My first impression of Borgata, a quiet and cozy little Italian restaurant with warm lights, a cozy feel (okay, I didn’t spot the bar counter until much later), hidden along the happening bar-filled walkways of Clarke Quay.

The restaurant manager recommended the usual favorites of starters, pizzas and pastas, which includes a customized / unique pasta by Chef Andrea, just for us

Borgata’s Stracciata truly got me drooling and wanting more, thinly sliced meat with loads of herbs and Parmesan cheese on a bed of salad and truffle oil… *yums*

As for pizza and pasta, it’ll be the Napoletana (anchovies on thin crust pizza), Spaghetti Alle Vongole (spaghetti with clams in white wine sauce) and the customized pasta (tiger prawns and scallops pasta), though dishes are slightly stronger in taste but left a lasting yummy impression.

And the desserts were lava cake and tiramisu.
The lava cake or molten chocolate cake, after being set on fire by the waiter, was simply creamy and divine for chocolate lovers.

As for their tiramisu, there was a hint of orange in the soaked savoiardi as Cointreau was used (not the usual version I’m used to) and a layer of crunchy bits, which tasted like biscuits. Although I was looking forward to traditional tiramisu, Borgata’s version was pleasant and a refreshing change.

A nice choice for a date and / or a quiet dinner with friends, to catch up and enjoy lovely Italian food.

Not to forget, a big thank you to OpenRice and Borgata, for the invite and chance to experience Italian cuisine

People living in the West always complain about how rarely good food can be found there. Just as I was brainstorming all the shopping malls in the West... starting from jurong point, westmall, IMM... West Coast Plaza came across my mind. It is a revamped shopping mall from the old Ginza Plaza if anyone can recall. Be surprised with the cool & new furnishing inside West Coast Plaza. There's lots of things going on - mini exhibition of transformer statues, wide array of shops, wide selection of eateries & restaurants.

If you are a Japanese food lover, you'll dig this place. It was my first time at Sakuraya. Truly amazed at the authentic concept. The restaurant is divided into two sections, one for food & one for a quick shopping. While entering the restaurant, you will walk past a fridge where fresh fish meat aka Sashimis are nicely packed in transparent foils. Bf says that its the first time he salivate at the sight of RAW SASHIMIs. The fun part is that you can choose the type of sashimi you fancy and it will be sliced right away before served at your table. Yummy!

An increasingly popular drink paired with Japanese cuisine is the Calpico. It tastes like yakult. I like it.

Another recommendation for side dish is the Fried Potatoes. Its crispy and tasteful. You can choose to dip in a sweet & sour sauce that comes along with it.

I ordered Udon for my main, soup is a lil too salty. But i like the texture of the noodle, its bouncy(aka Q~) enough.

After we finished the meal, we went to window-shop around the fish-mart. They sell many japanese food products (frozen & non) off shelves.

Do check it out if you love sashimis! i would go there again for that!

I love pancakes. Naturally, I was very excited when I learnt of Strictly Pancakes (SP), Singapore’s first dedicated pancake café! Located at 44A Prinsep Street, SP is open from morning till night so customers can have their pancake fix anytime during the day.

In addition to the traditional butter-and-maple-syrup combination, SP also offers six sweet and six savory options, ranging from Chicken A La King (chicken chunks, sweet onion slices, cream sauce and asparagus) to Strawberries & Co (mixed berries, vanilla ice cream, strawberry coulis and cream).

I had set my eyes on the Black Forest Pancakes while browsing through their online menu, which was coincidentally recommended by the staff.

Black Forest ($12+): Chocolate pancakes topped with brandied cherries, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate shavings, homemade chocolate sauce and cream

These were supposed to come with three chocolate pancakes but I accidentally served plain ones instead. Not that I minded though, ‘cos I find chocolate pancakes too sweet for me! However, I didn’t get receive any reimbursement for the error (chocolate pancakes cost $1 more than plain ones on the a la carte menu) but I was not charged for the rum and raisin butter (U.P. $0.50) which I had requested to try.

The pancakes were decently soft, and were in fact very much like a slightly thicker version of Mac’s hotcakes. While I enjoyed the combination of cold vanilla ice cream with warm pancakes, I definitely won’t be ordering dessert pancakes here again as I find them too sweet for my liking. Nevertheless, those with a sweet tooth will probably enjoy this. Although my favorite way of enjoying pancakes is to have them drizzled with lots of maple syrup, I will not be attempting the plain pancakes here as I have heard that the maple syrup served here is watered-down.

The Iced Blended Mocha ($5+) was decent- light, frothy and not too sweet. However, it was a tad icy.

Cedele’s superbly soft pancakes are still the best choice for those who like their pancakes on the thinner side. However, having heard positive reviews about SP’s savory choices and milkshakes, I will not rule out the possibility of a re-visit if I happen to be around the area. Oh, and students (like me) get 10% off the bill!

Dessert First might be familiar with some of you out there as it has been around for more than ten months. Located just next to Around De World pasta restaurant, this cozy store offers more than just your usual Cocktail Ice Jelly and Peanut Paste.

Homemade Taro Skin Tang Yuan ($3.50)
The rice balls are carefully handmade by them using taro paste. This dessert has also been modified to suit the palate of the younger crowd by changing the traditional peanut or ginger soup into osmanthus soup. The sweet aroma of the osmanthus flower lingers in your mouth after every sip of it. However, if you love it the traditional way, you may still request for peanut or ginger soup.

There are 4 glutinous rice balls in every bowl with 2 red bean and 2 chocolate. If you’re a chocolate addict, you will be in love with the chocolate rice balls. When you sink your teeth into the rice ball, the warm chocolate will ooze out giving you a unspeakable sensation.

For the red bean rice balls, it has a good old sticky texture which will set you savouring every bit of it. The red bean paste compliments soup and texture of the rice ball so well that it will leave you enjoying your bowl of tang yuan in bliss.

Homemade Pumpkin Skin Tang Yuan ($3.50)
Similar to the Taro Tang Yuan except it uses the pumpkin skin to make it. This is a healthier option for those who do not like taro. The pumpkin skin rice ball gives a certain sweetness in it which adds a whole new dimension to the taste of the riceballs with the fillings.

Mango Pudding ($2.50)
A classic favourite among mango fans! This is the traditional mango pudding you see at Cantonese restaurants and cafes. Topped with milk, the generous amount of mango slices is sure to please your appetite and the pudding will leave you craving for more!

Sago Cream with Fresh Fruits
I'm a fan of this dessert but I find it a tag too "healthy" for me as it isn't sweet at all. Perhaps the milk used is too little and the ice is too much. So as the dessert melts, it starts to turn more and more diluted. However, the fruits make up the lack of sweetness of it. Pretty healthy dessert for those who do not like it too sweet!

Went by to Roast @ One Rochester for some great food and great company.

Our table of 9 was served with an expense of Communal Menu, great desserts and dazzling drinks. *So dazzling that I see stars

To me, its always about getting the basics right before going on to conquer greater grounds.

I love their Grilled cod fillet with fennel and blood orange salad which is on the top right hand corner next to the Roast Logo. The chewy affair of the fish together with the caramelized layer on the top gives the cod fillet a must-go.

Their Tiger prawn salad with cous cous, pomegranate, mint and persian feta is fascinating as well (see top left hand corner next to the Roast Logo). This is the first time I encounter pomegranate with prawns. Not just that the prawn is fresh, but put together with the pomegranate, their crunchy-ness is a whole new chapter to the dish.

Their starter, The "Nibble" Platter which includes foie gras parfait, game terrine, is a very non-routine dish. In simple terms, they are goose liver moose and rabbit meat (see photo right below Roast Logo). What a new experience it was. That simple softness of the moose with the exotic taste of the goose liver. That game meat texture on a pastry... its like walking on unchartered grounds in the woods of the Twilight movie.

Their dessert of Grande Assiette , I especially love their coffee creme brulee. Its quality. Period. The coffee bean scent, that tinge of sweetness... Its Perfect~ *MuAcKz!

The drinks... How can the night be complete without them right?
Sequencing from left to right, *Lychee Martini, BMW (Baileys, Martini and Whisky) and Cosmopolitan.

Need I say more?
Go figure ;)