Tarts & Pies @WindowSill

The first time I tried WindowSill's tart was at Creamier.  Passed by it during my last visit to Tiramisu Hero.  So finally, I get to try more of their pies and tarts.  They specialises in pies, but only the sweet type, no savoury ones.  Thus they are very clear what they are capable of doing/making.

WindowSill
 78 Horne Road
Singapore 209078
(opp. Jalan Besar Stadium)
Tel: 9004 7827
Email: pies@windowsillpies.sg


Their operating hours (as shown below).  Closed on Mondays as well.

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You can find more than just coffee over here.  A small chalkboard is placed in front of the cashier.  Can give a try for their specialty tea.

 

You got to walk to their front display of the pies & tarts to have a good look on what's available for the day (a little fogged out by the condensation on the glass).

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Behind the main door, you will be greeted by a cute version of forest & woody feel, tapped with cement screed walls on 1 side.  The shop may not seem big, but it is sufficient to make every customers sitting there comfortably to enjoy their desserts and drinks.  Good thing is that you won't feel compel to quickly finish your desserts and drinks though there are constantly new customers coming in.  As the flow of walking-in customers is still manageable.

 

Love this little hut-like frame that houses 2 tables.  I got to get this table the next time! haha

 

The only picnic bench available in the shop for big group.

 

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I like their presentation, using a wooden tray instead of usual plate.  The only shortfall would be it maybe harder to balance as the pie/tart may sway here and there.

In order to sample their pies & tarts better, we chose to go with tea.  Besides, smelling the tea leaves yourself.  The other, quickest method is to ask the staff!  Recommended by the staff and partly influence by the name of the tea, I chose the Muscato Blanc. 
Muscato Blanc ($6 per pot, refillable) - Slightly revealing a tint of sweetness on your palate, and nice smelling at the same time.  Different from the usual fruity or floral tea you have tasted, this tea will definitely give you a pleasant surprise.  It is so good that you will keep refilling the pot and still have a good blend without diluting the goodness.

 
[Pardon if I didn't get the name of the desserts (below) right as there is no label/signage stating clearly.  Can only based on the verbal description the staff gave me.]
S'mores - Nice try.  The marshmallows on top were a little over burnt (uncertain if it was done intentionally or not).  The chocolate body topped with dark chocolate fudge, is my favourite! However, I like their unique pie "crust" most.  It tasted and flaked off like pastries, rather than the normal crunchy pie/tart crust.

Banana Almond Brittle - Not bad.  The sweetness of bananas are captured on the top cream layer.  Salted caramel in chunks (too big a chunk) are embedded inside the mousse cake.

 

Will come back again to have more pies/tarts!  Cute & cheerful place with dainty desserts.

Snoozy Late Brunch @Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar

During the long weekend, all I could think of was to avoid the crowded scene as there would be high influx of people going everywhere possible (Singapore is just too small so most people if not travelling overseas, could only hangout in shopping malls and aircon places).

I'm such a bum who likes to laze around..haha  It took my Hubby some time to drag me out of my bed and to bring me to Skype for brunch cos' it was  already 2ish when we got there.  We were lucky to get the only remaining table with sofa seats without reservation, but no so lucky for the couple who came after us, had to take the outside seats.

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar
10 Winstedt Road
Block E #01-17
Singapore 227977
Tel: 6225 6690
*Reservation is recommended!

 

Main entrance from the road-side.

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Their brunch menu is available from 10am - 4pm daily!  Yippee I can sleep in more and still have brunch items in the afternoon!

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first thing I notice stepping into the bistro, was that strong scent of truffles..

 

The indoor seating area are segregated into 3 sections.  The first 2 sections are all sofa sittings, suitable for couple dating or group gatherings.  The last section all the way back is the largest section in proper table setting, which can be rearranged for special events to create a different ambience.

 

A little "extra" to share with you, is their common toilet.  Hope you won't get turn off by the sight of below picture.  I must let you know first otherwise ladies might get frightened or "scream" when you see a male entering/inside the toilet!  Their toilet is meant for both sexes, which last 2 cubicles are reserved for the ladies, and first 2 cubicles for the gentlemen.  A side note, I do like their retro theme employed and toilet bowl-shaped alike washing basin used.  However, may not so convenient or at ease for the ladies to powder their nose or comb their hair inside this common WC.

 

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Skyve Sous Vide Eggs Benedict - Was alright.  Though you can see the amount of oiliness lingering in the plate.  The serving portion may not seem alot, but it certainly can fill up your stomach while enjoying the quiet and nice ambience.

 

Truffle Scrambled Eggs - Don't be mistaken!  The main role of this breakfast is the scrambled eggs, however the Portobello mushrooms are humongous!  Can't really go wrong with simple scrambled eggs.

 

Iced Mocha (left) & Iced Cappuccino (right) - Not their forte for sure.  Bet the Barista overlooked that our drinks are iced, not enough coffee taste, not enough sugar syrup in my iced cappuccino.  Bland.  The iced mocha was slightly better as you can still taste the chocolate presented in it.

 

Finally, it's my dessert time after a hearty meal!  There isn't many choices available to choose from....just 4!

 

Carrot cake - It's real worth it, for its size and quality!  Took me by pure amazement, the cake is layered with rich cream cheese but not overwhelming.  So you can crave and dive your fork more for more bites.  The cake layers are packed with many many thin slices of red carrot and walnut, plus caramelised whole walnut garnished on top of the cake.  Have never seen any shop's carrot cake can be this tasty and good quality (not even Cedele).  Very filling and good quality for the price you pay!

 

NEW! Chill-Out Spot @Jiu Zhuang 酒庄, Dempsey Road

Thanks to my informant cum dear Sister, Janice for bringing me to this new joint (as she has a girlfriend working there).  I heard it is about 3 months' old only!

Jiu Zhuang
6C & 6D Dempsey Road
Singapore 247664
Tel: 6471 1711

Well-hidden and secluded from the main blocks in Dempsey Road, one must walk passed the "IN" CM-PB (Contemporary Melting-Pot and Bar), all the way to the back and you will find Jiu Zhuang on the right-hand side.  Refer to location map# below (#Source: jiu-zhuang.com).

 
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The interior of the bar (Block 6D) is strongly influenced by the Shanghai style in the 1920s era.  Exudes a certain elegant air and lavish of opulence in the atmosphere.  The ambience is cosy and intimate, with the entire place dimmed with warm yellow light shining through antique side lamps and hanging Chinese lanterns.  Listening to the remix versions of Chinese songs (some of which are songs we are familiar listening to growing up) in jazzy tunes under such ambience, and couching into those comfortable leather chairs, enable one to fully relax (provided no big groups present at the same time for laughter are unavoidable).

I exceptionally like the owner's choice of the bar counter, breaking away from the conventional type of bar counter with liquors displaying at different heights of shelving.  To enhance the appreciation and feel of 1920s' Shanghai, replica pictures of Chinese women dressed in cheongsam (typically featured in calendars and posters during the old days) adorn the area.  If you look closely, you can also detect the slight European flair introduced in some of the furniture chosen.

 

On the other side of the bar (Block 6C), there is alfresco and private dining area, with a walk-in wine cellar.  A nice, quiet corner for couples and friends who prefer more serenity.

 

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Their thoughtfully designed Dining Menu (left) and Drinks Menu (right) resemble the Chinese Kungfu manuals and scripts.  The little lock on the Drinks Menu intrigued my Hubby and kept him entertained for a while..hee

You will be spoilt for choices with their extremely wide selection of wines and liquors.  Jiu Zhuang also carry award-winning Japanese Sake from Iwamura Brewery.

  

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Home-made Lotus Root Chips - The first time I have ever heard and tried this snack.  Only salt is lightly used to add some flavour.  The first few bites may seemed saltish, but after that you will be hooked to it.  It is liked extremely crispy thins in the form of lotus root.  Commendable on how the Chef came up with this healthy snack and slicing the lotus into such insanely fragile thickness.

 

Complimentary bite-size prawn chips with chilli powder and black sesame seeds sprinkled over it.  Goes very easy with drinks.  Super addictive!

 

Pinot Grigio (white wine handpicked & recommended by our girlfriend) - Sweetness at right amount!  Also, very smooth down the throat.  Good quality wine!

  

Fried Chicken Wings in Prawn Paste - Scotching hot on our fingers when we attempted to eat it.  Beat the standard of many Chinese restaurants and "Zi Char" eateries!  Normally I will stop at 2 pieces the max., but this dish got me wanting for more (eyeing my Hubby's share)!  *2 thumbs up!!*

  

Jiu Zhuang Xiaolongbao, infused with Whisky - This traditional Shanghainese soup dumpling has taken a new different twist.  I was surprised by the slight bitterness brought onto my taste buds due to the whiskey.  Somehow I still prefer the traditional xiaolongbao with flavourful soup.

 

Guo Tie with Minced Pork Filling & Foie Gras - I love foie gras and guo tie (pork dumpling) but first time eating them together is something new.  A pity that you can't really taste the foie gras, perhaps a waste on this luxurious ingredient to go with such strong taste filling like pork.

 

Shrimp Dumpling with Baby Abalone - This is one dish you have to gobble it up as a whole.  Splendid to add in the baby abalone and fish roe in elevating the usual taste of a shrimp dumpling.  May not be my favourite but it's a "can-try".

 

Jiu Zhuang Wanton Dumplings with Dried Scallops, in Superior Broth  - "Power" is the word for this dish.  For I am a Cantonese who grew up eating dianxin and boiled soup on a regular basis, fresh ingredients and long hours are crucial to extract the essence of a good soup.

 

Felt so pampered to be able to enjoy fresh, piping hot dianxin cooked with the most extravagant ingredients during wee hours.  What a premium gourmet experience!  Definitely something new and worth trying out!  I last heard from the Management of Jiu Zhuang, that they are coming up with Sunday brunch menu and improvising the menu with more dianxin items.  Hence this could be an alternative dianxin spot to bring my family for gatherings. 

To end this review, I urge you to share with me other dianxin spots which you may have known and worth recommending, as good (& not-so-oily) dianxin is hard to come by in Singapore. 

Chill-out @Wine Company Tapas Bar & Bistro, Robertson Quay

I would say Robertson Quay has been successfully 'revived' for some time, since more and more restaurants, pubs and chill-out places are sprouting out over there.  There are some new pubs when I visited last Friday, after Iron Man 3 (at my sister's company movie event) with my sister and hubby.
 
The Wine Company has diversified since last year, in opening Tapas Bar & Bistro that serves a selection of traditional European foods to go with their imported wines, and further expanded this time round, with more tables spanning outside the bistro.  This place is fully packed (especially on a Friday night)!  (Of cos' do note that the same wine if order & drink at their Robertson Quay retail shop will be slightly cheaper.)

Wine Company Tapas Bar & Bistro
@Robertson Quay
11 Unity Street
#01-19 Robertson Walk
Singapore 237995
Tel: 6235 5466

Their Tapas menu offers both hot and cold items, which are selling at $5 per plate.  Best price!!  Spicy prawns with garlic was alright, according to Hubby it had "real" prawn taste (unlike frozen prawns in some Chinese dishes).

Gratineed mussels - another "must-try" dish we would recommend.

CASAL MENDES - Rose wine was handpicked by myself, cos' I simply like sweet and non-spicy wines.  I have never tried Portugal wine before, and am pleasantly surprised.  In my opinion, it tasted like red wine with bubbles, but minus away the spiciness.  It has fruity aroma with slight tinges of banana and pineapple, bottled in an unique shape.

 
Lime tart (with fruit bits inside) - appetising!  Would be nicer if it is not so cold.

 
Parma ham bruschetta and Foie gras skewer (with duck meat and apple) to wrap up our night's supper.  The foie gras skewers are unexpectedly and amazingly great taste that we can't help having seconds (one plate only has 2 skewers)!  Fatty foie gras (the fats simply melt & solute in your mouth) is best complemented with fruits, and they are so generous with the foie gras.  *Must-try!!

 
If you know of other cool and nice chill-out places that open till late, pls do feel free to share with me here (under "Comments" section).  Ciaozz!