After an enriching trip around Changi Chapel and Museum, visitors will find a delightful surprise waiting for them at the doorstep. Nestled deep in Changi, just beside the museum, The Bark Café is a clandestine hideaway that promises peace and quiet for people seeking solace from the bustling city. This outdoor café has been in business for five years, offering its diners an addictive mix of fresh air, good beer and relaxation.

• The Vibe
  It is not difficult to immediately feel at home at The Bark Café, with its casual and serene ambience. The high ceilings and spreading garden makes the place look more spacious than it really is while the rustic décor transports you to a quiet, romantic wild land one can only dream about. Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with fresh air tinged with the light and refreshing aroma of the beautiful greenery surrounding you, including a collection of local garden plants typically used as diet supplements during the Japanese Occupation. Customers can also relax by having a game at the pool table or catching live soccer matches on the television.
• The Food
  You will be pleased to find that unlike most cafés, this place serves not only finger food but also more substantial fare like burgers, pasta and char-grilled dishes. Local dishes like Yang Chow Fried Rice ($11.90) and Sambal Nasi Goreng ($11.90) are also available to cater to those with more traditional tastes.

  Before tucking in, awake your palate with a glass of the café's special – Red Plum Soda ($4.50). Real red plums are made into a rich, thick sauce and mixed with sparkling soda. This unique concoction may taste a little sharp for first-timers but is worth a try considering its benefits to your throat, complexion and digestion. However, avoid stirring the drink completely as it may turn out too sweet.

  The Herbs Crust Provencal Trio Lamb ($18.90) comes with the usual sides like wedges and boiled broccoli and cauliflower. Marinated with herbs, the lamb is then char-grilled with mushroom ragout and green curry mash potato. The attractive presentation is enough to make one salivate with anticipation but do not expect too much. Though the lamb is a little bloody on the inside, it is a tad overcooked on the outside, giving it a tough texture that makes it hard to cut and chew. Some may also prefer more sauce to go with the lamb as it is a little dry, with an unpleasant hint of lamb smell. The strip of bacon that comes with the dish seems rather out of place too.

  For something less challenging, opt for the Chilean Cod Fish ($19.90). The artichoke chutney puree that comes with the dish may be quite intense at first, but the sour, spicy and sweet combination makes a curious explosion of flavours that greatly accentuates the moist and tender grilled cod fillet. Whipped till soft, moist and smooth, the accompanying mash potato is surprisingly noteworthy too.

  Customers favouring local flavours can try the Crayfish Hor Fun ($12.90). Generously soaked in gravy, the stir-fried kway tiao boasts fresh crayfish and an assortment of seafood like prawns and fish. The seafood is rather tasteless, perhaps owing to the overpowering, rich gravy. Fortunately, the dish is redeemed by the crayfish, generous in size with fresh and succulent meat. Thankfully, no serious tackling with the shell is required. With just a little prodding, the meat slides out quite easily. The baby cabbage not only brightens up the dish visually, but also adds to the overall satisfaction of the dish because of its freshness and juiciness.

  Those with a sweet tooth may be disappointed that The Bark Café only offers one type of dessert, and it is a rather boring choice – Marble Cheese ($8.90).

• The Service
  The crew is prompt in their service and attentive to the needs of the customers. They are also quick to take initiative, as diners waiting at the entrance are attended to in a timely manner. Most of the servers are familiar with the menu but are oddly not forthcoming in giving recommendations. As the café adopts an open kitchen concept, you may want to avoid sitting near the kitchen, as the exchange between the cooks and servers can get very noisy.

The SD Food Advisor's take on The Bark Café
Compared to other cafés, The Bark Café hardly stands out. However, if you are a resident or work nearby, or happen to have just visited the Changi Chapel and Museum, there is no harm dropping by, if not for the food, then for the peaceful and laidback ambience. In this case, avoid the lunchtime crowd. Only finger food and drinks will be served in the afternoon, but the main courses are hardly anything you will miss.