We haven’t been this excited about a new cafe in a while, until Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab came along. This new Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore was previously Fresh Fruits Lab, and recently underwent a major revamp.

Staying at the top of their game and always slaying, the owner—who is our good friend—strives to bring diners value-for-money quality fare in a relaxing atmosphere. Its menu offers a range of modern European favourites, with a good selection of mocktails and cocktails too. Fans of Fresh Fruits Lab will also be happy to know that they have retained several popular dishes on the menu.

Let’s just say they are a Parisian-style cafe in the day, and a laid-back neighbourhood bar at night. Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab is definitely our of our new favourite cafes in the East of Singapore.

Simplicité’s spanking new space is decked in monochrome colours and is very Instagram-worthy; every corner is a possible photo spot. French rattan chairs line the outdoors and that’s where you can enjoy a nice meal with your furkids at this pet-friendly cafe.

What we love about Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab:

• Chic Parisian-style cafe in the East of Singapore
• Pet-friendly cafe where you can bring your furkids along for a meal
• Affordable beer and cocktails—S$10 Asashi draft
• Amazing French-style Duck Confit which is perfectly-executed
• S$10 Angel Hair Pasta

The food is impressive! You know how some cafes only look good “on the outside”, but their food is mediocre, and you’d never return after taking your OOTDs? This won’t be the case at Simplicite, we can guarantee that.

Highlights include Angel Hair Pasta (S$10), Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$19), Duck Confit (S$28), Salmon Meunière, French Bone-in Pork Loin with Garlic Butter Herb (S$20), Smashed Avocado on Brioche with Poached Eggs (S$16).

There is a S$10 Angel Hair Pasta under the appetizer menu that you have to try, too. Adorned with edible flowers, this elegant dish looks too pretty to be eaten.

On its menu, our favourite is the Duck Confit (S$28). In one glance, it may look pricey for a cafe, but actually, you really have to order this. What you would get is a perfectly-executed French-style Duck Confit.

Featuring a big and fat drumstick, the Duck Confit is so close to what you would get in France—crispy and salty skin, fork tender meat, accompanied with creamy mash and grilled vegetables. Parfait!

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab serves brunch until 3pm daily and they are affordably priced between S$14 to S$18. The brunch options include Messy Breakfast (S$18), Eggs Benedict (S$15), and Brioche French Toast (S$15).

Smashed Avo (S$16) may be a common brunch dish, but Simplicité’s rendition is definitely not common. Served with a poached egg and mint sauce atop a thick slice of brioche, this dish is a clear winner. The toasted brioche was so buttery and good, we were tempted to ask for an extra slice!

Anyone remembers the super popular FFL Burger? If you’ve missed it, or haven’t tried it, Simplicité has refined this bestselling dish and it is now simply known as the Double Cheeseburger (S$20). It is better and bigger than before, with two juicy patties now!

Simplicité also has a wide array of drinks—from coffee, mocktails to cocktails, everything was a sight to behold. The Rose Latte won our hearts with its aesthetics and flavour.

You can also get a pint of Asahi draft at only S$10, while cocktails start from S$14. Be sure to order the signature La Simplicite (S$16) cocktail which comes with quite a show. We won’t spoil it for you, just get ready to take more photos and videos of the beautiful gin & tonic.

If you are just looking for a space for a simple midday perk-me-up, get yourself a basket of assorted Simplicite Bakes (S$10.5)—which includes Pain Au Chocolat, Croissant, Orange Snail, Raspberry Claw, Blueberry Braid, Apple Braid—a cup of latte, and pretend you are in Paris.

Simplicité by Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741

Updated on 24 Jan 2021: The White Rabbit and The Rabbit Hole will be closing for good on 30 April 2021.

Established in 2008, The White Rabbit is one of our all-time favourite romantic restaurants in Singapore. Set in a restored chapel on Dempsey Hill, the beautiful restaurant has recently got a facelift and is still gorgeous with its iconic stained glass and booth seats.

Helmed by Exec Chef Daniel Sia, The White Rabbit is well-loved for their menu of classic European Classics with a slight twist as well as an extensive boutique wine list and Gin & Tonics. It is also a fantastic spot for a weekend affair with your loved one(s), especially with its new brunch menu available on weekends and public holidays.

The White Rabbit is known for its Gin & Tonics which are garnished with herbs from its own garden and mixed with its house-made tonic. Bar manager, Andy Lim takes inspirations for his concoction from his travels and the food he eats.

Don’t we love a good Burrata? At The White Rabbit, the ball of fresh, oozy cheese is accompanied by a refreshing tomato-watermelon tartare. Even non-cheese lovers would be wowed by the light yet palatable flavours of the Burratina Salad (S$23).

Paper-thin slices of raw wagyu beef carefully prepared with olive oil, capers and lemon juice, TWR’s Wagyu Carpaccio (S$26) comes with fried Brussel sprouts for a lovely textural variety, and the dish is complete with a drizzle of truffle vinaigrette.

The Ibérico Pork Collar (S$42) was more than impressive. It features a slab of extremely tender pork collar drizzled with kelp brown butter, accompanied by a beautifully charred cabbage and a dollop of lemon purée. The contrast of flavours and textures makes this enthralling dish one to savour and we long for more.

For S$29, the Beer-battered Kühlbarra Seabass is a classic fish & chips dish that features 2 fresh slabs of white fish, accompanied with house-made tartare sauce and a mildly sweet pea purée that is a nice juxtapose to the savoury fish.

Nobody leaves The White Rabbit without having their famous Crêpe Suzette (S$22). Thin crêpe pancakes made fresh upon order is lavishly soaked in Grand Marnier and dressed with yoghurt mousse and fresh flowers.

This TWR classic used to be prepared and served table-side, but due to the pandemic, this table-side service has ceased. Nonetheless, isn’t this TWR rendition of the French dessert oh so gorgeous?

If you still have room for more desserts, go for the Dark Chocolate Caramel Tart (S$16) which comes with a scoop of yoghurt ice cream.

The Rabbit Hole is currently closed during this period but you can still enjoy a stroll in the lovely garden after your meal.

And of course, take a photo at one of the most iconic photo spots in Singapore.

The White Rabbit
39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541
Tel: 6473 9965

Joining our local café scene is Farmers and Chefs, who has just taken over the premises of former Toast Box at Singapore Conference Hall in Shenton Way! The quaint al fresco establishment resides in a canopy tent, where diners can expect to be close to nature.

Think wood and grass: the entire place is set up with wooden elements, ornaments, plants and birdhouses. It almost seems as if we were transported to a magical garden!

Here, they believe in serving wholesome foods with quality ingredients, and their menu synonymously matches the nature theme.

First up, we had their Traditional Breakfast Set (S$3), which consisted of kaya butter toast and two onsen eggs. We love how the folks here have spun their own modern twist to our old-school soft-boiled eggs and toast set, replacing it with onsen eggs that were simply runny perfection.

The marriage between the silky yolk mixture and crispy toast was heavenly; we dipped the latter with the eggs, and upon biting into it, the toast would ooze salty, yet slightly sweet yolk. The kaya on the toast wasn’t cloyingly sweet either and complemented the saltiness of the eggs.

Of course, we had to try their signature Farmers Breakfast (S$10). Though quite small in portion, it was still a substantial dish served on a platter full of carbs, proteins and crunchy vegetables.

The chicken was juicy and tender, and we could taste the slight char on the skin. The sautéed mushrooms were also crispy and burst apart in our mouths, oozing luscious shroom flavour.

The scrambled egg was also creamy with a hint of milk, making it the perfect, goey topping to the buttered ciabatta! The softness of the eggs was also a nice contrast to the tough crust.

But our favourite component in the dish is the pan-seared rosti! It was crisp on the outside, but melted in our mouths, leaving us craving for more of that potato-ey goodness.

Lastly, we had the English Breakfast Tea (S$4.50/cold). It had a fragrant aroma with floral notes. It also had an earthy, mellow flavour, going beautifully with the rich, hearty meal. There was no lingering bitter aftertaste too.

Farmers and Chefs is one café in CBD that serves quality food at affordable prices. During lunch, they offer rice bowls that are priced between S$8.80 to S$13.80, while most of the pasta dishes are between S$8.80 to S$12.80. You will also be happy to know that they do not charge GST and service charge.

Expect to busk under the canopy and munch on delectable dishes while you escape the hustle and bustle of the city when you are here!

Farmers and Chefs
Singapore Conference Hall
7 Shenton Way #01-04
Singapore 068810
Tel: +65 8535 7555
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
(Closed on weekends)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar