Riders Cafe: Hidden Find

We were doing some online research for makan places around Bukit Timah area when we stumbled across this restaurant - Riders Cafe.

Secluded in a secluded Bukit Timah Saddle Club, it was an instant urban getaway with long winding roads and overlooking greeneries welcoming you from everywhere.

With wooden finishings and unshut windows, one can totally loosen up in such an environment. What's most awesome about this restaurant which offers a different dining experience from others is that you could actually spot horses trotting by while savouring your meals!

Buffalo Wingers (Half a Dozen),   S$8.95++,   

These Buffalo Wingers came in as a sweet tasting surprise - they weren't spicy at all! (At least to us.) But despite missing out on the usual fiery kick, these wingers still carried off their unique sweetness well. If the thick sauce coating didn't seem enough, dip them into the special mayonnaise for a even sweeter smack.

Mushroom Chorizo Pasta,   S$15.95++,   

In a bed of healthy looking Linguine, you could find thin shreds of cheese, slices of button mushrooms and also Chorizo (a mixture of several types of pork sausages). We thought that the pasta appeared too dry-looking for Aglio Olio style, but upon trying, the humble strands proved us wrong with their spring and flavour - everything nice and delicious in much less oil.

Ribeye,   S$28++,   

Man, this was definitely one good Ribeye! The grill, the tenderness, the succulence, the cut, the sauce, the presentation gets your cutleries and gastric juices running in full swing. Even the sides like asparagus, carrots, and roasted potatoes were not taken lightly of.

Death-By-Chocolate-Cake,   S$11.95++,   

Love on first bite, sick after fifth bite, hate at tenth bite. Chocolate cake with warm runny chocolate sauce is no doubt yummy, but when it's an overwhelming portion, errr... Our advice - share it!

VERDICT
We were in love with every little bit of Riders Cafe from the moment we stepped foot in until we left. Delectable dishes enjoyed over luscious sceneries with greens and horses - how often do you chance upon places like this in our lion city?

Riders Cafe
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
51 Fairways Drive, S(286965)
(+65) 6466 9819
Tue - Sun: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Mon: Closed
http://www.riderscafe.sg

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Chewy Juinor: You Gonna Love It

Have you guys gotten sick of donuts? Then you should must try this fusion between Beard Papa and Donut Factory!


Though with other branches located at more convenient spots, and also with longer operating hours - Bugis Junction, Bukit Merah Central, and Tiong Bahru Plaza, we always insist to buy from the original stall at Tanjong Pagar Plaza. The puffs here look more pudgy and tasty!

Chewy Cream Puffs (9 Pieces),   S$8.50 nett,   

These puffs are going for S$1.10 each, but trust me, you wouldn't stop at one. Most likely, you would end up in at least a box of six at S$6, or nine at S$8.50, or even a dozen at S$11. Every flavour seem exciting, and you really do feel like trying all.

From the original sweet menu, they have yummy chocolaty, fruity, and cheesy variations. And for those who prefer something more filling (with food), you can choose from the savoury menu, which includes chicken, potatoes, vegetables, etc. Alright, humans are all very visual creatures, and instead of leaving you to imagine those Chewys on your own, you can click here and here for the pictorial version of the menus.

One chomp and you know that this is not the ordinary kind of cream puffs you get to eat everyday. With rich and generous toppings, Chewys are such a marvel to much on - crispy on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside. This unique creation was actually an accidental blend of recipes from Japan and Mexico.

VERDICT
Despite the long queues during lunch times, Chewy Junior is definitely worth every second of your wait, because the satisfaction level you get in return is maximum! We strongly recommend this!

Chewy Junior - Tanjong Pagar
#01-18, Blk 1, Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Tanjong Pagar Road, S(082001)
(+65) 6222 8867
Mon - Fri: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Sat: 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun / PH: Closed
http://www.chewyjunior.com.sg

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Nexus Gourmet: Don't Belittle this Unaesthetic Restaurant

Who says nice food only comes from posh restaurants with rocket-high prices? This homely modest restaurant here shall prove you wrong.

Roasted Duck and Mango,   S$7.50 nett,   

A taste bud kicking appetiser to start with. Slices of roasted duck tossed with mangoes, cucumbers and beansprouts - a fine balance of airness, crunch and sweetness. Chilies and plum dressing added the spicy and sour zest to it, which we believe many Singaporeans will fancy.

Tropical Hawaiian Pizza,   S$9.50 nett,   

This homemade Hawaiian Pizza was a wrong dish to choose. The thick pizza base was too doughy and dry; sliced chicken and ham were not even tender; tomato sauce was dry too; and the mozzarella cheese came in stingy amounts. The whole pizza just felt like a big chunk of stale bread, and the only relieves were the juicy canned pineapples.

Barbequed Chicken,   S$14.50 nett,   

Now now, this one is good. Grilled chicken leg, accompanied with mashed potatoes, broccolis, carrots and mushrooms, glazed with a special BBQ sauce. Not tough, not fatty, just soft and tender succulence, for every bite of the chicken you make. Mashed potatoes were unbelievably heavenly - velvety, fluffy and pepperish. Splendid!

Tiramisu,   S$6.50 nett,   

When my spoon first sank in, I knew this wasn't going to disappoint us. Kahlua (coffee-flavored liqueur made in Mexico) rushes its way out and ends up in your mouths with lingering transcendence. And the fact that the Tiramisu was presented in a cup, each of this dessert is exquisitely and individually made.


The layers of strong Kahlua soaked Savoiardi (lady fingers cookie), topped with rich creamy mascarpone cheese, and then dusted with bitter sweet cocoa powder.

Crème Brûlèe,   S$4.50 nett,   

This is the dessert which kept us coming back to this restaurant thrice. Crème Brûlèe means "burnt cream" in French, and is created by burning sugar under a blowtorch, resulting in the hard layer of caramel on top of the custard base. Because of Nexus' brilliant effort to add in oranges and orange zest, the whole Crème Brûlèe was jazzed up, becoming an unique dessert to die for.

VERDICT
Due to its location, Nexus Gourmet is usually loaded with office crowds in the afternoon, but quite unpatronized at night. It may not be a bad thing though, because it could always become a good spot to celebrate special occassions more privately. (Birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) Service here is very warm and friendly, and yet they do not charge anything for that. Yes! The prices on the menu are nett, meaning GST and service charge absorbed. And for that kind of (extremely) reasonable pricings, you get incredibly delectable food. We seriously recommend this restaurant to all!

Nexus Gourmet
161 Telok Ayer Street, S(068615)
(+65) 6223 3376
Mon - Sat: 11.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Sun: 1.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
PH: Usually Closed
http://nexusgourmet.blogspot.com

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