http://sparklette.net/food/osteomilk-osteosoy/ http://sparklette.net/food/osteomilk-osteosoy/#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 03:51:00 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1337 When it comes to the skin, collagen is often the buzz word on everyone’s lips. Especially in recent years, I have noticed several interesting products on the market that incorporate collagen, including sweet bottled drinks, Vitagen and even instant coffee!

A couple of products that caught my eye are the OsteoMilk and OsteoSoy health beverages made by a company called MarinEx.

OsteoMilk ( Halal certified)
S$12.80

Retails at FairPrice, OG and NHG Polyclinics

OsteoMilk is a low-fat milk powder containing pure milk calcium derived naturally from milk. The large amount of calcium available in each sachet (12 in a box) is equivalent to drinking half a litre of fresh milk! Of course, it also contains 1000mg of marine collagen.

OsteoSoy ( Halal certified)
S$9.80

Retails at FairPrice and OG

My favourite amongst the two is definitely OsteoSoy, which tastes like a deliciously concentrated soy milk drink. At times when I’m feeling a little peckish, a cup of OsteoSoy does the trick, while giving a healthy dose of calcium and collagen at the same time.

Making these drinks is easy enough; simply add warm water and stir, much like how you would with 3-in-1 coffee sachets, though do avoid using hot water which may break down the nutrients.

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It’s our first time trying out this Thai food delivery service. The 6 dishes we ordered arrived within 90 minutes, piping hot and ready to be served. Each dish is packed neatly in its own plastic container.

As far as aesthetics go, we are really not expecting any artistic arrangements of food served out of plastic containers, but the food sure smells yummy enough to get our cat interested. And cats, as you may know, are incredibly finicky eaters. Not that we fed him any of it anyway.

The food, as it turns out, is remarkably good!

Everyone’s Favourite Pineapple Rice
S$5.50

From the rice menu, Everyone’s Favourite Pineapple Rice is extremely fragrant, and also includes a crown of meat floss and cashew nuts. As the food is Halal certified, I assume it is chicken floss.

Thai belachan kangkong
S$4.95 for small / S$7.50 for medium

The Thai belachan kangkong is initially a downer as the vegetable is mostly soaked in what looks to be chilli oil. Surprisingly, it is easily the best-tasting dish of the night as the oily soup goes great with rice. For spicy food lovers, this one scores 10/10 on the fiery factor and will instantly clear your sinuses.

Tom Yum seafood
S$6.95 for small / S$10.50 for medium

There are three options for tom yum soup; you can order it with chicken, prawn or seafood, or perhaps even try the coconut milk version. This tangy Thai classic is a decent rendition, though my favourite is still at Joe’s Thai Kitchen.

Thai green curry chicken
S$5.50 for small / S$8.50 for medium

The Thai green curry chicken is also satisfying, though not quite exceptional.

Deep fried sweet & sour sliced fish
S$9.50 for small / S$12.95 for medium

The only disappointing dish in our meal is the deep fried sweet & sour sliced fish, which happens to be one of the priciest items on the menu. For the price, the serving of fish is less than generous, and the taste forgettable.

Overall, Thai to Go serves up a number of hits and a few misses. As a Thai food fan who’s looking for convenience without compromising on quality much, I will certainly look forward to ordering again. There is a delivery charge of S$3 which is very reasonable, especially when you compare it with the taxes and service charges at a restaurant.

What is your favourite food delivery service? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Thai to Go Food Delivery

Thai to Go ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6396 9696 | Website

Opening hours: 10:45am – 9:15pm daily
Delivery charge: S$3

Thai to Go The Dine-in

Thai to Go The Dine-in ( Halal certified)
Sembawang Cottage
369 Sembawang Road #01-05
Singapore 758382
Tel: +65 6758 2110

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/thai-to-go/feed/ 4 http://sparklette.net/food/hello-kitty-mooncakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/hello-kitty-mooncakes/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:18:12 +0000 Guest Writer http://sparklette.net/?p=1218

The Polar Puffs & Cakes bakery chain has once again brought back the ever popular character snowskin mooncakes featuring Hello Kitty and Disney friends, Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh.

Character mooncakes
S$22 for a box of 4

In addition to the two new flavours, pandan lotus and black sesame, the must-have flavours of white lotus and double chocolate have made a return. For Mooncake Festival 2011, you can mix and match any four flavours and characters (S$5.50 each) in a box for S$22.

You can also either choose the much-improved Hello Kitty designer box or the usual Disney friends box. We decide to go for the Hello Kitty pretty in pink box which has two compartment levels that swivel in opposite directions to reveal the mooncakes.

After buying the mooncakes, we just can’t wait to gobble them up. But once you open the box, you will find it difficult to eat something so cute and delicate. It took me quite a while to eat just a quarter of the Hello Kitty mooncake — I actually spent a longer time admiring it!

The mooncakes are all oh so yummy-licious and my favourite flavour is now the black sesame!

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What mooncakes are you buying this year? Share with us in the comments!

Polar Puffs & Cakes ( Halal certified)
All outlets
Website

Yahya Ayob blogs about his travel adventures, random food finds, exotic car huntings, social events and more at prodigious.sg.

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/hello-kitty-mooncakes/feed/ 3 http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/ http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1203 Having met the stringent requirements, Asian Market Café at Fairmont Singapore is now halal certified. During the month of Ramadan, the restaurant rolls out the authentic flavours of the Middle East combined with traditional Malay cuisine, boasting an extensive spread including pan-Asian cuisines and local favourites with live cooking stations, fruit and salad stations and a dessert station.

Ramadan dinner buffet
S$55++ per adult / S$30++ per child (6-12 years)

Separate male and female prayer areas adjacent to Asian Market Café are available, and the traditional fast breaking experience is further enhanced with television monitors placed around the restaurant indicating Salat al Magrib (the time to break fast). Each table is provided with a complimentary plate of dates and a serving of ayram (yoghurt drink) to be consumed upon breaking fast.

The dim lighting lends a distinctive cosiness, but you can choose to sit at the area closer to the food stations if you prefer somewhere brighter. Roomy with ample seats, the atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, and a great place to bring foreign friends to experience authentic Asian cuisines.

Commence your meal at the fruit or salad stations; the fresh produce will get your appetite pumping for the main course.

Toss up your salads with the condiments and dressings provided.

Bamboo shoot with baby shrimp

Nyonya Achar

Grab some fresh buns, pita, crispy crackers or papadam to pair with the nutritional hummus spreads and Farrosh salad.

Tabbouleh

Chickpea salad

Kimchi

Savour the high notes of briny freshness as you slurp on the juicy oysters. The sizeable molluscs are soft, fleshy and distinctively fresh; you wouldn’t mind loading your plates with this low calorie appetising food that has lots of health benefits!

The Japanese cuisine offered includes various sushi, mini servings of soba and chawanmushi.

Clockwise from top: Fresh oysters, chawanmushi, turmeric chicken, deep fried fish, salmon sashimi

Kept warm in a traditional bamboo steamer, the tasty chawanmushi is light and so smooth that it slides right down your throat.

The hot favourite salmon sashimi gets polished off very quickly, so the staff will be busy replenishing them the entire evening!

Chicken Shawarma with condiments

The sumptuous buffet is complemented by live action stations that include meat carving, satay grilling and roti prata making, where you can watch the chefs show off their nifty skills!

The “Ouzi-style” lamb leg from the carving station looks juicy and tempting.

Satay (meat skewers)

The fried oyster omelette is the ultimate crowd pleaser. The chef is kept busy the entire night as the dish gets wiped out as soon as it gets to the tray! This dish certainly does not lose out to the famous hawkers out there! The ratio of flour, egg and oyster is perfect, and the aroma certainly attracts diners to the station like bees to honey!

The deep fried mantau (bun) is yummy enough to be eaten on its own — crispy on the outside and not oily. It also pairs the chilli crab gravy perfectly. Time to get your hands dirty!

Fried beehoon (rice vermicelli)

Nasi goreng (fried rice)

The sambal stingray is flavourful with a slightly spicy sauce that is bursting with richness. The stingray is slightly tough; a little tenderness would have made it a perfect dish.

Deep fried fish with Thai spicy sauce

The deep fried fish with Thai spicy sauce is amongst the top favourites. The batter insulates the fish so well that the flesh remains tender. The sauce isn’t over-the-top fiery and the spices are well integrated.

Turmeric chicken

The turmeric imparts an exotic fragrance to the chicken. The only disappointment is that the chicken turns out to be a little dry for my liking, though it certainly does not lack the taste factor.

Sayur Lodeh (Indonesian vegetables in coconut curry)

Sambal Udang Belimbing (spicy sambal prawns)

Daging Lembu Masak Lada Hitam

Nonya chap chai (mixed vegetables)

Nonya chicken

Kabsah Dajaj (Arabian “Briyani” with tomato and onion braised chicken on tomato rice)

The intense flavours and well-defined grains make a well-executed Arabian briyani. You will find this hard to resist once the aroma reaches your nostrils!

Foul Modmes (braised broad beans with tomato, onion and spices)

Ayam Panggang (roasted chicken with fresh spices)

The ayam panggang has to be my favourite chicken dish! The well-seasoned chicken is lip-smacking tasty and tender, unlike a few of the chicken dishes in the spread that turn out a little tough.

Mutton rendang

The mutton rendang is well executed in terms of texture, creaminess of the thick curry, the spiciness that is just right, and the robust aroma. There is no gamy smell at all.

Beef Semur (Indonesian beef stew)

If you like your meat well done, you will enjoy the aromatic beef semur — well marinated and full of flavour. The beef may be a little chewy for some who enjoy their meat done slightly rare, but the authenticity of this dish is definitely evident.

For the adventurous, you can try the exotic Moroccan Harira soup with chickpeas. The various textures from the chunks of tomato, lentil and chickpeas is palpable in every spoon. The soup is slightly thick and perfectly seasoned.

Soup Samunpai (Thai herbal soup)

Those with a lighter palate will enjoy the nourishing Thai herbal soup consisting of chicken, dates, ginseng and other herbs. The chicken meat is so tender — with no traces of fat — it falls apart easily. The soup is flavourful and must have been simmered for hours!

Laksa

Cook your own piping hot bowl of laksa with many condiments provided. Laden the noodles with the thick and rich laksa gravy that smells absolutely mouthwatering.

Roti prata (Indian pancake) station

Hop over to the roti prata station and watch the master in action, from kneading the dough to flipping the roti prata, and finally cooking it on the flat grill. You can have the traditional plain prata or egg prata, perhaps even a cheese prata! The friendly chef will gladly oblige to your requests as long as the ingredients are available.

Roti prata (Indian pancake)

The prata is perfectly browned, crispy on the outside with an eggy interior. Amazingly, it does not feel oily at all. Drench it in the accompanying fish curry, and you’re all set. The fragrant curry is so tasty, I am tempted to drink it like soup!

Teh tarik

You can order a cup of teh tarik at the live station, where your tea is pulled till foamy and frosty.

An aromatic cup of coffee is available upon order.

Save room for desserts — a dazzling array of sweet indulgence awaits!

Sweet papaya soup

For something healthful, go for the sweet papaya soup with white fungus, ginger and dates.

Nyonya kueh

The beautiful array of Nyonya kueh neatly arranged in contrasting colours sure make you want to sample every piece!

Cincau Soya

Ang Ku Kueh

Crème caramel flan

Baked jackfruit tart

The jackfruit tart is baked perfectly with a nice crispy texture that is slightly crumbly. The buttery tart has tiny bits of the fruit.

Macau egg tarts

Rice pudding

Turkish semolina cake

Unlike most cakes that are light and airy, the Turkish semolina cake is rich and slightly dense, and yet does not feel heavy on the palate. There is an extra punch of flavour from the orange zest that adds a fragrant citrusy zing. The texture is perfect and the cake isn’t crumply; cake lovers have to try this.

Durian fans must not miss the rich durian purée, a best-seller at Asian Market Café for more than 15 years!

You may also try your hand at making your own ice kacang (shaved ice dessert) at the ice grinding machine with various syrups and toppings.

Service is prompt and swift, and in fact, a little too efficient at times. You may not want to leave your food unattended, as it may be cleared once you leave the table!

The vast variety of delectable food offered at the Asian Market Café Ramadan buffet will make you wish for an extra stomach. Definitely a memorable Buka Puasa experience.

The buffet is available until August 30, 2011.

What is your favourite type of rice dumplings? Are you a traditionalist or do you prefer new flavours? Tell us in the comments!

Asian Market Café ( Halal certified)
Fairmont Singapore, level 2
80 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189560
Tel: +65 6431 6156 | Website

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And the best part? It is halal certified!

Hot plate beancurd
S$16 (medium serving)

For side dishes and starters, we usually order the hot plate beancurd and fried mixed vegetable.

Fried mixed vegetable
S$12 (medium serving)

At a recent dinner here, we also order three main dishes to spice things up. Let’s start with the chicken, shall we?

Steamed whole chicken
S$30

Even before you dig in, the presentation of the steamed whole chicken already teases your taste buds, its glistening skin resting on the fleshy white meat. The meat is tender and flavoursome even when eaten alone without having to dip into the chilli or soy sauce.

Crispy cereal prawns
S$30

As for the crispy cereal prawns, the prawns are hidden within the mountain of fried cereal. The shellfish are plump and very crunchy!

Black pepper crab
S$72

And behold, the black pepper crab! Even as I am munching down on the prawns, I am in awe once the crabs arrive. They are huge! The best part is that the claws have already been cracked for our convenience, a very thoughtful gesture from the chefs in the kitchen. The crab meat is incredibly soft, and the size of each chunk is bigger than my two thumbs combined. That’s two thumbs up from me!

One noteworthy dish that has not been photographed here is the restaurant’s signature Hainanese chicken rice. It is quite amazing and every second of chewing the polished rice would leave you tingling with goodness! Well, don’t take my word for it, go try it for yourself!

What are the good halal Chinese restaurants in SIngapore? Share with us in the comments!

Mackenzie Rex Restaurant ( Halal certified)
Website

Opening hours: 11:30am – 10pm daily

Mackenzie Rex Restaurant Selegie

Mackenzie Rex Restaurant Changi

Yahya Ayob blogs about his travel adventures, random food finds, exotic car huntings, social events and more at prodigious.sg.

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/mackenzie-rex-restaurant/feed/ 3 http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/ http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 03:00:55 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1140 Old Chang Kee is probably most famous for their curry puffs. With a food kiosk at every other shopping mall, you can say that their curry snacks have dominated the local food scene. Do you think Old Chang Kee sells the best curry puffs in Singapore?

Apart from their famous curry puff, Old Chang Kee also has a wide range of finger foods such as spring rolls, breaded prawns, chicken wings and crab nuggets. I am quite a fan of the nuggets. In my teenage days, I used to buy these after school to snack on. They come in skewers, and you can help yourself to the sambal chilli which is so savoury as a dip.

The history of Old Chang Kee began with the humble curry puff in 1956. That makes the company older than Singapore herself! It started from a small stall at a coffee shop outside the former Rex cinema along McKenzie Road. People loved the puffs, and the rest is history.

Old Chang Kee curry puffs
S$1.30

Every curry puff is a pouch stuffed full with curry potatoes, chicken chunks, a slice of egg, and fried with several herbs and spices. With that very first bite, the curry aroma comes wafting out. Other than that, the curry flavour does somewhat lack punch, although it still makes a satisfying snack due to the ample filling. A couple of these pastries can be a meal by itself.

Apart from the Old Chang Kee curry puff, there is another curry puff that has stood the test of time. This one is my personal pick for the best curry puff in Singapore. The Tong Heng curry puff has a unique shape and flavour. It is a totally different rendition from your typical curry puff — much sweeter on the palate — and tastes so, so good. You’ve got to try it, too!

Are Old Chang Kee curry puffs the best curry puffs in Singapore? If not, where can you find the best curry puffs in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Old Chang Kee ( Halal certified)
Website

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This is a nice thing that Swensen’s is doing. I visited Siem Reap a few years back and absolutely love the place. Tourists visit the laid-back town mainly to see the beautiful Angkor temples. The locals are friendly and honest, although there is a sad side.

At a tender age, many children have to take to the streets to sell wares to tourists. Amputees are a common sight. Despite not having much money, the Cambodians seem happy and content with life. If buying palm sugar would help these down-to-earth people in any way, I am all for it.

Palm fruit
S$7.90 a pint
Rating:

The imported palm sugar actually costs more than regular sugar. But the products are priced lower to encourage customers to buy them. For instance, the chendol and palm fruit ice cream are available at S$7.90 a pint, far cheaper than the S$10.80 for other flavours at Swensen’s. These iced desserts are healthful, delicious, and now have one heck of a background story.

Palm sugar is extracted from the sap of palm trees. To extract the sap, Cambodian men use long bamboo poles to climb tall trees, slash the flower buds, tie bamboo containers under the buds and leave them to collect the sap. Once collected, the Cambodian women then pour the sap into a huge pan, boil and stir it for several hours until it thickens to solid form.

Chendol
S$7.90 a pint
Rating:

The traditional South East Asian dessert drink chendol has been given an icy twist. The ice cream is made in a shade of light green, packed with green coconut jellies and red beans.

For those of you who need more “oomph”, these socially responsible flavours are also manifested in Swensen’s ice cream sundaes.

The Palm Paradise (S$6.90++) comprises scoops of palm fruit ice cream added with peaches, nata de coco and topped with palm sugar syrup and desiccated coconut.

The Chendol Delight (S$8.50++) comes served with bountiful scoops of chendol ice cream smothered in palm sugar syrup, served with a generous serving of red bean, chendol jelly and palm fruits.

It looks like Snowy the Cat has taken an interest in the ice cream.

As for me, I am content with tucking into the pints of palm sugar-made ice cream. The texture is creamy smooth and the taste is light yet delicious. Plus, there is that feel-good vibe from eating it, knowing that albeit small, it is an indirect way of helping the Khmer people. You can grab a pint or a sundae from any Swensen’s outlet.

Know any companies with socially responsible initiatives? Share with us in the comments!

Swensen’s ( Halal certified)
- Bugis Junction
- Bukit Panjang Plaza
- Causeway Point Shopping Centre
- Changi Airport Terminal 2
- Chinatown Point
- Compass Point Shopping Centre
- Funan DigitaLife Mall
- Holland Village
- IMM BuildingBuilding
- ION Orchard
- Junction 8
- Jurong Point
- Marina Square
- Northpoint Shopping Centre
- Parkway Parade
- Plaza Singapura
- Suntec City Mall
- Tampines Mall
- Thomson Plaza
- Toa Payoh
- United Square Shopping Mall
- West Mall
Tel: +65 6788 8128

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Located on the ground level of Wanderlust boutique hotel, COCOTTE serves up unpretentious, rustic French cuisine in an eclectic setting. Just for Mother’s Day, the French restaurant would be open for brunch, dishing up items like egg cocotte with foie gras, escargot gougeres and hormone-free roast chicken.

Available from 11am – 3pm on May 8.

Oriole Cafe & Bar

Full English breakfast at Oriole Cafe & Bar

Wake up and smell the coffee at Oriole Cafe — a not-so-secret brunch option. The “lazy Sunday brunch” promotion offers choices like the full English breakfast (S$17++), featuring pork sausage, bacon, mushroom, fried sunny egg and toast, Moroccan lamb merguez sausages (S$17++), served with braised chickpeas, spinach, feta and sunny egg, and a classic Brioche French toast (S$12++) paired with crispy bacon and pure maple syrup.

• Check out our review of Oriole Cafe.

Available from 10:30am – 3pm on May 8.

Aerin’s

Open-face omelette at Aerin’s

Aerin’s at Raffles City Shopping Centre has a buy 3 get 1 free promotion for Mother’s Day, i.e., mothers get a free main course with every three accompanying main courses ordered. You can pick from Sunday brunch options such as full English breakfast and open-face omelette, or the lunch menu such as fish and chips, Aerin’s burger and seafood casserole.

• Check out our review of Aerin’s.

Available from 11:30am – 3pm on May 8.

Hotel Re!

Muslim friends need not feel left out. Partake in the halal international buffet at Hotel Re! during the Mother’s Day weekend. The hearty spread includes favourites like laksa and roti prata (made live), grilled lamb chop, roast chicken, salmon sashimi, Caesar salad and more. If you like, go for the dinner buffet on Saturday, or alternatively the brunch buffet on Sunday. (S$32.80++ per adult, S$19.80++ per child aged 4-12)

Tip: Hotel Re! Facebook fans are rewarded with attractive discounts!

Available from 6 – 10pm on May 7; 11am – 3pm on May 8.

Kinki Restaurant + Bar

Enjoy brunch with an impressive view at Kinki Restaurant + Bar. Located on the second floor of Customs House at Collyer Quay, the restaurant boasts a breathtaking view of the Marina Bay waterfront and skyline that Mom will absolutely love.

The très chic restaurant is introducing a special Mother’s Day brunch promotion. Kick off the meal with appetisers such as pan-seared tuna salad with Gobo and wasabi cream dressing (S$18++). Tantalising mains comprise pulled Kurobuta pork belly sandwich (S$25++) and slow roasted US prime short rib with wasabi potatoes (S$28++). As for desserts, take your pick from crepe with green tea Ice Cream, candied red bean, chocolate and whipped cream (S$10++), and vanilla ice cream cake (S$13++).

Mother’s Day Lunch/Dinner

Dian Xiao Er

Duck roasted with Ten Wonder herbs at Dian Xiao Er

With restaurants decked out like ancient Chinese inns, it’s almost as though you have gone back in time at Dian Xiao Er. Apart from the unique décor, the dishes are also consistently good. My Mom personally approves! The Mother’s Day sets include the popular herbal roast duck, stewed Ee-Fu noodles and braised shark’s fin broth with crab meat. Our favourite dish? Definitely the roast duck with Ten Wonder herbs.

• Check out our review of Dian Xiao Er.

Putien

Steamed lobster with minced garlic at Putien

Putien is celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with seven specially prepared dishes dedicated to moms and dads. With ingredients such as cordyceps, red date and bird’s nest, these dishes are mostly braised, baked or steamed. Not only do they taste good, they’re good for you — just like home-cooked food. Prices range from S$9.90++ for an individual portion of baked scallop in egg white to S$93.90++ for a large serving of braised shark’s fin with crab meat and cordyceps.

Available throughout May and June.

Red House Seafood Restaurant

Chilli crab with man tou (steamed bun) at Red House Seafood Restaurant

For a scenic waterfront view, pamper Mom with a luxurious feast of seafood treats at Red House Seafood Restaurant. Some highlights are the seafood platter, steamed fresh razor clam, pan-fried Canadian cod fish, braised Boston lobster and the must-have signature chilli crab or black pepper crab. I am not sure if the delicious chrysanthemum tea jelly from their Chinese New Year specials has been retained, but if it’s still available, I recommend it for your dessert. (S$398 – 888++ for 10 persons)

Available from May 6-8.

Shahi Maharani North Indian Restaurant

Hungry for more exotic flavours? Take Mom to Shahi Maharani North Indian Restaurant. The exquisite lunch buffet features an assortment of Indian delicacies complete with freshly prepared chaats (Indian street food), sizzling kebabs, mouthwatering curries and spiced desserts. Mothers get a free door gift, and also dine for free when they are accompanied by a paying adult son or daughter. (S$42++ per adult, S$32++ per child aged 4-10)

Zhou’s Kitchen

Braised pork shank at Zhou’s Kitchen

One of my family’s favourites is the Tung Lok-run Zhou’s Kitchen. Some dishes are a marriage between tradition and innovation, such as the creative coffee pork ribs with almond flakes. Other house specialties include the braised pork shank, dumplings and steamed crab with glutinous rice.

• Check out our review of Zhou’s Kitchen.

Bedrock Bar & Grill

Bedrock Bar & Grill celebrates Mother’s Day a day earlier on Saturday, May 7, which all Singaporeans now know as Polling Day. With every purchase of the S$32++ set lunch, Mom gets the set free!

The three-course set comes with a soup, followed by a choice of enticing main courses such as US rib-eye fillet with Diane sauce, or smoked aged cheddar chopped steak with Gorgonzola sauce. Sides feature a choice of creamed spinach, mac and cheese, sautéed mushrooms or rocket and parmesan salad. Dessert is the Bedrock signature apple crumble.

Available on May 7.

Heart Bistro

Steamed chicken in Chinese wine and chicken essence at Heart Bistro

Heart Bistro at Palais Renaissance has created an extravagant multi-course meal promotion for Mother’s Day. The menu includes the all-time favourite steamed chicken in Chinese wine and chicken essence, braised beef cheeks and strawberry trifle. Every party of at least two would receive complimentary home-made cookies. (S$98 / 188 / 288 / 388 / 488++ for 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 10 persons)

Available on May 8.

Mother’s Day High Tea

Goodwood Park Hotel

Durian mousse cake at Goodwood Park Hotel

If Mom is a durian fan, why not use this opportunity to pamper her with an array of durian pastries at the Goodwood Park Durian Fiesta? The perennial favourite durian mousse cake is available at the Deli (S$9 per slice) along with other sweet treats like durian puffs, ice cream cakes and éclairs. For a more intimate celebration at home, these items are available for take-out.

• Check out our review of Goodwood Park Durian Fiesta.

Novus Café

Mother’s Day high tea at Novus Café

Housed at the charming National Museum of Singapore, Novus Café is offering a high tea set (S$40++) this Mother’s Day. Arranged on an elegant tiered tray is a smorgasbord of tasty canapés such as crab meat toast and salmon and white radish, and delicious nibbles like pink macaron, chocolate and Baileys truffles, and mini strawberry and cream scones. The set serves two, and can be washed down with the free flowing coffee and tea. If it’s nice out, you can even choose to dine out in the courtyard.

That’s not all; every order of the high tea set gets you a complimentary pair of museum tickets. There are 50 tickets up for grabs, so hurry!

Available from 3-6pm on May 8.

• Check out our review of Novus Restaurant & Bar.

Concorde Hotel

Afternoon tea at Concorde Hotel

For an indulgent afternoon tea session, bring your family to Spices Cafe at Concorde Hotel. The afternoon tea buffet features a diverse selection including mango prawn rolls, Thai salad, cream of asparagus with scallops, mee siam, Manzo Brasato beef, octopus fritters, chocolate fountain, mango purée, crème brûlée, and more. Book a table for 3 or more paying adults, and Mom dines for free! (S$42++ per adult, S$20++ per child aged 3-12)

Available from 12-5pm on May 7 & 8.

The hotel is also offering an international buffet dinner where you can indulge in avocado and crab meat cocktail, lobster bisque, marinated crocodile ribs with Chinese herbs, drunken prawns, soft shell crab with chicken floss, durian puff, and much more. (S$55++ per adult, S$25++ per child aged 3-12)

Available from 6:30 – 10pm on May 7 & 8.

Where do you plan to take your Mom this Mother’s Day? Do you follow any special family traditions? If you decided to follow our suggestions, let us know in the comments!

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/mothers-day-singapore-restaurant-promotions/feed/ 4 http://sparklette.net/food/adam-road-nasi-lemak/ http://sparklette.net/food/adam-road-nasi-lemak/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:00:57 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1093 Nasi lemak fans would no doubt be familiar with the famous “Adam Road nasi lemak“, referring to one particular stall at the Adam Road Food Centre. The exact name of this supremely popular stall is Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, rumoured to be the best nasi lemak in Singapore.

Late one afternoon when a craving hit, I decide to drive down specially to grab some of the coconut-flavoured rice meal. It’s only my first time visiting the stall but spotting it is easy enough; it’s the stall with the longest queue and a prominent LCD display. After 20 minutes in the queue, I am proudly holding a plate of the famous nasi lemak. The friendly seller even threw in a potato patty for free. Perfect for the taste test.

The Selera Rasa nasi lemak is sold in sets with prices ranging from S$2.50 to S$5.50 depending on the ingredients. Every set has a catchy name like Full House or Royal Rumble.

Nasi Lemak
S$2.50 – 5.50
Rating:

The S$5 “Royal Flush” set includes an otah (spicy fish meat wrapped in banana leaf), a begedil (potato patty), a deep-fried chicken wing and a fried egg. All sets come with the obligatory ikan bilis (dried anchovies), cucumber slices and a large serving of coconut-flavoured rice teamed with a spicy sambal sauce.

As far as hawker food goes, this is a relatively expensive plate of nasi lemak. You can easily get cheaper renditions at places like Madam Tan’s or the air-conditioned Qi Ji outlets. But if what people say is true, then paying a little more for the best nasi lemak in Singapore is definitely worth it.

Thanks to the coconut milk, the rice is extremely fragrant, certainly among the best I have savoured when it comes to nasi lemak. The chilli sauce is sweet-tasting and very addictive, with enough fire to excite your taste buds. The seller doesn’t scrimp on it either.

As for the chicken, you get a sizeable wing with an appealing golden crusty skin that is perfectly crispy. Sinful, yes, but deeply satisfying. Owing to the brisk sales, the chicken wing is freshly fried.

While the potato croquette is a popular item that I observe many customers order, I don’t find it particularly tasty or memorable. It’s probably just not my cup of tea.

Overall, Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak delivers what it does best — a truly delicious plate of nasi lemak, quite possibly the best in Singapore. Just be prepared to queue if you want to enjoy the food. And it will be worthwhile.

Where can you get the best nasi lemak in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak ( Halal certified)
Adam Road Food Centre
2 Adam Road #01-02
Singapore 289876
Tel: +65 9843 4509

Opening hours: 7am – 6pm (Closed on Fridays)

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Launched on March 1, it is almost impossible to miss the massive marketing campaign that runs with the line “Make it Better, Make it Chicken McGrill” on TV, newspapers, and the internet. The fast food giant has even introduced an enticing limited period 1 for 1 offer that has spread virally on Twitter and Facebook.

