Brothers In Fine Food @ Tampines West Community Centre – Halal Neighbourhood Café With Quality Food At Affordable Prices

Opened by the same folks behind Penny University, Brothers in Fine Food is a Muslim-owned halal cafe established late last year in 2016. No doubt a true hidden gem - with its inconspicuous locale on the second level of Tampines West Community Club, and an extensive menu of delicious yet creative fusion offerings inspired by a mix of modern European, Mediterranean, North African and other Asian influences. What's more all the dishes are affordably priced at nett prices. Think mains such as a plate of generously portioned beef steak with substantial sides at $14, and even a chicken waffles dish at only $8.

The interiors with its minimalistic design - contemporary wooden furnishings, cement floorings and metallic accents, add a casual chic industrial feel to the place. Fuss-free and comfortable, the space gives off a chill and relaxed vibe, perfect for lazy weekend brunches or a temporary hideout to get lunch and some work done on quiet weekday afternoons.

Butcher’s Daugher 4.5/5

The Butcher's Daughter ($14) is a dish available only on their weekend brunch menu. The highlight of the dish would be those generous pieces of sous-vide seared beef steak, lusciously tender and succulent with a slight browning on the outside in its perfect medium-rare done form. Tendons are intact, which may be less favourable with its rubbery texture and flavourless taste. Not forgetting, eggs on the side done in your selected choice of way (scrambled/sunny side-up/over easy), a generous portion of well-seasoned frites, as well as a side of salad to boot. The best part is that the dish is priced affordably at only $14. What's there not to love?

Builder’s Breakfast 4.2/5

The Builder's Breakfast ($15) comes in an assortment of the usual elements on a breakfast platter, including the rosemary chicken sausage, strips of beef bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, toasted sourdough with a side of salad, and eggs done in your selected choice of way. Seasoned simply with pepper and salt, all the components are decently executed and complement well with one another. I had the eggs done in scrambled form, and it leans towards the milkier and creamier side.

Moroccan Baked Eggs 4/5

The Moroccan Baked Eggs ($12) comes in slices of chicken sausage, harissa, chopped tomates, with an egg atop, and 3 pieces of toasted sourdough for dipping. It is an extremely hearty comfort dish that suffices as a filling meal by itself despite the seemingly small portion, albeit a tad too spicy.

Waffles with Fresh Fruits 3.8/5

There are different options of toppings available for the waffle, such as Nutella and cheese, Peanut butter and jelly or chicken karage and beef bacon. I had the Waffles with Fresh Fruits ($8), which comes in a thick buttery waffle with generous slices of fresh bananas, strawberries and blueberries atop. The waffle leans more towards the denser and stodgier side, though I'd prefer a fluffier version with a crispier exterior.

Nagasari 4.2/5

The Nagasari ($8) is a traditional dessert hailing from Indonesia. Intricately plated, it is an eye-catching piece in the cake display at the counter, which tastes equally unique as well. The white steamed cake with caramelised bananas boasts such a smooth and soft texture that it literally melts in the mouth. The accompaniments of gula melaka foam, sautéed coconut shavings and panadan crumbs contribute to a perfect mix of flavours and textures.

Recipes at Brothers in Fine Food undergo constant fine-tunings, and menu items are refreshed every few months to excite tastebuds and prompt revisits. As it passes its one year hallmark of operations, Brothers in Fine Food continues to draw in crowds with its remarkable fusion cafe fare and amazingly affordable prices that is hard to beat for its food quality and variety, despite its slightly obscure location.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting


Brothers in Fine Food
Tampines West Community Centre
5 Tampines Ave 3
#02-07
Singapore 529705
Tel: +65 90089314
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tampines West (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tampines West MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the hosing estate to Tampines Street 81. Cross the road at Tampines Street 81. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Ninja Bowl @ Duxton Road – Japanese Fusion Grain Bowls At CBD

Opened by The Astronauts Group, Ninja Bowl is the third brainchild of former 987FM radio deejay Darren Wee. Perhaps not the newest kid on the block by now, this hip dining joint situated along Duxton Road first opened its doors in April 2016, establishing a solid fan base since then with its hearty one-dish meals - an extensive range of vibrant Japanese-inspired grain bowls and unique all-day fusion brunch items. Geared towards providing healthy, fuss-free meal options to cater to the busy CBD workers seeking a quick bowl of nutrition during their short lunch hours, it is also the perfect spot of weekend brunch indulgences for the unconventional brunch or rice bowl go-getters.

A recent revamp of its menu features a whole new slew of exciting dishes to choose from, and patrons are bound to be spoilt for choice. The different types of bowls come carb-free with its default ingredients, and diners can choose to add on a bed of carbs of their choice, such as the ninja rice (+$2), orzo pasta (+$2), garden greens (+$2) or Quinoa (+$3) at an additional cost for a more filling meal.

Ushi 4.2/5

One of the bestsellers in the menu, the Ushi ($22) is a remake of a popular bowl that made its debut back in Sep 2016. It features slices of tender grass-fed marbled Australian tenderloin steak, glazed with fragrant truffle leek butter, a myraid of vegetables, and runny onsen egg to pack a good variety of textures and flavours to this bowl of goodness. With an add-on of Quinoa for just $3, it is the perfect option for those seeking a high protein meal.

Kabuki 4.2/5

The Kabuki ($16) comes with a whole maple mustard glazed smoked chicken leg confit and generous servings of vegetables, with the quintessential presence of an onsen egg to boot. The highlight of this dish – that huge slab of chicken leg boasts a beautifully crisp brown skin and tender juicy meat within. To round off the meal, I had the Orzo pasta for an additional $2, which is essentially short-cut pasta shaped like rice grains and tossed with honey, multigrain mustard, miso and chilli.

Torinosu 4.5/5

The Torinosu ($18) features a nest of crispy shrimp and vegetable tempura kakiage, accompanied by an onsen egg atop, together with a medley of vegetables and a bed of Ninja rice underneath. Slice into the egg, let that glorious runny yellow flow over, as you break the "nest" and mix all the ingredients together. A tad different from the aforementioned rice bowls, the Torinosu is not overly complicated at all, and all the elements are essential complements that gel together just right. This is one gem of a dish that is definitely worth trying.

Merry Melon 3.8/5

Last but not least, desserts to round off a perfect meal. The Merry Melon ($19) arrives in a huge block of brioche french toast, with a lightly browned toasted exterior and delicately plated with an assortment of accompaniments. It already constitutes as an aesthetic enjoyment on its own. Perhaps the french toast was not coated substantially with enough egg batter, it does not boast a soft pillowy texture, and leans slightly towards the stodgier side. Slathered with thyme shiso infused honey, and with the addition of fresh rock melons, watermelons, and a scoop of rock melon ice cream to boot, it contributes to a luscious sweetness of the dish, while the parma ham chips provide a strong hint of saltiness and smokiness to balance it off. Overall, a pretty decent dessert with a balanced salty.

With a strong focus on Japanese-inspired rice bowls, Ninja Bowl infuses a healthy twist to their menu prolific of creative offerings - also a refreshing change to the usual brunch dishes elseplace. Made al-la-minute to ensure freshness, I liked how the bowls can be lighter or heartier depending on personal preferences too.

Words and photos by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting


Ninja Bowl
15 Duxton Road
Singapore 089481
Tel: +65 62228055
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 930am - 730pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]