The kind folks at District 10 extended an invitation to try out a couple of their signature dishes and since I was in town, I appreciatively made my way down to their outlet @ UE Square one weekday evening.
District 10 is both a bar and a restaurant and offers both indoor and al fresco seating at a rather prominent corner of UE Square. I personally like the wooden interior and high ceilings but the vibe is actually more of a pub than a restaurant. Good for a casual dinner but probably not so much for a romantic date.
Complimentary Bread - This used to be one of the best complimentary bread in my dictionary (back in 2007 when I first tried Bonta). Unfortunately the bread now is but a shadow of its former self. The bread was burnt which gave it a slightly bitter taste whilst the feta cheese within came across as a tad sour. How the quality has deteriorated!
Green Asparagus, Fried Egg Sunny Side Up, Sage Butter - I honestly didn't know what to make of this dish. Asparagus, sunny side up and cheese? $18 ? Seriously?
Pan-fried Goose Liver, Wild Berries Sauce & Balsamic Syrup - The foie gras lacked a well seared crust and wasn't as smooth or quivery as I had expected to be. But at least the wild berry sauce did help to cut down a little on the nausea.
Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Mustard Dressing, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms - This was a waste of wagyu beef in my humble opinion as it didn't elevate this dish past the average mark. Normal beef would have done the trick. And I personally dislike mustard.
Homemade Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster, Peperoncino, Basil & Fresh Tomatoes - I was looking forward to this but unfortunately it didn't quite pan out. The angel hair pasta was way too soft and stodgy from all the gravy that it was plain unappetising. Even the crunchy lobster pieces failed to lift this dish out of the mess. ps: the presentation needs working on as well.
Homemade Foie Gras Ravioli, Light Parmesan Sauce & Scamorza Cheese - This was probably the best dish of the evening in my humble opinion. The ravioli did come across as a tad too thick but the taste of the foie gras was noticeable and not overwhelmed by the light parmesan sauce. Just watch out for the wooziness.
Crispy Goose Leg Confit, Roasted Garlic, Soft Potato Mousse - Mildly crisp skin but overly salty and dry. Pretty much sums up the goose confit.
Signature Black Angus Beef Striploin, Fried Eggs & Black Truffle - I appreciated the black truffle but I fail to comprehend the sunny side up. Nonetheless, the beef was done to a nice medium rare but came across as rather bland and a tad tough. Average dish overall.
Roasted Atlantic Cod Medallion, Spanish Smoked Paprika & Herbs Oil - The cod was decently executed without much fanfare - tender flesh with a hint of sweetness. Lacked the oomph to elevate it past the average mark.
Cinnamon Apple Fritters with Icing Sugar - And finally, desserts. I found the cinnamon apple fritters a pretty interesting concept except that there was way too much cinnamon powder sprinkled over the fritters that it was unnerving (for me at least). I was expecting a sweet finish but it ended up slightly sourish because of the apple. Can't say I'm a fan.
Traditional Italian Tiramisu - My absolute favourite Italian dessert. Unfortunately District 10's rendition didn't quite excite. The mascarpone to sponge ratio was a little lopsided in favour of the former whilst the latter came across as a tad dry. Acceptably average.
If you stay in the East Side, you will love this place. The place is beautifully set by the beach of the quiet side of Pasir Ris Park with NEON signboards and rustling trees. Its usually quiet and I must say pretty romantic with all the table candles but it does get extremely crowded on soccer nights. Alfresco dining coupled with a good large smoking area and the cleaner air side well separated by a good distance of fence and greenery. For hot days, you can soak in the aircon fish tank of what we call the indoor dining area, encased by large clear glass panels with proper diner set up and luscious couches for a relaxing group chitchat. For lonely days, you could challenge a stranger at a game of pool, a game of darts or just hang by the outdoor bar with some nice draught beer.
The food menu comprises of a good range of finger food, salads, mains like pizza, sandwiches, burgers,seafood, steaks and pasta, as well as a few choices of dessert, but for a small group weekend gathering over some draught beers, nothing is more happening then simple finger food.
We ordered some to share and we were surprised by the generous portion, appetizing presentation and friendly approaches when we ask for more sauces and condiments.
As the mushroom were out of stock, we ordered a Margarita pizza ($15.80), the crust was thin and slightly burnt, perfectly made lusciously splayed with cheese and juicy tomatoes. Hand Made crust for sure was too good to waste as such we wiped up the entire thing :)
Focaccia Bread ($5.80) with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette dip is one we can never resist. Focaccia is well baked with a good balance of oil and spices, served warm with plentiful dip... very yummy!
Waldorf salad ($11.80) is a good generous serving of premium veg, walnuts and crumbles of cheese. We were surprised how yummy it was, so this is one dish I recommend everybody to try :)
Cheesy Nacho with Chilli is everybody's favorite that night, imagine crusty nachos served warm with a large spread of nacho cheese and a bowl of chilli for extra dipping. It goes with children, with a glass of beer and yelling fans. Its messy but its just so good.. oooh comfort food, can't sleep without it.
5 Drunken Rabbits left a pretty good East Side Memory for me, though its not very convenient to get there yet its situated just behind an open air carpark, so if you drive its extremely convenient. Not to forget, they have their private loos, as such you don't have to go to the eerie public park loos which you dread peekaboo with puky stuffs in bowls and toilet paper woes.FYI: No rabbits were found there.. I wonder why even call it drunken rabbits... Booze i found though....
If you have never been to The Mega Flea Market, then you have never experienced the rush of a fun filled shopping spree. Picture this as you walk into the large hall crowded with stalls and stalls of vendor selling all sorts of colourful things, the smell of popcorn and burnt caramel in the air while the latest rock hits and the chatter of shoppers rushed into your ears and everything just seemed to draw you and you couldn't decide where to start your shopping.
I've been to many fleas in Singapore, Big trade fair looking serious kind selling all sorts of merchandise too extravagant for my shallow pockets and outdoor tiny fleas with simple few tables that made my shopping spree less that imperfect. I feel that the mega flea is of a good size with a good mix of vendors selling a good variety of items. I spotted quite a number of stalls that interest me like local fashion labels, cake & dessert entrepreneurs, a one dollar shop that sells knick knacks for a dollar, leather goods customization and surprisingly some very special food stalls that sells bento sets, traditional delights such as local snacks (Chee Cheong Fun) and their signature "Fatt Fatt Biscuit". There was one store that sells innovative house hold ware, stall owners retails and applying printed nail sticker for their customers, handmade soaps and essential oiled bath and beauty products and even imported lingerie. The list of interesting vendors just goes on and on and on!
The atmosphere was one that is fun and inviting and the neighboring trade fairs as well as the well planned marketing drew visitors from all over the place. The hall was spacious, air conditioning ample and contained the shoppers as well as the vendors really well. Restrooms were of amply replenished with many cubicles and the hall was well ventilated, as such nobody smelt like hawker though food was prepared inside. There were many interesting activities going on as well like the photo booth and sculptured balloons that were a great entertainment for the children. All in all, the visitors were of a good flow and shops well with many stalls closing early because they were sold out. Location was great, near many train stations and easy to locate and the neighboring trade shows and exhibitions did bring in an overflow of crowd. An indeed very enjoyable event. :)
If you enjoy Yong Tau Foo, you will fall in love with this stall. With items going as low as $0.35 a piece and 6 items with noodles/beehoon for $2.10, how do you ever get to go on diet.
Gems like this stall is almost extinct in cosmopolitan Singapore and being the most expensive city, well a less than $3 meal is pretty hard to find. So, the items are very affordable, hows the taste... I must say the taste is better than the expensive chic looking equivalent.
Sizes of the items are of good portion, no stingy splash of condiments or chilli and sweet sauce. If you would like to separate the noodles and the soup, the auntie will gladly do that for you.
Ingredients fresh, of a really good portion and is really cheap. Great place to dine if you are nearby aljunied mrt or geylang. This is one of the most yummy yong tau foo stall I've ever been to in Singapore :)
A gem on the quieter side of the matured estate at Circuit road, amidst the bustling hawkers, shaded by luscious trees is a Bistro named NOM, which I find has no meaning at all. Yes, there is no other meaning why someone would love to dine here, in its casual and clean setting with simple food made delicious and easy ambience other than it is absolutely relaxing and comforting.
I mean there's no where nearby this estate that one can hang, chit-chat with friends, enjoy a simple cuppa chamomile tea and watch the busy children rushing for their extra-curriculum activities while enjoying the quiet breeze of the air-conditioning and the rays of the setting sun all at the same time. I loved the decking outdoor seats which is good for night alfresco dining and the 'welcome counter' that is placed by the ascending steps that lead to the entrance, it kinda felt like I was entering a chic bar or an extremely Classy diner, yet the smile of friendly staff was infectious and it made me settled in with a good mood.
A spacious hall with plenty of seats is what I see while i entered the bistro, staff busying themselves making the diners feel at home with warm laughters and great food suggestions. The menu was an easy to read 2 page rustically printed scroll that has a good selection of mains, appetizers and clear descriptions of what made up of the dish. We've decided on a few interestingly named choices and were pleasantly surprised.
1) The Earth Burger ($10.90): is a wholesome burger of good portion made up of an array of greens and a fatty well seared portobello mushroom with plenty of cheese and chips on the side. Its a good portion for one, savoury and delicious.
2) The slow roast birdleg ($13.90): is a roasted full portion of a chicken's hind leg drizzled with cranberry sauce served with premium rocket greens and buttery mash. The chicken is very well made, crispy and flavourful on the outside and juicy on the inside. The clash of sweetish sauce and the savoury skin of the roast chicken is amazingly paired.
3) Churros ($7.90): looked like a mini "You Char Kway" though much harder and crispier is sprinkled lavishly with sugar and cinnamon powder paired with a chocolate and caramel dip. Its a pretty interesting choice of snack as I don't find churros served elsewhere except in very western deli and usually as a take away, but here, you get it as a dessert or snack which could easily be paired with some sweet dessert wine or light tea.
I love the ambiance and the little quirky notions of this bistro, like they call themselves NOMSTERs and interesting labels like hand rolled pizzas. Love the creativeness, hidden humors and simplicity in everything they do. Lovely food presentation and warm homeliness, not forgetting the affordable pricing and generous portions.
The next time I visit, I must really try the hand rolled thin crust pizzas "i spied at the next table and it looked super delicious and hearty".. this time round... I must bring more friends... oh yar... the cakes on the display looked fantabulous too! Theres so much to choose from....
Taking a picture at this super crowded shop is virtually impossible. Matter of fact I had to fight my way in from the anxious Office Ladies to the irritable older people and weird looking office men with baskets full of toiletries such as shampoos, shower gels, facial wash and yes, female personal hygiene utility packs (use your imaginations). Its shopping for the whole family, i more or less could understand how weird they feel while the lady exposes all their merchandises and bagging them slowly while reconfirming the prices with the man. I mean if he would have a question if he bought the correct size and brand, he wouldn't ask...
Even the corridors are littered with goods and people and everyone is busily choosing their hair care, skin care, toothpastes, toothbrush and other every use products. I mean its really much cheaper here, for eg.
1) 4 Oral B toothbrushes with indicator and soft needle bristles (not the old design) = $2.40
2) Whisper ultra thin pack of 16s = $3.80
3) Colgate Sensitive medium sized = $1.80
4) Clinique Facial Wash = $28.50 well orginally i saw from department stores goes about $35 and above
5) Facial Wash (Johnsons&Johnsons - Biore) = $1.50 - $4
Sun screen, scrubs, nail polish, selected makeup, SKII, perfumes, everything you need that stays in the toilet on your makeup desk and even in the car, you have it here and I must say the brands are not few. Its about at least a good 30% off the retail prices. After I've been here, I got pissed when I go to supermarkets or other personal care store... Its like i've been robbed broad daylight.
You might wonder if the quality is good, well i've used it, the texture, scent and packaging is almost similar yet the printing are a little different in terms of description and language, I suppose these are parallel imported from neighbouring countries in which our departmental store goods also originates from these countries such as malaysia, thailand, vietnam, etc.... The higher end products such as clinique and SKII as well as perfumes are original packing, not as though i bought any perfumes from them, matter of fact its no asking, just grab and pay in CASH...
Service is like no service except some ladies and men standing on ladders looking out for those who forgot or choose not to pay and some just blocking the already tight walkways at the squeezy corridors inside the shop. I mean nobody needs promo or help, just meant the cashier and stop blocking us. Its like they live in between those shelves.
Items are cheap, please go early and avoid lunch or after work crowd and aunties in sleeveless tops and sweaty armpits.... I mean how do you sanitize your brain when you get rubbed in the nose with sweaty armpits.. Eeeeeekssss
Great place to shop, but expect no service and things are like super super super cheap... a must go yet be prepared to push and shove or get SHOVED!
Attended a Wedding Banquet at the Carlton last friday and I must say we had a good time. The place was cosy, not to mention clean and beautifully decorated, cutleries were nice and shiny while the ambiance was nicely attuned to the uplifting spirits of a wedding, however the banquet service staff requires a bit more improvement.
The reception was just outside the banquet and doors don't open until 7 in which dinner started at 8 due to a massive jam and guest were delayed. The hall was laid full of tables and chairs with little walking spaces perhaps there are just too many guest yet the aisle was nicely lit with candles atop some glamorously white and pink arranged flowers leading up to the stage. Dinner started with the announcement from the emcees and the couple entered with a slow stroll on the aisle while the champagne popping and cake cutting were the regular events and were carried out smoothly. The manager, Don was a conscientious staff who made sure everything was on time and even gave proper briefing to the groom while making sure the hall was in a perfectly celebratory mood. Everything was more or less planned and executed in perfection.
The first dish arrived pretty soon after the walk in and subsequent dishes arrived pretty fast, though not piping hot yet is perfectly cooked and the portion was really generous. Most tables had left overs we observed and these are the few really yummy dishes they left some good memories.
1) Appetizer cold platter - the prawns are yummy, spring roll crispy, jelly fish crunchy and duck meat juicy
2) Steamed grouper - fish was big and loads of flesh, fresh and the sauce (HongKong soya sauce style) was balanced and light
3) Abalone with broccoli - The whole abalone you get was about the size of a quarter of my palm and was chewy with a savoury sauce.
4) Deep fried Chicken with an auspicious name which I couldn't recall: looked very much like a dried up chicken, skin is crispy and meat is tender, pretty yummy I must say
5) Fried Longevity noodles: I was half expecting my favourite EeFu noodles but it was not to be found, this noodles is also pretty yummy with plenty of stripped carrots and veg.
6) Dessert was a honey dew sago that has got nothing to rave about other than its sweet. Was half expecting something exotic but it turned out still a good ending to an almost perfect meal.
The food was pretty yummy, ingredients used fresh and overall ambience was good, though I find 4 banquet halls sharing a 5 cubicle ladies is a little bit of a long throw, perhaps there are other restrooms I didn't notice. Drinks were the regular tea, softdrink, red or white wine and of course beer.
Yar one thing I must mention. We were given a glass full of roses to sprinkle at the bride on her second entrance in which we were given special instructions by the staff 1) When to throw, 2) Not to aim at the couple's face, 3) Not to throw the glass holder.... HAHAHA! Very Entertaining I must say.
Lunch was a long queue, even when we arrived later then the normal lunch hour, we still had to wait a good 15 minutes before we got a seat for 5. Its not a large outlet but its crowded and the see through kitchen is very interesting to me as we are always curious what happens inside the kitchen. Chef kneading dough, making dumplings, steaming stuffs and making noodles all seemed super fun to me.
We were given the order chit to make our orders while we waited outside and our appetizers were already waiting for us on our table before we got settled down. Service was fast, though not so friendly but it was fast and efficient. Food was served shortly after we settled and of course tea for all.
1) Oriental Salad in Special Vinegar Dressing (appetizer):
was a small dish of chilled seaweed and beansprout tossed in aromatic sesame oil which is both fragrant and refreshing.
2) Sliced Duck in Crispy Spring Onion Pastry (appetizer): is a yummy smoked duck with spring onion in a crispy pohpiah skin. The portion is small and extremely yummy. Loved the clash of taste of the crispy outside and the savoury insides.
3) Steamed Pork Dumplings 小笼包: is something one must have when they visit din tai fung. The skin is thin, almost translucent filled with hot savoury soup from the minced meat inside. You have to pick it up lightly with the 18 pleated top and placed is gently on your soup while to add on a little vinegar and ginger and sip onto the hot soup before you gobble up the entire dumpling. The burst of flavorful minced meat in your mouth while enjoying the chewy texture of the dumpling skin. Superbly yummy!
4) Hot & Sour Soup 酸辣汤: was a simple egg, toufoo and veg soup in a sweet and sour flavor. No wow factor in this and I must say its more of a seh chuan styled soup.
