Singapore Food Blog - Tart Blanc

Location: Central Business District (CBD), Singapore

Updated: This business is permanently closed.

Recommended: Various tarts, Mint Cucumber tea

I have to confess that Millenia Walk is not my usual haunt - in fact I have never been there before if it wasn't for a Groupon voucher which we purchased to try out this store named Tart Blanc. For SGD11.80, we get to enjoy a tea set worth SGD24 for 2 that include 2 tarts and 2 hot beverages. With such an irresistible offer, how could we not give it a try?

Tart Blanc fits the description of "hole in the wall" literally by fitting into a small space, accommodating at most 5 - 6 couples, its counter occupying the other half of the store. With an unassuming exterior, we almost missed it if we were not looking for it. However my limited French allowed me to appreciate this artisan cafe's choice of various shades of white as its main theme, from the Chinese lantern styled lamps to the paint on the wall, for "blanc" is "white" in French.

Tart Blanc - it is French for "tart white", an apt description of their main selling pastry and the color of choice for interior decor.

During our visit, only a waitress manned the counter, filling the shoes of both barista and cashier at the same time. There wasn't much service to be expected anyway since there wasn't much choice, their menu just a list of various beverages hanging behind the cashier. Although I spied some sort of lunch meal menu at the counter top, I wondered how many sauntered in for a hot meal, the place clearly focusing on pastries and tea rather than a full lunch.

Our voucher allowed us a selected choice of coffee or tea - I chose to try a simple latte (SGD4.80) while my wife was drawn to a tea named Mint Cucumber (SGD4.80). For a small artisan cafe like Tart Blanc I have to say that their cup of joe was impressive - rich in coffee yet smooth on the palate, not too saturated but still thick with flavor. Their tea was served with a fascinating standing tea strainer, infusing the cup with the subtle fragrance with an unmistakable lure.

We made a good choice by selecting Mint Cucumber tea (SGD4.80). It has a subtle minty taste to the beverage and does not feel tart. The waitress recommended a brewing time of approximately 5 minutes, and hot water is refillable so you can get a few cups of tea with the price of one.

This inverted conical tea strainer is quite interesting. Tart Blanc even sells this if you would like to brew tea this way.

My cup of latte (SGD4.80). Rich in flavor but smooth in texture. Just the way I like my latte to be.

The voucher allowed for 2 tarts of our choices, selected from the counter's display case. An array of assorted colorful tarts beckoned us and it was a tough choice, each one as delicious looking as the next. In the end we chose base on curiosity, picking an Earl Grey Chocolate Tart (SGD7) and Tiramisu Tart (SGD7.50). While the latter was as delicious as its name sounds, it was the former that impressed us the most with its flavor by invoking the image of tea with each bite.

Earl Grey Chocolate Tart (SGD7) in front and Tiramisu Tart (SGD7.50) at the back. I was most impressed by the former. Have you tried eating tea infused pastry? Beyond Matcha tasted pastries, this is the first time I got myself savoring each bite of a tea tasted tart. The taste of chocolate, which is stronger in the hard crumble base, became secondary.

The latter delivered its expected result as well, providing us with a smooth sensation and the unmistakable sweetness that is tiramisu. I coupled each scoop of sweetness and down it with a sip of coffee, and I was on cloud nine!

Happily waiting to dig in... after a few more photos... :p

White lanterns (does that mean the Blackest Night is around the corner...?)

Delicious as the tarts were, their price made them a costly choice for pastries. Each tart can be finished in as many scoops as you would a slice of cake so one could argue that they are only slightly more expensive than that. However they won my heart over with their tastes, so I guess that balances out the price factor, making it still a worthy choice.

If one were loitering around Suntec Convention Center and were looking for a spot for tea, then do give Tart Blanc a try. Be prepared that you may not get a seat though, as their space is very limited as mentioned earlier. If that is the unfortunate case, you might as well get a tart to go and taste for yourself if their tarts are as delicious as I described.

Environment:          Tart cafe in central business district

Suitable for:             for friends or tea time
Price:                           occasional (SGD10 - 20 per meal per pax)

Food score:               7.5/10

Food:                             4.5/5.0 (score only for pastry)

Service:                         4.0/5.0

Value:                            3.5/5.0

Ambient:                       3.0/5.0

Operating hours:   (Mon - Thu) 10.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
                                        (Fri)                10.30 a.m. - 11.30 p.m.
                                        (Sat)                11.00 a.m. - 11.30 p.m.
                                        (Sun)               10.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

Directions:                Disembark at Promenade MRT Station and take Exit A or B to get to Millenia Walk. The cafe is very small and wholly white.

Website:                    Official homepage of Tart Blanc and Facebook Page

Contact:                    +65 - 6283 6893 (phone)

E-mail:                       info@tartblanc.com

Address:                    Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-102, Singapore 039596.