Wildseed Café @ Botanic Gardens - Newest Wildseed Café Outlet with Nett Prices and Pet-Friendly Seatings

Wildseed Café’s newest outlet, the fourth, has opened amidst lush greenery within the beautiful Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The menu continues to feature its signature favourites, while introducing outlet-exclusive items with a health and wellness focus, along with thoughtfully curated picnic baskets for guests to bring into the gardens to enjoy. Prices are nett, and the outdoor seating area is pet-friendly.

Acai Fruit Bowl 3.8/5

The Acai Fruit Bowl ($18) is one of the outlet exclusives, featuring a refreshing acai sorbet base that’s not overly sweet, topped with an assortment of fresh fruits and honey granola.

Atas Kaya Toast 3.8/5

For a local breakfast fix, there is the Atas Kaya Toast ($11). Soft sourdough is slathered with kaya and butter, paired with grated coconut and a sous vide egg for a slightly elevated twist.

Eggs Benny Croissant Toast 4/5

The Breakfast menu is available from 8am to 11am on weekdays, and 8am to 3pm on weekends and Public Holidays. We enjoyed the Eggs Benny Croissant Toast ($20), available with smoked salmon or streaky bacon. While our sous vide eggs were a touch overcooked, the toast was crisp and paired well with a creamy, well-seasoned hollandaise sauce.

Soft Shell Chilli Crab Linguine 4/5

Local flavours retake centre stage in the Soft Shell Chilli Crab Linguine ($28), which was spicier than expected. The sweet-spicy balance was well executed, without leaning overly tomato-heavy like many versions. The dish comes topped with a fried soft shell crab and crab meat tossed through the pasta. It’s best to share this as the flavours can get heavy. Gluten-free spaghetti is available upon request for all pasta dishes.

Kelong Prawn & Scallop Pizza 4.2/5

A favourite among my dining companions was the chef-recommended Kelong Prawn & Scallop Pizza ($32). The thin yet chewy crust held together a harmonious mix of savoury-sweet prawns, scallops, mozzarella, pesto and cherry tomatoes.

Har Cheong Chicken Burger 4/5

While the chicken leg in our Har Cheong Chicken Burger ($32) was slightly over-fried, the marination was spot on, with tender meat beneath the crisp exterior. Sandwiched between sesame brioche buns with an onion ring, kale and Roma tomatoes, it comes with curly fries and a punchy sambal mayonnaise that ties everything together.

Cakes are available daily from 8am to 5pm, making desserts an all-day affair. Options include the Black Sesame Petite Cake ($13) and Cocoa Petite Cake ($13).

The beverage list is extensive, ranging from classic teas and coffees to cocktails, fresh juices, wines and spirits. We opted for mocktails such as the Bird of Paradise ($15), a blend of lychee, cranberry and lime, and the Summer Berries ($15), featuring raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant and lemon.

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.


Wildseed Café at The Garage
Singapore Botanic Gardens
50 Cluny Park Road, Level 1
Singapore 257488
Tel: +65 9815 3213
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Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (DT, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to Cluny Park Road. Turn left onto Cluny Park Road and continue walking down the road. At Cluny Park Gate, walk in and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Zhup Zhup @ MacPherson Road - New Premium Upgrade Jumbo Series

Prawn noodle lovers would likely be familiar with Zhup Zhup at Macpherson, formerly known as One Prawn & Co. Led by Chef Gwyneth Ang, who brings a wealth of experience from several acclaimed restaurants, the eatery has built a name for itself with its robust, prawn-rich broth.

We have had Zhup Zhup a couple of times before. They've now introduced a new premium upgrade - the Jumbo Series, which features tiger prawns in place of the usual prawns. These larger, meatier crustaceans lend an extra layer of natural sweetness to the broth, complemented by upsized portions. To complement their new offerings, they've also launched a drinks menu featuring house-brewed teas and sodas.

' The coffee shop setting can get rather warm and humid on sunny days, but the heat doesn’t seem to deter the steady stream of diners eager for a bowl of their signature prawn noodles.

Five Fortune Jumbo Prawn 4.5/5

We started with the Five Fortune Jumbo Prawn ($30), which arrived bubbling hot in a claypot straight off the stove, a thoughtful touch that kept the broth warm throughout.

The soup was intensely sweet, packed with the essence of the prawns. It features tiger prawns, pork ribs, lala clams, shabu pork slices, and tobiko prawn balls.

