Where To Eat & Drink: A New Artisanal Bakery Cafe, A Home Bakers' Pop-up & More
Our round-up of great dining spots to check out, fab drinks and the latest in food news this week
By Michelle Lee SM -
Always on the hunt for new dining spots? We bring you sound bites on where to eat, including new restaurant and eatery openings, the best places for your after-work tipple, and what’s new in the food scene.
What's on the menu this week? Classic viennoiseries with a twist at new bakery La Levain, travel-inspired cocktails at Mo Bar, delish Japanese fare on-the-go from Sushiro and more.
The hip Jalan Besar enclave has a new kid on the block: La Levain, an artisanal bakery cafe that's helmed by executive chef Wythe Lim, formerly of Keong Saik Bakery and Bakery Brera.
All industrial-like grey interiors with rustic wooden furniture and warm lighting, it's a cosy space for get-togethers while nibbling on viennoiseries that run the gamut from classics to ones with global influences or given a local twist. Think Kouign Amann, Pain Au Chocolat, Burnt Cheese Croissant, Bo Bo Cha Cha Croissant, Hojicha Mochi Croissant ($6.80+), and his signature Cruffins (from $4.60+).
If you're there for brunch (8.30am to 2pm), check out mainstays like Avocado Tartine with Egg ($14+), Peanut Butter Tarine ($8+), or the Big Breakfast ($19.80+) loaded with eggs, sausage, mushrooms, pickled cucumbers and sourdough bread.
La Levain is at 23 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209193. Visit its website for more info.
You can now sample delights from some of your favourite home bakers at the new Baker X, a 10-seater baking studio and cafe at level four of Orchard Central. Helmed by Far East Organization, it offers budding entrepreneurs a chance to run their operations at a physical outlet and to scale their production at no cost.
The establishment has teamed up with a line-up of home-based bakers up till the end of 2022, who will take up residency between two to six weeks at a time. The first to kick off from Dec 20 to Jan 9, 2021 is White's Bakery. You'll get to savour its signature Basque Cheesecake ($10 a slice or from $38 for a whole cake) in flavours like Taro and Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter, together with Korean Fat Macarons (six for $30) in yuletide renditions like Peppermint Mocha.
You'll get to enjoy them with sips from Foreword Coffee Roasters, a social enterprise that aims to provide an inclusive work environment for neurodiverse individuals.
Baker X is at #04-29 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896.
Following its first Petite store at Great World City, sushi chain Sushiro has unveiled its second takeaway store at Wisma Atria. And not only is the sushi freshly made in the store, but you can also customise your own platter, and place advance orders to skip the queue.
Meanwhile, the chain has also launched various new items which you can find at all Sushiro outlets. Some standouts include Tachiuo or Beltfish Tempura ($3.20), with delicate but firm fish fried to crisp deliciousness, crunchy and savoury Soft-shell Crab ($4.80) topped with mayo and ebiko, and even a Rich Uni Wrap that's priced reasonably at $3.20. For a little fusion fare, check out the Salmon Basil Mozzarella ($3.20) with mozzarella bites and pesto atop fresh fish and sushi rice. Psst: We also love the Big Red Shrimp sushi, already available on its existing menu.
Sushiro Petite's newest outlet is at #B1-50 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877. For dine-in and takeaway locations, visit its Facebook page.
Sip on the Lady Gaga X Dom Pérignon champagnes at La Dame De Pic, alongside a special menu
You might have heard that Lady Gaga and Dom Pérignon have collaborated to release two limited editions cuvees (signed by the superstar), the Lady Gaga Limited Edition Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010 and Rosé 2006.
And from now till Jan 8, you can savour them at Raffles Hotel's La Dame De Pic restaurant, together with a special menu dreamt up by three-Michelin-starred chef Anne-Sophie Pic to complement the vintage champagnes, billed The Creative Banque.
You'll start with canapes and amuse-bouche, before diving into aromatic koshihikari rice topped with Oscietra caviar as well as her signature pasta parcels of French cheese fondue and beetroot broth. Then tuck in into the Blue Lobster from Brittany brightened with red berry consommé, tapioca, sencha and yuzu. For dessert, an indulgent creation of chestnut flower honey mousse and hibiscus jelly with Reine de Reinettes apple tatin and silver needle white tea ice cream.
Available from $1,188++ for two guests, inclusive of a bottle of limited edition Dom Pérignon x Lady Gaga Vintage 2010 champagne, and must be taken by the entire table. Available for lunch (Wed and Sat) and dinner (Tues to Sat). Not available on Dec 24, 25 and 31, 2021.
La Dame De Pic is at Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673. Call +65 6412 1185 or e-mail ladamedepic@raffles.com for more info or reservations.
Recently bagging the 36th spot in World’s 50 Best Bars 2021, Mo Bar at Mandarin Oriental has a new menu of cocktails named Volume Four, a continuation of its travel-themed series. Designed as a sphere-shaped, illustrated 3D globe, it invites you to sip on creations inspired by destinations across the Pacific Ocean.
If you prefer non-alcholic drinks, there's the kombucha-based Lakeside (from $14++) that's a nod to Sri Lanka, or the Taiwan-inspired Formosan (from $16++), which sees coffee and coconut cream served hot and cold. For the boozy beverages, take your pick from the likes of Holi ($24++), a nod to India's festival of colours with gin, buttermilk and spices, as well as a South Korean-inspired rice paper rum and wheatgrass cocktail, Full Moon ($26++). Then, of course, get a taste of local flavours with the Satay by the Bay ($25++), with gin, bitters, and hints of satay.
The food menu's also worth checking out, with snacks and plates like the crowd-favourite Singdog ($24++) topped with achar, sambal mayo, scallions, and dry shrimp, as well as the new Truffle Cheese Naan with mozzarella and fragrant truffle paste ($18++).
Mo Bar is at L4, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797.