Showing posts with label orchard 313. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orchard 313. Show all posts
Barrio by MexOut: Mexican in da' hood!
Labels:
comfortfoods,
mexican,
must go,
orchard 313,
pubfood,
quesadilla,
somerset,
tacos,
will return
·
If you frequent Somerset MRT as much I do, you would probably notice the newest fairy-light lit venture that has occupied quite a generous space on the ground floor of 313@Somerset. Yes, the space is quite a looker! Built with the theme of a Mexican beer garden in mind, it's thoroughly convincing complete with fresh fun colors splashed across the walls and neo-Aztec patterns subliminally infused into the menu. The idea is flawless and the cool unfettered spirit of the place beckons passer-bys to explore its contained yet airy space.
Compared to its predecessor outlet, Mexout, which oozes urban contemporary vibes with its black-washed interiors and quirky fast-food like operations (read my review here); Barrio by Mex Out boosts a more standard ordering process and therefore a more extensive menu with more snacks and its latest delve into Tortas, or otherwise known as, Mexican burgers.
Brotzeit's NEW exclusive German draft beers by Lowenbrau and Franziskaner
Labels:
beer,
big groups,
craft beers,
family friendly,
german food,
orchard 313,
somerset,
special occasion,
will return
·
It's not everyday that you are graced with the presence of beer royalty, so imagine my astonishment when Brotzeit Singapore invited Master Brewmaster George Reisch of Anheuser-Busch and Honorary Knight of the Brews Mashstaff to launch four draft beers from two German heritage breweries, Franziskaner and Lowenbrau, brewed since the 1360s and 1380s respectively.
In conjunction of their 10th 'wunderbare' anniversary. Brotzeit has these exclusive drafts on tap at all of their Singapore outlets - the Lowerbrau Original Munchner Lager, Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier, Franziskaner Dunkel Hefe-weissbier and Lowenbrau Original Munchner Dunkel Lager for the first time. And not only that - a bevy of new German items were introduced to the menu as beer pairings.
Wildfire Burgers @ 313Somerset: I only see black
Labels:
affordable,
alfresco,
beer,
burgers,
craft beers,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
hollerout,
large groups,
orchard,
orchard 313,
will return
·
Honest to God, I arrived at the foot of Wildfire; my uneasy stomach full of trepidation. So I've heard a mixture of things, both good and bad, but armed with a tale to tell of bone-dry patties and irrelevant sunny-side ups, I prayed that my last visit was just an anomaly of poor performance. Squinting past the slightly whoreish neon lights guarding the entrance to the mall, there I stood with rebellious intention. So, winner of the 'Asia Burger Challenge 2015' - 'Hit me with your best shot!' - and they sure did fire away.
Weekend Haunts: Places worth checking out for their [NEW MENUS] part 2
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
big groups,
brunch,
burgers,
cafe,
circle line,
dinner,
eggs benedict,
hidden finds,
must go,
orchard,
orchard 313,
pasir panjang,
restaurants,
sunday brunch,
tacos
·
Happy Sunday Folks!
If you're enjoyed our part 1 of the "Places worth checking out for their NEW MENUS" then, you're gonna love our second instalment.
More places to wine and dine this weekend without bursting the budget. We've got everything from
fish tacos to the jumbo breakfast burrito, and even a Chia Seed coconut rose yogurt with homemade maple granola and berry compote for the health freaks. Loud and rowdy, with loads of laughter and way too many empty plates. That's how you know you're doing your weekends justice.
Let's start the ball rolling with the familiar Oriole Coffee + Bar stationed under the big ass fans in the vicinity of the Pan Pacific suites in 313Somerset. Under the influence of head chef Randy Torres who is a true blood Texan; the menu has taken a sharp curve in a South American direction with inspiration drawn from many comfort dishes in that region. Breakfast for examples sees two newcomers, the Jumbo Breakfast Burrito ($16) and the Humble Baked Egg Skillet ($16); both of which are real treats except that my allegiance falls with the latter. The lovely amalgamation of flavors you get when churning your spoon through the hot cast skillet of tender roast stew, sweet potatoes, and the piece de resistance - caramelised emmantal cheese forming chunks of savoury shards throughout the full bodied mixture. This disappears way too easily, as so does the jumbo breakfast burrito which so happens to be the perfect kind of hangover cure. Stuffed with Spanish chorizo, scrambled eggs, chipotle puree and smoked cheddar cheese, these tight rolls are then seared on all 4 sides till a desirous shade of brown; abetting the eating experience, where you'll gratefully avoid the situation of burritos that fall all over your plate instead of your mouth. Oriole does it right, and they know it.
Masizzim: Heart Warming Korean stews in the heart of town
Labels:
affordable,
family friendly,
korean,
orchard,
orchard 313,
student friendly,
will return
·
I may not be the most up to date when it comes to imported Korean establishments nor am I the most enthusiastic. But when something as good as Masizzim washes ashore and you get the privilege to try it for the first time, during which the dining experience brings on a rhapsody and chimera of narratives; you share it.
And not just in terms of words or preachings, but very soon I was back at the joint, with boyfriend in tow. And boy did we enjoy the food, apart from the mishap that occurred when we realized that we got charged for rice balls that never quite made it to the table. *hic*... rookie mistake... too much cocktails before got us all muddled up. Looking past that, you can't quite fault the food, especially with a menu as tight and well focused as the one at Masizzim.
Chabuton - Premium Kurobuta Ramen at not so premium prices.
Labels:
japanese,
may return,
noodle,
orchard,
orchard 313,
ramen,
somerset
·
Being crowned "Best Ramen Chef" and receiving a Michelin star is a pretty big feat for someone who just makes ramen. So I guess you can say we're pretty blessed that chef Yasuji Morizumi has decided to bring this exclusive ramen to our shores.
Billed as the Premium Tonkotsu Ramen, it has the usual shebang of bamboo shoots, japanese leek and soft boiled egg. But what makes it special is that beautiful marbled Kurobuta pork that bursts juices into your mouth. Gutted that only a small piece was given, perhaps they should offer more for a separate charge.... Oooh.. and their luscious blend of tonkotsu and chicken collagen broth went down a treat too. We were instructed to slurp it up instead of mixing everything together, so that we'll get the difference in flavors. The mouthfeel was definitely not as thick and gravy like, and the taste isn't as "meaty" (sorry, inside joke) as a full on tonkotsu broth you can find in places like Gumshara, Sydney. Noodles were cooked to perfection. Firm and springy and you definitely expect nothing less from a famed chef. Our egg came out nicely and way better than our first try...
So there you have it kids. Do check it out and it's on for a limited time (17 Jan - 31st March 2015) and costs only $18.90
Chabuton
313 Orchard Road #B2-01
313@Somerset
t: 66368335
Opening Hours:
Daily 11 30am - 10pm
This post is written and photographed by the fabulous Sylvester F of thenomcollective.blogspot.sg who is a professional french fryer, lover of hats, and is secretly addicted to alcohol.
Pie Face: Australian pie chain now on our local shores
Labels:
affordable,
coffee,
desserts,
family friendly,
lunch,
orchard,
orchard 313,
pastry,
pie,
somerset
·
The mention of Australian Pie Face rings back memories of my days well spent in Sydney. Of early morning walks to the Townhall subway station, the coffee aroma adrift from the machines already hard at work providing black elixir to commuters at this underground booth; I resist the urge to get a pie, the lingering smell of butter permeating my nostrils. Despite my somewhat extended stay in Sydney, I've never found a reason to patronise the chain mainly because of it's domineering existence in the market, almost akin to bread-talk in Singaporean context; so that makes me kind of a snob doesn't it?, but why have pie face's pies when you can get your hands on Bourke Street Bakery's lamb and harissa pie? I digress. Forgive me.
Spurred on by the very fact that pies aren't part of our culture here means that there is room for its interjection into our foodscape, and hence Pie Face's first foray into Asia is definitely timely. Unveiling its first store in 313@somerset, the chain sets out to introduce the locals to the humble pie (excuse my punt). Helmed by Mr Francois Galand, French born and trained chef, the kitchen team sets out to produce gourmet pies from scratch, using the traditional French puff pastry technique in a bid to produce flaky pie crusts to compliment the hearty fillings.
As I was one of the lucky ones privileged enough to sample Pie Face's offerings during the media launch.. these are some of my visual and taste observations...
Fun fact: did you know that the different facial expressions aren't at all random? They are used as means for the staff to differentiate the pie fillings hidden within. The 'o' for Thai chicken curry, 'v' for the vegetarian Tandoori, 'p' for the chicken and peppercorn as well as 'S' for the Chunky steak pie... What a brilliant idea!
After a taste test, I had my strict favourites. The Chicken and Mushroom Pie ($4.90 for the large, $3.00 for the mini) was a comforting creamy mixture of tender chicken breast, mushrooms and garlic. Almost like the old school chicken ala king stuffed in a golden pouch. Not to be missed is the Thai Chicken Curry Pie ($4.90 for large, $3.00 for mini), an Asian inspired pie which carries the heady aroma of coconut milk. Despite the Chunky Steak Pie ($5.20) 's claim to be the crown jewel in Pie Face's array, this pie had some major shortfalls especially dealing with the tenderness of the beef chunks that turned out a bit stringy from the braising process.
On a separate note, Pie Face does serve up some pretty good coffee, with a solid management of frothing technique sans the fancy latte artwork. But if you're going to order a takeaway, it doesn't really matter either way. Prices for coffee start from $4.00.
And if in the case you aren't a big pie fan, fret not, the chain does offer other alternatives to curb the munchies. The Almond stick and Cheese stick ($1.90 each) are pulse quickening treats that blend the likes of crispy golden puff pastry with a mish-mash of sweet and savoury fillings, almond creme in the former and a gooey cheese in the latter. Yes, admittedly these two can cause quite an oil slick in the bags, but despite the artery clogging implications behind them, it disappears all too quickly.
There are also 8 Sweet Pies ($3.30 each), with flavors ranging from butterscotch to apple crumble to my all time favourite pecan pie! These little monsters seek to entice the youngsters with their colourful hues, however, take heed that the sugar content can be a tad preposterous; so unless you have a high tolerance for sweets, avoid these.
Pie Face
313@Somerset
#B3-10
S(238895)
Bugis Village
249 Victoria Street
S(188034)
Operating Hours:
10am - 10pm
Saboten: Still haven't found what I'm looking for
Labels:
family friendly,
japanese,
orchard 313,
salad,
tonkatsu,
will not return
·
One of the several reasons to like Saboten is the bona-fide promise to get some deep-fried food into your system without the whole cloying oil-laden regrets that come an hour later.
In Tune with the opening of its new outlet in 313 Somerset, Saboten has released some new menu speciality items such as the Iberico Loin Katsu Set ($28) and the Fried Jumbo Prawns Set ($28.50) to create a stir amongst its diners. To be fair, Saboten has never quite stolen the residency of 'Singapore's King of Tonkatsu' throne in my heart, and I broached the repeated challenge with indifference.
The promise of more glamorous waves unfortunately was met with a barrage of quizzical looks round the table as diners found themselves tucking into a chewier cut of meat masquerading as Iberico pork, this pedigreed species which supposedly delivers more succulence and delicacy of flavor from it's excellent marbling had no such luck here.
The Fried Jumbo Prawn Set is an immaculate gathering of gold treasures in various shapes and sizes. It's entourage including a wild-catch tiger prawn, creamy crab croquette and a hunk of original loin katsu. Indecisive ones will feel a strong tug to check out this 'surf & turf' set and hope for the best for at least one of the lot. For those who venture into this terrain, you'll be rewarded with an even showing from all aspects of the meal, the jumbo prawn grown to such large proportions that a quick trip to the deep fryer still render its deep innards unimaginably creamy. The crab croquette which tasted more of potato than crab meat had a melted cream cheese like texture when pried apart. Last but not least, the piece of original loin katsu peculiarly nudged the Iberico katsu off its pedestal and had a better luscious quality to it.
Now filled up on free-flow cabbage and fried food, we wrapped up the ingloriously diet-betraying affair with the Fried Hotate ($12 for 2 pieces) which are only available till the end of October in line with the seasonal Hotate Feast. These beauties were pulled from the heat precisely at the moment their flesh turns from translucent to a crystal white, before they had a chance to seize up into a rubbery puck that would chase away their sweet oceanic juices. Definitely a dish worth splashing the extra couple of bucks for.
Surrounded by a deluge of similar concept restaurants with identical menu, Saboten misses the mark pertaining to specific issues such as the quality of its cuts (as explained before), however, some of it's less common offerings ups the ante for those craving a little bit more variety.
Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
w: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg
Opening Hours:
Daily 11:30am to 10:00pm
Saboten @ Orchard 313:
Labels:
japanese,
orchard,
orchard 313,
sommerset,
tonkatsu
·
The debate is tireless. And the outcome of it, an eventual tie between the tonkatsu giants Tonkichi and the underdog Saboten. The referencing drawn only because of my extreme biasness towards Tonkichi (can't help it... too much sentimental value attached to the place).
For those who aren't aware, tonkatsu chain Saboten recently closed it's outlet at Parco in Milennia walk and opened a brand new spruced up version in 313@somerset. Westies.. relax, the branch in IMM mall still lives. Fret not.
With a mission in tow (weighing Saboten against Tonkichi after the recent dismissal of Ma Maison); we dropped in the new outlet, emboldened by the bewitching lure of the opening promotion for 50% off on the second set ordered (major thanks to @lobangsg for the heads-up).
The restaurant has ditched its usual zen like ambience for a set of brighter lights that results in a imposing opulent quality that somehow makes the experience seem a little too regal and formal for my liking.
Food wise, Saboten performs the standard rituals, cold cabbage served with your choice of yuzu vinegar dressing or velvety smooth sesame sauce. That stuff is what dreams are made of. The miso soup and chawanmushi however were nothing to shout about and neither was the pork. Instead of belts of golden caramelised fats, the pork cutlet had a rather patchy distribution of marbling with large knobs of it stationed at the tips of the loin, rendering the rest of the deprived flesh a tough act to swallow. Yes, I do have to agree that it is slightly more tender than Tonkichi's version, however, the soggy bottoms of the non-adhering crumbing just throws it off its game.
Dear boyfriend, I'm still a Tonkichi girl at the end of the day. Bite me.
Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg
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