Burger fans alert! Wing fang alert! Burger Vs Wings + Bar (also known as B.W.B) opens at Orchard Central, with a spacious space offering 180-seats, and a fun vibrant ambience.

B.W.B has a fight club theme, designed to look like a boxing ring, with punching bags and gloves adorning the walls. During special ‘half-time’ sessions, placards are supposedly flashed for offers, such as half-price for certain items. (How come I see none of these when I am there?)

The real fight is between the burgers and wings, and the burgers seem to win this round.

The burgers are in the $14 to $20 plus range, with the signatures being the Wagyu Beef Black ($28) and BWB Classic Heavyweight Burger ($19.90) maded with patty stockyard angus beef patty.

I could not resist ordering the Tyson Peanut Butter Burger ($21.90), with creamy salty peanut butter spread on top of the angus beef patty, stuffed in the middle of sun-dried tomato brioche.

Actually, I was not expecting much and thus had a pleasant surprise when I sank my mouth in. The patty, while cannot be considered absolutely juicy wasn’t too dry or tough, and was well-grilled and evenly cooked. Weird as it may sound, the peanut butter with bacon works well to a T, and I sense more copycat versions coming up next. (But well, this is already quite popular in America.)

I wanted to try a variety, and so had the Sampler Trio Wings with Cajun Barbecue Wings, Wings Wrap (that is actually minced chicken in deep fried spring roll) and Jambalaya Wings ($18.00). Also spotted strangely out of place was a Vietnamese Spring Roll. Did Nam Nam leave it there?

Seasoning for the wings were great, ‘spring roll wings’ were my favourite, but were not crisp or tasty enough to be impressive.

Are you a big eater? You can get your money’s worth with their mini tapas and dessert buffet once you top up $4.90 for lunch and $7.90 for dinner (after you order a meal). The variety is huge, from salads, soups, pasta, meatballs, sous-vide eggs to cakes such as carrot cake, puddings and jellies. Such value for money!

No, of course I had no space at all after half a mega-huge burger, so the buffet while tempting, is ‘bo hua’ (not worth the money) for me. This will benefit those with big appetites who do not put on weight. You?

While the wings would require some fine-tuning, Burgers Vs Wings would easily fall into my “10 Best Places for Burgers” list with its wide offerings and energetic vibes. Can come back again.

Burgers Vs Wings + Bar
Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #11-03/04 Tel: +65 6634 0423
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm Daily

Other Related Entries
Grub (Bishan Park)
Omakase Burger (The Grandstand)
DIO Burgers (The Grandstand)
Burger Shack (Bt Timah)
Charly Ts (Katong 112)

The post Burgers Vs Wings + Bar – The Burgers Take The Lead appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Singaporeans must have had enough of bad F&B service, so when Hai Di Lao Hotpot 海底捞火锅 turns up at Clarke Quay with its ridiculously good service, they pack the Sichuan-based restaurant with hour long queues. (Haidilao Reservation number: +65 63378626)

Hai Di Lao is known more for their gimmicks more than their food itself – not that it is any bad. “Have you heard about the hotpot place with FREE manicure service? Oh and FREE fruits and popcorn while you are waiting for a table?”

A 60 minutes wait to get a table during a weekend. Fortunately, you can get a ticket with number and can request to be called once your table is almost ready. If not, play Flappy Bird on the iPad, gorge yourself with longan fruits, or read magazines.

There were only two manicurists on duty and their appointment books looked fully written with names.

While there isn’t any of the shoe-shining, neck massage service that branches in China offer, the enthusiastic service staff would still keep coming to check on you. Plus parents would be happy to know there is a children’s room for your kids to watch cartoons.

Here are 10 more other reasons to visit Hai Di Lao:

1. Soup bases – From chicken, mushroom, tomato, seafood to their ever popular Sichuan pot. My friends found it stomach churning spicy, but I treated it as thrilling as sweat-inducing delicious.

Surprisingly, I did not get thirsty for once after a Chinese hotpot. Does this mean finally no added MSG?

2. Sauces – With more than 20 to choose from. It cost an extra $4 per person (sauces also need to charge?), but the dips are worth it – from ground beef, mushroom sauce, creamy sesame, hoisin, to specially made chill. Top with crunchy peanut, or simply ask the waitress to make you the signature Hai Di Lao dipping sauce bowl.

3. Gongfu mian – Noodles artistically handmade in front of your table. Watch that guy in white tracks flick your noodles to the sky.

4. Beef balls – So fresh and bouncy, and comes with some soup within the balls.

5. Slippery shrimp – A shrimp paste, handmade and squeezed by the waitress into the hotpot with a tube.

6. Drinks – Soya, liang teh or plum available free flow, for $2-$3 per order.

7. Half-portions - Food can be ordered half-portions (eg 4 beef balls instead of 8), suitable for small group diners so that you can try a variety.

8. Interactive menu – Order conveniently through an iPad, with both English and Chinese language options.

9. Service details – Constant refill of drinks and soup, hot towel, a plastic bag to protect the cell phone, a cover for my backpack, an apron you can wear.

10. Opening Hours – Till 3am. Say “Yeah” to late night supper.

The bill came up $50 plus per person, more pricey than usual, about double what you would usually pay for hotpot. Not all the food was worth its money, and Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant may have more impressionable meats.

Hai Di Lao is indeed all about the entire package and experience, and certain satisfying. I am quite willing to pay that $10 extra for the attentive service, and the other $10 for its fresh ingredients and variety. And oh, they are opening at 313 Somerset.

Hai Di Lao Hotpot Restaurant 海底捞火锅
#02-04 Clarke Quay, 3D River Valley Road (the side facing Riverside Point), Tel: +65 6337 8626
(Reservations are encouraged, or you can take a queue ticket)
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 3:00am

Other Related Entries
Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant (TripleOne Somerset)
Hong Shi Yi (Millenia Walk)
Tsukada Nojo (Chinatown Point)
Danro Japanese Hotpot (NEX)
Shabu Sai (Orchard Central)

The post Hai Di Lao 海底捞火锅 – 10 Other Reasons To Visit This Sichuan HotPot Restaurant appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

After I posted on the 5 Best Romantic Restaurants in Singapore , readers thought that Jaan, Ocean Restaurant and Waku Ghin could be somewhat pricey on the wallets, and asked for more budget restaurants.

Here are some 5 additional 5 Romantic restaurants for dates, with a budget. Meant for students, those who just started work, or feel that the company is more important than food & ambience. I know money very hard to earn, and cheap restaurant food is almost getting extinct here. We just have to find!

Table Manners
#01-69 Changi City Point The Oasis, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1 Singapore 66047669 (Expo MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 12:00am Daily

There are some places in Singapore worth traveling for, in this case, to the far east for a ‘designer bistro’ called Table Manners. The outdoor seating area of Table Manners is set in the garden at The Oasis at Changi City Point. A restaurant with scenery and a sense of humour. The food looks simple in appearance, but packs a punch. Pastas are at $17.00 to $19.00 such as the Truffle Capellini with Bull’s Eye Organic Egg ($19.00), while mains range from $18.00 – $24.00. Don’t miss the The designer cocktails by Bar Stories. Their Valentine’s Day set is at $52 per person. (Read: Table Manners at Changi City Point)

Blisshouse Theme Restaurant
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-21 The Central Singapore 059817 (Clarke Quay MRT), Tel: +65 6225 5532 enquiries@blisshouse.com.sg
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Mon-Sun)

Blisshouse calls itself the “beautiful Garden of Eden”. I call it the most girly restaurant in Singapore. Walking in, you almost feel you are attending a wedding with lots and lots of teddy bears, carriages, swings, carpeted fake grass, and white-pinky décor. Some of their recommended food are Blisshouse Supreme Pizza ($24), Seafood Spagehetti ($26.00) and USDA Boneless Short Ribs ($34.00). Slightly pricey for its food quality, but people are really here to take photos – which is why it is popular with birthdays and wedding receptions.

L’Entrecôte
Suntec City Mall, #B1-128/129, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983 (Promenade MRT), Tel: ++65 6690 7569
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 9.30pm Daily

The word entrecôte in French means “between the ribs”, created in the city of romance Paris during the 1930s. Unlike other steak restaurants where you can choose your cut, L’Entrecôte serves just one cut of the steak in between the sirloin and ribeye, which is the traditional definition of “Entrecôte” steaks. At this branch of L’Entrecôte Suntec City, all sets are served with a welcome drink of Kir (French cocktail made with blackcurrant liqueur topped up with white wine), fresh walnut green salad and unlimited golden crispy fries made with BF15 potatoes. Unlimited. The light set is at $19.90++. Suddenly, French food feels affordable. (Read: L’Entrecôte at Suntec City Mall))

Saveur
5 Purvis Street Talib Court #01-04 Singapore 188584 (Bugis MRT), Tel: +65 6333 3121 (No Reservations)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:15pm, 6pm – 9:15pm (Mon-Sat), 6pm – 9pm (Sun)

14 Scotts Road Far East Plaza #01-07B Singapore 228213, Tel: +6736 1121 (No Reservations)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Mon-Sat), 11:30am – 9:00pm (Sun)

The two boys behind Saveur turned it from a kopitiam stall to two restaurants offering affordably-priced French cuisine to the masses. This is where you can find Duck Leg Confit at $12.90, Chicken Thigh Roulade at $9.90, Foie Gras at $7.90 (it is duck though nevertheless), and their signature Angel Hair Pasta at $4.90. A restaurant meal that is cheap and affordable, the downsize is in its long queue. But hey, Valentine’s Day meal is at $69.90++ per couple and reservations are allowed (reservations@saveur.sg)

Spuds & Apron
109 Mount Faber Road, Level 2 Singapore 099203, Tel: +65 6377 9688
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Sun-Wed), 11am – 12:30am (Thurs), 11am – 2am (Fri-Sat)

Spuds & Aprons in on top of Mount Faber, overlooking Sentosa with an air-conditioned dining room or alfresco garden. According to them, their “iconic restroom” has the most breath-taking view. (Take a picture, of the scenery, after you are done with your business yah). They serve Western and Modern Asia cuisine, thus with dishes such as Chilli Crab in a Tux ($12), Tobiko Crusted Cod Fillet ($28), Crispy Pork Belly ($26) and Chempedak Bread & Butter Pudding ($10). It is just a bit hard to get up there (and down), but ample parking lots are available if you drive.

Most of these restaurants here should set you back by about $50 per person on a usual 3-course dinner date. I am still looking for 2-3 course set dinners priced below $25, with reasonable quality, ambience and not such a long queue.

The hidden gems. Any recommendations, comment here!

Other 5 Best Entries
5 Best Romantic Restaurants in Singapore
5 Best Hotel International Buffets In Singapore
5 Best Matcha Cafes in Singapore
5 Best Singapore’s Old School Cake Shops from the 60s
5 Best Liu Sha Bao aka Golden Custard Buns in Singapore

The post 5 Romantic Restaurants for Dates, The Budget Edition appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Question, do Singaporeans care about Valentine’s Day? Maybe not as much because everyday can be a Valentine’s Day. Ohhh….

Dates are important, to build a relationship, to get to know each other beyond the surface. I remember the very first time I went on a date, it was extremely nerve-wrecking and stressful, I didn’t want to leave anything to chances. (Okay, we ended up at Sushi Tei. Seriously. It was not bad lah.)

Other than considering the 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in Singapore for fine dating, and 5 Romantic Restaurants for dates with a budget , I thought I should share some tips on the first or important dinner dates. This is essentially meant for the guys, and hey, I learnt from my mistakes. Some more painful than others.

10 Tips for Dinner Dates in Singapore

Don’t go pricey on the first date
Don’t pick the most expensive restaurant or one that is likely to close for your first date / first Valentine’s Day dinner. Because THAT may the place you are likely to go again and again (if you marry that person – yes, I think long term.)

Always have a Plan B
Done with your dinner and not knowing where to go? This may be a premature call to an early night which is no good. Research on all the available coffee and tea places, walking spots, cinemas, and special shops around. Know exactly where to go after, and always provide options to your date.

Buffets? Eat too much, talk too little
Speaking from personal experience, having buffets during important dates can only mean too much food, and spending too little time together. Especially those buffets you need to walk far away to get food. For the 10 minutes you wait for your waffles to be made, you rather spend it talking to your date.

No 20 minute restaurants
By 20 minute restaurants, I mean places where you queue for more than 20 minutes and finish your meal in less 20 minutes – Keisuke Tonkotsu King, Nam Nam Noodle Bar and Tim Ho Wan. Unless you order 3 rounds of baked bbq buns.

Restaurants that smell? No.
Korean BBQ sounds good on paper, but their exhaust system is technically sound. No person would want to dress up to the nines, wash their hair with a sweet fragrance, use expensive perfume only to smell like barbecued pork after a long dinner date. Oh, and that expensive bag is going to have an odour.

Make your reservations
It is a must must must to make reservations. In fact, you should ask for the best spot when you call. A good F&B manager will know where. You don’t want to go to a restaurant to queue, or worse still, find it fully booked with the only option left… the food court.

Do your homework
There are enough blogs and websites which describe the menu and food provided. Impress your date with your knowledge of what the specialities and how some of the dishes are prepared. True story: Don’t send the carpaccio back because “it is not fully cooked”. Horrors.

Research on the restaurant
On a similar note, research on the restaurant. You don’t want to spend your first date at a restaurant rated horribly on HungryGoWhere. Or when DanielFoodDiary.com has given a bad review – then it is really bad.

Don’t expect too much
If your date (the guy) is still in school or just graduated recently, chances are he is short of funds. Go easy on him. It does not manner if he does not bring you to Waku Ghin, you can still enjoy your meal at Sushi Tei as long as you keep an open mind.

Keep your hands off the handphone
I know this is coming from the guy who instavideos most of his meal. Once your meal starts, all eyes on your date please, not on Flappy Bird. Resist the urge to take 10 shots of every dish. Even worse, you take pictures of your food, but NOT your date at all.

Last one, guys, offer to pay for the meal lah. You can do it by discreetly saying you need to visit the gents (and then pay), or flash your numerous credit cards (distastefully) then pay. Be gentlemanly okay? This may be the date of your life.

Happy dating, and happy Valentine’s Day!

Other Related Entries
5 Best Romantic Restaurants in Singapore
5 Romantic Restaurants for Dates, The Budget Edition

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[Hong Kong] When Westerners speak of Chinese food, they usually mean Cantonese cuisine. Some may have the misconception that Cantonese cuisine is all about rich food, the shark’s fin, sea cucumber and bird’s nest. At The Chairman, you will find none of this.

The Chairman Restaurant 大班樓 has gained a reputation of presenting quality Cantonese food, light and delicately, with some modern interpretation. Despite being new (opened in 2009), it has earned many fans and accolades, including being ranked one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Though it lost its Michelin star.

Finding this discreet and quiet restaurant can be a challenge if you are not familiar with Hong Kong’s Central. But if you know where the famous Kau Kee Beef Brisket is, it is about a minute or two’s walk away.

If not for a few round tables, I would have thought I walked into a romantic European restaurant. There are many couples sitting by twos, the waiters are dressed who they would serve in a classic colonial style diners, and there are tasting menus for twos and fours.

The Chairman takes pride in their food: Looking at small local suppliers for produce, using organic vegetables as far as possible, no MSG (kudos for a Cantonese restaurant), using homemade sauces. They own a small farm at Sheung Shui.

A tasting menu for two is HK$578 per person. If ala carte is your way, their signatures are Steamed Fresh Flowery Crab with Aged ShaoXing Wine (seasonal price), Braised Spare Ribs with Preserved Plums in Caramelized Black Vinegar (HK$198), and The Chairman’s Soy Sauce Chicken (HK$178).

Words that be used to describe their food: Light, fresh, homely, subtle, delicate, yet flavoursome.

The dishes are not the usual Chinese food that would razzle-dazzle and blow you away with its richness and intensity.

Take for example the Seasonal Chinese Vegetables with Layered Beancurd (HK$128), the taste is quite understated that it lets the freshness of the greens and the appetizing slow-cooked fish broth base do the talking.

We also had the Deep Fried Crab Meat and Mushroom Dumpling (HK$76 for 2), and Fried Rice with Prawns Trio – fresh prawns, sun-dried prawns and shrimp paste all cooked within the same rice dish. Unassuming yet brilliantly executed.

Food is outstanding, ambience particularly quiet, and service gentlemanly. The Chairman Restaurant should also be called ‘The Gentleman’.

The Chairman 大班樓
18 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong (Central MTR Exit E2, 15 min walk, Find Lan Kwai Fong Hotel, Walk straight down and you will find the restaurant on your right) Tel: +852 2555 2202
Reservations weeks in advance recommended
thechairmangroup.com, reservations@thechairmangroup.com
Opening Hours: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm Daily

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Lung King Heen 龍景軒 (Central, Hong Kong)
Fook Lam Moon 福臨門 (Wanchai, Hong Kong)
Amber (Hong Kong)
Tim Ho Wan (Hong Kong)
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (Hong Kong)

The post The Chairman 大班樓 – Simple. Classy. One Of Hong Kong’s Best Restaurants appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

How many would pay attention about the building right opposite IKEA Alexandra, next to Anchorpoint housing restaurants Gyu Kaku and Nabehide? This conserved building was built in the 1930s and was owned by Anchor Brewery (thus Anchorpoint!) and called Archipelago Brewery Company (ABC Brickworks!)

While you are having Japanese hotpot at Nabehide, take time to appreciate this part of the building that has stood the test of time.

