Cedele by The Bakery Depot @ Raffles City, Singapore

Embracing the motto "eat well, be well", Cedele advocates positive eating and attitute with healthy food crafted by artisans who uses only the finest ingredients. They also boast that no trans fats are involved in the making of their food and that all food are made from scratch. For myself, I have frequented Cedele more than a few times for their tantalizing tea time snacks (they have one of the best red velvet cakes) and as a matter of fact, I have only eaten their mains merely once before.

A quick browse through the menu, and I had decided on Beef Balsamic Mushrooms (S$24.50), which  was a larger version of their Beef and Mushroom salad. The supposedly "medium" Sirloin beef stripes were slightly overcooked, and were served together with pan-glazed mushroom, potato patty and garden greens. Succulent and juicy? Yes, but it would be so much better if it was doned medium. On a side note, the crusted potato patty was pretty awesome though.

Beanstro by Coffee Bean @ Ngee Ann City, Singapore

Following the huge success of its first American casual dining outlet at Marina Bay Sands, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has recently opened another Beanstro amidst the bustling streets of Orchard. I used to drop by Cedele (which was later replaced by Beanstro) quite a bit for its aromatic coffee and lovely red velvet cakes, hence I was torn down in tears (exaggerating a far bit here) when news of Cedele will be replaced by this weird-sounding cafe reached me. But since what done has been done, I decided to visit Beanstro for a light brunch to see whether it lives up to Cedele's standards.

 

Tokyo Fruit Paradise @ Vivocity, Singapore

Tokyo Fruit Paradise, under the well-known Ajisen Ramen chain, offers fruit tarts made with natural goodness by using only the freshest and most delicious fruits, carefully selected by their Japanese Patissiers every day. Not only that their tantalizing tarts taste as delicious, their presentations look visually aesthetic as well, making salivating uncontrollable at the sight of these little pieces of haven.

I would say, the Japanese are one of the best in presentation, making the simplest ingredients look sophisticated and artistic. Take for example, one of their top sellers - A hearty slice of custard-based Nutty Caramel (S$6.80/slice) tart, topped with fresh caramelized fruits, crunchy nuts and bittersweet chocolate garnish is my personal favourite when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth.

The main filling of every Western-style fruit tart is a selection of either chocolate, custard or cheese, then topped with an array of exclusive and artistically concocted  mixture of fruits, frosting and garnishes. One of the aspect I thought they did well was the crust, its texture was crisp and just of the right thickness, but enough to support the whole tart.

Such as the cheese-based Mango (S$6.80/slice) tart, which is topped with a pleasant amount of luscious mango slices, sprinkled with a thin layer of sugar icing - a perfect combination for both cheese and mango lovers.

Besides the impressive array of fruit tarts, Tokyo Fruit Paradise serves a wide selection of fruit juices, as well as English blended teas, making it a recommended choice for high-tea or somewhere to chill out with a cup of tea.



Tokyo Fruit Paradise

Tel: 6376 9978

Opening Hours
Daily: 11:30 - 22:00

1 HarbourFront Walk
#01-59
Vivocity

126 Eating House (揾到食) @ Geylang, Singapore‏

Conveniently located at 126 Sims Avenue, this old-style Cantonese restaurant is just a few minutes walk away from Kallang MRT. One of my favourite makan places in Geylang, with more than 70 quality yet affordable dim-sum dishes to choose from, 126 Eating House is a must-try for all dim-sum lovers.

You must try their signature King Siew Mai (S$4.20), four steaming hot mega-dumplings, exploding with succulent prawn, pork and mushrooms. They also comes in smaller bites. Food orgasm, period.

Prawn Dumplings (S$3.20), better known as Har Gau is also a must-try when it comes to dim-sum.  A good Har Gau's wrapping must be thin and translucent, yet be sturdy enough not to break when picked up nor stick to the paper. Wrapped together with the right amount of fillings, this dish clearly demonstrates the chef's skills. Pretty impressive.

Pork Ribs (S$2.50), another one of their classics tasted so good. The meat is well-marinated and tender.

The only dish that gave me a slight disappointment was the Fried Seafood Rolls (S$4.00). It is excessively oily and I have expected the skin to be crispier. The filling was okay though.

Every visit, my father will surely order the Chicken Feet (S$2.50). The sauce which comes with the item achieved a perfect balance of thickness and sweetness and complemented the chicken feet well.

We had their Char Siew Cheong Fun (S$3.50), roasted pork wrapped in rice noodle roll, which came in both steam and fried styles. However, the sauce on the steamed version was a little too salty for my taste.

We ordered some assorted porridge to go with those savoury treats. Their signature Claypot Frog Porridge (S$5.00) is my favourite among the three. The generous amount of frog meat is soft and tender, yet preserving it's springy texture. We also ordered their (from left) Pork Intestine Porridge (S$4.00) and Century Egg Porridge (S$3.00).

