Si Chuan Dou Hua @ TOP of UOB Plaza

Sichuan cuisine is not just about their spicy food. There is more to their spicy and numbing flavours. (麻辣). For a limited period from now to 31 July 2013, Si Chuan Dou Hua introduces the Petites Selection to showcase the many unknown and robust flavours of Sichuan cuisine with a collection of 30 tapas sized offerings designed by Si Chuan Dou Hua's maestros Zeng Feng, Peter Tsang and Leung Wing Chung.

Spinach with Ginger Sauce

Savouring in a myriad of flavour, we get to sample an eclectic selection of the tapas sized offerings. The Spinach with Ginger Sauce is a refreshing and tangy combination of the aromatic herb ginger with vinegar and salt.

Sliced Pork in Garlic and Chilli Sauce

The Sliced Pork in Garlic and Chilli Sauce makes up of a blend of ground garlic, chilli oil, soya sauce and sugar that has a medley of spicy garlic and chilli flavour.

Chilled Sliced Radish Wrapped with Sliced Carrot

The exquisite labour intensive Chilled Sliced Radish Wrapped with Sliced Carrot has a subtle sweet and sour flavour.

Chilled Sliced Duck Wrapped with Egg Yolk

One of my favourite of the Petites Selections is the Chilled Sliced Duck Wrapped with Egg Yolk. The salty flavour is made up of salt, huatiao wine and other condiments is one of the predominant flavours in Sichuan cuisine.

Prawn in Spicy Ma La Sauce

Ma La flavour is one of the most significant, popular and recognisable flavours of Sichuan cusine made up of a piquant mix of peppercorn, chilli powder and salt. This is showcased in the Prawn in Spicy Ma La Sauce.

To enjoy the myriad of flavour, Si Chuan Dou Hua offers two options friendly on both the wallet and palate for the enjoyment of Sichuan cuisine with The Petites Selection in Wine Pairing and Tea Pairing with the Imperial High Tea.

Wine Pairing
A great option for pre-lunch or pre-dinner nibbles, enjoy your choice of 5 Petites dishes and 2 glasses of wine at only $55. UOB cardmembers exclusive: $48 for the above promotion; or enjoy a complimentary bottle of wines with every order of 10 Petites dishes, priced from $8.80 each.

Tea Pairing with the Imperial High Tea
Relish a leisurely afternoon savouring handcrafted dim sum, premium Chinese tea and your choice of 5 Petites dishes at only $30++ per person. UOB cardmembers exclusive: Start off your high tea with a complimentary glass of wine per person.


Si Chuan Dou Hua
TOP of UOB Plaza
UOB Plaza 1
80 Raffles Place
#60-01
Singapore 048624
Tel: +65 65356006
Website: http://www.sichuandouhua.com
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:

Daily: 1130am - 6pm, 630pm - 1030pm

The Petites Selection is available from now to 31 July 2013 for lunch, dinner and high tea from 1130am to 230pm, 630pm to 1030pm and 230pm to 6pm respectively.

Direction:

1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.

Momma Kong's Crab Shack @ Mosque Street (Chinatown)

If you are craving for crabs, there is a new restaurant at Mosque Street (Chinatown) that serves pretty delectable crabs. Momma Kong's Crab Shack is opened by 2 enterprising lads showcasing their Mum's recipe of black pepper crabs and pairing it with a variety of boozes. The minimalist chic restaurant can sit up to 55 passengers and the crabs are cooked to order.

The menu is very interesting, it is designed to look exactly like a Facebook page. The menu is not very extensive. It offers 4 varieties of crabs, a few light bites and a variety of alcoholic beverages.

Belachan Ikan Bilis 4/5

By the way, it was a couple makan session with Charlene, Maureen, Nadia and our respective partners. We started off with some light bites. The Belachan Ikan Bilis or Deep Fried Anchovies ($6) comes in 3 spice level of mild, medium and madness. We had the medium spice level and it was quite fiery.

Spicy Tangy Top Shell 2.5/5

The Spicy Tangy Top Shell ($15) which was mixed with chopped onions, sesame oil, lemon, a few secret ingredients and topped with chilli padi  was disappointing. The flavours was too mild and the top shell tasted bland. I did not get the spicy tangy kick.

Crab Beehoon Soup 4.2/5

The smooth and milky Crab Beehoon Soup ($38 per crab, $110 for 3 crabs) was one of the best I tried. The beehoon was also smooth and firm. It was so slippery that we had a hard time holding them on our chopsticks. The beehoon was also cut into shorter length similar to Katong Laksa.

Fresh Steam Crab 4.2/5

The Sri Lanka mud crab used at Momma Kong's Crab Shack weights about 650gram. The meat was firm and sweet but a bit small for sharing if you have a big group, probably just nice for 2 pax.

Fresh Steamed Crab 4.2/5

The best way to enjoy the freshness and sweetness of the crab is to have it 

steamed. The Fresh Steamed Crab ($38 per crab, $110 for 3 crabs) was steamed with fragrant Chinese wine giving it a nice aroma. The delicacy also came with lovely orange crab roe.

Black Pepper Crab 4/5

The Black Pepper Crab ($38 per crab, $110 for 3 crabs) is a bit different from the norm. The black pepper sauce is wetter compared to the usually dry version. It tasted like those black pepper sauce used on steaks. This is really an interesting version but may not be for those that can't take spice.

Chilli Crab 3.5/5

The Chill Crab ($38 per crab, $110 for 3 crabs) was nice but I would prefer the more gravy version. The version at Momma Kong's Crab Shack is drier and has a garlic taste to it. If given a choice, I would still prefer the sweet and savoury tomato and chilli based sauce.

Fried Mantou 4.2/5

If you have a chance to visit Momma Kong's Crab Shack, a must try is the Fried Mantou ($1.50 each). The Fried Mantou is really special and soft. You probably can't find it elsewhere. The best way to enjoy the fried mantou is to dip it into the chilli crab gravy soaking up the delicious sauce.

It is understand that Momma Kong's Crab Shack has created a method of freezing the crabs where one can takeaway and just oven heat for consumption. It is claimed the frozen crab has made a flight all the way to London.


Momma Kong's Crab Shack
34 Mosque Street
Singapore 059512
Tel: +65 62252722
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MommaKongs
Website: http://www.mommakongs.com
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 12am

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to the end of Pagoda Street. Turn left onto South Bridge Road. Walk along South Bridge Road and turn left onto Mosque Street. Journey time about 8 minutes.

Flor Patisserie @ Duxton Hill

This year for my mother's birthday I was tasked to buy the birthday cake hence I tweeted on Twitter for recommendation. Thanks to Twitter follower @callmecupcakes, she recommended me Flor Patisserie at Duxton Hill. I made my way down to Flor Patisserie and was lucky to get a whole cake as I did not make any pre-order.

Flor Patisserie is opened by Chef Yamashita. It is a Japanese styled patisserie serving authentic Japanese inspired French pastry. Chef Yamashita brings with him over 20 years of baking techniques to Singapore and spent a year and a half tailoring his signature cakes to suit the climate and local palate.

I got the Berry Berries (17x12 for $38.85) which is a soft sponge that is made traditionally without baking powder nor any chemical raising agent. It is filled with fresh strawberries and luscious cream topped with summer berries and fresh fruits.

I dislike cakes that are dry, sweet and that comes with too much cream. The Berry Berries cake was totally the opposite. The flavours were well harmonized. The cake was very soft and moist. The price is also very reasonable.

As the pastries at Flor Patisserie is made entirely of natural and fresh ingredients, they do not keep well. Hence it is best to be consumed on the day itself. Flor Patisserie firmly believes in using on the best ingredients to create beautiful tasting pastries.


Flor Patisserie
2 Duxton Hill
#01-01
Singapore 089588
Tel: +65 62238628
Website: http://www.cakeflor.com.sg/

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1030am - 7pm
Sun & PH: 1030am - 630pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight along New Bridge Road to Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and turn left onto Neil Road. From Neil Road walk to Duxton Road. On Duxton Road turn right onto Duxton Hill. Journey time about 23  minutes.

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and walk to destination. Journey time about 23 mins.