Embraced by comfort food and lush greenery at PRAIRIE by Craftsmen

PRAIRIE by Craftsmen was a treasured trove conveniently tucked away in an alley at Cluny Court, next to Botanic Gardens MRT Station. Accessible via the carpark entrance, the sight of lush bamboo lined adjacently to a narrow wooden walkway emanate serenity, inviting one to retreat from the buzzing life to experience comfort meals in their tranquil space.

Opened in February 2021, PRAIRIE by Craftsmen is a new concept outlet, developed by Craftsmen Specialty Coffee. As a brand that specializes in coffee, it is no exception that this café offers a wide variety of specialty coffee, accompanied by freshly-sourced dishes that one can indulge in. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, alcoholic beverages are also available with happy hour prices from 2pm to 8pm.

The café has two separate dining areas that patrons could choose from. We were welcomed warmly to the alfresco dining area by the golden light beaming through the glass roof during the sunset. Embraced by the surrounding greenery and hanging plants, its simplicity emits a calming ambience.

Inside, the aroma of coffee beans, warm lighting, and big potted tropical plants established a homey environment. Within such an enclosed space, a combination of sounds from loud jazz music and conversations of patrons were also striking, compromising the overall ambience indoors.

PRAIRIE by Craftsmen leaves no surprises in their casual dining offerings. The menu adopts a minimalist design and divide the food into categories, such as starters and mains, allowing patrons to navigate it effortlessly. Descriptions of ingredients are also featured in each food dishes.

Starting with some beverages, we ordered a Macadamia Nut Latte ($7), Dirty Chai ($8) and Kangaroo Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) . As service charge is omitted, orders are taken at the counter, where an assortment of fresh baked pastries ($4 - $6) greets us with their beautiful golden-brown crisp crust. The mouth-watering sight of them strikes a chord in our memory to try these pastries in future visits.

The beverages arrived promptly at the same time. The Dirty Chai came aesthetically pleasing with a classic turnip latte art and a stick of cinnamon on the saucer, illuminating the authenticity of natural flavours in the drink. The first whiff brought along a distinct woodsy scent of spices that captivated my senses, igniting an anticipation to taste it. The cup of Dirty Chai has a prominent taste of cloves and cinnamon, running a hint of thickness and creaminess for its body. As an espresso drink, the enveloping taste of chai tea leaves a yearning for a stronger coffee flavour to give it a perfect blend.

With a classic rosette latte art and a small bar of chocolate on the saucer, the Macadamia Nut Latte came in a similar fashion. Bestowing a sense of comfort, it had a light and subtle earthy fragrance that runs smoothly without leaving an acidic aftertaste. Flavours from the macadamia nuts and espresso were blended seamlessly, delivering a harmonious balanced taste with a tinge of sweetness. Despite the overly-chilled air that cooled the cup of Macadamia Nut Latte quickly, the aromatic nutty flavour was surprisingly preserved.

After waiting for 15 minutes, our first dish arrived – White Wine Prawn Aglio Olio ($25). Served in a rustic deep plate, the sight of angel hair pasta topped with tiger prawns, cherry tomatoes and finely-chopped parsley was delectable and promising. Upon stirring the Aglio Olio, we were able to get a whiff on the garlicky aroma. The angel hair pasta was perfectly springy and certainly a unique delight, as many cafes and restaurants typically use spaghetti instead.

The generous amount of tiger prawns with vibrant colours were succulent when I bit into it, bursting with freshness. On the downside, the flawless execution of textures and aroma were challenged by the overwhelming amount of black pepper. It was unfortunate that the pungency of black pepper has dominated the savoury taste of garlic and lushness of white wine. We were also a tad bit disappointed from the lack of shredded cheese as described in the menu.

The Duck Confit ($26) arrived next on a teal ceramic plate, with an enticing portion of duck leg nestled on sautéed mushrooms and roasted potatoes. Uplifting our moods, the well-browned and crisp skin of the duck leg was a sight to behold. Without requiring much knife work, the meat was tender and it fell apart easily. The chef has masterfully prepared our Duck Confit with a silky texture that melted in our mouth splendidly. The taste has indeed retained the rich flavour of the duck, alongside a desire for a more flavourful and salty finish that confit dishes are famous for. The roasted potatoes and sautéed mushrooms were well-seasoned and they complete the dish palatably.

The last dish that we devoured was Roasted Half Poulet ($26). Poulet has been a constant let-down from my experience and I was not expecting much from this dish. To my pleasant surprise, this Roasted Half Poulet was the best dish for that night. The chicken was roasted dazzling with its shiny and golden-brown skin, perched on a bed of visually-appealing roasted vegetables and sautéed potatoes. What blew my mind was the burst of juice flowing out from the poulet as I sliced into the poulet. It was incredibly tender and juicy, without any dryness from all parts of the poulet. Infused with the aroma of fresh rosemary, it has the right amount of saltiness that left me savouring for every bite.

Finishing our dinner around 8.30pm, plenty of seats were available in the alfresco area during the weekend. PRAIRIE by the Craftsmen undoubtedly has the potential of a charming café, provided a more organized operational process. Nevertheless, the freshness of the food deserve an applaud, alongside their Specialty coffee that brings comfort to the soul.

PRAIRIE by Craftsmen

501 Bukit Timah Road, Cluny Court #01-05C

Singapore 259760

Open: 8.30am - 9.30pm (Mon to Thu & Sun), 8.30am - 10.30pm (Fri & Sat)

https://www.instagram.com/prairie.sg/