There’s a new cowboy in town. Chef Randy Torres, all the way from Austin, Texas, has shaded-up at Temptations (91 East Coast Rd., 6440-9200). Go Longhorns! While I wouldn’t venture so far as to call his food Tex-Mex, some of the dishes definitely exhibit a different sensibility from what we usually get here. I wasn’t able to sit down for a bite as I caught them just as they were closing up, but I’m raring to see if chef Torres has the guns to whip up dishes that’ll live up to fond food memories I have of Austin.

Right next door is month-old Pavé Chocolates & Confections (93 East Coast Rd., 6342-0677). They’re just starting to get into the swing of things, and what I’ve tried so far is certainly promising. Their Laputa Blanca ($8.50) is a creamy thyme-scented hazelnut and almond frozen parfait, while Ooze ($14.90) is a dark chocolate bar hiding sea salted-caramel. I can’t wait for them to start rolling out more goodies, but I’ll try my best to be patient (although that’s not been known to be one of my strong suits).
 

Despite my hectic schedule, I managed to nip out for lunch at Table 66 (66 Tras St., 6225-6690). If you haven’t found the time to eat at this modern European restaurant yet, here’s a good one. They’ve cleverly partnered up with G.H. Mumm, the official champagne of F1, to celebrate the season from now through Sep 26. Chef Vincent Teng has created a four-course set lunch or dinner ($98) to be paired with G.H. Mumm bubbly, of course. Foie gras on sushi rice with ume plum sauce and a pan-seared seabass in vanilla butter jus, let’s just say it was mighty hard to go back to work after. Chef Matthew Baker has been a busy boy, having just introduced lunch at Krish (9 Rochester Park, 6779-4644). Pick from three or four-courses ($28, $42), depending on how greedy you are. There’s spiced carrot ravioli in a ginger-brown butter emulsion, braised beef short ribs and the Krish burger. To end things on a sweet note, opt for a chai masala crème brulee. After several months of painstaking labor and a multitude of weight gain, my baby, Sweet Spots 2010, hits the stands next week It’s a guide to the best dessert parlors in my book this year, so be sure to grab it for some irresistible treats.