Bearded Bella, Tanjong Pagar
사무실로 돌아가는데 (너무너무 싫어😖😖) 새동료가 있어요. 처음에는 그냥 직원인 줄 알았는데 사실 아니고 그는 우리 해운회사의 매니징 디렉터이야. 내가 어떻게 알았져? 호보처럼 옷을 입이 야 😅🙈🙊
그 자리는 가깝지만 마스크를 제대로 쓰지 않아 😨 게다가 기침도 입을 가리지 않아. 지난 2년 동안 전 세계가 코로나 바이러스에 동안 동굴에서 살았니!?
너무 큰 바보 같은 사람 이야 😡😡👿 그 바보는 너무 짜증나서 나는 인사과에 불평했어 ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ
아직 부스터 샷을 맞지 않아서 나는 지금까지 코로나에 걸리고 싶지 않았어요. 큰 바보에게서 코로나가 걸리면 나는 진짜 화를 낼거야.
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It's been some time since I last had brunch. Notwithstanding the prevailing tendency to "eat snake" during WFH (those buggers really spoil it for the rest of us, don't they???), the exigencies of a crazy work schedule and family commitments have meant that I haven't been able to even get out of the house (or my desk for that matter) for lunch most weekdays. And then on weekends, I'm just trying to catch up on my sleep deficit, which means I'm only awake after 3pm... making brunch a non-option. 😪
But I had leave to clear (yippee) and I was in no way gonna forfeit it...and it's been a while since I last saw my work tribe, so when Santo called for a meet-up, I said an eager beaver yes, and suggested Bearded Bella.
Bearded Bella was a fortuitous discovery by way of the food delivery apps: I was craving curly fries (super random I know 😝) and The Husband wanted french toast, and well, Bearded Bella was the only place that offered both. Turned out that the brunch fare at Bearded Bella was absolutely smashing (in spite of the travel), and it's been on my to-eat-in-person list since.
To date, Bearded Bella is the closest thing to Melbournian brunch culture this side of the world. From the ambience, relaxed but buzzy; the food, creative yet hearty; to the coffee, potent and opulent...Bearded Bella is evocative of lazy Sundays Down Under.
That said, taking into account the 1.5 hour dining limitation (understandable bc restaurants need a faster turnover so as to offset losses during the pandemic), it would be great if the kitchen didn't take 35 minutes to churn out our dishes. Add to that the fact that they'd forgotten our dear LP's order, and we found ourselves scarfing down our food when our (perfectly nice) waiter came over to remind us that we were 5 minutes past our allotted dining period. We are by no means slow eaters (well, maybe except Santo hahahaa but her dish arrived earliest so that's moot), but it wasn't as leisurely as brunch is meant to be. Also, it was most "tak-glam" stuffing our faces like a hamster storing nuts in his cheeks for winter.
For those with New Year's resolutions to cut down on meat, the Koo Koo v2 ($22) was veganism at its most delicious. A crispy stack of potato rosti was layered with an assortment of sauteed Japanese mushrooms (enoki, shiitake, shimeiji), peppery arugula, ricotta cheese and truffled spinach sauce, and a perfectly poached egg dusted with chilli powder. Light, clean, refreshing.
The Epic Brekkie ($25) is catered to the English fry-up traditionalist. With an Aussie twist. Instead of potatoes, you got a sweet potato rosti that was probably even more delightful than its spud of a cousin. Instead of grilled tomatoes, you got a zesty green tomato relish. The sausage was spiked with harissa, the scrambled egg wonderfully fluffy, and as expected, the ubiquitous avocado had to make an appearance (afterall, which Oz brunch is complete without one??). I generally prefer bacon thicker-cut, but the maple undertones were a sweet surprise.
The pistachio-crusted Norwegian Salmon Rosti ($22) was meaty, flaky, and balanced with a piquant citrus-mint mayo, fresh micro sprouts, oodles of pomegranate seeds, and a snappy watercress and rocket salad.
If you're looking to up your veggie intake this year, the charred Brussels Sprouts ($12), primped with the tang of balsamic vinegar, and finished with pomegranate seeds and guanciale a-plenty, was scrumptious.
Notwithstanding that Bearded Bella is the only spot (outside of A&W) I know that serves this up, their Curly Fries ($12) was fantastic. This was so good, we all ordered takeaways for nibbling through tea-time.
Bearded Bella's White Coffee ($5.50), or as we know it, latte, is Australian-styled...so expect intense but well-balanced brews that's sure to keep you awake through interminable meetings.
Bearded Bella
8 Craig Road #01-01
Tanjong Pagar
Tel: 9880 0775
Open week days 7.30am to 5pm;
weekends from 7.30am to 6pm
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