With a claim that says "Founder of Chilli Crab since 1956" how can you not try? Even more surprising only 2 reviews so far and both bordering raving. Since the stupid F1 practically locked-up the town area and nearby roads and, I really don't want to be in a jam, so most of the F1 week was spent near home.

Now, this place sits at the top of a multi-story carpark next to Parkway Parade (car park entrance is on the other side from parkway though). I was expecting something along the line of Boon Lay Rajah Restaurant but was pleasantly surprised by the "modern" set-up. Though the modern here means recently renovated...rather than it not looking like a 80s Chinese "housing board" restaurant...=P maybe not so bad...anyway, with a name like Roland Restaurant what do you really expect?

Who cares right? I am here for the food! Ordered/Came with the table:

Crispy Baby Squid (recommended) $10
Sambal Mussels (recommended) $10
Mushrooms with Broccoli $16
Chilli Crab 900gms $37.80
Fried Bun 4 pcs $1.40
Rice $1 each
Towel $0.45each
Chinese tea $1/pax
Pickles $2

Baby squid - nothing extraordinary, I guess it is a good starter if you have a large group but as a "main" it is rather funny. I haven't had fried squid for more than 10 years I think...and perhaps it will be another 10 before I have some more? Nothing here that will make me re-order.

Mussels - same as any you can get in hawker center so i suggest you skip this and order this when you visit chomp chomp or newton. Use the space/$ to order something more meaningful. It is, however, fresh and decent.

Mushroom with Broccoli - I just wanted broccoli and server recommended this. Had no idea it would cost $16 though...for a rather small portion (8pcs of broccoli, 4 mushroom) to add. Skip...or just order something simple like kailan...

Chilli Crab - now here is what you come for. While the sauce is firmly depending on preference, I say this is overall better than Mellben or any of the other seafood restaurants in East Coast, which i find way overpriced and commonly similar. Crab here is very juicy and tender (lucky day?). They use the bright orange "gao" to cook the sauce resulting in a richer sauce but personally, a bit more sweetness (more ketchup maybe?) would be preferred. It is a nice sauce overall but just lacks that bit of a wow factor I guess... Its more like a "hmmm ok good" rahter than a "WOW...this is shiok" - if that makes any sense. Still, I would rather go back to Roland for chilli crab than line-up like crazy at still road or have anything from East Coast Seafood Center...

There is a duck dish (Zhang Char Ya) that smells fantastic from an adjacent table, should have just ordered that plus a crab and some kailan which should feed up to 3 moderate eater. I think that would be more worth it rather than the spread I had. Will be back to try a few more dishes though.

Roland's is always a safe choice for crabs and seafood. What I like most about it is that you don't have to jostle with crowds or contend with rude food Nazis. It's just good food and good service in a simple but comfy air-conditioned environment (although occasionally the hazards of karaoke come in). The decor is starting to look a little dated but somehow this adds to the restaurant's charm, given its long history.

I prefer the black pepper crab to the chili version. We shared one meaty and sweet Sri Lankan crab (about $38/kg) and it came drenched in lots of coarse peppery sauce. Underneath that shell was a ton of roe! Which I'm normally not fond of. But here, I found that it paired well with the sauce and I ate almost half of it. Some good "wok hei" kept the crab hot for a long time too.

Also had fish maw soup with sea treasures, and stir-fried mixed vegetables to complete the meal. Both competently done.

Rest of photos and review here.

How come nobody did a review on Roland before? Apparently this is the place where chilli crabs originate from in 1956. So they should be the king of chilli crabs, i supposed. Such a long history and so well supported over the years. This place is popular for hosting ROM dinners, company functions, and grassroots events.

Roland is located on the 6th floor of blk 89 at Marine Parade Central. Blk 89 is the multistorey carpark next to Parkway Parade and also next to the hawker centre that sells the famous char kway teow which dun require chopsticks. The restaurant has been visited by so many famous people. In fact SM Goh attended a contituency dinner at Roland after National Day.

We ordered the Dinner Menu set F (which is listed in their website). The reason why we chose set F is because some of the set menus do not have chilli crabs. Well, if you visit Roland chilli crabs are a must. Also the portions are very generous. We had 12 diners and they served us 4 good sized crabs (cannot finish and have to ta pao). Another must try which we did not have the chance is their USA Famous Duck. For the rest of the food, there is nothing much to fault them. Fresh fish, crispy duck and good portions. No complains really. The set F which we had costs only $438++/10pax so it is really well priced. Much cheaper than Tung Lok, Wah Lok or Jumbo but better quality.

Service is satisfactory. Attendants smile, greet and ushered us to the private room. Teas are refilled, used plates cleared. And the restaurant is nice enough to allow us to bring in 3 bottles of wine without paying for corkage fee.

With the chinese food scene populated by Tung Loks, Crystal Jades and Jumbos, Roland is the place to experience the other facade of homegrown local chinese dining. You will not regret.