Oma Spoon Korean Bingsu

Bingsu mania hit Singapore quite a few months back where every Facebook and Instagram feed was a picture of friends having a Bingsu. Bingsu, hailing from Korea, comprises of shaved fresh milk. With the fruit toppings, Bingu would probably be one healthy dessert, compared to gelato or ice cream. 

Finally, I had the opportunity to try out Oma Spoon located at Marina Square. We opted for the Mango Cheesecake Bingsu. This was a smooth and flaky concoction of shaved milk ice topped with mango and with a cheesecake at the side. Without the cheesecake, this would have been one healthy dessert of milk and mango. With sprinkles of almond flakes and dried fruit this gave the crunchy and chewy feel to an otherwise smooth dessert. I also particularly like their table where they have a tagline that says "One Spoon Will Take You To Heaven". Indeed, this is how we felt on a blistering hot day. 

I believe Bingsu will probably be here to stay in Singapore, even with stiff competition from yoghurt ice cream, this is one kinda of dessert that you will enjoy sharing with friends after a meal, or when you want to indulge in a healthy yet delicious dessert.

Oma Spoon

Marina Square #04-12

6 Raffles Boulevard 

Singapore 039594

Nearest MRT: Esplanade

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

Pantler Telok Ayer Street

Pantler is one of the favourite to go cafes now at Telok Ayer Street. With cakes that is so divinely concocted, coffee hailing from Dutch Colony Coffee, a sleek shop interior, and an even cuter owner, there are just too many incentives to make a trip down to Pantler for a cup of coffee and cake after lunch. I have personally made many of such trips myself, each time bringing a different group of friends. And it was only today I found out that I have yet to blog about this place!

Most of the cakes at Pantler are light and delightfully created, and if you follow their recommendations, you can't go very far wrong. The Dark Cherry Tart is one of my favorites, though it does not make a frequent appearance. I love the juiciness of the cherry, and the tart is not overly sweet that makes it a light after lunch treat. The cake that comes a close second is the Ricotta Cheese Tart. Though I am not personally a lover of cheese cakes, this is so light and refreshing you would have thought you took a sorbet for your dessert. And finally, something I tried today, is the Vera, which is strawberry mousse with pistachio, a combustion of pistachio and lightness of strawberry mousse that makes you grin in delight.

Pantler has also come up with a limited variety of sandwiches, which I think it is brilliant, as not everyone is after cakes all the time. Portions seem to differ on the two occasions that I was there. I personally liked the tuna sandwich very much, perfect for a light meal, and could possibly compete with the nearby Sarnies if they increased on the quantity and ingredients of the sandwich.

I personally hope that this cafe Pantler will stay and expand it's business, as I think there is great potential with the wonderful cakes they make. I hope they will also expand their collection of savories for light meals that we sometimes want to have before going onto the desserts.

Pantler
198 Telok Ayer Street Singapore 068637
Tel: +65 6221 6223
Email: contact@pantler.com.sg
MRT: Telok Ayer
Opening Hours: 8.30am - 7pm

Vera

Bartlett Pear Tart

Ricotta Cheese Tart

Dark Cherry Tart

Tuna Sandwich

Truffs it is all about chocolate

I have been waiting for the opportune time to check out Truffs at Telok Ayer Street as most lunch times is a harried affair. Given that it was a Friday, we managed to squeeze in cake and a cup of coffee after lunch. 

It was an exciting moment climbing up the stairs to what is chocolate haven. How would the chocolate taste like, would it be as heavenly as I would imagine?

I had my little wow moment when I got to the 2 floor where Truffs is located. It has an open concept kitchen on one side and seating area on another. A design concept that is all about white washed walls and birch furnishing, just the kind of design I would like to have in my house. I like the fact that they pay attention to the minor details like a pretty side table layout for helping yourself with water and sugar, and a tiny little vase adorned with unique fresh flowers to enjoy. Very Japanese style, simple with clean lines. They even sell the furniture you sit on, which interesting and a great way to try out the pieces. 

Since it was our first time at Truffs, we decided on the chocolate cake and I had a macchiato. I kind of regretted my drink as it was super bitter as I did not have my usual cappuccino. The chocolate cake was a pretty sight. Glazed and looking so shiny that I could even see myself in the reflection. It is a lovely moist cake on first bite, and still manages to maintain a homeliness element to it. The chocolate sponge was a little denser than that of Awfully Chocolate and I not have the yucky feeling of chocolate richness after a few more bites.

Truffs is a pretty place to hang out if the rest of the customers keep to a low speaking volume. Though not a fan of chocolate, I might just give this place another shot since it is so near to my office.

Truffs
179 Telok Ayer Street
Tel: +65 9088 2736
MRT: Telok Ayer MRT

Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm (Mon-Fri), 12pm-4pm (Sat)

Au Chocolat Divine Chocolate Dining

Once in a while you chance upon places that gets a thumbs up. Maybe not all the food items on the menu, but good enough that warrants another trip back, also because it's quite a good deal. 

I have passed by Au Chocolat many times on my way to Gardens By The Bay, and would often pick up a cone of gelato on the way; glancing longingly that one day I would have tea at Au Chocolat.

A recent friend's birthday gave the the chance to try this place out, since she wanted to eat at Marina Bay Sands. I was initially hesitant, as other friends had commented that you either liked or not liked the food, because of the chocolate laced in some of the food dishes.

For myself I decided on the king's breakfast, my friends tried the duck and the ribs (which were both winners). To me the king's breakfast was a let down, because it was nothing really special. A wonderful winner is also the truffle fries. Long thick truffle fries with chocolate dipping sauce. It is superb. I have tried truffle fries at quite a few places like Prive Bakery, PS Cafe, and this I must say its one of the better places. I would also say that dining at Au Chocolate did not burn a hole in the pocket as the food is reasonably priced, especially with the large portion sizes. The chocolate cheese cake was a winner, though not the tiramisu cheese cake. There are hits and misses, but I must say it's still worth a trip down for a good meal. 

Au Chocolate has since closed it's doors at Marina Bay Sands :(. Looking forward to see where they pop up next in Singapore! So miss their truffle fries!

Interesting ceiling mural at Au Chocolat

Delicious Chocolate cheese cake

Au Chocolat duck confit

Au Chocolat truffle fries

Au Chocolat king breakfast

Blackball Taiwanese Desserts In Singapore

One of the latest dessert craze to hit Singapore shores is Taiwanese desserts - usually consisting of crushed ice with black jelly, yam balls, sweet potato balls and, red bean, and black pearls. It's particularly refreshing drink or dessert in hot and sunny Singapore.

Although similar desserts have existed in Singapore for years, like ice kachang and chendol, its just how pretty the Taiwanese have packaged this simple icy dessert fare that makes it a 'happening' dessert to have.

In particular, one of my favourite Taiwanese dessert shop is BlackBall, maybe just because everything is just so perfectly concocted - the ice is so smooth it almost looks like milk. Plus the taro balls and black pearls have the right chewy texture. BlackBall is well located across Singapore with the outlet at Bugis+ being most centrally located for tourists. The little shop spaced tucked in one corner comes with a few seats to rest your aching feet. Otherwise pack the dessert and snack while you are walking to Arab Street and Haji Lane for more tourist adventures .

Blackball Signature Desert

Antoinette a pretty little cafe with divine cakes and French crepes

I have been wanting to try this dessert place ever since it opened at Mandarin Gallery, but with crowds flocking over the weekend, the opportunity never really occurred.

As we were celebrating a friend's birthday, we decided to head to the Antoinette outlet at Penhas Street located opposite Lavender MRT. To me it is odd to have a dessert place at this location but it turned out to be a lovely venue on a Friday evening; a great place to avoid the weekend crowd in town, yet being close enough to the city to be a central place to meet.

Antoinette is such a pretty little place, where a girl will feel just like a girl, just perfect for brunch, afternoon tea or deserts. They serve all day breakfast, savory and sweet crepes (which are must tries), salads, and  mains as well. Included is of course the desserts that they have become known for and a large selection of teas.

We had the crab salad, the roasted chicken crepe, the seafood gratin, the Antoinette cake and Antoinette ice cream. The salad was fresh and beautifully decorated with fresh crab meat, the chicken crepe was spectacular, especially with the rich sauce, the seafood gratin came with fresh mussels, squid and prawns. The Antoinette cake and ice cream are both made of Earl Grey flavor, which was an accidental repetition. But the birthday gal didn't like overly sweet desserts, so it was an exception. Overall we spent about $35 a person which is fairly decent for all the food we had. Would I come here? Most certainly! It's a great place to hang out especially during off peak periods with a book on hand. I just didn't like the outside area where the buses stop and pick up passengers to Malaysia; making it incredibly dusty.

Antoinette at Penhas Road
30 Penhas Road (off Lavender Street)
Singapore 208188
Tel: 6293 3121
MRT: Lavender

Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday – 11am to 10pm
Friday and Eve of Public Holidays – 11am to 11pm

Marmalade Pantry Ion Orchard

I have begun to like Marmalade Pantry at Ion Orchard after they had a service staff change. The staff is friendly which certainly makes dining a more pleasant and relaxing experience. They used to have a bunch of nose-in-the-air staff, that make communicating really tough!

Smack in the branded fashion section of Ion Orchard, Marmalade Pantry is a great place to rest your tired feet after walking the entire Orchard Road belt, that is if you can find a seat. It's certainly best to go during off peak hours. I prefer Marmalade Pantry for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. If I am are considering between Marmalade Pantry and TWG (located a floor below) for afternoon tea, I would choose Marmalade Pantry as it has a more spacious and less cramped feel.

My favorite meal here must be the crab linguini - I had a generous serving of crab meat and pine nuts, almost as much as the linguini itself, which was less. My conclusion, people who eat at Marmalade Pantry probably are more carbohydrate conscious - hence less carbohydrate, more ingredients.

Marmalade Pantry Crabmeat Linguini

If you are looking for sides - the fries are really good here. And my favorite dessert is the lemon meringue cake which is super moist with lemon jam in-between for the wow factor. The cupcakes look nice, but I wasn't impressed because the sponge cake was dry inside.

Marmalade Pantry Lemon Meringue Sponge Cake

A place I would favor coming back whenever I am in town, and hankering for a good pasta, salad or Lemon Meringue cake.

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie

Being in Australia for 3 solid years really sets the standard as to what's good dessert. I'm so glad that in the recent years more dessert cafes have sprung up, though many seem to be wholesale, there are some which really look and taste good. Canele is one of them. I have tried both outlets at Robertson Walk and City Hall, as well as several of their birthday cakes. Really good, not cheap I must say, but good. Something you know if you splurge you really get your money's worth. We were at Robertson Walk and since there was such a big group of us, we tried about 9 cakes at once. I was so busy taking photos, I could hardly have a sample of the cakes - it was almost completely wiped out when I was done taking the shots! My favourite - the one that looks like Ferrero chocolate. Best eaten in small quantities and shared! Subsequently, I went to the City Hall outlet and had Nougatine which is essentially crepe with nutella, caramel, and ice cream. Yummy! Be relaxed on their service at City Hall as they seem rather shorthanded.

Canele has since closed it's operations in Singapore. One of the first serious dessert cafes to start in Singapore, setting standards on how the dessert scene should be, it has become a part of Singapore history. Goodbye Canele.