Bread Society.

Bread Society.

Interior.

Have you been to the recently revamped Suntec City? One of the latest additions to the humungous shopping and dining paradise cum business building is Bread Society, an artisan bakery, now with an added café / boulangerie dine-in concept. Since it comes under the Breadtalk Group umbrella, you must be wondering what sets them apart. Well to put it simply, Bread Society is more European-inspired as opposed to the local, Asian flavors Breadtalk tends to offer.

Bread Society Bakery.

Bread Society Bakery.

In view of that, the selection of breads swings away from your usual pork floss, curry breads. Here, you get to see buns stuffed with real edamame and savory ham ($2.30), French country bread with figs ($1.80) and olive ($1.60), and also my favorite from its new creations – Mentaiko Baguette ($2.50), topped with mentaiko roe and unsalted butter. It’s consoling to see that these breads remain affordable.

Clam Chowder :: $6.90 (with Grissini) $7.90 (with Blue Cheese Toast)

Clam Chowder :: $6.90++ (with Grissini) $7.90++ (with Blue Cheese Toast)

Clam Chowder ($6.90++ with Grissini & $7.90++ with Blue Cheese Toast) :: Soups are on a weekly rotating basis between this and Corn Chowder and Minestrone Soup. While the soup was acceptable with a just-right degree of clam flavors, the Blue Cheese Toast fell a little short. It would have been much better if it was less toasted. The edges, especially, were hard and overdone. Otherwise, the slight hint of blue cheese would have been bearable for even non-blue cheese lovers (I love blue cheese, so I would have wanted it to be a little more concentrate).

Katsu Sandwich :: $13.80++

Katsu Sandwich :: $13.80++

Katsu Sandwich ($13.80++) :: Undoubtedly the star of the night. The different shades of color on the surface of dark rye multi-grain toasts would already have suggested a varying texture to it. It was perfect with parts of it being soft, while the remaining, crisp, slightly charred and fragrant. Note that the slice of tonkatsu pork loin was pretty thick too, giving sufficient bite as a whole. For a cherry on top of the pie, the greens on the side were great.

The Society :: $15.80++

The Society :: $15.80++

The Society ($15.80++) :: This breakfast set is one that defies gravity. The thick baked pancake isn’t your ordinary piece of pancake. It feels like a fusion of cupcake + sponge cake + pancake, glazed with maple syrup and creamy butter. The crispy back bacon isn’t your ordinary strip of bacon. It feels like a mix of pork belly + bacon. It can be too salty, but when it goes with the comparatively bland pancakes, it was good. I love the crispy back bacon, possibly because I really dislike those that are literally crispy, tough and burnt ones. This strays nearer to those I had in Australia, soft bacon that is only cooked for a short while. It comes with a Pork Sausage too.

Katsu Curry Rice :: $13.80++

Katsu Curry Rice :: $13.80++

Katsu Curry Rice ($13.80++) :: Available only from 12pm – 2pm daily, it is targeting largely at the working adults who need a fuller meal. It’s served with Japanese potato curry, Japanese rice and thick-cut grilled vegetables. I don’t usually eat vegetables, but when they are grilled, they are awesome. I was initially sold to this, until I had the Katsu Sandwich above. The dish is available for take-away too.

Salted Caramel Lava Chocolate Cake :: $6.90++

Salted Caramel Lava Chocolate Cake :: $6.90++

Salted Caramel Lava Chocolate Cake ($6.90++) :: Just by hearing its presence got me salivating uncontrollably. I love its presentation. I also think that it is a smart move to make the molten lava cake not only a chocolate one, but a chocolate + salted caramel one. While the molten did not flow very smoothly with the cut, it was still alright. I thought it’s very reasonably priced, considering the daylight robbery that is happening in many other restaurants that offer similar desserts.

Dessert in a Jar :: $8.50++

Dessert in a Jar ($8.50++) :: Again, value-for-money dessert. This is more so because you get to keep the jar, legally. No more empty talks on sneaking cutesy cutleries or momento-worthy menu in your bag. I had the Mont Blanc and Apple Crumble whilst there. The former, which is essentially a chestnut-filled dessert, was made intriguing with a sizable chunk of hazelnut meringue (which I love). I also fell head over heels for the latter because of its addition of cinnamon crumble. I was torn and realized that I have no idea which one I prefer when I was asked.

I understand that people mainly look out for cafés that exude a chill-out ambience. No, Bread Society is not one of those. Because of its locality, I would expect it to be more fast-paced than anything. It has an intimate (with a seating capacity of 35), simple and casual concept, characterised by marble-top tables and countryside chairs. Save for the Katsu Curry Rice, the other items are offered all-day long. I wouldn’t rave too highly about it, but if you happen to be in the City Hall area, this is a worthy place to check out for a change.

Special gratitude to Carlyn, Shauna and the Sixth Sense Communications & PR Consultancy team, and Lizhen, Haylee and the Breadtalk Group team for the hospitality and hosting the invited tasting.

Address (In Context): 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, #01-301/302
Telephone: 6338 4344
Opening Hours: 7.30am – 10pm (Mon – Thurs); 7.30am – 11pm (Fri, Sat & Eve of PH); 9am – 10pm (Sun, PH)