Friday, January 4, 2013

SushiAirways Sushi Bar (寿司航空) @ Baghdad Street

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A new airline has landed in Singapore but not at Singapore Changi Airport. The new airline, SushiAirways Sushi Bar (寿司航空) has landed at the quaint Kampong Glam conservation area along Baghdad Street. The Sushi Bar interior resembles the 1930s Douglas DC-3, a fixed-wing propeller driven airplane. Climbing up a flight of stairs leading to the cabin, I was greeted by the cheerful leading air stewardess Simbian Chua who showed us to our first class seat.

The captain at the cockpit is Chef Wong Eng Chun who was formerly from Hyatt. The food at SushiAirways is both meticulous and exquisite, it does not serve the usual airline food that is pre-cooked and re-heat before serving.

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Red Snapper Fish Roe 4.5/5

I am treated to some items on SushiAirways' Omakase (ranges from $180 to $250) which means leaving the selection to the chef. Starting with Red Snapper Fish Roe, it reminds me of the pig's brain which I used to eat when I was young. Look can be quite deceiving but this light and refreshing appertiser paired with Chef Wong's homemade soy sauce was very "oishii".

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Temaki Roll 4.5/5

When we were served the plates of uni (sea urchin), tuna, tobiko (fish roe) and nori (seaweed), there was a look of confusion in our eyes. What should we do with the 2 plates of ingredients. Lucky the captain of the plane came to our rescue, he told us to to eat it like a Temaki Roll (Hand Roll). This is a first for me to Do-It-Yourself a hand roll without the sushi rice.

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Special Chef's Sashimi Mori 4.5/5

The Special Chef's Sashimi Mori (Small $58, Large $98) of assorted premium sashimi of the day came with abundance of freshness swimming in a bowl of ice garden.

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Today's Premium Assorted Sushi 4.2/5

We also tried the Today's Premium Assorted Sushi (Small $38, Large $58). The fresh ingredients with a nice proportion of rice was very delectable.

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Miso Soup 4/5

I was wondering why the Miso Soup was served in the midde of our meal instead at the beginning which most restaurants do. Unlike others, the miso soup here is only cook a la minute hence it was not as salty compared to those that was pre-cooked and kept under constant heat.

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Mango Roll 3.8/5

The Mango Roll ($30) was beautifully presented but not practical. The mango kept sliding down from the sushi roll. Hence it felt like the flavours were separated as we needed to eat the mango separately. The mango was also not sweet enough, lacking the refreshing contrast in taste.

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Avocado Roll 4.2/5

The Avocado Roll ($25) on the other hand was beautiful executed with the different flavours gelling together.

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Soba 4.2/5

Not available on the menu is the cold soba made from yam. The chef explained that this particular soba is not available on the menu due to irregular supply from Japan. However, if it is available they will recommend it to the customer. The soba is paler in colour, thinner and smoother in texture.

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Nikka Whisky

SushiAirways also has an extensive list of beverages known as refuelling point in their menu. Bottled in a similar Chanel perfume bottle, the multi awards winning Nikka Whisky from the barrel is bottled directly out of the cask, giving it a unique character.

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For those that is tight on the wallet, worry not. SushiAirways also offers delectable lunch set at just $15.

The flying experience at SushiAirways Sushi Bar is like on board a private jet plane where you have a personal team of crew serving you. While indulging in the delicious Japanese cuisine, those in the window seats can also enjoy a panoramic view of the conservation area.


SushiAirways Sushi Bar (寿司航空)
20a Baghdad Street
Singapore 199659
Tel: +65 62911151
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sushiairways
Website: http://www.sushiairways.com
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line), Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take exit towards The concourse. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to Keypoint. Turn right into Jalan Sultan Road. Turn left into Pahang Street. Proceed on into Baghdad Street. Journey time about 12 minutes.

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take exit B. Cut across Raffles Hospital. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Cross the road at North Bridge Road and turn right into Arab Street. Walk down Arab Street and turn left into Baghdad Street. Journey time about 12 minutes.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Bar Stories @ Haji Lane

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Have you heard of Bespoke Cocktails? It means walking into a bar and the mixlogist will customise your drink depending on your mood and taste. I have not been to one until recently when I met Maureen for a drink at Bar Stories before our tasting session in the evening.

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Located among the rows of shophouses at hip Haji lane, the quirky bar located at the 2nd floor maybe a bit difficult to spot. Upon settling down in the bar, we were wondering what to do as there was no menu around. The owner who was a table away spotted us and probably he could tell from our confused face, came over and asked whether it is our first time at Bar Stories.

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After giving us a brief introduction of the place and checking what sort of taste/flavours we like, the owner asked the mixologist to mix a cocktail for each of us.

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Maureen who is crazy with Ispahan requested for her cocktail to come with lychee and rose syrup. As we are not really an alcohol person, the cocktail is a bit too strong in alcohol content for us. We preferred it to be sweeter.

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(photo credit: www.misstamchiak.com)

Noticed that Maureen did not finish her drink, the owner made her another glass of cocktail that was more refreshing and sweeter with berries and grapes flavours partying in the glass.

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As I preferred sour taste, the mixologist made me a passionfruit inspired cocktail. The cocktail was much refreshing and easy to drink compare to Maureen's Ispahan inspired cocktail.

I really like the concept of bespoke cocktails. The excitement and thrill of a different customised cocktail depending on one's mood and taste. The hidden cocktail bar is a nice chill out place away from the crowd with each cocktail ranges from $20 to $24.


Bar Stories
57A Haji Lane
Singapore 189248
Tel: +65 62980838
Website: http://www.athousandtales.com/
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line), Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 3pm - 1am
Fri-Sat: 3pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take exit towards The concourse. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to Keypoint. Turn right into Jalan Sultan Road. Turn left into Pahang Street. Proceed on into Baghdad Street. Cross Arab Street onto Haji Lane and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes.

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take exit B. Cut across Raffles Hospital. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Cross the road at North Bridge Road and turn right into Haji Lane. Journey time about 10 minutes.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Nana's Green Tea Cafe @ Plaza Singapura

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Matcha or finely ground and powdered green tea is known for its numerous health benefits. Changing the traditional way of appreciating matcha, Nana's Green Tea Cafe well known in Japan as the "Japanese Starbucks"offers a varieties of tasty and artistic matcha creations. Apart from the offering of tantalising matcha tea, the cafe also offers a range of delectable Japanese cuisine and delightful desserts.

If I am not wrong, Nana's Green Tea Cafe used to be at Jcube but it has closed and moved to the new location at Plaza Singapura new wing. Do correct me if I am wrong. However, I am sure that this is their first outlet outside Singapore.

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Matcha Latte Hot 3.5/5

The combo of matcha green tea and milk was quite pleasant. Maybe I should switch from my normal caffe latte to Matcha Latte Hot ($7.00) for the obvious health benefits. Second thought I shall wait a bit longer when they have more outlets before converting.

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Salmon Don 4/5

The Salmon Don ($14.80) came with fresh salmon sashimi served over warm Japanese rice garnished with sesame oil, nori, Japanese pickled ginger, spring onion, daikon sprout and a drizzle of mayonnaise sauce.

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Locomoko Don 4/5

The Locomoko Don ($15.80) is another hearty and comforting dish. The beef patty was served over warm Japanese rice garnished with lettuce, tomato, broccoli and an egg sunny side up.

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Mushi-Dori Goma Dare Udon 4.2/5

The Mushi-Dori Goma Dare Udon ($13.80) was the favourite among the group. The star definitely is the special sesame sauce for the cold nooldes. It was beautifully paired with the imported udon which has a nice chewy texture.

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Matcha Shiratama Parfait 4.2/5

The Matcha Shiratama Parfait ($11.80) brought a smile to everyone's face. Like a kid in treasure hunt, we dug into the parfait to discover layers after layers of surprises. The artisan dessert bottom is a layer of kanten jelly (tradtional Japanese herbal jelly) and matcha syrup topped with vanilla ice cream, corn flakes and garnished with a scoop of match ice cream, red bean paste, mochi and whipped cream.

The modern Japanese restaurant and match tea bar, Nana's Green Tea Cafe introduces hip fun and flavourable good quality matcha tea and Japanese cuisine to Singapore with its flagship store outside Japan at Plaza Singapura new wing. Keeping the essence of the Japanese tea drinking culture, the cafe is suitable for social gatherings. I also understand most of the items in the menu is not available in their Japanese outlets. It has been customised to suit the local taste.


Nana's Green Tea Cafe
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#03-80/82
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 66844312
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanasGreenTea
Webiste: http://www.nanaha.com/
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit D, E or F. Walk to Plaza Singapura Level 3. Journey time about 5 minutes.