Cafe Lyubi Menya - Closed
175 Bencoolen Street
Burlington Square #01-05

http://www.cafelyubimenya.com.sg/


Authentic Russian Cuisine, Good Service, Poor Location

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 7
Value for Money: 6
Spent about SGD $20 per person.


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Authentic Russian food is difficult to find in Singapore, as not many Singaporeans are comfortable eating Russian cuisine. So for those hungry for authentic Russian food, Cafe Lyubi Menya is the oasis!

But how authentic is the Russian food at Cafe Lyubi Menya? Well, the Indian (!) owner apparently travelled to Russia to hire a chef... So at Cafe Lyubi Menya, you get a Russian chef, preparing some of Russia's most well-known dishes. However, most of the dishes have slight variations on the traditional Russian recipes, partly due to the high cost and difficulty of sourcing certain ingredients. Apparently though, Russians living in Singapore don't seem to mind, as I've always seen a few Russians dining here.

So at Cafe Lyubi Menya, you'll get near authentic Russian food. But you'll also get pretty good Italian dishes, and modern Singaporean style Western food (The other chef is Italian). In general, the food is quite good, although each order is prepared fresh, so expect to wait about 10 minutes or so. Portions are quite large and filling, but I feel that prices were a little steep... An average meal at Cafe Lyubi Menya could cost between $12 and $30 per person. Recommended for weekly outings and special occasions but not regular everyday dining. Also, note that some items on the menu are available only on selected days / times.

Ambience at Cafe Lyubi Menya is modern, similar to an American diner. It's also quite cozy, as Cafe Lyubi Menya is quite small in terms of floor space, although they do make good use of the outdoor area in front of the restaurant. Great for chilling and relaxing, as the walkway is relatively crowd-free.

Being a small restaurant, service at Cafe Lyubi Menya is very friendly and personal. The chef and staff make an effort to ask for feedback, which I think is great public relations, especially for a small restaurant. They're trying to leverage on word-of-mouth advertising, which is a good thing, as Cafe Lyubi Menya is quite poorly located. Signage is barely visable from the road, and not eye-catching or attractive. And crowds from nearby Sim Lim Square or Rochor are unlikely to pass by. Cafe Lyubi Menya could be considered a hidden find as a result of its poor location.

I think that with better marketing, business at Cafe Lyubi Menya could be a lot better. Personally, I love the food and service, and I'll definitely visit again!


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I find the garlic spread on their Garlic Bread to be yummy and strangely addictive...

Garlic Bread

Traditional Borsch Soup is made with beetroot, but the version at Cafe Lyubi Menya is made with tomato instead. Hearty and fortifying, the Borsch Soup is only available on Wednesday and Friday.

Borsch Soup With Sour Cream

Another traditional Russian dish, the Beef Stroganoff is tender, and the house sauce extremely tasty. I highly recommend this!

Beef Stroganoff

I've no idea why this is called Russian Tea, but it's fragrant and has fruity notes. The aroma is just lovely. Best for sharing, as it's quite a large pot.

Russian Tea

Veering away from the traditional Russian Solyanka Soup, this version is slightly thinner, and has less cabbage. Still good though, and the sourish taste from the olives and lemon set it apart from the more savoury Borsch Soup. This warm and sour soup is great on cold or rainy days.

Solyanka Soup

A mix of chicken, eggs, cucumbers, peas, potatoes and mayonnaise sauce, the Oleaviea Salad is presented quite uniquely, packed as a cube. Tasty, but a little heavy due to the mayonnaise sauce.

Oleaviea Salad

Okroshka Soup is a traditional cold and sour yoghurt based soup, which I think may not suit most Singaporean palates. Still, it's good on a warm day.

Okroshka Soup

The Lamb Shashlik was nicely spiced, and evenly cooked, although it was a little dry.

Lamb Shashlik In Cubes

An overall average Latte, not terrible but not great either.

Latte

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Talent Cafe Singapore styles itself as a watering hole for the arts, where arts professionals can meet and network. 


As an arts space, the ambience at Talent Cafe Singapore is suitably modern. Photographs, sculptures and paintings hang side by side (most of which are for sale), and it does feel like you're dining in an art gallery. Beautiful, relaxing and calming. 


Service can be somewhat inconsistent though. While friendly, staff seemed to be constantly busy around the cafe, and attracting their attention might take awhile. The layout of Talent Cafe Singapore is partially to blame, with the counter partially obscured behind a pillar. 


Food is somewhat hit-and-miss. The salads and desserts were very good, especially the Tomato Basil Watermelon Salad. Topped with little bits of cheese, it gave a savoury touch to the refreshing cherry tomato and watermelon salad. 

The Honey Glazed Chicken Wings however, were a little undercooked, and the taste didn't appeal to me. 

When I visited Talent Cafe Singapore, the majority of desserts on the menu were unavailable. But the Apple Crumble With Vanilla Ice Cream was good, if a little too sweet. 

