Le Viet

Mum loves to dine at this less reowned gem along the vibrant Siglap stretch. Over here, affordable authentic viet fare is served by true-blue vietnamese dressed in a uniform of the Vietnamese flag.


Condiments

The bestseller had to be the Pho noodles, which are served with a plate of condiments like raw beansprouts, chilli padi, lime and some tom yam leaves.


Seafood Pho Noodles ($8.50)

Do not be deceived by the seemingly cloying soup- it is a tangy, appetising blend of tomatoes and fresh pineapples. The silky smooth Pho noodles easily glides down the throat and lusciously laced with squid, prawns and sliced fish.



Shredded Chicken Pho Noodles ($6)

The chicken version is simpler option- just shredded meat in a clear chicken broth.


Sugar Cane Prawn ($8)

Apart from the typical viet springrolls, this dish is another must-try appetiser. Minced prawn paste is heavily seasoned with ground black pepper and innovatively wrapped around sugarcane sticks. Tasty, with excessive grease being the only minus-point.


Le Viet
903 Eas Coast Road
Siglap Shopping Centre

The CaffeBar 4

Again. Lunching at Parkway Parade always= Caffebar.


Walnut Bread

Usual dosage of toasted bread to go with soup.


Soup of the Day


Smoked Salmon Bruschetta ($6.70)

Alas a different order for me. Scandinavian smoked salmon with lemon wedges and onion rings on toasted country bread- this was way better than the one at Coffee Bean. When i say safe and assuring food, i meant things like this.



Seafood Aglio Olio Spaghetti ($18.80)


Vanilla Panna Cotta with Wild Berries Confit ($7.80)

I couldn't miss out on my dessert fix.
Best panna cotta ever!

Miharu Hailed

Returning to Miharu is no surprise, for i can even assure regular visits for a long time to come. Ramen craves are hitting on me quite frequently and it is not just a ramen craving- but a need for a Miharu fix.


Tokusen Miso Ramen ($12.50)

Here you have my No.1 bowl of miso ramen, scoring full time in both the noodle and soup. All it took was a waft of invigorating miso fragrance and a slurp of the special blended miso for this ultimate to wow me to no end.

The broth is truly robust, amazingly flavoursome and repleted with tons of oomph. Sapporo Nishiyama noodles submerged within were springy, full to the bite and so richly-absorbed with soup's essence. Completed with fresh generous ingredients, enough said.


Tokusen Ton-Shio Ramen ($12)


Miso Ramen ($10.50)

Mum & Dad had the other soup bases. How to distinguish the difference? Miso bases come with beansprouts and the premium Tokusen series with seaweed.


Pork Gyoza ($6)

Not to be missed. Sizable clumps of delectable marinated meat loosely encased in skin. Neatly arranged and no grease overload.

Come experience the goodness.

Bentendo

I saw this one coming.

Prior to Pasta de Waraku's booming business in the industry, how can there be no temptations to reap some of their success? So there came Bentendo- with similar concept, presentation and even plates.

If you were thinking of slurping linguine or fettuccine over, no luck for you. The dishes are about $1 more expensive with no choice of pasta given. Just spaghetti, pure Barilla spaghetti.


Sweet Prawns, Salmon Roe & Salmon Cold Pasta ($17.80)

Doesn't this remind you of that Seafood Salad Pasta at Waraku? Maguro and ika is replaced by Amaebi shrimps and a wasabi-dissolved shoyu used as its dressing. Expect that probably more compatible sauce, this copycat version is largely crippled by the lack of alluring ingredients.Give me waraku's anytime over these small squishy roe.


Bacon & Mushroom in Garlic Sauce ($13.80)

Dad's wasn't too bad. He enjoyed the mix of mushrooms and bacon in a pleasant garlic sauce. The best part of today's meal- reward vouchers for this opening season! For our $30+ bill, we received a $15 voucher so i can foresee a revisit soon.

Bentendo
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#03-32/33 Great World City

Coffee Bean Supper

The measly SQ fish dish aboard my return flight from Hong Kong made me felt so empty that i dragged dad supper at Coffee Bean. I just needed some sandwich to fill while he went for a low-fat muffin with a cup of Morrocan Mint tea.

Panini, Pita, Ciabatta, Foccacia or sundried tomato focaccia- this issue of variety can be taxing sometimes. I had a hard time making my decision, so dad did it for me.


Smoked Salmon Ciabatta ($7.70)

I thought a smoked salmon sandwich sounded assuring enough since none have yet to utterly disappoint me.... until this one came along. Putting aside that stale tough bread, the fillings of salmon, boiled egg wedges and dill cream were far more complainable about. They have never tasted so dull and lifeless. Yucks (but hungry me cleared it anyways)


Low-fat Cranberry Muffin ($2.60)

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Airport Boulevard
2F Changi Airport T2- Public Area

Teatime @ Pasta Cafe

Valerie was so tired after shopping, she chose to have a short break here. Hi-tea set includes a drink and slice of Rive Gauche cake at $5.90.


Iced Lemon Tea


Strawberry Shortcake

Butter-rich sponge slathered with cream and little strawberry slices. Edible, but i've definitely tasted better.



Oreo Cheesecake

She felt this tempting slice calling out to her.

Pasta Cafe
391 Orchard Road
#B2-37 Ngee Ann City

Gelare Waffles Again

I would never expect my next Gelare visit to be just a mere one week after. This time i brought my cousin Valerie for half-priced waffles since she claimed to have tried it in Melbourne not long ago.


Waffle with Cookies N Cream Gelato ($5.90)

She made a replica order as that during her Australia trip. I went on to sample a few more flavours (felt deep for their pistachio) but still stayed with my cheesecake favourite in the end. What a boring trait i have.


Waffle with Blueberry Cheesecake Gelato ($5.90)

Lighter, crispier than the usual fare and without the stale taste i got at Citylink Mall. They had finally managed to redeem itself as a more deserving world-class waffle outlet.


Gelare Cafe
90 Hougang Ave 10
#02-10 Hougang Mall

The Balcony Bar

People who frequent Heeren may find some white birdcage-alike swing seats a familiar sight. This chillout spot perched in a corner of the mall was a suitable choice where bestie Xinya and i can enjoy a $19.90 set dinner whilst overlooking the busy road junction beaming with Christmas lights.


Minestrone Soup

Pretty good. Light yet chunky with ingredients like onions, carrots, mushrooms.. and spaghetti. I admit that was a weird touch.


Red Baby Snapper with Garlic Teriyaki

A thick pan-fried fillet with smooth and tender flesh minus that crisp skin factor. Kind of over-pepperish because both the fish marinade and sauce were junked with loads of pepper. Apart from that, the generous pile of fresh greens and indian-spiced chickpea salad made this dinner dish quite wholesome.



Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Xinya took the next available main course. Served with golden wedges and a sauce tasting like soup.

For dessert, we could pick from their range of cakes on display. The waitress advised that my choice was a totally-chocolate cake but the poorly blended layers turned out to be more coffee-dominated than anything else. Even Xinya's cheesecake was dry and forgettable.


Dark Chocolate Opera Slice


Oreo Cheesecake

The Balcony Bar
260 Orchard Road
#01-K5/ 02-03

Crepes N Cream

Crepe with Green Tea Icecream & Almond Flakes ($3)

While awaiting for a movie at Cineleisure, Xinya and i came across this express creperie at the basement. We conveniently grabbed a dessert crepe to share, topped off with a scoop of Bud's Green Tea Ice Cream and sprinkle of almond flakes-stingy one.

Nothing gimmicky about it, just very difficult to slice up (due to the thinness). The crepe was eggy in taste and well paired with an icecream thats rich yet not too sweet. I remember Sakae serves this brand too.

Crepes N Cream
8 Grange Road
#B1-03 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard

Billy's Power

When Dad thinks of a sausage meal, it is most likely Billy Bombers that will give him a satisfying fix. This time i was glad to be given a seat beside the kitchen where i could get an eye-opening view of the chefs at work. They were swift and efficient in dishing out plates of hearty american food.


Route 66 ($14.50)

My burger deserved a good lengthy commentry. The bun was made with much skill, so distinctly toasted till you get flaking crisps on the outside and soft bites inside. Today's tender and soft chicken thigh also surpassed the usual standards, with much more mushrooms given. Best one ever served here!



American Hound Dog ($11.80)

Dad's beef dog. Also enjoyed.

Billy Bombers
6 Raffles Boulevard
#02-176 Marina Square

Bakerzin Tea-Time

Now one of our favourite spots in Millenia Walk is where we could indulge in an $8.90 tea-time special on wekends. Their dainty cake slices are most appropriate for an afternoon oasis.


Scarlet

Fluffy Genoise sponge laced with strawberry puree, fresh cream, strawberry basil jelly and glazed strawberry fruits. Crumbly average cake with a nice mousse interior thats light, roughy and vanillary.



Christmas Fruit Cake

Dad's limited edition festive choice crammed with nuts and dried fruits.

Bakerzin
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-23/24/25 Millenia Walk

Prego's Pasta

A Sunday afternoon and we were craving for pasta.


Homemade bread


Farfalle Smoked Salmon with peas, vodka, lemon cream sauce ($25)

Had the lemon cream sauce changed to a lighter white wine base, which tasted a mere sour coating on those thick farfalle pasta. The overcooked smoked salmon was dry and shrivelled, flaking with every fragile handling.



Spaghetti Vongole ($25)

Dad says their standards were inconsistent but this time up to mark.