Posts Tagged ‘singapore food blogger’
Tim Ho Wan Singapore: The First Michelin Star Dim Sum Restaurant from Hong Kong is here!
- Tasting Invite –
Hello chewys! Have you Tim Ho Wan-ed yet? Even before this famous Michelin star Dim Sum restaurant opened its doors to the public on 10 April at Plaza Singapura Atrium Space, it had already gotten everybody’s attention. Why the hype and excitement?
True blue dim sum lovers have probably heard of, or even tried, the renowned One Michelin starred Tim Ho Wan from Hong Kong’s Mongkok branch which had recently ceased operations. It is also the cheapest and most affordable Michelin starred restaurant in the world which makes it so popular!
Finally, the foodies in Singapore can have a taste of Tim Ho Wan’s legendary dim sum without having to fly over to the Hong Kong and subsequently queue for hours at its remaining branches just to try it. I was very lucky to be invited by one of my favorite PR companies, Brand Cellar, to be amongst the first in Singapore to taste Tim Ho Wan’s much raved about dim sum, especially their Big 4 Heavenly Kings!
Brand Cellar was also kind enough to allow me to have misterchewy join me in this mass dim sum party! Yeah as you can see, we are one of the true BLUE dim sum lovers. LOL :P
Hahaha ok here’s another photo of us because my eyes look bigger.
This was for our table of six… NOT! I think we ordered like at least 4 to 5 times of these! Major food coma but very satisfying! *Rubs tummy with glee* :D
Group shot! Sorry I didn’t use my flash that day so it’s not the photographer’s fault that the pic is yellowish. Kinda lost touch with taking food photos after our 3 week long honeymoon trip in Europe :(
And without further ado, I shall first introduce Tim Ho Wan’s Big 4 Heavenly Kings – Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Vermicelli Roll with Pig’s Liver, Pan Fried Carrot Cake and Steamed Egg Cake, in this order. After which, I will be reviewing the other dishes that we had also tried.
Of all the dim sum dishes at Tim Ho Wan, my favorite was the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3 pcs), which I prefer calling char siew bao. It is not your typical char siew bao though, because the bun is baked and not steamed. When eaten hot, the sweet and fragrant BBQ pork oozed out of the bun which was unbelievably soft and a little crusty with a slight bounciness to it.
The Vermicelli Roll with Pig’s Liver ($5.50) was also a crowd pleaser. Loved the cheong fun’s smooth and firm texture and the pig’s liver was soft instead of rubbery.
We had mixed views towards the Pan Fried Carrot Cake ($4.50 for 3 pcs) so it really depends on personal preference. It might be too soft and flimsy for some, and might come across as steamed instead of pan fried. This makes it unique and is still worth a try.
Kinda like our Malay kueh, the Steamed Egg Cake ($3.80) was very light and fluffy. Taste wise, it was not cloyingly sweet which soon got us asking for seconds!
Other than the Big 4 Heavenly Kings, we also sampled all the other dishes that were available during the media launch. First up, the Prawn Dumpling ($5.50 for 4 pcs) was nothing to shout about. It was just normal. No surprises here.
The Pork Dumpling with Shrimp ($5 for 4 pcs) or more affectionately known as siew mai, was jam packed with flavor and this is something which I will definitely find myself ordering again and again and again!
If you are not a fan of pig’s liver, you should try the Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Pork ($5.50) as an alternative, which is equally impressive!
I didn’t fancy the Dumpling Teochew Style ($4 for 3pcs) because of the odd taste and smell of chives. Other than that, the crunchiness of the dumplings was quite pleasant.
The Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin ($4.20 for 3 pcs) looked really tempting and I almost took a bite until misterchewy told me that it’s beef. :(
The Spring Roll with Egg White ($4.20) was the only fried item that we tried at Tim Ho Wan and it was really good. Instead of the typical vegetables encased in a deep fried crackling shell, the egg white filling was smooth and creamy and this was good enough to be eaten on its own.
Finally, for desserts, we had the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake ($3.50 for 3 pcs) which was like agar agar served cold. The light sweetness and subtle fragrant hint of osmanthus was a wonderful delight to the taste buds.
A photo of us with Chef Mak Kwai Pui, the man behind Tim Ho Wan! It was such an honour to be able to meet such an important and respectable figure from the dim sum food scene! :D
Hope everyone enjoyed our review on Tim Ho Wan! Is it worth queuing for hours? You decide!
For more updates, connect with us at our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy ;)
Tim Ho Wan Singapore
68 Orchard Road
#01-29A
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel:+65 6251 2000 (No reservations)
Opening Hours:
Daily
10am – 10pm
The Chewys’ Wedding Banquet @ Orchard Parade Hotel
Greetings chewys! You all very emo cuz it’s Monday right? Haiii me too. Didn’t have time to work on my blog on weekdays so I did this over the weekend. It’s another post flooded with many many photos taken by Jack and Aaron from ZX Workshop Photography during our wedding banquet! :P If you have missed out on our earlier post on our wedding gatecrash and tea ceremony, here it is!
When misterchewy and I were looking for our wedding banquet venue, we were quite sure that our main focus was on the food. Everything else was pretty much secondary. We only went to Orchard Parade Hotel because we love Tunglok and the food is always remarkable.
Actually, I kinda regretted a little after making our deposit because the ballroom is quite small and the ceiling is low. Oh wells.. It was comforting to know that everyone loved the food that night! :)
After my MUA was done with my hair and makeup, I decided to go down and mingle with our guests during the cocktail reception.
Bridesmaids helping out at the reception table.
My brothers-in-law and brother (background).
Parents wore blue, my fave color. LOL.
The husband’s colleagues.
Some of my colleagues.
Blogger and Twitter friends.
My Director. He’s a funny man. Hahaha.
Misterchewy’s secondary school buddies with their partners.
The Four Heavenly Kings. They CAN sing. Really!
My paternal grandpa and relatives.
More colleagues.
My 老姨 who took care of me when I was a baby. It was many many many years since we last met and she actually cried upon seeing me.
More relatives.
My uni friends.
My bridesmaids from primary school, secondary school, JC, social media (blogging) and tennis.
Relatives from my mum’s side.
More relatives from my mum’s side.
Twitter friend, Rae.
Two of misterchewy’s groomsmen and also uni friends.
Granny Chewy.
My JC friends.
NOT Mr and Mrs Smith hor! Hahaha. We had a very kind instant prints photobooth wedding sponsor!
‘Business’ was pretty good! Looks like everyone had a good time at the photobooth. Will definitely blog about this in the next post! ;)
Our emcees, Ivan and Maureen.
Our wedding photoshoot montage was being played right before our first march in. It was done solely by misterchewy a couple of days before the wedding. I chose the English song while he chose the Mandarin one. Enjoy! :D
Before our first march in! I was feeling damn nervous!
First march in song: From This Moment On by Shania Twain.
The husband machiam superstar leh. Kept waving and waving. *Faints*
Tsk tsk.. Maureen told misterchewy to say “I love you” in 5 different languages. Luckily he managed to do so in English, Chinese, Cantonese, Korean and Japanese. Heng ah! :P
Social media friends MUST take photos of their food before eating one! Hahaha.
Took a group shot at this table because misterchewy’s secondary school teacher and her little girls had to leave early.
Before our second march in. Wasn’t feeling as nervous as before!
Second march in song: Unbreakable by Westlife.
Ok I had this really weird expression because I was actually a bit afraid of the champagne popping. LOL.
Hahaha I shall expose misterchewy. He fake one lor. He just opened his mouth damn big and pretend he was shouting “YAAAAAAM!”
I also dreaded the moment when we had to present our speeches because I did not and refused to prepare for mine! Hahaha. I just think that thanking through actions is more important than through a thank you speech.
On the contrary, the husband was very well prepared and had everything that he wanted to say typed out in his iPhone. At that point, I was beginning to panic over what I had to say. LOL.
He also dedicated a song 你是我最深爱的女人 (direct translation: You are the woman that I love the most) to me. Ummm not the entire song la. Just a small part of the chorus.
To be honest, it was kinda awkward for me. It was like.. Am i supposed to cry or something?! Hahaha.
He ended the song abruptly and asked me “Okay?” Wah lao machiam he owe me one like that lor. -_-
When it was my turn, I admitted to everybody that I didn’t prepare for my speech and proceeded with some thank yous here and there. LOL.
After we got off the stage, we didn’t have time for a single morsel of food and went round for the table-to-table phototaking session.
As soon as desserts were being served, we had to prepare to see our guests off. From the beginning to the end of our actual wedding, the entire experience felt very surreal. It’s an indescribable feeling.. Heh :P
Group shot with our gorgeous bridesmaids and suave groomsmen. :D
Hahaha some kinda gangsta pose.
LOLOLOL I couldn’t stop laughing at this one. The husband pretending to be unfazed by the ladies.
A big thank you to our photographers Jack and Aaron, and videographer Chin!
Tata for now! As mentioned earlier, we will be blogging about our photobooth wedding sponsor next! Stay tuned and have an awesome week ahead! Connect with us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy :)
Wedding Update: Groomsmen Meeting @ Saveur French Restaurant
Hello chewy chewy friends! It’s me again! Not misterchewy yo. Aiya he’s supposed to be the one typing out this entire post but he’s reaaaally busy with work and wedding prep (not that I’m not doing anything) so this will be a pictorial post on his behalf. Introducing misterchewy’s gang of brothers cum groomsmen who were also his university mates! Aiseh.. Look like Backstreet Boys! The hubby treated them to dinner at Saveur which is a very popular French restaurant at Bugis. The food photos were taken by misterchewy himself. Not I want to praise my own husband but they are not bad considering I’m usually the one who takes the photos! :P Oh ok he just told me he can do an introduction on his xiongdis. So I’ll pass the typing over to him now! :D
Duck Rillette ($7.90) – Cracker slices, Romaine lettuce, gherkin & pickled pearl onion.
Foie Gras ($9.90) – Pan-seared duck liver served with apple-infused port wine and vanilla bean.
Saveur’s Pasta ($4.90) – A signature of Saveur’s, pasta tossed with chili oil, fine-chopped Japanese konbu
& sakura ebi with minced pork sauce.
Duck Leg Confit ($10.90) – Duck leg confit, homemade mashed potato, sauté shiitake mushroom, orange segments and orange infused natural jus.
Name: Joel Ong
Alias: Muscle Ong
First impression of him: Combination of brawns and brains
Special Move: Bombastic engineering jargons at speed 12.5 words/sec. You do the math.
How I think he will protect me from jiemeis: 4.999/5
Name: Hong Ming
Alias: Arty Seow
First impression of him: Quiet Killer
Special Move: Paper cutting (his paper cutting skills is close to professional standard)
How I think he will protect me from jiemeis: 4.999/5
Name: Chengwei
Alias: Cheeko Fong
First impression of him: Guai guai boy (impression somehow changed along the way, hence the nick)
Special Move: Rap and cheekopek-ness
How I think he will protect me from jiemeis: 4.999/5
Name: Kaiyang
Alias: THAT John Lim
First impression of him: Haolian Bio student
Special Move: Act cute while doing R&B dance. Would be able to mesmerize the jiemei with those dance moves (read: cute moves).
How I think he will protect me from jiemeis: 4.999/5
Name: Kelvin
Alias: Kool Chia
First impression of him: Friendly and “speak righteous gas” (讲义气)
Special Move: BODY SLAM
How I think he will protect me from jiemeis: 4.999/5
Xiongdi’s unite! Look left look right, also no one more hamsum (not hamsup hor) than we are.
With an average protection score of 4.999, the groom, along with his brothers, are ready to face off the sisters. Thumbs up for the brave warriors.
Saveur
5 Purvis Street,
Talib Court #01-04,
Singapore 188584
Tel: 6333 3121 (No reservations)
Opening Hours:
Daily
12pm – 2.15 pm
6pm – 9.15 pm
Kith Cafe @ Park Mall: Double Date with Primary School Bestie
Hello chewy chewy peeps! Hahaha sorry this is another long overdue post! Celebrated my primary school bestie’s birthday around December last year and it also became a double dinner date for us. Hehe :P We agreed to meet at Kith Cafe, Park Mall, which is directly opposite Plaza Singapura but like many hundreds of metres away. LOL.
Read about Kith Cafe from a few blogs and it seemed like the reviews were not bad.
I think the brunch items were more appealing but they stop serving brunch at around 3pm or 4pm, which was really quite a pity.
Heh.. I realized misterchewy looked kinda tanned here but he is actually not so tanned la. Haha.
Adelene and her bf, Alvin! Don’t you think that they look really compatible? Got couple look!
The husband is a huge fan of mutton and lamb meat, so I wasn’t surprised when he declared he knew what to order within 35 seconds of glancing at the menu. The Lamb Shank ($28) arrived piping out and laden with delicious smelling gravy. I had a piece of the lamb shank which was truly fall of the bone tender. There was a slight gamy taste but I think it was still quite manageable because misterchewy polished off the entire lamb shank with ease.
I honestly didn’t know why I chose the Nero Seppia ($22) over other pasta dishes. Ended up having to wipe my mouth after eating each mouthful of spaghetti. It was cooked past slightly al dente and the flavors were actually a little on the mild side.
Adelene had the King Prawn Pasta ($20) which I thought was pretty value-for-money given the size of the prawns.
I think Alvin’s Crab Pasta ($22) looked quite delicious too, with chunks of crab meat in it.
I just realized that we are in polka dots..
While our partners are in checks!
Group photo from our double date! :D
Kith Cafe
Park Mall
9 Penang Road
#01-01E
Opening Hours:
Daily
8am – 10pm
The Chewys’ Guide to Valentine’s Day 2013
What comes right after Chinese New Year? Yes, Valentine’s Day! Rejoice because you should have collected enough angbao money just in time to splurge on this fabulous occasion! Yipee! Ummm.. But if you are giving out angbao instead then.. hmm nvm la :P While The Chewys are not dating or love gurus, we would still like to share some ideas as to how to spend Valentine’s Day with The One this year! :D Please note that the following listed below are based on our personal tastes and preferences ;)
- Begin the Special Day with Brunch -
Nothing beats waking past noon together with your loved one and digging into some thick, fluffy blueberry pancakes the laid-back way at the charming and majestic Alkaff Mansion. Go for a stroll at Telok Blangah Hill Park after brunch!
If you wanna impress your date, take her to Au Chocolat at Marina Bay Sands. The eggs benedict smothered in dark chocolate infused hollandaise sauce are something unique. Remember to thank us if she happens to be a chocolate lover.
Not a fan or eggs or pancakes? The Lawn at Biopolis serves really great tasting salads with a wide range of delicious grilled meat. The location might be a bit off, but hey, The Star Vista is just opposite!
- Daytime Dating Activity –
If you belong to the group who thinks that everyday is Valentine’s Day and prefer to spend it in a relaxing way, grab a kite and head down to Marina Barrage! Remember to slather on some sunblock!
Your date doesn’t like the sun? Well, there are plenty of indoor activities! The S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa is certainly not to be missed! Be marvelled as the colorful fishes swim by~
There’s always a first time for everything. Make your Valentine’s Day a memorable one by doing an indoor skydiving at iFly Singapore together! It might only be a few seconds of excitement in the wind tunnel but the memories are yours to keep for a lifetime.
- Unwind with an Afternoon Tea –
Always remember, ladies love to be pampered. After a long day, take her to a cosy and dainty place such as Fullhouse Themed Restaurant. We’re sure that she will be thrilled for being treated like a princess.
Located at Mandarin Gallery, Arteastiq gives a unique high tea experience in Orchard like no other! The famous apple cake and orange cake are some of their must-try items besides their dessert teas.
Duxton Hill area at Tanjong Pagar has a number of eateries and cafes. If your lady has a sweet tooth, she is likely to say yes to the drunken Spanish sponge cake and churros at Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Oh, there are many bridal studios around the area. If you are ready to take your relationship to another level, you know what to do ;)
- Romantic Dinner for Two –
Try not to max out your stomach space during afternoon tea because this is where the important part comes. I’m sure you wanna make this really memorable for your special one right? One of our top picks for a romantic dinner for two is Backyard@Dempsey. You can totally be in a world of your own, surrounded by lush greenery around you. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious so you and your date can really be yourselves and enjoy the moment! Toast to the occasion with a glass of Kronenbourg or two.
Oh yeah, it’s the Kronenbourg again. Haha. In our opinion, the more inaccessible the dinner place is for special occasions like this, the more brownie points you score. The Coastal Settlement is kinda secluded but the truffle mushroom fettuccine makes the trip worthwhile.
For exquisite Italian fare, Senso Ristorante & Bar is the place to go to. Don’t forget to open a bottle of wine and clink glasses! Psst.. Senso serves really awesome chocolate molten lava cake!
Stellar at 1-Altitude is bound to burn a hole in your pocket but it’s only a small price to pay to make your date feel on top of the world. Don’t forget to dress to impress.
Another very romantic dinner location is none other than KU DÉ TA at Marina Bay Sands. From the 57th floor, the beautiful view of the city will take anyone’s breath away. After dinner, adjourn to the KU DÉ TA club lounge and party the night away!
- Staycation in Singapore –
This is not a must but a staycation in Singapore is one of the most romantic thing that a guy can plan for a girl and vice versa. Grand Park Orchard is very ideal considering that it is located along Orchard Road. You have the option of catching a midnight movie at Cineleisure or borrowing a DVD from the hotel which means you can snuggle up to your partner under the sheets ;)
For a romantic staycation experience like no other, Wanderlust Hotel is our favorite pick. There are various themed rooms but we reckon that the Space room is the best.
Just relax, be yourselves and have fun. Hope this gives everyone an idea or two about how to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year! Connect with us at our Facebook page and feel free to ask us any questions! :D
The Halia at Raffles Hotel: Contemporary European Cuisine with Asian Inspirations
- Tasting Invite –
The Halia group was established in 2001 with the award-winning The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Subsequently in November 2012, The Halia at Raffles Hotel officially opened its doors and is proud to be the first home-grown restaurant brand to set foot into the historic hotel and also Singapore’s most graceful landmark. Known for its quality cuisine, well-trained staff, excellent service and ambient settings, the Halia group is poised to establish itself as a leading brand in the food and beverage sector in Southeast Asia.
Together with a few other foodies, misterchewy and I made our way to The Halia at Raffles Hotel after work!
Prior to being seated indoors, all of us ordered a drink each before we started the dinner proper. On the left is CnG ($12) for misterchewy, which was essentially Coke, Grenadine syrup and whipped cream. A deliciously sweet and fizzy drink which we both liked! I had the Halia Mint Berry ($12) which was a refreshing combination of ginger, mint leaf, fresh blueberry and sprite.
Helming the premises of the former Seah Street Deli, The Halia at Raffles Hotel preserves the charming black and white floors of its predecessor, while incorporating the lush surroundings of The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens. The 100-seater restaurant offers a spacious dining environment decorated by planted foliage, a collection of wood-carved tables and an abundance of daylight that peeks through the restaurant’s classic French windows
The Halia at Raffles Hotel takes away the convention of a standard three course meal and introduces a “small” and “big” plates concept instead. This encourages free form dining and casts away the notion that an appetizer has to precede a main course. The big plates are also generous enough to promote communal dining.
It is always nice to order some sides to share and potato-loving people would be happy to know that The Halia’s Potato Fries ($8) totally rocked with light yet detectable hints of truffle oil, further complemented by truffle aioli and piquant mayo.
Easily mistaken as deep fried fish fingers, the Polenta Coated Asparagus ($9), as its name suggests, is asparagus coated with polenta and then fried. It tasted good on its own and also with the basil lemon mayo sauce that came with it. A great way to sneak vegetables into your diet!
We had the chance of sampling 5 different small plates. I’m not a fan of salads to begin with, and so I wasn’t particularly eager to touch the Chicken Breast Salad ($14) to be honest. However, I found that this was not your typical salad. The chicken was quite tender and it was interesting that the salad tasted sweet from the ginger flower dressing, yet a little spicy at the same time, due to the addition of chilli.
I had mixed feelings about the Foie Gras Salad ($23) because as much as I liked the nicely pan seared foie gras, it was on the overall too sweet and fruity for my liking. Apricot chutney, candied ginger pecan, blueberry and crouton had also been added into the mix.
The Confit Salmon ($16) had an interesting semi-cooked texture because it had been poached in oil at a low temperature. It was kinda like eating sashimi, except that its texture was slightly firmer. Its taste was further enhanced by the cauliflower purée and vanilla.
This probably doesn’t look very appealing but the Celeriac “Lasagna” ($12) was one of my favorites that night. It is a “lasagna” because celeriac replaces the usual pasta and provided that extra crunch. This Vegetarian dish was creamy without being overwhelmingly so.
I absolutely approve of the Oriental Pulled Duck ($18) which was very well executed. The duck confit which had been seasoned overnight and cooked in its own fat, was very flavorful and when eaten together with the cold soba noodles, provided that refreshing mouth feel.
The Sous Vide Baharat Chicken Leg ($28) didn’t leave much of an impression; I thought that it was kinda dry from the grilling.
The Seafood Gratin ($26) won me over. The Pignolina pasta had a firm, chewy texture and the parmesan cheese was rich, creamy and very satisfying.
The Javanese Spiced Maori Lakes Rack of Lamb ($47) was very tender, and had a nice sweetness to it from the red pepper relish. There was nary a hint of gaminess, likely due to the Javanese spice that had been coated on it.
I’m not sure about my fellow dining companions but I was excited by the presentation of the Chilean Seabass en Papillote ($43) when it arrived in parchment paper. The fish had been cooked in tasty mirin broth together with shiitake and wakame mushrooms. Interestingly, the fish was served together with a plate of sushi rice, which made this a very Japanese dish on the overall.
Sometimes I fear that I will be disappointed by fusion dishes but with the Halia Chilli Crab ($25), my fears were unfounded. The chilli crab tastes exactly like our Singaporean chilli crab, perhaps even better with its perfectly balanced sweet and spicy ratio.
Moving on to desserts, let’s just say that I really liked all four that we tried. I’m the sort who doesn’t mind having a heavy dessert after a meal. If you are like me, then the Sticky Toffee Pudding ($10) would probably work well for you too. This is by far the best sticky date pudding that I have eaten in my life. The combination of date, butterscotch sauce, sea salt and vanilla ice cream is truly awesome beyond words.
I’m not sure if you have to be 18 and above before you can order the Chocolate & Orange Custard ($10) because the orange gel had been laced with Grand Marnier, a type of brandy liquor. The shortbread crumbs and almond bits provided an extra crunch to this dessert.
I like my desserts sweet and also not too sweet. Paradox I know. The Ginger Nougat Parfait ($10) was certainly not something that I would expect myself to like. The combination of caramelised pineapple, puff pastry, almond, anise and cinnamon worked extremely well together, resulting in a unique mild ginger taste.
I couldn’t decide if I preferred the sticky toffee pudding or the Chilled Strawberry Soup ($12). Both were my favorites out of the four. A good amount of sparkling wine had been poured into the chilled strawberry soup and together with the lime sorbet, this was slightly sour and very refreshing.
The Halia has also launched a very attractive Pre-Theatre Dinner Set ($28++ for 2 course, $33++ for 3 course) which is available daily from 5.30 – 7.30pm. It showcases a number of Halia’s signatures such as the celeraic “lasagna”, Halia chilli crab and sticky toffee pudding. Nope, you don’t really have to produce your movie or theatre ticket and I don’t suppose you will be chased out if your dinner stretches past 7.30pm :P
Thank you FoodNews for the invitation and LeRoy for hosting us. Connect with The Chewys on Facebook!
The Halia at Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
#01-22/23
Singapore 189673
Tel: 9639 1148
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri
11.30am – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH
10am – 10pm
Steam Sia: Food that is Simply Irresistably Awesome
- Tasting Invite –
A modern bistro bar located in Little India, Steam Sia, as its name suggests, has an old school twist. The term ‘steam sia’ can have two completely different meanings but I shall leave you to do the guessing. My foreign colleague who learned that I went to Steam Sia asked me if the name meant anything and I merely explained that ‘sia’ originates from the Malay language and is simply an exclamation used in sentences like, “Wah lao.. Why you so late sia?”
The husband and I really liked the kopitiam decor that was totally reminiscent of the past.
I used to play hopscotch during my primary school days!
I loved blowing these when I was a kid!
Has anyone not played the country eraser game before? :P
I was terrible at five stones!
I’m gonna be straightforward and admit that I didn’t really like the Seafood Stuffed ‘Sailing Boat’ ($8.90) which had been named as such because it’s supposed to look like a boat with all the stuffings in it. This was oven-baked with cheese and I believe it was served piping hot but it turned cold because we were taking photos of all the other dishes. It was an interesting idea although I felt that it could do with more cheese and the potato could afford to be baked a little longer.
Truffle fries are all the rage and these days, everybody just wants to have a piece of truffle fry. No truffle, no talk. Yes, it has come to this. We were a little disappointed that the Truffle Fries with Cheese Dip ($8.90) tasted nowhere as good as the ones we had at Au Chocolat, The Tastings Room and Arbite. The cheese tastes exactly like nacho cheese, which could be nacho cheese in the first place.
Steam Sia’s Nonya Chicken Curry ($12.90 for 1, $20.90 for 2) came with potatoes and carrots and was served with baguette. The curry was superb, without a doubt. It was thick and the flavors were very robust. In fact, I polished off my share of the baguette by dipping it into the curry even before I got myself started on the chicken. The chicken and potatoes were well cooked till they were soft.
Steam Sia’s Classic Tom Yum Spaghetti with Seafood ($16.90) was another exemplary dish. The spaghetti was well infused with the delicious tom yam flavor which was more sourish than spicy. This was so good that I had to keep reminding myself to leave some for misterchewy to try!
If I didn’t remember wrongly, ‘Steam Sia’s Signature Grilled Salmon with Fruit Salsa ($18.90) was misterchewy’s favorite and can be found under the Western Delights section in the menu. The thick slab of salmon was grilled to perfection, while retaining its tenderness and moisture within. I have tried salmon with kiwifruit, so the novelty of having this salmon with diced mango cubes did not wow me that much. Both of us agreed that the mashed potato that came with it was too dry.
We settled for Hot Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice-cream ($12.90) because their waffles were sold out that day. It was served warm drizzled with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream. When sliced open, it oozed with hot chocolate goodness and we couldn’t really fault a dessert so perfect.
Make a trip down memory lane with your friends and loved ones at Steam Sia today! Thank you Sue Ann for the invitation.
Why you no ‘like’ our Facebook page sia?
Steam Sia
5 Hindoo Road
Singapore 209107
Tel: 6396 6585
Opening Hours
Daily
11am to 12 midnight
Ristorante PepeNero: Simply Italian, Simply the Best
- Tasting Invite –
Pepenero, meaning black pepper in Italian, refers to the world’s most popular and commonly used spice. As for Ristorante PepeNero, it is a semi-fine dining Italian restaurant located in the CBD area of Singapore that offers a dining experience that excites the senses. I was invited by one of PepeNero’s co-owner, Amy Sim, to try some of the dishes and went there on a Saturday night. This photo was taken after our dinner, which explains the unoccupied tables but it was surprising that the restaurant was almost full on a weekend despite its location. Amy told us that PepeNero is usually very packed on weekdays, both during lunch and dinner. As for the food, they strive to bring freshness and purity to their menu and almost all their quality ingredients are imported fresh. The ambience is relaxed which makes it a perfect place for business meetings, family gatherings, birthday celebrations or that special date.
We had a bottle of Prosecco to keep us happy throughout our dinner :P I’m not sure how many types are there in the market, probably plenty, but this was really smooth and a little sweet which was easy to drink. Chef Donato planned a degustation menu for us, after making a mental note that we do not eat beef. A degustation menu at PepeNero usually costs between $100 -$120 depending on the number of courses and seasonal ingredients incorporated.
We kicked things off by sampling 3 types of Antipasti dishes, which are normally served individually in a larger portion. I will introduce the dishes from left to right because the photos are arranged as such, even though we started with the lightest tasting dish.
I’m a huge fan of parma ham and the Buffalo Mozzarella from Puglia Cheese with “Pachino” Tomatoes and Parma Ham ($29) certainly exceeded my expectations. The thinly sliced parma ham, when paired with the buffalo mozzarella, was excellent. It was seductively savory enough to whet our appetites. We also had the Deep Fried Seafood “Frittura” with Jumbo Prawn, Calamari, Soft Shell Crab, Wasabi Mayonnaise and Tartar ($24) which was thankfully not overwhelmingly hot enough to make our eyes tear. If you would prefer a light tasting starter, I strongly recommend the Tuna and Swordfish Carpaccio with Orange Salad, Marinated in Sicilian Citrus Dressing ($24) which tasted really refreshing and would not fill you up that quickly if you are planning to try more dishes.
I didn’t manage to find the Pumpkin Soup with Pork Cotechino ($19) in the menu but I reckon that it will be well-received. What is a cotechino, you may wonder. It is a type of cured meat, similar to salami. The fresh sausage is made pork and fat, with pig skin that is ground in with the meat. The sausage had also been heavily spiced, so you can imagine a myraid of delicious flavors – sweet, savory and spicy, all in one dish.
Not surprisingly, PepeNero’s pastas are all made in-house. Both misterchewy and I were full of praises for the Pappardelle Pasta with Slow Cooked Pork Ribs Ragù and Pecorino Cheese ($24) as we savored every mouthful. The pasta was cooked al dente and the pork ribs ragù was extremely tender, and not forgetting, flavorful. This dish was truly exemplary.
There’s something sexy about showing off one’s black stained teeth, but that’s only if you are having PepeNero’s Home made Black Squid Ink Risotto with Calamari and Pan-Seared Scallop ($29). This was another dish that we fell in love with. The rice grains are plump and sticky, which managed to absorb the rich flavors from the squid ink and parmesan cheese. The pan-seared scallop was done just right, but then again, the risotto on its own was really good enough.
I used to proudly profess my love for fatty pork belly and that I have absolutely no qualms about eating its fats. However, this Oven Baked Pork Belly with Au Jus, Eggplant Involtini and New Baby Potatoes ($30) made me eat my words. This pork belly had been cooked for many hours and had a huge layer of soft white fats which I slowly found hard to finish. The skin was also akin to that of cuttlefish, which was difficult to chew. On the other hand, the eggplant involtini, layered with tomatoes and cheese, was pretty brilliant.
The Pan Seared Tuna Goulash with Grilled Leeks and Crustacean Reduction ($30) fell short of our expectations as we were deceived into thinking that it would be delicate and succulent since it was pan-seared. It turned out to be quite hard and dry, and the accompanying sauce failed to salvage it.
Here’s a cross-section of the tuna, shot by misterchewy. We are still puzzled as to why the meat was so tough.
After so many courses, it was finally time for some Italian desserts! The Cream Caramel with Almond Biscotti ($11) had a smooth, silky consistency while taste-wise, it was rich and creamy. I also liked the fact that it tasted a little eggy.
I was happy to spot vanilla bean specks on our Cream Pudding “Pannacotta” with Fresh Strawberry and Forest Berry Compote ($12). This was more refreshing than the cream caramel. If I had to pick a favorite out of the two, I would pick both :P
Not sure where to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Now you do! PepeNero has already planned its Valentine’s Day dinner menu! ;)
Here’s a shot with Amy, Chef Donato and PepeNero’s restaurant manager. Thank you for the invitation and warm hospitality!
Connect with us at www.facebook.com/missuschewy :)
Ristorante PepeNero
14 Stanley Street
Singapore 068733
Tel: 6222 5808
Email: info@pepenero.sg
Opening Hours
Mon to Fri
12pm – 2.30pm (Lunch)
Mon to Sat
6.30pm -11pm (Dinner)
Bar Hours: 12pm – 12 midnight
(Closed on Sundays)
Begin the Year on a Bountiful Note with Si Chuan Dou Hua this Chinese New Year!
- Tasting Invite –
Si Chuan Dou Hua is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Singapore and I’m always very happy to be back to sample the chefs’ new creations every now and then. A few weeks ago, I was invited to Si Chuan Dou Hua’s Lunar New Year Dinner, which took place at the top of UOB Plaza, on the 60th floor.
Before we started the Lo Hei proper, we were introduced to the emerald green pea strips which are specially created to herald the Year of the Snake, in addition to the salmon.
Topped with crispy fried fish skin, the Prosperity Salmon Yusheng with Emerald Green Pea Strips ($88-4 to 6 persons, $108-8 to 10 persons) is a multitude of flavors and textures! The husband and I really enjoyed the emerald green pea strips that had an interesting jelly-like chewy texture.
The Six Delicacies Combination featured a variety of appetizers, namely the Spicy Pork Belly, Spicy Cucumber, Black Fungus, Sesame Chicken, Seasoned Jellyfish, Prawn Salad. Naturally, my favorites were all the spicy ones, especially the spicy pork belly which had an extra fiery kick.
Prosper in health with a wholesome version of this season’s traditional pen cai offerings. The Scarlet Fortune Pen Cai ($438 for 4-6 persons, $588 for 8-10 persons) is the traditional Cantonese pen cai reinvented with the drizzling of a light capsicum sauce over a bubbling pot that had been lavishly filled to the brim with delicacies such as abalone, sea cucumber, dried oysters, prawns, and many more.
The pen cai was also given a finishing touch with shimmering gold flakes for that extra wow factor.
The flavor of the broth was really sweet and robust, which is not surprising given the chock-full of ingredients in it, and was highly addictive. Nobody stops at just one helping! My favorite ingredients were the abalone and sea cucumber. Hehe.
Some of the other ingredients found in the pen cai.
The Stir-Fried French bean with Prawn in Garlic and Chilli, which was spicy and piquant, was pleasing to the taste buds.
As much as I would like to restrict my carbo intake especially during dinner time, the Fried Glutinous and White Rice with Waxed Meat was impossible to resist. The wholesome and flavorful rice grains, coupled with the sweet waxed meat, made this seemingly humble-looking dish a very delicious one.
We ended our dinner with Nian Gao which came in an assortment of flavors – Traditional, Red Bean Cake with Red Date, Water Chestnut Cake with Sugarcane and Osmanthus Cake. Definitely beats something overly sweet and nian gao represents good luck as it simply means ‘higher year’. A ‘Four Seasons’ Harmony Box ($28.80) with all 4 types of nian gao (each one is about the size of a large mooncake) is available for takeaway.
Si Chuan Dou Hua’s Chinese New Year promotional set menus start from $688 and are available from now till 24 February 2013. All guests who select set menus of $688 and above will receive a complimentary bottle of house red wine. The restaurant will be open throughout the 15 days of CNY and UOB cardholders get to enjoy 20% savings off its a la carte and set menus on the first three days (10 to 12 Feb).
Thank you Joyce, Pamela and Martina for hosting us.
Si Chuan Dou Hua
Top of UOB Plaza
80 Raffles Place
#60-01
UOB Plaza 1
Singapore 048624
Tel: 6535 6006
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: 6505 5722
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: 6428 3170
SAUCE Bar by The Butter Factory: Beers from $5 nett daily
Helloooo everyone, I’m back. Firstly, I wanna thank my friends and readers who sent me messages to console me over Mambo’s departure. They had similar experiences too and could empathize with my situation. A week has passed and we are coping well now. My mum might be getting everyone new mugs with Mambo’s photos printed on them soon :) Ok anyway, I wanna introduce this really cool bar that serves cheap beer and standard Western fare to all of you! I used to dislike beer but under misterchewy’s (bad) influence, we find ourselves searching for watering holes with attractive Happy Hour deals during dinner time on weekends.
Sometime back, we stumbled upon SAUCE Bar at Esplanade. Following the expansion of The Butter Factory from its old spot to One Fullerton, SAUCE is the latest innovative project by The Butter Factory group. Drool over SAUCE’s selection of reasonably priced gourmet cocktails and enjoy the sauciest Happy Hour deals all night every day. With beers priced as low as $5 nett, it’s good enough reason to start guzzling that bottle of beer! So.. The husband and I paid SAUCE a visit once a week over 3 consecutive weeks. Yeah the *thing* on the table is our motivation. LOL.
Prior our 3rd visit, I decided to jio my bestest tennis partner/bridesmaid Ying Pei and her bf Wilson to go on a double date! When it comes to drinking, I thought of her immediately and guess what? She had been to SAUCE before! Why am I even surprised.. :P
I decided to try the Lunch Meat Chips ($8) because I loveeeee luncheon meat but unfortunately, it tasted quite bland. The next time I visit SAUCE, I’m definitely gonna give this a miss.
We also ordered Fish Bites ($12) because the name sounded cute. LOL. It is actually a light bites version of the below. /facepalm
The House Fish & Chips ($18) Pacific Dory coated in Belgium beer batter, topped with mayonnaise and “dancing” bonito flakes, served with fries and jalepeno tartare sauce was actually quite good and tasted even better with our Asahi beer. The bonito flakes gave the fish and chips an interesting dimension.
You know the place to go to the next time you want a beer! Till the next double date with my favorite tennis girl! ;)
Connect with us at www.facebook.com/missuschewy and have a great week ahead!
SAUCE Bar
8 Raffles Avenue
#01-10/12
Esplanade Mall
Singapore 039802
Tel: 6837 2959
Opening Hours:
Sun to Thur
5pm – 1am
Fri, Sat and Eve of Public Holidays
5pm to 3am
*Last order for dinner daily at 930pm
*Last order for light bites is 30 minutes before closing
missuschewy
misterchewy
