Taking over the space of the now-defunct D’Zerts Cafe is the newest hidden gem in the East of Singapore, The Forage Cafe by Thirteen Honey in Simpung Bedok. Their extensive menu features a plethora of all-day brunch, pasta and mains. What’s great is that they also are trying to incorporate their own farmed honey (from Malaysia) into all their dishes as a sugar replacement!

That’s not all! If you were a fan of D’zerts Cafe’s sweet creations, you’ll be happy to know that D’zerts still supplies bakes and desserts to The Forage Cafe.

First up at the table was their Granchio Pasta (S$20) that is made with linguine pasta and a sauce consisting of shredded crabmeat, white wine, tomato cream and parmesan cheese. Also strewn into the mix were a few leaves of baby spinach.

We were pretty happy with the generous portion of pasta and crab meat, given the rather hefty price point. The pasta was mouthwateringly flavourful – sweetness from the crab meat complemented the slight acidity of the tomato sauce base.

We also tried their Smoked Salmon & Egg Grilled Waffle Sandwich (S$17). Two fluffy waffles are sandwiched together, containing a generous filling of egg, cheese and smoked salmon. On the side were sautéed mushrooms, a salad, fruits and Thirteen Honey’s Multifloral Honey.

The waffle was nicely crisped and had a fluffy yet almost chewy texture. We were also very impressed by the copious amounts of cheese and smoked salmon inside this innovative sandwich. What we enjoyed the most was how well the honey paired with the waffles, giving this savoury dish a hint of complex sweetness.

Of course, we love a sweet ending to our meals, so we chose to try their Kahlua Tiramisu (S$8). Biscuits are directly soaked in the coffee liqueur, so it may be a little strong for those who aren’t used to having alcohol in their desserts.

We loved how light and creamy the marscapone filling was, mellowing out the strong taste of alcohol and providing a pleasant, mildly sweet base to the dessert.

Other than just the mains, The Forage Cafe also sells the farm-to-table honey from Thirteen Honey off the shelf. If you’re looking for unique gifts or are a honey-lover, you can even sample their various kinds of honey blends.

The Forage Cafe
30 Jalan Pari Burong
Singapore 488696
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Simei

Conveniently located right opposite Pasir Panjang MRT at the Bijou is another new cafe, The Kins’ Specialty Coffee. Serving up an array of coffee, all-day brunch and other mains, they could be your new spot for a mid-day cuppa during lunch. They are currently in their soft launch phase, so all their food items are 20% off until mid-June!

In addition to their menu of hot food, they serve up a unique treat that isn’t normally found in dessert menus around Singapore: Burnt Cheesecake. Trust us when we say it’s worth the trip down for that alone.

First up for us was the petite White (S$4 for 3oz, single shot). The coffee had a floral note and a very smooth mouthfeel. It didn’t leave a lingering bitterness on the tongue; a very pleasant start to the morning.

Kins’ Scrambled Egg on Croissant with Smoked Duck Shavings (S$14) is one of the items on their all-day brunch menu selection. The croissant was perfectly buttery and flaky, complementing the fluffy scramble sitting on it. The smoked duck was an interesting savoury addition to the croissant.

We also ordered the Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$16) from their mains selection. They had sold out of their salad that normally accompanies their Fish & Chips, so we were offered wedges in replacement.

The highlight of the dish was the creamy tartar sauce that went very well with the various fried foods on our plate. Though, one gripe we had was that the fish to batter ratio was skewed towards the batter side.

Saving the best for last, we tasted Kins’ Specialty Coffee’s signature dessert, the Burnt Cheesecake (S$7.50). It was served with a little sweet cream on the side, but it didn’t really need the cream at all.

The cheesecake was rich, creamy and oh-so-satisfying. It was the perfect way to end the meal. The middle of the cake was almost custard-like, while the edges of the cake being more firm like a traditional baked cheesecake.

The burnt cheesecake resembled something like a cross between a no-bake and a baked cake – surely something new to Singapore’s cafe scene.

The Kins’ Specialty Coffee dons a minimalist set-up, giving us slight beach vibes with their wooden interior and decor. Their cosy space has both outdoor and indoor seating.

Overall, we feel that while the mains were tasty, they could be improved. However, the Burnt Cheesecake is one that’s definitely worth the calories!

The Kins’ Specialty Coffee
2 Jalan Mat Jambol
The Bijou, #01-08/9
Singapore 119554
Daily: 11am -9pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)