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)

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)

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.