Showing posts with label New Cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Cafe. Show all posts

Monday, March 27, 2023

Good Chai People @ East Coast Road - Singapore First Chai Specialty Cafe In Katong

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Located in Katong, Good Chai People is Singapore's first Chai Cafe that puts a spotlight on handmade artisanal sticky chai, served along with hearty brunch and mains. The 60-seater cafe is tastefully designed to allow customers to enjoy a comforting cup of chai in a cosy and homely space.

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Sticky Chai Latte 3.8/5, Hoji-Chai Latte 3.8/5

With a total of 11 iterations of chai, we were spoilt for choice. The Sticky Chai Latte ($8) features a soothing blend of Ceylon OPA leaves, oat milk, coconut sugar and cinnamon, while the Hoji-Chai Latte ($8) has subtle notes from the Japanese roasted tea, which paired well with the chai aroma. However, the chai flavour in both cups was not as intense as I would have liked and could be stronger. Oat milk and coconut sugar are used in the chai drinks to be more inclusive, vegan-friendly, and more considerate towards customers who are lactose-intolerant.

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Burnt Brussels Sprouts 4.2/5

The Burnt Brussels Sprouts ($16) was an addictive side. The yuzu sesame drizzle provided a refreshing tanginess to the dish, which cut through the bitterness of the brussels sprouts. It is also topped with nori and sesame seeds for some added flavour.

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Mommy's Spinach 4/5

The Mommy's Spinach ($12) is an elevated take on the creamed spinach. It comes in a comforting mix of Gruyère cheese, bechamel sauce, and brown butter, with fried eggs atop. You can also add $2 for additional sourdough toasts to dip in.

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24-Hr Beef Brisket 4.5/5

One of our favourite dishes is the 24-Hr Beef Brisket ($20). The beef brisket is well-marinated and tender and comes with two perfectly oozy poached eggs, tangy toasted sourdough, confit baby potatoes, and hand-cut potato chips.

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Prawn & Chorizo Aglio Olio 4.2/5

The Prawn & Chorizo Aglio Olio ($22) comprises perfectly al-dente pasta tossed in umami prawn head butter and paired with char-grilled tiger prawns and savoury chorizo strips. The dish comes with a strong fiery kick, suitable for those who like their aglio olio extra spicy.

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French Toast 4/5

We enjoyed the gorgeous French Toast ($20), which tasted as good as it looked, featuring a thick Brioche French toast sandwiched in layers of tangy berry compote and peanut butter, topped with whipped cream cheese, and a maple thyme drizzle.

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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.


Good Chai People
225 East Coast Road
Singapore 428922
Tel: +65 97835757
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 6pm

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

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Ms Durian @ Jalan Besar - New Standalone Bakery And Cafe Specialising In All Things Durian

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If you are a durian fan, Ms Durian is a bakery and cafe you will definitely want to look out for. The team started with a small shop at Potong Pasir in 2019 before expanding to this new space at Jalan Besar in February. Their new standalone space has indoor and outdoor seating and offers diners freshly made items of all things durian.

Apart from their signature sweets, Ms Durian has also launched a new variety of savoury dishes with mains such as Pan-seared Salmon ($29) and Smoked Duck Eggs Benny ($22), as well as sharing dishes like Fried Cheese ($18) and Grilled White Corn ($12).

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Mao Shan Wang Durian High Tea Set

One of Ms Durian's signatures is their Mao Shan Wang Durian High Tea Set ($45/pax). Two high tea sessions are daily, at 1pm and 3pm. Each set has four desserts, three savoury items, and a tea pairing. Do note that it is mandatory for each person at the same table to order a set each. We sampled a few items from the set, starting from the top with the ones with the least durian intensity before the stronger ones after. First was the Fried Durian. This bite had a rich durian filling with coconut sauce to pair with it. Next was the Durian Craquelin, a mini version of one of their best-selling creations. We loved the crisp and light outer layer, paired with a sweet durian centre.

