Tea Break at Tarte by Cheryl Koh @ Shaw Centre [Revisit]

1 Scotts Road #02-12 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

Tel: 6235 3225

Website: http://www.tarte.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tartebycherylkoh

Being a lover of fruit tarts and Tarte's Cherry Tart (review here), I was glad to revisit again, to enjoy some pastries in the afternoon. Tarte by Cheryl Koh has their own shop now, located on level 2 of Shaw Centre.

Location is pretty tricky to find (walk all the way to the end); settings was pretty with fresh flowers, minimalistic with lovely window views. The tarts this afternoon included Dark Chocolate Tart, Passion Fruit Tart, Mango Tart, Lemon Meringue Tart, etc. Each one looked more tempting than the last. There were also some cakes, such as Dark Chocolate Cake, Fraisier and Gateau Opera.

There are also rows of Fruit Jam on sale, sporting an assortment of different flavours. These are not creations by Cheryl Koh, just a disclaimer.

Strawberries Tart (SGD$10.00) had a softer crust, buttery in taste. Fresh and sweet strawberries were sliced and lined the top of the cream-filled tart beautifully.

Mixed Berries Tart (SGD$10.00) had a harder crust, still buttery and lovely, filled with fluffy cream topped with a mound of fresh raspberries and blueberries.

Overall, another delightful teatime experience here, and my friend enjoyed them too. Congratulations Chef Koh on the shop and being named "Best Pastry Chef in Asia". I shall definitely be back for more tarts, checking out new seasonal flavours.

[Invited Tasting] Gila Durian High Tea Set by The Peranakan @ Orchard Hotel

442 Orchard Road #02-01 Claymore Connect, Orchard Hotel, Singapore 238879

Tel: 6262 4428

Website: http://www.theperanakan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePeranakanSG

Durian lovers (or, strangely, as I have met - non durian lovers but those who love durian desserts) alert. Here's some stunning indulgence by The Peranakan to keep your cravings satiated, a tea set consisting of creative desserts involving aromatic durian.

Gila Durian Set (SGD $38.00 per pax; minimum 2 to go), including free flow Pandan or Lemongrass tea, consists of 7 courses in all, made with your favorite Malaysia Kampung durian, D24 durian and Maoshan Wang durian.

We started with Toasties with Durian Puree, fluffy with a crunchy edge and piled lusciously with a dollop of creamy durian puree.

Next up, D24 Durian Pengat, rich and velvety so it melts in the tongue and flows through the body sweetly.

Then it was Pandan Chiffon Cake with D24 snd Kampung Durian Puree. The Pandan Chiffon was cottony and light on the palate, a beautiful contrast to the dash of moist, creamy puree.

This was followed by the Intermezzo of the day - Crispy Fried Fish Skin with durian. The crackling, savoury snack paced the palate for more sweet treats to come.

Pulot Enti D24 comprised a sticky rice stained dark blue with pea flower and a nice scoop of fragrant durian cream.

Moving on, Fragrant Rice with Maoshan Wang Durian - cunningly contrasting the robust flavor with a plainer accompaniment, savoured delicately.

Finally, D24 Durian Chendol, a piquant touch to a traditional dessert complete with brown sugar and green jelly strips, chillingly pleasant.

Might be a little overwhelming, but the creations were perfections in small portions; satisfying but not cloying.

Thank you Chef Raymond for the sweet treat.

For other reviews on The Peranakan, check out here:
(i) Dinner dishes at The Peranakan
(ii) Chinese New Year Yee Sang
(iii) Mother's Day Set 2017

Afternoon Tea at The Living Cafe @ Bukit Timah

779 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269758

Tel: 6468 4482

Website: http://www.balancedlivingasia.com/living-cafe-and-deli

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingcafesg

Combining the best of healthy lifestyles through Yoga and healthy eating, The Living Cafe (TLC) has managed to create this lovely concept right here. Setting is comfortable, naturalistic (note greens and stones as part of decor) and simple, though music seems to be a little too loud.

The heart of this cafe evolves around raw food; so salads and soup are aplenty. If these do not conform to your liking, fret not, for they serve burgers, pastas, chicken and salmon etc. as well as an assortment of coffees, teas, fruit smoothies and wine.

I also noted the colourful array of Desserts, dainty and actually healthy-looking. Items such as Raw Mint Mocha Brownie, Raw Raspberry Brownie, Raw Tiramisu, Raw Ganache Tart and Raw Blueberry Cheesecake etc, are all lined up to tempt the customers.

*Katherine went for the Asian Quinoa Salad (SGD$17.00), comprising leafy vegetables base - it contained a robust "chicken and mushroom" type of flavour which led the palate through delicious Asian fulfillment.

I went for The Living Salad (SGD$17.00) which was a complex mix of baby spinach, purple cabbage, alfalfa, flaxseed crackers, avocado, cherry tomato, beet and cucumber. The citrusy salad was crunchy and simply nutritious.

Powerballs - been hearing all about them! Imagine lots of goodness stuffed into bite-sized desserts so you could eat lesser portions and more varieties. Raw Cocoa Oat Goji Balls (SGD$3.50) was jam-packed with cocoa's darker aroma and goji's subtler sweetness.  Raw Lemon Raspberry Macaroon (SGD$3.50) left a lovely trail of zest through the mouth.

Raw Mocha Mint Square (SGD$6.50) was moist and redolent of chocolate richness combined with invigorating touch of fresh mint.

Raw Tiramisu (SGD$8.50) was moist as well, bursting with coffee fragrance in each bite.

Soy Latte (SGD$5.00) was strong with soy's smooth sweetness. Soy Mocha (SGD$5.00) left us experiencing bursts of soy among chocolate's aroma. Both were truly palatable.

The Hulk (SGD$8.50) is strongly recommended, a smoothie blend made up of berries, orange, banana, protein, organic brown rice, Vitamin C and flaxseed oil.

The Hazelnut Latte (SGD$5.00) - not too strong on anything at all, a smooth bitter-sweetness with mild nutty roast and gentle creaminess. And what was refreshing was that they didn't follow the current trend of latte art, so seeing this art-less coffee was really a nice change.

Afternoon Tea at Tarte by Cheryl Koh @ Shaw Centre (Revisit)

1 Scotts Road #01-12 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

Tel: 6235 3225

Website: http://www.tarte.com.sg

Alternative Website: http://www.lesamisgroup.com.sg/tarte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tarte-by-Cheryl-koh/463706840447276

Revisiting Tarte by Cheryl Koh is easy, especially when cherries season returns. My mouth naturally waters and I would crave for that tarty-sweet burst of juiciness against my tongue, parching me. I have already been there twice - check out here for review on Cherry Tart and Earl Grey Tart; check out here for review on Cherry Tart and Apricot Tart.

I returned for a pot of hot Mint Tea in the afternoon, while I did some work stuff over delicious fresh fruit tarts. The staff was professional and polite as ever, without being too perky.

The first selection this time was the Cherry Tart (SGD$8.00) - big surprise! I was glad that they have gotten rid of the coat of powdery sugar dust the last time round. The cherries bear their glossy sheen once more, and are sweet, juicy and unbearably satisfying. The crust was buttery and crunchy as ever, complementing perfectly.

The Yuzu Tart (SGD$8.00) was slightly lack-luster. While robust in flavour, with a strong zesty explosion in the palate, I found the yuzu curd to be too "moistened" for my liking; it was almost wet, and as a result caused the crust to be softened as well.

Nonetheless, I still love Cheryl's tarts and will continue to visit as long as cherry season comes around. I also appreciate the new flavours each time I revisit - keep it up!

Lunch at Joe & The Juice Cafe @ Sentosa Cove Quayside Isle

31 Ocean Way #B1-01 Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098375

Tel: None provided

Website: https://www.joejuice.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeandthejuicesg

Joe & The Juice is a juice bar and cafe from Copahagen, Denmark, with stores all over the globe. Currently in Singapore, they have an outlet at Raffles Place and one at Sentosa Cove.

I visited the latter today, a spacious, gorgeous juice cafe with tasteful decor and walls painted to resemble shelves of books. The best spot though, in my humble opinion, should be outdoors where one is greeted by the view of the serene marina, yachts, and is touched by cool ocean breezes.

Staff members are friendly and jovial greeting everyone by name (I guess they are regulars) and saying goodbye warmly. It felt like island living literally, albeit the classier version. But to think of it, if I worked among such settings, I would probably be just as cheery.

Having been started by a former Danish elite karate star, this cafe focuses on fresh, healthy juices as well that serve different purpose, such as Pick Me Up, Iron Man and Sex Me Up etc. Minerals such as proteins, iron and vitamins are in these beverages of course. The interesting part is that they also serve 100% organic coffee in different variations, giving patrons and their companions flexible choices.

Fibre Active (SGD$7.20 small / SGD$9.20 large) is made up of avocado, apple and lemon; an utterly refreshing and nutritious blend with a zesty touch.

Ginger Latte (SGD$7.00) was an interesting and exotic flavour, piquant pierce of ginger through the sweet milky coffee, giving us smooth and soothing sips.

Normal Latte (SGD$5.00) was lightly aromatic with creamy tones. By the way, the different-colored cups represent different sizes.

For choice of food for lunch, currently there's only sandwiches available (I was hoping for some salads). The Tunacado Sandwich (SGD$11.50) was interesting, served wrapped in doily paper without any plates or cutleries. Unlike the conventional sandwiches made from different types of bread, this sandwich was crispy, like a cross between toast and waffle biscuits. Clasped  between these biscuit-like boards was a thick and creamy mash of tuna, avocado and tomato, undeniably delicious and bursting with flavours.

Overall, I enjoyed my dining experience here very much, a simple but warm encounter made possible by friendly crew, very soothing seabreezes and healthy meals. I am already thinking of coming back here.