Paying homage to Percolate

Ok, so you know how some people say: "Just find your passion and you'll never have to 'work' anymore". Let me tell you that's bullshit. Cos no matter how supposedly perfect your job is, there will be trying moments and days that make you throw up your hands and say, "enuf''s enuf". The lioness loves her cub to the moon and back but there are days when the momma just wanna, you know, ahem, walk away and leave the melt-down behind.

Her point, exactly? Well, making a great cuppa is a high calling. You never know when your cup is gonna minister to someone in need, seriously. So, those money people or people who give advice about money can just shut up when they say that a latte is overpriced shit and you shouldn't even be buying one at all. How do you measure value? It's not everyday that the momma reaches out for such a saving grace. Anyway, back to her point again, Percolate is a really beautiful place to retreat. Soothing ambience, warm interior that's easy on the eyes, and coffee that's the real deal here. Attentive service to boot too. All these in the heartlands. Sweet.    

Sorry for the rant.

Love the fresh flowers on the tables. Details, details, details... ...

Percolate

136 Bedok North Avenue 3

#01-152B

Singapore 460136

Collective Brewers

Trying to chill at a cafe during the long jubilee weekend... ...with a hyper active cub... ... the nice little lady beside the lions complimented them on being considerate as they apologised for the little ruckus... ... Daddy had to head out of the premises with the figety tyke for a while... ...ironically having a cub tend to turn the lion into somewhat of a babe magnet as the little one coo-ed and grinned at the fairer sex sitting at the alfresco section, and they in turn returned the favour.

The robust flat white was sublime ... ...too bad they didn't have a chance to ask about the blend; the lion was busy chatting to the nice little lady about raising kids on the island while the lioness had her hands full with baby-led weaning. The cakes and pastry selection here is sadly limited though and the only bite they had - pork belly chips - was no pleaser. But boy, was the service A*** excellent. Will be back for caffeine.

Collective Brewers

301 Changi Road
Singapore 419779

Plank Sourdough Pizza

The master baker from New Zealand takes on the quintessential Italian dish, and the result is no less satisfying. It makes perfect sense as the cornerstone of a pizza is its crust. And according to Dean Brettschneider - the guy behind the success of Baker & Cook - the perfect pizza has a hand-kneaded, (no rolling pins) tangy sourdough base that has been subjected to a long fermentation process at a controlled temperature, with just a handful of simple ingredients.

The lions are regular patrons of this dude's bakeries; so on a date without the cub, they headed over to the quiet Opera estate for an evening breather and some pizza.

With a straightforward selection of just 6 pizzas (up $24) plus daily specials on the menu (desserts are sweet pizzas), patrons can supplement their meal with sweets and coffee from the adjoining Baker & Cook. In fact the lions sat at Baker & Cook for caffeine and ordered from Plank. The smoked salmon pizza ($22) with wild mushrooms, prawns, capers and sour cream could have fed 3 cats yikes... ...a little overkill on carbs with the addition of the garlic bread... ... they only wished Dean had done his sourdough donuts venture here instead of in London... ...that would have been interesting indeed... ...  

Plank Sourdough Pizza

1 Swan Lake Avenue

East Coast

Singapore 455700

Beeramisu @Little Island Brewery

The lions were hunting down a lovely Beeramisu - an Imperial Stout soaked sponge cake with mascarpone, coconut sugar and cocoa... ....mmmmm - and were happily lost in hearty slabs of wood smoked meats and craft brews as a result. The cool quotient: pay as you pour. Top up a pre-paid card and head for the DIY Drink Command system that doles out the choice golden nectar as you pull a tap. The lions don't really fancy themselves as bartenders but what great fun. You take sample licks before committing to a pint you really love. The lions had the easy-drinking Adnams Ghost Ship Pale Ale and the light and refreshing Siren Craft Half Mast QIPA. There's still a 2-month wait though to the real deal: house crafted brews housed in those snazzy copper vats.

If you ask the lions, the main star is the hearty, delish grub dished out in generous portions at really pocket friendly prices. Go for the slow-cooked Berkshire Beer Belly Porcetta marinated in coffee with poached eggs and house made beans (only $12!) and the 15-hour smoked Cape Grim Brisket with Memphis Slaw ($13). Oh yeah! Remember to check out the surprisingly awesome Singlong (proudly made in the Lion City) bottled black pepper sauce on the table - spicy, piquant and addictive.

It was still a pretty quiet and languid affair at this airy 5000sqm space with its long communal tables. Once the word spreads, wethink it will be filled to the brim. Boo-hoo. And for judgmental folks (ahem... ...), don't worry, the Lion will teach the little cub to drink responsibly when he comes of age.

Little Island Brewery
6 Changi Village Road

#01-01/02

Singapore 509907

Satisfying and Quenching hunger pangs at Slake

Hi Folks, it's been sometime since the Lions have updated a post. This is due to Cute Cute's wanderlust to visit some of his dragon (lizard) friends at Komodo Islands. So we are now back on track and roaring to explore more new places.

A pair of love cats welcome us when we visit Slake

Slake.... to quench and to satisfy.... and also the name of the new joint that replaced The Big Sheila at Swan Lake Ave. Cute Cute was there for a farewell dinner organised to send off one of his colleagues, Ms Buttercup. Looks like Slake's address, Swan Lake Ave, is apt for a farewell, we will be expecting a swan song from Ms Buttercup.

Nope, we don't come together, we just happen to be on the same boat... i mean dish.

When you step into Slake, you will notice a difference in terms of space. A lot more spacious compare to The Big Sheila, Slake has actually expanded the dining area make it look bigger and thus more seating for hunger customers. As it is our first time there, friendly Jeremy and Alicia made an effort to explain some of the food items to us. However, due to the large number of us, to make it simple, we just ordered one of each main course.

Sweet Potato Fries with Truffle oil. Seems to be the in thing nowadays due to health reasons. Crispy, sweet and unique with a hint of truffle oil smell and taste.

Grilled pearl corn. Very sweet and nicely grilled to give it a slight burnt taste.

Asian pesto chicken noodles. When it first came, the Lion thought it was a salad. But as he tucked in, he found the noodles nestled below the veg and chicken. A unique dish that consists of the savory (chicken), herbal (pesto), sweet (pomegranate seeds) and nutty.

Margherita Waffle. Why margherita? Because the waffles has tomatoes in it, just like the pizza. On top of the waffles are small scoops of bacon ice cream. Yeap... you saw it, bacon ice cream. If you have tried bak kwa ice cream, you know what I mean. Sweet and savory and if you like waffles, this is a good dish to try. 

Mr Famous's fav dish!! He immediately requested for a second serving when it's gone. Crackly pork, the roast pork dish of Slake, has a real mean bite for its skin. Crispy and chewy, the pork does have a large layer of fat but the flavors of  pork are all in it.

The Portobello Mushroom Gratin and Slow Cooked US Angus Beef. The mushroom gratin was ordinary and the taste was predictable. The Angus Beef also didn't really make the mark. Apart from being tender, the beef didn't really have the additional special taste unlike the above mentioned dishes.

Another second rounder dish, the Stuffed Squid. The squid was tender and was stuffed with soft brown rice.

74% Dark Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla ice cream. It did live up to its 74% slight bitterness but overall rather ordinary.

The Sticky Date Pudding. Texture of it is like a treacle pie, sweet and gooey.

 

The overall experience at Slake was fantastic and the staff do make the Lion feel very much at home. With cosiness and good food, what else could you ask for?

Slake

15 Swan Lake Avenue

Singapore 455711

6243 6220