Singapore Coffee Festival 2016 Cafe-Hopping Trail @ Oriole Coffee, The Coastal Settlement & PAUL Bakery

The first ever Singapore Coffee Festival is just around the corner and it is the one event that coffee aficionados and those who are keen to learn more about coffee must not miss. We were treated to a cafe-hopping trail as a sneak preview of what can be expected at the highly anticipated event. More than 100 exhibitors will be on site, bringing you the best of coffee and lab sessions at the four-day event at the F1 Pit Building. 

The Populus Coffee & Food Co. @ 146 Neil Road

My fourth visit to Populus was an immense treat. I have been raving about their Spring Onion Pancake and Fried Chicken since my first trip there and I was so happy that we were gonna have it that evening too! Populus has been around for just about six months but everytime I'm there, they're always packed. That says alot about them, doesn't it? I had expected the place to be quieter during dinner time but I was wrong. Populus is truly, popular.

(CLOSED)Masterclass & New Menu @ Salt Tapas & Bar (Raffles City)

I don't usually go back to the same dining establishment unless its for coffee or for a particular dessert that I really like (even then, it's really rare) but this is my fifth time at Salt Tapas & Bar. I'm always excited to be back here because I know I'll still be impressed, like I have been my past four visits.

(CLOSED) Weekend Brunch @ Salt Tapas & Bar (Raffles City)

It's been a really long time since I've found an impressive brunch spot and I'm beyond ecstatic that Salt Tapas & Bar has rolled out a brunch menu that left me in a severe but happy food coma. Trust me, the extensive menu will have you staring at it for a long time because you simply can't decide what to order! You know a restaurant is legit when you've been there three times, and you're blown away every single time.

While the facade of the restaurant might suggest hefty prices, I'm pleased to be the bearer of good news that brunch here is unbelievably affordable. The Eggs Berentine, a playful merger of eggs benedict and eggs florentine, is a solid outfit of flawlessly poached eggs, ham, spinach and dashi-infused hollandaise atop housemade muffins. And it carries a proud price tag of $14. Did I shock you? Oh, wait till you finish going through this post.

Easter Sunday Brunch @ The Knolls (Capella Singapore)

Capella Singapore brings you an extraordinary Easter on 27th March which comprises a lavish brunch, a live cooking show by Guest Chef Fabien Pairon who will be whipping up his famous inspired creations of Charcuterie and French Fusion Cuisine, and an exciting Easter egg hunt which will send guests on a promising quest to fill up their baskets with eggs that contain attractive prizes. I heard a one night stay at the opulent Garden Villa is up for grabs!

Awesome Sunday Brunch @ Humpback (Bukit Pasoh)

There are only a handful of restaurants that I've revisited and will revisit, and Humpback is one of the rare few. This is my third trip to Humpback and I am still impressed, and still amazed and still looking forward to dropping by again. This time round, I popped by for their spanking new Sunday brunch and while it was their first brunch shift ever, the charming space left little room for criticism.

Bridge @ Seah Street

More dining establishments are moving towards a healthier approach on the execution of their food and Bridge is one of them. Bridge aims to offer wholesome but hearty and satisfying food. The Pumkinoa ($16) is a colourful combination of organic quinoa, carrot vinaigrette, roasted rosemary pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and feta cheese. It is pleasing to the eyes and a nutritious option. I really liked the roasted pumpkin!

Atlas Coffeehouse @ Duke's Road

The good people behind my favourite coffee haunt, Assembly Coffee, has opened up Atlas in a more accessible spot in Bukit Timah. With an expanded menu and a bigger space, I wasn't the least bit surprised to find Atlas packed to the brim as I walked in on their second day of operation.

Magnifique Sunday Champagne Brunch @ Kwee Zeen (Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa)

The Magnifique Sunday Champagne Brunch at Sofitel Sentosa is truly a spectacular affair. The spread is amazingly wide and incredibly impressive. Think a glorious array of fresh seafood, 32 types of cheeses, freshly baked pastries, truffles from Chocolaterie and live stations dishing out foie gras, grilled meats, crepe Suzette and more!

The Daily Round Up @ Keong Saik Road

A project by the Lo & Behold Group, The Daily Round Up is located at The Working Capitol, a popular co-working space. It focuses on French galettes and crepes, using organic buckwheat flour from Brittany, France and Jean-Yves Bordier butter.

Salt Tapas & Bar’s Brunch Workshop @ Raffles City

I attended a brunch workshop led by Executive Chef Ronald Li of Salt Tapas & Bar at Raffles City and was treated to a privileged sneak peek of their new brunch menu.

