With every passing year, our lives constantly undergo many changes as we are faced with new experiences and challenges. Life is so full of uncertainty they say...
Well, this New Year, here's reminding you of something that will never change:
GOOD FOOD IN SINGAPORE!!!
The cafe and food scene in Singapore is pretty intense with new cafes and restaurants popping up almost every week!
Last November, another new and hip cafe just opened along Neil Road and that's none other than Botanist Sg.
Botanist is a garden-themed cafe (Ikr recently a lot of garden-themed food places) that serves mainly brunch food and coffee, brought to you by the same team from Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters and Alchemist.
Located within a shophouse along Neil Road, the entrance of Botanist can be a little tricky to find as it is located down a rather obscure alley. Most people look out for this mural wall as the landmark of the cafe's entrance.
Small indoor dining area
Outdoor garden dining concept
The cafe was really packed during our visit and we had to wait a good half an hour just for a table. I guess since the cafe is located at the heart of the Outram foodie area and also really near the CBD, it would be a really popular brunch spot especially among the working crowd.
Food Menu
Drinks Menu
Botanist has quite a big brunch menu (a lot of eggy dishes) that includes a few desserts as well. Other than food, they are also supposed to be well known for their coffee. Their popular brunch dishes include the Baked Egg ($19) and Breakfast Platter ($23). I was a quite hungry that day and the breakfast platter sounded more intense so I went for it!
//BREAKFAST PLATTER// $23
Toast, Grilled Corn, Bratwurst Sausage, Avocado, Hash, Thick cut streaky bacon, Mushroom, Tomato, Jam, Greens, and Choice of eggs (poached, sunny or scrambled)
This breakfast platter was clearly intense! The portion was huge and I absolutely loved every single part of it. My favourite part of the platter was the mushrooms and the sausages, easily an 8/10 for me!
So we were told that there were 2 popular desserts on the menu, namely the French Toast and the Pancakes. We decided to try both!
//MAPLE PANCAKE// $18
Traditional Pancake infused with Maple syrup, Creme fraiche, Nuts, Bacon, and Fresh berries
The pancakes looked good no doubt, but they tasted a little disappointing. It was reasonably sweet and tasty but the problem was that it was also a little dry which made it difficult to finish since the portion was quite big. I wouldn't give this more than a 7/10.
[photo by: Yong Wei Kai]
//FRENCH TOAST// $18
Fried brioche, Rhubarb berry marmalade, Fresh berries, Almond flakes, Poached pear, Vanilla ice cream
Now the French toast was good! I really liked how the berry marmalade mixed well with the toast and ice cream. It definitely made up for the pancakes. Between the two desserts, I'd recommend the French Toast.
[photo by: Yong Wei Kai]
So what's the verdict?
The dishes that that we tried were okay, decent cafe standard but they didn't wow us in any way. Food at Botanist is generally pricier than normal but the portions are larger than normal at the same time. If you're down here for brunch, do give their coffee a try!
I guess since the cafe is still very new, they will constantly be improving from here with all the feedback that cafe-goers like you and I give them.
I'd still consider it a pretty nice place to chill with friends though, so do check Botanist out if you're around town (Outram area-ish) and need a hearty brunch or tea time snack!
Botanist
Address: 74 Neil Road, 088839
Nearest Mrt Station: Outram Park
Phone: +65 9188 9191
Open Tues-Sun: 8am-6pm
Food: 7.5/10
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 7.5/10
Value for Money: 7/10
Website: https://www.botanist.sg/#eat-together
To check out other food to eat around Outram click here.
Cheers!
Gabs
