JBM Coffee & Dining @ Raffles Place - Alvinology

JBM Coffee & Dining @ Raffles Place

JBM Coffee and Dining
JBM Coffee and Dining

Located at the newly launched One Raffles Place Mall in the heart of the Central Business District, JBM Coffee & Dining is a coffee and dining joint situated on the third level.

Open seven days a week, the place is usually crowded on weekdays, but is an oasis of calm during the weekends, with the absence of the office crowds. I am always on the lookout for quiet places to hangout during the weekend and JBM Coffee & Dining is one such new discovery.

The menu features rustic French and Italian fare and coffee is a integral component of dining at JBM. Coffee creations are under the purveyance of barista Shaw Shyne Wei (Shawn) whose recent accolades includes coming in as the first runner up at Singapore’s National Latte Art Championship 2014.

Interior of JBM Coffee & Dining
Interior of JBM Coffee & Dining

JBM Coffee & Dining is the brainchild of entrepreneur Evangeline Wong who also owns and runs JBM Coffee Asia (2012). This holding company operates several hospitality and lifestyle concepts including JBM Coffeeworks (2013) – a purveyor of premium coffee and now JBM Coffee & Dining (2014). They also operate Blue Mahoe Estate Caffé at the Esplanade and JBM Yachts Pte Ltd, a yacht chartering service.

Says Evangeline, who is herself a trained barista, “JBM Coffee & Dining was a natural progression from JBM Coffeeworks as we always envisioned an eatery that could showcase our passion for coffees and at the same time offer a full dining experience. With an accomplished team in the kitchen, a professional barista and enthusiastic staff, we have finally realised this dream.”

Probat Roaster from Germany
Probat Roaster from Germany

The restaurant sits 108 and is tastefully fitted. The walls are covered with wooden panels recycled from crates, and adorned with coffee bean dispensers as a nod to the importance of java at JBM. Taking pride of place in the middle of the restaurant is a two-metre tall state-of-the-art Probat Roaster from Germany. Says Ms Wong, “This is our way of remembering who we are and where we started. At the same time we are able to roast our coffee beans here every morning as an aromatic reminder to shoppers and visitors of our presence.”

A quick glance at the menu reflects JBM’s tongue-in-cheek playfulness, with dishes sporting names such as Sassy Cassoulet, The Green Knight, The Not So Ugly Duckling and Lil’ Froggy.

During a tasting session, these are the items I sampled:

The Green Knight - a light zucchini soup topped with crispy seaweed, croutons and a drizzling of cream (S$8)
The Green Knight – a light zucchini soup topped with crispy seaweed, croutons and a drizzling of cream (S$8)
The Pork Terrine - comprises two slabs flavoured with herbs and spices, accompanied by a side of walnut salad and slices of warm brioche baked fresh daily  (S$15)
The Pork Terrine – comprises two slabs flavoured with herbs and spices, accompanied by a side of walnut salad and slices of warm brioche baked fresh daily (S$15)
The brioche with mustard spread that comes with the Pork Terrine
The brioche with mustard spread that comes with the Pork Terrine
This is how you eat it, stacking the brioche with the pork and salad
This is how you eat it, stacking the brioche with the pork and salad
Lil' Froggy - lightly seasoned frog legs with salt and pepper, a quick sear in the pan with garlic, onion and chives, and then served atop a bed of butter lettuce. This dish is completed by a mini cocotte of handmade mushroom-filled ravioli steeped in veal jus. (S$24)
Lil’ Froggy – frog legs with salt and pepper, seared with garlic, onion and chives, and served atop a bed of butter lettuce. This dish is completed by a mini cocotte of handmade mushroom-filled ravioli in veal jus. (S$24)
Close-up of the frog legs
Close-up of the frog legs
Golden Chicken - half spring chicken roasted with garlic and served with buttered sautéed potatoes (S$23)
Golden Chicken – half spring chicken roasted with garlic and served with buttered sautéed potatoes (S$23)
Beef outside the Cubes - combination of grain-fed beef tenderloin cut into cubes, grilled medium-rare and tossed in a sauce choc-a-bloc with a variety of mushrooms and served with a choice of mash or fries (S$24)
Beef outside the Cubes – combination of grain-fed beef tenderloin cut into cubes, grilled medium-rare and tossed in a sauce choc-a-bloc with a variety of mushrooms and served with a choice of mash or fries (S$24)
Sassay Cassoulet - a French-style slow-cooked stew featuring white beans and medley of seafood such as calamari, prawns, clams, mussels, scallops and lobster (S$32)
Sassay Cassoulet – a French-style slow-cooked stew featuring white beans and medley of seafood such as calamari, prawns, clams, mussels, scallops and lobster (S$32)
Orange Blossom - a refreshing layered dessert of fresh orange, orange jelly, Grand Marnier foam and a crowning glory of caramel crisp (S$12)
Orange Blossom – a refreshing layered dessert of fresh orange, orange jelly, Grand Marnier foam and a crowning glory of caramel crisp (S$12)
JBM Espresso Crème Brûlée – a dessert-cum-beverage served with a shot of espresso topped with crème brûlée and a crust of caramelised sugar at the top ($8)
JBM Espresso Crème Brûlée – a dessert-cum-beverage served with a shot of espresso topped with crème brûlée and a crust of caramelised sugar at the top ($8)
Cracking open the sugared top
Cracking open the sugared top
The rich espresso and creme brulee mix
The rich espresso and creme brulee mix
Cold beverages
Cold beverages
Cappuccino
Cappuccino

The Lil’ Froggy was particularly memorable, with a crisp crunchy texture on the outside, while succulent and juicy when you bite into it. The portion is relatively smaller though. If you want a hearty meal, go for the Golden Chicken or Sassy Cassoulet. Overall, the food was decent and lived up to their fun names.

For the beverages, I tried the Salted Caramel Freeze which was a real delight. The coffee were great of course. I did not drink too much coffee as the tasting was for dinner and I need my sleep for the night.

If you are interested to visit:

JBM Coffee & Dining

Address:
#03-23/24/25, One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place
Phone:
+65-65361047
Hours:
Mon – Fri: 09:30 – 21:30
Sat & Sun: 11:00 – 21:30

1 comment

Leave a Reply

Related Posts