TV Commercial

The new Chicken McGrill boasts a bakery-style sourdough bun and whole chicken thigh meat. Like many eager Singaporeans that bought so many of these burgers that they sold out on day one, I can’t help but get curious about this new menu offering. Is it as good as all the hype is making it out to be?

Unboxing the Chicken McGrill

The burger comes in a yellow and white box, printed with vivid details that really makes one salivate!

As advertised, the Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill contains a large cutlet of grilled chicken thigh meat, whole-leaf lettuce and a pair of succulent tomato slices sandwiched between sourdough bun. Sourdough is specially chosen for this burger apparently because the mouth-feel complements the grilled chicken.

Teppanyaki Chicken McGrill
S$5 – 5.50 depending on outlet / S$5.55 for McDelivery
Rating:

Seasoned in teppanyaki marinade and slathered in chargrill sauce, the meat is tender and thoroughly flavoured throughout. Yes, skin is included too. The lettuce and tomatoes are certainly fresh. My only gripe is that the large amount of sour cream does somewhat overwhelm the savoury flavours of the chicken.

Overall, this is a much-welcome new item on the menu, and I am looking forward to the rest of the Chicken McGrill series. Without the 1 for 1 coupon though, paying $5.50 for a burger ($8 for the meal) may be hard to swallow. Here’s hoping that McDonald’s would reduce the price of the burger eventually.

Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries

Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries
S$2.55
Rating:

A McDonald’s fast food meal would not be complete without french fries. So, we go for a portion of the crowd-pleaser Honey Chipotle Shaker Fries.

The orange-coloured seasoning salt comes in a separate sachet, along with a brown paper bag for you to shake the fries. Shake it up baby!

With the light dusting of the zippy spicy and sweet honey chipotle flavouring, these french fries have been transformed into a flavour bonanza! They taste absolutely delightful, miles ahead of regular fries. And let’s face it, they sure are fun to eat.

Have you tasted the new McDonald’s Chicken McGrill? Share with us in the comments!

McDonald’s ( Halal certified)
Website

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/mcdonalds-chicken-mcgrill/feed/ 2 http://sparklette.net/food/prata-wala/ http://sparklette.net/food/prata-wala/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:29:43 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1084 Night owls on the prowl for places serving late night supper, mark down Prata Wala. This Indian eatery operates 24 hours daily at Jurong Point and remains open till late at Tiong Bahru Plaza as well as the new NEX Mall in Serangoon.

The food and clientèle are decidedly casual, with the menu comprising of common Indian fares such as roti prata (pancake), naan and biryani (a rice dish cooked with spices).

While the plain roti prata is a traditional South Indian food, in Singapore it comes in a variety of concoctions with cheese, onion, fruit, and even chocolate and ice cream!

Banana prata
S$3.90
Rating:

The one pictured above is the fruity rendition with banana slices tucked within the dough layers, served with a saucer of meat-based curry. It strikes a nice balance of fluffiness and crispiness, and the banana has just the right sweetness and ripeness — not too mushy or too green.

Curry chicken prata set (with tea)
S$6.50
Rating:

For a more well-rounded meal, go for the sets that include a meat, a rice/naan/prata and a hot coffee/tea. The curry chicken prata set has a large piece of chicken simmering in hot curry, and plain prata served on the side.

Perhaps due to the busy chow hours, this dish takes quite a while to be served as compared to the banana prata. Unfortunately, I am a little let down. I mean, the meat is tender and the prata is a joy to savour with its delightfully crispy edges. However the curry is lacking in flavour and so very oily, a pity given how generous the portion is.

With its bright red furnishings and matching seats, it is hard to miss the vibrant joint. An amusing image of an Indian chef tossing a prata greets customers at the storefront.

At Tiong Bahru Plaza, Prata Wala occupies the former premises of Mr. Teh Tarik Cartel. There is even an alfresco dining area filled with comfortable couches for when the weather cooperates.

If you’re in the mood for Indian food, Prata Wala may be just the place. With its breezy atmosphere, this is a suitable gathering place for meeting up with friends especially when a late night craving strikes!

Share your favourite prata stalls in the comments!

Prata Wala at Jurong Point

Prata Wala at NEX Mall

Prata Wala at Tiong Bahru Plaza

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There are a few stalls that I highly recommend, such as the Wow Wow West western food and Gu Zao Ren Taiwan Porridge.

From the Muslim section, one stall that I frequent is Nasi Ayam Geylang Serai. Ever since my favourite ayam penyet stall closed/moved, this is where I get my fix of smashed fried chicken when a craving strikes.

Ayam penyet (smashed fried chicken)
S$3.50 4
Rating:

Ayam penyet has gained popularity here in the past few years, thanks in part to the Indonesian stalls at Lucky Plaza. With the fried chicken deliberately smashed, the flesh comes off the bone easily. It is served with lime, tomato and an enticing pool of hot chilli sauce that possesses just enough pizzazz to intensify your palatable pleasure without sending it into a tailspin. The crispy skin, though undeniably sinful, is no doubt the best part of this dish.

Served alongside is the obligatory plate of rice, paired with a colourful array of keropok (fried crackers). They say the first bite is taken with the eye. The multitude of colours, along with the plate that is fringed with red hibiscus flowers certainly brighten up one’s day! I have had ayam penyet many times before, but it’s the first time that I’ve seen the accompanying rice presented in such a colourful way.

Mee rebus (boiled noodles in sweet potato gravy)
S$2.50
Rating:

The same stall also sells a range of other Malay dishes such as mee rebus, a satisfying noodle dish comprising of piping hot sweet potato gravy with fried bean curd, bean sprouts, green chilli and egg. It comes with pieces of beef for some added wholesomeness.

If you frequent ABC Market, do let me know if any other stall here catches your fancy!

Which hawker centres do you frequent in Singapore? What are your favourite hawker food? Share with us in the comments!

Nasi Ayam Geylang Serai ( Halal certified)
ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre
6 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-07
Singapore 150006

Bus services: 123, 14, 147, 153, 196, 197, 198, 855, 961
Nearest MRT: Redhill

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The Winner

• Xanthe

Congratulations, Xanthe! You should have received an email with instructions on how to collect your prize.

Results of SQL query that selected the comment randomly (duplicate submissions have been removed):

About the Kinohimitsu J’pan Beauty Drink

The Kinohimitsu J’pan Beauty Drink is a collagen drink from Japan. Each 50ml bottle comes with 2,500mg of collagen protein, promising you plumper and firmer skin in just 6 days. To learn more about the benefits of this product, read the Sparklette review of the Kinohimitsu J’pan Beauty Drink.

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Mandarin orange! Now that’s an odd pairing. Gimmick or not, I know I have to try it. It’s not everyday you get to taste Mandarin orange egg tarts.

With a quiet determination, I scamper off to the nearest KFC outlet that I can find selling the newly fruity egg tarts. A box of half a dozen is yours at 8 bucks, slightly pricier than their regular egg tarts which cost S$7.50 for the same quantity. One box to go, please.

Mandarin orange egg tarts
S$2.80 for a box of 2 / S$8 for a box of 6
Rating:

The pastries look almost exactly like Portuguese egg tarts but with less burnt spots, and with morsels of tangerine added. Happily, these sweet treats retain the same delightfully crisp fluffy crust and creamy custardy goodness as the usual KFC egg tarts.

The addition of tangerine brings a tinge of tartness to the mix, which I reckon is about 30% tangerine, 70% egg custard. It’s a bold play with flavours that actually works. I like it. Amazingly, the sliced pieces of fruit are as soft as the custard, so the texture is consistently smooth throughout.

It may read like an odd pairing on paper, but once again, KFC has exceeded expectations with these Mandarin orange egg tarts. As Chinese New Year goodies, they sure make interesting snacks if you are having guests over at your house.

Update: Sparklette reader Avriila shares that she would really love to see egg tarts filled with nian gao (a Chinese New Year cake made with glutinous rice), describing the ones she had in Taiwan as “heavenly”. What would you like to see in your egg tarts? (Shameless plug: Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and join in the conversations there!)

What do you think of the KFC Mandarin orange egg tarts? Would you eat them or are they too weird? Have you had any unusual Chinese New Year food this festive season? Let us know in the comments!

KFC ( Halal certified)
Available at selected outlets
Website

Available until February 17, 2011 or while stocks last.

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Yesterday, I posted a review of the Kinohimitsu J’pan Beauty Drink. Every 50ml bottle contains 2,500mg of the beauty enhancing collagen protein, giving you smoother, firmer and younger looking skin.

Confirm Trading, the Singapore distributor of Kinohimitsu products, has given me some of these yummy collagen drinks to try out. When I get freebies, I like to make sure you get something, too. As promised, I am giving away a box of 6 Kinohimitsu collagen drinks worth S$39.90 to one lucky winner! They are halal certified.

Freebie Giveaway!

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Confirm Trading Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the message:
   • I want to win the Kinohimitsu collagen drinks on Sparklette!

At the end of this week-long contest, one winner will be drawn randomly. The winner would self-collect the drinks from the Confirm Trading office at 130 Race Course Road. Good luck!

This contest is open only to Singapore residents. Ends 23:59, January 16, 2011.

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Kinohimitsu J’pan Beauty Drink ( Halal certified)
S$39.90 for a box of 6

As a trial, I have been given 30 bottles of these collagen drinks by Confirm Trading, the Singapore distributor of Kinohimitsu products.

The drinks come in small glass bottles with girlish pink caps. You can take one bottle a day in the morning before breakfast or at night before bedtime. In the morning, your body absorption is at its best. At night, your body rebuilds. For the trial, I take the drinks just before I head to bed every night.

With apple, lemon and lychee condensed juices in the mix, the drinks taste extremely yummy. You can keep them chilled, or at room temperature as I have. The drinks are wonderfully refreshing and delicious, akin to drinking lychee juice!

I don’t use much cosmetics and have generally non-problematic skin. Even so, within just 3 days, I wake up with visibly smoother and brighter skin! After that, the visible improvements seem to have stagnated and by the end of the 30-day trial, my skin looks the way it was on the third day. Nonetheless, I am happy with the results, which may differ between people.

The Kinohimitsu collagen drinks retail at S$39.90 for a box of 6. You can buy them at Watsons, Guardian, SASA, Nishino Pharmacy, John Little, Robinsons, ALT, Natural/Organic stores and individual pharmacies.

Or, you can take part in my contest giveaway and win these collagen treats for yourself!

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A round jade piece carved with the hotel’s logo forms the centrepiece on the cover. Faux jade appears to be quite popular this moon festival! Speaking of which, what would you do with these mooncake boxes? We have collected quite a number and they sure are too pretty to be thrown away!

Open the box and you will find the mooncakes immaculately kept in matte gold boxes. A plastic knife has been thoughtfully provided for your mooncake cutting convenience.

Curiously enough, neither bamboo charcoal nor yam are listed as ingredients for the charcoal baked yam mooncake.

There you go, the halal certification! (The mooncakes are imported from Malaysia, which explains why the clear plastic packaging is stamped with the Malaysian halal symbol.)

Charcoal baked yam mooncake

The charcoal baked yam mooncake is a new flavour for Mid-Autumn Festival 2010. Don’t be misled by its seemingly snowskin appearance. This “albino” mooncake is in fact of the baked skin variety!

Charcoal baked yam mooncake
S$40 for a box of 4
Rating:

Cutting into the soft skin reveals a black lotus paste filling with a purple yam portion at its centre. What an unforgettable colour combination! White on the outside, black on the inside — kinda like the inverse of an Oreo cookie, don’t you think?

The lotus paste filling is blackened by what I guess is bamboo charcoal powder. Bamboo charcoal is essentially made from burnt bamboo, and has health benefits such as boosting the immune system and improving blood circulation. The yam portion isn’t the rich yam paste that one may expect, but a yam-flavoured lotus paste. On the whole, the pastry has a nice fragrance, tastes essentially like the traditional lotus paste mooncake and isn’t overtly sweet.

Mixed nuts mooncake

Mixed nuts mooncake
S$40 for a box of 4
Rating:

To hold all the crushed nuts together, the mixed nuts mooncake sports a thicker pastry skin. Go nuts over this one! The fragrant, nutty filling is a pleasure to munch on, although the almonds are a tad bitter.

For those of you who are careful with your sugar intake, low sugar white lotus mooncakes with single/double egg yolks (S$42/46 for a box of 4) are available. I like these the best, as the lotus paste and egg yolks strike the right balance of sweet, salty and savoury.

Muslim friends, are you indulging in any mooncakes this season? Where are you buying your Halal-certified mooncakes? Share with us in the comments!

Concorde Hotel ( Halal certified)
100 Orchard Road
Singapore 238840
Tel: +65 6739 8370 | Website

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]]> http://sparklette.net/food/concorde-hotel-mooncakes/feed/ 11 http://sparklette.net/food/kfc-egg-tarts/ http://sparklette.net/food/kfc-egg-tarts/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2010 08:05:28 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1006 When I first heard about the KFC Portuguese egg tarts, I was quite skeptical. Skeptical, but curious enough to buy a half dozen of these to try out. Surprisingly, the tarts turn out much better than expected!

These creamy egg tart pastries are not to be confused with the traditional egg tarts which have a crumbly crust and an even yellow custard top. For Portuguese egg tarts, brown burn spots crater the caramelised surface (like crème brûlée). They first came about in Lisbon, Portugal, and are known there as pastéis de nata.

Portuguese egg tarts
S$1.30 each / S$7.50 for a box of 6
Rating:

The KFC egg tarts have a puffy pastry casing that is thick, but delightfully light and fluffy. Even hours later (I did have 6 of these to finish), the crust remains flakey and crispy.

While the custard is not as soft as Madeleine’s egg tarts, it is still beautifully smooth. The egg flavour is quite apparent, tinged with the more subtle sweet taste of caramel.

I heard that these egg tarts are available in three flavours in KFC Taiwan. Can anyone confirm this?

While you can purchase the egg tarts individually, a half dozen of this costs slightly less, and are packaged in a nice carrier box with a handle on top. From the Chinese characters on the box, it seems that these egg tarts are a Mid-Autumn Festival promotion. You can also have them home-delivered in boxes of 2.

I have never been a fan of KFC’s fried chicken, preferring the likes of Arnold’s and Popeyes. But their Portuguese egg tarts have certainly exceeded expectations!

The KFC egg tarts are available only at selected outlets. So before you go running off to the nearest outlet, do check to make sure that the tarts are sold there.

Update: Also check out my review of the KFC Mandarin orange egg tarts, available during Chinese New Year.

Which type of egg tart — Portuguese or the traditional — do you prefer? What is your favourite drink to go along with these tarts? Share with us in the comments!

KFC ( Halal certified)
Available at selected outlets
Website

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Having enjoyed the hotel’s luxurious international seafood buffet previously, we arrive at the buffet line with high hopes. The poolside atmosphere is casual and relaxing, with tables laid out spaciously, some under the stars.

Buka Puasa buffet dinner
Mon – Thur: S$42++ per adult, S$20++ per child aged 3-12
Fri – Sun: S$45++ per adult, S$20++ per child
(one child dines for free with every paying adult)
6:30 – 9:30pm daily (Ends September 9, 2010)
Rating:

The dishes include salads that you can mix and match, beef Rendang, sambal prawns, salmon wrapped in banana leaf, Pepes Bandeng Presto Kaluwak (steamed milk fish with spiced buah keluak), seafood Nasi Goreng (seafood fried rice with tumeric spices) and even oxtail soup!

This is the chicken salad, offered as a cold dish, which tastes kind of bland. The other chicken dish we have tried is the deep fried chicken, which gets the unanimous feedback of being too stiff and dry. I’m not sure if this is due to the Indonesian style of cooking, because some of the popular Indonesian eateries at Lucky Plaza serve chicken that is equally dry.

The Balado Terong (fried eggplant with red chilli salsa) is flaming hot!

While most of the food are already spicy, you can still scoop up some of this Balinese chilli for more zest. It seems that Bunga Siantan is an ingredient in the the chilli mixture. Does anyone know how this flower or plant is used?

The Pepes Ikan Woku (steamed Fish with Woku Spices in banana leaf) sounds good on paper, but unfortunately is partially burnt and overall unpalatable that night.

The barbecue station is no doubt the most popular “haunt” of the buffet line. The satay and grilled stingray run out almost as quickly as they hit the trays!

Our favourite item is the prawn satay. The sweet dark sauce provided as a dip complements it perfectly and really brings out the fresh seafood flavour.

The other satay served is veal cheek, which I personally don’t eat. We’re a little disappointed and surprised that chicken satay isn’t available!

The dessert counter boasts an extensive spread that includes colourful fruit tarts, various types of kueh, Crème Brulée, Cendol, Kolak durian with sticky glutinous rice and more.

I am thrilled to find the fabulous strawberry mousse here, too!

The colourful Kueh Lapis (9-layered cake) was one of my favourite childhood snacks and I’m glad to enjoy it here.

Here, the Crème Brulée is done with an Asian twist, with some sort of coconut cream/mousse. It is one of the highlights among the desserts.

I love Indonesian cuisine for its flavoursome, spicy and colourful dishes. For the same price, the Buaka Puasa buffet does not exactly offer the same value and quality as the hotel’s Harvest of the Sea buffet. With my initially high expectations, I cannot help but feel slightly underwhelmed. That being said, the service remains consistently excellent and prompt, dished out with a smile by very friendly staff.

Muslim friends, where would you go to break fast this Ramadan? Share with us in the comments!

Concorde Hotel (Poolside, level 4) ( Halal certified)
100 Orchard Road
Singapore 238840
Tel: +65 6739 8370 | Website
Service:

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

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

Cheese baked chilli crab
S$18.90+
Rating:

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 flavoursome. 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
Rating:

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 chilli 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!)

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

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

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View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/eighteen-chefs-chili-crab/ | 10 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net