A few weeks ago, I was at Marina Square having one of those leisure walks by myself. I chanced upon Alfero, a gelato cafe parked at a quiet corner of the shopping mall. You wouldn't know Alfero existed until you take a full walk around Marina Square.

But I am just glad I found the lovely place. At that moment, I knew I just have to pay Alfero a visit. But at that moment, I just didn't feel like having gelato after a heavy luncheon. Since then, I have been waiting eagerly, praying earnestly for an opportunity...

Opportunity came knocking when I had the chance. It was my first time actually and I was having mixed feelings. I wasn't sure how the whole gelato experience would be like but somehow happiness compel me to go ahead.Unlike your conventional gelato shop, you will never be able to see a array of different colored delights. It's all hidden. Hidden gem if you have to ask me. But in order to preserve the perfect texture and smoothness of their gelato, they have store them in pozzetto cabinet where neither air nor light could contaminate the quality. Seeing is good but taste is better! Yeah, I totally agree!The nectar of the Gods. Mango Alphonso. Extremely mangoish. Happiness sipping out from natural sweetness. There was nothing much needed to be said apart from enjoying nectar wholeheartedly.

Nocciola is the Italian way of saying hazelnut. I have no doubt about the quality of hazelnut they choose. Nothing but the best of the best just for you. Something we love to hear right? I don't know about you but I sure do!Alfero might not come cheap compared to your typical ice cream store but apparently there's a difference between ice cream and gelato. What's the astounding difference? Check out their website to find out more.

I would definitely recommend Alfero not just for their gelato but also their exceptionally friendly staffs. Being greeted by the brightest of smile never fails to bring comfort to someone who's in a unfamiliar place for the first time. As they say:

Even the Godfather loves it...

I just wonder when will be the next opportunity. Until then, I will be waiting patiently...

Apart from knowing all the different places to have good meal, being a food blogger also means I get to visit all those nice places in person and tell everyone on my blog Hey! These are my personal recommendations to the nice eateries in that vicinity!

I’ve heard much about that cozy little Japanese restaurant within the foodie community of Tiong Barhu and their reasonably priced omakase course ($38++). It has been the top of my list to try and even more yearning to try after reading all those positive reviews of their Euro-Japanese dishes.

With my trusty partner by my side, we stepped into the place with high expectations for our Japanese dinner. Like all the other authentic 日本食堂 (Nihon shokudō) or Japanese eateries, the place is small which I believe could sit no more than 40 people. And judging from a few Japanese families walking in the same time as us for dinner, I would say it’s as authentic as Japanese cuisine can get!We flipped through the menu and we can’t decide to go for their rice rolls or raw fish. They both seemed good and it’s such a pity our wallets can’t sponsor both. In the end, my partner’s craving for sashimi led to a plate of fresh Sashimi of Three Kinds ($25.00) which we couldn’t get enough off.But there’s no need to order another plate of raw fish again since we’re going for their mains!

While I wouldn’t say their Tonkatsu ($12.00) isn’t the comparable to the last one I had earlier, it is definitely good enough for two person to share over a casual meal. You have to finish it quick as it turns cold very fast in the air-conditioned space.

Note that rice come separately from the dish too.The final dish was their Seafood Gratin ($16.00) which seemed to take forever to come. I was so afraid they had forgotten my orders and I have to wait in agony watching my partner finishing up her last piece of fried cutlet.. I was only comforted when the only staff attending to all the tables assured me that the gratin is still in the oven.

Now. How could she possibly know where my food was exactly at? Maybe she’s just trying to humor me while rushing the kitchen for my order or maybe she really knew! But for me, I just want my gratin on my table!

When the dish did came, I took a generous scoop and I told my friend that this is totally worth all the wait! They got everything just right. From the rich but not overpowering melted cheese to their generous fresh seafood hidden within. They got my thumb’s up for the quality and effort for their rendition of the Italian dish!

Clearly the definition of the sentence: Perfection is many small things done well!I also think the two of us were very lucky to have a table for two without making any reservations as the next few customers that came later than us were turned away as there were reservations made already. So if you’re reading this post and keen to check out Abe’s Diner, I would definitely recommend that you ring them up to book tables.

For me, I could see myself dropping by again to try their omakase course real or just ring them up to prepare my seafood gratin beforehand.

My love for all dish French started many years ago on my first visit to the humble yet cozy French bistro known to all as La Petite Cuisine. It changed my perception towards luxury food. Especially when it comes to French cuisine which has a “notorious” reputation for being overpriced and expensive. But if you ever dine at La Petite Cuisine, you will rarely find any dish with a price tag more than $20.

Doesn’t La Petite change your mind about French Cuisine being simple and affordable like Poulet or Saveur too?My dinner partner and I started off our unpretentious meal with their Escargots With Croissant ($14.00) or as I like to call escargots in croissant. Neither the escargots nor the croissant were impressionable but the savoury gravy drizzled all over it sure was superbly heavenly! Considering that I ordered this as an appetizer, the portion would do just fine as an entree too.Foie gras has always been my favourite starter. You can’t really go wrong with the rich flavours emitted soon after it melts within your mouth. (That is provided you don’t burnt it.) Coupled with richer dark sauce with sweet citrus orange confit and violia! Heaven is within reach!

Even more so when heaven comes in pairs and that’s what La Petite’s Pan Fried Foie Gras With Orange Confit ($18.50) is all about…If there’s any dish that reflects La Petite Cuisine unpretentious and affordable French cuisine, it would surely have to be the Confit De Canard ($17.00) or as I like to call it; duck confit. It’s a must-have for me every time I visit the French bistro. I simply adore the crispy yet tender duck leg resting on a shallow of rich reduction sauce.

I don’t usually have this considering it is awfully sinful and artery-clotting since it’s a piece of duck leg cooked in its fat. It was such a pity that the French chef wasn’t in the kitchen preparing this dish on the night of my visit or else it will be even more enjoyable…Because I always stick to my comfort food whenever I visit them, I hardly try anything else on their menu. I have to be honest that I was hesitant to order their Sirloin Steak ($16.50) since I’m always disappointed by the quality that differs so much from steak speciality place.

But it turns out my fears were unfounded! Served medium-rare as I always request for all my beef cuts, La Petite sure did not disappoint us with their tender slabs of steak. Their potato gratin served as their side dish was a nice compliment to the dish.La Petite Cuisine is a nice place to have something French without feeling a pinch in your pockets. I mean where else would you duck confit under $20 and still taste as good as those bistros in Paris or Marseille? While they might have another outlet at Upper Thomson, I will always make my way down to their main shop at Serene Center, Bukit Timah should I need to satisfy my cravings for French food.

Just pray hard that you will find a table since the place is small and it does get really crowded at night.

As for desserts…They do have desserts like caramel pudding and tarte tartin on their menu or you can always make your way next door and have ice creams instead…

My hometown of Singapore has no shortage of good ice cream palours but time and time after again I just can’t to seem to get enough of those awesome ice creams from Island Creamery. Even if it means travelling out of the way just to savour my favourite Pulut Hitam. Like a bee attracted to a bright yellow flower, it’s a must-have a sure get whenever I pay the palour a visit.

Usually two scoops of ice creams are enough to satisfy my teeth tooth. More scoops if I have friends to join me but every once in a while, just for old time sake, we would order a slice of oreo mud pie to share and delight in. It’s awesome I tell you, especially when you have it just out of the fridge not too long ago.

Crumbly like a pie and still chocolatey like most of their chocolate infused flavours. Just so to let you know they have nutella and chocolate hazelnut but above all, there’s always the alcoholic Black Forest which I adore. Everything is nice to have and nicer to share but the nicest feeling is to be engage in endless conversation or simply get lost in your lover’s eyes.

Romantic isn’t it?I found it silly to proclaim how Teh Tarik ice creams taste just like the actual drink. It felt like revelation at that point when I first took a scoop into my mouth. Until my dinner partner gave me a “don’t make yourself a fool” look…

I think once in a while, it’s best to enjoy ice creams in solemn too.

The place is always pack. It will be lucky if you could find a table among students and lovers who seem to take their time enjoying their sweet treats in good company. To be honest, that’s what I do too. There’s simply no need to finish everything in a rush.If only my house is just beside my favourite ice cream palour.

I swear I will be heading there every other day!

Strawberry Balsamic Mousse ($7.50)

I will always remember the day I decided to start up my food blog. It wasn’t about seeking fame or gaining popularity from writing although I have to admit that I enjoy the attention my friends and family gives. I mean who wouldn’t like that kind of attention right?

Set aside the little confession of mine , it has always been a dream of mine to broaden my horizon. I’m hardly shy to new people and always keen to try new things. I think it speaks something about my personality. Somewhat of a extrovert you might think. Well, I’m just glad that blogging provided me that window of opportunity to kick start this little adventure of mine.

Cafe-hopping. Fine Dining. Dessert sphere. Food tasting. High tea. Just to name a few of my interests. The possibilities of fun are endless!Rhubarb Cheesecake ($7.50)

Looking back at how I even begin, I too begin to reminisce about all the cafes and restaurants I have visited up to date. I never really forget each and every single one I visited. I could even tell who I went with just to prove you my superb memory. But none could compare with the cafe at my favourite place; Duxton Hill.

If I could recall, I was running around like a little boy exploring the hilly out spot. There were so much to see and so much to explore but the weather was humid and hot. I needed somewhere to chill, somewhere to have a drink and rest my aching feet. Just a few shop houses from where I was, I found just the place and since then I’ve been returning back time after time again.Chocolate Cake ($7.50)

I have no idea why though I keep returning the same place.

Maybe it’s because of their wonderful petite cakes or their sleek white interior design of the cafe that is somewhat captivating. But apart from my first visit, somehow, I always have good company to go with my cakes and tea. How wonderful it is just to spend your afternoon such chatting and sharing the sweets with tea by our side.

Ohhh Gosh! I just miss all those heart to heart talks I had with my friends. Come to think of it, the conversations seemed to be like gossips!Assorted Macarons

Blogging seems like an endless journey. There’s always something to new to write about. Never mind about revisiting the same place time and time again. It’s the fun that really matters and it’s what I enjoy doing.

I just wonder what happens to my blog when I die. Will there be a successor? That is something for me to think and ponder but rest assure of all the tempting photos you will get to see when you visit this little space of mine.If you love visiting cafes in Singapore, do consider Bonheur at the top of your list. It’s a nice quiet little place where friends and family gather for something nice and sweet. Come on the weekdays when they have the cake+tea promotion going at $10. I think Bonheur is a lovely place to hang out and chill just don’t come on Sundays as they will be closed.