Bake & Brew

I often hear grumbles comments from friends who live in the eastern half of the island about not having as many cafés as the other half. This post would hopefully put a smile on their face.



Bake & Brew, tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood off upper East Coast Road, where you find old-school playgrounds and charms of the last century, kinda reminds me of Henry Congressional.

Menu consists of pizza, pasta, sandwiches, gelato and cakes. Coffee by fresh ground and Gryphon tea served in pots.



Hot Chocolate ($4.5), rich yet milky, just the way I liked it to be.



We wanted something light but in the end chose their Breakfast Pizza ($12) to share. Liked the thin crust of it.



Too cute not to have their Tiramisu ($5.5) in jar.













This is one great hideout where you can sit back and have a book in hand, or simply spend a lazy afternoon away as you watch the many furry 'residents' here making their daily rounds.

Be sure to carry enough cash with you before heading down however.


Bake & Brew
71 Lucky Heights, Lucky Court
Fri - Wed, 10am – 9pm
Closed on Thursdays
6449 9820

Nuoc @ Orchard Central

I have always read about Nuoc, a Vietnamese restaurant, in blogs and magazines. Even though it opened 2 years ago, I never really made the effort the go there, till now.



Located on the top floor of Orchard Central, it's basically a "rooftop restaurant", and the restaurant is surrounded by greenery from the garden.



Had a refreshing Fresh Young Coconut (S$8)



I guess when people go to Vietnamese restaurant, this is the de-facto dish to order. Deep Fried Vietnamese Spring Rolls (S$8 for 4) consisting of minced chicken, pork, crab meat, black fungus and rice vermicelli, rolled with traditional Vietnamese rice paper and deep-fried. They were generous with the stuffings.



The Sugarcane Prawns (S$20 for 2 pieces) - Home-made prawn paste with pork lard, wrapped on fresh sugarcane and grilled. Comes with lettuce, starfruit, cucumber, beansprouts, Vietnamese herbs, rice vermicelli, Vietnamese rice paper and home made sweet and sour fish sauce, was good, but not outstanding.



Guess what this is? This is actually the famous Vietnamese dripping coffee.



After the Cafe Sua Da (S$5.50) finished dripping, I transferred it into a glass of ice for Vietnamese ice coffee.



Home-made prawn paste on baguette (S$10 for 4 pieces) - Home made prawn paste with pork lard, spread on baguette and deep fried. Find it rather ordinary.



Pho - Traditional Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (S$21 for 1 big bowl) - Australian beef tenderloin with and brisket with traditional Vietnamese flat rice noodles with home made beef broth and fresh vegetables and herbs. The version at Nuoc is good. We enjoyed the beef soup. Came in quite a large serving, so 2 small eaters could share 1 bowl.



Grilled Boneless Chicken Drumstick (S$15) marinated with caramel and Vietnamese fish sauce, served with deep-fried stick rice. Mixed review for this. Some find the chicken ordinary.



A very beautiful Fresh Prawns in Young Coconut (S$20) - The tiger prawns were steamed in the young coconut juices, and served in a young coconut.



I find the restaurant quite beautifully decorated. Do take some time to admire the decor here.


Nuoc
181 Orchard Road,
#12-01
Orchard Central