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We then moved on to the Durian Macaron, which had a soft and chewy shell, before finishing with the Durian Cheese Mousse that came topped with brown butter crumble. I would have liked a stronger cheese mousse here for contrast; otherwise, it was a pleasant dessert.

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Durian Ice Blended 4/5

The Durian Ice Blended ($10.50) is a new introduction to their beverage list. You can have it two ways - the first is as it is served, while the second is being paired with grounded white sesame. I thought it could be blended more smoothly, and the addition of white sesame was negligible, but we enjoyed how it was rich yet not overwhelmingly sweet. It works well in satisfying the durian craving and doesn't leave you feeling heaty after finishing the whole glass.

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Durian Coffee 4.2/5

Each bottle of Durian Coffee ($12.50) is made to order, done with a combination of creamy latte and durian. The espresso notes hit strongly initially, while the durian notes come in at the end. The team worked on attaining a well-balanced ratio here.

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Creme Brulee with Mao Shan Wang Durian Ice Cream 3/5

Ms Durian offers a couple of plated desserts, including the Creme Brulee with Mao Shan Wang Durian Ice Cream ($18.50). While we enjoyed the rich, creamy ice cream and crunchy macadamia nut brittle, we found the vanilla essence too strong in the custard and the torched sugar layer too thick. The team was very open to feedback, so we look forward to an improved version!

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Mao Shan Wang Durian Tiramisu 4/5

Made with freshly pulled espresso and an additional touch of rum, Ms Durian's Mao Shan Wang Durian Tiramisu ($18.50) is intentionally kept more bitter. We liked the intensity of the coffee and its contrasting pairing with the thick and sweet durian mousse. The ladyfingers were of a harder texture, which would be better if they were soaked further for a softer texture.

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Whisky Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake 4.5/5

The Whisky Mao Shan Wang Durian Cake ($14.50) features a triple-layered Mao Shan Wang durian between whisky-infused sponge cake, topped with meringue. The whisky leaves a subtle whiff, while the crisp meringue gives a complementary touch of sweetness. The durian was rich but not too sweet, which we greatly enjoyed.

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.


Ms Durian
11 Kelantan Road
Singapore 208604
Tel: +65 69620057
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 9am - 6pm
Fri-Sun: 9am - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Jalan Besar Road towards Kelantan Road. Turn right onto Kelantan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, March 12, 2023

TEN+ @ Sungei Tengah Rd - Singapore’s First Safari-Themed Bistro Offers Camp-like Dining Experience With Western Eastern Fare

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Nestled along Sungei Tengah Road near Choa Chu Kang, Ten+ is Singapore's first safari-themed bistro that simulates what dining in nature feels like — but with a beautiful twist. Other than a menu that encompasses the best of both Western and Eastern cuisines and self-grilled barbecue, Ten+ also offers a variety of booze, such as beers on tap for diners to unwind and enjoy.

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Purple Sweet Potato Latte 3.5/5, Smoked Oak Mocha 4/5

We started our brunch with the Purple Sweet Potato Latte ($6) and Smoked Oak Mocha ($6). While the former does not have much of a Sweet Potato taste, we enjoyed the latter for its smoky aroma and distinct bittersweet notes.

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Creamy Egg Mayo Croissant 3/5

The Creamy Egg Mayo Croissant ($16) comes with a flaky croissant filled with creamy egg mayo fillings. However, the egg mayo felt too underseasoned and bland, while the croissant needed more fluffiness.

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Torched Aburi Prawn Pasta 3.5/5

The Torched Aburi Prawn Pasta ($23) features al dente linguine in prawn bisque, topped with prawns and tobiko. The prawn bisque could be richer in flavours, as it felt a tad watered down.

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Flame Grilled Angus Burger 4/5

The Flame Grilled Angus Burger ($23) comes with a tender, juicy US Angus beef patty grilled to a nice medium rare and maple bacon sandwiched between two fluffy buns and a side of crispy curly fries.

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Battered Fish Bites 3.8/5

They offer Heineken towers and craft bottled beers for those seeking to chill and unwind over drinks with friends. Pair the booze with their variety of bar bites, including the Battered Fish Bites ($14), which comes in a generous portion of bite-sized crispy fried fish paired perfectly with mayo sauce.

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.


TEN+
65 Sungei Tengah Road
Singapore 699000
Tel: +65 86568685
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Nearest MRT: Choa Chu Kang (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Choa Chu Kang MRT station (Stop ID 44531). Take bus number 975. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road and turn right towards Sungei Tengah Road. Turn left onto Sungei Tengah Road. Take the left of Sungei Tengah Road at the first fork. Take the right of sungei Tengah Road at the second fork. Walk to destination. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]

Monday, January 30, 2023

Le Matin Patisserie @ ION Orchard - A New Dawn, Le Matin’s New Concept Cafe Featuring Its Biggest Menu

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Le Matin Patisserie has unveiled its new permanent space in ION Orchard, officially welcoming diners from 1 February 2023. It has Le Matin's biggest menu yet, featuring 4 categories of French delicacies: Cakes and Pastries, Sweet and Savoury, Brunch (from 11am to 3pm), and Dinner and Dessert (from 6pm to 10pm). Chef-owner Mohamed Al-Matin will also be introducing a variety of new items alongside this opening.

Coffee lovers will be happy to know that the cafe uses a special blend from Nylon Coffee Roasters, an exclusive blend of two single-origin coffee beans. It is used in all of the coffee beverages here.

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Smoked Beef Cheek Banh Mi 4.2/5

We started with the Smoked Beef Cheek Banh Mi ($18) from its Best of Brunch menu. You will find 48-hour braised and smoked wagyu beef cheeks, pickled carrots, daikon, black garlic and chimichurri in a laminated brioche. My dining companions enjoyed this for the smoky and tender beef cheeks.

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Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant 4.2/5

In the Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs Croissant ($34), the crisp round croissant burger is stacked with black truffle aioli, truffle paste, fluffy scrambled eggs, and topped with 8g of sliced black truffles. The combination is likeable, especially with the truffle flavour permeating the eggs. However, we hoped for more truffle aioli to tie everything together.

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Seafood Pot Pie 4.2/5

Luxuriously topped with ikura, the Seafood Pot Pie ($24) has hidden a variety of seafood in its puff pastry, such as snapper, salmon belly, Tiger prawns, green mussels, clams and scallops. This savoury number had a hearty creaminess in the middle, complementing the bursts of savoury ikura. My only gripe is that the base of the pastry got softer from the filling.

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Chutoro Brioche Feuilletée 4.5/5

The Chutoro Brioche Feuilletée ($38) is a pricey piece and a crowd favourite among the items we tried. It has chunky shoyu-cured chutoro sandwiched with sea urchin butter, edamame mash, yuzu wasabi mayo and pickled red onions for the extra acidity to cut through the richness. It was rich and fatty in a good way. It would be even better if the yuzu wasabi mayo had a stronger kick to contrast!

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Moules Marinieres 4/5

From the dinner menu, we had the Moules Marinieres ($28), white wine-poached blue mussels with enoki fritters, and white fungus cooked in parsley oil with a side of toasted brioche. The blue mussels were fresh, and the savoury broth albeit saltier, had a fragrant and distinct touch of parsley, which was perfect for soaking up with the warm brioche.

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Sake Lees & Macadamia, Choux Bun 4/5

The Sake Lees & Macadamia, Choux Bun ($14) is one of the brand new items to expect. On a base of macadamia yuzu crunch, you have a choux bun filled with Sake Lees mousse and a macadamia praline centre, topped with Sake Lees jelly, yuzu and a dusting of silver flakes. It leaned towards sweeter while the yuzu component came to light.

