http://sparklette.net/food/sour-sally/ http://sparklette.net/food/sour-sally/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:00:41 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1187

For the health-conscious dessert lovers that are seeking a delicious, heart-healthy snack, this one’s for you.

Sour Sally, the Indonesian brand of frozen yoghurt, has opened its first international outlet in Singapore at Wisma Atria. The soft-serve frozen yoghurt served here is extremely healthful and boasts a fat-free content.

Step into the froyo outlet and you would be greeted by images of the bubbly and fun-loving Sour Sally character, which basically sums up the atmosphere here. Decorated in candy shades of pink and lime green, the sweet and cheery interior would put you in a good mood to enjoy your frozen yoghurt or smoothie.

Sour Sally frozen yoghurt
S$3.50 – 9.80

For your yoghurt flavour, you can go back to basics with the original, or try the “Pinklicious” strawberry, green tea, nutty chocolate or melon mint.

Apart from the healthfulness of the dessert, you would be impressed with the variety and quality of toppings available — a whopping 24 to choose from! Crown your yoghurt with yummy treats like mochi mix, mini meringues, crunchy chocolate pearls and cookie crisps, or actual fruits like strawberry, kiwi, mango, lychee and even mandarin orange.

Click to enlarge menu

If you prefer to quench your thirst with a fruity smoothie, I would highly recommend the thick and naturally sweet longan blend that includes a pair of whole longan fruits.

Have fun concocting your favourite desserts at Sour Sally!

Have Your Say!

What is your favourite frozen yoghurt flavour? Share with us in the comments!

Sour Sally
Website

Sour Sally Wisma Atria

Wisma Atria
435 Orchard Road #B1-47
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 6737 0270

Opening hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm daily

Sour Sally Jurong Point

Jurong Point 2
63 Jurong West Central 3 #03-32/33
Singapore 648331

Opening hours: 11:30am – 10pm daily

---

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/sour-sally/ | 2 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 2

Using only specially-imported Ecuadorian Arriba beans (USDA certified organic and fair trade product) and Whey Low (all-natural patented sweetener with 75 percent lower glycemic index, carbohydrates and calories than sugar), Cacao7 succeeds in creating delicious chocolaty treats with reduced calorie counts and are friendly for dieters and diabetics.

Iced-box brownie
S$3 each

The organic Iced-box brownie is served straight from the freezer — a refreshing change from the usual warm brownie with ice cream. I like that it has a nice chewy texture without being too dry or crumbly.

Organic French truffles
S$3 for 2 pieces

These organic French truffles may be little, they still pack a punch with the rich chocolaty flavour. There is a slight bitterness from the generous coating of pure cacao.

Potent lava scoop cake
S$7 / 5.80 for take-out

The Potent lava scoop cake, served with a dollop of whipped cream, is amazingly smooth and rich. The full roundedness of chocolate comes through, along with hints of nuts. If you are in a hurry, this cake is also available for take-out.

Iced chocolate
S$7

The chilled counterpart of hot chocolate, the iced chocolate is surprisingly light. Enjoy the full flavour of the molten chocolate without the after-taste of artificial sweeteners. A delightful treat for a hot day.

Dino Pals
S$2.50 for a pack

There are small packs of freshly made chocolates on sale daily, suitable as healthful yet indulgent gifts for loved ones or even for yourself. Apart from these cute Dino Pals, look out for the irresistibly adorable Mood Buddies.

Besides showcasing the signature items, the menu also educates customers on the benefits of cacao, including a calorie and carbohydrate count for each dessert — just the thing for the health-conscious.

Forget about artificially-flavoured and overly sweet confections that don’t quite taste like the real thing. Cacao7 presents all-natural, organic chocolates and desserts that are so good, you would not believe that they are low carb!

Where can you get healthy desserts in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/cacao7/ | Leave a comment

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/travel/malaysia/tang-shifu/ http://sparklette.net/travel/malaysia/tang-shifu/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:00:50 +0000 Guest Writer http://sparklette.net/?p=1177
Mee sua with dried scallops and abalone slices (RM12.90)

You have seen our fish ball noodle meal at Ah Koong Restaurant in Taman Sentosa, Malaysia, followed by a sumptuous seafood feast at Jade Garden Seafood Corner in Sungei Rengit, Pengerang. After all the indulgent food, it is time for a healthier meal!

Our Johor food trail ends off at the Tang Shifu restaurant in Jusco, Tebrau City. Tang Shifu promises you a “nourishing life” with a great variety of double-boiled herbal soups and nutritious dishes.

Interestingly, the shop front resembles a Chinese medicinal hall, with various Chinese herbs and dried products on sale. The dining area is partitioned from the store, boasting posh décor with crystal lights and leather high back dining chairs. It is a blend of luxury and nostalgic ambience.

The appetiser of guava with tangerine peel is an instant hit. It is refreshing with a sour after-taste.

Every dish on the menu bears an informative description of the herbs and ingredients used, as well as their health benefits.

Our regular orders include the following:

• Dried scallops and abalone mixed rice
• Nourishing soup with American ginseng
• Dried mee sua (thin noodles) with dried scallops and abalone sauce
• Mee sua with dried scallops and abalone slices
• Dried scallops brown rice porridge

While the soups sound similar, my favourite item is the dried scallops brown rice porridge. It tastes better if the Huai Shan (yam root) is cooked over a longer time, so you can enjoy its softer texture.

Perhaps it is our lucky day. The bird’s nest with rock sugar is on a half-price promotion at just RM19.90 — a real steal! You are presented with a bowl of loose bird’s nest strands swimming in rock sugar solution. Of course, at that rock bottom price, we can’t really complain.

For dessert, go for the dried pear with Chuan Bei (Fritillaria). The moderately sweet combination nourishes both the throat and lungs.

Visiting Johor? Check out Part 1, Ah Koong Restaurant, and Part 2, Jade Garden Seafood Corner, of our Johor food trail.

Know of any good eats in Johor, Malaysia? Share with us in the comments!

This article was contributed by Mary Goh. You can view more of her food photos and reviews at SoShiok.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/travel/malaysia/tang-shifu/ | Leave a comment

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-dumplings/ http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-dumplings/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 03:00:21 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1149 I have just been Kung Pow-wowed, and that’s putting it mildly.

If you would like to treat yourself to some seriously good dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival, look no further than Fairmont Singapore‘s lot of wholesome dumplings. Made of glutinous rice and wrapped in bamboo leaves, these sticky delights from Szechuan Court come packed with an assortment of savoury fillings that will impress.

After enjoying a couple of the Fairmont rice dumplings, I came away most satisfied.

Kung Pao chicken dumpling
S$36 / kg

The signature Kung Pao chicken dumpling is difficult to beat, and even harder to put down once you’ve got your hands on it. Stuffed with a generous filling of juicy diced chicken thigh meat and crunchy roasted peanuts, this huge dumpling is possibly the best I’ve had this year.

While the chicken meat is mouth-wateringly tender, enlivened with home-made chilli sauce, it is the titillating sauce that you would be hooked on. It brings burst after burst of flavour with every bite. As an added perk, I love how daring the chef is with the chilli — good news for those that seek a fiery kick.

Organic red brown rice vegetarian dumpling
S$38 / 800g

I must confess that I was a little apprehensive when I first heard of the organic red brown rice vegetarian dumpling. A meatless dumpling does not exactly spell gastronomic excellence, even if it has mock meat. As it turns out, this healthier option exceeded my expectations by far.

With its intricate combination of nutritious red brown rice, vegetarian minced pork and mock duck, gingko nuts and fermented bean curd skin, this dumpling appeals to the health-conscious. You can eat it guilt-free, and actually enjoy it. It is full of flavour, the seasoning permeating through every grain.

In addition to the food quality, the packaging is very professional and presentable if you are looking to give away dumplings this season. These scrumptious dumplings are tied in red and white string and packed in a carrier box — great for gifting.

The dumplings are available at Szechuan Court until June 6, 2011.

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

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-szechuan-court-dumplings/ | 4 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Enjoy these rawfully good food at the various organic eateries around the island. If you’re in the mood for a soy laksa, avocado hand roll or vegetable cake, you’ll find it at some of Singapore’s finest organic restaurants.

Organic portobello mushrooms from 7 Sensations

1. The Green Room Café

Bishan Park 2
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 6556 1533 | Website

Opening hours:
Lunch: 11am – 3pm daily
Dinner: 6pm – 10pm daily

2. LivinGreens Café

325 Beach Road
Singapore 199559
Tel: +65 6396 5523 | Website

Opening hours: 11am to 8:30pm (Mon – Sat)
Closed on Sundays

3. Onaka Café & Juice Bar

The Biopolis
8A Biomedical Grove #01-17/18
Singapore 138648
Tel: +65 6464 2007
Opening hours: 8:30am to 6pm (Mon – Fri)

44 Rochester Park
Singapore 139248
Tel: +65 6778 0246
Opening hours: 8:30am to 9:30pm (Mon – Sat)

Website

4. Kampung Senang Eco-friendly Kitchen & Café

106 Aljunied Crescent #01-205
Singapore 380106
Tel: +65 6749 8509 | Website

5. Glow Juice Bar and Café

Hilton Singapore
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6737 2233 | Website

Opening hours: 11am to 6pm (Mon – Sat)

6. Genesis Vegetarian Health Food Restaurant

1 Lorong Telok
Singapore 049014
Tel: +65 6438 7118 | Website

Opening hours:
Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm
Fri & Sun: 8am – 3pm
Closed on Saturdays and public holidays

7. 7 Sensations

16 Madras Street
Singapore 208413
Tel: +65 6298 8198 | Website

Opening hours:
Lunch: 11am -3pm
Dinner: 6pm -10pm
Public Holidays : 11am – 5pm

8. Yes Natural

57 Lor 27 Geylang
Singapore 388184
Tel: +65 6741 1580 | Website

Apart from these, are there any other organic restaurants that boast healthful, natural cuisines? Share with us in the comments!

This is a guest-contributed article by Crystal, a vegetarian since 1993. She has also recommended a list of 10 best vegetarian restaurants in Singapore.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/singapore-organic-restaurants/ | Leave a comment

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

To discover the beauty of vegetarian food, here is a list of recommended vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Singapore. The listed eateries sport interesting dining concepts that add much diversity to the Singapore food scene.

Vegetarian buah keluak from Whole Earth

1. Lingzhi by Tung Lok

- Liat Towers: 541 Orchard Road #05-01 | Tel: +65 6734 3788
- Velocity@Novena Square: 238 Thomson Road #03-09/10 | Tel: +65 6538 2992
Website

Organic option available

2. Naive

99 East Coast Road
Singapore 428795
Tel: +65 6348 0668 | Website

Modern plant-based cuisine

3. Whole Earth

76 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079331
Tel: +65 6323 3308 | Website

Peranakan and Thai cuisines

4. Food #03

Post-Museum
107/109 Rowell Road
Singapore 208031
Tel: +65 6396 7980 | Website

5. Bombay Cafe

- 334 Tanjong Katong Road | Tel: +65 6345 0070
- 79 Syed Alwi Road | Tel: +65 6396 6452

Bombay Cafe Xpress
Suntec City Mall #B1-020 | Tel: +65 6238 8239
Website

Indian cuisine

6. Original Sin

Chip Bee Gardens
43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-62
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 6475 5605 | Website

Mediterranean cuisine

7. Enso Kitchen

Singapore Post Centre
10 Eunos Road 8
Singapore 408600
Tel: +65 8133 1182 | Website

Japanese cuisine – Shojin Ryori

8. Ananda Bhavan

221 Selegie Road
Singapore 188340
Tel: +65 6336 3891 | Website

• Read the review of Ananda Bhavan Restaurant.

Oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore

9. Raj Restaurant

- 76 Syed Alwi Road | Tel: +65 6297 1716
- 20 Biopolis Way #01-03 | Tel: +65 6478 9495
Website

Indian cuisine

10. Loke Woh Yuen [Closed]

20 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088443

Oldest Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Singapore

Apart from these vegetarian restaurants, are there any others that belong in this list? Share with us in the comments!

This is a guest-contributed article by Crystal, a vegetarian since 1993. She has also recommended a list of 8 best organic restaurants in Singapore.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/vegetarian-restaurants/ | 8 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 8 http://sparklette.net/food/eden-sanctuary-floral-cafe/ http://sparklette.net/food/eden-sanctuary-floral-cafe/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:54 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=983 What colour is your food? Do you know that certain foods can be classified into colour groups such as red, green and purple, and that you can reap different health benefits from each colour?

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 colour, 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 colour imaginable. Don’t these look like magic potions?

Relax fusion tea
S$6.90++ (twin sharing)
Rating:

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
S$6.90++ (twin sharing)
Rating:

With its dramatic shade of purple-blue, the butterfly blue pea certainly makes an impression. The colour 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 colours

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

Eden Rainbow salad
S$9.90++
Rating:

The Eden Rainbow salad arrives first, so named for its composition of 6 colours – 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
Rating:

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 flavourful, but my favourite 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
Rating:

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 flavour, 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
Rating:

My personal favourite 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
Rating:

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
Rating:

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 favourite of the trio.

The 5-course meal is available at S$55 a person.

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

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

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

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

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/eden-sanctuary-floral-cafe/ | 3 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 3 http://sparklette.net/food/dian-xiao-er/ http://sparklette.net/food/dian-xiao-er/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:08:23 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=981 Each time we pass by a Dian Xiao Er restaurant, we would do a double take. Unlike your typical Chinese restaurants that tend to go for a classy or modern look these days, the decor here is decked out like a traditional Chinese inn. Even the staff are dressed in costumes from that era!

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
S$12.80-34.80++
Rating:

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
S$23-46++
Rating:

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
S$10.80-21.80++
Rating:

One dish that I favour 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
S$8.80-17.80++
Rating:

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 flavour, it is one of the better renditions that we have had.

Garoupa slices with carrot sauce
Rating:

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

Braised mushroom, sea cucumber & abalone
S$29-59++
Rating:

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
S$5.30++
Rating:

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?

What is your favourite Chinese restaurant? Share with us in the comments!

Dian Xiao Er
- Marina Square
- VivoCity
- Ang Mo Kio Hub
- Causeway Point
- Changi Airport Terminal 3
- Lot One Shoppers’ Mall
- Jurong Point
- West Coast Plaza
- NEX Mall
- Tampines One
Website
Service:

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/dian-xiao-er/ | 18 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

At The Sentosa Resort & Spa (not to be confused with the new Resorts World Sentosa), one of its restaurants, aptly named The Garden, encourages conscious dining. In fact, all the dishes feature organic ingredients where possible, and a large selection of salads and vegetarian options.

I must admit though. When I was first invited here for food-tasting, I was quite skeptical. Healthy greens may be good for the body, but they hardly appeal to me! But boy, was I in for a surprise! This is one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had in recent months. In fact, it pleased me so much I even did a bit of live blogging from the restaurant on our Facebook Page. Oh yeah, do join us there if you haven’t, okay?

What do gardens come with? Plants, of course! The Garden features a tree as the centrepiece. This is indoor! Can you tell if the tree is real? Apart from this, there is also outdoor dining by the pool. Percy, the resident peacock, may even strut by to say hello!

The bread sticks are speckled with seeds and nuts, and they come with a delicious yoghurt dip.

Watermelon Daikon roll
S$18++
Rating:

We start with the watermelon Daikon rolls. They look like crab sticks, don’t they? Truth be told, I would have preferred if these were in fact crab sticks. There is supposed to be snapper sashimi, shredded cucumber and rocket shoots with Ponzu sauce in this, but mysteriously, I see only the watermelon and greens!

The Salad

The salad range takes up two whole pages of the menu, plus a third page for vegetable and fruit blends. You can concoct your own blends or construct a salad using 8 ingredients. At one glance, the ingredient selection for the salad seems to comprise everything under the sun!

Qi Revitalising
S$18++
Rating:

Undecided, we go for the Qi Revitalising salad with pre-selected ingredients including mung beans, Shiitake mushrooms, sesame seeds, snow peas and red dates. I like that the waitress brings over the whole “set” and enthusiastically does the mixing and tossing in front of us.

The set includes orange vinaigrette with tofu emulsion and a light spraying of lemongrass mist. Those wafers at the top are in fact black seed crisps.

The salad is served in what can only be described as a bucket! Huge portion! Even when shared amongst a party of three, each person still gets an ample portion.

The Main Courses

While many of the dishes here feature vegetables extensively, the emphasis is really on conscious dining. So you would still find a nice selection of seafood and meat dishes cooked in a healthful way. Yay for me!

Parchment baked snapper
S$36++
Rating:

One of my most favourite dishes here is the baked snapper. It is soaked in a thick gravy that tastes very much like the robust Thai sweet curry; complete with lime and lemongrass, just without the spice.

Coconut foam is added, which lends a sweet undercurrent that is vital for a dish like this. I am somewhat suspicious of it though. Coconut milk is notorious for being high in calories and saturated fat. Is coconut foam much better?

Accompanying the baked snapper is a bowl of brown rice, which I learn is the main choice of rice served here.

“Chicken rice”
S$39++
Rating:

The other main course that impresses is the signature “chicken rice”. Note the quotation marks :) I’ll explain. This isn’t your typical chicken fat and sesame oil laden Hainanese chicken rice, but a more heart-healthy rendition.

The organic chicken breast is marinated in ginger-soy and paired with sauteed kai lan vegetable. The style seems more European than Asian. While I’m not jumping up and down over the rice, which is pressed like ketupat, the chicken scores points for being extremely appetising. I must stress that this isn’t anything like the Singapore version of Hainanese chicken rice, nor does it pretend to be. A dish like this stands on its own.

Grilled Portobello mushrooms
S$30++
Rating:

The third favourite dish for the day is the grilled Portobello mushrooms, served with rice, roasted pumpkin, walnut and golden raisins. I believe my first reaction upon biting into the mushroom was a dramatic “Whoa! How juicy!” The succulent juices that ooze with every bite provide burst after burst of flavour. I think it has done enough to oust Jerry’s deep fried mushrooms from their longstanding position as the single most delicious mushroom item I have ever placed in my mouth.

Organic wheat germ pasta
S$29++
Rating:

What I find more forgettable is the organic wheat germ pasta with tuna and octopus confit. It fits nicely into my initial impression of healthful food — nutritious, but bland and unexciting.

The Drinks

After sampling the TWG Tea at One Rochester, we are thrilled to unearth an even bigger range of teas from this renowned homegrown company at The Garden!

TWG Tea Fruit Mountain tea
S$8.50++
Rating:

This time round, we opt for the Fruit Mountain tea which has the same delightfully sweet and fruity scent as the signature 1837 black tea. It is served in a tall glass that looks interesting but is not exactly practical.

Detox blend
S$13++
Rating:

Of course, in line with conscious dining, you can have your pick from one of the signature blends, such as the Detox blend of apple, celery, beetroot and ginseng. Celery appears to be the primary flavour, while the ginseng is more of an undertone (but you do taste it).

The Desserts

Organic chocolate
S$17++
Rating:

As a huge chocolate lover, I make a beeline for the organic chocolate. It arrives as a trio of smoked chilli pudding, chocolate crumble and chocolate ice cream (that doesn’t seem to melt!). Of the lot, the ice cream is the richest and yummiest. I still find chocolate to be most gratifying when it is in its unabashedly sweet and fattening form.

Soy bean panna cotta
S$15++
Rating:

If you like tau huay, you would fall in love with the soy bean panna cotta. After some prodding, we learn that this sweet dessert is made from cream, gelatin and soy bean obviously, and topped with lemongrass syrup. (Activity: Count the number of times “lemongrass” has appeared in this post!) This is one of those desserts that you can indulge in guilt-free and it tastes really, really good! Ohhh… I can eat this everyday!

Some afterthoughts

This is one of the most memorable and satisfying meals I’ve had in recent memory. I’m not just saying it because of the kind invitation from The Sentosa. As with all the restaurant and hotel reviews here, my principle is to keep it real and honest. Whether the meal is paid for from my own pockets or a complimentary invited session (for which I paid with my time and effort) is irrelevant. Either way, you would read the exact same words here.

After this meal, it really opened my eyes to the world of conscious dining and delicious, healthful food. We thank Michelle Yin and The Sentosa Resort & Spa for a truly wonderful and nutritious meal.

One more thing, if you’re driving or cabbing in to The Garden, head straight for Spa Botanica. That’s where you would find the restaurant. The sign may not be that prominent, so just ask any of the friendly resort staff around :)

What are the restaurants that you would recommend for a healthy meal? Share with us in the comments!

The Garden
Spa Botanica, The Sentosa Resort & Spa
2 Bukit Manis Road
Sentosa
Singapore 099891
Tel: +65 6371 1130 | Website
Service:

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/sentosa-garden/ | 14 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 14 http://sparklette.net/food/aj-piri-piri-chicken/ http://sparklette.net/food/aj-piri-piri-chicken/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:46:23 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=851 How does this sound to you: a well marinaded and perfectly grilled chicken, drenched in a fiery hot African sauce? I don’t know about you, but that sure made me salivate!

As soon as I hear that the UK fast food chain, AJ’s Piri Piri Chicken, has set up its first franchise outlet in Singapore that promises to bring us the aforementioned chicken, I make a mad rush down to grab a piece. It’s on the 5th level of Iluma, the new shopping mall at Bugis.

So what is piri piri? It’s a tiny red chilli pepper that is found in Africa. The Portuguese blend it with various herbs and spices and voila! There’s your hot hot piri piri sauce!

The restaurant serves the Afro-Portuguese chicken in different tantalising styles like hot plate, burgers, wraps, pastas and more.

¼ Piri Piri Chicken
S$7.20+
Rating:

Of course, a virgin taste test should start off with the piri piri chicken in all its naked glory. So I order the quarter-chicken with fries on the side, but you can opt for sweet corn if you wish. With 3 different sauces to choose from — mild, very spicy and lemon herb — I go for the first. When unsure, always err on the safer side.

For S$7.20, the lone piece of chicken thigh sure looks puny! I tell myself that quality is more important than quantity. But disappointingly the sauce is nothing to shout about. It is more salty than anything else, without any hint of other herbs. This can’t be what the real piri piri sauce tastes like, can it?

On top of it all there is way too little sauce. It would help a lot if the dish comes with a small tub of the sauce on the side.

Super Slimmer chicken wrap
S$6.80+
Rating:

Thankfully, the Super Slimmer chicken wrap fares much better. Again, the chunk of chicken in the wrap is pretty small. But it also tastes very good, with the seasoned flavours penetrating all the way to the centre of the flesh.

This also happens to be a healthier dish, where the less fattening chicken breast meat is used and layered with vegetables.

Earlier on, I’ve asked for warm water as I’m nursing a nasty cough. Unfortunately they are unwilling to do that. (The staff asked the manager, who said no right in front of me.)

The soreness soon dissipates when I make my payment and notice a 25% discount on my bill. Suddenly the meal seems a whole lot more reasonably priced! They are “not sure” when this promotion would end, so do take advantage of the discount while you can!

Click to enlarge

Clearly, the restaurant’s isolated position in an already uncrowded mall does not work to its advantage. It is overshadowed by the Filmgarde cinema on the same level and an entire level of eateries just one floor down. Most people would simply head straight to the more accessible restaurants and miss it altogether.

I hear that Nando’s is the “original” fast food chain that specialises in piri piri chicken. Here’s my review of Nando’s in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Gotta check out the one in Singapore soon!

Is there any other eatery in Singapore that sells piri piri chicken?

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/aj-piri-piri-chicken/ | 28 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

For me, any food that doesn’t taste good just isn’t worth having. satay, grilled stingray, or a good curry. These are the kind of food that would keep me happy for a long time, but they are also undeniably sinful. Are scrumptious food always this unhealthful?

That brings me to the point of this post. Although it may be rare (to me anyway), healthful food CAN taste wonderful, too. And I’ve decided that each time I come across something that fits the bill I would highlight it here, along with its health benefits!

Here are a couple of picks from the pasta menu at tcc, starting with my personal favourite, the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) pasta. Salmon lovers, this one’s for you.

Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) spaghetti with salmon tataki
S$19++
Rating:

When it comes to salmon the tcc chefs never go wrong. Just look at those huge slices! I love how the pinks, the yellows and the greens work together to form one colourful and appealing dish.

The fish has been quickly seared on the sides so the centre is still quite raw and pinkish. It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and velvety smooth! Served with a sunny side up.

The spaghetti is coated with mentaiko. Yummy yummy. According to the food trivia printed on the menu, cod roe is rich in zinc, which is essential to our sense of taste, smell and sight. It aids in wound-healing, too!

Health benefits aside, this pasta is super savoury as well. You know when you eat something so delicious, you just don’t wanna stop? That’s exactly how I felt as I gobbled down the pasta, pausing only a couple of times to catch my breath. Yes, it’s that good. I’m not ashamed to admit that I also lapped up all the remaining sauce. *slurp* wouldn’t want any of it to go to waste!

Seafood Aglio Olio
S$18.80++
Rating:

Being one of the three key pasta sauces along with cream sauce and tomato sauce, aglio olio is a popular choice amongst pasta fans. aglio is garlic and olio is olive.

As such, eating seafood aglio olio also means you are reaping the health benefits from the two spices. Olive oil, in particular, is rich in potent antioxidants that promote heart health and reduce cancer risks.

Cooked al dente, the spaghetti is well-tossed with minced garlic and red hot chilli pepper flakes. It’s too bad they don’t put in enough ingredients. The lone 3 prawns and 1 scallop, while nice and plump, aren’t exactly what you’d call an ample serving.

As you can see, healthy eating can be enjoyable! Here’s another place where you can feast on delectable, guilt-free food!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/tcc-pasta/ | 13 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Waffle smoked salmon marinated with organic honey
S$13.90++
Rating:

First of all, I love waffles! Hence by default, any dish with waffles would score high points with me. In this case, the waffles are done perfectly — warm, crispy, marinated and coated in organic honey. Yum yum!

Smoked salmon, fresh organic lettuce and tomato form the layers between the waffle slices. The salty smoked salmon is used cleverly to balance with the sweetness of the honey, resulting in a completely new sensation. I didn’t think that this seemingly odd coupling would work so well together, but it did.

Served along with the waffles are a heap of French fries and a bowl of salad. That just about completes the meal!

Beef Fettuccine
S$13.90++
Rating:

For those of you who are hungering for something more filling, a range of pastas is available. Our beef fettuccine came with sliced beef, Shitake mushroom and chilli padi in it. Hot! Taste-wise, it was nothing spectacular. But you can have your pick from the many other dishes on the extensive menu.

Just to be clear though, the fruits and vegetables are organic, the fish and meat aren’t. This is because organic meat costs way more than regular meat and the dishes would end up being much pricier.

In any case, I can have the peace of mind knowing that the vegetables I’m eating are not laced in a cocktail of chemicals! I felt so healthy after the meal! It even kinda alleviated my guilt from eating the Kentucky fried chicken the day before.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/organic-cafe-xperience/ | 10 comments

Like on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Download free iPhone app

© 2011 Sparklette.net