Tetsu: The Work of Art

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:

Din Tai Fung: Same but Safest Dishes

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:

Tetsu: The Season and Reason for Indulgence

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: