The Italian restaurant, Borgata Trattoria Osteria, at The Cannery, offers decent food at decent prices. Take your pick from the menu which offers familiar Italian favorites such as pizzas and pastas, as well as a selection of main courses.

Alfresco seating allows for people-watching along the river, or you can sink into the cushy indoor seats, too.

Portobello
SGD16++

Our choice for the starter is the Portobello which, as an ingredient, never seems to go wrong. Stuffed with vegetables and ladled over with cheese sauce, juices ooze out as you bite into the succulent mushroom. And that’s not even the best part. The sauce is a winner — rich, creamy and delicious with mushroom bits. Oh, Mama Mia!

Borgata
SGD22++

As for the pizzas, there are classics like the Margherita (tomatoes, mozzarella and basil) and the namesake pizza that comes with a United Colors of Benetton mix of toppings (mozzarella, ham, capsicum, Porcini and Parmesan cheese). The pizza is excellent, with a thin crust so crispy that you will have no problem finishing everything up — all 8 slices of them!

You may wanna go easy on the red chili pepper flakes though. They are flaming hot! Just a few specks are sufficient to make you wanna reach for that sparkling San Pellegrino. I kid you not!

Fusilli Porcini Gamberi Con Salsa Alla Zucca (sampling portion)
SGD20++

The fusilli with prawns and Porcini mushroom usually comes in pumpkin sauce, but the chef would be happy to switch it to tomato sauce if you prefer. The sauce is a tad tangy for me, although the sweetness of the plump prawns (neatly sliced along the sides so that the shells come off easily) helps to alleviate the tartness.

Tiramisu and profiterole (sampling portions)
SGD9++ for each

Do save some room for desserts. What kind of an Italian meal would this be without Tiramisu? The cake here is so light and airy, it practically melts in the mouth!

The profiterole is a delightful pastry puff, with chocolate coating on top and creamy milk chocolate at the centre.

Lava cake
SGD9++

The chocolate lava cake arrives in dramatic fashion. It is served in a ramekin, one of those porcelain cups used for baking. The staff would pour rum on top of it, then set it on fire. How’s that for a wow factor? Apart from the flaming drinks like Lamborghini and Waterfall, and the seafood platter at the Manhattan Fish Market, can you think of any more flaming drinks and dishes?

Unlike the regular chocolate fondant where only the core is filled with molten chocolate, the entire top half of the cake is gooey chocolate goodness! The portion is really ample, too. Throw in a cappuccino and I’m done!

Have Your Say!

What are the other restaurants worth checking out at Clarke Quay? Share with us below!

Borgata Trattoria Osteria
Clarke Quay
Blk 3C River Valley Road, The Cannery #01-02
Singapore 179022
(65) 6305 6723
Service:

Opening hours:
Mon, Tue & Thu: 6pm – 11pm
Wed, Fri & Sat: 6pm – 1am
(Closed on Sun)

Posted by Veron in Food category | alfresco/outdoor dining, Clarke Quay, dessert, Italian, lava cake, pasta, pizza, waterfront, Western

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While Chinese-style restaurants serving this popular dish are aplenty, Western ones have not exactly ventured into the chili crabs’ territory. Casual Western restaurant, Eighteen Chefs, surprisingly offers it in the form of cheese baked chili crab. Doesn’t that sound enticing?

Only limited sets are available daily. So if you want to enjoy your favorite chili-spiked crab done with a twist, you would have better chances coming here earlier in the day.

Cheese baked chili crab
SGD18.90+

A whole crab is served swimming in the trademark spicy sauce and topped with cheese. Then, there’s the crab cracker. If you are like me and don’t know how to handle it properly, it’s a good idea to watch DIY videos on Youtube ask friends on Twitter ask the staff to crack the shell for you.

The sweet and sour gravy is the real winner here. Many places make it mildly spicy to cater to a larger group of people, but that doesn’t lend much of a kick does it? Thankfully the one here is spicy enough to make you wanna reach for that iced lemon tea every 5 mouthfuls. Apart from the spice, it is also thick, ribboned with egg and utterly flavorsome. Hot stuff! The only gripe is that there really isn’t much crab meat. Maybe we just got a skinny crab.

To make sure you don’t leave any of that spicy, saucy goodness behind, you can mop it all up with crispy mantou (Chinese buns). These sweetish buns come in a cute size and go really well with the gravy, traditionally speaking.

Cream of corn soup

The cream of corn soup of the day, which unlike the cream of mushroom soup we had the other time, is pretty decent too. We slurp down every last bit!

Baked Rice and Pasta

What if chili crab isn’t really your thing? Go for the baked rice or pastas. You can customise each dish with any of the 8 sauces and 12 ingredients. Check out our earlier Eighteen Chefs review on those! (Hint: They’re good!)

Have Your Say!

Chili crab – yay or nay? What is the most unusual incarnation of chili crab that you have come across? Where can we find the best chili crab in Singapore? Share with us below!

Eighteen Chefs ( Halal certified)
- Eastpoint Mall
- Fusionopolis
- Yishun 10
- Tiong Bahru Plaza
Website | Food menu | Drinks & desserts menu

Posted by Veron in Food category | Halal, seafood, Tiong Bahru, Western

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With Citibank Gourmet Pleasures, cardholders get to enjoy such popular signature dishes for just $10 each! And that’s not all.

When you dine at any participating restaurant, the bank also promises to match any better discount offered by other credit cards!

Sounds good? Apply online now for any Citibank Credit Card (it’s free!) and get free shopping vouchers, too.

More perks

The bank offers a wide range of credit cards that caters to various lifestyles and individual needs. Tertiary students, for instance, can go for the Citi Clear Card which has no minimum income requirement.

All cards come with different sets of privileges, as well as these benefits:

• Dining deals with Gourmet Pleasures
• 10% discount at Esso
• 6% rebates at Tangs*

* Not applicable to Citi Clear Visa and Citi Paragon Platinum MasterCard

Sign up online now!

If you have been thinking of signing up for a credit card with Citibank, this is a great time.

Application is free for the first year for all cards except for the Citi SMRT Platinum Card which is free for 2 years. Plus, you get the following freebies:

• $40 Tangs voucher when you successfully apply for both a Citibank Credit Card & Citibank Ready Credit
• $20 Tangs voucher when you successfully apply for either a Citibank Credit Card or Citibank Ready Credit

Note: Only applications made through here are eligible for these vouchers.

Useful links

• Citibank Credit Cards: Range of cards and benefits
• Citibank Gourmet Pleasures: Complete list of $10 signature dishes and dining perks.
• Citibank Credit Card Recommender: Choose a card that best suits you.
• Online application form: Free Tangs vouchers when you apply from here.

Posted by Veron in Food category | promotion

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The restobar at Siloso Beach, Sentosa, has unveiled a brand new food menu with an extensive range of Mediterranean and international cuisine. Apart from sunbathing and sipping on a Mojito at the swim-up bar, you can now enjoy a sumptuous seafood meal while admiring a panoramic view of the sea.

Photo by Café del Mar

The indoor dining area is decked out in blue, white and pink. A huge bar counter dominates the center of the restaurant, with the tables spilling outdoors by the kidney-shaped swimming pool.

Photo by Café del Mar

The menu features a selection of starters and salads followed by pastas and main courses such as baked Pacific dory.

Starters

Bruschetta
SGD6++

We start with a half dozen bruschettas. These are rather filling, with mozzarella cheese, chopped tomatoes and olive oil served atop grilled French loaf. Great when you need a quick bite!

Classic Caesar salad
SGD12++

The classic Caesar salad is a mix of bacon bits, croutons and romaine lettuce. We dig the delicious dressing and the toasted cubed croutons!

Pastas

Linguine Pescatora
SGD20++

I love a perfectly cooked pasta in a tomato-based sauce, so I find the Linguine Pescatora very enjoyable. Pescatora is Italian for “fisherman’s style”, which means that it is done just the way the fishermen like it, with chock full of seafood and a succulent, flavorsome tomato sauce. How very satisfying!

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with seafood
SGD12++ (top up SGD3 for ham, chicken or seafood)

The spaghetti Aglio e Olio is cooked al dente, not too bland or overpoweringly garlicky. You can choose to add on ham, chicken or seafood. Check out the load of seafood that includes mussels, whole scallops, clams and prawns. Not bad at all!

Children aged 12 or below can order smaller portions of the pastas at half the price.

Mains

Baked Pacific dory
SGD24++

The chef’s specialty of baked Pacific dory is quite inventive. The fish arrives on a bed of mashed potato, drizzled with a garlic butter sauce and baked to perfection. The potato bears a slight hint of wasabi that lends some spice, yet is mild enough to not burn the nostrils. Coupled with the thick, tasty butter sauce, it is hard not to enjoy this dish. So it’s a good thing that it comes in a good-sized portion.

Marisco Paella
SGD28++

For something even more substantial, go for the Marisco Paella. In this Spanish rice dish, saffron rice is baked with seafood morsels and tomatoes. The rice is fragrant and savory with herbs and spices.

Rib-eye steak
SGD28++

Meat lovers have the options of roast chicken, pork ribs, lamb chops or the rib-eye steak. A medium order of the steak turns out firm on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and drenched in a sweetish red wine sauce. Perhaps it is the chorus of delicious seafood before, we find this dish rather forgettable.

Cocktails

Bailey’s Comet

Don’t forget to wash down all the goodies with one of Café del Mar’s signature cocktails!

Photo by Café del Mar

If you are yearning for a meal away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you now have a wonderful dining option right by the beach. Coming here at night would be even more memorable and enchanting, with the cool sea breeze and a resort-like setting under the stars.

Have Your Say!

Does dining by the beach appeal to you? Are there any more of such seaside restaurants that we should know about? Share with us below!

Café del Mar
Sentosa
40 Siloso Beach Walk, Siloso Beach
Singapore 098996
(65) 6235 1296 | Website | Menu
Service:

Opening hours:
Mon – Thur, Sun: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 2am

Posted by Veron in Food category | alfresco/outdoor dining, bar, International, Mediterranean, pasta, restobar, salad, seafood, Sentosa, waterfront

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The first thing that strikes you about Queen & Mangosteen is probably its memorable name. So how did it come about? There is a legend about Queen Victoria offering a reward of 100 pounds to anyone who could deliver to her the fresh fruit. Also, did you know that the mangosteen is known as the queen of fruits?

Photo by Queen & Mangosteen

The next time you visit a British pub, don’t forget to check out its sign. You may notice that it is represented by pictures. In olden times, customers who were unable to read would recognise the establishments by these pictorial signs. That explains the prominence of the crown and the fruit in the logo!

Photo by Queen & Mangosteen

The interiors here are just as charming. Seating is a choice between the indoor dining area, and an alfresco area by the sea with a view of the Resorts World Sentosa.

Photo by Queen & Mangosteen

Apart from Queen, the other bars and restaurants along the same stretch, such as Brotzeit the German bar and Serenity the Spanish bar next door, also offer the same waterfront view.

Queen’s snapper fish & chips
SGD24++

Our main reason for coming here is to try out the much hyped Queen’s snapper fish and chips. The beer-battered fish is served with mesclun salad, a lemon wedge and tartar sauce. The twist lies in the sauce itself, which is yellow and curry-flavored! It is very tasty, and goes delightfully well with the fish and chips.

Without the unique curry tartar sauce, the dish is otherwise quite ordinary. At that price, it would be nice if they offer a bigger portion than just two rather skimpy pieces of fish. So for now, I still prefer Fish & Co‘s cheese-stuffed fish and chips.

Photo by Queen & Mangosteen

Still, I wouldn’t mind going back to Queen. The drinks are priced more reasonably than the food. With the lovely ambience and sea view, it is a wonderful place for chilling out.

Have Your Say!

What is your favorite place for fish and chips? Share with us below!

Queen & Mangosteen
VivoCity
1 Habourfront Walk #01-106/107
Singapore 098585
(65) 6376 9380 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Sun – Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri, Sat & PH Eve: 11am – 1am

Posted by Veron in Food category | alfresco/outdoor dining, bar, beer, English, restobar, seafood, Vivocity, waterfront, Western

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At 1 Twenty Six in East Coast Park, you can enjoy a meal and drinks while admiring a view of the sea and the ships in the distance. The dining arm of this restobar goes by the name Coast, offering a communal dining concept.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because its sister, Roast at One Rochester, first introduced this dining concept where parties of two or more can share a lovely meal together.

Apart from an indoor dining area, 1 Twenty Six is mostly a restaurant without walls. That means no air-conditioning, but you do get a nice sea breeze blowing in.

We love the tent canopy pavilion at One Rochester, and are pleased to see it here, too. With the surrounding foliage, outdoor pavilions and the sea nearby, this place boasts a resort-like ambience that makes a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Communal dining

The menu comprises entree platters, main courses, salads and desserts/cheeses.

Nibble Platter

The Nibble Platter is an assortment of clams, cod brandade, soft shell crab, potato skins and Crudites (raw fresh vegetables).

The baby potato skins come with sour cream and ocean trout caviar. These are delightful!

The seafood items are even better. The soft shell crab is light and crispy, and goes perfectly with the chili mayo dip. These steamed Vongole clams come with an interesting garlic and herb crumb. It’s the first time I have seen clams prepared this way, and they taste slightly sweet and delicious.

Grilled cod fillet

To tie in with the seaside location, all the main courses are seafood. The grilled cod fillet is accompanied by a fresh fennel and blood orange salad. The boneless fillet tastes good drizzled with the sweet Beaujolais sauce, but is rather forgettable.

Spiced lamb shank

For our other main course, the waitress allows us to go for the spiced lamb shank which is not on the communal dining menu. The meat is very tender and falls off the bone easily. The generous portion and the nice sauce makes this an extremely satisfying dish for meat lovers.

French fries, Broccolini and herb leaf salad

Next comes the trio of French fries, Broccolini and herb leaf salad. These are not much to shout about, and kinda make me miss the cauliflower cheese gratin from One Rochester.

Artisan cheeses

In the mood for some rich and moist cheese? End the meal with a platter of artisan cheeses served with muscat grapes. Alternatively, you can opt for the Grande Assiette, which is a selection of petite-sized desserts.

Fancy a drink or two?

There is a nice selection of wines here. Ladies would like the Jabolet rosé wine that has a nice shade of salmon pink and tastes of berries.

For the TWG Tea, they are served in single cups rather than pots, which seems to contradict the whole idea of communal dining.

Have Your Say!

What do you think of coastal dining? Are there other restaurants you would recommend for dining by the sea? Share with us below!

1 TwentySix
Playground @ Big Splash
902 East Coast Parkway #01-26
Singapore 449874
(65) 6348 2126 | Website
Service:

Opening hours: 6:30 – 11pm daily, 10am – 3pm (Sunday brunch)

Posted by Veron in Food category | alfresco/outdoor dining, bar, East Coast Park, fine dining, live football, live music, restobar, waterfront, Western

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A trip here always includes a meal at the in-store restaurant. The range is good and the prices are inexpensive, from the $1 coffees and teas, the $5.50 daily specials, to the $3 desserts.

Dining here is a self-service, no-frills affair, although finding a seat can be a chore when the restaurant is packed. You wait in line and get your tray, cups and cutlery, then push your tray along a metal railing to get your food. The fun part is when you get to select your food from the coolers and freezers (salmon salads, desserts, etc) and order the hot dishes like meatballs!

Swedish meatballs
SGD2.90 for 5 (kid’s meal), SGD6.50 for 10

Thanks to the ambassadorship of IKEA, Swedish meatballs are perhaps the most famous Swedish dish in the world today. These are made with ground beef and pork and served alongside freshly boiled potatoes, cream sauce, and lingonberry jam. The jam tastes very much like cranberry sauce. I would never imagine that jam can go well with meat, but in the case of the Swedish meatballs, it somehow works!

How many meatballs do you usually go for? A quick look around the tables show that people generally order the default 10-piece, which seems quite hefty especially with those potatoes. The kid’s meal of 5 meatballs may be just nice if you also want to have a taste of other dishes and desserts.

Chicken wings
SGD2.80 for 2; SGD7.50 for 6

My friend highly recommends the chicken wings. Man, these are finger-licking good! The seasoning is quite tasty, and the thin crispy skin is to die for. My only gripe is that there is little meat on the bones. Something fleshier would be perfect! Next time round we’re so going for that 6-piece (each)!

Chocolate mousse
SGD2.50

The chocolate mousse is a favorite dessert of mine. I remember falling in love with this years ago when IKEA first came to our sunny shores. Since then, I would have it every single meal at the restaurant. The chocolate is very rich and has just the right degree of sweetness. It is even topped with a dollop of whipped cream!

Daim cake
SGD3.20

The Daim cake is another popular must-try dessert. It is covered in chopped Daim candy and milk chocolate. Sweet, rich and extremely satisfying!

Have Your Say!

What are your favorite dishes and desserts at IKEA? Is it the ever popular Swedish meatballs? What other dishes would you recommend? Share with us below!

Posted by Veron in Food category | Alexandra Village, dessert, Swedish, Tampines, Western

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While Korea isn’t exactly known for her coffee, our caffeine-loving population would certainly welcome an additional option to get a quick pick-me-up!

The ordering process is very much like your typical Starbucks and Coffee Bean, although prices are slightly cheaper.

Over here, they give you a disc-shaped pager that vibrates once your coffee is ready to be collected.

Cappuccino
SGD5.20

The cappuccino is pretty decent, with a nice, creamy froth that rides like silk on top of it. I like it unsweetened. Does anyone else drink cappuccino without sugar?

There is also some attempt at coffee art which, even if not perfect, is always appreciated.

Colorful cheery murals adorn the walls.

Getting a cuppa here is basically a fuss-free process. Next time round I’ll probably get some of that toasted pretzel to go along!

Have Your Say!

Have you visited Tom N Toms Coffee yet? Would you welcome new coffee chains or do you find that there are more than enough here already? Share with us below!

Posted by Veron in Food category | café, coffee, Far East Plaza, Korean, poll, Tanjong Pagar, Vivocity

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At Eden Sanctuary Floral Cafe in China Square Central, meals can be personalised based on individual preferences and customised according to dietary requirements. In the 5-course meal, Chef Clement Ronald Ng painstakingly puts together each dish according to color, and ensures that you literally taste a rainbow!

Floral tea

This being a floral café, it is fitting that we start with some floral tea.

Served in glass pots and delicate cups, the teas come in almost every color imaginable. Don’t these look like magic potions?

Relax fusion tea
SGD6.90++ (twin sharing)

The fusion teas are made with various herbs and flowers. The Relax tea, for example, is a pretty in pink concoction that comprises rose, rose hip and lemon verbena.

Butterfly blue pea
SGD6.90++ (twin sharing)

With its dramatic shade of purple-blue, the butterfly blue pea certainly makes an impression. The color is totally natural, courtesy of the butterfly pea flowers.

With practically hundreds of possible tea combinations, you can definitely find one that suits your mood!

6 colors

And now, let’s begin our gastronomic journey of colors!

Eden Rainbow salad
SGD9.90++

The Eden Rainbow salad arrives first, so named for its composition of 6 colors – red, orange, green, white, blue and brown. It consists of orange slices, blueberries, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and multi-grain bread, tossed in a dressing made from calamansi, apple cider vinegar and honey. The whole sweet combination is well put together, and I finish all of it in no time. Love the delightful dressing!

White

- Boost immune system
- Slow cholesterol absorption
- Promote heart health
- Contain antioxidants
- Help maintain a healthy cholesterol level

Dory Portobello mushroom with lemon thyme butter sauce

For this course, a cut of dory is served atop Portobello mushroom along with some mixed vegetables. The lemon zest and salted butter sauce is light and flavorful, but my favorite part of this dish is the mushroom that oozes delicious juices with each bite.

Green

- Build strong teeth
- Help build strong bones
- Boost immune system
- Promote eye health
- Offer antioxidants for healing and protection
- Reduce the risk of certain cancers

Prawns with Edamame peas pasta

The prawns with Edamame peas pasta is “green” due to the peas, asparagus and celery. And how are these green? Why, the chlorophyll of course! (Glad to know that those elementary science lessons haven’t failed me after all these years!) While the generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese lends some flavor, the pasta is a tad dry for me.

Blue and Purple

- Promote memory function
- Help promote urinary tract health
- Boost the immune system
- Help promote healthy aging
- Offer antioxidants for healing and protection
- Help reduce the risk of some cancers

Balsamic Ambrosia blueberry chicken

My personal favorite dish is the balsamic Ambrosia blueberry chicken. The boneless chicken cut is tender and moist, marinated over 24 hours in balsamic vinegar and a certain Chilean wine.

The Rucahue Ambrosia late harvest wine comes in a striking blue bottle. It smells fresh and crisp. Next time I’m gonna have a taste of it!

Yellow and Orange

- Help promote eye health
- Promote heart health
- Help reduce the risk of some cancers
- Contains antioxidants
- Boost immune system

Sauteed mushroom with Polenta and saffron cream sauce

The cornmeal Polenta with White Button mushroom slices, cherry tomato, saffron cream sauce and feta cheese brings the yellow to the table. As healthy as it sounds, I am not a fan of the texture of the Polenta. By this course, you would likely feel full, but without that unwelcome stuffed sensation.

Red and Brown

Brown
- Promote artery and heart health
- Help reduce the risk of diabetes
- Help reduce high blood pressure
- Offer antioxidants for healing and protection
- Help reduce the risk of stroke
- Help reduce the risk of certain cancers of the breast, prostate and colon

Modena mousse cake, chocolate ganache and hibiscus cheese filo

Ahh… desserts to curb your sweet tooth cravings! This is a trio of Modena mousse cake, chocolate ganache and hibiscus cheese filo.

The Modena mousse cake is sweet and sour. You probably won’t believe it, but amongst its many ingredients are balsamic vinegar and black pepper!

It is impossible not to love the chocolate ganache, which is a mould of dense chocolaty goodness!

Red
- Antioxidants for healing
- Promote heart health
- Promote urinary tract health
- Improve memory function
- Help reduce the risk of certain cancers

As for the hibiscus cheese filo (or phyllo), it is made with hibiscus (the national flower of Malaysia) and light cream cheese. The result is a beautiful pastry with a crispy skin, pink cheese layers and sweet fruity undertones. This is my favorite of the trio.

The 5-course meal is available at SGD55 a person.

Have Your Say!

Are you aware of the different color groups in food? Do you regularly pay attention to these colors while cooking and dining? Share with us below!

Eden Sanctuary Floral Cafe
China Square Central
18 Cross Street #01-16
Singapore 048423
(65) 6224 2298
Service:

Bus services: 61, 80, 145, 166, 197
Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon to Fri), 11am – 6pm (Sun)

Posted by Veron in Food category | Chinatown, healthy, salad, vegetarian

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On first glance, the restaurant at City Square Mall looks more like a beautifully themed bar than a pasta restaurant. The interior is decked out in black and red, with sensual touches of chandeliers, purple sheer curtains and gold-rimmed kitchen windows that decorate the dark walls.

Pasta Stylo is founded by Mr. Alvin Koh, the same flamboyant chef who is behind the Singapore Heritage Restaurant.

The bar is fringed by optical fiber lights in cool blue.

The restaurant decor was inspired by today’s youngsters “who dare to make statements with their personalised style of dressing, and their desire for difference”. This place does look like it would appeal to the young crowd!

Potato bacon soup

The potato bacon soup is thick and hearty, with diced onion, potato and bits of bacon for flavoring and garnish. It serves as a nice entrée to the main course.

Fowl of Arabica chicken chop
SGD13+

The pastas comprise a mixture of mostly fusion dishes, including the chili crab spaghetti, a dish that first became popular at the Singapore Heritage Restaurant.

I go for the exotic Fowl of Arabica chicken chop, which is a cut of juicy meat marinated in Arabian spices. It certainly packs a lot of flavor. The taste reminds me of satay peanut gravy, too! It suffices to say that I really enjoy this one.

To help counter the spices, the chicken is served with salad and pasta. Nothing too fancy here.

One drawback about dining here is that they don’t serve tap water, only bottled water. Kind of contradictory, considering that this is Singapore’s first eco-friendly mall and plastic bottles are hardly eco-friendly!

Service charges apply while GST is absorbed.

Have Your Say!

Have you ever visited a themed restaurant? Share your experience with us!

Pasta Stylo
City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Road #02-35/36
Singapore 208539
(65) 6509 8943 | Website
Service:

Bus services: 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 130, 139, 147, 857, NR6
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

Opening hours: 12noon – 10:30pm daily

Posted by Veron in Food category | City Square Mall, Jalan Besar, pasta, Singaporean

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Whether it is the brick walls, the square-shaped wooden tables and chairs, or the rows of ancient Chinese wine that fill the shelves, the quaint decor makes you feel as though you are in a period drama. To match the rustic ambience, the cooking certainly does not disappoint either.

Duck roasted with Ten Wonder herbs
SGD12.80-34.80++

The main specialty of this mid-priced restaurant chain is the herbal roast duck. You can choose from 3 types of herbs — Angelica herbs (Dang Gui), Ten Wonder herbs or wild ginseng.

The Ten Wonder herbs are basically a combination of ten herbs that include Codonopsis root, Chinese Foxglove root and licorice root. The herbs are supposed to promote longevity and soothe the mind. Feeling stressed? You know what to eat!

Apart from the obvious health benefits of the herbs, the duck meat is tender, juicy and soaked in the most delicious sweet sauce. Even for someone that prefers chicken over duck any day, this dish remains deeply enjoyable. Bonus: The thin crispy skin!

Braised shark’s fin broth with crab meat
SGD23-46++

As you can see, the braised shark’s fin broth is chock full of ingredients. Tinged with the sweetness of crab meat shreds, this easily trumps any shark’s fin soup at Chinese wedding banquets!

You would notice that many of the dishes on the menu are denoted with little red logos. These represent the Singapore Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Dining Program, which means that the dishes are cooked with less oil, salt and sugar.

Stir-fried lotus root with macadamia nut
SGD10.80-21.80++

One dish that I favor less is the lotus root with macadamia nut, but mostly because I am not a huge fan of the greens. The crunchy nuts are very much welcome though!

Stewed Ee-Fu noodle with Conpoy (dried scallop) & Golden mushroom
SGD8.80-17.80++

To fill the stomach, share a pot of the stewed Ee-Fu noodle. This is tossed with dried scallop and Golden mushroom. Cooked with sufficient flavor, it is one of the better renditions that we have had.

Garoupa slices with carrot sauce

The garoupa slices with carrot sauce is rather average and unmemorable.

Braised mushroom, sea cucumber & abalone
SGD29-59++

Love the braised mushroom, sea cucumber and abalone. The mushrooms are simply satisfying, oozing out delicious juices as you bite into each one.

D-Boiled Hashima
SGD5.30++

Dessert lovers should leave room for the chilled Hashima. This isn’t one for the squeamish though, as Hashima is made from — gulp! — the dried fallopian tubes of true frogs! Still, when it is made into a dessert like this, you kinda forget that the jelly-like substance actually comes from a frog. Served cold in a sweet soup with ginseng and red dates, this is light and refreshing.

Here are the aforementioned ancient Chinese wine. Does anyone else just wanna drink heartily?

Have Your Say!

What is your favorite Chinese restaurant? Share with us below!

Dian Xiao Er
Various outlets
Website
Service:

Posted by Veron in Food category | Chinese, healthy

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Just across the street from these two hotels lies the charming Nostalgia Hotel. With a name like that and its location in this historical neighborhood, it would surely appeal to history buffs!

At the hotel lobby, you would find Potion, a restaurant-bar with alfresco dining and live bands on certain nights. This is one of those places that have caught my eye many times before. One fine afternoon, we hop in for a drink and seek quick reprieve from the sun.

With the beautiful ornate mirrors on the wall and the classic wooden furniture, there looks to be some sort of a 1930s Shanghai vibe going on here, don’t you think?

Check out the line of antiques on display, no doubt to tie in with the nostalgia theme. I love the blue tiffin carrier with its pretty floral design (tiffin is an old English word for a light lunch).

An old radio jukebox. Radio Ga Ga!

At the bar, black and white floral murals adorn the walls.

With the plush seats and cushions, the lounge area is perfect for a relaxing chit-chat session with girl friends over a couple of drinks.

Love the ambience and the old-fashioned nostalgia. Next time round we’ll be back to check out the food.

Have Your Say!

If you are a history buff yourself, another place that offers a similar vibe is the Singapore Heritage Restaurant in Chinatown.

Do you know more of such places? Share with us below!

Potion
Nostalgia Hotel
77 Tiong Bahru Road
Singapore 168727
(65) 6808 1818 | Website
Service:

Bus services: 5, 16, 33, 63, 75, 123, 175, 195, 851, 970, NR5, 195A
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

Opening hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 6-11pm

Posted by Veron in Food category | alfresco/outdoor dining, bar, live football, live music, Tiong Bahru

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Ever since stumbling upon the Rendezvous buffet dinner quite by chance a few years ago, I have returned at least twice every year to feast on the goodies.

While the buffet is international style with both Western and Asian dishes tossed in the mix, what I love most is the seafood. If I could use one word to sum up the dinner buffet, it would be quite simply “crayfish” — loads and loads of it!

Over here, the staff always refill the trays once the food runs out. You can be sure to get a bellyful of the shellfish each time!

Of course, apart from that you can also indulge in other seafood such as baby octopus, crab legs and scallops. These go especially well with the Thai sweet chili sauce provided, among other dips.

Look, the canapé is topped with a slice of bak kwa (sweet barbecued pork)! These days, bak kwa sure is showing up in many unconventional dishes, including mooncakes!

Spot a running theme here? Yes, the crayfish is omnipresent on every dinner plate. That is my single most favorite item in the buffet spread.

As for desserts, a few durian specialties are offered. The blended durian purée is melt-in-your-mouth goodness. If you love durian mochi, you would absolutely enjoy this!

Then there’s also the hotel’s well known durian fudge cake that is filled with layers of soft durian pulp, minus the durian stench. Yum!

Perhaps what is lacking in this buffet is a nice chocolate fountain and more ice cream flavors.

Love the colorful picks!

International buffet
Lunch 12noon – 2:30pm: SGD37++ per adult
Dinner 6:30-10pm (Weekday/Weekend): SGD44++ / SGD47++ per adult

Promotion

This June, every child dines free with each paying adult. Wow! Check out the buffet promotion. Don’t forget to join our Facebook Page to get fresh updates of new dining deals!

Have Your Say!

Where is your favorite hotel buffet in Singapore? Share with us below!

Straits Café
Rendezvous Hotel
9 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189559
(65) 6335 1777 | Website
Service:

Bus services: 7, 14, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 131, 147, 14E, 162, 166, 167, 171, 174, 175, 190, 502, 518, 587, 590, 598, 700, NR7, 162M, 174E, 502A, 502B, 518A, 518B, 700A, 857
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

Posted by Veron in Food category | buffet, International, Rendezvous Hotel, seafood

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Wee Nam Kee is one of the few names that always pop up when people talk about their favorite Hainanese chicken rice, along with Boon Tong Kee, Tian Tian and a couple of others. Sure enough, a friend of mine proclaims it to be his favorite, and so we head down one afternoon to try it out.

As a testament to its long legacy and reputation, its premises at Novena Ville is full house with the lunchtime crowd! Never mind the hot weather and the lack of air conditioning at this no-frills eatery, people are practically swarming the place to get a plate of the ever-popular chicken rice. Here, they serve both the roasted and steamed versions.

Hainanese chicken rice
SGD4 for chicken breast / SGD4.80 for a drumstick

We order the rice with the steamed chicken served separately on the side. See how the skin glistens! Do you belong to the group that throw the doctor’s advice to the wind and eat it all, skin included, or do you carefully peel the skin away and eat just the flesh?

The chicken breast (my favorite part) is tender and moist even though it may well be the driest part of the bird. The star of this dish however is the sweet sauce that the meat is soaking in. I find that for chicken rice to be delicious, this sauce is the key. And this one is just wondeful — flavorful and fragrant with sesame oil, just the way I like it.

The rice is pretty decent, too, though paling in comparison to Tong Fong Fatt‘s fragrant rice.

Photo credit

Nonetheless, a good plate of Hainanese chicken rice is a find. Despite the brisk business, the staff are very quick and prompt in taking our orders and serving the food.

Have Your Say!

Where can you find the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore? Is it Wee Nam Kee, Tong Fong Fatt, Boon Tong Kee, Tian Tian or some other place? Share with us below!

Posted by Veron in Food category | chicken rice, Chinese, Hainanese, Novena

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When Andy Warhol said this in 1968, it gave rise to the expression “15 minutes of fame”. With Youtube, blogs and the sheer number of reality shows these days, it sure looks like anybody can easily get his dose of fame!

And now, the 15 minutes café at the LASALLE College of the Arts offers aspiring musicians a stage and their 15 minutes of fame.

With its lofty ceilings, long tables and floor-to-ceiling windows, the atmosphere at 15 minutes is that of a large, jovial cafeteria. The bar area on the lower floor comprises of tall tables, comfy lounge seats, a deejay station and a stage. Bands perform here live every Friday and Saturday.

The crowd here is largely the college students, although the café is also open to members of the public.

On an elevated platform lies the main dining area. This section is decked out like a school canteen, with long wooden tables and benches and menus written on chalkboards. The food served are the standard Western fares such as pastas, pizzas and fish and chips.

Fish & chips
SGD12.90++

One of the house specialties is the fish and chips, an ample portion served with homemade coleslaw and Cajun fries. The crumbed skin of the dory is light and crispy, while the inside is fleshy and moist with no fishy stench. The tartar sauce makes a delightful dip, too. Nice!

Even with the awesome cheese-stuffed fish and chips at Fish & Co as a benchmark, this one still impresses!

Extra cookie points are awarded to the accompanying Cajun fries. If you have tried the fries at Popeyes, you would love the ones here, too. Tinged in Cajun spices, these fries are tasty and crunchy!

Wasabi prawn pizza
SGD9.90++

We also venture into the pizzas and go for the wasabi prawn pizza. Done fusion style with tomato sauce, cheese, prawns, sesame seeds and wasabi mayo sauce, this pizza looks really good on paper!

For someone that loves wasabi, it is hard for me to not like a dish with wasabi in it. And that’s where this dish falters. There is almost no hint of wasabi in it at all, or cheese, or tomato sauce for that matter. What gives? To be brutally honest I actually have a hard time eating this one.

(Speaking of which, here’s a wasabi joke: What did Sushi A say to Sushi B? … What’s up B?)

Orange juice
SGD4.50++

The orange juice tastes suspiciously like orange syrup water. Hmm. That wooden reservation sign is a nice touch though!

Overall, this is a great place for chilling out with friends. Love the relaxing ambience! But next time round I’m going for a cold beer and some fish and chips. Also, it would be just perfect if they play Michael Jackson as opposed to the hip-hop that night. Alright, I’m aware that I’m probably just wishing for the moon (pun intended).

On a side note, how snazzy is the school building? It’s totally befitting of an arts college. Wow!

Have Your Say!

Are there any cafés and restaurants on your school campus worth visiting? Share with us below!

15 Minutes
LASALLE College of the Arts
1 McNally Street Block D #01-01
Singapore 187940
(65) 6333 5915 | Website
Service:

Bus services: 23, 48, 56, 57, 64, 65, 66, 67, 131, 139, 147, 166, 170, 851, 857, 960, 980, 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, NR6
Nearest MRT: Bugis, Little India

Opening hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Thur & Sat), 11am – 12midnight (Fri) (Closed on Sundays)

Posted by Veron in Food category | bar, Bugis, Little India, live music, pizza, Western

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Through a special custom-made iPad application, customers can peruse photos of the dishes, view suggested food and wine pairings, and read tasting notes. They can also indicate preferences such as how well they want their steak and whether to have fries to go along. Cool!

(Audio in Chinese)

Letting diners order food wirelessly is hardly a new thing. Local sushi chain Sakae Sushi has already done it using touch screen terminals. But the iPad offers additional functionality with its ready pool of great applications. For a start, we recommend these free dining apps. Plus, the iPad is just undeniably cool ;)

Source

Have Your Say!

Would iPads become a new trend in restaurants? Are you more keen to patronise a restaurant that uses iPads? Also…

Would you be getting an iPad? Why or why not? Share with us below!

Posted by Veron in FoodBytes, Tech category | iPhone apps

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Hawkers have also taken to adding XO cognac to soup, so much so that the XO fish head bee hoon (rice vermicelli) soup has become a dish that can stand on its own.

One place where you would find it is the Ming Kitchen Seafood Restaurant at a Holland Drive coffee shop (near Holland Village). If I’m not wrong, it occupies the former premises of Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hun.

XO fish head bee hoon soup
SGD7* (serves 2-3 persons)

Although this dish has been around for some time, it’s only my first time sampling it. To be frank I initially thought that the XO is simply a gimmick and there wouldn’t really be much of the liquor. Many Chinese dishes have XO in their names to add that wow factor, but the only “XO” in them is XO sauce.

That is why when the big bowl of soup arrives reeking of the strong smell of cognac, I get so impressed! Does anyone know what is the brand of XO that they use? They have a bottle of Remy Martin on display, but something tells me that’s not it.

The milky soup tastes just wonderful. It looks that they use quite a lot of the spirit. Even with that much soup, you can totally taste the XO, but without its bitterness. The only minus point is that the snakehead fish has way too many fine bones, and I happen to be terrified of choking on one.

(* I can’t remember the price of the soup. Sorry! My pitiful memory tells me it’s 7 bucks for a big bowl for two, but that just seems too… cheap, doesn’t it? Friend says it MIGHT have been $15. If anyone knows the price, please drop a note in the comments section. Thanks!)

Fried “five spices” prawn roll
SGD8

One dish that gets the perfect score is the fried “five spices” prawn roll. With the fragrant and succulent filling underneath a thin crisp skin, these deep fried rolls are just a pure delight to eat. Plus, they come with a wonderful sweet sauce dip that complement the taste. Very nice!

Have Your Say!

What do you think of using liquor in cooking/baking? Does it enhance the dish? What food would you most like to see with a liquor twist? Share with us below!

Posted by Veron in Food category | Chinese, coffee shop, Holland Village, seafood, Zi Char

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Men’s Health Magazine recently published a list of 20 worst drinks in terms of calories, fats and sugars. Not surprisingly, many of these beverages come from well-known fast food chains and coffee houses. Some are just downright scary.

To find out more about each of these individual drinks and the more healthful alternatives, check out the original article. Meanwhile, here’s a quick overview of the 20 worst drinks in the world.

20. Worst Water: Snapple Agave Melon Antioxidant Water (1 bottle, 20 fl oz)
- 150 calories, 0 g fat, 33 g sugars

19. Worst Bottled Tea: SoBe Green Tea (1 bottle, 20 fl oz)
- 240 calories, 0 g fat, 61 g sugars

18. Worst Energy Drink: Rockstar Energy Drink (1 can, 16 fl oz)
- 280 calories, 0 g fat, 62 g sugars

17. Worst Bottled Coffee: Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino (1 bottle, 13.7 fl oz)
- 290 calories, 4.5 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 45 g sugars

16. Worst Soda: Sunkist (1 bottle, 20 fl oz)
- 320 calories, 0 g fat, 84 g sugars

15. Worst Beer: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (1 bottle, 12 fl oz)
- 330 calories, 0 g fat, 32.1 g carbohydrates, 9.6% alcohol

14. Worst Kids’ Drink: Tropicana Tropical Fruit Fury Twister (1 bottle, 20 fl oz)
- 340 calories, 0 g fat, 60 g sugars

13. Worst Functional Beverage: Arizona Rx Energy (1 can, 23 fl oz)
- 345 calories, 0 g fat, 83 g sugars

12. Worst Juice Impostor: Arizona Kiwi Strawberry (1 can, 23 fl oz)
- 345 calories, 0 g fat, 81 g sugars

11. Worst Espresso Drink: Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with Whipped Cream (venti, 20 fl oz)
- 660 calories, 22 g fat (15 g saturated), 95 g sugars

10. Worst Lemonade: Auntie Anne’s Wild Cherry Lemonade Mixer (32 fl oz)
- 470 calories, 0 g fat, 110 g sugars

9. Worst Hot Chocolate: Starbucks White Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream (venti, 20 fl oz)
- 520 calories, 16 g fat (11 g saturated), 75 g sugars

8. Worst Frozen Coffee Drink: Dairy Queen Caramel MooLatte (24 fl oz)
- 870 calories, 24 g fat (19 g saturated, 1 g trans), 112 g sugars

7. Worst Margarita: Traditional Red Lobster Lobsterita (24 fl oz)
- 890 calories, 0 g fat, 183 g carbohydrates

6. Worst Float: Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Soda (vanilla ice cream and cola) (large, 28.6 fl oz)
- 960 calories, 40 g fat (25 g saturated, 1.5 g trans), 136 g sugars

5. Worst Frozen Fruit Drink: Krispy Kreme Lemon Sherbet Chiller (20 fl oz)
- 980 calories, 40 g fat (36 g saturated), 115 g sugars

4. Worst Frozen Mocha: Così Double Oh! Arctic Mocha (gigante, 23 fl oz)
- 1,210 calories, 19 g fat (10 g saturated), 240 g sugars

3. Worst Drive-Thru Shake: McDonald’s Triple Thick Chocolate Shake (large, 32 fl oz)
- 1,160 calories, 27 g fat (16 g saturated, 2 g trans), 168 g sugars

2. Worst Smoothie: Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus Grape (large, 40 fl oz)
- 1,498 calories, 44 g fat (8 g saturated), 214 g sugars

1. Worst Beverage in America: Cold Stone PB&C (Gotta Have It size, 24 fl oz)
- 2,010 calories, 131 g fat (68 g saturated), 153 g sugars

Posted by Veron in FoodBytes category | fast food

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If you know your burgers well enough, you would be highly familiar with Relish, located on the second storey of Cluny Court. This casual eatery that specializes in burgers is the subsequent venture of Chef Willin Low of Wild Rocket‘s fame.

Chef Willin’s philosophy of using only quality ingredients has extended beyond fine dining into the humble world of burgers. The idea of beef patties finally being regarded as the equivalent of a good piece of steak is one that burger lovers all around the world concur with. In my opinion, it is about time that beef patties get more respect and not remain as a way to eliminate leftovers and spare bits of a cow!

This gem of a place is set in a laid-back and cheerful atmosphere, thanks to the whitewashed walls, high loft-like ceilings and large windows that allow lots of natural light to stream in. Orange being the colour theme of the restaurant laces the entire place, from the restaurant’s logo and tees on the waitstaff to the large, funky cartoon wall mural by the entrance.

I’m a red meat kind of girl, so it was little wonder that my focus was largely on their beef burgers. There was a wide selection to choose from, ranging from popular evergreens like their Wildrocket Beef Burger to interesting fusions like the Char-Siew Pork Burger. Not to forget, the restaurant’s version and take of the cult favourite, Ram-Lee Burger.

Blue cheese and William pear beef burger
SGD16.50++ for 150g / SGD19.00 for 180g

My pick for the day, without a happy dilemma, was the blue cheese and William pear beef burger. The generous slab of beef patty was succulent and basically, a chunk of pure, medium-rare quality beef that makes for unadulterated chomping. It was sandwiched between the bleu auvergne (blue cheese), which provided enough highlights without being overly pronounced and juicy poached pear slices. As a cheese lover, I would have preferred them to go all out on the blue cheese, but that would probably have limited its audience.

Topped with rockets for a bite of bitter freshness with smatterings of walnut peanut butter spread, each individual character from every ingredient combines and shows up well, making this burger one of a kind.

Black cod burger
SGD15++

A new fixture to the menu was the black cod burger, the breaded black cod fillet reflecting a tan brown hue came bundled with roasted peppers and onions. Unfortunately, the sizable fillet, though deep-fried to a crispy texture, came across as dry and was too much to accept after continuous mouthfuls or simply termed as jelak. The drizzling of gherkin sauce did little to save the burger.

All burgers came accompanied with fries and you can switch them to onion rings with a top-up of 3 dollars. The former with their thick cuts and soft interiors was a better choice compared to the latter, which was slightly too brittle and thin to give much of a robust onion flavour.

Strawberry milkshake
SGD9.50++

In my world, a milkshake or root beer float is the perfect drink to wash down a burger. The strawberry milkshake was a delight with its thick and wholesome concoction, an effect achieved when fresh strawberries are used. Without being overly sweet and the lack of an artificial aftertaste, this will appeal to even the most health-conscious of customers. Further sips bring about a pleasant surprise in the form of strawberry bits!

There is even a Chocolate Cointreau for anyone who wants some oomph in an otherwise innocuous milkshake.

The factors that differentiate Relish from Chef Willin’s other burger bar, B3, is the sophistication of the ingredients used, the novelty of its offerings and the portioning. Without the overwhelming crowds, the quiet charm makes it a good place to hang out with buddies over a relaxed, hearty meal. Relish also carries a range of beers for those who fancy a lager or ale to go with their buns.

That one beef burger that I had that evening has gotten me intrigued and psyched up to explore and sample the other equally attractive-sounding offerings on the menu. No surprise that you’ll catch me there again, lapping up the others. Soon.

Guest author Joyce Ler derives joy in discovering the new and niche and rambles about almost anything under the sun on her blog, www.wildrocketing.blogspot.com. She seeks the little things in life, appreciates timeless aesthetics and usually over-indulges in food and retail therapy.

Contact us if you are interested to guest blog on Sparklette.

Posted by Veron in Food category | Bukit Timah, burger, Western

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Many of the larger restaurants such as Muthu’s Curry and Mustard can be found on Race Course Road. But do you know that directly adjacent to it is Chander Road which has the hidden gems? One such place is Gurkha Palace Restaurant, a Nepalese and Indian restaurant that is run by a Nepalese lady!

(We haven’t actually planned to have a meal then. But the lure of authentic Nepalese cuisine certainly piques our curiosity enough that we go in for a quick bite!)

Kukhura Makhani (butter chicken)
SGD8++

When we ask for recommendations, the waiter immediately points out that the Kukhura Makhani (butter chicken) is a must-try. This is chicken cooked with tomatoes, cream sauce and mild spice.

The dish arrives in a spectacular riot of colors, with many chunks of boneless tandoori chicken bobbing in the thick gravy. The gravy is quite salty and rich, infused with Nepalese herbs and spices. It’s pretty good, although it can get quite heavy after a while.

Cheese naan
SGD3.50++

What better way to mop up the gravy than with hot, fresh naan? We go for the oven-roasted cheese-stuffed naan which, rather peculiarly, tastes no different from the plain naan!

As usual, tearing apart the naan with our forks and spoons prove a challenge as we aren’t accustomed to eating with our hands… yet. Speaking of which, how do you eat your Indian food?

Nepalese special tea
SGD2++ / 5++ (cup / pot)

To wash everything down, we go for a pot of the Nepalese special tea with fresh milk. It tastes great!

At the end of the meal, you can pick from a selection of mouth fresheners at the counter. They include saunf (fennel seed) and some other unidentified seed/object.

Photo by Steel Wool

It looks like Nepalese food is very much similar to North Indian cuisine! If you need help remembering the name of this street, just think of Chandler from Friends!

Have Your Say!

A little birdie also told us that there is a little outdoor cinema along this street. Has any of you seen it?

Are you a fan of Indian/Nepalese cuisine? Where else have you tried Nepalese food? Let us know below!

Gurkha Palace Restaurant
Little India
51 Chander Road
Singapore 219548
(65) 6292 4316
Service:

Bus services: 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 131, 139, 147, 857, NR6
Nearest MRT: Little India

Opening hours: 11am – 3pm, 6 – 11pm

Posted by Veron in Food category | Indian, Little India, Nepalese

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