The Jack’s Place at Ang Mo Kio Central was my family’s favourite restaurant and even till today, whenever I dine at Jack’s Place, it will remind me of my childhood days.
Known for it’s “steaks and more” concept, Jack’s Place serves not only sizzling beef steaks, but also a wide range of hearty food, desserts, and cakes. The casual fine-dining restaurant has recently launched its wholesome U.S Premium Selection menu, and it is only available at Jack’s Place [The Grandstand] and Jack’s Place [Great World City].
The U.S Premium Selection features six new dishes, which includes the finest Kurobuta Pork also known as “black hog” pork, USA Brandt steak cuts, and Chargrilled Baby Back Ribs.
We were very privileged to have been invited to a tasting of the U.S Premium Selection and in this blog post, we will be sharing with you what we think of the hearty menu that is sure to delight all meat-lovers!
Are you a fan of steaks?
The USA Brandt Ribeye Cuts [SGD$36.80] is definitely Jack’s Place crème de la crème of all cuts. The well-marbled ribeye cuts are paired perfectly with a homemade special brown sauce which melts in the mouth.
Not to forget the USA Brandt Striploin Steak [SGD$35.80], this 365 day grain-fed beef striploin steak is lightly marinated with home-made garlic and paired with Jack’s special black pepper sauce that is underscored by a tenderness that few palates know.
The scrumptious signature dishes also include the Grilled Kurobuta Rack of Pork [SGD$32]. The moist and juicy rack of pork comes together with Jack’s Place very own caramelized onion brown sauce and we enjoyed having a bite of this very tender and gratifying meat.
If you prefer a much leaner kind of pork meat, the Kurobuta Fillet of Loin [SGD$21.80] that comes with the signature black pepper glace, accompanied with roasted onions and new potatoes is a very good choice. The peppery flavours will definitely whet one’s appetite but honestly, we still prefer the Grilled Kurobuta Rack of Pork over the Kurobuta Fillet of Loin.
The Kurobuta Pork Schnitzel [SGD$18.80] is a main dish where the tender Kurobuta fillet of collar is coated with crushed biscuit crumbs and herbs, then paired with arugula salad and roasted almond flakes. Truthfully, we don’t really fancy this dish because it was a little dry for us and we prefer our meat to be either grilled, steamed, or baked; definitely not deep-fried.
Our personal favourite is the lip-smacking and bone-drop textured Chargrilled BBQ Baby Back Ribs [SGD$36] that is marinated overnight with paprika spice, drizzled with pineapple BBQ sauce, and served with lattice fries! This is definitely a must-try dish because it is so flavourful and very satisfying!
Bursting with flavours, the U.S Premium Selection at Jack’s Place definitely promises a gastronomic time and just a gentle reminder, it is only exclusively available at Jack’s Place [Great World City] and Jack’s Place [The Grandstand].
We have to confess that we have been having an affair….
Yes…
an affair with food…. and we have been sinfully indulging in so much delicate food that we have put on quite a fair bit of weight and gained some unwanted public scrutiny.
Alright, jokes aside.
We were recently at Breeze, a rooftop bar atop The Scarlet Hotel Singapore for dinner and we had a relaxing evening of decadent indulgence and the ultimate al fresco experience under an alluring night sky.
Rejuvenated during the hotel’s extensive five-month facelift last July, Breeze is set to seduce the senses once again with a swanky new look, an updated and exciting food menu, and an expanded drinks menu, featuring signature cocktails and an exclusive range of beer.
Our First Impression
Inspired by the elegance of Summery gardens and infused with the gracious hostess’ impeccable style, we were welcomed with a touch of sensuality and finesse.
Then, as we were gently caressed by the cool evening breeze, we were ushered into the main seating area, decked with comfortable, curved and inviting chaise lounges, and as well as chic glass-top tables for groups of four.
Set amidst lush greenery, Breeze offers an urban retreat with stunning views and the perfect ambience to unwind.
Our Personal Opinion/Review of Breeze
Lovingly created by award-winning Chef Vincent Teng, Breeze’s new menu features dishes designed with a contemporary twist and a fine blend of creativity inspired by Scarlet. Here, we are going to highlight some of the dishes that we had when we were there!
Grilled Chicken Salad
romaine lettuce|semi hard boiled egg|Caesar dressing|parmesan crust|crouton
A pretty creative way of presenting the classic Caesar’s Salad
Absolutely love the semi hard boiled egg
Parmesan crust was a little too chewy for our liking. We would have preferred it to be crispy.
The addiction for another signature dish comes from the crispy sensation of the Avocado Tempura, salmon roe marinated with sake & shoyu and topped with Japanese mayonnaise.
Momotaro Tomato
A salad which delivers a satisfying melange of sweet, tart and aromatic flavours to the taste buds. The famed variety of Japanese tomatoes are tossed with generous shreds of crab meat and seasoned with fragrant Japanese sesame dressing.
Bar snack staples are boldly given a refreshing twist, such as the Chicken Wingette with Bulgogi Sauce.
The chicken wings are marinated with beef sauce for the extra hint of classic Korean flavour.
Mini Wagyu Beef Burger
The Wagyu beef patties and and even the burger buns are handmade from scratch!
We don’t consume beef because we don’t like the beefy smell and taste but this converted us
Simply grilled to perfection with the juice oozing out!
You can put the whole burger in your mouth and enjoy it.
Kurobuta Pork Belly With Marmite Sauce
Has a local twist because of the Marmite sauce
Tastes bittersweet but definitely satisfying and flavourful
Not forgetting guests with a sweet tooth, Chef Teng presents an array of seductively tempting desserts in the menu, including Tiramisu, Strawberry and Cheese Parfait, Mango and Coconut Panna Cotta, Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse Cake. The desserts are all served in delightful miniature cups for the most unadulterated visual and tasting pleasure.
Expanding its beverage menu, Breeze boasts of being the first rooftop bar to serve Archipelago Beer to guests in Singapore amidst a grand selection of artisanal beers, wines and signature cocktails, with Graciously Scarlet, a voluptuous mixture of gin, lime juice, fresh raspberry, cube sugar, ginger beer and raspberry liqueur.
Personally, we really like the Graciously Scarlet cocktail because of its fruity and berry-licious taste! We highly recommend it and we’re pretty sure the ladies will love it!
An alternative highlight, Foam Party, is an epicurean drink for guest with a palate for an amalgamation of vodka citrus, galliano, lemon juice, vanilla syrup and egg white.
Wednesday nights will take on a whole dimension at Breeze, with an exclusive cocktail for the ladies, Entice Me, offered at S$12++ instead of S$18++.
Fine fare, exceptional drinks, a relaxed evening breeze and the company of friends set the perfect stage for an unforgettable evening at Breeze. Set against the backdrop of the financial district’s skyline, guests will undoubtedly be charmed by the exclusive enclave on top of a 19th century heritage building, while regaling in the luxurious extravagance that Scarlet has intended for her beloved guests to rest their souls and recharge.
If you are looking for a charming rooftop bar that allows you to dine in a contemporary romantic setting, Breeze is definitely the place!
Breeze Rooftop Bar
The Scarlet Hotel Singapore
33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333
Telephone: 6511-3326.
E-mail: askme@thescarlethotels.com
Centrally located in the heart of Singapore, SET is the latest up-and-coming restaurant to open its doors at PoMo earlier this month and true to its name, SET presents a tantalizing array of contemporary cuisine with Asian and Western influences.
Established by former members of Tao’s Restaurant, SET reintroduces the attractively priced, value-for-money set meal concept that offers flexibility in menu choices. Crafted only with the freshest ingredients to ensure the best food quality, SET presents a five-course lunch at SGD$28.80++ and six-course dinner at SGD$38.80++.
Our Personal Review of SET
Our family has always been a big fan of Tao’s Restaurant and they were very popular when they first opened at the basement level of PoMo. Subsequently, Tao’s Restaurant moved to Clarke Quay Central and the move probably led to its downfall.
We believe many diners enjoyed the food at Tao’s Restaurant but unfortunately, we personally felt that the quality of the food served by Tao’s Restaurant [when it shifted to Clarke Quay Central], wasn’t as good as when they were at PoMo. Coupled with the high rental costs and the decreasing number of diners, it was no surprise that that they closed their restaurant operations at Clarke Quay Central.
Now that the former members of Tao’s Restaurant have once again come together to start SET at PoMo, we are heartened by the fact that the popular value-for-money set meal concept is making a comeback with some really delectable dishes!
Executive Chef Erick Chun has prepared these original creations spanning straight from the kitchen.
Here are some of the tantalising Appetizers & Side Dish that we tried when we were there.
Salmon Garvlax
We found the Salmon Garvlax to be rather flavourful and the slices of smoked salmon sent us craving for more!
Smoked Duck Breast
The leafy vegetables complements the Smoked Duck Breast really well and it tickles the tongue with its sweet and sour taste.
Grilled King Oyster Mushroom
The Grilled King Oyster Mushroom is only available for the 6-course set and we enjoyed this really juicy side dish that is grilled to perfection.
The velvety Mushroom Velouté with Peanut Butter is a delectation that unveils a hidden surprise for the palate with the rich and creamy peanut butter at its base.
Chef Erick puts a contemporary reinterpretation on the traditional miso soup with Miso Soup with Sake. Served in a tokkuri and appreciated from an ochoko, the delicate lightness of the sake turns the homemade miso soup into an exquisite treat to behold.
The Double-boiled Herbal Chicken Soup is highly nutritious and very nourishing; perfect for boosting one’s vitality!
Guests are spoilt for choice with five main course options from the land and the sea, promising to satisfy the most ravenous of appetites.
Meat lovers will relish the Baby Pork Back Ribs. Steamed, roasted, and generously slathered with Chinese Barbeque Sauce, the dish is a melt-in-your-mouth wonder to savour. In fact, this main dish is our personal favourite!
Roasted Chicken Pullet
The Roasted Chicken Pullet that we had was slightly bland in taste and we felt that there’s room for improvement.
Dessert lovers will be thrilled with the trio of decadent treats available at SET.
Featuring the Poached Pear with Gelato, Pistachio Panna Cotta, and Bread Pudding, guests will be able to satisfy their sweet tooth with the gustatory delights.
Poached Pear with Gelato
Pistachio Panna Cotta
SET is dedicated to serving premium dishes prepared using the freshest ingredients and offering meticulous service to its customers. The restaurant houses a 94-seater main dining area adorned with modern furnishings, private dining rooms, and an alfresco area overlooking the charming shop houses along Prinsep Street.
Spacious and atmospheric, SET is ideal for private date nights, business meals and a gathering between friends and loved ones. As for us, we will definitely return to SET to fulfill our stomach’s cravings for the attractively priced, value-for-money set meal!
Espuma is Spanish for foam or froth, and it is a culinary technique in which an espuma siphon is used to infuse air into food, creating an airily light mouthfeel. The use of foam in cuisine has been used in many forms in the history of cooking. For example, whipped cream, meringue, and mousse are all foams.
An espuma or thermo whip is commonly used to make these foams through the making of a stock, creating a gel, and extruding through the N2O canister.
Natural flavors such as fruit juices, infusions of aromatic herbs, and etc. are mixed with a neutrally-flavored gelling or stabilizing agent such as agar or lecithin, and either whipped with a hand-held immersion blender or extruded through a whipped cream canister equipped with N2O cartridges.
Such foams add flavor without significant substance, and thus allow cooks to integrate new flavors without changing the physical composition of a dish. Hence, Espuma adds an interesting new dimension to the texture of natural ingredients that have been pureed, mashed, or juiced.
Sous-vide is French for “under vacuum” and it is a method of cooking where the food is sealed in airtight plastic bags and then put to cook in a water bath or in a temperature-controlled steam environment for longer than normal cooking times [72 hours in some cases], at an accurately regulated temperature much lower than normally used for cooking, typically around 55 °C to 60 °C for meats and higher for vegetables. The intention is to cook the food item evenly, ensuring that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside, and retaining moisture at the same time.
Both the Espuma and Sous-vide methods of cooking are usually used in many high end gourmet restaurants and the prices for dishes prepared in such a manner can be quite extravagant. However, you don’t necessarily have to break your wallets because E’spuma Lab at POMO, is a new casual dining outlet that makes use of Espuma and Sous Vide in its dishes at wallet-friendly prices.
Eat Like A King At E’spuma Lab Without Breaking Your Wallet!
Appetizer
Sous Vide Eggs [Smoked Norwegian Salmon], Topped with Crispy Salmon Skin and Ginger Soyu, SGD$3.80
The Sous Vide Eggs with Smoked Norwegian Salmon elevates the local breakfast favourite of soft-boiled eggs to new heights with the addition of premium ingredients. Savour the interplay of textures between the perfectly cooked runny eggs and crispy salmon skin!
Main Course
Fragrant Rice Served with Pan Seared Sou Vide Chicken Breast and E’spuma Pesto Sauce, SGD$6.80
Delight at the play of flavours on your tongue as you savour the rich melange of spices in the Fragrant Rice served with Pan Seared Sous Vide Chicken Breast and E’spuma Pesto Sauce.
Durian Fitters that encase the creamy flesh of premium D24 durians in a similarly crispy, golden espuma batter. Inhale the heady scent of this tropical King of Fruits and complete your meal with this lovely sweet treat!
Total Cost?
SGD$14.40
And if you top up just SGD$2, you can have an additional bowl of soup and a choice of beverage such as orange juice, coffee, tea, or ice lemon tea!
To have a taste of Espuma and Sous Vide dishes without breaking your wallet, head down to E’spuma Lab!
On a similar note, we will be giving away 1 X SGD$20 worth of E’spuma Lab Dining Vouchers to one of our lucky readers to try the extremely unique dishes at E’spuma Lab and all you have to do is just comment on this post and tell us what are the dishes that you would like to try at E’spuma Lab and why.
Do you know that Panasonic has an indoor agriculture farm here in Singapore that cultivates premium Japanese crop varieties via a controlled soil-based and pesticide-free environment with LED lighting?
The 248 square metre indoor agriculture facility currently produces 10 types of vegetables; green and red leafy lettuce, mizuna [potherb mustard], mini red and white radish, rocket lettuce, basil, ooba [mint herb], mitsuba [wild parsley] and baby spinach. Both leafy and root vegetables are cultivated in the controlled soil-based environment with LED lighting. At present, total production capacity is at 3.6 tonnes annually. Through this local indoor cultivation, consumers like you and us can potentially gain significant savings compared to purchasing similar premium Japanese produce that are imported.
Panasonic is strengthening its research and development efforts to accelerate harvest such as increasing shelf capacity [vertical farming], shortening cultivation lead time from 35 days to 28 days, improving area productivity and expanding crop variety. By 2016, Panasonic is looking to grow more than 30 crop varieties.
In land scarce Singapore where only 8% of vegetables consumed are grown in local farms, Panasonic aims to contribute to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority’s [AVA] vision of raising self-sufficiency level for leafy vegetables through its technology and harvest. Panasonic also hopes that the indoor vegetable farm can provide a better life and a better world through improved food quality.
As of now, the produce from Panasonic’s indoor agriculture farm is not commercially available but Panasonic will assess market demand for commercial expansion to restaurants and supermarkets within this fiscal year.
Currently, Panasonic supplies on average, 0.3 tonnes of vegetables to all three Ootoya outlets in Singapore per month.
If you are interested to find out how the fresh, crunchy, and pesticide-free Japanese produce from Panasonic’s indoor taste agriculture farm tastes like, all you have to do is head down to any Ootoya Japanese Restaurants and order their new salad offerings.
Salad Roll with Bagna Dressing, SGD$4
Mini red radish, red leafy lettuce and mizuna [potherb mustard] wrapped in rice paper, served with a typical Italian style dip made from anchovies, fresh cream, milk and garlic.
Homemade Tofu Salad with Sesame Dressing, SGD$4.50
Mini red radish, red leafy lettuce, mizuna [potherb mustard] and home-made tofu, served with flavourful, healthy Japanese style light sesame dressing.
Bonito Salad with Vegetable Dressing, SGD$5
Mini red radish, red leafy lettuce, mizuna [potherb mustard], bonito or katsuobushi [dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna, served with Ootoya’s original tangy dressing made from tiny sliced onion, bell pepper, lemon juice and olive oil]
Shrimp Salad with Aurora Dressing, SGD$4
Mini red radish, red leafy lettuce, mizuna [potherb mustard] and shrimps, served with creamy dressing made from bell pepper and tomatoes drizzled with freshly squeezed lemon juice which enhances vegetable and shrimp flavour.
Our Personal Opinion of Ootoya Japanese Restaurant’s New Salad Offerings
A few days ago, we were at Ootoya Japanese Restaurant [Orchard Central] for a media tasting session and we had a really refreshing time indulging in the crunchy and fresh vegetables from Panasonic’s indoor agricultural farm. The vegetables are delivered fresh from Panasonic’s indoor agriculture farm to Ootoya restaurants daily, ensuring that the quality of harvest is maintained.
If you ask us if there are any difference in terms of taste and quality of the fresh produce from Panasonic’s indoor agriculture farm and those from the conventional farms, we felt that there wasn’t much difference except that the produce from Panasonic’s indoor agriculture farm are much fresher and really crunchy.
We felt that the new salad offerings from Ootoya Japanese Restaurant are really wholesome and relatively affordable. Drizzled with Ootoya Japanese Restaurant’s homemade sauce, the salads make a perfect appetizer for a healthy and nutritious meal.
And if you’re a meat eater, you don’t want to miss out on the Ootoya Japanese Restaurant’s Grilled Pork Belly!
From now till 30 September 2014, you can enjoy a complimentary Kirin Draft Beer OR Dessert with purchase of any main course at any of the 3 Ootoya Japanese Restaurant. All you have to do is just flash this coupon!
On a last note, we have been wanting to grow our own vegetable produce at home and recently, we embarked on a mini project to grow our very own cherry tomatoes and sunflowers. We’re still in the beginning stage of the cultivation process and we are glad that the baby cotyledon leaves have started to surface.
Looks like it will be weeks before we get to enjoy the fruits of our labour and we can’t wait!
We were at Hee Kee Desserts last Saturday for a tasting session and we had a really sweet time indulging in the desserts that were lovingly created by the chefs. With a delectable spread of 80 desserts, there is definitely a dessert that will suit even the choosiest person.
At the tasting session, we tried four of Hee Kee Desserts’ top-selling items and we had a myriad of mixed feelings.
Traditional Steamed Milk Pudding
We were served the Traditional Steamed Milk Pudding first instead of the other desserts because it was light and not over-powering in terms of taste and smell. The texture was really soft and we could smell the pleasant fragrance of the milk. Unfortunately, both Jacqueline and I were not able to appreciate this dessert because we’re lactose intolerant. Otherwise, we believe that this would have been a real treat for milk-lovers.
Homemade Beancurd with Gula Melaka
To begin with, the idea of serving beancurd with gula Melaka isn’t new and we had tried some variations from other stores that were much better in terms of flavour, texture, and taste. The beancurd was not as silky smooth as we wanted it to be and we felt that the gula Melaka that was served alongside wasn’t flavourful enough. If only the gula Melaka was richer and thicker, it would have made this dessert a rather tantalising one.
Whole Coconut with Coconut Ice Cream & Peanut Crush
The Whole Coconut with Coconut Ice Cream & Peanut Crush was my most favourite dessert of all! It is simply refreshing and the crushed peanuts added a crunchy punch to the coconut ice cream and the coconut flesh. We enjoyed the roasted aroma of the peanuts and it really blends in well with the coconut. Overall, we give two thumbs up for this dessert that is served alongside with a cup of fresh coconut juice!
Mango Cheong Fun
We found the Mango Cheong Fun to be really interesting. The way the dessert is served fooled us into thinking that it was going to be a savoury dessert. However, we were so wrong and it turned out to be a really sweet treat!
This well-balanced and healthy steamed treat is an envelope of spongy sweet-coconut infused skin with its inside filled with a voluptuous mango chunk for a bouncy bite that will make you hanker for more than just one helping!
Our Personal Opinion of Hee Kee Desserts
Out of the four items that we tried, we only fancied two of them, the Whole Coconut with Coconut Ice Cream & Peanut Crush, and the Mango Cheong Fun. The other two desserts, the Traditional Steamed Milk Pudding and Homemade Beancurd with Gula Melaka, didn’t quite agree with our taste buds but they were actually quite a hit with some of the other bloggers whom were present.
However, with that being said, we will definitely want to return to Hee Kee Desserts to try their other desserts because there are some that actually caught our eyes. Just so you know, we are big fans of desserts that are generous with servings of mangoes, dumplings, and absolutely anything with the likes of Cheng Tng, a light refreshing soup with longans, barley, agar strips, lotus seeds and a sweet syrup.
Furthermore, the quality hand-made sweet desserts at Hee Kee Desserts are made fresh daily and are really affordable!
The only qualm that we probably have is that Hee Kee Desserts only has one store and it is located in the far western part of Singapore. If you are in for a food adventure and would like to explore or venture out, you should consider giving Hee Kee Desserts a try.
Hee Kee Desserts Jurong Point Mall #03-54/55
If you are interested to find out more information about Hee Kee Desserts and their upcoming promotions, do check out Hee Kee Desserts’ Facebook Page!
Also, we will be giving away 2 sets of SGD$25 Hee Kee Desserts Dining Vouchers for you to spend some quality time with your family members and friends over some sweet and tantalising desserts at Hee Kee Desserts.
2. Comment on this blog post by sharing with us one of your sweetest moment with your family members or friends! It can be in the form of a picture with caption or a simple short paragraph. Be as creative as you can. 🙂
3. Contest will close on 03 August 2014 [Sunday] at 2359 hours.
4. The 2 most sweetest and heart-warming entries will be selected to win this contest!
A few days ago, we celebrated my brother’s birthday at Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill that is on board Stewords Riverboat and we had such a fantastic time that we can’t wait to dine there again. In fact, Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill is no stranger to us because we have been there before and have even done a food review about them.
From now till 15 July 2014, Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary with some really awesome deals that will only cost you SGD$15 nett! If you haven’t been to Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill before, you really should check it out because it is one of Singapore’s dining gem that is well-hidden at the Marina South Pier.
Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill is a really charming and cosy place to dine at and the warm hospitality from the crew never fails to put a smile on our faces.
There are a whole range of appetizers that you can choose from and as part of Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill’s 15th Anniversary Celebrations, you can choose any 3 items for SGD$15 nett! As for us, we had the Turkey Quesadillas, Buffalo Wings, and Nachos, and it was superbly tasty.
We ordered the same entrees that we had last year and they still taste just as good! The best part is, they are going for SGD$15 nett as part of the promotions that Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill is having for their 15th Anniversary celebrations.
Santa Fe BBQ Ribs
Tender baby back ribs (half rack) grilled to perfection and ladled over with Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill’s signature BBQ sauce. Served with fries and house salad.
Tex-Mex Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken breast spread with BBQ sauce and topped with bacon and melted cheese. Served with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.
Blackened Salmon Veracruz
Fillet of salmon coated topside with crusted black pepper and panfried. Served with spicy rice and grilled vegetables with tomato compote.
One of Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill’s signature dish, you mustn’t miss out on their sizzling hot Fajitas!
You can choose between chicken, beef, pork, or venison and the meat will be served sizzling on a skillet with sauteed onions and bell peppers.
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY… Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill will be serving Seafood Fajitas…
and Wagyu-Portobello Fajitas as part of their 15th Anniversary Celebrations!
The Fajitas will come with flour tortillas for you to self-wrap and enjoy.
Should you desire some booze to accompany the dinner, there are also SGD$15 Specials for drinks too!
You can choose between a jug of fruit juice, two mugs of tiger, three-course wine, four tequila shots, or a mug of top shelf margarita for only SGD$15 nett!
In collaboration with Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill, we are very happy to help diners complete their dinner with a really sweet ending! If you are planning to dine at Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill anytime from now till 13th July 2014, a FREE Chocolate Brownie Sundae will be served to you if you share this blog post on Facebook. However, do note that only 1 Chocolate Brownie Sundae will be served per share so if everyone on the table shares the blog post, everyone will get one free dessert each with no minimum order required!
Again, just a gentle reminder that the promotion for the FREE Chocolate Brownie Sundae is only valid till 13th July 2014!
On a closing note, we are expecting Santa Fe Tex-Mex Grill to be really packed with diners till 15th July 2014. Hence, reservations are highly recommended. If you’re planning a visit any time soon, do take note that the operating hours are from Tuesdays to Sundays [6-10pm] and you can drop them a line at 6278-5775 to book your table.
A few weeks ago, we had a very satisfying dinner at Hualong Fishhead Steamboat and it would be very selfish of us if we keep all the good food finds to ourselves and not share with others. Centrally located at the iCoffeeshop of Block 347, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Hualong Fishhead Steamboat offers an extensive menu that is fit for even the fussiest diner. With an array of dishes available, you will definitely be spoilt for choices!
Now, you might probably be wondering what is Malacca’s hidden gem all about and well, when you order a plate of yam ring from a typical Chinese zi char store in Singapore, the centre of the yam ring is usually filled with prawns, chicken, cashew nuts, green peas, and carrots; but in Malacca, the centre of the Yam Ring is filled with sweet and sour pork, and Hualong Fishhead Steamboat happens to be the only zi char store that we know of in Singapore that serves their yam ring this way.
Every dish that we had were sumptuous and tasty, and the only qualms that we had was that the dishes were mainly fried. Amongst all the dishes that we tried, we personally like the Chef’s Bacon Cheese Roll and the Pork Ribs!
Some other dishes that we had at Hualong Fishhead Steamboat are as follows and we shall now let the picture do all the talking for us.
Japanese Melon Prawn Coated with Wasabi
Hualong Signature Wok-fried White Kway Teow on Opeh Leaf
Pan Seared Sea Scallop with US Asparagus
Irish Guinness Stout Ribs
Chef’s Bacon Cheese Roll
Golden Roll
Homemade Fried Seafood Beancurd
Stir Fried Crab with Salted Egg Sauce
Mango Pudding Topped with Peach, Kiwi, & Cherry
We can almost hear your stomach growling and see you drooling on your workstation & clothes. Well, if you are a foodie like us, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this hidden gem that is centrally located at Block 347, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-2142. Pick up your phone and dial 6457-2275 to reserve your table now!
Tip #1: Reservations are highly recommended as they are always packed!
Hualong Fishhead Steamboat
Address: Block 347, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01-2142 Telephone Number: 6457-2275 Opening Hours: 11am-2.30pm, 4.30pm-11pm daily
The month of June has been an extremely busy month for us as there were so many media requests, reviews, and events for us to attend and even though there were so much things to do with so little time, I managed to squeeze some time to plan Jacqueline’s 26th birthday and it was indeed such a memorable occasion for the both of us. The Chocolate Mousse Cake From Swee Heng 1989 Classic That Jacqueline Really Love
To begin with, I had a difficult time deciding what to get for Jacqueline. After much consideration, I decided to give her a dollhouse that fits the theme of our upcoming wedding. Just in case you are wondering, the theme for our upcoming wedding is, “Nautical” and it will be held next year at ONE°15 Marina Club.
In the past, there used to be a push-cart store at VivoCity that sells do-it-yourself [diy] dollhouse kits but after searching high and low, I was informed that the push-cart store was no longer in operation. As such, I began to search online for diy dollhouse kits and it took quite a while as I was not sure where to begin. Thankfully, I managed to find the diy dollhouse kit that I was looking for on Taobao and I got it shipped over to Singapore via a third-party shipper, 65daigou.
The entire process [including shipping] took less than 1 week and 65daigou provided me with many convenient options to collect my shipment. It cost me about SGD$120 [inclusive shipping] to get the diy dollhouse kit and I must say, it was well worth the money!
The diy dollhouse kit took me about 1 month to complete and I had to start building the dollhouse from scratch! Though it was difficult at first, I managed to figure my way around and the instruction manual was really helpful in aiding me to piece everything together.
Everything was literally built from scratch and a lot of cutting, pasting, and sewing was involved! The windows, bed, flower pots, sofa, and other minute details are all pieced together bit by bit.
Due to a mistake that I made at the very first step, I had to do some drilling on my own as well. After constructing all the various decorations and furnishings, the last thing I had to do was to fix the lighting using a parallel circuit.
Viola!
Here’s a picture of the dollhouse that I made for Jacqueline and when she saw it, she was so happy that I felt a sense of satisfaction and achievement!
Apart from giving Jacqueline a dollhouse that I made from scratch, I also gave her an edible bouquet of fresh strawberries that are coated and decorated with white chocolate. The bouquet of fresh fruits also came with 3 stalks of beautiful roses and it was really pretty!
In the past, I have always given Jacqueline a bouquet of roses but she has never really fancied it because she felt that it was a waste of money. Giving Jacqueline an edible bouquet of fresh strawberries was really a fantastic idea as we could enjoy and savour the sweet and juicy strawberries together. The edible fruit bouquet was very practical and reasonably priced too!
If you are interested in giving an edible bouquet to your loved ones, do check out Rainbowly’s Official Website and like Rainbowly Facebook Page for more information and promotional updates! In fact, Rainbowly has a wide range of edible bouquets that you can choose from and we are sure you can find one that your partner adores!
On this note, both Jacqueline and I would also want to thank Rainbowly for coming onboard as one of our sponsors for our upcoming wedding! We are truly honoured and privileged!
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, a two-time winner in the Best Dining Experience category at the Singapore Experience Awards (2012 and 2013), is a unique dining concept where chefs experiment and create; working on new ideas and fusing different concepts reflective of the locale.
This presentation immerses guests in a dining experience where guests are part of the action, separated by a counter between kitchen and main dining area. Mr Robuchon has likened L’Atelier to an artist’s studio, where diners can witness chefs create, prepare, and cook innovative dishes right before them, and chefs have the pleasure of watching diners enjoy their meal.
Here’s a picture of the servers whom served us really well!
At L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, we entered a whole new realm of fine dining. After shocking the culinary world with his retirement at 50 years of age, Mr Joël Robuchon returned to the kitchen with the idea to create L’Atelier. “This concept has convinced me that its informality and conviviality, where you can have just one dish or a whole dinner, is the way people want to eat today. In addition, you have the theatrical aspect, of being able to watch the food prepared.” – Joël Robuchon on L’Atelier.
The L’Atelier interior décor lies in the hands of world-renowned designer Pierre-Yves Rochon who designed the first L’Atelier in Paris in 2003. Kitted out entirely in black and red furnishings to streamline the signature dramatic sleek look for the Atelier concept, the restaurant also dresses its servers in black.
This was the 3-course meal that we had at L’Atelier.
My Appetizer: Cod Brandade Served With Condiments
Jacqueline’s Appetizer: Piquillo With Smoke Eggplant & Tuna Belly Confit
Our Main Course: Salmon With Lacquered Maple Sap & Endive Salad
Jacqueline’s Dessert: Mango Lightness, Passionata Sorbet With Exotic Coulis
My Dessert: Crunchy Chocolate With Coffee Chantilly & Fresh Orange
The 3-course meal that we had at L’Atelier was fabulous and they are lovingly made by the chefs whom were working really hard to whip up such a sumptuous meal. Jacqueline and I will definitely be back to try their other dishes!
Here are the promotions that L’Atelier has in the meantime:
Early Evening Dining Daily, 5.30pm – 6.30pm 3-course Meal at $40++
Ladies’ Night (Every Thursday) $88++ per person Inclusive of 4-course set menu with free-flow of Sparkling wine or Bellini Cocktail
If you like to spend some romantic time with your loved ones over dinner, we will highly recommend L’Atelier. Though the menu is slightly on the expensive side, you will definitely enjoy the immersive and highly-personalised dining experience. Be sure to call and make your reservations as the restaurant is often packed with diners.
A Picture With The Chef De Cuisine & Sous Chef To Complete The Dining Experience
So this was how I planned and celebrated Jacqueline’s 26th birthday! I hope that by sharing my experience, the husbands/boyfriends would be able to get some tips and ideas here to thrill and surprise your other half!
If you are a café hopping enthusiast and you absolutely enjoy European styled bread and pastries, you ought to visit Bread & Hearth, an artisanal bakery café at 18 Keong Saik Road that opened recently.
When we first stepped into Bread & Hearth, the sweet and buttery aroma of the freshly baked breads and pastries consumed us and we just could not wait to try some of the delicious-looking breads.
The ambience is warm and cosy and the interior décor and furnishings match the contemporary European theme of the café.
In all honesty, we felt that the dining space was a little tight and crammed for us but well, it wasn’t that bad because they have a separate dining area from the main dining floor.
We were quite privileged to be able to enter their kitchen for a mini-tour and we saw how the breads and pastries were made using only the finest ingredients. A great emphasis is placed on using age-old bread-making techniques, which may be time consuming, but yields distinct results that discerning gourmands will surely appreciate.
We saw for ourselves how the dough for croissants were being made using top quality butter and we were mightily impressed because a lot of effort and consideration have been put in place to ensure that the butter does not melt while being layered into the dough despite the hot and humid weather we have here in Singapore.
A café would not be complete if there aren’t any beverages served. Though we felt that the prices for Bread & Hearth’s beverages were a little steep as compared to their freshly baked goods; the truth is, almost every cafés that we have been to have their beverages priced really high.
At Bread & Hearth, they serve organic soft drinks like these…
and other hot beverages like coffee and tea. The Barista at Bread & Hearth is very skilful in crafting latte art and though we fancied our coffee to be well-decorated, we would also have preferred our coffee to be richer and more flavourful.
The breads and pastries are reasonably priced and they are served with Bread & Hearth’s homemade jam. We have tried a few of Bread & Hearth’s freshly baked goods and we love the breads more than the tarts because the breads were soft and fluffy while the tarts were slightly too hard.
If you ask us for our recommendation, you must absolutely try their signature croissant! It is the best croissant we have ever tried so far and it beats Delifrance hands down! The croissant is flaky and crisp; and every bite is just so yummy!
Bread & Hearth opens daily from 0800am to 0930pm and what’s more, they are now offering a 10% discount off all bakes and drinks. The promotion ends 30 June 2014 so hurry down and try out their fresh bakes; especially their yummy signature croissant!
