Not merely the first meal of the day, breakfast dishes are now sophisticated plates you can savour at any time of the day. All-day brekkies have become a standard at many cafes and restaurants. Here are five that serve them every day.
[ Editor's Pick ] Wild Honey
English breakfast and Banoffee Brulée
The buzz: Who needs afternoon tea when you can feast on the beautifully-plated all-day breakfast creations at Wild Honey. The younger of two branches, Wild Honey at Scotts Square has over ten dishes inspired by breakfasts from around the world. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and unlike the Mandarin Gallery branch, this one takes reservations.
What’s special: The round-the-world adventure should include the English – a huge platter of scrambled eggs, back bacon, Cumberland pork sausages, sauteed mushrooms, spicy baked beans and Wild Honey’s thick brioche ($22). Many of the sides and desserts are the recipes belonging to owner Stephanie Hancock’s family (cakes are her grandma’s and the home-cooked spicy baked beans are her dad’s).
Vegetarians would love the Californian – eggs scrambled with tofu, fresh herbs, peppers and mushrooms on chargrilled ciabatta. The healthier option, using egg whites only, is available upon request.
For a well-balanced meal, slurp up the smoothie-like honey-made mocktail drinks ($7-$9); the Banoffee Brulée is made with fresh bananas, caramel, honey and then topped with a flamed meringue.
Wild Honey, #03-01 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road
Tel: 6636 1816
Available: 9am to 10pm (daily)
[ Best for pancakes ] Arbite
The buzz: Chef-owner Marc Wee believes that good food requires a good amount of work and prep time to dish out. Though comfortably ensconced in the removed residential pocket of Serangoon Gardens, this unassuming cafe that some claim is a dead ringer for an Ikea showroom stands out with items such as sea salt caramel banana pancakes, frittata and French toast.
What’s special: There are six all-day breakfast mains to choose from. The Frittata ($14.90) – an Italian-style open face omelette choc-a-bloc with bacon, asparagus, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes and olives – arrives piping hot, soft and full of sweet flavours from the vegetables.
The sea salt caramel banana pancakes ($14.90) are also good – they come in a stack of three, drizzled in caramel sauce and layered with caramelised bananas, lifted with a touch of sea salt.
The Gardener French Toast ($16.90) is two ‘blocks’ of ciabatta bread stuffed with a rich almond and dark chocolate ganache with candied bacon strips on the side.
Arbite, 66A Serangoon Garden Way
Tel: 6287 0430
Available: 11.30 am to 3.00 pm, 6.00pm to 10.30 pm (Tues to Fri), last order at 2.30 pm & 9.45 pm; 11am to 10.30pm (Sat & Sun)
Quiche of the week, croissant and mee rebus
The buzz: Those disappointed at not being able to snag a table at the perpetually packed Food For Thought’s (FFT) 8Q SAM branch would be pleased to know the café-with-a-conscience’s latest outlet can accommodate up to 300 and has aisles so spacious you could dance down the lanes. Communal dining is encouraged, with three big concrete square tables in the middle of the indoor dining space.
What’s special: For just $8, get a generous plate of – choose three from a list of eight – scrambled eggs with cream, smoked bacon and two sunny side up eggs. The fluffy, flaky giant croissant ($4) is baked on the premises, while the pancakes ($8-$13) a generally satisfying – the banana with walnuts or dark choc and raspberries are good, and comes with a dollop of fresh cream and a heavy-handed drizzle of gula melaka sauce.
Apart from the usual Western-style breakfast dishes, this branch serves local dishes. The not-too-gooey-based mee rebus ($5) is a must-try. Arrive between 7.30am and 10am and get a cup of local black coffee, tea or iced lime tea for $1 with any local breakfast item.
Food for Thought, 1 Cluny Rd, Tanglin Gate B1
Tel: 6338 4848
Available: 7.30am to 5.30pm (daily)
[ Best for eggs Benedict ] Eggs & Berries
The buzz: The latest to join Food Junction’s stable of casual dining restaurants, Eggs & Berries is a cheery eatery decked out in faux Victorian chairs with colourful striped upholstery.
What’s special: The Eggs Benedict ($12.80) have yolks that are done to perfection –sunshine-orange that flows like lava at a poke. Served on toasted English muffins with bacon, ham, hash browns and salad, it comes with sides such as lima beans and a carved tomato topped with garlic, breadcrumbs and herbs.
We also love the buttermilk pancakes – which can be opted as a side. These are extra light and pillow-like.
Combine all of the above: Early Riser Special (offered only from 8am to 9am) set includes pancakes, a sunny-side up, bacon, sausage, hash brown and salad, all at a very pocket-friendly $8.50.
Eggs & Berries, #01-37/38 Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Tel: 6636 4212
Available: 8am to 10pm
The Big Rosti Breakfast
The buzz: All eight of Cedele’s branches serve all-day brekkies. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients – breads are homemade, the pancake batter is made in small batches, and the rosti is handcut into wafer-thin slices (instead of the usual grate into strips) and layered for better bites.
What’s special: The Big Rosti Breakfast ($14.80) is a substantial platter with pork sausages, bacon, mushrooms, eggs (scrambled, fried, sunny side up or over easy). While meat is the mainstay, the highlight is the layered potato pancake (Cedele’s take on the rosti), slightly browned and crisped on the outside. Pair this with the light mango lassi or the ABG (apple, beetroot, ginger) for only $4 a glass.
Also well done is the fruit-studded Cedele’s Pancakes ($9.80). Try the wild blueberry, and chocolate and cranberry flavours.
Cedele, #03-14 Wheelock Place
Tel: 6732 8520
Available: 10am to 10pm (daily)
#01-01/02, Great World City
Tel: 6836 1426
Available: 9am to 10pm (Mon to Thurs, till 10.30pm on Fri); 8am to 10pm (Sun & PH, till 10.30pm on Sat & eve of PH)