Antoinette (Mandarin Gallery)

Antoinette is the brain child of Singapore’s renowned pâtissier – Chef Pang’s independent venture, after leaving the Les Amis Group. Drawing inspiration from the last queen of France, Marie Antoinette’s extravagant tastes, this 26-seater salon de thé is definitely one of the best place to enjoy your high tea.

The restaurant has a contemporary Victorian styled décor with dusty pastel-colored palate, European furniture and of course, intricately made-and-molded sweets and pastries. Choosing cakes to eat is difficult because there are more than 18 different cakes, 12 different flavors of macaroons, traditional French pastries and breads and 24 blends of teas. Savory items are also served, but in main-course menu.

I have been here many times, but because the place was very small, dim and full house, I didn’t dare to take any photos. Thankfully this time, we went on a day when the restaurant was not full house, I decided I should do a few quick shot of the lovely cakes.

Here we have the Saint Honore L’amour ($8.50) which is a elegant cake tower of red fruit compote and rose petal cream filled with profiteroles, on an almond tart. What’s more, you can find a surprise strawberry compote and fresh raspberries hidden in the middle of the cake! I love roses and when my cake has pretty roses (like this one too), it just made my heart melt.

 

Traditional strawberry shortcake usually comes with biscuits, strawberries and cream. But at Antoinette, Chef Pang created a japanese version of Strawberry Shortcake ($8) where sponge cake is used instead. The cake was soft and fluffy and the Chantilly cream was very light with many fresh strawberries.

I love to eat Mont Blanc, especially the one at Flor Patisserie. I can’t help but to compare both of them. Antoinette’s Mont Blanc ($8.50) has a light chestnut cream which has a fragrant nutty taste. However, the pastry at the base was too hard and dry on that day.

Here’s a shot of the pretty ladies! Thank you Jayne and Gabby for the lovely treat.

Note: Be prepared to wait in line as reservations are not taken here!