Showing posts with label newton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newton. Show all posts
Craftsmen Specialty Coffee (Thomson): rolls out some new Burgers and Pasta dishes
Labels:
affordable,
cafe,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
hollerout,
large groups,
newton
·
Inspite of its name, Craftsmen Specialty Coffee isn't all coffee snob talk, aeropress and V60 with exotic roasts procured from round the world. In fact, the classic coffee menu is preceded by a selection of sizable dishes; both brunch worthy and now, fit for fulfilling those dinner woes.
I've always been a big fan of the 'Far-east' find; my older brother's trip to the joint affirming it's strong stance on exceptional sourdough centric brunch dishes. So when I heard that the establishment had taken to expanding across the island at cozy little corner just off Goldhill Plaza in Novena; I was beyond ecstatic.
Li Bai Cantonese Restarant: Splendours of Spring CNY'15
Labels:
chinese,
chinese food,
family friendly,
newton,
orchard,
soup,
special occasion,
will return
·
All it took was a little dish of dim sum samples to remind me of good times spent in Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant on my previous visit. The opulent entrance might be intimidating to some, but to others it exudes abundance and lavishness, states that we normally associate with Chinese New Year.
This year, Li Bai rolls out the big guns for CNY; Executive Chef Chung and culinary team presents a range of goodies from Yu Sheng takeaway platters to exquisite dine in menus to fit every occasion. If you're looking to bring the family out to soak in the festive mood, Li Bai has 5 different set menus designed for 8 to 10 pax with prices ranging from $868 to $3998 and another 4 set menus catered to smaller groups priced at $138 to $588. Note that these menus will be available from 2nd Feb to 4th March, so do make your reservations accordingly!
Skyve Wine Bistro & Bar: Hidden Gem
Labels:
beer,
dinner,
hidden finds,
lunch,
must go,
newton,
pubfood,
special occasion,
the entertainer app
·
Skyve wine bistro & bar was my destination choice for dinner after being arrowed the mammoth task of choosing a venue for our long awaited family gathering. With the rather lacklustre District 10 taking tenancy of the same spot before Skyve, I made the mental preparation to face the mediocrity of the food I was about to dig into, as if in sync with the mundane and somewhat accusational talk from the parents.
Skyve Wine Bar & Bistro sports a rather cliched look, low sofa seats strewed across the dimly lit room highlighted by incandescent spot lights that puncture the cold muted air. Pardon my antagonism, but conversations with the apprehensive mother just leaves me in shambles.
Newton Roast: Pork belly galore
Labels:
hawker,
newton,
no frills,
pork belly
·
This, my friends is the answer to all Roast Pork cravings. Though not as good as Mr Crackles back in Sydney. It comes fairly close.
Housed in Newton Circus Food Centre, Newton Roasts is a no-frills joint, my new go-to destination for those pesky pork crackling cravings, with the luxury of having your beers at no additional service charge! Committed to producing fresh roast, upon demand, a quick glance into their display case (almost empty) shows clear proof that they have stuck to that mantra. Their state of the art combi oven reveals another hidden stash of meat, it's skin blistering in the dry heat. Our order of The Loose Ones ($15 for a large plate) is a feast for two, decadent moist flesh studded with frisky bits of crackling all over. Dayum.
Things to note, Newton Roasts actually has an online ordering system which ensures fresh and crispy pork just in time for pick-up. NO more soggy skin and cold unrendered white fats! Check them out here.
Newton Roast
#01-51
Newton Circus Food Centre
500 Clemenceau Avenue,
S( 229495)
Open daily.
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant: the state of opulence
Labels:
cantonese,
chinese food,
dim sum,
food tasting,
media event,
mooncakes,
newton,
restaurants
·
Not so recently, I had the pleasure of attending a Mid-Autumn Media Dinner at Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant located in Sheraton Towers. Haunted by the idea that the dinner would turn out to be a non-stop tekan session of Moon Cake chow down, made possible only by the interspersed sips of free-flow tea in between, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the PR team at Sheraton Towers had actually organised an elaborate dinner feast which would then be drawn to a close with moon cakes as desserts.
Entering one of the private dining rooms of Li Bai, I was intimidated by the restaurant's imposing opulence. Regal aesthetics surround the space and the room was bathed in the reflection of rich tones of gold and silver. I kept my cool, unfettered, spurred on by the warm greetings of my fellow bloggers present at the scene.
We kicked off the night with Deluxe Combination, comprising a twin set of deep fried salted crab claw and scallop with black truffle. The dish was presented with an elegant, meticulous touch; it's immaculate nature going hand in hand with the aesthetics of our surroundings which provoked an emotional response that the dish was to be eaten slowly, appreciatively. I adored the latter of the pair, the juxtaposition of earth to sea flavors; deliberate and extremely intriguing. The crab claw was a tad too salty for me, weaning off the sweetness of the crab meat.
What followed was the Braised Thick Soup of Bird's Nest with Homemade "Pi Pa" Beancurd. With the use of bird's nest being a alternative to shark's fin, I love the social conscious efforts on the restaurant's part. The soup was warm and comforting, every spoonful draped with the richness of the bird nest's which helped to provide that bit of gelatinous texture.
As the compulsory vegetable dish on a chinese menu, we were served a Braised Assorted Vegetables with Bird's Nest. Despite it's simple constitution as medley of vegetables, presentation was tight once more. The crisp vegetables offering our palates a cool refreshing respite, however, I didn't quite make out the birds nest within the dish, what a shame.. perhaps such a luxury item should be better showcased as the highlight of a dish, instead of lack luster efforts to incorporate it into savoury dishes.
the limelight fell mostly on the Baked Fillet of "Kurobuta" in capsicum, each sliver of kurobuta pork, tender, juicy and lined with an unctuous layer of fat.
Visually impressive, our last dish of Crispy Noodles Rolled with Lobster was a hard one to capture given the lobster's long pair of feelers being a chore to fit in the frame. That, eventually came back to bite us the ass, threatening to stab us in the eyes as we leaned over to feast on the dish. In my humble opinion, I found the ratio of crispy noodles to be a tad overwhelming in comparison to the lobster flesh. The sweet tenderness of the crustacean muted and possibly murdered by it's time in the fryer.
Desserts were the representative Snow Skin Moon Cakes from Sheraton Towers current line up. There was the Mini White Lotus Seed Paste with Champagne Truffle, Mini White Lotus Seed Paste with Cranberry and Chrystanthemum Truffle and the Mini Green Tea White Lotus Seed Paste with Raspberry Rum Truffle. I loved the latter the most, the white lotus seed paste carrying the heady aroma of infused green tea. One thing's for sure, the folks over at Sheraton Towers are definitely generous with their alcohol, the rum truffled centers each carrying lethal doses of alcohol that sure brought a devilish smile to my face.
We were each presented with a box of moon cakes on our way out. A lovely gift which I so deftly devoured through the following week.
Thanks to Sheraton Towers for the invite.
Sheraton Towers Hotel
Level 1
39 Scotts Road
Tel: 6839 5623
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