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Pancakes @ Food For Thought!
2010-09-25 19 views
Food for Thought's outlet at 8 Queen Street is the place to be if you're looking for a relief from the hustle and bustle at the nearby Bugis Village and Junction 8. Or if you're seeking an energizer after a study session at the nearby National Library. Or if you want to enjoy good food while helping a good cause: FFT does not have a service levy, but all tips go to the Give Clean Water Fund. While it does not charge for a free flow of iced water (and I don't see why any restaurant should), you a
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Food for Thought's outlet at 8 Queen Street is the place to be if you're looking for a relief from the hustle and bustle at the nearby Bugis Village and Junction 8. Or if you're seeking an energizer after a study session at the nearby National Library. Or if you want to enjoy good food while helping a good cause: FFT does not have a service levy, but all tips go to the Give Clean Water Fund. While it does not charge for a free flow of iced water (and I don't see why any restaurant should), you are encouraged to donate $2 to Living Water International to grant an African with access to clean water.

Once you've navigated to Queen Street, locating FFT should not be a problem because it's is housed in a glass house which stands out from its surroundings. And once you've entered the place, it's difficult to resist the cozy vibe of the tastefully decorated café.

FFT's 8Q menu is more varied than that at its North Bridge Road Outlet, and what its breakfast menu, available from 9am to 5.30pm daily. I'd love FFT even more if the breakfast menu was available all day, but I'm not complaning! While the breakfast menu is not extensive, I love the idea of being able to customize your meal from a selection of fry-up items. The next time I drop by, I'm going to help myself to the brioche, thyme hashbrowns and their much-raved-about scrambled eggs with cream!

There're six other varieties of pancakes to choose from as well, such as Mixed Berries and Dark Chocolate with Stewed Cherries. If you're not a fan of sweet toppings, you can simply have them botak (i.e. plain) for an affordable $6 as well.

My tastebuds were probably unsurprised when I ordered Banana Walnut Pancakes ($10), a huge favorite of mine. The generous portion of banana slices and walnuts are served on top of the stack by default, but you can choose to have them embedded inside like I did. The inconvenience I faced walking to FFT in the rain (with an umbrella that persistently upturned every minute or so) was well-worth it after I had my first bite of these thick and fluffy pancakes. While just as superbly soft like Cedele's, FFT's pancakes were perfectly moist to boot. The generous portion of caramelized bananas and crunchy walnuts hidden inside made them all the more lovable.

Maple syrup is not served here, but who really cares when you have gula melaka syrup instead? Normally used in traditional desserts like chendol and Nonya kueh, the gula melaka syrup lent the pancakes a delightfully aromatic and sweet edge. An affordable but equally worthy alternative to maple syrup, surely! Oh, and did I forget to mention that the cold fresh cream which made such a lovely accompaniment to the warm pancakes is hand-whipped and not from a can?

I wish I had space for more, but the pancakes turned out to be just the right portion for an early dinner as I just had a cup of awesome ice cream at Tom's Palette. Guess the grilled vegetables and butterscotch and apple crumble have to wait for another time!
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
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Date of Visit
2010-09-22
Spending Per Head
$10.7 (Breakfast)
Recommended Dishes
  • Banana walnut pancakes
Level3
35
26
Food for Thought
2010-09-20 4 views
Right at the doorstep of the new Bras Basah (depending on which exit you emerge from) is Food for Thought @Queen Street, a witty restaurant with a cosy feel, hearty portions and a good cause. For one, we were tickled by the packs of tissue paper with the sticker "Chope!" plastered across, used in place of reservation signs.THE FOOD:While waiting, we downed a Real Hot Chocolate ($5) which didn't come hot. That is promptly solved by the server though. Between milk chocolate and dark chocolate, we
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Right at the doorstep of the new Bras Basah (depending on which exit you emerge from) is Food for Thought @Queen Street, a witty restaurant with a cosy feel, hearty portions and a good cause.

For one, we were tickled by the packs of tissue paper with the sticker "Chope!" plastered across, used in place of reservation signs.

THE FOOD:

While waiting, we downed a Real Hot Chocolate ($5) which didn't come hot. That is promptly solved by the server though. Between milk chocolate and dark chocolate, we chose the latter. It was perfect – not too sweet and with a tinge of bitterness.

We would have loved to try the Flavoured Milkshakes (choices include: Earl Grey Vanilla, Mixed Berries Vanilla and Mocha) but the prices deterred us. We secretly wished they would increase the price of their relatively cheap House White and Red Wine ($10) in return for cheaper milkshakes!

First came the Potato Gratin with Garlic Mushroom ($6), a dish that is not meant to be a meal alone though it is potentially filling. Generous amounts of cheese accompanies a not-so-generous amount of potato as well as garlic mushrooms.

The Broccoli & Bacon Risotto ($15), which comes with generous portions of nicely pan-fried bacon and broccoli, was extremely filling and tasty though the risotto itself was a tad too dry and slightly on the bland side. Gulping a little warm water here would do the trick.

And finally, the best for the last – desserts! After all the rave reviews, the Red Velvet Cake was disappointing. What secured my return trip was instead the Peanut Butter & Jelly Pudding – basically a toppled moist peanut butter muffin drowned in sweet vanilla sauce.

A must-try would be the apple crumble – the crumbles were baked to a perfect crisp, the sliced apples tart and juicy and the homemade vanilla ice-cream just so heavenly.

I have yet to be hungry enough to try the Full Works ($18) – scrambled eggs, bacon, garlic mushrooms, chicken sausages, hash browns, toasted brioche with roasted tomato salad – but it came highly recommended.

In all, besides the desserts, the food wouldn't make you go wow but the entire package – witty details, good causes it supports and the laid-back vibe of the restaurant – has guaranteed my return several times.

THE MOOD:

Having visited this branch when it first opened doors to diners, I brushed aside the sub-standard service to teething problems. But having visited Food for Thought @Queen Street for more than five times now, there is simply no excuse. There are two kinds of service staff there – the blur and the nonchalant. Well, there is no service charge and this could be overlooked for the leisurely vibe of the restaurant and its food quality.

Compared to the first branch, tables at Food for Thought @Queen Street are set more spaciously apart thanks to a bigger shopfront with high ceilings. Nonetheless, reservations are strongly recommended as this branch is just as popular or even more so.

Last but not the least, iced water is served free but a small note in the menu suggests you donate $2 to bless one African for a year in support of the Living Water International. The restaurant also supports eight kids from World Vision.

Pictures available at: www.FreshGrads,Sg
(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
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Decor
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Spending Per Head
$20
Recommended Dishes
  • apple crumble
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Pudding
Level2
22
8
Am I Thinking Too Much?
2010-08-31 6 views
Some time ago, after running an errand at SMU, I went round the corner to Food For Thought. I was feeling extremely hungry and wanted some food for comfort at Food For Thought.I wanted to step out of the place the moment I see slogans and quotes plastered all over the otherwise charming cafe. I like the clean lines and decor of this place but alas the quotes just spoil its minimalist look. The cynical streak in me always find people who mouth good deals highly pretentious. So I assumed food a
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Some time ago, after running an errand at SMU, I went round the corner to Food For Thought. I was feeling extremely hungry and wanted some food for comfort at Food For Thought.

I wanted to step out of the place the moment I see slogans and quotes plastered all over the otherwise charming cafe. I like the clean lines and decor of this place but alas the quotes just spoil its minimalist look. The cynical streak in me always find people who mouth good deals highly pretentious. So I assumed food at Food For Thought will be bad too. However, I gave in to my growling stomach and settled for the Basic Works (highly recommended by the friendly waitress). As I smiled to the friendly waitress, I thought they must have given normal scrambled eggs a fancy name to hide their bad cooking.

Basic Works (Scrambled Eggs, Bacon and Brioche $7) is nothing but WOW! The eggs turned out to be one of the best I have ever eaten. Very creamy and nicely done. The freshly grind black pepper and sea salt added much taste but I enjoyed the eggs on its own as well. Brioche was crusty and buttery. Not as satisfying as Canele but I love it too. Eat everything in Basic Works together, you will just think that a good breakfast is THE reason to live. After awhile, I forgot every single negative thought I had about this place. I just like my Basic Works,

Hot Thick Dark Chocolate, $5 is made from powder not chocolate but still thick and rich in taste. If I wasn't seeking for some dense and sweet comfort, I probably order tea which goes better with the Basic Works.
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(The above review is the personal opinion of a user which does not represent OpenRice's point of view.)
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DETAILED RATING
Taste
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Value
Spending Per Head
$12 (Breakfast)