So I asked around my colleagues for ideas and we thought about how most log cake decorations are pretty standard. After a while they start to look alike.

So the question is -- how can we be more creative and different?

This was the result of the first idea called It's All About Yule!


Well don't forget to VOTE for my entry on The Icing Room if you like what you see, and share this post with your friends. Many thanks!

Next, the prawn paste pork. I don't see where the prawn paste is, but the dish itself tasted very home-cooked, and comfortable. You could have this, some salted egg and a porridge and call it lunch.

I was kindly invited by Ciel Patisserie last weekend to try out their cakes and pastries. It is located at the very heartland area of Hougang Ave 1 from the previous location at Midlink Plaza and set up by two young adventurous entrepreneurs!

From what I heard, the dessert chef's being trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. The shop's co-founder is a SMU graduate who has a vision to bring delicious fine cakes to the masses at an affordable price. Ciel means "sky" or "heaven" in French.

Now that's called community service. We need more people like that!

I love that it is located in the heartlands - walk in to a sleepy typical enclave of flats and you will suddenly see this:

Here are the tables - for ladies to chit chat and gossip, and even to surf your iPad as you enjoy a respite.

The food and drinks are priced reasonably - you can get a latte for $3.60! What's amazing here is also their Tea selection by Allerines Premium Tea (which is a local online tea shop that you can order from. That's local food again. Support!)

As you can see, the cakes are from $3-$5.80 and tarts no more than $4.60.

And here are some of their cakes from the display. They all look so alluring! There's a total of 16 types on display, and madeleines on top of the counter.




 I like this little corner at the corner of the slanted roof of the staircase. Eiffel!

 Well, on to the food! Do they taste as good as they look?

I first had a cup of Sakura Allerines Pyramid Tea ($2.60) to pair with my cakes. It has floral infusions amidst the green tea leaves - very litter, non-bitter and revitalizing.

Next, the Strawberry Shortcake ($5.60). It is their bestseller and I can see why! It looks so pretty with the floral cream on top. And it looks as good as it tastes because it was simply... heavenly. The sponge cake was soft like marshmallow and the cream was not too heavy. The strawberries provided the tart contrast to the sweet cake and cream.

It was a tricky balancing act of flavors and textures and this cake managed to do it. Most importantly it is not overpoweringly sweet.

Something interesting next - what happens when you put salty and sweet together? You get the Sel ($4.80) which means "salt" in French. It is in fact sea-salt shortbread base, with a layer of dark chocolate ganache. It was really intense because of the chocolate coupled with the buttery sea salt taste that accentuates the cocoa. You could tell that they used quality chocolate.


 Lastly, the Fraîche Fresh Fruit Tart ($4.60). I really like the custard inside the tart, which is made with crumbly buttery base. It was sweet and soft while the strawberries are not too sour. Again, different textures and flavours! The tart could be quite filling, so if you want a substantial snack in the afternoon go for this!


Here's a bonus! The Ciel Christmas Promo - share this with your friends now!

Advertorial

I first knew about this car thing when a halved car was spotted at the Expo during one of the weekend. People were tweeting #halfcar about it and seems rather incredulous that it got halved. It's not everyday that you get to see a halved car. How did it happen?

Then this video came out:


So apparently on the Youtube description, I found out that it is to show the most bizarre and unexpected footage captured on in-car cameras. You'll never know what could happen to your car on the road.

Then 2 other videos popped up.

This is pretty cool, you never know if someone will spray something on your car.



This is my favorite:



What are these videos are trying to say?
Answer: Get a free in-car camera when you sign up for DriveShield, a comprehensive motor insurance, for added peace of mind. You never know what's gonna happen to your car so.. expect the unexpected!

Visit http://www.dbs.com.sg/driveshield for a quote today.

Here's the menu for your consideration. As you can see there are only 5 items in the 'hot food' section. 7 in the sides, and 5 in the salads.

A charlotte is a type of dessert that can be served hot or cold. It can also be known as an "ice-box cake". Bread, sponge cake or biscuits/cookies are used to line a mold, which is then filled with a fruit puree or custard. It can also be made using layers of breadcrumbs.
Classically, stale bread dipped in butter was used as the lining, but sponge cake or ladyfingers may be used today. 

Overall I am very happy that this place is still consistently good ever since the first time I visited it 2 years ago at their old place. I would definitely recommend you to bookmark this place for good homestyle unpretentious authentic French food and a good STEAK! Also remember to make reservations in advance (2 weeks to be safe) as they fill up very fast, unless you want to visit for lunch.

Le Bistro du Sommelier

53 Armenian Street, Singapore 179940
+65 63331982
Mon - Sat: 18:00 - 23:00

You might have thought there was a typo in the spelling, but yes it is really called Suprette instead of Superette, and it is a new American diner at Kam Leng Hotel that is just opposite Lavender Food Centre.

I first heard about Suprette from my colleague, and also read about it on 8 Days, so I have to check it out. I have no reason not to, since my office is 2 bus stops away!


This place has the beginnings of dodgy-ness with karaoke lounges nearby, but Kam Leng Hotel itself looks like a really cool 'boutique' hotel with a very nostalgic lobby reception. I've checked on agoda.com - it's only USD 80 per night! According to the hotel's website description, the hotel was "first established in 1927 by a mysterious owner whose identity remains unknown till today".


The salads were served first, rather quickly by a very jovial waiter. The salad was simply done, and quite welcome as a healthy start to an otherwise very meaty meal.


Take a look at the fries below.
It is a monster of a plate of fries.. fries.. and a burger covered with many sesame seeds. I added bacon ($4) to the burger. The fries really tasted like the ones from McDonald's, which I like a lot, so I conclude that these fries rock too. They might possibly be healthier too, without the 'not rotting after a month' effect. Perhaps they just got the McDelivery guy to send a whole bunch of fries over when someone orders..?

Here's the burger, opened up. Now, let me expound for the next paragraph on HOW AWESOME THIS BURGER IS.

Firstly the bun's slightly sweet and warm. I like that. Next the bacon. Crispy, with the satisfying unique taste of bacon. But the star of the show is the beef patty inside. The patty tasted homemade, yet it does not fall apart as it is being cut and was juicy, tender and pink. Not too salty (very important). There is also this faint hint of herbs in there which set this baby apart from the rest.

I really enjoyed the burger. Even though it is $27, it is well worth the money, I feel. On an occasional basis. Unless the manager reads this and decides to give all my readers a discount to go try it :P

Could you tell how I am definitely recommending you go check out the burger with the 3.5 paragraphs I devoted to describing it? 




Suprette
Kam Leng Hotel, 383 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209001
Mon - Sun: 07:30 - 00:00
Website