Akari Japanese Dining Bar: Winter Kaiseki Set
Labels:
affordable,
downtown,
japanese,
mbfc,
must go,
omakase,
raffles place,
sashimi,
seafood,
special occasion,
will return
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One of my best meals this year had to barely fit into the schedule of things. Coming to a close shave with the end of the year is Akari's Winter Kaiseki Set meal; conceptualised by Chef Hirotaka Murata of Nkano, Tokyo. A quick glance at his credentials and you'll be assured that you're in for rollercoaster ride of epic gastronomical revelries.
The best part would probably be the price tag that doesn't threaten to cast a looming shadow over the meal. Let's be practical here, but sitting down to the idea of a $500 tagged omakase meal does bear a weight of unreasonable expectations and impending misery should things go sour. Akari Japanese Dining Bar is offering two kaiseki set course choices, priced at $100++ and $150++ per pax respectively for a 9-course kaiseki menus. Set to mystify even the most regular of Japanese food gourmands, Chef Hirotaka Murata provides several twists and turns throughout the flight with seasonal ingredients and winter-bound flavor pairings.
Cajun on Wheels: Louisiana seafood truck @ Pasarbella
Labels:
cityhall,
no frills,
no reservations,
pasar bella,
promenade,
restaurants,
sunteccity
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I can't quite recall the last time I had crab. Honestly, I really don't have it to often. The challenge of retaining a stain free shirt at the end of the feasting often the more intimidating factor that would steer me clear of that option. I would say that being a klutz has been a major deterrent in my choice to partake in crab, but the more poignant reason would be plain laziness. However, Cajun on Wheels isn't just your standard zi-char style Chili Crab or Black pepper crab, hence its worth the mess. In true American gourmet fashion, mussels and crabs are piled high on to a waterproof plastic sheet layer that hides the wonderfully decorated table tops of the new Pasarbella at Suntec City. A shame really, but the umami-laden galore of seafood that greets the eye is equally attractive.
The menu at Cajun on Wheels is kept simple, staying true to its roots of imitating a Louisiana seafood truck with Cajun influences. Seafood is simply boiled in bags with herbs and spices till just cooked and served with a variation of local-fusion sauces such as Salted Egg Yolk, Thai Red Curry and the kid-friendly Cheesy Cream.
DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe: Festive Season Menu | Better late than never
Labels:
american,
big groups,
burgers,
family friendly,
marina bay sands,
restaurants,
will not return
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Christmas celebrations at The Shopped at Marina Bay Sands veers away from the usual posh nosh fare with the festive season 3-course menu at DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe swooping in to the rescue of all the daddy and mummies in distress, fretting over where to bring the kids to for Christmas celebrations.
Dishing out American cuisine with a heavy inception of Superhero charm in every aspect - cocoa powder stenciled patterns on drinks to batman shaped carrot cutouts in your soup; DC Comics Super Hero cafe is perfect for the young ones or perhaps those still flagrantly young at heart.
Christmas Rhapsody @ Orchard Central: Food Trails, sugar hits and more...
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
cakes,
christmas,
desserts,
large groups,
must go,
orchard,
orchard central,
restaurants,
roast
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I'm sorry to have left you in the lurch regarding the Christmas issue but hey I'm back from the grave (where I've witnessed many macaron shells died a unsightly death) and here to tell you about some crazy X'mas specials happening in Orchard Central itself - delicious deals that are dispensed only because of the generosity of the owners themselves during the festive period. So grab it now or forever hold your peace.
'The Future of Us' x 2am: Desserts of the future.
Labels:
chocolate,
desserts,
exhibition,
molecular gastronomy,
pralines
·
Ever wonder what Singapore will be like 50 years down the
road during SG100? Here is the chance to postulate with “The Future of Us”
exhibition, a multi disciplinary platform that brings about experts from all
walks of society onto one communal “think tank”.
One of the subjects that intrigued me the most was the
future of food. I had the pleasure of attending a talk given by patisserie
chef, Janice Wong at her 2:am dessert bar. Being an avant garde in the confectionery world, she is the first to
start a scientific laboratory for edible sweets in the Biopolis research hub
before relocating it to the Japanese capital a few years back.
Angelina: Dishing out a warm rustic French Christmas | Festive special menus
Labels:
affordable,
afternoon tea,
cakes,
capitolpiazza,
christmas,
cityhall,
desserts,
hidden finds,
high tea,
may not return,
restaurants,
set menu
·
For those celebrating Christmas in sunny Singapore... my heart goes out to you. Sure, we don't have white Santas on every street corner, nor reindeers or even the slightest chance of snow. What we do have is food and plenty of it. My next few blog posts will display the lucrativeness of this festive period, covering everything from burgers, festive sundaes to gorgeous terrarium creations; some good, some bad and some down right ugly. With Christmas only coming in once a year, and people marginally more generous and good spirited, why not cash in on this holiday season? There's no debating this annual mandatory plot.
Let's kick off the merrymaking with a trip down to Angelina which promises a warm rustic French Christmas with its festive menus. Available daily till the 31st of December, it's 3 course set menu priced at a wallet friendly $60++ comprises appetizers such as the Chestnut and Maderia Veloute or the Pan-Seared Foie Gras with rhubarb compote and fruit toast. The former, perfumed with the warm aroma of toasted chestnut does bring to mind a joyous celebration in front of the fireplace, the slight tipple of Madeira into the smooth concoction bestowing the dish with a silky rich edge. Those seeking something a little heavier on the palate should veer for the latter, reinforced by a sturdy slab of perfectly seared foie gras that would have left an oil slick in your mouth if not for the puckering sour rhuarb compote. Baked Angus beef au poivre with Forest Mushroom Fricassee fills in as an excellent main, though I admittedly would have loved a little more salt rather than black pepper crusting my steak as the overall combination of peppery mushroom fricassee rendered the whole dish a pepper wasteland. Other options include the walnut crusted halibut or baked duck breast. The ominous glare from the words 'Dessert of the Day' throws everyone off guard; I honestly can't vouch that you would receive a lovely surprise package. All you can do it hope and pray that there would be a citrus cheesecake of sorts that miraculously finds it way to your table.
Som Tam @ Orchard Central: Modern Thai Fusion Cuisine
Labels:
affordable,
burgers,
fusion,
orchard,
orchard central,
thai food,
will return
·
When it comes to food, the possibilities are endless. The prospects of fusion and implementing the basic fundamentals of natural selection into the flavor structuring of its signatures is indeed limitless and awe-inspiring - as a result, many food establishments jump on the bandwagon in order to invigorate and tease their audience's palate. In fact, it's funny how Orchard Central plays hosts to several of these rogue identities - 49 Seats, Joie by Dozo and Tanuki by Standing Sushi bar among others. New to the scene is Som Tam - a modern Thai fusion restaurant bent on giving Thai food a new lease of life. It's grand gesture beginning with its ambitious placement in the hip hangout Orchard Central.
Fort by Maison Ikkoku: Raise your glass this holiday season
Labels:
barfood,
cocktails,
expensive,
fort canning,
hidden finds,
romantic,
tapas
·
When I first heard that the trio behind Maison Ikkoku bar was opening a bar on Fort Canning, it got me really really excited. Afterall, this new bar would be highly perched on quiet grounds, far away from the usual drinking holes down south of the river. More importantly, it was an effort of Maison Ikkoku, one of the pioneers and shakers of the local bespoke scene.
For this project, the folks at Maison Ikkoku also decided to rope in F&B veteran Ethan Leslie Leong who doubles as one of Fort's directors and master mixologist. Many might have heard of the world's most expensive cocktail, but they might not know that Ethan was the one that conceived the recipe for "The Jewel of Pangaea" which is sold exclusively in Club Pangaea for a whopping $35,000 per glass. Still, holding the reigns as the world's most expensive drink.
A celebrity in his own rights, he had done countless collaborations with international renowned brands such as Chanel, Montblanc and Polo Ralph Lauren, among others. Ethan was also appointed the Brand ambassador for Martell, in line with the celebration of Martell's 300 years anniversary earlier this year.
With so many accolades to his name, it was hard not to pin my hopes high.
Megumi Japanese Restaurant @ Upper East Coast Road: Japanese nosh with a local spin
Labels:
affordable,
alfresco,
big groups,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
japanese,
must go,
ramen,
restaurants,
sashimi,
tempura,
udon,
will return
·
I'm just going to dive straight into the food. Because that's mainly what it is about at this no-frills Japanese eatery tucked away in the Upper East Coast Road region, flanked by the ever-so crowded Perle Noire and Strictly Pancakes on the other side.
Focus on the sashimi, and not the stiff faces of the floor staff, whom not once in my time spent at the joint even lifted the corners of their lips. Since the ordering is done through an IPAD system, it more or less lessens the interaction between these drones and the diners, so I'm not complaining. It just bugs me a little that the kitchen which bears so much soul in its cooking is cold and barren on the outside.
My orders of Mekajiki ($14 for 5 slices) and Salmon Belly ($12 for 5 slices) was inspiring. Thick slices of omega-3 laden treasure pots on a single dish definitely is a sight for sore eyes. We could have eaten 5 of these and begged for more. The Ebi Tempura ($15) was your run off the mill regular fare, the light batter not possessing as much crispness as I would like, however, the stiff, crystal snap of the prawns within, do make a difference.
[GIVEAWAY] Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove: Celebrate the Magic of Christmas
Labels:
belgian,
christmas,
family friendly,
giveaway,
hidden finds,
large groups,
mussels,
must go,
restaurants,
sentosa,
sentosa cove,
special occasion,
thai food,
wines
·
There's nothing quite as magical as sipping on some champagne by the harbor at sunset. With a view to die for, and a coldish breeze adrift, this is pretty much as good as gets here in Singapore.
The developers behind Quayside Isle have nailed it; killer views matched with a formidable force of food and beverage establishment lining the picturesque wooden docks - this is the place you want to be on an anniversary, a birthday celebration or even just for Friday chill out sessions with the homies.
This Christmas season, Quayside Isle is spreading the joy of giving with exclusive promotions and dining options that promise a one-of-a-kind experience. Sure, bright lights, joyous cheers and plenty of good food to savour is one thing, but congregating the loved ones where the magic unravels is another more important reason to congregate at Quayside Isle @ Sentosa Cove. Expect roving acts on deck as whimsical angels on stilts and dynamic LED jugglers make special appearances on the 19th and 25th December.
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