Miyagawa Honten—125-year-old Unagi Speciality Restaurant—is opening its first-ever overseas outlet in Singapore.

With the arrival of so many international brands in Singapore this past couple of months, it has been a challenge to keep track but one, in particular, that has got us stoked out of our minds is the renowed unagi speciality restaurant, Miyagawa Honten.

For those who are unfamiliar, Miyagawa Honten is one of Tokyo’s most well-known unagi restaurants, with a history that spans 125 years. Its first outlet was Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten back in 1894, and it has since grown from strength to strength, now operating 20 outlets in Japan alone!

The restaurant’s very first foray out of Japan and the very first one out of Japan will be known as Ichinoji Miyagawa and we are all ecstatic to get our hands—or rather our tastebuds—on their speciality eel that boasts a unique, thick and somewhat spicy sauce—very different from the usual unagi dishes that we are familiar with.

The 34-seater restaurant located at Riverside View, Robertson Quay will serve unagi in three of its signature styles: hitsumabushi, seiro mushi and donburi.

Hitsumabushi is a traditional Nagoya’s style of cooking freshwater eel that involves slitting the eel open along the belly and grilling it whole without steaming beforehand. This style of preparing freshwater eel can be enjoyed on its own or with dashi, nori, wasabi and green onion.

For those who are wish to experience and savour the natural flavours of grilled unagi at its purest should definitely opt for the donburi option that features clean flavours and neutrally-flavoured accompaniments to really bring out the taste of the fish.

Photos credit: Miyagawa Honten

Ichinoji Miyagawa Singapore has yet to announce its official opening date. Watch this space as we bring you the latest news about its opening in Singapore.

Ichinoji Miyagawa Singapore
01-05 Riverside View
Robertson Quay Singapore 238251
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Bringing the best of both Eastern and Western Mediterranean cuisine in a summer beach setting right smack in the city might sound a little far-fetched, but Summerlong at Robertson Quay has done just that.

The open kitchen, helmed by Chef Justin Hammond of Neon Pigeon, serves up a mix of snacks and mains that include their Lemon & Garlic hummus with Lebanese Minced Lamb and their stellar Chargrilled Octopus, Parsnip, Garlic, Honey dish which diners constantly rave about.

With its decorative influences stemming from the beaches of the Mediterranean, Summerlong perfectly encapsulates a summer seaside vibe, giving diners the experience of those long summer days and cool vibrant nights.

This cosy restaurant features an eclectic mix of cooking styles and dishes from the Mediterranean, so what you get is a whole myriad of fresh, bold and differing flavour profiles, all intermingling and interchanging to create dishes that will really interest and excite.

A good starter to consider is their Braised Lamb Shank In Pastry, Grilled Apricots, Spiced Lentils.

This unassuming snack might strike the common eye as nothing more than an overpriced spring roll, but upon taking that first bite, what you will experience is something a lot more impressive.

Tender melt-in-your-mouth lamb shank that has clearly had hours of braising is stuffed into a crispy pastry. But aromatic and tasty as it was, what really made this dish tick was the grilled apricots which provided a sweet caramel contrast to the robust lamb.

Without a second thought, we would most certainly say that their Chargrilled Octopus, Parsnip, Garlic, Honey simply was our ultimate favourite because the balance between flavours and textures were struck beautifully.

The honey-glazed octopus was grilled to perfection, exuding a deep smokiness and a perfectly caramelised exterior. The parsnips were tender and sweet, which played off the brininess of the chargrilled octopus really well, but the addition of pickled onions was what rounded this dish off for us—it provided the perfect amount of tartness to cut through the rich vibrant flavours.

Where #foodporn is concerned, none other can beat the sheer rustic beauty of the Smoked Pork Ribs, Pomegranate Glaze, Dukkah Crust. Summerlong took it to a whole new level by injecting influences from Egypt with their Dukkah Crust, which consists of a mixture of herbs, nuts, and spices—giving it a nice colourful crust and subtle herbaceous notes.

The Smoked Pork Ribs, Pomegranate Glaze, Dukkah Crust is truly a work of art—both aesthetically and flavour-wise. The pork ribs hold perfectly intact but once you bite into them you would realise just how soft and pull-apart-tender they are.

Their soft serve yoghurt comes in two flavours—original and chocolate—and includes a myriad of toppings ranging from chocolate to candy and even healthier alternatives like granola and fruit. A perfect way to end any meal, this dessert is both luscious and luxurious but the beauty is in creating your own decadent masterpiece yourself.

Summerlong
60 Robertson Quay #01-04,
Singapore 238252
Tel: +65 6235 1225
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12am
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

If the words, USDA Black Angus Beef, dry-aged and tender are among your top few trigger words then great news for all you steak and meat aficionados, because Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is opening its first outlet in Singapore!

Making its debut on 14 October 2017, this New York institution will open its doors at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is famed for serving tender cuts of prime USDA Black Angus beef, which are dry-aged for about a month in their in-house proprietary ageing room and cooked using traditional methods.

Photo Credit: Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

The original Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in New York was started by father-son duo, Wolfgang and Peter Zwiener in 2004. Wolfgang had over four decades of experience at the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn.

Photo Credit: Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

All steaks, from the rib-eye to the filet mignon, arrive piping hot with a caramelised crust on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth tender meat on the inside.

The restaurant offers lunch, happy hour and dinner daily, but stay tuned for the launch of their new weekend brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays—14 October needs to arrive sooner because our bellies can barely contain the excitement!

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
1 Nanson Rd
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 2nd Floor
Singapore 238909
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Brizo Restaurant & Bar at Park Hotel Clarke Quay has always been loved for their seafood buffet, with rotating themes every quarter so there will always be something to look forward to. Its latest theme is ‘Ahoy! It’s Seafood Night!’, and this free-flow feast features over 20 types of seafood, several hot live stations and a mouthwatering selection of desserts that will give you the bang for your buck.

Customers get to dig into unlimited portions of premium seafood dishes such as the famous Singapore Chilli Crab, Mediterranean seafood paella, freshly shucked French oysters and more delicacies.

Priced at S$65++ per adult, the amount one pays is considered a steal when compared to many other seafood buffets in Singapore. You get unparalleled variety for what you pay! Children under six years old dines for free. ‘Ahoy! It’s Seafood Night!’ buffet is available till 27 December 2015 from every Thursday to Sunday night.

Readers of ladyironchef can enjoy 25% discount off ‘Ahoy! It’s Seafood Night!’ buffet by quoting “ladyironchef” when making reservations and paying the bill.

A dinner at Brizo Restaurant & Bar in Park Hotel Clarke Quay features an exhaustive variety of sea creatures prepared in many variations that will spoil you rotten; it is indeed a gastronomic paradise for all who are obsessed with seafood.

Here’s an additional fun fact: Brizo is named after an ancient Greek Goddess who was known as the protector of the men out at sea.

