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.

If you are a seafood fanatic and are especially mad about crabs, here is a piece of fantastic news for you. We have another crab buffet in the house! With over 12 different crab-cooking styles and a myriad of crab-inspired dishes, Penang St Buffet’s upcoming crab feast will drive you crazy! Featuring signature dishes like Salted Egg Yolk Crab, ‘Tau Chiu’ Crab, Penang Chilli Crab, Nonya Kapitan, Curry Crab and other crab dishes such as Special Crab Beehoon, and Crab Bisque – are you salivating yet?

From 31st July to 31st August 2015, Penang St Buffet at Causeway Point will be holding their inaugural halal Crab Madness Buffet – eat all you can crabs? Yes, count us in! And our Muslim friends are not left out!

It is definitely a crab extravaganza that you should not miss out on! Other than its gastronomical spread of crabs in different flavours, diners can also indulge in an array of cold seafood such as Fresh Oysters, Scallops, Salmon Sashimi, Mussels, Lobsters, Prawns all presented gorgeously on their ice bar.

Without further ado, let us give you a preview of the goodness you can expect at Penang St Buffets Crab Madness Buffet.

Salted Egg Yolk sauce is undoubtedly a crowd favourite, especially so for us Singaporeans, and many of us love it when seafood is tossed in this sauce. The Salted Egg Yolk Crab at Penang St Buffet is a definite highlight, and its buttery and rich flavours will leave you longing for more. Well technically, you can have as much as you wish!

The Claypot Crab Beehoon is another local favourite. Not only can patrons sink their teeth into the succulent crab meat, they can savour the soup that has retained most of the crab sweetness. The base is specially prepared with chicken broth, then boiled with crab meat for an additional dose of flavour.The result – we absolutely could not stop singing praises about.

And we love the usage of thick vermicelli. The best way to enjoy this dish is to slurp the vermicelli while enjoying the sweet broth! Don’t worry, everyone will be doing the same so you won’t be judged.

The Butter Crabs at Penang Street Buffet boast a rich, creamy texture and are topped off with curry leaves for an elevated fragrance. For those who are fans of butter-based sauces , soak the crab meat in the gravy if you are set on mopping the plate clean.

An icon of Singapore, and a dish to look out for on the buffet line. The Black Pepper Crab is freshly steamed and drenched with a sauce that is slow cooked with chopped onions, tomatoes and capsicums. Best eaten with fragrant white rice, of course!

Nothing beats a good old plate of chilli crab, but the Kampong Crab with Chilli from Penang St Buffet – though prepared slightly differently – is no less satisfying. In fact, this rendition is the closest to that of Penang-style chilli crab. With a sauce that is sweeter than the ones we have here in Singapore, this dish reminds us of the Malaysian yummies we have tried.. It is definitely as authentic as it can get. And yes, your favourite fried mantous are served alongside.

Are you thinking what we are thinking? It is party time!

The Nonya Kapitan Crab is an unexpected highlight of our crab buffet experience. With a sauce so robust in flavours, it totally whet our appetites and we could not stop eating. The fleshy crab claw is best enjoyed when dipped into this sour and spicy gravy,. We urge you to go straight for this flavour to kick start your experience at the Crab Madness Buffet.

The Curry Crab is another dish worth mentioning. With an addictive spicy flavour that jolted our taste buds tremendously, we say you fill up a plate of piping hot steamed rice, and drown your rice with the curry. No, really. The crab claw can wait for now because the curry is so damn good.

Even though the chefs at Penang St Buffet are masters in a plethora of cooking methods, they also remember those who just want a simple crab dish where patrons can savour the natural sweetness of the crab. Just crack open the claws and be greeted with delicate and soft meat, best consumed with their homemade chilli concoction.

Cooking with bean sauce is essentially a Cantonese’s favourite way of preparing seafood, as with the Malaysians.. They call that the ’Tau Chiu style’, and Penang St Buffet did a marvelous job in introducing their crabs in this style. Their crab with bean sauce is stir-fried with thick and gooey gravy, with added garlic and chopped chill for a hint of spiciness.

Presenting to you, the stuffed crab with cheese. Crab meat is stuffed into the crab shell, sprinkled with mozzarella cheese, then popped into the oven. Well, you cannot really go wrong with cheese, yes? Now, picture this – you dip your forks into the crab shell and pull out strings of cheese with chunks of crab meat. Yes, you are welcome.

Another Penang St Buffet creation is the Mongolian Crab, cooked in a unique house sauce. The peppery and buttery dressing proved to be an interesting combination resulting in an unexpectedly zesty Mongolian Crab that is almost hard to stop at just one helping.

What is a crab buffet without some hearty crab bisque? Brewed with fresh crab meat, the bisque spots a thick consistency and an aroma that is simply irresistible.

What is a Penang styled buffet without some classic Penang local delights? Dishes such as the Penang Prawn Noodles and Penang Rojak will also be available, adding the cherry on top of your experience at the Crab Madness Buffet. A free flow supply of drinks, cakes, ice creams and desserts is also available to round up your dinner.

Penang St Buffet’s halal-certified Crab Madness Buffet ($59.90++ for adults and $19.90++ for children on weekdays, $65.90++ for adults and $20.90++ for children on weekends) is only available for dinner from 31st July to 31st August at two dinner time slots a day.

Session 1 customers will be entitled to a 10% discount from Mondays to Thursdays. What better way to enjoy some family time than to bask in the presence of a delectable range of seafood?

Email Reservations@GDGroup.com.sg to make your reservations.

Penang St Buffet
Causeway Point
1 Woodlands Square
Singapore 738099
Session 1: 4.30pm to 7.15pm
Session 2: 7.30pm to 10pm
Nearest MRT:  Woodlands

This post is brought to you by Penang St Buffet.

Unlike the other regions of Singapore, the North is still relatively new to the cafe scene. If you are a long-time resident of the region, you might have been perplexed with the lack of cafes and faced with the need to constantly travel out for an added variety of interesting eats.

Thankfully, the Gods have heard our prayers and many new cafes have begun to sprout in certain corners of the Northern District in Singapore. You will be surprised to find some of these places taking root near neighbourhood estates which are really accessible and easy to spot.

Here are some of our picks on cafes to visit in the North in Singapore.

#1 BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Baker’s Brew Studio is a sanctuary for the baking enthusiasts in Singapore. It does not have a dine-in area, but you can takeaway their freshly baked creations such as as the famed Paddlepop Cheesecake (S$6.80) and macarons!

Baker’s Brew Studio
No. 6 Jalan Tampang
Singapore 758950
Tel: +65 9069 5096
Daily: 10:30am to 10pm
Nearest MRT: Sembawang

Here’s our guide to 27 cafes in the West of Singapore and we hope that it will spark some venturing out and give you some ideas on where to eat out at next.

#2 CANOPY GARDEN DINING & BAR

If you are looking for the right cafe to chill out while enjoying some serenity away from the bustling city, then this would be it. The menu at Canopy is not the most impressive, but the array of egg-related dishes should suffice to please. Do try out their Egg Sardou (S$21) – poached eggs served on artichoke hearts and truffles drizzled with an overflowing amount of hollandaise sauce.

Outdoor seats are available so you can bring your fur-kids along!

Bishan Park II
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 6456 6556
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat to Sun, Eve of PH: 9am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#3 DOUBLE SCOOPS

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.

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

#4 GRUB

At Grub, diners will be able to enjoy a dining experience amidst the gorgeous greeneries of the park. Instagram enthusiasts will also be thrilled to know that the idyllic cafe boasts a great stream of natural lighting which would be perfect for a gorgeous photo. Dishes to try are the Mentaiko Fries (S$9) and their GRUB cheeseburger (S$19).

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 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.

Bishan Park 1
Blk 510, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569983
Tel: +65 6459 5743
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 4pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#5 GRIN AFFAIR

At the Bishan Outlet, Grin Affair offers its expanded menu. Having known for their cakes in a jar, the cafe wowed us further with their Soy Meringue Waffles made with healthier ingredients such as soy milk, whipped egg whites and canola oil. Diners can go for either the sweet or savoury waffle options where ingredient choices are aplenty. Other special mentions go to their Durian and Lychee Passion cakes in a jar.

Blk 505D, Bishan St 11, #01-408
Singapore 570505
Tel: +65 8222 2678
Mon: 5pm – 10pm
Tue to Sun & PH: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

#6 HOLY COW CREAMERY

Holy Cow Creamery opened its doors last year. Being one of the leading cafes in Yishun, it has become a hit with the residents there and even those who do not reside in the district.

This humble ice cream parlour serves fresh homemade ice cream, with unique flavours that are bound to tickle your taste buds such as Orh Nee, Mr Potato Head and Miss Saigon at S$2.90 a scoop.

Holy Cow Creamery
292 Yishun Street 22, #01-291
Singapore 760292
Tue to Thu, Sun: 11:30am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11:30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mon)
Nearest MRT: Yishun

#7 PRODIGAL ROASTERS

Tucked away in the Yio Chu Kang heartlands is newcomer Prodigal Roasters, an independent specialty coffee shop that serves caffeinated beverages to nearby residents and basically anyone who loves a good cuppa.

The tiny cafe’s location might seem relatively obscure but is actually easily reachable within an eight-minute stroll from Yio Chu Kang MRT.

Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
#01-112
Singapore 560625
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Tue to Fri: 9am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

#8 SAVOURY

Jalan Kayu is a well-known street in Singapore, and apart from roti prata, it is also home to many established cafes and restaurants. An up-and-coming bistro in the row of shophouses that you should know about is Savoury.

For all our Muslim friends and those who are bringing their Muslim friends out for tea or a meal, Savoury offers Halal-certified mains and homemade gelato!

The bistro opens till late and there is no service charge. And most of the mains are affordably priced below S$20. This is a place where you can have a hearty meal without breaking the bank.

246 Jalan Kayu
Singapore 799470
Tel: +65 6752 9288
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 1.30am
Sun: 12pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Sengkang

#9 THE DAILY SCOOP ICE CREAM CAFE

Established in 2004, The Daily Scoop started as a small ice cream shop in Clementi Arcade, and it has currently three more outlets at Chip Bee Gardens, School Of The Arts, and Sembawang Cottage.

The smooth Kaya Ice Cream (S$3.50) at The Daily Scoop tickled our local taste buds and left quite an impression. Other unique flavours include their Passion Pinada made with a trio of tropical fruits – Pineapple, Passionfruit, and Mango.

#01-05 Sembawang Cottage,
Singapore 758382
Tel: +65 6754 1233
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm

#10 TWENTY GRAMMES

Essentially a dessert cafe and ice cream parlour, Twenty Grammes has been constant in serving up quality ice cream, great waffles and unique flavours. It first started with a space along North Bridge Road, and it has recently opened a new cafe in Ang Mo Kio.

529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-2353
Singapore 560529
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

#11 WORKBENCH BISTRO

This industrial stylised cafe at Ang Mo Kio serves affordable cafe fares priced below S$20, such as their Crab Meat Linguine (S$16) and all-time favourite Beef Burger (S$14). The cafe brews coffee from Dutch Colony beans, which we know can never go wrong. Workbench Bistro is also known for their array of ice creams that are bound to pacify the meanest sweet tooth.

Blk 332, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, #01-1881
Singapore 560332
Tel: +65 8484 2488
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mon)
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio

#12 YAHAVA KOFFEEWORKS

With numerous coffee machines and beans on display, Yahava Koffeeworks would be any coffee lover’s dream place to be. This Australian Coffee Chain serves coffee from single origin beans sourced from different parts of the world, with various pastries and cakes sold to complete your drinking experience.

Free koffee tasting sessions are also available for you to customize a cuppa that is solely suited for you.

4 Jln Gelenggang
Singapore 578188
Tel: +65 6554 7080
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest MRT: Yio Chu Kang or Ang Mo Kio

The East is a lovely enclave of artisan finds, serious brews and comforting brunch food. Here is our Guide to 20 cafes in the East of Singapore: