provencal sugar fix

Since we are on the topic of breakfast haunts, I frequent this Japanese style bakery that serves up freshly baked breads made from scratch daily.

Provence Bakery is hugely popular amongst the Japanese community and heartlanders around Holland Village ( also for greedy folks like me who stay 15 mins bus ride away from them). Famous for its unique melt in your mouth chocolate wassant, customers must walk/call in to pre-order so as not to walk out empty handed as the first batch flies off its shelves literally when they emerge from the oven at 12 noon. They simply fly off the shelves. They also just opened a takeaway counter at central mall selling only 3 variations of this mini croissant. A packet of 10 mini bites cost $5. CALL IN ADVANCE FOR BOTH OUTLETS TO PRE-ORDER ! DON'T SAY I DID'NT WARN YOU! BEST ENJOYED WHEN ITS JUST HOT OFF THE OVEN !!! YUM !

My favourites at the main bakery include the baked cheese bun. Its chewy texture is like that of a mochi. A fried version is available too.

The fluffy chiffon textured muffin is also a must try, its coffee flavoured chocolate filling inside is heavenly with its molten lava consistency spreading in your mouth with every bite. Best bought when its hot off the oven.

If you prefer savouries, go for the curry donut. Its sweet curry filling with chunks of potato is simply addictive. If only they had bite sized versions i am sure i can pop half a dozen or more at one go.

Freshly made sandwiches with side salads for available for breakfast. Try the fruity milkshake instead of the usual earl grey and lattes.

17A Lorong Liput -Holland Village
(behind Cold Storage / opposite the Ipoh hor fun stall)
Tel: 6467 6966

http://www.provence.com.sg/index.html

ikea munchies

IKEA is not only my favourite stop shop for home & office furnishing needs, its Alexandra branch cafe is also one of my favourite hangouts for a belly bursting breakfast! Haha!

For less than $5, you can get a complete set with drink unlike those served at your fast food joints. Feel free to order a la carte from items like chunky french toast, hard boiled egg, pancakes, sausages & baked beans. They also serve local favourites like dim sum & bee hoon with different items on a daily basis. I only go for the pancakes with maple syrup, raisin rolls and smoked salmon platter. Too bad they don't do scrambled eggs, they would be perfect with the salmon. The tuna croissant is yummy but be prepared to order it in advance an wait around 15 mins minimum as the oven only churns out a dozen of these per batch.

The set lunches are so-so only. Since I am not into beef, the signature Swedish meatballs with cranberry sauce are out for me. The poached salmon is also a tad dry. If all else fails get the chicken wings- a definite crowd pleaser.

Get the ginger thins from the food market on your way out. They are very addictive as you get this conforting waft of cinnamon with every bite of this crispy treat. Perfect accompaniment for tea time or coffee break.

For those on the go, there is a bistro next door. Do get the $1 plain hot dog and the $1.20 vanilla ice cream cone (much better than the 50cent Mcdonalds version).

As an IKEA friends VISA cardholder, you get 2 complimentary beverages daily. But you must swipe your card for a printed slip it at a machine outside the cafe first before you can claim your free drinks at the cashier upon payment. The coffee is refillable and I like mine latte style so that takes a bit of work at the self help coffee dispensers. Their standard option serves up your cuppa with one part milk and 2 parts coffee, which is much too acidic for my taste. If you have time for a leisurely chomp, my routine includes pulling away my cup in time for only half the amount of coffee, then add another more portion of milk at the end for that nice swirl of milk foam. In order not to waste the other half portion of the coffee, do make 2 cups at a time. Great excuse to hang out there a little longer while cramming for exams or an extended chat session with your best friend (if you don't mind the glares from the hungry lunch crowd that is )

(Breakfast is served daily from 8am-10.30am )
My advice, go early to avoid the crowds !
http://ikea.com.sg/store_services/restaurant.asp