We’ve always griped about the fact that cafes are all about unhealthy food that are packed with sins, and all that talk about balanced diets almost does not exist. Most of the time, all we get is some sad-looking arugula on the side that honestly looks less appetising than grass, and we have reached the point of giving up on having our dose of fibre at cafes.
Then, Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) at Changi Road came along, and we found hope all over again. This cafe is all about inculcating fresh fruits into their food and drinks! Well, as its name suggests, it prides itself as a heaven for all fruits lovers.
The whole space is fully utilised, with colours everywhere, and very artistic. Quirky displays fill the cafe, and we love how it feels like a hippy laboratory with the many apparatus on display. Even the drinks are served in test tubes and conical flasks!
Now, let’s begin with the drinks menu. We are such fans of coffee, but who needs coffee when we have cold-pressed fruit juices at FFL? Pick from a variety of single fruits or combos; we love the Fruits Beats (S$8). If you prefer tea, try Tokio (S$5) – berry flavoured green tea with flower petals. Non-caffeinated options also include the Lychee Barley (S$5) – six-rowed barley flavoured with lychee – and Sakurambo (S$5) – black tea flavoured with Japanese cherries. Yes, they all sound so pretty.
Over on the food menu, we fell head over heels in love with the Fish & Chips (S$19). It sounds plain and boring, but FFL’s version is definitely not as predictable. Beer battered pacific dory fried to a golden perfection, and the end result is skin so crispy, with beautiful sweet white flesh on the inside. The serving is very generous, and it comes complete with steakhouse frittes and homemade tartare.
Cafes are usually not known for their steaks, but FFL’s Angus Scotch Fillet (S$39) is a chef’s recommendation and it is worth a try. For the price, you get a huge 300g NZ angus ribeye with a choice of mushroom sauce or red wine jus – with shoe string fries and mesclun salad that comes with lots of fruits, too. We observed and realised that this is a surprisingly popular item during lunch hours!
Then, there is the Da Bomb Burger (S$19). We suppose the name sums it all. A juicy 250g beef patty with crispy bacon, sunny side-up and melted cheese, the burger is tall and handsome. And we love how the burger comes with not only fries, but a generous serving of fruit salad too. The colourful addition instantly prettifies the dish!
Need to load up on your carbs? Look to the pasta section. The Carbonara (S$18) is a classic choice that is always good, but the chef highly recommends the Masago Caviar Pasta that comes with baked half shell scallop topped with fresh quail egg and caviar masago
And we are on to the sweets now. The spotlight has got to be on its homemade Rainbow Cake (S$7). Light and soft, the FFL’s version is listed in our Guide to Singapore’s Best Rainbow Cakes. Very Instagram-worthy without a doubt, too. Fans of tropical fruits will also love their Lychee Cake (S$6.50) that is baked in-house too.
On weekends, expect a hearty brunch menu that includes everyone’s favourite Eggs Benedict (S$13), Frittata (S$15) and Bananalicious Pancakes (S$11).
During lunch hours on weekdays (11am to 2:30pm), FFL offers a value-for-money lunch menu at S$12+. You get a soup and a choice of one out of three main courses. The options vary daily, but if you do see the Grilled Pangasius Filler with Pumpkin Quinoa and Spicy Fish Sauce, go for it.
Indeed, there are so many reasons to love FFL. The East of Singapore has no lack of cafes, but FFL stands out for its unique concept and consistent well-executed food. There are ample parking lots along that street, and if you are going via public transport, it sits along by the main road, so there is no need to walk a mile to get there.
Fresh Fruits Lab FFL
351 Changi Road
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri, Sat, & Eve of PH: 10am – 2pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/Kembangan
Website: www.ffl.com.sg
This post is brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.