Tag: dining in singapore

A Party In Our Mouths – Watermelon Fried Rice Is Just Amazeballs!

Nestled among an array of other gastronomic selections and retail shops in Sentosa, Gin Khao Bistro stands out with its red in black facade, catching many a passers-by’s eyes. It was quiet as we were early for dinner, allowing us a moment to enjoy the evening breeze and yacht marina view.

Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea

We start off the meal with a classic Thai Iced Milk Tea, a staple drink to have at every Thai eatery. Gin Khao Bistro ups its Thai Iced Milk Tea game by adding a special ingredient to it.

Their version is a Thai Iced Rose Milk Tea ($5.80), a shot of rose syrup is added to the iced tea. Rose syrup can be a tad sweet and cloying, but what is special about this blend is that the rose adds a layer of flavour to the milk tea, giving it an overall pleasant yet refreshing aftertaste.

Som Tam

Our next dish was a perfect contrast to the sweet Thai Iced Milk Tea. Som Tam ($8.80), also known as Papaya salad, is possibly an all-time favourite appetiser for Thais. The first few bites can be slightly acidic, but is expected. The papaya they use here is fresh and crunchy. Gin Khao’s Som Tam is indeed tantalising, a great choice to whet the appetite of diners early on in the meal.

 Tom Yam Tulay

Our next dish was the Tom Yam Tulay ($13.80), a soup base accompanied by a generous amount of seafood such as mussels, squid, and shrimp. The seafood contributed a rich flavour in the broth, but its addictive nature is in the aftertaste.

 Phat Neua

After the appetiser and the soup, we were ready for more. The next dish that came piping hot was Phat Neua ($14.80). This generous serving of stir fried spicy beef got our appetites raring to go. We sank our teeth into the tender well-seasoned beef and were hooked after the first bite. It is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

Watermelon Fried Rice

As always, we save the best for last. Recommended by the restaurant manager, Kevin, we tried the Watermelon Fried Rice ($25.80). The dish is a new creation by Gin Khao, an unexpected twist to the traditional pineapple fried rice. The Instagram-worthy dish is a sculpted watermelon bowl containing fried rice, mussels, sliced squids, shrimps, beancurd skin, cashew nuts, chicken floss, and of course, watermelon balls.

We were rather sceptical of how this would taste. It sounded a little absurd to eat watermelon balls with rice but if we could eat pineapple and mango with rice, why not watermelon!

We were right to trust Gin Khao’s creation. It felt like a party in my mouth with the sweetness of the watermelon contrasting the saltiness of the fried rice. The ingredients were seasoned and cooked to perfection. The fluffiness and chewiness of the fried rice complemented the juiciness of the watermelon balls, and it had us drooling for more. We relished the entire dish to the very last mouthful.

I must say, we had a scrumptious Thai dining experience with Gin Khao Bistro and would come back anytime. Visit Gin Khao Bistro for delectable Thai food with a special twist!

Gin Khao Bistro @ Sentosa Cove
Address: 31 Ocean Way #01-12 Quayside Isle
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 12pm to 3pm, 530pm to 10pm
Fri: 12pm to 12am
Sat/Eve: 11am to 12am
Sun/PH: 11am to 10pm

Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also, read A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q

A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q

Part of a chain of restaurants by the Ishida Kikaku Group, originating from Hakata city in Kyushu, Japan, Teppan Bar Q is the group’s second restaurant in Singapore. This newly opened restaurant is set in the hip and stylish Robertson Quay area.

The founder, Mr Kyota Ishida, also known as Mr K, promotes the taste of Hakata in all his dining ventures. Mr K has been in the industry since he was sixteen when he started working in a French restaurant. His passion for bringing a sense of excitement and discovery to customers through food has led him to open various restaurants around Japan, and now, Singapore.

Teppan Bar Q

Teppan Bar Q is a contemporary teppanyaki restaurant that offers Spanish Tapas with a creative twist. This cosy and inviting diner seats 21 pax around the counter. Indoor and outdoor seatings are available for drinks and light bites. You can also pair a wide selection of wine from Spain to Japan, private-label sakes, fruit liqueurs, cocktail, and beers,  with its dishes.

Roasted Hakata Mentai

One of Hakata region’s speciality is their Roasted Hakata Mentai ($12.90) – marinated roe of Pollock and Cod, specially flown in from Hakata. The roe is sliced into small nuggets, gently roasted on its grill, and topped with capsicum, chilli flakes.

We found this dish a little too savoury for our taste buds. However, it paired well with sake for a full bodied flavour.

Octopus Galician Style

This is an interesting combination – octopus on potatoes ($13.90). The octopus is well-cooked and seasoned to perfection. Topped with paprika powder, olive oil and spring onions on a bed of soft potatoes, this dish tantalised the taste buds. The dish was delightful – tangy, slightly peppery, and just the right amount of savoury.

Foie Gras with Daikon

The Foie Gras with Daikon ($26.80) is our favourite dish and totally stole the limelight. This dish is chef Kyota’s signature Mediterranean-inspired dish. After grilling to perfection, the foie gras is set to rest for 2 minutes. This makes it more juicy and tender.

The smooth and rich foie gras melted in my mouth. The daikon (white radish), soaked in dashi broth, was heavenly. It oozed with unami and dashi and left me wanting more. This is a truly unforgettable dish.

Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake & Cheese

One of Teppan Bar Q’s must-haves is definitely their Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake and Cheese ($25.90). The Tonpei Yaki is a thin batter layered with finely chopped cabbage with slivers of pork, egg, and white sauce. The white sauce is a secret mixture of mountain yam paste and mayonnaise. The restaurant’s mayonnaise is homemade with plum-infused soymilk – a healthier choice. Also, good quality eggs from Okinawa are used for this dish. What’s also special is that this dish is served on special earthenware plates. These plates have an infrared effect that draws out the taste of the ingredients evenly. Definitely a must-try dish!

US Ribeye Angus Steak

The US Angus Ribeye Steak ($58.90 for 200g) was cooked to perfection. It was not tough at all and was juicy and tender. Choose from three accompanying sauces – sesame sauce, soy sauce with wasabi, and garlic ginger onion sauce. Out of all the sauces, we felt that the sesame sauce added a punch to the flavour of the beef. If you want to enjoy the natural flavour of the beef, simply opt for the soy sauce with wasabi.

Garlic Fried Rice

A good garlic fried rice consists of loads of garlic fried to a delectable aroma with eggs and rice. This garlic fried rice ($12.90) totally nailed it! On top of all these goodness, the chef added in a fatty portion of the steak from our previous dish which gave our fried rice a surprise burst of flavour for each bite.

Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako

To wrap up your dinner, try their Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako ($6.90). The ice cream is made from kinako – roasted soybean paste which is a healthy option for diners. A brown sugar syrup at the bottom provides a sweet finish to the dessert.

All in all, we love how quaint and cosy this little restaurant bar is. If you’re looking to unwind with friends or would like to have a family gathering in an intimate casual setting, we definitely recommend visiting Teppan Bar Q!

Do note that the servings seen in the pictures are in mini portions as this was an invited food tasting. Besides the ala carte dishes, Teppan Bar Q also offers a set course menu from $60.

In Singapore, Teppanyaki is either found at food courts or at the high-end restaurants. Teppan Bar Q fills the mid-range gap. To find this restaurant, walk along Muhammad Sultan Road instead of Unity Street.

This was an invited food tasting session.

(All photos are taken by the writer)

Teppan Bar Q
11 Unity Street, #01-21/22 Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995
Tel: 65 6235 0629
Opening Hours: Daily, 6pm – 12am

Also, read Decadent Yet Light Cakes You’ll Love – Waku Ghin @ Marina Bay Sands

Kitchen at Bacchanalia – Send Your Taste Buds On An Adventure!

Nestled in the heart of Hong Kong Street, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia isn’t your average fine-dining restaurant. What catches the attention of passers-by is not just the well-decorated interior, but also the stunning open kitchen concept. The cosy 36 seater really makes fine dining a casual yet intriguing affair.

The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is led by head chef Ivan Brehm. This is Brehm’s first restaurant in Singapore. Born in Brazil, he uses his deep culinary knowledge and experience to create many unique and intriguing dishes. His menu is carefully thought and crafted out. All the dishes I’ve tried did not fail to excite the taste buds.

The entire restaurant exudes a relaxed vibe. The low chatter from the guests and the overall calm ambience makes dining at Bacchanalia comfortable and enjoyable. The waiters adopt a smart-casual look as they are all dressed in shirt and jeans. Upon stepping in, the delicious smell of food wafts through the air while the chefs cook.

The best part? Diners get to watch all the action! From the preparation to the cooking and even to the plating of the dishes.

The capellini pasta was chilled and perfectly al dente. The black garlic mayonnaise and sprinkles of American chilli pepper complemented the pasta and left a sharp and intriguing aftertaste, that wasn’t too overpowering. The black garlic mayonnaise sauce also gave the dish a different texture that wasn’t too soupy or thick.

Hamachi is traditionally known as Japanese Yellowtail fish. It is commonly used in sushi or eaten alone as sashimi. It is normally found in the northern part of the pacific ocean and can be eaten either raw or cooked. Chef Ivan’s dish – Hamachi “On Toast” – consists of cured Japanese Hamachi atop rice and a rice cracker. Little bits of pomelo is added to balance out the saltiness and gives the dish a touch of sourness. The rice cracker also gives the dish its special crunch. All these aspects come together perfectly to wow my taste buds.

Talk about sending taste buds on an adventure – take the popular appetiser dish “Carrot” for example. The plate is filled with… you guessed it! Carrots. The carrots are cooked in different ways; from seared carrots to carrot jams and carrot sponge cakes. Because the carrots are cooked differently, the dish gave me a different perspective of carrots. I never imagined that a carrot could be so sweet and spongy. If I had to eat one kind of vegetable for the rest of my life, I’d choose to eat Chef Ivan’s carrot dish forever!

Another intriguing dish is the sesame cake that was served for dessert. It is a delicious black sesame almond cake served with pink guava sorbet. The sweetness of the sesame cake is perfectly balanced by the tangy-ness of the guava sorbet. The cake is spongy but it also doesn’t fail to melt in the mouth. Paired with the guava sorbet, the combined flavour of this duo really packs a punch. Overall, it makes for an A-star dessert.

If you’re hungry for food that will satisfy both your taste buds and your tummy, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia is definitely the place to go!

The Kitchen at Bacchanalia
Address: 39 Hong Kong Street Singapore 059678
Tel: +65 9179 4552
Opening Hours:
Lunch – Tuesday to Friday, 12pm – 2:30pm (last order)
Dinner – Monday to Saturday, 6pm – 10:30pm (last order)

Brought to you by Discover SG x The Kitchen at Bacchanalia

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also, read Red House Seafood – Comfort Food That Will Chase Away The Blues

Decadent Yet Light Cakes You’ll Love – Waku Ghin @ Marina Bay Sands

In September last year, renowned chef, Tetsuya Wakuda, launched Waku Ghin Patisserie Platine at RISE Lounge, offering 18 types of intricate pastries and petit cakes from the award-winning restaurant Waku Ghin.

The exclusive selection, which changes seasonally, is beautifully handcrafted and lovingly created by Waku Ghin’s pastry team. The cakes are available for takeaway or dine in at RISE lounge, located in the lobby of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Tower 1.

Each cake is made in-house, using premium ingredients and fresh seasonal fruits from Japan and Europe. The picture-perfect creations are not only easy on the eyes but also on the palate, hitting the right notes for texture and flavour.

Dining at Waku Ghin’s Patisserie Platine is, of course, an experience by itself. Enjoy the stream of natural light from all directions while you sip tea at the lounge – a place where businessmen and tourists frequent any time of the day – and feel like a total tai tai.

Chocolate mousse with raspberry and pistachio

The chocolate mousse with raspberry and pistachio ($12) is a decadent dessert – though there’s a rich cocoa taste, the texture remains light. The cakes here are not at all dense, in fact, it is so light, that it is dangerously easy to polish off an entire cake by yourself without realising it. The ingredients are fresh, as promised, and this rings true in every bite.

Ghin’s cheesecake

Ghin’s cheesecake ($12), a house speciality, is feathery light and it is almost like eating a cloud. For a cheesecake, it goes against the grain of what a typical cheesecake would be like. Waku Ghin’s team pushes boundaries with the cake, making it refreshing and almost airy. It is the type of cake you would eat for a good pick-me-up after a long work day.

Matcha Opera cake

The matcha opera cake ($10) also offers the same fluffy texture as the cheesecake and is very reminiscent of a tiramisu cake. We noted a hint of alcohol in this cake and for each bite, the tastes hit the taste buds quite strongly, but there are so many layers to the taste that the alcoholic tinge is soon forgotten.

Coconut mousse with passionfruit and mango

This bright coconut mousse with passionfruit and mango ($10) also carries the same lightness in texture as the other cakes despite being so dense in the fruit department. The coconut is so subtle in the mousse that it is almost undetectable. This was one of my favourites out of the lot we tried. All the desserts were surprisingly not too sweet either.

Waku Ghin has certainly pushed boundaries to create decadent, yet light desserts. You’ll never feel jelak polishing off an entire cake yourself! Every bite and calorie is worth it, satisfaction guaranteed.

Waku Ghin Patisserie Platine
Address: Rise Lounge, first floor, Marina Bay Sands Tower 1
Opening hours: From 11am daily
Tel: 6688 5568

Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also, read Popular Nightspots – Unwind To Recommended Izakayas in Singapore

Red House Seafood – Comfort Food That Will Chase Away The Blues

Just a stone’s throw away from buzzing Orchard Road sits Red House Seafood along Prinsep Street. Designed to look like a classic old school restaurant for both the interior and facade, Red House has a certain vintage charm to it.

