Nothing like a big bowl of sashimi to make you smile. Affordable too!

When your cell group tells you they’re dining at #HamburgSteakKeisuke you jump into the car and get there just in time for the salad buffet 😂😂 Juicy as sin, stuffed with decadent cheese and served with a naughty splash of demi-glace - you’ll want to enjoy this bad boy on its own. Explains the sad strands of bean sprouts the pillowy burger sits on - it is the star. Be sure not to have the rice, it’s a waste of calories. Instead take your hamburg steak with a voracious helping of marinated bean sprouts, fresh omelettes from the live egg station (buttery, creamy and topped with bonito flakes), some potato salad and mentaiko pasta. For a cheese-stuffed Hamburg steak with a free-flow buffet of salad and sides, complete with drink, it’s about $22 net. Without cheese, you’re looking st about $20. #worthit

Can’t get enough of the insanely delish starter from Bread Street Kitchen’s festive menu! Giant portobellos stuffed with brie, cranberry compote and walnuts. Each juicy bite was a taste of Christmas— gooey brie grasping you within its tender embrace, warming you up with its nutty portobello flavours and walnut sprinkles before showering you with sweet sweet cranberry love. Ahhhhh a harmonious blend difficult to replicate (trust me, I tried) that only a true kitchen master and Christmas enthusiast could ever hope to accomplish. Teach me master! Or place it on your permanent menu! @bsksingapore

I think it’s hard to pick a favourite at Fat Lulu’s. Every dish had an element or two that made me sigh overly-passionate anime character-style. Drawn by the excellent reviews, I not-so-subtly suggested my husband pick the River Valley Road native for our anniversary. Robust flavours, cheekily named desserts, and hearty chunky meats make up the menu here. Even the vegetables have an edge to them. One of the stars of the night was the delectable Open-Faced Beef Ravioli (a special of the week that I say should be on the regular menu), a seductive saucer of pasta draped over a mountain of glistening beef and spinach, topped with a web of cheese. Intriguing upon first glance and alive with flavour. The layers of pasta mimic the subtle beauty of dumpling skin, smooth with a light bite, and thin enough not to distract from the filling. Luscious strands of fall-apart tender beef mixed with spinach sit swimming in thick gravy. Umami comes to mind as you take a bite, the warmth of beef stew and comfort of sinfully-delicious carbs the perfect foil against a chilly evening. The sprinkling of cheese is subtle, so subtle that it is neither complimentary nor contradictory, it exists in its unimportance, a mere decoration. You’ll be loath to share this, each bite leaving you with a growing selfishness that will have you growling through gritted teeth “Joey doesn’t share food!” - sorry husband, I know you wanted more hahaha #fatlulus

Payday! I spoilt myself with a $23 lunch at @hustlecosg. I thought that it might be absolute rubbish, cause you know, new cafe 🙄 but boy was I wrong! The portions were generous, the ingredients fresh, and the coffee, satisfying. The salmon had a crisp skin that neatly fell away when I slid the fork into the tender flakes of salmon. The gently salted, pan-fried sides hid a butter-soft centre that seemed to sigh with pleasure as I cut into it (or was that me? Bahaha). Carrying the dish was the pancake of rosti that, like every good carb, warmed me right up. Completing and lifting the dish was the dollop of dill crème fraîche and spoonful of salmon roe. The salmon roe, though a little small, were buoyant balls of flavour *sniggers* that were burst with every bite and gave the rosti a fun fusion twist. Will be back to try others!

Ain’t nothing like a Tandoori party! Celebrated a friend’s birthday with dinner at @zaffron_kitchen , the only place I go to (besides Samy’s) for superb Indian nosh. Butter chicken... dum briyani.. man the list is endless. Come find me if you’d like to share a delicious platter with me okay :D

Getting right down to it - let’s kick off the holidays with some bite-sized treats from @ollella_singapore ! They just opened a little outlet at the Takashimaya basement and they dish out mini versions of their full-sized chouquettes. Personally I prefer the full-sized ones, but these make a great on-the-go snack. At the moment I’m loving their Dark Chocolate (it’s topped with this gold-dusted biscotti crunchy clusters - so delicious), their ever refreshing apple cinnamon one (not pictured). The choux is always light and airy, sweet, with a little crunch. Part of their Christmas special, they also have mousse cakes (I got the reindeer one - coated in smooth caramel with pretzels for ears and to-die-for peanut butter filling and sponge. Unfortunately the pretzels were soggy) and super cute gingerbread macarons! I’m super picky about macarons and this one surprisingly met all expectations! The crisp shell had a chewy centre filled with amazing sticky chocolate ganache that toed the lie between sweet and bitter. It’s an extravagant cookie/macaron haha. But who am I to complain, anything to usher in Christmas! Anyways they’re so festive don’t you think? Like little ornaments for your table.

Beef most excellent! Found this hole-in-the-wall izakaya at Tanjong Pagar this week, and boy it brought me back to Japan. Chatter from the tables in the back, Chefs crammed cheerfully behind the counter, one grilling by the window, the delicious smells wafting over us. There was a sense of cosiness and familiarity here, mirrored in the lone warrior next to us - legs splayed open, sipping his sake and dining on thick slices of sashimi as he tugged his t-shirt over this belly. A thick finger gesticulating wildly for another bottle of sake to the chuckles of the staff who pat him on the back. It wasn't just the ambience though! The food brought to mind the verdant hills of Hakone - simple unassuming fare that didn't rely on gimmicks, just the freshest ingredients. It was Wagyu Week at the restaurant and they had a slew of beefy options. Look at the meats we ordered! The marbling! The sear around the edges! We dipped each slice into their homemade ponzu sauce, a citrusy tang that cut through the richness of the beef. Each slice of meat was soft and delicate, it's hard to describe its perfection. Also, the whole place was ridiculously affordable, $23 for the beef and $12 for bara chirashi don. Anyway, please don't visit. I don't want to have to queue for it. hahaha

On this gloomy Tuesday, I dream of sunshine, museum walks and icy-cold ice cream cookie sandwiches. When you're in the vicinity of the National Museum, drop by Food For Thought and grab an @icecreamcookieco's After Eight. It is by far my favourite cause the mint flavour isn't too strong, just a delicate tingle along your tongue that gives a light edge to the chewy chewy chocolate cookie. Also, cause the cookie is almost brownie-like, I can nibble on the ice cream and cookie without it crumbling all over me. Come back sunshine!! Come back weekends!

I don't know how to make a plateful of bee hoon, crab and sauce look sexy, but it looks plenty enticing to me! Very reluctant to share this with everyone, but #dismyshit! I absolutely adore the crab bee hoon from Long Ji Zi Char. The crab is always fragrant and fresh, cooked lovingly in a sweet porky broth that brims with flavour. It is absolutely, lip-smackingly, decadent - rich from crab, pork, herbs and long long hours of stewing away in some pot. The noodles have an intensity only achieved through wok hei - a heady fragrance that is tasted with every mouthful. It's like all the meaty joys of the world have been pulled into the springy, glassy noodles that delight with its texture, aroma and after taste. Not to be gross, but even your after burps taste damn good. Also, order the salted egg pumpkin. 😌 heaven.

Light of my life - a giant pineapple holding alcoholic lassi. Fro-lassi? So you've got the alcoholic buzz, the creamy, smoothie-like texture and a rush of flavours from the bartender's homemade lassi syrup (don't remember what was inside, but isn't that the point!) @flyingmonkeysg is a must-visit for those who love rich Indian food, prefer to eat tapas-sized bites and adore a fun, boozy night out. 10/10 will be back here.

You know it's really good when you can't stop thinking about it days after eating the dish. Like this amaze-balls chicken katsu set I had for lunch at the Japanese store next to my office. It's simple, $14 gives you rice, a side dish, miso soup, pickled radish and green tea. It's not one of those trendy Japanese places, but it's simple and authentic. The crisp batter neatly envelopes tender chicken meat, giving an explosive crunch that bursts with flavour especially with a dash of salty-sweet tonkatsu sauce. Balanced with the fresh cabbage, it makes for a rewarding lunch. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of its preparation - it takes real skill to whip up something as satisfying as this chicken katsu set. Thick, rich miso soup that bares the hours of prep that goes into it. Tender meat that has clearly been pounded into submission and lovingly breaded for that perfect bite. Even the side dish blooms with flavour despite its nondescript appearance. Service, as always, is polite, prompt and perfect. The Japanese owner is so professional and I feel this air of calm every time I dine there. No need to be pretentious, no need for fancy names, barely the need for words beyond saying thank you. If you work in my area, make this your go-to place for homely Japanese fare. #rakuraku #japanesefood