Xchange Restaurant & Bar, Xchange Chirashi, Seriously Coffee, Singapore
Vivocity is my most detested shopping mall in Singapore.
To get from one point to another within the mall, you often have to walk one big round. I never understand why that mall is always so crowded. I always wish there is a nearby alternative that I can suggest to my friends and divert everyone there.
Thankfully, my prayers have been answered. Up-and-coming F&B group Xchange Group has recently started operations with 3 F&B outlets in the expat-heavy vicinity of Vivocity and Alexandra Business Park.
3-in-1 Dining Paradise
Xchange Group has pretty much taken over the street-level commercial space at Bijou, a leafy condominium located right opposite Pasir Panjang MRT.
The 3 F&B outlets are Seriously Coffee, Xchange Chirashi, Xchange Restaurant & Bar.
Of note, Xchange Chirashi does not simply offer chirashi bowls. Xchange Chirashi also has maki rolls, nigiri and sashimi.
Where would you like to sit?
You can sit indoors or al fresco. Wherever you sit, you can order from any of the 3 F&B outlets.
If you decide to take out (it is Covid era after all), Xchange Group uses very environmentally friendly wooden eating utensils. Their take out containers are made of paper in the lower section.
Chef’s Special – Carpaccio (1 pc) S$5.90
Fantastic starter. They are umami bombs.
Sashimi Moriawase 5 Shu S$32
Nothing wrong here. The sashimi is as it should be – delicious and sweet.
Black Pepper Lime Squid S$15
Crispy fried squid with tongarashi powder, black pepper lime sauce and lime zest
I love this appetiser. I like squid to begin with, and this appetiser has a crunchy texture, which contrasts nicely with the fresh, al dente squid. The flavours are mild. I felt like when paired with an ice-cold sauvignon blanc, this would make the perfect after work appetiser. I will show you below how to enjoy this appetiser for less money so read till the end.
Pan-seared Scallops S$26
Pan-seared scallops, salmon roe, avruga caviar, cauliflower mousse and parmesan crisps
The scallops are thick, sweet, fresh and beautifully seared and with a wonderful “crust”. The sweetness and velvety texture of the scallops pair well with the umami of the roe and caviar. The mousse adds creaminess.
Chef’s Signature Maki (8 pcs) S$24.90
What’s not to like? I like unagi (at the centre), I like salmon, I like salmon roe. What a healthy dish.
Luxury haute cuisine
Aburi Tokusen Nigiri Set S$81.90
Every set comes with miso soup
This is the most luxurious and expensive set in the house. I love seared nigiri so you can imagine how much I enjoyed this set.
Kids will be quiet here
Mini Charcoal Beef Burger S$20
Two mini Angus burger with charcoal bun, cheddar cheese, red wine gravy, dill pickle, mustard sauce, cajun crispy fries
It’s ok to bring your tykes here too. They can have these sliders to eat. I mean, who can resist these cute little buns? They really got these mini burgers right. Made from Angus beef, these mini burgers are salty, moderately greasy and cheesy, just like how burgers should be. If you think it might be too greasy/ heavy, fear not. The pickle provides the crucial balance. Surprisingly, the charcoal buns are fluffy and delicious. I thought they would be chunky and crudely made.
Spicy Tomato Prawn Spaghetti S$20
Zesty tomato spaghetti with tiger prawn, capsicum and japanese la-yu
They got the balance of this dish right too. I thought it would be too heavy and spicy, but the spiciness was mild and delicate. It was, overall, quite refined.
Chocolate Salted Caramel S$8.50
Indulgent salted caramel buttercream with chocolate cake
The velvety buttercream was heavenly.
Tip: as you can see from the photo, their cake is a rectangular log (unlike most cakes which are round). So ask nicely if they can give you end slices as the end slices have more of the delicious cream.
Orange Mocha S$7
Orange and chocolate is a classic flavour pairing, so I wonder why no one has thought of this beverage invention sooner. This has the classic pairing of orange + chocolate, with the added dimension of the bitterness of coffee. I like classic pairings, so this beverage wins top marks from me.
So, some of the dishes above, such as the Spicy Tomato Prawn Spaghetti, Black Pepper Lime Squid, Mini Charcoal Beef Burgers can be found as part of the very value-for-money set meals available. So you get to these delicious cuisine without spending a lot. I particularly like the Black Pepper Lime Squid and Mini Charcoal Beef Burgers, so I get to have both for only $26++. YES!
Dear friends, can we forget about Vivocity for good and just meet 3 MRT stations away at Xchange?
Lunch Set S$22 + GST + service charge (available everyday 11am – 2pm)
Appetiser (choose 1)
Side Salad
Mesclun mix salad, cherry tomato, red radish and apple dressing
Truffle Mushroom Soup (+$2)
Creamy mushroom soup with truffle and olive bread
Side Dish (choose 1)
Spring Rolls
Deep fried vegetarian spring rolls
Crispy Wings
Freshly brine chicken wings fried with crispy crust
Furikake Fried Cauliflower
Cauliflower fried in crispy batter with furikake mix and bonito flakes
Main Course (choose 1)
Truffle Mushroom Fettucine <——YUM! I want to go back to try this!
Shitake and button mushroom and truffled cream sauce
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Fresh salmon and hollandaise sauce and olive bread
Spicy Tomato Prawn Spaghetti <—— You can have the Spicy Tomato Prawn Spaghetti as part of a set meal
Zesty tomato spaghetti with tiger prawn, capsicum and japanese la-yu
Dessert (choose 1)
Yam Ice Cream
Chocolate Ice Cream
All-day Set Menu S$26 + GST + service charge (available all day everyday)
Appetiser (choose 1)
Side Salad
Mesclun mix salad, cherry tomato, red radish and apple dressing
Truffle Mushroom Soup (+$2)
Creamy mushroom soup with truffle and olive bread
Side Dish (choose 1)
Breaded Fried Prawns
Japanese breaded prawns with salad and apple dressing
Crispy Wings
Freshly brine chicken wings fried with crispy crust
Black Pepper Lime Squid <—— You can have the Black Pepper Lime Squid as part of a set meal
Crispy fried squid with tongarashi powder, black pepper lime sauce and lime zest
Main Course (choose 1)
Half-roasted Spring Chicken
Tasteful spring chicken with cranberry sauce and fries
Classic Fish and Chips
Battered fried red snapper with tartare sauce and fries
Mini Charcoal Beef Burgers <—— You can have the Mini Charcoal Beef Burgers as part of a set meal
Two mini Angus burgers with charcoal bun, cheddar cheese, red wine gravy, dill pickle, mustard and fries
Dessert (choose 1)
Yam Ice Cream
Chocolate Ice Cream
