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Iris domestica (Leopard Lily)
Reportedly a favourite of Thomas Jefferson – third US President and keen gardener, this East Asian shrub bears attractive spotted flowers that literally roll up after pollination, and transform into explosive capsules with shiny black seeds. The sword-like leaves may be cooked and eaten like a vegetable. In traditional chinese medicine, the reportedly ‘cooling’ roots and rhizomes are used to treat coughs and sore throats.
Sunday Brunch in a Stylish Garden Setting
Your visit to East Coast Park becomes a little more than ordinary when you choose to dine at 1 TwentySix.
It was the place my daughter and I chose to begin our day at, and we were instantly impressed by the beautiful décor of the restaurant. Meant to be a “chic getaway”, you feel as if you’ve stepped into the garden of a stylish, nature-loving owner.
The large stone slabs that welcome you at the entrance of the restaurant look like round lily pads, and my daughter started jumping from one ‘pad’ to the other. The sleek floor-to-ceiling glass windows and island-shaped bar in the restaurant could well belong to an upmarket restaurant in Orchard Road; yet we were in East Coast Park, looking out to a pristine beach and an azure sea.
The food did not disappoint. I chose “Roary lion” from the kids’ menu for my daughter and mini pancakes for me. Despite the title, my daughter was not served uncooked meat; instead she had a mouth-watering combination of muffin, scrambled egg, sausage, ham and cheese.
The other choices also sound equally delicious: Oinky Pig (cheesy sausage and fries), Moomo Cow (lasagna in tomato sauce and cheese), Clucky Chicken (drumlets and nacho chips), Fluffy Fish (fried fish and scrambled eggs) and Hoppy Hippo (fish, sausages and fries).
My mini pancakes were little slices of heaven. They had just the right amount of consistency, accentuated by generous portions of maple syrup. To sweeten the deal, there was a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Just describing it has made me hungry all over again!
If pancakes aren’t your thing, you can select other items on the breakfast menu, including homemade vanilla yoghurt, French toast, banana muesli, garden salad and stuffed lamb pitas. If you’re hungry, aim straight for the heartier fare, like eggs benedict on toasted muffin, grilled spicy boneless chicken thigh or their in-house special, aglio olio linguine.
The service staff were polite and friendly. One staff brought me some crayons and paper for my daughter without asking, while another was attentive to my needs for more water and serviettes.
A little gripe: could we have some covered car park lots? I could have fried eggs on the bonnet of my car under the sweltering June weather! Then again, it’s a small price to pay for a sumptuous meal, and a great start to the morning!
1 TwentySix is open daily for dinner, and for brunch on Sundays. For more details, please refer to www.1-twentysix.com or call 6348 2126.
By Chen Hsin Yeow
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