This is for the fitness junkies.

The 4-storey Trapeze Rec. Club is a membership-based wellness club found at Tanjong Pagar, and features a curation of services.

These include yoga studio, gym, an outdoor sauna and cold plunge, reflexology, consult rooms, and in-class programming, what you call an all-in-one stop.

The team also has plans to bring together health practitioners from a myriad of disciplines including mental health, Traditional Chinese Medicine and physiotherapy under one roof.

You may ask, what does this got to do with food (which is what we solely write about)?

There is an in-house café called the “Canteen” hidden within.

Just so you know, the wellness-focused lifestyle company founded by former management consultant GJ Wee. If you find the name vaguely familiar, the fitness enthusiast is the youngest child of UOB chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong.

Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club features a limited menu of toasts, coffee, and smoothies made with healthy and organically sourced ingredients.

The menu also includes an array of sweet and savoury Ayurvedic yoghurt bowls, along with bakes from local partners such as Pickle Bakery.

Ayurveda? This is accordingly a traditional Indian system of medicine, and the café infuse Ayurvedic elements such as Ashwagandha, Macca and Moringa into their food products.

There are four types of toasts available for now, which include Hummus Avocado ($14.80), Smashed Avocado ($14.80), Eggs & Kaya ($8), PB&J ($8) and PB&B ($8).

I had the recommended Hummus Avocado ($14.80) with almond butter hummus and sliced of avocado, made more special with the topping of Lao Gan Ma – a popular brand of chilli oil called “old godmother”.

There is also an interesting-sounding Spicy Dan Dan Yoghurt Bowl ($14.80) which is a savoury yoghurt bowl with sous vide egg, chilli oil, sesame, peanut butter and more. This has been their bestseller.

I went for the safer choice of Honey Mango Lassi ($12.80), a refreshing tangy bowl of mango, bee pollen, granola and Greek yoghurt.

Still at its starting phase, I see this as a place of numerous possibilities.

Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club
27 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088450
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9:30am – 4:30pm (Sat – Sun)

Other Related Entries
Kreams (Maxwell Chambers)
The New and Old Café (Tanjong Pagar)
Champion Bolo Bun (Tanjong Pagar)
Roji Monster Ice Cream (Tanjong Pagar)
Equate Coffee (Tanjong Pagar)

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

From Japanese Yakiniku at $22.50++, instagrammable ‘glasshouse’ restaurant, to modern Shaanxi cuisine, Guoco Tower at Tanjong Pagar certainly looks more exciting for foodies with all these NEW openings.

Conveniently located directly above Tanjong Pagar MRT station, the six-level retail space brings together an interesting mix of F&B – some not found elsewhere.

Even if you do not work near the CBD, consider heading here during dinner times or the weekends.

Other than those listed below, the wide variety of F&B choices include Ah Lock & Co, City Hot Pot, Imakatsu, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine, IndoChill, Japan Rail Café, Kuro Maguro, Makai, Randy Indulgence, SBCD Korean Tofu House, Takada Grill & Bar, and more.

If you prefer to stay at home, Guoco Tower has also partnered with GrabFood so that you are able to continue to order your favourite foods in one single order via their Mix & Match store. (More details below.)

Here are 10 NEW restaurants and menu items you can expect from Guoco Tower: (note: prevailing taxes apply for certain dine-in restaurants)

Syohachi Yakiniku
Guoco Tower #01-13
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs, PH)
11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 1am (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)

Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Ala Carte Buffet at Amazing Prices
This all-you-can-eat Japanese yakiniku specialist is known to provide the most premium Japanese A5 Wagyu beef from Miyagi Prefecture, and that includes Brisket, Chuck, Round, Knuckle and more.

Wah, Wagyu A5? Because this is the top-tier range of wagyu and easily cost much more in other restaurants.

A reason why the brand can keep the wagyu prices low is because it holds an exclusive partnership with Japan’s award-winning Hidakami Ranch – located in Miyagi Ken, Sendai City in Japan.

This allows them access to exquisite cuts of Japanese A5 Wagyu beef at more competitive rates.

The 120 minutes Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef buffet is available from $70++ to $80++ per adult and $45 per child onwards (depending on timing), which allows diner to savour the mesh-like marbling and rich meaty flavour in the Sendai Wagyu beef.

Plus point: the restaurant also uses a special smokeless griller, so that you will leave without worrying about the greasy smell on your hair and clothes.

Go for the Yakiniku Ala Carte Lunch Buffet ($22.50++ per person)
Going for affordability? There is a 90 minutes Yakiniku Ala Carte Lunch Buffet ($22.50++ per person, $8 surcharge on Fri, Sat, Eve of PH) available lunchtime from 11:30am to 3pm for a limited period (likely end Sep 2021).

This lunchtime buffet includes free-flow servings of pork, chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetables.

What’s more, there is a COMPLIMENTARY tasting platter with fresh seafood of Tiger Prawn served with Salt and savoury Japanese Oyster with Herbs Butter Sauce; and assorted premium assorted beef like Syohachi Short Ribs marinated with Special Steak Sauce, Japanese Ox Tongue served with Spring Onion mixed with Salt, and the prized Premium A5 Japanese Wagyu.

Pretty-good value-for-money offering.

Just note that if you want to try more of these premium items, they will be available at additional costs thereafter.

Dusk X Dawn
Guoco Tower #01-17/18
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Hearty Meals, Artisanal Coffees and Fresh Beers
Walk past this side of Guoco Tower and you would notice this contemporary-chic restaurant enclosed in a ‘glasshouse’ with full length windows, bathing in natural light during the day.

Dusk X Dawn is one of the latest additions to Tanjong Pagar, suitable for professional lunches, mid-day coffee break, to hearty sharing plates for dinner.

Its menu featuring various types of cuisines is quite wide-ranging. You get “soul-satisfying sharing bites” of Tiny Mighty Crab Nibbles with Mala Chilli Mayo ($16); pasta dishes of Simply Creamy Bacon Pasta ($19) and Bold Creamy Mala Pasta ($17); to Wagyu “Sandoitchi” ($34) for the steak lovers.

Talking about steak, whether you prefer a Bone-Out Wagyu Striploin Marbling 6-7 ($55) or Bone-In Dry-Aged Angus Ribeye ($138, serves 2-4 pax), both are available.

The Wagyu Striploin and Dry-Aged Angus Ribeye are sourced from Stockyard, Australia’s leading exporter of the finest quality of grain-fed Angus and Wagyu beef. The steak is lightly marinated with Maldon coarse sea salt and fresh ground pepper, so that diners can better appreciate fuller flavours of meat and those rich-tasting juices.

Pair your meats with their own line of fresh locally brewed, unfiltered, unpasteurised SevenDaze beers ($16) kegged and delivered fresh from their brewery, to experience crisp with every pour.

Go for the Whole Baked Salt Jacket Seabass ($68)
Get your phone cameras ready in video mode, as this Sicilian-inspired dish is served whole and encased in a jacket of salt that will be cracked open at the table.

Upon the reveal, you’ll find a large 800g fresh seabass lying steaming hot within.

As the fish is baked in salt, the process helps to lock in the moisture, keeping the flesh tender and succulent. Dig within and you would find herbs and fruits like grapefruit, rosemary, Kalamata and green olives, black bean and capers in the belly, which helps permeate that aroma and herby flavours.

If you prefer some sauces, there is the garlicky house-made buttery Mediterranean sauce, and an Asian favourite Thai dipping sauce – just need a light dip will do so as to better appreciate the fish’s natural flavours.

Wanton Seng’s Express
Guoco Tower #B2-27
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 3pm (Sat), Closed Sun

NEW Express Outlet Of Modern Wanton Noodles
Diners get both the classic and modern bowls of Wanton Noodles at Wanton Seng’s first Express outlet.

Wanton Seng is an offshoot from Seng’s Wanton Noodles at Dunman Food Centre (which has been around since 1968), started when the young owners Benson Ng and Brandon Teo who wanted to create a hip and adapted take on this well-loved local food.

The eatery offers fuss-free noodles at a casual setting or on the go.

If you are up for something more classic, order the Seng’s Char Siu Noodles ($6) which comes with springy handmade egg noodles, served with roasted pork collar char siu and pork wantons, further added with scallions and fried shallots for that crunch and fragrance.

There is also the Jack Style Noodles ($6) – an OG dish from Dunman days with 8 pieces of pork wantons, scallions, and fried shallots.

Go for the Modern Char Siu Noodles ($7)
The Modern Char Siu Noodles replaces the char siu with flame-seared pork belly, if you like that piece of succulence with slight charred exterior. Thankfully, not too fatty.

For more indulgence in your noodles, choose toppings (additional cost applies) such as assorted roasted mushrooms, braised Japanese shitake, soft boiled eggs, XO sauce, chinchalok sauce, to mala minced for a spicy-punch.

Yuba Hut
Guoco Tower #B2-29
Operating hours: 11am – 10pm, Last order 9.30pm (Mon – Sun)

Fast-Casual Japanese Dining Restaurant For Donburi, Maki Rolls And More
Yuba Hut is best known for its sushi rolls aka aburi-ed maki sensations zhng-ed up with a number of toppings, from its signature Champion Floss Maki, Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon to Salmon Aburi Maki.

They also offer donburi rice bowls, fresh sashimi and signature Aburi-style dishes (blowtorch before serving).

For a fast-free meal, go for the rice bowls such as Salmon Aburi Don ($14.90), Spicy Salmon Aburi Don ($16.90), Hamachi Salmon Aburi Don ($16.90), Sake Sashimi Don ($14.90), Tamago Aburi Don ($10.90), and Cheesy Unagi Aburi Don ($15.90)

One of the popular choices is the Bara Chirashi Don ($16.90), which had a sizable portion of fresh sashimi cubes topped with conspicuous amount of ikura and tobiko, well marinated with sauces.

Customers who prefer a heavier-hand on Japanese donburi would enjoy this version, as this came mixed and drizzled with quite a bit of rich sauces.

Go for the Champion Floss Maki ($9.90 for 4 pieces, $16.90 for 8 pieces)
The main highlight of Yuba Hut to me is the Champion Floss Maki, so-named because the sushi roll is piled with ingredients.

Here’s what goes into the maki: sushi rice rolled with cucumber and aburi salmon sashimi, further topped with house-made mayonnaise sauce, further topped with chicken floss and ebiko.

In terms of appearance, it just looked like it was over-flowing with mayo, floss and roe.

The shiok-ness comes from the creaminess of the sauce sliding with the fluffy flossy and crunchy ikura. The thick slices of salmon also added that buttery richness.

Get the Champion Maki ($9.90, UP $16.90) on Tuesdays. T&C: Not in conjunction with other discounts, promotions or vouchers. Available for dine-in and takeaway.

Qin Ji Rougamo
Guoco Tower #B2-04
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm, last order 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)

Authentic Modern Snacks That Originated from Shaan Xi and Si Chuan Provinces
Craving for Chinese street food? You can have a taste of Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces at this eatery.

If you have never eaten a “Rougamo” (肉夹馍) before, it is a street food which originated from Shaanxi Province – a baked flatbread stuffed with meat fillings and other spices.

The name literally means “meat held by a flatbread”, and looks like a Chinese-style of hamburger. Qin Ji offers various fillings of Pork Rougamo ($4.90), Chicken ($4.90), Cumin Pork ($4.90), Black Pepper Beef ($5.50), Healthy Vegetable ($4.50) and Plain Crispy Rougamo ($2.50).

After taking a bite, I was surprised how crispy and flaky the outer layer was, reminding me of a cross between scallion pancake and prata. The pork fillings were quite flavourful, though can be a tad on the saltier side.

Go for the Qin Ji Value Set Meals ($11.90 – $14.90)
For a more filling and value-for-money meal, Qin Ji offers four different sets included with a main, Rougama and drink – choose from fresh soy milk, grass jelly, milk tea, or iced peak orange soda.

These sets labelled A-D provide the convenience of individual dining, without the need to order ‘big’ dishes to experience authentic Northern Chinese cuisine.

If you prefer something spicy, order the main of Sour & Spicy Potato Noodles with Minced Pork, or Pickled Cabbage Fish with Rice Noodles.

The latter is a bowl of Sichuan-style hot and sour soup with pickled cabbage, thinly sliced and fresh tasting poached fish soup, along with mi xian – a type of chewy rice vermicelli.

I also couldn’t stop nibbling at the addictive Crispy Pork ($6.50) which is a must-order side.

Old Tea Hut
Guoco Tower #B1-11
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 6:30pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 5pm (Sat), Closed Sun

Brand-New Concept And Look At Guoco Tower
Old Tea Hut is not an unfamiliar name, a favourite about CBD workers for its rich roasted coffee and tea drinks, along with specialty concocted beverages.

All at wallet-friendly pricing.

Celebrating their 10-year milestone, they have rebranded their latest outlet at Guoco Tower with a new look, modern logo, and revamped drinks with improved recipe that goes easier on the sugar level and calories.

The top favourite is the Coffee drink ($1.40 for hot, $1.90 for iced) with rich and full-bodied taste yet not overly bitter. They also have various combinations from the Gula Melaka Coffee, Almond Coffee, to Yuan Yang striking a balance with tea for those who want the best of both worlds.

For something smoothing and refreshing get the Honey Lemon ($1.70 for hot, $2.20 for iced) a combination of lemon juice and natural honey, the perfect thirst quencher for the weather.

Go for the Gula Melaka Milk Coffee ($1.90 for hot, $2.40 for cold)
The instagrammable Iced version comes in 3 layers of coconut sugar, coffee and milk for a unique creamy sweet taste in every sip.

The Gula Melaka added gave distinct light caramel flavour, and thankfully I didn’t feel that it was too sweet.

If you are looking out for a new drink, there is the Honey Japanese Green Tea ($2.10 for cold) of brewed aromatic Japanese sencha green tea with the natural sweetness of honey. Makes you feel ready to kick-start summer.

Milksha
Guoco Tower #B2-28
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Beverages & Desserts Made With The Freshest Milk
If you need some refreshing Bubble Tea with less of the guilt, Milksha is known to use natural ingredients with no preservatives, artificial colouring or chemical additives in their drinks.

Voted the No.1 bubble tea brand by Taiwanese university students, the store offers five series on its menu: Fresh Milk Series, Fresh Milk Tea Latte Series, Premium Tea Series, Fresh Milk Foam Series, and Special Concoctions; and you can include toppings such as honey pearls, grass jelly and pudding.

Consider the best-sellers of Fresh Taro Milk ($5.60), Earl Grey Latte with Honey Pearls ($4.80), Refreshing Orange Green Tea ($4.20), Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk ($4.80), Brown Sugar Milk ($4.60), and Azuki Matcha Milk ($5.60)

Go for the Fresh Taro Milk with Taro Balls ($5.60 + $1.20 for M topping)
The taro is used at Milksha is specially imported from Dajia (大甲) in Taichung, Taiwan. The blended Fresh Taro Milk was rich and creamy, just mildly sweet, and may make you feel like you have having an orh nee drink – except that it is relatively smooth and not that thick.

Have Taro Pearls in Taro Milk?

Yup, you can add a new topping of chewy and nutty Taro Balls, made with 100% fresh and natural ingredients and real taro paste.

Also new is the Summer Crush Milk Foam ($4.80), with a base of citrusy fresh calamansi juice and premium green tea blend, then topped with a layer of fluffy fresh milk foam. The frothy milk foam topping made with only fresh milk cream.

IPPUDO
Guoco Tower #01-15
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)

First Plant-Based Akamaru Ramen
IPPUDO wanted to provide vegan diners with the same tasteful experience, with a meat-free broth reminiscent of its acclaimed tonkotsu flavour.

Therefore, diners now can enjoy this NEW plant-based bowl ramen bowl called Akamaru 1.0 ($16.85) available till end August 2021. The recipe based on IPPUDO’s current classic global signature – the Akamaru Shinaji, except that all the ingredients incorporate meat-free alternatives.

It is topped with the same medley of special blended spicy miso blend, fragrant garlic oil, black fungus and spring onions.

The soup is created from a combination of mushroom broth, soy milk, IPPUDO’s original kaeshi, and a dash of porcini mushroom oil.

When you take sips, you likely get that soul-satisfying, belly-warming smooth creaminess, though the soy taste was rather apparent (especially if you take soy bean milk all the time).

I found this a note-worthy rendition, especially after mixing in the special blended spicy paste, porcini oil and kaeshi – which is a blend of different soy sauces from Kyushu.

As for the ‘cha shu’ pieces, they are made with premium non-GMO soy – high in protein, cholesterol-free and preservatives-free.

Pura Brasa
Guoco Tower #01-16
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

Spanish Concept Originating From The Colourful Barcelona
If you are feelin’ you need a travel to Spain but unfortunately can’t, you can still get a delicioso Spanish cuisine experience at Pura Brasa.

Pura Brasa is a Spanish concept originating from the colourful Barcelona, and this is reflected in its food offerings.

If you are undecided at what to get, some of its best-selling items include Spanish Omelette ($16), Grilled Mussels ($25), Jamon Iberico ($38), Mediterranean Nachos ($15), Grilled Black Codfish with Mushroom Ragout ($34), Spanish Pork Ribs ($45), Spanish Suckling Pig ($70) to even Wagyu Tomahawk Steak ($18 for 100g).

They also now offer a selection of burgers served with fries. The Jamon Iberico burger ($27.30) is sandwiched with a juicy pork patty, Josper grilled caramelised onion, Asiago cheese, fresh tomato and rocket leaves.

Go for the Squid Ink Paella (from $39.90)
The dish begins with a flavourful prawn stock cooked in a casserole. Into it comes the paella base – a mix of plump bomba rice and squid ink.

The paella is grilled in a wood-fired Josper charcoal oven, then topped with tiger prawns.

Loaded with Mediterranean flavours, take one mouthful of the plump grains and you get that burst of smoky seafood flavours absorbed within – can be hard to stop once you start.

La Mensa
Guoco Tower #B2-15
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Affordable, Modern Italian Fare
La Mensa (Italian for “The Canteen”), relatively newly opened next to The Daily Cut, serves up simple pastas done right.

Here, pasta and sauces are only cooked upon order. Freshness trumps the limited number of ingredients used in the dishes.

If you love classic Italian pasta, La Mensa is for you because they are all priced affordably.

Go for the Ragù Alla Bolognese and Carbonara
Start off with a bowl of Ragù Alla Bolognese ($15.00), tossing wide al dente egg pappardelle in a tomato and beef sauce.

Decked with carrots, leeks and onions, the sauce develops a mild sweetness. A sprinkling of chopped Italian parsley adds freshness, while a splash of red wine creates a depth in flavour.

La Mensa’s version of the much-loved Carbonara ($13.50) is more traditional as it uses egg yolks instead of cream.

And instead of bacon, you get crispy-chewy bits of guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl). Strands of tagliatelle are wrapped in a silky creamy egg sauce, seasoned with ground black pepper and pecorino cheese.

Guoco Tower x GrabFood Mix & Match Stores
Guoco Tower has partnered with GrabFood so that you are able to continue to order your favourite foods at Guoco Tower in one single order via their Mix & Match store.

All you need to do is to:
1. Launch the Grab app and click on the ‘Food’ icon
2. Search for ‘Guoco Tower’
3. Click on the Mix & Match store and start ordering. Enjoy!

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Guoco Tower.

If you are around the CBD looking for inexpensive restaurant meals, Jarrell’s Bistro is a modern, casual Asian restaurant located along Telok Ayer Street.

It is of walking distance from Tanjong Pagar MRT station (near Amoy Street Food Centre, where Pantler used to be located.)

Chef-owner Jarrell Tan used to be a chef at Swissotel The Stamford and One Faber Group (Dusk Restaurant, Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro), and thus he is influenced by his mentors with a flair of European dishes with an Asian or local twist.

It offers Lunch Sets and A La Carte menu of modern Asian fusion tapas, mains, pastas and sides – at wallet-friendly prices considering this area.

A 2-Course meal is priced at $25++, while a 3-Course with appetiser, main and dessert is at $35++.

With its refreshed menu, it is ready to welcome you back and entice you even more. Fret not, as take-out and delivery service via Oddle is still available for those who want to stay home and eat.

Here are some dishes waiting for you to be savoured at Jarrell’s Bistro: (As Chef Jarrell changes his plating from time to time, you may find the presentations differing from some of the photos below.)

Kam Heong Lala Pasta ($18)
Clams in pasta is always a treat for seafood lovers, but more especially if they are prepared in a signature Malaysian style of stir frying.

You probably cannot find a similar version anywhere else in Singapore.

This unique technique combines ingredients from Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine, and known to impart an exhilarating fragrance during cooking. So aromatic they called it “Kam Heong” which is Cantonese for “golden fragrance”.

Savour these Kam Heong clams incorporated into a house-made paste, together with curry leaf powder and chili padi as the sauce for spaghetti pasta.

This is much spicier than your average pasta, but if you are up for that kick on the palate, you should give this a go.

“Oriental Karikinos Pasta” aka Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta ($23)
Witness and taste a modern take on national dish Singapore Chili Crab as it is prepared pasta-style using tagliatelle.

A mound of al dente long, flat ribbons tossed in Pomodoro is topped with a homemade chili crab paste.

Dig in and mix everything, including the garniture coriander leaves to add a refreshing burst of citrusy flavour. The generous chunks of jumbo crab meat make this dish extra satisfying.

If you are up for pastas, other offerings include Pork Bacon Alfredo ($18), Kimchi Mushroom Pasta ($18), Thai King Prawn ($23), and Turmeric Squid Pasta ($23).

“Minotaur Burger” aka Kicap Manis Wagyu Burger ($22)
The Western burger shows off an Indonesian vibe as it incorporates kicap manis as a burger spread. Kicap manis is an aromatic Indonesian sweetened soy sauce with honey-like consistency and a sweet-salty flavour.

A chunky Wagyu burger patty is slathered with this savoury sauce, coupled with garlic confit and onion marmalade to build up a rich flavour.

Fresh slices of tomato and crisp lettuce complete the filling as everything is nestled in a toasted brioche bun.

For vegan friends, also available is a meat-free Impossible Burger ($22) added with gochujang king oyster mushroom and Vichy beetroot.

“Chicken Little” aka Prawn Paste Chicken Burger ($19)
If you prefer a chicken burger, try the Prawn Paste Chicken Burger and dive into a whole new set of flavours.

Apparently, Chef’s Traditional Prawn Paste Chicken aka Har Cheong Gai ($13) which is available as a bar snack got so popular, he decided to make a burger out of it.

The “patty” is a fillet of chicken thigh marinated in fermented prawn paste, basil leaf powder, ginger and more.

Once the flavours have seeped in, it is deep-fried till the skin turns crisp while keeping the meat juicy.

Decked over fresh slices of tomatoes and crunchy lettuce in a soft brioche bun, the chicken is also accompanied with a house-made spicy sambal belacan – which you can dip the fries into, or spread across the patty.

“Et Tu Brute?” aka Modern Caesar ($13)
What’s “Modern Caesar”?

The traditional Caesar Salad’s anchovy fillets are given a Chinese spin as bak kwa is used as a topping to this dish.

The soy sauce and caramelised sugar in classic bak kwa adds salty and sweet notes to the shredded romaine lettuce – and a pleasant chewy texture too.

Tossed into the salad as shavings of Grana Padano, crunchy garlic croutons, a homemade Caesar dressing, and a 63°C egg.

“Non-Poisonous ‘Shrooms?” aka Miso Mushroom Cappuccino ($12)
For starter, choose between Miso Mushroom Cappuccino ($12) and Venus Clams in Superior Broth ($15).

Why not drink up this “cappuccino” topped with a condensed milk foam? But instead of jolting you with caffeine, this gives you a punch of savoury flavours.

A mix of button, shiitake and morel mushrooms are pureed and combined with miso to make an earthy soup.

Served with a swish of truffle oil that adds a heady aroma to entice you even more. Comes with a crunchy puff pastry stick.

“Siamese Chickens in a Blanket” aka Pad Krapow in Pita Bread ($13, available from 5pm – 9:30pm.
From the Thai street food scene, Pad Krapow Moo is catapulted to a modern setting and finds its way stuffed into a soft pita bread.

This is part of the “Tapas” menu available from 5pm – 9:30pm. Also on the menu are Pork Sausage ($14), Teriyaki Salmon Crostini ($15), Gamberone Skewers ($24), and Cheese Baked Whole Boston Lobster ($38).

Traditionally, Pad Krapow Moo is a spicy stir-fry with ground pork. But in this interpretation, minced chicken is used.

Small pieces of chicken are seasoned and stir fried with aromatic ingredients – garlic, shallots, chili, Shao Xing wine, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and tossed with long beans and Thai basil.

The flavourful melange is then stuffed into pita bread to create a unique, filling ‘sandwich’.

“EVer.2” aka Milo Tiramisu ($15)
Moving on to the desserts. Whatever fond Milo-related memories you have will sure to rush in as you indulge in this creamy chocolatey dessert.

This tiramisu-in-a-cup is made with alternating layers of Milo ‘Gao’ lady fingers, Milo nuggets, and mascarpone cream.

All it takes is a sprig of mint leaf and now it’s picture-ready. Dig in and enjoy its smooth mouthfeel, interrupted with sweet soft cookies and bits of chocolate.

“Legacy of Eemin” aka Brown Sugar Sea Salt Panna Cotta ($14)
Cap off your meal with a dessert cocktail made with black tea, brown sugar, sea salt, and a shot of Baileys.

Unlike a traditional Italian panna cotta, this is a pseudo deconstructed one with Irish cream made thick with black tea jelly and sweetened with brown sugar crumble.

The sea salt foam adds a delightful contrast of taste and texture. A must try.

Jarrell’s Bistro Delivery
If you are ordering home, go for the Jarrell’s Signature Bundles via https://jarrellsbistro.oddle.me

The Jarrell’s Signature Bundle for 2 persons ($50) comes with a Miso Mushroom Soup, 2 choice of Pastas, and a Traditional Prawn Paste Chicken; while the Jarrell’s Signature Bundle for 4 persons ($100) has 2 choices of Caesar Salad OR Sweet Cottage Pie, 2 Pasta, a Burger, Traditional Prawn Paste Chicken, and 2 choice of Churros OR Lime Coconut Almond Filo.

Also enjoy 20% OFF pastas on Mondays, and 20% OFF burgers on Tuesdays.

Jarrell’s Bistro
198 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068637 (Tanjong Pagar)
Tel: +65 6223 1766
Opening Hours: 11am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Delivery: https://jarrellsbistro.oddle.me

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Jarrell’s Bistro.

Carrotsticks & Cravings delivers healthy superfood cuisine made of healthy, quality ingredients, the ideal spot for a mid-week perk or weekend brunch.

Founded by Terri-Anne, a Melbourne expat living in Singapore, Carrotsticks & Craving’s food is inspired by classics from Melbourne’s bustling cafe scene.

I remember first covering Carrotsticks & Cravings when it was still a hidden gem on Dempsey Hill, then it expanded with a second outlet at Rodyk Street (near Robertson Quay) with a newest branch in the CBD at Stanley Street.

In contrast with the surrounding cold buildings in the CBD, the café is decorated in pastel pink, green and white, with some inspiration from tropical beach clubs.

The interior has this chill-vibes lined with tropical foliage wallpaper, wood detailing, custom-made patterned textile and dining furniture from Bali. Pretty and comfortable, like a resort home.

You can continue to expect an eclectic range of vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free goodies.

Some of the recommended items include Red Shakshouka ($18) – a vegetarian choice with spicy Mediterranean red sauce topped with poached eggs and served with crusty sourdough on the side.

The other is the hearty and healthy grain bowl of Dukkah Salmon ($28) paired with chilled Norwegian salmon sprinkled with house-made dukkah (almond, hazelnut, cumin and coriander seeds mix).

If you are looking for an outlet-exclusive, then it would be the Stanley Breakfast for 2 ($46).

This platter comes with a serving of Israeli-style salad, freshly-baked puff pastries filled with cream cheese, oven-roasted eggplant served on homemade hummus topped with whole chickpeas, and four bite-sized falafel patties.

Sourdough bread basket, choice of two eggs, half an avocado, and a side of smoked salmon or chicken leg ham complete this wholesome breakfast plate. And 2 coffees.

One of my favourites here is the Smashed Avo on Herb Sourdough ($18) served with feta and dukkah. Add-on options include pomegranate, smoked salmon, leg ham and poached eggs.

The proprietary housemade dukkah blend comprises over six nuts and spices which imparts spicy and nutty notes.

If you want to feel guilt-free about your desserts, there are gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free options on the menu.

Go for the signature classic Carrot Cake ($9), Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake ($9), Peanut Butter Slice ($6) and Keto Bomb ($3) made with coconut oil, peanut butter, almond and cocoa.

Carrotsticks & Cravings
5 Stanley Street #01-01 Singapore 068724
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)

Dempsey: 75E Loewen Road Singapore 248845
Opening Hours: 8am – 4pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)

Robertson Quay: 7 Rodyk Street #01-34 Singapore 238216
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 4pm (Mon – Fri), 7:30am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)

Other Related Entries
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Five Oars Coffee Roasters (Upper East Coast)
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Degree Celsius (Penang Road)
The White Label (North Bridge Road)

* Photos partly by Nicholas Tan @stormscape. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.

Opened by the folks behind The Dark Gallery known for their artisanal dark chocolate desserts, Amuse Dessert Co. has opened at 73 Duxton Road Tanjong Pagar.

Just 2 doors away from Monument Lifestyle at Duxton, right opposite Rappu Handroll Bar.

Instead of taking the “dark side”, Amuse Dessert Co. is comparatively bright, fun and cheery, using blue and pink in the branding.

The seats in their cafe are arranged in an elongated manner and able to accommodate 20 people max, with 3 individual booth seats for a more private setting.

Focusing on artisanal desserts created through their own encounters and longing for new experiences, their selection of pastries changes on a rotational basis.

The most eye-catching selection will be the Macarons (Single $3.50, Box of 6 for $21) with 8 different colours that are aesthetically inspired by nature’s colours.

Flavours include Lemon Yogurt, Rose Raspberry Chocolate, Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, Earl Grey Milk Chocolate, Lavender Caramel, 85& Valrhona Dark Chocolate, Mango passionfruit and Silicon Pistachio.

Other pastries include Canele ($4), Madeleine ($4), Mini Pound ($4.50), Loaf Pound ($5.50), Chunky Cookie ($4.50) and Brownie Squares ($6).

The Lemon Basil Mini Pound ($4.50) was my favourite, with a soft and moist texture and refreshing lemon flavour and herbaceous basil notes.

Both the Black Pink S’mores Cookie ($4.50) and Butterscotch Pecan Cookie ($4.50) were crumbly on the outside and chewy on the inside without being too dry.

I was actually looking forward to the Matcha Chocolate Pound Slice ($5.50) since I am a huge fan of matcha.

While the matcha notes were distinctive, the texture was a tad too dry, also with too much cream cheese on the top layer.

Fans of The Dark Gallery should not be unfamiliar with their Ice Cream, with with a different selection here.

Inspired by places that the owners had been, cuisine that they enjoyed, and moments they shared with loved ones, the Ice Cream are served in different forms: Cups (Single Scoop $5.50, Double Scoops $9.80), Affogato ($10.50), Waffle ($16), Parfait ($24), Pint ($17) and Shortbread ($9).

Classic flavours (Single $5.50, Double $9.80) include Injeolmi Bingsu, Strawberry Tart, Butterscotch Almond Chip, Cookies After Midnight, Earl Grey Caramel Milk Tea and Vanilla Bean.

Premium flavours (+$1) are Manuka Genmaicha, Finca La Amistad Java Chip, Meet Joe Black Cold Brew Sorbet, Acai Banana Sorbet, Passionfruit Mango Sorbet, Truffle Basque Cheesecake.

I had the Strawberry Tart ($5.50) that comes with a strawberry ice cream base with cookie crumble blended within it for the extra crunch, topped with a single piece of butter cookie.

I liked that the ice cream wasn’t too sweet, with distinctive detectable fruity flavours from the strawberry and a smooth and non-icy texture.

Check out their specially customised La Marzocco espresso machine in a beautiful blue colour, with blue and pink ceramics coffee cups used for dine-in.

Using Browns Mill Organic from Allpress Espresso, a 2-beans-blend of Honduras and Peru for their espresso-based drinks, both Black ($5) and White ($6) are available.

Placed in an aesthetic-looking coffee sleeve for their takeaway cups, my Flat White ($6) was medium boded, smooth with toffee, milk chocolate and fruity notes.

Other drinks include Matcha Latte ($8), Chai Latte ($8), Valrhona Chocolate ($8), Cold-Pressed Juice by HICJuice ($8) and single origin Sencha by Senchado Tokyo ($10).

With a wide selection of pastries, ice cream and drinks, Amuse Dessert Co. hopes to amuse everyone with their creative and innovative creations.

Amuse Dessert Co
73 Duxton Road, Singapore 089532
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Tues – Thurs), 12pm – 10pm (Fri – Sat), 12pm – 6pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Other Related Entries
Hvala (Craig Road)
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Tucked within one of the shophouses along the popular Tanjong Pagar Road is a white minimalist café that you may just walk past without noticing.

(Also read: 20 Tanjong Pagar Cafes For Brunch & Desserts)

In a stretch lined with Korean BBQ restaurants and cafes such as Champion Bolo Bun, Roji Monster Ice Cream and Cake Spade (technically opposite), Haven Coffee the newest addition to the hood.

The 6 tables space is decked in primary white and MUJI-like tone, using muted colours and elements to fill up the space.

Yup, everything is white here, from the white Synesso S200 espresso machine to the coffee beans grinder, the coffee cups and V60 Coffee dripper – all reminded me of %Arabica.

When I probed further, indeed the owner was an ex-trainer at % Arabica, which probably inspires him to create his ideal dream cafe with similar look and colours.

Their menu is currently limited to a small selection of savoury food items, pastries, desserts and coffee.

For savory options, diners can look forward to Scrambled Eggs Croissant ($11), Ham & Cheese Croissant ($12), Scrambled Eggs Toast ($12) and Ham & Cheese Toasties ($14).

Pastries are sourced from The Bakehaus, with a selection of Butter Croissant ($4.20), Pain Au Chocolat ($4.50), Almond Croissant ($5) and Kouign Amann ($6).

