Serving up WELL DRESSED SALADs (BAR & CAFE).
Last night, I went to Well Dressed Salad Bar to try out their new menu! Before I begin my review let me share about some background information about this vegetarian cafe.
Well Dressed Salad Bar is opened by and located below 8 Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant. Despite the name "Salad Bar", they actually serve up many different interesting types of food other than salads, from healthy vegetarian burgers to delectable desserts. They also sell beer at prices you can't find anywhere else along Chinatown! So before hopping along for food adventures along Chinatown, why not stop by at Well Dressed Salad Bar for a glass of cold refreshing beer and some light bites?
THE PLACE
Now back to the tasting session last night. The ambience there was nice and cozy, with a casual vibe. There is also a room at the corner of the cafe where meetings can be held with even white screens to project meeting slides.
Well Dressed Salad Bar is opened by and located below 8 Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant. Despite the name "Salad Bar", they actually serve up many different interesting types of food other than salads, from healthy vegetarian burgers to delectable desserts. They also sell beer at prices you can't find anywhere else along Chinatown! So before hopping along for food adventures along Chinatown, why not stop by at Well Dressed Salad Bar for a glass of cold refreshing beer and some light bites?
THE PLACE
Now back to the tasting session last night. The ambience there was nice and cozy, with a casual vibe. There is also a room at the corner of the cafe where meetings can be held with even white screens to project meeting slides.
Cute painting on the wall done by one of the owner's friends.
The second and third levels are where the 8 Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant is located. The ambience upstairs is more traditional and Chinese, while that of the cafe gives a more casual feel.
I really liked the service there as Ben, the owner of the restaurant, his daughter, Zenna and the other staff there, June and Julia, were all very welcoming and friendly. They introduced the dishes with so much passion and also were very attentive to our needs. Thank you for the wonderful service!
THE MENU
I really liked the service there as Ben, the owner of the restaurant, his daughter, Zenna and the other staff there, June and Julia, were all very welcoming and friendly. They introduced the dishes with so much passion and also were very attentive to our needs. Thank you for the wonderful service!
THE MENU
Credits to @mshannahchia for the menu pictures!
THE FOOD
Organic Tea Selection (hot/iced) ($4.50)
Organic Tea Selection (hot/iced) ($4.50)
I got the hot Lemongrass & Ginger Tea which was pretty fragrant! In total, there are four caffeinated and four non-caffeinated organic teas and you can request for them to be served hot or iced.
Veganlicious Afternoon Tea Set ($10.90 *exclusively for NOM's members): 6/10
Veganlicious Afternoon Tea Set ($10.90 *exclusively for NOM's members): 6/10
Three mini puff pastries filled with tomato & corn, tofu feta and black pepper monkey head mushroom, avocado toast with olives and alfalfa and double dark chocolate tart.
I recommend you to eat it in this order: tomato & corn, tofu feta, black pepper monkey head mushroom. Many people emphasize the importance of eating things in order and I never actually fully understood but this order I tried last night really enhanced the taste of the tarts! The tomato & corn puff was very fresh and appetizing, the tofu feta puff was nice and salty like its non-vegan counterpart and the black pepper monkey head mushroom puff had a unique texture and flavour,
Most people at the table liked the mushroom puff the best but personally, I liked the tofu feta puff the most because its saltiness and crumbly texture really resembled that of the real feta cheese so much so that I don't think anyone would actually believe me if I told them that it was made of tofu, haha. However, one qualm I had with the tarts was that the puff pastry did taste a bit stale (not crisp) in my opinion and the base of the puff pastry of all three puffs actually fell apart from the upper part when I bit into them.
The avocado toast topped with olives and alfalfa was really yummy! As a bread lover, I really liked how well the crunchiness of the toasted bread matched with the creamy smooth texture of the avocado! However, the dish could probably be improved by topping the crusty bread more generously with the delicious avocado spread.
Last but not least was the double chocolate tart. I. CANNOT. EMPHASIZE. HOW. GOOD. THIS. WAS. Like really, it was THAT good. The tart shell was really crispy unlike that of the puff and the pastry cream inside was so light and creamy. HOW CAN THIS EVEN BE VEGAN. When here, you definitely must try at least one of their tarts (though you probably wouldn't be able to stop at one lol).
Curried Pumpkin Soup ($5): 5/10
I recommend you to eat it in this order: tomato & corn, tofu feta, black pepper monkey head mushroom. Many people emphasize the importance of eating things in order and I never actually fully understood but this order I tried last night really enhanced the taste of the tarts! The tomato & corn puff was very fresh and appetizing, the tofu feta puff was nice and salty like its non-vegan counterpart and the black pepper monkey head mushroom puff had a unique texture and flavour,
Most people at the table liked the mushroom puff the best but personally, I liked the tofu feta puff the most because its saltiness and crumbly texture really resembled that of the real feta cheese so much so that I don't think anyone would actually believe me if I told them that it was made of tofu, haha. However, one qualm I had with the tarts was that the puff pastry did taste a bit stale (not crisp) in my opinion and the base of the puff pastry of all three puffs actually fell apart from the upper part when I bit into them.
The avocado toast topped with olives and alfalfa was really yummy! As a bread lover, I really liked how well the crunchiness of the toasted bread matched with the creamy smooth texture of the avocado! However, the dish could probably be improved by topping the crusty bread more generously with the delicious avocado spread.
Last but not least was the double chocolate tart. I. CANNOT. EMPHASIZE. HOW. GOOD. THIS. WAS. Like really, it was THAT good. The tart shell was really crispy unlike that of the puff and the pastry cream inside was so light and creamy. HOW CAN THIS EVEN BE VEGAN. When here, you definitely must try at least one of their tarts (though you probably wouldn't be able to stop at one lol).
Curried Pumpkin Soup ($5): 5/10
The curried pumpkin soup hit my major soft-spot for pumpkin. No dairy was added into this dish, which explains its lack of creamy and smooth texture. The curry taste was not distinctive enough for me as compared to other curry pumpkin soups like that from Cedele with pumpkin chunks that I love. However, I really liked that its level of natural sweetness from the pumpkin was spot on and also that it was light on the stomach - perfect starter to whet your appetite.
Summer Lovin' Salad ($9.50): 7/10
Romaine with kidney beans, cucumber, sweet peaches, corn, tomato and sunflower seeds in mango basil dressing.
Summer Lovin' Salad ($9.50): 7/10
Romaine with kidney beans, cucumber, sweet peaches, corn, tomato and sunflower seeds in mango basil dressing.
One of my favourite dishes of the night. The dish is made of such simple fresh ingredients but the dressing really elevated the dish to become a really sophisticated refreshing salad. The vegetables used were really really fresh which can be told by its amazingly crispy texture. I loved the addition of the sweet peaches which complemented the sweet mango basil dressing so so well. I LOVE the dressing as it wasn't the typical creamy and overwhelming (unhealthy as well) salad dressing but more refreshing (and healthy) to maintain the healthiness of the salad.
Tofully Yours ($12.90): 8/10
Tofu stacked with mushroom, cheese, vegetarian ham, eggs & greens. Comes with two sides (we tried the herbed potatoes and sweet potato chips). They also use vegan mayonnaise in the burger for the lactose-intolerant!
Tofully Yours ($12.90): 8/10
Tofu stacked with mushroom, cheese, vegetarian ham, eggs & greens. Comes with two sides (we tried the herbed potatoes and sweet potato chips). They also use vegan mayonnaise in the burger for the lactose-intolerant!
Another of my favourites of the night is this tofu burger with a really cute cheesy name - Tofully Yours. The usual burger buns are replaced by tofu, which is literally perfect for both ladies on diet and men who are bulking (LOL). Jokes aside, the vegetarian ham and mushrooms went really well with the tofu patties which were crispy on the outside and packed a flavourful punch on the inside. The side dishes are also not to be ignored! The herbed potatoes were well seasoned and flavourful while the sweet potato chips were crispy and addictive! You definitely wouldn't be able to stop at one especially when they're drizzled with truffle oil... YUM.
Soba, So Good ($12.90): 8/10
Warm soba noodles tossed in ginger & sesame seeds, topped with fresh crunchy greens.
Soba, So Good ($12.90): 8/10
Warm soba noodles tossed in ginger & sesame seeds, topped with fresh crunchy greens.
I really enjoyed this soba noodle salad with its unique ginger sesame dressing. When the dish was served, the fragrance of sesame oil hit my nose and I was momentarily in food paradise. Exaggeration, but yes - I LOVE MY SESAME OIL. It was served warm, instead of the usual cold soba noodle salad, which is really interesting! For those people who don't like their food cold (I'm talking about you, mom), they can have their salad (cake) and eat it! I like how the vegetables were sliced into thin strips to resemble the shape of the noodles but at the same time retaining their crunchy veggie texture! I also really love the addition of the seaweed to the salad - I don't know exactly why, but really reminds me of my Asian roots HAHA.
