Pasta de Waraku

I have a strong preference for the sweetish taste of Japanese style pasta. Really enjoyed the pasta here. Had my old favourite - the Neopolitan.

The pizza comes with the thinnest crust imaginable. The brewed coffee was strong too, the way I like it. The icecream especially the strawberry parfait tasted as good as it looks - refreshingly light. I thought the presentation was very enticing and pretty. For the price I must admit the portions are small but it sure is one of my favourite places.

We went to the branch at Square 2. Previously I went to the one at Central. They actually have an official website which I have linked below.

The only other place that beats this for Japanese style Italian food is Ma Maison located at Bugis Junction and Central. The restaurants have a charming ambience and the decor is very 'cottage' like.


Website:
Official Waraku Website

Address:
10 SINARAN DRIVE #01-07 SQUARE 2
TELEPHONE 6397-6266
CAR PARK Novena Square Carpark

Opening Hours:
OPEN DAILY 11:30am - 11pm (Last order 10:30pm)

Other Reviews:
The Travelling Hungry Boy
The Skinny Epicurean
Gastronomic Ruminations
The simplest aphrodisiac

Muthu's Curry

The Mutton here is excellent. Had the fried mutton but the mutton masala is really good too. Also had fish head curry, chicken masala and sotong. The spiciness of the chicken Masala might be hard to take but chilli addicts like me are still left wanting more. I find that these days curries are often subdued to suit the taste of expats and tourists.

The ambience here is also much improved with the renovation.

Pasta Fresca at Bukit Timah

The wood fired pizza and freshly made pasta with tomato cream sauce here are excellent. I really enjoyed the Italian brewed coffee too.

The management here is really friendly and nice. They didn't make me feel embarrassed about ordering a small pizza which is actually meant for kids under 10! Its pretty big huh? Generous portions.

Salt Water Cafe - Buffet at Changi Hotel

Always keen to try out a new place and change in ambience. Good place to go if you are carving for local food and also have the UOB credit card to enjoy the 1 for 1 buffet deal which I think is available on certain days only. The place is bright and welcoming. Unfortunately the sushi here seemed a bit too 'soggy' or 'mooshy'.

All in all I had a great time because of the company.

Kebabs at Indian Grill, Tanglin Shopping Centre

Although the desserts were disappointing (way too sweet), the kebabs, especially the chicken with a yoghurty tandoori marinate were really good. The garlic naan and plain lassi were excellent too.

Koon Kee Hor Fun & Fried Chicken

This rustic place reminiscent of the 60's is across the road from Serangoon Stadium, along Yio Chu Kang Road. Its not too hot as there are loads of fans here and the ambience is neighbourly and cosy. The Hor Fun and Fried Chicken are pretty good too. What I really liked was the ambience and polite service.

I was prompted to try this place after reading one of my fave bloggers on hawker food writing about it.

Address:
as found on food blog

ieat-ishoot-ipost

Koon Kee Restaurant & Pub
66 Yio Chu Kang Road
Opp Serangoon Stadium
12 - 2.30pm
6pm to 9.30pm
Closed Thursdays

Chilli Crab at Ah Hoi's Kitchen

A Quintissentially Singaporean Dish. Had this at Traders Hotel which is actually directly accessible from Tanglin Mall as well. The black pepper crab was much better. Personally I preferred the Chilli Crab at the No SignBoard Seafood Place at Vivocity.

Location:Traders Hotel, level 4
Tel 6831-4373

Opening Hours:Noon to 2.30pm for lunch
6.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner

Szechuan Chicken with Diced Chilli at Min Jiang, Goodwood

I love the added macademia nuts. This is my favourite dish at Ming Jiang (Goodwood Park Hotel). This is usually my first choice for Chinese restaurants. This branch's dishes are much nicer than the one at One North. I prefer the ambience here too. Its a nice place to go when you have a large extended family. Somehow the round table always works better. With a rectangular table not everyone gets involved in the same conversation.

Location:
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road

Opening Hours:
DIM SUM SELECTION
A La Carte 11am – 2:15pm
Breakfast Buffet 8am – 10:30am (Sunday)
High Tea Buffet 3pm – 5:30pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)
A La Carte Delights
11am – 2:15pm (Lunch)
6pm – 10:30pm (Dinner)
Barbecued Specialties 6pm – 10:30pm
Reservations - 6730 1704

Offical Website:
http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/dining-minjiang.htm

Paneer Puri at Bombay Woodlands (Tanglin Shopping Centre)

My cousin from Perth likes this but believe it or not I have never tried it before.

Nuradi Satay from Serangoon Garden Market

Awfully Chocolate Cake

Doesn't this look really tempting? Chocolate cake always does it for me. The ultimate indulgence. Well that and nutella!

Although I still prefer Lana's this is pretty good too. Somehow the chocolate fudge on this one tastes more gelatin like which some may prefer.

Offical Website:
http://www.awfullychocolate.com/
(you can find the various branch locations here)

Penang Buffet (one of many visits)

Sorry for my long absence. I've finally got a new internet connection with a decent speed and can start uploading pictures again. Hope these pics taken way back in March at Corpthorne King's Penang Buffet makes you drool! The stickly pulot rice is so good and goes so well with the rich coconutty curry :)

DROOL WORTHY: Caffe Bar at Parkway Parade (2nd Visit)

Its really quiet and cosy on a weekday. I love how this place is tucked into a corner and has loads of reading material. The executive set menu is good value at S$12.80++ and comes with a soup, free flow of bread, main course and a coffee or tea. The soup of the day was a seafood soup. If you would like to have a different soup (like mushroom which is really much better), just pay $1 more. I also chose to "upgrade" to a gourmet coffee and just had to pay S$2 extra. I cannot exclaim enough how good the Cuppuccino Viennese is.

I did the unthinkable and am not sure if I should mention this, but I mixed a little of the tomato based, Arrabiata and the cream based mushroom sauce. The result - the most delectable tasting tomato cream sauce! The Chef must be so upset but, it was worth it.

Nonya Kueh at Glory Catering

We used to love this rainbow colouful steamed Peranakan "cake" as kids. In the old days we used to peel each delectable layer off and truly relish this local snack bit by bit.

Glory's version is very moist and lemak (loads of fresh rich coconut and pandan)

Location:
139 East Coast Rd

DROOL WORTHY: Custard Danish at Simply Bread

Their pastry is simply divine. Honestly though I find the sandwiches dry.

Location:
Guthrie House
Where Gourmet Cold Storage is Located

Da Paolo Gastronomia

This place has a nice relaxing Al Fresco ambience. I had the chocolate cake which seemed to have a tinge of rum in it and a cup of hot chocolate. I think the pastries would have been a better choice.

Location:
Nestled in between the French Embassy and Serene Centre

French Cafe at Serene Centre (La Petit)

There's a little French Cafe at Serene Centre. I think the name is La Petit and it serves wholesome homemade bites. Their bread is heavenly, served warm and toasty with butter on the side.


Location:Serene Centre
10 Jalan Serene

DROOLWORTHY: Nonya Food at Pow Sing Restaurant

Have eaten here at the Serangoon Garden branch quite a number of times. Decided to take more pictures and post about it a 2nd time.

Ordered the melt in your mouth soft as silk tofu today. The sweetness of the crispy squid is enhanced with a dash of lime. The Assam fish had the perfect tangy taste and I had to order my favourite dish - Ngor Hiang which goes great with the sweet sauce and sambal.

The food was too much for 2 people though. You can have the remaining food packed to go, so that it doesn't go to waste.

Cost:
Rice (2) - $0.80
Towel (2) - $0.60
Crispy Squid (small) - $9
Assam Fish (small) - $10
Ngoh Hiang (s) - $8
Crispy Tahu - $8
Lime Juice - $1.80
Barley - $1.80
Total with tax - $42.80

Location:
Pow Sing Restaurant (Nonya Food)
63-65 Serangoon Garden Way

CHARMING DECOR: Marche at Vivocity

B told me that they actually dismantled a hundred year old Swiss Ski Lodge and erected it up as part of the decor. Its really lovely and charming I must say. Way superior to "the other place" which attempted to copy Marche's concept but somehow falls short in terms of food quality.

There are fewer stations and there is a more compact feel. The waitresses looked lovely in their Swiss Milkmaid Outfits. You are surrounded my glass through which natural light permeates.

The prices were a little steep though, and the meal came to $66.60!

The pasta was my favourite dish with a rich cream sauce. B liked the grilled chicken sausages with a melted cheese filling. I would have preferred the crepe to have come with caramelised bananas. Also there was no more chocolate or chocolate chip ice-cream. Those additions would have made the crepe so much better in my book. Perhaps they are still having teething problems and sorting them out before the actual launch. The staff were all so cheerful polite and helpful. Especially the older waitstaff serving the bread and preparing the crepes. He actually came looking for me in another section to serve me my food. Usually you would have to wait to pick up your order at the counter. Really excellent service from this older staff member.


Cost:
Pasta - $9.90
Chocolate Apple Cake - $3.80
3 scoops icecream - $11.40
Banana Crepe - $7.90
1 Hand Buerli (bread) - $1.00
1 Snapple - $4.50
1 Rootbeer - $3.90
Grilled Chicken Breast - $6.80
2 Cheese Chicken Sausages - $13.60
Total with Tax - $66.60

Location:
Marche Singapore
Vivocity #03-14
1 Harbourfront Walk
Tel: 6376 8226
NB: via escalator B or Lift Lobby A...Its near the skypark and amphitheatre.

DROOLWORTHY: O'Brien's Oriental Chicken & Cheddar Sandwich and Hot Chocolate

The process of making the sandwiches is very slow and you have to wait pretty long for some of them. I just love the chicken oriental toasted sandwich which was quite tangy and spicy with pieces of green and red peppers in it. The Hot Chocolate made from Cadbury Powder and milk was lovely too. Not too overpoweringly rich or bitter. Just right.

The chocolate muffin looked good but was nothing special. A bit too dry.

Cost:
Oriental Chicken & Cheddar Toastie - $7.60
Forthy Hot Chocolate (Small) - $4.00
Irish Chocolate Muffin - $2.00

Location:
O'Briens - Gourmet Coffee and Irish Sandwiches
293 Holland Road
#01-05/06
Cold Storage Jelita Shopping Centre
Tel: 6219 7246

DROOLWORTHY: Airport Road Hokkien Mee

I can't believe no pork or lard is used. The Hokkien Mee is really tasty and one of the best in my opinion in Singapore. Its not the thick type (like the famous one found at Geylang), but rather a bit watery the way I like it. The Lime goes great with it.

I actually used to frequent the Hokkien Mee Stall at Chomp Chomp. Thought it was the best ever (been there for 30 over years and had an ardent following). Sadly that stall has been replaced by another Hokkien Mee Seller (I think its Kims) since the owner fell ill.

Cost:
$3

Location:
Airport Road Hawker Centre

DROOLWORTHY: Kok Kee Wan Tan Mee

Have been craving for Kok Kee Wan Tan Mee for the longest time. The picture does not do it any justice. Its hard to capture the to-die-for taste of the MSG laden sauce. Nevermind that all your hair will drop out.....its soo good. The texture of the noodle is so divine.

Was disappointed when we first arrived as the stall owner said they would only open after 12.30 pm. In the end she was so nice and said that she would call us once they were ready. We got our order and those in the queue were probably wondering why we didn't have to queue up. She probably took pity on us as we waited for more than an hour. But it sure was worth the wait.

Location:
Lavendar Food Centre

Cost:
$4