Pita and Olives

The vegetarian platter with additional kebabs!

What: Teeny-tiny Israeli restaurant located in 100 AM mall.

Pros: The food is delicious, healthy (ish) and comforting. I felt like we were eating in someone’s home. I also loved their smoky baba ghanoush (top-most, middle, green mush) and kept going back to it for just a little more, just a little more.

Cons: The ambiance is non-existent. The food is clearly pre-prepared and then heated up and given to you when you order it. I mean it’s good – but I’m just saying it’s like the opposite of fancy.

Verdict: It’s a good option for Mediterranean food in Singapore – and it’s healthy too. Go with good friends (BECAUSE YOU CAN’T TAKE ANYONE ELSE) and enjoy!

We paid about SGD45 for two people (platter, 3 orders of meat and drinks – we over-ordered, clearly). By the way, I stole the idea of putting the total amount spent from the awesome Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow.

Details:
Pita and Olives
100AM
​100 Tras Street, #03-10
Singapore 079027
6636-3779

Saveur

Duck confit with potato mash!

What: An affordable french restaurant with very minimal attempts at decor (minus some questionable chandeliers) because: affordable.

Pros: The food is good and it’s really good value-for-money. They have a set lunch and you can choose the entree, main and dessert for SGD22.90. I had a wonderful garden salad that came with hazelnuts (what??), duck confit (a bit heavy but whatchoogonnado) and pandan creme brulee to end. Not too shabby considering how much you would pay ANYWHERE else for something like that.

Cons: The ambiance – it’s very minimalist and very spartan but hey, just squint and you can call it industrial.

Verdict: For Singapore, it’s good value and I say go and enjoy a nice fancy meal (you can even get steak – yo!).

Details:
Saveur – Two outlets but I went to the one @ Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, #01-7B
Singapore 228213
6736 1121

The Tastemaker

Chicken Curry Pie – SGD8.50

What: Neighborhood kopitiam masquerading as a hipster cafe.

Pros: Wonderful staff and nice ambience.

Cons: The food is, how to say it nicely… um… CMI (cannot make it). I have tried their toast set with lemon curd and to fair it was pretty good, but the bun was average and the coffee was insipid. On another day I went back to give the cafe another try and I had the chicken curry pie. All I can say is that an excess of curry powder does not cover up bad cooking.

Verdict: Don’t go because it’s not good. And if you like lemon curd then learn how to make it yourself here.

Details:
The Tastemaker Store
Blk 22 Havelock Road
#01-705
Singapore 160022

Le Halo

Otak Toast Set (SGD8.50)

What: Whimsical cafe that serves toast. REALLY thick toast.

Pros: Great service (earnest and helpful), cute/colorful decor and reasonable prices.

Cons: The food is okay – despite trying to be innovative (Otak toast, Toast set – that you get to actually toast at your table, in toasters you personally choose) I just felt that taste-wise it was a little underwhelming.

Verdict: I can’t recommend it because it just wasn’t that good. Maybe if the  toast wasn’t as thick? Haha.

Details:
Le Halo
Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee
#01-162
Singapore 162004

Paik’s Bibimbap

Paik’s Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap – SGD8.50

What: Fast Korean Food.

Pros: It’s fast and relatively healthy, offers bibimbap and tteokbokki and other Korean dishes at a reasonable price.

Cons: It’s really, not that good. I mean I make a better bibimbap. But I did live in Korea for four years.

Verdict: Don’t go. Find another Korean restaurant to satisfy that kimchi craving you’ve got goin’ on.

Details:
Vivocity
#02-125,
1 Harbourfront Walk
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm