Ichiban Boshi Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant occupies tge premises vacated by Pizza Hut. Besides conveyor belt sushi and bento sets, a range of side dishes or tapas has progresively been introduced to its menu. Good for times when diners want to skip on the carbohydrates and opt for something that tickles the taste buds. We ordered the tempura $9.90++, takoyaki $5.90++, pumpkin croquette, creamy potato croquette and crispy salmon skin (all at $2.40++ per portion).

Tempura was rather disappointing as the prawns were skinny and all the fritters were too thickly and not evenly coated by the tempura batter. Grated radish instead of being served on the side had already been sparingly mixed into the soy dip. Creamy potato croquette (one big patty per portion) and pumpkin croquettes (2 pieces) were moreish. Served with two dips - tonkatsu sauce and a creamy dip that had the consistency of guacamole but tasted like 1000 island dressing. Tonkatsu sauce complemented the croquettes well.

Takoyaki were quite small - half the size of those normally sold at food kiosks in shopping centres. Tasty but the chef was rather stingy with the bonito flakes which I like.

Service was polite and attentive, with the wait staff topping up our glasses of iced matcha without being prompted.

This local cafe chain has many outlets in different shopping centres. It offers kopitiam style beverages along with popular local hawker favorites like fishball noodles and bak cho mee (minced pork noodles). This is theirbak cho mee $4 which is full of sliced pork, minced pork, pork liver (can be omitted) and some thinly sliced braised mushrooms. Taste wise, the noodles were springy but the chilli and vinegar mixture used for tossing. The noodles is just ok, not great.

Don probably serves the best chicken pie in Singapore - it tastes of homemade goodness with light flaky puff pastry that is not oily at all and is chockful of chicken chunks. The NEX outlet unfortunately has no seating area - only a takeaway kiosk. A whole pie costs $19.00 and can be cut into six generously sized wedges, each filled with a scrumptious filling of half a hard boiled egg, lean chicken chunks and diced mixed vegetables. A wedge is a meal in itself, though those with big appetites would want some fries and salad to go with it. The signature chicken pie is seasoned with white pepper whick adds a hint of spice to it; there is Don's Kkids Pie (same price) withput any pepper at all to cater for those who just want a creamy chicken pie filling. The black pepper chicken pie packs a punch and is not for those with low chilli/spice thresholds.

Lai Lai Casual Dining is a cheerful bistro decorated in bright hues. Service is brosk, polite and friendly - just like what you wpuld expect in Taiwan. The specialty here is Japanese style ramen served up with popular Taiwanese toppings like crispy chicken cutlet, crispy fish chunks, braised beef, chashu or braised pork. The beef ramen here needs no introduction. We decided to try something different this visit. The chashu ramen $8.90 is very good. Pity it does not include a braised egg as shown in the menu; it is a separate order item at $1.80 - rather pricey for something that costs no more than 80¢ at the food court. The crispy fish ramen is nice $9.90 but the fish had been marinated too long so ended up being too salty.

For those who wish to skip the ramen for a light meal Lai Lai serves a small selection of street food typically sold at Taiwanese night markets such as oyster omelette, pancake or jian bing and tempura, starting from $4.90 for 3pcs of ebi fry.

The milky bubble tea at $3.50 is the best I've tasted in Singapore - silky smooth, thick and frothy and not saccharine sweet. Nice place to come to when you have cravings for Taiwanese food. Pity the menu does not include any desserts.

Bangkok Jam by Creative Eateries Group is the quirky cousin of Siam Kitchen - identified by its witty, electic decor theme reminiscent of a traffic junction, and a selective but representative menu. It offers many one dish meal options of noodles and rice.

Bangkok Jam stands out from other mass market Thai restaurants with their moreish and attractively plated appetizers or tapas.

Yum Som Oh or Pomelo Salad $10.50++ is rarely found nowadays and Bangkok Jam's version is excellent - the salad is a refreshing contrast of tastes - sweet pomelo sacs, fresh taste of QQ shrimps, crispy shallots, tangy hints of finely shredded lemongrass or kaffir and the spicy kick of birds eye chilli flakes.

Tod Mun Goong $9.90++ for four pieces of the popular prawn cakes. Here the prawn cakes are creatively served - skewered on a lemongrass stem, in keeping with the aim of serving finger food to go with its cocktails and wines. The prawns were fresh and the breaded patties were crisp fried to an attractive golden brown colour. Good enough on its own but was served with a piquant homemade plum sauce for those who want a dip for their tapas.

Tub Tim Krob or Red Ruby Dessert at $7.50++ may seem pricey but imho is worth every cent. Lots of crunchy water chestnut morsels wrapped in a thin chewy coating of tapioca flour offers a delightful contrast of textures and instead of being immersed in coconut milk and topped by shaved ice, Bangkok Jam serves it with three scoops of their creamy not-too-sweet homemade coconut ice cream. Brilliant.

Service was attentive, friendly and prompt. Will visit agaon soon to try other items on their menu.