** Warning: Really long post ahead **
I’ve wanted to visit PasarBella since it was featured on 8 Days, but not all the shops were opened so we’ve delayed visiting till finally one day Yina decided to say yes to my insistent suggestion of PasarBella since we were gonna be in the area anyway. *silent yes*
PasarBella, if I remember correctly, is a 4 million dollar venture started by the two previous partners from the SugarDaddy group (they brought you Antoinette & PiqueNique!), and they’ve since sold their shares and left SD just for this market idea/investment they believe in. (P.S. – The shares they sold off netted them a 70% profit on their investment, and one of the partners is just 24 years old this year!)
For more information, head over topasarbella.com… or read on!
Situated in The Grandstand (formerly known as Turf City, not to be confused with Turf Club which is super far away) along Eng Neo / Dunearn road, the market, which is the“first multi-sensory grocery shopping destination in Singapore” is housed on an area of over 30,000 square meters, and for now they have about 30 unique stores from around the world, and it is indeed nothing less than beautiful.
The markets operates from 930am – 7pm (some stores may open beyond 7pm) and the restaurants are usually opened from 10am – 10pm.
The inside is quite a far cry from what you see outside when you first drive into The Grandstand. For the better, of course! You’ll see what I mean in more pictures below ; D
It was my first trip there, and being the lazy woman I was, I tried looking for a lot nearest to one (any!) of the entrances and luckily for me, I found one just outside the drop off / pick up point after circling the area twice! There are two drop off / pickup points and they’re at the north / east entrance. The one you see below is the east entrance of PasarBella. There isn’t a sheltered carpark, so be ready to get scorched if you park too far away, or your ass burnt if you leave your car out there for too long.
My beloved ahteck (that’s what we named out white car haha) is at the extreme right corner of this picture and that lot left me extremely pleased for the day lol
Parking is plentiful, but it’s just a matter of how far you’re willing to walk. Try parking at the east entrance (go one round to the back), which is located in the north carpark and you’ll find that it’s a lot nearer than parking on the two level open carpark area. I’m sorry for the horrible description, but it’s really hard for me to describe the place – couldn’t possibly capture a picture while driving alone!
Once you enter from the east side, you’re immediately greeted by a flower shop! These are what you’ll find at Poppy Flora Studio!
{ Poppy Flora Studio }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
“Poppy Flora Studio is a style savvy florist devoted to creating your ultimate floral design. We create floral styles that are far beyond typical styling ideas and we craft designs that are both personal and incredibly charming.”
(information plucked from pasarbella’s official website)
I can imagine my friend Magdalyn (who’s been bitten by a flower arrangement bug recently) twacking her husband on the arm and telling him where to go this coming weekend already. Hahahaha.
They also have plenty of artificial and pressed/dried blooms, and the area around the shop is great for photo-taking!
Ahhhh being greeted by such a beautiful sight makes me very happy.
As you walk on and explore the place, you’ll see more stores which are uniquely decorated and furnished – they have an extremely European vibe to them and reminds me so much of the beautiful market I went to in Barcelona.
Just next to Poppy Flora Studios, you’ll findBitesize Monster (waffles!) and Salad Stop! (self explanatory).
And on the other side of the flower shop, you’ll see Huber’s Deli, a butcher shop for some fresh cuts of meat!
{ Huber’s Deli }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am -7pm
“At Huber’s Deli, customers can look forward to savouring Huber’s signature sausages and cold cuts freshly cooked, prepared and served in a thin crusted bun with toppings of your choice. Our sausages and cold cuts, made with only top quality ingredients, have no added MSG and fillers. Sliced to order air-dried meats, hams, cold cuts, bacon and pre-packed sausages are also available for take-away.”
And next to Huber’s Deli you’ll find Maru Shabu with their adorable neon cartoon sign, almost quietly hidden away in a corner.
{ Mara Shabu }
facebook & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
You won’t be able to miss Charly T’s, which has a long bar all decked out in red.
Does “T” stand for Tan? : x
And after Charly T’s, you wouldn’t miss the biggest stall in PasarBella – Oceans of Seafood!
{ Oceans of Seafood }
facebook page & opening hours:
“At Oceans of Seafood, we pride ourselves in providing seafood of the highest quality at affordable prices. From our Western and Japanese retail outlets to our restaurants, everyone can enjoy the best of what the world’s oceans have to offer in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere.”
Yes, they offer the food two ways… Internatonal or Japanese!
And on the international side we have lobsters, mussels and oysters!
And when you exit Oceans of Seafood, you’ll find Le Patio!
{ Le Patio }
website & opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9.30am – 8.30pm | Sat, Sun, PH: 9am – 8.30pm
“Le Patio’s rustic simplicity and homely fare is a guaranteed sensory explosion of taste, sight and smell. Enjoy a hearty offering of paella and top it off with French crepes for dessert. The French lemonade will also add some zest and hit all the right spots for a truly refreshing experience.”
The Paella looked really yummy, but I had a bit of soup before lunch so I wasn’t very interested in it cos it’d be too filling!
Da Paolo Gastronomia’s desserts called out to me though, so I took away a berry crumble while Yina ordered her food! We contemplated Da Paolo’s pizzas and other pastries for a while but only got a croissant in the end.
{ Gastronomia Da Paolo }
website & opening hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 7.30pm | Fri – Sun: 9.30am – 9.30pm
“Choose from a mouth-watering array of professionally prepared dishes, such as homemade pasta, sauces, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Indulge in delicious pastries, cakes or our much-celebrated tiramisu. One can also complement the meal with fine wine, Tekoe tea or Bristot coffee.”
Almost impossible to miss the neon sign, but the entrance to the Cheese Ark is a narrow little lane, with little side tables along the way in. As the neon signboard suggests, this place would carry almost every imaginable kind of cheese available. Yes, get all your cheese here.
Just behind Da Paolo’s Gastronomia, you’ll find Five & Spice with an interesting menu display!
{ Five & Spice }
website & opening hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 8pm | Fri – Sun & PH: 9.30am – 10pm
“FIVE & SPICE KITCHEN is a take-out deli and eat-in tasting kitchen featuring a rotating menu of our favorite small plates and dishes. Pates and pestos, marmalades and marinades, and a daily variety of Asian and Western comfort foods made fresh from our very own CICELY brand of the finest herbs, spices, sauces and condiments. Look for a daily selection of naturally spiced and flavored iced teas, bubbly and cocktails too.”
Yina got the truffle mushroom cream pasta from Five & Spice and it was soooooo good! But it’s a little gelat if you don’t share it between two (of cos, I shamelessly helped her out with it ahems).
PasarBella advocates cleaning up after yourself – though I think they should get bigger bins or something. It was filled up in no time! There were people around to help wipe down the table so that it remains clean. It’s free seating, so you can bring your food around the entire compound (unless otherwise stated), wherever you choose to seat!
And if you need to ease yourself after all that food…
HAHAHAHA I think the drawing’s really cute! It’s mighty obvious where you should head to to relieve yourselves. Heh.
Around the dining area, just beside the salad stop! (yes we’ve gone a small round by then) you’ll find Nibbles by Rabbit Carrot Gun. Quiches & pies galore!
{ Nibbles by Rabbit Carrot Gun }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 7pm
“Nibbles by Rabbit Carrot Gun are purveyors of a fine array of British classics, and they pride themselves on creating exceptionally honest, whole-hearted English food using seasonal and organic produce. Expect to find homemade pies, Scotch eggs, signature quiches, hand-tied sandwiches in fresh organic bread and more to come. For those with a sweet tooth, there are treats such as English scones and traditional cakes.”
Around the corner, you’ll also find Bella Bakery. Cakes, macarons & donuts to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours!
Beyond this area, you’ll find more trading stalls than eateries. The first one behind us would be a wine shop, Merchants.
Yes, wine by the glass. My alcoholic friends (namely Mag, Veron & Yanny) would be so happy to hear that, hahaha.
If wine isn’t really your cup of tea, there’s BEER too! In large neon letters!
{ The Great Beer Experiment }
facebook & opening hours: Sun – Wed: 9.30am – 7.30pm | Thu – Sat: 9.30am -9.30pm
“The Great Beer Experiment, a craft beer venue, is a playground which promises to “Tickle, Test and Tempt” all palates and preferences. Tickle and tempt your palate with new and limited-edition craft beers from around the world or partake in the Food & Beer Pairing Trails which takes you across the market. Test and broaden your beer knowledge by attending one of the beer appreciation and specialist workshops tailored for both new and seasoned beer enthusiasts. Go on, try something new today!”
I’ve been having a huge craving for beers, but I’m always driving so I have yet to get my fix of kronenbourg blanc!!! Rawr. One of these days…
The Little Provence sells… *drumrolls* TRUFFLE OIL. TRUFFLE OIL AND TRUFFLE SALTTTTTTTTTTTT (images and the scent of truffle fries float right into my mind) and many kinds of olive oil!
{ Little Provence }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
“The food product range encompasses a wide choice of tapenades, olive oils, vinegars, truffles, artisanal jams, chocolates and lavender products. The organic wine selection provides well-chosen rosé, white and red wines. Little Provence aims to invite customers to taste, experience, understand and enjoy the wonderful products and the spirit of the Provence way of life.”
Little Provence also sells candles and lavender scent bags – I want to head back to check those out soon!
After Little Provence, there’s a little walkway which leads you to the Southern side of PasarBella! And just before you hit the walkway, there’s this shop which sells adorable stationery and has a baby giraffe stuffed toy which we couldn’t resist taking a picture with. HELLO, JAYNE! (hehehe)
Right smack in the walkway, you’ll pass by a shop which sells postcards and drawings of / by the paper girl, which Yina remarked is cute and is a little tim burton-ish.
I really love the postered wall, the huge logo and the multitude of colors on one wall!
Pass by this and you’ll be greeted with a long passage of organic food!
{ The Organic Grocer }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
“Come visit our concept stall and check out our wide variety of organic and natural products, from fresh organic produce and meats, wild caught seafood, to dairy products and cooking essentials. We also cater to special gluten, dairy and nut-free dietary requirements. And, how can we forget your special little ones and man’s best friend? Protect your home and keep it chemical-free by using our organic, eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products. With over 1000 products, pick up a basket and start shopping with us today!”
BABY POTATOES!!!! I WANTTTTTTT!
And oh there’s also a little corner for kids with TV, miniature cardboard furniture and all! Cute!
I was cajoled into taking pictures with a huge 5kg watermelon over at SG Organic!!!
Well, exactly what the neon sign on a wall of pallets said, except that I didn’t look _that_ calm, haha.
Other than the huge watermelons and huge cabbages, they also have carrots in 3 different colors! I’ve asked, and they told me it tastes the same. I’m not sure why you’d need a purple and orange carrot then, but it’s so interesting!
{ SG Organic }
website & opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
“Unearth the simple pleasures of real food with SG Organic. We are passionate about providing fresh, Australian Certified Organic produce to the Singapore market.”
If you find PasarBella too far, SG Organic does home deliveries which saves you all the trouble!
Tangy Tangerines, the little neighbour of both SG Organic and The Organic Grocer had me wanting to bring a sack full of fruits back! I think one day I just might!
Pass by all the organic foodstuffs and you’ll find yourself face to face with a tea house!
{ The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. }
website & opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9.30am – 7pm | Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
“The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.’s mini Tea Bar serves up its best-selling teas, brewed and prepared with an adventurous twist. Top off any iced-tea with its bespoke tea-infused ice cream, or go for a cup of hot tea served with a special something. Tea lovers will get to sample and experience the flavours and freshness of The 1872 Clipper Teas at its “Tea Indulgence” corner.”
Other than a huge selection of teas (in both tea leaves and tea bag formats), you can also acquire some tea time accessories here!
I love the packaging and the design of the place – navy blue and white plus clean typography = always a winning factor! I left with a box of 24 teabags of Earl Grey Tea and I LOVE IT. It doesn’t end off siap, and I think I’ll come back and get the travel box set ($19.90) which contains 1 of each type/flavor of tea (16 in total, if I remember correctly)!
Cookies and drinks are available here too!
If tea isn’t your cup of tea (urrrrrhhh….), there’s always Dutch Colony Coffee Co, which is right beside Clipper Tea Co!
{ Dutch Colony Coffee Co }
website & opening hours: Sun – Thu: 9.30am – 7pm | Fri & Sat: 9.30am – 9pm
“Inspired by the significant historical role of the Dutch in the spread of coffee plantations from India to Java and later on to Central and South America, the first establishment of Dutch Colony Coffee Co. aspires to provide a complete bean to cup experience. The smell, sight and taste concept will allow you to enjoy freshly roasted specialty coffee selections with a variety of brewing methods. Coupled with selected pastries and pies, this experience is crafted to satisfy your senses.”
This post is really getting too long, so I’m gonna just add on photos of the other smaller eateries and a balloon shop!
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