Fresh tasty tucker at Cafe Melba

PUBLISHED September 5th, 2012 10:21 am | UPDATED March 29th, 2016 02:51 pm

For those of you who have still never ventured up to the Goodman Arts Centre, there is now even more reason to. The arts hub is not just a creative hot house – it is now home to not one, but yes, two restaurants. The older player being La Barca which we reviewed here. And the fresh faced, bright shiny new one taking over the former basketball court….Cafe Melba.

Cafe Melba is like that lovely easygoing friend that welcomes you into their friendly home with tasty, fuss-free food and a warm, friendly vibe. You can rely on them for tasty tucker using quality ingredients throughout the day – but mainly at times when you need it the most – namely brunch, lunch and dinner. Because after all…what are good friends for?

So exactly what type of food can you expect here? Well the secret is in the name. Think food inspired from Melbourne (MELB) and Asia (A) – ta – dah! MELBA!

Fellow brunch fiends out there – I’m happy to say you have a new spot to try! Of the two dishes I locked by chops round, I have to say that the Eggs Benedict ($16) (which is available with either home cured bacon, parma ham or salmon, I had the latter), won’t disappoint. Made with proper kampong eggs (because these chickens are happy and freeeeeee!) they taste delicious and more concentrated, just like proper fresh eggs should do. Even the roasted vine-ripened tomatoes on the side are bursting with flavour and this is a sign of things to come; Chef Kacey Whaitiri-Roberts – the man with the plan here, is passionate about using fresh, quality ingredients. And it shows.

Brunch lovers be sure to indulge in some pancake action. The Pancakes ($14) are stacked up and ready to receive your maple syrup along with whipped cream and the berry compote is so beautifully tart, you will be slathering it all over these little fellas.

If you’re heading over for some lunch, dinner, or whatever you want from the all day menu and are a seafood lover, then the Vongole of clams and squid ink pasta ($17/$25) is a must. Served up in a lovely savoury sauce which has a nice kick to it, thanks to the  garlic, chilli, white wine and parsley. The standard version comes with a ridiculously generous 500 grams worth of clams, so no poking around to try and unearth the clams because this dish is fabulously awash with them! And if somehow 500 grams is not enough for you, you can amp it up to 1 kilogram worth of unadulterated clam time.

I have to admit I was a wee bit baffled when this number appeared in front of me…but it totally and utterly stole my heart…and tastebuds. I was even more taken aback when I found out that the main ingredient was corned beef….and then by how much I totally loved it! Going by the name of Reuben Sandwich ($18), this was not the corned beef from my school days – but something altogether different. So delicious it was, combined with sauerkraut (yes shock horror!), Swiss cheese and garlic aioli, trust me this sandwich is pure genius! Especially when combined with wedges on the side…

Having just returned from New Zealand where you may as well be eating lamb for breakfast, lunch, and dinner it is in such abundance, I would say that Cafe Melba is a good option to get your lamb fix at decent prices. The Braised lamb shank ($30) is a solid rendition – the lamb falls off the bone and is nice and tender, and served up with mashed potato and minted peas.

If you’re hankering after something spicy, then the Melba beef rendang ($18) – made with soft, succulent morsels of meat with the notes of lemongrass, lime and coconut coming through perfectly  – will satisfy your need.

Quite honestly I was rather stuffed by this point, but in the name of Nomadom, I just about managed to squeeze in a pudding – and it helped because it was one of my favourites…apple crumble! Moist apples, crispy crust, warm cinnamon flavour = lovely. Also it’s worth noting for tea lovers that Melba has a rather large and interesting selection of TWG teas…and the Bain de Roses, Creme Caramel, and Silver Moon Tea (prices from $6) are all highly recommended.

One final thing before I wrap up, word on the street has it that every now and again, the good folks at Cafe Melba do a cracking weekend roast. I for one shall be keeping a close eye on their Facebook page for details of when the next one will be, and I suggest you do the same!

All in all, Cafe Melba is a rather lovely spot to kick back and relax for an unpretentious brunch, lunch, dinner or whatever your penchant really, and get stuck into some tasty, solid nosh. If you don’t live in the hood, then it’s certainly worth getting your lazy bones into gear and checking it out because we are Nomads after all….and if you live around and abouts, this will surely become a firm favourite with you.

Ps. Their pizzas are absolutely epic!

Cafe Melba, is located at the Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Singapore.