The Hardware Société – Popular French Spanish Cafe In Melbourne. Go For The Fried Brioche And Baked Eggs

March 30, 2017, 1:10 am

≫ Next: Clarke Quay – 16 Restaurants With Incredible Lunch Promos At $10, $15, $25++ Every Day

≪ Previous: Baker’s Brew Studio – NEW Cake Cafe At Orchard Paragon With Dual Fromage, Thai Tea And Ondeh Ondeh Cakes

[Melbourne] In the middle of Melbourne city perpendicular to Lonsdale Street (and Little Lonsdale Street) is Hardware Lane which is flourishing with cafes. If you intend to do some café-hopping, this could be the place.

One café however, seemed to have pulled in more of the crowd than others.

The Hardware Société is never short of travellers visiting, that it could take anything from 20 minutes to half an hour to get some seats. Especially if you arrive in the large group.

Yet, its exterior didn’t seem far from ordinary.

Its interior is bright donned with colourful butterfly wallpapers and light wooden furniture. However, the hardcore instagrammers would take the seats outside where natural sunlight would shine under good weather conditions, you could people watch (or be watched), and brunch items placed on marble tables.

Donald Trump alert. Look up and you would spot a graffiti that could make your day or conversations.

Food is considered French meets Spanish, given the Australian twist, with Head Chef Jean Paul Dargan dedicated to using seasonal produce.

Favourites include Baked Eggs ($19), Fried Brioche ($18), Lobster Benedict ($26), Pork Belly and Fried Eggs ($25), and Duck Confit ($25).

People do come for their Baked Eggs ($19), available in either a vegetarian roasted pumpkn or chorizo sausage version, and I can understand why. The ingredients just blend together in balanced harmony, and I particularly liked the contrast of soft potatoes and toasted almonds.

I did expect a bigger portion though.

Somehow the pork in Australia just tasted softer without that strange aftertaste that I do get elsewhere. The Pork Belly with bacon and parsnip potato cakes on rye bread was a good-enough order, though I would have preferred the crackling to be softer.

That one dish that stroke a chord with me was surprisingly the Fried Brioche ($18), as I am generally more a savoury than sweets person.

The texture of that brioche was just so fluffy like a soft pillow, and the varying ingredients of passionfruit curd, raspberry gel, lavender syrup and fresh raspberries would just pleasurably play with your taste buds with tangy-fruitiness, sweetness intertwining.

Queues aside, the personable service, chill-relaxing vibes, and a few standout brunch items make this Hardware Société quite a visit in Melbourne.

The Hardware Société Melbourne
120 Hardware Street Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Tel: +61 03 9078 5992
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 3:00pm (Mon – Fri), 8:00am – 3:00pm (Thurs – Fri), Last Order 2:30pm
Google Maps – The Hardware Société

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Clarke Quay – 16 Restaurants With Incredible Lunch Promos At $10, $15, $25++ Every Day

March 30, 2017, 5:58 am

≫ Next: Monument Lifestyle – Stylish Menswear Retail Store & Café At Duxton Road

≪ Previous: The Hardware Société – Popular French Spanish Cafe In Melbourne. Go For The Fried Brioche And Baked Eggs

These are probably some of the best lunch deals near town, when you can get a filling 2 to 4 course meals at $10++, $15++ and $25++ at Clarke Quay.

Some may have the impression that Clarke Quay is only opened at night. Most of the restaurants are actually available for value for money lunches, with lunch deals going on every single day. Yes, including weekends.

The restaurants are also serving specialty dishes at a fraction of their ala carte prices as part of the promotion.

Clarke Quay – 16 Restaurants With Incredible Lunch Promos At $10, $15, $25++ Every Day

Hooters Singapore
Clarke Quay Blk D, #01-03
Tel: +65 6332 1090
Opening Hours: 11am – 12am (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 2am (Fri, Sat and Eve of PH)

Hooters is not only famous for their, well… friendly welcoming Hooters Girls, it is also the place for some wicked wings and iced cold beer.

Their $10++ Fabulous Set Lunches available daily will make you sit up too. Main course choices which include their famed Hooters Wings with Curly Fries, NZ Sirloin Steak, Chicken Caesar Salad, Chicken Wrap, Hooters Burger, Apple Sauce Porkloin, Honey Mustard Chicken, Chicken Pesto Spaghetti, Fish & Chips and Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

All 10 Main Courses served with soft drink and ice cream.

I will come for their juicy Hooters Wings again, shaken with sauce of Samurai, Medium, Hot, 3 Mile Island or 911 (that means very hot and sour). It’s the sweet Teriyaki flavoured Samurai anytime for me.

$10++ Set Lunch
Main Course (Choice of Wings & Fries, NZ Sirloin Steak, Fish, Chicken, Pasta, Sandwich, Salad and more) + Ice Cream + Soft Drink for $10++.
Add $2.50++ for a Soup of the Day & Coffee/ Tea.
Every Monday, 10 pieces of Wings at only $0.99++ with every purchase of a Tiger Pitcher.

Xiao Chen Gu Shi 小陈故事
Clarke Quay Block E #01-08
Tel: +65 6336 0939
Opening Hours: 11am – next day 6am (Mon – Sat), 11am – 10pm (Sun)

The name of this Bak Kut Teh eatery may remind you of that legendary song by Teresa Teng “Xiao Cheng Gu Shi”.

There are days when we crave for a warm, comforting bowl of Spare Ribs Soup, and Xiao Chen Gu Shi offers a version which is light, clear and moderately peppery matched with meaty long ribs.

The Chicken Rice has tender, smooth chicken generously accompanied by sides of bean sprouts, achar, vegetable, gizzard and a bowl of gogi berry soup. Local delights which are value-for-money.

$10++ Set Lunch
Chicken Rice Set: 4 Sides + 1 Soup + 1 Barley Drink OR
Bak Kut Teh Set with 2 sides (Braised Peanuts & Salted Vegetables) served with white rice
*Valid only for weekdays.

Talay Thai
Clarke Quay Block E #01-05
Tel: +65 6337 1838
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 11.00pm, 10.30pm Last order (Sun – Thurs);
12.00pm – 2.00am, 12.30am last order (Fri and Sat)

Over at Talay Thai – a Thai tapas bar, you get Thai food prepared by Thai trained chefs, but with an unpredictable, updated twist. Think Tom Yum Lobster Bisque, White Bait with Tom Yum Powder, Chicken Skin Crackling, and Stingray Fish with Tamarind Glaze.

Not forgetting a Lychee Rambutan Longan Mojito Duo to go with the savouries.

$10++ Lunch
A choice of one main course of Phad Thai, Pad See Ew, Basil Chicken with Rice, Green Curry Chicken with Rice for only $10++.

$15++ Lunch
Main course with soup OR dessert.
Valid for 1-for-1 Mondays (Limited to the first 10 pairs of diners. Not Valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges. Check in-store for more information)

$25++ Lunch
Main course with soup and dessert.

Hot Stones Steak and Seafood
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-06
Tel: +65 6333 4868
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 2am (Fri – Sat)
Reserve Online Now – Hot Stones Steak and Seafood

This is both a unique and fun way to have your food. Hot Stones Steak and Seafood Restaurant involves cooking fresh meats and seafood on serpentine volcanic stone slabs (be careful, it’s really, really hot), which can be in a setting on(of? Pls advise) a Tong Kang boat.

The hot stone method helps to seal in the natural juices of the food, and you can cook to the doneness you prefer. The menu features a comprehensive selection of beef, seafood, pork, lamb, chicken and vegetables. Check out those pinkish-orange thick slices of salmon fillet. A sizzling experience.

$10++ 1 Course Set Lunch
Salmon Fillet OR Seafood Aglio Olio
Valid for 1-for-1 Mondays (Limited to the first 10 pairs of diners. Not Valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges. Check in-store for more information)

$15++ 2 Course Set Lunch
Soup of the day + Main (Australian Sirloin OR Chicken Breast OR Beef Bolognese Ricotta Lasagna)

$25++ 3 Course Set Lunch
Soup of the day+ Main Course (Surf and Turf , Mixed Grill or Seafood Linguine in Tomato Base Sauce) and Dessert.

Fremantle Seafood Market
Clarke Quay Blk E #01-05/06
Tel: +65 63371838
Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 2am (Fri – Sat)
Reserve Online Now – Fremantle Seafood Market

If you have been to Perth, you may be familiar with Fremantle harbour known for its seafood markets and stalls.

The Fremantle Seafood Market back home at Clarke Quay aims to recreate that experience with the offering of the freshest catches of fishes, clams, crabs, lobsters, mussels, and oysters.

The casual seafood restaurant has recently revamped their menu with an expanded selection which includes Crabilicious Bags ($48 onwards), Sri Lankan Mud Crabs, Pizza and Pasta Dishes.

Have I mentioned the beautiful Singapore River view?

$10++ 1 Course Set Lunch
Main Course (Fish and Chips, Grilled Cajun Chicken, Fremantle Seagood Aglio Olio or Over Roasted Ruby Snapper)

$15++ 2 Course Set Lunch
Main Course, with Soup of the day OR Dessert.
Valid for 1-for-1 Mondays (Limited to the first 10 pairs of diners. Not Valid with other promotions, discounts and credit card privileges. Check in-store for more information)

$25++ 3 Course Set Lunch
Main Course, with Soup of the day and Dessert.

Tomo Izakaya
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-04
Tel: +65 6333 0100
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am (Sun – Thurs & PH ), 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 3am (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH)
Reserve Online Now – Tomo Izakaya

The inside of Tomo Izakaya can be quite different from what you may be expecting, decorated in traditional Izakaya-style. The Japanese restaurant offers sushi, bento boxes, grilled specialties small-plate dining matched with the selection of premium sakes and shochus.

$15 Nett Bento Set
Set includes sashimi, side dish, pickles, rice, mains, salad and soup

Harry’s
Block D #01-01
Tel: +65 6338 7331
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am (Sun – Thurs), 12pm – 3am (Fri – Sat)

Harry’s is considered one of Singapore’s most established dining and bar chain, and the outlet at Clarke Quay boosts of both an inner urban living room setting, and outdoor alfresco dining area.
Its Jazz Burger was one of the best I had locally (after some disappointing ones), which I remarked “Better than so many others.”

The Angus Beef Patty was moist, flavourful and held well together, and the crispy bacon just upped both the guilt and taste factors (Worth the calories, I say). All these accompanied with beetroot relish, field mushroom, tomatoes, Swiss cheese and jalapeno cheese sauce.

Other Harry’s recommendations include the Beer Battered Fish & Chips and Prawn Star Pasta.

$15++ Lunch Promo
A Big Plate of your choice (Top up $5++ for Steak & Egg)

Motorino Pizzeria
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-01A
Tel: +65 8182 2205
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 12am (Fri – Sat)

From Williamsburg Brooklyn and finally in Singapore. Motorino is known to be one of the best pizzerias in New York City, and was even featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand Guide! And you do know that New Yorkers are fussy over their pizzas.

Motorino’s Neapolitan-style pizzas are prepared fresh and wood-fired in a surprisingly short period of a few minutes. You better eat them while they are fresh and hot.

There were two distinct (and contrasting) features after I tried a classic Margherita pizza: Blistered charred sides and soft chewy base, a result of using quality Italian Caputo flour.

I liked the tanginess of the toppings San Marzano tomatoes, and I would recommend adding a drizzle of organic Italian olive oil for that additional whiff of aroma.

$15.90 Lunch Promo
Choice of Pizza Margherita or Spaghetti Pomodoro with an ice tea
*Valid only for weekdays.

Catch Beer & Batter
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-01
Tel: +65 6336 0366
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am (Mon, Tues, Thurs), 12pm – 3pm (Fri – Sat), 12pm – 11pm (Sun)

The fish here, is literally quite a good catch.

Their beer battered fish didn’t look like the typical classical ones. These were broad and flat, deep fried to an orangey-golden using signature ale. The result was batter thin and crisp, remarkably un-greasy.

What also kept me going were the home-made sauces, especially the red-hot sauce made with chilli padi which gave quite a kick, and fries sprinkled with a touch of spicy powder. Localised fish and chips I must say.

$15++ 2 Course Set Menu
Mix Garden Green Salad, Main (Signature Ale Batter Fish & Chips Or Seafood Pasta)
Top up $2.00 for soft drinks, $8.00 for Romy Lager Beer or Dessert of the day

McGettigan’s
Clarke Quay Blk A , # 01-01C/D
Tel: +65 68370577
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am (Mon – Tues), 12pm – 3am (Wed – Thurs), 10am – 3am (Fri – Sat), 10am – 1am (Sun)

An Irish pub which combines Irish comfort food, entertainment (live bands) and Guinness on tap.

