With the kitchen helmed by Executive Chef Kenny Yeo whose credentials boast of a 3-star Michelin Restaurant in France, Les Amis as well as Tables By The Bay, it is safe to say that your craving for French cuisine will be very much satisfied here. Reservations are an absolute must as lunch times are mostly fully booked and dinner time a tad quieter and appropriate for that special night out.

Service is attentive without being intrusive and special requests such as a birthday dessert platter are usually accommodated. It was indeed a lovely experience dining here at 2fifteen as the service staff try their utmost to make you feel at home and well looked after. Chef Kenny too is often seen outside the kitchen, talking to customers and finding out if they had enjoyed their food.Prawn Cappellini in Aromatic Oil $26

A delightful burst of colours and aromas, this Prawn Cappellini reminded me a little of the Angel Hair Pasta served at Saveur with its signature style of twirling the pasta like a cannoli on the plate. Taste wise, it was a fusion of East meets West especially with the touch of spring onions added as garnishing. The prawns were fresh and sweet, pairing off well with pasta that was cooked al dente. Could hardly fault this one.Pan-seared Cod Mignon with Crab Meat & Leek Veloute $38

A beautiful cut of Cod that was fatty, moist and smooth and the white flesh simply melted in our mouths. Absolutely adored the mash that was sitting under the Cod which was hardly grainy and had that lovely buttery consistency. Definitely one for the fish fans.Crispy Duck Confit from Périgord, Medley of Mesclun, Balsamic Vinaigrette $36

I personally adored the Duck Confit which ticked all the boxes for me. A crispy well browned exterior with a cured meat that was poached wonderfully in its fat. While the others found the duck meat a tad too salty especially with the browned gravy, I obviously did not agree and cleaned it to its bone. Chunked potatoes served on the side too had a nice herb seasoning and roasted just right.Seafood penne, cod fillet, sea prawns and baby clams in chopped tomatoes pronto herb sauce $20

This was unfortunately a disappointment for us even though it came highly recommended by the servers. The tomato herb sauce was a little flat and the penne to seafood ratio was off, with the latter being overwhelmed by the latter.Dessert Platter $34

The staff at 2fifteen were very accommodating when they knew that the dinner was going to be a birthday surprise. They even added a sparkling candle to a dessert platter which they specially put together which was a lovely touch and I had a very surprised and happy best friend when it was all over. Especially enjoyed the petit madeleines with a berry burst and the mango passionfruit combination of the macarons.Overall, dinner here at 2fifteen Kitchen is an enjoyable affair in a cosy and comfortable setting. Be sure to make your reservations as the restaurant can only hold a maximum of 45 people. I would personally recommend dropping by for their set lunches which are a lot more affordable, though the setting and tranquility of an evening here easily makes it perfect for a date night.

For full review and photos: http://gninethree.com/2013/09/25/weekend-brunch-ku-de-ta-marina-bay-sands/

Sunday brunch takes on a whole new level of luxury when you are perched 200m above ground level with a 360- degree panoramic view of our city's skyline. Branched even another level higher than the landmark observation deck of Marina Bay Sands, the restaurant with its floor to ceiling glass windows and exquisite Modern-Asian menu offers a dining experience unrivaled by any. There is no doubt why this restaurant has been voted one of the top ten global hotspots by The New York Times.Brunch here is a popular affair and recommendations are strongly recommended. With a fine selection of a la carte items to choose from, complimented by a delectable buffet spread of breads, jams, salads, fruits and desserts, KU DÉ TA certainly knows how just to spoil the gourmand in you.Prices range from $88++ for adults with free flow of juices, smoothies, milkshakes, soft drinks and coffee/tea, $148++ for Cocktail Brunch and $198++ for Champagne Brunch.Moving onto the a la carte menu- essentially also a buffet but items are made to order. Portions are downsized so that you can order as many as you like and trust me, that is exactly what you will want to do, with so many exciting options offered on the menu.

EGGS

The Crab Benedict with a single perfectly poached egg sitting on spiced crab cakes atop mizuna salad was a welcoming change from regular Eggs Ben. I liked how those crab cakes were filled with real crab meat, nicely battered and still warm even after I was done with my photography. Oh yes and that drizzle of Chilli Hollandaise topping it off, pretty much sealed the deal.But of course for those who still want the Classic Benedict, this version comes with a browned toasted muffin and honey baked ham.MAINS

Because of the relatively large percentage of the diners here at KU DÉ TA are made up of tourists and hotel guests, the kitchen tries to incorporate a few local delights into the menu so that they can have a taste of the Singaporean palate. This Laksa for example, has cleverly tossed linguine with laksa paste and prawns to produce a fusion dish that I must admit, was an interesting interpretation of our well-loved Peranakan dish. The spicy level was pretty spot on.Another fusion item on the menu was the Char Siew with Hong Kong Style Egg Noodle which turned out to be my favorite of the day! The chicken char siew was flavorful, noodles were springy and not overcooked. The entire dish was so put together and harmonized, it was just lip-smacking and shiok!SWEETS

The Amercian Style Pancakes came with maple syrup and white chocolate cream (yes I said white chocolate!) and a sprinkle of caramelized almonds. One more serving of this fluffy goodness please!The Inspired Waffle works just like the Cake Of The Day. Simply put, it will be filled with anything that inspires Chef that day or perhaps just anything he can find in the kitchen. Either way, we had our waffles with raspberry cream and candied bacon. O.M.G. I am sorry but this photo does no justice to its taste.All in all, while prices are admittedly a little steep, dining here at KU DÉ TA is all about the experience, the stunning view and of course the amazing food. And when you factor all that in, the splurge may just be worth your while. It is after all, as they say, for a lifestyle less ordinary.

Taking over the space of Rumah Rasah- the former Halal Indonesian restaurant at level 1 of Bay Hotel (conveniently located opposite Vivocity), STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar is the new kid in the house hoping to impress with its extensive array of global flavours and culinary influences from countries all around the world.

The kitchen no longer has its halal certification and is now helmed by Chef Ricky whose specialty is in French and Asian cuisine. And while the predominantly wooden brown decor of the restaurant has not changed, the menu itself has undergone a complete makeover. Looking promising and affordable, the five columned menu has a decent variety of appetizers, meats and seafood, Asian selections and Western offerings of pastas and pizzas.

SALAD

The Caprese $12 makes a visually appealing starter with its selection of interspersed vineyard tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella wrapped in parma ham, finished off with a drizzle of aged balsamico and a couple of fried basil leaves. But while it appeared delightful and appetizing, the elements remained divided and did not quite come together so harmoniously. The portion of parma ham too was dismal while the buffalo mozzarella did not have that semi-soft and creamy consistency it was supposed to. Overall, it was underwhelming and one dimensional.MEATS & SEAFOOD

Warm up the belly with this Duck Pot Pie $22 which is one of its kind. While most of us are used to a beef, chicken or even rabbit filling, using a duck is decidedly unique and unusual. I warmed up to that delightfully buttery puff pastry which was a comforting pairing with the rich red wine sauce and duck meat which had been slow braised till tender.This popular European dish of Roulade of Porkloin Stuffed with Wild Rice $20 was uncomplicated, straightforward and downright flavorful. The ingenuity of stuffing the roulade with wild rice added a rustic and earthy element to the lean porkloin while the brandied prune sauce was lip-smacking and complimenting to the overall ensemble.PIZZAS

One of my favourite dishes of the night, this Orient Barbecue Pizza $18 had just the right amount of Hoisin sauce in the base and a thin crust to boot. Not forgetting the generous distribution of fleshy duck meat slices, I could not help getting seconds, thirds and even fourths of this!DESSERTS

Fans of the King of fruits, dont leave before having a taste of STREET 50's Durian Pengat $8. Using only real durian pulp and wrapped with a paper-thin crepe, this dessert was an oozing cocoon of creaminess and sweet delight.Overall, while there were a couple of hits and misses, the food here at STREET 50 has potential and with such a varied menu, I am sure everyone will find something for themselves!

I was alerted to The Sushi Bar, which is located inconspicuously at the corner of level 3 of Far East Plaza by my sister. This understated and modest-looking eatery according to her, serves the best Aburi Salmon Roll she has had in Singapore. With such a strong endorsement by her, I knew a lunch date was in order.My sister who had been here multiple times since her first visit a few weeks back, insisted that for once I take the backseat and allow her to do the ordering instead. The excitement was definitely mounting and when this gorgeous platter soon arrived, I wanted to pick a roll up with my chopsticks almost instantly, but luckily I remembered to first capture a few shots.

Salmon Aburi Roll $13.90 (8 rolls)

These lovely cylindrical pieces were exactly what I had been searching for! Substantial and packed with ingredients for that variety of colour and textures. Extremely delightful and satisfying.Soft Shell Crab Salmon Aburi Roll $15.90 (8 rolls)

And while I thought the regular Aburi Salmon Roll was good, this one blew me away. I loved how you could actually taste the soft shell crab despite everything else going on in the roll. While the crab usually gets drowned out in a sushi roll, this time instead, it accentuated the lightly charred salmon piece sitting on top with its saltiness and crunch. This was truly a stand-out.Sirloin Steak $14.90 (100gm), $28.90 (200gm)

This beauty was quite the charmer with its gorgeous marbling and sweetness. Seared only on the exterior with the centre of every slice still red with that layer of fat so sinfully juicy and meat so tender. Dip it into the sauces served at the side and eat it with the garlic chips for a complete experience.Tofu Cheese Cake $4.50

And ending that fantastic meal with the only dessert offering on the menu, this tofu cheese cake was silken smooth and creamy good. The mild cheese flavour meant that it wasnt too heavy or filling and believing that our cake was healthy because there was tofu in it, had us wanting for more!The Sushi Bar is truly a hidden gem with very affordable prices and most importantly, quality and freshness of ingredients. All prices are also nett with lunch specials of bento sets available too! Can definitely see myself coming back again and again for that amazing Soft Shell Crab Salmon Aburi Roll and Sirloin Steak. And, Sashimi lovers, you will be in for a treat with the wide variety of fish offered here.

The Sushi Bar, you are really something special.

The Paddington House of Pancakes franchise, a specialty pancake full- dining restaurant, has finally reached our shores, after having opened four outlets all over Malaysia since 2004. This pancake house features more than 100 different types of pancakes from more than 10 different countries all around the world. With an all-encompassing menu which include pannekoeks, American stacks, poffertjes, blitzes, blinis, crepes (names of the multiple variations of pancakes you find in America, France, Europe, Britain and even Russia), the world is your oyster here at Paddington House of Pancakes as you travel round the world one pancake at a time.

From savoury to sweet pancakes, the menu is crazy extensive and it is not surprising to find yourself getting giddy with excitement as you flip through those pages with extremely vivid descriptions and mouthwatering pictures. No one will blame you for taking more than half an hour to decide what to order because you will definitely be spoilt for choice.Pancakes are usually my staple at breakfasts and brunches. Nothing says Good Morning better than a stack of pancakes and drizzle of maple syrup. BUT if sweet stuff arent your thing so early in the morning, the Oslo $18 just might be. An extremely generous serve of smoked salmon fashioned into a flower with green grilled zucchini as the bud, sitting on two spicy mashed potato pancakes and cheesy scrambled eggs at the side. This was absolutely irresistible to both the eyes and taste buds.Putting a twist on Fish N Chips, the Alaska $15 is a great lunch or dinner option. And despite being a specialty pancake house, it came as a nice surprise that the battered dory fish had a nice crumb and crunch. The fish itself was also moist and fresh, an absolute delight with that squeeze of lemon. The Alaska also comes with spicy mashed potato pancakes and a creamy mushroom sauce with whole mushrooms at the side, making it a nice complete meal.For sharing purposes, the Bombon Dollars $12 is a great choice. Served in a bowl with heaps of dollar pancakes, Oreo cookies, digestive crumbs, raisins, nuts and ice cream, this was the bomb. Dont forget to pour in the condensed milk for double the pleasure and double the indulgence.My favourite that day came in the form of the simplest of names- Chocolate Roll $13. But before you dismiss it for being plain, give it a chance because it is anything but. Made with a Pannekoek which has Dutch/Belgian roots, the pancake was first smothered with peanut butter, Oreo crumbs, chocolate sauce and nuts before being rolled up into a Chocolate Roll. The end result which you bite into is an amazing combination of gooey, sweet, nutty and chocolatey. I liked how the chefs were not stingy with their ingredients at all and every bite was an oozing experience.If you wish to stick with the traditional, then these Chocolate Chip Pancakes $11/$18, served with a scoop of ice cream, baby marshmallows, nuts and chocolate sauce should do the trick. It is back to the basics with this one and I am glad that despite all the elaborate and innovative creations, Paddington House of Pancakes still knows how to do a fine golden pancake that is crisp around the edges but fluffy in the middle.Overall, Paddington House of Pancakes is an interesting dining experience that all pancake fans should not miss. It is also a fantastic opportunity getting to know the roots of different types of pancakes and finding out which one rocks your boat most. Oh yes and do bear in mind that all pancakes served here at Paddington House of Pancakes are prepared fresh daily and only flipped upon order so there might be a bit of a waiting time.