While the establishment's name is pronounced as "supermarket", the experience at SPRMRKT is not exactly what one would conservatively expect.
Helmed by founder Sue-Shan and chef-owner Joseph Yeo, SPRMRKT is conceptualized to be a space that combines F&B, retail and art into one.
The homegrown brand opened its first SPRMRKT at McCallum Street in 2012, and has went on to open SPRMRKT Daily, and SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar at Robertson Quay last September, occupying units within the same building as STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery.
To be honest, the typical bistro-style menu at SPRMRKT somehow did not hold any interesting appeal for me. That is why I have not visit the McCallum Street store all these years even though it's located within the convenience of CBD.
But to spend a leisure Saturday having brunch at the newer SPRMRKT Daily (level 1), and SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar (level 2) while overlooking the tranquil Singapore river along Robertson Quay sounds like a rather good idea. That is until the merciless heat drove us from the alfresco table to the comfort of air-conditioned indoor seating.
It wasn't a bad thing. The interior of both concepts on each level is vastly different, but charming in its own way. There is a retail section within the relaxing cafe below, and I especially love the quiet and beautiful premises of the restaurant upstairs.
We asked the question which most people might ask: Menu-wise, what's the difference between the three outlets?
SPRMRKT offers mainly all-day breakfast, soups, salads, supergrain bowls, sandwiches, burgers, pastas and mains, as well as house-baked pastries and cakes.
Expect to find similar offerings at SPRMRKT Daily, notably the well-received Truffle Fries with Parmesan & Kelp ($15), Blackened Fish & Chips ($20) and Carbonara ($20).
It was hard to keep our hands off the addictive US Idaho potato shoestring fries that are tossed in truffle oil no matter how the calorific the carb-laden item is. Ditto for the sweet potato fries that accompanied the deep-fried fish fillet.
Depending on the available fresh local catch of the day, diners will get either sole, seabass, barramundi or snapper. Our seabass, encased in a crunchy squid ink batter, was fresh, succulent, and very enjoyable.
While the carbonara with streaky bacon bits and sous-vide egg looked ooh-so-lovely and Instagram-worthy, one cannot help but feel disappointed at this heavily-creamed rendition (some like it this way?) which certainly is a huge deviation from the classic. It was okay for the first few bites until an uncomfortable surfeit set in.
At SPRMRT Kitchen & Bar, a completely new menu has been minted for its residential, lifestyle-oriented clientele, centered on European bistro-style cuisine. Brunch is served on weekends.
The Croque Madame ($20) is the kind of brunch I don't mind waking up early for. It featured a heady layer of gruyere cheese, béchamel sauce over white bread, and topped with San Daniele parma ham and fried crumbed soft-boiled egg. We were told that the San Daniele parma ham used is said to be more premium, more expensive..... and more "porky" I must add. You either like its intense flavor or don't.
Some other recommended dishes to try are the robustly-flavored Smoked Chicken Ravioli ($22), comforting Chicken Pot Pie ($18), and hearty Weekend Roast ($34) with a choice of either roasted pork belly or wagyu rump.
Though the Bread & Butter Pudding ($10) proved to be a delightful ending to our visit, the meal as an overall did not impress me as most of the items we had that day didn't really suit my palate.
Personal preferences aside, it is undeniable that SPRMRKT scored well in terms of their menu planning with diverse options ensuring there's something for everyone. You just have to pick the right ones to make it work for yourself.
Ambience and space-wise, it is perfect be it breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
SPRMRKT Daily
Address: STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery, #01-01, 42 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
Contact: +65 9736 4032
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 8am-11pm/ Fri & Sat 8am-12am
SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar
Address: STPI - Creative Workshop & Gallery, #02-01, 42 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
Contact: +65 9736 4170
Opening Hours: Lunch Tue-Fri 11.30am-3pm / Dinner Tue-Thu 6pm-10pm, Fri & Sat 6pm-12am / Brunch Sat & Sun 10.30am-4.30pm
SPRMRKT
Address: 2 McCallum Street, Singapore 069043
Contact: +65 6221 2105
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9.30pm / Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Website: http://www.sprmrkt.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPRMRKTSG/
Prices are stated in Singapore dollars and subject to 10% service charge & 7% GST. Information is correct at point of published date.
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A very nice description of the place and some very vivid photographs. The content is also nice and the expressions of the blogger are reflected in the words that they have written.
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