Showing posts with label waffles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waffles. Show all posts
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.
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
·
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.
[NEW] Suzette: Esplanade's newest Dessert bar
Labels:
afternoon tea,
cafe,
cakes,
cocktails,
coffee,
esplanade,
hidden finds,
waffles
·
I hate to say, but I missed the memo about it being an outdoor picnic event. And as much as I despised the heavy smokescreen of humidity there was in the bay area, a well-thought out launch party coupled with gorgeous wicker baskets and flower arrangements pretty much MADE my Saturday.
Suzette, the third venture from the same peeps behind popular Lola's Cafe and On The Table is a seemingly brave attempt at stepping out of its comfort zone (the suburbs and neighbourhoods). Purely dessert in concept, the smallish cafe offers a wide variety of sweets ranging from their signature tarts to a multitude of butter cream cakes on ornate cake stands.
Cheng's Gourmet Food Bar: Don't get your hopes up too high
Labels:
affordable,
brunch,
cafe,
clementi,
coffee,
sunday brunch,
waffles
·
Before you jump on the car and race on over to the nearest and newest Westie joint in high hopes for an immaculate waffle affair. Hold your horses and read on.
Cheng's Gourmet Food bar located along the infamous stretch of 'sure tio summon' shop houses along Clementi Road. A blessing for NUS students looking to curb their late night munchies since the vicinity houses popular joints such as Fong Seng Nasi Lemak and Niqqi's The Cheese Prata Shop. For a healthier option with more solid bites, you can now turn to Cheng's Gourmet Food Bar as an alternative. And if it's beer you're after, Cheng's touts quite an extensive list.
20F Specialty Coffeehouse: Where Chicken makes way for Duck
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
brunch,
cafe,
coffee,
comfortfoods,
french toast,
jalan besar,
may return,
tea,
waffles
·
Imagination worth the added price? Now, that's worth debating over at newbie cafe 20F Speciality Coffeehouse located along Foch road just right beside a Pig Organ Soup institution .Yes, so an unhosted tasting would mean a mandatory partaking of their illustrious Duck and Waffle combination. I'm sorry, but I can't hold out against the lure of a rendition that debacles my love for chicken and waffles.
Entering the shady alcoves of the cafe, the back premises offering several twists and turns in terms of ambiance; things could get interesting, I thought. In fact, the rest of the meal did unravel in a fun sort of way. In ways that those who love cafe cuisine wish would happen more often in Singapore.
[ANYMAP] Best 5 Waffles in Singapore
Labels:
affordable,
afternoon tea,
bedok point,
cafe,
lists,
must go,
quick picks,
waffles
·
A great waffle needs no diatribe. As long as the exterior's golden and crunchy, the gelato or fried chicken (whatever floats your boat) authentically flavoured/juicy, and the added bonus of having a kick-ass sauce; the ingredients speak for themselves. And yet, even as the emergence of new waffle types, reimagined as pizzas and waffurger push past stereotypes with their wacky toppings and remarkable condiments, its no getting past the fact that the proof is in waffle itself. The variance of options on our tiny island, allowing every man to momentarily assume the position as a waffle philiosphers; debating the merits of waffle crumb, gelato and yeast versions versus baking powder, put against the souffled forms. But in the end, as with so many things, what matter the most is how it makes you feel inside; and thankfully there's room for all styles, from buttermilk to Belgium-yeasted and even filled with macaroni and cheese. So, keep an open mind and waffle-on! Here's where to find the best, my best at least:
Sin Lee Foods: Soulful nosh
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
big groups,
brunch,
cafe,
fried chicken,
hidden finds,
must go,
tiong bahru,
waffles,
will return
·
Some days when the cravings for Chicken and Waffles get a little too overbearing to handle, I slip on some decent shoes and head out the house in search for instant gratification at Sin Lee Foods (though I am now considering standing in line for 30mins under the hot sun for a taste of the forbidden fruit from Clinton Street Baking Company...that can wait). However, confessions first, this plan always fizzles midway, at this very juncture, hunger takes precedence and a toss up between a nearer cafe and this one, often ends up with the former emerging victorious. A tragic outcome, evident from my last visit being in July last year. You can read about it here.
Roosevelt's Diner & Bar: NEW weekend brunch menu
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
big groups,
brunch,
coffee,
comfortfoods,
eggs benedict,
family friendly,
must go,
outram,
ribs,
waffles,
will return
·
It seems that the brunch movement in restaurants per se is strong. An exercise deemed necessary to sustain a good healthy business, especially in the local context. The endless deluge of eggs, waffles and pancakes, mostly mandatory menu items for weekend meals before the sun sets.
Roosevelt's Diner and Bar for one, is a business that has thrived on serving an excellent menu line up of American comfort foods, ranging from the quintessential burgers to the crispy Southern Fried chicken; all of which had stuck to my heart like hot glue. Evident from my previous reviews (here and here); my love for Roosevelt's comfort nosh cannot be retracted. However, this time round, they've decided that they want a piece of that pie, breaking in an, all new weekend brunch menu.
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?
On The Table: It's got Soul
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
brunch,
buffalo wings,
chickenwings,
craft beers,
croissant,
hidden finds,
pasir panjang,
pasta,
waffles,
will return
·
On the Table, a sizable cafe hidden away in the sleepy western suburb of Pasir Panjang, has always been in my good books. Ever since my first visit last year (you can read about it here), I have always preached about its affordable cuisine and generous portions.
Second time's a charm as well. With it's amicable disposition obviously winning over my regular patrons along the way - Dinner on a peaceful Tuesday sees a full-house in the dining room. With tables being turned over rapidly at the blink of an eye. The service staff, as if feeding off the energy of the brisk business, were a vigilant lot.
Montana Brew Bar: Waffles Gone Rogue
Labels:
affordable,
ala carte,
bras basah,
cafe,
coffee,
dhoby ghaut,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
little india,
mac&cheese,
may return,
selegie,
student friendly,
waffles,
x
·
Montana Brew Bar is one of the newest kids on the block to amp up the waffle game in town. Yes, it is evident that these honeycombed imprinted crisp vessels do have a soft spot in our hearts and stomachs; and with these validation, MBB takes it to level with their ingenious savoury adaptations.
I'm here at brunch hour on a Saturday; a modest trade is coming and going in that lazy weekend kind of way. Tables are packed with languid diners hoping to score a waffle or two with friends; most of them young and vivacious, in the mid twenties; a crowd seemingly drawn from its location advantage , right smack in the middle of several schools and learning institutes in the vicinity. On a weekend, this isn't the kind of place you want to sit and linger for too long if you're a party of one; the glaring lights (plus odd stares from other people) and bustling foot traffic traversing through the malls, not exactly conducive for 'me-time'; perhaps the odd hours of the weekdays would be a better choice.
French boulangerie PAUL: New French Classics Menu
Change is a cardinal rule to ensure the sustainability of any food business, here in Singapore. French Boulangerie, Paul does so in a timely manner with Christmas just around the corner, sprucing up its menu offerings to boost the festive mood.
This season, whet your palate with 26 new items on the menu from savoury mains to sweet indulgences. Note that, the menu is available in all PAUL restaurants in Singapore which include 7 locations covering East to West destinations such as Westgate and Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Roosevelt's Diner & Bar: Revisited
Labels:
american,
beer,
craft beers,
desserts,
family,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
lunch,
ribs,
waffles
·
In Singapore's ever-changing culinary landscape, I rarely find myself making revisits to a single establishment much. Yet Roosevelt's with its strong showing has always won my biased favours... (Check out my first review). A stalwart among the few southern type American cuisine specialists in Singapore, this humble cafe/restaurant joint is dedicated to producing the finest burgers, southern fried chicken and baby back ribs that ever paraded the local scene. And without much ado, I announce my strong approval on this very successful movement.
Last weekend, the girlfriend and I headed in to satisfy my cravings. We eased into the meal with the big guns. The Southern Fried Chicken ($18) and the BBQ Baby Back ribs ($22) both delivered its promised punch, amplified by a liberal use of spice and sound cooking techniques. The chicken tanned and crispy, goes beyond the usual fried chicken with its' tight crumb that adheres with fond attachment to the succulent flesh. The triple mash of potato, pumpkin and sweet potato refusing to play second fiddle to the elephant on the dish, left me smitten and in denial of my diet attempts. The baby back ribs was a hearty course, fall-of-the-bone ribs slathered in the all important barbecue sauce and enlivened by a small mound of roasted corn salsa. This plump rack was good for sharing and though I admit to being quite cynical about this dish before it's arrival, I was more than happy diner at the end of the meal, expounding its ambrosial notes to all.
Of course, a trip to Roosevelt's wouldn't be complete without their signature waffle. Salted caramel waffles with crushed candied cashew nuts ($12) was our choice, and I dare say, a mighty fine one too. After all the savouries, we craved something sweet, and the waffle with its' crusty squares waiting to be smeared with ice cream and dredged in salted caramel sauce filled the void in our tummies with immediate gratification. The clever use of crushed candied cashews, a breathe of fresh air departing from the mainstream hazelnut and chocolate combinations. Definitely a dish perfect for the final flourish.
Roosevelt's Diner & Bar
311 New Bridge Road
#01-02 Dorsett Residences
S(088764)
t: +65 6538 3518
Oriole cafe: Down the Slippery Slope
Labels:
american,
burgers,
cafe,
coffee,
fried chicken,
orchard,
somerset,
waffles,
will not return
·
I used to say good things about the simple cafe fare at Oriole Cafe. But apparently with the passing of time, standards have slipped so far beyond rescue that I probably would not recommend nor be going back there anytime soon for a meal. The picturesque Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Waffles ($26) was a real disappointment. Gracefully composed, yet so lacking in substance, with deep fried chicken pieces that resemble Japanese kaarage out from a frozen bag and Bourbon syrup which tasted more like cheap honey than its declared maple origins. The coleslaw was half decent albeit for a lack of seasoning. Definitely a dish you wouldn't be able to work through despite a ravenous appetite (tested and proven by the partner who nudged away his plate after consuming less than half the dish). Ouch.
My Oriole Burger ($25) was a slightly more peachy affair featuring a 100% US Angus beef patty. cheddar cheese, lettuce , tomato and onion. A hearty meal with mainstream appeal but will one that disappoints the hardcore burger fans. The beef patty had a queer stringiness to its texture and the sesame bun could have used a little tender loving care with a spot of butter to crisp up its edges. Not a burger I'll return to if the cravings arise.
It is obvious that Oriole's priorities have deviated off tangent from its glorious days where quality food was the pride and joy of the cafe along with its star-studded cast of baristas with their fancy coffee art work. It's weakness made clearly evident by the barrage of menu specials put in place.
Oriole Cafe
96 Somerset Road
S(238163)
t: 6238 8348
Roosevelt's Diner & Bar: Harvest my Heart
Labels:
american,
burgers,
family friendly,
fried chicken,
hidden finds,
outram,
the entertainer app,
waffles
·
Housed in the lobby of Dorsett Residences just parked outside the maze of entrances to Outram MRT station is Roosevelts diner and bar. Many would turn a blind eye to its transparent glass window facade and trudge down towards the more rambunctious Keong Saik Street in search of grub.
But who would know that Roosevelt's is home to one of my favourite burgers in town? Sshh.. let's keep that a secret between you and I alright?
Inside, the feeling is almost "ironic suburban" , expansive family tables with odd fashioned light bulbs dangling overhead, a table top of severely outdated magazines is given the death stares by the illustrious bathroom from across the hallway, pimped up by its fashionable array of luxe lotions and hand creams.
Our first visit was strictly a burger run, to mollify those crummy emotional out bursts. I had the Teddy's 100% US Beef Burger ($22) whilst S zoned in on the Mushroom Cheddar Burger ($22). At Roosevelts', the burger is kept simple, with just smears of mayo on the pillowy soft brioche buns that don't crowd your palate with an exuberance of flavor, allowing the story of the beef patty to be told in full glory; with its doneness cooked to order (plus points immediately!), it constituted an explosion of natural sweet beefy juices when you chomp down. It's architecture was slightly compromised by the inclusion of onions in the patty, but the overall flavors received a major boosting with that poignant addition. The Mushroom Cheddar burger made its appearance, fashioned with all manner of good things (especially those tender and delightfully seasoned mushrooms) and naturally went down with no complaints at the other end of the table. The fries are the only debacle in this fairytale, not that they were nasty or cold or anything drastically negative; they were just.. uninspired.
Revisits occurred a few day afters when I started feeling the burger cravings creeping up on me again. That's when the cracks started to appear.
We fell in love with the Southern Fried Chicken ($18), the gorgeously sun-kissed crispy skinned chicken exposing flavorful and extremely tender plump flesh below. Benefits of day long soaks in buttermilk before taking to the fryers paying off immensely. The multitude of spices used in the coating unravelling gradually with every bite.
That was done. The rest of the dinner presented a plethora of disappointments. Starting with the burgers. Point to note is that if you plan to eliminate diners' choice to select the doneness of the patty then you had better ensure consistency all around. That can't be said about my experience that night whereby 3 of the burgers at the table emerged in different shades. An over zealously grilled patty set our friend to work, sadly picking around the dried beef.
This insipidity extrapolated itself to our dessert, the Churros Waflles ($12) with cinnamon sugar, butter and mocha sauce on side, which was a let down by a tell-tale low grade ice cream threatening to abrade our tongues with the shards of ice crystals within its false creamy innards.
Roosevelts started on an amazing foot with its inspired rift on the ubiquitous burger and crested in an uneven showing of the same dish a few days after. I find it hard to believe the discrepancies involved and despite having my heart broken the same time around, I promise I"ll be back to indulge in the burgers very soon.
Roosevelt's Diner & Bar
331 New Bridge Road
#01-02 Dorsett Residences
Singapore 088764
Website: http://roosevelts.com.sg/
Sin Lee Foods: these are my obsessions
Labels:
all-day-breakfast,
brunch,
bukit ho swee,
cafe,
coffee,
fried chicken,
tiong bahru,
waffles
·
Lately, I've got chicken and waffles on my mind.
Hence the debauchery as recently seen from my instagram feed (@fundamentally_flawed). It's disgusting, I know.
Sin Lee foods is one of the many cafes opened up in the past month or less that has inherited the name and nostalgic flavor of its original shop occupant. Converting the famous lor mee and prawn noodle shop in Jalan Bukit Ho Swee into a cafe space; I scouted around for traces or details in the fabric worth reminiscing over, but there were none. The purposefully stark innards leaving little impression in a sea of mimics spotting the island.
Leaving that aside, I reached out for Latte ($5.50). Papa Palheta's full bodied and popular Throwback blend is the main brew here, slightly nutty with just the right amount of acidity, the shot sat well amidst the mildly sweet frothy milk. Then, my brain begins percolating with pleas for a double shot... next time maybe.
For a pint sized cafe, Sin Lee's food menu is rather extensive. Descriptions and the inspired food imagery it paints are one thing, how the real deal measures in the flavor department is ultimately the more important of the two, especially given the somewhat heftier cafe prices.
I surprised myself with a retreat back to the Croissant Royale ($16.90); a play on the classic eggs benedict which I swore never to order in a cafe ever again. What sets Sin Lee's version apart from the usual are firstly it's generous portion sizes and that excellent hollandaise sauce. The croissant, toasted till golden brown provided that bit of crunch, whilst the other half left to wilt and take it all the goodness of the blanket of velvety hollandaise sauce and soft centered egg. Punctuated by the refreshing acidity of lemon, the sauce was a wonderful accompaniment to the heavy combination of smoked salmon and runny yolks; this dish further enjoyed with the contrast of the bitter arugula leaves showered with a light dancing of parmesan cheese.
An honest dish with good intentions.
The A.B.C grilled cheese sandwich ($14.90) sounded much more inspired on the menu then it did in person. Grilled apple, bacon and soft cheddar sits between slices of toasted bread with a side of spam fries. The dish literally providing the ingredients listed on the menu with minimal creativity in execution. Word of advice to the kitchen staff, lower the heat on that fryer please; the spam fries were overcooked to an inch of its life. I would also have put a little of that grilled apple sauce or perhaps maple syrup over the gooey cheddar for that contrast and definitely look into a more matured cheddar for a tinge of saltiness. But that's just me... oh yes, a little less rendering of fats on the bacon too please...
Equally lackluster is the Shashuka ($17.90), Moroccan baked eggs, house spicy tomato sauce, thick sausage, white cheddar cheese and french country toast; the dish screams against it's proclaimed nationality, the absence of related spices in this homey dish betraying its identity. The tomato sauce could have used a bit of blitzing as well, the clumsy chunks of stewed tomatoes in there together with the unsliced thick sausage (that looked like it was just thrown in some hot water to blanch) missing the mark on the hospitality and unique heartiness of Middle Eastern cuisine. Skip this dish.
One of the most adventurous dishes is the one and only Sin Lee's Fried Chicken and Waffles ($21.90). The juicy boneless chicken leg working well on its own, but sings when bestowed with a drizzle of that melted maple butter... dayum. I'm lost for words. The cheddar iron waffles are slightly on the heavier side, with a crisp edge and moist innards (some parts of it drawing references to min jiang kui) but makes a redonkulous party in the mouth with the sinful maple butter sauce. I relished in the coleslaw as well, the overall creaminess enlivened with a tinge of citrus in there. Definitely a dish worth visiting Sin Lee for.
For a new kid on the block, Sin Lee Foods has a lot of pressure to keep up with the current food trends. A slight detour off the Tiong Bahru stretch, there is a lot of room for improvement before it's capable of getting the crowds moving over. Despite it's many hits and misses, I believe in a couple of weeks with its issues smoothened out, a dining experience at Sin Lee will be as deeply gratifying as that stellar chicken & waffles dish that I would have happily spooned with on a languid Sunday afternoon. Kudos to the team.
Sin Lee Foods
Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164
Singapore 162004
T: 6377 3170
Tues-Sunday 10am-9pm
Spathe Public House: #Savour2014 throwbacks
Labels:
american,
burgers,
dinner,
european,
mohammed sultan,
river valley,
special occasion,
waffles
·
#savour2014 was pretty much the most frequently used hashtag in the month of March. A relentless stream of posts on my instagram feed that I treated like a monkey on my back. Mainly because of the fact that I couldn't be there. A gourmet food festival featuring the likes of Michelin starred chefs and other illustrious restaurants in Singapore all convening in one single convivial location. I was sore.
Hence, when I chanced upon Savour recap of festival favourites, I jumped aboard eagerly. For 2 weeks, a specially created SAVOUR inspired menu had been crafted at a few bespoke establishments around the island for those meaning to "keep the savour buzz going". I was one of the fortunate few who was able to squeeze it into her visiting schedule.
SPATHE PUBLIC HOUSE was my choice, drawn to its innovative 5 course menu and copious amounts of good reviews to its savour offerings.
At first glance, my breathe was stolen by the sight of a fleet of low sofas and mismatched chairs. The brick walls jazzed up by a fresh coat of paint in bold colors and brave artistic prints. Self professed to be serving "European" fare, the menu featured a few playful injections of local influences that steered it towards the "fusion" side of cuisine, a potential dangerous casting as it is rare for a restaurant to come swirling out of the chaos; when most of the time, this choice of direction coughs up half-formed and unconvincing places.
Our first two courses came out swiftly, Charcoal Smoke Tomato Soup with crispy St Maure goat cheese, extra virgin olive oil & Sous Vide Spanish Octopus Salad with baby spinach, orange, garlic soil, honey, wholegrain mustard vinaigrette. With the former dish, its all about the details in the fabric; the slight char on the tomatoes, the crispy bits of ooey gooey goats cheese. It was a fabulous tomato soup, one that spoke maturity in terms of balance and seasoning. The Octopus salad was stellar as well, the sweet tart tension of the honey wholegrain mustard vinaigrette pulling the dish together; the orange segments introducing fresher and brighter flavor; the octopus, however possessed a rather incomprehensible texture, almost like chicken but underscored with a sense of rich, sea-slicked spice. Intriguing.
The menu steers off-course towards a more whimsical approach with the next offering, Belgian Waffles & Fried Chicken with Mornay Sauce. A fluffy lattice of conjugal bliss of flour, milk, sugar and salt creates the hinterland of your food fantasy, the cracks and crevices forming pockets for the nappage of that sweet sweet cheese sauce to rest in. The crisp fried chicken perfumed with spices and paprika cumulating in a smack down when the triad convenes in one mouthful.
Sambal, triple cheese, bacon, crispy chicken Truffle Melt. You know I love my burgers but this unfortunately didn't quite float my boat with its inharmonious flight of flavors, the piquancy of the sambal failing to sing in unison with the overdose of truffle oil.
Desserts arrived in a true Aussie fashion (the long wait now understandable), a bold brick of Sticky Toffee Pudding with Hokey Pokey Ice Cream. Laced with a rim of butterscotch sauce, my preoccupation with digging into the dessert was not one shared by my partner. That's alright, more for me. More dates could have been employed in the pudding, the excess of sultanas thrown into the mix, quite a turn-off for me; the hokey pokey ice cream studded with crunchy bits of honeycomb toffee was a perfect match to the warm pudding. A beguiling slice of dessert that I greedily polished off.
Spathe is a perfect backdrop for creative fine dining menu with a languish chilled vibe. Coupled with earnest, civilized and unhurried service, it isn't difficult to see myself back here for another meal in the near future.
SPATHE PUBLIC HOUSE
8 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-01
Singapore 238958
+65 67351035
Website: http://www.spathepublichouse.com
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