Open for business: Fatcat ice cream bar, Boca, Flavour Flings, House of Commons, Pacamara boutique coffee roasters

FATCAT ICE CREAM BAR

This 30-seat cafe offers 18 ice cream flavours such as butter beer, smoked cheese, white peach sangria and toasted organic hay and honey (from $3.90 a scoop).

It is owned by chef Charles Tan, 23, and Ms Tan Ying Qi, 25.

Also on its menu are interesting waffles such as charcoal waffles drizzled with salted egg yolk custard sauce ($6).

There are also gourmet desserts such as deconstructed strawberry cheesecake (starts from $12).

Where: Block 416 Bedok North Avenue 2, 01-25

Open: Noon to 10pm (Monday to Thursday), noon to 11pm (Friday to Sunday), closed on Tuesday

Info: www.facebook.com/fatcatsg

BOCA

A new restaurant offering Portuguese fare has opened in Bukit Pasoh Road.

It takes over the space once occupied by Italian restaurant Oca Grassa.

Here, expect dishes such as pasteis de bacalhau de Alfama (codfish, potato, onions and parsley fritters, $14); ameijoas a bulhao pato (sauteed clams in a garlic, coriander and white wine broth, $19); carne de porco a Alentejo (tender cubes of Iberian pork sauteed with clams in red pepper and garlic sauce, $21); and codorniz confitada ao Porto com uvas (quail confit with Port wine and grapes, $19).

Where: 6 Bukit Pasoh Road

Open: 7 to 11pm (Monday to Saturday), closed on Sunday. It will open for lunch from next month.

Info: Call 6221-0132 or e-mail reservations@boca-restaurant.sg

FLAVOUR FLINGS

Head to Flavour Flings, a cafe-bistro in Hougang, for brunch fare and other delights such as pasta (from $15) and pancakes (from $9).

Signature dishes include Eggs Jupiter ($17), with brioche, poached eggs, momotaro tomatoes, avocado, melted gruyere, nacho cheese baked potatoes and chicken sausages; and Machamp's Breakfast ($18), with onion marmalade toast, maple pancake coins, scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms and caramel-glazed chicken bratwurst.

Other egg dishes include the Benedict's ($15), with poached eggs and turkey ham.

Desserts, coffee and tea are also available.

Where: 121 Hougang Avenue 1, 01-1348

Open: 11am to 9pm (weekday except Tuesday), 9am to 9pm (weekend)

Info: Call 6286-0051 or go to www.facebook.com/ flavourflings

HOUSE OF COMMONS

The cafe scene continues to grow with House Of Commons in Owen Road. Breakfast sets are available from 7.30 to 9.30am, with items such as ham and cheese sandwich set ($8.90) and smoked salmon sandwich set ($10.90). Set meals are also available for lunch (11am to 2pm daily).

Menu items include babi chin ($13.90, available on Tuesday and Thursday), Peranakan braised pork belly served with rice; chicken curry served with rice and raita ($12.90, available on Monday and Wednesday); and chilli con carne ($10.90 on weekend).

Cakes and croissants are available daily.

Where: 138 Owen Road

Open: 7.30am to 5pm (weekday), 8am to 6pm (weekend and public holiday)

Info: Call 6291-1774 or go to www.facebook.com/ hoccoffee

PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

The team behind Oz Specialty Coffee (formerly at Thomson V Two) has partnered Thailand's Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters to open a new cafe in Upper Thomson Road.

Items for brunch (9am to 4pm) include red velvet pancakes ($16), truffle Benedict ($18) and shrimps and asparagus ragout ($18).

Prices for coffee start at $3.50 for an espresso.

For those looking to buy coffee-brewing equipment and coffee beans, check out its online store at www.knockhouse.com.sg.

Where: 185 Upper Thomson Road

Open: 9am to 11pm (Tuesday to Sunday), closed on Monday

Info: www.facebook.com/pacamarasg

This article was first published on January 4, 2015.
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