It is yet another great find here at The Foothills where The Fabulous Baker Boy (TFBB) sits in The Viridian Art House. A largely al-fresco space with rustic wooden crate-like furniture and brightly coloured cushions thrown on the random sofa chairs that generally make up the facade of this place, it's comfort dining in your flip-flops and shorts with the beautiful breeze that blows through this totally chilled and laid back scene. Coupled with the open green spaces of grass and trees all around for kids to run about as you watch them from your seat, this place is also very family friendly.A wide selection of various beautifully created layered cakes are on display every single day and you will definitely see The Fabulous Baker Boy himself, owner- Juwanda Hassim, working his magic at the semi open concept kitchen, cutting a cake he had just baked or preparing for his next baking project. A very passionate baker who first started his business from the kitchen of his home, he has certainly come a long way since then with this cafe right here.Cake choices include the usual hot favourites of Red Velvet and Carrot Cake, and with more exotic flavours like Salted Caramel, Spiced Apple Cake or Green Tea Praline, it is almost assured that you will be spoilt for choice especially when everything looks so decadent, delicious and lush.We came here on a Sunday, the only day that TFBB offers brunch and this newly opened cafe with a relatively unknown location was packed! Seems like the secret is out and everyone has flocked to the place with great food and cakes.

A starter of Garlic Fries with Truffle Aioli first arrived and while it looked quite ordinary, the strong garlic smell was indeed appetising enough to whet an appetite. These batons of golden brown fried potatoes were not oily, seasoned right with just enough garlic bits and salt and simply a winner when dipped into that truffle aioli served at the side.Towkay Ng’s Eggs Benedict with Sauteed Spinach and Roasted Potatoes was full marks on presentation. Loved the roasted cut potatoes on the plate that were browned crisp with their skins still on and soft on the insides as well as the full bodied Hollandaise sauce. The poached eggs unfortunately were a little overdone and did not flow when we cut through it while the spinach too was quite limp with a tinge of bitterness.The Tuna Melt on the other hand is a must order here. It is dolphin-free tuna blended with aioli, mixed with sweet relish and grain mustard sitting on baguette. The melted cheese from the baking of the baguette lent an overall creamy texture to it, complementing and contrasting the crispness of the bread. And the sliced caramelised onions were simply the icing on the cake with its sweet, deep, rich flavours that pulled out some really great tastes and textures in this seemingly simple open-faced sandwich.Moving onto the cakes, the Red Velvet Cake was the BEST Red Velvet Cake EVER! Moist, delicious, with subtle hints of cocoa powder, rich cream cheese frosting and the beautiful deep red colour. It is pure joy as you fork through that very fluffy cake and put a bit of those four layers into your mouth! Absolute decadence and indulgence. You are so missing out if you do not get a taste of this velvety goodness.With beautiful rich cakes, good coffee, savory menu offerings and an excellent location to boot, The Fabulous Baker Boy certainly has the recipe for success. It is obvious that its good name has already spread quite the distance with the crowds of people filling up the place.

Sarnies- a Brit slang for Sandwiches, is a quaint little cafe located in the CBD area. Opened by a brother and sister team from Aussie, this sandwich specialty shop has fast worked its way into the hearts of many with their emphasis on healthy, organic, whole foods at affordable prices. It was hard not to feel a wave of nostalgia as I walked through the doors and saw the chalked boards which displayed the cafe's offerings with salads, sandwiches and the wine display at the side because it was like any 'typical' cafe you would step into Down Under.

It was also noticeably obvious that most customers were regulars, evident from the friendly banter exchanged while the counter staff were taking orders though this is hardly surprising as they were very down-to-earth and genuine people. Because of the small seating area indoors and unless you were willing to sit outdoors in the sweltering heat, many people walked in and left with big brown paper bags as takeaways instead.Known for their fresh ingredients and hearty portions, we decided to get a salad + sandwich + brownie to share so that we would be able to finish everything and at the same time, sample a little of everything!

We chose the Pesto Special which was a daily special salad. A large bowl of really fresh mixed lettuce, shredded chicken, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes with the biggest dollop of Pesto dressing ever! This homemade basil pesto dressing is the best pesto I have had by far. Great blend of crushed garlic, basil and olive oil with bits of pine nuts that just pulled the entire salad together with its flavour and almost creamy consistency. We loved it so much we had to ask if the dressing was for sale. And guess what? It is! Just call a couple of days ahead, place your order and you can go down to collect your very own container of basil pesto dressing..imagine how awesome al dente spaghetti would taste with that pesto!Next up was their crowd-pleasing Aussie Grass Fed Steak, dijon mustard, mixed lettuce, mushrooms and caramelized onions that is only available for lunch. The bread is apparently handmade and baked by the owners each day and is a hit with customers. Unfortunately, the crust was a little too rock hard for me and I was finding difficulty in biting through the sandwich, which was frustrating because the layers of steak, mushrooms and caramelized onions spilling out of the sandwich looked so inviting.And of course being the unlucky ones who did not get a seat indoors, we were perspiring in the humidity when we noticed that everyone around us were enjoying this iced drink so we asked the server what it was before ordering our own because it looked too irresistible especially in this weather! This Iced Lemon Mint Tea was very light, refreshing and the answer to the heat. It is really a must order at Sarnies especially if you are sitting outdoors, it makes all the difference and quenches your thirst without an aftertaste. We gulped this down pretty quickly!Moving onto dessert...do not look lowly on this small rectangular brown cake because the first forkful will blow your mind. This Sarnies brownie is possibly the fudgiest, most chocolatey brownie that is so moist and not too sweet at all. No, the people at Sarnies are not being stingy by selling such a small piece but this is because it's just the right size for you to enjoy and be satisfied.

Check out how moist it is on the inside and the well baked crumbs it is made of. Absolutely delish. All chocolate lovers will definitely love this. Guaranteed!Overall, Sarnies sells real food in large portions at nett prices that makes a healthy and satisfying meal. And if you are a coffee connoisseur, then you must definitely try a Sarnies brew which I hear is really good. Love the chilled and laid-back atmosphere with great personable staff but if you can, try to avoid the 12-2pm lunch crowd and I am sure you will be able to better enjoy this place and all its offerings.

Thailand is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for Singaporeans to escape for a quick getaway. Not only because it is near, cheap to get to on a budget airline, has amazing shopping but most importantly of course, because of the food!

And now with the opening of MooJaa, Mookata Thai BBQ Steamboat, a barbeque/hot-pot eatery along Keong Saik Road, it is almost like having a bit of that Thai experience along the busy streets of Bangkok in a fully air-conditioned well ventilated restaurant, without that after-smell of BBQ. With a Thai chef at the helm and 7/10 families visiting MooJaa being Thai, it is almost a straight out endorsement to the authenticity of the food offered here."Moo Ka Ta" literally means "pork skillet" in Thai and refers to the special apparatus used to cook at MooJaa. Made out of a trough of soup sitting over a crock of charcoal with a grill placed over the trough, it is an ingenious two way traffic of allowing the smoke from the charcoal to permeate the meats grilling on top, and for the juices from the meat to drip into the soup, enhancing the flavours of the broth which you can slowly savour and drink.

Binchotan Japanese charcoal is used here at MooJaa as it produces noticeably less soot residue compared to locally obtained charcoal so you are assured that your meats and soup keeps to its true essence with none of that black soot that we often see at regular barbeques.

All the seafood, meats and vegetables served here are specially handpicked by the chef herself every morning ensuring freshness. Meats are marinated in the chef's special marinade that is MSG free but with no compromise on flavours.Two sets are available if you cannot decide what to choose from the ala-carte menu:

1) Set Moo/ Pork set $39.90- pork collar slice, prawn, fish/pork ball, squid, luncheon meat, hot dog, golden mushroom, tang hoon (vermicelli), xiao bai cai and kang kong.
2) Set Gai/ Chicken set $39.90- boneless chicken, prawn, fish/pork ball, squid, luncheon meat, hot dog, golden mushroom, tang hoon (vermicelli), xiao bai cai and kang kong.

Sauces provided at the side include The Spicy BBQ and Sweet Sour Seafood. My personal favourite was The Spicy BBQ that really packed a punch with all the spices and the 31 different ingredients that went into making it. I topped up my sauce holder at least 4 times because it was just a great match with all the BBQ-ed meats.For a little indulgence, Kurobuta Pork, Angus Beef, Hokkaido Scallops and Surimi crab sticks are also offered here at MooJaa for you to add on to your Mookata experience.Order the Cheese Balls $8 if you get impatient waiting for your food to cook and enjoy that burst of cheese in your mouth as you bite into it. You might want to be careful about burning your tongue in the process as these cheese balls are served piping hot!MooJaa, Mookata Thai BBQ Steamboat is great comfort food especially with the stormy rainy windy and cold weather in Singapore these days. Dont forget to call your friends and family along! After all, BBQ and steamboat is a whole lot more fun with a huge group!

Symmetry along Jalan Kubor is possibly one of our little island's hippest hidden gems. The entrance along the row of shophouses is hardly noticeable but once you find it, it is like discovering a prized secret. With its distressed bricked walls and rustic-like vibe, the space spells indie, contemporary and is just different from the rest, without trying too hard. Though the concept behind this place was the brainchild of the same people who founded CM-PB in Dempsey and The Coastal Settlement, Symmetry holds its own with character, attitude and stands by its mantra of being a 'humane' restaurant by serving up organic eggs and grass-fed beef.

We dropped by on a Saturday afternoon to try their weekend brunch menu (Symmetry also offers a separate menu for both lunch and dinners on weekdays) and fell in love with the place just walking in... Coupled with the fact that it was raining that day as well and having window seats to watch the raindrops beat against the glass as we ate made the whole setting for us quite complete.Prawn Popcorn $14

Not to be mistaken for popcorn chicken, this starter was unlike its greasy and oily distant cousin. The fresh succulent prawns inside had a nice bouncy and natural sweet bite, while the thin layer of light batter gave the exterior that perfect crunch. Served with wasabi seaweed remoulade that was positively addictive and went well with almost everything we had dipped it with, this was a great introduction to the next few dishes to come.Flan $23

A cute twist to the usual pastry shortcrust flan that we usually see in desserts, this was instead a very unique and interesting savory item of sauteed mushrooms soaked in a glorious mixture of onions, cream and pommery mustard, hinting of a Carbonara-like creaminess to it. Break the poached egg and stir in the runny yolk for added textures. The two chunks of Pork cheek confit had great marinate and flavour while the generous topping of salad greens on top was a nice simple contrast and balance to the saltiness contributed by the cream sauce and pork cheeks. And the best part? Eating the flan after it had soaked up all that sauce and softened to almost a chewy soggy consistency that was surprisingly the highlight.Big Breakfast $24

Symmetry does the Big Breakfast effortlessly and satisfyingly. A plate of everything such as scrambled eggs, maple glazed bacon, chicken cheese sausage, hashbrown, mushroom, jam & toast is more than enough to make your tummy happy and especially so, when all the individual components were well executed. I especially loved those candied bacon strips that tasted like bak kwa and the cheese sausage that got a little too oozy when bit into.In all honesty, with such a charming and quirky interior, quality food with a touch of French influence and extremely affable staff that deserve a best service award, it is easy to see why people are willing to travel to this little lane for not just a meal, but to simply while the perfect afternoon away. The place also fills up quickly so reservations are definitely recommended! I cannot wait to return on a weekday for their burgers and pastas which I hear, are pretty darn awesome.

The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill is the latest addition to the Fullerton Waterfront. Named after the Pelican (bird) who is affectionately regarded as the symbol of nearing land and homecoming for seamen, this seafood bar too, strives to recreate the experience of an inviting and heartwarming space of comforting food for diners with their grill offerings.

Conceptualized by The Big Idea, the very same people behind Kinki, Fat Cow, Marmalade Pantry and Bedrock Bar & Grill, The Pelican is the ideal destination for an alfresco-style lunch overlooking the Waterfront and the Marina Bay Sands as well as for winding down the evening with a cocktail or two with sunset DJ sessions at the outdoor veranda. The ongoing super attractive Happy Hour 1-for-1 on house Red/White Wines, Spirits and Hoegaarden Beer on weekdays 5-8pm further sweetens the deal for this charming watering hole.With The Pelican having such discernible emphasis on sea culture and the ocean, one must definitely not miss out on The Pelican Platter $99 which serves 2-3 people. Filled with only the best catch of raw oysters, clams, dungeness crab, poached prawns, a whole steamed whole Maine lobster, marinated conch salad and swordfish ceviche that have been prepared simply so as to allow the true and bold flavours of the fresh seafood to come through, this was simply luxuriant and pleasurable.Looking suspiciously similar to Fried Calamaris, this Cod's Tongue Casserole $26 is instead battered fish neck muscles. But before you get grossed out, give in to your adventurous side and give these neck muscles a try. You will find that they are actually sweet tasting, succulent and quite addictive especially when eaten with the roast garlic pieces and pork scratchings that have been fried in the mix.My favourite appetizer of the day was the Black Peppered Candied Bacon $18 that tastes exactly like our Bak Kwa. The tiny specks of black peppercorns gives a little kick against those sweet delectable brown sugared caramelized bacon strips that were oh so scrumptious. Loved the crispy potato strips that added a nice crunch factor.For desserts, say yes to the tangy sourish zest of this Lemon Meringue Mess $14 which counterbalances with the cloyingly sweet meringue bits. Mixed with homemade graham crackers and dried raspberries, this one aces in both color coordination, presentation and definitely taste.For the chocoholics, especially dark chocolate fans, the Double Chocolate Whoopie Pie $16 is right up your alley. Imagine a chocolate sandwich of good quality chocolate mousse topped with chocolate shaved pieces and chocolate ganache.. this is chocolate through and through. Certainly not for the fainthearted!Overall, it is hard to resist the charms of The Pelican with its fine foods and creative cocktails. Coupled with its strategic location along the Waterfront that gives a spectacular view of the Marina Bay Sands hourly light show at night, this restaurant, bar and grill is definitely primed for greatness.