Open Door Policy

It has been a few years since I stepped through Open Door Policy located at the upbeat and revitalized Tiong Bahru area. On return, I noted that the seating area had changed, which was a definite plus as this made it less cramped. The staff was also more friendly and less hauty which was a good thing. What remained still strong - delicious food. I had the grilled salmon, and I must say it was so tender and fresh, sitting on a bed of fresh greens and a side sweetener of jelly, as well as tossed with sour capers. This was an explosion of tastes that left me so satisfied, a meal well worth the expense. Our meal was accompanied with a couple glasses of red wine, though red did not go well with the meal, it was still wonderful company that I enjoyed right up to closing time. How rare it was that the staff was cool for us to linger around even though everyone else had left.

The dessert which was the chocolate pistachio soufflé with crème anglaise was a little of a let down, I suppose because it was overly moist with the crème anglaise added in the last moment for the showtime effect. I would request to hold it the next time, so as to enjoy the lovely fuffliness of the souffle that took its time to bake.

All in all, and after all these years of not going to Open Door Policy, I am glad it still maintains its standards of good food.

Open Door Policy
19 Yong Siak Street
Singapore 168650
Tel: 6221 9307
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru Bakery - modern bakery cafe with an old school name

When Tiong Bahru Bakery first opened in Singapore, it gave me an impression of old school cakes, bakery and decor. Who were to know Tiong Bahru Bakery is just a name, and what was on the menu was completely not old school - serving instead coffee, pastries and interesting looking buns. In fact I think cafes like Drips Bakery Cafe and My Awesome Cafe have done a better job of a old school nostalgia mood and food. You do have to give credit to Tiong Bahru Bakery for being a trendsetter, helping to boost the cafe scene and setting a new standard of how a bakery cafe should be like in Singapore.

My friends rave about the croissant, but to me, I thought it was just normal, perhaps because I am not really a fan of croissant. I have tried the famed black Squid Ink salmon burger, which though an interesting black bun concept, it is just a good old salmon sandwich. Coffee was okay and of good standard. Would I deliberately make my way here for food - unlikely so unless I am in the area and there is nothing new to try. I hope Tiong Bahru Bakery will do a revamp and create a new menu that epitomizes Tiong Bahru - cozy, quaint, old school.

Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street #01-70
Sun-Thur 8am-8pm
Fri-Sat 8am-10pm

Tiong Bahru Bakery
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-11
Mon-Sun 8am-10pm