This bar is located at the top of Swissotel. Being the highest building in Singapore (or not?), it inevitably commands the highest power of best views in town. When I stepped out of the lift on the 70th floor of the hotel, I was impressed by the magnificent view ahead of me. One little spoiler was that there were steps down to Equinox, and steps up to New Asia Bar. In my mind, I thought they could have been more considerate to remove the steps (especially for ladies in super high heels who probably would frequent the Bar) or to have the sound from heels on the wooden steps insulated by carpet.
Stepped into the Bar, was rather impressed. But on hindsight, I think I was more impressed by the view out the full-length glass window than the place per se. It gives me the feeling like they can't decide if they should be a bar, chill-out place for drinks or a club. They have a floor area that's too small for dancing for too big as a corridor-walking space; they have couches and coffee tables that's good for putting drinks but difficult to eat from. At the same time, they've got bar counters and a couple of bar stools and tables around the place. They have quite a range of alcohol but they also serve pizzas, burgers and light snacks - and only wooden chopsticks or fingers for utensils, no forks or knives.
Sat at a comfortable couch with a window view. Must say I was lucky, there was only one table that wasn't reserved and the couple at the window just left, so I could take over that table. The whole time I was really awed by the view. Must say it was truly spectacular and if you're looking for a chill-out place, book a table early and head right up to the top of Swissotel!
For drinks, I got an Equinox Blue - ladies' favourite I was told. Fruity, punchy, but not mixed very well. The alcohol was right at the bottom. Was it a cocktail or just layers of liquid? But the blue curacao in drinks never fail to make the drink appear better than it is. Good presentation I guess, and in a cool glass with a tilted base!
For food, we had a seafood platter and a Wagyu Beef burger, with onion rings and both came with potato wedges.
It was really difficult to eat the burger. It was bigger than a double Big Mac. And it didn't help that they only served wooden chopsticks. The Burger was $48 and tasted fine, just that for the name - Wagyu beef - I was really expecting better beef. Only that I felt like I was eating beef patty with foie gras texture. I really can't decide if I had the better end of the deal or not.
The seafood platter (can't remember the price) was rather pathetic. 2 sticks of fish, 1 stick of prawn, 1 stick of squids, some wedges and that's it. So much for a platter. I only tried the squid and found it rather tasteless though chewy - disappointing.
Service was substandard for what you might expect at a "cool bar" at Swissotel. The waiter who brought us our food was really polite but there were other waitresses at the entrance were just loitering around the bar without bothering to attend to us, apart from one lady who gave us the menus we requested and walked away. I was rather unimpressed by this, given that the bar was evidently crowded by waitresses! Not even one out of, at least, 5 of them could attend to us.
On the whole, I really liked the view up at the bar and find it a great place to hang out. Just have to call early for reservations and next time, I would really avoid ordering food next time. Maybe a pizza would be the safest (with regards to taste and ease of eating). But great view, great great view. Worth a visit, at least once!
Dear Guinea Pig Lovers... If you wonder, if Guinea pigs go to heaven? I think i just walked right into GP heaven on earth...
PetXchange is the Guinea Pig HEAVEN on earth.... You turn right... there are peeking at you from their cages.. Turn left another couple eyeing you curiously and you could hear continuos happy chattering as the piggies commune in their play spaces.
I've never seen so many different breeds, adorable and active guinea pigs for sale at one shop. This is a super must go shop for those who wants to choose and buy a piggy for themself.
I was just searching online for some super affordable guinea pig wares and necessities when i 'bumped' into PetXchange. As i entered the shop i was so super shocked... and what shocked me best was the super friendly owner. While i was 'ooowing' at one of the cute looking creature in the cage, he just walked by and carried him out and put him near my feet while he explained to me his character, breed and age. I was so surprised. Matter of fact, this was the only person that did that for me when i even didn't show interest for being. Eric was so kind to let me play with his piggies and took each out for me to touch and get to know them better and at the end of it... I can't wait to get back to the shop again.
I remembered when i bought my first 2 piggies at the other shops, even after i paid for my piggies, i don't get to hold them. All i get is the box and the poor frightened little pet shivering frantically inside. But this will not happen at PetXchange. They will make sure you get connected to the guinea pig first before deciding to purchase.
After you purchase your piggy, maintainance is an utmost important thing. Food, Hay, Toys and Cat;s Litter is super important for everyday life. Ever since my first visit to PetXchange, I never step into another pet shop to buy anything else. Because, for the same price to pay for one packet of lets say food outside... You could buy at least one and half of the same brand of food here. For the brand i buy its 2 packets of food. Everything sold in this shop is so affordable and i will never buy anything else other then for this shop. Even toys like huts, balls or water bottle is SUPER AFFORDABLE. I mean why pay for the membership to get the meagre 10% or at most 20% discount when here. You get everything at minimum 40% discount without having to beg or scrimp. Cages are the super expensive things though they are one time expenses, but don't forget your pets grow and they breed.. hopefully.... and they will need a bigger playboy mansion :). i have never came across a more economical priced shop selling cage then this.
Expect no frill..... but expect good prices....
Seriously.. If you are a cavy owner or owned some small animals.... This is the SHOP TO GO.... But its mine little secret... Don't start telling everybody.......... just tell your good friends.....
Don't have too many good friends...
We guinea pig owners... buy in style..... *perspire*
We were enticed by the $1 soya sauce chicken offer dangled by Canton-i in conjunction with DBS credit cards. Us and a ton of other people as well, judging by the long queue that had formed by 6pm on a Saturday evening. If you are not interested in queuing, reservations would probably be recommended.
Hailing from neighbouring Malaysia, Canton-i's Singapore outlet is located on the 3rd level of swanky ION Orchard. The interior is awash in white with hues of red radiating from bird cage lamps hanging from the ceiling - traditional in a fun sort of way. Wooden tables and chairs complete the whole outlook.
Roasted Meat Combination - The roasted meats (烧腊) are apparently a signature of Canton-i. And it's honestly not difficult to understand why. The BBQ pork (叉烧) was literally melt in your mouth with a high fat to meat ratio (50%-50%). Absolutely heart stopping (literally!) but simply delightful, especially with the little charred bits along the edges and the robust sweet sauce that didn't overwhelm. I wasn't too taken by the Roasted pork (烧肉) though, seeing that I've had better ones at Imperial Treasure Cantonese. That's not to say it wasn't any good though. The skin had a noticeable (and audible!) crisp but as the fat to meat ratio was very high, it left a greasy aftertaste in my mouth which was a little overbearing in my humble opinion.
Soya Sauce Chicken - Call us cheapo but this was the main reason why we were at Canton-i; for the $1 soya sauce chicken. And what a disappointment it turned out to be. The meat was tender but I honestly didn't find it anything out of the ordinary. It tasted like chicken with a hint of sugar sweetness, which sort of defied my preconceived notion that soya sauce chicken should be salty. I probably haven't eaten much soya sauce chicken to know but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
Long Beans Fried with Minced Pork - Not many places do this dish well and Canton-i falls into the minority. The long bean was fried till crunchy while retaining a wee bit of moisture, boasting a wonderful hint of wok hei and topped with savoury minced pork. An excellent dish, but only if you aren't adverse to oil.
Beancurd with Luffa (Loofah) in Abalone Sauce - This is the first time I've ever eaten luffa/loofah (胜瓜) and I must say that it was rather interesting. Soft with a mildly raw vegetable taste that hits you towards the end. I can't say that I'm a fan of it but I wouldn't mind having another go at it, especially when paired with the flavourful and not too starchy abalone sauce. The beancurd was egg based and came across as smooth and silky. Pity about the lack of savouriness though.
The 3 of us chalked up a bill of about $82, which was honestly a little on the high side considering that the soya sauce chicken was a mere $1. Sky juice is chargeable at $1 /pax and so are the wet towels and tidbits, all pretty much standard stuff at a Chinese restaurant (save for the water though but they do tell you upfront that it's not free). However, the quality of food is undeniable and service is decent, making it a viable, albeit pricier alternative to Imperial Treasure Noodle & Congee House a couple of floors down.
Met up with my former classmates for a long awaited dinner at Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (ITSPD for short), a branch of the esteemed chain of restaurants which I personally like. As the name suggests, the restaurant is well known for what else but its peking duck. I do think that the name could be a little more polished though as the current one sounds downright cheesy. But that's just me.
The interior has a dated elegance to it and a portion of the sitting area consists of semi private partitioned areas linked by a common corridor which can comfortably fit a table of 4. Lighting is dim but adequate and the whole atmosphere has a somber tone to it, perfect for a business gathering.
Appetiser - The glazed cashew nuts were a nice start to the dinner. Crunchy and fresh without the rancid oil taste and topped with a smattering of sesame seeds.
Asparagus with Garlic - A simple dish yet well executed with the asparagus crunchy and fried alongside diced garlic. Fragrant and tasty.
Peking Duck - The signature dish of ITSPD - Peking duck. Honestly I wasn't very wowed by it, seeing that the skin, though crisp to a certain extent, did seem a little limp. Best eaten with sugar. Crepes were provided for the loose slivers of skin and meat but they were a little too thick for my liking. I personally liked the plain and simple chunks of duck served up in a swan like platter - no frills, just juicy and tender and probably the sole saving grace. We opted to use the remaining duck to do a noodle dish and well, let's just say it was very decent but not something that I personally would have gone for.
Sauteed Scallops with Italian White Truffle Oil - One of my must order dishes whenever I visit any Imperial Treasure outlet (provided they carry it of course!), ITSPD's rendition of the scallops with white truffle oil was a wee bit lacklustre as compared to its cousin at Crowne Plaza Hotel. That's not to say it wasn't any good though. As a matter of fact, the scallops were fragrant from the aromatic truffle oil and tasty to say the least. The only gripe I had was that they seemed a little too soft. Still the pièce de résistance nonetheless.
Sauteed Beancurd with Mushrooms - Smooth but not exactly savoury, the beancurd was decent and I liked the generous topping of mushrooms - comfort food for the soul.
Steamed Custard Bun - This is usually a dim sum item but apparently it's so popular that they stock up some for dinner as well. Having eaten this quite a few times, I am still of the opinion that Peach Garden does a better rendition (at least they used to!), but Imperial Treasure's offering comes in a close second with its oozing sinful custard infused with egg yolk sediment.
Durian Pudding - The moment I set my eyes upon the durian pudding, I had a hunch it wasn't going to turn out well. And I was right. The pudding wasn't rich enough and tasted way too gelatin for my liking. More durian please.
The 4 of us spent a total of $204 for dinner, which isn't too expensive considering the decent quality of food and the reasonably good service. I personally like the privacy that the restaurant offers and I'm sure ITSPD will give nearby Crystal Jade Golden Palace a run for it's money.
Have eaten at this shop some years ago, perhaps in 2008. What's not changed is that they still open till really late, which was why I would frequent this shop when I had the habit of going out for supper. At that time, they had not taken over the units to the left and right of it. But now, they have expanded to at least double its size 2 years ago! Business is good, indeed. Food was reasonably priced too, but now that I made another trip back to this shop, I don't really have any intention of going back again...
Everytime I went, I would have their mee sua. Occasionally I would try their egg omelette and all, the usual zi-char thing. But I believe most people go there for its mee sua.
Based on the review above, mee sua used to be $3.50 a bowl. But now, it's $4.00 a bowl. I guess with inflation plus the high demand for their food, it's no surprise they have increased the price. But the price is not all that has changed... I noticed that their soup still has the herbal taste, but it used to be more pepper-ish. And they no longer bother about the presentation - they don't put chinese parsley on it anymore. Small thing, yes. But if you look at just a bowl of dark brown soup, it does look pretty gross... And now, maybe I've grown a little bigger or something, the noodles look so much less than before... But if I try not to compare the past and now, I guess the mee sua is still not bad. A unique herbal taste that's not too strong, instead gives it its very tasty flavour. I have yet to see a shop that sells mee sua that can attract so many people at wee hours of the night!
But if you're in a bad mood today, I would advise against going to this shop. Why? Service - very bad in fact. They refuse to take your orders at your table (apart from the drinks, which is a separate business I think); they are not very polite and seem more like they're too busy to bother about losing one small business from you; they can't be bothered to have anything more with you, than to just take your order, serve your food and collect your money.
The place is dirty too. Sometimes it even makes me doubt their stall is up to hygiene standards, but since I haven't had any stomach-upset, I guess there is not cause for concern (yet). I wonder what happened to the locals who used to be there (whom I think is the boss). Food used to taste a little better, place seemed to be a little less inhospitable. Now it is staffed by at least 10 chinese nationals who make the atmosphere seem a little different...
For the price and food it is still worth going.
For the cleanliness and service, plus my previous impression of the place, I doubt I'll be going back there very much...
In 1865, Lewis Carroll published the widely popular Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. To this date, this fictional story lives on in literature, movies and memorabilia. There is even a restaurant whose theme is based loosely on one of the memorable characters in the novel - The white rabbit, whom Alice follows down the rabbit hole.
Hidden in the secluded enclave of Dempsey Village, The White Rabbit (TWR for short) is a restaurant cum watering hole that is housed in a beautifully restored church. The interior is sparse yet cosy with booth seats lining the edges of the restaurant. Natural sunlight (if you go in the day) flitters in through the huge arched shaped windows and creates a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. It definitely helped that the place wasn't operating at full capacity. As a matter of fact, it was probably only a quarter full on a Saturday morning.
Complimentary Bread - The complimentary bread was served warm and served as a nice hunger management tool while we patiently waited for our orders.
Truffle Mac & Cheese - Apparently this is one of the signature dishes of TWR and I am most inclined to agree. The Mac & Cheese was probably one of the best I've had in ages. What stood out was the topmost layer of cheese, which was baked till a nice crisp, oozing a strong cheesy taste. This dish also featured bits of black truffle intermixed with the cheese and slivers of asparagus to combat any "over cheesiness". In short, excellent!
Wagyu Quarter Pounder - Although I've always reiterated that it is a terrible waste to use wagyu to make beef patties, somehow or rather, I am always tempted to prove my own perception wrong (which usually just ends up in more disappointment). TWR's wagyu patty straddled the fine line between proving me right or wrong. It didn't seem hand chopped because of its smooth texture but brought with it a certain tenderness and flavour, not to mention an overly generous salt influx (just a tad). The bun did seem a little too burnt but was unbelievably crispy with a tinge of sweetness. Nice! Chips were thinly sliced and deep fried with an adequate amount of salt. Another plus point.
Lobster Omelette - What's brunch without eggs? A relatively generous serving of lobster meat entrenched within the moist and smooth omelette that had hints of cheese. Simple yet decadent. Thumbs up to the chips as well.
Mars Bars Souffle - Here's when our brunch started sliding downwards, with the introduction of our first dessert, the Mars Bars Souffle. The souffle wasn't fluffy enough and the sugar residue clung on tightly to my teeth. There was the problem of a overly strong egg taste as well. I did like the ice cream though, which boasted a rich mars bars flavour with bits of mars bars stuffed in it for authenticity.
Profiteroles - The profiteroles continued the dismal slide by coming across as average at best. The pastry was too hard and the chocolate sauce, hardly sufficient. Sandwiched between was vanilla bean ice cream that did seem a little too creamy for my liking.
Belgian Waffles - I found the waffles rather dense and chewy, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea as I personally prefer lighter and crispier waffles. The maple syrup was a little runny as well.
At $155 for a 2 pax brunch, it certainly isn't cheap. Mains were of a certain standard but desserts didn't quite make the mark in my humble opinion. Throw in decent service, a great environment and chances are, I'll return for the food, minus the desserts of course.
Finally trooped down to Porn's with 3 close friends to see if it is worth the hype. The white signage with the famous elephant behind is quite easy to spot from the street, and at 6:30pm we snagged the last indoor 4-seater available, which was a relief compared to having to sit outdoors. A queue started forming not long after.
The menu is presently simply on pages of white laminated paper with pictures of selected dishes, all in its distinctive categories of soups & curry, thai snacks, thai salads etc.
Papaya Salad ($6.90) - Refreshingly crunchy and not too tart, until you accidentally eat the chilli padi bits in it. Be careful. Rice crackers with seafood sauce ($6.50) - I've heard this is rarely seen in most Thai places and I wonder why. It is indeed tasty and the crackers served warm, but I did not notice any seafood bit in the sauce, no doubt it was quite nice. And for 6 small crackers, it was overpriced I felt.
Stuffed chicken wing ($8.50) - for 3 pieces. It was crispy and thankfully not too oily but I didnt quite like the fatty bits I found inside.
Pineapple fried rice ($10.90) - Standard far; serving was probably enough for 1 main, not 2 as the staff said.
Pad Thai ($9.90) - Served wrapped in an egg with a tired prawn on top, it was just okay and no hint of wok hei.
Tom Yum Seafood ($12.90) - Nice clear tom yum but I felt there could be more seafood. There's an option of a smaller portion as well.
Thai iced tea ($3.90) - Too sweet for my liking.
Thai iced coffee ($3.90) - Didnt quite like it, perhaps its an acquired taste.
For all its hype, I didn't feel the food lived up to it, given that Pornsak is a Thai. It was okay Thai food and nothing wow. I had read before coming that the most expensive item on the menu is $12.90 and thought that was reasonable pricing. But the small portions made it somehow overpriced; it wasn't value for money for me and I probably will not return.
The seating is not big so the place fills up quite quickly. Very young crowd mixed with a handful of working class diners, and very young staff too. Service is not too bad though, with the food being served rather promptly despite the full house.
Of course the novelty is you get served by Pornsak but not everyone goes there for that. And the 4 of us had to go for round 2 after dinner, which was probably not what I thought was needed after spending close to $90 in total.
We were a little weary of always having to travel to Changi Airport to eat at Imperial Treasure Cantonese so decided to give the other outlet at Great World City a shot, seeing that it was nearer to us.
Located in a corner on the 2nd floor of Great World City, it honestly didn't ooze as much finesse as its cousin in Changi in my humble opinion. And being a Sunday afternoon, it was packed so reservations are highly recommended.
Roasted Pork - What was to have been the highlight of our meal fell short of expectations with an overdose of fat meat. It was literally 50% fat, 50% meat. Sure, the skin was crisp with nary a hint of salt but did seem a little too thick for my liking. Portions were ridiculously tiny as well.
Shark Bone Soup with Fish Maw - Aside from the crunchy pieces of fish maw, I couldn't find any reason to like this soup. It was a little too coagulated which left an uncomfortable residue on the tongue and it lacked any oomph. So disappointing that I gave up after a few mouthfuls.
Deep Fried Beancurd Skin - The beancurd skin was light and crisp with a nice smooth filling of prawn paste. However, it was drenched in oil which did come across as quite a turn off honestly.
Roasted Goose - I was eagerly anticipating this dish as my previous experiences with it had been nothing short of excellent. Alas, it wasn't as good as we envisioned it to be. To be fair, the roast goose here was meaty with a thin layer of crisp skin sans the overwhelming foul taste. However, the meat was a little too dry, which marred the experience a little.
Steamed Minced Pork Dumpling - It's the first time I'm having xiao long bao at Imperial Treasure and I must say that its really quite decent. Smooth and silky skin enveloping a generous amount of stock and a pork filling that was fairly mild on the hog taste. Just watch out for the high salt content.
Deep Fried Pig's Intestines - I am a big fan of deep fried pig intestines so naturally I was delighted to see it on the menu. However delight turned to disappointment when I realised that the intestines were a little too oily and tasteless. The crisp exterior did nothing to salvage this dish.
BBQ Pork Pastry - Flaky but lacking the buttery goodness that I personally like. The char siew filling wasn't sweet or starchy though.
Bo Lo Bao - Another disappointment, the bo lo bao had a crusty top with a chewy and soft base. However, the fragrance was sorely lacking and the char siew filling was rather bland.
Claypot Goose Web - The claypot goose web was the only dish which I thought was comparable to what I had at the Changi Airport outlet previously. Done up Thai style, the vermicelli was very flavourful with a rather heavy dose of Szechuan and black pepper for good measure. Not recommended if you are allergic to too much oil and salt though.
Fried Kailan - How bad can stir fried vegetables get? Flavoured with a light touch of salt without being overcooked. Nice and simple.
Steamed Custard Bun - Soft and fluffy bun coupled with salty sweet custard egg yolk filling - very good. Pity about the lack of yolk sediment though.
Durian Pudding - Too coagulated was the first thing that hit me as I sampled a spoonful of what I had expected to be a delightful ending to our lunch. The whole pudding felt stiff and overly sweet. Thankfully the durian taste was still quite prominent. Palatable but not very nice.
A rather disappointing lunch cost us just shy of $285 for 5 pax, which was definitely not worth the money in my humble opinion. The disparity between the food quality at the Changi Airport outlet and the Great World City outlet is just too huge to ignore and I really wonder why. Nonetheless, moving forward, I'll definitely be giving Imperial Treasure Great World City a miss.
Hidden in the lively district of Arab street, which is touted as an alternative to the hip Dempsey enclave, is a small cafe that goes by the name of B Bakery. We were attracted by the somewhat cosy facade it portrayed and decided to drop in for dinner.
The air conditioned interior is smallish but rather simple and homely. For those who prefer the open spaces, there is a small al fresco sitting area just outside the cafe along the side of a road, which allows you to soak you in the vibrancy of the area. Do note that it can get quite warm though.
Rosemary Chicken - Apparently one of the highlights of B Bakery, the rosemary chicken was honestly quite decent. The meat was tender and juicy with a strong hint of rosemary, which definitely helped to accentuate the taste. The only thing that bugged me was the pool of oil the chicken was sitting in. Yes, it's olive oil but somehow there is still a nagging doubt about the health implications somewhere at the back of my head.
Penne, Prawns, Tomato Sauce Cream, Vodka - The penne was al dente with the tomato base lightly tart. I counted 9 average sized prawns which was really quite generous but on the flipside, they weren't exactly fresh.
Chocolate Fudge - Plain old chocolate fudge. Sweet but not very rich and topped with a petite, poor excuse of a macaron. Void of any characteristics worth mentioning. Palatable though.
Tiramisu - A teetotaler version of one of my favourite desserts, the tiramisu carried a rather strong coffee presence in between alternating layers of rather dry sponge and light mascarpone. Decent but not really my cup of tea.
Dinner for 2 stood at $45, which stood somewhere in the overlapping pricing zones of reasonable and expensive. Quality of food is decent but I wouldn't make the trip down just to eat here. Service was acceptable but a little spotty at times.
My Korean-food lover friend picked this for a Friday night dinner and said we should go early as its always crowded. She was not wrong in the end, and luckily we reached at 6:40pm; and got the last available 4-seater upstairs as the ground floor was already full by then.
It was a good mistake that we ordered the side dishes first while waiting for 2 more friends, reasons below. They also serve little side dishes in accordance to the usual Korean tradition and here's what were plonked onto our tables (although we spied that the 2 Korean ladies seated next to us got more variety):
Kimchi - didnt try as I actually dislike kimchi but looked authentic Spicy anchovies - Terribly addictive. I'd imagine it'll go very well with porridge. Potato Salad - Very nice, with peanuts mixed in it, which gave it an unusual crunch. Cold beancurd - Cold pieces of beancurd. Quite bland. Mixed veg kimchi - like achar....very good achar.
Seafood omelette with leek - this must be the biggest omelette I have ever seen for an appetizer. It came all fluffy and rather plumped up with squid pieces and was really good as it was served hot off the stove. The only thing was I couldn't find any other seafood besides squid in it, so the title was a bit misleading I felt.
Spicy rice cake - best korean rice cake, ever, and in big portion too. I tried this dish when I was in Korea and didnt remember liking it this much. The sauce was just nice, not tongue-pricking spicy yet very flavorful. It was not only rice cake as well - there were squid pieces and dumplings in the mix too.
BBQ chicken - This was less wow than than the rice cake, but we had fun wrapping the chicken in lettuce before chomping them. The chicken had more fat than I would have liked though, but no worries health conscious nuts like me can remove them easily.
Spicy beef soup - I dont take beef but tried the soup which looked scarily red but not spicy at all. Not too bad but was too full to take a proper bowl of it.
Hite - Korean beer served very chilled. What's not to like.
We had intended to order mains after the appetizers but got ambushed by the big omelette and rice cake. I was full even before nibbling on the chicken and soup, but also because we over-refilled on the appetizers which was just too addictive along the way.
Service is nothing to complain about; they still managed to be quite efficient although the place was packed. There are also limited private saections on the 2nd floor which can be adjusted according to group sizes using partitions, but it doesnt mean you'll get less of the chatter and clatter, although nothing too loud.
I will really recommend coming early to avoid the queues. Prices are reasonable given I spent only about $24 per person including beers and drinks. This is now my favourite Korean restaurant and this visit totally changed my mind about not liking Korean food~
1=SGD 0.0587
This bar is located at the top of Swissotel. Being the highest building in Singapore (or not?), it inevitably commands the highest power of best views in town. When I stepped out of the lift on the 70th floor of the hotel, I was impressed by the magnificent view ahead of me. One little spoiler was that there were steps down to Equinox, and steps up to New Asia Bar. In my mind, I thought they could have been more considerate to remove the steps (especially for ladies in super high heels who probably would frequent the Bar) or to have the sound from heels on the wooden steps insulated by carpet.
Stepped into the Bar, was rather impressed. But on hindsight, I think I was more impressed by the view out the full-length glass window than the place per se. It gives me the feeling like they can't decide if they should be a bar, chill-out place for drinks or a club. They have a floor area that's too small for dancing for too big as a corridor-walking space; they have couches and coffee tables that's good for putting drinks but difficult to eat from. At the same time, they've got bar counters and a couple of bar stools and tables around the place. They have quite a range of alcohol but they also serve pizzas, burgers and light snacks - and only wooden chopsticks or fingers for utensils, no forks or knives.
Sat at a comfortable couch with a window view. Must say I was lucky, there was only one table that wasn't reserved and the couple at the window just left, so I could take over that table. The whole time I was really awed by the view. Must say it was truly spectacular and if you're looking for a chill-out place, book a table early and head right up to the top of Swissotel!
For drinks, I got an Equinox Blue - ladies' favourite I was told. Fruity, punchy, but not mixed very well. The alcohol was right at the bottom. Was it a cocktail or just layers of liquid? But the blue curacao in drinks never fail to make the drink appear better than it is. Good presentation I guess, and in a cool glass with a tilted base!
For food, we had a seafood platter and a Wagyu Beef burger, with onion rings and both came with potato wedges.
It was really difficult to eat the burger. It was bigger than a double Big Mac. And it didn't help that they only served wooden chopsticks. The Burger was $48 and tasted fine, just that for the name - Wagyu beef - I was really expecting better beef. Only that I felt like I was eating beef patty with foie gras texture. I really can't decide if I had the better end of the deal or not.
The seafood platter (can't remember the price) was rather pathetic. 2 sticks of fish, 1 stick of prawn, 1 stick of squids, some wedges and that's it. So much for a platter. I only tried the squid and found it rather tasteless though chewy - disappointing.
Service was substandard for what you might expect at a "cool bar" at Swissotel. The waiter who brought us our food was really polite but there were other waitresses at the entrance were just loitering around the bar without bothering to attend to us, apart from one lady who gave us the menus we requested and walked away. I was rather unimpressed by this, given that the bar was evidently crowded by waitresses! Not even one out of, at least, 5 of them could attend to us.
On the whole, I really liked the view up at the bar and find it a great place to hang out. Just have to call early for reservations and next time, I would really avoid ordering food next time. Maybe a pizza would be the safest (with regards to taste and ease of eating). But great view, great great view. Worth a visit, at least once!
I would give the place 3.5 instead of 3.
Rating given:
Dear Guinea Pig Lovers... If you wonder, if Guinea pigs go to heaven? I think i just walked right into GP heaven on earth...
PetXchange is the Guinea Pig HEAVEN on earth.... You turn right... there are peeking at you from their cages.. Turn left another couple eyeing you curiously and you could hear continuos happy chattering as the piggies commune in their play spaces.
I've never seen so many different breeds, adorable and active guinea pigs for sale at one shop. This is a super must go shop for those who wants to choose and buy a piggy for themself.
I was just searching online for some super affordable guinea pig wares and necessities when i 'bumped' into PetXchange. As i entered the shop i was so super shocked... and what shocked me best was the super friendly owner. While i was 'ooowing' at one of the cute looking creature in the cage, he just walked by and carried him out and put him near my feet while he explained to me his character, breed and age. I was so surprised. Matter of fact, this was the only person that did that for me when i even didn't show interest for being. Eric was so kind to let me play with his piggies and took each out for me to touch and get to know them better and at the end of it... I can't wait to get back to the shop again.
I remembered when i bought my first 2 piggies at the other shops, even after i paid for my piggies, i don't get to hold them. All i get is the box and the poor frightened little pet shivering frantically inside. But this will not happen at PetXchange. They will make sure you get connected to the guinea pig first before deciding to purchase.
After you purchase your piggy, maintainance is an utmost important thing. Food, Hay, Toys and Cat;s Litter is super important for everyday life. Ever since my first visit to PetXchange, I never step into another pet shop to buy anything else. Because, for the same price to pay for one packet of lets say food outside... You could buy at least one and half of the same brand of food here. For the brand i buy its 2 packets of food. Everything sold in this shop is so affordable and i will never buy anything else other then for this shop. Even toys like huts, balls or water bottle is SUPER AFFORDABLE. I mean why pay for the membership to get the meagre 10% or at most 20% discount when here. You get everything at minimum 40% discount without having to beg or scrimp. Cages are the super expensive things though they are one time expenses, but don't forget your pets grow and they breed.. hopefully.... and they will need a bigger playboy mansion :). i have never came across a more economical priced shop selling cage then this.
Expect no frill..... but expect good prices....
Seriously.. If you are a cavy owner or owned some small animals.... This is the SHOP TO GO.... But its mine little secret... Don't start telling everybody.......... just tell your good friends.....
Don't have too many good friends...
We guinea pig owners... buy in style..... *perspire*
G*Force RULEs............
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We were enticed by the $1 soya sauce chicken offer dangled by Canton-i in conjunction with DBS credit cards. Us and a ton of other people as well, judging by the long queue that had formed by 6pm on a Saturday evening. If you are not interested in queuing, reservations would probably be recommended.
Hailing from neighbouring Malaysia, Canton-i's Singapore outlet is located on the 3rd level of swanky ION Orchard. The interior is awash in white with hues of red radiating from bird cage lamps hanging from the ceiling - traditional in a fun sort of way. Wooden tables and chairs complete the whole outlook.
Roasted Meat Combination - The roasted meats (烧腊) are apparently a signature of Canton-i. And it's honestly not difficult to understand why. The BBQ pork (叉烧) was literally melt in your mouth with a high fat to meat ratio (50%-50%). Absolutely heart stopping (literally!) but simply delightful, especially with the little charred bits along the edges and the robust sweet sauce that didn't overwhelm.
I wasn't too taken by the Roasted pork (烧肉) though, seeing that I've had better ones at Imperial Treasure Cantonese. That's not to say it wasn't any good though. The skin had a noticeable (and audible!) crisp but as the fat to meat ratio was very high, it left a greasy aftertaste in my mouth which was a little overbearing in my humble opinion.
Soya Sauce Chicken - Call us cheapo but this was the main reason why we were at Canton-i; for the $1 soya sauce chicken. And what a disappointment it turned out to be. The meat was tender but I honestly didn't find it anything out of the ordinary. It tasted like chicken with a hint of sugar sweetness, which sort of defied my preconceived notion that soya sauce chicken should be salty. I probably haven't eaten much soya sauce chicken to know but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
Long Beans Fried with Minced Pork - Not many places do this dish well and Canton-i falls into the minority. The long bean was fried till crunchy while retaining a wee bit of moisture, boasting a wonderful hint of wok hei and topped with savoury minced pork. An excellent dish, but only if you aren't adverse to oil.
Beancurd with Luffa (Loofah) in Abalone Sauce - This is the first time I've ever eaten luffa/loofah (胜瓜) and I must say that it was rather interesting. Soft with a mildly raw vegetable taste that hits you towards the end. I can't say that I'm a fan of it but I wouldn't mind having another go at it, especially when paired with the flavourful and not too starchy abalone sauce. The beancurd was egg based and came across as smooth and silky. Pity about the lack of savouriness though.
The 3 of us chalked up a bill of about $82, which was honestly a little on the high side considering that the soya sauce chicken was a mere $1. Sky juice is chargeable at $1 /pax and so are the wet towels and tidbits, all pretty much standard stuff at a Chinese restaurant (save for the water though but they do tell you upfront that it's not free). However, the quality of food is undeniable and service is decent, making it a viable, albeit pricier alternative to Imperial Treasure Noodle & Congee House a couple of floors down.
See all my pictures here.
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Met up with my former classmates for a long awaited dinner at Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (ITSPD for short), a branch of the esteemed chain of restaurants which I personally like. As the name suggests, the restaurant is well known for what else but its peking duck. I do think that the name could be a little more polished though as the current one sounds downright cheesy. But that's just me.
The interior has a dated elegance to it and a portion of the sitting area consists of semi private partitioned areas linked by a common corridor which can comfortably fit a table of 4. Lighting is dim but adequate and the whole atmosphere has a somber tone to it, perfect for a business gathering.
Appetiser - The glazed cashew nuts were a nice start to the dinner. Crunchy and fresh without the rancid oil taste and topped with a smattering of sesame seeds.
Asparagus with Garlic - A simple dish yet well executed with the asparagus crunchy and fried alongside diced garlic. Fragrant and tasty.
Peking Duck - The signature dish of ITSPD - Peking duck. Honestly I wasn't very wowed by it, seeing that the skin, though crisp to a certain extent, did seem a little limp. Best eaten with sugar. Crepes were provided for the loose slivers of skin and meat but they were a little too thick for my liking. I personally liked the plain and simple chunks of duck served up in a swan like platter - no frills, just juicy and tender and probably the sole saving grace.
We opted to use the remaining duck to do a noodle dish and well, let's just say it was very decent but not something that I personally would have gone for.
Sauteed Scallops with Italian White Truffle Oil - One of my must order dishes whenever I visit any Imperial Treasure outlet (provided they carry it of course!), ITSPD's rendition of the scallops with white truffle oil was a wee bit lacklustre as compared to its cousin at Crowne Plaza Hotel. That's not to say it wasn't any good though. As a matter of fact, the scallops were fragrant from the aromatic truffle oil and tasty to say the least. The only gripe I had was that they seemed a little too soft. Still the pièce de résistance nonetheless.
Sauteed Beancurd with Mushrooms - Smooth but not exactly savoury, the beancurd was decent and I liked the generous topping of mushrooms - comfort food for the soul.
Steamed Custard Bun - This is usually a dim sum item but apparently it's so popular that they stock up some for dinner as well. Having eaten this quite a few times, I am still of the opinion that Peach Garden does a better rendition (at least they used to!), but Imperial Treasure's offering comes in a close second with its oozing sinful custard infused with egg yolk sediment.
Durian Pudding - The moment I set my eyes upon the durian pudding, I had a hunch it wasn't going to turn out well. And I was right. The pudding wasn't rich enough and tasted way too gelatin for my liking. More durian please.
The 4 of us spent a total of $204 for dinner, which isn't too expensive considering the decent quality of food and the reasonably good service. I personally like the privacy that the restaurant offers and I'm sure ITSPD will give nearby Crystal Jade Golden Palace a run for it's money.
See all my pictures here.
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Have eaten at this shop some years ago, perhaps in 2008. What's not changed is that they still open till really late, which was why I would frequent this shop when I had the habit of going out for supper. At that time, they had not taken over the units to the left and right of it. But now, they have expanded to at least double its size 2 years ago! Business is good, indeed. Food was reasonably priced too, but now that I made another trip back to this shop, I don't really have any intention of going back again...
Everytime I went, I would have their mee sua. Occasionally I would try their egg omelette and all, the usual zi-char thing. But I believe most people go there for its mee sua.
Based on the review above, mee sua used to be $3.50 a bowl. But now, it's $4.00 a bowl. I guess with inflation plus the high demand for their food, it's no surprise they have increased the price. But the price is not all that has changed... I noticed that their soup still has the herbal taste, but it used to be more pepper-ish. And they no longer bother about the presentation - they don't put chinese parsley on it anymore. Small thing, yes. But if you look at just a bowl of dark brown soup, it does look pretty gross... And now, maybe I've grown a little bigger or something, the noodles look so much less than before... But if I try not to compare the past and now, I guess the mee sua is still not bad. A unique herbal taste that's not too strong, instead gives it its very tasty flavour. I have yet to see a shop that sells mee sua that can attract so many people at wee hours of the night!
But if you're in a bad mood today, I would advise against going to this shop. Why? Service - very bad in fact. They refuse to take your orders at your table (apart from the drinks, which is a separate business I think); they are not very polite and seem more like they're too busy to bother about losing one small business from you; they can't be bothered to have anything more with you, than to just take your order, serve your food and collect your money.
The place is dirty too. Sometimes it even makes me doubt their stall is up to hygiene standards, but since I haven't had any stomach-upset, I guess there is not cause for concern (yet). I wonder what happened to the locals who used to be there (whom I think is the boss). Food used to taste a little better, place seemed to be a little less inhospitable. Now it is staffed by at least 10 chinese nationals who make the atmosphere seem a little different...
For the price and food it is still worth going.
For the cleanliness and service, plus my previous impression of the place, I doubt I'll be going back there very much...
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In 1865, Lewis Carroll published the widely popular Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. To this date, this fictional story lives on in literature, movies and memorabilia. There is even a restaurant whose theme is based loosely on one of the memorable characters in the novel - The white rabbit, whom Alice follows down the rabbit hole.
Hidden in the secluded enclave of Dempsey Village, The White Rabbit (TWR for short) is a restaurant cum watering hole that is housed in a beautifully restored church. The interior is sparse yet cosy with booth seats lining the edges of the restaurant. Natural sunlight (if you go in the day) flitters in through the huge arched shaped windows and creates a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. It definitely helped that the place wasn't operating at full capacity. As a matter of fact, it was probably only a quarter full on a Saturday morning.
Complimentary Bread - The complimentary bread was served warm and served as a nice hunger management tool while we patiently waited for our orders.
Truffle Mac & Cheese - Apparently this is one of the signature dishes of TWR and I am most inclined to agree. The Mac & Cheese was probably one of the best I've had in ages. What stood out was the topmost layer of cheese, which was baked till a nice crisp, oozing a strong cheesy taste. This dish also featured bits of black truffle intermixed with the cheese and slivers of asparagus to combat any "over cheesiness". In short, excellent!
Wagyu Quarter Pounder - Although I've always reiterated that it is a terrible waste to use wagyu to make beef patties, somehow or rather, I am always tempted to prove my own perception wrong (which usually just ends up in more disappointment). TWR's wagyu patty straddled the fine line between proving me right or wrong. It didn't seem hand chopped because of its smooth texture but brought with it a certain tenderness and flavour, not to mention an overly generous salt influx (just a tad). The bun did seem a little too burnt but was unbelievably crispy with a tinge of sweetness. Nice! Chips were thinly sliced and deep fried with an adequate amount of salt. Another plus point.
Lobster Omelette - What's brunch without eggs? A relatively generous serving of lobster meat entrenched within the moist and smooth omelette that had hints of cheese. Simple yet decadent. Thumbs up to the chips as well.
Mars Bars Souffle - Here's when our brunch started sliding downwards, with the introduction of our first dessert, the Mars Bars Souffle. The souffle wasn't fluffy enough and the sugar residue clung on tightly to my teeth. There was the problem of a overly strong egg taste as well. I did like the ice cream though, which boasted a rich mars bars flavour with bits of mars bars stuffed in it for authenticity.
Profiteroles - The profiteroles continued the dismal slide by coming across as average at best. The pastry was too hard and the chocolate sauce, hardly sufficient. Sandwiched between was vanilla bean ice cream that did seem a little too creamy for my liking.
Belgian Waffles - I found the waffles rather dense and chewy, which wasn't exactly my cup of tea as I personally prefer lighter and crispier waffles. The maple syrup was a little runny as well.
At $155 for a 2 pax brunch, it certainly isn't cheap. Mains were of a certain standard but desserts didn't quite make the mark in my humble opinion. Throw in decent service, a great environment and chances are, I'll return for the food, minus the desserts of course.
See all my pictures here.
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Overpriced~
Finally trooped down to Porn's with 3 close friends to see if it is worth the hype. The white signage with the famous elephant behind is quite easy to spot from the street, and at 6:30pm we snagged the last indoor 4-seater available, which was a relief compared to having to sit outdoors. A queue started forming not long after.
The menu is presently simply on pages of white laminated paper with pictures of selected dishes, all in its distinctive categories of soups & curry, thai snacks, thai salads etc.
Papaya Salad ($6.90) - Refreshingly crunchy and not too tart, until you accidentally eat the chilli padi bits in it. Be careful.
Rice crackers with seafood sauce ($6.50) - I've heard this is rarely seen in most Thai places and I wonder why. It is indeed tasty and the crackers served warm, but I did not notice any seafood bit in the sauce, no doubt it was quite nice. And for 6 small crackers, it was overpriced I felt.
Stuffed chicken wing ($8.50) - for 3 pieces. It was crispy and thankfully not too oily but I didnt quite like the fatty bits I found inside.
Pineapple fried rice ($10.90) - Standard far; serving was probably enough for 1 main, not 2 as the staff said.
Pad Thai ($9.90) - Served wrapped in an egg with a tired prawn on top, it was just okay and no hint of wok hei.
Tom Yum Seafood ($12.90) - Nice clear tom yum but I felt there could be more seafood. There's an option of a smaller portion as well.
Thai iced tea ($3.90) - Too sweet for my liking.
Thai iced coffee ($3.90) - Didnt quite like it, perhaps its an acquired taste.
For all its hype, I didn't feel the food lived up to it, given that Pornsak is a Thai. It was okay Thai food and nothing wow. I had read before coming that the most expensive item on the menu is $12.90 and thought that was reasonable pricing. But the small portions made it somehow overpriced; it wasn't value for money for me and I probably will not return.
The seating is not big so the place fills up quite quickly. Very young crowd mixed with a handful of working class diners, and very young staff too. Service is not too bad though, with the food being served rather promptly despite the full house.
Of course the novelty is you get served by Pornsak but not everyone goes there for that. And the 4 of us had to go for round 2 after dinner, which was probably not what I thought was needed after spending close to $90 in total.
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We were a little weary of always having to travel to Changi Airport to eat at Imperial Treasure Cantonese so decided to give the other outlet at Great World City a shot, seeing that it was nearer to us.
Located in a corner on the 2nd floor of Great World City, it honestly didn't ooze as much finesse as its cousin in Changi in my humble opinion. And being a Sunday afternoon, it was packed so reservations are highly recommended.
Roasted Pork - What was to have been the highlight of our meal fell short of expectations with an overdose of fat meat. It was literally 50% fat, 50% meat. Sure, the skin was crisp with nary a hint of salt but did seem a little too thick for my liking. Portions were ridiculously tiny as well.
Shark Bone Soup with Fish Maw - Aside from the crunchy pieces of fish maw, I couldn't find any reason to like this soup. It was a little too coagulated which left an uncomfortable residue on the tongue and it lacked any oomph. So disappointing that I gave up after a few mouthfuls.
Deep Fried Beancurd Skin - The beancurd skin was light and crisp with a nice smooth filling of prawn paste. However, it was drenched in oil which did come across as quite a turn off honestly.
Roasted Goose - I was eagerly anticipating this dish as my previous experiences with it had been nothing short of excellent. Alas, it wasn't as good as we envisioned it to be. To be fair, the roast goose here was meaty with a thin layer of crisp skin sans the overwhelming foul taste. However, the meat was a little too dry, which marred the experience a little.
Steamed Minced Pork Dumpling - It's the first time I'm having xiao long bao at Imperial Treasure and I must say that its really quite decent. Smooth and silky skin enveloping a generous amount of stock and a pork filling that was fairly mild on the hog taste. Just watch out for the high salt content.
Deep Fried Pig's Intestines - I am a big fan of deep fried pig intestines so naturally I was delighted to see it on the menu. However delight turned to disappointment when I realised that the intestines were a little too oily and tasteless. The crisp exterior did nothing to salvage this dish.
BBQ Pork Pastry - Flaky but lacking the buttery goodness that I personally like. The char siew filling wasn't sweet or starchy though.
Bo Lo Bao - Another disappointment, the bo lo bao had a crusty top with a chewy and soft base. However, the fragrance was sorely lacking and the char siew filling was rather bland.
Claypot Goose Web - The claypot goose web was the only dish which I thought was comparable to what I had at the Changi Airport outlet previously. Done up Thai style, the vermicelli was very flavourful with a rather heavy dose of Szechuan and black pepper for good measure. Not recommended if you are allergic to too much oil and salt though.
Fried Kailan - How bad can stir fried vegetables get? Flavoured with a light touch of salt without being overcooked. Nice and simple.
Steamed Custard Bun - Soft and fluffy bun coupled with salty sweet custard egg yolk filling - very good. Pity about the lack of yolk sediment though.
Durian Pudding - Too coagulated was the first thing that hit me as I sampled a spoonful of what I had expected to be a delightful ending to our lunch. The whole pudding felt stiff and overly sweet. Thankfully the durian taste was still quite prominent. Palatable but not very nice.
A rather disappointing lunch cost us just shy of $285 for 5 pax, which was definitely not worth the money in my humble opinion. The disparity between the food quality at the Changi Airport outlet and the Great World City outlet is just too huge to ignore and I really wonder why. Nonetheless, moving forward, I'll definitely be giving Imperial Treasure Great World City a miss.
See all my pictures here.
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Hidden in the lively district of Arab street, which is touted as an alternative to the hip Dempsey enclave, is a small cafe that goes by the name of B Bakery. We were attracted by the somewhat cosy facade it portrayed and decided to drop in for dinner.
The air conditioned interior is smallish but rather simple and homely. For those who prefer the open spaces, there is a small al fresco sitting area just outside the cafe along the side of a road, which allows you to soak you in the vibrancy of the area. Do note that it can get quite warm though.
Rosemary Chicken - Apparently one of the highlights of B Bakery, the rosemary chicken was honestly quite decent. The meat was tender and juicy with a strong hint of rosemary, which definitely helped to accentuate the taste. The only thing that bugged me was the pool of oil the chicken was sitting in. Yes, it's olive oil but somehow there is still a nagging doubt about the health implications somewhere at the back of my head.
Penne, Prawns, Tomato Sauce Cream, Vodka - The penne was al dente with the tomato base lightly tart. I counted 9 average sized prawns which was really quite generous but on the flipside, they weren't exactly fresh.
Chocolate Fudge - Plain old chocolate fudge. Sweet but not very rich and topped with a petite, poor excuse of a macaron. Void of any characteristics worth mentioning. Palatable though.
Tiramisu - A teetotaler version of one of my favourite desserts, the tiramisu carried a rather strong coffee presence in between alternating layers of rather dry sponge and light mascarpone. Decent but not really my cup of tea.
Dinner for 2 stood at $45, which stood somewhere in the overlapping pricing zones of reasonable and expensive. Quality of food is decent but I wouldn't make the trip down just to eat here. Service was acceptable but a little spotty at times.
See all my pictures here.
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This place changed my mind~
My Korean-food lover friend picked this for a Friday night dinner and said we should go early as its always crowded. She was not wrong in the end, and luckily we reached at 6:40pm; and got the last available 4-seater upstairs as the ground floor was already full by then.
It was a good mistake that we ordered the side dishes first while waiting for 2 more friends, reasons below. They also serve little side dishes in accordance to the usual Korean tradition and here's what were plonked onto our tables (although we spied that the 2 Korean ladies seated next to us got more variety):
Kimchi - didnt try as I actually dislike kimchi but looked authentic
Spicy anchovies - Terribly addictive. I'd imagine it'll go very well with porridge.
Potato Salad - Very nice, with peanuts mixed in it, which gave it an unusual crunch.
Cold beancurd - Cold pieces of beancurd. Quite bland.
Mixed veg kimchi - like achar....very good achar.
Seafood omelette with leek - this must be the biggest omelette I have ever seen for an appetizer. It came all fluffy and rather plumped up with squid pieces and was really good as it was served hot off the stove. The only thing was I couldn't find any other seafood besides squid in it, so the title was a bit misleading I felt.
Spicy rice cake - best korean rice cake, ever, and in big portion too. I tried this dish when I was in Korea and didnt remember liking it this much. The sauce was just nice, not tongue-pricking spicy yet very flavorful. It was not only rice cake as well - there were squid pieces and dumplings in the mix too.
BBQ chicken - This was less wow than than the rice cake, but we had fun wrapping the chicken in lettuce before chomping them. The chicken had more fat than I would have liked though, but no worries health conscious nuts like me can remove them easily.
Spicy beef soup - I dont take beef but tried the soup which looked scarily red but not spicy at all. Not too bad but was too full to take a proper bowl of it.
Hite - Korean beer served very chilled. What's not to like.
We had intended to order mains after the appetizers but got ambushed by the big omelette and rice cake. I was full even before nibbling on the chicken and soup, but also because we over-refilled on the appetizers which was just too addictive along the way.
Service is nothing to complain about; they still managed to be quite efficient although the place was packed. There are also limited private saections on the 2nd floor which can be adjusted according to group sizes using partitions, but it doesnt mean you'll get less of the chatter and clatter, although nothing too loud.
I will really recommend coming early to avoid the queues. Prices are reasonable given I spent only about $24 per person including beers and drinks. This is now my favourite Korean restaurant and this visit totally changed my mind about not liking Korean food~
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