For all the hype on Dean & Delucca, my virginal visit was outright disappointing.
I dropped in for a quick bite as I have another dinner later that evening in Orchard Central but when I saw the pastries and the food display I couldn’t resist going for a burger. There were only 2 options, and I chose the Wagyu Portobello mushroom burger as it sounded really tantalizing based on the description.
When it arrived at my table it looked just as promising, save for the blackened edges on the bun. To me, it was an early sign of alarm and lack of attention to detail. How could you serve a customer a bun burned at the edges?
Anyhow I was too hungry to complain thus I proceeded to take my pictures quickly so I could tuck in as soon as possible.
Here’s my obligatory cross section shot of any burger I ate – Portobello Cheese Burger (SGD24 ++ – RM60++).
It looks really mouthwatering right?
The pinkish tinge of the patty promised juiciness and the ingredients of Gouda cheese, beef steak tomatoes and grilled portobello did elevate my expectations for the burger. So I was bought back to reality hard on my first bite as the patty was under-seasoned and overall if it’s possible to believe, pretty bland.
I had expected a thick slice of portobello but it was actually chopped pieces/slices of portobello. It came with a huge mould of fries as if to justify for its lack of taste.
I tried the pastry section next. Dean and Delucca stocks selected pastries from Baker & Cook (I’m not that familiar with this one) and Maison Kayser; which is one of my favourite bakery.
Since I wanted to try Dean & Delucca’s food, I chose a Valhorna Banana Muffin (SGD3.50 – RM10.50). Though it sounds good, the muffin was a tad dry and there wasn’t much chocolate nor banana in it.
So yes, what was the fuss about Dean and Delucca again?? I’m thankful that I didn’t buy more of the pastries.
Or perhaps there’s someone here that can enlighten me on a more delicious choice of order, if (a very big IF) I ever re-visit?
oooh, i’d still like to see a dean and deluca in kl someday. i kinda remember the coffee at their bangkok branch being enjoyable. it’d be interesting to see what location they’d choose in kl if it ever happens 😀
Yes, it would be a franchise held by a conglomerate just like the one in Sg I guess. So it would be up to that franchisee.
I did ask what coffee beans they use, which one of the staff mumbled “a blend”. Seriously, service was bad right down to the food.
Instead of trying their food, their grocery actually do attract me more 😀 especially the colorful sugar
Colorful sugar??
http://www.deandeluca.com/pantry/baking-ingredients/dean-and-deluca-green-sanding-sugar.aspx
Can use for topping for cake or any dessert, can opt to torch the sugar to have some caramelized while some still have its own color 😀
I agree. It’s rather more hype than anything
I would avoid it then
Whoah….looking real good. And yea…I agree with sean…it would be interesting to see the location if it ever opens in kl.
I so agree .. never understood the hype of this place!