Hediard @ Tudor Court

Started in France as a small gourmet shop over 150 years ago, Hediard has grown into a global lifestyle gourmet brand with over 200 retailers and 20 boutiques worldwide. Located at the row of colonial-style shophouses in Tudor Court, Hediard’s cafe-boutique in Singapore is a symbol of Parisian chic with its black and white exterior and red and black interior tones.

Adding a touch of understated elegance is the consistent use of the red and black colour scheme across its monogrammed china-ware, furnishings and product packaging.

Always up for coffee, Hediard is officially my favourite cafe in Singapore at the moment to enjoy a nice cuppa. With a pretty comprehensive tea and coffee list, one can choose from the wide variety available and I found particularly interesting that the caffeine percentages of each different coffee bean origin is indicated.

L’Entrecote @ Duxton Hill

Nestled in a little corner of Duxton Hill, just a stone throw’s away from Flor Patisserie, is the relatively young Parisian steak and fries bistro L’Entrecote. With its bright red exterior, it could be spotted from far amongst the other eateries in the enclave of Duxton Hill.Unlike conventional restaurants, L’Entrecote advocates a no reservations policy which explains why we saw some groups starting dinner as early as six in hope of not having to wait for seats when the dinner crowd comes in.

Inspired by French steak frites bistros, the interior of the restaurant has the stark minimalist look to it. Maximizing the available area, the tables were sandwiched next to each other and the wait staff had to move a table out to allow diners to be seated.

db Bistro Moderne @ Marina Bay Sands

Enclosed within a stylized monochromatic exterior, db Bistro Moderne is French chef extraordinaire Daniel Bouloud’s first foray into the Singapore food scene. Less than a year old, db Bistro Moderne has already been making waves in the Singapore food scene making it onto many to-watch lists.

Its glossy white finishing with black paned windows were tres chic and screamed French. Stepping into the restaurant with its dimmed lighting and red, black and white colour scheme, it felt like entering one of those stylish cafes on the sidewalks of Paris. Like Mozza, the two wings were centred by a central reception area. With a bar area for patrons looking for a quick bite or drinks, the restaurant also had 2 private rooms near the wine cellars that could sit eight in each.

Cocotte @ Wanderlust Hotel, Dickson Road

Nestled in a quiet little corner of Dickson Road, Cocotte is located in hip boutique hotel Wanderlust. This area under conservation in Little India was positively charming with the restored shophouses in bright and vibrant colours lending an old world splendour.

Previously a school, Wanderlust hotel stands out of the facade with its restored structure and Perenakan tiles dotting the walls of the entrance. Stepping into its modernistic interior, the contrast with the vintage feel of the shophouses was stark. Quirky furniture made up the waiting lobby including barber chairs from old times past, chairs fashioned out of shopping carts and a surgical lamp stand.