June 2015

191 286

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING
191 June15
Also on the East Coast
When: Weekends and public holidays from 9am to 3.30pm.
Whoever said “Kids should be seen but not heard” would be
a fan of brunch here. The restaurant’s playground equipment
is located one level down from the restaurant, letting you
monitor the kids while enjoying adult conversation and food
above. Take the Garden Brekkie ($30) with eggs, avocado,
tomato, goat cheese, toast and salad; or the Cajun Prawns
Benny ($25), a poached egg atop a toasted bagel and a
mountain of spicy diced shrimp. The Brioche French Toast
($14) has one of the lightest batters I’ve ever tasted (an egg
wash rather than dip, perhaps?); it’s served with mascarpone
cheese and sweet apricot jam. The tots will no doubt love the
kids’ menu, but if you tend to trend healthy, skip it in favour
of the beautifully layered Greek yoghurt ($7) and a side of
smoked salmon ($6) or eggs ($4).
Space for the desserts here should be made days ahead
of time. Crowd favourites include the towering carrot cake
($12) and the ginger date pudding ($15), though the humble
chocolate chip cookie ($3) steals the show; it’s no wonder
Spruce
320 Tanglin Road
6836 5528 |
the restaurant sells nearly 200 every three days. Take note:
with Genoan chef Mauro Scotto freshly on board, the menu
will be shifting slightly towards Italian very soon.
Opened in 2009, Spruce has been around Singapore
longer than most of you reading this, which says something in
a city of constant change. The food is consistent; the deck is
covered and enclosed by greenery, and the setting is peaceful
and historic without a mall or major road in sight.
Special features: Playground equipment, a bouncy
castle (no swimming, mind you) and a kids’ menu will keep
little ones satisfied here.
Words to the wise: If you want to supervise your kids
while they play, make sure to snag one of the tables on the
deck’s outer edge. And, though there’s space to park your
stroller next to your table, both restaurant entrances require
some climbing (one up and one down); leave your wheels in
the car if you don’t like steps.
– Monica Pitrelli
Food for Thought
Head over here (from 8am) for that much-
needed caffeine and some sustenance
(they’ve got big breakfasts, lunch and
pastries) while your energetic offspring
play within view in the outdoor playground,
completewith a slide and climbing structure.
1 Cluny Road, Botanic Gardens, Tanglin
Gate, #B1-00.
The Pantry
At this casual outdoor café, kids can jump on the trampoline
and use the small swing set while you get your coffee fix
and a bite to eat – maybe even
a slice of one of The Pantry’s
delicious cakes. Breakfast
and lunch are served on
Saturdays from 8.30am
to 11.30am, and 11.30am
to 3pm. 75 Loewen Road.