Summerlong @ Robertson Quay - The New City Beach Cafe Along Singapore River

The laid-back atmosphere of Robertson Quay provides the almost perfect backdrop for Summerlong, a "city beach" cafe and bar conceptualized by the team behind Neon Pigeon, Fat Prince and The Ottoman Room. If you ain't familiar with them, that's fine. Just sit back and immerse yourself into the beach vacation mood evoked by the beachside theme interior and tuck into the Mediterranean dishes crafted by Chef Justin Hammond of Neon Pigeon, serving up snacks, dips, and shared dishes which complement your coffees and drinks. On the weekends, Summerlong naturally becomes one of the to-go places for a relaxed brunch.

Almond Yogurt & Granola 2/5

We got started with a bowl of Almond Yogurt & Granola ($15) which consists of buckwheat, poached pear and nuts ($15.00). I was looking forward to trying a different combination of yogurt and granola. Well, the almond yogurt was simply too sweet for me to taste anything.

Smoked Salmon 3/5

From the Brunch mains, we had Smoked Salmon ($20) with sous vide egg, capers, pickled shallots and rye. Poached eggs seem to be a thing of the past with these sous vide eggs. Only with precision comes such creamy egg yolks, that allows me to spread over the salmon and bread upon breaking the egg, without running all over my plate and turning my bread soggy. It would have been better if there is something to go along with to make the overall taste less salty.

Blueberry Pancakes 3.8/5

What surprises is its Blueberry Pancakes ($18) served with lemon butterscotch maple syrup and mascarpone. Crowning the stack of pancakes with honeycomb was delightful. The warm fluffy pancake together with the thick golden syrup and buttery mascarpone was simply a special treat of the day!

The Counter is my favourite corner. Depending on the selections on that day, you get to choose from a selection of pastries, tarts, baked goods and salads. The Roasted Cauliflower was really tasty and I highly recommend its Mushroom Borek which is like a fried spring roll filled with mushroom and cheese. You can choose from any 2 items for $15 or any 3 items for $19.

Reservation is recommended especially if you want to have your alfresco seating with the breeze to complete your beachside experience.

Words and photos 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.


[CLOSED]
Summerlong
The Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
#01-04
Singapore 238252
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Clark Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop along Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 and 186. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road and walk towards the river. Cross the bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk down Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Nanson Rd. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

STREAT 2017 @ Clifford Square - Kickstarts Singapore Food Festival 2017

This year's Singapore Food Festival 2017 has lined up a series of events around island happening from 14 to 30 July 2017. Kick-starting this year's Singapore Food Festival is STREAT. The two day event from 14 to 15 July 2017 takes place at Clifford Square.

This year Singapore Food Festival has rooted in Peranakan Chef Malcolm Lee of Michelin-starred restaurant Candlenut and Chef Willin Low of Wild Rocket to helm  a pop-up restaurant where the 2 chefs present contemporary interpretations of local dishes, through a 3-course mod-sin and modern Peranakan Tok Panjang menu. Diners will get to sample a variety of 3 appetizers and 3 mains served communal style, capped off with individual desserts for $50 nett.

Among the dishes prepared by Chef Malcolm and Chef Willin, my favourite dishes are the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Rojak and Buah Keluak Chye Tow Kway. I thought I have already seen the last of what can be done with the local hawker fare but both chefs have proven me wrong.

Buah Keluak Chye Tow Kway

Valrhona Dark Chocolate Rojak

In addition, the 2 chefs have also curated 9 stalls, each helmed by a line-up of young hawkerpreneurs and chefs. Each stall will present a unique spin on quintessentially local dishes. The 9 stalls are,
1. The Masses
2. KEK x Good Chance Popiah
3. New Ubin Seafood
4. Khek (Dessert)
5. Whampoa Prawn Noodle
6. Madam Tan's Nasi Lemak
7. Olympics Team
8. One Kueh At A Time
9 Native x Sunday Punch (beverage)

KEK - Coffee Pork Burger 

Good Chance Popiah - Tempura Kimchi Popiah

New Ubin Seafood - USDA Ribeye Heart Attack Fried Rice

Madam Tan's Crispy Pork Nasi Lemak

Whampoa Prawn Noodles - Spicy Prawn Pasta

To make a booking at the pop-up restaurant by Chef Willin Low and Malcolm Lee, please do not hesitate to email wildnuts2017@gmail.com. For those who do not manage to reserve a table, fret not as there is also a takeaway counter of the pop-up restaurant’s menu.

More information of the Singapore Food Festival can be found at the link here.


STREAT 2017 
(Beside Fullerton Bay Hotel)
Clifford Square
80 Collyer Square
Singapore 049326

Opening Hours:
14-15 July 2017
5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across the building. Go to 2nd floor, take the overhead bridge link across the road. Turn left at the base of the overhead bridge. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]