1 Caramel

I love my sweets and usually never pass up a chance on desserts, no matter how full I am. Like I always say, desserts goes down a totally separate compartment in my tummy. No desserts deserve to face cruel rejection especially when they are presented all dolled-up and pretty (read "yummy"). So when we were strolling out of The Cathay after dinner, I couldn't resist stopping by the classy-looking 1 Caramel for some after-meal sweets.

Its Strawberry Shortcake came highly recommended and after tasting it, we could understand why. The freshness of the ingredients was unmistakable - plump, juicy strawberries halves generously embedded in the cake, with a layer of fresh cream and all encased within a flaky puff pastry. Exactly because of its wholesomeness, you will never get that 'jelak' feeling even after consuming the entire slice. My TWG Geisha Blossom Tea made the perfect partner.

We had to have chocolate so our other choice was the Moelleux au Chocolat, which is a warm chocolate cake, served with a scoop of milk and honey ice cream. Unfortunately the chocolate cake was dry and lack the richness that all chocolate cake should come with. The ice cream though provided some relief to its impassive choc buddy, tended to the saccharine side of things. If it was replaced with a tangy orange or lime sorbet, it might have improved the dire situation.

We had a good dessert and a not so fantastic one, so its kinda hard to judge if 1 Caramel lives up to the mark. But we enjoyed the fact that its a small cafe with an elegantly quiet ambience that makes it a good place to bond with a bunch of sweet-tooth girlfriends over cakes and tea. Even more amazing was that that the cafe was devoid of crowds, even though it was conveniently located within town. There are simply lots more to try at 1 Caramel and I will want to go back for more.

For more pics, drop by http://wildrocketing.blogspot.com/2010/02/one-caramel.html

What’s the best way to end your Sunday? Some real Sunday treats.

We have probably walked past this place a dozen times but each time, we will tell ourselves that we will come back for their desserts the next time.

Tucked just beside the Cathay lies a pretty little café called “1 Caramel”. I’m sure many have dined there and enjoyed the cakes. But do they live up to their name? Yes indeed.

Big glass windows and tall white chairs, coupled with an assortment of cakes on display. I like it. 1 Caramel quality cakes are all freshly baked daily.

We had three slices of cakes and some coffee to perk us up on the lazy Sunday afternoon.

1. Lychee Rose – SGD 7.90
2. Chocolate Praline Cake – SGD 7.90
3. Strawberry Shortcake – SGD8.90

Lychee Rose 

(Lychee Rose mousse with juicy lychee jelly with Valrhona ivory chocolate glaze)

Greedy me. I forgot to take pictures of Lychee Rose. This is truly a delight to have. This is certainly a cake that I might consider using for my wedding in the future. Take small little bites of it. The frosting on the top part was good as well as it wasn’t too sweet for my liking. The rose and lychee flavour goes really well together. The cake looks and tasted good.

Chocolate Praline Cake

(1 Caramel’s cocoa signature cake with varying layers of chocolate mousse and hazelnut praline feuilletine)

Chocolate Praline is perhaps one of the best combinations found in a cake. I absolutely love it. Their cake is nicely done and it wasn’t too sweet as well. I can definitely finish this cake up myself.

Strawberry Shortcake

 (Layers of fresh juicy strawberries, vanilla genoise and strawberry cream coated with puff pastry flakes baked to golden perfection)

The folks at 1Caramel places much pride in making their cakes. The main ingredient in strawberry shortcake is, of course, strawberries. And 1 Caramel’s Strawberry shortcake certainly lives up to its name.

There is nothing like the fresh taste of strawberries in a delightful soft sponge cake. To differentiate themselves from the usual strawberry shortcake, 1 Caramel did a pretty good job in adding the puff pastry flakes. Excellent Choice E. It certainly brightens up my Sunday afternoon.

I love their cakes but it will be pinch on my wallet if i were to have it that often.

My Food Journey - http://sittingwishingeating.com/

7th Jan 2010

Are Women really from Venus and Men from Mars? Evidently, our diets do differ on the most fundamental of levels. Most men enjoy cheap food that is massive in quantity, messy(think full rack ribs with much gravy) and not necessarily all that palatable as long as it fills the tummy. Women enjoy their food petite, aesthetically pleasing with a focus on taste and presentation. Men thrive on mains while women on starters and desserts. At least that's my take...

In an attempt to attain the status of a New Age Man, the male equivalent to the Tai Tai, my resolution in the fine art of dessert appreciation had advertently led me to 1 Caramel, a place known for it's chic setting and overpriced albeit laudable desserts.

My company today comprised of 3 medicine undergrads J, S and D, one of whom is a President Scholar from Cambridge, and yes, I do believe in success by association which begs the question of why I am the anomaly and outlier, at least for now haha. S mentioned that the lady who set up 1 Caramel used to be an investment banker. It is always inspiring when individuals are willing to pursue their passions at the expense of personal finances. Kudos to these leaders and pioneers! You have my utmost respect!

I am a sceptic when it comes to the consumption of exotically named chocolate drinks, coffees and teas, especially those pretty looking ones where they add in random ingredients like caramel, peppermint, cocoa powder, fruit syrups, whipped cream with marshmellows and what not, scamming individuals by charging exorbitant prices. Hence, I ordered the classic Hot Chocolate. With a flurry of whipped cream, the hot chocolate was thick and creamy with a bittersweet nutty aftertaste. It's a love hate relationship with the Hot Chocolate here, S and D thought it was good but it just didn't catch J's nor my fancy. Sharing J's sentiments, we even prefer McCafe's Hot Chocolate, the Chocolate here was just too intense for me.

The Spiced Apple Cake is very similar to the English Carrot Cake in terms of texture. Served warmed with a light snowy coat of powdered sugar, it's subtle sweetness appealed to everyone. I imagine it would go very well with coffee or tea.

Since the highly rated Strawberry Shortcake was sold out, I settled for the Chocolate Praline Cake. It was nice, especially the portion with the waffle base. But be warned, it is very heavy, rich and decadent hence by the time I reached the end of the cake which was without the praline base, I was too gelat to eat anymore. Ordering chocolate cake with hot chocolate was a big mistake too on hindsight. My hot chocolate ended up tasting bitter.

I like the staff here. Always beaming with a smile, they are unpretentious and seem to enjoy their work. Though I wasn't thoroughly impressed, the desserts here are still a cut above the average tea lounge and I will definitely be back soon to savour that highly elusive Strawberry Shortcake!

Bon Appetit!

30 Jan 2010

I was left high and dry yet again in my 2nd failed attempt to sample the signature Strawberry Shortcake. Fortunately, my Lychee Rose didn't disappoint. Layers of chiffon, lychee jelly and lychee mousse definitely went well together. Light and not overly cloyingly sweet, my only gripe was the widest portion nearing the end of the cake where there was only lychee mousse which I didn't really like on it's own.

K got himself a Mango Marscarpone Cake. Though not as good as the Lychee Rose, it was still a valient attempt and managed to hold it's own among it's counterparts in 1 Caramel.

I'm not a coffee person, Iced Chocolate being my choice of beverage on a warm Saturday afternoon. Not much to comment, it's roughly the same as TCC's. K did mention his Latte fell short.

Perhaps due to the weekend crowd, service wasn't as attentive as my previous visit.

Bon Appetit!