Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista – Tanjong Pagar, Singapore

Bearded Bella has recently flooded the Instagram and swamped the internet with numerous reviews within days of soft-launched. With the closure of 2 highly popular cafes, Selfish Gene and The Plain, previously nested along Craig Road offers opportunity for a new one. Bearded Bella drew the limelight probably due to the owner who is a National Batista Winner and the Melbourne cafe vibes illuminating from the space.

 

It is little wonder why Bearded Bella is such a charm. With al Fresco seating, white space, translucent glass rooftop, natural light and greens are some of the factors that attract.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Al Fresco Seats

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Interior Seating

 

Menu is small with less than 10 dishes for Mains, numerous sides and few small plates and handful of sweets.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Food Menu

 

 

The focus at Bearded is coffee for beverage with Espresso-based Coffee with both hot and iced. The other iced drink is the slow pressed Juices. One of the unusual focus at the cafe is Single Origin Chocolates which I have never seen at other cafe.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - White 5oz ($5)

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Iced White ($6.50)

 

Since the owner of Beared Bella was a Singapore National Barista Championship winner, let’s dive into this drink first. Coffee are available either White or Black in 3 sizes; 3oz ($4.50), 5oz ($5) and 8oz ($5.50).  While Iced White ($6.50) and Iced Black ($5.50). 

 

The coffee was pretty acidity and sharp with medium body. Overall, the cuppa was filled with mainly riped berries note. The acidity was even more prominent in the Iced White. However when it was paired with the White Chocolate Raspberry Cake, it turned into a smooth and palatable beverage.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Smashed Avocado ($16)

 

First Mains I treid was the Smashed Avocado ($16) with an option of adding Bacons (add $3). It was an extremely expensive slice of sourdough covered with mashed avocado and cheese and pomegranate 7 sunflower decorated with Sweet Potato chips. Aesthetically, it scored; taste-wise, it was pretty much standard cafe fare.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Pig & Eggs ($24)

 

Next Main was the Pig & Eggs ($24). I was interested in this dish as it was uncommon to have pork with egg. When the dish was on the table, I regretted as the pork was laced in thick layer of fats. Fortunately, it was easily removed and the taste was in its natural-state, not populated with seasoning and spice except for simple salt and perhaps dusted with some pepper as well.

 

Bearded Bella offered Donut Sliders and 4 cakes for desserts at the moment. I tried 2 of the highly recommended cakes; Green Apple and White Chocolate Raspberry.

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Green Apple ($8)

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - Green Apple Filling

 

A pretty donut-like shaped cake with pastel green outer is the Green Apple ($8). Encase with caramelised apple and rasin reminded me of Apple Tart. The taste was flat, lightly sweetened and lightly crunchy apple pieces. I reckon that if the apple was cooked with more cinnamon, it will taste better. 

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - White Chocolate Raspberry Cake ($7)

 

Bearded Bella At Craig Road Opened By An Award Winner Batista - White Chocolate Raspberry Cake Filling

 

White Chocolate Raspberry Cake ($7) was a stronger tasting cake with a plum like flavour in the ganache and raspberry centre. 

 

There is certainly room for improvement for the cakes when comparing to the standard set by the dessert cafes in the vinicity such as Nesuto, Mad About Sucre , Yamashita, Flor Patisserie and Cake Spade.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

Personally, I find the food served at Bearded Bella is extremely expensive for the quality and taste. The damage is close to $40 per person for a Drink, Main and Dessert.

 

 

 

Bearded Bella

8 Craig Road Singapore 089668
Tel: +65 9880 0775

Websitehttps://www.beardedbella.com/

 

Opening Hours

 

Daily  0730 to 1700

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

  • North East line or East-West line – Outram Park station
  • East-West line – Tanjong Pagar station

 

By Bus:

  • After Craig Road or before Wallich Road along Tanjong Pagar Road   80, 145
  • Before Pinnacle @ Duxton along Neil Road   61, 166, 197

 

Rating: 7/10