Eat Eaten Ate

Moved!

2009-10-31T00:53:00.008+08:00

Sorry if you have been coming back for updates. We're officially forsaking eateatenate for a brand new food blog at http://www.lazyfoodies.com, where things are kept simpler, which means more updates!

SG Nasi Lemak: Sedap!

2009-04-14T20:27:00.018+08:00

UPDATE: SG Nasi Lemak has relocated to Ang Mo Kio. (Refer to address at bottom of post.)

Situated next to the famous Chomp Chomp Food Centre where all scout for tasty food, the Serangoon Market seems to contain wonderful hidden finds too.

A humble-looking Nasi Lemak stall at the corner caught our eye as we see a queue forming as early as 6pm.

Ayam Merah, S$3.30 nett (+S$1 Chicken Wing),

The spotlight of Ayam Merah (their signature dish) is the chicken. It had been deep fried then further cooked together with their special homemade gravy which complemented perfectly. Despite being cooked twice, the chicken remained tender, and even eating the gravy by itself is an indulgence - the sweetness is excellent and the spiciness level totally flatters our local taste. As for the rice, we do find the coconut flavour slightly bland.

VERDICT
Overall, price is reasonable and portion is great. Do give it a try.

SG Nasi Lemak
#01-1565, Blk 339, 339 Restaurant
Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, (S)560339
(+65) 8128 5997
Tue - Sun: 7 a.m. - 8.30 p.m.
Mon: Closed

Food:
Value:

Tetsu: The Work of Art

2009-04-03T21:50:00.010+08:00

We were given the opportunity to review Tetsu's new menu and it had been rewarding. The new menu consists of much more deliciously and meticulously prepared food which never fail to entice our taste buds.

Kawa Ebi Karaage, S$8++,
Fugu Mirin Boshi, S$10++,

The Kawa Ebi Karaage on the extreme left are deep fried river shrimps, and because they are so small, you can pop in several of them and feel the satisfying crunch between your teeth.

Next to the shrimps are strips of Fugu Mirin Boshi (dried puffer fish) - a rare delicacy which can be deadly if not prepared properly. Being our first time trying "poisonous" food, we had all sorts of questions running through our minds. I got surprised on my first bite when the puffer fish turned out to be sweet and chewy (but not puffy like what I imagined). Lionel commented that its texture slightly resembled our local favourite 'Bak Kwa'.

Yaki Niku, S$18.50++,

This piece of prime beef tenderloin is in good hands! Hand-grilled to perfection, we fell in love with the soft tenderness and succulence of the meat instantly. Plus, something different about grilled tenderloin in Western cuisine and Japanese cuisine is the sauce, and this one here matched wholly.

Fire Hire, S$14.50++,
Cheese Katsu Roll, S$16.50++,

A well-breaded fried fish (behind) is added to the Kushi-Age family, and with every bite you could feel the crisp of the skin, while the flavour, softness and moisture of the fish fillet retains.

Also in the Kushi-Age family, the Katsu had evolved into cheesy rolls (in front)! The peppery taste of the breaded pork makes it a good contrast against the sweetness of the carrots and asparagus, and the melted cheese just adds more kick although I would personally prefer even more cheese. Make sure you eat this dish fast before the cheese turns cold and hardens.

Unagi Sushi, S8++,

Take a break from all the strong flavours with these freshwater eel sushis - light with a dash of natural sweetness.

Tai Kabutoni, S$28++,

An expensive air-flown premium red snapper head, undeniably fresh but I find the meat a little too tough and salty for my liking. Perhaps it was the method of cooking.

Katsu Curry Rice, S$16.50++,

Unlike other Japanese curries that are often powdery and too sweet, this smooth curry (a special recipe by Tetsu) is fragrant yet not overpowering, and it simply slides down your throat and warms you from within. Oishii!

Surprise Dish from Chef,

We were in for a surprise personally prepared by Chef Kent, and it was AMAZINGLY AWESOME! Radish was painstakingly hand crafted into a shape of a Ohitu (some Japanese rice bucket which looks like this), and inside, it was filled with salmon roe and more radish, ALL exaggerating fresh and luscious. We've never had anything like that before! Greatest thanks to Chef Kent (but a pity the dish is not on sale).

Yuzu Ice Cream on Strawberry Sherbert, S$5.80++,

Yuzu (pomelo), strawberry, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit and pine - a myriad of tastes packed into this unique Japanese ice cream.

VERDICT
Savouring the end products after months of hard work and intense preparation from the Tetsu's chefs brought back memories when we first tried Tetsu. There is an apparent improvement, and the new menu definitely brings about more variety and excitement to the customers.

Tetsu
#03-18, Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road, S(247933)
(+65) 6836 3112
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.tetsu.com.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

JuJu: Steamboats at Your Best Comfort

2009-03-21T16:39:00.015+08:00

Having tried the 6-course set lunch at Tao's a year+ ago, we're now hopping over to its next-door neighbour, JuJu, for their 6-course hot pot lunch. Both restaurants are managed under the same company, and located at the same mall - PoMo Centre, formerly known as Paradiz Centre. The new name sounds kinda funny though.

1st Course: Starters

Semi-Boiled Golden Egg with House Starters,

The elongated plate came with some beef and shellfish which I can't really remember, but the main spotlight was the Golden Egg. Semi-boiled to 70% and when mixed with their own special sweet sauce, it was HEAVENLY I tell you! Never in my life I knew something so common (eggs) could taste so uncommon.

2nd Course: Side Dishes

Vermicelli,

The Vermicelli was the usual kind, and it was there just to fill you up. Other side dish choices include White Rice, Rice Stick, and Soba.

Soba,

Their Soba was a bit below standard - more on the hard side.

Looking at the menu now, the lunch set actually includes a Dumpling Platter but I realised I don't have any pictures. Either we forgot (to take photos), or the restaurant forgot (to serve), or the dumplings tasted so mediocre that we had forgotten (whether even we ate them in the first place). Okay I just saw the dumplings hiding in the main platter itself, and they must have really tasted mediocre because I don't recall their existence at all!

3rd Course: Mains

Fresh Pacific Ocean Platter,

The Fresh Pacific Ocean Platter seemed the most intriguing and worthy set, with different types of seafood sitting in a large wooden boat. The seafood are basically some prawns, mussels, fish slices, crab sticks, a whole crab etc; and the crux to great seafood lies in their freshness, and JuJu did it.

Chicken and Pork Combo,

Chicken and Pork Combo was nothing unusual with brinjals, yam, lotus roots, carrots, plus other vegetables. Meat were also fresh and thinly sliced (perfect for steamboats), but personally, we prefer the pork to chicken.

4th Course: Soups

Hot and Spicy Soup,

The restaurant offers individual hot pots, and also individual soup bases - JuJu’s Hokkaido "Kun Bo" Clear Soup, Hot and Spicy Soup, and Creamy "Kun Bo" Soup.

We chose the first two, and both of us find the Hot and Spicy Soup too overpowering that it masked out the natural taste of all the steamboat ingredients. The attentive waitress noticed the changes in our faces and offered to pour in some "Kun Bo" Clear Soup to neutralise the spicyness, and it did help a little.

5th Course: Beverages

Ice Plum Vinegar,

According to the waitress, these Ice Plum Vinegar were supposed to aid in digestion, and indeed, it felt really soothing after a heavy meal.

6th Course: Desserts

Pearl Harbor,

There wasn't much variety in the desserts, so we left our decisions to the friendly service crew. Pearl Habor was similar to what we know of, the Honeydew Sago. Not bad, pretty refreshing.

Glutinous Purple Rice Topped with Sweeten Yam,

This was similar to our usual Hei Nuo Mi (Black Glutinous Rice Dessert) but I don't like the Glutinous Rice desserts, so nope, this wasn't for me.

VERDICT
We were initially attracted to the idea of having individual hot pots, and little did we know, steamboats can be comfortable too. However, the price jump from lunch to dinner didn't seemed quite worthwhile because the difference only lies in the kinds of dumplings being served. And as expected, JuJu's service was a big plus!

JuJu Hokkaido Hot Pot
#B1-18, PoMo Centre
1 Seleie Road, S(188306)
(+65) 6336 6689
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.juju-restaurant.com

6-Course Set Lunch:	S$19.80++
7-Course Set Dinner:	S$29.80++

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Les Bouchons: Husky French Dishes

2009-03-11T23:21:00.014+08:00

This is our first time stepping into a French restaurant, but it was a far cry from what we always pictured French cuisine to be like - those dainty artsy unfilling dishes. I won't use the word 'unauthentic' to describe, as Les Bouchons specializes in grilled meat, largely steak, so do expect hearty portions.

The restaurant gave a very homely feel, with interesting posters filling up every cosy corner.

Burgundy Escargots with Garlic Herb Butter (9 pieces), S$16++,

We finally plucked up the courage to eat these "snails" and we like it pretty well! I don't know much about Escargots but the Garlic Herb Butter made a good combination.

We were given a condiment platter consisting of wholegrain mustard, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, horseradish, and Maille's Bearnaise Sauce. Three out of five tasted unfamiliar, but we had fun smacking blobs of everything onto whatever that entered our mouths. (Yes! That's how 'lup sup' we are.)

Salad (Part of Any Entrée), S$32.80++,

With every order of an Entrée, comes a bowl of chilled salad. Pleasantly refreshing and a tad on the sour side, there was a mix of salad greens, tomato slices and walnuts, dressed in some tangy vinaigrette.

Grilled Rib-Eye Steak with Vigneron Butter, S$32.80++,

The restaurant is known for its steak and this did not let us down. We happened to get a slightly fattier piece, but despite its thickness, the steak was not tough nor difficult to chew. The Vigneron Butter added to the flavour and juiciness of the steak.

Each Entrée also came with unlimited servings of homemade French Fries, and I heard they are cooked twice (parboiled then fried) for its own kind of uniqueness - soft and crispy, neither oily nor soggy, and with light saltiness. No wonder they're called French Fries!

Grilled Fillet of Salmon, S$32.80++,

The steakhouse did surprisingly well for fish. I cut through the whole Salmon Fillet to unveil slabs after slabs of fresh pink meat. Yummy.

VERDICT
Les Bouchons sells food on the mid-high range, but you would enjoy the unpretentious nature of it, that inclusive of their ambience and service.

Les Bouchons
7 Ann Siang Road, S(069689)
(+65) 6423 0737
Mon - Fri: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sat: 7p.m. - 10 p.m.

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

CP: Part 2 of the Prepacked Series

2009-02-26T20:53:00.004+08:00

Today I present you two new delights from the CP series.

You can prepare this by either oven toasting or deep frying; opt for the former if you want a healthier choice as the wings are already pre-fried.

CP Mexican Wings, S$$4.95 nett,

I like it sinful so I chose the frying method and the first thing that caught my attention was the smell, which reminded me of KFC fiery drumlets with its crispy golden brown skin and a dash of red pepper. It looked so tempting that I took it with high hopes, but sad to say, it was nice on the outside but not on the inside. It tasted bland, and it could be better if it contained more of the oomph-factor!

I've been purchasing packets of CP Glazed Teriyaki way before these samples came in simply because they're quick, easy, and delicious.

CP Glazed Teriyaki, S$4 nett,

Once ripped open, there is an inner clear bag which you can conveniently throw into the microwave oven or boil in hot water. The result is tender chicken morsels soaked in mildly sweet and zesty Teriyaki sauce. Oh I loveee the sauce!

VERDICT
CP offers decent easy-to-do home snacks / dishes that wow your guests or family.

CP Foods
Available in all leading supermarket stores
(+65) 6538 7020

Food:
Value:

Din Tai Fung: Same but Safest Dishes

2009-02-15T16:08:00.005+08:00

The weekend lunch crowd for Din Tai Fung was terrible, but nevertheless, we joined in the waiting list. Service was fast though. 15 minutes and we managed to enter the restaurant despite holding a large queue number.

Steamed Chicken Soup, S$8.80++,

Just when I had cravings for soups, this came as a disappointment. The chicken meat was tasteless, the soup was bland and oily, and it was rather expensive for a small portion like this.

Steamed Pork Dumplings (10 pieces), S$9++,

Their specialty Xiao Long Baos were the only thing I tried when I first visited Din Tai Fung, and since then, I've been ordering them every time I revisit.

A distinctive characteristic about Din Tai Fung's dumplings is the 18 folds on top of every single one. Though the skin was thin and translucent, the dumpling did not burst when being picked up. Instead, it stretched and rested nicely on my porcelain spoon.

One bite and I knew it was the same goodness which I first fell in love with. The minced pork was savoury, and the stock where the whole dumpling got flooded in was also very tasty. Naturally, nothing could match the Xiao Long Baos better than the vinegar and ginger dipping sauce.

Fried Rice with Shredded Pork and Eggs, S$8.50++,

This was another usual dish I would order. Simple, but it can never go wrong. The soft Shredded Pork was an ideal companion with the savoury and fragrant Fried Rice.

Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef and Tendon,
S$10++,

We had little expectations of this bowl of Braised Beef Noodle Soup but it proved us wrong! The soup was strong but didn't had the foul beefy odour, while the noodles, beef and tendon were all soft and well fused with one another.

VERDICT
Delectable dishes with affordable prices, it's never too much to make more return trips. However, it's impossible to stay in Din Tai Fung for long during peak hours, because the pressure from the fast service and queue outside will make you leave almost immediately after completing your meal.

Din Tai Fung 鼎泰丰 - Wisma Atria
#02-48/53, Wisma Atria
435 Orchard Road, S(238877)
(+65) 6732 1383
Mon - Fri: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.dintaifung.com.tw

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Kuishin-Bo: Second "New" Branch

2009-02-09T22:51:00.006+08:00

The basement of Jurong Point was revamped into a whole stretch of food street called Shokutsu 10 Osaka, filled with a new cluster of Japanese restaurants, including a second branch of Kuishin-Bo.

Pardon me when I use the word 'new', because when we went to try, it was really new then. Haha but I've been constantly updating my personal blog yet too lazy to update this one, that all my super backdated waiting-to-be-reviewed food reviews had snowballed into a huge (old) collection!

It's high time I start.. a few entries (hopefully) for the moment.

The peaceful looking zen setting can never be peaceful once the noisy crowd sets in.

Edamames and Sushis,

What are Japanese buffets without Sushis? But these were of average taste and quality, and I always believe in not stuffing yourselves with too much Sushis because they're filling!

Sashimis,

Our three favourite kinds of Sashimis - salmon, tuna, and swordfish.

Chawanmushi and Cha Soba,

The steamed egg in the Chawanmushis were soft and smooth; while the Cha Soba was like any other.

Snow Crabs,

Advertised as the star attraction of the buffet, these Snow Crabs were indeed the cream of the crop!

Sweet succulent juices spurt right into your mouth with every suck made on the fresh snowy meat! Wow these Snow Crabs totally won me over since the first time I tried it, and it had always been the ONLY reason why I'd still return to Kuishin-Bo this time when the rest of the buffet had long degraded.

Anyway, like I mentioned in my first post about Kuishin-Bo, I still think topping up S$10++ for the dinner buffet is worthwhile because of Snow Crabs.

Hot plate dishes were something that the Jurong branch offered over the Teppanyaki dishes at the Suntec branch.

Beef Burger on Hot Plate,

I've read other food reviewers saying how hard and overcooked the beef patty was, and I think the restaurant tried to improve it by breaking up the beef patty into smaller pieces. It was still quite hard and overcooked, but at least easier for consumption now.

Salmon on Hot Plate,

The Salmon meat was rather flaky, and the raw beansprouts were a weird combination.

Omu Rice,

Rice here was hard, omelette was slightly overcooked (due to personal preferences), but the sauce was pretty nice. Not bad but again, be mindful of its filling nature.

During dinner buffets, the restaurant would play a tune that goes "Dong dong dong 123.." (I'm sure you've made fun of it before) to give out special dishes for the first 30 customers.

'Kiasuism' was overwhelming as the whole string of people literally surged forward in line within seconds, even faster than a fire evacuation.

Mini Lobster with Sweet Chilli,

Okay we were one of the first 30 Kiasu buffet crowd, and we got this Mini Lobster. Actually it wasn't really fantastic, but rather the sense of satisfaction in getting the special item.

Desserts,

Bite-sized desserts are always good so you could try a much wider variety.

Tiramisu, mousses, jellys, eclairs..

Green Tea and Vanilla Soft Serve,

A sweet messy way to end the buffet!

VERDICT
Unless someone's throwing a treat for us, we would never return to Kuishin-Bo again. Not that it's really really bad, but because we had already grown sick of all the variety there. Time for a new buffet venue!

Kuishin-Bo, The Authentic Japanese Buffet Restaurant - Jurong Point
#B1-47/51, Jurong Point Shopping Centre
1 Jurong West Central 2, S(648886)
(+65) 6792 9286
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.res.com.sg

Buffet Lunch:	S$26.90++ (Weekdays)
	S$28.90++ (Weekends)
Buffet Dinner:	S$35.90++ (Mon - Thur)
	S$39.90++ (Fri - Sun)

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

CP: Part 1 of the Prepacked Series

2009-02-04T19:45:00.001+08:00

Was given a great opportunity to try out some CP products and the first product I tried was the Breaded Butterfly Shrimp.

A simple dish where anyone can cook easily and serve in minutes - anyone can become a great chef!

CP Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, S$6.50 nett,

For this Shrimp, I personally find that the portion could be slightly bigger and the taste would be better if it's less floury, but this might not apply to others as I have a sensitive tongue. In addition, the appearance looks tempting enough for you to give a bite instantly.

VERDICT
Overall, an easy to prepare dish without frills.

CP Foods
Available in all leading supermarket stores
(+65) 6538 7020

Food:
Value:

Tetsu: The Season and Reason for Indulgence

2008-12-21T17:12:00.002+08:00

We'd enjoyed our first trip to Tetsu, and for the second time, we were invited back here in this surprise-filled restaurant to sample their very own Festive Menu. It was exciting as we sat back in anticipation and await the 8-course journey to unfold.

Kani Tofu, Swordfish Tataki, Sake Namazuke
(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

Don't be deceived by the tiny sizes of these three appetisers - they got our appetites kicking up in big churns! It might be the sour factor that played off so well with the fresh Swordfish Tataki and Sake Namazuke (Salmon with vinegar), while the Kani Tofu evened out the acidity levels pleasantly.

In fact, the Kani Tofu WOW-ed us with so much amazement that we began to doubt our own taste buds being 'haters' of century egg and plain tofu - yes, the gray stuff is actually blended century egg. Speak about creations!

Sashimi Moriwases (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

Salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi, and yellowtail sashimi presented in an artsy manner. The raw fish slices were fresh in general, but the tuna one lacked a special kind of firmness which we personally like.

Gindara Sukiyaki (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

The nub of this flavoursome paper pot soup came from the sweet cod fish slices, which melts snowily between our tongue and palate.

Rosu Katsu with Ebi Katsu and Garlic Fried Rice
(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

When we saw these being served, we could already feel the bloatedness up mentally. For the Rosu Katsu (pork loin), it turned out to be dry and rigid, completely opposite from what we'd expected after trying out the Hire Katsu previously. The Ebi Katsu (shrimp) fared much better, but above all, we still appreciated the extremely light batter used.

Despite knowing the amount of carbos present in that bowl of sinful Garlic Fried Rice, we couldn't resist its fragrant temptation! It was a breeze wolfing down three quarters of this awesome mishmash of garlic, rice, eggs, and spring onions. But sadly, just when we thought all was good and dry, we found oil soaking at the very last quarter.

Dragon Roll (6 pieces) , S$18++,

The Dragon Roll was heavenly, celestial, and whatever deific terms you could think of to describe this! Ebi (shrimp) sushis laid in the resemblance of a majesric dragon, topped with crispy Tempura crumbs, cod roe, and a drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise. Shiok shiok SHIOK! This had become our 'favouritest' dish of the afternoon!

Homemade Sesame Ice Cream (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

I guess this Homemade Sesame Ice Cream was a well made one considering the presence of sesame bits in addition to its very strong flavour. However, the taste is strongly personal. I hate black sesame, so it sucked, but Lionel found it quite nice. Hence, it really has to depend.

Banana Tempura and Ice, S$7.80++,

Perhaps by the end of a complete 8-course meal, we were way too full to take in any more taste. The Banana Tempura was okay lah - resembled much of the Japanese version of Goreng Pisang served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

VERDICT
Even though this meal was on Tetsu, me and Lionel both agreed that we seriously wouldn't mind paying for it; because we know what we're paying for - quality. Anyway, with Christmas and New Year rolling in at such a time together with your bonuses, it sure does call for a reason to luxuriate doesn't it? And FYI, this Tetsu Festive Menu is available from 23 December 2008 till 2 January 2009.

Enjoy your year-ends everyone!

Tetsu
#03-18, Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road, S(247933)
(+65) 6836 3112
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.tetsu.com.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Victor's Kitchen: Authentic Dim Sum at a Steal

2008-09-30T13:36:00.015+08:00

Ever since business bloomed due to the word of mouth, this humble looking eatery had expanded from one stall to three scattered stalls around the ground level of Sunshine Plaza.

To be honest, Victor's Kitchen looked rather "lok kok" with minimal attention paid to its renovation. But we don't really care because if they're scrimping on that to deliver us quality food at low prices, why not? I'll just grab a shaky wooden stool, sit down, and eat my hearts out.

Victor's King Prawn Dumpling, S$3.80++,

The freshness of the prawns play a major role when it comes to eating Har Gaus, and this one here didn't disappoint us. Prawns were tender and bouncy, and the transluent skin clinging around were thin and soft, yet firm enough to hold the entire dumpling together without falling apart.

Tasty Queen Size Siew Mai, S$3++,

I don't know why Har Gau Siew Mai must go together when people speak of dim sum, but we're not missing this out. The Siew Mais didn't appear 'queen size' as stated in the menu, but they were still quite tasty alright. It wasn't soggy, and most importantly, it didn't reeked of the foul pork smell which we both hate.

Scallop, Sausage Carrot Cake with XO Sauce, S$3.80++,

This Carrot Cake was apart from the fried ones we usually eat, and it was quite fascinating to see the whole steamed carrot cake literally soaked in XO Sauce. Taste wise, though somewhat bland with zilch hint of any Scallops nor Sausages, it went really smooth and well with the heavy XO Sauce.

Steam Chicken with Chinese Wine, S$2.50++,

Not just one, but all of the chicken parts were composed of bones, and very fatty meat. Yuck.

Oyster Sauce Char Siew Bun, S$2.80++,

We are big fans of Char Siew Baos, and the ones served here are definitely in our top ten list! The buns were made of soft cottony goodness loaded with juicy chunks of Char Siew - two is never too full!

Milky Custard Bun, S$2.80++,

The first Custard Bun we've tried was right here at Victor's Kitchen, and following our first unforgettable experience, we went around trying Custard Buns from other places but none could become a match for this. We simply love how the rich creamy egg custard blended perfectly with the salted egg yolk - sweet with a slight tinge of saltiness.

King Prawn Cheong Fun, S$3.50++,

You can really skip the Char Siew Cheong Fun here, because it was so-so and you could find much heavenly ones at House of Rice Roll and Porridge @ Killiney. Go for the King Prawn Cheong Fun instead which the Killiney eatery loses out at.

The prawns, like those in the Har Gaus, were so fresh you could hear them crunch!

Youtiao Cheong Fun, S$3++,

Initally when we saw this in the menu, we were like, "who the heck would put a Youtiao into Chee Cheong Fun?" Nevertheless, being curious, we ordered the dish anyway and it turned out to be an absolute no regret! A very unique dish to speak of - with the crispyness of the fried dough sticks in contrast to the silky rice rolls, and together with the sweet black sauce, the combination was simply out of this world!

Crispy Golden Shrimp Rolls, S$3.50++,

None of the online reviews we've seen had mentioned about this dish, but it was admittedly great in our modest opinions. The beancurd skin was light and crispy; the hot shrimp fillings were juicy and delicious; and the vinegar added more even more punch to everything.

Passion Mango Pomelo Sago, S$4++,

Don't forget to order this soothing Passion Mango Pomelo Sago as dessert to end off a gratifying dim sum meal.

VERDICT
Overall, we are very satisfied with Victor's Kitchen and the affordable prices that go along with it. Though menu items were pretty limited, they were enough to tell us what good authentic dim sum is. (We heard that the owner's actually from Hong Kong!)

Victor's Kitchen
#01-21/27/48, Sunshine Plaza
91 Bencoolen Street, S(189652)
(+65) 9838 2851
Tue - Sun: 10.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Mon: Closed

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Riders Cafe: Hidden Find

2008-09-19T22:23:00.005+08:00

We were doing some online research for makan places around Bukit Timah area when we stumbled across this restaurant - Riders Cafe.

Secluded in a secluded Bukit Timah Saddle Club, it was an instant urban getaway with long winding roads and overlooking greeneries welcoming you from everywhere.

With wooden finishings and unshut windows, one can totally loosen up in such an environment. What's most awesome about this restaurant which offers a different dining experience from others is that you could actually spot horses trotting by while savouring your meals!

Buffalo Wingers (Half a Dozen), S$8.95++,

These Buffalo Wingers came in as a sweet tasting surprise - they weren't spicy at all! (At least to us.) But despite missing out on the usual fiery kick, these wingers still carried off their unique sweetness well. If the thick sauce coating didn't seem enough, dip them into the special mayonnaise for a even sweeter smack.

Mushroom Chorizo Pasta, S$15.95++,

In a bed of healthy looking Linguine, you could find thin shreds of cheese, slices of button mushrooms and also Chorizo (a mixture of several types of pork sausages). We thought that the pasta appeared too dry-looking for Aglio Olio style, but upon trying, the humble strands proved us wrong with their spring and flavour - everything nice and delicious in much less oil.

Ribeye, S$28++,

Man, this was definitely one good Ribeye! The grill, the tenderness, the succulence, the cut, the sauce, the presentation gets your cutleries and gastric juices running in full swing. Even the sides like asparagus, carrots, and roasted potatoes were not taken lightly of.

Death-By-Chocolate-Cake, S$11.95++,

Love on first bite, sick after fifth bite, hate at tenth bite. Chocolate cake with warm runny chocolate sauce is no doubt yummy, but when it's an overwhelming portion, errr... Our advice - share it!

VERDICT
We were in love with every little bit of Riders Cafe from the moment we stepped foot in until we left. Delectable dishes enjoyed over luscious sceneries with greens and horses - how often do you chance upon places like this in our lion city?

Riders Cafe
Bukit Timah Saddle Club
51 Fairways Drive, S(286965)
(+65) 6466 9819
Tue - Sun: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Mon: Closed
http://www.riderscafe.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Sakae Teppanyaki: Clink Clank Clonk

2008-09-08T22:57:00.008+08:00

In Sakae Teppanyaki, an orchestra of "clanks" could be heard from all that skillful frying, flipping, scraping as the chefs present the food neatly to your face.

Seated in a side-by-side fashion within a semi-circle table of ten, it was very easy for the chef to become the centre of attraction. Thus, he puts on his best performance even when cooking - stunts like somersaulting the bottles of sauces and drizzling them in a fancy way.

Appetiser and Miso Soup (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

To start the ball rolling, we were served a bowl of hot soup and a bowl of cold cucumber lettuce salad with Japanese dressing. Very ordinary - just something for us to slurp and munch on as we watched our meal being prepared dish by dish.

Garlic Brown Rice (Upgraded from Chicken Set), S$2.50++,

We did a top of S$2.50 to change the plain white rice to this! It was indeed as promising as it looked, fried with egg, butter and a couple of sauces, giving off a redolent of garlic. And the best part was it was neither too greasy or dry.

Assorted Mushroom (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

What can we say when it comes to mushrooms, and what's more when they're in Teppanyaki style? We simply love them to bits!

Salmon (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Quite a stingy thin slice of Salmon of passable quality. It does not belong to those super fresh kind but at least it wasn't dry and mashy.

Oyster (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Oysters in Teppanyaki style was a complete turn-off. I threw this away after the first bite. Yuck!

Tofu Steak (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Thankfully egg tofu was used for this because we have a personal distaste against plain tofu. A simple but likeable dish but we still got quite tired of it after a while.

Chicken (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Yes, we ordered the Chicken Set, so the Chicken must have been the star. These juicy cubes were tastily seasoned and cooked till slightly charred around the edges, but yet not overburnt - just the way we like it!

Duck Meat, S$9.99++,

The Duck Meat was an a la carte add on, and we thought that it was a bit pricey to pay for little tough meat like that.

VERDICT
If you like the sight of sizzling and frying done before you, then you would enjoy it here! Sakae Teppanyaki however does not entertain 'girls' who complain that their hair reek of the strong smell of food afterwards, because all that smoke is inevitable! It's up to you whether to call it stench or aroma.

Sakae Teppanyaki - Bugis Junction
#B1-05, Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street, S(188021)
(+65) 6884 4624
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.sakaeteppanyaki.com

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Azabu Sabo: Hokkaido Ice Cream Aside

2008-08-28T22:04:00.009+08:00

I'm sure many of you have seen plentiful Azabu Sabo Hokkaido Ice Cream kiosks located in town shopping areas, and most of those who have tried usually go for their signature Green Tea flavour. However, the strong taste of Green Tea could be very subjective. You either love it or hate it. Thus another flavour which we find is the best among competitors so far is the Rum and Raisin one. This is a strong recommendation (and not an advertisement!) from us - just get a scoop to convince yourself.

Anyway, so much so for their ice cream. Azabu Sabo also serve Japanese cuisine at several restaurant branches, and we decided to give it a go.

The restaurant offers two dining sections, one inside the shop itself, and the other outside at the 'open area'. We were given the latter and it was pretty okay if you don't mind occasional stares from people at the higher stories or escalators.

Green Tea Milk Shake, S$7.80++,

A wonderful thick milky shake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. This should suit the general liking because the green tea flavour was strong enough to taste, yet at the same time, subtle enough to not overpower.

Sabo Style Teriyaki Chicken Bento, S$11.80++,

The portion was seemingly decent than what we would expect from a S$11.80 bento. There were generous slabs of Teriyaki Chicken, a mass of sweet minced (?) egg, shreds of seaweed covering the rice, some pickles and salad as sides, plus a bowl of clear miso soup.

Grilled Premium Rib-Eye Beef Steak with
Wasabi Butter Sauce, S$19.80++,

This, although one of the slightly higher priced menu item, with lots of (cheap) pickles and vegetables to 'fill in the space', the rib-eye steak was worth it all. Bite-sized premium beef cubes tenderly grilled to relish tasty juices inside your mouth. And for something different, it was served with plum rice and matching Wasabi Butter Sauce.

Caramelized Sweet Potato and Japananese Rice Cake
with Matcha Ice Cream, S$8.80++,

We wanted an atypical dessert rather than those bowls of soft serve sundaes with sauces and lots of toppings which people usually order. Wrong choice, because the Caramelized Sweet Potato and Japananese Rice Cake turned out very disappointing. They were hard and tough to chew on, and we struggled our way through to finish it. Lesson learnt - just stick to the popular choices.

VERDICT
For a brand which specializes mainly in desserts, the food fared reasonably well enough. We might be dropping by again for some after-meal-desserts, and when that time comes, we'll be be choosing the popular ones.

Azabu Sabo - The Central
#01-68/69, The Central ©
6 Eu Tong En Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6410 9578
Sun - Thur: 11.30 a.m. - 9.30 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11.30 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
http://www.azabusabo.com.sg

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TCC: Eat, Drink, Chill

2008-08-23T01:12:00.010+08:00

It's a friday night and you are out with your friends downtown. You want a place where you can have a nice dinner, do some catching up, and stay on long without getting the 'when-are-you-leaving-stares' from the servers. Then, you shouldn't give TCC a miss!

The relaxed ambience and comfy chairs already await you to snug onto them.

Oreo Mocha Frappé, S$7.90++,

We don't usually choose this, but doesn't mean that it isn't good! We just happened to have cravings for chocolatey drinks that particular day, and our personal favourites are Peach Me Up and Matcha Mambo.

Chocolate Raspberry Frappé, S$7.90++,

It's really a wonder how TCC did their drinks, because none of them ever seem to disappoint us. Chocolate Raspberry Frappé was a new menu item, and as usual, it got us squealing in delight with a sour fruity twist to its rich chocolate.

Smoked Salmon and Camembert Toast Salad
with Apricot Sorbet, S$13.80++,

A salad of smoked salmon and camembert cheese toast snaps in as a zesty start! Spread in blobs of homemade apricot thyme sorbet to give an uplifting sensation.

Tropical Tamarind Chicken, S$17.50++,

A tender piece of marinated chicken thigh soaked in warm tamarind cream sauce, which goes perfectly well with the tropical fruit salsa, asparagus, and the tastiest dauphinoise potatoes. What else could be better?

Banana Salmon Exotica, S$20++,

How does banana curry sauce with salmon and mashed potatoes sound? Weird, and perhaps too exotic for the general. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a taste so unique yet appealing in the piquant blend of everything.

Chicken and Turkey Bacon Lasagne, S$16++,

Fork your way through a blanket of golden brown mozzarella cheese, with underlying layers of pasta sheets and generous servings of diced chicken and smoked turkey chicken trapped between - meltingly baked goodness.

Seafood Aglio Olio, S$18.80++,

Spaghetti Aglio Olio subtly flavoured with chilli and garlic accompanied with succulent pan seared scallops and fresh prawns.

Chic-Mex Pizza, S$12++,

This was more like a pizza toast - crispy bread crust topped with chicken chunks and turkey bacon, spiced up with capsicums and jalapeños peppers. The cheese however seemed to be a tad dry.

Smoked Salmon Avo-bayon, S$14.50++,

Citrusy smoked salmon draped with luscious avocado mash and drizzled with a thin layer of sabayon sauce, served between delicious baked walnut rye bread. It's gonna be a big pulpy mess!

Beef D'luxe, S$14.50++,

You'll be amazed by how thick and juicy the homemade beef patty was. Grilled to tender excellence, the patty was well accompanied with nectarous braised apples, tomato slices, lettuce, and again, the delicious walnut rye bread.

Shrooms 'N' Cheese Sandwich, S$13++,

The best sandwich we've tried by far. Meaty portobello, button and oyster mushrooms with velvety layers of melted cheese - this dish is sure to win the hearts of mushroom and cheese lovers.

Cocoa Mosaic, S$10++,

An art piece so pretty that you wouldn't know where to start. Swirls of raspberry sauce and berries encompassing cubes of white, milk, and dark chocolate mousse melt subtly in your mouth. Sweet.

Devil-misu, S$11++,

It was quite sad to find out that the Ti-rum-isu in the old menu had been replaced by this. Along with the price hike, the Devil-misu was seemingly an upgraded version made from TCC's finest espresso and mascarpone cheese with a demonic kick of rum, served with berries and brandied cherries.

VERDICT
Nothing in TCC was labelled "yucky". Well, at least of all that we'd tried. We are loving everything here from the food, to drinks, desserts, and presentation. TCC had already earned itself a perennial favourite for hanging out and chilling among us and our friends.

TCC - The Atrium @ Orchard
#01-17, Atrium @ Orchard
60 Orchard Road, S(238891)
(+65) 6884 9223
Sun - Thur: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11 a.m. - 1.30 a.m.
http://www.thecoffeeconnoisseur.com

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Changing Appetites: Just Your Luck

2008-08-20T21:55:00.003+08:00

When we first tried out this restaurant in 2006 (yah, very long ago), they branded themselves as a Western and Japanese fusion, and we kinda liked it back then. But it seemed that since early 2007, the restaurant had revamped its tag line to "The All American and Dessert Cafe", which is not also exactly precise due to the infusion of Mexican influenced items.

Funky decor with bright colours and big vibrant wall murals were that something which stood out from the rest of other generic food joints like Carl's Junior, The Cafe' Cartel, and Swensen's along the same stretch at Marina Square.

Bonless Shanghai Chicken, S$8.90++,

As common as this dish may sound, it was too quick to prove me wrong. Deep fried crispy chicken tossed with sweet and spicy pineapple-citrus sauce and topped with sesame seeds, it was a delightful tangy twist when eaten together with the wasabi mayo dip.

Bacon Chicken Fajita in BBQ-style, S$17.90++,

Disappointment fell the moment this was served to our table - so much less enticing than what described and pictured in the menu.

Basically, it came in a hot plate filled with bacon basted in BBQ sauce and smothered with mixed grated cheese, laid in a bed of lettuce and topped with pico de gallo (a fresh condiment made from chopped tomatoes, onions, and chiles - typically jalapeños or capsicums).

And this is what you do with your hot plate ingredients. Wrap them up into the flour tortillas served alongside, add some sour cream, and munch it up! However, the result was extremely dry and the bacon was too rigid. We got sick after a while and we left it unfinished.

Classic Cajun-style Fajita (Chicken), S$15.90++,

Not much difference from the previous Bacon Chicken Fajita, just a little more moisture from the cajun marinated chicken and added cheese sauce. Still, not a recommended dish.

Cheese the Chicken, S$14.90++,

An all-time favourite in this restaurant. Just look at the layers of delicious nachos, tender grilled chicken, mango slices, and drizzled with cheese and CA's special mango sauce. Not a neat presentation, but it's this same mess that blow you off. The only complaint was that the cheese sauce seemed a little too cold and solidified when served.

CA Honey BBQ Steak, S$18.90++,

BIG was our immediate reactions when we saw the 200g stirlon steak, but too large a size became a bad thing when the steak turned out unpleasant. The meat was a piece of boring rubber, and really tough to chew on. Thankfully there were other sides like the cheese nachos and baked potatoes to balance it off, and a slice of grilled pineapple to punch in some scanty juices.

VERDICT
Fusion restaurants always whip up some unique / weird combinations (whichever you call it), and it's either a bingo or a miss. For those who don't mind risking your taste buds, you could try your luck at Changing Appetites. Food is not entirely bad, but they all have one thing in common - the significant lack of moisture.

Changing Appetites
#01-204, Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard, S(039594)
(+65) 6339 7670
Mon - Fri: 11.30 a.m. - 9.30 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 11.30 p.m.

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Tonkichi: Friedilicious

2008-08-15T22:40:00.007+08:00

It was our first visit to a Japanese restaurant which specializes largely on fried food (Tonkatsu especially), and it definitely was a new kind of experience.

Everyone would be given white sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle, to be grounded till fine then mixed in with the Tonkatsu Sauce for a added hint of taste and fragrance.

Kikumasamune Junmai Sake (150 ml), S$9++,

Either you love it, or you hate it. After a few sips, we were very convinced never to order Sake again.

Agedashi Tofu, S$5.50++,

Deep fried tofu cubes served in a pool of dashi-based sauce, pleasingly refreshing as you let them slip down your throat.

Soft Shell Crab, S$7.50++,

Soft Shell Crabs were so-so, but we can never be accurate gauges for this dish because we've never fancied those quaggy eight-legged creatures.

Potato Croquette, S$5++,

Chunks of potatoes and plenty of minced pork, all breaded with crispy crumbs then deep fried. The crunch outside is light yet adequate, revealing a hot center of potatoes, both flavour and creaminess carefully retained.

Tonkichi Set, S$60++,

This humungous Tonkichi Set was designed for sharing among three, and it included three servings of pickles and lotus roots as appetizers, rice, miso soup, and watermelon slices as dessert. For the main platter, there were the signature deep fried pork loin, pork fillet, prawns and oysters, with free flow of cabbage to give you an occasional break when the grease pile up to be too heavy after some time. Hey, it's fried food afterall.

Nevertheless, we could tell that the Tonkatsu was excellent as soon as it entered our mouths. The cut was thick but not fatty, and there was a very firm and juicy bite to it. The rest of the meats were very good too - it's a no wonder crowds wait outside the restaurant just for all these.

VERDICT
Explore the other sinful side of Japanese cuisine unlike the healthy, light and mild ones. Once in a while would do fine though - an overdose could get you cringing with sickness at the mere mention of 'oil' and 'fried food'.

Tonkichi - Ngee Ann City
#04-24, Tower A, Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road, S(238872)
(+65) 6735 7522
Mon - Thur: 10.30 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
http://www.pokkafood.com.sg/tonkichi

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Jalapeno's Pepper: Flight and Dine

2008-08-11T23:28:00.006+08:00

A Singapore Flyer ticket costs S$29.50, but with the 'Flight and Dine' package offered at Jalapeno's Pepper, you could actually top up approximately S$12 more (S$35.90++ in total) for a complete meal AND a Singpore flyer ticket.

Lively bright colours that caught our eyes upon entering.

Iced Lemon Tea and Cream of Pumpkin (Beverage and Soup
of Flight and Dine Package A), S$35.90++,

Normal glass of fountain drink, and a bowl of homemade Pumpkin Soup to start with, creamily smooth.

Fish and Chips (Main Course of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,

We hate Fish and Chips, but we don't dislike the one served by this restaurant. The deep fried batter was thick, clinging tightly on to the white fluffy meat underneath. The battered fillet didn't felt too fattish despite its doughiness, and there's a sweet taste to it. It came together with potato wedges, mixed salad and tartar sauce.

Grilled Chicken Primavera (Main Course of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,

The colours and flavours were incorporated very well into this bed of pasta. We like a dash of everything - sliced grilled chicken, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, chilli flakes, and olive oil, tossed together with spaghetti in Aglio Olio style. A waft of the aroma will set your mouth watering.

Hazelnut Mango Roulade (Dessert of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,

The dessert was something like a swiss roll that was baked with real mango, soft and spongy, served with fresh fruits and a stream of strawberry sauce.

VERDICT
The sole reason we chose dining at Jalapeno's Pepper is because of the Singapore Flyer ticket tied into the meal package. To us, the meal was just a bonus so it didn't really matter. But in general, the food was reasonably decent.

Jalapeno's Pepper Steak & Seafood Café
#02-01, Singapore Flyer
30 Raffles Avenue, S(039803)
(+65) 6333 1017/8
Mon - Thur: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sat: 8.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sun: 8.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.jalapenospepper.com.sg

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Jack's Place: Old School Steakhouse

2008-08-10T22:13:00.003+08:00

Thinking back, Jack's Place was one of the pioneer batch to bring in affordable western food into Singapore, and it was so 'hip' back then. But with so many more competitors and better choices available now, it had long lost its popularity.

We decided to revisit Jack's Place after so many years (out of limited choices), because it was the one of the few restaurants in Century Square which required no queuing on a weekend dinner.

Fresh Lobster Bisque, S$4.50++,

What warmed us up and got us started was this rich bowl of Fresh Lobster Bisque. Use it for dipping with the complimentary garlic bread for a twist of sweet crunch. Don't hunt for 'lobster' meat in the S$4.50 soup though. If you happen to get more, it'll come in as a surprise then!

Grilled Salmon Steak, S$17.80++,

The Salmon Steak wasn't fresh, and it felt rather dry and pappy. I guess the flow of fishes is bad here, because this is just not the right place for sea creatures.

N.Z. T-Bone Steak, S$19++,

If you like your steaks to smell and taste very beefy, this is the right dish for you. Sizzling hot in a plate, rest assure to get your fill with such a thick hearty cut of 350g T-Bone Steak together with one whole baked potato, crowned with lots of mayonnaise and crunchy bacon bits. Delicious!

Jack's Special Steak, S$23++,

It was unexpected that this Jack's Special Steak actually tasted so good! The steak was tender and succulent, topped with asparagus and homemade black mushroom sauce which blended in perfectly. Juicy flavours leaked out with each sensational bite, you just can't wait to gobble everything up.

Mixed Grill, S$18.50++,

This is a mixed combination of chicken, beef steak, lamb chop, sausage, and bacon, topped with a sunny side up. Ideal for people who wants to try a bit of every different kind of meats, and S$18.50 for a dish like that, it was really a steal!

VERDICT
Revive your childhood memories by paying Jack's Place a visit if you've not done so in years. Frankly speaking, we think that their food and variety had made quite a huge improvement.

Jack's Place Steak House & Restaurant - Century Square
#B1-25, Century Square
2 Tampines Central 5, S(529509)
(+65) 6788 5508
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
http://www.jacksplace.com.sg

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Tetsu: Innovation Through Creativity

2008-08-05T23:40:00.019+08:00

Had the honour of attending a food tasting session of this youngly established restaurant over the week. Having tried a handful of Japanese restaurants, we started wondering what's the big deal about being Singapore's first to offer authentic Kushi-style Tempura and Tonkatsu menu, prepared "live" before your eyes.

The initial impressions of the restaurant's settings was grand but not overawing, and as we walked in, we were greeted by all the friendly staffs in the usual Japanese affair to make us feel in place.

Tetsu provides one of a kind experience by having diners seated in counter bars and watch their meals being prepared in close proximity to the chefs.

Interior was designed by a distinguished Japanese architect who also designed the Sun with Moon restaurant.

Onsentamago Tofu Salad, S$13.50++,

Onsentamago Tofu Salad refers to hot spring egg, where it is traditionally cooked in hot spring water. Since we do not have any in Singapore, the chef has to bear the extra effort by putting his bare hand into the water and only lift off when he can't take the heat anymore, so as to stimulate the temperature (of about 70 - 75 degrees celsius) of hot spring water.

The smoothness of the egg is really worth mentioning. The whites were soft while the yolk was just slightly cooked, and it formed a creamy combination with the cold tofu and sesame sauce.

Next up would be our 5-course Kaiseki Set (Course C) from the dinner menu, which consisted of the following:

Assorted 4 ~On a Palette~ (Appetiser of Kaiseki Set C), S$55++,

Packed in a hand-made Jubako box, there are a total of 4 exquisite appetisers for you to enjoy. Each of them however, are subjected to changes as the chef creates them from the freshest produce of the season to woo your taste buds and give them a refreshing treatment before the main course.

Kani-Suki (Paper Pot of Kaiseki Set C), S$55++,

Allow 15 minutes for the essence of snow crab legs in this Crab Sukiyaki to be brought to full potential. With the snowy white meat and fresh seasonal vegetables, the soup tasted delightfully sweet and flavourful.

Salmon Carpaccio (Middle Dish of Kaiseki Set C), S$55++,

Originally Tuna Carpaccio, the fish was switched to Salmon as recommended. Unlike the normal salmon Sashimis, this dish is a creative fusion of Japanese and Italian, with a stir of capsicums, garlic, French dressing, and black pepper. We love how the richness of the Salmon first set in, followed by the sourness and then finally finishing off with sweetness. What a good workout for the taste buds.

Kushi-Tem Tempura (Main of Kaiseki Set C), S$55++,

The climax of this Kaiseki Set would be this main dish. There are two styles to choose from - Kushi-Age (breaded style) or Kushi-Tem (Tempura style). We ordered the latter, and it came with air-flown scallop from Japan, premium meats (salmon, beef and pork fillets), prawns, and seasonal vegeatables (zucchini and green pepper).

These Tempuras were exceptionally juicy and crusty, and the batter felt very fine. When it comes to the procedures for consuming Tempuras, there is really quite some knowledge behind it. We listened as the chef presented various sauces and dippings, and it was interesting to discover the Japanese's love for salt.

Inaniwa Udon (Noodle of Kaiseki Set C), S$55++,

Air-flown from Japan, Tetsu's Udon stood out from the usual ones by being thinner and flatter in diameter. The noodles were silky and bouncy, fitting perfectly well in the cold state - seemingly refreshing as the strands slipped down your throat.

Hire Katsu Set, S$26.50++,

Hire Katsu (pork fillet) offers a leaner cut compared to Rosu Katsu (pork loin) which offers a juicier (and fatter) cut.

You could tell that the Katsu is different from the rest just by looking at the texture. The pork is marinated over three days for taste and succulence, then coated with specially imported breadcrumbs from Japan, and lightly fried to produce a light crust that is double the thickness of the usual Katsu. Expect rich juices to teasingly slip out of the crispy crust exposing its marbelized meat with every bite.

Roll Sushi (6 Pieces), S$18.00++,

This sushi seriously has to kick. Each bite-sized individual was meticulously prepared - the outer most layer covered with crunchy sesame seeds topped with a dollop of cod roe, followed by soft sushi rice, a seaweed layer, then finally the crux of the sushi, which was made up of scallop and tuna. We've never tried anything like this before, and before we knew it, both of us were already fighting over the last piece.

Matcha Ice and Kuzukiri, S$6.80++,

Milky green tea ice cream, served with a bowl of red beans among strands of chewy jelly. Not bad, but a little expensive though.

Matcha Mochi,

These three cubes of Matcha Mochis were a kind gesture from chef Kent after he learnt that both of us are green tea fanatics. Dusted in thick green tea powder, these Mochis would fare better if they were a slightly softer.

Kietsu No Ice and Warabimochi Monaka, S$7.80++,

With the first glance, you must be thinking that it's merely a cone shell with a scoop of green tea ice cream, but in fact, there's more than meets the eye.

Tadah! When we opened it up, there were also Japanese Mochi and red bean, Matcha Mochi, and raspberry, which complemented one another pretty well.

Kokonatsu Milk Purin, S$5.80++,

A more uncommonly seen dessert - Japanese local favourite coconut milk pudding laced with fresh fruits. The coconut taste was actually quite mild, but it was fair enough.

VERDICT
If you are a fan of Tempura and Tonkatsu and are willing to pay a bit more, hesitate no further and head down to Tetsu and give yourself a unique multi-sensory treat. Also, be surprised by how some dishes were twisted through plays of creativity, yet sticking closely to the authenticity of Japanese cuisine.

Lastly, we would like to thank Racheal and chef Kent for the warm hospitality and great opportunity.

Tetsu
#03-18, Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road, S(247933)
(+65) 6836 3112
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.tetsu.com.sg

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Häagen-Dazs: Just for the Premium Ice Cream

2008-07-30T23:13:00.004+08:00

Been ages since we wanted to check out the fondue at Häagen-Dazs, and it seemed that the price really soared up higher unknowingly.

Chocolate Fondue, S$43.90++,

A pot of rich dark chocolate sitting over slow warmth from a tealight candle, served together with 16 mini scoops of Häagen-Dazs' renowned ice cream - chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and cookies and cream. Those were the four default flavours and they could not be exchanged for others. Very sad, but we reasoned out that perhaps other flavours might not suit the fondue well.

Fresh fruits are also not a kind to be missed when it comes to fondue, and here we had slices of strawberries, bananas and green apples. The third section of the dish were filled with wafer biscuits, chocolate wafer rolls, and cheesecake cubes. And finally, we chose chocolate rice over crushed nuts as dippings.

Chocolate sauce wasn't too gloppy or runny, and it was fun dunking the ice cream balls into the pot, then let the chocolate solidify before gorging them down.

VERDICT
One time and it's over. In our opinion, the fondue was way overpriced and we wouldn't be paying another 50 odd dollars for such a fondue again. We'd say, go for the less expensive ones especially with so many competitors and choices around. Even if you really love the ice cream from Häagen-Dazs, we suggest you get a whole pint instead. Much worthier!

Another point to add, we were quite pissed with the service at Junction 8 branch. The staff made a total of three attempts to clear our plates and "chase us out" half an hour before closure, when we were not even done yet.

Häagen-Dazs - Junction 8
#03-09, Junction 8
9 Bishan Place, S(579837)
(+65) 6255 4839
Mon - Sun: 10.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Bali Thai: Family's Frequent

2008-07-27T22:29:00.010+08:00

One of the regular favourites among our families, because the food portions served here makes it nice for sharing (in a group).

Avocado Shake, S$4++,

Thick avocado goodness, very sweet together with the Gula Melaka (sugary sap from a coconut tree). Do bear in mind however, to stir the mixture well before drinking, else you would end up like us, enduring the bottom half in sulking bitterness.

Tahu Telur, S$8.50++,

Imagine a 'anti-tofu eater' desperately grasping for more of this after the first try. It was that great. Hot silky beancurd underneath a layer of crispy deep fried skin, plus a dive into the sticky peanuty sauce - fantasitc!

Pandan Chicken (6 Pieces), S$17++,

A must try when you come to Bali Thai! As you unwrap the pandan leaves, one unique tender and succulent kind of chicken was born. Fall deep in love with the enchanting pandan fragrance, which comes with each mouthwatering bite.

Pineapple Rice, S$9.50++,

Half a pineapple fruit used as a 'bowl' for better relation to the dish, but that 'bowl' was also the only source of pineapple. No cut pineapple chunks at all - you have to dig out the hard flesh from the walls, and it really was a bother. Fried rice itself was was rather typical.

Green Chicken Curry, S$11++,

One of the best Green Curry we've tasted. It was thick with appropriate amounts of coconut milk and spices, which flaunted the strong ambrosial flavour of the curry and chicken slices.

VERDICT
Balinese and Thai cuisine are often associated with high levels of spicyness. An added bonus for people who appreciate hot food, but for those who do not, Bali Thai still whips up equally delectable non-spicy dishes.

Bali Thai - IMM
#01-21, IMM Building
2 Jurong East Street 21, S(609601)
(+65) 6560 5660
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Kyomomoyama: Still Room for Improvements

2008-07-25T22:09:00.008+08:00

A random impromptu choice among the bulk of Japanese restaurants over at The Central ©.

Modern zen interior decor of the restaurant, neat and simple. Surprisingly it was rather empty compared to the raging queue at Waraku during the common 7 p.m. dinner time.

6 Sashimi Mori, S$45++,

Sashimi Mori! One of the most expensive starters in the menu, with an assortment of 6 different types of Sashimis - salmon, tuna, swordfish, octopus, plus some other kind of fish which we couldn't really tell. Served chilled on ice shavings, the slices of raw meat were reasonably fresh and firm, and they melt right into your mouths.

Tempura Mori, S$19.80++,

The Tempura flour clumped up too much on a few parts, but overall, the dish felt neither too heavy or soggy, even after leaving aside for quite some time.

Hotate Mentai Yaki, S$15.80++,

An oh so delicious giant Hotate (scallop) with molten cheese blanketing all over. Be careful not to let it drip!

Steak Don, S$19.80++,

The entire Don was filled with tender beef steaks and that only, accompanied with an aromatic gravy sauce. First few scoops were wonderful, but soon it became a routine when the same food just got repeated over and over, even with pickles and miso soup as occasional diversions.

Salmon Oyako Don, S$18.80++,

Again, salmon Sashimis were fresh, but not so for the salmon roe if we were to pick on. Yes, they still burst and squirted juice upon pressure, but we were expecting a higher grade from such price.

VERDICT
With prices ranging from mid-high to high, the food seemed just slightly above average. The menu choices were a little restrictive and were mostly 'a la carte' - Kyomomoyama could do better by offering food in sets during dinner (and not just over lunch).

Kyomomoyama 京桃山
#03-87/100/101/110, The Central ©
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6534 8001
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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N.Y.D.C.: Next Yucky Disappointing Cafe

2008-07-21T22:35:00.007+08:00

Apart from their famous mudpies, we've never heard much people raving about the food over there. Today, we find out why..

Iced Hazelnut Elephanccino, S$$7.65++,

An elephant sized cappuccino drink without an elephant sized flavour burst to support it. Too much ice perhaps, everything tasted so diluted with little traces of hazelnut.

Iced Manhattan Mocha, S$7.95++,

Their famous Iced Manhattan Mocha managed to convince us with its aromatic coffee served with a dose of sweet chocolate and ice cream. Slurp.

Spicy B.B. King Chicken Sandwich, S$12.50++,

Oh, did you mean voted "'worst' sandwich in Singapore?" Can't believe it was actually stated the exact opposite - as 'best' in the menu.

The bread, shredded roast chicken, cheddar cheese and salsa came together to form horridly dry combination. Nothing of anything we fancied about this dish, not even the (skinny) fries nor the (not very fresh) salad.

Tears in Heaven, S$15.50++,

Yar, I would probably die spurting Tears in Heaven after finishing this dish. But then again, I wouldn't want such a nasty one as my last meal. It was pathetically creamy(?) spaghetti - cold stale dry and very unappetizing. Bad bad bad!

Red Hot Chilli Pepper, S$11.90++,

We'd rate this half a heart for the effort of coming up such a concordant name for the dish. Other than unbearable spicy hot, we couldn't find any other descriptions for the chilli overridden taste.

Tiramisu Mudpie, S$10.95++,

We seriously do not like cherry and rainbow chips especially as garnishes on cakes. It makes the whole thing looks cheap. Presentation aside, we were expecting it to be close to a Tiramisu with at least some liquor essence from the Kahlua-soaked biscuits, but quite in vain.

Jedi Mudster, S$10.95++,

Laid with an Oreo cookie crust, homemade cookie chunks trapped between double chocolate chip and Macadamia nut ice cream, this mudpie was a more decent one. However, as nut 'haters', the crunch was too much for us to take.

VERDICT
Perhaps it was the problem with the branch. We don't seem to hear much complains about the one at Heeren. Anyhow, mudpies were so-so only, and we would definitely not return for the main courses. They simply sucked too much.

N.Y.D.C. Café & Restaurant - Bugis Junction
#02-47/48, Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street, S(188021)
(+65) 6333 3161
Sun - Thurs: 11.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11.30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
http://www.nydc.com.sg

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Coffee Club: Coffee and Beyond

2008-07-16T23:28:00.003+08:00

Stop for a moment in front of Coffee Club to inhale a few breaths of the strong coffee aroma. Absolutely tantalizing.

This gotta be the place for you to throw yourselves onto comfy sofa seats for a good chill.

Iced Tiramisu Latte, S$8.90++,

A bitter sweet mix of Tia Maria and Marsala Wine concoction, topped with a rich scoop of vanilla ice cream, and decorated with chocolate shavings.

Iced Mocha Vanilla, S$6.90++,

Vanilla ice cream, cinnamon powder, milk and chocolate syrup complete this scintillating doppio espresso, served with a hint of fragrant mocha and sensual spice. Slurp this up fast before the ice melts and takes a place at the bottom.

Polenta Chicken Bites, S$7.50++,

Appetisers are supposed to whet one's appetite, and this one certainly had done its deed. Fork your way through these bite-sized lemon-infused chicken pieces, coated with Polenta flour and then deep fried. So crispy and juicy, you won't stop at one.

Slipper Lobster Linguini, S$16.80++,

Missed the first word, and we thought that it was a big lobster dish for a moment. In a plate of Linguini cooked in Aglio Olio style, was a fresh piece slipper lobster paired with piquant tomato sauce. Seafood tasted sweet and was rather close to that of crayfishes'; Linguini were supple with a redolent touch of garlic; and capsicums further add on crunch to the dish.

Crusted Dory Gremolata, S$13.90++,

We've never eaten such a crumbly version of dory fillets before, and man, it was remarkable! Two tender dory fillets coated in herbs and breadcrumbs baked till nice and crisp, drizzled with a lovely parsley and poached egg sauce, and served with spicy Chorizo mashed potatoes underneath. Do not be deceived by its dainty presentation, because as you uncover the well hidden portions, you'd be filled to the brim in no time.

Matcha Tiramisu, S$4.90++,

This wasn't in the menu. We just happened to spot it on display outside and decided to make an order of it.

While nice on its own (with red bean fillings, soft spongy cake and all), this however failed its name, 'Matcha Tiramisu' big time. The main Matcha flavour was close to naught, and it doesn't carry any characteristics of a Tiramisu at all.

Muddy Mud Pie, S$6.90++,

Who can resist a giant slab of luxuriously smooth Cappuccino and chocolate ice cream on an Oreo crust, flooded in a pool of more crumbs and ribbons of warm chocolate fudge? This dessert is sure to blow you off your mind, and get you chocolate high.

VERDICT
From their famous coffee, ranging to their desserts, main courses, and even to appetisers, we are loving them all! Prices are, to our surprise, very reasonable for the kind of quality food, relaxing atmosphere, and helpful service we received.

Coffee Club - The Central
#03-105/106/107, The Central ©
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6534 9080
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.coffeeclubworld.com

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Hokkaidolicious: Worth Every (Air-Flown) Cent

2008-07-12T22:46:00.013+08:00

Get a taste of Hokkaido without having to spend a lump sum travelling there? There we were, squeezing in the fun on the second last day of the Hokkaido Fair.

The human congestion was ostensively insane, not any lesser than those seen in I.T. and mega food / travel fairs. Singaporeans really do follow the whiff of good food.

The Boiled Taraba Crabs (on the far left) is sure a delicacy to one's stomach, as well as an expensive S$130 bomb to one's wallet.

Sea of healthy Japanese beans.

Mochis, or also what known as rice cakes, are made from pounding glutinous Mochi rice till soft, then molded into spheres or cubes and filled with (usually) bean pastes.

Green like "The Hulk", soft like a jelly, we present you the Green Tea Mochi.

Green Tea Mochi, S$2 nett,

Just a gentle reminder, this is strictly a green tea lover snack, because once bitten, the heavily coated green tea powder will flood your entire mouth with its dry bitterness, and reveal its hearty red bean paste center.

Voila! The outstanding long queue caught our attention, and we too joined in the wait for..

these Butter Manju Cakes!

Butter Manju Cakes (10 Pieces), S$11 nett,

Being "true" Singaporeans, we were 'kiasu' enough to buy 20 pieces at one go to make our one hour queue worthwhile. The pancakes came two flavours, namely red bean and custard.

The touch of these bouncy cakes simply urges you to pop them into your mouths and start chewing right away.

Both flavours are unique to each of its own. The red bean one felt more coagulated with substance, while the custard one is more of the rich and smooth kind.

Grilled Sweet Potato, S$6.85 nett (According to Weight),

What you are seeing now is not the any one kind of Sweet Potatoes selling in the streets. Behold and beware, this is bounteously loaded with custard inside and highly addictive. The prolonged sweetness of the potato chunk, and the chilling custard that flows with every nibble dangles you for more of it!

Grilled Scallop, S$5.20 nett,

Rubbery when cold, the Grilled Scallop is best eaten piping hot from the grill, where the savoury seafood freshness and aromatic sauce spurts madly in all directions inside your mouth.

Soft Grilled Scallop with Cheese (200gm), S$36 nett,

Even in dried form, these Japanese scallops are still OMFG yummy, if not, yummier! By fishing the second last packet explains how popular these dried scallops are despite the steep pricing.

Shinori Matcha Cake with Chestnut,
S$10.45 nett (According to Weight),

You are having the best of two worlds within a single join of this green tea and cheese synthesis. Dense and tight, yet not too heavy to take; bits of soft hidden chestnuts pile on to the sweet surprises.

Rich Stick Fromage (6 Pieces), S$15 nett,

If you think that Beard Papa cheese cake sticks are one of the best, wait till you try this. We never had one with such full-blown superiority before! Fluffy yet firm, the cheese has a tinge of loveable sourness and upon the caress of your tongue, the cake melts into globs of satiny cream. Ultimately a dessert to die for!

VERDICT
Thinking of trying it? Sadly to say, all left behind are just memories kept in our hearts and taste buds, because we won't have the chance of trying these again until the next Hokkaido Fair in 2009. Till then...

Hokkaido Fair 10th Anniversary
Level 1 (Atrium), Tampines Mall
4 Tampines Central 5, S(529510)
Presented by Isetan: 4 - 13 July 2008
http://www.isetan.com.sg

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Shimbashi Soba: Soba So Good

2008-07-07T20:53:00.005+08:00

Shimbashi prides in their homemade noodles, and at its shopfront, you could literally watch the Soba Master as he grinds fresh buckwheat moments before every lunch and dinner.

Shokado A, S$19.80++,

The Shokado A set includes a bowl of the well acclaimed chilled Soba, salmon Sashimi, fish cutlet, and teriyaki chicken. Sides were very much of the average, but the Soba was WOAH! Firm, chewy, and with an awesomely velvety texture. And even after slurping the noodles down, there was a soothing aftertaste of the buckwheat which lingers on in your taste buds.

However, one thing which we don't like was that the tsuyu (Soba sauce / soup) was already mixed in together with the noodles. We somewhat prefer dipping the strands ourselves.

Gyuniku Touzani, S$7.20++,

We've always liked the Japanese stir-fried kind of beef, and this, was really superb! It's really a wonder how braised beef could actually feel so springy and succulent, and juicily seasoned with the sauce! Overall dish was a tad salty, but still very delicious!

Funwari Matcha Cheese Cake, S$7.20++,

Just in this small plate of delicate looking dessert, you'll find an absolute fusion of everything nice! Green tea cheese cake, small pieces of cut fruits, red bean paste and vanilla ice cream. I'm afraid that this size frankly isn't quite enough.

VERDICT
Shimbashi will never disappoint you with their freshly milled, freshly made, and freshly cooked Soba. The other dishes were so far okay. We haven't really tried much, but a lot of reviewers mentioned not to pin high hopes though. We also noticed that Tempura Serio seemed to be a popular favourite among the restaurant's customers. Hmmm, worth considering a try.

Shimbashi Soba
#B1-41, Paragon
290 Orchard Road, S(238859)
(+65) 6735 9882
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.res.com.sg

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MOF: Ministry of Food

2008-07-03T22:25:00.010+08:00

Fancy enjoying a great meal and at the same time, having a portion of your money spent being donated to the charity? This has to be the restaurant for the big-appetites and the big-hearted.

Modern Japanese setting, with some disturbing unsightly pipes filling the entire ceiling.

Tonkotsu Ramen, S$8.80++,

This dish, Char Siew Ramen in creamy pork soup, emits a rather foul (pork) stench, making it quite a big turn-off. Okay, let's put my sensitivity towards such smells aside. Looks alone, the Char Siew was disgustingly dull and grey; and taste wise, the soup was watery and insipid. The only 'edible' stuff was the Ramen (and the hard-boiled egg?)

Seafood Toji Set, S$18.80++,

Mixed seafood consisting of the usual prawns and fish slices, cooked in sweet egg sauce over slow fire. Pickles, crispy fried chicken, and miso soup were served as sides next to a bowl of Japanese rice.

Katsu Toji Set, S$17.80++,

This Katsu Toji Set, somehow tasted nicer than the Seafood version. The deep fried breaded pork brought out the lushest of the sauce, and it was sheer pleasure shoveling broiling food straight out from the claypot and into our tummies. Simply conduct a headcount of the people in the restaurant ordering this set, and you'll find out its popularity in no time.

Surf and Turf Shabu Set, S$16.80++,

Shabu-shuabu is a Japanese variant of hot pot, where it uses thinly sliced meat and vegetables, usually served with dipping sauces.

In this case, sliced salmon and premium New Zealand beef were served with Japanese radish and homemade apple sauce.

A first time trying out Shabu-shabu, and it was an instantaneous regret. We're not sure if there was supposed to be stock soup in other restaurants, but this is definitely PLAIN boiling water. The meat were totally tasteless, and they were real weird when accompanied by the sour apple sauce. (If they were even supposed to compliment each other in the first place.)

Anyhow, for every set meal you purchase, you just have to top up an additional S$3 for any dessert costing to a maximum of S$6.50.

Matcha Mixed Imo, S$3++,

From our highly recommended section, comes this Imo, a marriage between hot and cold dessserts. The best way to truly indulge in this is to spoon a bit of the Japanese sweet potato, the yam, the Hokkaido soft serve with green tea sauce, together with the red bean paste, and gobble everything down. Indescribably oishii!

Matcha Shake, S$3++,

Upon the first sip, the distinct Matcha taste of the thick milky shake overwhelmed us, sending chilling seizures all the way down to our stomachs. Explicitly toothsome - you just can't wait to down it till the very last bit.

Shira Kuri Mitsu, S$3++,

Hokkaido soft serve with green tea sauce, topped with a mass of sweetened fruits and Japanese Kanten Jelly. To surmount the completely unflavoured Kanten Jelly, honey is poured generously over them before consuming. However, the restaurant seemed to have overdone it, making this dessert ridiculously sweet to enjoy.

Strawberry Gelato Mini, S$3++,

Another crazily sweet dessert, with nothing really special about it.

VERDICT
Our first love with MOF was when we first tried the Matcha Gelato at its dessert kiosk located at the basement of Raffles City Shopping Centre. And after giving a go at their main courses, though we do not have much complains, we still commonly agree that MOF stands out more in their desserts.

Ministry of Food @ My Izakaya - Bugis Junction
#02-45, Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street, S(188021)
(+65) 6338 6466
Sun - Thur: 10.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10.30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
http://www.ministryoffood.com.sg

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Cheok Kee Duck Rice: Quack Like Never Before

2008-06-30T20:46:00.005+08:00

With all the newspaper / magazine articles and clipplings, plus all the good words coming from peers and fellow food lovers, this duck rice stall deserve its right reputation.

Duck Rice, S$3 nett,

"With great Lor comes great Duck Rice." To start off, the ducks, by their appearance, are tempting already - with wholes of them hanging high up at the stall, drawing visibly long queues of regulars.

Duck meat were soft and exceptionally well braised, and with the addition of the sticky sweet Lor (gravy), we need not explain further. You just have to try this for yourself!

But since the Duck Rice is so flawless, why rate 'four-and-a-half hearts' then? That's when we compare to the even heavenly Duck Porridge!

Duck Porridge, S$3 nett,

Better be early, else end up in disappointment if you want to try this Duck Porridge, as it would usually be sold out by 8 p.m. Such silky tasty porridge can never fail to get you craving for more. The Braised Duck slices blended in perfectly with this thick goo which melts seamlessly in your mouth.

VERDICT
A place you would not want to miss if you're a duck fanatic. Ducks can't taste any better than this.

Cheok Kee Duck Rice - East Coast
Stall 29, East Coast Lagoon Food Village
1220 East Coast Parkway, (S)468960
(+65) 6445 4222
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Lerk Thai: Lacks Aroma

2008-06-25T22:00:00.008+08:00

It was one of those occasions when you have no plans of where to eat.

We were walking past the ground floor of Paradiz Centre, and we decided to hop into one of the smallest branches of Lerk Thai. It was bright, clean, and able to house only a maximum of 30 customers I suppose.

Kway Teow Tom Yam Talay, S$6.90++,

The Tom Yam broth was the clear, see through type, loaded with prawn(s), few pieces of squid, mushrooms, beansprouts, and a handful of Kway Teow as the main. Soup was sensational sour and spicy, but however, the portion wouldn't be enough to fill even a 5 feet tall guy. Then again, S$6.90 (restaurant price) with seafood? You shouldn't expect much.

Pahd Thai, S$6.90++,

The fragrance of Thai's famous Fried Kway Teow wasn't very well carried out by this restaurant. Noodles felt bland and "old" - like they've been fried over a forgotten period of time. Dried shrimps and chilli flakes were very spicy, and they seemed to convey the message, "tasteless? Fear not! Add these in to mask everything."

Pahd Woon Sen, S$6.90++,

This was a little better than the Pahd Thai. Quite a lot of vegetables plus few chicken pieces, fried together with Tang Hoon (glass noodles). Moisture and taste obtained the passable mark.

Gaeng Kiew Whan Gai, S$7.00++,

A good dish of Green Curry takes pride in gentle spicyness, yet maintaining its thick strong flavour of the coconut milk. This was, yes, not very spicy, but definitely not flavoursome enough. Worse, it was served barely warm.

VERDICT
Lots of the dishes were just 'not fragrant enough'. Taste wise, they were nearly clean forgotten as soon as we stepped out of the restaurant. Probably it was due to the allocation of substandard chefs to a less patronised branch of Lerk Thai. Apart from all, the prices were reasonable enough for a bet at another branch.

Lerk Thai - Paradiz Centre
#01-06, Paradiz Centre
1 Selegie Road, S(188306)
Sun - Thur: 11 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
http://www.lerkthai.com.sg

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Waraku: Casual Japanese Dining

2008-06-20T23:28:00.019+08:00

We chose the branch at The Central © over the one at Cuppage in hope to catch a glimpse of Singapore River through the window seats, but our hopes were dashed due to the overwhelming crowd during dinner time.

Oh well, the interior (without the window seats) wasn't too bad - warm and friendly. Moreover, the food and company made this dining experience an enjoyable one.

Beautiful Lady, S$6.80++,

We've never dared to try Sake, 'cos we've heard how unbearable it could actually taste for some. However, we fell in love instantly upon the first sip of this strawberry flavoured Sake. Sweet and subtle, the alcoholic taste wasn't too hard on us.

Matcha Float, S$3.80++,

We were expecting thick milky Matcha kind of drink, but this was the fizzy soda kind, with a scoop of Matcha ice cream on top. It's subjective, but we didn't like it.

Cha Soba, S$9.80++,

The memory of Waraku's Cha Soba has always been very vivid from the day we first tried it. Still as impressive as before, this simple plain dish never fails to leave us in great satisfaction.

Yakitori Don (Regular), S$9.00++,

Yakitori (grilled bird) is a Japanese type of skewered chicken, and I usually enjoy Yakitori by biting the meat off those wooden sticks. But here, the bite-sized chicken pieces were presented in a gob together with Japanese rice, stir-fried onions, cabbages, and seaweed. Something we felt lacking was some sauce, to make the dish less dry and more appetising.

Sakura, S$18.80++,

The Sakura set comprises of a massive bowl of creamy soup Udon and Hotate (scallops), plus a hefty bowl of Japanese rice topped with shredded egg and salmon roe.

We sure ate to our fill as we savoured every thick chewy strand of Udon with the concentrated cream sauce, whiffing the strong aroma of the cheese. Hotate were sweet tasting, but the freshness was quite unknown due to the heavy masking by the sauce. On the other side, rice bowl bacame boring once the juicy fish roe ran out.

Potato Mochi Cheese, S$8.80++,

Even the name itself sounded tempting enough. Hot cheese oozing out with every bite of the deep fried Potato Mochi. Simply celestial!

Tonpei Yaki, S$6.80++,

Sliced pork meat with Japanese white cabbage, covered in soft golden omelette, dressed in Okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise. The Tonpei Yaki turned out to be a mix of appropriate sweetness and saltiness, and it served as a modest side for sharing.

VERDICT
Just by judging from the crowd inside and queues outside, Waraku is no doubt one of the popular Japanese restaurants in Singapore. Delicious authentic Japanese cuisine, sizable portions, that comes with affordable prices too.

Waraku - The Central
#03-89/97/98, The Central ©
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6327 8860
Mon - Fri: 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
http://www.waraku.com.sg

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Bakerzin: Grab Your Main Course Elsewhere

2008-06-17T23:36:00.016+08:00

Hmmm.. The sounding name in desserts which Bakerzin had built up..

Just in case you were still hesitating, the enticing dessert displays are bound to clear all your doubts and lead you straight into the restaurant.

A clean-cut decor extended its warmest and unpretentious welcome. The only unexpected was a much tighter space.

Café Affogato with Rum and Raisin Ice Cream, S$6.80++,

A shot of espresso added to a scoop of ice cream, with choices of caramel / chocolate / manjari / sumatra white chocolate / vanilla / rum and raisin flavours. It was a pretty combination between awakening bitterness and lingering sweetness.

Tomato and Cheese Bruschetta, S$8.80++,

Thick cut country bread layered with tomato slices topped with molten cheese, every bite was a defined hard crunch - too hard perhaps, and too dry for our liking. Mesclun salad made a pleasant side though, with young supple leaves dressed in complimenting olive oil.

While deciding on our main courses, we realised that our choices were unknowingly narrowed down to pastas only, as we mentally striked out the sandwiches, pizzas, and especially the 'just like home' section. Sorry, but we simply couldn't imagine Assam Prawns or Braised Pork Belly with cheesecakes and strawberry mousses.

Seafood Pasta, S$15.80++,

Flooded with a plethora of tiger prawns, squid, mussels, and clams, this dish has indeed fulfilled its name as 'Seafood' Pasta, unlike some others with crappy crab sticks and pathetic minces of shrimps. The linguine was soaked in delicious tangy tomato and white wine sauce, cooked till Al Dente. Portion wasn't big, but able to satisfy yet leave some stomach space for the not-to-be-missed desserts.

Every dessert looks alluring, and with Bakerzin's clever marketing strategy to 'wholesale' their Dessert Tapas, the struggle of choices becomes so much easier. You could order three tapas / ice creams / sorbets from their petite range for S$9.80++, five for S$15.80++, or even seven for S$21.80++! Great for sharing in a group.

Vanilla Crème Brulee, (Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,
Coupe Cheesecake, (Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,

We enjoyed the Vanilla Crème Brulee, made of a burnt caramel layer above the chilled custard. It would have scored more if there were more mouthfuls. The Coupe Cheescake consisted of cheesecake base crumbles, covered with lightly cheesecake flavoured ice cream and strawberry sauce. A unique creation we would say.

Banana Pizza with Cinnamon Ice Cream,
(Dessert Tapas) 3 for S$9.80++,

This came in two slices of caramelized bread bases, melted cheese and bananas, plus an additional scoop of Cinnamon Ice Cream. We liked the hot and cold composite, with a fragrant toast taste of the flaky crumbs.

VERDICT
Though we only pinched a small taste of Bakerzin's renowned desserts, we could already tell that they were good. With an already stable speciality, Bakerzin could perhaps work harder by offering a wider array of (less weird) main courses.

Bakerzin - Vivo City
#01-207, Vivo City
1 Harbour Front Walk, S(098585)
(+65) 6438 8700
Sun - Thur: 10.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10.30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
http://www.bakerzin.com

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Goodwood Park Durian Cake: Another Durian Delight

2008-06-05T13:26:00.008+08:00

From the same place which produces heavenly durian puffs, also comes the legendary durian cake.

Durian Cake, S$36++,

Tempting as the initial appearance seems, the thick lustre and strong stint of durian smell can never be missed.

Flattery goodness of a simple two layered spongecake overwhelmed with generous D24 pulp, topped with spongy cubes and sprinkled with icing sugar - you'll just want to dig in! Everything blended in so perfectly, that it felt like eating an actual durian, yet at the same time, not neglecting the creamy delight from the pastry.

VERDICT
Over the years, we've been hearing people mentioning how praiseworthy Goodwood's durian cakes were, and we certainly have not regretted investing (that amount of money) on one.

Goodwood Park Hotel Deli
Ground Level, Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road, S(228221)
(+65) 6730 1786
Mon - Sun: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com

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V8 Cafe: Predictable Quality from Prices

2008-05-30T23:29:00.002+08:00

We've never been to a restaurant where the chicken steaks, fish fillets (especially salmon), and beef tenderloins cost exactly the same price. Even the lobster spaghetti cost the same price!

Cheesy Potato Wedges, S$4.80++,

A great sinful appetiser to start with - deep fried skin on potatoes, warm and fluffy, accompanied with a mass of melted cheese and a sprinkle of red chilli powder.

Chicken Shawarma, S$8.80++,

The pita bread, with a dry and stretchy texture, is known to be low in calories and full of fiber. According to the menu, it also contains selenium, which is essential for healthy immune functioning and even helps infertile men improve the motibility of sperm cells! (No wonder our guy friend insisted on ordering it. Haha!)

The main seemed like half a curry puff, loaded with chunks of roasted black pepper chicken, and clad in yoghurt dressing. Taste wise, not bad, but it could be better off if it was more moist. French fries were skinny and soggy, and the coleslaw didn't felt really fresh with traces of yellow cabbages.

Citrus Salmon Fillet, S$11.80++,

You have two choices of fish for this dish, either salmon or dory. We chose the former, and it turned out to be pretty disappointing. The Citrus sauce was already wrong to start with, sourly sweetness a total clash with the salty grilled fish fillet. Salmon was stale and hard, and again, it lacked moitsure.

V8 Cafe Signature Dish, S$11.80++,

Something more comforting at last. V8 Cafe's new in house signature dish which consisted of freshly grilled chicken baked with bacon and cheese. The pool of special V8 sauce went in harmony with the tender meat, along with soft boiled vegetables, mashed potatoes and coleslaw.

FYI, all the main courses came together with a soup of the day - cream of corn for our case, and they tasted exactly like canned soup variations, perhaps even diluter.

The cakes on dispay looked darn tempting, so we decided to get one each.

American Cheese Cake, S$3.80++,

Though plain and boring, there are really nice American Cheese Cakes around. This one was just normal.

Chocolate Truffle, S$3.80++,

This didn't turned out as chocolatey as we thought it would be. However, the layers of cream and cake were firm, and they tasted quite delectable after awhile.

Green Tea Cake, S$3.80++,

Maybe it was too dry, because the cake collapse into bits of fragments when we sliced our fork through. There are balls of Azuki (red bean) paste at the bottom, pale green weird tasting cream in between, and green tea cake with green tea powder coated on top. I didn't really enjoyed it as a green tea lover.

VERDICT
With TV screens all around ~~playing movies~~ repeating the same movie, V8 Cafe created quite a unique concept. The movies are silent though, and they were useless without any subtitles sometimes. And sometimes they even screen gore and war shows while you are indulging in your meals. Nevertheless, the low prices for the atmospehere and average food served still makes it a good spot for a simple meal with friends. Just don't harbour high hopes.

V8 Cafe
#03-29, Parco Bugis Junction
200 Victoria Street, S(188021)
(+65) 6333 4434
Mon - Sun: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

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Peperoni Pizzeria: Whopping Large Surprise

2008-05-28T23:59:00.011+08:00

Secluded in a private estate, the cluster of restaurants at Greenwood Avenue look everything like they're only meant for the rich and posh.

It was lucky for us to discover Peperoni Pizzeria, a warm cheerful family restaurant serving hearty Italian fare, with prices friendly to our pockets.

We opted for the Al Fresco dining, which was coupled within an Italian styled courtyard - warm painted walls with vines and leaves to complete the cosy feel. A perfect place to enjoy a big sumptuous dinner in total serenity.

Calamari Fritti, S$12 nett,

Squid rings, together with onion thins, were deep fried till crisp golden goodness. The batter used was well seasoned and coated thinly, so it doesn't feel too heavily floured. At the same time, the texture and taste of the squid were distinct. You could feel them all fresh and springy inside, and it was sure a joy to dip them in the lemon mayo and tomato sauce provided alongside.

Suprema and Salmon Family Pizza (21" XXXL), S$44 nett,

When the staff delivered the pizza to our table, she jokingly exclaimed, "This was meant to be a surpirse for you!" Seriously, we never knew such a humongous piece of pizza actually existed, and glad to say, it was certainly a pleasant surprise. To help you visualise, here's a photo of the pizza in comparison to a human.

The restaurant specializes in thin-crust pizzas, served piping hot from the traditional wood-fired oven - the kind that will explode in crumbles inside your mouths.

We chose two flavours for the family pizza, Suprema for one half, and Salmon for the other half. Both halves were tomato sauce based topped with mozzarella cheese; with the Suprema side consisting of Shitake mushrooms, chicken and garlic sausages, onions, and red chilli; while the Salmon side was covered with sliced smoked salmon, caramel onion, and capers. It was definitely a well mix of abundant toppings with crispy pizza crust! Crunch!

(By the way, the pizza was too large to be completed by both of us, so we had them packed home in two separate regular pizza boxes.)

Tiramisu, S$8 nett,

Savoiardi (lady fingers cookie) soaked in coffee, mascarpone cheese, and a dusting of cocoa powder made up this delicate Italian dessert. The Tiramisu here tasted just as nice as it appeared, except that the alcohol taste wasn't very evident.

VERDICT
A restaurant which deserves a praise in every aspect. Delicious food served by warmhearted approachable staffs, in a homely laidback environment, and with menu prices you wouldn't mind paying for (such quality). Peperoni Pizzeria is definitely worth your visit!

Peperoni Pizzeria
Hillcrest Park
6 Greenwood Avenue, S(289195)
(+65) 6465 6556
Mon - Sun: 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.

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Chewy Juinor: You Gonna Love It

2008-05-15T15:32:00.005+08:00

Have you guys gotten sick of donuts? Then you ~~should~~ must try this fusion between Beard Papa and Donut Factory!

Though with other branches located at more convenient spots, and also with longer operating hours - Bugis Junction, Bukit Merah Central, and Tiong Bahru Plaza, we always insist to buy from the original stall at Tanjong Pagar Plaza. The puffs here look more pudgy and tasty!

Chewy Cream Puffs (9 Pieces), S$8.50 nett,

These puffs are going for S$1.10 each, but trust me, you wouldn't stop at one. Most likely, you would end up in at least a box of six at S$6, or nine at S$8.50, or even a dozen at S$11. Every flavour seem exciting, and you really do feel like trying all.

From the original sweet menu, they have yummy chocolaty, fruity, and cheesy variations. And for those who prefer something more filling (with food), you can choose from the savoury menu, which includes chicken, potatoes, vegetables, etc. Alright, humans are all very visual creatures, and instead of leaving you to imagine those Chewys on your own, you can click here and here for the pictorial version of the menus.

One chomp and you know that this is not the ordinary kind of cream puffs you get to eat everyday. With rich and generous toppings, Chewys are such a marvel to much on - crispy on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside. This unique creation was actually an accidental blend of recipes from Japan and Mexico.

VERDICT
Despite the long queues during lunch times, Chewy Junior is definitely worth every second of your wait, because the satisfaction level you get in return is maximum! We strongly recommend this!

Chewy Junior - Tanjong Pagar
#01-18, Blk 1, Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Tanjong Pagar Road, S(082001)
(+65) 6222 8867
Mon - Fri: 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Sat: 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun / PH: Closed
http://www.chewyjunior.com.sg

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Killiney Chee Cheong Fun: Exotic Flavours

2008-05-10T16:22:00.004+08:00

Along the stretch of shophouses in Killiney Road, lies the famous Chee Cheong Fun stall most of you have heard of. Decided to check it out one fine afternoon, and before I knew it, I was already returning back time and again for more!

Staff were speedy and attentive. The very instant we sat ourselves down, we received our menu almost at the same instant.

Fresh Prawn Chee Cheong Fun, S$4.20 nett,

Chose the Fresh Prawn Chee Cheong Fun, cause we thought that it was a traditional and most common filling which many people would go for. This plate of plain looking rice roll doesn't look exactly appealing without its dressing of sesame seeds (my friend didn't like sesame). However, don't be too quick to judge until you try your first mouthful.

Thin silky folded sheets of rice flour slip quickly into our mouths, and together with the company of soya sauce, it was simply indescribably shiok.

Prawns were full of crunchiness, but they weren't exactly the super fresh and juicy kind. Because the fillings were laid in big sheets of rice flour before cutting, you might find up to three prawns in some (cutted) portions, and in some, you find none.

Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun, S$3.20 nett,

Now now, another traditional flavour, and this, I swear, was seriously heavenly.

The Char Siew (barbecued pork) was lean, yet with the appropriate amount of springyness and moisture. And the thing is, the meat blended in so flawlessly with the rice roll and the sauce, making it a perfect combination. We were pratically raving about it from the very first bite, till the last bite.

Mushroom Chee Cheong Fun, S$3.20 nett,

It was a mere personal liking for mushrooms that made me ordered this.

It turned out to be just mediocre - not anywhere near bad, but not extraoridnary either. The mushrooms were a bit too hard.

What makes this Chee Cheong Fun stall stands out from the rest, is their assortment of innovative fillings to choose from. There is the savoury type served with soya sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds - Cheese Lobster (S$12), Tom Yam Seafood (S$8), Braised Intestines (S$6.50), Abalone (S$6), Otar (S$6), Fresh Scallop (S$6), Unagi(S$5), Crab Meat Stick (S$3.20), Chicken (S$3.20), Mixed Vegetables (S$3.20), Fritters (S$3.20), plus the three reviewed flavours on top.

For the sweet-toothed, there is also the dessert variant served with crushed peanuts. The fillings include XO Durian (S$4.20), Mango (S$3.20), Strawberry (S$3.20), Banana (S$3.20), Apple (S$3.20), Yam (S$3.20), and Green Tea (S$3.80).

Despite many encouraging reviews of the XO Durian Chee Cheong Fun, which was also what this eatery is famous for specializing in, we were still quite reluctant to try. Went ahead with something safer to 'test out' first.

Mango Chee Cheong Fun, S$3.20 nett,

Sad to say, the Mango one wasn't very impactful on us, and we conveniently skipped the XO Durian one as well. Even with slight exuding juice from the mango cubes, the Chee Cheong Fun still felt rather dry, and the crushed peanuts worsened it. Then again, it might be a biased view, because I don't like peanuts.

Green Tea Glutinous Rice Balls, S$3 nett,

Four pieces of Green Tea Glutinous Rice Balls served in a bowl of traditional sweet peanut soup. (Peanuts again!) Green Tea paste was gooey and sticky, and Rice Balls were a tad hard.

VERDICT
Whack any of these Chee Cheong Fun flavours in random, and you are sure to find your hidden favourite here. If you need something more substantial, try the porridge which also comes in a variety of ingredients. Or, you could also order from its special selection menu for sharing in a group, with dishes like Stir-fried Vegetables, Jelly Fish, Drunken Chicken, Frog Legs (just to quote a few examples).

House of Rice Roll and Porridge
75 Killiney Road, S(239529)
(+65) 6736 1355
Mon - Sun: 8.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

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Ma Maison: For the Salt Lovers

2008-04-27T16:53:00.016+08:00

Originally at Nagoya Japan, this restaurant has travelled all its way here to our very homeland Singapore - with its first branch opened at Bugis Junction, and its second at The Central ©, Clarke Quay.

What immediately sent us both in awe was its old English cottage charm, complete with parquetry flooring, wooden tables and chairs.

The windows are fringed with curtains, and window sills are filled with wine bottles and interesting ornaments like old clocks and some tin boxes. There's even a wooden rack with displays of wine bottles, dainty plates and crockery.

With candles and vintage table lamps, the entire restaurant was set in dim lighting, creating a very homely and romantic feel.

From our (reserved) window seat, we had an excellent view overlooking the Singapore River, which further enhanced our dining experience.

Western dishes with a Japanese twist are served here. To speak of, what is unique about Ma Maison is that they have authentic Japanese servers to wait on you, but of course it takes time for you to really understand their English.

Cha Soba Salad, S$7.00++,

A splendid fusion of Japanese and Italian, where the tangy Cha Soba was well mingled among the ham strips, shredded eggs, tomato wedges, cucumber slices, lettuce, kizami nori (shredded seaweed), and a few blobs of Japanese mayonnaise. The thoughtfulness of keeping the salad cold extended to even the plate, to doubly make sure you enjoy the dish chilled.

Tonkatsu Set, S$19.50++,

The Tonkatsu Set consisted of a deep fried pork cutlet served on a wire mesh, a bowl of miso soup and rice, Japanese salad, mashed potatoes, pickles, and a single scoop of black sesame ice cream as dessert. The restaurant provided two seasoning to go along with the pork cutlet - high mineral rock salt, and Ma Maison's homemade Tonkatsu sauce. (Both salty!)

This dish had been highly recommended by peers who had tried it, and personally, we find it too fatty and salty for our liking. Portion was big, and with every bite, juice and fats came oozing out from underneath the crispy cutlet skin. Miso soup came with a surprising chockful of bonus ingredients like carrots, onions, chicken cubes, plus some other vegetables (too many to remember!)

Doteni Hamburger, S$19.80++,

The Japanese really take pride in their food presentation, and just by the look of it, you can't wait you to get your fork and knife working. Topped with a sunny side up and scattered with small soft pieces of beef tendons, the minced beef hamburger patty made a good attempt. The whole dish was soaked in heavy Doteni (red miso bean) sauce, which turned out to be so salty that the taste stayed stinging on our taste buds.

The delicious but salty mix of everything.

A big brass key would be placed on every customer's table for them to make payment after they're done with their meal.

VERDICT
Notice that we kept emphasizing how salty the food was. Yes. In fact, that was really what we could recall of the food served in Ma Maison. Great ambience, great service, and definitely a great place for salty taste buds.

Ma Maison - The Central
#03-96, The Central ©
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6327 8122
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
http://www.ma-maison.co.jp

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Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup: Highly Addictive

2008-04-20T16:29:00.006+08:00

Start your day right with a bowl hot steaming Bah Kut Teh from the famous Ng Ah Sio stall. As early as 6 a.m. in the morning, you'd be surprised to see crowds bustling at this eatery.

Situated at Rangoon Road (near CTE), it wasn't exactly the most accessible spot unless you have your own private transportation. Of course you could always walk from Farrer Park MRT or take a bus in (if you know the way), but most of the customers here were often families and regulars from the older generation (we're an exception).

Service here was speedy and efficient. The moment you got your butts seated, Ng Ah Sio's staff would come over to you with a PDA in their hands, ready to take your order anytime. And within a few minutes, your order (once entered into their system) would be sent straight to your table hot from the kitchen. Thereafter, the bill would also come along, printed nicely and inserted into a black bill holder, those typical ones you would encounter in a restaurant.

Pork Ribs Soup, S$5.50+ (+ S$2 You Tiao, +S$2 Tea),

Bah Kut (pork ribs) were so tender - one bite and everything slipped off from the bone. The soup was a huge pepperish sensation, which would send spicy tingles to your taste buds. And as you drain the soup to the last bit, you could actually find garlic and crushed peppercorns residue at the bottom. One bowl surely wouldn't be enough, and the good news is, the soup was free flow.

Best companions to along with the Pork Ribs Soup were none other than traditional Teh (tea) and You Tiao (deep fried dough sticks). There are six different types of Chinese tea for you to choose from, and we ordered the Xiao Yue Gan - soothing to the after effects of the pepperish soup.

VERDICT
It was the "Lao Zi Hao" (old brand name) that Ng Ah Sio carried, which kept them maintaining their food quality and thriving business. We recalled when we were kids, our parents used to bring us here, and we would always stick out our tongues and fan them wearing a frown on our faces, because we couldn't take the spciyness. Now, this Ng Ah Sio had becomed one of our personal favourite Bah Kut Teh stalls.

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House
208 Rangoon Road, S(218453)
(+65) 6294 7545
Tue - Sun: 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mon: Closed

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Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar: Spoilt for Choices

2008-04-15T23:14:00.015+08:00

The popular Marché concept, had been brought into the market by Thai Express Concepts (also the company which brought in Thai Express, Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafés and New York New York), but in Japanese style instead.

We went early on a weekday, and fortunately, we got into the restaurant without any waiting. Because most of the times, it's jammed up with the long queues, and you can't make any reservations beforehand.

Once you step in, you would be issued a Shokudo card and a wooden token. Like Marché, it was free seating for everyone, so the wooden token (instead of tissue packs) could be used to 'reserve' your table.

Afterwhich, you could then start making your rounds around the restaurant, browsing what the various food stations have to offer.

Japanese thin-crust pizzas.

Besides traditional Japanese cuisine, Shokudo also offers Japanese-infused Western food like these Japanses burgers.

Assorted meats and seafood, fresh and raw.

Food and pricing were displayed altogether, in a very clear-cut manner. After you've decided on what you want, you'll hand over your Shokudo card to the chefs and order straight from them. Your food then gets cooked on the spot, and you can collect it the moment it's done, piping hot.

Grilled Chicken Omu Rice, S$6.80++,

Fried rice, topped with streams of tomato ketchup, wrapped together in an egg omelette - made up this sweet and sticky combination known as the Omu Rice. Going alongside, was a reasonable share of tenderly grilled chicken steak.

Pork Katsu Curry Rice, S$7.80++,

We seldom eat Japanese curry, so we don't really know how to judge what's good and what's bad. For us, we kinda like this version, thicker and tastier than the usual, with lots of potatoes and carrots in it. The Pork Katsu was mildly fried, not too oily nor too much flour. Ultimately, what we like best about this dish was the generous portion.

Bamboo Barbequed Eel Rice, S$3.80++,

For those who wants a less filling main course (so that they could still try a variety of other sides), this Bamboo Bbq Eel Rice is just the right thing for you. And we both thought that S$3.80 for such a tasty portion of Unagi (eel) was quite a steal.

Shitake Mushrooms Skewer, S$2.00++,
Pork Asparagus Skewer, S$2.50++,

Skewers were pretty much of the average, but a tad to the dry side. They would be better off if accompanied by some sauce.

Banana and Chocolate Crepe, S$4.80++,

Freshly made hot crepe topped with one the nicest combinations around - bananas and chocolate. Yum.

Red Bean and Mochi with Ice Cream, S$5.80++,

The Japanese Red Bean was gooey; Mochis were soft and chewy; Matcha gelato ice cream from Haato was full of flavour. Opt for this bowl of guilt-free dessert, if weight / health is an issue you're concerned about.

VERDICT
You see what you get - The brilliant part about this whole concept is that you could take as much time as you like to place an order; and you could have your dessert before your main course without getting weird stares from servers or customers from the next table. Then again, due to a clashing amount of both positive and negative feedbacks, the quality of the food becomes a question. In our opinion, it wasn't as bad as "don't even bother trying" (cause it depends on what you order, and there are too many to choose from); neither was it the super uber delicious kind. Nonethless, what will keep us returning to Shokudo is the varied diversity and affordable pricing.

Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
#B1-44E, Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road, S(179103)
(+65) 6937 3793
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

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Xin Wang Café: All Rounder

2008-04-14T22:32:00.010+08:00

From baked rice / pastas, to curry chicken, to dim sums, to pork chop, to sandwiches / burgers, to mee sua / noodles, etc etc; there were so many different choices in Xin Wang's menu that I felt completely lost. After a long internal struggle, I decided to settle down on just toasts.

Of all, why order a few pieces of flour? Cause I couldn't really spot any dishes that exclaimed "uniquely Hong Kong". Moreover, I felt that most of the dishes here, I could get better bets elsewhere, for equal or even lower prices.

Borsch Soup, S$2.90++,

You would appreciate this if you are a fan of vegetables. Carrots, celery ribs, onions, boiled in a sour combination of tomato paste. An oriental version of minestrone soup, but in a much more diluted state.

Po Lo Pao, S$1.90++,

They always speak about the famous buttered pineapple buns in Hong Kong dramas, and I didn't knew they literally do insert a slice of pineapple inside. However, the Po Lo bun itself wasn't quite up to my expectations - the top crust wasn't the usual hard and sugary ones I like, and the butter was so well hidden I could have missed it.

French Toast, S$3.90++,

Coated with a layer of beaten egg, then deep fried to golden crisp, this French Toast is among the popular dishes here in Xin Wang. Thick Toast was fluffy and moistened with the right amount of butter, while the maple syrup just rounded it up in lingering sweetness.

Condensed Milk and Butter Thick Toast, S$3.90++,

The exaggerating butter eliminated almost every possible trace of the condensed milk. Inside of the toast was far too brittle - one slice of the knife crumbled it totally. What ended up with was a pool of liquid ~~butter~~ oil and plenty bread crumbs.

VERDICT
The amount of butter was one big issue here - inconsistency. Too much, it makes the whole thing sick and greasy. Too little, it doesn't bring out the fragrance and moisture of the toast. I'm not in any position to comment much about the main courses, but so far the ones I've tried (in the past) were average only. Like I mentioned earlier, there are better finds out there. Xin Wang is too much of an all rounder to specialise in something really delicious.

Xin Wang Hong Kong Café - Kovan
#01-133/135, Heartland Mall
205 Hougang Street 21, S(530205)
(+65) 6487 3481
Mon - Thur: 11.00 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Fri - Sun: 24 hours
http://www.xinwang.com.sg

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Hog's Breath Café: Carnivores' Hangout

2008-03-09T16:48:00.015+08:00

What does a Pinky Pig got to do with a café famous for its Prime ribs? But that question didn't matter when we went ahead to enjoy the UOB 1-for-1 promotion over at Holland Village branch.

Be welcomed by Hog's Breath Café Holland Village's signature laidback ambience, as you step into a totally different snug and homely state; with wooden furnishings and idiosyncratic displays of memorabilia (such as retro gramophones, old record covers, posters of Aussie outback) to polish off the vibes.

Since it was a 1-for-1 main course promotion, being the gluttony (kiasu) us, five of us decided to whack six dishes at one go, where the following were what we ordered:

Chicken Caesar Wrap, S$12.90++,

This was something like the "Ang Mor" version of "Popiah" - with a flour tortilla acting as the skin wrap, and with fillings consisting of sliced chicken breast with cos lettuce, bacon bits, croutons, parmesan cheese and caesar dressing. Juicy yet not soggy, this Chicken Caesar Wrap had just the adequate balance between crunch, firmness, and succulence.

Cheese Burger in Paradise, S$14.50++,

Two slices of crusty burger bread - one topped with beetroot, tomato, and onion rings; while the other was stacked with a slice of thick tender beef patty, followed by sliced cheese, and a swirl of BBQ sauce. Served together as a side, was the Hog Tail Fries (a name given for the restaurant's curly fries), which stayed crispy till the very last bite!

Chicken Dijonnaise, S$20.50++,

We (were too busy eating and) didn't manage to take any photos of this dish. The marinated grilled chicken breast was rather tough, but it was delectably topped with avocado and smothered with creamy Dijon mustard sauce.

Jamaican Chicken, S$20.50++,

These grilled chicken breast were marinated in sweet Caribbean seasoning, and were softer than the ones in the Chicken Dijonnaise. Served over seasoned rice, and topped with warm creamy mango sauce; there were salad and a smooth velvety mashed potato to complete the meal.

Atlantic Salmon, S$20.95++,

What's likeable about this Atlantic Salmon was that it being grilled till a crisp layer was formed outside, yet retaining its freshness and fluffiness on the inside. For those who likes a slight tinge of sourness to your salmon, there's lime hollandaise sauce put aside just for you.

Tex-Mex Combo, S$26.00++,

Due to a few non-beef eaters, this was the only dish we ordered that consisted of Hog's Breath renowned beef steaks.

A generous portion where you will get to choose between chicken or chunky beef chimichanga (a deep fried burrito (Mexican wrap) that originated in Tucson, Arizona) - topped with cheese sauce and tomato salsa, to go along with a luscious sirloin steak - how "well done" you want it is entirely your call. And to further pile on the carbos, there was one big fat baked potato with mayonnaise, and even a hidden serving of Cajun rice.

VERDICT
Funny how we rated most of the dishes 'three-and-a-half hearts out of five'. We thought that all the food were above average, and we don't have a bad thing to say about Hog's Breath. In conclusion, a great place for the big appetites (and meat lovers), where your hunger will definitely be satisfied, but do not overeat, else you will end up like the mascot of this café.

Hog's Breath Café - Holland Village
267 Holland Avenue, S(278989)
(+65) 6466 0145
Sun - Thur: 11.30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Fri - Sat: 11.30 a.m. - 1 a.m.
http://www.hogsbreath.com.sg

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Indulgz Bistro: Where Senzes R Quite Satizfied

2008-03-05T22:11:00.011+08:00

After two advertorials done by a famous blogger, we were dying to try out the highly rated food at Indulgz Bistro. But since they were advertorials (meaning the restaurant treated the blogger to their food), it COULD be a biased view. Therefore, we decided to come take a look ourselves.

Surprisingly, the restaurant turned out to be much smaller than what we initially expected. However, the beautifully decorated interior gave us both a very warm and fuzzy feel.

The ambience and music here totally sets the right mood in for a romantic dinner for two, or a peaceful get-together with your friends.

Tomato and Fresh Basil Soup, S$5++,

This smooth and sour Tomato Soup sure served as a great kick starter, awakening your taste buds for more food ahead.

Beef Bolognaise Melted Cheese Fries, S$8.80++,

Both of us got hooked instantly on our very first mouthful. Beefy homemade Bolognaise matched flawlessly with the pleasingly warm Melted Cheese. The Thick Cut Fries, was soft and fluffy, but never soggy. Oh! How so sinfully delicious!

Prawn and Crabmeat Pasta in Lobster Bisque Sauce, S$19.90++,

Nice as it sounded, yet disappointingly, it tasted horrid to the max. The Linguini was dry and hard; thse Lobster Bisque Sauce was as tasteless thickened tap water; and the Prawn and Crabmeat were equally tasteless as well (or perhaps they're too small to be even seasoned/marinated).

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken, S$19++,

A decent main course we would say. It was a whole piece of chicken leg, and the thoughtful part was that, the bone was removed. The meat was tenderly baked, just that it wasn't distinguishly Honey Garlic Chicken. Sides like mashed potatoes and boiled carrot sticks were of the norm.

VERDICT
Overall presentation was nifty and attractive, but the food was nothing to shout about, really. And for that kind of average food standard, the menu was considerably overpriced. Anyhow, Indulgz Bistro is still worth a visit if you wish to impress a date. "Ho kua, bo ho jia" - (In hokkien, "Nice to look at, not nice to eat".)

Indulgz Bistro
#01-01, TQL Suites
9 Tan Quee Lan Street, S(188098)
(+65) 6238 7032
Tue - Fri: 11.30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Mon: Closed
http://www.indulgz.com

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Miss Clarity Cafe: Cheap and Nice

2008-02-23T17:31:00.012+08:00

Along the shophouses in Purvis street, there's a lively little restaurant called Miss Clarity; the bright and energentic decor brings forth a great place for gatherings.

Looking through the menu, each of the dishes has its own unique name, such as 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm', which reminds us of our childhood memories. To get our stomachs churning, we decided to settle on one set meal each.

Salad / Soup (Add Ons), S$3 nett,

With just an additional of S$3 to every main course ordered (which makes a set), you will get yourself a bowl of soup or salad, a drink, plus a dessert of the day - which we thought was damn worth it.

Cream of Carrot served was pretty good, reasonably thick and rich. As for the salad, it was nothing extraordinary, with the usual lettuces, carrot slices, and thousand island dressing.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm, S$16 nett,

Interesting name to fit this dish, it consisted of a "farm" for us to feast on, where there were beef steak, lamp chop, crispy chicken, chipolata (a kind of Italian sausage), bacon, ham and potato wedges, served with Clarity's special black pepper sauce topped with sunny side up.

Due to the complex medly of all the farm animals, the taste and quality also turned out to be a complex mixture. The pork was real tough, the beef and lamp were mediocure, but the rest of them were all pleasingly delicious. Portion was sure huge, and we only recommend this to big hungry meat eaters, or for friends who wants it for sharing.

Roasted Chicken Leg, S$9.80 nett,

Yummy! We both proclaimed. Perfectly roasted whole chicken leg - crispy on the outside, and hot steaming tender on the inside. Everything just sinks into your teeth so smoothly, together with the wonderful companion of the sauce and mushroom and potato fricassee, we can't help wanting more and more of it!

VERDICT
Be it a quick dinner, a friends' hang out, or a social gathering, Miss Clarity Cafe is just the correct place, where decor and food comes together to give a good blend of visual, mood, and of course, joy to your stomach without burning a hole in your pocket.

Miss Clarity Cafe - Bugis
#01-04
5 Purvis Street, S(188584)
(+65) 6339 4803
Mon - Sat: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun: Closed
http://www.missclaritycafe.com

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Dian Xiao Er: Herbally Good

2008-02-16T00:39:00.006+08:00

Would you join in the long queue just to try one of these Herbal Roasted Ducks?

Trust me, you will.

Since it's very first branch at Marina Square, Dian Xiao Er has been so well received that soon, everyone was speaking wonders of their famous roasted ducks. Crowds after crowds will gather outside the restaurant, and we're glad they opened a few more branches; and here we are, joining the queue of the branch at Vivo City.

Mongolian Spare Ribs (Small), S$12.80++,

Fried Spare Ribs covered all over by some thick spicy sweet sauce. We have no idea how "Mongolian" this was, but they certainly were crunchy and addictive.

Braised Assorted Mushroom with Broccoli (Small), S$14.80++,

Not exactly very bad, but for the price that you pay for this dish of bland broccolis, plus some unknown weird tasting mushrooms, we would recommend something else instead.

Duck Roasted with Angelica Herb (Small), S$12.80++,

Being their main specialty, this didn't fail to amaze us with its heavenly combination of Angelica (Tung Gui) herbs and roasted duck. The duck meat itself, was plump, tender and succulent, topped with a layer of finely roasted skin.

These fresh whole ducks, are marinated with herbs and spices for long hours, before they get roasted in a special oven from Germany. No wonder Herbal Roasted Ducks had never tasted this good before. Indeed, a must try!

Duck Roasted with Ten Wonder Herb (Small), S$12.80++,

Ten Wonder Herb is yet another version to choose from the series of Herbal Roasted Ducks. However, the taste of the this herb could be quite subjective - strong to the right amount for some, but overpowering for some.

Baked Fresh Prawns JiangNan Style (Small), S$18.80++,

Baked Fresh Prawns JiangNan Style, also a signature dish of this restaurant, is only exclusive to the Vivo City's outlet. Just like their ducks, they were a well balance of crispiness and juiciness.

Fried Man Tou (4 Pieces), S4.50++,

Hot and crispy on the outside, fluffy and loose on the inside. A great filling alternative for people who don't want rice.

VERDICT
'Dian xiao er' actually refers to 'waiter boys' in the olden times. When you step foot into this restaurant, it reminds you of ancient China - those scenes that you usually see on TV. Their extra effort for putting up chinese decors, and dressing up their servers in cute ancient uniforms, made the whole place very cosy and welcoming. The service is fast and efficient, and you don't really have to wait very long. Herbal Roasted Ducks didn't disappoint us in the least bit, and we would definitely return for more. (We're missing them already!)

Dian Xiao Er - Vivo City
#02-137/8, Vivo City
1 Harbour Front Walk, S(098585)
(+65) 6376 9786
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
http://www.dianxiaoer.net

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Goodwood Park Durian Puffs: One is Not Enough

2008-02-10T19:39:00.015+08:00

Many should hear about the durian products from Goodwood Park Hotel Deli. This is our first time trying them out.

Durian Puffs (20 Pieces), S$36++,

Sink your teeth into one of these puffs, and we gurantee you that you'll fly to heaven. Alright, 'flying to heaven' is a bit exaggerating; but we've never eaten Durian Puffs like these before, and they are by far, the BEST.

Trapped between the fluffy puffs, are the richness of the thick durian filling. In local terms, it's really 'gao gao' to the max.

VERDICT
Goodwood Park Hotel Deli is undeniably well acclaimed for their durian pastries. However, they are eminently pricey for the average, and is more suited for once in a while indulgence. (A cheaper, mini, and almost as fulfilling alternative would be the durian puffs from Puteri Mas. We'll blog about it when we get our hands on them.)

Goodwood Park Hotel Deli
Ground Level, Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road, S(228221)
(+65) 6730 1786
Mon - Sun: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com

Food:
Value:

IKEA Restaurant: Everyone's Favourite

2008-01-29T13:18:00.010+08:00

You should never visit IKEA with a full stomach, because you'll regret missing out the food served there. I guess many of us Singaporeans should be pretty familiar with this IKEA restaurant, and many of us wouldn't mind the long queues during lunch and dinner times (especially on weekedends).

Poached Salmon, S$6.90 nett,

The salmon meat wasn't really fresh, and they broke into brittle bits when we sliced our forks through it. Potatoes were a tad dry; broccoli was cold. However, the Chive Butter Sauce rounded everything up and brought them together in unison.

Swedish Meatballs (10 Pieces), S$6.50 nett,

This is one of our personal favourites, and we are sure most of you agree. Beefy meatballs, dipped in heavy sauce and lingoberry jam - a classic combination that sends you craving for more.

Chicken Wings (6 Pieces), S$7.50 nett,

We never fail to order the fried Chicken Wings from IKEA too. Hot yummy juice oozing out with every bite. These wings are less oily and much healthier than the usual fried ones you find.

Almond Cake, S$3.20 nett,

The Almond Cake turned out to be surprisingly pleasant, especially for a non-nut-lover like me. This dessert was crumbly and delicious, and the top was coated with a rich moist layer of studded almond nuts.

VERDICT
Don't hold too much expectations for the word 'restaurant'. No pretty ambience and no serving waiters / waitresses - You have to wait for your own seats among the crowds; you have to queue up for your own food; you have to clear your own plates after the meal (though a lot of Singaporeans do not practice that). This place is self service, and it's more like a canteen kind of concept. Nevertheless, the prices you pay for the quick bites and resting place you get, are definitely worth your time and money.

IKEA Restaurant & Cafe
Level 4, IKEA Tampines
60 Tampines North Drive 2, S(528764)
(+65) 6786 6868
Mon - Sun: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
http://www.ikea.com.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Seafood Paradise: Not Just About Seafood

2008-01-27T22:22:00.004+08:00

Tucked deep within the ulu industrial estates of Defu Lane, Seafood Paradise proves to you the reason which draws in swarms of hungry Singaporeans every evening.

The nicely renovated air conditioned interiors took us aback for a moment. It was like stepping into "paradise" (well, almost) among the midst of unappealing factories and warehouse buildings (outside).

Braised Ee-fu Noodle with Crab Roe (Medium), S$15+,

Springy brown Ee-fu Noodles, bathed in thick heavy crab roe ("fats" from small shore crabs). Who would have thought of such a delicious slurpy combination?

Claypot Drunken Prawns, S$6+ per 100gm (+S$2 Herbal Soup),

One of the restaurant's most popular dishes (according to the staff), was delivered to our table in hot bubbling soup, served straight from a claypot. Find yourself savouring every bite of these juicy drunken prawns, accompanied with heavenly bursts of herbal fragrance.

Stewed Whole Chicken with Ginseng, S$28+,

I love chicken when they are stewed to extreme softness, where the skin, flesh and everything just slips off readily. This chicken had made it. However, the herbal taste of this dish overrode any possible presence of the ginseng (if it's even there in the first place) - so much so that I thought that the word 'Ginseng' shouldn't be placed in the menu (to deceive customers).

Braised Seafood Cucumber with Mushrooms
on Broccoli (Large), S$48+,

This Braised Seafood Cucumber with Mushrooms on Broccoli, was labeled as an immediate rip-off the moment we saw its pathetic portions. Sea cucumbers, given in stingy amounts, were disappointingly tough, rubbery and rather raw. Chinese mushrooms and broccolis fared slightly above average, but they were inexpensive stuffs. S$48++ for this kind of "no quantity nor quality" dish, is a definite NO-NO.

Original Paradise Steam Crab, S$3.60+ per 100gm,

"Crabs Specialist", as what the restaurant claims itself to be. How could we miss out ordering any crabs from them? Indeed, they had lived up to their name.

Oringal Paradise Steam Crab offers meat that's succulent and sweet, which sends instantaneous relishes once you attempt your first suck. And underneath this hard-shelled creature, was a layer of smoothly steamed egg - modest, yet able to compliment the lusciousness of the crab. I liked the fact that the entire steamed dish felt very light and pleasant, not those heavy greasy ones.

Popular Chilli Crab, S$3.60+ per 100gm,

After a research from the web, I found out that the Chilli Crab is an original creation from the restaurant, because they use sambal chilli. "Instead of being cooked with ketchup and vinegar, the chilli sauce here is flavoured with dried shrimp instead." No wonder it tasted different.

Deep Fried Bun, S$0.80+ each,

The Deep Fried Bun, or what we refer to as the Man Tou, is a MUST when you order chilli crabs. These buns, fried to crisp golden excellence, when dipped into the egg-thickened chilli sauce - "Shiok"!

VERDICT
Though seafood is an apparent focus of this restuarant, Seafood Paradise excels in other non seafood dishes as well. Creative menu, with vast choices. Service, however, was bad - probably because we were seated too far back in the restaurant, or probably because they do not charge 10% to your bill for that. As a point to note, please make your reservations beforehand, else you'll find yourself caught up in a human flooded wait.

Seafood Paradise
Swee Hin Building
91 Defu Lane 10, S(539221)
(+65) 6487 2429
Mon - Sat: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Rite Pizza: More Cheese Please!

2008-01-13T21:27:00.004+08:00

For a change, I thought I would order something else rather than the usual Pizza Hut.

Winter Special (12" Medium), S$30.50 nett,

Judging from the name Winter Special, I supposed this was a pizza created exclusively for this season of "Winter". (Is it still winter now? I don't even know.) Anyway, it's just a wild guess. Back to the pizza - topped with cheese, lettuce, turkey bacon, lettuce, chicken ham, lettuce, cheesy sausage (no signs of it), lettuce, pineapple, lettuce, mayonnise, and lettuce. On the first look, I thought they had given me a vegetarian (lettuce) pizza by mistake.

Apart from the not very appealing sight, Winter Special turned out to pretty alright. One thing which caught everyone's instant liking was the pizza crust - fine crisp delivered the moment my teeth sank in.

Ocean Delite (12" Medium), S$0.00,

Since it was "Buy One Get One Free", this was free. Ocean Delite - a juicy mix of shredded tuna, onions, crunchy green peppers, covered with hot melted cheese, garlic powder and thin mayonnise. However, I thought that this failed to proclaim itself as a seafood pizza. There wasn't the slightest tinge of seafood greatness in it, at all. (Shrimps and crabsticks stated as two of the toppings in the pizza menu, were nowhere to be found.)

Chicken Wings (3 Pieces), S$4.50 nett,

I was having some reservations when ordering this, because I was expecting just three small drumlets for the price of S$4.50. Luckily, to our delight, three pieces Chicken Wings really meant three whole pieces (inclusive of both drumlets and wings). Taste wise, it was considerably good (if you don't compare them to Pizza Hut's), with the sweet BBQ sauce smeared all over.

Mashed Potato, S$1.50 nett,

Fuffily mashed potatoes, a pity it doesn't come in any gravy. Initial mouthfuls were still acceptable, but the later part was it too dry to even continue.

VERDICT
Maybe we ordered the wrong flavours or from the wrong branch, because from the pictures here, I was expecting a whole lot more chunk of cheese. Rite Pizza didn't seem very truthful nor generous in the ingredients they gave. Nevertheless, the prices were pretty reasonable. No GST, no delivery charges - all nett from the menu.

Rite Pizza
Home delivery to all areas islandwide
(+65) 6899 3838
Mon - Sun: 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
http://www.rite-pizza.com

Food:
Value:

Ramen Ten: Stomach Killer

2007-12-31T23:52:00.000+08:00

9.45 p.m. on New Year's Eve, and this was the only restaurant still surviving in the vicinity.

Tomyum Beef Ramen, S$8.90++,

A nice touch of Thai and Japanese mix. The tomyum soup was spicy and sour enough, although the colour didn't seemed really right. Ramen noodles and beef slices were thin, absorbing the rich tomyun flavour from the soup, yet retaining their original tastes.

Teriyaki Salmon Dry Ramen, S$9.90++,

Ramen Ten is the first originator of dry ramen dishes in Singapore, like this. The noodles were soft and springy - quite likeable for someone who've never fancied ramen. However, the ramen and salmon were flooded by some kind of sour and spicy sauce, and not the teriyaki sauce as promised in the menu. The more you eat this dish, the more you will grow sick of it.

Chocolate Freeze, S$4.90++,

This restaurant doesn't serve plain water, so we were made to order (expensive) drinks. S$1.50++ for a bland tea bag Hot Green Tea, and S$4.90++ for this glass of Chocolate Freeze.

First impressions was that it tasted like Milo Dinosaur from a prata store, and only on second taste, it was pretty not bad - thick, milky and chocolatey. But for its price, I think I'm better off having my Milo Dinosaur.

VERDICT
The reason for calling this restaurant a "stomach killer", because I ended up with a good reward of food poisoning from them. Apart from the three other Ramen Ten outlets (namely Far East Plaza, Jubilee, and Orchard Point), this is the first and only outlet to be semi-open-air. As far as hygiene is concerned, I leave it up to you all the decide. Food pushed out of the kitchen were left at the counter, until some (attentive) servers pick them up, (they were all busy chatting), and houseflies could be seen flying all around. Clean indeed.

Ramen Ten - Tampines
#01-37, Century Square
2 Tampines Central 5, (S)529509
(+65) 6789 7566
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
http://www.ramenten.com

Food:
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Kuishin-Bo: Worse After Renovation

2007-12-30T17:33:00.007+08:00

I remember I used to be very excited going over to Kuishin-Bo for a buffet meal, but sadly, I no longer feel the same now. After a renovation in April 2007, standards dropped - both variety and quantity.

This afternoon, I went for Kuishin-Bo again, for the third time after its renovation. (I didn't take any pictures in the previous two rounds.)

Sushis,

Colours and presentation were attractive. They made decent sushis, except for the rice being too hard, and they didn't stick together very well. Anyway, just grab a bit of these to start off, and then move on. Don't stock up your buffet stomachs with carbos!

Sashimis,

We all love free flows of Sashimis, because they are fine, fresh, and always aperitive. Japanese people believe that Sashimis should be eaten first, before other strong flavours affect the palate.

Seafood,

The seafood section was quite pathetic. Kuishin-Bo used to serve fresh oysters before the renovations, but now they'd replaced them with mussels instead. Prawns were pretty fresh, while the conches were just sick (at least to me and a few others). Yellow brainy juice (or whatever that is) oozed when I dugged out the conch flesh, and it was utterly appalling to my mouth - tasteless tough rubber.

I didn't take anything from the deep fried section because nothing tempted me there.

Teppanyaki,

Beef, chicken, dory and salmon - the four standard meats good enough to have in Teppanyakis.

Beef Kaminabe,

The best dish of this restaurant I supposed was the Kaminabe (Japanese paper steamboat). Given the cold weather lately, it was much of a joy to slurp through a pot of boiling hot soup. Rich overflowing sapidity streaming into your throat, and down to warm your stomach. Terrific.

(From top left, and clockwise down:) Soba, Cha Soba, Udon,

The cold noodles were merely passable - they just made it through the mark; and soba sauces were towards the "too salty" side.

Expansive selections from the dessert sections.

Desserts,

Desserts came cute, tiny, and in delectable assortments. The chocolate fondue was irresistably fudgy (it goes best with the bananas); eclairs exploded inside mouths with icy cold ice cream; fruit tarts were good; mini donuts were covered with overly sugary coatings; and mini cakes were acceptable. Though the quality was fairly good, the best bet was that they were all bite-sized :) Sweet sweet treats.

VERDICT
The first time there is always a good experience, but subsequent visits would deem Kuishin-Bo as "not so nice" anymore. If you really want, add an approximate S$10 more and go for the dinner instead - you get free frow of expensive snow crabs, and special items like baked lobsters, candy floss and such. But still, the price could probably get me better buffets elsewhere.

Kuishin-Bo, The Authentic Japanese Buffet Restaurant
#03-002, Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard, S(038983)
(+65) 6238 7088
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.res.com.sg

Buffet Lunch:	S$24.80++ (Weekdays)
	S$27.80++ (Weekends)
Buffet Dinner:	S$33.80++ (Mon - Thur)
	S$39.80++ (Fri - Sun)

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Nexus Gourmet: Don't Belittle this Unaesthetic Restaurant

2007-12-28T23:50:00.010+08:00

Who says nice food only comes from posh restaurants with rocket-high prices? This homely modest restaurant here shall prove you wrong.

Roasted Duck and Mango, S$7.50 nett,

A taste bud kicking appetiser to start with. Slices of roasted duck tossed with mangoes, cucumbers and beansprouts - a fine balance of airness, crunch and sweetness. Chilies and plum dressing added the spicy and sour zest to it, which we believe many Singaporeans will fancy.

Tropical Hawaiian Pizza, S$9.50 nett,

This homemade Hawaiian Pizza was a wrong dish to choose. The thick pizza base was too doughy and dry; sliced chicken and ham were not even tender; tomato sauce was dry too; and the mozzarella cheese came in stingy amounts. The whole pizza just felt like a big chunk of stale bread, and the only relieves were the juicy canned pineapples.

Barbequed Chicken, S$14.50 nett,

Now now, this one is good. Grilled chicken leg, accompanied with mashed potatoes, broccolis, carrots and mushrooms, glazed with a special BBQ sauce. Not tough, not fatty, just soft and tender succulence, for every bite of the chicken you make. Mashed potatoes were unbelievably heavenly - velvety, fluffy and pepperish. Splendid!

Tiramisu, S$6.50 nett,

When my spoon first sank in, I knew this wasn't going to disappoint us. Kahlua (coffee-flavored liqueur made in Mexico) rushes its way out and ends up in your mouths with lingering transcendence. And the fact that the Tiramisu was presented in a cup, each of this dessert is exquisitely and individually made.

The layers of strong Kahlua soaked Savoiardi (lady fingers cookie), topped with rich creamy mascarpone cheese, and then dusted with bitter sweet cocoa powder.

Crème Brûlèe, S$4.50 nett,

This is the dessert which kept us coming back to this restaurant thrice. Crème Brûlèe means "burnt cream" in French, and is created by burning sugar under a blowtorch, resulting in the hard layer of caramel on top of the custard base. Because of Nexus' brilliant effort to add in oranges and orange zest, the whole Crème Brûlèe was jazzed up, becoming an unique dessert to die for.

VERDICT
Due to its location, Nexus Gourmet is usually loaded with office crowds in the afternoon, but quite unpatronized at night. It may not be a bad thing though, because it could always become a good spot to celebrate special occassions more privately. (Birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) Service here is very warm and friendly, and yet they do not charge anything for that. Yes! The prices on the menu are nett, meaning GST and service charge absorbed. And for that kind of (extremely) reasonable pricings, you get incredibly delectable food. We seriously recommend this restaurant to all!

Nexus Gourmet
161 Telok Ayer Street, S(068615)
(+65) 6223 3376
Mon - Sat: 11.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Sun: 1.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
PH: Usually Closed
http://nexusgourmet.blogspot.com

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

A* Joe Curry: Best Curry Chicken

2007-12-25T15:46:00.008+08:00

Thick curry, tender chicken, crisp bread - rounds up the best of A* Joe Curry.

Curry Chicken, S$4.00 nett (+S$0.60 Bread each),

In this bowl of curry, you'll find the best balance of ingredients: curry powder, coconut milk, and even oil. The spicyness level is also well taken care of - just nice for the general.

Just like the potatoes, the chicken was soft, and a pleasure to eat. The meat was easily separated from the bones, without going through any huge curry splattering struggles. And, you wouldn't want to miss the french loaves here. Warm, crusty, and thinly sliced, they went perfectly well with every dip of the curry gravy.

VERDICT
One of the best curry chickens we ever had, but a point to note - the price. We noticed that they always ask for the number of people sharing the curry, and if you ever tell them, you are into a big rip-off. They could charge up to S$16 for two bowls of curry, four loaves of bread, for a total four people. While S$4 per pax sounds reasonable, one bowl of curry only costs (at most) S$5, and a loaf of bread costs S$0.60, which amounts to only (at most) S$12.40. So, always INSIST on specifying the amount of curry you want.
- "A bowl of S$4 curry and two loaves of bread please."

A* Joe Curry Cuisine
Level 1, Blk 153a
Serangoon North Ave 1, S(551153)
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Food:
Value:

Ichiban Sushi: Not Very Ichiban

2007-12-13T21:21:00.005+08:00

We trust Ichiban Boshi, and thus we decided to give Ichiban Sushi a try too.

Sizzling Black Pepper Chicken Chawanmushi Set, S$14.90++,

Delicious it may seem; do not get decieved by your eyes. The Sizzling Chicken, a good concept - but it would be better off with more black pepper sauce as the the sizzler dried up the sauce quickly, and what left was just the chicken and some solid parts of the (doubtfully black pepper) sauce. The first bite of the chicken gave quite a sensational crisp, but the flesh that followed was too hard and dry. The only thumbs up was the Chawanmushi, steamed to soft smooth goodness.

Cha Soba and Mini Katsu Don Set, S$12.90++,

The Cha Soba was very stale; noodles were very rigid; the ends of the strands got stuck together; nothing about it to command a good from us. For the Katsu Don, the chicken became soggy when soaked together with the tamago (egg), and the big green peas were very out of place.

Hokkaido Banana Split, S$6.90++,

After two disheartening main courses, we didn't held high hopes of the dessert. But surprisingly, the Hokkaido Banana Split rounded up the meal befittingly. This combination of fresh banana slices, green tea and vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, and white chocolate flakes, worked well with our taste buds. The green tea ice cream had the right amount of green tea taste; the whipped cream was not too much to disgust; and the white chocolate flakes were thin enough to melt in your mouth. Sweet.

Verdict
Not worth paying for these food at a restaurant price. Perhaps a stall in a food court selling cheaper Japanese food, could probably come out with something similar (or even better) in taste, as compared to Ichiban Sushi. Our advise, opt for Ichiban Boshi instead. Under the same restaurant company, similar food pricings, but definitely worthier.

Ichiban Sushi - Ang Mo Kio
#02-01, AMK Hub
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, S(569933)
(+65) 6555 1617
Mon - Sun: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.res.com.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Tao's: It Made My Day

2007-12-06T18:52:00.007+08:00

Attracted by the advertisement, recommended by friends. So here I am, at Tao's, to celebrate my 19th birthday.

This Asian fusion restaurant is made up more of a "Ching Chong" kind of setting, and served by mainly "Ching Chong" servers.

The way Tao's work, is that you only have to pay a fixed amount, (for our case, S$19.80++ each,) to enjoy a full 6-course set lunch. Then, you get to choose a dish of your preference for each course.

1st Course: Starters

Bacon and Mushroom Gratin,

This was the standard starters for every individual. The toast were surprisingly nice - crisp with a buttery fragrance; and the best thing is, they were free flow! The Bacon and Mushroom Gratin, when spreaded on the toast - a perfect match.

2nd Course: Salads

Curry Yogurt Prawn Salad,

The prawns were not firm enough to be considered fresh. Luckily, the Curry Yoghurt sauce compensated the taste and balanced up the whole salad.

Farm Boy Splendor,

This Farm Boy Splendor wasn't a splendor at all. The lettuces and carrot slices didn't go well with the (flavourless) dressing, and the peanut toppings just spoilt everything.

Huai San,

The Huan San, (not exactly sure what it is,) was somewhat sticky and starchy, but it went well with the wasabi mixed soya sauce.

Fruit Salad,

Chunks of small fruits cupped tightly together in a nectareous combination, with overflowing cruch and juicyness - making this the best salad of all.

3rd Course: Soups

Fish Soup,

It was pleasant to drink Fish soup poured out of this cute little porcelein pot. Clear, not oily and fishily good.

Cream of Mushroom,

One of the best Cream of Mushroom I've drank so far. The kick of shoving spoonfuls of thick concentrated mushroom soup into your mouth, just makes you crave for more!

Cream of Pumpkin,

This was exactly how a good Cream of Pumpkin should be - luscious, velvety and full of flavour.

Shark-fin Melon Herbal Soup,

This soup base was somehow similar to that of the Fish soup, but it was enhanced with an additional brewed herbal tinge.

4th Course: Main Entrees

Tao's Oven Roasted Steak,

Fresh beef juice oozing out of this tender succulent chunk of Oven Roasted Steak, for every chomp you make.

Stew Beef with Rice (Japanese Style),

The most filling main entree of all. Thin beef slices that absorbed the essence of the gravy quick, completed with a bowl of rice. The stew is enjoyed straight off the mini stove, boiling hot.

Grilled Snapper with Japanese Sauce,

Cold, dry and hard piece of Grilled Snapper. The quality just didn't made up for the pathetic quantity.

Tao's Grilled Chicken,

Not exactly bad, but I felt was like any other chicken chops, off any other Western food stalls, in any other coffee shops / food courts.

Baked Atlantic Flounder with Cheese,

Fresh Atlantic Flounder topped with cheese, baked till crisp, and yet it melts away in your mouth.

5th Course: Beverages

(From front to back:) Ice Summer Peach Tea,
Ice Rose Apple Tea, Ice Grape Mallow Tea,

According to the menu, beverages were supposed to be the last course, but these arrived while we were halfway through our main entrees - better still. Refreshing fruit teas soothed and cleansed away the greasy feeling from the meat and all.

6th Course: Desserts

Creme Brulee,

Once you've tried the Creme Brulee from Nexus Gourmet, none other (like this) will be up to your expectations already.

Yangsheng Poached Pear,

I would rather choose a fresh pear over this sapless weird poached pear.

Green Tea Ice Cream,

Green tea flavoured ice creams are always good. This one was more to the milky side.

Homemade Chocolate Mousse,

Hard chewy sticky Chocolate Mousse just didn't pan out right.

This was what I thought that Tao's should deserve praises for their service. Instead of us asking, "what in-house offers do you have for a birthday girl?", their staff actually took the iniative to find out. Yes, they came forward to ask if we had any special ocassions going on. Upon knowing our intent of visit, they offered me a complementary birthday dessert and gift, sung a "Happy Birthday" song along with us, and even volunteered to help us take group photos.

VERDICT
Superb customer relations I'd say. If Tao's is working towards serving returning customers, then they have succeeded - because I don't see any reason for us not to go back there. However, a 6-course meal did not turned out to be as stomach bloating as we imagined. To our content, the lunch amounted to be of a very comfortable level which our stomachs could take. Tip-top service, great food, at an absoultely affordable pricing.

Tao's Modern Pacific Cuisine
#B1-19, Paradiz Centre
1 Seleie Road, S(188306)
(+65) 6339 8858
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.taos-restaurant.com

6-Course Set Lunch:	S$19.80++
7-Course Set Dinner:	S$28.80++

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Waraku @ East Coast: First and Best

2007-11-26T22:15:00.004+08:00

The first launch of Waraku at East Coast in year 2000, kick-started it's business to the many more branches today.

We were greeted by these interesting Tatami seats upon entering the reserved room. They weren't the traditional Japanese ones however, because I guess Singaporeans wouldn't want to kneel down in front of their food. So, Waraku improvised the Tatami seats by having a hole underneath the table, and the customers could slot their legs in and sit like on a normal chair. After all, Singaporeans want to eat in comfort.

Gyu Yanagawa Wazen, S$16++,

This set comes with simmering raw beef, a raw egg to be put in, a bowl of Udon, rice, and potato salad. An interesting dish we would say. The beef was fresh and juicy when being brought out; with the add of an egg in it, it was heavenly. The Udon was the usual, nothing much about it. The potato salad was really nice, fresh and sweet - sure an appetiser to start with.

The yummy beef when cooked.

Cha Soba, S$9.80++,

Texture, thickness and elasticity of these cold noodles were perfect. The Soba sauce, with a dip of it, simply brought out this Cha Soba's very best. One bite and you will know. Excellent!

Potato Mentai, S$8.80++,

Potato slices, topped with baked cheese and a piece of butter, made this one of the very popular side dish here. However, the potato slices were rather raw, and we felt this dish could be better if the potatoes were softer.

Gindara Teriyaki, S$11.80++,

Small small piece of cod fish steak, heated on a claypot with slow fire. It was good - nice and warm as it entered our mouths, but the quantity we got wasn't really worth the S$11.80++.

Matcha Ice Cream Cake, S$6.80++,

More like "Ice Cake" to us. No taste of "Matcha", no presence of "Cream", just little ice bits in the shape of a cake. The corns and red beans didn't integrate in well either.

Dorayaki Ice Cream Tempura, S$5.80++,

You have the eat this quick - else the ice cream would melt to a horrible state in no time, (because of the warm fried outer Dorayaki,) and when you try to pick it up with that small feeble toothpick, everything falls down into a clumsy plop.

VERDICT
Cha Soba was the best bet of the day; the set meals were the value for money ones, with portions enough to feed 2 not-very-big-eaters; and the desserts were below average. All in all, Waraku serves good authentic Japanese food, in a friendly dining environment, suitable for everyone - couples, friends, and families.

Waraku - East Coast
1020 East Coast Park Way, S(449878)
(+65) 6242 1123
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
http://www.waraku.com.sg

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Vienna Buffet: Could Be Cheaper

2007-11-17T16:24:00.002+08:00

Vienna International Seafood & Teppanyaki Buffet Restaurant on a Saturday afternoon.

Once you get your butts settled down, you'll be immediately served with a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (which you can get more from the buffet), and a cup of complimentary drink, with fruit juices and soft drinks to choose from.

The buffet area has an wide array of mouthwatering food ranging from Chinese, Western, Japanese to Italian cuisines.

(From the top, and clockwise down:) Peking Duck, Cha Soba, Sushis, Fruit Salad, Cheese Scallops, Smoked Salmon, Grilled Unagi

Teppanyaki,

I thought that the Teppanyaki was very good, especially the salmon and dory fish. They were grilled to the right amount of crispyness and tenderness, leaving fresh fish juices in your mouth. The rest of the meats: chicken, beef, lamb, and shisamo were like just any other Teppanyakis - nothing really special. There's beansprouts and vegetables too, but it's advisable to get those in moderation. Because after half a plate, you will get pretty tired of chewing the hard and tangled vegetables.

Seafood,

Only the fresh oysters, prawns and crayfish were worth the eat. Others, either the meat is quite rough and musty, or you fight through a lot to get a small piece of not-really-worth-the-fight meat.

I like the way Vienna presented their buffet servings. Small and delicate - it makes eating them easy and enjoyable, and you will still have the stomach space to go for other varieties.

Desserts,

Generous portions of whole cakes simply ruled the desserts section.

VERDICT
I'm spoilt for choices over the variety I get. However the seafood section, (which is the most expensive section,) wasn't really fantastic. And somehow, I felt that the buffet price could be a tad lower.

Vienna International Seafood & Teppanyaki Buffet Restaurant
#B1-01, United Square
101 Thomson Road, S(307591)
(+65) 6254 6686
Mon - Sun: 11.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
http://www.viennabuffet.com

Buffet Lunch:	S$27.80++ (Weekdays)
	S$29.80++ (Weekends)
Buffet Dinner:	S$34.80++ (Weekdays)
	S$36.80++ (Weekends)

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Sun with Moon: Wrong Dishes Probably

2007-11-07T23:33:00.006+08:00

Have been so tempted to try Sun with Moon for a very long time, and today we are going to satisfy it.

Salmon Avocado Sushi, S$8.50++,

The appetiser came later than our main course, and it ended up as a side dish instead. These five sushis sat side by side (in a single file) on a very long plate, which was nicely placed between us without sacrificing much table space; easy for sharing too.

The taste of salmon and advocado weren't very obvious, but they blended in well with the sushi rice and japanese fish's eggs. The mayonnaise runs in graceful thin streams on top of the sushis, giving them a tang, and at the same time, doesn't cast the sick aftertaste of those overused mayo.

For main course, both of us settled for their house specialty, kamameshi, which is known to us as "claypot rice" in local context.

When the sand in the hourglass runs out, the kamameshi is ready to be eaten.

Yakiniki (Beef) Kamameshi, S$14.80++,

Tasty and richly beef flavoured rice in a hot steaming pot. The tamago (egg) made the rice stick together, and it highlighted the aroma of the kamameshi. Delicious, but not exactly near heavenly. It didn't deserve a squeal of "Oishii" from me.

Pork Kurabi Kamameshi, S$14.80++,

The reason I chose PORK Kurabi Kamameshi, because I was picturing a completely different kind of pork. You know, those thinly sliced, lean pork (艘肉), if done well, can actually taste much better than chicken. But this dish turned out to be a total disappointment. 90% of each pork slice is made up of yucky fats, and only 10% is our so-called MEAT. I ended up spending my time separating the fats away, so I could chomp on some pathetic shreds of meat. After about 4 slices, I gave up. The rice here wasn't good either - it tasted almost as bland as plain rice. A complete turn-off!

Kaki Bacon Yaki, S$12,80++,

Not being a fan of oysters, I'm not in a position to really judge this. But according to Lionel, it was quite nice. Crispy on the outside, succulent and juicy in the inside. I got sick after eating the first one, and soon I was picking out the bacon and spinaches underneath the oysters.

Matcha Tiramisu, S$5.50++,

Dessert was the best thing of the day. Priced reasonably, this Matcha Tiramisu really does leaves sweet sensations in our taste buds. The fluffy cheesy goodness from the traditional tiramisus was retained, the expresso part was taken out, and a new kind Japanese matcha twist was added into it.

VERDICT
Expectations fall short - Perhaps the picture was painted too well with so many beautiful reviews of this restaurant, making the real thing taste poorer than what we expected. Or perhaps we just happened to order the wrong dishes. However, we wouldn't mind a second visit.

Sun with Moon Japanese Dining & Café
#03-15/16/17, Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road, S(238880)
(+65) 6733 6636
Sun - Thur: 11.30 a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Food:
Ambience:
Value:
Service:

Eat Eaten Ate

Moved!

SG Nasi Lemak: Sedap!

Ayam Merah, S$3.30 nett (+S$1 Chicken Wing),

Tetsu: The Work of Art

Kawa Ebi Karaage, S$8++, Fugu Mirin Boshi, S$10++,

Yaki Niku, S$18.50++,

Fire Hire, S$14.50++, Cheese Katsu Roll, S$16.50++,

Unagi Sushi, S8++,

Tai Kabutoni, S$28++,

Katsu Curry Rice, S$16.50++,

Surprise Dish from Chef,

Yuzu Ice Cream on Strawberry Sherbert, S$5.80++,

JuJu: Steamboats at Your Best Comfort

Semi-Boiled Golden Egg with House Starters,

Vermicelli,

Soba,

Fresh Pacific Ocean Platter,

Chicken and Pork Combo,

Hot and Spicy Soup,

Ice Plum Vinegar,

Pearl Harbor,

Glutinous Purple Rice Topped with Sweeten Yam,

Les Bouchons: Husky French Dishes

Burgundy Escargots with Garlic Herb Butter (9 pieces), S$16++,

Salad (Part of Any Entrée), S$32.80++,

Grilled Rib-Eye Steak with Vigneron Butter, S$32.80++,

Grilled Fillet of Salmon, S$32.80++,

CP: Part 2 of the Prepacked Series

CP Mexican Wings, S$$4.95 nett,

CP Glazed Teriyaki, S$4 nett,

Din Tai Fung: Same but Safest Dishes

Steamed Chicken Soup, S$8.80++,

Steamed Pork Dumplings (10 pieces), S$9++,

Fried Rice with Shredded Pork and Eggs, S$8.50++,

Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef and Tendon,S$10++,

Kuishin-Bo: Second "New" Branch

Edamames and Sushis,

Sashimis,

Chawanmushi and Cha Soba,

Snow Crabs,

Beef Burger on Hot Plate,

Salmon on Hot Plate,

Omu Rice,

Mini Lobster with Sweet Chilli,

Desserts,

Green Tea and Vanilla Soft Serve,

CP: Part 1 of the Prepacked Series

CP Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, S$6.50 nett,

Tetsu: The Season and Reason for Indulgence

Kani Tofu, Swordfish Tataki, Sake Namazuke(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

Sashimi Moriwases (Part of Tetsu Christmasand New Year Set), S$58++,

Gindara Sukiyaki (Part of Tetsu Christmasand New Year Set), S$58++,

Rosu Katsu with Ebi Katsu and Garlic Fried Rice(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

Dragon Roll (6 pieces) , S$18++,

Homemade Sesame Ice Cream (Part of Tetsu Christmasand New Year Set), S$58++,

Banana Tempura and Ice, S$7.80++,

Victor's Kitchen: Authentic Dim Sum at a Steal

Victor's King Prawn Dumpling, S$3.80++,

Tasty Queen Size Siew Mai, S$3++,

Scallop, Sausage Carrot Cake with XO Sauce, S$3.80++,

Steam Chicken with Chinese Wine, S$2.50++,

Oyster Sauce Char Siew Bun, S$2.80++,

Milky Custard Bun, S$2.80++,

King Prawn Cheong Fun, S$3.50++,

Youtiao Cheong Fun, S$3++,

Crispy Golden Shrimp Rolls, S$3.50++,

Passion Mango Pomelo Sago, S$4++,

Riders Cafe: Hidden Find

Buffalo Wingers (Half a Dozen), S$8.95++,

Mushroom Chorizo Pasta, S$15.95++,

Ribeye, S$28++,

Death-By-Chocolate-Cake, S$11.95++,

Sakae Teppanyaki: Clink Clank Clonk

Appetiser and Miso Soup (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Garlic Brown Rice (Upgraded from Chicken Set), S$2.50++,

Assorted Mushroom (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Salmon (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Oyster (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Tofu Steak (Part of Chicken Set), S$17.99++,

Kawa Ebi Karaage, S$8++,
Fugu Mirin Boshi, S$10++,

Fire Hire, S$14.50++,
Cheese Katsu Roll, S$16.50++,

Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef and Tendon,
S$10++,

Kani Tofu, Swordfish Tataki, Sake Namazuke
(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

Sashimi Moriwases (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

Gindara Sukiyaki (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

Rosu Katsu with Ebi Katsu and Garlic Fried Rice
(Part of Tetsu Christmas and New Year Set), S$58++,

Homemade Sesame Ice Cream (Part of Tetsu Christmas
and New Year Set), S$58++,

Grilled Premium Rib-Eye Beef Steak with
Wasabi Butter Sauce, S$19.80++,

Caramelized Sweet Potato and Japananese Rice Cake
with Matcha Ice Cream, S$8.80++,

Smoked Salmon and Camembert Toast Salad
with Apricot Sorbet, S$13.80++,

Iced Lemon Tea and Cream of Pumpkin (Beverage and Soup
of Flight and Dine Package A), S$35.90++,

Fish and Chips (Main Course of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,

Grilled Chicken Primavera (Main Course of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,

Hazelnut Mango Roulade (Dessert of Flight and Dine Package A),
S$35.90++,