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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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
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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]

Acqua e Farina @ The Rail Mall - Authentic And Hearty Italian Fare In Homely Italian Family Restaurant

Along the stretch of dining options at The Rail Mall is a cosy little Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina. It is helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who are natives from Southern and Northern Italy respectively. They bring together a full menu of authentic Italian cuisine for diners to enjoy.

As the restaurant's name suggests, Acqua e Farina, which is Italian for water and flour, reflects the Chefs' goal of showcasing their Italian fare using simple traditional recipes and top-quality ingredients.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. I have passed by this restaurant several times but always assumed it has a more formal setting. What I loved most about our dining experience here was how warm and cosy it was! Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an Italian friend's home.

Drinks

We went with a glass of Limoncello Prosecco ($13) and a Blood Orange San Pellegrino ($4) for drinks. If you are a fan of wines, the restaurant features an entire wall of wines you can pick from. The Chefs also offer recommendations based on preferences.

Capesante con Funghi 4.2/5

First up was the Capesante con Funghi ($28), with pan-fried Hokkaido scallop dressed in a creamy and richly earthy mushroom sauce paired with baby spinach and croutons. We had the tasting portion here, while the full portion includes three scallops.

Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci 4/5

Our next starter was the Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci ($27), which has pan-fried shrimp wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed spinach. My dining companion and I found the prawn a touch drier than we would like, but we appreciated the balance of flavours. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty.

Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio 4.5/5

Our first main was the Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($34), homemade squid ink pasta with crabmeat tossed in tomato sauce. The pasta is made fresh daily, and diners can also request for gluten-free spaghetti. I don't often choose my pasta with a tomato base, but I would come back for Acqua e Farina's rendition.

Their tomato base has a touch of cream and hence is not as acidic as usual. The slight creaminess complemented the chunks of sweet crabmeat.

Pizza Quattro Formaggi 4.5/5

The Pizza Quattro Formaggi ($34) is one of the restaurant's only two pizzas with a white cheese base. The other nine pizzas on the menu use a red tomato base.

If you are a cheese fan, I am sure you will enjoy this. It uses four types of cheese - Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (Blue Cheese), Smoked Scamorza and Asiago. Chef told us this is one of the top two popular pizzas here. It's not difficult to understand with its generous topping of cheese and a whiff of truffle fragrance on a crisp and slightly chewy base.

Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante 4.2/5

Acqua e Farina regularly launches special menus which keep things fresh and fun, especially for their regular diners. It was coincidentally Mother's Day weekend when we were here, and we had the pleasure to try one of the dishes on their Mother's Day Special menu, the Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante ($38). The linguine tossed with cured fish roe, garlic, chilli, and herbs was appetising, and we polished this off quickly.

Dessert Platter 4/5

The Dessert Platter ($19) is the easiest way to try an assortment of their dessert offerings. Each platter comprises mini portions of Crème Brûlée, Lava Cake, Panna Cotta and Tiramisù.

The highlights for us were the Lava Cake and Crème Brûlée. The former had the perfect cook and was not too sweet. We wished the caramelised layer on the Crème Brûlée could be thinner, but we enjoyed the smooth and fragrant custard.

Overall, our dinner at Acqua e Farina was a fantastic experience put together by the quality food and servers who go the extra mile to provide a comfortable environment for diners.

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.


Acqua e Farina
The Rail Mll
400 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 678050
Tel: +65 69708191
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Boeuf @ Telok Ayer Street - 2Hr All You Can Eat Free Flow Argentinian Ribeye On Weekends

Boeuf, located in the Central Business District, is a new steakhouse that offers a variety of aged prime ribs as well as steak with varying marbling scores and beef sourced from around the globe without breaking the bank.

Bone Marrow 4/5

We started with the Bone Marrow ($18/$30) with toasted bread, perfect for mopping up the creamy, rich-tasting bone marrow.

Wagyu Tartare 4/5

Next is the Wagyu Tartare ($28). The portion is generous. Using 400+ days grass-fed Australia Wagyu MB5, the raw beef tossed with capers, shallot, and gherkins is packed with lovely flavours. I am told the chef added mayonnaise, giving it a delightful creamy texture.

Board Minnie 4/5

The Board Minnie ($48) is great for sharing and comes with two kinds of cheese, bresaola and veal rillette. You can also create your own board at $13 each per selection.

Signature Dry Aged Prime Rib Bone-In 4.5/5

The highlight has to be their Signature Dry Aged Prime Rib Bone-In ($18/100g). It comes bone-in, with a minimum of 1kg of charcoal-grilled beefy goodness. Customers get to pick their own dry-aged option, grilled over charcoal on a lava stone, giving it a good char and infused with a smoky aroma. It is then popped into the oven to lock in the juiciness. There are four different accompanying sauces - Steak Butter ($5), Pepper ($5), Mushroom ($6) and Blue Cheese ($6).

Potato Gratin 4.5/5

Kenya Bean 3.5/5

Hand Cut Fries 4/5

We had some sides to go with the beautiful charcoal-grilled prime ribs. Out of the six items available on the sides menu, we picked the Potato Gratin ($12), Kenya Bean ($9) and Hand Cut Fries ($9). Out of the three sides, the Potato Gratin stood out. The layered potato slices baked in cream and cheese were deliciously flavoured with herbs adding a subtle earthy taste profile. The kenya bean and hand-cut fries were comforting dishes that complemented the steak and frites dining experience.

Argentinian Ribeye 4/5

Beef lovers will rejoice that Boeuf has a 2-Hour Eat All You Can Free-Flow Argentinian Ribeye promotion for only $48++ on weekends. However, despite free flow, the restaurant did not shy away from offering quality cuts.

Choco De Coco 4/5

After all the meats, it is good to end the meal on a sweet note. Chocolate lovers will revel in the Choco De Coco ($13) served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. There is even chestnut in the dark chocolate dessert.

Creme Brulee 4/5

The Cream Brulee ($13) was soft and creamy with a crackling caramelised sugar on top. The contrast provides a wonderful textural experience for a satisfying sweet ending.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Boeuf
159 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068614
Tel: +65 69701255
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Telok Ayer Street. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Turn left and walk down Telok Ayer Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

The Orchard Cafe @ The Orchard Hotel Singapore - Chargrill Steak & Seafood Buffet With 50% off 2nd Diner Till 30 April 2023

If you are a fan of seafood and grill, The Orchard Cafe's new Chargrill Steak & Seafood Buffet is one to look out for. From now till 30 April 2023, enjoy 50% off for the 2nd diner.

Original Pricing
Lunch - $74/pax on weekdays, $84/pax on weekends
Dinner - $84/pax on weekdays, $98/pax on weekends
Do note that the menu differs for lunch and dinner.

The buffet offers an array of dishes, ranging from the popular Assorted Seafood on Ice and live stations to a selection of grills, hot and cold desserts, and more.

Seafood on Ice

I always start off buffets at the fresh seafood and sashimi corner. The fresh Seafood on Ice assortment includes red prawns, cherry clams, gong-gong, half-shell scallops, mussels and crabs. They were decently fresh, and our favourite was the prawns.

Cold Cuts & Artisan Cheese

At the Cold Cuts & Artisan Cheese stations, there were mortadella, beef bresaola, coppa ham and a seasonal cheese selection.

Marinated Appetisers

We liked how the different Marinated Appetisers were served in small portions for convenience. It also ensures you get a good mix of all the ingredients. The appetisers include Apple Wood Smoked Duck with Mango, Crab Salad and Spanish Potato Salad.

Chinese Roasts

For Chinese Roasts, there was Roast Duck, Hainanese Chicken, Roast Pork and Char Siu Pork.

Noodles

I enjoyed the Signature Laksa quite a lot. The base was rich with a good kick of spice.

Charcoal Grill

The Charcoal Grill station was the most popular station of the night. The eye-catching selection includes Baked Oysters, Australian Beef Steak, Spanish Grilled Pork Belly, Otak-Otak Sausage of the Day and more.

Each diner is also entitled to half a grilled lobster, limited to dinner only.

Local, Chinese, Indian & Malay Cuisine

In other cooked selections, you will find dishes such as Carrot Cake, Indian Spiced Chicken, Roasted Vegetables, Naan Bread, Mutton Curry, etc.

Hot Dessert

If you have a sweet tooth, the huge dessert selection will be very exciting! We started with the rich Praline Chocolate Pudding, which was my dining companion's favourite dessert of the night. Other Hot Desserts include Apple and Raisin Crumble, Bread and Butter Pudding and Nutella Cannoli.

Assorted Nonya Kueh

The Assorted Nonya Kueh towers had Angku Kueh, Kueh Salat, Kueh Talam and Kueh Lapis.

Cold Dessert

There were shooter glasses, eclairs, various tarts and cakes for Cold Desserts. We enjoyed the Signature Mango Cake the most.

