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Showing posts from October, 2015

Olive Vine

Olive Vine 's unpretentious yet amazingly delicious food has left a deep impression on me. I'm guessing that many people share my sentiments, judging from the packed restaurant everyday.      I have said it and I am going to say it again: the   Mushroom Soup   sucks. It tastes like a diluted version of Campbell soup, but at least the croutons tastes good. They really should do something about it because appetizers can make or break a meal.      All my colleagues ordered   Chicken Steak   so I followed suit. Two pieces of garlic bread, a piece of chicken cutlet with your choice of gravy, coleslaw and salad. It is so simple yet so comforting.      You will be surprised how good this piece of plain-looking  Banana Cake   tastes. It is soft and moist with the right amount of sweetness. The fragrance of banana lingers in the mouth long after you have wolfed down the last bite.      The   Chocolate ...

Chicken Hot Pot (Westgate)

Riding on the hotpot wave that is still going strong in Singapore, Chicken Hot Pot is a franchise from Hong Kong.      There are four choices to choose from: Chicken Hotpot, Scandalously  Spicy Shrimp, Beef Behemoth and Fish in a Pot. Small is good for 1-2 person, medium is for 3-4 people while large is better suited for bigger group of 4-6 people.      It is my first time here and I wanted to try their signature dish, so I ordered a small  Chicken Hot Pot . You can choose the level of spiciness (non-spicy, mild spicy and spicy). Vegetables and pieces of tender chicken are cooked in a ceramic pot of curry sauce especially imported from Hong Kong. It looks really good but I find the curry taste too strong that it overpowers everything.      You can order additional vegetable, meats and ingredients to add to your hotpot from this Ala-Carte Hotpot Side Dishes fridge. Prices vary according to the colored plates.    This is a g...

Mak's Noodles

Mak's Noodle originated from Hong Kong in 1968, specializing in wanton noodles that even the President of the Republic of China Chiang Kai-Shek has tried. It is claimed that the recipe has remained unchanged, passed down from generation to generation.    I have visited both The Centrepoint and Westgate outlets and put together a post so that you know what to expect from this Michelin-starred restaurant.        I like the design of Centrepoint's menu which takes on the shape of a bowl. The menu is decided into three main sections, Tossed Noodles, Soup Dishes, Congee and Sides. Unfortunately, the Centrepoint outlet does not offer congee.      Condiments include soy sauce, red vinegar, red chilli sauce, pepper and cut green chilli.      Wonton Noodle Soup   is the restaurant's signature dish which can be found at both outlets. Don't be surprised by the small potions, the noodles are intentionally served in small portions to p...

Tonkatsu Bistro by Ma Maison (Westgate)

  Believe it or not, tonkatsu is actually an adaptation of the Western deep-fried breaded chicken. The Japanese adopted this cooking technique in the 19th century, replacing chicken with pork. The Japanese tonkatsu has grown to become one of the world's favorite foods.    Established food critic,   Ladyironchef , says Tonkatsu by Ma Maison "has one of the best, if not the best tonkatsu in Singapore". Let's go and find out how true that it.        At Tonkasu by Ma Maison, there is no lack of variety when it comes to tonkatsu.  There is the classic Rosu/Hire Katsu, Iroiro Katsu if you feel like sampling a little of everything or Ebi Katsu for seafood lovers. There are also options to have your katsu in the form of Katsu Don or Katsu Curry.        I took up the staff's recommendation and ordered   Rosu Negi Shio Lemon Katsu   from the Chef's Recommendation menu and I was not disappointed. The tender meat is breaded ...

Cocoa Colony (Suntec City)

  Cocoa Colony was founded in 1848 by two Spanish aristocrat brothers, Carlos and Louie, when they accidently stumbled upon ”Amazonian Gold" cocoa beans when they were shipwrecked.   Not only is cocoa delicious, it has various health benefits too. Cocoa is a powerful antioxidant, it improves blood flow, prevents weight gain, protects your skin and even improves brain function!     Cocoa Colony has taken over the spot previously occupied by Casa Italia, at Tower 3 of Suntec City Mall. The window seats are extremely popular where you can get a bird's-eye view of the surroundings.     Cocoa 100 is the original recipe of hot cocoa created by the Brothers, 100% rich and thick cocoa for the true cocoa addicts.   Cocoa 76 , which is what I am having now, is created especially for the weight-conscious ladies who enjoy cocoa but want something less sweet. Cocoa 38 is created for those who prefer a sweeter beverage.     If you want something rich and c...

Chicken Up (Jurong East)

Korean Fried Chicken is all the rage in Singapore right now with restaurants popping up like popcorn chicken. I must say, the Korean method of double-frying the chicken and adding addictive sauces has transformed the humble fried chicken into quite something else. After having tried   4 Fingers , the Korean Fried Chicken that started this craze, let's check out Chicken Up, which many Singaporeans feel is the best Korean Fried Chicken in Singapore.       Situated on the ground floor of the Jurong East MRT station, it is right next to the food court. If you are coming on a weekday evening, try to reach before 6.30pm because it can really packed after 7pm.      Cup Bab is like the Korean version of the Japanese bento of rice topped with ingredients and sauce of your choice. You have a choice of Ganjang Chicken, Gochujang Chicken and Beef Bulgogi and Gochujang Pork while sauce includes Non-Spicy, Spicy and Freakin Hot. I opted for   Ganjang Chick...

Hakata Ippudo (Westgate)

  Ippudo, also known as Hakata Ippudo in Japan, was first started in 1985 in Fukuoka City of Japan. Ippudo has since expanded to become a Japanese ramen chain restaurant with outlets in 13 countries and counting. Ippudo arrived in Singapore in 2009 with its flagship outlet in Mandarin Gallery.    Many well-established food bloggers unanimously agree that Ippudo is one of the best Japanese ramen restaurants in Singapore. Let's find out how good their ramen is at the newly-opened outlet at Westgate.       Shiromaru is Ippudo's signature ramen. I love flavored egg so I ordered  Shiromaru Tamago . The tonkotsu broth is one of the better ones I have tasted so far although it still loses to   Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King , served with distinctively thin and straight Hakata noodles.      The homemade panna cotta of  Azuki Panna Cotta   is thick and creamy. Azuki (red beans) is blended into the rich dessert and topped with swe...

O'ma Spoon

                        Korean bingsu is a popular Korean dessert comprising of ice shavings and various ingredients such as sweetened condensed milk, fruit syrups, fresh fruits, Korean rice cake and ice-cream. Bingsu is all the craze in Singapore now and Korean bingsu cafes are popping up everywhere like wild mushrooms.                            Besides bingsu, this dessert cafe also serves usual cafe offerings such as coffee and tea. I have been told that their Signature Oven-Baked Honey Bread is very good. The flavours include Strawberry & Chocolate with Ice Cream, Banana & Chocolate with Ice Cream and Green Tea with Ice Cream.     I was told that   Mango Cheesecake Bingsu   is one of the most popular item on the menu. Oh my, it is a sight to behold! A bowl of shaved ice is topped with sweetened condensed milk and freshly-cut m...

Wee Nam Kee (Marina Square) - Overrated Chicken Rice

Founded in 1989, Wee Nam Kee has been serving Hainanese chicken rice for more than 20 years. Wee Nam Kee has won numerous awards such as Top Hawker at AsiaOne People Choice Award in 2010,  Top 3 in Singapore Hawker Masters 2010 (Chicken Rice Category)  and Singapore Day 2009 (London), 2011(Shanghai) and 2012 (New York).   Let's try the famous Haianese chicken rice and see if it lives up to its reputation.       The restaurant is designed like an old coffeeshop, complete with metal gates and windows.      I am not at all impressed with their Hainanese chicken rice. It's edible and that's about the best thing I can say. The chicken meat is dry and tastes like cardboard. The skin, even though I ordered the roasted version, manages to be completely tasteless.Chicken rice set which includes a plate of vegetables and a bowl of soup costs $7,  this is still acceptable although most Singaporeans would consider this a little expensive. Ironically...