Tucked in a quaint corner right next to the Ridgewood Condominium, Haato's newest outlet at Ridgewood Close exudes a welcoming charm. As the only outlet with both indoor and outdoor seating, it is also the only one that serves hot home-cooked Japanese food, on top of its signature gelato. Japanese expatriates living around the area have been known to drop in for a taste of home, at attractive prices. Haato, which is a take on how the Japanese would pronounce “heart”, will indeed make you fall in love.

• The Vibe
  The café is neat and minimalist in design. Customers can choose to sit in air-conditioned comfort on either large comfortable chairs or cozy sofas. The furniture lines the walls, leaving a clear path to the ice cream counter, where 24 different flavours of Japanese gelato greets and tempts you. The café overlooks a neighbouring condominium's swimming pool, and the swaying palms and sound of lapping water will soothe diners who choose to sit outside. The perfect place to laze away a sleepy Sunday afternoon!

• The Food
  Haato originated from gelato shop Gelato Di Crema at Liang Court , where it has served the dessert for more than 16 years. The café serves traditional favourites like Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream and Tiramisu among its wide range of flavours, as well as a host of others for the adventurous. [Haato gelato is priced at $3 (Single Scoop) or $4 (Double Scoop), or in a take away pack for $13.50 (650ml) or $20 (1000ml)]

  For something closer to Japan , try the Green Tea with Red Bean as well as the Milk gelato. The Matcha used in the Green Tea with Red Bean gelato is imported from Japan and gives the ice cream the unmistakable bitter tinge that is characteristic of Japanese green tea. The Japanese red bean's sweetness complements the Matcha perfectly and would definitely go down well with fans of Japanese food.

  The Milk gelato is light and not too sweet, as with all of Haato's products. As the ice cream is made in-house, with fresh ingredients and a minimal amount of sugar, the taste of the gelato is never overwhelming. Instead, it is pleasantly refreshing, leaving you craving for yet another spoonful.

  Haato has also made gelato to cater to the local palette. The Durian gelato, which is made from D24 durians, is a favourite among locals. Lovers of the spiky fruit would delight in the aroma and flavour, while enjoying the smooth texture of the gelato. Non durian-lovers might want to skip this, though, as the taste and smell is very rich.

  For something different, yet close to home, try the Milk Tea gelato, which tastes exactly like the “Teh Tarik” found in local coffee shops. Tea addicts would like this very much on swelteringly warm days, instead of their usual hot cuppa.

  The Gelato also goes well with some Waffles ($4 for a plain waffle with butter and maple syrup and $2 for each additional scoop of ice cream). The Waffle mix is made in-house using an exclusive recipe. Toasted to perfection – crispy on the outside and warm and moist on the inside, it tastes heavenly even on its own.

  Being the only outlet that serves hot food sets Haato at Ridgewood apart from its other outlets. Like its ice cream, the food here is made from fresh ingredients and the sauces are made in-house using an exclusive recipe.

  The Unagi Don ($6.50) is great value for money. A generous slice of unagi (eel) engulfed in homemade sauce is served with warm Japanese rice and cucumber. Unlike a lot of Japanese food in the market today, the taste is light and subtle, very much like home-cooked food. However, the rice was a little on the dry side.

  Likewise, the Braised Pork Udon ($6.50) served in a clay pot is reminiscent of tasty home-cooked soup. The meat, sliced to bite size portions, is tender, while the soup is warm and fragrant, making it a perfect dish to have on a rainy day or a cool evening.

• The Service
  The atmosphere here is very casual and the staff is friendly and helpful. Sampling is allowed, and even encouraged, so do not hesitate to ask to ask for a taste before you decide what to order.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Haato
The range of gelato flavours here leave you spoilt for choice, and the food is definitely value for money. However due to its inaccessibility, it's necessary for those who do not know the area to be armed with a car and a map to get there.