Yes my comrades, i'm back and the posts from here on will be from Singapore unless i get to go overseas again. (I'm aiming Aussie next.) First up, a long overdue post which has been sitting in the shadows awaiting its turn to be aired. This was during my birthday this year and the treat was given by my lovely colleagues and boss which i'm forever thankful for. Thank you guys!
Ahhhh......Swenson's is a nostalgic topic indeed. I remember a time long ago when my idea of good food brought me to Swenson's....well, thats a long long time ago. And now, they've come up with a new property. Earl @ Swenson's belong to their upmarket version of the tried and old Swenson's formula, but upmarket doesn't mean its expensive though, simply that it seems expensive. Established a year and a half ago, I've tried Earl @ Swenson's twice, this being the second time and i can say this, it has changed for the better.
The glorious salad bar at T3 Earl's. This deserves a write up quite simply because it happened to be the best thing about the place. The myriad of choices available ranges from simple salads, tortilla chips and fruits to thai style vermicelli, potatoes, pumpkins and clams in shooters with lime juice. Of special notice is the vermicelli which was surprisingly well done and a definite item not to be missed. Fresh salads, pumpkins and other greens serve to balance the oil intake from the main dishes. Oh, did i mention? Everything on the salad counter is for your taking no matter however many rounds you can handle and its absolutely free! (with any main course) Sadly however, the salad counter was also about the only thing good about the place.
Stuffed Chicken Quesadillas ($15.90) - My boss had this item. It came as a shock because quesadillas are supposed to come with melted cheese....lots of melted cheese but this was not the case. The chicken, she commented, was rather dry and the wrap tough to chew on. The end result was that this was left mostly untouched so thats saying a lot.
Charbroiled Beef Tenderloin With Mushroom Sauce ($19.90) - Beef is always my favorite meat so that's what i usually order when trying things out. This was done medium rare as i ordered but was strangely cold when eaten. The thick layer of fat also meant that edible meat was kept to a minimum and the mushroom sauce was definitely too salty for my tastes. Portion size was small as well.
Pan Fried Dory Fillet ($16.40) - I got to try a piece of this fish which was probably the best order of the day comparing everything else that has been ordered. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the dory was also mildly sweet and easily stomached.
Herb Sausages With Mustard ($15.90) - Presentation wise, i'm not sure if this looks aesthetically pleasing or downright....unappetizing. I did manage to have a go at it and found the mustard mostly tasteless while the sausage reeked of too much pepper. The meat texture was also a little on the squishy side which was nausea inducing.
The ice cream was below average basically. Mine was the mint flavored ice cream which was toothpaste in disguise. Definitely not made in house. Thank goodness i love the taste of toothpaste so i managed to finish it. Otherwise, this is something they need to improve real quick.
Total bill for 7 worked out at $142.77 with everything in. Not too expensive i should say but the quality of the mains definitely need improvement.
Definitely improved on the salad bar concept because previously, you had to pay to eat it to being free with a main. Value for money in this case but the mains are something that should be looked upon for improvements. To its credit however, the website revealed a new menu for mains which hopefully means better quality. Until then, i'm keeping my money away and waiting for better reasons before i visit it again.
It is strange to find a Jack's Place right in this place. The crowd flow isn't that much as most people will be heading there to buy books, stationeries and art materials.
Anyhow, I've decided to try it out after getting my materials. Tried out the student meal, which was the chicken and mushroom spaghetti that day. Not really tasty, quite sticky I should say. That's why it is advisable for them to stick to their trade as a steakhouse.
Coming here, of course we had to try the steak there. Ordered a plate of black pepper steak and it wasn't that bad. But I expected more from them, especially when they are a steakhouse.
Ambience wise, it is kind of strange to have a meal in a restaurant situated in the HDB block. The lightings are not well-lighted. The whole decor of the place is really dark. Candles don't really make much of a difference. I was placed in a section which only had us. No other customers were in sight. I don’t think I’ll be back for a second time as I’m more obsessed with the ambience. But if you are heading there, try nothing else but the steak to avoid any disappointment.
Had eaten many times at this place but had never gt down to write a short review abt this place. Basically this is a normal coffeeshop which sells Tze Char. What I like about this place is that the staff are friendly and the food is great. In addition, the serving of the food is pretty fast as well as they have three cooks in the kitchen handling all the orders. As such, one does not need to wait for ong before your food is served piping hot.
Some of their dishes included black pepper beef on a hot plate, kang kong with cuttlefish, jellyfish salad, prawn paste chicken, pineapple rice, thai hor fun and many more.
However, this place can be a bit small and is always packed during peak periods. Therefore, you might want to consider going there before the peak periods start at the usual meal timings. In addition, I have also observed that many foreigners patronise there as well and some seem to be regulars there too, form the way they interact with the staff.
This further strengthens the fact that this place not only appeals to locals but to foreigners as well.
As for the pricing, it ain't that expensive either, for two ppl ordering 4 dishes and a couple of drinks, the bill is arnd $30-40, depending on the quantity and type of dishes that you order. But rest assured that you get your money's worth.
Gave this place a try after my gf and her frens had tried it abt a week ago. Had passed by this place several times in the past but had never really taken a second look at it. As my gf said it was nice, I decided to check it out with her.
Upon stepping into the restaurant, the ambience was nice and authentic Japanese looking. The staff were friendly and the place was not too crowded. We gt our elves seated comfortably before getting about ordering our food. As the name of the restaurant suggests, the place specialises in serving up the premium Wangyu beef. However, the price was really quite steep adn as such , we deicded to give it a miss. Instead, we went for the more affordable meats such as beef tongue, beef intestines, p-toro, chicken and some vegetables.
Like waht Polarbear had mentioned in his review, the concept of this place is similar to that of Seoul Garden, whereby the food is served raw and you get to cook it over a hot charcoal stove. And I definitely like the fact that the charcoal ain't smoky and does not leave a smell on your clothes that lingers on even after you left the place.
Another plus point is that the staff are very attentive and will assist you in changing the wire gauze whenever you request for it. As such, you will not find that your meat becomes charred easily due to the residue of the soot. This no doubts enhances the platability of the food. Besides that, the staff were also very forthcoming to check if you need any assistance in cooking your food. To me I feel that this in indeed quality service.
Lastly, to finish off the meal, we orderd a single serving of macha ice-cream, which was smooth and not too sweet ( for ppl who do not have a sweet tooth). All in all, I would say that the meal was good but the price may be slightly steep ($120 for 2 ppl). But I do feel that the quality of the food and the staff do deserve such a price tag, which is more than worthwhile paying for
Never had a Japanese Restaurant that I have been to, warrant a 3rd visit from me within a space of two months, but this rule simply did not apply to En Japanese Dining Bar.
Introduced by my manager (whom is very particular about what she eats), I was pleasantly elated to find that not only was the food outstanding, the price is sound as well. Situated at UE Square, facing the now awfully hushed Mohammed Sultan Road, En Japanese Dining Bar is a also a fav among the diminutive but surely growing Japanese community, in the River Valley area.
Known for its little dishes of appetiser and starters rather than the main dishes, customers are spoilt for choice with the amount of dishes they can choose from the menu. While waiting for the rest to arrive, a friend and I had some Kawaebi (Deep Fried Small River Shrimps) to go with our Hakkaisan (Honjouzou) – Medium Dry, Well Balanced Sake.
Dinner then proceed with our first starter of the day – Beef Carpaccio, or Thinly Sliced Raw Beef and Sliced Onion with Sour Soya Sauce. Along with just a dash of lemon juice, the beef is juicy and melts the moment it touches your mouth (a result from the freshness of the meat), leaving you to crave for more when you are done with it.
Thankfully, the Sashimi did not disappoint us when it arrived. The Kanpachi (Yellow Tail), Mekajiki (Sword Fish) and Salmon Belly was just as fresh and the thickness of each slice – perfectly cut.
More Sashimi came along, but this time in the disguise of Imaiyu Salad, or the Fresh Sashimi Salad with Special Blended Vegetable Dressing. Cubes of raw meat act as a perfect complement to the vegetables, and along with the appetising salad dressing, this dish is a hit with both the carnivores and the herbivores.
And when the cooked food finally arrives, the Roasted Minced Chicken Balls on a Skewer Laced with Egg Yolk has a sweet aroma which lingers in the air even after that satisfying bite. However, one may find the texture of questionable due to the bits of tendons within the minced meat.
The only staple we had for the night was another perfectly executed Unagi Fried Rice, or Eel and Egg Fried Rice. The natural juices oozing out from the Grilled Eel somehow goes harmoniously well with the rice, making it enjoyable to consume and a perfect dish to share among a table of 4.
To round of the lovely night, we had Black Sesame Ice Cream and Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste. Not a big fan of both flavours, I was somehow charmed to find that the Green Tea Ice Cream, with a hint of bitterness, goes astonishingly well with the Red Bean Paste.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Wood Restaurant & Bar, a newly opened upmarket restaurant that offers food cooked only by wood and charcoal - the old fashioned method before gas came about and certainly an interesting concept.
Hidden on the ground floor in one forsaken corner of Vivocity, Wood's chef is none other Jake Klein, whose stepfather, Steven Raichlen, is the creator of Barbecue University and known as America's grilling expert. From the facade to the interior, Wood oozes unadulterated class in itself. A short walk through the wooden tunnel from the entrance leads to a magnificent glass wine cellar and the sublimely chic seating area with its posh booth seats, floor to ceiling windows and the huge open concept kitchen. One gripe though. The windows don't face the sea directly, unlike most of the other restaurants at Vivocity.
