If you’re looking to cook up your next culinary masterpiece, chances are you’re missing some key gourmet ingredients. With newbie stores such as Cut The Mustard popping up around town, we round up a diverse range of gourmet destinations that likely have what you need.
Bunalun
#01-70 Chip Bee Gardens, Blk. 43 Jalan Merah Saga, 6472-0870. With an excellent assortment of organic products, this is the place to go to for everything from teas to spreads and dried fruits. On the pasta front, they stock wholewheat penne rigate ($5.90), lemon myrtle tubes ($8.30) and wattleseed spelt tubes ($8.90). Buckwheat or multi-grain pancake and waffle mix and cinnamon, vanilla or chocolate crepe mix (all $8.50) are perfect for conjuring yummy breakfasts within minutes. Add some homemade almond nut butter, citrus and passion fruit marmalade (both $14.80) or lime and blueberry conserve ($16.80) while you’re at it.
Cut the Mustard
1 Greendale Ave., Greenwood, 6466-9436.
One of the newest kids on the block (they’re less than three weeks old), this brainchild of husband-and-wife team Gerald Tan and Hui Chern stocks products personally sourced from abroad. Earthy tones greet you as you step in, along with wooden shelves busting with their eclectic range of products, including artisan flour, spreads, edible flowers and fruit soups. They also carry Hawaiian black lava salt ($11.50) and Cyprus salt flakes ($20.90) as well as their renowned Fever-Tree range of sodas and cocktail mixers ($2.90 per bottle).
German Market Place
615 Bukit Timah Rd., 6466-4044.
If you’re looking for German (and now Dutch) products, this is the place to hit. One of the hottest items here is the quark cheese, which serves well as a spread and as the main ingredient in desserts such as German cheesecake. There are four types of quark cheese ($3.90–$4.95) available; we suggest herb and paprika. They also fly yogurts and cheeses in weekly. For those with a sweet tooth, stroopwafels ($7.30) go wonderfully with German-made Nutella ($8.55), said to be much creamier and more spreadable than what we’re used to.
Jones the Grocer
#01‑12 Blk. 9 Dempsey Hill, Dempsey Rd., 6476‑1512.
Cheese heads should perk up at the mention of Jones the Grocer. Around 80 types of artisan cheeses from around the world are available in their special cheese room, and you can sample before you buy. Truffle cheeses like Brie Royal ($15 per 100g) and Brillat Savarin ($17 per 100g) are real stand-outs. Their selection of blue cheese ranges from organic Roqueforte to Colsten Basset Stilton and a creamy St Agur ($16.60; $9.90; $12.90 per 100g). Also give their hard and semi-hard cheese varieties a shot; especially recommended is the Ossau Iraty ($12.20 per 100g), a superb semi-hard French goat’s cheese.
Littlé Provence
#02-K2, Tanglin Mall, 6887-3842.
Focusing on olive oil with prices ranging from $17-118 for different bottle sizes, Little Provence Store consider their organic wine and fruit vinegar and their olive oil selection the bestsellers in their store. Tapenades of more than 20 varieties are sold—we especially approve of their Tapenade Noire au Basilic de Provence and Verte aux Tomate Sechee ($9.90 for the small jar, $18.90 for the large jar). Olive oil in spray cans (200ml), to allow for more controlled diffusion, is also stocked here.
SuperNature
#01-21/23/27 Park House, 21 Orchard Blvd., 6304-1338.
One of the largest organic food stores in town, offering a diverse assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and deli meat. You can shop with ease knowing that you’re getting only what’s good for you. Enjoy some hormone-free chicken breast ($37.90), New Zealand eggs ($9.95) and a Farm Box full of fresh fruit and vegetables (from $70), delivered right to your doorstep.
The Butcher
#01-50 Chip Bee Gardens, Blk. 44 Jalan Merah Saga, 6472-0073.
Think choice cuts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken, with ready-to-cook options including Beef Wellington ($39.90) and Chicken Cordon Bleu ($24.75). Don’t pass on their honey, mint and rosemary lamb sausages ($14.75) or beef and Guinness Stout ($15.75) ones. Home delivery is also available.
Vom Fass
#04-25 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-8409.
Truly a treasure trove for oils, vinegars and liqueurs. Beer, pear and quince are some of the vinegar flavors they stock while oils run the gamut from avocado to cedar nut to basil. Pair the extra virgin olive oil Santini from Tuscany ($9.10) with their award-winning 25-year-old Diamond Quality balsamic vinegar ($32.80), or try their fantastic mango ($8.60) and star apple ($11.40) vinegars
