At the end of this night, I was packing a slight paunch. No kidding. Along with that, a definite grin titillated by genuine hearty fare and warm hospitality.
Be kind, rewind.
So recently, I had the privilege to dine at Gourmet Plus, a lovely little gem of a bistro nestled in the heartlands. With a name like that, I didn’t know what to expect at all. So with that I arrived at the scene with none, an open mind and a vacant stomach.
To be honest, after perusing the menu, I found the prices slightly higher than I would expect for a cozy joint set in a quiet neighborhood. The fare covers a variety of European specialties and signature dishes. A quick chat with the owner, Amanda, revealed that the name, Gourmet Plus is French inspired and created to suit the general direction that the Chef Jean Rene Masson took with his food. Everything good that Europe has to offer, even taking to offering Spanish Tapas on weekends. On a separate note, what I liked most about Gourmet Plus is its relaxed atmosphere, stripping notions that European dining should be stark and stiff. It’s alfresco dining option looking every bit a romantic enclave for intimate occasions.
After much mind jostling, I decided on the French Onion Soup ($9) and Duck leg confit ($28). Authentic French fare that I figured would be the signatures of the restaurant.
The French onion soup arrived at the table in a whisper of smoke. I adored the intensity of flavors throughout, from the richness of the beef broth, the touch of sweetness from the caramelized onions and the savory goodness of the toasted cheese on top of floating slices of bread. I dug into the dish with no reservations, slurping and carelessly clipping slices of the bread that had soaked up most of its glorified liquid throne below. Cloud nine ensues, followed by stunned realization that I was half filled with an impending main course. Darn…
Thanks to the hospitality of my dear host, Amanda, our little party was served her favorite dish, the Swiss raclette ($14) as well. An odd composition on the plate that defied my previous inhibitions. Melted raclette cheese served with air dried sautéed potatoes, gherkins, cocktail onions and paprika. Now this was a rather intriguing dish, the raclette, a semi firm cow’s milk cheese, melted and scrapped on to the plates. I love the saltiness of the cheese combined with its delightful companions, all delivering a variations of conflicting textures and flavors that accentuated the complexity of the melted cheese.
My duck confit did not disappoint either, with standards comparable to a top notch, high accolade restaurant as DB bistro. Crisp fatty duck skin giving way to the juicy inner sanctum of duck leg. It doesn’t get better than this. And despite my throbbing arteries, I luxuriated in it. Relinquishing in the luscious duck fats that oozed out through its crackling skin.
Some of my companions dishes which I didn’t get the chance to sample. And some which I did… the cod was delicious!
Aglio Olio with prawns
The cheese fondue I got to sample. A delightful bathtub of gruyere and Swiss cheese.
And what better way to end a meal than with a tart dessert. The Lemon Tart served with lemon sorbet was a refreshing change from the heaviness of the previous courses. The acidity of the homemade lemon curd soothing the taste buds.
So there I was, contemplating silently, the loosening of a button under my trouser. Gourmet Plus had indeed surpassed my expectations with their provision of luxurious European food in a casual neighborhood ambience. Last I’ve heard, Gourmet Plus does have a private function room on the second floor which seats 16 guests. Renovation works are still on the way now but I’m sure it would a delightful destination for a private event once it’s wrapped up. Catering services are also available and are highly popular with the neighbors in the residence, so do consider this option should you be hosting a party and would like some elaborate fare to add to the immaculate displays.
Being the good listener that I am *nudges weighty man*, I took a trip down to De Burg to battle the “I want to eat a burger a day” demons in me.
Despite it’s rather peculiar location (a coffeeshop amongst a block of admirably old estates in Ghim Moh), a good look around assured us that our choice was an accurate one. All around, young executive type individuals and couples dotted the scene, chomping their way through platters of burgers and fries.
We made a scoot for the plastic menus before settling along the darkened outskirts of the coffeeshop. The boyfriend promptly made a choice for the Mexican burger complete with salsa and a 200g beef patty ( $13.95) whilst I settled for the more humble assemble of Bacon Cheese burger with a half sized patty ($9.65)
So… let’s be frank, the beef patty wasn’t what I had expected. Well done throughout, and ever the slightest bit dry on the ends, I still found it to be incredibly tasty and tender at the same time. It’s lips were sealed with legends of its secret ingredients though, my mind spins at the possibilities. The bf’s Mexican babe was tastefully composed with a mixture of fresh vegetables in a spicy sauce melded in with the toasted bun and beef patty. Then again, they could have used a better quality bun to improve the overall impact of the dish. But still, I was I was (man.. i'm starting to stammer) satisfied.
So there you have it. The best no-nonsense burger I’ve had in a long time coming. That should stave away the demons for a long time
De Burg
Blk 10 Ghim Moh Road, #01-78, Stall #3
20 May 2011
your cruel words tear through my porous sponge heart
a deep rooted tree.
extending it's colony.
sucking all the elixir from my soul.
let me tell you more about my yesterday. So I did fulfill one of my long time dreams... yes I caught Sara Bareilles live in concert. And boy was I blown away... she's just so much better live than recorded. Well, I do have the acoustics within the concert hall had a part to play in this AMAZING performance (yes, I was quite amused by her lack of a better word during the prelude to the concert). One thing that enhanced the entire experience was her lovely personality and bubbly jovial self while interacting with the audience. When the sweet words "some people should just mind their fucking business" escaped her lips, the crowd went ballistic ! This was followed by a terrific rendition of 'King of Anything', where the audience participated by crooning on top of their lungs.
You would then ask why do I have an affiliation to Sara'a music? Well, the answer is simple, in 2006, when the song, 'gravity' was released, I took to the song with incredible emotive attraction; probably because I was dealing with an extremely bad relationship there and then. The words that flowed so painfully from her powerful lungs reached out to my wretched soul, soothing the cracks. At least there was someone out there who understood my woes, feel my agony. From that point on, I had recognized Sara Bareilles as an talented song writer and gifted artiste; purchased her album and literally took to reading all the lyrics of her song, developing a deeper understanding for her expressive yet bemusing teasing of words. Somehow or another, I could relate to all her songs, developing a relationship with a different song each time my life reached a crossroad. Some of my favorite songs include 'Love on the Rocks','Between the Lines', 'Basket Case' and 'Say you're sorry'.
And watching her in concert yesterday was certainly an unearthly experience. After a tear-worthy rendition of 'basket case', she followed it with a last act of 'gravity' (extremely wise move). And as I left the darkness of the concert hall into the light, her soulful voice reverberates through my head... somehow or another, I had attained a state of liberty, a mind at peace.
I love you Sara Bareilles.
I don't want to talk about it to you
I'm not an open book that you can rifle through
The cold hard truth that you'll see right to
I'm just basket case without you
He's not a magic man or a perfect fit
But had a steady hand and I got used to it
And a glass cage heart and invited me in
And now I'm just a basket case without him
You're begging for the truth
So I'm saying it to you
I've been saving your place
And what good does it do?
Now I'm just a basket case
Now I'm just a basket case
A series of shots from a recent photoshoot for a friend's interior design models. Look at the nifty work. Amazing that something so small can be so detailed.
Thanks Weiyi for giving me a chance to glimpse into the life of an interior design student in laselle. Sure was an eye-opener!
That's Steven... the door bitch maître d'. haha.
Alright. Signing out for some hard work.
Life's all about crazy students and mad ass graphings.
Miss the days of floppy discs and Sticker book collections.
Macpherson Road is chock full of hidden troves and treasures of good culinary finds. Take for example, the kway chap store, part of the pretentious Sinfong "restaurant" that we noticed while looking for food to fill our empty stomachs. Despite it's provocative store display (imagine an eye boggling spread of intestines and unidentifiable parts), the food served was unpretentious and very very good.
WE gingerly placed an order for a mixed platter and two bowls of kway chap with the store owner and hoped for the best. When the assemble of dishes was hoisted to the table, we were taken aback by the abundance of parts generously heaped onto the plate, the savory thick sauce spilling over. In it's companionship, two bowls of kway chap, all for the price of $13. Now that in my opinion was a steal. And this hypothesis was further reinforced after biting into the crisp innards and taking a slurp of herbal broth.
Revolutionary. So this was what the real deal is. This rendition certainly put the mass-produced food court versions to shame. What sealed the deal for me was the unique offering of fried large intestines, which I later found out to be the rectum. Okay, this would certainly make you squirm a little in your chair, but it was so good. Crisp skin followed by a slightly chewy texture. The pork belly as well was gorgeous, I wished we had more of that.
After tucking into our heap-load of food, we were stuffed and thoroughly satisfied. I must admit that the coffee shop's atmosphere allows for the optimum enjoyment of food with it's slightly cooler than normal conditions despite only it' fan installments over head.
Okay, now for something random. here's a shout-out to Dan. Thanks dear for the lovely watch. A lovely Triwa gadget now helms my collection. *beams*
Chuan Lai Guo Zhi Wang (Sin Fong Restaurant)
560 Macpherson Road
67441252
8am to 12.30am Daily
Dining @ Daniel Boulud Moderne Bistro (Marina Bay Sands)
Prior to the main event of fluffy costumes and exaggerated hyena laughter. The three of us had to fill our ravaneous stomachs before the Lion King Musical. Being the inclined foodie in the bunch, I set out to prove to the others that dining within the swanky compounds of the Marina Bay Sands wouldn't garner an astronomical bill (aside from the unfairly incurred ERP and parking charges).
Daniel Boulud has become a synonymous name with the newly introduced food scene in the Marina Bay Sands. First introduced to me via a Television show on the Asian Food Channel, One night in Singapore. Daniel Boulud, a renowned French chef with Michelin stars to his accolades was featured battling the odds on his first visit to South East Asia where he had to prepare and serve a meal for 50 guests in his special French fine dining style. Then on, I was intrigued and perhaps a bit piqued by Chef Daniel's working attitude, thoroughly professional and almost obssesive to details. So, the answer was clear, db Moderne Bistro was where we should be headed.
In this lacquered space, I was a tad confused by the conflicting concepts. French Bistro style with an incorporation of American food...served french style? Now.. what the heck. Just bring on the food.
Our bread basket to start off the meal together with cheese Gougères (yummy).
Starters arrived swiftly at the table along with our assemble of mains. Side note: The speed of the kitchen was amazing. And since we had earlier indicated to the service staff that we would be sharing all the dishes, she instintively enquired whether we would like the burger to be sliced. Upon that request, sharing plated were quickly brought to the table and even though the burger first made its peek-a-boo appearance in its full glory at the tip of the table. I was quickly brought back into the kitchen for some knife treatment. All without the sound of squabbles of hushed hurries from the mutual staff. I was well impressed.
Food wise, we had the Tomato Tarte Tatin. Made of a delicate construction of puff pastry, tomato confit, goat cheese, frisee and basil pesto sauce. This was simply delicious, clean flavors helping to cleanse our tired palates for the meal ahead.
Small eaters beware! Portions at the bistro are rather large in size, so do be cautioned when you place your orders. A good solution would be to share, as we did. Here we had the Duck Confit and the Original db burger. The former was one of the best duck confits I've had. Crisp and evenly browned skin revealing succulent and tender flesh underneath. The crux of the dish would have to be the pan fried potato cubes at the bottom of the dish, soaking in the glory of the juices from the duck. The original db burger was a walloping mess of premium ingredients. A far cry from the sloppy joes served up at tex-mex styled bars. Parmesan buns, beef patty with short ribs and a silver of foie gras tucked away neatly in its center. Not a mind-blowing affair but I did love the steak frites as accompaniment. Those were excellent!
At this point, we were all full to the brim. Still, we had to lay our hands on some of the irresistible desserts. With a rather wide choice of selection, we settled on a juxtaposition of flavors. The Lemon floating island and the flourless chocolate cake(Clafoutis Tout Chocolate), a fine representation of cloud-like lightness versus dark and rich. The former reflected such finesse with its tangy flavors reflecting from both the yogurt sauce and lemon based meringue complimented by candied stewed rhubarbs. My mum couldn't resist wiping out the sauce from the bottom of the dish. The latter, the flourless chocolate cake was good as well, it's center, molten, the reminiscent thought-provoking flavors of intensified dark chocolate going extremely well with the vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sorbet.
Dining at the db Bistro Moderne was a truly enlightening experience, featuring commendable food with even finer service. With it's convenient location just next to the theaters, I'm sure it would continue to rake in the crowds.
Alright, so it's farewell now as we leave to watch the singing animals prance across the Savannah.
DB Bistro Moderne
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-48
The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands
