The Marmalade Pantry in The City @ ION Orchard

Was in a party of 7 adults and we were looking for a place to do some catching up over coffee with a dessert or two. At 4+ in the evening, Marmalade Pantry at ION was sure crowded. However, the wait time wasn't that long and we got a table within 10 minutes.

From 3pm to 6pm, there is a promo for coffee (except mocha and only for hot drinks) and cake set which goes for just $9. When asked which are the bestsellers for cakes, the staff mentioned these; fudge cake; coconut cream and carrot cake.

So we got ourselves 3 sets of coffee and cake to share. After a heavy lunch, its quite impossible to do more than that.

The Marmalade Carrot Cake

Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake

Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake

Am not a fan of carrot cake, so no comments there. Loved the cheesecake and the fudge cake kinda grows on you as you ate more and more of it. Fudge cake was kinda dry but goes well with hot coffee.

Service staff here were helpful and made the effort to top up the iced water. Thanks!

The Marmalade Pantry @ Oasia Hotel

Taking over the space formerly occupied by Zaffron, The Marmalade Pantry (TMP) at Oasia Hotel is a well-liked lunch destination for the corporate crowd.

Was there recently, and got to try a few more items. One complaint though. Why did they make the font on the menu so darn small and the lighting so dim... Woes of turning older.

Ordered a couple of items to share. Let's try the breads; The Marmalade Club Sandwich of honey baked ham, roast chicken, eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and were there dried cranberries or raisins? Served, with sweet potato fries with chili and ketchup dips.

The Marmalade Club Sandwich @ $22++

Those whom had dined at The Marmalade Pantry before, recommends pasta. TMP has six pasta options currently, but only two for risottos.

Seared Scallop and Prawn @ $25++

Truffle Field Mushroom Risotto @ $24++

Spicy Crabmeat @ $24++

The spicy crabmeat pasta was done al-dente with just enough sauce. The flavour was not as intense as the chili crab pasta which was had at another place recently, but I liked the addition of those pine nuts.

At The Marmalade Pantry, the desserts section made up of about half of its menu. Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, tarts, and puddings. Take your pick!

For us, we tried the Dessert Platter which was shared amongst four pax. The platter was made up of five mini items. A normal-sized dessert of the same individual item costs about $14++ each.

Dessert Platter @ $28++

Must try the Pear Bread Pudding, which is a variation of bread and butter pudding. The contrast of flaky buttery pastry, which encased a soft bread-like pudding sitting atop of the sea salt caramel sauce which had just the right amount of sweetness.

mini chocolate pudding close up

Another item which I liked, was the sticky date pudding. Pretty much sweeter than the pear bread pudding, with a bouncy texture with intense dates flavour.

mini lemon brulee tart, mini eton mess and mini sticky date pudding

Actually everything on the dessert platter was very likeable. The right size as a sampler. Downside was that it took quite a while to arrive.

Expect to spend about $50 per pax.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum @ Parkway Parade

Was invited to try TOBY'S in a far away location that is known as Parkway Parade. For travellers from north-west, one could take bus #966 from Woodlands Bus Interchange. It is an hour ride away and bus interval is about 15 minutes on weekends.

TOBY'S is located at Level 2 of Parkway Parade, and quite easy to spot with its bright purple signage.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum

seats

menu

Seems like its online menu and the actual menu are a bit different. For example, wanted to try the "New" Taco Fried Chicken Wings but its menu only listed Spicy Hot Wings. Hmm.

Nonetheless, its menu looked pretty extensive with starters, salads, burwiches (a cross of burger and sandwich?), pasta, pizza, baked rice and house specials.

For 2 pax, we ordered one starter, two mains and two desserts.

Spicy Hot Wings @$8.95++

The fried wings were coated with spicy sauce and packed some heat though not overwhelmingly so. Thought there was tabasco in the sauce but it was revealed to be sambal instead. Nice asian twist. Best eaten while it is hot.

Was thirsty, so got myself a glass of "Hulk A Mania", or simply put, it is green apple juice with  lime and sour plum.

Hulk A Mania @ $6.95++

Realisation hits when the pasta was brought to the table. Had ordered a main course that was similar to the appetiser! Both were spicy and tomato based sauce also had sambal for spiciness.

Spicy Marinara Spaghetti @$17.95++

The spicy marinara came loaded with crunchy prawns, squid and fish chunks. Plenty of carbs here. 

BBQ Baby Ribs (pork) looked good and tasted good. BBQ sauce was slightly on the sweeter side. The meat was fork tender and enjoyable. There was quite a bit of potato salad too. It wasn't just a small mound, it was a tower of potato salad! Nicely seasoned.

BBQ Baby Ribs @$19.95++

fork tender meat

After the mains, then it was time for desserts. Cakes or ice-cream? How about both!

selection of cakes and tarts

more cakes

For the ice-cream variant, got ourselves a mudpie called "TO-BY or Not TO-BY". My dining companion described the rum & raisin ice-cream as having 'punch'. I liked the crunchy bits in the mudpie.

rum and raisin ice-cream, chocolate ice-cream with choc chips and waffle bits @$10.95++

Pretty sweet. Has been quite a while since I had any rum and raisin ice-cream. Used to be the de-facto selection way back in those days when salted caramel has yet to be introduced.

If you're a durian lover, then Spike D is one dessert here that you wouldn't want to miss. Was glancing at its online menu and this was the dessert that I wanted to get.

Spike D @$5.95++

A nondescript looking round choco globe but inside, ooh, its inside is soo good! Cut a section and one gets that strong whiff of durian. The taste was heavenly. One simply must have this.

fresh durian with chocolate fudge

On the day of visit, I spied that there were only two Spike Ds left at 5pm. So weekend diners who are coming for dinner, you may not get to taste this wonderful dessert.

Overall pick would be BBQ Baby Ribs for the main course and no prize for guessing, yes Spike D for desserts.

Special thanks to Francis for the invite and for being a generous host. The service crew were friendly and helpful.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum

Address: #02-68/69/70 Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road, Singapore
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm
Contact: 6346 2435
Website: http://www.tobys.com.sg
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TobysTheDessertAsylum/