Watermelon Pizza ($3.50/slice): 5/10
Savoury Rocket, Olives and Tofu Feta with Balsamic
Seasonal Fruits with Mango Sauce
Watermelon Pizza ($3.50/slice): 5/10
Savoury Rocket, Olives and Tofu Feta with Balsamic
Seasonal Fruits with Mango Sauce
Savoury
Most photogenic dish of the night goes to... the watermelon pizza! All of us couldn't stop snapping pictures of them from all angles possible. Perfect end to the meal! The watermelon was juicy and refreshing, but would have been better if it was sweeter. I preferred the sweet version to the savoury one because I didn't really like the savoury and sweet combination (though some of them at the table did like the pairing of the salty tofu feta with the sweet watermelon). The sweet one is also more suitable to end the night on a sweet note, in my opinion.
TAKEAWAYS
Vegan Fruit Tarts: 7/10
AvoLime Tart, Blueberry Cheese Tart, Berrylicious Cheeze Tart
TAKEAWAYS
Vegan Fruit Tarts: 7/10
AvoLime Tart, Blueberry Cheese Tart, Berrylicious Cheeze Tart
Somehow, I was privileged enough to be offered some of their signature fruit tarts after my friends left! The green one is the AvoLime Tart, the purple one is the Berrylicious Cheeze Tart and the white one is the Blueberry Cheese Tart! Was adviced to consume it on the day of purchase, but kept it in the fridge overnight because I reached home very late. Tried it this afternoon and seriously, I WAS MINDBLOWN.
The tart shell was nice and crisp, just like that of the double chocolate tart, while the fillings were all so flavourful I was so devastated when I was down to my last bite. HOW COULD THESE BE VEGAN, SERIOUSLY. My favourite was the Berrylicious Cheeze Tart (tied with the Double Chocolate Tart on the Afternoon Vegan Tea Platter), followed by the AvoLime Tart and then the Blueberry Cheese Tart. I had a hard time choosing my favourite because basically, ALL ARE GOOD. VERY VERY GOOD. Some of the best tarts I have ever tasted in my short sixteen years on this earth, I must say.
Heritage Muesli ($6.90)
The tart shell was nice and crisp, just like that of the double chocolate tart, while the fillings were all so flavourful I was so devastated when I was down to my last bite. HOW COULD THESE BE VEGAN, SERIOUSLY. My favourite was the Berrylicious Cheeze Tart (tied with the Double Chocolate Tart on the Afternoon Vegan Tea Platter), followed by the AvoLime Tart and then the Blueberry Cheese Tart. I had a hard time choosing my favourite because basically, ALL ARE GOOD. VERY VERY GOOD. Some of the best tarts I have ever tasted in my short sixteen years on this earth, I must say.
Heritage Muesli ($6.90)
Saw this box of heritage muesli as I was walking out of the shop and being the crazy breakfast food-fanatic I am, I had to get one box of this. When I heard that it was $6.90, I was really happy because this is cheaper than what we can get it for in the organic section of regular supermarkets. Today, I had it with some protein puffs, blueberries, shredded coconut and chocolate almond milk and I was blown away. I DEFINITELY COULD NOT STOP AT ONE BOWL.
LAST WORDS
Overall, I would definitely recommend this cafe not just for vegetarians and vegans, but also for those meat-eaters out there who want to try out something new. If you do come here, I would recommend the Summer Lovin' Salad, Tofully Yours and Soba, So Good! Do try it out and let me know how you find it in the comments section below!
Also, sign up for NOM's membership at http://nomnom.sg/product/card/noms-card/ to get some great privileges at this cafe! Simply QUOTE when you sign up to enjoy the membership at $9.90 instead of the usual price of $15! With so many perks and privileges, $9.90 is really a steal!
Once again, thank you Well Dressed Salad Bar and NOM's Club for hosting this tasting event!
RATINGS
Location: 3/5
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Speed: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Overall: 8/10 (Highly Recommended)
WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFE
LAST WORDS
Overall, I would definitely recommend this cafe not just for vegetarians and vegans, but also for those meat-eaters out there who want to try out something new. If you do come here, I would recommend the Summer Lovin' Salad, Tofully Yours and Soba, So Good! Do try it out and let me know how you find it in the comments section below!
Also, sign up for NOM's membership at http://nomnom.sg/product/card/noms-card/ to get some great privileges at this cafe! Simply QUOTE when you sign up to enjoy the membership at $9.90 instead of the usual price of $15! With so many perks and privileges, $9.90 is really a steal!
Once again, thank you Well Dressed Salad Bar and NOM's Club for hosting this tasting event!
RATINGS
Location: 3/5
Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Speed: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Overall: 8/10 (Highly Recommended)
WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFE
Tel: 6534 7787
Address: 282 South Bridge Road Singapore 058831
Operating Hours: Mon to Sun, PH & 初一, 十五: 11am to 10 pm (Last Order 9.30pm)
Address: 282 South Bridge Road Singapore 058831
Operating Hours: Mon to Sun, PH & 初一, 十五: 11am to 10 pm (Last Order 9.30pm)