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Dim Sum Haus
If taking a page off the Hong Kong counterparts such as One Dim Sum or the original Tim Ho Wan was anything to come by, then the local versions of budget crack-in-the-wall Dim Sum houses should not be overlooked. outside the major restaurant groups that provide impeccable Dim Sum here, these alternative options are also generating quite a following with a more SE Asian interpretation of Hong Kong's favourite brunch food.
Dim Sum Haus is located off Jalan Besar and prides itself for having every dish going under $5. based on the crowds since the few months it has opened, the shop seems to be stealing the thunder from a more illustrious local Dim Sum joint that has been the limelight for eons. the shop space is fully air-conditioned, though pretty small and probably houses slightly over 15 tables. the wait on weekends are fairly long, underlining its increasing popularity, good quality and affordable offering. 
all the key essentials of Dim Sum can be found on the menu, however, the dishes tend to add somewhat of a slight highlight to make the visit a little bit more memorable, without taking away the original taste that most Dim Sum lovers crave for. we tried this steamed crispy cheong fun with shrimp, which carries the smooth elements of traditional cheong fun rice rolls, wrapping shrimps that are packed within crispy dough. its not often that this dish is served with the crispy element, which makes the experience unique and tasty. another notable dish was the pan-fried mushroom bun. the bun itself was designed like a mushroom, and served with a generous filling of actual mushrooms. very eye-catching and flavourful at the same time. 
the other buns that we enjoyed included this salted egg custard bun, the external texture of the bun was slightly crispy and flaky, akin to the now famous char siew buns of Tim Ho Wan. the salted egg custard flowed out generously when we bit into the buns, so be warned that having this dish could be a slightly messy affair. on top of that, we thoroughly enjoyed the baked Hong Kong egg tarts which were aromatic, buttery and sweet. not exactly the best tart crust, but certainly enjoyable nonetheless. 
of course, Dim Sum Haus couldn't have been complete without the other staples such as Har Gao and Siew Mai. the baskets of these dishes are all served in 3s so do be mindful of this when ordering in groups. it is interesting to note that the Siew Mai served here is actually wrapped in a "charcoal" skin and comes with chicken and shrimp (instead of pork). another special one for the cameras if you're into food photography. in all, we found the quality at Dim Sum Haus really good for its price and would recommend this new kid on the block to anyone craving for the next Dim Sum fix. 
Dim Sum Haus 57 Jalan Besar Singapore 208809 Opening Hours Tuesdays to Fridays: 11.30 am to 3 pm; 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm Saturdays & Sundays: 10.30 am to 3 pm; 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm (closed on Mondays) quality dim sums at an affordable price.. Labels: #affordabledimsum, #cheongfun, #dimsum, #dimsumhaus, #jalanbesar, #saltedeggcustardbun, #singaporedimsum Chye Seng Huat Hardware
this cafe is probably one of Singapore's originators of the third wave coffee movement for artisanal brews. with their name sounding like a scrap metal workshop, Chye Seng Huat Hardware was probably one of the pioneers of the hipster cafe scene here. interestingly, more than half a decade on, the crowds are still streaming in. and if anything were to come by, this place has evolved to a place with even more offering.
but for the who hasn't been here, it is not too late to visit and capture the essence of this place. The exterior still looks the same way, like a 1970s style hardware shop, with the interior concept of a circular bar counter in the middle, allowing all to watch the baristas at work. the cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a periodically changing menu of brunch food, desserts and various coffee brews. 
the unique selling point beyond the aesthetics would certainly be the coffee. The bottled cold brews have been well documented to be the signatures of this cafe. together with a white cold brew, we tried one of their hand-brewed drip coffee blends. We went for Hartmann Estate, a brew made of fruity notes with cherries and roasted beans from Panama. watching the barista hand-drip the coffee through a filter into a decanter was a spectacle in itself, one of the pleasures of taking up a bar counter seat. if you're one for aromatic coffee brews, then Chye Seng Huat ranks amongst the top dogs for this aspect. 
the menu is a mesh up of standard brunch classics with a distinctly local influence. The Papa's breakfast dish (a tribute to part owners Papa Palheta) carries a mixture of sausages, scramble eggs drizzled with spring onions, mashed potatoes, tomatoes and a croissant. a very hearty serving of comfort fare. For the slightly more adventurous ones, we tried the Salmon Teriyaki Pizza, which was actually more of a local prata prepared with salmon, shredded seaweed, bonito flakes and teriyaki mayo sauce. very crispy and flavourful, more importantly, managed to address a recent craving we had for prata. 
Other sharing sliders for breakfast bites include this Curry seafood pockets, a mix of breaded beancurd skin, crab meat, squid paste, water chestnut and curry seasoning, making it a very appetizing combination. those who visit at lunch can also check out their pan-Asian menu for mains. in all, whether you are here for a coffee, a brunch outing or even to check out the drinks bar at night, Chye Seng Huat Hardware lives on as an experiential dining concept that reshaped the early wave of local cafes. 
Chye Seng Huat Hardware 150 Tyrwhitt Road Singapore 207563 Opening Hours Tuesdays to Thursdays: 9 am to 10 pm Fridays & Saturdays: 9 am to 12 am Sundays: 9 am to 10 pm (closed on Mondays) a one of its kind coffee experience with a 360-degree view of the bar... Labels: #brunchcafe, #chyesenghuathardware, #coffeeplace, #coffeeroasters, #handdripcoffee, #jalanbesar, #tyrwhittroad The Refinery (Weekend Brunch)
making the second visit to The Refinery, this time going for some weekend brunch. some of us were first-time visitors and were a tad disappointed that the eatery does not offer its popular rice bowls (typically served during weekday lunch - refer to earlier post) on weekends, but oh well, that gives us a reason to visit this place again right?
taking in a nice warm brew whilst observing the crowd, this cafe/bar seems to be growing from strength to strength since the last time we came here. and considering its slightly off-the-beaten-track location, this place does draw quite a following indeed. i believe alot of this success goes to its unique menu offering of fusion dishes, as well as its concept of workspace on the upper deck, where budding young designers congregate to share ideas. 
no Refinery bowls on weekdays, so we went for the Refinery Roll instead. this is essentially a lobster bun roll, dressed with salad, Japanese condiments and served with fries. the generous serving of lobster, coupled with the flavourful sauce, actually makes this a pretty hearty meal. a favourite combination to go with this would be some Cauliflower fritters, served with wasabi-mayo dip, making the perfect side to go with the main dish. 
for those with bigger appetites, there are heavier mains such as this Chicken-not-so-little waffles. as the name suggests, the portions are not very little, with chunky paprika fried chicken, decked with Parmesan cheese, red pepper and tomato sauce over crispy waffles. i think this meal is good for sharing, but a little overkill for one person due to its thick flavour. 
the barista also prides itself with its own blend of unique drinks. the Refinery's version of frozen espresso comes in the form of this expresso ice ball served with warm milk. This Coffee Baller is pretty potent, and depending on your preference for coffee intensity, should be accompanied with the right amount of milk. In all, this concept makes it perfect to do turns around the clock.. the lunch menu of weekdays provides good, quick choices for the working groups, while the weekend brunch whips up unique dishes to be savoured at a more leisurely pace. something for everyone, and a place we'd certainly visit again (stay tuned for dinner offerings). 
The Refinery 115 King George's Ave Singapore 208561 Opening Hours Tuesdays to Thursdays: 12 pm to 3 pm; 6 pm to 12 am (closed on Mondays) Fridays: 12 pm to 3 pm; 6 pm to 1 am Saturdays: 11 am to 4 pm; 6 pm to 1 am Sundays: 11 am to 4 pm Happy hours, happy times.. Labels: #brunchcafe, #brunchfood, #jalanbesar, #japanesefusion, #therefinerysg |
..ThE lEgEnD..
Last Movie: Ad Astra
Golden Village, Singpost Centre 
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