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…

Victor’s Kitchen

Tucked away in the heart of Sunshine Plaza on Bencoolen Street, Victor’s Kitchen has garnered a loyal following over the years. That makes it almost seem like a crime on my part for not featuring them earlier….especially since I’ve been a loyal customer myself. Fans and fans-to-be of Victor’s Kitchen can rejoice, for their dim sum is tasting better each day. During my first few visits, I mentally noted that their har gao (prawn dumpling) filling was succulent and fresh, but the skin was just average taste-wise. However, I revisited them with A today for a farewell lunch of sorts and we ordered their King Prawn Har Gao ($3.50) [***.], Prawn Chee Cheong Fun ($3.80) [****], Fried Spring Rolls ($2) [**.], Chicken Rice ($3) [***], and Steamed Radish Cake ($3) [****.]. The wait was surprisingly short despite it being lunch hour (we were there around 1.15pm). We also discovered that they acquired another unit aside from their 2 adjoining ones (due to their expanding business no doubt), located somewhere to the left of their original unit pictured above.

The prawn chee cheong fun was the first to arrive, and after recently having some from my ultimate favourite Old Airport Road Food Centre stall, my tastebuds detected an improvement in Victor’s Kitchen’s chee cheong fun. Comparatively speaking, the one from Old Airport Road was superior in taste because of its silky smooth skin that is consistently steamed to perfection. That being said, Victor’s chee cheong fun is a close second in my book because of their sizeable and tasty prawn filling. 

The har gao was next with more succulent prawns and even better skin. If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a stickler for quality skin in all my dim sum. And Victor’s aces this portion for their har gao. Another one of my favourites is their steamed radish (carrot) cake pictured below. Soft, melt-in-the-mouth with dried shrimp, lup cheong (dried chinese sausage) and topped with spring onion, this dish tastes even better when paired with their fried chilli-garlic sauce-dip. Make sure you ask for this dip!
 

The fried spring rolls were simple, nothing spectacular…while the Chicken Rice could’ve been better I felt. It was a pity that they ran out of steamed pork ribs too. Although the majority of Victor’s dim sum is mouthwatering and value-for-money, I would suggest sticking to familiar favourites and leaving room for popular items like the Custard Egg Pau for dessert. With all the good dim sum that’s on the menu, I always run out of space before I get to dessert. Won’t happen again for sure. I’ve got my mind set on trying that custard egg pau I’ve heard rave reviews about.

 / No GST and Service Charge.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8/10
Price – $ to $$
Service – 7/10
Ambience – 6/10
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 9838 2851

Address:
91 Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, #01-21. (next to Prinsep Street)

Opening hours:
10am – 8pm daily
/ Closed Mondays

Dress code: Casual
Buses: 65, 857, 131, 147…

Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

/ image of victor’s kitchen taken from the hungry cow

An Ideal Breakfast.

I woke up this morning after having a really bad dream, and all I could think about was having a good breakfast. I started thinking about breakfasts from all over the world, because my tummy’s really imaginative…it gets this way when I’m really hungry. And so I’ve come up with the ideal breakfast for different people. Introducing…French breakfasts…

Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine: Benedict consists of buttered toast, poached eggs, bacon & Hollandaise sauce. Florentine includes spinach and Mornay sauce is occasionally used to substitute Hollandaise sauce. The Eggs Benedict you see below is from Choupinette.

Prata/Murtabak/Naan: Different Indian flour pancakes served plain with curry, or with meat or fish fillings. For awesome Naan (garlic or butter), head down to Khansama Tandoori Restaurant. Yassin Restaurant 786 over at 945 Serangoon Road (a short walk down from Boon Keng MRT) has fantastic Chicken Murtabaks that come in huge portions…their prata’s great too. 24-hr place. Famous prata-serving areas in Singapore include Thomson, Casuarina, Jalan Kayu, and Little India.

Roti John/Nasi Lemak: Roti John is baguette loaf topped with egg, minced meat, onion & tomato-chilli sauce, while Nasi Lemak consists of coconut rice with ikan bilis, vegetables, and meat. Both are Malay favourites and come in different variations. I’d recommend the Roti John at Serangoon Garden Market Shukor Stall. As for Nasi Lemak, try Changi Village, Bugis, Bedok, Far East Plaza, Geylang Serai…there’s plenty. And every machik (malay for auntie/aunty) serves up a different home-cooked version so it’s tough to decide.

Bee Hoon/Congee/Dim Sum/Chee Cheong Fun/Half-boiled Eggs: Bee Hoon with popular side dishes such as luncheon meat, fried egg, otah or otak-otak (Mackerel paste wrapped in banana/pandan leaves), meat, and vegerables can be found in many hawker centres, coffeeshops, and food courts in Singapore. It’s a popular breakfast among the Chinese, and comes in numerous oily variations – a filling guilty pleasure I must add. Congee, on the other hand, is a healthy Cantonese favourite that’s commonly served with dim sum. Maxwell Food Centre, Hong Lim Hawker Centre, People’s Park Hawker Centre and the other hawker centre next to Smith Street in Chinatown has reasonable to yummylicious congee. Maxwell in particular has 2 stalls competing for customers…and I’d suggest starting your search for congee here.

For affordable and droolworthy Dim Sum, check out Red Star (Blk 54 Chin Swee Rd, #07-23, Tel: 6532 5266 / 6532 5103) or Victor’s Kitchen (91 Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, #01-21, Tel: 9838 2851). I’d say go early for Red Star…as early as possible if you can manage it. Chee Cheong Fun (heavenly steamed rice rolls with meat or seafood fillings) is easily top 5 on my favourite breakfast list. Tuck into the ones at Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun (Old Airport Road Food Centre, #01-155, 8am to 10pm daily), Shun Tuck Cheong Fun (People’s Park Cooked Food Centre, #01-1100), and Alexandra Village Hawker Centre.

Another local favourite that many a Singaporean loves in random kopitiams, hawker centres or chains like Ya Kun or Killiney Kopitiam is….Half-boiled Eggs! Simply drooled with dark soya sauce and pepper…this simple pleasure can cause your cholesterol to shoot sky-high if you don’t stop yourself from ordering seconds or thirds. But who cares? We only live once.

See? There’s more to life than a MacDonald’s breakfast. So get out there and have a good breakfast or brunch…be it savoury crepes, korean pancakes, bacon & eggs, or croissants…try something other than a Mc-anything.

Some images were taken from http://putri-berendam.blogspot.com

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…

The Chill-out Special.

Here’s introducing my best 25…simply because I couldn’t bear to leave any of these little gems out. Mouseover or click on the names of these places to access their websites. The following is listed in alphabetical order (no ranking involved):

1. 25 Degree Celsius ($$-$$$): Fall head-over-heels in love with their wide array of cookbooks while you browse & eat 
2. Blu Jaz Café ($-$$): Strike a pose with funky decor, sip a cocktail, grab a chimichanga or unwind to live music in an alfresco/indoor dining area
3. Café Domus ($-$$$) now-defunct: A hidden treasure nestled in Little India where droolworthy desserts (Tiramisutra’s fabulous tiramisu) and alcoholic concoctions await the discerning
4. Colbar ($-$$): Appreciate the rustic charm of colonial houses while you tuck into their popular Chicken Merryland or Chicken Curry
   (9A Whitchurch Rd, Tel: 6779 4859)
5. Corduroy Café ($$-$$$) now defunct: Experience the grand literary cafés of Europe as you let your tongue linger on sweet crepes and other tempting treats…
6. Essential Brew ($-$$$): Gather a group of friends and have some tea-infused drinks with an interesting selection of appetizers
7. Food for Thought ($-$$): Tantalising desserts with a cause – Butterscotch Apple Raisin Crumble. Banana Chocolate Malteser Cake. Nutella Cupcakes. and so much more…
8. Fren(s)h ($-$$): A quaint french café that serves up a slice of Paris with mouthwatering tartines (Rue Mirbel & Rilettes amongst many others) and great desserts
   (Vivocity #01-163, Tel: 6376 8005)
9. Gone Fishing ($-$$): Ponder philosophy and wax lyrical about life’s little things every 3rd Wednesday of the month, or organise a private function with your friends and family in this quiet café in Hillview
10. Ice Cream Chefs ($): Grab a cone or cup and have some fun on FREE Mix-In Day every Tuesday!
11. Icekimo ($): Spaghetti ice-cream. Affagato. familiar local flavours like Dino Milo, Cempedak,Teh Tarik, Bandung and D24 Durian…(see earlier entry)
12. Little Part 1 Café ($-$$): Neither home nor workplace but somewhere in-between – quaint little nook in Thomson
13. Mint Café ($$-$$$): Visit a 5-storey museum of collector’s edition toys and head downstairs to the café for tea or dinner (see earlier entry)
14. Myke’s Oven ($): freshly-baked croissants and great tea sets that will leave you wanting more (see earlier entry)
15. Paisley & Cream ($-$$): Dine against a backdrop of classic Audrey Hepburn photographs in cosy corners and try their double chocolate cupcakes and Indian wraps
    (The Central @ Clarke Quay #01-09/10, Tel: 6534 7962)
16. Pluck ($): For the nostalgic sentimentalist who wishes to indulge in ice-cream while they shop
17. Privé ($$-$$$): Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon on Singapore’s only private island (Keppel Island), and try their delectable Blue Swimmer Crab & Prawn Wrap as you admire the boats docked at the marina
18. Provence ($): Great Japanese bakery & cafe for brunch with the family – try their chocolate twist, raisin bun and blueberry cheese or grab a sandwich to go.
19. PS Café ($$-$$$): Catch a glimpse of the occasional local celebrity, or marvel at Project Shop’s ability to successfully expand themselves into the F&B realm with yummy favourites like the turkey cranberry sandwich and sticky date pudding as you dine in a private enclave of lush greenery.
20. Tea Cosy ($$-$$$) now defunct: Ecclectic furnishings transform this cosy nook in Ecclectic Attic into the perfect place for tea & scones, or a romantic dinner for two (foie gras tasters, duck omelette parcels, pasta)
21. The Book Café ($$-$$$): Perfect for curling up with a book on rainy afternoons and a cup of tea (see earlier entry)
22. The Cheescake Café ($-$$): Scrumptious cheesecakes such as their blueberry, strawberry oreo, rum & raisin ones…and a sweet chocolate truffle. I’d recommend ordering a few to share with friends.
23. The Daily Scoop ($): Funky ice-cream flavours like chilli choc or lime & black pepper for the adventurous / lychee martini, kahlua or bailey’s for the closet alcoholic
24. The Garden Slug ($$-$$$): With a quirky name like that, word will get around fast. Especially word about their zesty beef salad and hearty broths that will remind you of home
25. Whatever Café ($-$$): Sign up for yoga classes and embrace delicious organic or vegetarian food without feeling guilty…their cakes are gluten, sugar & wheat-free!  

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)

/ image of colbar taken from Stomp + images of café domus taken from ice cream chefs website

Franky’s Kaffe Kitchen (now defunct)

Originating from the U.S., founder Frank Y. expanded his delicatessen in California to downtown Seoul in 2002. Since then, Franky’s Kaffe Kitchen has reached our sunny shores in February 2008, and now resides at Millenia Walk Mall. Enjoy a selection of gourmet bistro food with a traditional Korean touch and a warm cuppa. Expect great fries, a special weekday/weekend menu, generous portions, and friendly service! They deliver to nearby offices too with a minimum order of $30. Their Chicken Noodle ($11.90) [***] consists of juicy charbroiled chicken breast in teriyaki sauce with bell peppers over stir-fried noodle, onions and carrots, accompanied by a house salad and radish pickle. Good news is: this is really filling and the chicken oozes charbroiled tenderness with slightly charred edges…I love my meat that way. The Steak Burrito ($10.50) [***.] on the other hand, was a chockful of grilled beef, bell peppers, onions and lettuce, and sour cream all rolled-into-one with a zesty house salsa to dip into. 

Weekend specials include their Beer-battered Fish & Chips ($9.90) amongst others. Franky’s also offers hot and cold sandwiches ($8.50-$14)with a delectable range of salads and sides to go along with it. Some interesting sandwich offerings are Bulgogi ($11.60) which has charbroiled marinated beef and provolone cheese, Stromboli ($8.50) with pepperoni and melted mozzarella cheese in marinara sauce rolled into a tortilla. Their sides include their awesome French Fries ($3.50) [***.] that are served hot, crispy, and less oil compared to other fries out there. For those who want to order a variety of finger food or sides, try Franky’s Sampler ($15) which includes an assortment of calamari, jalapenos cheddar cheese, Mozzarella sticks and whole mushrooms.

Franky's Club

I’d suggest you pop by Franky’s this coming Labour Day to sample their brunch menu that’s only available on weekends and public holidays. Fancy a Beef Taco Salad, Turkey Roll, Asian Pancake, or a Steak Burrito? Head on down for a leisurely brunch to kickstart your day. This is a great place to bring your vegetarian friends as well because Franky’s has a vegetarian selection – Grilled Vegetable Hot Sandwich ($10.90), Po San Cold Sandwich ($8.90), and Vegetarian Avocado Cold Sandwich ($9.90) that looks tempting to even meatlovers like myself. If you find yourself at Franky’s with friends after-dark and would like to grab a couple of beers…they’ve got a 5-bottle Carlsberg or Corona Bucket ($34/$36) for sharing!

/ no service charge

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 8/10
Price – $ to $$
Service – 8/10
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 6336 7641

Fax: +65 6336 7642

Address:
9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-55/56, Millenia Walk Mall, Singapore 039596

Email: frankyskitchen@gmail.com

Opening hours:
8:00am – 10:00pm daily

Dress code: Casual
Buses: 56, 77, 75, 14, 171…
Nearest MRT: City Hall

The Book Cafe

The Book Cafe is my choice for a lazy breakfast or a nice cuppa on a rainy day. You can curl up with a good book on comfy sofas, check your emails on your laptop, grab some food & drinks…and have a bite. I’ve got friends who have fallen head over heels with the place after I brought them there. This cozy hideout is at the edge of Robertson Quay, away from the maddening crowd. Regulars over here include residents from the area and other fans from around. I must say that they’ve got a rather impressive selection of magazines. They also sell ice-cream from The Daily Scoop at Sunset Way in Clementi! Fabulous stuff.

[above] from left to right: Their Sourdough bread [***.] was a crisply-toasted slice, topped with fluffy egg white (low-cholestoral!), seasonal mushrooms and salad on the side. The sourdough was a tad too dry for my liking, but the mushrooms had a robust flavour that complemented the scrumptious egg white. Next up, a mouthwatering bowl of Salmon Noodle Soup [****], perfect for keeping warm on rainy days. Pieces of fried salmon are hidden in a bowl of flavorsome broth, enriched with a tinge of cooking wine. This is one of my favourites, and I never fail to polish off every last drop of soup. Another favourite of mine is the Chicken Aglio Olio [****] with colourful bell peppers, lime, and other spices. It had just the right amount of extra virgin olive oil, a zesty burst of lime that balanced off the spiciness of the peppers. Yummylicious! Last but not least, we’ve got a hearty steak served with 2 sunny-side ups, fries, and a juioy grilled tomato.

To top it off, their drinks are a must-try too! The strawberry lemonade is an awesome combination of carbonated lemonade and fresh strawberry bits, and their quirky lychee drink makes a refreshing thirst-quencher.

Do drop by this lil cafe while you can, cos great places like this don’t remain hush-hush for long in our sunny lil isle as…

/prices stated not incl. GST (7%) & CESS (1%). No Svc Charge.

The I-wanna-know[s]:

Taste – 9/10
Price – $$ to $$$
Service – 8/10
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: 6887 5430

Address:
20 Martin Road
Seng Kee Building, #01-02
Singapore 239070
(near Butter Factory at Robertson Quay)

Opening hours:
Sun-Thu: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Fri-Sat: 8.30am – 12am

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