THE HUNGER GAMES

{forever 21 tanktop, bubblegum shorts, charles&keith sandals, sm menswear scarf}

No, this entry isn't about the movie (which I've finally succumbed to watching, by the way). This is about the food hopping Sunday where the odds were ever so slightly in my partner in crime and I's favor. ;p

My friend, Nicole, shares my love for cozy cafes and eateries that serve delicious food. When she was based in Singapore, she'd always take us to places that were not only delightful to the mouth but also to the eye. One of the areas she said we should check out (but never got to) was Tiong Bahru. I've googled it several times, read reviews, and checked the map but it was only half a year later that I finally went.

The original plan was to start the food trip at Open Door Policy, but it turns out they had a closed door policy from 3pm-6pm.  Slightly disheartened, we crossed the street and went to PoTeaTo where I had the yummiest honey lemon tea ever. We also ordered the Buffalo Wings and Truffle Fries, because as luck would have it, brunch menu was over.

PoTeaTo. 78 Yong Siak St, Singapore 163078

After our first bistro, we checked out the quirky shops that lined the neighbourhood. We checked out Books Actually, which not only sells books but also random vintage paraphernalia like cassette tapes (oh my god, it's antique!). It's also home to a beautiful but rather fierce cat who wasn't shy in expressing its dislike when I touched its soft white fur.

Books Actually. 9 Yong Siak St, Singapore 168645 

Next stops was Strangelets, where I got a bit too excited and failed to take photos. Their vast collection of perfumes, soaps, and candles got me sniffing away, their tea sets got me ooh-ing at the pretty porcelain, and their amazeballs blocks slash puzzles got me tinkering like the curious kid I am.

Strangelets. 7 Yong Siak St, Singapore 168644 (photo from their Facebook account)

For the finale of our first ever Tiong Bahru excursion, we went to Drips. We were lured by the sign that says "We Specialize in Tarts" because a couple of days prior, I had a major tart letdown *sob*. Had the Raspberry Tart, which was okay, better than the letdown but still not quite right. The Iced Chocolate was really good too.

Drips. #01-05, 82 Tiong Poh Road, (S) 160082

We then went to town wherein we walked around, spent a good hour just frolicking through Kinokuniya, and had our dinner at the home of my favourite fruit tart, PAUL.

Paul.  #03-16A/17 Ngee Ann City Tower A 391A Orchard Road, Singapore 238873

My love affair with Paul started the moment their delicious hot chocolate touched my lips one very cold morning in Paris. But it is here in Singapore, on that very Sunday night, that our relationship reached an all-time high.  Mushroom Soup + Seafood Gratin + Fruit Tart = I'm in heaven. The Seafood Gratin was just so mindblowingly good and the fruit tart I've been craving for was the weekend's perfect gastronomic ending.

♥︎

PS- Planning on posting proper food reviews soon with the help of Mr. F&B Extraordinaire. Watch out for that!