There are just those days when lunch wasn’t enough and you’re just itching to stuff your face with some messy, sinful chocolate cake. Not just any chocolate cake, though. It’s got to be one so rich and decadent that you end up with a sore throat.

Four words — chocolate lava mug cake. Or maybe five, if you toss in the word “microwave” at the front. That’s right, in less than 10 easy steps and with the help of a microwave, you’ll have a divine treat set before you.

Here’s a quick recipe on how to make your very own chocolate lava mug cake at home!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE CHOCOLATE LAVA MUG CAKE IN THE MICROWAVE

- 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tablespoons of icing sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons of cocoa Powder
- 4-5 tablespoons of milk
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of baking soda
- ? teaspoon of baking powder
- 2 teaspoons of melted butter/oil
- A few chunks of baking chocolate

STEP 1

Sieve the flour, cocoa powder and sugar together.

STEP 2

Add in salt, baking powder and baking soda.

STEP 3

Mix well until combined.

STEP 4

Add in melted butter or oil and mix.

STEP 5

Add in the milk while stirring, one tablespoon at a time.

STEP 6

Mix until a smooth batter forms.

STEP 7

Pour it into a microwave-safe mug.

STEP 8

Place the baking chocolate into the center of the batter.

STEP 9

Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes.

And there you have it, Chocolate Lava Mug Cake!

Don’t forget to spam a honey lemon drink after this.

Gourmet burgers are nothing new to Singapore’s dynamic food scene, but what is it about these fancy burgers that motivates people to spend so much more for them as opposed to their fast food restaurant counterparts? The answer lies in its jazzed-up sauces but more importantly, the use of premium ingredients.

Bringing its signature West Coast flavour to Singapore, 25 Degrees Burgers & Liquor Bar is a gourmet American burger joint from Los Angeles which serves up a myriad of gourmet burgers, milkshakes, beer and wine at reasonable prices and is even rumoured to be a cult favourite among many Hollywood stars.

Drop by during the day and enjoy their lunch special where you can get a signature burger and fries for only S$12++. This promotion is valid from Mondays to Fridays between 11am to 3pm. Be sure not to miss out on their daily happy hour between 3pm to 7pm too. During this golden period of the day, you get to enjoy 1-for-1 deals for fries and other food items, a selection of beers, as well as cocktails.

Looking and feeling like a sleek, contemporary, American diner, 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar Singapore’s small yet cosy space serves to provide a warm and friendly environment to diners. Their long table and open-air concept also allow patrons to socialise and watch the bustling street while enjoying a delicious meal.

Boasting a straightforward menu, there are five signature burgers with varying toppings and condiments—all of which cost only S$14++. The five signatures are conveniently named ‘Number One’ to ‘Number Four’ and lastly the ‘Veggie Burger’.

Apart from that, the menu also includes a craft-your-own burger option for fussy burger connoisseurs who want something more.

NUMBER ONE

The Number One (S$14++) comprises a beef patty, caramelized onions, a mixture of different cheeses from prelibato gorgonzola to crescenza, crispy bacon, arugula and is given a generous slathering of thousand island dressing.

As far as gourmet burgers are concerned, nothing rarely ever goes wrong when caramelised onions and bacon are involved and the Number One proved just that. The beef patty had a crispy crust with a juicy, pink interior and the arugula coupled with the thousand island dressing balanced out the intensely meaty flavours.

NUMBER TWO

Number Two (S$14++) is a beef burger with an Italian touch. It features a beef patty, plump roasted tomatoes, burrata, a slice of crispy prosciutto and pesto. Compared to Number One, we would say that this burger is a much milder alternative.

The tomatoes were soft yet not overly cooked to a mushy consistency, and the melted burrata cheese over the top provided an element of creaminess. We particularly like how the addition of pesto in the burger added freshness to the overall taste.

NUMBER THREE

For a burger with attitude, you should go for Number Three (S$14++). It features a beef patty, mezzo secco jack cheese, green chilli, chipotle and avocado. This burger may pack a punch initially but the spice is balanced out by fresh slices of avocado. Those who are looking for a spicy kick will not regret trying the Number Three!

NUMBER FOUR

For a slightly more unconventional option, you can also opt for Number Four (S$14++) that uses a yellowfin tuna patty instead. Served with crisp butter lettuce, crispy fried onions and a spicy aioli, this is one alternative should you not prefer beef—although we would much rather stick to our beef.

VEGGIE BURGER

Vegetarians do not fret, because the folks at 25 Degrees have got you covered. Swopping out a beef patty for a veggie one, the Veggie Burger (S$14++) comes with butter lettuce cucumber, mint, and jalapenos.

As much as vegetarian dishes—let alone vegetarian burgers—get a rather bad reputation, we must admit that the Veggie Burger was indeed delicious. Whether you are a hardcore vegetarian or merely someone curious to know how vegetarian burgers taste like, this is a good dish to start with.

SONORAN HOT DOG

What could possibly beat a hot dog wrapped in bacon? That’s right—nothing.

The Sonoran Hot Dog (S$18++) comes with an enticing bacon-wrapped dog, American cheese, caramelized onions as well as an array of condiments. Delicious and sinful, this huge hot dog was made even better with a squeeze of mustard and their homemade garlic aioli.

CRISPY SIDES

Burgers alone aren’t fun. We need sides of fries and whatnot, too!

The Truffle French Fries (S$6++), Curly Fries (S$5++) and Onion Rings (S$5++) are crowd favourites but our ultimate favourite would have to be the onion rings.

Lightly battered, the onion rings were sweet and super crunchy. While the rings are great on their own, they are made even more irresistible with their selection of homemade dips which you can get at an additional cost of S$3++.

AMERICAN MILKSHAKES

No experience at an American diner is complete without a huge milkshake. This classic milkshake (S$10++) that comes in a variety of flavours is something you absolutely must order when at 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar Singapore.

Sweet, decadent and oh-so-satisfying, there was no way we could resist slurping down one of these bad boys with our burger. Complete with a cherry on top and lots of whipped cream, your burger experience cannot get any better.

WARM MELT CHOCOLATE CAKE

If you are not already stuffed enough as it is, finish your meal with one of their sweet treats. The Warm Melt Chocolate Cake (S$14++) is essentially a lava cake that is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The rich and intense chocolate makes it the perfect treat for all chocolate lovers!

Remember to drop by for their lunch special where you can get a signature burger and fries for only S$12++. This promotion is valid from Mondays to Fridays between 11am to 3pm.

If you are checking out their beer promotions instead, 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar Singapore’s daily happy hour last from 3pm to 7pm where you get to enjoy 1-for-1 deals for fries and other food items, beer as well as cocktails.

25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar Singapore
200 Middle Road
Singapore 188980
Tel: +65 6809 7990
Daily: 11am - 3am
Nearest Station: Rochor / Bencoolen

This post is brought to you by 25 Degrees Burgers & Liquor Bar Singapore.

The Blooming Gallery Tea Cafe & Bar is a rustic cafe hidden in The Ei8ht Thonglor shopping mall. Walking into the cafe is like wandering into a mini secret garden where you will be surrounded by colourful flowers and lush greenery.

Imagine having beautifully plated desserts while sipping on premium tea or aromatic coffee in a glasshouse where sunlight is able to filter in during the day—this is the perfect gathering spot for high tea with your girlfriends.

If you are looking for a place to rest your tired feet after doing some shopping in central Bangkok, drop by The Blooming Gallery Tea Cafe & Bar in Thonglor district.

The founders of the cafe were inspired by a famous French artist, Oscar Claude Monet and you can see that being reflected on the menu itself. Do not be surprised to see that many of the dishes in The Blooming Gallery are named after this artist’s impressionist paintings.

 A Path In The Forest (THB380/S$15.63) is their signature dessert and this four-layer dessert is made up of cheesecake, matcha mousse, crumbles and fresh cream. Get your cameras ready when they serve this dessert to you because the staff will sprinkle Matcha powder imported from Kyoto on the top most layer.

It is highly recommended to dig into the base of the dessert and have all the layers in one mouthful to taste all the different flavours and textures. While we enjoyed the light and fluffy cheesecake with earthy Matcha powder, there was nothing outstanding worth raving about.

Another gorgeous dessert that caught our attention was The Blooming Garden (THB350/S$14.40). The warm chocolate pistachio lava cake was served with pistachio gelato atop a layer of pistachio powder.

The rich molten chocolate was slightly overwhelming for us as it masked most of the pistachio flavours but fans of chocolate will definitely enjoy this sinful dessert!

The Blooming Gallery
LG/F, Eight Thonglor
Sukhumvit Soi 55, Thonglor
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 02 063 5508
Sun to Tue: 10am – 10pm
Wed to Sat: 10am – 12 Midnight
Nearest BTS: Thonglor

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/08/the-blooming-gallery-bangkok/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/11/ice-edge-cafe/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/11/ice-edge-cafe/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2016 05:00:01 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=112732 Continue reading →]]>

Located in the heart of Kovan—just a stone’s throw away from Kovan MRT Station—is Ice Edge Cafe.

The cafe-cum-restaurant has been around for a decade and has gained a huge following over the past years with its hearty savouries and stellar sweets. Dishes served here are very affordable and generously portioned; there is even a perpetual one-for-one lunch promotion* on weekdays!

You might have heard of their legendary Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake, Waffles and Homemade Brownies, but Ice Edge Cafe is more than that. It offers a menu of wallet-friendly dishes (most mains are priced under S$20). If you haven’t been, you are missing out, dude.

From now until 15 December 2016, quote “ladyironchef” to get a FREE Waffle with a scoop of gelato when you spend S$20 per table. This offer is valid during dinner daily.

#1 BUFFALO WINGS

Ice Edge Cafe’s Buffalo Wings (S$9.80+) come in a platter of six.

Each deep-fried chicken wing is coated in a hot peppery buffalo sauce that is infused with vinegar and butter, and garnished with herbs and spices. If you can’t handle spices well, steer clear of this.

The Buffalo Wings are part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu.

#2 CALAMARI WITH THAI MAYO

We absolutely love the Calamari with Thai Mayo (S$12.80++) that is on the starters menu. Green salad and Thai mayonnaise dip are served alongside succulent, deep-fried battered squid rings.

#3 JAPANESE BONITO PRAWN SALAD

If calories matter, then the Japanese Bonito Prawn Salad (S$12.80++) is for you. This is a salad of assorted leafy greens, Japanese seasoning, fresh prawns and crispy wakame. Pretty simple, but no less fresh and healthy.

The Japanese Bonito Prawn Salad is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu.

#4 SEAFOOD AGLIO OLIO SPAGHETTI

The Seafood Aglio Olio Spaghetti (S$16.80+) is an Ice Edge classic. Served with clams, juicy prawns and squid, the pasta is served al dente and tossed with chilli padi and garlic. It comes in a very generous portion too!

The Seafood Aglio Olio Spgahetti is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu. Each pasta works out to be just S$8.4+ during lunch!

#5 TOM YAM SEAFOOD LINGUINE

Tom Yam Seafood Linguine (S$17.80+) is an interesting East-meets-West pasta invention which has successfully incorporated the traditional Thai soup into an Italian classic. The pasta is cooked firm to the bite and enhanced with the garlic’s aroma. It is then complemented with clam, squid and prawn.

And it is very spicy. But that is precisely how we like it to be. Definitely our favourite pasta in the entire menu!

#6 BUTTER CREAM SALMON

Over at Ice Edge Cafe, salmon fillets are cooked to perfection—think crispy skin and runny flesh. The fish flakes easily when pierced through with a fork, and topped with a slap of buttery herbs cream and pink peppercorn. The Butter Cream Salmon (S$19.80+) is also served with grilled asparagus and a house salad.

It honestly looks like nothing, but it is the kind of comfort lunch you’d wish for on a boring workday.

#7 PESTO CREAM CHICKEN

The chef-recommended main course Pesto Cream Chicken (S$17.80+) looked pretty messy but this plate packs a punch. It comprises a juicy chicken thigh pan-fried till golden brown, then topped with fresh pesto, and accompanied with carrots, cream, herbs, potatoes and spices.

The Pesto Cream Chicken is part of Ice Edge Cafe’s 1-for-1 menu. S$8.90 for a main course? Lunch doesn’t get any better than this.

#8 CORDON BLEU

By now, you would have noticed that the menu is comprehensive; from American, Italian to Swiss, you can expect a myriad of cuisines.

Ice Edge Cafe’s take on the Cordon Bleu (S$18.80+) is a beautiful one. Slice into the deep-fried breaded chicken and you will see the intersection of bacon and bursting nacho cheese. This is actually our favourite main, for it was satisfaction in every bite.

#9 PIZZA PRAWN MENTAIKO

The Pizza Prawn Mentaiko (S$16.80+) is a work of art and damn, ain’t it photogenic?! The pizza comes with a thin crust. Herbs, prawns and mozzarella cheese are scattered all over the flat dough, before Japanese mayonnaise and mentaiko cream are drizzled in circular motions.

#10 MAO SHAN WANG LAVA CAKE

The divine Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake (S$14.80+) is a must-order when at Ice Edge Cafe. And we’ve heard many stories of how people from all over Singapore travel to Kovan for this legendary dessert. It is safe to say the folks at Ice Edge Cafe pioneered the durian lava cake trend.

The King of Fruits has been integrated into a dense lava cake and warm molten durian will ooze out upon forking it. No efforts have been spared in the making of this signature dessert, and the end result is a robust, divine dessert that bursts with aroma. The lava cake comes with a scoop of gelato of your choice.

#11 WAFFLE

Super crisp on the outside and featherlight on the inside, the Waffles here are superb. Choose to top your waffle with one, two, three or four gelato scoop(s). Prices are S$10+, S$14.50+, S$19+ and S$23.50+ respectively.

There are many flavours to choose from for your gelato (which is also what Ice Edge Cafe is well-loved for), and unique flavours include Salted Egg, Japanese Yuzu and Cotton Candy.

#12 BROWNIE WITH GELATO

Like the idea of death by chocolate? Well, then you have to get the warm double chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce. This decadent dessert comes with either one or two scoop(s) of gelato; the former is priced at S$9.80+ whilst the latter would set you back S$14.30+.

And it is important to know that Ice Edge Cafe takes pride in their desserts, and this brownie is baked fresh in-house daily.

#13 CHEESECAKE

We can always do with a good cheesecake, yes? There are three flavours of cheesecakes available on a rotational basis, i.e. Blue Berry, New York and Oreo. Each rich cheesecake costs S$6.80+.

Of course, you need to top it off with a scoop or two of gelato.

From now until 15 December 2016, quote “ladyironchef” to get a FREE Waffle with a scoop of gelato (worth S$10+) when you spend S$20 per table. This offer is valid during dinner daily.

*The 1-for-1 Lunch Promotion is available every day on weekdays (excluding eves of and Public Holiday), and it is redeemable from 11.30am to 3pm. The higher-priced item will be charged. 1-for-1 items can be mixed and matched, and no splitting of bills is allowed.

Ice Edge Cafe
2 Kovan Rise
Simon Plaza, #01-10
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

This post is brought to you by Ice Edge Cafe.

Pietro Ristorante Italiano is tucked in a corner of Jalan Kelulut—a private residential area in Yio Chu Kang—and it has been dishing out authentic Italian dishes to its regulars since 2012.

The restaurant is segregated into two areas—al fresco dining and indoor seating. Deep shades of red on the wall, wooden furniture and a hanging chandelier; the restaurant gives off a homely and cosy ambience.

Helmed by Chef Aaron Png, Pietro Ristorante Italiano offers a wide variety on their menu. Go for the complete Italian experience by having a taste of the antipasti, salads, pasta, pizzas, mains and desserts.

From now until 15 December 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 1-for-1 antipasti, pasta, pizza and mains from Mondays to Thursdays (lunch and dinner), as well as Saturdays (lunch) at Pietro Ristorante Italiano.

ANTIPASTI (APPETISERS)

The Antipasti menu features a selection of classic Italian starters such as Calamari Fritti (S$18++), Carpaccio di Manzo (S$22++) and the excellent Calamari e Gamberoni (S$28++)—an entire squid, grilled to perfection with King prawn stuffing, garlic, butter, a few drops of lemon and a dash of white wine.

PRIMI PIATTI (PASTA)

Italians actually have their pasta as a starting course before proceeding to their mains, so the term “Primi Piatti” refers to first dishes. Although it is unlike our culture to have it as a starter, do not shy away from doing so; after all, it is only right we do the Italian way when in an Italian restaurant.

People often comment that it is a mistake to order a squid ink pasta on your first date, but we would do so anyway with the Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia (S$28++) because it is one of the best things on the menu. It comes fashionably with prawns, squid, scallop, clams and garnished with chilli.

Other pasta that you can find on the menu include Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Fungi (S$18++), Linguine Alfredo al Frutti di Mare (S$26++) and Spaghetti alla Carbonara (S$18++).

RISOTTO

We Asians can never back away from our staple, even at an Italian restaurant. That is especially true at Pietro Ristorante Italiano, because the Risotto di Mare e Zafferano (S$28++) looks extremely fine.

The risotto rice comes in a bright shade of yellow due to its buttery saffron cream sauce and has toppings such as prawns, clams, squid and scallop.

DAL FORNO O (TRADITIONAL BRICK PIZZA OVEN)

There is a counter right at the end of the restaurant where you can watch the chef assemble your pizza before putting them into a traditional brick pizza oven.

The Pizza Carnivora (S$26++) was served with edges slightly charred, but that’s how we love our pizzas. Generous chunks of mushrooms, ham, minced beef, homemade sausage, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese were placed on top of the thin crust which was lavishly smeared with tomato sauce.

The purists will enjoy the Pizza Margherita (S$16++) and Pizza Funghi (S$20++). For something more extravagant, go for the Pizza Prosciutto di Parma (S$32++).

There are seven pizzas—including Pizza Margherita, Pizza Hawaiian, Pizza Romana—that you can get with the 1-for-1 promotion.

CARNE & PESCE (MEAT & SEAFOOD)

The Pancetta Arrosto (S$24++) blew our minds. This is a roasted pork belly dish with the best crackling skin we can ever ask for; it was extremely crispy and falls into crumbs in our mouths.

You will also find porcini mushrooms and kidney beans on the side, with apple sauce for dips. Now, listen up—no one steps out of Pietro Ristorante Italiano without trying this.

That’s not all. You can also have the sublime Merluzzo (S$34++)—a perfectly cooked Cod fish with white wine, purple grapes and cherry tomato sauce; and the ever-popular Filetto di Manzo—grilled Australian beef tenderloin with red wine porcini sauce.

From the Meat & Seafood menu, you can enjoy 1-for-1 promotion on the Pan-fried Salmon Fillet (S$26++), Rosemary Chicken (S$22++) and Crispy John Dory Fish (S$22++) with white wine sauce.

DESSERTS

Forget about your usual chocolate lava cake. At Pietro, there is a Tortino di Cioccolato al Pistachio (S$15++)—pistachio flavoured lava cake so well done that all it takes is just one cut on the cake to unleash the warm pistachio flood. It is paired with a scoop of vanilla gelato, and when eaten together, everything is just a creamy goodness that is unbelivable.

Another popular dessert item is the Tiramisu al Pistachio (S$14++). Yes, the tiramisu is filled with layers of Mascarpone cream for the sweet tooth! This one has strong espresso coffee flavours with a subtle hint of pistachio taste.

From now until 15 December 2016, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 1-for-1 antipasti, pasta and pizza (on selected dishes) at Pietro Ristorante Italiano. The promotion is valid from Mondays to Thursdays (lunch and dinner), as well as Saturdays (lunch).

Pietro Ristorante Italiano
12 Jln Kelulut
Singapore 809030
Tel: +65 6484 5528
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Buangkok/ Fernvale

This post was brought to you by Pietro Ristorante Italiano.

Located on the second storey of Orchard Gateway is Sugar Lips – a newly opened dessert parlour that specialises in over-the-top sweet treats.

Quirky and whimsical, we did more than just a double take when walking past this dessert shop. Colourful paint is splashed across the cafe’s concrete floors, walls and exposed pipes.

So, is the food at Sugar Lips worth the damn calories or only worthy of a one-off visit? Read more to find out our verdict on this newest food and beverage addition to Orchard Road.

//

The tables are divided by tall partitions and provide a great sense of privacy, hence making it a good spot in town for gatherings.

Desserts are available in the following sizes – standard (S$12.90), medium (S$14.90) and large (S$16.90).A standard-size dessert comes with one topping, a medium-size dessert has two toppings while a large-size dessert is finished off with three toppings. Choose your desserts from 10 types of artisanal cakes and 4 different flavours of handcrafted waffles.

A standard-size dessert comes with one topping, a medium-size dessert has two toppings, while a large-size dessert is finished off with three toppings. Choose your desserts from 10 types of artisanal cakes and 4 different flavours of handcrafted waffles.

//

We went for the Red Velvet Fluffy Waffle and Chocolate Seduction Truffle Cake. The former comprises octagon-shaped delightfully crisp red velvet waffles that are pillowy inside, while the latter is a sinfully rich chocolate cake alternated with generous amounts of chocolatey mousse.Surprise, surprise! These wacky-looking inventions were actually very satisfying and filling.

Surprise, surprise! These wacky-looking inventions were actually very satisfying and filling.

The toppings were decided by the staff and we weren’t given the option to choose. Oh well. They range from chocolate coated sunflower seeds, hundreds and thousands, sliced fresh fruits, Oreo biscuits, marshmallows, strawberry sauce, Thai milk tea ice cream and wafer rolls… Pretty much everything sweet.

While we definitely would not proclaim Sugar Lips as a destination worth making a special trip for, we reckon it makes a great hangout spot to unwind over desserts if you already happen to be in town.

Sugar Lips
277 Orchard Road, #02-01
Orchard Gateway
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6386 6387
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT Station: Somerset

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Living in the heartlands of Singapore does not mean artisanal gelato is inaccessible. Barely a year old, Double Scoops is an artisanal gelato cafe situated right in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, offering premium low-fat gelato at very reasonable prices, alongside a plethora of desserts.

Gelato is always a good idea, especially with Singapore’s humidity. Gelato is loved for being a healthier option as opposed to ice cream because of the lower fat content and use of better ingredients.

This humble gelato parlour has won us over with their no-frills concept that focuses on serving quality desserts. From now till 31 March 2016, readers of ladyironchef can flash this post or quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 50% OFF the 2nd Waffle/ Shibuya Toast (of same value or lower) purchased from Mondays to Fridays.

The cafe takes up one shop space along the row of shophouses and is a cosy and modern space amidst the rustic neighbourhood charm. The interior is minimalistic yet comforting – great for a midday or post-meal hang out spot over sweet treats, coffee and light savoury bites.

We love how the cafe is so ideal for photos. Natural sunlight streams in through the glass panels in the day. Every table is evenly spaced out and nobody will feel intruded. Potted plants are placed sporadically. Light music on the loop. The brick wall makes a great backdrop for our desserts.

Among the many, Double Scoops is indeed the best artisanal gelato cafe in Ang Mo Kio.

LOW-FAT GELATO WITH ONLY 8% FAT

Double Scoops makes their own gelato in-house daily. Smooth and fresh, the flavours are aplenty. Some are on rotational basis, but the mainstays that you totally have to try include Thai Milk Tea, Baileys, Sea Salt Gula Melaka, Orh Nee and Speculoos.

If it is your lucky day, you might have a chance with the limited flavours of Salted Egg Yolk and Matcha Kit Kat.

The gelato are good on their own, and can be served in cups or cones. But to up the game, we say go for the waffles and thick toast with ice cream. Double Scoops – but of course, right? No pun intended.

FUN DRINKS

Your regular selection of coffee is available, starting from S$4. Brewed tea ranges from Chamomile to Peppermint. But for some fun, we suggest going right for a Soda Float (S$4.50) or an Ice Cream Shake (S$6 with a choice of 2 scoops).

An Ice Cream Shake is a great to-go option if you are in a little rush to sit down for a scoop of gelato. Talk about best summer treats!

SHIBUYA TOASTS

Everyone’s no stranger to thick toasts, yes? We love ours topped off with ice cream. Double Scoops offers two choices – a classic Shibuya Honey Toast (S$10) and a Nutella Banana Toast (S$11), each with one scoop of gelato of choice.

While honey toasts are evergreen, it was the Nutella one that tugged our heartstrings. But of course, right? Nutella is always wonderful, especially when lavishly drizzled over a thick toast alongside smooth, premium gelato. We had ours with a scoop of Earl Grey Lavender ice cream and the fragrance sure balanced out the sweetness of the dessert.

We do recommend sharing the toast as the serving is really generous!

WAFFLE SELECTIONS

You can have both Charcoal Waffle (S$5.50) and Classic Waffle (S$3.60) here.

With the rise of sexy black desserts, we were initially more drawn to the former. However, we actually preferred the batter on the classic waffle as it was fluffier and more fragrant, with a nice crisp exterior.

That is not to say that the charcoal waffle option is to be overlooked though. If you want something more interestingly-flavoured, this is it. Accompanied with a beautiful rich valrhona white chocolate ganache sauce, the charcoal waffle is also jazzed up with crunchy maple pecan granola and strawberry bits.

You can choose to top up your waffles with a single, double or triple scoop (S$3.30, S$5.80, S$8.80 respectively) of gelato. The more the merrier, of course!

You can also top-up for caramelised bananas and popcorn alongside your gelato. The caramelised bananas were torched well and added a nice textural variation to the classic waffles and ice cream dish.

A premium gelato flavour that we enjoyed our waffles with is the Bailey’s flavour. We have had many Bailey’s ice cream and gelato in our lives, and this by far, took first place for us. The flavour and texture were just right, and the alcohol was generous yet did not overpower.

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

Need cake?

The Chocolate Lava Cake here at Double Scoops is pretty decent. It comes with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and your pick of gelato. This is best eaten immediately for the nice mixture of warm chocolate fudge and cold ice cream, and when your lava still flows.

GELATO FLOWER POT

The Gelato Flower Pot here may be nothing to shout about, but your kids are definitely going to love it. Your gelato of choice is packed into a mini plastic ‘flower pot’ and topped off with bits of crushed oreo and served with gummy worms.

We like the thoughtful touches of a plastic ‘spade’ spoon and garnishing of a herb as the ‘leaves’ of the plant.

50% OFF DESSERTS AT DOUBLE SCOOPS

From now till 31 March 2016, readers of ladyironchef can flash this post or quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy 50% OFF the 2nd Waffle/ Shibuya Toast (of same value or lower) purchased from Mondays to Fridays.

Double Scoops
Block 226A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 #01-627
Singapore 561226
Tel: +65 6452 0208
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

This post is brought to you by Double Scoops.

Violet Herbs is what we call an alternative dating spot if you want to do away with the crowd and pretentious vibes at posh establishments.

Conveniently located at Tanjong Pagar, this modern semi-fine dining restaurant is within walking distance from the train station. The restaurant occupies the entire three stories of the shophouse unit along Tras Street – with the first two floors for dining, and a rooftop herb garden where fresh produce are used for the cooking.

Helmed by Chef Edward Hoe, Violet Herbs is one of the most underrated restaurants in Singapore that offers splendid 3-course set lunches (S$33+/pax) and 4-course set dinners (S$58+/pax) at very decent prices that feature high quality and intricate plating.

The main courses are also nothing short of impressive. Mark Violet Herbs down – it should be your next romantic lunch/ dinner spot.

Chef Edward Hoe runs the show in Violet Herbs’ kitchen. He who was part of the pioneer team that spearheaded Restaurant Ember has 20 years of culinary experience, and at Violet Herbs, traces of familiarity are evident from the restaurant’s star dishes. Chef Edward was the head chef in The 2nd Floor-The American Club, as well as Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro.

SOUPS & APPETISERS

The menu boasts a good range of appetisers that include both hearty and light options. Lighter options include the Basil Pesto Salad (S$18) and one that we thoroughly enjoyed – Pistachio & Herb Crusted Scallops (S$18).

The scallops were wonderfully plump and we liked the textural distinction between the soft juicy scallop flesh and the crunchy outer layer of pistachio and herbs. The dish is complete with tasty butternut pumpkin puree, bisque gel, parma potato chip and chocolate soil. This dish deserves a star for its presentation too!

Guess what we love most about Violet Herbs’ appetisers? The variety of foie gras options from Roasted & Poached Foie Gras (S$24) and Truffle Foie Gras (S$26).

We are usually unimpressed with lobster bisques because they are more often than not fishy or artificially flavoured. But the Lobster Cappuccino & Brandy (S$16) at Violet Herbs is easily the best we’ve tasted in recent times.

The bisque was so intensely flavoured – the sheer sweetness of fresh lobster coupled with brandy is a feat in itself. With every scoop, we became more and more addicted. This is one stellar soup.

ALL THE MAINS TO LOVE

With so many interesting mains to choose from, it will be one of those I-can’t-decide-because-I-want-everything-from-the-menu moments. We started with Violet Herbs’ bestseller – the Marinated Red Miso Cod (S$39). It is an a la carte main, but can be a top-up option in the dinner menu.

The cod cooked to a glistening glory with a miso marinate was spot-on. With a side of roasted pumpkin puree, almond eggplant and some dehydrated parsnip chips, this stunning dish is a combination of healthy veggie goodness and fresh white fish presented in varying textures and colours.

Even if you are not the biggest fan of lamb, we still urge you to try the Colorado Lamb Rack (S$48). Of course, besides the fantastic medium-rare cook on the lamb, it was the simple marination itself that made it so tasty with every bite.

It also comes with mini pistachio foie gras roulades that you can choose to eat with the meat to cut the richness.

Duck Confit is something we have to try if we see it on a menu, and of course, we tried the one at Violet Herbs. The Sous Vide Duck Confit (S$36) has a crackling outer crust and the most tender duck meat inside.

The duck jus reduction that accompanied the duck was just right. We also liked how the duck confit is placed atop a bed of rustic vegetables of herb potatoes and sautéed baby spinach.

Feeling really hungry or looking for something hearty? The Sous Vide 48 Hours Wagyu Beef Cheek is for those who are after something more robust.

The beef is fork tender, has a sweet red wine glaze, and is jazzed up with Sardinian fregola sarda and zucchini spheres.

In the pasta menu, you can find dishes such as Homemade Butternut Squash Gnocchi (S$42) and Lobster Risotto & Fregola Sarda (S$44).

These aside, you should go for the Ebi Angel Hair Pasta (S$38) if it is your first trip to Violet Herbs. The pasta is cooked to a beautiful al dente, then tossed in lobster essence, rayu oil and bird eye chilli (or as we call it, chilli padi). Using only premium air-flown Japanese sakura ebi, the pinkish-red dried shrimps are sweet and crispy. That’s all we need for our pasta, really.

SWEET TREATS

Some desserts to expect here include Yam Strudel (S$12), Chef’s Special Tiramisu (S$16) and Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake (S$16).

However, our heart was stolen by the Frozen Nougat (S$14). The dessert comes with little bits of lychee sorbet all around that complements the nougat with varying sweetness.

Also, being huge fans of chocolate-anything mean we couldn’t miss the Valrhona Chocolate Fondant (S$16).

The surprise of this dessert lies in the fact that it comes with truffle oil – an unexpected ingredient that actually makes the dessert even more fragrant.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY SET MENUS

Violet Herbs has superb set menus for lunch that is priced at S$33 per person, and that includes a total of three courses.

To sample Chef Edward’s signature foie gras dishes, you have the option to upgrade your set menu appetiser to a foie gras (+S$7) of choice. It is little wonder Violet Herbs is such a popular lunch spot, especially for business luncheons. Such value for money; we can all do away with the lunch hour rush and noise everywhere else, and embrace the cosiness of Violet Herbs with an intimate lunch.

Dinner degustation menus begin from S$58 per person. Now, that is practically impossible if you want some fine dining. A typical main at fine dining establishments would usually start from S$40 already! But at Violet Herbs, the degustation menus begin from S$58 for a 4-course meal.

EVENTS AND PARTIES

If you are looking to host your events and/or plan your company gatherings here, you can also have a menu personalised for you. Private rooms are also available, else if all else fails, we say book the entire second level – which is the prettiest spot at Violet Herbs that is more than befitting for events of all sorts.

For more information and reservations, call +65 6221 3988.

Violet Herbs
81 Tras Street
Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area
Singapore 079020
Tel: +65 6221 3988
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

This post is brought to you by Violet Herbs.

2015 is coming to an end, and with that, we celebrate a year of amazing food and also fresh new trends that have landed on our sunny island. Of course, trends come and go but the really good ones shall stay on.

In this piece, we explore the trends that have invaded Singapore this year. The rubrics are simple – a) Photogenic and hence, hyped up on social media, b) more than one store riding on the trend, c) so delicious and/ or innovative that it is no surprise they are labeled as a ‘trend’.

Here are 13 Food Trends in Singapore in 2015 that you probably already know about. We pay homage to some of the best food that graced our nation this year.

#1 KOREAN BINGSU

What better way to curb this awful humidity than with a Korean Ice Kachang? This Korean shaved ice dessert is well-loved by many. We love how it comes in a variety of flavours, but for us, we would choose anything with injeolmi for sure!

#2 ‘BLACK’ DISHES

‘Black’ is always sexy and many have caught on to this trend. With black steamed buns, black waffles and black pastas, the chefs mainly use either squid ink or charcoal to make this happen. However gimmicky it may be, we have to say that this trend most definitely got our attention and our hearts!

#3 OVER-THE-TOP CAKE SHAKES

A small bakery in Canberra first started serving these insane milkshakes and now you can find them at many cafes around the world, including Singapore.

The Cake Shake includes crazy things ingredients such as macarons, slices of cakes, biscuits and more in a milkshake. However pretty they look in pictures, it is still a tiny bit ridiculous to us. Calories aside, aren’t cake shakes a little too massive that they don’t blend well?

#4 COCONUT ICE CREAM

These Thai-style coconut ice cream were everywhere for awhile. Served in a half coconut shell, coconut ice cream is usually paired with other condiments such as jelly or fruits. It worked really well here because anything that can save us from the heat is marvelous. But of course, they are pretty too!

#5 COLLAGEN HOTPOT

Collagen has been a trend for a long time. However, collagen in steamboats or hot pots have only been popular recently. With the most popular being Tsukada Nojo, the collagen is first served in a jelly form and it will slowly liquify into a collagen soup over high heat, resulting in a creamy, rich broth that is so sweet and addictive.

#6 FLAVOURED LAVA CAKES

From red velvet to matcha to all kinds of interesting flavours. We always welcome a classic molten chocolate lava cake, but these unique creations can be great too – but it all depends on how good the pastry chef is.

#7 ICE CREAM ROLLS

Ice Cream Rolls first became a thing when people started sharing cool videos of street vendors making it in countries such as Thailand. When Hari Raya season rolled up, people started setting up booths, and the queues were almost an hour of wait! Now, you can see permanent stores in a few places in Singapore selling this cool new technique of serving ice cream.

#8 JUICE CLEANSE – COLD-PRESSED JUICES

Whether juice cleanses actually work, it is subjective and varies from consumer to consumer. This year, there was a sudden influx of cold-pressed juice places in Singapore. However, juices like these can be pricey, so if you want to splurge, make sure you are truly disciplined to adhere to the programme for optimal results.

#9 KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN

This needs no introduction because it is basically everywhere and it is a trend that we foresee will stay a long long time. With so many restaurants specialising in this dish in Singapore, that shows just how much Singaporeans love this classic Korean dish. And, give us beer please.

#10 SALTED EGG YOLK EVERYTHING

Well, we would not say this is a new trend but rather, an ongoing one and one that is so strong this year. Salted Egg Yolk brings life to just about any dish and truth be told, we can never get sick of it. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken, Squid, Prawns… anything. We love them all!

Read: The Best Salted Egg Yolk Dishes in Singapore.

#11 SHIBUYA THICK TOAST

Thick toasts were first made popular on social media by Taiwanese cafe chain, Dazzling Cafe when they opened its doors here in Singapore. Now, so many cafes and dessert parlours have started to serve and further popularise it. And yes, they are very photogenic.

#12 SOFT-SERVE ICE CREAM

This is nothing new but 2015 has seen a spike in people going for soft-serve ice cream as more and more restauranteurs start to get creative with flavours and plating. The Korean ones are usually very well received too.

#13 CHURROS

Churros aren’t new for sure, but Singaporeans have fallen head over heels in love with them this year alongside the sudden influx of churros stalls/ kiosks sprouting out in Singapore. Are you a fan of the classic ones with cinnamon sugar, or the Korean versions with lots of fillings on the inside?

That moment when the lava oozes out of a Molten Lava Cake is almost unbeatable. We are all familiar with a chocolate lava cake, served warm with a center that gushes out once you cut it open.

What most do not know is that there are so many more flavours of lava cakes out there just waiting for you to try. We picked out the bests of many to share with you the best unique lava cakes in Singapore.

From Matcha to Peanut Butter, Misugaru (Korean grain) and Mao Shan Wang - here is a list of the 10 most unique lava cakes in Singapore. Now, it is time to explore!

#1 ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO. – RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

This might look like the most boring or mild of the lot, but we can assure you that the cake itself is top notch. The cake did not taste overpowering with either chocolate or raspberry, and ABC managed to balance out all the flavours nicely in their Raspberry Chocolate Lava Cake (S$9). The warm cake will go perfectly alongside an iced cuppa.

118 Killiney Road
#01-01
Singapore 239555
Tel: +65 6444 8130
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#2 EAST 8 – MOLTEN LAVA PEANUT BUTTER DARK CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

It was exciting digging into this beauty. While the cake (S$15) looked simple on the outside, molten warm peanut butter flows out magnificently upon digging in. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is not new, but we loved how East 8 took the road less travelled and grabbed the opportunity to create this stunning lava cake.

10 Coleman Street
#01/21-22
Singapore 179809
Tel: +65 6338 8289
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm- 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: City Hall

#3 FYR CYCENE OND DRINC – PISTACHIO LAVA CAKE

Served with pandan ice cream, this dish has all the goodness of a perfect molten lava cake, minus the richness of chocolate. Good news for those who do not like decadent cakes! The distinct flavours of cinnamon added a nice touch to the dessert and the subtle hint of pistachio was weaved in together nicely. FYR’s Pistachio Lava Cake (S$10) has kept us longing for more.

