Nope, no truffle fries here.
This may be the first thing you need to know about Park Side, the newest brand launched by the team behind PS.Cafe.
While the parent group is most famous for its Truffle Shoestring Fries and Suzy’s Spaghetti Crab Mee Goreng, this new venture at the Singapore Botanic Gardens aims for a different identity.
It takes over the large pavilion at Nassim Gate that formerly housed Prive. In case you are taking Grab, set your drop-off at the Nassim Gate Visitor Centre.
This concept focuses more on botanical elements, incorporating diverse herbs, fruits, and spices into the dishes.
The interior is vast, spanning 3,800 square feet of airy dining space.
I found the design to be bright and unpretentious, with plenty of natural light, high white ceilings, and exposed black structural beams.
And of course, views of the surrounding greenery makes you feel you are overseas for a little while.
Tip: check out the playful hand-sketched illustrations of animals scattered around the space, even in coffee cups.
The menu is quite extensive and leans towards modern brunch favourites with an Asian twist.
Breakfast and brunch items include the Luncheon Bun ($24), Tikka Paneer Toast ($22), Salted Egg Chicken Scramble ($22), Kaya, Bacon & Eggs ($22), Hummingbird Pancake ($22), and the Park Side Breakfast ($28).
For those visiting later in the day, the Big Plates feature the Botanical Bowl ($24), Tamarind Hot Honey Chicken Burger ($26), Spiced Fish & Chips ($28), Brisket Melt ($26), Bak Chor & Bacon Udon ($28), and King Prawn Aglio Olio ($28).
I had the Luncheon Bun ($24), which, though slightly on the expensive side, was satisfying and quite filling.
The house-made luncheon meat was a highlight, offering a more artisanal texture and less saltiness than the canned versions.
It was served with a soft omelette and melted cheddar cheese inside a toasted burger bun. I liked the addition of the tamarind tomato jam, which provided a sharp, tangy acidity to cut through the heaviness of the meat and cheese.
If you have a sweet tooth, desserts like the Bunny Hop ($14), Mud Pie ($14), and Ondeh Ondeh Pudding ($16) are available. Again, slightly on the expensive side.
While the pricing reflects the premium location, Park Side manages to create a separate identity from its famous sibling while maintaining a standard of service and food quality.
Plus, the casual, light-filled space is a refreshing change from the darker, more moody interiors of other PS.Cafe outlets.
Park Side by PS.Cafe
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Nassim Gate Visitor Centre, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
Opening Hours: 8am – 7pm (Mon – Thurs), 8am – 9pm (Fri – Sun)
Other Related Entries
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French Fold (Great World)
Twenty Eight Cafe and Kopi 1930 (National Gallery)
Cloudfields (Outram Road)
EarlyAfter (Mohamed Sultan Road)
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