Some of the recommended dishes include the Open Steak Sandwich (usual price $25) on garlic sourdough topped with sun-dried tomatoes, pommery crème fraiche and buttery-herby Béarnaise sauce; Fish and Chips (usual price $24) of crispy battered fresh dory served with mushy peas and fat chips; The Irish Burger ($26) intriguingly comprising of Cola-marinated pork belly, smoked streaky bacon, fried egg, tobacco onions sandwiched in a brioche bun.

$15++ Lunch Set
Soup of the Day, Main (Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash OR Open Steak Sandwich)
*Valid only for weekdays.

Hutong
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-07
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am Daily
Reserve Online Now

Hutong is not quite your average Chinese restaurant. While decorated in dark-wooded Chinese dynasty style, the restaurant has a modern take on its menu, serving Northern Chinese cuisine of such as Crispy BBQ Garlic Pork, Grilled King Prawn on Skewer, Fried Rice with Beef in Hutong Style, and X.O Fried Noodle with Seafood.

The XO Seafood Fried Rice has been one of their main-stayers since opening days, in which the fragrant fried rice is cooked with a spicy-seafood based Guangdong style XO sauce with egg and fresh seafood.

Not forgetting the wok-hei which is quintessential in wok-fried dishes.

$15++ 3 Course Set Lunch, Available Mon – Fri (12 pm – 3pm)
Soup (Cream of Corn), Appetiser (Shrimp Wanton (Steamed/Deep fried OR Deep Fried Spring Roll), Main Course (XO Fried Rice with Seafood or Chicken, Crispy Noodle with Vegetables & Mushroom OR Soup Noodle with Dumpling), and Beverage (Hot Tea or Fresh Lime Juice).

RENNthai
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-05
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am Daily
Reserve Online Now – RENNthai

Known as “traditional Thai house”, RENNthai can satisfy your Thai food cravings with street favourites of Green Curry Chicken, Black Olive Rice, Pad Thai and Tom Yum Goong.

The lightly sweet and spicy Thai Pineapple Fried Rice had a tropical touch of pineapple pieces and chicken floss.

This was added with spicy red Tom Yum Goong and two grilled chicken skewers brushed with a savoury sauce to make a comforting meal.

$15++ 3 Course Set Lunch, Available Mon – Fri (12 pm – 3pm)
Appetiser (Spring Rolls, Chicken Satay, OR Rice Crackers with Minced Chicken Sauce); Main Course (Phad Thai, Green Curry Chicken, Thai Pineapple Rice, OR Creamy Chicken with Spinach Rice and Mixed Salad) and Beverage (Calamansi).

Muchos
Clarke Quay Blk D #01-04
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am Daily
Reserve Online Now – Muchos

Hola! Modern Mexican restaurant Muchos serves up more than a selection of 40 Mexican flavours from Nachos, Stuffed Jalapenos, Taco Salads, Tostadas, Fajitas and Quesadillas filled with salsa roja, sour cream and melty cheese.

For a healthy yet filling treat, get a Burrito of soft flour tortilla wrapped with spinach rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, salsa roja and your choice of fillings of chicken or vegetable.

$15++ 3 Course Set Lunch, Available Mon – Fri (12 pm – 3pm)
Soup of the Day, Choice of Main Course (Soft Tacos or Quesadillas), Dessert (Ice Cream with Roasted Peanuts) and Drink (Iced Lemon Tea or Soft Drink)

Bayang
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-05
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sun – Mon), 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am (Tues – Sat)
Reserve Online Now – Bayang

Bayang, which means ‘shadow’ to symbolise the Wayang kilit puppets in Indonesia, offers many traditional Balinese fare at a purplish-toned elegant setting.

While Indonesian Sumatra offers more spicy food and Javanese cuisine usually comes with a sweet taste, Balinese cuisine offers a good mixture of both, with hot and powerful spices often used.

Their version of Bakmee Ayam comes with stir-fried thin egg noodles with thinly sliced pieces of tender chicken, added with crisp spring rolls on the side.

$15++ Set Lunch, Available Mon – Fri (12pm – 3pm)
3 Course Set Lunch: Fried Spring Rolls, Choice of Main Course (Satay Chicken & Yellow Rice with Curry Sauce, Seafood Fried Noodles, Fried Rice with Vegetables & Tofu, Balinese Grilled Chicken with Fried Rice); a Drink (Iced Lemon Tea or Fresh Lime Juice) and Dessert.

Peony Jade
Clarke Quay Blk A #02-02
Tel: +65 6338 0305
Opening Hours: 11am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm Daily
Reserve Online Now – Peony Jade

While Clarke Quay may be known for its Western restaurants and clubs, one of the main-stayers (since 2004) there has been Peony Jade which specialises in Szechuan and Cantonese delicacies.
So why not some Chinese food for lunch, for corporate meetings and even gatherings with colleagues?

We had a portion for 5, and it was A LOT of food. The table’s favourite was the Cappuccino Pork Spare Ribs with Roasted Almond, with coating of sweet, slight bitter coffee sauce on tender ribs which was lip-smacking worthy.

Add a comforting bowl of bouillon with generous portions of sweet crabmeat, in a starchy soupbase with golden mushroom.

$25 Nett 5-Course Set Lunch, Minimum of 02 pax, Valid for Dine-In Only
Selection includes : Smoked Duck with Black Peppercorn Sauce, Cappuccino Pork Spare Ribs with Roasted Almond, Crabmeat Bouillon with Golden Mushroom, Spicy Sze Chuan Mo Po Tofu, Hot Sweetened Red Bean Cream with Lotus Seed.
*Valid only for weekdays.

VLV Singapore
Clarke Quay Blk A #01-02
Tel: +65 6661 0197
Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm , 6pm – 11pm (Mon- Fri), 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sat- Sun)

VLV is housed in a heritage building (where a wealthy family used to stay a century ago) which retained the exterior, whilst its interior is decorated in stylish modern Chinese restaurant grandeur.

Group Executive Chef Martin Foo and team promise a good spread of quality Chinese food matched with visually-appealing presentation, from Peking Duck, Beggar Chicken, to Lobster Broth Rice. Not to be missed is the Dim Sum Lunch Buffet every weekend ($58++) which also includes a selection of 4 Chef’s signature main dishes.

$98++ Set Lunch for 4 persons
With a spread of 7-courses including Prawn Dumpling ‘Ha Gao’, Pan-fried Carrot Cake, Sea Prawn with Nutritious Herbal Soup, Sweet & Sour Chillean Seabass, Crispy Roasted Chicken, Poached Hong Kong Choy Sum, Braised Noodles with Enoki Mushroom & Bean Sprout, and Roselle Flower Osmanthus Jelly.

* Note: All lunch offers are valid from Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm unless otherwise staed. Not applicable for eve of Public Holidays, Public Holidays and special occasions. Promotions not applicable with other discounts, vouchers, coupons, privileges or credit card promotions unless otherwise stated. Prices for above restaurants are subject to service charge and GST.

Free Treat for Kids Every Sunday
More reasons to bring your children out to Clarke Quay during Sundays from 12-3pm. Kids under 12 can enjoy a FREE meal with every two paying adults at selected restaurants. For a limited period only.

Participating restaurants include Talay Thai, McGettigan’s, Fremantle Seafood Market, Hot Stones, Catch Beer & Batter, and VLV Singapore (free weekend brunch). T&C apply.

That’s not all! Every alternate Sundays starting in the month of April, there will be fun filled activities for families at the fountain square and it will be an excellent time to reconnect and bring the family together!

CapitaStar Rewards
CapitaStar members can earn a whooping 3x STAR$® rewards when dining at Clarke Quay from 12pm to 3pm, Monday to Friday!

Free Parking
There is also FREE PARKING from 12:30pm – 1:30pm during weekday lunch ($2.14 for first two hours afterwards.)

For more information, visit http://www.clarkequay.com.sg/lunch

Clarke Quay
3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024
By River Taxi – From Raffles Place MRT Station (Standard Chartered Bank Exit)
By Bus – No. 54 from Scotts Road or 32 and 195 from City Hall MRT Station
By MRT- Clarke Quay MRT, (about 5 mins walk), City Hall MRT (about 10-15 mins walk), Raffles Place MRT (about 10-15 mins walk)
http://www.clarkequay.com.sg
https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeQuay

*This entry is brought to you in partnership with Clarke Quay.

The post Clarke Quay – 16 Restaurants With Incredible Lunch Promos At $10, $15, $25++ Every Day appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

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Monument Lifestyle – Stylish Menswear Retail Store & Café At Duxton Road

March 30, 2017, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Dot & Dash – An ‘Underground’ Undiscovered Cafe Near City Hall

≪ Previous: Clarke Quay – 16 Restaurants With Incredible Lunch Promos At $10, $15, $25++ Every Day

The moment I walked into Monument Lifestyle at 75 Duxton Road, I thought there were quite a number of pieces that I would get. That was before I saw the price tags.

The clothes were still quite me, maybe I would get a piece one day.

Monument Lifestyle is a part retail store, part café. Can I say finally – the collection is for men.

Many brands featured are exclusive in Singapore, and it is where you can get a wardrobe revamp from labels of Katin, Alex Mill and Hari Marit, accessories, and grooming products. There are parts which remind me of Bangkok’s One Ounce For Onion.

I liked how the entire space was done up, in a stylish yet cosy setting. The lifestyle store was at the front, while the café blended unobtrusively at the back.

While there were a number of office workers who walked in and out to grab a cuppa, the café remained relatively quiet, while staff would be friendly enough to make small-talks.

Kind of like your Los Angeles neighbourhood café.

Coffee beans were from Four Barrel Coffee, known to be one of the best coffee roasters in San Francisco.

No proper-proper food is available here though, but you could still set some light bites of Artisanal Toasts with toppings of Cinnamon, Apple Caramel, Lemon Curd, Nutella with Sea Salt or Avocado ($6.50 – $9.50), Croissants ($3.70 – $4.10), Muffin ($4.20) and Brownies ($3.70).

Monument Lifestyle
75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534 (8 -10 min from Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri)
www.facebook.com/monumentlifestyle

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Dot & Dash – An ‘Underground’ Undiscovered Cafe Near City Hall

March 30, 2017, 5:51 pm

≫ Next: 10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017 – Coco Chanel Cafe, Matcha Kakigori And Crepe Suzette To Look Forward To

≪ Previous: Monument Lifestyle – Stylish Menswear Retail Store & Café At Duxton Road

This cafe sees itself as “an underground code shared by only those in the know” – akin to the Dot & Dash.

It is not quite easy to spot this coffee place, both in the physical and social media realm.

Dot & Dash is located at the basement of High Street Centre along North Bridge Road, could be hidden out of plain sight.

For those wondering, it is just directly opposite the Parliament House, also a short 2-3 minutes’ walk away from The Supreme Court of Singapore. Could be a good thing for workers in the vicinity, as the next nearest place to get artisanal coffee is from The Betterfield at High Street.

On social media such as Facebook and Instagram, you do not get the typical buzz when a coffee place newly opens. But again, perhaps it chooses to serve workers around the vicinity.

The menu consists of a variety of Croissants such as butter, almond, chocolate, and ham & cheese ($3.00 – $7.00), Sandwiches of olives & tomato mozzarella, ham & cheese, tuna mayo, sesame camembert ($7.50 – $8.50), and sweets of Lemon Meringue, Chocolate Tart, Chocolate Éclair ($6.00 – $7.50).

If some of the items looked familiar, they were sourced from French Patisserie PAUL.

Coffee beans are sourced from Papa Palheta, with offerings of espresso, flat white, latte, cappuccino, mocha ($3.50 – $5.00). For something more varied, get the Seven Spice Chai ($5.00) or a Dashing Ice Tea ($5.00) to cool yourself down in the weather.

The coffee was decent. However, in a long-run, the cafe would probably need to find more differentiating factors to continue to draw crowd from its slightly obscure location.

Dot & Dash
1 North Bridge Road #B1-11/12 High Street Centre Singapore 179094 (opp Parliament House)
Tel: +65 6250 1222
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017 – Coco Chanel Cafe, Matcha Kakigori And Crepe Suzette To Look Forward To

March 31, 2017, 4:52 am

≫ Next: Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles – Opening NEW Branch At Beach Road

≪ Previous: Dot & Dash – An ‘Underground’ Undiscovered Cafe Near City Hall

What? A quarter of the year has swung passed us.

For the month of April 2017, you can look forward to the pop-up cafe of the highly anticipated Coco Chanel Café.

Also at Orchard, you will find new outlets of Matchaya which is offering Matcha Kakigori, Haakon with healthy smoothie bowls, and Baker’s Brew Studio with an irresistible Dual Fromage cake.

Also read:
10 New Cafes In Singapore March 2017
14 New Cafes In Singapore February 2017
12 New Cafes In Singapore January 2017

Baker’s Brew Café
Orchard Paragon, 290 Orchard Road #05-46 Singapore 238859 (Orchard MRT)
Tel: +65 6909 0669
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Mon – Sun)

Cake Cafe At Orchard Paragon With Dual Fromage, Thai Tea And Ondeh Ondeh Cakes
Baker’s Brew Café is a contemporary café and baking studio dedicated to serving handcrafted cakes and artisanal desserts, with specialty coffee from Papa Palheta and loose leaf tea from the 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

The Paragon store is an experiential concept space, with the provision of holistic one-stop offering – to “Learn, Savour, and Celebrate”.

Some signature cakes included the Ondeh Ondeh ($8.80/slice), Tiramisu ($8.80/slice), Dual Fromage ($8.80/slice) and Pandan Sugees ($7.80/loaf). If you love the cakes here, you can also learn to bake them. Baker’s Brew Studio (Orchard Paragon)

Matchaya
2 Handy Road, The Cathay, #01-08 Singapore 229233
Opening Hours: 1:00pm – 10:00pm Daily

For The Matcha And Hojicha Lovers
Matchaya which first made its way at Tanjong Pagar ICON, has opened its 2nd at The Cathay.

One of the new items to look forward to is a selection of signature Matchaya parfaits ranging from matcha and houjicha to black sesame, all in a cup with toppings such as crispy rice puffs, tea jelly, and Japanese azuki red bean paste.

You can also find Matcha Kakigori on its menu, though we find the portion slightly small for $18.90.

Haakon
313@somerset 313 Orchard Road #B2-14 Singapore 278997
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm Daily

Superfoods, Acai Bowls and Juices
For the health conscious looking for some nourishing food with a fusion of Scandinavian and tropical flavours.

Other than the Classic Acai Bowl ($7.90, $12.90), you can look forward to salads and all-day breakfast such as Miso Zoodles – that is noodles made of zucchini ($10.90), Steak & Shrooms ($13.90), Smoked Salmon Casar ($12.90), Guac & Chips ($11.90) and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny ($14.90).

Henri Charpentier
Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, #B2-15 Singapore 078884
Tel: +65 6386 8422
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun, PH)

Japanese Pastry Shop Opens At Tanjong Pagar Centre
If you need a short reprise off work, or a place to chit-chat with friends, Henri Charpentier has opened a European Salon style café at Tanjong Pagar Centre.

The Japanese pastry brand is known for its gorgeous and delicate French-inspired pastries and desserts.

Their signature Crepe Suzette has also made its return at this branch. Watch the blue flame flicker while the crêpes soaked in rich orange juice are meticulously flambéed.

Monument Lifestyle
75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534 (8 -10 min from Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri)
www.facebook.com/monumentlifestyle

Stylish Menswear Retail Store & Café At Duxton Road
Monument Lifestyle is a part retail store, part café. Can I say finally – the collection is for men.

Many brands featured are exclusive in Singapore, and it is where you can get a wardrobe revamp from labels of Katin, Alex Mill and Hari Marit, accessories, and grooming products.

Coffee beans were from Four Barrel Coffee, known to be one of the best coffee roasters in San Francisco. Light bites available include Artisanal Toasts with toppings of Cinnamon, Apple Caramel, Lemon Curd, Nutella with Sea Salt or Avocado ($6.50 – $9.50). Monument Lifestyle (Duxton Road)

Loloku
1 Keong Saik Road, The Working Capitol Building #01-05 Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 6223 5001
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.00pm – 9.00pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun

Fun-Looking Poke Bar And Deli At Keong Saik
The fun looking Loloku took over Lollapalooza at The Working Capitol, sharing space with Don Ho Social Kitchen and Bar. Loloku is Poke Bowl shop Number XX in Singapore, joining the influx of other similar shops in the CBD area.

5 basic bowls are offered, along with a DIY “Build you own bowl” option.

I ordered the Wikiwiki Salmon ($14), and some might like that there were a lot going on in a single bowl, as if it was more value-for-money. A bit of kimchi here, some avocado there.

In terms of taste and freshness (I probably have tried 90% of the Poke Bowl shops in Singapore), this bowl would rank somewhere in the middle. Perhaps heartier portions would have helped. Loloku (Keong Siak)

Dot & Dash
1 North Bridge Road #B1-11/12 High Street Centre Singapore 179094 (opp Parliament House)
Tel: +65 6250 1222
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm (Mon – Fri), Closed Sat – Sun

An ‘Underground’ Undiscovered Cafe Near City Hall
This cafe sees itself as “an underground code shared by only those in the know” – akin to the Dot & Dash.

Dot & Dash is located at the basement of High Street Centre along North Bridge Road, could be hidden out of plain sight.

Coffee is sourced from Papa Palheta. The menu consists of a variety of Croissants such as butter, almond, chocolate, and ham & cheese ($3.00 – $7.00), Sandwiches of olives & tomato mozzarella, ham & cheese, tuna mayo, sesame camembert ($7.50 – $8.50), and sweets of Lemon Meringue, Chocolate Tart, Chocolate Éclair ($6.00 – $7.50). Dot & Dash (North Bridge Road)

Groundstory Stories
756/758 North Bridge Road Singapore 198726
Tel: +65 6297 6166
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm (Tues – Fri), 11:00am – 3:00pm (Sat – Sun)

Where Coffee Meets Craft
Another café which can be an Instagram heaven with feel.

Groundstory Stories is a merge of café on one side, crafts and handemade tableware on the other. Therefore, every cup and plates that come with the cakes and drinks could be an art in itself.

Coffee is sourced from Common Man, while cakes are from a home-baker. I liked the Black Sesame Cake.

I AM… Cafe At Our Tampines Hub
51 Tampines Ave 4, #03-04, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/Iamathajilane/

Popular Halal Cafe Opens At Our Tampines Hub. Oh, Matcha Burger
I AM… Café has opened at Level 3 of Our Tampines Hub. The European casual dining inspired menu is somewhat similar between the 2 outlets.

2 dishes are exclusive here, namely “The Quest” Burger ($18.90) – which uses matcha buns, and Squid Ink Pasta ($18.90) – which also happened to be the most expensive items.

Other signature food include Fries & Mayo ($7.90) with 9 different types of dips (additional $1.50 per dip), Shrimp Loca Pizza ($16.90), Soft Shell Crab Burger ($16.90) and the long (not tall) Rainbow Cake ($8.90). I Am… (Our Tampines Hub)

Coco Chanel Café Singapore
Visual Arts Centre Singapore, 10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469
Dates: 8 – 16 April 2017 (Sat – Sun)
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm Daily

Drink Tea And Try The Lip Glosses, At Dhoby Ghaut
Following the success of the Coco Chanel Café at Tokyo Ometesando, Singapore will have its own pop-up Coco Cafe at Visual Arts Centre, Dhoby Ghaut Green.

So lock these dates in if you are a fan of Coco Chanel – 8 to 16th April 2017.

While the food and beverage menus have yet to be announced, you can get a chance to try one of the company’s newest range of products – a line of lip glosses called Rouge Coco Gloss.

According to the Coco Channel website, you can select your preferred time slot at http://chanelbeautysg.com/events/cococafe to get priority entry, and enjoy a complimentary drink on the house. Coco Chanel Café (Orchard)

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise indicated.

The post 10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017 – Coco Chanel Cafe, Matcha Kakigori And Crepe Suzette To Look Forward To appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

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Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles – Opening NEW Branch At Beach Road

March 31, 2017, 5:35 am

≫ Next: 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

≪ Previous: 10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017 – Coco Chanel Cafe, Matcha Kakigori And Crepe Suzette To Look Forward To

Popular prawn noodle stall Wah Kee Prawn Noodles from Pek Kio Food Centre which opened its 2nd branch at The Esplanade, is doing an unexpected.

Its 3rd outlet will be a kopitiam stall at Beach Road, back to more humble roots.

Wah Kee will price its their basic Prawn Noodles at $5, the same as the hawker stall at Pek Kio.

There are many fans of the signature Wah Kee Prawn Noodle With Large Sized Prawn (Dry/Soup), which will be priced at $20.

Good news is there will be no GST or service charge.

If I were to recommend, get the mee kia.

The noodles are specially made for Wah Kee and all base sauces such as the sambal chilli sauce and special spicy sauce are made in-house daily, using Wah Kee’s 65-year recipe.

For their 3rd outlet, the key feature will be a Wu Xiang Plater which will feature a medley of mainstays.

The stall is anticipated to open early April.

Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles
Blk 1 Beach Rd #01-4757 Singapore 190001

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10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

April 1, 2017, 2:11 am

≫ Next: 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

≪ Previous: Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles – Opening NEW Branch At Beach Road

Singaporeans’ love for dim sum and ramen do no stop, fueling the opening of Canton Paradise at Marina Bay Sands, and a late-night The Dim Sum Place at North Bridge Road (pending Halal certification) which should give Swee Choon a run of its money.

Two quite ‘legit’ ramen shops have also opened – an Ebi Ramen By a Michelin Starred Chef From Mieda, and Menya Sakura helmed by Chef Sho Naganuma, ex-Executive Chef of Hide Yamamoto at MBS.

Also read: 10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017

Canton Paradise Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue #01-02 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Singapore 018972 
Tel: +65 6688 7052
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 10:30pm, Last Order 10:00pm (Mon – Thu)
10:30am – 11:00pm, Last Order 10:30pm (Fri – Sun, Eve of PH, PH)

Cantonese Cuisine and Dim Sum At Marina Bay Sands
Canton Paradise has opened a new outlet at Marina Bay Sands, complete with a swanky interior, lots of natural light (when you dine during the day-time), and lively atmosphere.

Now you know where to go when you are looking for ALL-DAY dim sum, roast specialties, Hong Kong style congee and noodles, and Cantonese wok-fried dishes at MBS. I reckon that many are still unaware of this new branch.

Go for the Handmade Meatball Congee ($9.80). The consistency of this Cantonese style congee should stand out. As I scooped up a spoonful, I could tell by appearance that it had a velvety smooth and silky texture.

The Steamed Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard Piggy Bun ($6.80/3 pieces) are also tasty, instagrammable pieces of cute dim sum. Canton Paradise (Marina Bay Sands)

The Dim Sum Place
791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198281
Tel: +65 6655 8787
Opening Hours: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/791DSP/

Late Night Dim Sum at North Bridge Road With Extensive Menu
The team from halal certified The Ramen Stall at North Bridge Road has started out a new abode (literally opposite their current), serving up their rendition of Cantonese style cuisine with a localized twist to suit the wider community in Singapore.

The Dim Sum Place, has also plans to be halal-certified and is the midst of application.

For Dim Sum offerings, one can find the usual “yum cha” staples with a twist of ingredients used. Think Chicken Siew Mai ($3.90), Duck “Chee Cheong Fan” ($6.90) and Beef Congee ($8.90). The Dim Sum Place (North Bridge Road)

Kaisen Tei
313@somerset, 313 Orchard Road, #03-41, Singapore 238895 (Somerset MRT)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun, PH),
11:30am – 10:30pm (Eve of PH, Fri, Sat)
https://www.facebook.com/Kaisen-Tei-1938802393007850

Signature Kaisendon, KaisenSalad And Curry Rice Shop Opens At 313@somerset
Kaisen Tei 海鮮亭 by Ministry Of Food (MOF) has opened at Level 3 of 313@somerset serving Kaisendon and Curry Rice bowls.

Over at Kaisen Tei, you can choose from the signature donburi options, or DIY for a personalized bowl.

I went straight for the Signature Kaisendon ($16), considered value-for-its-money with 3 types of fishes – salmon, maguro (tuna), mekajiki (swordfish), mini hotate (scallop), and ikura (salmon roe) in a single bowl.

A KaisenSalad ($16) option is also available. Kaisen Tei (313@somerset)

Jimoto Ya 海老麺総本家地元家
3 Pickering Street, Nanking Row, 01-44/01-45 (opp Hong Lim Complex) Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 6223 3397
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun

Ebi Ramen By Michelin Starred Chef From Mieda Arrives To Singapore
Another ramen shop with a Michelin-star relation opens in Singapore. Jimoto Ya’s signature ramen is created by Chef Nobumasa Mieda of Michelin-Starred Kaiseki Restaurant MIEDA from Sapporo Hokkaido.

What makes their ramen different from the others is, the broth is made from a special blend of amaebi (sweet shrimp) and tonkotsu.

This explains the distinctive aroma reminiscent of hae mee (prawn noodle soup) upon walking into the eatery.

There are 5 basic types of ramen currently available – Ebi Shio ($16.50), Ebi Miso ($16.50), Ebi Shoyu ($16.50), Ebi Curry ($16.50) and a cold Hiyashi Cyuka ($18.50). Get the Ebi Shoyu ($16.50). Jimoto Ya (Pickering Street)

Menya Sakura
69 Boat Quay, Singapore 049857
Tel: +65 9469 3366
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm, Last Orders 10:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

Rich Nagoya Style Ramen And Tsukemen At Boat Quay
Menya Sakura at 64 Boat Quay is the group’s first outlet in Singapore, and it specialises in Nagoya-style ramen. You can find a few branches over at Indonesia such as at the Lotte Shopping Avenue.

The Singapore shop is helmed by Chef Sho Naganuma, ex-Executive Chef of Hide Yamamoto at MBS.

The recommendation ramen at Menya Sakura include Chuka Soba ($10.90) – noodles in a broth of clear chicken soup and fish dashi, Tonkotsu Tsukemen ($14.90) – Sakura’s original thick noodles served with an intense dipping soup, a blend of rich pork bone stock and seafood broth, and Tonkotsu Ramen ($10.90) featuring pork bone soup simmered for 12 hours. Menya Sakura (Boat Quay)

The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
Block 17D Dempsey Road Singapore 249676
Tel: 1800 304 5588
Opening Hours: Lunch (available from end March) 12.00pm – 2.30pm (Mon – Sun)
Dinner 6.00pm – 9.30pm (Sun – Thurs), 6:00pm – 10:30pm (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH, PH)
Bar 5.00pm – 12.00am (Mon – Sun)

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten Opens Restaurant In Singapore, With Signature Egg Caviar And Truffle Pizza
One of New York’s most celebrated chefs, Jean-Georges Vongerichten has opened The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar at COMO Dempsey.

The Egg Caviar ($38) was a tiny delicacy – does size equate price or value, I leave it to you to decide. It came with the top of the egg shell removed, piped in with whipped cream with hints of vodka and lemon juice, topped with a teaspoon of (osetra?) caviar.

My favourite dish of the dinner was the Black Truffle and Fontina Pizza ($26), perhaps also because this was different from the usual fine-dining dishes of small portions and occasionally unsatisfying taste. The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar (Dempsey)

Firebake – Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant
237 East Coast Road, Level 1 Singapore 428930
Tel: +65 9784 2950
+65 6440 1228
Opening hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant With Traditional Breads And European Classics
Firebake means serious business. At this restaurant along East Coast Road (quite near 328 Katong Laksa and Chin Mee Chin), there lies a full-scale woodfire bread oven, hand-built from 37 tonnes of 5000 bricks.

Bread is baked using traditional European methods, incorporating all-natural ingredients, flour milled onsite, filtered Nordaq fresh water.

For the mains, selected dishes are slow-cooked, and recommended dishes include Norwegian blue mussel, larger, chorizo ($25), Cured Norwegian salmon, bread crust, dill, leek, pickled onion ($25), 4-Spice chicken liver pate ($12), and Heirloom tomato, pickled cucumber, feta, oregano ($17). Firebake (East Coast Road)

Don Ho
1 Keong Saik Road, The Working Capitol Building #01-05 Singapore 089109
https://www.facebook.com/donhosg/
Opening Hours: 6pm – 12mn (Tue-Fri), 9am – 4pm, 6pm – 12mn (Sat), 9am – 4pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Social Kitchen & Bar Serves Mod Australian Small Plates At Keong Saik
Serving modern Australia in small sharing plates, the menu is divided into “Land” for meats, “Earth” for vegetables and “Sea” for the seafood. Signature dishes include Roasted Iberico Pork Jowl ($16), Crispy Eggplant ($10), Wood Roasted Pumpkin & Sweet Potato ($12), Red Snapper ($18) and Baklava ($10).

Bigger sharing plates are available for big group gatherings such as 600g Oven Grilled Lobster ($68), 2.7kg Beef Short Ribs ($190) and 4kg Crispy Whole Suckling Pig ($280), which is probably sufficient to feed an entire small village. Don Ho (Keong Siak)

Garang Grill by New Ubin Seafood
15 Swan Lake Avenue, Singapore 455711
Tel: +65 9245 0184
Opening Hours: Lunch 11.30am – 3.00pm, Last Order2.30pm
Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm, Last Order 10:00pm (Tue – Sun), Closed Mon

Bold Charcoal Flavours, Tasty Meats And Garang ‘Heart Attack’ Rice
Garang Grill is New Ubin Seafood’s dream of a good neighbourhood grill, done in collaboration with Slake and its chef Jeremy Cheok. Though technically, Jeremy is considered part of the New Ubin Team now.

The word “Garang” can mean “fierce” or “powerful”. As its name suggests, Garang Grill offers fierce, bold charcoal flavours that is truly Singaporean, made possible by the acquisition of a traditional Spanish Mibrasa charcoal oven.

The recommended items include Chilli Crab Rillet with deep fried mini mantou ($14), Oyster-Uni-Ikura with ponzu dressing ($58 per half dozen), Garang Chilli Wings ($12 for 6 pieces), Crispy Pork Jowl ($12, appetiser 125gms) and USDA Beef – Prime Rib / Short Ribs ($18/100gms and $12/100gms respectively). Garang Grill by New Ubin Seafood

Wild Rocket
The Hangout Hotel, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228119
Tel: +65 6339 9448
Opening Hours: Lunch 12.00pm – 3.00pm Last Seating 2:00pm (Tues – Sat)
Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm Last Seating 9:30pm (Mon – Sat, Closed Sun)
Reserve Online Now – Wild Rocket

(Re-Opening) Mod-Sin Restaurant Offers Pasta Dishes, From Laksa Ravioli To Thai Curry Fettuccine
After a short break, Wild Rocket by Chef Willin Low has returned, offering freshly-made pasta dishes.

You can experience the pasta from the ala carte menu ($29 – $30++), as part of the dinner four-course meal ($73++), or the Omakase meal ($128 for nine-course).

The 3 new signatures include Spanner Crab Ravioli & Daun Kesom Ravioli In Laksa Broth ($30), Thai Red Curry Duck Confit Fettuccine ($29), and Har Ji Spaghetti with Bottarga (cured fish roe), Prawns and Kaffir ($30). There would be some occasional specials, so you may like to check with the staff.

My favourite was the Thai Red Curry Duck Confit Fettuccine ($29). The dish managed to marry the richness, intensity and spiciness of this Thai dish well into the pasta, still full of flavours but not overly fiery. Wild Rocket (Mt Emily)

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Lewis Tan @juicyfingers.

The post 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

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10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

April 1, 2017, 5:57 pm

≫ Next: 10 Gelato Shops In Singapore – Cool Off With A Sweet Treat And Fun Flavours

≪ Previous: 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

Two quite ‘legit’ ramen shops have also opened – an Ebi Ramen By a Michelin Starred Chef From Mieda, and Menya Sakura helmed by Chef Sho Naganuma, ex-Executive Chef of Hide Yamamoto at MBS.

Also read: 10 NEW Cafes In Singapore April 2017

The Steamed Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard Piggy Bun ($6.80/3 pieces) are also tasty, instagrammable pieces of cute dim sum. Canton Paradise (Marina Bay Sands)

The Dim Sum Place
791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198281
Tel: +65 6655 8787
Opening Hours: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm Daily
https://www.facebook.com/791DSP/

The Dim Sum Place, has also plans to be halal-certified and is the midst of application.

Over at Kaisen Tei, you can choose from the signature donburi options, or DIY for a personalized bowl.

A KaisenSalad ($16) option is also available. Kaisen Tei (313@somerset)

What makes their ramen different from the others is, the broth is made from a special blend of amaebi (sweet shrimp) and tonkotsu.

This explains the distinctive aroma reminiscent of hae mee (prawn noodle soup) upon walking into the eatery.

Menya Sakura
69 Boat Quay, Singapore 049857
Tel: +65 9469 3366
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm, Last Orders 10:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH

The Singapore shop is helmed by Chef Sho Naganuma, ex-Executive Chef of Hide Yamamoto at MBS.

Firebake – Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant
237 East Coast Road, Level 1 Singapore 428930
Tel: +65 9784 2950
+65 6440 1228
Opening hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Bread is baked using traditional European methods, incorporating all-natural ingredients, flour milled onsite, filtered Nordaq fresh water.

You can experience the pasta from the ala carte menu ($29 – $30++), as part of the dinner four-course meal ($73++), or the Omakase meal ($128 for nine-course).

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary, Nicholas Tan @stormscape and Lewis Tan @juicyfingers.

The post 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.

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10 Gelato Shops In Singapore – Cool Off With A Sweet Treat And Fun Flavours

April 2, 2017, 4:24 pm

≫ Next: Salmon Samurai – $9.90 Salmon Donburi Bowls At 100AM Tanjong Pagar For Your Lunch Fix

≪ Previous: 10 NEW & Hot Restaurants Singapore April 2017 – Piggy Dim Sum, Prawn Ramen, And Truffle Pizzas

With the the constant warm weather, gelato cafes in Singapore continue to open in various corners, serving sweet treats to cool us down.

The fun thing is many of these gelato shops also serve up varied interesting flavoursinspired by our local culture itself.

‘Pioneer’ ice cream shops such as Udders, Island Creamery, The Daily Scoop, Tom’s Palette and Alfero Artisan Gelato still have their following.

While these are the 10 Newer Gelato Shops found in Singapore:

Birds Of Paradise Gelato Boutique
63 East Coast Road #01-05 (Opposite Katong I12 and Roxy Square) Singapore 428776
Tel: +65 9678 6092
Opening Hours: 4:30pm – 10pm (Tues – Fri), 12pm – 10pm (Sat- Sun)

Gelato Of Natural, Delicate Flavours
Birds of Paradise is so named because the shop creates gelato inspired by the botanical flavours of nature.

The small shop at Katong is now constantly filled with customers during the weekends.

Unlike some gelato shops where colours of ice cream are almost-too-artificially vibrant, you would be greeted by pastel-coloured spectrum of flavours.

I loved actually most of the flavours, which included Basil, Lychee Raspberry, Spiced Pear, Mint Cacao, Strawberry Basil, Pandan and White Chrysanthemum. Prices go at $4.70 for a single, $7.70 for double, and $16.00 for pint.

My recommendation would be the floral flavoured White Chrysanthemum with bits of cacao nibs, and delicate Lychee Raspberry. Birds Of Paradise (East Coast Road)

Butterknife Folk
238 River Valley Road Singapore 238296
Tel: +65 6734 7855
Opening Hours: 12pm – 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon

Cake Café With Diverse Flavours Of Gelato
Butterknife Folk may have started out being known for their cakes, but their gelato has gained quite a following.

What is special is that their gelato and sorbets are handcrafted in small batches. When a tub runs out, you never know what flavour comes next.

Some of the previous popular flavours include Hojicha, The Daily Grind (loaded with expresso) and Brown Butter Pecan. I had tried some, and they were typically smooth, rich – some flavours worked immediately, some might need time to love

Hint: Chit-chat with the owners, and perhaps you can convince them to create an interesting flavour that is out of the box. Butterknife Folk (River Valley Road)

Apiary
84 Neil Road, Singapore 088844
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Sun-Thu), 12pm – 1am (Fri-Sat)
https://www.facebook.com/apiary.sg/

Rich, Creamy Ice Cream At Neil Road
Apiary at Neil Road is Kinfolk-type interior with white walls, woody element and window ceilings with natural lighting for #OOTD shots.

The menu is kept simple at the moment, with Ice Cream ($3.80 for single/ $7.20 for double/ $10 for triple), Waffles ($4.50 for plain/ $5.50 for charcoal), Tarts ($6), Coffee and Tea.

I saw interesting ice cream flavours such as Despicable – reminded us of “Minions” (Banana, Walnut and brownies), Hojicha (roasted matcha), Bergamot Sorbet (a citrus fruit) and White Peach Sorbet.

On its menu is Nutella topping with additional $1. While this should provide some photogenic Instagram moments, be aware of sugar overload. Apiary (Neil Road)

Geometry
2 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-5142, Singapore 150002 (Redhill MRT)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9.30pm (Sun-Tue, Thu), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Wed
https://www.facebook.com/geometry.sg

Gelato On Tart Near ABC Market
Located near ABC Market, Geometry has a total of 18 flavours to choose from, expect interesting flavours such as Earl Grey Tie Guan Yin, Mandarin Orange Sorbet and Watermelon Lychee Sorbet.

75% of the flavours were classified under “Premium” flavours at an additional $0.70 per scoop due to the fresh fruits added.

I had a scoop of Bing Bong (not Ping Pong) which resembled that of childhood Paddlepop ice cream on a cone (additional $0.80)

The gelato was smooth and milky, though slightly on the sweeter side.

You can choose a tart for its base, which came with a bling bling wig look-alike candy floss on top of the gelato, made up of salted caramel. Geometry (Jalan Bukit Merah)

Creamery Boutique Singapore
#01-03, 139 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207557
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/creamerysg

Popular Lava Cookie Cafe From Thailand Opens In Singapore
Using the same recipe from their main outlet in Bangkok, the menu comprises of Lava Cookies ($8.90): Choc-A-Lot, Matcha and Red Devil, Classic Brownie ($7.90), Gelato ($3.80 for single, $6.20 for double, $8.90 for triple scoops).

Their main differentiating factor from other ice cream cafes will be their Lava Cookies – think Lava Cake in cookie form.

All the gelato are made in house, and great to see local flavours such as Piko Piko (Tiramisu with Kopiko candy), Black Dog (Guinness Stout) and Ca.Le.Ho.Yo served with honey. Creamery Boutique Ice Cream (Tyrwhitt Road)

Kosnica SG
61 Duxton Road Singapore 089525
Tel: +65 6904 4086
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 12pm – 11pm (Fri – Sat), Closed Sun

Waffles and Gelato Café At Duxton
Kosnica SG, specializing in waffles and gelato, has opened at 61 Duxton Road.

The gelato café serves a variety of “Premium Gelato” with flavours of Golden Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Mao Shan Wang, Blueberry Yogurt, Strawberry Cheesecake, Earl Grey and Figs, Matcha Green Tea with Azuki Beans, Sea Salt Caramel with Almonds, and Hazelnut Chocolate Rocher.

A single scoop goes for $5.50, while a double is a $10.00.

The variety of waffles includes Buttermilk, Red Velvet and Matcha Waffles ($11.00, $15.50 with single scoop, $20.00 with double scoops).

Actually, their waffles were a soft pillow texture on the inside, and creamy gelato was not too bad. I reckon the sweetness level could go down a few notches. Kosnica SG (Duxton)

Canvas Gelato
20 Havelock Road, #01-24, Central Square, Singapore 059765
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Mon-Fri), Closed Sat, Sun
https://www.facebook.com/canvasgelato/

Quaint Ice Cream Cafe At Central Square
Located near the lift lobby of Central Square, one building next to Central Perk Singapore, Canvas Gelato sells gelato, waffles (soon-to-come), bakes (limited selection) and coffee.

The gelato is priced according to weight, 80g for a Small Cup ($4.20), 120g for a Medium Cup ($6.30) and 180g for a Large Cup ($8.80).

While I enjoyed the Matcha and Latte with a tinge of bitterness from the tea leaves and coffee beans respectively, the texture was slightly on the icy side. Canvas Gelato (Central Square)

Meet & Melt (Orchard)
2 Orchard Link #02-33/34 Scape Singapore 237978
Opening Hours: 2pm – 10pm Daily

Instagrammable Gelato With Lava Toasts
A video of the oozing Lava Toast from Meet & Melt was featured on Insider Food went viral.

Ice cream flavours can be wacky, anything from Salted Egg (not kidding), White Truffle, Chilli Crab to Curry Masala.

Their creations are pretty much the (once) trending desserts such as Charcoal Waffle ($9.90), Shibuya Toasts ($12.90 – $14.90), Over-The-Top Milkshakes ($14.90) and their newest creation.. Charcoal Lava Toasts with sauces of Thai Milk Tea, Thai Green Milk Tea and CURRY lava. Meet & Melt (Scape)

Creamier
5A Lock Road, Gillman Barracks Singapore 108927 (next to Sundaram Tagore Gallery)
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Tue-Thu, Sun), 12pm – 11pm (Fri-Sat), Closed Mon
https://www.facebook.com/creamier.singapore

Popular Ice Cream Cafe Opens Another ‘Playground’ At Gillman Barracks
Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee which started from Toa Payoh, has become one of the most known hipster gelato cafes, as they are known to produce quality artisanal ice creams in small batches .

The menu offerings at the newer Gillman Barracks are similar, with Ice Cream ($3.30 for Single scoop/ $5.60 for Double scoops), Waffle ($6 for Plain/ $8.80 with 1 scoop/ $11.60 with 2 scoops).

Premium flavours would set you back an additional $0.90.

Loved the Macadamia Tropicana ice cream with rich, creamy coconut base, infused with pineapple and macadamia nuts.

Milky with a citrusy touch, the balance was pretty spot on and not overpowering.

Scoop Therapy
11 East Coast Road, The Odeon Katong, Singapore 428722
Opening Hours: 2pm – 10pm (Tue-Thu), 12pm – 12mn (Fri-Sat), 12pm – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon

Gelato With That Frozen S’more Torched Marshmallow
This café is separated into 2 sections, with an Ice Cream Bar serving 16 flavours each time and a Dessert Station.

Interesting flavours include the Salted Egg Yolk (again), Apple Pie, Butter Beer and Lychee Rose.

A single scoop of ice cream will cost $4 in a cone or a cup and $4.50 for a Charcoal cone. Top up $3 for double scoops and $5 for triple scoops.

Hmm. Trying to imagine how to balance 3 scoops of ice cream in a small ice cream cone.

The Lychee Rose was one of my favourites, with a fragrant floral scent. The Salted Egg Yolk, on the other hand, wasn’t as distinct in its salted egg taste even though it had a grainy texture. Scoop Therapy (East Coast Road)

* Compiled by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Nicholas Tan @stormscape. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise indicated.

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Salmon Samurai – $9.90 Salmon Donburi Bowls At 100AM Tanjong Pagar For Your Lunch Fix

April 2, 2017, 5:04 pm

≫ Next: Starbucks Ueno Park – Best Place To Drink Your Frappuccino While Sakura Viewing

≪ Previous: 10 Gelato Shops In Singapore – Cool Off With A Sweet Treat And Fun Flavours

The CBD areas of Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar show no lack of Poké Bowl and rice grain shops, with Aloha Poké, A Poke Theory, Pololi, Makai Poke all a short walk from one another.

Salmon Samurai at 100AM Mall has entered this (almost) saturated market, with its differentiating factors being affordable at $9.90 per bowl, and focusing on salmon – the raw fish type Singaporeans love most.

$9.90! That is when some other donburi nearby are already priced closer, or higher than $20.

The salmon donburi shop is opened by the team behind Standing Sushi Bar, Shinkansen Salad and Tanuki Raw, and so I was going with certain expectation. (I like the rice bowls at Tanuki Raw for that matter.)

There are 5 basic Donburis, from Salmon Sashimi, Salmon Mentaiko, Garlic Shoyu Salmon, Salmon Poke and Spicy Salmon, all priced at $9.90 for your doses of omega-3.

For the base, you can choose from mixed grain rice, salad or udon. Add on half an avocado for $1.50, Onsen Egg for $1.50 and Ebiko for $1.00.

I tried both the Salmon Poke and Spicy Salmon options. All in all, a decent, straight-forward bowl that would serve up a fuss-free meal.

For the price, the fresh, fatty salmon portion was satisfactory, though I won’t use the term overly generous. Good enough and filling, at least for me.

Good to know that the salmon is cut fresh in-house.

I came expecting more from the rice – a white and brown rice mix with a touch of tangy yuzu ume for added flavours. The rice over at Tanuki Raw hits the right notes for me, while I find the bowl here at Salmon Samurai more muted, and less layered.

Similarly, the Spicy Salmon could have done with a notch more spiciness.

So loved the price and portion, could fine-tune in terms having more ‘taste’.

Salmon Samurai
100 Tras Street, #03-22 100AM, Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6823
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon-Fri ), 12pm – 6pm (Sat – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/salmonsamuraisg

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Starbucks Ueno Park – Best Place To Drink Your Frappuccino While Sakura Viewing

April 4, 2017, 12:31 am

≫ Next: Tsuta Tokyo – The Michelin Ramen Deserves Its Hype. Here’s How You Should Queue – It Is Confusing

≪ Previous: Salmon Samurai – $9.90 Salmon Donburi Bowls At 100AM Tanjong Pagar For Your Lunch Fix

[Tokyo] Ueno Park 上野公園 is one of central Tokyo’s most popular public park (ie admission is free), and attracts many visitors during the end March and early April period for cherry blossoms.

If you are a Starbucks fan, and want to indulge in some sakura viewing while having your Frappuccino, this is probably the place to head to. (Also read Star Bucks Omotesando Tokyo)

Starbucks is located right inside Ueno Park, somewhere near the entrance of the Ueno Zoo – Japan’s 1st zoological gardens.

For first time visitors, Ueno Park is about a 8 to 10 minute walk from JR Ueno Station (from Park Exit), and Starbucks is another 8 minutes’ stroll in.

You can choose to sit inside to keep yourself warm, or outside for a view of the white hanami. Enjoy the cooling weather and view, though occasionally you would be amused at what people do when they need to take selfies.

During peak seasons, the friendly Japanese staff will also be setting up a coffee cart right outside the café to help process takeaway orders quickly.

Drinks such as Drip Coffee, Soy Latte, Caffe Mocha, Caramel Macchiato, White Mocha, Caffe Misto (this is a Café au lait), to Dark Mocha Chip Frappuccino and Matcha Frappuccino Blended Cream are available.

Perhaps it is psychological, but I often find Japan’s Starbucks just better, from service, food to coffee.

Japan’s Sunshine Mandarin Mango Tea Frappuccino (570 Yen) is probably one of the best Starbucks drink I had. It had a layered taste, starting with tropical tasting mango and mandarin, to a more mellow coconut milk cream.

Actually both beautiful, and delicious.

For sweet treats, there are three types of donuts available – old fashion Sugar Glazed, Strawberry or Earl Grey Milk Cream (230 – 250 Yen). Surprisingly, not overly sweet as I would have expected, but not the best around – could be fluffier and was kind of dry.

Or a Matcha Pudding. This deserves your calories more.

While you are at Ueno Park, make our way to the various museums such as the Tokyo National Museum or Ueno Zoo.

Starbucks Coffee Ueno Onshi Park スターバックスコーヒー上野恩賜公園
〒110-0007 Tokyo, 台東区Uenokoen, 8−22 Japan
Tel: +81 3 5834 1630
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm Daily
Google Maps – Starbucks Coffee Ueno Onshi Park

Other Related Entries
Star Bucks Omotesando (Tokyo)

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Tsuta Tokyo – The Michelin Ramen Deserves Its Hype. Here’s How You Should Queue – It Is Confusing

April 4, 2017, 6:26 pm

≫ Next: Eleven Madison Park at NYC – The World’s Best Restaurant 2017

≪ Previous: Starbucks Ueno Park – Best Place To Drink Your Frappuccino While Sakura Viewing

[Tokyo] Tsuta 蔦 Japanese Soba Noodles in Tokyo is the first ever ramen joint to get a Michelin star, which is an indication of its possibly exceptional quality. (Read: 10 Must-Try Ramen & Tsukemen at Tokyo)

However, the name and entire queuing process can be confusing for 1st timers. So if you intend to find some directions, I will try my best to make it clearer for you here.

First thing’s first, while Tsuta is named a “soba” shop, it won a Michelin for its “ramen”.

Only 150 bowls of ramen are served daily – priced at ‎¥1,000 to ‎¥1,500 (SGD$13 to SGD$20) a bowl.

The queue system is not quite the same as the other ramen shops. Starting from Step 1…

Enthusiastic diners make their way to get a queue ticket from as early as 7am. Depending on whether it is a peak period, queue tickets can get distributed finished anything from early morning to mid-noon. (I got a 11am slot when I went at 7:30am.)

Otherwise, you can check for the queue status on their Twitter page @number_ticket (Tweets are in Japanese though, but you can do a google translate.)

Make your way to Sugamo Station on the JR Tamanote line. Get out of the South exit, then turn left. Tsuta will be a 3 to 5 minutes walk away. (Yeah, not that far!)

The shop only opens at 11am. Therefore, queue tickets have allocated slots of 11:00am (white), 12:00pm (light blue), 1:00pm (blue), 2:00pm (pink), 3:00pm (green), and 4:00pm (yellow).

Prepare ¥1,000 CASH per ticket as a deposit. The money will be returned to you when you come back.

Return to queue by the side of the restaurant at the allocated time. Tip: Even if your ticket says 12:00pm, it helps by coming slightly earlier, and not linger around.

Once you are called to enter the shop, prepare cash/coins as you order the ramen via a vending machine.

When you are finally in… the 9-seater ramen eatery serves soba in ramen style (¥1000 for its most basic bowl, ¥1500 for the most popular shoyu bowl), known for its soy based broth where the soy is aged for 2 years.

The noodles are made with four types of whole wheat flour, chashu served with black truffle sauce, and broth an umami chicken-seafood blend, along with rock salt, red wine and rosemary infusions.

The base of the soy broth is made with three types of shoyu. Two of the shoyu are formulated in-house.

Chef Onishi has personally visited a shoyu brewer in Wakayama Prefecture and requested for it to brew the third soy sauce to his specifications. This shoyu is made with whole soy beans that are matured for two years.

I went straight for the Wanton Ajitama Shoyu Soba (¥1,500) which contained wonton, seasoned egg, roast pork, braised pork, bamboo shoots, Japanese leek and black truffle sauce.

Be conservative in your photo-taking, and just go straight to consume.

I was in bliss when I had that first bite and sip of the broth, and understood possibly why the Michelin inspectors would confer such honours to the humble noodle shop.

The broth itself had a clean yet layered taste, intricate and delicate, unlike other rich heavy ramen broths (which excite in a different way). It was light enough, and so won’t leave queasy feeling even if you intend to finish the bowl.

The noodle texture was unlike what I ever had before, and I would best describe it as a cross between ramen and soba – firm with softness, chewy with bite.

Almost every ingredient worked, except the wanton which had never-ending skin. With that said, the skin was silky smooth though.

The question ALL my friends had was, ”Better than Singapore’s Tsuta or not?”

My casual and candid reply would be, ”About 10 times better.”

Other items on the menu include Sio Soba (¥1000 – ¥1500), Tsukemen, Rice Bowls and side dishes. I say stick to its star ramen dish, and hopefully you won’t leave disappointed.

Tsuta 蔦
1-14-1 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (5 min walk from Sugamo Station)
東京都豊島区巣鴨1-14-1 Plateau-Saka 1F
Tel: 03-3943-1007
Opening Hours: 11am – 4pm
Google Maps – Tsuta

Tsuta Singapore
9 Scotts Road, #01-01/02/03, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228 210

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Eleven Madison Park at NYC – The World’s Best Restaurant 2017

April 5, 2017, 7:26 am

≫ Next: 10 NEW Hottest Restaurants & Cafes At South Beach Avenue

≪ Previous: Tsuta Tokyo – The Michelin Ramen Deserves Its Hype. Here’s How You Should Queue – It Is Confusing

[New York City] Eleven Madison Park has earned the dual titles of The World’s Best Restaurant 2017 and The Best Restaurant in North America.

The restaurant’s co-owners, Will Guidara and Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm, enhance the fine-dining experience with a sense of fun, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room.

Housed in an art deco building overlooking New York’s Madison Park, the 3-star Michelin restaurant’s multi-course seasonal tasting menu celebrates the city’s rich history and culinary traditions.

The Dining Room Tasting Menu is a seasonal menu consisting of 8 to 10 courses that focuses on local ingredients. It includes some communal dishes as well as some individual choices.

Starting on April 11th, Eleven Madison Park will be exclusively serving an eleven course retrospective menu highlighting some of the most significant dishes they have served over the last 11 years.

The price of the menu is $295 per guest. This price is all inclusive, excluding beverages and tax. As such, gratuities are neither expected nor accepted.

I know I haven’t got time to write a review proper, but I will do so when I get back home. Here are some of the food that I had:

Caviar benedict with egg ham and asparagus served with tiny English muffins

Radish salad with pike and nasturtium

Morel custard with trout roe

Seared foie gras with sorrel and horseradish

Carrot “tartare”, carrot sauce, mustard oil, green aioli, quail egg yolk, sunflower seeds, smoked bluefish, chive, pickled mustard seeds, grated horseradish, pickled apple, sea salt.

Pigs’ bladder

Asparagus braised in pig’s bladder with potatoes and black truffle

Roasted duck with lavender honey, rhubarb and spring onion

Farmer’s cheese “sundae” with honey, rhubarb, sorrel and oats

I can imagine why diners would like Eleven Madison Park – it is both classy and interactive, involving many senses while dining. Located at the heart of New York, it encapsulates the energy of the city with some fun aspects.

The meal ended with a box of chocolates where we were supposed to match the type of milk used in four different chocolates. Well, I only got one correct. But it was one dish to demonstrate how they can incorporate ‘games’ into a fine dining meal.

Eleven Madison Park
Metropolitan Life North Building, 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 1:00pm (Fri – Sun)
5:30pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Wed), 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Thurs – Sun)
https://elevenmadisonpark.tocktix.com
Google Maps – Eleven Madison Park

Other Related Entries
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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10 NEW Hottest Restaurants & Cafes At South Beach Avenue

April 5, 2017, 3:24 pm

≫ Next: Luke’s Lobster Tokyo – From New York To Harujuku, For Chunky Lobster Rolls With Long Queues

≪ Previous: Eleven Madison Park at NYC – The World’s Best Restaurant 2017

In search of the latest dining hotspot in Singapore? South Beach Singapore, home to 16 dining and lifestyle concepts (including more than 10 new restaurants, cafes and drinking places) has officially launched.

Consisting of the South Beach Tower, South Beach Residences and JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach in the same compound, the 32,000 square feet South Beach Avenue is the lifestyle wing for dining, wining, nightlife and beauty concepts.

Previously known as Beach Road Military Camp where the first National Service enlistment took place, it is now the combination of both old (4 heritage buildings) and new (2 towers) architectures.

NEW to market food places you can find there include Black Cow – a modern Japanese shabu shabu and sukiyaki restaurant, Atmastel for gourmet Italian pizzas and pasta, and Fynn’s – a casual Australian restaurant where you can plan your next brunch and dinner outings.

If you are planning for your next meal, here are 10 NEW Hottest Restaurants & Cafes At South Beach Avenue not to be missed:

Fynn’s
South Beach Avenue #B1-21
Tel: +65 6384 1878
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm (Tues – Fri), 11:00am – 10:00pm (Sat), 11:00am – 5:00pm (Sun)

Salad, sandwich and burgers in the day, hearty portion of grilled meat and small plates at night, the modern Australian restaurant is further transformed into a brunch place during the weekends, serving brunch fare such as Chia Seed Pudding and Vanilla Hotcakes.

I also liked the interior with garden-like features, great for a weekend brunch with friends.

With 3 different menus catering to the different crowd during the week, there is always a refreshing and surprise element to attract diners to come back often.

Signature Dish – Spanish Polpo ($17)
The star dishes here include Iberico Pork ($32), Homemade Cavatelli Pasta ($25), and my favourite of Spanish Polpo ($17).

It is a pan-seared octopus leg, with tender and chewy texture, smokey charred taste, enhanced by the lingering spicy apple slaw and lemongrass.

End your meal with a Molten Milk Chocolate ($13) dessert, a milk chocolate cake with coffee caramel, vanilla gelato and lemon zest.

Atmastel
South Beach Avenue #B1-22
Tel: +65 6581 0085
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm

Lead by Italian Head Chef Andrea Tarini with a 3-Michelin-star background, the menu is crafted using the freshest ingredients flown in from Italy twice a week.

From San Marzano tomatoes, fresh burrata, San Daniele ham to mozzarella, the freshest ingredients are prepared right in front of our eyes in their open-concept kitchen.

For those thinking of recreating the memories at home, there is also a retail section within the restaurant with more than 70 varieties of artisanal cold cuts, cheeses, wines and condiments.

Signature Dish – Zuppa di Pesce ($68 for two)
If you come in a pair or group, get the Zuppa di Pesce – a tomato based seafood stew with generous serving of fresh red snapper, molluscs and shellfish which spells “umami-ness”

The fresh tomato base eluded an addictive tangy taste, also bringing out the freshness and sweetness in the seafood. The table of us couldn’t help but clear till even the sauce in the stew pot was swept clean.

Fasta
South Beach Avenue #B1-23
Tel: +65 9111 1245
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 9:00pm (Mon-Sat)

Fast + Pasta = Fasta. This is a fusion pasta cafe that serves fun, fresh, fuss-free meals, perfect for the busy hard-pressed for time working crowd.

With unique sauces and dressings that you do not commonly see elsewhere, the recommended dishes include the Scallop Wallop Pasta ($16), Siow Ba Mee ($13), Chickinaki ($12) and Smokey Quacky Ducky ($13).

Signature Dish – Siow Ba Mee ($13)
While you probably often get ‘Siow Ba’ (roasted pork) in a Cantonese-style eatery, try having it on pasta. It boosts of tender and succulent pork belly, with caramelisation of a sweet-savoury exterior, coupled with al-dente pasta of the right bite.

I also liked that hint of yuzu dressing used for that kick of refreshness towards the end of the bite.

The Armoury
South Beach Quarter #01-01
Tel: +65 6385 3173
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 11:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 9:00am – 1:00am (Fri)
10:00am – 1:00am (Sat), 10:00am – 11:00pm (Sun)

The Armoury does sound like a masculine name. The name came about as the drinking hole is housed within one of the heritage buildings that was formerly the military armoury of Beach Road Military Camp. Added charm perhaps.

It serves as a cafe by the day, and drinking hang-out spot of Craft Beer and Wine Bar by the night. There are 8 international craft beers and 5 branded beers on tap to cater to different budget and palate.

The food menu offers a mix of uniquely Singaporean dishes given a spin, such as South Beach Chili Crab ($17) and Lobster Satay Capellini ($29.50) and classic European dishes – Royal Armoury Burger ($19).

Signature Dish – Lobster Satay Capellini ($29.50)
This is essentially our local satay beehoon given a modern take – good to try for the more adventurous foodies.

Instead of vermicelli, you get capellini pasta tossed in peanut sauce with cuttlefish and beansprouts, topped with half a grilled lobster and papadum.

Leaning towards a sweeter profile, there are also crushed peanuts to give the dish an extra crunch.

Vatos Urban Tacos
South Beach Quarter #01-03
Tel: +65 6385 6010 / 6385 6970
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11:00pm (Mon – Thurs), 11:30am – 1:00am (Fri – Sat)

Formerly named as the “Hottest New Restaurant in Seoul” by CNN when it first opened, Vatos Urban Tacos is the marriage between Mexican street tacos in LA and home-cooked Korean meals.

Started by three Korean-Americans, this outlet at South Beach Avenue (at the South Beach Quarter side) is its first outside Korea.

Experience Korean-Mexican (Ko-Mex) style of cuisine which includes Kimchi Carnitas Fries ($18), Honey Tequila Chicken Wings ($18) and Galbi Short Rib Tacos ($13 for 2, $18 for 3), refreshing and different from the usual repertoire of Korean BBQ and Korean fried chicken.

Signature Dish – Kimchi Carnitas Fries ($16)
These fries are voted the “best dish in Korea” by 10 Magazine, and one of the “six must-try foods in Seoul” by The Fodor’s Travel Guide.

It is made with shoestring fries in braised pork carnitas, Kimchi, melted cheese, with toppings such as cilantro, onion, lime creme and Vatos hot sauce to give an appetising sour and spicy mix.

Mashisoyo! The combination was addictive and it was a consensus that this will go well with any K-drama.

Alchemist Beer Lab
South Beach Avenue #B1-16
Tel: +65 6386 4365
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 12:00am (Mon – Thurs), 12:00pm – 1:00am (Fri, Eve of PH),
4:00pm – 1:00am (Sat)

Upon entering Asia’s first beer infusion bar by Little Island Brewing Co., my attention was shifted to the 16 cutting edge infusion towers used for optimum brewing, extraction and infusion of beers.

With a stark resemblance to the bottles used to contain the herbs, snake and scorpions in Chinese medicinal halls, there is always a surprise element of unknown and curiosity in the taste.

I noticed several innovative infusion of fruits within the beef such as pink guava with cider in “50 Shades of Pink” (not pink in colour), lemon and lime with golden ale in “Ugly Sister” and passionfruit with cider in “Passionista”

Signature Drink – Obama ($12 for happy house, $15 after happy hour)
Black Magic stout with toasted MARSHMALLOWS, vanilla pod and mint leaves that leave a creamy sweetness.

More than just a drink, this is also like a dessert.

Caffè Vergnano 1882
South Beach Avenue #B1-17
Tel: +65 6385 5579
Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 6pm (Sat – Sun)

Founded in 1882, Italy’s oldest family-owned coffee roaster Caffè Vergnano 1882 sources its Arabica beans from Central America and blends it with an Arabic “Sidamo” of Ethiopia. Thus, you get hints of citrus and floral notes in its exclusive 1882 Espresso blend.

Using coffee beans and chocolate powder directly imported from Italy, the cafe also conducts coffee masterclass in latte art, manual brewing and espresso making in their private room,

Signature Drink – Caffè Gianduja ($6 hot, $7 cold)
The Caffè Gianduja is a beverage from Turin, which features hot chocolate and espresso topped with whipped cream for that thick and rich texture.

If you would like a chocolate drink instead of coffee, get the Cioccolata ($5.50 hot, $6 cold) to get you to chocolate dreamland.

Lady M (opening soon)
South Beach Avenue #01-17
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Lady M is definitely not a stranger to Singaporeans, with their pretty 20 paper-thin layered mille crepe cakes turning their charms on from New York City.

There is also this Japanese-style lightness and aesthetics. Diners could be seen whipping out their phones (and cameras) and took a dozen shots of the mille crepe (and with the mille crepe) before (finally) digging into the smooth and elegant masterpiece.

Signature Dish – Passionfruit Mille Crepe ($9.50)
This is a seasonal special available from Apr – May 2017, with at least 20 paper-thin layers of handmade crepes sandwiched with light pastry cream.

The top layer is layered with passionfruit puree and caramelised with a gorgeous-golden shade.

Harry’s
South Beach Avenue #01-18
Tel: +65 6386 6306
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)

Started off with their first outlet at Boat Quay in 1992, Harry’s had grown to 19 outlets across Singapore, and became one of the popular spots for Sports fanatics (live telecast of sports match), after-work crowd (happy hours and #TGIF), family and friends gathering.

Signature Dish – Harry’s Signature Wings ($13 for 6pcs, $19 for 10pcs)
If you cannot decide between the Harry’s Jazz Burger ($19.90) or Harry’s Signature Wings to go with the drinks, get both.

The wings are one of the Harry’s all-time favourites – crispy chicken wings with house spices and a hint of Tabasco.

A perfect beer bites to go with their house pour Premium Lager ($7 for half pint, $12 for full pint) and Harry’s 1992 ($16).

Real Food
South Beach Avenue #B1-19
Tel: +65 6384 2206
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)

An organic vegetarian and vegan concept.

They believe in “You are what you eat”, and therefore there are no processed ingredients, artificial preservatives and trans-fat are found in the food. They also take pride in knowing the sources of the ingredients, and actively support local producers.

Great for those intending to #CleanEat and go on a healthier diet.

Signature Dish – Dumpling ($9.80 for 8pcs)
Even though the food served is vegetarian and vegan focused, Real Food attempts to have more variety, and you can still find dishes like Curry Soup Noodles made with oat milk ($12.80) and Baked Stuffed Portobello ($11.80).

The other recommended are the plump dumplings cooked in 2 ways: fried to a golden crisp or steamed before drizzling with organic sesame oil and tamari.

South Beach Avenue’s location is convenient for friends and family for a get together, with direct access via two MRT stations, namely CC3 Esplanade Station Exit F (Circle Line) and EW13/NS25 City Hall Interchange (via Esplanade Xchange to CC3 Esplanade Station Exit F).

It is also not too far a walk from Bugis MRT.

The stunning architecture is designed by Foster + Partners, making it a venue not only for food, but for exploration and photos moments.

South Beach Avenue
26 Beach Road Singapore 189768
Tel: + 65 6672 5722 (Customer service tel: 9am – 6pm)
www.southbeachavenue.com

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape. The entry is brought to you in partnership with South Beach Avenue.

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Luke’s Lobster Tokyo – From New York To Harujuku, For Chunky Lobster Rolls With Long Queues

April 7, 2017, 7:02 pm

≫ Next: Stärker Bistro – Seafood Galore In A European Country Side Setting, Unlike Any Others In Singapore

≪ Previous: 10 NEW Hottest Restaurants & Cafes At South Beach Avenue

[Tokyo] I spend a lot of time queuing in Tokyo, mostly for food, and one is for Luke’s Lobster roll.

Popular in the New York City since 2009, the Harajuku / Omotesando branch is their first Japan branch.

(Foodie tips while you are there: Do not miss out Harajuku Gyozaro just a minute away. There was also a short queue for Chao Bamboo – a more discrete Thai eatery.)

When the official opening hours start at 11:00am, there was already a reasonably long queue of about 30 – 40 people when I reached about 10:45am.

This is Japan. So the shop will open on the dot, but the line should move along fast as the Japanese are known for their efficiency.

Note: There are also some ‘boxes’ for you to sit around, so this is not an official sit-down restaurant type of place.

The Lobster Rolls are available in regular (¥1,058) and US sizes (¥1,706).

I read online reviews most would pick the latter because a) since they have already queued so long b) customers do not want to have regrets if they want more.

For those who would like some variety, Lobster and Crab Rolls (¥1,706), Lobster and Shrimp Rolls (¥1,490), and Crab and Shrimp Rolls (¥1,382) are available.

Fans of Luke’s would just advice you to stick to the lobster ones.

Luke’s Maine-style lobster rolls are just ‘simple’ stuff – toasted buttered split top bun, with some mayo, lemon butter, secret spices and PURE LOBSTER. Accordingly, each lobster roll requires 5 or 6 claws to make.

That does the trick – not diluted salad, not drowning in mayo, just pure good 4 ounces of fresh, sweet lobster.

After about 15 – 20 minutes after opening, I had my Lobster Roll. I still liked it. Good enough, but it didn’t blow me away till that I would want to queue desperately again.

The meat was chunky and sweet, moderately juicy. But I wished the bun was warmer, and it didn’t feel as greasy or buttery as it should be.

As I returned to have a look during the noon, the queue got even longer – easily 50 in line. Luke’s Lobster Rolls are available till sold out, so coming at opening hours might be less time consuming.

Luke’s Lobster – Omotesando
6-7-1 Jingumaee, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (10 – 15 min walk from Harajuku station, Omotesando exit)
東京都渋谷区神宮前6-7-1
Tel: +81 03 5778 3747
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm Daily
Google Maps – Luke’s Lobster Omotesando

Other Japan outlets available at: Shibuya Tokyo, Shinsaibashi Osaka, Hiroo, Yokohama

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Stärker Bistro – Seafood Galore In A European Country Side Setting, Unlike Any Others In Singapore

April 8, 2017, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Song Kee – Famous Fishball Noodles Shop Reopens At Joo Chiat. BEST Herh Keow

≪ Previous: Luke’s Lobster Tokyo – From New York To Harujuku, For Chunky Lobster Rolls With Long Queues

Katong has always been known to be the area for foodies, lined with restaurants and cafes of varied charm and appeal. If you have yet to venture to Katong Square on 88 East Coast Road for a meal, it is about time to.

Located right at the front and ground level of Katong Square, you will find Stärker Bistro.

The bistro is an extension of Stärker Fresh Beer, offering German roasts and signatures, and is a space not quite any other in Singapore.

Now, look at this…

I would describe the bistro as having three varied dining spaces within a single huge place.

Firstly, even before entering the restaurant proper, you will see an al fresco dining area outside with covered umbrella seats, surrounded with plants and water feature on the side.

This section seems popular with the expats, or for those who would like to dine with some natural daylight. The place to chill-chill.

Upon walking in, you could almost imagine yourself entering a storybook.

The interior is designed to associate with its European roots, of provincial rustic décor with wooden tables, real stone walls, trees, hanging flowers over the balcony, and a wooden door in the middle.

Towards the back nearer the kitchen, there is a long bar with Stärker beer on tap, the vibes given are closer to what you expect from a drinking hole.

To create the look, the entire project is said to cost more than a million dollars and several months of planning.

Food wise, you can expect an extensive menu of German favourites such as Traditional Pork Knuckle marinated with a Stärker secret recipe for 24 hours, Roasted Pork Belly with sauerkraut and French mustard; Main Courses; Pastas such as King Prawn Pasta, Seafood Aglio Olio, Seafood Marinara, Vongole; Hand-crafted Pizzas, Appetizers of Fiery Wings; as well as sweet Desserts.

For seafood lovers, Stärker Bistro has also launched a dedicated Seafood Menu that you should probably get a few other people to share the bliss (and calories) with.

Here are some of the Seafood food items you can expect from this menu:

Ocean Galore ($93.80, serves 2-3 pax)
The seafood pot that is great for sharing with a group, super suitable to be paired with drinks to wind down the night.

A fresh Sri Lankan Crab (of about 600-700grams or so) takes centrestage on top, with an assortment from Tiger Prawns, Clams, Fresh Squid beneath.

The ingredients are sautéed in fragrant home-made parmesan garlic butter, and the result is a creamy, velvety sauce base. Pick up a chunky crab claw, dip the flesh further into the white sauce, wipe it up, and savour every bite.

Note: The Ocean Galore is available in limited quantities and seafood is live and topped up daily, and it will be best to pre-order in advance.

Seafood Platter ($56.80, serves 2-3 pax)
Compared to the Ocean Galore, this Seafood Platter use a tangier tomato sauce base.

I would liken this to Seafood Marinara meets Cheese Baked Rice. The base of the pot filled with a bed of aromatic herbed garlic rice, then topped with sautéed seafood of Tiger Prawns, Clams, Green Mussels and Squid, sprinkled with mozzarella then baked.

The dish was then served with a golden fried Soft Shell Crab like a crown. Recommendation: don’t take too long with pictures, and consume while it is hot.

Pull up some of the toppings for some cheese stretch, or mix everything all up for a flavourful treat.

Seafood Stew ($36.80)
While I didn’t think this dish was as photogenic as the rest, it was however my favourite from the Seafood Menu.

You get marinated Seabass Fillet, Tiger Prawns, Clams and Squid sautéed with sliced garlic, bird’s eye chilli and cherry tomatoes.

The base was what appealed to me, with seafood stock simmered with cherry tomatoes and white-wine for a savoury, tangy-sweet stew. Great pairing with the toasted garlic toast served on side.

Lobster Roll ($36.80)
Instead of one, you get two. My understanding is most diners come to Stärker Bistro in groups, and plating the rolls in pairs also allows for easy sharing.

What I enjoyed were the fluffy and buttery toasted buns, sandwiched with crunchy sweet lobster meat and further topped with cherry tomatoes and red radish tossed in a homemade dressing.

There is addition of mesclun salad with balsamic dressing and golden truffle fries served on the side – that you should find it pleasurable to nibble with drinks.

Buns On Fire ($28.80)
Our local favourite of chilli crabs given a different spin. You know how we often like to dip mantou in the chilli crab sauce?

This time, you get the fresh crab meat with just a trace of spiciness stuffed into pipping hot and slight crispy buns. A fun way to eat chilli crabs without that mess.

Also served with truffle shoe string fries and salad on side.

The Stärker Seafood menu is available at both Katong Square and HillV2 – for those nearer the Bukit Timah and west side.

Also look forward to sweet treats such as Crème Brulee, Molten Chocolate Lava Cake and Apple Strudel.

Complete with 5 unique German-style beer, freshly brewed in Singapore, from the classic to unique flavours of Lager, Dunkel, Charcoal, Aromatic and Lychee.
Do you know that Starker means ‘stronger’? The vibes are strong on this one.

Promo: Taste the Freshness from the Ocean. Present an online voucher at Stärker Bistro to enjoy $20 off their seafood menu. Voucher can be download from Stärker Singapore’s Facebook page here > https://www.facebook.com/StarkerSingapore/app/174961479209942?brandloc=DISABLE&app_data=chk-58dcb86dafbfa

Stärker Bistro, Katong Square
88 East Coast Road #01-15/16, S423371
Tel: +65 6344 0025
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 12:00am Daily
www.starkerfreshbeer.com

Stärker Bistro, HillV2
4 Hill View Rise #01-02, S667979
Tel: +65 6336 8550
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 12:00am, Last Order Main 9:45pm (Sun – Thurs, PH), 12:00pm – 1:00am Last Order Main 10:15pm (Fri – Sat, Eve of PH)

Stärker Bistro, Zhongshan Park
1 Jalan Rajah #01-02, S329133
Tel: +65 6734 1810
Opening Hours: 6:00pm – 1:00am, Last Order Main 11:00pm (Sun – Thurs, PH), 6:00pm – 2:00am Last Order Main 11:00pm (Fri – Sat, Eve of PH)

* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Stärker Bistro.

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Song Kee – Famous Fishball Noodles Shop Reopens At Joo Chiat. BEST Herh Keow

April 9, 2017, 5:36 pm

≫ Next: Zaku Zaku ザクザク – Crunchy Choux Sticks With Hokkaido Cream Fillings In Tokyo

≪ Previous: Stärker Bistro – Seafood Galore In A European Country Side Setting, Unlike Any Others In Singapore

When some of my friends who were hardcore fans of Song Kee from Upper Serangoon heard of news of their closure in July last year, they were sad, devastated and lost appetite towards all fish ball noodles. No kidding.

This may bring light for those missing Song Kee’s signature herh keow (fish dumplings)… the shop has reopened.

Not the other one, but the original.

Song Kee Fishball Noodles, managed by 3 siblings, has relocated to 128 Tembeling Road, in Joo Chiat, right outside the main gate of Haig Girl’s School.

Do not be confused with Finest Songkee’s Fishball Noodle (which took over the space once occupied by the one-and-only Song Kee Fishball Noodles), or the one at Toa Payoh, or the one in Ang Mo Kio or even at Eunos.

ALL of which are run by their relatives, and not related to the original store.

For first-timers, just follow the person in front of you in the queue. Head towards the back of the shop (in front of the kitchen) to make your order, payment, grab a table number, find a table, sit down and wait.

I waited for one hour at the table before food came.

Fishball Noodles are available in Small ($4), Medium ($6) and Large ($8) where you get to choose from 6 different types of noodles: Mee Pok, Mee Kia, Yellow Noodles, Mee Tai Mak, Kuay Teow and Bee Hoon in either Dry or Soup version.

Opt for the Fishball Dumpling Soup if you crave for additional fishballs, HERH KEOW and tau pok are available at $6/$10.

So what’s the difference after Song Kee’s relocation to Joo Chiat?

Firstly, there will be two chefs instead of one to cater to the crowd.

One of them is the second brother and also the previous chef, recognised by his stylo gelled hair and the other is their younger sister.

Our hardcore friend (who ate as often as 2-3 times weekly at their Upper Serangoon outlet) was a tad disappointed with the noodles that day, the texture being on the softer (and soggy) side.

On further ‘investigation’, the gelled hair brother was cooking for takeaways, whereas the sister was the one handling the dine-in orders that day.

Suggestion: Enquire on the chef on duty for both dine-in or takeaway orders before making your decision.

Fans of their signature herh keow need not worry if the standard differs, because it doesn’t disappoint.

Prepared by the same youngest brother, the texture was amazingly smooth, slimy and slippery that it literally glides down the throat followed by bursts of juices after every bite.

Hand-made using Malaysian yellow-tail fish and a bit of tapioca flour for the flattened fish skin, a mixture of minced pork, shallots, fried garlic and flat fish bits were folded into dumplings.

The reward from this 50 minutes of hard work to create 80 dumplings is definitely worth the queue.

Secondly, there’s an ice cream counter named “Sng Gor” which means ‘ice cream’ in Teochew within the shop.

This is where traditional meets hipster, attracting the younger crowd (cues Haig Girl’s School students) to patronise them.

With 25 flavours (it’s no joke) such as Thai Milk Tea, Coconut, Gula Melaka and cones in 4 different colours (but not flavours) such as black, green, red and brown just because it’s “Instagram-worthy”.

Priced at $3.80 for a single scoop, $7 for double scoop, additional $1 for premium flavours such as D24 Durian and $0.80 for the cone, I enjoyed the texture which was creamy, with that obvious flavour.

One downside was that the ice cream melted really fast. It was really “Kang Kor” (“hassle’ in Hokkien) to eat at “Sng Gor” when the ice cream started dripping within a minute.

Thirdly, their operating hours had changed from 6pm – 1am to 11.30am – 9.30pm, serving lunch and dinner instead of their dinner and supper crowd.

Which means instead of queueing in the cooling evening weather, people in queue will probably have to tahan the afternoon heat.

Good food is always worth the queue, and Singaporeans won’t mind travelling and queuing for good food.

Go early as there’s a limited quantity of 800 – 1000 herh keow daily.

Parking can be a problem with a few parking slots along the narrow Tembeling Road and on weekdays where kiasu parents will stop their cars outside Haig Girl’s School to pick up their child.

Put enough carpark coupons, taking into account the queueing time, waiting time and photo-taking time before you start the (fish)ball rolling.

Song Kee Fishball Noodles
128 Tembeling Rd, Singapore 423638
Tel: +65 9336 2745
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Mon-Sun)

* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW].

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Zaku Zaku ザクザク – Crunchy Choux Sticks With Hokkaido Cream Fillings In Tokyo

April 9, 2017, 5:39 pm

≫ Next: Robot Restaurant – Most Bizarre ‘Restaurant’ In Tokyo With Dancing Girls + Robots

≪ Previous: Song Kee – Famous Fishball Noodles Shop Reopens At Joo Chiat. BEST Herh Keow

[Tokyo] Zaku Zaku ザクザク means “crunchy” in Japanese, and is also the name one of the hottest snack you can find in Tokyo.

These are Croquant Chou sticks, looking like the fatter cousin of churros, or familiar choux cream pastry taking another form.

To get your hands on one of these trendy sticks, you can make your way to Shinjuku Lumine Est basement 1, Cute Cube Harajuku or Gran Duo Kamata.

Costing ¥250 for one, and ¥980 for four, this is a price that I would pay for a tea-time snack.

While waiting in line, you can actually spending time watching the staff bake and pipe them on the spot. Fun and also assuring certain level of freshness.

The moment of truth – this was actually good stuff.

The Croquant Chou Zakuzaku was covered with almond for that extra crunch, contrasted with the soft Hokkaido custard cream pumped inside.

It reminded me of churros with smooth cream. Sweetness level was manageable as well.

The added advantage the Zaku Zaku has over the typical choux puff is that the stick is easier to handle and eat, without fillings dripping all over the place.

Zaku Zaku ザクザク
Shinjuku 3-38-1 Lumine Est Basement 1 (Shinjuku Station East Exit)
160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿 3-38-1 ルミネエスト新宿店 B1F
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30aam – 10:00pm (Sat, Sun)

Harajuku Cute Cube
Shibuya-Ku Meijijingu Mae 1-7-1
150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前 1-7-1
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 10:00pm (Sat, Sun)

Kamata
Oita Ku, Nishi Kamata 7-68-1 Granduo (Inside Kamata Station)
144-0051 東京都大田区西蒲田 7-68-1
グランデュオ蒲田駅構内
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Robot Restaurant – Most Bizarre ‘Restaurant’ In Tokyo With Dancing Girls + Robots

April 10, 2017, 5:37 am

≫ Next: Enchanted – Fantasy Themed Café With Elixir Drinks. Charming Interior For #OOTDs

≪ Previous: Zaku Zaku ザクザク – Crunchy Choux Sticks With Hokkaido Cream Fillings In Tokyo

[Tokyo] Robot Restaurant must be one of the most bizarre experiences one can have in Tokyo.

While it is called a “restaurant”, there is no proper dining per se. Do not expect much (or anything) from the food, but sad-looking bento boxes that the convenience stalls would have offered better ones.

The restaurant reportedly cost over USD$100 million, featuring 90 minutes (technically less) shows where skimpily-dressed girls ride on robots and engage in mock battles under neon light and loud music.

Is that an adequate summary?

The Robot Restaurant is obviously very popular, with four shows daily at 4:00pm, 5:55pm, 7:50pm, and 9:45pm sold out frequently.

The walls of the reception were lined with photographs and autographs of international celebrities who paid a visit.

Online reviews seem positive, and I have been putting this on my Tokyo bucket list. The only thing stopping me was its cost.

Priced at ¥8,000, this is hardly cheap.

However, during the peak season, you would need to book your tickets online via the official website or related agencies at least a week in advance.

Visitors need to turn up 40 minutes before show time to collect tickets. Reception is opposite the show building, and the distribution of tickets can take quite a while. Also, entrance to the show venue is at the basement, led by a narrow stairway.

For first time visitors, please note that guests are prohibited from attending the show if they are:
– Drunk
– Wearing sunglasses
– Disheveled in appearance
– Wearing excessive costume
– Gang members or anyone with visible tattoos (you have to cover up if you have them)

The above is from an email sent to me, I didn’t make it up.

In terms of programme, I was expecting more from the robots themselves, which unfortunately were taking secondary fiddle roles, acting like floats in the carnival carrying performers literally making their rounds on the floor.

The girls were obviously putting their best, super energetic in dancing, smiling, drumming, singing, swinging, being take photos of. Audience generally got high, though some were spotted leaving mid-way, never coming back.

Keep in mind they have 4 shows per day.

For those who think that there is a cabaret performance, the presentation is not quite like that.

If you are wondering if it is appropriate to bring kids – because the female performers do show quite a bit of skin, it is generally safe in that aspect.

However, do note that music can be too loud for the kids, and Robot Restaurant is in the middle of Kabukicho – a red-light district.

What I didn’t quite like was that there were far too many breaks in between.

While it was a 90 minute show, there were about 3 to 4 breaks in between, each lasting from about 5 to 15 minutes, leaving very little time for the actual performances.

It was a pity, as some portions were actually crazily entertaining, but ended with a drink/toilet break before you know it.

The show started with staff parading merchandise and sales of drinks. It seemed entertaining at first, and became off-putting after this happened EVERY SINGLE BREAK. ”Get some drinks. It’s last chance.”

The organisers seemed to take the opportunity to sell anything from food, beer, snacks and tee-shirts. The audience either being high or bored, ended up buying popcorn and drinks.

I wished there was some form of narrative or storyline. The Robot show started with girls drumming, a panda riding on a bull, then moved on to a story of robots invading a peaceful garden, to an evil queen trying to defeat a dinosaur then got eaten up.

Something like that, as if anyone cared enough. It ended on an anti-climatic song-and-dance with audience waving light sticks.

The space was super cramped, and it was almost impossible to get up or down the seating area if you were just slightly overweight.

Audience in the middle portion and front rows probably got the best deal, as the main actions took part in the centre of the floor, with spectators at the edge feeling left out a fair bit of time.

Food was a sushi bento, priced at an additional ¥8,000. You won’t need me to describe to know how it would taste.

So why is the Robot Restaurant that popular again?

It is probably because you don’t get anything like this anywhere else in the world. It is like a fantasy realm of kawii Japanese-manga type girls on top of robots, singing with occasional screaming. There is fun in that.

A final precaution, as I stepped out of the restaurant, I was immediately approached by pimps who asked if I wanted “pretty girls” and then shoved me a catalogue.

Robot Restaurant
Shinjuku Robot Building Basement 2, 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan
Four shows at: 4:00pm, 5:55pm, 7:50pm, 9:45pm (Turn up at the reception 40 minutes before showtime.)

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook and Instagram for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. Daniel’s Food Diary paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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Enchanted – Fantasy Themed Café With Elixir Drinks. Charming Interior For #OOTDs

April 10, 2017, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: Délifrance Singapore – NEW Croissant Burgers, Profiteroles And Mini Cheesecakes

≪ Previous: Robot Restaurant – Most Bizarre ‘Restaurant’ In Tokyo With Dancing Girls + Robots

Where the witch dwells and goblin lurks, take a step into the world of enchantment and be greeted by magical garden and collection of spell books.

Okay, maybe minus the witch, goblin and magic.

Enchanted is a charming café beautifully done up with a fantasy theme, found at 88 Rangoon Road. #OOTD alert.

Thanks to the convenience of Farrer Park MRT, Rangoon Road has been bustling with F&B activities.

You will find ‘anchor tenants’ such as Old Hen Coffee Bar (Rangoon Road), Non Entrée Desserts, along with newer additions of Cold Pantry which relocated here, and Mr Pho House.

Enchanted serves a range of hearty brunch menu such as Big Breakkie ($17.90), Croque Madame ($14.90), Pesto Linguine ($15.90) and Shakshuka ($16.90).

Hmmm, sounds a little average, lacking of more fairy-tale themed food which one would expect.

There are two signature items that stood out from the rest, The Ngoh Hiang Burger ($18.90) and Lu Rou Burger ($17.90).

Maybe because I am a diehard fan of Chinese Ngoh Hiang, where minced pork is seasoned with five spices powder, wrapped with bean curd skin and pan-fried till crisp, the burger just didn’t seemed to work out for me.

It would probably appeal more if the chestnut bits were chunkier, and the bean curd skin exterior fried more crisp.

The “Lor Bak” burger fared better, with its tender fatty meat bursting with savory flavors.

For a fantasy-themed café, these two Asian-inspired dishes seemed to be somewhat of a misfit though.

For drinks, the Sorcerer’s Elixir ($9.90) would probably garner some Instagram worthiness with its presentation, as well as changing color upon mixing two potion together.

However, I would personally go for the Ondeh Ondeh Milk ($5.90) which was creamy rich with a hint of gula melaka.

A little sweet, but an additional shot of espresso ($3) would probably do the trick of balancing that out.

I like how the cafe paid attention to food presentation details.

While I applaud the team in their effort of curating such a beautiful place with the space constraints, it would be better if the food menu has more “personality” which is in line with the overall fantasy theme.

That said, will Enchanted be able to do its magic and outshine the rest of its neighbors, or risk being another themed gimmick?

Enchanted
88 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218374
Tel: +65 8813 1086
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Tue – Fri), 10am – 11pm (Sat), 10am – 9pm (Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/EnchantedCafeSg

* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. Daniel’s Food Diary pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.

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