19 Boon Tat Street
01-01
Singapore 069619
Tel: +65 +65 6221 3703
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#4 FIVE & DIME – GOLDEN CUSTARD LAVA CAKE

Five & Dime were one of the first to hop onto the salted egg yolk bandwagon by introducing their Golden Custard Lava Cake (S$12). Anything that oozes out with salted egg yolk goodness gets our heart, and Five & Dime totally aced this dessert dish.

Five & Dime’s Golden Custard Lava Cake is listed in our guide to 18 to-die-for salted egg yolk dishes in Singapore.

297 River Valley Road
Singapore 238338
Tel: +65 9236 5002
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#5 HAHA THAI – RED VELVET LAVA CAKE

We were surprised to see a Thai restaurant serving lava cake, let alone Red Velvet Lava Cake (S$10.80) with a side of coconut ice cream! The cake looked unnervingly red when it first reached the table, but just like any good red velvet cake, the Red Velvet was subtly sweet with a distinct chocolatey taste. The refreshing coconut ice cream cuts the richness of the cake to make it more palatable.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Rd, #05-29
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 9437 0443
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#6 ICE EDGE CAFE – MAO SHAN WANG LAVA CAKE

The Mao Shan Wang Lava Cake (S$14.80) at Ice Edge Cafe shall be the Archilles’ heel for all durian lovers. The cake itself was surprisingly light and far from overwhelming. We made it even more badass with a scoop of Mao Shan Wang ice cream to be served with the lava cake. Best decision ever.

2 Kovan Road
Singapore 548008
Tel: +65 6858 5729
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Kovan

#7 OSIA – VALRHONA HOT CHOCOLATE SOUP

This simple molten lava cake is served alongside black pepper ice cream. Yes, you heard us right. Black pepper. Somehow the marriage of black pepper ice cream with a classic chocolate cake worked perfectly well. Don’t worry, it is still safe for the kids.

Resorts World Sentosa
26 Sentosa Gateway #02-140/141
Singapore 098139
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#8 SYNC KOREAN TAPAS BAR – MISUGARU LAVA CAKE

The Misugaru Lava Cake (S$8.90) is made up of 10 different Korean grain that bears a taste primarily made up of barley and lotus. This is probably the ‘healthiest’ tasting of the lot – significantly lighter on the palate, and nothing overly “heaty”. We love that it is topped with fruits for a kick of acidity!

12 Maju Avenue
Serangoon Garden
Singapore 556690
Tel: +65 62820612
Daily: 3pm -12am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

#9 TO-GATHER CAFE – MATCHA LAVA CAKE

Matcha has always been a popular flavour and To-gather Cafe has gained some popularity with their take on a Matcha Lava Cake (S$7.20). The matcha flavour was distinct, and it makes such a pocket-friendly option!

Blk 84 Bedok North St 4
#01-27
Singapore 460084
Tel: +65 6445 1011
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

#10 VIOLET HERBS – VALRHONA CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH TRUFFLE OIL

When you are dining at Violet Herbs, make sure to get the Valrhona Chocolate Fondant (S$16). The surprise of this dessert lies in the fact that it comes with truffle oil – an unexpected ingredient that actually makes the dessert even more fragrant.

81 Tras Street
Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area
Singapore 079020
Tel: +65 6221 3988
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

Trends come and go, and there are always new fads to love. Cafes are aplenty, and we have no lack of options. There are all kinds of menus, each with their own signatures and special dishes.

But some things stay gold forever, and we welcome them at any time of the day.

Whether it is a slice of rainbow cake or a stack of fluffy pancakes, we’ve noticed the longstanding love culminating in everyone for these hipster foods.

We are rounding up the 8 well-loved hipster food that are commonly found at cafes. They not only make everyone travel to the ends of the island just to satisfy that burning craving, but also get the most likes on Instagram.

BASSASS BURGER

What every man needs. ‘Nuff said. More cheese oozing out on the sides, please.

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE

We’ve seen countless of Instagram videos and photos for this. Hot, liquid-y rich chocolate flowing out from a cut-up chocolate cake. Shut up and take our money!

Read our guide to Singapore’s best chocolate lava cake.

EGGS BENEDICT

We all love a good poached egg with runny yolk. And that dope Hollandaise sauce that is creamy to a fault? Yes, please.

LATTE

Maybe you are not too big a coffee fan. But a cup of quality brew with pretty latte art? That’s definitely going up on our Instagram.

Read our guide on Singapore’s best independent coffee shops.

PANCAKES

A stack of fluffy goodness always does the trick. We love a generous serving of pancakes – flavoured or not. Topped with fruit bits and drizzled with some chocolate or caramel sauce, of course.

RAINBOW CAKE

Not for the fact that we are obsessed with getting likes on Instagram, but what is to not love about a pretty cake that can easily lift our spirits?

Read our guide on Singapore’s best rainbow cakes.

WAFFLES

Just as satisfying and one that we will never get sick of is waffles. Why, wouldn’t you go weak in the knees if that pretty thing is served with a scoop of ice-cream?

Read our guide on Singapore’s best waffles.

MUSEO Restaurant & Bar is a great masterpiece.

If you haven’t heard, there is this enchanting restaurant that sits on the mezzanine level of Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove, and it is known as the “Art on the Isle”. The divine combination of art and culinary take our breath away every single time, and each visit still charms us like never before.

It is like Picasso and Warhol had joined forces and blessed this space with their artistic flares. Filled with magic and astounding surprises at every corner and in every detail, MUSEO is one of the most romantic restaurants in Singapore. Its notably fine culinary execution makes the restaurant a perfect venue for dining – celebrate a special occasion here, or treat yourselves to an unforgettable night of arm jamming and regale cuisine.

Because dining at MUSEO is one sexy choice that you must not miss for the world.

First up, a little fun fact about MUSEO that we recently learned about. MUSEO is a unique restaurant with an in-house creative director who is also a talented Interior Designer, and he has channelled his love to the conceptualization of the restaurant. Evidently contemporary with elegant European touches, MUSEO is predominantly black with notes of posh glassware and sparse florals.

The all-occasion venue is a recurrent choice for events, weddings, proposals and dates. And this is no surprise. You don’t always find a restaurant in Singapore that exudes such desirability and comes with a view of the Marina to boast. By day, the restaurant is filled with sunlight and the chinaware glistens like gems; by night, the low-light setting calls for a romantic dinner for two.

Like its sister restaurant, Arteastiq, MUSEO has a dedicated area for art jamming where you can put your inspirations and artistic talents to good use. Sit down with a pot of house tea and work your thing on a canvas that you get to bring home after; yes to couple activities, and no more boring afternoons, right?

And we have to tell you how addicted we are to their signature Lychee Tea (S$11). The cold option is a longstanding favourite. With a strong infusion of the subtropical fruit, this tea quenches thirst best, and the mild sweetness lingers like a sweet dream. If you need your dose of alcohol, there are several fascinating cocktail choices.

Before having dinner, have a cocktail by the bar. The presentations of the cocktails at MUSEO have been elevated to be visually striking in keeping with its Arts themeWe tried the Passionfruit Sling (S$18) and Autumn Sweater (S$20) – the former is a tropical-flavoured concoction with whole passion fruit, cachaca, lemongrass and lime, all from Brazil; the latter is mysterious with warm notes of apricot and maple, paired with whisky, and sits with autumn leaves and crisp dried flowers.

The refreshing cocktails aside, MUSEO has also just introduced a new wine list which features wines from Australia, France, New Zealand, Spain, Italy and America.

The food menu is no less impressive. The fusion selection is appealing beyond its mere fancy creations, for you would be no less impressed than we were when the dishes are served to you. MUSEO’s chefs have insanely fantastic plating skills! Every dish is like a work of art, and simply true to the brand’s philosophy on art.

For starters, get a pot of Black Mussels & Clam (S$28) to share. They toss pretty tasty salads too. The Mezzanine platter is outstanding – for S$42, you get a delightful mix of Singapore’s local favourites with a modern touch. Or customise your own set at S$44, where you get to choose four out of eight items. Our pick is Picasso’s Blues – deep fried prawns flavoured with Lavender.

Now, the main courses. Where do we begin from? We had quite a feast and every item left an impression on us. The Two Way Lobster (S$38) is new on the menu, and MUSEO gave the most popular crustacean a twist by preparing it ala “Thermidor” style and with seafood otah stuffing.

The Truffle Mushroom Risotto & Hokkaido Sea Scallop (S$35) is also new, and it is our newfound favourite at MUSEO – plump rice cooked in parmesan cheese and fragrant truffle, together with even plumper scallops that are seared with a slight char. Brilliant!

We also tried the Squid Ink Linguine & Octopus (S$38), and while there is nothing extraordinary about the linguine, we savoured every piece of the grilled octopus that was perfectly complemented with the salty egg cream sauce. Sauteed Spinach to complete, for a varied texture and, you know, Mom says we must have our greens.

Carnivores can opt for the Sous Vide Beef Short Rib – at S$40, you get a whole smokey rib to yourself. Definitely the most value-for-money option in the new menu! Also a dish that surprised us was the Grilled U.S. Short Rib Boneless of Beef (S$40), which the ladies might prefer over the whole rib. Generous chunks of short rib carefully prepared with a beautiful shade of pink, soft and almost fork-tender, served with stalks of crunchy asparagus, lumps of sushi rice and an addictive and sweet homemade teriyaki sauce.

And no one is leaving without desserts. We know how difficult it is to pick only one when everything on the menu is so tempting, but we’d help with your dilemma. Go for the Vodka Chocolate Lava Cake (S$13). It is a true crowd-pleaser, and worry not, that amount of hard liquor ain’t enough to get you drunk. The Caramelized Banana Custard (S$15) comes sitting pretty in a waffle tulip shell, so that makes a fair option too.

Else, we can always count on the MUSEO Cheese Cake on Chocolate Soil (S$15). Served with garden berries, this reminds us of a flowerpot dessert, and we truly enjoyed the copious amount of chocolate soil!

Fans of MUSEO would be pleased to learn about their 30% off all main courses during lunch hours on weekdays. More reasons to visit the restaurant again, because the substantial discount means we can dine to our hearts’ content without having our wallets take a beating. If the regular price for the lobster is S$38, it would then be S$26.60. And the whole rib would be only S$28!

On regular times on a daily basis, there are a couple of set menus for you to indulge in as well. Have an alternative afternoon tea over snacks and tea – at S$58 for 2, cosy up with a mezzanine signatures platter and choice of two beverages from the specialty teas range, coffee or cioccolata. Go for the $65 for 2 option if you want a dessert to share too.

MUSEO’s “Luscious Dinner” is a 4-course set at S$68++ per person, and you get to customize your set with your favourites from Mezzanine, Mezzanine Premium, Entrees and Desserts menu. Available daily from 6-9pm, this makes a pretty grand choice and your date will be very impressed.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit MUSEO before, here’s a video to show you how the gorgeous the restaurant is.

And for those who are planning ahead to celebrate Christmas, MUSEO is offering its Christmas menu — 4-course set at S$79++/pax, 5-course set at S$92++/pax — from 8 to 25 Dec 2014. Highlights include Lobster Bisque, MUSEO’s signature Mezzanine platter, Boston Lobster Thermidor, and Black Forest Log Cake.

For the latest updates, head over to mu-se-o.com and ‘like’ MUSEO on its Facebook page.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

MUSEO Restaurant 
31 Ocean Way #01-22
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6734 8066
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by MUSEO Restaurant.

Eating out in Singapore is getting considerably expensive. Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to find a restaurant that serves good food at reasonable prices.

When I was at The Clan Restaurant for dinner, I was surprised to find out that it not only dishes out an extensive menu – with offerings of cold dish, side dish, soup, main course and dessert – that you really cannot go wrong with, but it is also relatively inexpensive given the quality of the food.

Under the cold dish category, our party tasted most of the dishes, and everyone agreed that the Beef Carpaccio ($20) was a terrific choice. The pairing of well-marbled beef slices and truffle mustard salad with truffle teriyaki & horseradish sauce made for a winning combination.

The other favourite of the table was Alaskan King Crab ($22). It stood out with its light homemade Karashi dressing that allowed the freshness of the crab to shine through.

The Chef’s Starter ($18) – a trio of foie gras chawanmushi, seared scallops with truffle foam, and hamachi with ponzu – is also a good way to start the meal.

After sampling the cold dishes, we progressed to side dishes of Deep Fried Foie Gras ($18) with balsamic reduction and cheese focaccia, Kurobuta Pork Belly Confit ($15) with pork cracker and passion fruit sauce and Steamed Razar Clam ($15) drizzled with Japanese sauce, and Herb Crusted Mushroom Escargot ($15). Among them, the standout dish was the Kurobuta Pork Belly Confit, while the Foie Gras was disappointing as the deep-fried batter overwhelmed the foie gras.

The Clan has main courses like Spiced Braised Lamb Shank ($29), 48 Degree Poached Salmon with Japanese broth ($27) and Pan Seared Cod Fish ($29). But what you must order is the 48 Hours Beef Short Ribs served on hoba leaf and lava stone. Everyone was gushing when the waiter served the dish to the table. It was outstanding, and undoubtedly the highlight of our dinner. Another commendable dish from the menu is the Duck Confit ($26) with plum mustard, and truffle mashed potato.

Sweet treats include a Madeira Cheese Panna Cotta ($10), Chocolate Lava ($10) with homemade gelato, Triple Espresso Crème Brulee ($10) and the excellent and highly recommended Chan La Royaltine Chocolate Cake ($11).

The Clan Restaurant
1 Selegie Road, #02-01 PoMo
Singapore 188306
Tel: +65 6222 2084
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

It has been a while since my last visit to Relish by Wild Rocket, so I went there for lunch during a weekend, and I am happy to report that their burgers are still very good – Relish remains one of my favourite burger joints in Singapore.

The branch at myVillage at Serangoon Garden has huge glass panels which allow light to shine thorough. It is a comfortable space and I can see myself going back more often. Most of the burgers are priced between $14 – 18, which I have to say is excellent value for the quality.

The Wild Rocket Beef Burger ($14.80) is just as good as I had remember it to be. I love burgers that are highly stacked with lots of ingredients, but sometimes, all we need is a simple and good burger. Which is why I found this burger — a medium-rare beef patty sandwiched between two toasted bun, with arugula, sarawak pepper cream and sun-dried tomato relish — perfect. This is the definition of a good and no-frills burger.

With its delicious char siew soft-bone pork topped with a secret char siew sauce on a homemade foccacia, the BBQ Char Siew Open Pork Burger ($17.50) is also one of my favourites.

Other burgers on the menu include: Blue Cheese & William Pear Beef Burger ($18.50), Chicken Satay Burger ($14.60), Bacon & Cheese Beef Burger ($16.40), and a Soft Shell Chilli Crab Burger ($15.60), which was surprisingly tasty.

If you don’t feel like having burgers, there are several main courses – such as Grilled Pork Chop ($20.90), Spicy Corned Beef Spaghettini ($15.80), Green Curry Seafood Shepherd’s Pie ($17) – on the menu.

Be sure to save room for desserts. I swear by their Strawberry Cheesecake ($9) – Wild Rocket’s signature dessert – a deconstructed cheesecake which is served in a glass. It is so good that I will not go to Relish without ordering it.

The Dark Lava Chocolate Gateau ($12.80) is also worthy of a spot in my list of best chocolate lava cake in Singapore. The pandan-infused Panna Cotta ($8) with gula melaka is also an interesting option.

Relish by Wild Rocket
1 Maju Avenue
#02-07/09 myVillage at Serangoon Garden
Tel: +65 6634 3422
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Skirt at W Hotel Singapore has been winning raved reviews since opening a few months ago, so I had to check it out to find out for myself. Indeed, the restaurant lives up to the hype, and it has rocketed to become my favourite steak restaurant in Singapore. It is a top-class steakhouse with middle-range pricing.

At the entrance of the restaurant, there are “aging cabinets” which contain choice meats alongside specialty cuts of milk-fed lamb and venison. For those who like to have a drink before having dinner, the bar tucked at one end of the restaurant offers bespoke cocktails. The restaurant itself is elegant and stunning. It is classy, yet not pretentious; it gives off a cool and hip vibe effortlessly.

We started our meal with the Tuna Tartar ($28) with avocado and wasabi; and Iberico Pork Belly with Bean Cassoulet ($20). The former was decent, but unremarkable. The latter saw chunks of pork belly with white beans and carrot in a pork broth made with pork loin and spices like star anise, cinnamon and honey.

Next, we had the delightful Grilled King Prawns ($25) from the grilled picadas menu. Fat, juicy and fresh prawns were split and generously peppered, then put to grill, producing a hint of smokiness and a lot of sweetness for our indulgence.

The Seared US Scallops ($35) – with dashi, apple and Jamon – are what dreams are made of. Plump and meat, they were the easily the biggest scallops I have ever had. This was my favourite starter.

And the highlight of our meal – steaks. Skirt has an impressive selection sourced from Australia and USA: Blackmore Australian Full Blood 9+ Wagyu, Tajima Australian Crossbred Wagyu, Creekstone Farms USDA Corn-fed Black Angus, Cape Grim Australian Grass-fed Angus, and Donald Russell Irish Grass-fed Aberdeen Angus. Prices range from $35++ to $158++, and most of the steaks are priced below $60.

The 250g Blackmore Wagyu Skirt Steak ($48) is one of the most popular options on the menu. We had the Tajima Australian Crossbred Wagyu, a 25 Day Dry Aged Ribeye ($70/140 for 250g/500g). It was a good piece of meat prepared at the highest level. We enjoyed every bite.

The other steak that we tried was the chef’s special ‘Skirt Steak Sandwich’ – a Blackmore Australian Full Blood 9+ Wagyu Tenderloin served with beetroot and Jamon. This was an off-the-menu item which is reserved for regulars and those in-the-know. If you plan to try this dish at your next visit to Skirt, inform the chef and I am sure they will be glad to prepare it for you.

And oh, did I mention about the sides and condiments? Unlike other steakhouses where the sides tend to be over-priced, the ones here are decently priced between $5-12.

The steaks are served with seven condiments – Red Wine & Marrow Sauce, Peppercorn Sauce, Horseradish Cream, Bloody Mary Butter, Cherry Tomato Relish, Blood Orange and Tarragon Bearnaise Red Chimichurri and three kinds of mustard. In addition, they also come with six different types of salt: garlic salt, beef salt, rosemary salt, Hawaiian red salt and smoke salt.

While steaks are the main focus at Skirt, the restaurant also offers quite a few main courses on the menu. The Braised Dorper Lamb Leg ($45), Dover Sole ($50), Cinnamon Poached Maine Lobster ($85) and Iberico Pork Skirt ($40) are tempting options.

We went for Skirt Beef Wellington ($58) because not many restaurants in town do this dish well. Beef tenderloin coated with pate encased in a crispy puff pastry; it was faultless. That said, while Skirt’s rendition was executed perfectly, I am not sure if I would pay for this. I am not a fan of Beef Wellington to begin with. Moreover, some of the steaks on the menu are more appealing and affordable.

The Toasted Honey Meringue ($18) came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. It came in the form of coconut and pineapple ice cream on a digestive biscuit base, topped with a beautiful sheet of pineapple jelly and meringue.

We also had a Warm Venezuelan Chocolate Mud Cake ($18) with poached wild strawberry and tarragon. Other desserts include: White Chocolate Parfait ($18), Chocolate Forest Cake ($18) and Crepes with Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Lava ($15).

A meal at Skirt need not be expensive if you order wisely. Their signature 250g Skirt Steak is only $48, and other affordable cuts include a 250g Irish Grass-fed Sirloin ($35), and the 250g Cape Grim Australian Ribeye ($42). In conclusion: if you love steaks, you must make a trip to Skirt at W Hotel Singapore.

Skirt Steakhouse
21 Ocean Way, W Hotel
Tel: +65 6808 7278
Tue to Sun: 7pm – 12 midnight
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

Daniel Boulud’s name is synonymous with fine dining in New York, and his signature Manhattan restaurant DB Bistro Moderne at Marina Bay Sands needs no introduction.

While the general taste is not fantastically out of the world, the food is always consistently good. These days, sadly, even the better restaurants have neglected this point. There is nothing more disappointing than to return to a restaurant only to find that your favourite dish is not as good as before. And it is especially not acceptable at fine dining restaurants where we have to pay so much for a meal.

However, this is not the case at DB Bistro Moderne. we have dined there on many occasions and we are glad to say that they have always maintained a high standard.

The Wild Mushroom Soup ($15) came first. It was decent, but nothing much to speak about. This was followed by the Seared Foie Gras ($39) with a brioche toast and spiced apple marmalade. The foie gras was a mouthful of delicious richness bite after bite. I would be hard-pressed to find a better one in town.

The Lobster Salad ($36) – with avocado, tomatoes, green beans, artichoke and basil aioli – while good, was nothing fantastic. DB Bistro also features other salads such as the Frisee Salad Lyonnaise ($24), Roasted Beetroot Salad ($25), Iceberg & Blue Cheese ($23).

For appetisers, we would recommend the Ratatouille ($20). The classic vegetable stew was hearty and very comforting. It was the perfect start to the meal and whetted my appetite for the main courses.

Rested on a bed of greens – tomatoes, artichokes, carrots and salsa verde – the Line Caught Tuna ($39( was meaty and very fresh.

The Saffron Tagliolini ($24 appetiser, $36 main course), on the other hand, did not leave a strong impression. It was not mindbogglingly good, but it was decent with the delicious spanner crab. The other pasta option on the menu is the Tagliatelle Nero ($24 appetiser, $36 main course), but if I was you, I would skip the pastas and go for the main courses.

Coq au Vin ($34), a traditional French dish, is one of the highlights of the menu. DB Bistro’s rendition was very good. I would strongly recommend to go for this.

Our favourite dish was DB Bistro’s Duck Confit ($36), cooked so that the skin was crisp, but the meat tender and flavourful, and served with savoy cabbage and olive oil crushed potatoes.

The DB Burger ($42), pictured in the first photo, also lived up to its name. A juicy and superb burger with seared foie gras in the middle. This was heaven on a plate. Definitely one of the best burgers around. That said, I am not sure if I would pay so much for a burger.

We had the Australian Flank ($45) and USDA Prime Ribeye ($80). The former was pretty decent, but in no way comparable to the latter. The ribeye was tender and full of flavour, with a good proportion of fat to lean meat. If I close my eyes, I can still imagine the tender steak. The fries were excellent, too.

For their winter menu, DB Bistro had a Chestnut Souffle ($15). It was nicely paired with a blackcurrant sorbet, which provided a good counterbalance to the hot chocolate sauce. However, on a recent visit, we found out that it was replaced by a Durian Royal Souffle ($15) with mangosteen sorbet.

We also sampled the Chocolate Passionfruit Fondant – a luscious mix of the rich and sweet dark chocolate with a slightly sourish passionfruit.

The de-constructed Apple Mille-Feuille ($15) — apple confit, phyllo dough, mascarpone mousse, green apple sorbet — was also delightful with its contrast of textures and flavours.

If you are too full for desserts, you must at least order the Madeleine ($8) for the table to share.

A meal at DB Bistro Moderne, I must say, is not cheap. But it offers an excellent value considering that it is all delivered well on the plates in a sexy venue. For those who are on a budget, go for their pre-theatre dinner (5.30pm – 7pm) at $68++/pax for a three course prix fixe menu.

DB Bistro Moderne
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-48 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Tel: +65 6688 8525

Mon to Fri (Lunch): 12pm – 5pm
Sat & Sun (Brunch): 11am – 5pm
Sun & Mon (Dinner): 5.30pm – 10pm
Tue to Sat (Dinner): 5.30pm – 11pm

Spanish food has been making big waves on the food radar, with new tapas bars popping up every month. If you are a fan of tapas, Salt Tapas & Bar at Raffles City by celebrity chef Luke Mangan is one place that you should check out. It serves Aussie-style tapas with the freshest ingredients.

Many people have the perception that Salt Tapas & Bar is very expensive. This is true. Most of the tapas are in the $20 to $30 range, and you can easily spend at least $100 for a meal here. But what you might not know that it has a fantastic lunch set for just $33.50++/pax. It includes a flat bread to share, and 3 tapas per person. When you consider the fact that most of the dishes on the set lunch menu are from the ala carte menu, you will agree that it is a very good deal.

The set lunch menu is essentially a scaled down version of the main menu. Both are divided into different categories: ‘Nibbles’, ‘Butcher’, ‘Garden’, ‘Sea’, ‘Paddock’ and ‘Sweets’, Below are some of the dishes that we ordered from the set lunch menu. I have also included the ala carte portion prices.

Salt Tapas & Bar has several options under their ‘Garden’ menu which include Heirloom Tomato Salad ($11), Beetroot & Red Capscium ($12) and a Rocket & Pear Salad ($9).

We started off with a superb Tuna Tartare ($19 for small, $27 for large) with wasabi mayo and ruby grapefruit from the ‘Sea’ menu.

We also had the Crispy Soft Shell Prawns ($15) with chilli and garlic aioli, and while it was not a scene stealer, it did not disappoint with its crisp and crunchy texture.

Another dish that was even more addictive than the Soft Shell Prawns is the Salt & Pepper Squid ($20) with lime mayo. The crunch squid was well-seasoned with salt and pepper, and it was perfect with lime mayo. Simply put, I’d not leave Salt Tapas & Bar without trying this.

From the ‘Paddock’ menu, we had the Wagyu Sausage, Sumac Spiced Veal and Confit Pork Belly. The Confit Pork Belly ($27) with lentils and chorizo was a let-down. It was a tad too tough and not as tender as I’d hope it would be.

The Wagyu Sausage ($14 for small, $25 for large) with polenta, capers and tomato was good, but what stood out was the accompanying polenta. We suspect they added in a lot of cream and butter to give the polenta a creamy and smooth and velvety texture. Also good was the Sumac Spiced Veal & Meatballs ($14 for small, $22 for large) which came with a very yummy fontina mash.

Desserts are also worth a mention. Not many places serve good churros in Singapore, and if you have been looking for it, you must try Salt Tapas & Bar’s Churros & Chocolate ($11). It is one of the few that has managed to impress me so far.

You also cannot go wrong with the Gooey Hot Chocolate Tart with caramelised banana and white chocolate ice cream ($14).

Salt Tapas & Bar
252 North Bridge Road
#01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6837 0995
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Wimbly Lu Chocolate Cafe is a dessert place located in the residential area at Jalan Riang. Part of Wimbly Lu’s charm is that from the moment you walk in, it strikes you as a quaint, whimsical kind of place. It is ideal for whiling away a few hours with friends.

From the menu, you can tell that Wimbly Lu’s forte lies in desserts. While the savoury menu ($3.50 – $13) only includes several options such as Tuna Cheese Melt, Lasagna and Baked Rice with Chicken and Mushroom, the dessert department ($3 – $8.50) has many more choices like Brownie, Eclair, Orange Flourless Cake, Hazelnut Butterscotch Bar, Molten Lava Cake, Root Beer Cake, Waffles and Tiramisu.

The most popular choices are the Waffles and Root Beer Cake with vanilla ice cream. Both are absolute must-tries.

Wimbly Lu has the best Waffles ($8.50 with a scoop of ice cream) in town. I have had it on several occasions and I am impressed by its consistency – it is always crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. My only gripe is the tiny portion of the ice-cream. It would be great if they gave a bigger scoop of the delicious homemade salted caramel ice cream.

The Root Beer Cake ($6) with vanilla ice cream is also a winner. Combining root beer and cake is a brilliant idea and it makes me wonder why nobody had thought of doing it earlier. It has a distinctive root beer flavour and when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, there is only one word to describe it – heavenly.

My partner thought that their pancakes ($7.50 with a scoop of ice cream) were run-of-the-mill, but I felt that it was pretty decent. That said, I’d probably not order it again as the waffle was so much better.

Chocolate lovers should not leave without trying Wimbly Lu’s Molten Lava Cake ($6) – another exceptional dessert. At just $6, it is one of the cheaper chocolate lava cake around, and offers great value.

There were a couple of misses too, though, such as a pedestrian Sticky Date Pudding and a very disappointing Bread and Butter Pudding which we left untouched after a spoonful or two.

We could not agree on the Chocolate Creme Brulee ($5). For me, it was slightly too dense for a creme brulee while my partner has been craving for it since we had it a while back because she likes how the slight bitterness of the chocolate blended so well with the otherwise predictable sweet dessert.

Potent on first look, and in fact a bit threatening, but it was quite a false alarm. The Blackout Cake ($6) disappointed us quite a bit with its moist (or lack of) body, and our impression of a chocolate cake really should be richer. Still, if you do not mind a simple slice of sweetness, this should suffice.

Wimbly Lu has become our favourite to-go place for desserts, we go there all the time and so far, we have tried almost all the items on the menu. We love the cosy and intimate atmosphere, and the fact that all the desserts are so reasonably-priced. While some of the desserts did not impress, the waffle and root beer cake are reasons enough for us to return time and again.

Wimbly Lu Chocolate Cafe
15-2 Jalan Riang
Tel: +65 6289 1489
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm

For more recommendation, please read my post on Best Desserts in Singapore

Located just a few units away from Pepperoni Pizza of Les Amis fame, one would question the viability of Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria at Binjai Park which similarly dishes up Italian classics. We were torn between safe and adventurous and were glad to be rewarded for picking Capri.

A waiter greets us at the door and leads us to a cosy corner. It’s homely and inviting and we instantly fall in love with this charming little Italian restaurant. Capri is as authentic as can be, with an artfully-styled brick-laid walls decorated with paintings reminiscent of what a restaurant in Italy would be like.

The menu features an affordable array of appetisers ($10-$18), pasta ($20-26), pizzas ($16-25) and mains ($26-148) including a tantalizing-sounding Florentine steak ($148). We asked for recommendations, and were pointed out more than half the menu. We’d like to think that is because the chef has got them all perfected.

The soup of the day was a stunning Seafood Soup ($10). The piquant tomato base with bold crustacean notes whetted our appetites. We appreciated the generous portion of seafood – prawns, clams and squid – that were sufficiently fresh to leave us wanting more.

And so more seafood we had, in our next dish of Scialatielli di Capri ($24). Baking in a parchment paper isn’t exactly our favourite cooking method for the way-past-al-dente noodles which lacked the satisfying bite and chewiness of a good pasta dish.

Touted as a must-try, the Ricotta e Pera ($10) fell short of expectations. While the biscuit crust and creamy ricotta was a fun contrast of textures, the taste came across as a tad one-dimensional.

We know a good squid ink pasta when we taste it, and the Ravioli al nero di seppia ($22) certainly fulfilled all the criteria for one. Said to be simmered over 6 hours, the viscous, unctuous sauce was a star of its own but eaten with the seafood and mascarpone ravioli brought this dish a notch higher.

The Lava Cake ($10), on the other hand, was phenomenal. Rich, warm and decadent molten chocolate beneath a crisp, almost wafer-like layer of baked chocolate cake, the theatrics that came with it – being set ablaze when served – was worth an order in itself.

We loved the food, but it was unfortunate that our experience was marred by the preferential service to the extent that we noticed even difference in the portions of our food; on a second visit our order of tagliere all italiana, unlike the opposite table, came with a single slice of parma ham and meagre pieces of burrata, and our lava cake didn’t come flaming (yes we still can’t get over that). But overlooking the patchy service, the chef’s passion is apparent through the attention paid to the preparation of Capri’s dishes. While portions weren’t exactly hearty, flavours are strong yet well-balanced. Capri’s definitely a gem of a restaurant and a welcome addition to the Bukit Timah area.

Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria
3 Binjai Park
Tel: +65 6468 4886
Daily: 12 noon – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Words and photographs by Sarah Lim.

This guide to the best chocolate lava cakes in Singapore was last updated on 14 April 2015.

Molten chocolate cake, warm chocolate cake, hot chocolate fondant, chocolate lava cake – call it whatever you want, a warm molten chocolate lava cake with a scoop of ice cream is immensely satisfying, and a must-order whenever we see it on the menu.

Here is a guide to the best chocolate lava cakes in Singapore.

#1 CHOCOLATE ORIGIN

The chocolate lava cake from Chocolate Origin is decent, but not extraordinary. However, there’s really nothing to complain about when it is only $5. It is worth a try if you want a quick fix in town.

313 Orchard Road
#B3-10A 313 @ Somerset
Tel: +65 6884 4019
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#2 CHILI’S

Only two words to describe Chili’s Molten Chocolate Cake ($15) – gigantic and immensely satisfying. If you love chocolate lava cake, you must try the one from Chili’s.

163 Tanglin Road
#02-23 Tanglin Mall
Singapore 247933
Tel: +65 6733 3317
Nearest Station: Orchard

#3 EMBER RESTAURANT

It is not a secret that Ember at boutique hotel 1929 has one of the best set lunches in Singapore. But what many do not know is the restaurant also does a very good Chocolate Molten Cake ($14).

50 Keong Saik Road
Hotel 1929
Singapore 089158
Tel: +65 6347 1928
Nearest Station: Outram

#4 FIVE AND DIME

Absolutely brilliant. A molten chocolate lava cake with a salted egg yolk custard center… This tastes as good as it sounds; it makes you wonder why other places did not come up with this wonderful creation.

297 River Valley Road
Tel: +65 9236 5002
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#5 LA CANTINA

The only reason why we would travel across Singapore and go all the way to La Cantina in Changi for a meal – other than to have the signature crabmeat linguine – is the Chocolate Lava Cake ($9.50). This should speak volume of how good it is.

1 Netheravon Road
#08/09-02 Changi Village Hotel
Tel: +65 6546 9190
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

#6 MAX BRENNER

What else do we need to say? The picture above tells it all. Max Brenner’s Chocolate Souffle ($16) is sinful, and so damn good. Definitely one of the best in town.

8 Raffles Avenue
#01-06/08 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6235 9556
Sun to Thu: 10am- 10.30pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#7 MEZZA9

mezza9 has a slew of delicious desserts – such as banana & nutella crepe (S$15), stone fruit tart (S$17), and pink lady apple tart (S$17) – but our favourite is definitely the Chocolate & Praline Fondant, which comes with a scoop of caramel ice cream.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Mezzanine Level
Tel: +65 6730 7188
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 MORTON’S STEAKHOUSE

At $30, Morton’s legendary Hot Chocolate Cake is not cheap. And of course, many people will be put off by the price. Is it really worth paying $30++ for a chocolate lava cake? As compared to most places that only charge $15 tops, it sets all wondering if in direct proportion, is Morton’s rendition truly twice as good?

Morton’s version is, hands up (pun intended), one of the best, if not the best chocolate lava cake you can get in Singapore.

Yes, you heard us right. Hall of fame standards. It is that good.

5 Raffles Avenue
4F Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 6339 3740
Mon to Sat: 5.30pm – 11 pm
Sun: 5pm – 10pm

#9 MUSEO

MUSEO is an enchanting restaurant that sits on the mezzanine level of Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove that works perfectly for all occasions. By day, the restaurant is filled with sunlight and the chinaware glistens like gems; by night, the low-light setting calls for a romantic dinner for two.

If you are looking for a place to have afternoon tea with your girlfriends, MUSEO is just the place to go. Get the Vodka Chocolate Lava Cake (S$13). It is a true crowd-pleaser, and worry not, that amount of hard liquor ain’t enough to get you drunk.

MUSEO’s vodka chocolate lava cake is also listed in our guide to the best chocolate lava cakes in Singapore.

31 Ocean Way #01-22
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6734 8066
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#10 OSIA

Over at Osia Resorts World Sentosa, they serve a slightly different rendition in the form of a soup. Yes, that’s right, a CHOCOLATE SOUP!

Osia’s Hot Chocolate Soup ($22) is one of the signature items on the menu. For regulars, it is a must-order dessert to end the meal, while we know of many new customers come to Osia just to try this.

8 Sentosa Gateway
Level 2 Crockfords Tower
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6560
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Thu to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#11 QUAYSIDE FISH BAR & BISTRO

Quayside Fish Bar is one of our go-to places for good quality seafood in Singapore. Besides daily fresh imports of wild-caught seafood and fish from different parts of the world, Quayside Fish bar also serves excellent desserts.

In particular, we love their White Truffle flavoured Chocolate Lava Cake (S$12). What makes the chocolate lava cake here different from the rest is that it is lightly drizzled with truffle oil, giving it a distinctive and pleasing scent.

31 Ocean Way #01-11
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6268 8633
Tue: 9am – 12 midnight
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 9am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#12 RELISH BY WILD ROCKET

Relish’s Dark Lava Chocolate Gateau ($12.80) – which comes with flambe banana and vanilla ice cream – always hits the spot.

1 Maju Avenue
#02-07/09 myVillage at Serangoon Garden
Tel: +65 6634 3422
Nearest Station: Seragoon/Lorong Chuan

#13 THE CONNOISSEUR CONCERTO TCC

This may come as a surprise to some, but The Connoisseur Concerto does a very good Dark Chocolate Cake ($11). In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it is among our top 5 chocolate lava cakes in Singapore. If you are a regular, be sure to try it next time.

3E River Valley Road, #01-01
Clarke Quay
Tel: +65 6336 1121
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11am – 4am
Sun to Thu & PH: 11am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#14 WIMBLY LU

Wimbly Lu is one of our favourite places for desserts. They have an impressive selection – such as the popular waffles and root beer float cake – but what we will go back for again and again is the Molten Lava Cake ($6).

15-2 Jalan Riang
Tel: +65 6289 1489
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 11.30pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Lorong Chuan/Serangoon

#15 WOOLOOMOOLOO STEAKHOUSE

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse’s Hot Chocolate Cake ($25), also known as the sore-throat inducing dessert, is one of best in town. It is pricey for a dessert, but trust us, it’s worth every cent.

2 Stamford Road
Level 3 Swissotel the Stamford
Tel: +65 6338 0261
Daily: 12pm– 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best desserts that you must try in Singapore.