Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore Tasting Session 2016

Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore Tasting Session 2016
1 Selegie Road
#02-25 PoMo

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm


https://www.facebook.com/montanasingapore

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from Justin Teo Living Loving You, Wish Upon A Tart, Foodielicious.SG, and Purple Taste.

Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake (SGD $14.80)

Bring On The Freak Cakes!

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 7
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $27 ++ per person.


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It seems like Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore revamps their brand offering once every year to keep pace with the market, and continually attract both new and returning diners. Having visited Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore just 1 year ago in 2015, we've returned to find that there is a vast difference in the ambience and food. While last year, they operated several diverse brands with different concepts, this year, they've combined everything into just 1 brand, adopting a more focused strategy. So far, it looks good!

Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore Exterior

Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore Interior

Anarchy Wine + Brew Bar

Ambience at Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore remains urban industrial chic, with the same functional, rustic, metal and wooden furniture on textured rugs. What has changed is the space, there is now a larger seating area, as they've removed the 2nd kitchen / bakery space, so the place feels a lot more open and spacious, with more natural lighting. Also new is the artwork decor, which now features abstract paintings that lend a burst of colour, contrasting well with the bare concrete walls. I note however, that ventilation still remains an issue, the place can get rather warm in certain parts.

Counter

Painting Artwork

Painting Artwork

Painting Artwork

Hanging Lights

Service at Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore remains as friendly and efficient as before. Still has that welcoming feeling, and most staff display the rudimentary product knowledge, able to briefly describe dishes. Also still as efficient at clearing away empty / dirty plates or tables, after customers leave. However, it all feels very vanilla, nothing in particular stands out, though nothing is terrible either. Hopefully, the new barista or bartender is a lot more engaging, as this will keep customers coming back.

Table Decor

Table Decor

Food at Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore is still Western and Asian fusion, though the emphasis is more than just waffles and coffee now. The new menu is now more varied and extensive, and includes a wider range of burgers, pastas, and the new over-the-top freak cakes. They strive to make dishes fresh, and generally, each dish here is tasty, with big, bold, varied flavours. Complex, but their target audience of young people and families seem to appreciate it, though flavours may be too strong for those who prefer light and clean tastes. Naturally, their Modern Singaporean cuisine is served in large, hearty portions suitable for sharing. Prices are reflective of a high-end cafe, budget about SGD $27 per person for a decent meal here.

Menu

Menu

Us

Cameras

The Miso Brown Butter Linguine (SGD $15.80) is rich, creamy, and very filling, and I can see why hungry students, in particular, love this value for money dish. The soft linguine pasta noodles are tossed in a creamy, savoury earthy, miso and brown butter sauce, along with tender shiitake mushrooms, shimeiji mushrooms, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Garnished Japanese style, with furikake and a sous vide, free range onsen egg. Mix the egg in to give the pasta that silky, slippery texture of deliciousness. Personally, I feel it's best shared, as it's really heavy.

Miso Brown Butter Linguine (SGD $15.80)

Miso Brown Butter Linguine

The creative Braised Beef Cheek With Carrot Kimchi (SGD $20.80) is among my favourite dishes here. The beef, tender and savoury, robust in meaty flavour, pairs so well with the sharp, sour, crunchy strips of carrot kimchi. The creamy mash, a mix of sweet potato and regular potato, and the silky free range poached egg, all contribute good texture. The aromatic and crisp wholemeal toast bread goes so well with the deep, robust meat gravy. Incredibly filling, and so good. Highly recommended!

Braised Beef Cheek With Carrot Kimchi (SGD $20.80)

Braised Beef Cheek With Carrot Kimchi

The Peking Chicken Confit With Waffle (SGD $16.50) features fluffy and soft chive waffles, paired with a 5-spiced, confit chicken thigh that could be moist and tender. The smoked ginger plum coleslaw was interesting, crunchy with a lively sharp flavour, rather nice. I loved the smoked ginger plum sauce, I would totally eat this dipping sauce with other dishes.

Peking Chicken Confit With Waffle (SGD $16.50)

Peking Chicken Confit With Waffle

The Mac Daddy Burger V2 (SGD $17) remains as good as before, the key difference being this burger now has a lighter sauce. Still features a moist, juicy, hand formed, 160g beef patty, grilled to a medium doneness, topped with sour and sharp jalapeno slices, creamy and savoury salty macaroni and cheese, then sandwiched between 2 doughy burger buns made from potato. They've also the changed the trio of fries to simple and economical thick-cut fries, while there seems to be less emphasis on the truffle oil. It remains a good, solid burger. Worth ordering!

Mac Daddy Burger V2 (SGD $17)

Mac Daddy Burger V2

Loved the new Crab Burger With Yuzu Coleslaw (SGD $24), recalling the familiar, comfort flavours of Southeast Asia snack otah otah. The large, meaty, savoury spicy patty of deshelled crab and seafood bits is flaky in texture, while the zesty crunchy yuzu coleslaw, and sweet raisin caper relish, lends a bright and light freshness. Served with nice thick-cut fries. Good!

Crab Burger With Yuzu Coleslaw (SGD $24)

Crab Burger With Yuzu Coleslaw

I like the over-the-top, picture-worthy yet tasty Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake (SGD $14.80). While the matcha sponge cake borders between moist and dry, the rich matcha buttercream, black sesame frosting, and black sesame glaze, pair very well together, and is delicious. While I would have preferred a greater intensity of sweet and nutty flavour, I can see this dessert cake appealing to most. Worth ordering!

Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake (SGD $14.80)

Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake

Matcha Black Sesame Freak Cake

The Kahlua Coconut Cold Brew (SGD $12) was outstanding, with its fruity, robust flavours. There isn't much bitter or sour tastes, rather, the zesty and sweet flavours are highlighted. The kahlua, a coffee-flavored sugar-based liqueur, has a nice body with good depth of flavour. Pleasant, refreshing, and drinkable. Good!

Kahlua Coconut Cold Brew (SGD $12)

Kahlua Coconut Cold Brew

I like the Affogato (SGD $6.80) here, the medium strong body and aromatic roasted notes of the coffee blend well with the hardy vanilla ice cream. It takes a while for the beverage to reach the creamy texture associated with this dessert beverage, but it's worth the wait. Good!

Affogato (SGD $6.80)

Affogato

Rather decent Latte (SGD $5.20), as before, it's medium strong in body and aromatic. Love the precise coffee art, really pretty! Can't go too wrong with the coffee beans here, as they're sourced from Common Man Coffee Roasters. Price has risen slightly though.

Latte (SGD $5.20)

Latte

Overall, I loved the food and service at Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore, though the ambience could be improved. Their innovative, creative, and tasty dishes are bold and complex in flavour, hearty in portion, and relatively light on the wallet. Always something new for returning diners too. Montana Brew Bar / Montana Singapore remains a good place for chilling out with friends, and for those looking to try something a little different!


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