When was the last time I reviewed a café? I don’t even know! But Merci Marcel Orchard totally deserves this review because I loved every minute of my time there. Sure, it may have been because I had left the kids at home – aka peace and quiet (aaaaaaah). Also maybe because it was relaxed and brand new. I had gone during their soft opening weekend. Regardless, I am sure the new opening of Merci Marcel Orchard will have the Instagram crowd going hot and heavy over its gorgeous spaces.
Merci Marcel Orchard – Always Oh-So-Chic
For those not familiar with Merci Marcel, they are a modern, French chic cafe and restaurant that opened their first outlet in Tiong Bahru a few years ago. Even then, I was a frequent visitor due to its prettiness, good coffee and wanna-eat-more-than-two croissants. They then opened a new outlet on Club Street. Now Merci Marcel Orchard is sure to impress the shoppers and tourists that abound along Orchard Road.
Merci Marcel Orchard is their third location and while each one has the same cool vibe, they all have differences that make them unique. Their Orchard outlet is set right by the Thai Embassy and from their cushioned seats, you can see out onto the gardens. Large, open-air arched windows allow in the breeze and you don’t feel too hot because of the well-placed ceiling fans.
I heart coffee!
Merci Marcel has always served good coffee. That and their fluffy yet flaky croissants ($3.50) served with homemade jam is enough to content me for the morning. We had to order something more for breakfast though. Why not, the kids weren’t there and it was just me and The Vegetarian without a care in the world! Ok, well, maybe I DID care that he ate almost all of that delicious croissant.
Brekky and more at Merci Marcel Orchard
The menu here is still modern Mediterranean with plenty of options for all. They even featured an Impossible Burger on their soft opening menu. Dishes for a Vegetarian were not limited to pasta or french fries. The Vegetarian had eggplant with lentils, topped with a yoghurt sauce and pine nuts ($19). He thoroughly enjoyed his dish. I didn’t even get a taste!
But that wasn’t too bad… I was, after all, craving perfectly poached eggs because poaching eggs are not a technique that I’ve mastered at home. When their version of Florentine Eggs ($21) arrived at the table, I was a happy girl. I cannot even begin to tell you how flavourful their organic eggs were, flowing out from their perfect poach a brilliant orange colour. These organic eggs, they said, had been laid right here in Singapore. (Someone please, please let me know where the source is. Do you know how long I’ve been searching for flavourful eggs?)
I always find hollandaise sauce a hit or miss for me. They either over sauce, under sauce or the sauce is just not right. That’s why I ask for it on the side. I then dip my eggs and toast into it as I go along. The hollandaise at Merci Marcel must have had Parmesan or something in it because it wasn’t your standard super buttery, terribly rich sauce. Yum!
Sweet Finishes
Because I wanted to extend the experience for as long as I could, I ordered a chocolate croissant ($3.50) to finish. A perfect end to a lovely brunch at Merci Marcel Orchard.
Note: I can see this place being perfect for an easy dinner and also, I must mention that they will have a lovely retail space too. This hadn’t opened when we visited.
For more information:
At the time of this review, Merci Marcel Orchard was so newly opened it wasn’t easy to find on Google. I would make a reservation before going.
Book now on Quandoo: Merci Marcel
Instagram: @mercimarcel
Facebook: mercimarcelsg
Address:
Merci Marcel – Orchard
390 Orchard Road
#01-03/04, Palais Renaissance
Singapore 238871
By the way, I always love these little pieces of dark chocolate they serve with each coffee. It’s just one of those little touches that make you feel spesh!
