Bugis is a popular hotspot for numerous attractions; from brightly coloured murals to hip cafes for scrumptious brunch, significant cultural sights and 2 huge malls to shop till you drop.

After taking in all the sights under Singapore’s burning sun, spending some time in an air-conditioned environment while savouring a dessert is very much well-deserved.

Whether you need a quick break or just need a pick-me-up, here are 13 Desserts Around Bugis To #TreatYourself.

Photo Credit: Edith Patisserie

#1 BUBBLE TEA TARTS

Edith Patisserie has created Bubble Tea Tarts (S$8.50) that are made of handmade almond tart shells and a luscious tea-infused ganache that come in three flavours: Milk Tea, Thai Milk Tea and Matcha. The highlight of this dessert is, of course, the boba tea pearls that add an element of delightful chewiness and excitement to the decadent tart.

Not only are these tarts highly Instagram-worthy, but they are also incredibly gooey and a satisfying treat that is worth all the calories.

Edith Patisserie
772 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 198740
Tue – Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 10am – 2pm
(Closed on Monday)
Tel +65 6443 7150
Nearest Station: Lavender

#2 ARTISANAL PIES

If all pies tasted like the ones from Windowsill Pies, we’d gladly eat humble pie any day. This cosy little cafe along Haji Lane will make you do a double-take with their storefront display of alluring pies.

Their pie selection ranges from bright fruity delights to intense chocolatey decadence. Awaken your tastebuds with their Coconut Lime Vodka Pie (S$7.50), brimming with zingy citrus sweetness undercut by a mild alcoholic accent. Their Chocolate Truffle Pie (S$7.50) is equally formidable with its power combo of cocoa and truffle mushroom.

Windowsill Pies
17 Haji Lane
Singapore 189210
Tel +65 9772 5629
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 8pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#3 UNIQUE ICE CREAM

Tom’s Palette creates some of the most whacky and funky flavours of ice cream in Singapore. These unique ice cream flavours constantly attract curious customers into their shop.

With creative ice cream (S$5 for a 4oz cup) flavours such as Pipagao, Pineapple Tart, Mala Chocolate, and even Nasi Lemak, this ice cream shop has brought fun back into the icy sweet treat and has us looking forward to their next unique flavour creation.

Tom’s Palette
51 Middle Rd, #01-01, Singapore 188959

#4 EGGLET WAFFLES AND ICE CREAM

Lickety Ice Cream & Waffles is a Halal dessert cafe serving a crispy egglet waffles that pair beautifully with their rich ice cream. The ice cream comes in tasty flavours such as Earl Grey and Fig, Cotton Candy Bubblegum and Taro Yam & Coconut.

The egglet waffles come in two different choices: Buttermilk and Red Velvet; for those who can’t decide they have an option to have Half and Half, whereby you get to have both flavours in one egglet waffle!

A half & half egglet waffle with your choice of a single scoop of ice cream costs an affordable S$8.50.

Lickety Ice Cream & Waffles
34 Bussorah St
Singapore 199452
Tel +65 6291 7670
Mon – Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: All Things Delicious

#5 FLAVOURED SCONES

All Things Delicious is a Halal favourite along Arab Street for their tasty lunch meals, quick bites and wide selection of baked goods. Amongst the light bites and baked goods are their flavoured scones which have won hearts all over Singapore.

With scones coming in flavours such as Lemon Blueberry Scones and Gula Melaka Scones, these baked goods are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside; plus, they even heat it up for you to enjoy them at their best.

All Things Delicious
34 Arab St
Singapore 199733
Tel +65 6291 4252
Tue – Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat – Sun: 9am – 7pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bugis

#6 LOCALLY-INSPIRED CUPCAKES

With locally inspired cupcake flavours such as Teh Tarik Cupcake, Durian Pengat Cupcake and Putri Salat Cupcake (that even comes with glutinous rice on top), the cupcakes at Fluff Bakery are priced at S$4 each and not to mention they are Muslim-owned too!

Moist and light, Fluff Bakery’s artisanal cupcakes are a sweet indulgence that makes for a great reward after a long week at work.

Fluff Bakery
4 Jln Pisang
Singapore 199071
Tel: +65 8251 1353
Tue – Sat: 12pm – 7.30pm
Sun 11am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bugis

#7 RAINBOW CAKE

The Rainbow Cake (S$8.90) at I am… has made many rounds across social media since its launch. Not only is a slice of this cake generously huge in portion, but it is also filled with luscious cream cheese that complements the dense and vivid layers of cake too.

This Muslim-owned establishment also has a plethora of scrumptious food selections too, which makes I am… a go-to eatery within Bugis.

I am…
674 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 188804
Tel +65 6295 5509
Mon – Thu: 9am – 11pm
Fri – Sat: 9am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe

#8 BINGSU

Shaved ice always makes for the perfect dessert when the sun is out and bearing down its scorching rays of sunlight upon us. Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe serves sweet and icy Bingsu that are ideal for sharing with a group of dessert lovers.

For something more traditional, order the Black Sesame Bingsu (S$15.90) or their Injeolmi Bingsu (S$12.90). The Chocolate Banana Bingsu (S$13.90) and Cheesecake (S$15.90) are more contemporary favourites amongst regulars.

Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe
534 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 188749
Tel +65 6268 8220
Daily: 11am – 6am
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: KANE MOCHI

#9 MOCHI ICE CREAM

Combining the very best of both worlds, KANE MOCHI serves Mochi Ice Cream that is both wonderfully cold and chewy. Offered in a variety of exciting flavours such as Melon, Thai Iced Thea, Milo Vanilla and even Durian, customers are invited to pick any 3 flavours for S$6.20.

KANE MOCHI
201 Victoria Street
Bugis+ Link Bridge, #02-50
Singapore 188067
Tel +65 6509 1915
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#10 CHENDOL SOFT SERVE

OVERRUN.SG serves creamy soft serve ice creams that are ideal for a hot day out. Rich in flavour and covered in a huge portion of toppings, this Muslim-owned ice cream shop is most known for their Chendol Soft Serve (S$6).

OVERRUN.SG also offers soft serves in other mouth-watering flavours such as Salted Caramel Banana Soft Serve (S$8) that are loaded with cookie crumbs and a bittersweet Durian Soft Serve (S$8).

OVERRUN.SG
18 Baghdad St
Singapore 199657
Tue – Thu: 12pm – 8.30pm
Fri: 2pm – 10pm
Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 12pm – 8.39pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bugis

#11 FUSION CROISSANTS

Asian-inspired croissants with the perfect honeycomb texture? Sounds way too good to be true. Try it for yourself at Brother Bird Bakehouse, which dishes out impeccably flaky croissants of the most unique flavours. Mochi croissants, churros croissants and cruffins – you name it, they have it.

Slice open one of their croissants and you’ll be greeted with anything from black sesame lava to “orh nee” paste. With flavours rotating every month, you’re in for a surprise every time.

Brother Bird Bakehouse
32 Bali Lane
Singapore 189868
Tel +65 9800 7628
Wed – Mon: 12pm – 9.30pm
Tues: 6 – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#12 TRADITIONAL CHINESE DESSERTS

This humble little eatery popped up in Fortune Centre pretty recently and we’re so glad they did. Yat Ka Yan Dessert serves up comforting family recipes that taste straight out of your grandma’s kitchen.

Their range of Chinese desserts sees anything from black sesame paste to steamed egg pudding. But, take it from us and get their Chendol (S$3.20). You’ll be swept off your feet by the shaven ice drenched in thick coconut milk, rich gula melaka syrup and sweetened whole red beans.

Yat Ka Yan Dessert
190 Middle Rd, #02-08, Fortune Centre
Singapore 188979
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm

#13 ARTISANAL PASTRIES

Get transported into a cosy little Parisian cafe at Mother Dough, a Halal bakery-cafe that churns out arrays of impeccable, artisanal pastries. You’re bound to get lost in the mounds of fresh bakes set before you, but set your sights on their croissants. This cafe has certainly mastered the art of this tedious pastry.

Flawlessly flaky, buttery and crisp, their Almond Chocolate Croissant ($5.20) is stuffed with rich, luscious chocolate and frangipane cream. A generous studding of almonds seals the deal.

Mother Dough
749 North Bridge Rd, #01-01
Singapore 198717
Tel +65 6909 6604
Tues – Sat: 11am – 6pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

The Korean food scene in Singapore has been on the rise over the last couple of years. This is not a surprise for many of us since Korea has been riding on the tidal wave of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, and we all love Korean products.

Nipong Naepong has been on our little red dot for over a year now, satisfying the cravings of numerous Korean food enthusiasts with scrumptious Chinese-Korean cuisine. As Singapore’s first “ppong” specialty restaurant, the restaurant has seamlessly fused flavours inspired from around the world with impeccable flair.

For the uninitiated, jjamppong (ppong in short) is a Korean noodle dish typically served with spicy meat and/or seafood.

If you have been wanting to try jjamppong from all the K-Dramas you have been watching, drop by Nipong Naepong today! Two different amazing deals await,  too!

LUNCH DEAL AND OFF-PEAK HOUR PROMOTIONS

Presenting customers with the ultimate steal for Nipong Naepong’s dishes, a selection of ppong is paired with a glass of grapefruit or citrus ade for S$12++ to S$15++. This lunch deal happens on Mondays to Fridays from 11am to 2pm!

Diners will be able to satisfy their cravings and experience unique combinations of jjamppong that will take their tastebuds on a fiery, flavour-packed journey.

Unable to head to a Nipong Naepong outlet during lunch hour? Fret not, they also have discounts during off-peak hours on weekdays for their à la carte items! The discount increases by 10% with every hour—from 2pm to 3pm à la carte items are 10% off, from 3pm to 4pm they are priced at 20% off, and during the last hour at 4pm to 5pm à la carte dishes are 30% off!

Offering customers a wide selection of flavours and textures of the Ppong, there are soupy, creamy and dry varieties to cater to a myriad of preferences. We tried a diverse selection of their dishes to help you decide which dish is the perfect one for you.

THE PPONG

Dedicated to offering their diners with the most authentic flavours and food quality, Nipong Naepong ships all of their noodles, sauces and soup stocks directly from the franchise’s central kitchen in South Korea for the sake of authenticity.

CHA PPONG

Touted as the traditional and original form of jjamppong, the Cha Ppong (S$15.80) has a flavourful broth filled to the brim with jjolmyeon (Korean wheat noodles) and ingredients such as mussels, squid, prawn and quail eggs.

Cha Ppong is a crowd pleaser that offers a pleasurable spicy kick which adds further depth to the seafood broth. This is the dish for people who enjoy ramping up the heat; customers are able to choose the level of spiciness they prefer for their Cha Ppong, between level 1 and level 2 spice.

TAE PPONG

Inspired by Thailand’s Phad Thai, Tae Ppong (S$15.80) is a mildly sweet and spicy version. Wok-fried to enhance the dish, the ingredients come with a smoky aroma that raises the savoury flavours of the seafood.

Our table enjoyed the Tae Ppong for its creative take on Thai cuisine.

TOM YUM PPONG

The Tom Yum Ppong (S$14.80) a new one to the menu, and is Nipong Naepong’s take on the recognised Thai dish and comes in a cream sauce!

Cream sauce is typically heavier on the palate, but this dish carries the familiar fragrance of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and spice to cut through the creaminess. Tom Yum lovers will not be disappointed by this dish.

VONGOLE PPONG

Steeped in a bed of fresh seafood and spiked with white wine, the Vongole Ppong (S$16.80) will win the hearts of seafood lovers; it is served with generous portions of plump and briny clams.

Whole cloves of garlic are also used in the dish to heighten the savoury flavour profile of the Vongole Ppong.

RO PPONG-ROJE

Nipong Naepong has married the wonderful flavours of tangy tomato sauce and the richness of cream sauce in their Ro Ppong-Roje (S$17.80).

This “pink” sauce ppong will please every pasta fan; it truly has a complementary richness and freshness of both sauces to satisfy everyone. It is even topped with a substantial helping of mozzarella to make the Ppong even more lavish and incredibly mouth-watering. This was a favourite at our table.

SALAD PPONG

Presenting light and refreshing flavours for a wholesome meal, the Salad Ppong (S$15.80) is filled with a colourful variety of mixed vegetables, succulent seafood and chewy jjolmyeon covered in sweet chilli dressing!

The Salad Ppong is both sweet and savoury all at once and is even covered in a blanket of parmesan cheese; an appetising and well-rounded meal indeed.

RISOTTO

Spinning their own twist onto Italian Risottos with their signature sauces and soup stocks shipped from South Korea, Nipong Naepong keeps it classic with Arborio rice to maintain a delectable richness to the dish.

SPICY KEU RISOTTO

Drawing a mild level of heat from chilli oil that is combined with cream sauce, the Spicy Keu Risotto (S$15.80) will tantalise your tastebuds with the burst of flavours from the drool-worthy smoky aroma of the wok-fried seafood.

SOI CHICKEN RISOTTO

Providing diners with an explosion of umami flavours, the Soi Chicken Risotto (S$11.80) is a dish the children will love, especially with the pile of bonito flakes that it is topped with.

This risotto is yet another innovative Thai-influenced flavour that is presented with chunks of soy seasoned chicken and deep-fried shallots. This is also one non-seafood alternative on the menu for those who may not fancy shellfish.

PIZZA

South Korea is known for its creative take on pizzas with interesting combinations of toppings that the rest of the world would never have thought to put together! Nipong Naepong rides on this creativity while adding their own originality and flair to it.

NINAE PIZZA – SPINACH

Seamlessly marrying savoury and sweet flavours, the Ninae Pizza – Spinach (S$18.80) is topped with a large helping of fresh spinach leaves, juicy cherry tomatoes, dollops of cream cheese and just the right amount of drizzled honey. To enjoy our slice of pizza, the staff recommended that we roll it up!

We could not help but be amazed yet again by Nipong Naepong’s creativeness. The tortilla base provides a salty foundation that is complemented by the velvety texture of the cream cheese and cut by the sweetness of the honey. The vegetables also adds a layer of freshness to the palate.

NI PIZZA – SWEET POTATO

Finish your meal with the Ni Pizza – Sweet Potato (S$16.80). A favourite among customers for the velvety smooth sweet potato puree, this addictive pizza comes with a helping of homemade whipped cream to dunk your slice into before enjoying the myriad of flavours dancing in your mouth.

We were told that the best way to enjoy this pizza is to fold it like a slice of New York pizza and scoop the whipped cream up with it.

313@somerset
313 Orchard Rd
#B3-03 313@somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6509 8364
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Jem
50 Jurong Gateway Rd
Jem #01-16
Singapore 608549
Tel: +65 6816 8061
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by Nipong Naepong.

It’s finally TGIF after a really hard week and your crew is looking for a spot in town to unwind because it’s a central location for everyone. Or maybe it’s time for a celebration and it’s your turn to plan where to go. Perhaps, you’re just looking for a place where the food’s impressive, the ambience is cosy and the drinks are super affordable. In so many ways, Oriole Coffee + Bar has got you covered.

From 1 April to 31 May 2019, every dine-in party of five and more will receive a non-alcoholic welcome drink with every main ordered—as long as someone pays with a Mastercard. Mastercard holders are also entitled to 15% off on all a la carte items at Oriole Coffee + Bar.

On top of that, Oriole Coffee + Bar sweetens this deal from 1 April to 31 May 2019 by throwing in an all-day promotion for full pints of Kronenbourg Blanc going at S$10 nett all day long! Do note that both promotions perks are not valid with other promotions, vouchers, or discounts in the same transaction.

Whether you are a coffee connoisseur, an alcohol aficionado or just someone who appreciates a hearty brunch, Oriole Coffee + Bar has something for everyone. The cherry on top of the cake is their strategic location right in the heart of Somerset, making it an incredibly accessible and central spot that is perfect for gatherings with your friends and loved ones.

S$10 NETT PINTS OF KRONENBOURG BLANC

Nothing brings a group of people together like a round (or ten) of drinks. Whether it is a long-awaited gathering amongst a group of friends, a post-work unwinding session with your colleagues or just simply cracking a cold one with the boys (or girls), a little bit of booze to go with the bantering has always been the perfect way to bond.

Oriole Coffee + Bar recognises that and will be having an all-day promotion for Kronenbourg Blanc from 1 April to 31 May 2019, where each pint will be going for just S$10 nett, all day long. This gives you even more reason to destress and have a mid-day drink with some friends!

WELCOME DRINKS WITH EVERY MAIN COURSE WHEN YOU DINE IN A GROUP OF 5

If you’re planning to go in a large group, we have even better news for you! From 1 April to 31 May, if you dine in groups of 5 and above, you will receive a non-alcoholic welcome drink with every main ordered when you pay with Mastercard. Take this as a sign for you and your pals to finally have that much-needed meet-up session!

Do note that both promotions are not valid with any other discounts or promotions.

FINGER FOOD THAT’S TOO GOOD TO SHARE

One thing that we really love about Oriole Coffee + Bar is how they have a number of dishes that are great for sharing. That definitely includes their extensive range of finger foods that go incredibly well with a pint of ice cold beer!

Whether you’re looking for a fried-chicken-with-beer combo or just wanting one of Oriole’s signature light bites, Har Cheong Gai (S$16++) would be your best bet. Shrimp-paste marinated chicken wings are fried to a lovely golden-brown crisp and served with a saucer of sambal belacan that is very mildly spicy.

A staple finger food that can hardly go wrong is Truffle Fries (S$14++). Liberally sprinkled with salt, truffle oil and shaved parmesan cheese, it’s one addictive bowl of crispy shoestring fries that you’re going to have to share as much as you might hate to.

Aside from finger food, Oriole Coffee + Bar’s extensive menu has a plethora of other scrumptious dishes that are great for sharing among friends. With mouthwatering options such as Philly Cheese Tenderloin Sandwich (S$22++), Cubano Meatwich (S$18++) and Triple Cheese Pizza (S$18++), you will definitely be left spoilt for choice.

HEARTY MAINS

If you can’t make up your mind, we recommend getting the Pumpkin & Feta Cheese Pizza (S$20++) which features an assortment of delicious and fresh-tasting meatless toppings such as roasted pumpkin, arugula, feta cheese, tomatoes and caramelised onion that are scattered generously atop a hand-pulled dough base that has been stretched to delicate perfection.

For something that best encompasses sweet, savoury, soft and crunchy, you can opt to have their Chicken & Waffle (S$18++). The freshly made waffle is slathered with a savoury bacon jam and arranged neatly atop, is a massive slab of crispy fried chicken as well as a fried egg. The dish comes with a side of crème Fraiche which adds a subtle tartness and creamy indulgence when eaten together with the chicken and waffle.

The Oriole Truffle Burger (S$22++), which comes with a side of fries, has a mild truffle fragrance that immediately hits you as you take your first bite. Sandwiched between fluffy brioche buns is a stack of juicy grilled grain-fed beef patty, sautéed mushrooms, caramelised onions, melted cheese, truffle aioli, and tossed greens. Although the beef patty could have had a stronger meaty flavour, the rest of the ingredients made up for it.

If you prefer something from the ocean you can always opt for the Fish Tacos (S$22++) which are essentially battered red snapper fillets and red cabbage slaw encased in a lightly toasted taco shell. The fork-tender red snapper was encrusted in a crisp, golden brown exterior that let out a satisfying crunch when we bit into it.

For heavier meats, St. Louis Pork Ribs (S$30++) is a half-slab serving of BBQ ribs with sweet potato fries and crunchy purple cabbage slaw. The pork was tender soft and we easily pulled it off the bone. The coat of sticky kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) wasn’t too sweet and didn’t overwhelm the pork. The saucer of chilli relish it came with was a tad citrusy, lifting the heavy flavours of the ribs.

END YOUR MEAL ON A SWEET NOTE

We sang nothing but praises for their ambrosial Sticky Date Pudding (S$12++) which was the perfect way to balance out the savouriness of the other dishes. The dense pudding that lay in a pool of saccharine toffee sauce was served warm and in contrast, it was finished off with a dollop of ice cold ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery®.

This ambrosial dessert sees a dense pudding sponge, placed in the middle of a plate and surrounding it is a moat of warm, velvety toffee sauce. Indulgent, and we dare say, sinful, this dessert is finished with a huge scoop of fresh vanilla ice cream over top. The ice cream sparks a lovely contrast with the warm pudding and toffee sauce, giving you an interesting burst of sensations and flavours with each spoonful. We highly suggest that you start on the dessert once it hits the table as the warmth from the pudding makes the ice cream melt fast.

With its inviting atmosphere, central location, fantastic food and wallet-friendly drinks, what is there not to love about Oriole Coffee + Bar? A one-stop cafe located smack in the heart of town where the qualities of great brunch-style nosh, good vibes and affordable drinks cohesively intertwine, Oriole Coffee + Bar is where it’s at if you’re looking for a memorable night out with your pals.

If you’re planning to head down anytime soon, remember to take full advantage of their S$10 nett per pint Kronenbourg Blanc promotion as well as bring along a big group of friends to get your hands on some of those welcome drinks!

Oriole Coffee + Bar
96 Somerset Road, #01-01
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites (next to 313@Somerset)
Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset
G: @oriolecoffee
Website: www.oriole.com.sg

This post was brought to you by Oriole Coffee + Bar.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/03/oriole-coffee-bar-singapore/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/04/punggol-east-container-park/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/04/punggol-east-container-park/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2018 01:00:07 +0000 Dick Tan http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=154860 Continue reading →]]>

Located in far-flung Punggol East lies a hip foodie enclave formed entirely out of containers that are used to house interesting bars and bistros. Each of the seven container-restaurants you can find there boasts its own type of speciality cuisine.

Whether its crispy fish and crisps you are craving for, a good ol’ BBQ stingray or even Korean fried chicken, there is bound to be something that will tempt your taste buds over at the Punggol East Container Park.

For all of you BTO-dwellers living at the far end of Punggol, here is a list of what you can expect at Punggol East Container Park.

#1 BIG FISH SMALL FISH

Big Fish Small Fish is a humble eatery that serves up a tantalising array of fish and crisps—that’s right, crisps, not chips—that come with free-flow sauces such as cheese, curry mayo, XO mayo, tartar and more!

Choose from five different types of fish such as Dory, Tilapia, Sea Bass, Salmon and Arrow Tooth Flounder—all of which are reasonably priced.

50 Punggol East, #01-K35,
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9438 7623
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#2 BOOST @ BANKS

After a meal at either one of the container-restaurants nearby pop over to Boost @ Banks, a watering hole that doubles up as an electronic darts joint as well. Have yourself a good time with your pals as you sip on a pint of beer and possibly score some bullseyes while you’re at it.

Some of the beer choices you can get at Boost @ Banks include popular favourites such as Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Heineken.

50 Punggol East #01-K33
Singapore 828826
Sun to Thu: 3pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#3 D’GRILL

At first glance, the name might make you think of a meat-driven grill house but contrary to our initial assumption, D’Grill actually specialises in zi char fare—with a twist of course. Expect a variety of hotplate dishes from stingray to squid—all slathered in piping hot sambal sauce—and even some never-before-seen innovations such as their Hot Plate Pasta.

They also whip up a pretty satisfying chendol dessert that we assume would be perfect for rounding off the fiery meal.

50 Punggol East #01-K38
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9670 9279
Sun to Thu: 4.30pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 4.30pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#4 L’CHAIM BISTRO

If you are desperately in need of a substantial meal, then perhaps L’Chaim Bistro is not the ideal place to go to given that they only have a limited range of finger foods available.

If, however, all you want is a beer to cool off from the sweltering heat, then you will be happy to know that they carry a pretty impressive range of craft beers on tap in the likes of Bohemian Lager, Summer IPA and more.

50 Punggol East #01-K37
Singapore 828826
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#5 MIAMI BISTRO

The one thing that makes Miami Bistro stand out (apart from its Miami-themed interior) is its excellent service.

Besides serving up an array of delicious food—ranging from grilled dishes to bentos—and affordable tipples, you would be most impressed by how attentive the wait staff are and the conscious effort made by the owners to check up on customers from time to time.

50 Punggol East #01-K34,
Singapore 828824
Tel: +65 9005 9381
Nearest Station: Punggol

#6 PUMP STATION 1965 BAR & BISTRO

The second F&B venture for Macs Fong, an ex-convict-turned-restaurateur, Pump Station 1965 Bar & Bistro is a bar-restaurant modelled to look like a gas station.

This retro joint dishes out an eclectic menu of mains and tapas with a hodgepodge of local, Thai, Chinese and Japanese influences. Savour their best-sellers such as their Pump Grilled Chicken or their Smoked Duck Aglio Olio.

50 Punggol East #01-K32
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9459 7703
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 1am
Sun: 3pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#7 SEOUL GOOD

Specialising in all things Korean, this humble establishment takes pride in keeping things a hundred percent authentic—all their ingredients and products are shipped directly from Korea.

If you are yearning for something sweet, sticky and fried, we suggest going for their Korean fried chicken. Boasting sweet-savoury qualities, this bar snack is best washed down with an ice-cold beer— or even a bingsu for those of you who are not so keen on alcohol.

50 Punggol East #01-K36
Singapore 828826
Sun – Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

A good strawberry shortcake is one that has pillowy soft sponge cake with sweet and fresh strawberries, and super delicious whipped cream.

It is an old-fashioned and rustic cake that is perfect as a mid-afternoon tea break, or for a sweet ending after dinner. It is an everyday cake; one that you can always turn to when in need of a pick-me-up. Here is a list of the Best Strawberry Shortcakes in Singapore.

ANTOINETTE PATISSERIE

While Antoinette Patisserie’s Strawberry Shortcake may not stand out against the other popular creations like Antoinette earl grey cake, Chloe and Saint Honore L’amour, it is still worth a try if you like a light and fruity cake.

390 Orchard Road
#B1-08/09/10C Palais Renaissance
Tel: +65 6735 6392
Daily: 11am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

BAKERZIN

After trying so many different strawberry shortcakes, Bakerzin’s rendition ranks among the best. The sponge cake is velvet smoothy, with a good balance of flavour and sweetness.

1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-207 VivoCity
Tel: +65 6438 8700
Nearest Station: Harboufront.

CIEL PATISSERIE

The Hougang neighbourhood may seem like an unlikely place to find a French patisserie, but that is exactly where Ciel Patisserie is located. This small patisserie has a wholesome range of cakes (S$4.80 – S$5.80), and tarts (S$4.20), but what you must try is its cloud-light fluffy Strawberry Shortcake.

124 Hougang Ave 1
#01-1444
Tel: +65 6383 0803
Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun: 3pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kovan/Serangoon

FLOR PATISSERIE

This terrific cake shop at Duxton Hill has a Strawberry Shortcake ($5.5) which is really moist and fluffy. Flor Patisserie’s version is a must-have for any fan of this classic dessert. It is an ideal afternoon cake, perfect with a cup of tea.

2 Duxton Hill #01-01
Tel: +65 6223 8628
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

HOUSE

House’s strawberry shortcake ($9.5) is the one that most people mention when you ask them where to get a good strawberry shortcake. House’s rendition is sort of a cross between a cake and a muffin – it is dense, firm, and more cakey than the usual Japanese Strawberry Shortcakes.

8D Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

GLACE PATISSERIE

Glace Patisserie’s Strawberry Shortcake is the combination of incredibly soft and fluffy sponge cake with delicious fresh cream. The first time we had it, we knew we found something truly special.

12 Gopeng Street #01-33/34
ICON Village
Tel: +65 6400 0247
Mon to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

LADY M

Lady M is a luxurious cake boutique from New York City, and besides its famous original mille crepes, the Strawberry Shortcake here is also worth a try.

1 Fullerton Road
One Fullerton #01-10
Tel: +65 6820 0830
Mon to Thu: 9am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 12midnight
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

MEZZA9 DELI

One of our go to places for takeaway cakes is mezza9 deli at Grand Hyatt. The Strawberry Shortcake here is consistently good, and always lovely. And the best part? mezza9 offers 50% discount off all cakes after 9pm every night. You can get a slice of Strawberry Shortcake for just S$3!

10 Scotts Road
2F Grand Hyatt
Tel: +65 6416 7189
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SUN MOULIN BAKERY

Sun Moulin Bakery is one of the most underrated bakeries in town. We have been coming here for years, and besides their excellent Japanese bread, another item that we always get is the light and airy Strawberry Shortcake.

350 Orchard Road
Basement 1 Isetan Scotts
Tel: +65 6235 6093
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read my list of Best Dessert Places in Singapore

Everyone knows Dempsey Hill. It is arguably one of the hottest dining destinations in Singapore, with popular restaurants like The White Rabbit, Barracks Cafe and PS Cafe. But not everyone knows about Don Quijote Spanish restaurant at Dempsey. Well, I guess now we all know.

Be it a nice date with your partner; or a birthday party celebration with a big group of friends – Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is the ideal place if you like tapas, paella and sangria.

One thing to note: the original branch at Lorong Kilat is no longer in operation.

The menu is huge. From cold tapas like Mixed Platter of Ham, Sausages and Cheese ($36) and Anchovy and Piquillo Pepper on bread ($12); to hot tapas like Tortilla Espanola ($11), Calamari ($12) and Gambas Al Ajillo ($13); to meats like Ox-tail Stew ($36) and Tenderloin Steak ($39); to Paellas ($30 for small); and desserts like Leche Fritta ($9) and Warm Chocolate Cake ($19) – there is something for everyone.

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant recently launched a Market Seafood Menu where they serve “live” seafood from the market. It largely depends on what is available in the market, but the typical menu will feature a selection of fishes, lobsters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

While waiting for Sophie to arrive, Qiuting and I started with the Mejillon Al Vino Blanco – Mussels cooked in White Wine ($16); and Gambas Al Ajillo ($16) – Garlic fried Live Prawns.

The Scallop ($18) that came next were equally impressive.

For main courses, we were served a gorgeous Baked Whole Lobster ($69), and the visually pleasing Baked Whole Snapper ($45).

We stared at the baby lobster when it arrived on our table and for a moment, we didn’t know what to do. After five seconds, instinct took over and the three of us started to attack it with the fork. Om nom nom nom. It was as good as it looked.

The Baked Snapper, on the other hand, was slightly disappointing. The fish was really fresh, but we felt that it was under-seasoned.

And of course, a Spanish meal would not be complete without having Paella. At Don Quijote, there are four different Paellas: seafood, squid ink, vegetarian and meat.

The Paella de Carne ($30 Small/ $45 medium/ $60 large) came  with Beef, Chicken, Chorizo Sausages and rice cooked in a delicious saffron stock.

Even though we were quite full after polishing off the Paella, we were tempted by the highly recommended Tenderloin Steak Cubes with Blue Cheese ($20). The owner was very confident about it, and truth be told, I was quite skeptical initially. But I had to take back my words after having a cube. It was oh-my-god-yummy.

I also ordered the Chorizo Asado Barbecued Spanish Chorizo Sausage ($10) as Qiuting never had it before. It was a shame that we didn’t have room for desserts, otherwise I would love to try their Warm Chocolate Cake made with Spanish Chocolate ($19).

Don Quijote at Dempsey Hill is a nice place to go to if you are craving for Spanish food. While prices are not cheap, neither are they exorbitant – it is on par with most of the better Spanish Restaurants in Singapore.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant
Blk 7 Dempsey Road
#01-02 Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 2811
Sun to Wed: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Thu to Sat: 11.30am – 1am
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my list of best Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

Ippudo is one of Japan’s top ramen shops and there was a hype when it opened in 2009. Even till today, there are often long queues during lunch and dinner.

The founder of Ippudo, Shigemi Kawahara, is known as the Ramen King after three consecutive first place wins on a nationwide ramen-making competition where the top ramen chefs compete to create the best ramen.

Does Ippudo ramen at Mandarin Gallery live up to the hype?

Ciki and I were there for dinner on a weekday, and it was fortunate that we went early as there was a long queue waiting outside shortly after. Upon entering Ippudo, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior. Unlike the usual ramen places, the dimly lit restaurant at Mandarin Gallery, Orchard road has a modern and classy vibe.

Besides ramen, Ippudo’s menu also has other side dishes like Agedashi Tofu ($10), Gyoza ($6), Chashu Hotplate ($8) and Tonkotsu Croquette ($12). After a quick glance at the menu, we ordered the classic Shiromaru Motoaji ($15) – original recipe tonkatsu soup served with Hakata-style thin noodles, rosu chashu, cabbage and spring onion; and Karaka-Men ($17) – Ippudo pork broth with special spicy miso and ground pork.

The chashu, oh the chashu.

At Ippudo, the Shiromaru Motoaji ($15) comes with a gorgeous piece of rosu chashu (pork loin). The Hakata-style noodles are springy and delightful, while the broth is refreshing and very addictive.

It is one of those moments where you find it hard to explain how something so simple can taste so delicious.

The Karaka-Men ($17), on the other hand, has a spicy kick to it and is no less addictive than the Shiromaru.

Like other ramen shops, Ippudo has its own regulars who swear by it and visit on a regular basis to satisfy their ramen cravings. While there are also others who felt that it is overrated and not as good as the one in Japan.

I think it all boils down to knowing how to manage your expectations. Ippudo has always been known as one of the best ramen shops in Japan, and this probably explains why some people go there with ridiculously high expectations and end up being disappointed.

For me, there is no doubt that Ippudo at Mandarin Gallery is one of the best ramen restaurants in Singapore. The question is, are you willing to queue up for it?

Singapore Food Blog Review
Ippudo Ramen
333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 2797
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm

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This guide to the best truffle fries in Singapore was last updated on 22 Feb 2015.

Truffle fries are French fries tossed with truffle oil, truffle salt and parmesan cheese. Truffle oil is used to impart the earthy flavour and aroma of truffles to fries; giving it a strong smoky after-taste. It is not hard to understand why people crave for it. There is just something appealing about the exotic truffle oil – you either love it or hate it. Here is a list of the best truffle fries in Singapore.

#1 DANCING CRAB

Dancing Crab is a new dining concept by the Tung Lok Group at the Grandstand. The whole idea is that you eat seafood directly from the table with your bare hands – of course, you can use utensils or eat from the plates, but we won’t encourage that because it takes the fun away.

The restaurant offers a side of Spicy Cajun Fries (S$7) to go along with the classic seafood dishes like Fish & Chips, and Lobster Roll. But we highly recommend getting the Truffle Fries (S$7).

The Grandstand #01-20/21
200 Turf Club Road
Tel: +65 6466 3303
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

#2 HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee at Upper Thomson Road deserves a mention for the great work that it has been doing. The bistro has been around for a few years, and despite the tough competition, it shines and remains a favourite for many. The menu has a nice mix of sandwiches, brunch food, pasta, and desserts, but you must start with the Truffle Fries (S$8).

223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

#3 HOUSE

When asked about the best truffle fries in Singapore, most people would immediately think of House at Dempsey Hill. The Truffle Fries here are deep-fried to a shade of gorgeous golden-brown, and infused with quality white truffle oil.

8D Dempsey Road
#01-01 to 06 Tanglin Village
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#4 LANTERN ROOFTOP BAR

One of the most stylish rooftop bars in Singapore, Lantern at The Fullerton Bay Hotel has a great view overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront – it is the go to place to bring visitors for a drink. Be sure to order the to-die-for truffle fries.

80 Collyer Quay
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6597 5299
Sun to Thu: 8am – 1am
Fri & Sat: 8am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#5 PS CAFE

PS Cafe makes you feel cool just by dining there, and this is why it has continuously shines amid the strong competition in the local food scene. It has a well-thought menu which features simple and comfort food that always hits the spot. Something that you must not miss when you are there is the much-lauded truffle fries ($15).

45 Ann Siang Road
Tel: +65 9797 0648
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 12 midnight
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#6 SANDS SKYPARK

The truffle fries from Sands Skypark are not only addictive, but they also come with a million dollar view of Singapore’ skyline.

Infinity pool level 57
10 Bayfront Avenure
Marina Bay Sands
Nearest Station: Bayfront

#7 SUPPLY & DEMAND

With its al fresco area and a rooftop bar, Supply & Demand Modern Bistro & Rooftop Bar is a great place for a relaxing meal. They focus on Italian and South East Asian cuisines, and you may expect a combination of mouthwatering street food – from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Burma – presented in a modern way.

For appetisers, go for its Garlic Truffle Fries (S$15). Cut into huge chunks, the fries are splattered with truffle oil and topped with shaved Parmesan and roasted garlic bits. They are good on its own, but if you want something more, dip it in the spicy homemade dip.

#01-13 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 0588
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 2am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade

#8 TANJONG BEACH CLUB

Who can resist the addictive thick cut of fries perfumed with earthy black truffle and parmesan from Tanjong Beach Club? On a weekend, nothing beats having Black Truffle Fries (S$15) and a delicious cocktail while lazing by the pool.

120 Tanjong Beach Walk
Tanjong Beach Club Sentosa
Tel: +65 6270 1355
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#9 THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT

The Coastal Settlement is a perfect place to chill out with loved ones and friends in a relaxed and fun setting. In particular, you must not miss their truffle fries.

200 Netheravon Road
(Near Changi Village)
Tel: +65 6475 0200
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.30am – 12pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

Thinking about what to do on a Sunday morning? Let’s find a nice cafe for brunch, have a cup of coffee, read a book and watch the world goes by.

The once-sleepy Tiong Bahru estate seems to be coming alive as more and more cafe – Drips Bakery Cafe, Forty Hands, and Open Door Policy – open in the area.

The Orange Thimble cafe at Eng Hoon Street is one of the new additions, and it joins Group Therapy Cafe in my list of new favourite cafes in Singapore.

For now, The Orange Thimble remains a nice hidden cafe. My friends have repeatedly warned me not to blog about it, so they are probably plotting a plan to murder me as I type this. You should quickly go down before more food blogs write about it.

The art cafe is divided into five sections. Directly behind the main area, there are two small tables in the corridor leading to the backyard.

There is also a mini art gallery where you get to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the art pieces.

The food at The Orange Thimble isn’t exceptional. In fact, I wouldn’t come here just for the food. But I like the place. It has a nice vibe, and I can definitely see myself coming back to chill out with a group of friends.

The Orange Thimble Cafe in Tiong Bahru serves all day breakfast on weekends – English breakfast comes with eggs, sausages, bacon, sauteed mushroom, roasted tomatoes with toast for $11.5. Other items on the menu include: Shepherd’s Pie ($9), Egg Mayo sandwich ($8.5) and English Breakfast Burger ($5.5).

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Orange Thimble Cafe
56 Eng Hoon Street #01-68
Tel: +65 6223 8068
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm

For more recommendations, please read my list of best cafes in Singapore

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East Ocean Teochew Restaurant at Shaw Centre has always been known as one of the top restaurants in Singapore serving Hong Kong style Teochew cuisine. It is the place that most people mention when you ask them what their favourite Teochew restaurant is.

Besides serving traditional Teochew favourites, they are also very popular for their dim sum. For several months, friends have been telling me that I simply have to go there during weekend for dim sum.

I finally made a trip there recently, and the nostalgic atmosphere really reminded me of Red Star Chinese restaurant. If you are still thinking of where to go for dim sum brunch this weekend, why not check out East Ocean?

Weekends are meant for dim sum.

On weekdays, East Ocean restaurant has an ala carte menu to order from. But come weekends, staff will bring out trays of dim sum to every table for customers to choose from.

They have a good variety of dim sum, and prices range from $4.8 for a basket of siew mai, to $5.8 for the baked BBQ pork pie.

The Po Luo Bun was very good. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it is one of the best Po Luo Buns in Singapore.

Like many dim sum restaurants, East Ocean has three different kinds of Cheong Fun – char siew, prawn, and scallop. We had the char siew one; it was decent but not something that I’d stop to notice.

And of course, the famous Custard bun ($4.8) that everyone is talking about. East Ocean’s rendition was pretty good, but I don’t think that it is the best custard bun that I’ve had.

The other dim sum that we had include: Mini Crispy Egg Tarts ($5.8), Scallop Tofu ($5.8), Pan-fried carrot cake ($4.8), Steamed BBQ Pork Bun ($3.5) and Deep-fried Crispy Prawn Dumping ($5.8).

The dim sum at East Ocean Teochew Restaurant is not particularly outstanding. Moreover, prices are about the same as some of my favourite dim sum restaurants like Royal China, Paradise Pavilion and Yan Ting.

Having said that, East Ocean has a nostalgic feel, and this probably explains why it is so popular. It is quite fun to order directly from the dim sum trays going around. But like Red Star restaurant, the queue is really long during weekends. I won’t go back just for the dim sum, but I think it is a nice place to bring your friends for the dim sum trolley experience.

Singapore Food Blog Review
East Ocean Teochew Restaurant
391 Orchard Road
#05-08/09 Ngee Ann City
Tel: +65 6235 9088
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

For more recommendations, read my list of the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore

The Song of India by award winning Chef Milind Sovand is one of the best Indian fine dining restaurants in Singapore. So imagine my surprise when I found out that DEAL.com.sg has a deal that offers 35% off a scrumptious weekend buffet brunch at The Song of India for only $29 NETT (usual price $44.75).

While I love going to nice restaurants, it is impossible to spend so much on food all the time. That’s why I think DEAL.com.sg is doing a great job providing consumers with dining deals at a huge discount.

Even though I haven’t tried many Indian buffets in Singapore, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that you must try the buffet brunch at The Song of India.

From buying the coupon to using it in the restaurant, the whole process was pretty smooth. The purchased e-Vouchers were sent via email and could be conveniently downloaded as PDF to print out. When I went to The Song of India for the buffet brunch, the manager brought me to my table after confirming the e-voucher.

To be honest, I felt that the deal from DEAL.com.sg on the ala carte weekend buffet brunch at The Song of India was a steal.

For just $29 NETT, we got to dine at the gorgeous Indian restaurant, and the buffet even came with free flow of soft drinks. It even includes a $15 cash revisit voucher that can be used for lunch and dinner set menus (no minimum spending required)

I’m a scaredy cat when it comes to spicy food, so it was really a good thing that we had free flow drinks. Alternatively, you can add on $19/person for free flow of Tiger draft beer, or $29/person for free flow of red/white wine.

And we started our Indian feast like kings and queens.

What I liked about the ala carte buffet at The Song of India was all the starters and main courses were plated nicely and served to our table.

The Indian buffet has a bit of everything: from two soups like slow simmered chicken soup and tomato corrainder soup; to seven starters like tandoori chicken, lamb kebab, tandoori fish tikka, tandoori cottage cheese, tandoori grilled broccoli/cauliflower, and dahi papdi chaat; seven main courses like chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, fish curry and dal makhani; free flow of naan, biryani and basmati rice; and three desserts to choose from.

We ate and ate and ate. It felt so good to punish myself by eating all the spicy food. Everything was deliciously spiced and I really enjoyed the tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, and fish curry.

I know it’s probably not very wise to eat too much naan at a buffet, but they were the perfect vehicles for soaking up the curry gravies.

The buffet deal at The Song of India (usual price $38++ without the coupon) was so popular that 635 deals were sold out! So be sure to drop by DEAL.com.sg everyday and look out for the best dining deals in Singapore.

Established in 2010, DEAL.com.sg is one of the top online shopping platforms in Singapore and it offers daily deals on travel, food, spa and entertainment.

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Song of India
33 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6836 0055
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm

When it comes to having supper in Singapore, Simpang Bedok – a stretch of halal eateries that open till late – immediately comes to mind.

Among them, Spize Supper Club is one of the most famous muslim restaurants serving halal food. Besides Simpang Bedok, it also has another branch at River Valley that caters to the hungry late night club goers.

If you ever find yourself hungry in the middle of the night, Spize halal restaurant at Simpang Bedok is probably your best bet.

It has a very comprehensive menu. From Thai food like Pineapple rice ($9) and Tom Yam Seafood ($10); to Malay food like Mee Goreng ($5.5) and Nasi Ayam ($3.8); and Western food like burgers ($6.5) and steak ($14.9) – there is something for everyone to choose from.

We started with the Spize Burger ($7.5) – chargrilled beef patty with sunny side up, BBQ sauce and cheese. The Mee Goreng ($5.5) came wrapped in an egg omelette. Both dishes were just fine – I mean, how badly could anyone make a burger and fried noodles?

My friend was raving about Spize’s Chicken Wrap ($5.5), so we ordered one to share. I definitely wasn’t expecting it to be rock-my-socks-off-good.

What makes Spize Supper Club so popular? I think it is a combination of cheap food, late night hours, and the atmosphere of eating by the road side. It is one of those places that you come back again and again for late night supper.

I am on a mission to try more Muslim food, so do leave a comment and let me know where are some of your favourite halal restaurants in Singapore.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Spize Supper Club
336/338 Bedok Road
Tel: +65 6445 3211
Daily: 11am – 3am

Pancake is one thing that I can have everyday without getting sick of. They taste great with a scoop of ice cream, or if you are like me, I’d have them with just maple syrup and butter.

I LOVE pancakes. Over the last two months, I’ve been trying out different brunch places to find the best pancakes in Singapore. Where can you find good and fluffy pancakes? Which pancake places are worth a try?

Here’s my list of the best pancakes in Singapore.

Pancake lovers unite!

Antoinette

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Chef Pang Kok Keong. Antoinette – a beautiful Parisian style patisserie tea salon – is one of my favourite new restaurants in 2011.

Besides offering French desserts, Antoinette also has an all day dining menu which has eggs, French toast, and Blinis (French thick pancakes). There are both sweet and savoury pancakes like Blinis with blueberries ($10), and savoury Blinis with smoked salmon ($15).

30 Penhas Road

Tel: +65 6293 3121

Pancakes are most people’s favourite brunch food for a good reason: they are fun and delicious.

Barracks Cafe House Dempsey

Everyone needs at least one reliable place for comfort food. For me, Barracks Cafe at Dempsey Hill is one of my favourite cafes in Singapore. With seven layers of fluffy pancakes, the 7-layer Pancake ($18) at Barracks Cafe is quite possibly the biggest pancake in Singapore. Definitely a must-try for pancake lovers.

8D Dempsey Road
#01-01 to 06 Tanglin Village
Tel: +65 6475 7787

Canopy Garden Dining & Bar

Over at Canopy Garden Dining & Bar, they serve a Buttermilk Pancakes ($6 with maple syrup, and $9 with ice cream). For the price, we thought that it was great value for this dish.

Bishan Park 2 1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 6556 1533
Weekdays: 9am till late
Weekends: 8am till late

Cedele Restaurant & Bakery

A good pancake can be found at Cedele. They have different variations like wild blueberry, pepper corn, apple cinnamon and mushroom onion.

Filled with the goodness of blueberries, Cedele’s Wild Blueberry Pancakes ($12.9) came with butter, maple syrup, salad, and choice of bacon or sausage.

501 Orchard Road
#03-14 Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6732 8520

Epicurious Cafe

The pancakes ($7) from Epicurious are not out-of-this-world good. But I still love it, and I always order baked eggs and eat them together.

392 Upper Bukit Timah Road
The Rail Mall
Tel: +65 6894 5926

Food For Thought Cafe

At Food For Thought Cafe, you can choose from a variety of pancakes: have it plain with fresh cream and Gula Melaka syrup ($6); or opt for the popular combination of banana & walnuts ($10). Breakfast is available from 9am to 5.30pm, let’s have pancakes for afternoon high tea.

8 Queen Street
Tel: +65 6338 9887

Not all pancakes are created equal. Your mission: go in search of the best pancakes in Singapore.

OverEasy Restaurant

Another place that has all day breakfast is OverEasy at One Fullerton. It is an American restaurant that serves your favourite comfort food, it is opened till late 2am. How about having some pancakes ($16) with scrambled eggs, tomatoes and bacon for supper?

1 Fullerton Road
#01-06 One Fullerton
Tel: +65 6423 0701

Privé bakery café

Prive Bakery Cafe is one of my favourite brunch places in Singapore. There’s nothing fantastic about the food, just simple, well-executed comfort food served at reasonable prices.

And of course, you must order the fluffy pancakes ($13.5) when you are there.

2 Keppel Bay Vista
GF Marina @ Keppel Bay
Tel: 6776 0777

Pancakes are just an excuse for me to eat maple syrup and butter. Om nom nom nom!

Spruce Cafe Bakery

Perched at the top of Phoenix Park in Tanglin, Spruce is a nice cafe which is just a few minutes drive from Orchard. It is extremely popular for their weekend brunch, and the Banana Hotcakes ($14) with honeycomb butter and blueberry syrup is definitely worth a try.

320 Tanglin Road
Phoenix Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 5528

Strictly Pancakes

The concept of all day dining restaurant serving only pancakes is not new – I have been to Pancakes on the Rock in Sydney which has a similar idea.

But Strictly Pancakes is certainly the first of its kind in Singapore. It is one of the few places that serve both sweet pancakes ($10) like lemon curd, strawberries, and blackforest; and savoury pancakes ($14) that come with ingredients like beef patty, salmon and garlic buttered prawns.

44A Prinsep Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6333 4202

Wild Honey Singapore

Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery is a breakfast speciality restaurant that serves different breakfasts from all over the world. The Canadian Pancake ($18) – a stack of classic pancakes served with wild berry, bacon and maple syrup – is one of the most popular items on their all day brunch menu.

333A Orchard Road #03-02
Mandarin Gallery Singapore
Tel: +65 6235 3900

For more recommendations, read my list of best brunch places in Singapore

One of the newest cafes to open in the trendy Duxton Hill area, Group Therapy Cafe is a space tucked away on the 2nd storey of a reconstructed shophouse.

Even though I’ve been to the Duxton Hill area many times, I’ve never noticed them until my friend told me about it. Just in case you are wondering where they are located, the cafe is directly above Etna Italian restaurant on Duxton road.

I fell in love as I stepped inside the cafe. It is one of those places that you would find it impossible not to like. Definitely one of my new favourite cafes in Singapore.

From what I understand, Group Therapy started out mainly as an event space for birthday parties, media launches and corporate workshops, but the cafe business has slowly grown with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations.

The menu changes from time to time, but you can expect comfort food like salad ($15), soup ($11), sandwiches ($14), eggs ($11-15) and desserts ($4.5-8.5). When we were there on a Saturday afternoon, we ordered from their all day breakfast menu to share.

The Poached Eggs ($15) that we had was gorgeous. Stacked on top of an extremely thick and fluffy toast, the poached eggs with salmon came with a generous helping of the hollandaise sauce. It was fantastic!

I was slightly disappointed when I found out that they only serve pancakes (from a special brunch menu) on Sunday. But that feeling was gone with the arrival of the waffles.

Weekends are made of Belgian style waffle ($8.5) with maple syrup and butter.

Group Therapy Cafe at Duxton road does not serve out-of-this-world good food; the menu is simple and unpretentious. They have a very comfortable and relaxing space, and I love the fact that not many people know about them YET.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Group Therapy Cafe
49 Duxton Road #02-01
Tel: +65 6222 2554

Tue to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Closed on Mon

For more recommendations, read my list of the best cafes in Singapore

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Tanjong Beach Club (TBC) by the Lo & Behold Group is the perfect place to escape from the city and enjoy a day of sun, sand and sea. It has a restaurant (The Dining Room), a bar and a pool facing the beach.

The Dining Room at Tanjong Beach Club offers a unique beach dining experience, and after dinner, you can laze by the pool and enjoy a Tanjong Martini with truffle fries. The beach house at Sentosa is modern, sexy and definitely the place to see and be seen.

The crowd at Tanjong Beach Club is quite diverse. From the beach goers in cargo shorts, bikinis and flip flops, lazing by the pool side during the weekends; to young working executives on a romantic dinner date; to well-heeled cliente with an appreciation for the finer things in life – there is a good mix of crowd.

Since it was a Friday night, we had a glass of champagne each. Actually, even if it wasn’t a Friday night, I’d still have a glass of champagne.

As usual, we had a hard time trying to decide on the dishes. So we took the easy way out and asked for recommendations. On my own, I probably would not order a salad, but the Bean Salad ($19) came highly recommended so we started with that.

We followed up with the Salt-cured Foie Gras ($27), which I thought was pretty cool. The goose liver was served with toasted brioche, kaya and house-made jam. Eaten together, the cold foie gras combination was quite amazing. But I would very much prefer to have pan seared foie gras.

The best, however, had yet to come – we had the freaking awesome truffle fries. Having heard so much about Tanjong Beach Club’s popular bar snack – which my friend proclaimed as the best truffle fries in Singapore – I wasn’t prepared to leave the place without trying it.

The bar menu isn’t available in the dining room, and vice versa. Still, we managed to convince the waitress to serve us the truffle fries while waiting for the rest of the appetisers to be served.

The dining room at Tanjong Beach Club has a good mix for its main course menu. We were tempted by the Crispy Atlantic Cod ($42) and the Spicy Crab Spaghetti ($32); while the Roasted Kurobuta Pork ($43) and Asparagus Risotto ($26) also called out to us. We eventually settled for the Maine Lobster Pot Pie ($58) and USDA Prime New York Strip Steak ($58).

Encased by flaky pastry crust, the lobster pot pie was quite a visual treat for the senses. We watched as the waitress poked a hole into the crust and unearthed the lobster from within. It was like digging for treasure!

The USDA Prime New York Strip Steak ($58) came with potato puree, roasted mushroom, and smoked eggplant. It was a gorgeous piece of meat, but unfortunately, it was way too salty.

We used the elimination method to choose our desserts. Since we weren’t keen on the Mixed Berry Bowl and ice cream, it was down to the Coconut Panna Cotta ($14), Chocolate Ganache Tart ($16) and Tea & Honey Parfeit ($14). We decided to leave the Panna Cotta for another day and had the other two desserts to end off the meal.

I thought that the Chocolate Ganache Tart – which was accompanied by salted candied hazelnuts, butterscotch sauce and vanilla bean ice cream – was pretty fabulous.

The Tea & Honey Parfeit ($14) came in a pretty glass of earl grey crémeux, honey ice cream, house-made honeycomb and chocolate crisp.

The Dining Room at Tanjong Beach Club (TBC) is a great option if you want a nice romantic dinner away from the city. The food is not out-of-this-world good, so don’t come here expecting a life-changing experience. Instead, come here if you want a unique beach-dining experience. The TBC, is after all, one of the few Beach restaurants in Singapore.

I will definitely go back for brunch during weekends.

Singapore Food Blog Review
The Dining Room at Tanjong Beach Club
120 Tanjong Beach Walk
Tanjong Beach Club Sentosa
Tel: 6270 1355
Lunch: 12noon – 2.30pm (Tue – Fri)
Dinner: 6.30pm – 10pm (Tue – Sat)
Brunch: 10am – 4.30pm (Weekend)

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

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Besides Marmalade Toast at Takashimaya, another place that I like to go whenever I am in town is Pique Nique American Cafe by Chef Pang Kok Keong.

I am a huge fan of Chef Pang. I’ve tried almost all his desserts while he was at Canele Patisserie (under the Les Amis group). Boy was I excited when I heard that he left the group late last year to set up his own company, the Sugar Daddy Group.

Pique Nique is located at the basement of Takashimaya where McDonald’s used to be. It serves favourite American comfort food like mac & cheese ($12-16), hot dogs ($8.5-11), burgers ($10-13), all day breakfast ($7.5-13.5), whoopie pies ($2) and desserts ($4-8).

Both Pique Nique and Anoinette (a French bistro-patisserie) are conceptualised by Chef Pang in his attempt to take over the dessert world in Singapore. I’ve been to both dessert places a few times so far, but more on Anoinette another day.

Among the desserts at Pique Nique, there are cupcakes with flavours like banana spilt, chocolate caramel, peanut butter, and carrot; cheesecakes like triple chocolate, American, oreo and strawberry; and an assortment of whoopie pies like maple walnut, caramel pecan, and peanut butter & jelly.

So far, I’ve tried the Lemon Meringue cupcake, Red Velvet Cupcake, Vanilla Cupcake ($4.8), Blackout Chocolate Cake ($8) and Oreo Cream Cheese Bar ($4.8) and Whoopie Pies ($2.15). While I don’t think they are fantastic enough to be listed as one of the  top 10 cakes in Singapore, I like that most of them are classic comfort desserts – ideal for afternoon tea.

Pique Nique at Ngee Ann City is also one of the few places that serve all day breakfast in Orchard road. The American Favourite breakfast with two eggs served with homemade English muffins or white toast starts at $7.5, and there is also the popular eggs benedict that comes with Pique Nique’s special fries at $12. They also have French toast ($7.5), buttermilk pancakes ($7.5) and waffles ($13.5) on the brunch menu.

There are not many restaurants in Orchard Road that serve decent food at pocket-friendly prices, and Pique Nique is one those few places. The food and desserts are not fantstic, but most of them are reasonably priced and I will definitely go there when I want a light snack in between meal times.

Pique Nique by Chef Pang Kok Keong
#B1-01 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Ngee Ann City Tower A
391A Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6238 6705
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

In conjunction with the opening of the Circle Line network stages 4 & 5, SMRT is hosting a makan session where 20 lucky readers get to join me and eat for free.

This is a great opportunity for me to show you where are the best food places near the Circle Line stations. I’ll be organising two separate food outings on the 26th Nov (Botanic Garden station) and 14th Jan (One North station).

Register here (remember to choose the right dates) and let’s go on a food adventure!

I’ve always loved cupcakes and I am really happy to see the cupcake trend slowly picking up in Singapore. Plenty of cupcake bakeries have sprung up in the past year and it is really exciting for a dessert lover like me.

One of the new places that serve cupcakes is Cupcakes with Love – a full fledged cupcake cafe at Tanjong Katong. A nice cafe which sells nothing but cupcakes. How cool is that?

Cupcakes with Love is located at 348 Tanjong Katong road (closer to Mountbatten road) which is further away from the main stretch of eateries like Punggol Nasi Lemak, Smiths Fish and Chips and With a Pinch of Salt Cafe.

They currently have eight cupcake flavours, so it is still an ongoing process to test out recipes for the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle (they intend to have nine flavours every day).

It is important to note that the cupcakes from Cupcakes with Love have considerately less frosting than the usual ones. They are quite different and I’m guessing that it will probably appeal more to people who do not fancy thick frostings.

A cupcake goes for $3.8, and it comes with really nice boxes for half a dozen ($22) or a dozen ($44) orders. Some of the flavours include cranberry, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate, matcha and their signature chocolate rum “adult cupcake”.

We were too full after dinner so we only tried three of the flavours: matcha, chocolate rum and red velvet. Yes, red velvet. I bet some of you are already rubbing your hands in anticipation.

I never understood the fascination with red velvet cupcake, though. It’s simply an ordinary cupcake with a few tablespoons of cocoa powder and red food colouring. But if you are a big fan of red velvet cupcake, you might want to check out the one at Cupcakes with Love which comes with cream cheese frosting and is one of the most popular cupcakes there.

The cupcakes are freshly baked every day, so do drop by Cupcakes with Love and give them your support.

Meanwhile, I’m on a quest to try several new cupcake bakeries. I will be blogging a post on the best cupcakes in Singapore soon! Leave me a comment if you have any recommendations for good cupcakes.

Cupcakes will never go out of fashion.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Cupcakes with Love
348 Tanjong Katong road
Tel: +65 6440 0450
Tue to Fri: 12noon – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 12noon – 11pm

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Il Lido Italian Dining at Sentosa Golf Club is a restaurant that has consistently been voted as one of the best restaurants in Singapore, and it is frequently praised for the quality of Italian food.

Compared to its sister restaurant, Forlino at One Fullerton, il lido Italian restaurant is slightly more casual – think of it as a semi fine dining restaurant that comes with everything you would expect from a top-notch restaurant.

With new Chef de cuisine Alessandro Delfanti taking over the helm in the kitchen, the italian restaurant has recently revamped its entire menu. It now focuses on mainly seasonal and native produce from Italy and Europe.

We entered the restaurant through a narrow walkway at the side of the Sentosa Golf Club entrance. The interior of the Italian restaurant has a dark and sexy tone, while the al fresco dining area comes with a nice sea-breeze, making it the perfect place to have a romantic dinner at night.

Like Forlino, Il Lido has thoughtfully provided beautiful stools for putting our bags. It is simple gestures as such that make a difference. We started off our meal with some bread, eagerly anticipating what the chef would come up with.

Eating is a lot more fun when you have someone who appreciates good food, loves having desserts first and has a huge appetite. My dining companion and I had two appetisers, one pasta, one risotto, two main courses and three desserts.

There are around 10 items on Il Lido’s antipasti menu and we had a hard time trying to decide on them as all of them seemed to be screaming “EAT ME”. Among them, I was attracted by the Pan-roasted Goose Liver with Figs, Vincotto Sauce and Rosemary Oil ($32), but then again, I always have, and always will love foie gras.

We were recommended the Venison Carpaccio with Roman Zucchini and Smoked Ricotta Cheese ($25). Instead of the typical beef carpaccio, Il Lido serves a Venison version and it was outstanding.

I would have ordered the classic Parma Ham with rock melon ($26), but we decided to try something different, so we had the Sea Scallops with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Blueberries ($28). Seared with tiny criss-crossing grilled marks on the surface, the scallops were meaty and very fresh. The use of blueberries gave the otherwise ordinary dish a refreshing twist and the accompany mushrooms were also very tasty.

Il Lido Italian restaurant has two types of risotto on the menu: Basil & Pecorino Cheese Risotto with Crispy Bacon ($35) and Baby Squid Risotto with Black Ink Sauce and Chili Peppers ($38). We had the latter, but I thought that it was only decent.

If I were with a larger group of people, I would have ordered the Tagliatelle with Rabbit & Marjoram Ragout ($38), but we only had two stomachs so we stuck with the Veal Agnolotti with Mushrooms and Truffle Cream ($38) – which came highly recommended.

We were told that the chef actually put a frozen veal juice cube within the ravioli to ensure the moistness and flavour. I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to eat an entire bowl of ravioli on my own, so make sure you order this to share.

For main course, I wanted to get the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin ($58) but the manager suggested the Pan-roasted Cod with Smoked Caviar Sauce and Whipped Potatoes ($45), saying that it’s very good (although I’m quite positive that he thinks everything on the menu is good). I’m happy to say that it was excellent. The whipped potatoes, in particular, were quite interesting – you could taste the potato without the heaviness of it.

I don’t usually order chicken in a restaurant nowadays, but hey, this is a Guinea Fowl Supreme with Goose Liver and Apricot Sauce ($56) that we are talking about. It was slightly tougher than chicken, and the apricot sauce managed to bring out the flavour of the meat. However, I am not sure if I’d pay so much for a meat that has a flavour similar to chicken. The other meats on Il Lido’s menu like Suckling Pig Saddle ($58) and Wagyu Beef Cheek ($45) are more appealing to me.

That said, the Guinea fowl remains a rarity on menus in Singapore, and if you’ve never tried it before, this is a good place to start.

We were told that Il Lido’s tiramisu ($15) is probably not the best in Singapore, but we decided to go ahead and have it as my dining companion was craving for it. Only a foolish guy would stand between a girl and her craving. And true enough, the tiramisu was only decent.

Thankfully, the Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with Yogurt Ice cream ($18) was pretty good. The ubiquitous Chocolate lava cake was so pretty that I thought it would be a shame to dig a hole into it, but that feeling quickly passed and I poked it with a spoon. Molten chocolate oozed out, and slowly, it covered the entire top of the cake.

The pairing of the slightly yogurt ice cream with the chocolate cake was a good decision; the sourish yogurt cut through the sweetness of the chocolate, giving it a perfect balance.

Among the three desserts that we had, the Vanilla Crème Brûlée with Blueberries ($15) was our favourite. The inclusion of berries within the crème brûlée was a lovely surprise. Every few bites or so, you would hit a pocket of blueberries. Lovely.

In terms of the overall dining experience, Il Lido Italian restaurant at Sentosa Golf Club is easily one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

I don’t think they have the best Italian food in Singapore (my favourite is still Ristorante Da Valentino), but I do think that it is a great all-round restaurant, with the right combination of good food, ambience and service.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Il Lido Italian Restaurant
27 Bukit Manis Road
#02-00 Sentosa Golf Club
Tel: 6866 1977
Daily: 11.30 – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my post on the best Italian restaurants in Singapore

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Cakes were invented, I believe, for the sole purpose of making us happy. With so many dessert places in Singapore, we are simply spoiled for choice.

Among all the bakeries, cake shops and patisseries in Singapore, where can you find the best cakes? Which sweet treats are worth a try?

There really is no “best cake” since each one has a different story and appeals to different people accordingly. We all have our own favourite desserts, but whatever yours is, I hope you’re eating it.

Here’s my list of the top 10 cakes in Singapore.

Antoinette from Antoinette Patisserie

I had the namesake cake (milk chocolate mousse is infused with earl grey tea) when I went to the new patisserie by Chef Pang Kok Keong, and I fell in love with it.

30 Penhas Road
Tel: +65 6293 3121

Napoleon Cake from Flor Patisserie

Flor Patisserie’s Mille-feuille (also known as Napoleon cake) has a layer of cake in between the layers of puff pastry and cream. I love how the puff pastry crumbled in the mouth together with the cake and cream.

2 Duxton Hill #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6223 8628

Plaisir Sucré from Laurent Bernard Chocolatier

One of my favourite cakes from Laurent Bernard Cafe is the Pleasure ($9.80). The classic Plaisir Sucré comprises whipped chocolate cream and ganache in between the beautiful and delicate chocolate sheets, and a base of hazelnut and praline; it is out-of-this-world good.

80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-11
The Pier @ Robertson Singapore
Tel: +65 6235 9007

Strawberry Shortcake from Barracks Cafe

Barracks Cafe’s rendition is the one that most people mention when you ask them where to get a good strawberry shortcake.

8D Dempsey Road
#01-01 to 06 Tanglin Village
Tel: +65 6475 7787

Tiramisu from Da Paolo Gastronomia

When it comes to the tiramisu, very few can do it better than Da Paolo. Considered by many people to be the best tiramisu in Singapore, this is definitely a must try if you are a fan of the popular Italian dessert.

290 Orchard Road
#B1-20 The Paragon

Matcha from Canele Patisserie

Smooth and delicate green tea mascarpone mousse, with chestnut cream in the middle of the cake – the Matcha cake from Canele Patisserie is a must-try for green tea lovers.

11 Unity Street #01-09
Robertson Walk Singapore
Tel: +65 6738 8145

Chocolate Amer from Bakerzin

The flawless combination of flour-less chocolate sponge and bitter chocolate mousse makes the Chocolate Amer one of my favourite cakes from Bakerzin.

3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-016 Suntec City Mall
Tel: +65 6338 4656

Chiffon Cake from Tampopo Deli

The chiffon cake from Tampopo Deli is one of the most under-rated cakes. Try it and you’ll know why it is in my list of top 10 cakes in Singapore.

177 River Valley road
#B1-16 Liang Court
Tel: 6338 7386

Chocolate Cake from Max Brenner

No words are required. This picture tells you everything you need to know about the chocolate lava cake from Max Brenner.

8 Raffles Avenue
#01-06/08 Esplanade Mall
Tel: +65 6235 9556

Strawberry Souffle from Patisserie Glace

This is Patisserie Glace’s Strawberry Souffle, also known as the gateway to heaven. To me, this is one of the best cakes that I’ve ever eaten.

12 Gopeng Street #01-33/34
ICON Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6400 0247

For more recommendations, please read my list of best dessert places in Singapore