Pasar Bella

Pasar Bella was recently opened only a few months ago in Bukit Timah and is meant to be the first farmers' market in Singapore. With its distinctive red brick walls and prominent logo, it was very easy to find once we reached the Grandstand shopping mall.

We made our first stop at Huber's Deli for a currey wurst sausage. Wilson said it was different from what he had in Germany, which came without a bun but more sauce. The sausage was flavourful and not too spicy and the bun was warm and crispy. A bit more curry sauce would have made it less dry but it was still very satisfying.

The Cheese Ark was a deli specialising in rare cheese. Giant wheels of cheese were stored in a temperature-controlled cupboard and small cubes of cheese were cut up on the sturdy wooden bench for sampling. Not being an expert in gourmet cheese I felt a bit lost in the shop. There was no descriptions on the variety available and we were rushed to make our selection after a quick tasting without any advise from the shop owner.
Regardless of the poor customer service, our mini cheese platter was delicious. The Après-Soleil cheese was creamy and sweet with a hint of acidity. The Emmental swiss cheese was more savoury, nutty and harder in texture. Wine, nuts, dried fruits and crackings could be added to the cheese platter too. 

Oceans of Seafood had a huge display of lobsters, mussels and oysters which were prepared and served on the spot. Sashima and sushi were also on the menu. We were not in the mood to splurge on seafood so we ordered half a kilo of clams to try. The buttery sauce was nice and fragrant but the clams were nothing out of ordinary. 

French crêpe with lemon, butter and sugar was from Le Patio got us reminiscing about our time in Paris. I liked the pancake, which was tender and soft but it needed more filling. One bite would be too sour and the next would be too bland. More butter, more lemon juice and more sugar would have made it perfect. 

To end our gourmet trail we got a slice of Russian Napoleon from a lady selling home-made cakes and Baklava. Icing sugar and crispy toppings were sprinkled over layers of creamy pastry, topped with a juicy strawberry. Yum!

There were plenty of other food choices including a few café, deli, a salad bar and a few speciality stores selling beer, wine, tea and organic groceries. Plenty of seats were available and we were entertained by a singer performing live with his guitar. 
Although a bit crowded on a Sunday, it was quite comfortable walking around the air-conditioned indoor market space. I would not consider it as a farmers' market since most of the produce were imported from as far as Europe but it was enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Pasar Bella

#02/06 The Grandstand

200 Turf Club Road