Bar-Roque Grill counts down to Bastille Day with celebrations from 1 to 14 July 2014

Bar-Roque Grill celebrates its first year anniversary with 13 days of classic French dishes from 1 July 2014, leading up to French’s National Day, Bastille Day, giving lovers of French cuisine more reason to indulge in a flamboyant feast revolving around the best of France in this cosy yet sophisticated enclave.


Charcuterie board ($38/$62) – pork rillette, foie gras, chicken & sunchoke terrine, pork knuckle terrine, white kurobuta smoked ham, duck prosciutto, salami, country duck pate and rabbit rillette

The celebratory menu features classic Northern and Southern French dishes not commonly found in Singapore, such as Escargot Fricassee, Provencal appetiser Pistou Soup, Veal Cordon Bleu, classic steak dish Tournedos Rossini, slow-cooked casserole Cassoulet, hearty Braised Lamb Shank Provencal and more. Throughout the celebrations, a variety of five to seven types of French cheeses will also be available, as well as Burgundy and Champagne wine promotions (from 1 to 6 July) and wines from the South of France (from 7 to 14 July).


Classic Tarte Flambee ($14/$22)

Dining at Bar-Roque Grill transports one to the dazzling Baroque period of 17th century Europe. Alsace-born Chef Stephane Istel who helms the kitchen draws deep from traditional roots, with dishes classic yet powerfully responsive to modern times.

The Classic Tarte Flambée carries familiar features one would associate with pizza –crust and toppings. Unlike pizza, the crust of this tart flambée is light, crispy and cracker-thin. Topped with bacon, onions and of course lovingly melted cheese to bind everything together.


Bouillabaisse ($42)

The Bouillabaisse arrives in three separate components: saffron broth, croutons with rouille, and of course the focal point, grilled seafood accented with fresh dill, perked up with grilled red peppers, and laced caramelised onion that elevates this dish to a whole new level. Continue reading

Surface Pro 3 Review

There was a little time not long ago, where bespectacled few get to sit in front of a pale grayish box called the monitor in the comforts of their home. Usually with a flickering screen and connected to another similar but taller box; the Central Processing Unit. Portable hard drives are never heard of and that same pale gray is washed over the generic ‘dot matrix’ printer has guaranteed its own presence. Now, in our present fast paced information overloaded multitasking generation, rarely any slow extinct creature would suffice to be benefiting our high maintenance first world tech savvy society till news of the recent Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Continue reading

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant (Weekday Set Dinner @ $98++ for 4 pax)

A Chinese restaurant easily discovered by Takashimaya dwellers but also often overlooked, East Ocean Teochew Restaurant now rolls out an attractive 6-course set dinner designed to appeal to groups of 4 at $98++. Let me break it down for you: it’s $24.50++ per person, $4++ per course. Of course nobody’s going to stop you from eating two persons’ portion if you go in pairs (like I did). Continue reading

Portico –contemporary cuisine with a taste of home

Portico (meaning ‘porch’ in Italian) invites diners, friends and guests, into their home –home of Chef Leandros Stagogiannis (formerly from The Fat Duck, UK, and FIftyThree and St Pierre locally) and two owners, Alicia Lin and Sean Lai, who also own Pasarbella’s Cicely Kitchen and Le Patio respectively.

The ‘house’, surrounded by a lush garden setting bejewelled with plants and edible herbs, is an all-day dining café, restaurant and bar encompassing a cosy main dining room, bar and lounge area.
Continue reading

Madam Kwan’s Truly Malaysian Cuisine at VivoCity

Food is always a talking point amongst Singaporeans; we travel across the island and for some even across the globe for the love of food. Our neighbouring country, Malaysia, for instance, is a dining destination popular amongst Singaporeans for its richly flavoured dishes. Many have travelled to Malaysia for a taste of Madam Kwan’s famed nasi lemak. The opening of the 200-seater outlet in VivoCity, Singapore, brought innumerable joy to fans in Singapore.


Nasi Lemak ($13.90)

What’s so great about Madam Kwan’s Nasi Lemak? Continue reading

Singapore Food Festival (SFF) 2014 themed “A Walk Down Memory Lane”

Take “A Walk Down Memory Lane” this Singapore Food Festival (SFF) from 11 to 20 July 2014, and get to know more about Singapore’s rich food legacy while indulging in nostalgic favourites. This year, the festival will feature diverse dining experiences and cuisines at various locations.

The launch of SFF at Chinatown Food Street on 11 July will spotlight iconic Chinatown characters from the past, such as samsui women and coolies.

Each year, culinary talents raise creative standards with novel renditions. This year, foodies can too look forward to groundbreaking interpretations of familiar local dishes. Continue reading

MELT~ The World Café presents Journey to Iloilo, a Filipino-themed Buffet (19 to 28 June 2014)

From 19 to 28 June 2014, MELT~ The World Café at Mandarin Oriental Singapore brings you the vibrantly rich and colourful Filipino dishes that transports diners to Iloilo, a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Continue reading

Recommended Hotel Accommodation in Tokyo, Japan: Hilton Tokyo

When I returned to Singapore from Japan, I couldn’t stop raving about the spectacular experience I had at Hilton Tokyo. It was by far my most memorable hotel stay.

Hilton Tokyo resides in the west side of Shinjuku, an area home to Tokyo’s largest concentration of skyscrapers including several of the tallest buildings in Tokyo such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, KDDI Building and Park Tower.

Its close proximity to Shinjuku Station means easy access to restaurants, entertainment and shopping. The hotel multiplies the level of convenience by providing complimentary shuttle bus service to Shinjuku Station throughout the day.

Clustered within the bustling Shinjuku district are departmental stores, malls, boutiques, electronic shops and more.

Along the tracks northwest of Shinjuku Station is Omoide Yokocho (memory lane). The narrow lanes and alleys are filled with tiny eateries serving yakitori, ramen and more.

Return from a day of sightseeing, shopping and eating to the spacious and luxurious hotel room in Hilton Tokyo. The King JR Suite Executive, spanning across 474 square feet of space, is where I wallowed in. Continue reading

Senso Ristorante & Bar presents a Spring & Asparagus Menu

An established and well-favoured Italian dining destination in Singapore, Senso Ristorante & Bar has just past the 14-year mark in Singapore’s culinary scene since its inception in 2000 –a huge achievement indeed. It is one of the longest standing Italian restaurants in Singapore, continually winning the hearts of returning patrons with its no-nonsense and well-executed fine contemporary Italian cuisine and consistent quality.

On a side note, Senso seems to be exceedingly popular with marriage proposals; its charming and intimate environ makes for the perfect setting for anything that spells romance. And due to its close proximity to the CBD area, lunch on weekdays is always a busy affair. On many occasions, this 156-seater establishment has to cope with being fully booked; it is certainly in capable hands to be able to do so.


Carnaroli Risotto ($30) – Traditional carnaroli risotto with white and green asparagus, aged parmesan flakes and fresh basil

This season, Senso updates its spring a la carte menu with intriguing possibilities, and at the same time, bringing forth a menu revolving around the vegetable of the season –asparagus, both white and green.
Continue reading

BreadTalk presents ‘A DediCAKEtion To You’ and 12 new cake creations


Strawberry Chantilly ($32.80/$42.80)

BreadTalk unveils a whole new cake collection of 12 new creations, available at all stores island wide. The collection comprises novel creations and reinterpretations of well-loved classics for every occasion and celebration, conceived after months of gruelling and intense R&D and taste tests.


Peanut Butter Better ($28.80/$36.80)

In celebration of the new cake collection, a campaign themed ‘A DediCAKEtion To You’ (think: dedication) kicks off. From May to June 2014, BreadTalk pledges to raise $30,000 for Community Chest. For every regular or classic cake purchased, $1 or $2 will be contributed to this cause. The funds raised will support the many charities and social service programmes for the less advantaged in Singapore.


Cheesecake Originale ($35.80)

Scroll down for cake porn.
Continue reading

Surviving the World Cup with BRAND’S Essence of Chicken

Admit it. With the World Cup season now on, all of us are affected in one way or another –even the non-football fans. Spouses and colleagues of football fans do suffer –mildly or severely. The former suffering from disrupted sleep, the latter suffering from a heftier workload. Football fans, this is the season when dark circles form, eye bags emerge, beer bellies expand and there are noticeably more frequent trips to the clinic for MCs. You feel grumpy and lethargic, especially after staying up all night to watch a match. All that junk food bingeing are undoubtedly detrimental to health.

Here’s the magic potion to surviving the World Cup: BRAND’s Essence of Chicken.

Trust me, I’ve never been a fan of this and I still am not –hence I’ve found novel ways to include that in my diet without having to gulp down straight from the bottle, such as using it as a soup base, and in stir-frying and braising. Continue reading

Nando’s latest Espetada Carnival and new restaurant at NEX

As a resident living in close proximity to NEX, I can’t be more thrilled with the opening of Nando’s ninth restaurant in this bustling shopping mall, taking over the former Café Cartel’s expansive space. This Afro-Portuguese/South African restaurant continues delighting fans with its signature PERi-PERi flavour.


Espetada Carnival ($22.90 with 2 sides, $25.90 with 2 sides and drink)

This June, take a walk on the wild side with the new Espetada Carnival, available for a limited time period only. The all-time favourite PERi-PERi flame-grilled chicken is elevated with a stuffing of feta cheese, garlic and parsley and skewered with mixed peppers. A set of Espetada Carnival comes with two sides of your choice. Continue reading

STORIES: Pop-up restaurant by My Private Chef with Thematic Menus


COAL – snow cod, squid ink, potato vinaigrette, coriander

My Private Chef unveils a novel dining concept that takes discerning diners on an compelling journey with fine food prepared by leading Singapore-based chefs: STORIES, a pop-up restaurant that celebrates iconic events and the history of Singapore, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board’s Kickstart Fund. A series of events will be held throughout the year, featuring a different celebrity chef in each chapter.


CONNECTING EAST & WEST – prawn cracker, tuna tartare, oyster leaves, ginger

The first chapter kicks off at the historical Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, taking place over four days from 26 to 29 June 2014. Chef Stephan Zoisl will be holding the reigns in kitchen matters during these 3 days. A specialist in modernist cuisine, this Austrian-born chef has worked in some of the world’s top restaurants including two-Michelin starred restaurants Steirereck in Vienna and Restaurante Vila Joya in Portugal, as well as three-Michelin starred Alinea restaurant in Chicago.


SMOKING DELICIOUS – smoked potatoes, joselito ham (jamon iberico), sauce gribiche, olive oil ash

During this gastronomic affair, diners can expect a five-course dinner menu, complemented by a storyteller who will be weaving in stories related to each dish. This theatrical experience is completed with relevant table décor and music. To keep the excitement level on a high, the menu will only be revealed at the event.


F.M.S.R – fennel, macadamia nuts, smoked duck, red apple

I had a taste of Chef Zoisl’s culinary prowess at the media launch where he flaunts his creative brilliance in the form of canapés.

Continue reading

ME@OUE

Perched at a great height atop OUE Bayfront along Collyer Quay, ME@OUE offers spectacular panoramic views of the Marina Bay and downtown area. To secure the best seats in the house, make reservations in advance. This establishment needs no publicity – the lunch crowd streams in as soon as the clock ticks into noon.

Comestible options include a coalition of innovative Japanese, French and Chinese cuisines. The menu is updated on a regular basis, pivoting around seasonal ingredients.


Steamed Japanese Abalone with Spring Vegetables and Soya Wafu Dressing ($38)

Enticing starters include the Steamed Japanese Abalone with Spring Vegetables and Soya Wafu Dressing, where one would expect fresh and clean flavours faintly awaken by a light soya wafu dressing.


Orient Clams – Mont d’Or, Burgundy Butter ($24)

The Orient Clams is one distinctive highlight in the appetiser segment, by virtue of its plump and prodigious nature. The fresh mollusc is consummated with a burgundy-infused butter enriched with lightly browned Mont d’Or cheese. What a delight.


Beef Tartare – Hand Cut Australian Angus Tenderloin, capers, shallots, tarragon, parsley, miso paste ($28 for appetiser portion, $48 for main course portion)

The artfully plated Beef Tartare is essentially hand cut Australian angus tenderloin laced with capers, shallots, tarragon, parsley and miso paste, served with the requisite egg yolk atop, and toasted thinly sliced bread for crunch.

I can’t emphasise enough how much each dish is presented with finesse, consistently throughout the courses. This is no surprise as One-Michelin Star Chef Yonemura is one of the three highly acclaimed chefs who hold the reigns at ME@OUE.


Thin Sliced Mangalica Pork Belly with Spicy Garlic & Szechuan Pepper Sauce ($26)

Asian Chinese appetising possibilities include the Thin Sliced Mangalica Pork Belly with Spicy Garlic & Szechuan Pepper Sauce –a rather straightforward but well carried out dish accented with a modest kick of spice.


Chef Yonemura’s Bouillabaisse – Sea Bream, Cod, Madagascar Prawns, Scallops, Rouille, Gruyere Cheese, Saffron Seafood Broth ($58/$165)

Chef Yonemura’s Bouillabaisse is a highlight of the highlights. This is comfort fare in the midst of sophisticated dining, brimming with nothing inferior to pristine ingredients.

Seafood lovers will swoon over the generous portion of sea bream, cod, Madagascar prawns and sizeable scallops, swimming in a rich saffron-infused seafood broth that boasts essences of lobster and prawn, blanketed with Gruyere cheese and rouille.


Charcoal Grilled A3 Ohmi Wagyu Striploin with Kyoto Vegetables and Yonemura’s Special Peanut Sauce ($98)

Beef lovers will infinitely be seduced by the nicely marbled wagyu striploin, simply charcoal grilled and served unadulterated to allow its innate goodness to shine.

Served on the side are Yonemura’s Special Peanut Sauce, shoyu, sea salt and wasabi for your dipping pleasures, but personally I prefer it on its own to appreciate the natural flavours fully.


Pineapple Pina Colada Tart – lime cream, sablé Breton, pina colada foam, pineapple sorbet ($14)

Desserts, too, are categorised into three sections: French, Japanese and Chinese. The Pineapple Pina Colada Tart from the Japanese section is a great palate cleanser, ideal to end a heavy meal with.


Chilled Avocado ($18)

The Chilled Avocado is a soothing Chinese dessert, encompassing smooth and creamy avocado puree paired with aloe vera chunks, served in a fresh coconut.


Pandan Pistachio Sponge ($14)

The Pandan Pistachio Sponge is another dessert from the Chinese section –one that banishes all misconceptions on Chinese cuisine as conventional and uninspiring.

This dessert features a house-made pandan-flavoured ice cream on a sponge cake, topped with light whipped cream and served alongside hazelnut gula Melaka custard for drizzling.

Add as much or as little of that luscious custard according to your sweetness preference.


Opera Moderne – Chocolate Ganache, Coffee Crémeux, Coffee Ice Cream (part of the Set Menus ($48++ for 2 Courses, $58++ for 3 Courses)

For fuss-free dining, go for the set lunch menus at $48++ for 2 Courses, $58++ for 3 Courses. The Opera Moderne, part of the set lunch menu, comes with chocolate ganache sandwiched between chocolate sponge, coffee crémeux and house-made coffee ice cream.

The culinary delights in both the savoury and sweet segments measure up to the eminence of the establishment. Diners can continue looking forward to more surprises in future menus.

ME@OUE
The Rooftop Level
50 Collyer Quay
OUE Bayfront
Singapore 049321

Tel:
Email:

Opening hours:
Lunch: Monday – Friday: 12pm – 2pm
Dinner: Mondays & Tuesdays: 6pm – 10pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays: 6pm – 10.30pm
Lounge: Mondays to Fridays: 6pm till late
Closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays

(Father’s Day 2014) Peony Jade’s Steamed Bao with Roasted Duck and Glutinous Rice


Steamed Bao with Roasted Duck and Glutinous Rice ($24++ for 6 pieces; dine-in subject to 10% service charge; available both dine-in and takeaway)

A time-honoured classic dish that Chinese daddies are well acquainted with, steamed pillowy white buns that are customarily paired with braised pork belly are now given a new twist at Peony Jade. Superseding the traditional filling are two layers: roasted duck and Cantonese-style steamed glutinous rice studded with Chinese sausages. Served alongside is their houseblend of sweetened hoisin sauce.

This Father’s Day special is available for a limited time only, from 9 June through 15 June 2014, at both the Keppel Club and Clarke Quay outlet. A one-day advance order is required for takeaways.

For enquiries or reservations, check out contact details here: http://www.peonyjade.com/contactus.htm