Showing posts with label Cheese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cheese. Show all posts

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Abura Kappo by Hashida @ Amoy Street - A Restaurant Within the Restaurant Concept

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Abura Kappo, nestled within Hashida Singapore, unveils a new and more casual dining experience with its restaurant-in-restaurant concept, centred around the essence of oil. The term "Abura," translating to oil, aptly captures the spirit of this casual and playful menu housed within Hashida. Our journey through Abura Kappo's Vol. 1 menu, priced at $200++ per diner, unfolded as a revelation of 13 bites, each a masterpiece of textures and flavours.

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Monaka 4.5/5

Commencing the evening is the Monaka, where crisp wafers cradle a luxurious blend of creamy egg custard, a duet of blue cheese and comte cheese, mushroom sauce, and pearls of roasted beetroot and Japanese radish steeped in kombucha. This dish is a delightful symphony of textures and flavours.

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Carpaccio 4.2/5

The Carpaccio course follows, featuring slices of raw Japanese buri (yellowtail) and raw Japanese squid accompanied by green apples and pickled red onions in a zesty pickled dashi sauce. The dish culminates with a touch of gin salt for a refreshing palate experience.

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Camembert 4/5

The Camembert, a piece of deep-fried cheese, takes centre stage. Camembert cheese is encased in a kinome leaf, coated in batter, and deep-fried to perfection, revealing a crispy exterior and a molten interior.

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Tuna Consomme 4/5

What initially appears as wine turns out to be Tuna Consommé, a delectable broth crafted from Japanese bluefin tuna simmered for four hours with a mirepoix of carrots, onions, celery, leek, and mushrooms. Served cold, the consommé, enriched with drops of spring onion oil, provides a refreshing interlude.

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Managatsuo 4.2/5

The Managatsuo, a Japanese silver pomfret, is delicately coated in a thin tempura batter and deep-fried to a light and crispy texture. Served with tempura sauce and housemade onion sauce, it's a delightful seafood indulgence.

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Ebi Toast 4.2/5

Ebi Toast's interpretation of the Hong Kong prawn toast consists of angel shrimp paste topped with a spongy and intensely savoury housemade tamagoyaki. A topping of panko gives it an extra crispy bite.

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Tebagyoza 4.2/5

Tebagyoza takes a twist with a crisp, deboned chicken wing generously stuffed with glutinous rice and egg, echoing the parent-child combination found in oyakodon. Paired with oyako sauce, it offers an elevated and flavorful finish.

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Wagyu Beef Tempura 4.2/5

Wagyu Beef Tempura, adorned with a drizzle of tart balsamic and pomegranate sauce, features Hokkaido Tokachi Wagyu wrapped in green shiso leaf, coated in batter, and deep-fried. Sprinkled with sakura salt and red shiso salt, it's a sensory delight.

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Duck Salad 4/5

Duck Salad provides a refreshing interlude with tender duck breast paired with pickled turnip and persimmon vibrancy.

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Soft Soba Taco 4.5/5

Soft Soba Taco introduces a housemade soft buckwheat tortilla, mirroring Japanese soba noodles. It's filled with a play on Japanese sukiyaki ingredients — beef, tofu, shungiku, and raw egg yolk — and is a creative twist on a familiar concept.

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Oden Tempura - Radish 4.5/5

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Oden Tempura - Tomato 4.2/5

Oden undergoes a unique transformation as it is served in tempura form. Sweet Radish and Tomato, stewed in dashi, are deep-fried to golden perfection, offering an intriguing take on enjoying oden.

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Donabe - Spicy Tuna, Prawn Tempura, Kimbap

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The Donabe is a lavish affair accompanied by an array of toppings. The Donabe Rice takes centre stage, featuring grilled seasonal fish, including seabream and golden eye snapper, harmoniously paired with Nanatsuboshi rice. Cooked with dashi, Hokkaido scallops, and butter shoyu, the rice is a symphony of flavours. A selection of sides awaits to complement the Donabe Rice: a medley of pickles, a savoury soup, zesty spicy tuna, crispy prawn tempura, and flavorful kimbap. The ingenious touch lies in the interactive element: diners can partake in a do-it-yourself maki adventure, crafting their own delectable rolls using seasoned Korean seaweed. This engaging addition adds a playful twist to the dining experience.

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Dessert 4.2/5

Dessert unfolds as a two-part curiosity: shavings of shiitake mushroom-infused chocolate paired with housemade vanilla ice cream and a slice of dried persimmon alongside rich, earthy, housemade matcha ice cream.

Abura Kappo offers a casual dining experience that transcends the ordinary, presenting an array of inventive dishes that captivate the senses.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Abura Kappo
77 Amoy Street
Singapore 069896
Tel: +65 8129 5336
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 12pm - 3pm
Wed-Sun: 7pm -1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Friday, January 19, 2024

Dew by Whitegrass @ Chijmes - A Rendezvous of Delightful Flavours and Social Enchantment

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In the heart of Chijmes, Dew by Whitegrass emerges as a vibrant nexus where gastronomy meets social engagement. This casual offshoot, nestled in the heritage wing, presents an enticing amalgamation of curated small plates adorned with an Asian touch. It beckons as a dynamic hub for casual rendezvous, after-work libations, and late-night gatherings, fusing a convivial atmosphere with a tapestry of delectable cuisine.

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Molten Cheese 3.5/5

We started with the Molten Cheese ($28), a platter showcasing molten brie, grapefruit jam, chimichurri sauce, and crispy crostini. It is an ideal prelude, setting the stage for the dinner that follows.


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Hokkaido Pearls 3.8/5

Next on our culinary sojourn were the Hokkaido Pearls ($26) - scallops cloaked in a light batter, deep-fried to a golden crisp. Paired with pickled tartar and dipped in lemon garlic soy sauce, they delivered a delightful symphony of textures and flavours.

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Potato Bombs 3/5

A delightful interlude arrived in the form of Potato Bombs ($10) - bite-sized potato fritters in three flavours: original, anchovy, and curry. The anchovy variant, with its savoury notes, proved particularly addictive.

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Prosciutto On Brioche 4.2/5

A morsel of joy awaited us with the Prosciutto On Brioche ($15). Savoury prosciutto atop stracciatella cheese, nestled on Whitegrass's famed house-baked black sesame brioche - a harmonious blend of flavours.

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Cheese Choux Puff 4/5

Indulge in the airy decadence of the Cheese Choux Puff ($10). These fluffy delights, adorned with shredded Parmigiano and a sprinkle of black pepper, present a perfect harmony of rich cheese flavour and a peppery kick. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and a burst of savoury goodness.

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Unagi Meet Tamago 4/5

In a surprising fusion of flavours, the Unagi Meet Tamago ($18) unveils an unexpected yet harmonious combination of sweet unagi and creamy tamago, bound together with the luscious touch of house-made mayonnaise. This dish's interplay of textures and tastes creates a delightful and memorable culinary experience.

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Pink Ocean 4.2/5

The Pink Ocean ($22), a dual platter featuring chef-smoked salmon and hamachi, unfolded as a maritime masterpiece on the palate. The smoked salmon, adorned with sweet and sour pickled purple onions and a dash of aiyori sauce, presented a dance of flavours. On the other hand, the hamachi, dehydrated overnight and embellished with soy sauce, anchovies, and black olives, showcased a sophisticated blend paired with ohba and daikon. The creation embodied a light and clean oceanic experience that tantalized the taste buds with its nuanced symphony of tastes.

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Yuzu Kosho Seaweed Pasta 4/5

The Yuzu Kosho Seaweed Pasta ($20) stood out as a testament to innovative culinary prowess. The al dente tagliatelle, entwined with seaweed and yuzu pepper, delivered a harmonious blend of textures. Crowned with ikura and a choice of salmon or prosciutto, this dish was an unexpected yet delightful marriage of Japanese and Mediterranean influences. The zesty yuzu pepper played a captivating role, infusing each bite with a burst of citrusy freshness, transforming a familiar pasta dish into a symphony of unique and pleasing notes.

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'R' IGA Ribeye $58

Resting gracefully on a bed of sautéed spinach, the 'R' IGA Wagyu A4 ribeye showcased the pinnacle of Mie Prefecture's renowned wagyu. Delicately seared for the perfect charred exterior and marbled tenderness within, this prized cut of IGA wagyu ribeye unfolded an indulgent appreciation. Enjoy it in three distinctive ways: in its unadulterated glory, with a special house-made sauce marrying red wine jus and Japanese soy sauce, or paired with the fresh kick of wasabi. Each presentation offered a unique perspective on the exquisite flavour profile of this premium wagyu cut.

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DEW Set Lunch - Shiok! Oji Chick Don 4/5

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An irresistible proposition, the Dew Set Lunch presented the Shiok! Oji Chick Don ($28) features shio koji-marinated chicken with jalapeno atop Japanese Koshihikari rice. It is a gem, accompanied by otoshi and a salad of the day, offering exceptional value for money.

Immerse yourself in the culinary charisma of Dew by Whitegrass - a rendezvous of delightful flavours and social enchantment.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Dew by Whitegrass
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
#01-27A
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 9067 3891
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The Dining Room @ Sheraton Towers Singapore - Yuletide Celebrations Featuring Buffet with Fresh Seafood, Succulent Roasts and Festive Desserts

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Indulge in the year-end festivities with The Dining Room's latest Festive Buffet, offered for both lunch and dinner. Enjoy an expanded selection of specially crafted items tailored for the celebrations!

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The Festive Buffet is available from now till 1 Jan 2024:

Festive Lunch Buffet
1 to 24 & 26 to 31 Dec 2023
S$68++ per adult; S$42++ per child

Christmas Day, 25 Dec 2023
New Year’s Day, 1 January 2024
25 Dec, 1 Jan
S$158++* per adult; S$42++ per child

Festive Dinner Buffet
1 to 23 & 26 to 30 Dec 2023
S$98++ per adult; S$42++ per child

Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 2023
Christmas Day, 25 Dec 2023
New Year’s Eve, 31 Dec 2023
S$158++* per adult; S$42++ per child

* Includes unlimited pours of draft beer, house pour red/white wines, soft drinks and juices.

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Freshly-Harvested Seafood

One of the most popular buffet stations was definitely the spread of Freshly-Harvested Seafood, which featured Maine Lobsters, King Crab Leg, Snow Crab, Oysters, Black Mussels, Gong Gong and more. All the seafood we tried was fresh and sweet, particularly the creamy Oysters, plump King Crab Legs and crunchy Prawns.

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Sushi Rolls

Next to the Freshly-Harvested Seafood, you will also be able to find a number of Sushi Rolls alongside Japanese sides of seaweed, tamago and more.

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Cheese Board

If you are a cheese lover, your eyes will definitey light up at the Cheese Board corner. The myriad of cheeses, condiments and crackers will surely satisfy.

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Cold Cuts and Salads

The beautifully plated Cold Cuts and Salads boards offered dishes such as Smoked Salmon, Prosciutto, Beef Salami, Truffle Somen and Salmon Avocado.

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Hot Selections

Moving down the buffet line, diners will find a range of Hot Selections as well.

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Cheesy Lobsters

On top of the fresh seafood, this corner also featured many seafood dishes, such as the Cheesy Lobsters.

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Herbal Prawns

The Herbal Prawns had a comforting broth base that we enjoyed.

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Soft Shell Crab

I would highly recommend trying the Soft Shell Crab. The meaty crabs were fried perfectly crunchy without being oily.

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Wellness Rice

While we typically avoid having too much carbs at buffets, I absolutely loved the Wellness Rice. As unassuming as it looked, it was generously studded with mushrooms, corn, goji berries and pine nuts. I thoroughly enjoyed how clean yet flavourful it tasted.

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Roasted Pork Belly

Before trying out the Festive Roasts, we also tasted the classic Chinese roasts, including Roasted Pork Belly and Roasted Duck.

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Pan-Seared Foie Gras

A key buffet highlight is dishes prepared à la minute, such as the Pan-Seared Foie Gras and Pasta Alla Ruota. The Pan-Seared Foie Gras was a crowd favourite, served on a wedge of croffle with sweet fig.

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The Festive Roasts station was another noteworthy one, featuring freshly sliced Slow Roasted Bulgogi Glazed Prime Rib, Traditional Roast Turkey and more.

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Christmas Desserts

Fans of sweets would be impressed by the room full of Christmas Desserts! It had everything you can think of, from various flavours of log cakes, tarts, cup desserts, etc.

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Chestnut Roulade & Apricot Compote

Similarly, there was also a live dessert station for the Chestnut Roulade & Apricot Compote.

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Christmas Desserts

The Dining Room is also suitable for bigger group meals, and their Festive Buffet would be an excellent option for the upcoming year-end gatherings.

For dining enquiries and reservations, call The Dining Room 6839 5621 or email thediningroom@sheratonsingapore.com.

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.


The Dining Room
Sheraton Towers Singapore
G Floor
39 Scotts Road
Singapore 228230
Tel: +65 6839 5625
Instagram
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Website
Nearest MRT: Newton (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 12midnight
Afternoon Tea: 2pm - 5pm

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

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Elixir Coffee and Wine @ Holland Grove - Indulge in Elevated Brunch and Coffee During the Day, Delight in Pizzas and Wines for the Evening

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Elixir Boutique Roasters, known for its artisanal coffee and cafe fare, may ring a bell for many cafe-goers. Formerly located in Bukit Timah, the reimagined establishment has since found a new home in Holland Grove under a new name, Elixir Coffee and Wine.

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With a brand new menu created by Executive Chef Victor Loy, Elixir invites diners to indulge in brunch and coffee during the day and delight in pizzas and wines in the evening. The menu offers elevated brunch classics, fun bites, and unique sourdough pizzas.

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Coffee lovers would be happy to know that they serve coffee brewed using beans from award-winning Blacklist Coffee in Perth. For wine lovers, the restaurant holds a curated wine list of old and new world vintages.

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Stracciatella 4/5

Our meal began with a more classic dish, the Stracciatella ($20). Here in the Stracciatella, we had sourdough bread smothered with creamy burrata, complemented by pecorino cheese and sweet and slightly smoky blistered tomatoes.

For all three tartines we sampled, their bread base is all made using the same sourdough recipe as their pizza dough.

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Turkish Eggs 4.5/5

Try the Turkish Eggs ($16) for something more exciting. Chef Victor told us that this is one of their bestselling brunch dishes.

On the sourdough, the flatbread is baked to order. It's topped with garlic yoghurt, paprika oil, poached egg and a super addictive Lao Gan Ma-inspired housemade chilli crunch. The added pomegranate gave pops of refreshing sweetness amidst the spicier and garlicky bites.

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Salumi 4/5

The Salumi ($16) would be a treat for bolognese lovers. The flatbread is generously topped with nduja and accompanied with tangy sumac onions and a blend of fresh herbs like coriander, arugula, mint and dill. I recommend sharing this for more enjoyment, as the heaviness may feel a little flat halfway through.

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Salad 4/5

Next, we moved on to the Bites section, which is available for order from 12pm. The simple-looking Salad ($12) had a refreshing mix of radicchio, wombok and mint in white balsamic with crunchy hazelnuts.

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Burrata 4.5/5

Bet you’ve never had burrata done in this manner! Elixir’s Burrata ($24) continues an unexpected use of the housemade chilli crunch we loved on the Turkish Eggs.

While the flavourful chilli crunch may slightly mask the creamy sweetness of the burrata, we thoroughly enjoyed the exciting pairing and side of pickled cherry tomatoes! This will be up your alley if you're looking for something different.

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Tête de Moine 4/5

Consider the Tête de Moine ($22) for a side to pair with your wine. The beautifully shaved Swiss semi-hard cheese is served with poached apricot and fried walnuts, boasting a creamy and nutty flavour with a subtle tangy finish.

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Baby Octopus 4.5/5

My favourite from the Bites menu was Chef Victor's Baby Octopus ($18). It had baby octopus coated in a thin exterior of seasoned flour and deep-fried to the perfect crunch.

I thoroughly appreciated how the light batter allowed you to still enjoy the octopus's chewiness and how the umami black aioli didn't overpower. This is one dish I will definitely re-order on my next visit.

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Not-Carbonara 4.5/5

For fans of white pizzas, go for the Not-Carbonara ($26), the restaurant's signature pizza inspired by the well-loved carbonara dish. While you will see authentic-carbonara toppings of egg yolk, guanciale, prosciutto and pecorino cheese, the play on its name is due to the inclusion of a rich and creamy mornay sauce on its base.

While we found the pizzas slightly too thick around the crusts, we enjoyed the chewiness from the sourdough and the flavourful combination. It leans on a saltier end with a generous hand of fragrant black pepper, but my dining companion and I did not mind it at all.

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Hot Mama 4.2/5

Here is another appearance of the special housemade chilli crunch on the Hot Mama ($28) pizza. This is one boldly flavoured piece, with the fragrant spiciness from the chilli crunch and additional spiciness and saltiness from slices of Calabrese salami, alongside onions and fennel.

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Cali Cali 4/5

Cali Cali ($26) was inspired by Chef Victor's trip to California, focusing on the marriage of flavours from the country and Italy. This piece saw toppings of sausage, chopped kailan, guacamole and chilli flakes. After sampling the first two, the flavours here are more 'safe'.

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Pistachio Cake 3.8/5

Our dessert for the day was the Pistachio Cake ($14) drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a dollop of crème fraiche chantilly. This was a piece that was light and nutty but not exceptional.

Travelling to Elixir Coffee and Wine is out of the way. Hence, I recommend making reservations at https://elixircoffeeandwine.com/pages/reservations to ensure an available table.

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.


Elixir Coffee and Wine
24 Holland Grove Road
#01-18
Singapore 278803
Tel: +65 6908 5547
Facebook
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Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC, EW Line), Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 830am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 830am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Buona Vista MRT station (Stop ID 11361). Take bus number 92. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road, turn right and walk towards Holland Grove Road. Turn left onto Holland Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Aliight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Holland Village, Holland Road (Stop ID 11261). Take bus number 7, 61, 75, 156 and 165. Alight 3 stops later. Walk towards Holland Grove Road. Turn left onto Holland Grove Road. Walk to destination. ourney time about 15 minutes. [Map]