Nabehide is a new Japanese hotpot restaurant (above Gyu Kaku) which prides themselves of using premium quality ingredients such as Japanese Kagoshima Wagyu along with their homemade Goma and Ponzu dipping to enjoy freshness at its best.

Firstly, I appreciated how spacious it was, with booth seats comfortably allowing two to order trays of meat and still find space. (I did find some other hotpot restaurants cramped up.) Ambience was relaxing and aircon cool enough.

For meat lovers, the recommended set is the Japanese Wagyu and Australian Beef rib eye set ($98), though more affordable alternatives such as Australian Beef and Kurobuta black pork collar set ($63), and Kurobuta Pork set ($58.00) are available.

Nabehide uses charcoal as the heating medium for the hot-pot combined with full cast iron pots imported from Japan. This is a similar setting to bonfire cooking. The beauty of this setting is that the soup base will maintain its temperature evenly throughout making it a “simmer” style of cooking instead of hard boiling it.

This will help to maintain the texture of even the more delicate items such as the tofu and udon. True enough, the tofu stays in pieces and does not disintegrate towards the end of the meal.

The soup bases are winners. I would applaud the Miso Dashi (additional $5) which is fuller, slightly saltier and more intense soup base, being a tasty complement with pork dishes.

If that is a level three, the Tonyu Dashi (made in-house and has to be ordered in advance upon reservation) is a one. The soy milk soup base is light, feels somewhat like very diluted tantalising soy milk, and brings out flavours of mushroom and vegetables.

While you are paying slightly more than the usual hotpot restaurants, the marbling of the fresh meat, umami and sweetness of the soup bases, along with a comfortable setting may make it all worthwhile.

Nabehide Japanese Hotpot Vouchers Giveaway
Nabehide Japanese Hotpot will be giving away 10 x $20 vouchers to 10 blessed Daniel’s Food Diary readers.

All you need to do is to
Step 1: LIKES the FaceBook pages of Daniel’s Food Diary
Step 2: Share this post on Facebook
Step 3: Leave a comment to name one of your favourite ingredient to go with hotpot
(Ends 21 Feb 2014)

Nabehide Japanese Hotpot Dining
368 Alexandra Road Level 2 Singapore 159952 (Opp IKEA), Tel: +65 6479 0368
Opening Hours: 5:30pm – 10:30pm Daily

Other Related Entries
Shirokiyai (Cuppage Terrace)
Danro Japanese Hotpot (NEX)
Tsukada Nojo (Chinatown Point)
Shabu Sai (Orchard Central)
Hai Di Lao 海底捞火锅 (Clarke Quay)

The post Nabehide Japanese Hotpot Dining – Tasty Soup Bases with Homamde Dips + Voucher Giveaway appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

There is a part of me that cannot believe I travelled all the way to a hospital to eat Penang food. It already sounds strange. And I am a person not very fond of even stepping into a hospital.

Penang Street is a casual dining restaurant which just launched its flagship store at National University Hospital’s medical centre. Errr… so have a fatty laksa after you are done with your medical check-up? (To add to the surprise, there is a Uniqlo few steps away.)

To set your expectations right, the restaurant is managed by Minor Food Group, which brought us Thai Express,, Xin Wang, Shokudo, Poulet and Kiseki – you know, Asian food for the mass market.

The recommended dishes are the Penang Char Koay Teow ($8.80), Assam Laksa ($8.80), Nasi Lemak ($9.80) Beef Rendang ($11.80), Penang Cendol ($5.80) and Buah Long Long Juice ($3.80).

While the Assam Laska seemed mild in terms of its sourness and spiciness, it was easily the best dish we tried for its savoury gravy and generous portions of fish.

The Penang Char Koay Teow on the other hand, lacked that very one element that would make CKT distinct – the ‘wok hei’. I cannot finish an English equivalent, so I would just say there could be that charred hot uplifting flavour that a decent plate of CKT should have. But I must acknowledge it is just too hard to replicate in this setting.

The Cendol arrived looking nothing like what was presented in a menu, in fact it was a blob of brown. The consolation was they were not stingy with their rich gula melaka, which gave the dessert that kick.

To be honest, I love the furniture and ID here more than anything – the white walls, lemon yellow and sea blue chairs, and floral tiles. Service was friendly and staff would say “terima kasih” all the time.

I can safely say that we will start to see more Penang Streets opening around the island. What is that Hokkien saying that goes “No fish, prawn also good”? I actually assured my friends (whom I dragged along to NUH) if the food was no good, it would be my treat.

Yah, I ended up picking up the tabs this time.

Penang Street
One@KentRidge, National University Hospital Medical Centre, 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 01-09 and 01-19/20 Singapore 119082 (Kent Ridge MRT), Tel: +65 6334 6023
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm Daily

Other Related Entries
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Prima Taste Kitchen (Centrepoint)
BKT by Kong Kee (Far East Square)

The post Penang Street – Penang Cuisine At A Hospital appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

One of my most memorable interviews ever done was with Chef Andre Chiang, 1 am outside Starbucks at Raffles City, just after he had finished his work at Jaan par André – then just ranked one of the 50th Best Restaurant in the World.

Andre was sincerely apologetic for making me wait, and it became a 2 hour sharing session from food, his journey, philosophy and dreams. At the end of the interview, the French trained Taiwanese born Chef revealed that he would finally open his own restaurant soon, and urged must visit when it opens. That was in 2010.

No, I didn’t go when Restaurant Andre first opened. It was not that kind of restaurant that you would say “Hey, let’s go to Andre tomorrow.” (Anyway, you got to book way in advance.)

It was not just about the price, which would be $298++ per person sans wine. But I was not ready for appreciating it to its fullest. I personally felt you would need a trained palate of sorts, to savour things in its perspective.

I could imagine if someone used to mid-range casual restaurants would to try food from Andre from the first time, with that price tag, the first adjective used may be “over-rated”.

Yes, perspective. Singapore may have a few award-winning restaurants, is a country flooded with international cuisine, but we face so many challenges in the F&B industry – high rentals, small spaces, lack of fresh produce, shortage of trained F&B workers… what Restaurant Andre had to do to achieve what it did, I just could not imagine.

I dare to say while we have many respectable restaurants, we have few exceptional restaurants – I can name less than 5 of them. Restaurant Andre is one of them.

In a short span of 3 years, this small little restaurant near Chinatown has been chosen as Singapore’s best restaurant under S.Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and lauded by The New York Times as a “top 10 restaurant in the world worth a plane ride”.

Restaurant Andre was what Chef dreamed of, a small place like a little house, one that feeds only a handful of people, a place that would allow him to push the boundaries of his creative mind.

The restaurant seats just 30 people, and tables may have been too close together, but it felt like home to Chef, thus the intimacy.

The philosophical menu is based on an “Octaphilosophy” theme of eight dishes, representing Pure, Salt, Artisan, South, Texture, Unique, Memory and Terrior. This excludes the amuse bouches and desserts which adds up to 15 or so items.

According to the waiter, the menu changes daily. Even if it is on the same day, guests may be offered different dishes. I had a pigeon dish while the entire table of French had duck. Though some few dishes keep surfacing in online reviews.

One of the constants was “Memory” – a unassuming looking cup of foie gras jelly with olive oil, fleur de sel and black truffle coulis – said to be the same dish created by Andre Chiang when he was still a young chef, and the restaurant he worked at then garnered its 3rd Michelin star.

Personally, I thought every single dish represented perfection with the blend of ingredients, the intricacies that go into creation, and the thought process of putting it together.

While the menu is generally French, you can sense traces of “Taiwanese”, such as grilled baby corn grown in Chef’s farm in Taiwan, and charcoal-black deep fried dough sticks.

Yes if you would asked me if there was a stand-out dish, I would say none. Perhaps it was a reflection of what I gather how Chef Andre Chiang is like – subtle, understated, meticulous, perceptive, balanced, and restrained.

None of the items went overboard with its dramatics, as contrasted with some other restaurants which could have tried too hard to impress with presentation, gimmicks or the type of ingredients.

No, you won’t get hearty foods exploding with umami flavours. Experience the entire meal as a symphony of sorts.

I wondered why I had a ‘symphony’ of service staff as well, as each dish was served by somebody different (an international cast of wait-staff I must say) while I may have preferred a single person to bring the table through this dining journey.

On the contrary with my role as a food blogger, I went without reading much of what went into each specific dish, that may have been too mind-blogging. The best state to enjoy this meal would be to relax, not be critical (for the sake of being), and find really good company in that same frame of mind.

As for Restaurant Andre, I can believe this is Singapore’s best restaurant.

Restaurant Andre
41 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089855 (Outram Park MRT)
Tel: +65 6534 8880 reserve@restaurantandre.com
Opening Hours: 12:00 – 2:00pm, 7:00 – 11:00pm (Tues – Sun, Closed Mon, PH)

Other Related Entries
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
5 Best Romantic Restaurants in Singapore
Waku Ghin (Marina Bay Sands)
Jaan (Swissotel the Stamford)
Iggy’s (Hilton Hotel)

The post Restaurant Andre – I Can Believe This Is Singapore’s Best Restaurant appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

As part of a 2014 New Year resolution to lose more weight, I told myself to eat healthier – thus more salads. This sounds crazy, but I thronged down more than 20 different salad lunches over the last 1.5 months, spending time traveling around the island for bowls of greens.

The result? A 2 kg weight loss (cut down on dressing please) and this blog post, which documents which I personally find are the 10 Best Salad Shops in Singapore. I ate every one of the salad here, and I don’t even work in Raffles Place.

What constitutes to a good salad bar? Fresh, hearty, filling and tasty salads are my utmost criteria, especially when I am likely to be paying more than 10 bucks per bowl. (To make it fairer, I asked each service staff to just give me their signature if available, or mix something popular for me.)

The other factors come into play, the ease of ordering, organisation system, the friendly service, convenience, and outlook all plays a part. I don’t under how some shops make ordering a bowl so complicated! Okay, sometimes, I judge by simply looking at the colour of the vegetables.

Here are my 10 Best Salad Shops in Singapore

The Salad Corner
Amoy Street Food Centre #01-41, #01-60 (Grab and Go), 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111, SMS Order: +65 98634093, Opening hours: 8.30am-6.30pm
Market Street #01-10 50 Market Street, #01-10, #03-20 (Grab and Go), 50 Market Street, Singapore 048940, Tel: +65 82020522

This IS the salad stall of the OLs. You will not miss the long snaking queue if you go to Market Street or Amoy Food centres during lunch time. The winning factor is in its affordability – $4.90 for a basic salad with 5 toppings (yeah to Japanese cucumber, cranberries, kidney beans and tofu) and salad dressings (16 to choose from!). Fresh and cooling.The Japanese Sesame, Honey & Soy and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette dressings are lovely. Go before lunch hours to avoid waiting too long, or go to a few stalls behind for a Grab and Go option.

Munch Saladsmith
112 Robinson Road #01-01 Singapore 068902, Tel: +65 62235197, Opening Hours: 7.30am-7.30pm (Mon-Fri)
Marina Bay Link Mall, #B2-19, Tel: +65 6509 9825, Opening Hours: 7am-7pm Sat 9am-3pm (Mon-Fri)
Other branches: One Raffles Place, Funan Centre, Westgate, Star Vista, One@KentRidge, Paya Lebar Square

The advantage of also selling rotisserie meats at a salad store is that the accompaniments such as roast chicken, salmon and dory are flavourful, compared to other places where the second-fiddle meats are dry and unpalatable. Here’s how Munch Saladsmith works: Pick 3 or 4 or 5 salads ($9.80, $11.80, $13.80), and you are likely to end up with a colourful bowl, without that much confusion. There are additional salad dressing bottles at the side – fuss-free and neat.

Sumo Salad
313 Somerset Road, Singapore 238895, Tel: +65 68343200
Other branches: Holland Village MRT Station, Raffles City Shopping Centre, 1 Shenton Way, Vivocity

A franchise from Australia, Suma Salad is what I would describe as “cheap and good”. Started in 2003 at Sydney’s 2003, it is called Sumo to reflect their large and filling salads. Prices are reasonable comparatively, small is at $6.50, and large at $7.50. I was lazy to decide and was recommended a Warm Thai Beef ($10.50 for large) and was pleased with its hearty portion, tasty dressing and tender beef strips grilled on the spot before serving. Only thing is: you have to find a seat somewhere else.

Salad Stop!
1 George Street #01-01, One George Street, Singapore 049145 Tel: +65 67200378, Opening Hours: 8:00am – 8:30pm (Mon-Fri)
Other Branches: Capital Tower #01-05, Chevron House #01-36, CityLink Mall #B1-13, Fusionpolis #01-03, Great World City #01-21A, MBFC #B2-77/78, Metropolis #01-16, Novena Suare #02-24, PasarBella #02-K36, Takashimaya #B2 07-9-3

Salad Stop! is like the ‘big brother’ of all salad shops in Singapore, with 11 shops and counting. Probably the most popular and organised salad chain, the brainchild of father & son team, Daniel and Adrien who were both from the hospitality industry. The Oh Crab Lah! ($11.00) is one of their most popular, with favourite Singapore chilli crab dressing on mixed greens – It actually works! The team cleverly added mashed hard-boiled egg, vermicelli and crab sticks (urgh-not the real thing) to create this huge bowl that was spicy, fun, and healthy.

Green Bar
Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-91B, Tel: +65 63360780, Opening Hours 1030am – 930pm Daily
16 Colley Quay Hitachi Towers #01-16/17 Singapore 049318, Tel: +65 64936948, Opening Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm

The Green Bar may not have the largest in offerings, but they make it up with their more varied creations and combinations. Some to expect are a Smoked Duck Surprise salad ($11.90) with roasted pumpkin and rosemary, Absolutely Wicked Strawberry ($12.90) infused in reduced balsamic vinegar, and Grilled Vege Foursome ($10.90) of red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and virgin tomatoes – all served in earthy brown wooded bowls. The Hitachi Towers outlet is more crammed, but the Millenia Walk branch is spacious.

Fresh+
Asia Square, 8 Marina View, Singapore 018960, Tel: +65 66361916, Opening Hours: 8am – 8:30pm Mon-Fri
39 Robinson Road, #01-01 Robinson Point, Singapore 068911, Tel: +65 65572739, Opening Hours: 7am till 7:30pm Mon-Fri
Biopolis, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos #01-17/18 Singapore 138648, Opening Hours: 8am – 5:30pm Mon-Fri

Fresh+ has a tantalizing menu comprising salads, gourmet sandwiches, freshly brewed coffees, and juices. There is a ‘Create-Your-Own’ salad counter where you can select any of the 50 plus ingredients along with many choices of homemade salad dressings. I had a prawn & avocado salad ($12.00) which came in a really big white bowl, with generous portions of lettuce and cucumber. The salad is indeed crisp-fresh and healthy tasting with a zest of lemon.

Salad Shop
1 Bonham Street, #01-20 UOB Plaza 2, Tel: +65 65363686, Opening Hours: 8am-6pm (Mon- Thurs), 8am – 5:00 (Fri)
79 Anson Road #01-03 Singapore 079906, Tel: +65 65348068

I actually liked the ambience at Salad Shop best – modern, clean and spacious. Queues get insanely long during lunchtime where everyone just knew what to do, ticking off boxes of an order chit. For a first-timer here, what’s with the Rabbit, Zebra and Elephant with different amount of feeds? Help! Perhaps it was in the CBD, service was slightly cold. If you are indecisive, that’s it. I got a Zebra ($10.00) which gave me 6 main feeds with 2 supplementary feeds. Dressing was delicious, but the portions could have been larger.

Tossz
3 Pickering Street, Tel: +65 65366280, Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon-Fri)
100AM, #01-11, Tel: +65 64536163

This is an unassuming selling made-to-order salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It is a walk-past and likely to miss kind of shop, with 12 chef crafted salads. I had a Tossz Creation ($10.50) with baby spinach, grilled chicken and mango which added some sweetness and toasted almonds for crunch. IT was slightly confusing at first – I had to pick up my own box of spinach in the fridge (“Which box, auntie?” but the salad was pretty neat.

Simply Wrapps
100 Tras Street, Unit 0322, Tel: +65 65436823, Opening Hours: 10am – 8:30pm
B1 Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road, Tel: +65 63373542

Many of the Chef’s Creations are quite Asian, thus the Amazing Thailand ($9.90 grilled chicken with spicy Thai dressing), Great Wall ($10.90 roasted beef with hoisin vinaigrette), and Taj Mahal ($9.90 tandoori chicken with mint yogurt dressing). They work well if you are bored with the usual selections. Overall, I had a satisfying meal, but they just need to be more snazzy in their presentation and marketing.

Toss & Turn Salads
ION Orchard #B4-55, 2 Orchard Turn, Tel: +65 66365835, Opening hours: 10am-10pm Daily

Developed by the Cedele chain (who also brought us PODI), this is one of the few decent salad bars you can find along Orchard Road. (Strange, only CBD folks eat salads is it?). HungryGoWhere reviewers were unfortunately not happy with the service. Sure enough, I met with some black-faced part-timers, but okay lah – they were short-handed. They have a wide range of base salads such as fresh mixed leaves, pasta, brown rice, quinoa, and couscous, with an option of making it a fuller meal with deli meats of ham, beef pastrami and smoked salmon.

Other Salad Bars in Singapore
Foodology Fresh
The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road #01-02, Tel: +65 62239724 Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm

HFS Health Fuel Station
4 Marina Boulevard The Sail #01-31A, Tel: +65 65094955, Opening Hours: 8am – 8.30pm (Mon-Fri), 11am-6pm (Sat-Sun)

The Lawn Grill & Salad Café
31 Biopolis Way, Nanos #01-07, Tel: +65 64789739, Opening hours: 11.15am-9pm (Mon-Fri); 10am-4pm (Sun)

The Lawn at Shenton
8 Shenton Way, #B1-11, AXA Tower, Singapore 068811, Tel: +65 65348749, Opening Hours: 10:30 am – 9:00 pm

Platypus Gourmet2Go
50 Market Street #01-14 A Golden Shoe Singapore 048940, Tel: +65 65352623 Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm

Real Food
The Central 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #B1-52/53 Singapore 059817, Branches at Square 2 Sinaran Drive, 110 Killiney Road Tai Wah Building

The Rotisserie
China Square Food Centre, 51 Telok Ayer St, #01-01, Tel: +65 62245486 Opening Hours 7:30am – 10:30pm (Mon-Fri), 10:30am – 10:30pm (Sat)

Salads and Wraps
12 Gopeng Street ICON Village #01-86/87 Singapore 078877, Opening Hours 11am-8pm (Mon-Fri)

Salad Works
50 Jurong Gateway Road, Jem #02-19, Tel: +65 67651992, Opening hours: 10am-10pm Daily

Shinkasen
Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, #B1-08 Singapore 049315, Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm (Mon-Fri), 11am – 3pm (Sat)

The post 10 Best Salad Shops in Singapore – Time To Go Green! appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Bangkok, Thailand] My dining partner was shocked that we travelled miles to Bangkok to eat Indian food. “Seriously?!” Being a typical Singaporean, we would have wanted to fill our tummies with yummy Thai street food. Our idea of Indian food then was limited.

This gastronomical meal at Gaggan, a progressive Indian restaurant in a colonial style wooden house set in the heart of downtown Bangkok, turned out to be our best and most memorable meal that trip.

We tried some of the critically acclaimed restaurants in Bangkok – Nahm , Bo.lan, and Eat Me, though I felt that an element or two was missing.

In contrast, the meal at Gaggan was highly satisfying and complete. It is afterall, top 10 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the only Indian restaurant.

Gaggan means “sky” in Hindi, and this 70-year old restored bungalow of sorts, with green gardens, comfortable rooms and cane furniture, made me feel that I was visiting a very wealthy friend.

Do make a tour around. Finding a washroom is a good excuse. There were book shelves with legitimate food books, an outdoor area to have a drink and gaze at the sky, and no music. Yes, like a dining in a friend’s house, but also strangely very still and quiet.

The best way to experience Chef Gaggan Anand’s creativity is through the Tasting Menu (1800 Baht, SGD$69.70, USD$55.30).

Having trained for two months in Ferran Adria’s el Bulli, Gaggan’s cuisine is influenced by its philosophy. There is no way you would find a typical curry dish, naan or masala chicken here. Expect well, modern interpretation of Indian clasics.

My advice: throw all expectations out and be thrilled. There were fun dishes, such as the Minced Lamb Patty which came in a tomato ‘false’ bun all airy and crumbly, and slightly sweet. As well as something more serious and closer to authenticity – an aged basmati rice layer with chicken, herb and saffron served in a small pot.

The Carrot Cake, I assure you, would be like nothing you ever tried before. Coming in a green bottle cut into half, with saffron, it Is all whimsically imaginative yet appetizing.

There were some perhaps 3-4 constructions on the menu we did not quite understand and went “huh?”, like the Tiramisu flavoured cold cookie with choco chip, all made in front of very eyes, but with an unarresting taste in contrast to the procedure it went to making.

If you are up for Ala Carte (the menu is presented like an olden magic book), go for the “When India met Italy” Seafood Risotto (520 Baht, SGD$20.14, USD$16.00). The combination of lobster, prawns, clams, fish, all slowed cooked with rice and saffron milk, was impossibly delicious.

Then you would have thought Elizabeth Gilbert could have just travelled to Bangkok to find her Eat Pray Love.

Gaggan
68/1 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +662 652 1700
www.eatatgaggan.com, info@eatatgaggan.com
Opening Hour: 6pm – 11pm Daily

Other Related Entries
Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)
Nara Thai Cuisine (Bangkok)

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‘Hawkerpreneurship’ is a word unique to Singapore, where young people strive out to be hawkers to make a living, not necessary a career path many would consider. I first met Chef Kenneth Lin during a television interview on Good Morning Singapore where we were invited to talk about that subject. On an ending note, he said “You must visit my restaurant.”

Chef Kenneth Lin started with a humble stall of Le Cuisson within a coffee shop in Queen Street and then Holland Close, created some news for bringing affordable French cuisine to the masses.

Can we say that he has made it?

He who first studied to be a banker, has moved on to another phase of his culinary dreams, from a hawker stall to a two-storey shophouse bistro along Prinsep Street, now renamed as La Cuisson.

While some may have the impression that French cuisine is about romance and exquisite, I can say La Cuisson (which means ‘the cooking’ in French) is all about being hearty, approachable and rustic.

The dishes are great for sharing – Pan Seared Foie Gras ($22), Ox Tongue Salad ($26), Coq Au Vin ($26), Pork Pot Au Feu ($29), Sous Vide Pork Chops ($33), Lamb Duo ($68). Prices are as well, no longer at coffee-shop levels.

Having a meal here does feel homely, both in terms of food, its presentation and ambience. Chef believes in “honest food, handmade goodness” – cooking everything from scratch in his kitchen, and maintains a very small team behind.

My favourite dish was the Pork Pot Au Feu ($29), a robust pot of sous-vide tender pork shoulder, pork sausage, puy lentils, mixed vegetables cooked in an aromatic pork jus. This is the kind of dish that you would gather 3 other good friends to mingle over laughs and good wine.

The Lamb Duo ($68) was the dish that gave every one on the table the thumbs-up, fork-tender meat in that full-flavoured sauce. It was presented as the last main, and was still swept clean even though everyone was quite full of French dishes of generous portions.

Although some dishes felt unpolished and could have been better executed, and La Cuisson may not have achieved commercial success (like Saveur did), but I can safely say that Chef Lin belongs to one of the local culinary talents we should gamely support.

La Cuisson Bistro and Wine Bar
44 Prinsep Street Singapore 188673, Tel: +65 83320302
Opening Hours: 5pm -11pm (Tues), 10:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Sat), 10:30am – 2:30pm, 5:00pm – 10:30pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
Cocotte (Wanderlust Hotel)
Platters Bistro & Wine Bar (Club Street)
L’Entrecôte (Suntec City Mall)
Grub (Bishan Park)
PODI (Raffles City)

The post La Cuisson – From Coffeeshop Stall to French Bistro Bar appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

An established ramen chef once told me he would never join a Ramen Champion concept, for pride. For newer ramen brands, this could be the stepping stone to a more established name.

Ikkousha Hakata Ramen 博多一幸舎 by Kousuke Yoshimura is one of the very few who managed to benefit from the competition, winning the Ultimate Ramen Champion twice in a row, selling almost double of amount of Gantetsu and Bario who were second and third. While the rest still remains mainly unheard of.

The Hakata ramen shop finally opens its own at Tanjong Pagar Plaza. Woh, Tanjong Pagar.

Yes right, opposite strong competitors Keisuke Tonkotsu King and Menya Sanji, and Ramen Keisuke Tori King and Homebaked Dough are just nearby. The previous ramen shop at the same premise could not survive beyond a few months.

I do need to open to share that I was originally invited for a tasting which was suddenly cancelled as they “received instructions from Japan that they need to stop the food tasting for media”. Strange, I wondered what happened, because that is quite ‘un-Japanese’ to un-invite.

In the end, I went back on my own, for multiple times.

This Ikkousha branch is known for two types of ramen – the original Tonkotsu Ramen ($12.00) with thick pork broth with thin long noodles, or the God Fire ($13.50) spicy ramen specially created for the Singapore market.

Truthfully, the first time my friends and I weren’t impressed – pork broth was not warm enough, noodles slightly overdone, and chashu while thin, was not exactly tender.

My friends swore off it, but I actually went back again (knowing 2 of my favourite ramen are just opposite) because I felt the urge to give it another chance.

The ramen was so much better, with the creamy whitish soup much warmer and full-bodied. Though I am usually a fan of spicy bases, I think Ikkousha’s strength is still in its original.

Noodles were springier, though I think it can go a notch less soggy (perhaps I would request for hard texture the next time). Its ajitama egg ($2.00 extra) made a delicious flavourful accompaniment.

Service was also hospitable, energetic and warm, what you would expect from a Japanese ramen shop. Perhaps what the Ikkousha’s ramen needs, is a little more consistency.

Ikkousha Hakata Ramen Singapore 博多一幸舎
Block 7, #01-104 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Singapore 081007 Tel +65 65381880
Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm (Mon – Sat), 11:30 am – 9:00 pm (Sun)

Other Ramen Entries
Ramen Champion (Great World City)
Keisuke Tonkotsu King (Orchid Hotel, Tanjong Pagar)
Menya Sanji (Orchid Hotel, Tanjong Pagar)
Ramen Kagetsu Arashi (The Star Vista)
Ippudo Singapore (UE Square)

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An ‘atas’ friend of mine has a dedicated ‘pak-tor’ night every Friday, of which most are reserved for Italian cuisine with her ‘dar-dar’. She who is extremely particular about her Italian food, makes Osteria Mozza the must (or perhaps only) visit everything she comes to Marina Bay Sands MBS.

If celebrity chef Mario Batalli believes in ‘feng-shui’, he may have gotten the best restaurant locations at MBS. Both Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza are right at a prominent spot opposite the Sands Theatres.

This Americanised upscale Italian restaurant has a three-course pre-theatre menu ($60++) of an antipasti, main course and dessert prepared fast enough that can get you to your fair lady in time.

Osteria Mozza has been one of the most critically acclaimed restaurant in the integrated resorts filled with celebrity restaurants (the other being Waku Ghin). It has been awarded Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and Elite Traveler named it one of “The 10 best restaurants in Singapore”. My same friend calls it her Top 3 restaurants in Singapore. (The other two being Andre and Han. Han not Hans.)

The food is Italian and the restaurant feels NYC with its uplifting atmosphere and buzz. Service staff walk in and fro the mozzarella bar in the middle, with pastries, mozzarella, burrata , stracciatella and burricotta cheese displayed. Chef David Almany who helms the kitchen, saw me with camera, gamely picked up a bowl of fresh red tomatoes to pose for my instagram.

What my friend liked about Osteria Mozza – in her own words, the food is hearty, fresh and of good quality, observing how unique ingredients are put together perfectly. She swears she cannot eat the ‘normal’ pastas ever again.

While the price tag is on the higher side and portion on the lower, I thought both pastas we ordered were brilliant – a Garganelli with ragu Bolognese ($36.00) and Farfalle with wild mushrooms, English peas and walnut ($38.00).

The handmade pasta was cooked al dente, appropriately chewy with bite, the sauces extremely even in terms of its texture, seasoning and amount – no more no less.

Service was top notch. The service staff we made detailed recommendations and obviously understand the menu inside and out.

In Italy, pastas are commonly cooked in huge portions, very robust and flavourful, almost always in a casual setting. In fact, there is no such equivalent as ‘fine dining’ in the Italian language. Osteria Mozza, I garner, brings a touch of elegance to these hearty dishes.

Osteria Mozza definitely stands out in terms of its food quality, energy, and service standards. The bill may throw you back (Our brunch was over $200). I didn’t have to foot the tabs, but still felt bad.

Osteria Mozza
Galleria Level 42-46, Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972, Tel: +65 6688 8522
mozza-reservations@marinabaysands.com
Opening Hours: 5:00pm – 11:00pm (Mon-Sat), 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 5:00pm -11:00pm (Sun)

Other Related Entries
Basilico (Regent Singapore)
il Cielo (Hilton Hotel Singapore)
DOMVS (Sheraton Towers)
Zafferano (Ocean Financial Centre)
Jamie’s Italian Singapore (Vivocity)

The post Osteria Mozza MBS – Fine Italian Cuisine In A New York Setting appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

[Girona, Spain] There used to be a personal inkling within me, that as a food lover/blogger who keeps writing about “Best Restaurants”, I need to at least try what is widely recognized as “Best Restaurant In The World”. Does it even sound crazy?

It was a dream. It was an ambition. It was a challenge. It was a hope.

My trip would have been to Noma in Copenhagen but my heart (or was it God?) told me Spanish food. So I made my restaurant reservation 9 months in advance, bought my air and train tickets to Girona, at Catalonia Spain. And then El Celler de Can Roca won The World’s Best Restaurant in 2013!

It felt ecstatic, as though I had strike jackpot.

My journey to El Celler de Can Roca began. While Girona is about an hour’s train ride from Barcelona, I took the opportunity to do a Barcelona – Valencia – Granada – Seville – Madrid – Girona itinerary, and every part of Spain is a culinary adventure. 3 days in Girona, there was no bad food there.

El Celler de Can Roca was founded by the Roca brothers – the eldest Joan Roca the head chef, Josep Roca the sommelier, and youngest brother Jordi Roca the dessert chef. Their connection as a family simply shines through their presentation.

Walking in the top restaurant in the world was indeed a dream come true. I didn’t know what to expect. When the amuse-bouche came wrapped in a mysterious ‘lantern’, I knew I was in for a joy ride.

Called “Around the World”, the service staff unwrapped a black paper globe like a Christmas gift by untying a ribbon, revealing an wooden holder with five sticks of small bites – representing Mexico, Peru, Korea, Lebanon and Morocco.

Be careful when you are consuming ‘Peru’, it is a white ball an explosive ball of ceviche broth. If you get Thailand, it is frozen spiced fish stock coated in cocoa butter. You know what you are getting into: the food here is out of this world.

The next appetizer was caramelised olives which were hooked on a bonsai tree. So you pluck and eat from the plant. Suddenly eating a meal here felt so exciting yet surreal.

These are some of the dishes from the “Feast Menu”

Vegetable stock with sprouts, flowers, leaves and fruits

Fig Leaf, a combination of different types of figs in one – fig lead cheese, fig leaf terrine, fig ice cream, grilled fig and natural fig.

Pickled mackerel and mullet roe

Salad of sea anemone, razor-clam, royal cucumber and seaweed in escabeche

Charcoal-grilled king prawn, head juice with seaweeds, seawater and sponge cake of pankton

Charcoal-grilled lamb breast fillet and sweetbreads with eggplant, coffee and liquorice.

Every single dish was inventive, fun, exciting, unexpected, imaginative, yet all in a harmonious ensemble. There were so many times where I put something in my mouth, closed my eyes and ended up thinking “Wow, this is the best xxx (insert food) I ever eaten in my life.”

Another stand-out dish was one based on perfume, where this Chai cream with blood orange, vanilla, mango and roses smelled like Shalimar by Guerlain fragrance. Yes, they sold the perfume in bottles too.

A meal at the 45-seater El Celler de Can Roca involves all your senses – from the most obvious sight and taste, to smell and touch.

The magical ride doesn’t end there. The petits fours was served in… a Willy Wonka inspired retro candy-trolley designed by Jordi Roca. Since when has a meal been so enjoyable? (Reminds me of Narisawa’s.)

I been to a few 3 star Michelin restaurants, but none has the level of quality and (can I use the word) fun. The Roca brothers are indeed culinary geniuses.

Total number of mains: 14 (excludes appetisers and desserts). Price: 190 Euros (SGD$331, USD$261), with matching wines 90 Euros extra (SGD$ 157, USD$123).
Waitlist: 11 months. Satisfaction level: Unparalleled

El Celler de Can Roca. Best restaurant meal of my life, nothing else comes close.

Other travel tips: Girona is a beautiful quiet town, probably more populated now due to the fame of this restaurant. Excellent bakeries and restaurants all around, and do pay a visit to Jordi Roca’s ice cream shop Rocambolesc.

El Celler de Can Roca
48 Can Sunyer, Girona 17007 Tel: +34 972 222 157
www.cellercanroca.com Email: restaurant@cellercanroca.com

Other Related Entries
Rocambolesc (Girona, Spain)
Tapas 24 (Barcelona, Spain)
Les Créations de Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
Restaurant Andre (Bt Pasoh Road)
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana (Central, Hong Kong)

The post El Celler de Can Roca – This IS THE World’s BEST Restaurant appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

Surprise, surprise. This year Bangkok is in the culinary highlight with their tops restaurants, Nahm and Gaggan taking 2 of the top 3 spots.

Nahm by Australian-born celebrity chef David Thompson is awarded top honours by earning the title of The S.Pellegrino Asia’s Best Restaurant, up two rankings from last year. It came as a surprise to some that a Japanese restaurant did not come in first.

Singapore has 8 restaurants on the list, Restaurant Andre down one notch from one year at Number 6, though Chef-owner Andre Chiang won the Chef’s Choice Award. New comer Tippling Club was a surprise entry at No. 23, especially when it just moved to a new location early this year.

The other Singapore entries are Waku Ghin (No 7), Iggy’s (No 12), Les Amis (No 14), Jaan (No 17), Shinji (No 35) and Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (No 40).

Here is the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014
1. Nahm – Bangkok, Thailand
2. Les Créations de Narisawa – Tokyo, Japan
3. Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand
4. Amber – Hong Kong, China
5. Nihonryori Ryugin – Tokyo, Japan
6. Restaurant Andre – Singapore
7. Waku Ghin – Singapore
8. Ultraviolet – Shanghai, China
9. Lung King Heen 龍景軒 – Hong Kong, China
10. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Hong Kong, China
11. Mr & Mrs Bund – Shanghai, China
12. Iggy’s – Singapore
13. Caprice – Hong Kong, China
14. Les Amis – Singapore
15. Bo Innovation – Hong Kong, China
16. Kagurazaka Ishikawa – Tokyo, Japan
17. Jaan – Singapore
18. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – Hong Kong
19. Fook Lam Moon 福臨門 – Hong Kong, China
20. Jungsik – Seoul, Korea
21. Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin – Bangkok, Thailand
22. Quintessence – Tokyo, Japan
23. Tippling Club – Singapore
24. Le Mout – Taichung City, Taiwan
25. L’Effervescene, Tokyo, Japan
26. Fu 1015 – Shanghai, China
27. Bukhara – India
28. Bo.Lan – Bangkok, Thailand
29. Indian Accen, at The Manor – New Delhi, India
30. Dum Pukht – New Delhi, India
31. Issaya Siamese Club – Bangkok, Thailand
32. Varq – New Delhi, India
33. 28 Hubin Road – Hangzhou, China
34. Takazawa – Tokyo, Japan
35. Shinji by Kanesaka – Singapore
36. Wasabi by Morimoto – Mumbai, India
37. Eat Me – Bangkok, Thailand
38. Sukiyabashi Jiro – Tokyo, Japan
39. Robochon Au Dome – Macau, China
40. Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck – Singapore
41. Sawada – Tokyo, Japan
42. Hajime – Osaka, Japan
43. Sushi Saito – Tokyo, Japan
44. Nihonbashi – Colombo, Sri Lanka
45. Yardbird – Hong Kong, China
46. Family Li Imperial Cuisine – Shanghai, China
47. Sarong – Bali, Indonesia
48. Franck Bistro – Shanghai, China
49. Karavalli – Bangalore, India
50. Tenku RyuGin – Hong Kong, China

1. Nahm – Bangkok, Thailand
Thai fare in an upmarket restaurant setting. Chef David Thompson had convinced his naysayers by collecting recipes wholeheartedly from the streets of Thailand, even creating dishes that are said to be truly traditional in taste.

2. Les Créations de Narisawa – Tokyo, Japan
Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa is all about “sustainability and gastronomy”, creating dishes “in harmony with nature and the environment”. He gets his food inspirations from the forests, and serves soil, charcoal and bark on the table, with imaginative food that tells a story.

3. Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand
Gaggan, a progressive Indian restaurant in a colonial style wooden house set in the heart of downtown Bangkok, showcases modern interpretation of Indian classics. Romantic and satisfying.

4. Amber – Hong Kong, China
Amber is at the perfect blend of the produces from East and cooking techniques from the West. Chef Richard Ekkebus, Dutch-born and French-trained, loves a light touch to his cooking, with great emphasis placed on creative beautiful presentations.

5. Nihonryori Ryugin – Tokyo, Japan
RyuGin’s Chef Seiji Yamamoto is known to push culinary boundaries, creating avant-garde dishes, while blending with the seasonal ingredients available in Japan. Every season has a different menu, and every day it may differ based on what is available in the market.

6. Restaurant Andre, Singapore
Chef Andre Chiang’s philosophical menu is based on an “Octaphilosophy” theme of eight dishes, representing Pure, Salt, Artisan, South, Texture, Unique, Memory and Terrior. Every single dish represented perfection with the blend of ingredients, the intricacies that go into creation, and the thought process of putting it together.

7. Waku Ghin, Singapore
Opened by Celebrity Chef Tetsuya Wakuda, ‘Waku’ means to ‘spring forth’ and ‘ghin’ means silver which happens to be his favourite colour. Some of the dishes, like the signature Marinated Botan Shrimp with Sea Urchin and Oscietra Caviar, are phenomenal.

8. Ultraviolet – Shanghai, China
Ultraviolet, very aptly called, brings restaurant dining on a whole new level. Only ten diners are allowed, where they arrive at a mystery location to enjoy a 20+ course dinner in a multi-sensory restaurant. Yes, UV lighting, projection, music, sounds … as though you are dining in a sci-fi movie, minus Milla Jovovich.

9. Lung King Heen 龍景軒 – Hong Kong, China
With a name that means “view of the dragon”, it almost feels that you are walking into a palace with an open dining hall offering a panorama of the Victoria Harbour. This is the world’s first Chinese restaurant and the only Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong awarded the coveted maximum of 3 Michelin stars.

10. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Hong Kong, China
8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana is the only Italian restaurant outside of Italy to have received 3 Michelin stars – that means it serves exceptional cuisine, and worth a special journey.

This year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 awards has few surprises, except with the notable disappearance of 2013′s Number 18 The Chairman Restaurant 大班樓 from Hong Kong. This is also a more diverse list, finally with restaurants from Korea (Jungsik at No 20) and Taiwan (Le Mout at No 24) after last year’s obvious lack of representation.

Having blessed to have eaten at most of the top restaurants, Nihonryori Ryugin may have been robbed of a better ranking once again. Its gastronomical avant garde yet distinctly Japanese experience is one hard to beat.

The common criticism with such a list is that the restaurants are skewed towards European-styled, fine-dining and molecular. My personal wish is to see more varied Asian restaurants that truly showcase the diversity of our cultures and cuisines. I think we are getting there.

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People say Singaporeans can travel anywhere for food, as long as there is good food. True that? I found myself bussing all the way to a condominium in the east, got lost (reminder to take 36 instead of 16), and glad found some hearty zi-char fare.

Despite the distance, I ventured to Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨 found at Laguna Park, one of those old condominium estates with huge spaces and neighbourly quietness in Marine Parade.

Why at such an uncommon location? Young entrepreneurs Josh Chou and Lambert Chen wanted to avoid the high rentals of town areas, and were scouting for somewhere charming to present affordable Chinese restaurant food.

My initial skeptical self did not feel that a new restaurant found in an old condo would be very much remarkable, but I was wrong. I could safely say that 70-80% of what was served in Diamond Kitchen was worth coming for.

Some of their signature dishes include Champagne Pork Ribs ($12/18/24), Salted Egg Sotong ($12/18/24), Sauna Prawns ($24/36/48), Crab in Gan Xiang style (market price), Superior Stock Clam Bee Hoon ($12/18/24), Pumpkin Bean Curd ($12/18/24) and Superior Chicken Soup ($18/36).

One of my favourites – fresh Sri Lankan crabs cooked in ‘Gan Xiang’ sauce (market price, about $55 per kg). The ‘gan xiang’ is a Malaysia zi-char inspired sauce, literally meaning dry and fragrant, being aromatic and sweet, salty and spicy at the same time.

While I do not usually fancy crabs in dryer sauces, I found myself sucking off the fresh crab claw meats after sweeping the leftover sauces on the table (very unsightly), while wearing a white shirt. The black (and white) pepper crab has found its competitor.

Somebody in the table said she liked salted egg anything, and this dish was also swept clean. The Salted Egg Sotong ($12/18/24) is must-have for calamari lovers, best eaten when it is served hot straight away on the table. It was lightly crispy deep fried, dusted with some spicy powder, evenly tossed in salted yolk mix, and did not taste overly rubbery or chewy.

My other favourite was the Champagne Pork Ribs ($12/18/24), as I felt myself rekindling my love with this dish once again, fully tender and well-marinated with a flavourful sauce. Tip: I added a dollop of their homemade sambal chilli sauce and the combination was almost divine.

A slight let-down was the Sauna Prawns ($24/36/48), coming served in a bamboo steamer with fresh prawns poured over with a herbal stock laced with Chinese wine, steamed over heated stones. The presentation was anticipating, though the taste and smell felt like more wine and herbs were needed for a more distinct taste.

My fellow Singaporeans friends always say the east is where you should travel for food, and Diamond Kitchen probably is that one more that list.

Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨
5000F Marine Parade Road, #01-22/23 Laguna Park (condominium), Singapore 449289, Tel: +65 6448 0629
Opening Hours: 11am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 11:00pm

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The post Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨 – Comfort Chinese Fare In A Laguna Condominium appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

A trip to the actual Mykonos by the Aegean Sea will be on the to-visit dream list, though in the meantime, the new Greek restaurant Mykonos on the Bay at Sentosa Cove may provide a substitute for the wanderlust.

The fact that Mykonos is on Sentosa Cove already makes you feel you are on a holiday of sorts, though this recent visit I realised the number of visitors there has indeed multiplied.

Mykonos, other than Blu Kouzina at Bukit Timah, is one of the few Greek Taverna-style restaurants in Singapore serving known Mediterranean cuisine.

The open-kitchen restaurant with bar counter is immediately charming, decorated in the classic Greek colours of white and navy blue, with an ample number of young enthusiastic wait staff dressed in simple white tees.

To confirm my suspicion that the table I am seating at is not just another white furniture from IKEA, yes, every single piece of fixture and artefact is imported from Greece (other than the glasses).

The dishes served are said to be what “a Greek granny would serve you at home” – wholesome and hearty, including Mousaka (Eggplant Casserole with braised beef sauce and béchamel topping), Gemista (Oven-baked Baldo rice and Greek herbs stuffed with Roma tomatoes with yogurt mint sauce, $22.90), and Melitzanes Imam (Whole Baby Eggplants with caramelized onions stuffing, spiced with cinnamon, and soft baked feta, $22.90).

As a starter, the Dip Platter with eggplant, fava, taramosalata spreads accompanied by freshly baked pita ($27.00) makes a suitable choice to go with drinks and unending chats.

Greek cuisine is still quite foreign to me. While I may not immediately fancy every dish served on the table, most were enjoyably appetising and would made great sharing plates.

The Gioyvetsi Garida, ($30.50) a Greek short-pasta (Risone) with Mediterranean red prawns, cherry-tomatoes and saffron, while on a pricey side for its portion, was an encapsulation of seafood flavours, every spoonful like you are eating a myriad of seafood.

It will not be right entering a Mediterranean restaurant without ordering seafood, therefore do try the grilled and marinated octopus ($21.90) – with a bite-able un-rubbery texture, simply seasoned yet delectable.

Accordingly, the octopus is sourced from Europe as because those in the region are too tough and elastic-tasting because “they don’t swim hard enough”.

I sat at Mykonos from late afternoon till night, both contrasting vibes. The day time presents a lazy relaxing mood gazing at the yacht harbour, while the night is all about laughing with a fun group of friends who all seem badly needing a holiday.

Mykonos On The Bay
#01-10 Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, Tel: +65 6334 3818
Opening Hours: 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Mon, Wed-Fri), 12:00-2:00pm (Fri), 11:00pm – 11:00pm (Sat-Sun), Closed Tues

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[Bangkok, Thailand] While the name sounds mildly suggestive, Eat Me is an award-winning restaurant (No 37 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014) known for its Modern-International-Regional fusion food, and arty-cool vibes.

Love the name. Eat Me is the kind of sleek restaurant that would attract the upper class Thais and international customers, for its dedication to promoting arts, and passion in creating dishes quite unavailable elsewhere.

Before I go on, this dinner did not exactly start on an encouraging note. Reservations were made so wearisome for an overseas guest, especially when I already made it a month earlier. I gather that filling up forms and credit card details would have been sufficient.

But I needed to send them an additional email the day before, plus a reconfirmation only via telephone call on the day itself, in a specific timeframe of 1-3pm. For a tourist, it was unnecessary trouble.

At Eat Me, you can choose to sit outdoors by the balcony surrounded by greens, or indoor for a more comfortable seating in this two-storey white house. I am reminded this is Bangkok, and the inside would have prevented a sweaty dinner. (Most of the Europeans diners would have preferred outside.)

I was slightly caught off-guard by the lighting – it was orangey dimly lighted, so dark that you are probably going to miss the paintings and decors which is ironically one of its selling point. Though a sexy romantic ambience is created – perhaps great for chill out dates.

Eat Me’s food was impressive – fresh, unexpected and interesting combinations of sorts. Chef Tim Butler who came from New York created some modern and workable interpretations of east-meets-west.

Both the seafood dishes were remarkable – the Grilled Tiger Prawns with Tom Yum Spiced Olive Oil (450 baht, SGD$17.50), and Pan-Seared Alaskan Sea Scallops with Avocado, Yuzu and Pancetta (690 baht, SGD$26.90).

The seafood was succulently juicy, cooked in sauces that release slight bursts of excitements as you figure out what went into the creation. Point to note: this is comparatively expensive for Bangkok.

After being impressed by the seafood, the other mains took a backseat. The Crispy Skin Duck Confit with yellow beetroot, fennel and bnyuls gastrique (690 baht, $26.90) and Spicy Lemongrass Chicken with green mango salad (450 baht, SGD$17.50) were again clear examples of inventiveness, but deserved better executions.

Eat Me is one of those restaurants considered cool and hip to dine out, but it wasn’t mind-blowing for me. Sometimes I blame the more than positive reviews of Eat Me, and wondered what I have missed out. After all, I am spoilt for culinary choices in Bangkok!

Eat Me
1/6 Soi Pipat 2 (off Soi Convent), Silom, Bangkok 10500, Tel: +66 22380931
(MRT: Silom, BTS, Sala Daeng)
eatmerestaurant.com reservations@eatmerestaurant.com
Opening Hours: 3pm – 1am Daily

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[Hong Kong] I think I found a new favourite Cha Chaan Teng at Hong Kong. It is not all the time I can say I can sit down for a proper Hong Kong café meal with quality food, without the hustle bustle, plus good service! I didn’t even come expecting any of that. (Read: 5 Best Hong Kong Cafes)

Capital Café 華星冰室 at Wan Chai sells exactly the same meal sets with Australian Dairy Company. The breakfast set (HK$38, served from 7am – 12pm) comes with two scrambled or fried eggs, macaroni with ham, butter toast, and coffee or tea. Exactly the same.

I just had Australian Dairy Company at Jordan the day before, so I can remember the taste and the madness with squeezing in and table-sharing.

Capital Café’s scrambled eggs are excellent for its price – creamy as it is fried with Hokkaido milk, fluffy, every mouthful tasty while staying hot. Frying with a Chinese wok does make that difference. But but but… Australian Dairy Company‘s eggs have that extra saltiness and creaminess that reminds you of cream soup.

The macaroni and ham are definitely nothing to scream about, though way better than Yee Shun’s rendition.

The bombshell at Capital Café is Scrambled Egg Toast with Black Truffle (HK$38). Someone should already include this into the Top 10 must-eat food at Hong Kong for under HK$100 if you are only there for 5 days list.

This is simple sensational food, especially if you match it with iced milk tea (HK$20).

When I was trying to cut the toast up with a fork, the service staff came forward, with a smile, asking if I needed it. Shocked! Those who have been to a typical busy Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng would know it doesn’t quite happen. Working men with smiley faces, and one was trying to make a baby next table laugh.

The dining environment is pleasant for its price, with big open spaces and comfortable booth seats. The owner is a former manager at Capital Records, therefore the many autographed Leslie Cheung’s albums already and many celebrities have sent their blessings by showing their support. You may spot one here.

Capital Café 華星冰室
Shop B1, G/F, Kwong Sang Hong Building, 6 Heard Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (10 min walk from Wan Chai MTR) Tel:+852 2666 7766
灣仔克街6號廣生行大廈地下B1號舖
Opening Hours: 7am – 11:00pm

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Hainanese Curry Rice is such a uniquely Singapore food, one can see some colonial, Chinese and Malay influence. You probably don’t think this anywhere else. Messy and gooey, not photogenic, usually brownish in one aerial – yet tasting all together lip-smacking.

Singapore’s top choices for Hainanese curry rice include Loo’s Hainanese curry rice at Eng Hoon, No Name at Bt Ho Swee Beo Crescent, Feng Kee at Pasir Panjang and Beach Road Scissor Cut Curry Rice at Jalan Besar.

If you are a fan, you should make a trip to 79 Telor Blangah Drive Food Centre. Yes, it is ulu (but can always make a short detour if you are going Vivocity). But you will find not one, but 4 different curry rice stalls!

Truly Curry Rice there 真咖喱饭 was recently much talked about because they are operated by two young twenty-something, Joel and Deniece, who gave up their trading jobs to be hawkers – the job that many Singaporeans will shun due to the longer hours and tough chores.

Deniece took over the stall from her father, and has included recipes from her father, Joel’s grandmother and their own. Thus, you are likely to see some ‘modern’ home-cooked style dishes such as Ngor Hiang and Fried Egg Plant with Hae Bee Hiam.

For a Hainanese curry rice novice, order the most basic classic dishes of Deep Fried Pork Chop, Curry Chicken, Kong Bak (pork belly) and Chap Chye. Other dishes should include Assam Fish, Steamed Meat Balls, Fried Eggs, Sambal Sotong and Deep Fried Prawn Fritters.

My personal top three are the Ngor Hiang (a bit salty but thought to find wholesome handmade minced pork rolls now), Deep Fried Prawn Fritters (taste and look exactly like how my grandmother would have done it), and Chap Chye (prepared daily, cooked for many hours, fresh and lovely sweetish).

I also enjoyed how the overall taste and presentation was ‘clean’. Unlike some stalls, the meal didn’t feel overly messy, greasy or oily.

When I asked Deniece how the regulars reacted to the food since they could be used their father’s style, her answer was short and simple, “The uncles told me they still love it. They support by queuing.”

Yes, I wanted to grab a picture of them but the queue at Truly Curry Rice was so long (but you should get your food within 10 minutes) and I didn’t want to interrupt them.

You can really see their passion in serving and cooking, and I truly wish our two young friends can bring this traditional Singapore dish to greater heights.

Truly Curry Rice 真咖喱饭
Telok Blangah Drive Food Centre, 79 Telok Blangah Drive #01-29 Singapore 100079 (Telok Blangah MRT CC Line)
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 1045am – Sold Out (around 1pm), Sat-Sun: 10am – Sold Out (around 130pm)

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