Lou Lou French Cuisine & Wine Bar - Lured by the Floral Decor and Impressed with the Food and Friendly, Warm Service

I walk along Keong Saik Road often since I love the atmosphere and the restaurants here. Though I may not notice the new restaurants popping up here. With exception to Lou Lou French Cuisine & Wine Bar. The beautiful flowers and vines twirling around beams above the wooden high tables immediately caught my attention while I was strolling on the opposite side of the road. I googled search this restaurant–that was more a month ago–and found no reviews on it yet. Ah, a new restaurant! Should I take the plunge to try out the food here? I decided to trust my gut feelings and just go.

I'm immediately greeted by the friendly, easy-going staff when arriving at the wide entrance, decorated with pretty white chiffon curtains, that feels like an open concept restaurant. The interior has this cozy yet chic feel. It is like being ushered into a classic French private party in a vineyard.

The Charcoal Grilled Grill is very interesting in the sense that patrons can customise the dish by choosing the side and sauce. Quite unheard of in lots of French restaurants, and I absolutely love this concept. I'm definitely very happy with my choice of French Pilaf Onion Rice for side dish. The tasty fragrant rice is perfectly cooked to ensure the grains remain separate from each other and is yet super fluffy and light, thoroughly soaked with the broth it was cooked in.

The well-seasoned Grilled Pork Secreto is so juicy and flavourful, with a very thin layer of char to perk things up. Firm in texture but very easy to cut and bite. Savouring this is one of those few times where I have no problem finishing the whole slab of meat by myself. When paired with Garlic and Parlsey sauce, the pungent flavours really brings up the taste profile a notch. I highly recommend this dish. Maybe I can try this with white wine sauce next time.

Deconstructed Lemon & Meringue Pie looks so pretty. The taste really packs a punch, lots of lemons are added to the custard and sorbet. When eating these with the sweet cookie and meringue, the whole taste comes together well. I like it a lot but I do think more cookies added will be even better for more harmonious taste and varied texture.

Free Flow Frose has the kick of alcohol and the refreshing zest of real strawberry, perfect for summer.

It is so easy to feel very comfortable dining at this place due to its coziness, open concept and the great service. Raymond and his team are very warm, friendly, meticulous, always on the go and respond to requests fast. In fact, they look so cheerful that this cheerfulness rubs off the patrons. I'm really impressed.

While this is a new restaurant, the operations looks to be smooth and the food is really good. I'm glad I decided to be adventurous and found this gem. Definitely look forward to going back.

Thoughts: Delighted to be part of this "private party in the vineyard"

6 Keong Saik Road

Nearest MRT: Outram Park

Au Croissant - Time to be HDB Tai Tai

 It is now possible to enjoy some French pastries without going down to city area. Enter "Au Croissant" for us ladies to enjoy some high tea time as and when we like in a nearby vicinity.

The takeaway box is of French quaint style that really makes it a lovely gift.

Lots of variety of viennoiseries for choosing. And I decide to get ...

the Unique Lemon Cheese Croissant! It's not like one can see this flavour of croissant anywhere else, so I know I got to try it. I also like Lemon and Cheese anyway. This combination works. The buttery croissant actually tastes refreshing due to the lemon. I like this a lot. Freshly baked croissants are really different from those mass-produced types made with margarine.

What attracted me to go in to get a croissant to try is because 

1. I'm curious about croissants sold in heartlands

2. I'm attracted by the cute European style lamps dotted around the perimeter of the place.

These lamps really complete the tai tai's experience of having high tea.

This is quite a nice place to check out if one has cravings for croissants or to buy some pastries to give as gifts.

Thoughts: Croissants anytime now!

Link for locations

Angie’s Oyster Bar and Grill - The Feast is your Oyster

Okay, I get to know about Angie's Oyster Bar and Grill for the wrong reasons. You know, the latest news. And curious me of course have to take a look at the menu to see what this restaurant is all about. The "Oyster" in the name does play a part to entice me to do so. So the result of that curiosity is the post below.

The oysters, from France, Ireland and Australia, are so fresh and juicy. When paired with lemon and vinaigrette for the extra zest, they become refreshing bursts of myriad of flavours. I highly recommend to try all oysters on the menu because all have different taste profiles, taking one on a taste adventure. French Fine de Claire is light and refreshing, while Archill Irish is slightly more intense in taste plus the extra creaminess. Australian Tasmanian is briny and full of umami. French Tsarskaya, which is the grand finale of the tasting sequence, is the best of them all. Very meaty and full of the flavours of the ocean, its core release a burst of refreshing pure sweetness when biting into it. It is unbelievable.

Langoustine Nero Pasta is served in very generous portion. The four huge Argentinian red langoustine is packed with the sweetness of prawns, accentuated by the smokey flavour. The flesh is firm and good to bite. I suggest to add the lemon juice to them for a refreshing splash of zest to create a balance in flavours with the smokey flavour. And this is partly because there is too much char on the prawns, rendering them a bit too bitter. The spaghetti fully coated with squid ink is very flavourful too and has that iota of briny taste.

Truffle Mac and Cheese Petite is sized just right for tasting. I like the woody aroma of truffle that is a perfect match with the mushrooms and creamy cheese sauce. Though I do find it tending towards the side of saltiness. Will be great if they cut down on the amount of salt added.

The restaurant is very spacious and really exudes that idyllic vibe. It is like on board a yacht to get together to enjoy what the ocean has to offer. Service is great too. Very friendly, polite and they immediately respond when I look for help, it is like they are always on a lookout, even from the corner of their eyes. Definitely a plus point.

By the way, in case one is curious: there are actually lots of families with kids dining there. So I guess this is a kids' friendly place, in the case where the kids are accustomed to dining outside.

I totally love the oysters here. And Nero Pasta is good too. Definitely one of places that come to mind when I have craving for oysters.

Thoughts: Good time to go crazy on the oysters

313 Outram Road

Tan Boon Liat Building #02-01

Nearest MRT: Outram

Don Don Donki - I go Crazy Shopping here lol

After a recent change in lifestyle, I can now shop reins free! Well, sort of. And going to Don Don Donki simply awakens that shopaholic soul in me. So yes, while I go here with a see see look look attitude, I end up going crazy on the buying and just put whatever I like into the basket.

First mention is the Shine Muscat Grapes, the best grapes in the world! This grape is like the refreshing condensation of the sweetest fruity wine. Thin skin and no seed, it's perfection manifested in grape form. A must get if going to Don Don Donki.

The mini tomatoes are pretty sweet too and super juicy. So good that I can eat these as snacks.

The Emina Cheese Dessert is like pudding in triangular form. Very interesting and the taste is creamy and good.

Otafuku Okonomiyaki is delicious and authentic. Good to satisfy cravings for some omelettes packed with vegetables and some seafood. I like it that the sauce, bonito flakes and seaweed flakes are included.

My Star Deli Ebi Croquettes is one of my star buys of the day. The creamy prawn filling hidden within the fried mashed potato is a joy to eat since it is umami goodness.

This ramen smells so good and tastes great too. The broth is milder in flavour, not as salty and not as strong in pork taste, exactly how I like it. In fact, I finish the soup.

My Favourite Grocery shopping places!

Kumamon Cheesecake Snack

  

The lemon filling introduces that refreshing citrus zest and tangy taste to soft buttery cheese pastry dough. Like the Premium Blanc Strawberry Cheese, it wins over our tastebuds. Lemon fans will absolutely love this. But like the Premium Blanc Strawberry Cheese, the interior of the butter pastry dough is filled with half lemon filling and half air. Still worth a try though since it is yummy.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: https://shopee.sg/product/357041381/14622927241?smtt=0.147269227-1664351059.9

Premium Cheese Blanc Strawberry

 

Subtle cheese, sweet strawberry filling and soft buttery pastry dough, this is a combination to please all palates. Everyone who tries it, including yours truly of course, loves it. Though they could have been more generous in adding the strawberry filling into the pastry dough. Just divide the amount of filling you see on the picture on box into half, and that's the reality. This pastry will get 100 points from me if they are more generous with the filling.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: https://shopee.sg/product/357041381/21401384555?smtt=0.147269227-1664351014.9

Alice Boulangerie - Time to get pampered oneself with Croissants, Cakes, Pastries and Brunches!

A nice cafe specializing in croissants, plus the fact that these viennoiseries are made with French butter? Putting it in my wish list immediately!

And so I finally put a tick on my wish list when I have to take last minute leave for the morning. With some time to spare before going to office, I speed down to this cool cafe with a cute mascot; I really love the squirrel logo. It is pretty early in the morning, where majority of the shops in the vicinity are not opened yet, so the cakes are not out yet. It's okay, I still get to try out the croissants.

As much as I want to try the Lychee Raspberry Croissant, it is not available yet, so I opt for Chicken Mayonnaise Croissant instead. Tucking into this, in between sips of refreshing Au Naturale Orange Juice, is truly one of life's little enjoyments. The croissant is amazingly crispy and full of buttery goodness. So good that one can eat it on its own without even any butter. My loved ones are even finishing up the croissant crumbs when I got them the plain ones! Yes, it's that good. With a generous dollop of chicken mayonnaise stuffed in the croissant, it's even better. The chicken meat is thoroughly shredded to fine strands so that every part of it is thoroughly–yes, I use this adverb two times–coated with the rich, creamy mayonnaise. The texture of the chicken mayonnaise is in perfect harmony with the croissant. The sprinkle of paprika adds a hint of zest. I'm glad I ordered this, and to add it on, this is sold out by the time I leave the cafe, and the place is not even crowded yet at this time of the day, imagine that.

I'm no big fan of chocolate, so I usually avoid ordering anything chocolate. But I like to try out the sweet option of croissant here, so I got Pain Au Chocolate, the only sweet option available at the moment. This croissant took me by surprise by how good it is. I can easily finish it in an instant. The molten chocolate adds that decadent cocoa butter intensity to the croissant without overwhelming the delicate taste of croissant. The ratio of chocolate to dough is done just right. I will definitely order this again.

Update: Trying a new creation: Summer Cheese!

Lemony, refreshing, zesty, light yet also sweet, nutty, slightly salty and complex. This is the perfect dessert to have after a heavy meal. Lemon jelly and Cheese Mousse work so well together.

Lemon mocktail for more doses of refreshing taste.

The place is of minimalist, soothing theme, making it perfect for relaxing while enjoying good food. I like the little touches made around the place, like sights of the cute squirrel motif here and there, plus the cute acorn stickers on the table. The service of this tall young guy with short curly hair is excellent and thoughtful, to the point that I'm a bit surprised since it is above the standard of what I usually expects from cafes (I had been to many cafes, so I know. Lots of them are in the range of pretty efficient but super casual). From pulling out the chair for me, giving me complimentary glass of water without me asking for it, immediately stepping in to attend to me when his colleague at the counter is busy with other customers, I'm absolutely impressed.

By the way, the bag for Takeaway is so cute!

With excellent food, service and great ambience here, I'm all ready to go back again to try other items in the menu, like the Tiger Prawn Capellini, which looks promising, and the elusive Lychee Raspberry Croissant. Even if it is not available, I can always get Pain Au Chocolate instead lol

Thoughts: For that Tai Tai experience, or just enjoying the good things in life.

Update: Since the offerings here are too good, I immediately ordered takeaway from their online store. And the cakes arrive in perfectly pristine condition as if they are served straight from the cake counter. I'm really impressed. Highly recommended.

I love the beautiful florid design on this box. Ready to reveal the treasures inside ...

Lychee Raspberry Croissant (top right) really meets my expectations. The moment I pick it up, I catch whiffs of floral aroma of lychee. And the raspberry adds bits of tangy taste in the floral creamy goodness to spice things up.

Strawberry Cheese Croissant is definitely another favourite of mine. I love the creaminess of the cheese cream with that hint of saltiness and nutty flavour of cheese plus the strawberry jam.

Pistachio cream is pretty refreshing in taste that actually able to stand out amid the strong taste of chocolate in Pistachio Chocolate Croissant. A pretty interesting creation that works.

Peanut Butter Jelly Croissant is nice, but is not particularly memorable as compared to the other viennoiseries.

Ispahan is an absolutely beautiful creation. And the taste matches it. Rose and Lychee are match made in heaven due to their intense floral fragrances. I'm submerging in floral bliss when savouring this.

Mushroom is very interesting in taste due to Gula Melaka and pure coconut cream. The choux pastry adds a nice texture to this creation.

Truffle Mushroom Sausage is the one that took me by surprise on how good it is. I admit, my focus was on Lychee Raspberry Croissant, Strawberry Cheese Croissant and Isaphan. I ordered this for curiosity's sake. Thin laminated stretches of dough puffed up to hold the cheese peppered with the woody aroma of truffle, wholesome mushrooms and gratifying sausage pieces, I sure can eat more than one of this!

12 Gopeng St

Icon Village #01-05/11

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar