Paris Baguette Cafe @ Wisma Atria

I can't believe I was at Wisma Atria three times within the past week. Anyhow, when a colleague said she wanted to try this Korean cafe at Wisma, I exclaimed, "Oh yes there's a new cafe there isn't it! But I thought it's a Parisian cafe?" So then we argued for a while. Turns out it's a French-inspired bakery cafe from Korea which has been there for 25 years. Half of the service staff here are Koreans and I suspect the bakers themselves too. 

You will not miss this cafe with its neon sign if you take the escalators up in Wisma. This cafe replaced Din Tai Fung, which moved up to the food court level. One thing I didn't like about this place is that it's free seating! Like food court style.

The sheer variety of breads makes me bubble over with possibilities

Cakes that look too pretty to resist

Their own printed serviettes, a simple, classy design

 

The menu was a bit flimsy (4 pages, 2 on main courses and 2 on drinks) but I don't blame them; most of the choices are on display. We tried the Green Ginger Lemon Tea ($11), a zesty flavour combined with the familiar and soothing green tea taste.   

Strawberry Shortcake ($7.50) - Oh we were spoilt for choice and in the end we settled for this, and it didn't disappoint. Light, elegant, and fluffy. Like how a strawberry shortcake should taste like, you know.

 

 Shaved ice with red bean and mochi $9 - Nothing much to rave about, this was like high-class ice kachang. It was refreshing though.

Cutely packaged milk pudding - I'm a fool for nice packaging ;) 

Cafe Mocha ($6.50) - I really liked this. So I was really miffed when the service staff cleared away my half-full cup :(

Hot Dutch Pancake ($17), with gelato, whipped cream and fruits, sinfully sweet but so good. I especially liked the pancake because it's so different from the usual pancake/waffles we usually have. This is somewhat like prata but also a bit syrupy sweet and crispy. I don't remember seeing this in Holland though! 

We wanted something warm and soupy so the Seafood Chowder ($6?) in the display case beckoned us. The counter staff said she would heat it up for us but she didn't...and we found out after we had a sip so... too late and we didn't want to demand for a new one so we made do with it. The broth was decent but the bread was just too tough. The Wake Up Jane is actually ham, egg and potatoes baked with cheese on a slice of white bread. Not too bad but it was cold like the chowder!

435 Orchard Road

Wisma Atria, #02-48/53

6836 2010

Wild Honey @ Scotts Square

The family went for brunch at Wild Honey one fine Sunday morning. One good thing about the Scotts Square branch is that they take reservations! No snaking queues for the aged parents. 

The interior looked quite cozy, though we chose to sit outside. It was a cool day so the heat didn't get to us. With the breeze and laid-back feel outdoors, it definitely didn't feel like we were in Singapore! (Minus the view of Orchard Road, haha!) 

 

The sis had the French-Pressed Coffee, which was good. 

The classic English breakfast $22 - (hidden) scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, potatoes, mushrooms and giant baked beans. This satisfied. 

The Mocha tasted a bit strange, perhaps not sweet and chocolatey enough. I liked the heart though.

 

Boulevard St. Michel $22 - We really like the thick fluffy French toast, the blob on the left is a parmesan-crusted poached egg, while that on the right is a spinach and cheese souffle. I really liked the sauce on top, a wonderfully tangy and appetizing mix of tomatoes, onions, and unknown spices. The tomatoes were so juicy they spurted when you sink your teeth into them.

 

What was meant as desserts but actually arrived first. Scones (my favourite!) with raspberry jam and butter and apple tea bread (somewhat of a mix between cake and bread).   

 Norwegian ($26) - essentially two poached eggs wrapped with smoked salmon sitting on top of giant slabs of avocado, drizzled with hollandaise sauce and salmon roe, on whole-wheat brioche.

Tunisian - Another signature, comes in a pan of shakshouka (tomato, onion, red pepper and chili), 2 sunny side ups and Chorizo sausage. Goes well with bread. 

 

We had no issues with the service. Although we were seated outdoors, the service staff came around regularly to check on whether we needed water refills so we could catch their attention fairly easily while having the privacy to ourselves.

Wild Honey
Scotts Square #03-01
Tel: 6636 1816
Open Sundays to Thursdays from 9am to 9pm;
Fridays to Saturdays from 9am to 10pm

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar @ Wisma Atria

I haven't found out about a craving-worthy Japanese restaurant in a while. Recently I've been seeing this restaurant appear in quite a few blogs and receiving good reviews so I thought, I must try this out! 

The lunch queue on a Sunday afternoon at late 1-ish pm was waning off (doesn't mean it's no good!). Located on the food court floor, I thought the prices would be near food court prices as well. Prices are actually mid-range and well worth every cent of it.

 

Aspara Buta Yaki ($10)

 Asparagus wrapped in grilled pork slices - No fatty bacon for me, this is real stuff!

Mini Chasoba ($4) (Not mini at all and I love the texture), Garlic Fried Rice ($5) (decent; can skip the next time!) and Gindara Yaki Special ($16) - grilled cod fish topped with cheese and mentai, so smooth it slips off your tongue down your throat

SHIOK!!! Maki ($16.80) - 8 pieces; that's really the name of the dish, and it was definitely SHIOK. Oh so good, aburi salmon maki wrapped with unagi, topped with a layer of cheese and mayonnaise sauce and mentai, sprinkled with fish roe to perfect the dish. At first glance $16.80 is pretty pricey for maki but trust me, it's definitely worth it.  

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar

#04-21, Wisma Atria

435 Orchard Road

91803805 

How much spent: $55.45 for 2 pax 

Would I go back there again? Can't wait!

Lots Gourmet Stop @ Upper Changi Road North

Came here 2 months back but out of the numerous cafes I've been to so far, I must say this is one of the best - though the location is not so ideal. Tucked away in a residential estate at the far east (opp Changi Prison), this place is rather inaccessible. Nevertheless, the food (and company) was very enjoyable and I must find my way back here again soon! Thanks to Y's good recommendation :)

Some snapshots of the place

No-frills, un-airconditioned, simply-decorated place 

 Note the old-school glasses. Coffee (I ordered mocha as usual) was good. Oh the Vespa was a gift I got from Austria for Y as a sign of appreciation for borrowing her (sister's) scarf for, erm, 3 years hahahaha oops. 

 And the food even better! They had a good variety of brunch items like Eggs Benny, Big Breakfast (which were both really good), and pasta (zomg!)

Lots Gourmet Stop
965A Upper Changi Road North, Changi Garden, Singapore
Mon–Thu: 11am – 4pm
Fri–Sun: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 6633 9651

(From their FB page I think they take reservations)

Little Part 1 Cafe @ Jasmine Road

A cozy little cafe tucked away in a residential area near Upper Thomson Road - I never knew this row of shophouses existed here! Found the perfect reason to drop by here after church across the street. They have a decent selection of savoury crepes, as well as other mains such as ribs and fish n chips.

  

What a cute name

 

Good old root beer float ($6)

 

  

Pineapple and I ordered a Chicken Scallopini ($16?) (no scallops inside) to share - the meat was tender and the sauce good

Some snapshots around the cafe - they have quite a selection of alcohol!

Very simply decorated with un-uniform furniture, and I love the wall peppered with photo frames. 

15 Jasmine Road, S(576584)
(+65) 6451 7553
Sun – Thur: 12pm - 10pm
Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am

Mon - Fri: Closed from 3pm to 5.30pm

Closed on Tuesdays 

Would I come back here again? Yes!

Tomo Izakaya @ Esplanade

Had dinner at this restaurant en route to the Mosaic Festival to catch a glimpse of the activity surrounding the event. One thing I noticed was that this place is frequented by Japanese expats (or expats' wives), and this is surely an indication of the quality of any Japanese restaurant. They have quite an extensive menu so we had a tough time selecting.

The Salmon Sashimi ($18) was fresh and succulent, though at this hefty price tag I'm pretty sure we can find this dish of similar quality somewhere else. 

Was suddenly craving for california roll but decided on a variation, the Ebi Ten Maki (Tempura and Cucumber Sushi Roll, $12.50), which was good. 
  

Now I need to rave about this next item -  Aburi Hotate Sumiso (Lightly Grilled Scallop with Mustard Miso, $12) I love scallops and always cook them or find them cooked in garlic and butter sauce, who would have thought it tasted so good with a mustard miso sauce? Not I, definitely. Ingenious! I must learn how to concoct this sauce. 

Zaru Udon ($8) - It was a warm evening outdoors (no seats inside as we didn't make reservations) so we ordered a Cold Udon Noodles to go with the Unagi Kabayaki ($18). The noodles were overly al dente if you know what I mean - too firm. After having cold udon at so many Japanese restaurants, I still believe Waraku has one of the best cold udon ever. 

The unagi was done pretty well, I liked it quite a bit. 

How much was spent per pax: ~$45
Would I come back again? Probably, to try the lunch buffet which seemed like a better deal.

Tomo Izakaya

#01-09

T: +65 6333 0012

Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday:
12:00-15:00 (Lunch) &
17:00-23:00 (Dinner:Last order will be 22:00)

Friday,Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday:
12:00-15:00 (Lunch) &
17:00-1:00am (Dinner:Last Order will be 24:00)

Kado Man Restaurant @ Circular Road

Pineapple first introduced this restaurant last year on my birthday, and nearing my birthday this year I suddenly had a craving for the tan-tan men. 

It's a small restaurant located along Circular Road right smack in the middle of the CBD and Boat Quay Conservation Area, behind the row of pubs and bar-restaurants. It's frequented by Japanese businessmen and the waitress speaks Japanese as well. She was friendly  when we first entered but got a bit pushy when recommending the dishes to us though.

I've only been here twice, but the rich and spicy soup with fragrance of sesame of the tan-tan men ($15) will make you go back for more.

Cha-shu ramen ($14) pales in comparison. Better off ordering this at other ramen places. I heard the Cold Ramen is one of the must-orders as well, but it wasn't available when we were there.

 

How much was spent per pax? ~$25 per pax
 Would I go back? Definitely for the tan-tan men and the cold ramen if I ever get my hands on them ;)

Address: 83 Circular Road 

Opening Hours

Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner: 6pm – 11pm

Delicious @ Scotts Square

Happy 2012 everyone! A new year of food hunting, a new year of good food waiting to be discovered, and relished, with hits and misses along the way, of course. Anyway. I read about this newly opened restaurant at the spanking new mall along Scotts Road and decided to try it out. 

A simply-decored place with a blue and white theme that's easy on the eyes, and bird cages! There's something about bird cages that make them...aesthetically pleasing, in a strange way.



They have pastas, sandwiches, burgers, quite a decent range of desserts and Asian-Western fusion choices (Duck Confit Red Curry? Rendang Tok Beef Short Ribs?) on their menu. 

We weren't feeling adventurous that day and just wanted some comfort food in the form of carbo so we settled on pasta.


Y's Spicy Crabmeat Linguine ($15) - with real crab meat, not the frozen kind. She said it was not bad, though it was not spicy at all.

Spicy Seafood Linguine ($15) - With mussels, prawns and calamari, comes with a zest of lemon. There's something about the tomatoes and spices used that makes this pasta taste like how pastas should taste like.





Blackberry Apple Crumble with Vanilla Crumble ($6) - We couldn't resist desserts. This came really reasonable at just $6.





The food isn't fantastic but it's a nice place to hang out if you want to escape the crowds along Orchard Road. Reservations enabled. 



Address: 6 Scotts Road, B1-16/19 Scotts Square, Singapore

Tel: +65 6636 0903

Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm daily