Does this count as a new cafe? Fresh Fruits Lab has officially rebranded into Simplicite and here are some things to expect.
Aside from the new name, the biggest change that took place was its drastic shift from a whimsical pastel palette to a monochromatic Parisian aesthetic. Dominantly black and white, with streaks of gold.
The lounge corner would’ve been a nice touch, except it kinda clashed with the overall vibe of the cafe.
When I first heard about Fresh Fruit Lab’s revamp, I was devastated. Their Classic Pork Chop (S$19) was one of those dishes that keep you up at night, tossing and turning as you purse your lips and grind your teeth, trying to get a taste of the remnants. I thought it would be gone, but thank god, there’s a similar dish on their new menu- French Bone-in Pork Loin with Garlic Butter Herb (S$20). The sides aren’t the same and neither may the flavour. But the melt-in-your-mouth texture is hopefully retained.
Anyway, a few of their classics such as the Da Bomb Burger (S$20) and Masago Prawn Pasta (S$18) were retained in Simplicite’s menu.
It was tempting to relive familiar flavours, but we opted for their signature Simplicité Wings (S$10). Crispy and aromatic fried chicken wings served with a homemade sweet chili sauce that skewered more towards the sweet side. Not a bad dish especially when you factor in its price.
Fresh bakes and desserts
Some new addition to the menu include Soups, Tapas and a selection of Fresh Bakes that costs only S$1.8.
Of course, the size is proportionate to the price. But dainty foods are right up my alley because first of all it’s $1.8 and sometimes I just want small bites and it also gives me the opportunity to try more stuff because now I have the liberty to try three vennioiseries instead of one.
Anyway, I got the Raspberry Claw (S$1.8) which was slightly flaky, slightly doughy, with a thin layer creamy raspberry filling that was slightly tart.
On a similarly sour note, we got the exquisitely decorated Lemon Meringue Tart (S$7). The flavours were spot on. A sharp tang from the lemon curd, a touch of decadence from the buttery tart base and a light sweetness from the meringue. However, the texture could’ve been improved, starting from the crust that was so soggy it could’ve passed off as cake. Furthermore, the lemon curd could’ve been slightly less sticky.
Another thing Simplicite retained from its former glories was their cold-pressed juice.
But we were more intrigued by the dazzling cocktails and mocktails we’ve seen online. Despite so, we opted for a cup of Hot Latte (S$5.5) which uses a dark roast for a bitter finish and an Iced Rose Latte (S$7.5), which was prepared more elegantly than we would’ve expected.
Verdict
Loving the new aesthetics even though there were one or two things that didn’t quite fit in. However, the biggest appeal for me has to be their S$1.8 fresh bakes, kinda like how I’m obsessed with Edith Patisserie‘s S$1.7 Blondies.
Another be-back factor is that the outdoor seats are pet-friendly!
Location: 351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tue- Fri: 11am- 10pm
Sat- Sun: 9am- 10pm
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- Cafes with the Best Coffee in the East
- [REVIEW] South Union Park – Cafe at Kembangan with Handmade Pasta
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