Tag Archives: Weekend Brunch
Toby’s Estate
Hailing all the way from down under Australia, Toby’s Estate has opened its first ever offshore branch in Singapore. Word has it that the owner whose name is Toby (no surprises there) had actually worked in the coffee plantations and factories of Brazil, Guatemala, Columbia and even East Asia, honing his skills before setting up his first cafe in Sydney! Needless to say, Toby’s Estate is yet another gourmet coffee store whose owners are passionate about a good brew.
But of course what’s a fragrant roast of coffee without a hearty breakfast platter to accompany on a lazy Saturday morning? Toby’s Estate also offers a pretty extensive menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even pastries on display for anyone who is either looking for a good meal or simply something to munch on.
Starting off our weekend brunch was a creamy and cheesy bowl of mac and 3 cheese. We ordered the kids size at $8 because we did not want our entrée to take up too much tummy space before our mains arrived. And it was a good choice since eventually, this small bowl serving was just nice.
Deniece had the breakfast croissant with scrambled eggs + smoked salmon $12 and added a side of sauteed mushrooms $3. She had full praises for her choice and I have to admit, the presentation was definitely appetite inducing. The croissant was well crisp, browned and the buttery consistency was commendable.
Club Street Social
Club Street Social is simply Manhattan chic, sleek, elegant and classy. Meet this newly opened hidden gem of a cafe-cocktail bar situated in tiny Gemmill Lane, just opposite Luke Oyster Bar. Stepping in makes one feel very welcome as natural light fills the entire place with its tall glass paneled doors that front the entrance, creating that tranquil and soothing atmosphere.
Even though space is not exactly CSS’s strongest point, the owners have cleverly maximised every inch of the place by building the dining area parallel to the bar, which is in turn facing the multilevel display of booze in the wooden shelves that climb all the way to the ceiling. It is obvious that a lot of thought has been put into the planning of the architecture of the place, with the matching bowl pendant lightings and dark brown wooden furniture coming together so beautifully, evoking a very rustic feel from this aesthetically charming establishment.
The menu is not too extensive, with all the cafe’s offerings including food and drinks found on a double-sided single A4 sheet black folder, but every item is a unique combination of ingredients that is simply delightful to the palate. Yes, you will soon see ordinary plain toasted sandwiches in a whole new light after stepping out of this place.
Hummerstons
Opened by the ex executive chef of PS Cafe, the new kid on the block- Hummerstons is the place to go to for brunch. It’s hard not to pick up on the similarities between both establishments when they both have the same chilled and laid back environment as well as a secluded and relatively hard to find location factor down to a T.
Tucked away at the corner of the second level of Robertson Walk (directly opposite TCC), Hummerstons offers a spacious dining area with wooden tables and chairs or comfortable arm chairs and sofas in a separate lounge area. This restaurant caters to those who wish to enjoy a lazy brunch away from the hurried bustling city life. With its whitewashed brick walls and low lit lamps hanging from the drop ceiling, it’s easy to just slip into that relaxed mode once you step through the doors of this place.
We started our brunch with The Hangover Poutine $15. This dish which originates from Quebec is typically just french fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. From the many variations offered on the menu that day, we decided on The Hangover which had the additional pork & garlic sausage, beef jus and poached egg. On first impressions, the poutine looked hardly appetising when it first arrived with its soggy looking fries and brown appearance but luckily we were proved wrong. This mushy mess of thick gravy sauce, melted cheese and hand cut fries was a wonderful mix of flavours and textures. The broken poached egg which lent a very runny yolk to the entire concoction was simply the icing on the cake.
The Truffle Mushroom Bisque $12 was everything a bisque should be- thick, smooth and creamy. Of course the tantalizing smell of the truffles which greeted our senses when it was first brought to our tables had already won our hearts (I meant stomachs) over and we could not wait to dig our spoons into this one. A definite favourite with all of us!
db Bistro Moderne (Marina Bay Sands)
Together with two other celebrity restaurants- CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza, db Bistro Moderne is the third celebrity restaurant in Marina Bay Shoppes that is located conveniently near the Sands Theatre where the likes of The Lion King and currently Wicked is playing. As such, these restaurants offer a great before or after theatre dining option. Servers are also considerate enough to ask if you are catching a musical so as to ensure that your food reaches you in time before showtime.
The original db Bistro Moderne which was set up by Chef Daniel Boulud in Midtown Manhattan is highly acclaimed and Michelin Chef Daniel has made a name for himself as having opened an unpretentious French-American bistro that serves food that is simply packed with flavour.
This branch at Marina Bay Sands has a very Parisian and chic feel when you first walk in. High ceilings, a stylish bar, smartly dressed waiters and an open window concept which allows diners to enjoy their food while watching the world go by, db Bistro Moderne is hardly modest in its setting and layout.
We arranged to meet here for Sunday branch and to be honest, this visit came tagged with many high expectations and much excitement.
The plan was to order a few mains and leave some room for dessert so we settled on the FRIED EGGS LYONNAISES $21 which was simply the star of the afternoon. The combination of the duck confit, mushrooms and bite sized potatoes was to die for. For starters, the duck confit was beautifully prepared and well-browned. The meat was moist and not overly salty, it was simply delightful. Potatoes were evenly cut and cooked to perfection that it was neither too hard or soft to the point of becoming mushy. Throw in a fried sunny side-up on the top, you’ve got yourself a winner.
Next to arrive was the TARTE FLAMBÉE $18 which was not actually on the brunch menu but on the dinner menu instead. We found out about this dish because we got curious as to what the person at the next table was having so we asked the waiter who kindly explained to us that it was not a brunch item but if we wanted, they could arrange to have it prepared for us. Gold star for initiative and service.
This modest looking flat bread was hardly eye catching but it was deceivingly oh so good. Bacon, onion and Fromage Blanc (creamy soft cheese) on dough was crisp, soft, salty and sweet all at the same time. The subtlety of the flavours were the perfect marriage and it was hard to believe that something so simple and flat could be so three dimensional in taste.
Antoinette @ Scarlet Hotel
A lovely Sunday afternoon brought us to the newest Antoinette branch at Scarlet Hotel (next to Maxwell Food Centre) for brunch. First impression of the place is that it is tiny. No kidding. If you thought the branch at Mandarin Gallery was a bit of a squeeze, this one would be a lot more cozy. That being said, I think it is just nice for two people dates- any more would be a little tricky. Lucky for us, the waiter was spontaneous enough to arrange an extra table just so the four of us could enjoy a comfortable meal.