Do make a reservation before heading down. You can do so by calling 6739 6565, emailing orchardcafe.ohs@millienniumhotels.com or visiting https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/offers/asia/orchard-hotel-singapore/dining/orchard-cafe/seafood-and-grill-extravaganza/#/.

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 Orchard Cafe
Lobby
442 Orchard Road
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 67396565
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 2.30pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Angullia Park. Cross the road to Royal Thai Embassy. Turn left and continue down Orchard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Sol & Ora @ The Outpost Hotel, Sentosa - A Latin-Mediterranean Restaurant Perched On The Rooftop Of The Hotel

Riding on the success of Sol & Luna at CapitaSpring, 1-Group opens Sol & Ora on the rooftop of The Outpost Hotel on Sentosa, bringing the allure of the Mediterranean Sea and its unique coastal culture to the shore of Singapore. It is an all-day, all-occasion gastronomic destination set on the coast.

Brioche 'Parker' Roll 4.2/5

While waiting for our mains, we started with the Brioche 'Parker' Roll ($8). A soft, fluffy bread roll paired with black olive tapenade and French butter.

Sicilian Green Olives 4/5

Falafel 4/5

Padron Peppers 4/5

The Petite Meze ($22) comprises an array of antipasto from Greece, Spain and Italy. Diners can look forward to a platter of Whipped Taramasalata, Padron Peppers, Falafel, Tzatziki, Sicilian Green Olives, and Rosemary & Sea Salt Feuille De Brick.

Greek 'Saganaki' Cheese 4.2/5

The cheese may look like a slice of pizza, but it's Greek 'Saganaki' Cheese ($23). The Kefalotyri cheese is pan-fried and drizzled with honey. Squeeze the accompanying lemon slice to zest up the enjoyment.

La Bomba 4/5

A tapas originating from Barcelona, the La Bomba ($18) comes in a ball-shaped Spanish-style breaded potato with minced chicken seasoned with Baharat, paired with housemade mayonnaise and spicy tomato puree.

Cavatelli Pasta 4.2/5

Cavatelli Pasta ($28) is also known as little hollows due to the hollow shape of the pasta shells. It is a popular pasta throughout Southern Italy. I like the shape of the past, acting as a reservoir for the delicious sauce for maximum enjoyment. It is cooked with caramelised red onions, squid, crab, Amalfi lemon zest, chopped spinach, and chopped anchovies to complement the delightful pasta's texture.

Imam Bayildi 4/5

If you are okay with mushy texture, you will enjoy the Imam Bayildi ($18). The eggplant flesh is removed and cooked with tomato, coriander seeds, and cinnamon before refilling it back into the cavity. It is then oven bath in wine, tomatoes, and bay leaves before scorching over wood fire. It is then topped with crumbled Persian feta cheese and rocket leaves.

Seared Red Norwegian Salmon 4/5

Moving to the mains, we started with the Seared Red Norwegian Salmon ($32). The salmon is perfectly cooked to a moist, slight pink in the middle and crispy on the skin. It is paired with grilled fennel and Trapanese pesto and finished with lemon zest and shavings of bottarga.

Wood-fired Wagyu Bavette 4.2/5

Beef lovers will enjoy the Wood-fired Wagyu Bavette ($44). The Australian wagyu flank infused with smokiness is tender and juicy, paired with truffle sauce. It is served with marinated and semi-dried cherry tomatoes on the vine to cut the richness.

Sardinian Porcetto 4.2/5

Great for sharing is the Sardinian Porcetto ($78). The Spanish suckling pig is brined and steamed for 24 hours and then air-dried overnight. The result is flavourful succulent meat with crackling skin. It is served together with apple and pear sauce, accompanied by charred lemon and burnt Romaine lettuce.

Churros 3.5/5

For dessert, we had the Spanish Churros ($16), fried upon order and then dusted with cinnamon sugar and toasted pecan nuts. It is best enjoyed together with the chocolate dip.

Greek Bougatsa 4/5

As for the Greek Bougatsa ($14), the filo pastry is filled with custard cream, baked and then dusted with icing sugar and served with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sol & Ora
The Outpost Hotel
10 Artillery Avenue
Level 7
Singapore 099951
Tel: +65 88798765
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast
Daily: 7am - 1030am
Lunch
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 230pm
Weekend Brunch
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 230pm
High Tea
Thu-Sun: 3pm - 430pm
Dinner
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Exit station to Vivocity Shopping Mall. Go to Sentosa Express Station at Level 3 of Vivocity. Take Sentosa Express Train to Imbiah station. Alight at Imbiah station and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]