PinkyPiggu

Beef lovers alert! Azur at Crowne Plaza Changi Airportis serving up the Tremendous Black Angus Buffet daily from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for a limited period from 29 March to 6 April, 2014! My choir mates were asking me where my favorite place for steak is, when they nearly flipped upon hearing that I've to fork out two fifty-dollar notes for 100grams of beef there. But now at only $68++ per pax, we get to feast on premium Black Angus imported from US prepared in a variety of style, as well as the finest seafood and a multitude of desserts! Eat all we want! Unlimited! Don't say I never share the good ~~lobang~~ news hor! Lol.

Angus Beef, Angus Beef, how do I ~~eat~~ love thee? There are at least four ways here, as demonstrated by Azur's Chef Andrew.

We started on a light note with the Sesame Black Angus Beef Salad, a delightful medley of thinly-sliced sirloin with refreshing greens, red radish, lotus root and edamame tossed in an aromatic sesame dressing. Pan-seared to medium tenderness and fats meticulously trimmed off to avoid over oiliness, the sirloin tasted clean and healthy. My favorite indulgence of the evening!

Though the Wok Fried Black Angus Short Ribs with Black Pepper was tender and succulent to bite, its flavors were somewhat muted. A more full-bodied peppery kick would have heighten the level of enjoyment.Faring better is the Braised Beef Cheek with Root Vegetables such as baby carrot, turnip, parsnip and celeriac which literally spelled of comfort food with its melt-in-the-mouth tenderness and delish gravy.

Another dish which had pleased the carnivore in me was the Grilled Black Angus Beef Steak with Forest Mushroom Ragout. Nothing fancy, just pieces of simply grilled steak paired with beautiful earthly flavors of portobello, champignon and trumpet mushrooms, yet totally satiated my primal cravings. I can already imagine a queue forming at the buffet chafer for this!

It would be advisable to come with an empty stomach and indulge in all that the buffet spread has to offer. Other than the Angus beef, fresh seafood on ice such as this Alaskan Snow Crab Leg is not a delicacy you would wanna missed. I also have to make a mention of the Poached Tiger Prawns, Dutch Black Mussels, Half Shell Scallops and the plump Freshly Shucked House Oysters. Haha, are you salivating yet? :p

For you who needs to have an intake of carbs, Truffle Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese, a potato pasta dish tossed in black truffle paste sauce and topped with shaved parmesan cheese is a decent choice, but tends to get monotonous after awhile. My preference went to the cheerful-looking pot of Paella with Mussels, Prawns and Squids cooked with fluffy short-grain Bahia rice, which tasted as pretty as it looked.

I've to surrender at the many more dishes, but nothing's stopping you to make a go at the charcuterie platter, Spanish chorizo sausage with pickled olives, on top of the array of appetizers, assortment of artisan cheese and live stations.

Another advice: Do come wearing loose clothing, you need expansion space to round up the buffet experience with a finale of Mini French Pastries and Chef’s Selection of Desserts.

Last advice: Reservations are highly encouraged.

The Tremendous Black Angus Buffet promotion is available daily 6:30pm to 10:30pm for dinner over a limited time only from 29 March to 6 April, 2014 at $68 ++ per pax.

Here's your chance to Win $200 worth of Azur Restaurant Dining Vouchers by taking up the Instagram Challenge!

All you have to do this:-
1. Look out for the Tremendous Black Angus Challenge sign in the restaurant during the entire promotion.
2. Strike a pose with it, upload it to instagram and include the hashtag #tremendousblackangus and tag @cpchangiairport.

Winner will be chosen and revealed on 7 April, 2014.

For the latest information, please visit http://crowneplazadining.com/

Thanks to Crowne Plaza Changi Airport for the hospitality.

Azur at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
Address: 75 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819664
Contact: +65 68235354
Website: http://crowneplazadining.com/index.php/promotions/62-black-angus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpchangi

Having tried only the special limited edition Nespresso Crealto-Infused Caramel Sundae by top Chef Bruno Ménard previously, it was only a matter of time before I return to La Cantine for a more complete taste of his modern interpretations on French classics.

La Cantine at Asia Square is a collaboration between Chef Bruno (formerly from 3-Michelin star French restaurant, L'Osier in Tokyo) and Deliciae Hospitality Management (which also owns eight other restaurants including L’Entrecôte and Forlino), making him the first 3-Michelin star chef to be based permanently in Singapore since 2012.

Alas it's gonna end too soon, as it was announced not long after my visit that Chef Bruno and the food & beverage group will be parting ways next month.

I hope the delectable dishes which I've enjoyed during my visit will continue to stay on the menu though. Flammenkuche ($18), a thin-crust French savory pizza with bacon, onions, fresh cream and cheese was enjoyable as a light Apero bar bite and appetizing start to dinner.

We all love the "Momotaro" Tomato Salad ($16) with richly smooth fresh goat cheese, and donning of mixed herbs and zesty flavors. The use of award-winning juicy Japanese Momotaro tomato made this appetizer deliciously memorable, a wondrous combination of exceptionally sweetness with just the right amount of acid.

Among the other starters which we've tried, Escargots ($22 - garlic, parsley & Bellota jamon butter), "Nice" Salad ($22 - tuna, tomato, potato, bell peppers, egg, anchovies, green bean, tonnato sauce and roasted garlic oil), Scottish Atlantic Salmon Filet Tartare ($18) and Cevennes Onion Soup On A "Foie Gras Royale" Truffles scented Chantilly ($28), the soup left the deepest impression.

It was totally unlike the gratinéed, melted gruyère topped onion soup which you typically find in a French brasserie. Chef's Bruno's rendition is a much playful twist on the classic, boasting of luscious velvety froth crowned with a dollop of truffles-scented Chantilly cream. The bed of foie gras laid within was a luxurious indulgence, giving a melt-in-mouth richness copulating in perfect bliss with the delicate sweetness of premium Cevennes onion and tiny bites of crisp crouton. This signature onion soup had one of my dining companions gushing about it expressively in seemingly orgasmic high. Not kidding.

We moved on to the mains with some aquatic friends, Pan Roasted Pacific Cod Fish ($32 - "Ratte" mash potato, brown butter, almonds & capers) and Roasted Spottail Bass ($34 - provencal tomato sauce, vanilla oil & green asparagus), but it was the Roasted Spanish Suckling Pig ($152 for two pax, served with garlic jus, mashed potatoes and salad) which got us into food-porning excitement.

Chef Bruno personally did the carving for us. First sous-vide then roasted, the suckling pig was all of primal satisfaction, especially its crackling skin! Browned to a beautiful crisp, its crunchiness echoed melodiously with each gratifying chew. Just give me the skin and I'd be a happy PinkyPiggu lol. The meat is of course not to be neglected too, and the accompanying intensely sweet caramelized onion gravy which provided overall moisture to the dish is a worthy mention.

Portion is hearty and great for sharing, but if you need more dishes on the side, Mashed Potato with Garlic Oil ($6) and "Royan" Cheese Ravioli" ($10) would make pleasing choices.

Dessert selection is not on the extensive side, but a few items stood out. The Warm Chocolate Macaron ($12) with vanilla sorbet came highly recommended. Totally unlike any airy meringue cookie, the macaron at La Cantine is a soft warm dessert with an oozing chocolatey centre. The Caramel Hot Lava Cake ($15) is another sweet offering with flowing caramel delight.

I wasn't quite prepared for the Traditional "Baba au Rhum" ($14), with the strength from the shot of dark rum hitting my senses with a bang, jolting me up from the lethargicness of a food coma. Haha, it saw me carefully ensuring to get enough vanilla whipped cream to go with the rum-soaked cake for each subsequent mouthful, the initial discomfort was soon toned down and progressed into an unexplainable addictiveness. For a light refreshing palate cleanser, Fresh Strawberry Tartare ($14) with yoghurt sorbet would be most ideal.

Though Chef Bruno's name will soon no longer front La Cantine anymore, the restaurant will still be worth a visit if food standards can be maintained. Its contemporary yet cozy interior with the most unusual inverted Parisian cityscape of hand-carved wooden chandeliers makes a perfect setting for business lunches, relaxing after-work drinks or casual dinner date.

Thanks to Deliciae Hospitality Management for the invitation, and all the best to Chef Bruno Ménard!

La Cantine by Bruno Ménard
Address: 8 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 1, #01-01, Singapore 018960
Contact: +65 66907567
Website: http://lacantine.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaCantineSG

Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: Lunch 12pm-2.30pm / Apéro from 5pm / Dinner 6pm-9.30pm
Sat: For private bookings only
Sun: Closed

It has been a couple of years since I had a beach vacation, last being in Phuket. Not that I don't like sunshine, but it's the damaging UV rays which causes skin photo-aging which scares me off. So when my friends suggested a weekend getaway in Bali, the first thing I thought of was not its beaches, but... "Woohoo! All the delicious food in Bali, here I come!"... Muahaha!!! Babi Guling (Balinese suckling pig)! Bebek Bengil's Crispy Duck! Pork Ribs! I want all of you in my tummy!

But but but, long story short - not enough time, friends not food crazy enough, long travel distance from Seminyak (where I stayed) to Ubud (where the best Babi Guling and Bebek Bengil are) - I ended up trying only the Pork Ribs from Naughty Nuri's Warung and Warung Wahaha.

Still, I'm counting the yummy blessings as both places are said to serve up the Best Pork Ribs in Bali! While flight delay and insane immigration queue allowed us the weary souls only a simple takeaway from Naughty Nuri's Warung upon night of arrival, we were grateful to have a proper sit-down dinner at Warung Wahaha the next evening.

Warung Wahaha - The name itself already radiates a happy feel which made us smile at its mention. "Wahaha" actually denotes "come hungry, leave happy", which really kind of summarized our experience there haha.

Housed in a charming standalone building along the main road of Jalan Sunset in Seminyak, the casual establishment offers spacious indoor seating, as well as an outdoor garden area for al-fresco dining. A live band was playing on the Saturday night when we visited, which had my friend commenting, "It feels like Timbre (in Singapore)".

As the live loud music made conversations a little difficult, we turned our full attention to the food menu which offers both western and local delights. It didn't take us too long to succumb into the lure of Crispy Ribs (IDR40,000), Chicken Wings (IDR32,000), Nasi Goreng (IDR30,000) and of course the dish which everyone goes for, their specialty Wahaha Pork Ribs (IDR130,000)!

I did not have the opportunity to taste all the pork ribs in Bali to fairly judge if it lives up to its reputation as the best pork ribs in Bali, but the deliciousness of Wahaha's Pork Ribs is undeniable.

The whole rack of meat was well-marinated and beautifully fire-grilled to fall-off-the-bone tenderness with lovely charred bits on the outer. Our table unanimously agreed that its coat of savory pepperish BBQ sauce was a notch better than Naughty Nuri's version which is more on the sweetish side. Simply lip-smacking and addictive! We all love it!

The Crispy Ribs, deep-fried and glazed with a garlicky sauce, could do with more tenderness and succulence, but still, I enjoyed gnawing every bit of flesh off its bones. Pity the Chicken Wings, though crispy, is a tad too dry.

Nasi Goreng, another local staple which we had almost everyday during our trip, was a hearty dish comprising of rice fried with chicken, shrimp and kecap manis, with chicken satay, fried egg and shrimp cracker on the side. Simple and satisfying.

Overall, the dining experience at Warung Wahaha was pleasant. Though not exactly life-changing, it was still a worthy visit which left good memories. Bye for now, I hope to be back again :)

Thanks to my lovely angels, Joey and Doris, for pampering this gluttonous nature of mine lol.

Warung Wahaha
Address: Jalan Sunset Road, Barat 1689, Seminyak-Kuta, Bali-Indonesia
Contact: +62 361 886 9858
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaroengWAHAHA
Opening Hours: 11am - 10.30pm Daily

Any suggestion of having fried chicken would definitely get an unfailing YES from me! Lol! Especially when the place which we planned to visit, Choo Choo Chicken 츄츄, call themselves the best Korean Fried Chicken in town. Are they serious? After making our way to Bali Lane (next to Haji Lane, Bugis area) to check out the casual eatery, I can now believe they are not being pompous in their unabashed self-appraisal.

Though relatively new, Choo Choo Chicken no doubt already has its legion of fans. It was quite empty when we reached at around 11plus for an early weekday lunch, but by the time we were finishing our food, the space was already completely filled with diners. One group even have to be turned away.

The menu of Choo Choo Chicken is straightforward, offering Korean-style Fried Chicken in 4 different flavors of Original, Soy, Spicy or Sweet, as well as Rice Burger and Rice Cake - Tokboki.

I was initially excited to see Crispy Wings on the menu, until I realized I've to order them in minimum 8 or 16 pieces ($15 / $28). While it could be great for sharing with a group of friends, the portion is not exactly friendly for one or two person. There's no flexibility in ordering just 2 pieces (in case you're wondering, I've already asked). Well, next time then.

We ordered the more tummy manageable Lunch Set ($7.90 / $8.90) which comprised of fried chicken pieces served with c.c rice. But of course, if you have a voracious appetite to wolf down a Whole Chicken ($29.90), there's nothing stopping you lol!

Wondered if we might have taken too much time with the photos as we continued snapping, but a bite into the chicken many minutes later dispelled any worries. Oh my, they were still wonderfully hot and crispy! The dulcet tones of crunchiness accompanying each chomp was simply delightful. Juiciness and tenderness which did not elude even the usually dry texture of breast meat made the perfectly deep-fried goodness deserved an absolute thumbs-up!

Both the original and spicy flavors gave me different yet equal level of enjoyment. The original chicken feels 'cleaner' with a well-marinated, non-greasy taste, while the latter came doused in a slightly sticky sweet and spicy sauce. So lip-smacking good, I can't helped but licked each and every drip off my fingers! Also loved it that the chicken are not deboned. Gnawing all the meat slowly off the bones simply yielded higher satisfaction!

Our set is supposed to come with c.c rice, but we topped up a little to have C.C Cham Chi Burger ($6.90) and C.C Spam Burger ($6.90) instead. The rice patty is mixed with generous amount of seaweed and sandwiched a filling of kimchi with either tuna or spam. I find both burgers fairly decent, while my dining companion declared the spam version to be better. One thing we both agreed on: The Korean Rice Cake - Tokboki ($4) can be skipped.

This visit to Choo Choo Chicken felt incomplete because I did not try their chicken wings. Needless to say, I'd be back! Until then, I'd salivate at each yummy memory. The fried chicken is indeed... finger-licking delicious! Certainly one of the best I've tried!

Choo Choo Chicken 츄츄
Address: 33 Bali Lane, Singapore 189869
Contact: +65 62990980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Choo-Choo-Chicken-%EC%B8%84%EC%B8%84/607095979350844
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 11pm Daily

To tell the truth, the mention of buffet scares me nowadays. With the decrease in my metabolism and increase in body weight, I really have to spend my calories on quality food in controlled quantity. But when the revamped buffet spread of Orchard Café at Orchard Hotel promises a new exciting showcase of Straits Cuisine, it brought out the greediness in me again (oops!). I thought it should be worth checking out. Afterall, we're talking about the rich and colorful flavors of Peranakan dishes, the unique blend of aromatic, spicy, sweet, tangy! Yummy!

And what a dazzling feast Executive Chef Paul Then has lined up for us at the "Baba Theatre Kitchen"!

Besides his signature dishes like the highly slurpilicious Nyonya Hokkein Mee with copious amount of fragrant pork lard, Steamed Black Cod Otah and Sambal Sting Ray in Banana Leaves, we were also delighted to find favorites like Asian Roasted Pork Belly and Roasted Duck, as well as Chilled Seafood on ice, Freshly Shucked Oysters and many many more. Would you have enough tummy space for all this?

It would always be wise to begin with some light starters to whet the appetite, like what we did with the delectable trio of Prawn & Mango Salad, Nonya Fish Salad with Achar and Soya Duck with Chili Vinegar Dip. The Crabmeat Popiah with Crispy Crackers was mouthfuls of plumply stuffed juiciness, and I also enjoyed the sticks of tender Chicken Satay taken straight hot off the grill.

One thing which you should also try is the Crabmeat Kueh Pie Tee which made its well-received debut at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2013. Co-created by Dr. Leslie Tay (ieatishootipost), this version deviates a little from its authentic roots with the creative addition of crabmeat, fish roe and buah keluak (which was given a luxurious nickname of Nyonya caviar). Nestled within a thin and crisp pastry tart, the combination of textures and flavors gel harmoniously well together. Instead of biting into it and risk having the ingredients spilling all over, I popped it whole into my mouth lol. Best enjoyed this way I think! Nevermind I looked very unladylike.

Row of claypots is another attention grabbing feature, and it contains none other than the highlight of the Straits Cuisine buffet, all the popular culinary delights of the Peranakan heritage!

The lids are usually kept on to keep the dishes warm, but do not be shy to lift it off and get your fill of Babi Pongteh (fermented pork belly), Udang with Sambal Petai (stir-fried prawns with petai beans), Nangka Lemak (jackfruit chicken curry), Ayam Buah Keluak (stewed chicken with buah keluak spices), and most people's all-time favorite, homey Nonya Chap Chai (braised cabbage, black fungus, pork belly and fermented yellow bean).

When the humongous bowl of steamed rice was brought over to our table, my eyes opened wide and thought "who would load themselves with rice at a buffet?" But I soon realized its snow-white plainness is the perfect canvas to bring out the savoriness of dishes like Lembu Rendang (slow-cooked beef cheek rendang with Nyonya spices), and most ideal for soaking up the sourish gravy of the Assam Fish.

Though I did not try everything from the buffet spread, I tasted all the dishes which you see in photos here. While fairly decent in execution, one of the perpetual challenges would be to keep the dishes tasting fresh and palatable even after some duration on the chafing dish. That's also the reason why I will always not miss the live cooking stations offering items which are only prepared upon ordering. Nyonya Laksa is one of them. Sure to be fresh and warm, and personal requests like no beansprouts or more quail eggs can be accommodated.

Desserts like Chempedak, Peanut and Durian Pancakes are also cooked ala minute at the live station, almost guaranteeing a warm, soft texture (unless you leave yours aside too long for food porning oops). I do not take durians but some of my dining companions did enjoy the dainty glass of Durian Pengat with Pandan Jelly. Maybe I'm too adverse to it, the pungency came across as rather strongly, which I think is probably scent most heavenly for durian lovers.

The assortment of Nyonya Kuehs were pleasing both in visual and taste, but if you ask me what's my favorite dessert of the night, my reply would definitely be the Chempedak Crème Brûlée. Smooth eggy custard accentuated with the refreshing fruity fragrance of chempedak and topped with a thin crisp caramelized layer. Ooh what a brilliant fusion end to the evening!

Snap, Eat, Win!
Currently, Orchard Café is having a photo contest. Simply capture snapshots of scrumptious food moments at the “Straits Cuisine” buffet to stand a chance to win weekend staycations and other attractive prizes!

Click here for more information on the contest: bit.ly/SnapEatWinhttp://

"Straits Cuisine" Buffet is served daily at Orchard Café
Lunch: 12pm - 2.30pm / Adult: $48++ / Child $24++
Dinner: 6pm - 10pm / Adult: $68++ / Child $34++

Silver Exclusive!
Just for our respected senior citizens*, a special 50% off the "Straits Cuisine" Buffet lunch from Monday to Thursday.

*55 years and above, valid till 31 October 2014

Thanks to Orchard Hotel for the hospitality.

Orchard Café
Address: Orchard Hotel Singapore, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879
Reservations: +65 67396565
Website: http://www.millenniumhotels.com.sg/orchardhotelsingapore/dining.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrchardHotelSingapore

I'm happy to be back again at the cooking studio of ToTT (Tools of The Trade), this time to pick up some baking skills from Chef Audra Morrice! What made it more fun and interesting is the hands-on session (instead of just a demonstration), with us the participants getting direct baking experience by making the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Port Jelly ourselves.

Yes, the beautiful tart with a decadent filling of luscious dark chocolate ganache and a top layer of sweet port wine jelly, plump juicy raspberries and edible flowers you see in the photo here is made by yours truly, moi! Hehee, you want a slice?

The chocolate tart is easier to make than I thought under the detailed guidance of Chef Audra. Best known for being a finalist in Australia MasterChef 2012, she impressed with her ability to both cook and bake, producing some of the most consistent and amazing dishes on this popular television competitive cooking show.

In person, Chef Audra strikes me as a very friendly lady, always radiating a smiling countenance as she patiently takes us through the step-by-step process in getting our tart into form, while sharing handy baking tips. She displayed an obvious love and keen passion for her craft which translated into an informative and enjoyable interactive class for us.

Necessary kitchen tools such as mixer, non-stick fluted pan with removable bottom, wooden rolling pin and baking ingredients were already prepared for us ahead of class commencement by the staff of ToTT. They were also helpful in assisting us to clear the used utensils and sending our tarts to the oven and fridge when we have it ready, making the whole class proceeding like a breeze. Wow if only I can have a helper too when I bake or cook at home! Cleaning can be such a pain.

I was initially worried as I'm an absolute noob when it comes to baking but Chef Audra's explanation was so clear that we could follow all the instructions without a further need to refer to the recipe handed earlier to us. The most delightful part must be decorating our own readied chocolate tart with fresh raspberries, raspberry puree and edible flowers, all the finishing touches to our personalized creation. What a sense of accomplishment!

There were lots of laughter during our hands-on baking session, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves with none of the stress of needing to make the tart turn out perfect.

We had a whole family with kids in our classes and I thought it makes a very healthy bonding activity. A family which bakes together, stays together! This will also suit couples who are looking to do something different from the usual movie watching or shopping on their dates.

The bright, spacious and well-equipped ToTT studio certainly contributed in making the experience a highly pleasant one too. If you're keen on attending any of the baking or cooking classes, do check out http://content.tottstore.com/classes for more information.

Brought the end product to share with my friends after the class and they all love the taste of the chocolate tart! Don't think they are just paying me lip service as we finished everything haha.

I had rolled the dough really thin at risk of having it breaking apart (it didn't, except for a tiny edge) as I don't like the crust to be too thick, and it turned out to be wonderfully buttery and crisp. The use of dark chocolate ensured the sweetness level to be just nice for our preference, with refreshing tangy raspberries cutting through the richness of chocolate ganache. In short, it's delicious!

Suddenly, I feel like I'm one step closer to being a domestic goddess already LOL!!!

You can easily bake your own chocolate tart too, here's the recipe below :D

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Port Jelly

Pastry

225g Plain Flour
Pinch Salt
2 tbsp Icing Sugar
2 tbsp Cocoa Powder
140g Unsalted Cold Butter (chopped)
2 tbsp Iced Water

Pre-heat oven to 200°C. Place flour, salt, sugar and cocoa in a food processor and process for 15 seconds until combined. Add butter and process until butter is finely chopped. Add iced water slowly until it forms a dough that just comes together when pressed. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 20 mins.

Ganache Filling

500g Dark Chocolate, 70% Cocoa Solids
200g Unsalted Butter (chopped)

Chop chocolate in a food processor until finely chopped. Place butter in a large bowl over a saucepan with 3cm of just-simmering water, tip chocolate onto butter. Turn off heat and stir occasionally until chocolate and butter have melted. Keep bowl on saucepan until ready to use.

Cherry Port Jelly

375ml Cherry Port
2 tbsp Caster Sugar
5 leaves Gelatine (gold strength)

Pour port and sugar into a saucepan over medium heat, stir until sugar has dissolved. Boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat. Soften gelatine in cold water, squeeze out excess water and add gelatine to warm port mixture. Stir until dissolved, strain and keep warm until ready to use.

Raspberry Puree

125g Raspberries (squished or frozen)
1 tbsp Icing Sugar
1 tsp Corn Syrup or Glucose

Place raspberries, sugar and glucose into a small saucepan and heat until liquid. Sieve out seeds.

To Decorate

250-375g Raspberries
Edible Flowers

Directions to Assemble

Roll pastry out between two sheets of baking paper to 3mm thick. Remove one sheet of baking paper and lay pastry over a 23cm round fluted tart tin with a removable base. Press into tin especially into sides. Remove baking paper and trim pastry. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Blind bake for 13-15 minutes until sides are crisp. Remove baking paper and pastry beads and bake for a further 10 minutes until base is dry. Cool in fridge for 10 minutes.
Pour warm ganache into cooled tart tin, shake gently to level. Allow half a centimetre for the jelly layer. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set the ganache. Pour warm jelly into a jug, bring over to fridge and pour a layer of jelly on top on top of the tart. Allow to set in the fridge or until ready to serve.
Decorate tart with raspberries, drizzle with raspberry puree and place a few flowers on top.

Thanks to Chef Audra Morrice, ToTT and FoodNews for hosting.

ToTT
Address: 896 Dunearn Road, #01-01A, Sime Darby Centre, Singapore 589472
Contact: +65 62197077
Website: http://www.tottstore.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToTTStore

Opening Hours:
Store: Mon-Thu 11am-8pm / Fri 11am-9pm / Sat, Sun & PH 10am-9pm
Bistro: Mon-Thu 10.30am-7.30pm / Fri 10.30am-8.30pm / Sat, Sun & PH 9.30am-8.30pm

It can be quite easy to walk pass the entrance of Social Square without giving it more than a notice, but take a few more steps into this new establishment situated right across Giant supermarket on Level 3 of Parkway Parade Mall, you'd find a gourmet heaven of all day breakfast and European-Japanese delights!

Opened by the same folks behind Ministry of Food (MOF), whose other dining concept includes Dolce Tokyo and AmaSoy, Social Square could be the most ideal gathering place with friends or casual dates, not just for dining, but also to socialize over delicious food and wine.

Social Square's spacious interior and high ceiling is easy to like, it's almost like having a meal outdoors with its relaxing garden setting completed with tall trees and luscious foliage. It felt like I've already made the right choice by deciding to come here. Nevermind that it can be quite a traveling distance if one is not residing in the east side of Singapore.

"There is something for everyone!" I thought as I flipped through the extensive menu. From Western favorites such as all day breakfast, pastas, pizzas, main courses to Japanese offerings of sashimi, tempura and hotpot rice dishes, the choices are so mind-boggling wide that I didn't even noticed the chicken wings, until I asked if it's on the menu.

Chicken Wings ($6 for 4 pieces)! No way can I missed ordering it lol. Using only my favorite part, the mid-joint came hot and deep-fried to a delightful crisp with well-seasoned and juicy meat. It was a very happy delicious start.

I can be easily satisfied with those wings (just stuff me with baskets of it lol!), but more food beckons. It's not too late for breakfast at dinner time, as we sank our teeth into the hearty plate of Essential British - baked beans, Italian sausage, scrambled egg on mashed potato with brown sauce and cheese on toast - and murdered the poached eggs of Smoked Salmon Benedict ($18.80) till its golden yolk oozed out and slide all over the cheese and smoked salmon on toasted bread.

Pizzas are always great for sharing when in a bigger group, even more so when it came thin-crusted with a base of tomato sauce & warm melting mozzarella and topped with sliced bacon & egg - Bacon & Egg Pizza ($14.50 for regular, $17.50 for large) or spicy salami and fresh cut chillies - Bacon & Egg Pizza ($14.50 for regular, $17.50 for large).

For pasta lovers, you'd get to customize the dish to your preference at Social Square, choosing from a selection of pasta and sauces. We had our Mixed Mushroom Pasta ($13.90) done with spaghetti in aglio olio style. Not the most exciting of combination, but safe, simple and totally enjoyable with its balanced taste and good al-dente bite.

What's adventurous in pairing was the Pan-fried Salmon Mushroom ($20 with 2 side dishes). Called me boring but I thought a classic creamy dill or lemon butter sauce would work better than the earthy tones of mushroom. The salmon could also do with less cooking time for more moisture and softness in texture.

In comparison, the much much much better item from the western menu would be the John Dees Ribeye ($18 per 100, minimum 300 gram). The lovely Angus beef was grain-fed for 180 days and aged for 4-6 weeks, before being grilled to medium-rare for our devouring pleasure. A hotstone plate is provided by the side for those who prefer more doneness in their steak. We neglected the black pepper sauce which came with it, because all it took to bring out natural flavor of the well-marbled cut was some sprinkling of salt. Highly enjoyable!

A healthy starter from Social Square's Japanese menu is the utterly refreshing Tofu Avocado Salad ($4.50 for small, $10.00 for large) which brimmed with cubes of soft beancurd, creamy avocado, fresh tomato, cucumber, sliced cabbage and crunchy almond flakes. The homemade wasabi mayo dressing gave it an addictive kick without being too overly sharp.

Deep-fried items such as Tori Karaage ($5.80 for small, $8.00 for large) – deep-fried chicken with special seasoning and Tempura Moriawase ($11.00) – deep-fried prawns and mixed vegetable were well-executed to minimum greasiness and remained crispy even after minutes of photo taking.

My heart always have a fondness for grilled eel so no surprise that I loved the comforting Unagi Hotstone Rice ($19.80). Serving piping hot in a heated stone bowl, the rice at the bottom had sizzled to crunchy burnt bits which became added textural bonus to the softness of rice and succulence of unagi pieces. A very blissful marriage tied with aromatic dark savory sweet sauce.

We rounded off the evening with some signature Japanese desserts which MOF are famed for. Yuzu Kakigori ($7.90) - homemade yuzu sauce on crushed iced, topped with mandarin orange and soft serve, as well as Matcha Imo ($6.80) – soft serve with green tea sauce, red bean paste and Japanese sweet potato are familiar favorites which tastes can hardly go any wrong.

Abekawa ($6.80) would be the dessert to go for if you want to try something different. The chunks of Japanese mochi are oven-baked, giving the usual sticky texture a layer of crispiness, before being coated with sweetened Japanese soya bean power and served with Hokkaido red bean paste by the side.

With such a wide array of food choices at affordable prices, we can eat to our hearts content without worrying about breaking the wallet. Social Square is the place to go to if you're in the convenience of the vicinity.

Thanks to Danieland Social Square for the hospitality.

Social Square
Address: Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road, #03-26, Singapore 449269
Contact: +65 64387262
Website: http://ministryoffood.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocialSquareSG
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 11.30am-9.30pm / Fri 11.30am-10.30pm / Sat 10am-10pm / Sun 10am-9.30pm

I stopped and took a double look to see if I've arrived at the correct place, just to be sure. In front of my eyes is the facade of a shophouse unit which used to house Chung Hwa Free Clinic, but the spacious interior of high ceiling and bare cement walls is now fitted with vintage furniture, retro knick-knacks and people are seen having their cuppa. Yes, this is indeed my intended lunch venue, one of the best new cafés which my friends have been raving about - My Awesome Café 真棒堂!

Even before stepping into this latest hipster hangout along the bustling Telok Ayer street (near to Tanjong Pagar mrt station), I already like its nostalgia and laidback vibes. Some places try very hard to be cool, My Awesome Café effortlessly drips of awesome attractiveness.

This must be the most awesome post I've ever written, waxing lyrical about My Awesome Café in every other line lol. But it is indeed awesome in most parts! What else would you expect from an establishment where the team even confidently declares "I AM awesome" on their tees?

One of the awesome people you see in this photo here is Franck Hardy, who set up this cafe with a group of entrepreneurial friends, bringing together their vast experience in F&B and hotels. What they share is the same passion - they want to create a café where food is yummy, deco is cool and where customers share the same feeling: "That's an awesome place, a place where I belong!"

My Latte ($4.50), brewed from a blend of Columbia, Brazil and Sumatra coffee beans, was not the most awesome cup I've ever drank, but decent. My dining companions ordered Pineapple Crush ($8), which was as refreshing as it sounds. I took a sip (with permission ok haha) and I love it!

The specially crafted menu of mainly salads, sandwiches, croissants and scrambled eggs is kept concise with the focus placed on freshness and quality ingredients. Baked goods are churned out each morning by kitchen staffs who starts their day as early as 5am, dips and dressings are all made in-house as well. I always give plus points to business which puts in such efforts instead of going the convenient route of using mostly supplied products. There is more sincerity. Can you feel it too?

For an utmost satisfying munch, I would highly recommend My Awesome Salad ($15)! Certainly healthy but a no less tasty protein-packed threesome of smoked salmon, herbs chicken breast and duck rillettes, with avocado, tomatoes and crisp mesclun specially flown in from Australia. The dressing, made from Franck's grandma's homemade recipe, was light on the palate. Though the chicken breast was a tad dry, it became such a delight when paired with creaminess of the avocado. Duck rillettes was wonderfully tender and luscious with right note of saltiness. Awesome factor: Max!

But I must confessed we didn't finish the bread which came with the salad, finding it a tad hard for our liking. That's also why our Spicy Beef Sandwich ($14) suffered from the same fate. Perhaps we took too long with the photo-taking, as it was later explained that the texture of the bread was supposed to be crisp. The basil pesto spread was fantastic though, I ate more bread than intended because of its deliciousness!

The attentiveness of Franck made him noticed that we had left the Smoked Salmon Quiche ($9.50) untouched for quite awhile so he offered to heat it up again to ensure us of a warmer bite (thumbs up for his service!). It did make a positive difference to the savory egg custard pastry but I thought it could do with more moisture and a thinner crust.

One thing you wouldn't find at My Awesome Café is photogenic desserts like cupcakes, but good old-school classics such as Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($5) and Bread & Butter Pudding ($5) instead. We decided on the soft Mango Upside Down Cake ($5) and indulged in the richness of chocolatey Brownie ($5) which just need a dollop of ice cream by the side to make it perfect. Do check out their chalk board for what's available daily.

The use of vintage amber glass plates adds another alluring touch to this already awesome café. Ambience is great and I'd certainly return for more of its awesomeness!

My Awesome Café 真棒堂
Address: 202 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068639
Contact: +65 84280102
Website: http://www.myawesomecafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myawesomecafesingapore
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue 7.45am-9pm / Wed-Fri 7.45am-12am / Sat-Sun 10am-3pm

Ooh scrumptious seafood always get a salivating "yes" from me, and when it comes from Red House Seafood Restaurant 小红楼, the "yes" becomes more intensified as any culinary experience at this well-loved establishment is always a gratifying one to look forward to. Serving up delectable Asian seafood fare and Singaporean favorites since 1976, Red House has recently introduced a host of new dishes and two celebratory set dinners at its flagship Prinsep Street outlet, available from now until 30 June 2014, in celebration of its 38th anniversary.

The two celebratory set dinners features enduring Red House's best dishes such as Sri Lankan Chilli Crabs, Drunken Prawns and Garlic Steamed Scottish Bamboo Clams for their "Signatures" menu, as well as new dishes created from a bounty of fresh sustainable seafood specially sourced and flown in three times a week from Scotland for their "Modern" menu.

Priced at $388++ for six persons, each 7-course set dinner also includes a bottle of Champagne (Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut) or white wine (Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé 2010) or two jugs of Tiger Beer. Eat, drink and be merry! Perfect for any joyous occasions, and if you're looking for a suitable place for the upcoming Mother's Day meal, Red House is highly worth your consideration.

I say this because I've tried the dishes from the "Modern" menu and everything was delicious! The dishes are also available individually, but as you can see from the ala-carte prices listed here, ordering the set menu makes it a much more worthy deal.

Our hearty dinner commenced with Chilled Spicy Whelks ($35) tossed together with mango and onions in a sweet and spicy Thai dressing. The amount of onions used was a tad overwhelming but overall, the starter was refreshing and certainly an appetite whetting prelude to the dishes that followed.

In life, the Scottish Blue Lobster ($148 per kg) is really blue, only becoming red upon cooking! Hailing from the pristine waters of Scotland, it is reputed for its superior quality over other species of lobsters. Indeed, its flesh was excellent with a firm bite! The coat of creamy sweet mayonnaise complemented it well, and was so lip-smacking good, it's impossible to resist licking every bit of sauce clean.

A choice of either Spicy Seafood Combination ($28/$42/$56) or Garlic Megrim Fish ($100 per kg) is being offered for the next course. Tough decision to make, because we seldom get to taste the Megrim Fish, an uncommon flat turbot fish which just needed a simple steam with garlic and splash of quality soy sauce to accentuate its delicate flavors and silky meat.

But the luscious seafood medley of prawns, scallops, cuttlefish and garoupa fish slices is also not to be missed! Richly flavored in a Thai-inspired kaffir-laced curry gravy, it was moreish and beckoned for a side serving of mantous (Chinese deep-fried buns) to soak up every drop of spicy, tangy shiokness.

You might say it makes more economic sense to choose the Megrim fish. I say, choose the fish and order the seafood ala-carte too. Savor the best of both worlds!

Next, we said hello (or is it goodbye?) to Scottish Brown Crabs ($58 per kg) which traveled a long distance from Scotland to end up being steamed or cooked in white pepper as gastronomic delight for us. The white pepper version we had was a wondrous enjoyment! It was meaty and succulent, I can taste the crustacean's apparent freshness and natural sweetness in every bite. Simply love it!

Oyster 'Yuan Yang' Hor Fun ($20) takes the zhi char staple to sensuous heights with a bed of huge plump Scottish oysters. Admittedly, oysters are not my thing so I'm more drawn towards the blissful textural marriage of aromatic wok-fried and crunchy deep-fried swirls of flat rice noodles which lies beneath that soft fluffy omelette. Comforting, familiar yet with not so familiar with fresh burst of surprise. Nice!

Both 38th anniversary set dinners will end with a last savory course of Daily Greens, followed by desserts such as Chilled Lime Sherbet with Lemongrass Jelly ($6.80) and Chilled Mango Pomelo with Sago ($4.80). But you wouldn't want to leave Red House without making an additional order for these warm pillowy soft Steamed Chilli Crab Bun ($8 for 3pc) too. Do make tummy space for it, and be filled with yummy joy!

Red House at Prinsep Street also serves up a new daily 5-course set lunch at only $38++ for two persons. With a basket of Dim Sum favorites (siew mai, mixed mushroom dumpling, scallop & chives dumpling, char siew pau), as well as Creamy Custard Prawns, Oyster 'Yuan Yang' Hor Fun, Daily Greens and Durian Mochi all included, it looks set to woo working professionals with its great value and affordability.

I've enjoyed the dining experience at Red House tremendously, and its centralized location in the heart of town makes it convenient to visit again for its impressive array of enticing dishes.

Red House Seafood Restaurant 小红楼
Website: http://www.redhouseseafood.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedHouseSeafood

Flagship
Prinsep Street
Address: 68 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188661
Contact: +65 6336 6080
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-10.30pm / Sat, Sun & PH 11am-10.30pm (last order 30 mins before closing)

Outlets
East Coast
Address: Blk 1204, #01-05 East Coast Seafood Centre, East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449882
Contact: +65 6442 3112
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-11.30pm / Sat, Sun & PH 11.30am-11.30pm

Robertson Quay
Address: #01-14 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252
Contact: +65 6735 76666
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-11pm

One of the best new places to get on my dining favorites list has to be Kimchi Korean Restaurant! Recently opened in February at the conveniently located Suntec City Mall in the heart of town, Kimchi serves up a delightful array of classic Korean favorites, as well as unique regional specialties from Busan and Andong which I seldom see in most other Korean joints here in Singapore. If I have to summarize my dining experience at Kimchi in one word, that word would undoubtedly be "DELICIOUS"! Totally loving it!

A walk into Kimchi's spacious interior immediately shakes off the usual boisterous image one has of a barbeque establishment. The setting is bright and contemporary, casual yet exuding a sense of poshness, making it a suitable venue for couple dates, business lunches, small families and friend gatherings. Bigger groups can opt for more privacy in one of the private dining rooms.

Owner Haden Hee may look more like K-pop boyband material (swoon-factor: high), but is well-equipped with a background in F&B consultancy and is all savviness when it comes to running his business. He ropes in native Korean Chef Choi Minchul, who has a wealth of experience from Ritz Carlton (South Korea & Naples USA) and Marina Bay Sands (Singapore), to helm Kimchi's kitchen and lead a team of talented chefs mainly from South Korea. Ingredients are specially imported from Korea wherever possible, and sauces are homemade to ensure the food reflect a taste closest to its authentic roots.

Kimchi sets itself against convention and introduces interesting concepts which refreshingly changes the definition of a typical Korean meal. For instance, Banchan, the assortment of appetizer dishes which usually comes free-flow alongside with the main courses, is not complimentary but chargeable per order. This "pay for only what you eat" policy might not be best representative of Korean food culture, but I find it acceptable as patrons can choose to eat what they would rather have, instead of paying the cost of banchan which is already factored into the overall menu prices under traditional pricing method. By leaving it out, prices of main dishes becomes comparative lower too. Besides, each side order such as kimchi and stir-fried anchovy is only $1. Very affordable!

A lighter approach is also being adopted when it comes to serving sizes at Kimchi. Many a times we can't order much food when eating with just one or two friends as portions tend to be hearty. But now, we can maximize our enjoyment with a wider variety of ala-carte dishes such as Jap Chae (glass noodle stir-fried with vegetables, $6.90), Dduk Bok Gi (rice cake in spicy sauce, $7.90), Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake with spring onion, $8.90) at reduced portion and minimum prices. Perfect for gluttonous me who likes to try a bit of everything. The Bean Curd Kimchi ($8.90), a crispy deep-fried patty of stuffed beancurd, minced porkmeat and stir-fried kimchi, is especially delish. Don't missed it!

Another item which warrant a definite MUST-ORDER tag is the Marinated Wagyu Beef Short Ribs ($29.50)! I thought the price is a steal when compared to places which serves normal beef short ribs at an even higher price. And here at Kimchi, we're talking about Wagyu, those beautiful slices of luscious marbling and wondrous melt-in-the-mouth texture. Usually I like my beef unadulterated, but the superb marination utterly blown me away. It has a great balance of savoriness and sweetness, adequately seasoned without overwhelming the natural taste of the good quality beef, complementing each mouthful of juicy tender chew perfectly.

A quick sizzling on the smoke-free electric grill was all it took to bring out the best of the premium cut. Other barbeque meat choices includes Pork Cheek Fillet ($18.50), Pork Belly ($16) and Spicy Marinated Chicken ($15), as well as Tiger Prawn ($12 for 3 pcs) for seafood lovers.

I love my food with a spicy kick and the bubbling hot pot of Kimchi Soup ($9.80) satisfied this preference well. The broth is of a thicker consistency, deeply rich and flavorsome after the stir-fried pork is well-simmered with kimchi. With mushroom, soft beancurd and vegetables generously added, this appetite whetting soup also makes a substantial meal by itself when eaten with white rice for an individual customer.

If you can take the heat, another "ideal with white rice" dish which I strongly recommend is the Andong Jjim Dak ($15), a spicy chicken hot pot dish from Chef Choi's hometown. Inspired by his own family recipe, the pieces of boneless chicken thigh is first marinated with gangjang (Korean light soy sauce), then braised with an assortment of root vegetables to delicate softness. The gravy is highly aromatic, and the complexity of flavors is intensified further with the use of cheongyang gochu, a type of fresh green pepper which gradually culminated the dish to a fiery addictiveness. I don't how to explain it in Korean, but in local terms, it's SHIOK lah!

The spicy Andong chicken can also be enjoyed in form of Andong Chicken Dolsot Bap ($14), basically bibimbap served in a hot stone pot. We gave the Pork Dolsot Bap ($12) a try, though it held no surprises, the mixture of pork bulgogi, korean rice, bean sprout and poached egg is comforting in a homey way.

What surprised me was the deceptively simple Ginseng Chicken Juk ($12). Rice porridge is not what I would usually order at a restaurant unless I'm feeling under the weather, but this version really astounded me. How could something look so plain yet taste so divine? Think premium Korean ginseng chicken soup in porridge form with shredded chicken, jujube (red dates) and gingko nut. Bliss in every mouthful.

I was reluctant to end the meal (I want another portion of that awesome BBQ Wagyu beef short ribs!), but dessert is waiting. Busan Hodduk ($9), a fancified version of the native Busan street snack of light, fluffy hotcake, is filled with red bean paste and topped with toasted nuts and Korean black sugar syrup. A tad dry but it found a redeeming pairing with the mixed berries compote. The hotcake is also available daily from 2pm to 5.30pm as part of Kimchi Afternoon Tea Set ($16.80), together with tea and handmade Korean ice cream.

For delicious food at such affordable prices, Kimchi is certainly worthy of a return visit any time!

Kimchi Korean Restaurant
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-387, Suntec City Convention Tower, Singapore 038983
Contact: +65 63377811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimchisuntec
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-10pm

I hereby profess my ignorance of Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee (建记辣椒板面), until the famous noodles from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) became infamous in Singapore for attracting an insanely long 2-3 hour queue when the local outlet first opened its doors at Macpherson Road barely a month ago. Can't deny my interest was piqued, but no way I'm gonna spend a few hours standing in line for a table because time is more precious than a bowl of noodles, no matter how "legendary" or "delicious" or "yummy" it has been described to be. So I waited.....

..... until yesterday when the queue is rumored to have already died down. Reality is, there was no queue at all when we walked in at 6pm! Yay! We were pleasantly surprised that the place is air-conditioned (I was half expecting a coffeeshop style set-up), clean, bright and evidently new with the white walls still being pristine white in color lol.

There are only a few items on the menu and almost half the selection were not available during our visit. Doesn't really matter actually, because whoever comes here would most probably aim straight for their Signature Dry Chilli Pan Mee ($5), just like what we did. The side order of Fish Ball with Bean Sheet & Meatball Soup ($4) was not too bad. Broth was sweet and the handmade fish balls yielded a soft and springy texture, but there was a hint of fishy stench which I'm quite sensitive to. My dining companion liked the fish balls though.

Each bowl of Signature Dry Chilli Pan Mee ($5) is served with thin noodles, braised savory minced meat, fragrant fried shallots, crispy ikan bilis, pork balls and topped with a poached egg.

I've learned not to judge food by their deceptively boring appearance, for indeed when the poached egg is broken to reveal a runny yolk and everything is tossed together with a copious amount of chilli thrown in, its combined taste was delightfully enjoyable.

The very essence that tied the dish together beautifully is the roasted Dry Chilli Flakes. Its intense aroma was wonderful and did not taste as fiery as it looks. I would verdict the noodles and rest of ingredients to be rather ordinary but a few scoops of this chilli magically elevated the overall flavor by more than a few notches. The chilli is the star!

I will come to Kin Kin again if my friends want to, provided that is no long queue. Waiting for a while is fine as long as it's no more than 15 minutes. Take away all the hype, the chilli pan mee is overall a satisfying bowl of noodles. Delicious indeed.

Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee Singapore (建记辣椒板面)
Address: 534 Macpherson Road, Singapore 368220
Contact: +65 67431372
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinkinchillipanmee
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-8pm

Part of the beauty of living in Singapore is the tantalizing array of different cuisines that are available on this tiny island. We may not always have time to travel overseas to savor the best of their local food, but their food comes readily to us. Ottoman Kebab & Grill is the latest casual eatery by First Gourmet (the company behind Zaffron Kitchen and Prata Wala) to open at Bedok Mall, serving up traditional turkish delights in a cozy corner unit. It was worth the long journey to the east (and expensive taxi fare back home) for me, because the food is sooooooo yummy!

I wonder when will I ever visit Turkey to try their food, but I trust Ottoman's Head Chef Ali Kose in bringing us the authentic taste true to his native homeland. With over ten years of culinary experience (including two years as the sous chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin-starred Maze in London), I can't imagine him having any problems in doing so.

If you happen to catch a glimpse of Chef Ali behind the glass walls of the show kitchen slicing meat off the vertical rotating Shawarma spits or keeping an eye on the lava-stone grill laden with kebabs, wave to say "hi". He is very friendly, the delicious and affordable food he serves up is just as friendly to our wallets.

The menu at Halal-certified Ottoman is concise with quintessential middle eastern favorites such as Pide (flatbread), Homus (chick pea dip), Borek (spring rolls), as well as Doner Kebabs (meat roasted on vertical rotating split) and Shish Kebabs (meat threaded on metal skewers and grilled) with choices of chicken, beef, mutton and seafood (fish fillet and prawn).

If Turkish cuisine is something rather new to you and you're unsure of what to order, just go with one of their weekday Lunch Set ($8.50 - $12.50) or Dinner Special ($14.50 - $20.50) selections which includes a daily soup and an apple tea. Another option is to continue reading my post here because I will tell you what is good! Haha!

Apple Tea ($3), one of the most popular beverages in Turkey, would be the best accompaniment to the meal experience. I like to enjoy the slightly sweet black tea chilled for a refreshing taste, though the hot version has its own rustic charm too especially when served in those dainty tulip-shaped glasses and saucers printed with "evil eye", an ancient Turkish symbol to protect against evil.

The hallmark of a good Turkish establishment has to be its Homous ($6). Ottoman does the chick pea dip very well here, making it thick, smooth and creamy, and utterly enjoyable with Pide ($2), the warm and soft flatbread which is cooked over lava stones for a characteristic char-grilled aroma.

It might take a while for unaccustomed palates to get use to the dry and densely-packed Falafel ($5 for 3pcs), but the deep-fried croquettes of ground chick pea and fava bean balls soon won me over with its distinct flavor of spices (tip: I ate it together with homous for added moisture). Cheese Borek ($6 for 6pcs) is another great snack to munch on, but I thought the Turkish version of spring roll could do with more feta cheese filling.

For main courses, the Iskender Mutton Kebab ($18.50) is a brilliant choice. Minced mutton patties were evenly grilled to delish perfection and served over a bed of crispy pide croutons. The whole dish is generously slathered with an appetite whetting sun-dried tomato sauce, but do also spoon over some yoghurt before tucking in for a more tangy flavor. The substantial portion makes it great for sharing.

Equally hearty and satisfying is the signature Ottoman Shish Platter ($29), a great-value sumptuous combination of beef, chicken, seafood (also available as individual skewers $7.50-$12.50) with pide and pilav rice. The beef is considered tender for its medium-well doneness, while the mushy prawn could be fresher. It's the chicken which stole all the applause for its succulence and bites of charred edges... woohoo my favorite! I would definitely order the chicken again!

Also noteworthy is the pilav rice which is cooked in butter and broth using short grain rice, resulting in a soft, slightly sticky texture and smelled wonderfully fragrant. Very very lovely!

That evening was my first encounter with Kunefe ($8.50) and I liked it! Soft stretchy Nabulsi goat cheese is encased within shredded kadayif phyllo pastry before pan-fried with butter to an outer crust of golden hue and crispiness, then drizzled with sugar syrup and crushed pistachios. The dessert is freshly cooked only upon order and is understandably laborious to make as it requires constant flipping to avoid burning, so do allow 20 minutes of preparation time. Worth the wait, as the union of layered textures and sweetness with hint of saltiness taste is DIVINE! A must-order!

Patience is also needed to enjoy a cup of Turkish Coffee ($4), which is another intriguing experience by itself. Served black or with milk in exquisite porcelain, the coffee is not filtered so we should wait for a few minutes to allow the coffee grounds to settle before sipping on the heady blend. My coffee with milk was rich not only in flavor, but in the tradition too. After finishing the coffee, turn the cup upside down on the saucer and allow it to cool, before flipping it over to see the patterns formed from the coffee grounds remaining in the cup. Apparently, you can read your fortune from this. Haha! Try it, maybe?

Though Turkish food is not as familiar to me as other cuisines, the level of gratification is by no means any less. All in all, it was a fantastic dining experience at Ottoman!

Ottoman Kebab & Grill
Address: 311 New Upper Changi Road #01-75 Bedok Mall, Singapore 467360
Contact: +65 67024031
Website: http://firstgourmet.com/
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-10pm

Fans of the closed Wok & Barrel at Duxton Hill would be happy to know that it has now returned as Ujong at Raffles Hotel, positioning itself at one of Singapore's most iconic landmark building! Its ingenious Chef Shen Tan (or better known as Madam Tan) has made a comeback to resurrect some of her signature dishes, and birth some new delights as well.

More than a couple of foodie friends around me seems to be rather excited about the good news, and pictures of its food that has started to surface on Instagram sure looked delicious and tempting! No need to think so much, I quickly made a trip down to Ujong for a virgin taste of Madam Tan's creations!

Occupying the unit vacated by Ah Teng's Bakery, this is now where Madam Tan's Singapore dishes with a modern twist will be showcased. The lady has certainly come a long way since the day she ditched her corporate suit as a corporate events director to start her hawker stall at Maxwell Food Centre selling nasi lemak.

Expect some Wok & Barrel favorites like Nasi Lemak ($16.90) and Ba Chor Mee Pasta ($25.90), as well as interesting-sounding Yusheng Salmon Ceviche and Salad ($25.90), Claypot Rice with Duck Char Siew or 5-Spice Pork ($23.90) and Singapore's Chicken Rice ($19.90) where the local rice dish is presented unlocally in Japanese's onigiri style.

The concept is undisputedly innovative in certain ways, but we thought execution for some of the dishes which we tried could be better. For instance, though the noodle texture of the Har Zi Meen, Prawn Flavored Noodles with Crispy Pork ($17.90) was enjoyably springy and tasted delectable in an Indomie-inspired dressing of kicap manis, onion and garlic, the dish's overall merits was pulled down by the crispy pork as its batter smacked of an undesirable powdery mouthfeel.

Fried Chicken Wings ($16.90) glistened with way too much oil, but we finished it anyway as the meat's retained moisture and nice prawn paste marination made it still palatable.

I also wondered if the taste of Hae Bee Hiam Mentaiko Capellini ($25.90) has purposely been overly muted to suit more international tastebuds (since Ujong is located in a hotel), as the fragrance and spiciness anyone would expect of a dried shrimp paste accentuated dish is almost non-existent.

If you have tummy space for just one dish, be sure to leave it for Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang ($19.90). Afterall, nasi lemak is the wildly popular dish which propelled Madam Tan from hawker to entrepreneur status.

The steamed coconut rice was done extremely well with a perfectly soft yet dry, grainy texture and its wonderful fragrance was intensified with every chew. There are several choices like curry chicken or banana leaf-wrapped grilled fish with otak rempah to accompany it, and I thought we made an brilliant decision of having it with beef rendang, ooh those satisfying chunks of fork tenderness cooked in aromatic spices!

The combination may seem decadent, but surprisingly rested lightly on the palate. We cleaned out the whole plate. The nasi lemak is a MUST-ORDER!

Desserts of Puloh Hitam Pudding ($15.90) with gula melaka butterscoth served with coconut ice cream and Shendol Delights ($15.90), where our familiar chendol takes on the form of panna cotta with gula melaka syrup topped with homemade red bean ice cream, needs more fine-tuning in terms of both presentation and taste.

Maybe it's too soon to visit Ujong when it's only in its infancy stage of two weeks as new establishments would probably need some time to overcome their teething problems and settle down, especially on the kitchen side. Aiyah, maybe I'm too impatient. The service rendered was great though, making the overall dining experience a pleasant one.

Ujong at Raffles Hotel
Address: 328 North Bridge Road, #01-10 Raffles Hotel Arcade, Singapore 188719
Contact: +65 91073028
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ujong-at-Raffles-Hotel/253477278156832
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm

I do dine at Mandarin Gallery from time to time as I love the convenience of its location along Orchard Road. Having visited the more popular joints within like Ippudo Ramen, Lawry's Prime Ribs, Providore Café, Wild Honey, Arteastiq amongst others, there's also Suju Japanese Restaurant which I've been wanting to try but never did until a few days ago. Why??? Because it's situated right beside Ippudo and I always gave in to the temptation of delicious ramen instead lol. Well, better late than never, because it is here at Suju that I had one of the best dining experience in Singapore this year! Its teishoku lunch set and service were all top-notch!

My friend and I did not make any reservations (oops) and was glad Suju was able to accommodate us when we walked in at 12pm for lunch. Counter seats were initially offered to us, which would be an ideal spot to enjoy our meal while watching the chefs in action at the same time, but we prefer to have more privacy for some catch-up that day. Thank God for blessing us with a table eventually, as the whole place was filled up in no time shortly after we were seated. Most of the lunch crowd looked to be Japanese!

Suju specializes in Teishoku, which is a Japanese home-style set meal of main dish served with rice and miso soup.

A set starts from $21 for Tamagotoji Teishoku (stir-fried chicken and eggs in iron pot) to $54 for 200g Australia Wagyu Beef Sirloin Steak Teishoku. For even further indulgence, premium sets of Tempura ($68), Gindara ($78) and Wagyu ($98) which includes 6 kinds of appetizers, sashimi and dessert of Suju-style almond pudding are also available. Prices are quite pricey, not exactly affordable for everyday lunchtime dining (at least for me), but still reasonable and of great value considering the excellent food quality.

As Suju is the restaurant arm of Suju Masayuki Shoten in Nagano, Japan which manufactures miso, vinegar and soy sauce, the food served in Suju restaurant naturally uses their own products. Most of the ingredients used are also sourced locally from Nagano, and I dare say their fine quality is easily distinguishable even to the most undiscerning tastebuds.

Even the humble slices of cucumber paired with bean sauce which is included in the recommended Suju Plate Set ($27 for six assorted dish with rice set and dessert) was extremely agreeable. Its texture was shattering crunchy and light, totally unlike the usual variety we were accustomed to. How could a simple vegetable taste so sublime?

The other dishes included in the set, from deep-fried pork cutlet, grilled mackerel, to miso eggplant, mentaiko (fish roe) and tamagoyaki (rolled omelette), were all just as delicious. The pork cutlet was tender and juicy, its crust was utterly crispy with no greasiness at all. This rendition can certainly can fight my favorite tonkatsu place - Saboten!

We also ordered the Gindara Misozuke Yaki Teishoku ($36) with a generous cut of fresh silver cod as the main star. It was beautifully charcoal grilled to perfect moist tender meat and crispy skin, with lovely bursts of charred bits completing a satisfying mouthfeel. The marination and sauce for the fish was done using Suju's own miso, a very lip-smacking taste of savory saltiness which also made a superb pairing with rice. Oh my oh my, the rice here is super super awesome!

The very first thing that grabbed our attention was the rice's appearance. Not all shades of white are of equal beauty (I wonder if there are 50 shades?), and this white rice was practically glistening like mini pearls in the bowl. Its sheen was so gorgeous and alluring! Taste and texture wise, it was divine! Each grain was comfortingly warm, and had an ideal slightly sticky, al-dente bite with an indescribable addictive aromatic aftertaste. Its amazing yumminess compelled us to order a second helping (rice is free-flow with the set), even though I'm restricting my intake of carbs. But for this rice, it was worth it. Eat already have 幸福的感觉!!! 最高の幸せ!!! (feelings of bliss and happiness)

When you know the origins of the rice, you'd probably go... "no wonder!". Suju uses super premium Koshihikari rice especially sourced from Iizuka in Nagano, Japan. Its name means "light of koshi" and originates from Koshi, an old province in Japan which covers the birthplace of koshihikari in Niigata prefecture. This short-grain rice has since been cultivated in other regions in Japan, and Iizuka is one of the special "A" class areas nominated for producing this rice.

Though already famed for its unique supreme characteristics, Suju brings this koshihokari rice a notch higher by cooking it in a special handmade copper pot which is said to give it a more flavorful and elastic finish, because the copper pot is able to evenly conduct heat better. As the rice is cooked in small batches, its freshness is almost always guaranteed.

My camera failed to capture the best esthetics of the rice, nor my words can depict its delectable taste to the fullest. Best is to experience the goodness yourself. Go try!

We left after finishing our dessert which came with the Suju Plate Set - a serving of rich and creamy Custard Pudding with bittersweet caramel sauce - feeling greatly gratified, highly happy, and deeply delighted!

Suju Japanese Restaurant 酢重シンガポール
Address: 333A Orchard Road, #04-05 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Contact: +65 67377764
Website: http://www.suju-masayuki.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japanese-Restaurant-Suju/200807346613103
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun Lunch 11.30am-5pm, Dinner 5pm-10.30pm

The Song of India needs no elaborate introduction really. Many of us would have already know that this is one of the better-established restaurants in Singapore, serving up exquisite Indian cuisine since 2006. It has served to be a popular dining destination, one which provides an ideal tranquil setting even though it's located so near to the bustling Orchard area along Scotts Road.

My previous visit to The Song Of India was for dinner, and I thought the black and white colonial bungalow in which the restaurant is housed looked very charming against the evening sky. It is just as lovely in the daytime. I would have chosen to dine at the alfresco pavilion if not for the sweltering heat of the afternoon sun.

I always had the impression that a meal at The Song of India would probably set me back by quite a bit and leave me on a purse-tight aftermath of an instant noodles diet for awhile, but is surprised to find they have introduced the very affordable Lunch Buffet at $29.90++ from Mondays to Saturdays and Brunch Buffet at $39.90 on Sundays which is inclusive of a dessert spread too.

Very worth it, it's..... eat all you can! I believe I'm not the only one who thinks so, because the restaurant is almost full during our lunch visit and most patrons were seen taking food off the buffet chafers.

For lunch, selection varies on rotating basis but expect an array of perennial favorites such as briyani and curries. On the day we went, we enjoyed Chicken Dum Biryani, Goan Fish Curry, Butter Chicken, as well as vegetarian dishes like Asparagus Shorba, Jeera Peas Pulao (cumin and green pea rice), Dal Panchmenl (five lentils dal), Paneer Taka Tak (tandoori cottage cheese in onion capsicum masala), Nilgiri Korma (vegetable curry) and Crispy Lotus Root amongst others.

During brunch on Sundays, it gets more exciting with an additional live station where the all-time crowd-pleasing Appam or Naan will be prepared ala minute. The selection may not extensive but I like it that there is a good mix of dishes, even for those on a vegetarian diet.

Top satisfaction of the buffet lunch was undoubtedly the Chicken Dum Briyani! The texture of the basmati rice was done perfectly, just sufficiently moist with each grain separated and evenly cooked. Tastewise, it was a mesmerizing blend of aromatic spices, totally flavorsome with pieces of melting tender chicken. Both my dining companion and I agreed that it's very delicious!

Naan is one of my favourite items which I must order whenever I have Indian food, and The Song of India serves up a pretty delectable version stuffed with blue cheese. The distinctive flavor of the blue cheese was not as sharp as I would prefer it to be, but the warm and fluffy flatbread was still nonetheless enjoyable.

A chat with Chef Manjunath Mural revealed his obvious innovative streak which sees him using ingredients which are uncommon in traditional Indian cuisine such as foie gras, black cod and truffle oil, and experimenting with molecuar gastronomy as well.

Dishes from the ala carte menu like Star Spiced Foie Gras ($38, pan-seared French foie gras spiced with star anise masala) and Sarson Cod Tikka ($36, chargrilled black cod marinated with mustard oil, coriander and tamarind) certainly redefined our usual perception of an Indian meal.

Most of the items we tried from our degustation platter were pleasing, but some tastes gravitated towards the unfamiliar. Though plating is esthetically pleasing with modern and elegant touches, I still prefer a hearty and rustic briyani anytime.

Desserts were highly enjoyable and we ended our lunch on a refreshing note.

If you're thinking of bringing your mum to enjoy the lunch buffet, you'd probably be happy to know that Mum gets to dine FREE for every 4 paying guests on 9th, 10th & 11th May, 2014,

A Special 4-course Menu is also available at $69++ per pax for lunch (12pm-3pm) and dinner (6pm-11pm) as part of The Song of India Mother's Day Special during the same period.

The Song of India
Address: 33 Scotts Road, Singapore 228226
Contact: +65 68360055
Website: http://www.thesongofindia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Song-of-India/170177143018356?rf=174560425887524
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm

Nothing beats the convenience of grabbing a sandwich for lunch especially during those times when work gets too busy and whips out its invisible chain slaving me to my laptop. Well, that's how I've always viewed sandwiches - no more than a necessity to fill up my hungry tummy - until I tasted the paninis from Black & White at Caffebar at The Plaza (formerly known as "Furniture Mall") along Beach Road. Its paninis are fantastically delicious!

When Derrick invited me to join Nat and him at Black & White Caffebar, I wasn't expecting much at all. I went because I was more keen on catching up with them my friends rather than the food, so whichever dinner venue doesn't really matter.

Let's be honest, the black and white themed caffebar is not situated in exactly the most exciting of locations, nor does it screamed "hipster" in any way. I believe its existence is to mainly serve the office crowd and Pan Pacific serviced apartment residents nearby with its repertoire of salads, soups, pastas and of course..... their specialty paninis.

Bread definitely does not stir my senses like how chicken wings does, but the paninis here at Black & White Caffebar are really worth the L.O.V.E. For the uninitiated, paninis literally means "little breads" in Italian and are essentially assembled sandwiches that are usually heated on a grill before serving.

Black & White Caffebar uses mostly ciabiatta bread sourced from an Italian restaurant in the east of Singapore. And boy, what difference it makes when one take the effort to use fresh and good quality bakes for the paninis! The ciabatta itself was soft with a crusty outer, utterly enjoyable especially when paired with my favorite combination of Wild Mushroom with Melted Cheese ($7.20). Warm and aromatic with earthy notes of spongy mushrooms, this panini proved that you do not need to pile on a whole load of ingredients to make it relishable. What a simple blissful delight in every bite!

But it's also not to say that I didn't enjoyed the ingredients-packed Roast Beef Panini ($11.80, tenderloin with avocado, tomato relish, cheese, lettuce with BBQ sauce) and Herb-grilled Chicken Panini ($8.50, chicken breast, zucchini, tomato, lettuce, avocado and red onions with mayonnaise sauce). The paninis were well-complemented with sauces that are all made in-house and gave a light, clean and wholesome taste. I felt healthier already.

Other choices of filling includes perennial favorites such as Smoked Salmon ($9.80), Tuna Mayo ($7.50), Baked Ham & Cheese ($7.50), as well as vegetarian options like Pesto Grilled Veggies ($7.20) and Egg Mayo ($6.50). Prices are not out-of-the-norm and best, there's no service charge or GST.

We also tried the appetite whetting Tomato Soup ($6). Baked Wild Mushroom Pasta with Cream & Cheese (9.80) was a comforting dish with a homey taste but the penne could be cooked more al-dente. Not to say they're not nice, but not exactly memorable either, though it does provide a dash of variety to an otherwise paninis centric menu.

A selection of sweet nibbles like brownies and carrot cakes are available too, they didn't looked appealing in the display counter and tastewise, it's still much to be desired. Can save your calories until the caffebar decides to change supplier. My Latte ($4/$4.50), made with coffee beans from local roaster Highlander, was nicely balanced and decent.

Black & White Caffebar's mission is to bring us delicious meals, made simply and wholeheartedly. Overall, I think they have managed it well. Don't missed the fantastic paninis if you are in the area.

Black & White Caffebar
Address: 7500A Beach Road, #B1-305 The Plaza, Singapore 199591
Contact: +65 62941163
Website: http://www.bwcaffebar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackWhiteCaffebar?ref=br_tf
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm / Sat 9am-3pm / Sun & PH Closed

For a discerning foodie to want to visit the same place again, the food served there must be super delicious! So I trusted Nat when he suggested going to Sik Bao Sin Eating House (吃饱先) for our usual makan outing. He had a yummy dining experience there previously, and in his words: "It's very nice, one of the best things I ate this year, worth traveling for." Wow when you hear praises like that, you will brave the colorful streets of Geylang for it. Geylang may be the red light district of Singapore where lonely men abounds, but many locals will tell you that's also where glorious food super abounds!

Sik Bao Sin essentially serves zhi char cuisine but in a more comfortable setting than the usual coffeeshops (yay to air-conditioning!). The menu is very concise, with just 13 items to be exact. Expect regular favorites such as Sweet & Sour Pork, Bittergourd Pork Ribs and Kangkong Belacan, as well as Watercress Soup.

Patrons from every table were seen tucking in to almost the same few dishes, which are mostly Sik Bao Sin's signatures. If you have been here too and find the tastes of these dishes somewhat similar, wonder no more as the kitchen is helmed by Desmond Chia, who came from his father's Sik Wai Sin (食为先), a eating house long-famed for their limited yet delicious Cantonese zhi char dishes.

Desmond brings with him 13 years of experience accumulated by predominately presiding over the fiery wok at Sik Wai Sin. One would not expect anything less from him than his mastery skill of stir-frying that elusive wok hei flavour into our plate of Kailan Beef ($25) over extreme high heat. A very simple dish which stood out for its smokey aroma and lovely tenderness of leafy greens. Personally, I would prefer the beef to have a softer bite but am more appreciative of the fact that the meat is not massacred by the usual Chinese-style preparation method of over-tenderizing it. The kailan beef was my favourite dish of the evening. A definite must-order!

Another appetite whetting dish which called for a bowl of white rice is the Tofu Prawns ($19). Though the beancurd was pleasingly smooth, prawns were plump and crunchy, it somehow did not wowed me as much as the kailan beef, but nevertheless, it's still a highly enjoyable dish because of its lip-smacking gravy.

Steam Pork with Salted Fish ($14) is a dish which does not score much on the aesthetic scale, but a whiff of its wonderful aroma will seduce you in hankering for it! Even though the dish was placed furthest away from me, I could smelled the salted fish's piquant scent distinctly from where I'm seated. From the firm yet bouncy texture of the pork patty, we deduced that it should be hand-chopped. Very delightful dish which reminds one of home.

We thought the Steam Fish Head ($25) could be fresher but the douse of savory fermented soybean paste sauce with lard croutons masked its less than perfect quality. Nat said the carp head was better during his previous visit, so I guessed the inconsistency could be due to an supply issue.

The Black Chicken Soup ($25) was an indisputable winner for its flavorsome taste. Don't bother about eating the chicken meat because the cooking process has already rendered it tasteless. All its wonderful essence are already extracted into the soup that was gently double-boiled with Chinese herbs, yielding a clear non-greasy broth which feels much lighter compared to boiled versions which gives a cloudy finish. I like the soup, but also thought at the same time it's a dish I can replicate in my own kitchen without much difficulty.

Overall, the dishes we've tried at Sik Bao Sin tend to lean towards the saltish side which is certainly a good thing for those who prefer a heavier handling for their food. To heighten the enjoyment, rice will be the best accompaniment.

Prices are not stated on the menu, but is nett with no service charge or GST. Though we paid a little more compared to what we would have fork out at the usual zhi char places, the dishes were well-executed and definitely worth both the pennies and calories.

Sik Bao Sin (吃饱先) is literally translated as "eat full first" in Mandarin, and can loosely mean "fill up the tummy with food first before facing whatever comes next". I like this philosophy behind the name of the eatery..... because I'm one of those who can't think on an empty stomach lol! What about you?

Sik Bao Sin Eating House 吃饱先 (Desmond's Creation)
Address: 592 Geylang Road (between Lor 34 & 36), Singapore 389531
Contact: +65 6744 3757
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sik-Bao-Sin-Eating-House/653473831353641
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun Lunch 11.45am-2.30pm, Dinner 5.45pm-9.30pm / Closed on Mon

Aloha! What was known before as Burger Shack is now revamped as Little Hiro, serving up an East meets West cuisine of Hawaiian-Japanese BBQ & Grill selections featuring exotic flavors such as their signature Sanzoku Black Pepper sauce and fiery Habanero Volcano sauce.

A trip to Hawaii inspired the owner to make this change while keeping the prices remaining affordable, probably to retain the largely student clientele which Burger Shack used to attract. Its location at King's Arcade along Bukit Timah Road is favorably within proximity of a few educational institutes. With the fairly new Botanic Gardens mrt station situated just 5 minutes walk away, the casual eatery has become more accessible than ever. What drew me to make this trip to Little Hiro is their unique offering of Shio Ramen Burger!

The original ramen burger created quite a buzz when it debuted in a New York food fair last year, attracting long queues of eager people clamouring for a taste of this refreshing twist on the American burger, with the use of Japanese cooked noodles replacing the classic bun. Well, what can I say of this blending of two food culture... novelty sells?

I thought it's quite apt that Little Hiro offers up their own rendition - Shio Ramen Burger, having adopted a Hawaiian-Japanese food concept. The two flavors currently available are Sanzoku Black Pepper Beef ($8.90) and Chicken Karaage ($8.90).

The ramen used is specially sourced from Japan and air-flown into Singapore. Sounds promising in terms of quality, but did not impress us much with its flat taste. It would perhaps be better if the salt-seasoned noodles can have more complexity in flavor to better complement the crispy battered chicken chunk. But all is not lost, as the pairing with creamy egg mayonnaise gave it a redeeming bite. I much preferred the chicken over the beef, as the latter's patty was a tad tough.

Looking at the portions of Teppanyaki Rice Plates which we also ordered, it's considered value-for-money as each serving of main with Garlic-Butter Japanese Rice are rather substantial. The cut for Flame-seared Teriyaki Salmon ($10.90) was especially generous, but the overdone meat lacked the moisture and buttery taste of a perfectly cooked salmon. It seemed that Sanzoku Double Hamburg Steak ($8.20) used the same beef patty and sauce as the ramen beef burger, again did not win our favor.

To have the add-ons of Island Spice Drumlets and Tempura Shrimps Duo at only $2 each was too tempting to refuse and they did make decent sides to munch on. The basket of Chicken Wings ($3.50-2pcs / $6.50-4pcs) was surprisingly enjoyable. Though it can do with a little more marination, the wings were sufficiently plump and deep-fried to an golden crispy outer without much greasiness.

As I had left the food ordering to my dining companions, I only realized halfway through our meal that we did not try any of Little Hiro's popular burgers. By then, I did not have much confidence of how the burgers will turn out and decided to give it a miss. Anyway, my objective of being here to have a taste of the ramen burger was already achieved.

Though the food we tried at Little Hiro fell short of expectations, it's easy to understand the appeal of the place - Bright, colorful setting with a cutesy vibrant vibe and value for money menu offerings. Overall it's still a nice hangout joint for the young and young-at-hearts :)

Little Hiro Hawaiian-Japanese BBQ & Grill
Address: King's Arcade, #01-01, 559 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269695
Contact: +65 64663477
Website: http://hirobbq.com/
Opening Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9.30pm / Fri & Sat 11am-10pm (last order 30 minutes before closing)

Japanese dining for me used to mean ordering a few of my favorite dishes, comforting and always safe. It was only recently that I started to go the 'omasake' route, leaving the selection of food items to the chef, trusting him to be innovative and surprising me with his best creations. With this mindset, I set out to Shinzo Japanese Cuisine, a restaurant located along Carpenter Street near Clarke Quay, drooling in anticipation of what deliciousness Chef Lawrence Chia has in store for me.

Chef Lawrence started training at the tender age of 19 under the famous Chef Yoshio Nogawa at the renowned Sushi Kaiseki Nogawa, before moving on to helm the sushi counters of Hinoki, Tatsuya and Tatsu. After spending more than 23 years honing his skills as a sushi artisan and being much acclaimed for his fine sashimi-cutting techniques, premium sushi as well as classical and contemporary Japanese cuisine, he finally opened a place of his own - Shinzo - in September 2013. I'm sure his loyal supporters he has garnered over the years are all very happy at this venture.

By the way, Chef Lawrence's elder brother is none other than celebrity Chef Ronnie Chia of the well-known Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant at Goodwood Park Hotel. Talent sure runs in the family!

'Shinzo' means 'heart' in the Japanese language and it is with love and passion that Chef Lawrence puts his heart into this cozy eatery. The best seats are undeniably at the counter, where we can have a close look at Chef Lawrence and his team preparing our omakase meal using only the season's best ingredients sourced directly from Japan.

A variety of bento takeaways and lunch sets are available from $25++ and $38++ onwards, and omakase course dinner starts at $138++. The omakase set which we've enjoyed is priced at $168++, and included appetizers, starter, sashimi, seasonal item, steamed item, sushi, soup and dessert.

Chef Lawrence whetted our appetite with some sweet Chilled Tomato from the Ehime region in Japan, before presenting to us the duo appetizers of crispy Deep-fried Ebi with wasabi mayonnaise dressing and Uni Tofu in a lovely lacquered birdcage-like holder. The sea urchin lends a subtle sweetness to the silky smooth beancurd, making it a very beautiful combination!

Toro Tataki, slices of lightly seared tuna belly topped topped with sweet miso sauce and finely diced onions soon followed for my dining companions. As I'm more comfortable with my food cooked, my starter was replaced with a highly delectable Bamboo Clams topped with a layer of luscious spicy cod roe mayonnaise.

Nothing but freshness is to be expected of the Chef's Seasonal Selection of Herring Fish Roe, Hamachi and Baby Abalone. I personally loved the little cube of Herring Fish Roe who went 'popping' inside my mouth with each chew and was immensely fascinated with the Stewed Squid, which we had the fortune to taste it in season when it comes with soft, creamy roe within. Perfectly cooked to a tender and bouncy texture and complemented with a savory homemade sauce, the squid was one of my favorites for the evening.

Equally gratifying was the Kabura Turnip, steamed to melt-in-mouth softness and bursting with umami joy in the clear yet flavorful broth. Slices of pan-fried duck meat and foie gras gave the simple root vegetable dish a luxurious touch, heightening the pleasure of this ambrosial delight.

As the evening progressed, the dishes got better and better. The Assorted Nigiri Sushi featured generous cut of Hamachi, Sea Eel, Flounder Fin, Scallop and Uni (Sea Urchin) over vinegared sushi rice. All were good but the rich and creamy sweetness of the sea urchin directly imported from Hokkaido was the most memorable.

Chef Lawrence lastly surprised us with Tuna Consommé served in a shot glass, quite a refreshing change from the expected usual miso or clam soup. The concoction of tuna, leek, carrots and seasonal vegetables was simmered for long hours to extract its maximum flavor and purified till a clear broth is achieved. Each sip was a warm glide down the throat, putting me in total bliss.

Our sumptuous omakase experience ending with a trio of Yuzu Sorbet, Green Tea and Black Sesame Ice Cream.

Shinzo Japanese Cuisine is currently offering a Early Bird Omakase dining experience where diners can enjoy an omakase set dinner from 6pm to 7.30pm at a special price of only $68++.

For an all out premium sushi indulgence, Chef Lawrence has created a 20-course The Obama Special ($185++), inspired by US president Obama's recent visit to the legendary Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo. There's also the affordable Saturday Special where any order of 4 lunch set goes for the price of 3.

Given the high quality of food at Shinzo, these are promotions which you definitely wouldn't want to miss.

Shinzo Japanese Cuisine
Address: 17 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059906
Contact: +65 64382921
Website: http://www.shinzo.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinzojc
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat Lunch 12pm-3pm. Dinner 6.30pm-10.30pm / Closed on Sun

Prices are subject to prevailing service charge and GST.

Sharing the same shophouse unit as Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar along Upper Thomson Road is One Man Coffee, a lovely café which I've visited just recently. As Crust only opens from 5pm onwards, I thought it's a brilliant win-win idea which maximizes the use of premises and facilities, with both business benefiting from an ease in rental costs as well. But I almost thought my friend took me to the wrong place when I missed spotting the cafe's logo on the glass panel near the entrance lol! Crust's signage is much more prominent so keep a lookout for it if you're planning to visit One Man Coffee, which I think you should because this place is really such a gem!

Many would most probably label it as just another hipster café which are now popping up everywhere and every other day, but there is this unpretentious laidback allure about One Man Coffee that makes me want to return and spend a relaxing weekday afternoon there again. They do not stand out particularly in terms of decoration, but a simple sprucing up with some fresh blooms (thank goodness it's not those artificial ones) does add a little bit of charm to the well-spaced interior.

Perhaps the most eye-catching furniture piece would be the vintage-looking cabinet where a selection of pastries such as Almond Croissant ($4.50) and Salted Caramel Danish ($4.50) sourced from Bakery Artisan Original - B.A.O., as well as Vanilla Passion Fruit Cake ($7.50) supplied by Butter Studio are displayed.

We did not go for any of those bakes, but instead ordered a Gashouse Egg ($10) from the all day brunch menu at my friend's recommendation. Quite a fanciful name, but it's essentially a slice of bread hallow out in the middle to accommodate an egg, before cheese is layered on top to be baked till melted, and served with a side of bacon jam. My friend enjoyed this 'egg-in-the-bread' creation during his previous visit but mine was a tad underdone this time round. A telltale sign would be the translucent almost uncooked egg white, and overly runny yolk which spilled over to the table and made quite a mess.

Feeling somewhat disappointed and craving for a more satisfactory bite, I decided to go for the Brioche French Toast ($10) after seeing its photogenic shots on Instagram. So so so glad I did, for the French toast tasted even better than it looked!!! The thickly sliced brioche had my heart at first bite, enveloping me with its rich buttery eggy aroma. Its texture was moist and pillowy soft with a slightly crisp outer, complemented greatly by the crunch of candid walnuts, homemade berry compote and fresh cream. The whole combination was uber delicious! An absolute must-order!

Of course I did not leave without having a cup of Caffe Latte ($4.50) which was sufficiently bold in flavor without much acidity, while the other glass you see here is my friend's Macchiato ($3.50). Blends were from Strangers Reunion, and coffee specially brewed with beans from Melbourne's Axil Coffee Roasters are also offered periodically.

With a specialty coffee concept that focus on the art of espresso both as a brewing method and a drink, One Man Coffee see themselves as a small link in its long and rich tradition, having one barista crafting one coffee beverage for one person.

Good coffee and excellent french toast. I can't wait to be back again!

One Man Coffee
Address: 215R Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349
Contact: +65 6456 1555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onemancoffee
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm

Prices are nett with no service charge and GST.

Azur at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport ~ The Tremendous Angus Beef Buffet! Available from 29 March to 6 April, 2014!

La Cantine ~ Hearty French Cuisine By 3-Michelin Star Chef Bruno Ménard

Warung Wahaha ~ Is This The Best Pork Ribs in Bali?

Choo Choo Chicken 츄츄 @ Bali Lane ~ Said To Be The Best Korean Fried Chicken In Town!

A Buffet Spread of Straits Cuisine At Orchard Café, Orchard Hotel Singapore

Baking with Chef Audra Morrice at ToTT ~ Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Port Jelly! (Recipe Included)

Social Square @ Parkway Parade ~ All Day Breakfast, Restaurant & Winepost By MOF

My Awesome Café 真棒堂 @ Telok Ayer Street

Red House Seafood Restaurant 小红楼 @ Prinsep Place ~ Their 38th Anniversary Menu Showcases The Very Fresh & Best!

Kimchi Korean Restaurant @ Suntec City Mall ~ Simply Delicious!

Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee 建记辣椒板面 @ Macpherson ~ Famous KL Noodles Comes To Singapore. Is It Really That Delicious?

Ottoman Kebab & Grill @ Bedok Mall ~ The Yummy Turkish Cuisine Is A Must-Try!

Ujong at Raffles Hotel ~ Singapore Dishes With A Modern Twist

Suju Japanese Restaurant 酢重シンガポール @ Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road ~ Highly Recommended For Fantastic Lunch Sets!

The Song Of India @ Scotts Road ~ Lunch Buffet Is Worth Going

Black & White Caffebar @ The Plaza, Beach Road ~ Fantastic Paninis!

Sik Bao Sin Eating House 吃饱先 (Desmond's Creation) @ Geylang ~ Delicious Zhi Char That Is Worth Every Penny & Calorie!

Little Hiro Hawaiian-Japanese BBQ & Grill @ Bukit Timah ~ Ramen Burger, Anyone?

Shinzo Japanese Cuisine @ Carpenter Street

One Man Coffee ~ A Lovely Café Along Upper Thomson Road. Must Order Their Brioche French Toast!