August 28, 2013

The Lawn Grill & Salad Café ~ Now At Shenton Way!



The Lawn Grill & Salad Café changed my perception of salads totally when I first visited their outlet at Biopolis last year. Mention store-bought salads and what comes to mind is usually heaps and heaps of greens with paltry pieces of cold cuts and insipid dressings, a necessity to fill my tummy with during times when my weighing machine turns into an enemy. Not that I don't like vegetables, but I need substantial portions of meat too. The Lawn fulfills this need perfectly by serving tantalizing premium meats grilled à la minute, pairing it with unique dressings at their salad bar. Ooh... Salads can make such an satisfying meal too! :D


While the 1st outlet is nestled amidst the lush greenery of Biopolis, the 2nd outlet is located at the much more centrally located concrete jungle, Shenton Way's AXA Tower (next to Tanjong Pagar mrt), providing the CBD office crowd an healthier yet nevertheless yummy salad lunch and dinner alternative.


Seats are aplenty at the café indoors, but alfresco is probably the way to go if you need a respite of fresh air and warmth from the 'punishing' office air-conditioning. Believe it or not, some of my colleagues have heaters under their tables! Yes, It is that cold in my office!


As The Lawn's motto goes, "Meat your Greens, just the way you want it!", we're spoilt for choices when it comes to customizing our own salad. Behind the glass panels are colorful array of fresh greens clamoring for our attention and meats waiting for their turn on the grill. Just a few steps to order, but the possible combinations one can think of is countless.

Step 1: Choose your Salad  ($9.90) / Olive Rice ($8.90)

Step 2: Choose your Grill (+$3 to $5)

Step 3: Choose your Toppings & Dressings (+$1 for premium)

What's new at this outlet is the introduction of the Create-Your-Own-Salad-Form, saving us much precious time. There's no more need to wait for people in the queue to make up their mind, we can now place our order more efficiently after indicating our preferences on the form, and collect our salad at the sound of the buzzer.


Here's my creation for that evening! My eyes lighted up as I saw my imaginary fruit garden of Cherry Tomatoes, Corn Kernel, Pineapples, Green Apples and Sunflower Seeds, topped with warm Char-grilled Prawns with Garlic and drizzles of Citrus Dressing over a bed of crisp Mesclun Salad, came beautifully to life. Light and refreshing, it has been quite some time since I enjoyed a salad this much.

My tastebud was yearning for something zesty that evening and my choice of the Citrus dressing with tangy notes of orange, lemon lime and thyme did not disappoint. However, the premium dressing of Manly Mango with the sourness of vinegars and natural mango sweetness was the one which greatly whetted my appetite and goes remarkably well with my salad creation.

All dressings at The Lawn are home-made and interesting mentions are Maple Peanut (maple syrup, peanut butter, red wine vinaigrette), Me So Spicy (fresh chilli, sambal belachan, mint) and Wasahoney (wasabi, honey, mayonnaise).


Warm grilled meat are the highlights at The Lawn, which includes my personal favorites of succulent Char-grilled Prawns with Garlic and the very tender and juicy Grilled Teriyaki Chicken as well as interesting sounding Ben's Beef Rub and Grilled Black Pepper Duck Breast. Vegetarians are not forgotten too, with options of Char-grilled Mixed Mushrooms and Char-grilled Asparagus & Eggplant.

If you can't do without your carbs, I would highly recommend that you pair your grills with Olive Rice, which has an Oriental taste redolent of Teochew 'peng kueh'. If I made it sound weird, please be assured it's not. The Olive rice was alluringly fragrant and delish!


Fret not if you're pressed for time and just need to do a quick dine-in or takeaway, for The Lawn also features their Chef's Picks of Top Salad Combinations. Just choose and go!

Sweet & Chic ($12.90) ~ Chicken with Maple Infusion, Pasta, Cous Cous, baby Potatoes, Sweet Corn & Egg with Honeyball dressing

Crunches with Munches ($12.90) ~ Char-grilled Prawns, Capsicums, Granola, Pineapples, Cucumber & Cashews with Me So Spicy dressing
 
Hunky Dory ($13.90) ~ Butter-seared Dory, Alfalfa Sprouts, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Tofu,& Almonds with Wafu dressing


Compared to a pre-packed salad or typical lunch at a foodcourt, a meal at The Lawn might cost a tad more but what we're making is without doubt an healthier choice. Take heart that we're feeding our bodies with quality ingredients, freshness sealed in every bowl.


If you must have your desserts, delightful Cakes by Gobi Cakes and Tiramisu by The Tiramisu Hero are available here, as well as aromatic coffee blends by Smitten Coffee. They are way too tempting!

Maybe I'd try to resist and finally the weighing scale can become my friend again. Maybe, just maybe :p


Thanks to Derrick and Jonathan for the tasting invitation.


The Lawn Grill & Salad Café
Website: http://www.thelawn.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelawncafe

Shenton Way Outlet
Address: 8 Shenton Way, #B1-11, AXA Tower, Singapore 068811
Contact: +65 6534 8749
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30am-9pm  (last order 8.15pm)

Biopolis Way Outlet
Address: 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos, #01-07, Singapore 138869
Contact: +65 6478 9739
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.15am-9pm (last order 8.15pm) / Sun 10am-4pm (last order 3.15pm)


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