30 March, 2008

MINT - Museum of Toys - Yebber's 1st Anniversary

On Friday, it was an honour to be invited to Yebber’s 1st anniversary event. For those who do not know, Yebber.com is an online community site that essentially allows users to write reviews and recommendations, and those who wish to search for information on where to go or what to eat among many others.

TrumPat and Bobo (L-R) - Yebber's Ambassador

The event was held in Mint (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) – Museum of Toys, across from Raffles Hotel. Showcasing an extensive collection of vintage toys from all over the world, it is regarded as one of the finest in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia.

At the basement was Mint Café – Asia’s very first toy-themed café.

I arrived early and did a quick tour of the place before the event started at the 3rd Level and was greeted with toys and characters that I was familiar with – from Popeye to Ultraman, to retro Matchbox car collectibles, Kampung toys and even the Beatles.

All the guests were later treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Seafood Platter (Calamari, Dory Fillet, & Scallops), Bruschetta (Wild Mushrooms, Tomato Checca & Salmon Cream), and Linguini with Crab Sauce.

Personally, I thought the Wild Mushroom Bruschetta was the best – the toast was crispy and the mushrooms were flavoursome. I bet the salmon cream ones were just as great but unfortunately, I didn’t managed to lay my hands on them before they were cleared out. Oh, the desserts were pretty lovely as well, especially the Strawberry Panna Cotta - the sourish berries was a delightful complement to the sweet pudding.

The night ended with the cake cutting ceremony by the “3 Jokers” of Yebber - Leon, Darren and Stewart (L-R).

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Claudia for the invite for this wonderful nostalgic evening.

Also, as a token of appreciation to my faithful readers, I will be giving out my brand new CREATIVE Live! Cam Optia worth $129 that I have won during the Lucky Draw that night to the best entry in not more than 100 words describing your most nostalgic dining experience. Please send you entry to hisfoodblog@gmail.com. Closing date is Friday, 11 April 2008. (Disclosure: Only Singaporean and PRs qualify, please enclose your name and local mailing address.)

So hope to hear from you guys soon! :)

You can read more about the event at the following:
Alice Cheong
Chillycraps
Claudia - Prelude, Part 1 & Part 2
Sabrina
Sheylara
Simply Jean - Part 1 & Part 2



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24 March, 2008

Mos Burger @ Bukit Panjang Plaza

I should have seen it coming really - because she was taking her own sweet time packing the takeaway for the customer 2 positions in front of me. She started off the next order with just a word of "Yes" - no "Can I help you?" or "Can I have your order please?" - I frowned.

"Hi, does the nuggets come in a set or meal"

"Erm... No"

"Oh in that case I will just have a nuggets then"

"Sorry we ran out of nuggets" ... o.O

"Erm.. ok, I will have the Fried Chicken Set instead", pointing to the laminated
menu "I will have the set that comes with the fries instead of salad and I wanna change the drink to a Hot Milk Tea"

Waitress proceeds to key in the order, "That would be $5.05"

"Are you sure? The menu states $6.25 for the set, or you sure it's a set I am having?"

"Ermmm.... yes .... ermm... cos you changed the drink to a milk tea"

"Ok"


While attempting to pass me back my change, her fellow colleague came rushing out from the kitchen "Wait, we ran out of the bun!" The manager who overheard came over and the 3 of them started a discussion behind the counter in front of me and another customer behind.

"Eh, it's ok, you can just deduct the bun off from the cost, I can just make do with the rest of the items"

After taking back the change, I proceed to walk over to find a table and started reading my newspaper.

"Sir, your order"

"Erm... Where's my fries? I thought I ordered a set?" I waved for the manager to come over. "I ordered a set but it didn't came with the fries"

"You want a small or large fries we can give it to you"

"Your girl told me it was a set I ordered"


"You want a small or large fries, we can give it to you" (Hello! I think I heard you pretty clearly on the first time)

"It's ok, I don't want the fries already"

She proceed back to her counter and print out a receipt

"Sir, my girl only key in the chicken, not the set" She proceed to put the receipt on my table to show me.

"But she told me it was a set"

"You want a small or a large fries, we can give it to you"... o.O

"It's ok, since I never pay for it, I don't want anything"

I left the place after eating a piece of not so piping hot chicken & hot milk tea and my cr
aving for the nuggets and the fries yet to be satisfied.


End note: Why is there no nuggets and buns available during the supposedly dinner hour where Bukit Panjang Plaza is packed full with people. If the girl at the counter is new and not sure how to work the machine, why isn't there anyone to guide her? Why isn't the message that the bun is sold out relayed much earlier? AND if they assumed that I have ordered the bun via the set meal - WHERE THE HELL IS MY BLOODY FRIES!! I fear the backlash of bad service when the IR is open -- seriously!


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23 March, 2008

Korean Cuisine @ Le Meridien Food Court

The good thing about working in a foreign company is you get to meet lots of people from different walks of life from different nationalities, discovering different cultures and traditions. In my company, I have worked with Americans, Dutch, Swiss, Japanese, Korean, Malaysians, Indians, Filipinos and Chinese to name a few. And it was one day that my Korean colleague introduced me to Korean food at this place. She said she find the standard of food served here similar, if not better, than most of the other Korean restaurant she has been to so far - for a fraction of the price.

Taking her word for it, we ventured to Le Meridien for one of our lunches. Lunch was Spicy Beef Soup with rice plus a choice of condiment between Kimchi, Cucumber, or Anchovies.

Serving was generous with the bowl filled to the brim with Beef, Tofu and stalks of Spring Onions (It helps that I love eating spring onions!). The soup with a dash of Sesame Seeds was served piping hot and although MSG laced, the hint of spiciness make the soup truly enjoyable to taste.

The beef slices could have been bigger but for a meal costing less than $10, I have no complains against the serving and standard of the food.

Rating

Food: 4/5 (Generous Serving, piping hot soup)
Service: 3.5/5 (Fast and efficient, self-serviced)
Ambience: 3/5 (Spacious foodcourt)
Price: 4/5 (Value for money)
Total: 14.5/20
100 Orchard Road
Orchard Le Meridien Food Court
Singapore 238840




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20 March, 2008

Absolutly Wonderfully

Just touched down not too long ago from a 10-day family holiday to Sydney for my sister’s wedding (photos and food reviews to be uploaded real soon I promise!). And one of the best rewards that came out of this trip was - I have finally completed my compilation of Absolut bottles!

I managed to place an order of Absolut Peppar 1L at one of the local liquor shop in the city and completed the collection by purchasing the Absolut Level in Changi DFS. Here is the elusive one after many months of searching.


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16 March, 2008

Bakerzin - Stick to your niche please!

My last post on them was June 2007 and back then, my advice to Bakerzin was – "Stick to your niche in desserts and stop diluting your brand with sub standard mains" – I went back 7 months later for their desserts and it is beyond doubt that I am sticking my guns to this statement.

Their signature Warm Chocolate Cake is sinfully delectable. Described as the “melt-in-the-mouth chocolate cake oozing with rich Valrhona chocolate”, Valrhona, founded since 1924, focuses mainly on top-quality luxury chocolate marketed for professional as well as for private consumption. And I would say what a huge difference it made especially since I could evaluate it to the second-rated one I had at Friends@Jelita. Also the warmness of the cake prepared freshly by the chef harmonised perfectly with the cold Homemade Vanilla Ice-cream. What is also often overlooked is the Orange Confit at the bottom that amazingly complements the bittersweet chocolate cake giving it a subtle fruity flavour to it.

Finally rinse it off with the revitalising Lavender Violet Lime that comes in a romantic purple – an Italian soda with lavender flavoured syrup that tasted so refreshing. I like it as it wasn’t very sweet but however, I would prefer if peppermint leaf were used to give it a better lift instead of the lime, as the drink tends to turn bitter towards the end. My friend had the Strawberry Lavender Lime that is very much sweeter but still as good. Definitely a favourite with the ladies!

Rating

Food: 4.5/5 (Dessert was excellent and drinks were refreshing)
Service: 3.5/5 (We were seated outside and staff didn't really spot us)
Ambience: 4/5 (Pretty quiet in the evening)
Price: 4/5 (Dessert is worth very $9.80!)
Total: 16/20
9 Raffles Boulevard,
#01-23/24/25, Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6837 2422
Operating Hours:
Sun - Thur: 10:30 am - 10 pm
Fri, Sat & Eve of Public Holiday:
10:30 am - 11 pm



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11 March, 2008

Toast for my afternoon teabreak

According to Wikipedia, “Toast is sliced bread, which has been browned by exposure to dry heat… Toasting warms the bread, making it more pleasant to eat for some, and makes it crisp such that it holds toppings more securely… Toast is often served with butter, cheese, marmalade, or any number of other toppings.” Last Sunday afternoon, I was hungry and I decided to make something light for tea break. An idea struck when there happen to be French Loaf Slices, Foie Gras Spread in the fridge that I bought from Paris airport, some leftover Braised Duck from lunch (We had Teochew Porridge at home), and some Coriander Leaves from the kitchen. Topped it up with a hint of Japanese Mayonnaise and some Oregano Leaves from the bottle – and my master creation of Mayonnaise Braised Duck, with Foie Gras spread on French Loaf is born!

Whoever said Toast was boring?

Ingredients:

French Loaf (sliced)
Foie Gras Spread (can be substitute with pâté)
Duck Breast (sliced or shredded)
A pinch of black peppar
Japanese Mayonnaise
Coriander Leaves
Oregano Leaves

Method:

  1. Toast both sides of the sliced French loaf
  2. Once slightly browned, remove from heat and apply foie gras spread on top of the bread. Toast another 5 secs to melt the spread
  3. Remove from heat and spread evenly the foie gras
  4. Placed duck meat on the bread and toast for another 2 mins
  5. Remove from heat and add mayonnaise, coriander leaves, oregano leave and black peppar
  6. Dished up and serve


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09 March, 2008

Yakader Muslim Food - Original Chicken Dum Briyani

Tekka Centre, or 竹脚中心 located in the Little India area is a multi-use building complex comprising a wet market, food centre and shops, located along Bukit Timah Road, Race Course Road, Buffalo Road and Serangoon Road. It is said that at the wet market, you can find all sorts of spices, and traditional ingredients that you cannot find anywhere else in Singapore. And it is also at the food centre that you can find one of the most popular Indian Muslim Stall that dished out the best Original Chicken Dum BriyaniYakader Muslim Food.

Cooked using long grain Basmati Rice and Glee, the Dum method of cooking stews food in a pot sealed with foil to prevent the steam from escaping. The food gradually steams in its own natural juices, captivating the subtle essence of the spices and herbs added at the start of the cooking process. I usually avoid this stall during lunchtime, as heavy lunch just doesn’t work for me. But the curiosity got over me, as day in day out, I always see a queue snaking outside this modest stall. At first glance, the serving doesn’t look appetising – everything looks orangey red (but then doesn’t all Briyani look like this?) but it was truly a heartily satisfying meal.

The rice was palatable and not as greasy as I thought it would be and the curry was a great complement to it. The spices captured by the chicken also gave it an aromatic and fragrant taste to it but at the end of the day, it was the texture of the flesh that won me over.

It was VERY tender and succulent unlike many others that I have tried before, so much so that it caught me by surprise!

Rating

Food: 4.5/5 (Very tender chicken!)

Service: 4/5 (Fast and efficient despite the queue)
Ambience: 3/5 (Food centre)
Price: 4.5/5 ($4 for a heartily satisfying meal - worth it!)
Total: 16/20
665 Buffalo Road
#01-324 Tekka Food Centre
Singapore 210665




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06 March, 2008

Singapore Business Review Restaurant Awards

Singapore Business Review recently organised a Restaurant Awards Night - our local version of the Michelin Guide and their Stars - on 27 Feb, where the awards were presented in four categories ranging from 3 Chefs Hats, as the highest accolades, to an Order of Merit Star. The full lists of winners are as follow:

3 Chefs Hats Category

  • Il Lido
  • The Cliff
  • Mezza9
  • Senso
  • Lei Garden

2 Chefs Hats

  • OSO Ristorante
  • Ristorante Da Valentino
  • Crystal Jade Golden Palace (Paragon)
  • Shang Palace
  • Hua Ting (Orchard Hotel)
  • Saint Julien
  • Flutes at the Fort

1 Chefs Hat

  • IndoChine Club Street
  • IndoChine Waterfront
  • Garibaldi
  • La Strada
  • Ember
  • The China Club
  • Halia (Botanic Gardens)
  • Au Petit Salut
  • Nogawa
  • Les Amis
  • Min Jiang at One-North
  • Inagiku
  • Morton’s the Steakhouse

Order of Merit

  • Michaelangelo’s
  • Samy’s Curry
  • Jade (Fullerton Hotel)
  • Rang Mahal
  • Original Sin
  • Song of India
  • Tatsuya
  • Au Jardin
  • Crystal Jade PalaceNgee Ann City
  • Blue Ginger
  • Esmirada at Chijmes
  • Imperial Treasure, Great World City
  • Long Beach Seafood, Marina South
  • Jumbo Seafood, East Coast Seafood Centre
  • Oosh
  • The Universal
  • Keyaki
  • Le Papillon
  • Raffles Grill
  • Novus (at the National Museum)
  • PS Cafe
  • Chat Masala
  • Banana Leaf Apolo
  • Magma
  • Majestic Restaurant (Majestic Hotel)

SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNERS

  • Best Restaurant Bar - Il Lido
  • Best Wine List - Les Amis
  • Best Brunch - The Line (Shangri-La Hotel)
  • Best High Tea - Bar & Billiard Room, Raffles Hotel
  • Best Yum Cha – Crystal Jade Palace, Ngee Ann City
  • Chinese Restaurant of the Year - Lei Garden, Chijmes
  • French Restaurant of the Year - Saint Julien
  • Japanese Restaurant of the Year - Nogawa
  • Indian Restaurant of the Year - Rang Mahal
  • International Restaurant of the Year - Mezza9 (Grand Hyatt)
  • Italian Restaurant of the Year - Il Lido

Il Lido walked away as the most decorated restaurant for the night (3 Chefs Hats, Best Restaurant Bar, and Italian Restaurant of the Year) and that actually made me more determined to do a review over at that place.

Others in my Gastronomic Wish List includes Morton's The Steakhouse (1 Chefs Hat) and Le Papillon (Order of Merit) - any offer to sponsor me to do a review is still very gladly welcome. I have since included Nogawa in my list after they clinched the Japanese Restaurant of the Year Award.

Although on the list, I have only tried The Line (Shangri-La Hotel), which won the Best Brunch, The China Club (1 Chefs Hat), PS Cafe (Order of Merit) and Banana Leaf Apolo (Order of Merit) recently, I would say this list seems like a pretty good guide for a diner to follow - what about you? How many places you have been to are on the list? Do you think this is a good guide?


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02 March, 2008

Oomphatico’s - Mould of their Own!

Stepped into Oomphatico’s and you would imagine yourself transported to another world – lush and whimsical, the place was brightly and warmly lit with colours – a mixed of modern yet vintage feel.

Furniture were well spaced so one would not feel confined. The fixtures were very cosy with thick cushioned armchairs, in a myriad of colours and tones, and there's a stylish casualness about the place, without being pretentious, it gives customers a very peaceful ambience to dine in.

Pride itself of serving “Good Food”, the outlet comes with many interesting items on the menu – organic, Thai, noodles, Raw, gluten-free, raw and even ZEN to name some of them. You probably need time to scrutinise the menu to fully understand the kinds of items available to delight your palate. For starters, we order the Raw Deal, a Raw Vegetable Salad consisting of Beetroot, Apples and lots of Nuts and Seeds. I eat raw salad, but even I think this dish was too ambitious for me – perhaps because I am not a big fan of beetroot. The shredded apples though add a nice sweetness to it.

For the mains, we shared the Prawn and Spinach Brown Rice Risotto. It was a good balance between the spinach and the creamy-rich risotto, and the prawns add a delightful bite to this dish.

The other main we shared was the Rebelde Lina, an interesting Pizza topped with Spanish onions, Mushrooms, Bacon, Spinach and Tomatoes but most importantly – a whole EGG!!! Yes, at Oomphatico’s, all egg lovers will delighted to know that they have a pizza come served with an egg cracked all over it (Although this photo doesn't do justice to the pizza - trust me - it looks better in real).

Service was also a joy, with plenty of friendly staffs to attend to our needs. One lady (which I assume to be the boss) also made the effort to go around each table and chat with the guests, which made us feel very welcome. Overall I think this restaurant offers a refreshing experience from many others. From the food it offers to the service to the décor and furnishing, there will definitely be something you will be enticed by.

Rating

Food: 3.5/5 (Interesting twist)


Service: 4.5/5 (Friendly and attentive)
Ambience: 4/5 (Colourful and cosy)
Price: 3/5 ($71.25 for 3)
Total: 15/20
163 Tanglin Road
#01-35/36 Tanglin Mall
Singapore 247933




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