Showing posts with label date night. Show all posts
Showing posts with label date night. Show all posts
Botanico: Bon viveurs, we've got a game-changer on our hands
Labels:
botanic gardens,
date night,
european,
fusion,
hidden finds,
modern,
restaurants,
special occasion,
wine pairing,
winebar
·
Wine-lusters looking to up their game when it comes to food and wine pairings can now look to Botanico's revised wine program for sure-win epicurean dreams. Not that there's anything wrong with a medley of cheeses and cold cuts, but when occasion calls for a little bit of spice, Botanico steps up to the plate; literally, with Chef Sujatha Asokan visiting the spice pots often in an effort to match up to the burgeoning vino activities in the lush space.
JYPSY: Casual Japanese restaurant with nomadic island life vibes
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
date night,
fried chicken,
fries,
hidden finds,
japanese,
large groups,
martin road,
must go,
robertson quay,
romantic,
sharing,
small plates,
sushi,
will return
·
Opened this July, JYPSY is PSCAFE'S newest cafe concept - casual Japanese restaurant peddling a nomadic island life which you'll find expressed in its immaculate decor of hanging ferns, traditional Japanese paper lanterns and wind bells. It's a gorgeous space that touts an equally breezy menu of sushi rolls, sashimi and more in sharing plate formats. Despite the upmarket vibes, price remains easy on the wallet.
[Friday Date-Night]: Rosso Vino
Labels:
affordable,
date night,
italian,
large groups,
restaurants,
robertson quay,
will return,
winebar,
wines
·
Located along the banks of Robertson Quay, Rosso Vino prides itself as being one of the best Italian restaurants in the island. Being relatively new to Italian cuisine, we were thrilled to be invited to try out some of the classics on their menu.
To start, we had the Bruschetta Rosso Vino and Carpaccio Di Manzo. The Bruschetta Rosso Vino is a trio of Smoked Salmon, Diced Tomato and Mozzarella and Anchovies Bruschetta. As someone who usually strays away from tomatoes due to its distinct taste and smell, the diced tomato was surprisingly refreshing and easy to swallow. I never thought I would say this, but that was delightful and pretty addictive. Contrastingly, the smoked salmon piece was not outstanding and the mozzarella one was way too salty for my liking. Perhaps a better ove would be to order the Brushcetta Rosa, where you can better indulge in the Diced Tomato Bruschetta, which really helps to whet your appetite for the upcoming feast.
The Carpaccio Di Manzo had unbelievable thin slices of beef tenderloin served with parmesan cheese and mixed salad. The beef was so thin and moist that they broke apart easily while the cheese added a nice subtle touch of saltiness to the beef.
For our mains, we ordered the recommended Cavatelli Ragu di Maiale in Salsa Di Pomodoro and Branzino alla Toscana. The homemade pasta's name was a handful, but the reason behind its popularity was clear. The Cavatelli pasta itself was firm, with a slight bite to it, yet easy to chew through; quite the perfect al dente if I would say so myself. The addition of red wine imparts a light oaky fullness to the sauce. Each pasta piece enrobed in the rich sauce made for a very pleasant experience.
As one who is particularly averse to fishiness, I was amazed at how subdued the dish of Branzino all Toscano was. The fish was moist and flaky fresh and the tomato based stew providing relief from the fishy qualities. What's left was a really fragrant, juicy and fat fillet of white meat, it's sweetness further enhanced by the layered tomato stew.
Pair your mains with a glass of wine or rose, both giving additional dimension to the dishes ordered and adding brownie points to the romantic night out.
Rosso Vino
15 Merbau Road
S(239032)
Reservations: CHOPE
Operating Hours:
Mon - Sun: 3pm - 1am
Words and photos by Belinda Yong who wishes that every time of the day is food o'clock. She loves trying new cuisines and creations, and prays hard for a higher metabolism.
Ding Dong releases 18 new dishes that incite wanderlust in Southeast Asia
I've always had a soft spot for Ding Dong (read my previous extolments here) and its representing unbuttoned Asian-trendy-comfort-food virtues. In a commitment phobic world, it's always refreshing to see a restaurant so enterprising in the spirit of introducing an ever-changing spectrum of Southeast Asian dishes and flavours to its diners, yet still retaining a contemporary edge that's party-ready (it's always tempting to hit the cocktails and bubbly hard). This season, Ding Dong puts on its thinking cap once more and derives a spread of eclectic offerings that will have you at the edge of your seat.
Plum and Toro: Not so much a meal spot as a fun night out of town, literally.
Labels:
big groups,
cocktails,
contemporary,
date night,
hidden finds,
japanese,
robertson quay,
will return
·
Looking to avoid jostling with the crowds in the mainstream part of town? Meet Plum and Toro, a secret enclave of a Japanese restaurant located in InterContinental Robertson Quay. A little devoid of the usual Japanese izakaya vibe - cue the words, homey, unpretentious and perhaps a little dingy - Plum and Toro swings into the contemporary jive of things with a tastefully designed food menu and an intimidating full fledged list of alcoholic tipples.
Rakuya at East Coast: Affordable Omakase to put you in high spirits. That, and Sake!
Labels:
date night,
East Coast/ Joo Chiat,
hidden finds,
must go,
omakase,
sake,
will visit
·
If you've heard rumours about a joint up in the East that does a 8-course Omakase at just $48 (also available at $88 and $128 options), chances are that it is newbie, Rakuya. And boy, do they do it with pizazz.
Upper Place hosts a clever menu, perfect for those looking to escape the noise
Labels:
asian inspired,
date night,
european,
fusion,
hidden finds,
hotel,
tiong bahru
·
Set on the highest floor of WANGZ hotel is Upper Place, a humble dining place that dishes out ambitious plates congealing Asian influences with European techniques.
Here's what our writer, Belinda has to say after a delectable multi-course meal at the Upper Place.
Morton's of Chicago unveils new Spring menu
Labels:
date night,
expensive,
hotel,
mandarin oriental,
special occasion,
steak,
wines
·
It's old school extravaganza at Morton's of Chicago, the moment you walk through those doors its drab carpeted floors, heavy red velvet curtain partitions and conservative hard-backed chairs. Honestly, it can be interpreted two ways by different schools of thought - stale and conservative or nostalgic, old-school steakhouse. This one is going to make many people, very cross, but to be honest, I, unfortunately was not too taken by the dated decor. The tired staff, trained to the same mundane standards of cruise ship waiters, adding to the sense of 'tradition'.
Fat Belly - Affordable luxuries at this speakeasy steakhouse
Labels:
affordable,
botanic gardens,
date night,
intimate,
restaurants,
serene center,
steak,
wines
·
Not all steakhouses are created equal. Some come with the added luxuries of Japanese pure-bred wagyu and the accompanying bill that one would describe to be a 'highway robbery', and then some like Fat Belly, offer up standard, comforting steaks (usually secondary cuts) at affordable prices. Located in Serene Center, the 'speakeasy' steakhouse takes shape only at dusk when the spotlight is shifted from the gleaming ice cream case that houses the goodies for Sugarhaus, to the glowing embers of the binchotan.
[Hot off the Press]: Ash & Elm presents Michelin-starred Beefbar (HK) for 2 nights only
Labels:
6 hands,
bugis,
date night,
guest chef,
hong kong,
hotel,
intercontinental hotel,
michelin starred,
steak
·
Three Chefs, Two Nights, One Michelin Star.
Here, the aim of the game is all in the name of guest restaurant, Beefbar from Hong Kong - get beefed up - with the restaurant's most iconic dishes alongside InterContinental Singapore's Executive Sous Chef Philippe Duc and Pastry Chef Ben Goh's sublime culinary efforts. In a collaboration with Fine Dining Lovers by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, the collaboration dinner will take place over two nights on the 1 and 2 June 2018.
The luxurious and elegant settings of Ash and Elm add to the sense of trendiness that the Beefbar conveys. Kick off the 5-course meal with the Amberjack Carpaccio, dressed with a vibrant wasabi dressing and sprigs of coriander cress and then graduate to Beefbar's Signature Beef Tartare "bistro style". You can't be so sure if the whole thing is deadly ironic or self explanatory. The mince on its own is brilliant, highlighting the freshness of the produce; sadly, this is topped with a dollop of cream that has a taste profile akin to thousand island dressing with bits and bobs of roughly chopped onions and pickles haphazardly folded through. Really, just stop it.
The next dish, the Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops is ribbons of the same mediocrity. I yearned for a blistered crust but was greeted with a luke warm puck sporting a patchy seared exterior. The coloured florets of cauliflower pulled its weight in exciting the diner visually and the brown butter sauce while contributing to a slight textural contrast, was wildly normal.
Meatlovers will revel in the next course which offers up a half-portion selection of American prime Black Angus Tenderloin with Australian wagyu-crossbred striploin. This is served with velvety mashed potato, all ready to catch the drippings of those precious cuts from both ends. I do prefer the striploin, the marbling derived from its wagyu bloodline resulting in a tender cut that's full on flavour. Both slabs could have used a ton more seasoning before hitting the grill and temperatures were a bit spotty, but I supposed these are issues that can be rectified by Chef Andrea Spagoni, with more time spent in the visiting kitchen that is.
Revel instead in dessert, presented by award-winning Pastry Chef Ben Goh. Rouge as blatantly spelt on the menu is a a play on the colour red - almost as beautiful to look at, or photograph, as to eat. Hidden underneath a bunker of raspberry tuile is a rich chocolate crémeux made with Valrhona's single origin 68% cuvee Bali chocolate piped atop a chocolate biscuite, this is flanked by vanilla meringue, a quenelle of yuzu yoghurt sherbet, strawberry compote and a spectacular shard of dehydrated raspberry agar. It was so exceptional that I was tempted to sneak an additional order of chocolate crémeux. But I didn't.
The five course collaborative menu will be available at Ash and Elm on 1 and 2 June 2018, 6 00pm to 10 30pm at S$128++ per guest with a wine pairing option available at an additional S$88++ per guest. For reservations, please visit AshandElm.sgashandelm.sg or email sinhb.ashandelm@ihg.com or drop them a call at +65 6825 1008.
Ash and Elm
80 Middle Road
Level 1
InterContinental Singapore
Reservations: CHOPE
Enjoy 20% off this 6-Hands menu when you book through the app. Use the promo code "20OFF"<20off> when making your reservation to enjoy the promotion.
Lerouy ft. Couvent des Jacobins St Emilion: A Love Story
Labels:
date night,
french,
new openings,
open kitchen,
special occasion,
tanjong pagar,
will return,
wine pairing,
wines
·
Tonight I consummate my love for alcohol, charging through a flight of Couvent des Jacobins St. Emilion vintages from the the stalwart 2009 down to a luscious 1989 tipple. Food and wine pairing, when done right, is a mutually beneficially relationship. So it makes me smile when the two come together in ways that are complementary and evocative. Suffice to say, by the end of the night, I had a silly grin plastered to my face - such is my simple story of the Sarment wine dinner at Lerouy.
Pastaria Abate: Good times for both the wallet and the finicky eaters
Labels:
affordable,
casual,
cheap,
craig road,
date night,
family friendly,
must go,
outram,
pasta,
tanjong pagar
·
Now that we're in the thick of Singapore Cocktail Festival. Here is a word to the wise. Make sure to line the stomachs before hitting up those bars. #DrinkResponsibly.
And in case you're looking for something easy on the wallet in and around the bar hot spots that will leave you more liquid funds for later, here's a gem of a suggestion - Pastaria Abate on Craig Road, where fresh pastas made daily are emphasised and every table is vacated with empty plates. It's a tell tale sign that there is pedigree here and the crowds flocking in on a Thursday night is living proof.
Le Binchotan: It's the Remix to Ignition
Labels:
amoy street,
cocktails,
date night,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
restaurants,
sake,
smokehouse,
special occasion,
will return
·
There is an air of nostalgia as I entered the cylindrical fashioned, moody realms of the restaurant, Le Binchotan. Yet amidst the somber nature of the space, there's a spark of excitement in the air, Chef Jeremmy Chiam's impish smile affirming rumours. Taking over the reigns of the restaurant, it's outwardly apparent that new Chef-Owner, Jeremmy had a new spring to his step.
Le Binchotan, known for it's manifestation of modern French-Japanese cuisine in the back alleys of Amoy Street has had a new fire lit under its ass and with that comes swooshing in, promises of something fresh, vital and extraordinary. With great mental resistance, I consigned my previous experience of the restaurant to oblivion - after all, everyone deserves a second chance.
Limehouse: Date Night Solved.
Labels:
caribbean,
cocktails,
date night,
exotic,
jiak chuan road,
must go,
restaurants,
rum,
will return
·
It's been a good year for the business of libations and cocktail bars spanning our local shores. Singapore has really come into its own in the bar world, capturing six spots in this year's "World's 50 Best Bars" list, third to perennial cocktail capitals London and New York. One things for sure, the locals thirst for cocktails is insatiable. We might have our staid, workaholic way of life to blame, but that just makes the lure of a kooky libation after work, irresistible. Who's with me?
And with drinks, there must be food. If you're looking for a place that does stellar cocktails accompanied with tasty nosh, here's one to add to your list: Limehouse, a Caribbean style drinking den that will have you attempting to salsa at the end of your rum-filled dinner experience.
Halia celebrates its Halal certification with a new menu
Labels:
botanic gardens,
date night,
european,
halal,
large groups,
restaurants,
special occasion
·
Tucked in the lush foliage of the Ginger Garden, Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens was established in 2001 and has served over a million customers with its modern European cuisine with Asian influences. In June 2017, Halia marked another significant milestone in its 16-year history and has attained Halal certification. To celebrate the Halal certification, Executive Chef Ciaran Armstrong, has introduced new additions to the menu.
Saturday night picks - Chikin for feisty Szechuan yakitori and Asian inspired tipples
Labels:
bars,
bukit pasoh,
cocktails,
date night,
fried chicken,
fusion,
japanese,
large groups,
szechuan,
will return,
yakitori
·
Spice devils! Step right up! Chikin, a new fusion joint to join the throngs of half-blood variants in the precinct offers something a little different. Western influences find no place here as the kitchen combines the founders' love for Japanese yakitori and Szechuan Shao Kao (BBQ meats). An extremely underrated marriage resulting from the co-founder's Ms Tay Eu-Ten frequent visits to Chengdu.
Much to my amusement, there is no overt restaurant plagiarism here, the kooky result making me feel at home instantly. Red and purple hues wash the surfaces of the shop-length bar counter. Barely a few steps in and I swiftly relegated myself to bar-fly status - plopping myself down and perusing the cocktails list with enthusiasm.
Friday night picks: Tapas Club @ Orchard Central
Labels:
affordable,
churros,
date night,
may return,
orchard,
orchard central,
spanish,
tapas
·
Despite the recent, and when I say 'recent', I'm referring to a good 10 culinary years in Singapore's culinary context, Spanish cuisine has seen a booming business amongst diners. Hence its not peculiar that I've never had the urge to venture into a new tapas joint in search of greener, more authentic pastures, since most of us would have settled into the constancy of our regular Spanish joint when the craving hits. Binomio on Craig road may be a homestead for some of you, hence this news might come across as pleasantries.
D+1, the largest Spanish company in Asia's F&B industry and regional franchise owners of popular frozen yogurt chain llaollao has decided to expand its portfolio, adding a casual tapas dining concept to its empire. And despite the mass-market appeal of the brand, the authenticity factor is not displaced in the new venture, Tapas Club, located in Orchard Central. Executive Chef Jose Alonso (also Head chef of Binomio) keeps things on a tight leash and the dishes are relatable, most of them tugging at the heart strings in regards to flavours.
BITE: The new date-and-dine app that will find you love (or at least a great meal)
Labels:
advertorial,
date night
·
Navigating the dating waters can be enormously intimidating at times, so what better way to lighten the mood than meeting over a meal?
The cross-table interactions, both verbal and non-verbal, are powerful ways of fostering genuine connections between two individuals.
Bonus: When the food is excellent.
But then again, bonding over disastrous meals might just bring foodies/picky eaters together.
Dating apps these days don’t usually encourage you to get off the app and meet in real life, just calling for you to make initial judgements and connections through a screen.
But Bite is a new date-and- dine app that lets you meet new people while eating delicious food, all in one great application. A no-brainer since Singaporeans are thinking about food all the time! Now there’s the added convenience of meeting someone online and fast track to taking them out for a meal! Perfect for foodies like me (and you!)
Download Bite (www.bite-official.com) now on your Android or Apple device.
Teepee Bar and Restaurant: Burgers & Cocktails match
Labels:
burgers,
clarke quay,
cocktails,
date night,
hidden finds,
hong kong street,
must go,
new openings,
will return
·
Sure, it took me awhile before the shutters on this one were open to actually pay my maiden visit. But I'm certain my somewhat tardiness paid off.
Opened last Wednesday, Teepee Bar Bar is a casual joint hidden behind a non-descript frontage on 31 Hong Kong Street, just opposite the alley way from Pyxiemoss. Judging by the erratic working hours, Teepee is a true-blue all-day dining concept. Churning out hot cuppa joes from 8am in the morning and transiting into 'too-cool-for-school' intimate burger and cocktail bar by night.
Ordering is a walk in the park given the concise menu of a few burgers and rice bowls. I dived in straight for a customised cocktail - a White Negroni, padded with my favourite old suze bitters in place of campari. The result was a sensory overload , the herbaceous root flavor earthing the heady sweet mixture. If you're gunning for one of their signature cocktails, let it be the Dark and Stormy ($16) - Diplomatico rum meets homemade cola syrup and East Imperial's Ginger Beer for a concoction that is as tingling cold as it is fresh and punchy.
Where burgers are concerned, pick the Umami Swiss ($18) featuring a 150g beef patty, caramelised onions and mushroom trio blanketed by melted cheese. Sure, this does bring to mind the Burger King perennial favourite: mushroom swiss, only BETTER! Pick it up between your fingers and dig in, safe to say this needs about 3 napkins but I managed with 1. The challenges were aplenty as the double slice of thick juicy tomato and lettuce attempt to steal the limelight with every bite; I removed those successfully in order to enjoy my burger in its full glory.
The partner's Buttermilk Chicken ($17) burger did have a nice ring to it, with brined chicken thigh, apple raisin slaw, cheese and caramelised onion. The amalgamation worked miraculously, although he did feel that the protein was a little too turgid to the bite. 'It's chicken thigh, honey'.
For what it's worth, Teepee Bar and restaurant serves as an idyllic den for escapism from the world and indulgence of the burger sort. They do have a couple of rice bowls on the menu for those on the prowl for something a little more 'hipsterish', but for me, the familiar formula of burgers is unavoidable. And for that, I can safely say I will be back to suss out the rest of the burger menu.
p.s. I hear they are running a 31% off promotion till the end of the year. With the exception of Public Holidays and the day before public holidays, meaning that today is technically the LAST day you get to enjoy a big cut off your bill. Jump on it!
Teepee Bar and Restaurant
31 Hong Kong Street #01-02
S(059670)
t: 6225 0025
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teepee.sg/
Operating Hours:
Mon - Sat: 8am - 12pm
Sun: Closed
Tippling Club's NEW Sensorium Menu has got something that would stir those memories
An aromatic affair greets those looking to venture to Tippling Club. I've always treasured my sense of smell, sure, my taste buds may be faulty at time, but nothing trips the nose. So imagine my delight when I found a cocktail at Tippling club with a description of "rain"- one thing you gotta know about me is the inexplicable swell of joy in my heart whenever the smell of incoming rain hits. The thousands of memories evoked turns the corners of my lips, such is the effect of Tippling Club's recently conceived Sensorium Menu.
Tippling Club and International Flavors and Fragrances have collaborated to put the boundless possibilities of a flavors and scents marriage into actualisation through the Sensorium Menu. Designed to stir deeply-rooted memories by nervous-system information carried down the olfactory nerve, this 'new technology' is as deeply profound as it is delicious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
