Revolution Coffee has been around for three years, but it’s now got a new face helming the kitchen. Well-known mod-Sin chef Shen Tan, who’s famous for her nasi lemak dishes and creations like bak chor mee pasta, took over all things food-related last year-end, cementing her relationship with the one-north cafe, where she had served as a food consultant from the beginning.
So yes, she will be whipping up renditions of her signatures, as well as new creations such as grilled laksa salad ($9.90). And since Revolution Coffee is the only cafe in town to offer cups of java from Jakarta-based Caffeine Dispensary, expect loads of coffee-based sauces such as coffee kaya and coffee sambal in the food.
If it’s your first time tasting Tan’s twice-steamed, 10-ingredient nasi lemak, you’re in for a treat. The menu features five options for you to choose from — fried boneless chicken thigh ($4.90), crispy pork belly ($7.90), pork confit marinated with coffee grounds and five spice powder ($9.90), beef rendang braised in coconut milk and spices ($9.90) and braised chicken rendang ($9.90) — they’re all served with ikan billis, omelette, sambal belachan and coffee sambal.
But if you’re already a regular at the cafe, don’t worry, your brunch faves like croissants ($5), gula melaka pancakes ($14) and French toast with bacon ($15) still remain on the menu.
For pasta lovers, you’ll wanna order Tan’s specialty: bak chor mee pasta ($19.90) of five spice pork confit with tagliatelle tossed in a spicy sauce. It’s a great rendition of a hawker favourite, and we’d return anytime just for more. But if you’re a BCM purist, try the buah keluak pasta ($19.90) with pork belly, minced prawns, and minced pork; or the fish curry pasta ($19.90) with spaghetti and poached fish.
In the realm of desserts, you really can’t go wrong with Tan’s version of chendol ($10) — it’s a creamy, wobbly coconut panna cotta topped with gula melaka syrup and green jellies, and served with a delish house-made red bean ice cream.
Revolution Coffee is at #01-03A, 21 Media Circle, 6777-2110. Daily 9am-6pm.
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