For the past one and a half years since it opened, I have heard so much about PS. Cafe amongst the local foodie circles. To see what the hype was about, I decided to finally pay a much overdue visit to this secluded restaurant in the Dempsey area.
You know this is an isolated place when all you see in its surrounding radius are trees and greenery! Without private transport or a cab, the restaurant is barely accessible. That is why you would find a stack of “taxi calling cards” on every table.
Ps. Cafe is started by the same people behind the ProjectShop clothing line (that’s what “PS” stands for). They opened their first café together with a ProjectShop boutique at Paragon. This second restaurant that I visited has a different concept altogether. It is slightly more upmarket, and is housed in a bungalow with one side completely made up of full-length glass windows!
Even before sitting down for a meal, I could already see why PS. Cafe has received so many rave reviews. The whole place just looks so nice and homely, with all the cosy seats, dim lighting and wooden flooring.
Outdoor dining looks very promising too, although I’m not sure how hygienic it would be. Given its proximity to all the greenery, I feel as though a bug might crawl onto my food anytime!
S$9.80++
Rating:
Soup of the day was cream of turnip. It had a mildly sweet taste which I found kind of nice. The bread and all the cream were extremely filling too. They got me feeling bloated pretty quickly.
What seem to be the crowd favourite are the fish & chips. The couple sitting at the table next to ours had two bowls of it. Yeah, bowls! Have you seen fish & chips being served in a bowl before?
S$24++
Rating:
Besides the unusual presentation, the fish and chips was also served with two different dips – homemade tartar sauce and sweet chilli lime aioli. The tartar sauce was average but the lime aioli was an absolute delight! It was interestingly sweet with a sour tang. This was the perfect complement to the fish fillets and chunky fries. There was no need for chilli sauce at all.
Now, fish & chips isn’t really the kind of food that people would rave about. But this particular one was indeed good. I’ve never had a fish fillet with a crispier crust!
S$20++
Rating:
The flamed prawn pasta was a big let-down though. The tiger prawns were flamed with brandy, red shallot, pickled garlic, sweet basil, fresh green peppercorns, yellow teardrop and cherry tomatoes, with snow peas, a touch of cream and tossed in romano pecorino tortiglioni. The pasta just didn’t taste good. Was this meant to be a cream pasta? I couldn’t tell. There wasn’t much of cream (or anything else, for that matter) in it.
The cute little cherry tomatoes were a nice touch though. They were soft and sweet and very juicy!
The food is a tad pricey, but it’s still a good price to pay for a cosy meal if you’re looking for a great ambience.
Jul 26, 2007
26
Hiya
Thanks for this post. The pictures are nice (as usual).
I’ve been meaning to put up my own review of the place (incl pics but mine’s juz un-postable…)
aniwaes, I absolutely love the place for itz ambience, the teas and their popular fries (or issit wedges? hmmm…potato finger food LOL)
and the cakes! the cakes! nice fer those wif a sweet tooth!
I prefer to go during the afternoons (less pple); nice and quiet , and after ard 930pm (after the dinner crowd’s gone)
Din’s kinda ex and itz crowded then.
U cld try PS cafe again outside of dinner time, u might like it better! =)
Jul 26, 2007
3472
Thanks for that looooong comment!
It’s interesting that you mention you wanna blog about PS. Cafe. The owner didn’t look too pleased when he learned that I’m a blogger. He said he wanted to maintain a regulars-centric place and didn’t want publicity!
I think this would be a nice place for drinks, or coffee and cake!
Jul 26, 2007
90
Yeah… maybe should have ordered the softshell crab pasta instead…
The pasta did have a nice creamy after taste which i liked. But the portion’s a little disappointing, no?
I heard the menu actually changes frequently… so it may be a different set of dishes when u go back again.
Jul 26, 2007
3472
I’m sure they change their menu regularly. And there was a softshell crab pasta?? I sure didn’t see that! Argh!
The pasta portion was small indeed, yet I found myself leaving leftovers! Either I was too full from the cream soup, or the pasta just wasn’t any good.
Jul 27, 2007
15
i like to visit such countryside place for us to relax and have a drink. most probably if time permits will drop by this weekend =)
Jul 27, 2007
3472
Have fun! Book your reservation though. It’s a popular haunt even on weekdays.
Jul 27, 2007
29
Woo! Delicious! The fish & chips looked stunning and tasty! Since I worked at Starhub, I’ve been getting lots of calls to get the number of PS Cafe. Now I’ve finally seen it! :) Have you tried Oosh? :P
http://www.oosh.com.sg
Jul 27, 2007
3472
Funny you should ask, I was just at Oosh last weekend! I loved the place. Like PS. Cafe, it has a great ambience too. There are several different areas and segments in it such as an indoor lounge, outdoor dining, and even a bridge where you could drink under the stars!
My friends and I were there for drinks, but I think there’s a Japanese restaurant within Oosh too.
Jul 27, 2007
1
My first comment post on this site ever since I’m a fan of your blog for the past one year.
Anyway, I was there yesterday afternoon and took the outdoor table as the weather was cooling (with slight drizzle). Great view of the greenary indeed! We had fish and chips, mushroom pasta and ‘Peach and Lychee Fizz’.
Got to disagree with your opinion on the Fish and Chips as I’ve found that the crust for the fish is abit too thick with flour and is bit oily. But the chips and sauces for it is nice though.. And the way this dish is presented is indeed innovative like what you had mentioned. Nonetheless, the ‘Peach and Lychee’ fizz is good but Mushroom pasta is so-so…
Maybe you should give the fish and chips at Greenwood Fish Market (Located at Greenwood Ave) a try. THat’s the best I’ve ever had in Singapore. Taste like those you’ll get to eat in Australia.
Keep up the great posts and I look forward for more in future!
Jul 27, 2007
3472
Yeah! I loved the lime aioli! I know some people don’t like thick crusts. But I like the feeling of biting into crust! Haha!
I have heard of Greenwood Fish Market but don’t really know much about this place. Always on the lookout for good fish and chips, so I’ll add it to my list!
Jul 27, 2007
15
no dessert?? you must try the Crushed Mint and Lime Soda ($7) and the to-die-for The Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce and Ice Cream ($10.50)! (photos by me)
just a few other thoughts about the place… i really like the ambience but do make reservations at least 2 weeks in advance on weekends. and all the furniture was handpicked in Australia by one of the restaurant owners. ;)
Jul 27, 2007
3472
That pudding with ice cream looks like a dessert to die for! And it’s affordable too! Will have that the next time I return. Thanks!
Jul 27, 2007
43
Hey Veron, if you ever go back, do try their pita bread that comes with dips…they have yummy ones like guacamole and some other. Apparently, their caesar salad is also a winner with an egg in the middle and is rather hefty for a salad! I do love their branch in dempsey because of the ambience but to be frank, their service in Paragon is mucccchh better…
Jul 27, 2007
3472
Thanks for those recommendations! The service here definitely requires some work. The waitstaff were polite enough, but the haughty attitude still came through. (God forbid if you walked into this place without a reservation. Never mind if they had tables available!) People can tell when you’re not being sincere. Good service really has to come right from the heart :)
Jul 28, 2007
12
Thanks for the review that got my stomach juices churning *growl* I think the ambience really helped in making the food taste nice too.
Btw, do try Blue Lobster Seafood Restaurant at Frankel Ave if you are around the area. After that…a review? =)
Jul 28, 2007
3472
Haha this ain’t the first time I’m hearing about this place. I’m not too keen on it at the moment but I would go there and do a review if it’s sponsored!
Jul 29, 2007
6
thanx veron for introducing this place. it looks like a romantic place to dine on special occasions. i’m definitely gonna check it out soon ;)
Jul 30, 2007
43
Hey Veron, not sure if you are a dessert person (just know that you are a “warm choc cake” kinda gal!), but I discovered this lovely dessert place called Canele. There’s one branch @ Paragon and another @ Robertson Walk. They serve the best cakes and tea…you gotta try them. The tea always has such a soothing effect on me…recommend the rosy pink which comes with pink little rose buds. For the cakes, I dont know which to recommend cos all are just divine! To die for…
Jul 30, 2007
3472
Gal, you always give me the best recommendations! I’m not so much of a tea person so I hope this place has great coffee! (The Rosy Pink sounds like it would make a really pretty picture though.) Anyhow, those cakes sound great! I have added Canele to my “list”. Thanks!