Party with the SG50 Jubilee Box (Out of the Cake Box)

Local flavours are such a tease in this Jubilee Box of sweets (SGD50) by Out of the Cake Box.  The lions had fun with Mr Business Times and Miss Drink-You-Dry trying out all the oddly familiar flavours and guessing those "mystery" ingredients that go into the box of toothsome treats. Like the traditional spiced pepper biscuits that make up the crusty base of the Avocado cheesecake, and the black sesame brittle covering a glob of marshmallow-y White Rabbit goodness in the chocolate cake. The Bo Bo Cha Cha (2 wafers given to eat it like an old school pushcart ice-cream) and Chendol Cakes were instantly recognisable and comforting, whereas the traditional taste of Kiam Sng Tee and Sng Buay brought back childhood memories albeit in the classier form of a macaron. 

Mr Business Times was impressed enough to tabao boxes of the East-meets-West financiers back home. If you're scratching your head at what to bring for your jubilee party happening during the long weekend holiday, you might want to grab a box as it makes for quite a talking point among friends and family.

Out of the Cake Box currently has a pop-up at the atrium of Orchard Central on top of their brick and mortar shop at Telok Blangah. Pardon the bad pictures, the lions were fighting a battle with the little cub and entertaining friends at the same time.

Out of the Cake Box

Block 45
Telok Blangah Drive

 #01-173

Singapore 100045

Slushy in a Cone @Coolplay Soft Serve

Don't know how popular this brand of soft serve ice-cream is back in its hometown of Kaohsiung, but their almost slushy-like soft serve consistency is definitely a winner during these balmy tropical days. A welcomed departure from the almost too milky Korean soft serves that have been trending lately. Oh, and for the narcissistic selfie generation, check out the props man... ...

Coolplay Soft Serve Singapore

Blk 85B
Lorong 4 Toa Payoh

# 01-332B

Singapore 312085

Beeramisu @Little Island Brewery

The lions were hunting down a lovely Beeramisu - an Imperial Stout soaked sponge cake with mascarpone, coconut sugar and cocoa... ....mmmmm - and were happily lost in hearty slabs of wood smoked meats and craft brews as a result. The cool quotient: pay as you pour. Top up a pre-paid card and head for the DIY Drink Command system that doles out the choice golden nectar as you pull a tap. The lions don't really fancy themselves as bartenders but what great fun. You take sample licks before committing to a pint you really love. The lions had the easy-drinking Adnams Ghost Ship Pale Ale and the light and refreshing Siren Craft Half Mast QIPA. There's still a 2-month wait though to the real deal: house crafted brews housed in those snazzy copper vats.

If you ask the lions, the main star is the hearty, delish grub dished out in generous portions at really pocket friendly prices. Go for the slow-cooked Berkshire Beer Belly Porcetta marinated in coffee with poached eggs and house made beans (only $12!) and the 15-hour smoked Cape Grim Brisket with Memphis Slaw ($13). Oh yeah! Remember to check out the surprisingly awesome Singlong (proudly made in the Lion City) bottled black pepper sauce on the table - spicy, piquant and addictive.

It was still a pretty quiet and languid affair at this airy 5000sqm space with its long communal tables. Once the word spreads, wethink it will be filled to the brim. Boo-hoo. And for judgmental folks (ahem... ...), don't worry, the Lion will teach the little cub to drink responsibly when he comes of age.

Little Island Brewery
6 Changi Village Road

#01-01/02

Singapore 509907

Asian Fusion Sushi Rolls @Rollie Olie

This joint epitomises what the lions deem "simple things done fabulously well". The humble sushi roll is elevated to pure epicurean pleasure here. What an explosion of flavours in a bite! There is some understated ingenuity going on at Rollie Olie. 

The lions went for the Heat Wave: a sublime marriage of spicy tuna, avocado and pepper grass. And the Dos Amigos: a balanced interplay of grilled eel, cream cheese, tempura crunch and red roe. Portions are generous, so a dish to 2 is possible with prices ranging from $12.95 to $16.95 per roll. The best part: the delectable range of homemade sauces available as accompaniments to the rolls. The lioness simply loved the Yuzu Mustard. 

Rollie Olie

The Star Vista

1 Vista Exchange Gree

#02-05

Singapore 138617

Ultraboy at Lepark

Brunch at Lepark ("relaxing" in a carpark, geddit?) with the cub was a quiet affair. Although the grub was straight-forward goodness, the miniscule signature platter at $40 was rather tough to swallow at such a price point. The rather "hipsterish" soda that they tried also seemed promising at first with its lesser known ingredient of lengkuas, but was sadly not punchy enough to leave an impression. They will be back for the Milo soft serve and the range of beers in cooler evenings. All in all, a very pretty rooftop venue. The lions were last here for Nong and Naiise's rustic pop-up event; now the indoor space is sorta transformed into what looks like a yesteryear school canteen.

Lepark

People's Park Complex

Level 6 (rooftop)

1 Park Road

Singapore 059108

Happy Grace Month @Brunches Cafe

Celebrating their little cub's "full moon" was a little too challenging for the sleep deprived parents, so the lions decided to mark their little cub's 5th month (representing "grace" in their church-going repertoire) instead with an intimate celebration among a small group of friends. They chose the vintage themed Brunches Cafe. 

The little cub was wearing his favourite Sesame Street tee and even though he was eyeing the delish food, he could only gulp down his usual choice of poison - milk. Home-made cream cheese chocolate jar cakes were baked by sweet Aunty Kat. And the take home verse was "Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous." (Joshua 1:9)

Brunches Cafe

96 Rangoon Road

Singapore 21838