Review: DEN @ Boon Tat Street

DEN transforms from a café with breakfast and lunch options in the day, and a lively tapas bar at night. With a huge bar counter occupying the central space of the entire café, I assumed that they were a place just for drinks, and definitely did not expect them to serve up a breakfast/lunch fare. Of course, with alcohol being the central theme of DEN, they have their happy hours starting as early as 11am!

The Place

Tucked inconspicuously along Boon Tat Street, a few units away from the now pretty popular FYR, lies DEN. A space that would be easily overlooked if you’re not looking out for them. Even for us, we nearly walked past the place without noticing them. We heard from people working in the CBD area that they have never seen DEN before even though they have been frequenting that street for work.Whilst they may experience a lower traffic as a result, I thought their inconspicuous exterior was a charm. It feels like a respite from all the hustle and bustle, as we all know how crazy it can get in the CBD area on weekdays. Can you imagine: taking a break from all the craziness with a drink in hand and some good food during your lunch break? SHIOK.

The Food
We kick started the tasting session with their in house Prosecco (PERFECT on a hot day), with a really cute name placard placed on our table. A paper plane because DEN rides on the theme of travel collecting, so having your meals here will just be like a journey to different places.

We tried items from the Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner menu, just so I could give a full rundown of what’s good on their menu. See, the sacrifices I make to my weight just for you guys!

Breakfast/Brunch

For the Breakfast menu, we were given 2 items to try, and both of which are readily packed as a to-go item for you to pick up on the way to work too.Bircher Muesli ($8): Rolled oats, dried and fresh fruits and berries, apple sauce, maple yogurt and vanilla granola.

The only oats I eat are my homemade overnight oats. I’m not a fan of oats because I tend to think of them as old people’s food, and it’s mushy porridge. However, this bowl of steel cut oats, perfectly dressed with apple sauce and fruits changed my mind forever. HAHA.

This was very refreshing, and I especially liked how they added applesauce to the oats so that it could have a thicker consistency, instead of a watery mess. VERY YUM, it makes me feel healthy and pretty filling too!

Croque Monsieur/Madame ($13): Pain de mie, truffle bacon béchamel, honey baked ham, cheddar and mozzarella, with side salad. Egg/no egg.

A heavier option for breakfast, but certainly very fulfilling – makes you go AH… burp, after you finish it. My favorite part of this dish was the truffle bacon béchamel, which made the entire dish so fragrant and every bite so flavorful. It’s like a party in my mouth!

Flat White ($5.50): They got their beans from Gentleman Coffee, and this cuppa is pretty decent. The coffee was smooth and of a right temperature, but I wished it could be slightly more acidic. You may need an extra shot for your much needed caffeine kick.

Lunch
 Den Burger: Brioche bun, Russian dressing, vintage cheddar, caramelized onions, tomato chipotle, lettuce and fries.

This is just a slider version of the actual burger, because I forgot to take a picture of the entire burger. My bad. This burger is far from bad though. THAT patty was soooo chunky and juicy. We tried to slice the slider into half and saw the juices creeping out of the patty. How satisfying. AND BRIOCHE BUN! I CAN’T RAVE ENOUGH ABOUT BRIOCHE! The fries dusted with chipotle was a huge setback to my waistline.Seafood Malfada: Fish, squid and prawns, tomato and cream sauce, yuzu dressed rocket salad and linguine.

Definitely a satisfying choice if you’re craving for pasta. We wished for a little heat in this one though, because the sauce could get mild after a while.

Dinner
Shortrib and Mash: Braised shortribs, mash, sautéed mushrooms and garlic bread crumbs.

The shortribs were braised perfectly, with the protein being slide off the bone good and tender. However, the garlic bread crumbs made this dish a tad too salty for my liking.

Beer and Blue Cheese Mussels: A dozen mussels, Asahi, Roquefort, chervil, ciabatta.

A good dish to share, as too many of these at one go may make you feel a little gelat. I loved the “broth” that came with it though, but like the shortrib, it was a little too salty.

Desserts

No meal is complete without desserts!Lemon and Olive Oil Cake ($8): Basil oil, vanilla ice cream, white chocolate milk crumble.

A twist from the usual lemon tarts we may have. Instead of butter, they’ve used olive oil in this one. The first mouthful may taste a tad bit weird, but after awhile, you’ll find that the cake makes a perfect end to a heavy meal, as it was light and very refreshing. The white chocolate crumbs also added some much needed texture and sweetness in this dessert.

Brownie Fudge ($8): Homemade crumble, honey cinnamon butter shavings, toasted marshmallow ice cream.

RICH. This is really rich, and I do not recommend you to have this if you just had a heavy meal. Thick and chocolatey, would definitely satisfy any chocolate lover. A downside though, the brownie we had was a little too hard, and tough to even slice through. Otherwise I thought this would make a perfect chocolate dessert!

Closing Remarks

I was pretty pleased with the food served and the ambience at DEN. It had definitely exceeded my expectations because I certainly did not expect a bar-like looking place to serve up such decent offerings, besides the usual wings and such.

A little tweaking may be needed in terms of the seasoning for some dishes, otherwise I think it would make a pretty good place for lunch for the CBD folks on weekdays, and a perfect chill brunch spot on weekends! They even have “power lunches” delivery for the people in the gyms from the area. Damn. I would want some of that too! These healthy lunches are also available at $10++, and they all come with a choice of salad with a complimentary soft drink, juice, coffee or tea! How neat!

How to get there?
29 Boon Tat Street
Singapore 069624

Opening Hours
Monday and Tuesday: 8am to 11pm
Wednesday to Friday: 8am to 12mn
Saturday: 11am to 10pm

Closed on Sundays

Contact
Facebook: www.facebook.com/den.singapore
Instagram: @den.sg

Review: Brother Bird Bali by Stateland Cafe @ Bali Lane

The Stateland Boys are at it again. After capturing our hearts with their honeycomb cubes at Honeycomb, they’ve decided to convert the space where the above mentioned used to be located at, to a relatively new concept, Brother Bird Bali. Well.. I’m not sure if it’s any different, because Brother Bird Bali serves up soft serves for now, without the signature honeycombs, of course.

