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For those working at the Raffles Place area, the newly launched One Raffles Place Mall would be a familiar spot for foodies with its abundant offering of eateries at the basement level. What many failed to identify, including us, is that good food at the building stretches beyond shoppers haven of H&M and Uniqlo to the third level where JBM Coffee & Dining resides.

The open concept restaurant reflecting touches of rustic French and Italian cuisines is quite an overlooked gem in the heart of the CBD area. Led by Chef Chamara Fonseka, who previously honed his culinary skills at Au Petit Salut and Covelli, he ingeniously combined the essence of the two European fares. What set this restaurant apart however is not just the food but also its coffee creations. Helmed by head barista, Shawn, who recently came in first runner up at Singapore's National Latte Art Championship 2014, expect your caffeine kicks to be treated in good hands.


Serving up different types of coffee brews with various methods, do not be shy to check with Shawn or any of the other well-trained friendly baristas to make sure that you enjoy your coffee the way it was meant to be. With the owner, Evangeline Wong being a trained barista herself, she sources for the best Jamaican coffee beans and does her own roasts. Testified by the success of her first coffee hideout, Blue Mahoe Estate Caffee at the Esplanade, can JBM Coffee & Dining equally impress with its food offerings?
The Green Knight | S$8/++

With a variety of soups to choose from, we were well-greeted by this light zucchini soup topped with crispy seaweed, croutons and cream. The delicate summer squash carried a tinge of natural sweetness and the richness of the soup was enhanced by the cream drizzled in, piquing our appetite for a sumptuous meal ahead!


The Pork Terrine | S$15/++

Flavoured with herbs and spices, the thickly sliced pork terrine accompanied a side walnut salad. This not only added texture to the dish with the crunch but allows the savouriness of the freshly prepared terrine to shine.



What made this simple dish a star was the freshly baked brioche with a smear of the gorgeous grape juice blended mustard sauce. This not only added a different dimension to the dish in terms of flavours but the crispness of the brioche added a desired layer of texture. The slight acidity from the vines paired with the pungency of mustard provided complexity and cuts through the savouriness of the pork terrine beautifully.


Lil' Froggy | S$24/++
A Big Bowl O'Mussels | S$14/++
Looking to share? How about a brimming bowl of plump and succulent New Zealand Blue Lip mussels cooked in a gorgeous white wine, garlic and seafood broth flavoured by saffron. Served with some sliced baguette, I could not resist soaking up all that goodness in that creamy broth!


Beef Outside the Cubes | S$24/++



The grain-fed tenderloin, cut into cubes, were grilled medium-rare by default, allowing the red meat to flaunt its quality and freshness. Tossed in a mushroom sauce and a choice of mash or fries, the natural option was the former where the chef's skills was put to test. Full marks for the consistency and creaminess of the velvety mash, making it pure decadence to scoop it all up!


The Sassy Cassoulet | S$32/++

Tracing the origins of the dish, this rich and slow-cooked casserole originated in Southern France which typically contains meat, pork skin and white beans. Taking a more sassy twist, this rendition was seafood-centric, offering nothing shy of the freshest lobster, scallops, mussels, prawns and squids over a pot full of home-made white beans.

A hearty dish perfect for sharing, what made this stew spectacular was the seafood broth with crab meat shreds that added a strong punch in flavours. Recommended for the seafood-lovers.


The Golden Hen | S$23/++
If you have a picky palate for desserts like me, I highly recommend the layered dessert of fresh orange wedges, orange jelly, Grand Marnier foam and the assuring caramel crisp to score the dish a home-run. The flavours were robust, complex and I was highly intrigued at the various dimensions the chef managed to introduce to the dessert building upon a base ingredient, orange. Textures were plentiful, starting from the crisp crunch to the melt-in-your-mouth foam before a pleasant tang from the orange jelly to make all guests award a thumbs-up. Recommended for those with a sweet tooth but might come across as slightly too sweet for some.


JBM Espresso Crème Brulee | S$8/++



Obscenely good is how I define this dessert. Served innocent with that classic caramelised crust, it turned into a messy affair as soon as you crack it open and the shot of espresso oozes upwards like a geyser. While some might find the dessert too satiating with the richness of the rich custard, expect to be in heaven if you enjoy bold flavours. The bitterness of the caffeine shot cuts through the richness beautifully. If you are having quite a heavy meal, I would recommend sharing this as it might be too heavy for just one pax.


Salted Caramel Freeze | S$7/++

While most close friends would know that I only enjoy my black coffee plain in the form of Americano or Espresso, I could not resist the highly recommended java-inspired drink. Freshly made Chantilly cream together with home-made salted caramel, I was impressed by the consistency that made this a must-order by anyone's standards. Depending on your tolerance for sweetness, some might find this a tad too sweet though it was okay by our standards!


Americano | S$5/++

Just the desired way to conclude an evening of good food with a balanced cup of black coffee with just the right amount of acidity, robustness of the beans and aroma of the roast.


Right in the middle of the restaurant is this two-metre tall state-of-the-art Probat Roaster specially imported from Germany which defines who the owners are and where they started the business. Soon, this machine will be where JBM Coffee & Dining does its daily roast which will bring a divine aroma to the area!

Tastefully decorated with plush brown leather chairs, banquet seats, there are even two private booths which can seat up to eight diners. While restaurants and eateries in general within the Raffles Place area are swarmed during lunch-hour, it would also be a great time to visit in the evenings if you are looking for some quiet moments with a date or even a meal with a business associate.

Service at tastings are usually good but I noticed how the service crew was equally attentive to the surrounding diners at nearby tables. A place that serves quality food at reasonable prices, I am looking forward to my return visit already.

For those working in the CBD area, you would probably be familiar with La Cantine, located at Asia Square. With an unique interior featuring inverted rooster inspired by the Montmartre in Paris, this traditional French brasserie is the latest brainchild of Michelin 3* Chef, Bruno Menard.

With a communal setting in the restaurant, it coincides with the intention of 'dishes-to-share', which makes it a venue perfect for celebrations and events. Having previously tried &made and duly impressed, we were really looking forward to our visit at La Cantine!


"Nicoise" Salad | S$22/++

Recommended by the lady who took our orders as one of the house's signatures, we thought it would be a good start to our meal. Dressed with Tonnato sauce, a creamy, tangy sauce made with anchovies, capers and canned tuna, we enjoyed the umami flavours in it. Among the usual salad greens, there were bell peppers, tomato, egg, anchovies, tuna drizzled with roasted garlic oil for extra fragrance. While the large salad bowl looked impressive, the amount of tuna in the dish was disappointing. On a more positive note, the combination went really well as the sauce brought the dish together harmoniously.


Sirloin Angus Beef Tartare (Appetiser Portion) | S$22/++
The pictures above showed the beef tartare as an appetiser portion while the most updated menu revealed that it is now only offered as a main course served with fries and salad at S$38/++. While I enjoyed the croutons that added a layer of texture to complement the beef tartare, the flavours were mainly from herbs sprinkled generously atop. As a result, the seasoning of the beef tartare failed to stand out.


Pan Roasted Atlantic Cod Fish, Sweet Corn Sauce and Broccoli | S$32/++


Recommended as one of the signatures, my expectations was naturally held high. It was a shame that the beautiful cod fish was overcooked, resulting in a rather dull texture. The bland flavours of the fish fell short of impressing while the sweet corn soup was merely pedestrian. The broth was not creamy enough and lacked oomph to elevate flavours for the dish as a whole.


Caramelized Pork Belly | S$36/++

The well-defined pork belly slices were succulent and were everything you could possibly ask for. What I would have desired though would be a layer of the crispy skin for that crackling effect. That would have elevated the dish to the next level of indulgence.


The potato puree was a classic side to the pork belly, which was creamy but too salty and oily for our palate. Although the mash was velvety and got a boost in flavours and fragrance from the diced roasted garlic, the grease was enough to stop us short of a second mouthful.

Photo credit: La Cantine

Overall, we thought that the food was quite pedestrian though this was compensated by the attentive service rendered and lovely ambience. While we visited on a Friday evening, the restaurant was less than half occupied and we were able to enjoy some privacy with a seating at a corner. Also, service of food was too quick for comfort as there was hardly any break before the next course was served.

For those in the area looking for a place to unwind after a hard day at work, La Cantine offers a different 'Happy Hour' promotion from 5 - 8pm daily, Mondays to Fridays ranging from 1-for-1 housepours to S$10 per glass freshly made margaritas!

Many people would be familiar with Outback, the world's largest steakhouse chain, which first opened doors in Singapore back in 2000. Embracing Australian's hospitality, this American diner continues to uphold the philosophy of 'Quality, Freshness and Flavour' as outlined in one of the signboards in the restaurant. This mantra explains why Outback continues to grow its operations worldwide with more than 1,000 locations in 22 countries.

Taking pride in its brand name, Outback promises to deliver premium ingredients and fresh flavours at affordable prices. Attention is given to the most intricate details such as their produce where all vegetables were seasoned and steamed just enough to coax the medley to blossom into full flavour just before service.

Moving away from conventional assumptions that Outback is famous only for their steaks and meat dishes, they have gone on to revamping their menu with a focus on introducing poultry and seafood dishes.
With my last dining visit to Outback in Australia some time ago, we were really looking forward to visiting the second outlet in Singapore newly opened at Orchard Gateway!

Typhoon Bloom | S$14.90/++

With hand-cut fresh onion rings carefully laced and stacked together, it was served with Outback's signature Bloom sauce which is a blend of spice mix, mayo and horseradish. You are not going to refuse that beautiful golden-brown crispy batter that gently coats the fresh onion rings. Dipped in the creamy sauce, it is a perfect starter for sharing among friends or simply over some beer!


Spinach Artichoke Dip | S$13.90/++


Another for sharing platter is this plate of freshly fried corn tortilla chips with an indulgent creamy melange of spinach and artichokes in Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese. What made this a star for me was that the tortilla chips tasted clean and not greasy, which meant that a fresh pot of oil was used for the frying. The rich flavours from the cheese bearing a hint of spinach and artichokes went almost perfectly well with these lovely crunch bites.


Tilapia with Pure Lump Crab Meat | S$27.90/++
Served with seasonal vegetables, expect Tilapia fillets with crab stuffings piled atop with crab meat, sautéed mushrooms and a homemade lemon butter Chablis sauce. A classic sauce to drizzle over fish fillets, the white-wine based sauce was light and flavourful, packing some citrus zest from the lemon. This helped to enhance the freshness of the seafood dishes.

Between the dishes, we were introduced to the various types of cocktail drinks offered at Outback!


Watermelon Margarita | S$14.90/++

Featured in the above picture, this cocktail was served in a sugar-rimmed glass containing fresh watermelon juice, Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila and citrus juices.


Apple Mojito | S$12.90/++

My personal favourite for the evening has to be this which contained Bacardi Silver Rum, diced red apples, limes and mint which helped to give a refreshing twist to the otherwise heavy dishes served! For those with a sweet tooth, the diced red apples have that added sweetness to make it a pleasing drink for both gents and ladies.

My other half however preferred the Strawberry Basil Lemonade | S$13.90/++, which packed Absolut Citron Vodka, fresh basil and strawberries, lemonade and Sprite. The best part about all the different cocktails is that fresh fruits were used in the making of the cocktails!


Alice Spring Chicken | S$25.90/++

A dish that tasted far superior than what it looked. Served with sweet potato fries, the flame-grilled chicken breast was covered with melted Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese, crispy bacon strips and sautéed mushrooms. There was also a pot of honey mustard sauce on the side to add some extra flavours to the already rich dish. I was really impressed with how moist and tender the chicken breast was. Paired with the crispy sweet potato fries which had a natural sweetness, it complemented the savouriness of the crispy bacon covered by the melted cheese.


New York Strip | S$36.90/++

With a choice of two sides from nine, the 10oz thick-cut Strip Steak was a favourite at the table and was dissected before I had a chance to catch a snapshot of it. Seasoned with a secret blend of 17 spices, it was cooked beautifully to medium rare, retaining that desired pinkness in the meat upon the slice of the knife. My only complaint was that the Strip cut had some portions which made it hard to chew.


Among the nine sides, the potato mash blended with potato skin was quite a star as the added texture gave an unexpected twist to the usual velvety mash. It was well seasoned, creamy and rich with the coarseness of the crisp potato skin to make it a worthy add-on!


Our favourite side for the evening was the newly added sweet potato served with cinnamon and honey butter. Protected by the sweet potato skin, the luscious orange flesh of the sweet potato had a natural sweetness that made us scouring for more. The addiction of the honey butter and cinnamon sprinkle made this a must-order to your side!


Baby Back Ribs | S$32.90/++ for full rack and half for S$19.90/++

A classic American diner meal with fries that had potato skin on and a lovely rack of succulent-tasting ribs coasted in tasty homemade BBQ sauce that you could not resist. Smoked and flame-grilled to perfection, this was a natural winner and is no wonder why it is one of the signature dishes at Outback. With more than 500 recipes available under Outback, only some 30 to 50 classic recipes made it worldwide and this was one of it.

Chocolate Thunder from Down Under | S$14.90/++

Can you ever end a hearty meal without some sweet treats? Not for us anyway as we were pampered with this pecan brownie paired with vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings and a sinful whoop of whipped cream. The lightly warm and moist pecan brownie made the vanilla ice cream melt almost instantaneously and this calories-laden dessert is surely not for the faint-hearted.

The serving was generous and easily makes this dessert a sharing portion, at least by our standards! This is your classic simple dessert made glorious by virtue of its divine combination.


Carrot Cake | S$9.90/++

Quite an unexpected winner, the classic carrot cake actually won me over with its moistness and loads of pecan bits. Topped with a coconut, vanilla cream cheese icing, the combination went surprisingly well to make me award this generous slice of carrot cake a thumbs-up.


This part of the restaurant is also available for private parties and events as it occupies the back of the restaurant.


While the general seating arrangements at the front of the restaurant suggests a casual dining layout, the tables are still appropriately separated from the next, making it the perfect venue for social gatherings or even a family dinner. The service crew for the evening was attentive to our requests and we had no problems winning their attention.

In order to provide a holistic casual dining experience, booze is almost a necessity and apart from having a 7-seater counter where guests can have a full view of the cocktails preparation while knocking a few pints over!


If you are looking for some quality Western food with generous portions while shopping in the Orchard Road precinct, Outback might be a worthy place to call in for a sumptuous meal. Consider yourself warned about the sinful calories you might pack in though!

A 19th century Tudor style mansion perched atop Telok Blangah Hill, Alkaff Mansion was a weekend retreat bungalow for the Yemeni Alkaff family of spice traders. Known for hosting high society parties in the 1930s, the mansion has been passed through many hands before its current lease of life as an Italian restaurant led by Executive Chef, Simone Depalmas.

With two decades of culinary experience, the Sardinian native Chef Depalmas introduces an authentic Italian flair to his creations with specially imported produce from his home province. In order to ensure diners a quality meal, Chef Depalmas makes his sauces from scratch to retain the most natural flavours.

Having received a S$5 million investment from LHN Culinary Concepts to refurbish the iconic heritage mansion, can we expect some calories worthy food?


Expect to be pampered with some fabulous cocktails to kickstart your evening!

Alkaff's Potion | S$18/++

When I am spoilt for choice, my number 1 rule is to go for the house's signature and there is no better cocktail than Alkaff's Potion, named after the restaurant. If you like some interesting and complex concoction, this barcardi dominated drink with lime, brown sugar, curry leaves and chilli padi would surely pique one's interest.


Captain Wood | S$18/++
Fresh Octopus Carpaccio | S$24/++

The lightly steamed Sardinian octopus was evenly sliced and decorated with San Marzano cherry tomatoes, orange wedges before being dressed with aged balsamic reduction. While the cherry tomatoes added natural sweetness to the dish, the balsamic reduction enhanced the flavours of the dish, balanced by the acidity and tang from the orange wedges. The octopus was cooked just right, retaining elasticity and chewiness with each bite.


Seafood Platter with Tuna Tartare, Tiger Prawns, Lobster, Sea Bass and Octopus | S$68/++

While the menu suggested that the seafood platter was for two to share, it could easily stretch to three parties if you are intending to try other antipasti. The succulent and plump tiger prawns and lobster chunks in a citrus dressing were favourites at the table while I enjoyed the tuna tartare most which had a nice crunch from the accompanying croutons. You know freshness is guaranteed when a restaurant serves up seafood such as sea bass carpaccio and tuna tartare.


Sardinian Fregola with Assorted Seafood | S$28/++
Fregola is a type of pasta from Sardinia which is no coincidence since that is Chef Dempalas' home province. It usually comes in varying sizes and is made of semolina dough rolled into balls 2-3mm and toasted in an oven. The coarse, purified wheat middlings of durum wheat which made up the Fregola added texture to each mouthful, almost like pearls in bubble tea (if that helps in providing some visualisation) While I enjoyed the tomato-based pasta dish, the diced prawn were slightly overcooked. Personally, I would have preferred it better if the seafood such as clams, squid, prawns and scallops were allowed to dominate in flavours.


Porcini Mushroom Risotto Superfino Acquerello with Thyme | S$28/++

If you are a fan of Masterchef Australia like us, you would know that risotto is a death-dish for the contestants because it is a simple dish that involves perfect execution. The beautiful aroma from the porcini mushrooms was enough to whet anyone's appetite and while it is not photogenic, it was one of the best dishes of the evening. The Superfino Acquerello rice was cooked al dente but more importantly there was consistency in the cream broth. Reputed to be one of the best rice reserved for risotto dishes, the un-hulled grains were aged in temperature controlled silos for up to three years which allows the starch, proteins and vitamins to be less water soluble. This leads to improved consistency of the grains, enabling them to absorb more cooking liquid. This explains the slightly larger, firmer and individually grains which added texture in addition to the lovely bold flavours of porcini mushrooms.


Slow Cooked Sardinian-style Suckling Pig with Roasted Potatoes | S$46/++
It is impossible for me to say 'No' to suckling pig with a lovely crispy skin and succulent meat. In fact, it is almost criminal in my book. Slow cooked for hours at 70 degrees Celsius in order to retain the moisture in the meat, the chef cleverly cranks up the temperature in the oven before service to ensure a crackling crisp skin to form. The added touch of salt on the surface surely help in drying up the skin for that guaranteed crispness. Paired with some beautifully roasted baby potatoes, it was that delicious homemade mixed berry compote that harmoniously brought the dish together to complete a wholesome main dish.


Fresh Mint Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mixed Berries & Raspberry Sauce | S$14/++

There is no better way to end an Italian meal with classic panna cotta or tiramisu. Having previously pampered with a spectacular rendition at Burlamacco, quite recently too, it was hard not to draw comparison. The texture of the dessert was spot-on, with a nice wobble with a tug of the plate. Almost pudding like, the richness of the panna cotta took over with its creaminess with a tinge of mint. While the addition of mint might have worked for some diners at the table, I prefer my panna cotta plain with vanilla and to be enjoyed with some fresh mixed berries. Quite a miss on this occasion for me when it comes to the flavours but the chef nailed the texture.


Full marks when it comes to ambience and service as Alkaff Mansion would be the venue to impress your date or a suitable quiet spot to discuss business with an associate or partner. It was always easy to secure attention from the service crew.

We were also taken on a tour to view the dining area on the upper level which included private rooms. One could not help but appreciate the intricate details that went into preserving this iconic building, such as the grand chandelier, classic furniture and paintings.




Apart from a very well-conserved interior, guests could hold events such as wedding parties at the Grand Marquee that can host up to 400 diners. Fully carpeted and air-conditioned, it offers a truly customised soiree with the white canopy ceilings and regal chandeliers marking grand appearances to impress guests from all walks of life.