“Being plain doesn't necessarily means to be common, ordinary.” I believe this quote says it all. The ordinary swill rolls we know of in the past were the ones with white cream and vanilla roll. Then it started having multicolours roll and so on. Over at The Plain Jane, they take it up a notch with a modern twist of the classic swiss roll. Located opposite Serangoon Stadium and two bus stop away from Serangoon MRT station.  

Introducing the not so plain swiss rolls such as Earl Grey (in the foreground) and Thai Milk Tea (in the background) | $5.9 each. The flavours were delicate yet instinctive and I love the texture of the rolls – soft, dense and compliments the cream within.

We paired the rolls with the premium tea blend, Lychee Konnyaku | $8/pot. A great drink for palette cleansing if you are having more than one rolls and it’s also a great excuse to chill out in the cosy atmosphere. We later ordered Matcha | $5.9 from the not so plain swiss rolls selection. Although I’m a matcha fan, but this turned out milky when I preferred mine slightly bitter or sweet hence this is not to my liking as compared to the other two. This would satisfy you milky matcha lovers!

I was wowed by the effort in perfecting the cream bringing it similar to the actual flavour. However, it still depends on the individual on the preference of how milky or pungent the flavours are. Generally, I am still pleased with the overall experience and am glad that the calories are not wasted.

Moreover, what can go wrong in such a tranquil settings and the not so plain yet humble Jane (owner), who often come to ensure if we enjoyed our food.

Although it’s located all the way in the North-East Region of Singapore, I am looking forward to wet my taste bud over other awesome flavours like Yuzu, Meringue Roulade and Salted Caramel swiss roll.

Address: Block 211 Serangoon Ave 4, #01-10, Singapore 550211

Opening Hours:

Mon, Tue, Thu: 12:00pm - 8:00pm

Fri: 12:00pm - 10:00pm

Sat: 10:00pm - 10:00pm

Sun: 10:00pm - 8:00pm

Closed on Wednesdays

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I'm sure Chir Chir needs no further introductions (basically it’s a Korean fried chicken world!). I would like to take this time to correct the pronunciation as I have heard lots of version among my friends, it is actually pronounced as ‘Chi-Re Chi-Re’. J

It’s my honour to be among the first few to savour over the new items, which were launched on 4 April 2016. As you know, Chir Chir is a chain restaurant originated in South Korea and it what better way to attract k-food lovers than to introduce the Honey Butter Chicken | $28.9 derived from the famous Korean honey butter chips. Even for those who haven’t tried the chips (it applies to me too), you can imagine it just by having this chicken because according to my fellow foodie who have tried the chips mentioned that the chicken seasoning were really similar to the chips.

Having the honey butter sauce glazes over crispy buttered chicken, potato wages and pan-fried topokki, and finishes off with honey butter seasoning powder, dried cranberries and sliced almonds. Dip into the honeyed garlic mayo for ultimate satisfaction. It's so irresistible that you won't stop at one! 

Quench your thirst with these colourful smoothies such as Raspberry / Mojito / Aqua Double Smoothies | $12.9 each (top-up $3 for soju). These smoothies are be made up of ice-blended mango puree topped with raspberry / lime / mixed tropical fruits, and crowned with fresh whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.

These smoothies is best shared by two and if you can’t make up your mind, may I suggest going with Raspberry Double Smoothie.

Next off the list, Topokki & Cheese | $9.9 - I would say it’s a spin-off of mac & cheese. Instead of macaroni, it is replaced with topokki (Korean rice cakes) and topped with chicken ham and bacon bits in creamy cheese sauce.

Spice it up with the Spicy Seafood Soup | $26.9, a spicy clam-based soup loaded with an entire squid, crayfish, prawns, mussels and glass noodles. Be wary as the spiciness comes after, however I think it’s quite shiok.

Up a notch, for the (even spicier) Spicy Topokki | $15.9, served in fiery gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce with topokki, sliced fishcake, cubed sweet potatoes, Cajun battered squid and deep-fried hardboiled egg. You may also choose to top-up $4 for breaded chicken tenders. It’s so spicy that I stopped after a few mouthful. I'm sticking to non-spicy fried chickens instead!

