Updated on 24 Jan 2021: The White Rabbit and The Rabbit Hole will be closing for good on 30 April 2021.

Established in 2008, The White Rabbit is one of our all-time favourite romantic restaurants in Singapore. Set in a restored chapel on Dempsey Hill, the beautiful restaurant has recently got a facelift and is still gorgeous with its iconic stained glass and booth seats.

Helmed by Exec Chef Daniel Sia, The White Rabbit is well-loved for their menu of classic European Classics with a slight twist as well as an extensive boutique wine list and Gin & Tonics. It is also a fantastic spot for a weekend affair with your loved one(s), especially with its new brunch menu available on weekends and public holidays.

The White Rabbit is known for its Gin & Tonics which are garnished with herbs from its own garden and mixed with its house-made tonic. Bar manager, Andy Lim takes inspirations for his concoction from his travels and the food he eats.

Don’t we love a good Burrata? At The White Rabbit, the ball of fresh, oozy cheese is accompanied by a refreshing tomato-watermelon tartare. Even non-cheese lovers would be wowed by the light yet palatable flavours of the Burratina Salad (S$23).

Paper-thin slices of raw wagyu beef carefully prepared with olive oil, capers and lemon juice, TWR’s Wagyu Carpaccio (S$26) comes with fried Brussel sprouts for a lovely textural variety, and the dish is complete with a drizzle of truffle vinaigrette.

The Ibérico Pork Collar (S$42) was more than impressive. It features a slab of extremely tender pork collar drizzled with kelp brown butter, accompanied by a beautifully charred cabbage and a dollop of lemon purée. The contrast of flavours and textures makes this enthralling dish one to savour and we long for more.

For S$29, the Beer-battered Kühlbarra Seabass is a classic fish & chips dish that features 2 fresh slabs of white fish, accompanied with house-made tartare sauce and a mildly sweet pea purée that is a nice juxtapose to the savoury fish.

Nobody leaves The White Rabbit without having their famous Crêpe Suzette (S$22). Thin crêpe pancakes made fresh upon order is lavishly soaked in Grand Marnier and dressed with yoghurt mousse and fresh flowers.

This TWR classic used to be prepared and served table-side, but due to the pandemic, this table-side service has ceased. Nonetheless, isn’t this TWR rendition of the French dessert oh so gorgeous?

If you still have room for more desserts, go for the Dark Chocolate Caramel Tart (S$16) which comes with a scoop of yoghurt ice cream.

The Rabbit Hole is currently closed during this period but you can still enjoy a stroll in the lovely garden after your meal.

And of course, take a photo at one of the most iconic photo spots in Singapore.

The White Rabbit
39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541
Tel: 6473 9965

Fish and chips are probably one of the few dishes that we grew up with and it is a dish that’s fit for any occasion.

The first fish and chip shop is said to have opened in the 1860s in London and since then, the British snack has quickly become a staple food across many different countries due to how delicious it is and how easy it is to put together. With the delicious golden-brown fish fillets that are deep-fried to perfection and a simple side of crispy fries, what’s there not to like about this comforting dish?

From hipster cafes to hawker centres, you can find different renditions of this dish almost anywhere in Singapore. As a tribute to the humble English meal, we present to you a list of 14 fish and chips in Singapore you sea-riously need to check out.

49 SEATS

For those looking for a wallet-friendly restaurant that still provides quality food, 49 Seats is the place for you. Keeping its fusion Western delights affordable and consistent, this casual dining restaurant has definitely found its way to keep its customers going back for more.

Although they are best known for their Tom Yum Pasta, their other fusion Western dishes are not to be taken lightly as well! If you are looking for something filling, try their Fish And Chips With Tom Yum Sauce that comes with a generous portion of fish that is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.

49 Seats
176 Orchard Road, #01-49
The Centrepoint
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6225 4332
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 2.30am
Fri & Sat: 11:30am – 5pm
Sun: 11:30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

FISH & CHICKS

Fish & Chicks specialises in the good ol’ Western classic—Fish & Chips.

Each Fish & Chips portion includes a choice of two side dishes or their signature garlic fried rice. And it is the iconic Salted Egg Fish & Chips (S$10.90) that everyone comes to Fish & Chicks for.

The fork-tender fresh fish fillet is coated with a light and fluffy savoury batter before it is deep-fried till golden and crisp. The battered fish is then drenched in glorious salted egg yolk sauce. Kudos to Fish & Chicks for revamping a British classic into a fusion delicacy. Fish And Chicks has one of the best fish & chips in Singapore.

Fish & Chicks
Blk 531 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #01-2429
Happy Hawkers
Singapore 560531
Tel: +65 9828 3490
Mon to Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

* Multiple outlets islandwide

Photo Credit: Fish Tales

FISH TALES

Taking up a humble spot on the second floor of *Scape, Fish Tales is an eatery dedicated to all things fish. Just as its name suggests, fish and chips is one of their specialities and it would be silly not to order it while you are there.

Cheese lovers will definitely fall in love with their Cheesy Affair (S$10.90). Their battered fish is stuffed with cheese–each bite you take oozes with cheesy goodness–and drizzled with a generous amount of nacho cheese on top. Another crowd favourite is the Fiery Sambal (S$9.90), which came with a generous portion of fish sitting atop a bed of lightly salted chips and a side of fiery hot sambal that packs a punch.

Fish Tales
2 Orchard Link, #02-27/02-18B
SCAPE*
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 +65 6636 9960
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

FRESH FRUITS LAB

If we had to pick only one dish to love at FFL, it would be their Signature Fish & Chips. Fish & Chips may sound boring but wait till you’ve tried FFL’s version!

For just S$19, you get a huge piece of beer-battered pacific dory fried to a golden perfection. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a larger portion of fruits salad, a mountain of fries and homemade tartare.

We will go out on a limb and say that this is one of the best fish & chips we’ve had in Singapore. And it is super affordable, too!

351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

GREENWOOD FISH MARKET

True to its name, Greenwood Fish Market is definitely the place to go if you are a fish or seafood lover. Established in 2003, this retailer and family-run restaurant have stayed true to their humble beginnings by offering value-for-money Western-style cuisine. With over 20 types of fish to choose from, you will be able to find a fish that suits your palate.

Try their House Fish & Chips (S$19.95), which comes with a healthy dose of salad and chips. Each piece of battered red snapper fish was coated thinly with a non-oily batter that is deep-fried till golden brown.

Greenwood Fish Market
34/38 Greenwood Avenue
Hillcrest Park
Singapore 289236
Tel: +65 6467 4950
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

*Multiple outlets islandwide

CAPTAIN SNAPPER

Captain Snapper at habitat by honestbee has an automated checkout and collection systems so you can order your fish & chips without the hassle of queuing and paying in card or cash.

There are five different choices—Atlantic Cod (S$22.90), Halibut (S$18.90), Snapper (S$17.90), Barramundi (S$14.90) and Dory (S$12.90).

