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The Chosen Glutton
This is The Chosen Glutton . French, European are my favorite cuisines. I also love Café, Restaurant, Hotel and Steaks and Grills, Seafood.
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Categories : European | Bakery | Café

 
Nestled in the sequestered neighborhood of Hillcrest, Baker & Cook prides itself Singapore’s only true artisan bakery and foodstore chain. Helmed by Global Baker Dean Brettschneider, the cafe does not only serve up a wide array of artisan breads, pastries, hot items, and cooked items, their own-brand range of items like jams, cookies, and chutneys are also on sale. It proves to be pretty popular amongst dwellers of the area. Baker Dean has had over 25 years of experience, and also the man behind some best-selling baking books. I wouldn’t very much doubt his capability.

 
The inner core of Baker & Cook is a communal table that can sit about 10. And that is essentially it, save for the 2 bar-top window-facing seats. On the other side of the glass panels lies some 7 – 8 tables that can sit about 3 – 4 each. So it really isn’t the most spacious and comfortable cafe to laze. However, the crowd (of expats), and the low-ceiling makes it feel like a home away from home. I wasn’t too much a fan of their indoor seating, however, due to its loud coffee-maker + machines’ noises.

 
Latte ($5+) :: Allpress Espresso coffee is used, for the first time in Singapore, at Baker & Cook. However, it failed to impress and was average-tasting at best.

 
Pastries :: I went momentarily out of hand when I saw the whole stretch of pastries set behind the counter. If it had been the kind like in bakeries where you self-service your breads and pastries, my wallet might not have been able to withstand it. It was much to my surprise that I found the Pecan Tart ($5.70+) the most satisfying. It is not overly sweet and the portion of pecans was generous. I also liked the Caramel Brownie ($5+) quite a bit, though only because I’m a huge sucker for caramel. It comes in an especially big portion, and though it was rather tough a brownie, it was still fine.

 
It was the first time I had a Lamingtons ($5+). It sounds very English to me, but is actually of Australian origin. It’s a pretty cube of sponge cake coated in a layer of chocolate icing, followed by dessicated coconut. I thought it was unmemorable though, in that the flavors were very light. The Chocolate Croissant ($3.30+) was ordinary; nothing to yell about, while the Sweet Scone ($4.20+) was too dry for my liking.

 
Salmon Quiche ($9+) :: Though slightly expensive, I still quite like it. The crust was crumbly yet hard enough to make a mark, and the sufficiently-topped savory salmon completed the experience. Quiches tend to be cloying very quickly, but I did not have a problem this time round; I guess it was good that the cheese wasn’t too overpowering and dominant.

 

 
Eggs Benedict Bacon ($17+) :: Ready your phone and take an instavideo right from the start, because it is going to be needed, anyway, to neutralize the otherwise slightly tough bread that the poached eggs sit on. The bacon is the crispy and hard ones – not my cuppa’ tea. The eggs were pretty good though, well-flavored and perfectly cooked. I thought it is again, slightly overpriced though.

 
It was a rainy weekend morning while I was there. Consequently, brunch at the cafe felt seemingly better. Service was pretty alright, nothing to complain / rave about. Pastries were largely at least of average standard, though not crazy-wow enough for me to head back to the secluded neighborhood without private transport. If you’re up for an adventure and in search of ‘hidden gems’, Baker & Cook passes as worthy.
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Pecan Tart
 
Spending per head: Approximately $18(Breakfast)

Other Ratings:
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 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 3  |  
Price
 3

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Run by French. OK Oct 06, 2013   
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Categories : French | Café | Vegetarian | Desserts and Cakes | Ice Cream and Gelato | Western Soup

 
Tucked away in this small corner of Seah Street, you shouldn’t be surprised if you walk past it and missed it with your bare naked eye. Its isolation is another level, mainly because it’s cramped beside a small construction site, and another dining place that made full use of its alfresco dining area, blocking any possible sight of Entre-Nous Creperie. This little cute French Restaurant is operated by, well, French, which makes it worth the try for authentic French crepes.

 
Cheese Platter :: A selection of four French cheese, accompanied by French Baguette, honey, grapes and walnut. It was the perfect starter for my dining partner and I. The baguette was served slightly warm, and literally hard / slightly crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. Although I’m not one to say the quality of cheese, I must say I did slowly savored each and every art of it. The only thing I’d wished for is, more Baguette please!

 
Geraldine’s Favorite / Entre-Nous :: Geraldine’s favorite is, by chance, my favorite too. Containing goat cheese, roquefort cheese and emmental cheese, it was a cheesy night for me. And I love it that way. I thought though, it tasted slightly burnt, but managed to scrape through. If you’re a fan of prawns, tomato and avocado, then Entre-Nous Crepe is for you. You get the best of three worlds in a simple crepe served hot. As a cheese fan, I’d say though, I’d go for the latter, for the sheer fact that you can taste the distinction in each of its ingredients better, more enjoyable.

 
Sable :: Two shortbread biscuit dressed with their famous salted butter caramel, I say this is the dish of the night. Looks can be deceiving, and in case, it is. The caramel looked to kill your throat with just a single touch, but I was proven wrong. It was one of the easiest caramel to eat – not too rough, but still withholding its distinctive caramel taste. Them, matched with its vanilla ice cream, was just a perfect three-way.

Granted, the food isn’t the best in town, but the warm and homely service, on top of it being away from the hustle and bustle, this small restaurant is worth a visit.
 
Spending per head: Approximately $30(Dinner)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 3  |  
Environment
 3  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 3  |  
Price
 3

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Pies, not cakes! Smile Oct 06, 2013   
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Categories : Café | Desserts and Cakes

 
I daresay most have already heard about Windowsill Pies; it’s much raved about and it’s located in the up and coming Lavender + Farrer Park precinct. Naturally, everything fell in place neatly and we have here, a dessert place serving only, SWEET, PIES. No savory; no cakes.

 

 
I admire the intricate interior design, adorned largely with wooden furnishings and platforms, giving a much homely ambience, and a parting from the outside, worn-out streets and buildings. It’s free-seating, and pretty communal (in the sense that you can sit with Mr Picklechips, the big Snorlax-y bear who lazes in the cafe the whole day). Bet you don’t know he has a name!

You can pair your pies with coffee from Liberty, or tea from Gryphon. The pot of tea is refillable.
And oh, also local bands like Jack & Rai and The Sam Willows have performed at right where the bear is sitting. So if you keep a lookout at their Facebook Page, you might get lucky and have a live band over dessert.

 
Camp Symmetry ($8) :: This new pie in the Windowsill camp is only less than 2 months old. The ingredients are really elaborate and exquisite; white chocolate pudding with raisins, cookie streusel, candied thyme and white truffle. It’s slightly overwhelming but indulgent. Slightly sharply sweet but will do when paired with a pot of tea.

S’mores ($8) :: S’mores is a more classic and safe option, comprising gooey milk chocolate pudding, sticky dark chocolate fudge, with toasted marshmallows and graham crackers laid on top. I quite like that even though it’s brim-filled with chocolate, it’s not excessively rich, thick and cloying.

The pies specialist also offers other pies like Coconut Lime Vodka, Banana Almond Brittle and Pecan. The base of pies is good in not being too crumbly and complements the sweetness of it all well. While the pies are pretty well-executed, the prices can be a little steep to head back often.
 
Spending per head: Approximately $8(Tea)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 3

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All Day Brunch! Smile Oct 06, 2013   
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Categories : Bakery

 

 
Have you been to the recently revamped Suntec City? One of the latest additions to the humungous shopping and dining paradise cum business building is Bread Society, an artisan bakery, now with an added café / boulangerie dine-in concept. Since it comes under the Breadtalk Group umbrella, you must be wondering what sets them apart. Well to put it simple, Bread Society is more European-inspired as opposed to the local, Asian flavors Breadtalk tends to offer.

In view of that, the selection of breads swings away from your usual pork floss, curry breads. Here, you get to see buns stuffed with real edamame and savory ham ($2.30), French country bread with figs ($1.80) and olive ($1.60), and also my favorite from its new creations – Mentaiko Baguette ($2.50), topped with mentaiko roe and unsalted butter. It’s consoling to see that these breads remain affordable.

 
Clam Chowder ($6.90++ with Grissini & $7.90++ with Blue Cheese Toast) :: Soups are on a weekly rotating basis between this and Corn Chowder and Minestrone Soup. While the soup was acceptable with a just-right degree of clam flavors, the Blue Cheese Toast fell a little short. It would have been much better if it was less toasted. The edges, especially, were hard and overdone. Otherwise, the slight hint of blue cheese would have been bearable for even non-blue cheese lovers (I love blue cheese, so I would have wanted it to be a little more concentrate).

 

 
Katsu Sandwich ($13.80++) :: Undoubtedly the star of the night. The different shades of color on the surface of dark rye multi-grain toasts would already have suggested a varying texture to it. It was perfect with parts of it being soft, while the remaining, crisp, slightly charred and fragrant. Note that the slice of tonkatsu pork loin was pretty thick too, giving sufficient bite as a whole. For a cherry on top of the pie, the greens on the side were great.

 

 
The Society ($15.80++) :: This breakfast set is one that defies gravity. The thick baked pancake isn’t your ordinary piece of pancake. It feels like a fusion of cupcake + sponge cake + pancake, glazed with maple syrup and creamy butter. The crispy back bacon isn’t your ordinary strip of bacon. It feels like a mix of pork belly + bacon. It can be too salty, but when it goes with the comparatively bland pancakes, it was good. I love the crispy back bacon, possibly because I really dislike those that are literally crispy, tough and burnt ones. This strays nearer to those I had in Australia, soft bacon that is only cooked for a short while. It comes with a Pork Sausage too.

 

 
Katsu Curry Rice ($13.80++) :: Available only from 12pm – 2pm daily, it is targeting largely at the working adults who need a fuller meal. It’s served with Japanese potato curry, Japanese rice and thick-cut grilled vegetables. I don’t usually eat vegetables, but when they are grilled, they are awesome. I was initially sold to this, until I had the Katsu Sandwich above. The dish is available for take-away too.

 

 
Salted Caramel Lava Chocolate Cake ($6.90++) :: Just by hearing its presence got me salivating uncontrollably. I love its presentation. I also think that it is a smart move to make the molten lava cake not only a chocolate one, but a chocolate + salted caramel one. While the molten did not flow very smoothly with the cut, it was still alright. I thought it’s very reasonably priced, considering the daylight robbery that is happening in many other restaurants that offer similar desserts.

 
Dessert in a Jar ($8.50++) :: Again, value-for-money dessert. This is more so because you get to keep the jar, legally. No more empty talks on sneaking cutesy cutleries or momento-worthy menu in your bag. I had the Mont Blanc and Apple Crumble whilst there. The former, which is essentially a chestnut-filled dessert, was made intriguing with a sizable chunk of hazelnut meringue (which I love). I also fell head over heels for the latter because of its addition of cinnamon crumble. I was torn and realized that I have no idea which one I prefer when I was asked.

I understand that people mainly look out for cafés that exude a chill-out ambience. No, Bread Society is not one of those. Because of its locality, I would expect it to be more fast-paced than anything. It has an intimate (with a seating capacity of 35), simple and casual concept, characterised by marble-top tables and countryside chairs. Save for the Katsu Curry Rice, the other items are offered all-day long. I wouldn’t rave too highly about it, but if you happen to be in the City Hall area, this is a worthy place to check out for a change.
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Katsu Sandwich
 
Spending per head: Approximately $20(Dinner)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 3  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 3  |  
Price
 4

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Standard has dropped. OK Oct 01, 2013   
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Categories : Cantonese/Hong Kong | Restaurant | Dim Sum

The all-famous traditional Dim Sum Restaurant that has been around for the longest time, Red Star Restaurant isn’t the most accessible of it all, but I guess it suits its surrounding location, at Chin Swee Road, just as of heritage value and traditional. About 15 years ago (damn, time flies) when I was living in that precinct, my extended family and I would frequent the Dim Sum Restaurant. Well, we lived literally just across the street, so it was rather advantageous to us beating the crowd in the morning. I know that up till today, trying to get seats in the Restaurant on a weekend morning is still as challenging as ever.

A quick recount of the food that we used to love from the restaurant, over the years (of course, it was so good we went back even after moving away from that area). It was unanimous when we agreed on how the Century Egg Porridge was a showstopper. Together with its famous Chee Cheong Fan. Those items would not be missed out from the pushcarts on each visit. They work on a system where you have a card – that paper-card will be stamped when you request for an item from the pushcart. And of which, you will proceed to the counter for payment, with the said paper-card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
So after our recent re-visit to the Dim Sum House, we have, as unanimously as we did before, condemned on how its quality of food has plunged tremendously. The Century Egg Porridge, for one, is now tasteless and bland, a drastic change. The gravy that the Chee Cheong Fan is semi-soaked in, is no longer as flavorful as before. Again, it seemed as though they ran out of salt on that very day. To be honest, one can easily get the similar taste, if not better, of the rest of the Dim Sum dishes. To me, it has just transformed into another pretentious Dim Sum Restaurant. Saddening.

Because it is such a noisy environment, and that all the pushcart attendants are very busy and occupied, forget about the thing called service whilst you are dining here. Also, if you are still adamant on trying this place, it is best for you to walk around with the paper-card, looking for the food you want. Especially if you are sitting right at the other side of the kitchen. By the time the cart comes to you, some of the more popular dishes would already have been long out.

I say if you want Dim Sum, go for Swatow Seafood Restaurant or Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant instead. Though they might not be around for as long, they are as good, if not better.
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 2  |  
Environment
 3  |  
Service
 3  |  
Clean
 3  |  
Price
 3

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