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.

BAKE Japanese Cheese Tarts @ Westgate

3 Gateway Drive #B2-04 Westgate, Singapore 608532

Tel: 6265 1228

Website: http://bakecheesetart.com

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

Having queued for BAKE Cheese Tarts at Ion Orchard just to try it out (review here), I decided to buy for mine and Mon Beau's families as well.

But this time, I wasn't going to join the long queue. I headed to the new outlet at Westgate, Jurong, where I suspected the queue would be shorter (it was a Saturday afternoon). To my pleasant surprise, there was just one lady ahead of me! So I jumped into the shop and ordered 3 boxes.

Service crew was perky and polite, with smiles and saying lots of "thank you" to customers. They showed me the freshly-baked tarts before shoving the tarts into the bright yellow boxes.

As usual, the tarts were piping hot and had crispy crusts. The lovely combination of cheese and smooth egg custard was scrumptious, making for the perfect afternoon tea snack or dessert.

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!

BAKE Cheese Tarts @ Ion Orchard

2 Orchard Turn #B4-33 Ion Orchard, Singapore 238801

Tel: None Supplied

Website: http://www.bakecheesetart.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAKE-Cheese-Tart-Singapore-1535533290078069/

As usual, I wondered what the queue was about, when I saw everyone start posting about Japan's BAKE Cheese tarts. I mean, tarts are tarts, right? Then.... why the long queues?

Anyway, now that the fad has more or less died down, and they have opened another outlet in Westgate, I decided to pop down to Ion to get some for the SIL (okay, and for myself to try).

Marched right up to the BAKE shop at Basement Level 4 of Ion Orchard, and was happy to see a very short queue (maybe 4 persons?). I was about to walk in when a "Gatekeeper" informed me that the queue was over at the main foyer, opposite Adidas shop.

So I walked right toward the grand empty space that usually houses events. It is actually right outside Osim. There is indeed a queue complete with signposts and barricade-belts just specially for BAKE. I surveyed the current line - about 6 persons. Since I was already here, and have mentioned this to the SIL several times, so I thought, "What the heck", and joined the line.

When it was my turn, I was handed a yellow card no. 27, which allows me to walk right inside the shop, watch the aromatic, freshly-baked Cheese Tarts being brought out the ovens and then doily-based.

The girls at the counter were polite and patient. One tart was for SGD$3.90, and 6 went for SGD$19.50. Many people in front of me bought a few boxes each.

I asked for half a dozen. They packed the warm tarts gingerly into their signature yellow box and then the yellow paper bag. I was instructed to refrigerate the tarts, but freezing them meant longer storage time. I doubt the tarts would still be around after tomorrow.

The first bite boosted of a very crunchy crust, crisp and aromatic. A thin souffle layer topped the pastry. The cheese curd itself was creamy, robust and wobbly soft. It was good, if you love cream cheese stuff - I could see why people are fussing over them. I am already thinking of buying them for my own family sometime soon.

That's BAKE for you. Now let's count down to when the fuss would die down entirely - an atypical local trend.