Frieda Restaurant @ The Capitol Kempinski - New Bavarian Weekend Brunch

Frieda Restaurant at The Capitol Kempinski has recently launched Früehschoppen, a weekend Bavarian Brunch experience similar to the concept of brunch, where men gather over the weekend in the late morning in pubs, inns or taverns over drinks and light bites before lunch.

Beer Flight

And of course, the beers. Früehschoppen Beer Specials are available to complete the experience. Beer Flight with four beers in tasting portion at $15nett and two pints of German Weissbier or Weissbier Dunkel at $19++. You may be happy to know that the beer flight is available on weekdays as well.

Bavarian Sausage Salad 3.8/5

We started off with Bavarian Sausage Salad, served with sourdough bread. It was hard at first to imagine having a salad with beer, but this was different. Consists of beer sausage, gruyere cheese and pickles, it was saltish, piquant and has a meaty bite.

Frieda Fruhchoppen Vesper Platter 3.8/5

From the Brunch menu, Frieda Fruhchoppen Vesper Platter ($19) truly reflects the vibe of Früehschoppen, where the table gathers around the platter, reaching out for the various German cold cuts and cheese, complemented with mixed pickles and pretzel.

Oktoberfest Meat Platter 4.2/5

Since Oktoberfest is approaching, Frieda Restaurant has also prepared something special to celebrate this greatest beer festival in the world. At $55 per person, you get to enjoy a welcome pint of beer and a free-flow butter of German grub. We tried the Oktoberfest Meat Platter, comprising Grilled Nuremberger Sausage, Meatloaf, Weisswurst with Mashed potato and Sauerkraut. One of the highlights of this platter is the Weisswurst, a traditional boiled white sausage, very lightly flavoured with some herbs and spices. Not so commonly offered elsewhere, this is a breakfast sausage, best eaten with sweet mustard and the soft pretzel dumplings.

Apple Bread Pudding 3.5/5

Ending the meal, we have something sweet to balance out all the savoury grub. The Apple Bread Pudding is served with vanilla ice cream. The vanilla ice cream was really good. It was light and almost refreshing to the palate. As for apple bread pudding, I wish there were more apple slices to lighten it up.

Topping up $50 will give you four hours of free-flowing beer. There's Early Bird Discount of 20% off for booking made before 30 September 2020.

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.


Frieda
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
13 Stamford Road
#01-87 and #01-K1, K2
Singapore 178905
Tel +6567156873
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 8pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to traffic junction North Bridge Road and Stamford Road. Cross the road. Walk down Stamford Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles @ Marsiling Mall Food Centre - Famous Bak Chor Mee Re-opens In Woodlands

A regret I have is not able to try Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles when it was at Serangoon Road. When I heard that the Uncle Yap has come out of retirement and open a new stall at Marsiling Mall Food Centre, I simply just have to drag my lazy feet to the North. No more regret and it is definitely worth the trip.

Mee Pork Dry 4.5/5

I tried the Mee Pok Dry ($4.50) which comes with minced pork, braised mushroom, fish cake slices and pig liver. It may look like an ordinary bowl of noodle but what binds all these ingredients together is the sauce and the doneness of the noodle's texture. Making each mouthful a slurping enjoyment.

Besides mee pok, you can order a variety of noodles such as mee kia, mee tai mak and mee sua. Incidentally, we discovered that the mee sua goes very well with the sauce. It soaked the vinegary sauce better, with the tanginess coming through more. I will order mee sua next time.

Not forgetting the bowl of soup. It is packed with flavours that are boiled over 3 to 4 hours with old hens, soybeans and anchovies. If you want to really enjoy the soup, I would recommend ordering either the Bak Chor Mee Soup or Xiao Wan Mian (小碗面).

I am glad that Uncle Yap decides to reopen his stall, and I can get to taste his delicious bowl of noodles. Hopefully don't leave any regret like me, go and check it out. Just in case he decides to retire again. By the way, I heard through the grapevine that they are opening another outlet in Serangoon, 1.5 km away from their old stall.


Macpherson Minced Meat Noodles
Marsiling Mall Food Centre
4 Woodlands Street 12
Singapore 738620
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT:

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun: 7am - 2pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Marsiling MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Marsiling MRT station (Stop ID 46521). Take bus number 187, 768, 856, 925, 926, 950, 960, 961. 963 and 966. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Woodlands MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Woodlands Bus Interchange (Stop ID 46009). Take bus number 187, 856, 925, 926, 950, 960, 961, 963 and 966. Alight 1 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Brotzeit @ Vivocity - Celebrating Oktoberfest In Singapore

While Oktoberfest has been cancelled in the hometown of Munich, and we can't travel to Germany to celebrate one of the largest folk festivals in the world, let Brotzeit brings the celebration to Singapore from 15 September to 25 October 2020.

What is Oktoberfest without beer, right? In Munich, only six breweries have the honour of serving Oktoberfest beer. For this year Oktoberfest, Brotzeit has specially imported the Oktoberfest brew from one of the six: Hofbrau, founded by William V, Duke of Bavaria in 1589 which is still a traditional Bavarian-run brewery today.

Crispy Pork Cracklings 4.2/5

Crispy Fried Pig Ears 3.5/5

We had some snack bites to go with the beer. We tried the Crispy Pork Cracklings ($6) and Crispy Fried Pig Ears ($12). I enjoyed the pork skin for its crispiness and seasoning. As for the pig ears, I felt the seasoning was a bit lacking. It would be more enjoyable if the batter is more heavily seasoned though it is accompanied with mustard chilli dip at the side.

Preserved and Smoked Spreads 4.2/5

The Preserved and Smoked Spreads is an interesting platter that is to be eaten like a Korean bbq. You take a piece of romaine lettuce, spread it with the choice of duck confit, chicken truffle or smoked trout, and finally add some salt pretzel, wrap and eat it. It is quite a new and interesting way to appreciate German cuisine in this way.

Cold Roast Pork 4.5/5

Moving on we have the Cold Roast Pork ($16) which comes with pork collar marinated overnight in Brotzeit's 12-spice pork knuckle mix, pickled beer radish, mustard chilli sauce and crispy pork skin. This is a dish that reminds Chef Lorenz of his grandma, who always prepared cold roast meats with apricots for him after school. It seems like a start dish but its really substantial. I enjoyed everything on the plate, which is very appetising.

Giant Pretzel with Farmer Sausage 4.5/5

I have eaten pretzel, but not a Giant Pretzel ($28) sandwiched with red cabbage, pickles, mustard and farmer sausage. This is good for 2-3 people. It is really hearty and comforting. I would highly recommend ordering this.

Crispy Roasted Pork Shoulder 4.2/5

Value for money dish on the Oktoberfest menu is the Crispy Roasted Pork Shoulder ($45) which comes with Autumn vegetables and potato dumplings. The fork-tender pork shoulder comes with a layer of extremely crispy skin, that echoes a thundering crackle with every bite. The accompanying fluffy potato dumplings and vegetables provide a delightful textural and flavour contrast.

Roasted Pig Liver 4.8/5

An acquire dish on the menu is the Roasted Pig Liver ($26). Either you love it or hate it. I didn't know German cuisine has this dish on the menu. Though it is cooked using the Western technique with a blend of mustard and paired with poached apples, it tastes similar to the Asian way of cooking pig liver. I am really surprised and excited that pig liver can be prepared this way. If you are adventurous enough, you should really try it.

Battered Fried Apple Wheels 4/5

Wrapping up the meal is the Battered Fried Apple Wheels ($11). The Fiji apple is coated in a light beer batter and dusted with sugar and cinnamon. It has a delightful crunch complemented by a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.

I really enjoyed the new Oktoberfest menu created by recently joined Group Executive Chef Lorenz Raich. He brings with him a wealth of culinary experience in highly lauded boutique venues, famous Michelin-starred restaurants as well as five-star hotels. For the new menu, he has brought a touch of finesse to the traditional dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Brotzeit
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-149/151
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62728815
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Teochew Meat Puff @ Woodlands Industrial Park, Wave9 - Snaking Queue For Their UFO-shaped Meat Puff

Oyster cake is a rarely seen snack in Singapore nowadays. There probably left only one or two places in Singapore still selling them. If I am not wrong, one is in Maxwell hawker centre, and the other is at Jalan Besar hawker centre. Thanks to MissTamChiak, I get to know another new stall - Teochew Meat Puff in Woodlands Industrial Park selling this delicious snack.

Teochew Meat Puff used to operate at Pasar Malams, it has no choice but to change its business model, settling into a permanent stall in a coffeeshop at Wave9 building in Woodlands Industrial Park under the current COVID pandemic.

Be prepared to queue if you plan to try the UFO-shaped meat puff. The latest I heard the wait is up to 2 hours now. The stall owner, Keith, will pour a layer of rice batter into a metal spatula, followed by the meat mixture, celery and another layer of rice batter to cover it. Peanuts are then sprinkled on top before sending it into the hot oil, deep-fried to a golden brown. If you observed each meat puff carefully, you would notice that the peanuts pattern help to differentiate the different flavours.

Oyster Pork Meat Puff

All together the stall sells 6 different flavours of meat puff. They are Oyster Pork ($3.50), Prawn Pork ($3.50), Octopus Pork ($3.50), Crab Pork ($3.50), Scallop Pork ($4) and Vegetable ($2).

Octopus Pork Meat Puff

The meat puff is crispy on the exterior with juicy pork filling. My favourite is the pork and oyster filling. I find the briny taste of the oyster complements the savoury pork filling better than the rest. I will go for the pork and octopus if you prefer a more textural enjoyment in each bite. Last but not least, don't forget to have it together with the chilli sauce. 

Pork Shrimp Meat Puff

The last I check on Teochew Meat Puff Facebook page, the stall owner, is very apologetic to his customers for the long wait. They are currently trying to negotiate with the coffeeshop to take up the space beside their stall so that they can add extra equipment to deep-fried more meat puff. You may not know, but each meat puff takes about 15 minutes.


Teochew Meat Puff
Wave9
71 Woodlands Industrial Park E9
Singapore 757048
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Admiralty (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 8pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Admiralty MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Admiralty MRT station (Stop ID 46771). Take bus number 964. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Luke's Lobster @ Isetan Scotts - Marks The Brand's First Foray Into Southeast Asia

The long wait for New York-based restaurant - Luke's Lobster, famed worldwide for its Maine-style lobster rolls is finally over with it anticipated opening in Isetan Scotts Singapore on 23 September 2020, 1pm. It will be the brand's first foray into Southeast Asia.

Lobster Roll 4/5

For a start, Luke's Lobster is offering 3 different rolls on the menu - Lobster Roll ($25.50), Crab Roll ($23.50) and Shrimp Roll ($21.50). I have not tried their rolls before; hence I could not compare whether it tastes the same as the other overseas outlets. Checking with my friends that had tried their rolls before, the feedback is it tastes the same.

Crab Roll 4.2/5

The rolls come with seafood served chilled atop a buttered, griddled split-top bun with a swipe of mayo, a dash of lemon butter and a sprinkle of the brand's secret seasoning. If I compare it to Burger & Lobster, I find the bun is less buttery and oily. The texture is crispier, more like a toasty. I am not saying it is not good. I enjoyed it. It is up to the individual, just like how different people like their burger.

Shrimp Roll 3/5

Among the 3 rolls, surprisingly my favourite goes to the Crab Roll. I enjoyed how the sweetness of the crab meat coming through the buttery bun. Followed by the Lobster Roll. As for the shrimp, I didn't quite enjoy it there is still saltiness to it like it has been soaked in saltwater.

For those that can't decide what to get, you can go for Luke's Trio ($33.50) which consists of half portion each of the three rolls. A sample platter for you to decide which you really like and you can get the full portion in your next visit. To complete the meal, you can add either the Clam Chowder Soup ($11.50) or Lobster Bisque ($12.90).

To be launch at a later date is the Grilled Cheese Toast with either Lobster or Crab meat. It has a crispier bite compare to the roll. Some of us felt that the strongly flavoured cheese used kind of covers the sweetness of the lobster meat. It fares better with crab meat toasty though as it is sweeter.

To avoid snaking queue for its opening on 23 September 2020 at 1pm, you can pre-order online for takeaway through https://www.lukeslobster.sg from 17 September 2020, 12pm. The restaurant will also be rolling out island-wide delivery and third-party food delivery aggregators in phrases.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Luke's Lobster
Isetan Scotts, Shaw House
350 Orchard Road
#01-K4
Singapore 238868
Tel: +65 65927642
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass to Isetan Scotts. Journey time around 5 minutes. [Map]

Jumbo Seafood @ ION Orchard - New Dim Sum Afternoon Tea Set With Moet & Chandon Champagne

Afternoon Tea maybe a Western thing but Jumbo Seafood at Ion Orchard is breaking the tradition with the newly created Dim Sum Afternoon Tea Set. The Asian spin on the afternoon tea is from at $48++ per set for 2 pax. Customers can also top up to include Moet & Chandon Champagne to go along with their dim sum.

The Afternoon Tea set comes with a pot of floral tea. Customer can choose between Oriental Beauty with Wolfberries or Springtime Blossoms. For the champagne promotion, customer can add on a bottle of Moet & Chandon, Imperial Brut NV - 750ml ($78++ Jumbo Rewards Members / $88++ Non-Members) or Moet & Chandon, Imperial Brut NV - 375ml ($48++ Jumbo Rewards Members / $55++ Non-Members).

The Afternoon Tea Set comes in two tier. The top tier is the savoury section that consists of Sweet Yam Paste with Salted Egg Yolk Puff,  Pan Fried Jumbo Chilli Crab Buns and Lotus Root Puffs. My favourite is the Sweet Yam Paste with Salted Egg Yolk Puff is shaped into a beautiful swan, not only pretty in sight but delicious on the palate too.

The lower tier is the sweet section that comes with Baked Orange Egg Tarts, Black Sesame Cake and Molten Salted Egg Lava Mochi. I like the hint of orange in the egg tart, giving it a lifted enjoyment. The other delight treat is the deep fried pumpkin shaped mochi dumpling with oozing molten salted egg lava filling. The black sesame cake is rather acquire with its soft texture though.

Completing the dim sum afternoon set is the Jumbo Siew Mai and Steamed Prawns and Spinach Dumpling served in a bamboo steamer.

Kindly note the Dim Sum Afternoon Tea Set is exclusively available at Ion Orchard outlet only from 2pm to 530pm daily (exclude public holidays) for dine in. Jumbo Rewards Members can enjoy 50% off 2nd purchase of Dim Sum Afternoon Tea Set from 31 August 2020 to 30 October 2020. Non-members can sign up as Jumbo Rewards Members at https://jumbogroup.sg/jumbo-rewards to enjoy this promotion.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jumbo Seafood
Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-09/10
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 67373435
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Pura Brasa @ Guoco Tower - Popular Spanish Restaurant Chain Unveils New Weekend Brunch Menu

Originated from Spain, Pura Brasa at Guoco Tower is the place to go to if you want to have a taste of its famed high-quality, Josper-grilled Spanish dishes. The restaurant has specially curated a new weekend brunch menu for you with some of its signature Spanish dishes. Available every weekend from 12pm to 4pm, each set comes with 4 tapas, 2 main courses and 1 dessert, priced at $79.90 for 2 pax.

White Sangria

Other than the new Brunch offering, it also includes an option of 2-hour free-flow tipples of Cava, wines and beers for $39.90. Otherwise, the drinks menu is decent with a range of cocktails and alcohols, in which I had a light and refreshing White Sangria.

Tuna on Toast 4.2/5

We started off with Tuna on Toast, which was one of my favourite dishes on the set menu. The huge dollop of tuna was luscious but not overly creamy. Balancing its richness was a contrasting crispy toast, which was flaky like a puff pastry but without the presence of butter that would possibly make the entire bite overly heavy.

Homemade Spanish Croquettes 2.5/5

However, on the other hand, the Homemade Spanish Croquettes was a tad too cloyingly rich and possibly the least favourable croquette I had till date.

Josper® Grilled Wings 4/5

Pura Brasa may possibly be one of the very few places that you will get to try Josper® Grilled Wings, an elevated version from your usual grilled chicken wings. There wasn't much distraction from marination or seasoning, but just a simple layer of smokey flavour imparted from the grill that made these wings more superior than what's out there. The fries served along with it is a bonus!

Calamari Andalusian Style 4/5

I like this Calamari Andalusian Style too. Made with fresh squid rings, each ring was springy-tender with a nice contrasting crispy coat.

Charcoal Seafood Paella 4.2/5

The Mains include its best-selling dishes - Charcoal Seafood Paella and Josper® Grilled Spanish Pork Ribs. The rice of the paella was plump and firm, with added textural bites lent from green peas and diced prawns that were mixed within. Its sweet and tangy, tomatoey flavour profile, in comparison with the more highly flavoured tapas, made it even more moreish and delectable.

Josper® Grilled Spanish Pork Ribs 4.5/5

Josper® Grilled Spanish Pork Ribs is probably the item that brings customers back again and again. Again, similar to the chicken wings, the meat is seasoned minimally, which allows the smoky nuances of the meat to stand out. The meat was really tender and unctuous, but I thought a minute more on the grill, rendering more fats may make the ribs even more flavourful.

Churros 4/5

Dessert is two mini Churros They were crispy on the outside, and the core was slightly chewy. Served with thick, hot chocolate sauce, they were gone in minutes!

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.


Pura Brasa
Guoco Tower
5 Wallich Street
#01-16
Singapore 078881
Tel: +65 63869678
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 12pm - 11pm 

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]