Common Chefs

Common Chefs
8 Jalan Legundi #01-13

http://www.commonchefssg.com/

Truffle Tatter Tots (SGD $8 / $14)

Average Cafe Experience

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 5
Service: 7
Value for Money: 6
Spent about SGD $18 per person.


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Founded in June 2016 by a group of passionate, self-taught young people, Common Chefs is a casual Modern American cafe in the Sembawang area of Singapore. Founders Leslie, Joanna, and Eugene have done a commendable job running Common Chefs, though during our visit, we found the food quality to be hit-and-miss.

Ambience at Common Chefs is modern and comfortable. The warmly lit place is neatly lined with cushioned benches, and metal and wooden furnishings, in shades of black, wood, beige, and grey. These earthy tones lend a calm and unhurried style. Pictures of appetizing American food act as decor, though we discovered these are unrelated to the food served here, which strikes me as unusual.

Service at Common Chefs is partially self-service. Ordering and payment is done over the counter, though staff assist to serve orders to your table. I'm thankful they display good product knowledge, being able to describe dishes briefly. I also note they're efficient at clearing away empty / dirty tables when diners leave. Staff appear friendly and engaging, feels very welcoming and open.

Food at Common Chefs is Modern American cuisine, with some infusion of local flavours. Ingredients are combined in innovative ways, and dishes are creative. Plating is not the most pretty, and generally, taste is hit-and-miss, some components in dishes were great, others were mistakes. Portions are medium to large, sized for individuals, though it can also be shared. Pricing is similar to other cafes, budget about SGD $18 per person for a meal here.


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Common Chefs Exterior

Common Chefs Interior

Common Chefs Menu

Common Chefs Menu

Artwork

The Earl Grey Honey Lemon (SGD $3.50) is a novel combination, with the floral earthy notes of the earl grey tea, contrasted by the sweet sour zesty flavour of the honey lemon. Personally, I find it odd haha.

Earl Grey Honey Lemon (SGD $3.50)

The Flat White (SGD $4.50) here is average and straightforward, nothing particularly outstanding about it.

Flat White (SGD $4.50)

The Pomme D'Amour Tea (SGD $5.50) is calming and earthy fruity sweet, with notes of caramelised red apple and hints of Marasca cherries. Nice.

Pomme D'Amour Tea (SGD $5.50)

The Truffle Tatter Tots (SGD $8 / $14) are so good! Crispy and golden brown on the outside, moist and soft inside, with good potato flavour. Drizzled with a light white truffle oil and sharp parmesan cheese, served with an earthy white truffle mayonnaise dipping sauce on the side. These also pair well with regular chili sauce. Completely satisfiying. Highly recommended!

Truffle Tatter Tots (SGD $8 / $14)

Truffle Tatter Tots

The Full Breakfast Wazza (SGD $12) is an innovative idea, pairing crisp buttermilk waffles with bacon, mozzarella cheese, earthy button mushrooms, tomatoes, and a runny sunny side up egg. Unique but not 'wow', most of the ingredients come across as just average. However, the tomatoes (we think it was the tomatoes) had an odd chemical soap flavour, ruining the overall dish for us.

Full Breakfast Wazza (SGD $12)

Full Breakfast Wazza

Full Breakfast Wazza

Full Breakfast Wazza

Another novel idea, the Shepherd's Pie Pork (SGD $15) substitutes regular minced beef with minced pork instead. This changes the overall flavour of the dish, instead of savoury salty, now it's savoury sweet. The minced pork is cooked with earthy button mushrooms, sweet caramelised onions, creamy homemade mashed potatoes, and gooey mozzarella cheese. The mashed potates are rather thin in texture, causing it to slide down and fill any holes in the dish when serving. Overall average taste.

Shepherd's Pie Pork (SGD $15)

Shepherd's Pie Pork

Shepherd's Pie Pork

Shepherd's Pie Pork

Expectations need to be set for the Rich Man Burger (SGD $16), which is only served on weekends. This decadent burger features a chorizo sausage patty, loaded with smoked cheddar, making it more salty in flavour. Stuffed into fluffy soft buttered brioche burger buns, along with earthy button mushrooms, sweet caramelised onions, and creamy eggy scrambled eggs, finished with a light white truffle mayonnaise. If you like robust, earthy salty savoury flavours, with meaty, creamy, juicy textures in your burger, go for this.

Rich Man Burger (SGD $16)

Rich Man Burger

Rich Man Burger

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