Wasabi, known as Japanese Horseradish, must be very finely grated before use and has an extremely strong flavour. Its hotness is more akin to that of Hot English Mustard.
However, on the 5th floor of Far East Plaza, lies a small cosy Japanese restaurant run by a couple of Food Nazis – the chef with the lady boss are notorious for their temperament – said to be fierier than the wasabi they dished out, we soon experienced it when she told us in a not so friendly tone, “Don’t bend the laminated menu or else it would spoil”. However, like the short-lived spiciness of the wasabi, the bad attitude and service is soon forgotten the moment the food arrived.
Seated in a small U-shaped counter for 16 pax, the Salmon Belly Sashimi is to die for – it is the most generous serving I had ever seen! The fish was very thick and the fatty meat was very smooth and fresh.
The Uni Sushi, or the Sea Urchin, is not the Roe, but rather the Gonads, or organs that produce the roe. The serving was once again very liberal and I must say it was very satisfying. The Seaweed was crisply fresh and the gonads were equally faultless.
The California Roll was also very well presented with Ebi Roe nicely coated all over the Mat Sushi, and the Avocado and Crabsticks were plentiful with each mouthful.
The Unagi-Don was also expectedly filled with chunks of Grilled Eel and the wait was worthwhile. Nicely grilled to produce the charred tang, this dish comes seemingly close to the one I had when I was in Japan.
In fact, the food was so good that we wanted to go for a 2nd round of sashimi, but we were promptly refuted by the lady boss who commented, “The chef is too busy and you probably need to wait very long.” Oh, and do go early because of the limited space, and be expected to queue after 6.30pm.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
What used to be called Yee Cheong Yuen Noodle Restaurant in a coffeeshop, is now air-conditioned and renamed as Yi Bao. The used-to-be queue and order system has also been upgraded to a serviced system restaurant.
I remembered hordes of people used to queue up at the counter before the revamp on a Sunday afternoon, as families would gather there for lunches. However, when I visited them on a late Sunday morning, the crowd was not to be seen. Being a noodle stall, people would not usually associate it with the authentic chicken it served.
However, as it dishes out its famous Ipoh Hor Fun, you will come to realise it produces a mean piece of chicken (Remember to order the Chopped Chicken version instead of the Chicken Slices version usually served in hawker centre). The chicken is always served cool so that the skin is firm and there is that layer of gelatin just under the skin. I assumed it was dipped into a bucket of cold water before served, just like how Tian Tian Chicken Rice @ Maxwell Food Centre does it. What I also like about the Hor Fun is that it comes in thin version – similar to those I had when I was in Ipoh earlier this year.
However, I did find the oyster gravy too starchy for my liking. So if you happen to be around the corner do give the chicken a try! I’ll bet you anything that it tastes better than Wee Nam Kee’s.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Aww… just like my second home, Holland Village has always been my favourite hangout place. From the posh restaurants, to nice chill-out coffee joints, hawker food to pubs for a drink or two, this little bohemian enclave is the perfect setting to catch up with your friends and spend a day away. Tucked away at Lorong Liput, the quiet corner of HV is Aburiya – a Japanese Charcoal BBQ restaurant.
If you happen to grace past their other branch at Robertson Quay, you would notice how pack that outlet is and the tantalising smell of grilled meat.
But over at HV, you would observe the immediate difference – and that’s what I love this place for – we went there on a Friday, and it was not packed at 7pm. We opted for the tables outside the restaurant (open-air under a canvas shelter) for obvious reasons – as we do not wish to end up smelling like the meat by sitting inside. We ordered the set that consisting of Beef, Chicken and Prawns.
In addition, the set also comes with a Shitake Mushrooms, Kimchi, Salad in Japanese Sesame Dressing, as well as Stewed Beef with Carrots and Potatoes.
Special mention to the Stewed Beef, as the meat is so tender and so flavoursome, a perfect complement to the Sticky Japanese Steam Rice.
Oh, I also loved the Wasamayo dipping sauce for the chicken so much that I was dipping the rest of my items into it.
Sensing that the set is not enough for 5 people, we also ordered everyone’s favourite – Salmon. A pity that the serving was pretty small because it was snatch up the moment the fish was done cooking.
We also ordered the Assorted Vegetables that consist of Capsicum, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Corn and Garlic.
But the highlight of the night definitely belongs to the Beef Tongue.
We tried both the normal and premium versions and definitely the Jo Tan Shio, or the Premium Beef Tongue justifies its price tag. It was served in much bigger slice and the texture is much chewier. The marbling bite is just so juicy and heavenly and that alone would justify the reason why I would come back to this place.
I really have to say that all the ingredients were fresh and delightful that night, perfect BBQ food to wash down with Asahi Draft Beer.
The night was wrapped up with servings of Black Sesame and Green Tea Ice Cream – not the best I have tasted but nevertheless a fitting ending.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Labelled as the chic, elegant bistro-dining place essential for ladies (or Tai Tais) to meet, the Marmalade Group opens its 3rd branch (after Palais Renaissance & Hitachi Tower) of Marmalade Pantry at Holland Village.
Located right next to Aburiya along Lorong Liput, this outlet features the same modern interior design (in white furnishing this time) as the rest of the other two outlets.
We were there for their dessert after our brunch and we promptly decided on the Chocolate Deluxe Cupcake and Cherry Crumble Tart.
As I wanted something sweet and chocolaty that day, the cupcake certainly lives up to its tag of “The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake”. However, perhaps it is an inexperienced me eating a cupcake for the first time, but I do find the cupcake slightly hard – perhaps someone can educate me on it’s supposedly texture.
The Cherry Crumble Tart however is a fine piece of art. Full of cherry flavour and soft in its texture, the taste did not come off to sweet either.
Service was prompt and staff were pretty friendly, but it does comes off a bit noisy to be called a perfect Sunday brunch experience.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Nestled in the midst of Holland Village, Foster – The English Rose Café is the place you would love to spend a lazy afternoon having a heart-to-heart talk with your friends over a cup of piping hot tea. Served from 3pm to 6pm daily, they are famous for its Devonshire Cream Tea that consisted of its signature oven hot Scones, coupled with cake and finger sandwiches and a choice of coffee or tea of your choice.
The good vibe about it lies in the Butter, Homemade Strawberry Preserve and Fresh Cream spread for the scones. Sinful yet delightful, I love the fresh cream with the scones best. The décor and ambience of the place also gets top marks from me, as the old English cottage-styled setting charms one.
But with the pros comes the minuses –the Fruitcake and Sandwiches that come with the set are simply laughable. The cake is similar to those night snack rations the army dishes out and the sandwiches are plain tuna and cheese between two pieces of dry bread.
Where we were seated, the air was also stuffy to the extent warm, and we suspected that they are tight-fisted on their electric bills. Level of service was also found wanting as the waitress did not seem to enthusiastic to serve us.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
For those who craved for the once popular A&W Fried Chicken and it’s nostalgic fixed-stool-table, you can look no further than Waffletown at Balmoral Plaza. This old school American diner charm was once located at the basement of Bukit Timah Plaza and has since assembled a loyal following.
We were there on a Saturday afternoon and the outlet was fully packed with families and students. We ordered a 2 Piece Chicken Meal, coupled with Mash Potato and Coleslaw. Visually, the set did not look appetising at all in its presentation. But after sinking my teeth into the meat, it sets to dispel the notion that the dish is poorly executed. Its no frills approach ensure that the experience you get is one of “homely” feeling and not that of the commercialise KFC. I personally also like the coleslaw, which is not finely chopped – ensuring that every bite comes with a crunch of the cabbage.
However, the mash potato left much to be desired – it is made from powdered mix that does not give one the full-bodied experience of a potato. And if you wondered why we shared a 2-piece set, it is because as the name suggest, they also specialise in Waffles. I have to commend that this is the best waffle that I have tasted for a very long time.
It was freshly made, dished up hot and crisp, served with the opted Vanilla Ice Cream, Whip Cream and Blueberry Puree. The blueberry topping was very well executed – intense in flavour yet not too sweet. Like every wonderful finale to a dining experience, we left the place with a huge smirk on our face - Hmmmmmmm……
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Being located in District 9 but nestled on a hill away from Orchard Road nearby gives Wild Rocket the advantage of being accessible yet far away from it all. But most importantly, Wild Rocket serves what Will and his friends like to eat - basic, fuss-free cooking – simple good food with the best ingredients possible. The meal was kick-started with the complementary bread. Despite being served warm, I felt that the serving was pathetic, and also the lack of Balsamic Vinaigrette to the olive oil dip, disappointing.
I opted for the Salmon Carpaccio with Wasabi Sauce & Ebiko for my starter and I was impressed – the fish was lovely sliced into thin sheets and goes well with the Mayonnaises Sauce, but what I found absent was the lack of wasabi flavour which was pretty much non-existence in this dish.
Having heard so much about it, I naturally choose its signature Wild Rocket Burger with Sun-Dried Tomato Relish as my main dish and boy was I sold. The Beef Patty was excellent – nicely mashed and chopped up, the texture was just right and what’s more it was enormous! Moreover, the sun-dried tomato relish complemented perfectly with the beef – producing a harmonise flavour of salty, sweet and sour all in one bite.
For dessert, I selected the Vanilla Ice Cream with Roasted Black Sesame Sauce – highly recommended by one of my colleagues – and once again, I was amazed by how such a simple combination could produce an excellent dessert. The texture of the sesame sauce was finely grind and produces an amazing flavour, and it was not too sweet which goes extremely well with the vanilla ice cream.
Overall, I will highly recommend this venue for a business lunch.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Located a stone throw away from their flagship outlet, Astons Specialities, sits Astons Prime – a more Atas, or upmarket version of their sister outlet that cater a wider range of premium meat cuts – with bookings and reservations accepted.
The meal started off with the complimentary bread and homemade garlic spread, which my dad and I like it pretty much. While some might argue that the spread was bland and tasteless, I like it for its fragrant while finding some strong tasting ones overpowering, to the point artificial. Unfortunately, that is as good as it goes for the night. The Wild Mushroom Soup although generous with the shrooms, tasted just like any canned soup, and there is really nothing wild about it since the mushrooms used are nothing special. A case of misleading advertising? You tell me.
The main course was the USDA Certified Angus Beef Ribeye Choice Cut that is known for their propensity to produce tender, flavourful beef. They have just the right amount of marbling to insure a juicy, incredible full-bodied flavoured steak. When it finally arrived after a long wait, I was so hungry that any dish you serve me should taste good, but what do you know – first cut to the meat and there was no blood to be seen for a medium rare steak. A second cut that halves the steak shows the same result although mine was slightly better than my dad’s – at least my meat came with a hint of pink on the inside, while my dad's steak came well-done. Thank goodness we did not ordered the Grade 9 Wagyu Beef, which would have been a waste if it was cooked this way.
But more drama was to unfold as halfway through our dinner, we realised that my mum’s Fillet Mignon has not arrived. We checked with the staffs not once, but twice and the response we got was “Sorry but the grill is full, you would have to wait”. I was left wondering for a second whether the staff is implying that it is our problem that their grill is full? It is obviously an oversight that the kitchen has forgotten the order since 5 of us are already halfway through our mains. I wouldn’t be half as angry if he had proceeded to say that he would tell the kitchen to expedite the order, but instead he goes on to mention “other table is also waiting for their steak”. That really left me speechless – What has another table waiting for their steak got to do with us? Is the supposedly "you are not alone" statement suppose to make us feel any better? The manager tried to diffuse the situation by apologising and offered a complimentary oil soaked Chicken Quesadilla, which my bro-in-law had a bite and spit it out saying that it tasted funky. Badly trained staffs coupled with lousy service recovery methods, all these which can only be found Uniquely in Singapore.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
I always have a fixation for things nostalgic. Perhaps it was the way I grew up where quaint kopitiams flourishes, and a notion that food courts serve sucky food for pampered people who do not know their food any better. It was no wonder why I am so excited when I discovered YY Kafei Dian – known for their Hainanese cuisine.
The Hainanese Chicken Rice was good by any standard. The rice seems a tad yellowish, probably from the chicken oil - pretty fragrant but could be tastier. The chicken though was of good texture. It was cooked in such a way that there is a nice layer of gelatine under the skin – and this could only be achieved by dipping the whole chicken into a pail of ice water prior to serving – as such, some may tend to find the chicken too cold for consumption.
The other favourite dish among the office crowd was the Char Siew Wanton Noodles. The noodle was tangy and ingredients were generous, but above that, there is nothing noteworthy to mention.
However, what YY Kafei Dian is probably most famous for is their Soft Kaya Buns. The buns are baked and toasted on the premises, and no one could ever dispute the fact that the texture of the bun is amazing – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Although I felt that Killiney’s kaya and butter combination is better, one should definitely try their peanut butter version, along with a cup of aromatic Hainanese Coffee...awwww!!!
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
When we arrived, it was fully packed – not a place conducive for conversations over dinner. However, with over 100 items to choose from, patrons will definitely be spoilt for choice.
We started with the Sashimi, and it was excellent. It was fresh and the serving was generous – definitely bettered that of Ikoi’s – no wonder another friend of mine has been urging me to visit them for their sashimi.
The Mixed Tempura was also of pretty good standard. I like for the fact that it is thinly coated with flour and served piping hot – it is simply enjoyable to consume them.
However, the Sushi Handroll could definitely be better. I totally despise seaweed used for sushi not being crispy – an indication that it is not fresh and has been left in the open for too long – no matter how good the ingredients are inside the sushi, mushy seaweed just does not cut it.
Overall, Hanabi is ideal for non-fussy Singaporeans who delight themselves in Japanese cuisine. With a wide menu range, this restaurant certainly appeals to them with the quality of food – in my opinion, definitely a better bet than Ikoi. Service was found wanting at times especially when it comes to topping up of tea and taking orders. Service staffs are mainly non-Singaporeans so communication could also prove challenging at times.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
1=SGD 0.0587
Wasabi, known as Japanese Horseradish, must be very finely grated before use and has an extremely strong flavour. Its hotness is more akin to that of Hot English Mustard.
However, on the 5th floor of Far East Plaza, lies a small cosy Japanese restaurant run by a couple of Food Nazis – the chef with the lady boss are notorious for their temperament – said to be fierier than the wasabi they dished out, we soon experienced it when she told us in a not so friendly tone, “Don’t bend the laminated menu or else it would spoil”. However, like the short-lived spiciness of the wasabi, the bad attitude and service is soon forgotten the moment the food arrived.
Seated in a small U-shaped counter for 16 pax, the Salmon Belly Sashimi is to die for – it is the most generous serving I had ever seen! The fish was very thick and the fatty meat was very smooth and fresh.
The Uni Sushi, or the Sea Urchin, is not the Roe, but rather the Gonads, or organs that produce the roe. The serving was once again very liberal and I must say it was very satisfying. The Seaweed was crisply fresh and the gonads were equally faultless.
The California Roll was also very well presented with Ebi Roe nicely coated all over the Mat Sushi, and the Avocado and Crabsticks were plentiful with each mouthful.
The Unagi-Don was also expectedly filled with chunks of Grilled Eel and the wait was worthwhile. Nicely grilled to produce the charred tang, this dish comes seemingly close to the one I had when I was in Japan.
In fact, the food was so good that we wanted to go for a 2nd round of sashimi, but we were promptly refuted by the lady boss who commented, “The chef is too busy and you probably need to wait very long.” Oh, and do go early because of the limited space, and be expected to queue after 6.30pm.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
What used to be called Yee Cheong Yuen Noodle Restaurant in a coffeeshop, is now air-conditioned and renamed as Yi Bao. The used-to-be queue and order system has also been upgraded to a serviced system restaurant.
I remembered hordes of people used to queue up at the counter before the revamp on a Sunday afternoon, as families would gather there for lunches. However, when I visited them on a late Sunday morning, the crowd was not to be seen. Being a noodle stall, people would not usually associate it with the authentic chicken it served.
However, as it dishes out its famous Ipoh Hor Fun, you will come to realise it produces a mean piece of chicken (Remember to order the Chopped Chicken version instead of the Chicken Slices version usually served in hawker centre). The chicken is always served cool so that the skin is firm and there is that layer of gelatin just under the skin. I assumed it was dipped into a bucket of cold water before served, just like how Tian Tian Chicken Rice @ Maxwell Food Centre does it. What I also like about the Hor Fun is that it comes in thin version – similar to those I had when I was in Ipoh earlier this year.
However, I did find the oyster gravy too starchy for my liking. So if you happen to be around the corner do give the chicken a try! I’ll bet you anything that it tastes better than Wee Nam Kee’s.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Aww… just like my second home, Holland Village has always been my favourite hangout place. From the posh restaurants, to nice chill-out coffee joints, hawker food to pubs for a drink or two, this little bohemian enclave is the perfect setting to catch up with your friends and spend a day away. Tucked away at Lorong Liput, the quiet corner of HV is Aburiya – a Japanese Charcoal BBQ restaurant.
If you happen to grace past their other branch at Robertson Quay, you would notice how pack that outlet is and the tantalising smell of grilled meat.
But over at HV, you would observe the immediate difference – and that’s what I love this place for – we went there on a Friday, and it was not packed at 7pm. We opted for the tables outside the restaurant (open-air under a canvas shelter) for obvious reasons – as we do not wish to end up smelling like the meat by sitting inside. We ordered the set that consisting of Beef, Chicken and Prawns.
In addition, the set also comes with a Shitake Mushrooms, Kimchi, Salad in Japanese Sesame Dressing, as well as Stewed Beef with Carrots and Potatoes.
Special mention to the Stewed Beef, as the meat is so tender and so flavoursome, a perfect complement to the Sticky Japanese Steam Rice.
Oh, I also loved the Wasamayo dipping sauce for the chicken so much that I was dipping the rest of my items into it.
Sensing that the set is not enough for 5 people, we also ordered everyone’s favourite – Salmon. A pity that the serving was pretty small because it was snatch up the moment the fish was done cooking.
We also ordered the Assorted Vegetables that consist of Capsicum, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Corn and Garlic.
But the highlight of the night definitely belongs to the Beef Tongue.
We tried both the normal and premium versions and definitely the Jo Tan Shio, or the Premium Beef Tongue justifies its price tag. It was served in much bigger slice and the texture is much chewier. The marbling bite is just so juicy and heavenly and that alone would justify the reason why I would come back to this place.
I really have to say that all the ingredients were fresh and delightful that night, perfect BBQ food to wash down with Asahi Draft Beer.
The night was wrapped up with servings of Black Sesame and Green Tea Ice Cream – not the best I have tasted but nevertheless a fitting ending.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Labelled as the chic, elegant bistro-dining place essential for ladies (or Tai Tais) to meet, the Marmalade Group opens its 3rd branch (after Palais Renaissance & Hitachi Tower) of Marmalade Pantry at Holland Village.
Located right next to Aburiya along Lorong Liput, this outlet features the same modern interior design (in white furnishing this time) as the rest of the other two outlets.
We were there for their dessert after our brunch and we promptly decided on the Chocolate Deluxe Cupcake and Cherry Crumble Tart.
As I wanted something sweet and chocolaty that day, the cupcake certainly lives up to its tag of “The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake”. However, perhaps it is an inexperienced me eating a cupcake for the first time, but I do find the cupcake slightly hard – perhaps someone can educate me on it’s supposedly texture.
The Cherry Crumble Tart however is a fine piece of art. Full of cherry flavour and soft in its texture, the taste did not come off to sweet either.
Service was prompt and staff were pretty friendly, but it does comes off a bit noisy to be called a perfect Sunday brunch experience.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Nestled in the midst of Holland Village, Foster – The English Rose Café is the place you would love to spend a lazy afternoon having a heart-to-heart talk with your friends over a cup of piping hot tea. Served from 3pm to 6pm daily, they are famous for its Devonshire Cream Tea that consisted of its signature oven hot Scones, coupled with cake and finger sandwiches and a choice of coffee or tea of your choice.
The good vibe about it lies in the Butter, Homemade Strawberry Preserve and Fresh Cream spread for the scones. Sinful yet delightful, I love the fresh cream with the scones best. The décor and ambience of the place also gets top marks from me, as the old English cottage-styled setting charms one.
But with the pros comes the minuses –the Fruitcake and Sandwiches that come with the set are simply laughable. The cake is similar to those night snack rations the army dishes out and the sandwiches are plain tuna and cheese between two pieces of dry bread.
Where we were seated, the air was also stuffy to the extent warm, and we suspected that they are tight-fisted on their electric bills. Level of service was also found wanting as the waitress did not seem to enthusiastic to serve us.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
For those who craved for the once popular A&W Fried Chicken and it’s nostalgic fixed-stool-table, you can look no further than Waffletown at Balmoral Plaza. This old school American diner charm was once located at the basement of Bukit Timah Plaza and has since assembled a loyal following.
We were there on a Saturday afternoon and the outlet was fully packed with families and students. We ordered a 2 Piece Chicken Meal, coupled with Mash Potato and Coleslaw. Visually, the set did not look appetising at all in its presentation. But after sinking my teeth into the meat, it sets to dispel the notion that the dish is poorly executed. Its no frills approach ensure that the experience you get is one of “homely” feeling and not that of the commercialise KFC. I personally also like the coleslaw, which is not finely chopped – ensuring that every bite comes with a crunch of the cabbage.
However, the mash potato left much to be desired – it is made from powdered mix that does not give one the full-bodied experience of a potato. And if you wondered why we shared a 2-piece set, it is because as the name suggest, they also specialise in Waffles. I have to commend that this is the best waffle that I have tasted for a very long time.
It was freshly made, dished up hot and crisp, served with the opted Vanilla Ice Cream, Whip Cream and Blueberry Puree. The blueberry topping was very well executed – intense in flavour yet not too sweet. Like every wonderful finale to a dining experience, we left the place with a huge smirk on our face - Hmmmmmmm……
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Being located in District 9 but nestled on a hill away from Orchard Road nearby gives Wild Rocket the advantage of being accessible yet far away from it all. But most importantly, Wild Rocket serves what Will and his friends like to eat - basic, fuss-free cooking – simple good food with the best ingredients possible. The meal was kick-started with the complementary bread. Despite being served warm, I felt that the serving was pathetic, and also the lack of Balsamic Vinaigrette to the olive oil dip, disappointing.
I opted for the Salmon Carpaccio with Wasabi Sauce & Ebiko for my starter and I was impressed – the fish was lovely sliced into thin sheets and goes well with the Mayonnaises Sauce, but what I found absent was the lack of wasabi flavour which was pretty much non-existence in this dish.
Having heard so much about it, I naturally choose its signature Wild Rocket Burger with Sun-Dried Tomato Relish as my main dish and boy was I sold. The Beef Patty was excellent – nicely mashed and chopped up, the texture was just right and what’s more it was enormous! Moreover, the sun-dried tomato relish complemented perfectly with the beef – producing a harmonise flavour of salty, sweet and sour all in one bite.
For dessert, I selected the Vanilla Ice Cream with Roasted Black Sesame Sauce – highly recommended by one of my colleagues – and once again, I was amazed by how such a simple combination could produce an excellent dessert. The texture of the sesame sauce was finely grind and produces an amazing flavour, and it was not too sweet which goes extremely well with the vanilla ice cream.
Overall, I will highly recommend this venue for a business lunch.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Located a stone throw away from their flagship outlet, Astons Specialities, sits Astons Prime – a more Atas, or upmarket version of their sister outlet that cater a wider range of premium meat cuts – with bookings and reservations accepted.
The meal started off with the complimentary bread and homemade garlic spread, which my dad and I like it pretty much. While some might argue that the spread was bland and tasteless, I like it for its fragrant while finding some strong tasting ones overpowering, to the point artificial. Unfortunately, that is as good as it goes for the night. The Wild Mushroom Soup although generous with the shrooms, tasted just like any canned soup, and there is really nothing wild about it since the mushrooms used are nothing special. A case of misleading advertising? You tell me.
The main course was the USDA Certified Angus Beef Ribeye Choice Cut that is known for their propensity to produce tender, flavourful beef. They have just the right amount of marbling to insure a juicy, incredible full-bodied flavoured steak. When it finally arrived after a long wait, I was so hungry that any dish you serve me should taste good, but what do you know – first cut to the meat and there was no blood to be seen for a medium rare steak. A second cut that halves the steak shows the same result although mine was slightly better than my dad’s – at least my meat came with a hint of pink on the inside, while my dad's steak came well-done. Thank goodness we did not ordered the Grade 9 Wagyu Beef, which would have been a waste if it was cooked this way.
But more drama was to unfold as halfway through our dinner, we realised that my mum’s Fillet Mignon has not arrived. We checked with the staffs not once, but twice and the response we got was “Sorry but the grill is full, you would have to wait”. I was left wondering for a second whether the staff is implying that it is our problem that their grill is full? It is obviously an oversight that the kitchen has forgotten the order since 5 of us are already halfway through our mains. I wouldn’t be half as angry if he had proceeded to say that he would tell the kitchen to expedite the order, but instead he goes on to mention “other table is also waiting for their steak”. That really left me speechless – What has another table waiting for their steak got to do with us? Is the supposedly "you are not alone" statement suppose to make us feel any better? The manager tried to diffuse the situation by apologising and offered a complimentary oil soaked Chicken Quesadilla, which my bro-in-law had a bite and spit it out saying that it tasted funky. Badly trained staffs coupled with lousy service recovery methods, all these which can only be found Uniquely in Singapore.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
I always have a fixation for things nostalgic. Perhaps it was the way I grew up where quaint kopitiams flourishes, and a notion that food courts serve sucky food for pampered people who do not know their food any better. It was no wonder why I am so excited when I discovered YY Kafei Dian – known for their Hainanese cuisine.
The Hainanese Chicken Rice was good by any standard. The rice seems a tad yellowish, probably from the chicken oil - pretty fragrant but could be tastier. The chicken though was of good texture. It was cooked in such a way that there is a nice layer of gelatine under the skin – and this could only be achieved by dipping the whole chicken into a pail of ice water prior to serving – as such, some may tend to find the chicken too cold for consumption.
The other favourite dish among the office crowd was the Char Siew Wanton Noodles. The noodle was tangy and ingredients were generous, but above that, there is nothing noteworthy to mention.
However, what YY Kafei Dian is probably most famous for is their Soft Kaya Buns. The buns are baked and toasted on the premises, and no one could ever dispute the fact that the texture of the bun is amazing – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Although I felt that Killiney’s kaya and butter combination is better, one should definitely try their peanut butter version, along with a cup of aromatic Hainanese Coffee...awwww!!!
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
When we arrived, it was fully packed – not a place conducive for conversations over dinner. However, with over 100 items to choose from, patrons will definitely be spoilt for choice.
We started with the Sashimi, and it was excellent. It was fresh and the serving was generous – definitely bettered that of Ikoi’s – no wonder another friend of mine has been urging me to visit them for their sashimi.
The Mixed Tempura was also of pretty good standard. I like for the fact that it is thinly coated with flour and served piping hot – it is simply enjoyable to consume them.
However, the Sushi Handroll could definitely be better. I totally despise seaweed used for sushi not being crispy – an indication that it is not fresh and has been left in the open for too long – no matter how good the ingredients are inside the sushi, mushy seaweed just does not cut it.
Overall, Hanabi is ideal for non-fussy Singaporeans who delight themselves in Japanese cuisine. With a wide menu range, this restaurant certainly appeals to them with the quality of food – in my opinion, definitely a better bet than Ikoi. Service was found wanting at times especially when it comes to topping up of tea and taking orders. Service staffs are mainly non-Singaporeans so communication could also prove challenging at times.
You can view the photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given: