We celebrated a friend's birthday, and gave him a dinner at Brown Sugar located at the back of a very Community Centre sort of building.

There were 4 of us so we tried different things on the menu... Our favorite starters were the Caesar's Salad with crispy soft shell crab, and the deconstructed Waldorf salad. They were both so good that I wouldn't have minded having them as main courses! The Caesar's Salad had a perfect combination of greens, croutons, bacon and a wonderfully poached egg, which was complemented by the soft shell crab. The deconstructed Waldorf salad had the same perfect combination of apples, greens, balsamic dressing and slices of brie which, for me, just made this dish "happen"!!

We chose 4 different mains: The wagyu burger was alright... Nice texture to the patty, although the medium burger could've been less cooked; buns toasted to perfection; same for the fries; addition of the rocket salad helped "lighten" the dish... The rack of lamb was also a bit over done for a "medium"; ratatouille & polenta were nice choices of accompaniments... Seafood linguine was interestingly presented as it was baked in paper and unwrapped when brought to table... My favourite though was the Seafood Stew... You could taste the seafood stock in the full flavoured tomato based sauce, and the mussels, cod, squid, prawn, scallop, etc were nicely proportioned.

My favourite desserts were the Pear tartine with a honey fig ice cream, and the passion fruit creme brulee with green tea ice cream. The latter was accompanied by a piece of a bread stick which didn't look like anything impressive until I took a bite of it, and was stunned by a rich aromatic passion fruit flavour!

All in all, a good dining experience, with nice friendly staff!

I heard about the value-for-money Wagyu Beef burger ($28) and so my husband and I decided to try it. We went there without a reservation on a Sunday late morning and initially weren't able to get a table. But after speaking with the restaurant manager, she was kind enough to pick out a table that she was able to spare for an hour and half before the guest arrives. We figured we eat fast so that should do.

The service staff there were not exactly friendly but the restaurant manager's friendly and quality service made up for her staff's standards. We had the free flow lemon tea and cappucino which were okay. Then we ventured on our order for the 2 plates of Wagyu beef burger, medium (without the foie gras).

It was both our first time having Wagyu beef which was apparently tender. The restaurant manager assured me that I wouldn't taste of any irritating tendons in the beef which was good. The food presentation was good and the fries were quite a decent helping. The side salad was okay too though I would've preferred balsamic vinegar as dressing instead.

Now, the beef. The beef was tender and it was very nicely grilled. The amazing thing was the black truffle mushroom slices and the mushroom sauce that enveloped the top layer of the beef. My first bite was pretty amazing. The mushroom sauce combined with the tastefully grilled beef surface was exquisite. We were both very happy with it. The bun tasted great when it was warm. Lightly toasted with a nice taste of butter on it. But you gotta eat it fast or it won't taste as nice when it's cold.

Halfway through the beef, I got a little grossed out cos the meat tasted a little more rare which was something I always feared when eating medium beef. I gave that feedback to the manager and she suggested perhaps to order slightly well done the next time so the meat would be less rare but that would also compromise the tenderness I tasted on the outside.

We were both stuffed after the meal and it was a nice meal indeed. I think the next time we'll go for the Sunday brunch menu since I spotted a very nice dish that was recommended by the manager. I think people will love this Wagyu beef burger. The cooking was consistent and the portion is just right.

hearing the name of the eatery resonating in your throat already sends a tinge of delightful shivers down my spine. There is something about brown sugar.. its simplicity and yet richness of flavor that intrigues me. And so does this eatery situated in a lovely little corner of stardus clubhouse along river valley road bear a vague resemblence to the contradictory complexity of its name.

With two birthdays on hand, both falling on the same day ( f.y.i. my mum and auntie are identical twins); we had the privilege of trying out two resturants which I was given the honor of selecting. I decided to go ahead with Brown Sugar cafe and bistro. Number one, because I have yet to try it, number two, I WANTED to try it. So ...*tink*.. there goes the green light for me!

Reservations were made way way way ahead to prevent any disappointments and not to mention a whole lot of scolding if I had failed my task (which was to make the bookings of course).

And so that weekend, with a lot of baking orders on hand, my family and I together with my auntie and Trevor came together to Brown Sugar and Bistro with nothing but a whole lot of expectations...



The food was served at comfortable pace.. each course displaying a multitude of flavors and creative pairing of ingredients. Plating was superbly done as well; each dish being layout in a most appetising way. For starters, the soft shell crab with caesar salad was a sure winner; the generous portion of crisp soft shell crab giving texture to the whole dish. Home-made croutons.. i couldn't say no to that as well. I on the other hand had the resturant's famous deconstructed green apple salad with brie, toasted walnuts, argula and balsamic vinegar dressing (if i remember correctly). It was awesome.. with the brie obviously stealing the show. My aunt evidently enjoyed her warm goat cheese tart with salad on the side; with the potent melted goat cheese flowing out of the filo pastry shell, it was no wonder that she would take an instant liking to it.


left: Soft Shell Crab Ceasar Salad; Right: Wagyu Beef Burger with Foie Gras

Main courses were soon served. With a good spread of dishes ordered by the family including Oven roasted lamb rack, Wagyu Beef burger with Foie Gras, Organic Mushroom Linguine in cream Sauce and Parma Ham, Slow Roasted Pork Belly and Tenderloin Steak. If you ask me, the real winners were the Slow roasted Pork Belly and the Oven roasted lamb; despite Brown Sugar's claim to fame for their wagyu beef burger and mushroom linguine. But then again, its coming from a bias source. Someone who doesn't like beef? BAH.. don't count on it.

The night's culinary affair bumped on. With every course building up the pleasure senses to the max and reaching a crescendo at desserts. If you guys must have your sweet stuff. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do come to Brown Sugar for their desserts. soooo GOOD! We shared the Sticky Date Pudding soaked in caramel sauce served with a sprinkling of walnuts and a good scoop of gourmet vanilla bean icecream on top, Tarte tartin of pears that is paired off with a generous scoop of honey and fig ice-cream, and finally a molten chocolate cake also served with a scoop of vanilla icecream. These were excellent! with the front two hogging the limelight. The ice-cream on its alone is able to stand up in battle against Goliath! I'm definitely going back for more next time. And to tell you a secret.. the set lunch menu comprising of 3 courses is only $27 a set!!! now that's a steal!

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I'm back for my Brown Sugar dose...but.....

Service was worse than before. It's hard to get attention from the servers even though the place is not full. They even serve my food to another table who came and ordered later than me.

Food still pretty good, however I'm a little disappointed with the Hand Chopped Wagyu Burger with Foie Gras. The meat was tad dry and the bun was hard, foie gras is slightly overcooked. It doesn't have the melt in my mouth feeling like the previous time I went. I'm disappointed!

Deconstructed Apple Salad still as good. LOVE THIS!

Organic Mushroom Soup better than the previous time. Taste perfect.

Duck Confit w Ratatouille wrapped in Chinese Cabbage, Carrot Mousseline & Raspberry Jus. This duck is yummy,the carrot mousseline & raspberry jus made it more appetizing. The wonderful taste of the three "S" - Sweet, Sour and Salty. I like it. Well done!

I didn't quite like the Banana & Pineapple Crumble...but I like the Fig & Honey Ice Cream...Does that count? ;p

Looking forward to my next sugar dose...I hope it will not disappoint me again.

Set Lunch @ BROWN SUGAR is reasonably priced at $27++ for 3 course.

You can chose ONE from each course:

Appetizer

Organic Mushroom Soup
or
Salad Nicoise
or
Smoked Salmon w Tomato Salsa & Trout Roe
or
Salad of Deep Fried Mussels & Gnocchi

Main

Linguine Aglio Olio w Mushroom & Prawns
or
Oven Baked Chicken Breast w Soft Polenta, Mushroom, Broccoli & Light Truffle Cream Sauce
or
Duck Confit w Ratatouille wrapped in Chinese Cabbage, Carrot Mousseline & Raspberry Jus (+$3)

Dessert

Banana & Pineapple Crumble w Fig & Honey Ice Cream
or
Rum & Raisin Pudding w Vanilla Ice Cream & Anglaise Sauce

Coffee & Tea

*** Note that the menu change daily, so do call and check out the menu if you're thinking of trying certain dishes***

So I've read plenty about Brown Sugar and finally trooped down to the bistro with a girlfriend determined, if anything, to try out the deconstructed apple salad which many HGW reviewers have waxed lyrical about.

Ambience-wise this place, for some reason, exudes a charm that I could not help but be reminded of Whitebait and Kale (although located in a more chi chi location). Though probably half its size, Brown Sugar, like W&K is kept simple and cosy, adorned with mirrors and I'm sure the place would be pretty with lots of natural light in the afternoon.

Onto the food. I really had to hold myself from stuffing myself with their complimentary warm bread which was delish. True enough the deconstructed apple salad ($13) did not disappoint - what a delicious salad. I loved the pairing of the apple of brie cheese juxtoposed by the slightly bitter touch of the rocket leaves dressed in balsamic vinegar. I have to say that this is one of the better salads that I have tried(coming from someone who almost never orders one at restaurants). Highly recommended especially if it is your maiden voyage to Brown Sugar.

I had the beef tenderloin ($35) which scored top marks in terms of presentation. Good execution and loved the accompanying sauce (which not to worry was not overpowering etc etc) and lightly roasted vegetables.

The girlfriend had the cod ($28) which she was happy about.

For dessert I had the Tarte Tartin of Pears with Honey and Fig Ice Cream ($12) while the girlfriend had a mixed fresh fruit platter (boo!). The pear was nicely cameralised (and still firm, which was great), but I would have loved the dessert that much more if the pastry were lighter and flakier (whose outcome was perhaps influenced by the hardened caramael glazing). Paired with the ice cream with accents of the uplifting berry coulis, I thought this was an overall enjoyable dessert and a befitting end to the meal.

I spied many of the other diners enjoying the hand chopped wagyu beef burger and tackling the meat and buns with much gusto. Definitely on my must-try list (together with their brunch menu) the next time I'm back. And I'll be baaaccckk....