1 PATISSEZ
Since last year, Patissez's famous Freakshakes (photo 1) have sparked the trend of over-the-top dessert shakes worldwide.
Now, the bakery-cafe from Canberra has opened a branch in Holland Village as part of its plans for global expansion. Patissez also opened in Kuala Lumpur last month and is looking to venture into Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok.
The selection of Freakshakes ($16 each) include Pretzella, a Nutella milkshake with salted pretzels; Muddy Pat, a chocolate shake loaded with chocolate fudge, chocolate ganache, chocolate brownie and torched marshmallow; and Mint Condition, topped with a mint chocolate semifreddo and chocolate cookie sandwich.
The cafe also serves brunch and savoury items. Consider the classic combination of milkshake and Freak Burger ($25), with two beef patties, bacon, bacon jam and fries.
Where: 118 Holland Avenue, 01-06
Open: 10am to 10pm (weekday), 9am to 10pm (weekend)
Info: Call 6262-3616 or go to www.facebook.com/PatissezSG
2 MONKSWOOD
Head to Monkswood for some hearty British comfort food.
The bistro is set up by the owners of Char, which is known for its roast meats and zichar dishes. Char has moved to 363 Jalan Besar and Monkswood takes over its space in Guillemard Road.
Start with Scotch eggs ($8, photo 2) and a cheese platter ($16) with crackers, grapes and gherkins, followed by a selection of pies such as steak and ale pie ($19) and pork pie ($16), which is served cold and filled with roughly chopped pork and pork stock jelly sealed in a hot water crust pastry.
Main courses include the Ant N' Dec Burger ($20), a beef patty with caramelised onions on toasted brioche bun and bacon; and Toad in the Hole ($18), pork and beef sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter. Save space for dessert, which includes scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam ($8), as well as bread and butter pudding ($11).
Where: 393 Guillemard Road
Open: 11.30am to 2.30pm (Tuesday to Friday), 6 to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 6 to 11pm (Friday), 11.30am to 11pm (weekend), closed on Monday
Info: www.facebook.com/MonkswoodByChar
3 UNDICI PIZZA BAR
Sports fans can catch live sports telecasts at the new Undici Pizza Bar in Duxton Hill, while chowing down on Italian fare.
Priced at $15 each, pizza options include classic flavours such as Margherita; Quattro Stagioni (photo 3), with prosciutto, artichokes and white mushrooms; and Pescatora with mixed seafood.
Appetisers include calamari fritti ($14), fried calamari served with lemon aioli; and burratina ($22), burrata cheese with wild rocket salad, and balsamic reduction.
Among the pasta (either penne or spaghetti) highlights are Aragosta e Granchio ($29), with Boston lobster and crab; and Ricci ($32), with Hokkaido sea urchin and white wine.
Undici's speciality dessert is Sorbetto al Negroni ($8), a frozen version of its signature Negroni cocktail.
Undici is owned by Deliciae Hospitality Management, which also owns Sabio tapas bar and French brasserie L'Entrecote.
Where: 39 Duxton Hill
Open: 5pm to midnight (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday
Info: Call 6221-4235 or go to www.facebook.com/undicipizzabar
4 SAIGON ALLEY
Get your fix of Vietnamese cuisine at Saigon Alley. Appetisers include Northern Vietnamese beef salad ($12), corn cake fritters with coriander plum dip ($8) and fresh tiger prawn paper rolls ($8).
Classic dishes include Big Bowl items such as Australian beef pho ($12) and chicken pho ($10), as well as beef brisket banh mi ($9) and sauteed lemongrass pork banh mi ($7). For lunch, a set ($12) includes a choice of one Big Bowl (photo 4) and Vietnamese prawn roll.
Other dishes include duck thigh curry ($15), crispy pork belly with tamarind ($12) and Hanoi soft shell crab with tamarind dip ($15)
Saigon Alley is the latest offering by Hidden Door Concepts, located next to its Nickeldime Drafthouse in Novena. The food and beverage group also runs the recently re-launched Angie's Oyster Bar, Spathe Public House and Lower East Side Taqueria.
Where: 273 Thomson Road, Novena Gardens
Open: Noon to 3pm (Monday to Saturday), 6 to 10.15pm (Monday to Thursday), 6 to 11.15pm (Friday and Saturday), closed on Sunday
Info: Call 6256-0261 or go to www.facebook.com/saigonalleysg
5 TAI CHEONG BAKERY
Be prepared to queue for the signature egg tarts (photo 5) of Hong Kong's Tai Cheong Bakery, which has opened permanently at Takashimaya Shopping Centre's bustling food hall.
The brand had previously teased eager diners with pop-up stalls at the mall, which drew long queues.
The egg tarts cost $7.60 for four. Other items available include chicken pie ($2.80), char siew bolo bun ($2.20), cocktail bun ($1.80), sponge cup cake ($1.50) and butter egg rolls ($15 a box).
Where: Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, B208-5
Open: 10am to 9.30pm daily
Info: www.facebook.com/taicheongeggtarts
Eunice Quek
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