Timbre+: TOP 3 Places to Eat at the Hipsterish Hawker Centre in Ayer Rajah Crescent

Timbre+...

Local start-ups, local bands and strong local vibes can all be found in the hipsterish hawker centre at Ayer Rajah Crescent. Besides offering a wide variety of restaurant-grade cuisine and casual eats at affordable prices, the multi-dimensional entertainment at Timbre+ also makes it the perfect place to chill and drink with your friends.

Now open throughout the week, Timbre+ has about 17 food-partner friends. With so many different choices to choose from, I’ve picked out 3 of my favourite eateries at Timbre+ - Roxy Laksa, Kush & Portico Platos. They are written in no particular order!



1) Roxy Laksa
Nothing fanciful, simple but yet very memorable. Roxy Laksa is one of the pioneers of the Katong Laksa phenomenon which is a 64 year-old Nyonya laksa recipe that has weathered through the ebb and flow of Singapore’s economy since 1952. Started by Mr. Lim Kiok Seng with his cart parked outside the Roxy Theatre, the humble recipe has been passed down to the current 3rd generation runner, Mr. Lim’s grandson, Michael Lim.

Mr Lim ensures that all his laksas are freshly cooked everyday. His friendly persona also makes him very approachable, which explains why Roxy Laksa has a huge pool of regulars. In order to remain relevant in the competitive market, Mr Lim is very receptive to changes. He added otah to his laksa set, making it more value-for-money for his customers. A pity I didn't take a good photo of the otah because i thought it was really delicious.



The broth is cooked daily to ensure the freshness of its flavour

Mr Lim and his wife were really friendly and humorous. He directed most of the shots in the kitchen. 

The laksa broth was rich in flavour and it wasn’t very spicy. The noodles were really springy and smooth. You should also add their homemade chilli sauce into the laksa for maximum experience!


What To Order: Laksa Set with Otah
Restaurant Rating: 3.5/5
Food Ratings: 8/10 

2) Kush
Short for Kushiyaki, Kush is known for serving grilled meat and vegetables on skewers at Timbre+. Similar to its sister branch - The Quarters, Kush focuses mainly on spices and ingredients that are unique to Southeast Asia. Being the Singapore first charcoal grill skewers and rice bowls concept, Kush continues to amaze with their inspirational take on local spices and ingredients. Their skewers are well-marinated and coated with a tint of salt to enhance its flavour. 

Besides their irresistible skewers, Kush also serves Shiok Fries (A mixture of Salted Egg Fries & Chilli Crab Fries) which is still one of my favourite even up till today and Singapore-style premium rice bowls. Their addictive Durian Crème Brulee is another reason why you should visit Kush real soon.
I could already smell the skewers from a distance. The smoky flavour from the skewers makes it the perfect snack to go with an iced cold beer. You can order the party set and share it among a group of friends. With that, you can bid all your stress goodbye. You can get the Skewer Party Set at $38 or the Skewer Taster Set at $18 which allows you to enjoy a 50% discount off the Salted Egg Fries or Shiok Fries with a skewer set purchase. This promotion is valid until 31 Dec 2016.

Chicken Curry // $10.80

I was hit with a sense of nostalgia when I smelled the rice bowl. It reminded me of my grandmother’s cooking. The aromatic smell of the curry caused my saliva to form inside my mouth. I could easily finish the entire bowl by myself and I wouldn't want to share this with anyone else. 


Charcoal Grilled Grass Fed Ribeye (200g) // $24

The beef was well-marinated and cut nicely for easy sharing. Like what I've mentioned earlier, they sprinkled some salt on top of the beef to enhance its flavour. Also, there wasn’t a lot of fats in the beef, thus not jelat at all.

Shiok Fries

This was insanely addictive! I still can’t get over on how shiok the fries were. You have salted egg and chilli crab sauce, best of both worlds. My diet plans are gone!


What To Order: Shiok Fries, Skewers Set & Rice Bowls
Restaurant Ratings: 3.5/5
Food Ratings: 8/10


3) Portico Platos
Portico Platos is one of the three outlets owned by the Portico Group, alongside with Portico Prime at Dempsey and Portico Host at Alexandra. Each outlet focuses on different aspect with Platos concentrating mainly on Spanish cuisine. 

Dedicated to deliver the best seasonal and fresh ingredients to the public, the young and inspirng team at Platos worked very closely with local farmers to source for fresh produce such as clams, squid and fish. In order to create the best Spanish experience, Platos are also using authentic Spanish ingredients, like thinly sliced Jamón ibérico.

In frame, Plato’s Grilled Squid Lime & Coriander, Calamari in Szechuan Pepper & Roasted Garlic Aioli, Rockmelon Jamon Serrano & Herb Pesto Dressing, Steamed Clams in Chorizo Broth, Patatas Bravas, Black Garlic Mayo & Tomato Dressing and Seafood Paella.

Rockmelon, Jamon Serrano and Herb Pesto Dressing // $10

Grilled Squid, Lime & Coriander // $12

Calamari in Szechuan Pepper and Roasted Garlic Aioli // $8


Patatas Bravas, Black Garlic Mayo and Tomato Dressing // $8


Steamed Clams in Chorizp Broth // $10

Signature Seafood Paella // $9 (Single), $16 (Glutton) & Whole Paella Pan ($50)

The highlight of their menu will be their Signature Seafood Paella, which will be cooked right in front of guests. Limited portions will be made available in order to ensure the highest quality and freshness for patrons.

Besides their delectable Spanish mains, Platos also serves Churros as their main desserts. They only have two – Churros with Chocolate and Honey Kaya Dip and Churros Bites with Ice Cream. The Charcoal Churros with White Chocolate Sauce is only available during Christmas from 24th December -31st December 2016. The churros at Platos may not be over the top, but I was impressed with its flavour and texture. The churros were not too sweet and it was crispy. 

Churros with Chocolate and Honey Kaya Dip // $9

Charcoal Churros with White Chocolate Sauce // Only available from 24-31 December 2016


What To Order: Grilled Squid, Patatas Bravas, Paella and Churros
Restaurant Rating: 4/5
Food Ratings: 8/10



Nearest Mrt Station: One-North
Location: 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent
Hawker Rating: 9/10
Food Ratings: 9/10


Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping) 

Phat Cat Laundry: Singapore's First-Ever Laundromat-Themed Restaurant & Bar Opens at Jiak Chuan Road

Phat Cat Laundry...

Old propaganda posters, rustic Chinese wall tiles and a custom-made washing machine music player are some of the fascinating objects that will greet you when you walked into the first-ever laundromat-themed restaurant and bar in Singapore. The stereotypical Chinese exterior of Phat Cat Laundry is a stark contrast to its dark and mysterious interior, making it an ideal place to chill and drink.

Newly opened at Jiak Chuan Road, Phat Cat Laundry is a trendy restaurant and bar that serves Asian-Fusion food and drinks. What’s so attractive about this place is probably their creative cocktail menu and hearty food menu, in which patrons can paired both together to achieve maximum experience. Besides the impressive food and drinks, the friendliness of the staffs also makes the whole dining experience a memorable one. To sum up, Phat Cat Laundry is one of the best restaurant and bar that I’ve been to this year. 
Phat Cat Laundry’s signature starters are amazing! There’s really nothing bad to pick on the dishes. In frame, their Kimchi-Cauliflower Gratin, Messy Sweet Potato Fries and Truffled Prawn Egg Rolls. Besides having Happy Hours on their drinks ($5-5pm, $6-6pm & $7-7pm), Phat Cat Laundry’s starters are all priced at $10 nett every Monday. Such a good deal!


Forget-Love Water // $26

Ugni Blanc Gin, Sea Salt, Butterfly Pea Flowers, Magic

Forget love? Maybe not. But this drink definitely allows me to let loose of myself after a long day of work. This gin based cocktail is neither too strong nor too diluted, but instead it was very refreshing and soothing. The name and design of the cocktail definitely caught more of my attention than its taste. But overall, it was still an interesting concept!




Panties On Fire // $26

Vanilla Soju, Passion Fruit, Prosecco

I think most girls will like this drink. It is sweeter, and the alcoholic taste isn’t as strong as the Forget-Love Water which was mentioned above. The preparation was fascinating, so remember take out your camera and take a video of it. The passionfruit was torched to enhance its flavour. Overall, if you prefer a less alcoholic cocktail, you might want to order this citrusy flavoured cocktail.




Kimchi-Cauliflower Gratin // $14

Gratinated Fried Cauliflower On A Bed Of Chopped Kimchi

At first glance, I couldn’t figure out what it was. To me, I was more intrigued by the plating of the dish because it really looked like a piece of art. But you know what, the taste turned out to surprisingly impressive. The cauliflower and kimchi goes really well with one another. The kimchi was well-marinated, flavourful and not very spicy. On the other hand, the cauliflower was very crunchy. Together, they are a formidable combination. Definitely a good bar snack!



Messy Sweet Potato Fries // $14

Sweet Potato Fries, Gravy, Sous Vide Egg, Pickles, Fried Shallots

This messy fries definitely messed up my life but in a good way. It was so addictive and I couldn’t stop myself from eating it. I totally lost control of myself. The sweet potato fries tasted legit in the sense that I could really taste the flavour of the sweet potato. The poached egg was on point, super running and it complements the fries extremely well. Highly recommended!




Truffled Prawn Egg Roll // $14

Chunky Prawns, Black Truffle Paste, Lemongrass Aioli, Fish Roe

Not the usual crispy popiah you can find outside. This was carefully-curated and modernise because the flavour that bursts out from my mouth after having a bite was simply insane. All the combination works so well together that I don’t really have anything bad to pick on. The truffle smell and taste was strong and aromatic. Definitely one dish I wouldn’t want to miss if I’m at Phat Cat Laundry!



Crab Noodles // $18

Bucatini, Lump Crab Meat, Sweet Chili-lime Beurre Blanc, Fried Garlic

This photo does not do the Crab Noodles any justice at all. The flavour was good but I thought it could have been better if the flavour was a bit stronger. They were also very generous in the amount of crab meat they put in the noodles. It wasn’t as dry as what it looks like. The sweet chilli-lime beurre blanc makes the overall dish very exciting and interesting. 



Mushroom and Bone Marrow Fried Rice // $16

Wild Mushrooms, Ginger, Soy, Mirin, Furikake, Sunny-side Up Egg

Simple dish but so delicious. The fried rice has this wok flavour which I don’t know how to describe it but it was really tasty. The rice wasn’t too sticky or hard and the egg just completes the entire dish perfectly. 




Brontosaurus Char Siu Beef Ribs // $25

Gigantic Slow-cooked Beef Rib, Char Siu Glaze, Side Of Red Cabbage Slaw

This was my favourite dish at Phat Cat Laundry. The beef ribs were so tender and juicy. The beef was definitely well-marinated because each mouthful was just so enjoyable. The portion was also very big which I couldn’t finish it alone. This is a must-order!


Pineapple Brulee // $10

Yogurt, Tea-infused Honey, Candied Walnuts

The pineapple was torched before it was served to enhance the sweetness and flavour. It was really very sweet. The sourness of the yoghurt neutralises the sweetness from the pineapple, making the sweet-sour combination very memorable. The candied walnuts add a further crunch to the overall dessert experience.


Affogato // $10

Coffee Ice Cream, Warm Coconut Cream, Cocoa Crispies, Coconut-gula Melaka Cream

Woah! My first impression of the dish was bad. I thought that there was nothing special about this dessert but it turns out to be astounding! The coffee and coconut flavour did not overpower one another. The two flavours were relatively balanced with each flavour complimenting each other very well. The cocoa crispies added a crunchy texture to the soft and silky ice cream. I could eat three bowl of this goodness by myself. Not kidding at all!







Thank you Phat Cat Laundry and State for the invitation and great hosting!



Nearest Mrt Station: Outram Park
Location: 4 Jiak Chuan Road
What To Order: Messy Sweet Potato Fries, Beef Ribs and Affogato
Restaurant Rating: 4.5/5
Food Ratings: 9/10

Written by: Yong Wei Kai (Follow me on Instagram @yongweikai or @sgcafehopping)
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