Friendly Service Crew & Delectable Dessert at Maison Ikkoku

A winning formula for a cafe is great coffee + friendly customer service + awesome food & dessert. Maison Ikkoku located near the Sultan mosque nailed all three and I especially love the small alfresco area with enough fans to beat the humid weather!

Artichoke Cafe - Not your usual brunch cafe

Really respect their attitude and passion to whip up awesome food for customers without conforming to the norm. Way to go, Artichoke. :)

Coffee was smooth, fragrant and we even takeaway 2 cuppas after our meal.

"dirty fries" with various condiments (pickles, tomatoes, mayo and salsa) is a must to start your stomach.

(in order of appearance)
Soft scrambled eggs with local organic mushrooms + grilled haloumi cheese + za'atar bread/
Bacon & Sweet potato hash - Sunny side-up + Fresh rocket + Turkish toast + bourbon butter/
Mezze Platter - A lil of everything on that day's menu/
Overdoughs' Snickers Tart + Roasted Banana muffin -

Thanks to Doris for the recommendation! Else we will not have walked into this cafe that we passed by so many times before! I love the laid-back atmosphere and the friendly servers who gave really awesome recommendations.

Artichoke Cafe & Bar
161 middle road, Sculpture Square
Tel: 6336 6949

Operating hours: 
Tues to Fri- dinner hours 
Sat- brunch & dinner (close at 4pm and open at 6pm again)
Sun- brunch

Artichoke Cafe & Bar Website

Artichoke Cafe & Bar FB

Jai Thai @ Purvis

Whenever I feel like having comfort food when I'm at Cityhall/Dhoby/Bugis area, Jai Thai restaurant will immediately be my top choice. For $6.80+ a set with main course plus drink plus a small dessert, I would say it's one of the most affordable Thai food in town area.

Tom yam (clear soup) glass noodles

Don't be deceived by the clear, innocent-looking clear soup. The spiciness kicked in after a few spoonfuls but the spice and zest is just right! I still wonder how the Thais make clear tom yum soup without the chili paste. Hmm, shall explore it one day.

Beef noodles

I love love love Jai Thai's beef noodles. The beef broth is sweet, flavourful and not too salty - perfect with the glass noodles. And the beef is oh-so-tender that doesn't give you a toothache which really leaves me wanting more and more!

Deep-fried sample platter (fried beancurd, fish cakes and spring rolls), $7

Due to the chilly weather, we decided to order this sinful plate of goodness to keep warm (excuses, I know). Everything here were fried to perfection, fresh and crisp. But nothing that will blow your mind lah.

The only thing I don't really like is the non-thai servers in the restaurant. The way they talk and answer your questions just make me feel like they couldn't be bothered to retain customers. However, for the price and just-right portions of the food, it's definitely a place I'll go again and again. Just hope that they will up their service level.

Jai Thai
27 Purvis Street
#01-01 An Chuan Building
Singapore 188604
Jai Thai website

(It's opposite National Library, walk towards the alley when you spot Maybank)