Showing posts with label Hot Chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hot Chocolate. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Tiong Bahru Bakery @ JEM - Well-loved Tiong Bahru Bakery Opens First Branch in the West

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Tiong Bahru Bakery (TBB) has been steadily growing and expanding since its founding in Tiong Bahru. Recently, they opened their 17th outlet and are making their debut in the West by spreading a new branch in JEM at Jurong East.

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The warmly decorated 60-seater space is conveniently located next to the mall's taxi stand and is a short walk from Jurong East MRT station. It operates from 7.30am to 10pm daily, making it fit for a drop-in any time of the day - whether you are looking for an early breakfast, a hearty brunch, or a dessert spot after dinner.

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It continues offering its classic bakes, pastries and desserts alongside freshly brewed coffee, tea and juices to complete the meal.

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Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant 4.5/5

We quickly demolished the savoury Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant ($12.60). The flaky croissant was filled with rocket leaves, earthy sautéed mushrooms, onions and generously portioned brie. I particularly appreciated how the base of the croissant remained delightfully crisp.

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Tartine Set 4.2/5

The Tartine Set is a returning favourite, and fans would be happy to hear that this is now officially available at all outlets. Comprising slices of TBB's signature sourdough served with Le Beurre Bordier butter, La Trinquelinette jam, and a beverage of choice. It makes for the perfect choice as a substantial snack or light meal.

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Chocolate Kouign Amann 4/5

Apart from the original Kouign Amann ($5.50), check out the Chocolate Kouign Amann ($6.70) studded with bits of chocolate within the swirls.

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Quiche Lorraine with Salad 3.8/5

We tried another item from the savoury menu, the Quiche Lorraine with Salad ($13.70). I appreciated how the palm-sized quiche was nicely served warm, but I didn't find it as value for money compared to the other items. The taste was average, and the quiche was eggy, with bits of bacon within.

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Hot Chocolate 4/5

There's an extensive choice of beverages, from coffees to teas, bottled juices, kombucha and non-caffeinated options. The Hot Chocolate ($6.80) was nice and not too sweet.

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Hojicha Latte 3.8/5

Similarly done less sweet, the Hojicha Latte ($8.50) leaned a lot more milky than I would prefer.

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Exotic Cheesecake 3.8/5

The Exotic Cheesecake ($9.50) was much lighter in its cheese notes than I expected. It had a coconut sponge paired with lime and vanilla cream cheese mousse, a mango, passion fruit and yuzu filling, topped with coconut and lime chantilly on a coconut crumble.

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Chocolate Tart 4.2/5

Try TBB's Chocolate Tart ($8.70) if you are here for a sweet treat. Although it has chocolate from top to bottom, it's layered nicely with drops of caramel to finish.

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.


Tiong Bahru Bakery
JEM
50 Jurong Gateway Road
#01-34/35
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6877 4812
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 730am - 10pm

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

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Lobster Air @ City Gate - Hop Onto Cloud Nine With Airplane-themed Restaurant Lobster Air

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Situated within City Gate, new airport-themed restaurant Lobster Air has opened its doors to serve premium lobster dishes for the lobster and travel enthusiasts. Every customer will enjoy an immersive airline cabin experience, choosing to dine in first or business class zones, capture Instagram moments against full-sized plane interior images, and enjoy first-rate service from a team of authentic cabin crew, including steaming hot towels.

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Customers can choose from airline-inspired Business Class/First Class Lunch/Dinner Sets or Short-Haul selection during their ‘flight’ at Lobster Air. They can also go for Before Landing Desserts, Brunch and In-Flight Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Beverages. We tried their Business Class Lunch Course, which included a choice of mains, soup of the day (+$10), salad, appetisers (+$20) and desserts at additional costs.

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Mushroom Soup 3.8/5

First, we had the Soup Of The Day - Mushroom Soup (+$10). Creamy and filled with mushroom bits, we enjoyed the deep earthy flavours of this classic mushroom soup that has a faint whiff of truffle.


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L.A. House Salad 3/5

Next, we were served a small bowl of L.A. House Salad dressed in a tangy house dressing.

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Half Boston Lobster Aglio Olio 3.5/5

Customers can opt for their appetisers of a half dozen oysters as well at an additional $20. However, we skipped the appetisers and headed straight for their mains of the Half Boston Lobster Aglio Olio ($44) baked with garlic butter sauce and a serving of al dente Aglio Olio Spaghetti. While we loved the lobster's garlic butter fragrance, we felt that the taste fell flat as the spaghetti has the same garlicky flavours.

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Dark Chocolate Lava Cake 4/5


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Signature Brownie 3.8/5

Finally, round off your meal with their chewy and fudgy Signature Brownie ($5) or the Dark Chocolate Lava Cake ($8) served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Beyond its gastronomical offerings, Lobster Air endeavours to make a difference in a world stricken by uncertainty due to COVID-19. Seeing how the pandemic has greatly impacted the aviation industry, Lobster Air is founded to offer part-time or full-time jobs to affected personnel such as flight attendants, pilots, ground crew and back office workers who have lost their jobs or suffered reduced income.

In addition, Lobster Air is also extending ‘Staff Travel’ exclusive deals to employees from across all airlines and departments to brighten up the gloomy period for the aviation industry workforce. The privileges include 50% off for the second purchase of the course menu, a hearty discount inspired by how airlines offer staff travel tickets, and free coffee or tea, provided upon staff ID presentation on weekdays.

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.


Lobster Air
City Gate
371 Beach Road
#02-36
Singapore 199597
Tel: +65 97108787
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge and walk all the way to the end. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Paddy Hills @ South Buona Vista Road - Introduces New Unique Fusion Dishes With A Twist

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Nestled within the row of shophouses along South Buona Vista Road is Paddy Hills - a quaint hipster cafe in the west offering a wide selection of contemporary fusion cuisine. With a continuous revamp of its menu, Paddy Hills continues to attract diners to its far-flung location for its inventive and exciting dishes.

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Savoury French Toast 4/5

The Savoury French Toast ($21) comes in a fluffy, buttery brioche with a thick, juicy bacon chop, house-cured salmon, banana slices, coconut ice cream and a generous douse of coffee maple syrup. Featuring a medley of different elements on a plate, this creation presents a savoury-sweet, hot-cold combination which contributes to a harmonious blend of contrasting flavours and textures, and surprisingly works well together.

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Soft Shell Crab Burger 3.8/5

The Soft Shell Crab Burger ($25) comes in a crispy prawn patty and soft shell crab sandwiched in between two fluffy squid ink buns. While the green mango salad adds a sharp, tangy flavour to the burger, the prawn patty and soft shell crab packed less of a bite and more of a crunch to the dish, which rendered the texture rather one-dimensional, with the only flavour coming from the overwhelming tanginess of the green mango. Also served with a side of crispy curly fries and squid ink aioli.

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NZ Ribeye 4.2/5

For something on the meatier side, the NZ Ribeye ($28) was a favourite among the dishes. It boasts tender and juicy ribeye steak atop crispy stick fries for an added crunch, and two sunny sides up atop the steak.

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Truffle Garlic Fries 3.8/5

For something on the lighter, choose from their selection of sides such as the Truffle Garlic Fries ($15) with aioli and garlic snow. The truffle mayo dip on the side adds a rather subtle truffle flavour to the crispy fries. While we hoped that the promised flavours were stronger, it was still a rather addictive snack.

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Feels like Summer 4.2/5

The Feels like Summer ($8) is just like its name, bright and bubbly, with a cute umbrella perched atop. The strawberry soda was a cooling thirst quencher, while the popping strawberry granules add a fun popping sensation and a refreshing tang to the drink, which makes every sip an enjoyable one.

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Hot Chocolate 4/5

For the less-adventurous, go for their Hot Chocolate ($8) which boasts a rich chocolate flavour in a double-walled 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.


Paddy Hills
38 South Buona Vista Road
Singapore 118164
Tel: +65 64790800
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Haw Par Villa (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 5pm, 6pm - 930pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 5pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Haw Par Villa MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Haw Par Villa MRT station (Stop ID 16019). Take bus number 200. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Monday, September 12, 2016

Antoinette @ Penhas Road - 23 Chocolate Creations To Satisfy Your Chocolate Fetish

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Following the successful launch of the Fetish Matcha, Chef Pang introduces his second instalment - Chocolat Fetish. The latest instalment will be available from 01 September to 31 October 2016. A total of 23 creations, crafted from premium white and dark Valrhona chocolate. It is a chocolate heaven for the latest collection with both savoury and sweet items. While there are a total of 23 chocolate creations, only 4 of these are savoury items and they are not available Mandarin Gallery.

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Roasted Carrot with Balsamic Dark Chocolate Dressing 4/5

From the savoury menu, we started with the Roasted Carrot with Balsamic Dark Chocolate Dressing ($18). Considering the richness of chocolate, this is actually a light starter with the dark chocolate balsamic sauce on the side to complement the oven roasted carrot and serrano ham.

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Chocolate Ravioli 4/5

The Chocolate Ravioli ($22) is filled with wild mushroom ragout and cooked in a light sausage cream sauce. The texture of the chocolate pasta skin and the mushroom ragout works for me. It is a excellent dish on its own, minus the fact that it really need a trained tongue to detect the trace of chocolate.

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Sous Vide Salmon with White Chocolate Hollandaise 4.8/5

The savoury dish that got everyone's acknowlegement is the Sous Vide Salmon with White Chocolate Hollandaise ($28). Besides the beautifully cooked salmon, it also comes with potato puree and caramelized fennel, onion and apple salad. The star has to be the white chocolate sauce that is made from a concoction of cream, vinegar white and sherry, milk, white chocolate and lemon juice. It complemented the moist salmon perfectly and it did not lose its chocolate characteristic.

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Braised Wagyu Brisket 3.5/5

The very instant the Braised Wagyu Brisket ($30) was served, I thought I detected vegemite It was actually the mustard and dark chocolate that there the brisket was cooked in. However I thought the buttered parpadelle stole the limelight from the dark chocolate.

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Tarte Chocolat 4/5

Moving on to the cakes and macarons section, we started with the Tarte Chocolat ($10). The chocolate almond tart is filled with caramel fleur de sel with roasted nuts, dark chocolate ganache, chocolate Chantilly chocolate. A chocolately and nutty combination that will be well received by many.

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Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake 4.5/5

Amount the numerous cakes on the shelf, my favourite is the strawberry shortcake because of its lightness. The chocolate interpretation of my favourite cake won not only my heart but my palate too. The Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake ($10) consists of chocolate genoise with chocolate Chantilly and fresh strawberry. I thought it would be too rich for my liking but it turned out otherwise. It was moist, light and well balanced.

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Orangier 4/5

For those that adores the richness of chocolate, then the Orangier ($10) would be the one for you. The sexy slice of cake consists of creamy matcha ganache layered with a m4 layered chocolate cake with a light chocolate ganache, hazelnut feullitine and orange marmaladeilk chocolate yuzu ganache enrobed in milk chocolate.

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Macaron Burger 3.5/5

What a stunning presentation in the Macaron Burger ($12). The details are so well thought of. There are many components making up the burger such as the chocolate macaron, chocolate ganache patty, apricot cheese, raspberry ketchup, salted caramel cream mustard and white chocolate lettuce. Give me a beer for my burger. Oh I mean give me a cup of tea.

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Trufflette 4.2/5

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On did I find a black truffle at Antoinette? I was disappointed when I cut into the truffle. I thought I have strike gold but its actually a cake. The Trufflette ($15) is made up of dark chocolate mousse, black truffle cremeux, chocolate genoise and hazelnut feullitine. The addition of the black truffle cremeux has accentuated the flavour to a new level that is new to me which I enjoyed.

