The Loft is one of the top gems we uncovered this year. It's close to Maxwell Food Market.  Obscured by Nanyang Old Coffee, it's easy to walk past without a second glance. (Protip!: Take a harder look at the window panes on the second floor.) In fact, Miss XS has to point it out to me three times before I finally cottoned on.   For such a hidden cafe, business is bustling, especially at 4pm on a weekday. Groups of university students...

There's nothing quite like walking down Orchard Road leisurely at night and enjoying the sights. While everybody seems to be finalising their purchases and thronging the bus stops, it feels nice to know that a comfortable bed is just a stone's throw away. Even if it's only for one night. ...

I haven't been so impressed by a Zi Char stall since my personal favourite West Coz Cafe. The wok hei of the Beef Hor Fun with Black Bean Sauce (S - $8) was one of the best I've had in Singapore, imparting every mouthful with a smoky depth that lingers. Cannot recommend more highly.  Also tops in our books: the Champagne Pork Ribs (S - $18). Despite 'small', but we still ended up with two generous slabs - one each. It was well-seasoned,...

An edible chocolate fondue? Ever since I watched this video by Ann Reardon, I could not get it out of my head. I mean, how brilliant is that? In fact, go ahead and click on the link. I'll wait.  I rarely go for recipes that have too many steps or seem too complicated. Call me lazy: I like recipes that can be done under an hour. But when I saw this recipe, I knew I had to give that a shot. Ann Reardon calls this a modern interpretation...

I remembered feeling a little uneasy when R and J broached the subject of renting apartments for our stay. It feels a little strange staying at a short-term rented house, especially in a rural area. What if it's a body-napping scheme? No one can hear us scream...  (Writing this, I realised in hindsight that I may have a streak of paranoia inside me, but it made sense in my head at the time.) Luckily, cooler heads than mine prevailed,...