Every time I head to Ice Edge Cafe, I settle for the same thing - Aglio Olio and a Belgium Dark Chocolate Gelato. This time, I had a quick lunch and tried something new (to me). The Crab Bisque was thick with a generous amount of shredded crab meat blended in and over the top -- A bowl just so comforting on that cold rainy day. While the Salmon Baked Rice didn't look like much, underneath that crusted cheese was a pretty satisfactory mix of rice and baked salmon, which was moist enough so that a spoonful of cheese, rice and salmon harmonized well.For dessert, we tried the Lava Cake (but I'll be back for their infamous waffles). The thing I appreciate about Ice Edge Cafe is their unwavering standard and attention to details like this. The Lava Cake took a while to prepare and although the chocolate didn't ooze out as much as I'd hoped, the taste was pretty phenomenal. You get to choose the flavour of Gelato that comes with the Lava Cake, so we chose one that would pair well with the immense load of chocolate on the other side of the plate - Cookies & Cream. A good choice we made, I must say.

Located along the shop houses of East Coast Road are quite a number of food outlets but what the stretch severely lacked: A good cosy coffee joint that people can hide out in with friends or their mountain of assignments. Penny University made all the dreams of east-side cafe hoppers come true and 2 things you might like to know - They've got free wifi and halal cupcakes!

CoffeeUpon seeing the words ‘Monmouth’ on the chalkboard, instant flashbacks to London hit me like a freight train, in a good way. Borough Market. Monmouth Coffee. Queuing for Monmouth Coffee. Sipping on one of the best cuppas to date.That up there, was definitely a good cup of coffee. Comforting in the damp weather, frothy and smooth to slither down my throat.

CakesTheir cupcake flavours vary from day to day. While I absolutely have no recollection of the actual name of the one I had up there, I do know one thing — their cupcakes are halal! In fact, I believe halal ingredients are utilized for baking in Penny University though I can’t be certain that it goes the same for everything else on the menu.Simply said, the Cupcake I tried was an amazing chocolate story. The kind that consumes you. A perfect chocolate frosting atop a base that had just the right level of fluffiness. But while I do admit their cupcakes are good, it did pain me a little to fork out $4.20 for such a small portion.

For the full review, read: http://aquaintsense.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/penny-university

At Block 463 of Jurong West St 41, walk past a minimart and a comic bookstore: You’ll find Kim Lotus Dessert and probably a long queue too thanks to its great desserts at reasonable prices.

While you’re in the shop, you’ll feel transported to the 1990s with that metal counter and television raised up near the ceiling, usually with Channel 8 on display. The self-service system ensures you don't have to wait impatiently to get the server's attention though the queue does stretch a little far especially on weekend nights.

Much to my dismay, they were out of Burbur Hitam and Mango Sago so we had ice cold servings of Cheng Tng and Burbur Chacha instead. Nonetheless, no disappointments there!Kim Lotus certainly doesn't stinge on the amount of sweet potato and yam in the Burbur Chacha ($2.20), or any other dessert for that matter. The ingredients were fresh and blended well with the coconut milk in the shaved ice, not to forget the tapioca pearls that add on to the colourful mix in the bowl. Light with just the right amount of sweetness, the Cheng Tng ($1.70) was refreshing and just perfect for a humid evening with such a generous amount of ingredients. It sure tasted as good as it looks.

Some other desserts available: Gingko Nut Barley, Mango Ice Kachang (tried and would recommend) , Durian Ice Kachang, Aloe Vera Peach, Soursop, Honeydew Sago, Mango Longan, Tau Suan, Red Bean Soup, Chendol, Grassjelly Drink.

A jewel to residents of Serangoon Garden and avid sportsmen of Burghley Squash & Tennis Centre, Bread King is masked by a deceptively simple and local shopfront and space, while producing some rather tasty breads baked with utmost quality. It seemed rather popular with several residents of the neighbourhood coming by to pick up bread for the home, some with bicycles and baskets ready to hold bags of freshly baked goods.

Instead of taking a long 20 minute walk from Lorong Chuan MRT Station, you might want to take bus 317 and drop 11 stops later after passing the Burghley Squash & Tennis Centre on your left.You can choose your breads from 2 displays:
1) A hot oven display at the counter where a friendly service crew awaits your order with recommendations of their own, 2) A red pigeon-hole one on the right housing 9 different types of take-home breads such as large loaves of baguettes at $4.50 each, Muesli bread at $8.50 and a pair of Ciabattas at $4 amongst others like Rye and Brioche. A chirpy handwritten sign reads "Please let us help you!" So please, let them!

Also available is freshly brewed coffee, of which I regrettably did not try. We had some freshly baked croissants and when I say freshly baked, I mean straight from the oven. At $3 a piece, it was pretty satisfactory, but my only qualm was that the insides were a tad too soft. A good croissant nonetheless! Flaky and buttery with soft tissue-like layers with every bite. Keep them in the paper bags provided though, or things might get messy.

Cafe hoppers really ought to hop their way to Department of Caffeine located at Duxton. This newbie in the area has proven themselves serious on the coffee note, with food worth recommending as well.We had the Honey Lavender Tea Cake, Carrot Cake and Breakfast Quiche together with orders of Flat White. The Honey Lavender Tea Cake stood along the perfect line between moist and dry, topped with honey that takes your tastebuds on a sweet waltz and your sense of smell towards a meadow of lavenders. Quite pleasant play on your senses. For the Breakfast Quiche, it was pretty average and definitely not the star dish in the glass display. The Carrot Cake on the other hand, stole the limelight with its generous amount of cream cheese that just hit the spot. My expectations were high on coffee. After all, they did call themselves the Department of Caffeine. Most fortunately so, I was not disappointed. I had just about the perfect cup of coffee and needless to say, would be back for more. Do note that they close pretty early everyday!

For full review and more photos, please visit http://aquaintsense.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/department-of-caffeine-d-o-c/