Tea in Town #2: Hediard

Tea At Hediard

Tucked away in a clandestine corner of Orchard road, far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, lies a picture of old-fashioned European grandeur, in the form of a curiously aloof house.

Its quiet elegance is a breath of fresh air, a pleasing sight to behold, and certainly a much-needed respite from the mass-market mediocrity that Orchard road has become of late. (No offence, Forever21; Zara; Topshop; Uniqlo; Newlook; Bershka River Island...the list is endless, but woefully insubstantial, sartorially speaking. I digress.)

Therein lies an ostensibly atas French cafe and boutique, Hediard (pronounced Ay-dee-ah).

Now don’t be turned off by its apparent upmarket vibe--- step in and you’ll be surprised, pleasantly of course, by its homely interior; warm lighting, friendly staff, topped with delightful yet subtle notes of mandarin orange in the air, you’d feel immediately at ease.

Hediard is a French cafe and boutique that, besides serving the usual French fare, stocks a plethora of groceries and hand-made food stuff that would be sure to satisfy most, if not all, of your French cooking needs. While admittedly, the prices for such ingredients may be a tad exorbitant, rest assured that they cannot be purchased off the shelf in your run-of-the-mill super market(although, Marketplace at Paragon has a section dedicated to Hediard); most of Hediard’s wares belong to Hediard’s house brand, or are hand-made.

Thankfully, Hediard’s tea sets are highly affordable; for just SGD 12++, you’ll be spoilt for choice with their wide range of Hediard blend teas, and home-made desserts. (You may choose one dessert and a hot or iced tea of your choice)

Moelleux Chocolat avec Vanille Anglaise, ie: Warm Chocolate cake with Vanilla(on the side)

I highly recommend the Crème Brulee(done to crispy, caramelised perfection on the outside and an almost dreamy creaminess on the inside), and Rum Babas(rum-soaked Madelines!!!). If you’re feeling ravenous and want something savoury and filling, try their frivolously cheesy Parma Ham and Cheese sandwich (whose real name escapes me).

For beverages, the iced teas are sure to please. Try the flower blend if you’re looking for something that has a slight citrusy taste. Otherwise, the Hediard special blend iced tea won’t disappoint either. Likewise, the hot teas are wonderfully prepared, and served in your own personal pot.

Your very own pot of tea.

While waiting for your food, feel free to browse through the immense variety of groceries---sure to impress even the most fastidious and discerning of French food connoisseurs---and you’ll be blown away. Think endless shelves of bottled jams, juices, le cures, sturgeon caviars, oils, vinegars, and even their very own mini wine cellar which sits cosily at the back of the cafe. Simply put, epicurean heaven.

Chocolate lovers, you’d be glad to know that Hediard makes their own chocolates, white and black or in any incarnation you chocolate addicts could possibly conceive or desire. Do note that they do not come cheap though, but then again, good chocolates never are, no?

Jim and Gem like:

--- The warm wait staff who are very patient and bother to take time explaining what things on the menu mean. (Gem and I took quite a while to look through the menu; it was partly in French)

---The ambience. It is PERFECT for a lazy afternoon. Feel like royalty in their comfy chairs or lie, languid and relaxed on their plush cushioned seats. Hediard has a red and black theme; a simple albeit regal touch to enhance the overall classy mood, for a reasonable price!

---The attention. Oddly enough, while Hediard is really one of the best tea places Gem and I have every patronized, it is relatively quiet on weekdays (unlike TWG) due in part to its relatively obscure location. That’s in our favour because we don’t feel obliged to finish tea in a hurry (whilst avoiding the incessant We-Hate-You stares from patrons waiting their turn) and we get all the attention and good service we need from the wait staff. Definitely a plus if you ask me.

Jim and Gem dislike:

---The inexplicably sequestered washroom hidden in some secluded corner of the main building of Tudor Court; Hediard DOES NOT have a washroom within its premises. WARNING: Go to the washroom before tea or risk spoiling your mood.

4/5 Teacups : They got it all right; ambience, food and service. Blame the imperfect score on the icky, ulu-ated toilet. 

Review by:

Jim

Hediard Singapore is at Tudor Court, Ellis Road.