Fundamentally-flawed | Singapore Food Blog

Showing posts with label raffles place. Show all posts

Showing posts with label raffles place. Show all posts

Zafferano presents New Dishes by Chef Emanuele Faggi

If there is anything more alluring about dining at Zafferano, is the fact that the new Head Chef Emanuele Faggi possesses the same charisma, in and out of the kitchen - both to bedazzle your tastebuds and to charm your socks off when he out working the dining room.

The young budding talent is a Tuscan native, who interned at the famed L'Albereta Resort led by legendary late Chef Gualtiero Marchesi. Following that, his culinary journeys whisked him away to 2-Michelin starred Cracco Ristorante where he honed his skills for five years under the wings of Chef Carlo Cracco. One precious value that is heavily emulated through the meal is the conscious effort to reduce food wastage, with various food discards or "trash" reappearing on dishes such as carrot skin powder and onion skin powder repurposed as flavouring agents. Meaningful, and I might add, brilliant all at once.

Let's do the LOCO-motion - Mexican food trail with the Loco Group

The Loco Group brought us on a mini food trail to all three of their outlets, Super loco Robertson Quay, Super Loco Customs house and last but not least Lucha Loco.

We commenced the trail at Robertson Quay. Set just beside the Singapore river, Super Loco adopted a Mexican diner look and feel, with the strange use of vibrant colours, creative graphics, festival lighting, handwritten typography and street posters. It wasn't hard to fall in love with the venue. They even have a retail cabinet showcasing an array of quirky Mexican merchandise to be purchased!

Dining with a view [Part 2]: Me@OUE has a brand new Executive Chef

Quickly scanning through the brief introduction sent across via email, my eyes hitched upon "The 33-year old Penang native, now helms the restaurant and oversees the Japanese, French and Chinese kitchens." Almost immediately, the universe began sending me messages. Don't. However, if the story were to progress in that imminent direction, you wouldn't be reading this meritorious review I'm about to expound.

One highlight of the meal being Kumamoto Wagyu A4 which isn't much of an off-script move but resulted in a chimera of narratives, which in actual fact happened in cosmic silence, implementing only audible sighs at the table, as the two of us polished off the charcoal grilled striploin sitting cosily in pumpkin puree. That's a romantic tale I would avouch for again later.

Wine Fiesta 2016: [RISING ROOTS} celebrates Farm-to-Table food and Natural Wines

Good news for all wine enthusiasts - The annual 9th Wine Fiesta Singapore is happening this weekend from 20 - 23 October 2016 at Clifford Square amidst the beautiful backdrop of Marina Bay Skyline and along the Fullerton Bay Hotel. Presented by The Straits Wine Company, this outdoor extravaganza boasts a huge tentage featuring over 350 wine labels, 70 global winemakers and more importantly, a combined vast culture of wine-making and appreciation sessions. Gracing the celebration are some of the city's most renowned chefs from Burnt Ends, Cheek by Jowl, Tin Hill Social, Meat Smith, Good Chance Popiah, Tamarind Hill and Morsels.

Every story has a beginning - this year, The Straits Wine Company is going back to their roots in a whole new exciting way. Debuting at Wine Fiesta 2016, four out of nine natural wine producers from the Basket Range region in Adelaide Hills will be features with a slew of others from New Zealand and Australia, making this year's theme 'Rising Roots' all the more poignant. "Basket Range marks a new defining moment in wine culture... a new chapter in the unique story of wine making history in Australia." Group CEO Ms Kathy Lim enthuses, adding that "enjoying wine should be a fun and more pleasurable pursuit... forget about intimidating, formal settings with conventional Western cuisine."

Xperience @ SO Sofitel Singapore: Launches New Signature Menu

Young, exuberant and a tad eager to please, Chef Trevor Paulo's more forward initiative rubbed me off in the wrong way at the start of the dinner. Thankfully, after a few conversations exchanged, that was corrected immediately; his over-enthusiasm misinterpreted for challenge in authority, was one that valued true feedback for his artistry. Hired to revamp the Signature menu of Xperience restaurant at So Sofitel Singapore; he had big shoes to fill and yet a large reputation to live up to seeing that he had just been deemed one of Singapore's youngest hotel executive chefs.

The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill: brand new ala-carte brunch menu

As if finding a brunch spot worthy of some Sunday sauntering isn't easy enough; The Pelican does some internal revamps to introduce the new ala carte brunch menu focused on classic East Coast American breakfast favourites. Fuelled by the affordable option to pair your meal with a free flow prosecco; it's little wonder that this establishment gets the chops from me.

However, do note that timing is a little tight on the ultimate weekender session and this boozy brunch is available only on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm with Sundays being represented by tight barricades around the restaurants - closed. Added merits include the stunning views of the Marina Bay waterfront area - tranquil waters lap at your feet (well, technically about a grass patch and pavement away) as you sip on that bubbly with little care in the world.

Froth @ Ascott Raffles Place: New menu on new territories

Froth has just reopened right in the heart of the CBD at the swanky Ascott Raffles Place hotel, and with a new location must come new menu mainstays, which perhaps can be best described as boldly unconventional! The muted, minimalist interior design cannot be more different from the exhilarating culinary adventure one embarks on with every dish tasted. Each course is a surprise, with some being decidedly more pleasant than others, but executed with the same kind of extravagant flair all the same.

UsQuBa: Scottish Restaurant & Bar at One Fullerton, where the bar is the real deal

I did mean to talk first about the expansive selection of whiskies and various collectors spirits procured by dark horse of a bar manager Fong Chan Teng (previously from La Maison Du Whisky) - behind the bar; there's just about something great for everyone. A lesson we learn first-handedly by introducing UsQuBa's refreshing Gin & Tonic into the adolescent encyclopedia of our greenhorn tastemaker seated at our table. He loved it. And so did we love our classic Negronis, stirred up using award-winning London Dry Gin, NB Gin and a rather intriguing bottle of sweet white vermouth del Professore from Piedmont, Italy.

I digress. Because, what you're really here for is the food. The menu at UsQuBa (pronounced as us-kew-bah) offers a little for everybody, especially the person curious for fresh insights into New Scottish cuisine. A very detailed food map in the front of the menu depicting the various local produce and zones in and about Scotland; building anticipation for diners as they browse the premium ingredients featured. Chef Guven who helms the kitchen is the enabler in this extraordinary enlightenment process - his portrayal of Scottish ingredients with unique creativity stemming from his tour of Claridge's kitchen, Maze Restaurant and Newport Room, under the mentorship of Thomas Keller.

Teppei Daidokoro: Food on sticks and a mean Kaisendon

I've always shied away from standing, take-away food kiosks. Mainly because I used to shun the thought of judgemental stares when eating alone or when I pick unglamorously at my teeth for stray strands of fibres fearfully under the public's watchful eye. But for once, I would actually consider ordering from a kiosk and braving the ridicule (apparently this only exists in my imagination) for a quick lunch - reason being, the food at Teppei Daidokoro, a spin-off the original and almost out-of-reach Teppei - is reasonable on the pockets and surprisingly gratifying for what it's worth.

The latest Japanese yakitori concept of Chef Teppei Yamashita and a local couple. Daidokoro is a takeaway kiosk concept offering yakitori sticks, fried croquettes in various shapes and sizes as well as their infamous kaisendon. Despite it not having the customisation options of the Syokudo in ION Orchard (read my review here), you'll still be bogged down for choices given the extensiveness of the small kiosk's menu; each and every glistening stick vying for attention.

Knicker + Bockers: $12.90 customisable pizzas in the heart of the CBD

CBD warriors can now rejoice in having another tasty and reasonably priced option to satisfy their hunger pangs during the workday. Located at the basement of Ocean Financial Centre. Knicker+Bockers is an New York inspired pizzeria offering handcrafted pizza with unlimited toppings. Yes, you heard that right. Unlimited toppings! At only $12.90 for a 10-inch pizza, this is a really good deal.

First off, the menu reads more like a checklist of your heart's desire - 8 kinds of cheese, check; 20 different options for healthy veggies, check; 16 varieties of gourmet meat toppings and 6 choices of seafood garnishes, check and check!

The Ramen Chronicles: Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, Menya Takeichi, Men Tei

The Good, the bad and the ugly. Let's break the rules and reverse order, shall we?

Starting with the relatively new Ramen Keisuke Lobster King located in party capital, The Cannery at Clarke Quay. Ramen Champion Chef Keisuke Takeda has fervently worked his ass off to open up 10 outlet joints in Singapore within a span of 6 years, each touting a different concept that veers away from the traditional ramen. The Clarke Quay outlet features a specially concocted Lobster broth ramen which draws inspiration from a certain French mannerism.

But truth be told, how does the ramen measure up?

Quick Picks: No-frills meals for the weekends

Singapore's restaurants run the gamut from sleek and chic to fuss-free. Yet behind all the glitz and ritz of new year brunches are options of places to dine without breaking the budget. Try Thai street food at the newest instalment of Aroy Dee or settle for something a little more romantic at Halia. Whatever you fancy, here are some of my recommendations for great food, perfect for the new year feasting.

Akari Japanese Dining Bar: Winter Kaiseki Set

One of my best meals this year had to barely fit into the schedule of things. Coming to a close shave with the end of the year is Akari's Winter Kaiseki Set meal; conceptualised by Chef Hirotaka Murata of Nkano, Tokyo. A quick glance at his credentials and you'll be assured that you're in for rollercoaster ride of epic gastronomical revelries.

The best part would probably be the price tag that doesn't threaten to cast a looming shadow over the meal. Let's be practical here, but sitting down to the idea of a $500 tagged omakase meal does bear a weight of unreasonable expectations and impending misery should things go sour. Akari Japanese Dining Bar is offering two kaiseki set course choices, priced at $100++ and $150++ per pax respectively for a 9-course kaiseki menus. Set to mystify even the most regular of Japanese food gourmands, Chef Hirotaka Murata provides several twists and turns throughout the flight with seasonal ingredients and winter-bound flavor pairings.

Merdandy Raffles Place: let's focus on the grub.

'It's a daily struggle, especially the part where we have to turn down guests who come in looking for an after-work tipple,' Alvin says, 'initially, it's heartbreaking, but after a while, it becomes normalcy.'

I hear you Alvin.

Merdandy, Haji Lane's biggest player alongside the groovy Blue Jaz cafe has decided to venture out of its comfort hipster zone and don a business suit instead. Situated on Chulia street in the midst of Raffles Place, the 2nd outlet retains its too-cool-for-school alfresco settings, but ramps up the front in the food department with a more concrete menu. Unfortunately due to a certain sort of recklessness, the granting of the alcohol license has been severely delayed, hence a trip to the joint would mean giving your liver a lovely respite from the daily damage. I speak on my part mostly; but for one, I was glad to be able to savor the quality of bar grub in absolute clarity.

Quick Picks: The Dessert Edition

While healthy living and the benefits of staving away from desserts may be admirable, once in a while, it's just nice to sink your teeth into sugar coated treats. Waffles and ice cream, move to the side as more culturally diverse confections tickle our taste buds. So, from Korean originating churros to immaculate hazelnut swirled danish pastries, dig in to my quick picks guide to the freshest and newest dessert joints in town!

Churros 101

Yeah, you like that don't you? Well, hold on to your mind as Singapore is getting a glimpse of Korea's best loved churro brand, Churro 101 with its first outpost opening up in the heart of town, Bugis Mall.

The churro fueled menu is designed just the way we like it, true to its form with all ingredients used specially imported from Korea, and recipes followed strictly to a T , if that doesn't guarantee consistency and authenticity, I don't know what else will.

'The Italian Table' @ Zafferano: magnificent Saturday Italian brunch

If there's one thing we take seriously here, its brunch.

Hence when we heard of Zafferano rolling out its new and super indulgent Saturday Italian brunch, we stopped in our tracks and listened eagerly.

Every first and last Saturday of the month, Zafferano serves one of the most luxurious brunches around, it's arrangement gearing towards a buffet style but with hints of ala carte's service finesse. Start off with a 7 different antipastis including fresh oysters and a selection of frito misto, 3 authentic pastas and a traditional saffron risotto and finally a choice of main course. Depart on a sweet note with a quick trip over to the dessert counter, there, a humble but cleverly curated selection of pastries await.

8 Affordable Date Night Dinner Places (Part II)

5. Harry's
For the girl looking for a fun night out

At a chilled-out bar in Clarke Quay, the Fish Cracklings ($13) makes everything okay. Arriving at the table deliciously crisp in short order, this would make the perfect accompaniment to a cold pint of beer.

The party doesn't stop here. Bar Snacks incorporating the burn and tingle of local spices have migrated to the new restaurant menu. There's the Harry's Signature Wings (6 pieces/$13) which are so acutely spiced that a dip in the accompanying homemade chilli jam (aka sambal) may seem unnecessary (we still do it anyway).

The Royal Mail: New Menu Offerings

Modern British Restaurant The Royal Mail Restaurant has always been occupied a spot on my 'to-do'' list for the longest time. Hearing the high praises for the Roast Prime Rib escape the lips of many who have made their pilgrimage to the restaurant; I was ecstatic to be able to try the unveiling of the new menu in conjunction with their 3rd Anniversary. So get this, there will be a 20% off at dinner until the 30th May, so perhaps this place would be a good spot to bring the royal highness to for dinner on Mothers Day. Better still, intoxicate her with a complimentary bottle of wine if you spend a minimum of $200; so get on it and round up the siblings!

[Mother's Day Special] TAO Seafood Asia: Mrs Lee's Favourite

I don't want to sound like a douche bag, but, if you have some form of culinary skills, it would probably be a good time to dig it out of the bag and give it a good dust just in time for Mothers Day. What's better than cooking up a humble storm for the most noble women in our lives.

But then again, there's the less messy option of dining out; if that's the path you've chosen to trod on, then it would be wise to dig a little deeper into the pockets and vet your choices with an iron fist. After all, its an golden opportunity to buy favours and 'get-timeout' from the provocation and nagging that ensues soon after. There's no denying it... it's going to happen, just like how everyday IS NOT Valentines' day.

Overeasy: What's your Burgernality?

All hope is not lost in the world, and contrary to popular belief, there is still such a thing as a free meal and you're looking right at it!

Complete the quiz over at this address , do a quick share on your facebook page and claim your free burger at Overeasy!

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)