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Invader Inside 4.5/5

Comes in a can, there is some fun element in it. The Invader Inside ($15) has 10 different chocolate textures in it. I will keep in a mystery what you can find inside. It is for our to open that treasure can and discover the chocolate yourself.

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Chocolate Pancake 4/5

Chef Pang has up the gear with the Chocolate Pancake ($18). The stack of chocolate flavoured pancakes is drenched in a warm chocolate sauce and topped with banana nut crunch and flambed caramelized banana. A sinful but delicious dessert on a plate.

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Chocolate French Toast 4.8/5

The Chocolate French Toast ($18) which is made using the soft brioche. The soft bread is not only infused with chocolate but housed a luscious chocolate lava inside. The banana nut crunch cereal provided the extra contrast to the texture. This is the ultimate chocolate heaven for me. A not to be missed dish on the menu if you are a chocolate fan.

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Flaming Chocolate Ice Cream 3.5/5

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Encased in a chocolate sphere is the Flaming Chocolate Ice Cream ($22). Upon pouring the flaming Grand Marnier over the sphere, it revealed a creamy white matcha ganache with almond nougatine and matcha cake enrobed with milk dark chocolate ice cream, exotic fruit compote and almond crumble inside. I am not a fan of alcohol with chocolate so in my personal preference, this kind of throw the balance off, not allowing me to appreciate the sweetness and richness of the chocolate.

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For sweet treats, you will be delighted by the selection that is available for the fetish chocolate creation. On the platter, we were given samples of the Chocolate Rice Crispies, Chocolate with Tea (lapsang souchong, earl grey, assam, jasmine), Crispy Bacon, Almond Butter Rusk, White Chocolate Matcha, Chocoron and Salted Egg Truffle. My favourite among all is the salted egg truffle. I like it so much that I got a box home.

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Hot Chocolate Yuzu with Marshmallow Cloud 3/5

There are even 2 new chocolate beverage creation for the fetish chocolate campaign. There is the Hot Chocolate Yuzu ($29) which comes with a marshmallow cloud. It is another instagrammable creation that will probably draw the crowd to the restaurant. I did not like addition of yuzu in the beverage, it somehow distort the balance for me. I just want my hot chocolate with marshmallow.

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Hot Chocolate Earl Grey with Croissant Croutons 4.5/5

Of the two beverage creations, I definitely prefer the Hot Chocolate Earl Grey with Croissant Croutons ($9) more. The earl grey has hard noticeable. All I got was just the rich creamy chocolate, the way I like it. What's more we have the croissant croutons to soak up that chocolatey sweetness.

Besides the array of chocolate creations that is a chocolate heaven for chocolate lovers. The fetish chocolate campaign also dispel the notion that chocolate has only a certain way of enjoying it. This is is an exploration as well as educational of all the senses, taking chocolate to a whole new level.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Antoinette 
30 Penhas Road
Singapore 208188
Tel: +65 62933121
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thur: 11am - 10pm
Fri & Eve PH: 11am - 11pm
Sat: 10am - 11pm
Sun & PH: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to V Hotel Lavender. Walk down Horne Road and turn right onto Penhas Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, February 8, 2016

Angelina @ Capitol Galleria

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For Valentine's Day this year, instead of choosing a regular restaurant, perhaps, you can consider having some quiet time with your partner at historic tearoom Angelina, located at Capitol Galleria. I have heard quite a bit about their desserts, but little do I know that they have more than a century of heritage. What surprises me as much is their extensive range of dishes that is more than enough to give you a complete meal. Just for the upcoming Valentine's Day weekend, their chef has specially crafted a menu to entice couples with.

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Amuse Bouche 3.5/5

A teaspoon on the plate but still looking as elegant as it can be, chef's colourful Amuse Bouche woke up my tired eyes. The distinct attributes of ingredients allow the individual taste of each amuse bouche to stand out - we have the light and refreshing avocado cold soup served with Hokkaido scallop, which was my favourite, the savoury sweet jamon Bellota and rock melon, as well as the tart, smokey Beetroot & feta ravioli with herring caviar.

White Onion Soup
White Onion Soup 3.8/5

For starters, you can either go for a warm, comforting White Onion Soup with truffle oil or a cold, fiery Tuna au Poivre. Of course the best is to have one of each. Creamy, sweet and earthy with the aroma of truffle in each mouthful, the soup sets your body craving for more.

Tuna au Poivre
Tuna au Poivre 3/5

Whereas for the Tuna au Poivre, the peppery crust of the yellow fin tuna was a little too intense, which overwhelmed the delicate flavour of the fish. However, I kinda like how the cream cheese underneath soothed that down, giving a overall creamy sweet-sharp taste. The sprinkle of the sweet buttery Angelia tea 'granite' would have added on to that effect, should it have not been lost amongst the towering ingredients. More of it would have been better.

Fjord Trout
Fjord Trout 4/5

For mains, you will have 3 choices - fish, chicken or beef. My favourite is definitely the pan-seared Fjord Trout - Crisp crust contrasted with a moist and flaky core, with some fatty parts barely-done. What supports it is cauliflower puree, which you might mistaken it to be mash potatoes. Intense in flavour, I appreciate how the garlicky squid ink aioli and the savoury, chewy baby squids illuminate the dish like spotlights, which is rare in a typical salmon dish.

If you have noticed, our trout was served on a Villeroy & Boch plate, which hails from the Old Luxembourg collection introduced in 1768. Timeless indeed. If you are keen to have a piece, it is available at $49.00.

Classic Chicken Supreme
Classic Chicken Supreme 3.8/5

The same goes for their Classic Chicken Supreme. The seemingly plain looking dish was given a florid complexion by a blood orange potato mash, which was flavoured and coloured by rich chorizo. Marinated with garlic and thyme, the chicken fillet was exceptionally moist and tender.

Beef Pot au Feu
Beef Pot au Feu 3/5

The melt-in-your mouth texture of Beef Pot au Feu was impressive. I love the asparagus vol-au-vent (puff pastry with hollow centre) and the unique asparagus mousseline. The emulsion on top was actually hazelnut flavour, which I thought was interesting but its sweetness didn't quite work out in this dish. As much I would love to have more of it, but the meat was also too salty for my liking.

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Tummy filled, we were then introduced to the tearoom’s signature Hot Chocolate. Made with a 110 years old recipe, the potency of this shot of hot chocolate is unimaginable. I definitely love it - the richness, the sweet-bitterness, and what I really find amazing is that I don't get the sick-in-the-throat sensation that one might get when drinking hot chocolate. That I would attribute to high level of sugar and unnatural sweetness. I felt nourished instead, with all the anti-oxidants in my body. If you are unable to handle its potency, the whipped cream at the side is to help you lighten it.

They have a selection of fine teas, in which I would recommend their Angelina's special flavoured tea. With China Oolong Tea as the base, it is really light and fragrant with fruity notes.

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Your dessert would depend on the pastry created especially for the evening. We were lucky to have a go at some of their specials - Negresco, Mont-Blanc Framboise, Cheesecake Citron and Paris-New York. With a raspberry heart, the Mont-Blanc Framboise is a level up from their signature Mont-Blanc. Unfortunately, nobody has yet made a Mont-Blanc with a sweetness that doesn't make my face squint. What sit well with my palate are their bitter sweet Negresco and sweet tangy Cheesecake citron. Negresco is a cocoon of meringue, dark chocolate mousse, icing and shavings. The cheesecake mousse was extremely light and fluffy, with a tangy lemon-lime confit in between. One could easily finish the entire slice.

It had been a pleasant evening for us, with impeccable and personal service extended by the team. At $75++ per pax, well, heritage does come with a price. You can also drop by at their boutique and get a box of their limited edition chocolates to surprise your the other half. Happy Valentine's Day!

Photograph and 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.


Angelina
Capitol Galleria
15 Stamford Road
#01-82
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 63840481
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 10pm

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