Western Grub

Cafe Melba has never been quite in my to-try list for quite a while — had always found their menu to be one that served quite conventional cafe fare with a slightly steep price range, and so it was not quite the place that I really intend to make a visit to for quite a while. That being said, their newest outlet at Mount Sophia situated within the grounds of Sophia Hills Condo did really intrigue me — set within a serene setting around private residences and a quiet neighbourhood atop a hill, the cafe (which is open to public) is housed within a building that is formerly the Chapel of the former Trinity Theological College; one of three conserved buildings within the compounds of Sophia Hills Condo. The beautiful building looks like a modern interpretation of a chapel with its sloping roofs and mosaic windows; all that whilst its interior is filled with plush sofas and cushioned seats amidst and auditorium-like setting with wooden fittings and partitions throughout the cafe. Whilst the menu at their Sophia Hills Condo outlet is somewhat reminiscent of their menu at Goodman Arts Centre, there are some outlet-exclusive items such as the Butter Chicken. For those who have yet to visit Cafe Melba, Cafe Melba serves up food items split into the following categories — breakfast, starters, sandwiches & burgers, main course, pasta, pizza, bites on the side, and sweet bites. Cafe Melba also does offer a Kids’ Menu, whilst the beverages menu offers a wide range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options from superfood smoothies to specialty coffee, and also liquer coffees to cocktails, spirits and wines.

Of all the dishes that we have ordered during the evening, we actually really liked the Seabass the most — the item actually features Pumpkin Purée, Kale, Sauce Vierge, Fish Cracker and Ikura. Here, the fish comes with a slight muddy note since this is the flavour that is pretty much inherent of seabass itself — the fish is otherwise pretty flaky, and does come with a pan-seared skin for a slight textural contrast. What we really loved is the other elements that came with this dish; the pumpkin purée is smooth and provides a hint of sweetness to cut through the flavours of the fish, while the Sauce Vierge was somewhat similar to a salsa that provides a zing akin to squeezing a wedge of lemon over the dish. The inclusion of kale is likely to make the entire dish a little wholesome; the kale seems to have been sautéed with some garlic for a slightly more punchy note, while the Ikura provided that umami note with a popping sensation that keeps it interesting to go on with the dish. As though it isn’t enough, they had also included fish skin crackers here — the same as one would expect to get from a snack bag; the fish skin crackers being still crisp, though we thought that it wasn’t quite necessary and something which we could do without.

Wouldn’t really say that I am a Cafe Melba convert after my visit here, but one thing is for sure here — their Sophia Hills Condo outlet is certainly an attraction of its own, and a location that I would definitely consider for a quiet dinner that is ideal to bring a date to. There really is nothing quite close to this location when it comes to the overall environment of the location — somewhere serene that brings peace to the heart and soul; all that whilst being away from the crowd considering the slight inconvenience of the location in general. The food here at Cafe Melba isn’t mind-blowing, but it does seem to be comfort food done fairly well to a certain extent; albeit with a steep price tag that wouldn’t necessarily appeal to the average cafehopper looking for more a more adventurous take on cafe fare these days. Still, there isn’t a quite a place like this around — definitely somewhere that I would recommend making the trip at least once to check out the space and the vibe it brings; and then decide if the food is something which one will return for.

Had been wanting to try Little Bowl for quite a long while ever since they had first started business at the Food Emporium food court at Clifford Centre. Whilst that outlet had since shuttered for quite a while now, Little Bowl’s outlet at Marina One is still in operations — a spot that does have a sizeable crowd these days with more folks returning back to office with the easing of the safe management measures in-place due to COVID-19. Opened by chefs formerly from Saveur, Little Bowl had started operations as Le Bouillon (which we had previously made a visit back in 2017), the change of name from Le Bouillon to Little Bowl is to reflect their shift from serving up French cuisine, to an establishment that specialises in Western and Japanese fusion fare. Being a standalone eatery at the basement of Marina One, Little Bowl serves up quite a variety of Donburi, whilst also having a small selection of pasta and udon on their menu to serve the lunchtime office crowds here.

What stood out most to us in the menu at Little Bowl was the Shio Pasta; the item consists of elements such as Crispy Chicken, Crabmeat and Mushroom Sauce according to its description on the menu. Priced at $9.90, the Shio Pasta is considered a rather pretty affordable eat within Marina One itself, considering how there are not many wallet-friendly options within the building especially where Western and Japanese fusion fare are being served. While the presentation of the dish is certainly not the best here, this was pretty much comfort food for the soul — our favourite part probably being the Cappellini pasta here. No idea how they have prepared it, but the Cappellini comes in a shade slightly darker than one would have expected; there is also a noticeable hint of crustacean flavour lingering that makes one wonder if this is indeed inspired by the lobster cappellini that features a naturally briny sweetness with every slurp of the noodle. As though wanting to appease the masses, the inclusion of the mushroom sauce; itself being like a cream-based sauce that carried a hint of earthiness, can be said as a move to incorporate a classic flavour that most would not mind having on the plate. Whilst the fried chicken pieces had a light and crisp batter that wasn’t particularly greasy, we found it quite a pity how these seemed to be prepared ahead of time and wasn’t exactly served piping hot — there again, maybe a move to speed up the process since they are pretty much a quick casual dining concept that has to cater to the takeaway/delivery crowd whilst also trying to serve as many dine-in patrons as they can.

With quite a number of items priced below $10 at Little Bowl, Little Bowl is definitely one of the more reasonably-priced establishments of its type within Marina One — something that some office workers may actually consider having once a week just to treat themselves to a slightly nicer lunch just to break away from the more affordable local fare such as the likes of Malaysia Boleh. Whilst there are some things which we personally felt needed a slight tweak (i.e. plating and the crispy chicken), I wouldn’t mind dining here again if I am looking for some comfort food without having to break the bank.

Yet another one of the cafes that had been making its rounds in social media the last week is Supernova — a newly-opened establishment located at 266 Tanjong Katong Road where some may remember as the address of the now-defunct The Laneway Market before its move to King George’s Avenue. The space was briefly occupied by yet another now-defunct establishment named Katong Kanteen, before being what it is now. For those whom are unaware, Supernova is a concept by the same folks behind Atlas Coffeehouse, who are also behind other establishments such as the now-defunct Assembly Coffee (Evans Lodge), Lunar Coffee Brewers (OUE Downtown), Colombus Coffee Co. (Upper Thomson), Apollo Coffee Bar (Serangoon Gardens) and The Neptune (East Coast Road). Their latest concept is a bit of a steer away from their previous ones — Supernova being more of cafe in the day, but switches up as more a wine bar during the evening that also serves up sharing plates, Okonomiyaki, pastas, proteins and burgers. As such, Supernova does serve up two different menus during brunch/lunch service between 8am to 5pm, and a dinner menu from 5pm to closing from Tuesday to Saturday. That being said, the cafe only serves its brunch/lunch menu on Sundays where they are only open from 8am to 7pm. For those looking for non-alcoholic beverages during its dinner service, it is noted that Supernova still serves coffee, chocolate and teas amongst other non-alcoholic beverages in the evening as well.

Given how Okonomiyakis have a dedicated section on the dinner menu at Supernova all by itself, we thought that it was a must to at least order one to try — that is also especially given how the Okonomiyakis are just a few of the many new items that are only available exclusively at Supernova. Skimming through the description of the various types of Okonomiyakis offered, we found ourselves settling for the Miso Eggplant Okonomiyaki which comprises of elements such as miso eggplant, ponzu aioli, bonito flakes, and spring onions. Supernova has actually taken a fusion approach for their Okonomiyaki here — rather than serving it in the classic form, the Okonomiyaki at Supernova can be said as one that is a hybrid between the Japanese Okonomiyaki and a Swiss Rosti; featuring the same mix of vegetables that one would find in the Japanese Okonomiyaki, it comes with that all-familiar Japanese Okonomoyaki sauce drizzled but it comes crisp to the point that it almost seems deep-fried. Topped with the bonito flakes, the Okomoniyaki is savoury yet umami. The Miso Eggplant here is essentially their take on the Nasu Dengaku — miso paste spread atop eggplant that makes for an earthy note with a soft, juicy bite; pretty matching with the Okonomiyaki beneath. Overall, a dish that one could tell is a product of a long development process — no doubt carrying that usual brand of uniqueness of Atlas Coffeehouse and the other establishments that they run, but also one that seems to have checked the relevant boxes where attention to detail is of concern.

Being one of the brands at the forefront of the cafe scene, Atlas Coffeehouse was one of the few cafes that started what some would dub as “progressive contemporary cafe fare” — something which they had also pulled off in their multiple concepts as well. Supernova is no different from their other concepts; that being said, it is also their most ambitious yet — shifting away from being just “another cafe” and with an emphasis on alcohol as well to blend in with the demographics and surrounding of the neighbourhood that it is located in. This is pretty telling on Supernova’s menu as well; unlike the other establishments run by Atlas Coffeehouse where a big proportion of menu items are carried over from its previous concepts, the menu at Supernova features more outlet exclusives than ever before — yet quality of food remains at a level consistent with their other establishments. Sure; there may be some teething issues that one may experience whilst making their visit here since they are still pretty new (they were already pretty packed during our visit made within the first few days of their opening), but Supernova is probably going to be just like any other establishment run by the same folks — a destination of choice for residents nearby to dine at, and also one that avid cafe-hoppers will make a beeline for just to check out which is pretty much a testament to their popularity and prominence in the local cafe scene here.

Checked out the new Bella People & Coffee situated at Tanjong Katong Road; the cafe takes over the former premises of the now-defunct LICK Little Ice Cream Kafe. The space has seen a complete revamp from its former operator; now sporting a porch with a small outdoor dining area. Walking into the cafe, the cafe sports a interior decor that can be described as clean and a little Balinese-inspired; the use of coloured cushioned seats and pairings do provide a welcomed contrast of colours against the otherwise white and minimalist interior. Bella’s menu is segmented into various sections — includes a section that is dedicated for all-day breakfast, lunch (served from 10am to 5:30pm), sides, sandwiches, salads and desserts. The selection of drinks at Bella People & Coffee includes espresso-based beverages — the usual suspects one would expect at a cafe serving up specialty coffee, tea and smoothies.

There were quite a number of items that caught our eye here, including the Spinach Truffle Risotto as well as the Soft Shell Crab Waffle but we found ourselves settling for the Asian Salmon Roulette, which consists of elements such as torched rolled salmon confit, deep fried kale,
sautéed broccoli & carrot and asam balsamic dressing. The torched rolled salmon confit was pretty delicious on its own — the consistency of the salmon confit was flaky and carried a distinct hint of the natural flavours of the fish; the texture really similar to that of cured salmon that is done to medium-rare; possibly torched to the said level of doneness. Meanwhile, the deep-fried kale is actually prepared in-house here — these were incredibly crisp and actually pretty addictive to have on their own; sprinkled with onion powder, they were also saltish though we did feel that a smaller sprinkling of the same could bind better with the overall flavours of the dish that lean towards the cleaner side. The sautéed broccoli and carrot are actually cooked with butter and garlic; whilst still carrying a crunch, they were savoury with a garlicky touch — just the way we like it and how mum prepares a western-ish meal at home. Personally wasn’t a fan of the alfalfa sprouts that they have included since we aren’t too big of a fan of them — carried a note that is particularly “green” though it’s pretty inherent from the sort of vegetable it is, while also though the asam balsamic dressing wasn’t quite needed here. For one, we do see why they have included it — it does introduce a slight tang to cut through the salmon’s natural flavours but we personally felt it just took away much of the otherwise clean and simple flavours of the dish that we found comforting.

Whilst we hadn’t managed to try most of the other items on their menu, Bella People & Coffee does seem to offer the folks of Tanjong Katong yet another choice for a cafe to dine at — this is apart from Little Rogue Coffee and Carry On; both of which are of a walking distance away from Bella People & Coffee. That being said, we found the Asian Salmon Roulette to be a dish that is simple and comforting; close to the heart though does showcase somewhat the skills and execution of the kitchen crew to get most of the details right. Being situated away from the main stretch of cafes located at Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road, Bella People & Coffee does offer the residents around Tanjong Katong a spot to chill slightly away from the heart of the cafe scene in the area — somewhere which I would not mind dining at again.

Whilst Link@896 (formerly Sime Darby Centre, located just opposite King Albert Park MRT Station) had been opened for quite a while following its revamp, new tenants are still trickling into the vacant shop spaces here. With Bukit Timah being pretty much an enclave for expats, it is little wonder how some grocers had found themselves setting up shop here — one of them being Fishop; a seafood retailer which also runs another outlet at Anchorpoint. Apart from retailing fresh seafood and other products, their outlet at Link@896 includes a casual dine-in restaurant — the space is be linked with the retail section; both being side-by-side with each other. Being named the “Fishop Kitchen”, the menu here comprises of a la carte sides, western selections such as fish & chips and fish burgers, Japanese cuisine that includes sushi, sashimi and a single Donburi offering (i.e. the Salmon Ikura Don) as well as whole fish that is done with different preparation styles; think whole fish that are either steamed, poached, crispy fried or baked, with Kam Heong sauce or with Assam Pedas, Lady Finger, Tomato and Eggplant just to name a few.

Since I had made the trip there alone, I went with the Fishop Famous Fish & Chips; there are three choices of fish listed on the menu which included Barramundi, Snapper and Dory, though only the Barramundi was available on the day of our visit. It is also described to come with a “golden fried in beer batter, and served with fat chip, lemon wedge, and Fishop own chili sauce”. On first look, I had a minor issue with the slight inconsistency of the fried batter at the ends of both fillets — a small part seemed a little pale and didn’t seem to be fried for long enough considering how those parts were just pretty limp; perhaps something they could look into. That being said, the remainder of the batter remained light and crisp — the golden brown batter here being rather light and thin here as opposed to actual English-style Fish & Chips probably done on purpose to highlight on the freshness of the fish. Perhaps it was due to the choice of fish; while the fish was moist, the Barramundi’s inherent muddiness does get in the way somehow — easily fixed though with squeeze of lemon zest from the lemon wedge provided. The fat chips were pretty decent — no doubt thickly-cut; features soft potato within though best to be had when still hot. Personally felt that the “Fishop own chili sauce” fell a little out of my expectations; seemingly a mix of readily-available chili sauce mixed with mayonnaise or tartare; no doubt adds a creaminess that works with the dish, but the notes of chili didn’t really quite pull through after a few dips.

To be frank, their rendition of the Fish & Chips is actually a pretty decent one that I wouldn’t really mind having — it’s well-portioned while it’s execution is considered pretty decent if one isn’t really nitpicking on the details; it’s not particularly greasy, and the batter is light and crisp. Perhaps it is just myself having tried variations such as Lad & Co’s that pretty blew many other renditions of the same dish out of the water; still Fishop does a relatively good job in showcasing their fresh produce through various dishes served in their restaurant operations and education to their patrons for them to make informed choices on what to order. For those who are interested, I have heard things about their English Fish Cake; an item that features the catch of the day and paired with dressed rocket, aioli, and shaved parmesan — also one that is strongly recommended by the staff here as it seems.

Dropped by the new A State of Affairs — a new cafe that had recently opened its doors at 183 Longhaus along Upper Thomson Road (i.e. the mixed-use development that replaces the former Longhouse); also home to other F&B establishments such as The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough and an outlet of SOD Cafe. Currently still in soft-launch stage, A State of Affairs is offering mostly beverages on the menu — the options beee are pretty limited to specialty coffee; both filter coffee and espresso-based coffee are available here, though they also do offer hot/iced chocolate and teas as well. Payment is by tipping basis till further notice.

Whilst initially only providing us with the beverage menu, the kind folks behind the counter was asking us if we would be keen on trying some of the sharing plates that they are trying out and offered us a glimpse of the small food menu that they have currently that is still in the works. Of the three items that they were trying it out, we opted for the Cauliflower Steak with Horseradish Cream and Onion Miso Jam, which we found to be the most interesting of the lot. Here, the cauliflower steak comes grilled as-is and lightly charred; the florets carrying a slight smokiness whilst the entire steak carried a soft crunch — interestingly, they had also included Rice Krispies here for an extra crunchiness too boost the textures even further. The cauliflower steak matches well with both the onion miso jam and the horseradish cream — the former was more like a burnt onion sauce that came with a thickened consistency akin to smooth mashed potato with a sweetness and undertones of earthiness, while the latter was almost like a mellower version of wasabi cream with that familiar, but mild kick of numbness hitting the tastebuds — not so harsh that it shoots up all the way to the head, but well enough to be noticed and without overpowering the other elements here.

With fun sharing plates in the pipeline and full kitchen operations to start in time to come, A State of Affairs is pretty much an earnest and down-to-earth operation that deserves a mention in the bustling Upper Thomson neighbourhood that is filled with cafe options such as Hello Arigato, Oaks Coffee Co., Colombus Coffee Co. and One Man Coffee. Not only do the food seem pretty promising here, but we were equally excited about the Flat White which was especially well-pulled here — a great cuppa that was balanced and had a medium body with an earthy flavour profile. Whilst still in their soft launch stage, we are stoked on what they have to offer once they go into full operations — looking forward to some inventive brunch plates off their food menu in the future. The spot also interestingly opens at 6am on weekends — even earlier than their operating hours in the weekdays, in order to cater to cycling enthusiasts that often take this route to satisfy their caffeine needs. A cafe which I am likely to give a revisit again once they swing into full operations soon!

Had always been looking forward to revisit Hathaway — was pretty impressed by what they have to offer when we made our first visit several months ago when they had first opened, with the Ah Nya’s Fish Curry still lingering in my head.

Having more pax to share around the food here this time round, apart from having the Ah Nya’s Fish Curry that we missed, we also went for other items that we have yet to try before, including some of the side dishes. The Black Cod & Razor Clams was something that I especially liked — a dish that would fit those with a lighter palate. Featuring elements such as Deep Sea Sablefish, Hand Dived Razor Clams and a Miso Kombu Broth, what we loved was that light and somewhat milky Miso Kombu Broth that provides for a lightly creamy, yet slightly savoury note that almost replicates that of a collagen broth. The broth adds much of the richness in terms of flavour to the fish — the cod fish was a wee bit dry to our liking but still undeniably fresh; perhaps less smooth considering how they seemingly have flash-fried the fish skin here for that extra crispness for a contrast of texture. The razor clams are also fresh; not seemingly briny whilst carrying a qq texture — what really works well with entire ordeal here will be the nibs of garlic here which gave it a roasty, sweet yet savoury note that binds really perfectly with the Miso Kombu Broth here, providing a much needed flavour to pair with the razor clams.

It’s pretty amazing to know how Hathaway is a venture by the same folks behind Breadyard; a spot perhaps better known for their in-house bakes that also serves up brunch fare that is typically found in cafes elsewhere. Hathaway is a whole different establishment from Breadyard; one that seemingly exudes some Balinese vibes that serves up their very own interpretation of Peranakan fare with a slight twist. Definitely a spot fit for an occasion that serves up something different for the tastebuds to explore.

Visited the much talked about Henri at Pekin Street — the establishment is a more formal, French bistro concept that is opened by the folks behind Bread & Hearth which has outlets at Katong V and at Keong Saik Road which operates as a cafe serving up pastries and bakes. Taking up the former space which Dean & Deluca had previously occupied at Far East Square, the entire space is decked out in wooden furnishing and fittings; all that with floral wallpapers for the walls with a slight Victorian touch. Whilst operating as a bistro with a boulangerie operation, the bistro menu offers patrons light bites, soup, entrées, main dishes and dessert, while the boulangerie retails pastries such as danishes and even entire bread loaves for dine-in and takeaway. Payment for bistro menu items will be billed at the end of the meal, and comprises of served charge, while the same for boulangerie items will be charged upon order at the counter, and does not include service charge.

The Échine de Porc En Chevreuil is an item off the mains section of the menu, and features elements such as marinated pork collar, red wine berry sauce and mashed celery root. The marinated pork collar is done pink for the desired doneness by the chef — the result is a tender and moist slab of meat that comes with some slightly fatter parts; quite balanced and doesn’t require too much of an effort to chew; all that with a clean taste that did not carry any undesirable porky stench. The accompanying red wine berry sauce gave much of a tang that attempts to cut through the slight meatiness that made the entire dish pretty appetising, while the use of mashed celery root over mashed potato was a clever move — provided for a similar savoury note yet with a smoother texture (you know, missing of the usual graininess of mashed potato); also kept the dish pretty light considering how mashed potato is a little denser given it’s starch content. A pretty decent item where one as a meat lover could have alone, or as an item to be shared at the table.

Henri is pretty much an extension to what Bread & Hearth has to offer — whilst the boulangerie does carry some of the items that Bread & Hearth serves up, the bistro menu seems to showcase classic French cooking at its best; all that in an environment that is fitting to its theme. There isn’t quite anything that seems pretentious here — from the vibes to the food, though we did wish that several aspects to the service can be looked into more considering how this is more of a bistro than a cafe; things such as changing of a napkin and cutlery for a single diner but not for the other accompanying one, just to list one particular detail that was missed. Nonetheless, Henri is a great spot for dates as much as it is for a girl’s day out for a catch-up over pastries and coffee; a spot that is undeniably French in its character and soul — worth checking out at least once for what the vibes and the food they have to offer.

Dropped by the new Surrey Hills Grocer; a cafe-cum-grocer concept that has recently opened at a rather hidden spot around the island — one of the few new tenants which have recently moved into Arena Country Club alongside Joya Onsen Cafe, which is situated a short walk away from Joo Koon MRT Station. While the grocer, which occupies the air-conditioned space, offers a variety of Australian products and produce from various origins, the cafe dine-in seating is more of an al-fresco style situated just on the platform outside of the grocer; orders will have to be made within the cafe counter situated just on the left of the entrance to the grocer. Opened from 3pm to 8pm, the cafe offers all-day brunch featuring a variety of burgers, open-faced toast and meats amongst some other dishes; all of which being designed by their consultant who is a Australian Michelin Chef, which looks to “honour ever farmer and grower for their love and passion that made all flavours in each dish possible”. Also available here are a small selection of danishes, as well as ice-cream sourced from Creamier Handcrafted Ice-Cream; beverages include tea, wines and specialty coffee, which is brewed using beans roasted by Proud Mary Coffee Roasters of Melbourne, Australia.

We tried two of the mains here and both of them are as well-executed; that being said, the Tasmanian Salmon was our pick between the two for its composition and complexity that seemed to have stood out a little more. The dish features slow cooked Sashimi-grade salmon, served medium rare and mushroom reduction barley grains. Basically a barley risotto, this was executed beautifully without being too wet; each grain being done just right to carry a springy chew that was absolutely delightful with the slight cheesy savouriness that it was reduced with. All that goes especially well with the inherent briny-ness of the salmon, which is nothing short of being sufficiently moist and flaky; the Ikura further adds on to the dish with its umami flavours; providing much of the additional oomph factor when it pops in the mouth. Overall, a dish that has pretty much nailed it both texturally and in terms of flavour.

Surrey Hills Grocer is undoubtedly a hidden gem in the far west — cafe-cum-grocer concepts are not something particularly new, but definitely a rare find within this area of the island where it is better affiliated with industrial buildings and army camps (especially with SAFTI Military Institute being situated right across). Surrey Hills Grocer attempts to break that barrier; a spot where expats may probably find some products that may pique their interests, whilst also putting an emphasis on their food to showcase fresh produce executed with finesse. No doubt they are quite out of the way for most, but a trip here for the food is probably still worth the time, especially if one is going to pick up a few items from the grocer whilst at it. It is no doubt that we have enjoyed our time here — here’s wishing the folks behind Surrey Hills Grocer all the best in what is to come; pretty sure we will be back for more!

Marked yet another pandemic-filled year with pretty much a fanciful dinner at CUT by Wolfgang Puck since the dining partner was at liberty of choosing the spot to have the celebratory dinner of the year (last year’s affair was at Jaan by Kirk Westaway; just so if you want to ask) and that he has pretty much been raving about, and wanting for me to try out the steakhouse.

Here’s a list of dishes that we have had

1st photo: Bread Basket
2nd photo: Maryland Blue Crab Cake, Heirloom Tomato Relish, Basil Aioli
3rd photo: Brussels Sprouts, Iberico Pork Belly, Sesame Yuzu Aioli
4th photo: Japanese Pure Breed Wagyu Beef— Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Filet Mignon 170g
5th photo: Double Thick Iberico Pork Chop, Apple-Apricot "Moustarda"
6th photo: Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé

The meal did started off very well — was fairly impressed with the bread service and the dining partner requested for an extra serve of the Pao de Queijo, and I could see why. I had always been in love with these morsels of cheese bread that I might end up in Four Leaves to grab some when I am feeling peckish, but the ones here are so moist, so QQ and not overpoweringly cheesy; I would say it makes for even an ideal breakfast over a cup of black coffee whilst popping some of these down. Thought the Maryland Blue Crab Cake was decent; liked how it was well-filled with crab meat within without much fillers, though personally thought it was a little greasy and not as crisp I expected it to be. What’s crisp were the brussel sprouts in the Brussels Sprouts, Iberico Pork Belly, Sesame Yuzu Aioli — not particularly intimidating for a non-Brussels Sprouts lover for how much of the “green” bitter notes were cut by the pork belly and the aioli, though I personally felt that the aioli was a tad heavy for a side that could have been more refreshing against the meaty dishes if served without. The dining partner went all out with his order of the Japanese Pure Breed Wagyu Beef, but the Double Thick Iberico Pork Chop, Apple-Apricot "Moustarda" is the one to go for those who want to cheap out; either that or just want a non-beef option without missing the fun. Chef recommends medium-well for the doneness of the pork chop. It’s thick, and comes grilled the same way that the beef is done here — done from the extra crusty exterior to that tender flesh that is almost akin to slicing through butter; so juicy without being especially fatty, and yet so much flavour from the juices. The Apple-Apricot "Moustarda" does its magic; seemingly infused with horseradish(?), there is tinge of mustard-like earthiness that cuts through the meatiness so perfectly, yet a nice sweetness from the purée that is a classic, yet rarely seen combination (at least for local standards) of apple sauce and pork. No doubt a favourite of mine; so much I actually didn’t mind missing out on the beef anyway. By the time we were done with our mains, the Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé was something which landed us quite in a state of food coma; chocolate lovers will dig this — no doubt a pretty well-made soufflé, but it’s a fairly sweet and heavy ordeal that we thought we didn’t need after all that meat halfway through it.

While CUT by Wolfgang Puck does seem like a fine-dining establishment, service here does feel more like a fancy steakhouse — there are some details that weren’t very well looked into as compared to other fine dining establishments that we have tried; probably just slightly something above an average bistro which honestly could have been better given the price point we are entering into. That being said; quite glad that they do allow for walk-ins for a limited number of pax per day around their bar counter — otherwise I guess there wouldn’t be the opportunity for me to actually give them a go. To be fair, I probably wouldn’t mind shelling out a bit just to get the Double Thick Iberico Pork Chop, Apple-Apricot "Moustarda" to share in the future, though I wouldn’t probably try to end of the meal with the Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé considering how everything else is pretty heavy-tasting here.

Headed to Lad & Dad’s latest venture at Tanglin Post Office, Lad & Co. Taking over the former space of Puglia Alfresco Pizza Bar, Lad & Co features an al-fresco dining space — someone fitting for a watering hole that they are with good air circulation from the Airbitat coolers that keeps diners cool and comfortable despite the outdoor nature of the seats here. Staying true to their roots, Lad & Co does serve up British fare such as the Bacon & Chip Butty, Bangers & Mash etc. alongside sides such as Cheesy Curry Chips, Scotch Eggs and more, though all the food menu items except the Fish & Chips would only be available as they move towards their official launch. They also do serve up a wide variety of craft beers that are proudly displayed in their display chiller, available for patrons to just pick and choose their desired drink.

Having wanted to try their Fish & Chips for quite some time now, we decided to go for a large portion of the Fish & Chips to share — two portion sizes of the dish are available; a medium at $19 or a large version at $29. Featuring beer battered haddock, thick cut chips, mushy peas, gherkin, tartar sauce and lemon wedge, the Fish & Chips here was pretty true to the British-style of the dish and one that was particularly well-executed — there is no denying on how the golden-brown, deep-fried beer batter was so crisp; liked how the Fish & Chips here weren’t particularly greasy, while the batter wasn’t overly thick nor doughy. Inside, the flesh of the fish was smooth and flaky — very clean flavours and fresh here; no undesirable muddy notes here. Even the chips are pretty good here; they aren’t the most thick cut ones around but they still give a substantial bite — soft on the inside and well-filled with potato, whilst also not being particularly greasy. I ain’t a fan of peas but the mushy peas here were on point — doesn’t taste particularly “green”, but also well seasoned with salt and pepper and was a great respite from the deep-fried items, or even works as a dip to the chips as well if so prefer having them that way.

Lad & Dad has gone quite a long way — from being a stall serving up British fare in Maxwell Food Centre, they had since moved to a shophouse unit at the foot of the HDB block at Tanjong Pagar Plaza which marks their start as a watering hole with exciting craft beer options to explore. Lad & Co stays true to that vision; a larger, more centralised location that seemingly targets the expats in the area — a fun and chill location for the after-work wind-down especially!

Made the visit to Jalan Besar for Don Signature Crab / Chicken Pie Kitchen after realising that this establishment is run by the same folks who had set up Don Pie (formerly also known as Don Your Personal Pie Club or Don Pie Club) which had since been sold by the original owners and now run by a third party with multiple outlets in Singapore. Previously located at Toa Payoh within a coffeeshop at Toa Payoh North, they had since moved into a shophouse unit at Tyrwhitt Road (formerly occupied by alittle tashi; their epic “Laundry Room” is something I won’t forget) and now serves up their signature pies, cheesecake and Kueh Lapis here, alongside their famed crab dishes including their Crab Bee Hoon Soup amongst others.

Made a walk-in visit on a weekday evening and was lucky to snag the last personal-sized Chicken Pie available for the day. Described in the menu as “Chef Don Lim’s original chicken pie recipe since 1983”, this is also perhaps a slice of heritage in the F&B scene in Singapore to savour — one can easily say its 38 years in the making. Perhaps what makes the chicken pie so well-loved here is the buttery and flaky pastry and the well-filled pie itself that didn’t feel particularly heavy. Felt that the pastry was lacking some crisp; perhaps because given the time we made our visit — but it does carry an evident hint of buttery fragrance that matches the sufficiently moist and slightly peppery fillings within. One could easily find chunks of chicken that is soft-to-the-bite, potatoes that are smooth and almost to the point of being mashed while also coming with nibs of corn, carrots and mushrooms within.

Against the other chicken pies that I have tried in some other cafes, the Chicken Pie from Don Signature Crab / Chicken Pie Kitchen is one that would likely appeal to those who are into more old-school, fuss free renditions — one that is not overly creamy nor heavy without the distractions such as truffle and other “hippie” elements.