Author Archives: Crystal Wee

Nov 01 2012
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Food

Smoulder: Mini Molten Mixtures

Craving for lava cakes but you do not have the feeling to dine at a restaurant?

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Now you can takeaway mini lava cakes from Smoulder. Giving themselves the name of  “Softcore Bakers”, the people behind Smoulder aimed to create lava cakes that were convenient, affordable and small. There are currently 9 main flavors of mini lava cakes, together with special flavors on special occasions and even newer flavors in the making.

This would mean a lot to a fan of lava cakes like me. Now, I can have them on any day of the week without much hassle. I like that the cakes were rather moist. Although it was difficult to achieve a flowy lava core after takeaway home, the now creamy core is still as delectable after reheating.

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Intense dark chocolate (top): Despite dark chocolate not being my favorite type of chocolate, I found it alright. Except that it is a tad too intense for dark chocolate.

White chocolate raspberry (middle): This was strawberry shortcake sweet, with even real raspberry bits in it!

White chocolate pistachio (bottom): One of my favorites among the flavors I tried. The pistachio and white chocolate mixture is of consistency with a powering pistachio taste.
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Signature dark chocolate (left): This was my favorite and also their most popular lava cake. It was especially good as a lava cake flavor as the bitterness of the dark chocolate cannot be felt.

White chocolate lemon (right): An exotic flavor for a molten cake. Since the cake was mini, it was rather refreshing as a break between the sweeter ones.

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Milk chocolate rum and raisin: A more neutral flavor is given as the lesser content of chocolate mixes with raisins soaked in rum. Pleasant, but not a very good rendition for rum and raisin.

The Softcore Bakers call their lava cakes “Bite-sized Pleasures”. It is indeed easily finished with 2-5 normal bites, which gives space to try even more flavors together. Yet, they do not come as affordable as expected. A mini cake costs $3.2 and the cakes come at 3 for $9 and 9 for $25. The verdict is that certain flavors excel, while some are just alright. I would not mind trying new flavors though.

 

China Square Food Centre

51 Telok Ayer Street

#01-04

Weekdays 0800 – 2000

Saturdays 1100 – 15o0

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Oct 28 2012
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Food

L’etoile Cafe

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Reading reviews after reviews of L’etoile Cafe got me so excited to hunt it down. There is this joy that cannot be explained when you find a new place on your own, just based on a digital map of grids and grids. But anyways, L’etoile is pretty much accessible from Farrer Park, just a couple of streets away. Being there on a weekday afternoon, I had almost the entire cafe to myself and my eating companion. No wonder it is a favorite hangout for local stars.

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The cafe consists of two storeys, with the first storey being more structured like a cafe and the second storey almost a fairytale-like corner with all sorts of furniture. Many would associate L’etoile cafe with their pretty wall decor of bird cages and tree branches, all beautifully painted by hand. A corner re-enacts the scene of a child’s playroom; another by the windows with lace curtains gives it a classic French environment.

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L’etoile is a Japanese-French indie cafe serving coffees and simple western dishes. There is an all-day breakfast menu much to patrons’ liking including the usual big breakfast ($14.9) and eggs benedict ($12.9). The Banana nutella toast I had was a simple affair but nothing could go wrong with nutella and sliced bananas on toast. Not a thing seemed out of place and it made for a sinful yet fulfilling breakfast.
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Of course, coffees are a must have at indie cafes. I had a cup of latte which came with a piece of old school biscuit. Despite the fact that the coffee was not hot enough for my liking, it was rather a good cup of latte, taste wise. By night, wine is also served, making it a romantic hole. I imagine star and moon gazing through the french windows with laced curtains – I wonder if it is as effective realistically.
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Besides the food, L’etoile cafe is also a lifestyle store with all sorts of cute/quirky items which you can choose to purchase. And also,  reading while dining in l’etoile seemed to be something that everyone did. The place was a great spot to do so.
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160 Owen Road

Tuesday – Friday 1100 to 2200

Saturday – Sunday 0900 to 2200

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Oct 22 2012
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Food

The Coastal Settlement

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It took me a long time to figure that I need a food therapy on both the extreme ends of Singapore, which seem to be abundant with food spots. After looking up reviews on the place, together with recommendations from my dear friends, I finally made the move down to The Coastal Settlement – a lonesome cafe sitting atop a barren piece of land among the lush of Changi.

Surprised was I to find that The Coastal Settlement – or what they call themselves as TCS, was bustling with the Sunday brunchers. This was despite the rain and inaccessibility.
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The menu did offer a wide variety. We had Truffle fries ($15) for appetizers – one of my favorite foods after my maiden encounter with it at Barracks Cafe @ Dempsey. The version over here was thicker and crispier.

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My plate of Fettucine bolognese ($24) was huge with a generous serving of cheese of bolognese. Texture wise, I would prefer a spaghetti version compared to the fettucine. I get the idea of an attempt of a special rendition but unfortunately it did not pull off very well. Still, nothing could have gone wrong with bolognese.

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The Cod and chips ($26) was rather normal – akin to missing a key to something.

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On the other hand, the desserts were much more delightful. Accompanied by a scoop of chocolate ice cream, strawberries and bananas, the Waffles ($14) were thick and dense, especially suited for cake-lovers.

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The Sea salt caramel cheesecake ($12) was my hit of the day. The styling of “spewed” caramel won my eyes over first. After that the awesome slice of cake won over my stomach. Let me mention also that their dessert accompaniments were well prepared – with a shout out for their nuts.

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There are several distinct areas of the cafe which all boast different styles to them. The front and back of the cafe is of antique theme and sandwiched in between is the bar area and comfy sitting next to it. Then there is the outdoor dining – a myriad of colors and “scenery”. Each table tells a different dining experience – I knew that from hopping the tables myself. At the rear end outdoors I found childhood memories as well.

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With the above average prices of food from a casual eatery, it may be wise to think of making the money worthwhile. Yet I would not mind paying for a pleasant mix of food and atmosphere. That is the love-hate relationship we often have with food. Recently I have been choosing to love than to hate. I shall end this post with my favorite shot of the alfresco area.

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200 Netheravon Road

Singapore 508529

Tuesday to Sunday: 1030 – 0000

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Oct 17 2012
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Food

Mun Ting Xiang Tea Hut

Located in the now less frequented Toa Payoh entertainment centre, Mun Ting Xiang Tea House specializes in simple Taiwanese bites, snacks and meals. Despite the oldness of the eatery and location, it felt cosy and warm enough for a simple yet fulfilling meal between two friends. I have heard that the place have undergone renovation before but did not change much. Even on a weekend, the customers came in a slow stream. Perhaps that is what I partly fancy about this place as well.

Milk teas, fruit juices, shakes and coffees are on the drinks menu. It is highly recommended to opt for their traditional taiwanese milk teas which are a tad different from the commercialized bubble milk tea but equally enjoyable. Chocolate milk tea ($4.8) on the left and the wheat milk tea ($4.8) on the right.

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Just some plain o’ chicken wings which I felt were normal but had a homely feeling of home-cooked fare. They were especially soft and tender.

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The Special Golden Pillow ($4.5) was a hidden gem. The crispy crust of the covering was my favorite. Hidden beneath was a warm mixture of mushrooms and meat held in a creamy suspension. It indeed ‘warms’ people up.

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Although the food here is not incredibly impressive, the comfort prices have more than made up for them. Other popular snacks like the vermicelli and fried chicken are also available and all of them are under $10 on the menu. This is the place to go if you’re on a budget yet having the need to satisfy your cravings of Taiwanese street snacks.

450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh

#01-03/04

Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre

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Oct 13 2012
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Food

The Marmalade Pantry II

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I had fell in love with the Marmalade Pantry after my maiden visit to grab some cakes. You can read that post here. Since then, I’ve made another two visits to the Pantry, one for lunch and the other for dinner. Of course, I’m more than delighted to conclude that not only do they serve great desserts, their mains are equally competitive.

Hot Chocolate ($7)
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The Spaghetti Carbonara with poached eggs ($24) is one of the more popular choices for main courses and it’s not hard to understand how. Presentation wise, it has already won over stomachs with its sleek classiness. I like that the cream sauce is much more fluid which is surprisingly better for the carbonara.

I also had the Pork & fennel seed sausage lasagna ($24) as to which I felt was a tad to0 dry within the layers and especially the mushrooms.

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The Sticky date and toffee pudding ($14) reminds me of Plain Jane who shot to fame. Lightly drizzled with caramel, it is accompanied by a sweeter vanilla scoop of ice-cream. Though a simpler creation that wouldn’t seem much, you would still be able to be preoccupied with it. Perhaps a light way to end off a heavy meal.

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The cinnamon spiced apple cake with cream cheese frosting ($7) felt somewhat like a carrot cake. Although there may be better renditions, it was a good attempt by the marmalade pantry that would make it rank above average.

Chocolate lovers can fret not as there is the Old fashioned chocolate fudge cake ($7). It’s name gives an apt description of itself – so don’t expect to find thick and rich chocolate cakes.

Other ‘hot’ items on the menu include steak and eggs, the mexican chicken salad and of course my favorite sea salt caramel cheesecake. The Marmalade Pantry is a place I wouldn’t mind going again and again: accessibility and elegance of the location appeals, high quality of main courses tempts, contenders of cupcakes, tarts and cakes make you hungry again.

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2 Orchard Turn

ION Orchard

#03-22

10 am to 10 pm daily

// Also: today’s the first anniversary of my food blog. So far I’m enjoying the process. And relishing every moment of morsels in my mouth. Even though I can only be considered an amateur on casual mode half of the time, my blog is definitely growing. None of these would have been possible without you people and I would especially like to send my kisses to all followers, viewers, commenters, hosts and close ones who have eaten with me in one way or another.
Cheers to another year of eating. Come and eat with me.
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Oct 05 2012
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Food

Creamier: Waffles and ice-cream!

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I love how there seem to be ever new trends in the local food scene. Increasingly, small yet comfortable parlors of food are being opened below the blocks of housing estates. Sometimes I can’t stop wishing for a magical row of them to appear at the void deck of my flat and they shall magically change themes every week. But that’s my wishful thinking.

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A single scoop of ice cream comes at $2.9 while a double scoop at $4.9. If you order the premium flavors they’re at $3.9 and $6.5 respectively. I tried both the sea salt gula melaka and banana chocolate flavors on Belgian waffles – the flavors were combinations of my favorite ingredients. Perhaps some would find the sea salt gula melaka really salty but for a sea salt lover like me it was quite something to brag about. Creamier has got a collection of unique flavors that’ll make me tempted again: lime mojito, pineapple chili sorbet, rum and raisin, earl grey lavender and so much more.

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Other sidekicks on the menu would be coffee and light bites like the quiche I had too. Somehow it made a good end after my indulgence of ice cream. It’s pretty nice that the residents in the area can simply takeaway pints of ice cream and waffles back home to enjoy.

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Essentially, the thing about Creamier is the ice cream…. with waffles. Yes, their crispy waffles can steal the show.

Also, I found the space cosy and comforting, especially as I went on a Sunday morning when all you need is a dessert moment.   You’ll find that Creamier draws all kinds of people from the estates with patrons frequently bustling in and out – both young and old, and especially families. Creamier is rather much accessible too – I can see myself dropping by soon.

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Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1

#01-835

Tuesday – Thursday: 1200 – 2200
Friday – Saturday: 1200 – 2300
Sunday: 1200 – 2200

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Sep 15 2012
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Food

Kabe no Ana

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Pumpkin croquette

Nex has always provided the dining option for me whenever I need a quick fix at somewhere convenient. Kabe no ana is a casual eatery specialising in Japanese pastas and pizzas, part of the Japanese chain of eateries at a corner of the mall – Shokutsu 10. Its a cozy space with warm lights and particularly attractive to families. There you can also find seafood by Kuriya market, soba by Shimbashi Soba and japanese pastries from a bakery all on my list to try next.

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Chicken teriyaki

I tried two pizzas – Teriyaki Chicken ($5.9) and Pumpkin Croquette ($6.9) and a pasta – Mentaiko Carbonara($13.9). Personally I find the pizzas here much better than the pastas. They were certainly good and that surprised me. I like that the crust is thin and a little crispy, just of the right consistency. The teriyaki chicken (a house favorite) was certainly flavorful; the pumpkin croquette was special with a quirky yet unforgettable taste. Another point to add is that the pizzas come in small sizes as well – no worries about  sharing.

On the other hand, I felt that the bacon bits enhanced the carbonara but the dish was a tad too dry. Still, the menu has an extensive range of japanese pastas to choose from (more than 25) and with a little bit of luck it may be possible to get a hidden gem. Not to forget, many set lunches and meals are there to satisfy your wallet.

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Service was rather shabby at times with some miscommunications between the waitresses and customers. I was rather disappointed that most of the better-looking desserts on the menu were not available, I had to make do with a strawberry ice cream ($6.9) which looked better than it tasted. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to have the lava cakes and tiramisu on the menu.

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23 Serangoon Central

#B1-80 NEX Mall

Opens 1100 – 2200 daily

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Sep 03 2012
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Food

Ssikkek Korean BBQ Restaurant

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Ssikkek is always a popular choice for korean bbq buffet especially with its budget. So when I was asked by friends for dinner there I automatically said yes. Ssikkek is the restaurant with the most buzz along the stretch at novena ville. They are simply spotted as the eatery with the longest queue. On that night, we waited for an hour before getting a table so reservations are a must.
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For just a price of $12++ for lunch and $22++ for dinner, I can’t help but think that Ssikkek is no doubt a very good buffet of comfort prices. I find that it is a cool place for groups of people to hangout and have barbecue at the same time. Unlike some other Korean restaurants, Ssikkek takes on a very casual setting suitable for almost anything. Despite the heat from sitting in the outdoor area, everybody there seemed to be having a great time.
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The meat items here were quite of standard and definitely will make you go back for more and more. The assortment of chicken, pork and beef items are highly popular and quite of standard. This is of course together with side dishes (in which I adored the Korean rice cakes), kimchi fried rice and seafood.

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The whole experience is a satisfying one. That’s what I love about Korean BBQ. That to be said, I had probably ate about a week’s worth of meat – but it was worth the calories.

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275 Thomson Road

#01-01/02 Novena Ville

Monday – Sunday 1130 – 2230

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Aug 24 2012
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Food

SPR MRKT

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Spr mrkt (read: supermarket). This recently opened eatery along Tanjong Pagar has been getting the attention in the media. It has the prospect of a eatery and a retail corner at the same time and perhaps literally like a supermarket. The space inside can seat no more than 25 people yet I am amazed by how such small eateries can be so charming. Best part about spr mrkt is that it’s concept is kept simple and clean in a very chic way.

The menu at SPR MRKT changes daily with a small selection to ensure that the food maintains its quality and to minimize food wastage. On Saturdays, a brunch menu is replaced with the norm for the entire day. Foodwise, I was pretty impressed by their standard and quality. First we had Fork Mashed Potato ($6) as a side.

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The mains available on that Wednesday were a duck sandwich, penne and pork ribs. I opted for the Duck Rilette Sandwich ($12) and found it great. Despite the small dish, the croissant, with that certain type of mustard, went especially well with the shreds of duck meat.

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The small bites did me well as I had the space for desserts – pastries here are not to be missed. What I like about the pastries and tarts here is that they are rather special and their versions are difficult to replicate elsewhere. The Marble Cheesecake with Homemade Strawberry Sauce ($9) grew onto me immediately, being an avid fan of cheesecake. The marble element went smoothly well with the cheesecake and definitely a cake I wouldn’t not be able to finish.

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Other than that, I also tried their Bread Pudding with Vanilla ($6) – light, fluffy and warm. A very good way to end the lovely lunch I had at spr mrkt.

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Also: Don’t miss their tagliatelle carbonara on Tuesdays, pumpkin and saffron risotto on Fridays and the english breakfast on Saturdays.

A wall of shelves next to the dining area is dedicated to selling all sorts of things – notebooks, wine glasses, eggs, carrots and even cookery. There is even a fruits stand standing in front, so now you know how it lives up to its name.

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2 McCallum Street

Singapore 069043

Operates 0800 – 2100 on weekdays

0900 – 1600 on Saturdays

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Aug 19 2012
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Food

The House of Robert Timms

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Despite passing by and brushing it off when I step into town, I finally had the chance to dine at Robert Timms when a friend recommended it to me.

Classy glass panels line the restaurant from the entrance from outside of Wheelock Place. The alfresco areas make a great drinking spot (like slurping cocktails on a beach) with its chic furniture and fans. The interiors are distinctly divided into two areas: one of the light and airy with natural light filtering from glass walls; the other of a bold black and white backdrop hidden from the front.
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The House of Robert Timms originated from Australia so you can expect to find newly added uniquely Australian items such as the kangaroo loin steak and crocodile curry. Not having the feel for foreign meat, we decided to get a few dishes we were comfortable with. Nothing can go wrong with the spicy beef wraps we had as a side. The other mains we had were the barramundi with butter and herb spring roasted chicken. The food here is fairly competitive with generous portions.

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Items here average $25 and the menu has a range of breakfast items, pastas, mains and steaks to choose from. Another outlet can be found at Orchard shopping centre but I would prefer Wheelock one’s to it mainly because of ambiance.

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501 Orchard Road

Wheelock Place #01-02/03

Singapore 238880

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