Saturday, April 28, 2012

SINGAPORE: Kki and The Little Drom Store


I fear I'm losing bits of myself to this law degree. While studying for my second year examinations, I've lost myself in my books, and not in a way that I would like. A piece of news isn't just a piece of news. Before I can help myself, endless questions run through my head: "Who is liable? What's the cause of action? What would Lord Denning say?" Whether this is a curse or a blessing in disguise, I've found some reprieve in the comfort of good food. 

Ann Siang Hill is a breath of fresh air from the general harried affectedness that Singapore conducts itself with. Kki fits into Ann Siang Hill like a hand into a glove - it's japanese-clean feel and quirky charm melds easily into Ann Siang's relaxed atmosphere. Even their cakes are exquisitely light without losing their flavour to the soft texture. 

Cheese Souffle Cake
Little Red Riding Hood: Chocolate cake with a raspberry centre
These were reserved in a little corner

Within Kki is the little drom store that feels a little bit like walking through the fantasy playroom of a child in the 90s. Perusing through the items in the shop is akin to a memory trip to primary school. Remember when power point slides were still brand new and our teachers still used projectors and printed transparency slides? Remember the dreaded phrase "I don't friend you" that would pierce the heart of any 7 year old? It's the tiny details like these that have an uncanny ability to crystallize the defining moments of our childhood. 



charming animal pins by a local designer 


Kki + The Little Drom Store
7 Ann Siang Hill
Singapore 06979

Sunday, April 1, 2012

LONDON: Pollen Street Social

Rhubarb sorbet with moist pistachio cake
My one visit to Pollen Street Social has propelled the restaurant onto my list of personal favourites, on par even, with La Petit Maison. Like every restaurant should be, its main draw is its food. Every dish is executed with sophistication in its presentation and a delicate blend of flavours that neither recedes into blandness nor overwhelms the senses. At £25 for three courses, amongst treats like pineapple sorbet cups and deceivingly delicate financiers, set lunch is a steal. 
I want this butter palette.  
Appetizers:
Mains:
Sweet, tender cod garnished with leek, soft mash potato and lobster-esque sauce
It's always nice to photograph food while something is being poured upon it. This time I was lucky enough to get a waiter that did this with a flair and the wonderful sense of the extreme importance of his job. 



bone marrow 
pre-dessert surprise: pineapple sorbet cup

Dessert:
mango, coconut and lime and vanilla 
Rhubarb sorbet with moist pistachio cake
Nigel Slater, one of my favourite celebrity cooks, has an incredible knack for pairing interesting flavours together. With his proclaimed love for rhubarb, I'm guessing he would have loved this dessert. I've always been impartial to rhubarb, but paired with real, genuine pistachio cake (none of that fake pistachio essence), it made for the best dish of the meal. I'm now tempted to attempt some kind of rhubarb caramel tart in my spare time. 

In trying (unsuccessfully) to find the captions for these photographs on their online menu, I have discovered that their menu changes regularly with the flavours of the season. Either way, this only means I have every excuse to go again and again. 
french financiers


Pollen Street Social

10 Pollen Street
City of London,
Greater London W1S 1NQ