Different every day
Lunchtime eateries in the Central Business District seem to be of three types - hawker centres/foodcourts, hip eateries and fast-food outlets.
I can understand why people would want to head for the hawker centre or foodcourt - inexpensive comfort food is quite a lure.
Fast-food joints work for those who want to eat and run.
But with limited eating time and higher prices, you have to really like a trendy eatery if you are going to wait longer and pay more.
You have lots to eat in the vicinity of Telok Ayer and Amoy Street. Competition is intense.
But since it opened in 2012, SPRMRKT has been packing in the crowds. Getting a table for lunch is near impossible, unless you are quick and aggressive.
The menu is different every day.
Only a handful of items are sold daily.
Two months ago, SPRMRKT overhauled its menu and introduced 20 items, its biggest change since it opened.
The reboot also came with a minor facelift, extended operating hours and more artwork on its walls.
The bonus of eating at SPRMRKT? You can grab some groceries. (That is why its name is supermarket minus the vowels. It sells local specialty foods.)
You could also pop over next door to buy Toto or 4-D. I was told that the outlet is considered one of the "lucky" ones.
- TNP PHOTO: YEOH WEE TECK
TUESDAYS ONLY
Available on Tuesdays, the fried lotus root, tapioca chips and parma ham salad ($13) is very good, especially with the tasty roasted shallots with vinegar and ponzu dressing.
- TNP PHOTO: YEOH WEE TECK
SURPRISINGLY LIGHT
Also on Tuesdays, order the parma ham risotto ($20). It looks like a lot on the plate but is surprisingly light. The two mushrooms used - button and shimeji - give the dish a delicious texture.
- TNP PHOTO: YEOH WEE TECK
ODD BALLS
I had a problem with the house-made beef ball spaghetti ($20, Fridays only). The balls tasted odd and undercooked. But it was saved by the rich bolognaise sauce.
- TNP PHOTO: YEOH WEE TECK
FULL OF FLAVOUR
SPRMRKT's bacon pudding ($16) is available daily under the All-Day Breakfast menu. I like that it is full of flavour - salty, rich and acidic. When I returned unannounced, I thought the hollandaise sauce was sharper than before, but that actually helped the dish.
- TNP PHOTO: YEOH WEE TECK
TRY THE FRIES
Food snobs will roll their eyes but do try the truffle fries ($12, with kelp and parmesan). They are rather good. The kelp adds dimension to the fries (so ask for more kelp). These are not the best truffle fries in Singapore, but they are worth the money.
WHAT SPRMRKT
WHERE 2 McCallum Street
WHEN Mondays and Tuesdays 8am to 9pm; Wednesdays to Fridays 8am to 11pm; weekends 9am to 6pm
TEL 6221-2105
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now