Bonjour Ma Cuisine @ 39 Craig Road

Finally had the opportunity to try this breakfast/brunch place. A super quick meet-up with Tiara. Reservation is recommended and one would be informed that there is a strict 90-minutes dining limit. Arrived at the place at 955am and was informed that the table would have to be released by 1130am, which suited our meet-up timings.

Place was quite easy to find and is a few steps away from Mondrian Duxton. I chose indoor dining though the courtyard looked pretty chill. 

Was seated immediately once staff had verified the reservation. 

table for 2

The next table was just an arm's length away, so we would be smiling at the other table if our gaze chanced upon each other.

sparkling water @$6.50++

The online menu looked exactly liked the one in the shop, except that one could click on the online one to look at the photo of the selected dish.

Since I was still waiting for Tiara, I entertained myself by briefly chatting with the staff. Friendly folks who didn't mind the interaction if the restaurant was not too busy.

Lillet Mule @$18++

Lillet mule was refreshing and light. Let's eat since Tiara had arrived.

croissant au beurre @$5.50++

scrambled eggs @$12.90++

Coquelet Francais Roti (French spring chicken) @$24++

Was impressed by the size of the buttery croissant and at the same time, amused  by the size of the spring chicken. Keke. Spring chicken took about 25 minutes to prepare and staff probably had feedback from prior diners about the size, so all these were duly warned when I placed the order.

Croissant was as expectedly flaky and tasted good. The organic eggs were of a lovely yellow hue and we enjoyed it with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. 

I liked the spring chicken with its crisp thin layer of skin and well cooked meat that retained its moisture. The chicken was well seasoned, so it was good on its own. Tasted similar to quail. And yes, one person can finish off the entire spring chicken.

crepes chocolat and chantilly @$7.90++

Ended our meal with a light dessert of crepes, served with chocolate sauce and chantilly cream.

Thanks Tiara for the treat and the meet up!

Bonjour Ma Cuisine

Address: 39 Craig Rd, Singapore 089677

Website: https://bonjourmacuisine.com/

Business Hours:

Mon: Closed

Tue - Sun: 9 am–2:30 pm

[Staycation] One Night Executive Room @ Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Read more about previous stay here. This time round, I chose the Executive room with hope to experience the premium Club Benefits. Similar to the Skyline room, the Executive King room is similar in size and layout.

Managed to check-in around 2plus in the afternoon after the lunch at Araya. 

first look at Executive King room

nice to have that space beside the bed to lounge around or to do work

Oh, looks like the welcome amenity (fruits?) has not been delivered to the room. 

coffee machine

love love Lavazza coffee capsules

tea for you?

The bathroom is smallish. The door to the bath area needs to be opened so that the water on the floor can dry up.

bathroom

The MALIN+GOETZ body wash and shampoo had lovely scent.

view from room

Took a 2 hours nap. I think I drank a tad too fast during lunch.

Went down to Christina's for evening cocktails and finger food.

evening cocktail menu

Looked like not many are at Christina's during the evening cocktail hours on a Thursday evening, or maybe the party was elsewhere?

truffle cheese sandwich, potato samosas and chocolate

Aperol Spritz

additional order of truffle fries (not part of the evening cocktail)

We enjoyed the truffle fries as it was served piping hot and well fried with crisp outer layer and soft insides.

fruits platter

dragonfruit

Got a complimentary slice of cake for my birthday, thanks to Mondrian Singapore!

yummy chocolate cake

Breakfast was a quick affair as there were people waiting outside for a table.

Still the same setup as per previous visit, so it'll be juice and porridge for me. Didn't take the coffee here as I still have the Lavazza capsules in the room.

favourite things for breakfast; porridge with scrambled eggs and condiments

watermelon, salad, cheese and tomyum fried rice with a sausage

I must say, the tom yum fried rice was tasty. 

It was a super short stay at Mondrian Duxton. Till the next time, take care!

A Quiet Lunch @ Araya Singapore, Duxton

My cousin-in-law recommended this place when I told her I was doing a staycation at Mondrian last year, so when the opportunity arises again, decided to give Araya a try.

Since I was available on a weekday, decided on the Business Lunch menu ($58++). A three-course menu comprising of bread, starter and a main. Decided to upgrade the starter to Rainbow Ceviche (+$12) and chose Duck as the main. Both the starter and main options were chosen as part of the reservation process. 

entrance

Was a few minutes early for the lunch appointment and was just looking at the entrance to figure out if this is the right place when suddenly the door opened, and the hostess gave out a soft greeting of "Hola~" Hehe, I guess she can see who's standing at the door.

Once the guest name was ascertained, I was quickly ushered to my seat. Ah, counter seats.

beautiful space

Once seated, Vikram introduced himself and I was presented with the business lunch menu and also the  beverage options. Empanada was highly recommended as additional add-on (+$12), so I went with the recommendation. 

Discovered that there is a wine package ($48++) that would be good pairing to accompany the food and for me to get acquainted with Chilean wines.

ready for lunch

Hand sanitizer was offered prior to the start of the meal.

Montes Sparkling, Central Valley Chile NV

just a little sip

fresh and crisp

my POV

LA PANERA / BREAD

with merkén chilli butter and cochayuyo seaweed butter

Chef introduced the merkén chilli in its ground(ed) form, and I also got to see it in its pepper form. 

merkén chilli

cacho de cabra

left to right: bocado de dama, marraqueta

interior of the marraqueta

Marraqueta has a crusty exterior much like a baguette. According to Wiki, marraqueta is the most widely consumed bread in Chile.

with lots of merkén chilli butter

The bocado de dama or nori-wagyu roll, is a soft roll flavoured with nori. I liked the softness of this bread. Both flavoured butter were lovely but my favourite was the merkén chilli butter with the soft roll.

cute tiny flowers - close up view of cochayuyo seaweed butter

cochayuyo (kelp)

Was rather intrigued by the cochayuyo on the table. Normally fresh kelp looks green in colour but cochayuyo is a brown kelp. 

Bread and butter, with sips of crisp Montes Sparkling Angel wine; was a good start. I had a few bites when the starter arrived.

ENTRADAS / STARTERS

RAINBOW CEVICHE

Ceviche Rainbow (+$12)

The Ceviche Rainbow dish has Hokkaido scallops, oca, daikon, leche de tigre and avocado sorbet.

oca (root vegetable native to the Andean highlands of South America)

Oca is said to be somewhat similar to small potato with a tangy, nutty flavour. Chef advised to mix everything together to enjoy the Rainbow Ceviche.

closer view of the scallops

The avocado sorbet was creamy and the sweetness from the scallops was made more prominent with the Sauvignon Blanc.

Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Chile 2022)

CHEF'S FAVOURITES (Add-On)

EMPANADA

Wagyu beef, pebre (+$12)

PRINCIPALES / MAINS

DUCK

Duck (aged cacao sauce, seared foie gras, cherry chimichurri)

Los Vascos Cromas Carmenere Gran Reserva 2021

The cacao sauce was interesting tasting with more of the bitter profile at the fore, and balanced with the rest of savoury-sweet. Loved the lightly seared foie gras that's soft and wobbly texture, with that bit of crispy from the buckwheat. "It tasted like mini popcorn." I thought.

closer view of foie gras and duck

POSTRES/ DESSERTS (Add-On)

RHUBARB & WILD STRAWBERRIES 

Rhubarb & Wild Strawberries (+$12)

delightful morsels

The rhubarb dessert was not what I had expected initially (maybe I was thinking more of rhubarb pie or something?). It has a slight tartness and overall not too sweet. The dessert came with a small cup of sweet tea.

dessert tea

My first time having a cacao infused pisco and I liked it.

cacao infused pisco

Somehow, in Araya, one loses track of time. As the meal came towards an end, staff brought out the cake with candle and a continuation of well wishes.

happy birthday~

Thank you to all whom I met at Araya especially Vikram, Cecelia and the two lovely Chefs who emerged from the kitchen; lovely Chef who introduced the breads and another Chef who enquired on overall meal experience. Not forgetting Chef who was at the counter seats. 

Thank you for the good meal and for the well wishes.

chocolate bon bons (coconut coated was my favourite)

ps: I needed a nap after all the feasting and drinking

Araya

Address: Mondrian Singapore Duxton 83 Neil Road, Duxton Hl, #01-08 Access via, 089813

Website: https://www.arayarestaurant.com/

Contact: 88700871

Business Hours:

Sun: Closed

Mon: 5:30–11 pm

Tue - Sat: 12–3 pm, 5:30–11 pm