http://sparklette.net/food/tinge-of-blue/ http://sparklette.net/food/tinge-of-blue/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:32 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1287 Tinge of Blue is a café and bar that is not easily discovered, hidden away at SAFRA Mount Faber in Singapore. It strikes an appealingly casual chord with its location right by the club swimming pool. Comfortable and laid-back are two words that come to mind when you first visit this restaurant.

By day, full-length windows flood the premises with natural light, while evenings are transformed into a relaxed dining experience. I don’t have the luxury of living right by a pool, so being able to dine by one is the next best thing. The fact that not many people are aware of this place yet is perhaps a bonus as there isn’t really a crowd.

Prices are moderate, and there is also a nice drinks list to kick the evening up a notch.

The menu rounds up all the usual suspects — pastas, pizzas, steaks and burgers — of a western establishment. Hungry and feeling like pasta, that’s exactly what we go for.

Penne pasta with soft shell crab
S$18.90++

When it comes to pastas, if you’re a soft shell crab fan, this is definitely the place to indulge. The crispy crustacean is served whole with penne pasta and dressed in a zesty tomato sauce.

The crab is ample-sized and large enough to satiate any craving. But remember the Law of Diminishing Returns. The more you eat, the more it seems ordinary. By the last mouthfuls, my taste buds have become a little tired of the sauce.

Seafood spaghetti in tomato sauce
S$19.50++

Continuing in the seafood vein, since we’re dining by the sea, or pool, whatever, the seafood spaghetti in tomato sauce is a good choice. It is crowned with a pair of mussels, tucked with a few calamari rings and a prawn, and finished with a tangy tomato sauce. For the price, you will be expecting more ingredients. This we find somewhat lacking, though I do dig the pasta.

As part of the American Express SELECTS programme, cardholders get a 10% discount on the food bill. If you are dining here before 29 January 2012, you can make payment with your American Express card and have a chance of entering the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway! Just remember to remind the staff about your card privileges. I forgot about the 10% discount, and so did they.

Overall, I’m a big fan of the poolside ambience at Tinge of Blue and love the fact that it is tucked away from the city. Service is as relaxed as the ambience, professional but personable. The next time I’ll be back for the drinks!

Have Your Say!

Are there any hidden find in Singapore that you would like to share? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Tinge of Blue
SAFRA Mount Faber
2 Telok Blangah Way #01-04
Singapore 098803
Tel: +65 6337 2088 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11am – 10pm
Sunday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday & Sunday brunch till 3pm

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http://sparklette.net/food/arbite/ http://sparklette.net/food/arbite/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:00:42 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1229

Longing for a sophisticated dining experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Arbite would make a nice retreat. Ensconced in Serangoon Garden Way in close proximity to the ever-popular food haunt, Chomp Chomp, Arbite occupies the unit formerly inhabited by Country Manna. Despite its relatively obscure location, Arbite is well worth a trip.

Cosy up at this corner and catch up with friends over drinks and snacks.

While the 35-seater restaurant may seem like a small place, the clever design of the interior makes it feel bigger. A large window that stretches across the wall from end to end not only illuminates the dining space with natural lighting, giving an illusion of a larger space, it also provides a marvellous view.

Drinks

Banana chocolate milkshake
S$6++

To beat the hot weather, go for the banana chocolate milkshake. It is utterly smooth and flows through the straw easily, unlike some milkshakes that are either too thick or filled with crushed ice that restricts sipping.

Lemon ginger green tea
S$6++

The lemon ginger green tea scores points with chunks of lemon and ginger mixed in the tea leaves, exuding a refreshing lemony scent with each sip. This tea makes a good complement to the restaurant’s Parma ham dishes.

Soups

Carrot soup
S$4.50++

To kick off your meal, you can have the carrot soup consisting of grated carrots cooked to softness, grilled chicken cubes and a blend of Middle Eastern herbs and spices in a clear broth. The delicately spiced soup tastes somewhat like a milder rendition of curry, though it certainly is much healthier.

Mushroom soup
S$4++

Arbite’s rendition of the mushroom soup comprises four types of mushroom: Button, Shiitake, Eryngii and Horijimeishi. Rather than using cream as a thickener, the puréed mushrooms form a thick soup base, with tiny mushrooms chunks providing added texture. As a result, the soup has an earthy flavour instead of a cream-laden heaviness.

Starters

Crab cake
S$13.90++

Before diving into the main course, check out the starters which have interesting possibilities. One such option is the crab cake, a pan-fried potato cake stuffed with crab meat, finely diced tomatoes, shallows and coriander. It is crowned with fresh rocket greens, drizzled with a zippy dressing, then served with a curried cauliflower purée.

Embraced in a crispy golden brown breaded crust with a flavour resembling that of a Japanese croquette, the thick patty provides a soft interior that is just amazing to bite into. The dish is spruced up with the mildly spiced cauliflower purée that adds to the beautiful plating. A drool-worthy opener that will get your appetite pumping for the main course.

Main courses

Eggs Benedict
S$10.90++

An all-day breakfast menu is available if pancakes, smoked salmon, ham, bacon and eggs are your thing. The eggs Benedict is particularly outstanding, made up of poached eggs and honey-baked ham on sun-dried tomato foccacia bread, then topped with a heavenly citrus hollandaise sauce, with fresh greens on the side.

The eggs are poached perfectly, with runny yolk bleeding as you sink your knife into it. The nicely toasted foccacia is a good substitute to the more conventional English muffin; I actually prefer this rendition — the bread is served warm, and is lighter with a crispy crust.

Pan-fried dory meunière and tiger prawns
S$23.90++

Choosing a dish from the menu that isn’t a Chef’s recommendation may seem risky, but you will be surprisingly impressed. The pan-fried dory meunière and tiger prawns are served on a bed of roasted potatoes with an artistic smattering of lemon caper burnt butter sauce, with a crown of seasonal vegetables. The buttery-tender dory is perfectly seasoned, and isn’t one bit fishy. The roasted potatoes are nicely crisp on the outside with a fluffy interior.

Pappardelle with mushrooms and Parma ham
S$19.90++

Arbite’s signature handmade pastas include numerous options, such as vegetarian and seafood. A highly recommended dish will be the Pappardelle with mushrooms and Parma ham which has button mushrooms, spinach, Parma ham and cream sauce drizzled with truffle oil. You really don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to enjoy gourmet food here.

The dish is a treat for the eye as well as the palate; the Parma ham is rolled into a shape of a rose, perched on a requisite bed of freshly made pasta that is cooked to a beautiful texture, judiciously doused with a sufficiently creamy white sauce that is neither heavy nor bland. The ingredients are integrated so well that even non-vegetable lovers will find eating the spinach a breeze.

Desserts

Gula melaka tiramisu
S$5.50++

The gula melaka (palm sugar) tiramisu is light and fluffy, slightly sweet with a hint of coffee.

The coffee soil — a mixture of roasted coffee beans, cocoa powder plus a pinch of salt — on the side makes a stellar pairing with the tiramisu.

My Wife’s Chocolate Cake
S$8++

A rich chocolate cake is the best way to end the meal. Pure indulgence! Ground coffee is present here as well, accentuating the chocolatey richness, lending extra oomph and crunchiness.

The service here maintains a level of alacrity with glasses being promptly refilled. Business is brisk, hence you may need a reservation in order to secure a seat during peak hours.

Arbite will satisfy both your taste buds and wallet by providing a sophisticated gastronomic experience coupled with reasonably priced cuisine. If you don’t wish to splurge on fine food, this is one place where you can eat up and dress down.

Where can you enjoy the best gourmet food in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 3 http://sparklette.net/food/casa-tartufo/ http://sparklette.net/food/casa-tartufo/#comments Sat, 11 Jun 2011 03:00:30 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1162 Ever since Casa Tartufo (Italian for “House of Truffles”) opened in 2010, I have wanted to try out this Italian restaurant. It promises authentic Italian flavours based on fresh produce of the finest quality — and truffles, of course.

Located at the heart of Forum The Shopping Mall, it is quite easy to miss Casa Tartufo with its boutique-like store front if you are visiting for the first time.

Once you enter, it feels as though you have been transported to an entirely different country. The classic Italian chic décor with soft chandelier lighting and characteristic wooden furniture gives the place a classy, yet homely and warm feel.

The menu here changes regularly depending on the produce and truffles available for the season, which makes Casa Tartufo great for revisits. You can also take advantage of the weekday set lunches and weekend brunch.

Delicious soft bread, along with a choice of garlic or rosemary butter, is served while we peruse the menu. Both choices go very well with the bread, which is promptly replenished by the well-mannered service staff.

House salad
S$22++

What makes the house salad special is the burrata, an Italian cheese with a solid mozzarella outer shell and a mix of mozzarella and truffle cream inside. The interesting blend of textures and artful plating help this salad stand out.

Fettuccine Carbonara
S$26++

The use of a truffle and egg yolk-mix sauce transforms the usual carbonara into a dish that is much creamier and more flavourful. A must-order for cream-based sauce lovers!

Risotto Amatriciana
S$30++

The Risotto Amatriciana, with its base of dried pork cheek, pecorino cheese and tomatoes, is one of the most well-known pasta sauces in Roman and Italian cuisine. An interesting mix of ingredients, although I find the dish a bit too salty, probably due to the use of pancetta (Italian bacon).

Ravioli
S$28++

Packed to the brim with parmesan goodness, each mouthful of ravioli is a burst of flavour with its rich and thick mushroom and truffle sauce.

Truffle Tiramisu
S$15++

Presented in a curved martini glass, the truffle tiramisu boasts a subtle truffle flavour in its mascarpone cheese filling.

Apple Millefoglie
S$16++

Filled with a generous amount of sweet, soft apple chunks and teamed with a scoop of rich vanilla custard ice cream, the apple Millefoglie puff pastry is a great way to end your meal here.

From start to finish, dinner at Casa Tartufo has been a winner on all fronts. The service is impeccable and the ambiance, lovely. It is the perfect spot for truffle-filled Italian cuisine, and a wonderful place to enjoy candlelight dinner with that someone special.

Have Your Say!

Where are the best Italian restaurants in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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KungFu Paradise chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream

Winners

• Jeremy Ang
• Winston Teo
• Eileen Tay
• Justine
• Wendy Han

Congratulations to all 5 winners! You have been contacted at your email with instructions on how you would get your prize.

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

About KungFu Paradise

Located at the Bedok Point shopping mall, KungFu Paradise is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a large selection of Asian and western dishes at affordable prices.

• Read the review of KungFu Paradise.

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Our friends at KungFu Paradise has teamed up with us to give away five of their S$30 dining vouchers. Located at the Bedok Point shopping mall, this family-friendly restaurant boasts a large selection of Asian and western dishes at affordable prices.

• Read the review of KungFu Paradise.

If you would like to try out the tempting chicken “babe” rice or the amazing Taiwan shaved ice dessert, here’s your chance. Read on to find out how you can win one of these vouchers.

Vouchers Giveaway!

KungFu Paradise chicken chop “babe” rice

5 lucky Sparklette readers will each get to win a S$30 dining voucher from KungFu Paradise.

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

   
   

2. To participate, leave a comment here using your Facebook name along with the answer to this question:
   • Where is KungFu Paradise located?

The winners will be announced in a separate post. You are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on April 18, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 5 winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• All comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.

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Located at the Bedok Point shopping mall, KungFu Paradise is a cheery café that offers a kaleidoscope of east meets west cuisines at friendly prices. Some of you may already be familiar with the Paradise Group which has restaurants such as Paradise Dynasty (with the colourful xiao long bao) under its wings. Compared to the other Paradise restaurants, KungFu Paradise is decidedly more casual and hip.

