Brother Bird popular for its hybrid mochi croissants, softserve and donuts, has reopened near Bugis at 32 Bali Lane.
Despite the rainy weathers and still early in its opening days, the café has already started to be relatively crowded. Many fans out there, it seems.
In case you are wondering why is it call “Brother Bird”, one of the Stateland Café’s owners is nicknamed “bird” because he likes eating granola.
The owners thought that as Stateland Cafe was established 7 years ago, it would be appropriate time for a revamp.
It is intended to branch out into two different concepts – a coffeehouse serving inexpensive coffee and croissants; and brunch and comfort food dining place.
This is a two-storey space. The lower level contained an industrial-grey minimalist look (reminding me of Lucid at Hamilton Road) of two sections – the pastry counter and the coffee side, with a small seating area.
The upper level has more seating, with designated segregation areas – so no intermingling allowed.
There is an expanded menu including Eggs Benedict ($21), Breakfast Plate ($25), Blueberry Pancakes ($18), Riagatoni Bolognese ($18), Spaghetti Carbonara ($18), Smashed Avocado Toast ($18), Croque Madame ($18), and Chicken Stew with Croissant ($21).
This was one of the times when I allowed the person at the cashier to decide on what I should have, and it was the Fried Croissant ($15).
The dessert item contained deep-fried croissant coated with cinnamon sugar, raspberry coulis and softserve ice cream.
Calories and sugar warning. I thought that the croissant reminded me of a donut instead with additional cinnamon and texture.
While I enjoyed the crispy outer layer, the overall combination could be way too sugar-laden, especially when the ice cream was also to the sweet side.
Either lesser sugar coated or a plainer-flavoured softserve could have helped.
The display contained more than 10 different types of pastries.
There are basically four different groups you can expect – twice-baked croissant, the regular croissants (some pumped with fillings), chocolate series, and Danish pastries.
Interesting choices I saw include Black Forest Croissant, Mont Blanc, and Roasted Chicken with Twice-baked Croissant. Flavours change seasonally.
The more adventurous should try the twice-baked croissant, to experience the lightly-crisp exterior which contrasts with the slightly sticky and chewy mochi slab in the middle.
The inside is made with a glutinous rice flour mix, while the pastry takes a long process of 12-layer folding to create a more-flaky texture.
So not like the typical airy and fluffy croissants you may be more used to. They also happen to keep better in this humidity.
As for the drinks menu, you get the usual coffee choices ($4 – $7), along with Yuri Matcha Latte ($6.50), Tea ($6) and Cold Press Juices ($7).
Coffee beans are sourced from 2 Degree North, with raspberry and chocolaty notes. While I previously mentioned that the coffee was considered affordable, prices have increased slightly after the re-opening.
Brotherbird Coffeehouse
32 Bali Lane, Singapore 189868
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon, Tues
Other Related Entries
Lucid (Hamilton Road)
Steeped Tea Bar (Tan Quee Lan Street)
Communal Coffee (Prinsep Street)
Monarchs & Milkweed Gelato (North Bridge Road)
PPP Coffee (Funan)
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