Showing posts with label holland village. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holland village. Show all posts
Full of Luck Restaurant: Gone with the Fortune Cat
Labels:
cantonese,
chinese,
circle line,
family friendly,
holland village,
restaurants,
roast
·
It's 2pm on a Saturday. Full of Luck restaurant in Holland Village is far from doing a roaring trade. Perhaps it's due to the lack of knowledge that the restaurant has opened its doors once again, after recently pulling up the hoardings to mask renovation works. Gone are the heavy doors, sensible automated doors put in place; the second floor ditching its kitschy hipster image in favour of a more serious Chinese restaurant. Change isn't just physical, the menu has been overhauled with more traditional dishes reinstated and the voguish Baos displaced together with the expulsion of the word 'club' from its name.
Otto's Deli Fresh: Premium steaks to be washed down with fine wines
Labels:
circle line,
cold cuts,
hidden finds,
holland village,
meatlovers,
might return,
restaurants,
steak,
waffles
·
Otto's Deli Fresh is an all-day restaurant inspired by the vision of Chef Otto Weibel, who has won multiple awards in International cooking competitions and has had vast experience working in various prestigious hotels.
This time around, Chef Otto has taken to introducing a whole new range of premium steaks at head-turning attractive prices. All done to perfection to please the discerning palates of meat-lovers.
Did it make the cut though? Read on to find out.
RUMOURs has it - from Bali to Singapore
Labels:
Bali,
beer,
cocktails,
gastropub,
german food,
grilled meats,
happy hour,
holland village,
large groups,
meatlovers,
pubfood
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Is it as good as the rumours you've heard?
A popular spot among locals and tourists in Bali, the award-winning Rumours Bar and Grill have finally made their way from Bali to Singapore. And by word of many carnivores, this one might just give your waistline a good reason to reach greater widths.
Singapore's first dedicated duck ramen at Kamo Soba Keisuke: Take a quack at it
Labels:
hidden finds,
holland village,
japanese,
ramen,
restaurants,
roast duck,
will return
·
My mind is engrossed with flashbacks from Mighty Duck (yes, I am an 80s kid), the awkward beginnings of the "Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack" at their first game building to a crescendo of triumphant cheer that illustrated true camaraderie. It never gets old. Ducks fly together.
And even more in the not so proverbial combination of Irish duck and ramen. Yes, before you voice your confusion and perhaps disapproval with this very non-Japanese ingredient, hold up. Chef Keisuke has succeeded in many combinations before this masterpiece, Kani King (Crab) and Lobster King leading up to him picking the bird as his new muse. And given his former training in French training, the pieces of the jigsaw begin to make sense.
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?
Lucky Bar: Asian Inspired Libations in the heart of Holland Village
Labels:
barfood,
cantonese,
chinese food,
cocktails,
hidden finds,
holland village,
might return,
romantic
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Seasoned observers who have visited the dining room of Full of Luck Club's sprawling 2nd storey complex would have noticed the little space in the back with the words 借酒消愁 splashed on it's grey washed walls. This is to become Lucky Bar which has recently rolled out proper operations as the neighbourhood cocktail bar or watering hole, a role that's in dire need of filling since it's haydays as a expat region shrouded in cheap beer towers and shisha smoke. This may just be the perfect solution to anyone looking for a late night hang in Holland Village without the guilty calories of a chocolate mud pie or ice cream sundae.
Borrowing the tricks of a successful genre, Lucky Bar offers an Asian-inspired cocktail program deployed with the additional arsenal of a full fledged Cantonese kitchen to provide the creative muscle in the food department.
Otto's Deli Fresh: Wholesome bites in the heart of Holland Village
Labels:
affordable,
burgers,
casual,
circle line,
fusion,
holland village,
may return,
pulled pork,
steak,
waffles
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I had my qualms about this place initially. It's rather peculiar positioning in Raffles @ Holland Village reinforced by second floor placement raising concerns about low footfall and visibility even if placed in the bustling neighbourhood. The newest labour of love, Otto's Deli Fresh by one of the most respected veterans in Singapore's Food and Beverage industry, Otto Weibel sets to present a curated food selection showcasing provenance and quality in a snugly familiar way. The all-day dining menu allowing customers to enjoy even the most illustrious of breakfast dishes late at night.
Full of Luck Club: Bringing sexy Cantonese cuisine back
Labels:
cantonese,
chinese food,
circle line,
craft beers,
dim sum,
holland village,
large groups,
must go,
will go
·
So, this is about the reset button, breaking from the proven structured Chinese fine-dining formula that has made Li Bai the darling of Cantonese cuisine lovers.
Full of Luck club 福乐, a brainchild of the same team behind the opulent Li Bai Cantonese restaurant in Sheraton Towers (read about my previous dining experience here) first made their debut at Craft Singapore in March. Pitting themselves against food giants such as Vatos Urban Tacos and Park Bench Deli in a bid to satiate the alcoholic munchies of the beer crowd. I recall vividly being drawn immediately to its hipster-ish graphical menu boards, the bold use of color and the boisterous voices rising out from behind the booths, egging you on to sink your teeth into the Braised Pork Belly bao. And so I did. In fact, I had those 2 days in a row.
Fast forward 2 months later and the physical unit of the contemporary Cantonese joint has now taken shape in the heart of Holland Village, erected in the stilled site where Wendy's used to be. The menu maintains a tight focus on Cantonese cuisine, albeit with a more progressive and contemporary approach - shredding its pish-posh image and dishing out sharing plates and baos amidst other Asian inspired cocktails and craft beers. Then again, knowing that poets work better under the 'inspiration' of alcohol, perhaps this is Li Bai's Jekyll and Hyde moment?
D'Good Cafe: Deutsch Skillet Pancakes and Birthday Wishes
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
brunch,
cafe,
circle line,
coffee,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
holland village,
large groups,
must go,
pancakes,
will return
·
D'Good Cafe celebrates its 3rd birthday today, and to spread the joyous mood, everybody will enjoy a whopping 30% off the total bill only today, the 15th Oct' 15. Now, that's worth a trip down. You know what else warrants a visit? The new menu headlining D'good's foray into the Dutch Skillet Pancakes, that's what is.
[ANYMAP] Lepak @ The Holland Village
Labels:
cafe,
desserts,
holland village,
ice-cream,
mexican,
must go,
will return
·
Holland Village, named in 1907 after Hugh Holland, an architect and an amateur actor who was one of the early residents in the vicinity. Holland Road, also known as hue hng au in Hokkien, translates to "behind the flower garden". The "flower garden" referring to the Botanic Gardens, hence explaining the provenance of its name.
Whether you're looking for sweets filled pinatas, rare magazines or just a cool cafe to chill out with friends whilst simultaneously cooing over adorable latte art, you can be sure that Holland Village's amazing spread of local stores have got you covered.
d'Good Cafe: do your stomach a favor and eat here!
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
big groups,
brunch,
cafe,
Cheesecake,
circle line,
coffee,
desserts,
eggs benedict,
family friendly,
holland village,
must go,
pasta,
waffles
·
A sight for sore eyes. Surely. Since the lawn-inspired settings transcribes to a heavy amount of soothing vert colors to feed the senses.
Obviously, this plays to its advantage as the welcome contrast of the warm palates of food definitely look tons more appetizing.
My first trip to d'Good cafe wasn't exactly a largely gratifying experience, mostly stemming from the fact that I was there to accompany friends and only managed enough appetite to dig into a forkful of Maple Sea Salt cheesecake; which incidentally remains my favourite up till this day. This time round, with a bounty of treasures on the table, conclusions had to be drawn. Will d'Good Cafe be in? Or out?
Chez Petit Salut: French fare without breaking the bank
Labels:
bistro,
chip bee gardens,
dinner,
duck confit,
french,
holland village,
lamb shank,
the entertainer app
·
Chip Bee Gardens has seen a revival with the installation of the Holland Village MRT station and the 'big-bang' like pop-up of Sunday Folks along the usually quiet stretch. With that comes accompanied a whole slew of new worries mostly shrouding parking issues.
Not new to the once sleepy neighborhood is Chez Petit Salut, a sister outlet to the more showy Au Petit Salut; here, the style is casual French bistro with hearty traditional French classics ringed in by a respectable wine list. Decor is kept simple, rustic, with an air of nostalgia of the French romanticism period. It's the kind of restaurant where it is possible to go for both lunch and dinner on a single day, a restaurant where waitresses race through the dining halls with four identical bowls of duck confit.
To start off the meal, we had the Oven Baked Portobello Mushroom with melted Camembert cheese and baby spinach ($16) and the Half dozen baked Burgundy snails, tomato fondue & garlic butter ($16). The former (pictured right above) greeted the table; and we wished that the chef had made a mistake with only a measly mushroom to share round the table. Perhaps the mushroom had been a blooming onion before it's brief stint in the oven, but that doesn't warrant such a sad serving. The latter was apparently very well received by the other end of the table. Never got to taste it but I must say that generous slathering of herbed butter definitely whet my appetite.
Some of the main courses that graced the table that night were the Braised Lamb Shank ($38) served 'a la Provencale' in tomato accompanied with root vegetables. This unfortunately never quite surpassed the works of the master, the fork tender protein lacking in personality, but it was good enough to be a contender in any serious discussion of Singapore's lamb shanks.
My Crispy Duck leg confit, sauteed potatoes, streaky bacon and mesclun ($32) was superb, a golden crusty exterior heightened by the showering of fried shallots; all this yielding with the quick prod of the knife to reveal impossibly rich and succulent flesh with the subtle hints of garlic. The sauteed potatoes however were the black sheep of the plate, marring a perfect dish with its slightly undercooked hearts.
There's also the more delicate offering of Oven baked fillet of black cod with ratatouille ($32) should you be seeking a lighter option.
Chez Petit Salut doesn't fall under the fashionable category for today's food mavern, but it for sure, serves up good honest French bistro food that has accumulated a close following over the years. Good for a romantic night out sans the razzle dazzle or an intimte gathering with friends and loved ones.
Chez Petit Salut
44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-54 Singapore (278116)
Tel: 6474 788
Closed on Sundays
Website: http://www.chezpetitsalut.com/
{Wordless Wednesdays}: Sunday Folks
Labels:
chip bee gardens,
desserts,
gelato,
holland village,
ice-cream,
overrated,
soft serve
·
The word is out. Sunday folks is packing in the queues. So have a whole load of patience and brace yourselves for some pretty mean soft serve gelato.
Roasted Pistachio, Sea salt Gula Melaka, Earl Grey Lavender and Madagascan Vanilla ($6.90 for a basic cone and $10.90 for the waffle, $1.90 for additional trimmings) ... There's something to tickle everyones' fancy. My personal favourite, the Earl Grey Lavender.
Matcha Roll ($6.90) for those itching for a little cake action.
Don't want your soft serve at MacDonald's anymore? You've got Sunday Folks at ten-fold the price; but much prettier of course. Think about it...
Sunday Folks
44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-52
Chip Bee Gardens
Cha Cha Cha: Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong?
Labels:
beer,
circle line,
holland village,
mexican,
restaurants
·
My recent endeavours into Mexican food have seen some major disappointments and some other temporarily high points in my otherwise mundane life. Today I introduce to you one of my regular haunts when the Mexican cravings hit home hard. Cha Cha Cha, located at Holland Village has the benefit of it's convenient location, hence drawing in the crowds of expatriates that tend to flood into the area almost every night; however faced with direct competition from El Patio just next door, I report with much conviction that the former does a much better job of highlighting the authenticity of Mexican cuisine and at cheaper prices too!
Service is fast and friendly at this no-frills joint so don't worry about having to expend unnecessary energy getting the attention of a waitstaff. And for the famished, food arrives with a sense of urgency and piping hot to the table as well. That's two ticks right there.
We ordered the Pitcher of Lime Margarita ($40), flavors of fresh lime and a generous dosage of tequila muddled into one slushie of a drink, perfect for the warm tropics. You're, almost always, guaranteed a fun night sharing (might I add) with friends.
My Chicken Burrito ($16), essentially a flour tortilla filled with rice, topped with melted cheese and chili con carne, served with refried beans, guacamole and sour cream comes to the table with the sense and sensibility of a sumo wrestler, chubby and mean. You'd certainly do well in ordering this signature dish, the mixture of textures, flavors and contrasting temperatures of it's condiments creating a sweet dance of sensations on the palate. All was good till the refried beans which I did not fancy. Random note, avoid eating too much beans should you be on a date. These tend to make you gassy.
My friend's Beef Fajita ($21) stole the limelight with its smoking hot entrance, served on a sizzling plate accompanied with warm tortillas with a garnishing plate of lettuce, salsa mexicana, sour cream and guacamole. Hearty in flavors, but a little bit of a scrooge when it came to tortillas.
Cha Cha Cha isn't the cheapest Mexican Joint around (it also isn't the most expensive). But I like its unpretentious ambience, faultless service, and overall dependent food.
32 Lorong Mambong, Holland Village,
Singapore 277690
Tel: 6462 1650
Operating Hours: 11 am to 11 pm Daily
Crystal Jade: A little bit of home.
Labels:
chinese food,
circle line,
food tasting,
HGW,
holland village,
restaurants
·
Disclaimer: A major thanks going out to Ms Samantha Yap from Crystal Jade Culinary concepts Holding and Hungrygowhere for organising the tasting.
On a typical weekday night, you'll find Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao crawling with people. Throngs of people, groups of hunger driven crowds. Located at the ever-popular Holland Village (made more accessible by the Circle line), the La Mian Xiao Long Bao represetative of the Crystal Jade group is just one of the 21 concepts with over 100 outlets across 18 major cities in the Asia Pacific region; and it's evident that despite it's mass expansion and rolling-in-the-dough expeditions, Crystal Jade's high level of quality control and act of preserving the fine art of Chinese cuisine have kept customers coming back for more.
Arriving at the crest of a balmy afternoon, I was greeted with a flash force of cold air as I entered the premises. All around me, tables were full, comfortably housing diners tucking into their early dinners. Instead of the South Northern Steamboat buffet, the few of us were steered to sample the ala carte menu. But just for your information, the Steamboat buffet is offered daily (at a different price through the weekends and public holidays) with a fixed seating timing (5pm -7.15pm, 7.30pmpm - 9.45pm, 10pm - 12am). Look forward to a good variation of soup bases, an unlimited selection of ingredients from sliced meats to pork dumplings and their famous homemade la mian! Not forgetting the free flow of Xiao Long Baos... yes you heard me right. I see a magical liberation of pants buttons and a loosening of belts occuring.
Foodwise, we began with the Steamed Soupy Xiao Long Bao ($5.20 for 4 pieces), a dish that needs little recommendation. Delicate parcels of sweet broth and pork mince, this held up to the chopsticks test pretty well and I adored that the skins weren't so chalky, dry nor thick. The broth inside was well balanced in flavor resulting in a terribly addictive snack of sorts. Now I understood why some were hooked to the steamboat buffet.
Next, we had the Chicken marinated with Chinese Wine and Wolfberry ($9.00), basically a bowlful of health benefits rolled into one smooth and luxurious chicken dish.
The Spicy & Sour Thick Soup in "Sichuan" style ($7.50) made much more of an impression on me. Despite it's devilish hot looks, this soup was neither too sour nor spicy, even without the addition of chili oil or vinegar, the flavors were right up my alley.
Another favourite here is the Braised Pork Belly served with pancake ($14.80), I was taught to sandwich the gelatinous mass of fatty goodness between the steamed buns but seeing that the buns weren't exactly cut out for the job, I went ahead to devour the proteins first before using the "pancake" to mop up the sauces. I reckon it was a good move since the pork belly wasn't that heavily spiced, leaning towards a more mellow and sweet twang; and hence the plain pancakes would definitely have drowned out the flavors even more.
But the show stealer of the night was definitely the Sauteed egg white with fish meat and Conpoy ($13.50), cooked to resemble crabmeat, this dish was best savoured piping hot. Harbouring slithers of chinese ham and conpoy (dried scallops), these injected bursts of savoury chewy goodness to the porridge like dish. Simple yet with an air of secrecy and tight balance, I would have worked through a second bowl with ease.
The Spicy Chicken with poached La Mian (9.80) was a mix of fiery heat and tang. Such that the final outcome of this carby dish left me feeling more refreshed than full, very appetite whetting. A great dish for the ladies.
We drew a close to the night with their very famous Mango Pudding ($6.00), it's price justifiable by the fact that two mangoes are used in every single bowl of pudding. One for the custard and the other chopped into bits and strewned through the chilled smooth custard. A luxurious way to end the night.
For me, dining at Crystal Jade has always invoked memories of my childhood, after church lunches, engagement dinners and the list grows long. And with my most limited foresight, I see many more enjoyable dining experiences closely linked with kindred spirits to be built in the future. So stick around Crystal Jade.
Holland Village
241 Holland Avenue
Singapore 278976
Tel: +65 64630968
Website: http://www.crystaljade.com
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