- Vincent Lim
Cat & the Fiddle and Old Seng Choon, Clarke Quay Central
It’s amazing how two stores that are at complete ends of a spectrum were conceptualised by the same person. On one hand, Cat & the Fiddle is a young and hip establishment bursting with colours and adorable characters. And on the opposite side, quite literally, is Old Seng Choon, a wholesome brand that spans decades of history and tradition.
Founded by Pastry Chef Daniel Tay, Cat & the Fiddle is a online cheesecake brand and Old Seng Choon is a tribute to Daniel’s father who was a baker and confectioner himself for over 30 years. To say that there is probably something for everyone might be a bit of an understatement.
At Cat & the Fiddle, the store is brimming with fun. The multi-coloured walls and shelves are matched by their just as colourful cheesecakes. Unlike their online store, single slices are available from $4.90 to $5.90. You can also customise your own Fickle Feline and choose 10 different flavours, unlike online where you only get a choice of alcoholic or non alcoholic versions.
You can even add a 3D printed decoration ($2 each) made of chocolate or marzipan and watch it “printed” in store
And the fun doesn’t stop there, you can also create your own Cheesecake Pop ($7.50). Choose your cheesecake then proceed to their topping station and cover your slice with more goodies like fruit loops, marshmallows, rainbow sprinkles and more.
I got the Salted Caramel and made mine as colourful as I could. There’s something about taking whole bites out of a slice of cheesecake covered in chocolate syrup and other various sugary goodness incredibly satisfying. The slices are substantially large, which is great, but it felt a little awkward trying to hold a slice of cake with a stick. It’s definitely a fun novelty that’s Instagram worthy and super indulgent.
There’s even a photo-booth in the store where you can create personalised greeting cards ($4.50), or take a snapshot and dedicate a message to Cat & the Fiddle. There's even a self-order and payment kiosk for quick transactions and pick-up. Cat & the Fiddle is definitely the epitome of contemporary.
And on the other hand, Old Seng Choon aims to remind and maintain tradition in the modern times. The dark woods and tiled motifs exudes a nostalgic feeling.
And the selections in-store are no exception. From a variety and butter cakes, pies and other local favourites, everything in the store is there to bring out a nostalgic feeling of Singapore and the melting pot of cultures and history.
And it's even more evident with their cookies, each flavour created to reflect the different branches of Singapore.
Every cookie I tried was perfection, I was ensured that all goodies were made with high quality ingredients with no artificial flavouring at all, and I can completely tell that it’s true. Each cookie was buttery, crunchy and each unique flavour fills your mouth with every bite. My own family has a tradition of making cookies and seasonal goodies like pineapple tarts, and I often find many stores unmatched to the ones made at home, but Old Seng Choon is giving my grandma a run for her money.
Some of my personal favourites are the Smokey Bakwa ($19.80) and Gula Melaka cookies ($18.80) from the Colonial Days selection. The Bak Kut Teh ($19.80) cookies from Kampong Spirit series tastes uncanny to an actual bowl of bak kut teh. And the Lavender cookies ($18.80) from the Lion City selection were incredibly aromatic.
Whether you’re looking for a fun place to have a cheesecake or a more traditional sweets, Cat & the Fiddle and Old Seng Choon are sure to have something that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Be sure to pop by Clarke Quay to check out these tasty goodies!
Cat & the Fiddle and Old Seng Choon
Clarke Quay Central
6 Eu Tong Seng Street
Cat & the Fiddle
#01-41
Old Seng Choon
#01-48
Singapore 059817
Opening Hours:
11am - 10pm Daily