Oh, $8 for a Thai Milk Tea? ‘Crazy’ price indeed, but oh well, it’s inflation.
Crazy Rich Thai, the latest addition to the gastronomic scene at Orchard Paragon, offers a distinctive dining experience.
Positioned on Level 1 of the upscale shopping mall, it occupies the spot formerly held by Greyhound Café Singapore.
The café is said to attract a diverse crowd ranging from socialites to fashionistas, and people simply looking to enjoy a good meal in an interesting setting.
It would appear that it is a venue geared towards ‘experiencing’ as much as ‘eating’.
In terms of interior, it presents a mishmash of themes: Tiffany green accents brighten one half, a 2D comic black and white monochromic look dominates another (Seoul has done this many years ago); while a third section is cast in a moodier, more intimate hue.
It may seem indecisive, lacking in a clear identity, or ‘crazy’ – depending how you look at it.
The menu follows the same trajectory, like the café’s ambience, is a blend of the familiar and the unexpected, embracing the tradition of Thai cooking, but with an exciting Western twist.
Dishes like Crazy Rich Phad Thai ($22), Tycoon’s Fish Burger ($18), Wealthy Weeping Tiger Burger ($22), and Gold Digger Banana Pudding ($9) hint at the fun and playful essence of the cuisine here.
Beyond the cleverly named dishes, some online reviews reflected the actual culinary experience to be fairly standard.
It is no secret that the city is expensive, but even taking that into account, the cost of the meals here leans towards the steep end.
To me, it was the prices of the drinks (while not outlandish for Orchard Road) that can cause a moment of pause to the average café-goer.
A Iced Latte goes for $8, Iced Mad Chocoholic at $10.50, Thai Milk Tea at $8, and Coconut Shake at $12.
Their all-day breakfast options seemed more reasonable, ranging from Rich Thai Breakfast ($19.80), Amerithai ($18.80), Khao Tom Talay ($18.80), Kuay Teow Lod ($13.80), Thai French Toast ($10.80), to Corn Beef Rosti ($16.80).
During my visit, I opted for the Amerithai ($18.80), a mix of breakfast omelette with chicken kra pow, mushrooms, served with garlic toast, cereal and fruit yoghurt.
To me, I liked the idea of having spicy Thai elements within the egg; and the garlic toast was surprisingly nicely crisp and fluffy.
This brunch dish may perhaps fall into the ‘good, but not great’ category.
Crazy Rich Thai
Paragon #01-25/25A, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Soi 47 Thai Food (Orchard Central)
Warm Up Café (The Star Vista)
Khao Hom by Rung Mama (Katong Square)
Thai Hao Chi Mookata 泰好吃 (Bedok North)
HUE Restaurant (Jalan Besar)
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