For the noodles, diners can select from yellow noodles, thick beehoon, thin beehoon, or kway teow. We opted for a mix of yellow noodles and thick beehoon, tossed in their house-made sambal, lard, and shallot oil. We appreciated how the chilli here wasn’t that intense, which balanced out with the soup.

If you prefer a specific pairing of toppings, other combinations are also available, such as Jumbo Prawn & Prawn Ball ($26), Jumbo Prawn & Lala ($26), or All Jumbo Prawn ($26).

Jumbo Prawn Paofan 4.2/5

Next, we tried the Jumbo Prawn Paofan ($42), a portion generous enough for two. Tiger prawns and lala infused the rice broth with deep seafood flavours, topped with crispy fried egg floss for texture. Personally, I found the prawn noodle broth more balanced, as this paofan leaned extremely rich. If you are a fan of stronger flavours, this would be up your alley.

There’s also a single-portion Seafood Paofan ($18) available, though that version uses regular prawns.

The last signature dish you might want to try is the Jumbo Prawn Hokkien Mee ($38), also designed to feed up to two. A smaller portion of Seafood Paofan for one pax is also available, at $18, but this version uses the normal-sized prawns instead.

Har Cheong Gai 4.2/5

For sides, the Har Cheong Gai ($11) is well worth a try. The mid-joint wings were well marinated, fried to a satisfying crunch, and juicy within.

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.


Zhup Zhup
458 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368176
Tel:
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Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line), Mattar (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mattar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Merpati Road to Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Jalan Anggerek. Walk to the end of Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mintues. [Map]

One Prawn & Co @ Macpherson - Robust Prawn Noodles, Seafood Paofan and Hokkien Mee Served in Sizzling Claypots, Recognised by Michelin Bib Gourmand

One Prawn & Co started as a hawker stall in Golden Mile Food Centre. It has steadily grown to be recognised by Michelin Bib Gourmand for its signature Prawn Noodles and owning its own modern coffeeshop space along Macpherson Road.

Previously only available in the daytime, the eatery has finally now made the decision to offer their signature dishes in the evenings as well, from 11am to 9pm daily, apart from Mondays. This comes after consistent requests from their regular diners.

Their star Prawn Noodles use a painstakingly prepared broth that goes through non-stop boiling of prawn heads and pork bones for over 20 hours. You can imagine how thick and robust that would be!

Their other seasonal dishes, such as the Claypot Hokkien Mee and Seafood Paofan, are also made permanent on their menu.

Lobster Paofan 4.8/5

Fit for 2, the Lobster Paofan ($40) was served up bubbling hot with a sizable lobster. The lobster meat was thoughtfully deshelled and added to the rice for convenience. The broth base here used the same as their Prawn Noodles and was utterly flavourful and rich, yet not overwhelming. The rice was cooked well, paired with crispy rice and fried egg floss.

For a smaller and more affordable portion, diners can opt for the Scallop Paofan at $10.

Claypot Hokkien Mee 4.5/5

The Claypot Hokkien Mee ($14) has its ingredients stir-fried before marrying with the robust prawn broth. Both the prawns and clams were fresh and sweet.

It looked very saucy at first, but the claypot heat allowed the sauce to be soaked up perfectly, with each strand of noodle coated with the fragrant pork lard-laden mix.

Har Cheong Gai 4.5/5

I always enjoy Har Cheong Gai ($2.50/piece), and One Prawn & Co does an excellent rendition - crunchy skin, juicy meat and not greasy.

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.


One Prawn & Co
458 MacPherson Road
Singapore 368176
Tel: +65 98788897
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Nearest MRT: Mattar (DT Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Macpherson Road. Turn right at Macpherson road. Walk down Macpherson Road to the stretch of shop houses. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Mattar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Merpati Road to Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Jalan Anggerek. Walk to the end of Jalan Anggerek. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mintues. [Map]

The Venus @ South Bridge Road - New French Restaurant With An Asian-Inspired Twist Opens In Chinatown

Nestled within the heart of Chinatown, the new French restaurant, The Venus, offers contemporary French cuisine with a hint of Asian flavours. Inspired by the Greek Goddess Venus, the setting was elegant and refined, with marbled tables, plush teal-coloured seats lining the gorgeous space, and high booth seats made for intimate seating corners. The restaurant also offers affordable set menus and ala carte dishes. So if you're looking for date places that won't break the bank, The Venus has just the thing.

We tried their daily 3-course set lunch, priced at $38++.

Har Cheong Gai 3.8/5

To start off the menu, we had the appetiser of Har Cheong Gai, the familiar favourite prawn paste chicken but elevated with goji jam, caviar and calamansi. Unfortunately, while we enjoyed the crispy and succulent chicken pieces, they lacked the shrimp paste flavour.

Signature Angel Hair 4/5

The Signature Angel Hair is available at a supplement of $5. It has a strong truffle scent, served with ikura, Kaviari caviar and tobiko. The angel hair pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente texture, with little pops of ikura and tobiko adding a nice briny sweetness to the dish.

Fragrance Oil Confit Duck Leg 4.2/5

Available at a supplement of $5, the Fragrance Oil Confit Duck Leg is served with crushed potatoes, split jus, and pan-roasted vegetables. The confit duck leg has a nice crispy skin, with superbly tender and juicy meat underneath.

Black Angus Beef Ribeye 4.2/5

The Black Angus Beef Ribeye served with watercress, Padron peppers, and five-spice mustard jus was also excellent. The medium rare meat was incredibly tender with hints of the smoky marinade and black pepper.

Profiteroles 4.2/5

We ended the course meal on a sweet note with a choice of desserts. The Profiteroles are filled with milk oolong cream and Chantilly cream. We enjoyed the crisp, crumbly texture of the puff pastry, and the cream, which has a fragrant hint of oolong milk and vanilla, was delicious.

Mandarin Peel Madeleines 4/5

The Mandarin Peel Madeleines are served with passion orange marmalade, adding a sharp zestiness to the soft and fluffy madeleines.

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.


The Venus
198 South Bridge Rd
Singapore 058747
Tel: +65 81838181
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to traffic junction Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk down South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk straight down South Bright Road towards Upper Cross Street. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant @ Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy - All New A La Carte & Dim Sum Menu In Support Of Local Produce

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant, located at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, introduces new a la carte and dim sum items to support our local produce and reduce the reliance on food imports. Chinese Executive Chef Victor Lee has curated a mouth-watering menu sourcing vegetables and fish from the local farms, incorporating them into the revamped menu.

Wok-fried Daikon Cake with XO Sauce 4.5/5

A must-try is the Wok-fried Daikon Cake ($10) from the dim sum menu with XO sauce. Coated in umami XO sauce, the wok-fried daikon is crispy on the exterior and soft inside. Topped with shredded egg and beansprouts, they give the daikon cake a lift in flavour and texture.

Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow 4.2/5

Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop 3.8/5

Giving the classic Har Gow and Rice Roll a modern take is the Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow ($7.80 for 3pc) and Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop ($8.80). The Har Gow was plump with crunchy prawns. As for the rice roll, I find the scallop stuffing an unusual choice as the ingredient itself is rather bland in taste. Thanks to delicious soy sauce that lifted the flavour profile.

Crispy Local Soft Shell Crab with Ice Plant 4/5

Moving to the a la carte menu, we started with the Crispy Local Soft Shell with Ice Plant ($22 per serving). A refreshing combination of crispy soft shell crab paired with crunchy ice plant. The whole enjoyment is brightened with the addition of ume infused tomato and yuzu dressing.

Curly Kale Soup 4/5

I am not a fan of kale, but that does not deter me from finishing the Curly Kale Soup ($20 per serving) cooked with braised crab meat and beancurd. It doesn't have the earthy Kale taste, which I dislike. Instead, it felt more like having a bowl of chicken soup with the braised crab meat and beancurd giving it a substantial mouthfeel.

Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes for the night is the Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider ($28) drizzled with yuzu dressing, giving it a tangy kick. A crispy and tender chicken fillet is sandwiched between a soft and fluffy bun. I enjoy the textural combination of soft, fluffy, tender and crisp, all coming together in a delicious bite.

Wok-fried Celtuce Stem 4.5/5

It is my first time trying celtuce stem, and I was surprised by how much I like it. The Wok-fried Celtuce Stem ($24) cooked in Szechuan dried chilli has a delectable sweetness and a delightful crunchy texture.

Crispy Egg Noodle 4.2/5

Regulars can still look forward to perennial favourites and signature dishes on the menu. One of them is the Crispy Egg Noodle ($26) in chicken broth gravy. It even comes with fresh seafood such as prawns and fish slices.

Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding 4.8/5

Wrapping up our dinner is the Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding ($15 per serving) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pudding made from fresh coconut water is light and refreshing. It is just a perfect dessert to end the night. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
50 East Coast Road
Level 2
Singapore 428769
Tel: +65 63405678
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Paya Lebar (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 31. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Paya Lebar Road (Stop ID 81111). Take bus number 43, 76, 134 or 135. Alight 8 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]