Full Paradiso Restaurant & Bar review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2013/04/paradiso-restaurant-bar.html

Situated along the waterfront in Quayside Isle, Paradiso Restaurant & Bar offers scenic waterfront dining, keeping diners cool even during the day with well positioned, powerful ceiling mounted fans. Furniture is modern, casual and functional, and decor is rustic yet chic, akin to a chill out drinking spot / bar. However, the roof of the facade isn't sufficient to shelter the outermost seats from rain.

My high points I experienced with the service at Paradiso Restaurant & Bar include:
- Manager is observant and has initiative
- Staff are knowledgeable about the food offered on the menu
- Staff will assist to correct a dish that we sent back
- Staff are friendly and polite

My low points I experienced with the service at Paradiso Restaurant & Bar include:
- Staff are overworked and stretched, which makes them not attentive
- Our table was not set, or even cleaned properly, and we had to request for it to be done
- It's difficult to attract their attention as staff are rushing around, most diners we observed would just go over to the counter instead of trying to get their attention
- Our bill took more than 10 minutes to process, and eventually, we approached the counter to settle it, but nobody apologised, junior staff was brusque and rude

The Red Snapper With Chilli, Ginger And Gin is a whole baked red snapper fish served on a bed of chillies, ginger and baby spinach leaves. The tangy, citrusy, fish and gin sauce / gravy was addictive, and elevated the overall taste of the fresh, meaty fish. One of the most afforable and reasonably priced dishes on the menu too. Just watch out for small bones and remnants of scales!

Founded in July 2014 by chefs Mr. Sean Lim and Ms Jerraldine Chen, Sin Lee Foods is a nostalgic cafe throwback to simpler days. While appearing hipster, the cafe owners kept the original signboard, and the overall look and feel, due to their landlord's request, who places a great deal of sentimental value on the place. This 50-seater cafe located in the sleepy Bukit Ho Swee neighbourhood offers modern fusion breakfast / brunch dishes, albeit at slightly higher than average prices.

Ambience at Sin Lee Foods is casual, with an industrial rustic vibe, a classic hipster cafe. Think rough, exposed red brick and grey concrete walls, with functional, industrial wooden furniture in a variety of styles. There is barely any decor here, and the indoor seating area exposes diners to cooking from the kitchen. However, they win points for the tranquil, sheltered outdoor seating, which offers views of the sleepy, quiet neighbourhood and surrounding greenery.

Service at Sin Lee Foods is partial self-service, and there is minimal interaction with the mostly young staff. Ordering and payment is done self-service over the counter, but staff do serve orders to your table. Engagement is limited to asking about dishes, with staff able to answer queries, and willing to accede to requests for changing ingredients in dishes. Orders are fulfilled within 10 minutes, and I also note that staff are fairly quick in clearing empty / dirty tables. Not particularly memorable.

Food at Sin Lee Foods is modern fusion breakfast / brunch fare, with strong influences from American and Japanese cuisine. In particular, they have an emphasis on waffles, due to the owner's background, and they also refuse to serve eggs benedict. Taste is generally decent, and potions sizes are large, suitable for sharing. They're also priced more expensively than other cafes, budget about SGD $30 per person for a meal here. Overall, Sin Lee Foods is a good choice only if you're in the area, and willing to spend. But I feel it's not worth making the effort to travel here.

The Coconut Slushie (SGD $9) is a refreshing chilled beverage, a smooth, thick, delicious blend of crushed ice, coconut milk, and coconut water. Topped with nata de coco / coconut jelly and toasted coconut flakes, which lend a fragrant, appetizing aroma! Nice, loved this drink!The Aburi Broccoli Salad (SGD $13) is among the best salads I've had, and definitely the best broccoli dish I've eaten! Fresh, crunchy broccoli florets are quickly torched aburi style, making them take on a savoury smoky flavour. A bed of sharp sour white balsamic vinegar and creamy mayonnaise, along with garnishes of sweet red sugar and crispy papadum chips complete this delicious salad dish. Addictive, delicious, and well worth visiting just for this. Highly recommended!While The One And Only (SGD $21.90) is essentially a chicken and waffles dish, they're among the earliest in Singapore to popularise this modern fusion dish. The version here remains a pretty solid contender, with a large, crisp, iron waffle, though it's slightly dry. This is greatly helped by the large, juicy har jiong / prawn paste marinated boneless chicken leg. With a crispy skin, a thick layer of fat (which locks in the natural juices), and savoury, tender chicken meat, it's so tasty! A small but savoury sweet sesame gomae / sesame sauce coleslaw lends a fragrant, nutty flavour. The melted herb and maple syrup butter was outstanding, with a hint of sweetness, it paired really well with the chicken. Good!Full Sin Lee Foods review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2016/05/sin-lee-foods.html

Founded in September 2013, Caveman Food is a casual eatery offering dishes based on the Paleo diet / Paleolithic diet. The 1st such concept stall in Singapore, the wholesome dishes at Caveman Food are based on food groups eaten by our hunter-gatherer cavemen ancestors. And because the Paleo diet is said to aid weight loss, and aid the body's natural defences against cardiovascular disease and diabetes, Caveman Food has naturally attracted fitness enthusiasts, doctors and nurses from nearby hospitals, and casual diners who want healthy food.Ambience at Caveman Food is simple and casual. Functional, white painted wooden furniture is closely packed within the cramped floor space, and the brightly lit, open air concept lends a rustic feel. The open kitchen with its appetizing display of food draws the eye, as does its large, clear menu outside. However, the place can get warm, as there is no air-conditioning.

Service at Caveman Food is completely self-service, as ordering, payment, and collection of orders is done over the counter. You're also encouraged to clear your own trays and disposable cutlery! However, staff do display good product knowledge, able to describe how dishes are made, and they'll offer you recommendations if asked. Orders are also quickly fulfilled, typically within 10 minutes.

Food at Caveman Food is styled after the Paleo diet, which is a diet based on the type of foods eaten by early humans, such as natural, grass-fed meat, fish, fresh vegetables, fish, and fruit. This means excluding / not eating items such as dairy products, processed foods, fried foods, sugar, gluten, cereal grains, or legumes / soy products. As such, the food here is rather natural and healthy, and only light sauces are used. Portions are sufficient for individuals, though prices are slightly higher than the average food court, budget about SGD $10 per person for a meal here.

The Italian Chicken With Sweet Potato, Apple Salad (SGD $8.90) is delicious! The tender, moist, savoury, fall off the bone chicken meat, is rendered incredibly fragrant from the use of Italian herbs such as rosemary and thyme. The apple salad is fresh, with juicy chunks of sweet apple garnished with raisins, and the skin-on sweet potato is tender and sweet with a nice starchy texture. Excellent! The thin Italian inspired gravy is rather messy and weak though.The Beef Stew With Green Salad, Pumpkin (SGD $13.90) features chunks of meaty beef, savoury salty in flavour, some with fat, and some lean. I personally prefer the beef chunks with fat, because the texture is moist and tender. Sadly, the lean beef chunks have a semi-firm and dry texture. It's stewed together with tender carrots and sweet caramelised onions. The lovely sweet mashed pumpkin soaks up the delicious beef gravy, and the fresh, crunchy green salad of rocket leaves / arugula, lettuce, and lemon wedge is healthy and satisfiying.Full Caveman Food review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2016/05/caveman-food.html

Founded in December 2014, BurgerUP is a gourmet burger chain with a fast food concept. Of particular note; BurgerUP is among the 1st in Singapore to offer quality, customisable burgers, where customers choose from a range of fresh ingredients to build their own personalised burger.Ambience at BurgerUP is similar to most other fast-food restaurants. Think brightly lit interiors, with modern, functional, but ultimately dull furniture, which is about average for comfort, but super easy to clean. There isn't much actual decor to speak of, though the open concept allows for people watching. Still, as with most other fast food places, the place can get dirty or messy during peak periods, with uncleared trays of trash on the tables.

