Baristart Coffee Singapore @ Wisma Atria - Hokkaido Cafe’s 3rd New Outlet in Town with Popular Hokkaido Cream Puffs, Coffee and Japanese Western Food

Good news to those who work in town, as Baristart Coffee welcomes its newest outlet at Wisma Atria, located within the OCBC branch on the fourth floor. It may be tricky to find as the third outlet is nestled within the bank's largest integrated lifestyle and banking branch with a fun retail space featuring books and selected lifestyle brands.

The brand is most known for its use of the creamy Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk, and it features it across several items on the menu, such as its beverages, cream puffs, and soft serves.

Baristart Latte

If it is your first visit here and you’re thinking of grabbing coffee, go for their smooth and aromatic Baristart Latte ($6.70). It's available both hot and iced, and you can top up a dollar for add-on flavours of caramel, vanilla or honey.

Mixed Berries Yoghurt Smoothie

The Mixed Berries Yoghurt Smoothie ($8.50) is one of the beverages under the non-caffeine list. However, it was a little too icy and muted than I was hoping for in its yoghurt flavour.

Hokkaido Tontoro 3.8/5

The Hokkaido Toronto ($17.80) features a light garden salad mix with tangy-sweet raspberry pommery dressing, yuzu ponzu radish sauce, and slices of Hokkaido Snow Pork Jowl. Although the dressing was appetising, the dish was pretty average and pricey.

Hokkaido Zangi 4.2/5

Drizzle lemon juice over the Hokkaido Zangi ($14.80) for that extra freshness to the crunchy bites. These well-marinated Hokkaido-style fried chicken chunks make an excellent sharing choice.

Wafu Pasta 4.2/5

We sampled a couple of main dishes, the first being a classic Japanese fusion dish, the Wafu Pasta ($19.80). While it was a touch oily, the spaghetti was well coated in an umami butter and dashi sauce mix with a slight kick of spice and studded with several toppings - prawns, bacon strips, asparagus and nori.

Obihiro Butadon 4/5

The Japanese rice-based Obihiro Butdaon ($19.80) is served with grilled pork belly dressed in a homemade teriyaki sweet sauce. A bowl of Shiro Miso soup also accompanies it.

Tonkatsu 4/5

The Tonkatsu ($18.80) is one of the three sandos on the menu. A thick, deep-fried Hokkaido pork loin patty is sandwiched between two soft and crustless white breads. It's finished with cabbage, mustard butter and sweet tonkatsu sauce, which gives a delightful mix of sweet, savoury and tangy notes. It's best to enjoy this while it's still hot.

Hokkaido Cream Puff 4.8/5

We definitely couldn't leave Baristart without having one of their well-loved Hokkaido Cream Puffs ($7). Baristart's rendition is one of my favourites. It is always generously piped with its signature BIEI Jersey Milk custard cream, so rich and luscious, paired with the irresistible crunchy crust.

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.


Baristart Coffee Singapore
Wisma Atria
#04-01
435 Orchard Road
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 9836 9113
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

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

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

Sweet Potato Fries 3.5/5

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

Wagyu Bolognese 4.5/5

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

Melbourne Breakfast Avocado, Poached Egg 4.2/5

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

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Waffle 4.2/5

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

Strawberry Waffle 4.2/5

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

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


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

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 9pm

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

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

88 Pocha @ Holland Village - Korean Street Food In A Vibrant Pojangmacha-style Eatery

Newly joining the variety of dining options in Holland Village is 88 Pocha, brought in by a South Korean chef who has been living long-term in Singapore. Chef hopes to introduce the Korean Pojangmacha (covered wagon) culture and recreate the taste of his favourite Korean street food. The eatery is vibrantly styled with bright blue and red plastic dining furniture and has K-pop tunes playing through the space.

The menu is interestingly categorised into A, B, C, D and E, alongside canned drinks, alcoholic options and desserts. Each category is priced in tiers, ranging from $8.88 to $28.88. We tried a couple of dishes across the categories.

Gimmari 3.5/5

We started with the Gimmari ($8.88), which came in a portion of 4 pieces. Gimmari is fried seaweed rolls with a filling of glass noodles. Albeit crunchy, we found them too pricey for the size.

Sausage Gimbap 3.5/5

Rolled in seaweed with rice, sausage and cheese filling, the Sausage Gimbap ($11.88) had a pleasant mild aroma of sesame oil.

Corn Cheese Ramyeon 3.5/5

Their Corn Cheese Ramyeon ($11.88) reminded us a lot of the instant Samyang Volcano Noodles, with a milder heat. The noodles are tossed in the spice and topped with kernels, cheese, seaweed strips and sesame seeds. It wasn't too surprising in terms of taste, and we wished there was more to it at this price tag.

Kimchi Pancake 4/5

Despite being a little oily, the Kimchi Pancake ($15.88) impressed me with its taste. The pancake was done nicely thin with a good crisp all around. Their rendition has less batter, with more kimchi and melted cheese laid on top.

Half Fried Chicken 4.2/5

The Half Fried Chicken ($15.88) was done surprisingly well. Served with a side of sweet chilli sauce, each piece of fried chicken was fried to a spot-on crunch while retaining juicy meat within.

Oden Soup 4/5

Lastly, we had the Oden Soup ($18.88). We appreciated how the Korean fish cake soup was served in a kettle over a gas stove that kept it hot throughout our meal. We wished they were a bit more generous with the comforting soup. We enjoyed the intentional slight heat in the soup and the sticks of soft Korean fish cakes.

Beverages

For drinks, we opted for the canned drinks of Haitai Pear Juice ($3.88) and Milkis ($3.88). If you are interested in alcoholic beverages, you can expect a selection of Suntory highball creations, bottled beers, classic makgeolli and soju.

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.


88 Pocha
26A Lor Mambong
Singapore 277685
Tel: +65 62359950
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput and turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]

Nakiryu @ Plaza Singapura - One Star Michelin Ramen Restaurant From Tokyo Famous For Their Tan Tan Men Opens In Singapore

Another Michelin-starred ramen restaurant from Tokyo has landed on our shore. Nakiryu, famed for its Tan Tan Men has been awarded One Michelin Star since 2017 for seven years in a row. I have yet to try Nakiryu in Otsuka, Tokyo; hence I am excited to check out the place.

Tan Tan Men 3.8/5

We started with the famous Tan Tan Men ($15.90), known for its sesame-based broth that differs from the usual Japanese ramen. It comes with a hint of spiciness from the chilli oil. The slurping goodness is topped with minced pork. It is definitely very different from the usual ramen we have been eating in Singapore. I am not sure whether it was a bad day for the kitchen, as the broth was a bit salty for me to appreciate the delicious broth.

Shoyu Ramen 3.5/5

For a lighter option and something more familiar to Singapore is the Shoyu Ramen ($14.90). The broth is a concoction of a few blends of soya sauces. I don't usually have shoyu ramen, but I thought it should be richer in taste.

Hot & Sour Soup Ramen 3.5/5

If you are looking for something piquant, then the Hot & Sour Soup Ramen ($15.90) would be your preference. Similar to the Tan Tan Men, it comes with minced pork. However, I was expecting something more robust for the broth.

Prawn Wonton Cha Shu Shio Ramen 4/5

Surprisingly my favourite of the four different soup bases is the shio ramen. I had the Prawn Wonton Cha Shu Shio Ramen ($18.90). It felt like having a bowl of Hong Kong style wonton noodles with the clear and sweet soup, served with plump and juicy wontons.

Yodare Dori 3/5

Besides the ramen, there are a number of side dishes to accompany the ramen to make it a complete meal. A delectable choice is the Yodare Dori ($5.90), whereby tender steamed chicken is paired with a spicy sauce and sesame. It is similar to the Chinese Kou Shui Ji.

Prawn Wonton Spicy Garlic Sauce 3.5/5

The Prawn Wonton Spicy Garlic Sauce ($8.90) is another Sichuan similar dish on the menu which Singaporeans will enjoy. However, it made me puzzle why a ramen restaurant has it on the menu. I wonder if it is offered in Japan or only in Singapore to cater for the locals.

Fried Chicken 4.2/5

Deep-fried to perfection is the Fried Chicken ($7.90). The juicy and chunky chicken pieces are coated with crispy rice puffs for extra textural enjoyment.

Teba Gyoza 4/5

I always thought stuffed chicken wings were a Thai thing, but now I know even the Japanese has this dish on the menu as Teba Gyoza ($8.90). Crispy on the outside, the inside is stuffed with pork-based gyoza filling. It is achieved by replacing the dumpling skin with chicken skin.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Nakiryu
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#02-35
Singapore 238839
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes [Map]

Brotzeit @ Westgate - Everyday's A Fest This Oktoberfest At Brotzeit

For this Oktoberfest, Brotzeit outlets at Raffles City, VivoCity, Westgate and Katong have put together a collection of scrumptious festival dishes and specially imported limited-edition Erdinger Oktoberfest beer from Germany to celebrate the annual event from 31 August to 24 October 2022.

Brotzeit has also organised Party Days across its outlets, held over brunch and evening sessions.
Brotzeit Katong: Sunday, 9 October, 11am - 3pm
Brotzeit Westgate: Sunday, 23 October, 11am - 3pm (Closing Party)
Brotzeit Vivocity: Sunday, 23 October, 6pm - 12midnight (Closing Party)

Munchner Weisswurst 4.8/5

Not to be missed is the Munchenr Weisswurst ($15), better known as the white sausage. The traditional Bavarian sausage is made from minced veal and pork, flavoured with parsley, lemon, onion, ginger and spices. By the way, unlike other sausages, weisswurst is never consumed with its skin on. The most popular way to enjoy this sausage is by cutting it lengthwise, folding it open in the middle and "rolling" the meat out to the side with a knife.

Pretzel 4.5/5

Traditionally, weisswurst is eaten with pretzels and sweet mustard. Hence, how not to order some Pretzels ($17) to go along with the weisswurst.

Brotzeit Oktoberfestplatte 4.2/5

Great for sharing is the new Brotzeit Oktoberfestplatte ($145). The festive platter is filled with goodies and great for four to six persons who can tuck into the Signature Pork Knuckle, Nürnberger Stadtwurst, Thüringer Sausages, Fried Chicken and Meatloaf. Complete and enjoy the platter with a 3L Erdinger Oktoberfest beer in a barrel for $228++, only available for dine-in.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Brotzeit
Westgate
3 Gateway Drive
#01-04
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 64659874
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Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Shang Palace @ Shangri-La Hotel Singapore - New Chef At The Helm With A Revitalised Menu Comprising His Signature Creations

Shang Palace, the one Michelin-starred restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, welcomes new Executive Chinese Chef Daniel Cheung from Hong Kong. With 37 years in top-level Cantonese cooking, Chef Daniel Cheng combines traditional Cantonese cuisine with contemporary creativity. His latest stint was at Shang Palace Kowloon, another Michelin-starred restaurant within the group, with bags of experience working at Spring Moon and The Jockey Club..

We are given a glimpse of the new menu, starting with a quad of small bites. We had Chilled Fresh Abalone marinated with Japanese Sake, Chilled Tomato with Plum, Barbecued Pork Pastry and Scallop Siew Mai on the plate.

Applewood Smoked Beancurd Rolls 4.5/5

With Chef Daniel on the helm, he also brought some of his signature dishes from Hong Kong and introduced them to the new menu. One of them is the Apple Smoked Beancurd Rolls ($18) stuffed with Shitake Mushroom, Carrot and Green Mustard. Meticulously wrapped together, the vegetarian dish is packed with delightful textural enjoyment infused with applewood aroma.

Fried Rice with Kagoshima Wagyu Beef served in Whole Tomato 4.8/5

A favourite of his signature dishes is the Fried Rice with Kagoshima Wagyu served in Whole Tomato ($28). A whole tomato is used as a bowl for the fragrant fried rice. The chef advised us to have the fried rice together with the tomato. The highlight and what holds the dish together for a lovely finish is the sweet and vinegary sauce.

Steamed Spotted Garoupa fillet in Egg White Sauce 4/5

Another of Chef Daniel's signature dishes is the Steamed Spotted Garoupa fillet in Egg White Sauce ($48) topped with crispy parma ham. It is a light and hearty dish with a drinkable egg white sauce that comprises broccoli and carrot in superior broth.

Cantonese Style Crispy Chicken served with Spicy Salt 4.2/5

The Cantonese Style Crispy Chicken served with Spicy Salt is another dish on the signature menu. The air-dried chicken is slow cooked in lukewarm oil for 25-40 minutes, drip-dry and then bathed in very hot oil to achieve the crispy skin.

Baked Live Prawns with Garlic and Sarawak White Pepper 4.5/5

Another highlight of Chef Daniel's signature dishes is the Baked Live Prawns with Garlic and Sarawak White Pepper ($58). Chef Daniel used to make this in Hong Kong and brought it to Singapore with a little tweak to localise it by using local prawns and Sarawak peppercorn.

Boneless Quail filled with Bird's Nest in Superior Broth 4.5/5

A time-honoured dish on Shang Palace's menu is the Boneless Quail filled with Bird's Nest in Superior Broth ($98). Traditionally it used to be stuffed with shark's fin but now is replaced with bird's nest. I enjoyed this version, as the bird's nest give it an extra crunch.

Stewed Shrimp Pomelo Peel 3.5/5

The Stewed Shrimp Pomelo Peel ($28) is an uncommon nostalgic dish. I never knew we could eat pomelo peel. It is cooked to a soft spongy texture. It tasted bland on its own, lifted by the shrimp roe sauce, which is very delicious.

Double-boiled Snow Pear with Peach Resin, Mandarin Peel and Chuanbei 4.2/5

Wrapping up our dinner is the Double-boiled Snow Pear with Peach Resin, Mandarin Peel and Chuanbei. A light and refreshing dessert after all the richly flavoured dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shang Palace
Shangri-La Hotel
22 Orange Grove Road
Lobby Level
Singapore 258350
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Nearest MRT: Orchard Road (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1000pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1000pm

Direction: 
Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. At Orchard Parade Hotel traffic junction, cross the road. Walk towards Orchard Hotel. Continue walking on Orange Grove Road until destination. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]