Bakery Brera has been slowly but surely expanding its footprint around the island — whilst these folks had been known to have started out in a space at the foot of a HDB block at Farrer Road, these folks had certainly started to reach out further in the last couple of years; this would include the Cafe Brera at Reunion that is situated within National Museum of Singapore and also through their collaboration with Blue Bottle Coffee where the Singapore outlets of Blue Bottle serves up bakes sourced from Bakery Brera. The newest outlet of Bakery Brera is one that is located within the grounds of a museum; much like that of their Cafe Brera at Reunion concept. Situated at the end of the City Hall wing of National Gallery Singapore just before one reaches the middle section that links up with the Supreme Court wing, Bakery Brera can be found around the area where Keppel Centre for Art Education can be found. Occupying a space that is alongside the walkways of the museum, Bakery Brera occupies quite a decently-sized space; the interior of the space being kept minimalistic without much clutter — all that whilst adopting a modern European flair with the use of wooden furniture and fittings to match against the grey walls and stone floors of the museum. Whilst tables are configured in a manner that would best seat patrons visiting the establishment in groups of two (2) to four (4) pax, the prettiest dining area within the establishment would be the booth seats around the windows that sees the use of sheer curtains and cushioned benches for a rather dreamy vibe. Patrons visiting this outlet of Bakery Brera alone can also find a number of high tables and high chairs that works well for individual diners. Bakery Brera had always been more known for their viennoiseries since their early days, and there is certainly a wide range of the same being prominently displayed at the counter at Bakery Brera’s National Gallery Singapore location. That being said, the National Gallery Singapore location also has a selection of chilled items that are stored in a display chiller at the counter; other hot food offerings available at this outlet will also include Sandwiches, Tartine Sandwiches, Salad, All Day Breakfast, and Soup of the Day. Beverages available at Bakery Brera will include a line-up of espresso-based specialty coffee, tea and non-coffee beverages.

It does seem that the Croque Madame in Croissant isn’t an entirely new item that is being offered by Bakery Brera; this is also an item that can be found on the menu of Cafe Brera at Reunion situated within National Museum of Singapore. Bakery Brera does not describe on the elements that they have included in their dishes on the menu; that being said, it can be observed that the Croque Madame in Croissant comes with a sunny side-up, croissant, melted cheese, ham and white sauce — typical components that one would be able to find in the standard Croque Madame dish. Digging into the Croque Madame in Croissant, the Croissant carries that light, flaky, crisp and buttery consistency that is usual of Bakery Brera’s usual danishes; the croissant retaining its overall structure despite having been sliced open on the top to hold the sunny side-up above. The sunny side-up comes with soft whites and a runny, molten egg yolk that is bound to the croissant with melted cheese that provides for the “cheese-pull” effect. There does seem to have been another layer of cheese somewhere in the middle; all that alongside a slice of ham that adds that savoury note typical to that of cured meat.

During our visit, we had also went for the Strawberry Mille Feuille. It is worth noting that Bakery Brera offers two (2) variations of the Mille Feuille here; the other one being the Chocolate Mille Feuille. Based on the Strawberry Mille Feuille that was served to us, one can observe that the Strawberry Mille Feuille does come with elements such as pastry cream, custard and strawberry within the different layers of puff pastry. Going straight for the pastry, the puff pastry layers does come across as a little bit firm though still flaky and crisp — a consistency that helps to keep the shape of the pastry especially considering the weight of the elements that come above it. The first layer on the top does feel reminiscent to that of a strawberry shortcake, coming with pastry cream and chunks of strawberry; the former binding the flavours of the tart strawberries and the puff pastry together with its neutral notes. As one goes further down, the custard cream beneath adds that element of sweetness that provides an additional depth of flavours to the pastry.

Noticing how they do carry a Canele on the menu here, it is needless to say that we found ourselves going for the Canele as well. The folks behind the counter had offered to warm up the Canele before serving it up to our table; something which we agreed on. The Canele here comes with a crisp and crusty exterior after being warmed up; all that whilst revealing a honeycomb-esque interior that bears a texture that is similar to that of the Indonesian Bika Ambon — a little sweet with a hint of fragrance coming from the use of vanilla within the pastry, as well as slight hint of rum that also matched the lightly bitter notes of the exterior. The consistency of the interior of the Canele does also seem to be slightly lighter and less dense than most other Canele offerings that we have had at other establishments as well — making it not quite as jelak as some others that we had come across. A pretty well-executed Canele in our opinion. We paired everything up with the Flat White; the Flat White here does seem to be pretty well-executed being all smooth and creamy with a proportionate amount of milk against the shots of espresso. The cuppa that is being served at Bakery Brera does come with a light body; very easy to drink, whilst coming with a nutty and earthy flavour profile and works well as a soothing mid-day cuppa.

Bakery Brera had definitely come quite far in the local F&B scene; these folks came from humble beginnings when they had just opened at the foot of the HDB block at Farrer Road — famed for their well-executed pastries since then, Bakery Brera’s offerings can now be found in a number of cafes that they supply to. This is aside from the expansion of the Bakery Brera brand itself to the various museums in Singapore — namely National Museum of Singapore and now, National Gallery Singapore as well. For those whom have yet to experience Bakery Brera’s stellar danishes, their National Gallery Singapore location seems to be the one to head to — a more centralised location with a more conducive dining space to experience their bakes and other offerings to its fullest; all that whilst matched with welcoming staff that ensures that the guests are well taken care of that is pretty rare in a cafe setting these days!