September 30, 2015

Old Boys Gallery @ Kampong Bahru Road ~ Where Bistro, Bar & Art Meets



Why the name Old Boys Gallery? Because the bistro is opened by 3 old boys (as I was told by the sister of one of them who is helping to do the marketing)!

Well, I do not know any of the boys personally so I don't know how "old" they are, but if the colorful, vibrant interior of the casual joint is reflective of their personalities, I would say they're young at heart no matter the age.

Conceptualized to be a place where people can hang out to chill over food and drinks, the former art gallery along Kampong Bahru Road is now transformed into a bistro.

September 29, 2015

Snatch @ One Shenton Way ~ A Protein-Centric Salad Bar For Clean, Quick, Eats In CBD Area



Snatch is one of the latest salad bar to open at One Shenton Way, offering working executives and nearby residents another option for healthier eating in the Raffles Place CBD area.

But do we really need another salad bar, albeit a protein-centric one? If we look at the bustling crowd at The Daily Cut and unceasing queue at Grain Traders during lunch hour, the answer would probably be "yes".

September 28, 2015

Café & Meal MUJI, Singapore @ Orchard Paragon ~ Simple, Fuss-Free, Satisfying Meal.



After having "ang mo chap chye png" at Grain Traders for lunch, I went to eat "Japanese chap chye png" at Café & Meal MUJI for dinner! Oh my goodness! Low-carbs diet? What diet? (chap chye png = economy mixed vegetable rice)

Popular Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI finally opened their first café in Singapore at Orchard Paragon earlier this month, mirroring a dining concept which is not unlike the ones they currently have in Japan itself, as well as Hong Kong, Chengdu and Taiwan.

Its deli counter displays a host of dishes, you pick what you prefer to go with your rice, make payment, bring your food to your table, sit down, take photo, eat. Straightforward and fuss-free meal.

September 27, 2015

Lai Huat Signatures ~ Popular Sambal Fish Restaurant Opens At China Street!



Whenever the dish of sambal fish is mentioned, Lai Huat is the familiar name that will inevitably popped up. There are a few eateries across the island bearing the "Lai Huat" brand, owners are somewhat related but businesses are mostly independently run. I would say the quality of food varies too.

If you're looking for one which has well-executed food, air-conditioned comfort, and easy accessibility, Lai Huat Signatures at China Street (nearest mrt Raffles Place NS26/EW14 & Telok Ayer DT18) would be the branch you can consider going to.

September 25, 2015

Clinton Street Baking Company, Singapore @ Purvis Street ~ Best NYC Pancake Is Here!



What caught me by surprise was, some of my foodie friends who usually 'chiong' (local slang for 'rush') to cafés on their first day of operations seemed uninterested when Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant opened their doors last weekend. Why huh?

For the uninitiated, Clinton St is the renowned bakery from New York City famed for its pancakes, burgers, biscuits and other freshly-baked goods.

Voted "Best Pancakes", and described as "Legendary", "New York #1 Breakfast Spot", "Brunch Magnet", by various New York publications. Are you sold on it yet?

September 22, 2015

Grain Traders @ CapitaGreen, Raffles Place ~ Hearty Meal Bowls That's Totally Satisfying!



As my cup of coffee is being prepared, the affable barista at MavRx asked me, "so where did you have lunch earlier? My answer was, "ang mo chap chye png" (Western version of Chinese mixed vegetable rice)! Haha!

Grain Traders officially started trading on 1st September 2015, serving up hearty meal bowls which we can concoct on our own. Choose your grain, pick your protein, add various toppings and finish off with a sauce (sounds familiar?).

Mix it, eat it and love it. I'm definitely loving it!

September 20, 2015

The Fickle Mussel @ Goldhill Shopping Centre ~ Café Serving Mussels & More, At Affordable Prices.



The Fickle Mussel
is a recent opening at Goldhill Shopping Centre (along the same row as Udders), serving up simple French dishes, Western grub, as well as their specialty mussels.

Not quite a fancy hangout place, but if you're looking for an affordable meal in a relatively comfortable environment, this will suffice. Mains are priced under $20, and Weekday Lunch Set (1 main + 1 soft drink) is only at $10nett.

September 19, 2015

MavRx Coffee Apothecary @ Duxton Hill ~ Serving One Of The Best Coffee In Singapore!



It seems almost imperative nowadays that whenever I'm in the Tanjong Pagar vicinity, I will swing by MavRx Coffee Apothecary at Duxton Hill for a caffeine fix.

I'm no coffee connoisseur, but there is something about the brew at this coffee specialty joint that highly pleases in terms of smooth finish and well-balanced, full-bodied taste.

You can say both the coffee and place got me hooked.

September 17, 2015

Tendon Ginza Itsuki @ Tanjong Pagar ~ Delicious Japanese Tempura Donburi!



Keisuke Takeda. Met the celebrity ramen chef twice, a very reserved man. We all know he's the genius behind the highly successful Ramen Keisuke chain of ramen restaurants, but has since started selling gyoza (Gyoza King), oden (Takeda Shoten) as well, and now, opened a tendon shop!

Tendon Ginza Itsuki at Tanjong Pagar is the newest venture by chef Keisuke, a collaboration with Ginza Itsuki Sushi restaurant in Tokyo, specializing in 'tendon' which is short for "tempura donburi" (not sinew the connective tissue lah, you england bery powderful people).

September 15, 2015

Hashida Garo @ Mandarin Gallery ~ A Lovely Place Specializing in Japanese Wagashi & Tea



Hashida Garo ('garo' translates to 'gallery' in Japanese) is being described as a place where desserts meet art.

Another brainchild of Kenjiro "Hatch" Hashida who is the chef-owner of Japanese fine dining restaurant Hashida Sushi, and Beni, an intimate establishment incorporating Japanese delicateness into French cuisine, one couldn't help but have just that little bit more of expectations than usual.

Thankfully, it's not just hype. Hashida Garo really delivers on quality.

Thankfully, it's rather affordable too.

September 12, 2015

Garçons @ Essen At The Pinnacle ~ Restaurant Quality Modern European Cuisine In A Foodcourt!



Within just over a year, Immanuel Tee established his eponymous stall Immanuel French Kitchen at Bukit Merah, went on to open By The Fire at East Coast Road, and has now partnered up with Enoch Teo to set up Garçons @ Essen At The Pinnacle. Whoa, this young chef-owner is really on fire!

(Read: Immanuel French Kitchen: Enjoy French Food In A Coffeeshop!)

All the three joints have an unifying factor: Restaurant quality fare at affordable prices in a coffeeshop-style setting.

Same same, but still different.

September 10, 2015

Nunsongyee 눈송이 ~ Popular Korean Dessert Café's Latest Outlet At Bugis! It's Open 24/7!



Bingsu around the clock? 24/7? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Nunsongyee (meaning "snowflake" in Korean) just opened their latest outlet at Bugis (3rd branch after Burghley and Tanjong Katong) last week, serving up their popular Korean milk ice dessert at all times of the day, whenever we the customers want it.

This is like a dream come true for those who have sweet cravings at unearthly hours, or need an alternate late-night hangout place to drinking joints.

September 07, 2015

33 Different Foie Gras Dishes In Singapore! Which Is Your Favourite?



Foie Gras, Foie Gras, How Do I Enjoy Thee? PinkyPiggu counted at least 33 ways!

It wasn't love at first bite when it comes to foie gras, the well-known French delicacy. Back then, I wasn't impressed with the liver's quality nor taste, but somehow there was a certain inexplicable allure about the controversial lobe that warranted another chance.

Needless to say, foie gras has now found immense favor with my palate. Be it duck or goose liver, classic pan-seared or terrine rendition, the unctuous richness and distinctive taste of foie gras is utterly impossible to resist.

The different ways of enjoying foie gras is rather beyond our imagination nowadays too. From western-style (burger, hot dog, pizza), to Asian cuisine (pan-fried dumpling, steamed bun, sushi), and even dessert (ice cream, macaron, profiterole), we can actually find it all on this tiny island of ours!

If you are a foie gras lover like me, this post is surely for you! 

September 05, 2015

Sistersfield Organic Granola! Healthy Deliciousness & Ways To Enjoy Them!



I don't normally include granola in my usual diet, but what did I do when a friend gave me a few packets of Sistersfield Organic Granola to try? I eat them, of course! Lol!

Sistersfield's range of products is said to be healthier, made using only organic ingredients and natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup. Gently baked by hand to create a perfect golden crunch, the granola are certainly addictive and has since become a very satisfying addition to my diet nowadays.

September 02, 2015

Fukuichi Japanese Dining's New Branch At Hotel Chancellor! Go For Their Opening Specials, Teishoku (8 Items) At Only $30++



Fukuichi is one of my favorite places for casual Japanese food! Their branch at Triple One Somerset has been around for a couple of years, and has accompanied me through numerous lunch hours when I used to work in the area. (Read: Fukuichi Japanese Dining At Triple One Somerset)

Recently, Fukuichi has opened a new outlet at Hotel Chancellor (behind Concorde Hotel, very near Cuppage and Centrepoint), purveying lunch and dinner teishoku at affordable prices. A dinner set meal of 8 items goes for only $30++ (usual $45++) during the opening promotion period from now till 30th September 2015!