m not a huge fan of lamb because of its gamey taste. EEE.. But this one right here not only has minimal gamey taste, it was also very well-seasoned! I was impressed, because I rarely have second helpings for any mutton dishes!

5. Hok Kee

Yet another reputable Hong Kong vendor, which specializes in their noodles and congee! The holder of the Top Ten Best Delicacies in Yuen Long since 2000, has finally set up their first stall outside Hong Kong, in our very own Palette restaurant!

Wonton Noodles ($8++): Besides their signature Braised Beef Brisket Noodles ($9++), their wonton noodles are amongst their best sellers. The plump wontons are not just made of skin, they have parcels of fresh shrimp, lean pork, pork fat and flatfish within, to ensure the burst of flavors and textures on your palettes when you bite into them! Wow. Just wow. I now know where to go for delicious wonton soup!

6. IndoChili

If you’re looking for your Indonesian and Indo Peranakan fix, Indochili might have something just for you! With their very own house made spice blends from raw ingredients from Indonesia, you should expect nothing less than authentic and fresh flavors!
Tahu Teor ($9.80++): Deep fried tofu blanketed in crispy fried egg. My very first time having these and I was blown away. Tahu Telor has its new fan now – ME! So, so delicious! Ahhh..Sate Ayam Madura ($8.80++ for 5 sticks): Chicken skewers (Satay) with homemade peanut sauce, kecap manis and fried shallots. Just WHACK the peanut sauce. The thick peanut sauce is just as delicious as your chunky peanut butter. Oh gosh, I lapped up the remaining sauce by pairing it with every other subsequent dish! HEHE!

7. Huat Huat BBQ

Having been around for a whooping 14 years, is HUAT HUAT, who specializes in its barbecued chicken wings!

Priced at $12 for 6, and $21 for a dozen, I thought the chicken wings whilst tender, lacked of the smokey taste we are so used to at our hawker centers. The chili sauce was spicy, yet lacked of the distinct flavors in the one we usually have. I guess that’s the down side of serving hawker food at non-hawker places, because some dishes just taste better with wok hei and smoke!

8. Yong Xin Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle

Yes you guessed it, Yong Xin specializes in their prawn noodles. Their hokkien mee recipe was developed after 16 years of training. For a more luxurious treat, you can also opt for crayfish hokkien mee as well!

Fried Hokkien Big Prawn Mee ($8.80++): This was PRAWNY, really prawny and sweet broth to accompany the fresh succulent HUGE prawns. A definite value for money dish, and really yummy!

9. Little Nanyang

They serve Southeast Asian cuisine, like Nyonya Pork Laksa and Nanyang Curry Chicken in Golden Pillow. From here, we tried their brand new menu, specially tailored to woo the Singaporean tastebuds, and we had none other than the Hainanese Chicken Rice set ($10.90++)!
This has an individual serving of chicken, kailan and soup, with the fragrant rice. I thought the chicken lacked the flavors of the usual chicken we have at the stalls. Perhaps the dish has already cooled down while we were busy taking photos of the food, causing the juices to evaporate, and hence the rather bland dish!

Zi char dishes are also served here to cater to families looking for a filling fix! YUM!

10. 90 Gastro Bar

Last but definitely not the least, comes the bar part of Palette Restaurant and Bar. 90 Gastro Bar serves up an extensive range of wines, beers and hard liquor, as well as Western Desserts. Each of its cocktail links back to the history of Capitol, for example, the Musical Express was named after  locally produced show by Johnny Yang in 1967, a drink with panda and banana infused rum that drove me crazy with its amazing taste!

 Cocktails are priced at $17++: I highly recommend the Musical Express: Pandan and banana infused rum, boiled pandan syrup and banana liqueur with milk! MASSIVE YUM!

They also serve up old school and new desserts like the following:  Chilled Mango Sago ($8++)
Sunset Gula Meleka Banana Parfait and Butterscotch ($8++)

Both of which were not exactly impressive, but just what you need if you are craving for some after meal desserts!

Closing Remarks

Do not expect to find your Kopi or Milo Peng in Palette, despite its food court like appearance. Although the prices tend to the higher side, I would have to admit that I was surprised by how good the food tasted at Palette! Everything was fresh and it was a refreshing experience to be able to enjoy the local favorites at a more comfortable setting. If you’re looking to bring a friend from overseas, who may be turned off by the hustle and bustle in kopitiams or hawkers, Palette is a pretty good choice!

I was indeed impressed by the food served here and it’s not often you get to enjoy a concocted cocktail to go with your usual hawker fare!

How to get there?
Capitol Piazza
13 Stamford Road
#B1-20/27
Singapore 178905

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 11am to 10.30pm

Contact
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thepalettesingapore
Website: http://www.thepalette.com.sg

Review: Snack Culture – Around The World in 9 Small Plates

So you’re sick of eating out, cafes, restaurants, hawker, they serve the same thing over and over again, albeit some better than the other, and you’re dying for a fresh dinner experience – some where that would keep your palates aroused and will pick your mind for the entire night. I know how that feels. I was exasperated and running out of places to go until.. I found Snack Culture Company at the very ulu CT Hub.

On every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, Snack Culture serves up their very own 9 course Omakase Degustation Dinner! Sounds like a mouthful, but it’s basically just you enjoying 9 different small plates that pack a punch aesthetically and gustatorily, at a pretty affordable price of $59+. While I hear some of you going HUH, dinner for $59+ where got affordable?! Trust me, this is cheaper than an average buffet you would go to, and these 9 dishes won’t cause you to feel like you just gained 5kgs, made with quality ingredients, and a pretty damn good experience, that beats queueing up for your oysters at the buffet line any time.

9 courses of small plates inspired by cuisines all around the world, wow. I’m excited already.

The Place

Located at CT Hub, alongside DeBurg and Travelling COW (both moved over from Bukit Merah’s Salut Coffeeshop), lies Snack Culture Company. Despite housing these powerhouses, CT Hub still remains horribly empty except during the lunch hours. This very fact makes the dining ambience amazing without the hustle and bustle we are so used to, and together with the unique dishes, this is a perfect getaway.   I like the off-white interior, and during your dinners, the lights will be slightly dimmed for a more cosy experience. Do note that the degustation dinners are only by reservations, so call in if you’re interested!

The Menu
 These are the 9 plates that you will enjoy for the night. Unless you’d want some wines or beers, I say go for their suggested drinks! 

The Food
 Sparkling Sake with Jelly ($10) and Yuzu Italian Soda ($6). If you’re craving for something alcoholic, go with the Sparkling Sake (in the background), the peach jelly gives the additional texture and taste with an additional alcoholic kick! The Yuzu Italian Soda, on the other hand, was fizzy and refreshing, with fresh bits of yuzu in there! Both of which I couldn’t stop sipping on the entire night! So ,so good!

So now, let’s embark on this visual tour of their degustation dinner! When you’re there, you’d be issued with descriptive cards before every dish, which provide explanations for the particular dish that you’d be trying next.

1) Japanese Edamame with Thai Tom Yum Espuma  Tom yum espuma is just a chim name for Tom yum foam. To enjoy this dish, pop the edamame beans into the small cups of tom yum foam and eat them together. I’m personally not a huge fan of edamame because of how green and tasteless it is, which tastelessness complemented the flavorful tomyum, that had the right amounts of heat and acidity! But… I still really not like edamame beans. A great way to kick start our meals with such a fancy pairing, and this was just the tip of the ice berg.

2) Chilled Korean Mandu in Singapore Bak Kut Teh Consomme
Have you ever had a cold bak kut teh? I guess not, unless you’re starving in the middle of the night and tried drinking from the leftovers in the fridge. It may sound weird initially, and even feel a little funny at the first mouthful, because that’s not what your psychological schema is attuned to. Bak kut teh = hot, not cold.

But trust me, this herbal bkt will grow on to you, and you’d be regretting for finishing your share so soon. I loved the herbal taste in this, especially since most of the bak kut teh I had, tend to be just peppery. Oh, and the Korean dumpling? Well.. We both thought that the skin was a little too thick. The first few bites would leave you frowning a little, because it was just… dumpling skin. However, you’d then taste the amazing flavors of the minced pork subsequently, which would soon overwhelm you and make you forget about how thick the skin was, until… when you have to write a review on this.

3. Chilled Black Fungus & Mushroom Salad in Nonya Belachan Mayo Dressing
Easily my favorite dish of the night, because MUSHROOMS. Inspired from the Nonya Chap Chye, Tat Hon, the Chef-Owner of Snack Culture, made this just the day before the first omakase dinner service! Check out his story behind this degustation menu here!

This dish was perfect with the BELACHAN MAYO dressing. Made with their home recipe, the belachan had the spicy kick and it was so, so flavorful. We even asked for more belachan to be added to our mayo and quickly emptied all of which into our bowls of nonya goodness. This was a simple dish, but the complexity of the flavors and textures were just out of this world!

4. Ter Kar Chor Scotch
 Is this a scotch egg or vinegared pork knuckle? You got to try it for yourself! A clever, clever dish.This is how you should eat it. Half the egg to reveal a quail egg, and have one half on its own – that is the scotch egg. While for the other half, pile your spoon with ginger and vinegar, tell me if this dish is still a scotch egg or a ter kar chor. Haha! Actually, we thought that the plain half tasted just like the vinegared pork knuckle without the vinegar, because of the flavors of the pork beneath the breaded crust, so it was pretty much a give away. But still, a great play with this dish and definitely a fun dish to enjoy!

5. Asian Trio
Plain and simple – i) Beef Bulgogi in Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll, ii) Ayam Buah Keluak Wanton, iii) Laksa prawn on haebe hiam cookie.

A dish that would excite because it keeps letting you guess what’s next, and how would the next item taste like. The paper roll had the same issue as the dumpling with the thick wrap, but as usual, flavorful. While the buah keluak lost its distinctiveness in this wanton, the haebehiam cookie made up for it with its oh-so-familiar flavors and hint of sweetness.

Did you know, the in-house cookies like laksa and haebehiam cookies taste AMAZING, and are for sale at $15 per jar! A tad expensive, but very very yummy!

6. ‘Pen Cai’ Parcel
 At this point, my belly was a little exploding, and my buttons were almost bursting, yet I kept looking forward to the next dish and wished it will not end, because everything was such a pleasant surprise so far! This pen cai did not disappoint as well. Abalone, scallop, shitake mushroom in a vegetable parcel, just like what you’d find in a pen cai during Chinese New Year. Yet this dish has a twist in its soup base, and you got to try it to figure it out! You’d be very, very, very surprised. 

7. Kaffir Tomato Capellini Pasta and Catonese Har Jeong Soft Shell Crab
A great twist with the unique combination of soft shell crab with pasta. The fusion of the 2 cultures. However, we thought that this was the most unsurprising dish of the entire degustation menu, and taste wise, was rather expected because of the combination. This was the only dish without a wow factor in it, because our expectations have been raised SO HIGH for the past 6 dishes. BUT, this is not saying that the dish was not nice tasting, it just fell short in terms of the play in the ingredients. Nevertheless, a hearty italian dish with the well seasoned harjeong soft shell crab!

8. Seafood En Papillote
 Our jaws dropped when this was served to us, because WA SO MUCH FOOD AH – a generous medley of seafood, served in an extremely flavorful broth! I wanted the whole baguette to myself so I could dip and soak up every goodness in this broth!

9. Chendol Panna Cotta
Huh.. So fast end already? Damn. I really didn’t want this adventure to end so soon, but my belly was already protesting.

This chendol panna cotta sounds like a unique match made in heaven. But I can’t tell you if this tasted as good as it looked and sounds, because fate has acceded to my belly’s request in this one, we didn’t get to try this dessert eventually. So you guys got to try this for me and tell me HOW GOOD THIS IS! I can’t wait to hear it from you all!

Closing Remarks

Yes, I’m sad that this dinner experience has come to an end because I never once had such an enjoyable dinner, with my tastebuds being surprised every now and then. It was quite amazing to see how ingredients that you never thought would go together, went so well together, and this is what I call a stroke of genius coming from the chef, Tat Hon.

This was my first time trying out so many dishes at once, and not having any misses because I was just too intrigued by the offerings and I just kept looking forward for the next dish. Although I’ve seen reviews talking about how some of these dishes are seen as “trying too hard”, in my humble opinion, I don’t see how they are because if it tastes good, it tastes good, and there’s no need to go into the details and scrutinize on how each component may be compatible or not.

For an average diner like me, I thought this experience was priceless, and if I had someone that I need to impress on a dinner date, Snack Culture’s Omakase Degustation Dinner, will be the top of my list.

How to get there?
CT Hub
Kallang Ave 2
#02-17
Singapore 339407

Degustation Dinner Hours

Available only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights
By reservation ONLY (64432006, enquiry@snackculture.com)

Contact
Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesnackculturecomapny
Instagram: @thesnackculturecompany
Website: http://www.thesnackculturecompany.com
Chef Tat Hon’s website: http://www.whatscookingdoc.sg

Toast Box SG50 Ready-to-Cook Pastes!

Isn’t home cooked food the best thing on earth? Besides, nothing spells more comforting than having our local delights at the comforts of our own home, and what a great gift will this be for friends or loved ones living abroad!

To celebrate SG50, Toast Box has launched their Asian Delight Ready-to-Cook Pastes, in 4 favorite local dishes – Mee Siam, Mee Reubus, Laksa and Curry Chicken!
 Mee Siam – $6.50
Mee Reubus – $6.80
Laksa – $6.50Curry Chicken $6.50

Each pack serves 2-3 pax, and the best part? There are no artificial coloring and trans fat, which means quality and rich flavors are all vacuumed in the pack, ready to wow your palettes once you open them!

This makes a great gift for friends living abroad, and also a quick meal for busy people! Although some preparation may be needed, it’s definitely less preparation than preparing the dish from scratch, yet with similar robust flavors! All of these are retailing at an affordable $6.50, except for Mee Reubus which is sold at $6.80!

With the ingredients list on the back of the packet, and the directions to cook, my curry chicken took me slightly less than an hour to be ready! Wow. Rich and bold in flavors, and the curry was perfect with a baguette, and even a slice of white bread!

PROMOTION!

Don’t say I bojio! From now till 10 August, Toast Box celebrates SG50 with 50 cents off any Asian Delight Ready-to-Cook Paste, and $5 off Coffee Brew and Coffee Powder Set (U.P. $27.90).

You can also purchase a box of any 4 packets of Asian Delight pastes at just $25!

A pretty good deal I’d say, and you could always stock these up for future use and gifts! I can’t wait to cook my 3 other packets of pastes already!

The mentioned product is available at all Toast Box outlets, except Queenstown MRT Station and Wisma Atria B1. Do take note, and get ready for some cooking!

This is a sponsored review, courtesy of Toast Box SG.

Din Tai Fung SG50 Special: Chilli Crab Xiao Long Bao

To celebrate SG50, Din Tai Fung has brought back our all-time favorite – STEAMED CHILLI CRAB DUMPLINGS!

Chilli crab, as the iconic Singaporean dish, has been cleverly incorporated into Din Tai Fung’s signature 18-fold XLB.
 Fresh crab meat, premium minced pork, and a spicy crab-based broth encased within the delicate 18-folds, bound to leave an explosion of ingredients and flavors in your mouths with a bite. The generous portions of fresh crab meat was evident with every bite, which surprised me because I honestly expected just a small portion of it.

This is available at all Din Tai Fung outlets from 1 July to 31 August 2015, and at a very affordable price of $7.50/8 for 4 pieces! A definite must-try as everyone I’ve recommended this dish to, couldn’t resist but to order another serving of this! HAHA THOSE FATTIES.

Besides the generous premium ingredients, these Steamed Chilli Crab Dumplings are 40% larger than the signature Steamed Pork Dumplings! Just eat it whole, and do not even attempt to dip it into any vinegar because the sweetness of the fresh crab meat and the combination of the minced pork and broth would be enough to send you to heaven!

Promotion! UOB Cardmembers enjoy 15% off these dumplings, so be prepared to flash your cards!

Yet another promotion to compliment the celebration of SG50, Din Tai Fung has collaborated with home grown brand, Tiger Beer to bring customers a complimentary bottle of Tiger Beer with every purchase of TWO Tiger Beer bottles! Terms and Conditions are as follows:
1) This is a weekday promotion.
2) Limited to first 10 complimentary bottles per restaurant per day
3) Not valid on eve of and on public holidays
4) Available at all outlets, except Resorts World Sentosa

This promotion starts from 3 August to 31 August, so you heard it here first! What a steal!

While you’re there at Din Tai Fung, remember to order these items as well!
 My all time favorite Xiao Cai! Super yums! My parents’ favorite Drunken Chicken! The authentic Xiao Long Bao!I’d have went for the Pork Cutlet fried rice, but for the health conscious, DTF also has healthier choices like this simple vegetable dumpling noodles which was light and filling!

With so many varieties and being the mother of all XLBs, no wonder Din Tai Fung still remains as my favorite to-go Chinese restaurant!

Review: Applebee’s at CHIJMES

Applebee’s, the largest casual dining chain in the world, has set its roots in Singapore, initially at TripleOne Somerset, but has now moved on to greener pastures (literally) at CHIJMES.

The Place

Nestled amongst the serene greenery of CHIJMES, located just a stone’s throw away from the ever crowded Prive, I thought Applebee’s has got themselves a damn good location. Quiet, peaceful and overwhelming chillax vibes. Just the kind of atmosphere I’ll like to dine in after work, or during the weekends. They not only have large seating capacity, both indoors and al fresco, they also have an EXTENSIVE menu to boast. We chose the al fresco seating, despite the afternoon heat, and the scorching sun, for the sake of good pictures of you guys. #truestory #woesofafoodblogger. Thank goodness, the menacing heat from the sun was neutralized by the breeze, as well as portable air coolers. I’d definitely opt for the al fresco dining area the next time for a better view and more relaxing vibes!

The Menu
Applebee’s boasts of the MOST extensive menu, I’ve ever seen, and at jaw-dropping prices. Well, in a good way. I definitely did not expect such affordable price tag at a restaurant like this, and what’s more in CHIJMES!
 Steaks and ribs are usually the most expensive dish on the menu right. JUST LOOK AT THIS. JUST LOOK AT IT AND PLEASE PUT YOUR JAW BACK TO WHERE IT BELONGS.   They even have dishes that are Weight Watchers approved – A program that is in place in America for healthy or low-calorie foods! These are for the calorie-conscious people out there, or people who are like me – want to eat but scared to get fat.
Extremely affordable lunch combos. Much wow.

The Food

Yes, the food is amazingly affordable but how did they fare really?

We started off our meals with the ULTIMATE TRIOS, the trio of Applebee’s Signature starters! Affordably priced at just $20.90! The portions served to us were minimized because we were afraid that we couldn’t finish them, so.. Yeah. You’ll get more than this! Definitely great for sharing!
We went for the Mozarella Sticks, Boneless Wings and Fried Calamari! Just your average fare, nothing much to should about, except for the fact that I thought this was really affordable in its actual glory (quantity). I actually liked the boneless wings because I love chicken but hate to eat it with the bone on!

We also went for the Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($9.90), could I possibly recommend this to you and proclaim that it is a MUST TRY here?
This consists of warm creamy spinach, artichoke and melted parmesan cheese, which is served as a dip to a basket of tortilla chips. I could just munch on this the entire meal. We even got a second serving because this was just SO GOOD. Right amounts of creamy and cheesy, not forgetting those strands of spinach which makes you feel 5 times healthier while eating junk.

For the mains, we went for their signature Double Glazed Baby Back Ribs ($17.90 for full rack, $11.90 for half)
When this dish arrived at our table, I was stunned like a vegetable. $11.90 for this?! Un-un-un-unbelievable. Crazy prices. The ribs with the chipotle BBQ sauce was well flavored, but it would be 1.32 times better if they were more slide off the bone tender, because it got a little difficult to chew for some parts!

 We are suckers for anything unique, and so we were being recommended to their Quesadilla Burger ($13.90)! This is part of their burgers repertoire, except that their patty was wrapped within their cheddar quesadilla instead of your usual buns! Each of their burgers came with Pink (medium rare-ish) and No-Pink (well done) version! The latter was a tad too dry for our liking, and this did not come through for me because the components did not harmonize, and just came through as individual entities! A tad disappointing, but with a little tweak to its wetness, in terms of the protein and dressings would have made it a lot better!

The last main we tried was their Fiesta Lime Chicken ($14.90). Like what I’ve always stood for, a good chef should always be able to make chicken breast taste moist and good.
This breast was indeed succulent and tender. All 4 of us fought over this. The chicken was amazingly moist, and the addition of the zesty lime sauce boosted the flavors with an extra kick! YUM. We wished the rice was not so dry though, but they definitely honored the star of this dish!

On to the desserts! We went for 2 desserts, okay 4 in total because we ordered every variety of their Dessert Shooters!
From left to right: Hot Fudge Sundae ($2.90), Strawberry Cheesecake ($4.90), Chocolate Mousse ($4.90). We thought these were tiny servings but we were very wrong. These were not huge as well lah, but they were bigger than we expected! Quite a refreshing ending, but there was really nothing to shout about! These tasted just like the hot fudge and strawberry sundae from Mcdonalds!

I complained about being full before this was served, only to realize that I lied. Because I couldn’t stop digging into this Butter Pecan Blondie ($9.90). I died, went to heaven and wished I stayed there forever savoring on this! The hot cold combination = WOW. And the rich blondie bite topped with chopped pecan and rich, maple butter sauce, just made me tear, because THIS WAS SO GOOD. YUM YUM IN MY TUM TUM. Go for this if you’ve got any doubt at all!

Oh, oh before I forget, they do have a really wide selection of beverages as well, alcoholic and non-alcoholic!
 Sangrias are definitely a great way to wind down after a long day!

Closing Remarks

Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the food at Applebee’s! The price line in this restaurant is also ridiculously affordable and they definitely did not scrimp on their quality as well. Of course, there were hits and misses, but I thought that these could be solved with little tweaks here and there! I’l definitely recommend this place for any group gatherings or with friends who are dining on a budget. The amazing ambience and price tags are the greatest draw of Applebee’s!

How to get there?

CHIJMES #01 – 31

Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Friday to Saturday: 11:00 am – 2:00 am

Contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applebees.sg

Dessert Art with Jasmin Chew at Stellar at 1-Altitude

I was thrilled when I received the invitation for this Dessert Art workshop with Jasmin Chew at Stellar! Firstly, that means I would get to meet the really young and talented pastry chef, Jasmin Chew, whom I’ve heard so much about her creativity on the presentation of her desserts, and the amazing flavors as well! Secondly, that was my first visit to Stellar at 1-Altitude, which is by the way, the prettiest restaurant I’ve ever been to in Singapore. My pictures DO NOT do justice to how breathtaking the place is.To enter Stellar at 1-Altitude, you will have to take a lift up to the 62nd floor from the entrance here at One Raffles Place! The cosy interior of Stellar.   Breathtaking view of our floating platform and MBS! IS THIS REAL LIFE?! Haha!

Constellations Menu

For a unique gastronomic experience, Stellar at 1-Altitude has recently launched their Constellations Menu, created by Executive Chef Christopher Miller! Besides featuring the best of seasonal ingredients, YOU will get to create your own constellation of dishes (stars), with 6 ($120++), 7 ($140++) or 8 ($160++) courses, where you can taste each of these exquisite creations, and also enjoy a dessert experience where the dessert art is CREATED RIGHT AT YOUR TABLE! SO COOL, NO WAY!!!

The Desserts

I’ve got to experience the decorating of my own dessert platter, featuring Jasmin’s signature creations like the Fire Ball, Cherry Alaska and Yogurt Creme Brûlée! And got to watch Jasmin’s magic at work! Looking at her plate her desserts is like magic, everything just falls right into place, and her movements are just so precise and swift. Super amazing! Even though this is not a very glamourous picture of her! I had to fight through the crowd to snap a picture, you see. You will have a chance to watch her close up, and have her exclusive attention if you were to dine at Stellar for their Constellations menu! I want! This is the Yogurt Creme Brulee I removed from the mould. First time of my life, and I got super excited! NICE RIGHT. I even sprinkled my own sugar and torched it hor! Like a masterchef.  This is the final product of MY creme brulee, with the help of 3 others. VERY NICE. But Jasmin’s demonstration owns ours hands down. Haha! The taste of this creme brulee is overpowered by the yogurt, not a dessert one would like if they are not into dairy or yogurt products. Otherwise, it was a really refreshing change from the usual, and it’s pretty light as well!
 Here’s her Vanilla Blancmange, dressed with the prettiest petals and topped with a crunch. This had a myriad of textures, and the part I loved most, was how light it felt, in contrast to what I thought it would be – really thick and milky.  The Cherry Alaska was indeed a surprise. I did not know what to expect honestly, but when we cut into this, the cherry from within flowed out, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise! Lastly, I honestly was not expecting much from the Fire Ball, even though we got to torch is on our own and it was really cool! Because I thought, chocolate is chocolate what. Boy, was I wrong. I’m always wrong. This turned out to be my favorite of the night. The thick, luscious valhorna chocolate captured my heart and held my palette in captive. This was definitely the BEST tasting chocolate dessert I’ve ever had. Ever.

I had an amazing experience trying to replicate the art of plating by Jasmin, and learning about how the science of food can be put into such use to elevate the aesthetics and introduce new textures! Certainly an eye-opening experience for me, and stay tuned in August for my review on their brand new Constellations Menu!

How to get there?
One Raffles Place
62nd Floor
Singapore 048616

Review: Harry’s Bar

Being a social drinker, and one who spends more nights at the basketball court/gym than bars, I honestly thought that Harry’s was just another place for drinks and very regular bar bites, like fries, wings and sotong balls. Boy, was I very, very wrong. And also a huge toad in a well, a very deep one. Since last year, Harry’s has introduced an all-new food menu that serves from gourmet Small Plates to Big Plates. This time, they have launched an UPDATED menu that showcases 50 dishes, complete with very helpful beverage pairing tips, especially for someone like me! If you’re looking for a swanky good time, with a good beer in one hand, and a fork of European comfort food on the other, Harry’s definitely a place for you!

The Place
I was invited to Harry’s newest outlet at Clarke Quay, which is located just in front of the pretty fountain, and along the stretch where the well-known Hai Di Lao is! This outlet sports a Traveller’s theme, marked by a well-trodden bicycle sitting right at its entrance. Its brown and deep blue hues, together with the sleek light fixtures and memorabilia in line with the theme, felt like an entirely different place from the hustle and bustle of the activities happening right outside their bar. A perfect respite, I would say.

The Food

Menu
  
Small Plates
The new additions to the menu include:
1. Fish Cracklings ($13++) Crisp-fried fish skin tossed in a proprietary spice mix, serve with aioli. Guess which fish did they shave the skin from? … Aiya you wouldn’t have guessed it. It’s EEL! Not to fret and don’t go all squirmish on me because this doesn’t taste any different from any other kind of crispy fried fish skin you’ve tasted, except this was BETTER. The spice mix gives these cracklings a more flavorful punch, and together with the aioli dip, it was a match made in heaven. I would gladly munch on plates and plates of these while watching my Arsenal game on the big screen.

2. Chirpy Chips ($14++) Thick cut fries sprinkled with savory chicken floss and served with curry mayonnaise. Well well.. This was definitely my first time having fries with chicken floss, and it was YUM. Besides, the curry mayo beats MCD’s curry sauce hands down. This tastes so comforting, and oh so homely.

The other NEW additions include: House Baked Charcoal and Onion Ciabatta ($14++) with Imam Bayildi – a middle eastern eggplant dip with raisins and onions, Chicken and Beef Satay ($18++), Sweet Potato Chips ($14) – sweet potato fries with a creamy ranch dip. Of course, you just can’t neglect the oldies on the menu because old is gold.

3. Harry’s Signature Wings ($13 for 6 pcs | $19 for 10 pcs) When in doubt, just go for their wings. You won’t regret it. Perfectly fried wings dressed in their secret spice and with homemade chili jam. Don’t worry, they’ve modified the heat levels, and this won’t leave you gasping for air and gulping a dozen glasses of water. A damn good choice, I would say!

Sharing Platters
A perfect choice to go to if you’re having a couple of beers with a group of friends! Indulge in The Harry’s Seven ($36++), which features all of Harry’s favorites – Wings, Crab and Potato Cakes and Beer Battered Prawns among others! An all-time favorite would also be their rendition of the Italian-inspired classic flatbread, because Pizzas are just so… uncool. HAHA!

1. Sassy Satay ($22++) A play on the local flavors, this flatbread comprises of a peanut sauce bas topped off with grilled chicken satay pieces and finished off with pineapples and cucumbers. This tastes EXACTLY like a deconstructed satay dish. Besides, I really enjoyed this because this was less doughy, and hence less filling than a pizza, and accentuates the flavors of its toppings.

2. Truffle and Mushroom ($23++) This is definitely not new on the menu, but we ordered it just because we could not resist the heavenly combination of truffle and mushroom! Absolutely fragrant and addictive, I nearly wiped the entire platter all by myself!

Big Plates
This category encompasses salads, pastas, steaks and burgers. If you haven’t had dinner, this is the page you should be looking at! The new salad offering include the Crabmeat Caesar King ($21++), which presents romaine lettuce salad tossed with crabmeat, bacon crisps, croutons, eggs and parmesan cheese! While the new burger offerings include a Jalapeno Chicken Burger ($18++) and a vegetarian Portobello Mushroom Burger ($19++)! We tried:

1. Beef Straganoff ($22++) This was THE BOMB. This consists of slices of grilled beef cooked with penne pasta, and a damn addictive cream sauce, which left me wanting for more and more. They were generous with their ingredients, and although they had cream sauce for their base, it did not leave me feeling jelat!

2. Chicken Masala ($23++) An aromatic pot of house-made curry served with toasted charcoal bread, with a generous portion of chicken in the pot.A good change from the usual bar bites we get at bars, and it would definitely warm and satisfy hungry bellies.

Desserts

Wow. I didn’t know bars served desserts! I thought beers were their appetizers, mains and desserts!

1. Baked Chocolate Cake ($16++) This is a warm molten lava cake laced with rum and served with vanilla ice cream and raspberry bits. One of the better lava cakes I’ve had, with the rich chocolate sauce, and the hint of rum in it. Mmm.. That price though. It definitely makes me think twice about ordering it!

2. Sticky Date Toffee Pudding ($14++) The usual sticky date pudding served warm with toffee sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. This will please any toffee lovers because the taste of toffee was very distinct in this one! The sticky date pudding can be improved in terms of its textures though! This was slightly crumbly, but the combination of hot and cold never fails! (: Lastly, Harry’s has also came up with a Toffee Apple Crisp Tart ($14++), which sounds incredibly delicious with the thinly sliced apples on a crisp pastry drizzled with salted caramel sauce and finished with vanilla ice cream!

Drinks
In terms of their drinks, they have launched NEW Celebratory Drinks which features the likes of Bank Breaker ($12++) – shot of muskmelon liqueur, whisky and soda, and B52 ($12++) – A flaming shooter of coffee liqueur, Baileys and Grand Marnier. Mmm.. I would love to have a shot of that!

Closing Remarks
I am definitely surprised by the extensive offerings found on Harry’s menu! Besides, unlike the other bars I’ve been to, they certainly do serve up quality and delicious dishes, and not just the run of the mill kind of offerings!

For its price point, Harry’s portions are good for sharing, if you’re just feeling a little peckish. Thank you for giving me yet another place to suggest to my friends for our occasional late night meet ups with good drinks and even better food!

For the full list of outlets, visit www.harrys.com.sg  

Review: Ippin Cafe Bar @ Mohamed Sultan Road

Ippin Cafe Bar prides themselves as the first home concept Japanese Cafe Bar in Singapore. Being in the close proximity of “Little Japan” of Singapore, i.e. Liang Court, Ippin aims to serve the Japanese living in Singapore, comfort food that they usually have back at home. I hear that they’ve just managed to do that for the Japanese who have visited them!They not only serve authentic Japanese food, there are also shelves of authentic Japanese merchandise on sale, like Curetex Washi fiber items hailed from Fukui, tea leaves, wasabi, nuts etc.

The wooden furniture used at Ippin and of course FREE WIFI, indeed exudes a very homely experience, but how did their food fare?

The Food
Providing mostly set meals, which comes with your preferred choice of main, small dishes and dessert, it is sure to provide a wholesome and complete meal for everyone, just like what we would get when we are at home! What’s more, they are all at NETT prices.

1. Miso Udon Noodle with Oyster Set ($15)
Being the soul for of Aichi Prefecture, Ippin serves up Miso Udon by using red miso by placing koji (soybeans) in a wooden barrel for 2 summers and 2 winters. You’ll be assured of smooth tasting and flavorful noodles, which would leave you wanting for more. This set is served together with kobachi (small dish) and hojicha pudding (roasted green tea dessert). Trust me, you would want second helpings of this hojicha pudding. Oh, so smooth and delicious, even a non green tea lover like me loved it.

2. Grilled Oyster and Veggies in Ponzu Butter Sauce Set ($20)I don’t know about you, but I shriek at the word Oyster, because I LOVE OYSTERS. Hailing from the most famous area for oyster in Japan, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ippin is sure to serve you ridiculously fresh and plump oysters! Besides, they taste amazingly clean as well! Wow. I’m hungry just thinking about it! This set comes with the oysters grilled in ponzu (yuzu vinegar) butter sauce, which gives it a more aromatic punch and refreshing taste, together with rice (with barley) as a perfect accompaniment. Side dishes like the miso soup, Nikujaga pork and potato stew, as well as the salad are also served. This meal then ends lightly with the very delicious hojicha pudding!
 The stew and side salad!

Note: The actual serving portions of the stew and salad will be smaller, as these are served for large group tasting purposes. The Nikujaga stew is so packed with ingredients and flavors, I could not stop picking at the pork and potato pieces!

3. Deep Fried Oyster Set ($24) Breaded and battered on the outside, these oysters were crisp on the outside, with the plump juicy oysters bursting with juices when you bite into its interior. However, I much preferred the grilled oysters to the deep fried ones though, as I thought the textures and taste of the oyster was much more prominent when they are grilled, rather than fried. These fried oysters are also served with wasabi mayo dip, rice, miso soup, stew, salad and the hojicha pudding!

4. Oyakudon Set ($15)
CHICKEN AND EGG on rice! I can’t imagine anything tasting more comforting than this. The warm fluffy egg wrapped together with rice, and that chicken, was so tender and delicious! You could expect chunks of chicken meat that are boiled with dashi (stock), to give it its moist texture and addictive flavors! This set comes with miso soup and hojicha pudding!

5. Yakisoba Set ($12)
Yakisoba is a daily food for the Japanese! Tossed in its secret savory sauce, this plate of noodles was sure a winner, and captured all of our hearts! A simple, yet very comforting dish, that tastes close to home. Like what Ippin describes this dish as, a taste of Dad’s cooking, but sure better than Dad’s! And I concur.

Beverages

Congratulations green tea lovers, Ippin must be a green tea haven for you. This is set up by one of Japan’s top 2 Tea Appraisers – Mr Nobuko Mori! They pride the quality of their green teas to that of Shizuoka, Japan’s best tea garden!But sorry I don’t know how to appreciate hor. Just in case, you want to know what are the types of green teas they serve, here’s a rundown, with a brief description of how each of them tastes like!

1. Sencha – $6
Sencha is the most popular green tea, which has the balance of refreshing aroma, delicate sweetness and mild bitterness

2. Genmaicha – $6
This is steamed longer than Sencha, causing tea leaves to split. Hence it gives a stronger yet more mellow taste, as well as bring more nutritious than the other green teas!

3. Hojicha – $6
This is the roasted green tea, which is ironically brown in color. High in catechin and low in caffeine, this makes a perfect tea for children!Lastly, Ippin also specializes in serving Sake and craft beers, originating from Japan! Craft beers are priced at $9 each, while the Sake, gives you a list of 3 types of Sake to taste at just $15. The Sake goes perfectly well with the oyster set. Be sure to order them together, because having oysters without sake will be an incomplete experience eh?

