Z Chocolat - Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and have you plan any surprises for your love one? If you have not, there may be still time for you to deliver a little sweet surprise right to the door step of your love one with Z Chocolat, an online seller of premium handmade French chocolate. zChocolat was founded in November 1999 in collaboration with Pascal Caffet, World Champion Chocolatier & Pastry Chef 2013.

zChocolat has specially organized 3 different Valentine's Day Collection in the zBoxes, Mahogany Boxes and Large Hearts. The one I received is the scintillating, black gourmet zBoxes of 27 pcs of chocolate. The lid is stylishly adorned with a cascading shower of white hearts.

Inside the zBoxes is 2 layers of mouth watering assortments. zChocolat also allow you to customize personal message and greeting card. More details can be found at their site.

The first layer of the zBoxes is the 12 heart shaped chocolate assortment with an intense dark ganache dressed in white, a soft milk hazelnut praline, a Vanilla Bourbon caramel with a dark exterior and a sublime ganache infused bergamote veiled under a red coat.

The second layer is the traditional 15 piece assortment composed of dreamy pralines, silky ganaches, solid chocolates and smooth caramels, completed with 3 of their famous Z pieces. As palates differ, on top of the default assortments, zChocolat allows one to individually handpick each chocolate for full relishing assurance.


Z Chocolat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zChocolat
Website: http://www.zchocolat.com

Mean Bean & Wicked Grind @ Beach Road

Tucked in a corner of The Plaza at Parkroyal On Beach Road is this little cozy cafe, Mean Bean & Wicked Grind opened by fellow food blogger Kimberley Yeo. I got to know Kimberley for slightly more than a year at a tasting invite at the defunct Backyard @ Dempsey. I thought Kimberley was an amazing young lady for her age. While most students are still buried in their piles of books studying at NUS, the entrepreneur spirit in Kimberley saw her being the co-owner of Eusoffungry, a supper stall in NUS Eusoff Hall and the proud owner of online clothing store, Clothes Over Bros.

Am I not surprise when Kimberley told me that she has opened Mean Bean & Wicked Grind. The cafe is centered around a vintage theme with a red and white brick wall on each side. The little cafe offers a delicious selection of pastries of which Kimberley herself enjoys eating them. The cafe has an interested concept whereby the cakes and pastries are rotated on a weekly basis. Some of her suppliers are The Little Yellow Apron, The Ugly Cake Shop, Kisses Bakery and All Good Things for example. So do constantly check out the cafe's facebook and instagram to find out what is on the shelf.

Latte $4.50

Being out with Kimberley on a few cafe hopping, I know she is quite particular with her coffee and we do share a common taste. After sourcing a couple of suppliers, she decided to use the coffee beans from La Ristrettos (Cafe Agust Beans). The cup of Latte ($4.50) was what I like, a nice balance of milk and espresso while not too acidic.

One of my favourite item available at the cafe is the Salted Caramel Eclair ($3). The soft and crusty oblong pastry was rich, creamy and bursting with delish flavour.

Besides the Salted Caramel Eclairs, there are also other flavours such as Vanilla Bean ($3), Passion Fruit ($3) and Ispahan ($3.50). I have tried all of them and they are really good.

I was in luck when I visited the cafe. The best seller Sea Salt Caramel Shortbread ($5.60) and Passion Fruit Raspberry Double Layered Tart ($6) was still available. The sea salt caramel shortbread was rich in flavour with a chewy crusty texture that I could not help going for more. The double layers of passion fruit and raspberry tart hit the palate with the wonderful sweet and savoury combo of flavours and it was very addictive. My friends know that I am not a dessert person but when I go back for more than a helping, it means it is really good. The Belgian Belcolade Chocolate Tart ($6.50) and the Lemon Meringue Tart ($5.80) were also commendable with their intense flavour and crusty crust.

Be spoilt with more delights from Kisses Bakery cupcakes. On my visit I got to try Peanut Butter, Mocha Chocolate, Kaya, Red Velvet, Salted Caramel and there is even a Pineapple Tart flavour for Lunar New Year. Each cupcake is priced at $3.50. The cupcakes were nicely balanced and moist. No wonder Kisses Bakery has a big following for their cupcakes.

If you have noticed, the beautiful crockery used at the cafe is specially sourced by Kimberley who loves beautiful stuff. If you love them and want a piece in your house, they are for sales too. Actually all the items in the cafe are for sales as long as you have a good price for them. So I cheekily asked Kimberley whether the cafe is for sale and she asked me to give a good price.

Mean Bean & Wicked Grind is not just about coffee, cakes and pastries. The cafe also sells salad, toast and sandwich. For people on the go there is also a breakfast set ($5) and lunch combo ($10). There is more great news for those that like to check out the little cafe. Mean Bean & Wicked Grind will be opening on weekends from 15 February onwards with more savoury items on the menu.


Mean Bean & Wicked Grind
PARKROYAL On Beach Road
The Plaza
7500A Beach Road
#01-337
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 92721571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meanbeanwickedgrind
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri: 11am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 9pm (from 15 Feb 2014)
(Closed on Wed)

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to The Concourse building. Take the exit down to Nicoll Highway and walk towards Parkroyal Serviced Residences. Cut through towards The Plaza at Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]