5) Fried Rice with Shrimps & Eggs 虾仁蛋饭: We had 2 versions of this, one just with shrimps & eggs while another with an added portion of pork chop which was heavenly. The rice tasted very yummy, well made and chewy with each rice beautifully coated with the yellowish egg and shrimps so juicy and big while the pork chop added the OMPHHH... factor. Juicy and savoury crispy pork chop with a tender inside tasted super delicious!
6) Stir-fried Dou Miao with Garlic 蒜炒豆苗: Veg is fresh and with a good portion for 5.
7) Chocolate and Red Bean Dumplings (Dessert): Is one of a kind of dumplings, i guess a new creation by the restaurant itself, tasted something in between a mochi and a tang yuan. The skin is tasteless while the gooey insides of chocolate and red bean makes the dinner ends with a sweet note. Its yummy yet funny at the same time. Its nice and different :)
A good lunch for 5 cost set us back at about $110, yet we didn't left feeling so full that we wanna puke. The portion I must say is not big but selections was quite good for chinese dishes. Food was above average, portion we hope could increase a little and price is reasonable. The seats were mostly wooden chairs and table while deco is made up of drift wood and mostly of a chinese retro influence. Loved the open concept yet the neighbouring outlet is actually the Food Republic Food Court. I mean if you dislike it here, you could always hope next door to another world :)
Nuvo was offering an irresistible deal on their set lunch @ $13 (apparently until end February 2014) so we dropped by for lunch one Saturday afternoon since we were in the vicinity. Helmed by Chef Mark Richards, former chef de cuisine of Keystone Restaurant, Nuvo falls under the same management (Caerus Holdings) as that of Lady M (which I personally like) in Singapore.
Hidden from plain sight in a corner of the newly opened "The Dining Edition" in Marina Square, Nuvo's interior utilises quite a bit of wood, which gives it a more down to earth feel. The open concept kitchen offers diners an opportunity to watch their food being prepared if they so wish but honestly, it would be weird hanging around the serving counter.
Complimentary Bread - The complimentary bread was warm and crusty with hints of Parmesan. Pretty decent especially with a thin spread of the accompanying Nori butter. A pity each person was only accorded one roll.
Warm Japanese Mushroom Salad - This dish honestly didn't look like much but it sure was nice. Tossed up with pine nuts, asparagus, shallots and Japanese mushroom, the salad (baby spinach) had a pleasing, savoury sweet note to it. I have honestly never been so enamoured with a salad. And I say this from having the salad on 3 separate occasions @ Nuvo.
Angel Hair Wakame pasta with Lobster Essence and Rayu Oil - One of the signature dishes at Nuvo, the angel hair pasta had a nice firm bite to it, soaking in the mild spiciness of the rayu oil (chilli oil) and the sweet saltiness of the wakame (seaweed). Overall a very flavourful pasta dish that had me reaching for my glass of water a little more frequently due to the higher than acceptable (apparently only to me) salt content. And strangely enough, it is marked as a vegetarian pasta dish (how about the lobster essence?).
Lobster Risotto - Another signature dish and one that is close to my heart (and mouth). The lobster risotto is only available on the ala carte menu and a small serving (as per my picture) will set you back by $28 while the larger one is about $36 if my memory serves me right. It was a simple yet well executed dish. The risotto was nicely al dente, cooked in a rich lobster broth with small chunks of lobster and edamame - creamily good! Well worth the money in my humble opinion.
Pocky Ricotta Cheese Cake - This dessert was rather interesting, with the top of the cheese cake adorned with chocolate swirls and the base made from crushed Pocky (yes, the $1 box of Pocky you can get from supermarkets). But all the bells and whistles aside, it just tasted like a light, decently made cheesecake that provided a nice, sweet ending to our meal.
With a price tag of $13 for an appetiser, main and dessert of above average quality, what's not to like? Service was good as well but intervals between the dishes could have been shorter. Also, the website states opening hours from 11am to 11pm but they didn't open until 12pm during this particular visit. And such things definitely don't leave good impressions. But having said that, I'll definitely return to indulge in the lobster risotto and to sample other offerings.
The place is beautiful, a almost solo building at the very end of the dining lane in Holland Village. Brown canvases with a Bright Orange signature "TANGO" written on the wall. Its more of a drinking place then a dining place and works well when its not raining. Both indoor and outdoor seatings are available however it is very much NON-Airconditioned.
We spotted many diners seating on the road (which is closed in the evening) drinking icy cold beer and that is what drew us in. The place is crowded as usual with many diners littered everywhere. Most common dish on the table is the bar snacks like wedges and calamaries while the most loved drinks were the draught beers in almost frozen pint cups (Hoegarden & Asahi).
We were shortly shown to our seats after taking a long time to get one of the staff's attention and though seated indoors and near to the outside, i started to perspire even before food was served. The lighting were halogen MR16 spots all over, shining directly at us and the fan seemed to far though we could see it turning yet it was just so heated up. The menu has got quite a few nice selections yet we do not have the mood to order much. We ended up ordering a few dishes and quickly gulped down our icy cool beer to cool off.
Food became secondary and perhaps thats why the place is so HOT!
The food was not too bad, lamb steak was soft and juicy and fragrant. The snacks were crunchy yet nothing to wow about and the portion was just too small for even lady diners. Matter of fact we ordered a main each, beer and sides tapas, my lady friend could comment that she didn't feel too full and the dessert selections was not so good thus we adjourned to another dessert restaurant to complete the night.
The place is seriously just good for beer and snacks and noisy chit chat.. but please seat outdoors on the road, its much much cooler and the service anywhere in this restaurant is just as bad so be prepared to be patient. Price is ex for main courses but regular for drinks and snacks. Sauna for dinner... maybe it have a slimming effect!
1=SGD 0.0587
The kind folks at District 10 extended an invitation to try out a couple of their signature dishes and since I was in town, I appreciatively made my way down to their outlet @ UE Square one weekday evening.
District 10 is both a bar and a restaurant and offers both indoor and al fresco seating at a rather prominent corner of UE Square. I personally like the wooden interior and high ceilings but the vibe is actually more of a pub than a restaurant. Good for a casual dinner but probably not so much for a romantic date.
Complimentary Bread - This used to be one of the best complimentary bread in my dictionary (back in 2007 when I first tried Bonta). Unfortunately the bread now is but a shadow of its former self. The bread was burnt which gave it a slightly bitter taste whilst the feta cheese within came across as a tad sour. How the quality has deteriorated!
Green Asparagus, Fried Egg Sunny Side Up, Sage Butter - I honestly didn't know what to make of this dish. Asparagus, sunny side up and cheese? $18 ? Seriously?
Pan-fried Goose Liver, Wild Berries Sauce & Balsamic Syrup - The foie gras lacked a well seared crust and wasn't as smooth or quivery as I had expected to be. But at least the wild berry sauce did help to cut down a little on the nausea.
Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Mustard Dressing, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms - This was a waste of wagyu beef in my humble opinion as it didn't elevate this dish past the average mark. Normal beef would have done the trick. And I personally dislike mustard.
Homemade Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster, Peperoncino, Basil & Fresh Tomatoes - I was looking forward to this but unfortunately it didn't quite pan out. The angel hair pasta was way too soft and stodgy from all the gravy that it was plain unappetising. Even the crunchy lobster pieces failed to lift this dish out of the mess. ps: the presentation needs working on as well.
Homemade Foie Gras Ravioli, Light Parmesan Sauce & Scamorza Cheese - This was probably the best dish of the evening in my humble opinion. The ravioli did come across as a tad too thick but the taste of the foie gras was noticeable and not overwhelmed by the light parmesan sauce. Just watch out for the wooziness.
Crispy Goose Leg Confit, Roasted Garlic, Soft Potato Mousse - Mildly crisp skin but overly salty and dry. Pretty much sums up the goose confit.
Signature Black Angus Beef Striploin, Fried Eggs & Black Truffle - I appreciated the black truffle but I fail to comprehend the sunny side up. Nonetheless, the beef was done to a nice medium rare but came across as rather bland and a tad tough. Average dish overall.
Roasted Atlantic Cod Medallion, Spanish Smoked Paprika & Herbs Oil - The cod was decently executed without much fanfare - tender flesh with a hint of sweetness. Lacked the oomph to elevate it past the average mark.
Cinnamon Apple Fritters with Icing Sugar - And finally, desserts. I found the cinnamon apple fritters a pretty interesting concept except that there was way too much cinnamon powder sprinkled over the fritters that it was unnerving (for me at least). I was expecting a sweet finish but it ended up slightly sourish because of the apple. Can't say I'm a fan.
Traditional Italian Tiramisu - My absolute favourite Italian dessert. Unfortunately District 10's rendition didn't quite excite. The mascarpone to sponge ratio was a little lopsided in favour of the former whilst the latter came across as a tad dry. Acceptably average.
See all my pictures here.
Rating given:
If you stay in the East Side, you will love this place. The place is beautifully set by the beach of the quiet side of Pasir Ris Park with NEON signboards and rustling trees. Its usually quiet and I must say pretty romantic with all the table candles but it does get extremely crowded on soccer nights. Alfresco dining coupled with a good large smoking area and the cleaner air side well separated by a good distance of fence and greenery. For hot days, you can soak in the aircon fish tank of what we call the indoor dining area, encased by large clear glass panels with proper diner set up and luscious couches for a relaxing group chitchat. For lonely days, you could challenge a stranger at a game of pool, a game of darts or just hang by the outdoor bar with some nice draught beer.
The food menu comprises of a good range of finger food, salads, mains like pizza, sandwiches, burgers,seafood, steaks and pasta, as well as a few choices of dessert, but for a small group weekend gathering over some draught beers, nothing is more happening then simple finger food.
We ordered some to share and we were surprised by the generous portion, appetizing presentation and friendly approaches when we ask for more sauces and condiments.
As the mushroom were out of stock, we ordered a Margarita pizza ($15.80), the crust was thin and slightly burnt, perfectly made lusciously splayed with cheese and juicy tomatoes. Hand Made crust for sure was too good to waste as such we wiped up the entire thing :)
Focaccia Bread ($5.80) with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette dip is one we can never resist. Focaccia is well baked with a good balance of oil and spices, served warm with plentiful dip... very yummy!
Waldorf salad ($11.80) is a good generous serving of premium veg, walnuts and crumbles of cheese. We were surprised how yummy it was, so this is one dish I recommend everybody to try :)
Cheesy Nacho with Chilli is everybody's favorite that night, imagine crusty nachos served warm with a large spread of nacho cheese and a bowl of chilli for extra dipping. It goes with children, with a glass of beer and yelling fans. Its messy but its just so good.. oooh comfort food, can't sleep without it.
5 Drunken Rabbits left a pretty good East Side Memory for me, though its not very convenient to get there yet its situated just behind an open air carpark, so if you drive its extremely convenient. Not to forget, they have their private loos, as such you don't have to go to the eerie public park loos which you dread peekaboo with puky stuffs in bowls and toilet paper woes.FYI: No rabbits were found there.. I wonder why even call it drunken rabbits... Booze i found though....
Rating given:
If you have never been to The Mega Flea Market, then you have never experienced the rush of a fun filled shopping spree. Picture this as you walk into the large hall crowded with stalls and stalls of vendor selling all sorts of colourful things, the smell of popcorn and burnt caramel in the air while the latest rock hits and the chatter of shoppers rushed into your ears and everything just seemed to draw you and you couldn't decide where to start your shopping.
I've been to many fleas in Singapore, Big trade fair looking serious kind selling all sorts of merchandise too extravagant for my shallow pockets and outdoor tiny fleas with simple few tables that made my shopping spree less that imperfect. I feel that the mega flea is of a good size with a good mix of vendors selling a good variety of items. I spotted quite a number of stalls that interest me like local fashion labels, cake & dessert entrepreneurs, a one dollar shop that sells knick knacks for a dollar, leather goods customization and surprisingly some very special food stalls that sells bento sets, traditional delights such as local snacks (Chee Cheong Fun) and their signature "Fatt Fatt Biscuit". There was one store that sells innovative house hold ware, stall owners retails and applying printed nail sticker for their customers, handmade soaps and essential oiled bath and beauty products and even imported lingerie. The list of interesting vendors just goes on and on and on!
The atmosphere was one that is fun and inviting and the neighboring trade fairs as well as the well planned marketing drew visitors from all over the place. The hall was spacious, air conditioning ample and contained the shoppers as well as the vendors really well. Restrooms were of amply replenished with many cubicles and the hall was well ventilated, as such nobody smelt like hawker though food was prepared inside. There were many interesting activities going on as well like the photo booth and sculptured balloons that were a great entertainment for the children. All in all, the visitors were of a good flow and shops well with many stalls closing early because they were sold out. Location was great, near many train stations and easy to locate and the neighboring trade shows and exhibitions did bring in an overflow of crowd. An indeed very enjoyable event. :)
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If you enjoy Yong Tau Foo, you will fall in love with this stall. With items going as low as $0.35 a piece and 6 items with noodles/beehoon for $2.10, how do you ever get to go on diet.
Gems like this stall is almost extinct in cosmopolitan Singapore and being the most expensive city, well a less than $3 meal is pretty hard to find. So, the items are very affordable, hows the taste... I must say the taste is better than the expensive chic looking equivalent.
Sizes of the items are of good portion, no stingy splash of condiments or chilli and sweet sauce. If you would like to separate the noodles and the soup, the auntie will gladly do that for you.
Ingredients fresh, of a really good portion and is really cheap. Great place to dine if you are nearby aljunied mrt or geylang. This is one of the most yummy yong tau foo stall I've ever been to in Singapore :)
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A gem on the quieter side of the matured estate at Circuit road, amidst the bustling hawkers, shaded by luscious trees is a Bistro named NOM, which I find has no meaning at all. Yes, there is no other meaning why someone would love to dine here, in its casual and clean setting with simple food made delicious and easy ambience other than it is absolutely relaxing and comforting.
I mean there's no where nearby this estate that one can hang, chit-chat with friends, enjoy a simple cuppa chamomile tea and watch the busy children rushing for their extra-curriculum activities while enjoying the quiet breeze of the air-conditioning and the rays of the setting sun all at the same time. I loved the decking outdoor seats which is good for night alfresco dining and the 'welcome counter' that is placed by the ascending steps that lead to the entrance, it kinda felt like I was entering a chic bar or an extremely Classy diner, yet the smile of friendly staff was infectious and it made me settled in with a good mood.
A spacious hall with plenty of seats is what I see while i entered the bistro, staff busying themselves making the diners feel at home with warm laughters and great food suggestions. The menu was an easy to read 2 page rustically printed scroll that has a good selection of mains, appetizers and clear descriptions of what made up of the dish. We've decided on a few interestingly named choices and were pleasantly surprised.
1) The Earth Burger ($10.90): is a wholesome burger of good portion made up of an array of greens and a fatty well seared portobello mushroom with plenty of cheese and chips on the side. Its a good portion for one, savoury and delicious.
2) The slow roast birdleg ($13.90): is a roasted full portion of a chicken's hind leg drizzled with cranberry sauce served with premium rocket greens and buttery mash. The chicken is very well made, crispy and flavourful on the outside and juicy on the inside. The clash of sweetish sauce and the savoury skin of the roast chicken is amazingly paired.
3) Churros ($7.90): looked like a mini "You Char Kway" though much harder and crispier is sprinkled lavishly with sugar and cinnamon powder paired with a chocolate and caramel dip. Its a pretty interesting choice of snack as I don't find churros served elsewhere except in very western deli and usually as a take away, but here, you get it as a dessert or snack which could easily be paired with some sweet dessert wine or light tea.
I love the ambiance and the little quirky notions of this bistro, like they call themselves NOMSTERs and interesting labels like hand rolled pizzas. Love the creativeness, hidden humors and simplicity in everything they do. Lovely food presentation and warm homeliness, not forgetting the affordable pricing and generous portions.
The next time I visit, I must really try the hand rolled thin crust pizzas "i spied at the next table and it looked super delicious and hearty".. this time round... I must bring more friends... oh yar... the cakes on the display looked fantabulous too! Theres so much to choose from....
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Taking a picture at this super crowded shop is virtually impossible. Matter of fact I had to fight my way in from the anxious Office Ladies to the irritable older people and weird looking office men with baskets full of toiletries such as shampoos, shower gels, facial wash and yes, female personal hygiene utility packs (use your imaginations). Its shopping for the whole family, i more or less could understand how weird they feel while the lady exposes all their merchandises and bagging them slowly while reconfirming the prices with the man. I mean if he would have a question if he bought the correct size and brand, he wouldn't ask...
Even the corridors are littered with goods and people and everyone is busily choosing their hair care, skin care, toothpastes, toothbrush and other every use products. I mean its really much cheaper here, for eg.
1) 4 Oral B toothbrushes with indicator and soft needle bristles (not the old design) = $2.40
2) Whisper ultra thin pack of 16s = $3.80
3) Colgate Sensitive medium sized = $1.80
4) Clinique Facial Wash = $28.50 well orginally i saw from department stores goes about $35 and above
5) Facial Wash (Johnsons&Johnsons - Biore) = $1.50 - $4
Sun screen, scrubs, nail polish, selected makeup, SKII, perfumes, everything you need that stays in the toilet on your makeup desk and even in the car, you have it here and I must say the brands are not few. Its about at least a good 30% off the retail prices. After I've been here, I got pissed when I go to supermarkets or other personal care store... Its like i've been robbed broad daylight.
You might wonder if the quality is good, well i've used it, the texture, scent and packaging is almost similar yet the printing are a little different in terms of description and language, I suppose these are parallel imported from neighbouring countries in which our departmental store goods also originates from these countries such as malaysia, thailand, vietnam, etc.... The higher end products such as clinique and SKII as well as perfumes are original packing, not as though i bought any perfumes from them, matter of fact its no asking, just grab and pay in CASH...
Service is like no service except some ladies and men standing on ladders looking out for those who forgot or choose not to pay and some just blocking the already tight walkways at the squeezy corridors inside the shop. I mean nobody needs promo or help, just meant the cashier and stop blocking us. Its like they live in between those shelves.
Items are cheap, please go early and avoid lunch or after work crowd and aunties in sleeveless tops and sweaty armpits.... I mean how do you sanitize your brain when you get rubbed in the nose with sweaty armpits.. Eeeeeekssss
Great place to shop, but expect no service and things are like super super super cheap... a must go yet be prepared to push and shove or get SHOVED!
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Attended a Wedding Banquet at the Carlton last friday and I must say we had a good time. The place was cosy, not to mention clean and beautifully decorated, cutleries were nice and shiny while the ambiance was nicely attuned to the uplifting spirits of a wedding, however the banquet service staff requires a bit more improvement.
The reception was just outside the banquet and doors don't open until 7 in which dinner started at 8 due to a massive jam and guest were delayed. The hall was laid full of tables and chairs with little walking spaces perhaps there are just too many guest yet the aisle was nicely lit with candles atop some glamorously white and pink arranged flowers leading up to the stage. Dinner started with the announcement from the emcees and the couple entered with a slow stroll on the aisle while the champagne popping and cake cutting were the regular events and were carried out smoothly. The manager, Don was a conscientious staff who made sure everything was on time and even gave proper briefing to the groom while making sure the hall was in a perfectly celebratory mood. Everything was more or less planned and executed in perfection.
The first dish arrived pretty soon after the walk in and subsequent dishes arrived pretty fast, though not piping hot yet is perfectly cooked and the portion was really generous. Most tables had left overs we observed and these are the few really yummy dishes they left some good memories.
1) Appetizer cold platter - the prawns are yummy, spring roll crispy, jelly fish crunchy and duck meat juicy
2) Steamed grouper - fish was big and loads of flesh, fresh and the sauce (HongKong soya sauce style) was balanced and light
3) Abalone with broccoli - The whole abalone you get was about the size of a quarter of my palm and was chewy with a savoury sauce.
4) Deep fried Chicken with an auspicious name which I couldn't recall: looked very much like a dried up chicken, skin is crispy and meat is tender, pretty yummy I must say
5) Fried Longevity noodles: I was half expecting my favourite EeFu noodles but it was not to be found, this noodles is also pretty yummy with plenty of stripped carrots and veg.
6) Dessert was a honey dew sago that has got nothing to rave about other than its sweet. Was half expecting something exotic but it turned out still a good ending to an almost perfect meal.
The food was pretty yummy, ingredients used fresh and overall ambience was good, though I find 4 banquet halls sharing a 5 cubicle ladies is a little bit of a long throw, perhaps there are other restrooms I didn't notice. Drinks were the regular tea, softdrink, red or white wine and of course beer.
Yar one thing I must mention. We were given a glass full of roses to sprinkle at the bride on her second entrance in which we were given special instructions by the staff 1) When to throw, 2) Not to aim at the couple's face, 3) Not to throw the glass holder.... HAHAHA! Very Entertaining I must say.
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Lunch was a long queue, even when we arrived later then the normal lunch hour, we still had to wait a good 15 minutes before we got a seat for 5. Its not a large outlet but its crowded and the see through kitchen is very interesting to me as we are always curious what happens inside the kitchen. Chef kneading dough, making dumplings, steaming stuffs and making noodles all seemed super fun to me.
We were given the order chit to make our orders while we waited outside and our appetizers were already waiting for us on our table before we got settled down. Service was fast, though not so friendly but it was fast and efficient. Food was served shortly after we settled and of course tea for all.
1) Oriental Salad in Special Vinegar Dressing (appetizer):
was a small dish of chilled seaweed and beansprout tossed in aromatic sesame oil which is both fragrant and refreshing.
2) Sliced Duck in Crispy Spring Onion Pastry (appetizer): is a yummy smoked duck with spring onion in a crispy pohpiah skin. The portion is small and extremely yummy. Loved the clash of taste of the crispy outside and the savoury insides.
3) Steamed Pork Dumplings 小笼包: is something one must have when they visit din tai fung. The skin is thin, almost translucent filled with hot savoury soup from the minced meat inside. You have to pick it up lightly with the 18 pleated top and placed is gently on your soup while to add on a little vinegar and ginger and sip onto the hot soup before you gobble up the entire dumpling. The burst of flavorful minced meat in your mouth while enjoying the chewy texture of the dumpling skin. Superbly yummy!
4) Hot & Sour Soup 酸辣汤: was a simple egg, toufoo and veg soup in a sweet and sour flavor. No wow factor in this and I must say its more of a seh chuan styled soup.
5) Fried Rice with Shrimps & Eggs 虾仁蛋饭: We had 2 versions of this, one just with shrimps & eggs while another with an added portion of pork chop which was heavenly. The rice tasted very yummy, well made and chewy with each rice beautifully coated with the yellowish egg and shrimps so juicy and big while the pork chop added the OMPHHH... factor. Juicy and savoury crispy pork chop with a tender inside tasted super delicious!
6) Stir-fried Dou Miao with Garlic 蒜炒豆苗: Veg is fresh and with a good portion for 5.
7) Chocolate and Red Bean Dumplings (Dessert): Is one of a kind of dumplings, i guess a new creation by the restaurant itself, tasted something in between a mochi and a tang yuan. The skin is tasteless while the gooey insides of chocolate and red bean makes the dinner ends with a sweet note. Its yummy yet funny at the same time. Its nice and different :)
A good lunch for 5 cost set us back at about $110, yet we didn't left feeling so full that we wanna puke. The portion I must say is not big but selections was quite good for chinese dishes. Food was above average, portion we hope could increase a little and price is reasonable. The seats were mostly wooden chairs and table while deco is made up of drift wood and mostly of a chinese retro influence. Loved the open concept yet the neighbouring outlet is actually the Food Republic Food Court. I mean if you dislike it here, you could always hope next door to another world :)
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Nuvo was offering an irresistible deal on their set lunch @ $13 (apparently until end February 2014) so we dropped by for lunch one Saturday afternoon since we were in the vicinity. Helmed by Chef Mark Richards, former chef de cuisine of Keystone Restaurant, Nuvo falls under the same management (Caerus Holdings) as that of Lady M (which I personally like) in Singapore.
Hidden from plain sight in a corner of the newly opened "The Dining Edition" in Marina Square, Nuvo's interior utilises quite a bit of wood, which gives it a more down to earth feel. The open concept kitchen offers diners an opportunity to watch their food being prepared if they so wish but honestly, it would be weird hanging around the serving counter.
Complimentary Bread - The complimentary bread was warm and crusty with hints of Parmesan. Pretty decent especially with a thin spread of the accompanying Nori butter. A pity each person was only accorded one roll.
Warm Japanese Mushroom Salad - This dish honestly didn't look like much but it sure was nice. Tossed up with pine nuts, asparagus, shallots and Japanese mushroom, the salad (baby spinach) had a pleasing, savoury sweet note to it. I have honestly never been so enamoured with a salad. And I say this from having the salad on 3 separate occasions @ Nuvo.
Angel Hair Wakame pasta with Lobster Essence and Rayu Oil - One of the signature dishes at Nuvo, the angel hair pasta had a nice firm bite to it, soaking in the mild spiciness of the rayu oil (chilli oil) and the sweet saltiness of the wakame (seaweed). Overall a very flavourful pasta dish that had me reaching for my glass of water a little more frequently due to the higher than acceptable (apparently only to me) salt content. And strangely enough, it is marked as a vegetarian pasta dish (how about the lobster essence?).
Lobster Risotto - Another signature dish and one that is close to my heart (and mouth). The lobster risotto is only available on the ala carte menu and a small serving (as per my picture) will set you back by $28 while the larger one is about $36 if my memory serves me right. It was a simple yet well executed dish. The risotto was nicely al dente, cooked in a rich lobster broth with small chunks of lobster and edamame - creamily good! Well worth the money in my humble opinion.
Pocky Ricotta Cheese Cake - This dessert was rather interesting, with the top of the cheese cake adorned with chocolate swirls and the base made from crushed Pocky (yes, the $1 box of Pocky you can get from supermarkets). But all the bells and whistles aside, it just tasted like a light, decently made cheesecake that provided a nice, sweet ending to our meal.
With a price tag of $13 for an appetiser, main and dessert of above average quality, what's not to like? Service was good as well but intervals between the dishes could have been shorter. Also, the website states opening hours from 11am to 11pm but they didn't open until 12pm during this particular visit. And such things definitely don't leave good impressions. But having said that, I'll definitely return to indulge in the lobster risotto and to sample other offerings.
See all my pictures here.
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The place is beautiful, a almost solo building at the very end of the dining lane in Holland Village. Brown canvases with a Bright Orange signature "TANGO" written on the wall. Its more of a drinking place then a dining place and works well when its not raining. Both indoor and outdoor seatings are available however it is very much NON-Airconditioned.
We spotted many diners seating on the road (which is closed in the evening) drinking icy cold beer and that is what drew us in. The place is crowded as usual with many diners littered everywhere. Most common dish on the table is the bar snacks like wedges and calamaries while the most loved drinks were the draught beers in almost frozen pint cups (Hoegarden & Asahi).
We were shortly shown to our seats after taking a long time to get one of the staff's attention and though seated indoors and near to the outside, i started to perspire even before food was served. The lighting were halogen MR16 spots all over, shining directly at us and the fan seemed to far though we could see it turning yet it was just so heated up. The menu has got quite a few nice selections yet we do not have the mood to order much. We ended up ordering a few dishes and quickly gulped down our icy cool beer to cool off.
Food became secondary and perhaps thats why the place is so HOT!
The food was not too bad, lamb steak was soft and juicy and fragrant. The snacks were crunchy yet nothing to wow about and the portion was just too small for even lady diners. Matter of fact we ordered a main each, beer and sides tapas, my lady friend could comment that she didn't feel too full and the dessert selections was not so good thus we adjourned to another dessert restaurant to complete the night.
The place is seriously just good for beer and snacks and noisy chit chat.. but please seat outdoors on the road, its much much cooler and the service anywhere in this restaurant is just as bad so be prepared to be patient. Price is ex for main courses but regular for drinks and snacks. Sauna for dinner... maybe it have a slimming effect!
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