Halia

 <Chilli Crab Spaghettini>

Something still feels missing from this dish. Though the pasta was cooked perfectly and the crab meat was fresh. It lacked the depth and robust flavour that you normally get it a perfect chilli crab dish. I guess I've got to adjust my expectations a little when I taste Asian flavours cooked in a Western way,

 <Donald Russell Angus Tenderloin> 

I chose foie gras butter and housemade puree (Butternut squash) to go along with the steak. The steak was really tender and the sea salt sprinkled on top of it really brought out the flavour of the beef. If you use the foie gras butter on the steak, it kind of over powers it a little. The butternut squash puree was really good. It wasn't too sweet, smooth and without a lump at all.

 <Sticky Toffee Pudding>

Gone was the usual brownie and replaced by a light toffee cake. It wasn't heavy nor overly sugary. Although my wife rave about it, I found it so-so at best.

<Chilled Strawberry Soup>

You don't get to see much strawberry soups in Singapore and this was the first for me. It was served with sparkling wine poured over it, a dash of balsamic, lime sorbet and black pepper. Pretty interesting combination huh? The overall taste was not too bad, really unique and refreshing.

Verdict
Ambience - Average
Food - Good
Cost - $50 per pax
Overall - Worth a try

Address
1 Beach Road, #01-22/23, Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189673
http://www.thehalia.com/

Opening Hours
Mondays – Fridays (except public holidays)
Daily 11.30 am – 10.00 pm
Set Lunch: 11.30 am – 2.00 pm
Afternoon Tea: 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Pre-theatre Dinner Set: 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm
All Day Menu: 11.30 am – 10.00pm

Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays
Daily 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Brunch: 11.00 am – 5.30 pm
Afternoon Tea: 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Pre-theatre Dinner Set: 5.30 pm – 7.00pm
All Day Menu: 11.00 am – 10.00pm

Mouth Restaurant

 <Prawn Dumplings in 6 flavours>

<Char Siew Pastry> 

<Egg Tarts> 

<Pork Dumplings> 

<Fried Beancurd Skin with Prawns> 

<Rice Roll with Char Siew> 

<Baked Salted Egg Yolk Bun>

Overall, dim sum from Mouth Restaurant was good. 2 of which that stood out for me was the Baked Salted Egg Yolk Bun and the Squid Ink Prawn Dumplings (the black one). The bun had a generous amount of sweet salty melted egg yolk that oozes out the moment you sink your teeth into it. The bun itself which was baked held the goodness within very well and was tasty too. Not too think nor thin. For the dumpling, you could taste both the sweetness and freshness of the prawn and squid. It complimented each other really well and made it stood out from the rest of the flavours. You might want to skip the Char Siew Rice Roll though. The roll is kind of thick and the char siew lacks flavour.

Verdict
Ambience - Average
Food - Good
Cost - $3.50 to $5.00 per item
Overall - Worth a try

Address
68 Orchard Road, #02-01 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
http://www.mouth.com.sg/

Opening Hours
Weekday - 11.30am to 10pm
Public Holiday & Weekend -11am to 10pm

De Conti - Caffè & Gelato

 <Pistachio Coffee>

Coffee is smooth and robust. Coupled with the pistachio paste and dark chocolate sauce at the bottom. Making it a truly wonderful experience. The frothed cold skimmed milk that laid on top was so velvety that I couldn't get enough of it. Overall, an awesome cup of coffee!

<Dark Chocolate Coffee>

Comparing this to the pistachio's version, you get less of that robust coffee flavour. It was probably overpowered by the huge layer of dark chocolate. For friends who prefer a heavily chocolaty taste drink but yet need that caffeine boost. This might just be the answer.

 <Italian Hot Chocolate>

My second experience of a "real" hot chocolate was also a truly heavenly experience. Not as thick as the I had from Au Chocolat, but this is why I love it too. It is easier on the throat and tummy.

 <Strawberry Sorbet and Dark Chocolate Gelato>

A well balance order. The fresh strawberry taste of the sorbet was neither too sweet nor sour. Most importantly, it doesn't taste artificial. The dark chocolate gelato was gooey, thick, chewy and sinful. Just how a gelato should feel and taste. Awesome!

 <Pistachio Gelato>

This is their signature gelato and my gosh, I totally agree with them. The texture of this gelato is perfect and you get a very light nutty flavour with each spoonful. The best pistachio gelato I've had! One word to sum it up - Divine!

<Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate Gelato>

Well, I've described the dark chocolate gelato above. So I'm gonna zoom straight into the hazelnut gelato. Similarly, it has this truly decadent texture and chewiness to it. The nuttiness of the hazelnut fills your mouth every time you put it in. Its not too sweet either. Yummmmy!

<Cookies Gelato>

Cookies and cream, how often do you get that overpowering milk flavour or thought to yourself? Hm.. where are those cookies? Not with De Conti's version. The darkness of the gelato tells you that it is jam packed with cookies and with every mouthful, you actually taste the fragrance of cookies!

<Croissant with Gianduja sauce and Pistachio Gelato>

Let's start off with what is Gianduja. It is actually a chocolate mixture that contains 30% hazelnut paste mix into it. So what they did was to squeeze the mixture in the form of a sauce into the croissant. The gelato was as usual, awesome. However, the croissant was actually typical and it didn't blow me nor my friend away. 

Verdict

Ambience - Good

Food - Great!

Cost - $6 per pax

Overall - Must try!

Address

Tampines 1, #02-K2

10 Tampines Central 1, Singapore 529536.

http://decontisg.blogspot.sg/

Opening Hours

10am to closure of shopping mall

Au Chocolat

 <Au Chocolat Hot Fudge>

Looking pretty intense huh? Well, it is! This is probably the first "hot chocolate" I've had that can be truly called Hot Chocolate. Gone is the milky taste and in place, a thick and velvety molten cup of chocolate. The marshmallows which were already half melted by the heat simply disappeared when you put them into your mouth. Warning, not for the faint hearted~

 <Classic French Onion Soup>

Simmered in a rich veal broth, this French onion soup packs a punch. The first thing that hit me when I went tucked in was that, the soup was black like chocolate. It had a very strong beefiness to it. You don't taste much of the onion in this. And although it was kind of one dimensional, it was still quite enjoyable. Portion is a little small for the price of $14 though.

 <Loaded Trio Potato Boat>

Crispy potato loaded with homemade tomato sauce and tasty guacamole topped with shredded orange cheddar & mozzarella cheese, finished with sour cream & spring onions. The combination was actually quite refreshing.

<Stuffed French Toast>

Behold~! The Eiffel Tower of sinfulness on a plate. Brioche coated with cornflakes loaded with light mascarpone cheese cream and a variety of berries resting on a bed of bitter sweet chocolate sauce. This is pure indulgence at its best. The slices brioche was crispy, light and fluffy but yet not oily at all. And the balance between sweet and bitter was perfect.

Verdict
Ambience - Good
Food - Good
Cost - $30 per pax
Overall - Try it!

Address
Bay Level L1-03, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
http://www.auchocolat.com

Opening Hours
Sundays to Thursdays (10.00am to 11.00pm)
Fridays and Saturdays (10.00am to Midnight)

The Royal Mail

 <Complimentary Appetiser>

A combination of light pastry, tomato and tuna topped with mango. This small little bite was delectable and tasty. It was a refreshing start to the meal.

 <Complimentary Appetiser> 

My oh my oh my~ Even though they called this a bread. This puff pastry was simply divine! The puff was really crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. To top it off, the pastry was mixed with cheese and black pepper before baking. It had a melt in your mouth type of sensation. I swear I could have easily chowed down a dozen of these. But if you are not a fan of cheese or black pepper, you are better off sticking to just one.

 <Butter Roasted Cod Fillet>

Cooked to perfection. The fish was moist and the meat just peels off layer by layer. The jus that accompany it lifted but did not overpower the subtle taste of the fish.

 <Roast Prime Rib>

This was the main reason for the trip here. Roast Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding, Garlic Potato Mash, Buttered Peas and Creamed Corn. My first all British affair. I especially liked the buttered peas with creamed corn, very tasty. The mash and Yorkshire pudding were good too. However, the highlight of the dish didn't really lived up to my expectations. Although it was tender, I found the roast really bland and under seasoned. I wasn't sure if it was suppose to taste that way, but I wasn't impressed.

<Dessert Platter>

From left, clockwise. We have Knickerbocker Glory, Pink Grapefruit Sorbet, Eton Mess, Caramelized Upside-Down Tarte Tatin of Pears and Banoffee Tart. I found most to be decent with the Tatin of Pears and Eton Mess being my favourite. They had a good contrast of taste and texture.

Verdict
Ambience - Good
Food - Good
Cost - $60 per pax
Overall - Worth a try

Address
Ascott Raffles Place Singapore, 2 Finlayson Green, Singapore 049247
http://www.theroyalmail.sg

Opening Hours
Mon – Fri
Breakfast: 6.30am to 10.30am
Lunch: 12 noon to 3pm (last order 2.30pm)
Dinner: 6.30pm to 11pm (last order 10.30pm)

Sat
Breakfast: 7am to 11am
Lunch: Closed
Dinner: 6.30pm to 11pm (Last order 10.30pm)

Sun & Public Holidays
Breakfast: 7am to 11am
Lunch – Closed
Dinner – Closed