Try out their Honey Lemon (S$2.50) with jelly bits too. One drinks it out from a big "take-away" container instead of the usual cups, definitely one of the must tries as well.

Opened 24 hours daily, 126 Eating House is a place not to be missed for your dim-sum fixes.

126 Eating House (揾到食)

Tel: +65 6746 4757

Opening Hours

24 hours

126 Sims Avenue

Eighteen Chefs @ Tiong Bahru Plaza, Singapore

It was some times back when Peiyi and yours truly decided to get some light bites after a movie. After mulling for a few minutes, we decided to settle for Eighteen Chefs, a brainchild of former drug addict and convict, Chef Benny who believes in providing a positive working environment and experience for troubled youths and ex-convicts. Hence, do not be alarmed when a young man, full of tatoos is serving you. What a noble cause!

With students and youths as their targeted patrons (discounts or specials when you display your student pass etc), I wasn't convince about the food quality. Perhaps of previous bad experiences, I do not trust them as much. Eighteen Chefs surprised me. I wouldn't say that it was exceptionally good, but it was considerably above average, given that most of their dishes are value for money.

Down to the food, we ordered the Bolognaise Cheese Fries (S$4.90) - mozzarella cheese-baked fries topped with classic beef bolognaise sauce. The fries portion was generous and I assure you that they neither scrimp on their sauce.

With the flavour incorporated to every single potato fry, this afternoon snack makes the cut to be one of their signature dishes. Do note however, that the cheese fries are really filling, so it is recommended to share this among 2-3 people, if you are eating it along with their mains.

Look at that cheesy goodness!

The Waffle w/ Vanilla ice cream (S$6.50) topped up with chocolate fudge was okay. While the Belgian waffles is a little too cold for my liking, the generous drizzle of chocolate fudge is a plus point. 

 

Eighteen Chefs also provides customized pastas or cheese baked dishes, where you D-I-Y your meals by choosing from a wide selection of sauces and ingredients, and they cook it for you.

Eighteen Chefs

#01-K2/K6

302 Tiong Bahru Road

Tiong Bahru Plaza

2AM Dessert Bar @ Holland Village, Singapore

Nestled in one of Singapore's most popular hang-out spot, look no furthur than 2AM Dessert Bar, if you want a romantic late-night dessert with your significant other, or just somewhere to hang-out with your friends.

"This Friday night is still young", I thought. It was after a fulfilling dinner at White Dog's Cafe, and we decided that we still have stomach space for desserts. So we head all the way down to Holland Village to this modern-chic dessert bar.  2AM Dessert Bar was easy-to-miss, sitting at the second level in one of the corner, we definitely had a hard time locating it. Upon entering the dessert bar, we were seated on one of the plush sofa seats. At half past 11, this place is still buzzing with people!

I ordered their White Basil Chocolate (S$17.00), a burst of textures and flavours - it consists of passionfruit  fluff, coconut sorbet, pastilles and sea-grapes (a unique sea-weed, which looks and tastes like tiny fish roes). Although this creative dish is not on the sweeter side, but the combination of all the food elements make it interesting.

Peiyi had their Red Miso Caramel Bavarois (S$15.00), it comes with mustard crumbles and chocolate ice-cream which has an interesting texture. This dish packs a punch on the taste buds - a good mixture of sweet and sour.

For every single dessert, they would suggest a pairing of either a red or white wine. So we decided to have the Manawa Pinot Noir Marlborough (S$19.00) from New Zealand, the recommended pairing for Peiyi's dish. It has a strong sweet fragrance, tasted tangy with a tinge of sourness and leave a persistent flavour that lingers in your mouth. (I am not a wine connoisseur, but that is the best description I can come out with).

The price was startling initially, as I usually pay no more than ten bucks for desserts. But I'd say it was definitely worth the experience, and why not splurge occasionally on desserts?

2AM Dessert Bar

Tel: +65 6291 9727

Opening Hours

Mon–Sat: 6pm – 2am
(Closed on Sun)

21A Lorong Liput

Holland Village

Blue Mountain Cafe @ Somerset 313, Singapore

BLUE MOUNTAIN CAFE (Somerset 313) is moved to Illuma, Bugis.

After some light Sunday shopping and dessert at Cold Rock, we decided to go for seconds at Blue Mountain Cafe, which was conveniently one level above Cold Rock and situated just a stone's throw away from Uniqlo

A table for four was cleared for us, and we were promptly ushered to our seats by the manager/boss (from the looks of it). Their sofa chairs were surely a plus point - a good resting haven for tired feet after a day of walking.

In a cafe which specialises in premium coffee, I hesitated no further and ordered a cup of Kenya AA (S$6.90). The drink came in a coffee apparatus, which was then poured into a cup by one of the service staff. The grade "AA" coffee emanated a pleasant aroma, had a well-balanced taste between sour and bitter, and was completed with a mild after-taste and a slight sting to the tongue. For the price, this coffee is definitely worth your bucks.

