Comfort Food

It was Sunday and we were up on Orchard Road, suffering from been-out-too-much-lately syndrome. What we needed was comfort food – something plain-ish and soothing. My initial idea was Dim Sum, lots of steamed dumplings to soothe the soul, but the thought of standing in a queue anywhere swiftly popped that little thought-bubble, and so we ended up in the Project Shop Café in Paragon shopping mall.

This is another ‘only in Singapore’ place – nowhere else in the world would I consider eating in a café within a clothes shop, within a mall! I’ve had lunch here before with a friend and their Turkey and Cranberry sandwich was awesome… but today it was all about the Chicken Burger.



Now, usually when you order a chicken burger it comes as a dried up grilled chicken breast or, god forbid, a McDonald’s-style deep-fried patty. Not here – this was fresh chicken mince mixed up with all sorts of herbs, spices, peppers… and there was even a hint of banana in there… no, really… made up into a burger and fried ‘til it was nice and sticky on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside. It came in a fresh, warm, soft, chewy ciabatta roll, with lettuce, melted cheese and mushrooms. In short, it was probably the tastiest chicken burger I’ve ever had. Even the side salad was good – beautifully dressed leaves with roasted cherry tomatoes and sautéed mushrooms.



Alongside the food is an interesting selection of drinks – from coffees and milkshakes to iced teas and fresh juices. In my current form, I tried their iced ginger tea, which was an inspired decision – I could feel every spicy, zesty mouthful healing my bruised body from within.

They also have a sumptuous selection of pies, cakes and desserts on offer… and I have vowed to return for coffee and cake… and undo all that good done by the ginger tea…

Project Shop Café – 3rd Floor, Paragon S.C, Orchard Road