Tag Archives: western

Jun 30 2012
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Food

Chili’s Grill & Bar

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Chili’s Grill and Bar entered the Singapore food scene not long ago and has been quite a dormant name to mention when looking for somewhere to dine. I myself have never thought much of Chili’s till I stepped into the obvious outlet at Resorts World Sentosa. Curiosity got the better of me when I saw the snaking queues at dinner hours. Now, I wouldn’t say that Chili’s whip out the best Mexican/Western/Tex-mex food out there, but in terms of everything it makes a great place to simply chill out on Thank God It’s Fridays.

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There weren’t a lot of mouths of us there, so we thought opting for some appetizers would be good. Then we came to realize that the portions of their appetizers might as well be of main courses. So an advice would be: Chili’s is good for groups. Quesadillas – of fajita-marinated chicken with cheese served in tortillas. I would not deny that it was satisfying but I thought the flavors could be more distinct.
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On the other hand, the Classic Nachos made up for its shortcomings. There is a dominant taste of seasoned beef and cheese. A good kind of salty; just like how nachos should be. I enjoyed it more than the quesadillas, so this is the appetizer to have.
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As usual, I couldn’t get myself to leave without ordering a dessert. My eyes were all on its signature choice – the Chocolate Molten Cake. Unfortunately (fortunately) my love for molten cakes have not dissipated, I feel that it is triumphing over other inferior cakes and tarts. Shocked but very, very happy was I to have the biggest lava cake I’ve seen so far in my life – five inches. A soft sponge cake with chocolate that flows.

I felt that everything went right with this meal. I was comfortable with the casual spaces, pleasured by the friendly service, appalled by the irrelevance between their serving size and affordable prices and bloated (in a satisfying way) by the food. It will be hard to decide even which category on the menu to turn to so I definitely recommend coming with a bunch of people. Much as the burgers and pastas seem to be special, the fajitas and crispy chicken and ribs here put me in a dilemma. I can already imagine myself going back to get a little taste of everything.

Resorts World Sentosa

26 Sentosa Gateway

#01-072/073/074

Singapore 098138

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Jun 25 2012
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Food

TCC The Connoisseur Concerto: one for one

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Some people remark that the food at TCC are a little pricey considering that it started off as a coffee chain. I couldn’t disagree any less. But now, during the GSS period starting now to 22 July, you can enjoy 1 for 1 on pasta or main course.

Spaghetti Bolognese – One of my all-time favourites that I would pick once in a while. The rendition here was not too bad, especially with generous servings of bolognese.
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Pan-seared Chicken Breast with shogayaki sauce – I never thought TCC made great chicken as well. The chicken was well marinated that made it “not just another piece of chicken”.
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TCC now has several new dessert offerings alongside with new main courses, one of them being the Cappuccino Cheesecake Dream ($7.90). Credits to it’s dreamy name. At first I had wanted their signature molten lava cake or the Dark Devotion, but this looked as equally tempting as well. Unfortunately, it’s portion was way smaller than what I thought it would turn out to be – instead of a cake I would call it a “small delight”. At least, it was delightful, a light cheese base with the tinge of coffee.

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Of course, with so many outlets in the island, you can easily get to one without even trying to. Every TCC boutique has its own attractive points. The ones at Citylink & Millennia Walk is cool and airy and good for people-watching; the one at Marina @ Keppel provides a fine, formal atmosphere; the one at Robertson Quay comes with cool egg chairs to fawn over. You can even pop by the classy outlets at Orchard after some tireless GSS shopping. For just a casual lunch, dinner or even breakfast that TCC offers several items, it’s the place to be.

 

(and many more around Singapore)

1 Raffles Link

#B1-26

City Link Mall

Singapore 039393

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Jun 17 2012
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Food

Pamplemousse Bistro + Bar: 3 course set lunch

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Laid back among the greenery at Dempsey’s 6ix and 7even blocks, I should just get to the point and say that the 3 course set lunch at Pamplemousse Bistro & Bar at $32++ per person is a great deal for lunch especially when considering the quality main courses they serve. Pamplemousse which also means ‘grapefruit’ in French, offers European dishes mastered with French techniques.

Alfresco dining lets you feel the serenity of the greens around while dining indoors provides a posh dining experience with white and silver tableware.

That pleasant feeling when you are served Complementary bread & butter with olive oil.

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For appetizers, we ordered what we were recommended, namely the Salmon and croquettes. The salmon was just simple and light yet everything good at the same time – a good appetizer to have.
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On the other hand, Crab “Otak” Croquettes had a distinct taste and tender strands of meat beneath the crispy exterior. I fell in love with it immediately, next time I see croquettes on a menu….. hmm.
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Uni Tagliolini – The pasta was light with crustacean sauce and a good rendition of tagliolini. It is also another recommended item of the main courses.
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There’s nothing like a french meal without the Duck Confit. The duck leg was cooked very well, with a well-marinated and crispy skin as well. It was set atop a bed of red cabbage which I initially thought was a weird ingredient but then realized later on that it was simply unique especially when eaten together with the meat. Besides that, I loved the creative sides of lychees and potatoes.
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Melons & Sago – A subtly sweet dessert which had a zesty taste to it. It reminded me of oranges. Altogether it was like a sweet concoction of fruits.

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“Milo Dinosaur” – A deconstructed dessert of milo parfait, chocolate streusel, milo sponge, dulce de leche, brioche and condensed milk.

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The service there left me a great impression of Pamplemousse. One of the waitresses was very dedicated in serving us and making sure we had the best lunch possible, even filling us in the components of the dishes. I wouldn’t hesitate to try out their brunch menu soon enough. Portion sizes here are not filling enough when going a la carte so don’t hesitate for the set lunches or the chef’s menu ($98++) for dinner.
7 Dempsey Road

#01-04

Singapore 249671

Operates for lunch from 1200 – 1430 weekdays and 1130 – 1430 on weekends

dinner from 1830 – 2230 daily

* with Mondays as exceptions

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Jun 13 2012
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Food

TWG Tea Restaurant

TWG has been around since God-knows-when with all their lovely tea products.

There are currently 3 locations of TWG Tea Salon & Boutique locally, namely Orchard, Republic Plaza and the Marina Bay Sands. I would have to agree that the location at The Shoppes is the most outstanding with its unique place on a “bridge” amidst the smell of designer shoes and bags. Yet, TWG at ION Orchard also deserves a shoutout for its convenient location among Singapore’s largest shopping belt. Despite it housing a dining area a tad small, it has attracted people especially for high tea among the area.

Tea is everything about TWG so the food here are literally infused with tea as ingredients as well. I would say that they were all worth a try even though it may be a little pricey.

Macarons here are $2 each and I had the Earl Grey Fortune & Chocolate. It was less sweet than ones without that special earl grey but definitely not lacking in any other way even though I would prefer the norms.

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The TWG Tea Lasagna ($20) came with 3 choices: Garden vegetables, bolognaise ragout or seafood.
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I did not expect the main courses here to be that satisfying as it turned out. The Wagyu Burger ($24) could be as good as a burger place. I loved the delicious “matchstick” fries that came along with it which reminds me of truffle fries. The “tea” element here is in the vinaigrette on the greens, it is said to be infused with a 1837 Green Tea.
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Smoked Scottish Salmon ($28)
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I was curious as to how a tea infused Creme Brulee ($12) would taste like, nearly regretting my choice. But then it turned out that I may even like it more than I do for the usual creme brulees. The taste of egg custard is milder but yet turned into something so unique. A great experience, I must say.
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Reservations are a must especially during peak hours given that it can only hold less than 20 diners. Besides the lunch and dinner menu, the tea time sets are truly popular and so gives me more reason to go back for its scones and tarts.

 

ION Orchard

#02-20/21

Singapore 238801

Operates daily 10am – 10pm

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May 29 2012
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Food

Kungfu Paradise [Closed]

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Kungfu Paradise is under the Paradise group of restaurants in Singapore of Chinese origin. A very distinct difference from the others (Canton Paradise, Taste Paradise, Paradise Pavillion, Seafood Paradise, etc) will be its much more casual form of dining which operates over midnight in several outlets. It also serves food of an Asian and Western fusion, very much appealing to the crowd of different tastebuds, or what they refer to as cosmopolitan tastebuds. Basically, they serve Hong Kong cuisine incorporating some Western choices as well.
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The menu here consists of different ranges of food to choose from, from dimsum to noodles and rice dishes to Western creations to desserts. After a few visits, I believe that they are all equally as good as each other despite the fact that Kungfu Paradise is supposedly under an Asian group. It was pleasant to know that the Western sector served rather popular dishes of their own. Several choices of pasta and meat combos are offered, not forgetting Western desserts like their chocolate lava cake. Some soup noodles dishes and appetizers/sides like the steamed custard lava buns and wings are also recommended.

I was surprised to find that the fish and chicken combo, at just $10.90, was a steal. Portion wise, that long dish of food was definitely worth more than its price. They may be a casual dining place but the food is of quality. That’s what I love about Kungfu Paradise – casual and afforable enough for small talk over a meal yet serving good stuff that appetize.

