La Ristrettos

Now this is one hard to find place even though it is near Novena mrt. I wonder why one would think to locate a cafe in the midst of a building full of healthcare clinics but I guess it attracts the doctors?

Maybe because of its location, La Ristrettos overlooks a nice garden with a water feature. Very calming and peaceful for doctors and patients alike.

The cafe serves all-day breakfast, I had the Grande (scramble eggs, mushrooms, bacon, sausage and salad). I love how colourful the plate looks, especially that glistering cherry tomatoes. Pretty good plate of food at a reasonable price ($14).

Coffee was decent.

The only grouse I had about this place is the seating - communal style (aka large table right in the middle), making it quite tough to find seats. Nobody likes to sit with strangers esp when you are catching up with old friends

La Ristrettos
10 Sinaran Drive #08-37 Singapore 307506
Novena Medical Centre
Tel 63977165

Wasabi Tei

Wasabi Tei is one established place for good, affordable Japanese fare. It was my first time there (horrors) and I enjoyed this cozy little place.  There is a new outlet just 2 doors away from the old school one, but as all typical Singaporeans, we all queued to get into the old outlet.

The restaurant probably sits at most 16 with the chef right in the middle of the u-shape counter, so everyone gets to see exactly what the chef is putting into your food. As usual, went for the chirashi don (~$25) which was piled high with so much sashimi all of us had trouble finishing. 

I know people may not like the service here but I find the chef's caustic attitude quite endearing. That said, my opinion is probably biased because he gave us more leftover sword-fish halfway thru our meal (yay!)

His assistant did make up for any bad attitude, she was friendly and chirpy, making an effort to chit-chat with customers. Already looking forward to my next visit!

Wasabi-Tei 

(be prepared to queue)

14 Scotts Road

#05-70 Far East Plaza

Coastes

Stumbled upon this beach side cafe at Siloso beach (we frequent Tanjong Beach more often and never knew there was a stretch of eateries at Siloso).

And I must say, I am impressed! How often do you find reasonably-priced fare in Sentosa and with such a great view.

The breakfast items were pretty decent, large servings and affordable (everything was about~$15 and no gst/service charge).

French toast with scrambled eggs 

Croissant with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and avocado

 Eggs ben - I know the hollandaise sauce looks iffy but tasted pretty good.

 The caramel sauce on the pancake was the bomb- think wethers original sweets melted into a thick sticky sauce. Soo good but def a to-share dish. 

Def coming back when I visit Sentosa.

#01-05 50 Siloso Beach Walk

62749668

Platypus Kitchen

The menu here reads like a (delicious) dream, truffle everything! Unfortunately everything was a little too nuanced, pretty unforgivable if you are going to add truffle to all your dishes, I mean you would expect an explosion of flavours right?

That say, everything was very reasonably priced, so you know where to go if you want to get truffles for cheap just dont expect too much.

Generous serving of truffle and parmesan fries

Risotto balls on pumpkin puree, this was weirdly sour.

Squid ink linguine + seafood

Mushroom risotto + truffles

#03-29, Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street
6333 4434

Sushi Kou

Nestled in between 2 very popular restaurants at Orchid Hotel, Sushi Kou feels almost like the forgotten middle child. What a pity because my meal here was pretty good!

My go-to order at any Japanese restaurant - chirashi don. I just can't get enough raw fish + rice

The chirashi set came with chawmushi and strangely a side of sponge cake which I didn't touch cos it was full of cream. 

Such a beautiful presentation with the raw fish all nicely fanned out and so colourful too! I love how Japanese food is always so aesthetically pleasing, a lovely plate makes me happy

Everything was fresh and sweet. I love the rice especially, warm and just the right amount of acidity. The best part - only $26! 

One of the better chirashi I have had.

#01-16 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867 

+65 6444 8433

Lucha Loca

 I love this place, great food and a beautiful courtyard to dine in, so much so that I came here twice in a very short period of time. 

chips with salsa and guacamole. Mmm that guacamole was sooo good, I could eat spoonfuls of it on its own.

crab toastaditas with avocado,  tiny but flavour profile was all there, everything tasted really fresh too

Selection of various tacos, they are not big I recommend 2 per pax.

My favourites were the Baja Fish taco, pork belly and chorizo. (Skip the scallop one)

I dont know much about Mexican food but almost everything we had were delicious.

And you can't go to a Mexican restaurant without drinking! 

Tequila shots with tomato juice, I never had tequila with tomato before but I am a convert now. The warmth and sweetness of the juice was a great complement to the sharp alcohol.

Mango margarita, quite unlike the usual ones served here. An acquired taste I must say. 

Do grab a seat outdoors, the courtyard with twinkling fairy lights is such a lovely place to dine in. The service staff can be really fun and boisterous and do come prepared for a fun time (I was there for a hen's night and we had a really great surprise from the staff)

15 Duxton Hill

Singapore 089598

62263938

Mikuni, Round 3

I am aware that at this pt, my must-try list probably consist of just everything Mukuni but I can't help going back again and again cos the food here is just darn good. More here and here

So we happily strolled into the restaurant without a reservation (of course it was full) and stubbornly plonked ourselves down at the waiting area to wait for an available table. The chef and waitresses were so apologetic they gave us free appetitzer (with service this good, how can you not like this place?

A tin of truffle kampachi each, so fresh and deliciously marinated.

Now we have already formed our own omakase menu of our favourites at Mikuni so no more set menus.

This is as good as it gets. Last meal worthy platter, esp that otoro 

Wagyu ribeye tepenyaki

and the best foie gras ever. 

This time round we got a round of the signature lobster and chanko nabe (seasonal seafood in miso soup). Both were great, the soup especially was delightfully sweet and fresh. But if you have to choose, go with the beef and foie gras. 

The sweet chef also gave us complimentary desert. Some kind of pudding that I wasn't much a fan of unfortunately. Too much milk.

Mikuni 

Fairmont Singapore Level 3

80 Bras Basah Road

64316156