lobster tagliolini S$63

son is back for a 6 weeks elective program.

wife has a get-together with some friends, so we sent her then went to labrezza @ st regis for some nice dinner on 22.4.2017. ^^

la brezza @ st regi

this evening the place was full, so they opened up the glass partition, and son & i sat outside at the poolside. 🙂

la brezza @ st regi

quite a delightful ambience.

extra virgin olive oil & balsamic

it is a new young chef, chef armando & a new menu since 3mar2017 or something.

but they are still keeping the excellent extra virgin olive oil & balsamic. seems that everyone like the balsamic, according to our friendly server jannie.

bread + extra virgin olive oil & balsamic

we had breadsticks (not for me), focaccia & baguette.

son asked for a second serving of focaccia. it was nice but cold. it is easy to just warm up the bread, wonder why la brezza does not do such a simple easy step!

angus striploin & lobster tagliolini

son did not want too much carbs & too much food.

so we just ordered the angus striploin & lobster tagliolini on the ala carte menu.

angus striploin S$58

i like the old menu better, especially the price. haha! 🙂

the previous 300g angus ribeye was just S$42. now a poorer cut striploin & it was S$58!

the striploin, recommended medium rare, was very good actually, but it’s always not going to be as good as a ribeye. the grilled green pepper, and some tomato salsa & soil were nice complement to the steak.

for comparison, this would now be inferior to prime portico USDA choice grain-fed ribeye, which is S$46 (same amex discounts).

lobster tagliolini S$63

the same lobster tagliolini was S$51 just 2 months back. 

now it is S$63!

lobster tagliolini S$63

the lobster tagliolini was good, very competent.

wife’s pink sauce crayfish pasta

my daughters thought previously that the pasta was not as good as the crayfish pasta my wife made.

i do agree too, but still it was very good competent pasta dish, and of course the lobster was quite excellent.

a 600g live lobster cost me S$35 from sheng shiong so this was mighty ok la…

lobster tagliolini S$63

i asked the server to add coarse black pepper & also grated parmesan cheese.

i think it was still a very good, delightful pasta dish, though it was quite plain tasting & not intense.

dinner for 2pax for 2 dishes came to S$78nett after 50% amex lovedining discounts, quite ok la, even though like 20% higher price than 2 months before.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

lobster steak noodles – S$28

had another wonderful dinner at tunglok with wife this evening on 19.4.2017. ^^

cloud fungus – S$5

today we experimented on a few new dishes on the ala carte menu we had not tried or seldom ordered.

the cloud fungus just $5.

the goma (sesame) sauce kind of overpowering. so not quite kai garden’s standard. otherwise a pretty nice dish.

cloud fungus – S$5

I think reduce the goma sauce a bit. I still liked it. 🙂

half pot pumpkin soup – S$16

the lie tong 例汤 always good. 1/2 pot = S$16. we had 4.5 bowls of wonderful, delicious goodness for 2pax.

pumpkin soup

this evening the pumpkin soup was just perfect, so sweet & tasty. the best!

pork soft bones for pumpkin soup

& I love the pork soft bones.

pork soft bones for pumpkin soup

today I asked for chilli padi with light soy sauce, and the server brought me also chopped garlic.

pork soft boneswith chilli padi & chopped garlic

it was so good, I finished every piece, so sweet, tender, tasty. I think I must do this soup at home liao.

fish maw S$8

tried the fish maw 花胶. 2 pieces of fish maw. the veg (shanghai green?) & the soup quite sweet & tasty…

fish maw S$8

but non-descript, nothing special, can do without la…

8 vegetables – S$24

another dish which we might have ordered once before was the stir-fried 8 vegetables.

this a really delectable dish. I like everything, from the lotus roots to the bean curd skin, asparagus etc… all good stuff!

lamb rack S$12

the lamb always good..

lamb rack S$12

tender, no gamey smell/taste, and the sauce not the very sweet type, very good lamb for a Chinese style preparation.

next time I must try the beef & the pork ribs. I had tried the kurobuta in the set.

lobster steak noodles – S$28

save the best for the last!

the lobster steak noodles here was super! top draw!

we had an individual serving each. this one must take la..

far better than the lobster noodles at xin cuisine.

lobster steak noodles – S$28

lobster steak was so fresh, & tasty.

& the noodle & sauce were simply delicious.

I had attempted my own big prawn noodles in golden broth, modelling after tunglok’s, and it was pretty good too.

I am yet to do a fresh lobster preparation that is comparable to this one. will give it a try.

best was the price. after 50% amex lovedining discounts for 2pax, bill was S$78 = S$33++ pax.

such a delicious, wonderful dinner!^^

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tunglok Signatures @ Orchard Parad

Address :
Orchard Parade Hotel #02-18
1 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247905

Contact :
Tel : +65 6834 0660
Fax : +65 6834 0550

Opening Hours :

Lunch :11.30am – 3.00pm (Daily)
Dinner :6.00pm -10.30pm (Daily)

thai sweet chilli seafood fried rice

i returned to my weekly jog with my RI friend & jogging buddy after quite many weeks of lay-off as I was indisposed.

i was meeting another RI friend at temasek club at rifle range road, who was helping me to prepare something for an upcoming occasion. so 3 of us decided to have lunch at spize @ temasek clubon 19.4.2017. ^^

spize @ temasek club rifle range road

first time I was here.

we were like the only ones here at 11.30am. the restaurant was almost full soon afterwards. 🙂

spize @ temasek club rifle range road

ambience was great.

high ceiling, great lighting. we were seated by the full length windows overlooking the swimming pool.

thai sweet chilli seafood fried rice

I wanted to order a lighter lunch, like a wrap, but the server said the mayonnaise could not be served separately & came together with the flat bread. didn’t sound great. so I changed my order to the thai sweet chilli seafood fried rice.

taste wise, it was competent. and it looked good, well presented.

there were good helping of mussels, sotong & some chicken too, and the slightly sweet thai chilli salsa. I didn’t mind it.

thai sweet chilli seafood fried rice S$11.90

rice was very fragrant, tasty, though I took very small portion of it.

I think price was S$11.90. it was good & comptent café food.

chicken biryani

my friend said the chicken biryani was good too.

the basmati rice looked great, there was a whole thigh, some dhal, a papadum & some achar, quite complete.

chicken biryani

nicely presented too.

biryani most important, rice must be flavourful, separate grains not mushy.

couldn’t really remember the price but it should be like  S$16.90 or S$18.90.

seafood mee goring

the seafood mee goring looked mighty impressive too.

but my friend said it was “kiam” – salty. later I asked him was it just a little salty or like quite salty? I think it was quite salty.

I did ask him to change right at the beginning if he didn’t like it.  but my friend persevere with it.

seafood mee goring

looked beautiful, but quite salty, so that would be poor for me.

we had a great lunch together. one of them travelling with me to UK next week. I got couple of things done too. good fun with great friends.

my jogging partner bought lunch. he is a member of temasek.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spize at RTemasek Club Rifle Range Road

Address:
131 Rifle Range Road #03-04 Singapore 588406

Contact:

+65 6337 7493

Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 8am to 11pm
Weekends: 8am to 11pm

weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙 18.4.2017

did some chores this morning & passed by tanglin halt food centre on 18.4.2017. ^^

it was 9.45am, but there was a queue at weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙. about 9pax. luckily everyone buys one bowl so just about 10mins+ queue, not so bad.

weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙 18.4.2017

ate here a few times this year.

i always take the S$5, cockles + chicken + taupok (no. 6 combination) with thick beehoon mee.

everything the same. good as always.

weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙 18.4.2017

i like weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙 particularly because it is lemak but not very lemak (& sweet) like katong laksa.

& it is a lot more savoury, and the sweetness also comes from the ingredients like chicken & taupok.

weiyi laksa 唯一辣沙 18.4.2017

a nourishing bowl of goodness.

now i need to be more careful of my diet, so maybe have to reduce. 🙂

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Weiyi Laksa 唯一辣沙 @ Tanglin Halt Food Centre

five coloured peking duck – S$88

did a very satisfying 6pax birthday dinner for a very close friend at Kai Garden 嘉苑 on 15Apr2017. ^^

this my 3rd time at Kai Garden 嘉苑.

the most recent time was also an early birthday dinner for my wife on 8.11.2016.

Kai Garden 嘉苑 has regular promotions. this time it was a free braised maine lobster (& can order a second lobster for S$48) for S$300 minimum spend before service & GST, and we found out also before drinks (tea) though they did not say so on the website. its’ ok la for me. 🙂

Kai Garden 嘉苑

Kai Garden 嘉苑 is opened about 1 year 4 months now, a team that hailed from taste paradise.

it’s actually quite a large place. quite good traffic this evening.

pickled lotus roots

there was pickled lotus root appetizer, very thinly cut like ginger, quite sour, quite nice appetizer. it is free with the tea. wife ordered a 黄金桂 S$3.20pax.

roasted pork – S$14.80

after i ordered the dishes, the captain/head waiter advised that still missing S$12 to reach S$300 minimum spend (tea not included). so i added a roast pork.

roasted pork – S$14.80

the roast pork was very good, though as i said before no better than crystal jade or imperial treasure. it was very tiny, yes real tiny, helping.

i didn’t really mind it but for a better deal, probably will order the wasabi prawns S$28 next time.

five coloured peking duck – S$88

the 5 coloured peking duck was impressive as always, i think the best peking duck i had.

the thin wraps were very well done, whatever the piquant taste of the different colours – charcoal, spinach, pumpkin, traditional & beetroot, such delicate taste quite beyond me la…there were also 5 sauces, all quite nice really..i still like the traditional & the sweey sauce best…

peking duck skin was quite perfect, the crisp item was very good too, and the overall experience quite perfect.

pekng duck – 鸭件

there is an additional cost of S$28 for the second eat, so i just got them to serve the duck meat.

pekng duck – 鸭件

it was good & tasty actually. i took a few with the duck sauce & the plum sauce.

it’s like a good roast duck, however without the skin, the experience a bit downgraded.

ingredients – 青衣 green wrasse head soup – S$68

wife decided to try a whole pot of soup. we ordered the fish soup.

it was very good. as my friend’s wife commented, not fishy at all. it was very smooth, clear & sweet. a very nice soup.

ingredients – 青衣 green wrasse head soup – S$68

the stock ingredients supposed to be 青衣 green wrasse fish head & 天麻.

flower crab with half chicken claypot – S$48

i ordered one of the family favourites on their website, a flower crab dish with 1/2土鸡  kampong chicken??

it was done in a claypot with good amount of roast pork. the flower crab was very sweet. chicken was tender, moist & tasty & of course the roast pork & the sauce as well.

flower crab with half chicken claypot – S$48

for me this was quite an excellent dish, though i had never taken flower crab with chicken at other restaurants.

braised garoupa fillet – S$57

wife liked the garoupa fillet. menu price was S$38, but we were asked to order 1.5 portions.

i was ok with that. the fish fillet were fresh & tasty, nice gluten & also bamboo shoot, and again the cooking made the difference, whatever the ingredients it was a great tasting dish!

braised 2x main lobsters in superior sauce – one FREE second S$48

the 2 lobsters were quite impressive.

seems that the complimentary one lobster & S$48 second lobster only one way of preparation, braised with superior sauce, 上汤焗, my favourite style anyway!

lobster was fresh, tender, & very tasty with the sauce.

braised 2x main lobsters in superior sauce – one FREE second S$48

these were full size 600g lobsters, so 2 for 6pax was quite a good serving. i got to enjoy this a lot. we all did.

poached hong kong kailan – S$27

kailan was S$18 on the menu, again had to order 1.5portions.

wife thought it was a bit “siap” – astringent?? it was ok for me, a competent dish, nothing special. maybe will try a different veg or just order the kurobuta which comes with some nice veg.

<just saw on another blog that some dishes to try are the prawn with fishmaw, aubergines with special sauce & honey pork ribs..will consider those next time..>

birthday cake & longevity buns

i told the restaurant that it was a birthday. they prepared a quite elaborate longevity buns tree display & some more uncommon birthday song.

longevity buns

longevity buns were pretty good. i like them. my friend had 2.

birthday cake from flor patissiere

another friend brought a flor patissiere cake, a nice light japanese style cake. always like flor cakes.

service was efficient, generally attentive & very pleasant.

dinner for 6pax was S$435nett. quite happy with food, service & the birthday set up & singing by the staff.

we had a great evening together. this friend very busy, still is, so only in recent years (2015) i started doing birthdays for him.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++

Kai Garden 嘉苑

S$4 meepok tar 13.4.2017

went to giant at grandstand to get something & passed by the 6th ave stall this morning on 13.4.2017.

there was parking so decided to stop by & take the S$4 meepok tar at jalan tua kong stall. ^^

no queue at 10am, so got my noodles shortly.

S$4 meepok tar 13.4.2017

as good as always.

noodles qq, nicely spicy, lots of minced pork, and good combination of ingredients – sliced pork, fish cake, 2 fishballs, prawn etc.

S$4 meepok tar 13.4.2017

simple yet enjoyable bowl of noodles.

shiok & satisfied.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jalan Tua Kong Meepok Tar

Address:

24 Sixth Ave, Singapore 276481

fried cabbage with tanhoon, taupok and ikan bilis

another dish that got me going was the cabbage with tanhoon dish at ye shanghai.

so I decided to cook my own cabbage tanhoon dish.

ye shanghai’s fried cabbage with tanhoon & cloud fungus 

ye shanghai’s cabbage very sweet & had some tan hoon & cloud fungus & fried with ikan bilis, very sweet & tasty dish.

fried cabbage with tanhoon, taupok and ikan bilis

my own cabbage dish also turned out excellent this evening on 7.4.2017.

I fried the ikan bilis & cut chilli padi till fragrant. then added the cabbage & chopped garlic.

then added 5 cut taupok ie bean curd skin (each square taupok I cut into 4 strips), added just 1/2 cup water & covered to reduce & cook/soften/infuse the taupok.

when almost done I added the glass noodles. I forgot to cut the glass noodles first, will do that next time before frying.

this was an excellent dish, the glass noodles & taupok were well infused, moist & sweet, tasty.

& so easy to do.

I did the 3 vegetable dishes & the chilled yellow croaker for my sis & daughter who joined us for 3pax dinner. fast & easy, & excellent dinner.

c.h.e.f andy

steamed pomfret & teochew muay dishes

my OPS friend bought 3pax lunch at choon seng teochew muay 春成潮州糜 today on 10.4.2017. ^^

he is Teochew & looks like been to more Teochew restaurants & zi char than me.

he was the one who introduce me to fragrant gardens last time,  an OPS Primay School Buddies 9pax Dinner @ Fragrant Garden on 30Dec2016.

very good food there, later I brought my family, brother & sis.

choon seng teochew muay 春成潮州糜

choon seng teochew muay 春成潮州糜 is a place I passed by previously when going for wah kee bigh prawn noodles.

choon seng teochew muay 春成潮州糜

I had definitely taken coffee at this coffeeshop but don’t remember eating teochew muay at choon seng teochew muay 春成潮州糜.

steamed pomfret

friend ordered steamed pomfret.

teochew steamed pomfret

it was good, a good standard teochew pomfret with all the salted veg, plums, pig fat strips etc..

soup was tasty, and fish was tender & sweet. very competent, eaxactly what this dish should taste like.

braised belly pork

braised belly pork was pedestrian. no special flavour, not really “pang” – fragrant, some parts very fatty – all fat actually.

famous hae nerng- prawn pancake

the hae nerng is their popular dish here for a reason.

it was very good I guess. though I don’t have any special preference for this dish. but it’s a famous dish here so should try it at least for the first time.

my friend said cannot order more also…they restrict you to 1 piece for 1pax.

teochew fish cake

teochew fish cake was ok. dryer preparation than usual teochew fish cake.

not much different for me, both preparation.

fried spinach

spinach was ok, fried with ikan bilis.

3pax lunch was like S$80, so pomfret must be like S$50.

these days all these places are expensive.

just like the very nice & expensive nonya steamed shark’s cartilage I had at zai shun zi char recently, also a OPS friend bought me lunch. 🙂

we 3 had a good chat & a very enjoyable lunch. my friend who treated us was relaxing before returning to his office battleground (for today only), the usual corporate politics.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Choon Seng Teochew Muay 春成潮州糜

Address:

43 Cambridge Rd, Block 43, Singapore 210043

xing ji bakchormee 兴记肉搓面

went with 3 RI friends to fengshan market on 9.4.2017.

this the second time I havingxing ji bakchormee 兴记肉搓面 (& with the same group of friends), the famous soupy bakchormee which won the SPH inaugural hawker master award 2011.

my first time was actually almost 3years ago on  13.7.2014 when I checked, din realise it’s so long ago, must take this more often la…

xingjibakchormee

the noodles still good, though we thought somehow it was not as good as we expected, though it was difficult for me to really recall the taste from 3 years ago.

the soup & generous minced pork serving still good, and I thought I t was less 清 today, the noodles looked quite the same when I looked at previous photos. it was still al dente & stringy, somehow seemed less of an impression.

anyway still a nice enjoyable light nourishing bowl of goodness. but I probably prefer the regular bakchormee, like the jalan tua kong meepork tar near my place.

xingjibakchormee

maybe I will also try the neighbour stall next time to compare. & talking about this there was a soup bakchormee stall at sin min road corner coffeeshop wife & I used to go 30yrs+ ago, maybe I should try that too if it is still there….

fengshan food centre stalls

good crowd & traffic at 6.30pm+

fengshan food centre stalls

& many stalls looking good, so I should be coming here again..

chong pang chicken wings

we had some bbq chicken wings. my friend ordered it. he later told me it was NOT from this chong pang stall.

bbq chicken wings

chicken wings were good – tasty, charred not burnt or overcooked/tough.

bbq chicken wings

chicken was good too. and a bit of lime did the trick.

otah

friend ordered 8 otah for 4pax.

otah

nice otah too…not my favourite food, so I took one.

ngor hiang – S$6

I decided to add some ngor hiang.

picked 4 items for $6 – the crispy thing, fish cake, a ngor hiang & a you cha kuay.

ngorhiang

I liked all of them. fish balls were tasty, ngor hiang great skin & tasty, tender fillings. you char kuay was good & the crispy thing was the best!

eastern anchorage & ECP night view

afterwards we went to our friend’s condo & had a fun AV evening.

eastern anchorage & ECP night view

a nice view of ECP & the eastern anchorage from his 29th storey condo.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Xing Ji Bakchormee 兴记肉搓面

Address:

85 Bedok North Street 4, Singapore 460085, #01-07

Fengshan Food Centre

yong tau foo

my RI friend arranged to have early lunch at hup chong yong tau foo on 8.4.2017.

lek chew restaurant 绿洲餐室

it’s a stall located at lek chew restaurant 绿洲餐室.

hup chong hakka yong tau foo

we were there at 11am. not so many people yet. on & off there was a queue.

hup chong hakka yong tau foo

I read some reviews & looked at the photos. didn’t think the place any special. the selection seems to be mostly deep-fried. some friends whatsapped that the ngor hiam was good. when we were queueing someone came to tapao ngor hiam, so that looks to be the most popular item here.

hup chong hakka yong tau foo

the price was $0.60 a piece which is more expensive than-

1. the very good Jin House @ koufu tanglin halt; and
2. the equally great meixi’s kitchen yong tau foo 美茜酿豆腐 at commonwealth drive blk 115B.

both charged S$0.50 a piece.

and of course, u hakka niang tou fu at circuit road food centre is still the best!

yong tau foo

still, the ytf is good here! ^^

the fried brinjal & the deep-fried ngor niam especially good.

yong tau foo

I also had the white teochew fish cake, a tau kua with minced pork, cuttlefish, morning glory & another item = total 7 pieces.

the fish balls & the pig skin were not kept in water & looked dry, so I did not pick those.

white beehoon

after ytf, we were chatting on various things & also about our upcoming trip to London & Wales.

& since the hong yun 鸿运 zi char was open, looked popular & had a few press cuttings, we decided to order a small plate to try/share.

hong yun 鸿运 zi char

customers started turning up.

hong yun 鸿运 zi char

my friend went to order the white beehoon (WBH).

white beehoon

WBH was good! very tasty I guessed a good stock, & several prawns, and also lard.

white bee hoon

I took a small amount to try.

I think it was really quite good standard.

four seasons cendol

after ytf & WBH, we decided to take one car & go over to lor 8 to eat the four seasons cendol.

four seasons cendol

it was wonderful as always! 🙂

so thick & intense flavours – I told my friends…

coco latte

my friend helped me buy a bottle of coconut oil  online, iHerb I think.

coconut oil

the price was about S$15.60.

I tried 1 tbsp. at home. 1/2 I took directly & 1/2 tbsp I added to the foamed coffee.

it was good, but I think I needed to add a whole tbsp. to mine the flavours la..

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hup Chong Hakka Yong Tau Foo

Address:

124 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-459, Singapore 310124

teochew muay dishes

went with sis & bil for early lunch.

we decided to go ye shanghai at bukit merah view on 7.4.2017. ^^

last time I came here, also with sis & bil was on 27.10.2016.

yellow croaker 小黄鱼 – S$8

sis ordered 3 fish = yellow croaker 小黄鱼 & 2rabbit fish 知县鱼, 5 small plates of veg & 2 porridge = S$21.50.

the yellow croaker 小黄鱼was very fine 幼 & sweet. this the teochew chilled fish style 鱼饭 so best taken with tau jeon, the fermented beans with sauce.

rabbit fish 知县鱼 – S$5

rabbit fish 知县鱼 not as tender, but also sweet in its own way & very good also with tau jeon.

so less the 3 fishes = S$13, the 5 plates of veg + 2 porridge was S$8.50.

leek

all the vegetables were good.

the leek very tasty.

hairy gourd?

this gourd item also good if least of my preference.

cabbage

the cabbage very sweet & had some tan hoon & cloud fungus & fried with ikan bilis, very sweet & tasty dish.

broccoli & cauliflower

broccoli & cauliflower always good.

in a sense the cabbage is more standout as broccoli & cauliflower are always good on its own – ie you can destroy them by poor cooking but don’t have to do much, unlike the cabbage.

bittergourd

bittergourd with tau see – fermented black beans…always good too..

leek

sis decided to add 2 more small plates vegetables.

we had another leek. I really enjoyed this & I am making this this evening at home.

spinach

& the spinach – very tasty also fried with ikan bilis.

sis & bil stayed back after lunch to watch tv.

bil had to go for his qigong & yoga class. sis stayed behind so I cooked some dishes & also steamed the same yellow croaker 小黄鱼.

I am doing the cabbage, leek & also spinach. ^^

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ye Shanghai Teochew Porridge (夜上海潮洲粥)

Address

#01-217, Boyang Coffee Shop, Blk 117 Bukit Merah View, 151116

excellent lamb fillet

had lunch with my godsis at domvs today on 6.4.2017. ^^

don’t know when the last time I came here? certainly >5yrs.

there was a UOB 1 for 1, so I emailed domvs for the menu. chef fratini himself replied, said he didn’t have a menu but will do an appetizer, a pasta, a meat/or fish & a dessert, and he confirmed it was $58++ for 2pax lunch, and S$128++ for 2pax dinner with UOB 1 for 1. ^^

so I went with meimei today…

domvs by gariel fratini @ level 1 sheration towers

domvs located at level 1 of Sheraton Towers.

we were there at 12pm, only 1 other table. then another 2 arrived with a toddler & took a table, and then was another group of 4 chaps. so for the entire lunch, there were like 4 tables.

nice insulated glass for warm water

godsis had warm water, I had iced water.

very good bread

the bread was very good. ciabatta was flavourful, and so was the other bread.

they provided a small triple tray with extra virgin olive oil & 2 dips, like a sundried tomato & a hummus. everything was good. mei mei especially liked the sundried tomato dip.

trio of appetizers

we had a trio of appetizers. this was quite impressive.

salad

salad was refreshing.

pork rillettes & fish

and there was pork rilletes on a mash, and a fish with some fruit salsa??

I liked the rilette better. it was flavourful, but I had better rilletes (pork or duck) before…fish kind of non-descript, ok item….

truffle & spinach ravioli

the ravioli was very good!

a really tasty, top draw ravioli dish comparable to the best!

barramundi

chef fratini came by earlier to take our orders, and see if we had any diet restrictions.

meimei doesn’t take lamb, so she went with the barramundi.

I of course take the lamb, though chef also offered beef, but a lamb fillet sounded great & it’s easier & more frequent I do a good steak at home, than trying to do lamb.

excellent lamb fillet

I think the lamb fillet was simply fabulous, so very good. very nice flavours & yet no gamey taste, and came with good vegetables sides, as did the barramundi.

excellent lamb fillet

I think if I come again I may still take lamb, though it’s tempting to see what beef chef produces.

panna cotta & tiramisu

dessert was a duo of panna cotta & tiramisu.

panna cotta was pedestrian for me, the average anywhere…tiramisu was very good – light & flavourful.

that’s all I took though, not that they were not good, but wife just called about my blood test results, not so thrilling la…

the head waiter/restaurant manager asked if we wanted coffee. meimei decided to go for the long black. i did not order any.

I knew it would cost like S$6 to S$8 but it was ok. I told meimei the restaurant needed to earn some money anyway, so just treat as a tip for the restaurant as long as we enjoy having it. I was quite happy overall with the price for this excellent lunch.

we had a good chat. for me this was a very enjoyable & relaxing lunch, nice ambience, excellent food.

the final bill came to S$78nett = as expeted we were charged S$8++ for one long black…

i asked the restaurant manager about parking. he replied that it was not part of the promotion. it was not what he said, but the manner that gave you the impression that why are you asking. anyway such things never bother me, we came here to spend money & enjoy, and i will always ask about parking if i do not have prior knowledge, and it does not matter how the reply was voiced, by restaurant manager or junior waiter. ^^

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Domvs by Gabriel Fratini

Address:

39 Scotts Rd, Sheraton Towers Singapore, Singapore 228230

steamed shark’s cartilage

my OPS friend came to fetch me for lunch at zai shun 载顺 toady on 4Apr2017. ^^

we were a bit late. we arrived at the carpark next to the zai shun 载顺 block at 12pm, and very lucky got a lot immediately.

later I googled & it was mentioned that zai shun 载顺 starts at 7am & by 11am many items are sold out.

zai shun 载顺 zi char

place was quite packed.

my friend went to queue. there was about 12pax in the queue.

zai shun 载顺 zi char

we shared a table, with a young & older man.

zai shun 载顺 zi char

the food took about 24mins = my friend queued at 12.08pm & food arrived 12.32pm.

zai shun 载顺 zi char

place was neat, bright & airy. ambience was quite good.

sour sop & water chestnut drinks

my friend went to get drinks as well.

I had sour sop (apparently the last order) & he took the water chestnut. 🙂

steamed shark’s cartilage

my friend ordered the steamed shark’s cartilage. the stall owner told him that’s among the last orders.

this was supremely good. soft bones & gelatinous & the steamed sauce was tasty & slight tangy, quite perfect la..

later we figured the dish might have cost like S$40…if so that was really expensive & didn’t really make sense.

but it was so good, that I am actually prepared to pay that if that indeed the price the next time I come.

this place famous for their steamed fish & fish heads. I saw many tables ordered the steamed garoupa etc including the 2 guys on my table with what looked like a 900g-1kg red garoupa…wonder what that cost?

anyway only 2 of us. told my friend not to order too much. we were very happy with the shark’s cartilage! ^^

fried bittergourd egg with salted egg white

one dish which other bloggers mentioned was the fried bittergourd with egg & also salted egg white!

my helper does this many times (not with salted egg white) & always good, but this was better even, quite exceptional.

the salted egg white made quite a difference. the dish was really flavourful/tasty.

this dish was monsterous in serving size. my friend said the stall owner said only 1 size?? don’t really made sense, but we were not complaining as the dish was exceptionally good!

cai buay – salted veg

we only ordered one more dish – the ubiquitous cai buay – salted veg.

a simple dish but this was very good. other places very salty or overly sweet. here just the right salty & not sugarly sweet but a nice gentle sweetness.

my friend said he paid S$54. we don’t really know the price, but I guess the huge plate of egg bittergourd was S$12 (it could be more) & the cai buay S$2, which leaves the shark’s cartilage like S$40. it could be S$36 too with the bittergourd S$16.

for me it was very enjoyable lunch thanks to my friend who bought lunch! ^^

I will definitely come back here again.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Zai Shun 载顺 Zi Char

Address:

253 Jurong East Street 24, #01-205, Singapore 600253

adam road noo cheng big prawns noodles 1.4.2017

no more “why eat har” for prawn noodles fix, so this noo cheng stall become my make do place.

after few times, actually I get to like it, or at least not mind it really…

no april fool, but I dropped by here for a bite on 1.4.2017…haha! 🙂

adam road noo cheng big prawns noodles 1.4.2017

I wanted S$5 pork ribs small prawn noodles.

the lady told me the small prawns sold out.

so I jokingly asked “you mean only got pork rib noodles, no small prawns?” she replied got S$5 sliced pork small prawn noodles but S$5 pork ribs small prawn noodles sold out. luckily this lady still quite friendly, not impolite.

anyway my brain slow la..later on I figured out they wanted to save the pork ribs for big prawn noodles, so small prawn noodles only the sliced pork la…I think??

adam road noo cheng big prawns noodles 1.4.2017

4 pieces of prawns & quite many sliced pork for S$5.

not sure the shelled prawns & the prawns with heads, looked almost like same size at least for tonight.

anyway stock/soup was quite tasty, flavourful, & prawns were fresh & sweet. good enough for me.

adam road noo cheng big prawns noodles 1.4.2017

the noodles & chilli were good. quite shiok actually, forgotten how “why eat har” taste like liao la..but I do know that was better.

I didn’t finish noodles this evening…try not to take so much carbs…lol! 🙂

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++

Adam Road Noo Cheng Big Prawn Noodles

Address:

2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876

half roast duck – S$27.80

wife had 20% discounts at crystal jade expiring today so we went dinner at crystal jade kitchen at hollandV on 31.3.2017. ^^

half roast duck – S$27.80 plus noodles S$3.80

we decided to order 1/2 roast duck for 2pax.

there was a good promotion S$39 for whole peking duck but that one quite expectedly did not qualify for 20% discounts.

half roast duck – S$27.80

anyway we both preferred roast duck.

it was very good, very flavourful, tasty & meat was tender, and it was quite perfect with the plum sauce & the chilli.

noodles S$3.80

we ordered the plain noodles S$3.80.

roast duck noodles

it went very well with the roast duck…

roast duck noodles

really shiok! writing about it I feel like eating it again la…

dimsum

we ordered a few dimsum dishes..

har gao S$5.80

har gao here was good as always….Singapore dimsum standard quite good nowadays…

steamed chicken feet S$4.80

steamed chicken feet was also very good, and the sauce too.

we considered steamed pork ribs, but that I can do easily, whereas steamed chicken feet hard to do…need to deep-fry the chicken feet…

laksa yongtaufoo S$5.80

wife likes the laska yongtaufoo here…not really my favourite, but it was not too bad also la…

laksa yongtaufoo S$5.80

laksa gravy was lemak, not too thick, quite good taste…the steamed minced pork on tofu was ok, just not my favourite…

bill – S$47 after 20% discounts

dinner was S$47 nett after discounts. they charged S$0.60pax for water which was ok by me.

this a place we would come once a while when don’t feel like going other places, & today because the 20% discounts was expiring.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Korean bbq – cabbage wrap

went with 2 RI buddies for lunch at seorae at level 2 of plaza singapura on 30.3.2017. ^^

we were meeting to discuss a trip the 3 of us are making together to UK in april. 🙂

banchan – korean bbq

seorae is traditional Korean bbq, that serves banchan 반찬 sides dishes.

wife & I always eat at aburiya, which we like a lot. that is yakiniku, the Japanese styled Korean bbq. so I am quite keen to find a good traditional Korean bbq.

seorae korean bbq

they have 3 S$10.90 lunch set. I found out though that bulgogi was S$26.90 as the portion was for 2pax, but that was the price anyway in the main menu, so not sure how it was a lunch special?

seorae korean bbq

seorae had a clean, neat, pleasant ambience, also commented by my friends, as some Korean eating places can be quite disorganised & messy.

seorae korean bbq

service also very good. my friend asked for banchan replenishment several times, no hassle.

beef belly UOB card 1 for 1 @ S$22.90

there was a UOB card 1 for 1 promotion for beef belly S$22.90 or pork belly S$17.90, can only order 1 promotion once for each table.

server advised that beef belly more popular, and indeed it was excellent! I like this, fatty but very tasty.

to qualify for the 1 for 1, you need to order 2 other meats.

pork skirt platter S$29.90 for 270g

so we ordered the pork skirt, which was a favourite here.

a normal serving is S$21.90 for 170 gram. we decided to order the platter which is S$29.90 for 270g. we picked the normal & another seasoned with garlic.

LA galbi (beef ribs) S$29.90

there was also the LA galbi (beef ribs) which other bloggers mentioned was good, so we ordered that as well.

korean bbq

the pork skirt was very good.

the garlic seasoned ones were somehow more tasty…

korean bbq

& we all liked the beef belly. it was really good. very flavourful.

Korean bbq

quite shiok actually, especially when it is S$22.90 & 1 for 1….

LA galbi (beef ribs) S$29.90

the LA galbi was a good meat too.

there were 3 pieces for S$29.90, a good serving..it was leaner than the belly…

LA galbi (beef ribs) S$29.90

one friend commented the bones got in the way.

I guess we all could get around that as long as meat was tasty…

complimentary egg custard

one interesting addition here was the complimentary egg.

it’s like a chawanmushi egg custard not steamed but baked by the conductive proximity heat…

complimentary egg custard

it was tasty too, especially if you add some of the dips for the meat.

complimentary egg custard

& the server came with a kettle containing more of the egg custard mixture to replenish the egg..

Korean bbq – cabbage wrap

the banchan 반찬 sides dishes were good on their own..

I also used the lettuce to wrap the bbq meat together with the banchan. it was nice too, but again the meat were nice just eaten on their own…

gangnam bingsu S$9.90

we decided to try their bingsu…

gangnam bingsu S$9.90

it was $9.90 c/w with like S$16 in other places, but it was a small serving..like 1/2 the size..

gangnam bingsu S$9.90

I wasn’t impressed with the bingsu…not the popcorn caramel…

green tea bingsu S$9.90

& not the green tea either..

gangnam bingsu & green tea bingsu S$9.90 each

I think quite poor in comparison (say) with ice shavings at-

(a) Mei Heong Yuen Dessert 味香园甜品, OR

(b) jidechi 记得吃 

OR (say) a green tea parfait at sun with moon wheelock…

3pax lunch with 4 meat servings & 2 bingsu was S$120nett. I think pretty good.

I don’t consider it better than our favourite yakiniku restaurant aburiya,

but this is as good an alternative I guess.

ambience wise & also having banchan 반찬 sides dishes & egg custard constantly replenished, it is better. service, food-wise just as good & price quite good too especially with the UOB 1 for 1 promotion.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Seorae Korean BBQ

Address:

#02-01 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, 238839

Contact:

+65 91812709

Opening Hours:

Sun – Thu: 11:30 – 22:00
Fri – Sat: 11:30 – 23:00

#4 fish & chips – manu price S$8

our OPS friend organised & bought 4pax dinner @ marble bistro this evening on 29.3.2017.

it was also a birthday treat for our friend who had his birthday last week.

marble bistro

marble bistro is an interesting boutique place located at everton park.

simple, nice ambience, neat, clean lines. restaurant can seat about 30+ pax including at counter seats.

marble bistro

seems that some of the young folks here were from Culinary institute of America (CIA).

marble bistro 7-course tasting menu

we took the 7-course tasting menu, which cost S$38nett.

it was a good menu & good standard dishes at this price, but not ready to be considered degustation.

the tasting menu was a good intro to the signature dishes. having looked at the menu, I would order ala carte the next time I visit.

#1 mushroom macchiato – menu price S$6

the mushroom macchiato was very good.

the truffle foam was excellent! the mushroom consommé was very good standard. some fod bloggers said it was not intense enough. for me, it was ok, and it combined quite perfectly with the excellent truffle foam.

our birthday boy said it reminded him of chicken essence, luckily he did not say marmite…not sure whether chicken essence is a compliment for truffle foam mushroom macchiato la…

Jaan’s amuse bouche 2 – cepe mushroom tea

no comparison at all with Jaan’s cepes mushroom tea amuse bouche. but of course we are not comparing, not apple for apple so no meaningful comparison…

#2 sour dough

the sour dough was a good bread (it’s considered the second course)…

#2 sour dough

the konbu butter & bacon chutney quite good too. I had better seaweed butter elsewhere, but this was good standard.

#3 deviled eggs – menu price $7

deviled eggs were a smoked quail egg & yoke mouse pesto cone.

#3 deviled eggs

urrrrh… for me this much ado about nothing.

the dish was ok overall, not bad, but I would miss nothing without it. I would not order this alacarte..

egg cone-deviled eggs

the cone was better of the 2 & quite a good snack I guess.

smoked quail egg

the smoked quails egg for me more effort than results…

#4 fish & chips

the fish & chips of course did not look anything like fish & chips.

it’s not a battered fish but aburi unagi topped with tobiko, atop a triple cooked potato.

#4 fish & chips

a good “mouth-feel”, great dining experience and overall quite an impressive dish..

#5 prawn noodles

there was a choice of prawn noodles or crab porridge.

2 of us took prawn noodles (including me) & 2 crab porridge.

#5 prawn noodles – menu price S$7.50

prawn noodles was somen with onsen egg, chilled prawns, prawn broth & tsuyu sauce.

not bad if not quite the level of a good somen dish in a Japanese restaurant

(or a good chilled pasta eg at prime portico).

#5 crab barley risotto – menu price S$8

the crab barley risotto was good too. lots of blue swimmer crab & seaweed, great taste.

barley healthy though not my preferred texture, better real risotto for me. this a dish I would order ala carte.

#6 6hr sous vide flank steak

the 6hr sous vide medium flank steak was not a disappointment, but also not great. above average I guess.

steak was tender, no tendons, some sweetness (credit to the chef for a cheaper flank cut), but don’t really have the savoury, flavourful taste & feel of a truly good steak…

#6 6hr sous vide flank steak

unlike (say) salted & hung $100gourmet which uses also a cheaper flank cut (but it was a blackmore wagyu flank), & that produces a very flavourful steak…

#7 chocolate brownie

the chocolate brownie was good actually, not too sweet, a soft pliable texture, not hard. anyway I not so dessert person, so this just ok for me (in fact, I pass 1/2 the brownie & ice cream to our birthday boy).

overall I think this was a good 7-course dinner for S$38nett.

cost has to be factored in, so at this price this was really quite good.

(a chilled pasta alone is S$25 at prime portico & salted & hung’s sous vide blackmore wagyu flank was part of a $121nett 100gourmet dinner, so not intended for comparison here).

still, the ala carte price is very decent too, so I would just take ala carte dishes like mushroom macchiato, fish & chips, crab porridge (prawn noodles ok too) & a main, maybe the pork jowl..or maybe the flank steak ok don’t really mind it but no need to have…or just skip the main…ok to pay for the S$6.50 sour dough too..

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Contact:

9795 7262

Typically replies within an hour

Message Now

www.instagram.com/marblebistro/

 Opening Hours:

Hours 11:45AM – 5:00PM, 6:00PM – 9:00PM

tea smoked roast duck – S$32

my good OPS primary school friend had his birthday last Saturday. yesterday he was with 2 other OPS friends in JB. so we arranged to have lunch today on Tuesday 28.3.2017. ^^

I haven’t been to Xin Cuisine 新故乡 for a while. my last blog post was dinner on 17.4.2016.

tea smoked roast duck – S$32

the roast duck here was fabulous – the best. for me, this is better than-

1. canton paradise,
2. royal london duck at mandarin gallery,
3. House of Roasted Duck 劉強烤鴨店 , &
4. about on par or better than the royal London duck at tunglok signatures.

it had a light fragrant tea infused flavour, the skin was perfectly crisp. also great juice & peanuts, and plum sauce.

today though I needed my friend to tell me it was really flavourful…taste buds still not in gear yet…

sweet mustard leaves with wawa vegetables 甜梅菜和娃娃菜 – S$18

the 甜梅菜和娃娃菜 another excellent dish here.

I made my very good 梅菜扣肉 dish after I tried this 梅菜dish here.

so tender, & the 娃娃菜 & also the egg plant were really perfect, and the light soy sauce too.

I must try making this full dish.

lobster noodles – S$25

I ordered the lobster noodles for my friend.

big prawn noodles – S$15

& a big prawn crispy noodles for myself.

friend’s feedback was that the lobster was plump & fresh. the sauce superior stock 上汤 was NOT that superior & noodles too. it sure looked that way.

actually I made an excellent 上汤焗伊面 for my wife on valentine’s day, I think mine much more “superior” la..(not my lobster just the noodles)

my big prawn noodles was good standard. prawn was well done, the crispy noodles a bit soaked. my sauce looked the same but had scallions & ginger, so maybe the taste was better.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

weiyi laksa S$5

sent daughter to commonwealth MRT at 7.55am.

decided to drop by tanglin halt food centre. weiyi Laksa 唯一辣沙 was open. today Tuesday 28.3.2017. ^^

weiyi laksa long queue

there were 7 in the queue. joined the queue took about 10mins so pretty ok. the first women bought like 7 or 8 packets so took longest, the rest including myself mostly one or two.

weiyi laksa long queue

I ate a $5 bowl there & tapao one back for my helper.

weiyi laksa S$5

I bought the no 6 S$5 option = chicken + hum (cockles) + taupok & medium.

I like weiyi Laksa 唯一辣沙 because it is lemak but not very, and is more savoury, of course lots of ingrdients, and that’s why more savoury & satisfying.

weiyi laksa S$5

I think my taste bud a bit off today, as proven when I had lunch with my OPS friend later. so did not fully realised the enjoyment & taste. still it was good!

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Weiyi Laksa 唯一辣沙 @ Tanglin Halt Food Centre

UN futomaki & botan ebi sashimi (S$45)

had a really wonderful evening, very enjoyable dinner with my close RI friend at mikuni on 27.3.2017. ^^

my friend had his birthday earlier in the month. he travels frequently, and I was indisposed for 2 weeks, so we arranged for this dinner at mikuni once I was well.

last post I made on mikuni was 2pax dinner with a OPS primary school friend on 31.8.2016.

botan ebi sashimi – S$45

I ordered botan ebi sashimi – S$45.

botan ebi sashimi – S$45

this a truly superb dish for the connoisseur. the tiny sweet prawns or amaebi is like 1/4 of th size of this monster. I love the fresh, gummy texture & very sweet fresh of prawn sashimi, and I guess if you like amaebi sashimi, this like multiply it 4 times.

deepfried prawn heads of botan ebi sashimi

& of course I got the heads deep-fried la!

this was so good. you like can eat everything….

deepfried prawn heads of botan ebi sashimi

my friend said this was so fragrant. he absolutely loved it too! 🙂

UN futomaki = united nations like 9 ingredients – S$26

we ordered the UN futomak. it is in true united nations fashion – like having 9 ingredients. it was a good maki, but I feel that the mikuni maki is still better.

Boned-in kurobuta belly pork robatayaki – S$40

for today, a Tuesday, restaurant was fully booked, only seats at teppanyaki & robatayaki. I asked for robatayaki…we sat at the corner, very private & good space.

I ordered the boned-in kurobuta belly pork robatayaki. this was very good!

sauce for Boned-in kurobuta belly pork robatayaki

we each had a trio of sauces. I tried the mustard & also the ponzu sauce. they were good, and the kurobuta was good on its own too!

wagyu sukiyaki konabe – S$48

and of course I ordered the wagyu sukiyaki konabe – S$48.

wagyu sukiyaki konabe

this is always so good!

now they don’t put kagoshim wagyu on the menu. it tasted exactly the same as before.

really good stuff – 3 pieces of thick cut wagyu beef, so excellent sweet & marbled Japanese wagyu!

lobster uniyaki – S$48

I also ordered thelobster uniyaki – S$48.

lobster was small – maybe 350g to 400g. it was nicely done though, very good taste & nice uni sauce drizzled al over it.