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{The Entertainer App}: Roundhouse Pizza, Bar & Grill

July 19, 2014, 5:11 pm
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Roundhouse marks the next step in local celebrity Vernetta Lopez's (best known for starring as the amicable Denise in local sitcom 'Under One Roof') relentless pursuit of being an all rounder. With accolades of radio DJ, actress and wedding planner under her belt, she now seeks to delve into the cut-throat food and beverage business with her life partner Wayne Gladwin. The result, Roundhouse, a sprawling 250 seater eatery in the laid back location of the former turf club stables. At this homey establishment, lots of warm wood furnishings and plenty of natural lighting makes this space immediately inviting (avoid sitting indoors as it gets a bit dodgy with the lighting circumstance); kids run around the concrete enclaves, spilling giggles and bits of their uninhibited happiness in their path. 

The menu at the Roundhouse runs on a slightly boring tangent, offering up safe options spanning from pizzas to pasta and then larger mains such as whole sea bass and lamb shank. With a lack of identity, it's hard to place a finger on a certain item to order; clue, look out for their specials for a helping hand. Take for example the Sunday Roast that sees their premium Angus Roast Ribeye with sides and a free flow of salad bar ($49++ for free flow of soft drinks and juices/ $99++ with free flow sparkling wine, draught beer, bloody mary). Talk about good deals...

Our party of 8 settled for a good mix of starters, brunch items as well as pizzas to share. We started off with the Spicy Grilled Beef Salad ($17) and the Grilled Portobello Mushroom ($18) with silken tofu, tomato concasse and salad. The interesting sounding grilled beef salad produced a large shallow spread of tender, chargrilled beef slices slathered with a marinade capturing the essence of good ole' days in the sun in Thailand, lying seductively on a bed of mixed greens. The latter is another recommended dish for the ladies who want something a little healthier but still with a substantial body of flavor. What ultimately differentiate the Roundhouse from the competition is the smokiness and perfect execution of its grilled items, turn to this category of dishes for the win.


The Angus Beef Bolognese Spaghetti ($17) is a hearty bowl of pasta with a whopping lathering of bolognese sauce, the juicy and flavorful beef pleasing the picky taste buds around the table.

Another bang for buck item on the brunch menu is the Roundhouse Breakfast ($18) featuring 2 sunny side up eggs, back bacon, cumberland sausage, roast potatoes, tomato confit, sauteed mushrooms, baked beans and toast. Definitely a one-plate filler for the ravenous.

I recommend the Wild Mushroom Soup ($12) scented with herb oil, this dish does not skimp on ingredients, delivering largely on flavor and texture with the kitchen's generous use of wild mushrooms, enriched only by the slightest touch of cream. No truffle oil here... thank goodness.

Then, there were pizzas. 

You do not want to miss these. 


From a tight menu of 12 pizzas, we chose the Loco Lopez ($24) and the Carnivore ($24), both which hit the pizza 'G-spot' with such force that I was bewildered and very much left a Roundhouse ambassador afterwards. The feisty Loco Lopez was all crisp edged, studded with melted cheddar, capers, beef salami,jalapeno and smoking hot chilli padi, addictive and so worth stabbing your cousins for over the last piece. The Carnivore consisting of bacon, salami, honey baked ham and pepperoni would be your classic meatlovers except that the Roundhouse went the extra mile and did something novel and delicious with it.

Some of the best pizzas I've had in Singapore thus far. And what's better than being able to use the Entertainer 1-for-1 main here? We ended up being able to pocket $60 from the savings. Hurray.

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Well, if you haven't heard, I've got a special promotion for my readers where you can now purchase the Entertainer 1 month app for just $15 (U.P. $19) if you simply use my promo code 'fundamentallyflawed' with your purchase through the app store or at http://www.theentertainerme.com/trysgfor19/ . Read more details over here!

What are you waiting for?



RoundHouse - Pizza, Bar & Grill
100 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287992
Tel: 6466 0966
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[City Square Mall Food Festival 2014]: Paddington House of Pancakes

July 20, 2014, 4:32 pm
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For those of you who have read the title with a blank stare, City Square Mall is a shopping complex straddling the junction of Serangoon and Kitchener Roads, with direct access to Farrer Park MRT station, this mall hopes to attract both local and tourist shoppers alike. 

With over 700,000 sq ft of gross retail space, spread over five retail levels, it is home to about 200 tenants that cater to the lifestyle needs of today's discerning mid-income families. From 4 July to 3 Aug, City Square Mall has lined up a selection of great snacks and meal offerings for friends and families and I had the fortune of following a food trail that lead me from one such food haven to another.

Spacious and airy on the second level of City Square Mall is Paddington House of Pancakes. To say that Paddington House only does pancakes in a derogatory tone is to undermine the highlights of this establishment. Yes, so its true that they only do pancakes.. but with 100 different sorts from around the globe to fill out the pages of its menu; I can assure you that there would be lack of boredom even with a continuous daily dining ritual at this outlet.


To help you navigate the super extensive menu, let's break it down. Firstly dishes are separated into starters, savoury pancakes and desserts. The savouries are then sub-divided into the different countries of origins; flapjacks from America, pannekoek from Holland, crepes and galettes from France and Blintzes and blinis from Russia.

We kicked off with drinks, the array of tall glasses dressed in bright colors bowling us over with a residing fear of sugar overdose. Yet, some of these drinks boast some really healthy qualities that would help to balance out the heaviness of the meal ahead. Take for example the Perky Lemon and Mint Sparkler ($5/gls & $17/jug), this spritzer edges further into fresh ground using lemon, mint and soda to cleanse the palate and eliminate perspiration threats; the Immune Zone ( $7) is a refreshing mix of peach, apple, honeydew and cranberry that suffers a bit of unflattering browning from the oxidation of it's natural contents, no complaints there since what you get is essentially a fresh squeezed tumbler of fruits. My favourite however would have to be the Kiwi and Melon Yogurt ripple ($7) which may appear a bit off-putting at first with its neon green spirals rounded off with coagulated bits of white rings, but slurp it all in one solid 'pulling-up' manoeuvre with your straw and you get a collision of sweet and sour creamy sensation all at once.


Cheesy Wedges & Fries ($8), Belgium style with grilled cheddar, crispy turkey bacon bits, basil and tangy mayonnaise. This was a simple snack done right, the bowl arrives with a heaping pile of piping hot fries and wedges; good for the indecisive or table of party-goers with varying taste. The rich pool of cheese sauce on the side, a welcome addition for some cheeky dipping.


One of the more memorable (midst the food comatose) main dishes we got to sample that night include the Classic Buckleberry, blueberry pancakes served with a good measure of soft cream cheese in the center. Scrambled eggs with a healthy dose of diced greens add color the plate. We weren't bowled over by the turkey bacon and mushrooms on the side and opted instead to fill up on the fluffy pancakes that were humbly exquisite with a slathering of maple syrup. 


