For more info, feel free to click on my site: http://thedessertprince.com/jones-the-grocer-mandarin-gallery-afternoon-tea-turned-brunch/

Tucked along the fourth floor of the posh Mandarin Gallery was Jone The Grocer, some of the finest gourmet cafe in town. A place I thought worth for tea after much shopping along Orchard street. I can always enjoy a good afternoon tea but leisure sure doesn’t come easily, much like their Cappuccino (5.00) and Mocha ($5.50). They sure aren’t cheap but it was a good caffeine fix. That’s what you get if you visit gourmet cafes… What’s tea without something sweet? Consider their Strawberry Shortcake ($6.50)? A cube of sweet sandwich. Chantilly cream may look excessive and fattening but it was light and very delicious. Once in a while, it’s good to let loose and enjoy something good!Good things often come in a pair and I thought why not get something cheesy like a slice of Oreo Cheesecake ($6.50). Honesty speaking, it was something not worth praising but I heard much relish about their red velvet cakes but never had the chance to try it. Maybe I will have it on my next visit?Being the excessive me, I like something savoury and sweet to sip. French Earl Grey ($5.50) ought to do the trick! But as minutes turned to hours, we suddenly got a little bit hungry and decided to proceed from tea to brunch!

It wasn’t a weekday so there’s no breakfast served (8.30am – 12pm) and we had missed the weekend brunch (8.30am – 3pm) so we flipped the menu, seeking something that will satisfy our hunger pangs and I thought Croque Madame (20.50) would do just the trick…I thought it was gonna be something great but when it appeared on our table, I felt a pinch on my already thinned wallet. I don’t doubt the ingredients they put in my French sandwich but I expected more since I can get one at much affordable rates…

If you’re seeking somewhere nice for brunch along the streets of Orchard Road, I suggest you seek somewhere else. Especially if you’re a student. Stick to their desserts and drinks and you will do just fine. Personally, I prefer their outlet at Dempsey Hill where I can enjoy the early morning Sun over something sweet.

For more info and pics, feel free to visit my review: http://thedessertprince.com/food-for-thought-singapore-botanic-gardens-the-gratifying-christmas-brunch/

Since it’s the season to be jolly, what could be better to celebrate Christmas with a scrumptious brunch affair with your loved ones? Surely I wasn’t the only “smart” person that think that way because it was really crowded when we arrived by noon. Either way, the cafe’s free sitting so expect to share your space with someone else okay? Brunch came in the forms of Basic Works ($7.00), House Works ($12.00) and Full Works ($18.00) which are just increment of more food if you really want to know. Personally, I like to customise my brunch and I am just glad Food For Thought allows that. Two thick slabs of toast, nicely sauteed garlic mushroom, a good dose of good old scrambled eggs and that’s how ZX loves her brunch.Ever since my last visit to Burger Shack, I’ve been in love with pulled pork burgers! I have to say the Slow Roasted Pulled Pork Burger ($8.00) was tender and coupled with that smoky homemade BBQ sauce and violia! You have one awesome burger to munch already!Another must-try is their Creamy Mushroom Soup ($6.00). For ZX, it’s a must have every time she drops by. Their scones on the other hand may looked unpalatable compared to hotel standards and it looked even harder to take a nice shot of it but trust me, it’s one of THE BEST SCONES I had in years! It was even made perfect pairing with their fresh light cream. Gosh, I just wished I had extra cash to spare for more!Much like you see in the show, Ratatouille ($4.00) is a French way of stewing vegetables. Served piping hot and in a stew of tomato sauce, this is as sweet as it gets! Although I would prefer my veggies sliced and arranged neaty just like how it was done in the movie.

Looking for a nice place to have a wonderful weekend brunch? Why not consider heading down to Food For Thought at Botanic Gardens instead and end off your lovely brunch affair with a sun bathing stroll by the park.

Up until recently, I always thought the entire historical district of Kampong Glam was a place devoid of anything interesting (food wise that is). Haji Lane was more like a sleepy lane before more unique boutique shops moved in while middle eastern cafeterias weren’t quite to my liking.

But I’ve been reading many reviews about the cafes there lately. Only to realise that the entire community has a pretty vibrant cafe culture now that could rival any foodie enclaves.

I found quite a handful of which a few I have went more than once just because I love the cafe vibe or simply just wanna something that caught my eye from the previous visits. One of which; Working Title, a cafe along Arab Street that I have bookmarked at the back my head.On first look, it doesn’t seem hippie at all. Cold hard tables with metallic chairs with rather intentionally run-down interior look? Did I mentioned it’s also rather dark too (even though it’s bright sunny outside). I don’t find it comfortable sitting in intentionally dimmed places. Let’s not about talk about photography in here.

Tsk tsk tsk. Doesn’t entice you to drop by right?

But I shall give you another reason to visit here. Take my advice- walk all the way in, pass the kitchen counter then through the door and viola! A really cozy open concept space fitted with sofa and comfy armchairs. It’s almost like alfresco dining just with the cool breeze from the AC blowing overhead.Menu was rather comprehensive encompassing anywhere from pizzas and finger snacks to main course and simplified brunch. The lasagna seems like a good choice or how about the good old classic deep fried fish and chips?

There’s a lot to choose from but nothing in particular that I desire after glancing through each narrative descriptions. But come here on the weekdays say from 1pm to 3pm just for their set lunches. At $9.90 for a sandwich set or $14.90 for a main course that comes with a soup of the day and drink, this is as good as an excuse to use up your remaining cash at another cafe or order a dessert to share.While I reckon my lunch partner’s Smoked Salmon Sandwich with focaccia bread and chips serving was dull and plain compared to what I ordered- The One And Only Burger That We Used To Have. The name doesn’t invoke much within me.

Probably because I’m not a vivid fan of bread and meat combination but I have to admit that this is a pretty a decent beef burger to make a meal out of. Although I think it would have better if the beef patty was a little more juicer.As for the truffle fries that came along? Let’s just say that when you have tried pretty good ones out there, chances are you won’t suffice for anything mediocre. So reminding yourself: It’s only a simple no-frill lunch.Their desserts are instantaneously recognisable to any experienced cafe hoppers. Pies from Windowsill, gourmet ice cream sandwiches from The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. as well as cakes from various and famous local cakeries.

It might not pleases you to know cafes these days outsource their pastries and cakes. But hey! I would rather have something that has stood through the test of time (and reviews) than one that seems unworthy of my body’s daily calories intake or worst; unappealing and disastrously presented. Trust me, I’ve seen and taste a lot of bad desserts to make the statement above.Overall, I find Working Title a nice cafe to pop by if you’re in the vicinity. While the food here wasn’t exceptionally impressive, the prices and the backdoor ambience is always worthy another revisit from me. I probably wouldn’t mind a few finger snacks and craft beers the next time I’m here too.

The softcore bakers from Smoulder are well known among my dessert-loving friends for their exceptionally delicious lava cakes with creative flavours that you don’t get to see in the typical molten cakes. From my personal favourites like White Chocolate Lemon and White Chocolate Pistachio to stronger tasting Milk Chocolate Rum & Raisins and Milk Chocolate Mocha. Smoulder is definitely one dessert specialty shop set to challenge our mindset of eating all things sweet.

In preparation of this year’s mid-autumn festival, Smoulder has launched their own mooncakes series with an eye catching statement: The Moon has never tasted better. It almost sounded like a challenge to other established competitors and given the fact that there are so many mooncake makers already, they better be prepared for the annual competition. Everyone is vying a share of the festive pie but not every eateries can handcraft out such pastries successfully.When I think of mooncakes especially snowskin ones, I don’t really reminisce about the past and I certainly don’t picture the moon in my head. All I care is when should I have them instead. I personally regard mooncakes as desserts. Great to have during afternoon tea or taken as an after-dinner dessert. Hence I always prefer lighter sweet tasting ones as compared to the stronger pungent savoury ones.

Smoulder snowskin mooncakes came in four flavours: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry, Green Tea and Rum & Raisins. They are certainly all dessert-worthy pastries and it shouldn’t surprise you that these four flavours are also available in their lava cakes too. Apart from the commonly seen green tea ones, dark chocolate was superbly rich especially at the chocolate truffle core. But awesomeness has surely gotta come in the form of the petite pink mooncake. Most of my family and friends who sampled the raspberry flavour sang praises for being refreshingly fruity.For dessert lovers who adore sweet treats with an additional kick, I say Smoulder rendition of the rum and raisin would suffices without being excessively alcoholic. All their mooncakes have a lotus paste base with a chocolate core made with Belgium chocolate. I don’t find them artificially sweeten like some bakeries does so this is one place you can definitely grab a box for personal consumption or as a gift to someone close.

Unlike today’s pasar malam, the night market in my days was much more vibrant with auctioning running with CDs playing Hokkien songs and the lights from all the stalls seemed to light up the night. It was so packed that it seemed like everyone from the neighborhood were there.

Set aside the toys you could win by fishing floating “frogs/ducks”, the next most important aspect has got to be the food. It’s a must have this and a must have that. From oily tapioca cakes to a packet of chewy muah chee but a “I confirm must eat!” food has got to be petite flourly tutu kueh!Sad to say, finding someone who makes tutu kueh is no longer as pre-dominant these days. It’s almost like a dying trade like you can’t find old cobbers repairing your shoes on the streets that easily. Somehow, by a stroke of luck, I managed to stumble upon one hawker stall that solely makes them for a living. To see the steamers in front of the stall, was enough for me to relive my childhood but I just need to try one for myself to complete the nostalgic feeling.Upon buying, I was disappointed. Disappointed to see that my tutu kuehs weren’t steamed on the spot but picked from a stack hidden under some towels. Although it was still warm, I just prefer mine to be piping hot. I wouldn’t mind waiting for them to be steamed you know?

The disappointment was gone as soon as I stuffed one of those puffy treats into my mouth. Especially savouring the grated coconuts. They were easily the best tutu kuehs I had in years but I can’t say much for their peanuts. One moment it was sweet and the bite was salty. I can’t say what happened to the process since I am no expert in roasting nuts.

Eating these tutu kuehs were like relieving my memories as a child running around the night market, pestering my mum to buy me new toys, playing with my neighbors and always nipping a bit of tutu kueh all in the name of fun, laughter and joy.