Lola's Cafe need little introduction... This small cafe in the midst of Kovan is among the most ridiculously popular cafes in Singapore, with queues of up to 45 minutes just to get a seat. There are even queues during off peak hours! And why not? Young entrepreneurs June Tan and Foo Choo Kiat, who scratch make pastries in Lola's Cafe, have created a cozy, relaxing space for gatherings, with delicious, carefully prepared dishes, and wallet friendly prices.

Ambience at Lola's Cafe is relaxing and welcoming. The small layout is fully maximised, and tables are packed closely together, lending a bustling air. The quirky industrial wooden decor stands out with humourous touches, while the large display of desserts steals the eye. Lola's Cafe is cozy, but I find the interior lighting to be very dim. I also find the hipster wooden tables to be rather impractical for dining.Service at Lola's Cafe is efficient. The predominately young staff are upbeat and cheerful, going about their tasks quickly. I noticed they're quite attentive, quick to respond to requests, and also fast at clearing away dirty / empty tables. The kitchen fulfills orders quickly even during peak periods, you'll seldom have to wait more than 10 minutes once seated. The main difficulty lies in actually getting a seat, queues can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, and there is no waiting area, so customers have to stand outside in the heat.Food at Lola's Cafe is a mix of modern Western, with influences from America, England, France, and Italy. The menu is rather small, but they do each dish to perfection, taking great care in crafting the combination of tastes and texture, and presenting it beautifully. They offer an all day brunch menu from 10am - 3pm, while the dinner menu is from 6pm - 11pm. The desserts here are fantastic as well, made in house daily! Portions sizes are big for 1 person, but the main draw of Lola's Cafe is their affordable prices. All prices quoted are nett, without any tax / GST, and most main dishes cost SGD $16 or less.

The Organic Chai Tea Latte (SGD $5) stood out for me. Rather uncommon in Singapore, this brought back memories of travel abroad. Fragrant and aromatic, the beautiful whiff of cinnamon hits you when it's served. Texture is so smooth, with a hint of the spice. Very good!The Avocado Eggs Benedict (SGD $15) is often considered to be amongst the better renditions in Singapore, partially because it's also one of the cheapest in Singapore. Great value for money, you get a thick slice of brioche toast, topped with savoury ham, fresh creamy avocado, and 2 perfectly poached eggs with runny yolks, finished with hollandaise sauce. Accompanied by a fresh garden salad with balsamic dressing, the eggs benedict is so sexy, oozing the yolk when cut, only to be soaked up by the soft, fluffy brioche toast. Highly recommended!Loved the Sea Salt Chocolate Tart With Coffee Cream (SGD $5)! A rich, dense, thick dark chocolate ganache, with a dash of sea salt, sits in a crumbly pastry tart crust. Topped with a smooth coffee espresso cream enhanced with bailey's, this dessert hits all the taste notes of sweet, savoury, bitter, smooth, crunchy, sticky, and chewy. Complex, I like!

Full Lola's Cafe review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/11/lolas-cafe.html

Tucked between industrial shophouses, Windowsill Pies / Windowsill In The Woods is a whimsical, fairy tale like cafe, serving up sweet, artisinal dessert pies since October 2011. Brothers Jonathan and Sean Gwee, along with chief baker Michael Liu, have grown their humble pie shop over the years, finally settling in the Jalan Besar area in December 2012.Ambience at Windowsill Pies is so cozy and inviting, you'll never want to leave! Faux trees and wooden panelling comprise a "forest", while a creative layout creates semi-private alcoves for dining. A retro yellow fridge stands beside a hand made wooden cupboard, while toy aeroplanes hang from colourful criss cross beams in the "sky". Picnic baskets complete with checkered cloths lay around the trees, beside the resident giant teddy bear, Mr. Picklechips. Playful, fairy tale like atmosphere!Service at Windowsill Pies is very good. Staff are polite, friendly, and welcoming, and more than eager to display their knowledge on the various types of pies in the attractive display case. The young, high energy staff are chirpy and upbeat, efficient in fulfilling orders, and generally appear happy working at Windowsill Pies.

Food at Windowsill Pies revolves around their speciality, pies. Not savoury pies... they only make sweet / dessert pies, full of robust flavour and presented beautifully. Each slice of pie is like a work of art, you can actually see the different textures and ingredients that go into it! Portion sizes for each pie slice is large for one person, and sharing is recommended. Pricing is similar to desserts in other cafes as well, budget about SGD $7 per slice of pie, and about SGD $6 for a beverage.

