Density Frozen Custard: All-natural Super-premium Ice-Cream

Earlier this month, the first ever frozen custard shop was launched in Singapore. Density Frozen Custard, flaunting explicit photos of velvety ice cream tongues and promises of Pumpkin Pie on their instagram feed aroused all curious bones in my body. A trip down to the joint was inevitable. 

Okay, so what sets frozen custard apart from the traditional gelato? 

OCF [Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt]: Pre-Theatre Menu

“My first wife…gave me no connexions, no

wealth but on the contrary a load of debt…

but it gave me domestic enjoyment and thus

contributed to my happiness”

– Sir Stamford Raffles

Since we all know the saying that behind every successful man, there stands a woman. OCF pays respect to the first wife of Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of our humble island; and so aptly too since the restaurant, housed in the picturesque Arts House is sited at the rear of the ominous Sir Stamford Raffles statue along the banks of the Singapore River.

Menus are all prix fixe, with set lunches starting at $38++ and dinner at $88++. The recently introduced Pre-Theatre Menu offers a 2 course option for $38++ and the 3 course at $48++. Sounds like a bargain doesn't it? But there's a catch. Pre-Theatre seating is only available from 6pm-7pm and patrons are required to return the table back by 8pm. So those running on a tight schedule should really consider this as a dinner destination.

Scrumptious at the Turf: as cold as your ex's heart

"Cold and flat, you deserve more than that"

Pardon my brutal honesty, but facing harsh reality, a cafe that serves you hot food on cold plates and passes the excuse that the kitchen is cold upon starting operations is just plain lazy.

My meal at Scrumptious at the Turf can be describe in one very abruptly short word.

Blah.

Antoinette: 4th Anniversary Set Menu

Disregard my prejudices towards Antoinette please. A couple of macarons later and I was too quick to call the shots on the establishment. Time evidently helped to settle ill feelings and perhaps soothe out operational hiccups; years later I was back to sample the 4th Anniversary set menu at the local establishment that had taken to expanding its dominion to 2 other outlets outside of its Penhas Road headquarters.

In celebration of its 4th birthday, Chef Pang has rolled out a 4 course set menu available in May for a budget friendly $40++ per pax. The verdict after the jump. 

But first, let's talk CAKE.

Shelter in the woods: Be still my heart

Shelter in the woods is every bit a restaurant I would choose for any occasion. It's straight up heart-warming classics highlighted by the culinary dexterity of Chef Masashi. Finally, a press release that tells it as it is, "The result is a cuisine of rare depth and purity. Ingredients and seasoning achieve a distinct presence and discreetness... The food literally blooms" ~ and truly, dining here is a treat for the senses. Not only is the service flawless, but so is the food. Stepping into Shelter in the woods is akin to walking into a time portal where time literally stands still as you tuck into your fare, wide eyed stares and all.

Marmalade Pantry @ Oasia:

The Marmalade Pantry is no stranger to the food scene in town, serving up a modest menu of modern casual bistro items in two drastically different settings, spanning from the rustic nature and peaceful calm of the stables at Bukit Timah saddle club to the posh, pristine environment right smack in the heart of the shopping metropolis ION orchard. This time around, the Marmalade Pantry group has another trick up its sleeve with its most recent opening at the Oasia Hotel at Novena. Conveniently located beside the reception area, hotel visitors would be happy to know that the kitchen services the room service and is also accountable for the breakfast buffet. However, given those conditions, there is no sacrifice in quality, the Marmalade Pantry is even quick to rus up a couple of new menu items for media release.

Roosevelt's Diner & Bar: NEW weekend brunch menu

It seems that the brunch movement in restaurants per se is strong. An exercise deemed necessary to sustain a good healthy business, especially in the local context. The endless deluge of eggs, waffles and pancakes, mostly mandatory menu items for weekend meals before the sun sets. 

Roosevelt's Diner and Bar for one, is a business that has thrived on serving an excellent menu line up of American comfort foods, ranging from the quintessential burgers to the crispy Southern Fried chicken; all of which had stuck to my heart like hot glue. Evident from my previous reviews (here and here); my love for Roosevelt's comfort nosh cannot be retracted. However, this time round, they've decided that they want a piece of that pie, breaking in an, all new weekend brunch menu.

RamenPlay: New Japanese Shabu-shabu hotpot experience

Like it's parent company, BreadTalk Group Limited, RamenPlay is always on the mode of reinvention in order to keep its diners interest piqued by fresh offerings and better menu options. Just a few weeks back, I was fortunate to be able to get taste of the latest debut of their Shabu Shabu set. But first, we take a tour of the unprecedented heavy weights on the menu. 

The Royal Mail: New Menu Offerings

Modern British Restaurant The Royal Mail Restaurant has always been occupied a spot on my 'to-do'' list for the longest time. Hearing the high praises for the Roast Prime Rib escape the lips of many who have made their pilgrimage to the restaurant; I was ecstatic to be able to try the unveiling of the new menu in conjunction with their 3rd Anniversary. So get this, there will be a 20% off at dinner until the 30th May, so perhaps this place would be a good spot to bring the royal highness to for dinner on Mothers Day. Better still, intoxicate her with a complimentary bottle of wine if you spend a minimum of $200; so get on it and round up the siblings!

Daikokuya (Paragon): Ramen stop.

Ramen is a meal option in abundance, especially when straddling the length of Orchard road. There's just something about a group of friends bent over hot bowls of noodles, slurping on thick broth full of umami that sets the stage for feelings of camaraderie.

Daikokuya located in the basement of Paragon with its long term residence in the same location has been on my "to-try' list, at least subconsciously, for the longest period of time. 

It was a Monday night when we set foot in the establishment. Business was all but a thin whisper of cold air apart from the subdued laughter from our table. Perhaps it's the Monday blues at work, but with the queue system at Din Tai Feng in full swing next door; one begins to wonder if the change in menu has had an adverse effect on business.

[Mother's Day Special] TAO Seafood Asia: Mrs Lee's Favourite

I don't want to sound like a douche bag, but, if you have some form of culinary skills, it would probably be a good time to dig it out of the bag and give it a good dust just in time for Mothers Day. What's better than cooking up a humble storm for the most noble women in our lives.

But then again, there's the less messy option of dining out;  if that's the path you've chosen to trod on, then it would be wise to dig a little deeper into the pockets and vet your choices with an iron fist. After all, its an golden opportunity to buy favours and 'get-timeout' from the provocation and nagging that ensues soon after. There's no denying it... it's going to happen, just like how everyday IS NOT Valentines' day.

The Rockin' Diner by The Mustard Incident: Hot Damm..

I remain adamant about my fixation on American stylised food. To add to the list of must-try American diners, The Rockin' Diner has the advantage of being a venue to satisfy midnight munchies as well. Situated along Club Street, it may just be perfect spot to sort out hunger issues, a prevalent problem, especially where drinks are involved. 

The Rockin' Diner , previously located in TANGS basement one, has recently shifted its operations to larger premises across a two-shophouse space in the thick of the vibrant night-motivated Club Street. Serving up Gourmet Hot dogs, the menu flaunts a wide spread range of appetisers, breakfast items (suited for curing hangovers), mains and dougs, of course. Owner Kelly Koh, owes his culinary inspiration to time spent in San Francisco and Hawaii, hence, the food is inexplicably generous in portioning and hearty in flavor.