My Awesome Cafe Telok Ayer Street

When passing by My Awesome Cafe at Telok Ayer Street countless times, it didn’t stand out to me as a cafe, especially with the huge wording ‘Chung Hwa Free Clinic’ plastered on top. In fact, I was figuring out the name of this cafe and realised it only after a friend posted pictures on Facebook one day. My BFF so happened to be in town, and in the desire to try something new each time, I decided on My Awesome Cafe for lunch and coffee. This place is always busy during lunch, and hence since time permitted, we went in just before lunch.

It was the pre-lunch lull when the crew was relaxing a bit before the craze of the lunch crowd wanting their food fast and faster. We had all the space to walk around and take pictures like a tourist. And this is one place that is filled with artsy stuff that makes every picture perfect. It’s retro Singapore all the way, first being located in a free Chinese clinic of Singapore founding years, right down to the furnishings and plating. We even spotted a Chinese medicinal cabinet; it was so tempting to pull open the drawers!

Food was a happy fare; we took the suggestion from the waiter to look for the description ‘My Awesome’ and chose My Awesome Salad. It is one of the better salads I have had in a long time, a huge portion suitable for sharing, loaded with chicken and smoke salmon slices, tuna, and avocado. We each had coffee which was pretty good, and one of the highlights was the dessert of the day, an apple turnover cake, which tasted like pineapple cake, and it was soft, moist and yummy. Think eating pineapple tart in a cake.  What made this experience pleasant was also the fact every waiter had a smile on their face, and they totally understood that you needed to take many pictures.

Would I come back again? A definite yes, perhaps after I have completed my exploration of this historically quaint Telok Ayer Street area.

My Awesome Cafe

202 Telok Ayer Street

Singapore 068639

Tel: 8428 0102

Email: franck@myawesomecafe.com

MRT: Telok Ayer

Opening Hours:

Monday and Tuesday: 7:45am till 9:00pm

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45am till 12:00am

Weekend: 10:00am till 3:00pm

Au Chocolat Divine Chocolate Dining

Once in a while you chance upon places that gets a thumbs up. Maybe not all the food items on the menu, but good enough that warrants another trip back, also because it's quite a good deal. 

I have passed by Au Chocolat many times on my way to Gardens By The Bay, and would often pick up a cone of gelato on the way; glancing longingly that one day I would have tea at Au Chocolat.

A recent friend's birthday gave the the chance to try this place out, since she wanted to eat at Marina Bay Sands. I was initially hesitant, as other friends had commented that you either liked or not liked the food, because of the chocolate laced in some of the food dishes.

For myself I decided on the king's breakfast, my friends tried the duck and the ribs (which were both winners). To me the king's breakfast was a let down, because it was nothing really special. A wonderful winner is also the truffle fries. Long thick truffle fries with chocolate dipping sauce. It is superb. I have tried truffle fries at quite a few places like Prive Bakery, PS Cafe, and this I must say its one of the better places. I would also say that dining at Au Chocolate did not burn a hole in the pocket as the food is reasonably priced, especially with the large portion sizes. The chocolate cheese cake was a winner, though not the tiramisu cheese cake. There are hits and misses, but I must say it's still worth a trip down for a good meal. 

Au Chocolate has since closed it's doors at Marina Bay Sands :(. Looking forward to see where they pop up next in Singapore! So miss their truffle fries!

Interesting ceiling mural at Au Chocolat

Delicious Chocolate cheese cake

Au Chocolat duck confit

Au Chocolat truffle fries

Au Chocolat king breakfast

Blackball Taiwanese Desserts In Singapore

One of the latest dessert craze to hit Singapore shores is Taiwanese desserts - usually consisting of crushed ice with black jelly, yam balls, sweet potato balls and, red bean, and black pearls. It's particularly refreshing drink or dessert in hot and sunny Singapore.

Although similar desserts have existed in Singapore for years, like ice kachang and chendol, its just how pretty the Taiwanese have packaged this simple icy dessert fare that makes it a 'happening' dessert to have.

In particular, one of my favourite Taiwanese dessert shop is BlackBall, maybe just because everything is just so perfectly concocted - the ice is so smooth it almost looks like milk. Plus the taro balls and black pearls have the right chewy texture. BlackBall is well located across Singapore with the outlet at Bugis+ being most centrally located for tourists. The little shop spaced tucked in one corner comes with a few seats to rest your aching feet. Otherwise pack the dessert and snack while you are walking to Arab Street and Haji Lane for more tourist adventures .

Blackball Signature Desert

Best Taiwan Porridge Buffet In Singapore

Finally I am back at Goodwood Park for the Taiwan Porridge buffet. It must have been more than 2 years now. Dining with a group of friends who enjoy a full course meal - from starters right to dessert can be a costly affair, hence the best dining option is a buffet when the price is fixed and choices unlimited. It has been a while since I last dined here and it feels like the menu has shrunk somewhat. I still enjoy the food - my favorite is the egg omelette, though fried it still retains its fluffiness. I also enjoyed the crunchy large prawns with dried chilli in Sze Chuan style as well as the small little fried fish that you can eat it as a whole. The Taiwan porridge items can be ordered from a menu and you can request for unlimited times. There is also the option of ordering a single serving of steamed fish, depending on the size of the group dining. The buffet is accompanied by a simple dessert spread with several cakes, ice cream and local kuehs. Nothing too fanciful but sufficient to satisfy the sweet tooth. It would have been perfect if the staff could serve the porridge when the main meal is served without having to wait too long; and if the buffet dinner came together with simple brewed coffee and tea. I suppose we can't ask too much, given that this is probably the cheapest buffet you can find in Singapore in a 5-star hotel right in town.

Coffee Lounge Taiwan Porridge
Goodwood Park
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: 6730 1746
Email: coffee_lounge@goodwoodparkhotel.com
MRT: Orchard

Opening Hours
Lunch: 12noon - 2.30pm
Dinner: 6pm - 10.30pm

La Villa an exquisite private casual Italian restaurant

To me a perfect restaurant is one that is relatively unknown and allows you to enjoy privacy over a lovely meal with friends. A cozy setting with delicious food is certainly a plus. I visited La Villa on two occasions, once during a week day night and another on a Friday night. I must say that food is cooked better on less busy weekday nights and the place would not smell of BBQ meats. I loved the pizza served in thin crust with a half cooked egg plopped right in the center. Certainly gives me the protein I need! The meat platter is quite deliciously prepared, a perfect meal for the protein starved men out there! La Villa is also quite a lovely place to hang out alfresco style on a cool Singapore night.

La Villa has since moved out of it's River Valley location. Looking forward to see where they open next.

Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang the best nasi padang in Singapore

There is Nasi Padang, and there IS Nasi Padang. Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang is just about my favorite Nasi Padang store in the whole of Singapore. And yes, I have made my rounds, from simple food court padang, to elaborate restaurants, and I must say this is still the best.

Flanked by very friendly staff and a lady boss that recognizes me and calls me 'sayang', it makes each time I dine here like a homecoming. For two solid years, I was probably a weekly customer as my office was just down the street. They take up an entire shop house where the ground floor is where you order and the other floors for dining in air conditioned comfort.

I simply simply love their food - and the best in the house must be the Tahu Teloh which is essentially fried tofu with egg topped off with prawn paste sauce and peanut with a generous helping of shaved cucumber and carrots. Other food items such as the BBQ chicken, Sayur Lodeh (coconut curry vegetables), is also just as delicious. What's really good is also the sambal belacan a perfect accompaniment to the rice and dishes. To top off the meal would be either a glass of refreshing lime juice or a teh tarik.

By standards, a full meal would probably cost about $7, which is relatively expensive. But because the food is so good, you do overlook the price at times. Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang is located nearer South Bridge Road, along Circular Road (parallel road behind Boat Quay) and the nearest MRT would be Raffles Place. It probably takes about 10 minutes to reach the destination from the MRT.

Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang
13 Circular Road, Singapore
Tel: 6536 5302
MRT: Raffles Place

Sinar Pagi Tahu Teloh 

Dinner at Marche at 313 Somerset

Celebrated a friend's farewell recently at Marche 313 Somerset. The place is designed like a Swiss hunting lodge. The ceilings are pretty low and seating closely placed together. Do not expect a romantic or quiet dinner with crowds of people streaming by. The only great thing of the place is the variety of inexpensive western food, allowing individuals to make their own choices. Dining is self-service. Just browse each stall and when you find the food you fancy, the stall owner will take your card which is issued at entrance to charge. Food ranges from grilled meats, pizzas, pastas, salads, crepes, sausages, rosti, soups and desserts. Checkout is located at the exit by individual cash/card payment.

313 Somerset is definitely a mall to stop and shop. It is one of the newer malls recently opened along Orchard Road, Singapore. Located above Somerset MRT, it is definitely a winner in the retail mix. Some of the tenants include Forever21 (the largest outlet in Singapore), Food Republic (for cheap food court dining), Uniqlo, Zara, CottonOn to name a few.

Dessert at 1 Caramel

1 Caramel is one of my latest favorite dessert cafe in Singapore. It was initially tucked away at Handy Road, located next to The Cathay Cinema, however they have since moved to 1 Rochester Park. I love the way they display the cakes, it's almost feels like a museum where art pieces (aka cake designs) is being showcased. Their desserts are simply delicious, light and heavenly! Go there just for cakes. There is alfresco dining available as well, with pillars and plants to provide some privacy so that you can sit and people watch. Actually I like going to the cafe during the day as it seems to be like a little enclave in the midst of busy Orchard Road.

Their signature cake which is called the Chocolate Berry Lust. It contains Valrhona chocolate ganache with fresh exotic berries on a bed of crunchy hazelnut mix similar to a tart base. There is such a burst of flavor, a combination of both sweet and sour to whet the tastebuds. 

1 Caramel 

1 Rochester Park, #02-01
Singapore
Tel: 6774 1302

My friend who had the Chocolate Praline cake was just so delighted with the intensity of the chocolate. Chocolate Praline cake consist of the varying layers of chocolate mousse and hazelnut praline feuilletine. Though it looked like a typical chocolate cake, don't be deceived as it has this layer of chocolate liquid on top that is just so smooth and completely melts in your mouth.