K.ki will always have a special place in my heart because the hubby wanted to propose to me by hiding the ring in a Little Red Riding Hood cake from K.ki. Unfortunately the plan didnt go according to plan because K.ki only opens at 12 and their cakes are only baked on the day itself and ready about 11am at the very earliest. So if you are planning to propose with a cake from K.ki, make sure you work out your timings right!

Nonetheless, despite his plans failing, I had to check out for myself what this cake place is all about! Since I worked near Ang Siang Hill, I dropped by the shop one day after lunch for a piece of cake. I wasn't able to eat there so had to take the cake away. Just looking at the way they pack the cake, the attention to detail, the little dry ice pack for my tiny cake, you know these people love their cake.

I spoke with the lady boss (aka the baker's wife), Delphine, and it's really easy to see that the k.ki folks really care about their cakes. There can only be that many cakes made each day and they care more about the quality of their masterpiece than making a few extra buck.There is only one word to describe the taste of their cakes. EXCITING. At least the little red riding hood which is a raspberry centred chocolate mousse cake covered by a dark chocolate exterior. It's tangy and bitter and sweet and light at the same time. It is a complex cake that makes you anticipate what you're in for next.

Mind you they are closed on Mondays so don't make a wasted trip like I did!

Working just opposite Maxwell Chambers, Funan Weng is my absolute favourite place for dinner after work, or a quick bite in between late nights at the office. The CBD is usually closed early, and restaurants that are open are usually very expensive. Otherwise you've have to sit in the hot humid hawker centre. If you want somewhere quiet, with excellent food for an affordable price in comfort of air conditioning, this is the place for you!

And I haven't even started raving about the food! Funan Weng has a long history over 3 generations from Hock Lam Street to the old food court above Funan Centre (before it became an IT Mall!). This is why it is called FUNAN Weng after all! To remind us of its very popular times at Funan Centre which my hubby still recalls with fond memories whenever we eat there.The hor fun is slippery and q at the same time, the stock is light but flavourful, just the way we love it! The prawns are halved but huge and the char siew is delectable. The best part is the handmade dumpling (Which they also sell frozen ones for you to bring home!). It is HUGE. There is a whole prawn inside and it's juicy and delicious! The beef brisket hor fun is also very delicious! Everything on the menu is worth a try! Haven't encountered a bad dish yet!For those of you who are feeling under the weather or the weather is just cold and rainy, I'd definitely recommend the hor fun soup. It's not what we usually think of when we hear "ipoh hor fun" but this is something to be experienced! Of course the dry ipoh hor fun and its yummy sauce is the standard not to be missed. If you worry about getting your outfit dirty, you can even ask for a plastic bib from the staff!Despite it being located in the CBD, it is open on weekends too! In fact, you can bring the whole family as there is actually a play area for kids on weekends! Lots of toys which you can entertain the young ones with! They also recently started a breafkast menu but I've yet to try it.Be warned though, lunch time the crowd can be numerous! But if you go often enough, you'll realise they have a different promotion every month! Our favourite is definitely the buy 2 set for the price of 1! So I'd definitely recommend looking out for their promotions!

I must confess that I am a hardcore regular of the Pigeonhole. But that aside, an objective introduction of this wonderful haven is necessary. Most importantly, what is so special about this place that makes me come back again and again?

Truth be told, the first time I visited the Pigeonhole, I was being a typical Singaporean, totally appalled by the lack of uniformity in the furnitures. Where was I going to sit? There were tiny chairs and desk right out of the PAP kindergarten and a stone bench from somebody's garden! There were bean bags on the floor and luxurious L-lounge that beckons one to laze on it.

