Brewerkz @ One Fullerton - Brand New Look and a Refreshed Menu Offering Modern European Dishes Infused with Local Flavours

Brewerkz at One Fullerton has recently reopened with a brand-new look and a refreshed menu, offering modern European dishes infused with local flavours. The updated menu introduces a range of bar bites, small plates, and mains that cater to a diverse palate.

Salted Egg Mermaid Fish 3.5/5

The Salted Egg Mermaid Fish, Crispy Tofu Fritters, and Baby Squid & Calamari are some new additions to the Bar Bites. The Salted Egg Mermaid Fish ($12) delivered a satisfying crunch without being overly sauced, but the salted egg flavour was a tad too subtle.

Crispy Tofu Fritters 3.5/5

The Crispy Tofu Fritters ($12), more like tofu fries, were sprinkled with Szechuan peppercorn and sesame. While the peppercorn wasn't very pronounced, the sesame provided a savoury-sweet contrast that worked well.

Baby Squid & Calamari 3.5/5

The Baby Squid & Calamari ($18) combined the best of both worlds with a well-seasoned batter, although the accompanying sour plum mayo dip lacked the expected sour plum notes.

Memphis Baby Back Ribs 4.5/5

Nasi Lemak Focaccilla 2/5

We had a couple of appetisers - Nasi Lemak Focaccilla ($22) and Memphis Babyback Ribs ($20). The Nasi Lemak Focaccilla, intended to be a hybrid of focaccia and quesadilla, turned out more like a dry quesadilla with a thin spread of rendang and hardboiled egg bits. However, the Memphis Babyback Ribs were a standout, with tender meat glazed in a smoky BBQ sauce that was finger-licking good.

Wagyu Steak & Frites 4/5

The mains offered a more refined dining experience. The Wagyu Steak & Frites ($74) was satisfying, with a beautifully grilled Wagyu Ribeye (MBS4-5) that rendered enough fat to deliver a rich, buttery flavour, enhanced by a red wine reduction and a hint of smokiness. The chunkier Sidewalker Fries were a great complement to the steak.

Apple Bacon Pork T-Bone 2.8/5

The Apple Bacon Pork T-Bone ($34) was served with apple bacon sauce, onion chutney, and confit potatoes. While the fruity sweetness of the apple bacon sauce helped cut through the pork's richness, the gaminess was a bit overwhelming. The buttery, soft confit potatoes, however, were indulgent and enjoyable.

Pugliam Seafood Stew 2/5

Unfortunately, the Pugliam Seafood Stew ($36) was disappointing, presenting itself as more of a pasta-in-cream dish. It seemed hastily prepared, with orecchiette pasta, bits of fish, squid rings, sliced scallops, and prawns thrown into a weak cream sauce. The broth lacked the depth of flavour, and the prawns should have at least been deveined for the price.

Sour Cherry Crumble 4.2/5

The highlight of the evening was the Sour Cherry Crumble ($18). It was divine, with a base of dark tart cherries topped with sweet, chunky walnut crumble and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Photos and words 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.


Brewerkz
One Fullerton
1 Fullerton Road
#01-01
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 96431571
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 12midnight

Direction
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Clifford Centre and then Change Alley. Take escalator to level 2. Cross the road using the OUE Link. Turn left towards Fullerton Bay Hotel. Walk to towards the bay and destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店 @ SAFRA Town Club, Clarke Quay - Enjoy Nanyang Delights At This Modern Nanyang Coffeeshop Till 2am

JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店 is the new potential late-night spot for anyone craving Nanyang delights like nasi lemak and curry chicken, conveniently located just opposite Clarke Quay MRT station.

Open till 2am, this revamped coffeeshop within the SAFRA Town Club building is decked in retro furniture, decor, and multi-coloured lighting. Before its current iteration, the space was home to JUwei Sichuan Cuisine 聚味江湖菜馆. Now, the menu has shifted to focus on classic Nanyang fare.

The offerings are extensive, including breakfast toasts, beverages, cheong fun, wok-fried items, and rice sets. However, do note that the morning menu has a more limited selection.

Kaya Butter Toast 4.2/5

We enjoyed the Kaya Butter Toast ($2.50). It had cold slabs of butter and fragrant kaya sandwiched between thin crisp toasts. While the portion could be larger, I especially liked that the kaya wasn't too sweet. You can also make it a Toast Set ($5.90) with additional half-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi.

Chicken Curry Chee Cheong Fun 3.5/5

The Chicken Curry Chee Cheong Fun ($7.90) came paired with an assortment of ingredients - chicken, beans, beancurd skin, tau pok and pig skin. The curry was aromatic, but I wished the cheong fun was smoother.

Penang Char Kuey Teow 3.5/5

The Penang Char Kuey Teow ($10.90) carried a decent amount of flavour and wok hei, but it was a pity that the kway teow we had leaned to one of a harder texture. The dish was fried with fishcake, prawn, egg and lap cheong.

Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Joint 4/5

Our Prawn Paste Chicken Mid Joint ($8.90) was served piping hot, with each piece fried to a crunch that you would like your har cheong gai to have. These were nicely marinated, and its meat remained juicy.

Nasi Lemak with Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Combo 4.2/5

Last but not least, we had to try JUwei's Nasi Lemak with Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Combo ($12.90), a dish we saw many other diners enjoying. It was nicely served on a wooden platter with sides of achar, keropok, curry vegetables, egg, and a bowl of soup. The rice could be more lemak, but the texture was done well and fluffy. The highlight was the chunky chicken leg that came with crisp skin and tender meat, accompanied by extra crisp bits for added crunch. The soup was a miss, but the sambal added a sweet-spicy hit.

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.


JUwei 聚味老南洋咖啡店
29 Carpenter Street
Level 1
Singapore 059923
Tel: +65 6988 0836
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Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am - 2am
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road and walk to Carpenter Street. Turn left onto Carpenter Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Po Restaurant @ the Warehouse Hotel - A Refined Modern Singaporean Concept

Known for its modern interpretations of Singaporean and Chinese classics, Po Restaurant is the flagship restaurant of The Warehouse Hotel, where people gather and bond over its famous popiah and other signature dishes.

Popiah with Fresh Flower Crab 4.8/5

Naturally, Popiah was the first course of our evening. We had the Fresh Flower Crab ($52) popiah, with plump flower crab meat as a topping. All options, including the Classic ($32) and Prawns ($42), come with 4 skins, classic toppings, and condiments, serving 1-2 persons. Seeing the platter of popiah ingredients laid out on our table was just as exciting as wrapping our own and tucking them in. All the popiah platters include fresh handmade wheat skins, specially sourced for their desired stretchy and chewy texture, stewed pork and vegetable filling, lettuce, beansprouts, as well as all the toppings and sauces. A vegetarian option ($32) is available as well.

The popiah filling, which includes jicama, carrots, and Holland peas, is hand-cut, resulting in a tender but not mushy texture despite being stewed and caramelized over four hours. There was a rich and savoury depth to it and a textural enjoyment thanks to the addition of pork, dried shrimp, and bamboo shoots. Lettuce and beansprouts provided freshness, served alongside a condiment platter that included crispy flatfish, giving the popiah an extra moreishness. The sweet sauce had a subtle honey-malt sugar taste, binding the savoury elements with the skin harmoniously. By the time I was done putting all the ingredients, my popiah was the size of a burrito and deeply satisfying.

Nyonya Prawn Salad 4/5

Next, we had some starters from the menu: Nyonya Prawn Salad ($24) and Gobi 65 ($20). The Nyonya Prawn Salad was mouthwatering with a piquant dressing concocted with sambal, plum sauce, and calamansi. Alongside fresh and crisp organic lettuce, succulent tiger prawns, and crunchy cucumber cubes, tomatoes pickled with plum sauce were thrown in, adding to the delectable texture and flavour. Crispy shallots and sakura ebi accented the salad with umaminess.

Gobi 65 3/5

Gobi 65 consisted of nuggets of fried cauliflower marinated with spices and curry leaves. The flavour was more curry-forward than expected, and while a side salad was provided to lift the flavours, the dish would have been more exciting with a creamy dip or something similar.

Beef Cheek Rendang 4.5/5

For mains, the Beef Cheek Rendang ($40) is a taste of a century-old recipe, and the execution definitely did the recipe justice. The Angus beef cheek was succulent and fork-tender, intensely flavoured with a concoction of 11 different spices. Served with sago chips and coconut milk crumbs, the latter added an enjoyable sweetness akin to crushed coconut candy.

Stir-Fried Brinjal 4.2/5

Stir-Fried Brinjal ($22) felt homely. The generous dose of stir-fried minced pork and dried shrimps, coupled with thinly sliced crunchy ladyfingers, gave this brinjal dish a considerable amount of texture. There was also basil in it, but it was too mild to impart any noticeable flavours.

Nasi Lemak 4/5

We also had the privilege of trying an off-menu item known among Po's regulars: Nasi Lemak, served with sambal telur buried in a reasonable amount of sweet-spicy sambal. The rice was aromatic and not overly rich with coconut, with a comforting soft bite. Served alongside are the quintessential crunchy peanuts and refreshing cucumber slices.

Kueh Kosui 4/5

Summing up our meal was the Kueh of the Day ($18), handmade daily specials from the kitchen (limited portions available), featuring Kueh Kosui. Only rice flour and palm sugar were used, making it gluten-free. They had a wonderful soft texture, though not the usual wobbly kind. The palm sugar is specially sourced from Jawa Timur, which is pure and has no sugar added. That said, we felt the kueh would be even more yummy if it were a little less sweet.

Words 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.


Po Restaurant
The Warehouse Hotel
320 Havelock Road
Singapore 169628
Tel: +65 6828 0007
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7 - 1030am, 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn left and walk down Havelock Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. 

Wild Coco @ Hamilton Road (Lavender) - A Delicious Plate of Ayam Goreng Berempah And a Shiok Bowl of Laksa

Wild Coco, originally a coffeeshop concept at McNair Road, has now evolved into a restaurant on Hamilton Road, sharing space with its sister brand, Laksa Lobo.

Ayam Goreng Berempah 4.5/5

A must-order at Wild Coco is their Ayam Goreng Berempah ($15.90). This signature dish features a whole chicken leg, a fried egg, ikan bilis, peanuts, and sambal chilli. The chicken leg is deep-fried to a golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior infused with aromatic spices. Inside, the chicken remains tender and juicy. The dish is complemented by crunchy ikan bilis and fragrant coconut rice, enhancing the overall experience.

Grandpa's Tahu Goreng 3.5/5

To accompany the Ayam Goreng Berempah, we also tried Grandpa's Tahu Goreng ($11.90). The deep-fried tofu is crispy on the outside and soft inside, drenched in a sweet and nutty sauce. Bean sprouts and cucumbers add a refreshing crunch, balancing the dish's richness.

Premium Laksa 4.5/5

From Laksa Lobo, we sampled the Premium Laksa ($11.90). This dish includes two large prawns, fish cake slices, and tau pok in a creamy and rich laksa broth. It ticks all the boxes for a good bowl of laksa, though the price might be a consideration for some customers.

Wild Coco and Laksa Lobo offer a satisfying blend of traditional and contemporary flavours, making them worthy additions to Hamilton Road's dining scene.


Wild Coco
14 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209184
Tel: +65 91193822
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Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line), Bendemeer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to Horne Road. Turn left onto Horne Road and walk down Horne Road. Turn right onto Hamilton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Kallang Bahru road to Lavender Street. Across the road at Lavender Street. Walk to Hamilton Road. Walk down Hamilton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Woodleigh Mall - Exclusive Month-long Collaboration Menu by Chef Damian D’Silva, Founder of Rempapa

Surrey Hills Grocer at Woodleigh Mall is introducing a fresh dining experience this April with a curated menu by Chef Damian D'Silva. Known for his multicultural cuisine at Rempapa, Chef Damian presents six specially crafted dishes exclusively for one month until 30 April 2024.

Located along The Woodleigh Mall's Heritage Walk, the Woodleigh outlet of Surrey Hills Grocer may require some navigation for first-time visitors. The air-conditioned environment accommodates up to 90 diners, making it an ideal gathering spot. Furry companions are welcome, too, with a dedicated menu tailored just for them.

Each Surrey Hills Grocer outlet offers a differentiated menu, ensuring diners experience new takes on familiar favourites. For instance, while the Woodleigh outlet serves Tom Yum Tater Tots, the ION outlet offers Mentaiko Tater Tots - a creative concept that adds variety to the dining experience.

Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

I ordered the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8) from its extensive beverage list, which was made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie

My dining companions went with the Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie ($13), Appily Ever After ($10) and Berrylicious Lemonade ($9).

Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam 3.8/5

We started with a few of Chef Damian's specialities first. Among what we had, we preferred the Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam ($25) - a classic nasi lemak ensemble featuring coconut rice, fried silver fish, sambal, a fried Nuyolk egg, and a side of opor ayam. The nasi lemak, with its fluffy and aromatic rice, was the biggest highlight. However, we found the opor ayam lacking the richness we anticipated. The traditional spiced coconut gravy was milder than expected, missing the aromatic notes of cumin and coriander. Nonetheless, the chicken remained tender.

Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri 3.8/5

I've not had Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri ($22) before, but the refreshing crunch and mildly spiced dressing were enticing. This traditional salad comprises barred Spanish mackerel, wing beans, cherry tomatoes, long beans, herbs and salted eggs. Considering the price tag, we were hoping for more significant portions of mackerel.

Peranakan Prawn Sambal 2.8/5

The Peranakan Prawn Sambal ($26) left us disappointed. Our prawns were dry and difficult to extract from their shells. Despite its sambal and shrimp paste base, intended to appeal to spice fans, the dish lacked the expected heat and flavour profile.

Skillet Squid Ink Pasta 4.5/5

The standout dish of the evening was unanimously the Skillet Squid Ink Pasta ($28), topped with creamy kewpie mayo. The briny and umami hints in the mouthfuls of broken squid ink pasta were addictive, and the addition of squid and shrimp further enhanced the experience.

Triple Truffle Fries 4.2/5

The Triple Truffle Fries ($19) is one of the few dishes available across the Surrey Hills Grocer outlets. Tossed in fragrant truffle olive oil and dusted with truffle powder, they are adorned with generous parmesan shavings. While they may not be the crispiest fries, their satisfying crunch and accompanying homemade truffle mayo dip made for a delightful sharing snack.

Matcha Udon 3.8/5

We were initially sceptical when we spotted the Matcha Udon ($26) on the menu, but with assurances from the staff, we decided to give it a try. The soft udon was cooked in a creamy white wine matcha sauce, accompanied by smoked pork belly, ramen egg, Korean seaweed flakes and grated parmesan cheese. Surprisingly, it was a pleasant combination, with the carbonara flavour taking the lead. We appreciated the balance that avoided being overly rich, but matcha lovers should note that the matcha bitterness was very subtle for what it's named. You'll find carbonara-based dishes prepared differently if you visit other Surrey Hills Grocer outlets.

The Signature Stack 4.2/5

The highly recommended Melburnian Pancake Parlour pancakes lived up to their reputation. Opting for The Signature Stack ($24) as our dessert, we were treated to two pieces of old-school style buttermilk pancakes, generously topped with vanilla crème chantilly, seasonal fruit compote, fresh berries, and sea salt butterscotch. The pancakes were worth a try, being somewhat fluffy and buttery. The additional crumbles littered on top added good texture contrast. For those with a sweet tooth, this also came with extra maple syrup and caramel sauce for drizzling. I recommend sharing this with a friend or two, as it gets heavy quickly.

While the prices are steep, we were fans of the restaurant's ambience and pet-friendly space. We enjoyed its main menu more than the seasonal offerings and look forward to trying the unique variations across its outlets.

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.


Surrey Hills Grocer
The Woodleigh Mall
#01-52/53
11 Bidadari Park Drive
Singapore 367803
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Nearest MRT: Woodleigh (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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