Much of Singapore’s cafe scene consists of small spaces, with menus that are perfectly tailored to the size. Curious Palette, located on Prinsep Street, is on the larger size, with a menu to match. The cafe is owned by the people behind Stranger’s Reunion, which has long been a favorite for frequent brunch-goers.
On a Saturday afternoon, Meera and I went to Curious Palette for brunch. Outside the cafe is an easily-missable sign inscribed with the cafe’s title in chalk. Large lights, along with the window-panes, give the cafe its ambiance, which is also enhanced by an abundance of flowers.
The staff was helpful from the minute we entered, despite the fact that it was fully packed. The communal tables and separate ones were all occupied, so we sat at the bench-like table towards the front. This wasn’t the ideal spot to be sitting, but was not too much of an issue either.
Their motto, “Striving to make the best coffee possible,” is reflected in the cafe’s aesthetic. There is a small room dedicated to roasting coffee, which Meera and I sat in front of. There are many open spaces, and although the cafe was packed on this particular Saturday afternoon, it feels spacious. Large windows and white walls added to this effect.
When it came to the food, Meera was in the mood for something sweet while I opted for a more savoury dish. She ordered the Buttermilk Waffles with strawberry compote ($12.90), which she’d already had the last time she visited Curious Palette. The waffles were complemented by walnuts and powdered sugar. She enjoyed it enough the first time, and said that the ice-cream was the best part of the dish.
The waffles are a good, quintessential brunch option, and it lived up to its name. Meera said the strawberry compote was also a deciding factor, as it added a stronger flavour to the otherwise typical waffles. This is part of the cafe’s All Day Breakfast, served from until 6 p.m.
I chose to eat the Asian wings ($10.90), which was definitely on the pricier side. The sauce given with the wings was a great addition, with a sweet yet spicy taste.
For drinks, I chose the Iced Chocolate ($7.50) while Meera went for an Iced Mocha ($6.90). My drink was topped off with vanilla ice-cream, and despite being slightly expensive, was worth the price. As for her iced-mocha, she felt that it was similar to any mocha you would get at other cafes, nothing setting it apart. Meera and I both enjoyed the iced chocolate, with her saying it was a better option than the mocha.
We both had our fair-share of sugar after the lunch, so we didn’t have any of the desserts offered. The dessert menu appeared impressive, and this is something we want to try next time.
Being a breakfast and brunch spot, Curious Palette is a great addition to this niche within Singapore. For delicious breakfast options, a range of coffees and a beautiful place to spend any afternoon, Curious Palette is the place to be. Learn more about the cafe through their Facebook page here.
