Dim Joy Dim-Sum

Physical Address: 80 Neil Road
Reservation: (65) 6220 6986
Web Address: http://www.dimjoy.com/

Do look out for the small red signboard that leads into a courtyard of the restaurant. It is one of the few places where you can have piping hot dim-sum for dinner, on a week-night. The delicious dim-sum we ordered were served one at a time, so they were steaming-hot when we ate them. We ordered 2 desserts which were served last, after a change in plates and utensils. Service was attentive.

Do check out the website for pictures of the dishes and try their chef's recommendations if you go.

We ordered 6 dim-sum dishes (S$3 to S$4.50 each), 2 dessert items (S$3.50 to S$5.50 each) and 2 x Chinese Tea (S$1.50 each). The total price we paid was S$38.25 (inclusive of 7% GST and 10% service charge).

Original Sin (By Michelangelo's)

Physical Address: Blk 43, #01-62, Jalan Merah Saga, Holland Village, Chip Bee Gardens
Reservations: +65 6475 5605
Web Address: http://www.originalsin.com.sg/index.htm

This is a Mediterranean vegetarian restaurant and a sister restaurant of the Michelangelo's Group of Restaurants. The cuisines are "divine, exciting and healthy" and do leave some tummy room for desserts.

We shared a "Japanese Eggplant" for Starter. For main course, we ordered "Absolut" pasta and a "Sicilian Pizza". Both were excellent choices. The high point of our dinner is always the dessert. We had a wonderful "Tiramisu" (served the traditional way that we like - soaked in liqueurs) and a heavenly "Dark Cherry Truffle" (S$10 each). We rounded off the evening with "Macchiato" and "Capuccino" (only S$5 each).

Total "damage" to the wallet: S$109.46 (inclusive of 7% GST and 10% Service Charge).

They have set-lunch too, if you happened to be in the neighbourhood during lunch time.

PS Café

Physical Addresses: 28B Harding Road; Level 3 Paragon Shopping Centre, Orchard Road; Level 2 Palais Shopping Centre, Orchard Road
Web Address: http://www.pscafe.sg/

Also known as "Project Shop Café", after the first PS Café opening in Paragon's "Project Shop". We went to the one at Harding Road on Sat afternoon for the weekend brunch (Sat and Sun, 9:30am to 5pm). The surrounding was very peaceful. It is a nice place to spend a lazy weekend afternoon, away from the shopping crowd.

Do check it out!

Otori Japanese Restaurant (closed?)

Physical Address: Blk 5, Lock Road, Gillman Village (closed on Sundays)
Tel: 6472 0282

Having just been to Japan 6 months ago in Oct 2007 (see my other blog: http://www.exotictravelnotes.blogspot.com/ ), I have been looking for Japanese food here that comes close to the authentic ones I have tried in Japan. I believe I have found it!

The sashimi (Japanese: 刺身) must not only be very fresh, it must be served at a certain temperature to get that refreshing taste. The maguro (tuna, Japanese: まぐろ) sashimi we had (S$18 (before GST) for a plate of about 6 slices) refreshed my memory, as it brought my memory back to Tokyo when I first tried it.

Thank you, Otori. Arigato gozaimasu. :-)

Equinox @ Swissotel the Stamford

Physical Address: 2 Stamford Road, Level 70 Swissotel the Stamford, Tel: 6837 3322
Web Address: http://www.equinoxcomplex.com/main.html

This is one of the best observatory tower cum restaurant in Singapore for tourists and locals, where you can have excellent view of the city while enjoying sumptous food or just having a drink. They are opened for lunch, hi-tea and dinner, but do call to make reservation if possible.

You can visualise the Singapore GP (Grand Prix) Formula One (Formula 1) route (official site: http://www.singaporegp.sg/), check out the construction progress of Marina Bay Sands Casino Resort, or even marvel at the Singapore Flyer (official site: http://www.singaporeflyer.com.sg/ ) while enjoying the buffet.

25 Degrees Celsius Café/Bar/Cookbooks/Test Kitchen

Physical Address: 25 Keong Saik Road #01-01, Tel: +65 6327 8389.
Web Address: http://www.25degreec.com/

This café cum restaurant also displayed and sold a wide variety of food-related books (cookbooks or other types of books on food). The café is located on Keong Saik Road (nearer Neil Road). The warm chocolate cakes and chicken wings were well-liked. They also served gourmet coffee/tea, sandwiches, wines, other types of tapas/desserts and provided a weekly dish using the recipé from one of the cookbooks they sell. The complementary ice-water was flavoured with strawberry.

For a coffee-break of cappuccino, hazelnut latté, coffee pudding and chicken wings, we paid only S$28.25 (after 7% GST and 10% Service Charge).