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

Five Oars Siglap – Great Café Experience

Five Oars Coffee Roasters (‘FOCR’) is a homegrown café and roasters that first opened its door in Tanjong Pagar area. Following the success of the first café, FOCR expanded their operation to Siglap. A spacious and quaint space, allowing the customers to enjoy themselves in a relaxing café experience.

FICR Signboard

Our friend A&J recommended this place for our brunch gathering previously. We decided to return with a bigger group this time around.

Part of Indoor Dining Area

Part of Outdoor Dining Area

While waiting for the rest to come, I ordered Flight (1+1) 60oz White + Espresso ($7). This allows the customer to experience the coffee with and without milk. For me, I like that extra shot on the side for a “Wake Me Up” boost. The coffee is bold, yet well-balanced and with a touch of chocolate. Meanwhile, LD ordered her usual English Breakfast tea this morning.

Flight

English Breakfast Tea

There were eight of us and we decided to on communal dining. Breakfast started with Eggs Your Way ($12), LD picked brioche, scrambled eggs, served with butter and housemade jam. She then added a Hashbrown (+$3), Sautéed Mushrooms (+$4) and Thick-cut Bacon (+$5). It looks like a full-blown big breakfast when it was served.

Eggs Your Way - Brioche, Scrambled Eggs, served with Butter and Housemade Jam.
Plus a Hashbrown, Sautéed Mushrooms & Thick-cut Bacon.

The eggs are fluffy and nicely complemented the pillowy brioche. The combination of butter and housemade jam are good, though the portion were a bit small, so we asked for more. The hashbrown is crispy externally, yet moist internally. The sauteed mushrooms were done correctly, while the thick-cut bacon is a must-order here. Pan-fried till it has a crispy exterior, followed by melting fats when you bite it. It is lightly salted; therefore, you can enjoy it whole heartily.

Bacon & Hash ($21). Perfectly poached eggs topped with creamy and tangy hollandaise sauce accompanying the housemade rosti. Made of thinly shredded potatoes, it has a crispy exterior and moist interior. I would prefer the rosti interior to be less moist, so it will have a crunchy texture. The rosti is lightly salted; therefore, the mushroom cream just adds to the flavour to the rosti, together with the balance of the hollandaise sauce. Not forgetting the supper delicious thick-cut bacon to complete the plate. Yummy!!

Bacon & Hash

Five Oars Waffle ($18). Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast. The housemade sourdough waffle offers a crisp exterior, followed by a slightly chewy interior. The strawberries, pecan, mascarpone, oats, coffee powder, ground almond, topped with solid vanilla ice-cream and thick espresso sauce making it a party on the plate. If you need something to make you smile in the morning, this is a breakfast that you will order.

Five Oars Waffle

Five Oars Waffle

Crab Scramble ($24). It is a fusion between East and West. Housemade sourdough, scrambled eggs, crab meat, avocado, ebiko, feta, togarashi. LD and I did not manage to try it, but our friend who ordered this gave her two thumbs up.

Crab Scramble

Crab Scramble

Mentaiko Fries ($14). Standard cut fries with skin on, topped with mentaiko sauce. The folks at FOCR sure know how to fry their fries. It was crispy externally, while the interior remains soft. The mentaiko sauce is solid and they are generous with the extra roe topping. Although the fries had been sitting there for 20 minutes, the fries did not become stale and soggy.

Mentaiko Fries

For desserts, we went with one sweet selection and one salty selection. Citrus Ricotta Pancakes ($16) is our pick for sweet. Two stacks of ricotta pancakes, topped with berries, nuts, vanilla ice cream, citrus compote, yuzu curd. Since LD and I just recently returned from Melbourne, I was able to compare the ricotta pancakes at FOCR with the famous version served in Top Paddock, one of the best café in Melbourne.

Top Paddock - Ricotta Pancake

Without a doubt the texture of the pancake in Top Paddock is better, the version at FOCR can do more time on the pan, as it was slightly undercooked. When it comes to the toppings, I like the version at FOCR. The berries, citrus compote, yuzu curd and vanilla ice-cream deliver a refreshing combination and made the dish more all-rounded and not too heavy. Hopefully, FOCR can improve on the pancakes.

FOCR Ricotta Pancake

Truffle Fries ($12) were our pick for a salty dessert. While the texture of the fries is the same as the mentaiko fries, I feel it was not as good as the mentaiko fries. The truffle oil is light and the finely shaved cheese did clump together on top and did not reach the fries in the middle and bottom.

Truffle Fries

The place is spacious with indoor and outdoor seating. The décor played with the combination of bricks and wood in the open dining room. The coffee bar and dessert display will be the first thing that catch your attention when you walk into the indoor dining area. The service is friendly, attentive and efficient. The best part is that although you have finished your meal and you still hanging around the service staff did not chase you out. For ordering, you scan the QR code for the menu and place your order with the service staff afterwards.

The Coffee Bar & Dessert Display

Overall, we like this place considerably. The food is good, the coffee is great and the ambience just makes you park your bum there comfortably. A great café experience. The thick-cut bacon is a must-order here. Check them out if you are in the East, we’ll definitely come back to try the rest of their menu. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8/10

Value: 7/10

Service: 7/10

Ambiance: 8.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50

Five Oars Coffee Roasters

6 Upper East Coast Road

Singapore 455200

T: +65 8784 2686

W: https://www.focr.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/focr.sg

IG: @focr.sg

OH: Daily 08.00 – 22.00 (Kitchen LO 21.00)

Menu available online & Other locations details

[CLOSED] Paddy Hills – Creatively Curated Cafe Menu

Berry Muffcake

Paddy Hills is a quaint cafe located at one of the shop houses along South Buona Vista Road. Our monthly food hopping kakis decided to do the “Journey to The West”, so we have even coverage around Singapore.

Paddy Hills

Paddy Hills

From the outside, Paddy Hills is set up in the minimalist industrial décor. Combination of steel and wooden furnitures together with the neon sign just reaffirm the funky look of this cafe. The furniture indoor slightly deviated from the outdoor, however focusing more on comfortable décor with a slight 80s theme. Since Paddy Hills occupied the corner shop house, the left side of the wall has huge windows, and it allows the natural light brighten up the cafe. Hint: best place to sit and take your IG Photos.

Interior - Paddy Hills

While waiting for other kakis to arrive, we started with Lotus Root Chips ($10). Paper thin sliced lotus root chips sprinkle with Pop Rocks and Sumac Powder. Definitely, have the look for a healthy appetizer followed with airy crispiness from the paper thin sliced lotus roots. The pop rocks and sumac powder is very subtle, it can be mistaken for lack of seasoning in this dish.

Lotus Root Chips 

The complete meal started with NZ Mussels ($20). NZ Mussels cooked with Guinness Stout, Bacon Crumbs and Italian Parsley. I like the flesh juicy mini NZ Mussels. However, the gravy is just too salty and bitter. It is possible that the saltiness derived from the jus of the mussels while the bitterness is due to the reduction of the stout. I think a serving of fries or bread will help to balanced the gravy.

NZ Mussels

Christmas Burger ($26). A creative dish by Paddy Hills. The turkey breast patty is juicy, sandwich between brioche bun, Gruyere cheese, bacon and cranberry mayo, it sure tastes like Christmas. The fries are seasoned with salt and vinegar gave this burger the acidity to offset the “Jelakness” feel to it. It is best to use your hands to eat the burger and don't try to slice it.

Christmas Burger

I actually dipped the fries from the burger to the broth of NZ mussels. It turns out nicely and offset the excessive bitterness and saltiness in the broth.

Crispy Pork Belly ($26). I almost flipped when this dish was served. At the first sight, the pork belly was skinless. It's like you are deprived the best part of the pork. Instead, it was sliced and roasted separately to create a healthy pork skin crackers. The pork itself is juicy on the lower part, while slightly dry on the top (fat) part. The roasted purple cabbage, confit garlic puree and apple jus definitely jazz up the plate for flavour. Not sure if the caramel popcorn makes any difference in this dish.

Crispy Pork Belly 

Uni Truffle Pasta ($35). This is a serious Fine Dining Standard. Al-dente homemade squid ink spaghetti cooked with tangy tomato cream. Finished off with generous servings of uni, serrano ham and Himalayan truffle is just a sight to behold. Yum Yum.

Uni Truffle Pasta

Duck & Waffles ($25). Crispy Coffee Waffle with Crispy Duck Confit topped with a fried egg. I was amazed by the red apple sheets. I am sure there is a machinery involved in making the red apple sheets, but it sure gives the WOW factor in the plating. Though the overall dish is delicious, the waffle seems tasted a bit burned, like it was left a bit too long in the waffle maker. Other than that, it was just delish.

Duck & Waffles

For dessert, Berry Muffcake ($23) is a must order. A cross between Muffin and Pancake desserts, topped with Berries, Compote, Yoghurt Balls, Vanilla Ice Cream. The muffcake have the exterior of the pancake followed with the interior of a muffin. They are moist, crumbly while each of the toppings has its own unique characters: sweet, savoury, tangy, fruity and awesome yoghurt burst of flavour. This is signature dessert at Paddy Hills and it is a must order.

Berry Muffcake

For Caffeine junky, the coffee is not to be missed. My iced Americano is well balanced, minimum acidity and easy on the palate. The beans are sourced from Tiong Hoe, which we are familiar with.

Iced Americano

Service is friendly and accommodating. We did not make a reservation for our visit, they manage to slot us right it. Also, if you can see from the photos, the portion of the servings is big.

Overall, I really enjoyed the visit to Paddy Hills. The dishes here are creatively curated, delightful and definitely a sensory treat. Although the execution is not perfect, it sets the standard for cafes in Singapore. Definitely a destination for a superb Cafe Hopping Experience. Cheers!!

Sharing the calories for this hopping trip are: Ivan Teh – Running Man, Purple Eats, The Artic Star, Jelly Loves Food, Msginginly, and Her Pen & Fork.

Food & Drinks: 7.5/10

Value: 7.25/10

Service: 7.5/10

Ambiance: 8/10

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

Paddy Hills

38 South Buona Vista Road

Singapore 118164

T: +65 6479 0800

F: https://www.facebook.com/paddyhills.sg/

IG: @Paddyhills.sg

OH:

Mon – Fri: 10.30 – 17.00, 18.00 – 21.30

Sat & Sun: 09.00 - 17.00, 18.00 – 21.30