Going for something wholesome? Chir Chir serves oven roasted chickens too and it comes in Rosemary, Spicy BBQ and Garlic. The whole roasted Rosemary Chicken | $29.9 went through 12hours of marinating and accompanied with salt-baked egg, baked potato and salsa. My pick among the three, which I have tried previously.

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..Hosted Meal..

Gastronomia is one of Da Paolo Group's brainchild. Others includes a bistro, pizzeria and a catering arm which remains wholly owned and operated by the family. Gastronomia is an eat-in and take-out one-stop gourmet boutique, and is also conveniently housed in Cluny Court, just opposite the Botanic Gardens MRT staion, exit A. The gourmet deli café is filled with freshly made food and imported produce such as homemade pasta and sauces, pizza, pastries, antipasti, desserts and authentic Italian coffee using Bristot Coffee from Italy.

Address: Cluny Court Gastronomia, 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 7:30am - 10:00pm

facebook.com/Gastronomia.BukitTimah/

..Hosted Meal..

Dempsey Hill is also known for its night chill out spot and indulgence for dinning variety. Portico Prime is located near the main entrance/drive-in, with a modern setting of indoor and outdoor sittings. What better way to drive the crowd in during the slow-afternoon then have their own Portico Favourites High Tea | $48+/person (minimum 2 to dine). The high tea includes a free flow drink, a starter plate and a high tea stand which comprises of four-tier of bite size sweets, savouries, cookies, chocolate and scones. 

As mentioned earlier, the high tea is served with a either a free flow choice of Dutch Colony Coffee or (one flavour) Twinings from the Large-Leaf Discovery Tea Collection. I love my pick of Rose Garden tea which turns out well when paired with the food. As the name implies, it is towards the floral flavour and I personally think it’s perfect for a high tea.

The STARTER PLATE consist of none other than Portico Favourites, hand-picked by the chefs from their menu which features:

- Skewer of tiger prawn with compressed melon sheet, topped with tobiko roe and brandy sauce

- Chilled truffle-scented angel hair pasta and finished with avruga caviar and kawa ebi shrimps

- Crostini of Asian-cured salmon gravlax and coriander crème fraiche

The pasta is served and best eaten cold. However if it gets "colder" if not eaten when served, it gets saltier. Overall, the starter plate tasted refreshing and were quite appetising.

The four-tier high tea add up to 12 items in total - three savouries items, six sweets items, two cookies and chocolates items and a scone with homemade spread. As this is a high tea, the focus is directed towards sweets, as mentioned by the head Chef, Charlene. Also, the portions of these food are served according to the number of paying guest. Hence, for a group of four, we were presented one item each per person.

Starting with the SAVOURY TIER that I'm head over heels in love with:

- Éclair of Singapore-style chili crab meat

- Fish otak otak toast

- Squid and salted egg croquette

It's a right hit to my savoury tastebuds and I would say it would be a crowd pleaser among Singaporeans too. Trying to go local yet remaining that touch of the westernise high tea, who would have known that chili crab would go so well with the soft and moist éclair. 

Moving on, the SWEETS TIERS which I'm impressed with both the visuals as well as the quality of the items, which includes:

- Marsala Chai tea cake with honey ginger cream and orange confit

- Homemade carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting and toasted walnuts

- Mini deconstructed blackforest

- Chilled cheesecake with mango gel and mini passionfruit spheres

- Baked apple crumble tart with sweet basil cream

- Bandung rose cream, strawberry and lychee tart

- Pistachio nut, cranberry and white chocolate bark

- Homemade peanut butter and confetti cookies

Everything is made from scratch even some ingredients are planted on site, if you explore the backyard, you'll see a mini planting gardens filled with herbs and edible flowers. Lastly, scones are what individuals usually skip in high tea. Here at Portico's high tea, the scones are ideally shrink to petite size allowing individuals to finish the high tea set without the feel of stuffing themselves. These freshly baked California natural raisins and citrus peel SCONES is served with homemade honey kaya, homemade seasonal preserves and clotted cream.

Enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the serenity in the afternoon as you sip your tea and treat yourself to a high tea session. Reservations are strongly recommended as there will only be a limited of 30 sets available each day. Right now, be delighted as you get enjoy the promotional price of $38+/person when you follow Portico on their Instagram.

Address: 10 Dempsey Road, #01-20, Singapore 247700 

Telephone: 6474 7427

Opening Hours:

(High Tea) Tue-Sun: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Closed on Mondays

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