Its fare is far from vintage, very modern local cuisine is offered to its patrons. When we paid a visit to Red House, we sampled their signature dishes such as the charcoal buns with chilli crab fillings ($10 for 3, 40% during lunch from now till December in conjunction with their 40th anniversary). I have always loved how charcoal powder makes the bun so soft. The bright orange filling also pops from the dark grey exterior of the bun, giving it a nice contrast.

We also tried the trio of squid ($32 for S, $64 for L) which was recommended by the manager of the restaurant. When I saw salted egg squid, I was sold, of course. Anything with salty, savoury coating makes me go nuts (I didn’t like the salted egg croissant, just on a side note). The salted egg squid retained its crispiness despite the thick coating of soft salted egg, which gave it a nice contrasting texture. There was also barbequed squid and crispy baby squid.

The barbequed squid was cooked perfectly. Squid, if overdone, gets too chewy and hard, but this was done to perfection and cooked through. The crispy baby squid was crispy as promised and had a pleasant sweetness to it, almost like caramelised Ikan Bilis.

Of course, the chilli crab is a favourite for foreigners to try when they’re in Singapore for the first time. I do believe this is one of the only dishes Malaysians don’t argue with Singaporeans over when it comes to its taste and origins. The thick, gooey gravy complements the crab meat well. I go on a little rant in my other post about how huge Singapore crabs are compared to Malaysian crabs (take a look here).

I love the mantous that come with the chilli crab. In fact, as a kid, I had always hoped my parents would let me take more than one. As an adult, little has changed. Heh.

The last dish we tried that evening at Red House was a nice soupy, crab bee hoon. The broth was thick with crab taste and it was very aromatic. My dining companions were commenting about how the soup here is better than Mellben Seafood’s. That isn’t for me to judge as I haven’t tried the latter. But I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the food here at Red House.

Needless to say, if you’re craving for quality seafood that will never disappoint, head to Red House Seafood @ Prinsep Street. This is the kind of comfort food that will chase away all blues and warm the cockles of your heart.

Red House Seafood @ Prinsep Street
Address: 68 Prinsep St
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 3PM – 10:30PM
Weekends: 11Am – 10:30PM

Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also, read Old Is Gold – 12 Best Food Finds In Mature Estate Toa Payoh!

PS.Cafe & Prawn Mee – It Will Wow Your Tastebuds

PS.Cafe is one of those names that every Singaporean knows and now, slowly, Malaysians are getting introduced to. The Malaysian managing editor at Foodie Vs The World, Sarah, has heard rave reviews about this place from her friends and has indeed also tried one of the outlets when she was visiting Singapore. We’ve mostly heard about the widely known truffle fries, but PS.Cafe serves up more than just great truffle fries.

We made a trip down to the Palais Renaissance outlet one day to try their dry prawn mee, a classic local dish, sure to please many a tastebud.

PS.Cafe has a lovely al fresco seating area for those who like to enjoy a little piece of nature while eating.

PS.Cafe has an asian menu comprising 9 different Asian dishes, all of which are instilled with a little bit of creativity to bring out the fusion between the East and the West. We were introduced to one of people’s favourite, the Dry Prawn Mee.

According to the head chef of PS.Cafe, Chef Wai, the uniqueness of this dish comes from the preparation of the prawn paste. Unlike the usual hawker way of adding different condiments (black sauce, dried chilli etc) together, the chef makes use of prawn shell reduce as well as other ingredients to create the prawn concentrate.

The ingredients in the Dry Prawn Mee are pork belly, prawns, kang kong, bean sprouts and 2 quail eggs. Pasta noodles instead of egg noodles are used to marry the very Asian style of preparation with the very Western styled noodles. Noodles are prepared al dente to give it that perfect texture.

The noodles itself are tangy and full-flavoured as the prawn concentrate is very well absorbed into the noodles. Like the pasta, the shrimps are perfectly cooked to bring out the firmness when first bitten into, before yielding to a softness on the inside. The pork belly is also another element that is cooked to perfection. At the first sip, the soup broth is rich in flavour and slightly spicy. Readers be warned: this dish is highly addictive. If the soup is simply not enough for you, there is a little pot that comes with the dish containing additional prawn soup.

The only setback, we believe, is that the dish can get a little oily, but it is worth every calorie consumed.

Singapore’s best prawn mee may well be at an unexpected location – not at our beloved hawkers, but at a cosy cafe. For a delightful twist of our local favourite dish, head on down to PS.Cafe and savour the sweet soup with prawns and pasta noodles done to perfection.

PS.Cafe @ Palais Renaissance
Adddress: 390 Orchard Rd, Palais Renaissance, Singapore 238871
Opening hours: Open 11:30AM to 12AM on weekdays, 09:30AM to 12AM on weekends.

Brought to you by Discover SG x Foodie Vs The World

This was an invited food tasting session.

Also read: Roast Paradise @ Old Airport Food Centre: Serving Great Char Siu!

7 Best Eats You Must Try Along Tanjong Katong For That Great Meal

The Tanjong Katong neighbourhood is one with cafes and eateries spouting out relatively fast. Coupled with old school eateries and stalls, it’s an eclectic neighbourhood with a wide range of food options.

With its large residential crowd and people flocking from all parts of Singapore, it is undoubtedly a prime spot for cafe owners and eateries.

Well, the East has practically everything for food! Yes, we East siders do take our food very seriously. Do join us for a gastronomic tour down Tanjong Katong Road as bring you 7 best cheap eats all under $15.

1. Punggol Nasi Lemak

https://www.instagram.com/p/9yVrbLpG5U/?taken-at=1130352

Don’t be fooled by its name. Although this stall is named Punggol Nasi Lemak, it is located along Tanjong Katong Road. Though it is priced slightly highly than your usual plate of Nasi Lemak, you get to choose from a wide array of dishes.

What we recommend – their crispy chicken wings fried to perfection, crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside; and their spicy Otah. Their French Beans fried with dried shrimps is also one of our must haves. For any Nasi Lemak dish, the sambal chilli is the most important condiment and we must say it is on point.

The queue starts as early as 6pm. Fret not, as their staff work quickly and it won’t take too long before it’s your turn (about 15 minutes). Each plate will cost from about $5 to $7 depending on what dishes you pick. Overall, its fried chicken wings and otahs undoubtedly win our hearts.

Punggol Nasi Lemak 
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437026
Tel: 65 6287 0020
Opening Hours: 5.30pm-2.30am, Closed on Thu

2. Eng’s Noodles House

(image credit: wanton mee. This place has come a long way from the 1950s where it started out from a pushcart at Duku Road to a stall at Dunman Food Center and now a shophouse unit along Tanjong Katong Road.

Their noodles are custom made according to Eng’s specifications. Thicker than the usual wanton noodles, they’re springy and firm. Bottles of hot chilli sauce are also provided at each table. Their wontons, though smaller in size, are seriously addictive. Priced at $4.50 for a small bowl of wanton mee and $5.50 for a large one.

Tip: Order an extra plate of wonton (we prefer the non-fried version), you won’t regret it!

Eng’s Noodles House
Address: 287 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437070
Tel: 8688 2727
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-9pm

3. Little Ice Cream Kafe

Known as LICK in short, this homely ice cream palour is opened by a pair of sisters-in-law. Serving up 30 flavours ranging from the good old classics, zesty fruity flavours to local delights, this is the place to go for a late night ice cream fix!

Some of their best sellers include Gula Melaka, Sea Salt Caramel, and Mao Shan Wang. This place also makes really good crispy waffles which are fluffy and soft on the inside.

The cafe is quite small and it is difficult to get a seat on weekends as it is usually crowded. $3.30 for a single scoop, $5.30 for double scoop and approximately $10 for 2 scoops of ice cream and waffles.

Tip: Half-price for waffles every Tuesday. Free Wi-Fi available.

Address: 258 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437046
Tel: 65 6440 8526
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am

4. Maekhong Thai Cuisine

If you’re looking for affordable and good Thai food, check out Maekhong Thai Cuisine. With over 100 dishes on the menu, Chef Kuan and his team cook for the Singaporean’s tastebuds while retaining the authenticity of each dish.

Try their Basil Seafood Fried Rice (pictured above) at $6.80 nett. A very affordable price for big pieces of squid, sliced fish and prawns. Their Pineapple Rice ($6.80) with lap cheong (chinese port sausage) is delectable to say the least. For the sweet tooth, order their Red Ruby or Mango Sticky Rice for the perfect end to a great meal.

Maekhong Thai Cuisine
Address: 228 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437053
Tel: 65 6440 7714
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

5. Nan Xiang Chicken Rice

Nan Xiang Chicken Rice is the stall to visit if you are looking for some good chicken rice at Tanjong Katong. Located in a coffee shop along Tanjong Katong Road, this stall not only serves chicken rice but also the best char siew (cantonese roasted meat), roasted to perfection! Its char siew is done old school style – charred with fatty cuts. They also serve good roast duck and sio bak (crispy roast pork belly).

With quality food at affordable prices, this stall often gets crowded during meal times but it is well worth the waiting time for a good plate of chicken rice and char siew. A plate of chicken rice or char siew rice starts from $3.

Nan Xiang Chicken Rice 
Address: 271 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437054
Tel: 65 6397 6823/ 9752 3448 (Jimmy)
Opening Hours: 9.30am-10pm, Closed on Tue

6. The Laneway Market

Located at a laneway (at Boscombe Road) off the busy Tanjong Katong Road lies a cosy cafe where people come together to enjoy good food. Serving up casual breakfasts to dinner mains, with speciality coffee and in-house baked pastries to go along, this cafe presents a welcoming atmosphere for its customers.

If you’d like to enjoy a chill out evening, drop by The Laneway Market. Its coffee, tea and desserts are decent with no extra GST or service charge. The cafe also provides free Wi-Fi and iced water. You can spend almost the whole day in the comforts of the cafe catching up with friends or work.

For the coffee lovers, try their Laneway Cuppa ($6), a special blend of Sumatran and Ethiopian beans infused with a shot of coconut essence. Their Earl Grey latte ($6) and cold brewed coffee are worthy of mention too. For the mains, we recommend their Laneway Carbonara – Bacon, Chipolatas, Sous Vide Egg ($15).

Whats more – download the Hollerout app and receive 10% discount with $40 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG).

7. Do.Main Bakery

(Image credit:
Address: 226 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437015
Tel: 65 6348 1406
Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 8am-9pm, Fri-Sun 8am-10.30pm

With so much good and cheap food along Tanjong Katong Road, there’s no reason to procrastinate. Head down soon to explore the place!

For those driving to Tanjong Katong, parking may be difficult to find along the main road, but there is a big public carpark if you turn into the road just beside Caltex. If you know of any other affordable must eats at Tanjong Katong, do drop us a comment and let us know!

(Header image by Instagram user @howicworld, edited by writer)

Also read: Here’s An Ingenious Way To Easily Save 10% Off Your Dining Bills

For Dad – A Perfect Meal With Free-flow 48-Day Prime Rib & Beer

Tucked away on the seventh floor of the one-year-old Park Hotel Alexandra, The Carvery can be best described as a classy and quiet restaurant that doesn’t scrimp on quality. A restaurant that will definitely wow Dad’s tummy this Father’s Day (19 June).

Walking in, instead of the usual suspects from soda machines to thinly-sliced salmon sashimi, you’ll find high-quality appetite-whetting salad starters like Greek Beets with Feta Cheese, roasted sweet potatoes and figs, and charred okra with tomato, garlic and preserved lemon. Even the freshest seafood is available from blue swimmer crabs to chilled tiger prawns to Canadian black mussels to white clams and others.

While the greens are nutritious, and the seafood delicious, most diners head to  The Carvery for their premium meats. After all, The Carvery is most well-known for its signature roasts, from Beef Prime Rib that seduces with a rosy pink centre to a delightfully juicy New Zealand Roasted Leg of Lamb to the crispy Pork Knuckle with Crackling, and a well-marinated Rotisserie Chicken.

Just next to the meats – if you can take your eyes away from the aromatic roasts for just a second – is a rack of condiments and sauces. Although the myriad of sauces, butters and salts may intimidate some of us, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly chef on standby what you should pick to go along with the meats you have selected.

Do also keep in mind that the meats are on rotation, so not all of the dishes mentioned will be available, especially if the meat procured by the restaurant for a certain dish is not up to par. The meats, all selected by Executive Chef Robert Chan, a top chef in Singapore with more than 20 years of experience in the culinary sector, are also curated to go well with a line up of side dishes better known as trimmings.

“When curating the lineup of sides, we wanted to ensure that each item would offer the customer a classic pairing that will completely enhance their enjoyment of the premium meats. Different cultures combine their roasts with different sides and we have made the effort to provide these selections at The Carvery.” – Top chef, Robert Chan.

So, as you walk by the side dishes, you’ll find classy choices from beetroot crusted seabass with cream sauce (which was said to be an option for folks who don’t really like meat that much) to beef bourguignon to corn on the cob to fragrant mashed potatoes and polenta fries.

But that’s not all. When you’re done with your main courses, clean your palette with some bread, cheese, fruit and dessert! The Carvery bakes its own bread with natural yeast, and its wood-fried pizzas were surprisingly good for a meat-focused restaurant. And as for desserts, you won’t go wrong with a panna cotta, creme brulee, or an English Trifle (a dessert layered with custard). Then again, it is a buffet — have all of them!

One important thing that we liked while dining at The Carvery was the relaxed ambience. On a weekday afternoon, the restaurant was quiet without a single hint of a mad rush, and allowed guests to speak to each other at ease.

Look out and let your eyes rest on the lush greenery in the background and gorgeous infinity pool and bar concept – also known as the Aqua Luna. You may even take advantage of the al fresco seating to enjoy a little summer breeze.

While some of the dishes mentioned may not be available this Father’s Day weekend, The Carvery is celebrating the occasion with confirmed show-stealers like a special 48-day dry-aged Prime Rib, which was slow-cooked and roasted for eight good hours then served medium-rare.

For all daddies – unlimited Asahi Black beer, and other usual favourites like the Rotisserie Chicken, New Zealand Roasted leg of lamb, crispy Pork Knuckle, Pan Roasted Halibut with lemon butter and capers, as well as its Chocolate Armagnac shooters will be served.

What are you waiting for? Make your reservations for Father’s Day now!

Pan Pacific Oyster Buffet! All You Can Eat From $49++ Per Person

5 Exceedingly Unique Dining Places – Restaurants With A Twist

Are you tired of all the hipster cafes and bars? Looking for a more intriguing restaurant that will bring you to another world? Or maybe you’re a professional foodie who’s already visited all the restaurants in Singapore, and can’t seem to find your next target. With so many interesting restaurants and cafes around on our little red dot, finding one that stands out from the crowd can be a tough job. But lucky you, we’ve found 5 unique dining places that are sure to wow your socks off!

1. Selfie Coffee

Located along the streets of Haji Lane, Selfie Coffee is the most interesting cafe you’ll ever come across. The name says it all. They literally print customers’ selfies onto cups of coffee. How does it work? The first step is to take a selfie (duh). Next, you’ll have to choose a drink, and just like that, your selfie will be printed on the foam of your coffee.

The selfies are printed with 100% edible foam and cream. We recommend ordering a cold drink instead of a hot one, for the picture to last longer on the foam. Print your selfie on a cold cup of Mocha ($8.50) or on a cup of Selfie Coffee’s Signature Coffee ($7.50). Other drinks are also available if you’re not into the idea of sipping a picture of yourself.

Selfie Coffee
Address: 11 Haji Lane Singapore 18920
Opening Hours: Sun & Mon 11am-10pm, Tues to Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm
Tel: +65 6341 7213

2. Jungle Tandoor Restaurant

Interested to have dinner with bears, monkeys and deers? We’re not talking about visiting the Zoo, we’re talking about eating at Jungle Tandoor! Located in the heart of Serangoon, this urban jungle (pun intended) is really one of a kind. Decorated with tribal statues and fixtures of different jungle animals, stepping into Jungle Tandoor is just like stepping out of the city and deep into a real jungle. Feast on their delicious Chicken Tikka ($14) or some kebab ($15) and complete your meal with a glass of white wine ($10). Whatever you do, just remember: Don’t feed the animals!

Jungle Tandoor Restaurant
Address: 102 Serangoon Road Singapore 218007
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-11pm
Tel: +65 6299 0400

3. NOX – Dine In The Dark

Y’know how scientists say that blindness will rapidly enhance a person’s other senses? Well, you can put this saying to the test at NOX! The dining area is pitch dark and all light emitting devices (mobile phones and torches) are not allowed in the room. The restaurant hires visually impaired guides who will lead customers to their seats. A  mystery 3 course set dinner ($88++) will be served after customers are seated in the dining room. Yes, you really dine in the dark. Reservations can be made by phone or through their website.

NOX- Dine In The Dark
Address: 269 Beach Road Singapore 199546
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 6pm-late, Saturday 5pm-late, Sunday 5pm-11pm
Tel: +65 6298 0708

4. Antoinette

Step into a little piece of France here at Antoinette. This french restaurant aims to bring exquisite classic french dessert and cuisine to a whole new level. With their beautifully decorated interior and pretty pastries, you’ll never find a more atas restaurant than this! Order a savoury Concorde Crepe ($22) or a delicious warm Chocolate Cake served with Caramel Orange Ice Cream ($16). Antoinette also has a wide selection of teas and beverages, perfect for a little afternoon high tea session.

Antoinette
Address: 30 Penhas Road Singapore 208188
Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm
Tel: +65 6293 3121

5. ANDSOFORTH

This is the most mysterious restaurant yet. Its menu, theme and location changes every session and customers will only know details of the meal on the day itself! All we know is that guests will be treated to a staged play while having dinner. Reservations are to be made in advance, through their website. Guests will then receive a text on the day itself, with clues that will lead them to the location of the dinner. Each session costs about $108 per person. For a unique dinner experience, head to their website to book a slot now!

ANDSOFORTH
Address: Unknown
Opening Hours: Fri to Sun, Dinner
Website: 8 Local Dishes Modified To Look Modern, Can You Recognise Them?

8 Local Dishes Modified To Look Modern, Can You Recognise Them?

Modern Singaporean cuisine (local dishes modified to look modern), or mod-sin in short, amalgamates our familiar Singaporean hawker flavours with international dishes of the world. Very much like our Singaporean culture, mod-sin cuisine takes inspiration from various food cultures and adapts it into an experimental new dish that’s both bold and unique in taste.  

Let us explore the creativity and culinary concept behind some of these innovative creations that are only made possible thanks to our bustling local culture.

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice + Sushi

Image credit: Lepark

Picture a plate of steamed chicken rice served in bite-sized tapas portions. The Poached Chicken Sushi is unique to Lepark, a rooftop bar that’s situated on the roof of People’s Park Complex. A thin strip of nori sheet wraps around a tender poached chicken and Hainanese chicken sushi rice. Each morsel is topped with some garlic chilli. It ticks all the elements that goes into making a traditional chicken rice dish, but made more portable as side to some beer.

Lepark
Address: 1 Park Road, People’s Park Complex Level 6
Opening hours: Tue – Thu: 4pm – 11pm; Fri: 4pm – 12am; Sat: 12pm – 12am; Sun: 12pm – 11pm

2. Buah Keluak + Pasta

Image credit: Violet Oon Singapore

The distinctive ingredient used in traditional Nonya cuisine has now found its way into a marriage with Italian spaghetti. Admittedly, the fruit’s nutty and earthy profile makes it an acquired taste, but those who enjoy the rich and slightly bitter profile will appreciate Violet Oon’s take on Buah Keluak Noodle. This aromatic dish is tossed with chilli padi to lend a subtle kick, along with coconut milk and minced prawn.

Violet Oon Singapore
Address: 881 Bukit Timah Road
Opening hours: Tue – Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10:30am

3. Ondeh Ondeh + French Toast

Image credit: Crystalwee

Deconstructing an ondeh ondeh and infusing the sweet flavours into a classic breakfast dish makes the Ondeh Ondeh French Toast at Hyde & Co. a great dish that doubles as both dessert and tea break. The egg-washed brioche slices come loaded with grated pandan coconut and drizzled with gula melaka sauce. Topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for good measure and you have for yourself an oozing cold dessert with all the reminiscent flavours of an ondeh ondeh.

Hyde & Co.
Address: 785 North Bridge Road
Opening hours: Sun – Mon: 11am – 6pm; Wed – Sat: 11am – 10:30pm

4. Chilli Crab + Bun

Image credit: Baomakers

The thought of having a chilli crab bun might sound off putting initially, but they actually make sense if you think about how Singaporeans like to soak up the leftover chilli crab sauce with deep fried mantous. Making this Chilli Crab Bao possible is Bao Makers. They take deep fried crab meat and slather it with chilli sauce and top it off with coriander and fried shallots. Essentially a combination of various Asian flavours, think of it as our version of a slider with a local twist.

Bao Makers
Address: 78 Horne Road
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 10pm; Sat: 11am – 10pm; Sun: 11am – 6pm

5. Charsiew + Fries

Image credit: Redpan

Give the standard truffle fries a miss the next time you’re hit with a fries craving. At Redpan, they top their Char Siew Chilli Fries with a charsiew ragout and dolloped with sour cream and some jalapeno salsa. The seemingly contrasting ingredients come together nice to form an addictive starter that you’ll polish off in no time.

Redpan
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-03/04
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 11am – 10pm

6. Roasted Pork Belly + Pasta

Image credit: @cayceemeows

Not for the health-conscious, this Sio Bak Aglio Olio from Froth serves up chunks of roasted pork belly that sits on a bed of aglio olio, topped with a slice of their homemade bak kwa. The salty and crispy pieces of fats serve as a good contrast to the al dente pasta, creating a decadent dish that’ll fill you up with satisfaction.

Froth
Address: 2 Finlayson Green
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 10pm

7. Rendang + Lasagna

Image credit: Makankaki

Replace the tomato sauce in a plain old lasagna with some authentic rendang gravy and what you’ll find yourself with is an explosion of taste comprising of Italian and Malay cuisine. Alternating layers of pasta sheets, beef briskets and bechamel make for the perfect Ren Dang! Lasagna. But top it with a scoop of rendang gravy and you get a savoury spicy kick in this updated dish. Regular lasagna will never cut it for you again.

Sunday Market
Address: 22 Lim Tua Tow Road
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 11pm; Sat: 9am – 11pm; Sun: 9am – 9pm

8. Bandung + Latte

Image credit: Infuse your cuppa with floral accents of rose with Bandung Latte. Getting your caffeine fix just got a whole lot sweeter, with a drink that comes in a pretty pastel shade of pink. The rose floral notes mask the bitterness of the coffee, making this a delicious drink that even non-coffee fans will enjoy.

(Header image from Bao Makers, words by writer)

Also read: 9 Of SG’s Best Local Street Snack, How Many Have You Tried?