Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar @ Nucleos (Biopolis)

Those staying in the west side of Singapore should rejoice with another new cafe at Biopolis joining Revolution Cafe and Hoopla Coffee in the vicinity. The month old Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar is located at Nucleo, Biopolis featuring a blend of classic American cuisine and coffee from Yahava Koffeeworks.

The cafe is decorated in a simple red and black theme with wooden tables using the natural lighting to light up the place in the day. Currently this is a little heaven for me as not many people is aware of their opening and I can spend my day sipping a cup of coffee as the day goes by.

Latte 4.2/5

The Caffe Latte ($4.50) at Curbside uses coffee beans from Yahava KoffeeWorks. This cup of coffee comes with a robust bitterness that will kick start one's morning. It was a perfect cup of coffee for me and this is a taste usually prefer by the non locals. It has a richer and stronger taste with a smooth finishing.

Egg and Toast 3.5/5

We tried the Egg and Toast ($9) with Smoked Salmon (add on $5). It comes with a choice of bread and eggs. We opted for sourdough and scrambled egg. The scrambled egg was quite well executed, moist and creamy. Toast was average. Presentation of the smoked salmon can be improved to make it look more value for money.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie 4/5

The Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie ($8) was a pleasant surprise. The brownie was moist with the cream cheese lending a nice balance to the enjoyment. We understand from the staff that the red velvet cheesecake brownie is made by the owner Samantha herself.

Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar is definitely a welcome addition to the ever growing cafe scene in Singapore. For me a good cafe must comes in a package with good coffee, ambience as well as food. I think Curbside has the potential to be one minus the accessibility.


Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
Nucleos
21 Biopolis Way
#01-21
Singapore 138567
Tel: +65 81811805
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurbsideCafeSG
Website: http://www.curbside.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 8am - 10pm
Thu-Sat: 8am - 10pm
Sun: 8am - 6pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to North Biopolis Way. Continue on North Biopolis Way and turn right onto Biopolis Drive. Continue on Biopolis Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

BreadTalk Cafe @ Suntec City

All day breakfast? No I meant All Day Everywhere BreadTalk. With the newly refurnished Suntec City, BreadkTalk has launched a new bakery cafe concept with new breads, pastries and dine in menu. The first BreadTalk Cafe is located at the basement of Suntec City, offering a languid setting with views of the Fountain of Wealth.

Portobello Party 3.5/5

Dinner began with the Portobello Party ($7.90) served with rocket leaves and tomaotes. The portobello mushroom and cheese is already an excellent combo that was further accentuated with the stuffed bacon and spinach in melted cheese.

Shrooms Green Curry 2.8/5

Moving to the main, I tried the Shrooms Green Curry Pasta ($12.90). The interesting Thai twist to the Italian classic came with fresh prawns, straw mushroom and button mushroom in a green curry sauce. While there was a distinct green curry flavour, the spaghetti lacked either a creamy or tangy sauce to bring the whole dish together.

Sardinah Pizza 4/5

Sardine for pizza? It may sounds weird but it was actually very good. The Sardinah Pizza ($7.90) topped with sardine, hard boilled egg, cheese, sundried tomatoes and spicy mayonniase actually reminded me of sardine curry puff. I heard that the Curry Oleh Pizza was pretty good too. Looking forward to come back and try it.

Brownie Overload 3.5/5

The Brownie Overload ($6.80) is served with a scoop of Movenpick ice cream. The brownie was actually not bad. It was quite moist and I enjoyed the crunchy oatmeal base of the brownie.

Love Submarine

Skinny Cheese

Choc A Brioche

Besides the dine in menu, BreadTalk Cafe also carries some of BreadTalk's signature items such as their Floss Bun. For the cafe, an exclusive variety of freshly baked treats are only available at the cafe such as the Choc A Brioche ($2.20) filled with chocolate chips and custard cream. The new creations also feature the Love Submarine ($2.80), a Danish pastry topped with custard cream, strawberry and pistachio. My favourite is the savoury Skinny Cheese ($2.20) with parmesan, cheddar and blue cheese.

Open at 8am, BreadTalk Cafe is perfect for busy professionals working in the area to drop by for a quick breakfast. The welcoming cosy cafe is also perfect for both professionals and shoppers to have a meeting, lunch, teatime or dinner.


BreadTalk Cafe
Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-167/168
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 63364434
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtalksingapore
Website: http://www.breadtalk.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 10pm
PH Eve: 8am - 1030pm
Sun & PH: 9am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Suntec City basement. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Suntec City basement. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Jamie's Italian @ Vivocity

The culinary scene in Singapore has been buzzing with the latest opening of Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Jamie's Italian at Vivocity. The much anticipated Jamie's Italian, first in Asia opened its door on 17 July 2013. As expected, long queues have been formed every day since the opening. Although the restaurant takes reservation, only a couple of tables are set aside each day. It is wiser to join the queue if you want to try the food as reservation has been fully booked till late August at the time of this publication. Jamie's Italian Singapore is headed by Executive Chef Gary Clarke who is former Jamie's Italian UK Head of Academy for Senior Chefs.

Baked Mushroom 4/5

There are quite a number of antipasti selections from the menu which comes in planks or plates. We tried the Baked Mushroom ($12.50), the crispy paper-thin flat bread is topped with sauteed Swiss brown mushrooms and smoked buffalo mozzarella. A delectable antipasti to start of the meal.

Crispy Squid 4/5

The other antipasti we tried was the Crispy Squid ($11.50). The fried squid had a delightful bite to it, fresh and crunchy. The flavour was further lifted with a squeeze of the lemon zest and garlic mayo dip. However the portion was way too small for sharing.

Black Angel Spaghetti 2.8/5

The pasta at Jamie's Kitchen is made freshly on site everyday. I am actually quite interested to know how much pasta they need to make daily since most customers come to try their pasta, its an Italian restaurant after all. Inevitably, we ordered some pasta dishes to try which comes in either appertiser or main course portion.

The Black Angel Spaghetti ($16.00/$24.50) was cooked perfectly al dente with a nice firm bite to it in the middle. The squid ink pasta was served with scallops, garlic, chilli, anchovies, wine and capers. While the texture was good, I did not quite enjoy the dish though. I thought the whole execution was on the bland side.

Jool's Favourite Sicilian Tuna Fusilli 4/5

Another pasta dish we tried was named after Jamie's wife, Jool's Favourite Sicilian Tuna Fusilli ($14/$21), Albacore tuna slow cooked with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and cinnamon. The pleasing spicy tanginess and the delightful texture of the Fusilli made it one of the better dishes we tried for the night. I also like how Jamie's Italian served the herby breadcrumb on the spoon for their pasta and risotto dishes. The breadcrumb gave the dish a lift in texture.

Brixham Bay Crab Risotto 3.5/5

The Brixham Bay Crab Risotto ($19.00/$28.50) uses acquerello rice was cooked to perfection. Topped with lemony crab, samphire and chilli, the creamy risotto was bursting with beautiful flavours. While flavours we incredibly good, the crab meat seemed to be lost in the sea of grains. I would prefer more chunky crab meats for the price I am paying.

Lamb Chop Lollipops 4.5/5

The Lamb Chop Lollipops ($29.90) was my favourite dish for the night. The bone-in grilled lamb chops were served with a creamy artichoke and mint sauce, roasted nuts, chilli and fresh mint. The lamb was tender, succulent and cooked to a nice pink.

Ji Warm Brownie 3/5

For dessert, we have the Ji Warm Brownie ($11.50) which was made from mix of chocolate, raspberry and amaretto served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The brownie was really moist but it was not warm.

Creamy Panna Cotta 4.2/5

The Creamy Panna Cotta ($9) is probably the best dessert at Jamie's Italian. Everyone who has tried it has recommended it. The wobbly light, silky and smooth panna cotta served with fruit compote was a memorable dessert to end the night on a sweet note.

Overall, Jamie's Italian is a casual restaurant with homely Italian food. The price for homely Italian food may be a tad expensive but considering its a celebrity chef restaurant it is quite reasonable priced. Judging from the daily queue, it seems like customers do not mind the price. Staffs are very attentive and there was a merry and relax vibe throughout the restaurant making one feeling comfortable dining in.


Jamie Italian 
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-165/166/167
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 67335500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiesitaliansingapore
Website: http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/singapore/home
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 1. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Baker's Story

Have you heard of The Baker's Story? Opened in 2004 at the nondescript Sin Ming Centre, The Baker's Story has grown steadily, winning over customers with its honest to goodness creations of Cheese Brownies. Chef and owner Eric Tan has created these one of a kind cheese brownie using chocolate brownie and cream cheese.

After 8 years and amassing a pool of regulars, The Baker's Story opened its second outlet at Orchid Hotel at Tanjong Pagar. From the original cheese brownie, the store has built on its popularity to spin off more offerings with an expanded selection of seven varieties.

The box contains the original bestselling Cheese Brownie ($2.20), Mint Cheese Brownie ($2.30), Orange Cheese Brownie ($2.80), Chef's personal favourite the Crunchy Cheese Brownie ($2.80) and other non cheese brownie flavours including Banana Brownie ($2.20) and Walnut Chocolate Brownie ($2.30).

Giving the traditional brownie an interesting twist by adding the cheese, the cheese brownies have a fuller flavour, velvety smoothness and richer texture.

The Baker's Story
Sin Ming Centre
8 Sin Ming Road
#01-05
Singapore 575628
Tel: +65 64520265
Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 9pm
Sat: 11pm - 9pm
Sun & PH: 11am - 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Link
#01-09
Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 66049929
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 630pm
(Closed on weekends and PH)

Website: http://www.thebakerstory.com