The Ampang Kitchen Private Dining - Impresses with Its Peranakan Cuisine Influenced By The Region

The last chapter of our private dining adventure for 2018 ends at The Ampang Kitchen which is run by a father and son team, Uncle Raymond and David. David does the cooking nowadays while Uncle Raymond takes care of the guests at the front of the house, as well as explaining the dishes they have prepared for us.

Satay Bohong 4.8/5

Dinner started with the Satay Bohong.  Each stick consists of 50g of pork belly which is grilled to an aromatic char on top of its tender texture with layers of fats in between. Too bad each guest get only 2 sticks. I wish it can be served straight from the grill so it is hotter, instead of being left to cool down before serving.

Bakwan Kepiting 4.5/5

Bakwan Kepiting is a dish served in all the Perankan private dinings we have attended. The version at The Ampang Kitchen is not authentic type. Uncle Raymond has tweaked it in a good way. The soup came across rich and robust from the long hours of boiling prawn shells, chicken and pork bones to draw the flavours. The meatball is also soft, tender and airy packed with crab meat, prawn and bamboo shoot. If you have a sharp tongue, you will taste fermented beans in it. Uncle William has added them into his soup to elevate the flavour. Other unusual ingredients found in the soup are mushroom and tang oh, which is not usually served in bakwan kepiting.

Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

Although Uncle Raymond does not make his own shell for the Kueh Pie Tee, they are fresh and crispy with no porky smell. These are delightful parcels that whetted the appetite.

Rojak 4.8/5

The Rojak here is served chilled which I find it brilliant, giving it a refreshing touch. The version combines both the local and Penang style, which got the thumb of approval from the dining group. Some even commented that this is the best rojak they have ever eaten.

Chap Chye 4/5

Ampang Kitchen uses 8 different ingredients for its Chap Chye. Unlike the usual Peranakan style, red and white fermented beancurd as well as fermented beans are added which is more of a Cantonese style.

Beef Rendang 4.5/5

Uncle Raymond shared that his Beef Rendang consists of 17 ingredients. Of course I am not able to taste all the individual ingredients. What I tasted is the aromatic rempah that married with the tender beef excellently.

Ayam Buah Keluak 4.2/5

I have tried many versions of Ayam Buah Keluak and this is probably one of the better versions I have eaten. It is more saucy infused with the rich buah keluak flavour. I could not help drenching my steamed rice with the gravy to enjoy it to the last drop.

Assam Fish with Lady's Finger 4.5/5

Another well executed dish which I enjoyed a lot is the Assam Fish with Lady's Finger. The tang from the assam and tomatoes, plus the sweetness from the pineapple is so appetising. It just opens my appetite for more.

Banana Flower Kechai 4.5/5

The one dish that I have been looking forward is the Banana Flower Kechai. It is a dish not commonly served nowadays and it is my first time trying it. I didn't know what to expect. I can taste a lot of different textures and flavours from the prawn, pork, cucumber, mint leaves and banana flower all coming together harmoniously.

Chendol 4.8/5

Wrapping up the dinner we have Chendol for dessert. You can't get anywhere wrong when the chendol are freshly made, with fresh coconut milk and premium gula melaka.

Our dinner at The Ampang Kitchen is $120 per pax. We really enjoyed the food and was well fed. A lot of time and preparation is put into serving the delicious food to our table. I could not say The Ampang Kitchen serves authentic Perankan food because some of the recipes have been influenced by the region, Straits Cuisine maybe a more appropriate to label the cuisine served at The Ampang Kitchen. Besides private dining, it also caters for takeaways. Hence don't be despair if you can't get a booking, you can also order takeaway.


The Ampang Kitchen
39 Jalan Ampang
Singapore 268625
Tel: +65 96187107
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)
[Map]

Full Of Luck Restaurant @ Holland Village - Welcomes The Lunar New Year With 5 Festive Set Menus

As the Lunar New Year approaches, modern-Cantonese restaurant Full of Luck Restaurant at Holland Village rolls out five different set menus, featuring a culinary line up of contemporary Cantonese classics and festive favourites. With five menus ranging from $118-$668 to cater to 2-10 pax, you can even toss the yu sheng with just two people at the table! Set menus are available for dine-in till 19 Feb 2019.

Full of Luck’s Yu Sheng with Smoked Salmon & Yuzu Dressing 4/5

We had the Harmony with Joy Set ($238 - per table of 4 pax). Toss the ubiquitous yusheng to a year of prosperity and good fortune with fresh smoked salmon slices, fruit popping boba to impart a refreshing tangy-sweetness to the colourful stack of julienned accompaniments, brightened by flavourful, tangy notes of yuzu. Full of Luck’s Yu Sheng with Smoked Salmon & Yuzu Dressing raises the 'porksperity' ante with a cute pig design amid the melange of delightful colours, flavours and textures.

Peace & Bliss Fish Maw Clam Soup 4/5

Next on the menu is the Peace & Bliss Fish Maw Clam Soup. Loaded with a medley of fresh premium ingredients such as fish maw, clams, chicken chunks, red dates in a flavourful broth, the comforting bowl of superior soup is a welcoming starter to the rest of the richer savoury dishes.

Traditional Wok Fried Black Garlic Prawns 4.2/5

The Traditional Wok Fried Black Garlic Prawns features fresh bouncy prawns seasoned with a tinge of fragrant black garlic spice, which makes it so wonderfully flavourful without being too overwhelming. The bed of vegetables below adds a nice crunch to the dish as well.

Herbal Emperor Chicken 4/5

There is no better way to usher in the new year with a delicious and nutritious dish. Boasting an easily-falls-apart tenderness, the Herbal Emperor Chicken has a rich herbal flavour as the taste is infused in the chicken while it cooks, and also further steeped in a rich herbal broth when served.

Crunchy Medley of Vegetables 3.5/5

The Crunchy Medley of Vegetables with Lilybulb comes in a medley of crunchy vegetables. While well received for its crunchy texture and clean taste, I personally thought the dish can be more flavourful, as the vegetables may be a tad bland on its own.

Longevity Fish Noodles with Crabmeat and X.O Chilli 4.2/5

One of my favourite dish on the menu is the Longevity Fish Noodles with Crabmeat and X.O Chilli. Made using fish paste, the noodles are al dente with a hint of fish flavour, yet not too fishy. Also served with fresh crabmeat, the noodles is cooked in X.O chilli to give it a subtle spice fragrance which elevates the whole enjoyment.

Water Chestnut Cake with Osmanthus Fragrance 3.8/5, Traditional Pan Fried Nian Gao 4/5

End the meal on a sweet note with their Refreshing Water Chestnut Cake with Osmanthus Fragrance. However, I find the osmanthus flavour to be a tad too bland. The Traditional Pan Fried Nian Gao with Egg fares better with a nice chewy texture and a taste which is not too sweet. Definitely one of the better ones I had.

Five Set Menus
Peace & Bliss Set (2 pax) - $118
Harmony with Joy Set (4 pax) - $238
Luck & Prosperity Set (6 pax) - $368
Fortune of Gold Set (8 pax) - $528
Longevity & Wealth Set (10 pax) - $668

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Full Of Luck Restaurant
243 Holland Ave
Singapore 278977
Tel: +65 62086845
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]

Crystal Jade Kitchen @ Holland Village - Re-opens With New Menu By Group Executive Chef Martin Foo

After a two-month long renovation, Crystal Jade Kitchen at Holland Village unveils a new contemporary look, together with a revamped menu crafted by newly minted Group Executive Chef Martin Foo. Alongside old times favourites, look out for creations that are modish but classic at the same time.

Deep-fried Chicken & Dried Shrimp Carrot Dumpling 3/5

Deep-fried Chicken & Dried Shrimp Carrot Dumpling ($5.30/3pcs) is a modern take of the traditional deep-fried yam puff with minced meat. Though its filling was slightly too heavily seasoned, I like its mochi-like skin which was crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. Similar mochi-like exterior can be found in their Deep-fried Sesame Ball with Lava Salted Egg Yolk ($6.80/3pcs), enveloping a molten salted egg yolk filling. Savoury and sweet, this works well as an appetizer or a dessert.

Steamed Siew Mai with Truffle 3.5/5

Steamed Siew Mai with Truffle ($7.50/4pcs) is not a new combination but this is one of the more convincing versions that I have come across with the use of shiitake mushrooms along with truffle pate and truffle oil.

Soya Sauce Chicken with Osmanthus 3.8/5

One of the new dishes that garners much attention was this Soya Sauce Chicken with Osmanthus ($14.80/regular, $20.80/half, $35/whole). Steeped in a special marinade and basted with osmanthus-infused syrup, the occasional whiffs of osmanthus aroma effusing from the chicken seemed to have the ability to lift its flavour, though it remained pretty elusive in terms of its actual taste.

Steamed Homemade Tofu 4/5

I was quite excited by the sight of the wobblying Steamed Homemade Tofu topped with assorted seafood ($18.80). The tofu is homemade with organic soy milk and eggs. I appreciate Chef's attention to details, such as serving it in a traditional tofu press and mould, with a piece of tofu skin underneath to prevent the sauce from seeping through. The assorted seafood topping were stir-fried beforehand, imparting a layer of wok hei onto the tofu, which may otherwise be quite one dimensional in flavor.

Premium seafood congee with Japanese seaweed 3/5

Crystal Jade has always been known for their velvety congee and the Premium Seafood Congee with Japanese Seaweed ($13.80) is the latest addition to its current range. Interesting choice of using Japanese kelp alongside with scallop, crab and prawn but nothing really quite stood out.

Fried Brown Rice with Black Bean Dace Fish & Egg White 4/5

What stood out for me is the Fried Brown Rice with Black Bean Dace Fish & Egg White ($15.80). The unpolished red rice were grainy and neatly separated, flavoured with traditional black bean dace fish. It was a good idea to leave out the egg yolk which might mess up its flavor, while using only the fluffy egg white to balance up the texture of the drier ingredients.

Sauteed French Bean with Tai O Shrimp Paste and Minced Pork 4/5

What looked simple but big on delivery is the Sauteed French Bean with Tai O Shrimp Paste and Minced Pork ($13.80). The Tai O shrimp paste glazed over the charred French beans, drawing out their sweetness effortlessly.

Sauteed Live Prawn with Vermicelli 3/5

In the same vein we had Sauteed Live Prawn with Vermicelli, white peppercorn, ginger and scallion in Claypot ($24.80). I'm not sure if this is a good way to treat live prawns as the combination of the sauce and the rather sharp ingredients seemed to have dominated the dish. But I like the vermicelli, which got quite addictive, like burnt claypot rice.

Purple Sweet Potato & Taro 3.5/5

For dessert, we tried a healthier version of Orh Nee - Purple Sweet Potato & Taro with coconut milk, gum tragacanth & sago ($5.80). It had that nice yam fragrance and the sweetness of sweet potato, enhanced by coconut milk. Although it was not fully made of yam paste, the sago plumped with coconut milk was just as satisfying. The gum tragacanth also gave an interesting bite to this dessert. The above are only a portion of their new dishes, so do visit the outlet to find out more about their new menu.

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.


Crystal Jade Kitchen
Holland Village
2 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277671
Tel: +65 64690300
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 830am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Lorong Liput. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Open Farm Community @ Minden Road - Celebrates Local With New Culinary Team

With newly appointed Head Chef Oliver Truesdale Jutras and Souschef Phoebe Oviedo at helm, the new culinary team at Open Farm Community specially curates a list of ingenious dishes using mainly local produce, including harvest from its very own garden, and reinterpreting them into their contemporary casual dining style.

