Since its relocation to this quaint little mall off Upper Thomson Road, Black Sheep Cafe has had problems drawing new walk-in customers, possibly due in part to the somewhat concealed location off the main road. It is, however, able to leverage on its proximity to the rows of food establishments lining Upper Thomson Road, among which are foodie favourites such as Udders and The Roti Prata House.

Arriving early on a Wednesday evening, I found Black Sheep Cafe, as well as the rest of the mall, practically deserted. Despite contributing to a peaceful and relaxing ambience not commonly encountered in densely-populated Singapore, the perennial lack of human traffic at the mall must certainly present a headache for the smattering of tenants, Black Sheep included.

Fortunately for Black Sheep, it is able to bank on its delightfully hearty and comforting French fare to draw loyal customers with whom the chef, over the years, has established unwavering rapport. Central to its culinary success is its trademark and flagship Duck Confit on Apple Roesti with Mango Relish (SGD 26.50). Black Sheep's rendition of this French staple consists of a duck leg served on a bed of roesti, accompanied by apple slices, a mesclun salad mix and a serving of spiced mango relish sitting prettily in a tablespoon.

The duck skin was commendably done, offering a substantial crunch to the bite. Yet, the flesh within retained a fair quantity of moisture and tenderness, providing a welcome contrast to the crispiness of the skin. The flesh fell delightfully off the bone with some gentle prodding, making it a breeze to savour its tenderness. While flavourful, the duck was a little too salty for my liking, but not excessively so. In fact, the saltiness was partially offset by the soft and fluffy roesti, which, being relatively muted in flavour, provided a perfect foil to the intensity of the duck.

The accompanying salad provided the customary greens, and did little to enhance the dish's memorability. Worth mentioning, however, were the slices of apple which added a touch of tartness and sweetness to the dish.

While not to my liking, the spoonful of mango relish succeeded in spicing up the dish, both gustatorily as well as visually. Apart from providing a kick to the palate, the spiced mango bits also added a dash of colour, instantly doing wonders for the visual attractiveness of the dish. The mango relish also offered the dish an indisputable talking point, and by giving this French classic a refreshing twist, it instantly set it apart from the plethora of other establishments offering duck confit.Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside duck confit. The accompanying mango relish is a visual treat.

Upon the chef's recommendation, we also ordered the Baked Brie with Pistachio Crust and Citrus Fruit Salsa (SGD 16.00). Being an ardent cheese maniac, I was certainly keen on sampling one of my favourite cheeses.Luscious baked brie with accompaniments of mesclun and citrus salsa

It did not disappoint. The brie came ensconced beneath a firm yet yielding crust which was studded with pistachios. The chopped nuts added much flavour and crunch, and contrasted beautifully with the silken brie beneath it. The accompanying fruit salsa was barely a salsa of any sort, but seemed more of a typical fruit salad to me. I identified some orange and grapefruit slices, and these added a touch of sweetness and tartness to the dish. Overall, it was indeed a magnificent cheese dish.

Indeed, Black Sheep Cafe is where one can savour some ingeniously-crafted French-based cuisine. Considering that they do not charge for service or GST, the prices are comparable to similar niche establishments. Check out the lunch/dinner menu.Lunch/dinner menu at Black Sheep Cafe.

Despite the lack of an explicit service charge, service there was polite and meticulous, with all the staff readily sporting smiles and paying close attention to details such as the placement of cutlery and crockery. Furthermore, the tranquil setting of the sleepy mall enhances the snug and cosy atmosphere. Do drop by Black Sheep Cafe for a homey-feeling gastronomic treat!

It was on a lazy and relaxing Sunday evening that my regular dining companion and I decided to head over to District 10 Bar Tapas Restaurant, nestled within The Star Vista. I had, in fact, wanted to sample District 10's sumptuous-looking Spanish-based cuisine for some time, but never found the opportunity to do so.

Venturing into the restaurant, we were immediately struck by the apparent lack of attentiveness on the staff's part. We actually had to make our way, unaccompanied, towards a table, only for staff to register our presence when we were almost at our table of choice. Certainly a far cry from most other sit-down restaurants, where staff would be eagerly awaiting your patronage at the entrance of the restaurant. Perhaps the lacklustre service could be attributed to the odd hours we were there, around 1645hrs.

We promptly settled for a Pizza Margherita with buffalo mozzarella, accompanied by Manchego Cheese and Jamon Croquettes which I could not resist, simply by reading the item description. Being an ardent cheese lover, the opportunity to sample a Spanish cheese I was unfamiliar with was too tempting a proposition to pass up. We also ordered mugs of mildly, yet refreshingly, sweet Iced Tea to go along.



As the croquettes could be served only after the dinner kitchen opened at 1730hrs, we took our time to savour the Pizza Margherita, which swiftly arrived. We were pleased to find it thin yet satisfying, with the crust expertly charred at the edges. It was as good as one could expect of a classic Margherita, with the tomato not excessively flooding the pizza, well-contained by the luscious cheese coating. Generous wedges of buffalo mozzarella sat atop each slice of pizza, together with a sprinkling of garnishing. The wedges of mozzarella were close to perfect, each bite mildly salty and satisfyingly springy.



The pair of croquettes arrived shortly after 1730hrs, sitting pretty in a bed of creamy white sauce which I couldn't quite figure out. Bearnaise, perhaps? Each croquette was well-breaded and filled with ample quantities of the ham and cheese. Simple yet delicious.

It was after finishing the croquettes that we decided to add the Spanish Potato Tortillas to our order. The tortillas duly arrived after just a few minutes. The wedges were well-presented, sprinkled with a pinch of garnishing and drizzled with copious quantities of olive oil. Overall, the tortillas, comprising layers of potato mash, were certainly tasty, although I found the croquettes more satisfying. If you, like me, love rich, greasy, cheesy food, the croquettes would certainly hold greater appeal for you.

Based on my maiden visit to District 10, I would not hesitate to endorse the food there, as it certainly did not fail to live up to my expectations. Service was prompt and fuss-free, save for the initial lack of attentiveness at the entrance. If you are looking for a place to sample bite-sized portions of Spanish-inspired cuisine in a relaxing and soothing setting, District 10 is well worth your consideration!