Sembawang Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery tucked away at the ground floor of a HDB estate at Beach Road, not Sembawang. This bakery has been rolling out freshly baked bread and cakes since the 1960s. Best of all, their goods are free from preservatives.

During the short time we spent at Sembawang Confectionery, the bakery was visited by plenty of regulars which only goes to show how well-loved their bakes are. So take this as your sign to drop by Sembawang Confectionery if you haven’t visited them before.

Sembawang Confectionery carries a wide array of baked goods for your picking. From individually wrapped buns, loaves of bread, kueh, pastries and nostalgic Western cakes, there is something for everyone here.

To top it off, customers can take their time to select their favourites because Sembawang Confectionery is known for their friendly staff who are patient and customer-centric.

When we asked their staff to recommend us some items, she shared that the Cream Horn (S$2) was one of their top-sellers and we witnessed this in person too. Just as we ordered the Cream Horn, someone dropped by to pick up an order and there just wasn’t enough left on the shelf to pack for them. Say what?

Whilst we found the pastry of the Cream Horn decently flaky, the cream filling leaned towards being more of a butter-based cream rather than fresh cream. So if you’re intending to purchase some Cream Horns for yourself, do note that the Cream Horn is best enjoyed fresh instead of being kept in the fridge for later occasion.

Another interesting find at Sembawang Confectionery is the Pineapple Leaf Pie (S$1.50), a twist on the well-loved pineapple tart. Put simply, the Pineapple Leaf Pie shares the same concept as the Bunny Shaped Pineapple Tarts that you’d see during Chinese New Year i.e., a crumbly buttery shell filled with pineapple paste.

Whilst the taste of the Pineapple Leaf Pie was decent for the price, we’d have liked the pastry to be slightly saltier for a deeper flavour.

The best part about all these traditional bakeries is their range of nostalgic old-school Western Heritage Cakes (S$1.80 per slice), especially the “Traffic Light” cake. Sembawang Confectionery’s Heritage Cakes come in chocolate and vanilla flavours, and each slice of cake is carefully decorated with different designs.

Taste-wise, the Heritage Cakes were moist and the buttercream was fresh and light. But if we were asked about what would make the cakes better, we would have liked the cakes to have a slightly fluffier texture. 

Some other treats that you can pick up at Sembawang Confectionery include the Egg Tarts (S$1.50) and Custard Cream Puff (S$1.50). Although they weren’t outstanding, they would make a lovely and affordable afternoon snack for the family.

Sembawang Confectionery
6 Beach Rd, #01-4869,
Singapore 190006
Tel: +65 6295 3965

For those who are working in the Bukit Merah and Alexandra neighbourhoods, you’d definitely know how difficult it is to find a spot to dine at (and one which serves up good food) during the lunch hour. With the eatery’s roots dating back to 2006, Joe’s Thai Kitchen at Alexandra Village has received much praise for their authentic Thai dishes over the years.

Drop by Joe’s Thai Kitchen for authentic and legit Thai food with no additional GST charges.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen is a casual Thai eatery at Alexandra Village headed by a Thai Chef and his Singaporean wife.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen keeps things simple and easy so you won’t find any sort of extravagant decor in this eatery. Their walls are kept largely bare, and their tablecloths are reminiscent of the old-school tablecloths that we grew up with. Given this, you know that this eatery focuses their attention on what’s important — the food.

When we visited, we had to order one of our favourite Thai dishes — the Rice with Basil Leaf Minced Pork & Egg (S$8.90). Although the minced pork was on the salty side, this was balanced by the sweetness of the basil leaves. However, if you’re someone who isn’t fond of spicy food, we’d recommend you to proceed with caution as the Rice with Basil Leaf Minced Pork & Egg was spicier than we expected.

How can you dine at a Thai restaurant without ordering some green curry? As compared to the other green curries in Singapore which feature quite a fair bit of coconut milk to suit the Singaporean palate, Joe’s Thai Kitchen kept their version of the green curry closer to what you’d find in Thailand. Their Green Curry Chicken (S$8.80) featured significantly lesser coconut milk which allowed the spices of the green curry to shine. This is authentic Thai food at its best.

You can’t go wrong with ordering Tom Yum soup, and Joe’s Thai Kitchen’s rendition of this dish met our expectations The Tom Yum Nam Kone (Original Orange Soup Base) with Seafood (S$8.50).

Whilst Joe’s Thai Kitchen served a decent portion of soup, we would have liked for the soup to have come with slightly more ingredients. As compared to some other local Thai restaurants, the flavours of fish sauce featured more prominently in the broth so don’t be surprised when you have your first taste of the soup.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen
Blk 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-182,
Singapore 150125
Tel: +65 6270 8484

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake is a classic Japanese bakery located within Alexandra Village which specialises in baking fluffy and creamy Japanese cheesecakes. Helmed by Donald and Joanne, a couple who left their full-time jobs in search of a livelihood that would better support their passion for volunteer work, Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake’s cheesecakes are free of additives and preservatives.

If you’re considering dropping by to purchase their cheesecakes, you are encouraged to place a pre-order with this bakery as Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake operates on a bake-to-order system. With this, you know that you’re only going to get the freshest and fluffiest cheesecake.

As Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake is situated within the enclave of eateries at Alexandra Village, we would advise you to avoid the lunch hour if you intend to drive down to the bakery. Parking is extremely limited during the lunch hour, so you’d be better off making arrangements to collect your order outside the lunch hour.

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake bakes their cheesecakes with the “water bath” method. Donald and Joanne steam the cheesecakes for about an hour, which allows the cheesecakes to rise and develop that perfect fluffy texture we all love Japanese cheesecakes for.

Whilst Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake has a decent selection of cheesecake flavours, customers should note that not all flavours are available every day. We decided to order the Original Cheesecake (S$10) and the Cranberry Cheesecake (S$12). Considering their price tags, the cheesecakes did not disappoint.

Although the cheesecakes are made with less sugar and cream, this didn’t have any implications on its texture. The cheesecakes were creamy and adequately sweet. We also liked the idea of being able to indulge in more slices without worrying about the calories.

Other flavours you can look forward to at Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake include the Raisin Cheesecake (S$11), Rainbow Cheesecake (S$14) and Black Cookie Cheesecake (S$11). 

Apart from their selection of baked cheesecakes, you can also pick up some Butter Cookies (Less Sweet) (S$12 per bottle) from Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake. We are pleased to report that these cookies are so addictive. On top of tasting like homemade cookies, the cookies are not overly buttery and has just the right amount of sugar.

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake
123 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-118,
Singapore 150123
Tel: +65 9845 9845

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day. 

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving. Here’s what you can expect at Sing Hon Loong Bakery. 

For those who intend to pay Sing Hon Loong Bakery a visit, do keep in mind that this is a humble and unpretentious family business who is just focused on selling straightforward, simple bakes. Don’t expect a wide selection of different or fancy-flavoured breads here. This is where simplicity is at its best.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh. Out of the few that we picked, we would recommend the Red Bean Buns (a set for S$2.50) which were fragrant, soft, and contained a satisfying portion of red bean filling. 

But if you’re looking for a quick snack, Sing Hon Loong carries a decent spread of classic buns for your picking. Popular classic bun flavours include Coconut (S$2), Red Bean (S$1.20) and Curry (S$1.50). Although these classic buns were priced more affordably than buns you’d find in commercial bakeries, we were pleasantly surprised with the soft and fluffy texture of the bread, and the generous portion of filling within each classic bun. 

Sing Hon Loong Bakery
4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

Famous Ginza Omakase Restaurant from Tokyo, Sushi Takahashi is opening in Singapore at Mohammad Sultan Road. This is the first international outpost of Chef Jun Takahashi’s namesake restaurant.

After honing his skills at prestigious three Michelin-starred sushi omakase restaurants including Kanesaka and Saito, Chef Jun Takahashi opened a top-tier culinary haven in the upscale Ginza district in Tokyo. And its popularity means that it is always a challenge trying to snag a reservation at this highly-rated omakase resaturant.

Helming Sushi Takahashi Singapore is Chef Rinto Sasagawa who has worked with Chef Jun Takahashi for the past eight years.

Experience the art of omakase integrated with Zen philosophies at Sushi Takahashi. Its interior design embodies Zen principles, offering an atmosphere where every detail exudes calmness. We are absolutely in love with their Zen garden!

Sushi Takahashi is easily the most beautiful omakase restaurant in Singapore.

The whole experience seamlessly blends peaceful simplicity with refined elegance, welcoming guests to a thoughtful exploration of the culinary world.

The omakase lunch at Sushi Takahashi Singapore starts from S$180/pax, while you can go for the full Takahashi experience by opting for their signature omakase menu at S$480/pax during dinner.

Course after course, the chefs never fail to surprise us with their skills and culinary prowess. Every dish was stellar but here are some of our favourite items that we had during the omakase dinner.

This Crab Croquette with shaved truffle and truffle bisque was superb.

Then it was a dish of unagi vs anago.

We usually prefer anago because we love the dense texture and light taste, but the chef’s rendition on the lightly looked unagi blew our minds. We’ve never had unagi like that before—the taste was so pure and clean.

Unagi is usually doused in tare, but this was as naked as it could be, allowing the crisp of the skin and the natural sweetness of the flesh to shine through. Brilliant!

We had 8 pieces of nigiri which included the likes of ebi and otoro.

You can also look forward to several signature dishes that are from the original Sushi Takahashi in Tokyo including the Uni with Ankimo, Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch) and Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Sushi.

The Negitoro Hand Roll topped with a copious amount of caviar was stunning. This was the best Negitoro Hand Roll we’ve ever had.

If you are looking for a special omakase restaurant in Singapore to celebrate an occasion, you must book a table at Sushi Takahashi. And remember to do it soon because we are sure they will be fully booked for months once the word gets out.

Sushi Takahashi
4 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238955

Known for their array of beautiful croissants, Brotherbird Bakehouse has opened its 4th outlet at Raffles City on 8 Sep 2023.

Brotherbird Bakehouse currently has three other outlets at CT Hub 2, CIMB Plaza and Hillion Mall.

Unlike the other locations, Brotherbird Bakehouse’s latest outlet at Raffles City will be a bake-on-site space where customers can get their popular croissants fresh out of the oven.

Some of their signature croissants include:

Original Croissant
Pain Au Chocolat
Earl Grey Milk Chocolate Croissant
Matcha Almond Twice-Baked
Rocher Croissant
Honey Seasalt Croissant

Read our guide to the best croissants in Singapore here.

Brotherbird Bakehouse
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179103
#B1-67
Daily: 11am – 9pm

Known for its coffee and amazing cream puffs, Baristart Coffee Singapore will be opening a new outlet in the heart of Singapore’s bustling shopping district, situated within Wisma Atria on 15 Sep 2023.

Uncover this coffee sanctuary nestled on the fourth floor within the OCBC Wisma Atria branch which is a huge lifestyle and banking branch spanning over 20,000 sq ft with various lifestyle concepts, retail spaces and even a hidden omakase restaurant.

At Baristart Coffee’s new location, customers can indulge in the well-loved classics that have garnered a strong following among their loyal supports.

These include their captivating selection of sandos, such as the Tonkatsu with tender Hokkaido pork loin, along with the much-loved flavorful Wafu Pasta.

Additionally, the menu encompasses an array of coffee and dessert choices, highlighted by the indulgent BIEI Jersey Milk sourced from Hokkaido. This features their assortment of delectable Sweet Jar Custard Cream Puddings, Cream Puffs, and the signature velvety Softcream ice creams with a milky essence.

Certainly modest in appearance yet filled with a burst of rich custard made from Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk, Baristart Coffee’s delightful giant cream puffs are immensely popular and they are easily the best cream puffs you can get in Singapore.

Baristart Coffee Singapore
OCBC Wisma Atria branch
435 Orchard Rd, #04-01, Singapore 238877

Famous Argentinian Restaurant and Bar, Brasero Atlántico and Florería Atlántico will be having a three-month pop-up at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

From 1 Aug 2023, award-winning Renato “Tato” Giovannoni (widely recognised as one of the top 10 bartenders in the world), and culinary and hospitality maestro Alex Resnik will be bringing a taste of Argentina to Singapore by introducing their signature food and beverage during the three-month kitchen and bar takeover.

If you are in the mood for something different, don’t miss out on this chance to experience authentic Argentinian cuisine in Singapore by having a meal at this pop-up at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

This captivating South American brasserie pop-up at One-Ninety Restaurant and One-Ninety Bar, spanning from Buenos Aires to Singapore, will take customers on a journey to the energetic streets of Argentina.

Brasero Atlántico presents an à la carte dinner menu meticulously crafted by Alex Resnik and Chef Ryan Turner as well as an exclusive seven-course Chef’s Table dining encounter (priced at S$168 per individual). This culinary journey highlights the varied tastes and time-honoured methods that contribute to the undeniable allure of Argentinian gastronomy.

From classic Argentinian asado barbecue to street food favourite empanadas, the menu at Brasero Atlántico’s pop-up in Singapore is simple and concise with a variety of starters as well as mains cooked a las brasas (on the grill).

Our favourite starter has got to be the Aged Provoleta Cheese (S$28). This seemingly simple dish may look unassuming, but it was one of the best-tasting cheeses we’ve ever had.

The cheese is dry-aged for seven days in-house before being baked in the oven. It has just the right amount of cheese pull, and the taste is out of the world. You get a mix of mild and salty, heavy cheeses all in one bite.

The mains from the grill include Tenderloin, Ribeye, Pork Loin, and Whole Baby Spring Chicken. If you are dining in a bigger group, you can go for the T-Bone Steak (S$158, serves 2 and also comes with 2 sides) and order a few dishes to share.

The must-try dish is definitely the Frog Legs “A la Provenzal” featuring frog legs which are air-flown from France. The tender frog legs are meticulously cooked, and are light in flavour, and elevated by an addictive rich and flavourful white wine garlic butter sauce.

Even the accompanying potatoes are not just an accompaniment; they are crispy on the inside, and so warm and soft on the inside with a slightly earthy taste.

On the sweets side, we absolutely loved the Valrhona chocolate lava cake. Argentinian tea leaves are roasted then used to make the filling. Cut into the chocolate cake, and the tea creme will come flowing out. It’s like matcha, but Argentinian style. This was divine, and best eaten hot.

For those with a passion for exploring cocktails around the world, Florería Atlántico is recognized as one of the most thrilling bars in South America. Notably, Florería secured the 18th position in the previous year’s World’s 50 Best Bars ranking.

Cocktail highlights include Florería Atlántico’s classics such as the Negroni Balestrini (S$27), the classic Italian aperitif made with gin, Campari, Amaro Averna, eucalyptus, and seawater, as well as the El Dorado (S$29), a refreshing and fruity mix of Cachaça, Manifest, house-made Mate Tereré, sugar cane juice and tropical fruits.

The ladies will love Saint Marthe (S$26)—a sweet cocktail made of rosé wine with Lavender and Richard syrup.

One-Ninety Restaurant x Brasero Atlántico
6:00 to 10:30 pm (last order at 10:00 pm)

One-Ninety Bar x Florería Atlántico
5:30 pm to 12:00 am (last food order at 10:30 pm, last beverage order at 11:30 pm)

To make a reservation, call +65 6831 7653 or email dining.singapore@fourseasons.com.

This post was brought to you by Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Popular Sando Cafe Hello Arigato has officially opened a new outlet in Everton Park neighbourhood which is known for its charming and laid-back atmosphere.

The neighbourhood is home to several specialty coffee shops and cafes—including Nylon Coffee Roasters, Glass Roasters, Folks & Stories, Dearborn Granola, Gelatolabo—which draw in both locals and tourists.

The new Hello Arigato Everton Outlet will feature a bakery alongside their kitchen. Other than their popular Sando, you will also get to enjoy an array of freshly baked goods along ma range of artisanal drinks including coffee and matcha in the morning.

Exclusive to the Everton location is their first ever Arigato Donut Bar where they will be introducing some freshly made sweet and savoury Japanese milk donuts.

Expect flavours including Classic Milk, Matcha, Kaya Butter, Donutella, and Ondeh Ondeh, as well as new savory options like Ham & Cheese Bomb and J Curry.

During lunch service, Hello Arigato will continue to serve our classic Sandos made with Shokupan bread from their bakery.

Regulars will be familiar with the crowd favourites such as their Tamago and Gyu Sando. You can also look forward to outlet-exclusive dishes including Kong Bah Sando, Whisky BBQ Katsu Sando, and Salted Egg Yolk Tater Tots.

Hello Arigato Everton Park is located at 4 Everton Park #01-42 right next to Nylon Coffee Roasters.

Hello Arigato
4 Everton Park, #01-42
Singapore 080004

Popular homegrown bakery Elijah Pies is opening its first-ever dining concept with its new cafe at Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Established in 2014 as a takeaway shop, Elijah Pies is a specialty pie shop that is known for their famous nutella pie as well as an array of gorgeous pies. They opened a baking studio at 803 King George’s Ave in Lavender in 2021.

The new Elijah Pies cafe will be officially opening to the public on 6 May 2023. They will be giving a free box of Mini Pies (S$26.90) for the first 50 customers (who spend a minimum of S$20) on their opening day on 6 May 2023.

The design of Elijah Pies’ new cafe is intended to imitate the cozy ambiance of a residential home and has been thoughtfully created to accommodate 20 guests across 5 sections – the porch, living room, dining table, fireplace and daybed.

The central feature of Elijah Pies’ new location is a 4-meter long island table situated within an open kitchen, where founder-baker Elijah Tan and his team of bakers will serve a thoughtfully selected menu of pies that are crafted by hand and offer comforting and familiar flavors.

The menu will include popular sweet and savoury pies such as the Nutella Pie, Yuzu Meringue Pie , as well as new creations like the Seaweed Chicken Pot Pie and Mac N’ Cheese Pie.

Fans of Elijah Pies will know that they serve some of the best tarts in Singapore and they taste just as good as they look.

Get a table at the counter and catch a glimpse of founder-baker Elijah Tan and his team assembling and preparing the final touches at the open kitchen.

There are three new savoury pies which are available exclusively at the new cafe:

• Mac N’ Cheese Pie (S$12.90)
• Tomato Prawn Bisque Pie (S$14.90)
• Seaweed Chicken Pot Pie (S$13.90)

We had the chance to try all the savoury pies which are generously filled with lots of ingredients and our top picks are the Black Truffle Mash Pie, Mac N’ Cheese Pie and Scallop Chowder Pie. The savoury pies are great as a light snack during lunch for those who are working in the Central Business District.

In addition to the pies, there is also a range of beverages available that have been created using baking methods. These include the Vanilla Pistachio drink that is blended with genuine nut butter, and the Grapefruit Elderflower soda that is infused with locally farmed organic flowers.

You can also grab a cup of coffee to go along with your favourite tarts.

Elijah Pies
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#01-102 Singapore 081007
Tel: +65 9855 9480
Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Thursday to Sunday: 10am – 10pm

Established in 1989 by Michael Allpress in Auckland, New Zealand, Allpress Espresso has become a renowned specialty coffee roaster for independent cafés worldwide including Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

Allpress Espresso Singapore is opening its first pop-up cafe in Singapore at 73 Duxton Road on 2 May 2023 for 6 months.

To celebrate its opening, Allpress @ 73 Duxton will be having a 1-for-1 promotion for all espresso-based coffees for a week from 9 to 14 May 2023

Allpress Espresso Singapore will be serving its signature drinks such as Espresso (S$5), Long Black (from S$5), Flat White (from S$6) and Latte (from S$6).

It has partnered The Dark Gallery team to curatee a food menu to enhance the coffee experience, which includes delicious savory bagels, pastries, cake, and ice cream.

Photos credit: Allpress Espresso Singapore

Some of the desserts include Coffee Basque Cheesecake (S$8), Vanilla Espresso Cake (S$9), Allpress Dirty Caramel Chips ice cream (from S$6), as well as a vegan-friendly Allpress Cold Brew Sorbet (from S$6).

Fans of Allpress Espresso can also get limited-edition merchandise such as t-shirts and tote bags that are specially-designed for this pop-up, as well as Allpress Espresso’s range of products are also retailed at the shop.

Allpress Expresso Singapore @ 73 Duxton
73 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089532
Tuesday – Sunday: 8am – 5pm

Originating from Kyoto, Kurasu is a popular cafe that serves specialty coffee from selected roasters around Japan and Matcha Latte. It is one destination you have to stop by for a morning pick-me-up.

Kurasu has recently opened Kurasu Orchard Stand at Orchard Building opposite Orchard Cineleisure and Mandarin Gallery. It aims to bring Japanese specialty coffee into the heart of the busiest shopping district in Singapore.

Kurasu Singapore offers the same lineup of coffee in their Kyoto branch with coffee being shipped fresh weekly in an express package.

Starting as a small online store selling homeware in 2013, Kurasu has since expanded their business to include both physical and online stores providing specialty coffee, tea, and Japanese brewing equipment that has been carefully roasted in their Nishijin Roastery.

If caffeine is not your thing, Kurasu Singapore has another signature drink—Matcha Latte, using top-grade matcha powder from Kyoto.

Drop by Kurasu Orchard Stand to try their coffee and Matcha Latte the next time you are in town.

Kurasu Orchard Stand
Grange Road, #01-03, Orchard Building
Singapore 239693
Daily: 9.30am – 5.30pm

PS.Cafe is opening a new outlet at Marina Bay Sands and it will be taking over the spot vacated by Cedele, near to Apple Store and Hai Di Lao.

Established in 1999 as a cosy cafe hidden within Projectshop clothing store, PS.Cafe quickly rose to fame for its hearty brunch, truffle shoestring fries, and desserts.

PS.Cafe’s newest space at Marina Bay Sands is its 11th outlet in Singapore and you can also find them at various locations around the island including Great World City, One Fullerton, East Coast Park, Katong and Ann Siang Hill.

Crowd-favourites include PS.Big Breakfast, PS.Burger, their legendary shoestring Truffle fries and Sticky Date Pudding.

PS.Cafe is certainly a welcome addition amongst the tourist crowd at Marina Bay Sands. It joins %Arabica and JJ Lin’s Miracle Coffee as the latest F&B concepts to open at Marina Bay Sands.

PS.Cafe Marina Bay Sands
#B2-120/120A
2, Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972

Established in Karuizawa in the Nagono Prefecture of Japan, Suju Masayuki is a cosy and homely Japanese restaurant which offers traditional Japanese cuisine. They currently have 6 restaurants in Japan and 1 outlet in Singapore at Mandarin Gallery.

Suju Masayuki will be opening a new outlet at Ngee Ann City taking over the unit vacated by JTSH Cafe (formerly known as DC Super Heroes Cafe) next to the taxi stand.

Suju Masayuki is a spot in town that we frequent for excellent teishoku at reasonable prices.

Their Shoga Yaki is, hands down, the best stir-fried Japanese pork with ginger and soy sauce that we’ve had in Singapore. Remember to top up S$5 for their Tonjiru!

Other dishes on the menu include Tonkatsu, Chicken Teriyaki, Gindara Misozuke Yaki, Chirashi-don and the juicy Chicken Nanban.

It is still business as usual at Suju Masayuki’s original outlet at Mandarin Gallery, while the new location at Ngee Ann City will be opening in early 2023.

Suju Masayuki Ngee Ann City
391A Orchard Road #02-13
Ngee Ann City Takashimaya
Singapore 238873

Popular home-grown bakery Brotherbird Coffeehouse will be ceasing operations at their Bali Lane outlet on 31 Dec 2022 after 10 years there.

Brotherbird Coffeehouse is best known for their Mochi Croissants, soft serve and specialty coffee.

They cited “never-ending constructions around the area” and “a dead-end traffic lane” as the main reasons that they are ending the lease.

The last day of operations of Brotherbird Coffeehouse will be on 31 December 2022, while the last day for desserts will be 30 November 2022. Only croissants and coffee will be available in December.

Fans of Brotherbird Coffeehouse can still find their croissants and desserts at their other outlets:

• CT Hub 2, Lavender (drive-thru available)
• CBD store @ CIMB Plaza, B1-23
• Shell Stations “Pop-Up” collaboration

Brotherbird Coffeehouse
32 Bali Ln, Singapore 189868

Alice Boulangerie is one cafe-cum-bakery that really left a deep impression on us. In recent times when everyone is trying to outdo one another with trends and patterns, Alice Boulangerie chose to stay classy with honest bakes – ironically, this is what we are lacking in the current climate when everyone is so caught up with fanciful and Instagrammable-everything.

Conveniently located in the Tanjong Pagar, Alice Boulangerie is a space which we would consider to be relatively Nordic and minimalistic, with simple wooden and rattan furniture and classy pendant lamps. No frills about its decor, but most definitely cosy enough for some quiet me-time, a simple lunch meeting, a date and a wonderful spot to simply lay back and relax.

With an impressive culinary and baking team, you are set for great food and bakes. We tried quite a few items and nothing actually disappointed us; how impressive! It is most definitely a spot we would return to again and again – whether it is for their hearty mains or stellar bakes.

Sitting within Icon Village, Alice Boulangerie is a comfortable spot in Tanjong Pagar to grab a cup of coffee alongside your favourite pastry or to have a simple lunch.

They may be well known for its beautiful pastries and croissants, but not many people know that they have a savoury food menu to cater to the working crowd in the CBD and they dish out a selection of all-day breakfast, mains and pastas.

Tiger Prawn Capellini

Out of the main courses that we tried, The Tiger Prawn Capellini (S$28++) was definitely our top pick. Plump and juicy tiger prawns, angel hair pasta cooked in a flavoursome and robust prawn stock, cherry tomatoes – this was so satisfying and we found ourselves salivating at the very thought of it.

Fourth of July Cheese Burger

Another main course that we enjoyed was the Classic cheeseburger (S$26++). Alice Boulangerie uses USDA Homemade beef patty served with soft brioche buns—that are freshly baked in their own kitchen daily—streaky bacon, chipotle coleslaw, and fries. A simple and no-frills burger that hits the spot, we’d say.

The Steak Shack

Next up was the 200g Australian grass-fed striploin (S$35++), which was accompanied with Australian asparagus, sautéed mixed mushroom, creamy buttery mash potato, and roasted garlic bulb. You can choose between herb butter or red wine mushroom sauce for the steak. Toothsome in every bite, and definitely super filling.

Remember to save some room for desserts and pastries, because everything that comes out from Alice’s pastry team is AMAZING! You will probably need to visit Alice Boulangerie several times to try everything on the menu, but we are telling you it is very well worth the trips.

Grab a counter seat by the kitchen and watch the talented bakers & chefs prepare the croissants and pastries; it is so therapeutic to watch them in action.

From the classic plain Croissant, to Pain Au Chocolat, and their iconic bi-coloured croissants, it goes without saying that everyone comes to Alice Boulangerie for their famous croissants. You’d be sorry to leave without trying one!

Alice Boulangerie’s croissants come with the most gorgeous and on-point honeycomb structure. Absolutely stunning, flaky and buttery with every bite.

The chefs at Alice Boulangerie have years of experience and are passionate and obsessed with perfecting the recipes for their food and bakes. Fun fact: they supply to a lot of events and parties, too!

Pistachio Chocolate Croissant

The signature Pistachio Chocolate Croissant (S$7++) is filled pistachio crème patisserie house praline and hazelnut ganache. This is a croissant of our dreams; decadent with a well-balanced sweetness and absolutely gratifying – definitely a must-order when you are at Alice Boulangerie.

Strawberry Cheese Croissant

Filled with freshly made strawberry jam, smooth luscious cream cheese, and garnished with strawberry chocolate shavings, the Strawberry Cheese Croissant (S$7++) is a crowd favourite. It is both pretty and yummy, and we would gladly have one anytime.

Do note that the bi-coloured croissants are available in limited quantities from 11am until they are sold out. The early bird gets the pretty croissants because honestly, nobody wants worms.

Mushroom

If you love cream puffs, you’ll love the new Mushroom (S$9++). Alice Boulangerie has reinvented the classic cream puff and they present their rendition in the shape of a mushroom. What you get is a classic choux puff piped with gula Melaka Chantilly cream, coconut pastry cream as well as gula Melaka caramel. Such a decadent and thoughtful creation!

Acorn

In line with Alice Boulangerie’s branding and its squirrel mascot, the team has recently introduced the beautiful Acorn (S$13++)—a chocolate acorn shell made with 70% dark chocolate that is made up of layers of chocolate mousse, yuzu crémeux, almond dacquoise, and almond walnut praline with salted caramel mousse.

It took the chef months of research to perfect the recipe and baking techniques to produce this seemingly-simple dessert. What you get is a crisp outer layer of dark chocolate that holds the shape of the acorn really well, while keeping the interior soft yet firm so that it doesn’t crumble nor do the layers get mashed up.

Alice’s Christmas Log Cake

This is probably going to be the cutest log cake you’ll see for Christmas this year.

Launching in early November 2022, Alice’s Christmas Log Cake (S$85++) is a beautifully constructed moist chocolate flourless sponge layered with chocolate mud biscuit, an exotic fruit crémeux, caramelized banana, and hazelnut praline crunch, then topped with a 3D squirrel made from orange dark chocolate mousse. The kids will definitely love this!

Alice Boulangerie
12 Gopeng St, #01-05/11 Icon Village, Singapore 078877
Tel: 8874 3300
Daily: 8am – 6pm
Online Delivery: https://aliceboulangerie.cococart.co/

This post was brought to you by Alice Boulangerie.

Located along 107 Owen Rd, Heng Heng Bak Kwa Teh is an old-school eatery known for its traditional Bak Kwa Teh and steamed fish.

The famous eatery has been around for more than 30 years and it has garnered a loyal following over the years.

Other than its signature Bak Kut Teh (S$8), Heng Heng Bak Kut Teh also serves other dishes such as Pig’s Organs, Braised Intestines and Trotter, as well as vegetable soups in claypot.

You can also choose to add on abalones to your Bak Kut Teh.

They have a selection of fishes such as threadfin, pomfret and seabass, with prices ranging from S$20-S$50.

While the pork ribs were tender, the Bak Kut Teh broth was too light and mild for our liking.

The steamed fish, on the other hand, was the star with a tangy and flavourful sauce from the sour plum, tomato, sliced ginger, chilli, fermented soybeans and coriander.

There are not many such places left in Singapore and you should dine here to support them before they are gone forever.

Heng Heng Bak Kwa Teh
107 Owen Rd, Singapore 218914
7.30am – 2.30pm (except Tuesdays)

Popular cafe, Forty Hands is closing down both Tiong Bahru and East Coast outlets on 12 Sep 2022.

One of the pioneer cafes that started the third wave coffee trend in Singapore, Forty Hands Café has been doling out consistent cups of coffee and Aussie-Asian brunch food since October 2010.

About a decade ago, Tiong Bahru was simply a tranquil neighbourhood with old school shophouses and local eats. The opening of Forty Hands and BooksActually along Yong Siak Street led to the revival of the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood and other cafes and restaurants followed after to create the hip and trendy enclave that we know today.

Other than the classic Aussie-style brunch fare, Forty Hands is also known for their local delights including Kong Bak paired with mouth-watering Har Cheong Gai waffles and their legendary Tau Sar Paus.

With their all-day offerings, morning folks will no longer need to lament at a restricted menu; if you want a cheese-drenched burger at 9 in the morning, you get to have precisely that! The brand is vegan/vegetarian-friendly as well – if a menu item catches your eye, the kitchen is able to convert it into a version suitable for your dietary restrictions.

Forty Hands is owned by the Spa Esprit Group who is behind other popular dining concepts such as Common Man Coffee Roasters, Noka, Tiong Bahru Bakery and Tippling Club. Fans of Forty Hands’s coffee can head to Coffee Man Coffee for a cuppa.

Good bye, Forty Hands. It has been a good run!

Forty Hands
78 Yong Siak St, Singapore 163078

226 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428923

Popular brunch & dessert cafe, Lola’s Cafe is opening a second outlet in Holland Village and the official opening date is set on 20 July 2022.

Known for its brunch fare and desserts, Lola’s Cafe started as a neighbourhood cafe in the Kovan neighbourhood and it remains a go-to brunch spot for residents in the vicinity.

Lola’s Cafe Holland Village will be taking over the unit at 48 Lorong Mambong.

Holland Village and Chip Bee Gardens have no lack of coffee shops and cafes and some of the other options in the enclave Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, Kyushu Pancake Cafe, Two Men Bagel House, Tiong Bahru Bakery, %Arabica Coffee, Baker & Cook, Sunday Folks and Keong Saik Bakery.

The new outlet at Holland Village has a similar menu of brunch, pasta, coffee and desserts. You can find the crowd-favourite dishes such as Crab Cake Benedict, Miso Salmon Grain Bowl, and Tuscan Seafood Stew.

Photos credit: Lola’s Cafe

And not forgetting their Lemon Meringue Tart, Lola’s Chocolate Cake and Lychee Rosewater Cake for desserts.

Lola’s Cafe Holland Village
48 Lor Mambong
Singapore 277699
Tue – Sun: 9am – 9.30pm

Founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and film producer and entrepreneur Meir Teper, the world-famous Nobu restaurant is opening its first outpost in Singapore on 1 June 2022 at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Nobu has 47 outlets around the world in cities such as Barcelona, London, Milan, Tokyo, Sydney and Hong Kong.

The restaurant will be housed alongside an open-air Japanese garden and bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Nobu Singapore’s menu will feature dishes that will showcase Nobu’s signature style of artfully combining Japanese techniques with South American influences.

Some of Nobu’s signature dishes that you can look forward to:

• Black Cod Miso
• Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño
• Toro Tartare with Caviar

The menu is still being finalised, but they will include exclusive dishes that are inspired by local flavours and ingredients of Singapore.

Nobu Singapore is run by Executive Chef Hideki Maeda and Executive Sushi Chef Takahiro Tim Otomo, both of whom worked in the London and Caesars Palace restaurants.

Nobu Singapore
190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6831 7653