http://sparklette.net/food/tung-lok-seafood/ http://sparklette.net/food/tung-lok-seafood/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:00:10 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1286 Do you know that Tung Lok Seafood has a wonderful ala carte buffet promotion at Orchard Central? I’m not sure how I ever missed it, but if it wasn’t for the American Express SELECTS programme, I wouldn’t have known.

The daily ala carte dinner buffet at Tung Lok Seafood restaurant offers 40 dishes available for repeat orders, including seafood, meats, Japanese cold cuts and sashimi, rice and noodles, and desserts. Each diner also gets a serving of chilli crab and shark’s fin soup.

Ala carte buffet dinner
S$38.80++ (Minimum 4 persons)
6pm – 10:30pm daily
Menu

The price is pretty decent for the quality of the food served and the unlimited orders allowed. As with most Chinese and seafood restaurants, you are charged for the Chinese tea and pickles. If you make payment with your AmEx card before 29 January 2012, there is the extra perk of entering the weekly Volkswagen car giveaway!

Here, I will highlight my personal picks. The drunken prawns is definitely one of the best dishes of the night. The prawns are large and juicy, but the real star of the show is the herbal soup, which is perfectly clear and light in colour but intensely tasty. You would want a repeat order of this.

Also worth a mention is the crispy fish skin with salted egg yolk. It may sound icky, but it makes a delightful snack — like chips!

Smoked duck breast

For appetisers, the smoked duck breast receives votes of approval from my whole family. Served sans embellishments, the sensuously thin slices of duck are flavourful and make an exceedingly satisfying prelude to the meal. They disappear from the plate within minutes!

Salmon sashimi

The availability of a Japanese selection of salmon, sushi, octopus and baked scallops is surprising but much welcomed. The salmon sashimi is fresh and served in generous ample slices.

Crispy prawns with butter and cereal

Amongst the seafood, apart from the aforementioned drunken prawns, you also can’t go wrong with the cereal prawns, covered in a heap of crispy fragrant cereal.

Chilli crab

The chilli crab seen here is the serving for five. Whilst usually sweet and savoury, the sauce in this case is marred by a rather strange tasting sourness. If you’re wondering why, here’s the official reply from Tung Lok:

Our Chilli Crab contains a unique blend of Orange Juice and Tomato sauce!

How interesting! A side of fried buns — one of the 40 buffet items — proves to be the perfect complement.

Sautéed sliced venison with black pepper sauce

My most favourite item from the Tung Lok Seafood ala carte buffet is the sautéed sliced venison, a superlative effort by the chef. Meat lovers just can’t miss this. The dish features tender chunks of venison. Colourful vegetables and a lovely black pepper sauce complete the delicious scenario.

For dessert, you may partake of five choices:

• Herbal jelly served with honey
• Chilled almond beancurd with longan
• Sweetened sesame cream
• Sesame pancake with lotus seed filling
• Ice cream puff

They live up to expectations too!

Even at a very busy evening, the staff are quick to tend to our orders and serve us with a smile. At the Tung Lok Seafood buffet, you expect to eat to your heart’s content… and you will not be disappointed. If you decide to head down, reservations are a must!

Have Your Say!

Where can we enjoy a decent ala carte buffet in Singapore? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Tung Lok Seafood
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road #11-05
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6834 4888 | Website
Service:

---

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/tung-lok-seafood/ | Leave a comment

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0

http://sparklette.net/food/ya-kun-kaya-cookies/ http://sparklette.net/food/ya-kun-kaya-cookies/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:29:54 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1276 Singapore coffee chain Ya Kun has a long history — since 1944 — of serving up delicious kaya toast. But did you know they also sell cookies made with their famed coconut jam?

The cookies are available all year round. And just for Chinese New Year, they have been specially packaged in tins. So if you know anyone who’s a big fan of the Ya Kun kaya, these kaya cookies would make great gifts.

Kaya cookies
S$16.80 for a tin / S$30.20 for 2

The kaya cookies are available in two flavours:

• Kaya butter
• Kaya pistachio

Personally I prefer the butter cookies to the pistachio version, as the butter cookies are lighter and crumble easily in the mouth while the pistachio cookies are quite hard to bite on. Just don’t expect a full-on kaya flavour, as I find the taste of kaya rather subtle.

Butter cookies this good will disappear quickly! Be sure to get a tin for yourself before they fly off the shelves completely.

With a minimum S$8 purchase in a single receipt, you would receive a set of Ya Kun edition red packets. Great for red packet collectors!

Have Your Say!

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

What are your favourite types of cookies? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/ya-kun-kaya-cookies/ | 2 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Find out if you are one of the 3 lucky winners!

Winners

• Jolin Chua
• Ronald Low
• Teh Tarik Kosong

Congratulations to all winners! You will be contacted at your email.

Thanks to everyone that took part in this giveaway. And yes, for all you eagle-eyed readers that noticed. I mentioned this is only the FIRST Chinese New Year giveaway for 2012, which means there are plenty more to come! So even if you did not win this time, you can still take part in upcoming contests to win goodies for yourself!

To ensure that you never miss out on any giveaway, you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone).

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

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/red-house-yusheng-winners-2012/ | 1 comment

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

With Christmas just passed, Chinese New Year is just around the corner! This heralds the arrival of the yusheng (raw fish salad), a staple food I’ve come to love at Chinese New Year. In fact, I attended a dinner function on New Year’s eve, and to our pleasant surprise, yusheng was already being served then. It had raw salmon slices and gave me a sashimi craving for the whole of the weekend. If you’re interested, here’s an iPhone photo I took of the yusheng.

By now you must be thinking, let’s get on with the giveaway already! Alrightey, here goes…

We’re giving away salmon yusheng from Red House Seafood Restaurant so that you can too partake in some energetic lo hei action at home. Last year we held a similar giveaway. The response was so great that we’re doing it again! We’ve also extended the contest duration to a whole week so that those of you who are still holidaying some place exotic will have ample time to take part.

Yusheng Giveaway!

There are 3 sets of Prosperity salmon yusheng, worth S$38 each, from Red House Seafood Restaurant up for grabs. Every set comprises delicious ingredients like raw salmon, white radish, carrots, dried orange, pomelo bits, toasted sesame seeds, golden pillow crackers and more, accompanied by lime and plum sauces.

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and Red House Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Bonus points if you decide to also “Like” Sparklette Studio our web design company.)

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the answer to this question:
   

   What is your favourite yusheng ingredient? Is it the raw fish, the golden pillow crackers or something else?

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on January 8, 2012 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The 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.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and 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.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and Red House Seafood Restaurant (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/red-house-yusheng-giveaway-2012/ | 77 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 77 http://sparklette.net/food/heng-heng-curry-cafe/ http://sparklette.net/food/heng-heng-curry-cafe/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:00:47 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1247 Heng Heng Curry Café is a multi-cultural concept café serving popular dishes from Chinese dialect groups. You can savour Hokkien, Cantonese and Teochew cooking methods all under one roof.

The entrance resembles a fast food counter, but the quality of the meticulously prepared homely food speaks a different tone altogether.

The interior exudes a casual vibe; it is a comforting dining venue where families and friends can gather for a sumptuous meal.

Beverages

Fresh lime juice
S$3.80++

Refresh your palate with fresh lime juice, served in a ceramic cup that scores nostalgia points. On a negative note, there is too much ice added to the drink; it probably consists of 50% ice and 50% juice, forming a diluted beverage.

Starters

Fried crispy pumpkin
S3.90++

For starters, a personal favourite would be the crispy pumpkin. Fried to a golden brown exterior, the soft filling is sweet and savoury — a delicious alternative to French fries! Although it may be a little greasy, it sure is irresistible.

Mixed fruits rojak
S$5.90++

For a healthier appetiser, the mixed fruits rojak is refreshing; it includes juicy pineapples and crunchy apples, to name a couple of the ingredients based on what I can recognise underneath the yummy dressing.

Ngoh hiang (five-spice meat roll)
S$9.90++

A Hokkien favourite, the ngoh hiang meat roll is highly recommended. It houses a moist, juicy and tender interior within a thin crispy skin. The perfectly seasoned meat is neither made from paste nor starch; it consists largely of actual meat — absolutely toothsome!

Deep-fried soft soya beancurd
S$6.90++

Another personal favourite would be the deep-fried soft soya beancurd that boasts a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Though a little bland on its own, when dipped into the accompanying sweet chilli sauce, you will find yourselves jostling for the last piece.

Stir-fried steamed carrot cake
S$5.90++

The reasonably priced stir-fried steamed carrot cake is flavourful, tasty and well-seasoned. The carrot cake is denser than your typical rendition, charred beautifully with a lightly crisp exterior. The crunchy bean sprouts counterbalance the density of the dish.

This carrot cake has also been given a unique twist by being topped with pork floss, adding more punch to the already flavourful dish.

Mains

Fragrant pumpkin rice with Nonya prawns
S$14.90++

Another signature dish is the fragrant pumpkin rice with Nonya prawns. Each grain of rice is well-infused with flavour, fully absorbing the essence of the medley of ingredients — peas, dried shrimp and mushrooms to name a few. The resultant rice is moist and fragrant.

If a single portion of the pumpkin rice isn’t enough to satisfy, it can be ordered separately at S$3.

The crunchy Nonya prawns are slightly sweet and spicy, with mango cubes adding more sweetness. Apart from the prawns, you may choose from three other sides to accompany the fragrant rice: pan-fried marinated chicken thigh (S$10.90), braised pork with preserved vegetables (S$10.90) and fried pork ribs (S$12.90).

Heng Heng signature curry fish head (serves 2-3)
S$28.90++

A trip to Heng Heng Curry Café would not be complete without tasting the curry, obviously. The Teochew inspired curry fish head is a crowd pleaser, brimming with ingredients like ladyfingers, tomatoes, pineapple and apple chunks, with a substantial red snapper fish head as the centrepiece.

The curry is aromatic with a tangy fruity taste. It is not too thick and the spice level will be well accepted by the majority. Personally I can’t stop drinking it like soup! The fish is meaty and sufficiently tender, with few bones that can be picked out easily.

Soak up the delicious curry with steamed/fried buns (2 pieces for S$1) or pair it with steamed rice (S$1).

Curry kong bah (pork belly)
S$9.90++

The curry kong bah boasts tender pork belly and flavourful gravy, swimming with potato, eggplant and pineapple. The curry is slightly thicker and heavier than that in the curry fish head, with aromatic flavours from dried shrimp. The infusion of fruits in the curry such as pineapple helps to cut the richness of the coconut milk. This dish is worth a try! If pork in curry seems a bizarre combination, after a few mouthfuls, you will find yourself wanting more.

Desserts

Ice kacang
S$4.80++

End the meal on a sweet note with a cold treat. The desserts here are decent, albeit limited. To offset the spices, try the ice kacang.

Chendol
S$4.80++

Conveniently served in a tall glass, the chendol certainly looks tempting. The coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar) are blended harmoniously with the ice, resulting in a consistent flavour throughout the creamy mixture. The coconut richness and the distinctive sweetness from the gula melaka are lacking though. Upon our feedback, an extra dose of gula melaka is added.

Heng Heng Curry Café is still fairly new but the food impresses. Each dish preserves the individual tradition of various dialect groups by reflecting the taste from the olden days. You are bound to reminisce the good old kampong days here.

While the service can be improved upon and plates can be cleared more quickly, it is pleasant to see the welcoming and friendly attitude displayed by the waitstaff. This is one place you will definitely return for the homely and delicious food.

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

Heng Heng Curry Café Marina Square

Heng Heng Curry Café Causeway Point

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/heng-heng-curry-cafe/ | 2 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/ http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1228

Buffet Town is the new kid on the block of buffet restaurants. Located at Raffles City where Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar used to sit, the restaurant aims to be the ultimate international buffet venue with an offering of over 300 food items.

Buffet
Lunch (Mon-Fri): Adult $23.80++; Child $16.80++
Lunch (Sat-Sun, Eve of and PH): Adult $28.80++; Child $16.80++
Dinner (Mon-Thu): Adult $33.80++; Child $19.80++
Dinner (Fri-Sun, Eve of and PH): Adult $38.80++; Child $19.80++
Buffet rating:

Priced very reasonably for a buffet conveniently located at the heart of Singapore, it’s no wonder that the 450-seat restaurant is bustling with activity even on a weekday evening!

Mussels

As with all buffets these days, the seafood counter is a big hit and always crowded. Many diners can be seen piling up their plates with seafood. Look out for the big and juicy freshly shucked oysters.

Chilled crayfish and prawns

Maki

At the Japanese counter, the food is replenished quickly, ensuring that the freshest quality is always made available to diners. Check out the large assortment of maki rolls, ranging from the usual California rolls to asparagus. Hand-rolls are also prepared à la minute by the chefs on duty.

Assorted maki and sashimi

Grilled chicken

The hot food section is one of the largest I’ve seen, stretching around almost the whole of the restaurant interior. You will not be disappointed with the variety of items, ranging from grilled to deep-fried, and even curries!

Western stews and curries

Forrest pizza

Boasting a thin crust and a generous serving of ingredients and mozzarella cheese, it’s no surprise that the pizzas are snatched up almost as quickly as they are replenished!

Fish and chips

One of the most important components to a good fish and chips is the breading. The fish and chips served here have just the right crispiness — a pleasant surprise for this commonly overlooked dish.

Pasta station

A highlight of Buffet Town is the pasta station where you get to create your very own pasta. Simply choose the ingredients you fancy from choices like seafood, mushrooms and even bacon, then select your preferred pasta and sauce.

Penne aglio olio

While my penne aglio olio is packed with yummy ingredients, too much black pepper has been used, hence overpowering the dish. I also try a bowl of creamy spaghetti, in which the cream sauce is lacking and prawns are undercooked.

Roast beef

The restaurant has a few main dishes that are refreshed on a regular basis, namely the carving of the day and Chinese herbal soup. I enjoy the roast beef, which is tender and nicely cooked to pink.

Old cucumber soup

Tempura

Go for the tempura, which is executed to a crisp delight. The sweet potato and ladyfingers are unanimous favourites.

Teppanyaki

Fill your plates with the meats and greens from the teppanyaki station. The chefs are friendly and ever ready to cook up a storm with your selected items. A pity that there is no alert system to inform you when your order is done, which sometimes results in collecting a plate of food that has already gone cold.

You would also find chefs hard at work grilling Japanese and local items.

Grilled pineapple

These skewers of grilled pineapple provide an interesting combination of textures and flavours, and complement the sweet satay meats.

Grilled skewers

The scallops and mussel mentai are highlights from the Japanese grilled section, cooked to perfection and still retaining the fresh seafood goodness. Best enjoyed when they are fresh off the grill!

Mussel mentai

And we’re still not done with this review yet! Buffet Town also has quite a few booths — like the adorable mini rojak stall — dedicated to serving Singapore local favourites.

Rojak station

Carrot cake

The carrot cake is just the way I like it — chunky, slightly sweet and savoury.

Laksa

While my dining companion enjoys the laksa, I feel it could have used more spices and chilli.

Hainanese chicken rice

The chicken rice may be a bit dry, while the meat is just the right oiliness and very flavourful.

Chilli crab

Sinful, but oh-so good, the scrumptious chilli crab gravy is finger-licking good and couples well with the deep-fried mantou.

Coffee and tea station

Having a ‘kopitiam’ right within the restaurant is a stroke of genius! After a heavy meal, there’s nothing better than to kick back and unwind with your favourite kopi-O or teh-si!

For those who prefer something else, there are also drinks machines, and even soy milk.

Soy milk

Mini cakes and éclairs

Not to be left out is the desserts selection. Aside from the usual cakes and tarts, you can also opt for green bean soup, cheng tng or even make your own ice kachang!