We visited them during their soft launch and learnt that they have future plans of coming up with donuts, MORE awesome soft serve flavors, their very own cold brew and artisanal teas! Sounds like a place I would love to drop by for a chill out session.

I’m sure all of you might be wondering why does this place have such a kinky touch to its name. Haha! Walao, don’t think dirty lah. Bird, is the nickname of one of their owners (Chern Yu) that has stuck on to him since NS days because of his characteristic obsession with granola bars, which looks like bird food. So.. Brother Bird lor, or else his friends won’t know this place is ran by him. Hahaha! And Bali, I suppose it just means Bali Lane. There you go, Brother Bird Bali.

The Place
 Going with the more minimalistic take on the interior, I thought the interior did not differ as much from the dimly lit Honeycomb, except for a cleaner and less cluttered finish.

The Menu
As they were still in the soft launch, Brother Bird had a rather limited menu, so we basically ordered the entire menu.

The Food
 Honeydew  Sago ($5.50): Pandan and coconut soft serve, topped with honeydew caviars, coconut flesh and fresh honeydew. This was a perfect dessert as it was light and refreshing with the inclusion of honeydew. I especially loved the fragrant soft serve, as we all know, coconut and pandan is one combination that hardly goes wrong. The surprise comes from the burst of the honeydew sago, we all agreed unanimously that this was one of the better soft serves we’ve had. Cookie Butter a.k.a Speculoos ($5.50): Speculoos soft serve, almond crunch and sea salt. Another option for those who prefer richer flavors in their soft serves. This was DELISH, except for the uneven spread of sea salt, causing some mouthfuls to be OVERLY salty. Otherwise I thought this was really, really good, especially for someone who loves cookie butter, like me!

Albeit the ugly swirls on our soft serves, do not underestimate the serving size of this soft serve. It’s a whooping 200ml of soft serve. If you don’t know how much that is, it’s a lot. HAHA! Really lah, it’s really a lot. The best part? Brother Bird makes sure to layer their soft serve and toppings to ensure the homogeneity of the crunch and ice cream – very shiok!

Closing Remarks

I really enjoyed my soft serves at Brother Bird Bali! The flavors were unique and definitely did not disappoint. Even though the price may be slightly high, I thought the quantity and the quality of the toppings made up for it! Oh, before I forget, DO DO DO try their teas by Ette Tea, because it was SO good, I want to get some for myself! We tried the Pandan and Lychee teas, both of which were rich and soothing, and was great at cleansing our palates after all the food we ate the entire day!

I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to the future offerings by Brother Bird Bali. DOUGHNUTS and NEW FLAVORS OF SOFT SERVE? YES PLEASE!

How to get there?
30 Bali Lane
Singapore 189866

Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays!

Review: Snack Culture – Around The World in 9 Small Plates

So you’re sick of eating out, cafes, restaurants, hawker, they serve the same thing over and over again, albeit some better than the other, and you’re dying for a fresh dinner experience – some where that would keep your palates aroused and will pick your mind for the entire night. I know how that feels. I was exasperated and running out of places to go until.. I found Snack Culture Company at the very ulu CT Hub.

On every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, Snack Culture serves up their very own 9 course Omakase Degustation Dinner! Sounds like a mouthful, but it’s basically just you enjoying 9 different small plates that pack a punch aesthetically and gustatorily, at a pretty affordable price of $59+. While I hear some of you going HUH, dinner for $59+ where got affordable?! Trust me, this is cheaper than an average buffet you would go to, and these 9 dishes won’t cause you to feel like you just gained 5kgs, made with quality ingredients, and a pretty damn good experience, that beats queueing up for your oysters at the buffet line any time.

9 courses of small plates inspired by cuisines all around the world, wow. I’m excited already.

The Place

Located at CT Hub, alongside DeBurg and Travelling COW (both moved over from Bukit Merah’s Salut Coffeeshop), lies Snack Culture Company. Despite housing these powerhouses, CT Hub still remains horribly empty except during the lunch hours. This very fact makes the dining ambience amazing without the hustle and bustle we are so used to, and together with the unique dishes, this is a perfect getaway.   I like the off-white interior, and during your dinners, the lights will be slightly dimmed for a more cosy experience. Do note that the degustation dinners are only by reservations, so call in if you’re interested!

The Menu
 These are the 9 plates that you will enjoy for the night. Unless you’d want some wines or beers, I say go for their suggested drinks! 

The Food
 Sparkling Sake with Jelly ($10) and Yuzu Italian Soda ($6). If you’re craving for something alcoholic, go with the Sparkling Sake (in the background), the peach jelly gives the additional texture and taste with an additional alcoholic kick! The Yuzu Italian Soda, on the other hand, was fizzy and refreshing, with fresh bits of yuzu in there! Both of which I couldn’t stop sipping on the entire night! So ,so good!

So now, let’s embark on this visual tour of their degustation dinner! When you’re there, you’d be issued with descriptive cards before every dish, which provide explanations for the particular dish that you’d be trying next.

1) Japanese Edamame with Thai Tom Yum Espuma  Tom yum espuma is just a chim name for Tom yum foam. To enjoy this dish, pop the edamame beans into the small cups of tom yum foam and eat them together. I’m personally not a huge fan of edamame because of how green and tasteless it is, which tastelessness complemented the flavorful tomyum, that had the right amounts of heat and acidity! But… I still really not like edamame beans. A great way to kick start our meals with such a fancy pairing, and this was just the tip of the ice berg.

2) Chilled Korean Mandu in Singapore Bak Kut Teh Consomme
Have you ever had a cold bak kut teh? I guess not, unless you’re starving in the middle of the night and tried drinking from the leftovers in the fridge. It may sound weird initially, and even feel a little funny at the first mouthful, because that’s not what your psychological schema is attuned to. Bak kut teh = hot, not cold.

But trust me, this herbal bkt will grow on to you, and you’d be regretting for finishing your share so soon. I loved the herbal taste in this, especially since most of the bak kut teh I had, tend to be just peppery. Oh, and the Korean dumpling? Well.. We both thought that the skin was a little too thick. The first few bites would leave you frowning a little, because it was just… dumpling skin. However, you’d then taste the amazing flavors of the minced pork subsequently, which would soon overwhelm you and make you forget about how thick the skin was, until… when you have to write a review on this.

3. Chilled Black Fungus & Mushroom Salad in Nonya Belachan Mayo Dressing
Easily my favorite dish of the night, because MUSHROOMS. Inspired from the Nonya Chap Chye, Tat Hon, the Chef-Owner of Snack Culture, made this just the day before the first omakase dinner service! Check out his story behind this degustation menu here!

This dish was perfect with the BELACHAN MAYO dressing. Made with their home recipe, the belachan had the spicy kick and it was so, so flavorful. We even asked for more belachan to be added to our mayo and quickly emptied all of which into our bowls of nonya goodness. This was a simple dish, but the complexity of the flavors and textures were just out of this world!

4. Ter Kar Chor Scotch
 Is this a scotch egg or vinegared pork knuckle? You got to try it for yourself! A clever, clever dish.This is how you should eat it. Half the egg to reveal a quail egg, and have one half on its own – that is the scotch egg. While for the other half, pile your spoon with ginger and vinegar, tell me if this dish is still a scotch egg or a ter kar chor. Haha! Actually, we thought that the plain half tasted just like the vinegared pork knuckle without the vinegar, because of the flavors of the pork beneath the breaded crust, so it was pretty much a give away. But still, a great play with this dish and definitely a fun dish to enjoy!

5. Asian Trio
Plain and simple – i) Beef Bulgogi in Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll, ii) Ayam Buah Keluak Wanton, iii) Laksa prawn on haebe hiam cookie.

A dish that would excite because it keeps letting you guess what’s next, and how would the next item taste like. The paper roll had the same issue as the dumpling with the thick wrap, but as usual, flavorful. While the buah keluak lost its distinctiveness in this wanton, the haebehiam cookie made up for it with its oh-so-familiar flavors and hint of sweetness.

Did you know, the in-house cookies like laksa and haebehiam cookies taste AMAZING, and are for sale at $15 per jar! A tad expensive, but very very yummy!

6. ‘Pen Cai’ Parcel
 At this point, my belly was a little exploding, and my buttons were almost bursting, yet I kept looking forward to the next dish and wished it will not end, because everything was such a pleasant surprise so far! This pen cai did not disappoint as well. Abalone, scallop, shitake mushroom in a vegetable parcel, just like what you’d find in a pen cai during Chinese New Year. Yet this dish has a twist in its soup base, and you got to try it to figure it out! You’d be very, very, very surprised. 

7. Kaffir Tomato Capellini Pasta and Catonese Har Jeong Soft Shell Crab
A great twist with the unique combination of soft shell crab with pasta. The fusion of the 2 cultures. However, we thought that this was the most unsurprising dish of the entire degustation menu, and taste wise, was rather expected because of the combination. This was the only dish without a wow factor in it, because our expectations have been raised SO HIGH for the past 6 dishes. BUT, this is not saying that the dish was not nice tasting, it just fell short in terms of the play in the ingredients. Nevertheless, a hearty italian dish with the well seasoned harjeong soft shell crab!

8. Seafood En Papillote
 Our jaws dropped when this was served to us, because WA SO MUCH FOOD AH – a generous medley of seafood, served in an extremely flavorful broth! I wanted the whole baguette to myself so I could dip and soak up every goodness in this broth!

9. Chendol Panna Cotta
Huh.. So fast end already? Damn. I really didn’t want this adventure to end so soon, but my belly was already protesting.

This chendol panna cotta sounds like a unique match made in heaven. But I can’t tell you if this tasted as good as it looked and sounds, because fate has acceded to my belly’s request in this one, we didn’t get to try this dessert eventually. So you guys got to try this for me and tell me HOW GOOD THIS IS! I can’t wait to hear it from you all!

Closing Remarks

Yes, I’m sad that this dinner experience has come to an end because I never once had such an enjoyable dinner, with my tastebuds being surprised every now and then. It was quite amazing to see how ingredients that you never thought would go together, went so well together, and this is what I call a stroke of genius coming from the chef, Tat Hon.

This was my first time trying out so many dishes at once, and not having any misses because I was just too intrigued by the offerings and I just kept looking forward for the next dish. Although I’ve seen reviews talking about how some of these dishes are seen as “trying too hard”, in my humble opinion, I don’t see how they are because if it tastes good, it tastes good, and there’s no need to go into the details and scrutinize on how each component may be compatible or not.

For an average diner like me, I thought this experience was priceless, and if I had someone that I need to impress on a dinner date, Snack Culture’s Omakase Degustation Dinner, will be the top of my list.

How to get there?
CT Hub
Kallang Ave 2
#02-17
Singapore 339407

Degustation Dinner Hours

Available only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights
By reservation ONLY (64432006, enquiry@snackculture.com)

Contact
Facebook: http://facebook.com/thesnackculturecomapny
Instagram: @thesnackculturecompany
Website: http://www.thesnackculturecompany.com
Chef Tat Hon’s website: http://www.whatscookingdoc.sg

Review: Applebee’s at CHIJMES

Applebee’s, the largest casual dining chain in the world, has set its roots in Singapore, initially at TripleOne Somerset, but has now moved on to greener pastures (literally) at CHIJMES.

The Place

Nestled amongst the serene greenery of CHIJMES, located just a stone’s throw away from the ever crowded Prive, I thought Applebee’s has got themselves a damn good location. Quiet, peaceful and overwhelming chillax vibes. Just the kind of atmosphere I’ll like to dine in after work, or during the weekends. They not only have large seating capacity, both indoors and al fresco, they also have an EXTENSIVE menu to boast. We chose the al fresco seating, despite the afternoon heat, and the scorching sun, for the sake of good pictures of you guys. #truestory #woesofafoodblogger. Thank goodness, the menacing heat from the sun was neutralized by the breeze, as well as portable air coolers. I’d definitely opt for the al fresco dining area the next time for a better view and more relaxing vibes!

The Menu
Applebee’s boasts of the MOST extensive menu, I’ve ever seen, and at jaw-dropping prices. Well, in a good way. I definitely did not expect such affordable price tag at a restaurant like this, and what’s more in CHIJMES!
 Steaks and ribs are usually the most expensive dish on the menu right. JUST LOOK AT THIS. JUST LOOK AT IT AND PLEASE PUT YOUR JAW BACK TO WHERE IT BELONGS.   They even have dishes that are Weight Watchers approved – A program that is in place in America for healthy or low-calorie foods! These are for the calorie-conscious people out there, or people who are like me – want to eat but scared to get fat.
Extremely affordable lunch combos. Much wow.

The Food

Yes, the food is amazingly affordable but how did they fare really?

We started off our meals with the ULTIMATE TRIOS, the trio of Applebee’s Signature starters! Affordably priced at just $20.90! The portions served to us were minimized because we were afraid that we couldn’t finish them, so.. Yeah. You’ll get more than this! Definitely great for sharing!
We went for the Mozarella Sticks, Boneless Wings and Fried Calamari! Just your average fare, nothing much to should about, except for the fact that I thought this was really affordable in its actual glory (quantity). I actually liked the boneless wings because I love chicken but hate to eat it with the bone on!

We also went for the Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($9.90), could I possibly recommend this to you and proclaim that it is a MUST TRY here?
This consists of warm creamy spinach, artichoke and melted parmesan cheese, which is served as a dip to a basket of tortilla chips. I could just munch on this the entire meal. We even got a second serving because this was just SO GOOD. Right amounts of creamy and cheesy, not forgetting those strands of spinach which makes you feel 5 times healthier while eating junk.

For the mains, we went for their signature Double Glazed Baby Back Ribs ($17.90 for full rack, $11.90 for half)
When this dish arrived at our table, I was stunned like a vegetable. $11.90 for this?! Un-un-un-unbelievable. Crazy prices. The ribs with the chipotle BBQ sauce was well flavored, but it would be 1.32 times better if they were more slide off the bone tender, because it got a little difficult to chew for some parts!

 We are suckers for anything unique, and so we were being recommended to their Quesadilla Burger ($13.90)! This is part of their burgers repertoire, except that their patty was wrapped within their cheddar quesadilla instead of your usual buns! Each of their burgers came with Pink (medium rare-ish) and No-Pink (well done) version! The latter was a tad too dry for our liking, and this did not come through for me because the components did not harmonize, and just came through as individual entities! A tad disappointing, but with a little tweak to its wetness, in terms of the protein and dressings would have made it a lot better!

The last main we tried was their Fiesta Lime Chicken ($14.90). Like what I’ve always stood for, a good chef should always be able to make chicken breast taste moist and good.
This breast was indeed succulent and tender. All 4 of us fought over this. The chicken was amazingly moist, and the addition of the zesty lime sauce boosted the flavors with an extra kick! YUM. We wished the rice was not so dry though, but they definitely honored the star of this dish!

On to the desserts! We went for 2 desserts, okay 4 in total because we ordered every variety of their Dessert Shooters!
From left to right: Hot Fudge Sundae ($2.90), Strawberry Cheesecake ($4.90), Chocolate Mousse ($4.90). We thought these were tiny servings but we were very wrong. These were not huge as well lah, but they were bigger than we expected! Quite a refreshing ending, but there was really nothing to shout about! These tasted just like the hot fudge and strawberry sundae from Mcdonalds!

I complained about being full before this was served, only to realize that I lied. Because I couldn’t stop digging into this Butter Pecan Blondie ($9.90). I died, went to heaven and wished I stayed there forever savoring on this! The hot cold combination = WOW. And the rich blondie bite topped with chopped pecan and rich, maple butter sauce, just made me tear, because THIS WAS SO GOOD. YUM YUM IN MY TUM TUM. Go for this if you’ve got any doubt at all!

Oh, oh before I forget, they do have a really wide selection of beverages as well, alcoholic and non-alcoholic!
 Sangrias are definitely a great way to wind down after a long day!

Closing Remarks

Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the food at Applebee’s! The price line in this restaurant is also ridiculously affordable and they definitely did not scrimp on their quality as well. Of course, there were hits and misses, but I thought that these could be solved with little tweaks here and there! I’l definitely recommend this place for any group gatherings or with friends who are dining on a budget. The amazing ambience and price tags are the greatest draw of Applebee’s!

How to get there?

CHIJMES #01 – 31

Opening Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Friday to Saturday: 11:00 am – 2:00 am

Contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applebees.sg

Review: Rise and Grind Co @ Bukit Timah Plaza

When I first heard about a new cafe being named Rise and Grind, I got really excited because WA THAT IS WHAT I DO EVERYDAY. HAHA!

However, the only thing that kept me from visiting is the fact that it is located a little inconveniently at Bukit Timah. I finally got my lazy butt here after the countless of Instagram posts on their extremely photogenic Eggs Benedict and pastas!

The Place

It will be hard to miss if you enter Bukit Timah Plaza from the front because Rise and Grind is just located facing the main road, beside Bingojung!  However,  it can get confusing if you end up inside the mall and try to find your way here because we had so much difficulty locating the cafe as it is situated outside the plaza, instead of within it.Opposite DBS, in fact!Ooh, look at my boy! Hehe! The interior was cosy and pretty well lit, just perfect for pictures! Thank goodness, the open kitchen did not make us stink as much as I thought it would though!

The Menu
  

The Food

We ordered the extremely photogenic Eggs Benedict and Shakshouka, because the boy just loves exotic food like this!
 And of course, a mocha! I was pretty unimpressed by the mocha, but well, they are not exactly known for their coffee! Ocean’s Thirteen ($17.90) – Your regular eggs benedict with smoked salmon, asparagus, beetroot yogurt and yuzu hollandaise sauce.  It was extremely delicious, even though I was upset that my asparagus was white, instead of green, just because green was really more photogenic. HAHA! Taste wise, no difference lah! The beetroot yogurt smeared on the side of the plate added another dimension of flavor to the dish with its tanginess, while the asparagus gave the extra crunch to it! Very awesome. However, I didn’t get any taste of the yuzu hollandaise though!  Shakshouka ($16): Lamb sausage with baked eggs, in tomato sauce and feta cheese. This was one of the most appetizing dishes I’ve ever had, and surprisingly filling too! You could probably get this as an appetizer because the tanginess in this was OMG. SO PERFECT!

We ended our meal with a Peanut Butter and Jelly cake ($6), after much contemplation, and we did not regret our decision because:  1. IT’S SO CHEAP FOR SUCH A HUGE SLICE OF CAKE.

2. IT IS PEANUT BUTTER AND IT IS YUM!

Closing Remarks

I thought Rise and Grind is definitely a place worth visiting because of how unique their dishes are! Although the prices are a little on the high side, and the place may be a little inconvenient to get to, the twist they included into their dishes were worth a try! Their pastas have a lot of good reviews too!

I’ll definitely make a return visit back to Rise and Grind, besides they’ve got a new menu too! HEHE!

How to get there?
Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
#L1-CA1, Bukit Timah
Singapore 588996

Opening Hours
Mon: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wed – Thu: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riseandgrindco
Instagram: @riseandgrindco

Review: Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum

The places that strike me when someone says GOOD and AFFORDABLE dimsum, are places we all have heard a thousand times over, like Swee Choon, Mongkok Dimsum, and Yi Dian Xin. However, all these places have one thing in common – exclusivity. They tend to be a little difficult to get to without your own transport, or they have really early or late opening hours, which means you can’t get your dimsum fix all day.

I know. I feel you, all you dimsum lovers. It’s like so UGH. When I heard about Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum, I was initially skeptical because it is located at neighborhood coffeeshops, which have been stereotyped by me of being just so-so, and even ugh. As usual, I was wrong. I think I’m always wrong lah. Damn judgmental that’s why.

The Place

Located amongst the neighborhood coffee shops, Kowloon Dimsum has 3 outlets altogether – Kovan, Ang Mo Kio and United Square. I visited the United Square outlet, and I was amazed to see the perpetual queue that this humble little dimsum shop had at the food court!  As a true blue Singaporean, got queue means confirm good. Haha!

The Menu DO note that the prices here are a little steeper than the other outlets due to the rental costs, and they might be shifting out of United Square soon!
The Food

We ordered a spread fit for a king. But, there were 2 of us, so technically we aren’t over eating. First up, we had the classic dimsum dishes, Hargao and Siew Mai. The hargao had succulent prawns in them, although the skin may be a little thick. This was the problem we encountered with many of their other dishes, with the slightly thicker than usual skin. We have given our feedback to the very amicable owner, and I guess we can all expect greater dimsum from them! This siew mai was one of the better ones we’ve had. Tasty and juicy, the kind of siew mai I love! Chee Cheong Fun. Kow Loon has 3 variants of their Chee Cheong Fun and 2 of which features their fresh shrimps and enoki mushrooms! This was one of my favorite dishes here because the soy sauce was light, and everything about this dish was just so comforting and flavorful! They are not stingy on their ingredients as well! This one features the enoki mushroom, the first I’ve ever had! Crystal Dumplings, which I thought had rather awesome ingredients like the shredded radish, which adds to the texture and moisture within. However, this suffers the same problem as the hargao with its skin being a little too much for us to handle!
The XLB from here failed to impress me unfortunately, due to the lack of soup. The owner then later explained that this was made for their elderly customers who are unable to eat fatty meat, and hence, the lack of soup.

Fried Dishes
 Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling had succulent prawns in them, the amazing crunch from the prawn and crispness of the skin was done just to perfection! Guo tie lacked the juices, however, the interior was still bursting with flavors! I LOVED IT!!!

Here comes the favorite part of the meal: LIU SHA BAO!  This was one of the BEST custard baos I’ve had! The interior was not too sweet and the buns was so fluffy, I DIED! Look at the perfect flow!

Closing Remarks

Kow Loon Dim Sum is definitely worth a visit because of its convenience and affordable dim sums! Even though some of the food may not be up to standards yet, but the owner is very sincere about improving the food. Sincere service, and not forgetting the fact that Kow Loon dimsum also hires individuals from MINDS – compassionate, sincerity and the willingness to improve their food is always something that I appreciate where ever I’m eating.

How to get there? 

BLK 151, ANG MO KIO AVE 5 #01-3030, Singapore 560151
BLK 210, HOUGANG STREET 21, Singapore 530210

Opening Hours

7am to 9pm, daily

Contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KowLoonHongKongDimSum/

Review: Harry’s Bar

Being a social drinker, and one who spends more nights at the basketball court/gym than bars, I honestly thought that Harry’s was just another place for drinks and very regular bar bites, like fries, wings and sotong balls. Boy, was I very, very wrong. And also a huge toad in a well, a very deep one. Since last year, Harry’s has introduced an all-new food menu that serves from gourmet Small Plates to Big Plates. This time, they have launched an UPDATED menu that showcases 50 dishes, complete with very helpful beverage pairing tips, especially for someone like me! If you’re looking for a swanky good time, with a good beer in one hand, and a fork of European comfort food on the other, Harry’s definitely a place for you!

The Place
I was invited to Harry’s newest outlet at Clarke Quay, which is located just in front of the pretty fountain, and along the stretch where the well-known Hai Di Lao is! This outlet sports a Traveller’s theme, marked by a well-trodden bicycle sitting right at its entrance. Its brown and deep blue hues, together with the sleek light fixtures and memorabilia in line with the theme, felt like an entirely different place from the hustle and bustle of the activities happening right outside their bar. A perfect respite, I would say.

The Food

Menu
  
Small Plates
The new additions to the menu include:
1. Fish Cracklings ($13++) Crisp-fried fish skin tossed in a proprietary spice mix, serve with aioli. Guess which fish did they shave the skin from? … Aiya you wouldn’t have guessed it. It’s EEL! Not to fret and don’t go all squirmish on me because this doesn’t taste any different from any other kind of crispy fried fish skin you’ve tasted, except this was BETTER. The spice mix gives these cracklings a more flavorful punch, and together with the aioli dip, it was a match made in heaven. I would gladly munch on plates and plates of these while watching my Arsenal game on the big screen.

2. Chirpy Chips ($14++) Thick cut fries sprinkled with savory chicken floss and served with curry mayonnaise. Well well.. This was definitely my first time having fries with chicken floss, and it was YUM. Besides, the curry mayo beats MCD’s curry sauce hands down. This tastes so comforting, and oh so homely.

The other NEW additions include: House Baked Charcoal and Onion Ciabatta ($14++) with Imam Bayildi – a middle eastern eggplant dip with raisins and onions, Chicken and Beef Satay ($18++), Sweet Potato Chips ($14) – sweet potato fries with a creamy ranch dip. Of course, you just can’t neglect the oldies on the menu because old is gold.

3. Harry’s Signature Wings ($13 for 6 pcs | $19 for 10 pcs) When in doubt, just go for their wings. You won’t regret it. Perfectly fried wings dressed in their secret spice and with homemade chili jam. Don’t worry, they’ve modified the heat levels, and this won’t leave you gasping for air and gulping a dozen glasses of water. A damn good choice, I would say!

Sharing Platters
A perfect choice to go to if you’re having a couple of beers with a group of friends! Indulge in The Harry’s Seven ($36++), which features all of Harry’s favorites – Wings, Crab and Potato Cakes and Beer Battered Prawns among others! An all-time favorite would also be their rendition of the Italian-inspired classic flatbread, because Pizzas are just so… uncool. HAHA!

1. Sassy Satay ($22++) A play on the local flavors, this flatbread comprises of a peanut sauce bas topped off with grilled chicken satay pieces and finished off with pineapples and cucumbers. This tastes EXACTLY like a deconstructed satay dish. Besides, I really enjoyed this because this was less doughy, and hence less filling than a pizza, and accentuates the flavors of its toppings.

2. Truffle and Mushroom ($23++) This is definitely not new on the menu, but we ordered it just because we could not resist the heavenly combination of truffle and mushroom! Absolutely fragrant and addictive, I nearly wiped the entire platter all by myself!

Big Plates
This category encompasses salads, pastas, steaks and burgers. If you haven’t had dinner, this is the page you should be looking at! The new salad offering include the Crabmeat Caesar King ($21++), which presents romaine lettuce salad tossed with crabmeat, bacon crisps, croutons, eggs and parmesan cheese! While the new burger offerings include a Jalapeno Chicken Burger ($18++) and a vegetarian Portobello Mushroom Burger ($19++)! We tried:

1. Beef Straganoff ($22++) This was THE BOMB. This consists of slices of grilled beef cooked with penne pasta, and a damn addictive cream sauce, which left me wanting for more and more. They were generous with their ingredients, and although they had cream sauce for their base, it did not leave me feeling jelat!

2. Chicken Masala ($23++) An aromatic pot of house-made curry served with toasted charcoal bread, with a generous portion of chicken in the pot.A good change from the usual bar bites we get at bars, and it would definitely warm and satisfy hungry bellies.

Desserts

Wow. I didn’t know bars served desserts! I thought beers were their appetizers, mains and desserts!

1. Baked Chocolate Cake ($16++) This is a warm molten lava cake laced with rum and served with vanilla ice cream and raspberry bits. One of the better lava cakes I’ve had, with the rich chocolate sauce, and the hint of rum in it. Mmm.. That price though. It definitely makes me think twice about ordering it!

2. Sticky Date Toffee Pudding ($14++) The usual sticky date pudding served warm with toffee sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. This will please any toffee lovers because the taste of toffee was very distinct in this one! The sticky date pudding can be improved in terms of its textures though! This was slightly crumbly, but the combination of hot and cold never fails! (: Lastly, Harry’s has also came up with a Toffee Apple Crisp Tart ($14++), which sounds incredibly delicious with the thinly sliced apples on a crisp pastry drizzled with salted caramel sauce and finished with vanilla ice cream!

Drinks
In terms of their drinks, they have launched NEW Celebratory Drinks which features the likes of Bank Breaker ($12++) – shot of muskmelon liqueur, whisky and soda, and B52 ($12++) – A flaming shooter of coffee liqueur, Baileys and Grand Marnier. Mmm.. I would love to have a shot of that!

Closing Remarks
I am definitely surprised by the extensive offerings found on Harry’s menu! Besides, unlike the other bars I’ve been to, they certainly do serve up quality and delicious dishes, and not just the run of the mill kind of offerings!

For its price point, Harry’s portions are good for sharing, if you’re just feeling a little peckish. Thank you for giving me yet another place to suggest to my friends for our occasional late night meet ups with good drinks and even better food!

For the full list of outlets, visit www.harrys.com.sg  

Review: Ippin Cafe Bar @ Mohamed Sultan Road

Ippin Cafe Bar prides themselves as the first home concept Japanese Cafe Bar in Singapore. Being in the close proximity of “Little Japan” of Singapore, i.e. Liang Court, Ippin aims to serve the Japanese living in Singapore, comfort food that they usually have back at home. I hear that they’ve just managed to do that for the Japanese who have visited them!They not only serve authentic Japanese food, there are also shelves of authentic Japanese merchandise on sale, like Curetex Washi fiber items hailed from Fukui, tea leaves, wasabi, nuts etc.

The wooden furniture used at Ippin and of course FREE WIFI, indeed exudes a very homely experience, but how did their food fare?

The Food
Providing mostly set meals, which comes with your preferred choice of main, small dishes and dessert, it is sure to provide a wholesome and complete meal for everyone, just like what we would get when we are at home! What’s more, they are all at NETT prices.

1. Miso Udon Noodle with Oyster Set ($15)
Being the soul for of Aichi Prefecture, Ippin serves up Miso Udon by using red miso by placing koji (soybeans) in a wooden barrel for 2 summers and 2 winters. You’ll be assured of smooth tasting and flavorful noodles, which would leave you wanting for more. This set is served together with kobachi (small dish) and hojicha pudding (roasted green tea dessert). Trust me, you would want second helpings of this hojicha pudding. Oh, so smooth and delicious, even a non green tea lover like me loved it.

2. Grilled Oyster and Veggies in Ponzu Butter Sauce Set ($20)I don’t know about you, but I shriek at the word Oyster, because I LOVE OYSTERS. Hailing from the most famous area for oyster in Japan, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ippin is sure to serve you ridiculously fresh and plump oysters! Besides, they taste amazingly clean as well! Wow. I’m hungry just thinking about it! This set comes with the oysters grilled in ponzu (yuzu vinegar) butter sauce, which gives it a more aromatic punch and refreshing taste, together with rice (with barley) as a perfect accompaniment. Side dishes like the miso soup, Nikujaga pork and potato stew, as well as the salad are also served. This meal then ends lightly with the very delicious hojicha pudding!
 The stew and side salad!

Note: The actual serving portions of the stew and salad will be smaller, as these are served for large group tasting purposes. The Nikujaga stew is so packed with ingredients and flavors, I could not stop picking at the pork and potato pieces!

3. Deep Fried Oyster Set ($24) Breaded and battered on the outside, these oysters were crisp on the outside, with the plump juicy oysters bursting with juices when you bite into its interior. However, I much preferred the grilled oysters to the deep fried ones though, as I thought the textures and taste of the oyster was much more prominent when they are grilled, rather than fried. These fried oysters are also served with wasabi mayo dip, rice, miso soup, stew, salad and the hojicha pudding!

4. Oyakudon Set ($15)
CHICKEN AND EGG on rice! I can’t imagine anything tasting more comforting than this. The warm fluffy egg wrapped together with rice, and that chicken, was so tender and delicious! You could expect chunks of chicken meat that are boiled with dashi (stock), to give it its moist texture and addictive flavors! This set comes with miso soup and hojicha pudding!

5. Yakisoba Set ($12)
Yakisoba is a daily food for the Japanese! Tossed in its secret savory sauce, this plate of noodles was sure a winner, and captured all of our hearts! A simple, yet very comforting dish, that tastes close to home. Like what Ippin describes this dish as, a taste of Dad’s cooking, but sure better than Dad’s! And I concur.

Beverages

Congratulations green tea lovers, Ippin must be a green tea haven for you. This is set up by one of Japan’s top 2 Tea Appraisers – Mr Nobuko Mori! They pride the quality of their green teas to that of Shizuoka, Japan’s best tea garden!But sorry I don’t know how to appreciate hor. Just in case, you want to know what are the types of green teas they serve, here’s a rundown, with a brief description of how each of them tastes like!

1. Sencha – $6
Sencha is the most popular green tea, which has the balance of refreshing aroma, delicate sweetness and mild bitterness

2. Genmaicha – $6
This is steamed longer than Sencha, causing tea leaves to split. Hence it gives a stronger yet more mellow taste, as well as bring more nutritious than the other green teas!

3. Hojicha – $6
This is the roasted green tea, which is ironically brown in color. High in catechin and low in caffeine, this makes a perfect tea for children!Lastly, Ippin also specializes in serving Sake and craft beers, originating from Japan! Craft beers are priced at $9 each, while the Sake, gives you a list of 3 types of Sake to taste at just $15. The Sake goes perfectly well with the oyster set. Be sure to order them together, because having oysters without sake will be an incomplete experience eh?

Closing Remarks

I really enjoyed the food at Ippin Café Bar, as the dishes they served were sincere and really homely. They have indeed lived up to their own standards of serving down to earth and humble dishes, with elevated flavors.

However, I thought that the prices could be a little steep for students like me. I guess the quantity and variety of the set meals makes up for it! Besides, the prices are NETT too!

How to get there?
18 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238967

Opening Hours
11am to 11pm daily

Contact
Facebook: facebook.com/ippincafebar
Instagram: @Ippincafebar

Review: Banana Tree @ Keong Saik Road

Originating from Seoul, Korea, Banana Tree has finally set its roots here on Keong Saik Road, riding along with the rise of Korean desserts on sunny Singapore. Being an avid banana fan, I was of course, really excited for its opening. However, much to my dismay, NO, I’m too superficial for my own good. They don’t serve everything banana, even though they do have some banana-based desserts on their menu.

The Place 

We visited them on the week of their opening, and on a public holiday. So, of course, the place was packed to the brim. Hence, my apologies for the lack of pictures of the interior of the cafe, because I was not even able to snap a picture without accidental photobombing heads bobbing up and down in my frame. I really liked how simple and clean the cafe looked, though.

The Food
  As I’ve previously mentioned, we visited them on a public holiday, and we did not quite enjoy the waiting time there. We waited for 1 hour for our first order, and close to another 45 minutes for our second to arrive. It was pretty crazy. Since the hype of Banana Tree SG has died down a little in the recent days, according to my Instagram feed. I don’t think you will have to worry about the waiting time, as well as the crowd right now!
Som Som Latte (Iced) Banana-flavored ($7) was the first thing I wanted to order at Banana Tree because. Cotton Candy. Come on, you got to admit, it looks quite cute and different right! I was a little disappointed because the cup we were served in was a plain cup, instead of one with the Banana Tree wordings. The latter was much more photogenic. *WHINES* #woesofaninstagrammer. This drink was well.. Average. If you’re a serious coffee drinker, of course, you should know better not to order this. It’s all for novelty’s sake. Oh, even though this may look REALLY sweet, but it’s not! I thought that the sweetness from the cotton candy and banana was well-balanced by the espresso! Flower Paap (Espresso) – $6.50. I think this is worth every cent because it’s so CUTE and pretty! Look at those spade spoons! 😀 Taste-wise, it’s really nothing much shout about, just your usual oreo crumbs (soil), and espresso pudding! Nonetheless, an enjoyable dish. I loved how the bitterness of the espresso blended well with the oreo soil.   Non-Alcoholic Mojito – Lime ($7.50): I thought presenting this soda in a flask was quite cute. A very refreshing drink, especially on a hot day. It would have been better if we had like aloe vera or some jelly bits amongst those lime skin though!
Pot Bing Soo ($12.50): A really beautiful presentation, with the pot and the huge garden fork in this bing su dish! The flower is inedible ah, so don’t anyhow. This pot of bingsu consisted of shaved ice, red bean and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is unfortunate for them that I’ve only tried 2 bingsus before this. One from the genuine, and legendary Nunsongyee, and the other, was the really unique twist from Chick and Ken. While one of them is crazy authentic, with SNOW ice, the other may not match up to the authentic bingsu, yet I was attracted to how localized the bingsu was. Banana Tree’s rendition of bingsu could not match up at all to either. Moreover, things would be tougher for them if they intend to be a contender in the traditional bingsu scene. The one I tried had inconsistent ice shavings, with some being smooth, while others were huge shards of ice clumped together. Moreover, I found it boring after a few mouthfuls, because it only had the above presented toppings as its companions. That means that as you progress deeper into the pot, you’ll just be eating.. Ice. Not impressed and definitely a dish to share.

Closing Remarks

I thought Banana Tree had its strengths in its signature presentation in its dishes. The cute pots and spades for its bingsu and Flower Paap really captured my heart, and got me squealing in excitement. Despite the rather average fare, I think I would make a return visit to Banana Tree for their desserts if I’m in the area, since the weather is crazy hot all year round. Moreover, I really liked how the cafe feels so clean and serene with the glass ceiling.

Banana Tree deserves at least one visit from all you cafe hoppers out there for their cute concept and decent desserts, without exorbitant prices!

How to get there?
26 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089133

Opening Hours
Tue – Sat: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bananatreesg/
Instagram: @bananatreesg

Review: Roosevelt’s Diner Bar

I’ve always known Roosevelt’s for its amazing, amazing waffles. Ever since my first visit there, I’ve always thought that they served one of the BEST waffles I’ve ever had. They even have Churros Waffles too! What a splendid idea!

Roosevelt has recently launched their NEW Weekend Brunch menu, and of course I was thrilled to try them ALL! Because seriously, they all sounded too good to be true!

The Place
Besides their waffles, another thing I love about Roosevelt’s is how conveniently it is located. Just at the mouth of Exit H of Outram Park MRT station, lies this pretty diner. Despite its convenience, it is also well-hidden from the hustle bustle of the city, a perfect place to enjoy your cuppa or weekend brunch!

The Food

Here’s their usual menu:

Have I mentioned about HOW GOOD their Truffle Scrambled Egg Waffles ($16++) is?!

Here’s their new Weekend Brunch menu that I would be introducing in this post!

1. Breakfast Waffle Candied BLT ($14++)

I’ve got to admit, this was definitely not the first thing that caught my eye on the menu and I was honestly not expecting much from it because it’s BLT. It’s so… Sandwich. But hey, great concept with the WAFFLE-WICH eh?

The first mouthful of this proved me so, so wrong. I fell in love with it immediately. I loved how the candied bacon brought in the sweetness that complemented the savories in this dish, like the egg and smoked ham, and even the tanginess from the tomato relish! Besides, the waffles were, as usual, on point. Everything went so well in this dish, it was a party in my mouth!

2. Brioche French Toast Waffles ($12++)
  This was the dish I was looking forward to, all my life. BRIOCHE? FRENCH TOAST? WAFFLE? No way. That’s an ingenius creation. Literally EVERYTHING I LOVE on a plate. What could get better than that?!
The waffle definitely lived up to my expectations, with its eggy french toast texture. Wow. Taken together with that scoop of vanilla ice cream and mixed berry compote, my limited vocabulary can’t describe how good it was. Loved the hot-cold combination as well! Mmm..

3) Spiced Potato Bacon Hash ($16++)
 I know, I know, you guys must be thinking HUH LIKE THAT ONLY? It may not look particularly good or appetizing, but I’m sure your teachers have taught you not to judge a book by its cover. In this case, do not judge dish by its appearance. We were all surprised by how well the textures were put together, and that tomato relish.. Well-played.

4) Crab Cake Benedict ($21)
It’s not often you get Crab Cake benedict in Singapore, so this is definitely a must-try if you haven’t tried it yet! This drove a few of us mad, because it was so addictive. The crab cakes even have chunks of fresh crab meat in them. What a unique twist to the usual Eggs Benedict!

5) Baby Back Ribs ($22++)
Available ALL DAY. I thought these were too affordable to be true! The tender meat on the ribs, and that char. However, we felt that some parts were a little bitter due to the char. But well, the tenderness of the protein made up for it!

Bonus!
1) Lemongrass Prawn Burger ($18++)
I LOVED the homemade brioche buns on this, and that patty with crunchy prawns.. Wow. Paired with a hint of lemon grass, that was definitely a first. I’ve never had a lemongrass prawn burger, yet I was pretty blown away by this! The slight tanginess from this dish, and the crunch from the prawns revealed how fresh they were. It left me wanting for more even after so much food!

2) Teddy’s US Beef Burger ($20++) This is everything you can expect from a very American burger. I thought the brioche buns (YUMMMM!) and the crunchy bacon made the burger experience even better. OH OH! And that perfectly medium patty.. ooh so juicy. If you’re looking for a heavy American burger, or are a fan of beef burgers, you DEFINITELY have to get this!     Besides serving beers and house pours, Roosevelt serves coffee and pretty good milk shakes too! I thought this cup of mocha I had was not too bad, while the milkshakes my dining partners had were bursting with flavors too! They’d definitely bring the boys to the yard.

Closing Remarks

Overall, I was very impressed by the new menu Roosevelt has to offer. The only pity is that they are only served during the weekends. You guys should definitely head down to try these unique twists to your usual brunch. I understand that some of the prices may be a little high for some of the dishes, however I thought it was pretty reasonable for the fresh ingredients Roosevelt uses, and the process behind creating these dishes, like the handmade patties.

If you can’t make it for the Weekend Brunch, don’t fret. The Roosevelt’s mains that I’ve tried so far were all on point. If you’re a fan of burgers, you gotta try them here at Roosevelt’s! The baby back ribs would be my choice of mains if I were to go back there again. THE RIBS. ALL TO MYSELF. Best thing that can ever happen to me.

Lastly, here’s a limited time promotion: Follow @rooseveltsdinerbar on Instagram and enjoy 10% off the weekend brunch and baby back ribs (available all day) from now till 17 May! HURRY!

How to get there?
331 NEW BRIDGE ROAD
#01-02 DORSETT RESIDENCES
SINGAPORE 088764

Outram MRT Exit H.

Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 8:30am – 10pm (last order 9:30pm)
Friday and Saturday: 8:30am – midnight (last order 10:30pm)

Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rooseveltsdinerbar
Instagram: @rooseveltsdinerbar