Full Xperience Restaurant review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/06/xperience-restaurant-tasting-session.html

Bespoke French sophistication and modern Singaporean chic combine within a heritage building in the new Sofitel So Singapore. Opened in May 2014, this luxury boutique hotel boasts unique design elements from acclaimed designers Karl Lagerfeld and Isabelle Miaja. Similarly, Sofitel So Singapore in-hotel restaurant, the Xperience Restaurant, promises a fine, bespoke, first class culinary experience.Ambience at Xperience Restaurant is modern contemporary, with an elegant casualness. This stylish yet relaxed gastro-bar destination incorporates many of the themes from the boutique hotel, such as hexagonal patterns and bold colours. Furniture is modern chic, with a mix of colours. The tables and chairs are comfortable and spacious, but noticeably lower than normal height, which gives your thigh muscles a good workout whenever you stand or sit!Service at Xperience Restaurant is befitting a fine dining establishment. Staff are friendly and welcoming, not just greeting you at the entrance, but proactively offering to assist if you're carrying bags. Staff also display basic knowledge about the various main ingredients in each dish, being able to provide basic descriptions, and make recommendations.Food at Xperience Restaurant is a modern fusion of European and Asian influences. The menu is crafted around textures; be it Silky, Crunchy, Zesty, Juicy, Crispy, Saucy, or Smoky. In fact, staff will actually make recommendations on textures of a dish based on how you're feeling! Each dish is presented as a work of art, and besides the highlighted texture, individual plates are also crafted to contain a surprising contrast of flavours. Portions are substantial and filling, though prices reflect its artisan crafting. Do budget about SGD $25 for an appetizer, about SGD $40 for a main course, and about SGD $20 for a dessert.The Pan Seared Foie Gras, Beluga Lentil And Hazelnut (SGD $21) represents the Silky texture, and features a decadent slice of foie gras, on a bed of nutty Beluga lentils from America, and aromatic roasted hazelnuts, garnished with hazelnut tuiles / crisps. The rich, smooth foie gras is perfectly pan-seared, almost melting in the mouth, pairing exceedingly well with the nutty, earthy lentils and crunchy hazelnut crisps. Indulgent, highly recommended!The Cauliflower And Mushroom Texture (SGD $23) represents the Crunchy / Flavourful texture, and features cauliflower done 3 ways; grilled, puree, and fresh. Presented like a garden, the grilled cauliflower slices and fresh cauliflower slices sit on a bed of cauliflower puree and cream, with a medley of vegetables including buna-shimeji / brown beech mushrooms, dehydrated king oyster mushrooms, and Vietnamese rice paper dusted with mushroom salt. Each mouthful is a soft, pleasant crunch, with bright bursts of fresh, salty, and sweet.

Full Aria (Cafe) review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/06/aria-cafe.html

Opening its doors in May 2015, within the brand new Singapore University Of Technology And Design (SUTD) campus next to the Singapore Expo, Aria (Cafe), named after the Italian term for an expressive melody, is posed to be at the center of a creative pool of talent. Positioned as a place where art, music, a cheerful atmosphere, and affordable cafe food meet, Aria (Cafe) is a great place for relaxing.Ambience at Aria (Cafe) is eclectic. Vibrant, eye catching murals / paintings by Singaporean graffiti artist Ceno2 adorn the walls and floor. A mix of furniture abounds, wide functional wooden benches, colourful modern plastic chairs, plush comfortable easy chairs, and reclining sofas. Natural lighting mixes with ambient decorative lighting fixtures. A foosballs table / table soccer stands at the play area, along with a large screen television, and colourful bean bags. A live band stage has space for performances. Overall, a fantastic ambience, perfect for relaxing.Service at Aria (Cafe) is outstanding. The primarily Malay and Chinese (all Singaporean) staff here are friendly and chill, and will go around and speak to diners, as well as enquire for feedback on your experience here. You can even engage the pastry chef or baristas in conversation! Rather efficient, staff will also clear / turnover empty / dirty tables quickly. Food is also served quite fast, within less than 10 minutes. Staff are knowledgable enough to make recommendations, and are quite clear about ingredients that comprise the food or desserts. Overall pleasant, engaging service here, the kind that makes you want to come back.Food at Aria (Cafe) is modern Western, with Southeast Asian influences. A fusion of American, Italian, Thai, and Malay cuisine, the menu here is extensive enough for repeat visits. All ingredients used to make the food and desserts here are halal, and the kitchen is staffed by Malay / Muslim staff, however, Aria (Cafe) is not halal certified, because the owners want to serve beer and wine on the premises. Dishes are designed for students, meaning large, substantial portions, at very affordable prices. Budget about SGD $19 per person for a 2-course meal (main course, drink, appetizer or dessert) here.Loved the Bonfire Hot Chocolate (SGD $5)! Italian dark chocolate is used, and while the texture is a little thinner than I like, the flavour is pretty good. What causes this to stand out are the torched marshmallows and chocolate powder garnish, the gooey marshmallows are comforting yet decadent, like a big warm hug! Highly recommended!The coffee here, including the Cappucino (SGD $3.50) and Latte (SGD $3.50), is strong and robust, with good flavour. I understand the coffee beans used here are sourced from a Singaporean roaster! Portion is typical cafe size mugs, but the price is almost half of what you'll pay elsewhere! In fact, this is probably among the cheapest gourmet coffee you'll get in Singapore! Highly recommended!The Coconut Cake (SGD $5.90) is very good! A soft, moist vanilla sponge cake encases tender coconut meat, with a fragrant, light pandan / screwpine leaf cream on top. Coated with coconut flakes which lend texture, the cake has a nice sweetness, with the floral, nutty essence of coconut taking the center stage. Highly recommended!

Full JWHotdog review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/06/jwhotdog.html

JWHotdog is a small kiosk in the basement of 313@Somerset mall, selling grilled to order, American style hot dogs and sausages. Opened in October 2014, the menu at JWHotdog may be limited, but at least you're assured of getting a decent snack / takeaway meal!As a mostly takeaway kiosk, JWHotdog does not have any dine-in seats. They do offer a counter for standing to consume food, and there are shared seats nearby. The big red and yellow truck facade is visually striking, and allows JWHotdog to attract attention from afar. I also like that you can watch staff grill your order with their open kitchen concept.

I find staff to be friendly and proactive, greeting you when you approach the JWHotdog counter. They're able to offer recommendations and advice on customising your hotdog or meal, and are quick are fulfilling orders. There is usually a short waiting time of about 7 - 10 minutes for your order, as JWHotdog prepares each order fresh, totally worth waiting!

As befits its name, JWHotdog specialises in American style hotdogs, and grilled sausages. Their hotdog bun has a soft texture, not too thick and tears off easily, yet still able to hold the sausage, toppings, and condiments well. They offer a choice of 3 good quality sausages; spicy chicken, cheesy pork, or roast beef; and a choice of up to 11 different toppings. Portions are nicely sized for 1 person, and will make you full. The hotdogs / sausages are large, meaty, and juicy, with snappy casings. Prices are comparable to elsewhere, budget about SGD $7 per person.

Full The Library (Secret Bar) review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/05/the-library-secret-bar.html

Styled in the vein of underground prohibition bars in the United States Of America, The Library (Secret Bar) in Keong Siak Road is an experience unlike any other. Outwardly, the unmarked, no signage facade looks unassuming, and unless you're looking for it, you wouldn't even know there was a bar here. Step in to The Library (Secret Bar), and staff out front pretend not to know what's here, unless you state that you wish to enter the bar. You'll then have to provide a password, then pass through a hidden door into a red lighted room full of mirrors, then pass through another hidden door to finally reach The Library (Secret Bar) proper.Ambience at The Library (Secret Bar) is a styled after the underground prohibition-era bars of old, with retro industrial vibes, dim mood lighting which leaves the place mostly in darkness, and hard metal finishings on the bar. Books and trinkets adorn the shelves, like a dusty abandoned library, while plush comfortable booths line the rough cobblestone walls. Ambient jazzy tunes fill the small bar, and despite meaning to look like a run-down, hard place, it's actually rather pleasant.Service at The Library (Secret Bar) is decent. Staff out front keep up the facade that there isn't a bar here, so they don't greet you upon entry, only asking for the password. If you don't have the password, which changes weekly (check The Study's facebook page for it), you'll have to either sing a song, dance, or tell a joke. Once inside, staff are friendly and quick to seat you and take orders. They'll knowledgable enough to make recommendations, though the menu helpfully lists all the ingredients for each cocktail. The Library (Secret Bar) staff are also efficient at clearing after customers leave, and will offer goodbyes.

Food at The Library (Secret Bar) is limited to a small selection of snacks and appetizers, more bar food type. As befits its theme, the food is mostly American cuisine. They have a wider selection of drinks here, and a good range of creative house cocktails. Prices are decent for a bar, most cocktails cost SGD $23, and snacks are about SGD $16. Overall, I would return again to The Library (Secret Bar), as it's a novel experience, and also more relaxing compared to other bars in the area.The Cheese Toastie (SGD $9) features gooey, melted manchego Spanish cheese, enhanced with truffle oil and a fragrant garlic aioli, sandwiched between 2 slices of crisp, toasted bread. The texture is smooth, gooey, buttery, with a fragrant, earthy aroma. Much better than it's described, highly recommended!The Cocktail The Library Brand - Essence Of Speakeasy (SGD $23) is a potent, nearly medicinal, mixture of smoked genever, maraschino cherry, dry curacao, and speakeasy essence... wholesome, bitter sweet, and strong, this is a man's drink.

Full Potato Head Folk review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/05/potato-head-folk-three-buns.html

Opening in June 2014 along Keong Saik Road, the Potato Head Folk, in partnership with Three Buns, is the latest fashionable eatery under the umbrella of the Potato Head lifestyle group. Potato Head Folk & Three Buns looks set to be just as popular as their other, internationally reowned outlets in Indonesia, including the Potato Head Brasserie and Potato Head Garage in Jakarta, and Potato Head Beach Club in Bali. Ambience at Potato Head Folk & Three Buns is novel, vibrant, and whimsical. Housed in a historic building, the 'Kitchen' on the 1st level is an organic community space, created for takeaway, counter dining, or street side dining, with a bustling, open atmosphere. The 'Dining Room' on the 2nd level is adorned with whimsical hand painted murals, well curated sculptures and art pieces, as well as eclectic vintage furniture that is functional, spacious, and comfortable, for casual sit-down dining. 'Studio1939' on the 3rd level is a cozy, intimate lounge and bar, whose elegant, sophisticated decor, and plush leather or rattan lounge chairs, lend well to long, relaxing conversations. Finally, 'The Rooftop' is a relaxing, bohemian tiki alfresco / outdoor dining space with an urban herb garden, offering views of the surrounding heritage shophouses and tall skyscrapers in the nearby business district.Service at Potato Head Folk & Three Buns is decent enough. Staff give a good first impression with their snappy dressing and greetings, and will seat you quickly. They're also knowledgable enough about the various items on the menu, able to provide simple descriptions when asked, and able to offer recommendations. This also extends to drinks, as staff are able to describe the various alcohol available. However, they stike me as rather aloof and somewhat impatient when taking orders, like they're rushing you to make up your mind. While they do clear empty / dirty tables quickly and efficiently, they're not proactive, as they don't check on your meal, or whether you require more drinks. Decent service overall, but could be so much better.Food at Potato Head Folk is provided by Three Buns, a Western gourmet burger joint. Opened by Executive Chef Adam Penney; who worked in various restaurants in London, England, including under Chef Gordon Ramsay in Aubergine Restaurant; the food here is mostly handmade, including the burger patties, sauces (even the ketchup and mayonnaise is home made), and the artisanal burger buns, which are baked fresh twice a day for lunch and dinner. Their burgers are juicy and packed with flavour, but the use of premium ingredients and a bespoke approach means that prices are high as well. Burgers are priced ala-carte, without any side dishes, not even fries. Budget about SGD $35 per person for a burger, side, and drink here. Portions are decently sized for 1, or 2, people at most. Overall good food, but be prepared to spend!