There is a part of me which would immediately associate “Hathaway” with Anne Hathaway – one of my favourite Hollywood actresses.
This is a modern restaurant at Dempsey.
From the folks behind Bread Yard at Fusionopolis comes their newest venture, the 46-seater space called “Hathaway” has a warm tone in a cosy setting, fully decked in wooden elements.
Describing their geographical location on Dempsey Hill, “Hathaway” refers to someone living across a heath (uncultivated land with shrubs) or a pathway.
Stepping inside, you will not miss out the long banquette bench that spans across the longitudinal space with overhead hanging industrial-style Edison light bulbs known for being natural and simple.
On each table, you will see a set of thick napkin and golden utensils that exudes a certain charm and a small vase containing dry flowers that represent the shrubs on the cultivated land (heath).
Being a modern local restaurant, Hathaway aims to preserve our local culinary heritage such as Indian, Malay, or Peranakan food interlaced with French and Middle-Eastern influence.
At the same time, they hope to incorporate new food culture of the modern generation into each dishes.
The menu is curated by their Head Chef previously from SKIRT at W Singapore, offering 2 different menus for Brunch (9am – 5pm) and Dinner (5pm – 9pm).
Only 6 items are available on their Brunch menu with Asian elements incorporated within each and every one.
Think Smoked Ricotta Local Jam Tartine ($24), Pengat Pisang French Toast ($28), Mezze Platter ($28), Fields of Dempsey ($28), Forager’s Egg Benedict ($36) and Hathaway’s Big Breakfast ($36).
Definitely on the pricier side, I had the Pengat Pisang French Toast ($28) that comes with Caramelised Bananas stewed in Coconut Milk, Apom Berkuah Ice-cream, Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Edible Flowers, Nuts & Seeds on a thick Brioche French Toast.
The combination of flavours is familiar and reminded me of our local traditional Kaya Toast due to the coconut milk and Apom Berkuah ice cream used, except in an atas, up-scale rendition.
The Apom Berkuah refers to “pancake with sauce” and is a Peranakan kueh made using fermented rice, usually served with a sweet sauce made with fresh coconut milk, gula melaka and bananas that is commonly found in Southeast Asia.
With a drop of blue butterfly pea as a finishing touch, I enjoyed that all the components complemented well with a good balance, without overpowering one another.
The berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries) add a refreshing twist and some textural crunch to the French Toast.
Whereas the brioche was really soft and fluffy – given their 9 years of experience being an artisan bakery at Bread Yard.
The desserts menu is only available from 11am onwards, with offerings of The Queen’s Conserve ($16) which is a Kouign Amann; An Ode to Travelling Plum ($14) which is fruity with Guava and Sour Plum Sorbet; and Seri Muka ($14) which is Kueh Salat with Pengat Pisang Sauce.
Since the Seri Muka ($14) has similar ingredients as the Pengat Pisang French Toast ($28) I had earlier, I decided to go with The Queen’s Conserve ($16) instead.
I was hesitant at first to pay $16 for a Kouign Amann, a butter-sugar layered pastry especially when it was palm-sized.
But at least it was worth the calories.
Comes in the form of an ice cream sandwich with house-made Lavender ice cream and passionfruit curd, the combination surprisingly worked well together.
I must admit that I am not really a huge fan of lavender as it can come across as too perfume-y like hand wash.
The Lavender ice cream turned out to be floral and pleasant without being too overwhelming, yet it complimented well with buttery fragrance from the Kouign Amann.
The Kouign Amann had the right amount of sweetness and a firm and crispy texture in contrast to creamy lavender ice cream and passionfruit curd.
The refreshing and citrus kick from the passionfruit curd was enjoyable and distinctive with the right balance.
The drinksar e reasonably priced, with options such as Coffee ($4 – $10) and Tea ($8), Cold Pressed Juice ($8- $9) and Bespoke drinks ($12).
Using a 2-beans-blend (Columbia, Brazil) from Homeground Coffee Roasters for their espresso-based drinks such as Black (Double Espresso $4, Long Black $5, Iced Black $6) and White (3oz $4, 8oz $6, Mocha $7), my cup of 8oz White ($6) was smooth, medium-bodied with a slightly acidic tone.
Hathaway is off to a promising start with a clear direction in offering heritage components in all their food offerings, yet maintaining a standard in both their menu and interior aesthetic.
Somewhere I may consider splurging once in a while on special occasions.
Hathaway
13 Dempsey Road, #01-07, Singapore 249674
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
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