Non-Entree Desserts @ Rangoon Road, Singapore

Located at Rangoon Road (right next to Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh), Non-Entree Desserts is a newly established hipster cafe which serves non-traditional European desserts (non-entree ma). Opened by three army buddies, one who was the pasty chef of Regent Singapore Hotel, do expect nothing less, because Non-Entree Desserts is gonna wow you. No, like seriously. Insta-worthy-looking food with fine-dining quality at affordable prices. 

Kyushu Pancake Cafe @ Thomson Road, Singapore

Good news pancake fanatics! Kyushu Pancakes (from Japan, duh!) has recently arrived in Singapore's Novena Regency, after expanding their franchise to Taiwan. What's up with the craze, that you have to reserve your seats days or even weeks before (or risk being turned down)? Or, what's so special about their pancakes? For one, their batter is made of a mix of Kyushu's finest grains and wheat, and contains no artificial fragrance, additives or processed starch. Two, their food is seriously #instaworthy. 

Pies & Coffee (II) @ Rochester Mall, Singapore

Before I start this post, I want to wish my readers GONG HEI FATT CHOY, may you huat a lot in this new year.

I've been to Pies & Coffee more times than the number of fingers I have, well, mostly to mug before my examinations with a couple of friends. If you still have no god-damn idea where is this cafe located at Rochester Mall, which is just literally a stone throw away from The Star Vista. Okay, since this is not my first post on Pies & Coffee, I won't bore you with more descriptions of the place. Recently I was there again, with my love of trying new things (including girls, just kidding), here are two more food items that you should try out.

Platypus Kitchen @ Bugis, Singapore

Platypus Kitchen has been on my to-visit list since their opening in 2012, but for unknown reasons (perhaps due to being a broke uni student) I didn't visit them. While eateries selling western cuisine is aplenty, Platypus Kitchen distinguishes itself with its array of handmade pastas (apparently the largest selection in Singapore) and creative gourmet creations at reasonable prices. Besides Platypus Kitchen, the Platypus restaurant group owns several other eateries, which also focuses on modern cuisine with Mediterranean and Italian influences.

Bon Cafe @ Pattaya-Naklua Road, Thailand

Pad thai, green curry, tom yum goong..? If you're bored of eating these local food in Pattaya, why not head to Bon Cafe for some American-styled breakfast? Opened as a franchise by a Swiss businessman, Bon Cafe, which features al-fresco dining, has a large, lovely space decorated with glass table-tops and rattan chairs, and could seat more than 50 people. From our recent trip, customers are evidently Caucasian men in their late 50s, accompanied by their browner counterparts (aka Pattaya girlfriends). Oh ya, the location to this cafe is not a hassle as it is located at the main roads of North Pattaya, otherwise, ask the ang-mohs. I'm pretty sure Bon Cafe is their hot-spot for bringing their one-night dates for breakfast after a night of excitement. Do what? Watch movies la, you dirty-minded sia.

Recipe: Homemade White Sandwich Loaf

Bread is so fun to make, I swear. Before this, I thought I would need a bread maker to literally make a bread. But oh hell no, this recipe is so darn easy (even for a cooking noob) and requires only your good o' oven. The result? Simply amazing - a nice crusty exterior with a soft, fluffy centre. 

Roast Coffee and Eatery Part II @ Thong Lor, Bangkok

And.. we are back to Roast! During our recent trip to Thailand, we decided to bring two new friends from Hong Kong to try out what they have to offer. Nothing much had changed since two years ago (probably their menu) on my last visit, Roast is still a gastronomical haven for both coffee and brunch lovers, serving a selection of tantalising international dishes and caffeine crafted by the hands of their seasoned barristas. Amidst their decorations of mostly rustic wood furniture, small pots of greenery, and artistic art pieces hanging from their high ceilings, lies the pride of Roast - a full fledged roast machine glistering in the colours of golden black.

