Showing posts with label Crostini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crostini. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2018

The Mast’ of Mozzarella & Co @ Frasers Tower - Enjoy Mozzarella Freshly Made Daily By The Cheese Master

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Launched in Rome in 2015, The Mast’ of Mozzarella & Co has recently opened its first Southeast Asian outpost right here in Singapore at Frasers Tower. In Southern Italian dialect, The Mast’ means cheese master, it is a mozzarella bar and restaurant that houses a delicatessen, osteria, bar and its very own onsite cheese production laboratory! Producing fresh mozzarella, burrata and stracciatella on site daily, all that go the dishes on your table, and if those are not enough, you could always buy them over the counter for takeaway.

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Tris Di Bufala 4/5

The menu features a spread of antipasti, salads, homemade pastas, pinse and more to highlight the best of their cheese. What would be one of the best preludes to your experience at The Mast is the Tris Di Bufala ($28) that offers Burrata, Mozzarella and Special Burrata. What first came to us looking like freshly steamed baos, the burrata soon unraveled the pillowy and creamy Stracciatella as we sliced them open. The special burrata is mixed with gorgonzola, an extra depth of flavour which I appreciate even more, given its soft and milky profile. What was equally mesmerizing was the crisp Schiacciata Bread that came smelling of fresh herbs, meant to deliver the cheeses into our senses.

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Crostini E Fungi 3.5/5

Their Stracciatella is so fresh, creamy but light at the same time, with it as a base or topping, it can basically wipe out all the fattening creams and mayonnaise from your kitchen. Crostini E Fungi ($16) is easily one of many's favourites, with doses of savouriness and textural contrast from the crunchy Altamura toast to bring out the subtle Stracciatella. But I wish there were a dollop more of the creamy Stracciatella to even out spread across the crostini.

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Bigoli 3.8/5

So I got my wish in the homemade Bigoli, tossed simply in in-house tomato Sauce, basil, and a dollop of Stracciatella. This is my favourite pairing in fact, marrying tangy, savoury tomato sauce with the Stracciatella, perhaps much like how you may like salsa and sour cream on your nachos. Hence, I would suggest not to mix all together so as to allow the magic to work in your mouth instead.

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Le Schiacciate 3/5

A couple of Rome specialties that you might be keen is the Le Schiacciate, a traditional Roman stuffed bread and Roman flat breads Pinse (akin to pizza). What's good for a light lunch is Mortadella ($18), a Rome version of Ham & Cheese, and a more refined one with mortadella, stracciatella and truffle.

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Salmone Scozzese E Zucchine Pinse 3/5

But if you are here to enjoy their cheese and wine with friends, Pinse will be more ideal. We tried Salmone Scozzese E Zucchine Pinse ($18-$22), topped with buffalo mozzarella, smoked salmon, zucchini. The bread and cheese were good, no doubt but after a while, I craved for something much heartier. Even more Zucchini may help.

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Campano Burger 3/5

We did have something heavier which was the Campano Burger ($22) - Black Angus patty with Buffalo Mozzarella. The patty was juicy and flavourful. I like the choice of bun too. It was airy with a good crust. However, the dish doesn't quite work in the sense that as a burger, it needs a sharper cheese for a bigger taste profile and for the cheese, it got lost within the burger.

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Verdure Grigliate

We also had a round of their Verdure Grigliate which can be bought off the shelves as well - Zucchini, Tomatoes, Artichoke, Aubergine, Mushrooms. Unlike some other brands which the preserved vegetables are slightly towards the vinegary side, these managed to retain quite a bit of their natural taste, in particular the grilled aubergine and mushrooms.

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Zuccotto Amerena 3.5/5, Tartufo Bianco 3.5/5

For desserts, I was anticipating for something creative made out of their cheeses. Though that was not fulfilled, the non-cheese desserts were quite satisfying. We had Zuccotto Amerena, a frozen sponge cake with black cherry and vanilla sauce, as well as the Tartufo Bianco, a tartufo sabayon with coffee ice cream and meringue. The first was refreshing with tart cherry, and the latter was pleasing like Tiramisu. Still, nothing would beat if a cheese dessert was served!

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If you are lucky enough, you will catch them in action making the cheeses. All menu items together with 125g portions of homemade mozzarella, stracciatella and burrata are available for takeaway.

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Mast’ of Mozzarella & Co
Frasers Tower
182 Cecil Street
#01-05/08
Singapore 069547
Tel: +65 65138010
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am - 10pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, August 28, 2017

The Lobby Lounge @ Intercontinental Hotel Singapore - Classic Afternoon Tea Showcasing Straits Heritage

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Our National Day may have passed but over at The Lobby Lounge at Intercontinental Hotel Singapore celebration continues with its Classic Afternoon Tea: Straits Heritage. Commemorating Singapore's 52 years of Independence, Pastry Chef Ben Goh crafted a three-tiered showcase of iconic Afternoon Tea delights inspired by Straits-Chinese cuisine.

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Alongside with the Peranakan inspired tea delights, there is a fine selection of teas and coffee. I opted for Pu-erh Tea, together with a Blue Ginger cocktail which is exclusive to this occasion only. Concocted with galangal, gula melaka and kaffir lime, I find it really refreshing. While waiting for our three-tired set, we were first served with warm scones, a choice of Lemon and Milo, along with gula melaka jam, clotted cream and strawberry jam. The scones were really yummy with the homemade jams. The 'kaya' may be a little too sweet for me but the strawberry jam has captured the sweet and tart of the fruit in a good balance.

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Our three-tiered set came with tantalising savouries at the base and pretty desserts embellishing the top. Take a closer look and you will notice that the colours of the Peranakan porcelains and ceramics that adorns the Lobby Lounge for the time being are translated to the tea delights as well! For savouries we have modern renditions of Peranakan dishes including popular ones such as Ayam Buak Keluak Crostini, Kurobuta Pork Ngo Hiang, Satay Lilit and Otak Quiche. My favourite is the otak quiche for its execution and taste.

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For finger sandwich, we have here a Chilli Crab version that is equally finger licking good. The Kurobuta Pork Ngo Hiang was a little letdown as I thought the fineness of the meat is lost.

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The desserts are the highlight. What captivated me first was the mini Ang Ku Kueh. It is so cute, almost resembling a miniature. Ondeh Ondeh Cake comes with a soft, bouncy texture with a much anticipated molten core. The Banana Genoa Tart surprised me with its caramelised banana filling which is slightly sticky. It has a sweet burnt taste that harmonised with the coconut cream atop. The Chendol Agar Jelly is like a compressed solidified form of chendol with red beans sitting at the bottom to complete the experience.

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While most Afternoon Tea sets tend to be more towards the sweeter side, this Classic Afternoon Tea: Straits Heritage has quite a good balance of sweet and savoury. It will be available at The Lobby Lounge from 7 August to 19 November 2017,  2pm to 5pm daily. The three-tiered set is priced at $78 for two persons, inclusive of a fine selection of loose-leaf teas and coffee; and at S$108 for two persons, inclusive of two flutes of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne or Blue Ginger cocktail.

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Words and photos 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Lobby Lounge
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 2pm - 5pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]