Located right on the first floor of The Cathay, Assembly Ground Cafe is a spacious classic cafe with its brown hues, laidback vibe and hippie interior decor. Right beside it is the retail store, The Assembly Store from the same arm if you want to do some shopping first.Assembly Ground Food Menu

Apart from the usual all-day breakfast, mains, and beverages, Assembly Ground also has an assortment of interesting cakes (think Thai Milk Tea/Earl Grey/Gula Melaka) for sweet tooths. There's no service charge and GST is already included in the prices listed, so you pay the amount as per the menu.Truffle Fries ($10)

While awaiting our friend who'd overslept, we ordered the Truffle Fries to satiate ourselves. The smell of the truffle can be whiffed from a table away when it passed us. We didn't regret this. The shoestring-cut fries came piping hot and crisp with a fluffy inside. Served in a steel shovel, it was so good. A friend even commented that this was better than P.S. Cafe's. If you need an appetiser, order this.Iced Green Tea Latte ($6.50) and Green Tea Latte ($5.50)

With a difference of a $1, the Iced Green Tea Latte comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Apart from the temperature, both versions are the same. The drink was creamy, with the bitter-sweet Green Tea flavour there, but it would have been better less sweet.Rosti Omelette ($15) - Eggs, Bratwurst, Grated Potatoes, Sausage, Sour Cream.

The star of the Rosti Omelette is not the Rosti, but rather split between both. You will be disappointed if you expect Marche's standard of Rosti. This version is a little strange, with a part of the rosti too crispy (resembling crispy noodles in texture even) and lacking in the buttery fragrance rosti potato strips have. The omelette was average. Other brunch mains would be better choices.The Assembly Brunch ($19.50) - Scrambled eggs, bacon or salmon, wiener sausage, sauteed mushrooms, potato gratin, grilled cherry tomatoes, toast.

The Assembly Brunch was happily, no letdown. The potato gratin was buttery and smooth with a slightly charred exterior. The 2 slices of toast that accompanied it seems to be the multi-grain variety, Scrambled eggs were done to a balanced consistency that wasn't too wet nor too cooked. You also get to choose between smoked salmon and bacon. This dish is reliably good, and though it may sound big, the portion is just right for one with a normal appetite. Earl Grey Cake ($4.50)

The Earl Grey loaf cake slice was crumbly in exterior and evidently perfumed with Earl Grey scent. However, it was too sweet right from the first mouthful. Unless you are an ultimate sugar consumer, skip. Thai Milk Tea Slice ($4.50)

Much better was the Thai Milk Tea loaf slice. It had the same consistency (same recipe?) as the Earl Grey cake without being overly sweet. We also enjoyed the crumbly Thai milk tea flavoured "crust" on the surface of the cake. The cake itself is more of the dense texture than fluffy.Going by cafe standards, the food definitely didn't pale in taste. I guess it shows since one of the chefs was from Wild Honey. The service here was friendly, and the staff didn't hurry us after we'd finished our food. Ok perhaps that's because it was not crowded on the Saturday noon we were there too, Great atmosphere, spacious and decent bites and drinks - all assembled here. This place definitely makes my list of cafes to return to.

For the full review, go to http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg

For the full review, go to http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg/2014/09/la-ristrettos.html 

Tucked away in Novena Medical Centre is La Ristrettos, a cafe squirreled away on the eighth floor. The place is quiet the way medical centers are, down a squeaky clean white-washed corridor. Not hard to let yourself think that you are away from the world up here. The interior has a communal dining table and bar seats overlooking the al-fresco area outside. Let the cashier know if you choose to sit outside and they will serve the dishes to you there (the area outside isn't theirs).Mocha ($5.80)

Their version of mocha has made me a fan of mochas. The drink is thick and smooth, chocolatey yet not overshadowing the coffee flavour. A very good choice if you want to get a drink.Linguini Alle Scaloppina ($14.90)

This was an alright dish in general. The tomato sauce was appetising and scallops passed in freshness.Tostino E Arrosto ($11) - Roasted Chicken Breast, Poached egg, spinach atop an olive-oil drizzled sourdough toast.

From the all-day breakfast menu, the Tostino E Arrosto was my pick. The roasted chicken breast was a tad dry, and the sourdough toast seemed a little too hard. However, the mustard sauce, made with whole mustard seeds, that accompanied it at the side was superb. It lifted up the dish. The sourdough was thankfully softer after mopping up the poached egg yolk.With its 'hidden away' factor, indie cafe setting and nice ambience, it makes a good place to while away the afternoon with a book. It's good for coming with another friend too, but bigger groups may find it difficult to get seats. Even though the food may be average, the coffees pulled here are very good, if the mocha is anything to go by. There are 2 power points available at the bar seats area, for those who may wish to use their laptop. Definitely worth a visit for the place itself, if not the beverages.

Opened just earlier this year in March, Choo Choo Chicken's main sell is 치맥 (pronounced as chi-maek), or Chicken and Beer. This food combination has gone into popularity overdrive ever since the popular K-drama "My Love From The Star" featured it, and Choo choo here calls its version "no. 1" in town. How could I not check it out?It is a small, simple joint with a limited capacity of 24 indoors. The first time we went on a weekday evening, it was nearly filled save for one last table. Sadly though, they were out of their korean fried chicken (yes my world crashed when I heard that). Nevertheless, we went ahead and ordered the SPAM C.C Burger.Spam. C.C Burger. They also offer an alternative version with tuna instead of spam. ($6.90)

It is a burger made up of SPAM(luncheon meat) encased within a layer of kimchi between 2 chewy seaweed-rice patties. The spam was fried crisp on the outside while retaining its meaty moisture. It went very well with the crunchiness of the sour kimchi (I like it sour). The entire combination was superb. Must get.We also settled for the chicken tenders, which were pieces of chicken breast fried in batter. These reminded me of the ones at Popeyes. The batter was light and the chicken tenders did not leave an oily aftertaste in the mouth, but it did seem a little bland. Chicken Tenders ($10)

Finally, we returned on a weekday noon after that failed first visit. Yes. This time round, there were the fried chicken. On top of that, they had special lunch sets too. Each set comes with 4 pieces of fried chicken wings and drumlets, seaweed-flecked rice and kimchi.Hot and Iced Barley Tea ($1 a cup)

We opted for the lunch sets instead of the pricier (and less small-group friendly) ala-carte, which only has Chicken wings available in 8-piece Wings and drumlets ($16) or whole chicken ($29.90).Garlic-flavoured Fried Chicken Set ($8.90)

The Garlic Fried Chicken came extremely fragrant. A bite into this and yes, definitely one of the crispiest fried chicken around, The savoury-sweet garlic marinade drizzled atop it didn't affect its crispiness at all.Spicy Fried Chicken Set ($8.90)

As for the Spicy Fried Chicken, be warned, the spiciness is really spicier than a good portion of us can normally take. Despite it being really hot, I preferred it to the other flavour because it is fully savoury.Both versions tried were completely crispy with tender flesh inside. However, the meat itself could have done with more flavour. Perhaps it was the chicken used, but there was no natural sweetness to the meat. Only the marinade and chicken skin provided the flavour.

We also took away the Soy-flavoured fried chicken. Sadly, the chicken lost its crispiness from being in the box too long. Still, the flavour was there. The Soy Fried Chicken resembled Four Fingers' Soy version - light saltiness with a sticky sweetness.

With the quality and consistency of the fried chicken, it is definitely a place worth checking out for Korean Fried Chicken lovers, albeit a little pricy. The lunch sets will provide better value if eating alone or in a pair. I should think Choo Choo better than Four Fingers, but number 1? It remains to be seen with more competitors versions waiting to be tried.

For the full review, visit herpenandfork.blogspot.com

Shirokiya recently opened its 2nd outlet in Singapore, located at CHIJMES. In Japan, this izakaya (Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food) chain has over 30 years of history.The interior is stylish and modern, with sufficient space between tables. However, it may not be the best place for catching up as the environment can get pretty noisy still, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Branching out from the flagship at Cuppage, the menu here differs with an additional new series of dishes, some featuring a "healthy" element to it. Cold Tofu Marinated with Shio-koji or salted rice malt ($8.80)

The cold tofu is light on the palate, with a hint of salty flavour from the shio-koji. Simple but refreshing, this is something different from the usual tofu dishes. For those who find it bland, adding a little of the accompanying miso on the side will be more than enough. This is only served in limited portions each day.Bonito Fish Marinated with Ponzu Sauce (7.80)

The garlic helped in masking the slight fishiness present. It would have been a great dish actually, if not for the less-than-fresh fish used. Still, it's rare to see tataki served at this price point in slightly upscale restaurants like this, which makes this value-for-money. Ultimate Fried Chicken Wings with Sweet Sauce ($18.80)

This JFC (Jap Fried Chicken) reminded me of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) because of the sweet sticky sauce coating it. The exterior was crispy alright - a result of double-frying. But, because of the same reason, the chicken meat was on the dry side. It was the same when I came on an earlier occasion. For the price, it might just be better to get something else on the menu instead.Kurobuta Shabu-Shabu served in Collagen Soup ($38)

The white blob of chicken collagen is added into the soup before all other ingredients. Each of the thin and luscious pork belly slices after shabu-ing is springy and fresh in flavour.Coupled with the vegetables and soup stock, this is easily one of the best pork shabu around. The pork slices given is also sufficient for 2-3 people to share. Our favourite of the night.Broiled Pressed Mackerel ($15.80)

Not your usual sushi, the fish is slightly tart from having undergone the pickling process. Each piece is also just right in thickness.. The rice is chewy with bits of pickles mixed in and the combination of textures is pretty decent.This is a good option for a different kind of sushi as it is not often found at other similar Jap establishments.Warabi Mochi ($7.80)

The round off with dessert. Created with their own recipe from scratch. every blob of the mochi is luscious and wobbly soft. The dark sugar syrup isn't cloyingly sweet and this made for a party in the mouth.Sprinkled with a generous dusting of sesame powder, this tops my standard for mochi by far. Get this if you are thinking of dessert without moving to other places. Home-made rich Soy Milk Pudding ($4.80)

The hits outnumber the misses. Overall, we had an enjoyable meal at Shirokiya.With a third outlet opening at Clarke Quay in the near future, Shirokiya looks set to stay - and for pretty good reason too. If you are looking to save even more, go for the value set lunches available at $12 nett.

Milagro, or"miracle" in Spanish is the title of this indie Spanish outfit located in Orchard Central opened by a Singaporean. Situated on the 8th level, the full-length glass windows at the side afford diners a good street view from a height, though there are no tangible scenery to speak of as directly opposite is Orchard Point.The menu includes a good variety of Spanish Tapas, entrees and mains categorised by land and sea. There's also a selection of wines/cocktails and desserts.These white clams, or what we know colloquially as la la, are cooked in broth spiked with sherry wine. They were juicy and thankfully, not fishy. The slightly garlicky, briny soup also carried a seafood sweetness. Overall, a pretty good dish.The Croquetas de Jamon - stuffed potato balls of cheese and Jamon ham were soft though the exterior is battered and fried. The cheese melted within oozes out. At only 3 balls per portion, this wouldn't make a good dish for sharing (as we tried to) nor value for money.

Of course, how could we miss out on the iconic Spanish dish of Paella? Our choice of Paella Valenciana was served with chicken chunks and French beans. Though the service staff told us that the portion size would be good for us (5 people), it actually can be finished between 2 people comfortably. To share between 5 is stretching it a little thin despite the width of the pan, because the rice is only a thin layer atop.While the chicken chunks were moist enough, the rice itself was a tad oily. There wasn't any charred rice bits around too to give the dish a contrast in textures. However, in terms of flavour, I still enjoyed this dish.
Milagro is surely a good choice for Spanish fare that doesn't leave a gaping hole in the pocket. Perhaps not the most authentic, but the quality is nonetheless on par. The setting is also good for group gatherings and prices among the most family-friendly you can find locally for spanish fare. If you can, go during lunchtime for the even more affordable lunch sets. I will be back to try the churros and gazpachos (Spanish Cold Soup).

For the full review, go to http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg/2014/08/milagro-spanish-restaurant-review.html