Baristart Coffee @ Tras Street - Popular Hokkaido Cafe Using BIEI Jersey Milk Opens In Singapore

The popular Baristart Coffee from Hokkaido has opened its first-ever overseas cafe in Singapore, offering exceptional Hokkaido milk quality, BIEI Jersey Milk from the Brown Jersey cows which is left with around eight hundred such cattle, making up barely 1% of the cow population in Hokkaido.

Flat White 3.8/5

I started with the Flat White ($6.70) which offers 3 types of beans - Baristart Blend and 2 single origin beans that will change every month. Indeed the BIEI Jersey Milk gives the coffee a rich and creamy finishing with a tinge of sweetness. I like my coffee to showcase the characteristic of the coffee beans hence I am not sure I really like it. Don't get be wrong, it is still a good cup of coffee but I felt that the milk is more than a supporting role in this case.

BIEI Jersey Milk Coffee 4.2/5

The best way to appreciate the sweet and creamy BIEI Jersey Milk is to try the BIEI Jersey Milk Coffee ($7.50). It is like having a coffee flavoured milk.

Tuna & Avocado Salad with Wasabi Dressing 3/5

For those that like to have something clean and healthy, the Tuna & Avocado Salad with Wasabi Dressing ($14.80) will be a good option. It is a decent dish but it doesn't quite excite me.

Tonkatsu Sando 3.8/5

The Tonkatsu Sando ($16.80) which comes with tender pork cutlet and coleslaw, sandwiched between 2 slices of fluffy bread is pretty enjoyable. It even comes with french fries for a complete meal.

Hokkaido Carbonara 3.5/5

Spaghetti Seafood Shiso Pesto 3/5

The pasta at Baristart Coffee is quite decent too. I tried both the Hokkaido Carbonara ($17.80) and Spaghetti Seafood Shiso Pesto ($17.80). I preferred the carbonara more for its creaminess, partly for the fact that I am not a pesto lover. The creamy sauce is a result of the concoction of their signature BIEI Jersey Milk.

Obihiro Butadon 4/5

Perfect for the office workers in the area looking for a quick lunch is the Obihiro Butadon ($18.80). The comforting pork rick bowl comes with slices of sweet soy sauce Kurobuta pork belly on top of a bowl of fluffy white Japanese rice.

Cream Puff 4.5/5

A must try at Baristart Coffee is their Cream Puff ($4.50/one, $12/three). It may seems like just another cream puff but this is loaded with luscious Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk custard cream, that is both rich and creamy with delectable crisps and sugary bits on the pastry.

Shaved Ice (Shiro Kuma) 3/5

The bear shaped Shaved Ice - Shiro Kuma ($9.80) is drizzled with Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk and comes with vanilla ice cream. Underneath in the bowl is a plethora of colourful fruits such as orange, mango, white peach and strawberry. Guest can have a choice of coffee, strawberry, mango or green tea flavoured homemade syrup that is to be poured over the shaved ice and enjoyed together.

Chestnut & Mont Blanc 4/5

Served in a glass is the Chestnut & Mont Blanc ($8.80) which comes with layers of houji tea pudding, vanilla ice cream, chestnut cream, mont blanc cream, chestnut patisserie cream, chestnut bits, feuillantine and buttery cookies. Have everything together for a multi textural enjoyment with the different flavours coming together.

While the main focus of Baristart Coffee is to showcase the coffee with their Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk, guests are assumed of a complete dining experience here. Besides coffee, guests have a a full range of mains to desserts which makes is an all day cafe to visit.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Baristart Coffee
65 Tras Street
Singapore 079004
Tel: +65 69043169
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right on Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Dolce Vita @ Mandarin Oriental Singapore - 10 New Creations By New Chef De Cuisine Giorgio Maggioni

With a new chef on board, Dolce Vita at Mandarin Oriental Singapore is serving up 10 new creations, exquisitely crafted by Monza-born Chef de Cuisine Giorgio Maggioni.

Capasanta 4/5

We started off our lunch with their monthly special - Capasanta, featuring winter truffle. Against the earthy tones of the plate, the flavours of the dish stood out even more. The scallops were evenly seared on both sides, with a slight translucent core. Succulent and sweet, the buttery Verona celery at the side was an additional luxury spread of flavour.

Pappardelle 4.2/5

I enjoyed their homemade pasta tremendously. We had Pappardelle, a classic originating from North Italy. Ribbons of fresh homemade pasta in lamb ragout, spiked with crispy artichoke for a textural contrast. The drizzle of Pecorino cheese sauce right before my eyes was like a spray of perfume that got my appetite going. The lamb ragout was gentle and soft on the palate, allowing the delicate profile of the pasta to come through effortlessly.

Tajima wagyu beef tenderloin 4/5

Another highlight from chef is the Tajima Wagyu Beef Tenderloin. Simply plated to showcase the meat's highly prized qualities, served alongside were salt baked shallot, chick peas and finished off with red wine jus. Perhaps of the years spent in Dubai, Chef has picked chick peas over other starches such as your potato or pumpkin. It lends a savoury depth to the dish, while the baked shallot tops it with sweetness.

Mango 3.5/5

Summing up our meal is Mango, a beautiful assemble of mango mousse, coulis and a passionfruit sorbet. And the 'Mango' is an adorable mango pudding. The pinkish fingerlime, or some called it caviar lime, provides bursts of acidity to the sweet dessert. I like how the hazelnut coulis adds a dimension to the overall tropical flavours while the spiced crushed feuilletine elevates that nuttiness. A little less sweet would have been ideal.

I like Chef's contemporary approach to the classic Italian dishes, with simple touches and skilled plating to highlight the ingredients. I'm certain the rest of his new creations will deliver a satisfying experience as well.

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.


Dolce Vita
Mandarin Oriental Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 68853500
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)


Opening Hours:
Weekday Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Weekend Brunch: 12pm - 3pm
Daily Dinner: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Marina Square. Follow the signage to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]