Brunch has quickly become one of the things that I look forward to whenever there is a CSO event at Lucky Chinatown. I am both gleeful and greedy when I think about the number of unexplored cafes/restaurants in the nearby areas, from Ann Siang to Everton.Club Street Social was my pick for brunch on that particular day; a hidden gem off corner of the tiny Gemmill Lane.

From the interior to the menu, Club Street Social reeks of chic Manhattan vibes.

The menu isn't extensive but it offers a good range of all day breakfast and fancy sandwiches (think confit duck panini). For evening diners, there is also a wine and cocktail menu.

For full review and photos, please go to http://sxgkitxy.blogspot.sg/2013/09/club-street-social.html

Tucked away in Sculpture Square, Artichoke Cafe & Bar is really more of a communal dining restaurant than cafe, that serves moorish cuisine. What is moorish cuisine? Well, I didn't know till I googled either. Moorish cuisine is a middle-east styled food fare with some mediterranean influence. Interesting, huh?

Artichoke is also one of the popular brunch places in Singapore. Unfortunately, I haven't been disciplined enough to wake up early for brunch these days. But thankfully, Artichoke serves dinner, just as well as they do brunch (I would think so, based on their popularity)!

I was instantly intrigued by Artichoke as I made my way in. I can't quite put it into words but Artichoke has this really quirky vibe to it. It sort of perked me for my dining mood too.For starters, order the mezze. Mezze is like appetizer (think the equivalent of bread in western cuisine). It comes with 3 moorish dips that are absolutely whetting. I personally make very conscious effort to minimize my carb intake. But with the dips, I was uncontrollable!Ahhhh... Grilled Haloumi. Cheese lovers, you have to order this. I'm not gonna say much except, "you won't regret it".I can't remember what this dish is called. Okay, actually I can't remember any dish names because this post is simply way overdue.

What I know is that this is one of my favourite of the night. You probably can't tell from here but it's fried cauliflowers! Not any cauliflowers but cauliflowers that are perfectly marinated and crispy. That's like a huge chunk of brownie points for the girl who secretly wants to indulge and diet at the same time. This is... bacon something. It doesn't matter what this is called because a bacon by any other name would taste just as heavenly. As is this dish. Just try to screen through the menu to look for bacon and eggs in the description. You should get it right.Chicken! The commoner's choice of protein. In this case, it's commoner's protein with the royal treatment. I don't know what they did to this chicken but even the most loathed part of the chicken - the breast meat, is as tender as any other parts.As taken from Artichoke's Facebook page -

"Lamb shoulder, brined overnight, rubbed with mechoui spices, slow roasted for several hours, ripped apart to order, bathed in a lamb jus enriched with fermented butter, topped with a pile of zucchini shoelaces marinated in garlic & lemon".

Both my heart, body and soul agrees that it is as delicious as how they have put it in words.Desserts for a sweet ending. Here's the sticky date pudding that doesn't look like your typical sticky date pudding. I joked to my friends that it's a combination of chinese steamed cake (huat kueh), herbal jelly (guilin gao), and peanut paste.

But of course, it doesn't taste like that at all. Underneath that messy presentation, is a sweet explosion of decadence.

Conclusion: I'd give 7/10.

I LOVE IT! My night was made flawless with faultless dinner and wonderful company of the zoolings. The only hurt came when the bill was presented to us. A whopping spend of S$60 per pax, for a group of 7. Youch.

I have decided to set out on a perilous journey to cover every cafes that comes across our path!

This journey will have us battle with potential obesity and test our discipline to burn off extra calories.

From now on, I will be logging and sharing my cafe-hopping experience at Feed Me, my newly founded food review section.

Absinthe have a 6 course degustation menu that cost SGD98 per person (excluding taxes).I never really understood why "romantic" places (especially french) have to be so dimly lit. It strains my eyes when I try to ogle at my hot date above. Nothing can take away romance like eye fatigue.

Not to mention that dim lights = bad lighting = have to use camera flash = flash-banging the entire restaurant = too embarrassed to continue using flash = bad photos.

Or maybe I just don't know how to appreciate the lowlight ambience.Bread Basket

Easily forgettable. I probably shouldn't compare but I thought Il Lido's bread basket was way better. I have no idea what Il Lido puts in their olive oil and balsamice vinegar dip but it was heavely. Absinthe's bread basket and dip pales severely in comparison. I couldn't bring myself to waste calories on it.Truite de Mer

Carpaccio of Petuna Ocean Trout, Ikura, Tiger Prawn, Citrus Dressing and Baby Cress

This was the first dish served from the 6-course set menu. The carpaccio was fresh and the texture was good. I could distinctly see those delicious fats marbling in these slivers of yum. The lemony dressing complemented it well too.

But is it me or is it weird to see crab sticks served at a fine dining restaurant? Felt a little cheated of my money to see crab sticks.Bisque

Traditional Lobster Bisque Scented with Cognac

The bisque is not included in the set menu but Bunny has heard raving reviews of it so he simply had to try one. And reviews were right - it is the best lobster bisque I ever had.

It was thick, creamy and fused with lobster goodness down to every particle.

Bunny loved it so much he claimed that he wants to order 10 servings of it.Asperge Blanche

Warm German White Asparagus with Iberico Ham, Tarragon Hollandaise,
Hazelnut and Argan Oil

I love asparagus and having the white asparagus for the first time dumbfounded me.

Common green asparagus is yummy.

White asparagus is mind-blowing.

It has a good crunchy texture and its taste was far more delicate than any other green asparagus I have eaten in my lifetime so far. I guess my only gripe is that I'm not a fan of Iberico Ham. I am not a professional food critic nor am I a chef, but I wonder if Jamon Serrano would be better?Foie Gras Poêlé

Pan Fried Foie Gras, Morello Cherries and Blinis

Another plate of foodgasm. Sheer awesomeness of fats melting in your mouth.

I also got frustrated with the bad lighting here so I decided to not give a fuck and use flash anyway.Cabillaud

Roasted Black Cod, Prawn Risotto and Kaffir Lime Leaf Emulsion

Cod. Oh my god. I love cod.

This cod was beautifully done. Thinly crisp on the surface but velvety tender inside. The cod was so fresh that they didn't have to use any heavy seasoning for it.

However, I didn't like the risotto. I thought that it was very salty though Bunny didn't think so.

Still... OH MY GOD. COD.Lapin

Organic Rabbit with Morrel Ravioli, Celeriac Puree, Baby Spinach and Natural Jus

This is also not included in the set menu but we ordered it cause'

1) We've never tried rabbit before.

2) We were sharing one degustation menu.

AND IT IS GOOD. Rabbit meat tasted like a hybrid of chicken and lamb to me. I'm not quite sure how to describe but yeah, it's good anyway. That celeriac thing? Never heard of it but it is also good. Smooth, creamy and palatable mash of whatever-that-is.

The only fault is probably the ravioli. A little too dry but I can overlook that with the rest of wonderful flavours going on here.Melon Philibon

Fresh Philibon Melon, Monbazillac Sorbet and Basil Crumble

Desserts, finally.

I was awfully stuffed by the time dessert was served. I took only one bite of this.

I don't like it. Melons with basil is weirdddd.

Sorry, I don't know how to appreciate this at all.

Just when I thought that my dining experience is not gonna conclude with a "sweet" ending, the staff at Absinthe surprised us.Tarte du Jour

Tart of the Day with Vanilla Ice Cream

I thought that Bunny ordered this to surprise me but no! It's complimentary from people at Absinthe because Bunny mentioned he wanted a quiet table for his anniversary and they actually took note of it to surprise us with this. =D

Absinthe really took their already pleasant service one notch up with a sweet gesture like this.Wiped. Devoured. Ravaged.

By me alone.

Satisfied my sweet tooth perfectly.

Happy 1st Anniversary?

VERY Happy 1st Anniversary.

Brownie points for the restroom as well!Pretty mirror and mouthwash available in the toilet.

So considerate right?! I think the mouthwash is a wonderful touch of hospitality.Hand soap and lotion. Brownie points added like madddddd.

Conclusion: I'd give it 8/10.

The entire experience was a mix of hits and misses, but hits mostly. Service was good, worth every damn penny I am taxed for.