SPRUCE

Another day, another new restaurant for lunch.  This time, one that was recommended by a friend (Daniel) of a friend.  He raved about Spruce so much that after a busy morning on Orchard road, we decided to leave shopping central and head out to the leafy area of Tanglin.

We arrived just when the kitchen was closing at 2:30 but they were kind enough to accommodate us with the last order for lunch.  As we didn't have much time to study the menu, we decided quickly to share an appetizer plate of Three dips with assorted toasts and crisps.

While we were enjoying our starter, the place started to empty and we were left with two large tables - one of ladies lunching with their Birkins who were chatting more than eating and another of a group having a business lunch meeting.   Right before our starter arrived, someone from the large table came by and my husband was pleasantly surprised to see an old friend who had just visited us in Marbella before we moved to Bali.  

Our appetizer, which was exactly what was described, were chunky slices of crispy toast and crisps served with a spicy tomato salsa, hummus and a delicious chunky tuna spread.  We had these with large glasses of cold mint lemonade and took our time having our sharing plate.  Main courses were served soon after - Steak frites with Bearnaise and herbed chips for A and I while J, our eight-year old, had the crispy fish and chips - both were very good - the steaks were rare as we ordered, we could taste the tarragon and shallot in the Bearnaise and the chips (a.k.a. fries) were crisp and flavored with mixed herbs.  J's fish and chips were two crisp beer-battered fish fillets with chunky chips and tartar sauce.  The food was deceptively simple and surprisingly good.  Unfortunately, we skipped the cheese course from their special cheese cellar but promised to save that for another visit.  What we couldn't resist though was to share their famous dessert - The Spruce Sundae with Valrhona chocolate sauce and brownie bits - vanilla and strawberry ice cream, brownie and pecan chunks, whipped cream and a cherry on top with a jug of warm chocolate sauce - perfect!  

As we sat having our espressos on their shaded terrace, surrounded by large leafy trees and enjoying the cool breeze in often humid Singapore, a large group of women started to leave the restaurant.  We suddenly noticed that they were all pregnant except for one.  Half a dozen soon-to-be mums accompanying their previously pregnant friend and her newborn baby for a long leisurely lunch and that put a smile on my face.  That's the kind of restaurant Spruce is - the place where pregnant mums get together, where ladies with designer bags eat (or not), where business colleagues meet and where families arrive two minutes after the kitchen closes and still get served their lunch.  It's a restaurant where you experience the passion the chef and owner have for food and drink.  I can't wait to go back!

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Spruce

320 Tanglin Road (at Phoenix park)

Singapore

Telephone: +65 6836 5528

Open daily -

10:30 to 14:30 for Lunch

14:30 to 17:30 for Coffee, tea and cake

5:30 to 10:30 for Dinner

On weekends from 8:30 to 2:30 for Brunch