Tiong Bahru Bakery but not in Tiong Bahru?

It's funny how Tiong Bahru Pau is like everywhere, I mean can you imagine me telling my mum, "Mummy, can you get me Tiong Bahru Pau from Toa Payoh Market?" weird eh... Anyway just like any other franchise, Tiong Bahru has recently ok maybe not so recent anymore, opened a new outlet at Raffles City Shopping Centre. 

Hans and I ordered a few items to share: the Brown Salmon Bun, Croissant, Chocolate Mendiant, Croque Monsieur and a Passion Chocolate Cake. First up, the Brown Salmon Bun. I soooo wanted to try the black squid ink bread, unfortunately it was sold out by the time we got there hence we settled for the brown one instead. I thought the bread was kinda normal; I loved the smoked salmon and the cream cheese but the rocket salad was overpoweringly bitter. In short, a mediocre sandwich which cost a whopping $8.50, I don't think I will be ordering this again.

Brown Salmon Bun @ $8.50

The Croissant was flaky and crispy but I didn't quite match up to my expectation, which was raised sky high due to the overwhelming reviews. Hans said the Croissant at the Tiong Bahru's outlet tasted better due to its high turnover.

Croissant @ $2.80

Next up, the Croque Monsieur. The Croque Monsieur was utterly disappointing; I mean what can be more disappointing than cold stale cheese?! The bread was ordinary, the ham was passable; all in all I think the Ham and Cheese sandwich which my Secondary school sold beats this hands down (p.s it's the Ham and Cheese Sandwich sold at St Raphael's Canteen at CHIJ Toa Payoh's holding school @ Thomson Secondary school. I bet most TP IJ girls might just agree with me that that was the most awesome Ham and Cheese Sandwich ever! at just $1++)

Croque Monsieur @ $9.50

The Chocolate Mendiant was the star of the meal. Standing out from the ever so common chocolate tart, the Chocolate Mendiant is a traditional French confection which comprises of a chocolate layer packed with nuts and dried fruits. Each fo the fried fruits refers to the color of the monastic robes with tradition dictating raisins for the Dominicans, hazelnut for the Augustins, dried figs for Franciscans and almond for Carmelite (adapted from Wikipedia). Well, I was obviously as clueless as you and was happily forking this delectable dessert. A simple equation sums it all:

Crunchy tart + bitter sweet chocolate ganache +sweet dried fruits and nuts = Bliss <3

Chocolate Mendiant @ $6.50

Last but not least, I was persuaded by the server to order their newest (at the time of my visit) creation. This Chocolate Passion fruit cake had the right balance of sweet and tanginess however this didn't quite justify the $8.50 I paid. 

Passion Choco Cake @ $850

Given a smooth chocolate mousse and fruity passion fruit custard, I thought the combination would have gone much better with a crunchy tart base than a sponge cake base.

Frankly, I was kinda disappointed by Tiong Bahru Bakery. I'm unsure whether the fault lies with this outlet or the bakery as a whole but I must say I was left pretty unsatisfied at the end of the meal. I might just pop by for their Chocolate Mendiant.... just maybe...