Fans of Korean food would know that Tanjong Pagar is home to many authentic Korean restaurants and popular Korean barbecue joints. The latest addition to Tras Street is Daegweol, a new Korean restaurant that opened discreetly in August.

Those who enjoy hearty, traditional Korean dishes will find Daegweol right up their alley—their straightforward menu focuses on Korean delicacies such as Galbi-Tang (beef short ribs soup) and Suyuk (pork belly).

Daegweol also offers affordable lunch sets starting from S$16++. As the restaurant is currently still in soft launch, diners can expect an updated menu in coming months.

Taking over the premise of the now-defunct May May, Daegweol has a similar refined interior which boasts polished marble tables and a sleek counter bar right at the back of the hall.

The modern restaurant’s soft ambient lighting, crawling greens and wooden furnishing help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for business lunches with clients, a romantic date with your significant other and even a gathering with large groups of friends.

We dropped by for their weekday lunch sets and the first thing that caught our eye was the Galbi-Tang (lunch – S$18++, dinner – S$26). For those who are not familiar with Korean cuisine, Galbi-Tang is beef short-rib soup and it is a favourite among Koreans.

The intense beef flavours from Daegweol’s Galbi-Tang is a result of simmering beef short-ribs for a total of six hours before they are served to diners. We pulled the tender meat off the bone easily and sang praises of its robust flavours. Other ingredients you can find in the soup are radish, leeks, glass noodles and stripped slice eggs.

Their Suyuk with Rice Set (lunch – S$16++, dinner – S$24++) came with six pieces of boiled pork, pork soup, healthy multigrain rice and fresh lettuce. The chewy boiled pork slices may be too tough for some but we felt that it went well in a wrap with seasoned bean paste. Wash it all down with refreshing light pork broth.

All main dishes come with free-flow ban chan such as kimchi, fried anchovies, tamagoyaki amongst others. We ordered a few rounds of the tamagoyaki which had bits of crunchy carrot for extra textures.

Apart from what we tried, the menu currently has three other main dishes—Suyuk, DweaJi-GukBap (pork bone soup) and NaeJang-GukBap (stuffed pork organ rolls). If you are up for some desserts, Daegweol has a range of bingsu, Green Teaffogato and Hotteok.

Daegweol
65 Tras Street
Singapore 079004
Tel: +65 6222 1828
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/11/daegweol-singapore/feed/ 2 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/11/coalesce/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/11/coalesce/#comments Fri, 03 Nov 2017 06:17:43 +0000 Claire Teng http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=147622 Continue reading →]]>

On a mission to bring diners the world on a single plate, Coalesce—a new casual family-friendly restaurant nestled on the third floor of NTU Alumni House—serves up cosmopolitan dishes inspired by various international cuisines but with Singaporean cuisine at the heart of each creation.

And for those working in the Buona Vista area, you would be pleased to know that Coalesce has a S$8.80++ Weekday Power Lunch set which comes with a soup of a day, main course and a drink.

Diners can choose from 6 different main courses to enjoy with Coalesce’s Weekday Power Lunch Set (S$8.80++), which includes mains such as the Spicy Balacan Seafood Linguine Pasta, Asian Chicken Ragout and Al Fungi Mushroom Aglio Olio Linguine Pasta.

With a top-up of S$2, diners can enjoy rice bowls such as the Aburi Miso Cured Salmon Rice Bowl, Grilled Pork Belly with Ajitsuke Egg and Roasted Pork Belly Rice Bowl with Ajitsuke Egg.

Do note that Coalesce only serves 10 sets of each rice bowl every day.

One of the highly recommended dishes that we try with Coalesce’s S$8.80++ lunch set was the Spicy Balacan Seafood Linguine Pasta. As Belacan—shrimp paste made from a fermentation of tiny shrimp marinated with salt—is a condiment typically incorporated in curries, sauces or in stir-fry vegetables, we admit that we had our doubts as to its performance as a pasta sauce.

Well, did it work? Although the pasta was tasty, we felt that it lacked the rich and aromatic prawn flavours that we would usually identify with Belacan. Otherwise, we were served a good portion of pasta and seafood—albeit only squid and prawns—which justified the S$8.80++ price tag.

The other dish that we tried was the Roasted Pork Belly Rice Bowl with Ajitsuke Egg (S$10.80++). We liked that Coalesce kept the presentation simple yet elegant but were slightly disappointed with the execution of the roasted pork belly. Aside from having a crispy skin, the pork belly pieces were tough and were not seasoned sufficiently. We also felt that the Ajitsuke Egg and rice left much to be desired.

Coalesce
11 Slim Barracks Rise, #03-01,
Singapore 138664
Tel: +65 9186 0685
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 12am
Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 1am
Sat: 11.30am – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

More often that not, we would neglect our breakfast in the morning during weekdays because we need that extra few minutes in bed before preparing for work. Most of us simply grab a cuppa and go.

Therefore, having a nutritious and fulfilling lunch is very important to keep us going throughout the day. And where else better to go during lunch hour than the trendiest restaurants in town for their lunchtime set lunches?

These places are great for holding business lunch meetings with your clients, celebrating an occasion with your colleagues or even at times when you just feel like giving yourself a treat.

You will be spoilt for choice with these 11 Best Set Lunches in Singapore. Bon appétit!

#1 CORNER HOUSE

Recently awarded with 1 Michelin Star, Corner House offers a Business Luncheon for its guests. A 3-course lunch set goes for S$58++ which incorporates 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert. Top up S$6 to upgrade your main dish for a M6 Australian Wagyu Beef or an additional S$10 to make it a 4-course experience.

Singapore Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road
E J H Corner House
Singapore 259569
Tel: +65 6469 1000
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

#2 FORLINO, ONE FULLERTON

This waterfront restaurant is offering a 3-course Business Set Lunch Menu and 4-course Executive Set Lunch Menu, with the latter priced at S$88++. The Executive Set Lunch Menu gives you the option of topping up an additional S$10 for a glass of Prosecco, Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon.

1 Fullerton Road
#02-06 One Fullerton
Tel: +65 6690 7564
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#3 GOLDEN PEONY, CONRAD CENTENNIAL SINGAPORE

A 6-course set lunch menu goes for S$48++ and you are given 1 starter, 1 double-boiled soup, 1 side, 1 main, 1 dessert and 1 drink. Visitors can top up additional amounts to get the premium sets offered by the restaurant. With four other set menus for you to choose from and a vegetarian option, you are sure to find one that you like!

2 Temasek Blvd, Level 3
Conrad Centennial Singapore Hotel
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6334 8888
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

#4 IL CIELO RESTAURANT, HILTON SINGAPORE

A 3-course Italian set lunch at Il Cielo Restaurant is going at S$35++, which entitles you to 1 starter, 1 main course and 1 dessert.  The restaurant has a weekly rotational set lunch menu for more options. Visitors can opt for coffee or tea.

Hilton Singapore
Level 24
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6730 3395
Lunch (Mon to Fri): 12pm – 2.30pm
Dinner (Daily): 7pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard Road

#5 JOIE RESTAURANT BY DOZO

The 6-course set lunch is priced at S$38.80++ which gives you 1 starter, 1 side dish, 1 soup, 1 main dish, 1 dessert and 1 drink. Interesting dishes to look out for are the Polenta Castle, Hedgehog Summer Mushroom and Grill Bai-Ling Steak on “Pu-Ye” Hot Stone.

181 Orchard Road
#12-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6838 6966
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 MITZO

Known for dishing out stunning Cantonese-style dishes and artisanal dim sum, Mitzo at Grand Park Orchard is one of our favourite Chinese restaurants in Singapore.

During lunch, Mitzo has a 3-course dim sum lunch at S$28++/pax which includes double-boiled soup, trio dim sum selections (2pcs each) and a dessert. For the dim sum selection, you can choose from items such as Shrimp Dumpling with Black Caviar, Charcoal Barbecued Pork Bun, Crispy Duck Roll and Escargot Cheese Puff.

Level 4 Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 12am last order
Fri to Sun, Public Holiday and Eve of Public Holidays: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 1am last order
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

#7 POLLEN

Set inside Gardens By The Bay, the posh restaurant is against the panoramic scenes of Marina Bay. A 3-course lunch set at Pollen costs S$55++ and you get to feast on 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert. The mains in the menu include Black Angus beef skirt, Patagonian toothfish, Angus short ribs and Beetroot risotto.

18 Marina Gardens Drive
01-09, Flower Dome
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6604 9988
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm -10pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

#9 THE WHITE RABBIT

Whimsical restaurant The White Rabbit has a 3-course set lunch at S$42++, and this includes 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert. You are in for a treat with choices such as Alaskan King Crab Tagliatelle, King Oyster Mushroom Pasta, Ocean Trout and more. Top up S$8 to get the prized Challans Duck Breast. A glass of Lis Neris “San Lorenzo” Pinot Grigio 2013, Friuli El Brindis by Franck Massard 2012 or Monsanto can be yours for an additional S$10.

39C Harding Road
Singapore 249541
Tel: +65 6473 9965
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30 – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10.30am – 3pm, 6.30 – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#10 TIPPLING CLUB

Known for its exquisite fine dining experience, Tippling Club offers a 3-course lunch set for S$60++ which comprises 1 starter, 1 main and 1 dessert. Take your pick between the Quail & Foie Gras Ballotine, Pan Roasted Red Snapper and others. An additional S$18++ will entitle you to a glass of house wine.

38 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088461
Tel: +65 6475 2217
Lunch (Mon to Fri): 12pm – 3pm
Dinner (Mon to Sat): 6pm – late
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#11 WOOLOOMOOLOO STEAKHOUSE, SWISSÔTEL THE STAMFORD SINGAPORE

An Executive Set Lunch menu is available at Wooloomooloo Steakhouse from S$40++ onwards. It is a weekly 3-course set lunch that features their chef’s creations and the menu rotates every week.

Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore
3rd Floor
2 Stamford Road
Singapore 178882
Tel: +65 6338 0261
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

#12 ZAFFERANO

Zafferano is a fantastic place to kick back and relax with delicious Italian fare and stunning views of the Singapore landscape. There are two set lunch options: 2-course set lunch at S$42 and 3-course set lunch at S$52.

Ocean Financial Centre
Level 43
10 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 6509 1488
Lunch (Mon to Fri): 11.30am – 3pm
Dinner (Mon to Wed): 5.30pm – 11.45pm
Dinner (Thu to Sat): 5.30pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Seoul Jjimdak is our go-to Korean restaurant in Singapore for Budae Jjigae and authentic Chicken Jjjimdak. One visit is not enough, and so, we’ve made multiple visits to this humble eatery at City Square Mall because hearty Korean stew always wins our hearts.

And now, Seoul Jjimdak is having a daily lunch special that gives you even more reason to head down—S$29.90 for a huge pot of Budae Jjigae or Jjimdak, and this special price is also applicable on weekends. How does that sound?

Located in City Square Mall, Seoul Jjimdak is a Korean restaurant that specialises in authentic Jjimdak, and it is one of the very few destinations in Singapore where you get to savour this hearty Korean stew. The Seoul Jjimdak comes in both with bone and boneless options.

The words ‘jjim’ refers to ‘braise’ and ‘dak’ refers to chicken, and a Korean jjimdak is really a tasty chicken stew braised in soya sauce and is usually slightly sweet. Trust us; this is real comfort food on a rainy day. And it is something you will grow to love more with every time you eat it.

The next bestselling dish is none other than the tasty Budae Jjigae, and it is easily the best we’ve had in Singapore. This homemade kimchi stew is served with baked beans, luncheon meat, pork belly strips, tofu and mixed vegetables.

These two star dishes of Seoul Jjimdak are only S$29.90 each if you go during lunch. That is a real steal; you would know by now that Korean stews in Singapore are mostly priced above S$35 and the ingredients are always at the bare minimum.

