Eden Sanctuary
Eden Sanctuary Floral Cafe - the color of life
I was thrilled when I went to Eden Sanctuary Floral Café for dinner. From the outside it looked like a small café with a very small kitchen cum service area but I left the café with a body power packed with nutrients and knowledge about what the food I consumed is doing to my body!
Executive Chef and owner Clement Ronald Ng, the man behind this interesting concept café was full of enthusiasm when he explained and described the food served in his restaurant. Eden Sanctuary Floral Café only uses the freshest and tastiest of ingredients in their dishes and every vegetable used is chosen with the colors in mind. Research proves that the color of the food we eat can have a powerful effect on our physical and emotional state. Eating the appropriate colored foods can help to rejuvenate and balance the body system, making us feel brighter and more alive.
 Red colorFoods that are red in color are usually rich in protein and minerals and therefore they can increase our state of vitality. If you are low in red color it will lead to a low energy state like anemia, lethargy and lack of stamina and enthusiasm. Red colored foods also promote good healthy heart, improves the memory and it has antioxidants for healing. Foods that are classified as red colored are: - strawberries, cherries, raspberries, water melon, apples, beetroot, red capsicum, tomatoes, cranberries, onions and radish.
 Orange colorOrange is the color that is associated with release of toxins and stress from our bodies. It also helps the reproductive system and increases creativity and optimism. Vitamin C and zinc is associated with the orange color and therefore this combination help to get rid of heavy metals and pollutants from the body. Lack of orange color in our body can contribute to constipation and stiff joints. It also promotes eye health. Foods that are classified as orange color are: - persimmons, papayas, oranges, cantaloupes, peaches, apricots, carrots, pumpkins, orange sweet potatoes and squash
 Yellow ColorThe sun is known as the main source of yellow during the daylight hours. But since most people work indoors the addition of yellow colored food in the diet is helpful. If the body lacks yellow, one would suffer from depression, poor memory, digestive problems and hot flushes. Therefore the intake of yellow encourages fun, joy and laughter. Foods that are classified as yellow color are:- pineapple, bananas, mangoes, grapefruits, sweet corn, yellow capsicum and yellow squash
 Green ColorGreen color foods are rich in vitamins and lots of minerals but these can be lost in cooking or when storing. So it is best to eat lots of fresh green fruits and salads. Adding green color to our diet increases stamina and heals panic, build strong teeth and bones and boost immune system. Adding green color to our diet also reduces the risk of certain cancers. Foods that are rich in green color:- kiwifruits, lime, honey dew melon, avocado, green apples, pears, grapes, broccoli, peas, leeks, spinach and other leafy vegetables, celery, long beans, asparagus, drumsticks, snow peas and French beans, green capsicum
 Blue and Purple ColorBlue and purple color is very important for the workings of the mind and very useful for the voice box and other organs of the neck. Blue and purple promotes memory, healthy aging, and boost the immune system.
Foods that are rich in blue and purple color :- passion fruits, figs, blueberries, eggplants, dark purplish broccoli, purple cabbage, plums, raisins, purple potatoes, purple kohrabi, purple sweet potatoes
 White ColorWhite colored food protects against heart diseases and certain types of cancer and also may reduce cholesterol. It also helps increase phyto-estrogen that is helpful to reduce hot flushes during menopause.
Foods that are rich in white color:- Cauliflower, white radish, onions, garlic, kohlrabi, bananas, brown pears, white peaches, white nectarines, mushrooms, potatoes, garlic, white shallots, soy products like soy drink, tofu, tempeh.
 After listening to Chef Clement, I had a go at some selected dishes at the restaurant – for the first time concentrating on the colors! We were served some floral tea – very related to the ‘floral café’ theme. There were more than 50 over combinations of teas in the menu and I chose the Relax Tea which had dried rose petals, rose hip and lemon verbena. The tea was served in see-through tea pot and looked very beautiful with all dried flowers and buds and herbs floating in it. It was so aromatic and a truly relaxing drink……….just inhaling the aroma makes you calm and relaxed.
 The Pear Rocket Salad (white, green and orange color), highly recommended by Chef Clement is still fresh in my memory – as fresh as the salad when it came to the table!! Quite a large portion with thin crisp slices of pears, feta cheese, orange wedges, lots of argula leaves and a light dressing of juice of calamansi, cider vinegar, honey and olive oil. On the whole, the salad was light and you never get tired of eating the large portion that is served.The Creamless Pumpkin Soup (orange color) served in this restaurant is not one of those ladened with cream. The semi thick soup had lots of herbs and pureed pumpkin cooked in chicken stock. It had a mild taste but you can just slurp on spoon after spoon as it was light.
 I also tried the Ginger Leek Peanut Butter Fish (white color). When I read the menu, I thought “what an odd combination” but when I ate my first mouthful, I must say that it is one of the simplest combinations one could ever think off and yet it was so tasty and delicious with every mouthful being a burst of taste or fish, leeks and ginger! Fish was grilled to perfection – just crisp on the outside and flaky moist inside. It came garnished with lavender buds!
Another unique dish in this restaurant is the Asian Pesto Pasta (green color). The pesto made with local herbs as well as basil, pine buts and cheese left an interesting taste on the palate. Though it was lacking in salt, I did not feel like sprinkling salt as it was so flavorful with the natural herbs in the pesto.
 Dessert was not only pretty but very unique and interesting. I tried the Modena Mousse Cake – it was sweet and sour with an hint of aged balsamic vinegar and black pepper. The Chocolate Ganache was just a round mould of dense, decadent chocolate – you will be stuck for words when eating this. The Hibiscus Cheese Filo is made of hibiscus and light cream cheese enclosed in crispy layers of filo pastry. Though the desserts were sinful rich, it did not make you feel as if you have sinned as the portions were small to tease you only.Overall, I enjoyed my healthy and guiltless dining experience at Eden Sanctuary Floral Café. Chef Clement can also personalize your meals accordingly to your preferences and dietary requirements.
Eden Sanctuary Floral Cafe
China Square Central
18 Cross Street #01-16
Singapore 048423
Tel: 6224 2298
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