An Atlantic Cod fish & chips from Captain Snapper features 180g of Tiger Beer battered fish & chips. Two slabs of soft fish come in a crispy coat fried to a deep golden brown and served with battered bits and four different dips. Definitely one of the best fish & chips that we’ve had in Singapore.

Captain Snapper @ habitat by honestbee
34 Boon Leat Terrace, #01-01
Singapore 119866
Sun to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Pasir Panjang

HYFECAFÉ

HYFE Cafe by Changi Recommends is Singapore’s first ever travel-lifestyle concept cafe where all your planning woes will be solved. If you are preparing for an upcoming trip, HyfeCafe is packed with all the resources you need. From a travel concierge to an exclusive in-house booking app, this is the go-to place to answer all your burning travel-related questions and of course, some good food while you are busy planning your trip.

Since this list is all about the fish and chips, presenting to you HYFE Cafe’s Salted Egg Fish & Chips, which comes with a few pieces of crispy battered fish that goes well with their flavoursome salted egg yolk sauce and tangy mayonnaise served at the side.

HYFE Cafe
10 Tampines Central 1, #03-25
Singapore 529536
Tel: +65 8620 0075
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

Photo credit: Oriole Coffee + Bar

ORIOLE COFFEE + BAR

A step into Oriole Coffee + Bar gives a casual and relaxed vibe, with a modest amount of tables placed both indoors and al fresco. Founded in 2008, this diner has an interesting concept as it transforms from a speciality coffeehouse during the day to a trendy bar at night.

Oriole’s Ginger Ale Fish & Chips (S$22) is a hit among its patrons, and we can definitely understand why. Tender and well done, the ginger ale battered snapper fish has a crunchy bite to it and it is piping hot when served—just the perfect dish to go along with some draft beer.

Oriole Coffee + Bar
96 Somerset Road, #01-01
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard
Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Sun to Thurs: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: Oxwell & Co.

OXWELL AND CO.

Nestled atop Ann Siang Hill, Oxwell & Co. is an English-inspired bar and bistro conceived by a group of Brits pining for their local pub whilst embracing Singapore’s rich heritage. From the lighting to the rustic interior, a step into Oxwell & Co. instantly brings a surge of nostalgia of the colonial days.

The battered sea bass was firm but flaky enough and it was so well seasoned that it can be eaten on its own without any condiments. Deep-fried till golden brown, the crispy skin encased tender and moist fish meat and the chips are definitely fluffier as compared to others.

Oxwell & Co.
5 Ann Siang Road
Singapore 069688
Tel: +65 6438 7036
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

OYSTER CO.

Decorated in a fitting, nautical-themed and navy blue interior, Oyster Co is well known for their fresh oysters (duh!) and other ocean delights. Situated opposite the popular Central Perk Cafe, Oyster Co is one of the first bars in Asia to serve Budweiser on tap.

Imagine yourself enjoying a lovely meal on a cruise–pair it with a refreshing sparkling wine, as well as a plate of fish and chips, and the image is complete. Their Fish & Chips (S$10++) came with batter-fried mackerel fish, Belgium straight cut fries and Hainanese Chilli.

Oyster Co.
1 Magazine Road, #01-06
Central Mall
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9025 2524
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

PONG 

PONG Singapore is a modern beer pong-centric bar that takes its bar food up a notch by providing quality delights that go far beyond your typical bar grub.

Their Beer Battered Fish & Chips (S$28++) comes with a generous serving of thickly-cut chips, a generous serving of mushy peas and a massive battered cod fillet. Wonderfully crispy, the lightly battered exterior of the fillet was neither oily nor overly doughy. On the side, you get a tray of condiments featuring malt vinegar, ketchup and salt–all of them complemented the fish really well.

PONG Singapore
3B River Valley Road, #01-17
The Foundry
Singapore 179021
Tel: +65 8808 7664
Sat to Wed& Thu: 5.30pm – 2am
Thu & Fri: 5.30pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning / Clarke Quay

SOEK SENG 1954 BICYCLE CAFÉ

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe is a hidden cafe that is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It provides a unique experience where you can see the takeoff and landing of planes up close while munching on some lovely café food.

Just like what you would expect from a classic plate of fish and chips, Soek Seng’s Fish & Chips (S$11.80) boasts a crispy batter, which we thoroughly enjoyed with some tartar sauce. Every order of the Fish & Chips comes with a side of fries, fresh coleslaw and salad.

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe
80 MAJ Aviation Building, #01-01
Seletar Aerospace View
Singapore 797563
Tel: +65 6659 6124
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Seng Kang

Photo Credit: Smiths

SMITHS

Started by two Englishmen who wanted to bring authentic British fish and chips to Singapore, Smiths is a no-frills eatery located in Balmoral Plaza that delivers quality fish and chips right to your plate. Unlike the usual dory fish used by hawkers and restaurants for their fish and chips, Smiths offers fish such as cod, haddock and halibut, just like those used in traditional British fish and chips.

The codfish came with a large serving of chips as well as a side of tartar sauce, and what’s interesting is that they also have a small bowl of curry gravy by the side. Deep-fried till a beautiful golden-brown, the batter was wonderfully crunchy while the cod remained decently flaky and succulent.

SMITHS
271 Bukit Timah Road
#01-02 Balmoral Plaza
Singapore 259708
Tel: +65 6737 9313
Daily: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Newton

THE SHIP RESTAURANT

A step into The Ship Restaurant makes you feel as if you are dining in a ship with its dim lighting and elaborate décors such as anchors and lifebuoys. Although the dim lighting makes it quite difficult to read the menu, the beautifully decorated interior and the warm service from the friendly staffs definitely makes up for it.

The Fried Fish And Chips (S$15.90++) comes with breaded fish fillet served with a side of salad and French fries. The piquant fish fillets were succulent and fresh and special mention has to be made about the straight-cut fries that are not only wonderfully golden but are also salted just lightly enough for the earthy taste of the potato to come through.

The Ship Restaurant
1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #03-16/18
Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 6235 2235
Mon to Thu: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Our favourite Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is back at it again. They have opened a second cafe—Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition—in Clementi just behind NUS.

The new outlet is nothing short of amazing. Just like their previous branch, they stick to the core of incorporating fruits into their menu as much as possible, being kid-friendly, and serving up absolutely delicious food at even more reasonable prices than before.

We already know what’s great at their first branch, so what is it about The Z Edition that makes it fantastic? A bouncy castle for kids during the weekends! And on top of that, there are some tweaks to the menu and here is everything we love.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

Calling all mommies: this is also the next brunch spot you must bring your kids to for a jolly good time!

BANGING APPETISERS

Just like before, FFL serves their signature cold-pressed juices in a small test tube for you to sample, and in an adorable beaker should you order the full-size ones (averagely S$5 per glass).

We ordered the Spam Fries (S$8) as well as the Golden Brown Chicken Wings (S$8)—both served with homemade sweet chilli sauce.

The chicken wings had a lovely crispy skin that readily soaked up sweet garlic taste of the chilli. It was well seasoned down to the bone, and juicy without being oily. The light batter coating the spam fries also had an interesting texture to it, that provided a pleasant contrast between it and the soft spam inside. Despite being deep fried, it wasn’t greasy at all.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY MAINS

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The Classic British Fish and Chips (S$12) is our all-time favourite main at FFL.

As plain and boring as it sounds, the portion size is massive, and the fish remains firm, flaky and delicately soft, encrusted by a thin layer of white ale batter. Their homemade tartar sauce boasts a slight spice to it that made the whole dish even more enjoyable. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a side of fruit salad and truffle fries.

Another main to try is the FFL Baked Rice (S$9). The rice is cooked in buttermilk before being baked with a layer of mozzarella cheese, and it is pleasantly cheesy without being cloying or heavy. With bacon, chicken ham and mushrooms in it, kids are bound to love this dish of baked rice for sure!

The Grilled Pork Loin (S$15) is also a chef’s recommendation. Tender, thick and juicy, each morsel was a delight in itself to eat.

Served with mashed potatoes, eggplant pesto and green zucchini, the flavours intermingled with one another to highlight and emphasize the natural sweetness of the meat. It also comes along with pesto mayo sauce and apple chutney that helped to change up the flavour profile as we ate it.

Cafes are usually not known for their steaks, but FFL’s Angus Rib Eye (S$22) is definitely worth its price. It is a genuine 250gm of Angus ribeye that’s tender and soft, with the perfect amount of chew before easily sliding down your throat.

We loved how with every chew it released more of that beef flavour we all know and love, which melded well with their brown sauce that was slightly sweeter than the typical chargrill or mushroom sauce.

We also enjoyed their Cajun Chicken (S$10), which is really a simple yet comforting roasted cajun chicken served with grilled vegetables, sweet corn and mashed potatoes.

BITE-SIZED FUN FOR THE KIDS

Just like their first branch, FFL aims to cater to the entire family. Treat your kids to deliciously adorable meals such as FFL’s Teddy The Daddy (S$8), Little Miss Koala (S$8) or Chicken Little (S$10).

Their kids’ menu is prepared with less salt, without compromising on any of the other flavours for the children to enjoy. That is, if they’re willing to cut into something so cute.

From now until 30 Nov 2018, kids below 8 dine for free during weekends at Fresh Fruits Lab Z when you quote ‘ladyironchef’. Every order of a main course comes with a complimentary kid’s main (from the kids’ menu).

They also offer cake decorating to allow your kids to have a hand at crafting their own desserts. Choose from a range of their signature and have your children’s creativity flow from the tip of their chocolate pens.

For those kids that just can’t sit still, there’s a bouncy castle out in their backyard—set up at Fresh Fruits Lab Z on weekends. Boy, won’t the kids get so excited about this!

Your kids will absolutely love the bouncy castle where they can bounce and run back and forth. Fresh Fruits Lab Z Edition is the perfect place for parents to kick back and relax with good food while their children entertain themselves.

During lunch hours from 12pm to 3pm (except on public holidays), FFL offers a set menu consisting of a drink, salad and main for only S$10.90++.

For the alcoholics, you’d also be glad to know they have daily beer promotions. The most bang for the buck ones being Wednesdays for students, with beer towers at only S$39 (U.p. S$49–53), and Fridays with two towers going for S$89! Worth it!

Fresh Fruits Lab – The Z Edition
28 Clementi Road
Singapore 129754
Tel: +65 6803 7472
(Closed on Mondays)
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

This post was brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.

No surprises here—Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is our favourite cafe in the East of Singapore. This has never changed since our first visit in 2015.

The themed cafe has seen a revamp recently and it is nothing short of amazing. Still keeping their core laboratory theme and incorporating fruits into their menu, FFL now boasts a colourful, pastel interior that is both whimsical and photogenic.

It has also become a kids-friendly dining outlet with a play corner for your little ones as well as a low-salt kids menu that is so reasonably priced.

How can a cafe make us fall in love so much? FFL always does it best. Here are some of our favourite dishes from its current menu. You need to bring your squad here for your next gathering!

So you think the cafe only looks pretty?

FFL has always been consistent with their food. No effort is spared to serving only the best—from their dedicated culinary team (most of the chefs have years of experience cooking and baking in top hotels in Singapore!) to the freshness of ingredients.

The menu goes beyond a typical cafe’s standards. It has a wide range of appetisers, salads, mains, desserts, coffee and juices; basically everything that attributes to a good meal. And as its name and theme suggest, FFL incorporates fruits as much as possible into everything for that healthy and refreshing touch.

FFL SIGNATURE FISH & CHIPS

If we had to pick only one dish to love at FFL, it would be their Signature Fish & Chips. Fish & Chips may sound boring but wait till you’ve tried FFL’s version!

For just S$19, you get a huge piece of beer-battered pacific dory fried to a golden perfection. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a larger portion of fruits salad, a mountain of fries and homemade tartare.

This is comfort food for the soul, guys.

SOFT-SHELL CRAB PASTA

Also at S$19, this pasta is our favourite among the four choices on the menu.

Featuring a huge and crispy soft-shell crab sits atop al dente spaghetti, the Soft-Shell Crab Pasta is a slightly spicy rendition that is not for the faint-hearted. The chilli crab sauce is homemade, by the way.

FFL DA BOMB BURGER

Need your burger fix but don’t want your wallet to take a beating? The FFL Da Bomb Burger (S$19) will make your trip to FFL worth the while.

This beauty is everything a burger should be—juicy beef patty (200g) that is grilled to medium well, fresh romaine lettuce for the crisp,

SALMON STEAK

A healthier option for the ladies (and even the kids) is the Salmon Steak (S$26). This dish is set on fire (literally) as it is served to you and the end result is a sweet piece of pink salmon that boasts a subtle smoky flavour.

It is accompanied by asparagus purée, mashed carrots, arugula and a homemade grape sauce served in a cute onion cup! That is a fair bit of greens if your skinny jeans are getting a little tight but you still need good food in your life.

SPARKEY THE DOG

This is probably the cutest item on the kids’ menu. At only S$10, this is a pancakes dish that is prepared with low-salt bacon and ham. It is completed with fresh blueberries.

BOO-BOO BEAR

This is too cute, even the adults might not be able to resist the Boo-Boo Bear (S$13)!

And it tastes as good as it looks. We wouldn’t want to cut the bear up but the fried sweet potato cake is too yummy to pass. Stuffed with chicken, zucchini, mushroom and tomato, the sweet potato cake is wrapped with an egg—yes, the bear’s blanket.

LIGHTNING CARS

The perfect dish for your boys (or girls who love cars!), the Lightning Cars (S$12) is a simple yet hearty grilled chicken that is tender and flavourful despite the fact that no salt is used in cooking.

This chicken main is served with purple sweet potato purée and mixed fruit skewers for a more balanced meal.

CREEPY-CRAWLY

Fancy something more filling for the older kids? The Creepy-Crawly (S$13) is a wholesome tortilla wrap that is jam-packed with yummy smoked duck, onion, lettuce and carrots.

There is also a side of homemade fruit yogurt—blueberry, strawberry, granola, honey yoghurt.

ULTIMATE PEANUT BUTTER CHOC CAKE

FFL has a dedicated pastry chef and he bakes the prettiest French-style sweets. The one that we really love is the Ultimate Peanut Butter Choc Cake.

Priced at S$7.50, this decadent treat is our newfound guilty pleasure. Every mouthful of the dense cake is so rewarding; the taste of the rich peanut butter lingers on.

TEA BY LUPICIA INFUSED CAKE

For a lighter but no less satisfying cake option, this doll is your best bet. The Tea by Lupicia Infused Cake is also priced at S$7.50 and it totally reminds us of sweets we’d see in French patisseries.

The whiff of the aromatic tea will first enrapture you, and as you take a bite, you’d realize just how well balanced the sweet and bitter notes of the tea are.

EMERALD GREEN APPLE TEA

The Emerald Green Apple Tea (S$12) may not sound like much, but just wait until you see it in real life. Served in a test tube, the Emerald Green is made of butterfly pea tea, green apple juice and soda water. Get your phone ready and watch as the staff adds in edible dry ice for a mini explosion. We won’t spoil it for you; make sure you order the drink when you are at Fresh Fruits Lab!

COLOURED LATTES

Just when you thought coloured lattes are so gimmicky, you might want to consider trying FFL’s versions. These 4 pretty colours are all achieved using natural ingredients.

There is the Beetroot Latte which boasts a shocking shade of pink, the Sweet Potato Latte which is the gorgeous lavender-coloured cup, the Butterfly Pea Latte which spots a dreamy blue hue, and the Matcha Latte in the usual green.

Because zero artificial colouring is used for these lattes, you shouldn’t expect a super sweet cup with strong flavour notes. Instead, think good old latte with nuances of sweetness and aroma.

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

This post is brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.

Fancy slurping down cold, freshly shucked oysters for only S$1.99 at any time of the day? Yes, you can actually get a plate full of Canadian oysters without burning a hole in your pocket at this American bar in Clarke Quay—Oyster Co.

Situated opposite popular Central Perk Cafe (and managed by the same team), Oyster Co is the first bar in Asia to serve Budweiser on tap. Drink to your heart’s content while you indulge in affordable S$10 Western set lunches and light bites.

Being oyster lovers, we could hardly contain our excitement when the grade 3 Canadian oysters (S$1.99/piece) were served to us. Freshly shucked upon order, the moderately salty and robust flavours won our hearts.

While we were given Canadian oysters, the owner also sources oysters from other regions such as Ireland and France as well.

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We recommend heading over during lunch time as Oyster Co has a decent menu featuring S$10 set lunches. The Fish & Chips (S$10++) came with batter-fried mackerel fish, Belgium straight cut fries and Hainanese Chilli.

Deep-fried till golden brown, the crispy skin encased tender and moist fish meat which we enjoyed with the spicy chilli. We particularly liked how they chose to pair the dish with Asian chilli instead.

Those who are health conscious may want to consider the Beef Bowl instead (S$10++). The moist brown rice was paired with runny sous vide egg, sauteed spinach and savoury mushrooms.

This is a great dish for those who want to opt for something healthy that does not compromise on taste.

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Do not miss out on their tapas if you are there for a drink with your colleagues or friends. Prices range from S$8 to S$12.

Some noteworthy finger food that we tried include the Cauliflower 3 Ways (S$10++) which allows you to enjoy roast, puree and tempura cauliflower with burnt butter quinoa and Squid Ink Paella (S$10++).

Oyster Co
#01-06 Central Mall
1 Magazine Road
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9423 2895
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

There is little chance that you will stumble upon Paper Crane unless you have heard of that place. Hidden in the grounds of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) in Waterloo Street, this cafe is within walking distance from Bras Basah MRT Station.

Paper Crane is an unpretentious cafe that serves comforting Western food. Their attractive menu boasts All Day S$10 Deals and other Western main dishes that are below S$20.

Visitors do not have to pay for GST or service charge at this cafe.

Choose from the spacious al fresco seating area and indoor seating by the window if you prefer to stay away from the heat. However, do note that indoor seating is limited to four to five people only due to space constraints.

The Beer Battered Ah Hua Kelong Sea Bass and Chips (S$15) is a value-for-money dish. Under the beer battered crispy skin is soft and juicy sea bass which tastes great on its own without the need for any sauce.

Another favourite is Paper Crane’s Southern-style Fried Buttermilk Chicken with Slaw and Fries (S$15). We could hear the delightful crunch from the crispy skin crumbling into pieces in our mouths. The dish comes with the usual western sides—coleslaw and fries.

Those who enjoyed their homemade chilli can purchase it in bottles at the cafe.

If you are on a budget, they have a range of dishes for only S$10 on the menu such as Spaghetti in Pesto, Greek Chickpea Salad and Popcorn Chicken with Chili and Coriander Mayo.

Otherwise, pick from Kimchi Fries with Grilled Steak and Cilantro Mayo (S$15), 48 Hours Sous Vide Beef Brisket Sandwich with Fries (S$18), Spaghetti with Grilled Prawns in Prawn Butter Sauce (S$20) and more.

Paper Crane
96 Waterloo Street
Singapore 187967
Tel: +65 6837 0836
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

The Pipe District sits far away from the city area in the Western side of Singapore. The relaxing vibes of the place is a stark contrast to the surrounding office buildings, providing a little rest-and-relax place for anyone wanting some good food and fun.

The theme of the place is industrial and the entire place is filled with pipes and rustic wooden decor.

The Pipe District has some stellar dishes such as the Charcoal Fish & Chips (from S$14) and the Prime Beef Tenderloin on Himalayn Salt Block (S$32). They also have a huge range of sharing items such as wings and fries.

If meats are your thing, it is worth the trip down just to have the Prime Beef Tenderloin. You get generous slices of the beef on top of a heated salt block and you can “cook” your steak to your preferred doneness before consuming. We recommend no more than 2 to 3 seconds per side—just to get that slight sear, with a pink centre.

Cooking it on the Himalayan salt block gives the steak a little more taste and wow-factor. Also, the dish comes with seasonal vegetables, garlic rice and sauces that will definitely keep your tummy happy. However, to taste the true glory of the beef, skip the sauces and have the meat fresh off the salt block.

The Charcoal Fish & Chips is one that we were sceptical about at first, only because we had our initial reservations on whether or not the dish was overrated because of how it looks. But the batter was crispy with the right amount of thickness and the fish on the inside was glistening—far from being overcooked.

There are three choices for the Fish & Chips – Scottish Salmon (S$18), Atlantic Cod (S$20) and Dory Fish (S$14).

The Pipe District
45 Science Park Road
#01-09/10
Singapore 117407
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Tel: +65 6873 0143
Nearest Station: Kent Ridge

Fish & Chicks — a no-frills eatery which shot to fame with its signature Salted Egg Fish & Chips — has opened a second outlet at Cineleisure Orchard.

The humble Fish & Chicks brand is a concept by Justin – a young passionate entrepreneur — who has painstakingly gone through many rounds of research before he joined the competitive food and beverage industry. It debuted in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood and the frenzy has led to the kopitiam stall seeing queues every single day; the waiting time is at least 30 minutes to an hour.

The overwhelming popularity has led the owners to open up a new outlet in town. Sitting in the basement of Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, Fish & Chicks now has an outlet within the food court, Koufu.

From their bestselling Salted Egg Fish & Chips (S$10.90) to Crispy Fish Burger (S$7.90), here’s what you can expect from Fish & Chicks at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard.

CHEESE YOUR CHICKEN

Ready for some #cheeseporn? The Cheese Your Chicken (S$13.90) is a new item on the menu that you must totally check out. Cheese is heated over high heat till it has a gooey texture for that beautiful pull, and you just have to dip your chicken chunks in for the final satisfaction.

FISH & CHICKS SHAKER FRIES

Salted egg yolk all day every day. When we learned about a Salted Egg Yolk Shaker Fries on the menu, we were ecstatic, to say the least.

The salted egg yolk seasoning and the fresh, hot fries made a beautiful pairing. And because it is a shaker, you can decide whether you want to add more or less of the seasoning, but we went all out.

SALTED EGG AND CHILLI “CRAB” FISH & CHIPS

Needless to say, Fish & Chicks specialises in the good ol’ Western classic – Fish & Chips.

Each Fish & Chips portion includes a choice of two side dishes or their signature garlic fried rice. And it is the iconic Salted Egg Fish & Chips (S$10.90) that everyone comes to Fish & Chicks for.The fork-tender fresh fish fillet is coated with a light and fluffy savoury batter before it is deep-fried till golden and crisp. The battered fish is then drenched in glorious salted egg yolk sauce. Kudos to Fish & Chicks for revamping a British classic into a fusion delicacy. We love it!

The fork-tender fresh fish fillet is coated with a light and fluffy savoury batter before it is deep-fried till golden and crisp. The battered fish is then drenched in glorious salted egg yolk sauce. Kudos to Fish & Chicks for revamping a British classic into a fusion delicacy.

The guys have also successfully integrated the Singapore chilli crab sauce into their dishes. The Chilli “Crab” Fish & Chips (S$10.90) is a battered fish fillet topped with aromatic semi-spicy gravy. Note that the tangy sauce does not contain any crustacean but is made lovingly from scratch and complements the white fish fillet really well. This is indeed a Singapore-style Fish & Chips!

Sure, you can’t decide between the Salted Egg Fish & Chips and Chilli “Crab” Fish & Chips; we understand that dilemma. Who said you can’t have the Best Of Both Worlds? For S$13.90, you can get a duo set that comes complete with a portion of fries and a choice of side.

Choose your sides from fries, onion rings, coleslaw, cheese potato, mashed potato and bbq baked beans. Each additional side costs S$2.

THE CHICKS

The seafood speciality vendor sells poultry too, which explains the word ‘Chicks’ in their stall name.

You can find familiar classics such as Chicken Cutlet (S$7.90) and Black Pepper Chicken (S$7.90). The Spring Chicken (half – S$7.90, whole – S$10.90) comes in a big portion and will fill you up in no time. Prices of chicken mains include a choice of two side dishes or garlic fried rice.

But it is The Hawaiian Chicken (S$8.90) that stole our hearts. The grilled succulent chicken is covered with melted cheese, tomato sauce and pineapples. Yes, it is pretty much akin to having a Hawaiian pizza on a chicken.

FISH & CHICKS’ SIGNATURE COMBO 

Still cannot decide between fish or chicken? Go for Fish & Chicks’ Signature Combos! You can either get the Signature Fish & Chicks (S$14.90, serves 2) which comes with your choice of fish and chicken together with 3 sides; or the Fish & Whole Spring Chicken (S$17.90, serves 2) – choice of fish with 5 sides.

BURGERS FOR YOU?

Now, let’s move on to the next exciting segment of Fish & Chicks’ menu.There are three burgers available, namely Chargrilled Chicken Burger, Crispy Chicken Burger and Crispy Fish Burger. Each burger is affordably priced at S$7.90 and includes a choice of one side.

There are three burgers available, namely Chargrilled Chicken Burger, Crispy Chicken Burger and Crispy Fish Burger. Of course, the Crispy Fish Burger has to be your choice! The fish is fried in the same, classic batter as with the other fish & chips, which means it offers the same tantalising crunch.

Every burger also comes with a choice of a single side, all for just S$7.90. That’s what we call a deal.

SIDES & DIPS

More chicken for you? We loved the deep-fried chicken wings (S$3.90 for two pieces). A serving of the crowd pleaser Truffle Fries  goes for S$7.90, while Mexican Cheese Fries is S$4.90 per portion.

But when at Fish & Chicks, stick to the ordinary French Fries (S$3.90) because they will be ordinary no more with the in-house artisanal dips. Garlic aioli, tartar, spicy tartar, truffle mayonnaise and wasabi mayonnaise; they are all freshly made in-house.

Fish & Chicks
8 Grange Road
Cathay Cineleisure Orchard
Basement 1 (Koufu)
Singapore 239693
Tel: +65 9828 3490
Daily: 11am – 10pm (Last order 9.30pm)
Nearest Station: Somerset

Blk 531 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
Happy Hawkers
Singapore 560531

This post is brought to you by Fish & Chicks.

Having been in the scene for almost 6 years now, Everything with Fries is a familiar name to most. A bistro concept by the folks behind renowned local chocolate brand Awfully Chocolate, you can be absolutely sure that the folks put in the same amount of dedication and precision in their food here.

Do not be confused with their (even more) casual concept at Orchard Central (OC). EwF is presented in more of a grab-and-go fast food style, whereas Everything with Fries at Holland Village is more of a sit-down, table-service style and a tad more refined.

Of soups, salads and desserts, here is what we loved about Everything with Fries at Holland Village.

Exclusive to Ladyironchef readers: flash this post or quote ‘Ladyironchef’ to receive a complimentary cup of Nutella Shake (worth S$8), limited to one free cup per receipt (valid till 31 December 2015).

SIGNATURE FLAVOURED FRIES

The name of the restaurant literally beckons – you can never miss out on this. Even after six years, the fries are still as good, if not better than when we had them way back then. If you think truffle fries are boring and overrated, you need not settle, because there is something even better here – Curry Fries (S$8).

Yes, this humongous sharing plate is for just S$8 and we honestly cannot get sick of it. Our favourite flavour yet!

ONE-OF-A-KIND SALADS THAT ARE ACTUALLY DELICIOUS

Some times, salads are just thrown in to the menus for the sake of it and from experience, we know that not all restaurants put in thoughts into their salads as they would with mains as desserts. And you will not have this problem here at Everything with Fries.

If salad is the only thing you are feeling that day, know that Everything with Fries has two amazing options for you – Chunky Peanut Butter Slaw (S$10) and Battered Tofu Salad (S$10). Don’t be intimidated by the former. We, too, were a little nervous when we first had it, but the flavours and textures somehow worked and reminded us of rojak.

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP RE-INVENTED

Regulars of Everything with Fries and EwF would be familiar with their classic One Egg Soup (S$8). How about a change now? We suggest you try the Chicken Noodle Soup (S$8) and we can bet it is nothing like you’ve ever had before.

Shredded chicken wrapped up in thin layers of pasta, simmered in a very rich chicken broth. Have it warm and it will remind you of home.

GREAT SHAKES

What’s a hearty meal without milkshakes, right? Choose from flavours such as Mega Milo Dino, Horlicks & Maltesers, Nutella and even Butterscotch (S$8 each). Everything with Fries does awesome milkshakes that are so thick and substantial, so we’d suggest these for sharing.

HEARTY MAINS OF BURGERS, SANDWICHES & MORE – ALL WITH FRIES

Now, it is time for the good stuff – the mains! We are probably the biggest fans of The HJK (S$17) or Har Jeong Kai burger. It is basically a prawn-paste marinated chicken leg, deep-fried and sandwiched between perfectly toasted buns. No, really. You are missing out in life if you haven’t tried this.

The Great Burger (S$16) is for all you beef lovers, and it is guaranteed to make your tummies oh-so-satisfied! A huge 180g beef patty is paired up with red cheddar roux, cherry tomatoes and crispy bacon.

We have this usual problem with overly-cooked beef patties in burgers, but thankfully, the standard at Everything with Fries is consistent and we are often pleased with the patty’s juiciness.

We always love the flavours of tandoori chicken and Everything with Fries does a great Tandoori Chicken Sandwich (S$15). Look forward to a well-marinated chicken leg, and the accompanying side of smokey sea salt fries sure completes this dish.

On days when something simple does the trick, go for the Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich. We call it Ham & Cheese XXL, because this big serving is sure to fill you up.

MORE THAN JUST BURGERS AND FRIES

Here’s where the Japanese flavours come in. The Miso Baked King Salmon (S$23) is one of our favourite dishes at Everything with Fries. The miso crust on the salmon adds a beautiful saltiness that cuts through any fishiness that you might be afraid of, and when paired up with very apt wasabi fries, it left us craving for more.

Don’t write the classics off just yet. The Battered Fish (S$18) is a pretty darn good. With a crisp exterior and a glistening centre, the dish is served with a side of very addictive sea salt & malt vinegar fries. Deep fried everything always works for us.

NEWLY-LAUNCHED ‘ICE CREAM ACCIDENT’ DESSERT & MORE

Our jaw dropped when this crazy dish reached our table and we could not wait to tuck into it. The ‘Ice Cream Accident’ (S$8.90) will be launched on 01 December 2015. Dark chocolate ice cream (a slightly lighter version of everyone’s favourite Hei ice cream from Awfully Chocolate) is topped on a bed of vanilla bean cream, covered in chocolate soil.

We all loved the variety of textures and flavours of this dessert. Heck, it might just be the best accident ever!

We know you have seen the Gula Melaka Doughnuts from its sister restaurant, Sinpopo Brand but this is just a slightly different version. Here at Everything with Fries, the doughnuts are coated with butterscotch instead, and served with a side of affogato.

And because we have a penchant for citrusy desserts, the Lemon Yogurt Cake (S$9) was a delight.

During Everything with Fries’ Happy Hour (after 9pm), you can get Asahi, Heineken, Hoegaarden, and Corona at S$10 for 2, as well as Erdinger Dark/Light at S$18 for 2.

But you know what is even better? You can enjoy this Happy Hour promotion at any time of the day with the order of a main dish!

Everything with Fries
Holland Village
40, Lorong Mambong
Singapore 227695
Tel: +65 6463 3741
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Holland Village

This post is brought to you by Everything with Fries.

Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

From their signature spicy Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90) to Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90), 49 Seats may not be any gourmet fine dining establishment but its menu will leave you salivating. Your grandparents will find them comfortingly nostalgic whilst your kids will have no qualms gobbling them up. It is surely a place for everyone, without breaking the bank!

Here’s sharing our favourite dishes at 49 Seats. It is hard to just decide on one, or two.

49 Seats is renowned for their industrial chic ambience, where old-school metallic plates and tin mugs are used. We love that fuss-free, retro-ish touch to the food.

As its name suggests, the founding store at Outram Park sits exactly 49 diners. Due to its increasing popularity, 49 Seats has proceeded to open two bigger outlets at Bugis Plus and Orchard Central to accommodate more patrons. The casual dining establishment takes pride in serving East-meets-West delicacies similar to those served during Singapore’s British colonial era.

Being one of the leading pioneers in Singapore to create fusion dishes with spicy tom yum broth, we have to applaud 49 Seats for their brilliant concept of integrating Asian flavours into classic Italian dishes.

Who would have known that these seemingly contrasting ingredients would actually complement each other so well? We were completely hooked to the Tom Yum Seafood Pasta (S$14.90).

Active foodies on the prowl might have already heard about this highly raved dish that features an exotic cream-based seafood pasta. It packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and spiciness with every bite and is indeed illustrative of Singapore’s diverse ethnicity.

Topped with generous amounts of mussels and prawns, the semi-spicy pasta is the bestseller at 49 Seats and you will not get this unique pasta rendition elsewhere.

The Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta (S$14.90) and Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (S$14.90) also got to us with its simplicity. The smoked duck breasts are so tender and juicy, and either way, we liked both pastas. The former takes on the classic carbonara, while the latter is a traditional aglio olio – the end results are delightful fusion dishes with a notable local twist.

Do note that the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio is not on the menu so one would have to make a special request for it.

Fish options to look out for are the Old Fashioned Fish & Chips (S$16.90) and Pan-fried Fish (S$16.90). The former is a battered seasonal fish, while the latter is a tender dory cooked simply with salt and pepper and lemon juice.

Both fishy mains are generously portioned and served with either an Al Scampi or Tom Yum sauce on the side for dipping. For the uninitiated, the Al Scampi is a seafood dish prepared with sautéed clams, mussels and prawns.

If your briny cravings are still not met, order the deep-fried Fish Bites (S$9.90) that comes in a basket of 10. Damn, these snacks got us hooked and we couldn’t stop munching on them while waiting for our mains! By the way, you would have guessed that the Tom Yum sauce is addictive, right?

49 Seats also offer a few poultry and red meat dishes, such as the chef’s recommendations of Cheesy Chicken Chop (S$16.90) and Sirloin Steak (S$19.90).

Complete your main and make it a set with an additional S$4.90, and you get a portion of soup of the day, and a soft drink of your choice. And the drink choices include their pretty house fizz beverages (S$2.50 for a la carte); we’d say go for these instead of the normal soft drinks!

Should you be a light eater, there is a variety of light bites for you to snack on. Our favourite appetisers is the glorious Cheese Fries (S$7.90).

Need another reason to love 49 Seats? They are open at ungodly hours if you need supper! Ain’t this good news?! There is an ongoing supper promotion for all main courses where 49 Seats’ customers get to enjoy 10% off after 10pm, 20% off after 11pm and 30% off after 12am. Like it cannot get cheaper, nocturnal creatures actually get to enjoy an unbelievable 50% off all pastas after 3am! Partygoers now know where to go after all that dancing.

If you haven’t realised, 49 Seats’ favourite number is evidently number 49. Alcoholic drinks are very affordable, where you can enjoy a bucket of 5 beer bottles for just S$49! Choose your poison from Corona, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Tiger. And if you fancy some wines, a bottle of red or white wine is reasonably priced at S$60 and S$70 respectively.

This Christmas, customers also get to enjoy a scrumptious festive feast at 49 Seats at just S$49 nett for two. The value-for-money set meal is inclusive of two soups, two mains and a dessert for sharing.

We will definitely head back when those midnight hunger pangs strike, for both their lip-smacking dishes and awesome discounts!

For the latest updates, head over to www.49seats.com and like them on Facebook.

49 Seats Main Outlet
49 Kreta Ayer Road
Singapore 089007
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 2am
Fri to Sat: 6pm – 5.30am
Tel: +65 6225 4332
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

Bugis Plus #07-04
201 Victoria Street
Singapore 188067
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6884 4633
Nearest Station: Bugis

This post is brought to you by 49 Seats.

Three years ago, I somehow chanced upon the stretch of restaurants at Greenwood Avenue.

In the dimly-lit restaurant, and in the company of a group of good friends; that dinner easily became one of the best meals in my life. Needless to say, the fish and chips I had at Greenwood Fish Market that night, was one of the best that I had in Singapore.

Greenwood Fish Market is definitely the place to go if you are a fish/seafood lover. With more than 20 variety of fishes to choose from, everyone will be able to find a fish that suits their palate. Terakihi? Hapuku? Yes they actually serve them in the restaurant.

We had the House Fish & Chips ($18.95) which came with a healthy dose of salad and chips. Time seemed to freeze as I leaned forward to examine the fish and chips. It looked vaguely similar to the one in my memory, and for a second or two, I was hesitating if I should eat the fish and chips.

I had the best fish and chips in Singapore at Greenwood Fish Market, and I wanted to keep that precious memory.

What if it isn’t as good as before? What if my impression of Greenwood Fish Market goes downhill from here? So many what ifs. Shit. At that moment in time, I found myself questioning if it was a right thing to revisit the restaurant. Maybe I should just  stick with the other dish and let my friend have the fish and chips. But deep down inside, a part of me wanted to try the fish. I wanted to experience that magical moment again.

The fish and chips was great, but it wasn’t as wow, or out-of-the-world like what I remembered it to be. It is still probably one of the better fish and chips in Singapore. Perhaps, some things in life will just never be the same anymore.

It’s only after looking at my old post, then I realized that we actually ordered the same items as the previous visit. Call it a coincidence, maybe. But I certainly didn’t remember that the Spaghetti Soft Shell Crab ($20.95) tasted so good before. It was completely different from the one that I’ve at Cedele restaurant recently.

The sauce was fainter, and very un-tomato-ish (if there’s even such a word). It was tangy, and it was slightly sweet — it tasted (almost) like a real crab sauce.

If you are a big fan of oysters, go to Greenwood Fish Market every Tuesday night – it’s a dollar for each oyster. We were there on a weekday night, and the restaurant was almost packed, so please remember to make your reservations.

Greenwood Fish Market
34 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6467 4950
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

I’ve a pleasant surprise when Billy asked me after our pigged-out, if I’m interested to visit him in Central coast, and when he mentioned sun, beach, and food – yes of course, I’ll love to!

It took me one and a half hours train ride from Central station to get to Terrigal; a major coastal suburb of Central coast, which is located north of Sydney. Upon arriving there, we went to a cafe patisserie, the fat goose for brunch.

We had no idea that the Grilled lamb fry ($21.50) was actually fried lamb’s liver, until the waitress clarified with us. It was served on creamy mashed potatoes with caramelized onions, and crispy bacon. Having tried pig liver, foie gras (goose liver), and duck pate (liver), I must say the lamb fry has an even gamier taste.

The wharfie ($16.50) had Toulouse sausages served on a seed mustard hush, topped with a gorgeous poached egg and covered with wild rockets. Pity there’s no hollandaise sauce though.

I’m sure, you have a different stomach for desserts, and I hope you will be salivating over the picture of the chocolate tart.

In the heart of Terrigal, there’s a rocky cliff called ‘the Skillion’ which provided an magnificent view of the long stretch of beaches. My dear, this is the place for our retirement in the future.

Sitting by the beach and watch the sun sets by the beautiful ocean, I knew this was going to be one of my best meals in Sydney. And it was. Like what Billy had told me, I’d go as far as saying this is one of the best fish & chips in Central coast!

I was very fortunate to be able to witness the cooking skill of Billy first-hand, he was preparing the Bo Ssam, a Korean cuisine where steamed pork is wrapped in lettuce leaf then accompanied by lots of condiments including kimchi, ssam sauce, for the Sydney Food Blogger picnic. And you wouldn’t know the dedication and effort put into making the dish unless you were there; he’d drizzled the sauce (oil released from the pork) over the meat on the hourly mark, the process repeats for six times , yes, it took six hours of roasting.

Searing hot sauteed mushrooms, crispy bacon, sunny side-up & golden brown toast for breakfast. This was in every way, the perfect breakfast anyone could ask for.

I had a great time in Terrigal, thank you Billy for inviting me to your house!

* * *

The Fat Goose
Shop 3, Killcare Road
Hardys Bay NSW 2257
Tel: 02 4360 1888

Haven Beach Cafe
The Haven
Terrigal NSW 2260
Telephone: (02) 4385 2061

Bar bar black sheep, have you any food?

Yes sir, yes sir, three stalls full!

One for the Indians, one for the Thais.

And one for the Smok’Inn Frogz kitchen by the side.

The epitome of the coolest coffee shop, Bar bar black sheep. With a foot in uptown Bukit Timah, the affluent neighbours and the Caucasians crowd, the rise in the popularity isn’t merely luck. The owner of bar bar black sheep is a pretty smart guy, bringing in an Indian, a Thai food stall and of course Smok’Inn Frogz Kitchen.

With such ear-catching names, who could resist coming down to find out what they are about? Essentially a coffee shop that goes through project makeover, the dim lighting, the laid-back environment, with plenty of boozes, and popular food. Smok’Inn Frogz Kitchen is co-owned by three partners, with the former-chef from Flute @ the Fort coming out with the menu, the second guy managing the finance, and the third dude handling the daily operations.

The de facto signboard for Smok’Inn Frogz, the homemade beef burger ($12) was made popular after the Sunday Times reporter came to try the burger and raved about it. Like they said, the rest was history. Well I was tempted to choose between the chicken or the beef burger, but since they were both priced the same, it didn’t really make sense to choose chicken over beef. Now back to the main character, the beef patty was tender and moist, while the sesame bun was slightly too toasted for my liking. Double cheese and caramelised onions were on hand to enhance the flavour of the burger.

I wasn’t very fond of aglio olio since i always found them to be too spicy and dry. The Prawns linguine Aglio Olio ($14) here wasn’t as spicy like most, as they swapped the small chilli padi with the hot ones instead. Smok’Inn frog rendition was reasonably wet, and had 6 prawns, very generous indeed.

Another of Smok’Inn Frogz‘s supposedly signature, Beer-battered fish & chips ($12). The portions were huge, enough for two to share. The beer taste was evident in the fish, but other than that, there wasn’t any spectacular magic about it. And the fish became soggy after a while.

Total bill was $38 for the 3 main course. Prices are reasonable for the food, and with the Caucasian crowd and the Bukit Timah residents packing the place up, it’s difficult to get a seat for dinner on weekends if you came later than 7pm. I’ll also like to apologise for the ugly photos (the worst i took since I used dslr) due to the very dim lighting.

For a Chinese version of the post, read Maureen’s review here.

Smok’Inn Frogz Kitchen
879 Bukit Timah Road
Weekdays: 4pm-11pm
Sat: Noon-11pm
Sun: 9am-11pm

In case you are wondering where is Serangoon Gardens Food Centre, its near Lorong Chuan, just before turning in into the Serangoon Gardens’ roundabout.

First Stop, PK Xpress fish & chips. This store is reputed for their Aussie Fish & chips, and selling at $6 per set in a “hawker centre environment” they really got quite a lot to live up to.

Aussie Fish & Chips ($6)

The aussie fish & chips certainly does not fail to disappoint. Cripsy on the outside, fluffy and soft on the inside. Plus the serving is quite huge. Another thing worth mentioning is the accompanying salad, there’s nothing special about the greens, the slices of mango mixed with the greens are really sweet!

I don’t like the fries though, its just like normal potato fried and served. Anyway we got 2 portions of it and cannot finish because we had other food as well.

Banana Walnut cake ($2.50)

Besides having fish and chips, the store also serve some awesome home-made desserts and cakes. The banana cake may looks quite small at $2.50, but my friend finish it in a mouth-full!

Chocolate Cake ($2.80)

The home-made chocolate cake is really a steal with such a large slice at $2.80. After eating so much food, we really struggle to finish the cake. The chocolate cake can be better if there’s more layer of thin chocolate in between the cake as i find it a tad on the dry side.

Garden Street Kway Chap

I always love Kway Chap but nowadays we can’t seem to be able to find really good ones around. My friend recommended Garden Street Kway Chap, so lets give it a try!

At first glance, they are supposedly quite famous being on so many different media publications already!

Whats Kway Chap without the main character, the “kway”!

Kway Chap serving of 3 person ($15)

We didn’t get the small intestines because my friend didn’t eat that. The rest is pretty good, but i don’t quite like the roast pork though. Kway Chap is actually a very simple and nice dish, but i don’t always eat them firstly because you can’t find much good ones around.

And secondly, the stores usually charged a very high price, as in the price is not really fixed and its up to their call. If anyone know of good and cheap kway chap please let me know!

The must-have sugarcane drinks when you eat at Hawker centre!

Another friend doesn’t eat Kway Chap, so he ordered a plate of roasted meat rice, pretty decent i guess. The roasted meat is ordered from the store see picture below.

Roasted Meat store on the left, Fried Kway Teow store on the right.

Fried Oyster ($4)

The fried oyster is quite good as well, but usually i just go in for the eggs and leave the oyster alone. Its pretty guilty since the oyster is the ingredients that warrents such a high price for a plate of fried oyster, but usually there will be others who will be more than willing to finish up the oysters for me.

Fried Kway Teow ($4)

LIC favourite hawker food, fried Kway Teow! You know people always say when they goes overseas they always miss the local food in Singapore. If there’s only one local food LIC can choose, it will definitely be fried Kway Teow! Sinful as it may be, but having it once in a while won’t makes me feel that guilty.

Serangoon Gardens Food Centre is really a good place for our authentic local delights, and there’s a few other stall selling famous for their duck rice, fishball noodles which was closed on the day that we visited. Furthermore, its relatively cheap when you compared to the better-known hawker centre like Newton Food centre and Chomp Chomp!

The real awesome deal about our local delights is that they are not only nice, but also real cheap! Four of us spend like around 10 bucks each to enjoy all the good food? Its always good to have a group of friends going together, ordered many different food and share!

Serangoon Gardens Food Centre
49A Serangoon Gardens Way

Well, always one true to my words, i said i’ll be back at Miss Clarity during my first visit. And here i am again. Nothing much has changed since my last visit, the kiddy decor, the colourful environment, the cute menu. Most importantly, the service has remained true to the Miss Clarity spirit, the food remains as good as well, with the price remaining the same.

As usual, we choose a main and add on $3 for an additional salad/soup, drink (barley/lime), and a dessert of the day.

Chicken Cordon Bleu ($8.80)

Deep fried breaded chicken breast stuffed with ham & cheese, served with tartar sauce and potato/vege as side dish. Chicken Cordon Bleu was ordered on the last visit as well, but my brother wanted to try so here goes. Steady and reliable. And did i mention the price?

Fish & Chips ($7.50)

Crispy breaded fish fillet with fries & clarity’s homemade coleslaw, served with tartar sauce. The fish & chips was decent, given its served in a cafe, the price is reasonable for the quality provided. The fillet layer’s bread crust was nice, and added a different dimension to the usual fish fillet served.

Total Bill was $22.30 for 2 person which i emphasis again is pretty reasonable for the amount of food served. What i really like about Miss Clarity is the fact that they provide good service, yet do not charge service charge for it. In addition, they even absorb the 7% GST. That will save you in the pocket to the tune of 17% for your meal. A jug of iced water with lemon slices are also given to each table even if you had ordered drinks.

Hello to the many people reading this entry, please do share your comments may it be good or bad : )

Miss Clarity Cafe
5 Purvis Street 188584
Tel: 63394803

” I refuse to pay service charge and GST when there is no service provided “