JBM Coffee & Dining - Reasonably Priced Dining in The CBD

Opening in the CBD area is risky business - executives can't wait to leave and youths are more likely to hunt down oddly-named, hipster cafés. New eatery JBM Coffee & Dining (open daily) braves it out, at almost equally new One Raffles Place mall, with their reasonably priced fare and inviting space.

When we returned again on a wet evening, the eatery saw quite a few tables - half probably here due to the rain, though many enjoyed the ongoing '1-For-1' offer (selected wines and main) that runs through 30 September 2014.

We recommend heading down with a group of friends to take advantage of their hearty portions.

The Golden Hen ($23) sees half a spring chicken, roasted with garlic to fork-tender perfection, sitting on a creamy bed of butter sautéed potatoes and onions; and the Sassy Cassoulet ($32) teams a medley of seafood (calamari, prawns, clams, mussels, scallops and lobster tail) with a tomatoey mixture of white beans and crabmeat that could do with a touch more salt, and baguette slices.

There were also a couple other items that I enjoyed: the pleasantly al dente JBM Ling Duck Pasta in a 'rosé' sauce ($19), which the waitress recommended; and the succulent 'Beef Outside The Cubes' ($24, grilled grain-fed beef tenderloin in a mixed mushroom sauce) that has just the right savoury and umami notes, on luscious, smooth mash.

While not entirely groundbreaking or exciting, JBM Coffee & Dining is one of the few establishments in the heart of the CBD that stays open daily and offers a decent selection that won't break the bank.

JBM Coffee & Dining One Raffles Place Mall, #03-23/24/25 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616 Tel: +65 6536 1047

Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 9.30am to 9.30pm Weekends and PH: 11am – 9.30pm