Offering a full-on menu of both Asian and Western fare, Colbar is one of the few gems in Singapore that we can safely say, has truly stood the test of time. Opened in 1953, the establishment formerly served as a canteen for the British army. It, therefore, gave rise to its name, Colbar, otherwise referred to as ‘Colonial Bar’.

Granted that it’s a little out of the way, especially for those who do not drive, it is still a charming spot that’s worth the trip. It is a retreat from civilisation and it is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the old days.

This rustic hideout is furnished with retro interiors like Formica tabletops and old photographs, which bring an air of nostalgia that sets you back in time. Whether you’re pining for a beer, some food or a place to chill, Colbar is one that’ll guarantee you a relaxed and tranquil experience.

Well-versed in the culinary art of Western cooking, the cooks here are able to whip up a wide array of both Western and Asian delights.

In addition to their stellar grub, they also carry a vast selection of English craft beers. From sweet ciders to bitter IPAs, they have it all.

Their Roasted Chicken Chips & Mushroom came with a piece of chicken leg and a small portion of potato wedges and mushrooms. Despite the small portion, the chicken was well roasted—super crispy on the outside and firm but not too dry on the inside.

The mushrooms were coated in savoury gravy, which complimented the chicken.

Next came the Pork Cutlet Chips & Mushroom which was equally good as well.

The meat was succulent and well coated in panko breadcrumbs, that did well to give the pork an incredible crunch as well as help to lock in moisture. The pork itself boasted a subtle yet pleasant note of rosemary and thyme which we thought worked brilliantly.

The dish that we enjoyed the most was definitely the Cheese Omelette & Chips. This classic dish was simple yet so ‘egg-cellent’.

The egg was really soft and fluffy and the warm melted cheese inside just oozes out with a slight cut. The portion and wonderful taste of the omelette definitely made up for the price.

Last on our table was the Dry Ho Fun, which we felt was nothing special. Just like a plate of fried kway tiao, it was filled with basic ingredients like small prawns, fish cakes and bean sprouts.

We liked that they added a good portion of fried shallots on top that added a crunch to the dish. However, the dish was simply too greasy to finish.

Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tues to Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: One North

Chick Can Rotisserie is a new establishment which prides itself in whipping up Canadian-style Roasted Chicken and Poutine—it is one place to head to for comfort, rustic Western food.

Located along Amoy Street—just a 5-minute walk from Telok Ayer station—Chick Can is a cosy and wallet-friendly option for those who work in the Central Business District.

We were pleasantly surprised that all the items on the menu are below S$20, with the exception of the Half Chicken Meal (S$22+) which can easily feed three to four people. As if that is not enticing enough, you don’t have to pay for service charge at Chick Can Rotisserie too!

From now until 30 November 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 40% off the second main course during dinner (6pm to 10pm). This promotion is valid for dine-in and takeaway.

The self-service concept at Chick Can Rotisserie is a simple one—you grab the menu and decide on what you want, tell the friendly staff over the counter and a buzzer will be given so you know when to collect your food.

Otherwise, have a Chick Can meal in the comforts of your home or during lazy days in the office by opting for takeaway. You can also get your roasted chicken delivered via Foodpanda.

MOZZARELLA CHEESE STICKS

Start your meal with some appetisers; well they make great finger food to go with your beer.

Of course, with every tasty North American food, comes a cheesy appetiser. The Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (S$7, regular/S$12, large) were delicious. Have it immediately and you can break and stretch the cheese, dip it into the marinara sauce on the side and enjoy it. We loved the golden herb crust on the sticks as well as it added to the overall flavour in each bite.

CHICK CAN’S CHICKEN WINGS 

Also, appetisers/ beer snack always mean we need our chicken wings. The Chicken Wings at Chick Can Rotisserie are specially marinated and served piping hot with BBQ sauce or ranch dressing. These crispy delights are going at S$7.50+ for four and S$13+ for eight.

CHILLI CHICKEN DIP

This is a twist of our favourite chilli crab sauce, but with chicken slices. We enjoyed the strong sweet and spicy flavour of the sauce which was meant as a dip for the toasted bread. A perfect savoury snack for those who are there for drinks.

AUTHENTIC POUTINE

There are not many places in Singapore where you can find authentic Poutine—a Canadian dish which originated from Québec.

For the uninitiated, Poutine is made with French fries and cheese curds sprinkled on top, then topped off with a drizzle of light brown sauce. Imagine our delight when we found out that it is part of Chick Can Rotisserie’s menu!

You can choose to have your Poutine in various styles and we went for Poutine with Chicken (S$12.50+).

The fresh cut fries are crispy on the outside with soft interiors, and goes well with the generous portions of chicken cubes and twirling cheese curds doused in brown gravy. There is a good balance between the main ingredients which made it a hit among those at the table.

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN & SIDES

Chicken is a staple in Asian cuisines. And precisely because this is our ultimate comfort food, we had very high expectations for their Roast Chicken. So how did it fare?

Most rotisserie chickens tend to be a little on the dry side but this is definitely not the case at Chick Can.

Each chicken is lightly seasoned to keep the original taste of the meat. It is then slow-roasted in a rotisserie oven specially imported from Canada to achieve the perfect result—juicy meat and crispy skin.

There are three options: Quarter Leg Meal (S$16.50), Quarter Breast Meal (S$18.50) and Half Chicken Meal (S$22+).

We shared the Half Chicken Meal and it came with a toasted bun, a side dish of your choice, coleslaw and dipping sauce. You get to choose between salads, Rice Pilaf and French Fries for sides. It is indeed a huge portion that can easily feed two to three people.

The half chicken is roasted to lip-smacking perfection with its crispy reddish brown skin that envelops succulent, tender chicken meat. We could really hear the skin crack as we dug into it with knives! Try it with the traditional brown dipping sauce. We loved the Asian dipping sauce which is similar to the Thai sweet chilli sauce.

CHICKEN PIE WITH COLESLAW

The Chicken Pie with Coleslaw (S$12) reminds us of home. It was simple, hearty and we loved the flaky crust combined with the massive chunks of chicken and vegetables inside. It also comes with a side of coleslaw to complete your meal.

BAKED RICE/PASTA, SANDWICHES AND WRAPS

Roasted chicken aside, Chick Can Rotisserie also offers two baked dishes—Chicken Baked Rice (S$15) and the Chicken Baked Pasta (S$15). Also, you can expect dishes such as Club Sandwich with Chicken (S$15), BBQ Chicken Wrap (S$15) and Spicy Chicken Wrap (S$15).

SUGAR PIE

All of us agreed that the Sugar Pie (S$6.50+) at Chick Can Rotisserie is a wonderful option for those with a sweet tooth. It is unabashedly sweet and comes accompanied with smooth whipped cream. The classic French-Canadian pie is served warm from the oven to our table and was demolished within minutes.

From now until 30 November 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 40% off the second main course during dinner (6pm to 10pm). This promotion is valid for dine-in and takeaway.

Chick Can – Rotisserie
82 Amoy Street
#01-00
Singapore 069901
Tel: +65 6221 8598
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by Chick Can Rotisserie.

The Duxton Hill area has seen a revival in the recent years, and there are many new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in the neighbourhood. If you work in the area, or if you are looking for a new weekend brunch spot, one of the places that you should check out is Department of Caffeine.

With a name like that, it goes without saying that the folks at Department of Caffeine take their coffee seriously. They use sustainably-sourced speciality coffee beans, and you can be assured that every cuppa is up to the standard. This is a coffee joint in Singapore that we will definitely recommend. For non-coffee drinkers, the speciality hot chocolate here is also known to be very good.

For a fuss-free meal, Department of Caffeine has dishes from the counter which are prepared readily. A main course and regular salad is only S$15 – you get to choose between roast chicken and poached salmon for the main course; and for the salad, they have roasted beetroot, soba noodles or roasted cauliflower.

Main courses on the weekday menu include Minute Steak (S$16), Chicken Fillet Burger (S$15), and a 8 Hour Pulled Pork Burger (S$14.50). You must not leave without trying its Buttermilk Waffles (S$12.50). It is very very good. Crisp on the outside and light and fluffy in the centre, it makes for a luscious breakfast or a dessert after brunch.

Department of Caffeine is nothing fancy, but that is the main reason why we like it. Good, honest and simple food which represent decent value for money.

Department of Caffeine
15 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6223 3426
Mon to Fri (except Wed): 10.30am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

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

Street food is easily one of the best things a country can offer. Unlike other countries where you eat by the road side, Singapore’s version of street food is what we call hawker food, and they are found in food/hawker centres – which are usually located in the heartlands.

For what is lacking in the electrifying atmosphere of eating by the street, the hawker centres in singapore make up for it by serving clean and tasty food, in a comfortable environment.

Tiong Bahru Market is one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore. I always go there when I am craving for local food. Here are some of the things that I order when I am eating there.

It is no secret that Singaporeans love queuing up for food. In a way, it acts as a guide to the more popular stalls in a hawker centre, but it is not accurate all the time.

Judging from the queues when we were there on a Sunday morning, the best food stalls in Tiong Bahru Food Centre (in no particular order) are: Pork Ribs Prawn Noodle (#02-31), Koh Brothers Pig Organ Soup (#02-29), Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (#02-82), Wanton Noodles (#02-30), 178 Lor Mee (#02-23) and Tiong Bahru Lee Hong Kee Cantonese Roasted (#02-60).

This is one of the best food in Tiong Bahru Market – Tiong Bahru Lee Hong Kee Cantonese Roasted stall. The long queues are annoying but the Char Siew and Roasted Pork are out-of-this-world-good.

I grew up eating the roasted duck. When I was a kid, my parents would bring me to the old Tiong Bahru Market during the weekends. Ahhh, those were the days.

The chicken rice from Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice stall is very very good. To me, they are easily one of the best chicken rice stalls in Singapore. The Steamed Hainanese chicken rice here is wildly popular, but I always prefer roasted chicken, and their rendition is equally good anyway.

Besides the popular stalls that I’ve mentioned, you can also try the following at Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre: Peranakan food like Buak Keluak and Ngio Hiang from the fairly new Daisy Dream Kitchen (#02-36); hot and soupy Kway Chap (#02-43); another Lor Mee option from Tiong Bahru Lor Mee (#02-80); piping hot Char Siew Bao and Siew Mai from Tiong Bahru Pau (#02-18); and handmade fish balls from Teochew Fish Ball Noodle (#02-13).

And of course, no visit to Tiong Bahru Market is complete without eating Chwee Kueh. Among the two Chwee Kueh stalls there, I prefer Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Chwee Kueh (#02-05) – which is one of the few original stalls from the old Tiong Bahru Market.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Tiong Bahru Food Market & Hawker Centre
30 Seng Poh road

For more recommendations, read Bukit Timah Market | Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre | Jurong West Food Centre | Old Airport Road Market | Serangoon Gardens Food Centre