Chotto Matte @ Blair Road

Hidden away from the main street, occupying the corner space of the white shophouse along Blair Street is Chotto Matte, a new Japanese restaurant offering quality yakitori specialties, sushi and sashimi. Chotto Matte, which means wait a moment in Japanese came about because the owners believe that good food is definitely worth a moment's wait.

Sashimi Platter 4.2/5

Starting on a light note is the Sashimi Platter ( 5 for $48, 7 for $68). The sushi bar features a fresh selection of seafood imported around the world. Portion may be small but they were all thickly cut to delight your sensitives. Chotto Matte also offers an omakase experience for just $100 per person with 10 courses of cooked and raw dishes.

Aburi Salmon Maki 3.8/5

Foagura Unagi Maki 3/5

Moving on we tried the Aburi Salmon Maki ($19) and Foagura Unagi Maki ($28). The flavours were rich and bold. However I did not quite enjoy the sushi rice, I thought it was way too wet. Maybe it was just my personal preference. I like the aburi salmon maki more than the foagura unagi maki. The aburi salmon maki was done two ways with raw salmon inside the roll while the exterior was torched. For the foagura unagi maki, the foie gras was missing in the whole execution among the sweetness which I find it hard to justify for the price point.

Shiro Maguro Carpaccio 3.8/5

I find the Shiro Maguro Carpaccio ($29) or marinated American white tuna very interesting. It tickles my taste buds with its marination and unique texture. If I am to have this under a blind taste,  I probably would pass it off as a meat rather than a fish.

Dobin Mushi 4/5

The Dobinmushi ($16) or seafood consomme served in a teapot is also a welcome offering on the menu. The rich but yet refreshing seafood broth not only cleanse the palate but help to wash down those greasiness.

Buta Kakuni 4/5

The Buta Kakuni ($29) is pan fried and then braised in mirin, ginger and leeks. The collagen rich skin fats literally melted my heart as I sunk my teeth into them. The pork belly was a bit tough but overall it is a good dish that will be well received by many who loves pork belly.

Salmon Yuzu Mayo Yaki 3/5

The Salmon Yuzu Mayo Yaki ($25) was quite pedestrian except for the yuzu mayonnaise which added some citrus fruitiness to the taste instead of the usual sauce.

Yakitori 4.2/5

Boasting a selection of 28 yakitori items on the menu, I tried the Tebasaki ($3), Wagyu and Kagoshima Toro Belly ($5). Perfectly grilled and salted, these generously cut servicing calls for a bottle of beer to go with it. The pork belly was my favourite among the three while the chicken was expertly split for easy consumption.

Chotto Matte 4/5

With a good collection of Japanese whiskey, Chotto Matte also conjured a compact list of 9 whiskey or sake based cocktails that pair impeccably with the yakitori. The Chotto Matte, a concoction of citrus flavoured sake Umenoyado Yuzu Shu, Yamazaki 12 and egg white may be a disgusted in its smooth sweetness taste but it is quite potent if you can't hold your liquor well.

Kagoshima Pork Belly Don 4.8/5

The star item at Chotto Matte has to be their Kagoshima Pork Belly Don ($35). The chargrilled Kagoshima thin sliced pork belly over garlic fried rice will blown you off your seat. The garlic fried rice is one of its kind. Most of the garlic fried rice out there comes in the form of deep fried garlic aroma, the version here still has that raw garlicy sweetness on top of that aroma. You just got to try it. I guarantee you can't stop eating it until the last grain unless you are not a garlic lover.

Kuro Goma Yam 3/5

We ended the night with the Kuro Goma Yam ($15), deep fried yam with black sesame ice cream.
While I enjoyed the light batter coat of the yam and the sesame ice cream, I did not find the two coming together as a dish.

If you are planning to check out Chotto Matte, I will recommend trying the Kagoshima Pork Belly Don and Yakitori.


Chotto Matte
54 Blair Road
#01-01
Singapore 089954
Tel: +65 62228846
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chottomattesg
Website: http://chottomatte.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk down Eu Tong Sen street towards Kampong Bahru Road. Continue onwards on Kampong Bahru Road along the row of shophouses. Turn left onto Blair Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes.

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk to bus stop at Outram Park MRT station (Stop ID 05069). Take bus number 124, 143 or 147. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Lau Sim Shredded Chicken Noodle @ Toa Payoh Lorong 1

While curating for the hawkers stalls for the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014, I come across this stall at Toa Payoh Blk 127 Market & Food Centre. Richard the second generation of Teochew Handmade Pau told me about Lau Sim Chicken Shredded Noodle which made one of the best Teochew fish dumpling. I even met my friend's family who visit the stall every weekend just to have his fish dumpling. So what is so good about Lau Sim's fish dumpling or Her Giao that everyone is raving about? The only way is to join the queue and put the taste buds to test.

Fishball Noodle Soup 3.8/5

First up, I tried the Fishball Noodle Soup ($3) which comes with two ping pong size fishballs, some shredded chicken, minced pork and mushrooms. The soup itself was quite rustic in taste, not heavily flavoured. The highlight has to be the springy and bouncy fishballs which are made by the stall owner himself.

Fishball Noodle Dry  3/5

The stall also offers dry version. The Fishball Noodle Dry ($3) with chilli was pretty pedestrian. The fishballs are probably the reason why I would queue for it.

Fishball and Fish Dumpling 4.2/5

To enjoy the Fish Dumpling or Her Giao, you have to either order the Fish Dumpling Noodle ($3.50) or the All-In (Fishballs + Fish Dumplings) Noodle ($4.50). I had the later which comes with two fishballs and two fish dumplings. Putting the noodle aside, the star definitely is the handmade fish dumplings. This is the real stuff painstaking made from fish meat to get that chewy, springy skin texture wrapped in a mixture of minced pork and sole fish.

Fish Dumpling 4.8/5

Making these delicious fish dumplings is extremely labour intensive and the owner can only make a limited amount each time. Hence the stall goes by a strict policy not allowing one to order more of the fish dumplings so that every customers who made the long journey to the stall are not disappointed.

If you think you have tried the best fish dumpling, wait until you tried this at Lau Sim Shredded Chicken Noodle. I promise that you will never regret it and set the par so high that you probably felt those served elsewhere is rubbish.


Lau Sim Shredded Chicken Noodle
Toa Payoh Blk 127 Market & Food Centre
Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lorong 1
#02-01
Singapore 310217
Nearest MRT: Braddell (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 730am - 2pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Braddell MRT station. Take Exit B. Follow the blue sheltered walkway and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

St Regis Singapore Christmas 2014

The festive season is just around the corner and it is time for all the feasting with families and friends. If you have not plan for your festive gathering, let me bring to you a glimpse of the offerings from Brasserie Les Saveurs and LaBrezza at St Regis Singapore. Be it the contemporary epicurean refinement of French cuisine or extraordinary handcrafted Italian delights, they are all thoughtfully curated for the joyous season.

Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Sesame Seeds and Citrus Salsa 3.5/5

We started with an amuse bouche from Brasserie Les Saveurs, the Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Sesame Seeds and Citrus Salsa. An interesting play of flavours with the citrus salsa's sharpness lending a much lift to the tuna.

Italian Antipasti Selection 3/5

Next up is a platter of Italian Antipasti Selection from LaBrezza. On the plate there were San Daniele Ham with Melon, Preserved Capsicums Insaata Russa, Veal Liver Pate, Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone. A delightful finger bites that are best accompanied with a glass of champagne.

Trio of Appetisers 3.5/5

A more refine execution from Brasserie Les Saveurs is the Trio of Appetisers. Starting from left to right, we have the Avruga Pearl with Poached Hokkaido Scallops, King Prawn Tempura with Avocado Dip, Coriander and Sakura Ebi and Pan-seared Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Parmesan Espuma. It was a decent delicate plate with many little components being put together but I struggled to find the wow factor.

Homemade Cannelloni 4.5/5

The presentation of the Homemade Cannelloni from Labrezza itself is already mouthwatering. Stuffed with boston lobster, bottarga and porcini mushroom and served with a king crab sauce, this is luxurious in a plate with its richness and creaminess. This is definitely one of the more memorable dish of the night.

Roasted Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit 4.5/5

Flamed with Grand Marnier and served with winter truffle potato puree. this is East vs West from Brasserie Les Saveurs with the Roasted Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit. The roasted duck breast not surprisingly won my palate over the classic french. I always prefer the Chinese technique of preparing the poultry as it allows not only the meat but the skin to shine.

Honey Glazed Gammon Ham 4/5

Honey Glazed Gammon Ham 4/5

What is Christmas without a Ham? Take away this gorgeous Honey Glazed Gammon Ham to delight your guests which was beautifully cured. The honey pineapple sauce with its sweetness and sharpness further accentuated the flavour to the fullest.

Frozen Ice Nougat and Crispy Wafer 4.2/5

Christmas is even sweeter with this plate of dessert from Brasserie Les Saveurs that comes with  the Frozen Ice Nougat and Crispy Wafer with 70% Amedei Savarin. This is indeed a sweet ending to the evening with everyone cleaning off their plate as clean as white christmas.

Homemade Stollen with Dried Tropical Fruit 4/5

How can we leave St Regis without trying their popular Homemade Stollen with Dried Tropical Fruit? I tried it last year and the flavour has since been lingering in my mind. I am glad that I get to try it again. This is indeed a great start to welcome the festive season.

For the whole list of festive dining menus at Brasserie Les Saveurs, LaBrezza and Yan Ting, please visit http://www.stregissingapore.com/christmas


St Regis Singapore
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066860
Website: http://www.stregissingapore.com/christmas
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014

My partner in crime Maureen aka MissTamChiak approached me to help her out in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 with less than three months to put everything together. I have organised Hawker Food Trails with her, a dinner makan session for 60 people but nothing at this big scale. It was a tall task and time was not in favour to us. We also rooted in Ian aka TheSilverChef who willingly sacrificed his time to assist us and more importantly for the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. As time was against us, many times the three of us have to take leaves and burnt our weekends to ensure everything is ready by the big day on 22 November 2014. I remembered Maureen telling me this, "I see you more than my fiance".

It was a challenge and journey that I do not regretted. I have learnt a lot from this hawkers and I am glad I am given the opportunity to do so. I sincerely like to thank each and every hawkers and chefs who sacrifice their time and some even a day's earning to raise fund for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are all my heroes.

Lionel from Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh and Pek Sin Choon
Kenry from Pek Sin Choon
Grace & Shirley from Chey Sua
Kelvin, SK and team from Tenderfresh
Ah Boon from Good Chance Popiah
Tony Tee and the ultimate croc team from Crocodile King
Douglas from Fishball Story
Jemmy & Jimmyfrom Food Glossary
Adrian & Wee from Old Bibik
Gerald & Julyn from Penang Kia
Shen Tan & Hiok Kitchen from Madam Tan Nasi Lemak
Guna from Springleaf Prata Place
Mdm Foo & Ms Loi from Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Chef Eric Neo from InterContinental
Chef Tan Yong Hua from Restaurant HOME
Chef Melvin & Rae from Ramada and Days Inn
Jome from City Satay Bee Hoon
Uncle Kun from Genshu
Kingsley from King's Roast
Jason and Benson from Onaka
Ewan from Jin Jin Dessert
Boon Leng fro Hock Kee Bird's Nest
The team from Mr Bean
Gavan from Lek Lim Cake Confectionery
Richard from Teochew Handmade Pau

You may laugh at us if I told you that both Maureen and me have nightmares leading up to the actual day. We dreamt that no one turns up for the event. It was only on 22 November 2014 when the door of the Suntec Exhibition & Convention Hall 401-402 opened and we saw the crowd streaming in that the three of us felt relief. This could not have been possible with all the help from the media and blogger friends. Thank you so much for the publicity and shout out on the main stream media and various social platforms.

Special thanks to KF Seetoh for writing an article and spreading the words. Thank you Tony and SiHan for all the blog posts. Thank you Leslie for sharing the event on your facebook. Last but not least, all the wonderful friends that came down to support the hawkers.

I also like to extend our sincere thanks to GoGoVan for the transportation, TMC Academy & ITE for the volunteers, volunteers from Touch Community Services, Stewards Solution for the equipment and Sitong for the beautiful songs to entertain the crowd. The whole event will not be possible with each and everyone of you playing a part in it. THANK YOU ALL.

*All photo credit: misstamchiak.com

Foodology Fresh @ URA Centre

Healthy food and beverage concepts are indeed sprouting, especially in the CBD area. Foodology Fresh nestled in the ground floor of URA Centre is one of the latest to offer such meals to the health conscious crowd. They have just launched their revamped menu with mains starting from $7 onwards  that comes with choices of Salads, Sandwiches and Wraps. Their ordering style differs slightly from the rest in which you can take directly from the shelf, even for soups. After which you pay at the cashier. Something that I find quite enjoyable.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Smoked Duck Breast Salad 4.2/5

If you are somebody who are quite choosy on your greens, their salads will be right for you. I like the way Foodology play with textures and taste profiles of the different ingredients in their salads. Take their Smoked Duck Breast Salad ($8.50) which is one of my favourites. The Smoked Duck had been cubed so you don't get too much of the smoky and salty flavour in one mouthful. Putting the arrays of ingredients together gave a burst of texture and flavours. Fresh Mescluns, chunky beetroots, soft sweet potatoes, creamy cheese, smokey duck breast and sweet crunchy walnuts.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Roasted Chicken, Grape & Apricot Salad 4.2/5

I would also recommend their Roasted Chicken, Grape & Apricot Salad ($8.50) with White Wine Vinaigrette. I took a spoonful of all the ingredients, arugula, chicken, grapes and apricot together. I got the arugula's sharp herbaceous taste , the juicy chicken with a tinge of spices, the sweetness of the grapes and the tanginess of the apricot. I like how the fruits elements zest up the overall flavours which is quite refreshing.

Quinoa Salad 3.5/5

If you want something more grainy, you may want to try either the Brown Rice & Promegranate Salad or Quinoa Salad. I often have brown rice at home so to me the Quinoa Salad ($8.50) is more interesting. Both use ingredients that come with a bit of crunch and with sweet, tangy and savoury ingredients all pooled together, I find them pretty fun to eat and equally delectable.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Smoked Salmon & Avocado Wrap 3.8/5

There is variety of wraps of the shelf for you to choose from. I took my all-time favorite, Smoked Salmon & Avocado Wrap ($8.80). It didn't disappoint me. Though I find the wrap slightly too thick, the generous filling makes up for it. The sweet tangy honey Dijon mustard makes it really refreshing especially so when I had it straight from the chiller. I prefer this much more to their Roasted Chicken & Avocado Sandwich ($7) as I find the latter's taste slightly bland. But given the amount of chicken and avocado, I find it quite value for money.

Mushroom Soup 3.8/5

 For every Salad, Wrap or Sandwich you order, you can just top up $3 for an additional soup, muffin, or a Quiche. There are three soups to choose from, in which I had the Mushroom Soup ($5.80). I have always like mushroom soup but I find most either too creamy or too watery. Theirs is definitely one of the better ones which I have tried. The soup was loaded with mushrooms with the right amount of cream.

Spinach & Mushroom Quiche 3/5

I tried their Spinach & Mushroom Quiche ($5.80). I would prefer one with a much thicker filling, but it is still acceptable. It wasn't too creamy and has a good portion of spinach and mushroom.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Summerberry Yoghurt Tart 4/5

They also offer a variety of desserts and surprisingly good, considering their mains are salads and wraps. Summerberry Yoghurt Tart. I find this a perfect closing to tonight's dinner. It has a firm texture, and yet it melts readily in my mouth. The biscuit base gave it a good crunch. Almost like a non-bake cheesecake, but it is much lighter and refreshing.

Amidst the competition, I feel Foodology Fresh stands out in its own way. Its creative use of ingredients have made salads more exciting to the taste buds. It also offers delivery service around the Chinatown area. So if you happen to work at that area and rushing for time, you may want to do away with your usual delivery menu and engage their service for a change.

Written and Photography By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. 


[CLOSED]
Foodology Fresh
URA Centre
45 Maxwell Road
#01-02
Singapore 069118
Tel: +65 62239274
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodologyfresh
Website: http://www.foodologyfresh.sg/
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to Maxwell Road. Turn right and walk down Maxwell Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Springleaf Prata Place @ Springleaf Garden (Upper Thomson Road)

When I used to work in Sembawang area, I always frequent Springleaf Prata Place for their crispy but yet fluffy in the inside prata. The popular prata place, Springleaf Prata Place has been a great supporter of Ultimate Hawker Fest for the past 2 years. Each year they will come up with a new innovative dish and introduced it in the menu. We are glad to have them back for the third year and this year creation is probably the best of all.

Ultimate Murtabak 4.2/5

For the first year, Springleaf Prata Place created the Ultimate Murtabak which is wrapped with tandoori chicken, portobello mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. This is one of the best murtabak I have ever eaten with the melted cheese just melted my heart with each bite.

MurtaBurger 4/5

The MurtaBurger is created for the second year's Ultimate Hawker Fest. A while lamb patty is cooked with the prata together with cabbage and mayonnaise. Another yummy prata dish that is available on the menu and well received.

Blaster Plaster 4.5/5

If you think Gunalan the owner has run out of idea for his third year participation, you will be blown away by his latest creation, Blaster Plaster Prata which comes with a piece of his signature crispy prata, a slice of turkey ham with thousand island sauce with a poached egg sitting on top dressed with Indian hollandaise sauce. I understand the special hollandaise sauce is made using masala curry.

The Blaster Plaster Prata will make its preview at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 this coming Saturday. This is definitely the one dish I look forward to try at the event.

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Springleaf Prata Place
No. 1 Thong Soon Ave
Singapore 787431
Tel: +65 64595670
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realspringleafprataplace
Website: http://www.theprataplace.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Springleaf (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Springleaf MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]

Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen @ MDIS Building (Changi Road)

With the closing of Lavender Food Square, Old Bibik has to look for a new location to continue selling their popular nasi padang. The two young gentlemen Adrian and Ah Wee who has quitted their corporate jobs inherited Adrian's grandma's rendang recipe and live a bigger dream moving from a small hawker stall to a full fledged eatery with the recently opening of Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen at MDIS Building along Changi Road. With the new location, they have expanded their menu and also employed a peranakan chef to introduce my delicious and authentic nonya dishes to the table.

Beef Rendang Set 4/5

Chicken Rendang Set 4.2/5

After months of Lavender Food Square closure, I finally get to try Old Bibik's signature rendang again. The Beef Rendang Set ($8.90) and Chicken Rendang Set ($7.90) comes with achar, vegetable and an egg omelette at the side. Infused with the rich flavour of the spices, the beef and chicken rendang were cooked to fork tender. Paired it with the belachan for a good spicy kick that will blown you off with its spiciness.

Assam Prawn 4.2/5 and Nonya Chap Chye 3.5/5

The extended menu also offers other dishes such as the Assam Prawns ($12), Nonya Chap ($5) and Assam Egg ($3). The fresh and crunchy prawn cooked in assam was a good addition to the menu. The Nonya Chap on the other hand was cooked to a nice crunchy bite but I do not like the sourness version served here. I preferred the sweeter type where the vegetables are stewed to a soft melting texture.

Assam Egg 3/5

The owners shared with us that surprisingly this is the most popular item on the menu. I understand the painstaking effort to make the assam for the egg but I just could not figure out how this could be such a hit. Probably you need to try it yourself to know why.

Kunyit Fried Chicken 4.5/5

For me the new dish to watch out at Old Bibik is the Kunyit Fried Chicken ($4). Beautifully marinated, the frying further lifted the aroma of the turmeric exciting all the taste buds with the delicious succulent chicken.

Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen will be taking part in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 sacrificing their time and doing a small part in the fund raising event to help the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. Old Bibik will be selling their signature Beef and Chicken Rendang at the event for delight your palate while you do a part of the charity.

The Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Hall 401 & 402 on 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm is a fund raising event for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services regardless of race and religions. Coupons is required to purchase the food from the various hawkers and can be purchased at https://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/. While the hawkers sacrifice their time and some even a day's income to do a part for the needy and disadvantaged, I hope you can support them and do a part for charity too. See you at the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014.


Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen
MDIS Building
190 Changi Road
#01-01
Singapore 419974
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldbibik
Nearest MRT: Eunos (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Eunos MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic light and across the road. Turn right and go around the estate to Changi Road. Cross Changi Road, turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]