My SO and i has always been fans of Waraku so we thought we gave the one at East Coast a try rather than the usual Marina Square (coincidentally, i had waraku for lunch at katong the day before).
Ambience One word, "TERRIBLE".
We were there on saturday evening and there was a waiting crowd already at 6plus. You could hear kids wailing and screaming (pardon me, i cant stand that) which i did not expect in a got-standard restaurant.
Finally ushered to our seats and guess what... Our table is lined in such a way that my butt is sitting on 2 sofas... We did not want to wait any longer so just bear with it. Next thing i noticed there was no condiments nor serviettes on our table. Bother!
Food Chawanmushi ($4.80) It was good, no denial. The egg was smooth and nicely flavoured. I like it that they had a tiny sliced lime on it.
Gyu Yanagawa ($12.00) It was our 1st time trying this dish. The beef was thinly sliced and cooked over the fire. Companion sauce was not too salty.
Marugo Calppacho ($12.80) The garlic was soggy. Thumbs down. I had it at the katong branch and the garlic was crisp, went very well with the tuna and sour sauce. The one at east coast was a disappointment.
Hotate and Cheese Cream Udon ($13.80) Cheese did not overpower the creamy soup base.
Hokkaido Oyster & Mushroom Ramen ($12.80) The noodles was 'Q', mushrooms and oysters are soft to bite, the oysters were fully cooked which suited me as i dare not eat raw oyster.
Summary Food is on par with its other branches, though not a place for people who wish to dine in quiet moments
I've been here a few times and never wrote about it!
The 2nd floor is a great place to just chill and enjoy the music but the drawback is that there aren't any seats and it's constantly crowded. Not to mention it's easier to get in if you just buy a bottle. Just to skip the long queue. Being there early means you get seats... and also get eyed by later patrons cos they really want your seat. My friend went in super early just to reserve seats for us. The drinks are ok, not too diluted and I guess reasonably priced for a bar. I enjoy the live music though I'm not really a fan of that genre.
The ground floor is more for the soccer crowd and those who want to eat. Though it's quieter here but not quite the place for conversation either as it's quite cramped with people mostly.
Great place to unwind. I love thursdays and saturdays for my favourite band 'The Unxpected' plays on that day.
If you're into live music, head up to the second level and be immersed by the great music. If you prefer watching soccer or just being able to have a chit chat with your friends, you're better off at the first floor.
Top fave snacks: Pizza, chicken wings and calamari are to die for.
Love the place! Do come early to get good seats infront of the band and to enjoy the happy hour!
A friend and I had the set lunch at Lawry's last year. We went there filled with anticipation and left with a frown.
The signature spinning salad was fab of course but the main course left much to be desired. It was served luke warm and the sauces had overwhelmed the taste of the steak. It wasn't medium rare to me and was more of medium well. The steak tasted dry. Left me very disappointed for I went there for the steak.
Desserts were ordinary and nothing special. Ambience is top notch of course.
Well, head down to Lawry's if you're there for the ambience but not for the food.
Is it a case of another set lunch/dinner which killed the food?
I'm not sure. But I don't think I'll be giving Lawry's a second chance.
The Prime Society is located with the rest of the rather "atas" eateries at Dempsey Hill.
Classy as it may seems, PLEASE drive or else your date may suffer from mosquito bites or aaching feet by the time you manage to hail a cab and yes, your truly was a victim.
My date and I ordered the Christmas Eve set and we were extremely disappointed.
How so? The food tasted alright but it was nothing spectacular. The steak wasn't bloody enough for me. (yes, another bad pun)
From the amount we paid, it definitely did not justify the items received. However I am still going to give The Prime Society another chance. Perhaps it'll prove better when I order from the normal menu?
I have heard about Ice Cream Chefs from my friends for a very long time and decided to check out the place finally.
A few plus and minus points here.
- Location is very "ulu". Even to me, an east sider, I don't think I'll be able to find the place unless I drive. - The cafe is rather small. If you have a big group of friends, perhaps you can sit on the sidewalk outside. - Due to it's rather cramped space, you may have to strain your ears to hear your date. - An interesting concept. If you crave the weirdest flavour, here's a good place to go. - I'm extremely fascinated by the "cold teppanyaki". I had cornflakes icecream! How cool (yes, bad pun!) is that?! - Friendly service. The staff waited patiently when fickle-minded me was deciding on what to order. - They allow photography and videography!
With Seasons Reasons, the reasons is every seasons! With a passion for a different dining experience, Seasons Reasons is designed based on a quest of the 4 seasons - Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring.
Well, I am back at Raffles City again, just after two weeks since last visiting OChaCha, but then i can’t help it, nowadays there are simply too much to eat at Raffles City! So don’t be surprise if there are more new posts coming up.
Seasons Reasons is a small restaurant among the many new restaurants at Raffles City basement, but it stood out for its simple and comfortable setting. The menu is simple, with the usual starters, salad, soup, sandwiches, and main course. No doubt there are not much variety under each category, but i’ll say its more than enough for the average diners.
Appetizers start at $8.50 for their “hot pick” Golden potato prawn, to $13.80 for their seafood combo. Prices for the main course are pretty reasonable too, ranging from $11 to $20. But they are quite short on their spaghetti selections though, only two types are available. And i lamented the fact that they didn’t have much desserts to choose from.
Like mentioned above, the settings for the restaurant is simple and elegant, and there are also the cozy corner seats for diners who will like to enjoy some privacy.
My buddy and I didn’t have much trouble choosing what we want for lunch, after going through the simple menu once, we decided on Fish & chips, and lamb chop. We didn’t have any starters or soup as it was a simple lunch for us.
Fish & Chips ($14.80) Cod fish tempura and wedges served with lemongrass chili. To be honest, my first impression of the dish, it looks like just any other ordinary Fish & chips at other restaurants. But, my buddy commented that the fish was crispy on the outside, and where some other restaurants fish might get too dry, the one here is just nice. The interior of the fish was soft and not too dry.
Another point to note will be most places served their fish & chips with just tartar sauce, but Seasons Reasons had the tartar sauce, and also lemongrass chili which i find rather special.
Lamb Chop ($19.80) Baby rack of lamb char-grilled to medium well served with a glazed of honey mustard and fork mashed potato. The lamb chop at $19.80, is the most expensive dish served on the menu. And it did not disappoint, with a generous serving of 4 lamb racks, i believe it will fill most people.
The honey mustard sauce adds flavour to the grilled lamb chop, the meat is slightly tough, you’ll need some effort in biting and chewing the meat. But i do find the price of the lamb chop slightly steep, and most probably won’t order it again.
Total Bill was $40.72 for 2 person, not really expensive given we are dining in a restaurant. If you are looking for a simple dining place while you are at Raffles City, look no further than Seasons Reasons. The restaurant do put in effort in the food presentation, no doubt taste is the vital factor, but one tastebud will definitely open up if the food is presented nicely.
With so many restaurants at Raffles City, i don’t think i will be visiting again any sooner, unless they got new menu or promotions. I won’t say the food is excellent, but i’ll say its worth a try if you haven’t been there before.
You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for a full-up on this trip. Whatever written above are my geniune feelings expressed in words that may be subjected to my personal distortion or bias. Please do not feel emotional or distress should you have any violent objections. Kindly click the little X at the upper, extreme right of your screen if negative adjectives would be derived. Otherwise, feel free to furnish me with comments, may it be positive or negative : )
For most of you out there, when you hear about this place the first thing that comes to you is that it's a "Sports Mall". Need no further elaboration on that.
You can find many sporting brands up on the shelves such as Nike, Adidas, Umbro, Puma, Fila, Converse and many other regional brands. There are also shops selling casual and formal clothing.
Prices here are lower by at least 15% from retail price, while most goods are on 20% discount. Certain shops operate under a same owner but different shop name so don't be surprised if you are served by the same salesperson you see at the other stall.
Feeling hungry while shopping? Level 1 has a laksa stall, while a McDonald is available on level 2. Small bites are available at the central area of the mall on both level 1 and 2.
I have been living around here so I haven’t had problems locating shops but if you’re coming here for the first time, familiarise yourself with the way as you may get lost here as mentioned before.
But there are other facts you may not know as of yet. I'll let you in about it now. Other than sports equipments, it is also a convenient place where you can actually get services such as printing, photocopying, embroidery and trophies on level 3. Shops offering tee shirt printing are commonly seen too. It is also a great place to make your spectacles as there are many stalls (at least 5) operating on level 1, which makes it easier for you to see the different range of designs and comparison of prices. This is something most people fail to notice when they come here.
With that I hope you will realise this place has much to offer, most Singaporean should at least made at least 1 trip here before. If not, what are you waiting for? (:
The Fullerton Hotel is a 5 star luxury hotel. Refurbished from The Fullerton Building built in 1928, it has since opened its doors in 2000 and has built up a excellent reputation.
Located in the heart of the thriving and vibrant city-state, it is a stone’s throw away from many exciting nightspots such as Boat Quay, One Fullerton and Clarke Quay.
Thinking of an exotic place to chill out? For relaxation on the high-end, check out the post bar. It provides an oasis of tranquility, the perfect setting for a laid-back after hour’s reflective moment and relaxing drink.
You could also enjoy a meal with beautiful scenery in San Marco at The Lighthouse and Town restaurant. It provides an extraordinary view of the city and the harbour, overseeing the new breath of excitement coming up in the Marina area. The restaurant is a high-end fine dining restaurant, so you should know the price of the menu now. Personally, I do not recommend the Town restaurant, as its standard is okay as compared to the other restaurants in the hotel. But if you do savour a riverside dining experience, you can dine out alfresco style.
Of course, there’s the famed Chocolate Buffet and Afternoon Tea offered by The Courtyard. I’ve tried it before and it’s really good, unlike my friend who did not like it as she can’t really take sweet stuff. Haven’t tried the afternoon tea but I doubt I would because I’m not a tai tai (never going to be anyway)!
Not quite likened the western affair? Fret not, Jade Restaurant by Tung Lok Group is there to rescue your tummy. Do give the Spinach Tofu and Wasabi Prawn a try among other great dishes. Tung Lok has been renowned for Chinese culinary and this is one hard to resist. Good choice of venue for that special family occasion or meetings.
There is also a pastry shop called the Post Deli Express, which is located near the back entrance of the hotel. I have tried the chocolate cake (very long ago, when they first opened in 2006) and it was not bad at all. Bet you never knew they had a pastry shop in there!
The banquet facilities are of finest standard, with a number of meeting rooms ready to meet your business meeting demands and coorperate events. Seminars, conferences, receptions, gala dinner, product launch and more. You name it, they are up to the task. Facilities here are favoured by the companies located in the nearby Raffles business district.
Having a wedding dinner but don't know where to start? Here's one. Solemnisation can be done in the Roof Garden located on the 5th floor, followed by the wedding proper in the grand setting of The Straits Room on the 4th floor or The Ballroom. But on the hindsight, the maximum capacity for The Straits Room and The Ballroom stands at 100 and 450 respectively. Something for you to consider!
What is a hotel without even mentioning the rooms? The rooms give a very warm and cozy feeling, with a very mesmerising scent when you enter the room. The rooms are of normal room size, which they are unable to expand the room due to conservation regulations. I reckon yebbers to request for rooms facing the harbour to enhance your experience there, rather than facing the Singapore River. It has been a true enjoyable stay.
Leaving on a note, the hotel has not disappointed me other than Town restaurant (in terms of food wise). If you’re considering a weekend getaway or for certain occasions, this is definitely a choice on your checklist (never mind the price for that special occasion).
1=SGD 0.0587
My SO and i has always been fans of Waraku so we thought we gave the one at East Coast a try rather than the usual Marina Square (coincidentally, i had waraku for lunch at katong the day before).
Ambience
One word, "TERRIBLE".
We were there on saturday evening and there was a waiting crowd already at 6plus. You could hear kids wailing and screaming (pardon me, i cant stand that) which i did not expect in a got-standard restaurant.
Finally ushered to our seats and guess what... Our table is lined in such a way that my butt is sitting on 2 sofas... We did not want to wait any longer so just bear with it. Next thing i noticed there was no condiments nor serviettes on our table. Bother!
Food
Chawanmushi ($4.80)
It was good, no denial. The egg was smooth and nicely flavoured. I like it that they had a tiny sliced lime on it.
Gyu Yanagawa ($12.00)
It was our 1st time trying this dish. The beef was thinly sliced and cooked over the fire. Companion sauce was not too salty.
Marugo Calppacho ($12.80)
The garlic was soggy. Thumbs down. I had it at the katong branch and the garlic was crisp, went very well with the tuna and sour sauce. The one at east coast was a disappointment.
Hotate and Cheese Cream Udon ($13.80)
Cheese did not overpower the creamy soup base.
Hokkaido Oyster & Mushroom Ramen ($12.80)
The noodles was 'Q', mushrooms and oysters are soft to bite, the oysters were fully cooked which suited me as i dare not eat raw oyster.
Summary
Food is on par with its other branches, though not a place for people who wish to dine in quiet moments
Rating given:
I've been here a few times and never wrote about it!
The 2nd floor is a great place to just chill and enjoy the music but the drawback is that there aren't any seats and it's constantly crowded. Not to mention it's easier to get in if you just buy a bottle. Just to skip the long queue. Being there early means you get seats... and also get eyed by later patrons cos they really want your seat. My friend went in super early just to reserve seats for us. The drinks are ok, not too diluted and I guess reasonably priced for a bar. I enjoy the live music though I'm not really a fan of that genre.
The ground floor is more for the soccer crowd and those who want to eat. Though it's quieter here but not quite the place for conversation either as it's quite cramped with people mostly.
Rating given:
Great place to unwind. I love thursdays and saturdays for my favourite band 'The Unxpected' plays on that day.
If you're into live music, head up to the second level and be immersed by the great music. If you prefer watching soccer or just being able to have a chit chat with your friends, you're better off at the first floor.
Top fave snacks: Pizza, chicken wings and calamari are to die for.
Love the place! Do come early to get good seats infront of the band and to enjoy the happy hour!
Rating given:
Click here for full entry plus pics
A friend and I had the set lunch at Lawry's last year. We went there filled with anticipation and left with a frown.
The signature spinning salad was fab of course but the main course left much to be desired. It was served luke warm and the sauces had overwhelmed the taste of the steak. It wasn't medium rare to me and was more of medium well. The steak tasted dry. Left me very disappointed for I went there for the steak.
Desserts were ordinary and nothing special. Ambience is top notch of course.
Well, head down to Lawry's if you're there for the ambience but not for the food.
Is it a case of another set lunch/dinner which killed the food?
I'm not sure. But I don't think I'll be giving Lawry's a second chance.
Rating given:
Click here for the full post and pics
If you're intending to have a meal at Astons, I would advice you to queue up an hour before the appointed dinner time.
The meals are cheap BUT there's a price to pay for it being so cheap.
And here are the negative points:
- Long waiting time
- Noisy environment. Not an ideal first date venue.
Positive points:
- Similiar side dishes as Kenny Rogers
- Cheap
Great for students or people on a budget that is if you can stand the waiting time.
Rating given:
Click here for full review with pictures.
The Prime Society is located with the rest of the rather "atas" eateries at Dempsey Hill.
Classy as it may seems, PLEASE drive or else your date may suffer from mosquito bites or aaching feet by the time you manage to hail a cab and yes, your truly was a victim.
My date and I ordered the Christmas Eve set and we were extremely disappointed.
How so? The food tasted alright but it was nothing spectacular. The steak wasn't bloody enough for me. (yes, another bad pun)
From the amount we paid, it definitely did not justify the items received. However I am still going to give The Prime Society another chance. Perhaps it'll prove better when I order from the normal menu?
Hopefully.
Rating given:
Click here for full entry, pictures and a video!
I have heard about Ice Cream Chefs from my friends for a very long time and decided to check out the place finally.
A few plus and minus points here.
- Location is very "ulu". Even to me, an east sider, I don't think I'll be able to find the place unless I drive.
- The cafe is rather small. If you have a big group of friends, perhaps you can sit on the sidewalk outside.
- Due to it's rather cramped space, you may have to strain your ears to hear your date.
- An interesting concept. If you crave the weirdest flavour, here's a good place to go.
- I'm extremely fascinated by the "cold teppanyaki". I had cornflakes icecream! How cool (yes, bad pun!) is that?!
- Friendly service. The staff waited patiently when fickle-minded me was deciding on what to order.
- They allow photography and videography!
My conclusion?
I'll be back! If someone drives me there. :P
Rating given:
With Seasons Reasons, the reasons is every seasons! With a passion for a different dining experience, Seasons Reasons is designed based on a quest of the 4 seasons - Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring.
Well, I am back at Raffles City again, just after two weeks since last visiting OChaCha, but then i can’t help it, nowadays there are simply too much to eat at Raffles City! So don’t be surprise if there are more new posts coming up.
Seasons Reasons is a small restaurant among the many new restaurants at Raffles City basement, but it stood out for its simple and comfortable setting. The menu is simple, with the usual starters, salad, soup, sandwiches, and main course. No doubt there are not much variety under each category, but i’ll say its more than enough for the average diners.
Appetizers start at $8.50 for their “hot pick” Golden potato prawn, to $13.80 for their seafood combo. Prices for the main course are pretty reasonable too, ranging from $11 to $20. But they are quite short on their spaghetti selections though, only two types are available. And i lamented the fact that they didn’t have much desserts to choose from.
Like mentioned above, the settings for the restaurant is simple and elegant, and there are also the cozy corner seats for diners who will like to enjoy some privacy.
My buddy and I didn’t have much trouble choosing what we want for lunch, after going through the simple menu once, we decided on Fish & chips, and lamb chop. We didn’t have any starters or soup as it was a simple lunch for us.
Fish & Chips ($14.80)
Cod fish tempura and wedges served with lemongrass chili. To be honest, my first impression of the dish, it looks like just any other ordinary Fish & chips at other restaurants. But, my buddy commented that the fish was crispy on the outside, and where some other restaurants fish might get too dry, the one here is just nice. The interior of the fish was soft and not too dry.
Another point to note will be most places served their fish & chips with just tartar sauce, but Seasons Reasons had the tartar sauce, and also lemongrass chili which i find rather special.
Lamb Chop ($19.80)
Baby rack of lamb char-grilled to medium well served with a glazed of honey mustard and fork mashed potato. The lamb chop at $19.80, is the most expensive dish served on the menu. And it did not disappoint, with a generous serving of 4 lamb racks, i believe it will fill most people.
The honey mustard sauce adds flavour to the grilled lamb chop, the meat is slightly tough, you’ll need some effort in biting and chewing the meat. But i do find the price of the lamb chop slightly steep, and most probably won’t order it again.
Total Bill was $40.72 for 2 person, not really expensive given we are dining in a restaurant. If you are looking for a simple dining place while you are at Raffles City, look no further than Seasons Reasons. The restaurant do put in effort in the food presentation, no doubt taste is the vital factor, but one tastebud will definitely open up if the food is presented nicely.
With so many restaurants at Raffles City, i don’t think i will be visiting again any sooner, unless they got new menu or promotions. I won’t say the food is excellent, but i’ll say its worth a try if you haven’t been there before.
You are always welcome to visit ladyironchef for a full-up on this trip. Whatever written above are my geniune feelings expressed in words that may be subjected to my personal distortion or bias. Please do not feel emotional or distress should you have any violent objections. Kindly click the little X at the upper, extreme right of your screen if negative adjectives would be derived. Otherwise, feel free to furnish me with comments, may it be positive or negative : )
” For everything, there is a Reason “
Rating given:
For most of you out there, when you hear about this place the first thing that comes to you is that it's a "Sports Mall". Need no further elaboration on that.
You can find many sporting brands up on the shelves such as Nike, Adidas, Umbro, Puma, Fila, Converse and many other regional brands. There are also shops selling casual and formal clothing.
Prices here are lower by at least 15% from retail price, while most goods are on 20% discount. Certain shops operate under a same owner but different shop name so don't be surprised if you are served by the same salesperson you see at the other stall.
Feeling hungry while shopping? Level 1 has a laksa stall, while a McDonald is available on level 2. Small bites are available at the central area of the mall on both level 1 and 2.
I have been living around here so I haven’t had problems locating shops but if you’re coming here for the first time, familiarise yourself with the way as you may get lost here as mentioned before.
But there are other facts you may not know as of yet. I'll let you in about it now. Other than sports equipments, it is also a convenient place where you can actually get services such as printing, photocopying, embroidery and trophies on level 3. Shops offering tee shirt printing are commonly seen too. It is also a great place to make your spectacles as there are many stalls (at least 5) operating on level 1, which makes it easier for you to see the different range of designs and comparison of prices. This is something most people fail to notice when they come here.
With that I hope you will realise this place has much to offer, most Singaporean should at least made at least 1 trip here before. If not, what are you waiting for? (:
Rating given:
The Fullerton Hotel is a 5 star luxury hotel. Refurbished from The Fullerton Building built in 1928, it has since opened its doors in 2000 and has built up a excellent reputation.
Located in the heart of the thriving and vibrant city-state, it is a stone’s throw away from many exciting nightspots such as Boat Quay, One Fullerton and Clarke Quay.
Thinking of an exotic place to chill out? For relaxation on the high-end, check out the post bar. It provides an oasis of tranquility, the perfect setting for a laid-back after hour’s reflective moment and relaxing drink.
You could also enjoy a meal with beautiful scenery in San Marco at The Lighthouse and Town restaurant. It provides an extraordinary view of the city and the harbour, overseeing the new breath of excitement coming up in the Marina area. The restaurant is a high-end fine dining restaurant, so you should know the price of the menu now. Personally, I do not recommend the Town restaurant, as its standard is okay as compared to the other restaurants in the hotel. But if you do savour a riverside dining experience, you can dine out alfresco style.
Of course, there’s the famed Chocolate Buffet and Afternoon Tea offered by The Courtyard. I’ve tried it before and it’s really good, unlike my friend who did not like it as she can’t really take sweet stuff. Haven’t tried the afternoon tea but I doubt I would because I’m not a tai tai (never going to be anyway)!
Not quite likened the western affair? Fret not, Jade Restaurant by Tung Lok Group is there to rescue your tummy. Do give the Spinach Tofu and Wasabi Prawn a try among other great dishes. Tung Lok has been renowned for Chinese culinary and this is one hard to resist. Good choice of venue for that special family occasion or meetings.
There is also a pastry shop called the Post Deli Express, which is located near the back entrance of the hotel. I have tried the chocolate cake (very long ago, when they first opened in 2006) and it was not bad at all. Bet you never knew they had a pastry shop in there!
The banquet facilities are of finest standard, with a number of meeting rooms ready to meet your business meeting demands and coorperate events. Seminars, conferences, receptions, gala dinner, product launch and more. You name it, they are up to the task. Facilities here are favoured by the companies located in the nearby Raffles business district.
Having a wedding dinner but don't know where to start? Here's one. Solemnisation can be done in the Roof Garden located on the 5th floor, followed by the wedding proper in the grand setting of The Straits Room on the 4th floor or The Ballroom. But on the hindsight, the maximum capacity for The Straits Room and The Ballroom stands at 100 and 450 respectively. Something for you to consider!
What is a hotel without even mentioning the rooms? The rooms give a very warm and cozy feeling, with a very mesmerising scent when you enter the room. The rooms are of normal room size, which they are unable to expand the room due to conservation regulations. I reckon yebbers to request for rooms facing the harbour to enhance your experience there, rather than facing the Singapore River. It has been a true enjoyable stay.
Leaving on a note, the hotel has not disappointed me other than Town restaurant (in terms of food wise). If you’re considering a weekend getaway or for certain occasions, this is definitely a choice on your checklist (never mind the price for that special occasion).
Rating given: