tasty!

jones the grocer July 17, 2010

I was over at Dempsey Road with lovely Liz last night and we walked (yes we did not drive; we very bravely walked) and had a really good time exploring the Dempsey area on foot.

We started walking in from the bus stop opposite Peirce Road and walked and talked til we reached Block 11.

Liz had the Bacon Carbonara while I had the Seafood Marinara.
(Shall insert pictures here in future)
At $12.90 and $13.90 respectively, with reasonable portions, we were happy and well-fed.
I love Dome’s pastas. Both the cream-based and tomato-based pastas were beautifully done.

After having a hearty dinner, we crossed over to Block 9 and walked past my dream Audi TT (and in silver, too!) and stepped into gastronomical heaven.

I was so excited I had this inexplicably tingly and fluttery feeling in my chest, palms and fingers.
(See how much I love food?)

Food and pastries served in the store are specially prepared by the jones chefs but I didn’t have the time to sit down and enjoy. Maybe next time?

When I entered the store, I was greeted by a mini library of the cookbooks they had on sale. They’d make rather nice housewarming gifts or birthday gifts for friends. (I would prefer jones vouchers though. hinthint.)

Round the corner, jones has their own brand of cordials and I was particularly intrigued by the Pear and Blackberry one. I could get that next time. Imagine the sangrias you could make with the yummy flavours!

The pasta selection was so massive I was amazed at the variety of choices available.

I kept laughing at the cute pastas because I could just imagine how huge they’d get when they’re cooked.
I can imagine myself preparing white wine cream sauce pasta with mussels soon. Hmm~

And then they had the wine and champagne area next to the deli and cheese room.
I’ve been keen on getting a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin (pronounced verve’ klee-koh’ poh(n)-sah(r)-deh(n): I google-d it!) and they stocked some other Bruts and I spotted a bottle of Rosé too.
(Okay I should stop talking about wines now. I’m getting high just thinking about it.)

The highlight of the evening’s visit was the cheese room. I was keen on getting my usual Brie for a fortnightly cheese and crackers treat. Since I was at jone’s, I decided to pay slightly more for the premium assortment and education.

According to the store’s website, jone’s Dempsey outlet’s cheese room is the largest in Singapore. It was kept at a controlled, lowered temperature and had a strong fragrance of cheese. My olfactory glands were pleased and I had a food high. (Plus, since I am not designed for tropical climates, I enjoyed the nice cool environment. I hope you weren’t freezing in there, Liz!)

Liz and I were rather entertained and educated by the friendly fromager (don’t you love alliteration?) Ivan who alluded the fragrance of various cheeses to delectable choices such as sweaty gym socks. =) While tasting the cheeses, we learned that the cheeses at jone’s are mostly imported from France. The higher butterfat content in cheeses make them softer and more fragrant.
My chosen brie, St Nectaire ($7.80/100g) was very enjoyable with a light flavour. It had a 60% butterfat content while another one I tasted had up to 75% butterfat. YUM. (My close friends are appalled at my obssession with all things full-fat. But you only live once!)

We ended the evening with a relaxing lounge experience at Hacienda’s.
It was most lovely, Liz. =)

I’ll definitely be heading down there again.

Jones The Grocer
Dempsey Hill
Block 9
#01-12 Dempsey Road, Dempsey Hill
Singapore, 247697
Tel: +65 6476 1512

p.s. Sorry for the naggy post and lack of pictures; I blogged entirely from memory. It’s a visceral experience for you all to see things from my glut perspective. :p