Tuscany ($13) crepes with eggplant, grilled zucchini, olives, peppers, mixed mushrooms, mozzarella and homemade tomato sauce. Reads like a winner but the raw eggplant slices within threw it off its game a little. A good option for the vegetarians.


Paddington House of Pancakes thrive on their endearing selection of desserts, each representing an exclamation point in the entirety of the food trail. The Strawberry New York Cheesecake ($8) pulls out all the stops with its drool-worthy trifle like presentation. Each layer a hidden secret of contrasting textures, the fresh whipped cream, vivacious strawberries, tangy cream cheese mousse, digestive crumb and dollar pancakes making for a familiar yet unique combination that keeps you going back for more.


Dollar Pancakes ($12) was yet again another novel concept for those who can't seem to get enough of their pancakes. A bowl chock full of mini sized pancakes, topped off with ice cream and a myriad of wildly coloured fondue sauces for dipping. Imagine that...

Note: Paddington House of Pancakes has also recently introduced new fondue flavors, chocolate, butterscotch, salted butter caramel, red velvet and white chocolate; all of which I found strangely commendable despite their alarmingly shocking colours.


Frankly though, my favourite dish of the night appeared the last belly-bursting moment, the Apple Fritters ($13) served with strawberries, raisins and banana sorbet. This was truly expressive cooking, exploring shades of flavor more watercolour than acrylic. Judicious with sugar, the crisp apple fritters, were a delight to eat with the contrasting frigidity of the accompanying ice cream. My kryptonite.


The food trail at City Square Mall also brought us to Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant on the 5th level of the complex. The 'eat all you can' concept at this restaurant makes it a popular choice among-st the ravenous, the young and restless and the plain greedy. Since I was neither, I spent most of my time wandering the aisles and admiring the extensive selection on offer. 

Good news for the drinkers is the Happy hour from 6 30pm to 7 30pm daily that sees a free flow of Sapporo beer. So drink your fill!



Some of the highlights for me would have to be the Sushi and sashimi that seemed highly popular hence the continuous stash of fresh goodies greeting the counters more frequently than some other items. Give the cooked items a miss as most of them appear a little dehydrated from the long periods of exposure under the heat lamps. And don't forget the haagen daaz ice cream for sweet endings!

Lunch buffet prices are set at $24.80++ on weekdays and $29.80++ on weekends and Public holidays whilst dinner ranges from $37.80++ to $39.80++.

For the month of July, various outlets in City Square Mall have organised special foodie deals for their patrons; for example the 1-for-1 Signature Beef noodles at Lai Lai Taiwan Casual Dining or the Song Fish head for only $9 at Paradise Inn! Terms and conditions do apply though so click on the banner to find out more! 


Fundamentally Flawed dined as a guest of Paddington House of Pancakes & Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant, opinions are however strictly her own. A major thanks to Deborah of SPRG for the warm invite and intimate hosting session.

Paddington House of Pancakes
#02-35/36 City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208529

Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant
#05-05/06 City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208529
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On The Table: Cafe on the Circle

July 21, 2014, 5:55 am
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It was a dime in a dozen. The dim light-bulbs straddling the wires knotted over the ceilings, representing the slight glimmer of hope in the eyes of an owner anticipating raging queues and long coffee ticket orders on a weekend morning. Despite it's lack of individualism, it was instant infatuation for me.

Reasons being its space, unclustered tables with roomy spaces for manevuering around (without the awkward shifting and kicking of chair legs involved); simplicity - a stripped down garage look is adopted here with grey walls and concrete floors which prove condusive for a bit of the weekend wind-down. 

On The Table comes by way of the successful folks of Lola's cafe in Kovan who have decided to spread their feathers out just a little further to the sleepy neighborhood of Pasir Panjang. With little, or rather no direct competitors within a 1km radius, the cafe sets out to create a storm (evident from the larger than life space indented) and pack in the crowds who are itching for that hit of caffeine.



Things are kept simple here. Coffee from Dutch Colony is supported by a short and sweet cafe menu with your usual suspects and  few surprising finds here and there. The more substantial mains like the Swimmer Crab Linguine ($16) and the Confit of Duck Leg ($18) catches my attention but my Aussie depraved soul cried out for a bit of brunch fare.

But first, coffee for the soul. My Latte ($5) arrives at the table with picture perfect intention. Finally an outstanding female barista who didn't have to resort to putting heart lattes in my cup to win my favor. *giggles*. However, the coffee recieved lukewarm responses around the table, everyone claiming to lean towards the nuttier, robust roasts over the higher acidity content normally found in Dutch Colony's stash. It's all subjective of course.


The food can't be faulted though. The Big One ($16.00) pulling its weight in quantity yet not compromising on quality as well. Pork sausage, honey glazed bacon, ham, baked portabello, mixed salad and scrambled eggs and toasted brioche. It might sound like a bit of work to get though, but the melange of fresh textures and excellent produce ensures that it all gets polished down rather easily. All in sync with the melodic croonings in the background and the lively chatter of good weekend companionship.


My Ultimte Croissant ($13.00) was yet again a usual calorie suspect done right and was highly culpable this time without signs of cloying richness in the overall composition.. Below its crispy half croissant cap grilled with some sort of herb butter spread, sits honey glazed bacon, ham, mayo, honey, scrambled eggs and melted cheddar cheese.... they don't call it "ultimate' for nothing... Laced with a dash of furikake for the slight savoury crunch, this was a thorough joy to work though and I took to it like a fat kid to cake. 




And then, there were waffles. Deftly executed with a not so dainty scoop of Salted Caramel Ice Cream over the top ($8.00), the crisp honeycombed indented pastry flaunts a texture that is neither cloyingly thick and gummy nor too brittle and crisp and has the right level of egginess. The homemade ice cream building a flutter of anticipation with its smoky note of caramelization, yet beckons to be pushed a little more in the savoury spectrum. Still, a reasonably priced waffle combination with approachable portion sizes that doesn't make one feel piggish prior to placing the orders.



Feeling up for a little game of origami? (or amazing engineering feat as my cousin claims it to be), try folding their paper napkins into heart shapes.

Lesson of the day: "Start what you love"

Nothing quite like a bit of inspiration for the weekends.



On the table is a cafe that offers up a treat of hidden gems. Definitely my new go-to cafe in the region.

[Note: OTT doesn't charge service charge nor GST so do go generous on your tips!]

On the Table
118 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118541
Opening Hours: 8am-10pm (tues-fri)
10am-10pm (weekends)
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{Wordless Wednesdays}: Marmalade Pantry & some Mexican Magic

July 23, 2014, 8:55 am
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It was off to Marmalade Pantry for a quick weekday lunch. 

{Wordless Wednesdays} means less talk.. so I'll try to curb the inner banter,  here was the mediocre  Spicy Crabmeat Linguine ($25) with pine nuts, tomatoes and chilli followed by a rather uninspired Basque Chicken ($28) ,with capsicum, tomato and garlic potatoes; the tomatoes could have used a little more time in the blanch before roasting, the starch reducing to a little chalky consistency. Overall good meal for that quick fix but totally not worth its hefty price tag. Thank goodness for the Entertainer app that reduced our bill to a certain easier to swallow fee of $32 for 2.

The Marmalade Pantry
Unit 03-22 ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn 
S(238801)
T: +65 6734 2700
Website: http://themarmaladepantry.com.sg/

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Following our disappointing meal that day, we adjourned to Cha Cha Cha at Holland Village for some spirit lifting opportunities at dinner time.

Seeking comfort in our Margaritas ($40 for a pitcher), Chimichangas deep fried to a titillating golden brown and saucy sour cream with every cheesy bite of crackin' shredded beef filled Quesadilla ($13.50). This was the Mexican food lover's idea of paradise.

There and then... everything just felt better. Must have been that Mexican grilled cheese sandwich and its magic ways...




Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant
32 Lorong Mambong
Holland Village
Singapore (277690)
T: 64621650
Website: http://chachacha.com.sg/

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The Reading Room: Honesty is the best policy

July 25, 2014, 6:38 am
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dumbfounded, adj

"And still, for all the jealousy, all the doubt, sometimes I will be struck with a kind of awe that we're together. That someone like me could find someone like you --- it renders me wordless. Because surely words could conspire against such luck, would protest the unlikelihood of such a turn of events.

I didn't tell any of my friends about our first date. I waited until after the second, because I wanted to make sure it was real. I wouldn't believe it had happened until it had happened again. Then, later on, I would be overwhelmed by the evidence, by all the lines connecting you to me, and us to love."

David Levithan - The Lover's Dictionary

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Today's write-up is about The Reading Room at Bukit Pasoh road, hence the not-so-short quote from one of favourite recent reads. I digress. Such a sublime book to digest though. But if its books you're looking for and a comfy couch to snuggle in with a fresh cup of brewed coffee, then, this place might just be your cup of tea.


Stowed away on the quiet streets of Bukit Pasoh Road, just next to the trendier, more bustling Keong Saik street of parallel characteristics; sits The Reading Room cafe. 

The beaming pride and joy of the cafe lines the establishments from wall to wall. It's shelves packed to the brim with books of different genre and category (some collected by the owner himself while others spawning from generous donations). Each one praying to spill its tales to an unsuspecting cafe go-er at arms length. If you spot plane ticket stubs or name cards jutting out from the top of books, don't be alarmed, and I implore you not to switch the positions of these books; painstakingly tucked away by regulars currently coddling over their specific reads with every return visit.

Here in Singapore, we are no strangers to the concept of cafe by day and bar by night. But we fail to realise that this is no new concept, in fact, it has been adopted by The Reading Room for the last two years now, the transition, flawless, it's laid-back living room settings camouflaging the existence of seams between day and night even. Here, patrons are encouraged to hang one's hat up, dwell and rest within the oasis of books. Reading is optional, one can also exploit the free wifi and enjoy the lackadaisical afternoon.

The lovechild of owner Gino Abate, The Reading Room originated from his passion for entertaining the masses. Down-to-earth with a slight disgruntlement towards the level of respect for food here locally, it was easy to understand his vision for his cafe. "Good, honest food. Nothing fancy, but we do try to make sure that everyone leaves having enjoyed a good hearty meal."


In a nutshell, it was all comfort food, everything made to order, from scratch; a logic that resonated very well with me. 


I had the TRR's Aussie Burger with the Lot ($22.80) -- sans the grilled pineapple cause it reminds me of the Hawaiian pizza which I have hold a great amount of animosity towards. A 180g beef patty is topped with sweet onion chutney, fried egg, lettuce, onion, tomato, tomato sauce, homemade mayo and bacon; a respectable burger with all the expected bits of the formula in there, however the fireworks didn't light up with this rendition. The beef patty needing that little bit more fat ratio injected, it's sticky innards falling a little on the mushy side; egg as binder perhaps? It's evident that TRR lavishes care on the burgers though with evenly melted cheese and a good dash of fresh ground black pepper, the sauces diligently made from scratch.


Desserts are a modest rosters of classics. The Crumble Cheesecake sourced from Gobi Desserts, an absolute pleasure to demolish, it's sweet, slightly savoury crumb topping complimenting the creamy innards of the cheesecake. Shame about the soggy base, otherwise, a real tight effort with the balance of flavors. Another solid discovery is the Homemade Tiramisu, despite it's non-alcoholic nature which I find to be a bore, the final concoction churns out hits of deliciousness percolated by intense hits of coffee and charitable amount of mascarpone cheese unruffled by the distraction of whipped cream. It's no wonder my host was beaming from ear to ear as I tucked in with my spoon unabashedly.


The Reading Room has a facade that is so unassuming, you can mistake the restaurant for a residence, which is exactly the feel the owner is trying to convey. Unlike the usual hipster haunts nowadays, this is the place you would go to stare into space and not to be seen by others. A hidden gem for the socially inept such as I am.

Note that TRR has extended operating hours and is now opening its shutters from 8am onwards on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On top of that, an all-day-breakfast menu will be on offer on the weekends as well! Stay tuned for more daily specials on their Facebook page. Be warned that this could be severely distracting at work.


Fundamentally flawed dined as a guest of TRR, in the course of which she was absolutely smitten by the place itself. period. A major thanks to Jake for sharing the calories of that yummilicious tiramisu with me.

The Reading Room
19 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore
T: 6220 9019
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheReadingRoom.com.sg
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GRUB at Bishan Park: Messing with expectations

July 26, 2014, 6:57 pm
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Are you looking for the best burger in Singapore? Because, if you're turning to GRUB for the solution, you're at a dead end, my friend. 

Having heard notorious news about the snaking queues that build as a result of the no-reservations policy implemented at this place, we arrived a few minutes after 6pm, got cosy on our outdoor benches; only to be greeted by the wide eyed doggy stares from other pairs attempting to saunter in, followed by larger rowdier groups praying for a dash of luck in the waiting game.

GRUB is a high volume joint set in a luscious neighbourhood of draping willows over greenish lakes and the panting joggers that come along with that sacred bit of nature in our concrete jungle. Manage the heat with some thirst quenchers, the BrewDog Dead Pony Club ($10) and Thatcher's Gold Cider ($13) are good options for respite against the humidity.



Get past the contemplation stage and follow your gut. It's the burger that you want. But the real question is.. does it deliver? 

A suspiciously short 5minutes later, the juicy raucous mess arrives on a wooden slab. There is the GRUB double cheeseburger ($18) all ready for its Instagram close up, it is handsomely arranged. fashionably austere in its expertly crafted layers and towering construction. A twist of the stabbing pick reveals a nasty squish of bread; the bottom bun not holding up to the juiciness of the patties. And that situation arising despite the overall dryness of the buns from perhaps doing overtime on the grill sans a protective layer of buttering. Discrepancies were highly evident, the lower patty showing a ticklish pink shade whereas the top starring in 50 shades of grey. At this point, I had my qualms about the burgers being cooked to order. A slight mineral taste accompanied the patties as though they have been frozen a good long time and thawed speedily. Needless to say, this didn't quite make my top 10 list.


The other most Instagrammable offering from GRUB is the Crispy Fish Burger ($14) hake fish and an accompanying remoulade (tar-tar sauce).  The lemon like bite in the sauce acting as a welcome ray of sunlight breaking into this rather mundane one noted dish. I was so disenchanted by this uninspired plate that I doubt it could even challenge a 13 year old's palate. Did I mention the soggy fries we got?

Despite it's poor performance, GRUB exacerbates the feeling that it is loved by all, especially since the restaurant was packing in the crowds early in the evening on a Thursday night. Perhaps the other mains served at dinner hold higher promises; but for now, I can only exhibit a certain level of enthusiasm for the energy, vibes and fantastic service standards at the restaurant. Not sure whether a repeat visit is in the works.


GRUB at Bishan Park
510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
Singapore 569983
Website: http://grub.com.sg/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/grub.com.sg
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Ramen Champion: Next better player.

July 27, 2014, 5:05 pm
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Nothing works better for quality control than the existance of competition. Here at Ramen Champion, this concept is pushed to the extreme with the congregation of 6 ramen stores under one roof. Residency is determined by a competitive and friendly customer voting system, and diners' votes contribute to seeing who stays and who leaves the arena.

Sounds epic doesn't it?

With 2 new contenders arriving in Singapore, tensions were high as the current residents amped up their game in preparation for the conflict of interests. Would the newcomers pose a threat? We put the freshies to the test.




Kick starting the night, we indulged in a bit of pre-game appetisers. The Mentaiko Gyoza ($7) from Menya Ryu was perfectly delicious, the suppleness of the filling and the racy creaminess of the sauce squiggled over the top made it a perfect snack for the peckish. The Tako Age ($8.80) was okay, slightly overcooked but overcomeable with a generous dip in the mayonnaise.


The Tebasaki with Spicy Sauce ($6.90) appeals to me, the lightness of it's sesame crusted golden amber batter satisfying most of us around the table. Avoid the Deep Fried Gyoza ($5), greasy with an overly thick crust filled with the most pathetic amount of fillings I've ever bared witness to in a gyoza, it adds weak lines to Buta God's stellar repertoire as the front runner in the Ramen arena. 



Returning back to the main agenda of Ramen, my favourite of the night amongst Riki, Shodai Koji and Menya Ryu (the last 2 being the new kids on the block) would definitely have to be the Sapporo Miso Special Ramen ($15.80) from Menya Ryu; the flavorful tonkotsu and chicken soup base with 3 kinds of miso, red, white and black dances cross the tongue with such intensity that I was completely smitten. Texturists would relish in the Chef's varied use of garnish ranging from bamboo shoots to corn to spring onions and a generous mound of greens to further enhance the experience. Refreshing the palate with something crunchy, or something sweet with every alternate bite. This rendition uses curly medium thickness yellow noodles which were perfect vehicles for the aromatic broth.


Coming in second  for today's tasting was the Triple Chashu Ramen ( $16.80) from Shodai Koji.  Where it falls short of victory comes in the form of an overcooked egg and a slightly lighter and less flavorful broth than I'm usually accustomed to. Chef Koji Takano lavishes care on the meat selection (specially imported from Spain), offering an impressive spread of 3 kind of meats, chicken thigh, pork belly and pork collar in this dish, his efforts pay off as the Chashu is meltingly pliable. 


Special Power Ramen ($16.50)  from Riki slips into the back lane with its overly garlicky soup base. Proudly declared to have a broth that is simmered for over 8 hours, it's milky white nature is ravaged by the heavy hand of garlic that totally discredits its true potential. The overuse of beansprouts in this dish proves to be a bit distracting as it reveals a rather woeful amount of thick noodles. The beansprouts having been blanched for too long acquiring a rather limp texture that does nothing for the architecture of the dish. All is not lost though as the small detail of blow torching the pieces of charshu before plating imbues the pork with a heady smoky sensation that gives the dish depth. 

With all that ramen digested and commentaries passed, I shall leave you guys to make your own judgement should you be making a trip down to any of Ramen Champion's three locations dotting the island. And till then... may the next better player win.

Ramen Champion
Bugis +
201 Victoria Street #04-08/09/10
Singapore 188607
T: 6238 1011
Website: http://www.ramenchampion.com.sg/

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Seasons Bistro: Seasonal based Cuisine in the heart of Orchard

July 27, 2014, 5:54 pm
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Seasons Bistro located at Triple One has given residents a new neighbourhood place where they can have a really simple meal, or, when they feel like it, something more extravagant.

It's name conveniently convenes it's principals, "seasons" touting it's homage to a seasonally driven menu with constantly changing fare showcasing the freshest ingredients; "bistro" speaking volumes about the affordability of it's offerings. Executive Chef Benjamin Fong is the man responsible for flicking the dust off traditionally dearly priced seasonal menus, focusing mainly on the multifaceted American cuisine, with influences from Canada, New England, Mexico and the cosmopolitan New York City. 

The menu is sprinkled with strange and contemporary choices geared for the curious diner. Lunch time sees a value-for-money set menu priced at the affable $12.99 for a choice of soup, main and coffee/soft drink (add $5 for a choice of desserts), a penny pinchers dream come true. With dark wood finishes and sleek varnished counter tops, bringing a company function to its midst now seems like a viable and slightly classier option. 


I went ahead with the set lunch. Opting for the soup of the day for starters. The potato and leek soup probably doesn't sound like a bell ringer, however its deliverance was stellar. Clean flavors without the distracting chunks of potatoes nor irrelevant carrots, as most cafe renditions are, you would expect to taste a tinge of raw starch from the mindless cooking; that wasn't the case at Seasons Bistro.  A technically sound bowl of soup that saw my spoon clanging the bottom of the dish eagerly.


My main came in the form of a Cobb Salad; an uncomplicated marriage that is signified on the menu by sans-serif lists of ingredients, with no capital letters, verbs, articles or hint of how one relates to the next; yet miraculously it does... and all to well. The main-dish classic American salad isn't as straightforward as it seems. It has some rock and roll in its trousers. Cajun spiced chicken grilled till spot on, boiled eggs with a slightly soft center, crisp bacon bits, black olives, corn, watercress and tomatoes strewn the plate. While the salty blue cheese marries mixed greens and creamy avocado, the result conceived is a perfect combination that presents different flavor dimensions and textures with each bite. My only gripe would have to be the beans which I have uncanny biasness towards.


Not everything is fine and dandy; the service needs improvement and the sprawling space doesn't ultimately work in its favour during a busy lunch service as our plea for desserts to be brought out was lost in translation. 

Mishap aside, Seasons Bistro does have the capacity to titillate its guests, by not dishing out over complicated cuisine but tastes good enough to leave you rubbing your belly at the end of the meal. I pray that with the constant reminder of the establishment's name overhed, the chef never loses sight of the bistro's identity. 

