The Alley Luxe @ Cineleisure - The Alley's First Ever Premium Lifestyle Concept With Signature Beverages And European Baked Pastries

This May, The Alley makes its mark in Singapore with the launch of its first-ever premium concept - The Alley Luxe at its first flagship store at Cineleisure. This premium lifestyle cafe concept will showcase The Alley's finest collection of beverages, as well as an array of exquisite European baked pastries such as croissants, cruffins and kouign-amann. Customers get to enjoy the scenic view of Orchard Road as they indulge in The Alley's signature beverages and mouth-watering baked pastries. The Alley’s flagship store will open on the 18th of May 2019, at Orchard Cineleisure Level 2.

Brown Sugar Deerioca Fresh Milk 4.2/5, Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca Fresh Milk 4.5/5

Renowned for its signature Brown Sugar Deerioca series, The Alley continues to amaze with soft, chewy pearls meticulously brewed for over 4 hours with their all-natural brown sugar, and complete with Japanese grade fresh milk for the perfect brown sugar fresh milk experience. Go for their Brown Sugar Deerioca Fresh Milk ($5.30) or Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca Fresh Milk ($6.30) which boasts a robust bittersweet matcha flavour. Remember to suck on the brown sugar pearls at the bottom of the cup first to experience that warm, rich caramelised soft pearls before mixing the cold milk together with the warm brown sugar pearls for a satisfying cup.

Royal No. 9 Milk Tea 4/5

Garden Milk Tea 4/5

The milk tea series, Garden Milk Tea ($5.30) and Royal No. 9 Milk Tea ($4.30) boasts a rich assam tea aroma with a roasted, milky flavour, and complete with soft, chewy pearls. The Garden Milk Tea comes with an additional blanket of oreo crumbs atop and mint leaves, resembling a 'garden', which also adds some crunchy texture to the drink as well.

Snow Strawberry Lulu 4/5

The all-new Lulu series features a concoction of fresh fruits and tea, finished off with a dollop of snow velvet cream that will surely delight all fruit tea with its refreshing and fragrant taste. The Snow Strawberry Lulu ($6.30) is light with a well-balanced tangy-sweetness from the freshly brewed white peach oolong tea and fresh strawberries added to form a perfect blend of flavours.

Snow Velvet Peach Oolong Tea 4.2/5

For something light and refreshing, go for their Snow Velvet Peach Oolong Tea ($5.80) which features oolong tea freshly brewed from the oolong tea leaves upon order and tops with a creamy snow velvet cap. Twist the cap to sip on the foam and use a straw for drinking the tea separately, and you get to enjoy the natural taste of the tea.

Aurora Series: Northern Lights 4.2/5

An eye-catching bottle of ice blended drink - the Aurora series: Northern Lights ($8.80) features a wonder infusion of tea and fresh fruits which includes apple vinegar, grapes and butterfly blue pea to form a beautiful gradient of colours. Not just instagrammable, it scores on the taste as well!

The Alley Luxe also introduces a new lineup of European baked pastries such as the Almond Croissant, Sausage and Cheese Croissant, Cruffins (salted caramel, lemon meringue, kaya and chocolate flavours) and Kouign-Amann. The cruffins are a croissant-muffin hybrid and boast flaky external layers, fluffy insides and slightly sweet yet flavourful centres.

Having opened its very first outlet in 2013, The Alley has come a remarkable way with more than 300 outlets around the world today, in places like Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, Mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan etc. The Alley commits to create only the finest beverages and uphold an extremely high standard in its choice of ingredients, placing great attention in quality, from the hand harvesting of tea plants to the choice of ingredients and ratios. As a leading trendsetter of artisanal tea, the brand continues to make waves in the international food and beverage scene with its signature beverages that everyone loves.

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.


The Alley Luxe
Cineleisure Orchard
8 Grange Road
#02-06A/B
Singapore 239695
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily 12pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Grange Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tiong Bahru Bakery @ Eng Hoon Street - The All New Afternoon Three Sum

Everyone has probably heard of Tiong Bahru Bakery, which currently has 3 outlets in Singapore and even opening a 4th outlet at Chip Bee Gardens soon. They open from 8am-8pm across all outlets selling things from savoury breads to desserts and tarts.

Afternoon Three Sum 4.5/5

The new Afternoon Three Sum is a combination of 3 dim sum baskets, one consists of Tiong Bahru Bakery Favourites while the other two are French and Singaporean Desserts. In the first basket, there is a Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwich that is surprisingly the tastiest out of them all despite being a typical sandwich we all know about. There are also a Smoked Salmon Bun and Pulled Pork Sandwich that are both really unique.

Next, the middle basket features tarts that are sold on shelves in Tiong Bahru Bakery. I fall in love with the Zesty Lemon Curd, which had a really good balance of sweet and sour, making it really easy on the palette. Next is the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Tart which has a different texture compared to the Lemon Tart. The chocolate tart is more crumbly and there is a smooth layer of chocolate filling in the tart.

In the bottom tier, there are desserts representing Singaporean flavours like the Coconut Cheesecake, Pandan Tartelette and Blue Pea & Yuzu serine Panna Cotta. The coconut cheesecake was a winner for me. I am so tempted to order the whole cheesecake for myself. It was soft and creamy, with coconut flavours sneaking in here and there in a mouthful. The base of the cheesecake is crunchy and fragrant. Everything components of the cheesecake just comes together perfectly.

Pulled Pork Bun 4.5/5

Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant 4/5

If you're looking for something heavier, you can give their bread choices a try like the Pulled Pork Bun ($9) or the Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant ($8.50). Their croissants are made every 2 hours, ensuring freshness.

Tiramisu 4/5

Another dessert that you should really try was their Tiramisu ($9). The alcohol taste in this tiramisu wasn't strong and they added those little chocolate crunch balls for extra texture.

The Afternoon Three Sum is available from 3pm to 5pm daily, so do give it a try! You can get the best of both worlds. The Afternoon Three Sum is priced at $25 at its Eng Hoon Street and Tangs Orchard outlets and $23.40 at its Raffles City Shopping Centre outlet.

Photos and words by Vanessa Chia. A girl who has a passion for taking photos. Determined to always get better at what I am doing. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 62203430
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram (EW Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 8pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Head east on Tiong Bahru Road towards Jalan Membina. Walk down Tiong Bahru and turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk to end of Lim Liak Street and turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus no. 33, 63, 75, 851 or 970. Alight 1 stop later at Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road. Continue on Tiong Bahru Road and turn left onto Seng Poh Road. Continue on Seng Poh Road until destination. Journey time 8 minutes. [Map]

L'Espresso @ Goodwood Park Hotel - The 'Chocolate Divine' English Afternoon Tea

source: Goodwood Park Hotel

Well known for its elegant English Afternoon Tea buffet that has garnered loyal fans, L'Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel presents the 'Chocolate Divine' English Afternoon Tea from 9 March to 8 April 2018, where chocoholic guests can look forward to an enhanced selection of irresistible chocolate highlights with four specially crafted savoury chocolate creations for this occasion, apart from its already dazzling assortment of dainty sandwiches, salads, traditional English scones, savouries and pastries.

The sweets section will be adorned with specially-created pastries that encompass white, milk and dark chocolate varieties, with delectable chocolate pralines and macarons.

The mouthwatering cake selection includes the Ivory Chocolate Brownies; Bitter Chocolate Mousse Delight; Tiramisu with Chocolate Flakes; Chocolate Marble Cheese Cake; Chocolate Hazelnut Crunchy Cake; White Chocolate Green Tea Cake; Jivara Earl Grey Raspberry Cake, and Double Chocolate Mud Cake.

Always up for a fun challenge, the chefs have created two Italian-style breadsticks with the much-loved ingredient – Chocolate and Sea Salt Grissini and Chocolate and Japanese Spicy Shichimi Grissini.

Apart from the sweets selection, there is also a wide variety of savouries such as the cold delicatessen section, soup of the day, as well as hot savouries of the simmering Braised Pork with Chorizo and Lentils in Hot Pot with Brioche, which makes for a comfort dish.

The croissants are freshly made, with 2 flavours to choose from: Spicy Tuna with Cucumber, and Ham and Egg Salad with Peppery Maple Corn.

Guests will be spoilt for choice with L’Espresso’s ever-popular finger sandwiches and tantalising fillings. Flavours include the Breakfast Omelette with Gruyere Cheese Cucumber and Cream Cheese; Egg and Tomato with Smoky Tomato Aioli; Slow Roasted Tomato Confit with Feta Cheese and Spinach; ‘Chicken Kiev’ Lemon Butter and Crispy Garlic; ‘Beef Wellington’ Parma Ham, Beef Pastrami and Portobello Confit.

Their selection of open-faced sandwiches is a must-have with the unique sweet-savoury combination in bite-size portions. Flavours include the Turkey Pinwheel with Cranberry, Candied Orange and Pistachios; Salchichón with Olives and Pommery Mustard; Crabmeat Tartlet with Feta and Watermelon; Shrimp Ceviche with Tomato Basil Cream; Brie Cheese with Cinnamon Apple and Raisin.

L’Espresso’s famous homemade scones are well-loved for their irresistible buttery fragrance as well as perfectly balanced texture. Plain, blueberry and raisin scones are available, along with assorted jams, clotted cream and butter.

Indulge in the roasts available such as the juicy Beer and Honey Roasted Chicken at the Roast section, with the tender succulent meat which is really enjoyable.

source: Goodwood Park Hotel

There are also fresh fruits to round off the Afternoon Tea, with a chocolate fountain to drench them in as well.

A cosy café by day and chic lounge by night, L’Espresso is the destination of choice for those who love Afternoon Tea or enjoy relaxing with cocktails in the evenings. Note: The 'Chocolate Divine' English Afternoon Tea is available for a limited time only from 9 March to 8 April 2018.

source: Goodwood Park Hotel

The buffet will be available at $48++ per adult, $24++ per child from Fridays to Sundays , eve of and on public holidays; and $45++ per adult and $22.50++ per child from Mondays to Thursdays. The price includes two servings of coffee and tea from a selection of premium coffee and TWG Tea.

If guests fancy some tipple to perk up their afternoon, they can choose to accompany their afternoon tea with a glass of champagne at S$68++ per adult from Fridays to Sundays, eve of and on public holidays, or S$65++ per adult from Mondays to Thursdays, or a free-flow of bubbly at $118++ per adult from Fridays to Sundays, eve of and on public holidays, and $115++ per adult from Mondays to Thursdays.

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.


L'Espresso
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301743
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

English Afternoon Tea:
Mon-Thu: 2pm - 530pm
Fri-Sun & PH: 12pm - 230pm, 3pm - 530pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Foxhole Cafe @ The Midtown Hougang – Cozy Hideout With Quality All-Day Brunch fare And Coffee From The Pourover Bar

Nestled within the Hougang residences at The Midtown, previously known as Hougang Plaza, The Foxhole Cafe occupies a double storey unit, greeting customers with the smell of coffee from the espresso bar and a dessert display counter filled with freshly baked goods on the first storey. Decor is kept simple for the main seating area tucked away on the second storey that can accommodate up to 30 people, with minimalistic furnishings, an eye-catching hand-painted galaxy unicorn mural on one side of the wall, and a huge floor-to-ceiling window that allows ample lighting into the space for those instagrammable shots.

In collaboration with The Pourover Bar, The Foxhole Cafe serves a selection of quality filtered coffees brewed to perfection with specialty beans from Melbourne, Australia. Known for its wide selection of internationally championed single origin Ninety Plus specialty coffee beans, there is little wonder why The Pourover Bar has garnered a loyal following since its establishment in 2016. Furthermore, The Foxhole Cafe has also expanded its menu over the year, from a limited selection of light bites and cakes, to a larger variety of more substantial mains, such as burgers, pastas and udon bowls. Now you can satisfy your caffeine fix with quality coffee, teas from The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., as well as a wider selection of delectable yet instagrammable food offerings all under one roof.

Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon 4/5

The Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon ($15.90) features a large croissant that boasts a flaky crispy exterior and buttery softer insides, with a generous serving of smoked salmon slices sandwiched in between, garnished with specks of black pepper that present a balance of saltiness and peppery taste. Slice into the egg benedict and let the creamy yellow soak up the rest of the ingredients, imparting a subtle sweetness to the dish and giving the fillings more textural contrast against the silky smoked salmon and flaky croissant.

Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips 4/5

The Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips ($15.90) comes in a huge beef patty, pineapple slice, melted cheese and lettuce sandwiched in between soft burger buns. The beef done medium rare, boasts a soft texture and is well seasoned with salt and pepper, while the addition of the pineapple slice imparts a burst of refreshing juiciness and sweetness to the burger. The side of truffle chips boasts a subtle hint of truffle, while contributing an additional crunch to the dish.

Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl 4.2/5

The Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl ($16.90) features a bowl of thick udon noodles done al dente, and a colourful array of different ingredients carefully arranged on top, comprising of sweet corn, carrots, mushrooms, tofu and green peas. The highlight of the dish - honey glazed garlic prawns boast a perfect sweet-savoury balance as you bite into those juicy prawns. Slice into the onsen egg and let the runny yellow coat the rest of the ingredients.

Yakult Lover 3.8/5

Relive your childhood dreams with the Yakult Lover ($6.90) which is the signature drink of the cafe that seems to have been created for the social media. It comes in an instagrammable upsized Yakult bottle filled with yakult flavoured soda and a small mason jar served on a wooden tray. Although the familiar taste of the probiotic yoghurt drink is a refreshingly unique combination with the soda, the fizzy bubbly taste of the latter might be too overwhelming at some points. The drink further eased to a more welcoming balance as the ice melted towards the ends.

The Foxhole Cafe is the perfect cozy spot to provide a calming respite and chill over pastries and good coffee while people watching through the tall windows overlooking the grass field outside. With an established fan base of coffee lovers for the quality coffee from The Pourover Bar and introduction of a wider variety of quality food pegged at affordable prices, it is a noteworthy place that continuously set expectations and is definitely one not to be missed, especially if you're staying near the Hougang area.

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.


Foxhole Cafe
The Midtown at Hougang
1189 Upper Serangoon Road
#01-18
Singapore 534785
Tel: +65 63855587
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Hougang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Sat: 9am - 10pm
Sun: 9am - 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Hougang MRT Station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Hougang Central road. Continue to block 805. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Ninja Cut @ Seah Street - Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary With Hawaiian Inspired Menu Additions

Opened a mere 5 months since the successful launch of sister outlet Ninja Bowl, Astronaut Group's second venture, Ninja Cut has made quite a name for itself over the year with an extensive, ever-changing menu of all-day brunch offerings, robust meats and fresh seafood dishes. As it hits its one year hallmark of operations, a whole new slew of Hawaiian inspired dishes are introduced in celebration of its one year anniversary, with ingredients thoughtfully sought out and put together to curate items infused with a taste of Polynesian food in America. Available for a limited time only, before they ninja away to a different themed menu inspired by another country all together.

Moana Love 4/5

The Moana Love ($18) allows diners to choose between salmon or tuna, and a choice of truffle yuzu or spicy lime cilantro sauce on a bed of green coral lettuce, mashed avocado, mixed with mango bits, cherry tomatoes and mixed nuts. I opted for the salmon with truffle yuzu sauce with an addition of quinoa rice. Gently poke the onsen egg and let the runny yellow coat the rest of the ingredients sitting below as you mix everything in. The addition of mango bits lends a subtle sweetness, while the mild truffle yuzu aroma further enhances the dish with a refreshing zesty twist. The Moana Love is a gorgeously presented dish featuring a medley of colours and flavours. An ideal and delicious option for the health-conscious. And besides, what’s a hawaiian menu without some poke?

Maui Dream 4.2/5

The Maui Dream ($22) comes in a generous serving of jumbo crab lumps with mentaiko sauce cream, cheese scrambled eggs with a very subtle kick of chilli spice, and tobiko served on a perfectly toasted croissant. Definitely an indulgent brunch fare pairing those soft and fluffy eggs and tender mentaiko crab lumps with a crispy buttery croissant.

Unagi Burger 4.5/5

Taking inspiration from the large number of Japanese residing in Hawaii, the Unagi Burger ($22) was created with an infusion of the japanese element. It features a large slab of char-grilled unagi in between brioche burger buns, with smashed avocado and an onsen egg. The unagi boasts an extremely soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture, flavorous with a smoky taste. It is an ingenious pairing with the soft and fluffy burger buns, which were buttered on the underside to add a subtle sweetness to the dish. The side of sweet potato fries were executed excellently as well, crispy with a distinct sweet potato flavour. All the Hawaiian inspired dishes served fared well but this Unagi Burger is hands down my favourite.

Happy Hula 4.2/5

End the meal on a sweet (and zesty) note with the Happy Hula ($19) which comes in a crispy buttery toasted croissant, topped with fresh mango, fresh coconut meat, passionfruit honey, a scoop of smooth and creamy coconut-pineapple ice cream, and sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes and almonds. A mix of mangoes, coconut, passionfruit and pineapple plays out a perfect balance of sweet and sourness, and creates a refreshingly unique combination that I really enjoyed.

Constantly innovating and crafting new dishes through experimentation on different ingredients to dish out unique combinations that actually work out, Ninja Cut continues to excite tastebuds and surprise customers from time to time with their creative ideas and brilliant executions. After its much lauded previous menu, Ninja Cut continues to raise its bar and set expectations several notches higher with each visit. I reckon their next inspired menu will fare even better, but these impressive Hawaiian inspired specials are definitely something not to be missed.

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.


Ninja Cut
32 Seah Street
Singapore 188388
Tel: +65 62647727
Facebook
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 930am - 730pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road. Cross the road, walk towards Raffles Hotel direction. Walk down North Bridge Road and turn right on to Seah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Buck Tile St. Cafe @ Faber Drive - A Humble Cafe In West Coast With Free Wifi

Buck Tile Street Cafe is hidden in the private estate of Faber Hills in West Coast area. The name of the cafe is an anagram derived from the word "bucket list". The humble cafe offers quite a range of items on the menu ranging from hot & cold beverages, waffles, cakes to brunch items.

Pokio Mid-Wings 4/5

Fried to a delectable crunchy and crispy exterior, the Pokio Mid-Wings ($9.90) is surprisingly quite yum. They are futhered dressed in a plum and zesty mango sauce for an elevated enjoyment.

Bacon and Ham Croissant 3.5/5

If its those day that you feel like having a sandwich, the cafe offers 3 different croissant on the. There are creamy egg mayo, bacon & ham and tuna. We decided to go for the Bacon & Ham Croissant ($11.90) for the best of both world. It even comes with either potato salad or fries on the side.

Long Jumbo Chicken Sausage & Bun 3.8/5

The Long Jumbo Chicken Sausage & Bun ($13.90) is pretty huge and filling. The chicken sausage is sandwiched in a toasted bun and garnished with ketchup, mustard & mayonnaise. It also comes with french fries and some cherry tomatoes.

The Marvolos Burger 3.5/5

If you feeling hungry, you may want to go for something more substantial in The Marvolos Burger ($14.90) with sweet potato truffle fries. It comes with a slab of cajun flavoured chicken and grilled pork bacon slices topped with sweet mango mayonnaise sauce.

Blue Velvet Waffle 2.8/5

One of their most instagram worthy photo is the Blue Velvet Waffle ($11.90). The buttery thick waffle comes with a scoop of ice cream of your choice. Drizzle the blue velvet white cocoa sauce onto the waffle for a great pouring shot. Unfortunately the great photo did not translate to taste. I would recommend the cafe tweaking their waffle recipe.

Although I have read negative reviews about the cakes and desserts from the cafe, the brunch items turned out quite decent and reasonable priced. The owner even welcome students to study at the cafe and even provide free wifi.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Buck Tile St. Cafe 
104 Faber Drive
Singapore 129412
Tel: +65 65667058
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clement (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu: 12pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 11pm
(Closed on Wed, Eve of PH and PH)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 154 or 201. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the overhead bridge. Walk along Ayer Rajah Expressway towards Faber Drive. Turn left onto Faber Drive. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Costa 269 @ Holland Village - Croffle (Croissant + Waffle)

Costa Singapore’s newest flagship store at Holland Village, has launched the brand’s first café style outlet with a hot kitchen, Costa269. That means your order will be made fresh on the spot and not simply grabbing off from the display shelf and pop into the oven or worse still microwave. Apart from offering the classic breakfast favourites, as a London coffeeshop, the menu also draws inspiration from the British's.

Like any other Costa outlets, the interior of their flagship store is just as stunning. Double storey high, the place is so much more conducive than its neighbouring one. Croissants seems to be the love of our century. Despite tasting just as delicious on its own, it was meld with donuts (Cronuts), before somebody decided to impregnated it with sinfully indulgent lava-ish fillings. This flaky, fluffy and buttery viennoiserie-pastry seems to behold infinite possibilities. Over here at Costa, croissants has once again stretched its boundaries and evolutionized into Croffle, the star of their brunch menu.

The Great Croffle Fry-Up ($17) embodies Costa’s British heritage - A sunny-side up egg sat atop the croffle, with side sautéed mushrooms and a beef sausage made from ground beef, tomatoes and onions. Though the croffle takes on a waffle persona, I like the fact that its crescent identity remains. I was surprised by the sound of that crispiness as I sunk my cutlery into the croffle, especially at the edges and where the grooves were. Sweet and buttery like croissant with flaky layers, but a relatively denser and chewier body of a waffle. For those who usually find croissant too airy too be satisfying, this could be perhaps the solution to that. Not a preserved meat person, the beef sausage was surprisingly likable, due to its meaty texture that has a rather balanced flavours of sweet and savouriness. Perhaps, I wasn't expecting much from a sausage from a chain café. Fans of fried chicken waffle, this should definitely be in your check list.

Other classic items such as Avocado on Toast ($11) and The Salmon & Scramble Bagel ($14) are healthy options to go for. I assume that avocado is a pretty pricey ingredient due to its perishable nature, hence seeing it on the menu was surprising. Although it seems to be a plain Jane compared to the others in the list, I like the elegance of it and the fact that I have started off my day, or even ended my day with such clean goodness. I would recommend adding sautéed mushrooms, which were just as good as any other served in bistros.

I'm not a fan of bagel as I find given its dense body, the ingredients that come with it are often too little to balance it, which is the case for theirs. The portion of the salmon and eggs need some beefing up.

You can also simply skip the typical savoury brunch and head straight to their Very Berry Croffle ($11). We had our served with an enormous scoop of salted caramel ice cream (you can also choose chocolate or vanilla), and topped with sliced strawberries and blueberries dusted with icing sugar. The croffle remains quite crispy under the icy cold ice cream, unlike waffles which tend to become soggy after a while. The combination of the ice cream, berries and the flaky, buttery croffle was quite divine. It would have surpassed my expectations more if it is served with a berry-based sauce rather than a ordinary maple syrup. Afterall, it is called very Berry, and especially when they have a hot kitchen to do it.

Compared to their ready-made items, this brunch menu is definitely many times more enticing. I thought the hot kitchen is slightly under utilised with their current range, before I got to know that the outlet will soon be introducing new items like craft beers and a grill-led menu. As a testbed for their future stores and given the location which they have chosen, the success of this concept will definitely positioned them a level higher than its competitors.

Written 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.

Costa 269
Holland Village
269 Holland Avenue
Singapore 278990
Tel: +65 68014538
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]