I was introduced to this place by a good friend of mine who brought me here for dinner...

You know it's rare nowadays to get nice claypot rice....and when my friend said to me...you have to try this claypot rice...coz it's good....So we headed down to the Big Splash hoping there's no long queue...

Now folks...if u are in a hurry for a chop chop meal....look elsewhere....you have to wait between 15 mins to 30 mins for your order to arrive at this place...so patience is key...but the end result is worth the wait..

Ordered their traditional chinese sausage claypot rice and their chicken with sesamee oil and ginger....Now...I'm a fan of claypot rice with some light crispiness to it...you know like the famous one in chinatown....this one over here lacks the slight "chao tar" crispiness....but I will tell them to make mine slightly "chao tar" in future....but surprise surprise...you see most places try to flood you with a slight overdose of oil....this one here is almost oil free ! So the health conscious can rest assure your arteries are not blocked intentionally if u dine here..

Now the chicken in sesame oil and finely cut ginger is a winner....goes very well with the claypot rice....and yes I think this place will have a huge following in no time...

Btw don't bother with making reservations....coz there's none to begin with.... due to their " No Reservations By Phone " policy...But hey...it's worth the wait....that u can be assured..

CPH has been around for quite sometime at their current location..

Having lost count "makaning" at the famous Kok Kee wanton noodle store.....and having seen CPH in action for so long...I told myelf I have to check out their yummy looking BBQ chicken wings TODAY...

Ordered afew pcs plus some satay...didn't expect their satay to be good since they specialized in BBQ wings....so when the freshly "pengkang" satays were ready...I was surprised that it tasted better than I'd expected.....to be frank...it's rather good ! And the rich peanut sauce played a big part too...

Now back to their bread and butter BBQ wings....now I have to say they are fresh and the meat is tender....nicely BBQ on the outside...but moist and tender on the inside...and dun forget to go witht their chilli sauce as well....And I've to say this again...it's good !

This is a long overdue review and I must say a thousand apologies for such a lengthy delay...

FYI this is a food tasting session organized by HGW and I was lucky enough to be invited....I must say I had a great time especially with my HGW dining kakis !

We ordered the following for the evening :

1)       Frittura Mista = Good starter

2)       Chicken Fingers = decent

3)       Spinach Soup = good

4)       Bruschetta Pomodoro = decent

5)       Filetto Tonno – this is the grilled tuna = decent but alittle dry

6)       Gamberoni Griglia – Grilled prawn = decent size but prawns could be fresher as the meat got stuck to the shell !

7)       Lagsane = decent

8)       Linguine Capesante – this is the scallop linguine =

9)       Caprisiosa Pizza – this is the one with egg

10)   Etna Pizza – This is the cream based pizza = best dish in the menu

11)   Lava Pizza – This is the one with black olives

12)   Pesce Siciliana – the dory fish =  decent

13)   Tiramisu = decent

I'm sure I'll be back to check out the rest of the menu...this place is cool in it's own right being away from the hustle and buzzle of city life....

PS And did I say the service crew is also attentive and keen to serve ?

I was invited for a food tasting session by HGW to check out this new place...

Upon receiving the invite....first thing that struck me....Tim sum for dinner ?

Or....

Well...the day arrived and I was in for a surprise....No tim sum for this makan session after all.....and will I be sorely disappointed ?

The following items being prepared for us to sample :

1) Pomfret Tapino ("tapino" is the cantonese translation  for Yum Cha's " Ta Peen loh " ) = Good and quite refreshing.
2) Braised Chicken in Vinegar and Chinese Wine (Hot Stone Pot style) = decent
3) Steamed Garlic Prawns = Quite good
4) A1 Sri Lankan Chilli Crab & Black Pepper Crab (Served with Mantous - buns) = Goes really well with the bun
5) Stir Fried Scallops with Fresh Mango = Not bad
6) Tofu with Mushroom & Vegetable = Decently good
7) Seafood Hor Fun = Average...could have been better
8) Assortment of Dessert (Durian pudding, Mango pudding, Mango pomelo Sago & Pulau hitam with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream)

The overall dining experience and quality of food is good enough to make a trip down to Serangoon gardens.....and the service is quite good too !

I happened to pass by this parisian looking cafe cum restaurant as I was looking for something new to try out...Oh well...scrolled through the menu that was on display at the entrance.... and decided to check it out...

Ordered the following :

1) French onion soup  =  rich and thick....good stuff !

2) Pan fried button mushrooms = very tasty...a must have and must try item !

3) Duck confit = better than expected....good effort !

4) Chocolate fondant = very thick and rich....great for chocolate lovers !

Service is good and I will definitely be back to check out the rest of the items...and yes...you do feel u are in a little parisian cafe !

I've heard of this place thru afew sources and finally ventured there when a good friend bought me lunch one fine day... Having looked thru the menu...we ordered the following : 1) Pumpkin soup = Good 2) Beef Stew = Good 3) Duck Confit = Better than expected 4) Chocolate Fondant = Decent To make the trip there for those who don't drive can be a hassle...but the food and ambience is worth the trouble...

This is one of my fav place at Mandarin Gallery....Not that it serves the best food out there....but it's very cozy...and the coffee there is good...not to mention the owner is a nice friendly chap...if you are clueless as to what to order...he will patiently guide you along....and judging by the bigger crowds everytime I'm there...it will be a hit in no time...And most importantly...the coffee there is good !

A friend of mine asked me whether we should check out Ippudo....and after having been there since that very day...I was back a couple of more times... Most of the time, I will order the following : 1) Potato salad = quite good but portion could be bigger 2) Gyoza = dainty looking and decent taste. 3) Renkon chips = decent 4) Fried chicken in 3 spices = unique but can be quite salty 5) Akamaru Tamago Ramen = good and u won't feel thirsty later = no MSG I would say this place is the HOTTEST restaurant in Mandarin Gallery judging by the long queues daily....Hmm...what's there to improve on ? How about some decent seats rather than let your customers stand for 1/2 and hour to an hour during peak periods ?

I chanced upon this new restaurant recently and decided to give it a try....But they have one of the most concise menu in any Jap restaurant....and it's their special tasting menu as their full range of items on their standard menu will only be available in Feb ! So ordered their executive set at S$120.00 a set which comes with the following : 1) Special starter with 4 items....can't remember all of them...but one stood out as a kind of braised beef....it's good and tasty ! 2) Wakyu beef which I think there is room for improvement 3) Baked cod fish which is good 4) Tempura selection 5) Desert whic is some Jap ice cream I would say this is quite a nice dining experience and service is good due to Jap service crew....and I will be back to check out their regular menu when it's available...

I've been visiting Mandarin Gallery quite often recently thanks to Ippudo and Wild Honey ! So I told myself I need to check out something new.....what else but to check out Lawrys...they're just ready for business for less than a week and I must say u are greeted by the familiar Lawry's look.. First thing I noticed is their warm service....took my order promptly and with a smile.. Ordered the following : 1) Chicken soup = average but decent enuff 2) Shrimp salad = fresh and good...portion could be a tad more generous 3) "English Cut" = Decent 4) Idalho baked potato = Good with generous amt of toppings 5) creamy spinach = Decent 6) Lobster tail = Decent All I can say...the biggest improvement is their service....they were good...but now...they are better....But prices are up..... and be prepared to pay S$300+ for 2 pax for a decent spread...