Established in 2012 by celebrity baker, Dean Brettschneider, Baker & Cook is a popular artisanal bakery cafe with 12 outlets in Singapore.

We’ve dined at several of their outlets before, but we frequent the Dempsey Hill outlet because of its ambiance and great food. More than these, they are also pet-friendly and kids-friendly!

Baker & Cook has some really mean bakes, and we love the Dempsey outlet because it shares the space with their sister brand, Plank Sourdough Pizza. You get the best of both worlds: bakes and brunch fare from Baker & Cook with stellar pizzas from Plank Sourdough Pizza.

Life is better when you’re enjoying the outdoors with a beautiful (and affordable) Hanger Steak. More than just a steak, the Grilled Barley Fed Hanger Steak comes complete with amazing duck fat roasted potatoes and Jerusalem artichoke.

Indulge in this flavourful Italian rice dish of assorted mushroom and parmigiana reggiano. Comes in a generous portion, the Truffle Risotto is so rich and creamy that we’re salivating just thinking about it again! It is also one of the few vegetarian items on the menu!

The Kuhlbarra Barramundi En Papillote was so satisfying! Think a big slab of fresh barramundi, potatoes, shrimps, chicken broth, dill and lemon – all baked together to bring out the natural flavours and sweetness of every fresh ingredient. Mamma Mia!

When in doubt, eat pizza. But not any pizza! Make it this Burrata & Parma Ham Pizza because why not? You get the best of all worlds, and it is only S$28 for this huge serving! It was a monthly special for September 2021 and because it did so well (fourfold the monthly average!), they brought it back in October 2021 and will be in the core menu, known as Pizza 11 moving forward. Yes, they name all their pizzas in numbers!

With its airy compound and comprehensive menu, enjoy a hearty family meal at the Dempsey outlet while your kids and pets have fun amongst the lush greenery.

Baker & Cook
30C Loewen Road
Singapore 248839
Tel: +65 6251 1098

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

Boasting high ceilings, a bigger space and decked out in Peranakan-inspired tiles and furnishings, one-Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant Candlenut offers an Omakase menu—which they cheekily call ‘Ahmakase’.

The restaurant has a different, somewhat contemporary approach towards Peranakan cuisine, delving away from traditional methods.

Boasting a wider array of dishes (ranging between S$20 – S$30 each), we got to try a good many dishes, with our favourites being the Blue Swimmer Crab Curry, Turmeric, Galangal, Kaffir Lime Leaf and Westholme Wagyu Beef Rib Rendang, Serunding, Turmeric Leaf.

The Wok Fried Tiger Prawns, Petai Beans, Tamarind, Fried Shallots (S$28++) comes with plenty of crunch from the vegetables and the tamarind provided a sourish tinge to the dish. The prawns were sweet, succulent and complemented the strong flavours of the petai well.

The Blue Swimmer Crab Curry, Turmeric, Galangal, Kaffir Lime Leaf (S$32++) is something that instantly stole our hearts. The dish sees a generous portion of de-shelled crab, so much such that every scoop is riddled with bits, if not chunks, of fleshy crab meat.

The curry is spicy and rich in coconut, but just enough to give you that rich creaminess without overcompensating for the natural sweetness of the crab.

Executed decently but with room to improve, their Homemade Kueh Pie Tee Shell, Braised Local Turnip, Pork Belly, Prawns (S$20++) comes with 4 shells and a platter of ingredients for you to craft your own one-biter.

The ingredients were fresh and immaculately prepared, however, the turnip filling was a tad underwhelming with regards to seasoning. A quality that no amount of sweet sauce nor chilli can do to salvage, unfortunately.

An interesting take on the classic satay, the allure of this dish would be the choice of meat used. Kurobuta pork from Snake River Farm is known to be extremely well-marbled, tender and flavourful.

Licked with a sweet kicap manis glaze every few turns and allowed to develop a deep, caramel-coloured char on the outside, the skewers were truly sublime in both aroma and flavour, penetrating down deep into the meat.

An interesting dessert that comprises one of Nonya cuisines most prized ingredient, the Buah Keluak Ice Cream, Valrhona Chocolate, Chilli, Warm Chocolate Espuma (S$15++) intrigues with its nutty flavour and quirky make-up, that sees granules of pop rocks and chocolate.

Not something we would consider getting a second time, but it’s worth a try for its creativity.

Candlenut
COMO Dempsey
17A Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249676
Tel: +65 1800 304 2288
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

With the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill as the perfect backdrop for a gratifying and intimate brunch or lunch, COMO Dempsey astounds with its effortlessly elegant interiors and picture-perfect scenery. Boasting 4 stunning restaurant concepts, as well as a lifestyle stall, escape from the hustle and the bustle of the city and retreat to COMO Dempsey for a chichi experience with your closest friends and loved ones.

Bathed in bright sunlight during the day and romantically dim-hued in the night, all four of their intimate restaurant spaces will make you feel like royalty. The food, of course, is the main appeal here and have all been specially curated to impress even the fussiest gourmand.

Take your pick. On weekends, pamper yourself and your loved ones with a hearty brunch at COMO Cuisine, an array of refined signatures from The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar, a traditional Osaka-style tempura Omakase experience that dates back to 1850 at Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh and lastly, the first Peranakan restaurant to ever have been awarded a Michelin star, Candlenut.

THE DEMPSEY COOKHOUSE AND BAR

Opened by one of New York’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar, set against the backdrop of Singapore’s modern appeal and burgeoning culinary scene, is a place where refined cuisine and elevated experiences can be found.

Here, diners can expect indulgent signatures such as the Egg Caviar (S$38++) and the Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Pizza (S$34++) that are nuanced and contemporary, as well as a selection of Asian-inspired dishes served with a twist. Their Crispy Salmon Sushi, Chipotle Mayonnaise and Soy Glaze (S$20++) is an absolute game changer. Served warm, the combination of crispy fluffy insides with the soft, smooth and chilled salmon completely won us over.

This specially curated menu showcases the culinary innovations and refined style that runs deep within the DNA of every Jean-Georges restaurant and thrums alive under the skin of anyone that steps into the restaurant.

In a meaty mood? Their Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Chop, Glazed Mushrooms, Sage (S$38++).

Incorporating smoky, cured prosciutto into the dish, the otherwise dry pork chop is given an outer coat of savouriness while still keeping a good amount of moisture locked in. The mushrooms served on the side provide a good amount of umami and earthiness that do well to complement this colossal meat dish.

An exquisite curation of his unique cocktails and speciality concoctions inspired by Asian flavours also complement the contemporary menu, taking the entire dining experience up a notch. Diners can also opt to have a drink by the restaurant’s beautiful marbled bar before their meals are served.

The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar
Block 17D Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 5588
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am
Sat: 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Make your reservations here: http://bit.ly/2PBU2nG

COMO CUISINE

From the buttery whiff of freshly baked viennoiseries to the chocolatey aroma of fresh coffee grinds in the morning, there is truly no better place to start your day than at COMO Cuisine. Luxuriate in their hearty selection of breakfast items as well as their all-new menu that features all-day comfort fare that will power you up for the rest of the day!

On the new breakfast menu, tempt your taste buds and sweet tooth with their list of perennial favourites such as Banana Bread with whipped Tahini and coffee maple (S$12++), and the Acai Bowl with house-made almond granola, bee pollen, banana and berries (S$16++). Or if you’re in the mood for the savoury fare, the Croque Madame with brioche, organic egg, smoked ham and truffle cheese sauce (S$20++) and the Real Toast with avocado crush, heirloom tomatoes and cucumber (S$16++) will settle you right in.

Encasing melted cheddar in the centre by two perfectly toasted, sweet brioche toasts and topped with a perfectly fried egg, the former is a hearty treat that is bound to leave you completely satisfied, and the latter is a refreshing delight packed with a myriad of fresh, bright flavours.

Their all-day menu leaves a lasting impression as well, with the likes of their Pandan Crêpe with mango, passionfruit and coconut sorbet (S$12++) that boasts an insanely potent yet pleasant pandan aroma as well as a cold, refreshing coconut sorbet stuffed in-between.

Feeling peckish? Definitely go for their COMO Burger (S$26++) and Fritto Misto (S$32++) as well.

COMO Cuisine
Block 18A Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249677
Tel: 1800 304 6688
Mon to Sun: 8am – 9pm
Breakfast (Mon to Fri): 8am – 12pm
High Tea (Tue & Fri): 3pm – 5pm
Brunch (Sat & Sun): 8am – 3pm
Make your reservations here: http://bit.ly/2PCQqBF

IPPOH TEMPURA BAR BY GINZA IPPOH

Famed for elevating tempura-making to an art form, Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh brings with it more than a century’s worth of culinary traditions and mastery to the table.

Opened by Chef Masaru Seki, a fifth-generation member of the founding family that first began the restaurant back in 1850 in Osaka, Japan, what gourmands can expect is nothing short of the freshest and most premium ingredients seasonally available—all expertly prepared with minimal seasoning to ensure that each tempura offering retains its pristine flavour and integrity without the greasiness that people typically associate with tempura.

To have an all-rounded and proper introduction to Osaka-style tempura, we highly recommend starting light with the Tsubaki Set (S$70++ per pax) that features a starter, 8 pieces of tempura made up of seasonal seafood and vegetables, along with a kakiage that comes served with either rice or cold somen noodles, followed by a dessert to round it all off.

A few à la carte signatures to consider—and we strongly suggest you do—include the Live Shrimp with Shiso Leaf (S$14++), Shrimp Toast (S$12++) and Sea Urchin Tempura with Caviar (S$28++). Both the shrimp signatures took us by surprise with their delicate textures and light flavours. The latter option, on the other hand, is a glorious, decadent one-biter that packs rich, briny flavours.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh
Block 17B Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 3388
(Closed on Mondays)
Lunch (Tue to Sun): 12pm – 3pm
Dinner (Tue to Thu & Sun): 6pm – 10pm
Dinner (Fri & Sat): 6pm – 11pm
Make your reservations here: http://bit.ly/2PJdPkU

CANDLENUT

The first Peranakan restaurant ever to be awarded a Michelin star, dining at Candlenut promises a true feast and one that would make any Nyonya proud. Designed by world-renowned architect and designer, Paola Navone, the restaurant decor features a modern concept while retaining intricate touches of the rich Peranakan heritage.

Staying true to their roots, the restaurant continues to leave diners in awe with their contemporary cuisine that preserves the true quality and complexities of traditional Peranakan food, but with a few astute tweaks here and there.

Diners can choose from more than 40 appetisers, mains and desserts from the à la carte menu for lunch and dinner or for those who prefer to leave it to the chef, you can also consider the Peranakan ‘Ah-ma-kase’ communal tasting menu at S$88++ for lunch and S$118++ for dinner. Yes, you read it correctly, a Peranakan Omakase.

Some items that we highly recommend include the Homemade Kueh Pie Tee Shell, Braised Local Turnip, Pork Belly, Prawns (S$20++), as well as the 1824 Grain-Fed Beef Cheek Rendang and Charcoal Grilled Maori Lakes Lamb Shoulder Satay, Kacip Manis Sauce—both of which are only available in the tasting menu.

As with most traditional Peranakan dishes, preparing a single dish requires tonnes of elbow grease as it is only through grinding and pounding do you get the full range of heady aromas and complex flavours to permeate through.

At Candlenut, every item that we tried was absolutely stunning but the dish that stood out most was the Blue Swimmer Crab Turmeric Lemak, Sweet Potato Leaf. Nuanced with a myriad of herbs and spices and enriched with coconut milk, this charming delight boasts a generous serving of plump, sweet crab meat that pairs excellently well with the sauce it sits in.

The green bouquet that sits on top is a combination of locally grown herbs that provide a bright and herbaceous lift to the dish—a quality that does well to cut through the coconut milk.

Candlenut
Block 17A Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 2288
Lunch (Mon to Sun): 12pm – 3pm
Dinner (Sun to Thu): 6pm – 10pm
Dinner (Fri & Sat): 6pm – 11pm
Make your reservations here: http://bit.ly/2PCD1JU

This post is brought to you by COMO Dempsey.

An enclave laden with fancy eateries and artisanal grocers, Dempsey Hill is a hot-spot among expatriates, most of whom flock there during the weekends for its laid-back vibes and beautiful scenery.

Yet, hidden among the slew of posh restaurants lies an old-time classic, selling not just solid Indian food, but a rich history that has been passed along three generations since it was first set up as a roadside stall in the early 1950s.

Samy’s Curry is iconic and many—regardless of ethnicity—can ascertain to the sheer quality of their food. The restaurant dishes out a wide array of Northern and Southern Indian food but the highlight and a definite must to order is their highly acclaimed fish head curry.

Set amidst the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, Samy’s Curry is a curry oasis that will fill you with tasty food and solid vibes.

A symphony of warm and complex flavours, Samy’s Fish Head Curry (S$21 for small, S$28 for medium & S$33 for large) is a dish that, to us, represents all that Indian cuisine is—that is a beautiful medley comprising fresh ingredients, bold spices and emphasis on flavour over finesse.

The curry was well-rounded with a tinge of sourness to balance out the mild fishiness of the fish head. Best appreciated when spooned over steamed basmati rice, each mouthful was an explosion of rich flavours that, while assertive, still allowed the taste of the fresh fish to shine through.

You will not find a table in the restaurant without it and for good reason.

Samy’s Curry has no shortage of Northern and Southern Indian dishes to choose from and one in particular that we simply cannot do without is the Black Squid (S$9).

Tender and savoury with a mild sweetness from the dark-coloured sauce it comes served with, this dish makes for a great accompaniment to the fish head curry.

Situated in an old colonial house, Samy’s Curry sports an old colonial look that wows diners with its old-school vibes and a stunning veranda that overlooks the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill.

Samy’s Curry
25 Dempsey Road,
Singapore 249670
Tel: +65 6472 2080
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

Looking for something new besides the cluster of food establishments along Dempsey Hill? Carrotsticks & Cravings is a cafe and cooking school in the Dempsey neighbourhood that is helmed by Terri-Anne, a Melbourne expat who is passionate about creating healthy recipes that do not compromise on taste for her family and friends.

Guests can expect to dine on superfoods and other healthy dishes inspired by the owner’s family, friends, cookbooks and travel experiences. The all-encompassing breakfast and brunch menu includes vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free options. Yes, this is a new place that will please all the health junkies.

The cafe’s al fresco seating arrangement boasts a very calm and relaxing atmosphere so you can unwind and partake in soulful food. Opened from morning to early afternoon daily, Carrotsticks & Cravings is the next place you should be checking out soon.

The concise menu is divided into two sections—mainly breakfast and lunch items. Some breakfast options you have there include Smashed Avo, Organic Acai Breakfast Bowl and Breakfast Berry Parfait.

What you should not miss, however, is their Sourdough Special—you can add your favourite toppings including feta, bacon, smoked salmon and more.

Lunch at Carrotsticks & Cravings is a delicious affair too. The lunch menu features Quinoa and Pomegranate Salad, Green Falafel Bowl and Quinoa Tart With Side Salad among others.

Those who are bringing the little ones along will be keen on knowing that they have a Kids Menu with highlights such as Scrambled Eggs And Sourdough, Mini Acai Bowl and Coconut Water And Fresh Fruit Popsicles.

Carrotsticks & Cravings
75E Loewen Road
Singapore 248845
Daily: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

All photos are credited to Carrotsticks & Cravings. 

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/01/carrotsticks-cravings/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/12/la-ventana/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/12/la-ventana/#comments Wed, 20 Dec 2017 01:00:39 +0000 Dick Tan http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=153569 Continue reading →]]>

Nestled within the tranquil enclave of Dempsey Hill and set on a deck surrounded by beautiful and lush greenery is La Ventana, a gastronomic fine dining destination serving up modern European cuisine with both Southeast Asian and Spanish influences.

Stellar creations to look forward to are the Monkfish with Saffron Foam and Kalamata Olives Emulsion and the Wagyu Cheek with Black Trumpet Cream and Watercress Purée. Be sure to try the Curry Leaf Ice Cream with Szechuan Strawberries and Lemongrass Tea Jelly—an original creation that deserves the utmost commendation.

The mere mention of dining at Dempsey Hill often means that your meal will more than likely come with a hefty price tag, but we dare say that if you are out to splurge, one solid place to do just that is La Ventana.

La Ventana is housed within an old but beautiful colonial building, exuding a charming and intimate space in which diners can feel relaxed and disconnected from the world as they indulge in some proper fine dining.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Toni Valero, a young Spanish chef who aims to bring forth a new direction to the restaurant’s tasty offerings. The acclaimed chef dishes out innovative creations in the form of tasting plates that tie in his heritage along with a myriad of Southeast Asian influences of which he picked up during his stint working in Kuala Lumpur.

As the saying goes, you must start as you mean to go on, and this is particularly pertinent in the case of the Marinated Bonito, Chlorophyll Curry, Sprout Salad, Chilli Padi Oil (S$18++) that the Gastronomic tasting menu kicks off with. Thick cuts of chilled bonito find itself neatly placed atop an earthy clorofila curry. For a hint of zing, the grated orange and lime zest was a really nice touch.

The Wagyu Cheek with Black Trumpet Cream and Watercress Purée (S$48++) was without a doubt, one of our absolute favourites. Simply because it encapsulated the perfect blend of flavour and texture.

Cooked low and slow, the Wagyu cheek was fork tender with each bite literally melting on our tongues. The sauce was robust and brimming with rich beefy flavours, and the trumpet mushroom cream stood up well on its own to provide a lovely umami element to the dish.

In terms of aesthetics worthy of the ‘gram’, none other can beat the Monkfish with Saffron Foam and Kalamata Olives Emulsion (S$42++). This elegant dish comes served in a rustic white serving dish that does well to make the delicate colours of the dish pop. The olive purée was nicely dotted around the saffron foam creating a simple yet attractive pattern around the monkfish.

The monkfish is a unique, firm-textured and meaty white fish that is versatile enough to be prepared in several ways. In this case, the monkfish steak is beautifully seared off and receives the Spanish treatment of a savoury saffron foam and kalamata olive purée.

Head Chef Toni Valero is tenacious when it comes to fusing flavours together and his iconic Curry Leaf Ice Cream with Szechuan Strawberries and Lemongrass Tea Jelly (S$18++) is a testament to that. Captivated by its earthy and slightly citrus aroma, we were simply mind-blown at how combining curry leaf with milk and cream really showed the herb’s culinary potential.

While the ice cream on its own may seem a tad too complex for comfort for some, combining it with the sweet and lightly peppery Szechuan strawberries and lemongrass gelatine really brings the whole dessert together.

La Ventana
16A Dempsey Road
Singapore 247695
Tel: +65 6479 0100
Sun to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

For more recommendations, read our guide on 39 Romantic Restaurants in Singapore.

