New in town: Leckerbaer, Keong Saik — Danish pastries in a cosy setting that oozes hygge

Step into Leckerbaer, where its new flagship outlet at Keong Saik will transport you straight into a world of Danish conviviality. This spot boasts of a reverie-inducing calmness where pastry fanatics can melt into a plethora of småkagers. Take it from me; the minimalist Scandinavian charm is a stark, yet welcome, contrast from our fast-paced, loud-volumed concrete jungle.

If you’ve got a friend whose only Christmas wish is a box full of sugary pastries, then this one’s for them—the selection of bite-sized Småkagers (S$2.80) come in a varied discovery of flavours. The cinnamon-spiced hazelnut pastry piped with lemon meringue and tangy passion fruit was a memorable favourite that tasted like the memory of cold autumn wind. Break away from your dream just long enough to pop the vanilla cake dolloped with lemon and blackberry curd, and indulge in the memory of carefree days by the beach.

When it comes to chocolate, I’m always ‘go dark, or go home’, and it’s clear that Leckerbaer understood the assignment with a lavish Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Tart (S$8.50). The crumbly chocolate shell was layered with piquant cherry curd and a decadent chocolate brownie. Topped with hazelnut halves and caramel pearls for an unexpected textural contrast, every bite melted with an unforgettable tartness.

I thought the Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Tart was good, but the Almond Cherry Cake (S$7.50) was a game-changer. Think airy and light almond cake finished with a cherry curd that juxtaposes the rich, buttery base, and a romantic combination of cherry and rose on top. If I had to go back for one thing on Leckerbaer’s menu, it would be this one.

Leckerbaer also boasts of savoury bites, such as open-faced sourdough sandwiches, which are exclusive to its flagship outlet. The Crab & Avocado Salsa (S$20) comes topped with briny Jonah crab meat, a delicious upgrade from regular iterations of avo-on-toast.

As good as it was, this couldn’t hold a candle to the Smoked Salmon & Onsen Egg (S$21). This classic Scandinavian sandwich consists of smoked Norwegian salmon, crunchy zucchini, pickled onions, and fresh peppery mizuna leaves served atop cream cheese toast. If that’s not enough to charm your socks off, the runny onsen egg certainly with. It struck the perfect balance of lightness and full-bodied flavour, and for that, I am duly impressed.

Good things have to be shared, right? Go all out this holiday season with the Leckerbaer Gift Boxes (S$22/S$32/S$40), where configurations of eight, 12, or 16 gorgeously decorated småkagers can be purchased in person from the outlet, or delivered via the webstore.

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