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.

My second review of Strictly Pancakes. The cozy little cafe is one of favourite rendezvous whenever I need dessert gratification! It's not surprising since I've uploading reviews of desserts most of the time right?

I decided to meet one of many dining partners for a late weekday brunch. It was literally a late weekday brunch I tell you but I'm just grateful that my partner came. Or else I won't get over my lust for pancakes!

Again, I looked at their flip chart concept menu... Thinking what should I get for myself. Just then I realized that my pancake partner have no clue of what to get! Being a great dining partner I am, I made a few recommendations and she made her final decision...Lemon Curds For The Nerds. ($10) 3 stacks of freshly made chocolate pancakes doused by a generous amount of lemon custard, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Despite my partner saying that she was full after the second pancake, she still manages to finish everything on her plate! What can I say other than her great appetite?Strictly Pancakes' rendition of Tiramisu. ($11) Yes! Tiramisu! It's creative I tell you! 3 stacks of chocolate pancakes surrounded by one of my favourite cheese, mascarpone! And of course again, vanilla ice cream is never out of sight...

My dear pancakes, if you do not know, I already have a crush for Tiramisu. You are made to be pancakes and not the tiramisu I envisioned in my mind. I am not saying that Strictly Pancakes' rendition off Tiramisu is bad! In fact, I would urge potential patrons to give it a try at least once in their lifetime.

2 like-minded individuals sitting together over stacks of pancakes, giving each other a part of their time to the other. Talking and Listening. Eating and Enjoying...

Pancakes are part of my childhood memories... I will always remember being awaken by the aroma of Pancakes sizzling on the pans. It's such pleasant feeling to know your mum is making one of your favorite food and because I've the food urge again. Here I'm, having Pancakes for dinner at Strictly Pancakes with a friend of mine

Scanning through their menu was one of my toughest moments in life. I wanted to try every single type of Pancakes but I know my wallet would not allow that to happen...


I got myself The Druggie ($11.00) When I first saw her... I was in awe! I was... captivated! 3 stacks of chocolate pancakes accompanied by gracious amount of chocolate syrup & shavings sure goes well with the cold chocolate ice cream! If I could describe my experience with Druggie, it'll be death by the druggie! A chocolate dream come true! Every bite is addictive... I couldn't stop myself from indulging!

My dining partner on the other hand was a bit more conservative. 4 Stacks of Pancakes with streaks of Bacon. A crowd pleaser if you have to ask me. Nothing will go wrong with Maple Syrup... At least when it comes to Pancakes right ?

After having 4 stacks of it... My friend made a statement. "I will never look at Pancakes the same way ever again..."

Indeed, who says Pancakes are only meant for breakfast and brunch? So next time, when anyone asked you to have Pancakes for dinner. There's no need to feel weird about it because they're seriously filling enough to be a main course

It's a you, you and me relationship. It's hilarious how three different individuals decided to come together and acknowledged one another as friends...Smoked Salmon Pizza ($20.00) was more than enough for three like-minded individuals to share with. A little crushed black pepper and a little tabasco sauce goes a long way to spice thing up a little. See those greens strips of leaves? I didn't know what they were called until EY told us they are called wild rockets. Being a foodie is a constant learning process. A valuable learning point taken!The classic Fish N Chips ($15.00). To be honest, I've tried better ones but I find Raindrop rendition, less oily and therefore healthier. Nothing worth talking about if the batter and the fish was fried to such perfection.It was a table full of food and let's not even talk about the heap of Truffles Fries ($10.00) sitting right smack in the middle but nothing could be quite satisfying as compared to Light Brown Beef Pasta ($18.00); essentially fettuccine doused in brown sauce hidden with thick strips of beef cuts. I think pastas are one thing apart from pizzas Raindrop does it wonderfully.Peach Martini ($10.00) & Cosmopolitan ($10.00).Personally, I prefer the Cosmopolitan to the crisp peach martini. It was more refreshing but I have better impression with Strawberry Margarita ($10.00) which was sweetest of all, just like my two lovely friends...

It was a great night having nice food/drinks/company. I just wished time could stop just for the three of us, all in the name of fun, joy and laughter. Somehow, I also remembered spending a wonderful time with a bunch of friends almost sometime ago. Another great memory forged and cast in history for reference sake...

We are each other's friends. We are each other's confidante/confidant and I foresee many happy days to come in the following years to come.

Just beside Next Door Deli is another hidden gem only this time, it takes the form of an old school bakery shop. I have this impression that this bakery shop has been around for the longest of time. Don't go away thinking that as a self-professed foodie, I would have heard of Pine Garden somewhere before since I only got to know this shop the same day my lecturer invited me for lunch. Food bloggers aren't geniuses that knows everything you know?

Perhaps it's the feel I get looking at the entire design of the shop. Just old school. Just only...It's really hard to find a really good slice of cake well under six bucks these days. You can't point fingers at the owners of patisseries for jacking the price unless you want them to close down for good. So whenever I stumble upon a bakery shop/patisserie like Pine Garden and take a quick look at their price tag, I would be baffled as to how could they even do it? Are they even making profit or breaking even given the fact that each slice cost no more than four bucks?

But in reality, there are places like Pine Garden where prices are kept as low as they can while still enough to make a profit. Five alcoholic cakes shared over five people. Each having a certain preference over another, if not overlapping preferences for some cakes as in the case of the Blackforest with soaked cherries bits in between the layers of chocolate sponges. Nuttymisu was another good catch combining the traditional Italian recipe with almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia and walnuts. Bailey's Chocolate Crunch was not bad though after trying so many different ones, the alcoholic taste just taste too plain so just grab one or two and savour each slice one at a time. Afterall, what's the rush? It's not like your boss is after you right? Green Apple Vera Martini Cake was a slight disappointment with comments like it tasted like slurping green apple bubble tea from a few of us. I can't help but to agree with the crowd. It's just that it's bad but I believe there are better ones compared to this green one.But none needs to be said about Pine Garden's Lychee Martini Cake. It's their best seller and how I wish I could get my lecturer and friends to look somewhere while I gobble up the cake in a flare. When they turn their heads back, they will see nothing but a gratified boy smiling and smacking his messy lips. But that's just rude, impolite and above all, all good things should be shared.

I guess I have to wait for another visit just to do what I've just said...

Please don't go away thinking there's only alcoholic cakes in there. I saw mooncakes and old school cream cakes for sales too. It's still an old school bakery that met alcohol during the good old days.