While the boxy dessert café does not sport a huge dining area, it presents a casual, cosy ambiance for chocolate cake aficionados to savour its fun-sized sinful selections over drinks or perhaps a good book. There is also a longer bar table at the back of the café that can accommodate slightly larger groups.

Set up by a brother-sister duo, with training from Le Cordon Bleu and tried and tested recipes, the owners of 3 Inch Sin are not bashful to proclaim that they are still exploring more flavours to incorporate to their already wide selection of molten cakes.

Steering away from the conventional, the molten lava cakes here are served simple and straight out of the oven, each in its own 3-inch ramekin — hence the name “3 Inch Sin” — boasting an oozing, molten centre with various fillings.

Made with high quality 70% cocoa Valrhona chocolate, the cakes are not too sweet with a lingering chocolate aroma that spreads once you dig in.

Peanut butter
S$6.50

I strongly recommend the peanut butter molten cake, which has a rich filling and crunchy chunky bits that add a nice contrast of texture. With a mix of savoury peanuts with bittersweet chocolate, it’s no wonder this is one of the best-sellers.

Those looking for an afternoon pick-me-up should try the lemon molten cake. I am usually not a fan of citrus flavours with chocolate, but I enjoy its refreshing lift against the rich cocoa base.

Hazelnut
S$6.50

Those with a sweet tooth can aim for the hazelnut or white chocolate molten cakes, which are definitely the sweeter flavours from the selection available. For alcohol lovers, the cherries jubilee is the one for you. Served with whole cherries buried inside, its subtle sweetness and alcoholic touch adds another dimension to the molten cake.

Sea salt & caramel ice cream
S$3.50

Available as a simple treat on its own, or a sinful add-on to your molten cake, the ice cream at 3 Inch Sin has been customised to be less sweet without compromising its taste, allowing the flavours of the molten cakes to still shine through.

My personal favourite is the sea salt & caramel ice cream. With a blend of sweetness and saltiness, I can literally have three servings in a go! Seasonal flavours are available as well, so check with the staff.

Besides molten cakes and ice cream, a selection of other desserts is also available.

The Dark Side
$6/slice, $30/6 inches, $50/8 inches

A chocolate tart with a smooth, dark chocolate ganache made purely with Valrhona chocolate, The Dark Side will definitely appeal to those who prefer a more solid dessert compared to the molten cakes. I feel that it is not as chocolatey as the signature molten cakes, but I attribute that to a chocolate overload.

Mogador
S$7/slice, S$42/6 inches, S$60/8 inches

The Mogador, a chocolate cake of dark chocolate mousse and chocolate sponge with a tart raspberry glaze, is creamy and moist. While the glaze is a little too sourish for my liking, this light option deserves a try.

While there is room for improvement, 3 Inch Sin remains an ideal destination for desserts. Armed with good literature or a bunch of friends, this café is a nice place to hang out in if you’re in the area.

Opened on March 8, 2012, the 430 square metre (4,500 sqf) store is located in the vault of the historic Amsterdamsche Bank. Among other things, it features a floor-to-ceiling mural celebrating the history of Dutch coffee traders, repurposed Dutch oak throughout the space, antique Delft blue tiles, a ceiling sculpture created from 1,876 hand-cut wooden blocks, and a wall clad in recycled bicycle inner tubes.

At the Coffee Theatre, baristas will “develop new coffee brewing methods” and offer “small batch reserve coffees available nowhere else on the continent.”

If you are a Twitter user, you can try following Starbucks’ tweets. For example, the bakery tweet out ‘warm cookies’ the minute a fresh batch rolls out of the oven.

Credit: Starbucks

Apart from the all-time favourites like the durian mousse cake and durian puffs, there are also a couple of new creations.

If you wanna sample all of these thorny treasures at once, perhaps the best deal you can get at the 2012 Durian Fiesta is the Durian Combo set.

Durian Combo
S$32.80 in March (usual price S$43.80)
Rating:

The Durian Combo is an attractive box set containing:

• Durian banana chocolate mousse cake
• Durian macadamia nut crumble tartlet
• Durian cappuccino cake
• Durian mousse cake
• Durian puff x2

What a way to get started on a durian cake feast! This will make a great gift to any friend or business associate who’s a durian fan.

Durian banana chocolate mousse cake
S$10.80 per slice
S$58 for 1.3kg
Rating:

One of the new durian cakes for 2012 is the durian banana chocolate mousse cake. This chocolate-dusted cake boasts layers of D24 durian mousse and pulp, chocolate sponge and caramelised banana chunks nestled within rich chocolate mousse. Talk about indulgence!

Durian macadamia nut crumble tartlet
S$10.80 for 2 pieces
S$28.80 for 6 pieces
Rating:

The other new creation is the dainty durian macadamia nut crumble tartlet. This crunchy treat packs a whole lot of nutty flavour — a delight to munch on.

Durian cappuccino cake
S$10.80 per slice
S$55 for 1kg.
Rating:

The durian cappuccino cake that was introduced in 2011 has made a return this year. Coffee addicts will dig this one for its cappuccino mousse layer.

Durian mousse cake
S$10.80 per slice
S$58 per 1.3kg cake
S$112 per 2.5kg cake
S$155 per 3.5kg cake

The durian mousse cake needs no introduction. This is probably one of the most popular durian cakes at the hotel, and is the cake that kicked off the hotel’s first durian promotion in 1983! Amongst all the durian cakes, I think the durian mousse cake has the most durian mousse and pulp in it.

Durian puff
S$6 for 2 pieces
S$17 for 6 pieces
S$45 for 20 pieces
Rating:

Another crowd pleaser is the petite durian puff, with a generous amount of rich durian mousse sandwiched between light choux pastry cases.

You have 5 months to indulge in all the durian cakes you want at the Goodwood Park Durian Fiesta. Grab a friend and head down to the Deli for a nice afternoon tea, or get some to take away to share with the family.

The cosy establishment at Funan Digitalife Mall is staffed by young women dressed in French maid costumes. The idea is that they are “servants” while the customers are “masters”. The girls have been taught by a Japanese idol how to serve customers, greet in Japanese and even dance.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café has introduced a new menu for a limited period. If you visit any of the Xin Wang restaurants from now until the end of March, you would notice the fun new dishes.

The eye-catching menu boasts colourful visuals and cute illustrations that will whet your appetite before you even start your meal!

All dishes have been given creative Chinese names. For example, the chicken cutlet rice is named 鸡 ‘怕’ 饭 (literally meaning the chicken is afraid of the rice), a play on the original Chinese name 鸡扒饭. These puns will amuse those who are proficient in the Mandarin language.

Beverage

Orange float
S$4.90++

To complement the fun theme, the new orange float is composed of a fizzy orange soda with a playful scattering of sweet mandarin orange slices. A scoop of vanilla ice cream provides the final touch. The fresh and juicy orange slices add a zesty punch that cuts the richness of the ice cream.

Soups

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café now offers 2 soups.

Lotus peanut soup
S$6.90++

The homely lotus peanut soup comprises sliced lotus, peanuts, chicken feet, wolfberry and tender pieces of chicken meat. It is slightly murky with a full-on flavour.

Watercress soup
S$6.90++

The watercress soup is clear yet flavourful, and similarly comes with chicken feet, wolfberry and a generous portion of chicken meat. This healthy soup is light on the palate with a distinctive homely flavour.

Mains

As for the mains, one of which that impresses is the chicken cutlet butter rice.

Chicken cutlet butter rice
S$8.90++

The butter rice is fragrant, soft and moist without being mushy. Though deep fried, the crusty chicken cutlet isn’t overly greasy. You may be surprised that it can be so tender on the inside, while remaining crispy till the very last bite. The scrumptious chicken hardly needs a condiment, but if you need one, it comes with a sweet sauce.

Another new rice dish is the fermented pork with rice (S$8.90) that is dressed with curry gravy. The curry is thick and rich without being too cloying. I even tried pairing the gravy with the chicken cutlet rice and the result was amazing!

Spicy chicken hot pot rice
S$7.90++

If you’re looking for a kick, the spicy chicken hot pot rice will stimulate your taste buds. Served in a claypot, the chicken is evenly cooked and well-coated with a deliciously piquant sauce, commingled with a host of aromatics. Tender squares of deep-fried tofu can be found amidst the chicken chunks, nestled on a bed of rice.

Spicy beef beehoon soup
S$8.90++

The spicy beef beehoon soup includes a generous portion of beef slices and a pair of handmade beef balls. The dark clear broth is robust in flavour. Kissed gently with spices, it is just enough to invigorate the palate without being nose-searing hot.

The sizeable beef balls are so tender and toothsome, I wish we could order them as a separate dish; just the two sure aren’t enough to satisfy a craving! If the dish was available with the option of noodles instead of just rice vermicelli, it would probably appeal to a wider audience.

Seafood tofu with chilli crab sauce
S$11.90++

Notable ingredients in the seafood tofu with chilli crab sauce are the fish fillet, succulent prawns, squid and crabsticks. The large pieces of tofu have a texture similar to tau pok (fried tofu) — dry and chewy, rather than a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Due to its size, it does not inherit much flavour from the delicious sauce.

The chilli crab sauce, on the other hand, will get you hooked! An egg that is added into the sauce acts as a thickener while providing a smooth, velvety texture that syncs with the luscious sauce.

Friends Platter
S$23.80++

The Friends Platter is good for 2 to 3 to share. The crispy spring rolls with prawn filling are simply mouth-watering. The lightly battered fishballs with a roe filling within is a must-try!

Other components on the platter include jellyfish, abalone slices coated with a sweet dressing and clams topped with fish roe.

Dessert

Mango sago ‘n’ pomelo cream
S$6.20++

For desserts, the mango sago ‘n’ pomelo cream is a nice alternative to the usual carbohydrate-loaded dessert. Diced fresh mango is scattered atop a scoop of vanilla ice cream, sitting on a mango purée base. This portion is good for two to share.

While digging into the dessert, you will find soft and chewy sago balls that are larger than normal, and highly addictive!

If you get a craving late at night, Xin Wang Hong Kong Café is an ideal spot as most outlets open till late. With 16 outlets island-wide, you won’t have to travel far to grab a bite. Do head down and try the fun new menu while it lasts!

Japanese food lovers will rejoice with the launch of Viva Japan Café in Singapore. An initiative to promote Japanese culture and products to the global public brings the 50-seater temporary café to ION Sky, situated on the 56th floor of ION Orchard.

As the café will only be open until the end of March 2012, this is a good opportunity to explore Japanese culture and indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine in an elegant atmosphere while you take in the breathtaking view.

At the launch, Chef Yasuji Morizumi, a world-renowned ramen chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant MINT, demonstrated a ramen dish of bamboo charcoal ramen with roast pork that is absolutely divine.

It is a pity that this ramen dish will not be available on the menu, although the available offerings should please refined palates.

Modern Japanese cuisine from the Hor D’oeuvres set costs S$27.50. Options include:

• Pan seared salmon with herb crust
• Rib-eye Angus with compressed watermelon infused with basil
• Crab croquettes with saffron purée and pork scratching with apple purée sauce

You can also graze on bar food such as:

• White bait with garlic mayonnaise (S$6.50)
• Baby potato skin with crème fraiche, ikura & dill (S$9)
• Prawn & scallop mushroom balls (S$12)
• Pop rocks baby potato & lotus chips (S$8)

For desserts, choux puff with green tea mousse & red bean, pumpkin pie with vanilla & pistachio, blueberry pie and strawberry yuzu tart are available at S$18.90 each.

By day, full-length windows flood the premises with natural light, while evenings are transformed into a relaxed dining experience. I don’t have the luxury of living right by a pool, so being able to dine by one is the next best thing. The fact that not many people are aware of this place yet is perhaps a bonus as there isn’t really a crowd.

The cookies are available all year round. And just for Chinese New Year, they have been specially packaged in tins. So if you know anyone who’s a big fan of the Ya Kun kaya, these kaya cookies would make great gifts.

Kaya cookies
S$16.80 for a tin / S$30.20 for 2

The kaya cookies are available in two flavours:

• Kaya butter
• Kaya pistachio

Personally I prefer the butter cookies to the pistachio version, as the butter cookies are lighter and crumble easily in the mouth while the pistachio cookies are quite hard to bite on. Just don’t expect a full-on kaya flavour, as I find the taste of kaya rather subtle.

Butter cookies this good will disappear quickly! Be sure to get a tin for yourself before they fly off the shelves completely.

With a minimum S$8 purchase in a single receipt, you would receive a set of Ya Kun edition red packets. Great for red packet collectors!

The entrance resembles a fast food counter, but the quality of the meticulously prepared homely food speaks a different tone altogether.

The interior exudes a casual vibe; it is a comforting dining venue where families and friends can gather for a sumptuous meal.

Beverages

Fresh lime juice
S$3.80++

Refresh your palate with fresh lime juice, served in a ceramic cup that scores nostalgia points. On a negative note, there is too much ice added to the drink; it probably consists of 50% ice and 50% juice, forming a diluted beverage.

Starters

Fried crispy pumpkin
S3.90++

For starters, a personal favourite would be the crispy pumpkin. Fried to a golden brown exterior, the soft filling is sweet and savoury — a delicious alternative to French fries! Although it may be a little greasy, it sure is irresistible.

Mixed fruits rojak
S$5.90++

Launched in October 2011, Toby’s Estate sits in the picturesque enclave of Robertson Quay. At the forefront of the coffee industry in Australia, Toby’s Estate has finally expanded its empire to Singapore where coffee aficionados have been anticipating its opening.

The casual café introduces a diverse range of coffee, including high altitude Arabica beans from around the globe, and sophisticated brewing techniques. The beans are combined such that their flavours complement one another without losing their individual qualities.

As you enter, you will smell the enticing aroma of freshly ground coffee. What greets you is a gigantic steel roaster that reaches the top of the 6 metre tall ceiling.

The spacious, modern rustic setting allows patrons to feel at ease. The high ceiling makes a visually impressive interior; brightly lit and airy, with natural light illuminating the café through tall windows. Do not miss the large hand-painted mural above the counter that illustrates the coffee journey from the bean to the cup.

If you so wish, you may opt for alfresco seating where you can enjoy the fresh air and occasional river breeze.

Along the long bench where you can have a cuppa with your companions, you will find a coffee tree sprouting from the centre.

Sacks of high quality coffee beans imported from all over the world are stacked up at the side of the café, waiting to be roasted.

Coffee beans are roasted and brewed daily on-site, ensuring freshness and control of the flavour profile of the beans, preventing any loss of their delicate flavours and aromas.

The best seat in the house has to be at the counter bar, where you can witness the coffee action going on behind the counters as the baristas inject passion into every concoction.

All the baristas are technically experienced in coffee brewing and are further trained specially in the field by a highly experienced coffee roaster master. Singapore’s award winning barista, Suhaimie, is the second hire right after Alvaro Sanchez from Australia.

On one side of the counter you will find glass beakers and flasks resembling a chemistry lab set-up. You will discover different extraction methods such as the Chemex and Siphon.

Currently, Toby’s Estate is showcasing three Cup of Excellence Origins from Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia.

You can go for the Rodyk blend, named after Rodyk Street, the café’s address in Singapore. This house blend is a smooth coffee with a spicy nose and long lingering berry chocolate after-taste. It tastes great with milk and is very well rounded as an espresso.

Espresso
S$3.50++ / S$5++ with milk

Porcelain mugs are excellent in allowing coffee to taste its best; porcelain maintains the warmth longer which helps preserves the flavour.

If espressos are too intense for your liking, then go for a cup of latte with perfectly frothed milk instead.

Babycino
S$3++

For a kid-friendly beverage, try the Babycino, a hot chocolate drink.

To complement the beverages, a beautiful array of handmade pastries is available, sedulously sourced from local independent bakers.

As Toby’s Estate is still adjusting the food menu, the following introductory dishes may or may not be available in future.

Fresh fruit salad
Price unavailable

The fresh fruit salad comprises of watermelon, papaya, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries and pears served with a side of yoghurt. It is a healthy and refreshing way to kick-start your day with something light on your digestive system.

Tomato salad with pomegranate
Price unavailable

The tomato salad with pomegranate boasts thick succulent slices of tomatoes, with pomegranate arils adding lovely textures. The acidity in the fruits is well balanced with the liberal drizzle of dressing that is light and overall nicely seasoned.

This salad is great for the heart and throat, providing a rich source of vitamins and a healthful counterbalance to a diet high in sweet-fatty components.

Ham and scrambled eggs
Price unavailable

A hearty and nutritious breakfast provides fuel for a busy day ahead! While the ham and scrambled eggs is not yet available on the menu, an interesting alternative is Toby’s Breakfast, a composition of scrambled eggs, back bacon, roasted tomatoes and sautéed mushrooms served with fresh orange juice (S$18++).

Smoked salmon and eggs
Price unavailable

Beans on toast
Price unavailable

Load up on fibres and carbohydrates with beans on toast. The beans are sufficiently soft, with the bread slightly dampened by the sauce yet maintaining its crispy crust.

Green salad with balsamic dressing
S$8++

For the health junkies, you can go for the palate cleansing green salad with balsamic dressing. This low calorie salad is a mixture of fresh greens, composed of both leafy and non-leafy vegetables. Amidst the varying shades of green you will find lettuce varieties, rocket greens, cucumber and long beans torn into bite-sized fragments and tossed with oil and vinegar.

Asian chicken and noodle salad
Price unavailable

Longing for a sophisticated dining experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Arbite would make a nice retreat. Ensconced in Serangoon Garden Way in close proximity to the ever-popular food haunt, Chomp Chomp, Arbite occupies the unit formerly inhabited by Country Manna. Despite its relatively obscure location, Arbite is well worth a trip.

Cosy up at this corner and catch up with friends over drinks and snacks.

While the 35-seater restaurant may seem like a small place, the clever design of the interior makes it feel bigger. A large window that stretches across the wall from end to end not only illuminates the dining space with natural lighting, giving an illusion of a larger space, it also provides a marvellous view.

Drinks

Banana chocolate milkshake
S$6++

To beat the hot weather, go for the banana chocolate milkshake. It is utterly smooth and flows through the straw easily, unlike some milkshakes that are either too thick or filled with crushed ice that restricts sipping.

Lemon ginger green tea
S$6++

The lemon ginger green tea scores points with chunks of lemon and ginger mixed in the tea leaves, exuding a refreshing lemony scent with each sip. This tea makes a good complement to the restaurant’s Parma ham dishes.

Soups

Carrot soup
S$4.50++

To kick off your meal, you can have the carrot soup consisting of grated carrots cooked to softness, grilled chicken cubes and a blend of Middle Eastern herbs and spices in a clear broth. The delicately spiced soup tastes somewhat like a milder rendition of curry, though it certainly is much healthier.

Mushroom soup
S$4++

Arbite’s rendition of the mushroom soup comprises four types of mushroom: Button, Shiitake, Eryngii and Horijimeishi. Rather than using cream as a thickener, the puréed mushrooms form a thick soup base, with tiny mushrooms chunks providing added texture. As a result, the soup has an earthy flavour instead of a cream-laden heaviness.

Starters

Crab cake
S$13.90++

Before diving into the main course, check out the starters which have interesting possibilities. One such option is the crab cake, a pan-fried potato cake stuffed with crab meat, finely diced tomatoes, shallows and coriander. It is crowned with fresh rocket greens, drizzled with a zippy dressing, then served with a curried cauliflower purée.

Embraced in a crispy golden brown breaded crust with a flavour resembling that of a Japanese croquette, the thick patty provides a soft interior that is just amazing to bite into. The dish is spruced up with the mildly spiced cauliflower purée that adds to the beautiful plating. A drool-worthy opener that will get your appetite pumping for the main course.

Main courses

Eggs Benedict
S$10.90++

An all-day breakfast menu is available if pancakes, smoked salmon, ham, bacon and eggs are your thing. The eggs Benedict is particularly outstanding, made up of poached eggs and honey-baked ham on sun-dried tomato foccacia bread, then topped with a heavenly citrus hollandaise sauce, with fresh greens on the side.

The eggs are poached perfectly, with runny yolk bleeding as you sink your knife into it. The nicely toasted foccacia is a good substitute to the more conventional English muffin; I actually prefer this rendition — the bread is served warm, and is lighter with a crispy crust.

Pan-fried dory meunière and tiger prawns
S$23.90++

Choosing a dish from the menu that isn’t a Chef’s recommendation may seem risky, but you will be surprisingly impressed. The pan-fried dory meunière and tiger prawns are served on a bed of roasted potatoes with an artistic smattering of lemon caper burnt butter sauce, with a crown of seasonal vegetables. The buttery-tender dory is perfectly seasoned, and isn’t one bit fishy. The roasted potatoes are nicely crisp on the outside with a fluffy interior.

Pappardelle with mushrooms and Parma ham
S$19.90++

Arbite’s signature handmade pastas include numerous options, such as vegetarian and seafood. A highly recommended dish will be the Pappardelle with mushrooms and Parma ham which has button mushrooms, spinach, Parma ham and cream sauce drizzled with truffle oil. You really don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to enjoy gourmet food here.

The dish is a treat for the eye as well as the palate; the Parma ham is rolled into a shape of a rose, perched on a requisite bed of freshly made pasta that is cooked to a beautiful texture, judiciously doused with a sufficiently creamy white sauce that is neither heavy nor bland. The ingredients are integrated so well that even non-vegetable lovers will find eating the spinach a breeze.

Desserts

Gula melaka tiramisu
S$5.50++

Fancy slurping a milkshake named after your favourite celebrity?

The café sports an open concept with a casual, yet elegant design and a chandelier as its centrepiece. It is not uncommon to see a long line of people waiting for a table, hoping to enjoy the authentic Thai cuisine and spread of international desserts.

If you are here for the desserts, the cakes would satiate your sweet tooth.

Banoffi pie
S$6.50++

The Banoffi pie, a sweet mix of fresh banana and caramel atop a pie crusting, would have you going bananas for more! Who knew a banana-based pastry could be so good?

Chocolate mousse cake
S$6.80++

It is a good idea to grab some books from the Marine Parade library next door and head over to Scoop of Art for some gelato while immersing yourself in the artistic ambience.

With the spacious interior, you can enjoy your gelato and art with minimal disturbance.

Other than gelati, you can also get brownies (S$3.80), crumbles (S$3.50), banana cakes (S$1.80), waffles (S$3.50-6.80), pastas, sandwiches, pies and more. Drinks include a variety of coffee (S$3.20-3.90), hot and cold chocolate (S$3.50), juices (S$2.80) and smoothies (S$4.50).

Gelato Flavours

The gelati here are made in frequent batches with no preservative and artificial colouring. Fresh fruits, nuts and quality ingredients are used without adding any flavour enhancer. This is definitely a much healthier choice compared to ice cream!

To date, Scoop of Art has concocted an impressive number of 60 flavours, although only 18 flavours are produced each day. Don’t be too disappointed if your favourite flavour isn’t available; other flavours are still worth a try.

Drawn to the vibrant display of gelati, I have a hard time deciding which flavours to go for. A couple of the staff recommendations are the Mars bar & sea salt and mango sorbet.

Alphonso mango sorbet gelato

Oreo gelato

Among children, the popular picks are Oreo and Milo, although some regular customers have gone beyond the conventional flavours to try the more unusual ones.

Clockwise starting from top: Raspberry sorbet, Mars bar and sea salt, Alphonso mango sorbet, brownies and butterscotch, Ume yoghurt, and dark chocolate (centre)

Raspberry sorbet
S$3.80 / 4.80 / 5.80 for small / medium / large cups

One healthful choice is the raspberry sorbet. The café has 2.5 kilograms of fresh raspberries in their kitchen waiting to be churned into sorbets! The density and flavour is definitely not compromised. As each spoonful of raspberry goodness melts in my mouth, the sensation is simply divine!

The mango sorbet — another healthful choice — is made with quality Alphonso mangos imported from India. It is chock-full of mango richness with perfectly smooth consistency.

The dark chocolate gelato would cater to those who don’t like their desserts to be too sweet. Made with quality high-grade cocoa, it is one satisfying dessert to savour.

Made using Japanese plums, the Ume yoghurt gelato is pretty sour for my liking, although one can’t deny that it is a unique and healthful flavour.

The brownies and butterscotch gelato is one of my favourites.

Brownies & butterscotch
S$3.80 / 4.80 / 5.80 for small / medium / large cups

The brownies are made from scratch with high-grade cocoa, drizzled with handmade caramel sauce and topped with marshmallow bits. This flavour was first introduced during Easter and is now here to stay due to popular demand.

Mars bar & sea salt
S$3.80 / 4.80 / 5.80 for small / medium / large cups

My top pick is the perfect marriage of Mars bar and sea salt. The generous amount of crunchy Mars bar bits in the icy bliss shows there is no scrimping of ingredients. I literally lick the cup till the very last drop!

You can tell how popular this flavour is just by looking at the amount left in the tub.

Bandung (rose syrup) with palm seed bits
S$3.20 / 4.20 / 5.20 for small / medium / large cups

The bandung (rose syrup) comes with chunky atap chee (palm seed bits) that are a little tough to chew. Personally I’d prefer my palm seeds to be real soft. But the gelato itself does have a light and mild flavour which I enjoy.

