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RAMEN KAGETSU ARASHI: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Buona Vista, Singapore

November 7, 2013 / Buona Vista, Food Reviews, Singapore / 0 comment

I am a ramen FIEND.

And I think Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is amazing. Who knew eating ramen could be so fun??

When you’re seated, you’ll note that part of your table is stacked with an array of pots and bottles of…… secret Japanese potions. For us commoners, there’s a note card that details what each one is, and what you put where. It’s informative and had me all eager to get my bowl of ramen so I could start customizing it.

*rolls up sleeves*

But first things first. They specialise in ramen and that’s pretty much all they serve, save for a few side dishes. I opted for the 5-piece pork ramen, because I always find those slivers of pork are way too meager and I like my meat. So I got the Genkotsu 5-piece ramen ($17.80) because it boasts a creamy pork-bone broth, and I like my ramen broth really rich (otherwise known as fatty).

I added $2 to select a side dish and green tea, which is their Set Lunch special. It’s an excellent deal and highly recommended.

My hot green tea, however, was completely tasteless and more like hot water. A bummer, as I love myself a steaming cup of fragrant tea. That said, they provide a jug (!) of icy cold water at the table, so mega thumbs up for that.

Also, how adorable is the kids cutlery set?!

And so my bowl of steaming hot ramen arrived…. and it was KICKASS AMAZING.

The broth was creamy and rich, the noodles were springy (wish there was more though), and the pork…. man… it was so tender it fell apart when I poked it with my chopsticks. I’ve had pork in ramen where it’s tough and chewy, and this was the exact opposite. It was sliced almost paper-thin though, and I would have liked for each piece to be 3x thicker, for the price we’re paying.

Now, the condiments!

I added some special Japanese black pepper (not pictured), but zeroed in on their spicy chives. I’m normally not a fan of spice (nor can I tolerate it), but this gave the broth a stunning kick. It gave a different dimension of flavour, but wasn’t so spicy that I couldn’t take it.

I would fully recommend adding this to your broth (for maximum flavour with minimum spice), or putting it directly on your spoon as you’re eating (if you’re a chilli monster).

And……. freshly squeezed garlic!!!! I do this all the time at home, so I’m not sure why I got so excited. Perhaps it’s the novelty of doing it in a restaurant. I was given 3 cloves of garlic, and all 3 were crushed in. Mmmmm…..

Since the noodles comes with half a hard-boiled egg (WHY??????), I ordered a proper Japanese soft-boiled egg. It was a good move, since Hunter scoffed the entire thing.

Remember the $2 extra I paid for a side dish and green tea? This is the side dish, pork tonkatsu. 4 fat chunks of it. What a good deal! It was delicious, especially the extra crisp and super fresh bread crumbs.

I realised afterwards that Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is actually one of the largest ramen chains in Japan with more than 260 outlets worldwide. I’m not surprised, now that I’ve eaten there. The ramen really is good, and the extra condiments make it so much fun. Kids will love ‘playing’ with the food!

Last Bite: Ramen Kagetsu Arashi makes ramen fun for the kids. Add your own toppings and flavours, and customize the size of your ramen. It’s absolutely delicious to boot!

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: Yes (in the mall)
Kids’ menu: No

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi
The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green #01-41
Singapore 138617
Phone: 6339 0335
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm, Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm, Sun: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm

PAUL BAKERY: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Orchard Road, Singapore

November 6, 2013 / Food Reviews, Orchard Road, Singapore / 4 Comments

I’d been to PAUL Bakery when we lived in Shanghai, and we’d always enjoyed their coffees and pastries. I was delighted when they opened a branch in Takashimaya mall in Singapore, and now in Tanglin Mall (in July 2013).

PAUL prides themselves on their baked goods, but we’d decided to visit for lunch to try their lunchtime menu.

I was pleasantly surprised by the complimentary bread basket which was filled with sliced baguette. It seems fewer and fewer cafes are doing so in Singapore, so the ones that still do get a big thumbs up in my book. Specifically because my kids love bread (don’t all kids?!) and it keeps them occupied as they merrily chew on the bread whilst we await our mains.

I opted for the Ham, cheese and mushroom crepe. Oddly, it doesn’t exist on PAUL’s menu, which either has ham/cheese combination, or mushroom/cheese combination. But because I am a greedy pig, I asked for all three, and they complied.

I believe they charged me around $20 for this (the crepes on the menu run around $18 each) and I thought it was pricey for a small serving. It’s enough for breakfast or for a very petite eater, but otherwise, you’d be left pretty hungry.

Thumbs up, however, for the large roasted tomato on the side. It added juiciness to the dish and complemented it well.

They went fairly heavy-handed on the cheese, which I was delighted with. I would have preferred another slice of ham (could hardly taste it as it was one thin sliver), and for the crepe itself to be a little drier and crispier as it was a tad soggy. I suppose I’m used to the amazing crepes we had in Paris!

Their latte was superb and hit the spot. It was served in an adorable thick-walled glass mug, and had a rich foam over a punchy coffee.

Their dessert+coffee set is a staple of mine. This mini dessert platter comes with a tiny pot of creme brulee (Carter loved this), a small slice of chocolate fudge cake (absolutely luscious), and two macaroons (lovely).

It’s the perfect portion size for a dessert, and will leave you satisfied but not overly-full.

Last Bite: PAUL Bakery now has two convenient locations on Orchard Road, and offers a small but satisfying lunch menu. Our favourite? The dessert + coffee set!

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: Yes (in the mall)
Kids’ menu: No

PAUL Bakery
Tanglin Shopping Centre
163 Tanglin Road
#01-16/17
Singapore 247933
Phone: 6736 3257
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 8am-10pm

PRIVE @ KEPPEL BAY: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Harbourfront, Singapore

November 4, 2013 / Food Reviews, Harbourfront, Singapore / 5 Comments

Located on Singapore’s only private island, Keppel Bay, Prive was a favourite spot of mine to hang out with friends back when I was still living in Australia and visiting Singapore. And now, with two kids in tow, Prive is still one of the top spots for a meal.

Prive’s location is often confused with being in Sentosa. It’s not hard to see why. Situated right at the water, it offers lovely views of the yachts and a lovely walk by the water.

There was an incredibly sexy Maserati parked… right in the lobby. It was a show car, I believe. I’d sure buy it if they discounted it by 99% 😉

The calling card of Prive is the expansive space by the water outside (where kids can run/scooter/bike around), as well as their playground. It’s small and simple, but it’s a hit with the kids and enough to keep them occupied whilst waiting for the food to arrive.

Only downside? The playground is placed exactly where the sun hits. It is boiling hot if you’re there at lunch time. Many of the tables are situated in the shade, so I am flummoxed as to why the playground is in the direct sun.

The food is generally good. The price point is slightly on the higher side, but presumably due to their killer location and views. Their Norwegian blue mussels 300g with white wine, shallots, garlic and basil ($24) was delicious, with tender, soft mussels. Our only complaint was that the mussels were so teeny tiny it felt like you were eating… nothing, with each bite. It was a shame, as the white wine sauce was delicious (albeit a tad salty) and I enjoyed the tomatoes and fresh basil scattered through the dish.

I got the Ultimate fish & chips ($22) for the kids, but the beer battered dory was far too deep-fried for them. It was a high batter ratio, so it was difficult to scrape off the oily batter and give the kids the fish inside. It was fine for adults though, and tasty, though really oily.

On the positive side – the fish came lying on a bed of fries, enough to fill you right up 🙂

I saved the best for the last – the Sticky finger baby back ribs ($26) was a STUNNER! Easily their best dish and the kids gobbled it all up (Hunter the picky eater that dislikes meat, and Carter with his two barely-there bottom teeth). The with pomegranate molasses on top was a little odd (I scraped it off), but the meat was incredibly tender and could be cut with a fork. The ribs were chunky with meat and absolutely satisfying.

It was served with colesalaw and a delicious cajun-maple glazed hokkaido corn on the cob.

I requested for the Homemade brioche french toast ($12) to have toppings on the side, and it was a good move so the kids could eat the bread without all the sugary stuff.

The brioche was fluffy and light, with the eggy exterior crisp and fragrant. I was impressed with the sticky caramelised bananas ad roasted walnuts, which was very rich and sweet, but paired well with the plain french toast.

We were actually there for a family lunch to celebrate my birthday, and I’d also ordered a Red velvet cake so the kids could blow out the candle (what is it with kids and blowing candles on birthday cakes?!), but I think they forgot my order as after 15 mins it still hadn’t arrived despite it being a no-cook item. I cancelled it since we were already pretty full. So, unfortunately, no nice candle-blowing pics!

Last Bite: Prive @ Keppel Bay offers a kid-friendly playground and expansive area by the water outside for running/scootering/biking. Their ribs are a must-order!

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: Yes
Kids’ menu: Yes

Prive @ Keppel Bay
2 Keppel Bay Vista
Singapore 098382
Phone: 6776 0777
Prices: $$$
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9:00 am – 12:00 am

BUONO GIVEAWAY: A Buono desk and chair set from Japan (worth $168)!

November 1, 2013 / Giveaways, Singapore / 3 Comments

So what happens when your baby is no longer a baby, and starts scribbling away?

Kids love to scribble with crayons, and they love to climb into little chairs. And out of them. And in again. And out. Ad infinitum….

What is it with toddlers and wee-sized chairs?!

The Buono desk and chair are by Japanese brand Yamatoya (who have been around since 1924), and designed for kids aged approx 1-5 years old in mind. The idea is that the set is adjustable (2 heights) to suit your child’s growing height.

It arrived in a surprisingly small box. I was expecting a big carton, but it was a flat box. “Oh no!”, I thought, “it needs to be built.” Turns out it was SO easy, I built it myself (and I am no handywoman). It just all slots in together, pop a few screws in, and ta da! The kids even got in on the action.

The main attraction was the chair. And it still is. Both kids love to scramble up and down on it, and just sit there looking very pleased with themselves. Fact is, Carter makes a beeline straight for the Buono chair the moment he steps in the door, and sits at the table all satisfied.

He then proceeds to pull all his crayons out and drop them on the floor, one by one. But that’s another story….

What impresses me about the Buono desk and chair is that it’s incredibly sturdy. It is strong to the touch, does not creak or bend, and has a divine solid feel to it. I’m especially picky about this when it comes to kiddy chairs – something too lightweight will tip over easily. The Buono chair is like a solid block of wood and withstands the kids pushing it around, climbing up and down it, and of course, sitting on it.

The set takes up to 60KG in weight! It means I can sit in the chair too. Uhhh.. if I shrunk my bum down a little.

The table has a B4 sized drawer that slides in and out really smoothly (drawers that get jammed easily or are shaky to yank in/out annoy me). It’s a nifty thing to store drawing books and a tray for crayons.

The set comes with two solid shapes – a blue circle, and a red triangle. Your kids can place erasers or knick knacks in the blue circle, and the red triangle has three little holes to stick crayons into.

As it turns out, the triangle is a HIT with Carter! He pokes his crayons in and out of the thing, and carries it around proudly. And both kids think singing Happy Birthday with the three crayons sticking out is a total riot (it kinda looks like a birthday cake). So I’m pleased it doubles up as a toy as well!

Yamatoya are giving away one Buono Desk and Chair set, worth $168!

a Brunch With My Baby giveaway

You can submit some of the entries more than once a day, so come back tomorrow to get more entries in the draw.

Giveaway will run from 1 Nov to 7 Nov 2013 inclusive.
All entries will be verified according to the entry criteria(s) before the winner is notified.
The prize will be delivered to the winner’s choice of address.

Psssst, you can see the Buono Desk and Chair in person at the Parenthood Fair next weekend (8-10 Nov!)

Thank you Yamatoya!

TANJONG BEACH CLUB: Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Sentosa, Singapore

October 29, 2013 / Food Reviews, Sentosa, Singapore / 0 comment

We’ve visited Tanjong Beach Club a couple of times before, but it’s always worth a re-visit every time we’re in Sentosa. The pool is a hit with the kids, and it’s a lovely way to have a bit of a play before a leisurely dinner afterwards.

It never seems to be crowded during weekdays, but I bet it’s popular on weekends. This suits me just fine, because we almost always have the pool to ourselves, and we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a seat.

There are two steps in the pool that stretch across it lengthwise, excellent for young kids. And every time I’ve dipped in the pool, the water has been really warm – perhaps because there’s not much sun cover above it, so the water heats up during the day. Point to note: bring sunscreen!

There’s also a long wooden deck area by the side of the pool, where the sofa lounges are. It means I can sit and rest on the sofa and watch the kids play on the deck, or pop in and out of the pool.

The beach is RIGHT THERE but, as expected, Hunter isn’t quite a fan of it.

Carter? Even worse. He just can’t deal with it. Guess my kids aren’t destined to be beach bums..

After the kids are sufficiently tired out, we adjourn for a nice dinner by the pool (though we had to move indoors half-way as it started raining).

Their Fried calamari is always a winner. The calamari has good bite but isn’t tough, and the batter is seasoned perfectly. A must-order.

The Fish & chips (kids portion) is heavy on the chips, and offers two fish nuggets. I would have expected more, or larger fish chunks. Regardless, the kids loved this.

I asked for my Prawn pasta to be “no spice”, but turns out it was still quite spicy. Carter (oddly) had no issues with it and slurped up more than half this (main meal size) portion! Hunter though, wailed like he’d been injured and refused to eat any of this.

Their Burger is delicious, though I would have preferred a larger patty (it was dwarfed by the rest of the burger) and less fries.

Both kids were really well behaved through the meal, with no fuss, and ate well. Actually, they were pretty angelic!

I attribute it to all the running around and swimming that they did for ages, before sitting down for our meal 😉

Last Bite: Tanjong Beach Club has a lovely pool for the kids to enjoy a swim in, before sitting down for a beach-side dinner. An excellent outing for the kids! Make sure you order the Fried Calamari.

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: ?
Kids’ menu: ?

Tanjong Beach Club
120 Tanjong Beach Walk
Sentosa
Singapore 098942
Phone: 6270 1355
Prices: $$$
Hours: Tue – Fri: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Sat – Sun: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm

MUSTELA GIVEAWAY: Any Mustela product of your choice + facial wipes

October 25, 2013 / Giveaways, Singapore / 40 Comments

Hope you’ve been having a fabulous week! If not, it’s Friday night anyway, and you know what that means – HELLLOOOOOOO WEEKEND 😀

This Friday, we have a very famous brand all the way from France: Mustela!

Mustela really needs no introduction. Skincare experts for babies and mums-to-be since 1950, their huge range caters for delicate skin with their natural formulas. Their new Rebirth! launch of the Bébé range focuses on Avocado Perseose which works to preserve your baby’s skin.

Mustela are generously offering THREE winners any Mustela product of your choice + facial wipes!

a Brunch With My Baby giveaway

You can submit some of the entries more than once a day, so come back tomorrow to get more entries in the draw.

Giveaway will run from 24 Oct to 31 Oct 2013 inclusive.
Winner may select and pick up their prize at the Mustela headquarters in Singapore.

My kids and I are heavy users of Mustela products. You’ll often find a bottle (or three) of their stuff lying around in the bathroom or the childrens’ bedroom.

In fact, I ended up ‘representing’ my favourite Mustela product in a couple of magazine ads this month. It was a feature on the Mustela launch that I attended, and had a section where I had the honour of appearing next to a few other mums (some of them are personal friends too, yay!). Click the pic below to see the full-size copy.

Here’s some of the Mustela goodies I tried recently…..

The Mustela facial cleansing cloth wipes (these are the ones included in the giveaway above) are more expensive than generic brands, but if you try one, you’ll see why. They are thicker, more plush, and feel superior. Huge props for the plastic clip-lid – I cannot stand brands that offer a sticker to keep it shut. It’s completely useless since it loses the stickiness so quickly! On the downside, since these are more expensive, I tend to make sure my kids are reaaaallllyyyy messy before whipping one out 😉

I’m a fan of the Mustela baby shampoo. It’s very mild with a subtle scent, and foams up well. The kids haven’t kicked up a fuss with it, so I guess they’re all good with it! It makes their fine baby hair really soft afterwards. No need for conditioner.

For those of you that don’t like too many products in the bathroom, or if you’re travelling, the Mustela 2-in-1 Hair and Body Wash works really well. Just one tube and you’re done from head to toe! Kids are squeaky clean and smelling great, but this formula doesn’t dry out their hair or skin.

Ahhh.. this Mustela Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil is Hunter’s favourite. He will always ask for this at bathtime, every night. The word “oil” sounds a bit freaky (just sounds messy to me!) but it transforms into a soft milky formula in the bath, and doesn’t leave my tub oily and slick. It does make the kids’ skin really soft though.. obviously so. And it has no scent, which is great for sensitive skin.

I’ve been through maybe 4 bottles of this Mustela Body Lotion. It’s one of my staples because it’s easy to use (the pump is a great idea!) and the lotion absorbs quickly and easily with little-to-no scent. It’s really nice for adults to use too, if you feel like a bit of pampering. I often steal some of this to use as a face lotion on myself.

Ahhh… the Mustela PhysiObébé. I don’t think I could’ve survived without this back when Hunter was born in China. I was afraid of using tap water (it’s unsafe to drink) on his face or diaper area.. and this no-rinse cleansing fluid worked SO well as the last step when changing poopy diapers I didn’t like using just wet wipes as I felt they left a (potentially irritating) residue, so I used cotton pads dampened with PhysiObébé and cleaned him up. I used it on Carter too when he was a newborn, and continue using it to this day to clean Carter’s bum after a poo. My favourite product. LOVE it!

Since my kids are half-Aussie, suncare is pretty critical in our swimming routine. The Mustela Special Intolerances SPF50+ Suncream is our favourite so far. The tube is small and portable, it’s a mineral sunscreen with a high SPF, and it protects the kids really well. I steal some for my face 🙂

And this Mustela Musti Eau de Soin is something that’s mine. ALL MINE!!!! Lots of parents have fallen in love with Mustela’s signature fragrance (though they have a line that is fragrance-free if you prefer that), and this spray caters exactly for that. It’s Mustela’s signature fragrance… that I can use 🙂 It’s alcohol-free, very light on the skin, and has a beautiful fragrance that reminds me of sunshine in a field of daisies. This has kickass reviews online, and I can see why. I’ve been using it daily as my fragrance.

Mustela products are available at: Takashimaya, Robinsons, OG, Kiddy Palace, selected Spring Maternity, Mums & Babes, Motherswork, selected Watsons and Guardian.

Thank you Mustela!!

ELLY GIVEAWAY: The Elly clothing item goes to….

October 24, 2013 / Giveaways, Singapore / 0 comment

CONGRATULATIONS to Josephine (js***@msn.com), who is the winner of our Elly Giveaway!

She wins a clothing item from Elly’s newest collection of her choice. I can’t wait to see what she picks.

Josephine, please respond to our email within 48 hours to claim your prize. And congratulations again!

a Brunch With My Baby giveaway

KITH @ QUAYSIDE ISLE: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Sentosa, Singapore

October 24, 2013 / Food Reviews, Sentosa, Singapore / 1 Comment

I’m already a big fan of Kith Cafe at Robertson Quay. However, that one now seems like a dinky little cafe compared to their gigantic new one located at Quayside Isle in Sentosa.

Quayside Isle is an area that’s been newly developed, and boasts top notch restaurants. Kith is one of them. I’ve been on a weekday AND a weekend, and it is the one and only cafe there that is packed to the brim. That speaks for itself.

Kith deserve the crowd, because their location is gorgeous (it overlooks the harbour and yachts), the food is top notch, and the service is impeccable.

We liked the outside play area, that offers plastic animals for kids to climb/push/crawl over, as well as the boardwalk that’s huge and largely empty. It’s FANTASTIC for kids to scooter and bicycle up and down! Excellent way to wear off their energy before sitting down for a meal.

My Iced Latte was lovely. It was strong enough – I abhor iced coffees that are too heavy on the ice and too weak on coffee.

Did I mention that their service is great? They are so patient with kids! Even kinda crazy ones like mine……………

Carter was determined to take every fruit out of their fruit bin (argh), and they patiently took back each piece of fruit and popped it back in.

And I know this sounds silly, but I was so impressed with their kids cutlery! It’s not the standard Ikea stuff, but really good quality plastic ware. The fork and spoon were also the perfect size for toddlers, and I loved the vibrant colours!

And see that little yellow train thing behind the plate? They whipped it out for Carter to play with at the table. A small but nice gesture.

I was really eager for the Pork Belly fried eggs ($20), which sounded so good. I never turn down pork belly when I spot it on a menu – it would be criminal to.

The bread was served in two large pieces, with two fried eggs on top. The scattering of pomegranate was redundant and we quickly picked it all off. I enjoyed the grilled tomatoes which were cooked perfectly.

However… the pork belly did not impress! It was a large slab (thumbs up), but was slightly on the tough side, and quite dry. I’d envisioned a very moist, tender, and succulent pork belly. This was the exact opposite. It wasn’t inedible, but it definitely had a bite to it and didn’t pair well with the rest of the dish.

Things picked up considerably with their impressive Big breakfast ($17). Incredible value for money, this arrived on a tray (!) and boasted a FAT slice of brioche, creamy scrambled eggs, a delicious smoked bratwurst, grilled tomato, beans and spinach.

I was a bit silly and didn’t notice that the baked beans are labelled as “spicy tomato beans” on the menu, and we fed Carter a big mouthful of it. Little did we know there were big flecks of chilli pieces in the beans!!! His eyes watered, his tongue slobbered out, and he wailed miserably!! We felt so bad, seeing his tomato-red face 🙁

The pastas that we ordered at Kith were more expensive than the breakfast items, but were a lot smaller. The portion size is petite, perhaps enough for a young lady but not enough for a big man (or a lady with a hefty appetite, not pointing fingers here..).

The Granchio – spinach pasta, crab meat, tomato, vodka, cream ($24) was a stunner. Tender slippery strands of spinach-infused pasta, coated with a creamy but light sauce and studded with tons of crab meat. The kids loved this! I think Carter ate half the plate…

I particularly liked the Fagotoni – sweet pear filled ravioli, gorgonzola cheese, cream, parmesan cheese ($22) because it was so…. different. The pasta really was sweet from the pear, and the saltiness of the gorgonzola cheese sauce really sparked a tingling contrast. It was flat out DELICIOUS.

Carter decided mid-meal that he’d had enough of sitting in the high chair, and so started fussing and wailing in a rather annoying manner. Thankfully, we were outdoors and so didn’t disturb other diners too much. I think.

He was mildly appeased by a 50c cup of kiddie biscuits.

Until he gobbled them all up in about 5 seconds.

Fortunately, the cafe is designed such that I could keep an eye on him whilst I finished off my meal and coffee. So he just pottered around, amusing himself. His little friend was OK sitting in the high chair the whole time, so at least we didn’t have TWO crazy kids running around!

Last Bite: Kith cafe @ Quayside Isle is the place to go for brunch-with-a-view. Food is excellent, and their coffee and milkshakes are delicious. The boardwalk just outside is a sure hit with kids that like to scooter or bicycle!

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No
Kids’ menu: No

Kith @ Quayside Isle
Quayside Isle #01-08
Sentosa Cove
31 Ocean Road
Phone: 6734 9007
Prices: $$$
Hours: Daily 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

Brunch With My Baby Singapore collaborates with SassyMama

October 23, 2013 / News, Singapore / 0 comment

We are excited to announce our collaboration with the good folk over at SassyMama!

Brunch With My Baby will be supplying reviews of Kid-Friendly Places To Eat for their Dining section. Thank you SassyMama for thinking of us. We are excited to be a regular contributor to SassyMama, our go-to site for all things parenting in Singapore.

Psssst! Have you already put yourself in the running for our Elly giveaway? It ends in 24 hours!!

EPICURIOUS CAFE: Kid-Friendly Cafes, River Valley, Singapore

October 22, 2013 / Food Reviews, River Valley, Singapore / 0 comment

Boasting Time Out Singapore’s accolade of Best Breakfast in Singapore, Epicurious Cafe has a lot to live up to. Parked at the corner along the Singapore River, it makes for one kickass weekend brunch with the family. The kids can scooter or bike up and down the riverside, whilst you keep an eye on them over a coffee.

The tables are large, wooden, and heavy. And so were the benches we sat on. But that’s all part of the vintage charm of the cafe. Cups and plates are also old school vintage, which I thought was really cute.

We always order the Green Eggs and Ham ($14.60). Apart from sounding cute, the dish is very satisfying. Creamy scrambled egg studded with basil pesto, resting upon thin slices of parma ham. All this, laid upon country bread and scattered with parmesan cheese. Paired with oily but tasty potato chunks, this makes a superb choice for bigger appetites.

We also opted for the age old favourite, Eggs Benedict. It came drenched in Hollandaise sauce, which is a good thing for me because I love the stuff, but may freak out those that aren’t into very heavy and high-calorie breakfasts. I enjoyed the soft English muffins it came on, and the generous portion of smoked salmon.

My only complaint? The eggs were over-poached! This is the reason why I get worried whenever I order Eggs Benedict. I’m always terrified of getting eggs that are over or under done 🙁 These yolks were still soft, fortunately, but were solid and did not have the luscious creamy ooze that I so desire.

Happily, the Choco Nana ($7) was quite the hit. It was pretty as a picture! Perfectly toasted bread, containing melted nutella and bananas. The dish was dusted with icing sugar and topped off with bright red strawberry chunks. What’s not to love?

Their rendition of French Toast will have you (and everyone else at your table) curiously leaning over to take a second look. It’s French Toast…. dipped in corn flakes!! If you like your crispies, like I do, you’ll love it. If you’re a traditionalist, you’re going to think this is way too weird. I did enjoy it, but this is a dish to share, as the 3 fat chunks of bread can get a bit moreish.

The Americano coffee was pleasant but nothing outstanding. I did like their old-style coffee shops cups that they were served in, though!

Remember to come dressed for the outdoors, as the cafe is almost entirely al fresco. It’s a lovely, casual little spot to enjoy the view over the river, and is very popular with families.

My kids loved playing around in the area afterwards!

Oh the simple pleasures of splashing in puddles

Adrenalin junkies

Last Bite: Epicurious Cafe is a lovely spot to chill with your family by the Singapore River. Food is well-portioned and satisfying, and it’s easy to keep an eye on the kids as they run around by the riverside.

Highchairs: Yes
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No
Kids’ menu: No

Epicurious Cafe
#01-02 The Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
Singapore 238252
Phone: 6734 7720
Prices: $$$
Hours: Tue – Fri: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sat – Sun: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm