Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Missing Pan @ Bukit Timah Road

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After achieving raving success for its delicious brunch dishes, The Missing Pan, a cosy bakery-cum-brasserie at Bukit Timah, has launched several new main courses and light bites that are perfect for sharing over dinner. The good news is that they are available all-day just like their hearty brunches.

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Chorizo Pork Fiesta 3.5/5

Highlights from the "Munch" section include this Chorizo Pork Fiesta ($10), a generous serving of intensely savory Spanish pork sausages that are bouncy on the teeth. I thought the meaty discs combined with black olives were a little too salty on their own, but the acidic crunchy gherkins and dried chili acted as good mediators in terms of both flavors and textures.

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Chargrilled Squid 4/5

I am not a fan of squid but this Chargrilled Squid ($12) were so sweet and succulent that made me rediscovered the charm of this brainy seafood. The enticingly sweet and spicy "hush hush" seasoning probably won a lot of points for this dish, which implied that the side dressing of honey lime mayonnaise did not serve much purpose but this would taste equally mouthwatering even if other seafood are tossed in.

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Mushroom Quesadillas 3/5

The Mushroom Quesadillas ($18) had the basic necessary ingredients such as wild mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and mozzarella but the taste fell rather flat. It was a pity because the tortilla skin made in-house was excellently crisp and fresh. Perhaps a mix of cheese and a little more spice would bring about clarity of flavors.

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Smoked Duck Risotto 4.2/5

Nonetheless, regardless whether you have visited in the past for the food, the Smoked Duck Risotto ($25) provided another good reason to dine here. Instead of slices of smoked duck breast, the meat was meticulously chopped into bite sizes, blending itself seamlessly with the rest of the ingredients including hojimeishi mushrooms and baby spinach. The bright zesty flavor of the semi sun-dried tomato lightened everything instantly and served as a good foil for the rich and creamy base.

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Frozen Honey Nougat 4.5/5

The vigilant eye for consistent quality food is not kept to the main courses but also the desserts section, where non-conventional pairings like thyme ice cream and nutty brownie would invite you to linger for more. Take for example the Frozen Honey Nougat ($12) that was flecked with pistachio nuts, dried almonds, and jazzed up with a delicate and aromatic coconut tuile biscuit. I was amazed how this chilled meringue was so restrained in sweetness, even when consumed with the meringue sticks. This is definitely a wonderfully refreshing and healthier confection than the usual ice cream to tide sweet cravings.

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Bread and Butter pudding with Vanilla Crème 4/5

Topped with all kinds of fruits you can imagine-from the usual berries to apples, grapes and even watermelon, the humble Bread and Butter pudding with Vanilla Crème was transformed into the largest and possibly most beautifully plated version I've ever seen. This eggy pud would set you back at only $8, but increase your belt size by another hole. Begetting a long swipe through the vanilla crème and cocoa crumbs, the lush custardy interior would be perfect if it had a toastier exterior.

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Pleasure 3.5/5

Besides the desserts, all the cakes and bread are churned out from the 1st floor bakery. The Pleasure ($8.50) is a classic interpretation of a milk chocolate-hazelnut cake but the dacquoise and ganache were slightly stiffened and dry. However, the hints of salt did help to enhance the elusive chocolate and pull things into a more coherent shape.

For those who love their alcohol, The Missing Pan boasts a specially curated list ranging from Thatcher Ciders, Brothers Ciders to craft beers from Belgium and UK. With a winning recipe of earnest passion and sincerity in serving good food, I am confident that the Missing Pan will continue to anchor a strong foothold in the local F&B scene.

Written and Photograph by Li Tian, a passionate foodie behind Singapore-Japan Food Blog “Dairy & Cream”. Has an eye for pastries and desserts.


The Missing Pan
619D Bukit Timah Road
#01/02-01
Singapore 269724
Tel: +65 64664377
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missingpan
Website: http://www.themissingpan.com
Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours: 
Tue-Sat: 9am - 5pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun/PH: 9am - 6pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A Turn right onto Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Friday, January 16, 2015

Tip Top Curry Puff

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Many who stays in the Ang Mo Kio may know of the popular Tip Top Curry Puff brand which was originally founded by Mr Looi back in 1979. Since then there was no looking back for the business as it grown and become a popular brand in Singapore. From a humble stall in a coffeeshop in Ang Mo Kio, Tip Top has partnered with ABR Holdings Ltd and expanded their foot prints across the island. To date, Tip Top has 5 outlets in Singapore, including a cafe. It also has plan in 2015 to open more outlets.

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Chicken Curry Puff 3.8/5

What made Tip Top popular is their Chicken Curry Puff ($1.40/pc) that comes with bites of curry potato, curry chicken meat and hard boiled egg. After tasting the chicken curry puff, what I enjoyed was the buttery and flaky crust, and the curry paste that consists of 18 different spices. On the down side, I was missing the solid bites of potato and chunky chicken meat. I was more like I was eating a paste mixture.

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Nonya Beef Rendang Puff 3/5

In business, we need progression and it is the same for food to cater for the ever changing taste. Planning to create the next curry wave, Tip Top has introduced the new Nonya Beef Rendang Puff ($1.60/pc). Wrapped in the signature flaky and buttery crust, the beef is simmered in a mix of spices for long hours, resulting in a rich and intense flavours. I like the concept but I think it still needs a couple of fine tuning to get the balance right.


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Nonya Beef Rendang Puff 3/5

Besides the popular chicken curry puff and the new nonya beef rendang puff, Tip Top also offers the Sardine Curry Puff ($1.40/pc) that comes with caramelized onions and savoury sardines. Though I found the filling was on the salty side, the added heat from the chilli and chilli padi gave it a nice spicy kick.


Tip Top Curry Puff
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TipTopSG
Website: http://www.tiptopcurrypuff.com/

Outlets

Ang Mo Kio
Blk 722, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, #01-2843, Singapore 560722
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 8:00AM – 10:00PM

Changi Airport Terminal 2 (Transit)
60 Airport Boulevard, Singapore Changi Airport Departure
Transit Lounge, Terminal 2, Kiosk N, Singapore 819643
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 24 Hours

Raffles City Shopping Centre
252, North Bridge Road, #B1-55
Raffles City Shopping Centre , Singapore 179103
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 8:00AM – 10:00AM

One Raffles Place
1 Raffles Place, #B1-26, Singapore 048616
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 07:30AM - 8:30PM
Sat: 10:00AM - 7:00PM
Sun: 11:00AM - 7:00PM

Aperia Mall
12 Kallang Avenue, #01-31, Singapore 339511
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 8:00AM – 8:00PM