Dinner at Caveman Singapore @ Balestier

1 Jalan Dusun, #01-09, One Dusun Residences, Singapore 329363

Tel: 6250 1168

Website: https://cavemen.com.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CavemenSG/

Cavemen Singapore is an innovative butchery cum restaurant,  specialising in its "farm to fork" concept, bringing us delectable meat-centric dishes, cheese and drinks at wallet friendly prices.

We visited for our recent Wine Friday outing. The restaurant is located along bustling Balestier Road, easy to spot as its facing the main road. The small space seats perhaps 10 tables at best, with a bar counter and alfresco tables.

Started with a round of Cocktails and Mocktails - all with adorable names, and served in even more adorable containers. Like the Drunken Koala Bear (SGD$18.00), Imperial Triple (SGD$15.00), Hellooo Pomelooo (SGD$12.00), and Lady Marmalade (SGD$16.00).

Munchers begun in the form of 30 months Parma Ham (SGD$10.10).

Following closely in its heel is a Cheese Platter comprising Petit Camembert (SGD$11.68), Tomme de Savoie (SGD$6.17), and Gouda Truffle Cheese (SGD$5.21). Served with crackers and dried fruits.

Crispy Truffle Shoestring Fries (SGD$12.00) were brought to the table next.

Then we had the Baby Squid (SGD$14.00) served in a pan of eggs and chilli, utterly delicious and egg-joyable to munch.

The White Bait (SGD$14.00) was tangy (with curry leaves and lime) and crackling good; we just couldn't get enough of these deep-fried darlings.

Mains consisted of a thick slab of 45 Days Aged USDA Prime Ribs (SGD$45.65) was succulent and held aromatic hints of its marinade.

We also tried the Australian Angus Ribeye (SGD$29.83), surprisingly even more tender and juicy; the subtle fats along the side were meltingly good.

Sides were separate affairs so we chose Cream Spinach (SGD$6.00), Sauteed Brussels Sprouts (SGD$6.00) and Mashed Potato (SGD$6.00).  They complemented the mains very well, but also tasted palatable on their own.

Finally, rounding the night was Chocolate Tart (SGD$16.00) with bananas (on top, not within, as we had so creatively imagined).

Overall dining experience at Caveman was great, and definitely a place I look forward to being back at.

Afternoon Tea at Dome Cafe @ Raffles Place

80 Raffles Place #01-02, UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624

Tel: 6533 3266

Website: http://www.dome.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DomeCafeSingapore

Dome Cafe at UOB Plaza 1 has been around since forever, back during my intern days (or even beyond?) - one of those comfortable and familiar cafes that used to offer relief for many stressful workdays and later, despite from the sun.

Located at level 1 of the bank building with a view of the Singapore River, Dome Cafe serves as a great place for lunch, afternoon tea or business discussions. Their offerings are mainly Western with a fusion touch; but I usually love their Cappuccino and desserts.

There's something gorgeous and aromatic about their Cappuccino (SGD$6.00) that makes it my absolute favourite in this world. I cannot say why  because it's a feeling, and perhaps because the foam layer with cinnamon powder have just the right proportion.

Key Lime Tart (SGD$8.00) is a pretty big slice, adorned with light fluffy cream. The crust is a little hard on the exterior, but bite into it and it becomes crumbly and nice. Paired with that refreshing tarty lemon curd, this made for a lovely dessert.

Top up SGD$4.00 for a scoop of Gelato (chocolate or vanilla) and you also get the crispy ice-cream come with berries (and beautiful plating).

Was glad I got to spend some time in this case that has left me so much beautiful memories. I guess I could get a nice window seat and just sit the afternoons away, over a book or even laptop for work.

Lunch at The Flying Squirrel @ Amoy Street

92 Amoy Street #01-02 Singapore 069911

Tel: 6226 2203

Website: http://www.theflyingsquirrel.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflyingsquirrel.sg

The Flying Squirrel is a hidden treasure in the beart of bustling CBD area,  a hole-in-the-wall Japanese gastrobar restaurant with a side entrance from the alley of Amoy Street shophouses.

Dimly intimate and darkly elegant with a lovely bar counter, the cosy restaurant serves up Japanese-inspired dishes tossed with touches from Melbourne, New York and Singapore. Service was impeccable as well, with thoughtful crew wearing lovely smiles throughout.

I sipped a glass of Chardonnay while browsing their menu, having a hard time deciding what to eat. There were lunch bento sets comprising of sashimi, vegetables or curry; as well as a huge variety of sushi items to choose from (no easy feat!)

Eventually, we made our choices. The beautiful Sashimi Bento Set (SGD$26.00) included a piping bowl of Miso Soup, refreshing Salad, Japanese Rice, Fruits and best of all, good assortment of Sashimi. The platter of raw fish consisted of salmon, white fish, shrimp, tuna and squid etc.

I had the Summer Chirashi Bento Set (SGD$25.00), made up of sashimi-laden bowl with Japanese Rice; served with Miso Soup, Salad and Fresh Fruit.

The raw fish was fresh and firm in texture, bouncing ever so gently upon teeth's clamp. We enjoyed our palatable lunch greatly and would be happy to return for more.

Dinner at Melba Cafe @ Mediacorp

1 Stars Avenue #03-01 Mediapolis, Singapore 138507

Tel: 6352 2721

Website: http://www.cafemelba.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafeMelbaSingapore

Decided to drop by Cafe Melba @ Mediapolis for chilling out and trying out some fantastic peach melbas - after all, the restaurant is named after the dessert (or shares a name with it). Okay, no, it is named after Melbourne with Asian influences. Cafe Melba also has another outlet at Goodman Centre.

Anyway, Cafe Melba is an Australasian cafe blending Australian and Asian cultures into their dishes. Owned by Tadcaster Hospitality Group with cuisine created by Group Executive Chef Kasey Whaitri-Roberts, the food here is good and boosts of freshness and quality.

Interior is spacious and able to hold up to 150 seats, Cafe Melba is designed with Mother Nature and sustainability in mind. A large glass panel facing the grass facade enables nature to lend beauty to the wood-panelled restaurant; whilst further up, colorful pieces of recycled metal plates form a unique copper colored ceiling. The sight of the huge blazing woodfire oven was somehow comforting and assuring to us.

Service was decent but not outstanding. Order is done by diners themselves selecting items on the tablet menu, whilst service crew brought the dishes out.

We started with some Sweet Potato Fries (SGD$11.00) which were sweet with an earthly note, and an almost crusty exterior gave way to mushy flesh within. The rest loved this starter.

Salt and Pepper Squid (SGD$12.00) was a lovely dish of savoury and spicy goodness, chewy but soft squids on a bed of vegetables.

Next, 3 Little Pigs Pizza (SGD$18.00 for 9-inch), made up of a thin crust and comprising home-cured bacon, honey ham, pepperoni, mozzarella and tomatoes; a satisfying and tasty pizza.

The Chilli Crab Pizza (SGD$28.00 for 9-inch) - snow crab, egg, coriander, mozzarella and spicy tomato sauce. A smooth slab of crackling pizza, this was scrumptious save for the fact that it was on the sweeter side, rather than spicy.

Crayfish Linguine (SGD$27.00) - al dente pasta strands basked in umami glory of crustacean stock, topped by saccharine crayfish, capsicum, arugula leaves and Parmesan cheese. I enjoyed this wholesome, flavorsome dish rather much.

Finally, Chicken Parmigiana (SGD$22.00) - succulent, moistened chicken cooked with tomato sauce, oozing Mozzarella sauce, and served with sides of potato wedges and salad - what's not to love about this delightful dish?

Dessert was, of course, Peach Melba (SGD$12.00) - 2 halves of (canned) peaches with a light raspberry syrup coating, crunchy almond flakes, biscuit crumbs, fresh raspberries and vanilla ice-cream. Quite good, and one tends to feel that this dessert is healthier because it is made up of fruits.

Finally, Chocolate Lava Cake (SGD$14.00) with lava that didn't exactly flow, but redolent of rich chocolate taste, heightened sensationally by raspberry sorbet.

Drinks for me were Red Wine (SGD$14.00) and Mojito (SGD$12.00). They have a good selection of wines, beers, coffees, teas, milkshakes etc.

I like this place and would be glad to return time and again, for its tranquil, quiet settings, friendlier afternoon service and pretty good food.