CentrePS – Excellent Macarons and Cakes (Grand Cru Royale)
Yesterday was Sis-in-Law’s birthday… So after considering some recommendations from a friend with a sweet tooth, I went down Centre-PS to see what I can get my hands on.
It’s located within the ‘older’ part of Tiong Bahru, and there’s a direct bus from NUS (one bus-stop after the Tiong Bahru MRT bus-stop). Finding the place wasn’t too hard, but for someone like me who don’t really know the area, it can be hard to find… and it DID felt like a maze in there!! Luckily I took the correct path and thank goodness the gloomy weather held. I can’t imagine searching for the shop in the rain if it started raining and if I took a wrong turn…
Centre PS - Stall Front
Centre PS in Tiong Bahru
The modern shop-front of CentrePS stood out distinctively from the rather ‘aged’ neighbourhood. It did seem a little out of place.
Following a brief chat with the lady sales person, I realised the bigger cakes are all ‘hidden’ away in the back. After looking through their folder, I was still clueless. I wanted something chocolaty and she recommended the Grand Cru Royale and Chocobanane (Grand Cru Chocolate and Banana Mousse with Hazelnut Macarons and Candied Pecans). I didn’t think my Sis-in-law liked banana, so buying a cake with banana mousse is out. Moreover, how well will banana mousse on a chocolaty cake combine? I guess I will have to find out some other day!
Eventually, I settled on a 1KG Grand Cru Royale (Fine Premium Chocolate with Hazelnut Pralines Crunch). Whilst waiting for the cake to be prepared, I looked at the other items available there. There are cookies, and Christmas cakes. What caught my attention was the macarons of various colours… priced at 5 pieces for $10.00 or 10 pieces for $18.00. Quite reasonable I thought. After some hard selling by the salesperson, and failing to my curiosity (Frankly both wifey and me NEVER had macarons before)… I decided to get the pack of 10 pieces.
Pack of 10 Macarons
The damage for the 1Kg cake ($65.00) and 10 pieces of macarons ($18.00) came to $74.70 (less 10% UOB credit card discount). I have to say… I really thought there’s a 20% discount for anything over $60. I hope its just a genuine mistake. Either way, its a little pricey I thought, but gosh was it all worth it…
The Macarons
First up, the macarons. I have to say, the macarons were… GREAT!!! Frankly, my initial perception of macarons, how they tasted and felt was totally off! The thin crispy light outer layer combined well with the chewy spongy sweet inner layer that just melts away in my mouth… Ahhhh… Truly Wonderful! The different flavours reminded me of fruity jelly beans!! Of course, some are sweeter than others… but its a great sugary experience!! The range 20 different flavours available can be seen here…
Macarons... Up REAL Close!!
The Grand Cru Royale
WOW! This cake is simply unique and absolutely divine!! It is presented as a square chocolate cake, with solid milk chocolaty shavings. What a beautiful creation!
A beautiful creation - The Grand Cru Royale
A closer look...
Everyone enjoyed the cake… except mom, insisting that this IS A BISCUIT and NOT a cake (just because it does not have a sponge cake layer… hahah!!!). One little negative thing was the way sister-in-law’s name was written on the piece of white chocolate. Somehow, her name “Jing Jing” read so much like “Sing Sing” which meant “星星 – Stars” or “猩猩 – Gorilla” Muwahahha!!
Well… It will take a few days to finish up the 1KG worth of Grand Cru Royale… But I will definitely be back for more!! ALOT MORE!!
