White Rabbit
Alice is Wonderland is a favourite tale of mine, the surreal tale of the heroine and her friends have always struck a chord with me. And when we were told that there was a restaurant in Singapore called White Rabbit which was named after Alice in Wonderland, well what’s a girl to do but book a table here.
The restaurant is housed inside a converted church and has aces of beautiful gardens surrounding it. Sadly it is raining so any sort of Alice style exploring is out of the question. We take a look inside and it is gorgeous with wooden and leather chairs, lush greenery and lovely lighting fixtures and the restaurant does brunch until 2.30pm. Alison from delicious. magazine, Carly from SBS and I take a seat at a roomy booth and fixate on the menu. And of course you know the item that we really wanted: mac and cheese with truffles but apparently so did everyone else. We are told that it has sold out and no amount of eyelash batting will make it appear.
Lobster and cheese omelette $30
We went for our second choice, a lobster and cheese omelette. It’s a nicely made omelette with a generous amount of lobster chunks. The only thing I could really fault was that the cheese was much stronger than the lobster and masked any sort of lobster flavour.
Wagyu quarter pounder $32
Carly is allergic to mushrooms so we had this without the field mushrooms. It’s a well seasoned patty and comes with melted cheese on top but could do with some pickles or sauce which we ask for. The fries are crunchy and addictive (and fries eaten on holiday contain no calories right?!)
Smoked salmon blini $28
The smoked salmon blini could have dine with a bit more smoked salmon and the eggs were completely unseasoned however with the salty salmon it was more balanced. The blini is light and fluffy and made from buckwheat.
Mars bar soufflé $16
I was a little worried when it was set down in front of us and as far as a soufflé goes it wasn’t a success. The skin on top was tough (and skin?) and underneath it it was quite wet and the texture was more of a lemon delicious style of pudding rather than a drier airy soufflé. There are melted bits of Mars bar at the bottom which we fish for. Overall it’s a pretty setting and not a bad place for brunch although there isn’t much in the way of Alice in the decor except for these bar tiles.
TWG Tea Salon
On the Alice and tea party theme, should you wish to have a bit of a tea stop in the afternoon TWG (The Wellness Group) tea salon is a bit obsessed with tea. We visited their branch at the Marina Bay Sands shopping centre and like all Singapore shops, open late at night (with a Manolo Blahnik boutique to open soon!). Founded in 2007, they stock teas from 36 tea producing countries and the tea menu stretches out for a good eight pages features 402 varieties of tea.
The menu starts with their darjeeling teas which are denoted by the letters that the Dutch East Indies tea company originally used to describe different tea types. With tea, the higher the percentage of whole tips that are found in the tea, the higher the grade of tea. Teas here start at about $11 per pot and go up to $84.50 for a China Szechuan yellow gold tea buds tea.
Tea jelly and cream
When faced with a huge selection of teas it can be a bit daunting. I am a huge Earl Grey tea fan and they suggested white Earl Grey which is an experiment with an expensive first grade tea blended with quality bergamot. However since I do like my tea sweet and milky so Maranda suggests the New York breakfast tea which features African black tea, Tahitian vanilla and chocolate. I try it and it is sweet like a caramel tea which I am not particularly taken with but then I try Grace’s white Earl Grey and I prefer that and its uplifting fragrance of bergamot.
Here they also have a small section of Pu-erh teas which are teas that are aged in cellars. The price of these varies from $11-$19.50 per pot and these teas have been the subject of speculation as some see them as an investment. Three of the teas are dated from 1993, 1998 and 2000, much like you would have a wine vintage. The older the tea, the stronger the smell and the milder the taste and Maranda describes them as smelling like “earth” and the older they are the more they smell like…vomit! But apparently this is a plus. It must be the same palate that likes durian! 
We try the sweets on offer including some heavenly macarons. Now macaron seekers, Singapore is in the throes of macaron fever and they are making some fantastic ones here. The black macaron, which I first thought was licorice was the pick of the it has to be said fabulous bunch. All of the sweets have an element of tea in them and the black macaron had Napoleon black tea and caramel which is an insanely good combination. Maranda tells us that they worked for a long time to develop a recipe for the macaron which was less sweet to cater for the Asian palate. I think Alice would have approved…
The Disgruntled Chef
Later one evening we stopped by The Disgruntled Chef where one can partake of small plates and large plates along with cocktail, wine and champagne. The Disgruntled Chef is owned by German born Peter Knipp who heads up Singapore’s World Gourmet Summit each year. In its 15th year, this year saw chefs such as Australia’s Dietmar Sawyere and Brent Savage join Rachel Allen, Edward Kwon and Singaporean chefs Janice Wong and Ryan Clift for masterclasses, demonstrations, lunches and dinners.
Crispy lamb shortribs with cumin and chilli $14
The crispy lamb shortribs are divine-succulent yet crunchy it is generously dusted with a spicy potpourri of cumin and chilli. I need to force myself to stop at one.
Crackling Suckling pig $16
Oh my, I do love it when crackling cracks in the mouth and indeed this lovely number does so appealingly. Holding the spindly bones it innately requires some ladylike restraint to eat it although all I want to do is have at it. But I’m a lady you see
Baked Camembert fondue $18
The baked camembert fondue comes on a piece of fruit bread with a little tube of apple sauce which we apply on top of the barely baked camembert. It was good although I do prefer the meat dishes.
The Clinic Bar
I suspect if Alice were written in the modern day, there would have been many a cocktail had. And perhaps she might have visited somewhere like The Clinic Bar where “doctors” and “nurses” administer cocktails to “patients”.
I do love the way that Asia does theme bars and this was the one bar we were told we just needed to try. On Clarke Quay, it’s bustling and packed this Friday night and not at all what we expected. For starters it is entirely outdoors whereas we expected it to be housed in a room that resembles…well a clinic! There are “doctors” walking around in white lab coats pushing drips filled with cocktails and “patients” can sit in the wheelchairs.
Speaking of the drip cocktail, it doesn’t come cheap at $50 a pop but you take the end and roll the lever and out comes your very own drip cocktail in either “sex on the drip” or a more bloody looking one called “blood transfusion”-ok it’s a gimmick but we fall for it.
We also ordered a bucket full of five syringes which you administer by spurting into your mouth! I think I averaged about five hours of sleep a night on this trip…
So tell me Dear Reader, which book, tv or movie hero or heroine would you like to be?
NQN travelled to and explored Singapore as a guest of the Singapore Tourism Board. The White Rabbit meal was independently paid for.
The White Rabbit
39C Harding Rd, Singapore
Tel: +65 6473 9965
TWG Tea Salon
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B2-89/89A, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore
Tel: +65 6535 1837
Open daily 10 am – 10 pm
Open daily 10 am – 11 pm and until 12 midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and on the eve of public holidays
The Disgruntled Chef
26B Dempsey Road, Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 5305
Tue–Sun: 12pm–3pm, 5pm–11.30pm
The Clinic
The Cannery, 3C River Valley Rd, Singapore
Tel: +65 6887 3733
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41 Comments | Add your own
wow i like the concept of the clinic. sigh, i really want to go to sg!!
Feeling a little ill looking at the clinic bar. I wouldn’t want to ‘drink’ from a drip and make it some sort of fun experience…because being hooked up to one isn’t too fun.
Those macarons look so perfect:)
Such a variety of places1 I love the sound of the Mac & Cheese with Truffles too! So disappointed that you didn’t get to try this! And it would have been wonderful if the restaurant had taken advantage of its namesake and had at least one Alice greet you at the door! As for which character, having a vivid memory of movie (and book) moments to call on, I often find a fragment of a scene flash before my eyes in any given moment or circumstance. So, in a moment of conducting a financial negotiation, the shark (and theme song) from Jaws might pop into my head or if I’m feeling melodramatic, Scarlet from Gone with the Wind, silhouetted against the evening sky shouting “as God is my witness, I will never be hungry again!” It quite often gives me a secret chuckle which I then have to explain to whomever I’m with! The film “Look Both Ways” from the talented, recently passed (rest in peace), Sarah Watt is the perfect example.
awww those macarons are too pretty!
Singapore is certainly not holding back when it comes to restaurant concepts, names and macaroon flavours:)
I love the pictures and the description of the various places…so many varieties…but I am not sure about the Clinic…I don’t think I would want to have any drinks there
Love the concept of the church turned into restaurant…
Thanks for sharing all this fun places and hope you are having a great week Lorraine
I would definitely have to go to the Alice in Wonderland cafe too. There’s a place called Alice’s Teapot in NYC I am keen to see. I bags the Mars Bar souffle.
Hmm, that bar’s taking themes to an extreme… Not sure how I’d feel about sitting in a wheelchar if I didn’t have to
I love the ambience of the church space and almost licked the screen when I saw those crackling suckling pig ribs. Interesting sounding teas and lovely macarons too. Not too sure about the Clinic, but admire the originality of it all. I love this post just because of the ground you covered. Looking forward to more!
Would have loved to have been along on that ‘journey’ in one of my favourite cities in the world and absolutely adored the interior look of ‘The White Rabbit’. What a variety of experiences
! Not too sure about some of the offerings or their prices 
! Two literary heroines come to mind: one has already been mentiond – Scarlett O’Hara from ‘Gone with the Wind’. The other is my childhood favourite: Natasha Rostova from Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’. I was so in love with her character in my younger years that I can still quote many of her sentences now 
. Audrey Hepburn well portayed her in the most well known film version of the novel.
I didn’t think any calories counted on holidays?
I can’t decide who I’d want to be. Hermione from Harry Potter would be pretty good. I’d love to be able to do magic.
I adore the menu options from the White Rabbit, a Waghu Quarter… Totes awesome, and how wonderful eating lobster in an omelette.
PS: WANT a syringe. Soooo cool!
I love the idea of this place! In terms of disney, I always wanted to be Cinderella
Heidi xo
Your experience at The White Rabbit sounds very disappointing which is a shame because I’ve heard it’s a great place to go to. I often walk past The Clinic but have never stopped in – good thing at $50 a pop for the IV cocktails! Damn alcohol being so expensive in Singapore
BuBbles
x.
I love Dempsey area…it actually reminds me a little of Australia… with Jones Grocer and other fine restaurants around… I have heard mixed reviews about White Rabbit but have not been their yet…I usually head across the road to Petite Au Salut…:)
Love TWG. When I did my Mad Hatter’s Tea Unbirthday party this year, I got a whole lot of Macaroons, floral tea and sugar stirrers from TWG. The other good place for macaroons is Canele, who also does excellent cakes.There is another one but the name slips my mind!?!? Disgruntled Chef does a very very good bone marrow dish. Had it before I came to Sydney. Yum
Perhaps a dose of visiting Alice’s Tea Party at the Hunter Valley might do?
My dad was my super hero, TRUE!
Now he’s flown off to another land in the clouds too!
Like an apple, not far from his tree!
ADMIRE HIM SO!!! LOVE the fact he created ME!
I love Singapore! We have friends ere at the moment who are going to Tetsuya’s tonight – lucky ducks! We tried to get a tea at TWG at various locations in July but it was always full with a queue – and I won’t line up for a tea, ever!
As to who I’d like to be: Lizzie Bennet. Sassy, smart, kind, and ultimately marries the rich guy who likes her for who she is.
Ohhh lovely, and a few more places for me to try now that I live in Singapore! I think I’d like to be Supergirl! Very cool super powers!
Lucky you to get to go to Singapore. Man, I’d book a flight just for that lobster omelet.
Why, Sookie Stackhouse of course! Wow Lorraine, you have the most amazing adventures, I just love reading about them.
The Clinic concept is a bit morbid. Too sick for my liking I think, especially when I work in one for a day job. I remember there’s a funeral director that holds a party for the doctors and nurses from the local hospital once a year at his parlor, and the drinks were served a coffin filled with ice.
–How uttery unique & hippity hip.
Also quite weeeeird…
–But I like weird.
I would definitely Mars bar soufflée,” baby!
XXx Kiss for you, L.
I love the variety of tea! Planning a trip to Singapore in the next couple of years, so really looking forward to it now
I always wanted to be Hermione from HP, complete with my very own Professor Snape.
I’d go down the Rabbit Hole with you
Oh, and I’m rather a fan of Leslie Knope right now. In fact, I dare say she’s replaced Liz Lemon in my heart (*gasp*)
The black tea and caramel macaron sounds absolutely amazing!
The idea of aged tea is interesting. Makes me wonder why the loose leaf I buy has a use by date…
I agree, fries on holiday are calorie free!
Exciting news re Singapore and macarons.
SSG xxx
I really want to go to this tea salon! The tea pot is so cute and all these macarons are so gorgeous… I love the tableware too!
Love Singapore but it’s a definite NoNo to The Clinic
Can’t say the food has me all that excited but you seemed to have had a good time trying it all Lorraine.
Hi Lorraine interesting post, when we were in Singapore earlier this year we walked past The Clinic but we didn’t go in. The idea was a bit odd to me, not sure why but sitting in a wheelchair when you don’t have to and drips/syringes doesn’t appeal to me, guess it’s not for everyone. I always wanted to be Wonder Woman
They have a little TWG concession inside Harrods (but not a place to drink tea), now I am curious to try it.
*kisses* HH
How I would love to go to that tea house, but I’m not too sure about aged ‘vomit’ tasting tea? When I have my surgery (eventually)I will lie back and pretend the drip they give me is full of an alcohol coctail instead of a drug filled one, I;m sure that would be lots more fun
Heroine? Maybe Miss Piggy, she’s a gal who knows what she wants and how to get it. She’s also full of wisdom, my favourite quote of hers- ‘Never eat more than you can lift’- words to live by Lorraine
I love the concept of an Alice in Wonderland cafe – what a shame it did not live up to the promise.
The Clinic reminds me very much of a Sydney bar from the late 80s – The Test Tube Factory. Very similar concept, as well as the infusions from the nurses they also (obviously) sold drinks in test tubes.
Another foodie reason to visit Singapore aside from the chilli mud crab
I have often thought this – but you have the best life!!
THANK YOU so much for my dvd too
Walked past clinic but did not go in…. always spend time at Dempsey when I head back in the day and then it’s hawker at night
The White Rabbit could have gone so much further with the Alice theme. I think i’d be a bit disappointed to see an Alice theme that wasn’t at least a little OTT
The Clinic looks interesting, I can imagine customers needing the wheelchairs after a few syringes & drips!
Heroine.. I’d want to be someone smart like Nancy Drew
Superman of course
sorry but the disgruntled is owned by Chef Daniel Sia and not Peter Knipp
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