Cafe Grub

With more than 800 types of spirits(and not just whisky) in-store, there’s sure to be a tipple to suit anyone’s palate. Let the resident bartenders create a specially crafted bespoke cocktail according to your drinking preferences. My Old Fashioned was excellent. Made from premium Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon and bitters, each quaff was well-rounded with notes of citrus and orange peel.

<< Invited Tasting >>

Taste: 3.5/5

These pocket rockets of pita stuffed with a moreish combination of tender steak, pickled jalapenos, mushrooms, tomato sauce, mozzarella and jalapeno mustard made for a super satisfying snack.

Taste: 3.5/5

Rich would be an understatement when describing this cast iron pan brimming with torched eggs swaddled in a gloriously creamy mess of creme fraiche and wholegrain mustard. Hidden like buried treasure underneath were chunks of what’s supposed to be barramundi, but in actual fact had the mouthfeel and taste of crab or lobster(not that I’m complaining). Full of flavour definitely, but gets cloyingly rich and tart(from the mustard or perhaps vinegar) after a few minutes.

Taste: 3.5/5

Easily the best dish of the meal – flaky and moist barramundi encased in a crisp squid ink batter on a bed of pistachio pesto. Tastes simultaneously healthy and delicious.

Taste: 3.5/5

Great crunch on the outside, but we weren’t expecting the mealy consistency within that was more akin to mushy peas compressed together. Flavourwise however, it delivered.

Taste: 3/5

Scorchingly hot, it was slightly unfortunate that by then the marrow had mostly melted into a garlic and breadcrumb topped oil slick. It still tasted fantastically unctuous, but I prefer my marrow to retain some semblance of texture and form.

Taste: 3/5

You’ll need an extra side of bread just to mop up the addictive shrimp head broth once you’ve devoured all of the smoky, succulent shrimps. The fragrant fried basil used as garnish was a smart addition too. I’m loving the rustic food, laidback vibes and friendly service at this hidden gem in Little India.

Taste: 3.5/5

We started the meal on a high note with this absolute beauty – cheesy, unctuous, and topped with a dab of fig jam for some sweetness(I wished there were more).

Taste: 3/5

Surprisingly decent for a cafe, the hummus was rendered smooth and creamy, well-balanced in the tahini department, and doused in a liberal amoung of olive oil, making the fluffy slices of pita the perfect vehicle for swiping swathes of the dip into your mouth.

Taste: 3.5/5

At Stranger’s Reunion they practice upcycling, both as a culinary challenge as well as to reduce food wastage. Their house cured salmon is cold-smoked with spent coffee grounds and hickory wood, but to be honest if there was any flavour imparted, it was too subtle for me to notice. Likewise for the espresso infused creme fraiche spread on the sourdough toast.

<< Invited Tasting >>

Taste: 3/5

Great Middle Eastern flavours packed into this salad of cauliflower done 2 ways – pickled in rice wine vinegar and charred. Layers of depth already from the primary ingredient, but add on the tart and creamy tang of pine nut labneh, crunch of pine nuts and sweetness of pickled grapes, pomegranate as well as homemade honey mustard, and the complexity is through the roof.

<< Invited Tasting >>

Taste: 3.5/5

Stranger’s Reunion’s refreshed menu takes a surprising direction toward semi fine dining, with refined plating, thoughtful use of ingredients and wholesome flavours. Their snapper ceviche is punchy and vibrant, bursting with zesty notes of lime, creamy avocado, pungent red onion and herbaceous cilantro as well as shaved fennel.

<< Invited Tasting >>

Taste: 4/5