2 days ago
Swag & Sizzle: Restaurant-quality hawker steak & atas Western mains by ex-L'Entrecôte chefs
Good steak is hard to resist. When it promises value for money? Even harder. That's exactly why I knew to run, not walk to Swag & Sizzle.
A hawker stall as cool as its name, it's helmed by a duo of ex-L'Entrecôte chefs and dishes out fancy Western dishes you'd typically find in cafes and bistros. Think steak frites, brunch plates and chicken roulade… some stalls really do sell themselves.
Swag & Sizzle is nestled in an unassuming coffeeshop along Cantonment Road, in the quieter suburbs of Tanjong Pagar. A little off the beaten path, sure — but a trip that I was more than happy to make.
I dove straight for the main attraction: the Hanger Steak (S$21.90), served with balsamic-dressed salad and a side of Spiced Fries. Catching myself from drooling proved to be a real challenge. We eat with our eyes first, and this was one photogenic plate.
In case you're wondering how it stacks up against L'Entrecôte's, this one's priced at just a fraction of the restaurant's signature Trimmed Entrecôte Steak (S$48.80) — which, for the record, comes with free-flow fries. Still, Swag & Sizzle's single serving was nothing to scoff at. I couldn't help but pop a golden fry into my mouth while snapping away, and relished how crispy and piping hot it was.
The cook on my steak was a perfect medium rare. Just look at that beaut!
I was initially surprised by how much chew the meat had, though I later learnt that hanger is naturally a leaner, more textured cut. That in mind, I grew to appreciate its hefty, juicy bite and the tangy, herbaceous contrast rendered by its chimichurri companion.
S$21.90 may seem like a pretty penny to fork out at a coffeeshop, but this dish? Absolutely worth it in my books.
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The Chicken (S$11.90) was another dish that immediately caught my eye. a You don't often see this elegant French-style rolled chicken dish at coffeeshops — and honestly, not many restaurants offer it either. Needless to say, this was an easy next pick.
The plate featured 5 thick slices of roasted chicken, each rolled around a filling of spinach and wild mushrooms, then set atop a pool of creamy tomato sauce. A work of art, really — I can't begin to fathom the finesse required to roll something as delicate as chicken.
I approached this one carefully, starting with just the chicken before going in for a fuller chunk with the filling. The meat was well-seasoned but leaned a little dry on its own, though its flavours were livened up by the earthy spinach, juicy mushrooms and especially that sweet-savoury tomato sauce, which added a welcome hit of richness to each bite.
Accompanying the roulade was a side of Garlic Couscous, which I'd opted for in place of Spiced Fries this time. You know, for variety. It wasn't anything to write home about compared to its crispy counterpart, but I enjoyed its fluffiness and the just-right hint of garlic that kept things interesting.
I couldn't leave without trying something off Swag & Sizzle's all-day breakfast menu. Enter: the Croque Monsieur (S$6.90), my final dish of the day.
First impressions? I was genuinely impressed by the sheer size of this creation. As a die-hard cheese fan, you can bet I was thrilled to see the generous, golden-brown layer of melted cheese that blanketed the sandwich, too.
Toasted to a tee, the polka bread delivered a satisfying crunch, giving way to a soft, fluffy interior and an indulgent, ultra-cheesy filling. The ham within imparted savoury, slightly smoky notes, which were balanced by the milky richness of the Emmental and the velvety mornay sauce that tied everything together.
I'd only had croque monsieur once before, and it was entirely forgettable. I didn't think this one would steal the show, but it emerged as my favourite dish of the afternoon.
Restaurant-quality hawkers are my jam, and I couldn't be happier to call Swag & Sizzle a new addition to my roster.
If I could describe their offerings in one word, it'd be 'value-for-money'. I was thoroughly pleased by all 3 dishes I tried, and can confidently say that each punched above its price point — especially the show-stopping Hanger Steak and Croque Monsieur.
I'll definitely be back. Next time, I'm doubling down on their all-day breakfast menu… and probably roping in friends so I can steal bites off their plates, too.
Expected damage: S$6.90 – S$21.90 per pax
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