We headed here before a recital at the Esplanade figuring that it would be a good place to grab a reasonably quick dinner before the performance started. This turns out to have been one of our less inspired choices. Normally, we just go to the excellent Korean restaurant Jang Shou downstairs but we figured we should spread the love a little.

Our table had two seats – a perfectly normal bench seat and a “Once Was Trendy” white leather stool/chair thing. The stool/chair thing was as uncomfortable as you would expect and its white finish showed signs of having encountered the odd spillage.

We must have ordered from and had to chase about four different staff – catching their eye was a trial in itself, although I should probably be thankful that the absence of a back to my stool/chair meant that craning around to stare imploringly at passing staff was relatively free of impediment. There was no real sign that service was organized with any guiding purpose of bringing food to customers. Perhaps, being in an arts venue, the cumbersomely-titled Space @ My Humble House 寒舍一隔 felt that freeform and improvisational service was in keeping with the Esplanade’s ostensible purpose.

The upshot was that my wife finished her laksa (apparently it was okay) well before my chicken rice even appeared. We had to ask three members of staff for my drink and not one of them gave us any confidence that our requests were not simply treated as a delightful but inconsequential conversation. The menu boasted that the chicken rice was the executive chef’s mother’s recipe. If so, I’m surprised that he made it to adulthood, given that when the chicken finally did appear, parts of it were clearly undercooked. It also purported to be a ‘half’ chicken, which made me wonder whether I got the half of a chicken that was suffering from palsy because any chicken that small shouldn’t have made it out of the egg. It tasted fine but there honestly wasn’t much to it.

Naturally, the bill also took quite a while to arrive. Needless to say, interminable hanging around when your performance is about to start doesn’t really begin your evening on the right note.

The food at Space is discernibly tastier than regular local/hawker food, with a price tag to match. But there really is a corresponding increase in quality, making it a good option at the Esplanade (where some of the other choices are distinctly underwhelming).

The menu is pretty brief, which means that the service is pretty fast - again a plus if this is your pre-show meal.

The 1 for 1 offer with Amex cards makes it quite a steal too.

Was at Esplanade and my boyfriend was asking for Chinese food therefore we headed to this place without knowing anything about it.

We order ala carte:

1. Mixed tapas - Normal, tasted like frozen food deep fried
2. Cod Fish with chilis and greens - Smaller than my fist which is already very small but it pretty good
3. Some kinda vegs with Abalone Mushroom - Same size as my fist. Nice gravy, think it's the best of all dishes
4. Cripsy Noodles with Lobster on Premium Seafood Stock - Besides good lobster size, the stock was barely there and I felt like Im eating "Mamee", the noodles from the yellow packet. Noodles is only 2 mouth full
5. Mixed fruits with chocolate fondue - supermarket quality, badly cut, presented fruits with cheap quality chocolate dip
6. 1994 wine from Italy - Best among all
7. 2 glasses of champagne - Bad quality

My overall experience was extremely disappointed with Tung Lok Group for their supposedly good food despite being expensive. We were told these food are for 1 person but we thought ok we are not gonna eat much so we can just share and nibble. I was shocked and embarassed at the portion of the food which was disgustingly stingy. At many high class resturants that I have eaten around the world, I would only consider it as toddler portion.

I would never ever go back again unless I am desperate which in this case living in Singapore, you can never get desperate for decent, good pricing Chinese food.

On 1 note thou' there's this specific waiter, from China if not wrong is our main comfortable for his attentiveness and ever ready smile.

everyday my SO will guess what i have for lunch and 90% of the time he guessed correct: Fish Soup w/ Thick Beehoon. I have such a love affair with fish soup i can eat it everyday no probs!

The one served at Space comes with a creamy, savoury soup jazzed up with tomatoes (adds a tang) salted vegetables (naturally sodium) as well as tons of fine ginger (rids fishy smell). The fried white fish is generous in serving and it is a totally impeccable dish. Warm, tummy filling and healthy. Kills your pocket by $12.90++.

MiSS PiggY insist on a heapful of sliced chilli padi to add oomphh to the dish...*sedap!*

I shared a portion of fried carrot cake with prawns and scallop ($14.90) with friend... honestly dun pay that sum for 2 prawns and 2 scallops and $2 worth of carrot cake you can get at the hawker centre otherwise... wa hahah... Just come here for the fish soup... no one does it just this well...

There are so many people taking advantage of the one for one visa offer. So did my friend and I.

Environment n Service : I like the tables outside, cause it was facing the full lenght window panels thingie with the fake bamboo trees outside. It was quite peaceful and the waiters did not bother us much, other than the usual "Servings and bills", which is fine in this case. I wanted a quiet lunch and would willingly forgo pampering for some peace and quiet.

Food :-
a) Absolutely Decadently, yours.
Fried raddish cake with freshly peeled crabmeat, whole prawns, juicy scallops and egg.


b) it's about to get hotter
Rice noodles with fresh rock oysters, cod slices, scallips and stuffed bean sticks in a spicy and fragant laksa gravy


c) Wagyu waiting for
Wok fried wagyu beef hor fun

d) Seafood Porridge (for the fact that i forgot it's name)

To cut the story short, I had better ones in the hawker centre. and there are definitely no "S" in their food. I did not eat prawn(S) nor did i have scallop(S) nor did I have oyster(S).

The portions look big, but it's definitely not value for money, as far as i am concerned.

I would not go or have went there, if not there is such an 1 for 1 offer.

I would like to say that I am not sitting in the main hall, so i think the ambience is quite good, if not for the people peeking in too often.