The recent addition of Poulet to Bugis+ (formerly known as Illuma) was a welcoming one, with long queues expected during lunch and dinner hours. Under the Thai Express Group which houses several household brands such as Xin Wang, New York New York and Kiseki, Poulet is a contemporary French-themed bistro which offers casual dining at much affordable prices. Nestled at the mall's fourth floor, Poulet features a 60-seat open dining area inspired by modern alfresco setting in France, furnished with classic wooden tables and chairs. Diners can also catch the chefs in action through the open kitchen.

On their 2-page menu, expect to find a variety of appetisers, main courses such as Braise de Carnard and Oxtail de Bourguignon ($15.80), as well as classic French desserts. And of course, as the name itself suggests, Poulet Roti (roast chicken) is their star dish, which well, makes it a must try for starters.

The house signature of Poulet, their roast chicken (S$28.80 for whole) which was marinated and slow roasted until golden brown using a traditional recipe, was very well savoury and flavourful, while the chicken meat in itself was tender and moist. The best (and addictive) part was probably the home-made mushroom sauce. Prior to this, didn't i thought that creamy sauce and roasted chicken complements one another so well. But now I do. It's obvious, if you are here at Poulet, don't miss out their star dish.

Before that, we ordered their Country Side Mushroom Soup (S$5.80) which proves to be the best I have ever tasted. The cream of wild mushrooms, together with Idaho potato was so flavourful and incredibly creamy, you wouldn't want to waste a single drop.What is French cuisine without the company of the prized Escargot de Bourgogne ($8.80)? Served with tomato fondue and almond garlic butter, these 6 Burgundy snails did not die in vain. Well.. sadistically speaking. Unlike the previous escargots I have had, their rendition of the garden mollusks did not leave a strong aftertaste which was very well enjoyable.Mediterranean Stewed Lamb Shank (S$15.80) was delightful with soft, tender meat infused with flavours derived from its own jus and orange. It is completed with root veggies such as onions and carrots. Portion-wise, my girlfriend can barely finish three quarters of it.Slow cooked to ensure that the intense flavours of onions, garlics and potatoes are captured into the tender white meat, Braise de Poulet (S$13.80) might be just another option for you if you prefer a healthier alternative to the roasted version. Only thumbs down is probably the sheer size who might not satisfy a grown man's stomach completely.What is a good meal without desserts? Truthfully speaking, there aren't a lot of choices for desserts at Poulet. Hence we chose the one that seems the most appetising to us - and yes, that's Tiramisu (S$7.80)! I wouldn't qualify this as the better ones out there, as the sponge fingers layer was so drenched in espresso and had an overpowering taste of rum syrup, resulting in the whole dish being too soggy. The top layer of mascarpone cheese dusted with espresso powder was delightful nonetheless.All in all, Poulet proves to be a good place to have decent French cuisine without having to burn a big hole in the pocket. Thumbs up, I will definitely be back.

What's a good meal without desserts? More often than not, when I am around Clementi central for a dinner, Lao Ban is always the "after meal place" that I head to for desserts. You see, the only place months ago to have Lao Ban is Old Changi Road, but after new outlets emerged all over the city, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd is much easier to get.

Different from the traditional soya beancurd (where they serve with sugar syrup), newer renditions like Lao Ban's served it pre-mixed, and using a special recipe to ensure that their soya beancurd is smooth and silky, so much you probably just put it in your mouth and swallow.

All in all, Lao Ban proves to be a more favourable choice for the younger crowds in Singapore.

With the scenic Singapore River and Marina Bay as a backdrop, Esplanade is a beautiful place to chill and relax with the company of your loved ones, and good food. Now, as you all know, good food around the city area doesn't come cheap, especially if the place is known as a "tourist trap".

Nevertheless, we were around the vicinity recently and decided to try out their sambal sting-ray based on one friend's recommendation. Surprisingly, the portion was quite good and the soft fleshy sting-ray meat paired by sambal belachan was just delicious.Defintiely a must try.

St Marc opened its first outlet in Singapore late last year and it's only recently I dropped by to try out what they have to offer. Conveniently located at my favourite mall, St Marc offers a wide array of freshly baked pastries, hot and chilled beverages, as well as authentic Japanese desserts. And that was what we came for. Desserts.

The 3D model of Kyoto Delight among several dessert displays, caught my eye. As a lover of matcha and warabi mochi, I couldn't possibly ask for more when I indulged in this delicious dessert of milk soft serve, complemented by mini rice balls, red bean paste, corn flakes, not forgetting the mochi and matcha ice cream, and completed with a drizzle of caramel syrup.Yummy much? Definitely will be back for their other desserts, or possibly drop by for a cup of coffee and some pastries.

Not long ago, the owners of the legendary Meng Kee Satay Bee Hoon were selling their recipe for S$200,000 due to health issues and believe it or not, more than 10 parties including a local food group, have expressed their interest. Now taken over by 17 Satay Bee Hoon and as it name suggests sell the similar dish made using a completely different recipe (which the owner, Mrs Ye shared that it has a history of more than 30 years in Indonesia). Debates sparked naturally, saying the new owner is riding on Meng Kee's established fame and reputation.

But you know what? As a hungry cyclist who had just finished his tiring cardio, I am not that interested in all the gastronomical politics. Oh by the way, haven't did I try Meng Kee's satay bee hoon before.Over the years, the Chinese-Malay fusion dish has gained much popularity with the younger crowds with its savoury flavour and an abundance of textures consisting of cuttlefish, bean sprouts, prawns, cockles and vermicelli, completed with a huge scoop of the deciding factor - the crunchy and thick satay peanut sauce.

I am not a fan of satay bee hoon, but this dish did impress me. Considering the price tag of S$4 at a laidback tourist attraction, the portion is more than expected with a generous serving of every component. The star of the dish was never less than satisfying, although it packed a lesser crunch than the others I had before. Nonetheless, I bet you would savour(lick) the remaining gravy off the plate soonafter.