IKOI Japanese Restaurant Pte Ltd @ 401 Havelock Road #01-01 Hotel Miramar

Feel like pigging out? This is the place for it! All your Japanese favorites under 1 roof and as much as you can possibly eat!

Start off with a plate of sashimi, fresh cuts of raw fish and then follow up with sushi. Other items on the menu include a grilled selection- yakitori, grilled fish, chicken wings, mushrooms, a tempura selection- prawn, fish, squid, and vegetable tempura.

There’s more! Fried chicken, or deep fried pork or chicken cutlet, agadeshi tofu, miso soup and of course a variety of rice and noodle dishes- if you can find the space for it!

At just $30++ for both lunch or dinner. It is a steal! You are guaranteed to feel uncomfortably full by the end of your meal!

Call 6887 3788 for reservations. 11.30-2.30pm for lunch & 6 to 11pm for dinner.

Tuscan @ 68 Orchard Rd, Plaza Singapura, #05-01

Fine dining @ down to earth prices? How could we resist checking it out? Located in the middle of a busy shopping mall, it’s a nice escape from all maniac shoppers!

Start with the Fritto Miso, a deep fried assortment of seafood and vegetables served with a coriander and spicy sauce. For $11.90, it was a good-sized starter and could even pass for a main for those with a lighter appetite.

A very interesting creation is the Kinyobi no Sozo, a specially created pizza with prawns and bonito flakes. When served, the pizza looks like its alive with the flakes still moving because of the heat! But bite into it, and it’s a heavenly combination of cheese with seafood. Most interesting!

Fritto Miso	The interiors of Tuscan	Indulge in a Sinful Moment

Other notable dishes include the Spaghetti Nere, a squid ink spaghetti with crayfish and served in a brandy-cream sauce and the grilled cod fillet served on a bed of salad. The seafood was top notch because of its freshness!

A range of cocktails and desserts to check out including a melting chocolate lava cake served with Movenpick ice-cream aptly called Sinful Moment.

Call 6884 4748 for reservations.

Café Le Caire @ 39 Arab Street

Standard food fare at hawker prices is easy to find but if you are in the mood of something different, you will expect to burn a hole in your pocket!  However, all that is about to change thanks to my diligence!  Now, you can now have exotic Arabian and Egyptian food at very very reasonable prices.

Expect to indulge in all things Arabian from Kebabs to Ba’amiah to even the after meal Sheesha!  Even the music is Arabic!  I had both the Ba’amiah and Shish Kebab.  The Ba’amiah is a kind of non-spicy lamb curry, which is very tasty.  Cooked with the right amount of herbs and spices, it is a fantastic dip for the pita bread that is served with it!  The lamb is also tender and very well marinated in the gravy!

The Shish Kebab was even better!  Grilled just right, the one Kebab stick had about 5-7 chunky pieces of lamb.  The wedges that came along were freshly fried and the accompanying salad was served with a very unique mint mayonnaise in olive oil dressing!  There are also some uniquely Arabic drinks plus great teas like the mint tea, which though tasted like the liquid version of double-mint chewing gum, was very refreshing!

Open till very late so it’s a good place to wind down after your partying!

Riciotti @ The Riverwalk, 20 Upp Circular Rd Basement 1 (facing the river)

For all Tiramisu lovers, this is truly a slice of heaven! Cream nestled between layers of sponge and dusted with a generous sprinkling of cocoa powder. The result is the perfect blend of chocolate, cream and coffee! At $6 it’s a steal! And after a meal, it’s big enough to be shared by 2.

Of course, Tiramisu isn’t the only thing worth checking out, this little café serves up sandwiches, soups, pastas and even mains, lamb shank with mash, calamari, and even Pizza! Mains are about $12 with no service charge!

There’s a wide array of tempting desserts ranging from, chocolate profiteroles to apple strudel to all sorts of very “chocolately” treats! And ooh… they have gelato as well!

Check out this gem of a place before everyone else does! From the same people who own top Italian restaurant Garibaldi!

Coq & Bull Rotisserie and Grill @ 2 Greenwood Avenue

Unlike other grill restaurants, Coq & Bull offers the flexibility of not only choosing preferred cuts of meat but also a variety of the same cut from different countries, and at the weight you’re comfortable with consuming!  Emphasis is placed on freshness as the meats are not portioned prematurely but left intact inside the restaurant for guests to view the various meats available for order while the rotisserie showcases poultry, game and even a whole lamb or pig occasionally for carving on weekends.  The décor of Coq & Bull, with the terracotta flooring, dark wood paneling, leather booths and bricked walls, gives an inviting and rustic atmosphere to the restaurant while drawings of cows and cocks from around the world gives the restaurant a soulful character.

Service is fantastic and the staffs are all very friendly.  Must-trys include the prized beef Wagyu!  It is the Australian version of the Japanese Kobe beef.  Tender and juicy, every slice seems to just melt in the mouth!  The marinating is also plain superb!  Another interesting dish is the bison meat in pastry.  The pastry puff is mouth-watering and flaky enough while the enclosed bison beef is tender inside and every bite releases an avalanche of beef juices and flavorful sauce!

Cozy interior!	Charcoal-grilled ribeye steak

Coq & Bull is not a cheap venue for dining but neither is it overly expensive.  For the ambience and high quality dining, the resulting bill is very reasonable.  Good place for the special occasions or if you want to give yourself or someone a treat!  Coq & Bull is open for lunch between 12 to 2pm and dinner from 6pm to 12am.  Call 64689262 for reservations.

Bernie’s, Botak Jones @ Sungei Kadut Eating House, No. 32 Pioneer Sector 2

If a BIG JUICY HOT DOG dripping with cheese, onions, and the works is what you’re craving for, a Swanky Franky is what you need. And trust me it’s worth making your way out to Tuas for.

Botak Jones has made himself @ home @ this coffee shop in Tuas. His smiling face and the smell of the grill is the first thing that greets you.

Chicken wings, burgers, lamb chops, fish & chips, hot dogs, whatever you’re craving, Bernie’s got it and it’s guaranteed to taste fabulous!

Shareen and the botak burger!	Sebastian and the Swanky Franky!

You can request for more mushrooms, onions, cheese and the guys will be happy to oblige. They even do delivery if you work near the Tuas area!

Average price of a burger/ hot dog is about $5-7, and trust me it’s a meal by itself!  As their tagline says- “Damm Good Food @ a Damm Good Price”.

G Club @ Gallery Hotel, 4th Fl, 76 Robertson Quay

CHOCOLATE!!!!! All chocoholics rejoice! Choose from 3 types of chocolate for your fondue. White, Dark or Very Dark. The liquid is served warm in a pot with sides. Strawberries, kiwi fruit, marshmallows, biscuits, bananas. Fork it, dip it and feel the sinful v.dark chocolate (that’s what we chose) oozing in your mouth. Perfect after dinner hangout!

About $12- $16 for fondue for 2. A list of cocktails & drinks available too.

Soul Kitchen @ 7 Purvis St, #01-01

If you’re craving some good ol’ home cooking this is the place to be. Chef Damian D’Silva serves up a deadly mix of Western and Peranakan food! And he does it for the love of food and all in the name of fun.

Haven’t tried the western though I heard it’s good, but for soul food it’s the DEVIL you want to check out on the menu. An Eurasian stew made with chicken, chilies, onions, ginger, vinegar & mustard!  Yum! The sauce is a great complement for plain rice!

The beef rending was tender and tasty, slightly too ‘lemak’ though. Also tried the stir-fried long beans with dried shrimp paste and spice. Very fragrant, worth a try!

Finish off with the Baked Chocolate Pudding. For $9.90 it’s a steal. You get a rich chocolate cake with a soft center that oozes with more chocolate!

Limited seating, and be prepared to wait for the food. Good value for money and nice homey ambience. Oh yes and thurs are heritage nights where they bring back peranakan & Eurasian dishes no longer in existence!

Morton’s The Steakhouse @ The Oriental, 4th storey

If you’re celebrating a very special occasion, this is the place to be. The service is impeccable and the food-gorgeous!

The whole experience starts with your waiter reciting your menu to you by heart, and rolling out a trolley feat. different cuts of meat. With Frank Sinatra playing in the background and a wall full of pictures of A-list celebs, you know you’re in pretty good company.

Start with the scallops wrapped in bacon, and the Jumbo lump crab cake- so fresh and absolutely delicious! For mains, you really have to try the steak. Portions are HUGE so aim to share. Sides like Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, and Creamed Spinach are a nice accompaniment to your main if you can find room!

Scallops wrapped in bacon	Appletini	Morton's Fillet Steak

For dessert how about the soufflé, or for real chocoholics like me, the Godiva Hot Chocolate cake with Hagen Dazz ice cream is to die for!

Can’t afford the whole Morton’s experience? Start with Mortini’s nights, enjoy 4 classic martini favourites at a special discount, served with free mouth watering steak sandwiches. Weekdays 5-7pm.

KAZU Sumi-Yaki Restaurant @ Cuppage Plaza #04-05

Can you smell it? Sizzling skewers of seafood, chicken, meat! Piping hot off the grill!

Kazu is a small restaurant tucked away in the rather dodgy Cuppage Plaza (full of Jap Karakoke joints). It used to be only frequented by Japanese but now more locals are flocking to this gem of a place.

Very authentic Jap feel about the place but the best thing about it is definitely the food! Don't get intimidated by the menu which gives you a big variety of skewers you can get from chicken wings to chicken skin to beef hamburger to prawns! The must trys- Quails Egg wrapped in bacon, the oysters wrapped in bacon, mushroom stuffed with minced chicken and the lamb chop! The sets are good to go for as well- the beef or seafood set cause' it comes with about 6-7 diff skewers!

Priced between $3-5 per skewer, it all adds up if like me you like a variety! But well worth paying for and oh yes.... You’ve got to make a reservation.  Open daily 6-10pm.  Call 6734 2492.

Halia Restaurant @ Singapore Botanic Gardens, Ginger Garden

Here’s a place that scores high on ambience!  It is ideal for a romantic evening with its very intimate setting, offering both al-fresco and indoor dining.  Imagine enjoying a selection of Asian and Western cuisine within a tranquil garden.  Aside from its ala-carte menu, Halia also offers great value 3-course set meals for both lunch and dinner!  It's gets even better during their weekday lunch promotion where you can get the Asian set at $15.90 and the Western set at $19.90.  For dinner, it's semi-fine dining and you get to tuck in to Continental cuisine with an Asian influence.  A must-try is their ‘Crisp Black Pepper Soft Shell Crab with Wasabi Aioli’, served as an appetizer.  The crabs are deep fried with a slight batter to a perfect crisp.  The flesh, however, remains juicy and flavorful.  What sets it apart though, is the secret sauce of wasabi aioli, which adds a whole new sensual dimension to fairly common dish.

Do try their signature beverages as well, the Halia Infusion, served hot or cold.  The spiced ginger is exclusively imported from Hanoi and the wild honey sweetener comes from the mountains of Vietnam.  The drink is also reputed to be good for your tummy!

The best way to get there is via Tyersall Road and you can park along the coach bay area.  If however, you prefer a walk through the gardens, the carpark at the main entrance will do just fine.

Western Barbeque @ Old Airport Road Hawker Centre

As its name suggests, the menu lists the standard fare of western delights.  The stall is tucked away at the back rows and if you aren’t looking out for it, you might just miss the no-frills stall.  I had the chance to savor their lamb chops, which is great value of money!

No advance cooking here as they prepare each order as they come.  At a mere $4 a serving, the lamb chops are grilled just right, leaving the chops tender and very juicy.  The one differentiating factor of this stall’s lamb chops is their special home made garlic sauce.  It gives the chops a nice ‘garlic-spiced’ edge and is very yummy.  One other thing special, which I appreciate, is their chili sauce which they serve in the original bottles unlike other western food stalls that use the pre-packeted commercialized ones.  The accompanying fries are at a perfect crisp and with the bun, coleslaw and baked beans that also come along with the chops, it’s definitely good food at great price!

Yhing Thai Palace Restaurant @ 36 Purvis St, #01-04

You can count on a good meal everytime you go to Ying Thai. Only thing is whether you can get a seat! It’s packed especially during dinner so make a reservation. No. to call 6337 9429.

What's good on the menu? Almost everything! I started with the fishcakes and the stuffed chicken wings which were nice but not extraordinary. The main courses were yummy though. Try the claypot vermicelli with prawns, the noodles come with just the right amount of sauce. Prawns are big and fresh.

Even though I'm not a fish person, I always make it a point to order the deep fried garoupa with mango sauce. It's chunky pieces, deep-fried. You drip the sweet and slightly sour mango sauce on and marvel at how well the two go together!

Also the olive rice is a must try. It comes complete with lime slices and fried shrimp! Fragrant and very yummy! Oh yeah, how can I forget deceptive looking clear tom yum soup that packs real punch!

Not cheap, but worth it for the good food!

Pho Temptation @ 73 Killiney Rd

Nothing makes my day like a steaming bowl of Vietnamese beef noodles! I was thrilled when I found Pho Temptation and realized they not only serve up yummy noodles, they also had other great things to check out on their menu.

For $8, you get a choice of fried or rice paper rolls with a big bowl of noodles and a drink- available for lunch. Fancy something else besides beef noodles? Try the grilled pork chop rice. Comes with an egg sunny side up, a very unusual, but delicious minced pork patty and of course the pork chop with rice. Spring rolls as a bonus and all under $10. The chicken curry with sweet potatoes is another favorite. A little thicker and sweeter than the curries we're used to but nonetheless yummy! Could be a little spicier though.

For something a little more unusual, try the rice paper rolls. The rice paper has to be "hydrated" by brushing water on it before using it to wrap the bbq beef in betel nut leaf.

Open Daily 11am-10pm.

Akvavit @ 29 New Bridge Rd (opp Clark Quay MRT station)

The first Danish restaurant in Singapore isn't easy to find. It occupies the 2nd storey of a shophouse and because the first storey is empty, you think it can't be here!

But if you have a taste for something unusual, check out this place for the Danish snaps it’s named after. Don't let the word snaps deceive you. This drink that comes in a shot glass is so strong, I made a face everytime I took a sip of it. Its 24% proof and if you're a bit of an alcoholic like me...you've got to try it!

Fortunately when it come to food, it’s a lot easier to swallow! Meat eaters should try the Roast beef, caramelized onions and egg sandwich. My fav is still the pork tenderloins in a creamy mushroom sauce. Yum!

If you're more a seafood person, you'll be delighted at the variety of different herrings including curry herrings! They do a pretty good lunch deal for $10-$13.

They also feature a traditional dish of the day and I can't wait to try the Roast leg of pork with gravy, potatoes, red cabbage and pickled cucumber! Also the weekend buffets is something to get excited about if you want good food without the booze.

Open Daily except Tuesdays.

Tao’s Modern Pacific Cuisine @ 1 Selegie Road, B1-19, Paradiz Centre

If you’re in the mood for fusion food, this is the place.  Serving Western dishes marinated in Japanese sauces, Tao’s offers a 6-course lunch at $19.80++ or 7-course dinner at $24.80++.  The extensive choices and ample portions of the set menu can also be ordered a la carte.

Here’s my recommendation for a superb 7-course dinner!  Start with the Bacon & Mushroom Gratin, which is a creamy sauce mixture of bacon, mushroom and butter topped with bread crumbs and then oven-baked to perfection.  It’s served with the perfect accompaniment, home-recipe bread.  Moving on to a salad, try the Ham & Spud, which contains a mix of ham slices, potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus and lettuce.  The unique miso dressing sets this salad apart.  Next on the list is the Grilled Mushroom, which is only available for dinner.  Gourmet oyster and abalone mushrooms grilled and drizzled with unagi sauce! 

For your soup, order the Seafood Chowder, a seafood broth with generous chunks of squid, crabmeat and fish slices.  To the main course, take the Baked Cod Fillet.  The cod is fresh and baking is the healthier choice.  The specially concocted miso sauce delivers a nice Japanese twist.

Seafood Chowder	Baked Cod Fillet

For dessert, top the meal off with the special chef’s recipe Yam Ice Cream.  Finally, to wash it all down, have the refreshing Iced Fruit Tea, which is served in individual flasks with freshly sliced fruit.

A good thing is Tao’s makes an effort to change its menu monthly and judging by this month’s selection, next month will definitely be a pleasant surprise for our tastebuds!

Wow Wow West @ Blk 115 Bukit merah View Food Centre, #01-301

Good fish and chips is hard to find. And that's why I was surprised to find it at this food centre for just $3.50!

It's cheap and great value for money. The fish is fresh and therefore not "fishy". It's breadcrumbed and deep-fried. Very crispy and tasty! And best part is it's served up with homemade tartar sauce! I don't usually like breadcrumbed fish and chips, I prefer battered, but this one was so nice it was OK!

The price includes fries, coleslaw, baked beans (which I dislike!) and a very nice slice of garlic bread.

Also on the menu, chicken chop, cutlet, wings, steak etc. Tried the chicken chop which was pretty average...unfortunately but very generous portion!