SG Food on Foot Best Eat in 2014

It is the end of the year again and it is time to summarize my best eat for the year 2014. Before getting to that, I would like to reflect some of the things that I have done or achieve in 2014. I got hitched in 6 September 2014 and moved to west side of Singapore. While it comes with a new set of responsibilities in life, I will still continue to up keep my blog the best that I can. I have also rooted in two writers, Si An and Li Tian to help me on an ad hoc basis. I hope you can give them the same love as you have supported me all these years.

Another great achievement in 2014 for me is being given the opportunity to curate the hawkers for the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 together with Maureen and Ian. We have never done such a big scale event before but I am glad that with the supports from many media (both online and print), hawkers, chefs, friends and families, we managed to put everything together in such a short time frame. A great thank you to all of you. Food really units people together. I am glad that I am part of this journey.

Without further ado, let me present to you SG Food on Foot Best Eat in 2014 (not in order of merit). The places are selected based on the fact that they are near the MRT stations and I have enjoyed my dining experience there.

East 8, New York Fusion Tapas + Bar @ Grand Park Hotel City Hall

Moosehead Kitchen - Bar @ Telok Ayer Street

Sek Tong Gai (食通街) @ Tanglin Halt

Seasons Bistro @ Triple One Somerset

Whale & Cloud (鲸舆雲) @ Niven Road (Selegie)

Tamashii Robataya @ North Canal Road

NUVO @ Marina Square

Bedrock Bar & Grill @ Pan Pacific Serviced Suites

&SONS @ China Square Central

Zott's True Alps @ Amoy Street

This is my top 10 best eat places in 2014 for me. Some of them are not new restaurants or eateries. It just means that the food scene in Singapore is so big and ever changing that I only have time to visit them in 2014. I hope you have enjoy the list. Last but not least, wishing all of you a Happy New Year.

Hungry Heroes @ Tessensohn Road

An interesting concept has set foot at Tessensohn Road near little india area with the descent of the super heroes. Under the same roof of the 2 storey shophouse housed Hungry Heroes, a restaurant and deli on the ground floor while Art Art And Away, a lifestyle space that retails unique decorative art and home furnishing products occupied the 2nd floor.

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar 4/5

Beer fanatic will be rejoiced with the specially curated selection of beers at Hungry Heroes. To mention a few, I had the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar ($14) that has a rich nutty flavour that goes very well with grilled chicken. The gold medal winner at the world beer championship 1995, Rogue Mocha Porter is an excellent pairing with the signature pork ribs. Available on tap is the Deschutes River Ale which is an easy to drink pale ale that pairs well with a wide range of meats.

Steak Out 3.5/5

The food at Hungry Heroes is all about hearty and robust meats. We tried the Hungry Heroes Platter which comes in 3 sizes. We had the Steak Out ($108) which is good for 5 to 6 people. The platter consists of 200g ribeye, full rack of pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage trio, 250g deboned chicken leg, beef stew and veal osso bucco. This is perfect for group gathering as everyone gets a share of the different meats that is on the menu.

Steak Out 3.5/5

Among all the different meats that is on the platter, my favourite has to the pork ribs. The twice cooked pork ribs were so tender and juicy, felling off the bone with ease and literally melted in the mouth. The rest was decent but not memorable.

Brownie with Ice Cream 3/5

Wrapping out the dinner, we had the classic Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream. Nothing fancy but a nice closure to a super heroes reception.

I have to admit my photos did not mange to justify how beautiful the restaurant is. You just have to make a trip down and admire the display of the owner's personal super heroes collection. While the food is decent, you will be captivated by the beauty of the place and its a great place for group gathering.


Hungry Heroes
33 Tessensohn Road
Singapore 217656
Tel: +65 62955401
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hungryheroessgp
Website: http://www.hungryheroes.sg/
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 4pm - 12midnight
Sat: 11am - 12midnight
Sun: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Tessensohn Road towards Civil Service Club. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak @ Boon Lay Place Food Village

By now most of you may have known that I have been relocated to the west of Singapore. This means I get to explore more food options that are available in the west side of Singapore. One of these places I wanted check out for the longest time is Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak. Its popularity has been heard even all the way from the east but I have never made that long journey. Cut the story short, I was at the stall itself to check out how power this so called legendary nasi lemak is a couple of weeks ago.

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak 3.5/5

The first thing I observed when I reached there around 6pm is the snaking long queue of customers eagerly waiting to place their order. The stall actually sells quite a lot of stuff besides their nasi lemak. I was actually at a lost in how I should place my order. Lucky they have a a couple of ready set meals for easy ordering.

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak 3.5/5

I think I ordered the Chicken Set Meal B ($3) which comes with a chicken wing, a fried egg, ikan bilis. I added on a piece of Otah ($1) to complete my meal. The chicken was well marinated and deep fried to a nice crisp that is very enjoyable. However it is not as fat and juicy which I would prefer. The rice was fragrant with the nice coconut aroma. The star has to the sweet chilli that complemented the nasi lemak very much.

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak 3.5/5

Overall I felt that Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak is above average one of the better ones around but definitely not the best. Why is it so power? Probably has to do with its chilli and its reasonable pricing. Unless I am in the vicinity, I would not make all the way just to have it.


Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak
Boon Lay Place Food Village
Blk 221B Boon Lay Place
#01-106
Singapore 642221
Tel: +65 62664466
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoonLayPower
Nearest MRT: Lakeside (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Lakeside MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Lakeside MRT station. (Stop ID 28091). Take bus number 240. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Joyden Canton Kitchen (欣艺和) @ HillV2 Shopping Centre (Upper Bukit Timah)

It is double happiness for Joyden as the family restaurant celebrates its tenth anniversary. With the re-branding the restaurant from former West Coast Seafood to Joyden Seafood Restaurant (欣艺海鲜), the restaurant opens its second outlet, Joyden Canton Kitchen (欣艺和) at HillV2 Shopping Centre offering wholesome comfort Cantonese cuisine.

Crispy Golden Lotus Root Chips 4.2/5

We started with some Crispy Golden Lotus Root Chips ($8,80) while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. Sliced to a nice thin bite and deep fried to crispy crunch, this is as good as your potato chips. Maybe the restaurant should consider selling it for Chinese New Year.

Chicken with Fresh Huai Shan and Wolfberry in Old Coconut Soup 4/5

Cantonese cuisine is known for its soup and the restaurant does live up to the expectation with the Chicken with Fresh Huai Shan and Wolfberry in Old Coconut Soup ($12.80) which is a Foshan classic interpretation. The ingredients were steamed in an old coconut over low heat for up to 3 hours to extract the essence. Result in a light but yet aromatic soup with natural sweetness from the coconut.

Joyden Signature Soy Sauce Chicken 4/5

One of the signature items at Joyden Canton Kitchen is the Joyden Signature Soy Sauce Chicken ($12/$18/$32). The chicken was steeped in a secret blend of superior light sauce and herbs giving it that pleasant flavour on top of their silky skin and tender meat.

Signature Traditional Hakka Salt Poached Farm Chicken 3/5

Another poultry dish on the menu is the Traditional Hakka Salt Poached Farm Chicken ($17) which is accompanied with the secret recipe ginger sauce. Compared to the soy sauce chicken, this is not as flavourful. However the saving grace was the ginger sauce that accentuated the whole enjoyment. It was so good that the table ordered extra servicing to go with their plain rice.

Fish Maw and Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes is the Fish Maw and Prawns with Glass Noodles in Homemade XO Sauce ($18.80). The luxurious fish maw and prawns were well coated with the premium xo sauce that brought out the best of the ingredients. Even the glass noodles were well infused with the xo sauce which was fragrant and slurping good.

Sliced Grouper Fillet with Pine Mushroom and Black Fungus in Rice Wine Broth 3/5

The Sliced Grouper Fillet with Pine Mushroom and Black Fungus in Rice Wine Broth ($17.80) was a comforting pot of goodness that is perfect for cold raining day.

Braised Homemade Beancurd Coin with Poached Shanghai Baby Cabbage 4.2/5

For me the highlight of the Braised Homemade Beancurd Coin with Poached Shanghai Baby Cabbage ($14.80) is the milky broth and shanghai baby cabbage. The milky broth was made from boiling pork bones for several hours. The shanghai baby cabbage which was steamed in pork broth was so soft and sweet that literally melted in the mouth.

Braised Pork Ribs in Aged Mandarin Peel Sauce 4.5/5

We commonly find on the menu coffee or champagne pork ribs but at Joyden Canton Kitchen seeks to be different with the Braised Pork Ribs in Aged Mandarin Peel Sauce ($16.80). After much trial and effort, the refreshing spin to the pork ribs dish was well received by the group. The flavours were well balanced with fall off the bone meat.

Traditional Rice Vermicelli with Poached Egg White, Crabmeat and Scallop 4.5/5

A must try at Joyden Canton Kitchen is the Traditional Rice Vermicelli with Poached Egg White, Crabmeat and Scallop ($15.80). This is something new and currently not seen elsewhere. The wok fried vermicelli tossed in the poached egg white, crabmeat and dried scallop was finished with a swirl of vinegar and a dash of pepper. This is one dish that I would go back for.

There is this saying among the foodie friends, in the east there is Diamond Kitchen while in the west we have Joyen. After dining at Joyden Canton Kitchen, I can't help comparing another similarity. While Diamond Kitchen has the popular superior stock clam bee hoon, Joyden Canton Kitchen has the traditional rice vermicelli with poached egg white, crabmeat and scallop. I am glad I have dined in both restaurants.


Joyden Canton Kitchen
HillV2 Shopping Centre
4 Hillview Rise
#02-21
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 64659988
Website: http://www.joydencantonkitchen.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Hillview (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm
Dim Sum: 1130am - 430pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right onto Hillview Road. Continue on Hillview Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

The Reading Room Cafe @ Bukit Pasoh Road

With the number of hipster cafes popping out in various corners around the island, the cafe scene has become really crowded. When I said crowded, it is not just referring to the competition. It has also become quite hard to find a conducive cafe where one can simply sit back, relax over a cup of good coffee and let the day goes by.

Recently I popped into The Reading Room Cafe along Bukit Pasoh Road and I felt being teleported into someone's little library with the shelves of books around the walls. It is understand that some of the books are bought by the owners while others are donated by travelers or guests.

Even the menu comes in children story book. The Reading Room Cafe is not just only an cafe but it is also a tapas bar at night. On weekends, it even offers a brunch menu.

Caffe Latte 4/5

The coffee at The Reading Room Cafe is imported from Naples in Italy. The owner's relative is a roaster in Italy and this is specially imported for the cafe. The Caffe Latte ($4.8) was a light body, smooth and easy to drink.

Norwegian Royale 4.2/5

The Norwegian Royale ($18.80) which is available for brunch is hugemongous. The generous portion of smoked salmon, rich creamy scrambled eggs and arugula resting on their famous french toast. If I am not wrong the french toast is a brioche hence it was really soft in texture. The creamy scrambled egg is well executed, cooked using french butter instead of milk. It is a dish that will brightens up anyone's day. A little advice is that you have to eat this quickly or the french toast will become a bit soggy because of the runny scrambled egg sitting on top of it.

Minute Steak & Fries 3.5/5

The Reading Room Cafe is also a great place to catch a meal.  I had the Minute Steak & Fries ($18.80). The sirloin is cooked for a minute medium rare and topped with their homemade cafe de paris butter. The french fries is worthy a mentioned with its thin crispy coat which is almost tempura like that give it that extra crunch.

"Our chef visits the markets really really early to pick and choose the freshest produce for our delicious food. Don't mind him if he appears a little grumpy."

"Our chef goes to our butcher twice a week to ensure our cuts are of the best and freshest for our patrons."

"All our seafood is sourced locally in the wet markets of Chinatown."

All these words tell me that the food at The Reading Room is honest. While it can't be compared to top restaurants, the food here is hearty and honest. This itself already is way better than a lot of cafes that uses chef microwave to simply heat up and serve.


The Reading Room
19 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089833
Tel: +65 62209019
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReadingRoom.com.sg
Website: http://www.thereadingroom.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 1130pm
Fri-Sun: 8am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Turn left onto Teo Hong Road. At the end of Teo Hong Road turn left and continue on Bukit Pasoh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Shelter in the Woods @ Greeenwood Avenue (Bukit Timah Road)

Christmas brings joy and what joy is it to know that the popular Shelter in the Woods has finally reopened on the 12 November 2014. Besides offering the ever popular traditional rotisserie's dishes, the restaurant has up its game with the appointment of Consulting Chef Masashi Horiuchi who has more than 20 years of experience in Michelin restaurants across Europe, combining homely rusticity with finesse of execution.

Shelter Charcuterie Board 4.5/5

A great platter for sharing while waiting for the mains  is the Shelter Charcuterie Board ($40). The charcuterie board features the BurgundyTerrine, Foie Grs Au Torchon, Pork Hat Terrine and Pate En Route. A ideal platter to kick start with some drinks.

Pate En Croute 4.8/5

What really stood out on the Charcuterie Board is the Pate En Croute. This is really something new to me for the less travelled and shallow culinary knowledge. It is amazing how something that look quite ordinary which I thought was some sort of a pie can taste so beautiful.

Pate En Croute 4.8/5

Slicing into the Pate En Croute revealed the different layers of duck foie gras, pork, veal, forest mushrooms, pig liver and consomme jelly wrapped in pastry. The harmony of all the ingredients took me by surprise with the consomme jelly and buttery pastry complementing it.

Shelter Quiche 4/5

I have learnt that while quiche is a classic French dish, it actually originated in Germany. A signature at Shelter in the Woods is the Shelter Quiche ($12.50). The short crust pastry is filled with forest mushrooms, Swiss gruyere cheese, garlic/herb butter, eggs and Swiss cream. I am not a big fan of quiche but this actually tasted quite yummy with the cheesy and earthy mushroom flavours.

Endive & Roquefort Salad 3/5

I thought the Endive & Roquefort Salad ($26) could be a bit acquire in taste for some. While the salad has a refreshing finishing with the used of green apple strips, cherry tomatoes and honey dressing, the Belgian endives were on the bitter side for me.

Lyonnaise Salad 4.2/5

I would prefer the traditional Lyonnaise Salad ($20) to the endive & roquefort salad. The savoury and tangy combination of Dutch smoked bacon and confit pearl onions dressed in a sherry vinaigrette provided the zest for the crunchy greens.

Creamy Corn Soup Trio 4.2/5

The Creamy Corn Soup Trio ($12.50) showed a glimpse of the chef's finesse in execution. The Japanese corn and onions are boiled in water and then mixed with roasted corn, hence a hint of smokiness. Milk is added, blended and sleved. The soup is then garnished with roasted corn, pop corn and parsley oil. The detailed into a simple soup dish elevated the whole experience which used to be only know of its homely, rustic, tradition food.

DIY Steak Tartar 4.5/5

A great starter will be the DIY Steak Tartar ($18 for 100g). The Do It Yourself steak tartar of handcut Australian Black Angus beef comes with capers, cornichons, beet, onion, chives and served with toasted farm bread. Mixed them all together with the quail egg to bond all the flavours that burst into a blossom in the mouth.

Rotisserie Suckling Pig 4.5/5

I was expecting a whole Rotisserie Suckling Pig ($35) such as those you get in a Spanish restaurant. Once again I was given a glimpse into his fine dining trained experience. The plating was beautiful. Cooked in the traditional flame rotisserie, the suckling pig is served with rotisserie pineapples, confit onions and gravy made of veal jus and caramelised onions. Perfectly executed, the skin was crackling while still retaining that juiciness. The used of pineapple also freshen up the palate from the natural greasiness of the meat.

Seafood Casserole 4.8/5

Seafood Casserole 4.8/5

The Seafood Casserole ($35) is great for sharing. The luxurious pot of seafood features seasonal fish, prawns, mussels and clams. The highlight has to be the rich seafood broth made from fish soup, fish, prawns, lobster, fennel, leeks, celery. carrots, tomatoes and saffron. The hearty harvest from the sea will get all your senses singing in praise.

Rotisserie Rack of Lamb 3.8/5

I love my lamb but the Rotisserie Rack of Lamb ($39) fell slight short of my expectation. While it was cooked to a nice tender and juicy in the traditional flame rotisserie and bathed in a garlic confit oil, the NZ rack of lamb somehow was lacking that gaminess which I enjoy tearing it off the bone.

Roasted Chicken 4.8/5

Being curator of the Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 working with Tian Tian Chicken Rice and Toh Thye San Farm using the corn fed Anxin Chicken, I have known how good and sweet these chickens are. They are unlike the normally commercial boiler. I was quite excited to be reunited with Anxin chicken at Shelter in the Woods with the Roasted Chicken ($19 for half, $35 for whole). The rotisserie chicken is bathed in a garlic confit oil and served with roasted potatoes, mesclun salad and veal jus, caramelized onions gravy. I am glad that I can taste Anxin chicken again cause its sweetness is just so sweet on its own that you do not need any gravy or sauce.

Rotisserie Pineapple Crumble 2.8/5

I like the idea of using the pineapples crumble for the suckling pig and I have enjoyed it. However, knowing that it is available in another dish less the ice cream and having tried it, I am not sure I will pay the money for the Rotisserie Pineapple Crumble ($14). Putting the taste aside, it is too simple for a dessert and probably would not get the satisfaction out of it.

Tiny Crispy Apple Tart 4/5

Having a warm sweet finish to a delicious feast is the Tiny Crispy Apple Tart ($12). The tart topped with Fuji apple, butter and brown sugar is thin and crispy. Paired with a scoop of their house made vanilla ice cream for a comfort finishing.

Meringue Glacee 3.5/5

On a sweet note, there is the Meringue Glacee ($12) that come with a scoop each of the house made raspberry sorbet and vanilla ice cream, topped with baked meringue cones and pistachio.

The re-opening of the Shelter in the Woods with its new chef and revamped menu definitely made a return with a louder bang. Combining the chef vast experience and rustic tradition, it has bring the restaurant to a new height. The extensive menu is really worth a visit or two and everything on it is worthy for recommendation. It definitely falls into one of favourite restaurants his year that I would want to return to check out the rest of the menu.


Shelter in the Woods 
22 Greenwood Avenue
Singapore 289218
Tel: +65 64666225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelterInTheWoods
Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6pm - 10pm
Sun Brunch: 1130am - 230pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk straigh to Hillcrest Road. Turn right onto Hillcrest Road. Walk down Hillcrest Road and make a left into Greenwood Avenue. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]