Showing posts with label Acai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acai. Show all posts

Monday, May 13, 2019

Les Bouchons Rive Gauche @ Robertson Quay - Sunday Brunch Along The Singapore River

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Located at Robertson Quay, the laid back ambience is what Bouchons Riviera Brunch is all about. Inspired by the decadence of the French Riviera and staying true to its French heritage, Head Chef Mickael Cornac of Les Bouchons designed the a la carte menu with 30 new all-time brunch favourites including the classic French dish.

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Riviera Wellness Bowl 3/5

Riviera Wellness Bowl ($18) has a couple of exciting elements such as the strawberries which have been soaked overnight with balsamic vinegar to soften and infused it with an additional layer of flavour. The same goes to the Goji berries which were soaked in passionfruit tea beforehand. Given all the exciting dishes on the menu, this serves more like a sharing appetiser to start off your brunch.

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Eggs Mimosa 3/5

Have a taste of some of the French classics such as the Eggs Mimosa ($14) with sauteed garlic asparagus but what really got me into the mood is the Escargots De Bourgogne ($16) with garlic butter.

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Escargots De Bourgogne 4/5

I have a little aversion to escargots, to be honest, but being cooked down to such tenderness helps to diversify the attention away. The hero of this dish, I would say is the garlic butter, and the escargots are there to give the dish some textures, while you deliver the rich and flavourful sauce into your mouth. If you love pesto sauce, this will hit all the right spots.

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Gueule de Bois 3/5

I learned that the concept of Sunday brunch dates as far back as 120 years ago. It came about as a means to overcome a British author’s own hangover from the night before, which is the reference behind this ​Gueule de Bois ($24) ​or more commonly referred to as the ​Bouchons Hangover Cure. You get to try the most hyped about “Impossible” meatballs, served along with scrambled eggs with truffle oil on a slice of toasted sourdough bread. The meatballs are infused with other aromatics and spices; hence it tasted almost like lamb meatballs but without the gaminess. Still, it lacks the natural sweetness from real meat. I'm still not convinced after trying it, but I love how wholesome this dish has been played out, with all other elements such as the sautéed porcini mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes and asparagus so nicely done to draw out their freshness and flavours.

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Sunday Roast 3.8/5

Bouchons Sunday Roast ($32) may vary each week and our ‘Roast of the Day’ was chicken with mushroom sauce and roasted baby potatoes. Nothing much to fault about the chicken really, what I want to highlight is the decadent mushroom sauce. It was so rich and shroomy, if you were to lighten it with cream and stock, it would have been one of the most comforting mushroom soups ever.

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Grilled Black Angus Rib Eye Steak 4/5

Les Bouchons is amongst one of the first restaurants in Singapore to serve French Steak Frites “Steak and Fries” and if you are here with just one or 2 friends, Grilled Black Angus Rib Eye Steak ($39.80) would be enough to last through your whole Sunday conversation, coupled with a few glasses of wines. The steak was packed with good fats and flavours, and they thoroughly nailed it with the free flow homemade French fries that came with unevenly crisped edges, with dented soft pockets to give you the potatoey flavour. I don't remember having such good fries for the longest time.

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Crepes 2.5/5

For desserts, the Crepes ($8) with Nutella and banana was a little underwhelming, with the crepe being a little stiff.

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Chocolate Brownie 3/5

Chocolate Brownie "Fait Maison" ($10) with vanilla gelato is definitely more apt for the occasion with the warm, dark and moist chocolate brownie. Much bigger scope of ice cream is needed for sure.

Brunch at Les Bouchons, overlooking the Singapore River on a Sunday noon is the kind of hours that you would wish to spend just to have a quick escape from everything else. ‘Bouchons Riviera Brunch’ menu is available on Sundays between 1130am and 330pm.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Les Bouchons Rive Gauche
60 Robertson Quay
#01-02
Singapore 238252
Tel: 65 67334414
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 10pm
Fri: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat: 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 1130am - 830pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the bus stop along Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 and 186. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road and walk towards the river. Cross the bridge and walk to the destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to the bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk down Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Nanson Rd. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction of Clemenceau Ave and River Valley. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Then left onto Merbau Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Mama Bear Cafe @ Flemington [Melbourne] - Warehouse Style Cafe With Exposed Brick Walls & Whimsical Graffiti Mural

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My second trip to Melbourne was nothing but a journey about brunches and coffee. The Coffee Expo was the reason why I was here which gave me the chance to explore the cafes hiding in the suburbs of Melbourne! Something which I have missed in my last visit a few years ago.

Mama Bear Cafe at Flemington is just a few minutes walk from my accommodation. Its menu is quite extensive, offering many of the locals' favourites. Most importantly, it serves great coffees to the entire neighbourhood!

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Open Beef Brisket Sandwich 3.5/5

When our Open Beef Brisket Sandwich (AUD$17.50) came, we were rather shocked by the huge serving.At the same time, it did look sinfully indulgent with the mushroom, beef, overflowing cheese sliding off the toast underneath which was way too tiny for anything. Buried in between were caramelised onion and worcestershire pickled cucumber. The brisket was really tender and the field mushroom was just as meaty. Topped with not one but two fried eggs, this is definitely enough for 2 small eaters. Less sauce would have been better though, as the dish is a little too wet and soggy.

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Sweet Corn Fritters 3.5/5

I realised that the locals has a thing for Sweet Corn Fritters (AUD$17.50) which is not so common back home. I like how the fritters were being stacked up high into a tower with a tangy avocados cream as the base and comes complete with a poached egg. The sweet corns gives a chewy texture to the fritters and the surrounding vegetables - heirloom tomatoes, ribbon of carrot & zucchini lightened up the dish.

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Acai Bowl 4.2/5

This is where I had my very first Acai Bowl (AUD$13.90)! Wow, I must say I do love every bit of it and Mama Bear does it just the say it should be done. It has the crunch from the toasted muesli and chia seeds, the mellow aroma of the coconut, the balance in taste with the combination of the acai, the tart berries and freeze-dried orange.

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Belgium Waffles 2.8/5

We also had one of their special - Belgium Waffles with ham, bacon, banana, ice cream, fresh berries dressed with honey. Again, the portion was generous. There was enough sweet and savoury component in every bite. The grilled banana was a little disappointing as it was just too shrivelled.

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Tumeric Latte 3/5

Colourful lattes is one of their signatures, with variants such as beetroots, tumeric. Tumeric Latte is quite a popular spice here, perhaps of its healing properties. It comes in a 5oz cup. Taste is slightly too mild for me.

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I love the feel of this place. Its friendly and unpretentious service, a small cafe with just about everything to provide what the community needs to get their daily fuel.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Mama Bear Cafe
528/531 Racecourse Road
Flemington VIC 3031
Melbourne, Australia
[Map]
Tel: (03) 93760386
Facebook

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am  - 330pm
Sat-Sun: 8am - 330pm