2 years ago, I did not had a good impression of Laduree's Rose St Honore. Since then, I had stopped trying its pastries as the price is far steeper than many patisseries. However, I noticed that there was something different about the St Honore this time and decided to try the Pistachio version (907 Yen) .
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Laduree Tokyo Boutique & Ice Cream Bar : Pistachio, Oh Yeah!
2 years ago, I did not had a good impression of Laduree's Rose St Honore. Since then, I had stopped trying its pastries as the price is far steeper than many patisseries. However, I noticed that there was something different about the St Honore this time and decided to try the Pistachio version (907 Yen) .
Thursday, January 29, 2015
BoCHINche: Argentinian Brunch
The words "Argentinian Meat and Supermarket" got me way excited before I even stepped into this restaurant because it has been long since I visited one Latin American restaurant. The last one was at the now-defunct Sur Nuevo. Argentina beef steaks are well-known but we skipped their signature steaks from the grills section and headed straight from the all-new brunch menu, since they are only available on weekends from 11am-3pm (which coincides with our visit).
Monday, January 26, 2015
Royce Ishikajima Okinawan Part 2 : Nama Chocolates
Besides the snacks from Royce Ishikajima as mentioned in the previous post, I managed to restrain my purse and bought a few (not all) Nama Chocolates that is made with local Okinawan produce.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Divine Desserts @ Mezza9
You can be certain that the team at Mezza9 takes their desserts seriously when you discover an exquisite menu devoted wholeheartedly to desserts. Since September last year, this menu featuring five desserts and a cheese platter, has been introduced and adds on to the existing cakes/pastries at the Mezza9 shop. What's better way to indulge in their DESSERT PLATTER ($32++) that offers a taste of everything after a satisfying Italian dinner at Pete's Place!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Pete's Place @ Grand Hyatt: Hidden Gem for Italian Food
Walk down the stairs to the basement level of Grand Hyatt Hotel and one will be greeted by the nostalgic sight of traditional Italian trattoria that makes you feel as though you are coming home. There is much buzz around this enduringly popular family-friendly Italian restaurant as the food is refreshingly simple yet decently priced, especially when every main course ordered include a self-plated salad and free flow of Italian bread.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Kyoto Fukujuen in Tokyo: Ocha Kaiseki
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Three Bistro @ Marina Square
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Bakery Chef Singapore
I've heard quite a lot about the Bakery Chef ever since I came back from Tokyo but I've never got the motivation to head to the main shop. So it must be luck and fate that I chanced upon its pop-up stall at Orchard Central.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Matsu-Gen 松玄 : Favourite Soba-ya of Three-Star Michelin Chef
When it comes to summer, the thing that I crave for besides kakigori is a bowl of cold soba. Not the volcano-lookalike Hiyashi Chuka Ramen (Cold Chinese Ramen) but simple buckwheat noodles. Hence, I could not find an even more appropriate timing to head to Matsu-Gen for one of the most popular dishes--Natto Bukkake Soba.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters Singapore
The
stretch of shops along Upper Thomson Road changes so rapidly that I could no
longer recognized it. Habitat Coffee, One Man Coffee and now comes Pascamara,
one of the popular cafes these days in this area. Fortunately, the waiting time
wasn't as scary as Lola Cafe.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Glaciel : Japan's First Ice Cream Cake Shop
I grow up with Swensens ice cream cake but I've never seen any ice cream cakes in Japan until this year. Inspired by the french term "glacier" which means ice-cream maker, Glaciel, is the latest concept by Hokkaido's famous cheesecake brand LeTao that specializes in entremets glacé (ice cream cakes).
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Thai In Town: Thai Wanton Mee & More
Another Thai Wanton Mee? Yes, it seems like Thai Wanton Mee has become more popular these days. After Soi 19 and BaaMee, Thai in Town is my 3rd stop for Thai Wanton Mee and the good thing is that they sell more than just the noodles. In fact, it is a very new casual all-day eatery establishment along Upp Thomson Road that sells the usual Thai cuisine.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
East 8 New York Fusion Tapas @ Grand Park Hotel City Hall
East8 is an Asian fusion tapas bar that aims to incorporate a slice of that New York Mahanttan dream into the Oriental East. Tapas being tapas, portions are small and meant as light bites that go with beer. But I wondered if it was a coincidence that most of them were quite greasy.
Breaded lightly with Panko crumbs, the highly-raved Portobello Truffle Chips ($16++) arrived with fragrant truffle aroma that soon dissipates into cold air. There was no trace of salt or herbs, hence the first few bites without the roasted garlic alioli oozed out bland oily juices that the giant mushroom has soaked up in the frying process.
The Sweet Baby Back ($20++) also faced similar issues as the cuts were soft but contained too much fats that it was difficult to tear off much meat from the bone. It was not surprisingly that the grease left us jaded with mild discomfort in the throat. However, the blend of sweet paprika in the marinade resulted in some sweet pleasant taste without the heat.
We prefer the Chilean Seabass ($24++) which has a lovely depth of umami flavour coming from the miso and wine marinade. The Soy Yuzu Beef ($20++) is another meaty joy to savour with bright acidic notes. Torched lightly on the surface, the thinly-sliced Argentine tenderloin, albeit raw and pinkish on the underneath, were delectably succulent and chewy.
The Matcha Millefeuille ($15++) was a huge mishap, possibly one of the least palatable restaurant dessert I've ever encountered. Despite being assembled ala minute, the puff pastry was soggy (underbaked in the first place). The substandard matcha cream and some foreign objects like lychees failed to translate well on the palates.
I sneaked a peek at the white chocolate banana tempura which the French guy next to us ordered and was glad we didn't order that. Phew.
Nonetheless, there was one very delicious dessert that melted our hearts--the Peanut butter molten lava cake ($15++). Baked in a iron-cast mini stove pan, the crusty dark chocolate exterior comes with a rich saucy peanut butter center, so rich that we could forgive the puny amount of ice cream served alongside. So skip the other 2 desserts and order this.
Thanks to the Entertainer App, we had two tapas free for every two tapas. However, dining at East8 chalked up a hefty despite the "savings" and it is a good place to chill-out but not for a quality meal that would fill you up.
East 8 NY Fusion Tapas and Bar
10 Coleman Street #01-21/22
Grand Park Hotel City Hall
Singapore, 179809
Tel: 6338 8289
Mon- Thur: 12pm- 11pm
Friday: 12pm-12am
Saturday: 6pm-12am
Close for break 3pm-5pm
Closed on Sundays
Menu and details on http://east-8.com/
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Kyo Hayashiya 林屋茶園 京はやしやカフェ: Tropical Matcha Delights 2014
It had been more than 2 years since Iast visited Kyo Hayashiya. It's probably the next optimal choice after Gion Tsujiri since Tokyo does not have as many matcha specialty stores compared to Kyoto. Nonetheless, the quality of the matcha is actually quite high and one can always return to try new things since every shop has a slightly different menu and the parfaits change seasonally.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Asanoya Singapore 浅野屋 : Sweet Potato & Curry Buns
I never
really thought much about Asanoya during my stay in Tokyo as it always appear
as a mid-priced neighborhood bakery to me. This Karuizawa bakery that opened in
1933 has a reputed history but the truth is that not every Japanese has heard about
this so I guessed this may be not be as popular in Japan as you had imagined.
However, what's most important to me is neither the history nor the popularity,
but the quality of the bread.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Kanou Shoujuan 叶匠壽庵 : Matcha and Black Sesame Parfait from Kyoto
Established in Showa 33 years (1958) Kanou Shoujuan may not be the oldest Wagashi house in Kyoto but it is still an esteemed Wagashi house that has established a successful brand name in Japan. Asked any obaasan or ojiisaan about the shop with the famous Anko sweet and one of the popular answers is likely to be Kanou Shoujuan.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Outback Steakhouse Singapore
Comfort food at hearty portions sums up my overall experience at this America's largest steakhouse chain in the world. The first outlet at Millenia Walk still retains that old world charm with aboriginal designs and most of the items on the Aussie-inspired menu like the ribs have remained unchanged since day one.
Friday, January 2, 2015
BROTHERS @ Tokyo SkyTree: Colourful Cube Chou Cream パティスリー
These little colorful cubes have been around when Tokyo Sky Tree since the landmark opened in 2012. They never truly attracted me because their appearances are too cheesy and seemed like one of those touristy food that lacked quality. Moreover, cream puffs in squares are no longer a novelty. But I decided to give them a chance to try in June 2014 when I was in nearby Asakusa to hunt down some Wagashi houses.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
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