New Kid on the Block – Bécasse Bakery

Australian Bécasse Bakery finally opened in Singapore two weeks ago; half a year after it was due to do so. Brought in by jones the grocer, which acquired the bakery as well as burger joint Charlie & Co. from The North Group, its first outlet is located at the atrium on the 4th floor of Ion Orchard outside the entrance to Magosaburou. Charlie & Co. opened at B4 of the same shopping mall in January this year and both used to be part of The North Group, owned by Australian celebrity chef Justin North and his wife Georgia, that went into voluntary administration in June last year. According to the website, its French-style pastries and breads are baked in-house using traditional artisan methods with premium ingredients. And the new contemporary bakery is within walking distance to overseas offshoots of well-known bakeries, boulangeries and patisseries such as Japanese's Maison Kayser at Wheelock Place, Korean's Paris Baguette at Wisma Atria and French's Paul at Takashimaya.

While there is all-day breakfast at this supposedly chic, classy and elegant restaurant designed so customers feel like they are dining in Paris, I was tempted by none of the items on its menu and went for a sandwich instead. It came on a slate with a bowl of mixed greens in a light dressing, similar to jones the grocer except the latter was on a wooden board. Deluxe Pulled Pork had twice-cooked pork rib and caramelised onions sitting atop rocket and cornichons, topped with garlic mayonnaise and tomato. I requested to have mine without comté, a French cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. The tender meat was flavourful and well-balanced by sweet onions, tart gherkin and soft pain de mie – freshly-baked, lightly-toasted and thick. My order of macchiato was served, strangely, in a cappuccino cup instead of an espresso cup. Could smell a strong aroma of roasted beans in the bitter cuppa so acidic I cringed with every sip.

Update: The restaurant has closed.