Showing posts with label fusion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fusion. 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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
The Summerhouse's New Menu defies classification
Labels:
family friendly,
fusion,
hidden finds,
restaurants,
Seletar,
special occasion,
will return
·
It has been a while since my last visit to Summerhouse. I zoomed in to the edible garden to check in on the cocoa pods progress and was delighted to observe that they were in good shape. Looking around, there is a discernible difference in the yard’s outlook - 3 ominous domes are dispersed through the luscious foliage. It’s fairy-lit interior slowly coming to life with the dramatic setting of the sun that unleashes a whirlwind of peach-pop colours across the sky. And there you have it, as any great ‘special occasion’ type-esque restaurant experience begins, it pulls me in from more then one direction. The alluring settings of plush fur carpets draped over solid wood benches, champagne flutes that tilt to your lips to reveal fresh hits of thyme and cool drafts of air circulating the domes, all work to prime my appetite for the food, even before the rye bread hits the table. And when it did, I reached zealously for the house made butter; making sure to fill all nooks and crevices with it. No patch was spared. The scrumptious morsel, a prequel to the fortuitous meal to come.
Beast and Butterflies: where culinary insurgence takes trip
Labels:
alfresco,
beer,
big groups,
chinese,
fusion,
happy hour,
hotel,
m social,
must go,
pork knuckle,
restaurants,
robertson quay
·
I'm saying this only because of the Crispy Pork Knuckle, served with the most ridonkulous Nam Jim sauce that you'll just want to bottle and use at BBQs, with grilled chicken wings, etc... Okay, then maybe I'll also make leeway for the Scallop Carpaccio and the Yam Brulee - a most ambrosial ramekin of orh nee blessed with a crackin' caramelised lid - both humble, but no less, better, incarnations of their original inspirators.
Sky22 @ Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena: more than just dining with a view
Labels:
business lunch,
family friendly,
fusion,
hotel,
laksa,
local food,
mariott hotel,
novena,
pizza,
set lunch,
vegeterian
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Throw a stone and you'll probably hit a restaurant that banks its reservation list on glamorised decor and stellar views of the metropolis. But the number of restaurants that actually serve up food that is befitting of its ludicrous inflated price tags are few - the new Sky22 being one of the handful that finds a righteous balance between being your business-savy hotel restaurant with mediocre International offerings and a casual dining joint that attempts to keep things playful without being flippant.
Top eats of 2017: Please Sir Can I have somemore?!
Labels:
best,
burgers,
chinese,
fusion,
must go,
restaurants,
will return
·
Tonight, from Kuala Lumpur, I'm raising my glass to one heck of a memorable year.
There have been highs, and extreme lows, bucket loads of tears, jaw-dropping sunsets and plenty of beauty.
Loads of delicious things have been set in front of me. Photos have filled the memory of my computer and pretty epic tales including silly exchanges with chefs have flowed out onto the Internet.
Here we are at the end and at the beginning. Like a hop, skip and quick restart.
But before we do so, there are certain dishes out there which I feel strongly compelled to commit to memory - here are my favourite eats of the year.
The Pelican Seafood Bar and Grill conquers both land and sea
Labels:
american,
burgers,
desserts,
family friendly,
fusion,
restaurants,
seafood,
special occasion,
steak,
surf and turf,
waterfront,
will return
·
Letting off a sigh that signalled both contentment and resignation, this was me, right after I had taken a first bite of my burger at The Pelican. The bay front restaurant has been around for what seems like ages now, its menu recently making transition from being full fledged seafood focused to featuring a pleasant interweave of surf and turf. The list reads easy and offers nothing out of the ordinary as far as your regular mid-tier restaurant would go - however, what lies simmering below the seemingly tranquil surface is a conglomerate of stellar staples. Hear me out.
Winter is coming: PORTA Fine Food and Import Company rolls out Christmas specials
Labels:
affordable,
cakes,
christmas,
clake quay,
fusion,
hotel,
restaurants,
spanish,
special occasion,
will return
·
[Weekend Pick]: Butcher Boy for late night munchies and Sunday therapy
Labels:
burgers,
cocktails,
fusion,
keong saik,
large groups,
late night eats,
modern,
must go,
restaurants,
steak,
sunday brunch,
supper,
will return
·
On first glance, Butcher Boy comes across as just another one of the bar-touting restaurants flashing a modernistic approach on Asian cuisine in the hope of enticing the ignorant tourist or expatriate. But on closer inspection, the joint boasts some amazing accolades, mostly with Andrew Walsh of Cure helming the finances and kitchen. Cure, having survived more than 2 years in the merciless Keong Saik neighbourhood, has proved its mettle; the informal diner is in good health and does a bustling trade with a spotlight placed on ever-changing menus dictated by seasonal goods.
Chef-owner Andrew Walsh has turned it up a notch in his second and newest venture, churning out grilled meat specialities with Asian sauces - think baos and buns, sharing plates and Asian centric cocktails - all inspired by his tasty adventures whilst traversing Asia. There's an immediate sense of ease and comfort, something metaphysical as you step into the low-light of the longish dining room. The high stool seatings and the tight tables encourage communal dining with a lofty chance of alcoholic tipples, the open bar making sure to fortify those thirsty needs. Staff are affable and not before long, a bottle of wine graces your groups table, and fret not, it is a perfectly plush spot to indulge in a tipple at mid-range prices.
Neon Pigeon: Autumn Migration
Labels:
cocktails,
fusion,
hidden finds,
izakaya,
japanese,
keong saik,
modern
·
If you asked me to name two things the Singapore dining-scape (in specific the Keong Saik precinct) already has plenty of, I'd reply "modern-Asian cuisine and cocktail bars." So did I need to review another place that thrived on selling a combination of these two concepts to the unsuspecting audience, mostly expats, sorry. Theoretically, no. Especially where full-house bookings and raucous crowds are concerned on a daily basis. But gastronomically, where the autumn menu is headed, yes.
Hear me out.
Morsels: Timeless cuisine fostered by Asian heralded techniques
Labels:
dempsey,
fusion,
hidden finds,
modern,
omakase,
restaurants,
romantic,
special occasion,
will return,
wine pairing
·
Areas like the lush Dempsey Hill have had its fair share of ups and down over the last decade. It spruced up nicely in its food and beverage conquest, attracting voracious appetites and roaring conversations in its hay-days with distinguished overseas brand backing. Think Jones the Grocer with its cool, softly lit gorgeous lofty interiors and fresh stacks of pancakes. However, the slowing economy took a huge hit and expatriates who were the majority denizens of Dempsey started making rarer appearances in the enclave. All of a sudden, things too a turn and these giants slowly moved out of the leaving a void to be filled. Not long after, new life style quarters Como Dempsey happened and the precinct teamed with life once again. Taking the plunge, was Petrina Loh, Chef/Owner of Morsels (previously located in Mayo Street) who moved her small plates restaurant into a more intimate 40-seater, 1000 sqf space just at stone's throw from Long Beach Seafood.
Having not patronise her previous outlet before, I was pleasantly surprised by the cottage like intimacy of the dining space adjoining the open kitchen. Wild ferns frame the bar while wicker chairs and wooden table tops up the 'rustic' quality one experiences once you slide pass those full length barnyard type doors. At the point, you'll wonder if you've inadvertently stepped into someone's home, lifting your eyes to look out for quilted corners.
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.
Lewin Terrace: 500 Days of Summer
Labels:
fort canning,
french,
fusion,
hidden finds,
japanese,
modern,
restaurants,
romantic,
wine pairing,
wines
·
There's barely anything left to coincidence on the plates as presented by Chef Shinkai that night at Lewin Terrace. His well-flourished career that took him through the kitchens of 3 Michelin star restaurant L'Osier in Tokyo to the beloved 1 Michelin star Beni on local grounds erecting some high expectations at the white-linen lined tables. Sure, we do know that the Chef is well-versed in the unique fusion of Japanese-French cuisine, but a quick glimpse at the summer menu revealed baffling misplaced words such as 'laksa' and 'lemongrass' - would these prove to be feign attempts at pushing the envelope, or will they actuate as pure ingenuity? I was curious to find out.
Full of Luck Club: What's Newer and Hotter.
Labels:
cantonese,
cocktails,
family friendly,
fusion,
hidden finds,
holland village,
modern,
restaurants,
sharing,
will return
·
Since my last visit to Full of Luck Club last year (read here), the joint has taken measures to reinvent the menu, pushing new-fangled offerings to match their stalwart menu items that have received a sort of cult status amongst the tipple-cravers.. think Braised Pork Bao and Golden Sand Corn washed down with ice cold beer. Yes, it does feel a little more like Friday doesn't it?
Xiao Ya Tou: New Brunch Menu
Labels:
affordable,
brunch,
cafe,
desserts,
duxton hill,
family friendly,
fusion,
mod sin,
sunday brunch,
will go
·
There are a thousand and one variations on the classic eggs Benedict, and as much I confess to being a nazi (most probably a condition derived from being fazed by exaggeratedly bastardised versions that are both messy in appearance and jarring on the palate); Xiao Ya Tou's new Unagi Benedict ($16) radiates with a warm glow. I'm guessing its the yuzukoshu hollandaise at work, but no. The star of the dish being the attack on the flank - prawn and potato kewpie mayo salad with tobiko on crispy potato croquettes. Needless to say, the combination of mushroom duxelles, fresh fried mantou, poached egg and unagi was exceptional. This one is worth wiggling out of your PJs early for.
Xiao Ya Tou has recently revamped their menu to include a larger repertoire of local influenced dishes at more affable pricing to encourage sharing. Henceforth the best if you're an indecisive (or greedy) diner like me who are easily enticed by key words like 'kewpie', 'ragu', 'confit' and 'mantou' amidst a galore of drool worthy food jargon featured on the menu.
Makan@Jen: East Meets West
Labels:
affordable,
buffet dinner,
family friendly,
fusion,
hotel Jen,
mod sin,
modern,
orchard,
orchardgateway,
sommerset
·
Juxtaposing the best of Eastern cuisine and the best of Western Cuisine, Hotel Jen Orchardgateway rolls out a buffet spread with the full works and we were allowed sneak peaks of the offer available from 2 July 2017 to 30 November 2017. For just $42++, dive into and endless array of Asian and International delights, all dubbed to be given a 'Jen' twist.
Provisions: Asian Skewers and Claypot Rice with a necessary side of Alcoholic Libations
Labels:
barfood,
claypot,
cocktails,
dempsey,
fusion,
hidden finds,
mod sin,
modern,
southeast asian,
will return
·
"Can I get you a drink, to start?". The keywords - to start - lighting the flames of ignition for a healthy night of libations afterwards. The moment those words escaped the lips of Head Bartender/Co-Owner KC Rahmat, this opened the flood gates to my imbibe-obsessed mind. I caught a glimpse of a bead of sweat rolling down his brow as I tossed him one challenge after another. Regrets. Retiring the night with his version of the vesper with suze bitter, gin mare gin and infused vodka, this lethal tipple carried waves of repercussions in its clear conscious.
Provisions is the newest Asian Skewers and claypot rice concept to grace the gentrified stretch of establishments on Block 7 of Dempsey Hill. It's an interesting premise, the industrial chic space exuding wintry vibes which goes hand in hand with the fuss-free, no service approach; whilst on the flip side, wooden fixtures and long tables manage to elicit thoughts of communal dining. A wild child that bears a certain sense of eccentricity, essential to standing out in the populous precinct.
Ding Dong: runs the night with their New Menu
Labels:
amoy street,
barfood,
cocktails,
fusion,
large groups,
local food,
must go,
special occasion,
telok ayer
·
There's just something about Ding Dong after dark that has got me charmed. I'm bought into the lure of a lardaceous affair of Pork Trotters in between alcoholic thirst quenchers; the illustrious neon lights reflecting off mahogany wood table tops hitting the spot where party vibes are concerned. The menu needs little decoding, recently revamped by new Assistant Head Chef Miller Mai under the guidance of Chef Ryan Clift, it screams of modernised childhood nostalgic dishes and some of which are stellar. While the food is loosely based on local favourites, the kitchen pushes far beyond those boundaries. Subverting and reinventing dishes, Ding Dong targets a new generation of novelty-seeking urban diners. I, for one am extremely grateful for this tenant on the mega food-centric Amoy Street.
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