Given Singapore’s ever-changing and fiercely competitive culinary landscape, it’s heartening to see a restaurant or a bar – especially one that’s helmed by a local talent – grow from strength to strength over the years. Renowned pastry chef Janice Wong’s 2am:dessertbar is one such establishment: the wonderful dessert spot has been in Holland Village since 2007, and has evolved into the intimate restaurant-gallery-bar it is now.
So, instead of putting together our top picks around the Western neighbourhood, we got the amicable Janice to spill her favourite hangouts near her workplace. Read on for her recommendations, in her own words, around where to have dim sum, some Mexican grub, fix your eyebrows, and more in Holland Village.
“There’s so much to see and do here in Holland Village; there are Indian, Chinese, Japanese restaurants, spa places, bakeries, bars – it’s a very unique neighbourhood and that’s what I love about Holland Village.
“A lot of people only visit the ground level shops in the neighbourhood. Many aren’t aware that there are more shops on the second level of these buildings! For example, if you walk up the flight of stairs beside El Patio Mexican Restaurant & Wine Bar (34 Lorong Mambong), you’ll find a spot where you can do your eyebrows (Rupini’s, 34A Lorong Mambong) and get cupcakes (Plain Vanilla, 34A Lorong Mambong).
The iconic windmill at the heart of Holland Village, Singapore
“I like to go to Holland Village Market & Food Centre (1 Lorong Mambong) for local dishes like minced pork mee pok (flat yellow egg noodles). Over at Chip Bee Gardens, there’s Original Sin (#01-62, 43 Jalan Merah Saga), a vegetarian Mediterranean restaurant that I love – it’s been around for ages.
“Food and drink aside, you have to come here for a spa treatment. There’s Qi Mantra (18A Lorong Mambong), My Happy Feet (21A Lorong Mambong)… for a small enclave like Holland Village, there are about five or six choices, which is pretty amazing!
“For a dessert with local flavour, pop by 2am:dessertbar for Shades of Green, which consists of a pistachio sponge, coco mousse, and pandan gula melaka (palm sugar) custard.
Monocle Cafe at Holland Village, Singapore
“If you’re spending a day in Holland Village, start with a dim sum (Cantonese-style bite-sized food) breakfast at Crystal Jade Kitchen (2 Lorong Mambong). In the afternoon, get a massage, then walk over to Chip Bee Gardens for a nice cup of coffee at the new Monocle Café (74 Jalan Kelabu Asap, pictured above). For dinner, pick one of the many ramen (Japanese soup noodles) outlets for Japanese fare. Then, hit up Wala Wala Café Bar (31 Lorong Mambong) for great live music and post-dinner drinks.”
2am:dessertbar, 21A Lorong Liput Singapore 277733, p. (65) 6291 9727.
This article is first published in the second edition of Singapore Insider. Pick a copy at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the digital version.