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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hatched @ Evans Lodge

I do think the idea behind Hatched as All Day Breakfast venue was a good idea, who would not associated breakfast with Eggs and the name Hatched was so appropriate.

Coming to the Evans Lodge outlet around 11 am and found it was quite busy but not to the extend of full house. Good idea to have it next to hostel with such affordability and menu that appeals to most. But, most of the patrons apparently were passerby like us.

By looking at the menu, you couldn't help to smile when reading its menu category, with titles such as Scrambling Sam, Oliver Omellete, Frying Pan, Friends of Eggs and then going down to its dishes under each category.

Staff were friendly, cosy ambience and no service charge; I believe these few factors are what attracts the regular patrons.

Unfortunately, to me, the food was okay but not as good as I expected, after seeing the concept, interior and the menu.

Again, if going to venues that not in the main street/mall, I find it a bit put off. Cause you need to make your way there just for a meal which can be fantastic or not; it creates a hassle for those who don't drive and not many patrons as what the business may expect too. But, some do prefer these secluded venues to have different atmosphere and relaxing time.

Not sure on other outlets accessibility, but for this outlet, unless you are around Evans Rd area/to Orchard direction, it does provide you a choice to have an affordable breakfast/simple brunch with less crowd to compete.

The entranced to Hatched from main door of the lodge/hostel
The plastic laminated menu, thot, it could made a good placemat too..
What an Egg...???!!!!
All Eggs Around You...
Casual and Cosy atmosphere...
I applauded this wall decor..such a good idea..simple but so eye-catching
Even the furniture has Egg-Shaped related/feel 
Was that a rooster trapped inside the light?
Everyone would smile when they see this..
So, this how it works, people...
Papilotte
Smoked salmon folded over scrambled eggs on toast, topped with sour cream, served with sauteed potatoes..
One of the recommended dishes, the salmon with scrambled eggs were quite good but the potatoes were very very bland..
The Usual Suspects..
As the name is, it is the usual order of Big Brekkie..Ha!
Customize how you want your eggs to be, with choice of bacon/ham/sausage, baked beans, sauteed potatoes, toast and either a tea/coffee
Has sunny side up, it was okay but I thought it was too well cooked for the egg yolks but when you sliced thru, it was not. Again, the potatoes with its skin felt a bit rough and bland. The bacon was okay, bit greasy and not too crisp.
Toast were surprisingly good, baked beans were as normal (not my dish)..As you could see, the bacon was not crisp type but okay..
I always like it when a restaurant serve fresh fruit juice, in this case, Hatched has either Apple or Orange as their Fresh Juices option. Ordered the Ice Mocha, I thought the gradation colours on the Ice Mocha were so attractive..
My Earl Grey Tea, served by a pot of hot water and using The Clippers Tea Bag.
 

Hatched @ Evans Lodge
26 Evans Road
Singapore  259367
Tel : +65 6735-0012

http://www.hatched.sg/

Opening Hours from 8 am to 4 pm (Thu-Mon)
Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Saturday, February 23, 2013

TWG @ Takashimaya SG

 
I was puzzled, really, by the queue at all TWG outlets, which also included the latest at Takashimaya Level 2. Perhaps if it's the one at ION, I could understand the lack of space which made it looked like the crowd queue like mad on certain hour. And perhaps, at MBS, due to the flock of tourist that was intrigued by TWG concept.
 
So, I planned to try their lunch since I tried their brekkie which just enough as a one time experience, and said to myself, perhaps lunch will be different.
 
Arrived at around 11.45 am so there was still no crowd queueing up and to my surprise, the dining area is the most spacious compare to other outlets.
 
Sat next to the window facing Mandarin Orchard hotel and the male staff immediatly handed me the meal & tea menus. Everytime I come to TWG and seeing the Tea Menu, there was a sense of confusion and overwhelm to see all the Teas selection. Doubtful, anyone can remember to differentiate how each tea taste like. Well, unless, you are a very very regular patron here.
 
The dishes presented very well indeed, taste wise also okay but not fantastic and I found it was a bit pricey.
 
What irritated me the most was the staff, mostly are foreigner staff with English speaking but they was so absent-minded, lack of attention, slow to act.
 
I asked for just a piece of macaron and I even walked up to the pastry trolley next to my table. Waited for 15 mins but it didn't come and looking around, the lady staff I asked for was still there but busy attending to others (it was not a full house and not even half full). In the end, I called up another staff and this time, she did take the macaron and then I asked for the bill on the same time. Waited another 10 mins and no bill came, again, called another staff for the bill. Waited another 10 mins for the process.
 
They surely not short-handed but everytime I looked up, either no staff around or they were busy at the counter, prepping the meals to be delivered and no one ever looking around to patrons.
 
I also got the impression of snotty attitude from all TWG staff, different outlets but similar attitude and similar service.
 
I don't think I will ever visit TWG in all their outlet..the service was not on par with the price they charged, not to mention the ridiculous queue.
 
TWG tried to impress patron with their so sophisticated overall concept and staff appearance, added with so elaborate Meals and Tea description but failed in the most important factor in retaining the patrons, their Service Skill. Cleverly located in vicinity that has throngs of tourists and elite areas, it certainly gives tremendous boost to their business.
 
Dining area, view to entrance after passing the pattiserie corridor
 
 Dining Menu and the Tea Menu

The typical TWG white linen table setting
 
This the pastry trolley that next to our table, even I walked up there and asked for a single macaron, it failed to come..
View to the back area, it remained quite empty even after we finished our meals
View to Mandarin Orchard Hotel..

That big tea tins of TWG..
There was an ant walking around this sugar pot..
Steamed Vanilla Cod
Pave of cod infused with Vanilla Tea served with button mushrooms, chicory and shallots, accompanied by a white sauce enhanced with notes of vanilla..
Phewwww...such a long description
Cod fish was fresh, tad a bland and the sauce tasted a bit milky at first but once you ate it with the mushroom, it balanced nicely..tasted the vanilla indeed
Scrambled Eggs
Fresh farmhouse eggs scrambled with a choice of matcha green tea, pure saffron threads of white Alba truffle oil and served with
smoked salmon and mixed salad of tender spinach shoots and marinated shrimps
The salad has quite a tasty dressing but rest were just okay
Ordered the side dish, the plate of matchstick potatoes drizzled with pure white Alba truffle oil and matcha salt
The fries were fried nicely, crisp and I was impressed by their presentation, using the crispy layer of crepe to hold the fries
Soft bread came with the main course
The toasts were done nicely..
Matcha Green Tea Macaron, the cookie shell was a bit hard..TWG is not famous for its macaron for sure..
 
 
TWG Tea Boutique
Takashimaya Department Store, B2
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873
Tel : +65-63631837
 
http://www.twgtea.com/index.php
 

 
Opens daily 10 am - 10 pm

 
 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar

Skyve is not where you expect you'd find, when you look at the photos, it seems like in a very cool hip environment. But, it's not, it is closed to Orchard Road but it is secluded enough to be seen from main road.

I fell in love instantly with the interior design and its furnishing, it gives you that cool vibe. It certainly warrants another visit, especially during the Live Music nights, will be fun to come here with a group of friends.

I was surprised when we were having brunch to see a family, few couples, a group of friends already there and by lunch time, even more crowds were streaming in. Why I was surprised in the first place? Coz, I never thot, a venue quite secluded like Skyve could have quite a crowd. The street leading it in from main road is next to a school, and going further in, then you will find it around a some sort of school complex. So, it's unusual area to find something as hip and modern as this.

There were only 3 staff during that brunch shift, but, they were courteous and still prompt in serving you.
Brunch was great, the quality of the dishes didn't disappoint and the portion was just right.

Sometimes, what impressed me most from a restaurant is when they paid attention to small details. Skyve proved to be one of them; from the Fiji mineral water tin holder, the fresh flower on the table, providing 2 dessert plates and cutleries without being asked (we only had 1 slice of cake)

Anyone who sees their interior would be impressed and excited to return here, after our meal, I understand why Skyve has regular patrons despite its location.



Right after the entrance/from outdoor area 
A rocking chair, how cool is that? 
Outdoor area, still giving cool vibe.. 
Fell in love with this seating arragement and that green circular sofa..The paintings are for sale 
Good partition idea and to store magz.. 
  
Drink counter 
In love with this print, as its room divider accent, from lounge area above to proper dining area 
 Beginning of dining area
 
Eye-catching steel work, right? Nice, indeed.. 
Who doesn't love this col. combo, the aquamarine against white and black...This area can also double up as private area with folding glass door closure
The folding glass door on the left side.. 

Not to intrude diner privacy from outside view
The path leading to Skyve  
Fiji tin can holder and fresh bright pink flower, such a good contrast, right? 
Liking the idea of Snoozy Brunch name
The different print of placemats 
 
Ordering the Green Tea, it was quite different take of green tea and coffee


Skyving Breakfast
2 eggs with choice of style: Overeasy | Sunny side up | Scrambled | Soft Poached
Choice of bread: Wholemeal | Sourdough | Brioche
Served with: Wild Mushroom Fricassee, English Pork Sausage, Confit of Cherry Tomatoes & Roasted Baby Potatoes

The potatoes were thumbs up..and impressed me the most was the Wholemeal Bread, it was toasted to perfection, never thot, wholemeal could tasted so good.

Truffle scramble egg
Sourdough Bread | Truffle Scrambled Eggs | Grilled Baby Asparagus | Baked Portobello
Simple but yet tasty and not making your tummy too full 

The cutleries holder before the meal and after the meal for our dessert




Cake of the Day!
Blueberry Cheese Cake
The cheese cake was so soft and yet firm enough to break and blueberries were a great addition. This dessert was a satisfying one than most bistro have..

Retro style with modern facilities rest room
Looking down to Skyve word at the entrance 
 
View to Skyve from the pathway 


Skyve Elementary Bistro & BarNo.10 Winstedt Road
Block E, #01-17
Open Daily: Monday to Sunday
(including Public Holidays)
Tel: +65 6225 6690
 
http://www.skyve.sg/

Opening hours from 10am to late