{Wordless Wednesdays}: Curbside Cafe and Wine Bar
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
biopolis,
Brownies,
brunch,
cafe,
Cheesecake,
coffee,
desserts,
milkshakes
·
Rounding off the National Day weekend with the family over a round of guilty pleasures. Spam fries, Red velvet cheesecake chocolate brownie, homemade apple pie and a smorgasbord of sticky milkshakes.
#getyourfatpantsready
Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
21 Biopolis Drive
Nucleous #01-21
Singapore 138567
Saveur: [The Hundred-Foot Journey] Menu
Labels:
affordable,
far east plaza,
french,
fusion,
Indian food,
media event,
orchard
·
In line with the release of The Hundred-Foot Journey, popular, affordable French joint, Saveur has created an exclusive French-Indian 3 course fusion menu which fundamentally flawed had the privilege of tasting at it's pre-launch event.
If you've not watched the trailer, you're missing out on a great deal. For your benefit, here you go!
Starting off with Saveur's pre-existant signature dishes disguised in the form of canapes these prep our appetites for the real bollywood fiestas ahead. The delightful trio displayed so daintily on the platter hitting all the right notes, the trademark Saveur pasta of capellini with chilli oil, finely chopped konbu, topped with minced pork sauce, chives and sakura ebi was a stunner and I wished there and then I had an entire bowl to tuck into. I was equally enamoured with the Salmon Confit paired with a delicate combination of apple and fennel tossed in lemon vinaigrette. The Duck Rillette did not take flight with a rather stodgy crostini that did nothing to highlight the complexities of the quenelle.
That aside, the real question still remains. How did the fusion component in the subsequent dishes go?
Starting off with the first course, the Seafood Bouillabaisse; here the brash fishy flavors of lobster and fish lend themselves to the broth, tempered by an over the top scoop of curry powder that hadn't been cooked out yet thus leading to a chalky mouth feel in the dish; or perhaps it could have been the blending of cooked fish into the soup that led to that texture; I give them the benefit of the doubt. The elegant pieces of seafood perched on top of the playful stew were expertly cooked except for the sea bass which had been seared just a little too gregariously.
Lamb shoulder, too reflected Saveur's eagerness to incorporate the mastery of Indian flavors into traditional french techniques. Here, lamb shoulder is braised with "curry de madras" and served with coco bean cassoulet. A traditional South Indian curry is a tricky one to master, and Saveur's version unfortunately fell short -white the lamb was sufficiently tender, the spices that accompanied tasted watered down and could have used a lifting of flavors with a final addition of yogurt.
Alternatively, order the classic Duck Confit with truffle mash if you're not a fan of the lamb's gaminess. The orange segments and orange infused jus deftly balances out the dish's composition, highlighting the succulent flesh with a rousing crisp cap of skin. A star quality dish.
If you're already full by then, try to practise a bit of meditation because the course that follows is not to be missed out. Mind over matter. The Tarte au citron is a dessert that comes highly recommended. A puckery dish made of smittereens of goodies scattered over the plate that melds into a perfect mouthful with every spoon. Buttery crumbs of sable breton, tangy rich lemon curd, sweet vanilla bean speckled mousseline, intense hits of sour from lemon gelee cubes, meets pillowy marshmellow kisses and that oh-so-crisp citrus tuille. It disappears all a little too quickly from the plate. *burps*
At $36.0++, the Hundred-Foot Journey menu is slightly pricey, but showcases the tenacity of the young chefs at work in the Saveur kitchens. As much as it delivers on it's French promises, the Indian aspect is a bit of a let down. Well, nobody said that fusion was going to be easy hey? Running from the 1st August to the 14 September exclusively, try it at your own will.
Saveur
14 Scotts Road
Far East Plaza, #01-07B
Singapore 228213
T: 6736 1131
Website: www.saveur.sg
Chabuton: Ramen with the Stars
Labels:
japanese,
may not return,
noodle,
orchard central,
ramen
·
Just a week ago, I was next door sampling the offerings of Saboten at their newest outlet housed in the quiet enclaves of the Orchard Central basement levels. The opening of Chabuton was a welcomed diversity to the area, the bright white furnishings of the establishment suggesting a focus on food rather than creating a chic ambiance.
Impressive credentials have driven swarms of Ramen hungry fans to its doors in the first few weeks of its start-up in Singapore and I trod lightly around the media rave and heavy publicity. Only with a slight plea from S prompted me to make an early trip on a weekend before the lines formed. Spearheaded by Chef Yasuji Morizumi, the restaurant demands respect with the first ever Michelin star being awarded to his Ramen restaurant. I arrived at its doors with a wall of expectations and vacant stomach.
Perusing the predictable menu at lightning speed, I decidedly placed my bets on the signature Chabuton Tonkatsu Ramen ($8.30 for small/ $11.90 for large) while S opted for his usual miso version, the Chabuton Miso Ramen ( $8.60 for small/ $12.40 for large). For an additional $3.00, we got our mandatory side order of soft boiled egg and Buta Kakuni (Japanese Braised Pork Belly).
Service was attentive but yet lacking in the sincerity you often find with Japanese hospitality. Our dishes, or rather our steaming bowls of noodles reached the table at lightning speed whilst the sides crept like tortoises to the bar at various stages of our meal. My Tonkatsu ramen looked every bit the picture perfect representation of a comforting bowl of goodness, unfortunately, it fell short with the noodles perhaps a tad too eggy and chewy. The hint of alkaline on the finishing cheapening the dish altogether. The soup base was deficient in natural pork bone richness, possessing an over salted quality. All was forgotten when I bit into the char-siu, its smoky tenderness reflecting the chef's mastery of flavors. I wish there was more of that as the soft boiled egg and buta kakuni missed the mark with it's hard-boiled interiors and the latter falling flat with a chewy texture that required at least another 4 hours of braising to achieve that level of delicateness.
The Restaurant's recent opening seems to draw in a never ending spate of customers into their dining room. All embracing high hopes for the ramen, as much as I would consider the affordable prices to be a major draw factor, I reckon a meal here leaves much to be desired. There are too many unmistakable misses in execution and quality that requires immediate rectification in order to keep it's following as it settles into it's Orchard Central Perch. I shall be back in a couple of months...
Chabuton
Somerset 313
#B2-01
Singapore 238895
The Lokal: The Good and the Bad
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
banana bread,
brunch,
desserts,
outram,
overrated,
sandwich,
toastie
·
With the Lokal cafe, there were a glaring amount of performance disparities, adamant even on my first visit about a month ago. The highs bringing me to dizzying heights, breath stopping moments. Like this Toasted Banana Bread ($12.00) which I'm so fixated on waxing lyrical about except that I figured the drool-worthy photos would suffice. Served warm with a sexy sluice of homemade vanilla yogurt forming a pristine blanket enveloping the slightly crusty slice, roasted macadamias are then sprinkled over the heavily caramelized bananas, pushed to the brink of the mallard reaction. The light dusting of confetti like lime and lemon rind over the yogurt act like pockets of sunshine, clearing the palette for the next rapacious bite.
Definitely the best piece of banana bread I've had since my return from the land down under thus far.
To say that the next dish that followed suite was less successful would be a massive understatement. I cringe at the lack of culinary muscle and professionalism demonstrated in our next experience. It was the Toastie of the Day ($14) that brought my enchanting moment to an abrupt end. The proclaimed 'Tomato, mushroom and cheese toastie' first arrived at the table sans the tomatoes, pompously flaunting inch thick toasts on both sides. When we questioned the staff about the stolen identities, instead of having the dish brought back to the kitchen and reassembled, we had a service tray containing two measly grilled tomatoes brought to our presence.
"The chef left out the tomatoes from the toastie, we're sorry".
Moments of awkward silence passed. erm..."And, by the way, there is hardly any cheese in there too" says S, motioning to the absolutely spartan innards of the sandwich.
"Would you like us to take it back and make another one for you Sir?"
oh geez, I thought you would never ask... "Yes, please"
A good 20 minutes later, the toastie made it's comeback to the table. Mushrooms had no inkling of seasoning and to make matters worse, it was burnt on one side and a sickly white on the other. oh come on... We took two bites and walked out of the restaurant. Silently retreating whilst the memory of that ambrosial banana bread still remained fresh in our minds.
愛你沒差 那一點時差
你離開這一拳給的 太重
我的心找不到 換日線 它在哪
我只能不停的飛
直到我將你挽回
The Lokal
136 Neil Road
0888865 Singapore
T: 6423 9918
Ootoya: From Farm to Table
Labels:
clementi,
dinner,
health,
japanese,
media event,
orchard central,
restaurants,
salad,
salads,
sommerset,
vegetables
·
Most of the time, being a 'food blogger', and we often get blinded sided in our rat race to get to latest food fads; more often than not, losing sight of the true essence of food and it's humble beginnings. Especially in Singapore, because of geographical limitations and monetary considerations, very rarely do we come across individuals or corporations that show a remote passion in stressing the importance of sustainability practises in the Food and Beverage industry. While living in Sydney, 'farm to table' movements and 'local produce used' were a dime in a dozen. akin to the magnitude of the waffle and gelato craze here on our local shores, yet returning back to my motherland has cast a huge soaking wet blanket over my conviction to pursue environmental sustainability through local produce. Up till now...
A recent invite to Ootoya opened my eyes to a whole new realm of farming in Singapore. Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific (Panasonic) has announced it's pilot commercial supply of locally harvested vegetables to Japanese restaurant Ootoya. Cultivated in a 248 square meter indoor agriculture facility, 10 types of vegetables are grown via soil based environment with LED lighting, out with which 3 varieties are now employed in Ootoya's local menu. What impressed me the most tenacity of Panasonic in using their advancements in technology to derive methods to drive self sufficiency through a sustainable cultivation method. In the course of doing so, astutely roping in Ootoya whose focus on quality of life by offering up authentic home cooked Japanese food to their customers is unquestionably in sync with Panasonic's vision to adopt an sustainable and cost efficient method of farming that still hits the home run with the freshness and quality of its vegetables.
Shrimp Salad with Aurora dressing ($4). Mini Red Radish, red leafy lettuce, mizuna and shrimps served with creamy dressing made from bell peppers and tomatoes. Not my favourite but still does a great job in highlighting the great produce that is the local farm vegetables.
For the mains, we were treated to a choice of 3 sets of different proteins. S couldn't get past the Hokke Set, consisting of a charcoal grilled fish, miso soup, chawanmushi, rice and a side dish of braised vegetables; this instantly took me back to my experiences of dining at a Japanese home stay. The style of cooking so delicate and earnest that it almost felt like you were dining under the expert care of a matronly chef, the pride and meticulous ways of the kitchen individuals shining ever so brightly.
My Pork Belly Shiokuji Set presented different flavor dimensions and textures with each bite. The tenderness of the grilled pork belly achieving transcendence with the diners in the room.
Watch out for the new salads featuring the locally grown vegetables to be released officially somewhere in Mid-August. Meantime, for you faithful followers of Ootoya, here's a little something special.
fundamentally-flawed dined as a guest of Ootoya. A major thanks to Adrienne of Golin Harris for the kind invite!
Ootoya Japanese Restaurant
#08-12 Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
The Pelican: Nothing like the fireworks that once were
Labels:
beef,
may not return,
onefullerton,
pasta,
seafood,
special occasion,
the entertainer app,
waterfront
·
My previous dining experience at The Pelican had showcased a history of epicurean highlights; unfolding in waves of gustatory pleasures, followed by a extended night capping period that fed my demons.
In this ill-fated episode however, the same dishes did not deliver the same 'wow-factor' it did on the first occasion.
Held in conjunction with the Entertainer , the event at The Pelican entitled us to use our 1-for-1 main course deal. For those of you who have the app or are mulling over the choice (please spare your brain cells and GET IT ALREADY!); you'll be pleased to know that the Entertainer members are entitled to unlimited 1-for-1 Belvedere cocktails when a voucher for a main course is used! Given the Pelican's heftier price tags, the definitely appeals to the penny-pincher side of me. That being said, the award-winning waterfront views makes it worth splashing out at least once in your life.
The Double Atlantic linguine and Clams ($58) garlic, chili flakes and white wine is your pretty generic aglio olio on steroids with a gob smacking amount of clams thrown into the mix. Certainly worth the money if you ask me.
The Ribeye Cap Steak with mashed baked potato ($58) built up a flutter of anticipation with my heavy recommendations from our previous excursion... sad to say, the dish came out looking a little sparse. Beautifully crusted and deftly executed in terms of the doneness, the linchpin on the platter was perfect throughout; however, what disappointed was the smear of mashed baked potato that had acquired a rather parched consistency on its surface. The dish cried out for a bit of jus or reduction to elevate it to higher eminence.
My Skate Wing Chop with burnt lemon butter ($36) was cooked with faultless timing as well but threw my taste buds into panic mode with the heavy hand of salt grains tossed over the delicate white cartilaginous fish. Burnt lemon butter punctuated with salty capers jazzed up the rich flesh and it all made for a terrific dish if it hadn't been for the salt over dosage situation.
With The Pelican's idyllic waterfront settings, for sure, there will be plenty of tourists, but you'll also be rewarded with delightfully cliched but authentic slice of Singapore life alongside the office workers taking chill pills after a stressful day at work. Sit out on the high tables along the outdoor terrace to enjoy the brilliant views and knock back a drink or two.
For my readers: Purchase the Entertainer Singapore One Month Mobile priced at just S$19 if you use my unique promotional code 'fundamentally'. Click here to be redirected!
If you're still unconvinced, check out my other dining experiences using the Entertainer app!
The Pelican Seafood Bar and Grill
1 Fullerton Road
#01-01
One Fullerton
T: 6438 0400
Website: http://thepelican.com.sg/
{Wordless Wednesdays} at the Royal Mail
Labels:
bar,
beer,
burgers,
CBD,
raffles place,
will return,
wordless wednesdays
·
Hearing news of the $10 Burger and Beer promotion that ran through the month of July at the Royal Mail at the Ascott Raffles Place, we decided to make a quick trip down.
That was a mistake.
This got a freezing cold reception from both S and I (pun intended)
Everything but the patty was frigid. I kid you not.
Sometimes we all try to bite off more than we can chew. Don't do that.
Listen to your guts and stick to doing your roast prime ribs right people.
The Royal Mail Restaurant and Bar
Ascott Raffles Place
Singapore
2 Finlayson Green
Tel: 6509 3589
Website: http://www.theroyalmail.sg/
Saboten @ Orchard 313:
Labels:
japanese,
orchard,
orchard 313,
sommerset,
tonkatsu
·
The debate is tireless. And the outcome of it, an eventual tie between the tonkatsu giants Tonkichi and the underdog Saboten. The referencing drawn only because of my extreme biasness towards Tonkichi (can't help it... too much sentimental value attached to the place).
For those who aren't aware, tonkatsu chain Saboten recently closed it's outlet at Parco in Milennia walk and opened a brand new spruced up version in 313@somerset. Westies.. relax, the branch in IMM mall still lives. Fret not.
With a mission in tow (weighing Saboten against Tonkichi after the recent dismissal of Ma Maison); we dropped in the new outlet, emboldened by the bewitching lure of the opening promotion for 50% off on the second set ordered (major thanks to @lobangsg for the heads-up).
The restaurant has ditched its usual zen like ambience for a set of brighter lights that results in a imposing opulent quality that somehow makes the experience seem a little too regal and formal for my liking.
Food wise, Saboten performs the standard rituals, cold cabbage served with your choice of yuzu vinegar dressing or velvety smooth sesame sauce. That stuff is what dreams are made of. The miso soup and chawanmushi however were nothing to shout about and neither was the pork. Instead of belts of golden caramelised fats, the pork cutlet had a rather patchy distribution of marbling with large knobs of it stationed at the tips of the loin, rendering the rest of the deprived flesh a tough act to swallow. Yes, I do have to agree that it is slightly more tender than Tonkichi's version, however, the soggy bottoms of the non-adhering crumbing just throws it off its game.
Dear boyfriend, I'm still a Tonkichi girl at the end of the day. Bite me.
Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg
Chez Petit Salut: French fare without breaking the bank
Labels:
bistro,
chip bee gardens,
dinner,
duck confit,
french,
holland village,
lamb shank,
the entertainer app
·
Chip Bee Gardens has seen a revival with the installation of the Holland Village MRT station and the 'big-bang' like pop-up of Sunday Folks along the usually quiet stretch. With that comes accompanied a whole slew of new worries mostly shrouding parking issues.
Not new to the once sleepy neighborhood is Chez Petit Salut, a sister outlet to the more showy Au Petit Salut; here, the style is casual French bistro with hearty traditional French classics ringed in by a respectable wine list. Decor is kept simple, rustic, with an air of nostalgia of the French romanticism period. It's the kind of restaurant where it is possible to go for both lunch and dinner on a single day, a restaurant where waitresses race through the dining halls with four identical bowls of duck confit.
To start off the meal, we had the Oven Baked Portobello Mushroom with melted Camembert cheese and baby spinach ($16) and the Half dozen baked Burgundy snails, tomato fondue & garlic butter ($16). The former (pictured right above) greeted the table; and we wished that the chef had made a mistake with only a measly mushroom to share round the table. Perhaps the mushroom had been a blooming onion before it's brief stint in the oven, but that doesn't warrant such a sad serving. The latter was apparently very well received by the other end of the table. Never got to taste it but I must say that generous slathering of herbed butter definitely whet my appetite.
Some of the main courses that graced the table that night were the Braised Lamb Shank ($38) served 'a la Provencale' in tomato accompanied with root vegetables. This unfortunately never quite surpassed the works of the master, the fork tender protein lacking in personality, but it was good enough to be a contender in any serious discussion of Singapore's lamb shanks.
My Crispy Duck leg confit, sauteed potatoes, streaky bacon and mesclun ($32) was superb, a golden crusty exterior heightened by the showering of fried shallots; all this yielding with the quick prod of the knife to reveal impossibly rich and succulent flesh with the subtle hints of garlic. The sauteed potatoes however were the black sheep of the plate, marring a perfect dish with its slightly undercooked hearts.
There's also the more delicate offering of Oven baked fillet of black cod with ratatouille ($32) should you be seeking a lighter option.
Chez Petit Salut doesn't fall under the fashionable category for today's food mavern, but it for sure, serves up good honest French bistro food that has accumulated a close following over the years. Good for a romantic night out sans the razzle dazzle or an intimte gathering with friends and loved ones.
Chez Petit Salut
44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-54 Singapore (278116)
Tel: 6474 788
Closed on Sundays
Website: http://www.chezpetitsalut.com/
STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar: Celebrate National Day with MORE FOOD
Labels:
bay hotel,
buffets,
dinner,
family,
family friendly,
harborfront,
national day,
special occasion,
telok blangah,
vivocity
·
When I was younger, National Day holidays for me would mean family congregations over a hodgepodge of familiar Singaporean classic dishes like chili crab, bee hoon, curry chicken and spicy pig stomach soup. After a massive feast, the cousins and I would crowd around our humbly sized television sets, placing our fists to our chest and saying the pledge with gusto and conviction; the world at our feet and our little minds soaring as high as the chinooks bearing the Singapore flag.
With the National Day long weekend (for the fortunate few) looming around the corner, many will be contemplating finding a spot for lunch/dinner with family and friends. Should you be stumped, look no further than STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar located at Bay Hotel Singapore just opposite Vivocity. This coming National Day, 9th Aug 2014, STREET 50 will be launching a one day exclusive National Day Buffet Dinner (from 6 30pm to 10pm) priced at $49++ per adult. And get this, with every 3 paying adults, the 4th adult gets to enjoy the buffet at just $4.90++. What a shocker!
And what better way to commend the occasion then with a tantalising spread of national foods and classic local favourites such as Bak Ku Teh, Rojak, Teochew Braised Duck, Steamed Hainanese Chicken with Breaded Rice Ball and Yam paste with coconut cream and Gingko Nuts?
Starting with the Tiger Prawns with warm ginger sauce, we were treated to some finger licking steamed crustaceans marinated with ginger juice. A good way to kick start the meal without the filling one's stomach with too much starch.
The next dish, throws a curve with the traditional rice balls that accompany the local favourite Steamed Hainanese Chicken, coated with a layer of Japanese breadcrumb and fried to a smoking hot golden brown. Instead of the usual chili sauce, Chef Ricky has paired the dish with a special tomato chutney which borders on spicy just enough to highlight the smooth silkiness of the chicken. Though some may be unconvinced by the outcome of the breaded rice balls, I personally enjoyed it as it gives that crunchy texture around the soft grains of garlic infused rice.
The Chilli Crab Penne (to be prepared a la minute to avoid the potential distressing circumstance of stodgy pasta in a buffet line) combines al-dente pasta with fragrant crab meat and a killer homemade chilli crab gravy. Aggressively spicy yet strangely sweet at the same time, this dish is likely to haunt your breathe for the better part of the week. Unless adjustments to seasonings be done, you might consider giving this dish a miss. unless, deep fried mantous are present of course.
The Paper wrapped Chicken Risotto is one of the few dishes in which STREET 50 pushes so hard against the original cuisine that it breaks through the other side. Here, the Chinese and the Italians are at loggerheads with one another as traditional paper wrapped chicken is stuffed with risotto, marinated with a blend of Chinese herbs and spices before being deep fried to perfection. Harmonious marriage? I beg to differ. The uneven cooking on the arborio rice mares the entire dish, some portions, delicious and slightly firm whilst other reduced to a mush more reminiscent of rice pudding. The deboned chicken needs no distractions with its labor intensive showing of flavors, yet the kitchen's choice to bring new interpretations to a classic threatens to undermine it's potential.
Another of my favourites
A fresh coat of cheer arrived in the form of desserts. The Yam Paste with Coconut Cream and Gingko Nut was gobsmackingly good. Cooked with a little bit of lard and drizzled with luscious coconut milk, it was kissed with just a pinch of salt that gave this version an edge. This would definitely have seen me eating way more than I should if I had a buffet line's worth in my sight.
The Durian Pengat appealed to me with a thin layer of crepe enveloping a generous chunk of pure durian flesh then christianed with gula melaka sauce. I would have like to see the sauce a little bit thicker; but that was just a small issue. A fantastic sweet ending for the durian fanatics out there.
Chef Ricky has created a National Day menu to reflect everyone around here. For sure he casts a wide net with his selection of perennial local favourites. The variety sounds like a lot for one kitchen to master, and the truth is STREET 50 counts weak lines in its repertoire. Still, for a one night only event, STREET 50 does offer up quite a bargain for National day dinner, so wrap up your folks and family and head on down! Reservations are open now.
Disclaimer: Fundamentally-flawed dined as a guest of STREET 50.
STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar
Bay Hotel Singapore,
50 Telok Blangah Road
Singapore 098828
Tel: 6818 6681
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