Showing posts with label dhoby ghaut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dhoby ghaut. Show all posts
Seorae: Korean Charcoal BBQ with NO chance of 'Smoke gets in your eyes'
Labels:
bingsu,
desserts,
dhoby ghaut,
family friendly,
ice-cream,
korean,
korean bbq,
large groups,
lunch,
plaza singapura,
restaurants,
will return
·
An army of soju bombs lined up in sweet precision. That's enough to convert me into a degenerate drunkard even on a breezy Tuesday afternoon. I kid you not, a trip to Seorae, Plaza Singapura's latest resident Korean BBQ joint will have you battling some alcoholic tendencies as the yakault soju makes repeated anonymous visits to the table (I blame the ninja boyfriend). But drinks aside, food is the real deal here, capturing the true essence of Korean communal dining in a tight space.
Unveiled for the first time in Singapore, the signature galmaegisal (also occupying a significant space on the wall with porky directory) - also known as pork skirt steak is available here. Marinated in a delicious blend of Korean spices and grilled to perfection, the result is something so tantalizing, rich flavored and juicy that it would have you hissing in anticipation as you proceed to pop the piping hot jewel into your mouth. Dip it into braised sweet onions or the accompanying spicy sauces to amp up the flavor.
Density Frozen Custard: All-natural Super-premium Ice-Cream
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
coffee,
desserts,
dhoby ghaut,
hidden finds,
ice-cream,
little india,
may return
·
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?
Montana Brew Bar: Waffles Gone Rogue
Labels:
affordable,
ala carte,
bras basah,
cafe,
coffee,
dhoby ghaut,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
little india,
mac&cheese,
may return,
selegie,
student friendly,
waffles,
x
·
Montana Brew Bar is one of the newest kids on the block to amp up the waffle game in town. Yes, it is evident that these honeycombed imprinted crisp vessels do have a soft spot in our hearts and stomachs; and with these validation, MBB takes it to level with their ingenious savoury adaptations.
I'm here at brunch hour on a Saturday; a modest trade is coming and going in that lazy weekend kind of way. Tables are packed with languid diners hoping to score a waffle or two with friends; most of them young and vivacious, in the mid twenties; a crowd seemingly drawn from its location advantage , right smack in the middle of several schools and learning institutes in the vicinity. On a weekend, this isn't the kind of place you want to sit and linger for too long if you're a party of one; the glaring lights (plus odd stares from other people) and bustling foot traffic traversing through the malls, not exactly conducive for 'me-time'; perhaps the odd hours of the weekdays would be a better choice.
Shi Fu Korean BBQ: Meat Lovers Rejoice
Labels:
affordable,
barbeque,
big groups,
bras basah,
dhoby ghaut,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
korean,
korean bbq,
little india,
no frills,
will return
·
Shi Fu sited below the bright florescent lights of the many KTVs located near peace centre, may not be the most attractive sight to wander into. The thick fumes of garlic laden smoke streaming out of the open doors, yet again another dampening factor. But Shi Fu Korean BBQ is the common's best Korean BBQ in a joggers mile. So karoke party revellers seeking something to chew on after a madhouse session, this would be your best bet!
Concetto by Saveur: Wallet Friendly Italian fare
Labels:
dhoby ghaut,
italian,
may return,
orchard,
pasta
·
Following my rather good first-time experience in Saveur at Far East Plaza. I decided to push the envelope with a second visit to the Italian version of the former. Or rather, an impromptu plan to head down to the movies at Grand Cathay sent us scuttling for nearby food options that would be easy on the wallet. Owned and operated by the same entrepreneurs in the Saveur group, Dylan Ong and Jason Khoo have decided to spill their culinary love into the art of Italian cooking. Hence, coming up with a derivant of Saveur, which is better known for it's affordable French fare.
I gamely ordered the Carbonara Fettucine ($12.90), after fine-tuning my options to the belly full of cravings. Fresh pasta is coated in 'flavored sauce', then pieces of crispy bacon showered down upon it's white pristine, this then bestowed with a sous vide egg. A shameless concubine of confit pork trails closely beside. Under an immense amount of food stress, I must confess that I indulged in a bit of mindless eating with this one. The sinful creaminess of the dish soaking up my miseries and disgruntles. Despite the sauce being on the verge of breaking and the pork confit being a little irrelevant; I kept mum and slurped up every drop. Hey.. my wallet didn't complain either.
His Cod ($22.90) was a tad of a let down with pan-seared cod in a clam stew of sorts, an assortment of roughly chopped vegetables attempts to lifts the mix whilst the absence of salt in the broth made the dish seem uninspired. It's saving grace was the golden brown top-hat of puff pastry that was beautifully crisp and cooked thoroughly.
We washed that down with 2 glasses of house Sauvignon Blanc ($8/glass), yet again a worthy investment for a rather dreary day at work.
Concetto by Saveur
2 Handy Rd, Singapore 229233
t: 6735 1141
w: http://www.concetto.sg/
Opening Hours
Daily 12pm - 9 30pm
Balzac Brasserie: Old school French
Labels:
bras basah,
circle line,
dhoby ghaut,
food,
french,
hidden finds,
restaurants
·
There are just some days when you crave for traditional foods. Debating our choices for dinner venues, my companion (a schoolmate from Le Cordon Bleu Sydney) and I settled on Balzac Brasserie for a quick escape from the usual rigours of nouvelle cuisine. Tonight we go old school.
Balzac Brasserie is exactly what you would picture a typical French brasserie that claims to serve simple, homey food: the interior styled in a interesting juxtaposition of sidewalk cafe and Parisian bar and bistro, with deep shade of mahogany and leather. To one side of the dining area are cafe chairs that usually line the sidewalks of Paris with a back drape of luscious greenery cascading from the high ceilings; the other side features a antique zinc bar with high chairs and booth seats, exuding a cool underground vibe as the trades picked up pace through the night.
Drawing inspiration from his own family's recipes, Executive Chef Jean-Charles Dubois serves up a classic french menu and manges to do so with aplomb; highlighting the integrity of the fresh produce he employs. Perusing the menu, it wasn't hard to zoom in our final decisions despite the rather extensive menu.
The meal begins with Foie Gras de "Castaing" ($24) for me; homemade foie gras terrine served with fig and raisin compote, farmer's toast and petite salade. Seriously rich stuff with the crunchy farmers toast helping to mitigate the taste. I adored the delicate endive salad on the side which helped me to ease into each sumptuous bite of the good stuff.
The Escargots de Bourgogne (Dozen for $22);gratinated beure Provencale style with parsley, garlic and butter; was a real disappointment. Bland. We had to resort to massive movements with the salt shakers to achieve a nice balance of flavors. And honestly, service standards were truly lacking. If you want to ask us how the meal was, please stand still for a moment at the table instead of zipping around the tables, leaving our answers hanging in mid air. Basic courtesy.
Entrecote ($34) - 200gr black angus served with bearnaise sauce and pommes frites. Definitely a commendable dish with the red meat cooked to a perfect medium rare , an enthralling sear on the outside to seal in the juices. The sauce also made a world of a difference - the bernaise made of clarified butter emulsified in egg yolks, white wine vinegar and flavoured with herbs, well seasoned, it's lusciousness a good partner to the integrity of the steak.
Another success was the Duck Confit($26) , the duck, a melt in your mouth kind of delicious, humming with the romance of a fine pinot noir. The bed of truffle mash, so smooth, almost like it was sieved thru the finest strainer. With crispy skin, the salt helping to draw any left remnants of moisture out, this provides for the only textural contrast required in this traditional dish. Very well executed indeed.
Balzac Brasserie separates itself from the throngs of new and old restaurants springing up all over the island with its dedication to old school French cookery techniques and dishes. For one, the food certainly hits the spot, but the same cannot be said for the whole dining experience. The service could use a little fine tuning: more attention to detail, perhaps a little more friendly interaction with the guests? I'm not asking for a lap dance over here, maybe just a sincere warm smile once in a while wouldn't hurt?
Balzac Brasserie
#01-01,
Rendezvous Hotel,
9 Bras Basah Road
Phone: 63360797
Website: http://balzacbrasserie.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
