The Marmalade Pantry @ Tanjong Pagar - Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Refreshed Menu of Light and Vibrant Flavours

The Marmalade Pantry is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a refreshed menu across its four outlets in Tanjong Pagar, Novena, ION, and Anchorpoint. The menu introduces lighter and more vibrant flavour profiles, incorporating new dishes and enhancements to its signature items.

The extensive line-up includes a variety of starters, salads, mains, pasta, risottos, and desserts, as well as an updated beverage selection featuring NON, an Australian non-alcoholic wine alternative.

Red Velvet Latte 3.5/5

I decided on the Red Velvet Latte ($8) as I was curious about adding fresh beetroot to the dark cocoa drink. While it was a tad sweet for me, I appreciated the subtle earthy notes from the beetroot.

Fried Brussels Sprouts 4/5

We began our meal with the Fried Brussels Sprouts ($16), which had a delightful Japanese twist. The brussel sprouts are dressed in sesame soy kewpie mayo and topped with pickled chillies, nori strips, and sesame seeds.

Roasted Smashed Sweet Potatoes 4.2/5

Next up was the Roasted Smashed Sweet Potatoes ($16). A fresh dill and chives, yoghurt dressing, and tangy pickled onions nicely balanced the potatoes' natural sweetness.

Chicken Salad 4.2/5

Another standout starter for me was the Chicken Salad ($23). This vibrant and healthy dish was a colourful mix of fresh salad vegetables, green apples, cherry tomatoes, cashews, and coriander, all tossed in a tangy Viet-Thai dressing. The sous vide chicken strips were particularly tender and well-seasoned.

Crispy Barramundi 3.8/5

Moving on to the mains, we tried the Crispy Barramundi ($32). The fish was lightly seasoned and paired with stronger aromatics from the masala potatoes and vegetable chutney.

Chicken Burger 3.8/5

The Chicken Burger ($28) surprised us with its spicy kick. It featured a crunchy chicken thigh sandwiched between soft potato buns, accompanied by tangy slaw and spicy garlic soy. The burger was served with a side of fries and beet-pickled cauliflower.

Tomato Risotto 4.2/5

Next, we were served with the Tomato Risotto ($26). The risotto was creamy yet not too heavy, thanks to the addition of stracciatella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and a Thai basil salsa. It was a comforting dish.

Butternut Mac & Cheese 4.5/5

The unanimous favourite of the meal was the Butternut Mac & Cheese ($26). A signature dish of The Marmalade Pantry has been refined in the new menu with a rich truffle cream and blue cheese base, enhanced by sweet roasted butternut squash and a black vinegar glaze. This dish is a wholesome, decadent, and balanced cheese lover's dream.

Miso Sesame Cupcake 3.8/5

We tried the Miso Sesame Cupcake ($6.50), a new addition to the brand's cupcake range for dessert. The savoury-sweet frosting had a nutty flavour with hints of peanut butter, complementing the moist cake base.

Green Tea Basque 3/5

Lastly, we ended with a slice of Green Tea Basque ($15). This double-layered baked cheesecake had a top layer of white chocolate and green tea, which balanced the richness of the cheese. However, I found it too sweet for my liking.

The Marmalade Pantry's 25th-anniversary menu refresh has something to offer for everyone, whether you're a fan of their classic dishes or eager to try something new.

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.


The Marmalade Pantry
Oasia Hotel Downtown
#01–1
100 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079333
Tel: +65 6385 0741
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjang Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. [Map]

Crossroads Buffet @ Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza - Step Into Lobster Haven on Thursday to Sunday with Lobster Nights

With so many hotels offering lobster theme buffets, step into a lobster haven with Crossroads Buffet's Lobster Nights, which had our bellies smiling. Crustacean lovers can expect over 15 unique lobster and crab dishes across multiple live stations. Available till 30 September (Thursday-Sunday) at $128++ per person.

Mentaiko Grilled Lobster 4/5

Other than the Boston Lobster on ice, there were 2 types of grilled lobster on rotation. We tried the Mentaiko and Curry Mayo flavours, and they are divine! The lobsters are really fresh, and the flesh is plump with a good bite. Another honourable mention will be the Snow Crab Legs on Ice, which are super sweet!

Lobster and Sea Urchin Risotto 3.5/5

Black Truffle Lobster Risotto 3.8/5

At the Lobster and Crab Market station, there were three types of Lobster Risotto made to order. We tried the Lobster and Sea Urchin Risotto and Black Truffle Risotto, and we preferred the latter as the truffle flavour stood out better. The sea urchin was somewhat a dried version, where the chef shaved it onto the risotto upon serving. We also asked for a smaller serving to taste more of the items.

Crab Brioche Roll 3/5

Another item at this station is the Crab Brioche Roll, which comes in three flavours: Signature Salted Egg, Truffle Crab, and Mentaiko Mayonnaise. We found the brioche bun too dry, and the crab meat was in chunks instead, so we didn't really enjoy this.

Lobster Mac & Cheese 3/5

We got excited when we saw Lobster Mac & Cheese, but unfortunately, it lacks the umami flavour of lobster, and the cheese sauce is mediocre.

Oven Roasted Lamb Leg and Oven Roasted Bone-in Ribeye 3/5

Western Cooked Food

Pizza

There was a good spread of Western-cooked food, such as Roasted Lamb Leg, Roasted Ribeye, Pizza, and more. We really like the Italian-style lobster Bisque, which is a clearer and lighter version but packed with umami seafood flavour.

Chinese Roasts 3/5

The Asian cooked food line also has a wide variety of dishes, but we didn't have enough stomach space to try them all. We tried the Chinese Roasts, but they failed to impress us. We recommend skipping them and keeping your stomach space for more lobsters!

Cold Cuts 4/5

Japanese Section 3/5

The Cold Cuts selections were good, but we could only sample a minimal amount. The Japanese Section was labelled, but fresh sashimi was nowhere to be found. This is probably one of the rare buffets we went to that doesn't serve sashimi.

Noodle Station

We typically like to have a bowl of Laksa before we start on the desserts. The Noodle Station also has Golden Chicken Collagen Soup with assorted condiments, which you can pick yourself and hand over to the chef to cook. We were impressed by the noodles available as well.

An array of desserts was available, such as mini cakes, pastries, verrines, puddings, and Movenpick ice cream. There is supposed to be a live dessert station where they serve French Crepe with Nutella, but the crepes were made and displayed in the open. We find the crepe too thick for our liking. There is also a Chinese dessert, which we believe is on rotation.

All in all, Crossroads Buffet's Lobster Nights truly stayed true to the theme of lobsters along with many other seafood. There is just too much to eat; we wish we had a bigger stomach capacity. There is also an Ultimate Seafood Feast Buffet from Sunday to Wednesday at $88++ per person if you aren't a big lobster fan.

You can also get free flow of non-alcoholic beverages at $22++ and $42++ for alcoholic beverages such as draught beer, prosecco, and house red and white wine. We are already planning our next visit before the Lobster Nights end!

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Crossroads Buffet
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 68314605
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Common Man Coffee Roasters @ Alexandra - Launches a Refreshed All-day Menu

Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) at Alexandra has recently launched a refreshed all-day menu featuring over ten delectable new items, from all-day breakfast options to classic dishes. The beverage selections have also been updated with a new range of seasonal coffee concoctions, combining CMCR coffees with housemade infusions.

Breakfast Pancakes 4/5

From the breakfast selections, we tried an amped-up version of Breakfast Pancakes ($26). These brown butter pancakes were fluffy with a pronounced butteriness, served alongside rich, luscious scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. The dish was served with maple butter syrup to bring the flavours together, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savoury notes. Adding burnt feta sprinkles enhanced the dish's savoriness, making it a standout breakfast option.

Common Man Full Breakfast 4/5

The mainstay Common Man Full Breakfast ($30) continues to be a popular choice. Besides the generous portion size, the housemade elements, such as the hash browns and pork sausage, set it apart. The chorizo baked beans were flavorful, although they could benefit from a longer cooking time to achieve the desired softer texture.

Rainbow Rice Bowl w/chicken 4/5

We had the Rainbow Rice Bowl ($24) from the Classics, a wholesome dish made with organic brown rice, housemade spicy pineapple kimchi, sweet potato chips, daikon, and crispy buckwheat. A poached egg crowned the rice, serving as a natural sauce that brought all the elements together. The texture and flavour of this dish were excellent — the rice had a good bite and a nuttier taste, which mingled well with the other ingredients. The kimchi was piquant, with sweetness coming through from the sweet potato chips, while the crispy buckwheat added a delectable crunch and extra nutty nuances. We opted for the grilled chili chicken add-on, but smoked salmon ($8) is also available as an alternative.

King Prawn Mac & Cheese 4.5/5

A highlight for me is the King Prawn Mac & Cheese ($28) under the pasta selection. It featured chunky sautéed king prawns with just the right amount of béchamel and cheese to coat the macaroni. The flavours were well-balanced, using assertive cheeses like red cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and incorporating bitter greens such as kale into the creamy mix. The texture of the succulent prawns and al dente macaroni was spot-on, and the addition of sourdough crumbs boosted the overall enjoyment of the dish, such as fruit extracts, juices, nut milk, and spice extracts.

Beet Box

Do try the new speciality iced drinks. I had a refreshing Beet Box made using cold brew, sweet and tart with raspberry, beetroot, pomegranate, and dragonfruit. There are also other caffeinated options with a bolder coffee flavour, such as Going Bananas, which is made using housemade banana syrup.

Words and photos 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.


Common Man Coffee Roasters
368 Alexandra Road
#01-01
Singapore 159952
Tel: +65 6877 4872
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 730am – 5pm
Tue–Thu, Sun: 730am – 10pm
Fri–Sat: 730am – 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

IPPUDO with BAR IPPUDO @ Shaw Centre - Refreshed Hakata Dining Experience with IPPUDO’s 2024 Grand Menu, Featuring Bar Snacks and 5 New Ramen

Starting 1 June, Hakata ramen chain IPPUDO is launching a refreshed grand menu featuring 5 brand new ramen options, rice dishes, sides and desserts. This includes the brand's first plant-based ramen. BAR IPPUDO at Mohamad Sultan, One Holland Village, i12 Katong and Shaw Centre will also introduce a new range of bar snacks.

IPPUDO x Umeshuya

From 20 to 21 June 2024, diners can enjoy a special IPPUDO x Umeshuya collaboration featuring a curated selection of over 15 types of umeshu exclusively at IPPUDO One Holland Village.

Special deals for the collaboration include:
- Order 1 bar snack and top up $22 for 30-mins free-flow umeshu
- Order 1 bar snack and top up $15 for 3 glasses of your choice
- Ala Carte $7 per glass

My favourite among the 3 glasses I tried was the TOROTORO NO UMESHU, a sweet green plum and shochu-based umeshu.

Mentaiko Mac N’ Cheese 3/5

Our first choice of bar snack was served sizzling hot on a teppan plate. The Mentaiko Mac N’ Cheese ($10) featured a buttery bed of macaroni with melted cheese and a dollop of mentaiko. While its taste was decent, we were definitely expecting more at this price.

Fried Brussel Sprout Typhoon Shelter 4.2/5

We loved our second bar snack, the Fried Brussel Sprout Typhoon Shelter ($6). These addictive mouthfuls of crunchy fried brussel sprouts were dressed in a savoury anchovy sauce and garlic panko.

Yokohama Shoyu 4/5

For a heartier ramen with more meat, we heard that the new Chikara Tonkotsu Ramen is the one to go for. The tonkatsu-based ramen is a new spin on the classic IPPUDO Shiromaru Ramen and comes with slices of the same chashu and half a ramen egg. We decided on the Yokohama Shoyu ($19) instead, which marries the Hakata-style pork bone broth and shoyu, topped with spinach, bamboo shoot and seaweed. There was also a huge rectangular slice of pork belly chashu with a lower fat-to-meat ratio.

Nirvana NY 4.2/5

We couldn’t leave without checking out the intriguing plant-based ramen, Nirvana NY ($18). We were more than surprised by the robust plant-based broth, which was both creamy and nutty, enhanced by the fragrance of onion oil.

Here, you will be served hand-pressed wavy noodles, a slice of grilled eggplant chasu, enoki tempura, grated carrots, and spring onion. While I wished there were a few more ingredients to justify the price tag better, it was a delightful bowl to enjoy.

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.


IPPUDO with BAR IPPUDO
Shaw Centre
#04-22/23
1 Scotts Road
Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6235 2547
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (TE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri; 11.30am - 9.20pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 9.20pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Take the underpass to Shaw House. Walk to ground level. Walk to Shaw Centre next door. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Merci Marcel @ Katong - All-day Dining of Comfort Food with a French Flair in Merci Marcel’s 4th Outlet in Singapore

Merci Marcel's 4th outlet sits in the heart of Katong, their first venture into the East. Located in Santa Grand Hotel, the casual French restaurant is decked out in a fun new colonial and contemporary interior.

Early birds will be happy to have another spot to enjoy as they open every day from 8am into the night. Diners can expect a French tapas menu alongside speciality coffee, curated cocktails and French wines.

Drinks

A centrepiece of this new outlet is the snazzy bar offering unique and vibrant selections of cocktails.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

To start, we had the Salmon Crudo ($20), which had salmon tartare on tangy pickled enoki with a dressing of cucumber gazpacho to be enjoyed with bread. I personally expected a bit more of this, but the clean flavour profile may suit if you're looking for something light.

Roasted Feta 4/5

The Roasted Feta ($16) is a decent sharing plate, with the slab of cheese served on a bed of poached pear, with slices of fresh pair, rosemary and a drizzle of honey and rosemary.

Ravioles de Royans 4.5/5

Merci Marcel's Ravioles de Royans ($20 for Small, $32 for Large) has been one of their most loved dishes since its opening. The adorable bites of French dumpling pasta are filled with Tête de Moine cheese, served with a creamy sauce and further topped with cheese florets.

It may look unassuming, but it gets more addictive with each bite. We loved how flavourful it was with the unadulterated taste of cheese, without being overwhelming.

French Mac & Cheese 4.5/5

Fans of mac & cheese got to try their rendition of French Mac & Cheese ($25). The creamy and lightly seasoned cheese macaroni is held within a buttery, flaky pastry, paired with ham chiffonnade and cheese crisps. Surprisingly, it wasn't as heavy as we thought, and we thoroughly enjoyed the variety of textures.

Marcel’s Waffle Iron Style “Croiffle” 4/5

The Marcel's Waffle Iron Style "Croiffle" ($11) was recommended by our server as her favourite on the menu for desserts. There's caramel, bananas and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to accompany the croiffle. While the combination was likeable, I preferred the croiffle to be served more warmly.

Chocolate & Whisky Pie 4.2/5

We ended our night with the Chocolate & Whisky Pie ($13). The crisp shortcrust pastry and mildly sweet yet rich chocolate filling will easily satisfy any chocolate lovers.

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.


Merci Marcel
171 East Coast Road
Singapore 428877
Tel: +65 6015 0906
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Nearest MRT: Dakota MRT (CC Line), Marine Parade (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 8am - 12midnight
Sun-Mon: 8am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 10 or 32. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marine Parade MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Sea Avenue. Turn left onto Sea Avenue. Walk down Sea Avenue to East Coast Road. Cross the road at East Coast Road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]