(CLOSED) 20F Specialty Coffeehouse @ Foch Road

This is possibly the most ordered dish and the star at 20F. I had my reservations about this dish because I've seen some not so good reviews online. However, I still wanted to try it so badly. I mean, its duck confit and waffles! Two of my favourite things! How could I give that a miss?

The Duck & Waffle ($22) is available daily from 11am-5pm and it exceeded expectations. The waffles had a light crisp, are a little cakey and went really well with the sweet sauce. I felt that the duck leg could have been a tad more tender but the entire combination was a rocking one. The unique addition of a scoop of mixed berries sorbet gave a stark contrast in temperature and a bright tangy touch to the whole symphony. I really enjoyed it. The clever sprinkling of chopped pistachios elevated the visual appeal and I adored the nutty hints.

The Populus Coffee & Food Co. @ Neil Road

By the folks behind Department of Caffeine and 2Degrees North Coffee Co, one can expect a certain level of standard over here at The Populus. I can promise you that this place will be packed in no time. I popped by on a Thursday afternoon at 1 and the entire space was almost at full occupancy. Still in their soft launch phase, but already dishing out delicious fare, Populus is here to impress and here to stay.

The Spring Pancake & Fried Chicken ($21) is a must-order, in my opinion. I love that soft and lightly crisp texture of the pancake, studded with hints of sweetness from the presence of corn. What's even more noteworthy was the fried chicken which was perfectly crisp and wonderfully tender and juicy inside. A flawless combination together with the homemade ranch dressing that will capture your heart. One thing though, the pancake hardens if it's left out for too long so do take note!

(CLOSED) Sopra Cucina @ Pan Pacific Orchard

(EDIT : SUNDAY BRUNCH HAS OFFICIALLY CEASED DUE TO MANPOWER ISSUES. All dishes featured are available on the Ala Carte menu)

I've walked past Sopra a couple of times but I've never gone in. When I finally stepped in for the first time, I realised what I have been missing out on. Sopra is a huge space beautifully decorated with vintage ornaments and furniture. It exudes a comforting and relaxing vibe and makes it quite the perfect venue for events, dinner and drinks. It is also a popular haunt for Ladies Night and has one of the awesomest happy-hour deals in town but people should really know about their Sunday Brunch. For just $66++, diners can have unlimited servings of Sardinian and Italian dishes. Top up $22 and you can drink your fill of Prosecco and wines. Now, tell me, isn't that a total bang for the buck?

MAD Bistro & Whisky Lounge

Sitting opposite St Regis Hotel is a 19,000square feet space that features art work for sale, periodical art exhibitions, a bistro and an exclusive whisky lounge. I've gone past this place hundreds of times but I've never thought to check it out. Collectors of art pieces would most probably already know of MAD before they shifted from Mandarin Gallery to their current location. There isn't an entry fee to enter MAD so anyone can go in and view the art pieces on display. The bistro and whisky lounge are located on level one and the bright and spacious place is quite a decent choice for gatherings and a relaxing sunday brunch

Clinton Street Baking Company @ Purvis Street

Just look at that stack of fluffy goodness. The Banana Walnut Pancakes ($18) at Clinton Street Baking Company were moist and each piece had a thin base of mashed bananas that kept the entire combination tantalizing throughout. It doesn't get boring, especially with their signature maple butter and I found myself going back to this repeatedly even when there were other dishes on the table. This is seriously my favourite pancakes in Singapore now!

AEIOU @ King George's Avenue

It isn't difficult to locate AEIOU but the absence of a signboard means that you need to know exactly how the place looks. The tell-tale signs are vintage chairs and metal grills on the outside of the cafe and you just can't miss those eye-catching words "Oriental Antique House"

Brunch @ FYR Cycene Ond Drinc (Boon Tat Street)

Back at FYR for their new brunch menu which is significantly different from the brunch that we are used to. We often go for big breakfast platters, eggs Benedict or French toasts these days but the menu at FYR is a Modern European take and it actually left quite a deep impression.

Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters @ Upper Thomson

One of the most popular cafes in Singapore, Pacamara has been wow-ing the masses with its bright and white interior, and pretty and delish food. This is one cafe that always appears on my instagram feed. And I've finally found time to pop by for brunch on a weekday to escape the crazy crowd.

The Bravery @ 66 Horne Road

Its been a long long time since I last paid a visit to The Bravery but we decided to head there for brunch one Monday morning! I've always remembered the pancakes to be yummy so I recommended that to my partner-in-crime for the day while I grabbed a burger. Burger at 10am? Yupp, that's how I roll.