Cocoa Colony

I first saw Cocoa Colony at Shaw Centre but forgot to drop by for drinks and/or desserts after dinner. That is, until I saw it again at B1 of Great World City. Within That CD Shop, this is a chocolate (move over, coffee and tea) café inspired by the cocoa beans and chocolate cafés found in the Republic of Ecuador. Conceptualised by Singaporeans, the café chain started in Shanghai and opened its first local branch in December last year. It has since expanded its presence in Singapore from Shaw Centre to another 6 locations including 313@somerset, Suntec City and The Star Vista. According to the website, it offers avant-garde cocoa beverages, crafted chocolate bars and lava flowing hot chocolate sauce made from premium chocolate. Ordered one of the signature items from its menu – Cocoa Blanc Deluxe, a zesty white cocoa drink with a shot of espresso but found it too acidic and flat for my liking. Could neither smell and taste the espresso, nor enjoy the chocolate too.

Update: The branch at Great World City has closed.

Dolce Tokyo

After dinner, my dining companions and I were looking for another place to chill out when we chanced upon Dolce Tokyo. Opened by Ministry of Food, the Japanese-Italian café can be found on the 3rd floor of Bugis Junction and 313@Somerset. It was the latter that we visited, and ordered two desserts for sharing. Chocolate Brownie Grande, served in a stone bowl that reminded me of Korean bibimbap, had a scoop of smooth gelato on top of sweet and dense (but not overly so) brownie with caramelised banana cut lengthwise and sweet sliced strawberries as well as gyuuhi and marshmallows lightly-toasted so it had a nice charred aroma and melted in the mouth. We chose black sesame over vanilla, chocolate and the default-if-you-forgot-to-choose matcha for our gelato. Could not fault Abekawa Macha Zen – Hokkaido red bean paste with Japanese rice dumpling topped with Hokkaido green tea gelato and toasted mochi. Oh, and there are savoury items on the menu too.

Chabuton

Located at B2 of 313@somerset beside Saboten, Chabuton is opened by Michelin-starred chef Yasuji Morizum who was named "King of Ramen" by well-known Japanese program TV Champion in 2002. With presence in Japan and Thailand, it was the first ramen eatery ever to be awarded Michelin star. Decked out in neutral colours and lots of wood, the décor was typical of most Japanese restaurants. Lunch sets include small portions of ramen with a side dish and a dessert. My choice was its signature Chabuton Tonkotsu Ramen, Hitokuchi gyoza and konnyaku jelly. The rich and creamy broth was a tad oily and salty though I loved the springy thin noodles and tender melt-in-the-mouth chashu slice. While skin of gyoza was thin, it was not crispy enough and the filling was nothing to rave about. But the sweet grape and peach jelly was a perfect end to my meal.

New Kid on the Block – MK Restaurants

Even though Singapore is hot and humid all year round, the people here love gathering with family and friends around a hotpot where ingredients are boiled in broth. While this can be easily prepared at home, it did not stop many restaurants from joining the steamy (pun intended) scene. Other than Cantonese herbal and tongue-numbing Sichuan ma la steamboat, there are also Japanese shabu shabu or sukiyaki and Korean ginseng or kimchi hotpot. Local versions include bak kut teh and laksa among other soup bases offered at Jumbo Group's Jpot. The latter is also available at Laksania, which recently opened its 4th branch at Jem. And now there is Thai-style steamboat with the opening of MK Restaurants at B3 of 313@somerset where Cold Storage used to be. It opened in 2003 at Parkway Parade and Singapore Post Centre with a local franchisee that, according to a spokesman from the popular Thai steamboat chain, eventually had to "shift its focus back to its core business".

Brotzeit German Bier Bar and Restaurant

My dining companions and I were deciding between French, German and Japanese cuisine when one of them commented that he had not tried German food before. With that, we decided on Brotzeit – literally translated in German as "bread time", a typical Bavarian expression referring to a cosy meal complemented by fresh beer. According to its website, the German Bier Bar and Restaurant opened in 2006 and offers authentic Bavarian dishes with a wide selection of world-famous German beers all day long. In fact, all its beers are made using pure spring water according to time-honoured German beer-making traditions which respect the Purity Law of 1516. As I have been to both branches at Raffles City Shopping Centre and VivoCity (that leaves The Star Vista as the only I have not been to after this), I suggested visiting the one along Discovery Walk at 313@somerset beside JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar and opposite Oriole Café and Bar at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites.

JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar

Beer is big in Japan but the more commonly available ones in Singapore are Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo. For unique and hard-to-find brands from across Japan, look no further than JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar by the same people behind Oosters. Meaning "local beer" in Japanese, JiBiru serves an exhaustive list of fine Japanese handcrafted brews, many of which have won accolades around the world. In fact, Japan's increasingly famous artisanal beers are brewed using a wide range of styles including ingredients and processes traditionally seen in the making of sake or shochu as well as produce found local to the brewery. Right smack in the middle of Orchard Road yet away from the bustle, it sits along Discovery Walk at 313@somerset with other drinking holes like Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant and Malones Irish Restaurant and Bar. And opposite Oriole Café and Bar at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites.

Oriole Coffee

Avid coffee lover Keith Loh, who came in 1st at Singapore National Barista Championships (SNBC) in 2010, opened Oriole Coffee Roasters where coffee beans sourced from around the world are roasted. According to the website, its coffee operations are managed by John Ting who came in 1st at 2008's and 2009's SNBC. To enjoy the usual coffee beverages or Oriole specials such as double ristretto servings of Oriole espresso blend and some of their winning coffee creations, head to Oriole Café and Bar or Oriole Espresso and Brew Bar. Menus at both places differ with breakfast included in the latter, tucked away in a corner by the lift lobby on the 1st floor of Republic Plaza. It was bustling when I visited after lunch on a weekday and ordered a macchiato – could smell an aroma of roasted beans in the medium-bodied cuppa that was bitter, acidic and could not be salvaged by adding sugar.