Salt Grill & Sky Bar @ Ion Orchard - Introduces 'Weekend Social' An Elevated Australian Communal Brunch Experience

Located at the summit of ION Orchard with a stunning 360 view of the city skyline, modern Australian all-day restaurant and bar, Salt Grill & Sky Bar recently introduces 'Weekend Social'. It is a brand new communal brunch dining experience, featuring a selection of shared plates which showcases the best produce that the region has to offer.

Cold-smoked Aoraki King Salmon 4/5

The new brunch menu is no less impressive, with a variety of options to choose from from the small, large plates to larger dishes. Start with a light Cold-smoked Aoraki King Salmon ($22) served with creme fraiche, horseradish, and crunchy fermented cucumber to add a zestiness to the rich oak-smoked flavour of the fresh salmon.

Roasted Spencer Gulf Prawns 4.2/5

Next, indulge in the Roasted Spencer Gulf Prawns ($24). So fresh and sweet, it needs no further condiments to enhance its natural flavours. It is served with dollops of seaweed butter for a kick of umami richness, as well as a special lap cheong chilli jam to add a subtle tinge of spice to the juicy prawns.

Parmesan & Truffle Polenta 4.5/5

The Parmesan & Truffle Polenta ($18) was an absolute favourite, with plenty of truffle shavings, parmesan and shimeiji mushrooms on a smooth, creamy bed of polenta. Break into the Japanese free-range egg and mix in the yolk to meld all the ingredients in the dish together. Best enjoyed with the complimentary bread slices, which you can also use to mop up every last dollop of this goodness.

Miso-glazed Bangalow Pork Chop 3.8/5

For something more substantial, opt for the large plates with meatier options such as the Miso-glazed Bangalow Pork Chop ($39) served with warm kimchi & potato, apple & cabbage slaw.

Slow & low Indian Spiced Lamb Shoulder 4/5

The Slow & low Indian Spiced Lamb Shoulder ($38) comes marinated in fragrant Indian spices which rendered it meltingly tender, and teams perfectly with the saffron fregola, rita and cucumber salad.

Grilled Local Chicken 'Inasal Style' 4.2/5

While the unanimous favourite around the table is the Grilled Local Chicken 'Inasal Style' ($36). The grilled chicken boasts an extremely tender texture and comes served with a side fragrant truffle fried rice, onsen egg and tomato salsa, adding a refreshing tang to the dish.

400g Westholme Wagyu Rump Cap MBS 5 4.5/5

The Weekend Social menu also features a few larger dishes for diners of bigger group sizes. The highlight goes to the 400g Westholme Wagyu Rump Cap MBS 5 ($108). A thick cap of fat runs across the top, which gives a rich depth of flavour and succulence to the steak. It comes served with an umami mushroom ragout, thick, crispy hand-cut chips, Japanese free-range eggs, bearnaise and house ketchup.

The rest of the weekend brunch menu is a curated selection of raw dishes like oysters and wagyu beef tartare; different types of artisanal cheeses like the aged cheddar, brie au poivre and reblochon; as well as sweet treats such as the Pavlova with Vanilla Mascarpone and Balsamic Strawberry Compote ($14), House Coconut Sorbet ($14), and Banoffee Tart ($14)

Banoffee Tart 4.2/5

My favourite goes to the Banoffee Tart ($14) with miso caramel, and chocolate & banana mousse encased in a cinnamon shortcrust, adorned with a dehydrated banana. From the saltiness of the miso caramel which balances perfectly with the slight sweetness of the chocolate banana mousse, to the buttery, crumbly crust, it is a well-crafted dessert to end your meal with on a sweet note.

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.


Salt Grill and Sky Bar
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65925118
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

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

Fifty50 Cafe @ Tanjong Pagar - Cosy Cafe Offering Flexitarian Menu

Fifty50 at Onze@Tanjong Pagar is a cosy little cafe that offers a 'flexitarian' menu. With meat free dishes occupying half of it, so should either you or your dining partner decide to skip the protein for a meal, both of you could still tuck into proper hot food together at Fifty50, saving that salad bars for other rainy days. Healthy indulgence and balanced living are what is all about here, hence you will discover that some of the instore elements are about recycling, reducing and reusing, such as the menu board, takeaway boxes etc.

Soup 2.8/5

Started my meal with a Hearty Soup of the day - Tomato based Crab Bisque, served with a side of garlic bread ($5). I'm not a fan of cream based soups, hence this works well for me. I would say it tasted a lot better than it looked. The bisque was well-seasoned and flavourful, and the sweetness of the crab meat was quite pronounced.

Penne Pumpkin 3/5

For my lunch, I opted for the Penne Pumpkin ($10.50),served in a marinara cream sauce. The combination of the dense feta cheese and soft pumpkin gives a rich, mouth-filling texture, and their juxtaposing flavours coupled with nutty nuances from the pine nuts makes the pasta really appetizing. Perhaps that was why I was barely half-way through when all that was left was only pasta and the sauce. Still, I feel the portion of the toppings can be a lot more generous.

Daily Green 3/5

Fifty50 Daily Greens ($6.50) changes regularly and what I had was seasonal vegetables with cous cous and house pickled beetroot, served with a zesty orange dressing. Options to add on proteins are available, including Crunchy Falafel which is less commonly available in cafes.

Scrambled Eggs On Sourdough Toast 2.5/5

A couple of beakfast items are available till 11am, which I feel they could have been done a lot better. Looking at my Scrambled Eggs On Sourdough Toast ($6.50) with a Smoked Salmon (+$2), I actually miss my own homemade eggy breakfast.

Seven Spice Chai 4/5

Even you don't intend to have a meal, there are very decent coffees are served at Fifty50 from Allpress Espresso but what I really miss is its Seven Spice Chai ($5). Mildly sweet, it was such a comforting post-meal drink. Highly recommended if you are always looking around for a decent Chai Latte.

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.


Fifty50
Onze @ Tanjong Pagar
11 Kee Seng Street
#01-04
Singapore 089218
Tel: +65 98552848
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm
(Closed on Sat-Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road at Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Kee Seng Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Tiong Bahru Bakery @ Eng Hoon Street - The All New Afternoon Three Sum

Everyone has probably heard of Tiong Bahru Bakery, which currently has 3 outlets in Singapore and even opening a 4th outlet at Chip Bee Gardens soon. They open from 8am-8pm across all outlets selling things from savoury breads to desserts and tarts.

Afternoon Three Sum 4.5/5

The new Afternoon Three Sum is a combination of 3 dim sum baskets, one consists of Tiong Bahru Bakery Favourites while the other two are French and Singaporean Desserts. In the first basket, there is a Baked Ham & Cheese Sandwich that is surprisingly the tastiest out of them all despite being a typical sandwich we all know about. There are also a Smoked Salmon Bun and Pulled Pork Sandwich that are both really unique.

Next, the middle basket features tarts that are sold on shelves in Tiong Bahru Bakery. I fall in love with the Zesty Lemon Curd, which had a really good balance of sweet and sour, making it really easy on the palette. Next is the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Tart which has a different texture compared to the Lemon Tart. The chocolate tart is more crumbly and there is a smooth layer of chocolate filling in the tart.

In the bottom tier, there are desserts representing Singaporean flavours like the Coconut Cheesecake, Pandan Tartelette and Blue Pea & Yuzu serine Panna Cotta. The coconut cheesecake was a winner for me. I am so tempted to order the whole cheesecake for myself. It was soft and creamy, with coconut flavours sneaking in here and there in a mouthful. The base of the cheesecake is crunchy and fragrant. Everything components of the cheesecake just comes together perfectly.

Pulled Pork Bun 4.5/5

Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant 4/5

If you're looking for something heavier, you can give their bread choices a try like the Pulled Pork Bun ($9) or the Brie & Roasted Mushroom Croissant ($8.50). Their croissants are made every 2 hours, ensuring freshness.

Tiramisu 4/5

Another dessert that you should really try was their Tiramisu ($9). The alcohol taste in this tiramisu wasn't strong and they added those little chocolate crunch balls for extra texture.

The Afternoon Three Sum is available from 3pm to 5pm daily, so do give it a try! You can get the best of both worlds. The Afternoon Three Sum is priced at $25 at its Eng Hoon Street and Tangs Orchard outlets and $23.40 at its Raffles City Shopping Centre outlet.

Photos and words by Vanessa Chia. A girl who has a passion for taking photos. Determined to always get better at what I am doing. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: +65 62203430
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram (EW Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 8pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Head east on Tiong Bahru Road towards Jalan Membina. Walk down Tiong Bahru and turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Turn left onto Lim Liak Street. Walk to end of Lim Liak Street and turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station (Stop ID 06011). Take bus no. 33, 63, 75, 851 or 970. Alight 1 stop later at Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road. Continue on Tiong Bahru Road and turn left onto Seng Poh Road. Continue on Seng Poh Road until destination. Journey time 8 minutes. [Map]

Foxhole Cafe @ The Midtown Hougang – Cozy Hideout With Quality All-Day Brunch fare And Coffee From The Pourover Bar

Nestled within the Hougang residences at The Midtown, previously known as Hougang Plaza, The Foxhole Cafe occupies a double storey unit, greeting customers with the smell of coffee from the espresso bar and a dessert display counter filled with freshly baked goods on the first storey. Decor is kept simple for the main seating area tucked away on the second storey that can accommodate up to 30 people, with minimalistic furnishings, an eye-catching hand-painted galaxy unicorn mural on one side of the wall, and a huge floor-to-ceiling window that allows ample lighting into the space for those instagrammable shots.

In collaboration with The Pourover Bar, The Foxhole Cafe serves a selection of quality filtered coffees brewed to perfection with specialty beans from Melbourne, Australia. Known for its wide selection of internationally championed single origin Ninety Plus specialty coffee beans, there is little wonder why The Pourover Bar has garnered a loyal following since its establishment in 2016. Furthermore, The Foxhole Cafe has also expanded its menu over the year, from a limited selection of light bites and cakes, to a larger variety of more substantial mains, such as burgers, pastas and udon bowls. Now you can satisfy your caffeine fix with quality coffee, teas from The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., as well as a wider selection of delectable yet instagrammable food offerings all under one roof.

Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon 4/5

The Croissant Egg Benedict and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon ($15.90) features a large croissant that boasts a flaky crispy exterior and buttery softer insides, with a generous serving of smoked salmon slices sandwiched in between, garnished with specks of black pepper that present a balance of saltiness and peppery taste. Slice into the egg benedict and let the creamy yellow soak up the rest of the ingredients, imparting a subtle sweetness to the dish and giving the fillings more textural contrast against the silky smoked salmon and flaky croissant.

Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips 4/5

The Signature Foxhole Hawaiian Beef Burger with Truffle Chips ($15.90) comes in a huge beef patty, pineapple slice, melted cheese and lettuce sandwiched in between soft burger buns. The beef done medium rare, boasts a soft texture and is well seasoned with salt and pepper, while the addition of the pineapple slice imparts a burst of refreshing juiciness and sweetness to the burger. The side of truffle chips boasts a subtle hint of truffle, while contributing an additional crunch to the dish.

Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl 4.2/5

The Honey Garlic Prawn Udon Bowl ($16.90) features a bowl of thick udon noodles done al dente, and a colourful array of different ingredients carefully arranged on top, comprising of sweet corn, carrots, mushrooms, tofu and green peas. The highlight of the dish - honey glazed garlic prawns boast a perfect sweet-savoury balance as you bite into those juicy prawns. Slice into the onsen egg and let the runny yellow coat the rest of the ingredients.

Yakult Lover 3.8/5

Relive your childhood dreams with the Yakult Lover ($6.90) which is the signature drink of the cafe that seems to have been created for the social media. It comes in an instagrammable upsized Yakult bottle filled with yakult flavoured soda and a small mason jar served on a wooden tray. Although the familiar taste of the probiotic yoghurt drink is a refreshingly unique combination with the soda, the fizzy bubbly taste of the latter might be too overwhelming at some points. The drink further eased to a more welcoming balance as the ice melted towards the ends.

The Foxhole Cafe is the perfect cozy spot to provide a calming respite and chill over pastries and good coffee while people watching through the tall windows overlooking the grass field outside. With an established fan base of coffee lovers for the quality coffee from The Pourover Bar and introduction of a wider variety of quality food pegged at affordable prices, it is a noteworthy place that continuously set expectations and is definitely one not to be missed, especially if you're staying near the Hougang area.

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.


Foxhole Cafe
The Midtown at Hougang
1189 Upper Serangoon Road
#01-18
Singapore 534785
Tel: +65 63855587
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Hougang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Sat: 9am - 10pm
Sun: 9am - 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Hougang MRT Station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Hougang Central road. Continue to block 805. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

FiSK Seafoodbar & Market @ Stevens Road - Fresh From Cold Waters

FiSK Seafoodbar & Market is a new dining and retail destination at the compound of recently opened Novotel on Stevens Road. FiSK is the Norwegian term for fish, a fitting name for the new seafoodbar & market, which is the brainchild of Frank Naesheim, Founder and CEO of Snorre Food, specialising in distributing quality Norweigan and coldwater seafood in Singapore and Asia.

Fried Herring 4/5

Skipping the retail space, we dive straight to the dining experience. We started with the Fried Herring ($3.50/pc). A light and delightful starter with dill-marinated pickled Norwegian herring encased in a sourdough batter, topped with sour cream, dried dill powder, lemon zest and lemon thyme.

Prawns On Ice 4.8/5

From the Norwegian cold water, the Prawns On Ice ($6/100gram) although small in size, is firm, juicy, delicate and sweet. I think I can end up eating the whole bunch on myself. By the way, this is only available for lunch.

Open Face Smorrebread Sandwich 3/5

Available for lunch is the Open Face Smorrebread Sandwich ($6/pc) with a vary selection of toppings on top buttered rye bread. During my visit, I had Sichuan house-smoked Norwegian mackerel, trout roe, hard-boiled egg, sour cream, frisee and fresh dill. Do note, the topping varies from coldwater prawns, smoked mackerel, pickled herring, hard-boiled eggs, salmon tartar, trout roe, caviar, pickled onions, Norwegian mayonnaise and more.

Smoked Salmon, "Pulpit Rock" 3/5

The Smoked Salmon, "Pulpit Rock" ($18) comes with house-smoked Norwegian salmon, housemade flatbread, scrambled eggs with chopped chives. Nothing fancy but I really enjoy the creamy texture of the scrambled eggs. How I wish I can cook my eggs as good as this.

Creamed Fish & Shellfish Soup 4.5/5

Using a combination of two different base stocks from fish bones and shellfish, is the Creamed Fish & Shellfish Soup ($7.50 Half/$12.50 Full). Cream and tomato paste is added for the finished product, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and sprig of dill. In the bowl of creamy and comforting soup, you can find Altantic cod, Norwegian salmon, coldwater prawns, carrots, celeriac and leeks, bread and butter..

Altantic Halibut 4/5

The Atlantic Halibut is available as part of the dinner set menu. The moist piece of halibut is paired with a blend of foie gras, red wine and beef bone sauce. I felt that the sauce has brought out the best of the piece of fish, swimming in the calm sea, just like the clean tasting dish.

Raw Hand-Dived Scallop 4.2/5

The Raw Hand-Dived Scallop ($29) is sliced into thin strips and dressed with a juniper and calamansi gastrique upon order. The accompany sauce works beautifully with the scallop. However I still prefer my scallop as a whole rather than strips.

Sour Cream Mousse 3.5/5

The pretty dessert, Sour Cream Mousse ($14) is made from whipped sour cream, whipped cream and Italian meringue, mixed with lemon juice and gelatine. It is paired with strawberry consomme, strawberry jam, preserved lemon and basil oil. The combination can be a but unusual and I needed a few more scoops before accepting it.

Uni Ice Cream 4/5

You probably have tried many different flavours of ice cream or gelato but have you ever tried Uni Ice Cream ($16). The uni ice cream is made using neri uni (preserved salted uni) from Japan, together with cream, milk and tapioca starch. I enjoyed the salted taste of the ice cream, and I thought the uni flavour can be richer.

FiSK Seafoodbar & Market is the new consumer-focused destination for lovers of quality seafood that combines dining and retail in a single seamless ‘Seafarer to Chef’ experience in the heart of the city.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


FiSK Seafoodbar & Market
Novotel Singapore on Stevens Road
30 Stevens Road
#01-01
Singapore 257840
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Stevens (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Seafoodbar
Mon: 1130am - 7pm
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 430pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 1130am - 7pm

Market
Mon-Sun: 10am - 7pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Stevens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to bus stop at Stevens Court (Stop ID 40229). Take bus number 105, 132, 190 or 972. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]