In a cosy, retro space on Rangoon Road sits Non Entrée Desserts. Its creations are mystical and magical — they’ll have you wondering why you’d even go for a regular chocolate cake when you can sink your teeth into such innovative sweet treats.
We’re talking about the one-year-old cafe’s new themed menu, called Back to the Future: The Memories We Ate in The Past. Conceived to reminisce about nostalgic memories from Singapore in the ’80s and ’90s, these desserts may look familiar to anyone who knows their local food, but sink your teeth into them and you’ll find yourself savouring flavours that are completely unexpected.
Take, for example, its version of bak chor mee ($14.90). You won’t taste any springy noodles or fiery chilli sauce here — instead, the impeccable-looking dish is made of mango ‘vermicelli’, mango pudding with aged balsamico ‘vinegar’, raspberry reduction ‘chilli’, peanut ‘lard’, sea coconut ‘mushrooms’, sesame snow ‘minced meat’ and coconut parfait ‘fishball’.
Pretty darned cool, huh. Your brain will tell you one thing while your tastebuds reveal a different story.
Every creation on the menu is intricately made, right down to the last detail. Even the Singapore Breakfast ($13.90) dish of kaya parfait toast comes with a plate of coconut panna cotta ‘soft-boiled egg’ drizzled with gula melaka ‘soy sauce’ and cinnamon ‘pepper powder’.
And if you think you’re ordering a plain old ang ku kueh ($9.90), think again. This rendition is made of strawberry reduction curd, strawberry jelly and shortbread.
Mind blown yet? Well, there’s more. The Horlicks Avalanche ($13.90) will appeal to all those who love gooey lava desserts — slice into it and molten Horlicks white chocolate will ooze out onto a scoop of milk gelato, which sits on a bed of peanut butter crumble and almond nougatine.
And if you want some cake, try the tutu kueh ($8.90) of coconut vanilla mousse, gula melaka cream and coconut almond sponge. It sorta reminds you of the real thing, only way more elegant and refined.
Other fascinating items on the menu include gem biscuit ($10.90), a milk chocolate mousse enveloping apricot compote on almond biscuit; rum ball ($9.90) of dark chocolate mousse, banana, and rum and chocolate sponge; as well as golden piglet ($8.90), a concoction of caramel peanut, peanut crunch and milk choc mousse.
Drinks are also created in the same retro vein — think iced kopi cinno ($6) and ribena lemonade ($6.50) with soda and lemon sorbet.
And if you find yourself craving for more, the menu will stick around till Chinese New Year next year.
Non Entrée Desserts is at 204 Rangoon Rd.