The menu reminds me of Hong Kong cafés like Xin Wang and C.Nai which boast similarly comprehensive and diverse offerings that appeal to both the young and the old.

Night owls would be pleased to know that KungFu Paradise opens past midnight everyday. You can have your pick from the Hong Kong-style classics, Asian delights, western favourites and desserts if you got the munchies at wee hours. (Here’s a hot tip for you guys: From 10pm daily, you get a 20% discount off your food bill and a 50% discount off the pastries.)

With catchy dish names like The Trio Master, Flying Wings and Gripping Grape, you are in kung fu paradise indeed.

Snacks

For a quick bite, you can pick from the toasts and dim sum.

French toast with chicken floss & condensed milk
S$5.80++
Rating:

The French toast is deliciously coated with egg, topped with butter and maple syrup. I recommend the wholesome combination of toast with chicken floss and condensed milk. If you feel the need for even more oomph, throw on more syrup from the accompanying bottle.

Hot tip #2: If you spend $10 or more from 3 to 6pm on weekdays, you can enjoy the French toast and thick toast at just a dollar.

Flying KungFu wings
S$5.80++ for 3
Rating:

Even with its cheesy name, I’m a fan of the Flying KungFu wings. The chicken wings have an appealingly thin and crispy skin that yields to a tender and delightfully juicy core.

Balls on mash
S$9.80++
Rating:

With the large meatballs of minced beef and chicken that are drenched in tomato sauce and coupled with creamy mashed potatoes, the balls on mash can be a meal by itself.

Mains

The western classics section offers baked rice, pasta and grills.

Chicken chop “babe” rice
S$9.80++
Rating:

One of the best-sellers is the chicken chop “babe” rice, a generous serving of chicken chop with tomato sauce over baked rice, topped with mozzarella cheese. No prizes for guessing where the “babe” comes from!

Hot tip #3: As one of the top 10 best-selling items, you can grab the “babe” rice at just $6.80 ($5.80 for students) on weekdays from 11am to 2:30pm (extended to 5pm for students).

Fish & chips
S$9.80++
Rating:

The perennial western favourite fish and chips features a perfectly crisp breading and a moist white-fleshed fish, although the portion is somewhat on the skimpy side.

Flaming crab pasta
S$10.80++
Rating:

When it comes to fusion dishes, I usually keep an open mind. And the Flaming crab pasta does not disappoint. With that extremely spicy but oh-so-succulent and sweet chilli crab sauce, this dish is hot all right.

Desserts

For the sweet tooth, you can pick from the large variety of desserts and smoothies. In particular, I am most fascinated by the shaved iced dessert range. I am used to seeing the regular ice kacang, and it is the first time I am seeing shaved ice presented like this:

Crushing sesame shaved ice dessert
S$6.80++
Rating:

Doesn’t it resemble a volcano, with the chocolate syrup running like hot lava down the sides? These refreshing shaved ice desserts are available in exotic flavours like green tea with Japanese red bean and champagne grape. My pick is Crushing sesame which features black sesame with crushed peanuts and chocolate sauce.

I really dig the fluffy texture of the shaved ice especially when it is paired with the crushed peanuts. It remains frozen for an extraordinarily long time!

Strawberry orange smoothie
Rating:

One smoothie that you may wanna try is the summery strawberry orange, which tastes more berry than orange.

Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream
S$6.80++
Rating:

As a huge chocolate lava cake lover, I just have to order the KungFu rendition. I’ve learned from bitter experience that this dessert is all too easily mucked up. Thankfully, the one here is benchmark, and at a great price too. Presentation-wise, don’t you just love the extra bit of chocolate dusting in the corner revealing the name of the restaurant? That’s what I call a sweet finale!

KungFu Paradise creates a comfy yet vibrant ambience with red and orange accents and plush armchairs. The multitude of tasty options and inviting atmosphere will keep you coming back for more. Fret not if Bedok Point is too far for you; a little birdie told us that more KungFu outlets would be opening in Singapore really soon. You heard it here first!

Sparklette Giveaway!

By now, your mouth is probably watering at all the yummy dishes. The good news is that we are giving away five S$30 dining vouchers that can be used at KungFu Paradise. Join the giveaway to win one!

How do you find KungFu Paradise? Share with us in the comments!

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With the hotel’s location within the charming Tiong Bahru estate, you can enjoy a nice meal in a peaceful environment. The interior is cosy and laid-back, sporting comfortable seats and modern accents. The service is dedicated but never intrusive. Whether in the company of a small group, or a family in search of a hearty meal, you would feel at home here.

The menu has gone through some changes recently, with the introduction of new western and local favourites with a global touch.

Torched Shiro Maguro (white tuna)
S$13++
Rating:

Served with cold green tea noodles in shoyu (Japanese soy sauce), the torched Shiro Maguro (white tuna) is fresh and sliced thickly enough for you to savour the flavour. Apart from adding visual appeal, the brilliant orange trout roe exudes a burst of sharp tang. With the briny flavour of the roe and the salty shoyu on the same plate, it is too much of an overkill for my liking. The light sprinkling of black and white sesame seeds injects that final dash of detail.

Tomato chowder
S$9++
Rating:

To open up your appetite, the thick and tangy tomato chowder that comes with hard crusted bread should do the job.

Crispy pork Ngoh Hiang (five-spice pork roll)
S$10++
Rating:

The humble crispy pork Ngoh Hiang (five-spice pork roll) makes an appearance with an artful plating. Wrapped snugly in bean curd skin and deep-fried ’til nice and crispy on the outside, the sliced rolls are served on top of a bed of pickled carrots and cucumber. The drizzling of spicy plum sauce provides a sweet and sour taste that complements the savoury pork very well, along with a tinge of spice!

Spiny lobster and squid ink pasta*
S$20++
Rating:

The highlight of this meal is the spiny lobster and squid ink pasta. I have been looking forward to this dish the whole night!

Squid ink pasta usually comes in two types: One where ready-made ink pasta is used, or the kind where the chef throws in the squid ink sauce while cooking. The latter is usually messy and invariably gives you blackened lips and teeth that make you resemble Tia Dalma from Pirates of the Caribbean. Thankfully, it is the cleaner version that is offered here.

Black pasta adds huge visual appeal to the dish for sure. The flavour of the black ink is subtle and very delicate. What better than generous chunks of red lobster to enhance its natural flavour. Dressed in a sweet tomato cream sauce, this is the best rendition of squid ink pasta I have ever had, and I will be raving about it for a long time!

Wagyu beer burger*
S$18++
Rating:

For something meatier, go for the Wagyu beer burger. Between two halves of the bun lie a sunny side up egg, a seasoned Wagyu beef patty, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, crispy bacon. Served with greens, French fries and a dollop of coleslaw on the side, this sure makes a mighty nice feed. The one thing that is lacking is a chilli or ketchup dip to complement the fries.

(* Note: On request, the staff would portion out the dishes equally for sharing. What you see here are one-third portions as there were three of us then.)

I like these complimentary lightly toasted buns, too. The sharp-eyed ones among you may already have noticed that the buns used in our Wagyu beef burger are of the same variety.

After dinner, you can head up to Halo, the open-air rooftop bar for a drink. There are live screenings of English football games on match days, too!

Hotel Rooms

If you are keen to see what the Wangz Hotel rooms are like, you can check out pictures from our one-night stay here!

What is the best ink pasta you have had? Are there more hidden gems that we have missed? Share with us in the comments!

Wangz Hotel
231 Outram Road
Singapore 169040
Tel: +65 6595 1388 | Website | Book online
Service:

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

Opening hours: 7am – 10pm daily

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/borgata/ http://sparklette.net/food/borgata/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:00:50 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=992 Clarke Quay is one of the first choices for party animals when it comes to a night out in Singapore. But let’s face it, when you want good food at affordable prices, the place is nobody’s first choice. Or so I thought.

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

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

Portobello
S$16++
Rating:

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

Borgata
S$22++
Rating:

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

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

Fusilli Porcini Gamberi Con Salsa Alla Zucca (sampling portion)
S$20++
Rating:

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

Tiramisu and profiterole (sampling portions)
S$9++ for each
Rating:

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

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

Lava cake
S$9++
Rating:

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

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

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

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

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

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/cafe-del-mar/ http://sparklette.net/food/cafe-del-mar/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:24:04 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=989 Things are getting interesting at Café del Mar, one of Singapore’s hottest beach bars.

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

Photo by Café del Mar

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

Photo by Café del Mar

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

Starters

Bruschetta
S$6++
Rating:

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

Classic Caesar salad
S$12++
Rating:

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

Pastas

Linguine Pescatora
S$20++
Rating:

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

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with seafood
S$12++ (top up S$3 for ham, chicken or seafood)
Rating:

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

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

Mains

Baked Pacific dory
S$24++
Rating:

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

Marisco Paella
S$28++
Rating:

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

Rib-eye steak
S$28++
Rating:

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

Cocktails

Bailey’s Comet
Rating:

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

Photo by Café del Mar

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

Have Your Say!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Potato bacon soup
Rating:

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

Fowl of Arabica chicken chop
S$13+
Rating:

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

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

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

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

Service charges apply while GST is absorbed.

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

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

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

Opening hours: 12noon – 10:30pm daily

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Credit

It is hard to miss this iconic building due to its eye-catching shape. Built in 1919, the Waterboat House was once occupied by the Port of Singapore Authorities to supply fresh water to ships anchored offshore. Today it is home to a few restaurants, including Boathouse, which serves modern European cuisine.

On invitation, we come by for a food-tasting session at this promising new restaurant. The dining area is small and cosy, perfect for an intimate meal. Being the history aficionados that we are, we find the old photographs of Singapore hanging on the walls, some which are browned with age, particularly intriguing.

Amuse-bouche
Rating:

We start with the amuse-bouche — a shot of sweet fruity blend with a dash of mint. It is the first time we have something this refreshing to start a meal. While it tastes very good in the thirst-quenching sort of way, it does not do much in prepping the taste buds. I personally feel that this works better as a dessert to end the meal on a sweet note.

Fish chowder
S$15++
Rating:

A striking white bowl arrives with a morsel of sea bass carpaccio at the centrum; the hot chowder is then administered by the server, cooking the fish right before our eyes.

Tagliatelle wild mushroom
S$19++
Rating:

While the tagliatelle wild mushroom is also a signature dish, we’re not too wild about this pasta. The portion is ample, with assorted wild mushrooms tossed in truffle cream sauce. It will probably appeal to mushroom fans. But for us, the salty flavour is a tad monotonous and gets tiresome after a while. Give us a plate of Aglio Olio over this anytime!

Braised Wagyu beef ribs
S$33++
Rating:

What impresses is the braised beef ribs, soaked in a flavoursome aged red wine jus that complements the meat very well. The ribs are juicy, meaty and saucy, while the slices of poached pear on the side provide a nice reprieve.

White chocolate semifreddo
S$15++
Rating:

Our dessert arrives as a duo of white chocolate semifreddo and fruit compote. We are fans of white chocolate AND gelato, so it is easy to like this semi-frozen dessert. The fruit, not so much though.

While there are some hits and misses with this meal, the unique location of Boathouse is a clear winner.

Rooftop bar

The Boathouse operates a rooftop bar that goes by the name Prelude.

The bar opens only at night. At this prime location, you get a magnificent view of the river and the surrounding landmarks. Another place that offers an equally spectacular view is Forlino, the Italian restaurant across the road.

Where is the most unique place you have ever dined at? Share with us in the comments!

Boathouse
The Fullerton Waterboat House
3 Fullerton Road #03-01
Singapore 049215
Tel: +65 6538 9038 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Lunch – Monday to Friday, 12noon – 2pm
Dinner – Monday to Saturday, 6:30pm – 11pm
Brunch – Sunday, 11am – 3pm

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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

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So Eighteen Chefs’ “Be Your Own Chef” concept is extremely appealing to someone like me. Simply choose between baked rice or pasta, pick from 8 sauces and 12 ingredients, indicate your preferences on the order chit, and the chef will do the rest. Easy peasy Japanesey! Now, that’s fuss-free and personalised dining for you.

The founder of this restaurant has an interesting background, too. Uncle Benny, as he is known, was formerly a drug addict. Through willpower and strength, he beat the odds to finally become an entrepreneur. He was the first Singaporean to train at Jamie Oliver’s (yes, the Naked Chef) restaurant, Fifteen, before starting Eighteen Chefs. Such real-life stories of determination and human triumph are indeed inspiring!

But how’s the food? Let’s find out.

Baked Rice and Pasta

Cheese baked rice with salmon in Japanese curry
S$10.90+
Rating:

Here’s my customised baked rice with salmon, smoldered in Japanese curry and loads of cheese. The best part of the dish for me is the curry which I find I really like — thick and sweet, and not too spicy.

It is great that they are very generous with the ingredients, too. Ample chunks of salmon can be found tucked deep in the rice. To be frank, salmon and curry don’t exactly go well together, but that’s all on me for picking this mishmash combination. Next time round, I’m opting for sliced chicken!

Cheese baked pasta with chicken slices and minced beef in spicy tomato sauce
S$10.50+
Rating:

As for the baked pasta, we have picked the spicy tomato sauce to go with it. My preferred sauce for pasta is always tomato-based. The sauce here is sweet, tangy and bursts with flavour. With the added spice, it excites the taste buds even more. Out of the 8 sauces available, this is one we would recommend most. But let us know your recommendations, too!

Oh yes, aside from the baked pasta dishes, they do a mean seafood Aglio Olio, too.

Side Combos

When you order a main course, you can top it up with drinks, ice cream, soup and/or garlic bread:
- Combo A (S$2.50+): Drink + Ice cream
- Combo B (S$3.20+): Drink + Soup of the day
- Combo C (S$4.20+): Drink + Soup of the day + Garlic bread

Cream of mushroom soup
Rating:

On the occasions we pop by, the soup of the day is usually a rather bland rendition of cream of mushroom soup.

Iced lemon tea
Rating:

The iced lemon tea is worth mentioning here. I think they add honey to it and the whole concoction is very tasty and thirst-quenching. That’s a great tip: Add honey to your lemon tea!

Chocolate ice cream
Rating:

The ice cream that comes in Combo A is chocolate-flavoured, which works for most people. It is already a little melted when it arrives because it is served in a heated bowl, probably due to the dishwasher. Forgivable, it is, because the business here is really brisk!

We have visited Eighteen Chefs a number of times and to date, they have yet to disappoint. It would be marvellous, though, if they ever decided to introduce my favourite pasta dish with crayfish. That would make my day!

Pause, ponder over the menu

View: Food menu | Drinks & desserts menu

Attached here is the restaurant menu. Go on, peruse it before your trip there. With literally thousands of possible permutations, it may take a while before you can decide on your very own personalised baked dish!

What do you think of restaurants that allow you to customise your food? Are there any others that you know of? We love the concept and are dying to find more! 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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Picture this: The two of you are enjoying a wonderful dinner. The panoramic view of the illuminated skyline, the Singapore Flyer and the Marina Bay Sands integrated casino resort are spread out before your eyes. Soft ambient music plays in the background while you and your sweetheart sip on red wine into the night. Picture perfect?

This is why we feel Forlino is one of the most romantic places to dine in Singapore.

Credit

Designed by JP Concept, the same interior design firm behind eateries like il Lido and Claypot Fun, the decor here is done in the quaint Victorian style. Walls in baby blue with gold rims line the corridor leading up to the dining area.

Credit

Floor-to-ceiling glass panels offer a stunning view of the surrounding Marina Bay and Esplanade area, undoubtedly Singapore’s most photographed skyline.

Valentine’s Day Dinner

Check out their Valentine’s Day dinner promotion for 2010.

The Valentine’s Day dinner comprises 6 courses, including a choice of main course. We food-taste all the dishes and here’s the scoop on what you can expect.

The Italian flat bread Focaccia is first served, lightly salted and brushed with olive oil.

Amuse-bouche (Scallop carpaccio)
Rating:

The Amuse Bouche (love the way it’s pronounced!) is a dish of razor-thin slices of scallop soaked in a tangy and salty sauce, topped with Osetra caviar and a hot pink berry sauce on the side. This one really wakes up your taste buds for more to come.

Jumbo crab salad
Rating:

One of my favourite items on the menu is the Jumbo crab salad. Shreds of succulent crab meat sit on a bed of rocket leaves with cantaloupe sauce around. It should easily become a crowd favourite.

If you love crab meat, you can check out another restaurant’s take on the Alaskan King Crab in the form of Chinese Yu Sheng.

Beetroot cake with Robiola cheese fondue
Rating:

What follows next is beetroot cake. Our first thought is, oh how cute! The texture is dense and rich, thicker than mousse. Nice colour, too. The little yellow flower on top provides the icing on the cake. This is one of the few edible flowers around. Does anyone know what is the name of this flower?

Interestingly, the moat of Robiola cheese fondue is made from the milk of three animals: sheep, goat and cow.

To be frank, this is rather heavy on the palates and I’m surprised it is served so early in the meal, especially with a pasta following right after.

Squid ink tagliolini
Rating:

I am most looking forward to the squid ink pasta, which is perhaps the most novel item on the menu. Squid ink gives me a little high. Whether it is pasta or pizza, squid ink lends it that unusual look and actually tastes good at the same time, even if it makes your mouth as black as Tia Dalma‘s from Pirates of the Caribbean.

The squid ink pasta here is served with tagliolini (made in-house) with sea urchin sauce and the sweetest cherry tomatoes. Praba, the assistant manager, explains that the squid ink is added while the pasta is being made rather than after. This way, the ink does not stain the teeth, and you will still look attractive to your valentine. The downside is that the natural seafood flavour is somewhat diminished.

Black cod fillet with asparagus and Sicilian Blood Orange sauce
Rating:

For the main course, you get to choose between fish or beef. The fish comes in the form of a chunky black cod fillet, served with asparagus and Sicilian Blood Orange sauce. The sauce is light, almost foamy, with a sweet and mellow taste to it.

Angus Prime beef tenderloin with goose liver
Rating:

The other option is the Angus Prime beef tenderloin. This comes with goose liver on the side, and a wonderfully sweet and rich red Port Wine sauce. Personally I feel it is quite a waste to serve this dish to someone like myself as I can appreciate neither good beef nor foie gras. I really like the sauce though.

Strawberry & yogurt mousse with peppermint chocolate sauce
Rating:

Mamma Mia! Look at that! The strawberry and yogurt mousse dessert is the highlight of the meal. Every part of it is meticulously done up to look gorgeous. And there’s that edible flower again. What’s its name?

Scattered around are little pink and chocolate candies that taste like Nerds candy. The two intersecting hearts perfectly sum up what the night is about. Of course, we spend about ten minutes oohing and ahhing over it before wolfing it down, nerds and flower and all.

Coffee & petit four
Rating:

To round up the sumptuous and very filling meal, coffee and petit fours are served.

What is your ideal way of spending Valentine’s Day? Share your romantic ideas in the comments section!

(Hint: If you’re celebrating Chinese New Year, you may wish to check out the festive dishes at the seafood restaurant, also at One Fullerton.)

Forlino
One Fullerton
1 Fullerton Road #02-06
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 6877 6995 | Website | Regular menu | Valentine’s Day menu
Service:

Bus services: 10, 57, 70, 75, 97, 100, 107, 10E, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 700, 97E, NR2, NR5, NR7, NR8, 196E
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place

Opening hours: 12noon – 2.30pm, 6:30pm – 10pm daily

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]]> 20 http://sparklette.net/food/sapore-italiano/ http://sparklette.net/food/sapore-italiano/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:25:02 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=894 Sapore Italiano has opened on our island with style. Whether it’s espresso coffee in the morning, a pizza for lunch, or a nice after-work aperitivo (with a free buffet spread!), you can enjoy gourmet food all day long at the Raffles City Shopping Centre caffé-bar. Welcome to gourmet paradise!

Update on November 15, 2010: Sapore Italiano has moved to the National University Of Singapore along Bukit Timah Road.

With over 20 outlets worldwide, their goal is to spread Italian culture and provide diners with a true Italian experience. There are specially imported Italian beverages and authentic Italian food. Many of the staff are Italian. Even the flat-screen TV screens show Serie A football!

A meal here comprising various gourmet food reveals that this is so much more than just a bar.

Pizza

Order pizza! That is my first advice to any customer here. You can’t go wrong with the house specialty of Pizza SI SI, which is the squid ink pizza.

Pizza SI SI
S$22++

I’ve had black pasta before. As for black pizza, that’s definitely a first.

The pizza is smothered in a succulent tomato gravy with a good spread of seafood such as octopus, squid and prawn. The marvellous seafood flavour that fills the mouth bite after bite easily makes this the most enjoyable pizza I’ve ever had. Mmm… And that’s not all.

Check out how thin the crust is! Minimal carbs! Yes, you can indulge in this pizza without taking a guilt trip or ditching that Atkins diet.

Pasta

Tagliatelle Dello Chef
S$19++

The chef’s special pasta of tagliatelle with a mild-flavoured sauce comes with slices of chicken breast meat. The accompanying cheese wafer is crispy and delightful, and adds much taste to the dish.

Soup

Asparagus soup
S$12++

The chilly days ahead are the perfect occasion to warm up to some cream soup. The zuppa di asparagi is good comfort food. Instead of the usual bowl, it’s served in a tall glass! While the texture is mostly creamy smooth, some small chunks of asparagus remain intact, providing that characteristically tender chewiness.

Next, we sample the house brand coffee and specially imported cocoa, as well as the designer gelati.

Coffee

“Your cappuccino with one litre of milk and a bit of coffee — this is not cappuccino, it’s café latte,” says founder Pietro Mazza.

Well, I have to agree. I can’t really tell the difference between the cappuccino and café latte we get at most coffee chains. Can you?

Here, coffee addicts enjoy a wide range of fresh coffee from the house brand.

Marocchino
S$6++

The marocchino, not available elsewhere in Singapore, comes in a delicate glass cup. This is basically a shot of espresso coffee garnished with frothed milk and a light sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. The fresh coffee aroma certainly makes this a nice morning pick-me-up!

Gourmet Chocolate

For cocoa connoisseurs, a wide range of gourmet chocolate beverages from the Italian gourmet chocolate brand Cioccoliamo is available.

Gourmet chocolate
S$7-9++

There, cocoa in a cup! These come in 12 exquisite flavours including White Chocolate, Gianduja Chocolate and even Chocolate with Chili Pepper!

Gelati

Aside from the pizza, what I find most impressive on the menu is definitely the gelati that are made in-house. It’s not only the common gelato scoops that you can get here, but entire sculptures of culinary arts! Adorned with fruit slices or rocher, these look more like elaborate floral displays!

Chock-full with low-fat gelato and assorted fruits like kiwi, orange and strawberry, this is certainly more healthful than your typical ice cream dessert. Perfect for sharing with someone close!

Coppa Della Casa
S$20++

If you look closely, the pink gelato in this bowl of colourful delights has been shaped to resemble spaghetti. It reminds me of the spaghetti with meatball ice cream at Icekimo!

For more gelato art, check out these restaurant menu designs:

If we aren’t already stuffed, we would have gone for the Coppa Rocher, too. Filled with Rocher candies, it is every chocolate lover’s dream!

Aren’t these awesome? Every one of these gelato sundaes is so huge and impressive!

Abbondio soda drinks

Have you ever seen these cool soda drinks? They are from the Abbondio Vintage range, with soda labels featuring beautiful pin-up girls.

Colourful! And totally appealing to at least half the population in the world.

Aperitivo

One huge draw of Sapore Italiano is the free buffet spread of appetisers and finger food at Happy Hour (6-8pm daily). Feast on mini pizza, raviolis and fruit cocktails for free with any purchase of an alcoholic drink.

Now you know where to go for an authentic Italian experience!

Sapore Italiano
National University Of Singapore (NUS)
Li Ka Shing Building
469B Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 259771
Service:

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]]> 13 http://sparklette.net/food/pasta-inc/ http://sparklette.net/food/pasta-inc/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:33:57 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=891 I’m going to try not to use words like “whoopee!” and “yowza!” to describe how I feel after a sumptuous meal of gourmet food at Pasta Inc. Let’s just say that if you’re ever having a craving for gourmet pasta, this is one Italian restaurant that is definitely worth checking out.

The restaurant takes up a spot along Keong Saik Road. It is run by chef-owner Keith, a boyish-looking entrepreneur who worked at other restaurants for many years before striking out on his own.

The vast experience has certainly provided him with a firm grasp of the cuisine. Our meal here comprises of well-executed Italian gourmet food, including the exquisite squid ink pasta, that do not disappoint.

Portobello mushroom
S$12.90++
Rating:

We start with Portobello Al Forno, a large-sized baked mushroom that is topped with mixed cheese and a dash of tomato sauce. It is very fresh, oozing juices and flavour with every bite. Oh, they also serve bread with olive oil before each meal.

Crayfish pasta in tomato based sauce (Cartoccio style)
S$21.90++
Rating:

As a huge fan of crayfish, or seafood in general, I must give a thumbs-up to the crayfish pasta. It is done al cartoccio, a technique of cooking gourmet pasta that involves wrapping it in paper and baking it. Not only does the end product look mighty impressive, there is also that sense of anticipation as you watch the waiter carefully unwrap it before your eyes.

The tomato based sauce is dreamy, with none of the tartness you get from inferior sauces that come in a jar. The baking also helps lock in the moisture and flavours, resulting in a pasta that is succulent and delicious. I am most delighted at the generous serving of crayfish. There is not one, not even two, but altogether three crayfish halves! Magnifico!

Fresh assorted seafood pasta in squid ink based sauce
S$18.90++
Rating:

Your experience here is not complete until you have tasted the house speciality — squid ink pasta. This dark and mysterious dish is served chock-full with clams and prawns, and topped with a mussel, all of which help lend extra seafood flavour. That said, the most appealing (or perhaps unappealing to some) quality of this pasta has to be its dramatic appearance.

Black as sin itself, the squid ink sauce is surprisingly pleasant and mild, with none of the pungency that I had prepared myself for. It is cooked al dente with a hint of tomato flavouring. A must-try for squid ink fans, as well as the people who are curious about squid ink but have yet to muster enough courage to taste it.

Tiramisù
S$8.90++

I always feel that the mark of a good Italian restaurant can be measured not only by the pastas, but the tiramisù as well. Perhaps the most famous Italian cake, a trip to an Italian restaurant or café should always end with this dessert. Here, new batches of tiramisù are freshly made in-house everyday.

My verdict? It is one of the lightest versions I have ever had. The intersecting layers of creamy mascarpone cheese and airy sponge cake are so light and smooth, the cake seemingly melts in the mouth. This is a stellar example of the Italian dessert.

Creme brulee
S$9.90++

There is also the creme brulee that is off the menu for now, but I reckon it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The crack of the hard, burnt caramel top layer releases the wonderful aromas of the rich custard base. It is silky and creamy without being too heavy and sweet. I love it!

Aside from the food, one thing that I must commend about Pasta Inc is the excellent service. Our waiter is dedicated and furnishes useful information about the dishes. He also offers to split our pastas into smaller portions for sharing. I find such attentiveness and product knowledge a rarity in Singapore restaurants.

A promotion for Sparklette readers!

I have worked out an agreement with Pasta Inc for all Sparklette readers. If you are visiting the restaurant, look for Keith and let him know that Veron recommended you. This way, you get your second pasta at half the price! I am not benefiting from this, but I know a promotion like this definitely sweetens the deal for many of us that would like to try out good gourmet pasta at friendly prices.

Pasta Inc
35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6297 7515 | Website
Service:

Opening hours: 12-2pm, 6-10pm

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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!

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]]> 13 http://sparklette.net/food/pasta-shop-by-sakae/ http://sparklette.net/food/pasta-shop-by-sakae/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:40:39 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=772 Popular sushi restaurant chain Sakae Sushi has diversified. This time, they are seeking a slice of the wafuu (japanese style) pasta market by opening up a new restaurant. Simply named The Pasta Shop, this casual eatery offers a large selection of inexpensive pasta here, as well as burgers and thin Japanese pizza.

It’s a good idea to check out the restaurant during weekdays from 11:30am to 3pm, when you can take advantage of their $13.95++ set lunch promotion that comes with a soup, pasta and drink. Look what I got!

Chili Soft-Shell Crab Pasta (Set lunch)
S$13.95 (includes soup, pasta and drink)++
Rating:

It’s the delicious soft-shell crab pasta (that would otherwise cost $15.90, which is still affordable)!

The pasta is done a la Singapore chilli crab style, with the same sweet and spicy chilli gravy. I guess this is yet another rendition of fusion food — Japanese and Singaporean! It’s my first time having chilli soft-shell crab. And on paper, it certainly looks like a yummy combo.

On my first mouthful, I found the gravy to be more salty than sweet. But soon enough I found myself slurping down the sauce-laced spaghetti hungrily, leaving none behind! The sauce is very delicious!

Cream of Corn Soup
Rating:

The soup of the day was cream of corn. When I drank the soup I liked it immediately. It’s sweet and savoury, though not nearly smooth enough as I could still taste the kernels. But that’s just my preference.

For the drink included in the set lunch, you can choose from coffee, tea or green tea. The iced tea that I went for was too syrupy sweet!

While we’re on the subject of wafuu pasta, I’ve noticed an increasing number of restaurants offering mentaiko pasta. Even my favourite café tcc is offering it!

Have you tried mentaiko pasta before? What is it like? Let me know what you think! I’m tempted to go find out for myself too.

The Pasta Shop by Sakae
Wheelock Place
501 Orchard Road #02-03/14
Singapore 238880
Tel: +65 6836 5123
Service:

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The first of these new restaurants that I have visited is Mingles La’ Brassarie. Why? One reason — the lobster. The last time I got to enjoy a whole lobster was at the exclusive members-only Tanglin Club. Lobsters do not come cheap. So the moment I learned that Mingles serve linguine with a fresh whole lobster at an affordable price, my heart was already there!

Lobster Linguine
S$22.90+
Rating:

Despite the lobster being a baby-sized one, I was pleased with the supremely sweet and succulent taste of its flesh. Yum! Lobsters and crayfish totally make my day! For the sauce, you can choose between white wine sauce and pomodoro sauce. Given a choice, I would go for a tomato-based pasta any day. The tangy taste complements seafood very well.

The linguine pasta, on the other hand, was slightly undercooked instead of al dente. That’s my only gripe with this dish, albeit a major one. I had to leave some of the linguine untouched because I actually had trouble finishing it.

Nonetheless, props to them for the super prompt service and short waiting time though; all our food came within 15 minutes!

Calamari Fritti
S$9.90+
Rating:

Another seafood dish that we had was the calamari fritti, served in the form of long strips rather than the usual rings. The squid is tender and nice, while the beer batter is light and crisp. Along with the sides of garden salad and a tartar sauce dip, this dish makes a nice appetiser.

Rösti with Spicy Italian Sausage
S$16.90+
Rating:

When ordering a sausage dish, you can specify the type of sausage you prefer from the 8 choices available. We chose a pan grilled spicy Italian sausage with our rösti, served with home-made sour cream. The sausage was overtly salty and didn’t taste very good in our opinion.

To complement these European dishes, the restaurant sports a European theme for its decor. One side of the wall is decorated with murals of famous sights around Europe such as the eiffel tower and london bridge. On the opposite side of the wall are mounted flat-screen television panels playing music performances of andrea bocelli. This choice of music seems rather odd, but maybe that’s just me.

Besides a main area with regular dining tables and chairs, there is also a smaller and funkier dining area with round and bright red chairs. Very cute!

In fact, this is perfect for hanging out during teatime from 3 to 6pm. That’s when they have a $16.90 ice cream buffet with free flow of New Zealand natural premium ice cream (18 flavours), freshly baked waffle cubes and a cup of hot coffee or tea. Doesn’t that sound sinfully yummy? With the sweltering heat these days, this treat sure is sweet relief.

In any case, there are still a number of other new restaurants to check out. I probably wouldn’t be making a repeat visit anytime soon. Meanwhile, recommendations for a sumptuous and affordable lobster dish somewhere are always welcome!

Mingles La’ Brassarie
Playground @ Big Splash
902 East Coast Parkway
Blk B #01-11/12
Singapore 449874
Tel: +65 6346 3055
Service:

Bus services: 13, 16, 196
Nearest MRT: Eunos

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily

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The reason that keeps me going there is that the team of chefs serve up a mean seafood pasta. And let’s not forget the oh-so-sinful-and-yummilicious chocolate lava cake too.

But with this new 2008 menu, I’ve found a third good reason.

Assam Prawns with Linguini
S$14.80++
Rating:

The assam prawn dishes are newcomers to the menu, falling under the brand new category “just like home”, which is dedicated to local flavours. Bakerzin owner and chef Daniel Tay was taught by his Dad on how to prepare the delicious assam prawns.

For those with a weakness for spicy food, you would totally love this. I tell ya, these juicy prawns go so well with the thick and sweet spicy gravy, they’re practically exploding with flavour. It’s mouthwatering and lip-smackingly good!

Just when I thought they can’t possibly do any better than their 5-star seafood pasta, they whip up this new pasta that totally surpasses my expectations! Like the seafood pasta, a generous serving of prawns is tossed in too.

Besides the east-meets-west fusion of assam prawns with linguini, you can also choose to have it with Japanese rice. I might ask for spaghetti next time though; I feel spaghetti might just go better than linguini.

Update: I tried this with spaghetti a few days later and guess what? I did like it better than the linguini!

Oh, for the seafood pasta die-hard fans, this old favourite is still on the new menu. They wouldn’t dare take it away would they? Personally I’m just thrilled to have another excellent option for my next visit!

Aglio Olio Spaghetti
S$8.80++
Rating:

Another old favourite that remains is the traditionalist pasta dish, aglio olio spaghetti, sautéed with olive oil, garlic, chilli padi and parsley. While it was tasty, we did find it too dry for our liking. I sure hope it isn’t always dry like that, especially since this place doesn’t serve water. That’s my only pet peeve with Bakerzin. (a rather major one though.)

But who needs aglio olio when you already have two awesome tried-and-tasted pasta dishes right? Wow, my entire mouth just filled up with saliva. Can’t wait for my next visit!

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