For more info, feel free to click on my review post here: http://thedessertprince.com/ciel-patisserie-the-heartlander-french-cafe/I am always searching for new places for tea. It’s almost like a personal hobby. To sip tea and enjoy a conservation with a friend or two is one of life’s greatest joy to me. I can hardly imagine myself not enjoying afternoon tea. Surely it must be very horrible indeed but fear not! For I’ve found somewhere fantastic and being me, I like to share what a wonderful place it is.

Hidden amidst the heartland area of Hougang is Ciel. A French patisserie with serving up all things sweet at heartland price and I can see why since the owners believe that good desserts don’t have to be fancy and pricey. Simple yet heavenly sweet treats and that’s what heaven or ciel (pronounced as see-el) is all about.

I love the sleek white design of the cafe. They even have a little French corner for those to reminisce their time in France! A few alfresco sitting outside the cafe, pretty cozy provided it’s raining or chilly but otherwise I suggest that you sit inside the cafe considering the hot weather. If you do visit them, you’ll be confronted with at least a dozen of different sweet creations.Trust me once you’re there, you just feel like trying everything or at least I do! So may I suggest the Ispahan ($5.80)? Composed of a white rose Bavarian cream and pink raspberry mousse with a hidden lychee gelee core, Ciel’s rendition is nothing of the ordinary macarons shells with buttercream I’ve seen. I have to say it’s very interesting to see something innovative every now and then.

Just a side note, scoop a little bit of everything. Especially the little rose petals and experience all the flavours coming alive. Easily a must try if you have to ask me.When it comes to Strawberry Shortcakes ($5.60), it’s either a good or bad. ZX and I don’t believe in-betweens or do we? I must say about the rosey design of the shortcake was very attractive to the eye but taste-wise, I have to say I tried better ones out there. The layered shortcakes weren’t as soft and fluffy as I like them to be and the dreadful sour strawberries. Maybe it’s just a personal preference afterall, this is their bestseller among all.Tart lovers would be excited to know that Ciel makes them whole and fresh.There’s an array to select from. Lemon Meringue, Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Caramel and assorted fruit tarts. I find the Fraiche Tart’s ($4.60) crust just nice not too thin that it crumbles and too thick that it hard to break apart.

Bombe ($5.80) is one of those chocolate treats that I feel shouldn’t be consumed immediately from the refrigerator. I don’t know about you but I enjoy the softened melted chocolate casing than the harden one earlier on. Made with fresh blueberries hidden within the rich chocolate mousse casing with a crispy hazelnut feulletine base, a good alternative but not the best…ZX and I both agreed that the best dessert Ciel has to offer is the simple looking Sel ($4.80). I really loved how the buttery sea salted shortbread complements the richness from the dark chocolate ganache layer. I have to say this is my first time tasting a good salty desserts. Not coincidence that Sel also means salt in French…

Sometimes the best things comes in really simple packages and I am so glad that I found this petite piece of heaven and that led me to conclude a definitely must try for the simpleton!Just like the Ispahan I shared ealier, tea here isn’t your typical TWG or Twinnings but from Allerines Premium Tea, another local tea company. Ciel has a detailed description about the various tea served and one of my favourite now is actually the refreshing blend of rose and cherry and green sencha base known as Sakura.

If you’re looking a quiet cafe to spend the afternoon with a few friends or over a book, try considering Ciel Patissiere. It’s pretty hidden but still pretty accessible if once you know how to go.

I'm sure anyone one out there reading this blog would to a certain extent, used or heard of Groupon. It's one of those things on the internet that makes the older generation doubtful about such too good to be true deals. At least that's how my parents react whenever I key in my credit card number on the Internet. I have to confess though, while it makes the dining at a posh place more affordable, there are instances where I have bad if not terrible time using them and reading online articles against the use of such deals just emboldens my thoughts about using them.

But amidst those bad ones, there's always better if not unforgettable ones to mediate the use of deals and one of those good experience I'm talking about was found at Sun Japanese Dining, Chijmes. It all begin when one of us started asking around if anyone would be interested to try the $20 for $40 worth of sashimi deal at Sun Japanese Dining. Being the ever gluttonous me, knowing but not attending was just too hard to resist and a reservation for nine was in place.Good quality sashimis are usually not associated with the word, affordable. They just don't go hand in hand or at least I think they don't just like the Scallop Sashimi. Expensive but delectable if not wonderfully plated on crushed ice.While we plan what could we order that is within the range of 40 bucks, three smart alec (including me) decided with to get an array of raw fish for $42 (Five kinds if you insist on knowing). Wise choice I have to confess. Every piece I took just made me wish my wallet could spare for more. No, I am serious about it. It is really fresh and terrific, particularly the red cuts (Tuna). You just don't find good ones in Singapore these days. Maybe because of the price, perhaps?Ever since I started food blogging, I found myself using the word, best excessively. True enough, best is subjective to the individual's taste. Some of you out there would even doubt if best is a good enough description associated with food since there's always something out there better. To me, if there's something that I tried and it taste nothing like before, in fact better, then it deserves the me lavishing my attention on it.

I tried many raw shrimps in Singapore and none of them could rival the ones prepared at Sun Japanese Dining. For me, my search for some of the best sashimi in Singapore might just end with the Ebi Sashimi with the Sun. They were great if not the best ones I had in my life.Being the gluttonous people we always have been, we just can't resist helping ourselves with their menu even though it might just mean one month of mixed rice lunch at the local coffeeshop. Their California Rolls were nothing amazing compared to their sashimis, just a few rolls of rice with avocados, cucumbers and what else green.Overall, if you're searching for top notch japanese foodfare, Sun Japanese Dining at Chijmes might be a place to consider. That is if you're willing to pay for the hefty bill behind it. I was just thankful that we used Groupons this time and service was definitely worth commending since our cups were almost always filled while the staffs took time to explain and take down our orders.

"Have you tried Max Brenner's chocolate souffles before?"

A question I asked my partner back some time ago and apparently, she didn't. At that moment, I just knew I have to bring her to try out. Afterall, all good things must be shared right?

It wasn't too long ago when we had a scrumptious lunch over at Outback Steakhouse but the chocolate brownie was simply just upsetting. I'm not saying it's bad but for the price, I have to say I tried better ones at much affordable price.The Melting Chocolate Truffle Heart Cake ($16.00) or as I just like to call the whole lovely creation-Chocolate Souffle, is one of those to die for stuffs! Molten chocolate just leaked out from the cake as we dig our spoons into it, wholeheartedly of course. If it's ain't chocolaty enough, then simply more chocolate sauce all over it alright? On second thoughts, I might have just realized that Max Brenner's rendition would be a hybrid of a really good chocolate souffle and an awesome chocolate lava cake instead but whatever it is, I still love my chocolaty creation okay?

The Vanilla Ice Cream accompanying our Chocolate Souffle deserves much attention too. Both of us agreed that the true taste of vanilla comes after the ice cream had completely melted in your mouth. Clearly, this is the definition of awesome. No, I'm serious! It's really that good!Hot Chocolate can always be appreciated be it rain or shine. It just brightens everything up. Especially when you have a mug that tells you to hug the warm drink. How comforting does it gets? Anyway, I decided to go for the Dark Italian Thick Chocolate ($7.50). The smell was simply alluring. It was just plain rich and creamy chocolaty indulgence.

Finally, we could tell ourselves that our desserts cravings were no more until the next time. There you have it. Our chocolaty ending, Max Brenner.

From the Coffee Ice Blended category, I present you the Black Forest! You're the sole reason why I always return to Coffee Bean. Don't belittle this coffee drink for it taste almost and literally like a Black Forest Cake! So how does a GOOD Black Forest Cake should taste like right?

Let me tell you! Most Black Forest Cakes that I've tried are composed of at least 3 layers of chocolatey sponge cakes. Occasionally you might find cherries hidden within the sponge cakes too! Copious amount of whipped cream is spread in between each layer of sponge cake. The cake is then enveloped by additional whiter than whiter whipped cream. Lastly... you decorate Snow White with cherries and a heap of chocolate shavings!

Coffee Bean's Black Forest may not behave like the typical cake should look. But trust me, you could taste cherries and chocolate shavings with every slurp! I heard that they uses chocolate expresso beans for the Black Forest Ice Blend. I just wonder how do they made chocolate coffee beans...

So far there isn't a single friend who ain't touched by Black Forest when I introduce them to the drink. They fall in love almost within the first slurp! It's amazing I tell you!

Unlike certain Coffee Chains who have disappoint me time and time again. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has never fail to deliver. I won't be back so soon but rest assure you will always hold a special place in my heart...

We wanted somewhere quiet to rejuvenate ourselves over high tea but for convenience sake, we went to Changi City Point which is on the other side of the street. Actually, we were thinking of heading down to the city instead but I was a bit lazy to travel.

My friend was glad that we found Eggs & Berries because she was having cravings for waffles! It's actually quite a lovely petite cafe and I kinda fall in love with the white furniture and background. Sort of remind me of Bonheur Patisserie, the whiter than white setting. I guess I have a preference to dine at sleek and clean-looking cafes and restaurants I guess.They had a variety of toppings for their waffles but being the gentleman in me, I simply gestured my friend to decide and this was what she got.

Banana Rama ($9.20). A thick crispy edged and spongy waffles paired with sliced bananas and toppled with assorted nuts. Whipped cream was graciously doused in chocolate chips and sauce. An additional scoop of rich chocolate ice cream ($2.80). The waffle was delicious! I really love the fact that they actually bother to fill the entire plate rather than leaving pocket of places in between.

They also provided us with three different syrup. chocolate, raspberry and maple. After trying all three, the two of us unanimously agreed that maple syrup still goes well with waffles.That my friend is call we call Eggs Benedict ($12.80). It may smell like MacDonald's Big Breakfast but trust me, it taste nothing near! Eggs & Berries rendition might not be the best one if I were to compare with some other more established cafes that I tried before but I would definitely be back for their all day breakfast and their cakes too!

Another thing worth mentioning would be their service was more that excellent. When the staffs knew that we were ordering each dish one at a time, they actually provided us with serving plates not just once but twice since we ordered two dishes. I would definitely recommend Eggs & Berries not just for just because of their service but because of their thoughtful service