So the Oasis has made the big move from its old premises near the Indoor Stadium to the Toa Payoh. And true to its name its even managed to secure a site next to the pond at the Toa Payoh Park providing a “garden view” dining experience. Hrrmm.

The new digs are definitely a world of a difference from the old restaurant. Gone is the once-iconic porridge restaurant that “floats on water” housed in the Oasis building (with the next door KTV allowing for some really interesting eye candy in the restaurant especially if you dine there late enough). No more (sometimes) tattered red leather seats. Now the place is awash with bright lights, new linens and an all round (cheena) up market feel. Can’t help but miss the old school Oasis restaurant which really was part of the overall charm of the place.

Good to see that they have not done away with the little red buckets which they dish out the steaming hot porridge from. Of course we ordered our usual comfort food of kong ba ($8) and cai po neng ($5). Those are still good, no difference from the old days. At the staff’s insistence we also ordered the house special Oasis beancurd ($10) but I’d say please don't bother and give this a miss. Its basically fried egg beancurd topped with some caipo (?), spring onions and other random crispy bits in a brown sauce. Not very appetising, really.

Overall still a good option for an unfussy bite especially late at night. But the love affair with Oasis has somewhat died a bit after my Toa Payoh jaunt. Its like you know how you met your First Big Love after donkey years and you kinda feel like you've moved on and the going was good when it lasted? Yeah something like that.

I have patronized this joint since my teen years as my dad being a very Chinaman brought me here for late night super. The standard dishes we ordered were the cai po egg, fried pompfret in blackbean sauce, chuan chai pork and sambal kangkong etc. For all the times, the service was impeccable and the food was serve HOT. When you chow down the food with the sweet potato porridge it just brings lots of warmth and memories of the family gathering and course my dearly departed dad. I was forever proud that when I brought my son who is now 11 years, I would tell him of how my dad brought me here, how when I was dating mom we came here, how we both went overseas for our education/work had him and we still took him here and joked that if I am able to have his kid come here too in the future it will be such a great treat.

Unfortunately all these came crashing as I was there at first in Kallang thinking there are still there and hoping to still catch them before they moved and found out that they moved. And of all place they have moved to the park right opposite of the HDB Hub. I suppose they were trying to recreate by the lake feel in Kallang but it just does not cut it. Parking was a nuisance as you now have to park at the swimming pool complex and unless you like to walk a little bit more you can choose to park and the HDB hub.

On first appearance into the restaurant at about 11pm Saturday, everything seems as usual - busy. All tables were full and we were all game for the usual. After placing the order with the now all mostly China staff, it took at least 30 minutes for the food to arrive as compared to under 5 minutes as before (which never failed to amaze me how the simple, no ambience place can deliver such great service and efficiency to churn the food out as if it was preordered). The taste of the food was also different. The fried pompret was not fried well and it became soggy while we waited for our porride to arrive. Yes, the food finally came but the porridge didn't. The egg as expected with the rising cost became smaller. Nevertheless, we were hungry and quickly eat what was still hot. After the 1st serving of porridge we ordered more and yes....we had to wait again for the porride for at least another 5 minutes since the waitress supposedly forget about it.

When we were finally done. Ask for the check and guess what.... we waited again. I had to finally go up to the cashier whom did not seem to be busy and was not processing my check. My bill came to a total usual $55 (ok a little higher as expected but ok) and we were on our way home with our stomach full but disappointed that our love for this tradition ended.

After a round of drinks at a recent restaurant launch, I needed some detoxing and a fellow reviewer suggested that I have some porridge to which I quickly agreed.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at this nice restaurant in Toa Payoh that was surrounded by the peaceful night setting. When I went in, I was a little dazed as the bright light and the sight of people of oldies eating peacefully gave me a feeling like I was in paradise. But thankfully there were no dieties around, only eager waitresses waiting to take our order.

We had the usual, raw clams, fried omelette, preserved vegetables, minced pork with preserved duck egg, pig's intenstines and some enoki mushrooms. Most of the dishes tasted like traditional teochew garb so I do not have much comments other than the fact that it was good comfort food.

Service was about average and I have no complaints in this area.

My 1st time to this place after they shifted to Toa Payoh from Kallang.
Standard hasn't change, something that I am glad about. :)
The porridge was still as gd, and you get big chunks of the sweet potato in it. :)
BEST.

Was abit disappointed about the fried liver and salted cripsy chicken.
The former: u only see a few pces of the liver in that mass sea of sauce.
The latter: too hard. And tasted abit bitter. =_=

Must try the cold dish of tofu + preserved egg....goes well with the porridge :)

One thing tat I MUST mention here is that they serve really nice chinese tea. Not those tasteless kind, really generous serving of tea leaves! :P

Maybe cos of timing, the waitresses were like slacking ard, can hardly get their attention =_=

The new Oasis building finally lived up to its name. Located in Toa Payoh park, it was a nice well ventilated building with ample natural lighting and a pretty view of the park lake.

The menu was unchanged from its Kallang days and the "han zi mui" was still served in the red bucket warmer.

Special of the day was Roast Goose which tasted just like Roast Duck "Lu Ya" except not as fatty. The meat was thinly sliced and rather tender too. We also had the Chai po Omelette which was nice and fluffy, Chai Buay - not too salty, Deep fried salty chicken - a bit like prawn paste chicken but yummier and also Brasied beancurd with Shrimps.

Was a satisfying meal in all in a nice comfortable environment. Oh, and if you drive, you'll have to park at the swimming pool carpark. Altho we spotted some cars driving into the park area in front of the building even though there were temporary barriers put up. I suppose they allow VIPs to drive in or perhaps those who require the handicap lot.