SPRUCE @ HillV2 - 15th Anniversary Grand Reopening with New Menu Featuring Collaboration by MasterChef Singapore Season 4 Winner Inderpal Singh

SPRUCE recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a grand reopening at HillV2 and introduced a new bakery and bistro concept. Their all-new menu features a range of new dishes alongside an exclusive MasterChef collaboration with MasterChef Singapore Season 4 winner, Inderpal Singh. This collaboration consists of 5 items by Chef Inderpal, which showcase his expertise in spices.

The new modern space is adorned with warm lights and lots of greens, making it a cosy space for gatherings.

Beverages

Their beverage list is extensive, with homemade drinks such as Homemade Lemonade ($8), freshly squeezed lemon with fresh mint, and Arnold Palmer ($7), a blend of freshly brewed tea and homemade lemonade. Cocktails, created in collaboration with award-winning mixologist Nithi, are also available.

MasterChef Laksa Pumpkin Soup 3.8/5

The MasterChef Laksa Pumpkin Soup ($15) caught our eye for its intriguing combination of sweet pumpkin, laksa leaves, galanga and chilli! The creamy soup took some getting used to but paired well with a crunchy slice of garlic bread.

MasterChef - Fenugreek Crab Cake 4.2/5

A popular MasterChef creation is the Fenugreek Crab Cake ($22). Despite its price, it was chock full of succulent crab meat. We were also fans of the rich and aromatic fenugreek chutney, which enhanced the overall umami flavours.

MasterChef “Chilli Prawn” Roti John 3.5/5

The MasterChef "Chilli Prawn" Roti John ($27) featured prawns in chilli crab sauce on a basil roti john, offering a special twist on the classic beef or chicken versions. However, it was a tad pricey for its portion.

Prawn Orecchiette 4/5

For mains, we first had the Prawn Orecchiette ($24), which saw orecchiette pasta tossed in spinach and garlic cream sauce, with tiger prawn chunks and zucchini. While I would have liked the pasta a touch softer, the garlicky sauce was quite enjoyable.

Truffled & Mushroom Risotto 3.8/5

The Truffled & Mushroom Risotto ($23) was decent, with carnaroli rice simmered with mushrooms and mascarpone cheese. The thick texture made it better suited as a sharing dish.

Chimichurri Baby Back Ribs 4.2/5

Apart from the Fenugreek Crab Cake, our other unanimous favourite of the night was the Chimichurri Baby Back Ribs ($26). I rarely order baby back ribs as they usually come doused in a thick, sweet sauce, which I am not a fan of. SPRUCE's rendition, however, has the tender ribs served with a zesty homemade chimichurri sauce and shoestring fries on the side.

MasterChef - Barramundi & Coconut Briyani 4/5

The MasterChef — Barramundi & Coconut Briyani ($28), aptly described by my dining companions as a healthy briyani, was clean-tasting in a good way. The pan-seared barramundi had a crisp skin, while its meat remained tender. It was atop coconut briyani with pistachio and raisins and accompanied by a side of refreshing yogurt.

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.


SPRUCE
HillV2
#01-01
4 Hillview Rise
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 9759 5790
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Hillview Road. Turn right onto Hillview road. Walk down Hillview Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine (湘香湖湖南菜) @ Mosque Street - Unlocking the Hidden Gems of Hunan Cuisine

I can't believe it took me this long to stumble upon Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine (湘香H湖南菜). Surprisingly, they've been part of Singapore's culinary scene for 15 years, with four outlets scattered across Seng Kang, Bedok, Bugis, and Chinatown. I recently visited the Chinatown branch to unravel the wonders of Hunan cuisine.

Hunan Style Fried Pork 4.8/5

A must-try at this eatery is their signature Hunan Style Fried Pork. The pork slices were incredibly tender and succulent, and the chilli peppers added a satisfying crunch. The bold black bean sauce and garlic flavours tied the dish together, creating a delicious medley of tastes and textures.

Homemade Preserved Egg with Chilli 4/5

The Homemade Preserved Egg with Chilli was served in a mortar-like bowl, and our server masterfully pounded the crushed chilli from Changsha with the century egg. This technique allowed the spicy goodness to infuse into the preserved egg. While the texture might differ from everyone's cup of tea, I found it quite interesting and loved the unique flavour that the century egg brought to the dish.

Crispy Tofu stuffed with Soymilk 3.5/5

The Crispy Tofu stuffed with Soymilk is deep-fried to perfection. It had a wonderfully crispy exterior and a silky-smooth interior. However, the sauce could have been more robust to elevate the overall experience. It lacked that extra punch.

Stir-fried Cauliflower 4.8/5

A delightful surprise came in the form of Stir-Fried Cauliflower. While it might seem like a simple dish, it was executed brilliantly. The cauliflower was cooked to a delightful crunch, and the fragrant pork crackling added a lovely crispy texture to the dish.

Pumpkin Soup with Tofu and Shrimp 4.2/5

The Pumpkin Soup with Tofu and Shrimp was a pleasant surprise. It offered a delightful combination of sweetness and creaminess, blurring the lines between Chinese and Western-style soups. Adding tofu, shrimp, carrots, and peas complemented the soup perfectly.

Spicy Bullfrog Pot 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes was the Spicy Bullfrog Pot. It was spicy and fragrant, with the bullfrog meat being incredibly tender and clean-tasting. Hidden beneath the pile of bullfrogs were other ingredients like mung bean noodles and vegetables, adding depth to the dish.

This was my first experience with Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, and it did not disappoint. I now understand why this restaurant has remained crowded and successful for 15 years.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
8/9/10 Mosque Street
Singapore 059488
Tel: +65 62255968
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Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to New Bridge Road. Turn right at New Bridge Road and walk to Mosque Street. Turn right onto Mosque Street and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]