Bites & Brews – A Laid Back Resort Like Café with Yummy Food [MEDIA INVITE]

Bites and Brews Singapore (“B&B”) is the first official outpost of the Shanghai-based Bibimi F&B Group. The Singapore outpost is located in our Peranakan heritage neighbourhood, Joo Chiat. This new 60-seater casual dining restaurant embodies the brand’s commitment to sustainability and embracing the heritage of its surroundings.

Bites & Brews

B&B Facade (Image Credit: Bites & Brew)

In line with its sustainability theme, B&B is decorated with warm textured wood furnishing, recycled doors, windows and open brick walls which also creates a laid-back resort-like ambiance. The furniture used is sourced from second-hand, while the Perankanan-inspired fabric ceiling drapes, lamps and tiles add an extra touch of charm and pay homage to the rich heritage of Joo Chiat.

Al-Fresco Dining Area

Part of Indoor Dining Area

Peranakan Inspired Light & Vase

To set the mood, the music is controlled by a team member from the DJ station. During brunch, the music is tuned to something hipper to lift the spirit of the diners, while in the evening it will induce more calming music to set intimate dining scene and to chill.

Part of Indoor Dining Area, DJ area under the B&B logo

We started our dining experience at B&B with some mocktails. Passion Fruit – Raspberry Lemonade [$9] made with Fresh passion fruit, homemade raspberry juice, Lemon juice, soda water. A refreshing combination of citrus and berries.

Passion Fruit – Raspberry Lemonade

Kaffir Limes – Lemongrass Sencha Tea [$9] made with Resh kaffir lime, fresh calamansi, cold sencha tea, cold brew butterfly pea flowers. A complex drink with Peranakan influence.

Kaffir Limes – Lemongrass Sencha Tea 

Following the drinks is Shawarma Lamb Pide Pizza [$28]. This boat-shaped pizza is inspired by Turkish tradition. The sourdough base pizza crust is crisp and fluffy with a nice chewiness. The lamb shawarma uses premium lamb shoulder, marinated for 12-hours in a blend of Middle Eastern spices and sous-vide for 24 hours. Completing the generous toppings are creamy feta cheese, spicy red pepper sauce infused with Middle Eastern-style yoghurt, roasted peppers and fresh mint. What a “Flavour Bomb”

Shawarma Lamb Pide Pizza 

B&B Cheeseburger Burger [$28] - Kimchi Jam, Spicy Mayo and Arugula. Soft and fluffy charcoal buns with perfectly cooked burger patty and melted cheese. The kimchi jam and spicy mayo work wonders on the background, infusing sweet, fermented and creamy flavour.

B&B Cheeseburger 

Perfectly Cooked Patty

Grilled Iberico Pork Jowl [$35] – Coffee-roasted parsnip, pea sprouts, grilled pineapple, fig-sesame mostarda. At a glance, it looks like a simple stir-fried dish. It turns out to be the opposite. The pork jowl is tasty and juicy, the parsnip is crunchy with a lovely smoky aroma, while grilled pineapple and fig-sesame mostarda added a different type of sweetness to this dish. A lovely dish with plenty of flavours.

Grilled Iberico Pork Jowl 

Spicy “Pina Colada” Red Snapper [$45]. A signature dish at BB inspired by Puerto Rico's Pina Colada cocktails. The red snapper is firm yet tender, stuffed with Chinese cabbage, kaffir lime & ginger, topped with house-made basil-lime leaves oil and luscious pina colada sauce.

Spicy “Pina Colada” Red Snapper 

The result is a culinary delight, sophisticated and filled with the charm of the tropical ocean. Love the combination of the creamy pina colada and the perfectly cooked fish.

Mapo Tofu Lasagna [$21] Sichuan meat & tofu ragu, mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan. A fusion of Chinese and Italian cuisine. Instead of the usual creamy tomato, the fillings are replaced with Signature mapo tofu meat sauce and the sauce sips nicely into the pasta sheets. The signature mala spicy Sichuan flavour helps to balance the usually rich lasagna dish.

Mapo Tofu Lasagna

Dessert was Berries & Cream Waffle [$18] – Fresh berries, raspberry gel, strawberry chamomile gelato, whipped cream. The crispy and chewy waffle provided a nice comfort and a sweet ending to the meal.

Berries & Cream Waffle 

Don’t forget to check out their Signature Cocktails such as RUMORbanana (finest Bumbu Rum, homemade apricot-honey cordial, Assam Tea); DRUNKMatchaka (Gin, homemade raspberry jam, Matcha tea); and TomRUMYum (coconut water, lime juice, Rum, kaffir lime and ginger juice).

RUMORbanana

DRUNKMatchaka

TomRUMYum

Overall, LD and I had a great time during our tasting session. The culinary creations are well executed and each have a unique twist. Our pick for the food are Lamb Shawarma Pide Pizza, Grilled Iberico Pork Jowl and Spicy “Pina Colada” Red Snapper. The Signature cocktails and mocktails are a must-try as well. Cheers!!

B&B SG Menu 1

B&B SG Menu 2

I brought my overseas guests for brunch the following week and I ordered Lamb Shawarma Benedict [$28] – Poached eggs, harissa hollandaise, spinach, house-made brioche. I must say, anything with Lamb Shawarma on B&B’s menu is a must order!!

Lamb Shawarma Benedict 

Flat White

Thank you, Christine (CQ Works) and Team Bites & Brews, for the invitation and for hosting us.

B&B SG Menu 3

B&B SG Menu 4

Food & Drink: 8.5/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Media Invite)

Ambiance: 8.75/10

Budget per Person: $26-$50; $51 – 80

Bites & Brews

15 Crane Road

Singapore 429360

T: +65 8815 9615

W: https://www.bitesandbrews.life/

F: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557413591352

IG: @Bitesnbrew_sg

OH:

Tue to Thu and Sun, 11.00 – 22.00

Fri, 11.00 - Midnight

Sat, 10.00 - Midnight

Closed on Mon

Elixir – Classic Style Boutique Roasters [MEDIA INVITE]

Magic - Flow State Blend

Elixir is a boutique coffee roaster that loves and respects the good old full-bodied, bold and straight expresso roast. They aim to transport you back to the origins of the café culture in Melbourne, where the third coffee movement starts.

Coffee Machine in Elixir

Old full-bodied roast is my preference when it comes to my coffee. During the tasting session, Elixir served up two types of coffee bean roast. For the single-origin, I choose Americano ($5 for 7oz) to try out the full flavour of the roast. The Single Origin Antigua Santo Domingo, Guatemala. The tasting notes stated Hazelnut, cocoa, brown sugar, Rich, Intense and Full Bodied. I tasted smooth, full-bodied and absent of any fruity flavour coffee. Nice.

Americano - The Single Origin
Antigua Santo Domingo, Guatemala

After the meal, I ordered Magic ($5.50 for 7oz) using their Flow State Blend. 80% Brazil Cerrado, Naturally Processed, plus 20% Euthopia Yirgacheffe G2, Washed. The tasting note states Nuts, Chocolate, Treacle & Medium Bodied. I feel it works well with milk. The additional extraction in Magic, give the coffee more punch as the nutty and chocolate taste shines through the smoothness of the milk.

Chief Roaster Kenneth in Action

Magic - Flow State Blend

Food also plays a significant role in the success of an all-round café. We started the food tasting with Brulee French Toast ($18). 

Brulee French Toast

The thick toast is sweet and crispy externally, followed with fluffy texture internally. It goes well with the chantilly cream, while the acidity from the berries and pomegranate balance the sweetness nicely. The candied bacon adds crispy, sweet and salty flavour to this exciting dish. 

 

The Bar

Truffle Eggs Prosciutto ($24). I like every component of this dish. Fluffy and creamy scrambled egg, topped with chopped truffle. The brioche toast is thick, soft and fluffy, while the bitterness in the arugula, the saltiness of the prosciutto and the umami flavour from the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese complement the luxurious scrambled egg nicely. It is just awesome.

Truffle Eggs Prosciutto 

Grilled Halloumi (V - $18). This version of cheese starts to catch my attention when I first try it in Food & Hotel Asia exhibition 2018. The firm texture of the dish with a touch of saltiness is a perfect companion with any salad. Here, it is paired with Kenya beans, charred scallions, lemon preserve, baby corn and tahini aioli. The honey Chinese vinegar dressing binds the whole dish together nicely. A nice vegetarian dish.

Grilled Halloumi

Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang ($22). Representing the local flavours, created using Chef’s special rempah recipe. Cooked to perfection, the beef cheek rendang just melts in your mouth. The butterfly pea coconut grains are rich and aromatic, but it can do with a more generous dash of coconut milk. The homemade achar works nicely cut through the richness in this dish.

Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang

Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang

Carbonara with Onsen Egg ($18). Pancetta, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and herbs. Perfectly executed and best eaten hot. The flavours from the pancetta, cheese, egg and herbs are creamy, rich and absolutely delicious. Best eaten hot.

Carbonara with Onsen Egg

Moving beyond the traditional café menu of food and coffee, Kenneth (the Chief Roaster) started to experiment with coffee flavours to create mocktails and cocktails. This is the introduction to the “New Era” coffee, creating a balance between the flavour profile of their speciality coffee and the characteristics of alcohol.

Black Smoke Rising ($12) for a mocktail. The strong smoky aroma from the torched bourbon. Full-bodied coffee flavour, sweet with a touch of tangy flavour.

Black Smoke Rising - mocktail

Cocktails:

Stormbringer ($13). Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Bundaberg ginger beer, Double shot of Guatemala, Antigua Santo Domingo, Espresso. Tasting notes: Sweet, spicy, intense.

Cocktail - Stormbringer

Same ole’ situation ($13). Woodford Reserve Kentucky, Bourbon whiskey, Gula Melaka, Homemade bitters with Costa Rica Las Trojas single origin. Tasting notes: lemony citrus, boozy, meant to be sipped slowly. Inspired by old fashioned.

Cocktail - Same ole’ situation

Killer Queen ($13). Disaronno hazelnut amaretto, Homemade cascara syrup from Finca Isnul, Huehuetanago, Guatemala, Toasted almonds grated over. Tasting notes: refreshing, light, a novel take on Italian aperitif cocktails.

Cocktail - Killer Queen

(*I did not taste the cocktails due to my medical conditions and likewise for LD as she is allergic to coffee).

Overall, LD and I agree that Elixir served nice food and awesome coffee. Coffee lovers and café hoppers must give this place a try. Cheers!!

Thank you very much Elixir Boutique Roaster Team and Protegie for hosting us.

Food: 8/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 7.25/10

Budget per Person: $11 – 25; $26 - $50

Elixir Boutique Roasters

10 Jalan Serene

#01-04. Serene Centre.

Singapore 258748

F: https://www.facebook.com/elixirboutiqueroasters/

IG: @Elixir.boutiqueroasters

OH:

Thu – Tue: 08.30 – 16.00

Closed on Wednesday.

Food Menu - Aug 2019
Image Credit: Elixir Boutique Roaster

Drinks Menu - Aug 2019
Image Credit: Elixir Boutique Roaster

Kafe Utu – Blending African Flavours with Modern Flair [MEDIA INVITE]

Caribbean Goat Curry

The hipster Keong Saik neighbourhood has welcome a new Café and Lounge, that brings with it the culture of Africa. Kurt Wagner, the owner of Kafe Utu grew up in Kenya and wanted to bring a piece of home to Singapore. Actually, Kurt brought more than a piece, he decorated almost the whole three stories of the building, even the doors, with items homemade and handmade in Kenya.

Welcome to Kafe Utu

For food, Kafe Utu is presenting a combination of east and west African dishes, together with modern café cuisine as well. A few of the recipes originated from Jon, Kurt’s brother whom together owned a few restaurants in Nairobi. Those dishes are Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew ($28), Swahili Fish Curry ($29), Caribbean Goat Curry ($28), and West African Spicy Greens ($28).

Kafe Utu - Level 1

Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew – Sakura Chicken Thigh, Natural Peanut Butter, Smoked Fish and Habanero (served with coconut rice). Surprisingly, the taste feels familiar. To put it in a local context, tasted like a combination of creamy satay sauce with chilli padi and served with basmati nasi lemak. Instead of sweet, it tilts towards savoury version. Yum Yum.

Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew

Swahili Fish Curry – Red Snapper, tamarind, coconut milk, house curry paste & habanero (served with coconut rice). I like the firm texture of the fish fillet, cooked with tangy, assam curry fish-head like flavour, with extra richness from the coconut milk. It is best to eat the fish together with Kafe Utu version of tomato salsa.

Swahili Fish Curry

Caribbean Goat Curry – Fresh goat meat, house curry paste & habanero (served with coconut rice). You can expect a strong gamy flavour from the goat. The curry paste helps to minimise the strong gamy flavour, and the spiciness of this dish is definitely higher compared to the rest of the African dishes.

Caribbean Goat Curry

West African Spicy Greens – Mixed Greens (cassava leaf), chicken thigh, smoked fish & habanero (served with coconut rice). At first, I thought it was a vegetarian dish, however, under those greens come the surprise. It is packed with umami flavour, originated from the smoked fish and chicken thigh. It did well to nicely balance the greens and meat proteins.

West African Spicy Greens

Although the above dishes supposed to come with rice, we had ours with Homemade Chapati ($2 per serving). Aromatic, fragrant and crisp roti, works nicely to scoop the curries.

Homemade Chapati

Complementing the African cuisine are the modern brunch dishes that is comparable with modern café in Singapore and Australia. The spread includes Pulled Pork Breakfast ($24), Quinoa Chia Seed Pudding ($18), Curried Avocado with Raw Garlic and Toast ($16, add egg +$3), Mama’s fresh garden salad ($25), Utu Bowl ($20).

Kafe Utu - Level 2

Pulled Pork Breakfast - Fresh pork shoulder, house hickory smoked BBQ sauce, curried avocado, corn salsa, poached barn egg & potato hash. Amazing flavour on the plate. The pulled pork shoulder is super juicy, the poached egg is perfectly cooked, while the creaminess of the avocado and corn salsa really spiced up the dish. Not to be missed is the perfectly crispy hash brown. Oink Oink.

Pulled Pork Breakfast

Quinoa Chia Seed Pudding representing the healthy brunch cuisine. It has chia seed, quinoa, Greek yoghurt, seasonal fruits (grilled banana, grapefruit and blood orange) topped with roasted almonds and pure maple syrup are just delicious. Who says healthy food can’t taste delicious.

Quinoa Chia Seed Pudding

Curried Avocado with Raw Garlic and Toast with egg. Style like modern breakfast in Australian café, the fresh and creamy avocado on sourdough toast definitely get your tongue wagging. The twist here is red curry paste and raw garlic, which helps to overcome the richness of the avocado together with the bitterness from arugula leaves.

Curried Avocado with Raw Garlic and Toast with egg

Mama’s fresh garden salad. This salad has a nostalgic feel to Kurt, reminding him of the salad that his mum made. A generous dose of baby leaf, fruit tomato, cucumber, avocado, red radish, alfalfa. The earthy flavour definitely stands out here, but I like the twang from the apple cider vinegar dressing.

Mama's Fresh Garden Salad

Utu Bowl - Quinoa, Orange Zest pickled carrots, apple cider pickled cabbage, fresh kale, marinated goat’s cheese, sous vide egg, roasted pumpkin, fresh avocado & spiced pumpkin seeds. What an explosion of healthy flavours in your mouth. Simply put, delicious.

Utu Bowl

For starters, we had Beetroot Burratini ($18), Potato Wedges ($14), Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($15) and Padron Peppers ($14).

Kafe Utu - Level 3

Beetroot Burratini - Picked beetroot, white truffle oil, burratini & fresh basil leaf. I definitely like the combination of beetroot and burratini. However, the white truffle oil definitely does not belong in this dish. Instead, they should just replace the truffle oil with apple cider vinegar dressing or maybe balsamic vinegar.

