Cafe Quenino @ Artyzen Singapore - Celebrating SG60 with Local Flavours and a Nostalgic Kaya Collaboration

In celebration of Singapore's 60th birthday, Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore launches The Heart of SG60, a six-month culinary campaign running from May to October 2025. This gastronomic journey pays tribute to local flavours, people, and stories that define Singapore's culinary identity. Each month features guest collaborations, heritage partners, and menus that showcase Singapore's diverse food culture in a uniquely local light.

For June, Café Quenino partners with the iconic Chin Mee Chin, the beloved East Coast confectionery celebrating its 100th anniversary. For the first time, Chin Mee Chin's famed kaya is now available beyond its flagship store, thanks to this exclusive, year-long collaboration.

A must-try from the bar is the Kaya Toastini ($26), part of the campaign's Spirit of Singapore cocktail programme curated by Senior Mixologist Sathya. Served in a nostalgic kopi cup with a slice of kaya butter toast (made with kaya from Chin Mee Chin), the cocktail blends Roberto Cavalli vodka, coffee liqueur, and kopi, striking a balance between bold, bittersweet, and creamy flavours. It's a playful yet nostalgic drink that bridges the heritage of traditional mixology with modern techniques. It is a true crowd-pleaser.

Ora King Salmon Sashimi 4/5

The meal begins with Ora King Salmon Sashimi, delicately paired with chilli and black bean, which give a punchy umami lift to the buttery salmon. A squeeze of calamansi brightens the flavours even more. It was light, refreshing, and appetising.

Heirloom Tomato Salad 3.5/5

Next is the Heirloom Tomato Salad, a simple yet flavourful medley of sweet heirloom tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil, and shallots, finished with a black vinegar dressing. Clean and vibrant, this dish is a palate refresher with just the right acidity to balance the richness of the main courses.

Ayam Percik 4/5

The Ayam Percik features tender chicken cooked in aromatic percik sauce paired with vibrant capsicum salsa and coconut basmati rice. The rice was a standout. It was fragrant and fluffy, garnering praise from diners. The percik sauce could be more robust and spicy to match the full-bodied profile it typically carries. A side of sambal or chilli dip would round out the dish nicely.

Hainanese Beef Brisket 4/5

To end on a sweet note, the Kaya Mille-feuille is a nostalgic dessert that layers Chin Mee Chin's kaya, mango lychee, and coconut ice cream between crispy pastry. It evoked fond memories of childhood, reminiscent of kaya spread on cream crackers. It is a clever reinterpretation that respects tradition while adding new textures and flavours.

Kaya Mille-feuille 4.2/5

Café Quenino's "The Heart of SG60" series is more than just a dining experience. It's a celebration of memory, identity, and evolution. With Chin Mee Chin's heritage kaya now given a broader platform and new creative expressions, the campaign promises many more heartfelt stories and flavours in the months to come.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cafe Quenino
Artyzen Singapore
9 Cuscaden Road
Level 1
Singapore 249719
Tel: +65 6371 6020
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Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard (TE Line), Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 12 midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard Boulevard MRT Station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Cuscaden Road. Turn right onto Cuscaden Road. Walk down Cuscaden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit 11. Walk down Orchard Boulevard towards Four Seasons Hotel. Take the walk path beside Four Seasons Hotel to Cuscaden Road. Walk to the junction of Cuscaden Road and turn left onto Cuscaden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Hayop @ Amoy Street - Offshoot of Manila's Favourite Filipino Restaurant Manam

Hayop is the latest addition to Singapore’s dining scene, an offshoot of Manila’s beloved Manam, bringing a modern twist to classic Filipino cuisine. Situated in a lively part of town, Hayop is all about showcasing the vibrant flavours of the Philippines while offering diners a glimpse of the country’s famous hospitality.

Ensaladang Hayop 4/5

We kicked off the meal with the Ensaladang Hayop ($14), a refreshing and vibrant salad that sets the tone for the meal. Winged beans and green mango are the stars of the dish, tossed in a salted egg yolk vinaigrette and garnished with red radish, house-pickled watermelon rind, and salted egg white crumble. The crunch from the winged beans, the tangy bite of the green mango, and the savoury vinaigrette all come together beautifully. It’s light but packed with flavour, a great way to awaken the palate.

Lumpia 3.8/5

Next up, we tried the Lumpia ($14/2pc), which, at first glance, reminded me more of a taco than what is known in the Philippines as spring rolls because it has Chinese origins introduced by Hokkien immigrants who made their way to the Philippines during the pre-colonial period. This fresh version of Lumpia is made with roasted heirloom baby carrots, soy-braised jackfruit, pickled jicama, minced garlic, and crushed peanuts, all wrapped in house-made mung bean crepes. The jackfruit's earthiness and the vegetables' crunch give it a unique texture and flavour.

Manam's Crispy Palabok 4/5

We then moved on to the Crispy Palabok ($26). This dish takes the traditional Filipino noodle dish Palabok and adds a creative twist. Here, crispy glass noodles replace the usual soft rice noodles, topped with charred baby cuttlefish, tiger prawns, chicharron, tinapa flakes (smoked fish), crispy garlic, and spring onion. As the shrimp and annatto sauce are poured over the crispy noodles, they soften and soak up the rich, savoury flavours. It turns into a slurping goodness, with the sauce harmonising everything together.

Manam's House Crispy Sisig 4.5/5

One of my favourites of the evening was Manam's House Crispy Sisig ($22). Sisig is a quintessential Filipino dish, and Hayop's version doesn't disappoint. This crispy and sizzling version is made from pork jowl and cheek and is packed with flavour, elevated by fried garlic, red chilli, and spring onions. The contrast of textures from the crispy pork and the softness of the other components made every bite a joy. This is one dish I'll be returning for.

Kamatis 4.2/5

The Kamatis ($6) was a light and zesty salad made from fresh heirloom tomatoes tossed in calamansi vinaigrette with crispy silverfish. It was a simple dish showcasing the tomatoes' natural sweetness with a hint of tang from the vinaigrette. The crispy silverfish adds a bit of saltiness and crunch to round out the flavours.

Adobong Dilaw 4/5

Next, we had the Adobong Dilaw ($36), a unique take on adobo, which is often regarded as the national dish of the Philippines. This version features tender Duroc pork belly braised in turmeric and coconut vinegar sauce, accompanied by roasted bone marrow and garlic confit puffs. The turmeric added a warm, earthy note to the rich adobo sauce, while the roasted bone marrow provided an indulgent, creamy texture. This dish was a flavourful and creative interpretation of a Filipino classic.

Manam's Wagyu & Watermelon Sinigang 4.2/5

One of the most intriguing dishes of the night was Manam's Wagyu & Watermelon Sinigang ($56). This tangy tamarind-based soup typically uses pork, but Hayop's version substitutes it with grass-fed NZ Wagyu short rib, adding a luxurious twist. The charred watermelon was an unexpected but delightful addition, lending a subtle sweetness that complemented the broth's tartness. It's a unique spin on sinigang that brings depth and complexity to this comforting dish.

Buko Pie 4/5

For dessert, we had the Buko Pie ($14), a Filipino twist on the American apple pie. Instead of apples, the pie is filled with sweet, creamy coconut (buko) and topped with buttery crumble, whipped coconut cream, parmesan, and cheddar cheese. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours worked surprisingly well, with the cheese adding an interesting contrast to the rich coconut filling. It was a satisfying way to end the meal.

Halo-halo 4.2/5

Finally, we had the iconic Filipino dessert, Halo-halo ($18), which translates to "mix-mix." Hayop's version of this shaved ice treat combines milk, leche flan, ube halaya (purple yam jam), candied beans, and jelly, all topped with a scoop of ube sorbetes (purple yam ice cream). The flavours and textures were a delightful mix, though it reminded me slightly of Singapore's ice kachang. It's a vibrant and refreshing dessert, perfect for a warm day.

Hayop successfully brings a taste of modern Filipino cuisine to Singapore, blending tradition with creativity. While some dishes are more experimental, they remain rooted in the rich heritage of Filipino flavours. The Crispy Sisig and Wagyu & Watermelon Sinigang were the highlights for me, showcasing the boldness and inventiveness of the menu. Whether you're familiar with Filipino food or a newcomer, Hayop is definitely worth a visit.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hayop
104 Amoy Street
Singapore 069924
Tel: +65 8028 9012
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 5pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun, Mon)

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

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]