“This acai bowl – with coconut water, strawberries, banana and almond butter – is great for a post-holiday cleanse. It is refreshing and, more importantly, not too sweet. The housemade almond butter is delicious and gives it a slight savoury note.” – Ms Karen Tan, 34, senior social media manager

Instagram: @renztan

Get it from: Coocaca, 01-03 Orchard Building, 1 Grange Road; open: 11am to 9pm daily; tel: 8511-9923, go to www.coocaca.sg or e-mail hola@coocaca.sg

Price: $12.50

“The crispy ondeh ondeh waffle is warm and sweet, while the vanilla soft-serve ice cream, which has a tinge of charcoal, is smooth and creamy. A perfect pairing.” – Ms Ooi Fang Yu, 28, public servant

Instagram: @baktokyeow

Get it from: The Cold Pantry, 01-01, 88 Rangoon Road; open: 4 to 10pm (weekdays), noon to 10pm (weekends); go to www.facebook.com/thecoldpantry or e-mail thecoldpantry@gmail.com

Price: $13

“I enjoyed the shepherd’s pie at Common Chefs, which is made with juicy minced pork, caramelised onions and sauteed mushrooms. It is topped with a tasty layer of mashed potato, then sprinkled with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese before it is baked to perfection. This is rather uncommon because a traditional shepherd’s pie is usually made from minced lamb and has no mozzarella cheese.” – Ms Maya Lee, 32, freelance food writer and photographer

Instagram: @qinlovesmacaronsss

Get it from: Common Chefs, 01-13, 8 Jalan Legundi; open: noon to 10pm (Tuesdays to Fridays), 11.30am to 10.30pm (weekends), closed on Mondays; tel: 6659-1208, www.commonchefssg.com

Price: $15

“Paper thosai as long as the length of my arm, from the legendary Komala Vilas in Little India. The thosai was crisp and slightly tangy, while the array of vegetable side dishes and chutneys were full of flavour. Divine.” – Ms Mira Bi, 23, student

Instagram: @gofindmira

Get it from: Komala Vilas, three outlets – 76-78 Serangoon Road, open: 7am to 10.30pm daily, tel: 6293-6980; 12-14 Buffalo Road, open: 8am to 10.30pm daily, tel: 6293-3664; and 24-26 Race Course Road, open: 11am to 10pm daily, tel: 6341-5435; komalavilas.com.sg

Price: $8.50

“The Osso Buco al Vino Rosso here was one of my favourites among the dishes I tried. The tender veal shank was braised perfectly in shiraz jus and mushroom ragout. The flavourful pairing of the roasted veal bone marrow with sea salt and thyme completed this hearty meal.” – Mr Goh Liang Yu, 22, freelance food photographer

Instagram: @spadely

Get it from: Vineyard at HortPark, 02-02 Hort Park, 33 Hyderabad Road; open: noon to 3pm (weekdays), 11am to 3pm (weekends), 6 to 10pm daily; tel: 6479-7977, www.vineyardhortpark.com.sg

Price: $26

This story first appeared on www.straitstimes.com

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