FLIPPER’S @ Takashimaya Shopping Centre - Well-loved Iconic Japanese Pancake Chain Opens First Outlet In Singapore

Originated in Tokyo in 2014, well-loved iconic Japanese pancake chain FLIPPER’S has arrived in Singapore, with a flagship store at Takashimaya Shopping Centre. FLIPPER'S has made its name in the world of soufflé pancakes for good reasons. Made without a ring mould, the sides of the pancakes are purposefully left untouched for a softer and fluffier centre with a golden-brown top and bottom. Not only that gives FLIPPER'S its unique identity, but there is also a particular way of enjoying its pillowy soufflé pancakes - pulling them gently apart with the two forks that you are served with. Key ingredients and equipment for its soufflé pancakes are imported directly from Japan, such as Japanese Kitahonami flour milled from Hokkaido wheat and custom-made copper griddles which you can see from the show kitchen.

Kiseki Pancake Plain 4.5/5

The pancake batter features premium AOP-certified French butter, Hinata eggs from Kanagawa prefecture, as well as Japanese fresh milk which is known for its extra creaminess. With these fine ingredients going into the pancakes, the best way to appreciate them is to go for Kiseki Pancake Plain ($16.80), served with a huge dollop of FLIPPER’S proprietary maple whipped cream made with Canadian pure maple syrup and French butter. I like how the light, mellow sweet cream adds flavour to the plain pancakes, and at the same time brings out the depth of eggy aroma of the pancakes.

Kiseki Pancake Hazelnut Chocolate 4/5

Kiseki Pancake Hazelnut Chocolate is a top pick for chocolate lover with irresistible Valrhona Equatoriale Noire 55 chocolate-infused cream, luscious hazelnut praline and caramelised bananas. It is then finished with glorious homemade chocolate, and feuilletine shard served with melted chocolate.

Kiseki Pancake Matcha 4/5

Other sweet varieties include Kiseki Pancake Hazelnut Chocolate ($21.80) and Kiseki Pancake Matcha ($19.80). Kiseki Pancake Hazelnut Chocolate to me holds the perfect combination of flavours of chocolate, hazelnut and banana. Atop of the pancakes is a Valrhona Equatoriale Noire 55 chocolate-infused cream and hazelnut praline, accompanied with a slice of caramelised banana and melted chocolate. Whereas for the latter, Kiseki Pancake Matcha is all about the Japanese flavours - Japanese pairing of matcha and red beans. Topping the pancakes is a bittersweet green tea cream made with quality matcha powder from Kyoto, accompanied with azuki paste and a drizzle of matcha honey, with dust of Hokkaido kinako powder for an extra nuance. There was nothing not to like about the toppings, but the pancakes were just so delicate that they just got a little overwhelmed after a while.

Eggs Benedict Soufflé Pancake 4.5/5

There is one savoury item on the menu which was as enjoyable as Kiseki Pancake Plain. Eggs Benedict Soufflé Pancake ($22.80) highlights the Hinata eggs from Kanagawa prefecture, which is one of the key ingredients giving the airy and delicate consistency of the kiseki soufflé pancake. One soufflé pancake is topped with grilled tiger prawns and avocado cubes, while the other with Norwegian smoked salmon and sautéed spinach. Perhaps the Hollandaise sauce carried a fair amount of tang, and was not overly creamy, this egg-rich dish was pleasingly balanced.

Millennial Strawberry 4.5/5

In conjunction with the opening of the café, an exclusive seasonal special, Millennial Strawberry ($20.80), will also be introduced for a limited time only until 30 November. It's like a dream comes true for a soufflé pancake lover. The special edition Millennial Strawberry features sweet, and tangy fresh Chitose strawberries, velvety cream cheese and homemade strawberry jelly sandwiched between soufflé pancakes crowned with a thick layer of strawberries-blended cream. FLIPPER’S in Singapore will also offer specials after its initial launch period starring fresh Japanese fruits such as Yubari melon, white peach and Shine Muscat grapes.

For beverage to pair with your pancakes, try its Melona Manpuku ($5.50), a light sencha with the sweet aroma of Japanese melon. Another interesting option is an aesthetically pleasing Rose Strawberry Milk ($7.90), made with rose water, Japanese milk, fresh strawberries and homemade strawberry compote, topped with rose petals.

Photos and words 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. 


FLIPPER’S Singapore
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Ngee Ann City
391A Orchard Rd
#B1-56
Singapore 238873
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit D. Follow the walkway through Wisma Atria to Takashimaya. Continue walking straight at Ngee Ann City until destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B to Orchard Road. Head west or turn left onto Orchard Road against the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Buona Terra @ Scotts Road - Tranforming Italian Cuisine Into A Contemporary Work Of Art

I am actually surprised that Buona Terra located at Scotts Road has been around since 2012. It has been 8 years, and I only knew of the restaurant when it was awarded its first one Michelin star in 2019. Having passed the beautiful black and white colonial bungalow along Scotts Road on many occasions, it never occurred to be the restaurant is actually located at the cosy wing of the bungalow, hidden from the urban jungle in Orchard area.

Crispy Potato and Cod Fish Mousse 4/5

I had the Buona Terra Experience 5-course Menu ($178) for lunch. The lunch started with 3 snacks item and a basket of housemade bread which comprises of Onion Foccacia, Dried Tomato Soft Roll and Sourdough.

Butter Cone with Scallop Tartare and Caviar 4.5/5

Tomato Ball 4.2/5

The three snack items are Crispy Potato and Cod Fish Mousse, Butter Cone with Scallop Tartare and Caviar, and Tomato Ball. I was really impressed with what I see and taste so far. I was sharing with my dining companions, I didn't feel like I am dining in an Italian restaurant, it felt more like a French restaurant.

Snail Ragu with Martini Sabayon 4/5

The amuse bouche is Snail Ragu with Martini Sabayon. The creamy sabayon is actually is a mixture of cream, egg yolk and four kinds of pepper (Jamaican, Javanese, Indian and Sarawak). It is even smoked with applewood chips just before servicing.

Beef Carpaccio with Porcini Mushrooms 4.8/5

The Beef Carpaccio with Porcini Mushrooms uses Kagoshima Wagyu Sendai A5 Sirloin. A lot of prep work is behind the beautiful dish. The wagyu is coated in seasoning and chilled in the chiller for a couple of hours. The rub is then washed off, and the wagyu is then chargrilled and smoked with cherry wood before leaving it in the freezer. It is then thinly sliced for serving.

Seared Scallop, Jerusalem Artichoke, Sea Asparagus and Anchovy Sauce 4/5

Next from the sea, we have the Seared Scallop paired with Jerusalem artichoke, sea asparagus and anchovy sauce. The live Hokkaido scallop is super huge, plump and sweet.

Tagliolini with Crab and Caviar 4.5/5

A staple in Italian cuisine is their pasta. Made inhouse is the Tagliolini which has a firmer bite compare to others. The texture of the pasta really stands out for me. The texture reminds of the Chinese Ee Mian texture.

Chargrilled Dry Aged Mieral Pigeon with Figs and Pumpkin, Amaretto and Moscato 4.2/5

The Chargrilled Pigeon is from Mieral, France dry-aged for 10 days and served in two ways. I am not sure whether it is due to the dry-ageing, I find that it has a deeper flavour. In fact, you don't get that liver-like taste which most diner may dislike.

Salted Milk Ice Cream, Dulce De Leche, Italian White Truffle 5/5

Diners can choose to add on $50 for the pre-dessert with 5g of white truffles. The Salted Milk Ice Cream with dulce de leche is topped with shaved Italian white truffle. Ice cream and white truffle is an unusual pairing, but the combination tasted heavenly.

Pear and Ricotta Cheesecake 4/5

Dessert is Pear and Ricotta Cheesecake which is beautifully presented with a scoop of pear sorbet. What I enjoyed is the multi-textural and flavours in each bite.

Fruit Gelee

Baci di Dama

Wrapping up the 5-course meal is a trio of Fruit Gelee, Baci di Dama and Cannolo. The fruit gelee reminds me of my childhood day. My favourite goes to the cannolo for its delightful crunch and nuttiness.

Cannolo

As this is the white truffle season, diner can choose to add them to enhance any dish at $88 for 10g or $10 per gram. For wine lovers, Buona Terra boasts a collection of over 250 labels include vintages and limited bottles that are rarely available commercially, earning the restaurant recognition among the 5 top wine lists for Italian wines in Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Buona Terra
29 Scotts Road
Singapore 2282244
Tel: +65 67330209
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Newton (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri & PH: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat & PH: 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right onto Scotts Road. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Orchard Road (Stop ID 09023). Take bus number 124, 143, 162, 167 or 972. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]