Changi Village, one mention and what comes to mind will probably be seafood, nightlife and maybe sights and sounds of a different kind. Breakfast however, may be dominated by mentions of Nasi Lemak and maybe the Mee Pok or peanut pancake. Here's something a little less known for people who wants something a little different from an old location.
Located on the right hand corner of a coffeeshop, Le Xuan is quite easy to locate and very visible especially in the morning since its practically the few shops open at the coffeeshop and customers who know about it flock there for breakfast. Dim sum is prepared fresh and by hand to ensure it tastes its best.
Prices range from $2.50 to $3 for each item which seems to be the norm for this kind of cuisine.
Har Gao (Steamed Shrimp Dumplings) ($2.50), Fresh Shrimp Chee Cheong Fun ($2.50), Crispy Salad Spring Roll ($2.50), Crystal Dumpling ($2.20), Siew Mai ($2.20), Deep Fried Shrimp Dumpling ($3) and Traditional Egg Tarts ($2.50) - General impressions of the food here is simple. Nice, crunchy and sweet tasting shrimps which applies to everything from the steamed and fried shrimp dumplings to the Chee Cheong Fun. Of special mention is the sweet tasting soy sauce that comes with the Chee Cheong Fun which does a great job of enhancing the taste. Crispy salad spring roll was nicely crunchy and flaky on the outside with a sweet, fragrant yet fishy taste on the inside which were thankfully neutralized by the salad dip. Crystal dumpling was a first for a kampong guy like me but i honestly can't quite take to the item due to its overly strong meaty taste. Siew Mai's were too small and had a pasty texture to meat making it taste like eating fish ball. And finally, the egg tarts are baked with too much crust pastry which masks the egg filling unfortunately.
The offerings were a mixed bag of good, just passes and downright fails. It is however, safe to say that the items with shrimp are probably the better offerings in store. So if you come for a meal, order anything with shrimp for a safe bet. For the rest, take your own chances but it'll be your prerogative.
Had a craving for authentic Thai cuisine one day and decided to take full advantage of the 30% discount offered by UOB to try out this restuarant with my gf and Gwenn. Featured in Singapore Tatler's top restaurants 2007 as well, i had pretty high expectations when i stepped in.
The interior was simple with wooden chairs reminiscent of Chinese coffee shops and cushioned seats along the walls. Worth noting were various Thai statues adorning the corners and multi colors 'fans' along the ceiling. Also to note was that there wasn't many people around when we arrived so there was no need to fight for any seats, the restaurant was packed by the time we left though.
Complimentary/ Compulsory Crackers ($2) - As we were awaiting the arrival of our friend, we promptly ordered everything we wanted for the day. The first item was this complimentary basket of vegetable crackers (or was it prawn crackers?) with Thai sweet and sour chilli sauce dip. The crackers were warm and very crispy, making it go really well with the dip.
Clear Tom Yam Soup ($12) - Any visit to a Thai restaurant would not be complete without an order of Tom Yam soup. I opted for the 'clear' version since spicy items make me pant with effort eating them. $12 serves up a small claypot filled with soup and assorted ingredients. The soup is spicy, sour and sweet with a full bodied seafood base. Appetising and satisfying.
Pineapple rice ($15) - A medium portioned pineapple rice is actually a very big serving. Generously sprinkled with dried and cooked shrimp, it is served in a pot in all its yellowish wonder. The rice nicely cooked but seems to lack the pineapple fragrance that is supposed to be a mainstay for this dish. Also, please note that only the regular sized portion has the item served in an actual pineapple skin.
Lemongrass Chicken ($14) - Lemongrass spring chicken actually tastes more like normal spring chicken to me. I couldn't make out the lemon grass taste but instead found the meat tough and having a strange tofu-like taste. The skin was crispy and nice though. Strange because i thought an item bearing the restaurant's namesake would be at least worthy but that is unfortunately not the case.
Hot Plate Beancurd ($12) - This was good. The sauce was sweet, tangy and a little sour but otherwise thick with minced meat and assorted vegetables. The beancurd was of the egg variety and had a very soft melt-in-your-mouth texture and a soft but firm outer skin. There was also egg beneath all that goodness and to top it all off, the item is hot from start to finish.
Green Curry Beef ($12) - Green colored curry with beef. The curry was not spicy in the least and had an overwhelming coconut milk taste. That said, the curry was thick and came with quite a generous serving of beef which had us picking it out long after we've finished the main mean items. Personally, i wouldn't order it again though.
Mango with Glutinous Rice ($8) - Having satisfied our hungers, we wanted something light for dessert and Gwen suggested we have a Thai dessert which is a must-have for any Thai cuisine fan. When it was served, i was pretty sure there was no room left for something as heavy as this but i was wrong. The mango was served warm with a strangely cold glutinous rice. The result of the combination is actually a very nice appetizing dessert that eventually was finished by a very stuffed trio of customers.
The bill worked out of be $64.85 for 3 people after a 30% discount. Not too much to ask for the food quantity and service.
A generally good experience with good tasting food and unforgettable tastes of Tom Yam and an interesting dessert. Could have been cheaper though. Without the 30% discount, this would have been a little too expensive.
Changing Appetites. I remember a time long ago when their tag line was: "Japanese and Western fusion for the masses." but its been some time since that particular portion of history and now, the new tag line is: "The all American and Dessert Cafe" which is still mildly inaccurate due to the infusion of Mexican influenced items since early 2007.
Relaxed, huge and cold would most probably pop into your minds when you see this place. Located along a stretch of food joints such as Carl's Junior, Cafe Cartel and Swenson's, it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that competition is stiff. It still managed to grab my attention over the more generic outlets available due to its bright colors and reasonable prices. And because it was one of the first places i brought my gf for a meal when we started out. Nostalgia abound.
Strawberry Frozen Magaritas ($10.90) - Big, that was the first thought when i saw this drink. I know places that charge higher prices but serve miserly portions of the drink. Strawberry bits were readily apparent from the outset but i'm not sure if concentrate was used instead of actual strawberries. However, i do know that it is not sweet enough so i'm guessing they used real strawberries in blending this concoction. The white outer layer is salt and believe me, you'll need it because the alcohol is pretty strong and generous as well. A good item if it was just a wee bit sweeter.
Boneless Shanghai Chicken ($8.90) - An appetizer i ordered out of curiousity which i was soon to rejoice because its very well done. Deep fried crispy chicken tossed with pineapple-citrus sauce and topped with sesame seeds. Its basically a cross between 3 different culinary disciplines since even wasabi mayo sauce is used for its dip. The result is a tender, crispy, sweet, sour, spicy and yet light tasting chicken which tastes better when everything is mixed together. Do try this.
Chicken And Mushroom ($16.90) - This dish came looking less glamorous then its menu picture showed which kinda turned my gf off a bit. Her request for more cheese also fell on deaf ears with our extremely forgetful waiter who seems unable to remember anything longer then 4 words. Taste wise, the chicken was rather bland and the cheese was not as strong as it could have been. However, wrap it in the flour tortillas, add a little sour cream and fill it up with onions, bell pepper, chicken and sauteed mushrooms and take another bite for a refreshed feeling of this item. Although not good enough to elevate it to a status where i would say it is delicious, it is at least better then when the items were taken individually. Not that i would order it again on my own though.
The Barbarian Burger ($20.90) - This is the main reason i keep returning to Changing Appetites. Despite being raised by $1 since my last few visits, this is still value for money regardless of how you slice it. 2 200gms of well marinated and totally compressed beef patties which even my gf said tasted good when she's not a beef lover, 1 dory fish fillet which is actually really small but tasty nonetheless and 1 spicy grilled chicken patty nestled within 2 slices of brown cereal bread, tomatoes, lettuce and onions. And finally, served with a huge serving of piping hot fries. I have personally tried to finish this item 4 times, with and without other items beforehand, and sad to say, i've never been able to finish it. The beef patty is where it is all at, marinated minced beef meat without further additions make it compact, tender, juicy and absolutely bursting with taste. Still one of the better patties i've had, at a rather hefty price i must admit but i say its still worth it. Do challenge yourself with it and let me know if you actually finish everything on your plate.
Cookie Monster Mudpie ($7.90) - Dessert was a cookie monster mudpie. Cookies and cream ice cream decked in hot chocolate fudge and sprinkled with oreo cookie crumbs. Sweet, sinful, slightly bitter and very tasty. The mudpie is as i remember it to be, smooth in texture, hard but easily cut away and melt-in-your-mouth tasty. Though i have to say, the best tasting mudpie i had was the complimentary watermelon mudpie i had during my previous visit. A shame it wasn't on the menu though.
To my surprise, a meal for 2 came up to $77. Which is quite a hefty sum for a total of 5 items. Although of course, whatever we had could have easily fed 3 young adults but i do miss the support of UOB promotions in this joint. *hint hint*
Not many places serve burgers as big as this place packing the same amount of taste. For a fusion restaurant, there are bound to be a few hits and misses in their items and honestly, i've seen my friend strike out in their fish and chips, my gf in their chicken and mushroom and her previous order of something associated with chicken as well. So i'd say their not all good but have certain good calls that are bound to please. Do give it a chance.
Sage the restaurant is situated at Robertson Walk. It is a tastefully designed restaurant tucked away in the corner of the 2nd level. Warm cosy lights and soft jazz playing in the background made up a wonderfully romantic ambience. So it was no surprise there were couples enjoying themselves in little corners. There were two other small groups that Friday night. Our group of 10 trotted in happily with our trigger-happy fingers at 8 , ready to attack.
The food…
Amuse Bouche (Complimentary) A small shotglass of minced pork topped with tomato puree. I’m really not a fan of pork and was very apprehensive when this arrived first. But I was pleasantly surprised. The savoury tasteof the meat combined with the tangy tomatoes certainly prepared my stomach for the dishes to come.
Scallops Seared King Scallops on a salad of homemade squid ink capellini, marinated ocean trout and avruga caviar, braised scallop lips and leek & potato vichyssoise First up was the very fresh scallop served with on a creamy soup (potato vichyssoise). The scallop was well-cooked with a slight crisp on the outer layer, while still maintaining its texture inside. The soup that came with it was not too creamy and had many of us grabbing the bread for a good dip.
Foie Gras Pan-seared Duck Foie Gras with pistachio crust and fig compote, Granny Smith apple puree and a dressing of red grape mustard vinegar I have to admit. This is my first time and I’m glad it was here at Sage. The crisp on the outside and the lightness of the inside was a great combination of texture. The foie gras practically melted in my mouth and was definitely far from overwhelming. I loved the apple puree too!
Cod & Bouillabaisse Effeuille of Cod and and grey prawns in a seafood bouillabaisse with ratte potatoes and garden vegetables accompanied with rouille on toast I was so happy that I picked this dish! (There was Beef and Lamb) It’s because it’s not on Sage’s regular menu and if I didn’t pick it, I wouldn’t have tasted such goodness! The cod just melted in my mouth… and the bouillabaisse tasted just right. I can still imagine the taste.
Crème Brûlée Lavender Crème Brûlée with blood orange sorbet on redcurrant jelly and Navel orange meringue When the dessert was served, I was really full and satisfied by the main already and didn’t feel ready to tackle anymore. But the nicely sour sorbet helped a bit. I liked how the jelly and sorbet went together as the jelly was a little bland but gave a different texture to the sourness of the sorbet. I enjoyed the crème brûlée but not the meringue which was too sugary sweet for my liking.
The damage: $1022 for 10 of us (inclusive of a bottle of wine) Individual damage: $96 (I didn’t drink)
It was expensive, but strangely enough I didn’t feel any heartache. Maybe that’s what great food and good ambience does to people.
Whee Fashion Fusion @ Suntec! It was held on the 24th and 25th (which is TODAY) in Room 325. I was there as a Vendor (a mini one) and a shopper!
As a Vendor... I knew that there were some grievances that there was little space, however I liked it that way! It's a bazaar! And I think it should certainly look like one. Everyone managed to place their items somehow in the end so there wasn't much problems. There was sufficient space for people to move about, so that was fine too.
The place is air-conditioned so that's a big plus compared to other places where you'll die in the sweltering heat (like today).
The location is very good and I'm sure everyone knows where Suntec is. So regulars could drop by easily without getting lost. It's also more convenient for people as they could go for a movie or dinner after hopping by for a short shopping spree. So I think that's a motivating factor for people who know about this event beforehand. Also, at times when business was slower, the staff dashed down to give out flyers so that people who were already in the mall would drop by. That helped a lot. Can you imagine if you were in some warehouse flea market? Where are you going to do last minute publicity stunts? So this was a great location.
The team also made efforts to put up posters and banners all over to inform people of the event on the 3rd floor.
I liked how the staff got along with people and are receptive to feedback.
But I think there should have been two mobile dressing rooms in the shopping area itself. Although it was already cramped, but I think it was a little nerve-wrecking for vendors to let customers take the clothing out of the toilet to try without paying first. (Luckily I didn't sell clothing)
As a Shopper I would love to see MORE vendors! But one good thing was that the items sold were not very similiar. Most of the items were for women, if not all... So that's a plus for me. But I think it would be great if there were things that appealed to men too, so that the male companions wouldn't be tapping their feet or looking at their watches.
I think the limiting factor could be.. the theme... Fashion Fusion. If it were ... "THE BAZAAR" there could be car-related items or toys to entertain the men. But that's my two cents.
I liked how many modes of payment were accepted. That really helped some of the customers, so that no one had to walk to find an ATM.
As a Yebber.. the overall experience...
IT WAS FUN! I LOVED IT. I was excited the night before and the whole experience really didn't disappoint. Although I didn't make a lot of money but I managed to let people know about my blogshop and I got to know many friendly nice people! In fact, I got so ecstatic, I started posing for pictures all over (which is a first, mind you.) I wouldn't miss the next one for anything.
Tutu Kueh! Yummy! Guess I was lucky, as I was the last customer who ordered the Durian filling ones. So they stuffed all the remaining bits of fresh durian into my kueh!
As it was late, there were many diners at Food Republic. And many ordering their Tutu. Although I was very full, I couldn't resists trying the durian tutu. They're slightly more expensive, 3 for $2. But for me, I find that its surely worth it.
Can't compare the usual fillings with those in my photos as I was lucky to be the last customers. You can see that the filling was so much that it cracked the surface of the tutu!
I will surely go back for more durian tutus. Yummilicious!
Thanks to Great Sage for posting his reviews. It reminded me about my encounter with them! :)
"Looking for a budget eating corner? Lack of cash and still want big American portions of food such as Botak Jones beef burgers? Look no further! BlackBoard is your neighborhood friendly Western food fix!" At least, that is what i believe went through their minds when they started this franchise. Their actual tagline is : "We satisfy your cravings". Let's find out if thats true then.
I was introduced to this place by Adrain san, who happens to live nearby and swears that this is one of the best eating places he has found in Singapore at present. (He's Japanese and a Singapore Judo Representative. Really cool, really big guy.)
Hidden in a derelict corner of a small coffee shop, its still easy to spot this rather slick looking sign in the middle of nowhere. From what i heard, the place usually sells out its food but we were pretty fortunate both times to have been able to secure a good seat and to get all our orders available.
Mushroom Soup ($2.80) - Their rendition of mushroom soup had little bits of mushrooms which is evident by the tiny black bits you see scattered throughout the soup. The cream was milky and rather thin which reminded me of Campbell's soup but a little tastier and more fragrant. My gf enjoyed this quite alot (She's a Katsu and mushroom affectionado.)
Garlic Bread ($2) - Served piping hot, crispy and smelling simply heavenly. Available in 6 thin slices for $2, this rendition was a quite good if not for the it being overly crispy due to over toasting as can be seen from the charred edges in the picture above. I prefer garlic bread a little moist as well but this came a little too dry.
Tuscan Fries ($2.50) - I really don't know what constitutes Tuscan fries but i love french fries. Heck, i'll even settle for Mcdonald's fries if the craving is in, but i do like my fries thick and i do prefer wedges over fries. These fries were served hot and steaming with some chilli powder or i suspect, msg sprinkled over them and honestly, they were not bad at all. Thick, sweet and a little spicy, it becomes an obsession the moment you start eating it. A word of caution though, most of the mains come with the same portion of fries so you are better off simply ordering a main course.
Blackboard Burger 300 gm patty ($6.80) - Shown above is their signature dish, the Blackboard burger. Similar to the Botak Burger, it comes with huge beef patties but this rendition is slightly cheaper. Its not too difficult to see why either, from the first bite, you'll realise that the patty is made by mashing many things inside along with the beef. From the close ups, you can see carrots, radish and assorted other ingredients which give the burger a unique taste. The only problem is that this makes it taste drier than other beef burgers i've had before and diminishes the beef taste which i prefer. The double patty comes at a cheap top up of $3 and basically, this can be 2 meals instead of one. Its very filling to say the least. Taste wise, Botak burger and Changing appetites have the upper hand, but price wise, you'll be hard pressed to find another 300 gm beef patty at this price.
Buffalo Wings ($1.20 each) - Given the choice of spicy, extra spicy or mild, Blackboard's buffalo wings are definitely more fiery then the rest. (To me at least) We took the extra spicy option, which is basically spicy thai sauce. I'm pretty sure they had chili paddy in the concoction because your lips will burn long after the wings have settled in your stomach. Meat wise, this was tender and nicely marinated from the color and the reddish tinge of the meat inside. The skin was crispy as well making it a good appetizer. My gf easily took the spiciness while i struggled by drinking gallons of water, you have been warned.
Cajun Spice Chicken ($6.50) - Order this and you'll get a generous piece of chicken thigh or breast which is thoroughly marinated and lightly pan fried. You'll also get a generous dose of Tuscan fries and some coleslaw to round up the package. I'm assuming that Cajun spices are influenced by Indian spices since i believe there is curry powder in the marinating. The chicken is quite literally soaked in the spices and exudes a fragrant and appetizing aroma. Meat was tender and easily cut apart as well and i love the fact that there are no bones for me to pick off. The cheese layer however did not add much to the flavor of the chicken and i didn't like the sauce that came with the dish. Still pretty decent though.
Fish and Chips Large($9) - I ordered this for my gf because i wanted to see what large looks like. Well, it indeed is large with 4 thick slices of fish deep fried to a golden brown and served sporting a standing ovation. Taste wise, the batter used in frying is very thick, such that we had to dig the meat out instead of eating the entire thing after one piece. The meat isn't much to shout about either but you can't complain about the portion size. $9 for batter though is not my idea of good fish and chips.
Honestly, food wise, the place is not exactly splendid but does have a certain charm and also comes at a really budget price. Compare it to a whole host of mediocre kopitiam offerings and this is a sure winner, but compare it to other similar outlets like Botak Jones or Uno Beef house and it doesn't score as high. Try it with an open mind and a minimal budget to judge for yourselves.
Hong Kong Café along East Coast Road. is one of the more authentic hong kong style cafes compared to those like Central or XinWang. The ambience makes you feel like you're in HK...We can feel the small flies buzzing around while we wait for the food. haha
We had : -
Golden Fantasy Not fantastic although it is recommended by the media and the chef(it had 2 blue and red stars). The mango puree is very watery .The taste I had was from the mango ice cream instead.The seed toppings were bitter which was suppose to contrast with the natural sweetness of the mango puree,but in the end,no.. All I had to taste was the articifial sweetness from the mango ice cream.Not recommended at all.
Fried Hor Fan with fish & Bean Sprouts One look at the picture.It is actually FRIED BEAN SPROUTS with fish and hor fan… I asked my friend : “ Did I order a vegtable meal instead?" They are overly generous with the bean sprouts. Although I m a bean sprouts fan but its too much… Overall, I like it still because it’s a light meal. You can taste the old style frying, typical of a hawker u will find in the olden days in smith street. Very Cantonese.I would recommend it.But at $7.50, it’s a bit steep.
The service was good.They had the “customer is always right” attitude. The customer sitting beside me spilled his drinks all over himself while drinking it. The supervisor was quick to react. She was so apologetic, while helping him clean up. It was obvious that it was not her fault because she was miles away from him. But her attitude is commendable.I think a typical Singaporean waitress who start to roll eyes…etc… I would go back again in the evenings.
But sometimes the queue really puts me off and the lack of parking.... take the bus if you can :)
**Updated** I went again recently and had two delicious dishes which I HAVE to share with you guys.
I was there just a couple of days ago for a late night supper.
Item 609 Spicy Salt and Pepper Deep Fried Squid $7.20 Yes it is calamari... :) The batter was light and and very tasty. I liked how it wasn't oily and we were using eating every single last bit of it.
Item 684 Golden Fried Crispy Mushroom $6.20 I had this once and had a good impression of it, so I ordered it again. This time was even better than the last! They changed the kind of mushrooms they used and it does suit the batter more now. Ultra delicious and it is a must try!
Craving for more Japanese food after Waraku, i brought my sister and gf out for lunch this lazy weekend. And being a lazy weekend, going too far is out of the question. Instead, we opted to try out a Japanese restaurant in the Heartlands @ Compass Point.
Miso Soup - I would have expected better from Wasabi but it was not meant to be, the miso was bland and hardly appetizing. The seaweed came in big pieces however and the tofu is soft and melts in your mouth. Still, the soup just isn't what it could have been.
Beef Don Cold Cha Soba Agedashi Tofu ($15.80) - Beef is teriyaki seasoned as usual and tastes as it should. Chewy, sweet and tender with simple but fragrant Japanese rice. The cold cha soba here is springy and chewy with a slight bitter green tea taste which totally dissipates when you dip it into the accompanying sauce. It then becomes sweet, slightly heady and extremely tasty. Notice the agedashi tofu wasn't shown? Yeah, thats because it wasn't really that good to begin with.
Katsudon ($9) - The first was a wrong order which served beef instead of pork. The second bowl came after we asked a serving lady who kindly helped us correct the issue. The second bowl was the real deal. Pork cutlet was not too crispy due to the egg on top but retained many of the juices that makes it delectable. Guess who ordered this dish? None other then my gf of course.
Soft Shell Crab ($5.50) - The crab came in 2 pieces and was quite small. It was very crispy and hot but lacked sweetness in its meat.
Ebi Curry Don Fried Chicken Cold Soba ($15.80) - I was quite surprised when my sister's order appeared. For the price, i did not expect 2 big prawns to be on the bowl. The prawns were not very sweet tasting however. And the only difference between cold soba and cha soba is the green tea taste. But that difference means everything because this pales in comparison to cha soba. The fried chicken side dish was surprisingly generous and tasted hot, tender and sweet as well.
The total bill came up to $54.25 for 3 people for lunch. Which isn't too much and was reasonably satisfying.
Not too bad a restaurant though you can't compare it to Waraku, Inagiku or Keyaki on the same standing. Still, for a simple Japanese meal, you can't really go wrong with this place.
Met up with Kelvin and Mr Sotong Bao again for dinner along with my gf. Our initial location was supposed to be at either a porridge buffet in Ang Mo Kio or a HDB Tai Tai recommendation called Bermuda Triangle around the area. However, they were not viable options as they were packed and so we traveled around searching for food till we found this place.
Cosy, quiet and small are the words you would use to describe the restaurant. Also to note was that the place was packed when we arrived. A good sign? Not in terms of service thats for sure, we had to wait about 10-15 minutes before our order was taken and table cleared.
Cheese and Tomato Bruschetta ($6.50) - Toasted bread with tomato and cheese. This has got to be a cruel joke since there's practically nothing worth merit on this item and its a complete waste of money. Next!
Haloumi Cheese ($6.50) - Deep fried cheese with tomato pizzaiola sauce. Personally, i've never had this before and after this, i probably will not order it again. Cheese was tasteless and forgettable.
Fish And Chips ($9.50) - The biggest of the lot in terms of main course servings. The owner was kind enough to point out that this is a dish for kids and seldom ordered for adults. The fillet was crispy and batter thin but the meat wasn't fresh and was generally tasteless. A point to note though is that, for a kids meal, the serving was a whole lot more then any of the other adult items we ordered. Maybe kids have it better?
Beef Stew ($19.50) - It came smelling fragrant but won't win any prizes for presentation. Beef was tender and quite sweet tasting but its more like a non spicy rendition of beef rendang. Not too bad but portion was small and definately not worth the money.
Grilled Chicken in Mushroom Sauce ($15) - My gf had this thinking it would be a healthy and light dish but it came swimming in olive oil. From the outset, it was oily and that signed the death warrant for this dish. The grilled chicken was oily AND tasteless. Bad move.
Tiramisu - Madam Q's signature dessert. Tiramisu seems to be a favorite order such that almost any eatery will have it simply to round out their menu. This rendition was at least decent in that it was sweet and the cake was evident though i do not detect much rum. The best item of the day but thats not saying alot since everything else bordered on failing.
$85.80 for a mediocre meal is just one meal too many for me.
Disappointment. For all the good service and nice ambiance going for it. All this places lacks is good food.
1=SGD 0.0587
Changi Village, one mention and what comes to mind will probably be seafood, nightlife and maybe sights and sounds of a different kind. Breakfast however, may be dominated by mentions of Nasi Lemak and maybe the Mee Pok or peanut pancake. Here's something a little less known for people who wants something a little different from an old location.
Located on the right hand corner of a coffeeshop, Le Xuan is quite easy to locate and very visible especially in the morning since its practically the few shops open at the coffeeshop and customers who know about it flock there for breakfast. Dim sum is prepared fresh and by hand to ensure it tastes its best.
Prices range from $2.50 to $3 for each item which seems to be the norm for this kind of cuisine.
Har Gao (Steamed Shrimp Dumplings) ($2.50), Fresh Shrimp Chee Cheong Fun ($2.50), Crispy Salad Spring Roll ($2.50), Crystal Dumpling ($2.20), Siew Mai ($2.20), Deep Fried Shrimp Dumpling ($3) and Traditional Egg Tarts ($2.50) - General impressions of the food here is simple. Nice, crunchy and sweet tasting shrimps which applies to everything from the steamed and fried shrimp dumplings to the Chee Cheong Fun. Of special mention is the sweet tasting soy sauce that comes with the Chee Cheong Fun which does a great job of enhancing the taste. Crispy salad spring roll was nicely crunchy and flaky on the outside with a sweet, fragrant yet fishy taste on the inside which were thankfully neutralized by the salad dip. Crystal dumpling was a first for a kampong guy like me but i honestly can't quite take to the item due to its overly strong meaty taste. Siew Mai's were too small and had a pasty texture to meat making it taste like eating fish ball. And finally, the egg tarts are baked with too much crust pastry which masks the egg filling unfortunately.
The offerings were a mixed bag of good, just passes and downright fails. It is however, safe to say that the items with shrimp are probably the better offerings in store. So if you come for a meal, order anything with shrimp for a safe bet. For the rest, take your own chances but it'll be your prerogative.
Rating given:
Had a craving for authentic Thai cuisine one day and decided to take full advantage of the 30% discount offered by UOB to try out this restuarant with my gf and Gwenn. Featured in Singapore Tatler's top restaurants 2007 as well, i had pretty high expectations when i stepped in.
The interior was simple with wooden chairs reminiscent of Chinese coffee shops and cushioned seats along the walls. Worth noting were various Thai statues adorning the corners and multi colors 'fans' along the ceiling. Also to note was that there wasn't many people around when we arrived so there was no need to fight for any seats, the restaurant was packed by the time we left though.
Complimentary/ Compulsory Crackers ($2) - As we were awaiting the arrival of our friend, we promptly ordered everything we wanted for the day. The first item was this complimentary basket of vegetable crackers (or was it prawn crackers?) with Thai sweet and sour chilli sauce dip. The crackers were warm and very crispy, making it go really well with the dip.
Clear Tom Yam Soup ($12) - Any visit to a Thai restaurant would not be complete without an order of Tom Yam soup. I opted for the 'clear' version since spicy items make me pant with effort eating them. $12 serves up a small claypot filled with soup and assorted ingredients. The soup is spicy, sour and sweet with a full bodied seafood base. Appetising and satisfying.
Pineapple rice ($15) - A medium portioned pineapple rice is actually a very big serving. Generously sprinkled with dried and cooked shrimp, it is served in a pot in all its yellowish wonder. The rice nicely cooked but seems to lack the pineapple fragrance that is supposed to be a mainstay for this dish. Also, please note that only the regular sized portion has the item served in an actual pineapple skin.
Lemongrass Chicken ($14) - Lemongrass spring chicken actually tastes more like normal spring chicken to me. I couldn't make out the lemon grass taste but instead found the meat tough and having a strange tofu-like taste. The skin was crispy and nice though. Strange because i thought an item bearing the restaurant's namesake would be at least worthy but that is unfortunately not the case.
Hot Plate Beancurd ($12) - This was good. The sauce was sweet, tangy and a little sour but otherwise thick with minced meat and assorted vegetables. The beancurd was of the egg variety and had a very soft melt-in-your-mouth texture and a soft but firm outer skin. There was also egg beneath all that goodness and to top it all off, the item is hot from start to finish.
Green Curry Beef ($12) - Green colored curry with beef. The curry was not spicy in the least and had an overwhelming coconut milk taste. That said, the curry was thick and came with quite a generous serving of beef which had us picking it out long after we've finished the main mean items. Personally, i wouldn't order it again though.
Mango with Glutinous Rice ($8) - Having satisfied our hungers, we wanted something light for dessert and Gwen suggested we have a Thai dessert which is a must-have for any Thai cuisine fan. When it was served, i was pretty sure there was no room left for something as heavy as this but i was wrong. The mango was served warm with a strangely cold glutinous rice. The result of the combination is actually a very nice appetizing dessert that eventually was finished by a very stuffed trio of customers.
The bill worked out of be $64.85 for 3 people after a 30% discount. Not too much to ask for the food quantity and service.
A generally good experience with good tasting food and unforgettable tastes of Tom Yam and an interesting dessert. Could have been cheaper though. Without the 30% discount, this would have been a little too expensive.
Rating given:
Changing Appetites. I remember a time long ago when their tag line was: "Japanese and Western fusion for the masses." but its been some time since that particular portion of history and now, the new tag line is: "The all American and Dessert Cafe" which is still mildly inaccurate due to the infusion of Mexican influenced items since early 2007.
Relaxed, huge and cold would most probably pop into your minds when you see this place. Located along a stretch of food joints such as Carl's Junior, Cafe Cartel and Swenson's, it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that competition is stiff. It still managed to grab my attention over the more generic outlets available due to its bright colors and reasonable prices. And because it was one of the first places i brought my gf for a meal when we started out. Nostalgia abound.
Strawberry Frozen Magaritas ($10.90) - Big, that was the first thought when i saw this drink. I know places that charge higher prices but serve miserly portions of the drink. Strawberry bits were readily apparent from the outset but i'm not sure if concentrate was used instead of actual strawberries. However, i do know that it is not sweet enough so i'm guessing they used real strawberries in blending this concoction. The white outer layer is salt and believe me, you'll need it because the alcohol is pretty strong and generous as well. A good item if it was just a wee bit sweeter.
Boneless Shanghai Chicken ($8.90) - An appetizer i ordered out of curiousity which i was soon to rejoice because its very well done. Deep fried crispy chicken tossed with pineapple-citrus sauce and topped with sesame seeds. Its basically a cross between 3 different culinary disciplines since even wasabi mayo sauce is used for its dip. The result is a tender, crispy, sweet, sour, spicy and yet light tasting chicken which tastes better when everything is mixed together. Do try this.
Chicken And Mushroom ($16.90) - This dish came looking less glamorous then its menu picture showed which kinda turned my gf off a bit. Her request for more cheese also fell on deaf ears with our extremely forgetful waiter who seems unable to remember anything longer then 4 words. Taste wise, the chicken was rather bland and the cheese was not as strong as it could have been. However, wrap it in the flour tortillas, add a little sour cream and fill it up with onions, bell pepper, chicken and sauteed mushrooms and take another bite for a refreshed feeling of this item. Although not good enough to elevate it to a status where i would say it is delicious, it is at least better then when the items were taken individually. Not that i would order it again on my own though.
The Barbarian Burger ($20.90) - This is the main reason i keep returning to Changing Appetites. Despite being raised by $1 since my last few visits, this is still value for money regardless of how you slice it. 2 200gms of well marinated and totally compressed beef patties which even my gf said tasted good when she's not a beef lover, 1 dory fish fillet which is actually really small but tasty nonetheless and 1 spicy grilled chicken patty nestled within 2 slices of brown cereal bread, tomatoes, lettuce and onions. And finally, served with a huge serving of piping hot fries. I have personally tried to finish this item 4 times, with and without other items beforehand, and sad to say, i've never been able to finish it. The beef patty is where it is all at, marinated minced beef meat without further additions make it compact, tender, juicy and absolutely bursting with taste. Still one of the better patties i've had, at a rather hefty price i must admit but i say its still worth it. Do challenge yourself with it and let me know if you actually finish everything on your plate.
Cookie Monster Mudpie ($7.90) - Dessert was a cookie monster mudpie. Cookies and cream ice cream decked in hot chocolate fudge and sprinkled with oreo cookie crumbs. Sweet, sinful, slightly bitter and very tasty. The mudpie is as i remember it to be, smooth in texture, hard but easily cut away and melt-in-your-mouth tasty. Though i have to say, the best tasting mudpie i had was the complimentary watermelon mudpie i had during my previous visit. A shame it wasn't on the menu though.
To my surprise, a meal for 2 came up to $77. Which is quite a hefty sum for a total of 5 items. Although of course, whatever we had could have easily fed 3 young adults but i do miss the support of UOB promotions in this joint. *hint hint*
Not many places serve burgers as big as this place packing the same amount of taste. For a fusion restaurant, there are bound to be a few hits and misses in their items and honestly, i've seen my friend strike out in their fish and chips, my gf in their chicken and mushroom and her previous order of something associated with chicken as well. So i'd say their not all good but have certain good calls that are bound to please. Do give it a chance.
Rating given:
Sage the restaurant is situated at Robertson Walk. It is a tastefully designed restaurant tucked away in the corner of the 2nd level. Warm cosy lights and soft jazz playing in the background made up a wonderfully romantic ambience. So it was no surprise there were couples enjoying themselves in little corners. There were two other small groups that Friday night. Our group of 10 trotted in happily with our trigger-happy fingers at 8 , ready to attack.
The food…
Amuse Bouche (Complimentary)
A small shotglass of minced pork topped with tomato puree. I’m really not a fan of pork and was very apprehensive when this arrived first. But I was pleasantly surprised. The savoury tasteof the meat combined with the tangy tomatoes certainly prepared my stomach for the dishes to come.
Scallops
Seared King Scallops on a salad of homemade squid ink capellini, marinated ocean trout and avruga caviar, braised scallop lips and leek & potato vichyssoise
First up was the very fresh scallop served with on a creamy soup (potato vichyssoise). The scallop was well-cooked with a slight crisp on the outer layer, while still maintaining its texture inside. The soup that came with it was not too creamy and had many of us grabbing the bread for a good dip.
Foie Gras
Pan-seared Duck Foie Gras with pistachio crust and fig compote, Granny Smith apple puree and a dressing of red grape mustard vinegar
I have to admit. This is my first time and I’m glad it was here at Sage. The crisp on the outside and the lightness of the inside was a great combination of texture. The foie gras practically melted in my mouth and was definitely far from overwhelming. I loved the apple puree too!
Cod & Bouillabaisse
Effeuille of Cod and and grey prawns in a seafood bouillabaisse with ratte potatoes and garden vegetables accompanied with rouille on toast
I was so happy that I picked this dish! (There was Beef and Lamb) It’s because it’s not on Sage’s regular menu and if I didn’t pick it, I wouldn’t have tasted such goodness! The cod just melted in my mouth… and the bouillabaisse tasted just right. I can still imagine the taste.
Crème Brûlée
Lavender Crème Brûlée with blood orange sorbet on redcurrant jelly and Navel orange meringue
When the dessert was served, I was really full and satisfied by the main already and didn’t feel ready to tackle anymore. But the nicely sour sorbet helped a bit. I liked how the jelly and sorbet went together as the jelly was a little bland but gave a different texture to the sourness of the sorbet. I enjoyed the crème brûlée but not the meringue which was too sugary sweet for my liking.
The damage: $1022 for 10 of us (inclusive of a bottle of wine)
Individual damage: $96 (I didn’t drink)
It was expensive, but strangely enough I didn’t feel any heartache. Maybe that’s what great food and good ambience does to people.
More pictures here
Rating given:
Whee Fashion Fusion @ Suntec! It was held on the 24th and 25th (which is TODAY) in Room 325. I was there as a Vendor (a mini one) and a shopper!
As a Vendor...
I knew that there were some grievances that there was little space, however I liked it that way! It's a bazaar! And I think it should certainly look like one. Everyone managed to place their items somehow in the end so there wasn't much problems. There was sufficient space for people to move about, so that was fine too.
The place is air-conditioned so that's a big plus compared to other places where you'll die in the sweltering heat (like today).
The location is very good and I'm sure everyone knows where Suntec is. So regulars could drop by easily without getting lost. It's also more convenient for people as they could go for a movie or dinner after hopping by for a short shopping spree. So I think that's a motivating factor for people who know about this event beforehand. Also, at times when business was slower, the staff dashed down to give out flyers so that people who were already in the mall would drop by. That helped a lot. Can you imagine if you were in some warehouse flea market? Where are you going to do last minute publicity stunts? So this was a great location.
The team also made efforts to put up posters and banners all over to inform people of the event on the 3rd floor.
I liked how the staff got along with people and are receptive to feedback.
But I think there should have been two mobile dressing rooms in the shopping area itself. Although it was already cramped, but I think it was a little nerve-wrecking for vendors to let customers take the clothing out of the toilet to try without paying first. (Luckily I didn't sell clothing)
As a Shopper
I would love to see MORE vendors! But one good thing was that the items sold were not very similiar. Most of the items were for women, if not all... So that's a plus for me. But I think it would be great if there were things that appealed to men too, so that the male companions wouldn't be tapping their feet or looking at their watches.
I think the limiting factor could be.. the theme... Fashion Fusion. If it were ... "THE BAZAAR" there could be car-related items or toys to entertain the men. But that's my two cents.
I liked how many modes of payment were accepted. That really helped some of the customers, so that no one had to walk to find an ATM.
As a Yebber.. the overall experience...
IT WAS FUN! I LOVED IT. I was excited the night before and the whole experience really didn't disappoint. Although I didn't make a lot of money but I managed to let people know about my blogshop and I got to know many friendly nice people! In fact, I got so ecstatic, I started posing for pictures all over (which is a first, mind you.) I wouldn't miss the next one for anything.
Way to go Yebber!
** I'm happy I'm first!**
Rating given:
Tutu Kueh! Yummy! Guess I was lucky, as I was the last customer who ordered the Durian filling ones. So they stuffed all the remaining bits of fresh durian into my kueh!
As it was late, there were many diners at Food Republic. And many ordering their Tutu. Although I was very full, I couldn't resists trying the durian tutu. They're slightly more expensive, 3 for $2. But for me, I find that its surely worth it.
Can't compare the usual fillings with those in my photos as I was lucky to be the last customers. You can see that the filling was so much that it cracked the surface of the tutu!
I will surely go back for more durian tutus. Yummilicious!
Thanks to Great Sage for posting his reviews. It reminded me about my encounter with them! :)
Rating given:
"Looking for a budget eating corner? Lack of cash and still want big American portions of food such as Botak Jones beef burgers? Look no further! BlackBoard is your neighborhood friendly Western food fix!" At least, that is what i believe went through their minds when they started this franchise. Their actual tagline is : "We satisfy your cravings". Let's find out if thats true then.
I was introduced to this place by Adrain san, who happens to live nearby and swears that this is one of the best eating places he has found in Singapore at present. (He's Japanese and a Singapore Judo Representative. Really cool, really big guy.)
Hidden in a derelict corner of a small coffee shop, its still easy to spot this rather slick looking sign in the middle of nowhere. From what i heard, the place usually sells out its food but we were pretty fortunate both times to have been able to secure a good seat and to get all our orders available.
Mushroom Soup ($2.80) - Their rendition of mushroom soup had little bits of mushrooms which is evident by the tiny black bits you see scattered throughout the soup. The cream was milky and rather thin which reminded me of Campbell's soup but a little tastier and more fragrant. My gf enjoyed this quite alot (She's a Katsu and mushroom affectionado.)
Garlic Bread ($2) - Served piping hot, crispy and smelling simply heavenly. Available in 6 thin slices for $2, this rendition was a quite good if not for the it being overly crispy due to over toasting as can be seen from the charred edges in the picture above. I prefer garlic bread a little moist as well but this came a little too dry.
Tuscan Fries ($2.50) - I really don't know what constitutes Tuscan fries but i love french fries. Heck, i'll even settle for Mcdonald's fries if the craving is in, but i do like my fries thick and i do prefer wedges over fries. These fries were served hot and steaming with some chilli powder or i suspect, msg sprinkled over them and honestly, they were not bad at all. Thick, sweet and a little spicy, it becomes an obsession the moment you start eating it. A word of caution though, most of the mains come with the same portion of fries so you are better off simply ordering a main course.
Blackboard Burger 300 gm patty ($6.80) - Shown above is their signature dish, the Blackboard burger. Similar to the Botak Burger, it comes with huge beef patties but this rendition is slightly cheaper. Its not too difficult to see why either, from the first bite, you'll realise that the patty is made by mashing many things inside along with the beef. From the close ups, you can see carrots, radish and assorted other ingredients which give the burger a unique taste. The only problem is that this makes it taste drier than other beef burgers i've had before and diminishes the beef taste which i prefer. The double patty comes at a cheap top up of $3 and basically, this can be 2 meals instead of one. Its very filling to say the least. Taste wise, Botak burger and Changing appetites have the upper hand, but price wise, you'll be hard pressed to find another 300 gm beef patty at this price.
Buffalo Wings ($1.20 each) - Given the choice of spicy, extra spicy or mild, Blackboard's buffalo wings are definitely more fiery then the rest. (To me at least) We took the extra spicy option, which is basically spicy thai sauce. I'm pretty sure they had chili paddy in the concoction because your lips will burn long after the wings have settled in your stomach. Meat wise, this was tender and nicely marinated from the color and the reddish tinge of the meat inside. The skin was crispy as well making it a good appetizer. My gf easily took the spiciness while i struggled by drinking gallons of water, you have been warned.
Cajun Spice Chicken ($6.50) - Order this and you'll get a generous piece of chicken thigh or breast which is thoroughly marinated and lightly pan fried. You'll also get a generous dose of Tuscan fries and some coleslaw to round up the package. I'm assuming that Cajun spices are influenced by Indian spices since i believe there is curry powder in the marinating. The chicken is quite literally soaked in the spices and exudes a fragrant and appetizing aroma. Meat was tender and easily cut apart as well and i love the fact that there are no bones for me to pick off. The cheese layer however did not add much to the flavor of the chicken and i didn't like the sauce that came with the dish. Still pretty decent though.
Fish and Chips Large($9) - I ordered this for my gf because i wanted to see what large looks like. Well, it indeed is large with 4 thick slices of fish deep fried to a golden brown and served sporting a standing ovation. Taste wise, the batter used in frying is very thick, such that we had to dig the meat out instead of eating the entire thing after one piece. The meat isn't much to shout about either but you can't complain about the portion size. $9 for batter though is not my idea of good fish and chips.
Honestly, food wise, the place is not exactly splendid but does have a certain charm and also comes at a really budget price. Compare it to a whole host of mediocre kopitiam offerings and this is a sure winner, but compare it to other similar outlets like Botak Jones or Uno Beef house and it doesn't score as high. Try it with an open mind and a minimal budget to judge for yourselves.
Rating given:
Hong Kong Café along East Coast Road. is one of the more authentic hong kong style cafes compared to those like Central or XinWang. The ambience makes you feel like you're in HK...We can feel the small flies buzzing around while we wait for the food. haha
We had : -
Golden Fantasy
Not fantastic although it is recommended by the media and the chef(it had 2 blue and red stars). The mango puree is very watery .The taste I had was from the mango ice cream instead.The seed toppings were bitter which was suppose to contrast with the natural sweetness of the mango puree,but in the end,no.. All I had to taste was the articifial sweetness from the mango ice cream.Not recommended at all.
Fried Hor Fan with fish & Bean Sprouts
One look at the picture.It is actually FRIED BEAN SPROUTS with fish and hor fan…
I asked my friend : “ Did I order a vegtable meal instead?" They are overly generous with the bean sprouts. Although I m a bean sprouts fan but its too much…
Overall, I like it still because it’s a light meal. You can taste the old style frying, typical of a hawker u will find in the olden days in smith street. Very Cantonese.I would recommend it.But at $7.50, it’s a bit steep.
The service was good.They had the “customer is always right” attitude. The customer sitting beside me spilled his drinks all over himself while drinking it. The supervisor was quick to react. She was so apologetic, while helping him clean up. It was obvious that it was not her fault because she was miles away from him. But her attitude is commendable.I think a typical Singaporean waitress who start to roll eyes…etc…
I would go back again in the evenings.
But sometimes the queue really puts me off and the lack of parking.... take the bus if you can :)
**Updated**
I went again recently and had two delicious dishes which I HAVE to share with you guys.
I was there just a couple of days ago for a late night supper.
Item 609 Spicy Salt and Pepper Deep Fried Squid $7.20
Yes it is calamari... :) The batter was light and and very tasty. I liked how it wasn't oily and we were using eating every single last bit of it.
Item 684 Golden Fried Crispy Mushroom $6.20
I had this once and had a good impression of it, so I ordered it again. This time was even better than the last! They changed the kind of mushrooms they used and it does suit the batter more now. Ultra delicious and it is a must try!
Rating given:
Craving for more Japanese food after Waraku, i brought my sister and gf out for lunch this lazy weekend. And being a lazy weekend, going too far is out of the question. Instead, we opted to try out a Japanese restaurant in the Heartlands @ Compass Point.
Miso Soup - I would have expected better from Wasabi but it was not meant to be, the miso was bland and hardly appetizing. The seaweed came in big pieces however and the tofu is soft and melts in your mouth. Still, the soup just isn't what it could have been.
Beef Don Cold Cha Soba Agedashi Tofu ($15.80) - Beef is teriyaki seasoned as usual and tastes as it should. Chewy, sweet and tender with simple but fragrant Japanese rice. The cold cha soba here is springy and chewy with a slight bitter green tea taste which totally dissipates when you dip it into the accompanying sauce. It then becomes sweet, slightly heady and extremely tasty. Notice the agedashi tofu wasn't shown? Yeah, thats because it wasn't really that good to begin with.
Katsudon ($9) - The first was a wrong order which served beef instead of pork. The second bowl came after we asked a serving lady who kindly helped us correct the issue. The second bowl was the real deal. Pork cutlet was not too crispy due to the egg on top but retained many of the juices that makes it delectable. Guess who ordered this dish? None other then my gf of course.
Soft Shell Crab ($5.50) - The crab came in 2 pieces and was quite small. It was very crispy and hot but lacked sweetness in its meat.
Ebi Curry Don Fried Chicken Cold Soba ($15.80) - I was quite surprised when my sister's order appeared. For the price, i did not expect 2 big prawns to be on the bowl. The prawns were not very sweet tasting however. And the only difference between cold soba and cha soba is the green tea taste. But that difference means everything because this pales in comparison to cha soba. The fried chicken side dish was surprisingly generous and tasted hot, tender and sweet as well.
The total bill came up to $54.25 for 3 people for lunch. Which isn't too much and was reasonably satisfying.
Not too bad a restaurant though you can't compare it to Waraku, Inagiku or Keyaki on the same standing. Still, for a simple Japanese meal, you can't really go wrong with this place.
Rating given:
Met up with Kelvin and Mr Sotong Bao again for dinner along with my gf. Our initial location was supposed to be at either a porridge buffet in Ang Mo Kio or a HDB Tai Tai recommendation called Bermuda Triangle around the area. However, they were not viable options as they were packed and so we traveled around searching for food till we found this place.
Cosy, quiet and small are the words you would use to describe the restaurant. Also to note was that the place was packed when we arrived. A good sign? Not in terms of service thats for sure, we had to wait about 10-15 minutes before our order was taken and table cleared.
Cheese and Tomato Bruschetta ($6.50) - Toasted bread with tomato and cheese. This has got to be a cruel joke since there's practically nothing worth merit on this item and its a complete waste of money. Next!
Haloumi Cheese ($6.50) - Deep fried cheese with tomato pizzaiola sauce. Personally, i've never had this before and after this, i probably will not order it again. Cheese was tasteless and forgettable.
Fish And Chips ($9.50) - The biggest of the lot in terms of main course servings. The owner was kind enough to point out that this is a dish for kids and seldom ordered for adults. The fillet was crispy and batter thin but the meat wasn't fresh and was generally tasteless. A point to note though is that, for a kids meal, the serving was a whole lot more then any of the other adult items we ordered. Maybe kids have it better?
Beef Stew ($19.50) - It came smelling fragrant but won't win any prizes for presentation. Beef was tender and quite sweet tasting but its more like a non spicy rendition of beef rendang. Not too bad but portion was small and definately not worth the money.
Grilled Chicken in Mushroom Sauce ($15) - My gf had this thinking it would be a healthy and light dish but it came swimming in olive oil. From the outset, it was oily and that signed the death warrant for this dish. The grilled chicken was oily AND tasteless. Bad move.
Tiramisu - Madam Q's signature dessert. Tiramisu seems to be a favorite order such that almost any eatery will have it simply to round out their menu. This rendition was at least decent in that it was sweet and the cake was evident though i do not detect much rum. The best item of the day but thats not saying alot since everything else bordered on failing.
$85.80 for a mediocre meal is just one meal too many for me.
Disappointment. For all the good service and nice ambiance going for it. All this places lacks is good food.
Rating given: