Rebecca Lynne Tan Food Correspondent recommends

Venchi's decadent gelato, Lo Chan Kee's springy wonton noodles and more

Venchi gelato is available at Venchi, Takashimaya Food Hall, World Confectionery, Basement 2, 391 Orchard Road; and at Le Chocolatier, Robinsons at The Heeren, Basement 1, 260 Orchard Road PHOTOS: LOOF, THE LO & BEHOLD GROUP, VENCHI, PLENTYFULL, REBECCA LYNNE TAN

DECADENT GELATO

Venchi is one of those fairly mainstream Italian chocolate brands that I can never resist.

Its dark, milk and hazelnut chocolates are heaven in a bite.

The brand's gelato, available at Takashimaya Food Hall and Robinsons at The Heeren, is also top-notch. Smooth and creamy, it is easily the best gelato in Orchard Road, from $6.90 a scoop.

For some decadent chocolate, opt for a scoop of Azteco, a rich and semi-sweet dark chocolate water-based sorbet. This probably has fewer calories too, which is what I like most about it.

If you like orangettes - dried candied orange dipped in dark chocolate - you'll love Venchi's Orange Chocolate, the perfect blend of deep citrus with the intense flavour of chocolate.

Other favourite flavours of mine include Giandujotto - perfect for those who like chocolate and hazelnut - and Brutto Ma Buono Nocciolato Al Latte, an elegant gelato with crunchy hazelnuts.

Each counter offers different flavours so check both out since they are only a two-minute walk from each other.

WHERE: Venchi gelato is available at Venchi, Takashimaya Food Hall, World Confectionery, Basement 2, 391 Orchard Road; and at Le Chocolatier, Robinsons at The Heeren, Basement 1, 260 Orchard Road MRT: Orchard/Somerset OPEN: Takashimaya: 10am to 9.30pm daily; Robinsons: 10.30am to 10pm daily INFO: www.facebook.com/venchi.sg


Waffle-cut fries with chilli crab dip ($15).

HEARTY BAR FOOD AT LOOF

Loof burst onto the scene in 2005 as one of Singapore's first roof-top bars.

It's gone through a few renovations and facelifts over the years. Last month, it also launched a new food menu in collaboration with Artichoke and Bird Bird chef Bjorn Shen.

He has taken Loof's bar food up a notch. Forget boring shoe-string fries. Now you can have crisp waffle-cut fries with a deliciously refreshing chilli crab dip that boasts a bit of extra zing ($15, photo).

The panchetta bacon lollipops ($16), with maple syrup and topped with nuts and herbs, are tender and sinfully addictive.

There are two versions of fried rice (from $16 a serving) for those who like their carbs, as well as a selection of burgers. Go for the Pork Chopper ($19), Hainanese-style pork chop with salted vegetable slaw, and the Loof Original Ramly ($23), with a juicy beef patty wrapped in a thin omelette.

Wash everything down with some new Asian-inspired cocktails.

WHERE: Loof, 03-07 Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Road MRT: City Hall OPEN: 5pm to 1am (Monday to Thursday), 5pm to 2am (Friday and Saturday), closed on Sunday TEL: 6337-9416 INFO: Go to www.loof.com.sg or e-mail loof@loof.com.sg


Grilled Kin Yan Farm Mushrooms ($18).

PLENTYFULL AT MILLENIA WALK

Plentyfull is a new 132-seat restaurant at Millenia Walk that also has a gourmet grocery section.

I love that the flavours here are a mish-mash of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian.

For lunch, it offers a range of main and side dishes which you can add to a base of greens, Israeli pearl cous cous or brown rice with quinoa (from $17).

Mains range from miso cod to Turkish baked chicken, while sides include sweet and tangy kimchi-macerated tomatoes, charred maple and bacon brussel sprouts, and corn with togarashi powder.

Come dinner time, the space turns into a full-service restaurant with offerings such as Miso Gratinated Aubergine ($16) and Grilled Kin Yan Farm Mushrooms ($18, photo).

WHERE: Plentyfull, 01-79 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard MRT: Promenade OPEN: 11.30am to 10.30pm daily TEL: 6493-2997 INFO: plentyfull.com


Lo Chan Kee's Cantonese-style wonton noodles ($3).

SPRINGY WONTON NOODLES

I was recently introduced to a Cantonese-style wonton noodle stall called Lo Chan Kee at Holland Drive Market & Food Centre.

And it lives up to expectations. The noodles ($3, photo) are springy until the last mouthful.

The chilli, while piquant and a beautiful orangey-red colour, does not overpower. The dish comes with a decent amount of leafy greens, char siew and handmade wonton.

Order a bowl of sui gao or prawn and pork dumpling soup ($3) to go with the noodles.

The dumplings have generous fillings, with chunks of prawn mixed with well-seasoned minced pork and wood-ear fungus, and boast good flavour and texture.

WHERE: Lo Chan Kee Cantonese Wanton Noodles, 02-23 Holland Drive Market & Food Centre, Block 44 Holland Drive MRT: Holland Village OPEN: 6am to 2pm, closed on Monday and Friday

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 07, 2016, with the headline Venchi's decadent gelato, Lo Chan Kee's springy wonton noodles and more. Subscribe