After a rave review by the popular food blogger, Dr Leslie Tay, of ieatishootipost, I could not resist to find out about this particular stall located at Cambridge Road Food Centre, also known to many as Pek Kio. Those who have read his blog would realise that it is hard to come by that he would dished out a rating of 4.75 out of 5 on any particular stall, but Wah Kee Prawn Noodles has the such accolade.
Formerly located at Farrer Park, the secret to their prawn noodle lies in the soup. Described as “that unique taste you get in Lobster Bisque” and “(the) extract of crustacean shell and all the stuff in the head” by Leslie, the soup is really different from that of many, including Jalan Sultan Prawn Mee, which I have blogged before. Their soup is not as salty and much “cloudy” – due to the essence of the prawns.
And if you are really into this prawn makan business, go ahead and try the $10 serving.
The boss guaranteed that the prawns are freshly catch everyday and man are they HUGE!!!
Personally, I felt that the soup has the “punch” but a bit saltier would be excellent. However, the good thing about eating at Pek Kio is that it is not so crowded during lunchtime and there are always tables available.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Once stood the famous makan icon in Singapore…the Esplanade Satay Club – the breezily located Makansutra Gluttons Bay offers plenty of local food galore. And among them stood one of my favourite ‘Ou Luak’, or Fried Oyster Omelette Stall – Hup Kee (Orchard).
This stall started off in the 70's at the famous Orchard Carpark night hawkers and now operates two outlets, the other being at the Newton Hawker Centre. What is so amazing about their dish as compared to others is that the eggs and the sweet potato flour are somehow done crispier, and less oily, which sources revealed is based on a 40-year-old recipe. I personally also found the eggs to be rather fluffy inside which gives it an excellent bite.
You will also find a good number of fresh, succulent and plump Korean Oysters served on top with a sprinkling of freshly cut coriander and spring onions. The chilli sauce that comes alongside is also tangy and very addictive. Standard of the dish is consistent, as I have since gone back a couple of times and definitely value for money! A must try every time I am around the vicinity.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
A quaint, tranquil neighbourhood nestled in the course of lush greenery off Portsdown Road, Wessex Estate is a colonial-style residential area with charming black-and-white houses.
As a unique heritage area in one-north, Wessex Estate is slated for development into a creative enclave in the years to come while preserving a haven of old world charm.
And it is at the converted ex-Judo Federation Clubhouse at Wessex Village Square that you will find Pietrasanta, The Italian Restaurant – named after a town on the coast of northern Tuscany in Italy.
Opened by Jennifer Tan and her husband, Loris Massimini, an experience Italian chef who honed his skills in Italy and Singapore, this restaurant will be officially opened on Saturday, 12th April. One of the things I like about this place is the simplicity of the décor and furnishing. Diners have a choice of sitting in the spacious dinning area inside or dine al fresco outside the courtyard.
For a start, we were given Home-made Breads and Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette to dip with. The bread was well flavoured with herbs though I preferred them to come hot instead of served cold.
For appetisers, we started off with the Carpaccio Di Manzo Con Grana Padano E Ruccola, or Thinly Sliced Beer Tenderloin with Rocket Salad and Shaved Parmesan with Lemon and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing. I mentioned here before that I am a huge fan of rocket salad and shaved Parmesan (not powder, or thin strips but SHAVED!), but even with biasness aside; this is one of the best rendition I have ever tried. The beef was very fresh and the lemon and olive oil dressing harmonise with a refreshing sensation to this dish. Serving was also generous at $15.90.
The other appetiser we had that evening was the Saute Di Cozzae Al Pomodoro Fresco, or Black Mussels in White Wine and Fresh Tomatoes ($18.00). This is another dish I find it irresistible – in fact I preferred this version much better to the tomatoes-based Chilli Mussels one finds in Perth. The mussels were fully infused with the wine, thus enhancing the sweetness of the meat, and the tomatoes add a lovely sourness touch to it. However either due to overcooking or me taking my time to capture the perfect shot, some meat from the mussels actually shrunk to a pathetic size – nevertheless, the serving was still ample for the both of us.
Risotto Ai Porcini, or Italian Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms ($19.90) was my choice for main and was it excellent! The risotto was satisfactorily done al dente and the grains came fully flavoured of the mushrooms that produce a pleasant nutty taste with a smooth and not too overbearing aftertaste. Somehow, I also like the texture of the onions in the dish, which produces a delightful crunch with every bite.
My friend picked the Gnocchi Di Patate Con Salsa Al Gorgonzola, or Home-made Potato Gnocchi tossed with Blue Cheese Sauce ($18.90). I am not a big fan of gnocchi to be honest, what’s more one mixed with potato, as I often find them too filling for consumption but I have to comment that the sauce is pungently brilliant! One would either love it or hate it – and as for me, I simply love it.
For desserts, we felt we have to order the Tiramisu ($8.90), since no restaurant will dare to proclaim themselves as an Italiano Ristorante if their tiramisu isn’t any good. The classic dessert was good, though not the best I have tried, with the cream well whipped and the biscuit soaked in just the right amount of liquor.
The Semifreddo Cioccolato Bianco e Muscato, or White Chocolate and Muscato Wine Parfait ($8.90) though was disappointing. The only blemish of the night – the frozen custard was icy and difficult to scoop – my guess is that it was over-chilled. We also couldn’t make known of the wine in this dessert and the almonds sprinkled over was too overbearing for this light dessert. The only thing I like about this is that it wasn’t too sweet.
Overall this meal was truly satisfying and I will definitely be back for their Home-made Ravioli and their meat dishes. Also know it from me that given time, I foresee this place to be a hit in town – so make your way down before it gets too crowded.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Have always wanted to try Astons but the queue at Katong and Serangoon Gardens made us decide to eat somewhere else. So when they opened a branch at Bedok, it seemed like it was time to start queuing. The queue was not that long (I was like 6th in the queue) and it was moving. Waiting time was about 12 min after ordering so it was acceptable (for dining in a coffee shop).
Prime Ribeye Steak ($11.90) was done medium well. Redness was present and meat was tender and easily chewable which was what we were looking for in medium well. Fries and onion rings were served hot and in distinguishable pieces. Onion rings looked slightly burnt but I guess it could be due to the overused oil. :)
Pork Chop ($8.50) was served with mashed potatoes and garden veggies. Nothing much to say about the pork chops except that the portion was pretty generous with 2 large pieces. Average tasting.
Now I start to wonder why there is a queue in the first place. The food tasted average with nothing to shout about. Perhaps its because I did not order the most expensive prime cut? haha. I am not sure. But paying $25.90 for a plate of steak in a coffee shop is not something common. Unless eating zi char....but that is a different story.
After lots of walking and shopping around Vivocity, I was super thirsty already.
Then hubby and I pass-by this Dragon Brand's Shop and I notice that they have cooler and pretty chairs inside. So I went closer to check them out.
It's a Bird's Nest Bar!!! A quick look at their price list. Not expensive loh! I used to think Bird's Nest very very expensive one (SGD300-400) leh. :p
Hubby treated us to one bowl each (SGD8plus). Their cup/bowl is actually heart shaped. So you can actually choose not to use spoon and just drink straight from the cup!
The Bird's Nest is really cooling and you can see the bird's nest. Unlike some places, sell more expensive and more water than Bird's Nest.
They have this Bird's Nest Bar Loyalty Club, when you order 1 bowl, you get 1 stamp and when you collected 10 stamps, you can redeem 1 free bowl of Bird's Nest!
Hubby and I had always wanted to try the food at this Kim Gary Cafe, after countless times of seeing super duper long queues outside this cafe? Restaurant?
On 6th April 2008, Hubby and I decide to make a trip to vivocity to try their food.
We were a little early and there wasn't many people in the shop. We got a seat there's near the window, but I wanted this seat in the corner that looks very comfortable and cozy. The waiter told us that the table is reserved for their staffs to have their lunch.
Anyway, to cut this review short, hubby and I didn't like our food. The food we ordered and had don't seems to "justify" the queues we saw.
The noodle I had smells really really nice (the onions) but really didn't taste as good as it smells. I ate less than half of it. The meat's a little too tough (overcooked or something), my drink is a little too sweet, even the mini drumsticks thingy was only average.
The only item hubby liked, was his Iced Yuan Yang.
Maybe we ordered the wrong stuffs, will try them again when I'm in better mood.
I have to rant about their service! After we're done with our food, we wanted to go to their counter to pay, but when we stand up, they came to us and say they'll bring us our bill. So we sat and waited for the bill. Waited for quite a while before the bill came. Hubby gave this waitress his credit card to pay for our bill and she went and never came back!!! We waited about 10mins and decide to ask another staff for our bill. We waited another 1-2mins before darling's bill came back to us. -.-
Next time I'm so gonna use the exact amount so I don't have to wait for the change or cards.
Have you tried the new Japanese selection at Pastamania? If you're looking for value for money and yummilicious pasta (and pizzas), head on down to Pastamania!
There's currently 6 Japanese style pasta available. But I heard, soon they'll be releasing new choices and also the pizzas! (Psss... the Unagi pizzas is very good! MUST TRY!)
I managed to try 2 of their current offerings... the Unagi Pasta and the Tako Pasta.
Unagi Pasta ($10.90) - pasta choice Fettucini This is cooked with Unagi (Eel), onions and lightly spiced up with chilli padi, top with seaweed flakes. If you're a fan of unagi and spicy pasta, this one is a die-die-must-try pasta! The Unagi pasta is flavorful and spiced up to the right level. After one mouthful of it, you'll just want to have more.
Tako Pasta ($10.90) - pasta choice Penne Octopus and garlic tossed in olive oil, drizzled with tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mayo topped with bonito flakes. This one is for the Tako lovers! (Like me!) First look at the serving, it reminded me of those tako balls you can get almost everywhere, but instead this is served with pasta. They are very generous with the amount of tako used. The fragrance is enough to tempt any hungry soul when you mixed the entire bowl of pasta, tako, sauces and bonito flakes.
Between the two, although I'm a tako lover, I would order the Unagi Pasta again the next time I go. Cause its spicy and more flavorful. Anyone wants to join me for Pastamania when they launch the new menu with the Japanese pizzas? :P
First night of Chinese New Year 2008, I decided to give hubby and myself a little treat. I manage to book 2 gold class tickets at SGD30.00 each for "CJ7" and right after that movie, "Kungfu Dunk" SGD10.00 each ticket in the normal rooms.
We sat around in this lounge while waiting for the show to start. Since we have yet to have dinner, hubby decide to order some food. Which we love yet regret later. Read on to find out why. :)
My heart almost skipped a beat when we were in the theater. The armchairs are like so huge!!! I sat down and pulled the blanket provided, which is placed at the side of the armchair. While I spread out the blanket, hubby started playing with the buttons... located at the side of the armchair. (What other buttons were you thinking??)
I know by now you think we both are such mountain turtles. But no ones else was there yet, so we were like in our own world kind of thing. :P
The buttons allow you to adjust the seat according to how you like. You can even lie down to watch the movie if you like. No worries, even if you're lying down, you wouldn't be blocked by anyone!!! The armchair was like a bed to me. so big, so comfortable. :)
Now, to talk about the food...
Hubby and I love the food! but.. We either ordered too much or their portions are too huge! :p We couldn't finish our food loh.
Right after the movie, we went straight to the normal room to catch "Kongfu Dunk". Suddenly the seats all looks so small. lols. But seriously, for the amount of comfort, SGD30.00 per ticket is really worth it! :)
Had dinner at taste Paradise, an upmarket offering by the Paradise Group of Restaurants, which also owns and operates the popular Seafood Paradise at Defu Lane and the Singapore Flyer. Opened less than 2 years ago, it has made it to the Straits Times top 100 restaurants as well as garnered rave reviews from magazines and forums.
Hidden along a row of shophouses along Mosque Street in the traditional Chinatown area, Taste paradise sets itself apart with its classy glass facade. Through the doors onto the lighted walkway that leads up to the dining area, the interior oozes chic in a very subtle way. The dining area is divided into a few sections by means of partitions in which there are a couple of tables and a captain to oversee each section. Heavily carpeted floors coupled with a low ceiling and a rather limited floor area meant that conversation tones had to be kept to a low for fear of disturbing the other customers (not that we did though).
XO Carrot Cake - One of Taste Paradise's signature dishes, the humble XO carrot cake. It honestly wasn't impressive when served, looking more like your usual stir fried rendition from the hawker centre than a $7 plate of carrot cake. But pop a piece into your mouth and you will understand why it is truly one of the signature dishes. Chunky yet smooth and soft carrot cake with a discernible wok hei taste fried with beansprouts, egg, Chinese sausages and other condiments. Lightly spicy and sweet and not to mention fragrant. Nothing short of excellent.
Combination of Pan Seared Foie Gras, Wasabi Mayonnaise Prawn and Slice of Beijing Duck with Condiments - I was actually wondering how did foie gras get onto the menu and initially skeptical if a Chinese restaurant could pull it off. Just for the record, Taste Paradise is a Chinese fusion restaurant, which explains why foie gras is listed on the menu. As for my initial skepticisms, they were unfounded. The foie gras was very good, crisp on the outside yet soft, quivery and smooth on the inside. No overwhelming taste or sediments.
The wasabi mayonnaise prawn was quite good as well, with the wasabi not overpowering and the prawns fresh and crunchy. I personally liked it together with the watermelon as the sweetness from the watermelon permeated through.
The only bummer was the peking duck which didn't seem memorable. Sure the skin was crispy but the crepe tasted bland and limp.
Double Boiled Superior Shark's Fin with Dried Conpoy in Traditional Beijing Broth accompanied with Bacon Onion Roll - Another recommended dish, the shark's fin soup, was served up in a pre heated Japanese stone pot which can remain hot for 20 minutes, thus ensuring that the soup remains hot till the last drop. The fins were decent and plentiful while the soup was flavourful and thick. A little too starchy and heavy on the vinegar though, which made it a little sharp. The bacon and onion roll was crispy but other than the novelty, didn't seem to complement the dish very well. On a side note, there are 3 variations in prices for the shark's fin. $38, $58 and $68 (which isn't on the menu). You get what you pay for. The quality of the fins improve as the prices tend upwards.
Braised Homemade Beancurd with Shredded Scallop and Japanese Mushroom - Tofu has always been a staple at most of my Chinese dinners and this one was no exception. The tofu was very smooth and silky but the skin was a tad too hard and it lacked the smokey savoury taste that I personally like. Even the sauce was rather bland. And for $6 a person, it was 1 piece of tofu each.
Spinach Fried with Garlic - The low point of our meal, the quintessential vegetable dish. Very average tasting but at least the diced garlic was fried till golden brown, which gave the vegetables a nice slightly crunchy texture.
Szechuan Style Roasted Chicken with Homemade Crispy Crumbs - We ordered this on the recommendation of the captain and also because it sounded interesting. Honestly the only interesting part was the crispy crumbs, which I believe were rice crisps. They were coated with a Szechuan sauce which gave them a myriad of flavours - sweet, sour and spicy, all in one tasting. The roasted chicken didn't taste out of the ordinary but the execution was commendable. Crispy skin with moist and tender meat.
Mashed Taro with Almond Cream Served in Fresh Coconut - My dessert and no, it wasn't complimentary (only chilled desserts were accorded that privilege). Its the first time I've seen mashed taro or Orh Nee served up in a coconut and predictably, the coconut smell was very strong. Not that it mattered anyway as there wasn't a hint of coconut taste in both the almond cream and mashed taro. I usually don't like almond cream but this one wasn't too strong on the almond taste which suited me just fine. The mashed taro was smooth and not too sweet but more interestingly, it contained bits of chestnut, which added a nice crunchy texture and is used predominantly used in Teochew cooking. The only gripe was that the taro was a little too sticky and I had problems licking if off my spoon. Oh and there's the almost exorbitant price as well ($6.50).
An excellent dinner for 5 set us back by about $454, which is really quite steep. However I'll be the first to admit that food quality is top notch and so is the personalised service extended by the captain and his team. I can see why Taste Paradise is rated as one of the top restaurants in Singapore. And I agree.
Its been an extremely long time since i've had any wine or beer introduced into my system and honestly, i'm missing the feeling of being slightly woozy and laughing like an idiot. So it was with this intention that i brought my gf to visit Scruffy Murphy's one quiet Friday evening after work. Part of a group of pubs under the Gaelic Inns company which includes mainstays like "The Penny Black" and "Dirty Nellys". This company is definitely no stranger to the pub scene but i was a hungry for dinner as well, so lets see if they have decent grub as well.
KilKenny ($11.80 per pint) - Beer on tap and beer in a bottle. What would you choose? I'm not an expert on beer and basically, i've not had enough beer to be a judge but conversation has lead to the belief that beer on tap has a magically transformed effect of making it smoother and better. $11.80 for one pint of beer is rather expensive by any standards but i have to say, Kilkenny on tap is rather smoother and lighter then the bottled iterations.
Simplicity is the best policy in the case of this pub. Single seatings near the bar and small uncomfortable rattan chairs abound. There's a small private room at the back with air con but the rest of the pub is non air conditioned. Its still a nice, cosy setting with no one bothering you regardless of where you sit. Service is attentive as well.
Scruffy's Irish Roast Beef ($16.80) - Bearing the namesake of the pub, i expected this to be of reasonably good quality. And i was not disappointed. Judging by its namesake, i was expecting small cubic portions akin to pot roast but what came looked very promising indeed. Huge slices of beef cooked medium rare with a pinkish tint on the sides. Drenched in mushroom sauce, the meat was undeniably tender and appetizing. You could taste the marinate in eat slice and it never overwhelms. Of special mention, the yorkshire pudding on the side was excellent as well. Soft and served warm, its fragrance elevated the dish even more. Well done.
French Fries ($4.80) - Alright, this was a stupid order because we didn't know the beef came with fries. For what its worth, the fries were rather dry and bland due to the lack of salt.
Crispy Pork with Mustard and Mayonnaise ($10) - We ordered this after ordering our second pint and thought it would go well with the beer. Anyhow, the description on the menu belies its actual appearance. These few pieces of roasted crispy pork is hardly worth $10. Not that it tastes bad though. It actually tastes pretty good if not for the 2 of us being health conscious lately. Chewy thick meat and fats dominate the crispy pork belly while the mustard definitely complemented it well. Still, it was too far a departure from our expectations to make it worth our while.
Total bill came up to $55.20 for a meal and drink for 2 people. Given the excellent main we had, i'm inclined to say it was worth it.
In all fairness, the place is still worth a visit and the ambiance is pretty relaxing in the later parts of the day. Food served is decent (for the main) while service is relaxed and slow. The music is soft and conversation can be easily carried out if you require it. Otherwise, its nice to chill out and watch some matches, listen to the waves or simply drink a few beers. Now if they could lower their prices per pint, i would frequent it that much more.
1=SGD 0.0587
After a rave review by the popular food blogger, Dr Leslie Tay, of ieatishootipost, I could not resist to find out about this particular stall located at Cambridge Road Food Centre, also known to many as Pek Kio. Those who have read his blog would realise that it is hard to come by that he would dished out a rating of 4.75 out of 5 on any particular stall, but Wah Kee Prawn Noodles has the such accolade.
Formerly located at Farrer Park, the secret to their prawn noodle lies in the soup. Described as “that unique taste you get in Lobster Bisque” and “(the) extract of crustacean shell and all the stuff in the head” by Leslie, the soup is really different from that of many, including Jalan Sultan Prawn Mee, which I have blogged before. Their soup is not as salty and much “cloudy” – due to the essence of the prawns.
And if you are really into this prawn makan business, go ahead and try the $10 serving.
The boss guaranteed that the prawns are freshly catch everyday and man are they HUGE!!!
Personally, I felt that the soup has the “punch” but a bit saltier would be excellent. However, the good thing about eating at Pek Kio is that it is not so crowded during lunchtime and there are always tables available.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Once stood the famous makan icon in Singapore…the Esplanade Satay Club – the breezily located Makansutra Gluttons Bay offers plenty of local food galore. And among them stood one of my favourite ‘Ou Luak’, or Fried Oyster Omelette Stall – Hup Kee (Orchard).
This stall started off in the 70's at the famous Orchard Carpark night hawkers and now operates two outlets, the other being at the Newton Hawker Centre. What is so amazing about their dish as compared to others is that the eggs and the sweet potato flour are somehow done crispier, and less oily, which sources revealed is based on a 40-year-old recipe. I personally also found the eggs to be rather fluffy inside which gives it an excellent bite.
You will also find a good number of fresh, succulent and plump Korean Oysters served on top with a sprinkling of freshly cut coriander and spring onions. The chilli sauce that comes alongside is also tangy and very addictive. Standard of the dish is consistent, as I have since gone back a couple of times and definitely value for money! A must try every time I am around the vicinity.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
A quaint, tranquil neighbourhood nestled in the course of lush greenery off Portsdown Road, Wessex Estate is a colonial-style residential area with charming black-and-white houses.
As a unique heritage area in one-north, Wessex Estate is slated for development into a creative enclave in the years to come while preserving a haven of old world charm.
And it is at the converted ex-Judo Federation Clubhouse at Wessex Village Square that you will find Pietrasanta, The Italian Restaurant – named after a town on the coast of northern Tuscany in Italy.
Opened by Jennifer Tan and her husband, Loris Massimini, an experience Italian chef who honed his skills in Italy and Singapore, this restaurant will be officially opened on Saturday, 12th April. One of the things I like about this place is the simplicity of the décor and furnishing. Diners have a choice of sitting in the spacious dinning area inside or dine al fresco outside the courtyard.
For a start, we were given Home-made Breads and Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette to dip with. The bread was well flavoured with herbs though I preferred them to come hot instead of served cold.
For appetisers, we started off with the Carpaccio Di Manzo Con Grana Padano E Ruccola, or Thinly Sliced Beer Tenderloin with Rocket Salad and Shaved Parmesan with Lemon and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing. I mentioned here before that I am a huge fan of rocket salad and shaved Parmesan (not powder, or thin strips but SHAVED!), but even with biasness aside; this is one of the best rendition I have ever tried. The beef was very fresh and the lemon and olive oil dressing harmonise with a refreshing sensation to this dish. Serving was also generous at $15.90.
The other appetiser we had that evening was the Saute Di Cozzae Al Pomodoro Fresco, or Black Mussels in White Wine and Fresh Tomatoes ($18.00). This is another dish I find it irresistible – in fact I preferred this version much better to the tomatoes-based Chilli Mussels one finds in Perth. The mussels were fully infused with the wine, thus enhancing the sweetness of the meat, and the tomatoes add a lovely sourness touch to it. However either due to overcooking or me taking my time to capture the perfect shot, some meat from the mussels actually shrunk to a pathetic size – nevertheless, the serving was still ample for the both of us.
Risotto Ai Porcini, or Italian Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms ($19.90) was my choice for main and was it excellent! The risotto was satisfactorily done al dente and the grains came fully flavoured of the mushrooms that produce a pleasant nutty taste with a smooth and not too overbearing aftertaste. Somehow, I also like the texture of the onions in the dish, which produces a delightful crunch with every bite.
My friend picked the Gnocchi Di Patate Con Salsa Al Gorgonzola, or Home-made Potato Gnocchi tossed with Blue Cheese Sauce ($18.90). I am not a big fan of gnocchi to be honest, what’s more one mixed with potato, as I often find them too filling for consumption but I have to comment that the sauce is pungently brilliant! One would either love it or hate it – and as for me, I simply love it.
For desserts, we felt we have to order the Tiramisu ($8.90), since no restaurant will dare to proclaim themselves as an Italiano Ristorante if their tiramisu isn’t any good. The classic dessert was good, though not the best I have tried, with the cream well whipped and the biscuit soaked in just the right amount of liquor.
The Semifreddo Cioccolato Bianco e Muscato, or White Chocolate and Muscato Wine Parfait ($8.90) though was disappointing. The only blemish of the night – the frozen custard was icy and difficult to scoop – my guess is that it was over-chilled. We also couldn’t make known of the wine in this dessert and the almonds sprinkled over was too overbearing for this light dessert. The only thing I like about this is that it wasn’t too sweet.
Overall this meal was truly satisfying and I will definitely be back for their Home-made Ravioli and their meat dishes. Also know it from me that given time, I foresee this place to be a hit in town – so make your way down before it gets too crowded.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Will we go again? Perhaps.
Have always wanted to try Astons but the queue at Katong and Serangoon Gardens made us decide to eat somewhere else. So when they opened a branch at Bedok, it seemed like it was time to start queuing. The queue was not that long (I was like 6th in the queue) and it was moving. Waiting time was about 12 min after ordering so it was acceptable (for dining in a coffee shop).
Prime Ribeye Steak ($11.90) was done medium well. Redness was present and meat was tender and easily chewable which was what we were looking for in medium well. Fries and onion rings were served hot and in distinguishable pieces. Onion rings looked slightly burnt but I guess it could be due to the overused oil. :)
Pork Chop ($8.50) was served with mashed potatoes and garden veggies. Nothing much to say about the pork chops except that the portion was pretty generous with 2 large pieces. Average tasting.
Now I start to wonder why there is a queue in the first place. The food tasted average with nothing to shout about. Perhaps its because I did not order the most expensive prime cut? haha. I am not sure. But paying $25.90 for a plate of steak in a coffee shop is not something common. Unless eating zi char....but that is a different story.
Rating given:
After lots of walking and shopping around Vivocity, I was super thirsty already.
Then hubby and I pass-by this Dragon Brand's Shop and I notice that they have cooler and pretty chairs inside. So I went closer to check them out.
It's a Bird's Nest Bar!!! A quick look at their price list. Not expensive loh! I used to think Bird's Nest very very expensive one (SGD300-400) leh. :p
Hubby treated us to one bowl each (SGD8plus). Their cup/bowl is actually heart shaped. So you can actually choose not to use spoon and just drink straight from the cup!
The Bird's Nest is really cooling and you can see the bird's nest. Unlike some places, sell more expensive and more water than Bird's Nest.
They have this Bird's Nest Bar Loyalty Club, when you order 1 bowl, you get 1 stamp and when you collected 10 stamps, you can redeem 1 free bowl of Bird's Nest!
Rating given:
Hubby and I had always wanted to try the food at this Kim Gary Cafe, after countless times of seeing super duper long queues outside this cafe? Restaurant?
On 6th April 2008, Hubby and I decide to make a trip to vivocity to try their food.
We were a little early and there wasn't many people in the shop. We got a seat there's near the window, but I wanted this seat in the corner that looks very comfortable and cozy. The waiter told us that the table is reserved for their staffs to have their lunch.
Anyway, to cut this review short, hubby and I didn't like our food. The food we ordered and had don't seems to "justify" the queues we saw.
The noodle I had smells really really nice (the onions) but really didn't taste as good as it smells. I ate less than half of it. The meat's a little too tough (overcooked or something), my drink is a little too sweet, even the mini drumsticks thingy was only average.
The only item hubby liked, was his Iced Yuan Yang.
Maybe we ordered the wrong stuffs, will try them again when I'm in better mood.
I have to rant about their service! After we're done with our food, we wanted to go to their counter to pay, but when we stand up, they came to us and say they'll bring us our bill. So we sat and waited for the bill. Waited for quite a while before the bill came. Hubby gave this waitress his credit card to pay for our bill and she went and never came back!!! We waited about 10mins and decide to ask another staff for our bill. We waited another 1-2mins before darling's bill came back to us. -.-
Next time I'm so gonna use the exact amount so I don't have to wait for the change or cards.
(2 and a half stars)
Rating given:
Pastamania Banzai!!!
Have you tried the new Japanese selection at Pastamania? If you're looking for value for money and yummilicious pasta (and pizzas), head on down to Pastamania!
There's currently 6 Japanese style pasta available. But I heard, soon they'll be releasing new choices and also the pizzas! (Psss... the Unagi pizzas is very good! MUST TRY!)
I managed to try 2 of their current offerings... the Unagi Pasta and the Tako Pasta.
Unagi Pasta ($10.90) - pasta choice Fettucini
This is cooked with Unagi (Eel), onions and lightly spiced up with chilli padi, top with seaweed flakes. If you're a fan of unagi and spicy pasta, this one is a die-die-must-try pasta! The Unagi pasta is flavorful and spiced up to the right level. After one mouthful of it, you'll just want to have more.
Tako Pasta ($10.90) - pasta choice Penne
Octopus and garlic tossed in olive oil, drizzled with tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mayo topped with bonito flakes. This one is for the Tako lovers! (Like me!) First look at the serving, it reminded me of those tako balls you can get almost everywhere, but instead this is served with pasta. They are very generous with the amount of tako used. The fragrance is enough to tempt any hungry soul when you mixed the entire bowl of pasta, tako, sauces and bonito flakes.
Between the two, although I'm a tako lover, I would order the Unagi Pasta again the next time I go. Cause its spicy and more flavorful. Anyone wants to join me for Pastamania when they launch the new menu with the Japanese pizzas? :P
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First night of Chinese New Year 2008, I decided to give hubby and myself a little treat. I manage to book 2 gold class tickets at SGD30.00 each for "CJ7" and right after that movie, "Kungfu Dunk" SGD10.00 each ticket in the normal rooms.
We sat around in this lounge while waiting for the show to start. Since we have yet to have dinner, hubby decide to order some food. Which we love yet regret later. Read on to find out why. :)
My heart almost skipped a beat when we were in the theater. The armchairs are like so huge!!! I sat down and pulled the blanket provided, which is placed at the side of the armchair. While I spread out the blanket, hubby started playing with the buttons... located at the side of the armchair. (What other buttons were you thinking??)
I know by now you think we both are such mountain turtles. But no ones else was there yet, so we were like in our own world kind of thing. :P
The buttons allow you to adjust the seat according to how you like. You can even lie down to watch the movie if you like. No worries, even if you're lying down, you wouldn't be blocked by anyone!!! The armchair was like a bed to me. so big, so comfortable. :)
Now, to talk about the food...
Hubby and I love the food! but.. We either ordered too much or their portions are too huge! :p We couldn't finish our food loh.
Right after the movie, we went straight to the normal room to catch "Kongfu Dunk". Suddenly the seats all looks so small. lols. But seriously, for the amount of comfort, SGD30.00 per ticket is really worth it! :)
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Had dinner at taste Paradise, an upmarket offering by the Paradise Group of Restaurants, which also owns and operates the popular Seafood Paradise at Defu Lane and the Singapore Flyer. Opened less than 2 years ago, it has made it to the Straits Times top 100 restaurants as well as garnered rave reviews from magazines and forums.
Hidden along a row of shophouses along Mosque Street in the traditional Chinatown area, Taste paradise sets itself apart with its classy glass facade. Through the doors onto the lighted walkway that leads up to the dining area, the interior oozes chic in a very subtle way. The dining area is divided into a few sections by means of partitions in which there are a couple of tables and a captain to oversee each section. Heavily carpeted floors coupled with a low ceiling and a rather limited floor area meant that conversation tones had to be kept to a low for fear of disturbing the other customers (not that we did though).
XO Carrot Cake - One of Taste Paradise's signature dishes, the humble XO carrot cake. It honestly wasn't impressive when served, looking more like your usual stir fried rendition from the hawker centre than a $7 plate of carrot cake. But pop a piece into your mouth and you will understand why it is truly one of the signature dishes. Chunky yet smooth and soft carrot cake with a discernible wok hei taste fried with beansprouts, egg, Chinese sausages and other condiments. Lightly spicy and sweet and not to mention fragrant. Nothing short of excellent.
Combination of Pan Seared Foie Gras, Wasabi Mayonnaise Prawn and Slice of Beijing Duck with Condiments - I was actually wondering how did foie gras get onto the menu and initially skeptical if a Chinese restaurant could pull it off. Just for the record, Taste Paradise is a Chinese fusion restaurant, which explains why foie gras is listed on the menu. As for my initial skepticisms, they were unfounded. The foie gras was very good, crisp on the outside yet soft, quivery and smooth on the inside. No overwhelming taste or sediments.
The wasabi mayonnaise prawn was quite good as well, with the wasabi not overpowering and the prawns fresh and crunchy. I personally liked it together with the watermelon as the sweetness from the watermelon permeated through.
The only bummer was the peking duck which didn't seem memorable. Sure the skin was crispy but the crepe tasted bland and limp.
Double Boiled Superior Shark's Fin with Dried Conpoy in Traditional Beijing Broth accompanied with Bacon Onion Roll - Another recommended dish, the shark's fin soup, was served up in a pre heated Japanese stone pot which can remain hot for 20 minutes, thus ensuring that the soup remains hot till the last drop. The fins were decent and plentiful while the soup was flavourful and thick. A little too starchy and heavy on the vinegar though, which made it a little sharp. The bacon and onion roll was crispy but other than the novelty, didn't seem to complement the dish very well. On a side note, there are 3 variations in prices for the shark's fin. $38, $58 and $68 (which isn't on the menu). You get what you pay for. The quality of the fins improve as the prices tend upwards.
Braised Homemade Beancurd with Shredded Scallop and Japanese Mushroom - Tofu has always been a staple at most of my Chinese dinners and this one was no exception. The tofu was very smooth and silky but the skin was a tad too hard and it lacked the smokey savoury taste that I personally like. Even the sauce was rather bland. And for $6 a person, it was 1 piece of tofu each.
Spinach Fried with Garlic - The low point of our meal, the quintessential vegetable dish. Very average tasting but at least the diced garlic was fried till golden brown, which gave the vegetables a nice slightly crunchy texture.
Szechuan Style Roasted Chicken with Homemade Crispy Crumbs - We ordered this on the recommendation of the captain and also because it sounded interesting. Honestly the only interesting part was the crispy crumbs, which I believe were rice crisps. They were coated with a Szechuan sauce which gave them a myriad of flavours - sweet, sour and spicy, all in one tasting. The roasted chicken didn't taste out of the ordinary but the execution was commendable. Crispy skin with moist and tender meat.
Mashed Taro with Almond Cream Served in Fresh Coconut - My dessert and no, it wasn't complimentary (only chilled desserts were accorded that privilege). Its the first time I've seen mashed taro or Orh Nee served up in a coconut and predictably, the coconut smell was very strong. Not that it mattered anyway as there wasn't a hint of coconut taste in both the almond cream and mashed taro. I usually don't like almond cream but this one wasn't too strong on the almond taste which suited me just fine. The mashed taro was smooth and not too sweet but more interestingly, it contained bits of chestnut, which added a nice crunchy texture and is used predominantly used in Teochew cooking. The only gripe was that the taro was a little too sticky and I had problems licking if off my spoon. Oh and there's the almost exorbitant price as well ($6.50).
An excellent dinner for 5 set us back by about $454, which is really quite steep. However I'll be the first to admit that food quality is top notch and so is the personalised service extended by the captain and his team. I can see why Taste Paradise is rated as one of the top restaurants in Singapore. And I agree.
See all my pictures here.
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Its been an extremely long time since i've had any wine or beer introduced into my system and honestly, i'm missing the feeling of being slightly woozy and laughing like an idiot. So it was with this intention that i brought my gf to visit Scruffy Murphy's one quiet Friday evening after work. Part of a group of pubs under the Gaelic Inns company which includes mainstays like "The Penny Black" and "Dirty Nellys". This company is definitely no stranger to the pub scene but i was a hungry for dinner as well, so lets see if they have decent grub as well.
KilKenny ($11.80 per pint) - Beer on tap and beer in a bottle. What would you choose? I'm not an expert on beer and basically, i've not had enough beer to be a judge but conversation has lead to the belief that beer on tap has a magically transformed effect of making it smoother and better. $11.80 for one pint of beer is rather expensive by any standards but i have to say, Kilkenny on tap is rather smoother and lighter then the bottled iterations.
Simplicity is the best policy in the case of this pub. Single seatings near the bar and small uncomfortable rattan chairs abound. There's a small private room at the back with air con but the rest of the pub is non air conditioned. Its still a nice, cosy setting with no one bothering you regardless of where you sit. Service is attentive as well.
Scruffy's Irish Roast Beef ($16.80) - Bearing the namesake of the pub, i expected this to be of reasonably good quality. And i was not disappointed. Judging by its namesake, i was expecting small cubic portions akin to pot roast but what came looked very promising indeed. Huge slices of beef cooked medium rare with a pinkish tint on the sides. Drenched in mushroom sauce, the meat was undeniably tender and appetizing. You could taste the marinate in eat slice and it never overwhelms. Of special mention, the yorkshire pudding on the side was excellent as well. Soft and served warm, its fragrance elevated the dish even more. Well done.
French Fries ($4.80) - Alright, this was a stupid order because we didn't know the beef came with fries. For what its worth, the fries were rather dry and bland due to the lack of salt.
Crispy Pork with Mustard and Mayonnaise ($10) - We ordered this after ordering our second pint and thought it would go well with the beer. Anyhow, the description on the menu belies its actual appearance. These few pieces of roasted crispy pork is hardly worth $10. Not that it tastes bad though. It actually tastes pretty good if not for the 2 of us being health conscious lately. Chewy thick meat and fats dominate the crispy pork belly while the mustard definitely complemented it well. Still, it was too far a departure from our expectations to make it worth our while.
Total bill came up to $55.20 for a meal and drink for 2 people. Given the excellent main we had, i'm inclined to say it was worth it.
In all fairness, the place is still worth a visit and the ambiance is pretty relaxing in the later parts of the day. Food served is decent (for the main) while service is relaxed and slow. The music is soft and conversation can be easily carried out if you require it. Otherwise, its nice to chill out and watch some matches, listen to the waves or simply drink a few beers. Now if they could lower their prices per pint, i would frequent it that much more.
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