If you ever take a stroll down Telok Ayer Street on a quiet Sunday evening when most of the shops are closed, you will notice a small shop with a brightly lighted blue signboard which is packed with people. The signboard reads Bee Heong Palace Restaurant. Known to many of the older generation as one of the finer Hokkien restaurants around, it used to be located at PIL building along Cecil Street for quite a number of years, but has since shifted to its current smaller premises. On this sleepy evening, we were lucky to get a table without making reservations.
As mentioned earlier, the place is small. And by that, I mean cramp. You probably can fit about 30 people indoors and thats already a very generous estimate. I understand that they do have tables upstairs, but I didn't get a chance to go up, so no comments.
Haer Zhor - Prawn Rolls - This was probably one of the better dishes of the night. The skin was crispy and the filling had lots of bite due to the high proportion of minced meat. Here comes the problem. There was so much meat in the filling that I couldn't really make out any prawns except for small bits of shrimps hidden within the filling. Why call it Haer Zhor or Prawn Rolls when there hardly seem to be any prawns around?
Hokkien Mee - As the name of this dish suggests, its a must order when having Hokkien cuisine. The gravy appeared quite thick and starchy at first sight, but was in fact rather watery and tasted quite bland. The noodles tasted rather flat and didn't have the slight bitter aftertaste that I personally prefer. An above average rendition, but maybe I've eaten more than my fair share of Hokkien Mee to not be impressed by it.
Stir Fried Baby Kailan - The simplest dish, yet the dish I liked the best. Green and bursting with freshness, the Kailian was stir fried just right with oyster sauce, fried onions and garlic. A no frills yet delightful dish.
Fish Maw Soup - he soup was easy on the starch but tasted quite normal. There were but a few slices of Fish Maw, but then again, what do you expect for a $3 a bowl soup? However, I would have liked it better if the slices of Fish Maw were slightly crispy, like the one I had at Beng Hiang.
Kong Ba Pao - The key to increasing your cholesterol level and waistline served in the disguise of a soft and fluffy Pao. We had a small serving of it and was disgusted. First of all, the meat was ridiculously fatty. I estimated about 75% of the meat was fats. 50% is still marginally acceptable, but 75%? I really don't wish to die of a heart attack before I'm 30. Secondly, the gravy, which plays a pivotal role in this dish, was bland. No matter how much gravy I splashed onto the Pao, the taste was still very sublime.
Dinner didn't cost us a cent because it was a treat from my mum's boss(many thanks!) who we happened to bump into at the restaurant, but judging from the listed prices in the menu, it would have come up to about $40 for 3 pax, which is rather inexpensive. To be fair, the food wasn't really up to standard, but I would probably give it another chance(I'll order other dishes of course) since it comes highly recommended by my mum, who has dined there quite a few times.
Decided to try some traditional Hokkien cuisine and where better to try it than the famous Beng Hiang Restaurant. It is renowned for it's excellent culinary skills in Hokkien fare and it is no secret that even UOB's chairman and CEO, Mr Wee Cho Yaw, dines there frequently. We made a reservation for 2000hrs and got there about 5 mins late and believe me when I say this, the place was packed to the brim with people and the place had at least 40 tables! Thank goodness we had a reservation.
Our orders were taken promptly and we had most of their signature dishes, (We would have liked to try more, but our stomachs and pockets were constrained)which included - Ngo Hiang with Har Cho, Hokkien Mee, Oyster Omelette, Kong Ba Pao and Fish Maw Soup.
The Ngo Hiang with Har Cho was very good. The Ngo Hiang was very cripsy and crunchy while the Har Cho was crispy and filled with shrimps. The Har Cho went well with the plum sauce provided. Very fresh with no taste of reused oil at all, unlike others that I have tried. The Hokkien Mee was tasty with the gravy a little starchy and the Mee chewy and eggy. This is something different from the usual Hokkien Mee which is often very oily. Oyster Omelettes are usually soft, so it came as a surprise when the Oyster Omelette served was thin and crispy which was just heavenly. The oysters were also larger than the small ones you get outside.
Delicious doesn't even begin to describe the Fish Maw Soup. It looked and tasted a little like sharks fin soup except that it had fish maw and egg in it. Thick, marginally starchy and full of flavour. This is one thing you definitely have to try. The Kong Ba Pao was also nicely done. The Kong Ba was evenly layered and it was melt in your mouth kind of tender. I usually have reservations about eating such high cholesteral food, but now I'm a convert!
Overall it cost us about $80 for 5 pax, which all of us unanimously agreed that it was worth the money and that the food was good. Don't bring your date for a romantic dinner though, because it's heck of a noisy there, unless the both of you are just looking for good food. I will unbashedly declare that I'll be back to try the other dishes, namely the suckling pig. And oh yes, there's no service charge as well, which is a plus. Try this place out, you won't regret it.
Twas the night before Christmas and most restaurants were fully booked for the yuletide season. I got lucky and managed to squeeze in a table at IL Lido, which incidentally was the venue of my last Christmas dinner. To see my previous writeup on IL Lido, click here. On a side note, I realised that there was a downsizing in the number of courses from 5 last year to 4 this year. So much for inflation.
The interior was as I had remembered it to be, simple yet oozing unadulterated chic. I did find the spacing between tables a lot narrower now (maybe I just expanded horizontally), which made eavesdropping an interesting after dinner pastime (pun intended). The outdoor seating promises a view of the Singapore Straits and if you are lucky, some cooling breeze. The interior on the other hand, is filled with nice cool air but comes without much of a view.
Complimentary Bread - I am pleased to say that the complimentary bread was still up to standard. Thin and crispy with lots of bite, it helped us quash our hunger as we waited for the dishes to be served.
