Sync Korean may be a bistro-cafe with korean fusion fare as mainstays, but its molten lava cakes have been making waves on Instagram. Located at Westgate, the bistro has both indoor and alfresco sitting available. The bistro is like a chic techie's haven, with tablets available for children (and adults) to occupy themselves with while adults kick back a cuppa.The menu offers common korean food items like Bibimbap and Jajangmyeon(Black Bean Paste noodles) with a twist. However, they charge for plain water. Not in sync on this one.Sync Korean Fusion Bistro Menu

The kimchi cheese fries from the recently added new menu was alas, disappointing. We didn't expect it to be really kimchi+cheese+fries.. The medium-cut fries were drenched in a (too) generous amount of nacho cheese sauce and topped with a small portion of the actual kimchi veggies. KFC might have done better for cheaper. Skip.Kimchi Cheese Fries ($6.90)

The Jajangmyeon uses pasta instead of the usual white wheat noodles. It came smoking hot, with little chunks of diced pork and a side of pickles. The black bean paste is on the sweet side. I like my Jajangmyeon more savoury, but this version went down alright with me still. Some restaurants don't always include the meat in Jajangmyeon, so make sure you check if you don't want to end up with just plain noodles and black bean sauce, like yours truly did on a few occasions. Order this, especially for those who like a sweet-savoury main that is slightly more sweet than savoury.Jajangmyeon ($12.90)

Finally, the white chocolate taro lava cake, which was what we came for. This is really one of the best lava cakes around. The lava flow was glorious, but be sure to cut right in the middle so the purple lava flows out too. The accompanying taro ice cream was also full of taro flavour and superb with the warm cake.Taro White Chocolate Lava Cake ($8.90)

Sync does have an interesting modern Korean-centric cafe concept and the spacious place is also conducive for relaxed catch-ups, especially on weekday afternoons. Be sure to leave some space for the lava cakes.

For the full review, visit http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg/2014/11/sync-korean-fusion-bistro-mod-korean.html

FIX is by the people same people behind GRUB cafe in Bishan park. Located in HometeamNS Toa Payoh, you have to walk for a good 10 minutes from Toa Payoh MRT. But, if you make the trip, the place does reward.The non-air-conditioned cafe has spacious tables and the best seats are the long wood tables overlooking the pool. I was curious and somewhat excited to see what they could bring this time, largely because my visit to GRUB a year ago wasn't particularly memorable.The menu is different, including quirky 'naanwiches', some very interesting appetisers, and a good range of desserts. Great for catching up as you won't overhear the conversation of others and vice versa.At any time of the day, you can also get a set. ($2 to add a drink to any main etc).Donuts with Salted Egg Dip ($7)

My main aim for coming here was actually the Liu Sha Donuts. Deconstructed custard lava buns, these little balls come with a salted egg custard dip. Alas, it was underwhelming because neither the saltiness nor buttery egginess that is usual of Liu Sha Baos was there. Still, there was something satisfying about this and the idea is brilliant. Pity about the dip.The mocha we ordered had a nice body and was smooth. One of the better mochas around.Turkey, ham and cheese naanwich ($10)

The turkey, ham and cheese naanwich came with a poached egg. It really looked like a pizza (and tasted somewhat like one). In terms of taste, this was quite delicious. The naanwiches come with a side of tortillas, topped with some nacho cheese and tomato salsa.Passionfruit, Mango and Coconut Chiffon cake ($7)

We had a hard time deciding between the spinach and butternut squash quiche or one of the cakes. In the end, we settled for the passionfruit, mango and coconut cake. The thin layer of sponge cake in between was moist, while the cream was smooth and light and tasted refreshing. The bits of passionfruit and mango on the top layer also lent a tangy fruity flavour. The entire piece is beautifully constructed. This is the best cake I have had in a while. It makes me wonder how their other desserts fare.Going by the cake we had and the looks of the other desserts on display, FIX will be worth returning for their desserts especially. The ambience is laidback and the food and drinks are above average by local cafe standards. I reckon it will be very good for a quiet weekday afternoon coffee or weeknight date (if the place doesn't get too crowded). Prices displayed are nett as well. This is a good place to get your fix of cafe food and spending your time without breaking the bank.

For the full review, http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg/

From the very people who brought us Saveur comes Concetto, the Italian counterpart to it. The same concept of affordable dining with prices ranging from $9 to <$15 for most mains. Portions are the same as Saveur's, a littleeee small still, but alright if you intend to leave some space for dessert.A fairly sizeable place with an industrial chic interior, Concetto sees queues during dinner time, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Numbers are taken by an IPad near the entrance. Online reservations are possible too at least a day in advance. The menu features mostly pastas, a few main meat courses and some desserts.

View the menu here: http://media.wix.com/ugd/657988_029a368acf2b44dea1b76a7e71c22203.pdfCrab Risotto ($12.90)

The Crab Risotto came with crab meat and rice crackers. The sweetness of the crab meat seeped into the risotto, giving the dish a seafood flavour. The rice crackers provided a crunchy texture and there was also a kind of cheesy aftertaste. Definitely a new flavour.The consistency of crunchinesss, with the vegetables still reminded me of gruel somehow. I was alright with it, though my dining companion didn't appreciate the cheesy aftertaste.Duck Tortellini ($12.90)

The Duck Tortellini comes with a nicely poached egg, new potato (refers to baby potato?) and Parmesan emulsion. These resembled 5 pieces of oversized wantons (chinese dumplings), difference being the 'skin' is actually pasta. For the filling, shredded duck meat was used. Interesting yes, but this wasn't impressive. I would suggest getting something else instead unless you are craving for duck wantons.The food here is more of mod-italian style. Interesting, though they could do more to up the flavours of the dishes to make it memorable. Nevertheless, the pricing is still, competitive and is a good option for those looking for an affordable yet nice casual dining environment. If you do not have to queue for an hour that is.

For the full review, visit herpenandfork.blogspot.sg

Laffio, or Laugh-It-Out combined in a word, is run by 2 enterprising ladies who are finance professionals by day. The bar-cafe's concept is simple - a place where people can have good food and knock back a couple among laughs.The menu is extensive, with all-day breakfast, western mains, sandwiches and finger food aplenty. 3-course lunch sets are available as well during weekdays.Tonight though, we were here for their first-ever Pop Dining Event, featuring 6 courses created by 4 chefs, 1 of them being Laffio's own chef de cuisine.Coconut Shell Clams in Marinara Sauce, served with toasted bread.

The Coconut Shell Clams in Marinara Sauce featured a smattering of clams housed in a coconut shell. The accompanying toasted bread was very plain on its own, but it is evidently deliberately left so after you dip it into the marinara clam sauce at the bottom of the coconut bowl. The seafood sweetness stands out in the sauce, but the clams were just a little bit tiny within. This was paired with a refreshing frozen lime margherita.Homemade You Char Kway (Dough Fritter Pieces) with Mozarella Cheese and Tomatoes, accompanied by a Lemongrass Ginger Mocktail.

The Homemade You Char Kway with Mozzarella Cheese and Tomatoes cooked in duck fat may look simple, but it was so delicious. The dough fritters were fried to a crunchy crisp. Combined with the sweet tomatoes and fragrant melted mozzarella, the entire combination is a hit. It would be even better if the dough fritters could be fluffy inside, to soak up the delicious sauce it was coated in, but no complaints. This was a strong contender for the best dish of the night. The mocktail pairing of Lemongrass and Ginger complemented the dish to a T and added that extra lift to it overall. Its street-food presentation made it fun to eat too.Spanish Iberico Pork with Bonito Flakes and Pumpkin Puree

The Spanish Iberico Pork with Bonito Flakes and Pumpkin Puree came paired with a red wine. The pork was bouncy, juicy and flavourful with every bite. Along with the subtle sweetness from a dash of apple sauce, this was one of my favourites for the night. We even had someone asking if he could have seconds.Red Snapper with Foie Gras Mousse and Bacon, served on Banana Leaf

Created by Laffio's Chef De Cuisine, this Red Snapper with Foie Gras Mousse and Bacon had a grilled smokiness to it. The fish itself was firm to the bite and supple but the Foie Gras Mousse had a bitter aftertaste. Not sure if it should be there. The bacon was also just a little over-fried, such that it was a little hard to bite. However, the orange marmalade lent a fruitiness which contrasted nicely with the sharpness of the fish meat. Popcorn Ice Cream

This Popcorn Ice Cream is actually vanilla ice cream topped with popping candy and a few popcorn bits. The popping candy created a racket "popping" in the mouth, making it pure fun to eat. The vanilla ice cream was rich with vanilla flavour and creamy to a right. This is hands down my favourite. Makes me wonder why no one has ever thought of it till now. I would gladly come back again for this repeatedly if this is permanently on the menu! Chocolate Liquer Ball with Strawberry Mousse

The last item for the night, this Chocolate Liquer Ball took a little bit more effort to break into even using our metal spoon. Once broken, the liquer within flowed out gloriously. It was also presented creatively, making it convenient to drink from the edges of the diamond tip. One of the diners commented that it resembled drinking in ancient times, when goblets were shaped like this.

Good food aside, we were also entertained with short games during the event. Laffio delivers their motto with this pop up dining event that is pure good fun in food form. From what the owners say, there will be other themed events coming up as well within these few months. I will return to try the mainstays on their regular menu. Meanwhile though, could we have more of that Popcorn Ice Cream?

For the full review, go to http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg/2014/10/laffio-review-pop-dining-fun-in.html

Located right on the first floor of The Cathay, Assembly Ground Cafe is a spacious classic cafe with its brown hues, laidback vibe and hippie interior decor. Right beside it is the retail store, The Assembly Store from the same arm if you want to do some shopping first.Assembly Ground Food Menu

Apart from the usual all-day breakfast, mains, and beverages, Assembly Ground also has an assortment of interesting cakes (think Thai Milk Tea/Earl Grey/Gula Melaka) for sweet tooths. There's no service charge and GST is already included in the prices listed, so you pay the amount as per the menu.Truffle Fries ($10)

While awaiting our friend who'd overslept, we ordered the Truffle Fries to satiate ourselves. The smell of the truffle can be whiffed from a table away when it passed us. We didn't regret this. The shoestring-cut fries came piping hot and crisp with a fluffy inside. Served in a steel shovel, it was so good. A friend even commented that this was better than P.S. Cafe's. If you need an appetiser, order this.Iced Green Tea Latte ($6.50) and Green Tea Latte ($5.50)

With a difference of a $1, the Iced Green Tea Latte comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Apart from the temperature, both versions are the same. The drink was creamy, with the bitter-sweet Green Tea flavour there, but it would have been better less sweet.Rosti Omelette ($15) - Eggs, Bratwurst, Grated Potatoes, Sausage, Sour Cream.

The star of the Rosti Omelette is not the Rosti, but rather split between both. You will be disappointed if you expect Marche's standard of Rosti. This version is a little strange, with a part of the rosti too crispy (resembling crispy noodles in texture even) and lacking in the buttery fragrance rosti potato strips have. The omelette was average. Other brunch mains would be better choices.The Assembly Brunch ($19.50) - Scrambled eggs, bacon or salmon, wiener sausage, sauteed mushrooms, potato gratin, grilled cherry tomatoes, toast.

The Assembly Brunch was happily, no letdown. The potato gratin was buttery and smooth with a slightly charred exterior. The 2 slices of toast that accompanied it seems to be the multi-grain variety, Scrambled eggs were done to a balanced consistency that wasn't too wet nor too cooked. You also get to choose between smoked salmon and bacon. This dish is reliably good, and though it may sound big, the portion is just right for one with a normal appetite. Earl Grey Cake ($4.50)

The Earl Grey loaf cake slice was crumbly in exterior and evidently perfumed with Earl Grey scent. However, it was too sweet right from the first mouthful. Unless you are an ultimate sugar consumer, skip. Thai Milk Tea Slice ($4.50)

Much better was the Thai Milk Tea loaf slice. It had the same consistency (same recipe?) as the Earl Grey cake without being overly sweet. We also enjoyed the crumbly Thai milk tea flavoured "crust" on the surface of the cake. The cake itself is more of the dense texture than fluffy.Going by cafe standards, the food definitely didn't pale in taste. I guess it shows since one of the chefs was from Wild Honey. The service here was friendly, and the staff didn't hurry us after we'd finished our food. Ok perhaps that's because it was not crowded on the Saturday noon we were there too, Great atmosphere, spacious and decent bites and drinks - all assembled here. This place definitely makes my list of cafes to return to.

For the full review, go to http://herpenandfork.blogspot.sg