Hidden from the prying eyes of the public lies a cozy little restaurant, tucked away in a quaint, private enclave atop the trendy hills of Mount Sophia. Lawyer-turned-cook, Willin Low abandons his black-and-white suits and the Supreme Court for the kitchen, to pursue his true love and passion for cooking. His passion shines through his creations, which are at once distinctly Singaporean and yet unconventionally unique. Rediscover familiar Singaporean dishes-done with a twist. Exclusive and yet cosily tucked in a prime spot, dining is no longer a secondary issue, but becomes an 'event' in itself, when people make the effort to return continuously to the hills of Mount Emily to partake in the lovely cuisine.

• The Vibe
  Once conquering the imposing hills of Mount Emily, discover the Hangout Hotel, nestled in the quiet enclave of Mt Emily Park. Serene and peacefully quiet, the location has a certain snob-appeal for it exudes an air of elusiveness and exclusivity. However the Wild Rocket restaurant, located within this pleasant hotel is anything but pretentious. Instead, it reverberates with warmth and a benign sort of charm, welcoming guests from all walks of life through is doors into the carpeted space. Décor is simple and modest. Casual and yet quietly elegant, do not mistake it's simplicity for a lack of energy for the restaurant is brimming full of life, with tasty treats waiting to be discovered.

• The Food
  The menu may seem familiar and yet different at the same time. Chef Willin Low painstakingly weaves familiar local ingredients into Western-style dishes. Like a magic show, everyday Singaporean ingredients (such as laksa leaves) which have been commonly bypassed or taken for granted, are now magically transformed into delightful fusion delicacies. Western dishes with an oriental touch, is the most succinct way of describing the type of food Wild Rocket offers. The black pepper soft shell crab ($12.50) is Chef Low's version of the ever popular local delight: the black pepper crab. This delectable interpretation of the hawker dish comes with a heavenly, rich tasting, thick black pepper sauce, with crispy soft-shell crabs. Linguini takes a mouth-watering twist in the crabmeat linguini with chilli tomato cream ($18.80). Lightly spiced, this flavourful and creamy dish is as attractive as it is palatable. Flaming orange like a sunset, this well-seasoned pleaser has had many rave reviews.

  Dying for something different? The desserts here promise to give you a 'Singaporean' version of international favourites. The wildly popular Tiramisu is given a new lease of life with the Kueh Buloh Tiramisu. ($9.00) The local Malay cake replaces the sponge fingers commonly found in the Tiramisu. The dish still maintains its exquisite creamy taste, but with a distinctly local flavour. Italian Panna Cotta goes through a similar makeover and is revitalized in their version-the Pandan Flavored Panna Cotta. ($8.50) The creamy sweet treat is delightfully infused with fresh, fragrant pandan and gula melaka. This surprising combination certain sits agreeable on the palate of many, as fans continue to savour this curious, but ever so appetizing dessert.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Wild Rocket
A quaint, quiet hotel atop the Mount Emily Park opens up a treasure trove of local delights yet to be discovered by many. The location exudes a quiet charm which is a big contrast to the hustle and bustle of city. A pleasant getaway spot from the stresses of urban Singapore, this off-the-beaten-track hostel/restaurant offers a wonderful respite from work, and is the perfect sanctuary to relax and chill out to a good meal and great company. Nature is infused into the bistro experience with the lovely views of the Serene Mount Emily Park. The Balinese rooftop garden offers an idyllic and romantic place for urbanites to relax, as they are serenaded by the sparkling stars against the dark, velvet backdrop of the night sky. It is almost difficult to believe that such an oasis still exists in the heart of Singapore.