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Fromage de vos Reves 4/5

Le Matin pays tribute to Restaurant Andre's famed homemade camembert cheese dessert with its Fromage de vos Reves ($21), which translates to "Cheese of Your Dreams". It may look simple, but it has quite a lot going on - a rillat savarin mousse, reblochon creameux and comte sponge, topped with milk crumble glaze, served with a side of creme fraiche ice cream. The cheese profile is strong and pungent, which may not be for everyone, but more for the big fans of cheese.

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Tarte Aux Noix de Cajou 4/5

Our last dessert was the Tarte Aux Noix de Cajou ($20). On layers of cashew custard, cashew nougatine and filo pastry, it's further elevated with orange blossom-scented mulberries and Pedro Ximenez cream. It's nutty and sweet, best for sharing.

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.


Le Matin Patisserie
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B2-49
Singapore 238801
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 mins. [Map]

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Cafe Natsu @ Joo Chiat - Offers Refreshed Flavours With A Stronger Japanese Influence

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Following the opening of their second outlet at Clemenceau Citadines Connect Hotel just six months from the brand's debut in the heritage district of Joo Chiat, Cafe Natsu has launched a refreshed set of offerings for their Joo Chiat outlet as well. Approximately half the menu features brand-new dishes with a stronger Japanese influence.

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Fried Ebi Croquette 4.2/5

We kickstarted the meal with the Fried Ebi Croquette ($12) appetiser. The deep-fried ebi croquette has a nice crispy exterior. Biting into it reveals a moist and creamy shrimp filling on the inside.

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Wagyu Hamburg 4/5

The Wagyu Hamburg ($26) with Okonomiyaki was one of our favourites. The hamburg was tender and juicy, while the pan-fried base of batter and cabbage was executed perfectly as well. The combination of western wagyu hamburg and Japanese Okonomuyaki hit all the right notes with its savoury flavours. The downside is that it might get slightly cloying with such a highly-flavoured dish.

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Cold Somen 3.8/5

The Cold Somen ($14) features a bowl of al dente somen with confit egg yolk, soy dashi, myiga, capers, cucumber and shiso. Break the yolk and mix all the ingredients for a creamy finish. The dish may be a tad mild in flavour, which might be more suitable for diners who prefer a lighter main.

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Mochi Fried Doughnuts 4.2/5

We ended the meal on a sweet note with the Mochi Fried Doughnuts ($12). Whilst simple, the dessert is nothing short of amazing. The mochi doughnuts were superbly fluffy and chewy on the inside. It does not have many flavours on its own, so dipping into the salted Hokkaido milk ice cream lends a nice saltish-sweet creamy flavour to the doughnuts, which elevates the whole experience.

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The evolving menu goes beyond traditional brunch standards to offer versatile, comforting dishes ideal for any time of day — a testament to the Café Natsu team's progressive interpretation of a cafe experience.

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.


Cafe Natsu
283 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427537
Tel: +65 88864497
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Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 830am - 530pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 33. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to Koon Seng Road. Turn right onto Koon Seng Road. Walk to Joo Chiat Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Bearded Bella @ Hillcrest Road - Popular Brunch Spot Second Outlet At Bukit Timah Offers New Dinner Menu

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Bearded Bella opened its second outlet in Bukit Timah last year. They recently launched a new dinner menu featuring homemade doughnut burgers and some of their favourite brunch dishes.

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Cheesy Black Garlic Goodness 4.2/5

The Cheesy Black Garlic Goodness ($19) features 100% Australian beef patty burger, with added cheddar and black garlic mayo on doughnut, together with lettuce, crispy onions, and bacon. The beef patty is superbly tender and juicy, while the fluffy doughnuts are sweet, balancing the burger's savoury components.

