Spruce has a special place in my heart despite the fact that I've never paid the outlet a visit before. The proximity to my previous home and my love for burgers (Spruce has reportedly one of the best burgers in Singapore) creating a mockery of this circumstance. With a change of fortune, I was lucky enough to land an opportunity to dine at Spruce, just in time for the launch of their Christmas specials. Needless to say, I allowed the neon lights to lead me home.
Along with tasting the Christmas specials, we got up close and personal with some of the house specialities. Kicking off with the Ahi Tuna Tartar ($22); a dish much raved about by one of our fellow diners; we were greeted with a bounteous pile of sashimi grade raw tuna mixed with a special vinaigrette served on a platter rounded up by toasted ciabatta bread and avocado. I surrendered to the delicacy of this offering, it's light handed seasoning and distinct freshness speaking volumes.
Equally tantalizing is the Spruce's Signature Salad ($19). Whatever you're getting for your main course, you might want to consider ordering this as a starter to share; both to hit your daily quota of greens and to toast oneself in the gratifying treasure trove of veggies. In there, fresh corn, almond flakes, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, mixed green and chevre cheese, and the out of the ordinary dates for that bit of 'wow-factor'. The salad is outstanding on its own, but if you're feeling in the dumps, the champagne vinaigrette dressing served on the side sweetens the deal.
Spoiler alert, if you think the Spruce Burger ($18) is a contender for the top burgers in Singapore, you've got it wrong. Spruce breaks out of its golden streak with a run-of-the-mill burger; perfect squishy toasted bun, spirited cheerleader fries and toothsome bacon streaks; however, the patty fails to deliver with its under seasoned innards and a general lack of texture, the absence of a char on its outer-facade, a deadly crime.
I don't know about you but I've usually steer clear of ordering pasta dishes at restaurants devoid of Italian roots, mainly to avoid disappointment. This is no different. The Prawn Pasta ($22) made somewhat of a quizzical appearance, the extra effort taken to chop the sea prawns up into minuscule pieces mystifying everyone at the table. Green from the zucchini and spinach garlic cream sauce, this is not the dish for kids or anyone who suffers from vert timidity.
Another substantial offering is the Tuna Burger ($24) which fared much better than its beefier cousin. The coarse hand chopped tuna patty breaking into smithereens upon gentle prodding with the knife, but on hindsight, at least we're not dealing with a overworked tuna mince patty!
When it comes to desserts, it's always a bounty of plates that parades the table tops; in this instance, more is better, and the tendency to over order is predominant as we, foodies attempt to find a gem amid the mud. The dessert menu at Spruce was a perfect place to deposit these hopes, its varied offerings meaning that everyone gets to name a favourite. For me, it would have to be the Red Velvet Cupcake ($4) with a rich magenta stained cream cheese topping over fluffy chocolate cake. Coming in second would be the Pecan Pie, its robust brown sugared innards, smooth and almost custardy; the pecan nuts glistening from brief encounter with the apricot glaze. The Baked Ginger Date Pudding ($15) doesn't quite work, let down by it's overly dense composition; for a better version, head over to PS cafe.
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From 1st to 30th December'14 (except the 24th, 25th and 31st), there will be Festive Set Menu ($38++) available that comes with a salad, choice of main and a dessert. Pay attention, OCBC card members will enjoy a 10% discount off on this rate!
Options for add-ons include the Split pea and Sweet Potato Soup ($10); Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Champagne ($45 for 375ml and $85 for 75ml) for em' party go-ers!
Start off with a Roasted Beetroot & Chevre Salad, a great light course that doesn't sit too heavily on the waistline amidst all the festive feasting. Studded with candied walnuts and pomegranate, this dish is almost like unwrapping a Christmas present, full of surprises.
Choose between the Smoked Lamb Bockwurst with Chestnut Stuffing or the Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing for mains. My loyalties lie with the smoked lamb bockwurst, the bed of red cabbage sauerkraut and sweet potato matchsticks buying my love.
For a candy-coated finale, tuck into the Pumpkin Pie. A warm dessert with heart-warming intentions that leaves a light footprint on the gut.
Spruce @ Fire Station
260 Upper Bukit Timah
#01-01
S (588190)
t: 63665582
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11 30am - 12am
Sat - Sun &PH: 9am - 12am
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