Wild Honey (Mandarin Gallery)

And it's one of the (rare) days when I happened to be in town on a weekday. Thus, I decided to head down to Wild Honey, after having not returned here for more than a year. Or even 2. Ha! =) The place was very empty at 4pm. Two tables were taken when we came, and for a good 15minutes, we had the whole place to ourselves. (^^lll) Haha.

Ordering can be a little tricky cause everything's written on a chalkboard. And there's no gaps in between. Everything is colorful and shouting at you. Luckily there's an iPad with photographs to help us better select what we want.

And from the menu (via the iPad), my Mom and I ordered:-

1) European, $18 - Eggs benedict done the Wild Honey way. This is nice. A must try. I absolutely love how they used parma ham instead of the normal bacon. It gave the dish an interesting and yummy twist. Although the eggs could have been poached better so that the yolk flows when it's poked. But I always say, it's not easy to poach eggs! And the bread deserves to be mentioned too. Toasted lightly such that it's crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy in the inside. I even thought the bread was slightly sweet to the taste!

2) English, $22 - One cant go wrong with this. Big baked beans which my Mom enjoyed though I thought it was slightly spicy, while the scrambled egg has a slightly milky taste. The serving is huge though. And no, I wont say the serving is generous cause it does not come cheap either.

All in all, it's a pleasant hi-tea, being able to relax and enjoy the ambience of the place. Though I am not sure if I will say the same about 'relaxing and enjoying' if the place is packed to the brim.

---------------------------------------- ----------

I am a blogger too! Blog address: link

2 signature food - "Tunisian" and "European" - http://phuachiuyen.blogspot.com/2012/04/wild-honey.html

Please try the "European" signature, their version of eggs benedict. You will NOT regret. Enough said!

I am a breakfast lover but I don't like waking up early on the weekends for it (an oxymoron, I know) so when Wild Honey opened with their all-day breakfast menu, I was in heaven. Well, breakfast heaven at least.

To date I have tried their English breakfast, Tunisian, Sweet Morning and Scandinavian.

I'll start with portion size. If you want a hearty breakfast, don't go for the Scandinavian. The portions were a pittance. I wanted to have a healthy breakfast but was left hungry and unsatisfied after having it. The salmon was also not particularly flavourful and quite bland. The English breakfast is a good solid breakfast, the Tunisian felt abit like having stew with bread and if you want something sweet not savoury, Sweet Morning is good for hitting that sweet tooth craving.

Let's start with the good:

The setting is nice, feels chilled with just the right amount of chatter going on around you. Feels cozy as well so it's good for couples and friends catching up over the weekend.

If they serve bread with your dish, then pastry lovers are in for a treat. It is just the right combination of soft and chewy and always leaves me wanting to eat more.

They serve breakfast all day.

Even if there is a long line, you leave your name and they'll call you when its one table before your turn. Allows you to walk around Orchard instead of planting your a** there and having to wait for the hour to crawl by.

Now onto the bad:

Their waitstaff have always had an attitude problem, I don't know where this false sense of 'better than thou' mentality comes from but needless to say, it's uncalled for. However on my recent visit, it seems to have toned down a little.

Juice is 10 bucks, coffee is 9 bucks. Their coffee isn't gastronomically yummy, it's okay but okay doesn't warrant that sort of price tag. 10 bucks for juice? Unless fairies and unicorns were used to squeeze the juice out of the fruits, I don't see how you can justify the 10 bucks either.

The food isn't as tasty or as satisfying as I remembered it to be. I'm one who can eat the same thing for years and not get sick of it but this most recent trip was disappointing. There was something about my Sweet Morning dish that was lacking. I couldn't quite pinpoint it but when it arrived, it did not look as enticing as it always had. The mangoes didn't taste that great, the clotted cream different in consistency and the bread seemed soaked and limp. I remember having to actually dig for the mangoes because it looked like they had forgotten to stuff them in. I think it's pointless if you give small pieces of mangoes, the novelty of having mango slices in french toast would be lost. And it tasted like it; was like french toast you could get elsewhere.

All in all, it was disappointing to find that my favourite Sweet Morning dish was beginning to lose it's appeal. Maybe mangoes weren't in season when I tried it but it'll make me think twice before I head back and it'll probably be awhile before I do. With all the new breakfast type places popping up, I'll be hard-pressed to find good reason to go back to Wild Honey.

I went there quickly to have a breakfast. I chose the European one, which was ok, but i was kind of disapointed about the place. I've heard a lot about it, like THE new bruch place in Orchard, but finally, the dishes I had were not that exceptionnal. I regret not having came back to Laurent@Portsdown, where the brunch I had was, this time, much better, in a relaxing area, instead of the noisy Orchard. I will rather come back to Portsdown...

Popped by Wild Honey last weekend for Brunch with a girlfriend. I got there at 'bout 1215pm on a Saturday and they were already running at full house. We were told the wait would be about an hour. So we left our name & contact nos. True enough, it took about an hour before we were seated.

My friend and I both ordered Eggs Benedict and English Breakfast tea. Their eggs benny comprised of 2 poached eggs on a bed of sauteed mushrooms on top of a thick brioche. The poached egg's wrapped with parma ham. And covered generously in hollandaise sauce. I've been on a hunt for the bestest Eggs Benny in town. And this, I must say, was one of the bestest I've tried. I mean, parma ham + poached eggs + sauteed mushroom + hollandaise sauce = PERFECT COMBO! It was awesome. My only gripe was that the bread was kinda thick. But then again, I'm no fan of bread.

Another thing, the service at Wild Honey was impeccable. Food was served pretty fast - I was pleasantly surprised. Thought we'd have to wait another half an hr or so for the food to arrive given the nos of orders. But food came within 10mins. They cleared our plates almost immediately too. Which gave us more space on the table to better enjoy our tea. I clumsily dropped my knife (in slow mo) whilst sipping my tea. And the server swooped in (almost immediately), picked up my knife, and handed me another clean one. Like WOW. It's been a long time since I've had such prompt service.

So, in short. Great food, great service. Don't know what's not to like. Think I'll try the Scotts branch next. I hear they take reservations.

For the full review and pictures, visit The Cinnamon Sheep!

There has been a rise in the number of restaurants which serve All-Day Breakfast or Weekday Brunch in Singapore. With restaurants such as Hatched, Group Therapy Cafe, Jones the Grocer, eM By the River, Food For Thought and now Marmalade Pantry at the Stables, having upscale delicious Western food for breakfast is no longer a problem. Well, I mean with the ever so versatile Eggs - poached, scrambled, fried, sunny side up etc. - Waffles, French Toast... who doesn't like love breakfast? Breakfast first thing in the morning, breakfast for lunch, breakfast for dinner, I wouldn't mind :) After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! 

Wild Honey is a relatively new, well not that new, addition to this group of All-Day Breakfast restaurants. Its first outlet on the 3rd floor of Mandarin Gallery was a hit when it first opened and my mum became head over heels about it pretty soon. Despite the fact that it accepts no reservation and queuing up is an absolutely arduous affair, my mum will always drag us there with every opportunity that she has (in other words, she would go there everyday if I don't stop her). On average, we'd wait for 15 minutes. The longest wait took 1h. Yes I'm serious, I was whining already, but she wanted it her way. 

Wild Honey's menu isn't written on paper. Their menu is creatively written on a chalkboard and when words fail, they have an iPad placed at the counter for graphic representation of the food. Most of the breakfast items are egg related and associated with different countries such as Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Yemen, Canada. A culinary trip around the world indeed! So after getting a table, you would have to walk to the counter, make your order and pay on the spot. Your food will then be delivered to you. 

Californian (V): Eggs softly scrambled with tofu, yellow and red peppers, fresh herbs on char-grilled ciabatta. The eggs had a little bite but were still soft and creamy. Everything came together well on the nicely toasted piece of ciabatta. It was a nice hearty dish I would say, but definitely not as fascinating as the other dishes on the menu. 

Wild Honey's special Eggs Benedict of the day: Two perfectly poached eggs, smoked salmon, avocado, asparagus, topped with fish roe on toasted homemade brioche and hollandaise sauce. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The yolk was not too runny, but not too stiff either, just creamy and thick the way I like it. The fish roe was definitely a nice touch and something unusual. Together with the smoked salmon, it added a nice saltiness to the entire dish. The hollandaise sauce was thick and creamy and slightly sweet. Delicious :) 

One complain would be that there is still a 10% service charge despite the fact that there is no menu, and you would have to go to the counter and make the order yourself. Also, if you're planning to come here on a weekday and have brunch/breakfast, please come before 12. If not, you could come at odd timings like 4 or 5, or even come for dinner! If you're planning to come here for a weekend brunch, please come before 11 (Yes I mean, like at 10 +). 

Having tried almost all their items, I've got to say that almost every dish is unique in its own way. From the simple salads to the fanciful sandwiches and egg dishes, Wild Honey adds their own touch and gives us their perspective of the way various cultures start their day with their western ingredients. Priced at around 20 bucks for each item, Wild Honey is definitely not cheap. That's the one thing which I'm sure throws most of you off. 

Nevertheless, Wild Honey is a rather laid back cafe with a European decor and exudes a homey feel (despite the fact that it can get rather crowded and noisy, I don't know why but I still feel at home!). Yellow dim lights with music playing in the background. It's nothing fancy and fussy, but its rather cosy and intimate ambience is suitable for any occasion. Wild Honey is a nice addition to the restaurants in Orchard, given that there aren't many All-Day Breakfast places in Orchard.  At Wild Honey, you are given the freedom to have delicious elegant  breakfast any time. So never mind those service charge or cramp feeling, Wild Honey's a perfect place to go any time, amidst the bustling and hustling of the city :) 

"Our grandmothers were right when they said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And you've probably noticed that over the years, breakfast and brunch has grown beyond the simple human need to 'break the fast' after a night's sleep. You could say that breakfast is a modern meal." 

http://sofood.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/wild-honey-sg/

At the entrance, we were greeted, and put on the waiting list and phone number because it was full house already (only bar seats were available which is not my favourite mode of having a meal-  umm, due to my short legs).

After less than 10 minutes (Wed), I received a call back and we got a nice table by the window.

                                         Tunisian breakfast S$18++

This baked egg dish came with two in house baked thick toasts and a refreshing tomato & cucumber salsa.

Spiced up with a pronounced hint of cumin, egg yolks were still runny, good.

                                           European breakfast S$18++

I liked this combination where fragrant browned mushroom slices were used as the base.

Whole dish worked well, just a little dry, wished there were more Hollandaise sauce. The egg yolks were a little past runny.

Overall, we enjoyed the meal here.

Two breakfast mains and a cup of cappuccino (S$6++) set us back about S$50 for a brunch. I think it’s overpriced so trying it once was good enough.

Loved the egg Benedict, but not keen to be back as there are many other nice and reasonably priced cafes yet to explore still.

First, the good stuff. Wild Honey (Cafe) proclaims they do "Beautiful Breakfast, All Day", and that they do. Food is presented beautifully, and tastes great.

Popular favorites at Wild Honey (Cafe) include the European, which is their version of Eggs Benedict. The poached egg yolk is nice and runny, and the prosciutto ham adds a nice salty flavour. They claim to make their own Brioche bread, and I like that it's toasted nicely on the outside, while still having a fluffy interior. 

Another favourite is the Tunisian, which is served with spicy chorizo sausage. The spiciness of the dish is offset by the tomato stew and eggs it's served with. 

 

Portions are generally large and quite filling, even for big eaters. 

Ambience is homely, and the different types of furniture used, and small interior of Wild Honey (Cafe) add to the cottage feel. 

I've tried many places for Brunch with my gf, and this is the place she likes best. 

 

 

Now, the not-so-good stuff. Waiting times can range from long, to the ridiculous. Due to the small outlet space, average waiting time is 15 to 20 minutes. During peak periods, like breakfast, lunch or dinner hours, waiting times can stretch up to 60 to 90 minutes. 

 

While the food is good, in my opinion, it's not good enough to warrant waiting anything more than 40 minutes. 

 

Tip: Go in pairs, couples generally have a shorter waiting time, as compared to groups of 4 or more. 

 

Then, there's the much reviled 10% service charge. You actually have to queue and order your own food at the cashier, so understandably, some may feel it's not justified. Personally, I feel the service charge is for them to bring your food, clear the tables, and to call you from the waiting list when a table is available, so I'm alright to pay a little extra. 

Also, they don't serve water. 

Prices are also steep, as compared to other Brunch places. 

I would personally visit again, (and have), but I suggest going at non-peak periods, to reduce your waiting time. 

Update: Their new outlet at Scotts Square is actually more spacious, so the waiting time is much shorter... Plus they accept reservations! Also, they actually have service here... As in the staff actually serve you and take orders. Plus, the overall ambience is much nicer. If possible, visit this outlet instead.

Food wise, I thought the portioning was rather disappointing as compared to Antoniette. The plates were huge but the portion wasn't.

Taste wise, it wasn't bad but it didn't have that WOW kind of factor.

Tables were rather cramped up and we had to pay for service charge where we had to place our order at the counter?? So basically, you pay for ice water through the service charge and the occasional appearing of the waitresses to clear your plate.

The major turn off was that the waitress had to ask us to leave just because we weren't ordering any more food and drinks. The waitress was polite about this.

It's the restaurant policy that spoils the whole dining experience. Maybe the management should look into this policy and review their policy.

Till then, I probably won't return. Cheers.

Where do I begin...

1st there was a 45 min wait on a Sunday morning.  The hostess was very friendly and professional so at first I thought it was worth the wait.

Then when we got seated the table was still dirty from the previous table and the hostess told me to hold the menu and what she was holding so that she can spray the table clean!  The waitress refused to help her as her hands were tied.  Strike 1.

Strike 2: no soft drinks dont see why.  And further they brought out or drinks separately vs. together.

Strike 3: My hot latte was served in a water glass with no handles.  Glass=hot=cannot hold.  I had to further ask for napkins just to hold the hot water glass where my latte was not to be served in to begin with.

Overall, this was the first and prob. the last time I go here.  The service was just lousy, and the food did not compensate enough to go back.