But soon I realise, the unique thing about Pigeonhole is that you can do all that and more! You can be yourself. You can kick off your shoes, put your feet up and laze on the couch and read a book - whether your own or one strewn around all corners of the 2 unit shophouse ground floor. You can even bring your own work, like I do, to pound away furiously at the laptop with the multiple power points around the cafe. Did I fail to also mention that the toilets here are straight out of a spa? There is always no shortage of hospitable service from the staff and owners as well as the most eclectic mix of music played in the cafe. If you're in for some 'live' music, do check out their facebook page for the listing of events where they have indie and amateur bands playing gigs at the pigeonhole. They even have an open mic night so if you're looking for a place to display your vocals, here's the place for you. And that's just the ambience!I must admit that I'm not really a big coffee drinker which Pigeonhole does rather pride itself on. They serve only highland beans, for those who familiar with the variety. But if you're a drinker like me, Pigeonhole serves an amazing array of alcohol. Apart from the swiss beer on tap, they also have an amazing variety of ciders and ales. But for the whiskey connoisseurs amongst us, you may be interested to know that Pigeonhole serves a range of single-malt whiskey, including 12 years Yamazakis for a reasonable price.But please be warned: The Pigeonhole does not serve any food. So if you're coming here on an empty stomach during dinner time, the owners are more than happy for you to packet food from the nearby variety of eateries along tanjong pagar and duxton road to line your stomach before you hit the alcohol! Or coffee of course!

Having said that, the best kept secret of Pigeonhole is really its chocolate bread and butter pudding. It is so delicious that it sells out very frequently. It is a definite MUST TRY here at the Pigeonhole. So if you're looking for a cozy comfortable hangout place with your friends or alone with a book, here is the place for you.

Once Upon a Milkshake opened around the same time I started work at my then-new job 2 years ago in Tanjong Pagar, across the road from Maxwell Chambers.I remembered the first time I visited it was with the hubby who was on a quest to try all the handcrafted rum and raisin ice creams in Singapore. And OUAM is without a doubt, an artisan icecrean, meaning, not mass produced in a factory. OUAM ice cream are supposed to be made from the freshest of ingredients.It also means that they have all the quirky flavours that Singaporeans may enjoy! And the best part about them is the fact that it's "Once Upon a MILKSHAKE" and not "Once Upon an Icecream"! Yes, yes, I'm refering to the fact that you can have any of the flavours made into milkshake. You can even see their recipes posted on the wall. It's perfect portion of ice cream to milk. You won't be shortchanged of your ice cream I can assure you of that! It's really hard to find good milkshake places in Singapore and OUAM is the answer.Of course, we first had the grumbling raisins but with ever visit, we try a new flavour and somehow I always still come back to my favourite grumbling raisins. Nowadays the grumbling raisins flavour is often sold out but not to worry, there are always new flavours introduced every few months. It really depends on personal preference and since I don't like chocolate (yes!), I will only recommend that you try a new flavour every time till you find the one for you!What I really love about OUAM is their attention to the littlest detail. From the fairytale like decor to the names of the ice cream flavours (yes they're all fairytale related!) to even the name of the cashier! (It's Fairy Godmother!) How about the little flip and taken blocks for you to "chope" your tables while you're ordering! At the Maxwell branch, if you parked at the public carpark behind maxwell chambers, they'll even give you HDB parking coupon as rebate on weekends! Saturdays they have all candlelight dining hour which we haven't tried but always imagined to be the most romantic! They also do delivery if you work nearby like me but it's only after 3pm so ice cream for tea anyone? I'll definitely recommend introducing this place to yours and your colleague's palette. It's a great place to go to after lunch or after work!

If you detest synthetic tasting hard piece of malay rice cakes (lontong) as much as me, then you'll love the handmade lontong at this coffee shop on Pulau Ubin.

Lontong, in case you are not familiar, is an "Asian dish made of compressed rice that is then cut into small cakes". The lontong found at this coffeeshop is only available on Sundays and if you are late, there will be none left by 10am! Yes, people travel all the way to this offshore island just to eat this highly delectable dish!

The lontong is lovingly made by the proprietors of the coffeeshop. Unfortunately, the macik (auntie) at the stall is very old and her husband who is the proprietor of the stall just passed away in 2010. Their children now run the stall but hopefully the quality has not changed since the cooks have now changed. Lontong that melts in your mouth drenched with light but delicious lemak gravy that has tiny shrimps swimming in it complete with cabbage, hard boiled egg and tofu. If lontong is not your thing, you would also want to try their mee siam, mee rebus or nasi lemak. The kampung taste is not one you can find easily today in urban Singapore. This is definitely one of those rarity in Singapore, to cherish before it's gone! Make sure you check it out soon!