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Ahjumma's Corned Beef 4/5

The Ahjumma's Corned Beef ($20) features house-cured corned beef brisket with homemade gojuchang mayo on doughnut, along with bacon, baby cos lettuce, and crispy onions. Similar to the Cheesy Black Garlic Goodness doughnut burger but with a touch of Korean flair with the addition of gojuchang mayo.

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Scallop & Cold Pasta 4.5/5

One of their signature items is the Scallop & Cold Pasta ($22), which consists of tender-seared Canadian Scallops atop capellini pasta and chuka wakame marinated with truffle and yuzu ponzu. The pasta was perfectly al dente and had a nice strong truffle flavour.

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Charred Asparagus 3.5/5

The Charred Asparagus ($15) features spiced yuzu pepper hollandaise, topped with pomegranate and fried capers. While the asparagus was crunchy and juicy, the yuzu pepper hollandaise was a tad too bland and watery. Unfortunately, it did not add much flavour to the asparagus.

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Pain Perdu (AKA Fancy French Toast) 4/5

The Pain Perdu (AKA Fancy French Toast) ($20) was incredibly soft and fluffy, with bits of pink guava and peach fruits embedded within that lend a citrusy touch to the french toast.

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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.


Bearded Bella
73 Hillcrest Rd
Singapore 288945
Tel: +65 82012312
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Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 730am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: 730am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk straight to Hillcrest Road. Turn right onto Hillcrest Road. Walk down Hillcrest Road and make a left into Greenwood Avenue. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Musette Cafe @ Thye Hong Centre - Brunch Classics With An Asian Flair And Sweets From Kōbō by Melissa

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Musette, located at Thye Hong Centre, is a casual bistro that serves brunch classics with an Asian flair. Kōbō by Melissa also resides within Musette, providing diners with her signature creations of cakes and pastries using Japanese techniques.

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Breakfast Sando 4.5/5

A more exciting brunch item on the menu, and is also one of Musette's signatures, is the Breakfast Sando ($19). Packing the breakfast essentials between 2 toasted fluffy white bread with evenly brown crusts, well-grilled smoked bacon, soft scrambled egg and slices of wholesome avocado bound together by oozy cheddar cheese and chipotle sauce. There were also some finely chopped pickles to lend some acidity to its richness. And what also made it such a delicious sando were the two fluffy slices of bread that come with evenly brown buttery crusts, lightly toasted with butter to enhance their toasty notes.

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Shakshuka 3.5/5

Shakshuka ($18.00) is a new brunch item. While I love the bold and robust tomato sauce, which makes a good Shakshuka, it is more cohesive as a dish without the Chicken sausage by the side. It seems awkward to me.

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Spicy Crab Rigatoni 3/5

Under Mains, we tried the Spicy Crab Rigatoni. This rendition will hit the right spot if you like yours with a good amount of heat. However, the saltish tobiko works better with mild flavours instead of layering such highly flavoured dish with even more savouriness.

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Kale & Avocado Salad 3.5/5

Kale & Avocado Salad ($18) comes with a heap of Fried Kale which sits well even with non-greens lovers. The sweet and citrusy Honey Thyme dressing complimented the bitter greens and sharp feta cheese.

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Kaya Butter Roll 5/5

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Tiramisu 4/5

On your visit, you must give Kōbō cakes here a try! The Kaya Butter Roll ($8) is simply divine. Nothing was overpowering or overly sweet, which allowed the pandan flavour to come through. The pandan cake roll was light, soft and fluffy, and the aromatic kaya inside enhanced that pandan flavour, leaving a lingering pandan scent on my palette. In addition, the light French butter stick embedded within added a creamy mouthfeel to the cake, which elevated the overall experience.

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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Musette x Kōbō by Melissa
Thye Hong Centre
2 Leng Kee Road
#01-06
Singapore 159086
Tel: +65 80310131
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Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon – Sun: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Monday: ONLY Pastry & Beverage

Direction:
1) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Tiong Bahru Road. Continue onto Leng Kee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]