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Aerin’s – Chic Eats

Rating:

By Veron Ang

Just when I thought it would be a long time before I find another restaurant that’s worth raving about (like graze), along comes one that rekindles my hope.

Aerin’s, a modern European restaurant, is one of the bigger eating establishments at the Raffles City marketplace. With its dining area spread out prettily around a fountain, it would be hard for shoppers to miss a place like this. In case you’re wondering, Aerin’s is named after the owner’s daughter.

I had walked past Aerin’s on numerous occasions but hadn’t got around to actually dining there until last week. At night, the restaurant is softly lit with candles on each table, creating a cozy and chic ambience for diners. It was a full house on Friday evening, but we managed to get a table rather quickly.

Prawn Poppers

Prawn Poppers
S$10++
Rating:

For starters, we had the very cutely named Prawn Poppers. It was one of their newest items and appeared on the menu only last month! Covered with a light, tasty batter, the juicy prawns came with a homemade tartar dip that was worth every fattening calorie.

Santarina

Santarina
S$8++
Rating:

After watching us deliberate a long time over what drinks to order, our waitress recommended the Santarina. As its name suggests, this was actually a drink they made specially for Christmas! But with a yummy combination of passion fruit, cranberry, lemon, apple sparkling juice and soda water, I could have this all year long! It was the most refreshing drink ever!

Yakiniku Cod

Yakiniku Cod
S$23++
Rating:

My Yakiniku cod was baked and served with baby spinach and a huge mound of tagliatelle pasta. I didn’t really care for the pasta because the generous slab of cod fillet alone was more than enough to fill my stomach. Drenched in a very delightful and sweet Yakiniku sauce, the cod tasted heavenly!

If not for the few five-centimeter-long fish bones that I found, this would have been a five-star dish. It is possible for the chef to remove all fish bones like the Japanese do, no?

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore
S$19++
Rating:

Unlike the cod, the chicken Cacciatore was served boneless, thankfully. The chunky pieces had been cooked in a thick tomato gravy (a stark contrast from the soupy tomato base at The Mussel Guys!) and came with triangular slices of bread. The tomato gravy was herb-flavoured which on paper wouldn’t appeal to me much. But surprisingly I loved it!

Frankly, I had walked into Aerin’s expecting regular good food for the decent prices. But what I had was more than just regular good — it was outstanding! Throughout the course of the meal, I was oohing and ahhing over the excellent food. This was certainly the most satisfying meal I’ve had in 2007!

I rarely check out the same restaurant twice unless it’s really good, and Aerin’s certainly fits the bill. For that, Aerin’s gets a gold star and a smiley face from me :)

Aerin’s
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #B1-11/12
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6337 2231 | Website
Service:

Tags: City Hall, dinner, European, lunch, Raffles City, restaurant, western

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

Walter
72 comments

Yet another mouth watering post! The cod in particular looks very yummy.
Its amazing how you manage to find the time to visit so many restaurants and give such detailed reviews. Also, your posts on jewellery making which have very nice photographs of your pieces.
Perhaps if there is an award for most aesthetically pleasing blog, then I should nominate yours? For me, I try to pick nice pics and to write in a way that doesn’t lull readers to fall asleep. Can’t say that I have achieved that though but still trying.
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 7:25 am
Veron
3438 comments

Hey Walter,
I think you just explained why I don’t really have time to do much of anything else! Not complaining though — food and jewellery are two of my biggest loves! Haha!
By the by, I think you write very insightful blog entries. If there’s an award for that, I should nominate yours!
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 10:25 am
DT
9 comments

My my, that is an amzing looking dish! Especially since I have not have lunch yet. I better go eat, before I continue reading your blog!
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 10:28 am
Veron
3438 comments

Haha you better! It must be lunchtime at where you are! You know, sometimes I do get hungry when I look through my old archives.
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 10:34 am
I
13 comments

hi. i’ve been reading your blog for quite some time and i’m impressed by your food reviews. how about listing them if they’re halal? [although, unfortunately, most are not] that way, i won’t make wasted trips. (=
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey I,
That’s an excellent idea. I would keep that in mind from now on. Thanks for the suggestion!
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 2:18 pm
ashok
1 comment

Found your blog though MyBlogLog, and wow is it fun. You’ve done an amazing job of making the blog an interactive experience, almost like a home away from home online. It’s really nice, and I’m enjoying reading about food, which is one of those favorite topics of mine that I’m not skilled enough to write about.
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 4:15 pm
mervkwok
38 comments

Woohoo! Dishes look good but gasp, 8 bucks for a drink? :P
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 9:50 pm
pkchukiss
82 comments

I would do eat prawns, but only after they have been peeled, or are half-peeled. I am a very lazy eater, so if the food comes inside a shell/is riddled with bones, you will see it on my plate untouched.
Unless the lady in my life (currently my mom) nags me to get my Omegas :-)
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Walter
72 comments

Thanks for the plug Veron. Well, I try to do what I can, amidst challenges of a busy work schedule and need to perform husbandly and fatherly duties. BTW, do check out my latest post on Bangkok as a destination and appreciate your views:
http://coolinsights.blogspot.com/2007/01/bangkok-seas-hottest-tourism.html
Reply
Posted January 23, 2007 at 11:29 pm
damien
10 comments

hi,chanced upon your website when i was looking for good places to eat at,and wow,was i impressed! the pictures of the food look great,and the ‘narration’ makes me salivate..haha..i’ve bookmarked this website and will be returning often to see wat nice places are there to eat on this small island of ours!
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey ashok,
Love that you love my blog! From your email address, you must be a Lord of the Rings fan, no?
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey mervkwok,
Oh it was one-for-one, so effectively just $4 per drink. Phew!
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey pkchukiss,
I love prawns too and similarly, the peeling part turns me off especially if I have to do it by hand! Sometimes I get other people to do it for me. But I have also mastered the art of peeling with just a fork and spoon/knife. Yay!
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey Walter,
Thanks for sharing! I wonder if you’ve read about my 8-day solo trip to Thailand before? It’s been two years and I’m still reeling from the excitement. Wow!
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Veron
3438 comments

Hey damien,
Thank you for the encouragement! Would love to hear some of your recommendations too if you’ve got any!
Reply
Posted January 24, 2007 at 8:41 pm
py
183 comments

Thanks for the recommendations.
Reply
Posted January 26, 2007 at 11:16 pm