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Aug 17 2024
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Food

Vernacular Coffee – Spacious Café in Guillemard Specialising in Single Origin Coffee

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Taking over the premises of the now relocated Brawns and Brains is Vernacular Coffee which opened its doors last December. I’ve visited the café twice – once when it was opened and again recently after it launched a brunch menu with main courses.

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Still preserving the original slant high ceiling structure and conical light fixtures, the café paints a moody ambiance with its painted dark green walls and ceiling, a mixture of brown and black tables and stools, and cement floor.

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The café prides itself on its selection of 8 unique single origin options sourced from various countries that are on display at the ordering counter. On my first visit, I had the Espresso Flight ($9.50) which comprises a cup of espresso and a cup of 4oz white coffee. I chose the Hta Ngo Shan from Myanmar which has notes of muscat grape and green apple. I took alternating sips from each cup since the espresso shot was too bitter on its own for me, and it was interesting noting that both are made from the same beans.

I also had the White 7oz ($6) with Kiaragana AA Kenya which was the lightest roast available. For non-caffeine drinkers, there are also single origin options for hot chocolate and tea to explore.

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From the Croissanterie menu, which is also displayed in a glass case at the café front, I had the Scrambled Eggs & Spam ($10) and the White Grape, Camembert & Parma Ham ($12). Both pastries had crisp and flaky layers which I enjoyed. However, I wished that the portion of the fillings could be more substantial considering the price point.

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Recently, a brunch menu was launched and I got to try the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict ($28), which came with spiral croissant as the base. The different textures and layers of the pastry, avocado, poached eggs, smoked salmon, sour cream, salmon roe and hollandaise sauce complemented one another and the dish was overall well executed.

The ice cream sandwiches looked tempting, but I would have to save it for another day.

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100 Guillemard Rd, #01-02, Singapore 399718

8.30am – 5.30pm daily

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Aug 10 2024
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Big Short Coffee – New Coffee Bar in Joo Chiat with Creative Specialty Drinks

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Just last week, I popped by the new Big Short Coffee in Joo Chiat – this specialty coffee bar serves innovative coffee specialty drinks by experimenting with techniques from molecular gastronomy, cocktail mixing, science labs and ingredients not normally used in coffee.

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The creative drinks rotate on a seasonal basis and they are currently serving drinks from their Chapter 1: summer 2024 menu.

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I tried 4 drinks from the summer menu. My first cup which also turned out to be my favourite was the Happy Valley Punch ($8.5). The highlight of this drink was the clear, clarified coconut milk, made using a milk clarification technique commonly used for cocktails. The natural sweetness of the coconut milk striked a balance with the acidity of blood orange and bergamot, and together with early grey and a shot of their own Big Short Blend espresso (50/50 brazil & Columbia blend natural process), made a refreshing drink with a subtle sweet tone.

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The house blend espresso (a 50-50 blend of Brazil and Columbia naturally processed beans) has a lighter roasting style to accentuate the natural flavour and sweetness of the beans. It is also used in the normal coffees (white, black, mocha etc.) that are the mainstays of the menu.

Young Harry ($8) is a combination of a cold brew with jasmine green tea and raw fresh coconut water topped with roasted pistachio cream and corn flowers. This was much less sweet, with bitter tones from the tea.

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Those who enjoy nutty flavours will like the Bee’s Knees ($8) – I loved the addition of roasted pine nuts in it. The unexpected combination with cold brew, fresh strawberry puree, coastal wildflower rare honey (from Western Australia) and fresh honeycomb was pleasantly unique.

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Inspired by the coffee slushy the owner tried in Italy, the team recreated their own version, called the Crema Al Caffe ($8). Their house espresso blend is churned in the slushy machine with fresh and condensed milk, brown sugar and vanilla bean, resulting in a smooth and creamy emulsion. The slushy is then topped with almond and hazelnut praline, providing an added crunchy texture and nutty dimension to the sweet treat.

Work is going on behind the scenes by the R&D team to launch the Chapter 2: autumn 2024 menu and I honestly can’t wait to be back for that.

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8am – 5pm Wed to Mon (closed on Tues)

2 Fowlie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 428505

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Jan 28 2024
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Food, singapore

Blu Kouzina @ The Palawan – The OG Greek Restaurant in Singapore Opens New Branch at Sentosa

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Blu Kouzina has always been my favorite Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in Singapore, hands down. I first got to experience their food at their first outlet at Dempsey Hill, which has a lovely, warm atmosphere in the indoor dining area and a cool, Greek vibe at their patio.

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Since then, they have expanded to a second outlet at Siglap and recently, a third outlet at Sentosa. The Sentosa outlet is situated in a new enclave called The Palawan, which is a sprawling lifestyle and entertainment complex for activities (outdoor mini golf course, electric go-kart circuit, etc.), beach clubs and food. It was a 10mins walk away from Beach Station and mostly sheltered.

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Befitting of a beach side restaurant, the alfresco dining area was decked in wooden tables and rattan chairs, complemented with white sofas, hanging rattan lamps and other adornments. It directly overlooks the Palawan Beach where HydroDash is. Though it might get slightly warm without the breeze (no fans or air con in this area), I would still gladly laze in the charming alfresco area.

Otherwise, there was also a cooler indoor dining area which was furnished in the classic blue and white Greek theme.

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To my surprise, there was a wide range of coffees on the menu and to spare myself the tough decision, I got the staff to prepare whichever coffee variation they would like. I was served a glass of the Blue Sea Latte ($10.80) which was essentially espresso coffee with milk and butterfly pea. The colours were pretty, of course. Since I switched to oat milk, the milk foam was less pompous than expected.

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As a healthy start to the dishes, I had the Fresh Vegetable Salad ($28.50) that came as a heap of thinly grated crunchy cabbage topped with walnuts.

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Moving on to something more sinful, I had the Spanakopita ($22.50). Encased in the crispy Greek phyllo pastry were warm, generous fillings of spinach and feta cheese which was a comforting snack.

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Served on a large rectangular tray, the Feta Special Honey Walnut came with a huge chunk of feta cheese topped with walnuts and doused with honey. The sweet savoury combination with the crunchy texture of nuts kept me reaching out for more. This was good for sharing between 2-3 pax.

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Since the emphasis at this seaside restaurant is on seafood, we had the Prawn Manestra ($30.50) as the first main course. This was a Greek orzo dish cooked in a prawn broth, enriched with garlic, onions, EVOO, and topped with a sauteed jumbo prawn. I liked the clean seafood flavour of the dish that was not overwhelming but wished that there could be more prawns to balance out the portion of the orzo.  

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We also had the Salmon Fillet grilled with Mediterranean herbs and served with Horta salad (boiled spinach and EVOO).

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I love baklava, and I love ice cream – and so I was very satisfied that our dessert, the Baklava Ice Cream, turned out as good as I imagined the collaboration between the two to be. The ice cream was rich, creamy and smooth while generously infused with bits of phyllo pastry and nuts. Service-wise, I thought that the waiters could be more attentive as it took multiple attempts to reach out to them.

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With the unobstructed beach front view, beachhouse vibes and authentic Mediterranean food, Blu Kouzina’s addition to Sentosa elevates the quality of limited dining options by the beaches.  

58 Palawan Beach Walk Singapore 098235

The Palawan @ Sentosa

11.30am to 9.30pm, Tues to Sun (Closed on Mon)

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Dec 16 2023
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Moonchild – New Brunch Cafe at Jalan Besar from the team behind Atlas Coffee

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Moonchild is the newest child of the team behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Columbus Coffee Co, Supernova, Neptune, Apollo Coffee Bar and the defunct Lunar Coffee Brewers – all of which I’ve been with the exception of Columbus. With this context, it was hard not to come with a certain level of expectation.

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Given that the café opened recently with much attraction to crowds, I recommend avoiding the weekend if possible or to come as early as opening hour to snag a table without queueing. On a positive note, the café had both indoor and outdoor dining areas with plenty of seats, just that they seemed to limit the number of patrons during busy periods.  

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With a range of Filters, Espresso Coffees, Teas, Natural Wines and other drinks to choose from, the drinks menu was extensive to suit all palates. From my 3 occasions here, I got to try both espresso blends for my Flat White and Latte ($5.3 for regular 7oz, +$1.1 for oat) – Mr Cuddles (Bold & Strong) and Mr Brightside (Juicy & Bright). Both blends suited my preference and my coffees had a creamy, nutty aftertaste like peanut butter.

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The food menu was divided into The Morning Situation (9am – 3pm) which offers breakfast/brunch options and Midday to Close (11am onwards) which features lunch options like pastas, rice bowls and burgers.

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I had the Potato Stack Smoked Salmon Poached Eggs ($21.9) which is their version of the eggs royale. Instead of the usual English muffin or toast, fried potato stack was used and I liked biting into the layers of potato. The eggs were also of good quality, with flowy orange golden yolks.

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The Banana Bread with Espresso Mascarpone ($12.6) was huge, I couldn’t finish it on my own for breakfast. The brown creamy layer of espresso mascarpone was addictive and paired well with the fluffy bread. Salt was also sprinkled on top and created a sweet savoury combination, like salted caramel.

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If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the Butterscotch Rum Bananas French Toast ($22). The brioche was sufficiently but not overly moist and fluffy and came well together with the other elements of butterscotch rum bananas, vanilla ice cream and candied hazelnuts.

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If you are into thin pancakes (like McDonalds’ hot cakes), I would recommend the Hotcakes with Fresh Blueberry Compote and Raspberry Butter ($19.9), which were fluffy and light.

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From the lunch menu, I tried the Unagi Don ($20.9) and it was surprisingly good. The grilled unagi was tender and optimally sweet, and was served with ikura, burnt buttered corn, furikake, nori, and Japanese rice.

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I had read reviews recommending the Really Nice Mushrooms on Toast ($19.5) which comes with grilled mushrooms, spinach, pickled shallots, creamy mushroom sauce, sourdough crumb, and 2 poached eggs. However, my friend and I found the mushrooms too salty and I thought the dish could have more depth.

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Apart from the slight disappointment with the mushrooms and toast, the other dishes left me well-fed and satisfied. With other promising and raved-about items on their menu, Moonchild could be that weekend brunch spot that is perpetually packed, just like its sister cafes.

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351 Jalan Besar, #01-01, Singapore 208988

Tues to Sat 9am – 10pm

Sun 9am – 7pm

Closed on Mon

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Dec 10 2023
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Food, singapore

Moxie – Mod Mediterranean Restaurant with Beach House Vibes

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Brought to you by the folks behind Siri House is Moxie, a new modern Mediterranean restaurant and lifestyle concept. I was already impressed by the private entrance leading up to the restaurant, and the walkway from the door leading to the main dining area. The restaurant goes by the concept of a modern beach house, with the wood rattan ceiling lamps creating the vibes. I did feel like I was transported out of Singapore for a while.

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Out of the different menus available (Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch, Happy Hour), we had a medley of items from the dinner menu which features communal sharing plates and platters.

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To start, we had the Moxie Dip Platter with Pita ($22 with 3 dips) comes with choice of dips and we were recommended the Spinach Yogurt, Smashed Kabocha and Whipped Ricotta. The Spinach Yogurt and Kabocha were the more interesting options, the former having a generous ratio of spinach to Greek while the latter has a light, natural sweetness of roasted Japanese pumpkin.

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Directly air flown from Puglia is their Burrata ($19), with a creamy and flowy core that was easily torn apart. The salad was completed with red beets and grapes.

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I don’t consume raw fish regularly but the Yellowtail Carpaccio ($32) was memorable. It had a slightly firm and chewy texture and was well-paired with chilli lime dressing and minced ginger flower.

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Unlike its namesake, I was thankful that the Spanish Salt Cod Croquettes ($19) were not overly salty.

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Our catch of the day was a 200g Seabass Fillet ($42) served chargrilled with salsa and charred spring onion puree. The skin had a nice, smoky taste while the meat was tender with a clean flavour.

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The Arugula Pesto Orecchiette ($38) was a seafood feast, with crab meat, prawns and scallops. The fresh prawns were my highlight – sauteed with garlic confit in oil, dried red chili, white wine, arugula pesto and butter, they reminded me of a delicious gambas al ajillo without the spice. Though we found some parts of the orecchiette overly firm, the toasted pine nuts added a layer of texture and nuttiness that kept us going for more.

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The list of cocktails at Moxie was interesting. I had a taste of the Amber Lit ($22), an Evan Williams Bourbon Infused Earl Grey Old Fashioned that was smartly paired with a small bark of rosemary and sea salt dark chocolate (70%) on top. The earl grey came as a smooth aftertaste. And well, the chocolate? I could have it as a snack all day.

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We had 3 desserts and the Dark Chocolate Mousse ($16) was my favourite, hands down. The bittersweet mousse was topped with an addictive scoop of hazelnut ice cream which was distinctly nutty and not sugary.

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The Tiramisu ($16) (note: only available for brunch) had a light, fluffy texture with a good amount of rum. The ratio of ladyfinger to custard was also in a range I preferred, i.e. not overly creamy.

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The Moxie Mille Feuille ($19) reminded us of the kunefe, with a layer of whipped cream cheese sandwiched between 2 layers of filo pastry and finished with a crown of kataifi. This was quite heavy for me and I didn’t manage to finish it.

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Overall, I thought the modern interpretation of Mediterranean food was quite well done and together with the ambience and vibes, Moxie is one dining spot I would recommend especially for large gatherings to feast on their extensive menu. The price point, I felt, was better than restaurants of similar standards in the CBD.

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This was an invited media tasting.

2 College Road, Medical Alumni Association Level 1 Singapore 169850

Tue – Thur & Sun 11.30am – 10pm

Fri & Sat 11.30am – 11.30pm

Closed on Mon

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Jul 06 2014
7 Comments
Food

The Lokal

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So, so so many new cafes in Singapore. (too many?) There came to a point in time where I was coming to know about a new cafe each day without fail,  be it through Instagram, blogger friends or the world wide web in general. Pretty sure this influx of new cafes started in June or so, leaving us bloggers in a frenzy where we scurry off to as many of those hideouts as possible.

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Brought to you by Sarnies, The Lokal is Australian-inspired and has so far gotten the nod from food bloggers and cafe hoppers alike. The space is dim, with some light filtering in through a few windows by some tables. Indie vibes checked. Good thing’s that the layout is well-suited to pack people in groups of 4-5 without compromising much on spatial assets. We checked this place out just this Friday for lunch when the lunch menu was served from 11am onwards. Served from 8am to 11am is the breakfast menu which looked promising and fulfilling as well.

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Coffee here was such a delight. I had the cappuccino ($5.50) – smooth, aromatic, right acidity, no bitter aftertaste. Even the latte art’s on point! On the drinks menu there are also smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, teas and sodas so fret not, non-caffeine takers.

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My dish consists of smashed avocado, homemade ricotta cheese, pomelo and toasted almonds on sourdough ($18). A tad pricey though considering the small portion. It’s plain but it makes for something light and healthy on the palate. I’m especially recommending this to all the avocado lovers out there. And P.S. they do place some emphasis on the fact that they make the ricotta from scratch.

Another refreshing and light choice would be the Pita sabich sandwich filled with grilled aubergine, tomato, cucumber, boiled egg and hummus ($16). My friend thinks that the hummus makes this colorful dish tastes less simple as a vegetarian option.

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We also tried the Roast chicken panini with crispy pancetta, tomato, avocado cos and aioli ($15) – coming in a surprisingly bigger portion than the avocado dish. Those with larger stomachs should therefore opt for their sandwiches/burger. The Roast beef on rye, caramelized onions, watercress & grain mustard creme fraiche ($17) and Schnitzel burger, red slaw, grilled pineapple, Emmenthal cheese, lettuce, anchovy mayo on a sesame seed bun served with chunky chips ($28) are yet two other tantalizing alternatives.

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Do not leave without satisfying your sweet tooth. Both the Sticky date pudding with caramelized sauce & vanilla ice cream ($12) and Banana cake with caramelized bananas & hokey pokey ice cream ($12) called out to us so we had both. Between the two, our favorite was the banana cake which felt somewhat like a french toast. The cake was soft but substantial enough to be soaked in syrup that didn’t make it too soggy. I loved how it’s not too cloyingly sweet. Meanwhile, the sticky date pudding, though decent, was pretty average. I would prefer a spongier pudding which would soak up some butterscotch sauce instead of their version which was too dense for my liking.

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Overall verdict? I’m giving the nod too. This is one promising establishment amongst the whole new lot of them – friendly service, quality grub. They so deserve another trip down.

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136 Neil Road

Singapore 088865

Mon – Fri 8am to 6pm

Sat & Sun 9am to 4pm

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May 13 2014
2 Comments
Food

UNA Dining and Tapas Bar

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After the closure of popular noshing spots in Rochester such as Roast and Graze, the regular patron may just be feeling a little melancholic. Well, fret not. The past few months of renovation and refurbishment of One Rochester have led to the opening of latest Spanish kid on the block, UNA Dining and Tapas Bar. Helmed by Chef Jean Philippe Patruno previously from Bomba Paella Bar, UNA is Singapore’s first bar and restaurant that brings together the authentic and rich flavors of Spanish, Italian and French home-styled cuisines. This concept is termed the ‘South of Latitude 30°‘ (SOL30°).

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The interiors of UNA are split into 2 separate dining areas with different sets of menus – UNA Dining on the first level and UNA Tapas Bar on the second. UNA Dining is set in a lush garden setting with classic white decor – also perfect for the many weddings which are frequently held here. The full menu (designed by Chef Philippe) here offers a fine selection of starters, mains, desserts and drinks. On the other hand, UNA Tapas Bar provides a casual, laid-back atmosphere with a full bar. Here, choose from a range of spirits, mixers and artisanal cocktails on the bar menu (specially created by Proof & Co) to go along with your tapas.

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And what better way to start off the meal with some classic, specialty cocktails? The Le Bucky ($19) above is a refreshing mix of bourbon, mathilde framboise, fresh apple juice, fresh lemon juice and ginger beer while the Bastille ($20) is a combination of gin, hibiscus, maraschino, amaranto and fresh lemon juice.

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We got started with some small plates. Among them was the beautifully plated Heirloom Tomatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Burrata ($18 for small, $28 for large) which caught our eyes. From the soft burrata cheese to the juicy cubes of tomatoes, this petite dish makes for a light, refreshing appetizer.

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If you’d like soup, go for the starter Gazpacho Salmojero ($12 for small, $22 for large) which was recommended to me by a server – a cold dish of a rich tomato and cucumber soup alongside with a quail egg and Sicily olive oil. Though the tomato-based soup requires an initial acquired taste, I thought that the texture and consistency was excellent – smooth and substantially thick.

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Hanger Steak Tartare, Slow-cooked Egg Yolk, Watercress ($28 for small, $38 for large)

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Iberico Pork Belly and Smoked Chorizo Mash ($32 for small, $42 for large) – I was in awe of the 24 hour slow-cooked spanish pork belly which was cooked to near perfection. It was tender in the mouth and the springiness of pork belly which I abhor is also at is bare minimum. The smoked mash with chorizo oil in the middle deserves a mention as well.

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Another huge favorite for that day would be the Wild Sea Bass with Serrano Ham and Caviar D’Aubergines ($40 for small, $50 for large). The sea bass had a crisp exterior with touches of salt and its insides were soft – this was suitably coupled with the dry cured serrano ham.

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Towards the end of our meal, the kind bartenders recommended the cocktail Champs de Fraise ($19) which is only offered on UNA Dining’s menu. The concoction – strawberry infused cognac, fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine presented a fruity fizz which I enjoyed more compared to the aforementioned cocktails I had.

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I’m always particular about my desserts and UNA’s desserts were right on spot to me. The Pedro Ximenez Panna Cotta, Popcorn ($14 for small, $18 for large), unlike the usual panna cotta, came in a glass shooter and was uniquely topped with popcorn. Fortunately, the salted popcorn complemented the sweeter, smoother pudding it was laid upon. The panna cotta was as creamy as how it should be, making this version one of the best I’ve had.

Falling a little short of our expectations was the Churros dipped in chocolate and accompanied by honey ice cream ($16 for small, $20 for large). They were too crispy (for my liking) such that they broke easily. A fluffier and chewier interior would better befit them churros. Shoutout to the honey ice cream though.

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From the idyllic environment of the restaurant to the helpful service provided by servers and bartenders to the cuisine itself, the dining experience at UNA, I believe, should not be skipped. You’ll be surprised at how every intricate detail matches with the other, be it ingredient-wise or interior-wise. This is definitely in accord with Chef Patruno’s vision for UNA – “an exquisite dining experience providing the best of [his] worlds, with heartfelt and comforting foods that will form great memories.”

 

All food shown in this post are of the small portions.

This was an invited media tasting.

1 Rochester Park

UNA Dining – Mon to Sat 6pm – 11pm

UNA Tapas Bar – Mon to Sat 6pm – 1am

Closed on Sundays

www.onerochester.com 

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Mar 21 2014
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Food

House, Dempsey – The Essential Brunch

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I mean it when I say that House is the essential brunch place. It’s almost been exactly two years since I last stepped foot into this quirky cafe-restaurant. (P.S. you can refer to my 2-year-old review here. Still can’t believe I took those photos though.) Everything felt familiar and it feels as though I’m visiting an old friend of mine. The mismatched furniture, though the same and not replaced, feels irreplaceable instead. How should I describe it? It’s like Alice in Wonderland.  From a homely dining area lined by bookshelves to a cosy tent installment to dining in the outdoors garden, it’s no wonder why some people don’t ever tire of patronizing.

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During my past visit here I tried their legendary truffle fries (my favorite thus far). Since then, they’ve introduced 4 new types of fries to whet your appetite: Pumpkin hazelnut, truffle taro, curry mustard and carrot fennel. So so tough a decision to make on just one since there were only 2 of us.  In the end we went for the Truffle Taro Fries which were straw-cut and a lot thinner than potato fries. As expected, the truffle oil was very aromatic. *inserts relevant emoji*

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House Pancakes used to be a 7-layer pancake stack which I’ve always wanted to try, however after the menu revamp the pancakes are now a more “down-to-earth” version. Inspired by the pavlova, the pancakes are topped with kiwi, passionfruit and strawberries and then drizzled with chocolate sauce. The combination comes across as a tad unsuitable but it turned out well.

I didn’t get to try much of the Black Pepper Prawns with Sweet Corn Salsa and Sunny Side-Up but there’s one thing I’m certain about it: the prawns are really fresh and the sunny side-up is fried with organic eggs.

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The dessert menu at House is even more so recently revamped. On a more accurate note, it is a new dessert menu. Yet again, it’s a dilemma with 10 tantalizing options…

At $15, the Salted Caramel Toastie may not be the most worthy for money dessert considering it just a toast topped with a scoop of ice cream. But it’s more than that. The toasted brioche was as good as brioche can get. Having caramelized walnuts to go along with the toastie upped the level of crunchiness and crispiness. That scoop of caramel biscuit ice cream fared well too, except that it melted all too quickly.

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A petite delight was the Warm Chocolate Toffee Cake, which came out pretty moist and fluffy like a sticky pudding.

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I must say that I was pretty shocked some perennial favorites from the old menu like the strawberry shortcake were removed. Still, the new options all sound promising and if I had the space for more, I’d definitely go for the banana coconut pecan cake.. and possibly a slice of lemon curd cheesecake. Apart from that, I’m grateful for the fact that weekend brunches here remain lovely.

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8D Dempsey Road

Singapore 249672

Monday – Thursday 12pm – 11pm

Friday 12pm – 12am

Saturday 11am – 12am

Sunday 9am – 11pm

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Feb 05 2014
5 Comments
Food

Necessary Provisions

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For a good few months I’ve been dreaming of local coffee joint Necessary Provisions and racking my brains if it’s worth the trip. As a north-eastie, traveling to the western part of the island may be nasty without a personal vehicle. The opportunity came when an instagram friend of mine was visiting from Kuala Lumpur – as a fellow cafe hopper back in her own country, she happened to be interested in N. Provisions as well. I obviously jumped at the opportunity.

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Thanks to the really ulu location the cafe is set in, I took an hour and a half to get there via public transport – From Clementi Bus Interchange which is next to the MRT station, take bus 173 and alight at the 8th stop. Then you’re left with a hundred metres of walk into Eng Kong Terrace.

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I like clean, white spaces. But then I like sleek, black spaces even more. N Provisions has a cool ambience with its accompanying black walls, tables and chairs. The counter (shown above) made of quintessential green tiles, together with a vintage bicycle against it as a backdrop, makes for that obligatory shot for instagram. My favorite is the prominent back wall though. It features a collection of ceramics, coffee apparatus and a random handful of items that, when shelved together, creates a hip background for the cafe. Talk about vibes.

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Then of course, we started off our morning with their coffee. Since NP is by the people behind Smitten Coffee who also set up the now defunct Homebodies and Henry Congressional, you can expect them to be serious about their caffeine fix. I had a White 6 oz ($5) and I love that it leaves no bitter aftertaste.

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I know I should have ordered more from the menu but we decided to keep it simple that day with a slice of Pandan Chiffon Cake ($4) and Orange Walnut Cake ($4). $4 for a Pandan Chiffon?! I can get a slice for $1 at a local bakery. The pandan chiffon there was a lot fluffier but I would rather save those few pennies for another coffee. The latter was a zesty delight especially with the grated orange rind and huge chunks of walnut.

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In case you’re feeling hungrier, the all day menu has simple breakfast items like Savory Scones ($5) and Banana Nutella Panini ($5) and sandwiches such as Rosemary Chicken ($9). Available from 6pm onwards is the more enticing dinner menu. From fresh pasta like the Winter Pasta ($14) to the Blackened Halibut ($22) to the Pork Burger with Apple Sauce ($14), the choices are not endless but interesting.

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Anyway, I’d forgotten to take some shots of the exteriors which features a few outdoor seats and tables so I thought the many angles of the back wall would make up for it. This place really makes such a chill corner. If only I lived in the west…

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21 Eng Kong Terrace

Singapore 598993

Tuesday to Thursday 10am – 10pm

Friday & Saturday 10am – 12am

Sunday 10am – 6pm

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Sep 19 2013
1 Comment
Food

Ezoca Japanese Cuisine

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Time flies. I am now documenting my third trip to Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove – this time for a tasting session at the exquisite, fine-dining Japanese restaurant Ezoca. Ezoca is considered pretty new to the block of eateries along the quay, and adds an Asian touch to the Western food enclave.

The interiors are kept traditional with every piece of furniture imported from Japan. However it is styled to suit the needs for comfort for diners here with wooden armchairs and cushions. The restaurant is partitioned into a few areas: a sushi bar, a private corner separated from the rest by Japanese screens, a main dining place and even an alfresco area to cater to the likes of expatriates.

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Both a la carte and set menus are offered and they change seasonally. That day, I had the privilege of having the Yume course at $288 per set which is a 7 course kaiseki meal.

Presenting the first course/appetizer – Japanese Tiger Prawn, Cucumber and Persimmon with Tofu Cheese Cream and Walnut. The dish is simple in taste but refreshing and healthy as a whole. I love how the light, airy tofu cheese cream holds the prawn, cucumber and persimmon together.

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Second course/steamed dish – Short Neck Clam (swapped with fish in my dish) and Winter Melon Egg Custard topped with Tomato. In short, this is chawanmushi but not exactly your typical chawanmushi. It emits a stronger, more oriental smell and taste. Some may like it and some may not but I definitely like it – plus points for so many lush ingredients added in it too.

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The third course is one of my favorite course after the main – sashimi of a Combination of Fresh Seafood Platter. The type of fish depends on the availability from Japan so you might not get exactly the same types I have pictured below. On the left is Snapper sashimi with lotus root. As I bit into the snapper there is a hint of lotus which probably came from the lotus root. Coupled with the delicate freshness of the snapper it makes a great hit. In the middle is Toro sashimi, which comes from a fatty portion of the Bluefin tuna. Taste-wise, it reminds me a little of salmon except that the meat is thicker and more succulent. On the right is mackerel sashimi, which has a much fishier taste the others.

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The fourth and main course has got to be my favorite course of the day. It is a charcoal grilled dish – Japanese Omi Beef Tenderloin with Organic vegetables. In my mind I went wow when the dish was first served to the table. The uniquely shaped bowl caught my attention immediately. From the yellow of the bowl to pinkish-brown of the meat to the red and green of vegetables, I’m impressed by the color pallet already. Despite having spent some time capturing the dish on the camera, the tenderness of this A4 grade beef will still be present. There are 3 different dips including salts and soya sauce to dip the beef in but I prefer it plain the most. As I try more and more types and cuts of beef steak, each one gets better and better. This omi beef is no exception to that testimony. Omi beef rivals Kobe beef and Matsusaka beef as the top Japanese beefs but it is definitely less well known around the globe. Don’t forget about the organic vegetables (lotus root, beans, pumpkin, pepper) – they are prepared well to go on par with beef. Excellent seasoning.

For those not accustomed to eating beef, there is another choice for your main which is the Japanese Eel with Organic vegetables.

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Fifth course/braised dish – Conger Pike Eel, Garland Chrysanthemum and Seaweed in hot pot. The Conger Pike Fish, which is a type of eel, has a silken texture which I enjoyed very much. Also in the hot pot is a ball of mochi and vegetables like mushrooms. The stock may get quite fishy though.
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Sixth course/meal – Tempura Angel Prawn and vegetables with Turnip pickles and Red Miso soup. Nothing can go wrong with tempura and Japanese rice. I found myself addicted to the rice more than the tempura – it is sticky to my liking with a tinge of sweetness. I was informed that Ezoca uses a premium Japanese rice Yamazato Seiryu Mai, a type of the Koshihikari rice. The Koshihikari is popular in Japan and is one of the most expensive types there. According to the waitress the rice is even cooked with Japanese mineral water. I wouldn’t mind living in Japan just for their rice. A bowl of Red Miso Soup accompanies the tempura rice and, unlike the usual misos of casual Japanese eateries, it is more overwhelming.

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….and the last-but-certainly-not-the-least course/dessert is the Caramelized Apple and Homemade Red Bean Paste Sandwich with Japanese Kyoho Grapes with Wine Jelly. Having grapes with wine jelly out of the glass feels like I’m drinking wine. Yep, that spoonful of wine jelly is that powerful (and unique). There is an extra slice of muskmelon served on the dish which is not in the menu but nonetheless, it is especially soft and juicy.
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The experience at Ezoca was amazing in many ways but what struck me most was the quality of ingredients used in every dish. All of them are imported from Japan and are prepared superbly fresh. Also, service is nearly impeccable with staff who clearly know their stuff well.

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Special thanks to Wendy and Ezoca for hosting the tasting session.

31 Ocean Way

Quayside Isle (Sentosa Cove)

#01-12

Singapore 098375

 

Tuesdays 5.30pm – 9.30pm

Wednesdays to Saturdays 12pm – 3pm

5.30pm – 10pm

Sundays 12pm – 9.30pm

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