Ms Skinnyfat

A Food & Travel Blog from Singapore

Cafe Review: Antoinette

By Saturday, December 17, 2011 , , , , , ,

This may seem like a very dated post because everyone knows about Chef Pang and Antoinette now. I first visited Antoinette when they were really new, perhaps a week into their operation. S was particularly interested because he loves macarons (Pierre Herme ftw!) and has been on the search for the best macarons in Singapore as a PH substitute. Sadly, there isn't any. Some came close e.g. Obolo but there are some hits and misses. Anyway we visited the Penhas outlet and i still prefer this to the one at Mandarin because MG is quite claustrophobic. So in the same week, we visited A about 3-4 times. So much that the servers recognize us and knows S by name (S went back on his own to get macarons).
It was pretty hard locating this place at night. We were walking around the area (a bit shady because of Fragrance hotel). We went all around only to realize that A is just next to Fragrance.
The decor is very simple and quite very Canele (considering Chef Pang's roots). A tries to be more french. Some plush cushion seats and other rattan ones. Lots of space between diners which is always nice because you don't want people to eavesdrop on your conversations. Downside? It's not easy getting a reservation. Please do make one in advance especially if it's for brunch or lunch. Not too much of a dinner crowd.
On the macarons- i hate them. It's too cloyingly sweet. Good macarons are not supposed to be very sweet. Of course i'm comparing them to the PH god but still.. The texture varies as well, which i felt is quite weird. Some were too dry and some were too sticky. None were airy or light or fluffy. Terrible terrible.
The selection of desserts is quite wide. Many similar cakes to Canele. I've tried quite a couple and my favorite is the Antoinette. The first time i ordered it, i thought it would be a heavy dessert but i was surprised at the lightness of the earl grey chocolate mousse that is inside. The milk chocolate coating is the icing on the cake, it goes so well with the slightly bitter tea taste. I love the crispy bits inside (the ferrero rocher kinda pastry). The raspberry compote (if i remembered correctly) refreshes the taste of the dessert, breaking the monotony of the chocolate dish.
I can't remember what's the Salted Caramel Profiterole or something. I love salted caramel but the profiterole was kinda too dry. More creme needed for sure!
 
Tried the Baba Rum on another occasion. If you can't take the alcohol don't do this dish. The rum is quite bitter as well. and the puff is soaked with it. Not a fan.

The hot Viennese Chocolate served with creme Chantilly on the side is thick and rich. Go for the hot ones because the cold ones become diluted and doesn't taste as good. I love the creme Chantilly and i ordered everything with that because it has vanillaa beans in it! YAY!

There's a selection of crepes. The above is the Pavlova- Flambeed caramelized banana, chocolate sauce, passion fruit banana sorbet, French meringue and vanilla creme Chantilly. S ordered this for breakfast. That is quite crazy. This is extremely sweet. Not breakfast food for sure.

I personally love the Nougatine which is filled with nutella, salty caramel, caramelized filo, nougatine ice cream and vanilla creme Chantilly. All my favorite flavors in 1 dish. :)) Contrasting texture, spongy creme soaking up the melted nougatine ice cream with crispy and flaky filo. Heavenly. And nutella! Who doesn't love nutella right?
Had a hard time picking out the desserts. Spoilt for choices. Anyhoo, these days i just stick to the Antoinette.
I've tried various items on their breakfast menu. Nothing really special but i like their scrambled eggs which are creamy and runny. The sausages are also quite good, thick chunky and moist. There are definitely better sausages but let's face it, they are hard to find and expensive.

The above it their classic Eggs Florentine- toasted Brioche, wilted spinach, serano ham, hollandaise sauce, salad with house dressing a side of sausage. The brioche is over toasted and kinda dry. Certainly not buttery enough and too porous. Can't remember much about this dish which meant that it is just mediocre.

In all, i would say that Antoinette is a good place for desserts and chilling out with friends.

30 Penhas Road (off Lavender Street), Singapore 208188
Tel: +65 6293 3121
Monday to Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday and eve of public holidays: 11am - 11pm
Saturday: 10am - 11pm
Sunday and public holidays – 10am to 10pm
Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road, Mandarin Gallery,
#02-33/34
Tel: +65 6836 9527 
Daily: 11am - 10pm



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