LA SAVOIR @ Scotts Square - French-Inspired Cafe With Hermès Decor And Tableware

Fancy having your next meal served on gorgeous Hermès tableware? Check out LA SAVOIR, the newest F&B entrant in Scotts Square. The first thing that caught our eye, stepping into the cafe, would definitely be the Hermès wallpapers and showcase of patterned Hermès plates. The cafe is carefully and luxuriously decorated to weave in colonial and Pairisan elements.

LA SAVOIR's menu has specially curated dishes to harmonise local and French flavours. They also offer a simple breakfast menu that is available from 10am to 11.30am on Monday to Thursday and from 10am to 2pm on Friday to Sunday.

Mentaiko Fries 3.8/5

Our meal started with their Mentaiko Fries ($16). The substantial portion of crunchy fries is topped with mentaiko mayonnaise, tobiko and bonito flakes. These were decent, but considering this price tag, they could be much more generous with the mentaiko sauce, especially for fries in the bottom half of the basket.

Wild Sprouts Salad 4/5

I could not resist ordering the Wild Sprouts Salad ($18) as I am a huge fan of brussels sprouts. LA SAVOIR presents their well-charred brussels sprouts and juicy mushrooms dressed in a slightly creamy yuzu aioli, further topped with guava pickles, bonito flakes and tobiko. The elements in this dish reminded us more of Japanese flavours instead of French or local, but we didn't mind it.

Truffle Chicken Ballotine 3.8/5

We moved into mains with the Truffle Chicken Ballotine ($32). It uses free-range chicken alongside a creamy butternut mousseline, savoy cabbage, pickled carrots and black truffle. The chicken was a touch dry, but we appreciated the variety of textures that were put together.

Uni Pasta 4/5

Next was the Uni Pasta ($35) with linguine sat in uni foam, topped with Bafun uni and trout roe. I recommend ordering this as a sharing dish as it is rich in its briny uni flavour.

LA SAVOIR Butter Board 4/5

The LA SAVOIR Butter Board ($18) arrived with a board of freshly made butter in three styles and a bread basket. It was a pity that two of the three bread selections were over-toasted, but the unique butters were the highlight. Apart from classic sea salt butter, there was an appetising spiced shrimp butter and an addictive furikake-flavoured one.

Dark Choco Creme Brûlée 4/5

The dessert menu has a simple list of three items. Our first was the Dark Choco Creme Brûlée (S$17) which uses Callebaut dark chocolate 70%, raspberries, pistachio crumbs and mixed berry sorbet. I appreciated the thin and crisp caramelised creme brûlée top and the chocolatey base, but the different elements on the plate could be better harmonised.

Strawberry & Basil 3.8/5

The Strawberry & Basil ($16) is a carefully plated dish with house-made maple granola, yoghurt mousse, sliced strawberries, basil crush and lychee goji sorbet. While it served as a sweet and refreshing wrap up to our meal, we were definitely expecting more of it as a whole, considering its price tag.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


LA SAVOIR
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#02-01
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 93777788
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Turn right and walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [MAP]

Surrey Hill Grocer @ Arena Country Club (Jurong) - Savours The Flavours of Australia At A Pet-friendly Cafe

Surrey Hill Grocer, located at Arena Country Club in Jurong, is a delightful local gem encompassing a lifestyle grocer and a cafe. This homegrown establishment proudly imports authentic Australian products and produces, offering Singaporeans a taste of the Down Under. During my recent weekend visit for lunch, the cafe was bustling with diners, including their furry friends, as Surrey Hill Grocer is a pet-friendly establishment.

Sweet Potato Fries 3.5/5

As we eagerly awaited our mains, we indulged in the chunky and satisfying Sweet Potato Fries. Crispy on the outside yet delightfully sweet and moist on the inside, these fries paired perfectly with the accompanying dipping sauce, creating a delectable combination.

Wagyu Bolognese 4.5/5

However, the star of the show for me was the Wagyu Bolognese. The spaghetti was flawlessly cooked to al dente, providing a delightful bite. Tossed in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, it was further enhanced by generous parmesan shavings for an added savoury kick. With each slurp, the ample serving of minced wagyu was a mouthful of pure indulgence.

Melbourne Breakfast Avocado, Poached Egg 4.2/5

For those seeking a taste of Melbourne's vibrant cafe scene, the Melbourne Breakfast Avocado with Poached Egg will surely transport you back to those fond memories. A thick slice of sourdough bread is adorned with luscious Australian mashed avocado, whipped ricotta, vegemite emulsion, honey dukkha, micro herbs, and perfectly poached nuyolk eggs. This hearty breakfast platter will brighten up your day and leave you satisfied.

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Waffle 4.2/5

Another popular choice from the menu is the Hot Honey Fried Chicken Waffle. The crispy yet fluffy waffle is a delightful base for a juicy piece of twice-cooked fried chicken thigh, generously glazed with hot honey for a touch of natural sweetness. Balanced with torched cheddar and shaved parmesan, this dish is accompanied by maple syrup and butter on the side, adding a delightful contrast of flavours.

Strawberry Waffle 4.2/5

To complete our meal, we indulged in the Strawberry Waffle, a heavenly dessert that combines hot and cold contrasting sensations. The ice cream, drenched in a luscious strawberry sauce, alongside the burst of freshness from grapes, blueberries, and granola, culminated in a delightful and satisfying sweet ending to our dining experience at Surrey Hill Grocer.

Overall, Surrey Hill Grocer offers a unique and enjoyable dining experience. With its wide range of delectable dishes and pet-friendly environment, it's a place where food lovers and pet owners alike can come together to savour the flavours of Australia and create cherished memories.


Surrey Hill Grocer
Arena Country Club
511 Upper Jurong Road
#01-01
Singapore 638366
Tel: +65 80357497
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Nearest MRT: Joo Koon (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Joo Koon MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Benoi Road. Turn left onto Benoi Road. Walk to Upper Jurong Road. Turn right onto Upper Jurong Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Joo Koon MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Joo Koo Bus Interchange (Stop ID 24009). Take bus number 99 or 974. Alight one stop later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes.[Map]

SOD Cafe @ Upper Thomson Road - Launches New Night Concept With A Focus On Freshly Made Pasta

Nestled within the Upper Thomson vicinity, SOD Cafe has launched a new night concept focusing on freshly made pasta. There are a total of 7 pasta dishes to choose from, with the bases all made with either linguine or fettuccine. They make their pasta from scratch daily, with portions only limited to 30 per night for now, though they have hoped to increase the daily portions to 50 in the near future!

Taro Milk Tea 4/5, Green Milk Tea 4/5

We started off the meal with their signature bubble tea drinks, such as the Taro Milk Tea and Green Milk Tea with pearls. The drinks were aromatic, creamy and not too sweet, while the black pearls were soft and chewy, providing a great bite to the drinks.

Aglio Olio with Prawns 4.2/5

We opted for their Aglio Olio with Prawns, cooked with fragrant butter garlic and topped with ebiko, and tiger prawns cooked to plump juicy perfection. The addition of ebiko added a nice bite, and the fettuccine pasta was cooked to a nice al dente texture.

Cream Mushroom 4/5

The Cream Mushroom comprises button mushrooms cooked in mixed herbs and cream. It is perfect for pasta lovers who love creamy pasta, and the shrooms' aroma was strong without being too overwhelming. The fettuccine pasta was similarly cooked to a nice al dente texture.

Beef Stew 4.2/5

The Beef Stew comes with tender 8-hour cooked beef shank cubes and cream demi-glaze. The perfectly done fettuccine was smothered in a robust beef gravy, not too heavy yet sufficiently flavourful. Other pasta options are available such as the Spicy Tomato with Wagyu Beef Balls and Salmon Pesto.

Sweet Potato Fries 3.8/5

We also tried their sides, such as the Sweet Potato Fries, which are fluffy and retain a thin layer of crispiness around them.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


SOD Cafe
183 Longhaus
183 Upper Thomson Road
#01-05
Singapore 574332
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Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line), Upper Thomson (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am – 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Marymount Lane and Thomson Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Cafe Usagi TOKYO @ Suntec City - Featuring Mochi Creations, Teas And Other Modern Japanese Desserts

Cafe Usagi TOKYO opened its space late last year in Suntec City, with a second kiosk recently introduced at 111 Somerset. "Usagi" translates to rabbit in Japanese, and decorations in the cafe are in line with its name.

Led by Japanese Chef/Creative Director Yuka Shigeno and co-founder Artini, the cafe features a range of Japanese desserts with modern twists, focusing on mochi and tea-based creations. Coming 9 and 10 April 2023, enjoy a 1-for-1 Mochi Ice Cream Promo at their Suntec City outlet (limited to 2 orders per customer, while servings last).

Strawberry Daifuku 4/5

All of Cafe Usagi's desserts are crafted in-house, including the Strawberry Daifuku ($6.90). It was well-liked among my dining companions. Wrapped in freshly made soft and chewy mochi skin, the decent-sized strawberry had a thin layer of red bean paste around it. While the red bean paste could be smoother, the strawberries were juicy and sweet.

Mochi Dorayaki 2.5/5

Apart from the range of mochi desserts, the cafe hopes to focus on dorayaki. The Mochi Dorayaki ($6.90) has a combination of both. Layered between two dorayaki was mochi and red bean paste. The overall texture was dry and needed syrup or sauce to pair. I wasn't a fan of the dorayaki on its own, as it had a slight aftertaste that wasn't entirely pleasant.

Strawberry Matcha Dorayaki Cake 2.5/5

The Strawberry Matcha Dorayaki Cake ($9.90) had matcha cream in the middle and sliced strawberries all around. While this had a better combination than the previous Mochi Dorayaki, the dorayaki affected the overall experience.

Iced Uji Matcha Latte 3/5

Unfortunately, my Iced Uji Matcha Latte ($6.80) wasn't whisked well and came slightly clumpy. It also didn't carry the fragrance and robustness I hoped for. To be fair, I tried the same matcha latte at their 111 Somerset outlet, and the experience was better.

Mochi Waffles with Kuromitsu Syrup 4/5

Our unanimous favourite was the Mochi Waffles with Kuromitsu Syrup ($8.50). We paired this with the Samurai Blue Sea Salt Ice Cream ($5). If you are a mochi fan, you will likely enjoy this. The mochi skin is sandwiched in between, which results in a slight crispness around the waffle edges and a chewy interior. I recommend digging into this while it's hot, as the texture gets slightly sticky after cooling down.

Ceremonial Uji Matcha Mochi 4/5

The use of mochi skin continues in their Mochi Ice Cream ($6 onwards). You can first choose a preferred ice cream flavour, and the staff will prepare the order on the spot by wrapping the selected scoop with mochi skin. We found the Uji Matcha ice cream quite sweet, but it had a much more robust flavour than the matcha latte.

Lavender Hojicha Pot 4/5

After the variety of cold desserts, the Lavender Hojicha Pot ($7.90) was extra welcoming. We learnt that many of the tea blends in Cafe Usagi are Chef Yuka's creations. This hot Lavender Hojicha tea, in particular, was fragrant and smooth.

Matcha with Hokkaido Azuki Red Bean and Mochi Bread 3.5/5

Lastly, it's the newly launched Matcha with Hokkaido Azuki Red Bean and Mochi Bread ($8.80 per Loaf). Available in Original Milk, Matcha and Hokkaido Chocolate Chip flavours, they will be available daily from early April in limited quantities.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cafe Usagi TOKYO
Suntec City Tower 3
8 Temasek Boulevard
#02-615A
Singapore 038983
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Nearest MRT: Promenade MRT (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Good Chai People @ East Coast Road - Singapore First Chai Specialty Cafe In Katong

Located in Katong, Good Chai People is Singapore's first Chai Cafe that puts a spotlight on handmade artisanal sticky chai, served along with hearty brunch and mains. The 60-seater cafe is tastefully designed to allow customers to enjoy a comforting cup of chai in a cosy and homely space.

Sticky Chai Latte 3.8/5, Hoji-Chai Latte 3.8/5

With a total of 11 iterations of chai, we were spoilt for choice. The Sticky Chai Latte ($8) features a soothing blend of Ceylon OPA leaves, oat milk, coconut sugar and cinnamon, while the Hoji-Chai Latte ($8) has subtle notes from the Japanese roasted tea, which paired well with the chai aroma. However, the chai flavour in both cups was not as intense as I would have liked and could be stronger. Oat milk and coconut sugar are used in the chai drinks to be more inclusive, vegan-friendly, and more considerate towards customers who are lactose-intolerant.

Burnt Brussels Sprouts 4.2/5

The Burnt Brussels Sprouts ($16) was an addictive side. The yuzu sesame drizzle provided a refreshing tanginess to the dish, which cut through the bitterness of the brussels sprouts. It is also topped with nori and sesame seeds for some added flavour.

Mommy's Spinach 4/5

The Mommy's Spinach ($12) is an elevated take on the creamed spinach. It comes in a comforting mix of Gruyère cheese, bechamel sauce, and brown butter, with fried eggs atop. You can also add $2 for additional sourdough toasts to dip in.

24-Hr Beef Brisket 4.5/5

One of our favourite dishes is the 24-Hr Beef Brisket ($20). The beef brisket is well-marinated and tender and comes with two perfectly oozy poached eggs, tangy toasted sourdough, confit baby potatoes, and hand-cut potato chips.

Prawn & Chorizo Aglio Olio 4.2/5

The Prawn & Chorizo Aglio Olio ($22) comprises perfectly al-dente pasta tossed in umami prawn head butter and paired with char-grilled tiger prawns and savoury chorizo strips. The dish comes with a strong fiery kick, suitable for those who like their aglio olio extra spicy.

French Toast 4/5

We enjoyed the gorgeous French Toast ($20), which tasted as good as it looked, featuring a thick Brioche French toast sandwiched in layers of tangy berry compote and peanut butter, topped with whipped cream cheese, and a maple thyme drizzle.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Good Chai People
225 East Coast Road
Singapore 428922
Tel: +65 97835757
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

Le Matin Patisserie @ ION Orchard - A New Dawn, Le Matin’s New Concept Cafe Featuring Its Biggest Menu

Le Matin Patisserie has unveiled its new permanent space in ION Orchard, officially welcoming diners from 1 February 2023. It has Le Matin's biggest menu yet, featuring 4 categories of French delicacies: Cakes and Pastries, Sweet and Savoury, Brunch (from 11am to 3pm), and Dinner and Dessert (from 6pm to 10pm). Chef-owner Mohamed Al-Matin will also be introducing a variety of new items alongside this opening.

Coffee lovers will be happy to know that the cafe uses a special blend from Nylon Coffee Roasters, an exclusive blend of two single-origin coffee beans. It is used in all of the coffee beverages here.

Smoked Beef Cheek Banh Mi 4.2/5

We started with the Smoked Beef Cheek Banh Mi ($18) from its Best of Brunch menu. You will find 48-hour braised and smoked wagyu beef cheeks, pickled carrots, daikon, black garlic and chimichurri in a laminated brioche. My dining companions enjoyed this for the smoky and tender beef cheeks.

Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant 4.2/5

In the Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant ($34), the crisp round croissant burger is stacked with black truffle aioli, truffle paste, fluffy scrambled eggs, and topped with 8g of sliced black truffles. The combination is likeable, especially with the truffle flavour permeating the eggs. However, we hoped for more truffle aioli to tie everything together.

Seafood Pot Pie 4.2/5

Luxuriously topped with ikura, the Seafood Pot Pie ($24) has hidden a variety of seafood in its puff pastry, such as snapper, salmon belly, Tiger prawns, green mussels, clams and scallops. This savoury number had a hearty creaminess in the middle, complementing the bursts of savoury ikura. My only gripe is that the base of the pastry got softer from the filling.

Chutoro Brioche Feuilletée 4.5/5

The Chutoro Brioche Feuilletée ($38) is a pricey piece and a crowd favourite among the items we tried. It has chunky shoyu-cured chutoro sandwiched with sea urchin butter, edamame mash, yuzu wasabi mayo and pickled red onions for the extra acidity to cut through the richness. It was rich and fatty in a good way. It would be even better if the yuzu wasabi mayo had a stronger kick to contrast!

Moules Marinieres 4/5

From the dinner menu, we had the Moules Marinieres ($28), white wine-poached blue mussels with enoki fritters, and white fungus cooked in parsley oil with a side of toasted brioche. The blue mussels were fresh, and the savoury broth albeit saltier, had a fragrant and distinct touch of parsley, which was perfect for soaking up with the warm brioche.

Sake Lees & Macadamia, Choux Bun 4/5

The Sake Lees & Macadamia, Choux Bun ($14) is one of the brand new items to expect. On a base of macadamia yuzu crunch, you have a choux bun filled with Sake Lees mousse and a macadamia praline centre, topped with Sake Lees jelly, yuzu and a dusting of silver flakes. It leaned towards sweeter while the yuzu component came to light.

Fromage de vos Reves 4/5

Le Matin pays tribute to Restaurant Andre's famed homemade camembert cheese dessert with its Fromage de vos Reves ($21), which translates to "Cheese of Your Dreams". It may look simple, but it has quite a lot going on - a rillat savarin mousse, reblochon creameux and comte sponge, topped with milk crumble glaze, served with a side of creme fraiche ice cream. The cheese profile is strong and pungent, which may not be for everyone, but more for the big fans of cheese.

Tarte Aux Noix de Cajou 4/5

Our last dessert was the Tarte Aux Noix de Cajou ($20). On layers of cashew custard, cashew nougatine and filo pastry, it's further elevated with orange blossom-scented mulberries and Pedro Ximenez cream. It's nutty and sweet, best for sharing.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Le Matin Patisserie
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B2-49
Singapore 238801
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 mins. [Map]

Amika Cafe & Bar @ Teck Chye Terrace – Aesthetic Café In Serangoon Serving Asian Western Fusion Food, All-Day Brunches, Mains And Sides

Located just a stone's throw away from Serangoon MRT is Amika Cafe & Bar. They have opened since last year, serving a wide range of all-day classic brunches, pasta, donburis and desserts.

Big Breakfast 3.5/5

The Big Breakfast ($20) features a colourful platter of scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages, hash brown, bacon, mixed salad and toasted sourdough. All the components were executed decently, except for the scrambled eggs, which had a nice fluffy texture but felt slightly under-seasoned. However, the bacon was a tad salty, and the hash brown was overly crispy, lacking fluffiness.

Amika French Toast 3/5

The Amika French Toast ($18) comes with crispy bacon, sausage, caramelised banana, strawberries and maple syrup. While the dish was aesthetically pleasing, the french toast was dry in the middle as the egg batter was not soaked thoroughly, lacking the soft custardy texture a french toast should have.

Mentaiko Prawn Pasta 3.5/5

They have quite a huge selection of pasta available with interesting fusion options such as the Prawn Laksa Pasta, Spicy Tamarind Pork Pasta, and Clam Pasta with Thai Chilli Jam. The Mentaiko Prawn Pasta ($17.80) is a mentaiko creamy-based prawn spaghetti topped with tobiko prawn roe, seaweed and grated cheese. While the spaghetti is al dente and the prawns are well cooked, the mentaiko flavour was not rich enough, rendering the pasta dish a tad bland.

Sweet Potato Fries 3.8/5

You can't go wrong with the Sweet Potato Fries ($11) paired with a side of sriracha mayo. They were nicely crisp on the outside, though it could be fluffier on the inside.

Taro Toast 4/5

My favourite dish was the Taro Toast ($11.90), paired with a taro gelato, crispy, fluffy thick toast, crumbles and whipped cream. The taro gelato is creamy and mildly sweet, with a hint of nuttiness. In addition, a small jug of taro sauce was provided to drizzle on the toast, which elevated the taro flavour.

With a huge variety of dishes and drinks on the menu, Amika Cafe & bar has one of the most aesthetically pleasing food and drinks I've encountered. Remember to order one of their vibrant, colourful drinks too. We opted for the Taro Latte ($6.50), which has a gorgeous purple hue. It is not too sweet and has a nice milky taro flavour.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


AMIKA Café & Bar
9 Teck Chye Terrace
Singapore 545720
Tel: +65 62416393
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Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Fri: 11am - 11pm
Sat: 10am - 11pm
Sun & PH: 10am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit B, C & H. Walk to Upper Serangoon Road. Turn left onto Upper Serangoon Road. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]