There are many blogs written about Artichoke Cafe that I read on line. Here's my impression after I saw and ate there. Many thanks to my son and daughter-in-law for bringing us. The experience is doubly exciting for me having found it on line (and thought what a nice place to go) while I was checking out the edible gardens in Singapore.
I thought at first that the cafe is in a garden,
"a garden ambiance could be relaxing", I told myself;
but there was no garden at all, except for two or three tall potted plants outside looking uncared for and a 3-tier open shelf of unknown seedlings in big plastic vats inside. I am guessing that the staff has more pressing things to attend to than nurture the plants especially when they have a lot of customers. In spite of the casual-we-don't-bother ambiance, my son said you can't go in on weekends without a reservation. We noticed a long queue outside.
If I were looking for a garden ambiance, it sure was a let-down, but I was not disappointed, the menu is interesting, the crowd tame and everyone seemed to be enjoying their brunch.
In their website I learned that the master chef-restaurant owner, Bjord Shen is described as "notorious for his rebellious personality and outlandish method of cooking". He is the author of the Artichoke cookbook, lectures at the culinary school of America, consults with restaurant openings, and is also a multi-awarded chef among other things.
When I go to a new restaurant, I don't order safe or familiar; I always want to taste something new, something that I could perhaps add to my cooking repertoire; or if not, at least to taste a new dish. This time I was adventurous as always so I ordered the "Haloumi and Mushrooms", have you ever heard of that?
It consists of smashed avocado, Kranji farm mushrooms, tomato salad, mizuna and Turkish toast and of course, the Haloumi; a cheese made of sheep's and goat's milk that tasted like it was grilled. These chunks tasted pretty much like the Filipino cottage cheese but doesn't easily melt. Mizuna is a peppery green leaf with mustard plant taste but milder than arugula. It was interesting as well as yummy, I had my fill of thick and chunky mushrooms which I like very much.
My drink was not a soda, nor the traditional iced tea, I ordered yet something I haven't tasted before, their home-made lemonade with red seeds floating in the drink, they were passion fruit seeds I learned later.
My husband and daughter-in -law ordered safe; the Artichoke fried chicken with fries and coleslaw. Another interesting dish was my son's order, Lamb Shakshouka. Two eggs baked in an skillet, spiced tomato sauce, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, green chili harisso, kewpie yougurt served with pita.
It was around half past one when we were done but many were still outside waiting to get in. We went looking for a cozy place to drink coffee and we found that in a quaint place in a small bakery that serves great coffee and mouth-watering pastries. The experience made my day.
