21 DEC 2009

The invite from Team-HGW brought wifey and I to a part of Singapore we almost never venture into... as it is no-where near any MRT stations that’s within walking distance (closest was Serangoon MRT). For reference, it’s a short walk from the rather famous Chomp Chomp food centre. We were greeted by the HGW gang as we waited for the other invitees to trickle in... For this food-tasting session, we were served a healthy spread... Promfret Tapino Basically this dish was freshly sliced promfret eaten steamboat-style. The thin promfret slices were 'dipped' for a specific amount of time in the boiling soup. The grasp of the perfect dip will enable one to appreciate the freshness and texture of the promfret slices. A excellent dish, tasty soup based accompanied by some yam slices and leafy veg. A great start to the session I must add! [8/10] Wine Sauce Chicken Served in a hot-stone pot (similar to those Korean hot-stone rice), the dark braised chicken in wine sauce came across as typical, but decent. [6/10] Steamed Garlic Prawns I have to agree with the other reviewers that this dish was one of a few that stood out in terms of presentation & taste. Great combination of fresh prawns, amidst a sea of garlic & egg... I found myself diving in for more too! [8.5/10] Signature A1 Sri Lanka Chilli Crab and Black Pepper Crab with Golden Buns Not a crab person, I gave the crab a miss. I did very much enjoyed the deep-fried buns and the smooth creamy chilli crab sauce. [8.5/10 for the sauce + buns] Stir Fried Scallop with Fresh Mango Another notable dish… The addition of mango here really ‘notched-up’ the taste of what I’d expect for a regular Scallop/Broccoli dish. Well done! [8/10] Tofu with Mushroom and Vegetable I very much enjoyed one part of this dish… that’s the see-weed Tofu (or at least I think its sea-weed). Mushroom and Veg was so-so. [6.5/10] Seafood Hor Fun Nicely presented, alas it’s nothing spectacular taste-wise… Chomp Chomp’s Czi Char can probably serve up something much better. [5/10] Choice of Desserts The feast ended with some fine desserts, and of the two we tried (black glutinous rice with vanilla ice cream [7/10) & sago [6/10]), I much preferred the black glutinous rice over the sago. Overall, a decent feast, well above-average… coupled with great company, it’s indeed a excellent place to dine on some causal Chinese cuisine.

If interested, more interesting write-ups of other establishments can be seen here...

10 AUG 2009

Went for a quick lunch with Wifey at Qi Ji... For $10.70, we had Lontong, Mee Siam, Popiah, Tea, & Coffee...

Overall… food wise, it was barely average... edible enough... Among the items ordered, Lontong was the best... Popiah barely made it... and Mee Siam failed to make a mark...

Now… The shocking thing was the state of their utensils... which were not properly washed!! YUCK!! I was quite frankly… totally grossed out... Seriously... No joke!! I don't usually spend that much time picking my utensils (resultant: Low Ambience rating) ... So, be warned... If eating @ Qi Ji (Tiong Bahru), remember to check your utensils and give it a good wipe down... Better still, bring your own!

If interested, more interesting write-ups of other establishments can be seen here...

01 AUG 2009

Continuing our exploration of ION Orchard, we came across the newly opened pretty-in-pink Canton-i. We browsed through their menu and found their price to be quite acceptable... considering the all-out-no-expense-spared decoration of the restaurant in white and pink... It really looked and felt very impressive to me and we decided to try it out...

Canton-i was packed... We waited for a short while before being led in. The place was very alive with the younger waiters and waitresses scurrying around... I feared for some of the older staffs Canton-i employed that seemed to be struggling with the pace and appeared to be lost at times...

We placed our orders and even though the place was packed, our orders did not take too long to arrive!

Our order of Canton-i's signature Hong Kong styled Prawn Wonton Noodle ($5.80) was of the smaller version. The rather measly small plate of noodle came with only two Prawn Wontons and a soup... However, the Prawn Wontons, filled with chunky prawns, tasted fresh and were rather fantastic. By Wifey's standards, it was probably one of the closest she experienced in term of authentic Hong Kong styled Wonton Noodle (without the char siu)...

My order of the "Five Wonders" Rice ($11.80) was served together with the "five wonders": half a braised egg, braised tofu, braised duck winglets, sliced cuttlefish, and crispy skin roast pork... Taste wise, the braised stuffs, the duck winglets and the Roast Pork were all superb... Specially the Roast Pork!! Style wise, it was quite different from Hong Kong's "Three or Four Wonders" Rice, which usually come with half a salted egg and two or three different roast of your choice... Not quite worthy for its price I thought!

One of my all time favorite dim sum item, the Steamed Dough Fritter Cheung Fun ($4.80) did not disappoint at all!! The dough fritter, wrapped within the steamed cheung fun was still ultra crunchy... Both of us were almost struggling to finish the last few pieces... This would've been perfect for a table of three or four to share...

The cutest order of the day... HAS to be the Steamed Piggy Bun with Red Bean Paste ($3.00)... Like aren't these CUTE?! Wifey wanted it ordered the second she saw it... Simply irresistible!! Its just a simple Red Bean Paste Bao... adorned with ears and snout made of dough... and black sesame eyes... Skin texture of the Bao was decent and the Red Bean Paste within were average... However, its the presentation that delighted us greatly... A must-have for kiddies (below 5 years old) at the table!

All up, the meal cost $34.00 including 10% Service Charge and 7% GST. Sad to say, Canton-i charged $1.00 for plain water and my order of Coca-Cola was $2.50... We should've just ordered a pot of Chinese Tea... Rejecting the two wet towels saved us $2.00++...

Though fully staffed, they still seemed a little overwhelmed... and I found the service to be a little patchy at times... Perhaps these will improve over time since the place is less than 1 week old... Will most likely bring the family on our next trip back... Just have to remember to make a reservation!

If interested, all pictures and write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

26 JUL 2009

Think BreadTalk breads, but with more varieties of breads and pastry...

A new spin off from the BreadTalk Group (at least thats what my receipt says...), Bread Society is located where Wheelock Place meets ION Orchard on Basement 2, and a couple shops from Dunkin' Donuts...

The place was constantly packed as we walked past a few times whilst exploring ION Orchard... After walking past for the Nth times, we decided to talk-away some...

French Cheese/Bacon Bite-size breads (4x for $2.80) were quite nice. So were the Blueberry Pastry thingy ($2.20) and the Apple Pie ($1.50)...

Scanning through some of the price tags, I thought some of the new varieties were slightly pricer compared to BreadTalk (by about 10% to 20%), However, those looked a little more solid and not airy fluffy like how Wifey put it... at least that was true for the few items we ordered.

Will definitely be back for more!!

If interested, write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

25 JUL 2009

I wanted to write my usual detailed and positive review for Nanbantei... But... Since one of the staff restricted my photo-taking, I will just keep it to positive but very brief...

Tried out the Obento set brother bad been raving about and I must admit it was very well priced consider the set came with a decent miso soup, solid Japanese rice covered at different segments with either sea-weed, sliced braised mushroom, or minced meat. The Obento set came with an assortment of 5 yakitori sticks, and a small bowl of classic Japanese dumpling and red bean paste dessert... All these for a mere $12.50... The assortment was grilled to perfection and tasted excellent. Brother also ordered a grilled Nanbanyaki (beef; $6.00) and that was superb as well... Tender and succulent!

All in, the meal cost $36.49 including 10% service charge and 7% GST... It appeared that the Japanese tea was free. Anyway, Nanbantei was very busy when we were there. Without a reservation we had to wait a fair while, so make sure you go with a reservation during peak hours. Also, with plenty of waitresses on staff, the service there was acceptable, though there should've been someone doing tea-refilling rounds.

If interested, write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

25 JUL 2009

Exploration of the new in-place in town - Orchard Ion... can be rather harrowing, especially with an endurance shopper like Wifey... Even though it was only 30 minutes into the excursion, I felt the need for sustenance...

A strategic right turn coming out of Miu Miu brought us towards Bally which is just opposite Gusttimo and I refuse to budge until I was fed something sweet – and a kiss is not enough!!...

Gusttimo is rather classy with the high ceiling and the huge chandelier... The staffs are patient, polite and cheery... There was a queue by the Gelato counter probably due to indecisiveness of the patrons with the flavours and the availability of tasters – Imagine each clueless patron (including myself) test-tasting at least 2 to 3 flavours before deciding... I actually saw someone with 6+ tasting spoons and still thinking of what to pick!! The flavours available (list here) are quite extensive, with the majority in the cream family (96% fat free). There are also gelato of the fruit and yogurt family (zero fat).

A cup size of 3 flavours Picolo cost $5.90, or 4 flavours Grande cost $7.80... We decide on the smaller-sized cup... and picked Biscotto (biscuit), Tiramisu (mocha cake) and Caffe (coffee)... The Caffe gelato was average... Equal winners, due to their excellent taste and unique texture, were the Tiramisu and Biscotto... It was so good we actually came back for seconds when I cried for another time out... This time round we ordered another Picolo cup with Mela (green apple), Panna Cotta (Vanilla pudding + macadamia nuts) and Melone (melon). Outright winner was the Panna Cotta with actual macadamia nuts within... Melone was average, but Mela was a tad sourish...

Although indoor seating (less than 20) dedicated to the gelateria was available they were constantly occupied so we chose to take-away on both occasions... Saw a large alfresco dining area outside, but I believe it is for a more solid meal (Antipasto, Pasta, Paninin, Tapas) that is also available at Gusttimo. However, although covered, I still think it may be too hot under the mid-day / afternoon sun (even though claim of a special cooling system for alfresco dining comfort is available on their website)... Not too sure how well it will work at night as it is rather close to the stretch of Paterson road opposite Wheelock Place...

Orchard Ion is huge... We will be back for more shopping... As long as the above statement is true, we will definitely be back to Gusttimo for more of their gelato menu...

If interested, pictures and write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

18 JUL 2009

Received a promotional email regarding Central Food Festival which is held in collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board... One of the featured restaurant: Seoul Yummy, had a fantastic looking mixed Hot Stone pot rice on it... and that got me drooling... *slurp* After successfully selling the idea of Korean food to Wifey, we head down to The Central to check out some of the promotions Seoul Yummy and the rest of the restaurants in The Central are running...

So, Seoul Yummy is currently running a opening promotion... $9.99 per set with a choice of 4 mains. Each set comes with free flow of hot or cold Korean Tea and the usual KimChi and appetizers. Seeing this, we went no further and stepped into the restaurant. Apparently, Seoul Yummy took over Wakashachiya Curry Udon... another one bites the dust! Anyway, service was sparse but still acceptable since the restaurant is new and there wasn't much of a crowd...

Once seated, we quickly ordered two promotional sets ($9.99 x 2) and almost immediately, the KimChi and appetizers were served... I have to say, of the six appetizers served, only one (peanuts) did not quite make the cut... Out of the rest of the five items, at least three were quite outstanding to me (Spicy Tofu, Potato salad, KimChi)... and if I were to pick a winner out of the terrific three, it got to be the slightly sweetish, mildly spicy tofu...

We also ordered a side of Crispy Fried Fish ($5.80) to supplement the meal... Well, the small fish bites were very crispy but tasted average at best with a very slight hint of fishiness coming through the strong flavours of the BBQ sauce... Not really a fish person, I don't know why I ordered this in the first place... Ahhh... I should have ordered another side...

The portion of the Korean Fried Glass Noddle with Beef was huge with many slices of beef within and topped with plenty of thin egg strips. Did it taste as good as it looked? Well, I took a bite and I wish I ordered this... The Q-ness of the glass noodles was evident and it tasted excellent with the tasty and tender beef slices... A very well done dish indeed and definitely great value at the current promotional price!

Out of the various Bibim Bap or Korean Hot Stone Pot rice I tried so far in Singapore, this has to be one of the better ones. Presentation matched the one seen on their promotional emails with nicely lined vegetables, mushrooms and chunky spicy stir-fried chicken pieces... I simply loved it... specially the sauce-soaked crispy semi-burnt rice stuck to the side of the Stone Pot... Another excellent dish that is great value at the current promotional price!

All in, the meal cost $30.35 including 10% service charge and 7% GST... I am actually considering coming back again before the promotion runs out at the end of the month (July 2009)... However, If I do, I will definitely be choosing to seat away from the kitchen... which bring me to the point: Perhaps the management should take note of the kitchen staffs... Loud conversations and hideous laughter can be heard throughout our meals... Service wise, I think it can be and should be improved with more attentive staffs or stationing a staff or two strategically as the restaurant is rather of oddly-shaped...

If interested, all pictures of the meal and write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

17 JUL 2009

In terms of the appearance of the popiah, I thought it was nothing out of the ordinary... However, after the first bite, I will have to agree that the end product did possess a slight edge over the normal variety popiahs out there... This is probably due to the distinctive crunchiness of the deep-fried mini-fish bites within eat bite of the firmly rolled popiah...

Not sure if I will come back here specifically for the popiah as Whampoa is a part of town I very rarely come by... However, if I am a resident of the area, this will definitely be the stall I go to for a quick popiah fix!

If interested, write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

17 JUL 2009

Whole Earth... a rather Zen name... was somehow associated with organic food when I first heard about it... Well, thanks to the invite from HGW, I soon realise that it's a Vegetarian restaurant that serves Peranakan-Thai food...

Located just a stone throw away from Tanjong Pagah MRT Station, it is not too difficult to find... Even though Whole Earth recently moved to the current location at Peck Seah Street, a healthy lunch crowd was there when I arrived for the food tasting session...

Once the small contingent of reviewers arrived, everyone was served a freshly made Honey Lemongrass Drink which I found to be a tad too sweet... We were also served a homemade starter of Seaweed Chips which was nice and rather addictive... perhaps I was starving... thats why!

Soon after, a series of enticing vegetarian dishes were served in waves... some of which were actually rather mouth-watering... *slurp*

The fragrant Olive Rice tasted good but seemed a little dry by itself initially... However, it was perfect with the rest of the vegetarian curries and gravied dishes...

Not a fan of Tom Yum, I thought the vegetables-filled Tom Yum Soup was rather tasty, not overly sour, and not as spicy as I thought...

The next two regularly available vegetables were fried Sambal Kangkong and Bailing Mushroom with Fresh Greens... The fried Sambal Kangkong was decent... although a little more spice would've been excellent whereas the Bailing Mushroom with Fresh Greens was a little bland for me...

Next, the slightly sourish and mildly spicy Assam Pedas served was absolutely fantastic! I was told the sauce was prepared over 5 hours with a whole list of ingredients including but not limited to galangal, tamarind, ginger, chilli and lemongrass... It seemed like any regular Assam Pedas... just without the fish!! Apparently, three different types of beancurds and seaweed were used to achieve the fish-like texture... A very impressive, well done dish, and a definite must try!!

The vegetarian Ngor Hiang, thinly sliced, tasted average and not quite comparable to the real meaty Ngor Hiang!! I guess I still prefer the taste of the real thing...

Probably the weakest link, I found the Thai Green Curry to be lacking in flavors...

The next two dishes were quite outstanding!! First, the mushroom within the flavorsome Nyonya Curry, prepared to be slightly tougher, successfully replicated the texture of how meat within a meat curry felt like... Together with the thick and tasty curry, I found it to be very addictive...

To me, their Rendang Curry, did not quite taste like regular Rendang Curry, but more like a different variant of the earlier Nyonya Curry. However, I was rather addicted to the taste and texture of the mushrooms within...

The final dish that arrive was the Steamed Tofu with minced Oats paste. Now... this is another excellent must-try dish... especially after learning that the tofu was topped with minced oat paste... Very unique!!

To sum this excellent food tasting session up, I thought most of the vegetarian dishes presented were great... each was very nicely prepared and some obviously with lots of thoughts put into its creation... specially the use of mushrooms to achieve the 'illusion' of meat...

Well, I can already see myself bringing Wifey to this Peranakan vegetarian joint in the not too distant future!!

If interested, all pictures taken of the food tasting session and write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...

19 JUL 2009

Stopped by for an afternoon tea after walking around town with Wifey & Mom...

Place was busy, but its no excuse for lapse of service. We were seated and forgotten... We ordered and asked for iced water and it never came... until Wifey asked for iced water from another waiter... Our orders of Chocolate Truffle Cake ($6.95), Freshly Brewed Coffee ($5.00), Cappuccino ($5.50), and a 'Batman Returns' Sundae ($14.90) trickled in slowly with a 5-15 mins waiting time in-between each item...

The Coffee & Cappuccino was average at best...

Chocolate Truffle Cake, also called 'Aphrodisiac' was quite decent... and very nicely priced for its size...

Batman Returns is a simple Sundae creation like those from Swensen or Haagen-Dazs... Basically, its three different flavours of ice-cream: Chocolate, Vanilla, and Rum & Raisin, topped with cubed chocolate brownies, a sprinkle of crushed nuts and almond flakes... Liked the taste of their Run & Raisin, and the overall creation, but found it to be rather pricey...

All in, the dessert session at Big O Cafe cost $32.35 (inclusive of 10% Service Charge and 7% GST) for 2 coffees, a cake and a Sundae... Overall it was not really cheap and definitely not much service to speak of... Perhaps they need more waiters or rather... better trained waiters! Don't think we will be back to the Restaurant... Might get some take-away Chocolate Truffle Cakes though!!

If interested, pictures and write-ups of other reviews can be seen here...