Closing Remarks

I really enjoyed the food at Ippin Café Bar, as the dishes they served were sincere and really homely. They have indeed lived up to their own standards of serving down to earth and humble dishes, with elevated flavors.

However, I thought that the prices could be a little steep for students like me. I guess the quantity and variety of the set meals makes up for it! Besides, the prices are NETT too!

How to get there?
18 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238967

Opening Hours
11am to 11pm daily

Contact
Facebook: facebook.com/ippincafebar
Instagram: @Ippincafebar

Review: Hyde & Co. @ North Bridge Road

Hyde and Co., an English-themed cafe, arrived in the Kampong Glam district late last year. Known for their high teas and crumpets, they have recently launched a NEW Brunch menu, that is something which I’m pretty sure will get themselves known for as well.
Accompanying their contemporary interior, with the white-washed walls, is also their accidental signature, insta-worthy quote on the wall, which reads “You can’t buy happiness but you can buy tea. And that’s kind of the same thing”. How English.

Available on weekends only, is their Brunch Menu, which I will be introducing in the rest of this post.

Drinks
 I ordered both an Iced Mocha and hot mocha. However, I thought the mocha lacked body, and I feel that Hyde, true to its English roots, fared better in terms of their teas.   Boasting of more than 45 varieties of teas, their offerings will be sure to fit any kind of palette and turn one into a tea convert! They will definitely go well with the High Tea Set ($23) or Scones Set ($15), available all day as well!
 This is the High Tea Set consisting of smoked salmon sandwiches, buttermilk scones, pulled pork mantou, classic victorian sponge, and a pot of artisanal tea of your choice! Sounds like you’ve got to skip lunch to finish this wide selection of items in their high tea set.

Sorry I diverged. Back to the brunch menu.

Sharing Platters

1. The Classic Bruschetta ($7)
 This dish managed to whet our appetites with its burst of flavors, despite its seemingly simple outlook. This consists of Tomato Concasse tossed with garlic, onions, cilantro in balsamic, all served on top of a toasted baguette. A palette teaser this one is. A recommended starter.

2. Hyde’s Wings ($10)
 These wings are tossed with their housemade BBQ sauce served alongside carrot and celery in a buttermilk chipotle dip. You can have the greens, and I’ll take the rest. Haha! This was also a crowd pleaser with its slight heat, and well-marinated meat. So delicious tasting, HOW TO SHARE?

Mains

1. The Big Ben ($17/$21)
 $17 for bacon, and $21 for smoked salmon. This Big Ben may seem like the others, but what makes it stand out from the rest is the use of the pureed mushroom spread atop of its soft, toasted muffins. The mushrooms elevated the flavors of the dish, and I wouldn’t mind going for seconds!
 The poached egg indeed FLOWS, after the… 5th attempt? Haha! I guess the kitchen needs some work in perfecting that poaching, otherwise no yolk porn = not instaworthy. Nevertheless, a clever twist and really yummms!

2. Speedy Gonzales ($14)
 Braised pulled pork with housemade bbq sauce, scrambled eggs and guacamole. This sounds like the perfect dish for me, however, I did not really like this, because the pulled pork tasted too Asian for me, and everything didn’t go as well together as it sounded. The tortilla wrap made it tough to eat as well. Some of my dining companions enjoyed this though, but not for me!

3. Holy Smokes ($17)
Maybe I’m just weird because all of the others did not really like this, but I did. Okay they didn’t like it because of bagels. But I LOVE BAGELS. This consists of a toasted bagel with smoked salmon, onions, greens, cream cheese topped with crispy capers. A very safe dish, because smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers can’t go wrong! Look at the generous portions of smoked salmon!

4. Hyde’s Chili Crab Pasta
 This housemade arrabiatta is tossed with crab meat, and chili crab sauce. No wow factor in this, and has a slight sardine-ish aftertaste. But the heat was there, and it’s not too bad an attempt!

The rest of the items we did not try but is in the brunch menu include:
5. Toad in the Hole ($15): Toast, egg in a hole, roasted mushroom, tomato sauce and truffle

6. The Full Works ($20): Baked cheese portobello, bacon, bockwurst, toast, potatoes and your choice of eggs.

Dessert
 This was a crowd pleaser: Butterscotch Popcorn Waffles ($14)

Sweet and savory all on a plate, together with the fragrant butterscotch all in a mouthful. We wished the popcorn wasn’t so laohong though. Otherwise, we really enjoyed this. They even have an Affogato waffle! What a genius idea!

Closing Remarks

I had an amazing time trying out the dishes from Hyde’s new brunch menu. Of course, like any cafes, there were hits and misses for me, probably because of different taste preferences and prior expectations. However, I thought that their food served was still sincere and pretty yummy tasting! I hope they would continue to be innovative with their dishes, because all the twists in the dishes were what made them really good to me!

Thank you Derrick and team for the scrumptious spread, and impeccable service. And a huge thank you to Medkarlek for the welcome gift, and beautiful monochrome design for the tasting session!

How to get there?
785 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 198753

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday (Closed on Tuesdays): 11am to 6pm

Contact
Facebook: Hyde & Co.
Instagram: @hydeandco