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2013-10-15
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Mandarin Gallery welcomes a new addition to their brood of elegant and swanky tenants with the launch of gourmet label- The Providore's flagship cafe on the second floor. From the same people who brought you Jones the Grocer, founders Bruce Chapman and Robert Collick's latest gourmet F&B venture involves both a concept retail store in a 3,000 square foot warehouse in Tan Boon Liat that carries over 500 private label items and this cafe which serves up western food with an Australian influence.Di
Diners will never get bored with a myriad of offerings available at different times of the day. Breakfast from 9am-12pm on weekdays and extends till 3pm on weekends showcases primarily artisan breads such as Sourdough Toast and the Open Faced Breakfast BLT all freshly baked from BAO Bakery and free range eggs in their English Breakfast and Spanish Baked Eggs.Lunch from 12-3pm is straightforward with offerings of gourmet sandwiches and salads from $14.50 while the transition into evening from 3pm onwards is all about Sharing Plates and a choice of Small $14.50, Medium $18.50 and Large $22.50, ideal for communal dining.
Organic Muesli Parfait $12.50For the health conscious, start your day with The Providore's toasted muesli with shaved coconut. Topped with natural yoghurt, fresh fruit and crunchy roasted almonds, healthy never tasted this good. The cinnamon honey brought it home for me with its thick consistency, sweet yet not cloying aftertaste and full-bodied richness. But the trick ironically is in stirring it all up with the milk and letting it sit for a bit before digging in so that the muesli absorbs all that flavor.
Ricotta Pancakes $17.50The first item on the menu to catch my eye, pancakes with bananas are almost impossible to resist, especially when those bananas are caramelized and walnuts are candied. Using the label's Yellowbox Honey, which I believe was the same one used in the Muesli Parfait, it was a refreshing change from the usual Maple Syrup.
Pancakes were fluffy and ridiculously light despite its thickness and lapped up all the honey we poured with its pockets of air. Do not be afraid to ask for more honey if your jar runs empty, in fact, we recommend it for a heightened sense of satisfaction with your pancakes.
The entry of The Providore into our brunch scene gives places like Wild Honey a good run for its money. With such a strategic location, I can foresee crowds flocking here especially on the weekends though we hear that it is now already difficult to find a seat if you do not come early. While prices may come across as a little steep, one has to understand that you are paying for its rent in the heart of Orchard Road and the quality produce that goes into every dish on the menu.So the next time you are in town, you know where to go for some delicious and Instagram-worthy food.
For full review and photos: http://gninethree.com/2013/10/15/theprovidore-cafe-mandarin-gallery/
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