Ice cream

While the goreng pisang and waffles are nothing out of the ordinary, I find the ice cream flavours surprisingly tasty and appealing. Do try the rich chocolate as well as macadamia, which has a smooth, subtle sweetness.

Buffet Town has its share of hits and misses. While it is not on par with the high-end buffet establishments, it offers diners a very good range of items at an affordable price. As it is still relatively new, I expect improvements and better things to come.

Where can you enjoy the best value buffet in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/buffet-town/ | 7 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 7 http://sparklette.net/food/wok-and-barrel/ http://sparklette.net/food/wok-and-barrel/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:00:44 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1224

Located at Duxton Hill, the current “it” food place in town, is Wok & Barrel — a new modern Singaporean restaurant. Set up by Shen Tan, founder and cook of Madam Tan’s, you can expect Singaporean hawker flavours executed with bold and modern twists alongside her famed nasi lemak.

Decorated with contemporary photographs, the cosy interior is modern yet casual, reflective of the concept behind the restaurant. During the day, patrons can also enjoy dining indoors with natural lighting from a skylight, lending a special touch to the dining experience.

Food

Crispy chicken
S$7.90

Just one bite of the crispy chicken and any idea of a diet is out the window! Each piece of the deep-fried, boneless chicken thigh is juicy and flavourful, making every minute of the 24-hour marinating period in Madam Tan’s secret marinade worth its while.

Nasi lemak rice
S$1.90

Served with traditional nasi lemak chilli and extra spicy sambal belacan, the delightful twice-steamed lemak rice is both fragrant and fluffy — good enough to eat on its own!

Chicken curry
S$8.90

The version of chicken curry here is rich and dry, and closer to a rendang. While I find it a bit too lemak for my taste, it sure had my dining companions fighting over the last bits of the loaded gravy!

Lamb char siew
S$29

Dry-rubbed with spices and grilled to pink perfection, the organic free-range lamb neck fillet is surprisingly tasty and full of flavour. I also enjoy the side of greens and French fries that gave a twist to this classic dish.

Rendang pizza
S$11.90

One bite is all it takes for me to fall in love with Wok & Barrel’s rendang pizza! With chunks of rich, fork-tender beef rendang over a light, hand-thrown crust, then topped with cheese, it is simply irresistible!

Bak chor mee pasta
S$19.90

Fans of the local favourite bak chor mee should definitely give the bak chor mee pasta a go! With hand-made tagliatelle paired with the signature “5 spice roast pork”, and tossed in a spicy piquant sauce, this modern interpretation is both tasty and novel.

Desserts

Shendol delights
S$7.90

Shen’s version of the local dessert chendol — aptly named “Shendol delights” — is a great union of rich, silken coconut panna cotta served with Gula Melaka syrup and creamy, home-made red bean ice cream. Yum!

Chocolate Guinness cake
S$7.90

While I enjoy the pairing of the vanilla-scented cream with the hints of Guinness Stout from the Valrhona chocolate cake, the chocolate Guinness cake would have been more enjoyable had it been more moist.

Pulot Hitam cake
S$7.90

The Pulot Hitam cake, a sticky date pudding-inspired dessert of steamed Asian black glutinous rice cake, sinfully drenched in Gula Melaka butterscotch, and served with ice cream is absolutely divine. A definite must-order!

Drinks

Knappstein reserve lager
S$15.90

Hitachio nest white ale
S$12.90

Though I am not much of a beer-drinker, the Hitachio nest white ale stands out with its light floral notes, accenting the stronger flavours of the dishes served here.

Service is efficient and warm. One notable point is that the restaurant does not believe in levying a 10% service charge, and has instead adopted a tipping policy for good service.

Given that it is still new to the market, Wok & Barrel stands out with its innovative and creative style. I can’t wait to see what other new additions they will add to the menu in future!

Know any good eats in Duxton Hill? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/wok-and-barrel/ | 5 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 5 http://sparklette.net/food/plaza-brasserie-parkroyal-seafood-buffet/ http://sparklette.net/food/plaza-brasserie-parkroyal-seafood-buffet/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:00:30 +0000 Jasper Aston Lim http://sparklette.net/?p=1223 Plaza Brasserie at Parkroyal on Beach Road has brought back its popular seafood buffet. You can have your choice of the freshest catch of the day such as pomfret, sea bass, snapper, sea bream and tilapia prepared in the way you prefer. Choose from various cooking styles like Hong Kong, Teochew, Nonya or even Thai lime and chilli!

And on weekends, a wider selection of seafood is available along with your buffet, including white clams, mud crabs, fresh prawns, bamboo clams and more.

Seafood Galore
September 2 – October 30, 2011
Mon – Thu Dinner: Adult: S$45++ / Child: S$27++
Fri – Sun Dinner: Adult: S$48++ / Child: S$29++

With the exception of the salad counter and the chilled seafood platter, much of the buffet slants towards Asian cuisines. Indeed, as one of the longer standing buffet restaurants in Singapore, Plaza Brasserie has built its reputation as a place to go for Asian buffet alongside a spread of local cuisine.

I like the little Asian touch at the bread and cheese section with the fish and prawn crackers.

Fried pomfret with sweet and sour sauce

Perfectly executed, the pomfret is nicely fried to a crisp. The accompanying sweet and sour sauce only makes the dish more appetising.

Black pepper white clams

Black pepper bamboo clams

I don’t know what secret lies in the recipe of the black pepper sauce, but Chef Jackson has managed to refine it to further enhance the freshness of the clams. Definitely my choice of preparation style next time I’m there.

Mussels in sambal sauce

The mussels are a highlight amongst the seafood dishes. I particularly enjoy the pairing of the big, fleshy mussels with sambal sauce. Delicious!

Hong Kong-style steamed sea bass

While I am usually not a fan of steamed fish, the Hong Kong-style steamed sea bass is a hit. Steamed to perfection, the flesh is firm with a subtle sweetness.

At the hot food section, you may be pleasantly surprised by the wide spread of local favourites.

Hainanese chicken

The Hainanese chicken is superb, especially when paired with sweet chilli sauce and a serving of fragrant chicken rice. You even get to choose your preferred chicken parts here!

Black pepper beef

Braised sea cucumber with mushroom

The sea cucumber and soft-shell crabs are permanent fixtures in the hot food section — and it’s not hard to see why. I enjoy the soft-shell crabs immensely, which have been deep-fried in a spiced-batter, lending extra oomph.

Deep-fried soft-shell crabs

Laksa

At the ‘live’ cooking station, a selection of local delights, such as laksa, roasted meats, oyster omelette and noodles are available.

Oyster omelette

Served fresh off the pan, the oyster omelette is so scrumptious, I find myself getting repeat servings.

Look out for the Japanese section, where they serve up a variety of sushi and sashimi, as well as items like cold soba noodles.

Assorted tempura

I hardly praise the tempura found at buffets, but I must say that I thoroughly enjoy the prawn and eggplant tempura here!

You can indulge in a good selection of prata with flavours like banana and even chocolate, alongside two curries of the day — vegetable and prawn on the day of our visit.

Durian prata

Durian lovers will surely go gaga over the durian prata. As one of the signature dishes, it will impress with the fresh, high quality durian pulp wrapped in a thin layer of roti prata. You can also opt for a scoop of ice cream on top, instantly turning it into a delectable dessert!

Apart from a chocolate fondue fountain with various dippers, the range of desserts also includes items like bubor cha cha, cheng tng and chendol.

Chocolate cake

Go for the chocolate cake, which is rich yet light enough to keep you wanting more. You can also opt for the colourful nonya kueh.

Nonya kueh

If your family or friends are seafood fans, then this is one great promotion you would not want to miss.

Have Your Say!

Where can you enjoy the best seafood buffet in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/plaza-brasserie-parkroyal-seafood-buffet/ | 5 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

9 Laksa Purple Packs, worth $50 each and serves 10 went up for grabs. Read on to find out who the lucky winners are.

Winners

• Darren Ong
• Angela Huang
• Christine Sim
• Mi zi
• Frances Tay
• Hui Shan
• Chan Choong Cheng
• Aileen
• Tania Chang

Congratulations to the 9 winners! We will be contacting you at your email.

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

About Purple Sage

Purple Sage is an award-winning caterer in Singapore. Its innovative food and professional set-up help this boutique caterer stand out from conventional caterers. Apart from catering, Purple Sage also offers complementary services such as floral arrangements, private dining, wedding consultation and planning, and no-frills catering for any event.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/purple-sage-laksa-winners/ | Leave a comment

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/ http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:00:56 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1203 Having met the stringent requirements, Asian Market Café at Fairmont Singapore is now halal certified. During the month of Ramadan, the restaurant rolls out the authentic flavours of the Middle East combined with traditional Malay cuisine, boasting an extensive spread including pan-Asian cuisines and local favourites with live cooking stations, fruit and salad stations and a dessert station.

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

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

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

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

Toss up your salads with the condiments and dressings provided.

Bamboo shoot with baby shrimp

Nyonya Achar

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

Tabbouleh

Chickpea salad

Kimchi

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

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

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

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

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

Chicken Shawarma with condiments

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

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

Satay (meat skewers)

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

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

Fried beehoon (rice vermicelli)

Nasi goreng (fried rice)

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

Deep fried fish with Thai spicy sauce

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

Turmeric chicken

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

Sayur Lodeh (Indonesian vegetables in coconut curry)

Sambal Udang Belimbing (spicy sambal prawns)

Daging Lembu Masak Lada Hitam

Nonya chap chai (mixed vegetables)

Nonya chicken

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

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

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

Ayam Panggang (roasted chicken with fresh spices)

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

Mutton rendang

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

Beef Semur (Indonesian beef stew)

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

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

Soup Samunpai (Thai herbal soup)

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

Laksa

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

Roti prata (Indian pancake) station

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

Roti prata (Indian pancake)

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

Teh tarik

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

An aromatic cup of coffee is available upon order.

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

Sweet papaya soup

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

Nyonya kueh

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

Cincau Soya

Ang Ku Kueh

Crème caramel flan

Baked jackfruit tart

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

Macau egg tarts

Rice pudding

Turkish semolina cake

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

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

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

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

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

The buffet is available until August 30, 2011.

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

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

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/fairmont-buka-puasa-buffet/ | 1 comment

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

As much as I love the daily themed set meals that were available at the restaurant from day one, the new menu boasts a far better variety in terms of cuisines and dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty steak, a healthful salad or a satisfying hor fun, you will have no problem finding a dish that suits your palate.

And boy, are the portions generous.

Nasi Goreng “Istimewa”
S$13.80++

The Nasi Goreng “Istimewa” would appeal to anyone that loves nasi lemak or satay — it gives you the best of both worlds! The impressive food galore of Indonesian spicy fried rice with a fried chicken wing, fried egg, roasted peanuts, prawn crackers, ikan bills and chicken satay is served with a shot-glass of peanut gravy.

Crispy tempura soft shell crab
S$11.80++

Another satisfying number is the crispy tempura soft shell crab. On paper, the mishmash combo of shredded mango, green papaya and carrot with two deep fried soft shell crabs seems like an unlikely pairing. Fusion may be a dirty word, but it all tastes pretty good together, especially with the Thai sweet chilli sauce.

Abalone seafood laksa
S$18.80++

One of the best-selling items here is the abalone seafood laksa, and it’s not hard to see why. The laksa arrives in a huge bowl, chock-full of abalone, prawns, scallops and rice noodles. The 1-for-1 laksa promotion with certain credit cards doesn’t hurt either. My only gripe is that the gravy isn’t as thick and fragrant as I would like, especially having grown accustomed to what I personally find is the best laksa in town.

Black glutinous rice dessert
S$4.80++

The Asian dessert of the day offers a touch of nostalgia. On this day, black glutinous rice dessert is served, prettily drizzled with coconut milk. The natural sweetness and pandan fragrance is heavenly.

Know any other hidden gems? Share with us in the comments!

Re!Fill
Hotel Re! @ Pearl’s Hill
175A Chin Swee Road
Singapore 169879
Tel: +65 6827 8226 | Website
Service:

Opening hours: 7am – 11pm daily

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/hotel-re-refill-restaurant/ | 2 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Planning an event, gathering or party soon? Purple Sage, an award-winning caterer in Singapore, is celebrating its 9th birthday in August. For any orders made this month, you can top up your menus with the signature laksa at just S$1.99 a person instead of the usual S$4.

Its innovative food and professional set-up help this boutique caterer stand out from conventional caterers. Apart from catering, Purple Sage also offers complementary services such as floral arrangements, private dining, wedding consultation and planning, and no-frills catering for any event.

Ever wanted to hold your very own laksa party without breaking out your pots and pans? Read on to find out how you can win a special laksa pack for 10 to share with friends and loved ones.

Laksa Pack for 10 Giveaway!

Because it is Purple Sage’s 9th birthday, 9 lucky Sparklette readers will each get to win a Laksa Purple Pack for 10 people worth $50 each.

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

   
   

2. To participate, post “Happy 9th Anniversary to Purple Sage!” on the Purple Sage Facebook page.
3. Leave a comment here with your Facebook name and a valid email address.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on August 15, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 9 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.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and 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.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This contest is organised by Sparklette and Purple Sage (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. This contest is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
  3. The Organisers reserve all rights to use any submissions for promotional and marketing purposes.
  4. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  5. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this contest is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  6. The Organisers reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions without prior notification.
  7. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/purple-sage-laksa-giveaway/ | 66 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Having had a great experience with the Prima Taste ready-to-cook meal kits, we’re curious to see if the new DIY laksa is as good.

The laksa lamian is much cheaper than the meal kits, but includes just two packets of sauces and the additional noodles.

Each packet holds these contents:

• Laksa premix (coconut milk mix)
• Laksa paste (herbs and shrimp paste)
• Lamian noodles

While the set is meant for one, we find that the noodles and mix contents are in fact sufficient for two small eaters.

Instead of making your laksa from scratch, you can buy this and whip up a laksa feast with minimum hassle. This is perfect if you are like me and hate cooking because of all the preparation involved and the cleaning afterwards.

Laksa LaMian
S$2.57

Within 7 minutes, you have yourself a steaming pot of delicious laksa gravy with noodles. The best part — it actually tastes better than the ones I’ve had at hawker centres! No kidding. The coconut milk gravy is rich and fragrant, and so hearty that I slurp it all down.

It lacks the green laksa leaves and extra sachet of sambal chilli that come with the pricier ready-to-cook meal kits, but still makes for a deeply satisfying laksa experience. For some that like it hot, there is sufficient chilli heat in the gravy even without the extra sambal.

I don’t remember the last time I was so thrilled with something bought from the supermarket. You gotta try this out for yourself.

What are your thoughts on these DIY food products? What other brands have you tried? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/prima-taste-laksa-lamian/ | 8 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 8 http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/ http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 03:00:55 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1140 Old Chang Kee is probably most famous for their curry puffs. With a food kiosk at every other shopping mall, you can say that their curry snacks have dominated the local food scene. Do you think Old Chang Kee sells the best curry puffs in Singapore?

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

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

Old Chang Kee curry puffs
S$1.30

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

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

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

Old Chang Kee ( Halal certified)
Website

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/old-chang-kee-curry-puffs/ | 7 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Located just across the street from Parkway Parade shopping centre, the 10 year old Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel may not look like much from the outside. The restaurant interior, however, exudes a casual ambience with decidedly homey touches.

Vintage furnishings such as multi-coloured tiffin carriers, oil lamps, and wooden furniture add an old school elegance. (If you are keen to learn more about Peranakan culture, you can visit the Peranakan Museum in Singapore.)

I am especially intrigued by these wooden cabinets. They are filled with so many jars of sweets and tins of biscuits from my childhood years, they are like a window to the past! Not only do the sweets add an interesting touch of detail to the décor, they are great for snacking too. Recognise any of these?

Does anyone remember those haw flakes? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them. They are little flat discs of dark pink candies stacked on top of one another in a paper wrapper.

Buffet

The buffet spread comprises a line-up of Peranakan and other local flavours. During the Mother’s Day period (ending May 15, 2011), the theme is predominantly Peranakan and highlights more dishes from the Nonyas.

Appetisers include jellyfish kerabu, honeydew and prawn salad, and achar.

Salads also make excellent starters. You can toss up vegetables like Romaine lettuce, Mesclun salad and cherry tomatoes with Caesar, Thousand Island and balsamic vinaigrette dressings. The condiments include black raisins, croutons, Parmesan cheese and roasted peanuts.

The chilled seafood section has a selection of scallops, mussels and prawns. The display of small quantities at a time does not look very appealing, although this is probably done to preserve the freshness of the seafood.

At the live cooking station, the staff are on hand to make you piping hot bowls of laksa and mee siam. The laksa boasts a thick and rich, slightly sweet coconut milk gravy. It is so tasty that I can’t help but drink it like soup, stopping only after feeling a tinge of guilt for my heart.

If you feel like getting your hands dirty, create some kueh pie tee.

Buah keluak is one of the signature delicacies of the Peranakan community. Those black nuts are something of an acquired taste, but if you are at all inclined, this is definitely the place to give it a try. While it is usually cooked with chicken, the Feast@East version uses pork, braised to marvellous tenderness that will leave you wanting more.

Help yourself to the various deep-fried goodies like chicken wings, spring rolls and ngoh hiang (meat rolls).

Amongst the hot dishes, I find myself getting second helpings of the petai prawns, assam fish and satay chicken. The satay chicken, a sweeter rendition of the peanut gravy in satay beehoon (rice vermicelli), is superb.

For the dinner buffet, crayfish is also available.

Desserts

To complete the retro dining experience, try your hand at making your own ice kacang (shaved ice dessert) with the classic ice grinding machine, then top it up with the coloured syrups.

As for me, I prefer to save room for the dazzling range of cakes and Nonya kueh.

There are the ubiquitous ang ku kueh, kueh dadar (rolled pancake with coconut filling), kueh lapis (multi-layered cake), onde-onde (cake with brown sugar filling), and more. Durian fans can tuck into the durian cake.

While the aforementioned are good, it is hard to beat the luscious durian paste. How good is it? Well, let’s just say that of all the desserts here, this one is presidential.

The Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel buffet affords an extremely welcome alternative to the run-of-the-mill hotel seafood and international buffets. The cooking is impeccably good, the atmosphere is relaxed and the service is quick and efficient.

Where can you find the best Peranakan food in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

Feast@East Buffet Restaurant
Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, Level 3
50 East Coast Road
Singapore 428769
Tel: +65 6340 5665 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Lunch: Mon – Sat 12noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: Mon – Sun 6pm – 9:30pm
Brunch: Sun 11am – 3pm

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/grand-mercure-roxy-hotel-buffet/ | 7 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 7 http://sparklette.net/food/adam-road-nasi-lemak/ http://sparklette.net/food/adam-road-nasi-lemak/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:00:57 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1093 Nasi lemak fans would no doubt be familiar with the famous “Adam Road nasi lemak“, referring to one particular stall at the Adam Road Food Centre. The exact name of this supremely popular stall is Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, rumoured to be the best nasi lemak in Singapore.

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

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

Nasi Lemak
S$2.50 – 5.50
Rating:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/adam-road-nasi-lemak/ | 5 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

The chic and retro-themed Hotel Re! on Pearl’s Hill has a fabulous dining deal going on. At its flagship restaurant Re!Fill, the four-course “Re!Cess” set meals are going at just S$20.80++ each. Every set comprises of an appetiser, a soup, a main course and a pretty dessert platter, with free-flowing bread, coffee and tea thrown in to boot.

Depending on which day of the week you pay the restaurant a visit, you can enjoy one of these 6 cuisines, namely oriental, Italian, Japanese, western, Thai and Nonya.

• Read the review of the Hotel Re! set meals.
• Here’s the set meal menu.

Set Meals Giveaway!

This week, I am partnering Hotel Re! to give away 3 pairs of the “Re!Cess” set lunch/dinner for dining in at Re!Fill restaurant. That’s right, the prize is for a pair worth S$41.60++. Here’s how you can win:

Temptation Delight dessert platter from set meal

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

   
   

2. Leave a comment here using your Facebook name and a valid email address, along with the answer to this question:
   • Out of the 6 cuisines available for the Re!Cess set meal, what is your pick?

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on March 21, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• The 3 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.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please also note that comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and 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.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/hotel-re-set-meal-giveaway/ | 118 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

One huge draw is the four-course “Re!Cess” set meal (guess how the name came about) available daily through lunch and dinner. The price is a comparative bargain at $20.80++. Not bad considering it buys you an appetiser, a soup, a main and a dessert platter, plus free-flowing bread, coffee and tea.

The theme rotates daily. From Mondays to Fridays, the cuisines served are oriental, Italian, Japanese, western and Thai respectively; Nonya sets are served on weekends. All sets include two options for main courses. Here’s the menu.

Oriental Set

In the case of the oriental set, your journey commences with egg Foo Yong, taro fritter, seasoned baby octopus and sweet potato, arranged neatly on a rectangular plate.

Egg Foo Yong, taro fritter, seasoned baby octopus and sweet potato
Rating:

The egg Foo Yong in particular has a distinct home-cooked flavour that reminds me fondly of mom’s cooking. This is followed by the soup.

Braised shark’s fin soup with crab meat
Rating:

With swirls of crab meat and mushroom shreds in a golden broth, the braised shark’s fin soup is a surprise find, certainly not something I would expect in a $20.80 four-course meal. Since shark fin by itself is flavourless, I do wonder if there’s actual shark meat in it. While I would never order shark fin on my own and don’t want to encourage anyone to do so, I do enjoy the delicate flavour and texture of this one.

Wok-fried duck breast with olive vegetable
Rating:

For the main course, you may have either the salted egg prawn or the wok-fried duck breast as seen here. The duck breast is cut into thin, succulent slices. Both choices are embellished with sautéed asparagus and served with palate-pleasing garlic fried rice.

Temptation Delight
Rating:

Now comes the best part — desserts. Escorted to the table on a platter drizzled with chocolate syrup, the Temptation Delight comprises strawberry ice cream, a shot of tiramisu, a cream puff, and a delightfully decadent mini brownie.

Western Set

If you’d prefer to go the western route, you may try either the Italian set or the western set.

Smoked salmon Caesar salad
Rating:

The Caesar salad comes with lettuce, strips of smoked salmon, hard boiled egg, croutons and a smattering of bacon bits. It is salty, creamy and has a tangy bite to it. I wish there were more of those crunchy croutons instead of just the sprinkling amount.

Crab bisque scented with chervil
Rating:

Apart from the salad, the savoury pool of crab bisque would also perk up your appetite.

Crayfish and crab meat thermidor
Rating:

For the main course, you have a choice between poultry or seafood — barbecued spring chicken or crayfish and crab meat thermidor. Both are served with corn on the cob and potato wedges.

Nuzzling in creamy cheese are shreds of crab meat and generous chunks of crayfish. The plating would have looked better if the crayfish shell was included in the dish, like the way lobster thermidor or prawn thermidor is done. That being said, it is apparent that the chef has taken care to add a dash of colours using the tomato, corn and salad.

And finally, there’s the dessert platter and free-flowing coffee and tea to put a sweet ending to the meal.

Apart from the oriental and western sets, there are three other cuisines available such as Italian, Japanese and Muslim. If you fancy a satisfying meal inclusive of appetisers, soups, mains and desserts at a price that is super friendly on your wallet, then you definitely do not want to miss the Re!Cess set meals at Hotel Re!.

Sparklette Giveaway!

I am giving away 3 free pairs of the Re!Cess set meals. You can enter the contest here.

Aside from Hotel Re!, do you know of any other place where we can enjoy a four-course meal at an affordable price? Tell us in the comments!

Re!Fill
Hotel Re! @ Pearl’s Hill
175A Chin Swee Road
Singapore 169879
Tel: +65 6827 8226 | Website | Menu
Service:

Available daily from 11am – 10pm

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/hotel-re-restaurant/ | Leave a comment

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/prata-wala/ http://sparklette.net/food/prata-wala/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:29:43 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1084 Night owls on the prowl for places serving late night supper, mark down Prata Wala. This Indian eatery operates 24 hours daily at Jurong Point and remains open till late at Tiong Bahru Plaza as well as the new NEX Mall in Serangoon.

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

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

Banana prata
S$3.90
Rating:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Share your favourite prata stalls in the comments!

Prata Wala at Jurong Point

Prata Wala at NEX Mall

Prata Wala at Tiong Bahru Plaza

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/prata-wala/ | 9 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net

Well, it’s the seventh day of the Chinese New Year today. Traditionally, this day is known as ren ri (人日), which means everybody’s birthday. To celebrate, we enjoy the festive seven-coloured dish of yusheng (raw fish salad).

For the lo hei action at home, we go for the yusheng at Sakae Sushi. When you purchase it as take-out, it is packed in a red flattish box that resembles a pizza box.

“Rong” Yu Sheng
- Small (6 slices of salmon, serves 1-2) – S$18.88
- Medium (12 slices of salmon, serves 3-5, pictured above) – S$32.88
- Large (22 slices of salmon, serves 6-10) – S$48.88

Available until February 17, 2011

Yusheng symbolises abundance and prosperity. Sure enough, every set is abundant in ingredients! Included in the salad are vegetable shreds such as carrot and lettuce, Mandarin orange peel as well as the fun crackers more popularly known as golden pillows.

For the medium portion that serves 3 to 5 people, five sets of disposable chopsticks and wet towels are provided for your convenient yusheng tossing action.

Whoa, ain’t that a lot of fish? As you can see, the salmon slices are very generously-proportioned, and more importantly, fresh.

Apart from salmon, another succulent treat from the sea is jellyfish.

Packed neatly in little plastic tubs are plum sauces, sesame oil, sesame seeds and crushed peanuts. The condiments that come in the adorable little red and green packets are cinnamon and pepper.

The yusheng sales at the Japanese sushi chain must be extremely brisk; boxes of the colourful dish can be seen stacked all the way to the ceiling! With the abundance of ingredients in each set and the very reasonable prices, it’s not hard to see why.

Have you indulged in any yusheng this Chinese New Year? If you have had any memorable yusheng tossing action, don’t forget to share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/sakae-sushi-yusheng/ | 5 comments

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

© 2011 Sparklette.net