Food Review @ Oriole Coffee + Bar
Oriole Coffee + Bar has always been located right outside 313@Somerset, yet I missed it every time I walked past that area. I have always thought that it is a bar, but who knows they serve cafe style food as well!
The inside of Oriole Coffee + Bar is pretty dimmed, making it all the more 'bar-like'. Despite that, I enjoyed its relaxing ambience. Maybe that is why I have paid them 2 visits since I found out they are just next to Marche.
Moving on to the food served by Oriole (probably the part everyone is interested in!), let's start off with their famous beverage items! Firstly, we had their Death Cream ($9). As ominous as it sounds, it is not all that bad at all. In fact, if this is what Death tastes like, I bet no one would be that fearful of it anymore.
This beverage comes packaged in a cute little bottle which looks like some sort of potion. So what makes up Death Cream?
And... apparently, the secret ingredients are vanilla beans, espresso, sugar and excessive amounts of cream. Can I just say that I want to bring their bottle home? Even that tiny sticker tempts me to no end.
Basically, Death Cream tasted like coffee? Duh. Heavy coffee taste aside, there is a hint of sweetness which no doubt comes from the mix of cream and vanilla beans. Regarding the use of vanilla beans in this awesome concoction, Oriole certainly spare no vanilla beans! I mean, look at these tiny black dots!
Yes, they are vanilla beans!
As for people who don't drink coffee, you might be wondering if there is any good non-caffeinated drinks. The good news is Oriole is also known for their M.A.D. Milk ($10)! Okay, here comes another unique name and it is once again, bottled in a cute little glass bottle.
If you like nutty drinks, then you would love this drink! M.A.D. Milk is a dairy-free, cold-pressed nut milk made with macadamias, almonds and dates. Although I do not drink milk on a regular basis due to a slight distaste for milk, I enjoyed this thoroughly.
Now, what else besides the drinks should you try out at Oriole Coffee + Bar?
Based on my 2 visits to Oriole, my friends and I have ordered a total of 3 of items: Fish Tacos ($20) and Oriole Truffle Burger ($18) under Oriole Classics, as well as the Humble Baked Egg Skillet ($16) under All Day Breakfast.
Starting with their most famous item, Fish Tacos is simply fried dry chilli-battered snapper wrapped in Tacos and finally, topped with chipotle aioli sauce and red cabbage slaw. Accompanying the main highlight of the dish is some Cajun fries and a tiny salad.
The Fish Tacos were a delight to eat. Perhaps I am nitpicking, the dish would have tasted better if the fish is less dry. Other than that, I would say I love their Cajun fries since they are crispy and adequately flavoured.
Next up, we have the Oriole Truffle Burger which is ordered by my friend. Since I do not eat beef, I asked her about the taste.
This giant burger consists of so many ingredients which include brioche bun, suvee-cooked beef patty (my friend had the beef well done), sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, mixed greens, melted cheese and truffle aioli. The Oriole Truffle Burger is served with a portion of Cajun fries too!
In the words of my friend, she felt that the brioche bun and sauteed mushrooms were right on point. However, the beef patty was a little on the tasteless side and there is no hint of truffle aioli too.
In the case where you want something else that is lighter on your stomach and more shareable with your friends, you could order the Humble Baked Egg Skillet (available from 8am-6pm).
See that wobbly egg yolk? It is love at first sight. I love half-cooked eggs!
This lovely baked egg skillet is a wonderful mixture of sous vide eggs, roasted lamb stew, sweet potatoes, Emmental cheese baked within a hot cast skillet, and topped with crispy bacon and fresh spring onions. Sounds too good? Try it yourself then!
Having stuffed ourselves full with the drinks and mains, we almost always have another stomach for desserts. Seriously, who don't?
If they are famous for their coffee beverages, it is honestly no surprise that they are famous for their coffee dessert too. Known as the Oriole Coffee Cake ($14), it is a moist coffee-textured chiffon cake infused with Oriole's signature house blend coffee.
Seeing this photo, you might start thinking isn't there too much going on with the coffee cake? I would like to assure you that the meringue, espresso jelly, crunchy chocolate balls, espresso crème anglaise and whipped cream go oh-so-well with the cake! Even someone like me who dread whipped cream with a passion, have to say the combination is really good! Without the whipped cream and sauce, the cake might appear a little dry and heavy on the coffee taste. That is exactly what the whipped cream and sauce are for.
That being said, I shall leave you with one last photo of the awesome Oriole Coffee Cake that left me breathless in a good way.
Address
96 Somerset Road #01-01
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard
Singapore 238163
Opening Hours
Sun-Thurs & PH: 10am-11pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 10am-12am
Website
http://www.oriole.com.sg/
(Menu on the site!)