3 different Tartelettes are available, namely Chocolate ($7), Raspberry ($7.50) and Citron Meringue ($7.80).

Sprinkled with icing sugar on top to counterbalance the citrus taste of the raspberry, there was a good balance of flavours.

Unfortunately, the tart crust was a bit too moist, crumbly and soggy, which fell apart easily when sliced.

Glow in the Dark blend (Guatemala and Brazil) from Homeground Coffee Roasters is used for their espresso-based drinks: Espresso ($4.50), Macchiato ($5), Black ($5), White ($6), Piccolo ($5.50), Mocha ($7) and Dirty Matcha ($7).

Customisation is also available with optional add-ons for Iced (+$1), Espresso Shot (+$1) and Oat Milk (+$1).

With a heavy body, and distinctive dark chocolate notes in the coffee beans, my cup of Iced Dirty Matcha ($8) was robust and well-balanced with earthiness from the matcha powder used.

For the serious coffee drinkers, filtered coffee using French Press ($7) and V60 Pourover ($7) are available with options of 2 single origin coffee beans: Ethiopia and Colombia.

The Colombia beans was bright and clean with detectable citrus notes from blackcurrant and red grapes, complemented by a fuller dark chocolate body.

If you “haven” had your coffee fix for the day, Haven Coffee can be the spot for that.

Haven Coffee
124 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088533
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat), 9am – 10pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
LUNA Patisserie (Amoy Street)
Parallel Coffee Roasters (Duxton Hill)
French Fold (Telok Ayer Street)
Runes (Lau Pa Sat)
The Bravery (Amoy Street)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Okinawan cuisine differs from the typical Japanese food due to the islands’ unique history and culture. And there are not that many places in Singapore serving this specialty food.

Those yearning for a holiday in this prefecture can have their food cravings satisfied at EN Dining Capital Tower (Tanjong Pagar), as there is not only a selection of signature Okinawan fare but seasonal Autumn Specials as well.

Okinawa is known for certain food specialties that make this cuisine stand out from others, and these include seafood, pork dishes, and items cooked with vegetables such as their most esteemed crop goya – a type of bitter melon.

The Autumn Special from EN Dining features dishes made from ingredients specially imported from Hokkaido and Okinawa, such as Okinawan Mozuku Seaweed, Goya, Hokkaido seafood, as well as cocktails made using Okinawan Brown Sugar.

All at wallet-friendly prices.

However, note that this seasonal menu is available for a limited time from now till 30 November 2021. Here is what you can expect:

Mozuku Okonomiyaki ($6.80)
The Okinawan Okonomiyaki which is a popular type of izakaya and snack food, is also known as “Hirayachi”. The word means “fry flat”.

This differs from the usual Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, cut triangular in shape and resembles the Korean pancakes.

The affordably-priced Okonomiyaki is pan-fried with egg, added with special Okinawan Mozuku seaweed.

It has a thin, almost crepe-like texture on the exterior, crispy with light flavour and little greasiness.

Mozuku and Goya Champura Tempura with Okinawan Sea Salt ($6.80)
A tempura dish prepared with Okinawan Mozuku seaweed, Okinawan bittermelon and interestingly… spam.

Goya is one of the most popular vegetables in Okinawa. While they are well-known for being bitter, its distinctive taste is balanced off with the savoury spam.

The crispy deep-fried dish is best eaten with some accompanying Okinawan sea salt.

Mozuku Seaweed ($5.80)
Also known as Okinawa’s Superfood, this is a dark-green seaweed which contains a lot of minerals and vitamins, full of fucoidan and health benefits. (Fun fact: Mozuku Day is the 3rd Sunday in April.)

The texture is moderately slimy and chewy which can remind some of wakame, with a light sea-salt-like taste.

You can also give a dip in the special ponzu sauce for added refreshing citrusy-tanginess.

Umibudo ($10.80)
If you never had Umibudo before, the “Okinawan Sea Grapes” resembles a green stalk with tiny little green grapes. It is a common Okinawan side dish that is served alongside the main course, also a popular food to eat with cocktails.

Also known as the “Green Caviar of the sea” or the “Longevity Seaweed”, the Umibudo is also rich in protein and minerals

Taste-wise, it has an ocean-like flavour, though what I enjoyed about it was the crunchy texture that felt like tiny popping candies as you take bites.

Served with Tosazu, a type of premium fermented vinegar sauce also made of soy sauce, sweet cooking rice wine, bonito soup stock and more.

Aburi Hokkaido Scallops Carpaccio ($11.80)
Sashimi grade Hokkaido scallops which are firmer and sweeter in taste makes a great choice for carpaccio.

The light-seared plump scallops are drizzled with yuzu dressing, proving a bright, succulent bite.

Hokkaido Cold Sardine Nanbanzuke ($8.80)
Nanbanzuke may not be on your radar when it comes to Japanese food. It is a Japanese dish which can refer to fried fish or meat marinated in a mixture of vinegar.

This dish is prepared using Hokkaido sardines, which are not as fishy with delicate flavour.

The fried sardines are marinated with house-made Japanese sweet & sour sauce, garnished with fresh greens and served as an appetising cold side.

Okinawan Brown Sugar Cocktails
EN Dining blur the lines between tachinomiya (standing bar) and izakaya (bar with seats), which is popular among trendy bar hoppers in Japan’s major cities.

With a bistro bar setting in the centre of the restaurant, they also focus on offering a variety of Japanese sakes, carefully selected wines, and drinks.

The Autumn Specials features two drinks included with Okinawan brown sugar syrup (instead of the usual white sugar syrup) also known as Kuromitsu or ‘black honey’.

Have an Okinwan Brown Sugar Mojito ($15); or Old-Fashioned ($18) included with white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves and topped with soda – a spirit-forward cocktail which is rich, smooth and quite intense.

EN Dining Ala Carte Dishes And Buffet
If you are looking for EN Dining mains and ala carte items to accompany the Autumn Specials, there is a huge variety of items in the categories of Sashimi, Maki, Sushi, Appetisers, Salad, Stir-Fried, Deep-Fried, Rice, Noodles, Hotpot, Desserts and even a special Okinawa section featuring signatures from the prefecture.

Other Okinawan-style dishes served include the Goya Champura ($11.80), Buta Shogayaki ($8.80), braised pork belly side of Rafute ($10.80), and Moyashi Champura ($8.80) of pan-fried beansprouts with pork.

The Goya Champuru ($11.80) consists of the famous goya – bitter melon (or better known as bitter gourd here) pan-fried with some firm tofu, spam pork, and eggs.

The result is a combination of different flavours that makes a homely-tasting dish.

Foie Gras Wagyu Yakiniku Jyu ($31)
A rice box included with wagyu beef, foie gras with onsen egg on rice. The wagyu beef slices were lightly-grilled till tender and sweet.

Worthy to mention is the original sauce created by the kitchen team, prepared using many fruits and vegetables which give it that sweet touch.

Kaisen Chirashi Don ($23)
A seafood rice bowl with fresh pieces of a variety of seafood over a bed of fluffy Japanese white rice, also served with Asari Miso Soup.

The colourful spread of seafood includes salmon, aburi salmon, tuna, yellowtail, scallop, amaebi, unagi, anago, finished with tamago yaki (sweet egg) and a topping of ikura (salmon roe).

Spicy Soft Shell Crab Maki ($18.80)
Also known as “Spider Maki”, this has soft shell crab deep-fried with crispy batter in a sushi roll spread with homemade spicy sauce.

Experience the crunch of the soft shell crab roll complemented with fluffy rice and flying fish row.

Other Makis available here include EN Dragon Maki ($16.80), California Maki ($13.80), Aburi Salmon Tartar Maki ($15.80), and Spicy Tuna & Salmon Maki ($15.80).

Sakura Ebi Bukakke Udon ($13)
A dry udon dish with noodles tossed in cream sauce, topped with sakura shrimps tempura. Pour some dashi broth over to experience more enhanced umami flavours.

For those who want to eat till your fill, go for the all-you-can-eat Japanese a la carte buffet ($58++ for adult, $23++ for child) where a selection of fresh sashimi, sushi, hotpot shabu shabu, grilled dishes, Okinawan dishes and more await. Available from Mondays to Fridays after 6pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and after 5:30pm.

En Dining
168 Robinson Road, Capital Tower, #01-10, Singapore 068912 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Mon – Sat), Closed 3pm – 5:30pm on Sat, and Sun, PH

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with EN Dining.

Tanjong Pagar has seen many new F&B entrants lately.

From Haven Coffee and Amuse Dessert Co. at Tanjong Pagar Road to Stay Gold Flamingo at Amoy Street, Acoustic Coffee Bar, Chez Suzette, QUEIC and Coexist Coffee Co. near Keong Saik, that’s quite a handful of new places to explore.

Located on the 2nd floor of the shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road, directly opposite O.BBa Jjajang, Cotta is a gelato dessert-specialty cafe that can accommodate 5 tables for dine-in.

Housed in a mini attic, a space under the pitched roof (roof that slopes downwards), Cotta has tall ceiling and hanging bespoke lighting that creates a warm and cosy vibe.

Their signature is the selection of intricate desserts made in-house, all made from gelato.

Diners can look forward to Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7), Piedmont Hazelnut Sandwich ($7), Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), Dark Chocolate Sichuan Peppercorn Tart ($9) and TRIO ($11).

As a matcha lover, I decided to go with the 2 matcha desserts on display, namely the Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) and the Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9), made from a blend of 3 different matcha powders from Uji, Japan.

The Matcha Yuzu Tart ($9) has a more intense matcha flavour, a matcha tart shell with a layer of yuzu compote at the bottom, topped with matcha gelato and sprinkled with matcha powder.

The result is distinctive vegetal notes with hints of bitterness, well balanced by the citrusy and refreshing notes of yuzu.

The tart shell is also pretty well made, brittle and crumbly without being too dry.

The Matcha Goma Cookie Sandwich ($7) has a more earthly flavour and has more distinctive black sesame taste in it.

Shaped like the ice cream sandwich that we are familiar with, the bread is replaced with a matcha cookie sable, with both matcha and Goma (black sesame) gelato sandwiched in between.

Meant for takeaways although it can get a little messy trying to bite into the ice cream sandwich with the gelato melting under the hot weather.

Apart from gelato desserts, Cotta also serve 8 gelato flavours (Single $5, Double $9, Premium +$1) on their menu, with very interesting options.

Check out the savoury options Roasted Corn and Gorgonzola, or sweeter flavours such as Zesty Pink Guava, Matcha & Cookies, 80% Dark Chocolate French Rose, Muscat Grape Sake, Violet & Berries and Sicilian Pistachio.

Cotta Waffles ($7) are available as an add-on for a more fulfilling treat.

The Roasted Corn ($6) tasted like the real corn on its own, using fresh corns roasted before cold-pressing to remove the fibres for a smoother texture.

Comes with brown butter salted caramel sauce drizzled on top, it elevates the taste by adding a combination of sweet and saltiness to it.

I preferred the Muscat Grape Sake ($6) that has a slight resemblance to the Yakult grape flavour, more creamy and milky with a lingering taste of sake.

Apart from coffee from Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Gryphon Tea, Cotta also offers several Specialty Drinks on their menu.

These include The Cotta ($9) using pistachio cream, espresso and milk, Military Latte ($8) with matcha, cocoa and espresso, Coconut Charcoal Einspanner ($8) and Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8).

The Orange Osmanthus Cloud ($8) comes with a layer of cream on top, torched before serving to add some smokiness to the light, refreshing and orangey drink.

Overlooking the bustling Tanjong Pagar Road, Cotta is like a tranquil heaven on its own, a perfect place for a quiet afternoon.

Cotta
104A Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088524
Opening Hours: 1:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

First opened at Amoy Street in 2017 as a hole-in-the-wall takeaway kiosk, Upside Down Coffee Roaster has since expanded with their latest flagship outlet at Anson House, Tanjong Pagar.

They used to operate Shift Syphon Bar at North Bridge Road, but that store is now permanently closed.

Located just 1km away from their Amoy outlet, the Anson House branch now serves both coffee and food for dine-in customers.

Co-sharing the same space with Haworth – an office furniture manufacturer at the lobby of Anson House in Tanjong Pagar, Upside Down Coffee Roaster is now equipped with comfy furniture pieces from their showroom.

From the desks to the tables, chairs and lounge seats, customers can sit, feel and experience these furniture while dining in before making their purchases.

Only the 5 tables indoors and the outdoor seating area is meant for dine-in purpose, while the meeting room and the function room are meant for seminars.

Instead of focusing on their artisanal specialty coffee by offering multiple blends and single origins, the Anson House outlet only offers one blend for their espresso-based drinks.

Using a 2-beans-blend from Brazil and Ethiopia roasted in-house, options include Espresso ($4), Black ($4.50), White ($5), Mocha ($6), Iced Sparkling Black ($6.50) and Cold Brew ($7).

You can also choose to upsize the drinks at an additional $1, but I didn’t expect it to come in a big 12oz cup.

My cup of upsized White ($6) comes with double shots of espresso, smooth and medium bodied with notes of milk chocolate, berries and peanut butter.

Non-espresso drinks on the menu include Chai Latte ($6), Chocolate ($6), Matcha ($6), Tea ($7 – $8) and Juices ($9).

New on the menu is their food items, a selection of brunch items with funky names such as Cheese & Whiskers ($14), Smash Hit ($16), Homeless Smurfs ($15), Sweet Cheesus ($16), Mancake ($18) and Happy Place ($18).

Their pancakes come in both sweet called the Happy Place ($18), and savoury versions with the Mancake ($18). The latter is like a chives pancake.

The Happy Place ($18) came with interesting elements such as toffee banana bits within the pancakes, and drunken poached pear that added a light and refreshing twist.

Not to worry, you won’t get drunk early in the morning while having the pancakes.

Other toppings include ruby chocolate chips, blueberries, raspberries, icing sugar, a dollop of Chantilly meringue and homemade banoffee sauce served on the sides.

The pancakes were soft and moist with toffee banana that added a chewy texture, complemented by the sweet banoffee sauce.

With tables equipped with USB charging ports, Upside Down Coffee Roaster should be a possible spot for diners to work while having a cup of coffee.

Upside Down Coffee Roaster
Anson House, 72 Anson Rd, Singapore 079911
Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

114 Amoy Street, Singapore 069935
Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat, Sun

Other Related Entries
Jarrell’s Bistro (Telok Ayer)
Amuse Dessert Co. (Duxton Road)
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Tanjong Pagar is getting more exciting lately in terms of the new café scene.

There are quite a handful of new places to explore, and that includes Upside Down Coffee Roaster at Anson Road; Cotta, Delicatesse 巧彰 Haven Coffee along Tanjong Pagar Road.

(Also read: 20 Tanjong Pagar Cafes For The Best Brunch & Desserts)

Alice Boulangerie may sound like a takeaway bakery which is newly added to Icon Village, right opposite Cing Tea 甲文青台湾.

In fact, it is a full-fledged dine-in cafe with a spacious 30-seater space.

I liked the longitudinal layout decked in Balinese style furniture pieces and bespoke lighting which gave that warm and cosy vibes.

All the pastries are displayed on the counter located at the entrance, ranging from Focaccia ($5), Scone ($4), Danish ($5), Croissant ($4 – $7) and Cakes ($9.60).

One of their signature items is the Bi-colour Croissants ($7), coming in alternating layers of laminated croissant layers with flavours such as Pistachio Nocciola and Ispahan.

As they were made in limited quantities, both flavours were already sold out by noontime.

For savoury options, their croissants were stuffed with either Chicken Mayo ($7) or Egg Mayo ($6).

The Tropical Danish ($5) has dragonfruit, kiwi, pineapple cubes filled with custard cream in it.

Made using AOP French butter which was fragrant and buttery, it unfortunately lacked some crisp and was on the softer side.

Apart from bakes, Alice Boulangerie offers a selection of finely crafted desserts such as Ispahan ($9.60), Opera ($9.60), Pistachio Dacquoise ($9.60), Mango Cheesecake ($9.60), Carrot Cake ($9.60) and Sea Salt Chocolate Tart ($9.60).

The Ispahan ($9.60) came in the shape of a rose with bits of lychee and strawberry compote with mousse on top of a vanilla sponge.

Infused with alcohol, the mousse was light and refreshing with distinctive notes of roses and berries, similar to that of a strawberry shortcake.

All their espresso-based drinks come with double espresso shots, made from their house blend.

Their drinks menu caught my attention, with a good selection of espresso-based drinks ($3.50 – $6.50), local Kopi ($3 – $3.50) and Teh ($2.50 – $3).

Their signature drinks Banana Caramel Latte ($7) and Kopi-misu ($8) sounded like desserts.

With slices of caramelised banana on top of a milk-based espresso drink, the Banana Caramel Latte ($7) came with bits of banana toppings.

I was told to eat the caramelised banana on its own instead of dipping directly into the coffee to maintain the crispiness of the caramelised bananas.

The latte was medium bodied and smooth, on the sweeter side due to the bits of banana in it, and tasted quite like a cup of banana coffee or a slice of banoffee pie.

With a conducive space, WiFI provided and a selection of good bakes, I believe Alice Boulangerie can be a favourite spot for office workers nearby to have work meetings or a cup of coffee during their breaks.

Alice Boulangerie
Icon Village, 12 Gopeng St, #01-05/11, Singapore 078877
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Wed – Mon), Closed Tues

Other Related Entries
20 Tanjong Pagar Cafes For The Best Brunch & Desserts
Upside Down Coffee Roaster (Tanjong Pagar)
Cotta (Tanjong Pagar)
QUEIC (Kreta Ayer)
Haven Coffee (Tanjong Pagar)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

Another new cafe near Tanjong Pagar?

The area is now bustling with new F&B entrants such as Alice Boulangerie and Cing Tea by 甲文青台湾 at Icon Village; Upside Down Coffee Roaster at Anson Road; Cotta, Delicatesse 巧彰, and Haven Coffee along Tanjong Pagar Road.

(Also read: 20 Tanjong Pagar Cafes For The Best Brunch & Desserts)

Located on the first floor of Eon Shenton – a mixed development of residential and commercial use, Abseil is the latest addition to the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood.

Seating space is pretty limited with 5 tables indoors, all aligned to the wall, facing the white coffee bar counter that spans across the entire room.

The space is entirely monochromatic with black furniture and coffee equipment against a white background. Stylish looking, I must say.

Everything looked sleek and neat, with the black La Marzocco espresso machine, coffee grinder machine and gooseneck coffee kettles for making pour-over neatly placed at the coffee bar counter.

Serving coffee beans roasted by All Day Roasting Company in Taiwan, the N.1 Blend uses coffee beans from 4 different regions of Colombia for their Espresso ($4.50), Black ($5), White ($5.50) and Tonic ($8).

With a single shot of espresso in my White ($5.50), it was medium-bodied with light and more refreshing with hints of apple, orange and nuts.

Filtered Coffee is also available here with seasonal beans from Guji, Ethiopia ($7.50); Huila, Colombia ($8) and Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia ($9).

For non-coffee drinkers, look out for the Infused tea ($7.50 – $11.50) selections.

The only dessert on their menu is the Dacquoise ($7) made up of layers of almond and hazelnut meringue with either whipped cream or buttercream on a buttery biscuit base.

Comes in 5 different flavours such as Earl Grey, Pistachio, Matcha, Passionfruit and Injeolmi, the Dacquoise are frozen beforehand and requires a good 10 minutes to thaw completely.

The Matcha Dacquoise ($7) came with dollops of matcha and cream cheese sandwiched between two meringue biscuits.

While I enjoyed the sweet meringue biscuits with a texture similar to a macaron shell, the sour cream cheese overpowered the earthly taste of the Japanese matcha.

Perhaps having yuzu with matcha will be a better pairing as the cream cheese didn’t really blend well with the matcha.

The Injeolmi Dacquoise ($7) came with 2 layers of Korean glutinous rice cakes sprinkled with roasted soybean powder will require an even longer duration to thaw.

This came with a delightful contrast in textures between the crunchy meringue biscuits and the chewy rice cake, complemented by nutty taste.

With a dimly lit space and a clean and sleek interior, Abseil can be a relaxing spot to spend a quiet afternoon in the middle of a bustling CBD.

Abseil
Eon Shenton, 70 Shenton Way, Singapore 079118
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Sun)

Other Related Entries
20 Tanjong Pagar Cafes For The Best Brunch & Desserts
Upside Down Coffee Roaster (Tanjong Pagar)
Cotta (Tanjong Pagar)
QUEIC (Kreta Ayer)
Haven Coffee (Tanjong Pagar)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.