20F Specialty Coffeehouse is a cafe that sits in the Jalan Besar neighbourhood, and is especially cosy with 4 separate sitting areas.

The cafe gets pretty quiet after meal times, so that is the best time to visit if you want to snap some great photos quietly or to read a book in peace with a cuppa. We dived right for the most unique (and popular option) here – Duck & Waffle (S$22), part of their all-day brunch menu.

The duck confit is served alongside fluffy buttermilk waffles, strawberry compote and mixed berries sorbet. It might seem odd to some that sweet and savoury are mixed together, and you will either love it or despise it.

The duck confit itself was very tasty with fork-tender meat on the inside. However, the skin was not crisp at all and the duck was overly oily. We really enjoyed the buttermilk waffles though, as they were fluffy and has a sweet aftertaste.

As for the accompanying strawberry compote, well it was a letdown as it was extremely watered down.

That said, we have also seen many singing praises of the dish, and about how they really liked the contrast of flavours. Each to its own; or maybe, we went on a bad day when the compote wasn’t well prepared.

Thankfully, our slice of Nutella Layered Cake (S$5.50) made up for everything else. The cake was fluffy and the Nutella buttercream was well-balanced without being grossly sweet.

The next time we head back to 20F Specialty Coffeehouse, we hope we would have luck with the popular Matcha Cake! It is perpetually sold out, so do call before you head down to avoid disappointment.

20F Specialty Coffeehouse
20 Foch Road
Singapore 209261
Tel: +65 6291 4940
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

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.

Fine dining is a flourishing business in London, with countless of hopeful fancy restaurants competing endlessly to be at the forefront of this extravagant trade. From United Kingdom’s highest restaurant to the regular hangout of Kate Moss, these extraordinary places will make your dining experience worth every pound. Here are 5 of the best fine dining restaurants in London that you must dine at.

Duck and Waffle

Dining at Duck and Waffle is truly an extravaganza. Upon entering Heron Tower, feel your pulses quicken as you are transported to the 40th level in 12 seconds. Its prime location on the 40th floor and offers an unrivalled panorama view of the capital of United Kingdom. What is most astonishing is that the modern European restaurant-cum-bar is open 24/7!

As its name suggests, Duck and Waffle’s signature dish is Duck and Waffle – A tender duck confit complemented with a fried duck egg and maple-strewn waffle. Photography is prohibited when celebrities happen to dine in the restaurant.

Heron Tower
110 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 4AY
Tel: +44 20 3640 7310
Daily: 6am – 11am, 11.30am – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street

Gauthier

Gauthier Soho is a multi-award winning restaurant that offers marvelous food at very affordable prices. Their prices remain humble despite having been featured in reputable press such as The New York Times and being bestowed a Michelin-star in 2011.

Believe it or not, two-course set lunches at Gauthier start from as low as £18 per head! The French brasserie is located in a homely setting and patrons have to ring the doorbell before being led upstairs to the dining area. Gauthier Soho certainly deserves to regain its Michelin star for its excellent food, gorgeous interiors and lovely staff.

21 Romilly Street
London W1D 5AF
Tel: +44 20 7494 3111
Mon: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square

Hakksan

Hakksan was the first Chinese restaurant to be awarded a Michelin-star and till this very day, its prestigious star remains. Famous designer Christian Liaigre is the brainchild behind the dimly lit grand dining area, which grants patrons a sense of romantic intimacy.

Hakksan’s classy ambience and impressive dishes have revolutionized Londoners’ impression of Chinese food. The menu consists of traditional Cantonese cuisine with a Western twist. Start with their four-style dim sum platter, which consists of mouthwatering delicate fusion dumplings.

8 Hanway Place
Fitzrovia, UK W1T 1HD
Tel: +44 20 7907 1888
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 12.30am
Thu & Fri: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 12.45am
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 4.30pm, 6pm – 12.45am
Nearest Station: Green Park/Bond Street

Pearl Liang

British restaurant critic Giles Coren had given this thumbs up on Pearl Liang’s lobster noodles a few years ago and till date, the dish remains a hot favourite. After having a few bites of the aromatic dish, we had to agree with him.

Chunks of fresh lobster meat and chewy noodles dipped in the fragrant thick sauce had us sold. While prices are slightly steep (expect to pay two times more than what you pay in China Town), the aesthetics do make up for it. End your meal with the delicious deep fried chrysanthemum custard buns, which comes in a set of three.

8 Sheldon Sq
Paddington, UK W2 6EZ
Tel: +44 20 7289 7000
Daily: 12noon – 11pm
Nearest Station: Paddington

The Wolseley

While we will never be royals, the nearest experience of being one would be dining at The Wolseley. The grand European café’s stunning Venetian-Gothic architecture was once home to a prestigious car showroom in 1921.

Today, it is famed for its breakfast menu, especially the eggs benedict. During high tea, your eyes are in a treat as assortment of fluffy sandwiches, jam-filled scones and sweet cakes are stacked onto three tier stands. British celebrities are in favour of this glorious place and Kate Moss is the most frequently spotted one.

160 Piccadilly
Mayfair, UK W1J 9EB
Tel: +44 20 7499 6996
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Green park

About the writer
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.