Foodie Paradise

LE CAFE CONFECTIONERY & PASTRY
264 Middle Road
Tel: 6337-2417

Ratings: 7.5/10

Tucked in the corner of Middle Road, I uncovered this treasure accidentally last year when I was around the area.  The first thing that caught my eye about this shop was the voluminous photos and newspaper articles that adorned the shop front.  Being a typical Singaporean, the voluminous photos and newspaper articles immediately signalled to me that this is a "must check out" shop. 

"Are you serious?!!??"  That’s the first thought that came to my mind after talking to the female shop owner, Betty. 

I had such a big reaction simply because this is the first and only shop that I have come across so far that sells pineapple tarts all year round.  Pineapple tarts are Chinese New Year (CNY) goodies that are usually only available during the CNY period around January and February each year.  I just find it hard to believe that a shop can make profits through selling pineapple tarts as one of its main items all year round.  Betty also told me frankly that if I want to order pineapple tarts from her shop during the CNY period, I’ll have to order 3 months in advance.   

That day, I left her shop with a bottle of pineapple tarts and a box of moon pies.  I also become a fan of LE Confectionary that day after trying those lovely pastries. 

Being such a forgetful person, I have of course forgotten to place my order for pineapple tarts three months before the CNY.  Despite turning up at her shop three weeks before CNY, I could only managed to get two bottles of those lovely pineapple tarts in the end, after some pleading. 

The lovely pineapple tart

 
The scrumptious fillings

These pineapple tarts, due to their huge sizes and round-shape, have been nicknamed as "golf balls".  I suppose one of these pineapple tarts are equivalent to two of the usual pineapple tarts that we can buy locally.  And I can only say, "Double the size, double the enjoyment of tasting these delectable goodies". 

A word of warning though, these pineapple tarts are addictive!  The first thing that hits you when you first bite into the pineapple tart is the lovely crust, which has a slight milky taste to it.  The crust is very fragrant and has just the right texture.  Then you’ll taste the thick pineapple filling inside the tart, which has the right level of sweetness.  The pineapple filling will leave a sweet aftertaste in your mouth, but not as to be so overwhelmingly sweet that makes you feel sick.  What I really have to rave is the texture of the entire pineapple tart.  The texture of the pineapple tart is just right, making it very nice to chew.

I guess it is easy to tell that these pineapple tarts are my current favourites.  In fact, they are the best so far that I have tasted in Singapore.  

Besides the pineapple tarts, I have also tasted their moon pies and some other traditional pastries from the shop.  They are all equally delicious.  Betty, the female shop owner, will also not hesitate to share the history of the shop with you (they have been there since 1959) and to recommend you what are the lovely "treasures" in the shop.  Most of the customers there are also loyal customers who will come back year after year to buy their pastries.  When I was there, I met an Indian guy who was collecting a birthday cake for his son.  He told us that he had been coming back to this shop for eons to get birthday cake, because there are no other shops that sold such lovely cakes like LE Confectionary.   

Well, it’s definitely too late to get the pineapple tarts for this coming CNY now.  However, make a note in your diary.  Book these pineapple tarts three months before the next CNY.  I am sure you won’t regret buying these pineapple tarts.  Of course, you can always drop by the shop anytime after the CNY to try these pineapple tarts and the other delicious pastries.  You might also get addicted to them like me!

Corduroy and Finch
779 Bukit Timah Road (Near Sixth Avenue)
Singapore 269758 
Website

Ratings: 6.5/10

Café  Latte

Set in the corner of Sixth Avenue, Corduroy and Finch is a continental European upmarket deli-cafe.  Besides serving food, this restaurant also has a walk-in wine cellar and a food aquarium.  

What I love most about my Corduroy and Finch experience is the chic decor of the place - a predominantly wood decor that is complemented by tall glass panels that allows in ample of light into the restaurant.  The place exudes a laid-back atmosphere with a modern touch to it, making it a comfortable place to laze the afternoon away.

Afternoon tea, selection of patries and sandwiches, $15

In terms of food, there were hits and misses.  The sandwiches that came along in for the afternoon tea selection of pastries and sandwiches tasted decent.  The cookies, on the other hand, were a delightful addition to the afternoon tea.  Tasty and crunchy, I love them so much that I was so tempted to grab a packet of these cookies on my way out. 

 

 
Corduroy’s Cheese Cake - S$5.50

I also tried the Corduroy’s Cheese Cake and the Grand Cru Chocolate Carre.  The Corduroy’s Cheese Cake was delicious.  Glazed with berries, there was a lingering lovely taste of cheese on each bite.  The most sinful treat of the day has to be the Grand Cru Chocolate Carre.  I was hit by the divinely taste of chocolate on my first bite.  Each subsequent bite was filled with thick and smooth taste of the chocolate.  The sweetness of the cake was also just right, not overwhelmingly sweet as one might expect of a cake that has three different textures of chocolate in it.  It is a definite must-try for chocolate lovers.

Perhaps I did have a higher expectation on the quality of food at Cordoroy and Finch before stepping into the restaurant, considering that it does have the help of the German chef Ralf Spika, who has two Michelin stars to his name.  The only things that had gotten me raving about the place was the cookies, the Grand Cru Chocolate Carre and its decor.  As for the rest of the food that I had tried, they were mostly decent but forgettable.   

However, I will definitely be going back to Cordoroy and Finch again, simply because the décor of the place has totally bought me over - the laid-back atmosphere that is perfectly integrated into the "shopping area" within the restaurant.  I am a sucker for restaurants that have a chic decor and ample of natural lighting.  This sort of décor always makes me feel like relaxing my afternoon away while watching the world goes by with a good book in hand.  I supposed I would definitely be back again to try the breakfast, as I am sure the place will have that perfect breakfast feeling that I am absolutely love.

It’s simply the best Wife’s Biscuits around in Singapore.

The Wife’s Biscuits is from "恒香“，or "Heng Xiang", located at Great World City, Floor B1. "Heng Xiang" is actually this shop in Hong Kong, Yuen Long that sells the most famous Lao Po Bing in Hong Kong, the country where Lao Po Bing is originated. I will rate those that I’d tasted in HK 4.5/5.0.

The Wife’s Biscuit in Singapore pales in comparison as compared to its HK’s counterpart. Nevertheless, I guess it should be the best Wife’s Biscuits that you can taste around in Singapore. For any chinese pastry, the outer crispy layer of the biscuit, or its "skin" is the most important. For "Heng Xiang", the outer crispy layer of the biscuit is just right and very aromatic. The paste is delicious. The entire Wife’s biscuit seem to melt in your mouth after the first bite, and its simply so irresistable that it makes you feel like eating the entire box of it.

However, the only fault that I can find in it is that it doesn’t taste as nice if you consume it the next day, though it’s still as delicious. I remembered packing back boxes of these Lao Po Bing from HK, and they tasted just as great even after a week.

Besides its Lao Po Bing, many of the HK traditional pastry that it sells taste equally great too. The other item that I simply love from the shop is its egg tart! It’s also one of the best egg tarts I’ve ever tasted in Singapore, besides the one I ate at the "Dim Sum" restaurant, "Hong Xin" in Chinatown. Thus do try both the Wife Biscuits and its egg tarts if you ever pass by that shop!