Home Made Tagliolini with Live Lobster and Green Asparagus Tips - I wasn't too impressed by this dish as the texture of the Taglionlini tasted like wanton noodles to me. That's not to say that it wasn't good though, coming across as springy, full of bite and light on the palate. Something could be done about the sweetness of the lobster though.
Goose Liver with Pears and Marsala Wine Sauce - I'm no expert in foie gras but I do feel that it could have been more quivery and smooth. However, on a lighter note, it went very well with the pear and marsala wine sauce, which by nature was fairly sweet.
Roast Turkey Stuffed with Pancetta and Truffle, Apple and Chestnut Puree - For mains, you either get the turkey or the cod and since I'm not a fan of fish, I chose the former. The turkey was a delight if I may say so, with the meat tender and juicy and the stuffing of pancetta, truffle, apple and chestnut puree adding a nice touch of sweetness and texture. Pity about the small serving.
Pan Roasted Atlantic Cod with Porcini Mushrooms and Potato Cream - This was probably one of the weirdest cod fish that I've ever tasted to date. Firstly, it reeked of the raw fish taste that I personally dislike and secondly, the flesh tasted very soft and mashed up, which together with the equally soft potato cream, made me nauseous.
Chocolate Souffle with Wild Berries and Caramel Sauce - Aesthetically pleasing, the chocolate souffle came served under an intricate red basket made of sugar. The crust of the souffle was a little soft and pudding like, which was quite a bummer but as I broke into it, mounds of chocolate oozed out. Simply decadent!
I would have hoped that with the parring down of the menu for the same price, food quality would have stayed consistent or even gone up a notch. However, this was obviously not the case, with dinner merely slightly above average and weighing in at $245 with a glass of dessert wine. I'll probably be trying somewhere else next year.
Privé, or private in French, is the latest entry to the rapidly growing waterfront dining scene in Singapore. Opened just a few weeks back, Privé boasts an intimate and exclusive dining experience sans the toll charges (think Sentosa).
Hidden within the exclusive Marina at Keppel Bay which is linked only via a newly constructed suspension bridge, Privé houses a New York style modern fine dining restaurant, an outdoor gastrobar along the marina edge for drinks and a bakery selling pastries and desserts. Decor in the restaurant is simple yet classy and cosy, with its carpeted floors and dark wooden finishings. For those who prefer a view of the sea or the surroundings, the gastrobar would be a much better choice but do note that its solely for drinks only.
The amuse bouche came complimentary and was a cod and potato mussolini. Smooth and hinted more of potato then cod but overall a nice starter, albeit of small proportions.
Bay Scallop Carpaccio - The scallops were thinly sliced and topped with caviar. Very decent without the overwhelming raw taste of scallops. Not exactly bang for the buck though as there was just a few slices for $28.
Striploin - I am not one for praises but the striploin really was excellent. Throughly seasoned and well grilled on the outside yet medium rare on the inside, each bite was greeted with a burst of flavour. You do not have to worry about the serving size as well because it is a respectable 10oz (340g), which is more than enough for the average person. The only minor gripe I had was that it did come across as a tad too salty for my liking.
Chocolate Dessert Platter - This decadent dessert came with 3 items, namely the chocolate fondant, tart and ice cream. I personally found the ice cream quite of a delight due to its smooth texture and chocolate chips within. It did help that it came atop a thin wafer base.
The chocolate souffle was really one of the best I have had in months - a tad hard on the outside, unlike the soft pudding like ones I've had recently and with rich chocolate oozing forth with the breaking of the crust.
Probably the only disappointment in this platter was the chocolate tart. Granted, the chocolate was rich and smooth but the tart itself tasted flat and crumbled too easily. If only the base was a little harder with an oven baked taste. Now that would be nice!
Bourbon Madagascan Vanilla Creme Brulee - Fanciful as it may sound, the creme brulee wasn't exactly out of this world. Soft and quivery with a tinge of bitterness, the interesting thing was that the vanilla beans were grown from plants located in countries in the Indian Ocean, hence the term Bourbon Madagascan. A pity the layer of sugar atop wasn't homogeneously burnt, which resulted in some parts being charred.
$146 for 1 appetiser, 1 main and 2 desserts isn't cheap. Period. However, I am suitably impressed with the quality of food. Service is excellent and reservations are recommended because the place was full by the time I finished my dinner. On a side note, the suspended bridge linking the "main land" to Keppel Bay will be officially opened on 3rd Jan 08 whereas the club will have its launch on the 8th. If you want to beat the crowds, it would be best to visit from now till then.
Didn't fancy jostling with the crowds for a seat during dinner so popped by Oscar's for a relatively peaceful meal far from the maddening crowds.
Located on the ground floor of Conrad Centennial, this versatile cafe is known for its international buffet spreads, but we decided to go against the norm and opted for ala carte instead. Decor is rather "cafeish" with a good mix of wood and opulent lighting, complete with Birds of Paradise donning the place.
Personally, I thought the chicken & mango wrap was nicely done as the wrap was lightly toasted and not too thick. The filling of chicken and mango went well with what tasted like the peanut sauce found in Rojak - sweet yet not overwhelming. Fresh crunchy vegetables added zest and juiciness to the dish. Lest expectations shoot too high for this dish, let me just say that its decent, but not outstanding.
Conrad Burger - I've developed a penchant for burgers recently so got myself their signature burger to try. The finely grounded beef patty was a little too overdone but still relatively juicy and tasty without coming too strong on the raw beef taste. Bacon strips beneath a buttery toasted bun provided a nice salty taste.
Oscar's Profiteroles - The profiteroles were quite a bit of a let down. Firstly, they didn't come drenched in chocolate (unlike the ones in France), which would have made it so much nicer. You would have probably guessed that the chocolate syrup was woefully inadequate. On the upside, the ice cream was nice and smooth but strangely enough, the pistachio ice cream tasted more like almond to me.
Chocolate Royal Hazelnut Crunch - A most delightful (and not to mention sinful) dessert, the hazelnut crunch was light and not too rich, complete with a nice wafer biscuit base. Very much like eating a smooth rendition of Rocher, which I personally fancy quite a bit. I didn't quite take to the macaroon, cold Sauternes Sabayon or tropical fruit though.
$85 for 1 appetiser, 1 main and 2 desserts certainly doesn't qualify as value for money. However, food quality is arguably above average so that might just lessen the pain of forking out so much money a wee bit. Service, though professional, could have been friendlier.
Fans of the now defunct PaPi at Mohd Sultan road will be happy to know that Chef Salvatore, who headed the kitchens there, has ventured out to start a new Italian restaurant - La Noce.
Hidden in a secluded area just along Chu Lin Road, off the Hillview estate, La Noce, which means "Walnut", is a tiny eatery which can probably hold about 35 pax. The interior is simply furnished and instantly puts one at ease with its cosiness and warmth. Please be warned that its not an easy place to find but if you do find it, there's free valet parking available. And public transport is a big no no, unless you are willing to walk.
The complimentary bread was a joke. Charred on the outside and dry on the inside. It wasn't served warm as well. What else can I say?
Vitello Tonnato - For $18, I had honestly expected more. Sure, the veal was thinly sliced but the taste was overwhelmed by the tuna sauce so much so that you could have substituted the veal with ham and I wouldn't really be able to tell the difference. Still a decent dish though.
Ravioli White Truffle - You could have imagined my delight when I heard from our waiter that La Noce was actually doing a special of White Truffle Ravioli. Honestly, for $24 a pop, I certainly didn't expect much. However, what I got was way below expectations. The white truffle flakes, if any, were drowned by the cream sauce which was a pity really, considering that white truffles have to be eaten with something light to bring out its aroma and taste. The stuffing inside the Ravioli, which our waiter claimed was made from white truffles (a most unbelievable statement considering the prohibitive prices of white truffles), tasted like mashed up cheese and together with the cream sauce, made for a nausea inducing dish.
Quattro Stagioni - The Stagioni, or 4 seasons pizza as it's also known, was decent but not outstanding. The crust, though thin, was way too hard and I had problems cutting through it. Quantity of ingredients was sufficient though.
La Noce Souffle - This has got to be one of the lousier Chocolate Souffles that I've ever eaten. Minimal chocolate oozed out of the cake when I broke through the crust, which was a bummer really. The texture of the cake didn't taste like cake, but more of kueh, soft and a tad elastic. And $14 for this is a joke.
Dessert Platter - Tiramisu, pine nuts pie, Panna Cotta and Profiteroles made up the dessert platter and honestly, none were outstanding, all average at best. The tiramisu has no alcohol in it, which would still have been acceptable if it was fluffy and moist - both of which were lacking. The profiteroles were reminiscent of the ones in France, freshly drenched in chocolate and served. The only glaring difference was that the ones from La Noce were drenched in chocolate and then left to sit before serving, which made the pastry rather soft.
Sadly, even the quintessential panna cotta wasn't up to the mark. It wasn't very quivery or sweet enough. The pine nut pie was the best of the lot, with the pine but filling light yet tasty. But still not outstanding.
$490 for 7 pax is honestly a case of too little, too much. Too little in terms of quality/value and too much in terms of cost. Service is excellent and so is the hospitality of Chef Salvatore, but he needs to bring back the standards of PaPi before I'll even considering stepping in again.
Dropped by Epicurious, one of the lesser known outfits dotting Roberton Quay, for a late dinner. Interestingly, the word epicurious stems from the words epicure, which is used to describe someone with refined taste, especially in food and wine and curious.
Occupying just a small unit along the bustling Roberston Walk, Epicurious does mostly al fresco seating with the exception of 3 small tables in its tiny interior which seem to suffer from cooling problems (read. Where's the airconditioning?) The al fresco area has big blower fans to cool the area though, which is probably why people usually choose to sit outside instead of inside (from my observations).
Epicurious Burger - Read many good things about the burger so thought I would give it a shot with the works ($4 for an addition of egg, cheese and bacon) First looks, it didn't come across as impressive as the one from Wild Rocket, especially in the size department. Taste wise was pretty decent though. The beef patty could have been a little less cooked but still managed to retain its juiciness and taste. Add the egg, cheese and bacon in and you get one hearty burger. I didn't like the bread though, which was a little too toasted, rendering it hard. The accompanying fries were just overfried and too salty.
Herb Roasted Half Chicken - The chicken was nice without being too strong on the herbs, a bane that most such dishes suffer from. However, the portions could have been bigger and I personally would have liked it to be a little more sour so as to bring out the contrast.
Hazelnut Cheesecake - Interestingly, the hazelnut cheesecake came topped with strawberries. That aside, it was actually quite good, with the cheese relatively light and airy without being too overwhelming. The base was a concoction of dark chocolate and orange peel, which was certainly something different.
$55 for 2 mains and 1 dessert might seem to be pushing the boundaries for reasonable pricing. But food is pretty decent and the place is rather cosy with good service. Worth a visit if you are in the vicinity and dont want to bust your budget dining at the fancier outfits.
Popped by the Siglap area for lunch one afternoon with my colleague and chanced upon Sushi Jiro while scouring the area for Japanese food.
Unpretentiously located along East Coast Road just before Siglap Centre, Sushi Jiro plays neighbour to the more illustrious Perle Noir, which incidentally, is never open for lunch. The decor is simple and you get to dine in private tatami rooms which can probably seat about 2-8 pax.
I've honestly not eaten enough Chawamushi to gauge whether Sushi Jiro's rendition was good, but I did like it for coming across as light on the palate. The addition of orange peel to the rather watery base was a nice touch as it introduced a slightly bitter dimension to the dish.
Wakadori Karaage - The chicken was nice and crispy but tasted like it had too much oil. Every bite brought forth a secretion of juices (oil water), which got me worrying for my health really.
Eihire - This dish piqued my curiosity quite a bit as I've never eaten stingray fins before. Lightly grilled, the fins were interesting but not something I would order again. It seemed rather salty for starters and when eaten with the mayonnaise, the flavours didn't seem to complement, to the extent of being weird.
Tempura Moriawase - Almost a staple regardless of which Japanese restaurant I patronise, the tempura batter was thin and light but a little too bland for my liking. I did like the prawns that came with it though, huge, fresh and sweet. The other stuff were rather average.
California Maki - I can't think of a better word than average to describe the California Maki. Rice was of the right texture but seemed a little too scattered. The only plus point was that it was covered with roe.
I would say that overall the meal was very average but the tatami rooms did make for a more private and enjoyable lunch. However, $58 for 2 pax might seem a little steep especially for the quality and quantity of food. That said, service is good and they have a rather novel system (at least in Singapore) of catching the wait staff's attention, which is to clap your hands.
Had a thing for German food one day so popped down to Werner's Oven for lunch one day. To date, my only experience with German food was the rather good dinner at Magma, which I hoped Werner's Oven could emulate.
Housed in a small shop along East Coast Road in the Siglap area, Werner's has been featured in various television programs as well as articles touting its authentic and tasty German food. The interior is simple yet homely complete with a bar counter and nice Christmas look a like decorations.
Fried Camembert - Interestingly, when I first ordered this dish, I had hoped it would be on par with the one I had at Senso some time back. Unfortunately, it wasn't half as good although I have to admit that the cheese was nice and a little molten in the centre while the exterior was deep fried to a crisp. Would have preferred the core to be a little firmer though as it did seem a little too gooey for my liking.
In all honesty, the calamari was good the first few pieces as the batter tasted like those you would find on onion rings. You might wonder why its only the first few pieces. Well because the batter was way too oily and when eaten with the accompanying Mayonnaise, rendered me nauseous really fast, especially when everything turned cold.
Fleischkase - German Meatloaf with Sauteed Potatoes and Fried Egg - I shall refrain from complaining, but the Fleischkase was a joke! It really tasted like luncheon meat to me, albeit of a more substantial chunk and less salty variation. For the price, I rather eat luncheon meat!
Schmorbraten - Beef Pot Roast with Dumpling, Boiled Potatoes - The Schmorbraten's gravy looked and tasted a little too dense but the beef was still acceptable - nice and tasty but a little too chewy. Nothing fantastic though and I probably wouldn't order this again.
Rote Grutze - Sweet Sour Cherry and Raspberry Sago with Vanilla Sauce - A rather interesting dish and I must admit that I've never tried it before. However, it wasn't as special as I had made it out to be. The sago came submerged under a layer of vanilla sauce and its texture reminded me of jam. So just imagine jam under a layer of creamy tasting sauce. Not something I'll order again as it was a little too weird for me.
Baked Cream Cheese Cake - I wasn't too impressed with the cheesecake as it wasn't as creamy as I would have liked it to be and the accompanying ice cream tasted like king's ice cream! Decent nevertheless.
$78 for lunch for 3 pax is really expensive given the quality of food. I would be hard pressed to find a reason to return, rave reviews in the media or not. On a side note, Werner's operates a bakery just next door as well, which sells some really cool German bread.
In the western region of Singapore lies a gem that is Restaurant Chako. Established in 1978 by Chako, the lady boss cum chef, the eatery boasts home cooked food that is cooked when you place your order and at prices that won't burst your pocket.
Located at a rather prominent row of shops along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Chako is ironically hidden from sight and totally devoid of human traffic on a Tuesday evening. Not that I'm complaining though. The interior was tiny and oozed a homely feel made complete by a shelf full of Japanese comics and the motherly figure of Chako, who fussed over us and explained to us in detail the items on the menu (which happens to be in Japanese by the way).
The Occha deserves a mention on its own. Unlike the usual Occha served at most other Japanese eateries, the Occha here was particularly fragrant and carried a whiff of coffee aroma. It had a tinge of coffee taste as well which was delightful.
The sides of Miso Soup and Cold Tofu came with every order of a main course. What I liked about the Miso soup was that there were cockles in it, which was something different. However the soup did come across as a tad too salty for my liking. The tofu was soft and silky but nothing out of the ordinary.
My Hanburg steak was nice and thick but a little too soft for my liking. Meat was pan fried till well done instead of the usual medium/medium rare which would have been tastier and juicier. Simply done without the frills and very decent.
Served up with various vegetables like lettuce, carrots, egg plants etc, the Yakiniku Chicken was relatively well done. Crispy on the outside and not too heavy on the BBQ sauce. Add the fact that it was topped with a generous amount of crushed peanuts and you have a nice yet simple dish.
The vanilla soya bean ice cream came across as light, tasting of soya with a tinge of vanilla. It came with cut fruits which had been carefully prepared, ie. the grapes had the head cut off and the pear has its skin removed.
I'm not exactly a fan of yoghurt but the mango yoghurt wasn't half as bad as I made it out to be. Slightly sourish with a dash of mango. I understand that both desserts are hand made by Chako herself.
We were the only 2 customers in the restaurant that evening and it was a long dinner, standing at 2.5hrs and costing $55. Expensive? A little. Food quality? Decent. Satisfaction from a home cooked dinner? Priceless. On a side note, please be prepared to wait for your food as it is a one man show. If you can't understand Japanese, please bring along something to read to while away the long waiting times.
1=SGD 0.0587
If you ever take a stroll down Telok Ayer Street on a quiet Sunday evening when most of the shops are closed, you will notice a small shop with a brightly lighted blue signboard which is packed with people. The signboard reads Bee Heong Palace Restaurant. Known to many of the older generation as one of the finer Hokkien restaurants around, it used to be located at PIL building along Cecil Street for quite a number of years, but has since shifted to its current smaller premises. On this sleepy evening, we were lucky to get a table without making reservations.
As mentioned earlier, the place is small. And by that, I mean cramp. You probably can fit about 30 people indoors and thats already a very generous estimate. I understand that they do have tables upstairs, but I didn't get a chance to go up, so no comments.
Haer Zhor - Prawn Rolls - This was probably one of the better dishes of the night. The skin was crispy and the filling had lots of bite due to the high proportion of minced meat. Here comes the problem. There was so much meat in the filling that I couldn't really make out any prawns except for small bits of shrimps hidden within the filling. Why call it Haer Zhor or Prawn Rolls when there hardly seem to be any prawns around?
Hokkien Mee - As the name of this dish suggests, its a must order when having Hokkien cuisine. The gravy appeared quite thick and starchy at first sight, but was in fact rather watery and tasted quite bland. The noodles tasted rather flat and didn't have the slight bitter aftertaste that I personally prefer. An above average rendition, but maybe I've eaten more than my fair share of Hokkien Mee to not be impressed by it.
Stir Fried Baby Kailan - The simplest dish, yet the dish I liked the best. Green and bursting with freshness, the Kailian was stir fried just right with oyster sauce, fried onions and garlic. A no frills yet delightful dish.
Fish Maw Soup - he soup was easy on the starch but tasted quite normal. There were but a few slices of Fish Maw, but then again, what do you expect for a $3 a bowl soup? However, I would have liked it better if the slices of Fish Maw were slightly crispy, like the one I had at Beng Hiang.
Kong Ba Pao - The key to increasing your cholesterol level and waistline served in the disguise of a soft and fluffy Pao. We had a small serving of it and was disgusted. First of all, the meat was ridiculously fatty. I estimated about 75% of the meat was fats. 50% is still marginally acceptable, but 75%? I really don't wish to die of a heart attack before I'm 30. Secondly, the gravy, which plays a pivotal role in this dish, was bland. No matter how much gravy I splashed onto the Pao, the taste was still very sublime.
Dinner didn't cost us a cent because it was a treat from my mum's boss(many thanks!) who we happened to bump into at the restaurant, but judging from the listed prices in the menu, it would have come up to about $40 for 3 pax, which is rather inexpensive. To be fair, the food wasn't really up to standard, but I would probably give it another chance(I'll order other dishes of course) since it comes highly recommended by my mum, who has dined there quite a few times.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Decided to try some traditional Hokkien cuisine and where better to try it than the famous Beng Hiang Restaurant. It is renowned for it's excellent culinary skills in Hokkien fare and it is no secret that even UOB's chairman and CEO, Mr Wee Cho Yaw, dines there frequently. We made a reservation for 2000hrs and got there about 5 mins late and believe me when I say this, the place was packed to the brim with people and the place had at least 40 tables! Thank goodness we had a reservation.
Our orders were taken promptly and we had most of their signature dishes, (We would have liked to try more, but our stomachs and pockets were constrained)which included - Ngo Hiang with Har Cho, Hokkien Mee, Oyster Omelette, Kong Ba Pao and Fish Maw Soup.
The Ngo Hiang with Har Cho was very good. The Ngo Hiang was very cripsy and crunchy while the Har Cho was crispy and filled with shrimps. The Har Cho went well with the plum sauce provided. Very fresh with no taste of reused oil at all, unlike others that I have tried. The Hokkien Mee was tasty with the gravy a little starchy and the Mee chewy and eggy. This is something different from the usual Hokkien Mee which is often very oily. Oyster Omelettes are usually soft, so it came as a surprise when the Oyster Omelette served was thin and crispy which was just heavenly. The oysters were also larger than the small ones you get outside.
Delicious doesn't even begin to describe the Fish Maw Soup. It looked and tasted a little like sharks fin soup except that it had fish maw and egg in it. Thick, marginally starchy and full of flavour. This is one thing you definitely have to try. The Kong Ba Pao was also nicely done. The Kong Ba was evenly layered and it was melt in your mouth kind of tender. I usually have reservations about eating such high cholesteral food, but now I'm a convert!
Overall it cost us about $80 for 5 pax, which all of us unanimously agreed that it was worth the money and that the food was good. Don't bring your date for a romantic dinner though, because it's heck of a noisy there, unless the both of you are just looking for good food. I will unbashedly declare that I'll be back to try the other dishes, namely the suckling pig. And oh yes, there's no service charge as well, which is a plus. Try this place out, you won't regret it.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Twas the night before Christmas and most restaurants were fully booked for the yuletide season. I got lucky and managed to squeeze in a table at IL Lido, which incidentally was the venue of my last Christmas dinner. To see my previous writeup on IL Lido, click here. On a side note, I realised that there was a downsizing in the number of courses from 5 last year to 4 this year. So much for inflation.
The interior was as I had remembered it to be, simple yet oozing unadulterated chic. I did find the spacing between tables a lot narrower now (maybe I just expanded horizontally), which made eavesdropping an interesting after dinner pastime (pun intended). The outdoor seating promises a view of the Singapore Straits and if you are lucky, some cooling breeze. The interior on the other hand, is filled with nice cool air but comes without much of a view.
Complimentary Bread - I am pleased to say that the complimentary bread was still up to standard. Thin and crispy with lots of bite, it helped us quash our hunger as we waited for the dishes to be served.
Home Made Tagliolini with Live Lobster and Green Asparagus Tips - I wasn't too impressed by this dish as the texture of the Taglionlini tasted like wanton noodles to me. That's not to say that it wasn't good though, coming across as springy, full of bite and light on the palate. Something could be done about the sweetness of the lobster though.
Goose Liver with Pears and Marsala Wine Sauce - I'm no expert in foie gras but I do feel that it could have been more quivery and smooth. However, on a lighter note, it went very well with the pear and marsala wine sauce, which by nature was fairly sweet.
Roast Turkey Stuffed with Pancetta and Truffle, Apple and Chestnut Puree - For mains, you either get the turkey or the cod and since I'm not a fan of fish, I chose the former. The turkey was a delight if I may say so, with the meat tender and juicy and the stuffing of pancetta, truffle, apple and chestnut puree adding a nice touch of sweetness and texture. Pity about the small serving.
Pan Roasted Atlantic Cod with Porcini Mushrooms and Potato Cream - This was probably one of the weirdest cod fish that I've ever tasted to date. Firstly, it reeked of the raw fish taste that I personally dislike and secondly, the flesh tasted very soft and mashed up, which together with the equally soft potato cream, made me nauseous.
Chocolate Souffle with Wild Berries and Caramel Sauce - Aesthetically pleasing, the chocolate souffle came served under an intricate red basket made of sugar. The crust of the souffle was a little soft and pudding like, which was quite a bummer but as I broke into it, mounds of chocolate oozed out. Simply decadent!
I would have hoped that with the parring down of the menu for the same price, food quality would have stayed consistent or even gone up a notch. However, this was obviously not the case, with dinner merely slightly above average and weighing in at $245 with a glass of dessert wine. I'll probably be trying somewhere else next year.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Privé, or private in French, is the latest entry to the rapidly growing waterfront dining scene in Singapore. Opened just a few weeks back, Privé boasts an intimate and exclusive dining experience sans the toll charges (think Sentosa).
Hidden within the exclusive Marina at Keppel Bay which is linked only via a newly constructed suspension bridge, Privé houses a New York style modern fine dining restaurant, an outdoor gastrobar along the marina edge for drinks and a bakery selling pastries and desserts. Decor in the restaurant is simple yet classy and cosy, with its carpeted floors and dark wooden finishings. For those who prefer a view of the sea or the surroundings, the gastrobar would be a much better choice but do note that its solely for drinks only.
The amuse bouche came complimentary and was a cod and potato mussolini. Smooth and hinted more of potato then cod but overall a nice starter, albeit of small proportions.
Bay Scallop Carpaccio - The scallops were thinly sliced and topped with caviar. Very decent without the overwhelming raw taste of scallops. Not exactly bang for the buck though as there was just a few slices for $28.
Striploin - I am not one for praises but the striploin really was excellent. Throughly seasoned and well grilled on the outside yet medium rare on the inside, each bite was greeted with a burst of flavour. You do not have to worry about the serving size as well because it is a respectable 10oz (340g), which is more than enough for the average person. The only minor gripe I had was that it did come across as a tad too salty for my liking.
Chocolate Dessert Platter - This decadent dessert came with 3 items, namely the chocolate fondant, tart and ice cream. I personally found the ice cream quite of a delight due to its smooth texture and chocolate chips within. It did help that it came atop a thin wafer base.
The chocolate souffle was really one of the best I have had in months - a tad hard on the outside, unlike the soft pudding like ones I've had recently and with rich chocolate oozing forth with the breaking of the crust.
Probably the only disappointment in this platter was the chocolate tart. Granted, the chocolate was rich and smooth but the tart itself tasted flat and crumbled too easily. If only the base was a little harder with an oven baked taste. Now that would be nice!
Bourbon Madagascan Vanilla Creme Brulee - Fanciful as it may sound, the creme brulee wasn't exactly out of this world. Soft and quivery with a tinge of bitterness, the interesting thing was that the vanilla beans were grown from plants located in countries in the Indian Ocean, hence the term Bourbon Madagascan. A pity the layer of sugar atop wasn't homogeneously burnt, which resulted in some parts being charred.
$146 for 1 appetiser, 1 main and 2 desserts isn't cheap. Period. However, I am suitably impressed with the quality of food. Service is excellent and reservations are recommended because the place was full by the time I finished my dinner. On a side note, the suspended bridge linking the "main land" to Keppel Bay will be officially opened on 3rd Jan 08 whereas the club will have its launch on the 8th. If you want to beat the crowds, it would be best to visit from now till then.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Didn't fancy jostling with the crowds for a seat during dinner so popped by Oscar's for a relatively peaceful meal far from the maddening crowds.
Located on the ground floor of Conrad Centennial, this versatile cafe is known for its international buffet spreads, but we decided to go against the norm and opted for ala carte instead. Decor is rather "cafeish" with a good mix of wood and opulent lighting, complete with Birds of Paradise donning the place.
Personally, I thought the chicken & mango wrap was nicely done as the wrap was lightly toasted and not too thick. The filling of chicken and mango went well with what tasted like the peanut sauce found in Rojak - sweet yet not overwhelming. Fresh crunchy vegetables added zest and juiciness to the dish. Lest expectations shoot too high for this dish, let me just say that its decent, but not outstanding.
Conrad Burger - I've developed a penchant for burgers recently so got myself their signature burger to try. The finely grounded beef patty was a little too overdone but still relatively juicy and tasty without coming too strong on the raw beef taste. Bacon strips beneath a buttery toasted bun provided a nice salty taste.
Oscar's Profiteroles - The profiteroles were quite a bit of a let down. Firstly, they didn't come drenched in chocolate (unlike the ones in France), which would have made it so much nicer. You would have probably guessed that the chocolate syrup was woefully inadequate. On the upside, the ice cream was nice and smooth but strangely enough, the pistachio ice cream tasted more like almond to me.
Chocolate Royal Hazelnut Crunch - A most delightful (and not to mention sinful) dessert, the hazelnut crunch was light and not too rich, complete with a nice wafer biscuit base. Very much like eating a smooth rendition of Rocher, which I personally fancy quite a bit. I didn't quite take to the macaroon, cold Sauternes Sabayon or tropical fruit though.
$85 for 1 appetiser, 1 main and 2 desserts certainly doesn't qualify as value for money. However, food quality is arguably above average so that might just lessen the pain of forking out so much money a wee bit. Service, though professional, could have been friendlier.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Fans of the now defunct PaPi at Mohd Sultan road will be happy to know that Chef Salvatore, who headed the kitchens there, has ventured out to start a new Italian restaurant - La Noce.
Hidden in a secluded area just along Chu Lin Road, off the Hillview estate, La Noce, which means "Walnut", is a tiny eatery which can probably hold about 35 pax. The interior is simply furnished and instantly puts one at ease with its cosiness and warmth. Please be warned that its not an easy place to find but if you do find it, there's free valet parking available. And public transport is a big no no, unless you are willing to walk.
The complimentary bread was a joke. Charred on the outside and dry on the inside. It wasn't served warm as well. What else can I say?
Vitello Tonnato - For $18, I had honestly expected more. Sure, the veal was thinly sliced but the taste was overwhelmed by the tuna sauce so much so that you could have substituted the veal with ham and I wouldn't really be able to tell the difference. Still a decent dish though.
Ravioli White Truffle - You could have imagined my delight when I heard from our waiter that La Noce was actually doing a special of White Truffle Ravioli. Honestly, for $24 a pop, I certainly didn't expect much. However, what I got was way below expectations. The white truffle flakes, if any, were drowned by the cream sauce which was a pity really, considering that white truffles have to be eaten with something light to bring out its aroma and taste. The stuffing inside the Ravioli, which our waiter claimed was made from white truffles (a most unbelievable statement considering the prohibitive prices of white truffles), tasted like mashed up cheese and together with the cream sauce, made for a nausea inducing dish.
Quattro Stagioni - The Stagioni, or 4 seasons pizza as it's also known, was decent but not outstanding. The crust, though thin, was way too hard and I had problems cutting through it. Quantity of ingredients was sufficient though.
La Noce Souffle - This has got to be one of the lousier Chocolate Souffles that I've ever eaten. Minimal chocolate oozed out of the cake when I broke through the crust, which was a bummer really. The texture of the cake didn't taste like cake, but more of kueh, soft and a tad elastic. And $14 for this is a joke.
Dessert Platter - Tiramisu, pine nuts pie, Panna Cotta and Profiteroles made up the dessert platter and honestly, none were outstanding, all average at best. The tiramisu has no alcohol in it, which would still have been acceptable if it was fluffy and moist - both of which were lacking. The profiteroles were reminiscent of the ones in France, freshly drenched in chocolate and served. The only glaring difference was that the ones from La Noce were drenched in chocolate and then left to sit before serving, which made the pastry rather soft.
Sadly, even the quintessential panna cotta wasn't up to the mark. It wasn't very quivery or sweet enough. The pine nut pie was the best of the lot, with the pine but filling light yet tasty. But still not outstanding.
$490 for 7 pax is honestly a case of too little, too much. Too little in terms of quality/value and too much in terms of cost. Service is excellent and so is the hospitality of Chef Salvatore, but he needs to bring back the standards of PaPi before I'll even considering stepping in again.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Dropped by Epicurious, one of the lesser known outfits dotting Roberton Quay, for a late dinner. Interestingly, the word epicurious stems from the words epicure, which is used to describe someone with refined taste, especially in food and wine and curious.
Occupying just a small unit along the bustling Roberston Walk, Epicurious does mostly al fresco seating with the exception of 3 small tables in its tiny interior which seem to suffer from cooling problems (read. Where's the airconditioning?) The al fresco area has big blower fans to cool the area though, which is probably why people usually choose to sit outside instead of inside (from my observations).
Epicurious Burger - Read many good things about the burger so thought I would give it a shot with the works ($4 for an addition of egg, cheese and bacon) First looks, it didn't come across as impressive as the one from Wild Rocket, especially in the size department. Taste wise was pretty decent though. The beef patty could have been a little less cooked but still managed to retain its juiciness and taste. Add the egg, cheese and bacon in and you get one hearty burger. I didn't like the bread though, which was a little too toasted, rendering it hard. The accompanying fries were just overfried and too salty.
Herb Roasted Half Chicken - The chicken was nice without being too strong on the herbs, a bane that most such dishes suffer from. However, the portions could have been bigger and I personally would have liked it to be a little more sour so as to bring out the contrast.
Hazelnut Cheesecake - Interestingly, the hazelnut cheesecake came topped with strawberries. That aside, it was actually quite good, with the cheese relatively light and airy without being too overwhelming. The base was a concoction of dark chocolate and orange peel, which was certainly something different.
$55 for 2 mains and 1 dessert might seem to be pushing the boundaries for reasonable pricing. But food is pretty decent and the place is rather cosy with good service. Worth a visit if you are in the vicinity and dont want to bust your budget dining at the fancier outfits.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Popped by the Siglap area for lunch one afternoon with my colleague and chanced upon Sushi Jiro while scouring the area for Japanese food.
Unpretentiously located along East Coast Road just before Siglap Centre, Sushi Jiro plays neighbour to the more illustrious Perle Noir, which incidentally, is never open for lunch. The decor is simple and you get to dine in private tatami rooms which can probably seat about 2-8 pax.
I've honestly not eaten enough Chawamushi to gauge whether Sushi Jiro's rendition was good, but I did like it for coming across as light on the palate. The addition of orange peel to the rather watery base was a nice touch as it introduced a slightly bitter dimension to the dish.
Wakadori Karaage - The chicken was nice and crispy but tasted like it had too much oil. Every bite brought forth a secretion of juices (oil water), which got me worrying for my health really.
Eihire - This dish piqued my curiosity quite a bit as I've never eaten stingray fins before. Lightly grilled, the fins were interesting but not something I would order again. It seemed rather salty for starters and when eaten with the mayonnaise, the flavours didn't seem to complement, to the extent of being weird.
Tempura Moriawase - Almost a staple regardless of which Japanese restaurant I patronise, the tempura batter was thin and light but a little too bland for my liking. I did like the prawns that came with it though, huge, fresh and sweet. The other stuff were rather average.
California Maki - I can't think of a better word than average to describe the California Maki. Rice was of the right texture but seemed a little too scattered. The only plus point was that it was covered with roe.
I would say that overall the meal was very average but the tatami rooms did make for a more private and enjoyable lunch. However, $58 for 2 pax might seem a little steep especially for the quality and quantity of food. That said, service is good and they have a rather novel system (at least in Singapore) of catching the wait staff's attention, which is to clap your hands.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
Had a thing for German food one day so popped down to Werner's Oven for lunch one day. To date, my only experience with German food was the rather good dinner at Magma, which I hoped Werner's Oven could emulate.
Housed in a small shop along East Coast Road in the Siglap area, Werner's has been featured in various television programs as well as articles touting its authentic and tasty German food. The interior is simple yet homely complete with a bar counter and nice Christmas look a like decorations.
Fried Camembert - Interestingly, when I first ordered this dish, I had hoped it would be on par with the one I had at Senso some time back. Unfortunately, it wasn't half as good although I have to admit that the cheese was nice and a little molten in the centre while the exterior was deep fried to a crisp. Would have preferred the core to be a little firmer though as it did seem a little too gooey for my liking.
In all honesty, the calamari was good the first few pieces as the batter tasted like those you would find on onion rings. You might wonder why its only the first few pieces. Well because the batter was way too oily and when eaten with the accompanying Mayonnaise, rendered me nauseous really fast, especially when everything turned cold.
Fleischkase - German Meatloaf with Sauteed Potatoes and Fried Egg - I shall refrain from complaining, but the Fleischkase was a joke! It really tasted like luncheon meat to me, albeit of a more substantial chunk and less salty variation. For the price, I rather eat luncheon meat!
Schmorbraten - Beef Pot Roast with Dumpling, Boiled Potatoes - The Schmorbraten's gravy looked and tasted a little too dense but the beef was still acceptable - nice and tasty but a little too chewy. Nothing fantastic though and I probably wouldn't order this again.
Rote Grutze - Sweet Sour Cherry and Raspberry Sago with Vanilla Sauce - A rather interesting dish and I must admit that I've never tried it before. However, it wasn't as special as I had made it out to be. The sago came submerged under a layer of vanilla sauce and its texture reminded me of jam. So just imagine jam under a layer of creamy tasting sauce. Not something I'll order again as it was a little too weird for me.
Baked Cream Cheese Cake - I wasn't too impressed with the cheesecake as it wasn't as creamy as I would have liked it to be and the accompanying ice cream tasted like king's ice cream! Decent nevertheless.
$78 for lunch for 3 pax is really expensive given the quality of food. I would be hard pressed to find a reason to return, rave reviews in the media or not. On a side note, Werner's operates a bakery just next door as well, which sells some really cool German bread.
See all my pictures here
Rating given:
In the western region of Singapore lies a gem that is Restaurant Chako. Established in 1978 by Chako, the lady boss cum chef, the eatery boasts home cooked food that is cooked when you place your order and at prices that won't burst your pocket.
Located at a rather prominent row of shops along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), Chako is ironically hidden from sight and totally devoid of human traffic on a Tuesday evening. Not that I'm complaining though. The interior was tiny and oozed a homely feel made complete by a shelf full of Japanese comics and the motherly figure of Chako, who fussed over us and explained to us in detail the items on the menu (which happens to be in Japanese by the way).
The Occha deserves a mention on its own. Unlike the usual Occha served at most other Japanese eateries, the Occha here was particularly fragrant and carried a whiff of coffee aroma. It had a tinge of coffee taste as well which was delightful.
The sides of Miso Soup and Cold Tofu came with every order of a main course. What I liked about the Miso soup was that there were cockles in it, which was something different. However the soup did come across as a tad too salty for my liking. The tofu was soft and silky but nothing out of the ordinary.
My Hanburg steak was nice and thick but a little too soft for my liking. Meat was pan fried till well done instead of the usual medium/medium rare which would have been tastier and juicier. Simply done without the frills and very decent.
Served up with various vegetables like lettuce, carrots, egg plants etc, the Yakiniku Chicken was relatively well done. Crispy on the outside and not too heavy on the BBQ sauce. Add the fact that it was topped with a generous amount of crushed peanuts and you have a nice yet simple dish.
The vanilla soya bean ice cream came across as light, tasting of soya with a tinge of vanilla. It came with cut fruits which had been carefully prepared, ie. the grapes had the head cut off and the pear has its skin removed.
I'm not exactly a fan of yoghurt but the mango yoghurt wasn't half as bad as I made it out to be. Slightly sourish with a dash of mango. I understand that both desserts are hand made by Chako herself.
We were the only 2 customers in the restaurant that evening and it was a long dinner, standing at 2.5hrs and costing $55. Expensive? A little. Food quality? Decent. Satisfaction from a home cooked dinner? Priceless. On a side note, please be prepared to wait for your food as it is a one man show. If you can't understand Japanese, please bring along something to read to while away the long waiting times.
See all my pictures here
Rating given: