I have a love-hate relationship with brunch. I really like the idea of sleeping in during weekends and waking up late for brunch. But sometimes, I can’t help but feel that we are short-changing ourselves by only eating brunch, instead of having breakfast AND lunch.

Luckily, there are certain things in life that can get you out of bed on a weekend morning, and one of them is attending your good friend’s birthday breakfast (though I think birthday brunch sounds nicer than breakfast).

Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Walk features comfort food like burgers, pastas, truffle fries and breakfast. Even though I go to Robertson Quay quite often, I’ve never seen the restaurant before. It is the perfect place for a quiet dinner with your date.

On Hummerstons’s menu, there are favourites like the Poutine ($11), Hummerstons Burger ($25), Smoked Duck Quesadilla ($27) and Beef & Bacon Bolognese ($19); and sweets like Blackforest Gateau ($11), and Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11).

For brunch on weekends, there are plenty of eggs dishes like The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22), Eggs Benedict ($16), and Steak & Eggs ($28).

The nine of us ordered almost everything on the brunch menu. The food arrived after a while, and I started with my Hummerstons Pancakes ($14) with maple syrup, whipped butter and fruit compote. The pancakes were dense and heavy, not exactly my type, but it was good enough for a lazy Sunday brunch.

My friends thoroughly enjoyed the Mushroom Garlic Confit ($23) which came with truffle roasted mushroom, but it was a little too dry for my liking.

Another interesting choice on the brunch menu was the Breakfast Tostada: grilled smoked pork and garlic sausage, served with asparagus, scrambled eggs and crispy corn torilla.

I also couldn’t take my eyes off the steak with Eggs ($28). I don’t know about you, but there’s something appealing about having a steak for brunch. It was like screaming “EAT ME”.

The other items that we had include: Eggs Gloria – toasted bread and eggs, spinach and mushrooms – nothing spectacular given the price tag; and The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22) – eggs, bacon, smoked pork and garlic sausage, mushroom, roasted tomato, toast and homefries – everything you need for breakfast.

And what’s brunch without Eggs Benedict ($16)?

My friend Jalean at I-S magazine named the Hummerstons’s Roasted Pumpkin Cheesecake ($10.9) as one of the fifty things to eat in Singapore before you die. After trying it, I have to agree that it’s very good, although not quite one of the must-eats in Singapore.

The Berry Bread and Butter Pudding ($10.5), on the other hand, was mediocre. We should have gone for the Flourless Chilli Chocolate Torte ($9) or the Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11) instead!

I like Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Quay. I think it has great potential; the food is competent, and reasonably priced.

Moreover, it is tucked in a quiet corner on the second level of Robertson Walk (directly facing TCC). Not many people know about it yet, at least that’s what I hope. Reservations are recommended, especially if you are going for brunch.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Hummerstons Restaurant
11 Unity Street
#02-14 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6737 8863
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 4pm (Lunch)
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 12am (Dinner)
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 4pm (Brunch)

For more recommendations, read my Guide to Robertson Quay Restaurants

Thinking about what to do on a Sunday morning? Let’s find a nice cafe for brunch, have a cup of coffee, read a book and watch the world goes by.

The once-sleepy Tiong Bahru estate seems to be coming alive as more and more cafe – Drips Bakery Cafe, Forty Hands, and Open Door Policy – open in the area.

The Orange Thimble cafe at Eng Hoon Street is one of the new additions, and it joins Group Therapy Cafe in my list of new favourite cafes in Singapore.

For now, The Orange Thimble remains a nice hidden cafe. My friends have repeatedly warned me not to blog about it, so they are probably plotting a plan to murder me as I type this. You should quickly go down before more food blogs write about it.

The art cafe is divided into five sections. Directly behind the main area, there are two small tables in the corridor leading to the backyard.

There is also a mini art gallery where you get to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the art pieces.

The food at The Orange Thimble isn’t exceptional. In fact, I wouldn’t come here just for the food. But I like the place. It has a nice vibe, and I can definitely see myself coming back to chill out with a group of friends.

The Orange Thimble Cafe in Tiong Bahru serves all day breakfast on weekends – English breakfast comes with eggs, sausages, bacon, sauteed mushroom, roasted tomatoes with toast for $11.5. Other items on the menu include: Shepherd’s Pie ($9), Egg Mayo sandwich ($8.5) and English Breakfast Burger ($5.5).

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Orange Thimble Cafe
56 Eng Hoon Street #01-68
Tel: +65 6223 8068
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm

For more recommendations, please read my list of best cafes in Singapore

Pancake is one thing that I can have everyday without getting sick of. They taste great with a scoop of ice cream, or if you are like me, I’d have them with just maple syrup and butter.

I LOVE pancakes. Over the last two months, I’ve been trying out different brunch places to find the best pancakes in Singapore. Where can you find good and fluffy pancakes? Which pancake places are worth a try?

Here’s my list of the best pancakes in Singapore.

Pancake lovers unite!

Antoinette

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Chef Pang Kok Keong. Antoinette – a beautiful Parisian style patisserie tea salon – is one of my favourite new restaurants in 2011.

Besides offering French desserts, Antoinette also has an all day dining menu which has eggs, French toast, and Blinis (French thick pancakes). There are both sweet and savoury pancakes like Blinis with blueberries ($10), and savoury Blinis with smoked salmon ($15).

30 Penhas Road

Tel: +65 6293 3121

Pancakes are most people’s favourite brunch food for a good reason: they are fun and delicious.

Barracks Cafe House Dempsey

Everyone needs at least one reliable place for comfort food. For me, Barracks Cafe at Dempsey Hill is one of my favourite cafes in Singapore. With seven layers of fluffy pancakes, the 7-layer Pancake ($18) at Barracks Cafe is quite possibly the biggest pancake in Singapore. Definitely a must-try for pancake lovers.

8D Dempsey Road
#01-01 to 06 Tanglin Village
Tel: +65 6475 7787

Cedele Restaurant & Bakery

A good pancake can be found at Cedele. They have different variations like wild blueberry, pepper corn, apple cinnamon and mushroom onion.

Filled with the goodness of blueberries, Cedele’s Wild Blueberry Pancakes ($12.9) came with butter, maple syrup, salad, and choice of bacon or sausage.

501 Orchard Road
#03-14 Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6732 8520

Epicurious Cafe

The pancakes ($7) from Epicurious are not out-of-this-world good. But I still love it, and I always order baked eggs and eat them together.

392 Upper Bukit Timah Road
The Rail Mall
Tel: +65 6894 5926

Food For Thought Cafe

At Food For Thought Cafe, you can choose from a variety of pancakes: have it plain with fresh cream and Gula Melaka syrup ($6); or opt for the popular combination of banana & walnuts ($10). Breakfast is available from 9am to 5.30pm, let’s have pancakes for afternoon high tea.

8 Queen Street
Tel: +65 6338 9887

Not all pancakes are created equal. Your mission: go in search of the best pancakes in Singapore.

OverEasy Restaurant

Another place that has all day breakfast is OverEasy at One Fullerton. It is an American restaurant that serves your favourite comfort food, it is opened till late 2am. How about having some pancakes ($16) with scrambled eggs, tomatoes and bacon for supper?

1 Fullerton Road
#01-06 One Fullerton
Tel: +65 6423 0701

Privé bakery café

Prive Bakery Cafe is one of my favourite brunch places in Singapore. There’s nothing fantastic about the food, just simple, well-executed comfort food served at reasonable prices.

And of course, you must order the fluffy pancakes ($13.5) when you are there.

2 Keppel Bay Vista
GF Marina @ Keppel Bay
Tel: 6776 0777

Pancakes are just an excuse for me to eat maple syrup and butter. Om nom nom nom!

Spruce Cafe Bakery

Perched at the top of Phoenix Park in Tanglin, Spruce is a nice cafe which is just a few minutes drive from Orchard. It is extremely popular for their weekend brunch, and the Banana Hotcakes ($14) with honeycomb butter and blueberry syrup is definitely worth a try.

320 Tanglin Road
Phoenix Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 5528

Strictly Pancakes

The concept of all day dining restaurant serving only pancakes is not new – I have been to Pancakes on the Rock in Sydney which has a similar idea.

But Strictly Pancakes is certainly the first of its kind in Singapore. It is one of the few places that serve both sweet pancakes ($10) like lemon curd, strawberries, and blackforest; and savoury pancakes ($14) that come with ingredients like beef patty, salmon and garlic buttered prawns.

44A Prinsep Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6333 4202

Wild Honey Singapore

Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery is a breakfast speciality restaurant that serves different breakfasts from all over the world. The Canadian Pancake ($18) – a stack of classic pancakes served with wild berry, bacon and maple syrup – is one of the most popular items on their all day brunch menu.

333A Orchard Road #03-02
Mandarin Gallery Singapore
Tel: +65 6235 3900

For more recommendations, read my list of best brunch places in Singapore

One of the latest cafes to open in the trendy Duxton Hill area, Group Therapy Cafe is a space tucked away on the 2nd storey of a reconstructed shophouse.

Even though I’ve been to the Duxton Hill area many times, I’ve never noticed them until my friend told me about it. Just in case you are wondering where they are located, the cafe is directly above Etna Italian restaurant on Duxton road.

I fell in love as I stepped inside the cafe. It is one of those places that you would find it impossible not to like. Definitely one of my new favourite cafes in Singapore.

From what I understand, Group Therapy started out mainly as an event space for birthday parties, media launches and corporate workshops, but the cafe business has slowly grown with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations.

The menu changes from time to time, but you can expect comfort food like salad ($15), soup ($11), sandwiches ($14), eggs ($11-15) and desserts ($4.5-8.5). When we were there on a Saturday afternoon, we ordered from their all day breakfast menu to share.

The Poached Eggs ($15) that we had was gorgeous. Stacked on top of an extremely thick and fluffy toast, the poached eggs with salmon came with a generous helping of the hollandaise sauce. It was fantastic!

I was slightly disappointed when I found out that they only serve pancakes (from a special brunch menu) on Sunday. But that feeling was gone with the arrival of the waffles.

Weekends are made of Belgian style waffle ($8.5) with maple syrup and butter.

Group Therapy Cafe at Duxton road does not serve out-of-this-world good food; the menu is simple and unpretentious. They have a very comfortable and relaxing space, and I love the fact that not many people know about them YET.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Group Therapy Cafe
49 Duxton Road #02-01
Tel: +65 6222 2554

Tue to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Closed on Mondays

For more recommendations, read my list of the best cafes in Singapore

Besides Marmalade Toast at Takashimaya, another place that I like to go whenever I am in town is Pique Nique American Cafe by Chef Pang Kok Keong.

I am a huge fan of Chef Pang. I’ve tried almost all his desserts while he was at Canele Patisserie (under the Les Amis group). Boy was I excited when I heard that he left the group late last year to set up his own company, the Sugar Daddy Group.

Pique Nique is located at the basement of Takashimaya where McDonald’s used to be. It serves favourite American comfort food like mac & cheese ($12-16), hot dogs ($8.5-11), burgers ($10-13), all day breakfast ($7.5-13.5), whoopie pies ($2) and desserts ($4-8).

Both Pique Nique and Anoinette (a French bistro-patisserie) are conceptualised by Chef Pang in his attempt to take over the dessert world in Singapore. I’ve been to both dessert places a few times so far, but more on Anoinette another day.

Among the desserts at Pique Nique, there are cupcakes with flavours like banana spilt, chocolate caramel, peanut butter, and carrot; cheesecakes like triple chocolate, American, oreo and strawberry; and an assortment of whoopie pies like maple walnut, caramel pecan, and peanut butter & jelly.

So far, I’ve tried the Lemon Meringue cupcake, Red Velvet Cupcake, Vanilla Cupcake ($4.8), Blackout Chocolate Cake ($8) and Oreo Cream Cheese Bar ($4.8) and Whoopie Pies ($2.15). While I don’t think they are fantastic enough to be listed as one of the  top 10 cakes in Singapore, I like that most of them are classic comfort desserts – ideal for afternoon tea.

… And oh my god, WHOOPIE PIES!!!

Whoopie pie, for the uninitiated, is an American baked good that may be considered either a cookie, pie, or cake. I’d like to think of it as an American version of macarons, but that probably isn’t the best way to describe it since it is very different.

While macarons often come with a shatteringly crisp shell, whoopie pies have a chewier and denser texture; they are more like a pie/cake than a cookie.

Some even go as far to say that Whoopie Pies are the new cupcakes. Are they really that good? Will they set a new food trend? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, Pique Nique is probably one of the few places where you can get whoopie pies in Singapore.

Pique Nique at Ngee Ann City is also one of the few places that serve all day breakfast in Orchard road. The American Favourite breakfast with two eggs served with homemade English muffins or white toast starts at $7.5, and there is also the popular eggs benedict that comes with Pique Nique’s special fries at $12. They also have French toast ($7.5), buttermilk pancakes ($7.5) and waffles ($13.5) on the brunch menu.

Like other dessert places, Pique Nique has hits and misses. Service is slightly slow, and so far, I’ve heard quite a few bad reviews about their food. I think people are being too demanding, though. It is difficult to find a nice cafe in Orchard road that serves decent food at a reasonable price. In that sense, I think Pique Nique has done a good job to fill the gap.

I don’t think the desserts are life-changing, but most of them are reasonably priced and I will definitely go there when I want a light snack in between meal times.

Even though I’ve been to the American Cafe a few times, I haven’t gotten a chance to try their savoury food like Mac & Cheese, burgers and hot dogs, so I will probably try them the next time.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Pique Nique by Chef Pang Kok Keong
#B1-01 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Ngee Ann City Tower A
391A Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6238 6705
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm

Brasserie Les Saveurs at The Regis is easily one of the most romantic restaurants in Singapore. It offers all-occasion dining, serving set lunch, afternoon high tea, degustation dinner menu and of course, Sunday champagne brunch.

Even though I’ve been to Yan Ting restaurant many times, this was my first visit to Brasserie Les Saveurs at The St Regis Singapore and I instantly fell in love with the French restaurant.

But the problem is, it’s very easy to make me fall head over heels. Just give me two (maybe three) glasses of champagne and a platter of desserts and I would be screaming “baby, I am in lurveee with you!” So is it because of the champagne or is the Sunday brunch buffet at Brasserie Les Saveurs really good?

I was here for their Sunday Champagne Brunch buffet. For $138++ (non alcohol) or $170++ (free flow of champagne and juices), you get a main course with semi-buffet: antipasto counter that has tiny nibbles like smoked duck tartar and mini crab salad; seafood counter with fresh prawns, oysters and crabs; and a very impressive dessert buffet that has Isaphan, chocolate tart and creme brulee.

Besides having free flow of Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut, you can also order some of the St Regis signature cocktails like bloody mary.

But that’s not it. Plenty of beautifully plated appetisers – fresh crab roll with papaya mustard, yellowfin tuna tartart, creme brulee foie gras, traditional lobster bisque, calamansi sorbet and 36 hour braised pork belly – would appear on the table every now and then.

Besides the semi buffet of appetisers, cold cut and desserts, the champagne brunch has a choice of main course, and you can also have eggs done in any style.

From our table, we could smell foie gras. What a lovely smell. Brasserie Les Saveurs has a few ala minute stations and boy am I glad there is a counter pan-searing foie gras on the spot. Next to the foie gras station, there was another chef preparing stir-fried black pepper lobster.

I think I am in love. Or maybe it’s just the champagne.

From the seafood buffet counter: Fresh oysters (Royale oyster, Gillardeau oyster, Tarbouriech oyster), live prawns and Sri Lanka crab.

From the cold cut buffet counter: Iberico ham, parma ham, chorizo, air fried beef and selection of bread.

From the antipasto buffet counter: Vegetarian Soba salad, Organic Grilled vegetables salad, Caprese, Thai asparagus salad with black truffle vinaigrette, Organic “oriental” couscous, Achar Vegetables, Mini crab salad with avocado salsa, Mini “Datterini” tomatoes stuffed with ratatouille Smoked salmon pancakes, Smoked duck tartar, Caesar salad, Nicoise salad, Rocket salad, mix green salad, Lemon and balsamic dressing.

As mentioned, everyone is entitled to one main course, so it was fortunate that we had a big group and managed to try quite a few items on the menu. Among the ones that we’ve had, the Roasted Brittany Turbot stood out for its flavour, while the grilled USA beef ribeye was a little too dry.

The other main courses include: Black Angus beef tartar, free range sakura chicken breast, roasted Welsh lamb, pan seared red snapper, roasted Atlantic cod, and pan fried john dory. Like the other items in the buffet, they are changed from time to time.

Eggs done in any style: eggs benedict, omelette, scrambled, hard-boiled, over easy, sunny side up. I don’t think I can ever live without eggs!

Hello from cheese heaven!

And of course, what’s buffet without desserts?

Chocolate crunchy mousse, Chocolate tart, Lemon meringue tart, Strawberry sable, Banana cheese cake, Raspberry tart, Opera cark, Chocolate Manjari cake, Madeline, Chocolate choux, Mango éclair, Assorted Macarons, White chocolate cassis, Pistachio & cherry with apricot jelly, Orange jelly & Chantilly with ladyfinger sponge, Triple chocolate shooter, Mango & lime creameux with coconut dacquoise, and Cappuccino crème brulee – I’m really in love.

In fact, I’d go as far to say that the selection of the dessert buffet at Brassserie Les Saveurs is one of the best among the buffet restaurants that I’ve been to.

I don’t know how others do it, but I suck at multi-tasking. I always admire how some people can do a few things at the same. It was only when I was eating the desserts, then I realised how lucky I am not to be able to multi-task. Focus on one dessert at a time, eat it and repeat the process for maximum pleasure.

At $170++/pax, the Champagne Brunch Buffet at Brasserie Les Saveurs is not cheap. But what you get is a superb brunch experience in one of the most beautiful restaurants in Singapore. I would definitely save up and come here during a special occasion.

Mains selections from the ala carte menu during dinner are available from $35 for a pan roasted wild snapper to $55 for a grilled US prime grade beef ribeye. For a special indulgence, try their 6 course degustation menu at $138++.

After a fabulous champagne brunch, it’s probably a good idea to go home for a nap. If not, you can always get a suite in St Regis and enjoy a nice weekend staycation.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Brasserie Les Saveurs
29 Tanglin Road
The St. Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6888
Sunday Champagne Brunch
$138++ (Non-alcohol)
$170++ Free flow Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut & juices

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, please read my list of buffet restaurants in Singapore

Bar Bar Black Sheep (bbbs) is one of those places that you would find it hard to categorise. Is it an upmarket coffee shop? Or is it a cafe-bar with al fresco (read: no air conditioning) dining? It doesn’t really matter. Expatriates love the place. I recently went to Bbbs Robertson Quay for brunch. There’s nothing quite like a hearty breakfast on a lazy weekend.

If you have not been there before, the cafe-bar (or whatever you want to call it) houses three different stalls that serve Thai, Western and North Indian cuisine – helmed by independent chefs. And of course, there’s a bar where you can get some drinks like a nice cocktail or beer.

Within a relatively short period, Bar Bar Black Sheep has expanded from its original outlet along Bukit Timah road to Robertson Quay and recently, Boat Quay.

I was hoping to satisfy my craving for a good burger. But unlike the Bukit Timah branch which has Smok’Inn Frogz Kitchen (they serve the best burger in Singapore), Bbbs Robertson Quay has a different Western stall – The Platterz. Sadly, the burgers here are not as good as the ones from Smok’Inn Frogz Kitchen, and they are also slightly pricier.

Between the two of us, we shared a Char-grilled Cheese burger ($13.9) which came with ordinary fries and home-made coleslaw; Eggs & Toast topped up with bacon, and sausages ($10.9); and Belgian Waffles ($7.9) with maple syrup and chocolate sauce.

I think that the food at Bar Bar Black Sheep, or rather, The Platterz (Western stall) is decent, nothing particularly outstanding, though. That said, I can see myself coming back again. There are not many restaurants in Robertson Quay serving breakfast food, and the prices at Bar Bar Black Sheep is quite acceptable.

Bar Bar Black Sheep at Robertson Blue is situated further away from the main dining cluster. If you are familiar with the Robertson Quay restaurants, it is nearer to Kith Cafe and eM by the River.

What do you usually order at Bar Bar Black Sheep? Indian, Western or Thai food?

Singapore Food Blog
86 Robertson Quay
#01-04 Robertson Blue
Tel: +65 6836 9255
Daily: 12pm – 12am (Fri & Sat till 2am)
Weekend Breakfast: 9am – 1pm.

879 Cherry Avenue (Bukit Timah Road)
Tel: +65 6468 9382
Sun to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 10am – 12am

55 Boat Quay
Tel: +65 6535 2230
Mon to Sat: lunch & dinner

For more recommendations, please read my list of brunch places in Singapore

When it comes to Sunday Brunch, there’s nothing better than the Pink Champagne Brunch Buffet at Equinox Restaurant. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is definitely one of the best brunch in Singapore.

On the last Sunday of each month, the fine dining restaurant at Swissotel the Stamford has a special Pink Champagne Brunch.

From free flow of Moet & Chandon Rose Brut and pink cocktails, to pink chocolate fountain and staff dressed in hot pink, the Pink Themed Brunch will most definitely lift your mood. Trust me, it almost feels like heaven when you are sipping champagne on the 70th level.

Anyone who has been to Equinox knows how beautiful it is. At 70th level of the Equinox Complex, it is one of the restaurants with the best view in Singapore.

I have a love-hate relationship with buffet as I tend to overeat. But it is impossible to say no to a luxurious Sunday brunch. There is an appetiser section where you can start with parma ham & rock melon, as well as an assortment of salads.

There is also a corner with shooters like cured smoked duck and chilled gazpacho.

Moving on, the Salmon showcase will definitely wow you with the varieties of gravlax, cured, smoked salmon tartar and salmon rillette. But I was distracted by the Seafood Counter on the rather magnificent ice sculpture.

All you can eat seafood: tiger prawns, mud crabs, green lip mussels, fine de clair oysters, white pearl oysters, gillardeau oysters, and slipper lobsters.

The Japanese Station is conveniently located beside the seafood area. With Sashimi (Kingfish, Tasmanian Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna, Japanese Scallops, Surf Clam and Octopus) and a selection of Sushi and Maki to choose from, it felt like a mini Japanese buffet.

Oh my god. There goes my diet plan.

Carnivore alert! The Carving & Live station offers roasted USDA beef rib eye (too dry), roasted turkey (it’s Christmas already?) and leg of lamb (excellent).

The highlight of the dessert buffet was definitely the pink chocolate fountain. The nitrogen sorbet that came with the crepes, was equally impressive.

Opera cake, raspberry chocolate gateau, maple tree financier, panna cotta, macaron, cream brulee — how did desserts steal all the lovely words?

Looking for a birthday venue to throw a pink themed party? Equinox Restaurant is definitely the perfect place!

The $148++ Pink Brunch is not cheap, but I think it is worth splurging for that special occasion. Besides the fantastic view of Singapore’s skyline and waterfront, there’s also free flow of champagne with lots of yummy food. The Pink Brunch at Equinox is very popular, please make a reservation before going.

Singapore Food Blog
Equinox Restaurant
2 Stamford Road
70F Swissotel The Stamford Singapore
Tel: +65 6431 5669

Weekday Semi Buffet Lunch $59++
Afternoon high tea international buffet $43++
Sunday Brunch Buffet $128++
Pink Champagne Brunch Buffet $148++

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

I was very excited when I first heard that KFC Singapore has a new inclusion in their breakfast menu – a.m. Blueberry Pancakes. After trying them at a recent tasting, I have to say that they are undeniably sogood!

Besides the blueberry pancakes, I love the new KFC a.m. Family Feast, which was also recently introduced. Designed for a family of 4, the breakfast meal comprises two sets of a.m. Blueberry Pancakes with Hash Brown, one set of a.m. Platter, one a.m. Twister (Original Recipe), two coffee/tea, and two hot milo — all for just $19.90!

What a spread on the table, and we didn’t know where to start. So I guessed it was only right to sink my fork into the pancakes.

The KFC a.m. Blueberry Pancakes were actually good on their own. With a subtly-sweet blueberry flavour, the fluffy pancakes were magical. No matter how much you eat, you just want more!

I always adhere to a 5-steps practice whenever I eat pancakes.

Step 1: Smell the pancakes up close.
Step 2: Put a slab of butter and watch it melt on the pancakes
Step 3: Cut the pancakes into pieces and eat it with the butter & maple syrup.
Step 4: Repeat step 2.
Step 5: Order more pancakes, and repeat the whole process.

Oh my god, I’m craving for KFC a.m. blueberry pancakes… as I am typing this.

Besides the blueberry pancakes, the KFC a.m. Family Feast also includes the a.m. Platter. A scrumptious spread of your favourite breakfast food, it comes with the signature Original Recipe chicken fillet, scrambled eggs, a.m. Honey Biscuit and hash brown.

With a texture somewhere between biscuit and cake, the honey biscuit is quite similar to scones. But the star of the a.m. Platter is definitely the Original Recipe chicken fillet. KFC is all about its chicken, and now, you can have it for breakfast too! Splendid.

Oh ya, I almost forgot about the a.m. Twister (Original Recipe). It comprises diced Original Recipe Chicken fillet, scrambled eggs, chopped tomatoes, cheddar cheese and mayonnaise all wrapped in a tortilla and toasted to perfection. I’d like to call this the best-of-everything-in-a-wrap.

The popular a.m. Porridge is also available on KFC’s Breakfast menu. I don’t know about you, but breakfast is the only thing that can get me out of bed on a weekend morning.

Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash brown, Original Recipe chicken fillet, honey biscuit and tortilla wrap – life is perfect when you have KFC a.m. Family Feast.

KFC a.m. breakfast is served at 55 restaurants island-wide, from 8am to 11am. A handful of KFC restaurants only serve breakfast on weekends and public holidays, so do check out the KFC website before going down.

What are you waiting for? Order the KFC a.m. Family Feast, and try the blueberry pancakes!

Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June each year. I am sure everyone had a good feast during Mother’s Day last month, so it’s only fair to make plans for a good Father’s Day celebration! Every special occasion is an excuse for us to eat.

Here’s my recommendation for Father’s Day Restaurants Promotion 2011:

Where to go for Father’s Day? What to eat for Father’s Day? Read and find out!

Father’s Day Breakfast

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Eating House

I think it is a good idea to wake up early and have Bak Ku Teh with your family to celebrate Father’s Day. What’s better than a bowl of piping hot pork ribs soup from Ng Ah Sio on a Sunday morning?

208 Rangoon Road, Singapore
Tel: +65 6291 4537
Tue–Sun: 6am – 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Father’s Day Brunch Buffet

10 @ Claymore

On 19 June, 10 @ Claymore is offering a special buffet spread as part of their Father’s Day Promotion. Highlights include Live US Oysters, Boston Lobsters, and a carving station featuring Pork Specialities. There are also Australian Wagyu Sirloin, Gracefield Vension Ioin Kebab and Beer Butt Chicken (served a la minute). All Dads will also receive $20 worth of dining vouchers as Father’s Day gift.

For more recommendations, read my list of Brunch Places in Singapore.

Father’s Day Brunch & Dinner Promotion 19 June 2011
$52.00++ with free flow of fresh juices (Brunch/Dinner)
$82.00++ with free flow of wine and beer (Brunch)
$122.00++ with free flow of champagne (Brunch)

10 Claymore road
2F Pan Pacfic Orchard
Tel: +65 6831 6686

Father’s Day Lunch

Canopy Garden Dining & Bar

Nestled admist the quaint Bishan Park, Canopy restaurant (under the Aramsa Spa group) has a Father’s Day set menu special on 18th & 19th June 2011.

The $38++/pax set lunch includes appetiser: waldorf salad/seafood bisque, main course: salmon spaghetti/duck leg confit/oven baked chicken, and dessert: pineapple sorbet/sticky date pudding. Father’s Day set dinner is available at $60++/pax.

For more recommendations, read my list of Best Set Lunches in Singapore.

1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Bishan Park II Singapore
Tel: +65 6556 1533

Father’s Day Afternoon Tea

Spices Cafe

I know it sounds a little weird to bring your dad for afternoon tea, but hey, who says guys cannot have desserts?

Spices Cafe at Concorde Hotel has a Father’s Day Afternoon Tea Promotion whereby Dad dines for free with a table for 3 or more paying adults. Every father will also receive door gifts and stand a chance to win a prize including a hotel stay for two in their grand lucky draw!

With choices like Lobster Bisque, Roasted Black Pepper Sirloin, Coffee Mousse and Blueberry Cheesecake, enjoy a nice afternoon with your loved ones.

For more recommendations, read my list of Afternoon High Tea Places in Singapore.

Dates: 18 & 19 June 2011
Time: 12 noon – 5 pm
Price: Adult: $40++
*Child: $20++ (3 to 12 years old)

100 Orchard Road
Concorde Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6733 8855

Father’s Day Dinner

Salta Argentine Parrilla Restaurant

Salta Argentine Restaurant has an eat all you can Argentine Asado (barbecue buffet) every Saturday for $35++/pax (add $10 for free flow of house wine). Besides appetisers like cheese/cold cut platter, grilled sausages, traditional empanadas, there are also home made pasta and salmon filled ravioli.

Given that this is an Argentine Asado, you are there for the meat of course. Eat to your heart’s content and have boneless chicken, lamb leg, pork loin, rump steak, short ribs, and flank steak! Wow! For just $35++/pax, I think this is a pretty good deal!

For more recommendations, read my list of Best Buffet Places in Singapore.

12 Gopeng Street #01-56/57
ICON Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6225 8443

Where are you planning to celebrate Father’s Day 2011?

I was impressed with Forty Hands Cafe. Despite its (ulu) location within a shop house in the Tiong Bahru area, the cafe has been doing very well since its opening.

However, I thought that brunch was only average. They are always crowded, though, especially for weekend brunch. Also, I didn’t fancy the narrow layout of the cafe. Though so, 40 Hands Cafe is still a nice cafe in Singapore for simple chill-out sessions with your friends over a cuppa.

They have a few sandwiches (prices ranging from $8-$10) on the menu, but hey, breakfast food is all about eggs! The egg items like the Eggs Benedict, Baked Eggs and Big Breakfast are priced below $20.

We had two sets of the Big Breakfast: one with scrambled eggs and the other with poached eggs. The portion was generous and it came with mushroom, grilled tomatoes, sausages, eggs, toasts and greens. The Baked Eggs, on the other hand, was extremely salty and we didn’t manage to finish it.

And of course, people go to Forty Hands Cafe for the coffee. Known amongst the array of coffee joints, 40 hands is one of the few cafes that serve up the best coffee in Singapore.

It is quite difficult to find Forty Hands Cafe. Your best bet is to take a cab and hope that the driver knows where is Yong Siak street (near Tiong Bahru market). Book lovers will also be happy to know that the popular BooksActually has relocated to the same street. I think the idea of visiting a book shop after a good Sunday brunch is very appealing.

For more recommendations, read my list of Brunch in Singapore | Best Cafes in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
Forty Hands Cafe
Blk 78 Yong Siak Street
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6225 8545

Operating Hours:
Tuesdays: 8:30am – 6:30pm
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8:30am – 10pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 8:30am – 11pm
Sundays 8:30am – 6:30pm
Closed on Monday

Located between the junction of Middle Road and Waterloo Street, Artichoke Cafe & Bar is a nice cafe which is 5 minutes away from Bugis.

Most of you probably read about Artichoke Cafe on other food blogs by now, so I shall go straight to the point. Artichoke Cafe at Sculpture Square, is definitely one of the best brunch places in Singapore.

However, there is still room for improvement for the service. We were there for brunch on a weekend, and they could not handle the crowd. Having said that, I do think they have good breakfast food and the cafe has a nice laid-back feel which sets the tone for a lazy afternoon.

Artichoke Restaurant is all about communal dining. Most of the family-style shared plates for dinner are around $10-$15 for appetisers and $25-$30 for main courses.

As for Weekend Brunch, they have nine items on the menu. Prices range from $9 for the Turkish Toast with homemade apple, to $14 for the Scrambled Eggs and $18 for the 65 degree slow cooked eggs with smoked salmon. If you are feeling hungry, go for the Self Destruction ($24) – which is sort of like a big breakfast with everything.

Accompanied by roasted tomatoes, toast and rocket, the Scrambled Eggs comes with either organic mushrooms ($14) or Maple Glazed Bacon Chop ($16).

We ordered both, and the Maple Glazed Bacon Chop was certainly more value-for-money filling since it came with a huge slab of Bacon Chop.

At $20, I felt that the Middle Eastern ‘baked beans’ with Merquez lamb sausage (above picture) was somewhat overpriced. There was nothing particularly outstanding as the dish only had lamb sausage, baked beans fried eggs and toast.

I’d definitely go for the Eggs Shakshouka ($20) which you see in the first picture of this post. It reminded me of the Tunisian Breakfast that I had at Wild Honey. Two eggs baked in tomato sauce with braised lamb, yogurt cheese and toast. The braised lamb was delicious.

I didn’t have the Grilled Haloumi cheese on toast ($17) with mushrooms, avocado hummus and wild rocket, but it looked quite appealing.

My favourite breakfast dish at Artichoke Restaurant was the Self Destruction ($24) – which came with crispy hash brown, country sausage gravy, melted cheddar, mushrooms and two fried eggs. The portion was huge, and it was very rich (perhaps a little too salty). Make sure you share this with someone, it is impossible to finish it on your own.

The al fresco area at Artichoke Cafe is a good place to chill out if you can take the heat. Otherwise, there are plenty of tables indoor, and they also have a Greenhouse which is like a private dining room.

Still looking for a brunch place? Why not visit Artichoke Cafe & Bar this weekend?

Read my list of Brunch Restaurants in Singapore | Best Cafes in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
Artichoke Cafe & Bar
161 Middle Road
Inside Sculpture Square (beside NAFA)
Tel: +65 6336 6949

Operating Hours:
Mon closed
Tue to Thu 6pm – 10pm
Fri 6pm – midnight
Sat 11am-4pm, 6pm-midnight
Sun 11am – 4pm

Happy Easter Day!

It’s time to wake up and go for your Easter Brunch. Whatever it is, I hope you are eating well. Anyway, just to give you a quick update, I am currently working on a few projects for the food blog, and I will be unveiling them very soon. Meanwhile, you can always find me on twitter or drop me an email at bradleyfk@gmail.com. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

If you are new to my food blog, do check out the following list posts:

Best Cafes in Singapore
Best Desserts in Singapore
Brunch Places in Singapore
Buffet Places in Singapore
Dim Sum Places in Singapore
High Tea Places in Singapore

Perched at the top of Phoenix Park in Tanglin, Spruce is a nice cafe which is just a few minutes drive from Orchard. I had been dying to go Spruce after hearing so much about their weekend brunch.

Today, I am going to share with you something else, though. Not the weekend brunch, but the Weekend High Tea Set that Spruce has launched. And it is only $14++/pax $21++/pax.

Every once in a while, we should all partake a nice afternoon tea with your family and friends. Whilst popular afternoon tea restaurants like TWG Salon, Marmalade Pantry are conveniently located along Orchard Road, they are more often than not very crowded. Even on weekdays!

Other than the reasonable price point, the secluded location of Spruce is definitely a highlight for it gives that exclusive and serene feel for being far away from the busy city life.

I have readers telling me they cannot make it for the nice afternoon teas on weekdays due to work. Now, there are no more excuses because I am introducing their Weekend High Tea!

The $14++/pax $21++/pax Weekend High Tea Set is available during Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays from 3pm to 5pm. It is definitely one of the cheapest high tea set in Singapore.

The High Tea Set includes savoury sandwiches and pastries: Cranberry Scone, White Peach Muffin, Madeleine, Fruit Tartlet, Macadamia Pistachio Biscotti, Cucumber & Egg Sandwich, Salmon & Sour Cream Sandwich, Tomato & Yogurt Sandwich and free flow of coffee/tea.

However, there is a small catch. To get the High Tea Set in a nice three tier stand, you need a minimum of two people ($21 x 2 = $42++) to share. Otherwise, they will just serve the food on a single plate.

Food wise, I have to say that there was nothing really fantastic – the sandwiches and the pastries were quite ordinary. But there is nothing to complain about since the High Tea Set is priced at a reasonable $14++/pax $21++/pax. On a different note, please be knowledged that reservations have to be made in advance to secure a seating!

You know what? I think you should just pick up the phone and make a reservation for Spruce’s Weekend High Tea now. Come on, it is the long weekend. Go for your Easter Brunch and follow up with the high tea at Spruce. Awesome.

As for me, I am making plans to head back to Spruce Cafe for their weekend brunch. Very soon. And oh yes, be sure to check out Spruce’s Taqueria too. On Monday to Friday 12 noon – 3pm, Spruce has a little taco shack by the side that serves Tacos and Quesadillas.

For more recommendations: read Best Cafes in Singapore | Afternoon High Tea Places.

Singapore Food Blog Review
320 Tanglin Road
Phoenix Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 5528

Operating Hours:
Lunch (Monday to Friday) 10.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner (Daily) 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Weekend Brunch 8.30am – 4pm
Weekend High Tea 3pm – 5pm

With so many new Cafes in Singapore, it took me quite a while to explore some of the more popular ones. A few weeks ago, I brought my friends to The Plain Cafe for brunch.

The Plain is a Melbourne-style Cafe located at Craig road and it has been getting good reviews from the Singapore foodies.

It has an all day breakfast menu that serves simple food like toasts ($5), eggs ($5 – $11.5), ciabattas ($8.5) and sandwiches ($9). Occasionally, they also have home baked sweets like tarts and mini cakes.

The interior of The Plain Coffee House is causal and unassuming, with grey-scale wall and simple furniture.

It is a nice place to chill and read a book, whilst having sandwich with a cup of Genovese coffee. The place is not very big and it can probably accommodate around 30-40 people.

The Plain’s Pastrami Ciabatta ($8.5) was more than good – it was excellent. I am not sure if it was because we were too hungry, but everyone agreed that it was a winner. Definitely will try out the other two Ciabatta (Salami & Antipasto) the next time round.

There was barely anything to the Darling’s Eggs ($6.50 for 1/$11.5 for 2): just sourdough toast, roma tomatoes, cheese and poached eggs. But it was an extremely satisfying breakfast.

The key, I think, is the Roma tomato. I’ve told you about the benefits of eating tomatoes before. Needless to say, the idea of having the sweet and juicy tomatoes with the poached eggs was the clincher.

On the other hand, my friends preferred the simple taste of the Plain Eggs ($5 for 1/$8 for 2) – poached eggs on buttered sourdough toast without tomatoes and cheese.

Out of curiosity, we ordered the Dean’s Breakfast ($6.0 for 1/$10.5 for 2) which came with Vegemite spread. The dark brown Australian food paste on the sourdough toast was surprisingly pleasant. If you like Vegemite, there’s also the Humpty Dumpty & Vegemite soldiers (dippy eggs on buttered toast sticks) on The Plain Cafe’s menu.

Considering that The Plain Coffee Shop was not very crowded when we were there for brunch, service was slow and the staff made a mistake with two of our orders.

It was quite puzzling to see that there was no proper billing system at The Plain Cafe. The staff do not record down the items when taking the order, so you have to repeat your order when paying at the counter.

I asked the owner the rationale for this and he explained that most cafes in Melbourne operate this way. Most importantly, he wants The Plain to be a place where you feel the familiarity of having dinner at a friend’s house. Whilst I think it is very admirable to charge based on a system of trust, it can get quite messy if there are many too orders. Furthermore, it increases the waiting time during payment.

Having said that, I like the fact that The Plain Cafe is not commercialised. It is refreshing to see cool cafes like these in the Singapore food scene. I do hope that they can sort out the teething problems and be here to stay.

For more recommendations, read my list of Cafes in Singapore | Brunch Places in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Plain Cafe
50 Craig Road #01-01 Singapore
(Near the intersection with Duxton road)
Tel: +65 6225 4387

Operating Hours: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm

Easter is coming! Easter is coming!

If you are still looking for Easter Chocolate gifts, or trying to make a reservation for Easter Sunday brunch - here are some suggestions for your Easter Holiday celebrations:

Global Kitchen

Indulge this Easter with a sumptuous feast at Global Kitchen. Choose from an unlimited selection of premium crustacean, meats, cold cuts and platters. Highlights of the Easter Brunch Menu include a chocolate fountain, a crepe station, a salmon counter as well as a spectacular array of chocolate creations. Children will also receive Easter bunnies as a memento for the Easter Sunday Promotion.

$98++ per adult
$128++ per adult with free flow of Veuve Clicquot champagne
$28++ for children below 12 years old
24 April 2011, 12noon to 2.30pm

Level 3 Pan Pacific Hotel
7 Raffles Boulevard Marina Square
Tel: +65 6826 8240

Basilico Italian Restaurant

Enjoy a sumptuous Easter spread at Basilico. The Sunday brunch has different stations like seafood, antipasti & coldcut, grill, rotisserie & carving to satisfy everyone. Some of the signature items are Smoked Salmon with Caviar and Cream, Roasted Italian Baby Lamb, Hot Cross Buns and Simnel Cake. Kids will be thrilled with the Egg hunting activities with the Easter Bunny too.

$128++ with Free flow of Soft Beverages and juices
$198++ with Champagne, wine, martini, beer
$68++ for kids
24 April 2011, 12noon to 3pm

1 Cuscaden Road
Level 2 The Regent Singapore
Tel: +65 6725 3232

Artichoke Cafe & Bar

Not to worry if you are not a fan of brunch buffet. Artichoke Cafe at Middle road (the intersection with Waterloo Street) is a nice place to enjoy your Easter Sunday brunch. Try the ‘Self-destruction’ – big breakfast with crispy hash browns, melted cheddar, mushrooms and two fried eggs.

Sculpture Square
161 Middle Rd
Tel: +65 6336 6949
Weekend Brunch: 11am – 3pm

Recommendations: Easter Chocolate Gifts for kids (small & big)

Jewels Artisan Chocolate

With a new egg-tastic treat this Easter season, Jewels Artisan Chocolate presents their own take on the proverbial Easter Chocolate egg. Available in two flavours, the Praline Café and Maracaibo Gianduju, each individual egg is lovingly hand-crafted by Chef Then Chui Foong, the resident Chocolatier, using only the finest ingredients and chocolates.

181 Orchard Road #02-31/32
Orchard Central Singapore
Tel: +65 6509 8998

Laurent Bernard Chocolatier

Famed for its premium chocolate, Laurent Bernard Chocolatier has a few Easter chocolate special in store for everyone. Choose from Jojo the rabbit ($43), Medium Size Chocolate Hen ($48) or the Large Chocolate Hen ($78). They are the ideal Easter Chocolate gifts for your loved ones.

80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-11
The Pier @ Robertson Singapore
Tel: +65 6235 9007

Truffs

My friend had the chocolate truffles from Truffs recently, and she couldn’t stop raving about it.

For those of you who are working in the Tanjong Pagar area, it is very convenient to drop by Truffs during lunch time. A box of 9 truffles (choice of 1 variety) goes for $25 while the bigger box of 18 (choice of 2 varieties) is $45.

179a Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 9088 2736

I don’t know about you, but I think the Easter Holiday (24th April 2011) is a very good excuse for us to indulge in champagne, chocolate, and brunch.

For more ideas, read my list of brunch places and buffets in Singapore.

Have a good Easter Holiday!

I finally went to PS Café! I’ve been meaning to try out PS Café for the longest time, but somehow I did not get the chance to.

PS Café has four branches in Singapore (Ann Siang Hill, Dempsey Hill, Paragon and Palais), and each of them gives a different vibe. For the PS Cafe Palais Renaissance outlet, the interior is chic and classy with dim romantic lighting. It also has a lovely white-tiled terrace dining area if you prefer to dine outside.

There are many nice Cafes in Singapore, what exactly makes PS Cafe so popular?

PS Cafe serves mainly western dishes like soup, salad, sandwiches, burger, pasta and main courses. Prices range from $25-$40 for a main course whilst desserts are mostly between $10-$15. I have to agree that prices are not exactly cheap, but then again, you are paying for the ambiance.

Nothing beats having a drink before dinner. Bagaholicboy highly recommended the Sangrias at PS Cafe and we had a glass each to start with the Grilled Prawn Salad. Nothing fanciful, just nicely grilled prawns and greens with a creamy dressing.

In terms of portion, PS Café’s truffle fries were mightily impressive.

However, it is probably not advisable to order it unless you are in a big group. As you can well imagine, we only managed to finish half of the huge stack of fries.

I am not a big fan of truffle fries. To me, I think it is kind of silly to pay a premium for fries that are merely tossed with truffle oil. The smokey gasoline aftertaste, which everyone seems to love, does not really appeal to me.

If you are looking for an appetiser or a main course that is not too filling, go for the Crab Tart. Drizzled with prawn bisque cream, the crab meat within the crisp tart was actually quite decent. I’d prefer the usual dessert tart to this savoury tart though.

Ps Cafe is the perfect place for a lazy weekend breakfast, the place for a nice afternoon tea, the place for a romantic dinner with your date, the place for a girls night out – the place to go when you want to dine in a nice restaurant with your favourite people.

Whilst there are some who argue that Project Shop Cafe serves overpriced food and the place is often crowded and noisy, I can still see myself returning for brunch and desserts.

PS Cafe may not have the best food, but it does not really matter since people come here for the ambiance. Service though, is a little lacking, as it was quite difficult for us to get the attention of the waitress. But then again, this could be due to the positioning of our table at a corner of the restaurant.

I will probably head to PS Café Ann Siang Hill or Harding Road for brunch next! Which is your favourite PS Café outlet?

Singapore Food Blog
PS Cafe
390 Orchard Road
#02-09A Palais Renaissance Singapore
Tel: +65 6887 2207

28B Harding Road
Tanglin Village (Dempsey Road) Singapore
Tel: +65 6479 3343

290 Orchard Road
#03-41/44 The Paragon Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 6765

45 Ann Siang Road (ASH)
#02-02 Singapore
Tel: +65 6222 3143

Some of my friends have been commenting that Strictly Pancakes at Prinsep Street is probably one of the best pancake restaurant/cafe in Singapore. As usual, I waited a while before visiting because I wanted them to sort out the teething problems first.

The concept of All Day Dining restaurant serving only pancakes is not new, I have been to Pancakes on the Rock in Sydney which has a similar idea. But Strictly Pancakes is certainly the first of its kind in Singapore, and their menu has both savoury and sweet pancakes.

I heard that they are usually full during lunch and dinner, so we went there during mid afternoon and we had the whole cafe to ourselves.

If it was the ‘old’ me, I’d have rejected the idea of savoury pancakes: “how can pancakes be savoury, they are supposed to be sweet, they are dessert!” But hey, there’s always a first time for everything, right?

After settling down on the cosy sofa, I took a look at Strictly Pancakes’ menu and went for the Snuggle Up ($13). Tasty hotdogs held within the fluffy pancakes, drizzled with the sweet maple syrup and butter; perfect! Who can refuse a hot and puffy pancake? Not me.

We felt that the mushy peas didn’t really blend in well with the pancakes and sausages, but it was a good attempt anyway.

Eeew, pancakes and GARLIC BUTTERED PRAWNS?

Yes. The stack of pancakes were served together with prawns buttered generously with garlic. To be fair, it wasn’t as weird as we thought. The Garlic Buttered prawns pancakes ($14) that silvia ordered were actually pretty tasty.

Here’s a tip: if you are a savoury person, by all means order the savoury pancakes like the Beef Patty, Chicken chunks, and Smoked Salmon from Strictly Pancakes.

But for those who have a sweet tooth and find it hard to accept the idea of a savoury pancake, I will still suggest you to give it a try. Think of it this way, if worse comes to worst, you can always have the savoury toppings separately, and finish the pancakes with maple syrup and butter as dessert.

Give them a try with an open mind, there’s really nothing to lose.

The Strawberries & Co ($10) is a medium stack of pancakes with mixed berries, strawberries coulis, and vanilla ice cream. Whenever I go to Epicurious Cafe for breakfast, I’ll always order their pancakes as it is affordable and good.

But after having the ones from Strictly Pancakes, I will go as far to say that they have the best pancakes in Singapore. Three fluffy and thick pancakes with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream for just ten bucks – how do you beat that?

Having pancakes is just an excuse for me to eat maple syrup, and ice cream.

We also had the Bananas-Scotched ($10). The pancakes were the perfect vehicle to soak up the rum and maple syrup, together with the caramelised bananas and vanilla bean ice cream — I think I am in sugar heaven. Mind you, this is extremely sweet, so only order it if you have a high tolerance for sweet stuff.

* * *

The pancakes are definitely substantial enough for lunch, we were so full that we couldn’t finish all the pancakes. For those of you who are keen to try the Prinsep Street Pancakes, I’d advise you to share the pancakes (for 4 person, 3 different pancakes should suffice).

Strictly Pancakes reminds me of Hatched and Wild Honey, which serve all day breakfast daily. Now you can have your pancakes during breakfast, afternoon tea, or as desserts after dinner. There’s no doubt. I definitely will come back to Strictly Pancakes at Prinsep Street to satisfy my pancakes craving.

Strictly Pancakes has the best pancakes in Singapore, it’s time to drop by for a pancake party!

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
Strictly Pancakes
44A Prinsep Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6333 4202

When I started this Singapore Food Blog, I would have never expected it to become what it is today, for that I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given. Even up till now, I’m still amazed that there are people who actually want to read about how hungry I am every day.

In the past twelve months, I travelled quite a bit. I made new friends, and lost some. I learned many new lessons, and grew up a little. My new mantra in life is to experience all the new things in this world. What’s there to lose when I don’t have anything?

To summarise everything that I ate and blogged in the past year, I’ll like to share with you the top 10 most popular posts on ladyironchef for 2010.

It is actually quite interesting to see the search terms that people used to find my blog. Instead of ladyironchef, there are some who typed ironladyironchef.

10. Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

I’m not surprised to see my list of the Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore as the tenth most-read pages on my food blog. Japanese cuisine has always been very popular in Singapore, and I know a lot of my friends can eat Japanese food everyday without being sick of it. I think I’m starting to appreciate this popular cuisine.

9. Guide to Dempsey Hill Restaurants

This year, I started a few guides to introduce some of the well-known dining destinations in Singapore like Holland Village, Rochester Park, Greenwood Avenue. Among the Singapore restaurant guides, Dempsey Hill was by far the most popular. Many people know of the atas restaurants at Dempsey road even though some of them have never been there before. Whenever people want a nice restaurant with ambience for dinner, I’m sure Dempsey road restaurants are definitely among their consideration.

8. Melt the World Cafe Buffet at Mandarin Oriental Singapore

I am not exactly sure how to approach this topic, so I am going straight to the point – Melt the World Cafe at Mandarin Oriental is the best buffet in Singapore.

My opening paragraph for Melt the World Cafe sums up everything you need to know. The prices are not cheap, but it is definitely a top-quality buffet restaurant.

7. Afternoon High Tea Places in Singapore

I need to blog less on Afternoon High Tea Places and desserts in Singapore, otherwise people will always assume that I’m a tai-tai in her mid 30s who has afternoon tea every day.

6. Gong Cha Bubble Tea

Gong Cha has been extremely busy this year. From their original outlets at City Square & Novena Square, they have added many new branches within a short period of time. Their strategy is slightly different from KOI Cafe. Most of the KOI outlets are in the heartlands area, while Gong Cha has been opening in shopping malls like Plaza Singapura, Vivocity, Raffles City, Orchard Central, Bedok Point & The Central.

5. The Singapore Food Blogger Saga

Everything you need to know about truth of this Singapore Food Blog has already been said. I learned valuable lessons from this incident, and at the same time, it showed me who are my real friends.

4. Dim Sum Restaurants in Singapore

When I blogged the list of Dim Sum in Singapore back in January, my original intention was just to use it as a reminder post. I hope that the list is useful whenever you need to satisfy your dim sum craving.

3. Brunch Places in Singapore

It is heartening to see that the All Day Breakfast trend is picking up in Singapore this year. With new breakfast restaurants like Wild Honey, Hatched & Strictly Pancakes — we have more options for breakfast food during anytime of the day.

2. Buffet Restaurants in Singapore

To be honest with you, I was expecting my list of Buffet Restaurants in Singapore to be the most-read post on my food blog. After all, it is a fact that Singaporeans love their buffet.

What is the #1 post on ladyironchef for 2010?

1. KOI Bubble Tea

Is KOI the best bubble tea in Singapore? It’s very subjective, but there’s one thing I can tell you for sure, KOI Cafe is the #1 search page on ladyironchef for 2010.

* * *

So many things have happened this year, and I’m thankful for the help and support from my blogging partners: Mr Gadget, Dweam, Monoxious and all the nuffies from Nuffnang.

Most importantly, I’m very grateful to all my readers – without you guys, I’m nothing. It is a joy to be able to do something that I really like, and it has been a fantastic year for my food blog. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, and have a great 2011!

The original plan was to have churros at Alegro Clark Quay, unfortunately it was closed and the churros evaded me yet again. We walked along the river banks and found ourselves looking at the brunch menu from eM by the River. They serve all day breakfast (from 9am to 3pm daily), and we managed to make it for the last order.

I have been wanting to visit eM by the River for some time. They are one of the Gallery Hotel restaurants, positioned at one end of Robertson Quay (closer to Red House Seafood restaurant and Boomarang if you have difficulty locating them).

The brunch menu has standard breakfast items like Eggs Benedict ($13), poached eggs on english muffin with ham & hollandaise suace – American Breakfast ($18) with eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, bacons, tomato & toast – Omelette ($10) with choice of cheese, ham, tomato – pancakes ($10) with maple syrup. If breakfast food is not your thing, there’s also a variety of sandwiches and main courses available on the menu.

We were thinking about the desserts at Laurent Bernard’s, so for once, there wasn’t much room for the eggs at eM by the river. Rich and thick hollandaise sauce drizzled over the delicate poached eggs, accompanied by thinly-sliced smoked salmon on a toasted English muffin (unfortunately it’s a little soggy) — but still, there’s just something amazing about having the Eggs Royale ($14) for breakfast.

eM by the River has a 1-for-1 happy hour on Mojito during Saturday night (9pm to 11pm). Sitting beside the river and having mojito while staring at the stars above, it’s the perfect way to spend the night.

Now that I have been to eM by the River, I think they are a good alternative breakfast place if the queue at Epicurious cafe is too long. Besides, they serve daily brunch while epicurious only has weekend brunch. If you are in the mood for pasta or pizza, check out Bella Pizza which in my opinion, is one of the best pizza places in Singapore. For desserts after your meal, drop by Laurent Bernard, or Canele Patisserie. Among the many restaurants at Robertson Quay, I’m very much tempted to try Brussels Sprouts, as well as Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar at the Gallery Hotel next. How about you? Which is your favorite Robertson Quay Restaurant?

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
eM by the River
1 Nanson Road #01-05
The Gallery Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 9691
Weekday All Day Breakfast: 9am to 3pm
Weekend All Day Breakfast: 8am to 3pm