Monday 30 May 2016

Café Melba – A Taste of Melbourne

Café Melba @ Goodman Arts Centre

The name Melba is inspired from the blend of Melbourne and Asia cuisine. Located in Goodman Arts Centre, Café Melba offer a unique dining experience. It is a family friendly cafe hidden in the tranquil garden of Goodman Arts Centre, with indoor and outdoor dining area plus plenty of space in the yard and designated children playing area for the little one to run around.

Time to EAT

The food on offer definitely reminds LD and I of the time we were back in Melbourne. Such as Crayfish Pasta ($27). This simple looking spaghetti are infused with crustacean broth. The pasta is al-dente, robust, and well complement the fresh crayfish. The rocket salad add a slight bitterness to the dish, however it is definitely a pasta dish that you don't want to miss.

Crayfish Pasta

During the weekend, they have a special Weekend Roast on the menu that rotate weekly. On the day, it was Roast Pork ($30). The roast pork was on display in the kitchen passing area. It was just so inviting, we decided to order one. Three beautifully roasted cut pork saddle, served with Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables and apple sauce.

Weekend Roast - Roast Pork

The meat is tender, succulent with a nice balance between meat and fats. The cracking is crispy with a bit chewiness, typical in western style roast pork. For a good measure, they also include a few crispy pork rind. The yorkshire pudding is about the size of your fist, eggy and definitely goes well with your pork and roast vegetables. The apple sauce is infused with vinaigrette to balance the fattiness in the dish. The only thing missing here is the au jus or gravy, something for the yorkshire pudding to hold on.

Check out the Yorkshire Pudding

Ticking off one of the must try food list, I ordered Reuben Sandwich ($24). A thick solid slices of corned beef, topped with sauerkraut, melted cheese and Russian dressing in between rye bread. The portion of the sauerkraut is the same as the portion of the meat. On my first bite, the sourness really hits me, follow with tanginess. Though the sliced corned beef is tender, I just feel sourness in every bite onwards. I was not what I expected. If I ever order this again, I will definitely ask them to cut down on the sauerkraut portion or serve it on the side.

Reuben Sandwich

We also drop by during one of the weekday and I had the Roast Chicken. A perfectly roasted spring chicken, with a nice paper crispy skin. The meat on the breast is moist and the same can be said on the thigh and drumstick. The au jus really boast the flavour of the chicken. End result, I clean up my plate and left with just the clean bones, my homage to a perfectly cooked roast chicken.

Roast Chicken

However, during the weekday visit, we also notice the inconsistency in standard of cooking. The steak on that day was done pretty ordinary. Though it has the grill mark, it did not seal the juice in the steak. LD was disappointed with the steak on the weekday.

Mango Smoothie

Moving on to desserts, Chocolate lava cake ($14) is a must try. Had this on both of our visit. Solid chocolate flavour on the cake and on the ozzing thick chocolate fillings. On the side was chocolate crumbs, berries and crumbs, provided a contrasting crunchy texture and nice topping for the berries sorbet.

Chocolate Lave Cake

Granny's Apple Crumble ($12) is also a good pick for dessert. The apples is chopped to mini cubes, well coated with sugar and baked to soft yet remain crunchy. The crumbles was slightly chewy, while the vanilla ice cream provide a nice finishing to the desserts.

Granny's Apple Crumble

Of course an Aussie cafe will not be completed with Lemon Lime Bitters ($8). A little bit overpriced, but definitely worth the money. The mix of Angostura bitters, lemonade and lime cordial was spot on. If you want something more healthy, try their Mango Smoothie ($9), fresh, thick and creamy.

Lemon Lime Bitters

The décor in Café Melba is bright, airy, with see through glass windows and doors surrounding the restaurant. There is a flow between the indoor and outdoor dining area is very seamless. For indoor dining, the menu and order can be done through the tablet available on each table. While outdoor, still using the traditional way. Service is good, though it can be hard to get their attention sometimes.

Part of Indoor Dining Area

Part of Outdoor Dining Area

Overall, LD and I really enjoy dining at Café Melba. The food is good, the place is bright, comfortable and family friendly. If you are looking for a place to enjoy your leisure dining during weekend or weekday, this is a place to try. Cheers Mate!!

Food & Drink: 8.5/10
Value: 6.5/10
Service: 7.5/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Budget per Person: $26 - $50

Café Melba
90 Goodman Road
Blk N, #01-56 Goodman Arts Centre
Singapore 439053

T: +65 6440 6068
IG: @CafeMelbaSingapore
OH:
Mon – Fri: 10.00 – 22.00
Weekends & PH: 08.30 – 22.00



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