Moon Seen Through Pinnacle At Duxton

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Honeydew Green Tea

Tomato Basil Watermelon Salad

Chicken Wings Honey Glazed

Eclair Chocolate

Apple Crumble With Vanilla Ice Cream

Street Food - Puri

Also Known As:
Puri, Poori, Boori, Buri


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $4


Description:
Puri is a type of unleavened Indian bread, from Tamil Nadu, South India. Puri is commonly eaten during breakfast.

Puri is made from a dough that has atta whole wheat flour / maida refined wheat flour / sooji coarse wheat flour, water, salt and vegetable oil / clarified butter (Ghee).

The Puri dough is then deep fried in vegetable oil / clarified butter (Ghee), until it puffs up like a round ball.

Puri is often served together with yoghurt, chutneys or pickles. Sometimes, Puri can also be served as a light snack.


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I think eating Puri is quite fun. You can poke the fried dough, and watch the steam and aroma within slowly waft out!

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Puri in Singapore.


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Sakunthala's
@ 66 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Daily

@ 151 Dunlop Street
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Daily

@ 88 Syed Alwi Road #01-01
Opening Hours: 11am - 3am Daily



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Sri Kamala Vilas Restaurant
@ 662 Buffalo Road #01-16
Opening Hours: 7am - 9.30pm Daily



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Komala's Restaurants
@ 9 Upper Dickson Road
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ 332 Serangoon Road
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ Jurong Point Jurong West Central 2 #B1-42
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ The Tropica Tampines Avenue 1 #01-03
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ 711 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 #01-3501
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ North Point 930 Yishun Avenue 2 #B2-310
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily

@ White Sands 1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3 #04-09
Opening Hours: 9am - 10.30pm Daily



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Honourable Mention

Annalakshmi Janatha Restaurant
@ Central Square 20 Havelock Road #01-04
Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 9.30pm Daily

@ 104 Amoy Street
Opening Hours: 11am - 7pm Closed Sun



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Street Food - Tandoori Roti

Also Known As:
Tandoori Roti, Roti Tandoori, Roti


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $3


Description:
Tandoori Roti is a type of unleavened Indian flat bread, from Punjab, North India. Tandoori Roti is made from dough that has atta whole wheat flour, maida refined wheat flour, water, sugar, salt, baking powder and yoghurt.

Tandoori Roti is typically baked in a tandoor oven, hence the name, although it can also be baked in a regular oven. While baking, the Tandoori Roti is periodically brushed with clarified butter (Ghee).

A Tandoori Roti never has any stuffings or toppings, and is always plain. It is the most basic of Indian breads.

Tandoori Roti is normally served together with a curry.


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Eating a warm Tandoori Roti, with Dhal is a simple satisfaction.

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Tandoori Roti in Singapore.


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Al-Ameen Eating House
@ 3 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Trade Hub 21 8 Boon Lay Way #01-27
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ 484 Changi Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Bamboo Grove Park 5 Chu Lin Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ The Woodgrove 30 Woodlands Avenue 1 #01-10
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily



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The Banana Leaf Apolo
@ 56 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 10.30am - 10.30pm Daily

@ 48 Serangoon Road #01-32
Opening Hours: 7am - 10.30pm Daily



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Zaffron Kitchen
@ 137 East Coast Road
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 10pm Daily



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Street Food - Naan

Also Known As:
Naan, Naan Plain, Naan Cheese, Naan Garlic, Naan Kasmiri, Naan Butter


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $5


Description:
Naan is a type of leavened, thick Indian flat bread, from Persia / Iran, that has become popular in North India. Naan is made from a dough that has plain white flour / bread flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, baking soda and plain yoghurt.

The Naan dough is then baked, usually in a tandoor oven, and brushed with clarified butter (Ghee). Naan is usually shaped into an elongated wedge / triangular shape.

Aside from being served plain (Plain Naan), Naan can be topped and baked with a variety of ingredients. In Singapore, typical toppings include cheese (Cheese Naan), garlic (Garlic Naan), butter (Butter Naan) or kasmiri (Kasmiri Naan), which is a Naan topped with nuts and dried fruit or raisins.

Naan is normally served to accompany a curry, and eaten as a staple during a meal.


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Naan is one of the most well-known North Indian flat breads in Singapore.

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Naan in Singapore.


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Al-Ameen Eating House
@ 3 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Trade Hub 21 8 Boon Lay Way #01-27
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ 484 Changi Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Bamboo Grove Park 5 Chu Lin Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ The Woodgrove 30 Woodlands Avenue 1 #01-10
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily






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The Banana Leaf Apolo
@ 56 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 10.30am - 10.30pm Daily

@ 48 Serangoon Road #01-32
Opening Hours: 7am - 10.30pm Daily






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Jaggi's Northern Indian Cuisine
@ 34 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 3pm, 6pm - 10.30pm Daily






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Street Food - Kulcha Garlic & Onion

Also Known As:
Kulcha Garlic & Onion, Kulcha


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $2.50 - $5


Description:
Kulcha is a type of leavened flat bread, from Punjab, North India. Kulcha is made from dough that has maida refined wheat flour / all purpose flour, yeast, sugar, water, salt, baking soda and plain yoghurt.

Kulcha can be stuffed with a vairety of ingredients, and one of the most common versions in Singapore is Kulcha Garlic & Onion. The stuffing for Kulcha Garlic & Onion is made with onions, garlic, salt, chili and coriander.

Finally, Kulcha Garlic & Onion is baked and rubbed with clarified butter (Ghee). It is often circular / round in shape.

Kulcha Garlic & Onion is normally served with a curry.


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Kulcha Garlic & Onion is one of many variations on Kulcha.

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Kulcha Garlic & Onion in Singapore.


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Al-Ameen Eating House
@ 3 Cheong Chin Nam Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Trade Hub 21 8 Boon Lay Way #01-27
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ 484 Changi Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ Bamboo Grove Park 5 Chu Lin Road
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily

@ The Woodgrove 30 Woodlands Avenue 1 #01-10
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily



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The Banana Leaf Apolo
@ 56 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 10.30am - 10.30pm Daily

@ 48 Serangoon Road #01-32
Opening Hours: 7am - 10.30pm Daily



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Taste Of India
@ 36 Belilios Lane
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 11pm Daily



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Street Food - Chapati

Were you looking for the newer post about this? It's here! : https://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.com/2022/05/best-of-singapore-hawkers-chapati.html


Also Known As:
Chapati, Chapathi, Chapatti, Chappathi, Phulka


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $1 - $3


Description:
Chapati is a type of unleavened flat bread, popular among South Asia, especially South India. Chapati is commonly served with curry.

Chapati is made from atta / whole wheat flour, water, salt, and optionally vegetable oil / sunflower oil / canola oil. The Chapati is then cooked on a flat skillet / griddle pan, and brushed with ghee / clarified butter.

When eating, pieces of Chapati are used to scoop up food.


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I personally feel that Chapati goes best with a lentil curry (Dhal).

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Chapati in Singapore.


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Sakunthala's
@ 66 Race Course Road
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Daily

@ 151 Dunlop Street
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Daily

@ 88 Syed Alwi Road #01-01
Opening Hours: 11am - 3am Daily



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Mr. Prata
@ 26 Evans Road #01-02
Opening Hours: 24 Hours Daily



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Sri Kamala Vilas Restaurant
@ 662 Buffalo Road #01-16
Opening Hours: 7am - 9.30pm Daily



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Honourable Mention

Annalakshmi Janatha Restaurant
@ Central Square 20 Havelock Road #01-04
Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 9.30pm Daily

@ 104 Amoy Street
Opening Hours: 11am - 7pm Closed Sun



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Street Food - Mee Soto And Soto Ayam

Also Known As:
Mee Soto, Soto Ayam, Soto Mie


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $2.50 - $4


Description:
Mee Soto And Soto Ayam essentially refers to the same Malay dish, which is a chicken soup spiced with powdered turmeric or powdered coriander.

If yellow egg noodles are added, then the dish is called Mee Soto. However, if boiled compressed rice cakes (Ketupat) are added, then the dish is called Soto Ayam.

The spice mix that goes into Mee Soto And Soto Ayam is made with garlic, ginger, onions, lemon grass, cloves, cardamom, star anise, salt, pepper and powdered turmeric / powdered coriander.

Meanwhile, a soup broth is created using chicken bones, chicken stock, water and chicken meat. The broth is then filtered, and the spice mix added to get the final Mee Soto & Soto Ayam soup.

Mee Soto And Soto Ayam is garnished with shredded chicken meat, cilantro, bean sprouts, spring onions, fried shallots and chili.

Some hawkers also include a hard boiled egg, dark soy sauce, vinegar or fried potato patty (Begedil).

Mee Soto And Soto Ayam should have a light, clear soup, that is flavourful. It shouldn't be overly salty. The chicken should be tender, with the bean sprouts lending a crunchy texture to the dish.


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Mee Soto And Soto Ayam may be eaten as a light meal, or for breakfast.

These are the top 3 stalls which I feel serve the best Mee Soto And Soto Ayam in Singapore.


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Rosraihanna Soto And Satay
@ Golden Mile 505 Beach Road #B1-19
Opening Hours: 12pm - 10pm Daily



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Inspirasi Stall
@ Bedok Interchange Food Centre 207 New Upper Changi Road #01-11
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 11.30pm Daily



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Amirah & Nur Aniqah
@ 2 Adam Road #01-09
Opening Hours: 4pm - 9.30pm Closed Wed




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