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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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
Facebook
Instagram
Website
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]

YUN NANS Stonepot Fish @ Northpoint City - Pressure Steam Cooked Live Fish In Collagen-rich Fish Soup

YUN NANS (云海肴), which has four restaurants in Singapore, has recently opened a new stonepot fish concept in Northpoint, Yishun. YUN NANS Stonepot Fish is Singapore's first concept specialising in cooking live fish using high-pressure steam in a stone pot made of natural granite.

Stonepot Fish Soup 4/5

The granite stone pot is imported from Yunnan that is specially handcrafted for the restaurant. It is supposed to heat the food evenly and retains heat well. Covered with a handcrafted straw hat that doubles as the pot's lid, subjecting the fish and broth to be cooked in a high-pressure steaming method, extracting the natural flavours.

The fish used at the restaurant are sustainably sourced from local farms. Customers have choices of live fish such as seabass, patin or soon hock. Fresh seabass is also available starting from $28. Upon picking the fish, the culled and cleaned fish is placed into the stone pot, followed by pouring the nourishing fish broth that has been simmered for more than six hours into the stone pot.

Alongside the fish, diners can also add a variety of other hotpot ingredients, such as premium meats, handmade beef balls, seafood, and vegetables, to sweeten the soup for a hearty meal.

Some of the rare ingredients I enjoyed were the golden fungus, chayote leaves, and Lijiang purple heart potatoes, which are a Yunnan speciality.

While I enjoyed the light yet flavourful fish soup, the local palate might prefer a richer flavour.

Grilled Clams with Spicy Garlic Sauce 3.8/5

Apart from the signature stoneput fish, the restaurant offers cooked hot items too. We tried the Grilled Clams with Spicy Garlic Sauce ($12.90++) and Crispy Barramundi Collar ($9.80++). The clams are placed over a bed of vermicelli in an aluminium foil box and grilled over charcoal fire, paying homage to the quintessential Yunnan cooking style.

Crispy Barramundi Collar 4.5/5

For the lightly marinated barramundi collar, deep-fried to crispy on the exterior and yet moist inside. Served with salt and pepper dip, this is simple yet so addictive and delicious.

Baked Rose Petals Pastry 3.5/5

We wrapped up our dinner with the Baked Rose Petals Pastry and Crispy Rice Cake with Brown Sugar for dessert. The baked rose petals pastry has a beautiful floral scent encased in flaky pastry skin. As for the rice cake, it is mochi-soft with a delightful crisp on the exterior.

Crispy Rice Cake with Brown Sugar 4.2/5

Note: This is an invited tasting.


YUN NANS Stonepot Fish
Northpoint Fish
South Wing
1 Northpoint Drive
#01-103
Singapore 768019
Tel: +65 65131381
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Yishun (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

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

Le Matin Patisserie @ Robinson Road - Expanded With Two New Outlets

Fans of Le Matin will be great that they have opened two more outlets at Paragon and Robinson Road. I visited their new outlet at Robinson Road. Now Le Matin has a bigger space and more importantly a proper dine-in space.

With the dine-in space, now we can enjoy the pastries in comfort over a cup of coffee. We tried a few of their pastries that was available during our visit.

Avo On Toast - grilled pecan financier "toast" stacked with avocado mousse and sourdough creameux finished with a shaving of brown cheese and vegemite dust.

Granola Bowl - granola tart bowl filled with a yogurt and elderflower panna cotta, topped with cloudberry jam and a green strawberry tartar.

Cashew Tart - crisp pate sucree filled with a cashew and saffron frangipane and orange blossom scented mulberries. It is topped with a touch of cashew custard, cashew nougatine and caramelised cashew nut.

Escargot - traditional croissant pastry shaped like a snail and stuffed with juicy escargots from France, and a mushroom ricotta custard. It’s then coated with a garlic crumb and doused with garlic butter, then finished with a swirl of parsley chimichurri.

Ox Tongue & Cheese Croissant Panini - classic croissant layered with beef tongue and wagyu bresaola, a mix of 4 different cheeses, as well as pickled rose petals, butternut and horseradish. It is then flattened in a grill like a panini sando.

Of the pastries I tried, I prefer the savouries over the sweets. One of my all time favourites is the Ox Tongue & Cheese Croissant Panini. Saying that, the Avo on Toast is an interesting take of the traditional avocado toast.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Le Matin Patisserie
77 Robinson Road
#01-03
Singapore 068896
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 9am - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Robinson Road and Maxwell Road traffic junction. Cross the road and turn left onto Robinson Road. Walk down Robinsion Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Bravery @ Amoy Street - Muslim-owned Cafe Reopens at New Location with Refreshed Brunch Menu

The Bravery has moved from Lavender Street, where it has stood for seven years to, a two-storey conservation shophouse along the trendy Amoy Street neighbourhood. The second storey also houses The Bravery’s in-house bakery, which churns out fresh bread and baked goods daily. With a full-service team led by Sous Chef Melvin Lam and award-winning Head Barista Maryvn Tan, customers can expect an elevated menu comprising new dishes, crowd-pleasing signatures, freshly-baked treats and quality brews.

Nova Cheese Toast 4/5

From the brunch menu, we had the Nova Cheese Toast ($16), where lemon and dill cream cheese is spread on house-baked sourdough bread and topped generously with smoked salmon, ikura, and microgreens. The side of silky smooth scrambled eggs was a welcoming addition to this classic brunch dish.

Steak & Eggs 4.2/5

The crowd-favourite Steak & Eggs ($23) was no less impressive as well, with tender grass-fed striploin served with a side of house-baked sourdough toast and sunny side eggs.

Cod en Papillote 3.5/5

The Cod en Papillote ($33) features cod fillet is baked in a paper bag with fennel, seasonal greens, herbs, microgreens, and soy broth to keep the fish tender and moist. It is served with a bowl of furikake-topped rice to complement the fish.

Seafood Alfredo 3.8/5

A dish with an umami punch is the Seafood Alfredo ($20). The creamy al dente spaghetti is complete with Tiger prawn, white clams, crab meat, ikura, and a crustacean oil made in-house by infusing roasted shellfish into olive oil.

Hojicha Milk 4/5, Dirty Matcha 4/5

The Bravery serves up signatures like the ever-popular Lavender Latte ($6.50) along with new offerings such as Hojicha Milk ($6.50) and Dirty Matcha ($7). Using beans from Allpress Espresso in Melbourne, which boasts of rich, chocolate notes with a full-bodied flavour, each cup of joe makes for the ideal morning or midday pick-me-up.

Gateau au Chocolat 4/5

We round off our meal on a sweet note with their variety of desserts. Available all day, the bakery churns out a wide range of bread, cakes and pastries, such as the crowd-pleasing Gateau au Chocolat ($6.90 per slice) filled with rich chocolatey decadence.

Lemon Meringue Pie 4/5

The Lemon Meringue Pie is enjoyable as well, with a lightly torched meringue atop, soft, tangy curd and crumbly base.

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.


The Bravery
50 Amoy St
Singapore 069876
Tel: +65 93882973
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 8am - 6pm
Fri-Sun: 8am - 9pm
(Closed on 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 5 minutes. [Map]

YUN NANS (云海肴) @ Westgate - Celebrate Chinese New Year Featuring Specialities Prepared With Premium Ingredients Imported From Yunnan

Usher in the Year of the Ox this February with Yun Nans (云海肴), The restaurant has put together six Chinese New Year set menus catering from 4 to 8 pax ($298++ to $838++), featuring specialities prepared with premium ingredients imported from Yunnan. The set menus will be available from 01 February to 28 February 2021.

Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng 3.5/5

Lo Hei is a must-have at every Chinese New Year feast. It is our unique way of celebrating Chinese New Year in Singapore. Yun Nans has unveiled the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng ($58.80/ $78.80) for the occasion. It is available for both dine-in and takeaway.

