Grin Affair

Just last week alone I made several trips to Everton Park near Outram Park MRT. No, it wasn't the famous Ji Xiang ang ku kueh that I was after, but a new gem that I recently discovered.



Grin Affair was still less than one-month-old when I first visited. Its owner is a young lady in her early 20s.



Passionfruit & Mango Cubes ($2.8)



Strawberry Kiwi Sparkling ($2.8)





All their menus here were nicely hand-drawn by the owner. Great efforts aside, its kawaii-ness was also appreciated.

Not only the drinks, all the sweets here come packed in a see-through glass jar, reminiscent of the mini 'aquaria' I once liked to make with sand and seashells. 'By having our cakes in a glass jar instead of flimsy materials like paper cups, it gives one a substantial feel when holding it,' owner Jody revealed, 'moreover, as you know glass is a recyclable material, we encourage customers to bring back the glass jars on the next visits.'



Honey Lavender ($4.8)

The honey lavender mousse layer was very moist and smooth, with fresh whole blueberry bites in between. Sponge was on the other hand extremely soft and melt-in-month delicate.



Durian ($5.5)

Their durian cake was equally remarkable. Though I didn't really like the bottom layer of breadcrumb, the dense durian mousse packed with chucks of durian pulp was the real killer. You won't wanna miss it even if you don't fancy durian.

Currently there are 12 flavours on the menu. Although I'm yet to try them all, these two that I tasted have definitely raised the bar for what to expect on my next visit, and the next, and the next...









To promote reuse and recycling, you get a jar of dried cranberries for every 10 used jars you return.


Grin Affair
3 Everton Park, #01-77A
Mon - Sat, 12pm – 8pm
Closed on Sundays
8282 7375

The Merry Men

Chanced upon The Merry Men while checking out a new bakery at Robertson Quay.

As much as I can remember reading about it, this bar-cum-restaurant is the venture of four young chaps who pooled their savings to start this 'drinking place, one that they could proundly call their own', despite that none had any F&B experience. Some of them even gave up their high-paying jobs to oversee the day-to-day operations of the bar.

On weekdays, this place is a waterhole for white collars to unwind, over their extensive menu of beer and wines. When it comes to the weekends, it becomes a popular brunch spot on the Robertson waterfront for family and friends to enjoy some quality get-together.



Their Sunday brunch menu is pretty much straight forward comprising your brunch favourites like Eggs Benedict ($12) and Sunday Toast ($24), as well as some tasty nibbles to go along.



Cappuccino ($4)



My Cookie & Cream Milkshake ($10) was forgettable. Not only that it was too milky for my likings, its all but unlikable texture was a major turn-off.



Heart Stopping Hashies ($14)

A pair of hash brown topped with scrambled eggs in Hollandaise sauce. Although hashie is not really my thing, the scramble was made scrumptious with sautéed mushrooms and bacon bits.



Asparagus and Eggs ($16)

My main was more than just filling, with the three thick slices of Gammon ham. Also worth mentioning was the asparagus, which was well seared to a flavourfully juicy crisp.







At the moment there isn't any no-smoking policy in place for its outdoor area. I really hope they would do something about it as the waterfront seatings are popular among families with kids. Otherwise, here is a perfect spot for you to enjoy a carefree brunch with friends.

OCBC credit card gets 10% off total bill.


The Merry Men
86 Robertson Quay
#01-02 Robertson Blue
6735 9667

Baker & Cook

After the islandwide coffee culture which has brewed many fine indie cafés, a food culture of a different kind has been baking its way to the island. Yes, it's our dough.



Baker & Cook, the latest artisan bakery in town, started by Global Baker Dean Brettschneider has recently landed in Greenwood Avenue.

Besides offering bread and pastries which are baked fresh daily, the café also serves all-day breakfast, salad and a good selection of drinks.



Smoked Salmon Tartines ($12.95), served on signature Pain Miche Bread. Despite being freshly baked, the bread base was just too tough for my companion's jaws (and knife). I'm not a bread person, but I appreciated its unique chewy texture, which was tough on outside yet soft on the inside.



Her main, Eggs Benedict ($16.95), thought to be a safe choice, was, ehhh, came served on Pain Miche slices.

You know how bloated I was after the meal?



Seeing a La Marzocco's Linea in charge over at the brew counter, catching a morning cuppa seemed to be the only sane choice.

It was not sure what beans they used, but my Latte ($4.5) didn't really taste like a double-shot. Despite lacking the kawaii latte art I kinda looked forward to, the brew was nevertheless earthy and nutty, with a pleasant mouthfeel.



The tart shell of Rhubarb Frangipane Tart ($4.95) was very buttery and crumbled properly, and the frangipane not overly sweet. It was a pity that I couldn't taste much rhubarb.









What I like most about Baker & Cook is the rustic and relaxing ambience it is here to offer, which is really hard to come by if you don't drive. Will I return for more? Definitely!


Baker & Cook
77 Hillcrest Road
Sun - Thu, 7am - 8pm
Fri - Sat & eve PH, 7am - 10pm
6469 8834

Professor Brawn Café

After the Joan Bowen Café, Profession Brawn Café is another F&B social enterprises I came to know which aims to help adults with special needs by providing them with job opportunities.





There are five lunch sets available on weekdays, from as affordable as $12.90.



Also on offer was their weekly special, Special Black Miso Cod ($25.9), served with soup of the day and choice beverage.

Although the unique sweet potato mash didn't quite strike a chord with the tastebuds, the fish itself was impressively succulent.

Currently Professor Brawn Café has two outlets. If you value some privacy or just don't feel comfortable passer-bys looking down at your food in their relatively open novena café, their tucked-away Boat Quay outlet is easily a better location.


Novena outlet
238 Thomson Road
#02-78/79 Velocity @ Novena Square
Daily, 11.30am – 9pm
6253 4650


Boat Quay outlet
10 Circular Road
Mon - Sat, 11am - 10pm
Closed on Sundays and PHs
6532 0607