Where To Eat & Drink: A German Pretzel Bakery, A New Food Market & More
Plus, new afternoon tea experiences to check out
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.
To get on your foodie radar this week: Hilton Singapore Orchard and Pan Pacific Orchard's latest afternoon tea affairs, Margaret Market has opened in Queenstown, authentic German pretzels at Park Bäckerei and more.
Lazy afternoons call for little cakes, petite tarts, and dainty sandwiches. One of the latest spots in town for that is the newly opened Pan Pacific Orchard, which is serving up a sophisticated tropical-inspired afternoon tea experience that you can savour at its breezy Forest Terrace, or indoors at the hotel's signature restaurant, Mosella.
For this, it has also teamed up with Wedgwood, serving its petite bites on whimsical fine bone china teaware starring flora and fauna native to Brazil.
The line-up of light and airy finger sarnies run the gamut from smoked salmon and dill, to succulent poached Boston lobster tartar with Aruvga caviar and a fragrant egg and black truffle brioche option. There's also a roast beef bruschetta with succulent beef tenderloin and sweet onion jam.
Desserts are delightful too, like a zesty mango choux as well as a fragrant orange frangipane tart with earl grey-infused ganache. A morello cherry and kirsch chocolate cake with luscious mousse and cherry confiture is particularly memorable, with popping candy adding a bit of fun.
The requisite scones are done well — fluffy and airy on the inside — and perfect with a fragrant strawberry and rose jam.
For beverages, take your pick from a selection of TWG tea, Lavazza coffee or hot chocolate. Bacha coffee, sparkling iced tea and alcoholic options are available a la carte.
Afternoon Tea in the Tropics: Pan Pacific Orchard x Wedgwood is priced at $58++ per person, available daily from 3pm to 5pm (last order at 4.30pm). At Level 2, Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540. Visit its website for more information.
Hilton Singapore Orchard's bar and lounge Ginger.Lily has introduced the second chapter to its afternoon tea experience. Fresh from a culinary tour to Peru, Director of Culinary Vijayakant Shanmugam has rolled out a Nikkei-themed affair, with decadent bites that marry traditional Japanese techniques and vibrant Latin American ingredients.
Each starts with a welcome drink — a zesty Nikkei Sour — which primes the appetite for chef Vijay's savouries. A tart ceviche-style salmon sprinkled with crispy quinoa starts the ball rolling, followed by a trio of Nikkei-inspired nigiri that are torched tableside. Think clean-tasting seabream spiced up with shiromi chilia and aji amarillo, and maguro chutoro with an orange ponzu glaze. Our favourite is the creamy foie gras glazed with sweet Nikkei ginger teriyaki and Maldon salt.
Then come heftier plates that are sure to fill your tummy (and we haven't even gotten to the sweets yet). There's a Shishamo Bun, with the crisp fish wedged between traditional Nikkei bread and amped up with sriracha, jalapenos and furikake, followed by a hefty Kurobuta Pork Sando with tonkatsu sauce and black garlic aioli.
Sweets are exquisitely crafted by executive pastry chef Cindy Khoo, who takes inspiration from Japanese traditions and flavours. Dig into a soft fluffy match cake brightened with sudachi, a light Japanese mango cheesecake, and an airy Mikan Cacao Pepper Choux with a lusicous chocolatey centre with just a hint of peppery fragrance. A strawberry and miso tart, whimsically crafted in the shape of the fruit, serves up an intriguing blend of savoury and fruity flavours. And in true Japanese fashion, there's even a fluffy Red Tea Azuki Dorayaki, too.
To accompany your meal, take your pick from a curation of 10 premium tea varieties by by Gifel Tea, including a specially curated Ginger.Lily house blend.
$58++ per person or $78++ per person, inclusive of one glass of champagne (min. two to dine). Available 1pm to 3pm (first seating), and 3.30pm to 5.30pm (second seating). Ginger.Lily is at Hilton Singapore Orchard. Visit its website for more information.
What was once the Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market & Food Centre in Queenstown is now Margaret Market, a new lifestyle marketplace destination that houses food, produce, and fitness and health services.
Occupying 1,800 sqm across two floors, the bones of the barrel-roofed heritage building are preserved, and woven with contemporary elements. Within, you'll find a lively community hub that supports local brands, home bakers, cooks, and first-time vendors.
If you're there for a meal, make your way to the 70-seater communal dining area, alongside additional seating allocated to each eatery. Eat your way through Australian-inspired jaffles and toasties at Urban Folks, local-inspired tacos and sides at Margie, and Western plates as well as seafood at Bowen's Cafe. For Asian flavours, there are WaWa Lala Bee Hoon and chicken soup rice specialist Kou Kou Xiang Ji Tang Fan. Otherwise, there's always the locally beloved Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a quick meal or coffee stop. In need of a sugar fix? Grab artisanal cakes at The Homme Baker, or frosty treats at ice cream cafe Creamier.
Dining aside, the marketplace is also home to a couple of grocery and convenience stores. Swing by Cu.Ra.Te, a fresh fruit and vegetable supplier specialising in seasonal fruits and vegetables, or pop into Emart24 Singapore for Korean banchan, snacks, beverages, and even ready-to-eat meals.
Food aside, you can also check out the various health and wellness facilities, which include Bethesda Medical, Fung Onn Medical Store and Gymm Boxx, a 24-hour open-space gym. There are also free monthly health screenings for the elderly.
Margaret Market is at 38 Margaret Drive, Singapore 141038. Visit its website for more information.
Sink your teeth into authentic German pretzels at the new 'brezel' bakery Park Bäckerei, which has opened its doors at Icon Village in Tanjong Pagar. Helmed by German-born owner Dennis von Berlepschand his wife Jane Lee Richard, the signature here is the hand-shaped Swabian-style pretzels from Southwest Germany. Get it plain ($3.90 per piece or $10.80 for three), or opt for Cheese Pretzel ($4.50 per piece or $12.60 for three). There are also mini versions of both plain and cheese pretzels.
You can also indulge in other bakes, such as the ubiquitous brötchen (bread rolls) and stuffed bagels, all baked fresh daily using the same pretzel dough.
Or satisfy that sweet tooth with the adorable hedgehog-shaped Karamel Igel (a pretzel bun with a homemade caramel spread, $4.40 per piece or $8.40 for two), or the Schoko Rolls ($4 per piece or $7.60 for two) with a rich layer of Belgian chocolate spread.
Hungry CBD workers can also check out its array of crafted sandwiches, salads and German sausages for a satisfying brekkie or quick lunch.
Park Bäckerei is at #01-41/42/52/53, Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street, Singapore 078877.
Born in 2008 in Brooklyn, New York, and famed for its French-style ice cream, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has opened its first overseas outpost in Singapore.
It's best known for its French-style ice cream, made with double the egg yolks for a creamier and richer mouthfeel. They are also made with only natural ingredients sourced from small producers and artisans, and without any artificial stabilisers, thickeners or emulsifiers.
On the menu, you can look forward to classic flavours such as Sicilian Pistachio, Earl Grey Tea, and Mint Chip, alongside all-American favourites like Honeycomb, Marionberry Cheesecake, and Praline Butter Cake. These are priced from $6.40 per scoop, available in a cup or a cone.
There's also a handful of vegan options (additional $1 per scoop), like the Vegan PB Brownie, Honeycomb Vegan, and Oatmilk Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Crafted with gluten-free oat milk and homemade cashew milk, they're thickened with coconut cream, cocoa butter from Ecuador, and organic coconut oil from the Philippines for an ultra-creamy texture.
You can also pimp up your frosty treat with the various toppings available. Think Salted Caramel, Toasted Walnuts, Cookies & Cream Crumble and Hot Fudge ($1+ per topping).
And if that's not enough, the cafe also offers milkshakes, pints for takeaway, and ice cream bars.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is at #01-19/20 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896. Visit its website for more information.