Beetroot Burratini

Potato Wedges. The wedges are good, crisp externally and moist internally. However, the three homemade dips here are extraordinary. They are mango chili marmalade (Fresh Mango, habanero, onion & coarse black pepper – Spiciness level LOW), Congo Bongo (Fresh Veggies, habanero, natural peanut butter & house spice blend – Spiciness level MEDIUM) and House Chili (Garlic, chili padi, habanero, citrus & butter – Spiciness level MINDBLOWING).

Potato Wedges with the homemade dips

Buttermilk Fried Chicken. This is Kafe Utu version of Popcorn chicken. Bitesize crispiness to be eaten with homemade dips.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with the homemade dips

Pardon Peppers - Pimentos & Citron Sea Salt. For those who live on the edge. Definitely not for me, but a must try for those who like everything and anything spicy. Good Luck!

Pardon Peppers

The desserts line up included Ricotta Hotcakes ($23), Mandazi ($8), Tiramisu ($8) and Canele ($5).

Ricotta Hotcakes. This is definitely one kick-ass hotcakes. It is fluffy and creamy, topped with delicious ice cream, icing sugar and apple syrup. A must order for a pancake lover. Although it is listed as brunch, I think the ice cream made it suitable for brunch or desserts.

Ricotta Hotcakes

Mandazi - Swahili Coast Fried Bread with Coconut Flakes & Cardamom. Interesting flavours, however, the cardamom is too strong for my liking.

Mandazi

Canelé has a dense texture to the pasty due to over caramelisation. I find it needs a bit of liquid to smoothen up the pastry, like Utu soft serve ice cream. In Kafe Utu, it is likely that the soft serve cream is made using House Ubuntu Coffee.

Canele and Tiramisu

Tiramisu - House Ubuntu Espresso, layered with sponge fingers & mascarpone frosting. A signature dessert here that exploit your love for desserts and coffee. It is fully caffeinated and creamy, a perfect dessert to showcase the nutty and chocolaty roast profile from their signature coffee beans.

Not forgetting, the coffee here definitely suits my palate. I like the chocolate and nutty flavour from their coffee beans. I tried Bidi Bado (Abracadabra – Utu Style Mocha, $7). Mocha rimmed with natural peanut butter, pink peppercorns and toasted almond. Almost like the coffee mocktails, filled with a lot of nutty ingredients and sparks from pink peppercorn. Best of all, Kafe Utu uses Hokkaido Milk, known as one of the best milk in Asia for your coffee.

Bidi Bado - Abracadabra

If you are a coffee junkie, this information might interest you. Kafe Utu are using the LaMarzocco Leva coffee, it is also one of the first to be in the F&B market. Their coffee bean is their house blend, “Ubuntu” consisting of Uganda, Mexico and Brazil. Therefore, you can expect a rich buttery texture with hints of cashew nuts & brown sugar, subtle notes of red wine, caramelized apricot acidity and intense dark chocolate finish.

Ubuntu Coffee Bean

Cold Brew, Protein Balls and Hokkaido Milk in the background

I loved the décor of this place. Without a doubt, you will be exposed to culture and visual art of Africa sub-continent. During the day this place is to be known as Kafe Utu, as the sun set, it will turn into Utu Lounge.

Kafe Utu - Level 2

Overall, Kafe Utu has definitely introduced to me a taste of African food. The menu here is curated to present the best of modern brunch cuisine together and the best of African Flavours as well. Not forgetting, their House blend, Ubuntu coffee bean is just amazing. Definitely, a must visit place. Cheers!!

Outdoor Bar - for Utu Lounge

Thank you very much to Kris and Kafe Utu Team for the tasting invitation.

Food: 8/10

Value: 7.75/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 9/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80

Kafe Utu

12 Jiak Chuan Road

Singapore 089265

T: +65 6996 3937

W: https://kafeutu.com/

F: https://www.facebook.com/kafeutu/

IG: @kafeutu

OH:

Tue to Sun: 08.00 – 17.00

Closed on Monday

Utu Lounge

Tue – Thu: 18.00 – 23.00

Fri & Sat: 18.00 – 01.00

Sun: 11.30 – 17.00

Closed on Monday