Previously located in Chinatown, Whiskit Bakery & Cafe had since found new digs at Helios, Biopolis — it takes over the former premises of now-defunct Charlyn’s Milk Bar, which occupied the space after its move from Chromos, Biopolis (I know; the names of this neighbourhood …). Apart from serving up their signature tarts such as the Kaya Ondeh Ondeh Tart and the Gingko Orh Nee Tart, their new Biopolis location also serves up toasts, light bites (think fried finger food), and a small variety of mains.
Whilst I wasn’t very impressed with the Gingko Orh Nee Tart (a little too light for my tastebuds, and also on how the tart shell was a tad hard and cookie-like; think I had been quite spoilt by Tarte by Cheryl Koh of the late), the Earl Grey Butter Toast was the better item of the two. The Kaya Butter Toast lover in me is always on a lookout for a fusion twist of the Hainanese breakfast classic; the only renditions where I have come across so far being from the now-defunct Chiak! (a concept by Cedele at Mapletree Business City), Coffee Break (the hipster hawker stall with locations at Amoy Street and Hong Lim) and Kaki (a concept similar to Toast Box/Ya Kun at AMK Hub).
Served with the standard brown toasts that most other establishments serve the typical Kaya Butter Toasts with, I liked how the rendition here comes with crisp toast despite me ordering this at a rather odd hour (around 2pm to 3pm), given how some other joints may serve up rather limp and soggy roasts at off-hours. The Earl Grey spread comes rather thick; but not too dense — almost akin to the texture of some house-made pandan kaya that some establishments offer in terms of consistency. It comes with a fairly subtle hint of the aroma from the tea-infused with the spread; through the aroma does get overwhelmed slightly by the generous slab of butter rather easily — not that I am complaining about it since very rarely that one will get a well-sized slab of cold butter to come in between their Kaya Butter Toast anyway.
Given its location, Whiskit Bakery & Cafe is one of those places that would likely service the Biopolis office crowds pretty well, considering how it does serve up mains that sound simple and comforting (though we did not try any of them; we visited after having lunch elsewhere) — think Chicken Baked Rice, Beef Lasagne and Butter Chicken Pie; also a great space for some desserts whilst being away from the crowds in town. That being said, we do hope that the tart base issue is a one-off; or perhaps they could further refine it for a better experience overall where their tarts are concerned (especially considering how they are known more for the tarts here).