Mama Kook had her Cafe Au Lait (S$6.90), coffee served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. The drink was so bitter (perhaps they forgot to add some sugar) that she had to ask for sugar syrup. My girl ordered the Matcha Tea Latte (S$6.20) as she was not much of a coffee lover.

 

For some small bites, we ordered a plate of Baked Mussels (S$8.90), topped with tomato paste, cheese and parsley flakes. The mussels were pretty well-baked, but overall, the dish was a tad too dry for my liking and I had expected the cheese to be more gooey.

Close up of that fresh goodness.

Timothy, my only younger brother and a culinary intern at Shangri-la, had the Japanese Curry Baked Rice (S$11.90). The chicken strips were tender and the wet, runny cheese complemented well with the Japanese curry. BMC could definitely do a better job garnishing this delicacy though.

He also had their Choco Mint Latte [not in pictures (S$6.20)].

I have read some pretty decent reviews about their desserts as well. But maybe till next time!

Blue Mountain Cafe

Tel: +65 6836 9301

Opening Hours

Daily: 10am – 11pm

313 Orchard Road
#03-23/24

Somerset 313

Häagen Dazs @ Wisma Atria, Singapore

Anyone who knows me should have noticed that I have a sweet tooth. Nothing else tempts me more than looking through the glass of a wide array of beautifully coloured ice cream, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla,  cookies & cream, caramel, green tea, tiramisu, strawberry cheesecake, mango, rum & raisin, you name it. Even feasting with your eyes is a blessing.

Looking at their menu to find that perfect dessert to satisfy your quench, one does not simply miss one of their greatest creation, "Brownie Celebration" -  two scoops of melting Chocolate and Belgian ice cream on a chunk of warm brownie, complemented by fresh strawberry slices on a bed of whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

Truly a celebration indeed.

Next up, we had another of their creations - "Paradise", it consists of Dark Chocolate Orange, Belgian Chocolate, Tiramisu and Macadamia Nut ice cream, Raspberry Sorbet and Mango Sorbet between crispy waffle slices, topped with chocolate strips and nuts. I expected no less from their signature ice cream, however their Mango and Strawberry sorbet were mediocre, it tasted like a standard supermaket product.





Luckily the classic "Banana Split" saves the day. This is indeed another timeless creation of Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate ice cream served with caramel banana, strawberries and crispy waffle.



Häagen Dazs truly lives up to its name as a world of indulgence.

Häagen Dazs

Tel: +65 6836 5418

Opening Hours

Sun – Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri – Sat & PH Eve: 10am – 12am

435 Orchard Road

#03-12/12A

Wisma Atria

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar @ Vivocity, Singapore

Every time I walked pass the Max Brenner Chocolate Bar located at the ground floor of Vivocity, I cannot resist but take a few more whiffs of that chocolatey goodness lingering even beyond their doorsteps, just to excite my sense receptors. As someone who looks after his calories, it is even a sin to think about walking into the bar. The story goes on and you all know how it ended when I had this entry up.

My girl, Peiyi and yours truly decided to give it a first try for tea-time. With the help of a friendly staff, we managed to get a table in the middle of the bar in not more than a few minutes. The seatings were quite cramped however, and would be no doubt, slightly uncomfortable for longer chill-outs/talk-cock-sing-song sessions.

Peiyi ordered their popular Hot Chocolate drink (S$7.50) topped with marshmellow bits, which comes in this cute-looking "hugmug". It is true when they say marshmellows and hot chocolate are a couple made in heaven. I can totally justify that. This is a real treat.



For me, I had the Chai Latte which was a little too tangy for my liking, nothing else to rave about, except this unique dispenser, where the drink flows out from below when pushed against the mouth of a cup.



The "main course" was Chocolate Pizza, topped with nuts and marshmellows and drizzled generously with pure melted chocolate sauce. It came slightly late (approx 20 mins), but it was worth the wait. The ingredients complemented each other, and the texture was that good (imagine melting marshmellows on a bed of soft pizza crust). Before we know it, this lovely creation was gone. I could say that this is the best chocolate pizza I ever had.

"Chocolate is not just about taste. It’s a symbol of different aspects in our lives – of romance, of sensuality, of decadence. These aspects actually create the new chocolate culture of Max Brenner."

Extracted from their menu about "A Chocolate Love Story"

Yeah. It was that good.

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar was a "Willy-Wonka" delight. Although it is on the slightly pricier side, I am definitely going back for their highly acclaimed Chocolate Souffles and suckao, but it had to wait until my guilt subsides.

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Tel: +65 6278 4218

Opening Hours
Sun –Thu: 10am – 9.45pm
Fri – Sat: 10am – 11pm

1 HarbourFront Walk
#01-116
Vivocity