Häagen-Dazs: Just for the Premium Ice Cream

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

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

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

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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