Where To Eat & Drink: Cedric Grolet Opens In Singapore, French Cheese High Tea & More
You can now dive into the famed pastry chef's realistic fruit-inspired creations and croissants
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 to get on your foodie radar this week: Famed French pastry chef Cedric Grolet's first outlet here, elevated Lebanese fare at Ummi Beirut, a durian crash course and tasting at 99 Old Trees, and an afternoon tea experience centred around French cheeses.
The award-winning and Tiktok-viral French pastry chef Cedric Grolet is opening his first Asian outpost in Singapore on Sep 14. The chef is best known for his signature realistic fruit-inspired pastries, as well as classic viennoiseries like croissants and pain au chocolat.
The sleek minimalist 40-seater cafe and patisserie will take over Como Orchard's ground level, and will be open for breakfast and afternoon tea, dine-in or takeaway. Diners can look forward to a range of desserts like Parisian flan, pastries, sandwiches, and Singapore exclusives, including a special tea menu.
For now, you can pre-order his signature fruit-inspired confections like the Mango Ginger Flower and Paris Brest Flower, but take note that they have dedicated release dates, and not all of them will be available now.
Cedric Grolet Singapore is at Como Orchard Singapore, 30 Bideford Road, Singapore 229922. Visit its website for pre-orders, reservations and more.
Hidden in plain sight along Robertson Quay is Ummi Beirut. The Lebanese restaurant opened last year, and is helmed by renowned Lebanese-Australian chef Greg Malouf and his protege, executive chef Ali Assaf.
Inside the 76-seater space, it's intimate and sophisticated, with intricately patterned tiles and fabrics, botanical murals, greenery and even exquisite tableware whisking diners to Beirut.
Start your meal in Lebanese fashion with mezze, with cold and warm options available, including falafel, a refreshing tabbouleh, and spiced lamb sausages. Miss not the Eggplant Fatteh ($32++) that's absolutely divine — we could devour the thick creamy concoction of boiled chickpeas, yoghurt, soft fried eggplant, and crisp pita chips as a meal on its own. Another star is the Silky Hummus ($24++), which is soft, velvety, and brightened with a baby lentil salad — perfect with pillowy pita bread.
For mains, the Ummi Saayadiya ($48++) stars tender locally farmed seabass with a crisp skin atop a risotto of pleasantly chewy carnaroli rice that's soaked up all that flavourful crab stock. For something heartier, the Butcher's Mix Grill is made for sharing, with kofta, beef kebab and chicken tawook all marinated with housemade spices, and served with Lebanese rice.
Round it off with the classic kunafeh ($24++). Here, it's updated with cubes of apricot for a little tartness and sweetness. Or go for the crackly golden Baklawa ($20++) that's just the right side of sweet.
Ummi Beirut is at InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Ever wanted to know how to pick the best durians or want to avoid scams? 99 Old Trees has introduced a Durian Confidence Course that'll teach you the basics.
We sat down to a crash course by co-founder Kelvin Tan, who took us through identifying cultivars from Malaysia to choosing the best fruit, and even how to avoid common over-selling tactics. The interactive 90-minute experience seats up to eight persons per session.
And when you're done with the lesson, you can sit down to a tasting flight of six cultivars (based on availability) that range from Musang King, to Black Thorn, D24 and Red Prawn. We particularly enjoyed the Tekka, also known as the Green Bamboo or Musang Queen, which offers bittersweet notes and a thick creamy texture.
There's more: If you aren't stuffed, there's also free-flow of Musang King durian, and you get to bring home a goodie bag that includes a pastry of the day, a quirky T-shirt and other memorabilia.
The master class is at $128 per person or $99 each for two tickets purchased and more. 99 Old Trees is at 1 Teo Hong Road. Visit its website for more information.
If an afternoon tea starring all things cheese sounds like your idea of heaven, make a reservation for Westin Singapore's High Cheese high tea affair.
Start off with a toasty slice of grilled sourdough in a warm and gooey baked camembert with thyme and garlic, before moving on to an assortment of terroir-driven artisanal cheeses. There's a soft Saint-Marcellin of Isere, a creamy Delice de Bourgogne (topped with crushed pistachio and dried berries) from Burgundy, France, and a nutty Morbier from the Franche-Comte region (best savoured with a glass of wine, of course).
There are the requisite pastries too, all with a focus on cheese. Make your way through the likes of a luscious goat cheese tart with house-made pear chutney, Gorgonzola apple crumble, Parmesan cheese and blueberry tart, and a vanilla cranberry ricotta cake.
The High Cheese high tea at Westin Singapore's Lobby Lounge is available from Sep 11 to Nov 26, 2023. $58++ per person, inclusive of unlimited coffee or TWG tea. Add on $30++ for a two-hour free-flow house pour red wine, white wine and sparkling wine. 24-hour advance reservation is required. Visit its website for reservations or more information.