The Lokal at Neil Road

The Lokal is the latest addition to the cafe scene in the Cantonment / Everton Park area. With a strong track record at its sister cafe - Sarnies at Telok Ayer Street - The Lokal is set to be the next big hit among the cafe-hopping enthusiasts.

The Lokal is situated in the shophouse at the corner of Neil Road and Bukit Pasoh. It is right next to Goethe-Institut Singapore, and near The Phantom Joker Escape. Perfect location for a cafe if you ask me - a healthy distance from the MRT station (Outram Park), a relatively quiet area plus there are many pretty historical architecture in the neighbourhood (the famous Dong Ya building which now houses Potato Head Folk is just a stone's throw away).

At The Lokal, breakfast is served from 8am to 1130am which lunch is served from 1130am to 3pm. The Lokal lunch menu consists of 4 sandwiches, 1 salad and 2 main courses. The Lokal prides themselves in offering comfort food that is made lovingly from scratch. Even the tiniest detail like butter and pickles are made by the chef from fresh ingredients.  Now, this is what we call passion and sincerity and we would definitely love to see more of these in the (almost saturated?) industry.

The Lokal uses coffee beans from their sister cafe, Sarnies. The coffee is handcrafted using a cool, super slick custom-built Slayer expresso machine. Apart from coffee, The Lokal also serves craft beers and ciders, as well as a selection of tea and homemade smoothies.

Apart from what is stated on the menus, do look out for the daily specials, dessert selection and happy hour promotions that are scribbled on the huge blackboard right behind the counter.

The Grilled Chicken Panini ($15) was such a feast on our eyes when it arrived. Set on a huge grainy wooden board, the sandwich was bursting with colours and oozing avocado and grilled chicken. There was a generous serving of pure avocado in the sandwich, and it was a little overpowering for us. The grilled chicken was nicely marinated and the panini was crisp and chewy.

We wondered where was the smoked mackerel and concluded that they must have ran out of it hence the two chunks of orangey smoked salmon ($22). The salmon was hot-smoked over cherry woodchips right at The Lokal itself, and we certainly could taste the sincerity and passion put into it. We could also identify the thought put into the creamy potato salad, and the perfectly toasted pita. Such an amazing combo!

The toastie of the day was mushroom, sundried tomatoes with parmesan and pesto sauce ($14). This was da bomb for me - best combination ever for a toast! There were generous portions of nicely sauteed mushrooms, with savoury sundried tomatoes nestled in between. The mushrooms and tomatoes were held together by a lovely blend of pesto and melted parmesan. I could eat this everyday!

The latte at The Lokal was very much to my liking. It was smooth, creamy with a nutty aftertaste. There are options to upsize the coffee to medium (+$1) or large (+$2), and I would definitely go for a bigger portion the next time we visit.

We settled for the Pear and Almond Tart with Ice Cream ($12) for dessert. While the vanilla ice-cream and pastry was lip-smacking, the caramelised pear was a little tough and bland. We felt that the price was also a tad steep for the size of the tart.

We certainly enjoyed the wholesome and hearty food at The Lokal, and the awesome laid-back atmosphere of the cafe. It is by far one of my favourite cafes, and I would definitely return to spend an indefinite amount of time lounging on one of the cushioned seats. Did I mention that they also have free wifi and electric sockets? And as if the level of awesomeness is not high enough, The Lokal will also be offering a dinner menu and extended dining hours come end July. Now, don't miss out.

SINGAPORE FOOD BLOG REVIEW BY KUMORY

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

The Lokal

136 Neil Road Singapore

8am to 6pm (Mon to Fri, kitchen closes at 330pm)

10am to 4pm (Sat & Sun)

Bangkok - Talad Rot Fai / Train Night Market at Udom Suk

We have officially found the best market in Bangkok. No, this is not the popular Chatuchak Market. This is Talad Rot Fai, or in english, Railway Train Market. Unlike Chatuchak, Talad Rodfai is only opened in the evenings, from 5pm onwards until midnight during the weekends. The absence of the sweltering heat and narrow alleys makes the shopping here at Talad Rodfai so much more enjoyable.

The Talad Rot Fai Train Night Market is around 20km away from downtown Siam, but it was definitely worth every ounce of our effort. The simplest way to get to Talad Rot Fai is to take the BTS to Udom Suk station. The BTS ride from Siam to Udom Suk took around 20 minutes, and cost THB 50. After alighting at Udom Suk, take the exit on the left and hop on to a taxi. Many taxi drivers are not aware of this night market, so the landmark to tell them is 'Seacon Square'. Seacon Square is a sprawling shopping mall and the Train Market is located right behind it. The taxi ride took another 20 minutes and cost THB 120. Follow the throngs of Thai youngsters/hipsters after you alight at Seacon Square, and you would surely find the big sign that indicates the entrance of the night market.

We fell in love with the night market the moment we stepped into Talad Rot Fai. We were greeted by totally rad and retro furnitures that filled every crack and cranny of the individual shops and even the walkways.

Talad Rot Fai is HUGE. Beyond the numerous stalls selling clothes and accessories, there is a dedicated section for vintage items. It was like a scene out of a junkyard - rusty lockers, leaking bathtubs, scratched tables - but it was this exact randomness and ruggedness that made the whole place very charming. We loved looking and peering into these shops, and wondered about the stories behind the items there.

Another section of Talad Rot Fai was like a huge car boot sale. Vendors were selling their wares straight out of their vehicles. Some were vintage sedans or SUVs, but many were the much coveted Volkswagen Kombi (to die for!). The vendors were mostly chilling by their cars like they would be chilling in their backyard- business or competition seem nowhere in their mind or written on their faces. They were talking or drinking with friends or fellow vendors, only stopping when an interested customer has a query. Totally loved the laid-back atmosphere!

There was also a gallery with a full collection of vintage items ranging from cars to bikes to musical instruments to even a confession booth. We thought it looked like it was part of the Universal Studios, or it could be the set for a hunt by Sam and Dean from Supernatural. It was totally mind-blowing to be seeing these vintage babies upclose.

Besides shopping and ogling at random vintage items, there were also many food options at Talad Rot Fai. There was a really cool bar/pub that was converted from a bus and blasting soft rock music from the 1980s. Totally chill. There were also old-school cafes selling drinks and retro knick-knacks. And of course, there were many many street food stalls here at the night market.

Talad Rot Fai is mainly frequented by the locals - we did not meet much foreigners (and that to us, was also a major plus point). There were minimal signs in English and most of the menus and boards were in Thai. However, the stallholders were able communicate in basic English so we could still find our way around.

We joined the queue at the Tom Yum Goong Noodles stall. Through charades and basic English, we ordered a bowl of mixed seafood with glass noodles. It was a huge bowl full of slices of fish, squid, clams, mussels and prawn (THB140). The seafood was fresh and the soup was very fragrant. Very hearty and comfy in the cool evening breeze.

We were attracted by the prettiness and neatness of this barbeque seafood stall. Signs were purely in Thai but the stallholder was able to tell us his offerings in basic English. Again, through charades and simple English, we got ourselves very yummy BBQ mussels and scallops.

The combination of 3 BBQ mussels and 3 BBW scallops cost THB 200. The mix of cheese, garlic and parsley on top of the shellfish were simply heavenly. The melted sauce was very savoury, and it very much complemented the freshness of the seafood. Simply lip-smacking!

Even the drink stall looked like it had been there since the 1980s. The tins of tea, ovaltine, milk, and the very brown coffee sock indicated the authenticity and passion of the drinks.

What I particularly like about drinks in Thailand is the huge heap of crushed ice that they use in their cold beverages. The tiny crystals of ice makes the drink more uniformly cold, and the coolness is able to last longer. The Thai Iced Coffee we had was a tad sweet, but hey, that's the spirit of Thai coffee right? The coffee was smooth and creamy, and left a slightly savoury aftertaste.

We thoroughly enjoyed the time at Talad Rodfai. The train night market exuded a charm that could not be replicated elsewhere - it takes many like-minded and creative people to put together a place that is authentic, vibrant and endearing. The Train Market will definitely be a permanent fixture on our Bangkok itinerary.

BANGKOK FOOD BLOG REVIEW BY KUMORY

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Talad Rot Fai/ Train Night Market

Soi 51 Srinakarin Srinakarin Rd

Nong Bon Prawet Bangkok

5pm to 12am (Fri to Sun)

Bangkok - Mango Tango at Siam Square

Mango Tango is located futher down from Som Tam Papaya Salad Restaurant, on the road perpendicular to the soi (streets) of Siam Square. The bright chandelier of made with yellow mangoes was very eye-catching, and to us it exemplified the creativity and artistic flair of the Thais.

The tiny space inside Mango Tango was bursting with neon lights, colourful wall murals and merchandises that scream creative hipster. We loved the vibe and vibrance that the dessert shop exuded. We got in straight after a downpour, and once again we found ourselves lucky that we could get a table without having to bear long queues that are usually seen here at Mango Tango.

As its name suggests, Mango Tango serves all things mango. They pride themselves in serving the best mangoes in Thailand. Everything on the menu looked so vibrant and yummy, but we noticed that they do come with a hefty price tag with prices averaging at THB 100. Mangoes are expensive ingredients afterall we do recognize, and we saved our judgement till we have tasted it.

We ordered a Mango Tango (THB 140), which is the perfect combination of mango pudding, mango ice-cream, fresh mango and sticky glutinous rice. Mango Tango certainly did not overpromise when they say they source for the best mangoes in Thailand. The fresh mango was bursting with flavour - it was so juicy and so so sweet. And of course, with the best ingredients, Mango Tango is able to make sensational desserts out of them. The mango pudding was packed with bits of fresh mangoes, and went really well with the creamy pudding. My favourite of them all was the mango icecream - it was like liquified mango that melted right away in my mouth, leaving behind a sweet, sweet fragrance. Sensational indeed!

This was indeed a perfect combination - heavenly in fact. Given the quality of the mangoes, and the passion that we could feel put into the mango desserts, we would say that Mango Tango is definitely worthy of the hefty price tag. Mango desserts of this quality would definitely cost much more elsewhere, and we were glad that we found Mango Tango in Bangkok.

BANGKOK FOOD BLOG REVIEW BY KUMORY

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Mango Tango

Soi 5 Siam Square

Siam Bangkok

10am to 10pm daily

Bangkok - Som Tam at Siam Square

We arrived in Bangkok in the afternoon and we were famished after checking in at Baiyoke Sky Hotel. It was around 4pm and we knew it was the best time to visit Som Tam. This popular restaurant at Siam Square is known for two things: its papaya salad and snaking queues. We want the yummy food without the long wait, so we immediately headed to Som Tam at Siam Square for an early dinner.

It was pre-dinner time but the restaurant was already almost to its full capacity, attesting its popularity. We were  ushered to a corner booth that could only fit two petite Asians. It provided us some privacy while the rest of the bistro-style restaurant were buzzing away. Som Tam's menu makes ordering very easy. Tantalising photos, English dish names, spiciness level and chef recommendations were all clearly presented on the menu.

The drinks served at Som Tam is from its sister brand - Yingdeaw Homemade. Besides beverages, Yingdeaw is cafe that also serves cakes and pastries and its located just right beside Som Tam. The Thai Iced milk tea from Yingdeaw was very fragrant, and the level of sweetness was just right for us. The milk tea was smooth and creamy, and leaves a trail of tea fragrance on our palette.

Though skeptical, Galen was an immediate convert after taking a first bite of the somtam with dried shrimp, thai pork sausage and crispy pork rind (THB 90). The crunchy papaya strips drenched in the zingy salad sauce was very refreshing. The crunchiness is further enhanced by the slight toughness of the dried shrimp, the very crispy pork skin and the well-roasted peanuts. It was like an explosion of flavour in our mouths. Very, very delightful.

Som Tam's fried chicken (THB 150) was a tad pricey but it was worth the price tag. The chicken was fried to perfection - the skin was crispy yet not oily, the meat was tender and juicy. The marination did not remain merely on the skin, but went deep into the flesh. We could taste the wonders of the fish sauce, an ingredient that is inextricable from Thai cuisine. The bits of fried garlic that topped the chicken off were also lip-smacking.

It started pouring outside and the Northeast style spicy soup with pork bone (THB 120) came at the right time. When the Thais in the Northeast says its spicy soup, do not take their words lightly. It was spicy. Yet, it was not spicy for the sake of being spicy. We could taste the fragrance of the pork broth, and the essence of the mix of spices. The soup was very hearty, but we did not really heart the chunks of pork that was in it. The essence of the pork must have all been boiled into the soup, leaving the meat rather hard and tasteless.

We find it strange that the Hot & Spicy Crispy Fried Nil Fish (THB 125) was actually cheaper than the fried chicken. We agreed that this is the most value-for-money dish. A whole fresh fish deep fried to a crisp, drenched in a firework of sauces and condiments. Very impressed that we were able to get such high quality at this price tag. Amazing!

It was a very cosy and hearty affair at Som Tam. We were so glad that we were able to enjoy the popular Northeasten Thai cuisine with hardly any wait and the food certainly live up to its fame and hype. We were definitely pleased to have such a stellar start to our Bangkok food trip. Highly recommended to all foodies heading to Bangkok!

BANGKOK FOOD BLOG REVIEW BY KUMORY

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Som Tam Papaya Salad Restaurant

392/14 Soi 5 Siam Square, Rama 1 Road

Siam Bangkok

1045am to 930pm daily

Restaurant Standard Food at Salute Coffeeshop at Bukit Merah Lane 1

Salute Coffeeshop is definitely not your typical kopitiam. Tables are wrapped in picnic blue graham cloths; stalls have beautiful menus; and most importantly, Salute is a haberdashery of world cuisine and gourmet food. Salute Coffeeshop is proud to serve food of restaurant standards at affordable prices of below $20. We were very excited to be part of the bustling scene on a Friday evening, and we picked our favourites amidst the wide offerings here.

French - Immanuel French Kitchen

The menu of Immanuel French Kitchen is pretty, simple and focused. We were immediately drawn to the red labels and unanimously decided on the french duck leg confit. Duck confit is very much the national dish of France, if you would put away the (gruesome) foie gras aside, and is the test that every French food place has to pass with nothing short of flying colours.

Indeed, the duck confit ($14.90) at Immanuel French Kitchen put us on cloud nine. The skin was cooked to a crisp, while the meat remained tender and soft in its own oil. The meat separated from the bone very easily, and melted right away in our mouths. The mash potatoes was a creamy blend of happiness and was nicely complemented by the braised cabbage.

☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Immanuel French Kitchen

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German - Stew Küche

Stew Küche, or Stew Kitchen, is hard to miss with its sprawling signboard across two shopfronts at Salute Coffeeshop. It serves German food, and a good selection of German craft beers. It also boasts a friendly fleet of staff that would help to arrange and secure seats for you at the coffeeshop with 170 seats.

The staff from Stew Kuche recommended the half pork knuckle ($15) for the two of us to share. We were told that the whole pork knuckle was more suitable for a party of four, and we thought if they had underestimated us (hah).

Boy, we were glad to have heed their advice. Though half, the pork knuckle was HUGE. The skin was deep fried to perfection- it was crackling very loudly in our mouths. In contrast, the meat remained juicy and moist. I absolutely loved the whipped potato that came with the pork knuckle - there were huge chunks of potatoes and held together with bits of onion and black pepper. Very, very hearty. There was also an interesting twist to the national German dish- achar is also served as a side. The sour and slightly spicy preserved vegetable gave an interesting blend and texture to the pork too.

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Stew Kuche

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Fushion - Mian

Mian, which has a mobile food truck called the travelling cow selling ramen burgers, had also settled down at Salute Coffeeshop. The menu of Mian is not for the unadventurous or faint-hearted. They challenge conventions and the curious.

The seafood laksa linguine ($12) boost a spicy and creamy homemade sauce that tasted like a cross between traditional laksa gravy and tomyum soup. There were generous portions of shrimps, sotong and fishcake, and the best part was the crabmeat salad that topped it all off. This dish may get a little gelat after a while given its thick sauce, so it is best to share.

However, the truffle fries (add $1 with every main course) at Mian was nothing out of the ordinary. We would have loved the fries to be crispier, and the taste of the truffle to be stronger.

☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Mian

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Belgian - Seasalt

If you love the concept of Brussels Sprouts at Boat Quay, Seasalt tries to be the counterpart in this coffeeshop. Seasalt offers seafood in a pot, served in a variety of sauces and with french loaf as a staple.

We ordered mussels in white wine (vino, $14) but we could not fathom where the white wine went. It was neither in the sauce, nor in the mussels themselves. Perhaps we had the taste (standard) of Brussels Sprouts in mind, and Seasalt fell short of our expectations. In fact, it fell flat. The mussels were pretty small, and more thought could have been placed in the taste of the sauce. This dish was ordinary, and needed a bit more work.

☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Seasalt

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Unlike conventional kopitiams, there is no drinks stall at Salute Coffeeshop. But fret not, drinks selection include craft beers from Stew Küche or bubble tea from Eskimo. Things are really done differently here at this new age coffeeshop.

Another stall worth mentioning at Salute Coffeeshop is Two Wings. The recipe of the chicken wings served at Two Wings is claimed to be the same as the once famous Carona Chicken Rice that was at one point in all major foodcourts around the island. We would be back at Salute soon, and would definitely give Two Wings a try the next time round.

It is heartening to see these young entrepreneurs putting their passion and heart into the F&B industry, and to have them all come together at a single location that exudes such vibrancy and energy. You have to experience Salute Coffeeshop for yourself - now.

SINGAPORE FOOD BLOG REVIEW BY KUMORY

☁☁☁☁☁/☁☁☁☁☁

Salute Coffeeshop

Blk 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1

Opening times vary from stall to stall