Penny University @ East Coast Road

Located along East East Road, Penny University is probably one of the earliest third wave coffee movement cafes to be opened in the area. The place is not exactly near to any train station but I was pretty surprise with the crowd when I was there on a Monday around 10 plus in the morning.

Stepping into the cafe, I observed that the cafe has a good mix of crowd from different age groups. However I was surprised with the number of staff running the cafe, there is probably at least 5 of them not including those in the kitchen. The staff running at the front of the house seemed young, probably still schooling.

I have been cafe hopping recently and I realized not many cafes opened in the early morning. Penny University was my first stop of one of those cafe hopping days because it is opened as early as 830am. Most cafes open around 11am. What surprises me more is they closed at midnight on Friday and Saturday. That is unusual for a cafe. Probably most owners will think who still drinks coffee like after 9pm at night? Well I am one of those.

Caffe Latte 4/5

Did not try the mains here as I am just popping by to check out the cafe before moving on to Percolate which is also newly opened in the east at bedok. The coffee here uses coffee beans from Oriole. One of those roasters' beans that I like. The coffee is smooth, has a body that comes with a bittersweet finishing which I enjoy.


Penny University
402 East Coast Road
Singapore 428997
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennyuniversitysg
Website: http://www.pennyuni.com/
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 830am - 6pm
Fri-Sat: 830am - 12midnight
Sun: 830am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) ALight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 10 or 32. Alight 8 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

Senso Ristorante & Bar @ Club Street

My last visit to Senso Ristorante & Bar at Club Street was one and half year back. It was a memorable dining experience back then and I could not hold my excitement to revisit the restaurant to check out their Spring and Asparagus menu. Opened in 2000, Senso has been satisfying the local palate for fine food for more than fourteen years.

Upon settling down, we were served a selection of complimentary homemade bread and Amuse Bouche which is a delectable crab mousse.

White & Green Asparagus Salad  4/5

After a glimpse of the cuisine to be expected at Senso in the amuse Bouche, we moved on to have the White & Green Asparagus Salad ($30) that comes with aged parma ham, slow-cooked organic poached egg, parmesan chips and mesclun salad with balsamic dressing. I like the crunchy and sweetness of the asparagus adding dimensions to the garden of greens.

Scallop in the Shell 5/5

This is one the most beautiful dish I have this year. The Scallop in the Shell ($30) is presented to look exactly like when it is being freshly opened. The plump and sweet adriatic scallop is pan seared and served with avruga caviar, spinach foam, candied tomatoes with thyme and sauteed baby spinach with garlic.

Carnaroli Risotto 4/5 and Farro 4/5

Next up we have the dual Carnaroli Risotto ($30) and Farro ($30) This is a tasting portion so we can taste the difference between the two. The traditional carnaroli risotto cooked with white and green asparagus, aged parmesan flakes and fresh basil was creamy and cheesey. On the other hand, the farro is slow cooked as a risotto with spring vegetables, diced carrots, peas and fava beans was flavourful and has a very delectable bite, similar to barley.

Sea Bass 4.2/5

The Sea Bass ($40) is braised with Italian anise flavoured liqueur "Sambuca", purple artichokes, confit of wine tomatoes and crushed potatoes with black olives and parma ham flakes. While I enjoyed the well cooked and moist seabass, I am a bit puzzled with the slice of accompanying parma ham.

Beef Tenderloin 4.5/5

The Australian grain fed Beef Tenderloin Rossini ($44) is topped with a pan fried foie gras. The exquisite marriage of flavours was a luxurious enjoyment that was simply heavenly.

Semifreddo 4/5

The Italian pistachio and Macadamia Semifreddo ($14) with rhubarb compote and chocolate crumble was a beautiful combination with the rhubarb compote lending a tartness to the semifreddo.

Senso has always been one of my top restaurants in Singapore. Besides the exquisite dishes, the service is impeccable with well knowledge staff. Although it is a fine dining restaurant, the friendly and warm service do not make it feel uncomfortable.

Senso Ristorante & Bar
21 Club Street
Singapore 069410
Tel:+65 62243534
Website: http://www.senso.sg
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Club Street. Turn left on Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk down Upper Cross Street to junction of Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Continue down Upper Cross Street and turn right onto Club Street. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]