Having taken a hiatus after the closure of The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough at Serene Centre, the folks behind Woodlands Sourdough have made their return to the F&B scene of the late at a new location.
Now situated within The Longhaus along Upper Thomson Road; a new mixed-use development that stands in the place of the now-defunct Longhouse, Woodlands Sourdough is more of a takeaway kiosk than the dine-in concept that The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough used to be. Occupying a smaller shop space, the interior still very much follows the design language of The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough; minimal, and even a little bare — mostly filled with kitchen equipment with a simple counter to display the bakes and bread available for the day. There is a relatively informal dine-in area that comprises of bench seating and stools that doubles its use by being tables as well; a little different as compared to the actual dine-in furnishings at their former Serene Center premises. Offering a smaller variety on the menu, Woodlands Sourdough only serves up a small selection of bread, cakes and other bakes here; gone are their sandwich offerings, and the operating hours have since been only limited to the morning and afternoon up to 4pm from Thursday to Sunday.
(Top: Bialy, Bottom: Sourdough Roll with Jam & Butter)
Going for the savoury items first, we found ourselves ordering the Sourdough Roll and the Bialy. For those who are looking for something to pair with their Sourdough Roll, Woodlands Sourdough does provide an add-on of both Butter and Jam for a top-up of $1. Having been known for their Sourdough ever since their days as a pop-up stall, the Sourdough Roll stays true to what was being served up at The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough — a crusty roll with an interior that is aptly dense and provides for a great chew with enough tension for every bite, the Sourdough Roll also carries that distinct tartness that The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough’s sourdough bread often carry; a flavour that is brought out from the fermentation process that makes the sourdough bread what it is. Already good on its own, the addition of jam and butter helps to create a sweet or slightly saltish note whichever is to one’s preferences — simple yet utterly delightful. The Bialy is a savoury bread that sees a topping of potatoes and onions atop the same sourdough bread base as the Sourdough Roll — the potatoes being all chunky for a good bite, while the caramelised onions helped to add a tinge of sweetness to provide a flavoural contrast; something that is great to go for if bread with toppings is the preference of the individual.
(Left: Rye Chocolate Prune Tea Cake, Right: Seasonal Fruit Tart)
Also giving the other bakes a go, we went with the Seasonal Fruit Tart and the Rye Chocolate Prune Tea Cake. The Seasonal Fruit Tart would work best with tea on the side; the fruits atop (Apricot?) helps to provide a lightly sweet yet tart flavour to the nutty frangipane filling beneath, while the buttery and crumbly crust falls off neatly and provides a crunch to the entire tart. The Rye Chocolate Prune Tea Cake was a true stunner, however; the uncommon combination of prune and chocolate worked out well with this cake — an earthy yet rich combination of flavours is promised with every morsel with the chocolate providing most of its sweetness and cocoa-esque notes, while the prune providing a slight contrast of sweetness with hints of earthiness, as well as keeping the cake moist and easy to have with the juicy flesh that is infused in the cake itself.
With Cata Coffee being an online retailer ever since The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough had moved out of Serene Centre, the serving of coffee orders at Woodlands Sourdough is also done by the folks behind Woodlands Sourdough. Offering a rather limited selection of beverages limited to tea and coffee, the Filter Coffee and Cold Brew Coffee were easy to drink — a light body that is fruity and with a clean finish. A delightful cuppa that would fit well as a leisurely cuppa any time of the day.
Having tried The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough when they were still located at Serene Centre, Woodlands Sourdough seems to still be keeping their sourdough game strong despite the increased competition in the F&B scene of the late with other names such as Starter Lab Singapore and Micro Bakery and Kitchen in the business. While Woodlands Sourdough no longer serves up its delightful sandwiches and sourdough loaves, they are still pretty much consistent in terms of quality. Given how The Bakery by Woodlands Sourdough had since started the trend of Sourdough-centric bakeries in the local F&B scene back then when the Serene Centre location opened its doors and even have their own following, it is certainly heartening to see them make their comeback, though in a smaller scale than before; a statement that many folks who have had their sourdough would agree to. With that, we welcome the folks behind Woodlands Sourdough back to business, and here’s wishing them all the best with what is to come in future!
jiaksimi png . eatwhat rice 