04/01/17: Review - Out of The Cake Box

Yo! I know, it's been a long long while since I last wrote anything here on my Blogspot. Rather, I'm not exactly sure when I kinda lost the habit of writing long ramblings on my numerous Weebly blogs and Livejournals. Maybe it's something which comes naturally when you get older?

But, I decided that maybe I should pick up writing again after all. Takes my mind off the thoughts which I had pretty much suppressed and kinda just, refresh my system every once in a while for new thought processes to flow?

Things started to get pretty trying after the last week of December last year. Sinusitis wasn't exactly the type of New Year gift I'm expecting, but it was stuffed to me unceremoniously right on New Year's Eve. Totally not cool? Especially when my nose is stuffed halfway up to heaven and this infernal condition takes about a month or two to clear.

Although, it strikes pretty much at regular intervals of one or two years, pretty much depending on my luck actually.

Which was why I wasn't really surprised when my friend saw me last week and went, "Is it just me or you have lost abit of weight?"

I deliberately ate less solid foods and took more of liquids to reduce the chances of me getting choked on my own phlegm and saliva because the constant back drip of sinusitis is not exactly pretty in my honest opinion.

Also, in the light of recent events, it had made me take serious considerations on certain matters which had been in the back of my mind. They had put me through quite an exhausting bout of contemplation once, but once I came to terms with them, they were quite a-ok actually.

And because I came to terms with them, black and white is no longer a dominating factor, not even grey to be exact. To me, the term "absolute" is only synonymous to being stubborn for no apparent reason other than being stubborn.

But, to be flexible is one thing, to face attitude which was totally uncalled for is another. "Hate" is too strong a word and highly inaccurate in my case. It's more like an irritation which comes up like an instinct.

An irritation which strongly reminded me that maybe I might have waited far too long to give someone a piece of my mind.

Putting it aside for now on cold turkey since staring at it isn't going to yield miracles or any viable results, being someone as practical and a straight arrow as I am.

Recently, I saw an article on Daniel Food Diary on a new cake establishment at the spanking new Our Tampines Hub. To be honest, I got to know of Our Tampines Hub via the many Facebook tags on my friends' list but had not been there myself. So this is a first and my first impression? It's one hell of a sprawling and colossal complex.

As far as I could see, it was split into two wings on the inside, which could be pretty confusing to a first timer. It took me a fair bit of time before I managed to locate what I was looking for.

Though the wing which Out of The Cake Box was in was not exactly fully opened up yet, it was fairly easy to locate and hard to miss because of its warm and spacious counter, lined with rows upon rows of delectable cakes and pastries.

A die-hard matcha and yuzu fan, I just had to try their Matcha Yuzu Cheesecake ($6.50 per slice). The matcha is smooth with just the right touch of bitterness, where it is harmoniously off set by the fluffy cheesecake layer studded generously with yuzu peels and a crunchy biscuit layer for that extra bit of texture. It's exactly what I would call a wonderful experience which had worked its way marvellously into my heart and sweet tooth!

I'll definitely be going back for their Rose Lychee and Earl Grey Shortcake! Till then, praying that my sinusitis recovers sooner so that I could go back to working on my rifle commish. Hubs had forbade me to work on it for fear that the contact with sealants will only set to worsen my condition.

All about Food, Glorious Food (Part 2: Le Gateau Cafe)

Continuing on from the previous post, the other hideout which we have ferreted out - this time, a dessert place, is somewhere very close to home.

Hubs's home, literally.

We were out on our usual grocery shopping at the nearby NTUC in our neighbourhood when I spied this quaint little place with a simple outline of Paris's signature Eiffel Tower as the main focus of its logo.

"Le Gateau Cafe" - a waffles and ice-cream place which, as we can gather off their Facebook, seems like a relatively new establishment around the block. Their interior was of comfortable woody brown with cool greyish black as contrast. The floor is of wood-grain, which matches very well with the owner's taste for British culture and icons. On a pristine white table facing the door, signature paraphernalia from UK is displayed, along with the stencil of "London" emblazoned in bright cheery red on the nearby wall. It's heartening to see places of UK influences slowly gaining popularity on local soils, like Richmond Station at Bali Lane.

WOW Waffles + 1 scoop of I-Scream, S$7.50

Floral Tea - Rose, S$4

We'd always love a good waffle, so we just had to try out their WOW Waffles + 1 scoop of I-Scream set. Their plethora of ice-cream is decently varied, along with exotic flavors like the reddish blue combination of Bubblegum, the local favourite - orange with red beans Chendol and their signature D-24 durian ice-cream. There's also a pretty good range of syrups for you to choose from to go with your ice-cream and waffle.

For this visit, we picked their Hazelnut Rocher to go with our waffles, generously drizzled with caramel sauce (my fave haha!). Crunchy, fragrant with a hint of sweetness - their waffles are very well-done and not at all airy. Combined with the Hazelnut Rocher whose taste and texture is delightfully like the ice-cream version of the Ferror Rocher, this set is indeed a delicious homemade affair.

As the tea sets of fine china displayed neatly at their counter looks so quaint and elegant, we just had to order their floral tea. Kept warm with a tea candle, this rose tea is light but not lacking in its distinct fragrance and taste of rose. A simply harmonious and cleansing combination to round off a good afternoon tea session!

Waffles, ice-creams, handmade cakes and beverages are kept at comfortable ranges where it won't burnt a hole in your pocket. The set we ordered above comes up to an affordable $11.50 for two persons, so if you are in for a quiet afternoon of people-watching and perhaps bird-watching after, this is the place for you!

Le Gateau Cafe

154 Serangoon North Avenue 1

#01-390

(*Do take note that they are closed on every Mon)

https://www.facebook.com/Le-Gateau-Cafe-186720611664550/