La Baguette @ Naklua-Pattaya, Thailand

Situated along Naklua road in Northern Pattaya, La Baguette is obviously a French-style (because they "la" almost everything) patisserie and cafe that serves top-notch brunch and desserts. We were there during one god-darn hot Saturday and was relieved to sink our asses down on the cushioned seats in the air-conditioned area. If you enjoy the heat of Pattaya or happened to be there when it's cooler, you could sit outside in their al-fresco dining area. With its delectable specialities they have to offer, it is not difficult to comprehend the crowd-size that mostly includes tourists and locals (from Bangkok).

La Baguette is opened in 1998 by Woodlands Group, which owns a number of restaurants and hotels, including La Ferme and Woodlands Hotel and Resort (located just beside La Baguette). I swear I wouldn't mind eating here everyday during my stay, it would probably take weeks to try out everything given their wide array of breads, crepes and other pastries. Oh, they sell some really cutesy sweets and cookies, which are really perfect for gifts. 

Food Tasting: Full of Crab @ East Coast Road, Singapore

I don't usually travel to the East all the way from the West, and when I do, it better be worthwhile, and Full of Crab is definitely one reason to head down. Located along the stretch of East Coast Road (opposite Holy Family Church), Full of Crab is a American-styled restaurant that whips up seafood in their signature sauces, such as the cajun and fully loaded sauce. Even idiots know that crabs are obviously the emphasis at Full of Crab, that's why they have Sri Lankan, Snow and King crabs served right here.

Tonkatsu Bistro by Ma Maison @ Westgate, Singapore

Wassup bruh. Recently we visited Tonkatsu - a new venture from Ma Maison, which specialises in Japanese pork cutlet (duh). As we were ushered to our seats, the staff, like most authentic Japanese restaurants, echoed our arrival. The interior, which feature both outdoor and indoor seating, was beautifully decorated with wooden furniture and Japanese paintings. Simplicity at its best. 

Supreme Pork Chop Rice (一品排骨饭) @ Beach Road, Singapore

Despite being constantly on the move, loyal customers never fail to track its location down within a short while. The reason is simple - reasonably-priced and good food. Moreover, it's location near the Bugis and City Hall area makes it a popular dining place for office workers. Recommendations from one of my dear friends led us here one weekday afternoon. Fortunately, it was not at all crowded at around 4pm. Besides the popular pork chop, this eatery specialises in fish fillets and other Taiwan-inspired dishes as well.

Griddy Gourmet Waffles @ Westgate, Singapore

Since Westgate opened its doors a few years ago, I have been frequenting Griddy Gourmet Waffles, a hidden gem specialising in waffles. Did you really think waffles are for desserts only? At Griddy, it's your standard Western cuisine. With a slight twist - just imagine having your burgers, with the burger buns replaced with savoury-sweet waffles. Ingenious.

Oh! For the wallet-conscious, their items are very, and really affordable. Most of their mains are priced around S$10 on average, plus you could add a few bucks to size up your meal with a drink and dessert waffle/chicken drumlets!

Provision Shop @ Everton Road, Singapore

We were on a cafe-hopping trip at Everton Park, where dozens of hidden gems reside, when we dropped by Provision Shop, a charming and humble cafe, furnished with trendy wooden furniture amidst a tinge of nostalgia - even the name of the cafe struck me with sentiments from my childhood days. They even used the milo tin for tips!

Brotzeit @ Vivocity, Singapore

Happy new year, readers! It's been almost three weeks into the brand new year, yet I am still found myself half buried in my examinations. Nevertheless, here's one for any pork knuckle lover!

Brotzeit has been in Singapore for awhile, but only recently found myself having my virgin experience at this German bar and restaurant - which never fails to boast a snaking, long queue during dinner times. Now, I haven't been to the other outlets, but the Vivocity branch has a good combination of service and ambience amidst its "chillaxing" (if there's such a word) al-fresco dining.

Do you know that the expression "Brotzeit" translated to English is actually "bread-time"? What's a typical German meal without authentic Germany-imported alcohol? Choose among a wide range of alcoholic beverages, such as lager and weissbier, to accompany the traditional Bavarian cuisine, infused with a touch of modern Germany.

Coffee Valley @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Like its name literally suggests, Coffee Valley is a quaint cafe located at an (v)alley off Jalan Trus, a stretch of road which inhabits old-fashioned shop-houses and eateries, such as the Faculty of Caffeine. With the aroma of freshly grounded coffee beans whiffing through the air and soft music serenading in the background, it is no wonder why this cafe never fails to attract both regulars and newcomers.

Teadot Cafe @ Westgate, Singapore [CLOSED]

With a whole lot of cafes poppin' out in the West recently, it would be a high order to catch up with this proliferation. You know what, we actually have this whole, long list of cafes to try out and strike it off the list, but it looks like we are adding more than subtracting it. Nevertheless, we got to try out Teadot cafe after deliberating for quite a while, but still decided to head on with it. 

This modern, yet dainty cafe located at Westgate attempts to reinvent the art of tea-tasting, bringing in gourmet tea drinks to people from all walks of life. Tea is the main thing there, and quite obviously, as its name suggested. It was within lunch hour, so we chose to have their lunch special - roasted chicken sandwich and tea, and a salmon rosti to go along with it.

Waffle Slayer @ Kampong Bahru, Singapore

Located in the neighborhoods of Kampong Bahru, Waffle Slayer is an expansion and spin-off from its predecessor, Strangers' Reunion. Likewise for its cozy interior, this trendy cafe is built upon the rustic industrial concept, featuring vintage furniture and an open-kitchen. This cafe specialises nothing else other than its highly acclaimed waffles of assorted flavours, ranging from sweet to savoury delights.

We were there on a weekday afternoon and were surprised to find that the cafe is more than 80% full, mostly with females - maybe they are wired for waffles? God knows. Nevertheless, we got seated in a moment of time albeit the very limited seating.

Pies & Coffee @ Rochester Mall, Singapore

Having been to Pies & Coffee a couple of times, I thought, why not do a damn review about this place already. Located at the vicinity of Rochester Mall, Pies & Coffee is a modern, stylish cafe which seats up to 80-persons, offering diners a choice of indoor and al-fresco style dining amidst the greenery and water features. Given the luxury of space, it is no wonder why it is a favourite spot for students, who sipped on their frappe while mugging for assignments and examinations. That is, including myself.

At Pies & Coffee, there are two obvious highlights - pies and coffees, which one could simply admire in full-view at their counter display. It is not easy though, as anyone would be spoilt for choices. Besides that, they do serve all-day breakfast as well, such as Smoked Salmon Stack - a glorious combination of toasted bagel, stacked with truffle mashed potatoes, velvety scrambled eggs, peas, mushroom, and finally topped with smoked salmon. This dish is completed with a side salad. Who would mind waking up to this beautiful breakfast everyday? Well, definitely not me.

Faculty of Caffeine @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Situated along Jalan Trus, Faculty of Caffeine (FOC) is the brainchild of two childhood buddies, Vinc and Edward, who are both enthusiasts of coffee and design. The exterior is difficult to be missed, with its hipster-matte-looking black-and-white signboard set upon walls of pastel blue. Given that most of the shop-houses along the stretch were unfurnished and old-fashioned, FOC sure sticks out like a sore thumb.

As expected, its interior were designed with no less thoughts. With a combination of chic and vintage, it allows a cosy space for timeless furniture, such as a vintage sewing machine and a huge mirror with Chinese characters, completed with artwork designed by the owners - a place where coffee meets art.

Serenity Spanish Bar and Restaurant @ Vivocity, Singapore

Serenity is the first of its kind in Singapore serving authentic Spanish cuisine at the heartlands of Singapore. Up to date, Serenity has two branches locally, one located at Vivocity, and the newer branch at Ngee Ann City. Dear and I have passed by their former branch practically every single time we head to Vivocity, but hesitated because Spanish dishes might not be our cup of tea. Nevertheless, we decided to give Serenity a try as our fourth year anniversary dinner.

I have absolutely zero complaints for their ambience and services. In fact, service was polite and efficient, and I always appreciate it when either the service staff or the manager asks us for feedback (like "how is everything so far?"), which they did. We chose to dine al-fresco, set amidst the soft instrumentals and voices of the live band, with the occasional sea-breeze.