Did somebody say eggs benedict, ricotta hotcakes and a full Aussie breakfast? Sydney cafe Luxe has landed in Singapore – and its menu of contemporary Australian fare with an Asian twist has us hooked...
If there’s one thing Singaporeans and Sydneysiders have in common, it’s a love for brunch. So it’s only natural that cool Sydney cafe, Luxe, found its way to one of Singapore’s trendiest neighbourhoods to bring a taste of modern-Aussie fare to Keong Saik road. We settled in to sample its menu, drink copious amounts of excellent coffee and hang out sans kids for a bit, and here’s why we think we’ve found our new favourite brunch spot…
It’s all about the atmosphere
Walk into this gorgeously bright and airy space and the cool, minimal vibe at Luxe will have you thinking of how you’d decorate your dream living room. The comfy lounge area at the entrance is ingenious for inspiring folk to kick back over a meal, and the chilled-out ambience makes you want to hang out here for hours sipping coffee (Dutch Colony, brewed in a La Marzocco machine, mind you). It’s a lovely mixed crowd here: girlfriends gathering for brunch, couples settling in for a long lunch and a baby or two enjoying an outing (high chairs are available for tiny brunch fans). It’s open for dinner too, which spells date night!
A mod-Aus menu with a twist
The compact, contemporary Australian menu shows off classic brunch fare at its best (think amazing eggs benedict with prosciutto, or scrambled eggs with sublime sourdough bread, baked in house). Luckily, we pitched up with empty stomachs. The quinoa and chia seed pudding with coconut yoghurt and fresh fruit would hit the spot for anyone looking for a luscious healthy start, but we couldn’t go past the ricotta hotcakes, which were perfectly fluffy with a generous scattering of berries, exploding candy and a good drizzle of maple syrup. We also went for the full Aussie brekkie, of course. With scrambled eggs, pork and fennel sausages, bacon, avocado, cumin-roasted tomatoes and mushies, it’s as satisfying as it gets – and you can forget the hunt for fantastic sausages and bacon in Singapore: it’s right here at Luxe.
We also couldn’t resist a little taste of what Luxe serves up post-brunch: the octopus is reason enough to book a dinner date before you’ve even finished your brunch. For this star dish, expertly grilled bites of octopus are tossed in an incredibly moreish housemade XO sauce – a recipe created by acclaimed chef Chui Lee Luk (who is back in her birthplace of Singapore after becoming a major personality in Sydney’s food scene). We will definitely be back for dinner so we can enjoy it again… then try the Sakura chicken roasted in turmeric and honey, and throw in a few parmesan doughnuts too. You’ll find us indulging in the fab cocktails (featuring fresh, cold-pressed juices) and dipping into the wine list, which champions good Aussie drops and some bubbles, of course.
We appreciated the warm service, too: nothing was too much trouble for these guys. Service was spot on and wait times for our drinks and food minimal. We especially loved the manager’s snazzy shorts, which added a fab dash of colour to the venue!
A new fave
Whether you’re looking for a lazy Sunday brunch with friends or family, or a romantic dinner for two, we have a feeling Luxe is set to become your new go-to in town. We got to leave the kids at home this time, but there was plenty on the menu our brood would have happily munched on (there isn’t a specific kids’ menu), and that comfy couch area is perfect if they want to chill out and have a quick look at some of our favourite apps for kids. Personally, we may keep this one to ourselves and use it as a bolt-hole for food we don’t have to share, drinks that won’t be tipped over, and conversation that doesn’t include Peppa Pig.
Luxe #01-04, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109 p. 6221 5615; e. [email protected]. Visit Luxe on Facebook
Open Tues-Fri 11am to late, Saturday 9:30am to late, Sunday 9:30am to 4pm.
This post is sponsored by Luxe.