ladyironchef » Restaurants In Town

Oriole Coffee + Bar - Best Hang-out In Somerset For Great Food And S$10 Nett Beers

ladyironchef — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 05:40:18 +0000

It’s finally TGIF after a really hard week and your crew is looking for a spot in town to unwind because it’s a central location for everyone. Or maybe it’s time for a celebration and it’s your turn to plan where to go. Perhaps, you’re just looking for a place where the food’s impressive, the ambience is cosy and the drinks are super affordable. In so many ways, Oriole Coffee + Bar has got you covered.

From 1 April to 31 May 2019, every dine-in party of five and more will receive a non-alcoholic welcome drink with every main ordered—as long as someone pays with a Mastercard. Mastercard holders are also entitled to 15% off on all a la carte items at Oriole Coffee + Bar.

On top of that, Oriole Coffee + Bar sweetens this deal from 1 April to 31 May 2019 by throwing in an all-day promotion for full pints of Kronenbourg Blanc going at S$10 nett all day long! Do note that both promotions perks are not valid with other promotions, vouchers, or discounts in the same transaction.

Whether you are a coffee connoisseur, an alcohol aficionado or just someone who appreciates a hearty brunch, Oriole Coffee + Bar has something for everyone. The cherry on top of the cake is their strategic location right in the heart of Somerset, making it an incredibly accessible and central spot that is perfect for gatherings with your friends and loved ones.

S$10 NETT PINTS OF KRONENBOURG BLANC

Nothing brings a group of people together like a round (or ten) of drinks. Whether it is a long-awaited gathering amongst a group of friends, a post-work unwinding session with your colleagues or just simply cracking a cold one with the boys (or girls), a little bit of booze to go with the bantering has always been the perfect way to bond.

Oriole Coffee + Bar recognises that and will be having an all-day promotion for Kronenbourg Blanc from 1 April to 31 May 2019, where each pint will be going for just S$10 nett, all day long. This gives you even more reason to destress and have a mid-day drink with some friends!

WELCOME DRINKS WITH EVERY MAIN COURSE WHEN YOU DINE IN A GROUP OF 5

If you’re planning to go in a large group, we have even better news for you! From 1 April to 31 May, if you dine in groups of 5 and above, you will receive a non-alcoholic welcome drink with every main ordered when you pay with Mastercard. Take this as a sign for you and your pals to finally have that much-needed meet-up session!

Do note that both promotions are not valid with any other discounts or promotions.

FINGER FOOD THAT’S TOO GOOD TO SHARE

One thing that we really love about Oriole Coffee + Bar is how they have a number of dishes that are great for sharing. That definitely includes their extensive range of finger foods that go incredibly well with a pint of ice cold beer!

Whether you’re looking for a fried-chicken-with-beer combo or just wanting one of Oriole’s signature light bites, Har Cheong Gai (S$16++) would be your best bet. Shrimp-paste marinated chicken wings are fried to a lovely golden-brown crisp and served with a saucer of sambal belacan that is very mildly spicy.

A staple finger food that can hardly go wrong is Truffle Fries (S$14++). Liberally sprinkled with salt, truffle oil and shaved parmesan cheese, it’s one addictive bowl of crispy shoestring fries that you’re going to have to share as much as you might hate to.

Aside from finger food, Oriole Coffee + Bar’s extensive menu has a plethora of other scrumptious dishes that are great for sharing among friends. With mouthwatering options such as Philly Cheese Tenderloin Sandwich (S$22++), Cubano Meatwich (S$18++) and Triple Cheese Pizza (S$18++), you will definitely be left spoilt for choice.

HEARTY MAINS

If you can’t make up your mind, we recommend getting the Pumpkin & Feta Cheese Pizza (S$20++) which features an assortment of delicious and fresh-tasting meatless toppings such as roasted pumpkin, arugula, feta cheese, tomatoes and caramelised onion that are scattered generously atop a hand-pulled dough base that has been stretched to delicate perfection.

For something that best encompasses sweet, savoury, soft and crunchy, you can opt to have their Chicken & Waffle (S$18++). The freshly made waffle is slathered with a savoury bacon jam and arranged neatly atop, is a massive slab of crispy fried chicken as well as a fried egg. The dish comes with a side of crème Fraiche which adds a subtle tartness and creamy indulgence when eaten together with the chicken and waffle.

The Oriole Truffle Burger (S$22++), which comes with a side of fries, has a mild truffle fragrance that immediately hits you as you take your first bite. Sandwiched between fluffy brioche buns is a stack of juicy grilled grain-fed beef patty, sautéed mushrooms, caramelised onions, melted cheese, truffle aioli, and tossed greens. Although the beef patty could have had a stronger meaty flavour, the rest of the ingredients made up for it.

If you prefer something from the ocean you can always opt for the Fish Tacos (S$22++) which are essentially battered red snapper fillets and red cabbage slaw encased in a lightly toasted taco shell. The fork-tender red snapper was encrusted in a crisp, golden brown exterior that let out a satisfying crunch when we bit into it.

For heavier meats, St. Louis Pork Ribs (S$30++) is a half-slab serving of BBQ ribs with sweet potato fries and crunchy purple cabbage slaw. The pork was tender soft and we easily pulled it off the bone. The coat of sticky kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) wasn’t too sweet and didn’t overwhelm the pork. The saucer of chilli relish it came with was a tad citrusy, lifting the heavy flavours of the ribs.

END YOUR MEAL ON A SWEET NOTE

We sang nothing but praises for their ambrosial Sticky Date Pudding (S$12++) which was the perfect way to balance out the savouriness of the other dishes. The dense pudding that lay in a pool of saccharine toffee sauce was served warm and in contrast, it was finished off with a dollop of ice cold ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery®.

This ambrosial dessert sees a dense pudding sponge, placed in the middle of a plate and surrounding it is a moat of warm, velvety toffee sauce. Indulgent, and we dare say, sinful, this dessert is finished with a huge scoop of fresh vanilla ice cream over top. The ice cream sparks a lovely contrast with the warm pudding and toffee sauce, giving you an interesting burst of sensations and flavours with each spoonful. We highly suggest that you start on the dessert once it hits the table as the warmth from the pudding makes the ice cream melt fast.

With its inviting atmosphere, central location, fantastic food and wallet-friendly drinks, what is there not to love about Oriole Coffee + Bar? A one-stop cafe located smack in the heart of town where the qualities of great brunch-style nosh, good vibes and affordable drinks cohesively intertwine, Oriole Coffee + Bar is where it’s at if you’re looking for a memorable night out with your pals.

If you’re planning to head down anytime soon, remember to take full advantage of their S$10 nett per pint Kronenbourg Blanc promotion as well as bring along a big group of friends to get your hands on some of those welcome drinks!

Oriole Coffee + Bar
96 Somerset Road, #01-01
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites (next to 313@Somerset)
Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset
G: @oriolecoffee
Website: www.oriole.com.sg

This post was brought to you by Oriole Coffee + Bar.

NY Night Market – Next-Level Korean-Western Fusion Food With 30cm Steak Frites

ladyironchef — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 01:00:13 +0000

More than just another Korean restaurant dishing out your typical Korean stews, fried chicken and soju, NY Night Market impresses with its unique, over-the-top renditions of popular Korean delicacies. No, this is far more than just another joint for you to drown out your post-Seoul vacation blues.

Hailing from Seoul, this restaurant brings to Singapore a taste of new-age, contemporary cuisine fusing the best of both Western and Korean influences. Imagine this: the vibrant cuisine of cosmopolitan New York City intermingling with the nuanced, hearty flavours of Korea. The result? A smorgasbord of mouthwatering delights that are just too decadent to handle—on your own at least. Nearly everything on the menu comes laden with melted cheese, cream or bacon which is never a bad idea—unless you’re dieting.

There are so many items to choose from, each with its own unique quirks and delicious appeal, but if we had to pick a favourite, we’d easily go for their M.A.C Feat Bacon (a twist on the classic mac & cheese) as well as their unique take on a Korean classic, Budaejjigae—a dish that sees a heaping mound of bulgogi beef and a jumbo pork sausage on top of the usual trimmings.

We hope you brought along your appetite because NY Night Market is anything but light, what you can expect is a full-on feast of next-level fusion food—one that perfectly fuses the best of Korean comfort food and New York City-style attitude.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

WATERFALL CHEESE SHRIMP

If you love the crunchy texture of fresh shrimp, as well as the idea of warm, savoury liquified cheese, doused over its sweet flesh then their Waterfall Cheese Shrimp (S$14.90++) will work up to be quite the treat.

The shrimps are first grilled along with a combination of herbs, vegetables and simple seasonings before being covered with a generous pour of melted cheese. The cheese sauce here is a combination of mozzarella and emmental—which is mildly sharp, buttery, slightly nutty but more importantly, stretchy enough to give you a satisfying cheese pull.

CREAM THE CURRY FEAT. TOPPOKI

A dish that packs serious heat and comes with a rather intimidating surprise is their Cream The Curry (S$14.90++). The dish arrives looking rather uninspiring at first, but not until a heaping mound of whipped cream is layered over it. Dig in through the layer of cloud-like cream to reveal a layer of chewy Korean rice cakes swimming in a lip-smacking red curry along with a handful of softened bell peppers.

Spicy, sweet and creamy all in one mouthful, this velvety smooth mammoth of a dish is given a sprinkling of curry powder as a finishing touch. Warm, savoury and oozing with a milky richness, this dish is one that really grows on you.

WATERFALL CHEESE STEAK

If you’ve never experienced a proper cheese raclette meal before, you haven’t missed out on much and we’re willing to go as far as to say that their Waterfall Cheese Steak (S$15.90++) is heaps better than the posh Swiss delicacy.

Certainly gimmicky, the dish sees chunks of sautéed beef on a hot plate loaded with sweet cherry tomatoes, broccoli coated in barbecue sauce before a cascade of cheese sauce is poured over top. Beyond the drama aspect of it, the dish was actually pretty good. The beef cubes were soft, tender and juicy and the cheese sauce complemented the sweet barbecue sauce well.

YOU’RE BACON ME HUNGRY

Korean sandwiches have been the fad as of late, but trust NY Night Market to do more than just serve up everyday sandwiches. Available from 8am to 6pm daily at NY Night Market’s 313 Somerset outlet only, tuck into a wide variety of sandwich options spanning the humble Bulgogi Babe (S$7.90++) to the bacon and cheese loaded You’re Bacon Me Hungry (S$7.90++).

More than your everyday bacon sandwich, their version is essentially a big breakfast compressed between two slices of toasted brioche, the contents of which see generous strips of fried bacon, scrambled eggs, hash brown, cheese, shredded cabbage, their house-made jam and tartar sauce. For lack of a better word, it was divine. It has everything you’d want in a sandwich from the fried, greasy components to the sweet, savoury and tangy profiles that make it incredibly addictive.

M.A.C FEAT BACON

What’s a cheese-forward menu without a section dedicated to the comfort food classic, Mac & Cheese? Here they have 3 varieties for you to choose from but we opted for the M.A.C feat Bacon (S$11.90++).

Enhanced with lashings of potato and bacon bits, the dish had a nice, smooth texture underscored by a rich, smoky and savoury flavour. Cheesy and all in all satisfying, this is one dish we wouldn’t mind stuffing ourselves with as we binge on Netflix.

BEEF LEEK PIZZA

The Beef Leek Pizza (S$15.90++) is a treat for meat lovers. Think thin slices of medium-rare steak neatly laid over a crispy tortilla sheet brushed generously with a sweet, luscious barbecue sauce with bits of savoury leeks scattered around. The result? A crispy, thin-crusted pizza oozing with sweet, smoky and beefy flavours, accompanied by a fragrant, umami hum from the sautéed leeks.

BUDAEJJIGAE

If you take a classic Korean army stew, load it up with a jumbo pork sausage that’s long enough to line the circumference of a round dish, bulgogi beef, melted cheese and possibly a pump of steroids as well, you might end up with something that’s a fraction of NY Night Market’s Budaejjigae (S$18.90++).

It is what it is—a heart attack in a pot—but for what it’s worth, it is essentially a pot brimming with both fried and stewed goodies, closely resembling a classic Korean army stew but double the satisfaction.

30CM STEAK FRITES

The crème de la crème of all of NY Night Markets steak offerings has got to be their colossal 30cm Steak Frites (S$22.90++). A feast for the eyes, what you get is a 30cm board that’s topped generously with grilled ribeye along with thick-cut fries and a medley of roasted vegetables.

ROSTI & BEEF

Made with finely shredded russets, the Rosti & Beef (S$11.90++) was crispy around the edges but pillowy soft in the middle. Topped with a dollop of sour cream, the sharp, creamy flavour of it did well to balance out the sweet, intensely meaty flavours of the bulgogi beef.

Although this dish is by no means American or Korean—it’s actually Swiss—we must admit that they were pretty spot-on with their own rendition of it.

PASTA DE DAK-GALBI

The Pasta Dak-Galbi (S$17.90++) is a whimsical, calorie-dense fusion dish comprising the likes of Korean dak galbi (spicy grilled chicken) and an assortment of vegetables with a heaping mound of spaghetti covered in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese. Not for the faint of heart, this pasta dish packs an intense fiery punch and you’ll likely be needing to gulp down a drink two bites in.

ALL-IN PLATTER

If you’re finding it hard to decide on a specific dish to order, why not order up a bit of everything to try? Provided you’re in a group with people who can seriously eat, order up the All-In (S$34.90++), a ginormous sharing platter comprising steak, shrimp, grilled pork, mac & cheese, bread rolls as well as an assortment of dipping sauces for you to choose from.

This really had us stuffed but if we’re talking about some of the best sharing platters we’ve ever had, this would easily come up among our top three. Every component was cooked perfectly, from the crunchy, lightly spiced skewered shrimps to the pink-hued medium-rare steaks.

From 21 March to 10 April 2019, our readers can quote “ladyironchef” to enjoy the following discounts at NY Night Market:

Get S$10 off with min S$50 spent
Get S$20 off with min S$100 spent
Get S$30 off with min S$150 spent

Terms & Conditions
- Applicable for dine-in only at NY Night Market 313 Somerset and Westgate
- Minimum spend must not include amount spent on 1-for-1 beer
- Minimum spend must be on a single bill
- Quote ‘ladyironchef’ or flash our website / Facebook /Instagram post to redeem the promotion.

NY Night Market (313@Somerset)
313 Orchard Road #01-29,
313@Somerset,
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6957 4620
Sun to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 1am
Nearest Station: Somerset

NY Night Market (Westgate)
3 Gateway Dr,
#01-08 Westgate,
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 6816 1018
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

This post was brought to you by NY Night Market.

10 Must-Try Dishes From The Marmalade Pantry’s New Flagship Store At Ion Orchard

ladyironchef — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:13:14 +0000

The foodie community wept when The Marmalade Pantry announced back in mid-2018 that it was closing it’s outlet at ION Orchard. A beloved high-tea spot in the heart of town, we fell in love with everything there from their charming ambience, innovative brunch dishes and a wide selection of artisanal teas and cakes.

Well, surprise, surprise, the home-grown bistro is set to return to its former premise on the 4th level of ION Orchard once again. This time, armed with a tasty arsenal of new dishes in addition to signature favourites such as their Spicy Crabmeat pasta and Sticky Date & Toffee Pudding. Looking forward to other new and exclusive to this outlet dishes like the stellar high-tea set and a trio of decadent desserts specially crafted by Masterchef Singapore’s runner-up, Chef Genevieve Lee as part of a collaboration that pays humble tribute local dishes and in support of local talent.

With a whopping total of more than 10 new and exclusive menu items and more, be wowed by the likes of their new Asian section, featuring the Kimchi Fried Rice, served with a gorgeously pink medium-rare strip loin and the Singapore Laksa, a homage to our beloved local dish but with the addition of slipper lobster. Looking to pamper yourself as you catch up with friends? Their Decadent Afternoon Tea Set comes with a variety of sweet and savoury confectionery delights and freshly brewed pots of tea by Monogram.

MARYLAND CRAB CAKES

The key to any good crab cake is using fresh lump crabmeat, leaving them slightly chunky and not overly shredded and to go light on the filler. Safe to say, the folks here nailed it perfectly. Their Maryland Crab Cakes (S$26++) focuses squarely on the crab, allowing each bite to be crispy and packed full of sweetness and natural flavours of crab.

The homemade tartar sauce served on the side was also spot on, not overly rich with a good amount of diced gherkins added to give the sauce a sufficient citrus kick to complement the crab cakes.

SPICY SRIRACHA CHICKEN BURGER

Delightful in both its flavour and texture, the Spicy Sriracha Chicken Burger (S$24++) assaults the several fronts. First, you get the crunch from the perfectly deep-fried spiced chicken patty before succulent juices come oozing out, followed by the tangy kick from the Sriracha mayo which nicely complements the rich notes of the blue cheese.

SINGAPORE LAKSA

Unlike many restaurants out there that try to tweak and reinvent local dishes to the point that it’s unrecognisable, the good folks here do well to retain the essence of what they aim to recreate. The broth of their Singapore Laksa (S$32++) is rich, spicy and exudes a bold seafood aroma and also features the likes of slipper lobster, quail eggs, tiger prawns for that luxe appeal.

KIMCHI FRIED RICE

A homage to the classic after-tipple comfort food, we were most thrilled to tuck into their new Kimchi Fried Rice (S$26++). On a bed of fried rice cooked with fresh kimchi, sits a nicely seared striploin steak, perfectly pink in the middle and golden brown from edge to edge. For umami, nori is garnished over the top and sous vide egg, served on the side for added richness.

Served flat on a griddle pan—similar to how a Spanish paella would be served—the bottom layer of the rice achieves an even crust, giving the dish a toasted flavour and a crunch as well.

SPICY CRABMEAT PASTA

Perhaps one of the best pasta dishes we’ve tried here to date, the Spicy Crabmeat Pasta (S$26++) impresses with its generosity with good quality crabmeat, perfectly cooked pasta and a flavourful, umami-dense sauce that binds everything together nicely.

The addition of pine nuts into the mix gives the dish a nutty, somewhat buttery flavour which does well to complement the sharp taste of the spicy tomato sauce.

BRICK-PRESSED CHICKEN

The method of cooking a chicken, skin-side down with a weighted object (in this case a brick) pressed down on it allows the skin to crisp up evenly. It also forces the meat to remain flat, ensuring that every morsel of meat cooks at the same pace.

We were beyond sold the moment we tasted their Brick Pressed Chicken (S$30++). Well-seasoned and crispy with a buttery herb flavour to underscore it, every bite was a joy. The dish comes served with roasted celeriac, potatoes and topped with truffle herb butter.

CURRY BARRAMUNDI

Beautifully robust with a heady aroma of warm spices which seemed to lean toward a tangier note—much like the classic South Indian fish head curry—, we couldn’t keep our forks to ourselves when it came down to their Curry Barramundi (S$28++).

Nestled atop a bed of Japanese rice and vegetables is a perfectly cooked barramundi fillet and served alongside the dish is the aromatic curry. An interesting choice of rice given that the dish is essentially Indian, the starchier Japanese short grain rice did well to hold on to the fish curry, providing an interesting texture along with a flavourful bite.

STICKY DATE & TOFFEE PUDDING

Whether you’re a sucker for sweets or not, one does not simply leave The Marmalade Pantry without ordering up their Sticky Date & Toffee Pudding (S$14++). The epitome of luxury, this dessert for champions features a steamed pudding studded with ripe dates and is surrounded by a generous pour of toffee sauce and a large scoop of Cold Stone Creamery’s vanilla ice cream.

Sweet, sticky and indulgent from start to finish, this is one dessert that begs to be enjoyed after your meal regardless of how stuffed you are.

A SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH MASTERCHEF SINGAPORE’S RUNNER-UP GENEVIEVE LEE

Exclusive to The Marmalade Pantry’s flagship at ION Orchard, be treated to a trio of decadence prepared by none other than Masterchef Singapore’s runner-up, Genevieve (Gen) Lee. Trained in culinary arts, the edge that Gen has is in her expansive knowledge of ingredients such as herbs and spices, of which she uses in her various cakes and desserts.

“Herbs are rarely used in desserts which is a shame because there is so much untapped potential there. I used thyme in my cake because it lends freshness to further lift the dessert.”, she explains.

A taste of home, her Reimagined Kaya Toast Dessert is a deconstructed kaya toast with varying elements such as a meringue that comprises toast from Ya Kun Kaya Toast, a custardy, slightly salty coconut sauce to resemble the butter element and a pistachio sponge that accurately replicates the toasted, nutty flavours of charred toast.

If you’re a sucker for anything containing blueberries, her The Blue Rhapsody Cake will surely impress. Infused with lemon and thyme, the cake takes on an aromatic and bright-tasting appeal, which is further elevated with a layer of blueberries followed by a lovely hazelnut crumble on top. Wrapped around the cake is a layer of cream cheese that she sweetens using honey instead of sugar.

A specialty and one that warrants a try if you’re a fan of the iconic Thai pushcart dessert is her Mango Sticky Rice named Sunset in a glass. Intricately prepared, the dessert features components such as a sorbet made using Thai mangoes, an assortment of crushed toasted nuts, a toasted meringue, sticky rice infused with coconut and diced cubes of super ripe Thai mangoes.

AFTERNOON TEA SET

Since the day it opened its doors, The Marmalade Pantry has impressed many with its stellar array of afternoon tea delights. Luxurious in both its food and tea offerings as well as its luxe interior, stopping by for high tea between 3pm to 6pm daily is highly recommended.

Treat yourselves to their High Tea Set (S$60++) that comfortably serves two. What you get is a double-tiered platter comprising a variety of sweet and savouries followed by 2 pots of freshly brewed tea by Mongram Tea (Available from 4 March 2019 onwards).

Enjoy these new creations at the flagship outlet and enjoy 15% off when you pay with Mastercard!

The Marmalade Pantry
#04-11a, ION Orchard,
2 Orchard Turn,
Singapore 238801
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post was brought to you by The Marmalade Pantry.