It was my second time to Tiong Bahru Bakery at Eng Hoon Street and it was bustling as I would assume it to always be, so we settled for a table in the serenity of the empty corridor but later shifted in just so I could get pictures of the interior. Despite that, it wasn’t the best setting for me to point, focus and go clickity click because the tables were so cramped and it was always so crowded with customers queuing to make their orders.What we had: Chocolate Brioche, Plain Croissant, Kouign Amann & a Flat White. I believe the Croissant to be a must-try for anyone who hasn’t, but the Chocolate Brioche faded into the background for us, probably because of the star-studded Kouign Amann.I’d never heard of Kouign Amann prior to my visit to TBB. Yet, one bite was all it took for it to climb up my list of favourite pastries and is now hovering near the top where the lemon tart sits in its throne of glory. Do not belittle its seemingly plain exterior. Bite through the crusty layers and you’ll the discover happiness that is the whiff and taste of butter. Sugar is caramelised over the entire Breton cake and it gets a little messy when a thousand crumbs fall upon every bite. You will however, not have a care because you’re too busy savouring what seems to be one of the best things you’ve ever tasted.

It must either be a torture or a pleasure to be living in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood with a bakery like this in the premises. Not forgetting other cafes in the area like The Orange Thimble, Drips, 40 Hands etc. We’ll be back, hopefully soon. And I will get another Kouign Amann.

There are many levels of food — Junk, exquisite, comfort. At times, they meet to form a phenomenal collaboration for a calorie party. I’m talking about Truffle Shoestring Fries & PS. Chicken In A Basket from PS. Cafe.We were in town getting shoved around by the Orchard crowd like a carom being flicked when we had the profoundest cravings for a good ol’ mountain of truffle fries. There was no need for a lengthy discussion about our destination, for there’s only one place we’d claw our way to get our much needed fix.Of the three times I’ve had the heap of truffle fries arrive at my table, there wasn’t once when my eyes didn’t twinkle on behalf of my nose. Some people reckon truffle oil smells like gasoline while tasting like garlic. I would agree on the latter and love it all the same and unless heaven smells like gasoline, I think I may be on a different page about that.Each time I order it, I forget how big the serving really is. You’d need four stomachs to clean the entire plate (Here’s where being a cow comes in handy.) so it’s a tremendously good portion for sharing.While I think the price tag on the Chicken In A Basket is quite hefty, it certainly does pack up a punch in flavour, armed with hypnotic powers to convince you that the $26 is incredibly worth it.

Cafe hoppers really ought to hop their way to Department of Caffeine located at Duxton. This newbie in the area has proven themselves serious on the coffee note, with food worth recommending as well.We had the Honey Lavender Tea Cake, Carrot Cake and Breakfast Quiche together with orders of Flat White. The Honey Lavender Tea Cake stood along the perfect line between moist and dry, topped with honey that takes your tastebuds on a sweet waltz and your sense of smell towards a meadow of lavenders. Quite pleasant play on your senses. For the Breakfast Quiche, it was pretty average and definitely not the star dish in the glass display. The Carrot Cake on the other hand, stole the limelight with its generous amount of cream cheese that just hit the spot. My expectations were high on coffee. After all, they did call themselves the Department of Caffeine. Most fortunately so, I was not disappointed. I had just about the perfect cup of coffee and needless to say, would be back for more. Do note that they close pretty early everyday!

For full review and more photos, please visit http://aquaintsense.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/department-of-caffeine-d-o-c/

Before my movie at Plaza Sing, we decided to settle some sweet and savoury cravings at Ji De Chi. The mango pomelo sago was a bit diluted and didn't have that thick consistency that I hoped for. Perhaps the shaved ice on top added to the diluted factor.The famed durian pomelo sago on the other hand, won me over with every bite. It was like durian puree or pure durian if you will. Thick and creamy, this dessert is a must try at Ji De Chi, especially for durian lovers. If I were to crave for durians, I'd probably settle my cravings for them here.