Yun Nans Prosperity Treasure Hot Pot 4.8/5

Making a coming back this year is the Yun Nans Prosperity Treasure Hot Pot ($288++/ $438++) with a level-up version with even more premium ingredients. In the treasure pot, diners can look forward to delicacies such as wild morel, wild golden fungus, sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, prawns, mushrooms, fish maw and cordyceps flowers, laid with yam and Chinese cabbage in the base.

Traditional Salt Baked Chicken 4.5/5

The Traditional Salted Baked Chicken ($22.80++/ $38.80++) is cooked with two types of ginger - sand ginger and galangal, the kampung chicken is braised, then baked until tender and juicy with the braising sauce penetrating every inch of it.

Steamed Red Grouper Peppercorn Style

Instead of the usual Hong Kong style steamed fish, why not try something new for the new year? I would highly recommend you to the Steamed Red Grouper Peppercorn Style. The aromatic peppercorn gives the steamed fish a full elevated enjoyment.

"Bi Feng Tang" Style Pork Ribs with Truffles 4.2/5

The "Bi Feng Tang" Style Pork Ribs with Truffles ($33.80++) is humongous. I could not resist picking up the pork rib with my hands. A pull with my teeth and the meat falls off the bone with ease. While the thick coat of garlic and chilli is aromatic, I could not taste the truffle at all. Hence I don't think the addition of truffle is necessary at all.

Braised Truffle Ee-fu Noodles 3/5

Same as the pork rib, I could not taste the truffle in the Braised Truffle Ee-fu Noodles ($16.80++). It s a comforting dish to wrap up the savoury dishes before moving to desserts.

Double-boiled Peach Gum and Snow Fungus 3.5/5

The Double-boiled Peach Gum and Snow Fungus ($6.80++) is not only refreshing but nourishing too with ingredients such as Peng Da Hai, peach gum, snow fungus and snow lotus seed.

Freshly Baked New Year Pastry

A must-try is the flaky Freshly Baked New Year Pastry. I thought it is filled with red bean paste, but after checking with the restaurant, I realised it is rose petals, no wonder there is a beautiful floral scent.

Besides the six Chinese New Year dine-in set menus, there is also a Special Chinese New Year Takeaway Set ($298+ Members/ $338 public) for takeaway. The takeaway set comprises prosperity abalone yu sheng, prosperity treasure hotpot, steamed glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf and traditional salt baked chicken. The dine-in set menus and takeaway menus are available at their Nex and Jewel Changi Airport outlets too.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


YUN NANS (云海肴) 
Westgate
3 Gateway Drive
#03-07
Singapore 608532
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10pm

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

Exuberant Lunar New Year Creations to Usher In the Year Of The Ox At Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel has put together an exuberant Lunar New Year creations this year to usher in the Year of the Ox. Beloved signatures, as well as new goodies and lavish delicacies, are available from 24 January to 26 February 2021.

Auspicious Abundance "Lo Hei" 4.2/5

Over at Min Jiang Dempsey, the restaurant has created the new Auspicious Abundance "Lo Hei" ($268++ dine in/ $285.75nett takeaway) for both dine-in and takeaway. The elegantly present Yu Sheng comes in a crunchy rice cracker net filled with steamed Alaskan crab leg meat set atop fresh pomelo, peach, abalone and a medley of vegetables and fruit.

Double-boiled Abalone Soup and Eel Fish Maw 4.5/5

A new dish on the Chinese New Year menu is the Double-boiled Abalone Soup and Eel Fish Maw ($265.35 nett). I feel it a good change from the usual richly flavoured Chinese New Year dishes. In the light and refreshing soup, diners can also find handmade Prawn Dumplings and Minced Pork Balls in the claypot. It is available at Min Jiang at Goodwood Park for takeaway/delivery.

Braised Pork Belly, Meatball with Crabmeat in Beancurd Pockets and Sea Treasures in Claypot 4.5/5

Over at Min Jiang at Dempsey, diners who prefer the rich and robust flavour will enjoy the Braised Pork Belly, Meatball with Crabmeat in Beancurd Pockets and Sea Treasures in Claypot ($393.75 nett). Dig into the treasure pot to discover more delicacies such as braised Australian 10-head abalone, Chinese dried oysters, black moss, flower mushrooms, sea cucumbers, dried scallops and tientsin cabbage. The treasure pot is available for takeaway/delivery at Min Jiang at Dempsey.

Slow-braised Spicy Oxtail with Pickled Mustard and Enoki Mushrooms in Claypot 4.2/5

In conjunction with the Year of the Ox, Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel has created the Slow-braised Spicy Oxtail with Pickled Mustard and Enoki Mushrooms in Claypot ($254.65 nett). The oxtail pieces are simmered in Sichuan peppercorn, fermented chilli bean paste, red chilli, star anise, cinnamon sticks, garlic, onions and carrots for 3 to 4 hours. The flavourful Sichuan spices though subtle, enhances the enjoyment of the oxtail that is cooked to tender.

Stewed Rice with Minced Chicken, Dried Scallops, Baby Abalone and Liver Sausage in Stone Pot 4/5

I find the Stewed Rice with Minced Chicken, Dried Scallops, Baby Abalone and Liver Sausage in Stone Pot a hybrid between our traditional claypot rice and poached rice. The flavoursome sauce enhanced the fluffy rice. The addition of dried scallops and liver sausage further elevating the whole enjoyment.

Besides the savoury dishes, Goodwood Park Hotel has also introduced new sweet and savoury Lunar New Year treats for takeaway/delivery. You will not be able to resist the addictive Maple Butter and Almond Garlic Lotus Root Chips ($36.80), 'Chiku' Arrowhead Chips ($28.80) and Crispy Kang Kong with Cheese & Sour Cream ($28.80).

Gong Xi 'Huat' Cai - Pineapple Crumble Tart 4.2/5

A delicious new creation Gong Xi 'Huat' Cai - Pineapple Crumble Tart ($78 nett, 700g). It is an innovative take of the traditional pineapple tart with a western twist. The tart measures 14cm in diameter is a marriage of buttery goodness and refreshing tart pineapple.

Bountiful Box of Sweet Blessings - Assorted Petit Pastries 4.5/5

Great for gifting and ending reunion dinners on a sweet note is the Bountiful Box of Sweet Blessings - Assorted Petit Pastries ($80 nett, 15pc). The stunning collection of 15 petit tarts and cakes in a medley of flavours will delight family and friends. Diners can look forward to flavours such as chocolate almond, pineapple crumble, baked cheesecake, orange chiboust and coffee vanilla.

Lucky Fortune Oranges - Kumquat Butter Cake and Marble Cake 4/5

Shaped into mandarin orange are the Lucky Fortune Oranges - Kumquat Butter Cake and Marble Cake ($138 nett, 2kg). The handcrafted mandarin oranges feature six kumquat butter cakes with a vanilla buttercream layer. Sitting underneath the mandarin oranges is a box made of moist marble cake covered in a rich red fondant decorated with symbolic greetings and design.

Fortune Koi Fish 'Nian Gao' with Red Bean Paste 4/5

A treat to both the palate and eyes is the Fortune Koi Fish 'Nian Gao' with Red Bean Paste ($45.80 nett, 8pc), filled with delectable smooth red bean paste.

Bak Kwa 4.5/5

You probably not known is the moreish Bak Kwa ($56 nett for 600g/ $88 nett for 1kg), marinated in a proprietary blend of spices and barbecued by the hotel's Chinese chefs and sold pre-cut in small slices.

The Lunar New Year Treats and Abundant Feasting Specials will be available for takeaway or delivery from The Deli and Min Jiang (Goodwood Park Hotel) as well as Min Jiang at Dempsey. Guests may place online orders at https://goodwoodparkfestive.oddle.me for delivery or self-collection.

Alternatively, guests can contact Min Jiang at (65) 6730 1704 / email: min_jiang@goodwoodparkhotel.com, or Min Jiang at Dempsey at (65) 6774 0122/ email: mjdempsey@goodwoodparkhotel.com, to place takeaway orders for self-collection only. Advance orders of five days are required for deliveries and takeaways. Availability for all Lunar New Year specials is from 24 January to 26 February 2021, and the last pre-order date is 21 February 2021, 12pm.