First dibs: We tried bakes from Maison Sucrée’s second outlet in Balestier

Balestier isn’t the first place that immediately comes to mind when you ask any bread and bakes enthusiast for recommendations, but the newly opened Maison Sucrée outlet that opened in Whampoa might just be your raison d’être to pay a visit, especially if you’ve made a trip to their Redhill outlet to try out their pastries in the past. As a self-declared croissant connoisseur, it was impossible for me to pass this up.

This is especially so with their newly renovated navy blue and gold exterior that reminded me of a chic, Parisian-style café that gave me a brief, Ariel in Paris moment. Singapore is rife with gorgeous bakeries that boast aesthetic exteriors, and I’m glad to say that despite my high expectations, they did not disappoint.

I’ll admit that I have a serious sweet tooth, which meant that what caught my eye immediately upon entering Maison Sucrée was the Pain Au Chocolat (S$4) and Almond Croissant (S$4) sitting prettily behind their glass shelf, leading me over not unlike Sleeping Beauty and her spinning wheel, even though my parents named me after the other Disney princess. Still, if I had to sleep for a century, the first thing I’d like to eat when I wake up would be these flaky, decadent pastries that melted in my mouth and left me tempted to go back to pick up more.

Dark, with gorgeous white swirls and a solid chocolate tart shell, the Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart (S$8) was a no-brainer when I was taking my picks. As indulgent as it was, I hope that when I revisit Maison Sucrée, the chocolate and salted caramel ratio would be more balanced; instead of the too-salty caramel filling overpowering the more muted dark chocolate flavour.

I ended my pastry-filled afternoon tea with a bite of savoury and fragrant Garlic Rosemary Truffle Focaccia (S$8)—pillow-soft and smelling like a dream—as well as some Crispy Bread (S$2.50), which was crispy biscotti topped with raisins. Both are good contenders to curb your 4pm hunger pangs; whether you’re looking for something substantial until your late dinner or want to pop down to Maison Sucrée to get something to munch on during your afternoon coffee break.

Their posh exterior is a jarring contrast to its neighbour, Eastern Rice Dumpling, which matches Balestier Road’s homely vibe of old shophouses. It’s definitely a refreshing and welcome addition to Whampoa’s multitude of food options, though.

Maison Sucrée is also halal-certified and is available for delivery for orders placed on Whatsapp.

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