Few shops do sweet / dessert pies as well as them; tasty with full flavour but still balanced, firm texture that holds up well but yields when cut, ingredients layered like a work of art, all at wallet friendly pricing.

While I commend the attempt at creating art within the Hot Chocolate (SGD $5.50), the actual taste is somewhat lacking. Yes, there is still a rather muted chocolate taste, but not as intense, not as thick, or not as rich as I'd hoped. Rather below average.Absolutely loved the Corn Dog With Gucamole & Coleslaw (SGD $6)! The vegetables are fresh and crunchy, especially the gucamole which has some sweetness and tartness from mixing the mashed avocado with diced tomatoes and lime juice. But the star is the corn dog, featuring a meaty, juicy, perfectly grilled chicken cheese sausage, wrapped in salty, smoky bacon, with a crisp, savoury batter that shatters when bit. The gooey cheese, hot sausage, and satisfiying crunch of the batter is unforgettable.One of their top 3 bestsellers, the Strawberry Lemon Pie (SGD $7) features a tangy, zesty lemon curd, pierced through with 2 ribbons of sweet, tart strawberry compote. Topped with a creamy meringue, this pie is well balanced and luscious, and a refreshing delight to eat!Inspired by the classic Grasshopper Cocktail, the similarly vibrant green Grasshopper Pie (SGD $7.50) features a soft, flourless chocolate cake, topped with vibrant, refreshing crème de menthe green / mint cream. While containing no alcohol, this pie does have chunks of dense chocolate brownie within, and is garnished with shards of luscious dark chocolate, and clusters of crunchy chocolate cookies. Full Windowsill Pies review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/08/windowsill-pies.html

A cozy, casual, family friendly cafe in Siglap & Choa Chu Kang, The Royals Cafe is well known for its delicious and wholesome Halal certified cakes and confectioneries. Since its founding in November 2007, The Royals Cafe has garnered quite a following for their tasty sweet treats at wallet friendly prices.Ambience at The Royals Cafe isn't their strong point. Furniture is functional but simple, and the interior doesn't have much decor, beyond a small play area for children and several small pictures. But I like the bright interior, lit be natural lighting and flourescent white, while the attractive display of cakes and cookies draws attention. It can also get pretty noisy if there are a lot of children around.Service at The Royals Cafe is friendly, with staff offering greetings upon entry. Orders are fulfilled quickly, and staff are also efficient at clearing tables quickly. I also like that staff are knowledgable on the menu, able to make recommendations, though they aren't so clear on use of ingredients. However, the order taking process is slow, you'll have to wait quite long for staff to take orders especially during peak periods.

Food at The Royals Cafe is simple and straightforward, with cuisine mainly consisting of either Western American style main courses, or Singaporean style favourites. Menu options are rather limited, but portion sizes are sufficient even for large eaters. Prices for most dishes are wallet friendly, costing about SGD $12 or so for main courses, and SGD $6 or so for a slice of cake.

A cup of hot Milo (SGD $2.90) is expensive here, although it's served in a tall mug, and staff take the trouble to froth it till the top has foam. Still... it's just Milo.The Salted Caramel Cake (SGD $6.40 / Slice) is intense, with the sweetness of the chocolate cake clashing with the salty, sticky, caramel cream. Good flavour, but a slight more balance in the level of sweet and salty would be good.It may be called Grandma's Chocolate Cake (SGD $6.20 / Slice), but this chocolate cake with a layer of sweet, sticky chocolate fudge frosting is semi-dry in texture. Decent at best, could be so much better if the cake were moist.Love the bright, vibrant colours of the Rainbow Cake (SGD $6.40 / Slice), and the zesy, lemon and vanilla taste of the semi-dense cake. And while the addition of rainbow sprinkles added a bit of colour and crunch to texture, I didn't like the plain cream frosting, which was thick and dense.The Signature Nonya Mee Siam (SGD $5.90) is among the most popular items on the menu here, with nearly every other table ordering this. The secret lies in the home made gravy recipe, almost like a cross between a traditional Mee Siam gravy and a Laksa gravy. Rich, savoury, tangy, and lemak / creamy, the gravy is a potent dose of flavours. Also doesn't hurt that it's served with fresh prawns and a whole sliced egg. Highly recommended!

Full The Royals Cafe review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/08/the-royals-cafe.html

Situated in Siglap since it opened it's doors in November 2013, Poppies Bistro-Bar is a stylish, laid-back European style cafe that serves uncomplicated yet tasty food. A cosy haven for family meals, or romantic dates, Poppies Bistro-Bar also has several enticing weekly pormotions, such as free dining for children all weekend!Ambience at Poppies Bistro-Bar is so laid-back, it's the sort of place you could just wander up, and plonk yourself into one of their super comfy sofas. The large 3 meter fan acts as both an eye catching showpiece and cools the interior, while the flueur-de-lis / stylised floral floor tiles lend a touch of elegance. Poppies Bistro-Bar also screens live sports, though I think their television is slightly small to screen for a crowd.Service at Poppies Bistro-Bar is very good! Staff are friendly, welcoming, and polite, offering greetings upon entry. Orders are served quickly and promptly, and the staff vibe feels family-like. Diners are given individual attention, and asked for feedback on the meal / experience. The family-friendly staff also greet kids, provide utensils for them, and sometimes even play with them!Food at Poppies Bistro-Bar is Western / Intercontinental style, with a mix of cuisines ranging from British, American, French, and Italian dishes on the menu. Food styling is not a strong point at Poppies Bistro-Bar, most dishes are presented simply, and look uncomplicated and plain. But they sure pack flavour, I think that most individual components of a dish are tasty and well cooked! Prices are mid-range for a cafe, costing between SGD $14 - $23 per main course, and portions are nicely sized for one person.

Beer Stella Artois (SGD $14 Pint) is the only draught beer on tap here. Their weekly Thirsty Thursday promotion has this going for only SGD $7 per pint from 7pm till 10pm!The Classic French Onion Soup (SGD $10) is a thin but flavourful broth, with soft, caramelised onions within the soup. Taste is potent but not overpowering, with a touch of sweetness. Lovely and satisfiying, especially with their home made toasted gruyere cheese crouton. The only drawback was the thin layer of oil on the surface of the soup.The Omelette 3 Egg - Onion, Mushroom, Ham (SGD $15) has smooth, creamy, fluffy egg omelette. Enveloped within is a generous stuffing of 3 fillings of your choice, we went with onions, mushrooms, and ham. The filling was cooked well, the onions were sweet with a slight bite, the mushrooms were fresh, and lent an earthy taste to the omelette. Doesn't look like much when served, but is very filling, and overall, an above average egg omelette!The Big Breakfast (SGD $18) is served with a generous portion of crisp, smoky bacon, perfectly grilled pork sausages, baked beans, grilled tomato, sauteed mushrooms, fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp toasted white bread, and breakfast potatoes. I felt that all the components of the dish were well cooked and tasty, especially surprising was the toasted white bread, which was thick and crisp, and the breakfast potatoes, which was aromatic with a hint of herbs. The scrambled eggs were done perfectly, as were the mushrooms and juicy tomato. Pity that the tasty pork sausges were slim, I think a thicker, meatier sausage would be more satisfying.

Full Poppies Bistro-Bar review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/08/poppies-bistro-bar.html

First established in November 2013, in Mumbai, the D'Bell Cafe & Lounge quickly garned rave reviews, packing in the crowds. The owners behind D'Bell have since expanded their operations to Singapore, with their first D'Bell outlet in 43 North Canal Road. Styled as a modern Indian fine dining restaurant, lounge, and party area, D'Bell looks set to establish its claim on the modern Indian dining niche.D'Bell isn't your typical Indian restaurant, and the ambience reflects that. Elegantly designed, with blended elements of East India and East Asia, the interior features plush velvet banquettes, elegant wrought iron vintage chandeliers, gold rimmed mirrors, and modern furniture befitting a classy, sophisticated Western fine dining restaurant. Their Indian roots are evident in the ethnic pillow designs, soft, plush and colourful, contrasting well with the dark toned lounge chairs. However, I didn't quite like the overall dim lighting, though staff say the level of brightness is adjustable.While the 1st level of D'Bell is laid out in a stylish fine dining restaurant style, the 2nd level doubles as a classy, chic, sophisticated lounge and private function area, with a private bar, and a private VIP party room that is soundproof. Projector screens display sporting events, while the awesome sound system makes the place seem like a club, playing anything from the latest Bollywood club hits, to classy International music. The luxe surroundings here are very inviting!The service at D'Bell is impeccable. As befitting its fine dining status, staff are friendly and polite, offering greetings upon entry, and are able to hold conversations with you. They seem well versed and knowledgable on the history of D'Bell, as well as its menu, being able to describe the roots / inspirations behind each dish. Efficiency is great, offering more drinks proactively, topping up water discreetly, and clearing empty plates relatively quickly. Also noticed that during events, staff will go up to guests with empty hands to offer drinks and canapes. Excellent service, professional and courteous!D'Bell specialises in Modern Indian cuisine, made using authentic Indian recipes, but plated in contemporary Western style. While the taste of each dish remains traditional, D'Bell refrains from using butter or ghee in their cooking, choosing to prepare dishes using olive oil instead. This makes D'Bell food healthier than other Indian restaurants, and you can barely taste the difference! The extensive menu is an eclectic mix of North Indian and Western (American, Italian) cuisine, with options for off-menu items that Executive Chef Satish Madaan might whip up.D'Bell encourages communal dining, so regular sized portions are sufficient for 2 - 4 people to share. I noted that most of the dishes tasted authentic, even without the use of butter or ghee, and were very flavourful. Some had been purposely toned down to suit the Western / Singaporean palate, but staff assure me that you can still request for these to be prepared the classic, traditional way it's served in India. Prices at D'Bell are very reasonable for a fine dining restaurant, budget about SGD $40 - $60 per person. I daresay this is considered a low price range for a fine dining restaurant that provides this high quality of food and service.

The Western style Lobster Bisque (SGD $12) is excellent! Rich and deep with the flavour of the ocean / crustaceans, the texture is thick but not gloopy, and the taste isn't overpowering. Warm, hearty, and satisfying, I could drink bowls of this! The crisp garlic bread that accompanied was great for dipping, though the texture is softer than typical toasted garlic bread.The Tawa Wali Fish (SGD $22) was excellent! Firm, meaty butter fish cubes are glazed in coconut milk and curry leaves, then grilled to perfection. The moist, flavourful fish was among the outstanding dishes I tried here!An above average rendition, the Tandoori Chicken Tikka (SGD $16) features boneless chicken leg cubes, marinated in a mix of Indian spices and yoghurt, then cooked in a tandoor. Unlike other Indian restaurant versions, this isn't dry at all, being somewhat moist in the middle, an example of the skill of the chef.The Amritsari Dal (SGD $12) features a mix of split Bengal gram beans and whole black gram beans, simmered overnight on a charcoal flame. While more grainy in texture than other versions elsewhere, the flavour is intense and full, thick and savoury with some chew. I like that it's not too salty, which is a common mistake. Pairs well with Indian bread or rice!The signature Chilli Cheese Naan (SGD $8) is a unique item, combining the best of cheesy pizza-like dough, with heat from Indian spices. Stuffed with cheddar cheese, onion, bell peppers / capsicum, and studded with fresh coriander leaves, the result is a filling and satisfying staple, that pairs well with any curry, and can also be eaten on its own!Among the best dishes we tried, the Kadhai Vegetable (SGD $12) features a medly of fresh vegetables, including cauliflower, bell peppers / capsicum, tomatoes, onions, cooked in a mild curry of Indian spices, garnished with coriander and cashew nuts. The result is a savoury dish, rich in fragrant spices (not spicy). The curry paste coating the vegetables is complex in flavour but light on the palate, instead of heavy or cloying. Although it's cooked in a Kadai / Kadhai metal pan, the plating and presentation is Western style. Excellent!The rather healthy Pudina Paratha (SGD $7) is made with whole wheat, cooked in a tandoor oven without any butter or ghee, and dusted lightly with mint. This light Indian flat bread is perfect for light eaters, healthy eaters, and everyone in between!The Gulab Jamun (SGD $7.50) feature reduced milk balls, served in a fragrant rose syrup. I thought the texture of this dessert was more firm than it should be, and not as easy to eat. But I loved the rose flavoured syrup, as well as the addition of chopped pistachio nuts. But overall, not that great a dessert, I've had better elsewhere.Ras Malai (SGD $8.50) is an East Indian dessert, consisting of a cream coloured ball of paneer cheese, served in a sweet clotted cream and cardamom flavoured syrup. I love that the version here retains its chewy texture, without being crumbly, and is much lighter and not as sweet as other versions elsewhere. Very good!Overall, D'Bell makes a strong case for healthy, yet authentic, classic Indian food, that still tastes great. Prices are reasonable for the thought and effort put into each dish. I definitely plan to return to D'Bell, if only to relax in their luxurious lounge, feast on the fantastic Indian and Western bar food, and soak in great music!

Full D'Bell review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/08/dbell-tasting-session.html