Quelyn X.
Yelp
Sunday brunch, the holy grail of the weekends. If you're looking for a well-located place, this is it! Ride the escalator located outside of Mandarin Gallery (on the side nearer to H&M) and you're magically transported right to The Providore's doorstep. Definitely magical because once you step through those doors, you leave the humidity of Singapore's weather outside - which was what we were looking for on a really sunny and warm Sunday afternoon.
We were quickly seated as there was no queue and relatively little patrons when we arrived - there was a queue when we left, so my advice is to really get there a little earlier though the accepted is a late Sunday brunch. All I have to say is the early bird catches the worm! Service was quick as well - we ordered drinks first, and subsequently they actually came round thrice to ask if we were ready to order food!
Iced Latte as usual for me, while the partner had a Musk Earl Grey Tea. The iced latte was nothing to shout about, it's just habit that I have my morning coffee. The musk earl grey tea smelt divine and tasted great as well - earl grey tea served with slices of citrus (lime, lemon and orange slices to be exact).
After much deliberation, I ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese - it was yummy, but overall a disappointment. While the lobster and pasta tasted great in the cheese sauce, it was cheese sauce. My standards of great mac and cheese start and end with the macaroni being engulfed in gooey cheesy goodness. This one lacked that, the cream sauce was thin with a hint of blue cheese - a more creamy rather than cheesy version of what would've been perfect because the sauce really tasted awesome.
The partner had the Ham and Cheese Toastie, which was totally awesome - made me regret not ordering the steak sandwich instead because of a ham and cheese could be elevated like that, I would really loved to have tried what they could do with steak and bread. Unfortunately, we probably will not be back here unless a twist of fate brings us back to The Providore - he found this place for brunch at 3am in the morning through Google and glad to say, he decided on his dish based on photos posted by fellow Yelpers!
Overall, it was a good experience with speedy service but I wouldn't be back here again for brunch - maybe to buy alcohol as they have a selection of wines and spirits that aren't frequently seen around.