Brizo Restaurant & Bar’s enticing range of cold seafood appetizers displayed at the bar top counter will have you doing a double take on the freshest catches. Yes, your eyes are not tricking you – you can indeed help yourselves to endless servings of Australian Slipper Lobsters, Canadian Green Welks, Chilean Scallops, freshly shucked French Oysters, Salmon Ceviche with Avocado Tuna Tataki etc and the list goes on.

Trust us, to start your weekend with a seafood feast at Brizo with your loved ones is quite an option you will not regret.

While most items are on a weekly rotational basis, Brizo’s star dish for the buffet – Lobster in a Pan – will be made available daily.

Lobster in a Pan – that was the star of the night. The sizzling pan includes a succulent Maine lobster, piping hot black mussels, fresh clams, tasty corn, gourmet sausages and juicy tiger prawns dunked into a Mediterranean sauce of your choice (either Garlic Cream or Cioppino).

Each table (with a minimum of two adults) is entitled to one pan of Lobster in a Pan.

So, as we were saying, there are 20 over seafood items to savour. The showcased dishes are an interesting mix of Mediterranean regional seafood delights, and sometimes, a local delight or two will surprise you.

Some rotational dishes to expect are Black Mussel & Clam in White Sauce with Fresh Herbs, Pasta Fusilli Crabmeat Au Gratin, Mediterranean Grilled Sea Bream in Paprika, Rosemary & Garlic, Spanish Seafood Paella, Provencal Seafood Stew and more.

One cannot miss out on Brizo’s notably spicier rendition of the Singapore Chilli Crab paired with deep-fried man tous for dipping. Quite unlike your usual sweet chilli crab, Brizo does it with more oomph with its homemade special chilli paste. Being Singaporeans who love our chilli, we fell in love with this rendition.

There are also Black Pepper Crabs and Salted Egg Yolk Crabs available for your insatiable crab cravings. Other seafood dishes that exude Southeast Asian flavours include the Kam Heong Tiger Prawns, Wok-Fried Lala in Chinese Wine and Wok-Fried Tiger Prawn with Butter & Curry Leaf that will have you exclaiming “shiok”. Diet can wait, yes?

Over at Brizo, guests also get to indulge in fresh-off-the-grill barbecued seafood without going through the hassle of preparing charcoal and setting up a fire in the sweltering heat. The chefs do it all for you, and you just have to pick what you like.

We particularly love the Squid with Sambal Chilli, Mackerel Fish Fillet wrapped in aluminium foil and Tiger Prawns marinated in Cajun Spices. These BBQ dishes have been grilled to perfection and emitted irresistible woodsy smoky flavours that had us savouring every bit of it!

Other cooked seafood dishes such as lip-smacking Baked Crab in Shells and toothsome Deep-Fried Battered Prawns are also present at the live kitchens. Don’t be shy, go on and pile your plates with seconds!

Seafood aside, spacious Brizo Restaurant & Bar also has a pasta live station where you can luxuriate over lukewarm pastas in three different tantalising sauces, namely Aglio e Olio, Carbonara and Neapolitan. Pair these hearty Italian classics with the New England Clam Chowder or customise a salad for yourself at the standing salad bar.

We are not forgetting desserts to complete the seafood fiesta. The Durian Pengat is brilliantly rich – real durian flesh has been sweetened with other condiments and served in shot glasses. And yes, we unabashedly helped ourselves to multiple servings of this.

Have a go at the Chocolate Fondue Fountain or grab a handful of bite-size miniature cakes to satisfy the hopeless sweet tooth. Old-school potong ice-cream, mini Cornetto and mini Magnum are also available free flow. Sinful, but whatever.

At just S$65++ per pax, you can devour infinite portions of all the featured delicious items above. For the amount of topnotch seafood you are entitled to, we reckon that the price you are paying is actually very justified. This seafood themed buffet is only available till 27 December 2015 and only ongoing on Thursdays to Sundays. Be it an anniversary dinner or a weekend family meal, Brizo Restaurant & Bar is honestly suitable for any occasion.

Ahoy! It’s Seafood Night Buffet
1 October 2015 to 27 December 2015
Thu to Sun: 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Adult: S$65++ per pax
Children aged 6 to 12: S$32++ per pax
Children aged 6 and below: Free

Brizo Restaurant & Bar
Park Hotel Clarke Quay, Level 1
1 Unity Street, Singapore 237983
Reservations: +65 6593 8855 or email brizo.phcq@parkhotelgroup.com
www.parkhotelgroup.com/clarkequay
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay/ Dhoby Ghaut

This post is brought to you by Park Hotel Clarke Quay.

From the people behind Lucha Loco, Super Loco is an upbeat Mexican restaurant along Robertson Quay that boasts Mexican vibes; it will enchant you to no end. The specially curated menu features Mexican street finds, power packed with delicious flavours that would be an absolute delight to your tastebuds.

The restaurant follows the colour theme of pastels and neon – inspired by the owner’s travels in the city of Mexico – and that adds to the fun of dining by the river walk.

With a menu full of Mexican delights and alcohol, be ready for a unique dining experience as you sip on some of their signature alcoholic concoctions while enjoying a dish or two from their dinner menu.

Since last year, Super Loco introduced a series of Mexican brunch items available on weekends. A striking contrast from the usual run-of-the-mill breakfast staples, these wondrous creations are usually found on the streets of Mexico, then gradually being served in cafes, and now, brought here to Singapore and onto your brunch plates.

A takeaway counter is also set up at the shopfront, and at night, they sell Mexican tacos, beers and soft serve for the supper fanatics. Merchandises specially imported from Mexico are also aplenty.

Fancy a Mexican Sandwich also known as a Torta? Then have a go at Super Loco’s Pulled Pork Torta (S$15) with shredded slow braised pork shoulders, habanero mayo, refried beans and topped off with an apply slaw – a medley of robust elements perfect for a hearty brunch on a weekend.

Super Loco
60 Robertson Quay, #01-13 The Quayside
Singapore 238252
Tel: +65 6235 8900
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat: 10am – 3:30pm, 5pm – 1am
Sun: 10am – 3:30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Clark Quay

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.

Aburiya is a common name that I have always heard from friends when we talk about Japanese BBQ restaurant. Though I am a frequent diner of the restaurants at Robertson Quay, I only found myself stepping in to Aburiya some time recently. And after my dinner, I can understand why Aburiya has its steady flow of customers nightly.

The ala carte menu offers plenty of choices for beef, pork, lamb, chicken, vegetables and seafood, but we recommend opting for the sets – the signature beef set (S$80) comes with an assortment of beef such as prime short rib, tenderloin and skirt; the seafood set (S$75) with prawns, scallops and squid; and the premium wagyu set (S$120) which offers beef tongue, cube-cut steak, skirt and prime short rib.

We started with the Wagyu Jo Karubi (S$21.90). The wagyu prime short rib was good but not life-changing. Next up was the Tan Negi (S$8.90) – beef tongue with Japanese leek – which was gone within minutes. Another of our favourite was the Kurobuta Karuni (S$10.90). We ordered two portions of the pork belly in shio and hot miso sauce. We preferred the latter – the hot miso sauce was spicy and tangy, and it complemented the pork belly very well. We also had the Beef Tenderloin (S$14.90) with taro sauce, Garlic Pork Sausage (S$7.90) and Wagyu Ribeye (S$29.90). While nothing was deliciously arresting, all the meat were well-marinated, tasty and satisfying.

In a nutshell, Aburiya is one of the better Japanese BBQ restaurants in Singapore. It is the kind of place to go for a fun night out with a group of friends to pig out.

Aburiya Yakiniku
#01-03 The Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
Tel: +65 6735 4862
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 11.30pm
Sun & PH: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

For more recommendations, read our guide on Japanese Restaurants in Singapore

If you are like me, always craving for Japanese food, you need to make a trip down to Shunjuu Izakaya – a restaurant that is known for its sumiyaki (Japanese charcoal grill).

It is easy to walk past Shunjuu Izakaya, located along in Robertson Quay, an area packed with good restaurants and eateries. But once you have been there, chances are, you will be a regular.

Shunjuu Izakaya is rather similar to Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar – another of my favourite Japanese Izakaya – and though the charcoal grill menu is not as comprehensive, it offers other choices like sashimi, fried food, rice and noodles.

Most of the items at Shunjuu Izakaya are reasonably priced, and in addition, it has value for money set lunches. You can get the sashimi set for $22, while the chicken teriyaki rice bowl goes for $23. Other options include tempura udon ($19) and oyako don ($16).

When we were there for lunch, we had the gindara don ($23) and grilled chicken skewers set ($19) – consisting of chicken fillet stuffed with plum and basil, chicken meat balls, chicken wing, and chicken with leek – from the set lunch menu. Besides that, we also ordered a portion of salmon sashimi ($17) from the ala carte menu. Everything was done to a high standard, and we thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Shunjuu Izakaya is a place that I can see myself coming back. Don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

Shunjuu Izakaya
30 Robertson Quay
#01-15 Riverside View, Singapore
Tel: +65 6887 3577
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm

Note: Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar is now closed.

Many indie cafes have been making a name for themselves in the local scene, and I think it is a good thing because more and more people are starting to appreciate coffee.

Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar at Robertson Quay is one of those that has been gaining loyal followers for serving good coffee. If you are going on a cafe hopping adventure, you should definitely include it in your list.

As the cafe has a small kitchen space, it does not have many options on the food menu – with just a few paninis and a small selection of cakes on display. But that’s perfectly fine because Smitten is more of a place where you go for a cup of good coffee; to chill out and learn more about coffee and tea; or if you want a quiet spot to read a book and do some work.

Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar has quickly become one of my favourite hangout places whenever I am at Robertson Quay. Do drop by for a cup of coffee when you are in the area.

Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar
60 Robertson Quay
#01-11 The Quayside, Singapore
Tel: +65 9876 2347
Mon–Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri: 10am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

If you are interested in coffee, read the Beginners Guide to Coffee here

Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar is a Shochu speciality izakaya at The Gallery Hotel that is known for serving yummy charcoal-grill skewers.

If you are searching for a great after work spot for food and drinks with friends, check out Satsuma at Robertson Quay. It is certainly a place I can see myself frequently whenever I feel like having Japanese food.

The menu is huge – you can get anything from the typical pork belly ($5), chicken wing ($7) and chicken liver ($4), to stuff like quail eggs ($4), silver cod ($15) and lamb chop (19). We did a quick count, and there are more than sixty items under the charcoal-grill section.

On top of that, Satsuma also has other categories like cold dishes – salmon and avocado tartare ($20), tofu salad with Japanese dressing (12); hot dishes – dried puffer fish ($16), ox tongue stew ($12), octopus with garlic butter ($20); sashimi – salmon ($17), assorted raw fish platter ($49); and deep fried items – mozarella cheese with sauce ($12), and soft shell crab ($12).

During lunch, it has several good value sets that are mostly priced under $20. We shared a mixed grilled rice set ($22) which came with five skewers: mushroom, unagi, meatball, chicken with leek, asparagus roll with pork. In addition, we also had two sticks of cheese rolled with pork ($5), and ox tongue ($9). Everything was good, but in particular, I loved the unagi and ox tongue.

Satsuma at Robertson Quay is known to be very popular at night, so imagine our surprise when we went there during lunch and it turned out that we were the only customers in the restaurant.

If you like charcoal-grilled skewers, Satsuma is definitely the place to go. And of course, given that it is a Shochu speciality restaurant, you cannot leave without having a glass of the popular alcoholic beverage.

Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar
1 Nanson Road
#01-10/#02-10 The Gallery Hotel
Tel: +65 6235 3565
Weekdays: 12pm – 2.30pm
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri to Sat: 6pm – 1am

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Note: Foodbar Dada at Robertson Quay has closed and they are currently relocating to a new location.

In Singapore, a city full of amazing restaurants, it really takes something outstanding to make me sit up and take notice. I am just going to say this once: visit Foodbar Dada – a Spanish tapas bar at Robertson Quay – before it gets too popular. Make a booking, and go there soon.

If you are into Spanish tapas, I can safely say that this is one place you must try.

During my first visit two months back, the crowd was quite a sight. By coincidence, there was a restaurant owner, executive chef from a restaurant group, and Singapore’s top food critic from Straits Times, dining in the same time. It was completely unplanned, and felt like a mini reunion for everyone.

The bar itself is small, with 20 seats along a narrow counter. Upon stepping inside, I fell in love with the place, and I knew immediately tat it was going to do very well. It was a multi-sensory experience for me: the music, the people, the vibe, the smell, the clanking of cast-iron pans, the heat from the Josper grill…

We started with the Iberican secret ($16) which came highly recommended and the sous vide pork was superb! It was tender, fat, and very juicy.

During my visit to Barcelona last year, I felt let down that most of the squid ink paellas that we tried were mediocre. So I took a cautious approach when facing Foodbar Dada’s black mediterranean rice ($8). After trying it, I dare say it was better than most of the ones that I’ve had before. The rice was flavourful and cooked to the right doneness of what you would expect from a good paella.

I wasn’t very keen to try the watermelon gazpacho ($12) as I was not a fan of cold soup, until Foodbar Dada’s rendition changed that. It was light, and very refreshing. That said, I would probably order this just once as there are too many items on the menu to choose from.

The best dish of the night – and something I would return to Foodbar Dada again and again – is the Josper mini squid ($18) cooked with olive oil, salt, pepper, and egg. It was simple, but so so good. Definitely a dish that you must order!

We decided to push our luck and go for the potato bravas ($6). Here, it was done slightly refined, with four cubes of potatoes on a nice elongated plate. It was very from the usual potato bravas, but I have to give credit to the chefs for the presentation.

On the second visit, we had the same baby squid and black squid ink rice, and I am happy to say that the quality of both dishes were still very good.

I was disappointed to see that they removed salmon from the menu, as I remembered it to be nicely-seared, and paired with heavenly sweet grapes and a well-balanced sauce.

In place of it was the grilled seabass ($18), which my dining companion noted that the chef managed to maintain the integrity of the fish by not over-complicating it. I thought it was decent, but nothing to write home about.

Josper razor clams ($18) – with diced tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and lime – while good, was slightly overcooked, and it paled in comparison to the signature baby squid.

We also had the cod puffs ($12) – a new special item on the menu – which is essentially a savoury puff pastry filled with cod bits.

Next up was the 150g Josper steak ($30), accompanied by red pepper, pumpkin, and peas. Again, a piece of good meat seasoned well with sea salt, and prepared to a high level in the Josper grill.

For desserts, we were puzzled that the souffle ($12) did not rise as much as it should, and it had a molten chocolate-y centre. It was more like a chocolate lava cake than souffle. Not that we were complaining, it was a sweet ending for our wonderful meal.

The food at Foodbar Dada is not rocket-science. They use fresh produce, well-seasoned with good quality olive oil, maldon sea salt, and expertly-cooked in Josper grill. If budget is a consideration, prices here are significantly lower than the other top Spanish tapas restaurants in Singapore.

It might seem that I raved too much about Foodbar Dada, and the last thing I want to do is to set your expectations too high. But trust me on this, Foodbar Dada is worth a visit.

I’d go so far as to say it is one of the best new restaurants to open in Singapore this year. See you there!

Foodbar Dada
60 Robertson Quay
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 7738
Tue to Sat: 6pm – 11pm
Reservations are required.

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

Note: All Good Things is no longer in operation.

All Good Things – a terrific tiny cake shop on Rodyk Street Robertson Quay, serves a selection of gluten free cakes. It is a good place to stop by to grab a coffee and a slice of cake when in the vicinity.

Everything is kept to a minimum – basic packaging, simple interior, and plain furniture – as they believe in focusing on baking cakes.

I like All Good Things because it is a very simple and uncomplicated place. In a world where everyone tries very hard to be cool and hip, All Good Things is the complete opposite; they don’t try too hard, and they are passionate about what they are doing.

Walking into the cake shop, you would be tempted by the souffle cheesecake ($6.50), or raspberry yogurt coconut cake ($6.50). Another dessert that you must try is the zucchini and coconut cake, which goes perfectly well with a cup of coffee. A simpler, though no less satisfying offering is their signature flourless chocolate cake. Other options include: tiger bundt cake, marble cake with chocolate ganache, carrot cake and lemon almond cake.

All Good Things
7 Rodyk Street
#01-30 The Watermark @ Robertson Quay
Tel: +65 6238 1086

Tue to Thu: 12.30pm – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 12.30pm – 9.30pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 8pm
(Closed on Mon)

For more recommendation, read my list of best dessert places in Singapore

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Robertson Quay is my favourite dining area in Singapore – in fact, I go there almost every week. One of the places that I went to a while back is Toby’s Estate, a renowned coffee chain from Australia.

I first learnt about Toby’s Estate through some friends. They were raving about the coffee, even to the extent of proclaiming it as one of the best coffee joints in town. When I was meeting Beatrice and Velda for brunch, I suggested going to Toby’s Estate, and while the food did not blow us away, the coffee was excellent, and the company was even better.

For those who like to sit in the al fresco area, Toby’s Estate has a few table outside where you can have a cup of coffee facing the river. Otherwise, there’s always indoor seating, but the large communal table in the middle means that it is probably not a place that you would like to linger, especially if you are in a big group.

Most of the items on the food menu were priced below $20, and we shared a mac & cheese, big breakfast, eggs benedict, and prosciutto panini. They were decent, but not fantastic – meaning I would not come here specifically just for the food.

I will be honest: Toby’s Estate is not one of my favourite brunch spots. However, it has very good coffee – in fact I have been here a few times for my caffeine fix – and if you are working or living in the area, I am sure that it will become your new to-go coffee place.

Toby’s Estate
8 Rodyk Street
#01-03/04 Singapore
Tel: +65 6636 7629
Daily: 7.30am – 6pm

For more recommendations, read my list of best cafes in Singapore

Words by Alexa Michelle, photos by ladyironchef

Living in Singapore made me realize that Italian cuisine is one of the cuisines most of us are adapted to eating here. When asked what kind of cuisine I was craving for, apart from Japanese food being my most favourite, the other next thing that came to my mind was Italian food.

Located at The Quayside, Robertson Quay, da Mario Pizzeria was the Italian restaurant we were up for that night. The dining space was of a cosy ambience, alfresco style, recommended for group dining up till 4 pax.

The menu is mainly divided into categories like pizza ($17-20), pasta ($18-30), and dessert ($5-10). The mid-range Italian restaurant is definitely a place that I can see myself returning over and over again.

The tip to ordering (if you’re not on a date) is to select a few dishes for sharing. We ordered 2 pastas – the Cappellini Regina and Fettucine al Salmone, and one Marinara pizza.

The Cappelini Regina ($24) is made up of angel hair pasta with crabmeat, artichoke, button mushroom and is accompanied with extra virgin olive oil in white wine sauce. I would highly recommend this pasta for all angel hair lovers as the sweetness of the crabmeat mixed in olive oil came out really strong.

The Fettucine Al Salmone ($20) comes in tomato cream sauce and smoked salmon. The tomato cream sauce and the taste of smoked salmon balanced out on the overall dish, making the pasta really creamy and smoky tasting. For the cream pasta lovers, this would be a choice on the menu to try.

As for the Marinara pizza ($20) it came in 8 slices, a good serving for about 2-3 persons. The Marinara is a seafood pizza that comes with tomato-based sauce, squids, prawns and scallops. On my first bite, the tomato sauce gave the pizza a unique sour taste along with the mixture of seafood to chew on. After which, it will leave you wanting another slice of the pizza. By the end of the meal, I was pretty stuffed but contented.

da Mario Pizzeria at Robertson Quay is definitely a place good for a small group dinner out, with the menu reasonably priced considering the standards of its food.

da Mario Pizzeria Ristorante
60 Robertson Quay
#01-05/06 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6235 7623
Tue to Sun: 12noon – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm

About the writer:
In her free time, Alexa likes to visit museum exhibitions, reading or lying on the beach. Apart from having a sweet tooth, on selective food items of course, she also enjoys lounging to the beat of good tunes. Tempt her with tea and cakes if you could, weak spots do it right all the time. To read more of Alexa’s writings, please visit Pixiekrane.

Note: Graze is now closed.

One of the good things about living in Singapore is that there are so many restaurants around. Even though I eat out quite often, it is still impossible for me to try all of them.

The new Graze at 38 Martin Road (sister to the original Graze at Rochester Park) is a relatively new restaurant, and I’ve been wanting to go there since my visit to KHA next door.

Graze is actually quite close to my ideal restaurant. It is classy, elegant, sexy, romantic, and modern. It’s the kind of place where you can go for a business luncheon, a romantic date, a laid-back weekend brunch, and even a private party.

There are some restaurants that offer a huge variety of options, but they mostly end up serving mediocre food. I like the fact that Graze kept it simple; there are only a few dishes under each section of the menu.

We started with a salad and Sumac Seared Scallops ($19). They were enough to keep us occupied while waiting for the mains to come.

Graze is known for their grilled items. Go for the 240g Wagyu Rump Steak ($64), or even better, the 1kg Black 250 day grain-fed Angus Rib ($128) if you are feeling hungry. Otherwise, the other main courses like the signature Pan-Seared Barramundi ($34) and Oven-Baked Sea Bass ($32) are worth a try too.

I was actually eyeing the Wagyu Rump Steak, but ended up getting the Jumbo Tiger Prawns ($34) as my dining companion was craving for seafood. Luckily, it turned out to be quite good. The prawns were juicy and meaty, and the skinny frites were equally addictive.

“How are we supposed to finish this?” I thought to myself, as this humongous monster arrived on the table. We watched as the butter slowly melt on top of the 300g Victorian Berkshire Kurobuta Pork Chop ($45).

I lurveee the roast vine-ripened cherry tomatoes that came along as a side. They were extremely sweet, and when I bit into them, they shot a gallon of juice into my mouth. Kurobuta pork with vine-ripened tomatoes? I think I’m in love.

The two of us shared four desserts: Pina Colada ($14) – coconut parfait with crispy wafer; Apple Tarte Tatin ($13) – served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream; Black and White ($15) – Valrhona dark chocolate cream paired with vanilla bean ice cream; and Steamed Dark Chocolate Pudding ($15) – somewhat like a pudding version of Chocolate Lava Cake.

Among them, my favourite was definitely the Apple Tarte Tatin ($13). Every bite was better than the previous one, and before we knew it, we’d pretty much scraped the plate clean.

Graze at Martin Road (near Robertson Quay) is one of those places that I’d classify as semi fine dining: you pay fine dining prices to eat decent food in a slightly casual (and cosy) environment. As much as I like the ambience of the place, the price is not exactly affordable; I’ll most likely go back for dinner during a special occasion, but I definitely want to try their brunch on weekends.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Graze restaurant
38 Martin Road
Tel: +65 6509 1680

Lunch: Tue to Fri 12pm – 3pm
Dinner: Tue to Sat 6pm – 11pm
Brunch: Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm

Note: This was an invited media tasting.

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Updated on 23 Apr 2014: The restaurant is no longer in operations. 

I have a love-hate relationship with brunch. I really like the idea of sleeping in during weekends and waking up late for brunch. But sometimes, I can’t help but feel that we are short-changing ourselves by only eating brunch, instead of having breakfast AND lunch.

Luckily, there are certain things in life that can get you out of bed on a weekend morning, and one of them is attending your good friend’s birthday breakfast (though I think birthday brunch sounds nicer than breakfast).

Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Walk features comfort food like burgers, pastas, truffle fries and breakfast. Even though I go to Robertson Quay quite often, I’ve never seen the restaurant before. It is the perfect place for a quiet dinner with your date.

On Hummerstons’s menu, there are favourites like the Poutine ($11), Hummerstons Burger ($25), Smoked Duck Quesadilla ($27) and Beef & Bacon Bolognese ($19); and sweets like Blackforest Gateau ($11), and Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11).

For brunch on weekends, there are plenty of eggs dishes like The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22), Eggs Benedict ($16), and Steak & Eggs ($28).

The nine of us ordered almost everything on the brunch menu. The food arrived after a while, and I started with my Hummerstons Pancakes ($14) with maple syrup, whipped butter and fruit compote. The pancakes were dense and heavy, not exactly my type, but it was good enough for a lazy Sunday brunch.

My friends thoroughly enjoyed the Mushroom Garlic Confit ($23) which came with truffle roasted mushroom, but it was a little too dry for my liking.

Another interesting choice on the brunch menu was the Breakfast Tostada: grilled smoked pork and garlic sausage, served with asparagus, scrambled eggs and crispy corn torilla.

I also couldn’t take my eyes off the steak with Eggs ($28). I don’t know about you, but there’s something appealing about having a steak for brunch. It was like screaming “EAT ME”.

The other items that we had include: Eggs Gloria – toasted bread and eggs, spinach and mushrooms – nothing spectacular given the price tag; and The Hummerstons Breakfast ($22) – eggs, bacon, smoked pork and garlic sausage, mushroom, roasted tomato, toast and homefries – everything you need for breakfast.

And what’s brunch without Eggs Benedict ($16)?

My friend Jalean at I-S magazine named the Hummerstons’s Roasted Pumpkin Cheesecake ($10.9) as one of the fifty things to eat in Singapore before you die. After trying it, I have to agree that it’s very good, although not quite one of the must-eats in Singapore.

The Berry Bread and Butter Pudding ($10.5), on the other hand, was mediocre. We should have gone for the Flourless Chilli Chocolate Torte ($9) or the Orange & Thyme Creme Brulee ($11) instead!

I like Hummerstons restaurant at Robertson Quay. I think it has great potential; the food is competent, and reasonably priced.

Moreover, it is tucked in a quiet corner on the second level of Robertson Walk (directly facing TCC). Not many people know about it yet, at least that’s what I hope. Reservations are recommended, especially if you are going for brunch.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Hummerstons Restaurant
11 Unity Street
#02-14 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6737 8863
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 4pm (Lunch)
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 12am (Dinner)
Sat, Sun & PH: 10am – 4pm (Brunch)

For more recommendations, read my Guide to Robertson Quay Restaurants

I’ve walked past Sugisawa Japanese restaurant many times but somehow, I’ve never noticed it. On the outside, the Japanese restaurant at Robertson Quay looks very plain, which explains why I don’t remember seeing it before.

Ju suggested going there after reading raved reviews about the food. We had lunch there last week and we left the place very satisfied. I’d definitely recommend Sugisawa Japanese restaurant for good Japanese bento sets at affordable prices.

The menu has a good selection of Japanese food ranging from affordable bento sets ($15-22), good quality sushi ($15-25), and fresh sashimi ($13-40).

We shared the Sashimi moriawase ($25) which comprises an assortment of fresh sashimi. It was excellent value for the quality of the sashimi.

I was tempted by the Yakiniku bento ($15) and Ebi Fry bento ($16), but eventually I decided to stick with the Tonkatsu bento ($15).

The tonkatsu was fairly decent, not like those that you can get from tonkatsu speciality restaurants, but still good enough for me to satisfy my craving.

The Tempura bento ($18) that Ju had took our breath away when it arrived at the table. Not only do they look good, they taste great too!

Sugisawa Japanese Restaurant at Robertson Quay has very good value for money bento sets. Like other Japanese restaurants, the bento set is inclusive of rice and miso soup. But what makes Sugisawa different from the rest is that the portions are really generous and they even come with sashimi.

One thing to note, though. The service isn’t exactly friendly, and depending on how you see things, it can be quite intimidating. That said, Sugisawa is one of my new favourite Japanese restaurants. I’m not sure about you, but there’s just something about Japanese food that makes me happy.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Sugisawa Japanese Restaurant
30 Robertson Quay
#01-16 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6235 0212
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm; 6pm – 10pm

For more recommendations, read my list of best Japanese restaurants in Singapore

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While Robertson Quay may not get as much recognition as Clarke Quay or Boat Quay, there are many good restaurants, cafes and shops in the neighbourhood that are worth mentioning. Here is a guide to restaurants in Robertson Quay.

Aburiya

Craving for Japanese BBQ after reading my post on Gyu-Kaku restaurant? Aburiya at The Quayside is one of the Yakiniku places in Singapore that is worth checking out. Read: Wagyu beef heaven. What are you waiting for?

60 Robertson Quay
#01-03 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6735 4862

Bar Bar Black Sheep

Bar Bar Black Sheep (bbbs) is one of those places that you would find it hard to categorise. Is it an upmarket coffee shop? Or is it a cafe-bar with al fresco (read: no air conditioning) dining? It doesn’t really matter. Expatriates love the place.

If you have not been there before, the cafe-bar (or whatever you want to call it) houses three different stalls that serve Thai, Western and North Indian cuisine – helmed by independent chefs. And of course, there’s a bar where you can get some drinks like a nice cocktail or beer.

86 Robertson Quay
#01-04 Robertson Blue
Tel: +65 6836 9255

Bacchus Bistro & Bar

Another place that I find it hard to categorise is Bacchus Bistro & Bar. The menu is quite diversified and you can get things like Chicken Schnitzel, Pork Knuckle, Japanese Salmon Steak, UK Fish & Chips, Pasta and Pizza. Is it a German restaurant or a German wine cellar that offers fusion food?

86 Robertson Quay
#01-01 Robertson Blue
Tel: +65 6474 6628

Bella Pizza

Bella Pizza is the restaurant that most people mention when you ask them what their favourite Italian restaurant is. It serves one of the best pizzas in Singapore.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-14 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6734 0139

Bella Pasta

It probably doesn’t make sense that Bella Pasta is just a few units away from Bella Pizza. But no one’s complaining since we can have the best of both worlds.

Bella Pasta has a very different menu from Bella Pizza. Besides a wide range of pasta, it also serves meat, seafood and fish main courses. Definitely worth a try!

30 Robertson Quay
#01-09 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6836 5692

Boomarang Bistro & Bar

Boomarang Bistro is one of the few Australian restaurants in Singapore – it was set up by a true Aussie owner and his chef with the aim of introducing their interpretation of authentic Australian cuisine to Singapore. It has reasonable prices and the portions are huge. Most importantly, it is a kids-friendly restaurant.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-15 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6738 1077

Bon Gout

Even though I have been to Robertson Quay many times, Bon Gout has never been on my must-eat restaurants radar. I think it’s mainly because I was always distracted by my favourite brunch at Epicurious Cafe.

From what I’ve heard, Bon Gout is a small Japanese eatery which serves pretty decent Japanese food at affordable prices. I’m going to make a trip there next.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-01 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6732 5234

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts by Belgian celebrity chef Emmanuel Stroobant, is perhaps one of the few Belgian restaurants in Singapore. Looking for mussels and Belgian beer? You’ll get them at Brussels Sprouts.

80 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-12 The Pier @ Robertson
Tel: +65 6887 4344

Cafe Epicurious

Epicurious Cafe – a restaurant by the Singapore River – is famous for their weekend brunch. It’s almost impossible to get a table without waiting if you reach after noon, so be sure to go early!

60 Robertson Quay
#01-02 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6734 7720

Cafe Sapunsa Thai Cuisine

Cafe Sapunsa Thai Cuisine is a little eatery at Robertson Quay that serves Thai food. The no-frills Thai Restaurant also has another outlet at Orchard Tower.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-04 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6884 5632

Cappadocia Cafe Restaurant

The beauty about Robertson Quay is you can find almost any cuisine here. Craving for Turkish food? Try Cappadocia Cafe at Robertson walk, the main dining area at the intersection of Unity street and Mohamed Sultan road.

11 Unity Street
#01-12 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6732 2411

da Mario Pizzeria

da Mario Pizzeria at Robertson Quay is definitely a place good for a small group dinner out, with the menu reasonably priced considering the standards of its food.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-05/06 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6235 7623

Em by the River

Em by the River is the perfect place to have a lazy brunch for those who sleep in during the weekends. It serves all day brunch (from 9am to 3pm daily). When night falls, it is the perfect place to sit by the Singapore river and have a glass of mojito while star-grazing.

1 Nanson Road
#01-05 The Gallery Hotel
Tel: +65 6836 9691

Hummerstons

Hummerstons is a restaurant located on level two of Robertson Walk. The menu features comfort food like burgers, pastas and truffle fries. This is the place to go if you want a quiet spot in Robertson Quay.

11 Unity Street
#02-14 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6737 8863

Ichibantei

It is not easy to survive in the food & beverage industry. The casualty rate in Robertson quay is particularly high, with restaurants opening and closing all the time. Ichibantei has been around for quite a long time, so they must be doing something right.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-04 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6733 3923

Kith Cafe

Let me paint the perfect Sunday morning picture. You are sitting on a stool outside Kith Cafe facing the Singapore river, while sipping a cup of coffee and reading ladyironchef on your iPad…

7 Rodyk Street
#01-33 Watermark @ Robertson Quay
Tel: +65 6341 9407

Les Bouchons Rive Gauche

Les Bouchons Rive Gauche is a casual French Bistro at Roberton Quay which has been around for some time and though I’ve always seen it walking back and forth Robertson Quay, it never really occurred to me to try it. Steak & frites, anyone?

41 Robertson Quay
#01-01 Singapore Tyler Print Institute
Tel: +65 6733 4414

Laurent’s Bernard Chocolatier

When it comes to chocolate desserts, Laurent Bernard Chocolatier is one of the best in the business. Formerly known as The Chocolate Factory, the newly renamed Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar has two branches at Robertson Quay and Portsdown road. Whenever I’m having dinner at one of the restaurants at The Pier @ Robertson, I always find it hard to resist dropping by Laurent Bernard for desserts.

80 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-11 The Pier @ Robertson
Tel: +65 6235 9007

Limoncello Italian Pizza & Grill

Right at the end of Robertson Blue near Grand Copthorne hotel, Limoncello Italian Pizza & Grill is the perfect place for club goers to have a simple Italian dinner before heading to Zouk.

95 Robertson Quay
#01-19/20 Rivergate
Tel: +65 6634 5117

Medley Amaii

Unless I am mistaken, Medley Amaii is the only ice cream place in the Robertson Quay area. You know where to go for ice cream on a hot afternoon.

86 Robertson Quay
#01-03 Robertson Blue
Tel: +65 6838 0792

Menya Shinchan Japanese Noodle Restaurant

I wish I could say that I’ve been to all the restaurants in Robertson Quay, but it is impossible to spend so much on food all the time. I never even knew that Menya Shinchan Japanese Noodle Restaurant existed until my friend told me about them recently.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-05 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6732 0114

Queen’s Tandoor

Queen’s Tandoor is probably the only Indian restaurant in Robertson Walk, so this is the place to go if you are craving for Indian food.

11 Unity Street
#01-18/19 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6235 3003

Royal Tien Xiang Restaurant

At Royal Tien Xiang restaurant, you can go for either the ala carte steamboat buffet ($23.8++/lunch, $26.8++/dinner) which comes with 20+ items, or order seafood and Chinese dishes from the separate ala carte menu.

11 Unity Street
#01-30/31 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6836 2389

Ryoriya Sangokushi

Japanese culture has always been a big influence in Taiwan, so it’s not surprising to see a Japanese style Taiwanese restaurant – Ryoriya Sangokushi at Robertson Quay.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-03 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6238 8962

Red House Seafood Restaurant

There’s no need to go all the way to the seafood restaurants at East Coast Park just to satisfy your cravings. Red House Seafood Restaurant at The Quayside is one of the more established Chinese Seafood restaurants in Singapore, and they have very good chilli crabs! One thing to note though, they are very popular with tourists and the staff seemed to be more attentive to foreign customers.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-13 The Quayside
Tel: +65 6735 7666

Sapporo Ramen Miharu

There are no lack of food choices when you’re in Robertson Quay. But when it comes to a bowl of good ramen, no one does it better than Sapporo Ramen Miharu at The Gallery Hotel.

1 Nanson Road
#01-11 The Gallery Hotel
Tel: +65 6733 8464

Scandinavian Seafood Dining & Bar

86 Robertson Quay, #01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 3351

Shirokane Tori-Tama

Shirokane Tori-Tama is a yakitori specialist restaurant, and you know they don’t call someone a specialist for nothing.

11 Unity Street
#01-02 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6836 5680

Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar

Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar is a Shochu speciality izakaya at The Gallery Hotel that is known for serving yummy charcoal-grill skewers.

If you are searching for a great after work spot for food and drinks with friends, check out Satsuma at Robertson Quay. It is certainly a place I can see myself frequently whenever I feel like having Japanese food.

1 Nanson Road
#01-10 / #02-10 The Gallery Hotel
Tel: +65 6235 3565

Stacked Dim Sum Bar

A bar that serves dim sum with alcoholic drinks? Now, this is interesting. It is no secret that I love dim sum, so I was really happy to hear about the new Stacked Dim Sum Bar at Robertson Quay, until I saw their menu.

Most of their selections are priced from $7-10 per basket and the price is much higher than the usual dim sum restaurants in five star hotels. Don’t get me wrong, I am willing to splurge on good dim sum, but somehow, the menu seems a little overpriced and the whole thing feels more like a novelty concept to me.

That said, I’m glad that there’s new option for dim sum during dinner.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-13 The Quayside
Tel: +65 9677 8281

Shunjuu Izakaya

Izakaya is a casual Japanese bar where you can enjoy food with drinks. It reminds me of Spanish Tapas Bars, and one of the best things about such dining concepts is that you get to try so many different food. Shunjuu Izakaya is the place to share some snacks and drinks with your friends after a long day of work.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-15 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6887 3577

Sugarica Sweet & Savoury

Another new cafe at Robertson Quay, Sugarica Sweet & Savoury is one of the few places in Singapore where you can get both savoury and sweet crepes.

7 Rodyk Street
#01-32 Watermark Robertson Quay
Tel: +65 91054407

Sugisawa Japanese Restaurant

Sugisawa Japanese Restaurant at Robertson Quay has very good value for money bento sets. Like other Japanese restaurants, the bento set is inclusive of rice and miso soup. But what makes Sugisawa different from the rest is that the portions are really generous and they even come with sashimi.

30 Robertson Quay
#01-16 Riverside View
Tel: +65 6235 0212

Toby’s Estate

Toby’s Estate, located by the river along Robertson Quay, is a renowned coffee chain from Australia. Definitely the place to go for your caffeine fix.

8 Rodyk Street
#01-03/04 Singapore
Tel: +65 6636 7629

The Merry Men

The Merry Men, one of the newer restaurants along Robertson Blue, is a pretty cool place to chill out with a group of friends. The menu is pretty straight forward with standard Western items like pastas, fish & chips, and truffle fries.

86 Robertson Quay
#01-02 Robertson Blue
Tel: +65 6735 9667

TCC The Connoisseur Concerto

Do I really need to elaborate on this? Try the chocolate lava cake, it’s one of the better ones that I’ve had. TCC The Connoisseur Concerto at The Pier Robertson opens till late night 2am on Friday, Saturday and eve of Public Holidays.

80 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-02 The Pier @ Robertson
Tel: +65 6733 8707

Wine Connection Deli & Bistro

Wine Connection is probably one of the cheapest place in Singapore to have wine, so it’s not surprising that the place is always packed with customers enjoying a glass of wine with some cheese.

11 Unity Street
#01-06 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6238 6878

Yakiniku Yazawa

Yakiniku Yazawa is an upmarket yakiniku restaurant at Robertson Walk. To quote my friend: “this is the best yakiniku in Singapore, don’t waste your money elsewhere.”

11 Unity Street
#01-01 Robertson Walk
Tel: +65 6235 2941

If you find this guide to restaurants in Robertson Quay useful, please share it on facebook and twitter with your friends. Do leave me a comment and let me know which are your favourite restaurants in Robertson Quay.

Updated: The restaurant is no longer in operation.

Located at Robertson Quay, Brasserie WOLF is a casual French bistro under the management of the Esmirada Group of Restaurants. With the appointment of new Head Chef Claudio Sandri, Brasserie Wolf had recently launched a new ala carte menu.

It consists of classic French dishes like the Beef Bourguignon, and Traditional Bouillabaisse Soup. Prices range from $15-$26 for appetisers/soup, $26-$48 for main courses and $10-$15 for desserts.

With dim orange lighting, vintage overhanging lamps and plush leather seats, the interior of Brasserie Wolf is cosy and spacious. The restaurant can easily accommodate 90 people indoor and I like the fact that it is not too pretentious.

For starters, I had the Traditional French Onion Soup ($14). It was rich and cheesy, just the thing you need to start the meal on a bright note. My dining companion had a Tomato Gazpacho which was not from the menu.

I’d have gone for the Pan Seared Foie Gras ($26) if not for the fact that my dining companion was not a fan of goose liver. Since it was impossible to finish half a dozen of Burgundy Snails ($15) on my own, I gave that a miss too.

To make up for it, Chef Claudio served us his signature Fresh Artichoke Heart ($18.50). Composed of Smoked Salmon Mousse, Poached Egg, Caviar, and Mustard Vinaigrette, the appetiser was so pretty that we did not know how to start eating it.

Next up on the menu, I had the Crispy Duck Leg Confit ($32) with Braised Puy Lentils. Brasserie Wolf’s rendition of the French dish was decent, but it was not the best I’ve had.

For the record, I love Duck Leg Confit. But if I must choose between Brasserie Wolf’s Duck Leg Confit and Beef Bourguignon, I’d go for the latter.

The fork-tender Beef Bourguignon ($28) was braised to perfection. Together with the sides of Bacon, Mushroom, Baby Onions, and Carrots, the beef was so good.

The Seared Cod ($35) was excellent in my opinion. The simple preparation of the dish highlighted the freshness of the Cod. So much so that my dining companion was actually reluctant to share the fish.

It was a shame that we were too full to continue eating. Otherwise I’d definitely order the Traditional Bouillabaisse Soup ($36).

For desserts, we skipped the ubiquitous Valrhona Warm Chocolate Cake ($15) and had the Chocolate & Coffee Liegeois ($13). The cold dessert was visually appealing, and the presence of Valrhona Chocolate Sauce added bonus points too. But I felt that it was nothing impressive, and did not justify the price tag. We also had a selection of macarons which were run-of-the-mill. On hindsight, we should have gone for the Creme Brulee Vanilla ($10) instead.

Chef Claudio had just arrived in Singapore from London to helm Brasserie Wolf. I’m certain he will slowly find his way to satisfy everyone with his straightforward French cooking.

Personally, I feel that prices are slightly steep for a causal French Bistro. But having said that, Brasserie Wolf serves simple and good French food. Amongst the dishes that we tried, the Traditional French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon are definitely worth ordering. Dessert is probably Brasserie Wolf’s weakest link. I’d suggest skipping it and go to Laurent Bernard or Canele Patisserie to have your sweets.

If you are looking for French food in the Robertson Quay area, check out Brasserie Wolf and say hi to Chef Claudio.

For more recommendations, read my list of the Best French Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore Food Blog Review
Brasserie Wolf
80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-13
The Pier @ Robertson Singapore
Tel: +65 6835 7818
Note: This is an invited Media Tasting.

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When it comes to chocolate desserts, no one does it better than Laurent Bernard Chocolatier. Formerly known as The Chocolate Factory, the newly renamed Laurent’s Café & Chocolate Bar has two branches at Robertson Quay and Portsdown road. Whenever I’m having dinner at the Robertson Quay restaurants, I always find it hard to decide between Canele Patisserie or Laurent Bernard for desserts.

For those of you who are having a chocolate craving, I’m sure Laurent’s Cafe & Chocolate Bar can satisfy you with the chocolatey truffle cake, my favourite Plaisir Sucré, the delicious chocolate tart and of course, their famous Chocolate Souffle.

One of my favourite cakes from Laurent Bernard Cafe is definitely the Pleasure ($9.80). The classic Plaisir Sucré comprises whipped chocolate cream and ganache in between the beautiful and delicate chocolate sheets, and a base of hazelnut and praline; it is out-of-this-world.

The Trianon ($7.80) reminds me of the Plaisir Sucré. In place of the chocolate sheets, it has the dark yet rich chocolate mousse, and the base of hazelnut dacquoise is excellent. Look at the picture on top, the dessert looks so gorgeous!

Having the Chocolate Soufflé ($16.50) may takes time and patience, but straight out from the oven, it’s instant gratification. Once you start digging your spoon into the souffle cup, it’s almost impossible to stop, that is, until you are down to the last smear of the spoon.

The chocolate souffle is moist, dark, rich, and intense while the accompanying raspberry sherbet is sour, tangy and provides the perfect balance to the dessert.

There’s a waiting time of 15-30 minutes for the chocolate soufflé, and like they say: good things come to those who can wait. But sometimes, I’m not so sure. Between the chocolate soufflé and warm chocolate lava cake, I’m inclined to go for the latter – who can resist the magnificent oozing effect? Not me.

Chocolate bars are my Disney land, somehow they know how to make me happy. If you are in the Esplanade or Vivocity area, go to Max Brenner Chocolate Bar, and if you are somewhere near Robertson Quay or Portsdown road, then it’s a must to go Laurent Bernard Chocolatier to satisfy your chocolate craving.

Laurent Bernard Chocolatier
#01-11 The Pier at Robertson Quay
80 Mohammad Sultan Road
Tel: +65 6235 9007
Mon: 6pm – 11pm
Tue to Thu: 1pm – 12 midnight
Fri & Sat: 1pm – 1am
Sun: 1pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

The original plan was to have churros at Alegro Clark Quay, unfortunately it was closed and the churros evaded me yet again. We walked along the river banks and found ourselves looking at the brunch menu from eM by the River. They serve all day breakfast (from 9am to 3pm daily), and we managed to make it for the last order.

I have been wanting to visit eM by the River for some time. They are one of the Gallery Hotel restaurants, positioned at one end of Robertson Quay (closer to Red House Seafood restaurant and Boomarang if you have difficulty locating them).

The brunch menu has standard breakfast items like Eggs Benedict ($13), poached eggs on english muffin with ham & hollandaise suace – American Breakfast ($18) with eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, bacons, tomato & toast – Omelette ($10) with choice of cheese, ham, tomato – pancakes ($10) with maple syrup. If breakfast food is not your thing, there’s also a variety of sandwiches and main courses available on the menu.

We were thinking about the desserts at Laurent Bernard’s, so for once, there wasn’t much room for the eggs at eM by the river. Rich and thick hollandaise sauce drizzled over the delicate poached eggs, accompanied by thinly-sliced smoked salmon on a toasted English muffin (unfortunately it’s a little soggy) — but still, there’s just something amazing about having the Eggs Royale ($14) for breakfast.

eM by the River has a 1-for-1 happy hour on Mojito during Saturday night (9pm to 11pm). Sitting beside the river and having mojito while staring at the stars above, it’s the perfect way to spend the night.

Now that I have been to eM by the River, I think they are a good alternative breakfast place if the queue at Epicurious cafe is too long. Besides, they serve daily brunch while epicurious only has weekend brunch. If you are in the mood for pasta or pizza, check out Bella Pizza which in my opinion, is one of the best pizza places in Singapore. For desserts after your meal, drop by Laurent Bernard, or Canele Patisserie. Among the many restaurants at Robertson Quay, I’m very much tempted to try Brussels Sprouts, as well as Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar at the Gallery Hotel next. How about you? Which is your favorite Robertson Quay Restaurant?

Singapore Food Restaurant Review
eM by the River
1 Nanson Road #01-05
The Gallery Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 9691
Weekday All Day Breakfast: 9am to 3pm
Weekend All Day Breakfast: 8am to 3pm

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