It’s been some time since we visited cafes and 5 Senses Bistro at Funan Mall has been on our radar for some time. We heard good things about it–and they are true.

There is nothing really unique about their menu: a sort of European cuisine with some Asian influences. You can easily find 5 restaurants serving similar dishes within 1km radius of the restaurant. The decor is nondescript. The service was a little grumpy although it was adequate. I suppose I shouldn’t expect rainbows and sparkles on a late morning on a weekend?

Free truffle fries with grated parmesan with order of 2 mains

I like that they gave a free serving of truffle fries ($8.90 on their menu) with an order of 2 mains. It was a pleasant surprise. And even though it was free, it was still good. Came piping hot, like the rest of the food.

Flat white ($5), iced Americano ($5)

When the coffees came, we went, “What?! No latte art?!” We guessed that the coffees are from a generic coffee machine, you know, like Nespresso, not those fancy barista-type machines. They tasted okay but expensive for something so generic. Generic coffee is free at hotel staycations, you know.

Duck confit

Two weeks before, I ate duck confit at The Masses, which was superb: crispy skin, moist flesh. At 5 Senses, the duck confit ($17.90) is almost as good. The skin is crispy, and most parts of the flesh are moist. The mash potato is smooth and silky, and the salad tangy to take the edge off. I’ll be glad to order this again.

Grain-fed Angus braised beef cheek

I’m a boring person and order the same thing everywhere I go. I always order beef cheek ($19.90) and this one is excellent. it’s tender but you can tell that they use the traditional method of braising it, and not the modern sous vide method which I hate. Using the traditional method, you can still feel the striated texture on the beef. Very good.

Waffles

They don’t have an extensive dessert menu and most items—chocolate lava cake ($6.90) and creme brulee ($8.90)—are boring. We wanted to go for the pulut hitam ($9.90), but it is 5 times more expensive than elsewhere and I really couldn’t bring myself to order it. Anyway, I was craving for waffles ($12.90).

The waffles is competent, not the best waffles ever, not terrible. Still crispy outside and fluffy inside. I hate them putting cornflakes on it; it looks cheap. Either put on homemade fruit compote or nothing. Still, this waffles scratched the itch and sated my craving.

Most customers at 5 Senses I saw that day weren’t walk-in customers; they didn’t linger at the door, perusing the menu. They confidently walked in, telling the server that they had reservations. Return customers attest to the standards of the food. I myself, who seldom return to an eatery, would return to 5 Senses. The food is superior to most other cafes’.

We paid about $72 for two persons.

5 Senses Bistro
Funan Mall #02-17, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105
tel: +65 6241 0676
11am – 8pm, daily
facebook

Food: 7/10
Price/value: 6/10
Decor/ambience: 6/10
Service: 6/10

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–FLIPPER’S Singapore, Takashimaya Shopping Centre: Original ‘Kiseki’ Japanese Pancake Comes to Singapore
–Jurassic World Café, ION Orchard: Recommended ONLY For Kids and Fans of the Movie Franchise
–Maxx Coffee @ JEM, Jurong East: Indonesian Third Wave Coffee Chain Opens Its First Outlet in Singapore

We pay for our meals on anonymous visits. Written by Dr. A. Nathanael Ho.