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

Established in 2021, Takeshi-San rose to fame in Singapore’s dining scene with its iconic Sushi Kaidan staircase, modern sushi rolls and an extensive selection of Japanese dishes at reasonable prices.

Into its second year, Takeshi-San has expanded its menu to introduce Izakaya-style sharing dishes that are perfect to go with drinks. The beer lovers will love the Kirin Beer Garden, too!

From 1 to 30 July 2022 (Monday to Thursday), flash the post on ladyironchef to the friendly staff at Takeshi-San to enjoy their Seafood Platter/Yakimono Platter at S$48 (UP $68).

Here are the dishes that you must order when you are dining at Takeshi-San.

Located at the buzzing Lorong Mambong in Holland Village, Takeshi-San is a cosy and casual sushi bar/izakaya where you can have a good Japanese meal and drinks without breaking the bank.

From modern sushi rolls, to chirashi don, seafood sashimi platters, and yakitori, Takeshi-San offers a wide array of dishes for everyone and there is always something new to look forward to. Be it for sharing or solo dining, you’d be able to find something to your liking from its menu, we’re very sure of this.

Don’t miss out on Takeshi-San’s innovative take on modern sushi rolls. The signature rolls include the Ebi Tempura with cream cheese and baked eel, Salmon Aburi Mentai roll, as well as the Mexican Roll which features panko shrimp, cream cheese and boiled shrimp.

Pssst. The snobs won’t like these but we were so addicted to the Mexican Roll! The flavours went so well together, and the panko made everything even better.

Another highlight is the incredibly value-for-money Seafood Platter (S$68) which comes with half a dozen freshly-shucked jumbo oysters, salmon, salmon belly, scallops and tuna sashimi.

Yes, you read that right. This giant platter of goodness for only S$68. Scroll up and read the inclusion again; we guarantee it’ll make you want to go to Takeshi-San pronto.

The carnivores can go for the Wagyu & Yakitori Platter (S$48) which includes wagyu slices, chicken yakitori, Saikoro steak, with salad and fries on the side. Best enjoyed with Kirin Frozen Beer, you guys.

If you are having drinks at Takeshi-San with your friends after dinner, go for the Party Platter (S$48)!

We love fried food and we cannot lie. From Tori Karaage, to Ehire, Kawa Ebi, Fried Salmon Skin and French Fries, the Party Platter has a bit of all our favourite fried food.

We are always on the lookout for awesome Happy Hour promotions in Singapore and we are thrilled to report that Takeshi-San has really attractive Happy Hour deals which are available from 11.30am to 8pm daily. Look forward to S$8 wines, S$10 sake and full pint Kirin beers.

Takeshi-San has recently been announced as the first Kirin Beer Garden in Singapore, offering the beloved and sought-after Kirin Frozen Beer and Beer Cocktails.

The next time you are looking for a watering hole in Holland Village to have a great time with your squad, check out Takeshi-San for its modern Japanese dishes, value-for-money platters and affordable drinks.

Yakimono Platter S$48 (U.P. S$68)

1. Surume Ika grilled with Kosher Salt
2. Wagyu Saikoro Steak
3 Tori Yaki
4. Chicken Ball Skewers
5. Mid-Wing Skewers
6. Mini Scallops Skewers
7. Japanese Green Peppers Skewers
8. Black Mushroom Skewers

From 1 to 30 July 2022 (Monday to Thursday), flash the post on ladyironchef to the friendly staff at Takeshi-San to enjoy their Seafood Platter/Yakimono Platter at S$48 (UP $68).

T&C
1. Not valid on Public Holidays or eve of Public Holidays
2. Valid from 1 July 2022 to 30 July 2022
3. Not valid with other vouchers or promotions
4. Special price is limited to one platter per table

Takeshi-San
38 Lor Mambong
Singapore 277694

This post was brought to you by Takeshi-San.

Popular Korean BBQ restaurant, Wang Dae Bak has opened a new outlet in Holland Village. Located at level 2 of Holland Piazza, Wang Dae Bak Grill is the restaurant’s first outlet out of the central business district. They have three other outlets at Amoy Street and Cross Street.

For a quick and casual lunch, Wang Dae Bak Grill offers several set lunches starting from S$15. Options include Grilled Saba Set, Spicy Pork Belly with Vegetables Set and Pork Katsu Set.

We do recommend going for a good mixture of marinated and non-marinated meats to get a taste of their best offerings. If you cannot decide on the meats to get, go for their meat sets which come with a variety of meats. The KBBQ Prime Set (S$98) consists of US Prime Ribeye, Marinated Bone-in Prime Ribs, and Pork Tomohawk.

You can also get Wang Dae Bak’s signature dishes such as Spicy Pork Ribs Soup, Spicy Tofu Soup, Kimchi Stew with Pork Belly, Half Half Pancake.

Wang Dae Bak Grill
Holland Piazza #02-01, Singapore 277725

A place where discerning diners and lovers of good vibes gather, Two Chefs Bar is the ideal place to be should you find yourself in the mood for after-work drinks, casual gatherings and tasty food. Serving up a mixture of both Mexican and Italian grub, many might find the contrast odd but contrary to preliminary expectations, this isn’t one of those hipster joints where they try to mix and combine flavours together in hopes of producing unique.

Instead, what diners can hope to expect from the restaurant’s menu is a myriad of Mexican and Italian dishes—more than 100 food items in fact—encompassing a wide spectrum of flavours and characteristics but remaining delicious nonetheless. Whether you’re pining for spicy, searing-hot fajitas served on a hot plate, a rustic Angus beef burger or something a little less assertive like pasta or pizza, you’re bound to find something you’ll love here at Two Chefs Bar.

While their first outlet over at Quayside Isle may prove ideal for romantic dates and corporate events, their second outlet is better suited for office workers, fun get-togethers and those hankering for punchy cocktails, affordable comfort food and all-day happy hour deals—did we mention their Holland Village outlet boasts a massive selection of craft beers and ciders as well?

GREAT AMBIENCE, FULL TABLE, SERVICE WITH NO GST CHARGE

Diners rejoice for this restaurant and bar provides full table service with no GST charge. Indulge in the pleasures of excellent food as everything is made fresh daily without compromise using the freshest and finest ingredients.

For those who fancy sitting outdoors, the cosy alfresco seating decorated with colourful vintage posters is where you’ll want to be, sipping on those well-deserved beers and margaritas. The bonus – it’s fitted with a retractable canopy that makes it perfect be it rain or shine. Holland Village is easily accessible by car with plenty of parking lots making parking a breeze.

We’re not crazy over salads, but for those of you who simply cannot do without, their Prawn and Chicken Avocado Salad (S$20+) should sit with you just right. Comprising rocket leaves, fresh avocado, feta cheese, tiger prawns, a grilled chicken fillet and coated with a citrus dressing, the flavours were well rounded. Props to the chef for seasoning and grilling the chicken so well. Without it, the dish would probably have needed some help taste-wise.

If you’re looking to snack on something to accompany your tipple, a great option to consider is their Chips with Dips or Nachos. Served in good-sized portions, this crunchy snack is great for sharing among friends. The flavourful guacamole and salsa is sure to hit the mark.

CHEESY TACO

What’s Mexican food without tacos? Crunchy, messy and fun to eat, tacos always have a special place in our hearts. If there’s one thing we can say about Two Chefs Bar, it is that their Mexican food is spot-on, and a testament to that is their Cheesy Taco (S$20+).

We opted for the chicken option but they also have beef, fish and vegetable options as well. Stuffed with generous amounts of tender, shredded chicken and cheese before being topped with sour cream, salsa and fresh cabbage, the dish hit all the right spots for us.

The crispy taco shell provided a nice textural contrast to the melty cheese and the fresh flavours from the refried beans and coriander Mexican rice served at the side gave the dish a nice, aromatic lift.

ASSORTED MEXICAN FAJITAS

Served to us piping hot and sizzling on a cast iron pan, the Chicken Fajitas (S$22+) is a must-order if you’re a sucker for soft, caramelised vegetables coupled with heavenly-spiced meat.

The dish features a massive portion of perfectly-grilled chicken flavoured with their special house marinade that sits neatly atop a bed of caramelised onions and bell peppers; served alongside warm flour tortilla wraps, housemade salsa, guacamole and shredded cheese.

Apart from tacos and fajitas, other drool-worthy Mexican mains include burritos, enchiladas and the popular chimichangas; deep-fried tortilla flour stuffed with various fillings and a meat option of your choice, served with Mexican rice, sour cream and guacamole.

HEARTY BURGERS

While burgers neither fall under the Italian nor the Mexican category, we must say that the ones you can find here are pretty good. The Angus Beef Burger (S$22+) comes with everything a burger needs—a thick, juicy patty coated with melted cheese, a fried onion ring for an extra taste and textural kick, lettuce and two slices of juicy tomatoes.

FULL-ON MEATY MAINS

The restaurant’s various meat offerings lean more towards Italian flavours. To fulfil your carnivorous tendencies, go for the 200g Grilled Angus Beef Tenderloin (S$44+).

Properly seared from end to end, the tenderloin sports a beautifully-seared sheen coupled with flecks of toasted peppercorns. The meat itself cuts like butter, revealing a gloriously pink interior so immaculate that to stop to take a photo and have all its beefy goodness spill out would almost be a crime.

A decent alternative to opt for is their Iberico Pork Chop (S$28+). Although we found the chop a tad tough to cut into, the flavour of it was on point—making the dry texture of the meat passable. The pepper sauce that glazes it is terrific and goes well with everything on the plate.

A TASTE OF ITALY – PIZZA PARADISE

Among the many pizza offerings from the pizza bar—and mind you there are plenty to choose from—the Pepperoni & Cheese (S$24+) was the one we went for. Simply comprising a tomato sauce base, cheese and pepperoni slices, it was the best pizza to choose for us to best judge the quality of their chefs—and boy were we blown away.

The dough was freshly handmade, stretched to delicate perfection and topped with a generous slathering of their housemade tomato sauce before being sent into a roaring oven where it achieved a crispy, evenly charred exterior. The salty pepperoni developed a crusty exterior as well which further elevated the taste and textural experience.

EXTENSIVE DRINKS MENU WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CRAFT BEERS & CIDERS

The reinvented bar at their Holland Village outlet provides an extensive drinks menu ranging from a fine selection of red wines, white wines and champagnes to speciality cocktails, notable craft beer and cider labels as well as premium liquors—all carefully selected and paired to perfectly complement their menu.

The casual chill vibes, vibrant atmosphere and pocket-friendly prices are sure to make this your favourite hangout for drinks.

HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY, EVERY DAY

Martin Zwerts—popular frites shop from Netherlands—is opening its first ever flagship store outside of Europe in Singapore in the last week of April 2018.

Established in 1948, Martin Zwerts Potato Daddy has been widely recognised for their incredible family signature recipe of frites (fries) and remains as a hotspot for tourists visiting Holland after 70 years.

Frying all the way from Holland to Holland Village, Martin Zwerts presents us the taste of Eindhoven and is set to open its first outlet in Singapore in Holland Village on the 27th of April, the same day as Netherlands King’s Day.

Photo Credit: Martin Zwerts Singapore

Forget about diet, we want our fries. Martin Zwerts Patat Frites (Fries) are thick cut and crispy, served in a piping hot cone, topped with signature Frite and Kerrie Onion sauce.

To cater to the locals’ taste buds, the Singapore outlet will feature toppings like Golden Salted Egg Yolk Sauce, BBQ sauce, Rendang Sauce, alongside favourite Dutch snacks such as Bitterballen, Frikandel and Lumpia.

Now we do not have to be in the Netherlands to get the taste of their award-winning frites, so be sure to mark your calendars!

Martin Zwerts
When: 27th April 2018
Where: No.3 Lor Liput #B1-07 Holland Piazza @ Holland Village

Holland Village’s sister neighbourhood is a quaint food enclave that resonates well with many who seek a quieter dining experience. Situated just behind Holland Village MRT station, the stretch of charming cafes and elegant restaurants provide a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Holland Village.

Some of the fine restaurants here will delight even the most sophisticated of gourmands such as Mai Thai and Original Sin. For those who prefer a quick bite or some yummy desserts to beat the sweltering heat, pull up a chair at Da Paolo Gastronomia or The Daily Scoop for some top-notch ice cream.

Here are 8 Cafes & Restaurants to hit up at Chip Bee Gardens if you find Holland Village too mainstream.

#1 BAKER & COOK

Artisan bakery Baker & Cook is helmed by reputable baker Dean Brettschneider who has over 20 years of culinary experiences and 12 published baking books.

From homemade cakes, pastries, jams to hearty meals, Baker & Cook is your one-stop destination for superb breakfast items. There is also an extensive list of fine wines and Allpress Espresso to choose from.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-56, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6472 0998
Mon to Thu: 7.30am – 8pm
Fri to Sat: 7.30am – 10pm
Sun: 7.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#2 DA PAOLO PIZZABAR 

Casual Italian bistro Da Paolo boasts a great ambience with its delightful indoor-outdoor dining concept. Enjoy from a tantalising spread of gourmet Italian fare at the trattoria itself or opt for take-out. Gourmet pasta, pizzas, salads and sandwiches are all freshly prepared by professionals and those with a sweet tooth should not miss out on their signature tiramisu.

44 Jln Merah Saga
#01-46, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6479 6059
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 MAI THAI RESTAURANT

In need for some authentic, lip-smacking Thai food? Mai Thai Restaurant is the perfect place to go to. You will be spoilt for choice with their exhaustive menu featuring Thai salads, soups, seafood, poultry, rice, noodles and desserts.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-58, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6474 3100
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#4 MADRINAA ITALIANO

A newcomer on the block, Madrinna Italiano has moved from Queens Road and overtaken its previous tenant, Michaelangelo’s. Their handmade thin-crust pizzas are highly raved and start from wallet-friendly prices of S$24++.

Delight the epicurean in you and make this your go-to spot for scrumptious Italian cuisine. You can start off with the Tortelli Crab and Lobster to whet your appetite!

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-60, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6474 7342
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#5 ORIGINAL SIN

One of Chip Bee Gardens’ original stalwarts, Original Sin restaurant has been doling out comforting vegetarian Mediterranean gourmet since 1997. Do order their budget-friendly set lunches which come with an appetising soup/salad, delectable main (choose from grilled eggplant wrap, veggie burger or tomato spaghetti) and a warm chocolate cake for just S$28++.

The al fresco terrace is a splendid spot to wind down after a long day and indulge in their hearty Lasagna Rossa.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-62, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 5605
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#6 SUNDAY FOLKS

Local speciality dessert cafe Sunday Folks is renowned for their iconic Belgian waffles (single slice – S$8.80, double slices – S$11.80) topped with generous portions of ice-cream (S$7.20 per cup / S$7.20 per cone).

There are only six ice cream flavours available on the menu, but these exotic flavours (Earl grey Lavender!) should suffice to please.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-52, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#7 THE DAILY SCOOP

The Daily Scoop is an ice cream parlour selling an extensive variety of ice cream flavours. Each batch of ice cream is churned and made daily in-house with local fresh ingredientshence guaranteeing superior quality that is unlike other mass-produced desserts.

From the exotic Mao Shan Wang durian to Nutty Macadamia, The Daily Scoop rotates flavours on a weekly basis so that customers will never get sick and tired of the same old creations.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-78, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 3128
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#8 THE MONOCLE CAFE

Monocle is an innovative venture of the popular culture magazine Monocle. The tastefully-decorated shop is filled with leather accessories and other high-quality handicrafts.

Monocle sells only coffee (from S$4) and is a great hangout place for hipsters who appreciate minimalist and rustic-looking decors. There truly is no other better way to pick up the latest publication of Monocle than from The Monocle Cafe itself!

74 Jalan Kelabu Asap
Singapore 278267
Tel: +65 6475 1791
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Holland Village is a popular hangout spot in Singapore. Besides its numerous cafes and coffee places and bars, Holland Village is also known for housing many restaurants. You can find almost any kinds of cuisines in Holland Village—Chinese, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, Mexican, Korean…

You are spoilt for choice at Holland Village; it is little wonder this is one of the most visited hoods in town.

And if you are thinking of heading there for a drink or a meal with friends, we have made things simple for you with our guide to 34 Restaurants, Bars & Cafes To Visit.

#1 72O BISTRO & THE TOYS

This Heroes-themed restaurant specialises in North Indian and Western cuisine. Here, you can look forward to a comprehensive menu, the best beer deals and an impressive collection of Marvel’s limited edition figurines—including a life-size iron man!

19 Lorong Liput
Singapore 277732
Tel: +65 6463 6028
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 BADEN RESTAURANT & PUB

Satisfy your cravings for German food at Baden while swigging a pint of your favourite beer. The pub offers the ever-popular curry-wurst and pork knuckle as mains.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

42 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 8127
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 2pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#5 BREKO CAFE

Breko Café sports a nice ambience to hang out with friends with a relatively open concept, allowing ample natural lighting that makes great photo opportunities. The café’s menu ranges from breakfast items to bar bites to full-on dinner mains. Breko also serves alcoholic beverages at night.

38 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 4424
Mon to Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri: 9am – 2am
Sat: 8am – 2am
Sun 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#7 CHA CHA CHA 

As one of Singapore’s oldest Mexican restaurant, most would have heard of Cha Cha Cha. Go for their popular dishes such as Fajitas and enchiladas and wind down the night with frozen margarita, wine or beer.

Tel: +65 6462 1650
Mon to Thu & Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#8 CRUST GOURMET PIZZA BAR

If you are a fan of thin and crispy crust, the pizzas at Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar will be your next favourite staple. Expect exciting and unique flavours such as the Asian-inspired Five Spice Pork Belly pizza.

34B Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6467 2224
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#9 CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO

Free-flow Xiao Long Bao? Yes, please! Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao offers a Xiao Long Bao Buffet that includes traditional steamboat where you can have free-flow ingredients and even side dishes such as deep-fried mantou buns.

241/241A Holland Avenue
Tel: +65 6463 0968
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 11.40pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#10 D’ GOOD CAFE

Occupying the second storey and an adjoining rooftop of a small shop house corner in Holland Village is d’Good Café, a popular choice for students and café-hoppers alike. The café offers classic brunch fare such as Eggs Benedict and heartier mains such as the Portobella Pasta.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

273 Holland Ave
#02-01/02
Tel: +65 6219 9807
Mon to Thu, Sun: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#11 EL PATIO

Authentic Mexican food is hard to come by in Singapore. Thankfully, El Patio in Holland Village serves classic Mexican fare at reasonable prices. Come here for classic Mexican dishes such as Lamb Tacos and Enchiladas.

34 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 1520
Mon: 1pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#12 FATBOY’S THE BURGER BAR

Fatboy’s has an outlet at Holland Village and it is a spacious and fun dining area. The biggest perk of dining here is, without a doubt, being able to customize your own perfect burger with their wide array of ingredients.

29 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2312
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#13 FOSTERS 

This English Steakhouse will make you feel right at home with their cosy interior, sporting clean wooden furniture and warm lighting. Enjoy delicious grilled meats here ranging from the classic beef steak to lamb and chicken.

277 Holland Ave
Tel: +65 6466 8939
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 3pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#14 FULL OF LUCK CLUB

The range of bao at Full of Luck Club is anything but ordinary. Expect to see creations such as Salted Egg Yolk Prawn Bao, Portuguese Pork Chop Bao and Panko-crusted Portobello Bao when you dine at Full Of Luck Club.

243 Holland Ave
Singapore 278977
Tel: +65 6208 6845
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#15 GAIA KOREAN BBQ GRILL + BAR

Gaia Korean Grill + Bar is among the closest you can get to authentic Korean restaurant food here in Singapore. They serve a good range of Korean dishes such as Ginseng Chicken Soup and Rice Cakes. However, the star of their menu will still have to be their grilled BBQ meats.

17E Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6339 3313
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Sat to Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#16 HARRY’S BAR + DINING

This popular bar is almost always full at night, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Head there early if you want to reserve a good spot to hang out with your buddies as a reward after a long work week!

22 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277681
Tel: +65 6467 4222
Sun to Thu & PH: 12pm – 1am
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#17 HATCHED

An all-day breakfast cafe, Hatched has all kinds of eggs; boiled, poached, baked, scrambled, fried, and omelette. And at Hatched, you have to order their signature Eggs Benedict which comes with a good portion of hollandaise sauce.

267 Holland Avenue
Singapore 278989
Tel: +65 6463 0012
Tue to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#19 KINARA

Kinara is one of Holland Village’s best-kept secrets. Little do people know that this humble North Indian restaurant serves up one of the most authentic fares around, using a medley of flavours and spices in their dishes.

24 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: 6467 4101
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#20 ISTEAKS DINER

Looking for an affordable place to satisfy your steak craving? As you would have inferred from its name, iSTEAKS is a no-frills diner that serves affordable and tasty steaks for the amount you pay. Do note that this place can get pretty crowded during dinner time!

17A Lor Liput
Singapore 277731
Tel: +65 6463 3165
Sun to Thu & PH: 11am – 11pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11am – 12 Midnight
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#21 363 KATONG LAKSA

If you are a fan of thick laksa gravy with concentrated flavours, look no farther than 363 Katong Laksa. Besides being one of the most inexpensive restaurants to dine at on this list, they serve a generous bowl that is enough to fill you up.

29 Lor Liput
#01-02, Holland Village
Tel: +65 6464 9303
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#22 LA NONNA

La Nonna is “grandmother” in Italian—a very apt name for this cosy Italian restaurant which goes by traditional cooking methods. The place reminds you of home and offers Italian country cuisine.

26/26B Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277685
Tel: +65 6468 1982
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#23 NAKHON KITCHEN

What started off as a humble Thai eatery in Kovan has lead to Nakhon opening their fourth and latest outlet in Holland Village. Affordable and seriously good, Nakhon’s Thai owners make sure the food here is as authentic as it can get.

27A Lor Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6469 6862
Daily (except Wed): 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#24 PARK HOLLAND VILLAGE

PARK at Holland Village is definitely the nicest cafe in the enclave. This unique and environmentally friendly cafe-cum-bar has been interestingly constructed with reassembled containers and solar panels – a tranquil cafe by day, and a bustling waterhole at night.

281 Holland Ave #01-01
Singapore 278621
Reservations: info@parkgroup.com.sg / +65 9721 3815
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#26 PROJECT ACAI

Project Acai is Singapore’s first Acai Superfood Café and the success of their Holland Village outlet has led them to open their second store recently at Ngee Ann City. These Acai bowls contain the very coveted acai berries that are packed to the brim with antioxidants, fibre and other nutritional benefits—and they taste good too!

27 Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#27 SANPOUTEI RAMEN

If you are a big fan of Japanese ramen, Sanpoutei Ramen at Holland Village should be on the top of your must-try list. We highly recommend their rich and flavourful bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, featuring thick slices of aburi char siew and a perfectly cooked onsen egg.

253 Holland Avenue
#01-01
Tel: +65 6463 7277
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#28 TAI CHEONG BAKERY

Signature egg tarts aside, you can now look forward to a one-page menu of authentic cha chaan teng dishes. We are talking about classic Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef Brisket Curry Rice (S$9.90), Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot – S$2, cold – S$2.50) and Bolo Bun (S$2.20).

31 Lorong Liput
Singapore 277742
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 8.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#29 TANGO’S

Serving 1-for-1 beers all the way until 9pm daily, Tango’s regularly sees a steady stream of customers. Pair up their draft beers with some piping hot bar bites and you’re set for the night.

35 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 7364
Mon to Thu, Sun: 3pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#31 THE PIT RESTAURANT & BAR

As Holland Village’s first Archipelago microbrewery, The Pit Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to kick back after a long day of work with unique and handcrafted beers. The restaurant also serves up some pretty decent Buffalo Wings.

21 Lor Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 3468
Mon to Fri: 3pm – 1am
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#32 TWO CHEFS BAR

A place where discerning diners and lovers of good vibes gather, Two Chefs Bar is the ideal place to be should you find yourself in the mood for after-work drinks, casual gatherings and tasty food.

Serving up a mixture of both Mexican and Italian grub, many might find the contrast odd but contrary to preliminary expectations, this isn’t one of those hipster joints where they try to mix and combine flavours together in hopes of producing unique.

17D Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Singapore 277731
Tel: +65 6463 3903
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#33 WALA WALA CAFE

Wala Wala is always packed with people especially on weekends as they flock there for delicious bar bites and surprisingly good mains. Relax after a long week with a pint of beer and a serving of their popular Walapenos (cheese-stuffed fried jalapenos).

31 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6462 4288
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri: 4pm – 2am
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Read: Guide to 8 Restaurants at Chip Bee Gardens if you find Holland Village too mainstream.

72o Bistro & The Toys is the latest addition to Holland Village’s vibrant dining scene and the spacious restaurant specialises in North Indian and Western cuisine.

At this new Heroes-themed restaurant, you can look forward to a comprehensive menu, the best beer deals and an impressive collection of Marvel’s limited edition figurines—including a life-size iron man!

Most of the dishes on 72o Bistro & The Toys’ menu are priced below S$15 nett—there is no GST and service charge.

Quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 1-for-1 promotion on all main courses (during Sundays to Thursdays lunch and dinner) from now until 28 Feb 2016.

Set foot into the dimly-lit restaurant and you will be greeted by a gigantic Iron Man statue. The life-size figurine was imported directly from the United States of America; and we say, it is a dream come true for all fans. We couldn’t stop staring at it, and we chose a table right beside so it felt like we were dining with Tony Stark!

72o Bistro & The Toys’ glass cabinet showcases a wide selection of Marvel limited edition figurines, including Black Widow, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and more. The restaurant owner has been collecting these figurines since 2000 and he decided to open a themed bistro to share his prized possessions with like-minded fans.

The collection is really expensive, and it is fascinating, to say the least.

There are a bunch of starters on 72o Bistro & The Toys’ menu. We suggest you get the Spicy Buffalo Wings (S$8.90 nett / five pieces) for sharing.

Each succulent chicken wing is marinated, deep-fried and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. Carrot and cucumber sticks are served on the side with a blue cheese dip.

For something more substantial, share the 2 Amigos Pizza (S$13.90 nett) baked with bacon bits, bratwurst sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

It is worth mentioning that every item is served in an incredibly generous portion!

The Dancing Prawn Aglio Olio (S$14.80 nett) might look unassuming, but do not let its simplicity fool you. It is hands down our favourite Western dish from 72o Bistro & The Toys.

Al dente spaghetti is served with fresh and plump sautéed prawns, chilli flakes, garlic, onion, olive oil and pepper. Flavourful in every bite, and certainly very filling!

The 72o House Burger (S$15.80 nett) is a value-for-money main course that will fill you up easily. Melted cheese, chargrilled beef patty, smoked bacon bits, mushroom, romaine lettuce, cherry tomato, mayonnaise and a sunny side egg are served atop two palm-size sesame buns with a garden salad and a tin of fries on the side.

72o Bistro & The Toys’ signature dish is the chef-recommended Grass-fed Rib-eye Steak (S$24 nett). The rib-eye steak is grilled to the doneness of your choice and served with asparagus, mushrooms, potato wedges, salad and drenched in an aromatic brown sauce.

For something different, consider the 72o Curry Chicken Burger (S$12.80 nett), which resembles more of a sandwich. Fork-tender marinated chicken, Indian curry gravy, pineapple rings, romaine lettuce and onion slices are stuffed inside a ciabatta bread.

We have to admit that the North Indian delicacies served at 72o Bistro & The Toys seriously surpassed our expectations. Frankly speaking, there seems to be little or no link between North Indian cuisine and a bistro decked out in Marvel decors. But boy, we were impressed to no end.

The fragrant Butter Chicken (S$12.80 nett) is a must-order. In fact, we would gladly make a return special trip just for their Butter Chicken! Think tender boneless chicken cooked with a thick, buttered masala gravy. Needless to say, this Indian classic was the star of the meal—everyone was digging into the viscous tomato-based mixture.

Think tender boneless chicken cooked with a thick, buttered masala gravy. Needless to say, this Indian classic was the star of the meal—everyone was digging into the viscous tomato-based mixture.

While the Butter Chicken tastes good on its own, the Cheese and Garlic Naan (S$4.80 nett) and Chicken Briyani (S$11.80 nett) make great accompaniments.

The former is a delicious Indian bread baked in clay oven, whereas the latter is a traditional Indian dish comprising curried chicken and spiced rice. Can’t decide what to have? Order all. No such thing as too much good food.

By now, you are probably overwhelmed by the seemingly endless options available.

Want more sharing dishes? Then give the Chicken Suslick (S$9.80 nett / two sticks, S$17.80 nett / four sticks) a shot. These skewers consist of marinated chicken chunks, grilled capsicums and onions.

For the most bang for your buck, visit 72o Bistro & The Toys during lunchtime and dig into these scrumptious dishes at unbelievable prices—we are talking about S$8.80 nett for a set!

72o Bistro & The Toys is also ideal for after-work drinks. Marvel figurines and toys; sounds like a fab idea.

They have an awesome variety of beverages. Regardless of whether it is beer, wine, liquor or non-alcoholic drinks you are after, there is bound to be something you fancy sipping.

Ladies, do give their house-made 72o Classic Champagne (S$12 nett) a shot! This refreshing bubbly is available exclusively on Ladies Night aka Wednesdays at one-for-one. Weekend warriors should try their Watermelon Soju (S$28 nett), which is essentially an entire carved watermelon filled with soju. Note that this fruity potent drink is only available on Saturdays.

And by the way, their prices are one of the most competitive in the Holland Village dining district! Now you know where to head to next for drinks and food when you are in the vicinity. We know for sure that we will be heading back for Butter Chicken and drinks!

And Tony Stark.

Remember to quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 1-for-1 promotion on all main courses (during Sundays to Thursdays lunch and dinner) from now until 28 Feb 2016.

P.s. 72o Bistro & The Toys’ venue is also available for private events.

72o Bistro & The Toys
19 Lorong Liput
Singapore 277732
Tel: +65 6463 6028
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post is brought to you by 72o Bistro & The Toys.

Renowned Hong Kong brand Tai Cheong Bakery officially opens a full-fledged Cha Chaan Teng in Holland Village today. Everyone knows Tai Cheong Bakery—after all, it is the mother of all egg tarts!

Unsurprisingly, a long queue is already formed outside the Cantonese restaurant; everyone is eager to try Tai Cheong Bakery’s legendary egg tarts (S$1.90 each).

Signature egg tarts aside, you can now look forward to a one-page menu of authentic cha chaan teng dishes. We are talking about classic Hong Kong delicacies such as Beef Brisket Curry Rice (S$9.90), Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot – S$2, cold – S$2.50) and Bolo Bun (S$2.20).

Holland V dwellers, brace yourselves—your neighbourhood is going to be even more crowded than before!

Tai Cheong Bakery’s glorious egg tarts boast a consistently smooth texture and a glossy sheen. Instead of the ubiquitous flaky short-crust pastry, Tai Cheong Bakery uses a buttery cookie-like crust as the base instead. These crisp shells are currently premade at a factory, before they are baked and filled in-house.

Tai Cheong Bakery has been serving these irresistible delicious egg tarts for more than half a century and they hold a special place in the hearts of Hong Kongers across generations.

Today, there are 14 outlets across the Pearl of Orient and we are so glad to see the reputable brand choosing Singapore as the destination for their overseas outpost.

You can choose to either dine-in or takeout. Don’t worry about wasting your precious time on queuing up—the restaurant has cleverly implemented an SMS system to inform you when your fresh-from-the-oven egg tarts are ready. But here’s a warning: You might have to wait up to an hour to get your hands on one.

Tai Cheong Bakery’s Bo Lo Bao (S$2.20 each) is a must-order too. The freshly baked bun’s crunchy sugary top bears an uncanny resemblance to pineapples—hence deriving its apt name. A slab of butter is sandwiched between the soft and fluffy bread. Perfect for a midday treat!

The main courses are very affordable and range from S$6.50 to S$9.90 for a Scrambled Egg Toast and Beef Brisket Curry Rice respectively.

The former features a moist pillowy white toast topped with a generous amount of scrambled eggs. Mind you, these egg are no ordinary eggs—they are exceptionally creamy and literally melts in your mouth. Do not underestimate this dish, it is actually pretty filling.

On the other hand, the latter is a savoury hearty dish that hit all the right spots. All you need is one mouthful of the aromatic beef brisket and you will be instantly teleported back to Hong Kong. The tasty succulent meat is cooked till tenderness and we devoured it instantaneously.

The restaurant remains true to its roots and its decors are every bit Hong Kong-style. Even the space is exceptionally limited; there are only five tiny booth seats indoors and 24 proper seats outdoors. Upon sitting down in the booth, you will realise how little room there is between the table and the cushioned seat.

Tai Cheong Bakery Singapore
31 Lorong Liput
Singapore 277742
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 8.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Awfully Chocolate has just opened its very first restaurant concept at Holland Village and it showcases a carefully curated menu of both sweets and savouries. It will be a spot to hang out at with your family and friends over hearty savoury dishes and beautifully plated decadent treats that are exclusive to this Awfully Chocolate outlet.

From now till Wednesday, 31 August 2016, our readers are entitled to a free* house dessert with every main purchased. All you have to do is quote ‘ladyironchef’ and flash this article to Awfully Chocolate’s staff upon placing your order.

The menu is deliberately focused and that’s where the magic lies. It is hard to be disappointed at Awfully Chocolate! From Bacon and Cheese Toasties, Baked Sheet Pasta, Vanilla Profiteroles to Dark Chocolate S’more, there are so many reasons to visit the all-new Awfully Chocolate at Holland Village!

We know Awfully Chocolate for their desserts and only desserts. But this will change with the Holland Village outlet. The bistro serves a menu of gourmet delicacies that are very affordable. Believe it or not, every item on the menu is priced under S$20.

The spacious bistro is characterised by high ceilings, minimalistic design and rustic wooden furniture. Open till 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, this Awfully Chocolate branch is ideal for a satisfying meal at literally any time of the day.

A great meal should be started with a bowl of warm soup. At Awfully Chocolate, there are Pumpkin Soup (S$8++), Wild Mushroom Soup (S$8++) and Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup (S$8++). All of us thoroughly enjoyed the comforting Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup; the appetiser is created from scratch, hand blended into a broth and topped with a crispy slice of bacon.

For the salad lovers, this Apple Crumble Salad (S$12++) will redefine salads altogether. It is served like a dessert; so unassuming, and so unlike salads.

Dig through the buttery crumble and you will find generous amounts of sliced caramelised apples within the ceramic dish. No veggie craziness here; just chunks of fruits mixed with nuts and some spinach.

For all vegetarians, you are not forgotten. Awfully Chocolate’s Baked Sheet Pasta (S$15++) is a meat-free lasagna served with ratatouille stew, aromatic truffle-infused creamy Alfredo sauce and cheese. It packs a punch and the fragrance lingers with every mouthful.

What really won the hearts of everyone on the table was the Poached Salmon (S$16++). The seafood dish might look and sound simple, but the juicy salmon fillet has a runny texture; just the way we like it.

Served with a poached runny egg and complemented with garlic aioli, complete with a side of refreshing apple salad and maple dressing, this main is highly recommended!

The Open Face Burger on Rye (S$17++) and The Bacon & Cheese Toasties (S$15++) are for the bigger eaters. The former is an open-face beef patty burger drenched in melted cheese and paired with a salad.

But you know what we really love? The Toasties – which was everyone’s favourite. It is essentially a sandwich that features fluffy toast and cheesy stuffing. And while you think it sounds like an ordinary sandwich, wait till you hear about how it is wrapped in bacon!

Nothing comes close. The explosion of flavours left us in awe, and in one bite, you will experience a multitude of goodness – from the stringy cheese to the salty bacon to the fresh pickles.

The Grilled Chicken ($17++) is our idea of comfort food. A succulent chicken leg cooked to tenderness, perched atop a bed of grilled potato slices and fragrant viscous gravy. This is for all who appreciate the beauty in simple, rustic flavours.

In conjunction with Awfully Chocolate’s inaugural full-fledge dining concept opening, the establishment has introduced plated desserts that are completely exclusive to Holland Village’s outlet. For something familiar, order the Waffles (S$10++) served with luscious maple, premium vanilla ice-cream, whipped cream and dusted with icing sugar.

There’s also the Vanilla Profiteroles (S$12++), which is quite a show in its own rights. The dessert comprises three light choux pastries stuffed with chilled creamy vanilla custard served on a metal steel tray, with a chocolate sheet placed above them. Watch the chocolate sheet disintegrate dramatically and melt into the profiteroles as warm chocolate sauce is poured over it.

Are you ready for a life-changing experience? The divine Dark Chocolate S’more (S$12++) is a must-order. The sugary treat is no ordinary S’mores. It is made up of Awfully Chocolate’s signature Hei ice cream covered in homemade artisanal marshmallow.

The entire cube is then torched before your eyes. Dig into it and the marshmallow sinks into a gooey goodness, while the dark chocolate ice cream remains frozen. It was the best rendition we’ve tried in Singapore, and we love how the S’more boasts a variety of contrasting textures that complement each other wonderfully. We will return to Awfully Chocolate just for this.

From alcoholic Dark Chocolate Martini (S$15++) to hot caffeinated Premium Single Espresso Coffee (S$4.50++), Awfully Chocolate’s all-inclusive beverage menu features 47 different drinks. Looking for a watering hole after work? You can consider Awfully Chocolate’s one-for-one bottled beer promotion after 6pm.

Of course, loyal Awfully Chocolate fans can too find their bestselling White Chocolate Crème Brûlée (S$7++), All Chocolate Whole Cakes (from S$34++) and Hei Ice-Cream (from S$4.90++ per scoop) here.

Customers will also be entitled to a complimentary ice Cool Drink with every plated dessert ordered. This offer is valid till 31 August 2016. Select your drink from either a Katong Jelly, Ice Lemon Tea, Lychee Ice Tea, Honey Lime Green Tea, Lemon Soda or Lemonade.

Meanwhile, for our readers, you get to enjoy a complimentary house dessert with every order of a main course. Just quote “ladyironchef” or flash this advertorial upon ordering your main course to redeem the dessert of the day.

Awfully Chocolate
40 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277695
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 10am – 1am
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post is brought to you by Awfully Chocolate.

Pâtissez, the original creator of the world famous freakshakes (over-the-top milkshakes), opens its first Singapore store in the new Raffles Holland Village.

Originally located in Australia’s capital – Canberra – Pâtissez became famous and stopped the world in their tracks in 2015 with its iconic Freakshakes – massive milkshakes piled high with brownies, cookies, pretzels and even slabs of cake.

And now, Pâtissez is ready to introduce its signature Freakshakes to Singapore.

Since Pâtissez pioneered the milkshake trend, we have seen many cafes in Singapore – including Cake Spade, Benjamin Brown and Hotel Jen Tanglin’s Kitchen On-The-Go – coming up with their own versions of over-the-top milkshakes.

Would it spark a revival of the crazy milkshake trend in Singapore since it has been a while since the world got crazy over it?

The Pretzella Freakshake (S$16) - Nutella shake, vanilla mousse, salty pretzels, pretzel dust – is a must-try for nutella lovers.

You can also expect savoury food such as Hot Cakes (S$15) and Burgers (S$25)

Riding on the success of its Freakshakes, Pâtissez opened a second Canberra store in the center of the capital. And since then, it has gone from strength to strength with the opening of its first international outpost in Kuala Lumpur last month, and now Singapore.

From what we understand, Pâtissez is in the midst of opening more stores in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok.

Pâtissez Singapore
118 Holland Avenue
#01-06
Singapore 278997
Tel:+65 6262 3616
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland

The Queen’s Cats is aptly named after the British’s favourite pastime – afternoon tea. The European-inspired cafe at Holland Village serves a delectable array of premium cakes, pastries, scones, teas and of the like. While prices here are admittedly steep by cafess standards, what customers get in return is a satisfying afternoon tea fix at any time of the day.

Set foot into the attractive cafe and be greeted by plush cushion seats and sparkly chandeliers. Beautiful artworks from Singapore Arts Gallery are hung on the tiffany blue walls and some of these masterpieces are available for purchase.

For obvious reasons, the cafe’s clientele consists of mainly ladies, but who said afternoon tea is only reserved for the females? Guys, come on in!

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The Strawberry Shortcake (S$9++) is a must-order; the soft pillowy sponge cake is alternated with luscious layers of fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Moist and light, the dessert is not overwhelmingly sweet.

The Chocolate Passion Fruit Dome (S$9++) and Sultana Scones (S$5++ for two pieces) are equally impressive too.

A Classic Afternoon Tea Set (S$39++ for one to two guests, S$59++ for three to four guests) comprises three types of finger sandwiches, freshly baked traditional English sultana scones served with homemade seasonal fruit jams, lemon curd and Devonshire clotted cream, seasonal fruit tarts, Victoria sponge cake, ultimate walnut brownie and chocolate biscuits.

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For something more substantial, opt for the Royal Afternoon Tea Set (S$49++ for one to two guests, S$69++ for three to four guests).

It consists of five different finger sandwiches, artisanal lemon blueberry scones, classic English sultana scones, handcrafted French macaroons and an enticing selection of scrumptious pastries.

The Queens’ Cats
8 Lor Mambong
Singapore 277674
Tel: +65 6463 3945
Sun to Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

PARK at Holland Village is definitely one of the nicest cafes in the enclave. This unique environmentally friendly cafe-cum-bar has been interestingly constructed with reassembled containers and solar panels – a tranquil cafe by day, and a bustling waterhole at night.

PARK at Holland Village’s comprehensive food and beverage menu has propelled the bistro as an ideal hangout destination throughout the day. The inviting dining establishment has recently launched several new mouthwatering dishes and we are here to share with you our favourite highlights.

Also, just for our readers, there is a one-for-one main course promotion that is available throughout the day! Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your payment, and you are entitled to enjoy one-for-one promotion on selected main courses on weekdays.

This 1-for-1 promotion is valid only on weekdays, from now till 14 Jul 2016.

Tuesdays: 1 for 1 Park Burger
Wednesdays: 1 for 1 Salted Egg Yolk Pork Ribs
Thursdays: 1 for 1 Salmon Papillote

#1 PARK BLUE CHEESE BURGER

PARK’s Blue Cheese Burger (S$21.50++) is unsurprisingly one of the restaurant’s bestsellers and what a burger lover must definitely order.

Juicy medium-doneness beef patty with avocado slices, blue cheese sauce, crispy bacon, fried egg and sautéed mushrooms are sandwiched between two fluffy sesame buns – it is so much flavours in one bite. The awesome burger is served with a mixed salad and fries or mashed.

#2 CHILLI CRAB SLIDERS

Too full to devour an entire burger? Go for the all-new Chilli Crab Sliders (S$14.50++) instead. It is heartwarming to see how our beloved national dish has been successfully incorporated into these tasty handheld sliders!

These seared crab cakes with sweet chilli sauce are stuffed in steam buns and finished off with cherry tomato halves.

#3 TRUFFLE FRIES

Of course, you have to complement your mains with PARK’s divine Truffle Fries (S$11++). Served in a tin bucket, these piping hot aromatic fries have been cooked with white truffle oil and loaded with generous amounts of parmesan cheese.

One of the better renditions in town, and with standards like this one here, truffle fries will stay classic and irresistible.

#4 SPAM CHIPS

No expense has been spared during the deep-frying process to achieve an extremely crisp texture for these thinly sliced Spam Chips (S$8.50++).

#5 SALTED EGG RIBS

PARK at Holland Village is jumping on the bandwagon with the obsession of salted egg – but we are totally digging their rendition of Salted Egg Ribs (S$29.50++)!

Think zi chart-style succulent pork ribs marinated in handcrafted addictive salted egg yolk sauce, but in generous portions of huge ribs and a cosy environment with beer. You bet we were sold!

#6 SALMON PAPILOTTE

This Salmon Papillote (S$17.80++) looked unassuming, but it turned out to be one of the best dishes we had! Wrapped in parchment paper with a complex butter-based sauce and pepper barigoulle, the beautiful fish is baked to perfection and lightly flavoured with the veggies and sauce. Honestly, this was so good that we would totally return to PARK just for it!

#7 TRUFFLED MAC & CHEESE

All hail PARK’s Truffled Mac & Cheese (S$13.50++)! This ultimate crowdpleaser – baked with sliced turkey ham and cream truffle – is listed in our list of Best Mac & Cheese in Singapore, and it has been a constant favourite among PARK’s regulars!

Prepared with four different cheeses, the outermost layer is wonderfully crisp and the insides remain consistently gooey with an addictive saltiness that is derived from the cheeses.

#8 TOFU PANCAKE WITH MIXED BERRIES

It seems like pancakes will never go out of style and PARK has revamped the classic homely dish into an Instagram-worthy brunch must-order.

The Tofu Pancake* (S$12.80++) is basically a soy-based fluffy pancake topped with mixed berry compote, mandarin oranges and sour cream – all prettily plated and ready to smile for your cameras. And once the photoshoot is done, tuck in to subtle sweetness that is well complemented with the tartness from the fruits.

#9 PULLED PORK TACOS

The Pulled Pork Tacos (S$14.50++) features four corn tortillas filled with barbecue sauce, toothsome slow-cooked pork shoulder, shredded parmesan and mixed vegetables. Not for the faint-hearted, because the pulled pork shoulder is so flavourful with a hint of smokiness from the sauce; but that’s precisely why we enjoyed ours.

#10 BAILEYS TIRAMISU

Last but not least, PARK’s traditional Baileys Tiramisu (S$8.90++) is a homemade goodness with a twist to the usual coffee-flavoured Italian dessert. Alternating layers of mascarpone cheese whipped cream and delicate sponge layers, jazzed up with prized Baileys. How to not love this creamy goodness? No, the Baileys did not overpower, neither is the dessert cloyingly sweet.

*Note that these brunch items are only available until 5pm.

From now till 14 Jul 2016, enjoy one-for-one main courses when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making payment!

Tuesdays: 1 for 1 Park Burger
Wednesdays: 1 for 1 Salted Egg Yolk Pork Ribs
Thursdays: 1 for 1 Salmon Papillote

PARK at Holland Village
281 Holland Ave #01-01
Singapore 278621
Reservations: info@parkgroup.com.sg / +65 9721 3815
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post was brought to you by PARK at Holland Village.

Having been in the scene for almost 6 years now, Everything with Fries is a familiar name to most. A bistro concept by the folks behind renowned local chocolate brand Awfully Chocolate, you can be absolutely sure that the folks put in the same amount of dedication and precision in their food here.

Do not be confused with their (even more) casual concept at Orchard Central (OC). EwF is presented in more of a grab-and-go fast food style, whereas Everything with Fries at Holland Village is more of a sit-down, table-service style and a tad more refined.

Of soups, salads and desserts, here is what we loved about Everything with Fries at Holland Village.

Exclusive to Ladyironchef readers: flash this post or quote ‘Ladyironchef’ to receive a complimentary cup of Nutella Shake (worth S$8), limited to one free cup per receipt (valid till 31 December 2015).

SIGNATURE FLAVOURED FRIES

The name of the restaurant literally beckons – you can never miss out on this. Even after six years, the fries are still as good, if not better than when we had them way back then. If you think truffle fries are boring and overrated, you need not settle, because there is something even better here – Curry Fries (S$8).

Yes, this humongous sharing plate is for just S$8 and we honestly cannot get sick of it. Our favourite flavour yet!

ONE-OF-A-KIND SALADS THAT ARE ACTUALLY DELICIOUS

Some times, salads are just thrown in to the menus for the sake of it and from experience, we know that not all restaurants put in thoughts into their salads as they would with mains as desserts. And you will not have this problem here at Everything with Fries.

If salad is the only thing you are feeling that day, know that Everything with Fries has two amazing options for you – Chunky Peanut Butter Slaw (S$10) and Battered Tofu Salad (S$10). Don’t be intimidated by the former. We, too, were a little nervous when we first had it, but the flavours and textures somehow worked and reminded us of rojak.

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP RE-INVENTED

Regulars of Everything with Fries and EwF would be familiar with their classic One Egg Soup (S$8). How about a change now? We suggest you try the Chicken Noodle Soup (S$8) and we can bet it is nothing like you’ve ever had before.

Shredded chicken wrapped up in thin layers of pasta, simmered in a very rich chicken broth. Have it warm and it will remind you of home.

GREAT SHAKES

What’s a hearty meal without milkshakes, right? Choose from flavours such as Mega Milo Dino, Horlicks & Maltesers, Nutella and even Butterscotch (S$8 each). Everything with Fries does awesome milkshakes that are so thick and substantial, so we’d suggest these for sharing.

HEARTY MAINS OF BURGERS, SANDWICHES & MORE – ALL WITH FRIES

Now, it is time for the good stuff – the mains! We are probably the biggest fans of The HJK (S$17) or Har Jeong Kai burger. It is basically a prawn-paste marinated chicken leg, deep-fried and sandwiched between perfectly toasted buns. No, really. You are missing out in life if you haven’t tried this.

The Great Burger (S$16) is for all you beef lovers, and it is guaranteed to make your tummies oh-so-satisfied! A huge 180g beef patty is paired up with red cheddar roux, cherry tomatoes and crispy bacon.

We have this usual problem with overly-cooked beef patties in burgers, but thankfully, the standard at Everything with Fries is consistent and we are often pleased with the patty’s juiciness.

We always love the flavours of tandoori chicken and Everything with Fries does a great Tandoori Chicken Sandwich (S$15). Look forward to a well-marinated chicken leg, and the accompanying side of smokey sea salt fries sure completes this dish.

On days when something simple does the trick, go for the Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich. We call it Ham & Cheese XXL, because this big serving is sure to fill you up.

MORE THAN JUST BURGERS AND FRIES

Here’s where the Japanese flavours come in. The Miso Baked King Salmon (S$23) is one of our favourite dishes at Everything with Fries. The miso crust on the salmon adds a beautiful saltiness that cuts through any fishiness that you might be afraid of, and when paired up with very apt wasabi fries, it left us craving for more.

Don’t write the classics off just yet. The Battered Fish (S$18) is a pretty darn good. With a crisp exterior and a glistening centre, the dish is served with a side of very addictive sea salt & malt vinegar fries. Deep fried everything always works for us.

NEWLY-LAUNCHED ‘ICE CREAM ACCIDENT’ DESSERT & MORE

Our jaw dropped when this crazy dish reached our table and we could not wait to tuck into it. The ‘Ice Cream Accident’ (S$8.90) will be launched on 01 December 2015. Dark chocolate ice cream (a slightly lighter version of everyone’s favourite Hei ice cream from Awfully Chocolate) is topped on a bed of vanilla bean cream, covered in chocolate soil.

We all loved the variety of textures and flavours of this dessert. Heck, it might just be the best accident ever!

We know you have seen the Gula Melaka Doughnuts from its sister restaurant, Sinpopo Brand but this is just a slightly different version. Here at Everything with Fries, the doughnuts are coated with butterscotch instead, and served with a side of affogato.

And because we have a penchant for citrusy desserts, the Lemon Yogurt Cake (S$9) was a delight.

During Everything with Fries’ Happy Hour (after 9pm), you can get Asahi, Heineken, Hoegaarden, and Corona at S$10 for 2, as well as Erdinger Dark/Light at S$18 for 2.

But you know what is even better? You can enjoy this Happy Hour promotion at any time of the day with the order of a main dish!

Everything with Fries
Holland Village
40, Lorong Mambong
Singapore 227695
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post is brought to you by Everything with Fries.

Chip Bee Gardens is located directly across Holland Village and is home to a stretch of gourmet cafes and restaurants. Although it is conveniently situated across Holland Village MRT Train Station, the vicinity is relatively under the radar when compared to the ever bustling Holland Village.

Long-standing gourmet restaurants Mai Thai and Original Sins have been established at Chip Bee Gardens since years ago, but the recent year saw newcomers Sunday Folks and Monocle attracting hoards of hipsters entering the once-quiet neighbourhood. Chip Bee Gardens is now an attractive dining destination for epicureans; from Madrinaa Italiano restaurant to ice cream parlour The Daily Scoop, there is definitely something that will catch your fancy.

Here is our guide to 9 cafes and restaurants in Chip Bee Gardens that you should check out.

#1 BAKER & COOK

Artisan bakery Baker & Cook is founded by reputable baker Dean Brettschneider who has over two decades of culinary experiences and 12 published baking books. From cakes, chutneys, jams to hearty meals, Baker & Cook is your one-stop destination for breakfast supplies. There is also a comprehensive list of fine wines to choose from.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-56, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6472 0998
Mon to Thu: 7.30am – 8pm
Fri to Sat: 7.30am – 10pm
Sun: 7.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#2 DA PAOLO GASTRONOMIA

Italian bistro Da Paolo is catered for busy working executives with a refined palate but has little time to spare. Enjoy the mouthwatering selection of gourmet Italian fare at the trattoria itself or opt for take-out. Pastas, pastries, pizzas, salads and sandwiches are all freshly prepared by professionals and dessert lovers should not miss out on their signature tiramisu.

43 Jln Merah Saga
#01-74, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 132
Daily: 8.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 MAI THAI RESTAURANT

If you find yourself craving for scrumptious Thai cuisine, Mai Thai Restaurant is the perfect place to go to. You will be spoilt for choice with their exhaustive selection of Thai salads, soups, seafood, poultry, rice, noodles and desserts. Good news to those who are on a meat-free diet – a recent vegetarian menu has also been launched, with single servings starting from S$8.50++.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-58, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6474 3100
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#4 MADRINAA ITALIANO

Madrinna Italiano may be a newcomer on the block, but the brand itself is far from new. The restaurant has moved from Queens Road and has overtaken its previous tenant, Michaelangelo’s. Their handmade thin-crust pizzas are a hit and starts from wallet-friendly prices of S$24++.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-60, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 6474 7342
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#5 MONOCLE

Monocle is an extended venture of the popular cultured magazine Monocle and the shop opened its doors just last year. The rustic-looking shop is filled with leather accessories and other high quality handicrafts. Monocle sells only coffee (from S$4) and is a great hangout place for hipsters who dig minimalist decors. There truly is no other better way to pick up the latest publication of Monocle than from Monocle itself!

74 Jalan Kelabu Asap
Singapore 278267
Tel: +65 6475 1791
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#6 ORIGINAL SIN

Original Sin restaurant has been serving comforting vegetarian mediterranean gourmet since 1997. Order the value-for-money set lunch which comes with an appetising soup/salad, delectable main (choose from grilled eggplant wrap, veggie burger or tomato spaghetti) and a warm chocolate cake at just S$28++.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-62, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 5605
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#7 SUNDAY FOLKS

Local specialty dessert cafe Sunday Folks is famous for their iconic squarish Belgian waffles (single slice – S$8.80, double slices – S$11.80) topped with generous portion of ice-cream (S$7.20 per cup / S$7.20 per cone). There are only six ice cream flavours are available on the menu, but they should suffice to please.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-52, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#8 THE BUTCHER

The Butcher is a certified meat shop selling the finest beef, lamb and pork that are directly imported from Australia. You can also purchase hormone-free fresh chicken and their handmade gourmet sausages. If you are planning to throw a barbecue party, do drop by The Butcher for the convenient and ready-to-cook chops, mince and steaks.

44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-50, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278116
Tel: +65 64720073
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 7pm
Sat to Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#9 THE DAILY SCOOP

The Daily Scoop is an ice cream parlour selling an extensive variety of ice cream flavours. Each batch of ice cream is churned and made daily in-house with local fresh ingredients – hence guaranteeing superior quality that is unlike other mass produced desserts. From the exotic Mao Shan Wang durian to Nutty Macadamia, The Daily Scoop rotates their flavours on a weekly basis so that customers will never get bored.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-78, Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 3128
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

For more recommendations, read our Holland Village Food Guide – 28 Restaurants, Cafes And Bars You Must Dine At.

Local cafe famed for their specialty desserts – Sunday Folks – opened its doors about a year ago at Chip Bee Gardens and took our nation by storm with its irresistibly delicious sweets.

Café hoppers and foodies alike flocked to the spacious café to sample Sunday Folks’ delectable offerings of freshly baked Belgian waffles and mouthwatering ice cream. The one-year-old café’s menu is fairly limited – there are only six ice cream flavours – yet sees no lack of customers till date.

The sweet treats at Sunday Folks do not just look good – they taste good too. The folks at Sunday Folks aim to present their desserts in the freshest form, and this vision had soon became their winning recipe.

Indeed, waffles will only be baked after your order is taken and the same applies to the preparation of the freshly churned ice cream. As a result, a minimum waiting time of 15 minutes is required and subjected to increase when volume of orders is high.

There are only six ice cream flavours to choose from – Dark Chocolate, Earl Grey Lavender, Roasted Pistachio, Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Summer Strawberries – and each portion comes with preselected toppings. Have your tasty ice cream concoction in a cup (S$7.20) or handmade cone (S$7.20).

You can also have your ice cream on a waffle slice (S$8.80) or two slices (S$11.80) – they will be paired with blueberries, sliced strawberries, maple syrup and chocolate hazelnut sauce.

Sunday Folks
44 Jalan Merah Saga
Chip Bee Gardens #01-52
Singapore 278116
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best waffles in Singapore.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Besides being a hotspot for people to drink and unwind after work with many 1-for-1 beer promotions, Holland Village houses some of the best eats around. Indulge in rich broths of ramen or treat yourself to authentic Middle Eastern food.

If you have a hankering for sweet and decadent desserts after your meal or for tea, you can find a specialized dessert house right along Lorong Mambong. If you’re in the mood for grilled Korean meats, walk a couple of metres down to a Korean BBQ Restaurant. Enough said, Holland Village has it all.

If you’re unfamiliar with one of Singapore’s top food spots, here is our Guide to Holland Village’s Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes.

#1 BADEN RESTAURANT & PUB

Satisfy your cravings for German food at Baden while swigging a pint of your favourite beer. The pub offers the ever-popular curry-wurst and pork knuckle as mains.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

42 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 8127
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 2pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#2 BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP

Multi-concept restaurants are a great way of enjoying your meal if you’re having a hard time deciding what specific cuisine type to go for. Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village has added Japanese Izakaya to their standard list of Thai, Western and North Indian cuisine to give you yet another reason to dine there.

Read more about our favourite dishes at Bar Bar Black Sheep here.

17D Lor Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2161
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#3 BAROSSA

Pastas and beer are the most popular items at Barossa. We recommend the alfresco seating from evening onwards – it gives you the best atmosphere as the restaurant is located right in the heart of Holland Village.

22 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 4688
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 2am
Sat : 12pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#4 BREKO CAFE

Breko Café sports a nice ambience to hang out with friends with a relatively open concept, allowing ample natural lighting that makes great photo opportunities. The café’s menu ranges from breakfast items to bar bites to full-on dinner mains. Breko also serves alcoholic beverages at night.

38 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 4424
Mon to Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri: 9am – 2am
Sat: 8am – 2am
Sun 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#5 CRUST GOURMET PIZZA BAR

If you’re a fan of thin and crispy crust, the pizzas at Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar will be your next favourite staple. Expect exciting and unique flavours such as the Asian-inspired Five Spice Pork Belly pizza.

34B Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6467 2224
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#6 CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO

Free-flow Xiao Long Bao? Yes, please! Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao offers a Xiao Long Bao Buffet that includes traditional steamboat where you can have free-flow ingredients and even side dishes such as deep-fried mantous.

241/241A Holland Avenue
Tel: +65 6463 0968
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 11.40pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#7 D’GOOD CAFE

Occupying the second storey and an adjoining rooftop of a small shop house corner in Holland Village is d’Good Café, a popular choice for students and café-hoppers alike. The café offers classic brunch fare such as Eggs Benedict and heartier mains like the Portobella Pasta.

273 Holland Ave
#02-01/02
Tel: +65 6219 9807
Mon to Thu, Sun: 10am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#8 EL PATIO

Authentic Mexican food is hard to come by in Singapore. Thankfully, El Patio in Holland Village serves classic Mexican fare at reasonable prices. Come here for classic Mexican dishes such as Lamb Tacos and Enchiladas.

34 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 1520
Mon: 1pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#9 EVERYTHING WITH FRIES

Everything here does come with fries. Thankfully, Everything With Fries gives customers a choice between different cuts and flavours of fries to have with their mains. Be sure to try their highly-raved about desserts too.

40 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#10 FATBOY’S THE BURGER BAR

Fatboy’s latest local venture is located right at Holland Village with a spacious and fun dining area. The biggest perk of dining here is, without a doubt, being able to customize your own perfect burger with their wide array of ingredients.

29 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2312
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#11 FOSTERS STEAKHOUSE

This English Steakhouse will make you feel right at home with their cozy interior, sporting clean wooden furniture and warm lighting. Enjoy delicious grilled meats here ranging from the classic beef steak to lamb and chicken.

277 Holland Ave
Tel: +65 6466 8939
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 3pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#12 GAIA KOREAN GRILL + BAR

Gaia Korean Grill + Bar is among the closest you can get to authentic Korean restaurant food here in Singapore. They serve a good range of Korean dishes such as Ginseng Chicken Soup and Rice Cakes. However, the star of their menu will still have to be their grilled BBQ meats.

17E Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6339 3313
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Sat to Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#13 HANSANG IZAKAYA & CHARCOAL BARBECUE

Japanese and Korean food are both popular cuisines amongst Singaporeans and if you ever find yourself caught in a decision between these two, head down to Hansang Izakaya & Charcoal Barbecue where you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

20 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6464 5238
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#14 INDOCHINE

Located in the farthest corner of Lorong Mambong, Indochine offers delicious Cambodian food with daily drink promotions, from martinis to bottled beers.

44 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: 6468 5798
Mon to Thu: 3pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#15 KINARA

Kinara is one of Holland Village’s best-kept secrets. Little do people know that this humble North Indian restaurant serves up one of the most authentic fares around, using a medley of flavours and spices in their dishes.

24 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: 6467 4101
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#16 363 KATONG LAKSA

If you’re a fan of thick laksa gravy with concentrated flavours, look no farther than 363 Katong Laksa. Besides being one of the most inexpensive restaurants to dine at on this list, they serve a generous bowl that is enough to fill you up.

29 Lor Liput
#01-02, Holland Village
Tel: +65 6464 9303
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#17 MU PARLOUR

If you are a fan of sweet treats, you must have heard of Mu Parlour in Holland Village. Dig into their decadent and individually portioned desserts such as Lychee Mousse Cake or Red Velvet Cake.

16A Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6466 9336
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#18 NAKHON KITCHEN

What started off as a humble Thai eatery in Kovan has lead to Nakhon opening their fourth and latest outlet in Holland Village. Affordable and seriously good, Nakhon’s Thai owners make sure the food here is as authentic as it can get.

27A Lor Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6469 6862
Daily (except Wed): 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#19 PARK HOLLAND VILLAGE

PARK at Holland Village is definitely the nicest cafe in the enclave. This unique environmentally friendly cafe-cum-bar has been interestingly constructed with reassembled containers and solar panels – a tranquil cafe by day, and a bustling waterhole at night.

281 Holland Ave #01-01
Singapore 278621
Reservations: info@parkgroup.com.sg / +65 9721 3815
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 11am – 12am
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#20 PHO HOA

Nothing beats a refreshing bowl of Beef Pho. At Pho Hoa, their Pho bowls are tasty with generous slices of beef or chicken, depending on your preference.

18 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6467 3662
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#21 PROJECT ACAI

Project Acai is Singapore’s first Acai Superfood Café and the success of their Holland Village outlet has led them to open their second store recently at Ngee Ann City. These Acai bowls contain the very coveted acai berries that are packed to the brim with antioxidants, fibre and other nutritional benefits – and they taste good too!

27 Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#22 SANPOUTEI RAMEN

If you are a big fan of Japanese ramen, Sanpoutei Ramen at Holland Village should be on the top of your must-try list. We highly recommend their rich and flavourful bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, featuring thick slices of aburi char siew and a perfectly cooked onsen egg.

253 Holland Avenue
#01-01
Tel: +65 6463 7277
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#23 TANGO’S

Serving 1-for-1 beers all the way until 9pm daily, Tango’s regularly sees a steady stream of customers. Pair up their draft beers with some piping hot bar bites and you’re set for the night.

35 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 7364
Mon to Thu, Sun: 3pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#24 THAIEXPRESS

ThaiExpress is Singapore’s largest Thai food chain and serves up wallet-friendly food that keep customers coming back for more. A popular dish here is the deep-fried soft shell crab that comes in either a-la-carte or in a set with rice.

16 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6466 6766
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#25 THE PIT RESTAURANT & BAR

As Holland Village’s first Archipelago microbrewery, The Pit Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to kick back after a long day of work with unique and handcrafted beers. The restaurant also serves up a good range of mains such as Buffalo Wings, which makes a perfect bar snack.

21 Lor Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6468 3468
Mon to Fri: 3pm – 1am
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#26 T TIME BY 93 DEGREES CAFE

As its name suggests, T Time offers a wide range of teas from around the world, together with a selection of other caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks. Also, you can enjoy delicious desserts here such as rainbow cake and waffles that are priced reasonably.

8 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6762 4173
Mon to Thu, Sun: 10am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#27 WALA WALA CAFE

Wala Wala is always packed with people especially on weekends as they flock there for delicious bar bites and surprisingly good mains. Relax after a long week with a pint of beer and a serving of their popular Walapenos (cheese-stuffed fried jalapenos).

31 Lor Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6462 4288
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri: 4pm – 2am
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

For more recommendations, read our Chip Bee Gardens Food Guide featuring 9 cafes and restaurants you must check out.

Established since 2007, Bar Bar Black Sheep (BBBS) is our favourite bistro-with-a-coffee-shop-setting when we need an affordable yet hearty meal. For the uninitiated, it has a coffee shop setting because there are multiple kitchens whipping up cuisines of different sorts. But the convenience is having a combined menu and single payment.

The new branch at Holland Village – its 5th outlet – might just become our favourite one yet, because it is with a Japanese twist and is more like an izakaya; think a line-up of Japanese fare and a wide selection of sake and beers. That’s comfort level 100% – for both our tastebuds and wallet.

Staying true to Bar Bar Black Sheep’s philosophy of serving affordable comfort food in a casual and chill-out setting, every dish on the Japanese izakaya menu is well priced under S$15. It is fuss-free, and the prices are unbelievably affordable, you’d do a double take and wonder if you were really at a bistro or a coffee shop!

And, guess what? Set lunches are only S$10 nett! Every reason to make a trip down to Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village. If you need some recommendations on what to order, we will share them with you in just a bit!

So, let’s recap how Bar Bar Black Sheep’s concept works – you pick whatever you want from the extensive menu, both drinks and food, and the various kitchens will prep your orders, and you pay for them in a single bill upon leaving. Even if you go with a bunch of friends who all have a taste for different cuisines, orders can be placed together and payment can be made together too.

The usual Bar Bar Black Sheep has Northern Indian, Thai and Western kitchens. But at the all-new Holland Village outlet, expect a large Japanese menu of comfort snacks and main courses. That is on top of its Northern Indian Cuisine and Western cuisine, of course. You will be spoilt with drinks choices too, but that is for later part of our story.

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP JAPANESE IZAKAYA

Let us first share with you some of our favourites from the new Japanese menu. First up is the Teriyaki Chicken (S$7.90) – a unanimous decision among us for its succulent chicken thigh with sweet teriyaki sauce. Nothing fanciful about this dish. In fact, it is not even photogenic! But we assure you it is one item you must try.

There are other teriyaki items that are splendid for sharing too, and if you love scallops as much as we do, go for the Scallop Teriyaki (S$10.90) – plump, juicy treasure of the sea, stir-fried with signature teriyaki sauce, onions and shiitake mushrooms.

Then, there is the donburi section. A good donburi is one that is filling and comforting. No frills too; just a simple bowl of rice and your preferred meat. Among the many options, we liked the Unagi Don. At only S$13.90, it is unbelievably affordable and you get a decent serving of grilled eel atop premium Japanese rice and pickles. We often gripe about the lack of affordable unajyu in Singapore, but Bar Bar, thank you for hearing our cries! We will be back for this!

Other dons that are worth ordering are Ribeye Beef Don (S$12.90), Omurice (S$10.90) and Curry Katsu Don (S$11.90). Aren’t they all so astoundingly affordable?

Over on the yakitori column, we got so excited because, what is there to not love about Japanese skewers? They make great beer snacks, too. Of all the sticks, we loved the Mentai Scallop (S$6.90) best. Other classic skewers include the Pork Belly + Leek (S$4.90), Shiitake Mushrooms (S$4.90) and Ishiyaki Beef (S$7.90). All prices stated are for a serving of two sticks.

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP INDIAN & EUROPEAN KITCHENS

As mentioned, Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village also has the usual European and Northern Indian kitchens. Oh, how can we miss the Butter Chicken (S$12)? A stellar signature all these years, a serving of Butter Chicken is marvelous with naans of your choice – prices range from S$2.40 to S$6. But of course, we’d grab beer with our chicken too. Now, we just need Real Madrid to score that goal and our nights would be perfect.

Or would you prefer to spend your night with burgers? Hanging out with the bros mean you need badass burgers and beers, and sure, Bar Bar Black Sheep has a list of gourmet burgers. The bestseller is the Sautéed Mushroom + Bacon Cheeseburger that is served with a sunny side-up egg and fries and coleslaw. At S$16.90, this is bang for your buck.

Other Western dishes that are exclusive to the Holland Village outlet are the Seafood Pizza (S$12.90), Crispy Duck Confit (S$24.90), Scandi Salmon (S$19.90) and Squid Ink Pasta with Tiger Prawns (S$14.90).

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP S$10 (NETT) WEEKDAY SET LUNCH

If you pop by Bar Bar Black Sheep at Holland Village during lunch hours, you will be in for great deals. At S$10nett, the lunch sets are absolute value for money. Unpretentious food with a delighting price tag; this is life’s simple pleasure.

All three kitchens have something to offer for lunch, and the options include Enchiladas, Aglio Olio, Tuna Melt Sandwich, Curry Chicken Don, Grilled Yakitori Don with three skewers, Pork Katsu Soba. There is also a vegetarian set – the Vegetarian Rice with Paneer Aloo Gobi.

BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP DRINKS PROMOTION + LIVE BAND

All you beer drinkers, listen up. The Bar Bar Black Sheep outlet at Holland Village offers Asahi Dry and Asahi Black beers on tap. More booze options include a selection of Japanese single malt whiskies, sakes and shochus.

The happiest hours are on Mondays from 5:30pm to 8pm. It is S$5 Beer Night, and it is valid on all draft by glass. Then, there is the S$39 Bucket Specials of any four bottled beers (except HobGoblin, GreenGoblin Cider, Weston Organic and Vintage Ciders). Oh Jesus, as if Monday needs any more validation for drinking!

On Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 8pm, the Japanese night at Bar Bar Black Sheep Holland Village offers 1-for-1 on sparkling sakes, umeshu, and Japanese single malts – prices start from S$10 nett! All promotional prices quoted are nett, so there is no GST and further service charges applied.

Bar Bar Black Sheep Holland Village Outlet’s resident live band, Dynamic Wanderers will also be performing their favourite acoustic hits daily from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm onwards.

Bar Bar Black Sheep
17D Lorong Liput
Holland Village
Tel: +65 6463 2161
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post is brought to you by Bar Bar Black Sheep.

These days, we don’t need to travel out of our neighbourhood to get good food and desserts. Cafes are spouting out everywhere, and we are definitely not complaining. We have cafes at every district in Singapore, and no one gets left out.

The West of Singapore may not be a favourite part if you do not reside there, for it is pretty far out from the main areas and can indeed get a little out of the way. But because we are such fans of artisan places and cosy spaces, we would travel just for a slice of rainbow cake or a good cuppa, yes?

If you are a resident of the West, this post might not be of much surprise to you anymore (or is it?), but if you are from everywhere else, this should spark some venturing out and give you some ideas on where to eat out at next.

We will update our list from time to time, but for a start, here are the best cafes in the West of Singapore to check out:

ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO.

Artisan Boulangerie Co. (ABC) is an artisan bakery and cafe with French influence. It has been expanding rapidly and there are currently seven outlets across the island. Over at The Metropolis branch, the cafe serves an array of bread, pastries, desserts and sandwiches.

#01-12 The Metropolis
9 North Buona Vista Drive
Tel: +65 6334 2320
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

The North of Singapore is still relatively new to the cafe scene. Thankfully, many new cafes have begun to sprout in certain corners of the Northern District. Here are some of our picks on cafes to visit in the North in Singapore.

BAKER & COOK

The brainchild of Baker Dean Brettschneider, Baker & Cook is nestled in the Greenwood Avenue neighbourhood. Beyond its range of freshly baked bread, it also has an assortment of jams, chutneys, cookies and homemade granola.

Baker & Cook also has a second outlet at Chip Bee Gardens, off Holland Village.

77 Hillcrest Road
Tel: +65 6469 8834
Sun to Thu: 7am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

BUCKTILE ST. CAFE

New kid on the block, Bucktile St. Cafe, sits on the ground floor of Faberhills Apartment along Faber Drive. Deriving its name from the anagram of Bucket List, Bucktile St. Cafe serves an assortment of cakes which includes Rainbow Cake (S$7.90), Earl Grey Cake (S$6.90), as well as a Mysterious Velvet Cake which comes in different (and you’d never know what) colours like turquoise, orange, yellow or green.

104 Faber Drive
Tel: +65 6566 7058
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

BUTTER MY BUNS

Opened by the folks behind the successful The Tiramisu Hero, Butter My Buns at National University of Singapore’s University Town (UTown) brings wholesome cafe fare to the West of Singapore.

The prices here are very reasonable to cater to the students and you really get a bang for your buck. We picked out a savoury and a sweet option for variety’s sake.

2 College Avenue West Stephen Riady Centre
#01-07 University Town
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Singapore 138607
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

CARPENTER & COOK

Carpenter and Cook is a vintage home store and artisan bakery café at Lorong Kilat. A must-try is definitely its signature Passionfruit Meringue Tart. Pair it with a pot of fragrant tea and your afternoon is complete.

19 Lorong Kilat
#01-06 Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Tue to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10.00am – 7.00pm
Nearest Station: Clementi/Bukit Batok

CHOUPINETTE

Choupinette is no stranger to the residents in the Bukit Timah neighbourhood. Located next to Coronation Shopping Plaza, Choupinette is known for its array of bread and pastries, as well as one of the best Eggs Benedict in town.

607 Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6466 0613
Tue to Thu: 9am – 8pm
Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 8am – 10pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

DEAN & DELUCA

Dean & Deluca at HillV2 is its third outlet on the island, and it brings the cosmopolitan New York lifestyle to the West of Singapore. Expect its signature dishes like Eggs Iberico and The New Yorker, as well as a selection of freshly baked goods.

#01-01 HillV2
4 Hillview Rise
Tel: +65 6710 7282
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

D’ GOOD CAFE

Cute latte art, inexpensive food and a convenient location, it is no wonder that D’ Good Cafe is a hit among students since opening in the Holland Village neighbourhood.

273 Holland Avenue
#02-01/02
Tel: +65 6219 9807
Sun to Thu: 10am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

DUTCH COLONY COFFEE CO.

A coffee shop that started with a humble beginning at PasarBella, Dutch Colony Coffee Co. now has its own coffee roastery and academy at Defu Lane, as well as a full-fledge cafe at Frankel Avenue.

For those who are interested to learn more about coffee, Dutch Colony Coffee Co. organises coffee related events – from coffee degustation sessions to barista appreciation workshops and latte art workshops – regularly.

PasarBella, The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road Stall 67-68
Tel: +65 6467 0255
Mon to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

JIMMY MONKEY

Jimmy Monkey at One-North Residences sources its coffee beans from independent farms from all over the world. On the food menu, you can find pastries, pastas and main courses. Its brunch menu is only available during the weekend.

9 one-north Gateway
#01-51 one-north residences
Tel: +65 6777 8470
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: one-north

LITTLE DINER

The humble eatery that sits amidst the lush greenery of Bukit Timah, away from the humdrum of city life and stress – cosy and unpretentious. It is a no-frills place; just earnest comfort food in generous portions.

Thick brioche with a crunchy cereal crust, lavishly stuffed with everyone’s favourite hazelnut spread, topped with fried bananas and drenched with chocolate sauce. Now, you’d be pretty darn sure you need this for your weekend.

789 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: +65 6466 4088
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village/Botanic Gardens

LYNN’S CAKES & COFFEE

Sweet treats such as Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake and Rainbow Cake are freshly baked on-site at Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee. Even though Lynn’s Cakes is not halal-certified, it uses only halal products to bake the cakes, which explains its popularity among our muslim friends.

11 Eng Kong Terrace
Tel: +65 6314 2886
Tue to Thu: 11am – 7pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11am – 9pm
Sun & PH: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

PADDY HILLS

Paddy Hills is an Instagrammer’s heaven, good food and a beautiful restaurant interior. From their dinner menu, the Chick N Egg (S$20) is an undisputed star. You might initially complain about the slightly hefty price tag, but once you sink your teeth into the ultimate combination of crisp chicken skin, garlic fried rice and runny egg yolk, you will be running back for more. Every component of this dish is executed professionally and we love how this dish looks on camera, magnificent!

38 South Buona Vista Road
Tel: +65 6479 0800
Daily: 8.30am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Haw Par Villa

PARK HOLLAND VILLAGE

PARK at Holland Village is an unique environmentally friendly cafe-cum-bar that has been interestingly constructed with reassembled containers and solar panels. A tranquil cafe by daytime and a bustling waterhole at night, PARK at Holland Village’s comprehensive food and beverage menus have propelled the bistro as an ideal hangout destination throughout the day.

281 Holland Avenue #01-01
Mon to Fri: 10am – 2am
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 2am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

REVELRY

Tucked away in Lorong Kilat, Revelry is a waffle specialty cafe in the west of Singapore which boasts a lively yet enticing vibe that illuminates the entire street.

If Chicken & Waffles are not up your alley, some other savoury creations to try are Prawn Avocado Tartare (S$17.50), Strawberries & Cheese (S$14) and the adorably named Monkey King (S$14) – which is really a dessert waffle with banana cake chunks, caramelised bananas, toasted walnuts and vanilla ice cream.

21 Lorong Kilat #01-02
Singapore 598123
Tel: +65 9278 0466
Mon, Wed to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Closed: Tue
Nearest Station: Beauty World (Downtown Line)

REVOLUTION COFFEE

For people who work in the Buona Vista area, Revolution Coffee at Portsdown Road is worth checking out for lunch. Look forward to handcrafted speciality coffee, all day breakfast, freshly baked goods and casual cafe food like sandwiches and pastas. Our only gripe is the poor ventilation of the cafe.

21 Media Circle, #01-03A
Off Portsdown Road
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6pm
Tel: +65 6777 2110
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

RIDERS CAFE

One of the most popular brunch spots in Singapore, Riders Cafe at Bukit Timah Saddle Club needs no introduction. It is wonderful place to escape to if you want a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And yes, food is pretty decent too.

51 Fairways Drive
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
Tel: +65 6466 9819
Sun to Thu: 8am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

RISE & GRIND COFFEE CO.

Located just at the first floor of Bukit Timah Plaza, Rise & Grind Coffee Co. occupies a cosy space with a partial alfresco dining area. Opened about three months ago, Rise & Grind Coffee Co. offers a nice and comfortable dining environment together with delicious food and different blends of coffee to choose from.

Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit #L1-CA1
Mon, Wed to Thu, Sun :9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

SIMPLY BREAD

Simply Bread is a clean and minimalistic all-white bakery cafe situated on the second floor of Cluny Court. Offering a wide variety of bread and sandwiches, it is a quiet space to work at or to enjoy some time alone.

501 Bukit Timah Road
#02-07 Cluny Court
Tel: +65 6763 2628
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

SPRUCE AT FIRE STATION

Housed in a former fire station, Spruce boasts an unique and charming location. While Spruce is not exactly a cafe, it is still worth mentioning for the very fact that you get to dine in an old fire station. Highlights of the menu include Spruce Burger (S$18), Spruce Ahi Tuna Tartar (S$22), Dry Rub BBQ Ribs (S$34) and Baked Ginger Date Pudding (S$15).

260 Upper Bukit Timah Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6466 5582
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12.30am
Fri: 11.30am – 1.30am
Sat: 9am – 1.30am
Sun & PH: 9am – 12.30am
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

SUNDAY FOLKS

Following the success of Creamier, Sunday Folks is another desserts venture – a small ice cream and waffles shop in Chip Bee Gardens, just across the road from Holland Village. The iconic square waffles are served with soft serve ice cream (6 flavours to choose from).

44 Jalan Merah Saga
Chip Bee Gardens #01-52
Tel: +65 6479 9166
Tue to Fri: 4pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 10pm

THE MISSING PAN

Nestled in a shophouse along Bukit Timah Road near to Coronation Shopping Plaza, The Missing Pan combines a bakery on the ground floor of the shophouse and brasserie upstairs.

Highlights from the brunch menu include 62 Degree Eggs Benedict (S$22), Croque Monsieur (S$16). Crab Truffle Cream Risotto (S$25) and German Baby Back Ribs (S$36).

619D Bukit Timah Road #01-01/02-01
Tel: +65 6466 4377
Tue to Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

THE TINY ROASTER

The Tiny Roaster reminds us of Omotesando Koffee and Nylon Coffee Roaster – small, humble, and homely. It started with a tiny outlet on the ground level of a HDB in the West Coast neighbourhood, and it has since shifted to a new space in Sunset Way.

106 Clementi Street 12 #01-62
Singapore 120106
Tue to Sat: 12.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

W39 BISTRO

Well-loved for their colourful decor and rainbow cakes, W39 Bistro & Bakery – located on Jalan Mas Puteh off West Coast Road – is one of the most popular cafes in the West. On weekends, they serve a hearty breakfast at very pocket-friendly prices. Egg lovers will go for the Hearty Breakfast (S$13.50) and Eggs Benedict (S$9).

39 Jalan Mas Puteh Off West Coast Road
Tel: +65 9646 5372
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

The East is a lovely enclave of artisan finds, serious brews and comforting brunch food. Here is our Guide to 20 cafes in the East of Singapore:

If you were at the Orchard area last weekend, you would have spotted nydc’s ‘Mini Cafe’ along the streets. To celebrate its new menu launch, the good people from the New York Dessert Cafe set up a ‘Mini Cafe’ where friends, couples and young families can have a little fun, share nydc’s joy while snapping photos and stand a chance to win attractive prizes when they participate in nydc’s Instagram Contest. Check out the photos by searching #iheartnydc on Instagram.

After snapping some photos at the ‘Mini Cafe’, 3 lucky winners joined me at nydc’s Wheelock outlet to sample some of the dishes from its new menu which now offers over 30 dessert items, 20 hot food items, four kids’ meals and 40 beverages. What makes nydc a place to return again and again is surely the variety on its menu. With so many gorgeous desserts and tantalising savoury food to choose from, there is always something for everyone.

Here are some of the highlights of nydc’s new menu.

The Small Plates are a good way to start the meal. You can either have them as snacks (to save room for desserts), or share them as appetisers. All items from this section are priced affordably under S$10.

A must-try is Mushroom Munchies (S$7.80 for 6 pieces). The ingredients – button mushrooms, ham, garlic mayonnaise and mozzarella – are simple, but they come together to make it a very satisfying appetiser. The Lolli Pork Ribs (S$9.80 for 4 pieces) is nydc’s take on pork ribs with chocolate soil. I like the pairing of savoury ribs with a sweet chocolate-y taste.

Dishes from the Big Plates section include salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and pastas. For those who love all-day breakfast, you will be delighted to hear that nydc also serves two breakfast items for the entire day.

The star of the menu and what I would highly recommend is the Piggly Wiggly Burger (S$15.80). The burger is made up of strips of juicy and tender pulled pork coated with a very addictive BBQ sauce.

Another dish which I really enjoyed was the Good Ol’ Fish & Chips (S$15.80). The fish was deep-fried to a beautiful shade of golden brown, and it was done just right – not overly greasy or too oily. This was comfort food at its best.

We also had the Double Beef Booster (S$14.80) which came with a generous serving of pastrami; the Sloppy Joe (S$14.80), a minced beef stew burger done exactly the way a good burger should be – a messy experience with all the ingredients oozing out.

We were stuffed at this point, but there was no way we would skip desserts, especially when there are 30 sweets to choose from. We were really spoiled for choices, and there were so many desserts that we wanted to try. In the end, we went for a combination of nydc’s signature desserts, and some of the new items.

The Goldmine Cheesecake (S$6.80), a classic New York cheesecake with chocolate chunks and chocolate fudge topping, has kept the loyalty of regular diners. The Choco Bull’s Eye (S$6.80) and the Peanut Butter Crunch Time (S$6.80) are also two desserts that you must try at nydc. The former comes with an espresso chocolate ball within the dessert, and you can challenge your friends to see who would hit the “bull’s eye” first, while the latter is a heavenly combination of peanut butter pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A meal at nydc is not complete without having their famous mudpies. Try the much-lauded Jedi Mudster (S$11.80) – a luscious pairing of double chocolate chip and macadamia nut ice cream on an oreo base with chunks of homemade cookies. If you are in a big group, order the 3-Some (S$11.80) to share. It comes with three layers of chocolate chip cookie dough, strawberry and strawberry cheesecake ice cream on graham crackers.

For guys who cannot do without their burgers, go for the dessert rendition – I Scream Burger (S$9.80). Featuring three scoops of chocolate chip, vanilla and strawberry ice cream sandwiched in a brioche bun, this is one attention-grabbing burger that even non-dessert lovers will be pleased.

The High & Mighty (S$8.80), another top-seller at nydc, consists of 24 layers of chocolate fudge and fluffy sponge. Unlike the usual chocolate cakes which are too sweet and dry, nydc’s rendition is moist with just the right touch of sweetness.

nydc started in 1995 with the flagship outlet in Holland village with the goal of providing a place where people would just let their hair down and share their joy and sorrow over good desserts and fun food. Its aim still remains true today. WIth their tagline “Celebrate Life Everyday”, nydc is more than just a dessert cafe that is known for its iconic mudpies and cheesecakes, it is a place where families and friends gather not just to celebrate special occasions, but also to enjoy precious time on normal days, life is indeed worth celebrating over good food at nydc.

Here is a good opportunity to try nydc’s new menu items as they are celebrating Singapore’s 48th birthday at nydc with a special $48 Bundle Deal which consists of 1 dessert, 1 Small Plate, 2 Big Plates and 1 Lemonade pitcher. Cheesecake lovers will be in for a treat too – nydc’s iconic cheesecakes are going for $48 (U.P. $66) this month. Promotion runs 9 to 31 August 2013.)

nydc
30 Lorong Mambong
Tel: +65 6469 2998
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri, Sat & eve of PH: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

#02-19 Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6736 3253
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#02-47/48 Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street
Tel: +65 6333 3161
Sun to Thu & PH: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat & eve of PH: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis