Afternoon Tea at That CD Shop Cafe @ Vivocity

1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-43, Vivo City, Singapore 098585

Tel: 6259 3280

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/thatcdshop/about

That CD Shop houses a good assortment of records, audiophiles , and music from jazz to classical to rock and pop, etc. With it, attaches a classy restaurant cafe with elegant Parisian vibes, complete with monochrome tiled floors and stunning chandelier lamps. It is also no surprise that it is tied to the High Society Cafes that I adored (review here).

Currently they have 2 outlets - Vivo City and Wisma Atria.

I love their cafes because of the glamorous vibes and best of all, classy music drifting to my ears from the players. One is prepared to feel as though they are lost in another world, or at least another continent, when they take a seat upon one of these cushy armchairs.

In line with the beautiful settings would be beautiful pastries that look almost too good to be devoured.  I was torn between that shell-like pastry with the blueberries, slices of cakes, or Houjicha Cake; I succumbed to the latter.

Aromatic tea hints in a mochi-like pastry, perfect for an afternoon tea. None of those toothache-inducing sweetness or "trendy" flavours; this one touched on quality and lingering notes that satisfies the palate and makes one feel good eating it.

I want to make this place my favorite hangout,  truly.

Afternoon Tea at Lady M Confections @ Westgate [Takeout]

3 Gateway Drive #02-25 / 26, Westgate, Singapore 608532

Tel: 6250 8993

Website: https://www.ladym.com.sg

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

Lady M Confections hails from New York, serving up freshest and finest confectionery delights French and Japanese pastry precision and methodologies; its signature Mille Crepes Cake feature at least 20 layers of extremely thin handmade crepes layered with delicate pastry cream. I fell in love since my first bite (review here).

Since their flagship branch at Marina Square, Lady M Confections has since expanded to more outlets at Orchard Central, Scotts Square, South Beach and Westgate. I visited the latter outlet - beautifully decorated in white like its other outlets - and decided to get some desserts for one of the weekly family dinners.

The variety of delectable-looking cakes made it difficult to simply choose a couple slices of cakes! Everything looked equally tempting, if not more than the one beside it. There were Strawberry Shortcake, Checkers Cake, Signature Mille Crepe Cake, Marron Mille Crepe Cake, Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake, Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake, Gateau Au Chocolate, Chocolate Eclairs, etc.

In the end, I picked a slice of Signature Mille Crepe Cake (SGD$9.90) and a slice of Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake (SGD$9.90).

The paper-thin layers of crepes melted lusciously in the mouths, sweet but not cloying; the chocolate one was creamier, richer in texture and flavour. Everyone enjoyed the delights, and I hope I had gotten more - but I will be back for sure.

Update: went back for more, at Scotts Square outlet. Paired with Milk Oolong Tea.

My mom and I also visited the Orchard Central outlet, enjoying afternoon tea of Classic Mille Crepe Cake and a rich, decadent Chocolate Tart.

Lunch at VENUE By Sebastian @ OUE Downtown

6A Shenton Way #01-02 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Tel: 6904 9688

Website: https://venuebysebastian.com

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

Remember Restaurant Ember at Hotel 1929 (review here) along Keong Saik Road? Well, if you love Chef Sebastian's culinary creations and was saddened that he left, fret not. He has set up his own VENUE now, a chic restaurant exuding understated elegance, at the new swanky OUE Downtown.

The current menu comprises mainly contemporary European dishes with selective Asian influences. Service was excellent despite the peak hours- attentive crew still ensures that water glasses were filled, and orders were served in timely fashion.

Since "communal" is the ideal concept here, we decided to order some dishes to share between us, relying heavily on the crew's recommendations.

Starting with Cauliflower Florets Fritti (SGD$10.00), served with spicy Mint Aioli, definitely raised expectations high for us. Who would've thought that simple cauliflower could taste this good in a crispy state? With the dip, flavour was further enhanced.

We also had the Grilled Asparagus with Poached Egg (SGD$12.00) and crackling Parma Ham, glazed with Miso Butter. Another texturized dish bursting with flavours.

Next, Burrata Cheese with Batard Toast (SGD$14.00) served with le jardin de rabelais tomatoes and drizzled with Basil Oil for that fragrance. Needless to say, the creaminess of cheese paired with crunchy toast was definitely palate pleasing.

From the mains, we enjoyed the Grilled Octopus (SGD$27.00) with White Bean Puree, Capers and burnt Butter. Smokey hints and light, chewy bites had us debating if we should get another plate of these.

There was also that saccharine Chilean Sea Bass (SGD$32.00) served with an appetite-whetting Mushroom-Bacon Ragout, and truffle yuzu butter sauce. The flavours of the sea and the Earth have united beautifully, at long last.

Our final mains to share was the 36-Hour Duck Confit (SGD$19.00) with Truffle Emulsion, Mesclun and Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette. Loved the crackling exterior giving way to tenderness within, tantalising with flavours of its accompaniment.

Moving on to desserts, Texture of Coconut (SGD$12.00), with crispy Mung Beans. Interesting grated coconut flakes dessert served chilled, sweet not but cloying.

Following that, Chocolate Fondant Cake (SGD$14.00) with Vanilla Ice-cream, and a chocolate centre lava that actually flows. Decadent and delicious!

Finally, a surprise for *Yvonne. I asked for a birthday candle, and the crew expertly walked covertly behind so the birthday girl (and others at the table) were totally caught off guard by the surprise.

Presenting the Pistachio Financier (SGD$14.00), served with Grand Marnier Ice-cream and Raspberry Yogurt, ticked the palate immensely with its multitude of flavours.

Overall dining experience at VENUE By Sebastian was excellent, ticking every box in terms of ambience, service and quality of food!

Dinner at Ginett Singapore @ Beach Road

200 Middle Road, Level 1, Hotel G, Singapore 188980

Tel: 6809 7989

Website: https://www.randblab.com/ginett-sg

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

Ginett Singapore is a restaurant and wine bar serving up quality French dishes, located at the new Hotel G along Middle Road. Ambiance is casual chic with a gentle touch of rustic vintage, service was painfully slow.  They offer a very good variety of cheese and wine - the latter surprisingly affordable. We were here for our Wine Wednesday gathering.

Baguette Slices kicked off the meal, paired with their rich, extremely tasty butter. It was tempting to grab more bread just so we could eat the butter.

We started with a Cheese Board named "G-Board" (SGD$33.00), comprising 3 types of cheeses and 3 cold cuts. The cheese selection for the night were Brillat Savarin, Camembert and Livarot, ranging from soft, semi-soft to hard cheese respectively. The cold cuts were Parma Ham, Mortadella and Chorizo. The board was interestingly served with honey, baby carrots, walnuts and gherkins.

We started with a bottle of white wine, Domaine de la Seigneurie des tourelles, Saumur Blanc 2015 (SGD$40.00) with was light and smooth, a good palette teaser preparing for the good food to come.

Then it was Burgundy Snails (SGD$19.00) - basically an escargot dish prepared in garlic and butter sauce.

Following that, the Wagyu Beef Cheek (SGD$35.00) - the "La Joue de Boeuf", braised for a good 12 hours to give that moistened tenderness, served with sauteed mushrooms and mash potatoes. It was a palette provoking dish, an enjoyable dish.

Last but not least, something from the special Black Truffle Showcase Menu - Roasted Bresse Chicken (SGD$42.00), a succulent roasted French chicken in black truffle butter and served with soft-boiled ratte potatoes. This was our favorite dish of the night.

A bottle of red wine was ordered next, Domaine des Hautes Troglodytes, Saumur Champigny 2016 (SGD$45.00) - smooth and lighter than most Cabernet wines.

All in all, dining experience at Ginett Singapore was good enough - enjoyable, with rather quality food. If service was warmer and tables were not so closely-spaced, it would have been kind of perfect.

Lunch at Atlas Bar @ Parkview Square, Bugis

600 North Bridge Road, Lobby Level, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778

Tel: 6396 4466

Website: http://atlasbar.sg

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

Atlas Bar takes over the grandiose art-decor beauty space where Divine Bar (review here) used to occupy. Basking in glamarous art depicting the Great Gatsby era of the 1920s, where art decor from Europe and America was revealed, this place is simply breathtaking.

When one enters, one knows not where to marvel at first - the tall tower of bottles and bottles of expensive spirits? The Venetian-styled ceilings adorned with art? Or the old-fashioned elegance of the decor of the bar's very interior?

Service is impeccable, just as how one would expect it to be; personable and attentive. Ambiance was a godsend and menus consist mainly fine European cuisine curated by Executive Chef Daniele Sperindio.

For a starter, the Bretzel, Foie Gras, Beer (SGD$24.00) - baked bread with crusty edge eaten with buttery foie Gras that melted in the mouth. It certainly tantalized one to look forward to more.

A good meaty mains would be the Choucroute, Sauerkraut, Pork Charcuterie and Potatoes Gratin (SGD$30.00) served on a gorgeous marble plate. Let hints of smokiness and tenderness of flesh please the palate ever more.

If you are a pasta lover, give the Lobster and Champagne Risotto (SGD$39.00) a try - lapping up the foamy vinegar bubble and relishing every bite of the grainy rice soaked in divine goodness of lobster oil-infused broth.

Moving on to desserts, the Signature Atlas Madeleines (SGD$14.00) served with jam and Chantilly cream might be a good bang for buck, though I personally would have chosen the Griottines Cherry and Bitter Chocolate Souffle.

Finally, drinks for the meal. I enjoyed my French 25 Cocktail (SGD$25.00) with Orange Gin, Champagne, Lavender, Lemon and Honey- a plethora of aromas all in one drink.

And there's the Old-Fashioned Cocktail (SGD$22.00) strong with rum.

Overall dining experience here at Atlas Singapore was beautiful and very pleasant, and I cannot wait to return to try their handmade High Tea set soon.