If primitive and vintage are your kind of thing, the Carpenter has it all covered.
If a fuss free pastries-dining experience is your cuppa’ tea, the Cook has it all attended.

From drooling at the antiques, to the confections, to the cutesy pieces of china, you are basically kept busy. Carpenter and Cook is an unpretentious patisserie that only sells whatever is on display. Nothing of the Eggs or other hot dishes sorts. So if you are not angmoh-fied enough to fill your stomachs with pastries, you’re better off somewhere else.What’s safe about this cafe, after making such a long-ass trip to Upper (Ulu) Bukit Timah for a brunch / tea here, is that all its items are at least of a passable standard. They are entirely made and produced in-house for its freshness. Of the 5 pastries I had, the Chocolate Chip Scone, Almond Croissant and Valrhona Sea Salt Caramel Tart are to-orders. I heard their Quiche isn’t too bad as well, if you’re looking for a heartier meal.

(Look at those plates, damn it. Those plates are for ‘hires’ for photoshoots.)No those fingers are surely not mine.
I’m telling you, that Fresh Mint Tea might seem the most bland and unassuming hot beverage ever, but boy is it rejuvenating, with it almost feeling restorative. Definitely one to go with the sweets. The most charming amongst the liquids (I’m referring to the creepy but adorable heart shape-faced smiley) however, tasted the most ordinary. I didn’t quite like (and it’s just about the thing I didn’t like at Carpenter and Cook) how the chocolate tasted artificial.

No GST and Service Charge here. Also here, you place your order at the counter, take a seat with the pastries and wait to be served with the drinks. Reservations are taken for groups of 6 and above on a weekday, while they only entertain walk-ins on a weekend. Parking can be a chore here though. But without a car, it’s kind of a pain to get here. So, you make the call.

Millenia Walk. A mall I first stepped into only just over the weekend. Yeah, what a Singaporean I am right. It’s better late than never, as I fell right in love with it. To me, it’s a bigger version, and air-conditioned as well, of Rochester Mall. It’s quiet even on a weekend, but there are gems in there you’d never known until you walk out the mall. I have heard of Patisserie G, but well, like many others, did not head over, because of its (lack of) accessibility, and the fact that there are just far too many malls in City Hall alone. Now that I’ve made this new discovery, they ought to embrace my more frequent presence to come.

Patisserie G was only opened late last year. I did not know the reason why the name, until I was informed of the owner’s name – Gwen. Patisserie G is a very chic and elegant dessert boutique, so the image alone has already got me head over heels in love. I’m a sucker for whoever makes priority in branding and imaging.

The physical shop isn’t the biggest dessert boutique around, but sufficient, mostly due to its quiet nature. There are a couple of bar seats, in addition to the 3 – 4 tables available. If you’re fortunate enough to grab a seat, I’m telling you, you can expect to have some tai-tai moments.Plain Croissant ($3) :: The croissant looks magical and inauthentic at first sight. I mean, you can’t blame me – just look at the shiny surface, it appears to be a toy croissant. But take a bite off it, and you’d nod in agreement that it is indeed, magical. I love that it is full of the bearable buttery taste. Not to forget that it’s adequately fluffy within, with an appropriately crispy exterior. It strikes a good balance as then, it’s not entirely crispy and dry, but soft, warm and quantifiable all together.The G Spot ($9) :: From the name, it suggests that it’s their signature dessert piece. And though I haven’t tried many other pieces of cakes, I quite agree already. Shaped like a dome, the Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Meringue that sits on a Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Crunch would surely satisfy chocolate lovers like myself. I always feel that with biscuits, or crunch, for this instance, the otherwise potentially boring chocolate cake tastes much better. It adds a degree of complexity to the dessert, and I love it. The dark chocolate wasn’t too bitter, which was good for the bigger mass. I can’t wait to try more of her other cake selections.Macarons ($3) :: Over ten flavors of macarons available, one would be spoiled for choices. I know I was. It took me a while to hand pick two flavors I’d most like to try. Though a hard decision, I settled with Green Tea & Cherry and Salted Caramel. I was initially pretty pleased with how the macarons taste, until I had the second piece and realized that the macaron shells were of drastically different hardness. One was just about right, and the other was much harder. I do not know if it was a matter of freshness, but was disappointed. Notwithstanding that, I enjoyed the flavors of the macarons. Salted Caramel fell a little short (I thought the flavor wasn’t substantial enough), but the Green Tea & Cherry was good – it gave me a ‘zen‘ feeling after, probably because of its tea-flavor. Unique and good. I know that I would still go back, and I would still order other flavors of macarons just to try them out.

Patisserie G always serves your usual hot beverages, and some pastries like Quiche. I am looking forward to another high tea session at the dessert boutique.

I also like that iced water is provided (self service). And that the whole concept is a very fuss-free one. Order and pay at the counter. No GST. No Service Charge. Perfect hideaway.

https://thechosenglutton.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/wow-wild-honey/

If you haven’t heard of Wild Honey @ Mandarin Gallery by now, well, mhmm, at least you do now! Hah. Famous for its all day breakfast concept, I gave it a try quite some time ago, and then again recently (just because their menu is so intriguing).

Even on a Monday brunch, it is packed. Well also because they are a small outlet, but still. Their furnishing is kind of the air-conditioned ‘Riders Cafe’ style – a part with cushions and sofa; some with ordinary tables and chairs; a corner with a straight row of high stool and bar-table – each with a different reason for choice. Be warned though, if you are going on a weekend, be prepared to be put on the wait list. I waited for half an hour the other time. Thankfully, it isn’t those that you need to stand, in line. You can walk around and take in the Mandarin Gallery atmosphere while waiting for the call from them.When settled at a table, the cup of cubed sugar caught my attention. It can be found in certain places, but under the dim lighting, cozy and comfy ambience, this piece of art just brings creativity to another level. You just feel so comfortable inside, like everything’s well in place.Chocolate Muffin :: Very carefully prepared, the muffin actually looks better than it tastes. It isn’t -that- bad, but at that point of time when we were already starving while waiting for some late comers to arrive, it sufficed. It’s nothing to rave about, very ordinary, muffin.European Breakfast ($18.90++) :: Now this is something to rave about. When they say it’s ‘perfectly poached eggs’, they mean it. Their version of Eggs Benedict, is, the best I’ve had in my life. Wrapped around the eggs are some well-done, spot-on, bull’s eyes bacon – it’s the kind of bacon one can find in Australia – nowhere have I ever tasted such ‘medium rare’ bacon. Very usually, bacon in Singapore are crispy / hard. The cheese, ahhh. Sandwiched between the thick brioche and bacon&egg is the sauteed mushrooms. I think it provides the right twist in the whole sweetness of the meal. Excellent dish, all in all. A must try.Tunisian Breakfast :: Very simply put, it is a sizzling pan of, tomato concise. The description actually sounds really mouth-watering, but well, like we know, it’s after all, a description, written by a brilliant guy. If you’re a tomato lover, don’t mind a couple of eggs, some cheese, sausages, topped with onion and red pepper, then maybe this breakfast set is for you. Otherwise, avoid this at all cost, like what my friend and I have intended to. We agreed that the European Breakfast is way better.

English Breakfast :: The typical, classic English breakfast. Literally. Bacon here isn’t done like those in European Breakfast, it’s harder / crispier. It’s just another English breakfast for me. I thought the portion was huge enough, so I’m not complaining much.

The recent trip there was very pleasant. It was on a rainy and dull day – just the time to give Wild Honey a visit. Dimly-lit restaurant, comfortable, warm and homely feel, we chilled at the restaurant for quite some time, it felt good. Service is professional. If you have time, just pop by for an all-day non-stop breakfast, and maybe a piping hot tea.

—> Note #1: They adopt the order-at-the-counter-and-pay-instantly system. So don’t wave to the waitperson to take your order. Hah.

—> Note #2: If you’re ordering any of the pastries just in front of the counter, just order it at the counter, you do not have to take / ask for a plate to take the cake / muffin / pie yourself. It’ll be served to you.

—> Note #3: It’s not really a place for large group of people. Maximum you’d wanna have there is probably 8.

Ever since work started in the Tanjong Pagar precinct, attempts to hunt for restaurants and cafes in that radius have increased exponentially. Club Street Social is housed just off the end of Club Street, opposite China Square Central. Excellent spot for a weekend brunch, in my opinion. Not the busiest place to be in for a relaxing breakfast / brunch.If you were in my position when I was there (next in line for a table), they will offer for you to wait at their bar area (left of above picture). Take a look at the menu. Order a drink or two while waiting. Catch up with your pal.Bacon & Egg Panini ($14++) :: How wrong can bacon and egg go, right. The Italian Sandwich is toasted to the appropriate degree. Crispy on the surface, and not too tough when bitten. As a package, the panini presents itself as very flavorful. For a non-sandwich lover, I quite love this dish.Scrambled Eggs (with added Portobello Mushroom) (($12 + $4)++) :: Additional sides are offered. For the Mushroom, it comes at an extra of $4 before taxes. It would probably be a wise choice to top something up, because the scrambled eggs and toasts alone aren’t gonna fill your stomach. Favorite part of this dish, bingo, its relatively runny scrambled eggs. I love, love, love it. Well flavored too. It’s a rare occasion that I get to taste such perfect scrambled eggs. Two thumbs up!Truffle Toast ($14++) :: One bite in and the taste of truffle was permanently trapped in my palate throughout the entire meal. It was an overdose of truffle oil, but I ain’t complaining here. It’s a wonder, and again, it’s pretty perfectly done. Very softly toasted. The only downside is, it isn’t filling, especially for a (still) growing guy like myself. Looking at the photo myself, I can still feel the lingering taste of truffle in my mouth. Mmm Mmm.

Service was surprisingly good, taking into consideration the common look on waitstaff when the majority of the patrons are expats / tai-tais. Wait no longer, pick a day now and head down with your friend for some catch-up.

-–> Note #1: They offer free wifi!

—> Note #2: They do not take reservations. Probably because they can only seat about 20 – 30 pax.

-–> Note #3: Breakfast Menu is available all-day.

Typical Singaporeans (including me) would love the concept behind the restaurant. Stellar @ 1-Altitude, though a posh establishment, offers tasting portions so that diners can share and enjoy the vast menu, created with the best seasonal produce and presented with utmost plating skills.Perched on level 62 of the former OUB Building at Raffles Place, the restaurant is commonly considered as a spot for dating, occasions and to impress in general. Make your reservations in advance so as to secure a window seat. It bears spectacular panoramic view of the City and Marina Bay area.The Private Dining Room is a cut-off from the vibrant main dining area. It can sit about 10 persons. The minimum spending for this room is $1,000 and $2,000 for lunch and dinner respectively. If you are thinking of holding a business dinner that involves wine, it is most apt; it’s also easier to converse and interact in this relatively quieter environment.

This Summer, Stellar offers a spanking new experience. Now, you can create your own 4 / 5 / 6-course Gastronomic Tasting Menu at $95++, $120++ and $140++ respectively from the long list of items on the menu including Lobster, Kobe C Prime Rib, and Victorian Lamb. You would be spoiled for choices. Prices stated below are for a la carte portions.Scallop ($28++): Chef Millar was daring in pairing the scallop with parmesan. You wouldn’t think, and it usually doesn’t go well, but this went perfectly smooth. The saltiness of the accompanying custard and sweetness of the pear and zucchini paper made the entire dish a very wholesome one. You would almost forget that the star of the dish was supposed to be the scallop. A hot favorite amongst the few of us.Bone Marrow ($24++): You’re either a Bone Marrow person or you’re not. I belong to the second group. Bone Marrow Fritters, with crispy porky bits, and parsley salad with red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil as dressing on it. It’s fortunate though, that the parsley salad isn’t as pungent as I thought it’d be.Aglio Uni ($44++): While the capellini wasn’t done to perfection, the king prawn was. It was well wood-fired, and I could smell and taste the hint of burns that greatly enhanced the experience. The capellini comes with leek, ebi sakura and smoked sea urchin butter.Yellow Tuna Fin ($44++): Seated on the bed of rissoni is the wood-fired yellow tuna fin. You’d love this if you’re a fan of tuna – very simple, where you can taste it in its nude form. I wasn’t a fan of the rissoni though (rice-shaped pasta), it had a rougher and tougher texture than the usual pasta, and tasted too much a cross breed of rice and pasta for my preference.This new menu is also dubbed the ‘Stellar Experience’ for a reason. Save for their intention to impress you with its food, they also have all the designs to give you a jaw-dropping interactive dessert, sweet experience. Starting from an empty plate to the fully adorned dessert platter, you have the opportunity to witness it with your naked eyes (with a minimum of a 2-pax order).

You can choose up to 2 desserts per 2 persons, 3 per 3 persons, and 4 per 4 persons.
Desserts offered are Valrhona Chocolate Bomb, Flaming Baked Alaska, Caramel Creme Brulee, Ginger Raspberry Tart, French Strawberries Rhubarb Glacee, and White Chocolate Basil Mille Feuille with Pineapple Sorbet.I would highly recommend the Valrhona Chocolate Bomb, Flaming Baked Alaska, and White Chocolate Basil Mille Feuille with Pineapple Sorbet. The former is especially interesting. As can be seen on the foreground of the first photo, it was a perfectly round chocolate ball, until some berry compote was poured onto it and it ‘corrodes’ in your face. The dessert platter is well worth your every penny I promise.Outside of the Gastronomic Menu, you have the choice to opt for the ala-carte menu. For big, meaty appetites, the Meat Platter is to die for. It’s $120++ for 3 meat selections (550g) and $140++ for 4 meat selections (720g).You can choose amongst these good cuts: Australian Angus Rib Eye, Australian Wagyu Rib Eye Marbling Score, Australian Grass-fed Tenderloin, US Wagyu Sirloin Marbling Score, Australian 150day Dry-Aged Sirloin, US Yorkshire Pork Rack, Victorian Lamb Rack and Olive Crusted Lamb Shank.

These meats are from wood fire, skillfully and impeccably done. Not only are you spoiled for choices on the selection of meats, look at the condiments.

I admire E. Chef Millar’s creativity and attention to details. He has been around with the 1 Rochester Group for years now, and he has been a gem.

Even though a meal here means that you will go hungry for the rest of the week, it is worthy if your purpose is to dine to impress. The ambience and the experience can not be found elsewhere, though if I were to compare food and its value alone, I think 1-Twenty Six does a better job.

And yes, you can head up to 1-Altitude for a pre-cocktail or post-dinner party if you were to dine here.