Best Macarons in Singapore? Meet Bonheur Patisserie

How can you resist this sign board? Not only does it says the best macaron in town, it has also been featured as well by the famous Lady Iron Chef. It was a no-brainer decision to drop by even though my belly was quite full due to enormous food feast just a few hours earlier. For a moment I forgot my sole purpose of heading to Duxton Road was to find a bookshop called Littered With Books.

The venue is easily an eye pleaser, especially for the ladies. Dominated with white, from walls to furnitures, it gives a clean chic feel to it. Being a sucker for sweet stuff, I almost ordered all of the available variety of macarons, when common sense (read: price tag) slapped me in the face. They are not actually cheap, aren't they?

I randomly picked their salted caramel, yuzu, and dark chocolate macaron.

Salted Caramel / Dark Chocolate / Yuzu (SGD 3/piece)

Out of the three, my favorite would be their salted caramel, it has the familiar taste of cooked sugar, the soft crunch of the flat base, and the dash of saltiness. Look at the beautiful feet! It's a just-right combo for me.

The dark chocolate is a crowd pleaser with the right balance of cacao, and not too sweet. Having the yuzu was a beautiful coincidence. Its strong soury citrus flavor made a good alternative in between the two sweeter option.

All in all, it was a distraction well worth my time.

I'd definitely pay this place another visit, especially after hearing the story of passion from one of the owner herself. And when it happens I'll give their selection of cakes a try. Now, is it really the best? Well, until I've tried all patisserie in Singapore, I'd say its one the best yet.

Until then, snack on my tweets & keep updated on my twitter @wanderbites. ;)

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Bonheur Patisserie
70 Duxton Road,
Singapore
Ph: +65 6221 1148

Scrumptious Swiss Roll at Rich & Good Bake Shop (Singapore)

(Singapore, strolling along Arab street) 

Friend: Hey, we've got a fulfilling breakfast and a delightful lunch, so what do you want to do next? 

Me: Ehmm, pre-dinner? 

Friend: I know exactly where to get that!

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Rich & Good Bake Shop with its signature light blue and white exterior stood out among the long line of shop houses on Kandahar Street. Just a turn from the popular Sultan Mosque, it radiates with a light simmer. One that you could easily overlook without noticing. I was fortunate to have a local friend that brought me here. She's a fashion designer by trade and a foodie by influence (from me of course). 

They have one specialty here: the swiss roll. It comes in different flavors. Chocolate, green tea, to name a few. I would usually go for the cocoa treat, but somehow my eyes were infatuated by Kaya Swiss Roll.  It sort of jumps out of the menu and scream for my affection. I went with my instinct and this time I was right. It was nothing less than scrumptious. 

The soft and airy green cake comes with a strong pandan upbringing. While the kaya jam that glues the roll together added in a touch of sweetness and a major influence of egg and coconut-ty flavor. All this wrapped in cold temperature that seals it in dessert snacking category. 

My only warning to you guys is that it is addictive. Not just because of the taste, but also the fact that it is only SGD 7.5. You'll be easily tempted to stock on it. If you brought a pack home, you could easily finish the whole foot long over the first half an hour of a movie. My suggestion, share it with a friend. That way, when you get to the end of it, you will feel less guilty. Plus, while doing that you can test whether the quote "happiness is best shared" is true. 

Man, I miss Kaya Swiss Roll already. 

Fellexandro Ruby 

Food Photographer & Storyteller

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Rich & Good Bake Shop 

No. 24 Kandahar Street, Singapore

Ph: (+65) 62963334

Detention Room PIK : Being Detained Has Never Been This Good

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."

I practically lived by the quote this afternoon. I called out my college friend who hasn't been in touch for quite a while. The last time we met was in a wedding where I would be busy queueing for kambing guling while he's out there picking up chicks. That being said, we have a lot to catch up. Detention room sounds like a perfect place for two former sophomore badboys. 

Stories upon stories was brought up while sipping on Hot Milk Chocolate. One that particularly interest me was how he's a changed man now. That and also the fact that the cocoa was served at right temperature and wasn't powder based. Meaning, it's melted from pieces of chocolate bar. This resulted in a creamier texture than your instant Cadbury or the popular malaysian Kakao. 

Hot Milk Chocolate - IDR 30k

This friend of mine used to be a verbal hard-headed spoiled punk. I remember I used to be the one preaching him, now the wheel has turned. To hear his life-changing encounters in a much mature tone is good news. As good as this BYOB Burger (yes, you could build your own burger here!).  Mine was a soft bun burger with single beef patty, topped with onions, cheese, and BBQ sauce. The only thing missing for me was the lack of texture play. If only there's an option for crispy pork bacon topping, it would've been heavenly! 

Oh, did I mention the wedges on the sides? Skin on baby! I've always been a fan of potatoes. I even had an extra platter of Fries Nation. It's a mix of shoestrings, curly fries, and wedges. All in one bowl. And for IDR 24k it is definitely worth it. 

BYOB (Build Your Own Burger) - IDR 40k/50k/60k

Fries Nation - IDR 24k

As we munch on, I couldn't get my attention out of my friend's Deep Fried Chocolate Bar. I had it the other day, you could see the picture on my twitter @Wanderbites. I could still recall the sweet sticky Snickers bar half melted on the inside with extra chocolate dressings on the outside. It was sinfully scrumptious, although I believe the world is still divided into two, Team Snickers and Team Mars. I'm on the second team. That means, I'd still vote for deep-fried Mars bar in Australia's Bondi beach anytime of the day. Which side are you on? 

*burp*

Are these too much for lunch? Not at all. It is worth every space in my belly and a two hour well spent. Remember what Dono-Kasino-Indro said at the end of their movies: "Makanlah sebelum makan itu dilarang."

Bye now Biters. Don't forget to let me know here or on twitter @Wanderbites if you're on Snickers team or Mars team. ;)

Fellexandro Ruby

Food & Travel Storyteller / Photographer

Follow my culinary hits and misses live on Twitter @Wanderbites

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Detention Room

Ruko Crown Golf Blok D/28

Bukit Golf Mediterania, PIK

(Arah terusan waterbom, belok kiri, menuju pintu tol lagi)

@BeingDetained

Wakai B-Side Plaza Indonesia : Is It More Than Meets The Eye?

Cozy. Rustic. Youthful.

Yes, it is an extension of the shoe shop. One simple cannot walk by the fourth floor of Plaza Indonesia without noticing this new establishment. Especially now that social media hype has created the peer pressure that if you don't have a pair of Wakai shoe, you're uncool. Well, I don't give a damn. Nothing's new actually, I've got one of those shoes way back in zero-eight (see picture ;p).

Well, what good is all that, cause eventually it comes down to the food they serve on the table. In fact, what made me pay a visit was hearing that First Love Pattisserie Mille Crepes is on the menu here for IDR 35k / slice. Much better than paying for the whole cake.

Origami Cake Green Tea (Mille Crepes) - IDR35k

Origami Cake Original (Mille Crepes) - IDR 35k

Here I got the Origami Cake Original & the Origami Cake Green Tea. I still love the earlier better than the latter. The highlight of the original version was the first layer of caramel. I usually cut the slice from top to bottom, munch it slowly, and let the sweet creamy fillings blends with the comfort of rather smoky caramel flavor. I couldn't get the same fulfillment eating the green tea mille crepes. The flavor was shaky, I'm not too sure if they really want to show the tea. My benchmark would be TWG specialty macaron in Singapore. Each and every one of it really stood out with character.

Not satisfied with that, I tried to be adventurous and ordered their Baked Mochi. Why? Cause it just sounds sexy. It turned out sexy indeed visual-wise, but taste-wise, its questionable. Enlight me though, does your idea of mochi is that thick-skinned, hard to chew thing, with untasty fillings?

Baked Mochi - IDR 24k.

I've tried 3 out of their 6 dessert menu. That's half of it. And I guess half is good enough to make an overall view of this foodplace. I say yes. And if you've been reading from head to toe, I'm pretty sure the question in the title is answered.

In cased you missed it. It says: "Not Really."

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food & Travel Storyteller / Photographer
Snack on my live tweets @Wanderbites

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On a side note, we are happy to announce that our blog is nominated for 2012 AXIS Blog Award in the Favorite Food & Recipe Blog category. If you think Wanderbites deserve it, show us some lovebites by sparing a minute to vote at this link:

 >> http://poll.fm/3xqoa <<

In The Mood For Dessert : Otel Lobby

Have you ever had that cravings for sweets? The dire needs to consume a high dose of sugar, it almost like an addiction? This is one of it. It happened on one Sunday afternoon. I don't know whether it was the pastor's preaching that provoke it, or the fact that I was having mood swings. I just needed my sugar-fix. And I needed it fast.

Otel Lobby was the first thing that came to my mind, and I'm glad to met Toblerone Puff. A well crafted choux with chocolate ice cream and vanilla cream fillings. The first dessert that made the touchdown that afternoon. The house-made ice cream with the subtle hint of Toblerone is well worth tasting, especially for those who love chocolate.

Toblerone Puff - Otel Lobby (IDR 35.000)

Toblerone Puff - Otel Lobby (IDR 35.000)

Red Velvet Cake - Otel Lobby (IDR 35.000)

Red Velvet Cake With Vanilla Ice Cream (IDR 35.000)

The second was OTL's Red Velvet Cake. It actually came in pair with Rainbow Cake, but I would rather take it out of the equation, for I subjectively loath all rainbow cake. From what I tasted, this particular RVC is a breed of its own, with a modest amount of cream cheese and a denser piece of cake. I enjoyed the addition of ice cream, but I suppose having two dishes consecutively with ice cream was a redundant choice after all. My bad.

No worries though, I got what I came here for and leaving the place sugar-high was it! If only I could show you the happy grin on my face. =)

Poke me on Twitter @wanderbites and let me know where you get your sugar-fix.

Happy weekend, Sweet-tooths!

Fellexandro Ruby
Food & Travel Storyteller / Photographer

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Otel Lobby
The Annex Building of Bakrie Tower 
Jl. Epicentrum Tengah, Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan
Ph: 021-299-41324
Twitter: @OtelLobby

Cake In A Jar by Cocoon Cupcakes

Take a look at these lovely Red Velvet and Rainbow Cake. Can you hear the sound of them calling? Yes... Yes... that soft whisper in your head saying : "Feel me. Taste me." After a few encounter on Instagram, I fell weak for its seductions and trickery a week ago and decided to order both cakes.

Priced at 35k a-piece they are for-all-occasion cake. A pleasant dessert to satisfy my after meal craving toward sweets. Had it once for breakfast. Also good for snacks, I had it once while watching Running Man.

It comes in a right size, enough to pamper, but not too much to leave you feeling guilty afterwards. Tastewise, it is slightly different from what I have in mind, or what the market currently offers. It is more like crumbles of soft airy cake. A collection of cakes debris if I might say, topped with cream cheese that is not too sweet but enough buttery-feel to keep you wanting more.

Whether it is superior to the other, is another question, cause when it comes in a jar, I'm just biased man. There's a different sensation savoring a dish from a jar, just like having coconut pudding in a real coconut fruit, or a Thai fried rice in real pineapple. However, this is worth tasting in my opinion, if you haven't got bored with red velvet and rainbow cake

For me, I simply just ... had ... enough. No more. Haha

Until next time, Wanderbiters, have a colorful weekend!

All izz well,


Fellexandro Ruby
Food Conversationalist & Photographer

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Cake in a Jar by Cocoon Cakes
T: @uglycupcake_s
Email: cocooncakes@gmail.com

Kue Balok - Not Just A Sideshow At Nasi Bancakan Bandung

We correlate sideshow to something subordinate, or at a lesser appeal compared to the main attraction. Come to a circus and you'll find the little tiny games booth as an addition, an option that's indifferent to your overall experience. It's the exact opposite here at Nasi Bancakan. Separated from the main courses where people took the patience to queue, Kue Balok is placed at a corner (well not exactly a corner, but you get what I mean). However, I find it is not in many ways, inferior to the mains. In fact, on my short trip to Bandung, I came here specifically just for Kue Balok.

It is actually a pretty simple mix of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter cooked in an unique way. The dough is  'ovened' using a classic anglo fired with charcoal, both from the top and the bottom. The result is an evenly baked Kue Balok with a soft texture and a little crackery surface. The pictures below will do a better depiction of the lovely piece of bread. I love tearing it in two and breathe in the buttery smell. Tastewise, I like the comfort it gives being not to sweet and all. Munch it in slowly, close it with a glassful of hot tea and its just perfect for an afternoon break especially on a gloomy rainy Saturday like now.

I read from Nguliner that it is used to be called Jibeuh a.k.a hiji oge seubeuh (one's enough to make you full). I doubt that, I myself ate half a box to satisfy my appetite. Haha. Found mostly in the city of "Kang", 'Tehh" and names repetition, I'd refer Kue Balok as Bandung / Sunda specialties, even though the actual origin is still unknown. I wonder what would happen if somebody dares to brand it, and call it 'Official Bandung's Gift'. Hmm.. I mean don't you had enough of Kue Bolen already?

It is a possibility, considering their very own city mayor, Dada Rosada is a big fan of it. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

Until then, enjoy these photos. Oh, and if anybody has tasted the more popular Kue Balok at Abdurahman Saleh, Bandung, do let me know how it compares to this. =)

Hatur Nuhun,

Fellexandro Ruby 
Food Conversationalist & Photographer

Snack on my tweets @Wanderbites

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Nasi Bancakan
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 62, Bandung
Ph: 022 - 4203650

Durian Cupcakes - Think Global Act Local!

A few weeks ago, I was summoned to do a photoshoot for Livingetc Magazine.  The assignment was to
manufacture a dish incorporating Indonesian taste or ingredients in a modern context. It was a beautiful group work, all nine chefs bring out their specialties into the table. You can find their recipes and details in Livingetc February issue. Among them, one strike my attention for its sweet indulgence.

Durian cupcakes.

I've never been a fan of durian eaten plainly from the fruit, but I welcome it presented in other form. I love durian ice cream found on streets of Bandung, or that Es Cendol Durian from Sate Khas Senayan. Durian cupcakes has just made its way into this shortlist and into my heart.

Gillian, the lady behind Chantilly Cupcakes started out from plain passion toward cooking and a set of Kitchen Aid. Yes, it was that expensive piece of kitchen gadget that pushed her to do something productive out of it. And in this time and age, we know where we turn to for answer. "Google and Youtube is my teacher", as she mentioned on our convo. After a few trial and error, she finally manage to secure a winning recipe.

When it come out from the oven, a strong scents of Durian was all over the place. One bite and I'm hooked. A sweet buttery taste tingled all over my taste buds. In fact, the cream cheese didn't overpower the Durian, and vice versa. Texturewise, you can definitely feel the fresh Durian meat in the topping mixing well with the cream cheese. "A great intersection of sweet and salty. A treat for the sweet tounged. " I noted on my phone.

As I write about it, I started to drool myself. I better stop now before the cravings idealized into me grabbing the phone and ordering one. But I suggest you do, if you haven't tried it. And when you do, ask for the special hidden menu, Cendol Cupcakes. =)

So long, Sweet Tongues!

Fellexandro Ruby
Food Conversationalist & Photographer

Munch on my tweets @Wanderbites

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Chantilly Cupcake
Email: gillian@chantillycupcake.com http://www.chantillycupcake.com
http://facebook.com/chantillycupcake

Tokyo Banana & Macha Mochi - Japanese Souvenirs

What a joy to find a pack of Tokyo Banana at home just when I was expecting nothing. That's the beauty of zero expectation I suppose, whatever comes your way simply surprise you in a beautiful serendipitous way. Just as life ... or relationship ... *ehm* alright let's not get carried away.
 
Back to Tokyo Banana (東京ばな奈) and Macha Mochi, I'll take you through as I unbox, and see how gloriously packaged these stuffs are. I personally think the idea behind Tokyo Banana is fascinating because:

1. It's not an actual banana
It's just yellow sponge cake in a banana form, filled with banana flavored cream.

2. Putting 'Tokyo' in the name is brilliant marketing.It kinda position itself as the must-have souvenirs if you're visiting Japan. It also conveniently give tourist a boasting right when they return to their countries. Yes, you don't have to mention it, anyone receiving this will know you've just come back from one of the top travel destination in Asia. Now you can put off those smirk in your face. Haha.



Each of these bananas are wrapped in singles then put in a well designed box which then layered with a colorful attractive wrappings. This is definitely an eyecandy. Priced at 1500 yen (approximately 170k Rupiah) for a box of twelve, it is indeed a relatively convenient presents and considerably affordable.

As for the taste, for a piece of snack I love it, plus who doesn't like a present? I think its an ideal snacking device. Knowing the artificiality behind it, it is kind of a turn off, but knowing how they carefully crafted a product such a way simply to represent banana is a turn on. So I'm in between. Then again, anything sweet entertains my tastebud. On the other hand, the mochi felt more real in a way and quite satisfying with the texture play of gooey soft mochi, sweet filling, and powdery matcha.









While we're on this topic, I tweeted about this some time ago. If Bogor is well known for its asinan, thus named as Asinan Bogor. Gresik for its Nasi Krawu. Bandung for Kartika Sari. Balikpapan for Kuku Macan. Garut for Dodol. Semarang for Wingko. Then what it is for Jakarta? Can anyone enlight me?

I find it suprisingly hard to find souvenirs for my overseas clients whenever they come to Jakarta or whenever I'm visiting them abroad. So far I've given out Mangoes. Yes, Singaporeans don't have our kind of Harum Manis Mangoes. I've given out Cimory bakpau susu. I've given out Batik. I once carried freshly fried ayam goreng from Medan Baru. But what is that one thing that says "Jakarta"? I think there's a lesson we could learn from Tokyo Banana and there's a business opportunity here.

Anyone care to venture this? Let me know.

Meanwhile, Xin Nian Khuai Le everyone! Welcome the year of Dragon! Have lotsa angpau!

Thanks to Jeanice at http://jeje-ang.blogspot.com for carrying this all the way from Japan. You rock, cuz!

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food Conversationalist / Photographer / Entrepreneur

Munch on my tweets @Wanderbites

Bittersweet Corner - A Treat For The Sweet Toothed

It has been a while I noticed a growing number of patisserie-inspired foodplace around Jakarta. Offering small bits of snacks, cakes, tea, coffee and the likes. Not to fulfill hunger, but more to please the sugar obsessed like me =P. Bittersweet is well within that group. This tiny secluded cafe is more like a hidden gem. Placed at the end of the corner of a lowly visited alley in Plaza Indonesia's 3rd floor (exactly on top of Kopi Luwak), it's more often than not missed by many. This space used to be occupied by a similar establishment. I used to come here for the macaroons, but it was closed for quite some time until replaced by Bittersweet.

By now, I suppose you know where this is going.

Yes! Macaroons! And more photos below! 

This time I took these lovely colorful macaroons home and recreated Alice in Wonderland's Tea Party with none other than me, myself, a pack of French Earl Grey TWG Tea, and of course the light of the day green tea, strawberry, and Oreo macaroons. A blissful me-time on Sunday morning, while its raining outside. Irreplaceable. Oh, and I learned that this particular macaroon is considered as French style macaroons in contrast with the more chewy English macaroons. My favorite out of the three is ALL THREE OF THEM! Haha =D I'm sorry but I had a tough time deciding and the fact is I share the same amount of liking for all three.

I mean what's not to like, especially when two pieces of colorful crunchy sugary mini meringues sandwiched together with luscious fillings. They might not be in par yet with Pierre Hermes' macaroons in Paris (oh i so want to try his signature pistachio macaroon), but sure thing, they are quite a treat.

A treat too hard to put down. Just as my next surprise guest on the tea party. Meet ... *take a sip of tea* ... Bittersweet's Chocolate Caramel Tart. =) Beware! Foodporn ahead!

Drooling yet? Haha. I know! And I'm writing this at 10 in the night. I have to fight this desire to open my fridge and take a bite on the leftover from the tea party. Well anyway, it was as desirable as I expected. As soon as I took a bite over the crisp round part of the tart and the gooeysweet chunk of caramel, I fell in love with it. That was one dangerous bite. Munching on it and feeling it swirling around the tongue successfully drop my logic right on the floor, and I end up taking the second and the next bite easily until one bite left. And that's whats left in my fridge. Saved from guilt. =p

Oops, sorry for the foodporn again. =P


Anyway, it's so good to be able to sit and think clearly about life and whatnots. Just myself. I think everybody needs a me time at least once a month. With so much going on, and the external forces affecting us daily. Its a must to refill your tank. One day. Secluded. And come back the next day refreshed. Do you have that kind of moment? Share with me if you don't mind and what you usually do. 
Cheers for all the sweet-toothed Wanderbiters, 
Fellexandro Ruby


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Bittersweet Corner
Plaza Indonesia Perennials Store Level 3 #E18
Jalan MH. Thamrin Kav 28-30
+6221 2992-3661