One of the daily specials was a fluffy crab omelette doused with a sweet-sourish sauce, so good that it made us all reluctant to share, heh. While the guys had the gyoza, I opted for konnyaku skewers. Bland on its own, luckily rescued by the accompanying savoury black bean sauce! Okonomiyaki was the highlight imo, cooked to order, hot and pleasantly light-tasting. We ordered three variations and wolfed them down. No monjayaki because the style is too wet and runny, I prefer the cousin. Another reason why I like this place is that they use grated yam instead of flour for the tororo okonomiyaki, and let me replace the squids (by default) with prawns. Approved!

Kani Tamago ($14++)
crab omelette

Yaki Gyoza ($12++)
pan-fried dumplings

Konnyaku Dengaku ($9++)
konnyaku skewers, black bean sauce

Buta Modan ($17++); Mentaiko Dama ($18++)
pork belly okonomiyaki, yakisoba; pollock roe okonomiyaki

Tororo Dama ($20++)
grated yam okonomiyaki, prawns

Nanjya Monjya Japanese Restaurant
#01-03/04/05 Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
390A Havelock Road
6738 7177

Menu is contemporary fusion, European with a touch of Asian influence. Decent food, nothing too exciting, all very acceptable. Ironically, the one dish that stood out for me was what the rest of the table didn’t try: masala marinated atlantic cod! Flavour was spot on, mild instead of overpowering. Texture was soft and tender, no overcooked fish, phew~ Another dish that I really like was the salad tossed with yuzu walnuts and citrus fruits, very refreshing and if you like rojak, you would love the ginger flower dressing too! That’s also solely for me, while the rest indulged in their foie gras salad (which admittedly had a great aroma).

I also gave my vote to the deconstructed sprout risotto, crunchy, rice-less and carb-free. Oh yes, everyone in our group raved about the humble potato too! Potato galette and potato fondant were supposed to be the sides but they clearly turned out to be the stars, instead of the grilled mackerel and wagyu beef. Celeriac lasagne with mushrooms definitely can’t hold a candle to Halia’s. The latter is a powerhouse of umami flavours, and 7Adam’s rendition was too.. Weak, for lack of a better word. Need more tweaking.

Desserts were a hit and a miss; white wine poached peach was easy to love, while the components on the plate of hazelnut parfait, cocoa soil, pistachio biscotti and financier came off as too individualistic. Nice on its own, but made no sense when eaten all at once.

veloute of trio pepper soup

hokkaido scallops carpaccio

celeriac lasagne layered with sautéed spinach, duxelle mushrooms, morel jus

salad with foie gras cubes, apples, pinenuts sautéed with ginger

thai influenced salad tossed with ginger flower dressing, yuzu walnuts, citrus fruits

deconstructed sprout risotto, sliced truffle, emulsion of mushrooms and wine

grilled atlantic mackerel, potato galette stuffed with parma ham, truffle olive rice

oven baked masala marinated atlantic cod, pilaf rice, haricot beans, lemongrass infused cream sauce

pan seared wagyu striploin, thai asparagus, potato fondant, green lime infused beef jus

hazelnut parfait, cocoa soil, pistachio biscotti, financier

white wine poached peach, vanilla crumble, white wine granita, sesame tuille

Thanks to Mindy and Mei Yan from Touch PR & Events for the invitation! Happy to finally meet you ladies.

7Adam Gallery Restaurant
7 Adam Park
6467 0777

Favourite roasted aubergine is a MUST, this time it’s prepared with sorrel yogurt, pecans and radishes. Roasted sweet potato may not be butternut squash, but hey, I’m easy when it comes to Ottolenghi. Still very delicious coated with peanut satay sauce, chilli and coriander. And that unappetising looking glob at the back? That happens to be my all-time love, hummus with butterbeans, roasted red peppers and harissa oil.

Total damage for the above: £24. Or $46. Expensive, yes. Worth it? Absolutely!

Craving satisfied now. Missing shall continue.

Thanks, dear batchgirl, for making the trip there specially and taking such great care of this box of “atas veggie”!! Muackz.

While the guys polished off their meals (the three mushrooms penne is VERY good), I waited impatiently to get started on the desserts. Flourless chocolate cake and mousse-like cold poached chocolate were nice, but what we will keep going back for is the hei ice cream, bliss.

Three Mushrooms Penne ($16++)
shimeji, portobello, white button, cream sauce

Nine Thirty B.E.M. ($15++)
bacon, poached eggs, grilled portobello, cheese, sweet bun

Flourless Chocolate Cake ($5.61++)
dark chocolate cake, icing sugar

Cold Poached Chocolate ($5.61++)
slow set soft chocolate, vanilla cream (which I did without)

Hei Ice Cream ($5.79++ for double scoop)

Nine Thirty by Awfully Chocolate
131 East Coast Road
6345 2190

Eggs benny seems to be the only constant between then and now, otherwise it’s a whole new revamped menu at Halia. No one can deny that the location is one of the key selling points. A relaxing meal among the lush foliage of the Ginger Garden is already food for the soul, isn’t it?

I’m not too excited about what we had, probably because the tasting menu comprised of items which I don’t fancy / beyond my dietary preference. Like oysters, french toast, wagyu rump (the rest of them loved this!!). The egg dishes (poached, sunny-side-up, omelette, we had them all) are competent, but not mind-blowing.

Which brings me to my favourite dish of the day: succulent prawns on a bed of lettuce and avocado, drizzled with homemade spicy tomato sauce. Hallelujah, finally an elegant prawn cocktail without any gross mayonnaise dressing (mayo and I will never be BFF)! This is an appetiser, but I can happily have this as a main and pass on the others, haha. Oh, and the sticky valrhona chocolate brownie is fab as well! How not to love it when salted caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream are part of the equation?!

cocktail of king prawns, spicy tomato sauce, avocado, wasabi & coriander ($22++)

a brunch special: coffin bay oysters, bloody mary ($6++ each)

cinnamon french toast, fresh seasonal berries, white chocolate & iranian pistachio ($18++)

omelette of blue swimmer crab & chinese sausage, sweet corn & coriander, tamarind galangal sesame dressing ($25++)

poached eggs on brioche, dill hollandaise, shaved honey baked ham (additional $4++), swiss brown mushroom, spinach & tomato ($22++)

wood smoked salmon toastie, capers, crème cheese & dill, sunny side up fried egg ($24++)

a brunch special: mayura station full blood wagyu rump, bacon, sunny side up hen’s egg, vine cherry tomato and barbecue sauce ($48++)

a brunch special: banana parfait

sticky valrhona chocolate brownie, salted caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream ($12++)

My thanks to Ivy from FoodNews for hosting brunch! Kind and thoughtful, as always.

Halia Restaurant (Botanic Gardens)
1 Cluny Road
Ginger Garden inside Botanic Gardens
6476 6711

So what happened was we decided to get O-maccha ice blended (mine with green tea soft serve!) to go since the smaller-than-small café was full. But while picking up the drinks, we spotted this cake below.

Black sesame roll cake with kinako cream ($5.40).

Last piece left? Oh yes, definitely mine!

It was wrapped in a transparent plastic box and then me being fickle-minded as usual, I changed my mind and wanted to wait for a table instead. A Japanese couple was hogging the table beside them with their bags so we “ahem” them and had seats within 5 mins, haha. K took a proper plate from the staff so that I could photograph the cake and this lady came up to ask whether she can plate it for us cuz for in-house diners, whipped cream and red bean paste will be served together. Impressive! Very kind and observant of her; I can just imagine how many people will look the other way with that “why bother?” attitude. What’s even better is that she’s a Singaporean (not the Japanese staff at the counter)! I feel comforted that Singaporeans are still capable of winning service so kudos to you, the Tsujiri lady!

And the cake? Delicious, of course!

Tsujiri
#01-14B, 100AM
100 Tras Street
6543 6110

So we agree to disagree on The Clan Restaurant.

Beyond the classy setting, there’s really nothing spectacular about this place. Most people go for the 6-course set menu at $63.80++, supposedly of good value, but I’d rather pay the same for a 3-course (or even 2-) meal of higher quality and gratification. Our pickings off the ala carte menu were decent at best, mostly forgettable dishes.

You’d think that a combination of tuna, earl grey, lavender and basil will taste weird, but it turned out bland so that was okie. Poached salmon was awesome but it was not my dish, sadness. My cod fish was quite pathetic, the size of my palm (I have very small hands) and way way overcooked. Chocolate lava was clearly a misrepresentation, we didn’t get a cake that has that oozing runny chocolate that I want, tsk!

Complimentary Strawberry Shooter

Chef’s Starter ($18++)
duck rillettes, scallop with truffle foam, deconstructed prawn sushi

Earl Grey Cured Tuna, Lavender Scented Fruit Salsa with Orange Basil Emulsion ($20++)

Cepes Mushroom with Truffle Paste Soup ($11++)

48deg Poached Salmon with Japanese Broth, Dehydrated Wakame & Leek Confit ($27++)

Pan Seared Cod Fish with Horseradish Sauce, Roasted Garlic & Olive Crisp ($29++)

Chocolate Lava with Homemade Gelato ($10++)

The Clan Restaurant
18/20 Bukit Pasoh Road
6222 2084

Most of the dishes we tasted were pretty spot on, especially the starter of fresh crabmeat with sweet Japanese momotaro and crispy-soft cereal crusted cod fish! Simple and delicious. His sous vide egg pasta is labelled a must try and while I lapped it all up, I thought the truffle salsa was a tad weak.

Since lamb and beef are not for me, I made a special request for the sous vide trout and he gladly obliged, thanks Chef! It was every bit as delightful as what I imagined, and I was surprised by the soya infused ikura, seemingly harmless but those ruby red roe completely elevated the whole dish.

For desserts, the strawberry parfait and mango semifreddo can’t hold a candle to the deconstructed tiramisu imo! The latter was gorgeous; fat moist lady fingers topped with a layer of light mascarpone cream and icy kahlua granita, bliss~ While chatting, Chef suddenly threw out the idea of flambéed tiramisu which sounds like a brilliant idea! I hope that’s executable and will be on the menu in the near future!

Crab & Tomato Momotaro ($22++)
chilled crabmeat, confit of tomato momotaro, thai inspired basil pesto, yuzu sorbet

Sous Vide Egg & Spaghettini ($18++)
soft poached egg, spaghettini in truffle salsa, iberico ham, truffle hollandaise

Sous Vide Petuna Trout ($18++)
warm poached petuna trout fillet, soyu infused ikura, branade croquette, herb butter sauce, grilled iwashi

Cereal Crusted Cod ($36++)
cereal and spice crusted cod fish, seasonal vegetables, soyu ginger vinaigrette

‘Tongue in Cheeks’ ($36++)
sous vide 6 hours wagyu beef cheeks, tempura of wagyu beef tongue, glazed baby carrots, garlic pomme purée

Lamb Rack ($40++)
grilled marinated lamb rack, curry spiced roasted pumpkin, roulade of savoury cabbage, mint and mango chutney

Tiramisu ($12++)
lady finger sponge infused with coffee liqueur, whipped mascarpone cream, kahlua granita

Inspired By Reds ($12++)
strawberry parfait, sous vide strawberry in balsamic vinegar, raspberry sorbet, flower tuile, dehydrated raspberry

Mango & Cheese Semifreddo ($12++)
rippled frozen mousse, frozen lime foam, sablee cookies

Many thanks to Shasha, Maggie and Chef Vincent for such a wonderful meal!

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar
No.10 Winstedt Road
Block E, #01-17
6225 6690

Second attempt on a Friday night was all good! The whole place was packed, dim, loud and noisy — the right kind of buzz on TGIF! And they totally nail the tartines: crusty yet soft French-style country bread slathered with creamy salmon rillettes and a tangy spread made of crab flakes. I’d get them again in a heartbeat!

 Salmon Rillettes ($11++);
Fresh Crab with Espelette Chili and Lime ($15++)

Café Gavroche
69 Tras Street
6225 4869

I mean, look at the jumbled scrawling on the chalkboard below. Can you guess that Artichoke is a play on words, standing for ‘Art I Choke’? Being housed near (or is it in?) an art gallery and all that. Clever clever.

It was a pretty funny moment when we asked the waitress for affirmation of K’s ‘Art I Choke’ theory and a blank look was returned. Apparently like me, she had no idea too! So off she went to ask her boss and yep, K was given the green light to sport a self-satisfied smirk for the whole of that evening! It’s a guys’ thing to hear those magical three words: “you are right”, so I shall let him indulge in his moment (and I promised to praise him publicly on my blog) haha.

‘Deviant Middle Eastern food’ — that’s how the talented guys behind Artichoke described their cuisine. Traditional or unorthodox, I don’t really care. Just be delicious. And I wasn’t disappointed, albeit surprisingly since I wasn’t blown away on my previous visits. Maybe we picked the right stuff this time!

A wide variety of mezze was laid out on the counter, and I was so tempted to get all! Of course, reality intruded and we ordered modestly for two: hummus as usual, muhammara (interesting and I say that in an ambiguous manner), and my favourite beetroot tzatziki! Very very good. To accompany all the dips, a side of Arabic bread was ordered. Freaking expensive at more than one buck per slice, but any carb-whore will love the freshly toasted and crusty bread!

Artichoke’s dining policy advocates the oh-so-popular-these-days communal sharing. But it’s hard to share when it’s just the two of us, and he wants chicken (which I don’t take) and I want fish. So we each had a main course to ourselves, no fighting involved!

The aroma of his grilled chicken hit us even before the plate was placed on the table.

Me: “Nice??” (I love to ask this question whenever we eat)
K: Like satay.

He meant that in a good way, by the way. I was judging it to be coarse and dry, but according to K, the kebab-style chicken was nicely charred and tender.

As for me, I love my grilled mackerel! Generous portion and the chef was careful to not overcook the fish, plus points. The addition of green chilli harissa (a Tunisian hot chili sauce) gave some heat to this addictive dish!

Assorted Mezze ($7++ each or set of 3 for $20++)
beetroot tzatziki, pistachio dukka, garlic breadcrumbs
 hummus, smashed chickpea & sesame dip
muhammara, red pepper, walnut & pomegranate dip

Arabic bread ($4++)

Shish Taouk ($26++)
lebanese charcoal BBQ chicken, toum garlic sauce

Local Mackerel ($28++)
charcoal grilled, green chilli harissa, dirty onions

Artichoke Café & Bar
161 Middle Road
6336 6949