Citrus Cured Hamachi 3.8/5

Kick off the meal wth a selection of appetizers that feature a creative and refreshing take on local ingredients such as this Citrus Cured Hamachi ($20), which is a sushi-grade Kingfish garnished with pickled ginger blossoms and shredded green papaya from OFC’s garden. Finished with frozen pomelo for that added zesty freshness, it is a refreshing appetiser which cleanses and opens up your palette before diving into the rest of the dishes.

Fried Cauliflower 'Wings' 4.2/5

Resembling the well-loved korean fried chicken, the Fried Cauliflower 'Wings' ($16) is a healthier rendition with pieces of cauliflowers dipped in tempura batter and lightly fried before being glazed with sweet miso and rice seasoning.

General Tao's Toad 4/5

Another appetiser in the menu is the General Tao's Toad ($17) which features crispy Jurong frog legs cooked in homemade kungpao caramel sauce and sesame. The frog legs is tender and crisp on the outside, with a subtle sweet flavour due to the seasonings used.

Thai Asparagus Salad 3.5/5

Recommended for vegans, the Thai Asparagus Salad ($18) comes in organic Thai asparagus with cashew cheese, kale chips, hazelnut and preserved lime vinaigrette. The mixture of ingredients form a great combination, giving the juicy asparagus a unique flavour with the nutty sweet cashew cheese.

Prawn Laksa Pappardelle 4.5/5

Rediscovering a local favourite with a contemporary twist, the Southern Malay Laksa is creatively interpreted in the Prawn Laksa Pappardelle ($28). The chef infuses a new experience into the familiar flavour profile with the quintessential ingredients found in most laksa dishes. The broad flat pappardelle pasta noodles are cooked in belachan spices, coconut milk, prawns, kaffir lime and curry leaves from the OFC's garden, and topped with a crispy soft crab tempura. Filled with a sweet coconut and spice fragrance, the pasta dish is surprisingly not spicy at all, yet very enjoyable.

Black Bean Strozzapreti 4.2/5

Another of our favourites is the Black Bean Strozzapreti ($27) which features pasta made with fermented black beans which lends a unqiue sweet fermented flavour and colour. The earthy and smoky pasta dish also incorporates multiple local ingredients such as the Kin Yan mushrooms and soft smoked silken tofu to further enhance its flavours. Despite being a vegan/vegetarian dish, all the ingredients work well together to form a balanced dish that is earthy, heavy and flavourful.

Steamed Tiberias Barramundi 4/5

The Steamed Tiberias Barramundi ($30) is a Japanese-inspired dish which features fish from Tiberias fished from the Northern-eastern cost of Pulau Ubin and delivered to the restaurant within 6 hours to guarantee freshness. Steamed in dashi butter and seasoned with Furikake made from local seaweed and wild rice, the fish boosts a tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a sweet buttery umami flavour.

Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks 4.5/5

Another highlight is the Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks ($32) which features soft, tender and flavourful beef cheeks with a crispy corn saffron croquette, and complemented with corn puree, organic babycorn and nasturtium garnish.

Thai Milk Tea Tart 4.2/5

End the meal on a sweet note with a selection of sweets such as the Thai Milk Tea Tart ($16). The decadent French style classic dessert tart features the ubiquitous southeast Asian favourite Thai milk tea in a custard set in a homemade tart shell. Not overly sweet, the subtle Thai milk tea flavour is great with the cinnamon ice cream.

Singa'Smore 3.8/5

The Singa'Smore ($16) comes with banana mousse at the bottom, topped with glazed marshmallow cream, and covered with a large crispy ginger biscuit sheet. However, I find the combination of the banana mousse and marshmallow cream renders the dessert extremely sweet, which might be a better choice for those with a major sweet tooth.

Lime in the Coconut 3.8/5

The Lime in the Coconut ($16) features lime sorbet and coconut meringue. A different option from the usual sweet suspects, it makes for a great end to the night with a citrusy, refreshing finish.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Open Farm Community
130E Minden Rd
Singapore 248819
Tel: +65 64710306
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening hours:
Restaurant:
Mon–Thu: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm - 12 midnight
Sat & PH: 11am – 5pm, 6pm-12 midnight
Sunday: 11am – 5pm, 6pm – 11pm

Cafe:
Mon-Sun: 8am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to bus stop at Boulevard Orchard opposite Orchard MRT (Stop ID 09022). Take bus no. 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Minden Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Full of Luck Restaurant @ Holland Village - Contemporary Chinese Restaurant Dishing Out Signature Classic Cantonese Cuisine

Situated along the ever-changing dining enclaves of Holland Village, Full of Luck Restaurant is a casual dining concept serving signature classic Cantonese cuisine in a vibrant and contemporary setting. Back from a recent fresh revamp, it unveils a new look and introduces exciting tweaks to its menu with plenty of new dishes alongside its existing favourites to tantalise tastebuds.

Crab Meat Chilli Cheese Tart with Pomelo 4.2/5

We kickstart our meal with the appetiser Crab Meat Chilli Cheese Tart with Pomelo ($10). Featuring a delectable combination of sweet savoury crabmeat chilli and cheese in a buttery crumbly tart shell, the tarts are further topped with bursts of refreshing pomelo as well. The different unique flavours complement well with one another.

Chef's Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew 4.5/5

As the name suggest, the Chef's Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew ($16) is the signature dish of the restaurant, whereby customers are advised to reserve the dish in advance to avoid disappointment. Grilled for 45 minutes and torched with sugar, the slices of char siew are tender with a good meat to fats ratio and a crackling crisp skin on the outside. The honey glazed exterior lends a sweet flavour to the savoury meat, resulting in a perfectly balanced dish.

Braised Garoupa with Beancurd in Claypot 4/5

The Braised Garoupa with Beancurd in Claypot ($24) features fresh slices of tender sweet garoupa meat and savoury beancurd with garlic and flavourful sauce, which contributes a umami flavour to the dish.

Braised Homemade Spinach Egg Tofu with Mushrooms and Dried Scallops 4/5

The Braised Homemade Spinach Egg Tofu with Mushrooms and Dried Scallops ($12) is a comforting dish to tuck into with slices of house-made spinach tofu beautifully stacked. Silky soft inside with a slightly crisp exterior, the egg tofu are soaked in a rich superior stock with mushrooms and dried scallops that lends a sweet-svaoury flavour to the dish.

Poached Seafood Rice 4.2/5

The Poached Seafood Rice ($23) comes in a claypot of aromatic poached seafood rice with crispy rice crackers embedded within each bite, and also generous servings of fresh seafood such as the prawns, scallops and mushrooms which infuse a natural sweetness to the dish's broth. It is definitely a nourishing comfort dish that we enjoyed alot.

Osmanthus Raindrop Cake 4/5

End the meal on a sweet note with the Osmanthus Raindrop Cake ($6). It comes in a blob of wobbly jelly with a subtle osmanthus fragrance and in the shape of a raindrop. It is paired with brown sugar syrup and soy powder which adds a sweeter flavour to the dish.

Golden Swallow 4.2/5

Complete your meal with some of their specialty drinks which feature unique flavour concoctions. The Golden Shallow ($16) from their cocktail drinks menu is a smooth and floral short drink made with St. Germain elderflower, shiso umeshu, white wine syrup, peach tincture and prosecco.

Yuzu Genmaicha 4/5

From the Mocktails menu, the Yuzu Genmaicha ($7) is a refreshing genmaicha and yuzu drink with house made hibiscus foam which lends a subtle sweet flavour to the light citrusy body.

Helmed by a team of young and talented chefs, Full of Luck Restaurant aspires to deliver the luxuries of fine dining through affordably priced dishes with high quality ingredients and refined traditional cooking. What's more, the vibrant, contemporary setting and its convenient location right outside Holland Village station, renders it the ideal place for cosy family or friends gatherings to enjoy some contemporary Cantonese dining as well.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Full Of Luck Club
243 Holland Ave
Singapore 278977
Tel: +65 62086845
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]