Italian cuisine has always been one of my top three favorites, so I'm constantly on the lookout for restaurants that serve up real, home-style Italian food - without the sky-high prices. In a city like Singapore, where Italian restaurants are plentiful but often pricey, Limoncello Pizza & Grill at Robertson Quay stands out as a delightful exception.

As a pizza lover, the Limoncello Pizza was an immediate standout. The dough transported me straight back to Italy- it had that perfect chewiness and ideal thickness. Not too thin to be crispy throughout, and not too thick to feel doughy. It strikes a beautiful balance, just like the pizzas I’ve enjoyed in Milan and Rome.

Despite the challenging market for local food establishments in Singapore, it's refreshing to see new food specialties making their way to our shores. One of the latest arrivals creating a buzz is Standard Bun, a popular Korean brand known for its unique and indulgent filled buns. They’ve recently launched a pop-up store at Suntec City, running from June 4 to August 3, to test the waters of Singapore's vibrant food scene. 

What’s in the Box?

Standard Bun offers a tempting variety of flavors, and I grabbed a box of 8 distinct buns to sample:

• Salt Mocha Bun
• Coconut Bun
• Red Velvet Cookie Bun
• Earl Grey Cream Bun
• Matcha Cookie Bun
• Milk Cream Bun
• Melon Cream Bun
• Potato Cheese Bun

Each bun is handmade with a soft, chewy base and generously filled with flavored creams or toppings - an indulgence that promises both variety and excitement.

Top Flavors Worth the Hype

Both of these offered unexpected delight. The Melon Cream Bun burst with fruity freshness, while the Earl Grey Cream Bun had a refined citrusy aroma that lingered from first bite to finish — ideal for tea lovers seeking a twist in their treats.

While most of Standard Bun’s flavors lean sweet, they do venture into savory territory. The Potato Cheese Bun was surprisingly enjoyable — creamy, cheesy, and rich with a pleasant lingering aftertaste. However, the base dough seems more naturally suited to sweet flavor profiles, making the savory offerings feel a bit selective and polarizing. 

Standard Bun brings a welcome and whimsical addition to Singapore’s bakery scene. While not every bun is a knockout, the overall experience — from variety to novelty to presentation — is undeniably fun. If you're curious or just in the mood to treat yourself, this pop-up is worth checking out before it disappears in August.

If you're searching for the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a special celebration, OSO Ristorante delivers an unforgettable dining experience that checks all the right boxes. My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary there, and from ambiance to service to every bite of food, the evening was nothing short of wonderful.

Serene, Classic and Romantic Vibes

OSO Ristorante is perched on the 27th floor of Oasia Hotel Downtown, offering an elevated dining experience - both literally and figuratively. From the moment you arrive, the serene and classic ambiance sets the tone for a timeless evening. Dim lighting adds a touch of romance without being overly formal, while the quiet, refined atmosphere makes it ideal for intimate conversations. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a quiet night out, OSO provides a peaceful, upscale escape in the heart of the city.

Cordial and Attentive Service

The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive throughout our dinner. They were happy to answer questions about the menu and offered thoughtful recommendations based on our preferences. We appreciated how accommodating they were with our requests - never intrusive, but always nearby when we needed something.

A Taste of Italy: Dishes We Loved

The menu at OSO Ristorante is rooted in authentic Italian flavors, and every dish we tried was beautifully presented and full of depth.

• Fritto - a starter of Sicilian-style deep-fried baby calamari served with creamy mayonnaise. Perfectly crispy and not greasy, it set the tone for the meal with its simple, satisfying flavor.

  
  
  

• Rigatoni with 48-Hour Braised Beef Bolognese Ragout - this dish was rich and comforting. The slow-cooked beef melted into the sauce, coating the rigatoni with a robust, hearty flavor that was incredibly satisfying.

