Alice Boulangerie Review: Popular CBD Cafe With New Laksa Paella, Black Sesame Latte And More

Alice Boulangerie is a popular cafe in Tanjong Pagar

The last time we visited Alice Boulangerie in 2021, we got to try some of their signature desserts: bi-colour croissants, pistachio dacquoise, and kopi-misu. This time, though, I was excited to try their new savoury offerings in their newly revamped space, which can now seat 70 diners—a jump from the initial 45.

Food at Alice Boulangerie

I had a fancy start to my meal with their Seared Foie Gras Toast ($32++), an appetiser comprising seared foie gras atop house-made brioche, complemented by fig and balsamic compote. It’s then finished with a herb salad on the side, and adorned with pickled golden raisins and pistachios for some textural variety.

This dish was exactly how I imagined it to be: rich and buttery. The first few bites were moreish, but the gamey flavours soon got to me, and I would have struggled to finish this on my own if I hadn’t shared it with my colleague.

Their Otak Prawn Croquette ($19++), though, was memorable as I really enjoyed the inclusion of local flavours in this starter.

The finely minced halibut and tiger prawn were mixed with Asian spices, and then deep-fried in Japanese breadcrumbs, resulting in an incredibly delicious snack. I appreciated the generous seafood filling, which contrasted well with the thin and crispy crust.

Remember to dip the croquette in the tangy kaffir lime mayonnaise on the plate as it helps to mellow down the spiciness!

Before moving on to the mains, I took a sip of their Houjicha Cream Latte ($8++) to cleanse my palate. The drink was mildly sweet, earthy, and roasted all at once, and I liked that it wasn’t astringent even towards the end. If you’re not a hojicha fan, there’s also the Black Sesame Latte ($8++) for a smooth blend of coffee and nutty black sesame cream. 

For something fruity, try the Lychee Macchiato ($9++): espresso, milk, lychee puree, and strawberry. Do note that this drink leans on the sweeter side. 

On to the mains: I was impressed with the Laksa Paella ($46++), a Spanish classic with a local twist. This hearty dish features traditional Spanish paella rice cooked in a house-made laksa gravy.

While the saffron- and laksa-flavoured rice was tasty on its own, it was the variety of ingredients that made this dish pop: you get quail eggs and grilled seafood, including octopus, black mussels, and tiger prawn. And just like any regular bowl of laksa, the paella is finished with crispy beancurd puff and aromatic laksa leaves.

The paella rice was cooked just right—soft but not sticky nor chunky—and made flavourful with the rich, coconutty laksa gravy. All the ingredients were fresh, especially the springy octopus that came in huge, chunky pieces.

My colleague, on the other hand, preferred the Sakura ‘Cherry Blossom’ Pork Loin ($60++). There are several components to this dish: grilled tender pork marinated in honey mustard, spices, and herbs, alongside charred mustard greens, spiced apple puree, and creamy green peppercorn sauce. 

The pork is grilled over charcoal for a charred flavour and juicy texture—both were successfully achieved. I also liked that there were bits of roasted hazelnuts, pickled golden raisins, and chives atop the meat, which added some textural variation to the tender meat.

My two gripes were the overly charred mustard greens and the hefty price tag of this dish. The mustard greens helped to cut through the greasiness of the pork, but they were way too smoky and charred, making it a tad difficult to finish. It would have been better if the veggies retained a fresh, earthy flavour for a better balance.

Finally, on to the gorgeous plated desserts: my colleague and I tried the popular Pebbles ($22++) and Forest ($23++) to round off our meal.

It’s a pity that this work of art wasn’t as good as it looked. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of black sesame mochi atop a bed of peanut butter crumble, then finished with peanut butter and tangy raspberry jam worked out just fine. The dark chocolate stems and black sesame gelato were great additions too!

What fell short was the black sesame mochi: it wasn’t chewy enough, and the skin tore too easily instead of being stretchy.

Thankfully, the Forest came through. This featured a chocolate log made from dark chocolate, beautifully topped with cherry compote, almond chantilly cream, pistachio praline, and kirsch-infused cherries. You also get a scoop of dark chocolate gelato on a mount of sea salt dark chocolate crumble! I love the combination of dark chocolate with sea salt, and this dessert was exactly that. Finally, the zesty tang from the cherry compote was truly the cherry on top.

If you’re here for breakfast or tea, the restaurant also doubles as a cafe and bakery, with a full display of bakes and viennoiseries at the entrance. You can enjoy them at the cafe or opt for takeaway when you’re tight on time.

One must-try is the Pistachio Chocolate Croissant ($7.50++), which sports green and golden brown stripes, with one half dipped in chocolate. These bi-colour croissants are frequently sold out, so do get your hands on them if you spot them at the display! 

Ambience at Alice Boulangerie

The revamped space has fairytale-themed elements dotted throughout its space, with a squirrel as the recurring motif—you’ll find it on the menu and even the door handle. The warm and inviting restaurant is made even cosier by the wooden tones and accents, and has just enough space to house 70 diners at once. For easy access, Alice Boulangerie is a quick five-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.

The verdict

As the lunch crowd thickened, I noticed that the diners were from all walks of life—corporate girlies, elderly couples, and a group of what seemed like university students. This is a good indication of how Alice Boulangerie isn’t just for the folks working in the area, but for everyone.

For more good eats in the area, read The Marmalade Pantry review. Otherwise, check out our Fortuna Singapore review for wood-fired pizza and more!

Address: 12 Gopeng Street, #01-05/11, Icon Village, Singapore 078877
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 10pm, Sun 8am to 6pm
Website
Alice Boulangerie is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Marcus Neo.
This was a media tasting at Alice Boulangerie.