For S$29.90, you get a big pot at Seoul Jjimdak which is good for up to 3 persons. And if that is not enough, you can choose to add on ingredients such as Ramyeon (S$2.90++), Assorted Mushrooms (S$4.90++), Prawns & Mussels (S$5.90++) and Tteokbokki (S$2.90++).

This lunch deal is available every day from 11:30am to 3pm, including weekends and Public Holidays.

Seoul Jjimdak 
City Square Mall, #05-04
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6634 2668
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post is brought to you by Seoul Jjimdak.

We have never experienced dim sum the way we have at Mitzo Restaurant & Bar. The swanky, sleek and modern interior is a stark contrast to the traditional Chinese cuisine that is served here. To match the trendy interior, most of Mitzo’s classic dim sum dishes are elevated with stunning presentations and intricate plating, while still retaining the original flavour palette.

While we love their tantalising and luxurious dishes in their Weekend Brunch, we are stoked that we now have a new reason to pop by on weekday afternoon - Mitzo is launching the all-new value-for-money lunch sets on 12 October 2016. A 3-course meal goes for S$28++ per person, and a 4-course meal is S$38++ per person.

For both lunch sets, you get a Double-Boiled Soup of The Day and a pick from 3 different types of dim sum (2 pieces each). Some options to expect are Royal Shrimp Dumpling with Black Caviar, Escargot Cheese Puff and our favourite Custard Moon Bun.

The custard bun is one of our favourites because of the rich and creamy lava custard that flows out perfectly. The beautiful black bun with a gold moon top has a very soft, pillowy texture which complements the rich and tasty custard on the inside. We highly recommend having this as one of your three choices.

Some other choices include Pork & Chives Puff, Prawn Dumpling, Crispy Duck Roll, Wild Mushroom Truffle Bun and Tea Mushroom Crystal Dumpling. The mushroom bun is not to be missed too, with flavours so intense, coupled with the aroma of the truffle.

For the 4-course set, you get a portion of the premium Braised Vermicelli with Lobster Claw and Prawn Ball; this is like comfort food reinvented, with the sweetness of the various seafood all soaked in a bowl of warm, comforting vermicelli. The lunch sets end with a course of refreshing Chilled Osmanthus Jelly with Aloe Vera.

You know this is one dim sum lunch you need to try.

Mitzo Restaurant & Bar
Level 4 Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855 Email: rsvn@mitzo.sg
Sun to Wed, PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm last order
Thu to Sat,and Eve of PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 1am last order
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

This post is brought to you by Mitzo Restaurant & Bar.

Xperience sits within the luxurious Sofitel So Singapore which is strategically located in the Central Business District (CBD) of Singapore.

The modern European restaurant is helmed by one of Singapore’s youngest and most charming executive chef, Trevor Paulo, who has a flair for recreating western classics with interesting local twists that has surely captured our hearts.

Chef Trevor Paulo’s unique culinary creations have successfully pushed the boundaries of traditional French cuisine, where his dishes have impressed even reputable 3-Michelin Starred Chefs such as Chef Christophe Muller and Chef Hideaki Matsuo. Despite all the glorious achievements, Chef Trevor remains down-to-earth and enjoys interacting with all his guests.

The next time you are in the CBD or need some surprises in your life, head down to Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant to experience Chef Trevor’s new menu. You will be in for a great time, we promise.

With its open-kitchen concept, it allows diners to catch the gastronomic team in action. Of course, Chef Trevor will be there to chat with you about his dishes, or about anything at all!

Xperience Restaurant is also an ideal venue for business luncheons and romantic date nights. We’ve been there on numerous occasions, and our favourite mood has to be dinner time, where the CBD crowd is non-existent, and the whole restaurant transforms into a sexy and intimate space for you to kick off your shoes, and simply relish the night with your date.

Every starter at Xperience Restaurant is truly a showstopper and the Spanner Crab (S$24++) is our favourite one among them all.

The fresh crustacean – integrated with wasabi mayonnaise – is garnished with edible flower petals, green herbs and seaweed crackers. The different textures of flavours had us devouring the entire entrée within seconds.

Poached Sweet Prawns (S$26++) is yet another stunning creation by Chef Trevor. The refreshing layers consist of fresh Granny Smith apple slices alternating with poached sweet prawns that are marinated with homemade ponzu.

Every mouthful packs a satisfying punch and we love how gorgeous it is plated with bonito flakes and pink edible floral petals. The precise ingredients vary according to season, so do expect a few tweaks here and there!

The Home Cured Salmon (S$24++) looks simple, but what do you know! Much effort has been channeled into attaining the fish’s overall superb taste and texture profile. Served with dollops of whipped yoghurt infused crème fraîche, fried capers, tobiko roe coated with gold powder, mirin pickled onions and almond truffle soil-looking earthy crumble, this dish is in fact a complicated one with varying flavours.

Just like that, Chef Trevor has redefined cured salmon. Impressive.

The Grilled Pork Pressa (S$36++) stole all the limelight with its delicious well-marbled meat. The prime pork cut has been marinated in duck fat and roasted over chargrill to medium rare doneness; the meat was so creamy and flavourful that everyone on the table did a double take and thought it was beef instead.

The smoky pork is complemented with asparagus, capsicum honey purée, pumpkin tuile, shallot confit and vanilla pumpkin purée. Such a colourful dish that reflects elements of winter and rusticness of all sorts.

We have two other mains to love and share.

The ‘Curried’ Lamb Shoulder confit (S$35++) utilizes the cut that extends to the neck. Marinated in a myriad of spices, the meat is sous-vide for 36 hours to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The lamb main is then complemented with carrot purée, fresh peas and goat cheese crumble. Love the play of flavours and colours using vegetables to tone down the gaminess of the meat.

The Braised Short Rib (S$35++) is another stellar highlight of Xperience Restaurant’s new menu. The fork-tender braised beef short rib is robust in flavour, and is further enhanced with Bordelaise sauce, green tea purée, roasted baby beetroot and three knob celery cubes.

Fun fact about the celeriac in case you are brushing it off already – each celeriac is cooked and presented in a different flavour – namely grilled salt, smoked salt and Vadouvan – so that every bite is a surprise.

Just when you think the show is only on the entrées and mains, wait till you see the desserts. Chef Trevor and his pastry chef will make you rethink Xperience Restaurant’s already popular desserts with his innovation and brilliance; they are works of art to say the least.

The Araguani Chocolate Dome (S$22++) is a theatrical crowd pleaser, where lukewarm pistachio and vanilla bean crémeux is poured over the sphere, and voila! The 72% dark chocolate sphere opens in a dramatic manner, revealing the Madagascar vanilla and hazelnut praline ice-cream inside.

For an exotic tropical dessert, we highly recommend the ‘Flexi’ Coconut Ganache (S$19++).

This visually stunning deconstructed treat features flexible coconut agar-infused gelatine, and is accompanied with chilli-marinated pineapple slices, noisette butter chip and artisanal goreng pisang ice-cream. The ice-cream is made from scratch with local pisang barangan bananas, a local twist done with European flair.

The Tasmanian Pepper Meringue Spike (S$20++) is the prettiest of the lot, and is definitely Vogue-worthy. The dome comprises basil cream, greek yogurt, olive oil sponge, roasted persimmon ice-cream and tomato jam.

Dressed in attention-grabbing blue and white meringue spikes, this dessert stole our hearts and we will totally return to Xperience Restaurant just for it.

These 9 dishes executed with masterly finesse are a great representation of what diners can anticipate at Sofitel So Singapore’s Xperience Restaurant.

Each dish is a photogenic masterpiece that Chef Trevor proudly presents, and if you have the chance to grab Chef Trevor, speak to him. He always has stories about his food and inspirations to share, and his passion for culinary is burning through every word. We are nothing short of impressed by him.

For the latest updates, go to Sofitel So Singapore’s website and like them on Facebook and Instagram.

Xperience Restaurant
35 Robinson Road
Sofitel So Singapore, Level 1
Singapore 068876
Tel: +65 6701 6800
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

This post is brought to you by Sofitel So Singapore.

Violet Herbs is what we call an alternative dating spot if you want to do away with the crowd and pretentious vibes at posh establishments.

Conveniently located at Tanjong Pagar, this modern semi-fine dining restaurant is within walking distance from the train station. The restaurant occupies the entire three stories of the shophouse unit along Tras Street – with the first two floors for dining, and a rooftop herb garden where fresh produce are used for the cooking.

Helmed by Chef Edward Hoe, Violet Herbs is one of the most underrated restaurants in Singapore that offers splendid 3-course set lunches (S$33+/pax) and 4-course set dinners (S$58+/pax) at very decent prices that feature high quality and intricate plating.

The main courses are also nothing short of impressive. Mark Violet Herbs down – it should be your next romantic lunch/ dinner spot.

Chef Edward Hoe runs the show in Violet Herbs’ kitchen. He who was part of the pioneer team that spearheaded Restaurant Ember has 20 years of culinary experience, and at Violet Herbs, traces of familiarity are evident from the restaurant’s star dishes. Chef Edward was the head chef in The 2nd Floor-The American Club, as well as Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro.

SOUPS & APPETISERS

The menu boasts a good range of appetisers that include both hearty and light options. Lighter options include the Basil Pesto Salad (S$18) and one that we thoroughly enjoyed – Pistachio & Herb Crusted Scallops (S$18).

The scallops were wonderfully plump and we liked the textural distinction between the soft juicy scallop flesh and the crunchy outer layer of pistachio and herbs. The dish is complete with tasty butternut pumpkin puree, bisque gel, parma potato chip and chocolate soil. This dish deserves a star for its presentation too!

Guess what we love most about Violet Herbs’ appetisers? The variety of foie gras options from Roasted & Poached Foie Gras (S$24) and Truffle Foie Gras (S$26).

We are usually unimpressed with lobster bisques because they are more often than not fishy or artificially flavoured. But the Lobster Cappuccino & Brandy (S$16) at Violet Herbs is easily the best we’ve tasted in recent times.

The bisque was so intensely flavoured – the sheer sweetness of fresh lobster coupled with brandy is a feat in itself. With every scoop, we became more and more addicted. This is one stellar soup.

ALL THE MAINS TO LOVE

With so many interesting mains to choose from, it will be one of those I-can’t-decide-because-I-want-everything-from-the-menu moments. We started with Violet Herbs’ bestseller – the Marinated Red Miso Cod (S$39). It is an a la carte main, but can be a top-up option in the dinner menu.

The cod cooked to a glistening glory with a miso marinate was spot-on. With a side of roasted pumpkin puree, almond eggplant and some dehydrated parsnip chips, this stunning dish is a combination of healthy veggie goodness and fresh white fish presented in varying textures and colours.

Even if you are not the biggest fan of lamb, we still urge you to try the Colorado Lamb Rack (S$48). Of course, besides the fantastic medium-rare cook on the lamb, it was the simple marination itself that made it so tasty with every bite.

It also comes with mini pistachio foie gras roulades that you can choose to eat with the meat to cut the richness.

Duck Confit is something we have to try if we see it on a menu, and of course, we tried the one at Violet Herbs. The Sous Vide Duck Confit (S$36) has a crackling outer crust and the most tender duck meat inside.

The duck jus reduction that accompanied the duck was just right. We also liked how the duck confit is placed atop a bed of rustic vegetables of herb potatoes and sautéed baby spinach.

Feeling really hungry or looking for something hearty? The Sous Vide 48 Hours Wagyu Beef Cheek is for those who are after something more robust.

The beef is fork tender, has a sweet red wine glaze, and is jazzed up with Sardinian fregola sarda and zucchini spheres.

In the pasta menu, you can find dishes such as Homemade Butternut Squash Gnocchi (S$42) and Lobster Risotto & Fregola Sarda (S$44).

These aside, you should go for the Ebi Angel Hair Pasta (S$38) if it is your first trip to Violet Herbs. The pasta is cooked to a beautiful al dente, then tossed in lobster essence, rayu oil and bird eye chilli (or as we call it, chilli padi). Using only premium air-flown Japanese sakura ebi, the pinkish-red dried shrimps are sweet and crispy. That’s all we need for our pasta, really.

SWEET TREATS

Some desserts to expect here include Yam Strudel (S$12), Chef’s Special Tiramisu (S$16) and Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake (S$16).

However, our heart was stolen by the Frozen Nougat (S$14). The dessert comes with little bits of lychee sorbet all around that complements the nougat with varying sweetness.

Also, being huge fans of chocolate-anything mean we couldn’t miss the Valrhona Chocolate Fondant (S$16).

The surprise of this dessert lies in the fact that it comes with truffle oil – an unexpected ingredient that actually makes the dessert even more fragrant.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY SET MENUS

Violet Herbs has superb set menus for lunch that is priced at S$33 per person, and that includes a total of three courses.

To sample Chef Edward’s signature foie gras dishes, you have the option to upgrade your set menu appetiser to a foie gras (+S$7) of choice. It is little wonder Violet Herbs is such a popular lunch spot, especially for business luncheons. Such value for money; we can all do away with the lunch hour rush and noise everywhere else, and embrace the cosiness of Violet Herbs with an intimate lunch.

Dinner degustation menus begin from S$58 per person. Now, that is practically impossible if you want some fine dining. A typical main at fine dining establishments would usually start from S$40 already! But at Violet Herbs, the degustation menus begin from S$58 for a 4-course meal.

EVENTS AND PARTIES

If you are looking to host your events and/or plan your company gatherings here, you can also have a menu personalised for you. Private rooms are also available, else if all else fails, we say book the entire second level – which is the prettiest spot at Violet Herbs that is more than befitting for events of all sorts.

For more information and reservations, call +65 6221 3988.

Violet Herbs
81 Tras Street
Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area
Singapore 079020
Tel: +65 6221 3988
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

This post is brought to you by Violet Herbs.

After all the Christmas feasting, how about a break from European meats and turning to an elegant Japanese meal to welcome the New Year instead? Located on the 4th level of luxurious hotel Pan Pacific Singapore is award-winning Keyaki Japanese Restaurant; indulge in a sumptuous selection of sukiyaki, sashimi and signature teppanyaki.

Keyaki is defying traditions and sticking to what they do best – authentic Japanese food without a premium price tag.

And readers of ladyironchef will enjoy a generous discount of 25% off lunch on 31 Dec 2015 as well as 15% off lunch on 01 Jan 2016 to 10 Jan 2016 when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making a reservation or when you flash this post upon payment.

Surrounded by a tranquil Japanese garden and koi pond, Keyaki is a befitting location for a quiet celebration. At this 146-seater establishment, choose from private Tatami rooms, Western dining rooms or watch the chef in action upfront at the teppanyaki counter seats; those are our favourite!

Just for our readers, enjoy 25% off your total bill for lunch at Keyaki on Thursday, 31 Dec 2015. This means you can savour the Kaze Teppanyaki Prix Fixe – which comprises an amuse bouche, salad, steamed egg custard, beef sirloin/fillet, prawns, scallop, salmon, white fish, sautéed vegetables, fried rice, miso soup, pickles and dessert – at S$105++ instead of the standard price S$140++.

Isn’t that a pretty neat deal, especially when it is New Year’s Eve?

And if you already have lunch plans on New Year’s Eve, you still have reasons to dine at Keyaki. An exclusive generous 15%* discount is applicable for lunch from 01 Jan 2016 to 10 Jan 2016.

Similarly, all you have to do is to quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making a reservation or flash this post upon payment.

Keyaki’s tranquil location within a Japanese garden and authentic cuisine sure reminded us of great times in Japan when we had nothing but good Japanese food.

* Excludes Weekend Bubbly Brunch, New Year’s Day set lunch and a la carte items.

Keyaki Japanese Restaurant
Pan Pacific Singapore
Level 4, 7 Raffles Blvd
Singapore 039595
Reservations: +65 6826 8240 / celebrate.sin@panpacific.com
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post is brought to you by Pan Pacific Singapore.

We had one of our best Japanese meals this year at Ginza Yoshihiro.

And this is one new Japanese restaurant in town that you definitely must know about. With over 30 years of history, Ginza Yoshihiro first started their family legacy at Ginza, Tokyo. Priding themselves on their signature specialty oden, the Japanese restaurant enjoys great popularity and is now spreading the love of Japanese food in Singapore.

Ginza Yoshihiro at Marina Mandarin Hotel is everything we want in an authentic Japanese restaurant, and if not, more. We dare say it is one of the best new Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

As mentioned earlier, Ginza Yoshihiro sits within Marina Mandarin Hotel. One might be influenced by the common perception that restaurants sitting within a hotel property is “bad and touristy”, but Ginza Yoshihiro will defy this social misconception.

There is almost no restaurant in Singapore that specialises in oden – a healthy dashi broth with different ingredients such as boiled eggs and fish cakes – and Ginza Yoshihiro might just be the first. And the best.

Ginza Yoshihiro boasts a modern-cum-traditional facade. There is a stylish bar area where you can indulge in premium whiskeys and sake, and you can have your meal the traditional way – either at regular tables or at the communal sushi counter where you can watch the chefs in action, or in a private room (which requires advanced booking).

Helmed by Chef Nishioka, who was formerly the chief sushi chef at Hide Yamamoto, the Singapore outpost of Ginza Yoshihiro will not disappoint you.

We had one of the best Japanese meals here, and because Chef Nishioka has such a flare with performing with his knives and whatnot, we were entertained throughout lunch as he prepared our dishes and chatted with us about Japanese cuisine.

Here at Ginza Yoshihiro, the oden is a definite must-try. With zero fat content altogether, the broth is a light one that comes with a distinct sweetness, and the classic serving (served with every set meal) comes with a stunning centrepiece of a tomato.

Yes, it is a tomato! By smashing the tomato and pressing it into the soup, the oden is naturally sweetened and has a tinge of tanginess. The oden comes in different variations, and if the classic one is not enough to satisfy you (which we doubt), opt for the a la carte ones which feature add-on ingredient choices such as king crab legs, Kagoshima beef and a variety of fresh fishes.

It is brilliant how a simple oden can be glorified when cooked with premium ingredients, and that is the beauty of Ginza Yoshihiro’s signature oden – that the broth base is sweet, and can be transformed to just about any flavours with your preferred choice of ingredients while still retaining the distinct dashi aftertaste.

Now, bring your attention to the lunch sets. They may not be the “cheapest” sets, but they are definitely superb value for quality Japanese food.

If you are feeling particularly hungry and want to treat yourself to an exquisite meal, we suggest the Sushi Gozen (S$88) set. All of the set meals here come with an appetiser, the signature oden and dessert of Japanese ice cream. You get a big variety of Nigiri sushi that ranges from Bluefin tuna maguro to fresh and creamy uni (Sea Urchin). No fuss; just classic sushi prepared with fresh imports from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, with the finest slicing skills by the sushi chef.

The Tempura Gozen (S$52) set comes in a generous portion. With a tempura platter that comes with their signature jumbo prawns (they are really huge and meaty!) and vegetables, the tempura is served with a side of matcha salt that is quite the best complement for the deep-fried goodies.

How good does the Oden Wagyu Gozen (S$58) look? The signature oden is prepared with strips of Kagoshima wagyu, daikon and konnyaku. You do the same – smash the tomato in to the soup, then eat them altogether for a lovely sweet and tangy taste.

And of course, our love for chirashi don never dies. The Bara Chirashi Don (S$38) is our favourite lunch set – with a bed of extremely fresh cubed sashimi atop sushi rice, this bowl is really worth your money. Lunch is definitely satisfying with this bowl, oden and dessert.

When Chef Nishioka whipped out the huge piece of Bluefin tuna to be sliced into sashimi, we stopped eating and just stared at him while he swished his knife. He perfectly ‘dissected’ and produced three perfect sections of Ootoro, Chutoro and Akami; the first being the fattiest and most prized, and the last being the leanest and most common cut.

Have a hankering for fresh tuna sashimi? Now you know where to head to. The fish are flown in every 2-3 days, and prices here for sashimi are also kept reasonable so that patrons have access to the best from Tsukiji Market.

Dinner at Ginza Yoshihiro is most befitting with their Omakase sets. ‘Omakase’ simply means to let the chef decide. The dishes served vary all the time, but they are often creative presentations and interpretations of the season’s ingredients. You can choose from a couple of sets starting from S$148 per person.

You get a total of 9 courses including desserts, and we guarantee you will be so pampered by the chef and his generosity.

On the month that we went, the seasonal ingredient was shirako, or in layman terms, cod fish sperm. Sure, it sounds every bit intimidating, but this odd dish was surprisingly tasty with a delightful creamy texture.

That is what we love about omakase – that in the sheer unpredictability lies excitement and anticipation, and the dishes and ingredients will surprise you. It is like signing up for a mystery present and discovering new favourites that you wouldn’t otherwise order on your own.

The sushi platter was one of the highlights of our omakase meal. As with the Sashimi platter, it features generous strips of various in-season sashimi atop vinegared rice.

You see, omakase need not mean anything scary or out of the norm. The dishes can come in the simplest form of Japanese cuisine, with the aristocracy simply lying in the most forgotten aspect of Japanese cuisine – the art of slicing.

Ginza Yoshihiro has won our hearts in every aspect. And it is going straight into our list of all-time favourite Japanese restaurants in Singapore.

Ginza Yoshihiro
Marina Mandarin 04-600
6 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039594
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6am – 10.30pm
Tel: +65 6734 8842
Nearest Station: Esplanade

This post is brought to you by Ginza Yoshihiro.

Having a lovely meal while enjoying a fantastic view of the Quayside Isle’s marina; that is the winning formula for an enjoyable lunch. Now, what if we tell you that a stellar lunch here can go for less than S$25?

If you had your initial doubts about the price tag of dining at Quayside Isle, you need not to anymore. For less than S$25, you can grab a great lunch here with so many options to choose from. Greek food? Burgers? North Indian food? Quayside Isle provides an eclectic mix of different cuisine types from all around the world.

Here are 10 Affordable Lunch Options at Quayside Isle for Under S$25, so you have no reason to not make a trip down for a quiet afternoon or two. Or more.

#1 &MADE BURGER BISTRO L’ENTRECÔTE EXPRESS

&Made Burger Bistro might be a new addition to the enclave of restaurants at Quayside Isle, but is definitely no stranger to those in the know. Previously located in town, the diner has now moved to Sentosa Cove and is still serving mouthwatering gourmet burgers at affordable prices. The ‘B’ Burger (S$19) is the most popular item on the menu, featuring a succulent dry-aged beef patty topped with caramelised onions, French comté, caper and garlic mayo.

There are two other tantalising options priced under S$25 too, namely the &Made Beef Burger (S$16) and the Los Amigos (S$23). The former comprises a juicy beef patty, fresh lettuce, onions, cucumber pickles, garlic and caper mayo; the latter is a delectable dry-aged beef patty served with capsicums, double cheese jalapeños and spicy guacamole.

31 Ocean Way
#01-03 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6690 7570
Daily: 12pm – 12 midnight

#2 COVE STADIUM

Cove Stadium is for all the sports enthusiasts out there. With huge plasma screens showing the latest sports hustles, lunch here sounds fun already. We were amazed while skeptical about a sports bar and restaurant serving Fish Head Curry but all our doubts were washed away after the first taste of this flavourful curry. IT. WAS. SO. GOOD.

Guess what? A small portion of this (good for 1-2 pax) goes for only S$21! If this curry is not your thing, you may opt for their signature Cove’s Chilli Dog (S$22) if you prefer something just as substantial. And also, all their salads are under S$25 too.

31 Ocean Way
#01-04/05 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6734 0530
Daily: 12pm – 1am

#3 EARL OF HINDH

Earl of Hindh brands itself as a semi-fine dining Indian restaurant, focusing on North Indian fare. If you are curious as to whether the restaurant has anything under S$25, they do!

A great lunch option would be the Gobhi Ke Shammi Kabab (S$20) and half portions of the curries and meats – Dhaba Chicken Curry (S$17) and Rogan Josh (S$18). The latter is a tasty lamb dish – also our favourite – that is best eaten with white rice or naan. Don’t belittle the portion for it is honestly pretty filling.

31 Ocean Way
#01-16 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6681 6694
Tue to Fri: 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12.30pm – 11pm
Closed on Mon

#4 KITH CAFÉ

Kith Café boasts a total of three outlets across sunny Singapore but it is their branch in Sentosa Cove that stole our hearts. With an amazing view of the tranquil yacht harbour and a comprehensive brunch menu that is available till 5pm, Kith Café is indeed a wonderful venue to unwind at with friends and family over a table of good coffee and food.

The Kith Super Salad (S$16) is a nourishing dish that packs a punch in every bite. The healthy salad – consisting of kale, quinoa, feta, crunchy greens, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic and tahini dressing – comes customisable with protein add-ons for a heartier alternative. We love this so much. Other tasty mains include the Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Eggs (S$20) and Roasted Beef Wrap (S$20).

31 Ocean Way
#01-08 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6734 9007
Mon, Wed to Sun: 8am – 10pm
Closed on Tue

#5 MISKA CAFÉ

This relaxing café has an inviting interior dominated by Mediterranean colours, and it is one of those places where you should kick off your shoes for a laid-back afternoon. They have several lunch options here that range from light to heavy selections, and prices are really reasonable.

The Baked Cypriot Halloumi (S$18) is a light option of lightly charred halloumi cheese that is so flavourful and addictive. For fuller portions, choose from the Seafood Pasta (S$24) that features a medley of ocean treasures tossed ala Marina style, or Chicken Kebab Wrap (S$21).

31 Ocean Way
#01-07 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6339 0903
Mon, Thu & Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Tue, Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Closed on Wed

#6 MYKONOS ON THE BAY

Stepping into Mykonos On The Bay is like being transported to Mykonos in Greece. Everything is blue and white, bright and colourful; just like how it would be at Mykonos. The food here is fully authentic, and to quote the restaurant owner, their food is “better than the same items in Greece”.

Thankfully, he did not oversell himself, because everything we had was perfect. We really couldn’t pick on anything even if we had wanted to! For options under S$25, pick the Greek Salad (S$22.90) or the Spankopita (S$22.90), both delightful representations of true blue Greek food.

31 Ocean Way
#01-10 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6334 3818
Mon to Wed: 6pm – 10.30pm
Thu & Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm

#7 NOTE DI SICILIA

Note di Sicilia has been commonly overlooked as a gelateria, but is in fact also a bar and a restaurant! The restaurant specialises in Sicilian dishes that will have you instantly teleported to the Mediterranean. For a substantial meal, choose the Spaghetti Parmigiano (S$22) or Gnocchi Gorgonzola (S$21).

Those with smaller appetites should order the traditional Fresh Burrata (S$24) served with roma tomatoes, olive oil and tapenade. For first-timers, this classic traditional entree is made from cream and mozzarella, hence giving a solid outer case with soft creamy insides. Note di Sicilia’s Melon Parme (S$14) and Swordfish Carpaccio (S$22) are equally delicious too!

31 Ocean Way
#01-09 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 8168 4341
Mon to Thu, Sun: 2pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm

#8 QUAYSIDE FISH BAR & BISTRO

This name is no stranger to seafood lovers. Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro is where fresh seafood is flown in daily for all their patrons. A plus point of dining here is, of course, the stunning view of the marina both in the afternoon and at night.

Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro has many options available under S$25 and these include Steak of the Sea Burger (S$22), Seafood Caesar Salad (S$18), Seafood Roll (S$24) and Halibut and Chips (S$24). If we had to choose, we would go for the fish and chips as it is Tiger Beer-battered with a side of wasabi-infused yuzu shoyu and tartare.

From Tuesdays to Fridays, Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro also offers its executive set lunches (choose from either 2-course or 3-course set).

31 Ocean Way
#01-11Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6268 8633
Mon: 5.30pm – 12 midnight
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 10am – 1am
Sun: 10am – 12 midnight

#9 SABIO BY THE SEA, TAPAS BAR & GRILL

Spanish food lovers have to visit Sabio By The Sea, Tapas Bar & Grill for their decadent 3-course set lunch! Their weekday set lunch is available from 12pm – 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays, priced at an unbelievable price of S$23. Start your sumptuous feast with an entree of cold cuts platter, mushroom soup or vegetarian salad.

Choose from one of the three available mains – Mixed Grilled Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Gambas “Pil Pil” or Pincho Moruno (Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic & Melted Manchego Cheese) and end your meal on a high note with the decadent churros or rice pudding. Each set lunch also comes with a serving of hot coffee or tea.

31 Ocean Way
#01-02 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6690 7568
Mon to Wed: 3pm – 10.30pm
Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

#10 SOLEPOMODORO

SolePomodoro is an Italian trattoria known for their pastas and pizzas. Start your lunch with an appetiser of Calamari Fritters (S$18.50) before tucking yourself into their hearty Penna O Spaghetto Carbonara (S$24.50). The scrumptious cream-based pasta is served with an egg, smoked bacon and black pepper.

Their impressive pizza menu features up to 10 pizzas and a few vegetarian options all freshly baked from their wood-fired oven are available for those who are on meat-free diets, namely the Margherita Pizza (S$19.90) and Ortolana Pizza (S$24.50). For something even more filling, we are certain that the SolePomodoro Burger (S$24.50), which comes with the side dish of the day, will fit the bill.

31 Ocean Way
#01-14 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6339 4778
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ultimate Guide to Dining at Quayside Isle featuring 16 restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Prices may be subjected to prevailing taxes.

This post is brought to you by Quayside Isle.

Situated beneath Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Bay Link Mall is the retail and F&B space which thrives as a lunch and dinner hotspot for many executives with dining options to suit all sorts of diets and budgets; be prepared to be spoilt for choice!

If that’s not enough more choices await you above ground too, at the Ground Plaza, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1 and Tower 3?

The mall sits against the stunning backdrop of the Marina Bay skyline, and some of the restaurants offer an alfresco experience under the moonlight while unwinding from a day’s of hard work. Marina Bay Link Mall lives by the country’s motto of being a gourmet city, with restaurants serving up some of the finest spread set to pamper your taste buds. It is also home to four renowned restaurants and bars – Harry’s, NUDE Seafood, Ola Cocina Del Mar and Misaki – all which strives to give their diners an exquisite dining experience without having to break the bank.

We had an extraordinary evening dining at Marina Bay Link Mall, and we want to share with you our favourite dishes. Really, Marina Bay Link Mall is not just for the bankers who work in the area; if you haven’t already ventured here before, you are missing out on these 4 restaurants at Marina Bay Link Mall that are great for every occasion.

[ GIVEAWAY ] We are giving away 10 X S$20 MBLM dining vouchers. More details on the giveaway at the end of this post.

#1 HARRY’S

Over the years, Harry’s has grown to become Singapore’s most established dining and bar chain with countless outlets sprouting across our little red dot. Expats and locals are often seen flocking to the bar. Harry’s at Marina Bay Link Mall has a strategic location that overlooks Marina Bay.

Its crowd mainly comprises office workers seeking a retreat after a tiresome day at work and it is also an outlet to catch up with a group of friends while basking in the alfresco dining atmosphere against the Marina Bay skyline.

Harry’s pride themselves in their ability to play up classic dishes, infusing elements that are unique to their own. They serve a menu full of international mouth-watering mains that boast both quality and creativity.

One of the renowned dishes includes Harry’s Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$22), coated with a crisp Lager batter and fried to perfection, leaving the fillet with a moist and flaky flesh. The Harry’s Jazz Burger (S$19) was a pretty mean burger too, and we absolutely loved the Mushroom Truffle Oil Flatbread (S$22) – a crowd favourite that is great for sharing.

And of course, what is dining at Harry’s without some signature drinks? Try the signature cocktails such as the Harry’s 1992 (S$16) and their premium beers if you haven’t. Intolerant to alcohol? No problem, because their Lemon Lime Bitters is a good alternative.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Harry’s
Ground Plaza
8A Marina Boulevard, #01-03
Singapore 018984
Tel: +65 6634 6318
Mon to Wed: 11:30am – 11pm
Thu to Fri, Eve of PH: 11:30am – 1am
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

#2 NUDE SEAFOOD

NUDE Seafood draws its name from the words ‘Nutritional’ and ‘Delicious’, with their dedication in serving fresh seafood at super affordable prices. If you visit the restaurant during lunch hours, it would be a common sight to witness a bustling crowd in this establishment. Join the queue anyway and you are on your way to a hearty, nutritious, wholesome meal. They’re also great for weekday dinners.

NUDE Seafood focuses on being extra efficient without compromising on the quality of the food served. The action in the open concept kitchen is also quite a sight to behold. Watch how your seafood is being prepared; it can be therapeutic, we assure you.

NUDE’s emphasis on the usage of quality catches cooked in the simplest of methods is simple – to let the freshness of the ingredients take the centre stage. The grilled-to-order seafood are procured daily and are also extremely take-away friendly with deboned fish for easier consumption.

We enjoyed their Salmon (S$16), a sashimi-grade fish, smoked with hickory wood and served with “Forgotten Grains” consisting of unpolished rice, chickpeas, oats and almonds – grains that are rarely eaten and thus, its name.

Our favourite was undoubtedly the Chillean Bass (S$22) – or Cod Fish in simpler terms. It was nothing but sweet and wholesome. There was also the Grouper (S$19) and the beautifully butterflied King Prawn Barlotto (S$22) that are worthy tries.

And by the way, their Brownies (S$3 per slice) are homemade and while they may look like an unassuming block of brown, it was actually one of the better brownies we’ve had in town. Try that!

Once a week for Friday dinner, NUDE Seafood also throws a Friday Feast. It’s 4-course, seasonal, and a creative, unfussy take on fine dining (S$68+ per pax, additional S$28+ for pairing of 3 wines). Reservations are recommended as seats fill up quickly!

NUDE Seafood
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #01-02
Singapore 018982
Tel: +65 6443 1167
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

#3 OLA COCINA DEL MAR

OLA Cocina Del Mar is a contemporary Spanish restaurant and bar, with hints of Peruvian influences in their menu. The cosy and laid-back dining experience is just what we need after a long day in the office.

With the presence of an open kitchen concept, diners can feast their eyes on the intricate preparation methods and the chefs’ every action. The restaurant also houses a private dining corner front row bar seats, as well as a main dining area for patrons; talk about dining in comfort, your way.

Their menu features Tapas, Paellas and Mains. And while you are thinking they are gonna be the usual Spanish Tapas you thought you knew, take a minute to notice the difference.

The signature Tapas is the Ceviche (S$25) – marinated wild fish served with a concoction of lime, chilli and red onions; refreshing with a dimension of flavours. The Pulpo (S$26), a dish of grilled Spanish octopus with lentils and romesco vinaigrette, was an evident favourite among our friends too.

You have to try the paella. The Fideua Con Secreto Iberico Setas (S$45) is an unconventional twist to the usual that we all know. No rice in this dish; instead, the chef uses Spanish pasta noodles to give a softer and lighter texture, and you would have guessed it was perfect with the grilled Iberico pork.

OLA Cocina Del Mar
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #01-06
Singapore 018982
Tel: +65 6604 7050
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

#4 MISAKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Misaki Japanese Restaurant thrives as one of the best Japanese establishments in the Central Business District. With its black painted walls and low-hanging lamps, Misaki brings you on a temporal trip to Japan with its minimalistic interior and nothing too flashy to steer your attention away from the food.

The gorgeously plated dishes in the restaurant brought colours to the whole dining experience with its fresh and natural elements, and we could not stop gushing. We have such weak spots for fine Japanese everything.

If you are keen on a personalised meal, the Misaki Omakase is the real deal. What is ‘omakase’, you ask? It is essentially a six-course meal that is prepared with ingredients of the season. There is no menu; just sit back, and let the chef surprise you with his culinary skills and creativity.

Prices start from S$150 per person, and the Omakase at Misaki features an appetiser, Sashimi selection, hot dish, Sushi selection, soup of the day and an accompanying dessert to end off the meal.

A total work of art that set our hearts aflutter.

Misaki’s selection of Sashimi includes five to six types of sashimi, with some seasonal items that are ever-changing so that diners can indulge in a different Japanese dining experience each time they visit Misaki. There is also an option of a S$300 Omakase meal (reservations to be made at least one week in advance) which gives you a slight glimpse into a “Jiro Dreams Of Sushi” Omakase spread.

This dish of Crab Claw – with a breaded mix of prawn and crab meat, topped with baby sardines that sits atop a concoction of Truffle crab meat with Ikura gravy – has got to be our favourite course (apart from the sashimi platter, of course) from the omakase. If you are lucky, you might get this as part of your meal too!

You see, an omakase experience is really second to none. Don’t we all love (pleasant) surprises like that? Misaki, you had us there.

Misaki Japanese Restaurant
Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #02-08
Singapore 019982
Tel: +65 6443 1187
Mon to Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

MARINA BAY LINK MALL GIVEAWAY

Marina Bay Link Mall is giving away 10 X S$20 MBLM dining vouchers. ‘Like’ Marina Bay Link Mall’s Facebook page, complete three simple steps to stand a chance to be one of 10 winners.

1. ‘Like’ Marina Bay Link Mall’s Facebook page
2. Share this post on your Facebook page and tag 3 friends
3. Answer a simple question from here.

This post is brought to you by Marina Bay Link Mall.

Tucked away in a little corner in Telok Blangah is what used to be a retreat bungalow owned by the Yemeni Alkaff family. Alkaff Mansion Ristorante provides a nice respite from the fast paced city areas in Singapore, perching on top of Telok Blangah Hill (used to be known as Washington Hill). This well-known location was once the centre of high society parties and other events, besides being a family home to the Alkaff family.

Since the mid 1990s, Alkaff Mansion Ristorante has been known to serve award-winning cuisine to patrons but ever since LHN Culinary Concepts took over the reigns in 2010, the restaurant finally restored its splendour and has become one of Singapore’s go-to dining spots and event venue for corporate, private events and weddings.

Here is what we enjoyed the most from Executive Chef Simone Depalmas’ intricately crafted menu, strongly influenced by his Italian roots.

To kick-start your gastronomic adventure here at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, a popular antipasti to start with is the Fresh Octopus Carpaccio (S$24). This dish, according to Chef Depalmas, is one of the most frequently ordered starters at the restaurant.

Sliced thinly into delicate and translucent pieces, the octopus is enhanced with the added frisee salad and San Marzano cherry tomatoes on top, and dressed sparingly with balsamic reduction for a hint of tanginess to the dish. Chef imports his seafood fresh directly from his hometown of Sardinia, an island in Italy, so you are guaranteed only the freshest seafood will be served here.

If you are dining in a pair, pick the Seafood Platter (S$68) instead to try a variety of seafood dishes. Dig into plump tiger prawns, a generous serving of tuna tartare with croutons crowning it, thinly sliced sea bass carpaccio, chunky octopus salad and fresh lobster chunks dressed in a tart citrus sauce. The platter is exceptionally big so it can be shared up to four diners.

Moving on to the fresh pasta dishes, the Sardinian Fregola with Assorted Seafood (S$28) is a stunner. Fregola is essentially a ‘cous cous’-like pasta, imported all the way from Italy. The mussels that are tossed in with the pasta is exceptionally juicy as they are fresh from Sardinian waters, without being frozen when flown over. Cooked with other fresh seafood such as squid and clams, the rich flavours of the pasta shone through with the added use of herbs and dried tomatoes.

We were served this next dish wrapped up in a thin sheet of plastic. Yes, the Homemade Squid Ink Tagliatelle (S$32) is skillfully prepared in the hands of chef as he tosses this pasta dish into the oven for a couple of minutes before serving to bring out the robust flavours.

Adding an oomph to this marvellous pasta dish are the plump and juicy mussels and an assortment of other fresh Sardinian seafood.

It is hard to come by really good risotto in Singapore as many restaurants here do not use the correct grains to cook the dish, or simply fare poorly in execution. Thankfully, the Porcini Mushroom Risotto Superfino Acquerello (S$28) here at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante exceeded our expectations.

Chef uses the Superfino Acquerello grains in this risotto dish and it is a high quality grain prized for producing the best risotto dishes. The porcini mushrooms and thyme also enhanced the flavours of the dish.

Served flambéed, the Oven Baked Sea Bass in Salt (S$48/600g, S$56/700g, S$64/800g) produced the most tender and juicy flesh. As the fish was baked in salt, the inner ‘meat’ of the sea bass has absorbed a great part of it, making it good to eat even on its own.

We were served the sea bass with a tangy squeeze of lemon, some fresh vegetables and delicious dried tomatoes; they all make great companions to the fish.

If red meats are your go-to choice for a hearty (or romantic) dinner here at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, the Oven-Baked Lamb Rack (S$45) or the Sliced Beef Tenderloin (S$45) should be your top picks.

Cooked to a perfect medium pink, the lamb rack is served with a smooth dollop of mashed potatoes, pearl onions and a rich prune sauce that has been reduced overnight to bring out the most intensive flavours to complement the meat.

For steak lovers, a guaranteed satisfying meal will be made better with the sliced tenderloin; cooked to your preferred doneness, of course. The steak is sliced up for easier consumption and served alongside roasted potatoes and fresh or grilled vegetables.

What makes a good suckling pig? A crisp skin outer layer with flavourful and tender meat inside. This is exactly what Chef Depalmas brought to the table with an Italian spin to this classic dish. And you bet we fell head over heels in love.

The Slow Cooked Sardinian Style Suckling Pig (S$46) is roasted for several hours at a specific temperature of 70 degree Celsius to produce fork-tender meat and a divine crisp to the skin. Served with a sweet berry compote to balance out the salty-rich flavours of the pork, we couldn’t help but believe that we must have done something so darn right in our past lives to be able to enjoy such a heavenly suckling pig.

Every good meal must end with an equally or even better tasting dessert. Chef puts in the same amount of love and care into his savoury dishes and sweet desserts, hence producing incredibly decadent desserts that you will polish off even if you were already ‘full’ from your mains.

Chef Depalmas’ Alkaff Mansion Tiramisu (S$14) is a simple dish but done the traditional and authentic way without any addition of cream – only light and premium mascarpone cheese. The added acidity of the fruits and berries adds dimensions to this otherwise light dessert.

The clear winner of the desserts is none other than the Fresh Mint Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mixed Berries and Raspberry Sauce (S$14). The Panna Cotta itself was as wobbly as a good Panna Cotta should be, and the fragrance of the mint was refreshing without being over-powering. This is a nice palate cleanser for your hearty meal.

It was a really splendid experience at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, and one that we will not soon forget. It is little wonder this place is so popular among couples for wedding ceremonies and dinners, and yes, it is an ideal romantic dining location indeed.

For the latest updates, go to www.alkaff.com.sg, like Alkaff Mansion Ristorante on Facebook and Instagram.

Alkaff Mansion Ristorante
10 Telok Blangah Green
Singapore 109178
Reservations: +65 6510 3068
Events: +65 6510 1010
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3.00pm, 6pm – 11.00pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 3.00pm, 6pm – 11.00pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront or Telok Blangah

This post is brought to you by Alkaff Mansion Ristorante.

“Always tasty, always homemade. With love.”

That’s Little Diner for you.

The humble eatery that sits amidst the lush greenery of Bukit Timah, away from the humdrum of city life and stress – cosy and unpretentious. It is a no-frills place; just earnest comfort food in generous portions. Lunch, dinner, weekend brunch… whenever you need to please that tummy of yours, Little Diner will take care of that.

Nothing here costs an arm and a leg – most of the dishes on the menu are reasonably priced below S$20 – and all that we’ve sampled and had were delightfully yummy to say the least. Some classics are as good as gold, some creations took us by surprise and left us lingering for more. Little Diner has also just launched its new 2-course weekday set lunch at S$22.50++.

Today, we share 10 Must-Try Dishes at Little Diner and we urge you to drop by for a meal that you will not have regrets for.

There are three various “feeding times”, and the menu differ for each.

Lunch hours on weekdays (11:30am to 3pm, Tuesdays to Fridays) call for value-for-money 2-course set lunches at S$22.50++, including one coffee or tea. Portions are of the original size no less, and there are several starters and main courses to pick from, of which we will be sharing some of our favourites in this list.

We’d love to think of the set lunches as casual affordable options when we want to avoid the lunch crowd in town and major restaurants. From now till 31 May 2015, quote “ladyironchef” and get a free dessert of the day with every set lunch ordered.

Then, there is a comprehensive menu when it comes to dinner. We promise you’ll be so spoilt for choice, but more than that, we’d love for you to spend your night with great comfort food and drinks. It is like dining at a home outside of your home.

Weekend brunches are not confined to cafes. A local eatery off the beaten track sounds lovely too, yes? Especially so when they’ve got some really impressive items. Trust us on this – you’ll be hooked to the first dish that we are going to share.

#1 STUFFED SUPER CEREAL-CRUSTED FRENCH TOAST (BRUNCH ONLY)

Nutella, Nutella and more Nutella in Little Diner‘s version of stuffed French Toast which is served during weekend brunch. At S$16.50, this is a notch above your usual French Toast. Thick brioche with a crunchy cereal crust, lavishly stuffed with everyone’s favourite hazelnut spread, topped with fried bananas and drenched with chocolate sauce. What’s a better word than ‘heavenly’?

Now, you’d be pretty darn sure you need this for your weekend.

#2 ROSARIO’S FRIED RISOTTO BALLS (LUNCH AND DINNER ONLY)

With a melty mozzarella center, tomato coulis, basil pesto and parmesan cheese, the Rosario’s Fried Risotto Balls (S$9.50) is a rustic appetiser that is good for sharing, but we’d prefer to have them to ourselves. It might sound foreign, but they are really just crispy balls with a warm filling of cheesy rice grains, tangy tomato and herbs. 

For weekday set lunches, this option is also included as a starter, and it is certainly our favourite thing to order.

#3 CROQUE MADAME (BRUNCH ONLY)

Pretty much like your ham and cheese sandwich, except that Little Diner’s Croque Madame (S$14.50) – only on weekend brunch hours – is like a gigantic deconstructed version.

What seemed like a messy pile actually turned out to be a delightful surprise of toasted brioche, a thick slice of ham and lots of melted cheese, with a copious amount of truffle scented bechamel sauce. Topped with a gorgeous fried egg and some greens, the Croque Madame was wolfed down by our party within minutes.

#4 VERSION 2.0 BAKED MAC & CHEESE ROYALE

Damn, this is one hell of a Mac & Cheese! We are always lamenting about the lack of a good mac & cheese in Singapore, but no more complaints – we’ve found the best. The Version 2.0 Baked Mac & Cheese Royale (S$20.50) is a divine portion that comes with wild enoki and shimeji mushrooms, complete with truffle oil. Let’s just say the fragrance is unparalleled, and unlike most overly cheesy and sick mac & cheese, this rendition is lighter and works as a main on its own.

Not a fan of truffle? Sure. Go for the Old School Baked Mac & Cheese (S$16.50).

#5 THE XXX BACONATOR

Every man needs a badass burger. It is food for the soul! The XXX Baconator (S$21.50) is a fascinating tower of thick and juicy beef patty, melted Swiss cheese, and, behold – crispy bacon strips, espresso bacon jam and bacon aioli. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but… the more badass the burger, the more we love it.

And by the way, Little Diner has an Empire Burger Challenge. To begin, the Empire Burger (S$50) is a massive burger that is good for 3-4 persons, unless you are incredibly hungry. And if you are, then challenge yourself to finish the Empire Burger plus fries. Do that all in twenty minutes and your burger is free!

#6 PAN ROASTED FILET OF SEA BASS

Something lighter is the Pan Roasted Filet of Sea Bass (S$25). Simple white fish that is lightly pan roasted, and served with seasonal greens and whipped potatoes. The ladies will love this.

Also available as a main in the weekday 2-course lunch sets (S$18.50++), this dish is ideal for those who do not want something overly filling lest you snooze when you get back to the office.

#7 THE “KRUSTY KRAB” BENEDICT (BRUNCH ONLY)

Want to try something different from your usual egg Benedict? Then go for The “Krusty Krab” Benedict (S$19.50) that is available on Little Diner’s weekend brunch menu. Golden crab cake pillow sits atop toasted brioche, accompanied by crispy bacon, grilled asparagus, poached egg, and two sauces – Hollandaise and a hint of chipotle aioli. You know what this means? Explosion of flavours with every bite.

#8 THE BBQ PIGWICH

The BBQ Pigwich (S$18.50) features juicy spiced pulled pork cocooned in a thin wrap with smoky BBQ sauce and fresh pickled onions. Served with a side of homemade coleslaw, this option is also available as a main course in the weekday lunch sets, and the robust flavours of the dish sure work as a perk-me-up.

#9 SMOKED DUCK BREAST SALAD

The salad lovers will enjoy the Smoked Duck Breast Salad (S$13.50). With many slices of smoked duck breast, shaved poached pears, tangy dried cranberries and honey glazed walnuts atop mixed greens, this salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette. Also available as a starter for the weekday lunch sets.

#10 ALL AMERICAN BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN (LUNCH AND DINNER ONLY)

We have nothing but praises for the All American Buttermilk Fried Chicken (S$18.50). It has a preparation time of 20 minutes, but thou shalt always wait patiently for indulgent fried chicken.

Little Diner’s golden fried perfection is indeed a perfect treat for dinner, and guess what? It comes drizzled with maple syrup for more oomph! Served with handcut fries and homemade coleslaw, this is an all-time favourite that we will return to Little Diner again and again for.

Besides the set lunches deals, Little Diner also has several ongoing weekday promotions. On Tuesday, it is burger day at Little Diner. Enjoy all burgers (except the Empire Burger) at S$15++ all day. On Wednesday, one dines for free with three paying diners. On Thursday, get a jug of beer at S$19.50++, a bottle of housepour wine at S$40++, or a bottle of premium wine at S$60++

For the latest updates, go to littlediner.sg and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Little Diner
789 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: +65 6466 4088
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village/Botanic Gardens

This post is brought to you by Little Diner.

Resorts World Sentosa has a belt of dining outlets for all kinds of budgets and occasions, and we never run out of options whenever we are in the compound. We have our favourites, but recent new additions and revamped menus got us all excited.

First up is Syun – a Japanese outlet helmed by famous Japanese Chef Hal Yamashita. Joining the line-up of celebrity chef restaurants, Syun – which means a season of new beginnings – focuses on modern Japanese contemporary cuisine. The Singapore outpost is Chef Hal Yamashita’s first venture outside of Japan. Singaporeans’ love for Japanese food knows no boundaries, and this is one place you have to check out. We will share more in a bit.

Meanwhile, Thai Chef Ian Kittichai – who has 11 restaurants, including his flagship Thai Restaurant Issaya Siamese Club in Bangkok – has taken over the role of consulting chef for Tangerine at ESPA, and he has introduced a brand new menu which highlights his take on spa cuisine. Spa cuisine is known to be light and healthy, but Chef Ian Kittichai has elevated it to a whole new level. We will also be sharing some of the highlights from his new menu.

Now, mark your calendar. It’s time to head back to Resorts World Sentosa for more gastronomical escapades.

SYUN

Syun imports the freshest produce from Japan for all their dishes, and freshness is guaranteed when you dine here. The environment is that of a casual one, with nuances of ancient Nippon charm, and heavy with wood elements. Private rooms are also available for a more conducive dining environment; otherwise, it makes a great place for a comfort lunch over earnest Japanese cuisine.

We really love Syun’s set lunches. They are focusing more on Jyu Box sets, with Sashimi and Nigiri sets as well. . An upmarket fine dining establishment by a celebrity chef usually comes along with hefty price tags, but we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable Syun’s set lunches actually are.

The Chirashi Sushi (S$32) is a new-found favourite that will have us returning again and again. You have no idea how picky we are about our Chirashi-don, but Syun’s version won our hearts for its generous chunks of sweet sashimi and ikura atop plump Japanese rice drizzled with a ginger-like sauce. The gorgeous flowers you see are edible, too! All Jyu Box Sets are served with Miso Soup, Steamed Egg Custard, and Green Salad Yuzu Ginger Dressing.

Fans of Chef Yamashita will be pleased to find his iconic dishes such as Sea Urchin Rolled by Wagyu Beef (S$15); and the Grilled Cod with Saikyo Miso, Yuzu Miso Sauce and Dried Mullet Powder (S$28 for 1 pax, S$48 for 2 pax). The latter is our favourite side dish – flaky-fleshed cod lavishly coated with a sweet-and-savoury miso sauce, grilled lightly to bring out the essence and sweetness of the fish.

Another dish to savour is the Sashimi Salad with Yuzu Ginger Dressing (S$28). Sashimi salads can be found anywhere these days, but we always prefer a classic one with no frills but quality fish chunks/ slices, crisp leaves and a kick-ass sauce. Yuzu Ginger sounds just about perfect, because the tangy-spicy dressing seeps in to the fish without masking its flavours, and leaves a lingering cool citrusy aftertaste.

If you prefer to leave it to the chefs to decide your dishes for you, Syun has two premium dinner sets for you to choose from. The 5-course Goyomatsu (S$95/pax) features Sea Urchin Rolled by Wagyu Beef, an assortment of sashimi and sushi, Charcoal Grilled Wagyu Beef or Seabream, and Matcha Ice Cream. The 7-course Akamatsu (S$120/pax) has the same dishes, with the addition of a Chef’s Selection appetiser and the signature Grilled Cod with Saikyo Miso.

Syun
Festive Walk, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

TANGERINE AT ESPA

Over at Tangerine at ESPA, the quaint outlet has an array of new dishes to offer. Primarily a healthy spa cafe, Tangerine strives to pamper guests with contemporary takes on healthy food without compromising on tastes. You don’t have to worry about healthy food tasting bland and bad, because Tangerine is nothing like that.

Thai-inspired Sous Vide Pork (S$18) is a starter that is sure to whet your appetite with its myriad of spices. High in antioxidants and beta carotene, this dish is served with chilli dressing with a calories count of 340kcal.

Our favourite main is the Lean and Spicy Black Angus Tenderloin (S$38). Featuring char-grilled Angus tenderloin prepared to your desired tenderness, the tenderloin is served with homemade dried chili tamarind dressing, sautéed hon shimeji mushrooms, baby kai lan, and toasted pearl rice with a calories count of 651 kcal.

Poultry lovers should try the Tangerine Chicken Roulade (S$22). A light Thai-style dish that uses high-protein sous vide free-range chicken breast that is cooked to fork tender, it comes with sautéed bell pepper, fibre-rich lily bulb and white onion in a Thai Mandarin sauce. Its calories count is 310kcal.

The Asian Style Sea Bass and Salsa (S$22) deserves a shout-out too – lightly pan-fried sea bass sits atop shredded sautéed Napa cabbage, and drenched in an Asian style salsa and lime chili sauce for a tangy, spicy surprise. This fish dish is perfect for ladies with a smaller appetite, and it has a calories count of 364kcal.

Need some sweets that will not bust your slimming plans? Sure, there is the Guilt-Free Chocolate Mousse (S$18) that is low in sugar. With a melt-in-your-mouth silky bean curd and 70% dark chocolate mousse concoction, this is one of the best chocolate mousses that we’ve had, and it is not fattening! Guess what? Its calories count is only 287kcal.

Tangerine is a sanctuary that we’d think of whenever we need to retreat to somewhere calming. Away from the stress and problems in the city, a quiet and healthy meal at Tangerine meal is vital for the soul and mind.

Tangerine
Level 1 ESPA, Resorts World Sentosa
8 Sentosa Gateway
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by Resorts World Sentosa.

Quite contrary to “popular beliefs”, ThaiExpress is not a fast food chain. It is a restaurant chain, yes, but its casual dining style is what makes the household brand so popular and affordable. With more than 20 outlets island-wide, ThaiExpress is the number one Thai casual dining chain restaurant in Singapore.

The chefs here take their Thai food very seriously, and the kitchen is kept busy all day through because every item that is served on the table is prepared in-house with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces – cooked to order in each kitchen daily.

Sticking true to the Thai culture and taste preferences, ThaiExpress offers an expansive menu of appetisers, soups, mains, one-dish meals and desserts. There is always something to eat and to satisfy every craving. You’d be happy to know that the price tags are superbly friendly, too; think home-style cooking in an air-conditioned and casual environment.

We will also be sharing the Sanook set lunches that are so value-for-money, they make just the perfect lunch option when you need something hearty. And of course, evergreen dishes that never go out of style, and the bestsellers of ThaiExpress.

The standout dish – and something that you must order when dining at ThaiExpress - is the Massaman Curry. There are debates about the origins of the dish, but what we can say for sure is that it is an immensely satisfying and incredibly rich Thai-style curry that is great with a bowl of rice, or Thai-style pancakes.

At ThaiExpress, the Massaman Curry is painstakingly made from scratch with more than 20 ingredients and spices, and it takes the chefs 12 hours to prepare it! So much thoughts go into every pot of curry, and the sheer amount of ingredients may sound complicated, but what you get is a bowl of flavourful and smooth curry that is mildly spicy and superbly gratifying. There are two variations – Massaman Chicken Curry (S$13.90) and Massaman Beef Curry (S$14.60); both come with Thai-style pancakes which are perfect to mop up the curry.

With so many appetising starters on ThaiExpress‘s menu, you will be hard-pressed to decide on what to order. We have this problem too, but there are items that we return to and can never get bored of. For one, you cannot go wrong with their Thai Mango Salad (S$8.90). A very quintessential Thai appetizer, this spicy one will whet your appetite. Our all-time favourite? The Prawn Toast (S$8.90). We’ve had it for many years, and its recent improved version features a sesame crust that adds a layer of fragrance. Warning: highly addictive.

Most Thai restaurants in Singapore tend to tone down the spiciness to please local palates, but this is not the case at ThaiExpress. The Tom Yum Talay (S$8.30) – better known as the clear tom yum soup – is kick-ass spicy and tastes exactly like the ones that we’ve had in Thailand. A variation that also pleases the crowd is the Tom Kha Gai (S$8.30) – chicken soup with coconut milk. Rich and sweet, just the way we like it.

Phat Thai is our utmost favourite Thai dish and we are glad to say that ThaiExpress’s Phat Thai Talay (S$12.90) is always consistently good no matter which outlet we go to. That is another amazing part about ThaiExpress. Every outlet has their own kitchen with different chefs, but they can maintain its high standards – every plate of Phat Thai is beautifully sweet and well-fried, complete with plump prawns and a generous dash of ground peanuts.

For rice lovers, ThaiExpress has the classic dishes such as Pineapple Fried Rice with Seafood (S$11.90), and our favourite Rice with Stir-fried Spicy Minced Chicken with Thai Basil (S$12.90), but the one that is not to be missed is its Rice with Soft Shell Crab, Egg and Onion Curry (S$12.90). Yes, the price tag is unbelievable. And for that price, you get whole soft shell crabs copiously covered in egg-y curry.

Among the dessert choices, the best-sellers are the Mango Sticky Rice (S$6.80) and the Thai Chendol (S$6.80) – a wonderful blend of jackfruit slices, chewy flour bits, coconut milk and Thai palm sugar.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY SANOOK SETS

To celebrate the New Year, ThaiExpress has launched 3 brand new Sanook Sets which are priced not more than S$10.90++. Our favourite is the Sweet Chilli Fish Set (S$9.90++) which comes with Jasmine rice, Tom Kha Mushroom Soup, and Sweet Potato with Ginger Slice Dessert.

If you need your poultry, then go for the Honey Chicken Set (S$9.90). It features some very succulent chicken that is well-marinated, with fragrant rice and Tom Kha Mushroom Soup. Yes, a serving of the same dessert, too.

For something lighter, we have the Thai Chicken Glass Noodle Soup (S$10.90++). Cooked in a thick chicken broth and topped with shredded roast chicken, this is one satisfying bowl, especially on a rainy day. As part of the set, you also get the Mini Prawn Toasts (3 pcs) and Red Bean Dessert.

There is an optional add-on of S$2 for Thai Iced Tea/Iced Lemon Tea, or additional starter of Mini Prawn Toasts (3 pcs)/ Rice Crackers with Chef’s Special Dip. The next time you want an affordable yet satisfying lunch, drop by ThaiExpress for their Sanook sets. You might have just found your perfect lunch answer.

But of course, we say do not miss out on adding on for more Prawn Toasts. ThaiExpress’ Prawn Toast all day, every day.

For the latest updates, go to ThaiExpress.com.sg, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

This post is brought to you by ThaiExpress Singapore.

MUSEO Restaurant & Bar is a great masterpiece.

If you haven’t heard, there is this enchanting restaurant that sits on the mezzanine level of Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove, and it is known as the “Art on the Isle”. The divine combination of art and culinary take our breath away every single time, and each visit still charms us like never before.

It is like Picasso and Warhol had joined forces and blessed this space with their artistic flares. Filled with magic and astounding surprises at every corner and in every detail, MUSEO is one of the most romantic restaurants in Singapore. Its notably fine culinary execution makes the restaurant a perfect venue for dining – celebrate a special occasion here, or treat yourselves to an unforgettable night of arm jamming and regale cuisine.

Because dining at MUSEO is one sexy choice that you must not miss for the world.

First up, a little fun fact about MUSEO that we recently learned about. MUSEO is a unique restaurant with an in-house creative director who is also a talented Interior Designer, and he has channelled his love to the conceptualization of the restaurant. Evidently contemporary with elegant European touches, MUSEO is predominantly black with notes of posh glassware and sparse florals.

The all-occasion venue is a recurrent choice for events, weddings, proposals and dates. And this is no surprise. You don’t always find a restaurant in Singapore that exudes such desirability and comes with a view of the Marina to boast. By day, the restaurant is filled with sunlight and the chinaware glistens like gems; by night, the low-light setting calls for a romantic dinner for two.

Like its sister restaurant, Arteastiq, MUSEO has a dedicated area for art jamming where you can put your inspirations and artistic talents to good use. Sit down with a pot of house tea and work your thing on a canvas that you get to bring home after; yes to couple activities, and no more boring afternoons, right?

And we have to tell you how addicted we are to their signature Lychee Tea (S$11). The cold option is a longstanding favourite. With a strong infusion of the subtropical fruit, this tea quenches thirst best, and the mild sweetness lingers like a sweet dream. If you need your dose of alcohol, there are several fascinating cocktail choices.

Before having dinner, have a cocktail by the bar. The presentations of the cocktails at MUSEO have been elevated to be visually striking in keeping with its Arts themeWe tried the Passionfruit Sling (S$18) and Autumn Sweater (S$20) – the former is a tropical-flavoured concoction with whole passion fruit, cachaca, lemongrass and lime, all from Brazil; the latter is mysterious with warm notes of apricot and maple, paired with whisky, and sits with autumn leaves and crisp dried flowers.

The refreshing cocktails aside, MUSEO has also just introduced a new wine list which features wines from Australia, France, New Zealand, Spain, Italy and America.

The food menu is no less impressive. The fusion selection is appealing beyond its mere fancy creations, for you would be no less impressed than we were when the dishes are served to you. MUSEO’s chefs have insanely fantastic plating skills! Every dish is like a work of art, and simply true to the brand’s philosophy on art.

For starters, get a pot of Black Mussels & Clam (S$28) to share. They toss pretty tasty salads too. The Mezzanine platter is outstanding – for S$42, you get a delightful mix of Singapore’s local favourites with a modern touch. Or customise your own set at S$44, where you get to choose four out of eight items. Our pick is Picasso’s Blues – deep fried prawns flavoured with Lavender.

Now, the main courses. Where do we begin from? We had quite a feast and every item left an impression on us. The Two Way Lobster (S$38) is new on the menu, and MUSEO gave the most popular crustacean a twist by preparing it ala “Thermidor” style and with seafood otah stuffing.

The Truffle Mushroom Risotto & Hokkaido Sea Scallop (S$35) is also new, and it is our newfound favourite at MUSEO – plump rice cooked in parmesan cheese and fragrant truffle, together with even plumper scallops that are seared with a slight char. Brilliant!

We also tried the Squid Ink Linguine & Octopus (S$38), and while there is nothing extraordinary about the linguine, we savoured every piece of the grilled octopus that was perfectly complemented with the salty egg cream sauce. Sauteed Spinach to complete, for a varied texture and, you know, Mom says we must have our greens.

Carnivores can opt for the Sous Vide Beef Short Rib – at S$40, you get a whole smokey rib to yourself. Definitely the most value-for-money option in the new menu! Also a dish that surprised us was the Grilled U.S. Short Rib Boneless of Beef (S$40), which the ladies might prefer over the whole rib. Generous chunks of short rib carefully prepared with a beautiful shade of pink, soft and almost fork-tender, served with stalks of crunchy asparagus, lumps of sushi rice and an addictive and sweet homemade teriyaki sauce.

And no one is leaving without desserts. We know how difficult it is to pick only one when everything on the menu is so tempting, but we’d help with your dilemma. Go for the Vodka Chocolate Lava Cake (S$13). It is a true crowd-pleaser, and worry not, that amount of hard liquor ain’t enough to get you drunk. The Caramelized Banana Custard (S$15) comes sitting pretty in a waffle tulip shell, so that makes a fair option too.

Else, we can always count on the MUSEO Cheese Cake on Chocolate Soil (S$15). Served with garden berries, this reminds us of a flowerpot dessert, and we truly enjoyed the copious amount of chocolate soil!

Fans of MUSEO would be pleased to learn about their 30% off all main courses during lunch hours on weekdays. More reasons to visit the restaurant again, because the substantial discount means we can dine to our hearts’ content without having our wallets take a beating. If the regular price for the lobster is S$38, it would then be S$26.60. And the whole rib would be only S$28!

On regular times on a daily basis, there are a couple of set menus for you to indulge in as well. Have an alternative afternoon tea over snacks and tea – at S$58 for 2, cosy up with a mezzanine signatures platter and choice of two beverages from the specialty teas range, coffee or cioccolata. Go for the $65 for 2 option if you want a dessert to share too.

MUSEO’s “Luscious Dinner” is a 4-course set at S$68++ per person, and you get to customize your set with your favourites from Mezzanine, Mezzanine Premium, Entrees and Desserts menu. Available daily from 6-9pm, this makes a pretty grand choice and your date will be very impressed.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit MUSEO before, here’s a video to show you how the gorgeous the restaurant is.

And for those who are planning ahead to celebrate Christmas, MUSEO is offering its Christmas menu — 4-course set at S$79++/pax, 5-course set at S$92++/pax — from 8 to 25 Dec 2014. Highlights include Lobster Bisque, MUSEO’s signature Mezzanine platter, Boston Lobster Thermidor, and Black Forest Log Cake.

For the latest updates, head over to mu-se-o.com and ‘like’ MUSEO on its Facebook page.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

MUSEO Restaurant 
31 Ocean Way #01-22
Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Tel: +65 6734 8066
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 11.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by MUSEO Restaurant.

mezza9 at Grand Hyatt Singapore has recently launched its new set lunches, and fans of the prized restaurant will be delighted to know that new options are aplenty, including a healthier four-course set menu consisting of just 600kcal. It is always lovely to dine at a familiar outlet, and even better when the chefs are always pushing their boundaries to introduce new creations to excite your palate.

On top of the introduction of new set lunches, mezza9 also wows its crowd once again with many new ala carte dishes, all of which are true to their philosophy of dishing out earnest cuisine with sustainable ingredients to please the soul.

For so many years, mezza9 has been a perennial favourite, and with this wave of new introductions, it gives us many more reasons to go back. Regulars will share our joy, but if you aren’t already a fan, here are some temptations:

To kickstart, we shall start with the grand Lobster Set (S$50), a comforting indulgence of wok-fried chilli lobster with Chinese noodles accompanied by Steamed Prawn Dumpling and Seaweed Soup. Nothing too fanciful, nothing too complicated; just good, hearty Chinese food prepared in simple ways that do not mask the pureness of the premium ingredient.

And because we are such fans of the commendable Thai chef of mezza9 and how he has won the hearts of many loyal diners with his culinary skills, we were particularly excited about what he had to impress this time round. Indeed, his Thai Green Chicken Curry Set (S$35) lived up to our expectations. A superb rendition of our favourite Thai Green Chicken Curry is really what you need for lunch, alongside homemade crispy Thai Fish Cakes and a sweet ending of Thai Jelly in Coconut Cream.

Other set lunches include a Lamb Set that comes with a main of shepherd’s pie, a healthy set of minestrone and salad and char-grilled sustainable New Zealand salmon, and of course, a representative from everyone’s favourite Japanese kitchen – the yakitori set with seaweed salad and daily sashimi.

Among the ala carte dishes, we recommend the Chicken Liver Pate plated with pickled chaneterelle mushrooms, onion confit and toasted brioche; a 300g Kurobuta Pork Belly perfectly matched with granny smith apple stew, as well as the Nicoise Salad.

The Nicoise Salad, in particular, deserves a special mention. While it is not an option that particularly excites the majority, mezza9′s Nicoise Salad is the best that we have ever sampled in Singapore. What we love so strongly about mezza9 is its emphasis on quality – and in particular for the salad, the use of seared sustainable yellow fin tuna is a brilliant way to elevate the dish’s sweetness. Coupled with free range eggs, the freshest vine tomatoes in pretty reds and yellows, and leafy greens, this is one filling portion that makes an ideal lunch. We foresee many ladies falling in love.

And nobody, we repeat, nobody should ever leave mezza9 without having the Dessert Platter (S$32). Grand Marnier soufflé, Grand Cru Chocolate Mousse with warm chocolate sauce, pavlova, three scoops of homemade gelato and the stunning Flower pot dessert that comes with chocolate soil, mint leaves, flowers berries and caramel sea salt ice cream. Who says you can’t have the best of all worlds?

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mezza9
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Sun Brunch: 11.30am – 3pm
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Outback Steakhouse, the largest steakhouse chain in the world, is a household name and its flagship store at Millenia Walk has been in Singapore since 2000. Known to serve reasonably-priced steaks and mains in a casual ambience with friendly service, Outback Steakhouse never goes out of fashion, and we really love its menu; it is much more comprehensive than we thought, and even if you are not a fan of steaks, you will be spoilt for choice with its array of mains. They have a fantastic range of cocktails as well! Martinis and Ribeye; how wonderful life is.

We swung by its newest outlet at orchardgateway, and sampled many signature dishes. Here are 10 things we love about Outback Steakhouse at orchardgateway.

SIRLOIN, RIBEYE, PRIME RIBS, NEW YORK STRIP… OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE IS A HEAVEN FOR STEAK LOVERS

Let’s just go straight to the point: steaks take center stage at Outback Steakhouse. From the well-marbled Ribeye (S$37.90/10oz) to slow-roasted Seasoned and Seared Prime Rib (S$37.90/10oz, S$39.90/12oz), and the much-loved Outback Special (S$27.90/6oz, S$31.90/10oz) – nothing disappointed and you would only wish you had more tummies to eat them all.

SPECIALITY CUTS AND COMBOS SECTION PROVIDES THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Having difficulty trying to decide on whether to have the steak or other savoury main courses such as the baby back ribs or Alice spring chicken? Why not have both? Under the Speciality Cuts & Combo section, you can have your favourite steak alongside one of Outback Steakhouse’s classic dishes.

The Steak & Ribs Combo (S$39.90) is perfect for gluttons like us. A 6oz signature sirloin with half a rack of baby back ribs and fries; life would be complete. We also enjoyed the Toowoomba Topped Sirloin (S$36.90) – a lovely seared sirloin with sautéed shrimp and button mushrooms tossed in a tomato and Parmesan creme sauce.

AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF NINE SIDE DISHES TO GO ALONG WITH THE STEAKS

All steak orders come with two sides, which you can choose from a list of nine that includes Corn on the Cob, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potato, Aussie Fries, Rice Pilaf, Sweet Potato Fries, and the new Sweet Baked Potato with honey butter and cinnamon sugar. Yes, we know. Decision-making is not easy.

… AND EVER MORE APPETISERS TO CHOOSE FROM

Crispy Calamari (S$13.90), Crab Cakes (S$15.90), Spinach Artichoke Dip (S$13.90), Kookaburra Wings (S$9.90/half, S$14.90/full)… The appetisers selection at Outback Steakhouse is pretty damn amazing and nothing is crazily expensive.

One thing that you must not miss is the Typhoon Bloom (S$14.90) – a super tall stack of hand-cut onion strings fried till golden brown and served with Outback Steakhouse’s signature spicy bloom sauce. And the Spinach Artichoke Dip used to be on the Limited Time Offer menu only, but due to overwhelming response, it is now a mainstay!

Just remember to pace yourself and save room for desserts.

FANTASTIC LOCATION AT ORCHARDGATEWAY

One of the things that we like about Outback Steakhouse’s new outlet is the location. Not only is the restaurant centrally located in town, the space on the fourth floor of orchardgateway also comes with a good view overlooking the main Orchard Road.

The restaurant is brightly lit and airy in the day; it is a comfortable place where you can slow down your pace and enjoy a steak feast with your loved ones.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE IS MORE THAN JUST STEAKS

While Outback Steakhouse specialises in steaks, it also dishes out an array of main courses and seafood. Favourites include Alice Springs Chicken (S$25.90), BBQ Chicken (S$19.90/half), Grilled Pork Chops (S$24.90), Grilled Salmon (S$26.90), and Seafood Pasta (S$22.90). Even if you do not feel like having steak, there is always something new to try at Outback Steakhouse.

Our pick has got to be the Tilapia with Pure Lump Crab Meat (S$27.90). Fresh white fish accompanied with crab stuffing, and topped with a copious amount of sweet crab meat, complete with lemon butter Chablis sauce – seafood lovers, you know what to do now.

FINGERS LICKING GOOD BABY BACK RIBS

Outback Steakhouse’s Baby Back Ribs is a dish that will have us coming back again and again. Accompanied with fries, and drizzled with homemade BBQ sauce, the fork-tender Back Back Ribs (S$19.90/half, S$32.90/full) was sensational – we would gladly wolf down a whole rack on our own!

A LINEUP OF COCKTAILS MADE USING FRESH FRUITS AND JUICES

Beyond the range of steaks and savoury main courses, Outback Steakhouse also emphasises on serving good cocktails that are made at the bar using fresh fruits and juices.

There are too many choices on the cocktail menu, but we recommend Strawberry Basil Lemonade (S$13.90) – a refreshing blend of fresh strawberries and basil with house-made lemonade and Absolut® Citron Vodka; Watermelon Margarita (S$14.90) which combines fresh watermelon chunks, Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila, citrus juices; and Apple Mojito (S$12.90), a cheerful concoction of Bacardi silver rum, diced red apples, limes and mint.

KID’S MENU FOR THE LITTLE ONES

The little ones get to enjoy good food, too! The kid’s menu at Outback Steakhouse features choices like Kid’s Fish & Chips (S$9.90), Kid’s Burger (S$12.90), Kid’s Chicken Finger (S$9.90). Each selection comes with a free soda.

RICH, SINFUL AND DECADENT DESSERTS

Desserts at Outback Steakhouse are a meal on its own. We could not stop gushing about the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under (S$14.90) – a humongous dessert of pecan brownie topped with a huge scoop of ice cream. Drowned in warm chocolate sauce, this is one dessert to die for!

The Carrot Cake (S$9.90) also caught us by surprise. The light, cloud-like vanilla cream cheese icing that rested on the extremely moist carrot cake with pecan and coconut did not disappoint, not one bit. Actually, we might just go back for a serving of this amazing rendition.

On weekdays, Outback Steakhouse is offering value-for-money set lunches (Mon to Fri 11.30am – 5pm) starting from S$12.90 to S$22.90. Options include Black Pepper Steak, Grilled Fish Marsala, and Outback Special Sirloin. All lunch entrées are served with soup of the day and a glass of soda.

For more details, go to outback-sea.com and like Outback Steakhouse on Facebook and @Instagram.

Outback Steakhouse
#04-01 orchardgateway
277 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6702 6842
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

This post is brought to you by Outback Steakhouse Singapore.

Note: La Villa has closed and it is currently looking for a new location.

Everytime I eat at La Villa, I wonder why I don’t come here more often. Housed within the old school premises of River Valley Primary School, La Villa by the Senso Group is a charming Italian restaurant that not only has a nice interior, but also a beautiful al fresco dining area facing the garden.

Singapore has no shortage of good Italian restaurants, but La Villa might just be one of the better spots in town.

From antipasti ($19-25) to burgers ($18-22) and soups ($16), to pizzas ($24) and pastas ($18-30), La Villa has a big menu that can satisfy everyone.

We were contemplating between the Risotto with Duck Confit ($24 for small, $28 for large) and the Crab Meat Penne Pasta ($20 for small, $24 for large), but eventually we decided to go for the Seafood Spaghetti with Mixed Seafood in Squid Ink Sauce ($22 for small, $26 for large). The pasta was cooked al dente and served with a good portion of seafood.

The Vongole ($22 for small, $26 for large) – linguine in white wine sauce with clams, prawns and fresh parsley – was also a winner.

For main courses, La Villa has several meat and fish options on the menu. For beef lovers, go for the Entrecote ($36), a 280g grain-fed ribeye with fries and vegetables. Otherwise, the Milanese ($30), a breaded veal rack in spicy tomato sauce is worth a try. The seafood choices include King Tiger Prawn ($32) and Oven Baked Sea Bass ($28).

Besides the tantalising main courses, La Villa also has a grilled menu which features a Meat Platter consisting of Welsh lamb rack, veal rack, chicken breast, grain-fed Australian beef ribeye, pork belly, pork and veal sausages; and a Seafood Platter with rock lobster, prawns, seabass fillet, snapper fillet, black mussels and lemon sole. Each platter is available at $38 for 1 pax, $58 for 2 pax, $78 for 3 pax, and $98 for 4 pax.

There are many reasons why you should go La Villa – the restaurant has a nice ambience, it is located in a central area, they offer complimentary parking (inform the staff that you are driving when you pay for the bill), and most importantly it serves good Italian food.

The prices are acceptable for the quality and the overall dining experience. I can see myself coming back for a pasta, and a pizza or main course for sharing. I think the desserts are slightly over-priced, so I would skip that and go somewhere else. Alternatively, La Villa has a very reasonable 3-course set lunch at $28, which is perfect if you have a long break or if you are meeting your clients for a casual lunch.

And one more thing to note, the restaurant will be operating until November 2013 as their lease at the current premise is up, so if you would like to go there, make it soon.

La Villa
341 River Valley Road #01-03
Tel: +65 6836 5286
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read my guide on Best Italian Restaurants in Singapore.

Words and photos by Sarah Lim.

You know the food has to be good when a restaurant gets booked well in advance despite being housed in a location away from the bustling office crowd. The tranquillity is lost once inside the restaurant. A waitress piles her arms with several dishes, hastily serving them up before disappearing behind the kitchen doors.

Restaurant Ember at Hotel 1929 serves modern European cuisine, and it is not a secret that they have one of the best set lunches in Singapore.

The restaurant has a minimalist interior design; no white tablecloth, no ostentatious cutlery, even the lunch menu came in the form of a piece of card, simply printed in black-and-white and folded in half.

It took some time for the complimentary bread to arrive, but more than redeemed itself up for the wait. Two loaves of sun-dried tomato focaccia, specked with herbs and each haphazardly divided in six unequal pieces, were served to us piping hot. Crusty on the outside yet chewy inside, we struggled to decline our waitress’ offer to replenish it in anticipation of our meal.

A generous slab perched atop cubes of syrup-soaked fruits, the pan-seared foie gras with caramelized apples and clove, port and raspberry glaze was prepared with expertise, resulting in a dish of wobbly, fatty goodness encased in a delicate crisp exterior. We savoured each forkful of the delicacy and it was gone all too soon.

We were equally amazed by how the roasted and poached foie gras (pictured at the start of the post) with mirin, shoyu and shiitake managed to retain its shape on the plate when it simply disintegrated once in our mouths. The tangy, mild-tasting sauce cut through the richness of the foie gras perfectly. Of the two, we preferred the pan-seared version simply for the striking contrast in texture.

The pan-roasted scallops with parma ham, citrus and tarragon vinaigrette was a feast for the eyes. Two plump, juicy scallops wrapped in savoury bacon served with a heaping mound of salad. The dish was competent on its own, but simply paled in comparison to the stellar foie gras appetisers.

We were once again blown away by the faultless preparation of the crispy duck leg confit with new potatoes, caramelized onion – thyme jus, one of the best renditions of the dish we have tried. It was just unfortunate that the sauce was a tad one-dimensional in flavour.

The marinated cod with black miso, sweet peas and herbed potatoes would please those with a sweet tooth. A fillet of oily cod coated with a generous layer of sticky, caramelized miso, this proved to be a safe choice – too safe, perhaps, as the presentation left us slightly underwhelmed.

Among the mains, the pan-seared Chilean seabass with mushroom and smoked bacon ragout, truffle yuzu butter sauce was a clear winner. A thick slab of fatty, flaky fish served atop juicy mushrooms in a pool of luscious golden-yellow sauce. We refused to have the plate cleared until we managed to mop up the last of it. If we were to nitpick, we didn’t particularly like how searing dried up the fish. We’d have gladly forsaken the pretty golden-browned hue it added.

Meant for sharing between two, we slightly regretted our order of the apple tart tartin with vanilla bean ice cream since this meant that we could only order one other dessert. Tasting it did not convince us otherwise – the cloyingly sweet apples atop the soggy tart simply failed to impress.

The crispy caramelized pear tart with homemade baileys ice cream, on the other hand, fulfilled all the requirements of a perfect tart – crispy, buttery and crumbly. We just wished that the baileys ice cream had a more alcoholic edge to it.

Service while not top-notch, is attentive and earnest. At $39.50++ (or $45.50++ if you pick a foie gras appetiser), Ember is more than what we can ask for. This is the kind of place that will leave you yearning for a return, simply for the delicious food in an unpretentious setting.

Restaurant Ember
50 Keong Saik Road
Hotel 1929
Tel: +65 6347 1928
Nearest Station: Outram