The Dark Gallery, Ngee Ann City 

No longer content with just bringing their dark indulgences to Millenia Walk, owners Li Hui and Dashel, have opened their second outlet in Takashimaya along the Orchard Road. The new outlet is a much larger space allowing for a dedicated retail area, featuring chocolates (of course), single origin cacao, and coffee from both CMCR and some great international roasters.   

The concept stores vibrant lights and open layout make it hard to miss as you enter the basement level of Takashimaya. As the name suggests, it’s a gallery that showcases chocolates and confectionary, with luxurious ice cream in a wide array of flavours to compliment the sweet bites. The Gallery also sets out to encourage people to discover more about cacao origins and try lesser known varieties of chocolate.

The design of the café in itself is an ode to all things chocolate, from the shades of colour to the textures used in the fixtures and furniture, nothing escapes the luscious treatment. It makes for a very enjoyable environment to relax in.

Besides the sweet stuff, there’s no doubt that coffee plays a major role for Dark Gallery too. They feature CMCR Espresso as their house blend, with hints of cherry and complex flavours it pairs beautifully with the cacao.

You can also sample a their wide selection of single origins as pour over; the best way to enjoy a brew is to sit at the bar and strike a conversation with their friendly barista who will be more than happy to recommend you his favourite cup.

If all the options on display is a bit overwhelming or you’re a newbie to the game, Li Hui recommends their single origin platters. Opting for a platter allows you to choose a selection of ice creams or pastries which are then laid out enticingly on a wooden board, with origin information for each of the cacao so you learn as you eat. I tried their exclusive Chocolate Soufflé made from 66% dark chocolate with pure vanilla ice cream on the side. It was as sinful as it sounds and though it maybe a little old fashioned it was devilishly good!

Dark Gallery is a place perfect to enjoy some time with your family and of course, caters for the hardcore chocolate lover too, so head down and indulge your sweet tooth!

Address:

391 Orchard Road, #B2-29 Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872

Opening Hours:

Monday - Sunday

1100-1000pm 

Social:

IG: @discoverthedark

W: https://thedarkgallery.com/

The first thing that hits you as you step into Panamericana is the huge windows which allow an expansive view of the ocean. Yes the ocean is dotted with container ships, but hey, this is Singapore and we’ve come to think of these as part of the beauty right?!?

Situated right on the edge of Sentosa set against the lush green golf club, Panamericana is a casual eating and drinking spot, perfect for those long weekend brunches with friends. It’s menu, inspired by the 14 countries that the Pan-American Highway crosses, offers up small and big plates during the week and evenings, as well as a brunch menu on the weekends perfect to soak up last night’s booze or line your stomach ready for the day ahead.

Whilst the menu is predominantly an ode to meat (with an Argentinian fire-pit in middle of the dining room!), we were impressed by the number of great vegetarian dishes on the brunch menu.

Along with the usual suspects of pancakes, salmon and poached eggs, there is also a chickpea quesadilla and scrambled eggs with smashed peas and avocado.

When it comes to drinks, as we've already hinted at, it’s the booze that takes centre stage at this joint with a comprehensive beverage menu of cocktails, spirits (two pages dedicated to whiskey!), wines and beers. The bar regularly mixes up new concoctions such as ‘Grown Up Fanta’ and ‘Tommy’s Margaritas’ depending on the mood of head bartender, Ricky Pavia, alongside refreshing juices, smoothies and of course, coffee if you aren’t in the mood for some booze. They are currently pouring some delicious San Fransico, from Guatemala as Nitro cold brew! 

So weather you are looking for a breezy spot to while away your weekend or fancy watching some ships pass in the night, take a trip down to Sentosa; we promise you won’t be disappointed!

Address:

Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, 099892

Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 12pm – 11pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9am – 11pm

t: +65 62538182
e: info@panamericana.sg
w: www.panamericana.sg

Market Valley

In recent times, River Valley has become one of the most bustling streets in Singapore where some of the best cafes and restaurants are located.  From Australian-inspired cafes, authentic Japanese restaurants to French bistros, name it and this area have it all. Before 2017 ended, another small café opened along River Valley and jumped on to the long list of new Singapore café’s you have to try.

Market Valley is a family run business, which was started by Sam Ong and his other siblings when they realized that despite the volume of F&B in River Valley there was an unmet market for a simple coffee and sandwich concept. Sam had been spending a lot of time in the area as his brother worked at a local barber shop, it wasn't long until he was inspired to fill the gap and open a place himself.  Sam felt confident in undertaking this task after living in Melbourne for some time which gave him the opportunity to learn more about specialty coffee and taste some of the best coffee he has ever tasted.

Although Sam does not consider himself a person who essentially needs caffeine fix everyday, coffee is still a very important part of their menu. Expect to be served with 22 Martin from the hopper, or if you are lucky enough, be surprised with blends like Lucky Basterd or CMCR Espresso on some days. Sam knows that his cafe is only a small place yet he understands the importance of investing into a Synesso to provide only the best coffee to their customers.

I love how simple their menu is, yet everything is so delightful. They offer different varieties of sandwiches, wraps and healthy salad bowls too. A personal favorite was the Philly Cheese Steak, which did not disappoint at all with that generous portion of beef and cheese! After having this tasty dish, I ended it with a well balance cup of flat white well made by their in house barista.

Market Valley is sure in my list of places that serves amazing food and coffee with a really affordable price tagged in it. If your office is just around the corner or you happen to be in the area, make sure to drop a visit and try some of their awesome sandwiches and coffee too!

Address:

222 River Valley Rd, Singapore 238280

Operation Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10am-8pm

Saturday: 8:30-4pm

Sunday: Closed 

IG:

marketvalley_

Not a fan of dairy, but also don’t like your coffee black? There’s no need to despair in 2018 with more and more cafes serving up delicious alternative milks, many of them filled with added nutritional benefits helping you boost your vitamin intake while the caffeine kicks in!

 So what’s on offer?

First of all there’s soy, our go-to has always been Bonsoy, it’s organic and works the best with coffee – in both our humble opinion and that of bearded hipsters world wide.

Bonsoy: We choose a select variety of organic Golden soybeans coupled with superior manufacture techniques give this a high protein level for people wishing to increase their protein intake from a vegetable source; this high protein level is great for staying satisfied for the health conscious especially after a strenuous workout to help repair tired muscles.

You can enjoy Bonsoy anytime, but if you love a soy latte, you have to make it Bonsoy! Not only does it taste great in coffee, but ‘stretches’ like regular cows milk giving you that delicious frothy top we know you love. No wonder good Baristas everywhere prefer it.

From: https://bonsoy.com/make-it-bonsoy/

Soy is not for everyone though, so when it comes to healthy and whole options, our mind immediately goes to our friends at Kitchen by Food Rebel, who strongly believe in knowing how your food is produced, and understanding the impact it has on your body. When this comes to coffee, it means you can choose from organic soy milk, coconut milk, house made almond or cashew mylk!

All of these milks (mylks) add a unique flavor profile to your brew, along with benefits such as added protein, nutrients and sustained energy.

Seems like almond mylk has become another go-to for cafes looking beyond the soy bean, with Wild Honey, Open Farm Community and Brownice all offering the tasty nut-based option.

Almond milk: Almond milk is made by blending almonds with water and then straining the mixture to remove the solids. It can also be made by adding water to almond butter. It has a pleasant, nutty flavour and creamy texture that's similar to regular milk. For this reason, it is a popular choice for vegans and those who are allergic or intolerant to dairy.

From: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318612.php

 But what if you don’t do diary, avoid soy and aren’t nuts about nuts? Don’t despair, you can find lactose free milk at Jones the Grocer, and coconut milk at the Lokal!

Lactose-free Milk:  Lactose is sugar found in milk and requires the lactase enzyme, which your body secretes naturally, for it to be broken down into monosaccharides. You are incapable of fully digesting the milk sugar if your lactase level diminishes. Drinking lactose-free milk becomes the only alternative you have if you at all have to consume milk. Even though it lacks lactose, there are benefits of drinking lactose-free milk.

From: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-lactosefree-milk-7284.html 

Coconut Milk:

Coconuts are highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Unlike cow's milk, coconut milk is lactose free so can be used as a milk substitute by those with lactose intolerance. It is a popular choice with vegans and makes a great base for smoothies, milkshakes or as a dairy alternative in baking.

From: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-coconut-milk

What about CMCR, I hear you say?! We may be a little late to the party, but when people talk, we listen, so we’re excited to share that we now have Oatly oat milk available at CMCR Martin Rd, Grounded by CMCR,  Common Man Stan, and over at Forty Hands!

Oat Milk:

Oat milk is a tasty vegan alternative to dairy milks, and it is also nutritious. Oat milk is made with presoaked oat groats, which are hulled grains broken into fragments. Oat milk features a mild, slightly sweet taste, which substitutes well for low-fat or skim milk. Oat milk can also be used in the same way as rice milk or soy milk. Western herbalists recommend oat milk as a tonic for the nervous system. Oat milk is very low in fat and lactose free.

From: https://www.livestrong.com/article/267017-what-are-the-benefits-of-oat-milk/

Oatly:

It’s all in the oats. 100% organic Swedish oats that are grown in clean soil and spend the summer getting rained on to grow strong in the never ending Nordic sun. It’s vegan approved, contains no added sugar whatsoever and is full of that big scientific word betaglucans* which are great for your heart.

From: http://www.oatly.com/products/international/organic-oat-drink/

Go forth and enjoy!

I remember talking to Jerome Lim (owner of The Meating Place) and Terrence Ooi (co-founder) when they were still at the very early stages of planning this place and what they had in mind sounded very exciting, I am now filled with joy to see it become a reality. What these guys are here to give you, is hands down, one of the best dining experiences you will ever have.

Just recently opened within Duo Galleria , The Meating Place is easily accessible through Bugis MRT. Although the whole place is slowly filling up with restaurants and shops as day goes by, the landscape of the plaza alone is magnificent and the lush greenery that fills the surrounds makes for such a great spot to hang out.

As you enter the cafe, expect to be welcomed with an industrial-inspired interior driven by their ethos to serve honest and quality products. The style was based of the use of raw materials and rustic feel that reflects every single ingredient they used in their dishes. Whilst in the kitchen, the emerald green tiles complemented create a very fresh and glamorous effect.

Just like their open kitchen, the coffee bar is given its own spotlight with its’s well-appointed furnishings and weathered design. Unlike usual cafe layouts, Meating Place decided to create an open bar concept that promotes interaction between the barista and their customers. Being a strong believer of high quality products, Jerome knows that coffee plays a huge role in their business too. The intensity and bold flavours of the 22 Martin blend pulled in their beautiful shiny MVP Synesso is a superstar on its own. 

The contemporary style of their grill lights resemble fire and symbolizes the energy leading you to the kitchen where all the magic happens. Chef Jerome, who is also the Head Chef, is the person responsible for the beautiful dishes they have on offer.

As their name suggests, the menu focuses primarily on meat and covers a whole range of beef choices as well as chicken and salad options. The menu may not be very extensive but each dish is exceptional on its own. All of the meats and vegetables were carefully selected and one of their secrets is finding the right suppliers. In fact, one of Chef Jerome’s favorite dishes in the menu is the “Anxin” Free Roam Spring Chicken, guaranteed antibiotic and hormone free, which means the meat has maintained its natural flavors. With food as exquisite as this, their prices are unbelievably affordable, as Jerome always believes that great food should not be expensive!

One of my favorites would have to be the Slow Roast Striploin, which was a beautiful cut, tender and seasoned to showcase the freshness of the meat. Don’t fret if it comes out a pale pink colour as the method used required slow cooking but it ready to eat, juicy and delicious! The lemon and horseradish sauce complements with its tanginess in every bite. Now I understand what Jerome meant when he said “Simple food should taste good when cooked with passion.”

Everything about The Meating Place speaks a lot of Jerome as a Chef, having honesty and transparency as his core values. Since he was a kid, he’s been very independent and loved to cook. Right after army, he took a Degree in Culinary Institute of America and had an opportunity to work for an internship in an award-winning restaurant in Manhattan, which opened doors for him. Nude seafood definitely imparted him many lessons and helped him discover who he is as a chef.

Equipped with years of experience and the desire to offer something that customers deserve, Jerome finally opened something to call his own. The best news, he is in it for the long game, promising to continue innovating and creating,  making the very best experience for his customers.

Operating Hours

Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm (Coffee); 11:30-2:30pm (lunch); 6:00-9:00pm (dinner)

Saturday: 6:00-9:00pm (dinner)

Sunday: Closed