What to say about a pastry chef’s that has her own Wikipedia entry? Janice Wong made a splash in the culinary world with her artistic desserts and culinary happenings. She is a well-known professional in Asia and Singapore is her home. During my Singapore trip in July 2019, it was natural to pay a visit to her 2am: dessert bar in Holland Village.
The visit
The dessert bar was located on the second floor of a building at the end of a cul-de-sac.
I arrived shortly after their opening at 2pm (this is the opening time at Weekends; usually they open at 3pm and keep open till 2am as the name suggests). There was only a couple. I had a reservation made through their website but at that time it was not really necessary. At least on that day.
I was temped to order their dessert degustation, but I resisted and I settled for a single item.
It was their Chocolate H20, one of Janice’s classics. Her imprint was visible from the dish presentation, with splashes of color all around the plate. It was a technically-complex creation. This is how it is described on Janice’s website:
A signature of 2am:dessertbar, this dessert has stayed in the menu since its creation in 2009. Inspired by the beauty of dead corals at the San Sebastian coast, the dessert features an aerated frozen chocolate with water mousse sprayed in grey to give the look of dead corals. It is sat over a heap of chocolate soil. Over the year, this dessert had undergone several changes, and the current version is served with Kochi Yuzu Sorbet to give it a light and refreshing balance to the dessert.
I agree that it was a small masterpiece. But even more important, it was also delicious with all the flavors going along in a perfect way.
The check
I spent 25.89 SGP (18.50 USD) for a single dessert. Expensive certainly, but the price was commensurate with the excellent service and the location. I would certainly go back. She also has a store in Tokyo that I might well visit.
At City Link (an underground mall near City Hall) i captured this picture of a Janice Wong kiosk. There are a few in Singapore.
The paint jar set captured my attention. I think I am in love.
Where in Singapore:
21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village.
Website (for menu and reservations): www.janicewong.com.sg/2amdessertbar