I'm not sure if ROS has closed down or rebranded itself but all I know now is that a new steakhouse is reborn. Whenever I past by the same place, I see a new successor to the old republic. Steakout.

Upon entering the steakhouse, everything seems the same. The siting arrangements. The Australian desert backdrop. What about the food. Is it still the same or better? A glance at their menu, they may have a different design altogether but the name of most of their dishes still remains the same just as I remembered.Pan-grilled Dory ($8.90) smothered with brown mushroom sauce. Garlic spaghetti and baked potato accompanied the unpretentious dinner. Initially, my partner was skeptical about having fish for dinner but after trying his first mouth. The rest were history...Rosemary Pork Steak ($9.90) doused in thick black pepper gravy. There's nothing much for me to say since meat was well-marinated. Extremely tender when paired with the black pepper sauce, I daresay it's pretty darn good!

Nothing special about the baked potato apart from the fact that the unhealthy amount of butter on it but the apple salad was refreshing to my palette.Now, my friends would know how much I can eat. The sky's the limit or I should say the stomach's the limit!

Eating is my first love. Sharing is my way of communicating my love to my friends. Steakhouse Crispie ($6.90), thick fries and onion rings. Something out of the package but at least it's piping hot.

Now now now. How can we end of the night without some desserts right? I personally was eager to try out their lava cakes. I just wonder if it's the same as ROS or something different...Glorious Lava cake ($6.90). A good lava cake doesn't just trickle or dribble chocolate. No it sure doesn't. It's even better my dear. It's POURS out rich and warm chocolate! My partner on the other hand, got the Brownie ($5.90). Cute and cuddly. A dream come true if you ask me. Dense and chocolaty. But still Lava cake beats Brownie hands down. No competition that's for sure!

Now as the two of us indulge in our desserts, somehow we realized that there's something about the vanilla ice cream but we just couldn't lay out fingers on. We suspected it's laced with alcohol. A pretty strong one I have to say but just like my partner say:

"Does it matter? What is more important is we get to enjoy the desserts."

Lenas which from what I know, is under the management of MOF (Ministry of Food). Unlike other outlets catering more on Japanese cuisine and desserts, there's an added twist. You speak Italian?

Though I still have to say that they do serve fantastic Hokkaido gelato ice cream which MOF takes great pride in. So much so that they even sell it by the tubs! No joke! It's your waste if you don't try it!

Smoked Duck Salad ($10.90. I seldom order salad. It's one of those dish where I could like to think it's over-priced considering I could buy all the ingredients at the local supermarket and make them at my own mum's kitchen. But well, I have to give credit for the smoked duck and the gracious amount of Parmesan cheese sprinkled all over... Parma Ham with Rock Melon ($7.00). If my memory doesn't fail me, the last time I had Prosciutto or Parma Ham was at. Ahhh! Basilico at Regent Hotel. That was last year's X'mas. To even think that I am able to indulge myself in Parma Ham was just heavenly!

I don't know who started the trend of eating rock melons with Parma Ham because it's one of those combinations where I could never seem to get sick and tired off! The sweetness of the melon and the umami factor of Prosciutto. Such is the Oomph factor in dining!Salsa Cruda Grill Dory ($15.50). Nothing special but I do have to comment on the portion! It's quite big! Gratifying dinner!The actual reason why I'm here. Vanila gelato with slices of green apple and banana filters ($5.00). The best part were the banana filters! Warm and freshly fried bananas! I like!

All in all, I would be back whenever I had graving for prosciutto or gelato! Their pasta seems appealing, wondering just when is my next visit...

The agenda for the morning was to have a hearty breakfast at Next Door Deli and grab some of those old school buttercream cakes from Pine Garden as gifts for our lecturers. But life can be full of uncertainties especially when you aren’t sure what time will they start business. True enough we were disappointed to know that we came too early. We could have waited for an hour or so but why bother if we can head to another place right?

We managed to find another cafe just down the street selling mostly old school desserts of every kind and dim sum dishes. It’s quite easy to know what they sell since almost all their menu are laminated and stick onto every corner of the shop.It was a simple breakfast affair. Nothing too fancy or too expensive with most of their food menu ranging from $2 to $4. I didn’t expect anything out of this world until I tried their Honey Butter Toast. Just imagine tearing through crisp butter toast messily drizzled in honey, every mouthful is a bliss! They do have other variations but according to the friendly staffs, this is their best-seller and I have no doubts this toast deserves being called the best!I’m very well aware they have almost all my favourite old school desserts but it was just too early in the morning for one. Instead I opt for their Hazelnut Ice Coffee which I have to say it was well brewed considering this place resembles like your nearby coffeeshop. But with more variety from your plain cuppa. My partner ordered a nice smooth cup of milk tea which kinda reminds me of the days I spent in Hong Kong sipping tea at the local cha can teng after shopping.

For a person like me who treat drinks as secondary, this is one place I dare recommend for really good and affordable drinks. And the best part is you can order more without feeling a heavy pinch in your pockets since there’s no GST and service charge involved. If I’m around the area of Ang Mo Kio again, I might just step into this place again for their beverages or desserts.

That is provided I managed to reach the shop before they closes at 4.30pm.

Marmalade Pantry Restaurant has been gaining popularity ever since their second inception at Ion Orchard. It’s almost impossible to get a table and enjoy their renowned cupcakes and sliced cakes unless you make a reservation instead. Everyone just loves hording the tables for hours and hours ordering more and more dishes and continue their conversations until satisfied. To be honest, I will do just the same given that long wait!

Fortunately for the sweet lovers in us, there’s Marmalade Toast which has almost the same stuffs just more focused on their salad, sandwiches and more importantly, desserts of all sorts! Located off a corner outside the air-conditioned building of Takashimaya, this cafe is by no means an easy find.My partner and I walked in the place, desperately in need to rest our aching feet from a day’s shopping. I don’t really know how to pronounce the promotion dish but Chicken Quesadilla was the name. It wasn’t what I really want since I’ve only eyes for the cakes and tarts all displaying within the glass display. It was good especially the tomato puree in the dish.

But for $10 including a glass of lemonade, I would expect more than just two slabs of veggies in dough. Given another chance, I will opt for their cupcakes which is known to all as some of the best!Ending our shopping break was a nice Pear Tart ($4.80) shared between the two of us. I think it suffice any temporary cravings for custard tart with fruit toppings. For the serious tart lovers, if you have been reading my blog, then you should know where to look instead.

Overall, Marmalade Toast is a quieter alternative to the restaurant at Ion Orchard. It’s a nice place to chill and hang out with friends over weekend brunch and afternoon tea. I only have one suggestion to them and that is to make their food more appealing instead.

Maybe it’s just my amateur photography skills not up for the task or is it? I shall let you decide instead.

Every Thursday and Friday afternoons, a special kind of magic unfolds at an old military barrack. Up a hill and down the steps. House Dempsey is the place. Vintage is the theme, tea party is the game. Everywhere you see girls in poker dots dress and guys in stylish hair. From families and friends to tai tai wannabes, everyone is part of the activity. It’s so vintage just like my girlfriend’s fashion taste. So fill your cup to the brim and let the magic of tea begins!The sandwiches were great but the cakes, mediocre but still fit for consumption given the affordable rates ($25++). Everything went out fast, just like those Vietnamese rice rolls. They were replaced for all I know. Disappointing I have to say but at least the spring rolls work their way! Everything was great apart from sipping hot spicy ginger tea. I heard there’s blended tea served but I guess the crowd does get sip them first if you’re late.It was a buffet with a spread and a tea party that makes the Mad Hatter go zippy and glad. So what are you waiting for? Drive up the hill or take the free shuttle bus if you know where to go. The magic of the tea party, only at the House at Dempsey Hill up there. By the way, reservations are definitely recommended or your face will express a grin with envy wishing you did in the first place.