Itacho Sushi

I like Itacho Sushi for its quality and mostly well-executed sushi. Although a tad expensive, and almost always having to wait for seats (no different from Sushi Tei, another Japanese restaurant I frequent for its variety and consistent standard). We visited the one at B3 of Ion Orchard, located between Nara Thai Cuisine and Wrap & Roll, for dinner on a weekend. Other branches can be found at Bedok Mall, Bugis Junction, Changi Airport, JCube, Plaza Singapura and The Star Vista. My dining companion ordered the roasted duck breast sushi and pork sushi not commonly found elsewhere as well as prawn sushi and mango roll. Having tried the whole sea eel sushi before and not particularly impressed with it, I went for a seasonal fish sushi, the scallop with roasted duck breast sushi and a sashimi platter. Also shared sautéed scallops with mushrooms and strips of cabbage, capsicum and carrots in black pepper sauce on hotplate. None of these fresh and succulent dishes disappoint.

Eat at Taipei

Many locals love travelling to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taiwan to eat and shop. As I am not a fan of tom yum soup, I prefer the special administrative region of the People's Republic of China to Thailand. And Taiwan would lie somewhere in between these two, for its cheap and mostly good street food as well as being a destination where I got to experience both the city and nature. With three branches in Singapore, Eat at Taipei brings to life Taiwanese distinctive and trendy street dining subculture by emulating the many fascinating characteristics of its night markets. Colourful signboards that characterise the contemporary capital combined with traditional back-to-basics dining of wooden tables and chairs to exude the buzz of nocturnal street food culture without the crowd, smell and noise. The first opened along the perimeter of JCube's ice skating rink, followed by the ones at Chinatown Point after its renovations and Raffles City Shopping Centre (not in sequential order).

Pique Nique

After a day of eating and shopping, my dining companion and I were more tired than hungry. It was time for dinner and we were in town where snaking queues were the norm for most restaurants. Pique Nique is no different most of the times I passed by the casual laid-back American eatery and whenever I went to buy its cookies in pretty boxes as gifts for friends. The branch at basement 1 of Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City where Mac Donald used to be and opposite Kentucky Fried Chicken has a setting inspired by the Central Park in New York City. While that at JCube is a blend of nature with SOHO living so customers can experience the outdoors in the comfort of indoor dining. I have tried the afternoon tea at JCube before and did not think much of its sweets and coffee. As such, I ordered a Big Breakfast during my 1st visit to the one at Takashimaya.