Nectarie le'Dessert Patisserie

At The Cannery of Clarke Quay, most of the action transpires after dusk. However, it is a little known fact that the area is also charming in the day with establishments such as Nectarie le'Dessert Patisserie, brought to you by the same people behind the uber-hip Ministry of Sound, Aurum and Café del Mar. Opened in the first quarter of 2007, this little patisserie-deli is serving up delectable bites and alluring desserts, all in an experience conceptualized by executive chef Edward Voon. Personally for me, it was because of an earlier soft launch party at Lunar that i actually discover this little 'alley' sized dessert house.

Fronted by tall glass windows, its name encrypted in golden letters, the place has adequate seating afterall despite it being of high stools and table tops. There's quite a wide selection at the counter as it stretches down the entire length of the interior. For the perfect way to while away your afternoon, perch yourself atop one of these chairs with a cup of tea in hand and watch the world go by. The al fresco seating is more comfortable (white shell with pink cushion egg chairs) and its tables can accommodate bigger groups of people.

Wj and I both went with the popular choice of a berry-laden Strawberry Shortcake ($6). The sides were stuck with thousand and one almond flakes which will sent those nutty intolerant people to a cardiac arrest. I dun mean it in a bad way of cos....while on the insides it was layered with soft layers of soft sponge cake with infils of fresh cream and sliced strawberries. The strawberries were sour sweet, just right while the little red berries sent shivers down my spine and straight to my temples! IT WAS BLOODY SOUR!!!!

The other favourite was a rich, bitter-sweet Chocolate Terne with Coconut Mousse ($6). My parents settled for a made to order waffle which took especially long with a scoop of their hyped up ice-cream.

There is no better way to enjoy your dessert than with a cup of good tea. The fragrant Peony Jade ($6.50) is really an agreeable choice as the flavour is light and subtle with a naturally sweet tinge that does not overpower your taste buds. Freshly brewed from tea leaves, their white teas are very popular with patrons as they are touted to be the least processed.

Specializing in desserts, the food selection is rather limited to a handful of sandwiches, quiches, soups and salads. Nevertheless, items like the sandwiches are reasonably priced from $6 for a Grilled Ham and Cheese, to $8 for a Roast Beef. Add $8 to the price of your sandwich and get a set meal consisting of a soup, dessert and house coffee/tea.

Those working nearby, I heard that they have a very interesting Duck Confit with Truffle Quiche ($6.50), served with a small side of mesclun salad. Tender slivers of savoury duck meat is added to an egg mixture and baked in a thin pastry crust, resulting in a warm medley of textures. Ask for some honey dill mustard to heighten the flavours of the quiche and enjoy every single bite. (Think there is some promotion going on from 3pm-5pm, check it out...)

Freshly prepared to order, the strudels here are a must-try. With interesting creations such as Sarawak Pineapple Chutney & Tamarind and Alphonso Mango with Lemongrass, making up your mind might be the hardest hurdle to cross. However, for something tangy and uplifting, try the Wild Strawberries & Balsamic Thyme ($6). While the berry compote is a little sharp with the acidity, it complements the sweet custard in a perfect marriage of flavours. Unlike strudels you will find elsewhere, the presentation is faultless as each ingredient is carefully layered and not jumbled to form a chaotic mess.

oh wells, hopefully, when i next return back to singapore, i might be able to sample their chocolate cake and a cuppa tea in a cooling afternoon, watching passerbys come and go and stare at me, wandering 'how come she doesnt have to work' look. hahah.