Chef Yamashita Revisited : NEW Summer Cakes 2015

Within six months after the last time I tried Chef Yamashita's cakes in December 2014, I was delighted to find some new creations on display during a meetup with my matcha comrade Shirley @ littlemissbento. His strive for innovation is truly a move to applause as most pastry shops in Singapore do not change the items since day one. Not that it is a bad thing but it is always a wise strategy to have a mixture of new and classics items in order to stay competitive. 

For instance, two new items (probably not so new by the time you read this) that were the Yonashi Tart ($6.30) and Framboise ($6.80) . Unlike the classic pear tart that is layered with slices, the pears are cut into chunks and baked together with the custard. I suspect some juices might have seeped into the custard during the baking process which made it more flavourful. 

The Framboise was definitely a big surprise because I never thought that Nama chocolate could be placed in the centre, enrobed in white chocolate mousse and subsequently a raspberry mousse. Yet the nama chocolate was not texturally awkward, instilling another layer of dark romantic mood to this pretty spring dessert.   

On the other hand, it is relief to see that good classics stay on the shelf. For instance, the Ichigo Soufflé ($6.50) has a livid cheese character without being too dry. It also has a more substantial layer of whipped cream and a cottony texture than the one from Chateraise. 

The Mount Fuji ($6.80) defied the rules of a classic Mont Blanc but in a good way. Beneath the luscious chestnut cream is a layer of light ️fresh cream, intense chocolate sponge and a  slice of puff pastry that succumbed to moisture unfortunately. Yet this is not a big sugar hit and way better than Okada's version.

Tricky ingredients such as yuzu are articulated deftly in this Yuzu Matcha ($7.20) , a latest item that did not witness any strong fight between the citrus fruit and green tea. There is certain depth to this cake, yet it is cloud-like and clean; an unspeakable feel of déjà vu as if you were trekking in the bamboo shoots of Arashiyama. 

In an attempt to create something more American, Chef Yamashita has also launched this new "Handburger", a spongy almond Bouchee filled with assorted fruits and Chantily cream. Having the sponge by itself can be a little too sweet but not so when it is enjoyed with the fresh fruits and cream. 

That said, it might be still too early to summon a judgment as the final version will include a Kuromitsu (black sugar) mousse patty. I guessed this does not really matter as I would visit again for more and this is for sure;) 

Chef Yamashita 

1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza

#02-44 Singapore 082001

Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm

Public Holiday 10am-4pm

Closed on Sundays

https://www.chefyamashita.com

https://www.facebook.com/chefyamashita?fref=ts

Rookery Singapore : Comfort Food and Skillet Desserts

A Friday night couldn't be better with great company, food and beer at Rookery, a cafe . bar. restaurant whose name actually refers to the dense and sleazy slums in 19th centuries London. It doesn't really matter that their brunch/lunch seemed more popular and delicious than the  dinner selection because the section that I am most interested in is available all day.

Yes, let's start talking about the desserts. The Beautiful Mess ($12) is indeed, a gorgeous mess that surpassed the glory of a classic Eton Mess, with colorful mix of dried berries, nuts and chocolate ice cream. However, the meek taste of chocolate could not pull the other components together, even in the presence of the crushed cinnamon caramel cookies.

For the real indulgence treat, I suggest going neither for this nor the overly priced plate of Fried Snickers and Mars Bars ($13) that comes with 4 puny pops.

Instead, get the Cookie Monster ($12) , that isn't ferocious as it sounds, but definitely works as the true comfort food that you want to dig your spoon in.

Dig? Yes! The giant cookie is a soft-baked dough that comes right out from the oven when the chocolate chips are still in molten gooey state. Stupendous!

As with the desserts, never judge their savoury dishes by their looks as well because the Asahi Beer Batter Fish Bites ($12) looked stodgy but turned out the exact opposite. The interior was fresh, meaty and succulent. Never mind that the batter did not belonged to the super crunchy camp for this nasty golden pops kept our bellies happy throughout the night. 

Perhaps I've had a too fantastic pulled pork pasta at Holqa Cafe and so this plate of Pulled Pork Ragu Linguine ($18) did not quite meet the mark. It tasted like a dry plate of canned sardines pasta. The Jerk and Rum Chicken ($24) shone with its tangy jerk bbq sauce that barely coated the boneless thighs but my friend found it rather dry. 

 

Just like most cafes, this isn't the most wallet friendly place to satisfy hunger but if it is the buzz/ ambience you are after, this is a right place. Otherwise, there is always a convenient Lau Pa Sat directly across the road for supper.

Rookery

16 Raffles Quay, #01-02A Hong Leong Building
Singapore 048581
 Mon - Fri 8am - 11pm

Sat Drinking Night  5pm - 11pm

Tel: 62210968

http://www.rookery.com.sg

https://www.facebook.com/rookerysg