Have always wanted to try Astons but the queue at Katong and Serangoon Gardens made us decide to eat somewhere else. So when they opened a branch at Bedok, it seemed like it was time to start queuing. The queue was not that long (I was like 6th in the queue) and it was moving. Waiting time was about 12 min after ordering so it was acceptable (for dining in a coffee shop).
Prime Ribeye Steak ($11.90) was done medium well. Redness was present and meat was tender and easily chewable which was what we were looking for in medium well. Fries and onion rings were served hot and in distinguishable pieces. Onion rings looked slightly burnt but I guess it could be due to the overused oil. :)
Pork Chop ($8.50) was served with mashed potatoes and garden veggies. Nothing much to say about the pork chops except that the portion was pretty generous with 2 large pieces. Average tasting.
Now I start to wonder why there is a queue in the first place. The food tasted average with nothing to shout about. Perhaps its because I did not order the most expensive prime cut? haha. I am not sure. But paying $25.90 for a plate of steak in a coffee shop is not something common. Unless eating zi char....but that is a different story.
Situated on the 1st level of Bukit Timah Plaza is this eatery with unique selection of taiwanese delicacies.
What do we like about this place?
1. Friendly staff - Service seems to be their top priority. The boss is very particular about not letting customers wait longer than they are suppose to wait. Hence the food is served pretty fast inspite of the lunch crowd. 2. Chilli - Why chilli? This chilli is super hot but nice. Everytime they serve this chilli, they will explain to the customer that it is very hot. So customers are prepared for it. Even my friend who takes spicy food in abundance agrees that it is hot hot hot. 3. Freshness - We ate here twice and both times we find freshness in the ingredients and food. 4. Price - Price is reasonable between $6 to $9 for a main dish. Portions are also reasonably large enough.
What did we try?
1. Boiled dumpling - Upon ordering, they mention that it takes about 10min to prepare. When it arrived piping hot, we can taste the freshness of the ingredients used, especially the prawns. 2. Fish Ganache with Rice - The fish is freshly fried and you can tell that it was not re-fried as done in some other places. 3. Taiwanese Curry Rice - Something like Japanese Curry, Taiwanese curry is also not that spicy. Tasted fine to us and the pieces of meat were done just right. 4. Yam and pumpkin paste - Or nee with pumpkin, what a different combination but a nice one. The yam paste was silky smooth and not too thick. It was not too sweet which was acceptable to the other half.
Why no smelly toufu?
The boss mentioned that he is not able to get approval for it as the smell might drive the neighbours crazy.
Recommended for a simple, no frills Taiwanese experience.
Looking for a place to relax and do nothing? We found this quiet little spot in Bintan in a place called Yasin Bungalow. It is a row of 7 water bungalows, yes, rooms strategically located above the sea shore, right on the beach. So while you are in your room you can hear waves hitting the shore right below your room....just perfect.
Unlike a kelong, the water is clean and the beach is just awesome and did I say, private. So only hotel guest will have access to the beach. And with 7 water bungalows and 7 other beach front villas, how many guest can you have at one time? not more than 20. So this is really a private place to get away and relax...
Of course there is much to do here. Many who come here are expats who work in Singapore. We met 6 from US, 1 from Japan and many Koreans....no Singaporeans in sight...as all of them are at the other resorts like the mana mana, etc. haha.
Here is what we like about the place:-
1. Rooms. Each has a private balcony. No aircon. So natural seabreeze and the breeze blows 24 hours non-stop.
2. Meditative and relaxing sounds of water lapping gently against the shores. Just pure relaxation music in real live surround sound.
3. Food. Even in this isolated place, the local food served is sufficient to whet the tastebuds.
4. Price. One night is $35 per room. No mistake.
5. Nothingness to do. Haha, for once in your life, you will be able to get a headace thinking of what to do.
6. Friendly Staff - Always smiling and attentive.
So what can you do here?
1. Nothing
2. Read your favourite book or novel
3. Write your life story
4. Eat and Eat
5. Sleep and sleep
6. Swim
7. Walk to the next island (during low tide)
8. Water sports (canoeing, banana boat)
9. Hike
10. Cycle
11. Take lots of photos
12. Study for your exams
How to get here?
Take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Pinang (2 hours). From TP, transfer by land to the resort (1 hour). In 3 hours, you will be in your secluded spot in the middle of nowhere thinking of what to do.
Will visit the place again before stress levels hit an all time high.
Have always wanted to try Astons but the queue at Katong and Serangoon Gardens made us decide to eat somewhere else. So when they opened a branch at Bedok, it seemed like it was time to start queuing. The queue was not that long (I was like 6th in the queue) and it was moving. Waiting time was about 12 min after ordering so it was acceptable (for dining in a coffee shop).
Prime Ribeye Steak ($11.90) was done medium well. Redness was present and meat was tender and easily chewable which was what we were looking for in medium well. Fries and onion rings were served hot and in distinguishable pieces. Onion rings looked slightly burnt but I guess it could be due to the overused oil. :)
Pork Chop ($8.50) was served with mashed potatoes and garden veggies. Nothing much to say about the pork chops except that the portion was pretty generous with 2 large pieces. Average tasting.
Now I start to wonder why there is a queue in the first place. The food tasted average with nothing to shout about. Perhaps its because I did not order the most expensive prime cut? haha. I am not sure. But paying $25.90 for a plate of steak in a coffee shop is not something common. Unless eating zi char....but that is a different story.
claud said:
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!$25.90 can pay for 2 pax if u're having zi char at the coffeeshop. Will this be another overrated place? Like BJ?
12 Apr 2008 at 12:10 am
What do we like about this place?
1. Friendly staff - Service seems to be their top priority. The boss is very particular about not letting customers wait longer than they are suppose to wait. Hence the food is served pretty fast inspite of the lunch crowd.
2. Chilli - Why chilli? This chilli is super hot but nice. Everytime they serve this chilli, they will explain to the customer that it is very hot. So customers are prepared for it. Even my friend who takes spicy food in abundance agrees that it is hot hot hot.
3. Freshness - We ate here twice and both times we find freshness in the ingredients and food.
4. Price - Price is reasonable between $6 to $9 for a main dish. Portions are also reasonably large enough.
What did we try?
1. Boiled dumpling - Upon ordering, they mention that it takes about 10min to prepare. When it arrived piping hot, we can taste the freshness of the ingredients used, especially the prawns.
2. Fish Ganache with Rice - The fish is freshly fried and you can tell that it was not re-fried as done in some other places.
3. Taiwanese Curry Rice - Something like Japanese Curry, Taiwanese curry is also not that spicy. Tasted fine to us and the pieces of meat were done just right.
4. Yam and pumpkin paste - Or nee with pumpkin, what a different combination but a nice one. The yam paste was silky smooth and not too thick. It was not too sweet which was acceptable to the other half.
Why no smelly toufu?
The boss mentioned that he is not able to get approval for it as the smell might drive the neighbours crazy.
Recommended for a simple, no frills Taiwanese experience.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
Looking for a place to relax and do nothing? We found this quiet little spot in Bintan in a place called Yasin Bungalow. It is a row of 7 water bungalows, yes, rooms strategically located above the sea shore, right on the beach. So while you are in your room you can hear waves hitting the shore right below your room....just perfect.
Unlike a kelong, the water is clean and the beach is just awesome and did I say, private. So only hotel guest will have access to the beach. And with 7 water bungalows and 7 other beach front villas, how many guest can you have at one time? not more than 20. So this is really a private place to get away and relax...
Of course there is much to do here. Many who come here are expats who work in Singapore. We met 6 from US, 1 from Japan and many Koreans....no Singaporeans in sight...as all of them are at the other resorts like the mana mana, etc. haha.
Here is what we like about the place:-
1. Rooms. Each has a private balcony. No aircon. So natural seabreeze and the breeze blows 24 hours non-stop.
2. Meditative and relaxing sounds of water lapping gently against the shores. Just pure relaxation music in real live surround sound.
3. Food. Even in this isolated place, the local food served is sufficient to whet the tastebuds.
4. Price. One night is $35 per room. No mistake.
5. Nothingness to do. Haha, for once in your life, you will be able to get a headace thinking of what to do.
6. Friendly Staff - Always smiling and attentive.
So what can you do here?
1. Nothing
2. Read your favourite book or novel
3. Write your life story
4. Eat and Eat
5. Sleep and sleep
6. Swim
7. Walk to the next island (during low tide)
8. Water sports (canoeing, banana boat)
9. Hike
10. Cycle
11. Take lots of photos
12. Study for your exams
How to get here?
Take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Pinang (2 hours). From TP, transfer by land to the resort (1 hour). In 3 hours, you will be in your secluded spot in the middle of nowhere thinking of what to do.
Will visit the place again before stress levels hit an all time high.
claud said: Polarbear said: decisomour said: - 1 more comment »
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!Gosh! So cheap! And so nice!! It's close to paradise already! I want to go!
09 Apr 2008 at 11:22 pm
Nothing to do? Think I will go crazy one! Does sound cheapa nd good. Thks for the recommendation.
10 Apr 2008 at 10:27 am
This place looks so nice. Great getaway for lazy people like me.
17 Apr 2008 at 1:33 am