After work, meet-ups with friends have to be convenient for everyone and also to explore new places together. So here I am with my bestie at Surrey Hills Grocer at Raffles City. Walkable distance from my office (savings of $0.99 for 1 station). Walking around Raffles City, it seems that it has a smaller crowd than before. Or is it because is weekdays? Less appealing to me especially with more beauty counters from big brands like Dior, Chanel and etc because I don't use make-ups all the time. Hahaha... But hopefully with new food places, it will bring back some crowd. Food is life.
Before coming, already in search of the menu and found it quite expensive. On average if sharing, we spent about $60/pax. Now let's start digging!
CORAL LATTE $7.50 AND MATCHA $8.50
 |
| (Left) Coral Latte, Matcha (Right) |
 |
| Marshmallows for Coral Latte |
Again, I have my expectation on Latte now that it is one of those coffees that I go for. I had Coral Latte and my bestie, Matcha. We were kind of disappointed because both were too diluted, with Matcha tasting powdery. Coral Latte has a little sweetness to it (without those marshmallows). Couldn't taste much of the coffee but more of the diluted milk. However, both were pretty and Instagrammable.
SEAFOOD SHASHUKA $42
 |
| Seafood Shashuka with sourdough bread |
My bestie was expecting some punch on the sauce but it was too watery. Only if it was thicker. Even tried to mix them all to see any way to salvage but apparently nope. Dipping with sourdough bread that was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Now I'm starting to like sourdough bread.
 |
| Too red to identify the food inside |
Inside, you could find scallops, runny eggs, potatoes and sausages (I thought I bit on meatballs) drenched in tomatoey and oniony sauce. The Hokkaido scallops were perfectly cooked without shrinking or too dry. And the baby potatoes were soft and also a little crisp on the skin, like the ones I had in Amsterdam.
 |
| The Hokkaido Scallop in the dish |
CRISPY CHICKEN TENDERS $16
 |
| Thicker, crispy Chicken Tenders |
Initially, my bestie asked if wanna try their Mussels. But I'm wary of the freshness because I had a good one in Belgium. Then was considering their Truffle Fries but too mainstream. So ended up with Chicken Tenders because it was the cheapest among the sides (thou not as cheap as Burger King) and something for a change. Although it was crispy on the outside (or should I say just another Chicken Tenders), the spicy basil dip was good. My bestie was searching for that lemongrass flavour, wondering whether it was from the dip or the dip enhanced the flavour coming from the meat.
EGGLET WAFFLE $26
 |
| Colourful plate of Egglet Waffle |
 |
| Drizzled with Chocolate sauce |
This was the most colourful dessert I ever got. Instead of the usual waffles, they did egglet, a popular Hong Kong snack, for a change. Fruits (pieces of strawberries and blueberries), flower petals, ice cream and we were wondering what was inside the egglet. Condensed milk or custard cream? But it didn't taste custardy enough. Anyway, it was a good sweet tooth fix.
The vibes in this place were good and fast serving time too. The food was good but expensive. And the dining time limit of an hour or so was a little unnecessary since Singapore has opened up after the long fight with the pandemic. Understood that table turnover rate is important for restaurant's profitability. What if the patrons want to continue with a drink or dessert and hang out in your restaurant? Or you prefer to earn more from next patrons than earning that petty money from drinks and desserts? That's something to think about when it comes to having a dining time limit. Cheers!
 |
| Surrey Hills Deli at 6 Battery Road |
Surrey Hills Grocer at Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-42
Singapore 179103
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EWL)
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by the writer and friends. Not a sponsored post. All reviews are based on the writer's preference and taste buds and do not represent anyone other than herself.