Jewel Cafe + Bar @ Rangoon Road

Jewel has been creating waves for brunch and brunch-hungry me joined the rest in this hype. Housed in a row of shophouses, it is hard to miss this outlet but parking can be quite a pain.



Jewel here, jewel there, jewel everywhere.



No entry!



Clipboards of tatty paper.



Order at the counter but call for the bill.



Portland ($7)

This acidic number was unfriendly on first taste but accompanied the fried items pretty well! A swell number for coffee pairing!



Smoked Salmon Salad ($12)
Mixed salad with smoked salmon, capers, onion, radish, orange vinaigrette

We had it at orange vinaigrette. The tangy sauce was fundamental for this dish. Rolls of savoury smoked salmon with the garden of greens, I could turn pescetarian for this. 



Umami Prawn Capellini ($22)
Capellini with grilled prawns, crustacean oil topped with Umami "magic" dust

I usually do not get floored by prawn pastas and I did. A pretty dish to begin with and then the flavours put together set off a gastronomical display of fireworks. Prawns are fresh and pasta executed well - satisfied!



Nom therapy.



Truffle Fries ($7)

For sure, the greatest deception in the eyes of gourmet cooks. Truffle oil does the trick yet Jewel does it awesome! Thick cut fries with a generous drizzle of truffle oil, does rival Clifford for my best truffle fries around.



OMG Burger ($20)
2 slices of crispy bacon, luncheon meat, cheddar, lettuce, onion, tomato, topped with sunny side egg

Infact, this was the deal that made it a must to check out Jewel. Bacon, beef and luncheon meat all in a burger has to be every meat lover's dream come through. I was surprised that the savouriness of the luncheon meat went well with all the other meaty delights.



While it was not the best cafe burger, it was a hearty one.

To think I set my mind on trying out the brunch menu, we ended up eating lunch items. I suppose that calls for another visit!

Jewel Cafe + Bar
129 Rangoon Road

Artichoke Revisited @ Sculpture Square

Good restaurants do not need publicity, or so we all think. Rather, there is a misconception that food tastings are mostly issued for flailing businesses that need a jolt of support. I have to be upfront that sometimes these tastings are an inflated experience of the real deal and some do not live up to expectations thereafter.



Artichoke left me choking for more. Apologies for the pun but even before I could pen the last entry I had my heart and mind set on a return. Please make reservations to get a seat indoors else face the wrath of our dear scorching sun being baked outdoors.



Grabbing snatches of herbs for brunch!



Artichoke, oh artichoke.



The interior murals.



Sunny disposition.



Lemonade ($4.50)

A must order in this sweltering temperatures! I am head over heels in love with this refreshing thirst quencher.



Mezze Platter ($24)

An appetizer platter of their house specialties. The pals who have been to the Mediterraneans have nothing but praise for this, authentic or not I know not but their colourful tasty showcases did not fail.



Bacon and Sweet Potato

A new kiddo on the menu, infact one of my friends contributed to its creation in this Artichoke Challenge. This is how it works, customers throw ingredient ideas and the team decides what goes into the next feature! I've thought of mine and shall participate in the next one!



Comprising of bacon chop in chunks, sweet potato and eggs, I hope they keep this substantial number on the menu! Who would think this combination would be this delicious? The pita bread with that butter chunk, sublimal!



Lamb Shashouka ($25)

A tantalizing stew of lamb, tomatoes and eggs sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Wild Honey brought the doldrums to tomato stew and I thought the mexicans loved all things bland. We ended up scrapping the metal plate for more simply because the flavours that were presented were simply amazing - tangy, sinewy and eggy all in one!



Date Pudding ($12)

I know that the guys behind Artichoke do not believe in going for run of the mill or following every other restaurant that has jumped onto the bandwagon for THE dish of the moment and still I was surprised that date pudding was presented in a moat of caramel sauce and coffee jelly. The pudding was no different from the Roasted Banana Muffin that I am a major fan of, infact dates were missing. I'd have to pass on loving this one.



Roasted Banana Muffin ($4.50)

Banana in THE muffin. Still wowed by this and made fans of the companions. 1000 calorie muffin? Bring it on.



And then there was the sweet surprise. .

I completed brunch wishing for another return, maybe dinner next! Hidden gem this may be but the steady following that has developed is amazing. Queues form so tirelessly for a bite of their Mediterranean adventures.

Artichoke
Sculpture Square

Nadaman @ Shangrila

Since 1830 Nadaman has been creating culinary waves all over. They are found in Shangrila hotel chains and I was looking forward to this visit for a long time now - even way before Tatsuya caused an impression actually.



With touches like these and a decent number of Japanese diners, it truly felt like Japan. 



The busy chef. 



Ittadakimasu!



Spinach and bonito flakes to kick start the meal - only the Japanese can present something so pedestrian yet taste so good.



Chawanmushi fan I am definitely not, infact, I have only been wowed on a select number of occasions and mostly in the land of the rising sun.



California Roll ($15)

The most expensive california roll eaten. When it arrived, I did a double take on the bland looking sushi. I suppose Sushi Tei and Sakae Sushi has built such a colourful image of it that anything less is different. It was just avocado and crabmeat that made all the difference - it dawned on me, that's the way california rolls should taste like, not just crunchy cucumbers and artificial crabmeat.



Their bento sets are a steal - presented in little plates.



So fresh, it would have been a flashback to Japan.



A first time ordering fish voluntarily. Cod teriyaki was tastefully done and really fresh.



The mackerel was hardly fishy - a major plus point and it kept us belly happy.



I particularly loved the beancurd skin that had a foamy and light texture.



I am probably so used to fried rice with wok hei that these Japanese equivalents seem to lack flavour.  Nonetheless, it was still tasty with a dash of soya.



Not a miso soup fan and this was pretty wholesome.



Pickles make any meal appetizing.



The icecream had to be the greatest letdown, somewhere between Wall's and King's, icicles included.

Quality food that definitely piqued the interest for seconds. Even at 1-for-1, the quality was not compromised. It always tickles the interest when I see Japanese patronizing the restaurant, one for sure, it also resonates well with them.

$38++

Nadaman
Shangrila

Relational Goods @ Everitt Road

When Weilin from Group Therapy mentioned that there was another outlet near me, it was hooorayrific! Finally one that I can call home near home! Located at 29 Everitt Road, this could have been named 29 as she lets slip.



The day's offering, done in the most straightforward way.



Take one please!

The decor at Relational Goods is down to earth and raw. Think concrete pavements, makeshift chairs from the most unimaginable materials and plenty of room.



Corners to stock up the kitchen with.



More groceries for purchase.



My favourite corner. How ingenious is that but so child-unfriendly.



Loving the layout and choice of furniture which have been kindly donated by the folks in the neighbourhood.



Single shot espresso ($4.50)

A lethal fix to start the day with.



Shepherd's Pie

Flavourful pie with the right marination of the beef and root vegetables. Loved the mash and how hearty this tasted. Maybe cheese could have perfected the deal but this was really too good to miss.




Beef Burger with rocket leaves, mustard, salsa and melted cheese ($13.50)

When Weilin first mentioned that RG would serve burgers, I was thrilled. Through and through a burger fan, I was definitely looking forward. Weilin's Mom's recipe, this was tweaked and finetuned till she does not want to have anything to do with burgers. Carrots were blended into the juicy patties and truly, we were impressed. Lathered with mustard, it gave the burger the oomph. Paired with their signature chips instead of fries, our bellies were happy.





The beginning of a love affair.



Thick toast, smoked salmon, gruyere cheese, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce ($13)

Meet my answer to our island's best poached eggs. They have tweaked the recipe for RG which I have yet to decipher what!



An egg dish with everything gone right.

Creamy hollandaise, thick toast to soak up the juices, savoury slices of smoked salmon and the perfect poached eggs with enough runnyness. I never quite got poached eggs till Group Therapy and here's RG repeating that success. Well then, it's by the same folks!




Strawberry waffles with strawberries, bananas and maple syrup ($9.50)

They ran out of pancakes so she thoughtfully used the batter for our waffles.



The finishing touches to a morning waffle - drips of maple syrup.
While I will not be hasty to term this my kind of waffle, its spongey texture and fruits are a healthy start.



4 Layer Carrot Cake ($8.50)

Still the best around. BEST served chilled, the last attempt fell short of expectations but this slice redeemed it all.

I have gone raving mad about this and I will not repeat - Try it, without regrets.



Herb garden seems to be the way to go with cafes these days.

Food is consistently good, hearty and wholesome. Trust these ladies to know what makes us returning customers huge fans. 

Weilin and I go back in time, boy, it sounds aged speaking this way. From the day I randomly stumbled upon them at Duxton Hill to the numerous raving posts that I have made, it has been friendship over food. I've never quite made friends with cafe owners per se, nor found the affinity to chat like longtime chums.

These ladies have heaps going for them and definitely, it is a pleasure to be able to dine at either of your outlets and for that personal touch, I am a huge huge huge huge fan. There quest to expand the menu does not stop, I spotted kitchen experiments of macarons lurking in their takeaway fridge. All the best and I look forward to seconds, thirds, fourths and so much more.

Relational Goods
29 Everitt Road