Season's Bistro
#01-11/12, TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
Singapore 238164
Website: http://www.seasonsbistro.com.sg/
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{Wordless Wednesdays}: Sunday Folks

July 30, 2014, 7:20 am
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The word is out. Sunday folks is packing in the queues. So have a whole load of patience and brace yourselves for some pretty mean soft serve gelato. 

Roasted Pistachio, Sea salt Gula Melaka, Earl Grey Lavender and Madagascan Vanilla ($6.90 for a basic cone and $10.90 for the waffle, $1.90 for additional trimmings) ... There's something to tickle everyones' fancy. My personal favourite, the Earl Grey Lavender.





Matcha Roll ($6.90) for those itching for a little cake action.

Don't want your soft serve at MacDonald's anymore? You've got Sunday Folks at ten-fold the price; but much prettier of course. Think about it...

Sunday Folks
44 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-52
Chip Bee Gardens
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Roosevelt's Diner & Bar: Harvest my Heart

July 31, 2014, 2:04 am
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Housed in the lobby of Dorsett Residences just parked outside the maze of entrances to Outram MRT station is Roosevelts diner and bar.  Many would turn a blind eye to its transparent glass window facade and trudge down towards the more rambunctious Keong Saik Street in search of grub.

But who would know that Roosevelt's is home to one of my favourite burgers in town? Sshh.. let's keep that a secret between you and I alright?

Inside, the feeling is almost "ironic suburban" , expansive family tables with odd fashioned light bulbs dangling overhead, a table top of severely outdated magazines is given the death stares by the illustrious bathroom from across the hallway, pimped up by its fashionable array of luxe lotions and hand creams.

Our first visit was strictly a burger run, to mollify those crummy emotional out bursts. I had the Teddy's 100% US Beef Burger ($22) whilst S zoned in on the Mushroom Cheddar Burger ($22). At Roosevelts', the burger is kept simple, with just smears of mayo on the pillowy soft brioche buns that don't crowd your palate with an exuberance of flavor, allowing the story of the beef patty to be told in full glory; with its doneness cooked to order (plus points immediately!), it constituted an explosion of natural sweet beefy juices when you chomp down. It's architecture was slightly compromised by the inclusion of onions in the patty, but the overall flavors received a major boosting with that poignant addition. The Mushroom Cheddar burger made its appearance, fashioned with all manner of good things (especially those tender and delightfully seasoned mushrooms) and naturally went down with no complaints at the other end of the table. The fries are the only debacle in this fairytale, not that they were nasty or cold or anything drastically negative; they were just.. uninspired.


Revisits occurred a few day afters when I started feeling the burger cravings creeping up on me again. That's when the cracks started to appear. 

We fell in love with the Southern Fried Chicken ($18), the gorgeously sun-kissed crispy skinned chicken exposing flavorful and extremely tender plump flesh below. Benefits of day long soaks in buttermilk before taking to the fryers paying off immensely. The multitude of spices used in the coating unravelling gradually with every bite. 


That was done. The rest of the dinner presented a plethora of disappointments. Starting with the burgers.  Point to note is that if you plan to eliminate diners' choice to select the doneness of the patty then you had better ensure consistency all around. That can't be said about my experience that night whereby 3 of the burgers at the table emerged in different shades. An over zealously grilled patty set our friend to work, sadly picking around the dried beef. 


This insipidity extrapolated itself to our dessert, the Churros Waflles ($12) with cinnamon sugar, butter and mocha sauce on side, which was a let down by a tell-tale low grade ice cream threatening to abrade our tongues with the shards of ice crystals within its false creamy innards. 



Roosevelts started on an amazing foot with its inspired rift on the ubiquitous burger and crested in an uneven showing of the same dish a few days after. I find it hard to believe the discrepancies involved and despite having my heart broken the same time around, I promise I"ll be back to indulge in the burgers very soon.


Roosevelt's Diner & Bar
331 New Bridge Road
#01-02 Dorsett Residences
Singapore 088764
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STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar: Celebrate National Day with MORE FOOD

August 2, 2014, 1:09 am
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When I was younger, National Day holidays for me would mean family congregations over a hodgepodge of familiar Singaporean classic dishes like chili crab, bee hoon, curry chicken and spicy pig stomach soup. After a massive feast, the cousins and I would crowd around our humbly sized television sets, placing our fists to our chest and saying the pledge with gusto and conviction; the world at our feet and our little minds soaring as high as the chinooks bearing the Singapore flag. 

With the National Day long weekend (for the fortunate few) looming around the corner, many will be contemplating finding a spot for lunch/dinner with family and friends. Should you be stumped, look no further than STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar located at Bay Hotel Singapore just opposite Vivocity. This coming National Day, 9th Aug 2014, STREET 50 will be launching a one day exclusive National Day Buffet Dinner (from 6 30pm  to 10pm) priced at $49++ per adult. And get this, with every 3 paying adults, the 4th adult gets to enjoy the buffet at just $4.90++. What a shocker! 

And what better way to commend the occasion then with a tantalising spread of national foods and classic local favourites such as Bak Ku Teh, Rojak,  Teochew Braised Duck, Steamed Hainanese Chicken with Breaded Rice Ball and Yam paste with coconut cream and Gingko Nuts?

Starting with the Tiger Prawns with warm ginger sauce, we were treated to some finger licking steamed crustaceans marinated with ginger juice. A good way to kick start the meal without the filling one's stomach with too much starch.


The next dish,  throws a curve with the traditional rice balls that accompany the local favourite Steamed Hainanese Chicken, coated with a layer of Japanese breadcrumb and fried to a smoking hot golden brown. Instead of the usual chili sauce, Chef Ricky has paired the dish with a special tomato chutney which borders on spicy just enough to highlight the smooth silkiness of the chicken. Though some may be unconvinced by the outcome of the breaded rice balls, I personally enjoyed it as it gives that crunchy texture around the soft grains of garlic infused rice. 


The Chilli Crab Penne (to be prepared a la minute to avoid the potential distressing circumstance of stodgy pasta in a buffet line) combines al-dente pasta with fragrant crab meat and a killer homemade chilli crab gravy. Aggressively spicy yet strangely sweet at the same time, this dish is likely to haunt your breathe for the better part of the week. Unless adjustments to seasonings be done, you might consider giving this dish a miss. unless, deep fried mantous are present of course.

The Paper wrapped Chicken Risotto is one of the few dishes in which STREET 50 pushes so hard against the original cuisine that it breaks through the other side. Here, the Chinese and the Italians are at loggerheads with one another as traditional paper wrapped chicken is stuffed with risotto, marinated with a blend of Chinese herbs and spices before being deep fried to perfection. Harmonious marriage? I beg to differ. The uneven cooking on the arborio rice mares the entire dish, some portions, delicious and slightly firm whilst other reduced to a mush more reminiscent of  rice pudding. The deboned chicken needs no distractions with its labor intensive showing of flavors, yet the kitchen's choice to bring new interpretations to a classic threatens to undermine it's potential.


Another of my favourites is was the Lamb Shank Rendang, knocking my socks off on my previous visit, this dish shows up sluggish and slightly careless today. Noted that the spice mix and rendang gravy was robust and to die for, the rest of the dish I couldn't care for as the lamb was tough and felt like it needed another 4hours or more on the simmer before the infusion was successful.


A fresh coat of cheer arrived in the form of desserts. The Yam Paste with Coconut Cream and Gingko Nut was gobsmackingly good. Cooked with a little bit of lard and drizzled with luscious coconut milk, it was kissed with just a pinch of salt that gave this version an edge. This would definitely have seen me eating way more than I should if I had a buffet line's worth in my sight.

The Durian Pengat appealed to me with a thin layer of crepe enveloping  a generous chunk of pure durian flesh then christianed with gula melaka sauce. I would have like to see the sauce a little bit thicker; but that was just a small issue. A fantastic sweet ending for the durian fanatics out there.



Chef Ricky has created a National Day menu to reflect everyone around here. For sure he casts a wide net with his selection of perennial local favourites. The variety sounds like a lot for one kitchen to master, and the truth is STREET 50 counts weak lines in its repertoire. Still, for a one night only event, STREET 50 does offer up quite a bargain for National day dinner, so wrap up your folks and family and head on down! Reservations are open now.

Disclaimer: Fundamentally-flawed dined as a guest of STREET 50. 

STREET 50 Restaurant and Bar
Bay Hotel Singapore,
50 Telok Blangah Road
Singapore 098828
Tel: 6818 6681
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Chez Petit Salut: French fare without breaking the bank

August 3, 2014, 7:39 am
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Chip Bee Gardens has seen a revival with the installation of the Holland Village MRT station and the 'big-bang' like pop-up of Sunday Folks along the usually quiet stretch. With that comes accompanied a whole slew of new worries mostly shrouding parking issues. 

Not new to the once sleepy neighborhood is Chez Petit Salut, a sister outlet to the more showy Au Petit Salut; here, the style is casual French bistro with hearty traditional French classics ringed in by a respectable wine list. Decor is kept simple, rustic, with an air of nostalgia of the French romanticism period. It's the kind of restaurant where it is possible to go for both lunch and dinner on a single day, a restaurant where waitresses race through the dining halls with four identical bowls of duck confit.

To start off the meal, we had the Oven Baked Portobello Mushroom with melted Camembert cheese and baby spinach ($16) and the Half dozen baked Burgundy snails, tomato fondue & garlic butter ($16).  The former (pictured right above) greeted the table; and we wished that the chef had made a mistake with only a measly mushroom to share round the table. Perhaps the mushroom had been a blooming onion before it's brief stint in the oven, but that doesn't warrant such a sad serving. The latter was apparently very well received by the other end of the table. Never got to taste it but I must say that generous slathering of herbed butter definitely whet my appetite.



Some of the main courses that graced the table that night were the Braised Lamb Shank ($38) served 'a la Provencale' in tomato accompanied with root vegetables. This unfortunately never quite surpassed the works of the master, the fork tender protein lacking in personality, but it was good enough to be a contender in any serious discussion of Singapore's lamb shanks.


My Crispy Duck leg confit, sauteed potatoes, streaky bacon and mesclun ($32) was superb, a golden crusty exterior heightened by the showering of fried shallots; all this yielding with the quick prod of the knife to reveal impossibly rich and succulent flesh with the subtle hints of garlic. The sauteed potatoes however were the black sheep of the plate, marring a perfect dish with its slightly undercooked hearts.

There's also the more delicate offering of Oven baked fillet of black cod with ratatouille ($32) should you be seeking a lighter option.


Chez Petit Salut doesn't fall under the fashionable category for today's food mavern, but it for sure, serves up good honest French bistro food that has accumulated a close following over the years. Good for a romantic night out sans the razzle dazzle or an intimte gathering with friends and loved ones.

Chez Petit Salut
44 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-54 Singapore (278116)
Tel: 6474 788
Closed on Sundays
Website: http://www.chezpetitsalut.com/
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Saboten @ Orchard 313:

August 4, 2014, 4:13 pm
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The debate is tireless. And the outcome of it, an eventual tie between the tonkatsu giants Tonkichi and the underdog Saboten. The referencing drawn only because of my extreme biasness towards Tonkichi (can't help it... too much sentimental value attached to the place).

For those who aren't aware, tonkatsu chain Saboten recently closed it's outlet at Parco in Milennia walk and opened a brand new spruced up version in 313@somerset. Westies.. relax, the branch in IMM mall still lives. Fret not.

With a mission in tow (weighing Saboten against Tonkichi after the recent dismissal of Ma Maison); we dropped in the new outlet, emboldened by the bewitching lure of the opening promotion for 50% off on the second set ordered (major thanks to @lobangsg for the heads-up). 


The restaurant has ditched its usual zen like ambience for a set of brighter lights that results in a imposing opulent quality that somehow makes the experience seem a little too regal and formal for my liking. 

Food wise, Saboten performs the standard rituals, cold cabbage served with your choice of yuzu vinegar dressing or velvety smooth sesame sauce. That stuff is what dreams are made of. The miso soup and chawanmushi however were nothing to shout about and neither was the pork. Instead of belts of golden caramelised fats, the pork cutlet had a rather patchy distribution of marbling with large knobs of it stationed at the tips of the loin, rendering the rest of the deprived flesh a tough act to swallow. Yes, I do have to agree that it is slightly more tender than Tonkichi's version, however, the soggy bottoms of the non-adhering crumbing just throws it off its game. 

Dear boyfriend, I'm still a Tonkichi girl at the end of the day. Bite me.


Saboten
Orchard 313
#B2-02/03
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saboten.sg

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{Wordless Wednesdays} at the Royal Mail

August 5, 2014, 5:26 pm
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Hearing news of the $10 Burger and Beer promotion that ran through the month of July at the Royal Mail at the Ascott Raffles Place, we decided to make a quick trip down.

That was a mistake.

This got a freezing cold reception from both S and I (pun intended)

Everything but the patty was frigid. I kid you not.



Sometimes we all try to bite off more than we can chew. Don't do that.

Listen to your guts and stick to doing your roast prime ribs right people.

The Royal Mail Restaurant and Bar
Ascott Raffles Place
Singapore
2 Finlayson Green
Tel: 6509 3589
Website: http://www.theroyalmail.sg/
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The Pelican: Nothing like the fireworks that once were

August 9, 2014, 12:18 am
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My previous dining experience at The Pelican had showcased a history of epicurean highlights; unfolding in waves of gustatory pleasures, followed by a extended night capping  period that fed my demons. 

In this ill-fated episode however, the same dishes did not deliver the same 'wow-factor' it did on the first occasion.

Held in conjunction with the Entertainer , the event at The Pelican entitled us to use our 1-for-1 main course deal. For those of you who have the app or are mulling over the choice (please spare your brain cells and GET IT ALREADY!); you'll be pleased to know that the Entertainer members are entitled to unlimited 1-for-1 Belvedere cocktails when a voucher for a main course is used! Given the Pelican's heftier price tags, the definitely appeals to the penny-pincher side of me. That being said, the award-winning waterfront views  makes it worth splashing out at least once in your life. 


The Double Atlantic linguine and Clams ($58)  garlic, chili flakes and white wine is your pretty generic aglio olio on steroids with a gob smacking amount of clams thrown into the mix. Certainly worth the money if you ask me.


The Ribeye Cap Steak with mashed baked potato ($58) built up a flutter of anticipation with my heavy recommendations from our previous excursion... sad to say, the dish came out looking a little sparse. Beautifully crusted and deftly executed in terms of the doneness, the linchpin on the platter was perfect throughout; however, what disappointed was the smear of mashed baked potato that had acquired a rather parched consistency on its surface. The dish cried out for a bit of jus or reduction to elevate it to higher eminence.


My Skate Wing Chop with burnt lemon butter ($36)  was cooked with faultless timing as well but threw my taste buds into panic mode with the heavy hand of salt grains tossed over the delicate white cartilaginous fish. Burnt lemon butter punctuated with salty capers jazzed up the rich flesh and it all made for a terrific dish if it hadn't been for the salt over dosage situation.

With The Pelican's idyllic waterfront settings, for sure, there will be plenty of tourists, but you'll also be rewarded with  delightfully cliched but authentic slice of Singapore life alongside the office workers taking chill pills after a stressful day at work. Sit out on the high tables along the outdoor terrace to enjoy the brilliant views and knock back a drink or two.

For my readers: Purchase the Entertainer Singapore One Month Mobile priced at just S$19 if you use my unique promotional code 'fundamentally'. Click here to be redirected!

If you're still unconvinced, check out my other dining experiences using the Entertainer app!

The Pelican Seafood Bar and Grill
1 Fullerton Road
#01-01
One Fullerton
T: 6438 0400

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Ootoya: From Farm to Table

August 9, 2014, 9:01 am
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Most of the time, being a 'food blogger', and we often get blinded sided in our rat race to get to latest food fads; more often than not, losing sight of the true essence of food and it's humble beginnings. Especially in Singapore, because of geographical limitations and monetary considerations, very rarely do we come across individuals or corporations that show a remote passion in stressing the importance of sustainability practises in the Food and Beverage industry. While living in Sydney, 'farm to table' movements and 'local produce used' were a dime in a dozen. akin to the magnitude of the waffle and gelato craze here on our local shores, yet returning back to my motherland has cast a huge soaking wet blanket over my conviction to pursue environmental sustainability through local produce. Up till now... 

A recent invite to Ootoya opened my eyes to a whole new realm of farming in  Singapore. Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific (Panasonic) has announced it's pilot commercial supply of locally harvested vegetables to Japanese restaurant Ootoya. Cultivated in a 248 square meter indoor agriculture facility, 10 types of vegetables are grown via  soil based environment with LED lighting, out with which 3 varieties are now employed in Ootoya's local menu. What impressed me the most tenacity of Panasonic in using their advancements in technology to derive methods to drive self sufficiency through a sustainable cultivation method. In the course of doing so, astutely roping in Ootoya whose focus on quality of life by offering up authentic home cooked Japanese food to their customers is unquestionably in sync with Panasonic's vision to  adopt an sustainable and cost efficient method of farming that still hits the home run with the freshness and quality of its vegetables.

Doing the Media launch, we were privileged to have the Ootoya kitchen put together some salads for us using the premium vegetables procured from the Panasonic farms.

The Salad Roll with Bagna Dressing ($4) had a quirky charm to its flavor profile, the rice paper roll stuffed with mini red radish, red leafy lettuce and mizuna (potherb mustard)  served with an creamy anchovy dip was like the love child of a Vietnamese and French couple. The refreshing combination that appears as innocuous at first bite translating into subversive with a quick dip in the Italian style dip made from anchovies, fresh cream, milk and garlic.

My favourite salad of the night was the Homemade Tofu Salad with Sesame dressing ($4.50), the suppleness of the tofu perfectly delicious and almost moreish with the subtle sesame sauce.



Shrimp Salad with Aurora dressing ($4). Mini Red Radish, red leafy lettuce, mizuna and shrimps served with creamy dressing made from bell peppers and tomatoes. Not my favourite but still does a great job in highlighting the great produce that is the local farm vegetables.


For the mains, we were treated to a choice of 3 sets of different proteins. S couldn't get past the Hokke Set, consisting of a charcoal grilled fish, miso soup, chawanmushi, rice and a side dish of braised vegetables; this instantly took me back to my experiences of dining at a Japanese home stay. The style of cooking so delicate and earnest that it almost felt like you were dining under the expert care of a matronly chef, the pride and meticulous ways of the kitchen individuals shining ever so brightly.

My Pork Belly Shiokuji Set presented different flavor dimensions and textures with each bite. The tenderness of the grilled pork belly achieving transcendence with the diners in the room.


Watch out for the new salads featuring the locally grown vegetables to be released officially somewhere in Mid-August. Meantime, for you faithful followers of Ootoya, here's a little something special.


fundamentally-flawed dined as a guest of Ootoya. A major thanks to Adrienne of Golin Harris for the kind invite!

Ootoya Japanese Restaurant
#08-12 Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
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The Lokal: The Good and the Bad

August 9, 2014, 4:38 pm
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With the Lokal cafe, there were a glaring amount of performance disparities, adamant even on my first visit about a month ago. The highs bringing me to dizzying heights, breath stopping moments. Like this Toasted Banana Bread ($12.00) which I'm so fixated on waxing lyrical about except that I figured the drool-worthy photos would suffice. Served warm with a sexy sluice of homemade vanilla yogurt forming a pristine blanket enveloping the slightly crusty slice, roasted macadamias are then sprinkled over the heavily caramelized bananas, pushed to the brink of the mallard reaction. The light dusting of confetti like lime and lemon rind over the yogurt act like pockets of sunshine, clearing the palette for the next rapacious bite.

Definitely the best piece of banana bread I've had since my return from the land down under thus far. 


To say that the next dish that followed suite was less successful would be a massive understatement. I cringe at the lack of culinary muscle and professionalism demonstrated in our next experience. It was the Toastie of the Day ($14) that brought my enchanting moment to an abrupt end. The proclaimed 'Tomato, mushroom and cheese toastie' first arrived at the table sans the tomatoes, pompously flaunting inch thick toasts on both sides. When we questioned the staff about the stolen identities, instead of having the dish brought back to the kitchen and reassembled, we had a service tray containing two measly grilled tomatoes brought to our presence.

 "The chef left out the tomatoes from the toastie, we're sorry". 

Moments of awkward silence passed. erm..."And, by the way, there is hardly any cheese in there too" says S, motioning to the absolutely spartan innards of the sandwich. 

"Would you like us to take it back and make another one for you Sir?"

oh geez, I thought you would never ask... "Yes, please"

A good 20 minutes later, the toastie made it's comeback to the table. Mushrooms had no inkling of seasoning and to make matters worse, it was burnt on one side and a sickly white on the other. oh come on... We took two bites and walked out of the restaurant. Silently retreating whilst the memory of that ambrosial banana bread still remained fresh in our minds.


愛你沒差 那一點時差 
你離開這一拳給的 太重
我的心找不到 換日線 它在哪
我只能不停的飛
直到我將你挽回

The Lokal
136 Neil Road
0888865 Singapore
T: 6423 9918
Website: http://www.facebook.com/thelokalsingapore

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Chabuton: Ramen with the Stars

August 10, 2014, 4:33 pm
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Just a week ago, I was next door sampling the offerings of Saboten at their newest outlet housed in the quiet enclaves of the Orchard Central basement levels. The opening of Chabuton was a welcomed diversity to the area, the bright white furnishings of the establishment suggesting a focus on food rather than creating a chic ambiance. 

Impressive credentials have driven swarms of Ramen hungry fans to its doors in the first few weeks of its start-up in Singapore and I trod lightly around the media rave and heavy publicity. Only with a slight plea from S prompted me to make an early trip on a weekend before the lines formed. Spearheaded by Chef Yasuji Morizumi, the restaurant demands respect with the first ever Michelin star being awarded to his Ramen restaurant. I arrived at its doors with a wall of expectations and vacant stomach.



Perusing the predictable menu at lightning speed, I decidedly placed my bets on the signature Chabuton Tonkatsu Ramen ($8.30 for small/ $11.90 for large) while S opted for his usual miso version, the Chabuton Miso Ramen ( $8.60 for small/ $12.40 for large). For an additional $3.00, we got our mandatory side order of soft boiled egg and Buta Kakuni (Japanese Braised Pork Belly).

Service was attentive but yet lacking in the sincerity you often find with Japanese hospitality. Our dishes, or rather our steaming bowls of noodles reached the table at lightning speed whilst the sides crept like tortoises to the bar at various stages of our meal. My Tonkatsu ramen looked every bit the picture perfect representation of a comforting bowl of goodness, unfortunately, it fell short with the noodles perhaps a tad too eggy and chewy. The hint of alkaline on the finishing cheapening the dish altogether. The soup base was deficient in natural pork bone richness, possessing an over salted quality. All was forgotten when I bit into the char-siu, its smoky tenderness reflecting the chef's mastery of flavors. I wish there was more of that as the soft boiled egg and buta kakuni missed the mark with it's hard-boiled interiors and the latter falling flat with a chewy texture that required at least another 4 hours of braising to achieve that level of delicateness.


The Restaurant's recent opening seems to draw in a never ending spate of customers into their dining room. All embracing high hopes for the ramen, as much as I would consider the affordable prices to be a major draw factor, I reckon a meal here leaves much to be desired. There are too many unmistakable misses in execution and quality that requires immediate rectification in order to keep it's following as it settles into it's Orchard Central Perch. I shall be back in a couple of months...


Chabuton
Somerset 313
#B2-01
Singapore 238895
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Saveur: [The Hundred-Foot Journey] Menu

August 12, 2014, 10:05 am
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In line with the release of The Hundred-Foot Journey, popular, affordable French joint, Saveur has created an exclusive French-Indian 3 course fusion menu which fundamentally flawed had the privilege of tasting at it's pre-launch event.

If you've not watched the trailer, you're missing out on a great deal. For your benefit, here you go!


Starting off with Saveur's pre-existant signature dishes disguised in the form of canapes these prep our appetites for the real bollywood fiestas ahead. The delightful trio displayed so daintily on the platter hitting all the right notes, the trademark Saveur pasta of capellini with chilli oil, finely chopped konbu, topped with minced pork sauce, chives and sakura ebi was a stunner and I wished there and then I had an entire bowl to tuck into. I was equally enamoured with the Salmon Confit paired with a delicate combination of apple and fennel tossed in lemon vinaigrette. The Duck Rillette did not take flight with a rather stodgy crostini that did nothing to highlight the complexities of the quenelle.

That aside, the real question still remains. How did the fusion component in the subsequent dishes go?


Starting off with the first course, the Seafood Bouillabaisse; here the brash fishy flavors of lobster and fish lend themselves to the broth, tempered by an over the top scoop of curry powder that hadn't been cooked out yet thus leading to a chalky mouth feel in the dish; or perhaps it could have been the blending of cooked fish into the soup that led to that texture; I give them the benefit of the doubt. The elegant pieces of seafood perched on top of the playful stew were expertly cooked except for the sea bass which had been seared just a little too gregariously.


Lamb shoulder, too reflected Saveur's eagerness to incorporate the mastery of Indian flavors into traditional french techniques. Here, lamb shoulder is braised with "curry de madras" and served with coco bean cassoulet. A traditional South Indian curry is a tricky one to master, and Saveur's version unfortunately fell short -white the lamb was sufficiently tender, the spices that accompanied tasted watered down and could have used a lifting of flavors with a final addition of yogurt.

Alternatively, order the classic Duck Confit with truffle mash if you're not a fan of the lamb's gaminess. The orange segments and orange infused jus deftly balances out the dish's composition, highlighting the succulent flesh with a rousing crisp cap of skin. A star quality dish.


If you're already full by then, try to practise a bit of meditation because the course that follows is not to be missed out. Mind over matter. The Tarte au citron is a dessert that comes highly recommended. A puckery dish made of smittereens of goodies scattered over the plate that melds into a perfect mouthful with every spoon. Buttery crumbs of sable breton, tangy rich lemon curd, sweet vanilla bean speckled mousseline, intense hits of sour from lemon gelee cubes, meets pillowy marshmellow kisses and that oh-so-crisp citrus tuille. It disappears all a little too quickly from the plate. *burps*


At $36.0++, the Hundred-Foot Journey menu is slightly pricey, but showcases the tenacity of the young chefs at work in the Saveur kitchens. As much as it delivers on it's French promises, the Indian aspect is a bit of a let down. Well, nobody said that fusion was going to be easy hey? Running from the 1st August to the 14 September exclusively, try it at your own will.

Saveur
14 Scotts Road
Far East Plaza, #01-07B
Singapore 228213
T: 6736 1131
Website: www.saveur.sg

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{Wordless Wednesdays}: Curbside Cafe and Wine Bar

August 13, 2014, 8:22 am
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Rounding off the National Day weekend with the family over a round of guilty pleasures. Spam fries, Red velvet cheesecake chocolate brownie, homemade apple pie and a smorgasbord of sticky milkshakes.

#getyourfatpantsready






Curbside Cafe & Wine Bar
21 Biopolis Drive
Nucleous #01-21
Singapore 138567
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CurbsideCafeSG

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