SINGAPORE - (THE NEW PAPER) Who can say no to a little dessert at the end of a meal? Some love it so much, it becomes the meal. If you have a sweet tooth, here are some trendy new options.
MAD ABOUT SUCRE
WHERE: 27 Teo Hong Road
HOURS: Opens 12.30pm to 10.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, to 11pm Friday and Saturday, and to 5pm Sunday
CALL: 6221-3969
The most buzzed-about cakery now is Mad About Sucre. Celebrities and the food media have been posting Instagram photos of its cakes.
The standout dessert is the San Domingue ($12.80) with rum, single origin chocolate and caramelised banana. It looks dense but is almost airy when you bite into it.
Spend time looking at the breathtaking cake designs too, all created by chef Lena Chan.
TWO BAKERS
WHERE: 88 Horne Road
HOURS: Opens 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm Sunday
CALL: 6293-0329
The key lime tart ($7.80) is a bestseller here for good reason: It is bright, light and refreshing.
The best-selling chocolate dessert is the La Chocolat Noir ($9.80), but the hazelnut flavour is too distracting for it to be truly enjoyable.
EAST MANHATTAN BAKERY CAFE
WHERE: 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-03 (near Beauty World shopping mall)
HOURS: Opens 10am to 9pm Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 10pm Friday, 9am to 10pm Saturday and 9am to 7pm Sunday
CALL: 9639-4179
East Manhattan offers all-day breakfasts and beers in addition to the artisan breads, croissants, cakes and pastries that made its Katong V branch so popular.
The must-try is the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart ($6.50) which is not too sweet but full of deep chocolate flavours.
The breads too are tasty.
NOOKIE
WHERE: PoMo, 1 Selegie Road, #01-04
HOURS: Opens 1pm to 10pm daily
CALL: 9833-1790
Local brand Nookie creates comfort desserts out of froyo (frozen yoghurt) such as Mango Sticky Rice and Red Velvet Parfait.
My favourite is the Matcha Black Sesame Crumble ($6.90). The slightly bitter green tea sauce - as green tea should be - and black sesame crumble make it a winner.
YI LI PAOPAO ICE
WHERE: Orchard Central, #B2-05
HOURS: Opens 11am to 10pm daily
After 60 years in Taiwan, Yi Li is finally here.
It claims to be the originator of shaved ice blended with fruit.
Popular flavours here are peanut with kidney beans, mango, Valentine's fruit (green mango), and milk and egg.
Try the wumei (an astringent plum). It may not be a conventional choice, but it is refreshing and lessens the guilt of indulgence.
+39 GELATO BAR
WHERE: 29 Circular Road
HOURS: Opens 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday
CALL: 6532-0380
The arrival of +39 is exciting for the local gelato scene.
Owner Jacopo Quaglia is a man who seems willing to try crazy combinations to offer a new experience, but is also smart enough to offer quality versions of classic flavours.
I went mad for the pistachio and raspberry. The bitter chocolate is another winner.
A small portion (picola) is $5.50.
PONGGOL NASI LEMAK
WHERE: 371 Jalan Besar, #01-01
HOURS: Opens noon to 11pm Friday to Wednesday
CALL: 6293-0020
I was surprised that Ponggol Nasi Lemak is offering ice cream and sorbet ($2.50 each) at its new outlet. Even more surprising is that it is yummy.
My favourite is the invigorating lemongrass lime sorbet and the peanut butter milk ice cream.
GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL DELI
WHERE 22 Scotts Road
HOURS Opens 9am to 9pm daily
CALL 6730-1786
Anything durian-related at Goodwood Park Hotel gets fans excited.
There is a new item this year. The Durian Rainbow Ice Cream Cake ($11.75) is a rainbow-coloured sponge over durian ice cream that is embedded with D24 pulp.
Available till Aug 2.
This article was first published on Mar 18, 2015.
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Book a meal at Mad About Sucre and Two Bakers with Chope.
