Alice Boulangerie opens new Fine Crumbs bakery concept with an elevated dining menu

Bakes and buns have been all the rage lately — and Alice Boulangerie seems to be riding that wave.

What began as a humble cafe has now expanded into two full-fledged restaurants — one at Icon Village, and its latest outpost at Raffles City. 

The new 100-seater space features a new bakery concept — Fine Crumbs, Alice’s own spin on the gourmet bun trend that’s been sweeping across Asia, and now, Singapore — and a rustic, cottagecore-themed dine-in area that draws on the wild beauty of the English-Scottish countryside.

It bills itself as a bakery by day, and a dinner-focused spot by night, with a new refined menu to match.

From the outside, the curved, wooden structure, shaped almost like a wave, is pretty hard to miss, and its location right next to one of the drop-off points is a big plus, too.

Freshly baked gourmet buns

Fine Crumbs’ buns are freshly baked daily using premium Japanese flour and the Yudane method, which is a traditional Japanese technique that gives the bread its soft and chewy texture.

The bakery offers over twenty five curated flavours with prices ranging from S$3.40 to S$7.70. 

Kicking off the brand’s launch are seven signature gourmet buns, featuring both sweet and savoury options.

All of these buns can be enjoyed with your meal, if you’re dining in during the day, but you’re also welcome to walk into Fine Crumbs to get them to-go!

First on the list is the black sesame peanut mochi bun (S$4.80) — think sweet, chewy glutinous rice balls that remind you of your favourite min jiang kueh (peanut pancakes). It’s filled with a mochi centre and finished with ground peanut and sugar that’s a real treat for sesame lovers. 

As someone who’s not usually big on matcha, I was pleasantly surprised by the matcha nama bun (S$6.50). Nestled within the soft matcha-flavoured bun is a thick slab of nama matcha chocolate and a creamy matcha filling that balances out the slight bitterness with just the right touch of sweetness.

If you’re craving something savoury, go for the mentaiko prawn bun (S$5.20) stuffed with succulent tiger prawns and creamy mentaiko mayo, all tucked into a charcoal oat bun that’s rich in umami. 

There’re also some other pretty intriguing bakes: The beef pastrami (S$6.20), Big Brekkie (S$4.10), pistachio hazelnut (S$9.50), and red bean mochi (S$4).

Bon appetit!

Besides the gourmet buns, Alice’s curated lineup of appetisers and mains are just as impressive. 

To kick things off, the wagyu beef tartare (S$26) was a clear favourite at our table — not a single bite was left behind. It’s beautifully seasoned with fermented pepper and finished with a hint of hot sauce for a subtle kick. Crisp sesame lavosh is served on the side, and is a great vehicle for scooping the umami-rich dish into your mouth.

Another standout appetiser was the prawn toast (S$22) — tiger prawns tossed in a creamy blend of Dijon mustard, yoghurt, and tabasco, then layered atop a house-made brioche toast. Rich, tangy, and utterly satisfying, it’s one of those dishes you’d want to keep all for yourself!

Mains-wise, we liked the grilled chicken (S$48), a whole spring baby chicken that’s marinated with achiote and spices, then charcoal-grilled to smoky perfection. 

It’s a hearty option that’s great for sharing between two to three.

While some parts leaned slightly dry, the thigh meat stood out — tender and juicy. On the side, a punchy sambal cincalok brings the heat for those who’d enjoy a slight kick.

After your meal wraps, stay in this gorgeous space, with a drink (or two).

The specialty drinks here are as stunning as they are refreshing. Highlights include the orange Americano (S$8) and matcha cream latte (S$8) — both almost too pretty to drink.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more on what to eat, check out new openings in June, and the famous Kichi Kichi Omurice at Tsukimi Hamburg.