Saturday, March 14, 2015

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Upper Thomson Road

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This is a backlog post which I sold how allows it to slip down the whole list of articles to be published. Probably because I decided there is no urgency to feature Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters at Upper Thomson Road since it has been reviewed numerous times and even to the extend that some claimed the cafe to be their best cafe of 2014.

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Latte 4.2/5

Stepping into Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters, I can understand why so many cafe hoppers love this place. The cafe has the Aussie feel. Beautifully decorated in white with wooden furniture, I felt as if I am in Melbourne, sipping my cup of Latte ($4.50/$5/$5.5) which comes in three different sizes of 3oz, 5oz and 7oz.

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Truffle Fries 4/5

I am not a big fan of Truffle Fries ($8) as I don't think it is worth the extra cost to pay for a few drops of essence. Nevertheless I still gone with the group and ordered this. The fries were deep fried to nice crisp but yet not overly oily.

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Deep Fried Mid Wings 4/5

I remembered have a similar rendition of the Deep Fried Mid Wings ($8) at Sunday Market. However, the version with a more crispy exterior batter fares better while also retaining the juiciness. Once again this is not something I would usually order, I felt it is not value for money with the skinny wings for that price I need to pay.

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Quinoa Salad 3.8/5

For a healthy brunch, one can go for the Quinoa Salad ($15) that comes with quinoa, edamame bean, pique pepper, baby spinach, sweet corn and pomegranate with lemon vinaigrette dressing. The colour combination is very pleasing in sight. If only the seasoning can be a bit bolder that will give the dish a much needed lift.

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Red Velvet Pancakes 2/5

Food that looks pretty does not mean it will taste good. This is exactly how we felt with the Red Velvet Pancakes ($16) served with mascarpone and fresh berries. The pancake itself was rather bland and dry. In the fact the tastiest components on the plate are the berries.

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Salted Caramel Banana French Toast 4.2/5

The Salted Caramel Banana French Toast ($16) was the opposite of the red velvet pancakes. It may look messy but it tasted so delicious. The soft brioche french toast was drizzled in a salted caramel sauce and topped with caramelized bananas and whipped cream.

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Truffle Benedict 4.2/5

I really felt cafe food are over priced, just take for example the Truffle Benedict that costs $18. I am not saying the food is not good but I probably can't afford to eat it everyday. A breakfast dish is as expensive as a dinner main. Anyway back to the food itself. Two free range poached eggs with truffle hollandaise sauce sits on a bed of wilted spinach, smoked ham and brioche. A beautiful combination that brought sunshine to the plate.

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Oven Baked 5 Cheese Macaroni 4.2/5

Last but not least another worthy dish to try is the Oven Baked 5 Cheese Macaroni ($18). The five cheese used are parmesan, feta, emmental, mild cheddar and mozzarella. The macaroni is also infused with honey ham and mushroom, finished with a dash of truffle oil. I love my cheeses and this has the cheesiness that I enjoyed while not too overpowering with a nice harmony. Being oven baked, the macaroni may turned dried but this is still well timed. By the way, I don't understand the need to display the types of cheeses used for the dish on the wooden plank.

Overall Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters is a nice cafe to check out. It has ticks all around (Ambience, Coffee, Food and Service.). No wonder it is one of the more popular cafes for cafe hopping in Singapore.


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Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters
185 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574333
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pacamarasg
Nearest MRT: Upper Thomson (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 9am - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Friday, March 13, 2015

MEDZS Bistro & Bar @ Clifford Centre

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MEDZS has opened its third outlet, MEDZS Bistro & Bar at the heart of Central Business District (CBD), located at Clifford Centre. It is a bistro-by-day, doorstep-bar-by-night concept. Patron can enjoy an array of breakfast, brunch and dinner items. Catering for the busy executives working in the vicinity, it also offers a delicious sustenance for takeaway.

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Viennoiserie Mini Croissants 3/5

At the cold display counter, is a selection of Viennoiserie Mini Croissants for takeaway. The varieties includes Prawn & Sesame Dressing ($3.90), Lemonade Crab Meat Mayo ($4.90), Pork Ham & Cheese ($3.90), Turkish-spiced Chicken ($3.90) and Homemade Cured Salmon ($3.90). Among the five choices I tried, my favourite was the Turkish-spiced Chicken. I probably need at least 2 of these to fill me up.

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Artisan Sandwiches & Baguette 4/5

I always feel that bread is not a breakfast or lunch time for Singaporean. We still prefer our bak chor mee or chicken rice. Nevertheless, with the increasing foreign workforce in Singapore, they will feel home with the these Artisan Sandwiches and Baguette at Medzs Bistro & Bar. Choices available on the menu are Italian Panini Bread with Tomato Capresse & Buffalo Mozzarella ($12.90), Olive Ciabatte with Prosciutto & Veal Paprika Lyoner Ham ($12.90), Laugen Brotchen with Pork Bierschinken & Red Cheddar Cheese ($11.90) and Beef Pastrami with Rustic Baguette ($12.90). Influenced and inspired by different European countries (Italy, German and France), each of them has its own characteristic and goodness. The Laugen Brotchen with Pork Bierschinken & Red Cheddar Cheese with be my overall favourite.

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Stuffed Cheesy Pull-apart Bread with Parsley & Basil 4.5/5

 One of the most assuming dish turns out to be my highlight. The Stuffed Cheesy Pull-apart Bread with Parsley & Basil ($9.90) nailed it for me. It tasted sort of like a upgraded garlic bread but with more layers of flavours and more important the stuffed cheese aroma that comes with each bite of the bread. Simple but harmoniously perfect in flavours.

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French Bread Pizza 3.5/5

For something more substantial to satisfy the hungry stomach, once can try the French Bread Pizza. The stone oven olive bread (traditional) in a french pizza style, comes with 4 choices. They are Magherita ($12.90), Beef Pepperoni ($12.90), Honey Baked Ham & Roasted Pineapple ($12.90), Pesto Herbs & White Mushroom Cream ($12.90) and Al Fruiti De Mare ($13.90). I would think the local palate would prefer the Al Fruiti De Mare that comes with prawn, tuna and crab, a little seafood heaven on top of the bread. While the rest is rather classic toppings and flavours.

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Deep Sea Prawn Wakame & Soba Salad with Sesame Dressing 4.5/5

If you prefer something like, then I would recommend you the Deep Sea Prawn Wakame & Soba Salad with Sesame Dressing ($7.90/$11.90). Actually its not really a salad dish but rather a cold soba dish with sesame dressing. It seems like sesame sauce goes well with almost everything and this is really appetizing.

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Scramble Eggs with Chicken Sausage, Mushroom and Bacon 4.2/5

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Egg White Scramble with Smoked Salmon Gravia 4/5

Most of us need our eggs for breakfast and Medzs Bistro & Bar offers exactly that. In fact, it offers more. On the menu is the Scramble Eggs with Chicken Sausage, Mushroom and Bacon ($5.90) and a healthier version Egg White Scramble with Smoked Salmon Gravia ($4.90). Judging from the extra order of the scramble eggs with chicken sausage, it looks like its more popular for its richer flavours compare to the egg white scramble.

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Crispy Pork Belly with Tomato Braised Chickpeas 3.5/5

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 Spanish Camarones 4.8/5

Medzs Bistro and Bar also offers some delectable Spanish Tapas and Bar snacks after 3pm. The Crispy Pork Belly with Tomato Braised Chickpeas ($6.90) turned out to be on the dry side for my liking. However the Spanish Camarones ($8.90) was the rock stars of the night. The fried Spanish shrimp anchovy marinated chicken was bursting with unami that rocks my world complemented by the awesome harissa aioli dip. It left me almost speechless for a minute just to enjoy that tsunami of flavours drowning every senses on my palate.

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Red Velvet Cake 3/5

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Salted Caramel Cheese Cake 4/5

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MEDZs Signature Rainbow Cake 4/5

Medzs Bistro & Bar also offers all day dessert such as the Red Velvet Cake ($6.90), Salt Caramel Cheese Cake ($6.90) and Rainbow Cake ($6.90). Perfect for a light snack or a business meeting away from the office. I find the red velvet cake pretty bland and dry but the other two cakes are worth the calories.

Overall the opening of Medz Bistro & Bar at Clifford Centre offers a new choice to the working executives in the area with great value. The eclectic menu offers something for everyone for both dine-in and takeaway too. Start your day at Medzs with a great bite. Currently it is also offering 50% discount for all takeaway on display up to 31 March 2015.


Medzs Bistro & Bar
Clifford Centre
24 Raffles Place
#01-01
Singapore 048621
Tel: +65 65361917
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEDZS.SimplyMediterranean
Website: http://www.medzs.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 8am - 10pm
Fri: 8am - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 8pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]