A happy thing to know would be that Kungfu Paradise is expanding. It’s newest outlet is located at JCube at Jurong East, so now people on both east and west ends of Singapore will have a great refuge for late nights in the neighbourhood.
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2 Tampines Central 5

#01-37 Century Square

Singapore 529509

Operates daily from morning to night (excluding public holidays)

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May 26 2012
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Food

OverEasy Bar & Restaurant

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I’ve always wanted to see the line of classy restaurants such as Jing and Forlino along the bay at One Fullerton. Amongst them, online reviews and the site of OverEasy has made it seem to die for. So when I had the chance to be at Fullerton for a photography session, I was pleased to have dinner there as well! It seems like a habit of mine to grab every opportunity to check out dining places while on another course or task in the area.

May I say that OverEasy is added to my all-time favorites list?

To dine directly opposite the Marina Bay Sands is an amazing thing. I refuse to dine in the interiors of the restaurant for that matter. Evening was perfect.
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OverEasy’s menu is extensive and mouth-watering. They were Western favorites put in a special recipe. Not only that, but I like how the menu appeals to me. It’s either the blue and black fonts or something. It was hard to decide, but I ended up with the Steak Frites with Bearnaise sauce & truffle fries ($32). Looks wise, it was brilliant. I loved how well the bearnaise sauce (similar to hollandaise sauce) went with both steak and fries. Then I realised that thin, short and crispy truffle fries like OverEasy’s make the best truffle fries. I assure it tastes better than it looks.
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Desserts wise, I guess it was an even harder decision, all of them sounded one of a kind! The Blueberry waffle with crunchy streusel & vanilla ice cream ($12) was unlike a normal waffle. It’s interior  were fluffy and filled with blueberries, on the other hand, the toppings were a good symphony. Mmm.

You would also be happy to know that be it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper or drinks, this place is suited for any of the above. All day breakfast items are available, the large and small plates make up an appetizing meal and their late-night promotions always keep the buzz of patrons going on and on throughout the night.

One Fullerton Road

#01-06 One Fullerton

Singapore 049213

Operates weekdays 1130-1430, 1700-0100

weekends 1700-0400

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May 03 2012
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Food

Billy Bombers American Diner

I’ve always loved the idea of an American meal. It sounds comfortable. This resolves around retro red plushies, milkshakes, burgers and floats. With a casual, chatty background. There are a few outlets of Billy Bombers in Singapore and I’ve always felt that they are sort of underrated, you could have seen it numerous of times but not even heard of it. Comfort food, comfort surroundings and at comfort prices, that’s pretty much everything we would bargain for.

The American hound dog ($11.90) might not look like a big serving here, but actually it’s an American serving. Now that’s legit. The accompanying coleslaw and potato wedges were satisfactory but even I wouldn’t find anything amiss if the dog was to be served on its own.
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American brownie ($7.90) – this one came doubly sweet and chocolaty, the brownie was overflowing of chocolate and chocolate and chocolate. Generous stripes of caramel and chocolate criss-crossed one another on the big dish: a reason why you should not stop until you literally licked off every corner of the plate. Extremely chocolaty brownies are an addiction, their small squares of portion would keep you craving for more.
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The location at The Central for this outlet is great. Besides chilling in the air-conditioned dining area, you can head out for scenery overlooking the Singapore River and the colourful blocks of restaurants on the other end. Go for the burgers, beef, hot dogs and a root beer float to top it off! There’s nothing as good as living the American dream, is there?

The Central @ Clarke Quay

#02-78

Singapore 059817

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Apr 26 2012
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Food

Fish & Co.

Fish & Co has been a long-lasting semi fast food restaurant as far as I know. It has undergone modernization in recent times and is nowadays, becoming a trendy venue for casual, chatty meals and even birthday events. I love their specialty and tagline of SEAFOOD IN A PAN. You literally eat out of a pan. Yep, this was my very first time in fish and co despite the many years; I’ve had doubts if they were just selling overpriced fast food. But I guess you can never judge a book by its cover.

Seafood Platter for 1 ($19.95) – a great deal and you can have it all for yourself! Besides, the prawns, fillet and calamari is served atop a serving of paella rice and fries or mashed potatoes, so I reckon it’s a great steal for seafood lovers. However, I do find it weird that rice is served with potatoes over here – the double intake of similar carbs seem like a dangerous idea.
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White Fish & Salmon ($18.95)
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Whenever the word ‘fish’ appears, fish and chips automatically registers in my brain. The New York Fish & Chips ($15.95) took me by surprise, it was unlike those I’ve had at everywhere else. It’s crisp outer layer was satisfyingly thin and you will find that the battered fish is so soft to penetrate through. The meat was incredibly tender. In it, generous stuffing of parmesan cheese. There are aplenty of choices of fish and chips such as the Italian, Singapore, Arctic and Danish (which all sound attractive as well). New York would be their all time classic favourite.
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I was recommended the Chocolate Pecan Cluster ($6.95) by a waiter as my original order of key lime cheesecake was not available and when it arrived, I thought it was oddly shaped enough. That didn’t matter much soon as I thoroughly enjoyed the explosion of thick chocolate fudge and nuts in my mouth. Serving size was not too much to deter a too-much-chocolate-attack and so it ended my meal perfectly.
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I have to say that with their extensive range of categories and many choices available under the menu, dining at Fish & Co can be a little tricky as you’ll be spoilt for choice. New items like pasta have also been added to the menu, but don’t forget the legendary seafood and fish.

Ion Orchard

2 Orchard Turn
#B3-20
Singapore 238801

Opening hours:

11:30am to 10pm daily

(and 13 other outlets island wide in Singapore)

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Apr 20 2012
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Food

Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar

I had a pretty good brunch that day at eM by the River. I knew Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar, or Laurent Bernard’s Chocolatier. From the outside, it is easy to walk past Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar on a sunny day where your eyes are insensitive to the dull. Already having the initial plan to indulge in chocolate desserts there, I had to walk up and down the street several times before spotting it.

The interior bears a cosy and pretty decor and allows only around 10 patrons to be seated. Alfresco dining is available with comfortable, cushioned seats with unnaturally grown palm trees wafting atop. I find it a little weird that photography of the cafe itself was not permitted, there is even a sign bearing the warning.

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On that fateful day, their specialty – the souffle – was not available as they had just opened for business and so it was only available at later times. Waiting around 30-45 minutes for a souffle would already be a huge sacrifice, a few more hours of waiting time would be a no-no.

I had the Crispy Chocolate Tart ($7.80) which turned out to be dark chocolate. Being a sweet and savoury person, I am not a fan of dark chocolate but it was a different story in this case, in which the tinge of dark chocolate was what made me give it a thumbs up.

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The Profiterole ($12) was atop three large scoops of vanilla bean ice-cream, and I thought that it was a light and refreshing choice in contrast to the chocolate tart. The only loophole was my expectation of the pastry ball to be softer. The icing on the icing would be the miniature teapot of chocolate sauce. Or it shall be called the chocolate pot. You know, everything is better with chocolate.

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80 Mohammad Sultan Road

The Pier @ Robertson Quay

#01-11

Singapore 239013

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Apr 05 2012
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Food

Canele Patisserie II: Sw-weet

I was hungover from my last visit to Canele. Since then, new chef Christophe Grilo has taken over the helms of Canele Patisserie in Singapore. A few new creations have been added and everything seems bright.

I see that macarons have become an “in” thing recently. Whoever has the privilege of enjoying macarons anywhere has the same privilege to give a statement to the world with just a click. It is certainly claimed that Canele is one of the best places in Singapore for its macarons, and I’ll like to declare that as well. This time I went for the fat Oreo Cookie macaron ($2.35). Surprisingly, it does not totally taste like an oreo, maybe just half an oreo. The sweetness does not settle in instantaneously, but through it you’ll love it.
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Such lemon-y stuff would be pushed away by me, but at that moment it just so happened I called out its name. The Tarte Citron ($6) was a massive burst of citrus infused with buttery and crust sweetness. The peels topped on the tart gave me a sour shock, they were nothing but zesty and very zesty. How massive a burst is too massive for a burst? Love or hate? Call the judges over.
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Among the three, I enjoyed the St. Marc ($6.50) the most. I love its glistening, marble-like yellow top which just captures the attention. The surrounding plain layers of sponge cake were rather plain, but they served a greater purpose: it brought out the taste of the dominant layer of mild dark chocolate in the center very well. This seemingly ordinary slice may just fool your eyes.

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Wherever I go, it appears that Canele is making big waves here in Singapore. I wouldn’t deny that. With their classy display panels of colorful cakes, macarons, cookies and chocolates, plus all day dining treats, there’s no reason why you would miss such a deal. For me, I feel that the outlet at Shaw Centre has the best location compared to the rest. It is probably the best alternative to retreat into the air-conditioned patisserie and watch the Orchard crowd while pouring bits of sweetness into your mouth.

Shaw Centre

1 Scotts Road

#01-01A

Singapore 228208

Sundays : 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mondays to Thursdays : 8.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fridays : 8.30 a.m to 11 p.m.
Saturdays : 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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