Bakerzin: Grab Your Main Course Elsewhere

Hmmm.. The sounding name in desserts which Bakerzin had built up..

Just in case you were still hesitating, the enticing dessert displays are bound to clear all your doubts and lead you straight into the restaurant.


A clean-cut decor extended its warmest and unpretentious welcome. The only unexpected was a much tighter space.

Café Affogato with Rum and Raisin Ice Cream,   S$6.80++,   

A shot of espresso added to a scoop of ice cream, with choices of caramel / chocolate / manjari / sumatra white chocolate / vanilla / rum and raisin flavours. It was a pretty combination between awakening bitterness and lingering sweetness.

Tomato and Cheese Bruschetta,   S$8.80++,   

Thick cut country bread layered with tomato slices topped with molten cheese, every bite was a defined hard crunch - too hard perhaps, and too dry for our liking. Mesclun salad made a pleasant side though, with young supple leaves dressed in complimenting olive oil.

While deciding on our main courses, we realised that our choices were unknowingly narrowed down to pastas only, as we mentally striked out the sandwiches, pizzas, and especially the 'just like home' section. Sorry, but we simply couldn't imagine Assam Prawns or Braised Pork Belly with cheesecakes and strawberry mousses.

Seafood Pasta,   S$15.80++,   

Flooded with a plethora of tiger prawns, squid, mussels, and clams, this dish has indeed fulfilled its name as 'Seafood' Pasta, unlike some others with crappy crab sticks and pathetic minces of shrimps. The linguine was soaked in delicious tangy tomato and white wine sauce, cooked till Al Dente. Portion wasn't big, but able to satisfy yet leave some stomach space for the not-to-be-missed desserts.

Every dessert looks alluring, and with Bakerzin's clever marketing strategy to 'wholesale' their Dessert Tapas, the struggle of choices becomes so much easier. You could order three tapas / ice creams / sorbets from their petite range for S$9.80++, five for S$15.80++, or even seven for S$21.80++! Great for sharing in a group.

Vanilla Crème Brulee,   (Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,   
Coupe Cheesecake,   (Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,   

We enjoyed the Vanilla Crème Brulee, made of a burnt caramel layer above the chilled custard. It would have scored more if there were more mouthfuls. The Coupe Cheescake consisted of cheesecake base crumbles, covered with lightly cheesecake flavoured ice cream and strawberry sauce. A unique creation we would say.

Banana Pizza with Cinnamon Ice Cream,
(Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,   

This came in two slices of caramelized bread bases, melted cheese and bananas, plus an additional scoop of Cinnamon Ice Cream. We liked the hot and cold composite, with a fragrant toast taste of the flaky crumbs.

VERDICT
Though we only pinched a small taste of Bakerzin's renowned desserts, we could already tell that they were good. With an already stable speciality, Bakerzin could perhaps work harder by offering a wider array of (less weird) main courses.

Bakerzin - Vivo City
#01-207, Vivo City
1 Harbour Front Walk, S(098585)
(+65) 6438 8700
Sun - Thur: 10.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10.30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
http://www.bakerzin.com

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Dian Xiao Er: Herbally Good

Would you join in the long queue just to try one of these Herbal Roasted Ducks?


Trust me, you will.



Since it's very first branch at Marina Square, Dian Xiao Er has been so well received that soon, everyone was speaking wonders of their famous roasted ducks. Crowds after crowds will gather outside the restaurant, and we're glad they opened a few more branches; and here we are, joining the queue of the branch at Vivo City.

Mongolian Spare Ribs (Small),   S$12.80++,   

Fried Spare Ribs covered all over by some thick spicy sweet sauce. We have no idea how "Mongolian" this was, but they certainly were crunchy and addictive.

Braised Assorted Mushroom with Broccoli (Small),   S$14.80++,   

Not exactly very bad, but for the price that you pay for this dish of bland broccolis, plus some unknown weird tasting mushrooms, we would recommend something else instead.

Duck Roasted with Angelica Herb (Small),   S$12.80++,   

Being their main specialty, this didn't fail to amaze us with its heavenly combination of Angelica (Tung Gui) herbs and roasted duck. The duck meat itself, was plump, tender and succulent, topped with a layer of finely roasted skin.

These fresh whole ducks, are marinated with herbs and spices for long hours, before they get roasted in a special oven from Germany. No wonder Herbal Roasted Ducks had never tasted this good before. Indeed, a must try!

Duck Roasted with Ten Wonder Herb (Small),   S$12.80++,   

Ten Wonder Herb is yet another version to choose from the series of Herbal Roasted Ducks. However, the taste of the this herb could be quite subjective - strong to the right amount for some, but overpowering for some.

Baked Fresh Prawns JiangNan Style (Small),   S$18.80++,   

Baked Fresh Prawns JiangNan Style, also a signature dish of this restaurant, is only exclusive to the Vivo City's outlet. Just like their ducks, they were a well balance of crispiness and juiciness.

Fried Man Tou (4 Pieces),   S4.50++,   

Hot and crispy on the outside, fluffy and loose on the inside. A great filling alternative for people who don't want rice.

VERDICT
'Dian xiao er' actually refers to 'waiter boys' in the olden times. When you step foot into this restaurant, it reminds you of ancient China - those scenes that you usually see on TV. Their extra effort for putting up chinese decors, and dressing up their servers in cute ancient uniforms, made the whole place very cosy and welcoming. The service is fast and efficient, and you don't really have to wait very long. Herbal Roasted Ducks didn't disappoint us in the least bit, and we would definitely return for more. (We're missing them already!)

Dian Xiao Er - Vivo City
#02-137/8, Vivo City
1 Harbour Front Walk, S(098585)
(+65) 6376 9786
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
http://www.dianxiaoer.net

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service: