Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant

Today I discovered a different side to the quiet and laidback area of Jalan Jurong Kechil. Lorong Kilat runs a lane before Chun Tin Road (where the homely Sup Sip & Vis-a-Vis resides) and is slowly welcoming new F&B establishments like Don Quijote which I visited for lunch today. Don Quijote has been around since January 2009 and will soon have a new neighbour – U.d.d.e.r.s opening on 19 June 2009. The Spanish restaurant is tucked away behind Shell station and faces Poh Tai Kok Temple on Lorong Kilat. Enticed by rave reviews about their paella and sangrias, K and I made a trip to satisfy our long-overdue paella craving. And I must say, we were not disappointed. Don Quijote has branches in Singapore and Macao, and their menu boasts more than 25 tapas and traditional Spanish fare like Paella Valencia, and the rare Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham).

While deliberating our already evident choice for lunch, we ordered red and white Sangrias ($12/gls) [****] to accompany our welcome bread which we promptly dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

After placing our order for Don Quijote’s Special Paella [****.] for 2-4 pax ($54), we were told that preparation and cooking will take 20-25 minutes…which is totally understandable because they use really fresh ingredients and paella is always made to order. For a moment I considered ordering some tapas to start us off, but recalled the waitress telling us their medium portion was pretty big. In any case, our waitresses for the day were very attentive and furnished us with another basket of bread the moment we were done. What they said was a 20-25 minute wait was really a lot shorter.

And to my delight, the rice was yellow. Not orange or red, but yellow. Which can only mean that they definitely used saffron. Hence the price tag. If it were tomato-based, the rice grains will be orangey-red which is typical of some of the many variations of this popular staple in the Spanish diet. Earlier on, we could choose to have our rice done al dente or soft, and we picked al dente. However, it turned out rather soft though it was still very good.

I loved the rice which was thoroughly infused with savoury flavours, light spices, and rich broth. Every grain oozed seafood goodness. The assortment of seafood comprised clams, mussels, king prawns, and squid rings. Beneath this pile of seafood you see here, the rice was mixed with small chunks of chicken and yet more prawns. A real hearty seafood meal. The best part for me was the bottom of the pan where the rice grains were slightly charred (not burnt) and the small prawns that absorbed the myriad of flavours. Every mouthful had the succulent taste of fresh seafood.

So despite the price, we were getting great quality paella in generous portions. By the end of the meal I was too stuffed for dessert or more tapas, and I believe I speak for K as well. Don Quijote has 3-course lunch sets and other promotions, so do check out their website for more details. Well, one thing’s for sure – I’ll definitely come back for more.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8/10
Price – $$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 8/10
Accessibility – 6/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Address:
17 Lorong Kilat, #01-09 Singapore 598139

Tel: +65 6465 1811

Website: http://www.don-quijote-restaurants.com

Opening hours:
Open from Tuesdays to Sundays
Lunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm
Dinner: 6.00pm to 10.30pm
Sunday Brunch: 11.30am to 3.00pm

Dress code: Casual or Smart Casual

Nearest MRT: Clementi

Buses: 985, 157, 61…

Halia Restaurant

Last night, I went to Halia Restaurant in the scenic Botanic Gardens for my birthday dinner with the boyfriend. Halia (which means ginger in malay) is a 7-year old restaurant located within the Ginger Garden. Nestled in the heart of lush foliage, Halia’s alfresco area was an idyllic spot for a romantic dinner. With fans overhead and ample greenery, heat and humidity were successfully kept at bay. From the moment we were greeted till the moment we left, we received wonderful service from Halia’s staff – they were friendly and attentive to our needs throughout dinner.

We were recommended Halia’s signature Crisp Black Pepper Soft Shell Crab ($18) [****.], and I was eager to try it after hearing so much about it. This dish was paired with wasabi mayonnaise (decorated here on the plate), and their staff are prompt in offering you more wasabi mayo. In fact, the waitress who attended to us was insistent on it, and for good reason too – it tasted lip-smackingly good. The wasabi taste wasn’t overpowering, and the mayo balanced out the slight spicyness of the black pepper.

Our main courses were up next and my boyfriend had the 200-day grain fed Ribeye Steak ($45) [****.] which was served with french beans, potato and brown mushrooms on the side as pictured here (the cut’s a tad bigger than it looks here). He paired with Halia’s house Cabernet Sauvignon. I pinched a morsel of steak from him and it was juicy. The texture of the meat was consistent in its tenderness, with slightly above-average marbling (in my opinion).

As pictured above, we’ve got the Seafood Bouillabaisse ($42) [****.] which I ordered to go with the Sauvignon Blanc I was having. Halia’s version consists of 3 of each of the following – fresh scallops, mussels, prawns, sea perch fillet and squid infused with Asian spices such as lemongrass and chinese parsley among others.

Bouillabaisse
[BOOL-yuh-BAYZ, BOOL-yuh-BEHZ]
is defined as a celebrated seafood stew from Provence, made with an assortment of fish and shellfish, onions, tomatoes, white wine, olive oil, garlic, saffron and herbs. The stew is ladled over thick slices of French bread.

© Copyright Barron’s Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER’S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.

Dessert was a pleasant surprise because we ended up with not 1, but 2. The Chocolate Torte with kirsch strawberries ($15) [***.] came first. Halia’s menu states that this dessert will take 15 mins’ preparation so do order this some time in advance. Commonly paired with chocolate torte – vanilla ice-cream – together with the kirsch strawberries were a pleasant combination. The torte was crisp on the edges around the bottom, and the warm chocolate oozed out easily.

Our final dessert was Halia’s signature Teh Tarik Halia [****.] – caramel tea crème brulee with ginger sorbet, a dessert specially created in tribute to the Ginger Garden. My favourite of the 2 desserts. I’m not a fan of ginger, but I really liked the lightness of the sorbet, and the crème brulee was really unique because it was infused with tea.

Halia is a fantastic choice for the upcoming anniversary, or a big date…it was a memorable experience for me. I’m certain it’ll be one for you too.

/ prices stated above not inclusive of ++

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $$$ to $$$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 7/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: +65 6476 6711

Address:
1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden
(enter via Tyersall Avenue)
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore 259569

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
(except public holidays):
11am to 11pm
Saturday, Sunday &
public holidays:
9am to 11pm

Website: http://www.halia.com.sg

Dress code: Smart Casual

Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (soon-to-be Botanic Gardens MRT – Circle Line)

Buses: SBS Transit 7, 105, 123, 174, 502 | SMRT 75, 77, 106

Serenity Restaurant & Bistro

Today was a lazy Saturday afternoon spent with S at VivoCity. And just around mid-day, we got hungry. Our search for food ensued. We stopped at Corduroy Candy (now-defunct) to grab some chocolate-coated apricots and raisins, and ended up at Serenity Restaurant & Bistro for their Crazy Hour special.

Serenity serves Mediterranean fusion cuisine (but now specialises in Spanish cuisine as of Feb 2009), and I’ve been yearning to pay them a visit. Their laidback interiors in cool tones are a good match with Vivo city’s waterfront image.

From 3-6 pm daily, Serenity offers 50% off all tapas and cocktails.

Our eyes lit up when we saw 2 things on their tapas menu – Soy Tomato Bruschetta and Gambas Picantes. These 2 sealed the deal for us.

One of the things I like about this place was their attractive menu. It came leather-bound, with brightly-coloured pages. Presentation is key, and Serenity does get that message across. I must say their tapas (a variety of appetisers) selection was an interesting one. But we had our tummies set on Gambas Picantes ($10) [****] and Soy Tomato Bruschetta ($8) [*****].

Gambas Picantes is pictured here on the left. It is actually wok-charred tiger prawns in a spicy sweet sauce, topped with white sesame seeds on a bed of greens. The prawns were fresh and sustained a lingering charred taste after being served. The spicy sweet sauce it was dressed with wasn’t cloying, so it matched the prawns well.

On the other hand, the Soy Tomato Bruschetta was listed as a recommendation, so we were curious to taste how good it was. Of the 2, I’ve got to say I liked this one better. It was a tough call, but this simple tapas won my heart. Generous toppings of diced tomatoes marinated with soy, coriander, and ginger adorned each piece of toasted baguette. Tomato and soy make a great combination because soy adds a mildly salty tinge to the otherwise zesty flavour of tomatoes. As for the ginger and coriander, they balance out the overall flavour with their slightly bittersweet notes.

Both tapas are healthy and delicious must-tries for a start to any meal, or great as snacks between cocktails. Looks like I’ll be back for more delish tapas at Serenity during their crazy hour…and dinner should be on the cards before year-end. For those who are looking for something a little different for a date or special occasion, Mediterranean fusion cuisine would be an interesting way to go…so give Serenity a shot and let me know how it turns out.

/ Prices stated above are before 50% off and subject to GST & service charge.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 8/10
Accessibility – 8/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: +65 6376 8185

Website: http://www.serenity.com.sg

Address:
1 HarbourFront Walk, VivoCity, #01-98/99

Opening hours:
Sun to Thu (11am – 11pm)  Fri & Sat (11am -12am)

Dress code: Casual or Smart Casual

Nearest MRT: HarbourFront (NEL)

Choupinette

Fall in love with the chic Parisian garden cafe, Choupinette, on the corner of Coronation Walk next to Coronation Plaza. Owner Agnes Verrier hails from Provence, France, and she is the woman behind the warm decor you see on your left. She also ensures that your Eggs Benedict’s taste the same over time, for she believes in maintaining high standards for everything Choupinette serves. Their pastries and desserts are all freshly-baked daily, and served on eclectic plates that you’ll want to take home. For those who have heard of Choupinette, they’re known for their flavoured macaroons [****] (a small cookie classically made of almond paste or ground almonds mixed with sugar and egg whites), sold individually at $1.80 per piece. Do try their raspberry macaroon which has a crisp outer shell and a chewy raspberry centre that’ll leaving you wanting more. Some other flavours include passionfruit, strawberry, chocolate, and peach. You’ve been warned: these little poppers are pretty addictive.

Another dessert that I liked was their Tarte aux Fraises [****.] also known as Strawberry Tart ($6.50), which had sweet strawberries paired with a crumbly crust and almond flakes. Between this and Canele’s Strawberry Tart, it was a tough fight…but they’ve both secured a place in my tummy and heart. I’d also recommend Elle & Lui ($6.90) [****], another raspberry treat that’s light and tangy without being sour. For creme brulee fans, you must try Double Plaisir ($6.90) [***.] - a combination of rich dark chocolate topped with a layer of creme brulee. If you’re into cheesecakes, go ahead and take a bite of their White Chocolate Cheescake ($6.90) [****.] which is gloriously light on the cheese, and substitutes the typical cheesecake crumb base with crumbs on the side of the cake instead.

Last but not least, giant Eclairs! [****] They’ve got them in coffee, chocolate, and vanilla….really really great ones too. Although they’re a tad expensive at $5 each, I’d say it’s worth every bite…they’re not mini eclairs after all. For more pictures on Choupinette’s desserts, check out Charlinary.com’s Facebook group page.

/ definition of “macaroon” – © Copyright Barron’s Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER’S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.

/ No GST

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 8/10
Accessibility – 7/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel/Fax: +65 6466 0613

Address:
607 Bukit Timah Road, #01-01, Singapore 269708

Opening hours:
Tue – Fri: 9am – 8pm
Saturday: 8am – 8pm
Sunday: 8am – 6pm
/ Closed Mondays

Dress code: Casual
Buses: 66, 151, 154, 67, 77, 74…

Crêperie des Arts

Crêperie des Arts was started in November 2007 by French Chef Johan Aubertin, who hails from Brittany, on the west coast of France. Coincidentally, Brittany is the very place where the world smelled the very first wafts of lovely French crêpes. The sounds of French music pulsates throughout this quaint little restaurant the moment you step inside. Their waitresses are very friendly and attentive, so do ask them for their recommendations.
You will find sweet and savoury galettes (the name given in most French crêperies to savoury buckwheat crêpes), as well as simply delightful desserts on their menu. My boyfriend and I started our dinner with a cup of traditional French apple cider (Valderance Cider – Doux, 2% alc.) in hand. However, the very first sip prompted us to order a bottle instead. The cider is also available in Brut (5% alc.), priced at $7/cup, and $24/bottle (75 cl). If you are looking for a salad that is different, go ahead and try Seguin ($13.90), a mesclun salad of toasted goat cheese with herbs, sauteed bacon, and vinaigrette for an appetizer.

When it come to entrees, there is no shortage of variety with galettes and crêpes that encompasses meat, seafood, and vegetable fillings. I ordered their Saint Caradec ($17.90) [****.], a galette filled with scallops flambéed with lambic (a type of beer brewed only in the Pajottenland region of Belgium), and topped with a creamy leek fondue. The unique combination of flavours was nicely contrasted against its buckwheat base, and went perfectly well with the apple cider.

Meat lovers should tuck into Pont-Scorff ($16.90) [****.], a galette paired with delicious ground beef, onions, freshly-made tomato sauce, and mushrooms. One thing to bear in mind while dining at Crêperie des Arts is that you should always leave room for dessert. You will not regret it.

Even the simplest crêpe on the menu, a humble Salted Caramel Butter crêpe ($8.90) [*****], can elicit a pleasurable response. All dessert crêpes are made from wheat flour, whilst the galettes are made from buckwheat flour (no gluten). Therefore, you need not worry too much about excessive calories just yet. Bring your girlfriends here for an evening tête-à-tête and savour famous French dessert offerings like Crêpes Suzette, or simply unwind after a long day’s work with your loved ones.

/prices stated not incl. 7% GST & 10% Svc Charge.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 9/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 8/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] - rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: 6333 5330 (call for lunch reservations)

Address:
44 Prinsep Street
Singapore 188673

Opening hours:
weekdays: 5-11pm
weekends: 4.30-11.30pm
/Closed Mondays

Dress code: casual
Buses: 857, 65, 147, 131…
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

Les Bouchons

Les Bouchons is a quaint French restaurant tucked away in a lil nook at the edge of Robertson Quay. It is located within metres of the Singapore Tyler Print Institute, overlooking the river. This restaurant took over the premises from now-defunct Rivercafe, a restaurant that served authentic Australian cuisine. As you can see, the cosy decor has a Parisian street vibe going on, a departure from the norms of uber-chic French dining. A huge chandelier of sorts hangs overhead, with fake candles that create an illusory vision of warmth in the restaurant. In line with their humble decor, Les Bouchons serves up humble French fare as well, together with the staples of French cuisine like foie gras. I had my birthday dinner here with my boyfriend, who wisely picked a great place without my prompting. Kudos to him.

First up, we ordered their infamous Plats ($28) for main courses. This one on your right is the Ribeye with Vigneron Butter [****.], served with a mountain of irresistable fries, one of the best I’ve ever tasted (Good news is: It’s free-flow fries if you order a plat!) Each morsel of steak oozed delectable appeal, leaving you hungry for more with each bite. It was juicy, well-marinated in wine and their house recipe, tenderised, and grilled to perfection. 2 thumbs & 2 pinkies up for this steak, cos you should be calling to make a dinner reservation here the next chance you get!

Another steak to consider would be the Sirloin steak [****.], another plat that is served in a similar manner, with the stamp of a skilled griller on its side. You might want to note that Les Bouchons’ House Red goes wonderfully well with all the steaks. Food for thought: beef sirloin is cut from the lower portion of the ribs, and is divided into several types of steak. The top sirloin is the most prized of these. The bottom sirloin is less tender, much larger, and is what you would typically find in supermarkets when you do your grocery shopping. On the other hand, the ribeye is a beef steak from the beef rib. When cut into steaks, the ribeye is one of the most popular, juiciest, and expensive steaks on the market. Meat from the rib section is tender and fattier (the meat is said to be “marbled”) than other cuts of beef. This extra fat makes ribeye steaks and roasts especially tender and flavorful.

So calling all meat-lovers & carnivores! These steaks make great dinner.

++All definitions were taken from http://en.wikipedia.org

//Prices not inclusive of +++

Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $$$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 8/10
Accessibility – 7/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] - rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: 6733 4414

Address:
Singapore Tyler Print Institute #01-01
41 Robertson Quay (S)238236

Opening hours:
Lunch: 12pm – 2pm
Dinner: 7pm – 10pm

Dress code: smart casual
Buses: 143, 64, 123…
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NEL)

Sup Sip / Vis-a-Vis

For the benefit of those who might not know this: Sup Sip Thai Cuisine is part of Vis-a-Vis Fine French Dining. Both menus are offered to patrons on the restaurant’s premises. One might find the location of this cosy lil nook rather obscure. The restaurant is a 2-storey shophouse unit sandwiched between small pubs. However do not be quick to judge, as Vis-a-Vis has been around for 15 years. In their present location, they’ve successfully built up a pool of regular patrons with their excellent cuisine and wonderful service over the years.

I brought the boyfriend here to celebrate an early birthday for him. We had the intention of having french for dinner, but was gently persuaded otherwise by our waiter for the night. His name was Francis and he gave us excellent service from the moment we stepped in, till we left. First of all he recommended a entirely fresh fruit blend of pink grapefruit, banana & zesty orange – priced at $6.50/gls It was a huge glass of juice though, so don’t underestimate it. That drink was not only very refreshing, it was also the reason why our tummies didn’t make it to dessert.

We ordered a 4-pc Thai crispy prawn tofu appetizer ($8) [****], to start off our meal. It was served with a tangy-sweet Thai sauce that complemented the tofu very well. The dish may look rather ordinary here, but the beancurd skin was light & crispy. And most importantly, not oily. This 1 has my thumbs up.

Fans of my favourite meat rejoice! Sup Sip’s Beef Jaek [****] or beef steak was a pleasant surprise. I was half-expecting the meat to be slightly dry, because beef if overcooked with spices can end up with that result. In comparison to the beef dishes I’ve tried in Bangkok, this was a zesty combination of a number of spices. Each slice of beef was thinly-sliced and soaked in gravy. The gravy was slightly peppery and tasted a lil of lime. It all went very well with white rice.

This Red Snapper ($24) [*****] was so highly-recommended by Francis, that we could not resist ordering it. I must say that we were not disappointed. This fish was served crispy, immersed in a gravy that doubles up as a soup! No kidding. In fact, Francis told us that many patrons often order this dish to eliminate the need to order a soup to go with their meal. Rest assured that your fish & “soup” will remain hot & spicy all night long – it’s kept warm by a flame below. Well not exactly a flame, because the heat emitted from it makes the centre of the dish boil slightly. Caution: Slurp-worthy Thai Tom-Yam/Zesty-Lime gravy is mildly spicy but served piping hot! I know, you must be thinking: Tom Yam? Now put that thought aside, because I used those words for a lack of a better substitute. It tasted nothing like tom yam! The taste was uniquely different from the typical thai food we’re used to.

I’ll end this entry with a few tips:

1. Visit Vis-a-Vis if you want to impress a date, cos you can order from their French AND Thai menus.

2. Book this place if you’re planning a private function for close friends & family. They’ve got an upper floor to accomodate approx. 80 pax & a cosy, intimate dining experience to offer along with AWESOME service!

3. Grab a business lunch with a client at this place with their set lunch specials that change daily. Call them to find out more!

/all prices stated not incl. of +++
restaurant images are by Robert Steiner, taken from Streetdirectory.com

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 9/10
Price – $$$
Service – 10/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 7/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: 6468 7433

Address:
12 Chun Tin Road Singapore 599599
(Opposite Beauty World)

Email: vins@pacific.net.sg
Website: Vis-a-Vis

Opening hours:
9am to 10.30pm daily

Dress code: smart casual
Buses: 985, 985W, 61, 157, 184…

My Secret Garden

Are you someone who craves for an intimate dining experience in a quiet, idyllic environment? If the answer is a resounding YES! then this place is perfect for you. Contrary to what the owners of My Secret Garden may think, their lil secret nook isn’t that much of a secret anymore now that they’ve been featured on the locally telly. However I’m certain that discerning foodies who’ve long discovered this hidden location have counted themselves as 1 of their regular clientele. To your left, we have the alfresco dining area. For the benefit of those who require a smoking area, I’m afraid there isn’t one. Their indoor seating capacity is able to accomodate approx. 60 pax, but I wouldn’t count on it if I were you. Make a reservation!

The Seafood Aglio Olio ($20) [****.] came with generous portions of succulent scallops, mussels, prawns, squid & clams. Each strand of pasta was coated with just the right amount of olive oil. Personally this is something that I look out for whenever I taste an aglio olio pasta. Some restaurants tend to drench the pasta in olive oil, treating it like a sauce. A good aglio olio should be lightly coated with it and done al dente with a hint of garlic & parsley.

If you are a fan of white meats, do give the Pan-seared Cilantro Chicken ($18) [****.] a shot. It is a refreshing change from your typical chicken chop with a tangy-sweet mango dressing, topped with bell peppers and zucchini. Select from a choice of chicken thigh or chicken breast, accompanied by mashed potatoes. I must add that the mashed potatoes make a very yummy side! Very healthy main course we have here. If you’re someone who loves their staple main course such as the Ribeye Steak ($25) [****], theirs will not disappoint. The delicious sauce that tops your steak is a house blend made with red wine & a savoury brown sauce, grilled to perfection. I would recommend that you order the house red wine ($12/gls), a malbec that’s selected specially to complement your steak.

Now let’s introduce dessert! In my opinion, the desserts on the menu outshine most of the items on the menu. The Blueberry Cheese Cake ($7) [*****] is an absolute must-try! It is by far THE BEST blueberry cheese cake I’ve tried, ever. The biscotti crust is thick, and the cheese is light and fluffy. You will not taste any whipped cream, and their homemade blueberry dressing is made with the freshest blueberries. This lovely dessert you see on your right is Berry in Love ($8) [*****] - only available during dinner. It is fresh strawberries with mascarpone cheese, mint, sugar icing mixed with a raspberry vinaigrette. ++Mascarpone is a triple-creme cheese, made from a generally low-fat (25%) content fresh cream. It’s made from the milk of cows that have been fed special grasses filled with fresh herbs and flowers. A dessert that’s simply divine, it will tease your tastebuds and make you want more…

Need I say more? Visit this joint anytime you need a place to celebrate a special occasion!

//prices stated not inclusive of +++

++definition taken from http://www.heavenlytiramisu.com

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8.5/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 7.5/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: 6334 8334

Address:
161 Middle Road Singapore 188978

Website: http://www.mysg.com.sg

Opening hours:
Sun-Thur / 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat / 11am – 1am
P.H. days / 6pm – 11pm

Dress code: smart casual
Buses: 857, 162, 171, 77, 174, 56, 16, 124…

Mint Café

Meet my personal 5-star rated café, the only one to date. MINT is more than just a café, in fact it’s a Café-Restaurant-Wine bar in the basement of a 5-storey building that houses the World’s first purpose-built museum for toys. This contemporary building was designed by well-known Singapore architectural firm SCDA Architects. MINT (Moment of Imagination & Nostalgia with Toys), opened in Singapore in May 2006. The museum showcases an extensive collection of vintage & collectors’ toys from the mid-19th century to mid-20th century. You’ll see toys like Peter Rabbit, Felix the Cat and a James Bond board game amongst many others.

What’s really unique about this place is that they offer a variety of dining options accompanied by a delectable menu. MINT caters for Corporate Events, Birthday Celebrations, Wedding Anniversaries etc. including complimentary entry to the Museum. For holidays like Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve & other special occasions, all 4 floors of the Museum will be opened for dining among the toys.

I had dinner there with my best friend B earlier because the building piqued my interest when I passed by on Tuesday. The interior of the building was FMAZING. You’ll need to descend a flight of stairs to reach what you see in the picture above. Frankly speaking, their seating capacity is limited to what you see here plus a lil bit more. But that further enhances the quaint dining experience you’ll experience. We got the opportunity to have a chat with Chef Ronson Lim and their Manager Marcus, who gave us a complimentary tour of the 3rd floor of their museum AND 30% off our total bill.

I’ve got fifteen 30% discount passes valid for multiple visits UP FOR GRABS so ask me!

They’ve also got Set Lunches ($13.80) that include a Soup-of-the-Day, Main course, Beverage & Cake-of-the-Day.
Main course options are – Chicken Lasagna, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Primavera Sandwich, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Beef Stew Spaghetti & Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Dinner consisted of the Seafood Arrabiata ($16) [****.] as shown here. I strongly resisted the urge to order my pasta favourite so that I can be unbiased as a food reviewer. Good thing I did too, because it was 1 of the best arrabiattas I’ve tried so far. The arrabiatta sauce was light & it tasted nothing like canned tomato puree, and the fresh seafood included mussels+prawns+squid+fish. I must say that the natural flavour of the prawns was not lost despite it being dressed with arrabitta sauce.

Ben ordered the Penne Al Funghi ($16) [***], which he found good because the cream sauce wasn’t overly rich. However he felt that the penne tasted a lil plain. I had a taste of it and I liked how the cream sauce slid down my throat without me feeling jelak- malay for squeamish after consumption of excessively oily/rich food. It also complemented the mushrooms well.

Then came dessert…drum roll please.

Chef Ronson Lim shared with us that although they do create their own desserts, some of their desserts are outsourced from Les Amis, 1 of Singapore’s Top French Restaurants. This is due to constraints like their kitchen size. But fret not, dessert was a gastronomical affair.

On your right is the Missisippi Mudpie ($5.80) [****]which is from Les Amis. There was nothing ‘muddy’ about it surprisingly, since it didn’t ooze chocolate from its pores. On the contrary, it had a cheesecake-like biscuit base with a layer of hardened dark chocolate, topped off with chocolate meringue (crisp & chewy chocolate rich in cocoa) and complete with vanilla whipped cream on the side.

B’s Pecan Pie ($5.80) [***] was 1 of Mint’s dessert creations. He had a hard time deciding between this and their Nutella Pie, but a pretty waitress persuaded him otherwise. For many, this Pecan Pie will taste familiar…it’s got a slight local flavour to it but you won’t be able to place it. We couldn’t place it until we asked Ronson, but I shall not tell you what it is..taste it for yourself & let me know. Although I do not have a penchant for nuts & such, I found the pie delightful.

//All prices are subjected to ++

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Food – 8.5/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 9.5/10
Ambience – 9.5/10
Accessibility – 8/10
/you might wanna call beforehand in case they’re booked for functions.

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] - rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: +65 6339 6266
Address: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382

Opening hours:
MINT Museum Opening hours / 9.30am to 6.30pm daily
MINT Café Opening hours / 9.30am to 10.30pm daily

Getting there:
Take the MRT to City Hall Station (NS25/EW13) and walk towards Raffles Hotel or Bras Basah Complex. The Museum is next to Raffles Hotel and opposite Bras Basah Complex.

Desire

This is Desire at The Scarlet Hotel. It is one third of the 3 options you have for dining & chilling at the Scarlet Hotel in Erskine Rd. The other 2 are Bold & Breeze. This restaurant bears precious memories of a wonderful birthday spent with the him this year. Not only are their service standards impeccable, the food was fawesome too.

Interestingly, their menus come in the form of black & red leather-bound books: red for the lady, black for the men. When I flipped the 1st page, I saw a toned torso of an unknown male. Anyone wanna venture any guesses on what theme the restaurant has? C’mon, it’s blatantly obvious. Too bad for the men though, their menus aint the same. Each dish on the menu is simply named, but all have a description describing them as aphrodisiacs of sorts..food that will DEFINITELY tantalise our taste buds in other words. Soon I found myself ordering their house specialities: Cream of Escargot, Tenderloin of Beef & Lamb Rack.

The Cream of Escargot ($12) [****] was rich & creamy with generous morsels of escargot. The taste of the escargot wasn’t overpowering so no worries there. Personally, I felt that it was a little to rich for my liking..but then again, I’m just being fussy.

This here is their Tenderloin of Beef ($38) [****]. Although the portion looked small at first..he realised later on that it did it’s job well filling his tummy. The beef was well-done and it’s taste was sealed off with a unique blend of a somewhat tangy-sweet-savoury light sauce.

This Lamb Rack ($38) [****.] my friends, is to-die-for. It won me over with the first bite. Now bear in mind that char doesn’t like lamb. But I gamely decided to order it because it was highly recommended by the nice Filipino waitress who attended to us. The lamb was accompanied by lentils on the side & a serving of mushrooms. It was fmazing, do try it. They’re a worthy rival of the Hyatt’s Mezzanine.

//All prices are subjected to +++

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Food – 8.5/10
Price – $$$ to $$$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 6.5/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)

Tel: +65 6511 3333

Address: 33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333

Website: http://www.thescarlethotel.com

Dress code: smart casual
Getting there: Up the hill next to Maxwell food centre.

The Turquoise Room (now defunt)

This place is a quiet sanctuary away from town. It’s perfect if you feel like being alone, or if you want a romantic setting for that special dinner you’ve got planned..What impressed me about the place was the excellent service I had that night. We had the owner’s lil girl bidding us goodbye at the door and attentive waitresses all night. Aside from that, I also loved the way they painted the walls and put together that laidback, breezy feel..the restaurant is kept cool by fans because the area is very breezy. There’s also alfresco dining available on a wooden patio outside, complete with trees in the background. I’m a tree-lover, don’t mind me.

The Turquoise Room also has a sister outlet known at The Turquoise Bistro located at 902 East Coast Parkway, Tel: 6247 7677 (now defunct). I haven’t had a chance to visit it yet, so do let me know how your visit goes if you check it out. Now let’s introduce the food…

I couldn’t resist the urge to order something familiar yet different..so I tried their Prawn & Arugula Linguine [*****] as shown here

Arugula is actually a.k.a Rocket in the US..it’s an aromatic salad green that tastes bitter on its own. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised to taste how well it complemented my pasta! yums. A combination of aglio olio pasta with almost anything goes wonderfully well I suppose. Yes yes, I’m a Purist when it comes to my pasta.

Over here we’ve got the Chicken Pesto with sundried tomatoes [****].

If you’re one who thinks that pesto pasta is always creamy, you’ll be surprised to find out otherwise. This chicken pesto pasta has juicy tender chicken with a mixture of sundried tomatoes that lent the dish a mild sweet-sour note that balanced out the overall taste. I can safely say that these 2 pastas we ordered are very different from what most Singaporeans are used to, so I’d say give it a shot.

Other than pasta, The Turqoise Room also serves up thin-crust Italian-style pizzas and specialities like their Lamb Rack ($29). Oh yes, how can I forget. They’ve got great Strawberry Smoothies ($6)…and amazingly, their Bellini was affordably priced at $10.

//All prices are subjected to ++

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Food – 8/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 6/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] – rating(s) for individual dishes

Tel: (65) 6473 3655

Address:
7 Lock Road, Gilman Village

Opening hours:
12pm-11pm / Mon-Thur
12pm-2am / Fri-Sat
10am-10pm / Sun
*Brunch: 10am-12pm

Dress code: casual
Getting there: Nearest MRT is HarbourFront transfer to bus 97 or 100.

Wiener Kaffeehaus (renamed ‘Oktober Fest’- relocated)

If you’re craving for something a lil different to eat on our lil isle, Wiener Kaffeehaus would make a wonderful start. It’s a quaint lil place tucked away at Outram that serves up great Set Lunches and even better dessert. Did I also mention that the place is owned by a charming Austrian named Anton? On my first visit to Wiener Kaffeehaus, I got lost. Only to realise just how ‘far’ I actually was from their front porch (I was just across the road). I fell in love with the place the moment I stepped in. Somehow my hunger seemed to dissipate just for that moment when Anton extended a warm welcome to his restaurant.

We were surrounded by paintings, a mirrored wall, dark wood furnishing and warm-coloured walls…they’ve got free wireless all-day to boot. What’s special about the place is not only the decór, but also the layout of this very unique shophouse unit. After waiting several months upon months for numerous building permits to be approved, Anton finally got the look he wanted: a raised level with stairs leading up to it and another short flight of stairs leading down to the restroom and kitchen. Once you’re on the raised level, there’s a back door that leads out onto a small balcony area where one can hold a small quiet dinner amongst friends.

When you look down, you’ll see the $14,000 in-house roastery that was specially imported from Austria.

Here’s what I’ve tried: their Wiener Schnitzel ($16.50) [****]-featured here, Wiener Saft Gulasch ($9.50) [***.]and Potato Dumpling ($3) [***]-it tasted nothing like potato which was interesting for lunch. Do check out their daily lunch specials ($12), they offer different things all the time.

Next up, dessert was to-die-for. I tried their Sacher Torte ($4.80) [*****]-yes you’re looking at it and Apple Strudel ($4.80) [****] Personally, I prefer my Sacher Torte served cold..because the chocolate will harden and it goes better with the layer of manuka honey in the cake. But so as to be impartial, I’ve also tried the cake served warm and I still prefer it otherwise ha. The apple strudel was a soft pastry variation, with a generous apple filling.

//all prices are nett & free wireless all-day!

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Food – 8/10
Price – $$
Service – 8/10
Ambience – 9/10
Accessibility – 6.5/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)
[* to *****] - rating(s) for individual dishes

Address: Blk 335, Smith Street, Chinatown Market & Food Centre, #02-83, Singapore 050335

Tel: 65 9150 4628

Opening hours: 10 am -10 pm

Dress code: casual

Nearest MRT: Chinatown Stn (NEL)

Buses: 143, 124, 147…

Il Gladiatore (now defunt)

Italian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular with Singaporeans who are a carbohydrate-loving bunch. With ‘favoured‘ pastas like carbonara and spaghetti bolognaise that are served at numerous restaurants island-wide. In order to stand out from the crowd, owner-chef Fabio Iannone decided to transform his modern Italian restaurant Fuenti into the present-day Il Gladiatore. The restaurant now focuses on a Roman theme with floor-to-ceiling columns reminiscent of olden-day Roman architecture. Another interesting thing about the place is their staff, who are dressed in the long flowy robes & armour of the Romans on weekends.

What you see here is the raised level dining area of the restaurant on the left, and the main dining area on the right. The former is only available to diners on weekends, upon request or for private functions. Alfresco dining is also available.
Here at Il Gladiatore, they recreate the taste of ancient Roman cuisine with the use of ingredients like artichokes, fava beans, herbs, olive oil and vinegar. With the origins of Roman cuisine dating back thousands of years, it is no surprise that these simple ingredients are used to flavour grilled meats – a staple in the Roman diet back in those days.

I visited the place on a saturday in July to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday. Before dinner I was frantically calling the restaurant to confirm my reservation and to ask if I could bring a cake. I wanted to ensure that I wasn’t in breach of some undisclosed restaurant policy that will eventually lead to my embarassment during dinner. To my delight, restaurant manager Mark Anthonisz, together with his staff were extremely helpful in decreasing my anxiety levels. They schemed together with me to transport the cake from the fridge right up to our VIP table. Kudos to them for great service!

We had their Traditional Fava Beans Soup ($10) [****], Three Mixed Meats ($38) [*****] -a combo of Argentinean beef tenderloin, charcoal-grilled lamb shoulder & home-made fennel pork sausage and Crayfish with Prawns ($32) [****] as seen here. The portion of the grilled meats was deceptively small, but it turned out to be more than sufficient for one. If you’re a carnivore at heart, I strongly recommend that you try their grilled meats which are tender, juicy and flavourful in all the right places. The Crayfish with Prawns was a little too dry for my liking, but good nonetheless.

However, you might wanna order an additional pasta to share because their seafood portions run rather small. If you’re interested, their tagliatelle with braised oxtail ($20), ravioli with spinach and cheese with artichoke sauce ($18) and cream-free spaghetti carbonara ($16) passed the taste-test of AsiaOne.

“If you’re feeling ravenous and want to eat all the way, go Roman to the Maximus, as it were, with the whole family. Il Gladiatore offers a Sunday brunch with unlimited servings of eight signature dishes, including a soup, four starters, a pasta dish, a main and dessert – all for $38. There are also two set lunch options on weekdays, at $18 and $28.” – says Geoffrey Eu on The Business Times, 6 Mar, 2006

//prices stated above are subjected to +++.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Food – 7/10
Price – $$$
Service – 9/10
Ambience – 8/10
Accessibility – 7/10

Legend:
[$]-cheap like peanuts: ($10 & below/person)
[$$]-average Jane ($15-$25/person)
[$$$]-you might wanna tke tht card out..($30-$60/person)
[$$$$]-extremely exorbitant ($70 & above/person)

Address:
207 River Valley Road,
UE Square #01-61.
S(238275)

Tel: (65) 6333-8875

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11.00am-2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm-11.00pm

Dress code: Smart casual

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NEL) or Dhoby Ghaut MRT
Buses: 123, 143, 64
Driving directions:
Opposite Liang Court at the junction of Clemenceau Ave