Provisions is Singapore’s first claypot rice and skewers cocktail bar. Yes, you read that right. You can have the traditional claypot rice at this new gastropub in Dempsey Hill. Prices start from S$4 for skewers, S$9 for claypot rice and S$12 for drinks.

Owned by 27-year-old Singapore chef Justin Foo, Provisions serves claypot rice, skewers, Asian small plates as well as bespoke cocktail concoctions.

At Provisions, the humble claypot rice is given a modern twist and you can look forward to creations such as Mushroom Tea Rice (S$9), Seafood Rice (S$6), Oyster & Uni Rice (S$28). 

From the Skewers section, choose from charcoal-grilled skewers including Chicken Thigh (S$5), Prawns (S$9), Pork Jowl (S$7), Pork Belly (S$7) and Beef Sirloin (S$10).

Photos credit: Provisions

Provisions does not charge service charge and GST.

Provisions
7 Dempsey Road #01-04
Singapore
Tel: +65 9783 0792
Tue to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 2am
Sun: 10.30am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Ippoh, a famous tempura restaurant in Osaka, is opening its casual dining concept in Singapore this month.

Ask any local in Osaka to recommend a tempura shop in Osaka and they are likely to direct you to Ippoh, which is said to be the oldest and best tempura eatery in the region. No foodie would pass up the chance to give this prestigious restaurant a try.

And if you aren’t heading to Japan anytime soon, that’s fine too because you will have the chance to taste Ippoh’s crispy and delicate Osaka style tempura right here in Singapore.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh will be opening at COMO Dempsey on 10 December 2016. Chef Masaru Seki, the fifth-generation member of the founding family has promised that the eatery will stick strictly to the same culinary standards as the original Ippoh outlet in Japan.

Expect only the most premium ingredients to be used which changes accordingly to the season. Every piece of tempura is fried individually with care, using high-quality safflower oil to lock in all the rich flavours in the tempura sans the greasiness found in most tempuras.

Of course, every chef has been trained to master the art of tempura-making, from crafting the tempura to understanding the right oil temperature and time taken on the fryer so that the tempura is crisp on the outside and yet cooked to perfection inside.

Visitors will be seated in a 1,200 square feet restaurant that can fit up to 18 pax, with the best seats at the tempura bar where you will get to watch your tempura being prepared carefully by hand before it is served to you.

Lunch sets start from S$60 to S$100 and dinner sets are going at S$140 to S$200. Besides that, complement your meal with a wide range of sakes, wines and beers.

Ippoh Tempura Bar by Ginza Ippoh
Block 17B Dempsey Road
Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 3388
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH & PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

Dempsey Hill is one of the dining destinations in Singapore. There are plenty of fabulous and romantic restaurants such as The White Rabbit, PS Cafe and House. However, most of the places are not exactly affordable and you will be hard-pressed to get a meal for under $20. If you are on a budget and do not know where to eat at Dempsey, try Huber’s Butchery & Bistro.

There are only a few items on the menu, but for what they lack in variety, they more than make up for it with quality. For steak lovers, the 220g US Ribeye Steak ($28.50) is worth a mention. Otherwise, go for the Roast Beef Sandwich ($12.50), Meatloaf (12.50), or the Huber’s Beef Burger ($15) – a very good burger with a solid beef patty topped with caramelised onions, melted cheese sandwiched between a softly-toasted and buttery bun.

18A Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6737 1588
Tue to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Closed on Mon

Singapore F&B scene has been very exciting over the past few years. There is always a new place opening almost every week. There are so many new and cool restaurants that I find it hard to keep up. While I love checking out the latest hip place in town – it is, after all, my job to do that – sometimes, I just like to go somewhere familiar. One of my favourite restaurants in Singapore is House at Dempsey Hill.

House may already be very popular, but it is a shame that it remains as one of the most under-rated restaurants around. It is not easy to create a cosy ambience with vibes so chic. Yet, House managed to do it so effortlessly. Mismatched furnitures, spacious layout with low ceilings and sporadic partitions, dim lights complementing the sun rays that stream in from the ceiling-to-floor glass panels, soft jazz and lounge music looping while the coffee machine brews and the wine glasses clink intermittently; there is this unassuming comfort that makes sitting here all too indulging.

The folks at House have recently launched a new menu – its first major overhaul in six years. The food is still very much the same – simple comfort fare that you can eat on a regular basis. And now, we are in for more new additions.

We started with the Asparagus, Serrano Ham and Crumbed Egg $22. This classic combination never fails to please.

In addition to the legendary truffle fries ($11), Barracks Café has also introduced some new variations in the form of Pumpkin hazelnut fries ($12) – shoestring pumpkin fries with crunchy hazelnut, paprika and chilli powder; Truffle Taro Fries ($7) – straw cut yam fries with aromatic truffle oil; Curry Mustard Fries ($9) – shoestring fries topped with paprika, curry and a sprinkle of sea-salt; and Carrot Fennel Fries ($9) – straw cut sweet carrot fries with a sprinkle of fennel.

An old favourite that has its place standing firm on the menu is the Asian Sliders, also known as Kong Ba Bao. House’s rendition is easily one of the best around. Braised lean pork belly tucked in steaming hot buns, and complimented with crispy taro fries. In a word: perfection.

The Hanger Steak ($27) with croquettes and wild mushrooms was also a crowd-pleaser that afternoon. A perfectly seared steak so affordable, I would go back to House just for this.

If you are like me, a fan of risotto, you have to try the new Pumpkin Risotto with brown butter reduction and toasted pumpkin seeds.

The Roasted Chilean Cod Fish, with a refreshing apple and celery salad, was extremely fresh, but we did not fancy the sweet date sauce that came along with it. If you still have room, you should go for the Pork Ribs with Caramelised Pineapple ($27). While the meat was not off-the-fork-tender, it was still very flavourful and delicious.

House did not make any changes to the desserts menu, so you can still find the popular favourites such as their Warm Strawberry Shortcake ($9.50), Carrot Cake ($7), and Warm Chocolate Toffee Cake ($9.50).

The Bitter Chocolate Tart ($7.50) was amazing. Now, I hardly use the word ‘amazing’ to describe desserts, but House’s version completely won me over. It was bitter, sweet and done just right.

The Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake ($7.80) impressed, too, with its creamy and cheesy flavour, and the addictive biscuit base. The only dessert that I did not enjoy was the Warm Banana Salted Caramel Cake ($7). While the use of popcorn in a dessert was interesting, the cake was somewhat lacking in flavour and depth.

House
8D Dempsey Road
Tel: +65 6475 7787
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 6pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

If you were patient enough to learn about the history of The White Rabbit at Harding Road, you’d probably have had a pretty intense lesson on Singapore’s history. Occupying the space of what used to be a chapel, this one-of-its-kind restaurant impresses the moment we step foot in. It is whimsical, classy and charming all at the same time.

We were excited to find out Chef Benjamin Tan is back, assuming the role of Head Chef after a hiatus, and has made a radical overhaul of the menu. It seems we weren’t the only one pleased; our waiter gushed over the good news, and reassures us that the meal was going to be nothing short of spectacular.

We began with the Classic Lobster Bisque, which assaults our senses the moment the lid was uncovered. This was unabashedly bold and intense as if a whole lobster had been grounded and concentrated to produce a velvety liquid. The half Maine Lobster ($38) served was exceedingly fresh, succulent and bouncy.

We’d never encountered beef so delicate and tender as that served in our next appetizer of Wagyu Carpaccio ($26). Chef Ben’s flair for marrying flavours shines through in this flawless dish; each mouthful a burst of flavors from the beef, balsamic pearls and aroma from the shaved truffles.

The Risotto ($21 as appetiser, $32 as main) was predictable, though we cannot find any fault about it. It was cheesy and pungent, and once again enlivened by generous shavings of truffle. Each grain barely retained its form in the creamy concoction, yet was perfectly al dente to give retain a satisfying bite.

We’ve been tormented by our obsession with the Char-Grilled Mangalica Pork Collar ($46) ever since we have had it. And so are many of their regular customers, we were told, who would return time and time again just for this dish. Step aside Kurobuta, for the Mangalica Pig puts every other porcine dish we’ve had to shame. We have never had pork this way, and can no longer have pork any other way now that we’ve tasted this. The well-marbled pork was almost surreal in flavor and texture; almost like beef except with flavours more sublime and delicate. We could not care less for the extraneous calvados cream and the odd-tasting celery root puree, and would even have this slab of pink, decadent pork steak by itself.

The White Chocolate Soufflé ($18) was light and fluffy, though curiously without a trace of white chocolate. We’d be lying if we said it was the best we’ve had but we liked that it didn’t suffer the common pitfall of being overly sweet, which meant that it paired beautifully with the dense chocolate ice cream. This is a dessert that would concur with those looking for a light way to end the meal.

We would recommend the 24-Hour Poached Pear ($16) instead, which was a stellar work of art. Two halves of a crimson red poached pear encasing a scoop of vanilla ice cream, perched atop a concoction of spiced crumble and burnt butter cake. This was an extremely satisfying end to a wonderful meal.

We cannot help raving about The White Rabbit. Every dish was delicate, well-balanced, and something that only a very talented chef could have achieved. Chef Ben’s return definitely marks a new beginning for The White Rabbit. Service does get a little slow, though we are unsure if this was with the intention for customers to enjoy a long evening. We can’t wait to make a revisit, and with tempting offerings on their brunch menu (think truffle mac and cheese), we’re sure we’ll be back pretty soon.

The White Rabbit
39C Harding Road
Dempsey Singapore
Tel: +65 6473 9965
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

Words and photographs by Sarah Lim.

Curry fish head, like chilli crab or chicken rice, is one of the iconic dishes in Singapore. When it comes to curry fish, one would immediately think of the famous places like The Banana Leaf Apolo, Muthu’s Curry, and of course, Samy’s Curry Restaurant.

I do not know what took me so long to try Samy’s Curry, but I finally did one night when my dining companion and I could not decide what to have for dinner. And oh boy, I wondered why I never had it earlier.

I like the fact that Samy’s Curry Restaurant is located in Dempsey – one of the most popular dining enclaves in Singapore – but unlike most of the places there that are overpriced yet often under-delivers, it serves good Indian food at affordable prices.

If you are dining in a big group, you can share a curry fish head ($18 for small, $26 for medium) and get several ala carte items – butter chicken ($8 for small, $12 for big), black squid ($7 for small, $10 for big), chicken tikka ($8 for small, $12 for big) – from the menu.

If you just want something light, you can have rice and order individual portions of the dishes. Rice is being served on a banana leaf with two complimentary vegetarian side dishes and papadum. Alternatively, you can also have nasi briyani or naan topped with garlic, butter, or cheese ($2.80).

Given that many mediocre restaurants and eateries serve their fish head curry for prices ranging from $20 upwards, I feel that Samy Curry’s Restaurant is undeniably one of the more value for money options. We shared a small fish head, and it was more than enough for the two of us. The sauce is tangy, not too spicy and packs a punch. And I like that it leaves a pleasant after taste in your mouth.

Samy Curry’s is definitely the place if you do not have an adventurous palate but would like to have a go at Indian cuisine. It is also a place where I would bring my overseas friends to enjoy an authentic Indian feast.

Samy’s Curry Restaurant
25A Dempsey Road
Tanglin Village (Dempsy Hill Green)
Tel: +65 6472 2080
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Brunch is the country’s favourite weekend meal. It is so popular that almost every restaurant has started brunch service. Some places are slightly more adventurous, they come up with various interpretations using different ingredients; while others stick to the usual favourites such as eggs benedict, pancakes, and French Toast.

The Dempsey Brasserie is one of them. They feature classic items like eggs benedict ($18) smothered with hollandaise sauce, pancakes drenched with maple syrup ($12), scrambled eggs and shaved truffle ($16), big brasserie breakfast ($24). For something heavier, they also offer dishes like whole roasted chicken ($30), fish & chips ($23), and tagliatelle arrabiatta ($22).

Nothing says weekend to me like indulging with friends over a good brunch. So when the folks from Genting were in town, Beatrice and I brought them to The Dempsey Brasserie, where they serve weekend brunch from 10.am to 3.30pm.

Beatrice is crazy for anything truffle, so we started with the truffle fries ($13). In fact, there was a tussle as everyone could not stop eating the truffle fries, and to keep the peace, we ordered a second portion. Needless to say, they are now one of the places on my list of best truffle fries in Singapore.

I was very excited when the gorgeous ‘the works’ burger ($26) – a 200g prime Angus beef patty with caramelised onions, crispy bacon, sauteed mushrooms, gruyere cheese, lettuce, and tomato – arrived. I hurriedly took a bite, but it was sadly, underwhelming. The patty was way too dry, and I did not finish it.

Most of the breakfast items like eggs benedict, pancakes, and big breakfast were decent, but nothing to rave about.

The standout dish was the signature airflown Tasmania mussels ($20 for starter, $36 for main pot) cooked in white wine sauce.

Overall we really wanted to love The Dempsey Brasserie because it has a nice ambience, and a good location. While it managed to be fairly decent, most of the food did not leave a deep impression.

That said, I’d probably come back again for dinner; the presence of coq au vin ($26), steak frites ($38), duck confit ($32) is enough to tempt me to give them a second chance.

The Dempsey Brasserie
Blk 7 Dempsey Road, #01-03
Tel: +65 6473 4500
Mon – Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat – Sun: 10.30am – 1am

For more recommendations, please read my Guide to Dempsey Hill Restaurants

Roadhouse Restaurant (formerly Cafe Hacienda) at Dempsey Road is a modern American Diner — opened by the Prive Group — that serves hearty food in a rustic yet contemporary setting. It is one of the few restaurants in Singapore that uses Josper Grill to char-grill their meats and burger patties.

While I’d been meaning to try the food for some time now, because of a busy schedule, I only managed to visit it recently. After eating there, I have to say Roadhouse is a place where you can go for weekend brunch with your family; or a nice dinner with a group of friends.

On the menu, it has a variety of burgers: from the signature bacon marinated burger ($23); to the cajun chicken burger ($20); and the miso cod burger ($27) – there is a choice for everyone. They also have quesadillas ($13), tacos ($12), salads ($13), and main courses ($16-48).

During the weekends, roadhouse has a brunch menu (available from 9am to 4pm) with selections like pancakes, eggs benedict ($16), ultimate breakfast ($22), fluffy pancakes ($14), and cheese omelette ($16).

When asked to recommend the best burger on the menu, the staff pointed us to the bacon marinated burger ($23).

It was indeed, a fantastic burger – homemade bun, streaky bacons, caramelised onions, sauteed mushrooms, and 170g Josper-grilled wagyu patty. Utterly delicious.

They also do very good milkshakes ($12) – chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. I probably would not pay so much for a milkshake, but there’s no denying that it is one of the better milkshakes in town.

We also ordered a side of mac & cheese ($18) to share. I think it is good enough to get a spot on my upcoming best mac & cheese post.

Then, we had pancakes. It was rather different from the usual ones. If you are a fan of light and fluffy pancakes, Roadhouse’s version is probably not your type. The pancakes ($14) here are thick, dense, and cake-y.

And what’s brunch without eggs benedict? Fans of Prive Bakery Cafe will be happy to know that Roadhouse has the same good and reliable eggs benedict ($16).

You are probably thinking that we had a big group to share the food, but no, there was only two of us. Even though we had already ordered a lot of food, I couldn’t stop myself when I saw the BBQ U.S spare ribs ($26 for half rack, $40 for whole rack) on the menu.

They turned out to be pretty awesome. Fork-tender, lick-your-fingers good ribs. YUM.

We were very full after finishing all the dishes, but I must have desserts. Out of the eight items on the dessert menu, the S’more ice cream cake ($12) caught my eyes. It was not fantastic, but decent enough to end the brunch on a sweet note.

Overall, a satisfying meal though I think the brunch items could have been a little more wow. That being said, Roadhouse has one of the best burgers in town; you must make a trip down if you love burgers. The meats, cooked using Josper grill, are also very good.

Roadhouse American Diner
13 Dempsey Road #01-07
Tel: +65 6476 2922
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4pm, 6.30pm – 10pm

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my Guide to Restaurants in Dempsey Road

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Words by Missim, Photos by ladyironchef

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m sure all of you are looking for a romantic restaurant to celebrate the special occasion with your loved ones.

We were at The White Rabbit for their Festive Menu. Good food for Christmas, hey! Isn’t that just what everyone needs?

For Christmas 2011, The White Rabbit has several options to cater for everyone. The four course Festive Set Lunch menu at $48++/pax comes with appetising starters such as Chicken and Duck Liver Parfait, and Tuna Carpaccio; scrumptious main courses include the Roulade of Turkey Breast, Poached Seabass, and The White Rabbit Mac & Cheese; and delicious desserts like the Chocolate Log Cake and Warm Sticky Date Pudding.

Besides that, they also have a four course Festive Degustation menu at $98++/pax; and a special four course Christmas Eve Dinner at $108++/pax.

For the appetizer (from the $108++ four course New Year’s Eve Menu), we had the impressive sounding trio of Parfait of Foie Gras, Toasted Brioche, Shallot Marmalade; Pan Seared Scallop, Wakame Salad; Fresh Fig, Iberico Ham, Parmesan and Rocket. In short, they were foie gras, scallop and bacon.

I loved the scallop at first bite. It had that lovely smoked taste and melted most wonderfully in my mouth. I simply could not get enough of it.

For the next course, we were served Champagne Poached Seabass (from the $98++ for four course Festive Degustation Menu). The dish looked inviting enough however, it tasted very like something my teochew mummy will cook for dinner. I call it the ang moh chue he (Caucasian steamed fish) – instead of using champagne, my mum uses hua tiao jiu.

Finally, the main course! The Rouldae of Turkey (from the $38++ three course Festive Set Lunch menu) was stuffed with Chestnut, Smoked Oyster; Cornbread and Sage, Cranberry Sauce. Well, as all turkey, it was not exactly the easiest meat to chew and swallow. Hey, it is only during Christmas that you’ll eat turkey so why not?

For dessert we had Sticky Date Pudding with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce. My first sticky date pudding and my goodness it was so good! The warm sweetness of the dates and the cake, coupled with the vanilla bean ice cream was heavenly.

In all, it was a good meal and surprisingly I was full as a stuffed turkey. The White Rabbit at Dempsey Hill is a pretty restaurant to have that lovely Christmas meal with a loved one.

Singapore Food Blog Review
The White Rabbit
39C Harding Road
Dempsey Singapore
Tel: +65 6473 9965
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

Everyone knows Dempsey Hill. It is arguably one of the hottest dining destinations in Singapore, with popular restaurants like The White Rabbit, Barracks Cafe and PS Cafe. But not everyone knows about Don Quijote Spanish restaurant at Dempsey. Well, I guess now we all know.

Be it a nice date with your partner; or a birthday party celebration with a big group of friends – Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is the ideal place if you like tapas, paella and sangria.

One thing to note: the original branch at Lorong Kilat is no longer in operation.

The menu is huge. From cold tapas like Mixed Platter of Ham, Sausages and Cheese ($36) and Anchovy and Piquillo Pepper on bread ($12); to hot tapas like Tortilla Espanola ($11), Calamari ($12) and Gambas Al Ajillo ($13); to meats like Ox-tail Stew ($36) and Tenderloin Steak ($39); to Paellas ($30 for small); and desserts like Leche Fritta ($9) and Warm Chocolate Cake ($19) – there is something for everyone.

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant recently launched a Market Seafood Menu where they serve “live” seafood from the market. It largely depends on what is available in the market, but the typical menu will feature a selection of fishes, lobsters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

While waiting for Sophie to arrive, Qiuting and I started with the Mejillon Al Vino Blanco – Mussels cooked in White Wine ($16); and Gambas Al Ajillo ($16) – Garlic fried Live Prawns.

The Scallop ($18) that came next were equally impressive.

For main courses, we were served a gorgeous Baked Whole Lobster ($69), and the visually pleasing Baked Whole Snapper ($45).

We stared at the baby lobster when it arrived on our table and for a moment, we didn’t know what to do. After five seconds, instinct took over and the three of us started to attack it with the fork. Om nom nom nom. It was as good as it looked.

The Baked Snapper, on the other hand, was slightly disappointing. The fish was really fresh, but we felt that it was under-seasoned.

And of course, a Spanish meal would not be complete without having Paella. At Don Quijote, there are four different Paellas: seafood, squid ink, vegetarian and meat.

The Paella de Carne ($30 Small/ $45 medium/ $60 large) came  with Beef, Chicken, Chorizo Sausages and rice cooked in a delicious saffron stock.

Even though we were quite full after polishing off the Paella, we were tempted by the highly recommended Tenderloin Steak Cubes with Blue Cheese ($20). The owner was very confident about it, and truth be told, I was quite skeptical initially. But I had to take back my words after having a cube. It was oh-my-god-yummy.

I also ordered the Chorizo Asado Barbecued Spanish Chorizo Sausage ($10) as Qiuting never had it before. It was a shame that we didn’t have room for desserts, otherwise I would love to try their Warm Chocolate Cake made with Spanish Chocolate ($19).

Don Quijote at Dempsey Hill is a nice place to go to if you are craving for Spanish food. While prices are not cheap, neither are they exorbitant – it is on par with most of the better Spanish Restaurants in Singapore.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant
Blk 7 Dempsey Road
#01-02 Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 2811
Sun to Wed: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Thu to Sat: 11.30am – 1am
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my list of best Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

Located in the lush Dempsy Hill area, The Prime Society is a steak restaurant in Singapore that specialises in prime quality meats. With its indoor and alfresco dining, the restaurant can easily accommodate up to 150 guests, and they also have a bar where you can enjoy your pre-dinner drinks.

Previously from Flutes at the Fort restaurant, Chef Rollinson took over The Prime Society’s kitchen earlier this year and he was quick to make his mark on the menu. We were at The Prime Society to try his new set lunch menu ($28++ for 2 courses, $33++ for 3 courses).

It includes choices like Seared Foie Gras/Beef Carpaccio for appetisers, and Grilled NZ King Salmon/Wagyu Bolognaise/Black Sirloin for main courses.

The Beef Carpaccio was almost too handsome to eat, but I eventually finished everything of course. This is only available as an entrée for Prime Society’s set lunch.

The Prime Society managed to strike the right balance with the Hokkiado Scallops. Without being overpowering, the rich and creamy sauce was the perfect companion for the plump and meaty scallops. Yummy!

Unfortunately, the Grilled Wagyu Rump for that night was somewhat disappointing – we felt that it was slightly overcooked. Whilst the steak still managed to retain a pinkish tinge in the middle, it was a little too tough; losing the tenderness and flavour of the prized cut.

Given that The Prime Society is known as one of the best steak houses in Singapore, it was an anticlimax to the otherwise excellent dinner.

Luckily, the excellent Dark Valrhona Chocolate Bar (only available during lunch) saved the day. Instead of serving it with vanilla ice cream, the chef chose to pair coconut sorbet with the dark chocolate bar. The result? I was licking my spoon for every bite of the chocolate and sorbet.

Most of the appetisers on the ala carte menu of The Prime Society Restaurant are priced below $20, with the steaks ranging from $44 (220g Grass Fed Rib Eye) to $72 (450g Grain Finished from Queensland). I know it is strange to say this in a steakhouse, but if beef is not your favourite meat, they have other mains like the Western Australian Pork Belly ($40), Spatchcock Chicken ($38) and fish on the menu.

With the exception of the steak, the other dishes that we had were pretty good. I think I will give The Prime Society another chance and come back again for their Sirloin, Wagyu Beef Burger and Prime Society Ribs.

Which is your favourite Steak Restaurant in Singapore?

For more recommendations, read my list of restaurants in Dempsey Hill

Singapore Food Blog Review
Prime Society Restaurant
10 Dempsey Road #01-20
Tanglin Village (Dempsey Road) Singapore
Tel: +65 6474 7427
Note: This was an invited Media Tasting.

Whenever readers ask me to recommend romantic dining places in Singapore, I will always think of the restaurants at Dempsey road. Among the options there, The White Rabbit ranks highly on my list of romantic restaurants in Singapore.

The White Rabbit, owned by the folks behind Loof and OverEasy, is a romantic restaurant housed within a beautiful restored Chapel in Dempsey Road.

I fell in love as soon as I stepped into the place.

Fine dining restaurants are usually not very versatile. I mean they are nice for a romantic dinner, but some of them can be quite intimidating. The White Rabbit, on the other hand, is great for just about any occasion. Be it a romantic date with your partner, a chic business lunch with your clients or a casual dinner with a group of friends.

I wanted to dine at The White Rabbit for the longest time, and I finally came here last week for their 3 course set lunch ($38++ per pax).

Amongst the five starters that were available on The White Rabbit’s menu, we opted for the Caponata and White peach salad. Drizzled with Italian herbs and olive oil, the crispy tiger prawns were accompanied by eggplant, celery and Roma tomatoes.

For our second appetiser, we chose the White Peach Salad over the Grilled Vegetables, Smoked Salmon and Mushroom Soup.

The White Rabbit’s set lunch menu has 5 different choices to satisfy everyone: Pan Seared Salmon Fillet, Pan Roasted Sea Bass, Braised Oxtail, Galantine of Duck, Roasted Lamb Rump and pasta. We eventually settled for the salmon and duck.

Served with Petit Pois Puree (green peas) and carrots, the Salmon was pan seared nicely and we thought that it was pretty well done. But with no substantial sides, the portion might be too small for folks with big appetite.

The Galantine of duck however, came with simple yet tasty potatoes. The herbed minced beef stuffing within the de-boned duck was subtle, and the dish somehow tasted like roasted duck.

Out of the three desserts on The White Rabbit’s lunch menu, we had the Tiramisu and Valrhona Chocolate Tart (with the other option being profiteroles). It is difficult to judge a tiramisu since everyone has different interpretations on what makes a good tiramisu. If you like it with a strong alcohol taste, you will love the one here.

The White Rabbit’s tiramisu had an extremely strong liqueur flavour at the base, which left a bitter after-taste lingering in the mouth for a long time. We did not really enjoy it, and thankfully there was the Valrhona Chocolate Tart to distract us.

Paired with a slightly sourish strawberry ice cream, the chocolate-y Valrhona Chocolate Tart was small in size but huge on flavours. It contrasted hot with cold and sweet with sour perfectly.

The romantic restaurant has a uber-chic watering hole in the al fresco area. The Rabbit Hole is an outdoor bar which is a lovely place for some drinks and finger food. It is definitely a good option for events and parties, but don’t expect it to be cheap.

Hold my hands and follow me down the rabbit hole…

The 3 course set lunch at the White Rabbit is $38++ and they also have a 4 course degustation menu at $98++ per person. For their ala carte menu, appetisers like the tuna carpaccio and steak tartare start from $20. Most of the main courses are in the $30ish range and desserts like the creme brulee and souffle are $16 each.

The White Rabbit restaurant has received mixed reviews so far: there are people who love the Alice in Wonderland theme restaurant, and there are also others who feel that the food is inconsistent and not worth the money.

Whilst the food at The White Rabbit may not be the most spectacular, sometimes food becomes secondary when you are eating at such a beautiful place.

Singapore Food Blog Review
The White Rabbit
39C Harding Road
Dempsey Singapore
Tel: +65 6473 9965

When I started this Singapore Food Blog, I would have never expected it to become what it is today, for that I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given. Even up till now, I’m still amazed that there are people who actually want to read about how hungry I am every day.

In the past twelve months, I travelled quite a bit. I made new friends, and lost some. I learned many new lessons, and grew up a little. My new mantra in life is to experience all the new things in this world. What’s there to lose when I don’t have anything?

To summarise everything that I ate and blogged in the past year, I’ll like to share with you the top 10 most popular posts on ladyironchef for 2010.

It is actually quite interesting to see the search terms that people used to find my blog. Instead of ladyironchef, there are some who typed ironladyironchef.

10. Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

I’m not surprised to see my list of the Best Japanese Restaurants in Singapore as the tenth most-read pages on my food blog. Japanese cuisine has always been very popular in Singapore, and I know a lot of my friends can eat Japanese food everyday without being sick of it. I think I’m starting to appreciate this popular cuisine.

9. Guide to Dempsey Hill Restaurants

This year, I started a few guides to introduce some of the well-known dining destinations in Singapore like Holland Village, Rochester Park, Greenwood Avenue. Among the Singapore restaurant guides, Dempsey Hill was by far the most popular. Many people know of the atas restaurants at Dempsey road even though some of them have never been there before. Whenever people want a nice restaurant with ambience for dinner, I’m sure Dempsey road restaurants are definitely among their consideration.

8. Melt the World Cafe Buffet at Mandarin Oriental Singapore

I am not exactly sure how to approach this topic, so I am going straight to the point – Melt the World Cafe at Mandarin Oriental is the best buffet in Singapore.

My opening paragraph for Melt the World Cafe sums up everything you need to know. The prices are not cheap, but it is definitely a top-quality buffet restaurant.

7. Afternoon High Tea Places in Singapore

I need to blog less on Afternoon High Tea Places and desserts in Singapore, otherwise people will always assume that I’m a tai-tai in her mid 30s who has afternoon tea every day.

6. Gong Cha Bubble Tea

Gong Cha has been extremely busy this year. From their original outlets at City Square & Novena Square, they have added many new branches within a short period of time. Their strategy is slightly different from KOI Cafe. Most of the KOI outlets are in the heartlands area, while Gong Cha has been opening in shopping malls like Plaza Singapura, Vivocity, Raffles City, Orchard Central, Bedok Point & The Central.

5. The Singapore Food Blogger Saga

Everything you need to know about truth of this Singapore Food Blog has already been said. I learned valuable lessons from this incident, and at the same time, it showed me who are my real friends.

4. Dim Sum Restaurants in Singapore

When I blogged the list of Dim Sum in Singapore back in January, my original intention was just to use it as a reminder post. I hope that the list is useful whenever you need to satisfy your dim sum craving.

3. Brunch Places in Singapore

It is heartening to see that the All Day Breakfast trend is picking up in Singapore this year. With new breakfast restaurants like Wild Honey, Hatched & Strictly Pancakes — we have more options for breakfast food during anytime of the day.

2. Buffet Restaurants in Singapore

To be honest with you, I was expecting my list of Buffet Restaurants in Singapore to be the most-read post on my food blog. After all, it is a fact that Singaporeans love their buffet.

What is the #1 post on ladyironchef for 2010?

1. KOI Bubble Tea

Is KOI the best bubble tea in Singapore? It’s very subjective, but there’s one thing I can tell you for sure, KOI Cafe is the #1 search page on ladyironchef for 2010.

* * *

So many things have happened this year, and I’m thankful for the help and support from my blogging partners: Mr Gadget, Dweam, Monoxious and all the nuffies from Nuffnang.

Most importantly, I’m very grateful to all my readers – without you guys, I’m nothing. It is a joy to be able to do something that I really like, and it has been a fantastic year for my food blog. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, and have a great 2011!