Showing posts with label will not return. Show all posts
Showing posts with label will not return. Show all posts
Ichiban Boshi's Newest Outlet (Century Square) unveils Kyushu Ryori specialty menu
Labels:
century square,
japanese,
tampines,
will not return
·
Said dish above looks pretty tasty, but do not be fooled. After all, Instagram isn't reality, so we implore you to come armed with NO expectations.
~~~
Ichiban Boshi makes its mark on the newly renovated Century Square, sporting the spanking brand new feels and voguish looks of an open concept kitchen.
At this new outlet, we were egged on to try the new menu which highlights Kyushu cuisine. There was The Mentai Hakata Nabe Gozen ($26.90), a deceptively bountiful looking set meal that features thick folds of mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and kurobuta in a chicken broth served with silver-striped round herring. To complete the meal, there are sides of fresh sashimi, deep-fried shishami and vegetable tempura. Blame it on my ignorance but this might just be the first time I've encountered mentaiko served in this form; usually an ingredient widely cherished, it's appearance strike me as obscene - not at all appetising. The chicken broth, however, is fresh and light, sparingly seasoned so much so that it's positions itself as the perfect cold remedy.
The Jigokudaki Udon ($14.90) is a warm dipping style udon served with black pork, poached egg and vegetables. Worlds apart from the usual udon dishes at Ichiban, which aren't transcendent but reliable at the very least - the new udon is not quite the case. The dip, so cloyingly salty that it rendered the plain boiled udon inedible. Have you ever ingested sea water by accident? - Yes, I would liken my experience with this dish to an unfortunate accident such as that. Needless to say, I left more than half the serving untouched. What a waste.
Perhaps the chefs were having a bad day in the kitchen, however, it is not my place to be making excuses for their inadequacies. Here's a piece of advice: Stick to the classic menu. Your stomach will thank you for it.
Ichiban Boshi
Century Square
#02-17/18/29
2 Tampines Central 5
t: +65 6260 1273
Operating Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm
Words and photos by Belinda Yong who wishes that every time of the day is food o' clock. She loves trying new cuisines and creations, and prays hard for a higher metabolism.
OSO Ristorante: Italian restaurants takes to newer heights at its new location @ OASIA Hotel Downtown
Labels:
affordable,
business lunch,
italian,
large groups,
pasta,
risotto,
tanjong pagar,
will not return
·
The real question is whether or not the food delivers on the same front as its new established heights off the ground.
OSO Ristorante previously located on Bukit Pasoh Road maintains its rigour and unmistakable melancholy in its set-up. White, stiff starched linen greets table tops, the oddly angled ginormous mirrors pandering to your stalkerish ways of taking stolen glanced at your picture perfect date. Don't get me wrong, it's a gorgeous space, the dry aging cabinet behind the high counter and the cheese room stowed away at the entrance providing inspirations for the meal to evolve. However, the real anchor in the equation is the emergence of a blue oasis, the sight of OASIA Hotel downtown's swimming pool through tall glass windows that provides a stark contrast and balances out the grandeur in the space.
FOO'D by Davide Oldani: Worthy of an encore?
Labels:
expensive,
hidden finds,
romantic,
special occasion,
will not return
·
Beyond question, the new FOO'D by Davide Oldani is a place whereby shorts and slippers are frowned upon, or even banned. The opulence and prudery of the venue experiencing a odd stickler with the large television screens spanned across the lofty heights of the space - screening live sports? Now, that comes across a bit out of place. The restaurant located in Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is the perfect spot for a light pre-theatre dinner or where you would sojourn for drinks after being serenaded to. The brainchild of Chef Davide Oldani, who also owns Michelin-starred restaurant D'O in Cornaredo, Italy; the joint sees waiting lists with intimidating interim of up to eight months at a stretch. With this in mind, you know your palate is in for a treat, especially when the maestro makes a personal guest appearance on opening day.
DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe: Festive Season Menu | Better late than never
Labels:
american,
big groups,
burgers,
family friendly,
marina bay sands,
restaurants,
will not return
·
Christmas celebrations at The Shopped at Marina Bay Sands veers away from the usual posh nosh fare with the festive season 3-course menu at DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe swooping in to the rescue of all the daddy and mummies in distress, fretting over where to bring the kids to for Christmas celebrations.
Dishing out American cuisine with a heavy inception of Superhero charm in every aspect - cocoa powder stenciled patterns on drinks to batman shaped carrot cutouts in your soup; DC Comics Super Hero cafe is perfect for the young ones or perhaps those still flagrantly young at heart.
{Wordless Wednesdays}: Bottura
Labels:
affordable,
cityhall,
food tasting,
italian,
media event,
pasta,
promenade,
sunteccity,
will not return,
wordless wednesdays
·
 |
| Arancini al Ragu ($8) |
I initially condoned this to the 'Shall keep mum' folder on my desktop, but what the heck.. it's better suited for my 'Wordless Wednesday' movement.. simply because that's exactly where a meal at Bottura left me. At a loss for words.
And not in a good way too.
Creature S: Twisted creatures that are best not to disturb
Labels:
expensive,
farrer park,
fusion,
hidden finds,
little india,
overrated,
will not return
·
Here's a little Thursday jeremiad.
Creature S....All that initial excitement, pumped up by deliciously spun tales and sights of its artfully decorated interior; plummeted to the ground after a very lackluster dinner crippled by horrendously amatuerish service. The only thing keeping us calm at the table whilst we received one glass of wine as opposed to the two that we ordered, was the therapeutic lemongrass aromas wafting through the air, reminiscent of a spa experience. Except that in place of amiable ladies in waiting, sophomoric adolescent boys took their place, typing on their phones furiously while our backs were turned.
Scrumptious at the Turf: as cold as your ex's heart
Labels:
affordable,
brunch,
bukit timah,
eggs benedict,
Grandstand,
hidden finds,
turf city,
will not return
·
"Cold and flat, you deserve more than that"
Pardon my brutal honesty, but facing harsh reality, a cafe that serves you hot food on cold plates and passes the excuse that the kitchen is cold upon starting operations is just plain lazy.
My meal at Scrumptious at the Turf can be describe in one very abruptly short word.
Blah.
Monochrome Fusion Bistro: the black and white of things
Labels:
affordable,
big groups,
bistro,
cafe,
chinatown singapore,
coffee,
craft beers,
family friendly,
fusion,
hidden finds,
tanjong pagar,
will not return
·
I do not mince my words, and having just put my food evangelist thinking cap on, please pardon me for any feelings trampled on along the way. Believe me, I do not mean it. And even so, we live, we learn and we grow.
Newly opened in February, the Chinatown Precinct sees the looming presence of a casual bistro touting its hold on providing an alternative dining experience, its main aim, to attract the inquisitive taste buds with a penchant for creative design as well as good food.
Unfortunately my visit to the establishment proved to be majorly disappointing. On the design front, I loved every inch of detail within the compound, the white washed walls with whimsical table cloths hanging on knobs, decorative shelves with a bunch of eccentric publications greets the wandering eye as you trod through the narrow corridors leading to the bathroom. The intersperse of striped blocks and circles of black and white imprinted boldly on the walls, tending to the fastidious pastry chef-y side of me. Service staff were young and upbeat, sporting mischievous smiles all around. I basked in the therapeutic ambiance of this design studio vibe restaurant, with the air-conditioning on high in stark comparison to the blinding heat outside.
Life was good.
That was till the torrents of food started flooding our tables.
Butterstudio: New All Day Breakfast Menu
Labels:
affordable,
all-day-breakfast,
brunch,
cakes,
desserts,
eggs benedict,
halal,
hidden finds,
jalan besar,
sandwich,
will not return
·
There's no denying that Butterstudio tries to please its customers, its recent launch of a new All Day Breakfast menu tending to the needs of patrons who are itching for a savoury fix. However, its attempts mainly go down in smoke. Call me impartial, but breakfast food without the presence of bacon is doomed for failure. Let's explore the nitty gritty.
Caffe B: Affordable Set lunches in MBS
Labels:
affordable,
beef,
cocktails,
fusion,
italian,
japanese,
marina bay sands,
pasta,
setlunch,
will not return
·
Caffe B set in lush satin settings, a secretive sort of environment fine-tuned by plenty of luxe design decisions, offers diners an oasis perfect for constructive business meetings. These are complemented by bespoke light details, grand chandeliers overhead and raw metal grills reminiscent of Aztec cultures, that work effectively as partitions, offering enclaves for private discussions. The veteran F&B patron in the mall has recently rolled out an inexpensive $25++ three-course set lunch menu to lure in the office crowds. Ok, so let me deliberate before you go down.
Foodology Fresh: That's why eating greens are so hard
Labels:
croissant,
healthy eating,
lunch,
raffles place,
salads,
sandwich,
soup,
tanjong pagar,
will not return
·
I've always had a penchant for vegetables, noming my way through my plate of greens like a meek cow during meal times. No signs of rebellion whatsoever. I would often stare with awkward befuddlement whenever another kid would shove away his vegetables, nudging it to the side of the plate and then subsequently throwing a fit when circumstances gets to forceful. 'Why?' Don't they see its' allure?
Growing up, and gaining access to the covers of the vegetable dictionary; I embraced my edible greens with a tighter affection. My stint in Australia reinforcing our relationship with love gifts in the forms of ruby red beetroot, bitter endives and hybrid broccoli. It is a libation that brings back many happy memories - a time where getting your hands on a superb salad at any deli or even making your own at a fraction of the cost was as easy as pie. The salad maker driven by a purpose to to do as little as possible to highlight the vitality of the greens. I've since then feasted on countless salads, ranging from those of more innovative nature, incorporating deep fried quinoa; to the classics like caesar salads with a glorious homemade anchovy dressing that throws it into a class of its own.
Atmosphere Bistro.Bar : The watering hole
Labels:
affordable,
beer,
desserts,
East Coast/ Joo Chiat,
family friendly,
hidden finds,
pizza,
pubfood,
ribs,
will not return
·
Have my eyes betrayed me? A quizzical look hung out on my face as the snow mountain pile of Kirin Frozen beer ($13) started rapidly on its descent. My first 'gulp'got me a mouthful of flavourless foam; endearingly referred to as beer slushie by Kirin's patented technology. I would advise you give this a pass. Since you've already made your way to the watering hole, get your hands on the Heinkein or Erdiner white draft beers instead; word has it that there's a promotion ongoing now for 3 pints at just $30.
The Atmosphere Bistro & Bar is a brand new establishment that has just opened its doors to the public on October 6. Located at Parkland Greens, a sprawling landscape of green along East Coast Park just right across from Parkway Parade. With the booming amount of space at the park, this creates an entirely family oriented environment where children can partake in outdoor activities whilst parents lounge in the cooler interiors of the restaurant, enjoying a cold pint or two. Technically, the location advantages already makes the Atmosphere a winning concept; but how does food fare?
From the extensive menu of pub bistro favourites, we chose two starters to tease our taste buds. The Spam Fries ($7.80) was a simple snack but given a little snap, crackle and pop from the kaffir mayo served on the side. Deliciously rich and salty, this would make the perfect snack for the young ones. Not so outstanding was the Escargot ($10.80) which regurgitated funky chewy nodules swimming in a bland garlic butter and covered with melted cheese. Hear me out, cheese doesn't make everything better. Skip this and give their truffle fries a shot instead.
The Baby Back Ribs ($19.80) lacked conviction: the citrus BBQ sauce bearing a strange resemblance to satay sauce and the meat an uncanny textural likeness to the local snack, (not exactly desirable in the case). With a little more time invested, the dish could have fared a whole lot better.
For the grazers, there is the Caesar Salad ($6.80). a creamy confetti of bacon bits, stodgy croutons and grated Parmesan over an avalanche of bottled caesar dressing. Overly sweet and immensely overdressed for such a humble setting, this is one salad on the menu to skim past. Let me lament about the rather poor renditions of Caesar salads I've delivered to my system lately; what happened to the handmade herbed croutons and dressings with that piquant scent of anchovies recognised in the aftermath?
Jacked up on cheese, the Squid Ink Pizza ($20.80) anticipates the roaring appetites of the young and the drunk. Atmosphere puts an innovative spin on the usual classics with such outrageous outputs; squid rings, sliced garlic, onion, squid ink tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese are stacked on with Pythagorean precision. The result grows on you after its slightly peculiar first impression. You might want to pry away the limp dough base and eat the meltingly moist interior spiked with a little dabble of Tabasco sauce.
Instagram darling, Atmosphere Burger ($19.80) left more oohs and aahs on the photographer instinct than on the palate. The monstrous triple stack of pork, turkey and chicken patties, over processed and struggling to reconcile with each other. If you're bought into the lore of this skyscraper-esqe burger, save your pretty penny for a trip to Suprette instead.
Desserts were a safe bet with assorted cakes, obviously outsourced with a good palate in tact. The Red velvet ($5.80) and Rainbow Cake ($5.80) were both moist and spongy in all the right places, the former edging out the multi-coloured unicorn with its charismatic cream cheese frosting.
If you're feeling a little fancier, order the Atmosphere Molten Lava Cake ($11.80), watch in glee as warm chocolate pours out from the molten core. A decadent treat for the discerning diners who delight in the alchemy of gooey chocolate with the blissful sigh of cold vanilla ice cream.
For all its flaws, the Atmosphere Bar.Bistro still packs promise, and with the throngs of people that trawl the parks on weekday nights as well as the weekends serving as potential customers; the establishment sits on a pot of gold. Only if the food is improved of course.
Fundamentally Flawed dined as a guest of Atmosphere Bistro. Major thanks to Cynthia of DFW Creative Private Limited for the invite and her gracious hosting.
The Atmosphere Bar and Bistro
920 East Coast Parkway #01-25/26/27
S(449875)
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 5pm -12am
Fri: 5pm - 1am
Sat: 10am - 2am
Sun and PH: 10am - 1am
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
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
Azmaya: just the usual Wagyu Shabu-Shabu affair
Labels:
family friendly,
health,
healthy eating,
hidden finds,
japanese,
robertson quay,
shabu shabu,
steamboat,
will not return
·
I continue on a trend of Japanese Eats and shabu shabu tastings. Today we cover the Wagyu Shabu Shabu Buffet at Azmaya located along the picturesque Robertson Quay (just beside bella pizza).
With red hot competition from various other concepts dotting the island, Azmaya attempts to draw in the crowds with a wagyu buffet special promotion. Priced at just $50 now (U.P. $100), diners get to pick from a menu of proteins (wagyu beef, pork belly, collar, chicken leg, wagyu cut steak and tongue, etc...), side dishes of Kimchi, Namul and Rice as well as a tight selection of ala carte dishes such as Cold Tofu, Spicy Cucumber, Salted cabbage and fried pickles. Take heed that a 2 hours time limit is enforced at the point of ordering.
While the A5 Wagyu Sirloin from Japan ($95) gets a nod from me, the soup base I found to be too light and almost forgettable. Save for the nutty goma dipping sauce, the entire affair was albeit a bit underwhelming.
Try the craveable Wagyu Roast Beef ($15), a tantalising red centre with a piquant dressing for those ravenous carnivores.
Another modest dish for the peckish is the Korean Spicy Cucumber ($6), fresh crispy chunks of cucumber tossed in a spicy chili oil based dressing, the juxtaposition of juicy cooling innards versus the feisty exterior working up an appetite.
Going through a varied selection of ala carte dishes, the Salmon Caesar Salad with salmon roe with Caesar dressing ($13) tickled my fancy. The Salmon slices benefited from a generous squirt of decadent creamy dressing, the orange scatter of roe adding provocative bursts of savouriness and the chunks of avocado pulling in all the pieces. I could have easily gone through two bowls of these.
The Grilled Squid ($14) didn't fare too well as the flesh had gone a little rubbery, a little too familiar with the flames.
Steer clear of the Sashimi (3 types for $17). I question its freshness especially in a place better adept to handle its meats well.
The Gyoza and Assorted Tempura ($15) were your standard run-of-the-mill renditions of the fare found at most ordinary establishments. Shy of fillings in the former and lack of seasoning in the batter in the latter. I was less than impressed and refrained from seconds.
Azmaya with its spacious dining room and more family orientated seating patterns would be a wise choice for birthdays or intimate family gatherings. There's just something about fretting over a steamboat that pulls people together, fostering relationships; the relentless chatter and the mutual cooking favours. That aside, do not expect extraordinary events to unfold at Azmaya on the culinary front.
Azmaya
30 Robertson Quay
#01-12/13
t: 6737 6863
w: http://kthsg-shop.com/azmaya/
Opening Hours:
Tues-Sun 5pm - 1am
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