Update 19 Jan 2025: MEME Xpress has moved to Bukit Batok.
A new bubble tea player has come to town. MEME Xpress, a popular Malaysian brand known for its fruity yogurt drinks and cute, palm-sized cups, opened its first store in none other than Toa Payoh HDB Hub, home to an already bustling scene of bubble tea shops. At the helm of its Singapore franchise is none other than Mediacorp veteran actor Chen Shucheng, who himself has dipped his toes in F&B management in between his acting stints!
Artistry Cafe may have shut its doors, but its spot lives on as Earlybird, a bird-themed sister cafe to fellow cafe stalwart Revelry. Other than a subtle makeover (more on that later), it’s as if brunch never stopped being served at this cosy spot along Jalan Pinang near Bugis.
This visit was a long, long, long time coming. I first heard about Revelry opening its doors some five years back, but never got around to making a visit, citing the jaw-dropping distance between my home in the east and Lorong Hilat. As fate would have it, a weekend errand that brought me to to the west side of Singapore, via the new Downtown Line.
Once consumed by only the Chinese emperor and the royal family, as they were believed to prolong lifespan, bird’s nest has made its way into modern Chinese families’ diets for its high nutritional value and sialic acid which contributes to good health, especially for the skin.
First Brew, a milk-alternative beverage specialist, has combined this traditional, premium ingredient with its deliciously rich almond milk, made from scratch with nan xing bei xing!
Foodies on the east side of Singapore can get a taste of Jimmy Monkey Cafe, at its third outpost at Park Place Residence at PLQ. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Paya Lebar Quarter’s retail center, this entirely al fresco cafe overlooks the charming, more aged part of the neighbourhood, including City Plaza.
You know you’ve grown up, when you’ve gone from colouring by numbers to cooking by numbers. Hot on its successful entry into The 1925 Brewing Co.‘s menu – so much so that Chef Ivan Yeo completely phased out traditional pork dumplings in favour of its vegan substitute, PHUTURE® Foods has released its new Vegan Dumplings Cooking Kit ($14) and Vegan Dumpling Filling ($12.50) for you to re-create this mouthwatering recipe at home!
I first chanced upon Sarah’s Loft’s pretty cakes on Instagram and since then, I’ve been hooked on her visually arresting creations. Peruse any list on Singapore’s top cake shops and bakers, and you’ll be hard pressed not to find this household name.
While Sarah’s Loft does not have an official retail store (Shop Wonderland having sadly closed a couple of years ago), you can order a variety of set boxes, cakes, and dessert tables for your next house party or afternoon tea!
Chue On It 