Complimentary Bread - Its the first time I'm eating focaccia that comes in pizza slices and it was something different. It almost tasted like pizza sans the toppings except that the bread was a little burnt and dry. I still liked it enough with the olive oil though to gobble it all up and yearn for seconds, which unfortunately was never offered.
Smoked Chicken Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette and Toasted Peanut - Aesthetically pleasing, the salad portion was small, no doubt about it. What I liked about it was the lightly smoked chicken slivers which went well with the savoury Hoisin vinaigrette and toasted grounded peanuts. It helped that the vegetables were fresh as well.
Roasted Asparagus, Baby Greens and Poached Egg - I personally found this dish a little lacklustre as compared to the smoked chicken salad. But having said that, it was still quite good. For starters, this has got to be the biggest asparagus I've seen (not that I've been around much though) and it was well seasoned with salt and pepper. The poached egg wasn't anything special though but the greens were fresh and crunchy.
Wood Roasted Spring Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Parsley - The chicken looked a tad charred when served. However it was very fragrant and juicy with a lingering herb taste in every bite. I did find it a little too salty at certain parts though, probably due to the heterogeneous seasoning distribution. But all in all a most delightful dish.
14 Days House Aged Ribeye, Rosemary, Garlic & Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I honestly can't taste the difference between a 14 days aged ribeye and a normal ribeye or a 90 days aged ribeye for that matter, so its just a name to me. The ribeye was done medium instead of the medium rare that I had requested, but it was still good. Succulent and juicy with a strong hint of herbs that didn't threaten to overpower the inherent beefy taste. Not the best I've tried, but certainly in a league of its own. Watch out for the small portions though. The beef is probably around 5-6 oz (just a rough guess).
Valhorna Chocolate Pudding with Lavender Croutons and Sea Salt - The chocolate pudding didn't come across as too sweet and very smooth with the dried lavender providing a nice floral complement to the chocolate. The croutons provided a nice crunchy texture to the whole dessert.
Thyme Roasted White Peach with Yogurt Ice Cream - I can't help but profess my liking for this dessert. A didn't taste like it was roasted piece of peach sitting atop chunks of biscuit crumbs with buttery overtones and topped with a nice creamy and sourish yogurt ice cream. Most delightful if you ask me.
An excellent lunch for 2 cost an almost princely sum of about $95 ($10 goes to the bottled water. They don't serve iced water by the way). Good things definitely don't come cheap and the 4 course set dinner starts from $75 per pax ($120 with wine pairing) with slightly bigger portions and a larger variety of dishes to choose from. Service is good as well and for those who prefer privacy, there are private rooms to cater to various group sizes. There's even a romantic private room for 2 complete with a private entrance, if you can afford/are willing to chalk up $300 in bills that is.
I'll definitely be back, but probably only for lunch. The small portions and steep prices for dinner are a little bit too much for me to swallow. For now.
Executive Chef Dennis Sim teamed up with Culinary Director Angelo Sanelli, of Michelangelo’s distinction, presented us with selections of original and contemporary Italian dishes balances with a well though out selection of conventional delights.
Zambuca happens to be a bar as well as a restaurant that features a magnificent wine cellar. Specially set to the temperature of 18°C and use mainly for wine dinners, this cellar is a definitely an enchantment for all wine enthusiasts.
Appetisers were soon served as we were still busy deciding on what read like mouth-watering dishes from the menu.
However, the pretty dreadful Bruschetta they serve as a complimentary were pretty stale toast and even staler toppings of Italian Sausage and Mushy Beef Spread or Egg Mayo with Caviar. Thankfully, the sampler starters were dished out in succession not long after and I have to say I am quite impressed. First up was the Carpaccio di Manzo, or Beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese and quail eggs, lightly drizzled with extra virgin oil.
The thinly sliced beef melts in your mouth and the parmesan adds zest to the otherwise bland dish. This was soon followed by Parma Ham with Rockmelon.
In terms of presentation, I thought this was one of the best that night. The chef was even generous enough to give us a huge chunk of the melon wrapped around with a wedge of ham. The Gamberi con Aglio Olio e Crema, or Tender tiger prawns with sliced garlic, finished with Devon cream and placed on a bed of shredded spinach served in a hot iron terrine, as put simply - Divine.
The prawns were gigantic and fresh, and the cream sauce was purely mouth-watering, so good that we were scooping the sauce straight from the iron bowl and gulping it. The Mussels topped with Tomato-based Sauce though were ordinary.
Although the flesh of the mussels was big and juicy, I suspect that they were cooked separately from the sauce as the mussels lacked taste and flavouring from the gravy. The gravy also was not the best I have tasted as compared to the many mussels dishes I have tried in Perth. However, the biggest disappointment of the night was that of the Calamari Fritti.
The Squid rings were too salty and the coating of the flour was done badly such that we end up eating the squid separately from the flour. Thankfully the last starter of the night, Foie Gras, or Seared duck liver served on toasted brioche topped with Granny Smith apple, peppered fig and port wine redeemed it all.
Consider one of the greatest delicacies in French Cuisine, the liver was juicy and the fatty oil that oozes out from it is simply blissful. It was simply so delicious that I decided to have more servings of duck for my main.
And thus it ensures that I also have a whole serving of Foie Gras to myself along with the breast of the duck – pretty sinful I must say, but for occasional indulgence, I reckon that it was all worth it. Known for their lamb dishes, I would also highly recommend the Agnello Marinato alla Griglia, or grilled and marinated rack of lamb served with asparagus and mushroom ragout, parsnip puree and drizzled with chili chocolate sauce - done in medium rare.
The tenderness of the meat along with an exotic sauce simply tops all the dishes for the night.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Ever since I have started working near Serangoon area, the temptation of sampling Indian food never stopped. From Roti Prata as morning breakfast to Nasi Biryani for lunch, I am surrounded by these delicious Indian cuisine (North or South Indian, Indian Muslim or what not) everyday. Finally, it took a nudge from my Indian colleague and there I was in front of an Authentic North Indian (Punjabi) Cuisine Restaurant in the heart of Little India. With so many dishes to choose from, we were spoilt for choice.
Finally, my colleague from India volunteered to choose a few dishes that she deemed to be her favourite and that begins my little food adventure for the day. We opted for the Butter Naan, or a type of bread made from dough and butter (almost similar to prata) instead of the usual rice for a change.
The Palak Paneer, or Spinach with Cottage Cheese was a tad too authentic though for me. Pretty bland and a bit too “greeny” for me, it was almost as good as eating a Broccoli raw! The Aloo Gobhi, or Potatoes with Cauliflower though was slightly better.
I love my potatoes and this dish had definitely more taste than the Spinach. This veggie is mushily good to go with the Naan, but however, if eaten with rice, I would think that it’s too starchy. Perhaps being a fellow potatoes lover, another dish she ordered was the Baked Potatoes with Capsicum.
This is the first time I have seen this combination and I must say I am pretty impressed with it. A hint of burnt flavour from the baking and the crunchy texture from the capsicum was a great complement. But the accolade truly belongs to the Butter Chicken that day.
The rich gravy made from yoghurt and cream, was a sinful yet delectable one, which I simply couldn’t resist dipping in my spoon again and again for another sip. The last time I had this dish was in Perth's Chutney Mary's and I never remembered it to be so delicious.
A pity though that the Mango Lassi was not as good as I thought it would be, as it was much too sweet for my taste bud.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Guys like me think Japanese are sweet and seductive, but just in case your mind start wandering to those kawaii Japanese schoolgirls, let me just share with you that I am talking about food (I am a foodie, what else can I be talking about!?), but more precisely, their dessert. Making quite a buzz since its opening in Marina Square in the month of June 2006, Azabu Sabo, follows an original teahouse philosophy and serves authentic Japanese desserts. Its selection of desserts and Hokkaido Ice Cream, available for the first time in Singapore, has made itself especially popular with female clientele.
It is said that they directly imports the main ingredients from Japan, such as the top grade red beans, produced from Hokkaido, which are not overly-sweet. However, I beg to differ. I ordered by far the most popular and highly recognised Matchazen, or Green Tea Ice-Cream in a Bowl of Dumplings & Red Bean Paste, and was overwhelmed by the sweetness of the mushy red bean paste.
Thank goodness the strong bitter after-taste of the ice cream was able to neutralise it. The dumpling though tasteless was soft in texture and chewy, unlike those you bought off the supermarkets. Unlike the immaculate service that is found everywhere in the humble land of the rising sun, the service standards of this outlet was found lacking. The service staffs that day were mostly foreigners who did not seemed to have a good grasp of English. They had problems trying to understand my questions when I tried to find out more about the desserts, and they were particularly non-existent when I tried to settle the bill. What a pity though, if only they could import the sweet Japanese service culture as well.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Island Creamery is an ice cream parlour that offers unique local flavours for both young and old – think Teh Tarik and Tiger Beer sorbet and not your typical boring chocolate or vanilla flavours. I tried the Pulut Hitam and I have to say that it kinda reminded me of the days in NS, where it was one of the favourite desserts among the field ration.
However, the texture of the ice-cream is a bit rough as compared to the ice cream from Venezia, at Guthrie House, Sixth Avenue.
Despite that, it is still a chic place for teenagers to hang out with, and it even encourage people to take photos, print out, and leave their wonderful memories behind, pasted on the wall. So who says all sweet stuffs leave you with a bad aftertaste?
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
1=SGD 0.0587
Yes my comrades, i'm back and the posts from here on will be from Singapore unless i get to go overseas again. (I'm aiming Aussie next.) First up, a long overdue post which has been sitting in the shadows awaiting its turn to be aired. This was during my birthday this year and the treat was given by my lovely colleagues and boss which i'm forever thankful for. Thank you guys!
Ahhhh......Swenson's is a nostalgic topic indeed. I remember a time long ago when my idea of good food brought me to Swenson's....well, thats a long long time ago. And now, they've come up with a new property. Earl @ Swenson's belong to their upmarket version of the tried and old Swenson's formula, but upmarket doesn't mean its expensive though, simply that it seems expensive. Established a year and a half ago, I've tried Earl @ Swenson's twice, this being the second time and i can say this, it has changed for the better.
The glorious salad bar at T3 Earl's. This deserves a write up quite simply because it happened to be the best thing about the place. The myriad of choices available ranges from simple salads, tortilla chips and fruits to thai style vermicelli, potatoes, pumpkins and clams in shooters with lime juice. Of special notice is the vermicelli which was surprisingly well done and a definite item not to be missed. Fresh salads, pumpkins and other greens serve to balance the oil intake from the main dishes. Oh, did i mention? Everything on the salad counter is for your taking no matter however many rounds you can handle and its absolutely free! (with any main course) Sadly however, the salad counter was also about the only thing good about the place.
Stuffed Chicken Quesadillas ($15.90) - My boss had this item. It came as a shock because quesadillas are supposed to come with melted cheese....lots of melted cheese but this was not the case. The chicken, she commented, was rather dry and the wrap tough to chew on. The end result was that this was left mostly untouched so thats saying a lot.
Charbroiled Beef Tenderloin With Mushroom Sauce ($19.90) - Beef is always my favorite meat so that's what i usually order when trying things out. This was done medium rare as i ordered but was strangely cold when eaten. The thick layer of fat also meant that edible meat was kept to a minimum and the mushroom sauce was definitely too salty for my tastes. Portion size was small as well.
Pan Fried Dory Fillet ($16.40) - I got to try a piece of this fish which was probably the best order of the day comparing everything else that has been ordered. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the dory was also mildly sweet and easily stomached.
Herb Sausages With Mustard ($15.90) - Presentation wise, i'm not sure if this looks aesthetically pleasing or downright....unappetizing. I did manage to have a go at it and found the mustard mostly tasteless while the sausage reeked of too much pepper. The meat texture was also a little on the squishy side which was nausea inducing.
The ice cream was below average basically. Mine was the mint flavored ice cream which was toothpaste in disguise. Definitely not made in house. Thank goodness i love the taste of toothpaste so i managed to finish it. Otherwise, this is something they need to improve real quick.
Total bill for 7 worked out at $142.77 with everything in. Not too expensive i should say but the quality of the mains definitely need improvement.
Definitely improved on the salad bar concept because previously, you had to pay to eat it to being free with a main. Value for money in this case but the mains are something that should be looked upon for improvements. To its credit however, the website revealed a new menu for mains which hopefully means better quality. Until then, i'm keeping my money away and waiting for better reasons before i visit it again.
Rating given:
It is strange to find a Jack's Place right in this place. The crowd flow isn't that much as most people will be heading there to buy books, stationeries and art materials.
Anyhow, I've decided to try it out after getting my materials. Tried out the student meal, which was the chicken and mushroom spaghetti that day. Not really tasty, quite sticky I should say. That's why it is advisable for them to stick to their trade as a steakhouse.
Coming here, of course we had to try the steak there. Ordered a plate of black pepper steak and it wasn't that bad. But I expected more from them, especially when they are a steakhouse.
Ambience wise, it is kind of strange to have a meal in a restaurant situated in the HDB block. The lightings are not well-lighted. The whole decor of the place is really dark. Candles don't really make much of a difference. I was placed in a section which only had us. No other customers were in sight. I don’t think I’ll be back for a second time as I’m more obsessed with the ambience. But if you are heading there, try nothing else but the steak to avoid any disappointment.
Rating given:
Had eaten many times at this place but had never gt down to write a short review abt this place. Basically this is a normal coffeeshop which sells Tze Char. What I like about this place is that the staff are friendly and the food is great. In addition, the serving of the food is pretty fast as well as they have three cooks in the kitchen handling all the orders. As such, one does not need to wait for ong before your food is served piping hot.
Some of their dishes included black pepper beef on a hot plate, kang kong with cuttlefish, jellyfish salad, prawn paste chicken, pineapple rice, thai hor fun and many more.
However, this place can be a bit small and is always packed during peak periods. Therefore, you might want to consider going there before the peak periods start at the usual meal timings. In addition, I have also observed that many foreigners patronise there as well and some seem to be regulars there too, form the way they interact with the staff.
This further strengthens the fact that this place not only appeals to locals but to foreigners as well.
As for the pricing, it ain't that expensive either, for two ppl ordering 4 dishes and a couple of drinks, the bill is arnd $30-40, depending on the quantity and type of dishes that you order. But rest assured that you get your money's worth.
Rating given:
Gave this place a try after my gf and her frens had tried it abt a week ago. Had passed by this place several times in the past but had never really taken a second look at it. As my gf said it was nice, I decided to check it out with her.
Upon stepping into the restaurant, the ambience was nice and authentic Japanese looking. The staff were friendly and the place was not too crowded. We gt our elves seated comfortably before getting about ordering our food. As the name of the restaurant suggests, the place specialises in serving up the premium Wangyu beef. However, the price was really quite steep adn as such , we deicded to give it a miss. Instead, we went for the more affordable meats such as beef tongue, beef intestines, p-toro, chicken and some vegetables.
Like waht Polarbear had mentioned in his review, the concept of this place is similar to that of Seoul Garden, whereby the food is served raw and you get to cook it over a hot charcoal stove. And I definitely like the fact that the charcoal ain't smoky and does not leave a smell on your clothes that lingers on even after you left the place.
Another plus point is that the staff are very attentive and will assist you in changing the wire gauze whenever you request for it. As such, you will not find that your meat becomes charred easily due to the residue of the soot. This no doubts enhances the platability of the food. Besides that, the staff were also very forthcoming to check if you need any assistance in cooking your food. To me I feel that this in indeed quality service.
Lastly, to finish off the meal, we orderd a single serving of macha ice-cream, which was smooth and not too sweet ( for ppl who do not have a sweet tooth). All in all, I would say that the meal was good but the price may be slightly steep ($120 for 2 ppl). But I do feel that the quality of the food and the staff do deserve such a price tag, which is more than worthwhile paying for
Rating given:
Never had a Japanese Restaurant that I have been to, warrant a 3rd visit from me within a space of two months, but this rule simply did not apply to En Japanese Dining Bar.
Introduced by my manager (whom is very particular about what she eats), I was pleasantly elated to find that not only was the food outstanding, the price is sound as well. Situated at UE Square, facing the now awfully hushed Mohammed Sultan Road, En Japanese Dining Bar is a also a fav among the diminutive but surely growing Japanese community, in the River Valley area.
Known for its little dishes of appetiser and starters rather than the main dishes, customers are spoilt for choice with the amount of dishes they can choose from the menu. While waiting for the rest to arrive, a friend and I had some Kawaebi (Deep Fried Small River Shrimps) to go with our Hakkaisan (Honjouzou) – Medium Dry, Well Balanced Sake.
Dinner then proceed with our first starter of the day – Beef Carpaccio, or Thinly Sliced Raw Beef and Sliced Onion with Sour Soya Sauce. Along with just a dash of lemon juice, the beef is juicy and melts the moment it touches your mouth (a result from the freshness of the meat), leaving you to crave for more when you are done with it.
Thankfully, the Sashimi did not disappoint us when it arrived. The Kanpachi (Yellow Tail), Mekajiki (Sword Fish) and Salmon Belly was just as fresh and the thickness of each slice – perfectly cut.
More Sashimi came along, but this time in the disguise of Imaiyu Salad, or the Fresh Sashimi Salad with Special Blended Vegetable Dressing. Cubes of raw meat act as a perfect complement to the vegetables, and along with the appetising salad dressing, this dish is a hit with both the carnivores and the herbivores.
And when the cooked food finally arrives, the Roasted Minced Chicken Balls on a Skewer Laced with Egg Yolk has a sweet aroma which lingers in the air even after that satisfying bite. However, one may find the texture of questionable due to the bits of tendons within the minced meat.
The only staple we had for the night was another perfectly executed Unagi Fried Rice, or Eel and Egg Fried Rice. The natural juices oozing out from the Grilled Eel somehow goes harmoniously well with the rice, making it enjoyable to consume and a perfect dish to share among a table of 4.
To round of the lovely night, we had Black Sesame Ice Cream and Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste. Not a big fan of both flavours, I was somehow charmed to find that the Green Tea Ice Cream, with a hint of bitterness, goes astonishingly well with the Red Bean Paste.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
Rating given:
Wood Restaurant & Bar, a newly opened upmarket restaurant that offers food cooked only by wood and charcoal - the old fashioned method before gas came about and certainly an interesting concept.
Hidden on the ground floor in one forsaken corner of Vivocity, Wood's chef is none other Jake Klein, whose stepfather, Steven Raichlen, is the creator of Barbecue University and known as America's grilling expert. From the facade to the interior, Wood oozes unadulterated class in itself. A short walk through the wooden tunnel from the entrance leads to a magnificent glass wine cellar and the sublimely chic seating area with its posh booth seats, floor to ceiling windows and the huge open concept kitchen. One gripe though. The windows don't face the sea directly, unlike most of the other restaurants at Vivocity.
Complimentary Bread - Its the first time I'm eating focaccia that comes in pizza slices and it was something different. It almost tasted like pizza sans the toppings except that the bread was a little burnt and dry. I still liked it enough with the olive oil though to gobble it all up and yearn for seconds, which unfortunately was never offered.
Smoked Chicken Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette and Toasted Peanut - Aesthetically pleasing, the salad portion was small, no doubt about it. What I liked about it was the lightly smoked chicken slivers which went well with the savoury Hoisin vinaigrette and toasted grounded peanuts. It helped that the vegetables were fresh as well.
Roasted Asparagus, Baby Greens and Poached Egg - I personally found this dish a little lacklustre as compared to the smoked chicken salad. But having said that, it was still quite good. For starters, this has got to be the biggest asparagus I've seen (not that I've been around much though) and it was well seasoned with salt and pepper. The poached egg wasn't anything special though but the greens were fresh and crunchy.
Wood Roasted Spring Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Parsley - The chicken looked a tad charred when served. However it was very fragrant and juicy with a lingering herb taste in every bite. I did find it a little too salty at certain parts though, probably due to the heterogeneous seasoning distribution. But all in all a most delightful dish.
14 Days House Aged Ribeye, Rosemary, Garlic & Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I honestly can't taste the difference between a 14 days aged ribeye and a normal ribeye or a 90 days aged ribeye for that matter, so its just a name to me. The ribeye was done medium instead of the medium rare that I had requested, but it was still good. Succulent and juicy with a strong hint of herbs that didn't threaten to overpower the inherent beefy taste. Not the best I've tried, but certainly in a league of its own. Watch out for the small portions though. The beef is probably around 5-6 oz (just a rough guess).
Valhorna Chocolate Pudding with Lavender Croutons and Sea Salt - The chocolate pudding didn't come across as too sweet and very smooth with the dried lavender providing a nice floral complement to the chocolate. The croutons provided a nice crunchy texture to the whole dessert.
Thyme Roasted White Peach with Yogurt Ice Cream - I can't help but profess my liking for this dessert. A didn't taste like it was roasted piece of peach sitting atop chunks of biscuit crumbs with buttery overtones and topped with a nice creamy and sourish yogurt ice cream. Most delightful if you ask me.
An excellent lunch for 2 cost an almost princely sum of about $95 ($10 goes to the bottled water. They don't serve iced water by the way). Good things definitely don't come cheap and the 4 course set dinner starts from $75 per pax ($120 with wine pairing) with slightly bigger portions and a larger variety of dishes to choose from. Service is good as well and for those who prefer privacy, there are private rooms to cater to various group sizes. There's even a romantic private room for 2 complete with a private entrance, if you can afford/are willing to chalk up $300 in bills that is.
I'll definitely be back, but probably only for lunch. The small portions and steep prices for dinner are a little bit too much for me to swallow. For now.
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Executive Chef Dennis Sim teamed up with Culinary Director Angelo Sanelli, of Michelangelo’s distinction, presented us with selections of original and contemporary Italian dishes balances with a well though out selection of conventional delights.
Zambuca happens to be a bar as well as a restaurant that features a magnificent wine cellar. Specially set to the temperature of 18°C and use mainly for wine dinners, this cellar is a definitely an enchantment for all wine enthusiasts.
Appetisers were soon served as we were still busy deciding on what read like mouth-watering dishes from the menu.
However, the pretty dreadful Bruschetta they serve as a complimentary were pretty stale toast and even staler toppings of Italian Sausage and Mushy Beef Spread or Egg Mayo with Caviar. Thankfully, the sampler starters were dished out in succession not long after and I have to say I am quite impressed. First up was the Carpaccio di Manzo, or Beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese and quail eggs, lightly drizzled with extra virgin oil.
The thinly sliced beef melts in your mouth and the parmesan adds zest to the otherwise bland dish. This was soon followed by Parma Ham with Rockmelon.
In terms of presentation, I thought this was one of the best that night. The chef was even generous enough to give us a huge chunk of the melon wrapped around with a wedge of ham. The Gamberi con Aglio Olio e Crema, or Tender tiger prawns with sliced garlic, finished with Devon cream and placed on a bed of shredded spinach served in a hot iron terrine, as put simply - Divine.
The prawns were gigantic and fresh, and the cream sauce was purely mouth-watering, so good that we were scooping the sauce straight from the iron bowl and gulping it. The Mussels topped with Tomato-based Sauce though were ordinary.
Although the flesh of the mussels was big and juicy, I suspect that they were cooked separately from the sauce as the mussels lacked taste and flavouring from the gravy. The gravy also was not the best I have tasted as compared to the many mussels dishes I have tried in Perth. However, the biggest disappointment of the night was that of the Calamari Fritti.
The Squid rings were too salty and the coating of the flour was done badly such that we end up eating the squid separately from the flour. Thankfully the last starter of the night, Foie Gras, or Seared duck liver served on toasted brioche topped with Granny Smith apple, peppered fig and port wine redeemed it all.
Consider one of the greatest delicacies in French Cuisine, the liver was juicy and the fatty oil that oozes out from it is simply blissful. It was simply so delicious that I decided to have more servings of duck for my main.
And thus it ensures that I also have a whole serving of Foie Gras to myself along with the breast of the duck – pretty sinful I must say, but for occasional indulgence, I reckon that it was all worth it. Known for their lamb dishes, I would also highly recommend the Agnello Marinato alla Griglia, or grilled and marinated rack of lamb served with asparagus and mushroom ragout, parsnip puree and drizzled with chili chocolate sauce - done in medium rare.
The tenderness of the meat along with an exotic sauce simply tops all the dishes for the night.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
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Ever since I have started working near Serangoon area, the temptation of sampling Indian food never stopped. From Roti Prata as morning breakfast to Nasi Biryani for lunch, I am surrounded by these delicious Indian cuisine (North or South Indian, Indian Muslim or what not) everyday. Finally, it took a nudge from my Indian colleague and there I was in front of an Authentic North Indian (Punjabi) Cuisine Restaurant in the heart of Little India. With so many dishes to choose from, we were spoilt for choice.
Finally, my colleague from India volunteered to choose a few dishes that she deemed to be her favourite and that begins my little food adventure for the day. We opted for the Butter Naan, or a type of bread made from dough and butter (almost similar to prata) instead of the usual rice for a change.
The Palak Paneer, or Spinach with Cottage Cheese was a tad too authentic though for me. Pretty bland and a bit too “greeny” for me, it was almost as good as eating a Broccoli raw! The Aloo Gobhi, or Potatoes with Cauliflower though was slightly better.
I love my potatoes and this dish had definitely more taste than the Spinach. This veggie is mushily good to go with the Naan, but however, if eaten with rice, I would think that it’s too starchy. Perhaps being a fellow potatoes lover, another dish she ordered was the Baked Potatoes with Capsicum.
This is the first time I have seen this combination and I must say I am pretty impressed with it. A hint of burnt flavour from the baking and the crunchy texture from the capsicum was a great complement. But the accolade truly belongs to the Butter Chicken that day.
The rich gravy made from yoghurt and cream, was a sinful yet delectable one, which I simply couldn’t resist dipping in my spoon again and again for another sip. The last time I had this dish was in Perth's Chutney Mary's and I never remembered it to be so delicious.
A pity though that the Mango Lassi was not as good as I thought it would be, as it was much too sweet for my taste bud.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
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Guys like me think Japanese are sweet and seductive, but just in case your mind start wandering to those kawaii Japanese schoolgirls, let me just share with you that I am talking about food (I am a foodie, what else can I be talking about!?), but more precisely, their dessert. Making quite a buzz since its opening in Marina Square in the month of June 2006, Azabu Sabo, follows an original teahouse philosophy and serves authentic Japanese desserts. Its selection of desserts and Hokkaido Ice Cream, available for the first time in Singapore, has made itself especially popular with female clientele.
It is said that they directly imports the main ingredients from Japan, such as the top grade red beans, produced from Hokkaido, which are not overly-sweet. However, I beg to differ. I ordered by far the most popular and highly recognised Matchazen, or Green Tea Ice-Cream in a Bowl of Dumplings & Red Bean Paste, and was overwhelmed by the sweetness of the mushy red bean paste.
Thank goodness the strong bitter after-taste of the ice cream was able to neutralise it. The dumpling though tasteless was soft in texture and chewy, unlike those you bought off the supermarkets. Unlike the immaculate service that is found everywhere in the humble land of the rising sun, the service standards of this outlet was found lacking. The service staffs that day were mostly foreigners who did not seemed to have a good grasp of English. They had problems trying to understand my questions when I tried to find out more about the desserts, and they were particularly non-existent when I tried to settle the bill. What a pity though, if only they could import the sweet Japanese service culture as well.
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
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Island Creamery is an ice cream parlour that offers unique local flavours for both young and old – think Teh Tarik and Tiger Beer sorbet and not your typical boring chocolate or vanilla flavours. I tried the Pulut Hitam and I have to say that it kinda reminded me of the days in NS, where it was one of the favourite desserts among the field ration.
However, the texture of the ice-cream is a bit rough as compared to the ice cream from Venezia, at Guthrie House, Sixth Avenue.
Despite that, it is still a chic place for teenagers to hang out with, and it even encourage people to take photos, print out, and leave their wonderful memories behind, pasted on the wall. So who says all sweet stuffs leave you with a bad aftertaste?
You can view more photos and other reviews @ His Food Blog.
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