Service at BurgerUP is completely self-service. They leverage technology for orders, enabling diners to choose what they like at a kiosk. Collect the printed reciept, and make payment over the counter, which is the only interaction you get with staff. At least staff are helpful, and will guide you in using the kiosk if you're unsure, particularly helpful for those unfamiliar with the kiosk technology. However, staff could be more efficient in clearing away empty / dirty tables.

Food at BurgerUP is natually, about burgers. Customise and personalise your burger to your liking, choosing from over 20 ingredients and condiments. Generally, I find taste to be decent. What stands out though, is their large portions, at student-friendly prices, they're mostly cheaper than McDonald's! Definitely good value for money, if you're not too picky about the average taste.

Customised a DIY Chicken Burger (SGD $7.30), with a thick, juicy, savoury mined chicken patty, which is the best-tasting, most flavourful meat patty available on the menu! Sandwiched between fluffy sesame seed burger buns, with crunchy lettuce, sharp onions, juicy tomato, mayonnaise, and cheese, which are the complete set of ingredients in a Classic Chicken Burger. Then for more power, I added tangy barbecue sauce, a slice of savoury turkey ham, and a sunny side up egg! Loved every single bite of this!Full BurgerUP review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2016/04/burgerup-burgerup-classix.html

Founded in 2005, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is possibly the most successful brand of Hong Kong style 'cha chaan teng' / tea-house in Singapore. Known for opening till the wee hours of the morning in popular youth hangouts and nightspots, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is also popular for their snow ice desserts, thick toasts, and simple stir-fried noodles or rice dishes.

Ambience at Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is clean, modern, and functional, but with little decor. Plush cushioned booths and simple wooden furniture line the spot-lit dining area, alternating shadows and light playing across the coloured walls. Tables are closely packed, which means the place is noisy and buzzing most of the time. The biggest draw for them is their longer than usual opening hours, suitable for late suppers or early breakfasts.

Service at Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is mostly decent, with staff being polite, and quick to attend to diners. As expected, the more senior staff tend to demonstrate better service levels, showing guests more attention. Requests are quickly fulfilled, as are orders, so expect short waiting times of within 5 - 10 minutes, even during peak periods. I also note that staff quickly clear empty / dirty tables, but in their haste, they only do a quick wipe of the tables, rather than a proper cleaning.

Food at Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe is focused on mostly Hong Kong cuisine, Chinese Cantonese cuisine, and snacks. Dishes are mostly simple and quick to prepare, but this also means not as good value for money compared to other restaurants. Fortunately, portions are large, and prices are still wallet-friendly, good enough for everyday casual dining. Most dishes are tasty to a passable standard, you just have to know what to order here!

Loved the comforting Wanton Dumplings Soup (SGD $5.90), with its light, delicate soup / broth that has a slight sweetness. The large, meaty wanton dumplings are tightly packed in a medium-thick skin, with a generous amount of fresh prawns / shrimp, and minced pork, having a good savoury sweet flavour. Excellent!The Peanut Butter N Condensed Milk Thick Toast (SGD $4.90) was excellent! The thick toast has a crisp exterior which crunches softly, while the interior remains soft and fluffy! A generous spread of sticky sweet nutty peanut butter, and a dressing of sweet condensed milk, make this breakfast / snack incredibly addictive! I feel like a little kid getting a treat with this, due in part to the peanut butter which sticks like, everywhere. Highly recommended!The best thing about the Fermented Pork Chop Dry Curry Ramen (SGD $10.90) is their crisp, savoury salty pork chop. Big on flavour, the pork chop has a soft crunch when bit, followed by the smooth, tender meat with a thin silver of fat. The thin egg noodles tossed in a thick, savoury spicy curry gravy (that has no fiery heat), and the crunchy stalk of fresh bok choy / Chinese cabbage complete the plate. Good!Full Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2016/04/xin-wang-hong-kong-cafe.html