Vanilla
S$3.20 / 4.20 / 5.20 for small / medium / large cups

I spot some vanilla bean specks in the vanilla gelato, which certainly beats the run-of-the-mill vanilla ice cream that uses bottled vanilla extract. The gelato is rich and creamy, and less fattening compared to ordinary vanilla ice cream.

Haliagato
S$5.90

The Haliagato is the Singapore version of affogato. It includes a scoop of ginger gelato drenched in a shot of hot tea.

The pairing of ginger and tea is excellent. I have never been a fan of ginger, but in this case it isn’t that pungent and is in fact quite delightful once you get used to the taste.

This has been a great experience and I’ll definitely be returning to try more flavours. With so many to choose from, you’d certainly find something that will get you hooked!

Arts and Crafts

For those that appreciate art and enjoy getting their hands dirty, you can create a piece of art at Scoop of Art.

Whether or not you’re artistically trained, with the wide array of tools available, such as stencils for the newbies, you can still walk out of Scoop of Art with your very own masterpiece!

It is heartening to watch the bonding moments as parent and child create art together.

Picotin houses a bar, bakery and a family-style bistro, serving up wholesome European cuisine and original dishes. You can choose from either indoor or alfresco seating, both of which provide a unique dining ambiance.

Since Picotin is situated within Horse City, with Turf City nearby, the menu comprises an array of ‘horsey’ puns!

Mains are known as ‘Manes’; side dishes are ‘Side Saddles’ and so on.

To kick-start the meal, the friendly and knowledgeable waitress brings us two types of bread. Freshly baked at their bakery, the bread is soft and warm. We definitely have more than one refill.

Starters

Salmon gravlax
S$18++

Presented with a layering of salad greens and lemon horseradish cream, the salmon gravlax is pleasing to the eye and on the taste buds. It gives a slight tang and saltiness that serve to work up our appetites.

Calamari frites
S$16++

Picotin’s version of calamari frites — one of my favourite starters — does not let us down. The exterior is fried to a good crunchy crisp and the dip complements the calamari to a T.

Steamed clams
S$15++

Cooked in a white wine sauce, the steamed clams are aromatic and fresh. The sauce also teams well with the complimentary bread.

Mains

Pork chop
S$29++

It’s the first time I am seeing such a huge cut of fatty pork still on the rib! The lean part of the pork chop is perfectly seasoned. The fatty part, however, isn’t as well-executed. It would be better if it was served with fries rather than the accompanying greens.

Seared tuna
S$29++

The nicely seared tuna, which looks almost like a steak, has all its flavours locked in. Served on top of a delicious Niçoise salad, this makes a healthful, hearty main.

Roast beef
S$29++

Presented with a variety of vegetables and a pastry croissant, the roast beef is very tender and juicy. The thin strip of fat that is still attached enhances its flavour and texture.

Grilled salmon
S$28++

The grilled salmon is fresh and tasty. With its crusty skin and pairing with fennel compote and zucchini, this colourful dish is highly recommended.

Classic steak
Sirloin (250g) – S$35++
Tenderloin (250g) – S$40++

The sirloin steak may look plain, but when coupled with the home-made béarnaise sauce — a sauce made of clarified butter emulsified in egg yolks and spruced up with herbs — it belongs in a different league altogether. The free-flowing French fries that are served with this dish is also a plus point.

Classic beef bourguignon
S$30++

This combination of mashed potatoes, mushrooms, bacon and a huge chunk of stewed beef is easily the best dish of the afternoon. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, the classic beef bourguignon is extremely flavourful and easily wins everyone’s vote for this lunch. I’m definitely ordering this the next time I visit!

Overall, Picotin provides a wonderfully carefree atmosphere for meals, as well as courteous and prompt service. Head down here if you are looking for a great place to chill out and spend some quiet time without breaking your wallet.

O’Coffee Club has introduced an irresistible array of artisan cakes that not only taste good, but look good as well. The dazzling selection ranges from fruity creations such as Banana Paradise, Apple Amore and Lychee Lovin’, to old favourites like Blackforest, Chocolate Lollipop and New York Cheesecake.

Thanks to a bout of the flu, I have to distance myself from the rich chocolaty flavours and instead go for the healthier fruity ones. To my surprise, I find myself liking these so much, they can be my first choice any day!

Raspberry Rally