Ippudo

Happened to be in the area when one of my dining companions suggested having dinner at Westgate's Ippudo, which I of course had no objections to since the Japanese restaurant is ranked as one of my top 3 bowls of ramen in Singapore. It was founded in 1985 by Shigemi Kawahara, the internationally-acclaimed Ramen King and CEO of Chikaranomoto Company. According to its website, there are more than 120 branches worldwide including 80 in Japan. The rest are located in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. Having eaten at Mandarin Gallery's and Mohamed Sultan's Ippudo, and preferring the former to the latter, I wanted to try at this branch. It was a weekday and we were there for dinner before the queues started. Ordered my usual Shiromaru Tamago – classic Hakata-style ramen in tonkotsu broth with flavoured egg, and chose medium hardness for the noodles over soft, hard and very hard.

Artisan Boulangerie Compagnie Revisited

A few months ago when I visited Artisan Boulangerie Compagnie at Killiney Road, only knew a second one was due to open in Great World City at the end of the year. It opened in October while the following month, another opened at The Metropolis. In December, two more opened at Asia Square Tower 2 and VivoCity. Looks like this French bakery led by award-winning baker Eran Mayer is set to stay. So how does it compare to Paul (also French), Japanese's Maison Kayser, Korean's Paris Baguette and local Tiong Bahru Bakery?

New Kid on the Block – La Cantine

Having tried &Made by Bruno Ménard, I just had to try La Cantine fronted by the same 3-Michelin starred chef at Asia Square. A week after the French restaurant officially opened on 18 Sep, it looked empty when I reached just before 6pm. With staff huddled over a discussion at a corner, I wondered if it was opened for business. As I stepped in, was asked if I had any reservations. I did not and was told the place was fully booked unless I did not mind sitting at the bar counter. Not the most ideal for dinner, I asked if I could be accommodated at a table reserved for 8pm as I would be done in an hour or so. Restaurant manager Emmanuel Costenoble was very kind to arrange that and offered me his namecard, saying that I should call him on his mobile for seats in future.