Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Hajime Tonkatsu - My Favourite Meal of 2016

There is a misconception that favourite meals of the year must exist in an exclusive vacuum of michelin starred establishments, or a table bill of a couple hundred bucks per head.

The simple truth is the best food is usually the most comforting, and the ones that you will likely go back for, again and again.

Friday, December 23, 2016

A Heartwarming Christmas With Si Jun and Pasta Fresca

Sometime during this festive season, there will be someone looking for a light to guide them out of their darkness. For it has been a crazy year, and with a depressed economy and an uncertain political outlook elsewhere, we need to find ways where we can feel good about ourselves.

And thanks to the good intentions of Pasta Fresca, one family will have good reason to feel positive going into the new year.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Starker Fresh Beer and Bistro at Hillview 2

 This post is brought to you by the good folks from Starker Fresh Beer.

Starker Fresh Beer may be more known for its alcoholic beverages, but they have also joined the fray into the F&B establishments as well.

I was able to attend a special media tasting to try some of their food and drinks at their Hillview 2 outlet and it is a superb place to chill and unwind. And especially for football fans, it's a great place to catch those BPL matches too.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Tsuta Singapore - Delicate and Exquisite Shio and Shoyu Ramen

Michelin Guide's only ramen entry is making its debut in Singapore at Pacific Plaza. Chef Yuki, who is the maestro behind Tsuta in Tokyo is bringing the same quality and excellence here.

As a testament to preserving his pristine and precise approach to his ramen making, everything is sourced at the highest level and even using specially concocted soy sauce and bringing over the special wheat from Japan to construct the noodles.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Tochigi Waygu at Fat Cow - Beef Nirvana For Three Nights Only

Seldom do I rave to the high heavens on food these days, so when I say this is the apex of beef gastronomy, you better believe it.

Fat Cow is a place that I have heard and read raves for some time, but never got around to visiting it for one reason or another. For 3 nights only, visiting Chef Seichi Shinbo brings with him a tasting menu that is guaranteed to dazzle and charm even the most jaded of diners.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Super Loco at Customs House - Possibly the Best Mexican Food in Town

Mexican food has never been my thing. Until now, that is. The Loco chain of Mexican gastrobars have certainly lit up the food scene in town since Lucha Loco opened its doors a few years back.

Adding Super Loco at Clarke Quay to bolster its lineup, it was only a matter of time before the third, and most high end Loco outlet is up and running.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Plentyfull - Scratch Cooking is the Way to Go

Plentyfull may be a mouthfull to say, but it certainly resonates with me with its scratch cooking philosophy and it's insistence of using fresh produce.

In an era where hardly anything you eat is fresh outside, Plentyfull is plenty refreshing when it comes to its cuisine.

Maggie Joan's New Lunch Menu - Rustic Goodness

Despite the injection and relocation of more eating establishments within the Telok Ayer vicinity, Moosehead and it's sibling, Maggie Joan's have pretty much held the banner for the best eateries here.

In fact, some of the relocated ones have actually gone backwards in terms of their food, and is possibly a mistake to compete with the mad scientist brilliance of the double Ms.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Lan Ting Cuisine and Wine - An Exquisite Dim Sum Restaurant in the East

Cantonese dim sum eateries are pretty common these days, but to get quality renditions of dim sum dishes is much harder than you think.

Between the coffeshop variants like Swee Choon and the restaurant settings of Crystal Jade, you are not likely to find anything else in between.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

OCF Singapore - Refined Modern French Cuisine

Elegant and refined cooking is almost a rarity these days. Too much emphasis on gimmicky fusion food has taken the focus away on what's most important in the culinary scene.

And that's sublime cooking skill and fresh ingredients. Both of these critical factors are happily in full evidence at OCF Singapore at the Arts House.

Maguro Blue Fin Tuna Nirvana at Hokkaido Sushi

Revisiting Hokkaido Sushi at M Hotel recently has elicited a new gastronomically delightful experience. The discovery of their maguro blue fin tuna addition.

For most, eating fatty otoro is not only a luxury that will nibble incessantly at your wallet, it is also hard to come by really fresh and good quality tuna.

Osteria Mozza - Classic Italian Fare

Osteria Mozza presents classic Italian fare executed with tried and tasted flavours that will not infringe on nonsensical combinations, and for that, I applaud it heartily.

And hearty food is also the order of the day as there is simply too much fusion play in less established cafes and joints these days.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Epicurean Market 2016 at Marina Bay Sands - A Culinary Extravaganza

Epicurean Market is back again! For the fourth year running, this culinary extravaganza held annually at Marina Bay Sands promises to not just provide attendees with a bevy of gastronomic riches, but also to usher in a number of celebrity chefs.

If anything, the 2016 edition is promising to be the biggest, the grandest and most exciting yet.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Moosehead Kitchen Bar - Genius Reigns Supreme

Moosehead Kitchen Bar has a new head chef, Seumas Smith for 2016 but the standards are still as high as it ever has been. Owner and chief mad scientist genius, Glen Ballis is still the brains behind the place.

Some of their favourites are still here, though upgraded with better flavours and creativity. In fact, the place has been somewhat spruced up too.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Full of Luck Club - Full of Yummy Plates

Chinese eateries are not having the best of times.
Beyond the established top fine dining ones, most Chinese restaurants tend to regurgitate the same myriad of tried and tested dishes.

Outside of Mitzo, which tries to be more hipster and actually manages to connect, the only other Chinese establishment that inhibits the same rarified air is Full of Luck Club.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Open Farm Community - Improving on Greatness

Improving on greatness sounds almost impossible in today's culinary landscape, when most establishments are struggling just to maintain any form of consistency.

My first visit to Open Farm Community had already been a revelatory one. Chef Daniele insists on making all his pastas fresh, as well as his sauces and even staples like cous cous.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Patisserie Platine From Waku Ghin - Divine Desserts

Actually, divinity does not even begin to describe the new dessert pastries being dished out at the RISE Lounge at Marina Bay Sands lobby area.

Extracted from its mother outlet at Waku Ghin, the new dessert counter is wholly the domain of master pastry Chef Yasushi Ishino.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Usquba at One Fullerton - A Refined Simplicity

Usquba is like a breath of fresh air. Yet, the cuisine formulated at this week old joint at One Fullerton is hardly considered avant garde.

If anything, it harks back to a more familiar European tradition of classic techniques, albeit enhanced by some necessary modern tweaks here and there.

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Spaghetti Snob - What to Look For in a Good Pasta

Sequelitis has set in as I have been meaning to do a follow up to my Risotto Snob piece a few months back. It is time I put down my thoughts on what is a decent plate of pasta because frankly, it is rather dismal out there when it comes to good pasta dishes.

Beyond endless cafes churning out less than respectable pasta, even the fine dining ones come up short fairly regularly too.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Hokkaido Sushi at M Hotel - More Than Just a Japanese Buffet

Hokkaido Sushi has been around for quite awhile, nestled on the 9th storey of M Hotel. It has also seen a number of personnel changes but their recent focus on buffet might seem a step away from their more talked about Omakase offerings.

Indeed, with the hotel's own cafe offering buffet options, it might seem odd that Hokkaido Sushi would want to cater to the same crowd.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

The Untenable Lightness of Being a Singapore Food Influencer

Federal Bureau of Investigation is most famously associated with the FBI acronym. But for most millennials, FBI usually means the trophied trinity of social media platforms.

Facebook, Blogs and Instagram. Everyday we gravitate towards our mobile devices, indulging in FBI activities when it comes to a spare moment during train and bus rides.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

1933 By Toast Box - Something Closer to Home

Written and photographed by Soh Gail

Nestled in the heart of the spanking new Capitol Piazza, one can take a walk down heritage lane with 1933 by Toast Box.

The menu has been recently revamped and refreshed, and patrons can look forward to nostalgic Nanyang-inspired dishes that reflect the identity of 1930s Singapore. Local food never tasted more like home.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Alba 1836 Wine Bar and Restaurant - An Italian Masterpiece

Restaurants these days hardly excite me, but Alba 1836 certainly breaks this depressing trend for me. Perched deep within the confines of Duxton Hill, it is almost hidden in plain sight.

Beautifully designed with both a touch of elegance and modernistic virtues, Alba 1836 will charm you from the moment you reach its entrance until you step all the way inside.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Captain K Seafood Tower - Latest Korean Food Fad

Written by Pinky Chng

I thought all things Korean had already hit Singapore's shores – Korean barbecue, Korean fried chicken, bingsu, you name it. But enter Captain K, a new Korean seafood tower concept that's been all the hype of late.

Food is served in 9 layers of steamers stacked on top of each other, with the soup base at the bottommost tier to catch all the briny juices of the seafood, enriching the soup.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Mitzo's Spring Menu - A Time to Enjoy Some Springtime Delights

Springtime is still blossoming in this latter part of April, and Mitzo has a couple of spring menus to pamper the hungry ones.

As always, Chef Nicky Ng is more than competent, and in his new creations, has managed to drum up some exciting concoctions for the next couple of months.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Wong Kee Wanton Noodle - Tomato Noodles, Spinach Noodles and Some Mighty Fine Wantons

Sometime not so long ago, the next generation owner of Wong Kee, Kelly Wong, had taken the liberty to home deliver some of their products for me to try at home.

Whilst the noodles took some getting used to, to get it right using home appliances, the shrimp wantons and pork dumplings blew me away.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Beach Cabana at Pasir Ris Park - Fishing and Feasting

Somedays, you wish you are back in a more kampung like environment where you can sit back and have fun blending in with mother nature.

Pasir Ris Park may seem like a very far destination to travel to, but one of the best things about coming here is to immerse oneself in the tranquil activities of fishing, crabbing and prawning in the scenic pond right in the middle of the park.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Disgruntled Chef - More Brilliance Than Disgruntledness

Disgruntling aside, Chef Daniel Sia's latest iteration of his mischievously titled restaurant lives up to its reputation with its combination of well executed classics and updated modernistic revivals.

The joint itself looks classy and relevant, and nestled within a section of the revamped The Club establishment.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Akari Japanese Dining and Bar - Kaiseiki Brilliance

Japanese cuisine is very prevalent in Singapore, but often finding a balance between modernistic approaches and an adherence to authentic cooking can be a challenge.

Not so for Akari Japanese Dining and Bar, which has been around for what seems like an eternity in the food and beverage industry.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Brunch at Salt Tapas and Bar - Glorious, Glorious Eggs

Whenever I want to assess the cooking ability of a chef, the best way is to simply ask him or her to cook up an egg dish.

It may sound very simple, but those that cook will know that mastery of the eggs is no simple feat. It takes a culmination of knowledge, practice and skill to come up with the best egg dishes.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Two Wings at Essen at the Pinnacle - From Humble Beginnings to Singapore’s Best Chicken Wings

Written and photographed by Pinky Chng

If Two Wings sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because it was all the hype on social media, with many hailing it as Singapore’s best chicken wings.

The chicken wings boast a 40-year-old family recipe imparted from owner Jeremy’s granduncle, who used to sell them in a hawker centre decades back.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Dallas Restaurant and Bar - Prime Ribs That Hit The Mark

Prime ribs used to be quite an expensive affair, and the prominent one in town has always been the go to for many diners here. Thankfully, more affordable and equally delectable prime rib establishments are now available.

One such eatery is Dallas Restaurant and Bar and they have been around for some time.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Menya Takeichi and Tokyo Sundubu - Chicken Ramen and Comforting Tofu Stews

Somehow, we are all too familiar with pork based broth for our ramen fix, and the idea of using other non-pork foundations may seem like a good idea, but it rarely works.

One that does is this popular chicken ramen version that hails from Tokyo and it is making its debut here this month.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Tidbits From Pasarbella@Suntec and Hard Rock Cafe Singapore

Pasarbella's second venture at Suntec City promises to be a more scaled down affair, resembling more like an upmarket food court. The selections are a mix of Asian and Western culinary concepts.

From cajun seafood to Korean fried chicken and Vietnamese pho, there is a bit of everything for everyone.

Monday, February 15, 2016

D'Good Cafe - Of Dutch Skillet Pancakes, Hearty Pastas and Cold Brews

Written and photographed by Pinky Chng

Occupying a two-storey shophouse space in Holland Village, D’Good Café is whimsically divided into four differently furnished spaces – each brimming with its own unique vibe, yet equally laid-back and comfortable.

Besides The Bar where the baristas do their thing, there’s also the homely Lawn for chic diners, the brightly lit Attic where you’re more than likely to find students buried deep in their books, and the charming al fresco Balcony.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Humpback - A Whale of a Delightful Brunch

Humpback is one of those eateries that will surprise you if you give it a chance. Situated along the slope of Bukit Pasoh Road, it looks almost rustic from the outside.

Stepping inside, it has a light aqua colour that matches it's name and it's seafood themed menu rather nicely.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Morton's Steakhouse - The Authentic Chicago Steak Experience

Chicago steakhouses are legendary, and Morton's is just about synonymous with the best steaks in the house. They have been in Singapore for some time now, tucked away in the Mandarin Oriental hotel.

There are new boys in the steak town, but when it comes to having that Chicago steak dining experience, Morton's remains the one to beat.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Verre - The Immaculate Elegance of Masashi's Cuisine

Masashi is a name that is synonymous with immaculate cooking, and at his latest restaurant where he is the consulting chef, I expect nothing less than precision and refined plates coming out of the kitchen.

Verre is french for glass, and there is a sense of polish in everything that is associated with the establishment. Superb wines are visible from the huge central wine cellar that stands out.

Monday, January 25, 2016

The 2016 Yusheng Post - My Top 5 and Then Some

Consuming yusheng time is here again, and 2016 has quite a lot of interesting variations in store. Some good, some not so good, and a few exceptionally brilliant ones.

Here's where I break it down for you. In the event you are looking for the classic fish and greens salad, or seeking something a bit more exotic or different.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Chinese New Year Cooking - Bak Kut Teh Fried Rice With Dry Bak Kut Teh Pork Ribs

Chinese New Year is around the corner, and every year, our household will take the time and effort to do our own cooking as it means more to prepare our own homecooked dishes as opposed to eating outside.

This year, I wanted to prepare something that is both traditional yet different. At the same time, I wanted something that everyone from the young to the old will enjoy.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Bridge - Beautiful Food That Measures Up

Although I will not classify Bridge at Seah Street as a fine dining establishment, it certainly has food that bests it's nearby fine dining neighbours. More befitting of a high end bistro, it has a classy look and feel about it.

Helmed by a chef that used to work at Cornerhouse, I was anticipating some solid cooking at this joint, and I was not disappointed.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Ginza Yoshihiro - Omakase and Oden at It's Very Best

Omakase dining has just found another gem in the form of Ginza Yoshihiro here. Tucked away on the fourth level of Marina Mandarin, the space is compact, yet decked out in the finest Japanese influenced furnishings.

It also includes a tatami soju bar that is both impressive and classy. In fact, everything here is full of class.

Friday, January 8, 2016

PerBacco - Classy Italian Fare

Italian food is everywhere these days, but the really decent ones are rare. Most are just cheap knockoffs with inflated pricing, and recently I have run the gamut from the bad to the good.

On one end of the spectrum, you have eateries pretending to know all about classic Italian food, but when the plates are served, they are anything but.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Seorae - Korean Charcoal BBQ Worthy of a Good Smoke

Inhabiting the old premises where Lao Beijing used to be at Plaza Singapura, Seorae is another entry in the unending stream of Korean food joints on our ever increasing tiny island.

Yet, this is one that is here with a smoky vengeance, with its choice cuts of pork skirt meat and its prized array of kimchi inspired rice and stew dishes.