The setting is a simple, almost homely cafe style restaurant. Most of the seating is outside (al-fresco, as an estate agent would say), in simple wooden furniture, serviced by fans. Didn't go inside but the seating there looked distinctly cramped. If you're heat-allergic like me, definately don't go there in your 100 million-dollar Gucci-styled best.
Menu options looked very..well, "blah", if that's a descriptive term. Oh well - how about ordinary, unexciting, run-of-the mill? Menu options on the chalk boards looked a little better - special roast chicken (serves 2), pork knuckle (serves 2), NZ salmon, pork meatballs (sorry, blah!), roast leg of lamb.
Tried the roast leg of lamb. Reasonably good, tender, and savoury, but the accompaniments were relatively ... blah? Friends had the NZ salmon which was sweet, tender and juicy (but pricey at $40!) and the pork chops (which were reported to be good, but I didn't try!). The accompanying mashed potato was a little bit salty, but this may be picking at straws.
Dessert was a baked cheesecake, almost New York style but with raisins. Homely, but not knock-your-socks off, if I could be picky.
Critical? Well, I *am* hard to please.
Service was friendly and good. No fault there at all (see above, under picky and hard-to-please...)

Lets cut to the chase this time round all the foreword and niceties skipped.

Took the Roast Chicken stuffed with rice and chestnut (serves 2) for $38.90 and a side of Mash potatoes ($4.20).

Mash is nicely done, slightly on the buttery side but I liked it - though I must admit I am a potato person... =)

Roast Chicken is decent though the breast is a little on the dry side (but still ok) and the skin lacks a crisp skin that is a signature of a nicely roasted chicken. Still on the whole a hearty dish.

The only weird part (for me) is that they gave some chilli sauce for this dish as well as "chicken drippings" that doesn't seem to quiet fit in anywhere. The chilli can go with the "coconuty" tasting rice but with the chicken doesn't add up too well. That being said, I do like the rice stuffing because of the crisp of the water chestnuts and the sweet tasting chestnuts.

This is not "good authentic" western food by most measure but it is a place with honest, homey western style food that is enjoyable. It is a tad expensive considering this is ulu changi village. The $20+ per head is for a simple roast chicken is more typical of "town" rather than "outskirts" pricing, where rental is much more expensive and prices need to be higher. Good thing is there is no GST or service charge which I guess is factored into the price hence the slightly higher price for ulu location.

If I am in the vicinity I may be back but even for someone living in the east (call me lazy) I don't see myself traveling so far for this...

Certainly a hidden find, well worth my effort of taking the long, scenic route there by Changi Coast Road from ECP (note: the Loyang Ave way is a shorter way than Changi Coast Road). Parking is readily available across the road, behind block 5 and also at Changi Village Hotel. The bus interchange is directly across the road.

Decor is old style, giving the rustic village, homely kind of feel. You can see the Christian influence of the owners on the walls. Sunset seems like a good time to be here (although you don't get much of a sea view), or on a lazy afternoon, or a late breakfast on Saturday (note: they're closed on Sundays).

They had so many items on the menu, and at least 4 daily specials - hard for a new customer to decide. Very tempting pork knuckle, various German sausages, leg of lamb, game hen and many more. Personal favourite of one of the staff (I guess she's one of the owners?) - goulash.

So I went with that, had the beef goulash ($13.50). The goulash came in a very large portion - a full plate - more than enough for one. I also had the leg of lamb (one of that day's special - $25.90 with minestrone soup and coffee), and one more coffee ($3.80).
All of that - a very filling dinner for 2 - for $43.20 net! Outstanding value!!

I second the opinion that the bread rolls here are excellent! It's crisp on the outside, hot and very easily broken and soft on the side. The goulash was also very good, and I enjoyed my leg of lamb with mint.

They have a selection of table wines and beers like Erdinger to go with their food.

Service is warm and friendly. They are happy to engage you or to leave you be if you request. While I was there, someone came in to order to be eaten at the Bambooze a few doors down the block - they happily oblige.

No wonder all five reviewers before me would definitely return - so will I! I wish I had a diner like that down where I live!

Hidden in the sleepy enclave of rustic Changi Village is a small and unpretentious diner by the name of Jacob’s Cafe, which is seemingly popular judging from the healthy crowd size on a Friday evening.

Jacob’s offers both indoor and al fresco dining although the bulk of the seats are in the al fresco area, with only about 4 tables indoor. The interior revolves mainly around wood, which gives the place a nice homely touch. They could do something about the indoor ventilation though, as the food fumes from the kitchen were rather evident.

Bread Roll - Although the bread roll wasn’t complimentary, it deserves a writeup simply because it was excellent. This is probably one of the best I’ve eaten in a long long time (the best is still in France though). Crackling crisp on the outside yet warm and fluffy on the inside. Definitely good enough to be eaten on its own! Pity about the packaged butter and hefty $1 price tag per roll though.

Cream of Chicken and Corn & Minestrone - Both soups were a tad too starchy. The cream of chicken and corn had bits of chicken and corn in it but did come across as a wee bit too salty for my liking. The minestrone was well, average.

Stuffed US Roast Chicken - A special at Jacob’s, I was enticed by the promise of roast chicken stuffed with rice, chestnuts and cashews - a blend of east and west. First looks, the chicken was slightly larger than average and spotted a healthy sheen on the skin. Sadly, it didn’t quite taste up to my expectations as the filling was a tad soggy and didn’t taste anything out of the ordinary. The meat was tender and juicy though. Overall a decent dish without all the bells and whistles. Please note that the chicken is meant for 2 average eaters, so if you have 2 big eaters, it would be best to order something else.

Apple Crumble & Pecan Pie - Imagine my surprise when I spotted pecan pie on the menu. Its probably about as rare as flash floods in Singapore. Surprise turned to disappointment as the crust was too hard and tasteless. The pecan nuts were a whisker too dry as well. A totally huge contrast from the ones I had in North America.
The apple crumble didn’t quite meet the mark as well. Dry and tasteless would be most apt in describing it.

A very filling dinner cost about $48, which isn’t too expensive if you ask me. Food is generally decent and very homely. Service is excellent and I’ve honestly never felt more at home anywhere else. At this point of writing, I’ve already been there thrice so I guess that says something?

See all my pictures here

Nothing better than a hot beef stew and a spicy curry on a cold day. These were thoughtfully served with piping hot bread to mop up the gravy. Popped by to Jacob's for lunch yesterday after a 2-year absence.

The stew seemed to have gotten better, but what's been consistent is the hot piping bread served as a side. This may not qualify as rustic home-made bread rolls (suspect they are pre-baked delifrance loafs sold in supermarkets, but then I could be wrong), but the fresh tasting bread gave the stews an edge.

Back to the stew, hearty with chuncks of beef, carrots and button mushrooms. The curry I had was tasty and not oily. The meals came with free lemonades that boasted a nice tangy kick.

All in all a good meal ($17 for 2 stews) with nice attentive service.

ps: Pick the alfresco area over the air-conditioned one if you do not want to be reminded of your lunch three hours later.