Aerin, a fictional character that is woven from the imagination of novelist J.R.R.Tolkien is made into reality in the form of a casual chic dining experience in the heart of the new dining precinct of Raffles Marketplace. Owner Mr. Keith Loh, the man behind Whitebait & Kale, named the restaurant Aerin’s after his daughter. Bright and breezy with a touch of femininity, Aerin’s is a masterpiece of custom made warm Brazilian wood finishing and European leather. I was intrigued by its intricate ceiling that featured an abstract impression of the canopy of a grand tropical tree.

Drawing inspiration from the bustling mall crowd, Keith wanted to offer the shoppers and working crowd alike a place to unwind and enjoy a hearty meal in the midst of a rushed world. With a beautiful fountain in its centre, and cheery sun rays peeking through the glass ceilings of Raffles Marketplace, it is certainly a charming spot for some lazy afternoon relaxation. The menu is extensive, and is especially wide-ranging in its choice of salads, starters and desserts, making it the perfect venue for people who fancy having a light meal while taking a break from their activities.

• Soups, Salads and Starters
  As a start to our Aerin’s experience, we were served with three different selections – the chunky beef goulash, the cream of zucchini (Soup of the Day) and the bestselling Butternut Pumpkin with freshly grated nutmeg. Each one was $7 each, and came in huge portions! While the soups were heartwarmingly delicious, we would highly recommend the Pumpkin soup as it was aromatic with just the right amount of creaminess to it.
  
  My dining companions and I tried the salad with marinated mushrooms and radish, which was seasoned with truffle dressing ($15), the Arancini which is a dish of risotto balls with mozzarella cheese within ($8) and the salt, pepper and chilli calamari on shaved fennel with tomatoes on its side ($14).
  
  I particularly liked the calamari as it was light and crispy, with a perfect amount of spices added to it. However, I was not very much in favour of the other two dishes because the mushrooms in the salad were too sour for my liking, and more cheese could have added to the risotto balls to make it a more satisfying experience.
  
  
• Main Courses
  A fusion of Modern European influences such as Greek, Italian and French cuisines, the main courses were relatively inexpensive with prices ranging from $16 to $22. We were treated to a spread of three pastas, one fish and one meat, that were definitely a feast for the eyes! On a common chord, we thought that the creamy Tagiatelle with mushroom ragout, cooked with salmon and roe ($18) was the best amongst the five main courses served. The cream was sufficiently thick, though not overpoweringly so, with the roe provided a sour twist to its taste. My dining companion liked the Pan-seared Snapper Fillet that was accompanied by French beans and mashed potatoes ($20). Although we did not try the popular battered Fish and Chips ($16), we hear that it is a hot favourite amongst the regulars here.
  
• Desserts
  The desserts are definitely the highlights of dining in Aerin’s, with tempting treats like the house specialty Baked Apple and Rhubarb pie with Vanilla Bean Ice-cream ($9), the awfully sinful yet irresistible Double Chocolate Fudge cake ($5.50) and the Mississippi Mud cake ($5.50).Those cynical of the quality of its chocolate fudge cake can rest their doubts, as it is unbelievably rich and alluring in its taste.

All in all, we felt that Aerin’s strength exists in the quality that it delivers in its desserts. Coupled with some warm aromatic beverages, it is the perfect bistro for those seeking for a place to sit back and delight in high tea affairs.