Coffee lovers in Bandung, be merry. From my last visit to Bandung, I know they were tooooo many new coffee shops around. But if you looked for quality, Yes... I just can only named a few. One of my new fave is this one. Located on the bustling ( read : traffic jam ) road on Sukajadi, cool space, cool ( and young! ) owner, definitely give you one good time of coffee experience. The young man behind it is Stefan. A licensed Q grader who inspired to make a coffee shop after his visit to Melbourne. No wonder this coffee shop is so OZ's, they even displayed some Vegemite. lols. Atmosphere : Industrial look to the max. That's the only way to describe their space. It's spacious, airy and.... hipster! lols.
La Marzocco Linea !
Price : IDR 30.000- 50.000/person Food and Drinks : Every month they served Guest Blend coffee, and that time I'm interested to try some. It was a blend that made by Doddy Samsura, 2013's IBC champion. 70% Java Gulali, 30% Java Aromanis, both was Honey Processed. With this kind of blend, you can expect the taste was sweet and chocolatey. Tasted light because I opted for 5oz with Milk - IDR 22.000.
Their Two Hands Blend, made with 70% Bali Inten, 30% Java Ciwidey. This one also light bodied with hint of caramel and nutty notes.
Stefan also gave me a sample of Cold Brew coffee that he made. Using single origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Konga, one is made with V60, one with Aeropress. The aeropress one win my heart, it was citrusy and refreshing, yet the v60 one was more floral with Jasmine notes.
love the small jug!
I also tried their pastries, Apple Pie with Ice Cream - IDR 25.000. It was pretty yum with multi- textured from the nuts and raisins. And yes... never wrong with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream! :p
You're not a real foodie if you haven't visit this hip-market at Singapore! It's a 30.000 square feet of market space with 30 stalls that sells many unique products! Even though it's not easy for tourist to come to this area, believe me, it's worth it! The nearest MRT around is Clementi, but since I also pay a visit to a kitchen store, ToTT, at Dunearn Road, I took taxi from there to go to Pasar Bella at The Grandstand.
It's better if you take taxi though, it's quite far from the main entrance of Turf Club Road to The Grandstand. Seriously... I feel stranded. I never been to this area before, and of course.... seems there's no tourist :p But that's the best thing when you traveling, get lost ! When you lost, you'll found many new interesting thing, you'll meet new friends, you'll do what locals do. Like mine, there's many people that is so kind and willing to help me when I'm thinking to go back from Pasar Bella. Some lady tell me about the free shuttle bus to nearest MRT, so I could save money.
Back to Pasar Bella, I actually really like their interior and concept. The shops here are selling many imported products that is rarely to find at usual market. For the complete list of the shops you can look here. Some that gets my attention is a variety products from Little Provence. They sell gourmet products such as Truffle Oil ( that I've been looking for! ), also wine, vinegars, tapenades, etc.
Tangy Tangerines also sell many imported fruits and veggies. Nice isn't it! If you're into tea, there's also Clipper Tea that sells many varieties of teas and tea blends. Not only products, there's also many stalls that offer some food and dessert. The one that interesting to me is Sea Salt Caribbean Deli that brings the authentic taste Caribbean and Latin America. You know this kind of cuisine was quite a trend around America. It's truly interesting to found this type of food around Asia.
Seriously Pasar Bella is definitely 'heaven-on-earth' place if you're a foodie like me. Prepare your tummy and also your wallet, it's definitely worth a visit ! :D
I've seen around instagram about this dessert/tea salon about year ago. From the looks and how they brand themselves are soooo classic and French. I always love this kind of look, so when the last time I go to Singapore, they definitely on my list.
Even though they already had 4 outlets now, I opted to go to the one which located at Penhas Road. It was easy to find, just a short walk from Lavender MRT. And I was right, their interior was soooo classic, just like in Paris! They're not only serve dessert and tea, but you can also opted for heavier food.
Since my friends got other things to do, I go there by myself and I was quite full that time. So I order the one that get my attention, Chloe - SGD 9. This one was the combination of yuzu cremeux, white chocolate vanilla mousse, light sponge cake and almond sable. The sourness of yuzu really refreshing and balance the taste. The almond sable also gives a nice texture to it. The presentation... pretty !!
I also tried their macarons, Antoinette - SGD 2.50. This one is one of their signature. It was combination of Milk Chocolate Earl Grey Tea Ganache with Raspberry Confiture. Well the macarons tasted so-so to me, as you can see, the interior of the shell was dense, not light and airy. The raspberry filling makes the macarons tasted chewy, and I'm not a big fan of chewy macarons. Well.. Macarons are always tricky, from the making of the shell until the making of the filling. Only some can really pulled it off.
Antoinette 30 Penhas Road (off Lavender Street),
Singapore 208188 Opening hours : Monday to Thursday – 11am to 10pm (Last order - 9.30pm)
Friday and Eve of Public Holidays – 11am to 11pm
(Last order - 10.30pm)
Saturday – 10am to 11pm (Last order - 10.30pm)
Sunday and Public Holidays – 10am to 10pm (Last order - 9.30pm) Phone : (65) 62933121
I know all of you already familiar with this franchise restaurant from Switzerland. Marche, which means 'market' in french, could makes you feel like eating at the European market. Two branch in Jakarta, the one in Grand Indonesia has more bigger space. I love their decor! Each kind of dishes were separate into stations that looks like in the real traditional European market.
Something that you cannot miss while dining at Marche, Cream Of Mushroom Soup - IDR 39.000. I always had this soup when I go to Marche. Why ? Because it's just perfect for diet. Lols. The soup was so thick, with abundant croutons and pumpkin seeds. Very fulfilling yet healthy !
Another famous dish at Marche is Savory Crepe - IDR 72.000. A thin flimsy crepe, with toppings that you can choose by yourself. I really like the crepes! The thickness was perfect, and you can also opted for the vegetarian one.
For dessert you can choose Apple Pie - IDR 38.000. Not like usual apple pie, this one was quite sour. The filling was so thick with nuts and they're not using any cinnamon like usual apple pie. I think the crust was a bit too thick, would be nice if it's more crumbly.
For drinks definitely should try their Ice Apple Tea - IDR 25.000. It was special because it's made from real apple juice, and made fresh-daily. So refreshing!
You can also have your fresh own-picked juice, this one is Honeydew, Strawberry and Orange - IDR 48.000. Tropical heaven!
Marche Entertainment District 3A#03A-D, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town Jln. MH. Thamrin 1,West Mall ( besides Musical fountain ) Phone : +62 21 23 58 11 26/-27 Facebook : Marche Restaurant Twitter : @MarcheIndonesia
Chicken rice is one food that you can't miss while in Singapore. This food is fulfilling, cheap, and can be found everywhere. Been to Singapore many times, chicken rice never failed me. I ate at many places and it's always good. Now I had one question in mind ... Where's the best Chicken Rice in Singapore?? When 'good' is not enough, I'm so ready for the GREAT one! When I research for the best chicken rice in Singapore, all the pages result come down to Tian Tian Chicken Rice. I guess what makes it famous is because Anthony Bourdain been eating this chicken rice and approved it ? Haha... I don't know. But yes .... I have to admit the reason why I wanna try this place is because Bourdain said so :p
Located at the bustling area of Chinatown, luckily I came before lunch time so there's no queue. I hate queue-ing, especially for food. Sorry, but I can't stand to wait in hunger. Lols. Not like usual hawker stall, Tian Tian Chicken Rice had a system for ordering. First you order and pay, next, you go to their next stall to pick your food.
Me and my friends haven't had breakfast that time, so we opted Big portion of Chicken Rice - SGD 3.50. We also order Half Chicken - SGD 12. And yes, Bourdain was right. The chicken.... oh my.... was so tender and juicy. The fat beneath the chicken skin formed into gelatine-like textures and gives the extra flavor to the meat. They also poured some light brown sauce on top of the chicken, not sure what is that, but I definitely can taste the sesame oil in it. And yes, they served the chicken, slightly chilled! This is intentional. That's just how they serve it.
The rice, was also nice. Very fragrant and flavorful. Had it with their chili sauce or black soy sauce, Heaven ! I'm very satisfied with their chicken rice, and I'm definitely back again !
Maxwell Food Centre Stall 10 & 11 Singapore Tue to Sun ( 10am to 8pm ) Phone : 9691 4852
443 Joo Chiat Road Singapore Tue to Sun (10am to 10pm ) Phone : 6345 9443 12 Jalan Pari Burong (Simpang Bedok) Singapore Tue to Sun ( 10am to 9pm ) Phone : 6448 0120 3 Shenton Way #02-11 Shenton House Singapore Mon to Fri (closed on Public Holiday) Phone : 6225 6671 Breakfast (8am to 10am) Lunch (10am to 4pm)
Coffee, which a part of my daily life, already become one of my passion lately. Still a newbie, but just like my dad, we're a big fan of strong and full-bodied coffee. So from my last week trip to Singapore, coffee-hoping is already on my agenda. Recommend by my coffee-connoisseur friend, @kulikopi, this coffee shop in quiet Everton area, definitely worth a try ! ( read : for those who passionate about coffee only ).
Relying on google maps, I took a walk from Opp New Bridge Road bus station to the Everton Park area. After asking the second person that I met that day, I just know I came on the wrong day. They're CLOSED every Tuesday for roasting day!! Oh well.... my fault, I know I should pay attention more to their business hours. But yes it didn't stop me, Nylon Coffee Roasters was on the top of my list so I'm coming back the next day ! :D Looking at their mustache logo, Nylon who stands for New York and London, bringing a new vibe of indie-hipster coffee shop in Singapore. Looking on how they do their coffees and their space concept, you'll know they are serious! Don't expect a big spacious quiet sitting area with high-speed internet service ( like those in Jakarta ). When I come there it's packed with people who only wants one thing, good cup of coffee. So many regulars that seems the owner, Dennis and Jia Min, knows them well.
The vintage GS2!
For a first-timer like me, Jia Min recommend their Seasonal Espresso Blend, Four Chairs. A mixed of single origin coffee from Nicaragua and El Salvador. I opted for 3oz ( SGD 3.80 ) cup, because I'm going to another coffee shop after :p And yes, they're also Roasters, so they blend and roast the coffee by themselves. My cup of Four Chairs turns pretty awesome. The acidity was suite me well, and I always love coffee with nutty hazelnut notes.
I also bought some of their single origin coffee beans that perfect for pour-over, El Suspiro ( SGD 17.50 - 250gr ). Produced by Mierisch Family in Matagalpa, Nicaragua this one is a perfect coffee for you who like fruity taste. I definitely can taste the citrus-flavor at the first sip, and chocolatey finish at the back. However, the body was too light for my liking. If you like the light fruity coffee, go for this one!
Seems not only Jakarta which affected by the Ramen fever. People are looking and looking for more killer pork-bone soup, juiciest chasiu, and the one who claiming 'the most authentic'. When I go to for a short- holiday to Singapore this week, it seems this 'neighbor-country' also having the same 'fever' like ours. Many new ramen places just open in Singapore, some behind the famous big brand, some are not. I'm looking for some best one to try, but the one that we're not having here in Jakarta. So yes, this latest branch of them on Bugis was one of my choice. Opening from about 6 months ago, Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons bringing different flavor from their previous 3 branches. It is said the pork bone soup was cooked for 11 hours, well... it's not that surprising since there is a ramen shop here in Jakarta that make the broth from 2 days before. lols. Located just near the Bugis KFC, would be easy to find this place. Luckily I'm going on weekdays and a bit late from dinner time, so there's no queue.
Just like it's name, they serve ramen named just like the Four Seasons. Spring with Basil and Cheese ( ow yeah ), Summer with three difference types of chilli, Japanese Shichimi, Cayenne Pepper and Szechuan Pepper. Autumn with 3 different types of mushroom and bonito. Winter one just like the usual signature Keisuke Ramen.
Since I'm a big fan of mushroom and bonito, Autumn ( SGD 12.90 ) was my choice obviously. When you order you can also opted for the thick or thin broth, hard of soft noodle, and less or more oil. Mine was normal one. At the first sip, you definitely can taste the strong bonito flavor. It's good, but somehow it's slightly had some aftertaste that stays in your mouth. For me, I think the bonito flavor was overpowering the mushroom though. The chasiu was succulent enough, and the noodle, I'm so sorry but not big fan of it. Not smooth and tasted a bit too doughy for me.
A friend of mine order Summer ( SGD 13.90 ). I didn't try it, but he said that it's really spicy. haha.
Free hard boiled egg and marinated beansprouts also served on every table, and they also serve a bowl of sesame that we had to grind by ourselves, just like in authentic katsu restaurant.
And one thing that makes me want to go to here too is...... Green Tea Cola !!! ( SGD 3.00 ) I know righttttt! I drink it with such a big expectation, and it let me down. The green tea flavor wasn't there, so it's just tasted like regular cola. But yeah.... it's worth a try if you haven't try. But for me, once is enough ;)
