2am:dessertbar

2am:dessertbar is a dessert bar in Holland Village run by Singaporean pastry chef Janice Wong. It opened in August 2007 and has about 60 seats. Guests come in the evening for plated desserts, each matched with a suggested wine, cocktail or alcohol-free drink.

Wong learned from well-known chefs, including Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Oriol Balaguer and Pierre Hermé. Asia's 50 Best Restaurants named her Asia's Best Pastry Chef in 2013 and 2014. She also won Pastry Chef of the Year at the World Gourmet Summit awards in 2011, 2013 and 2015. The brand has since opened a second outlet at W Sydney in Australia.

What to order

The dessert menu is short and grouped by mood, under headings such as Earthy, Natural and Zero. Many plates mix sweet and savoury flavours. Each one lists tasting notes and a drink to go with it.

The house signature is the Chocolate Praline Poprocks Cake. It is a warm chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream, a hazelnut praline spread with popping candy, and popcorn powder. Other plates on the current menu include:

• Snickers: peanut brittle, chocolate mousse, caramel and macadamia, with vanilla ice cream
• Firewater: rum ice cream, miso chocolate fudge and an Earl Grey whisky jelly, with smoky, savoury notes
• Strawberry Posy: a light, fruity plate with strawberry ice cream, lavender marshmallows and elderflower yoghurt foam
• Matcha Basque Cheesecake: gluten-free and keto, served with yuzu sorbet and a parmesan tuile
• Sticky Date Pudding: a vegan, dairy-free version with toffee sauce and almond ice cream

For something simpler, order the hot chocolate. It is made with single-origin dark chocolate and comes with homemade churros. A short savoury menu, with dishes such as popcorn chicken and fries, works if you want a bite before dessert.

Drinks and pairings

The drinks list covers dessert wines, Champagne, sake, beer and house cocktails. Suggested matches include a lightly sparkling red Brachetto d'Acqui from Piedmont with the chocolate cake, and a German Riesling with the chocolate tart. Several pairings contain no alcohol. The Spice Garden, for example, mixes a botanical spirit with raspberry, lychee, lemon and tonic water.

The setting

The bar is on Lorong Liput in Holland Village, a short walk from Holland Village MRT station on the Circle Line. It opens in the evening and, as the name suggests, stays open late. That makes it an easy last stop after dinner nearby. The room mixes sofa seating with high counter tables. The space can also be booked for private events, such as talks, workshops and private dinners.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reserve a table through the official website, or contact the bar by phone, WhatsApp or email.
• Payment: the menu says only cashless payment is accepted.
• Dietary needs: the menu marks vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and keto desserts. A keto and plant-based range is also sold for takeaway.
• Delivery: desserts can be ordered on GrabFood.

Nearby

Holland Village has plenty of places for dinner before dessert. Read our guide to Dempsey Hill and Holland Village, or browse all restaurants in Dempsey, Tanglin and Holland. Dempsey Hill, a short taxi ride away, has more restaurants and bars in former army barracks. By day, the Singapore Botanic Gardens make a good outing too. For more sweet ideas, see our dessert guides and late-night food picks.