The English House By Marco Pierre White @ Mohamed Sultan Road - Launches New Weekend Breakfast Menu With Comfort Classical English Fare

An elegant colonial-style restaurant nestled along Mohammad Sultan Road, The English House by Marco Pierre White adjoins two beautiful restored shophouses and serves up traditional English fare. Helmed by British celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, the English House is his first restaurant in Asia. Who you may ask is Marco Pierre White? The first and youngest British chef to be awarded Three Michelin Stars at age 32. He has also trained famous chefs such as Mario Batali and Gordon Ramsay.

The restaurant may be easily missed due to the surrounding lush foliage and lack of signage - we initially mistook it for a private residence. Head up the flight of stairs past the greenery, and step into the 19th-century building - you'd feel like you've entered another dimension back in time. The gorgeous space is decked in a colonial English chic and local-inspired touches, furnished with round marble-top tables and wooden chairs, while knick-knacks and antiques from England fill up the corners. The spacious restaurant can accommodate up to 150 diners and consists of three main dining sections with a private room.

Classic Eggs Benedict 4.2/5

One of their popular breakfast dishes is the Classic Eggs Benedict ($20) with perfectly oozy golden egg yolk, slathered in a rich hollandaise sauce atop Wiltshire ham. It turned out to be my favourite too.

Traditional Full English Breakfast 4/5

The English House has done their version of the iconic English breakfast well with the Traditional Full English Breakfast ($25). The hearty dish features breakfast essentials of a sunny-side-up, crispy toast, sausages, mushroom, bacon, a juicy tomato and fluffy crumpet. With each component executed excellently, it is perfect for if you desire a satisfying plate of comfort food on a lazy weekend morning.

Crushed Avocado with Coriander on Toast 4/5

The Crushed Avocado with Coriander on Toast ($18) features a generous portion of creamy avocado which pairs perfectly with the oozy golden yolk. A well-executed yet straightforward dish, it is a must-order if you’re a great fan of avocado.

The recently launched Weekend Breakfast Menu is available from 8.30am - 2pm on Saturdays, and 8.30am - 11am on Sundays.

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 English House by Marco Pierre White
28 Mohamed Sultan Rd
Singapore 238972
Facebook
Website
Tel: +65 65454055/ 90213170
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530 - 11pm
Sat: 830am - 11am, 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm
Sun: 830am - 11am, 1130am - 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

Directions: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down River Valley Road to Mohammed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohammed Sultan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Urbana Rooftop Bar @ Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena - Launches New Chillax Weekend Breakfast With A Panoramic Scenery

Nestled within level 33 of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena is Urbana - one of the city's newest rooftop bar in an open-air setting framed by an infinity pool. Launching its new Chillax Weekend Breakfast menu available every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm, diners can sit back, relax and enjoy lazy, lengthy breakfast fares at this highest rooftop bar in the Novena district which offers panoramic views of the cityscapes.

Duck Confit & Waffle 4.2/5

All the breakfast specials on the new epicurean menu are prepared a la minute in the outlet's open kitchen. The first dish we had was the Duck Confit & Waffle ($18). Crispy, fluffy waffles, tender duck confit beneath crispy skin, and sealed off with white bean cassoulet and apple slaw which adds a nice crunch to the dish. Reintepreted from the classic Southern dish with duck confit, this rendition sees a perfect marriage of French elements to a traditional American dish.

Pandan Nasi Lemak Omelet 3.8/5

The Pandan Nasi Lemak Omelet ($16) comes in a generous portion of pandan flavoured nasi lemak rice wrapped in a huge thin omelet, coated with chilli just below the omelet skin to give the dish a sharp kick of spice. The tender beef brisket rendang has a nice spice aroma to it, which provides a richer flavour to the nasi lemak rice. Paired with pickled cucumber and belinjo crackers on the side to give a crunchy texture to the dish.

Urbana's Late Breakfast 4/5, Classic Egg Benedicts 4/5

The Urbana's Late Breakfast ($22) and the Classic Egg Benedict ($18) are classic breakfast dishes which is no stranger to the breakfast aficionados. The breakfast platter comes in hearty portions of pork/chicken/beef sausage, streaky bacon, homemade hash browns, herb tomatoes , waffles, sous vide egg and hollandaise sauce which is sure to satisfy all your breakfast cravings. As for the Classic Egg Benedict, no reinvention is needed and all the elements are well-executed - with poached eggs served atop ham slices on English muffins, complemented with a generous drizzle of Hollandaise sauce. Slice the eggs to reveal the oozy golden yolk, which just binds all the elements together.

Truffle Grilled Cheese 4.2/5

The Truffle Grilled Cheese ($18) hits all the right spots with tomato, avocado, cheddar, emmental and truffle brie sandwiched in between grilled sourdough bread. The melty gooey cheese flaunts a perfect combination with the crispy toasted sourdough, and with its flavours further enhanced by the strong truffle fragrance from the truffle brie.

Eggs Your Choice 4/5

The dish comes with an Eggs of your choice (we opted for scrambled eggs), on soft fluffy slabs of French toasts and crispy streaky bacon. Drizzle the maple syrup all over which adds a nice sweetness to the savoury dish.

Pork Belly 4.2/5

A special seasonal item which was off the regular menu and only available from time to time, the Pork Belly features juicy tender meat with an enjoyable crackling crisp exterior.

Complementing the Chillax Weekend Breakfast are gourmet dessert choices of liquor laced desserts of sliced cakes, jar cakes and slab cakes such as the Bailey Tiramisu, Black Forest, Pina Colada, Jar Cakes, Kirsch Cherry Brownie, Urbana Cognac Cheese Tart, Brandy Toffee Nuts Tart, Orchard Pick Normandine Tart, and more, priced from $7++ to $8++. As a special treat, for any main course ordered, all coffees are at $1 only.

All the desserts are handmade from scratch by in-house chef. Some of my favourites are the Choc Fudge ($8++), and Bailey Tiramisu ($8++). The soft layers of coffee-dipped savoiardi biscuits, creamy filling and chocolate just come together seamlessly, with a strong bailey flavour infused within the tiramisu.

Sip on cocktails from the beverage menu as you enjoy a lazy brunch afternoon at Urbana, such as the Tequila Sunrise, made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup and served unmixed in a tall glass.

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.


Urbana Rooftop Bar
Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena
99 Irrawaddy Road
Level 33
Singapore 329568
Tel: +65 63782060
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sat-Sun: 11am - 4pm, 5pm - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Eggs 'n Things @ Plaza Singapura - Usher In The Lunar New Year With Limited Edition Festive Specials

Making its debut outside of Haiwaii and Japan, Eggs 'n Things launches its flagship outlet at Plaza Singapura early last year. For this Lunar New Year, they have collaborated with Bee Cheng Hiang to roll out a series of delectable limited edition festive specials.

Bee Cheng Hiang Bak Kwa Garlic Fried Rice 4/5

The first dish we had was the Bee Cheng Hiang Bak Kwa Garlic Fried Rice ($15.88) which comes in a plate of fragrant roasted garlic fried rice, mixed with generous bits of eggs and Bee Cheng Hiang bak kwa, before being topped with a sunny side up. Though I felt that the dish lacked the smoky wok hei, the copious amounts of egg and sweet bak kwa complemented the garlicky fried rice well.

Eggs Benedict with Crackling Roasted Pork Belly 3.5/5

The Eggs Benedict with Crackling Roasted Pork Belly ($18.88) comes with a twist, substituting the usual brunch ingredient with roasted pork belly. Perfectly poached eggs with their oozy molten cores, drenched in a creamy tangy mustard hollandaise sauce, my only gripe was the pork belly which was crispy yet tougher to chew with a slightly rubbery center. The tater tots cooked to a perfect crisp was a welcoming side.

Azuki Mochi Pancakes with White Chocolate Ganache 3.8/5

End the meal on a sweet note with the Azuki Mochi Pancakes with White Chocolate Ganache ($18.88) which features Eggs 'n Things signature pancakes with fresh chewy mochi. Extremely soft and fluffy, the crunchy nuts added to the pancakes contributed a nice textural contrast to the dish. It comes doused in a sweet white chocolate ganache before being topped with delicately sweet red beans and mandarin-shaped red bean paste mochi. However, it might get overwhelming after a while, so the dish is best shared among friends.

Honey Mint Grapefruit Green Tea 4/5

The Honey Mint Grapefruit Green Tea ($6.88) is a refreshing and sweet green tea blend of tropical citrus, herbs and natural honey.

These limited edition specials are available from 26 Jan – 28 Feb 2019, from Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm). Prices listed above are exclusive of GST and service charge.

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.


Eggs n’ Things
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#03-79/83
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 68359988
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 10am - 10pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Halcyon & Crane @ Paragon - A New Cafe In The Heart Of Orchard Road

The legend Halcyon (kingfisher) from the Greek mythology and Crane from the Chinese have flown into Paragon with the opening of Halcyon & Crane, a cafe and bar concept where modern European cuisine is given a touch of Sichuan flavours, offering all day dining at the heart of Orchard Road. The cafe is opened by the same folk behind Birds of A Feather.

Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte 3.5/5

If you are not into cocktails, Halcyon & Crane offers some fancy coffee selection on the menu. I went for the Orange Yuzu Passionfruit Coffee Cubes Latte ($14) which is an interesting combination. You pour the jar of orange juice into the glass of coffee ice cubes.You get the sweetness of the orange juice followed by the bitterness of the caffeine at the end.  It sounds weird but the end product is quite tasty. Come to think of it, we usually have both coffee and orange juice for breakfast, why not combine the two together?

Cured Sausage Shakshuka 4/5

At Halcyon & Crane, the kitchen as given the shakshuka a modern and Asian twist with their version of Cured Sausage Shakshuka ($22). The baked egg in tomato sauce is paired with Sichuan spicy cured sausage, mushroom, corn, white beans and cheese. The clever use of the spicy and mala cured sausage lends the heat to the dish, which is similar to the original recipe of cayenne pepper. This is best enjoyed together with the toasted beetroot bread.

King's Chicken Hash Benedict 3/5

If you are bored with egg benedict with hollandnaise sauce, Halcyon & Crane offers a good change with the King's Chicken Hash Benedict ($21). 64-degree eggs rested on top of English muffin and blanket with cheddar cheese. The twist is the use of gong bao chicken replacing the hollandnaise sauce, giving it an Asian touch. The crispy leeks on top of the leek provide a enjoyable crunchy touch. Unfortunately I find the gong bao sauce and cheddar cheese did not quite work for me.

Ham & Cheesy Crepes 4/5

If you love your ham & cheese, I find the Ham & Cheesy Crepes ($19) here is a much elevated version. The crepe is actually quite thick in texture, more like a wrap, holding ingredients such as forest ham, cured sausage, lettuce and cheesy scrambled egg. The magic that brings everything together is the dou ban mayonnaise sauce, giving it a hint of spiciness among all the different flavours.

Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad 3/5

For something light and healthy, one can go for the Smoked Tuna Tataki Salad ($21). The salad is tossed in a tantalising spicy red oil vinaigrette and citrus dressing. This is paired with the clean tasting smoked tuna and quinoa salsa.

Australia Black Angus Beef Carpaccio 4.2/5

Another delightful dish I enjoyed is the Australia Black Angus Beef Carpaccio ($23). The slices of flavoursome beef is topped with wild chilli vinaigrette, pickled daikon, white quinoa salad and scallion & Sichuan pepper dressing. I would recommend having the beef carpaccio together with a bit of the salad to keep that spicy kick from the salad dressing, for a complete enjoyment of the dish.

Beetroot & Seafood Risotto 3/5

The Beetroot & Seafood Risotto ($32) may look pretty in its stunning pink colour presentation, I did quite enjoy it. Topped with seafood such as clams, prawns, squid and quail egg, I find the texture of the pearl rice too mushy.

Seafood & Spicy Sour Capellini 4.5/5

Most of the dishes I tried so far comes with some form of spiciness. Hence if you can't take spicy, then I would recommend the Seafood & Spicy Sour Capellini ($25). Don't be mislead by the description. First it is not spicy, second it is not capellini but bee hoon. The bee hoon soup in its light broth with a hint of tanginess is very appetising. In the bowl of noodle soup, you can find ingredients such as mussels, clams, prawns, squid, leek and pickled long beans.

Marinated Baby Octopus Salad 4.5/5

The Marinated Baby Octopus Salad ($20) supposed to be a salad item but I thought its more like a xiao cai  which goes really well with the earlier dish, Seafood & Spicy Sour Capellini. What I like most is the pickled and smoked pepper and egglant, it just opens up appetite. 

Baby Chicken Roulade 3/5

Using spring chicken, the meat for the Baby Chicken Roulade ($32) is marinated with honey fish sauce, five-spice powder and Sichuan pepper. It is then cooked to a delectable tender texture, paired with creamy pomme puree. Unfortunately the dish pale in comparison to the other dishes I tried.

Speciality Beef & Tomato Braised Rice 4.5/5

A not to be missed dish is the Speciality Beef & Tomato Braised Rice ($28). The mixed grains consists of pearl rice, brown rice, pearly barley and kamut doused in a rich tomato based beef stew. It is very flavourful and comforting. Somewhat like an angmo version of mui fan. It is topped with a sous vide egg and buffalo mozzarella, stir them into the braised rice for a creamy finish.

Molten Matcha Lava 3/5

Last but not least, we ended our dinner with the Molten Match Lava ($16) for dessert. I thought lava cake was passe, I was hoping for something more exciting.

While some of the dishes didn't quite meet my expectation, I still applaud the European-meets-Sichuan philosophy, it spices up the usual cafe-style dining. I would recommend the Beef Carpaccio, Seafood & Spicy Sour Capellini, Marinated Baby Octopus Salad and Speciality Beef & Tomato Braised Rice.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Halcyon & Crane
Paragon
290 Orchard Road
#03-09
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 97275121
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Proceed to the road level. Walk down Orchard Road until the junction of Orchard Road and Orchard Link. Cross the road and walk to Paragon. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Proceed to the road level. Turn left on Orchard Road and walk down Orchard Road until junction of Orchard Road and Orchard Link. Cross the Road and walk to Paragon. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

My Melody Cafe @ Suntec City Mall - Pink Theme, Pink Food, Pink Strawberry Garden In A City

source: My Melody Cafe Singapore

When the world can seem to be a little harsh on us at times, that is when we need a place to reconnect within our untainted soul. Thematic cafes, somehow provide that respite. My Melody Cafe at Suntec City embodies the warmth, innocence of My Melody, as well as the serenity of a Strawberry garden. Walking in may just set your dormant childlike spirit alive with all the pink and fluff. The Strawberry-centric design naturally relates well to desserts but mains are offered here as well.

Princess Bunny 3/5

The Princess Bunny ($18.90) is a Japanese Curry Rice made with beetroot tinted My Melody shaped rice. I find this a kid-friendly dish as the curry is mild (but still quite addictive), with easy-to-eat chicken karaage, brussels sprouts, mushrooms and diced carrots.

Hola Taco 3/5

I was surprised to find Hola Taco ($25) using good quality bulgogi beef as I was half expecting corn beef to be used, as experienced elsewhere. Wrapped in crunchy taco shell, the beef was tender and juicy, bind together to the shell by melted cheese.

Treasures of Maryland 3/5

Strawberries plays a huge part in most of the dishes, especially in the desserts. Tuck into a bowl of Treasures of Maryland ($19.50) in which a gigantic brioche toast is served as a pot of treasures of strawberries, vanilla soft serve, strawberry sticks and specially embossed macarons.

Play Time Fondue 2.8/5

If you really have a very very sweet tooth, then Play Time Fondue ($22.50), which features a Yan Yan -like creamy pink chocolate fondue will be a fun dessert to try.

A couple of brunch like items such as Little Pink Riding Hood ($23.90), Smoked Salmon Egg Benedict and Pancake Bliss ($23) are available too.

My Melody is just going to be around for a few months, do visit her when you can!

Photos and words 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.


My Melody Cafe
Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-361
Singapore 038983
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 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]