Filled in the Blank

With the trend for Nanyang Kopitiam-themed establishments going strong these days, one can only wonder when and where is the next one sprouting up all across the island. Filled In The Blank is one such establishment that had opened fairly recently — situated within Citadines Connect City Centre, Filled In The Blank takes over the former premises that had been vacated by the short-lived Cafe Natsu at the lobby of the hotel. Tucked towards the left side of the hotel lobby, entry into its premises is through a side door that leads directly into the cafe, or via the main entrance from the hotel lobby itself. Much of the fittings and shop layout around the space during Cafe Natsu’s tenancy has been retained, though the folks at Filled In The Blank has changed a fair bit of the space to include some unfinished textures around the walls for a look that is unique to their brand. The entire look of the space still looks relatively clean, while the dine-in seating is arranged in a more practical layout with seating catered for groups of two (2) to four (4) pax. Ordering of food is through the QR code stickered on the tabletop which leads one into the online POS system — we do notice from the URL of the online POS system that Filled In The Blank does seem to be an establishment by the same folks by Fullybooked. The food menu at Filled In The Blank is split into sections such as Main Dishes, Traditional Eggs & Toasts and Finger Munchies, while the beverage menu is categorised into espresso, traditional beverages (i.e. Nanyang-style Kopi & Teh), Non-Alcoholic Beverages, and Alcoholic Beverages.

Skimming through the menu at Filled In The Blank for the Main Dishes that they have to offer, we were particularly interested with the Curry Chee Cheong Fun which we had wanted to, but not yet given a try during our previous visits to Fullybooked. The menu describes the Curry Chee Cheong Fun to come with elements such as Steamed Rice Roll, Char Siew, Roasted Pork, Zhai Er (i.e. vegetarian mock goose) and Curry. The item comes beautifully plated as compared to similar dishes that we have had from other establishments that are located in a hawker centre / coffeeshop / food court setting, with the meats clearly visible sitting above the Chee Cheong Fun that is doused in curry gravy; the red dye of the Char Siew alongside the wok-fried curry leaves helped to provide a visual pop to dish with a contrast of colours on the plate. Digging into the dish, we found the curry gravy here to be pretty intense; there is a good note of curry that can be felt — all that with an adequate amount of coconut milk that is added for that richness which gave it sufficient depth of flavours. Whilst being aromatic and packed with a flavour punch, the curry gravy here is definitely one that would tickle the tastebuds even for those whom are tolerable to moderate levels of spiciness; gave the dish pretty much the flavour that it needs. The type of Chee Cheong Fun that is being served up with the Curry Chee Cheong Fun comes in rolls similar to that of the local variants that can be found in coffeeshop, food courts and hawker centres that is usually enjoyed with sweet sauce; provided a springy bite. The Char Siew would do well with those whom prefer lean meat; these definitely carried a bite without any undesirable porky stench, though also could be a little dry for some and best to be had with the curry gravy. The Roasted Pork is our favourite between the two meats that came with the Curry Chee Cheong Fun; coming with a crackling skin over the top with mostly lean meat, the roasted pork that comes with a savoury note and a meaty bite — all that whilst not being overly salty nor carrying any undesirable porky stench much like the Char Siew. The Zhai Er was not too greasy and still maintain a crispness that works well when drenched with a little bit of the curry gravy. Overall, a pretty satisfying version of the Curry Chee Cheong Fun.

During the same visit, we had also went for the Dry Mee Siam; yet another item that we did not try during our visit to Fullybooked when they had just opened their doors back then. Patrons do get to pick between two (2) different types of meats for the Dry Mee Siam; one being the Fish Fillet, and the other being the Lemongrass Chicken Thigh which comes with a slight mark-up. We went for the latter for our order; the menu also described the Dry Mee Siam to come with other elements such as fried egg, luncheon meat and Ikan Bilis. An item that is reminiscent to what most other Nanyang Kopitiam-themed establishments are serving up, the Dry Mee Siam itself was a hit for our tastebuds considering how the noodles are zingy with a slight tang with just a bit of spiciness that would be manageable for those whom are tolerable to moderate levels of spiciness. The lemongrass chicken thigh comes deep-fried here; supposedly done in a way to replicate that of Ayam Goreng Berempah — the marination process with the use of turmeric being rather obvious with how the flesh of the chicken coming with a slightly yellow hue. Whilst the fried chicken does feature tender flesh and a crisp, golden brown batter without being particularly greasy, there wasn’t much of a lemongrass or gingery fragrance with the chicken nor did it come with the fried crumbs that one would associate Ayam Goreng Berempah with. The luncheon meat does come being adequately saltish; pretty much done well and within expectations that is in a way comfort food for us, while the Ikan Bilis does come crisp without feeling limp as though they were left out for too long. The sunny side-up also comes with soft egg whites and a molten egg yolk that eagerly bursts as one pokes into it. Those who need an extra kick of spiciness can go for the sambal chili by the side which adds a hint of sweetness whilst also giving quite a fiery kick that would tickle the tastebuds for those whom are tolerable to moderate hints of spiciness.

The Kaya Toast with Butter was an item that we had previously given a go at Fullybooked; this was as good as we recalled it to be with the toast done to a crisp — all that whilst coming with a good Kaya-to-butter ratio where the sizeable slab of butter is served chilled. It does seem that the butter used at Filled in the Blank is either unsalted or carries lesser salt content than that of salted butter — this gives the Kaya Toast with Butter a creamy and buttery texture we liked, whilst allowing the coconut jam’s sweetness and Pandan fragrance to come through without feeling particularly heavy to the tastebuds. Noticing how Filled in the Blank also serves up an Iced Kopi Cloud in its lineup of Traditional Beverages, we had decided to go for just that. Turns out, this is pretty much a rendition of their Iced Kopi that comes with a cream cheese mousse on the top. It is worth noting that the cream cheese mousse carried a very subtle saltish note, while the Kopi is being brewed thick without being overly sweet.

Considering how Filled in the Blank is a concept by the same folks behind Fullybooked, the offerings at Filled in the Blank does seem to be of a consistent quality as what we had previously experienced at Fullybooked — the various food items that we have had do hit the spot; all that whilst dining in an environment that feels like the opposite from the dark design themes at Fullybooked with a slight familiarity of the raw and unfinished touches in the decor as well. It is worth noting that Filled in the Blank does offer some dishes that Fullybooked does not serve up — in particular would be the Espresso section of the beverage menu; likely something that they are offering to better suit the hotel guests whom may not want to settle for the traditional brews. The spot in which Filled in the Blank is located is one that is albeit tricky considering it is in an area of Dhoby Ghaut that sees little footfall when compared to the areas around Plaza Singapura or even 9 Penang Road; that being said, it makes Filled in the Blank somewhat of a hidden spot away from the crowds to head to if one wishes to avoid all of that hustle and bustle whilst enjoying some hearty Malaysian-style fare in full air-condition comfort in the heart of town.