  
  
  

• Filleto (250g Beef Tenderloin) served with Black Truffle Purée and Green Asparagus - the tenderloin was cooked to perfection even if I opted for a medium-well doneness. The truffle added an earthy complexity, while the asparagus brought a nice freshness to balance the richness.

  
  
  

• Tiramisu - light, airy, and just sweet enough to end the meal on a high note. A classic done right.
  

We recently celebrated a very special occasion - our son's graduation - with dinner at Carnaby, a British-inspired restaurant nestled in Robertson Quay, Singapore. He picked the spot himself, drawn by the promise of authentic English fare and a reputation for good music. While I went in with no expectations, I left thoroughly impressed and eager to return. 

First Impressions: Casual Vibe, Serious Food
Carnaby has a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere - think more modern bistro than formal fine dining - but don't let that fool you. The menu tells another story. It's packed with thoughtfully crafted British classics, some with creative twists, and everything sounded so appealing that choosing just a few dishes was a challenge. 

What We Ordered & Loved

• Welsh Rarebit of Westcombe Cheddar with Melted Leeks on Beef Fat Toasted Sourdough ($18) - a rich, savory starter that balanced indulgence with flavor complexity. The beef fat-soaked sourdough gave it an elevated, rustic touch.
  
  
  
• Smoky Fish Pie with Smoked Haddock, Golden Snapper, Leeks, Peas & Carrots ($30) - creamy, rich, and packed with flaky fish and veggies. A warm hug in pie form. 

  

  
  
• Roasted Rump of Angus Beef with Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Vegetables, Horseradish Cream & Gravy ($42) - a hearty, comforting plate done right. The beef was tender and flavorful, and the Yorkshire pudding was delightfully crisp yet fluffy. 

  

  
  
• Carnaby Burger (150g Beef Patty, Red Cheddar, Relish, Carnaby Mayo & Chips; $29) - juicy, satisfying, and perfectly seasoned. The Carnaby Mayo added a unique tang to it. 

  

  
  

Sticky Toffee Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream ($16) - a classic done exceptionally well - moist, warm and sweet without being cloying. A must order dessert, I can come back for more.  

There's something special about celebrating life's milestones with good food, a beautiful setting, and a warmth of family. For us, Spago by Wolfgang Puck - perched high above the city on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Tower 2 - has become a cherished destination for birthdays and special gatherings. We've returned time and again, and each visit only reaffirms why this restaurant holds a special place in our hearts. 

Most recently, we dined at Spago to celebrate our daughter's 19th birthday. from the outset, the service was as warm and polished as usual. The staff were cordial, thoughtful, and attentive without being intrusive - traits that make each visit feel personal and welcoming. 

Complementing this was a generous serving of a selection of free-flowing warm breads, which added a comforting, homey touch to the refined setting. 

For this celebratory dinner, we indulged in a well-curated selection of dishes:

Each dish felt thoughtfully prepared and well-composed. While everything we tried was enjoyable, the Iberico Pork Loin and Milk-Fed Veal Loin were clear standouts - both showcasing exceptional technique and bold, succulent, satisfying flavors. 

To top off the evening, we surprised our daughter with a specialty birthday cake from Origin + Bloom, Marina Bay Sand's in-house patisserie. What made it especially convenient is that the cake can be easily arranged through a request form provided when confirming your restaurant reservation. Once submitted, everything is handled seamlessly - the cake was delivered directly to Spago at our reserved time, perfectly presented for the occasion. The cake was affordable at $38 for a 500g size with generous servings of fresh berries for the flavor that we chose - Pistachio Charlotte. It was a delightful and memorable surprise that added a personal touch to our daughter's celebration. 

Why We Keep Coming Back

Location: Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 2, Level 57, Sands SkyPark

Operating Hours: Lunch 12:00pm - 02:00pm / Dinner 06:00pm - 09:30 pm (Sun-Thu); 06:00pm - 10:00pm (Fri & Sat)|

The restaurant has a policy for entry, corkage, cake and dress code - check before coming

What Worked: The Pasta and Salad

Let’s start with the positives. The pasta was genuinely good - beautifully cooked, with well-balanced sauces that showcased the kind of finesse you’d expect from a restaurant of this caliber. Another standout was the Caesar salad, which might sound simple, but here it was executed to near perfection: crisp, fresh, and packed with flavor without being overpowering. It’s one of those dishes you don’t expect to remember, yet it lingered for all the right reasons.

What Didn't: The Pizza and Desserts

On the other hand, the pizza left much to be desired. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it lacked the wow factor - something you’d expect from a place that prides itself on culinary artistry. In fact, there are several other Italian spots in town that do pizza better, both in terms of crust and overall flavor.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the dessert. We ordered what were recommended as best-sellers, hoping to end the meal on a high note. Instead, they felt uninspired and underwhelming - a letdown that’s hard to ignore, especially given how much thought usually goes into finishing a meal strong at a high-end restaurant. The Sticky Toffee Pudding was surprisingly dry - missing the rich, moist decadence that makes the dish a crowd favorite elsewhere. The Devil’s Food Cake also failed to impress, with an ordinary texture and none of the deep, indulgent chocolate intensity the name promises. I expected the Devil’s Food Cake to be a showstopper - rich, indulgent, and deeply chocolatey. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of the evening. The cake was overtly bitter, lacking the lush, velvety sweetness you’d normally associate with a well-executed chocolate dessert.

Instead of that satisfying balance between deep cocoa flavor and a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, this version leaned too far into sharp bitterness - without the creaminess or complexity to round it out. What should have been a decadent end to the meal felt more like an unpolished attempt at sophistication, missing the mark entirely. For a restaurant of this caliber, these were shockingly underwhelming finishes. 

The Price vs The Experience

With premium pricing comes a certain level of expectation - not just for quality food, but for an overall experience that feels worth it. Unfortunately, Osteria Mozza didn’t quite deliver on that front. While there were moments of enjoyment, they weren’t consistent enough to justify the cost. For what we spent, I expected more across the board: more memorable flavors, more consistency, and frankly, more value.

Would I return? Honestly, not likely. With so many excellent Italian dining options out there - many of which are more affordable and more consistent - Osteria Mozza feels like a splurge that doesn’t quite earn its price tag. It’s a shame, given the reputation and pedigree behind it. Here’s hoping it was just an off night, but for now, I won’t be coming back for a second round.

If there's one thing that's hard to resist, it's a dessert that dares to be different - and Chewy Junior definitely ticks the box. Somewhere between a cream puff and a donut-mochi like texture, these chewy little pastries offer a one-of-a-kind snacking experience that's as fun to eat as it is to look at. 

The first thing that hits you is how cute and colorful they are. Each puff is slightly golden, beautifully topped with shiny glazes, whipped cream, chocolate drizzles, nuts, or chocolate chips and sprinkles. They're not too big nor too small - just the right size to satisfy a craving without going into sugar overload. 

Texture Talk: The "Chewy" in Chewy Junior

So, what makes them special? The texture. It's not quite a donut and not quite the ordinary cream puff either. Instead, it's this unique, bouncy choux pastry that feels almost mochi-like. When you bite in, there's a crispy crunch on the outside followed by a satisfyingly chewy center. It's unexpected - but in the best way. 

Flavor Adventures: 

One of the exciting things about Chewy Junior is the sheer variety of cream puff flavors available ranging from classic strawberry and cream to bold matcha, rich chocolate, and even seasonal or local specialties. There’s truly something for every palate. With so many unique flavors to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one! It makes every visit feel like a new experience. Chewy Junior prides itself on offering over 30 different flavors of cream puffs, making it a true haven for dessert lovers. Whether you’re into classic choices or more adventurous picks, there’s always something new to try. This wide variety not only keeps things exciting but also makes Chewy Junior perfect for group sharing or repeat visits - there’s always a new favorite waiting to be discovered. When it comes to the cream filling, it's generous without being overwhelming. 

Final Thoughts: