MoCA Cafe is located within the vicinity of Dempsey Hill, specifically at Loewen. It is never a easy journey to Dempsey for those who take public transport and I am referring to bus and MRT, not taxi. As these public transports do not go into these area, hence one would need to walk. Having the walk to MoCA Cafe, personally, I think it is worthwhile for certain factors. Read on to decide for yourself. 🙂

 

The cafe is located next to MoCA, Museum of Contemporary Arts. The area is relatively vast and lushy serene greens filled the air. For those who enjoy Contemporary Arts could kill two birds in one stone.

 

 

 

I was very excited to spot the works of Jiang Shuo. I have a soft spot for her Red Guard sculpture which has an adorable round head, faceless but yet has a wide open mouth. The figurine looks cute and there is a sense of mockery in each of them. Mainly contributed by them carrying a modern item such as the Coca Cola or the Mobile Phone and it is in red that stresses the mockery and even reflects irony.

 

Jiang Shuo is born in 1958 in Beijing. She studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Arts and Design, which is now under Tsinghua University. She is the first female sculptor in China, completed her master degree in 1985 and started her career in teaching sculpture at the Central Academy until 1989 Jiang, with her husband Wu Shaoxiang, emigrated to Austria and worked at their joint studio there.

 

 

 

MoCA Cafe is also very considerate by providing mosquito repellent to guests. I thought this was a nice gesture.

 

 

The kitchen section of the cafe is led by Chef Nelson Wong who has vast experiences in the F&B industry. Some of the big names he worked for previously are Grand Hyatt and Forlino.

 

At MoCA Cafe, beside the regular Ala Carte Menu, Chef Nelson crafts new dishes using freshest seasonal ingredients as well.

 

 

After ordering is completed, the complimentary bread and Indonesian crackers were served swiftly. Butter were accompanied. There are 3 types of bread; Olive Focaccia, Ciabata (I think it was) and Walnut bread.

 

We were highly recommended the fresh Basil and Mint drink. These 2 ingredients were available at their backyard. The drink was concentrated, bold and robust in flavour. I am sure it may appear to some as overwhelming.

 

 

We teed off the meal with Calamari ($16). We noted the tentacles of the squid on the plate which is rare. We felt the squids were fresh and we adore the light and thin batter that was coated on the squid. And the crispiness was still retained even after quite a long while.

 

 

As the White Asparagus was in season, the restaurant has created a special using this seasonal vegetable. The white asparagus is braised with chicken stock and then it is cooked in a butter sauce. The result is … the white asparagus is tender and has soaked the essence of the ingredients.

 

 

The other seasonal ingredients in the month of June was Chanterelles Mushroom. Hence the Fettucine Chanterelles was created. The fettucine is soft and al dente to the bite with a light cream sauce as base. One could savour the natural flavours of the ingredients. With this characteristics, diners who have rich palate will find it as much as bland. All except one diners didn’t enjoy this dish as she enjoys only rich flavoured food.

 

 

 

The same is true about the Angel Hair Crabmeat ($22) in aglio olio style. It is lightly flavoured with natural taste of the ingredients. In fact, typical of Italian cuisine. The pasta is pretty chewy, most of us find it acceptable except for one, the same diner who didn’t appreciate the first pasta dish. I suppose preference play a large part influencing the decision of like and dislike.

 

 

We are neutral to the Mediterranean Sea Bass ($26). The Sea Bass is certainly fresh. It is again about preference here.

 

 

 

Our last dish stole the heart of our diners of the night. This amazing Wagyu Oxtail Soup ($26) is a comfort food great for all occasion. The soup is flavourful and full of vegetable sweetness to enhance the taste profile. Each and very piece of oxtail was tender and melt in the mouth. It wasn’t gamy at all.

 

 

 

We finished off our meal with a sweet ending by having 2 desserts, the Apple Crumble and Panna Cotta ($9). Both were equally good. Though both has room for improvement. I find the apple crumble a little too sweet and the pastry was too dense though most wasn’t bother by this. While the Panna Cotta need an increase though of vanilla flavour.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

MoCA Cafe is one of the handful cafe with Arts display around it. And as it has my favourite sculpture by Jiang Shuo, I suppose there is a basis factor involved.

 

 

Nonetheless, there are a handful of delish dishes worth going after for beside the arty farty ambience.

 

 

 

MoCA Cafe

27A Loewen Road, Singapore 248839
Tel: +65 6509 4730

Website: http://www.mocacafe.com.sg/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mocacafeatloewen/?fref=ts

 

 

Opening Hours

 

Monday – Friday  1130 to 1430, 1800 to 2200; Saturday – Sunday  0900 to 1430, 1800 to 2200

 

Getting There

 

By Bus:

• alight at or opp Bontanic Gardens along Napier Road   7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174

 

Rating: 8/10