Return With A Vengeance - Treats with Pantler @ Telok Ayer

Life is so short. Why hold yourself back from a good dessert? Or two. After stuffing my face with 3 magical concoctions at the first visit, yes, Ms Piggy had to go back to the brilliant Pantler and sample more fantastic works of art. This time it was the Mille-Feuille and their signature Pantler Roll Cake.

Mille-Feuille @ $7.80. Looks like the simplest thing in the world ain't it? But no...... getting the puff pastry perfect - light, flaky and yet crispy is enough to make a few grown man/woman cry. The cream pattiserie is thick and rich (not cloyingly jelak and sugar laden) and you can visibly make out those tiny flecks of REAL vanilla pods. 

Let's Experiment - The Lab SG @ Jalan Pisang **Closed as of 19 January 2018**

T'was to be a girls-catch-up session, but alas, unforseen circumstances decreased the party to just 2 BFFs. Was tasked with "Any place as long as it is halal" request, me trawled my favourite go-to reads from Danielfooddiary and Miss Tam Chiak for some reliable intel. And... I pitched the a few suggestions to the BFF and we concluded that The Lab SG shall be it for the evening. BFF have also heard good stuff about them from word of mouth and that kinda built the standard to expect. Located at the very hip, very IN location of Arab Street enclave (well actually a bit off the epicentre at Jalan Pisang), The Lab SG has joined the ever growing list exciting halal eateries who have made this area home.

Heisenberger, so this is called. So Instagram worthy! Going at only $12.90 a portion, this is value for money indeed. Constructed of a 6oz homemade Beef patty, Bacon strip, Grilled onion, Tomato salsa, Mesclun salad and blanketed with Melted Bleu Cheese (yes, Blue Cheese, and no, it did not stink). Anddd.. there is even the company of Sweet Potato Fries. They are definitely giving 'em big boys a run for their money with this. 

Let's Fly For Lunch! - The Flying Squirrel @ Amoy

Having heard only rave reviews about this place, Reddy's lone lunch adventure listed The Flying Squirrel on the agenda. Seems that they have been around since 2013 and is the brainchild of the local music duo Jack and Rai and is run by Jack's wife. I had to Google Map this place, and upon nearing the dot on the map, lo and behold came a sign asking me to turn left and walk to the far end of the back alley. Oohh, this is too interesting.. Tucked at the back of an old shophouse is the nondescript location of this modern Japanese joint.

Ordered the Chef Surprise Bento. They make only 3 sets for a day, so let's just grab this and stuff my face silly. Oh, the Pumpkin Croquette? Soft, sweet, simple and delicious on the inside and crispy on the outside.

RaRa and Reddy's (Early) Dinner - Smokey's @ Joo Chiat

If our memory does not fail us, we quite distinctly remember Smokey's advertisement playing over Starhub's cable tv. This is not my first visit here, been here previously and was quite disappointed with the Grilled Salmon (it was dry and just very bland). Second visit, fingers crossed all will be well. Smokey's seem pretty much THE neighbourhood hangout joint for the expat community. Perhaps it is comfort food away from home? Were told that the tables are all reserved (!), sans the one barrel-cum-table with high chairs. We settled down and glanced through the menu with growling tummies. Our orders came not too long after, and boy, it was actually good! Way better than the first visit! Must have been just a one-off days then.

Grilled Salmon Fillet with sides of in-house made Coleslaw and greens. The salmon was moist, juicy and had the distinct "sweetness" of fresh seafood. Yumms.

Lunch With The Crazy Crowd - Tendon Ginza Itsuki @ Tanjong Pagar Road

Joining the ranks of the famous stretch of Japanese restaurant along Orchid Hotel, Tendon Ginza Itsuki (barely 1 month old) has already managed to have a 'velvet-rope-queue' worth of crowd every single day. They are a joint collaboration between the infamous Ramen King Keisuke Takeda and Ginza Itsuki Sushi (sushi restaurant in Tokyo). And they serve - ONLY 2 Tendon dishes (basically tempura rice bowl), either you order the "Special" or "Vegetable". Can't help but to overhear some people ahead of me lament "The last time we were here, even the people ahead us were already queueing 30 minutes, don't know how long we will queue today". Gulp. But, armed with a bagful of persistence and patience, my turn finally came. 30 minutes later. Add another 15 minutes of waiting time (in a more comfortable setting than the hot queue outside), lunch finally filled my tummy after some 45 minutes worth of accumulated time. Was it worth the wait? Hai,-sodesu!

Having had more than needed calories from a burger last night, it's time to go vegetarian for the day

Treats - Going Local with Kim Choo @ Joo Chiat

RaRa's New Favourite - Din Dai Fung

A name synonymous with Xiao Long Bao, those tiny burst-in-your-mouth-soupy-meatball-in intricately folded parcels. Din Dai Fung's story began in Taiwan, some time in the 70s, with a man named Bingyi Yang. Mr Yang started off as a delivery man for a cooking oil store. He was promoted to take charge of the company's accounts after 2 years of service. Unfortunately, the business suffered losses and had to bring down it's shutters. Mr Yang was then left unemployed and he too set up a cooking oil store soon after. Plummeting sales in the 70s saw Mr Yang diversify the business into making steamed dumplings for sale. The steamed dumplings soon attracted the crowd with it's exquisite taste and quality. Fast forward to today, Din Dai Fung have been accorded a Michelin star and won praises the world over for their high quality comfort food.

Each dumpling is meticulously weighed to ensure uniformity and each is intricately hand weaved with 18 fine folds

Dinner Time With The Crazy Crowd - Song Fa Bak Kut Teh @ New Bridge Road

I love a good Bak Kut Teh (especially the Malaysian version, with darker broth and less pepper), living here for the past 2 decades has made me appreciate both versions - both are good in their own rights. Must have been living under a rock, as this is my maiden visit to Song Fa. Experienced quite a culture shock when I learnt one have to "queue" for a meal here. Yes, queue with throngs of tourists? Strange but yes. I suppose this is a "must-eat Bak Kut Teh" for tourists, just as how Tian Tian represents the humble Chicken Rice to visitors of our Little Red Dot.

Dip this in chilli laced thick soya sauce? Ecstasy. Full stop.

Return With A Vengeance - Chef Yamashita @ Tanjong Pagar Plaza

My Achilles Heel. Pastries. Especially when it's within reach. Sigh. Temptation got the better of me and I found my 2 hurried feet wandering to Chef Yamashita's. Again. Yes. Again. Determined to have just ONE, Yuzu Matcha Mousse became the victim of the day.