We scour the island’s café scene to bring you the new and the noteworthy – it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it! ANTHIA CHNG checks out newly refurbished brunch favourite, Strangers’ Reunion, one of the pioneer cafés in Singapore.
First impressions:
After an extensive revamp, local café darling Strangers’ Reunion recently reopened its doors. Located streetside along Kampong Bahru, this spot boasts hip, Melbourne-style interiors, with plenty of natural light. Contemporary wood furniture and comfy cushions add a cosy, welcoming ambience, while the concrete walls give the space an industrial touch.
Grub on these:
The menu has been updated with the café serving up healthy takes on popular brunch dishes that are flavourful, photogenic and affordable. A signature is the Salmon & Kale ($19.90), which features pan-seared salmon on a bed of organic locally-sourced kale and served with perfectly poached eggs, salmon roe and hollandaise sauce. This dish made me a kale convert; the vegetables were not bitter, and had a unique texture I truly enjoyed. For a twist on the classic smoked salmon eggs benedict, try the Strangers Smoked Salmon ($17.90). Smoked in-house using mesquite wood, the fish was nothing like those measly, thin slices commonly served in other cafés – what you’ll get here is a generous 120 grams of fillet. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the sweet hazelnut béarnaise sauce, the inclusion of feta complemented the dish well with its salty flavour. The Crabcake Reunion ($18.90) is also a must-try for crustacean lovers. If you don’t dig seafood, there are plenty of alternatives; go for the Spicy Baked Eggs ($15.50), Smashed Avocado ($15.50), or a side of the Honey Mustard Sweet Potato Chips ($12.90) to share.
Sweet ending:
Popular desserts on the menu include the Berry Ricotta Hotcake ($14.90), but I recommend the Coconut Chia Pudding ($11.90) if you’re up for something a little lighter. This healthy dish was surprisingly tasty and filling – plus it doesn’t hurt knowing that it’s good for you!
The coffee connection:
There’s a reason why Strangers’ Reunion lives and breathes coffee – the co-owner holds multiple titles at barista competitions, including three-time Singapore Barista Champion and ASEAN Barista Champion (2013)! Don’t leave without trying the White Magic ($6.90), a cold brew made with fresh espresso and milk, which is then bottled and chilled. I would return to the café just for this drink – it had a satisfying caffeine kick but was equally well-balanced with a perfect ratio of milk and coffee.
Strangers’ Reunion
33-35 Kampong Bahru Rd
6222 4869 | facebook.com/StrangersReunion/
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