Cacio e Pepe @ Bamboo Grove Park

To be frank when I was told that we are going to Cacio e Pepe at the faraway land in Bukit Batok for dinner, I was initially a bit hesitant. I am glad that I did not back out from the dinner or I would have missed the opportunity to unearth a gem in the hood. Nestled among the private housing at Chu Lin Road off Jalan Remaja, Cacio e Pepe used to be at Paya Lebar before relocating to its current location.

Antipasto Italiano 4/5

We started our dinner with a platter of Antipasto Italiano ($50 big/$35 small). A great starter for the 5 of us to share before moving on to our mains.

Risotto Al Nero De Seppa 4.8/5

The sight of the Risotto Al Nero De Seppa ($20) already lifted up my spirit, whetting up the appetite with its generous servicing of squid and clams. In fact, I actually commented that the rice was lesser than the seafood. The rice was cooked perfectly to the texture I liked, neither too mushy or grainy.

Linguine Al Cartoccio 4.5/5

The Linguine Al Cartoccio ($24) is served with clams, mussels, prawns, squid and crayfish in a tomato base marinara sauce. Each mouthful of the al dente pasta is bursting with the lovely seafood flavour swimming in the mouth.

Baked Seabass 4/5

Cacio e Pepe will introduce special item on their menu and we have the privilege to try the Baked Seabass on their special for the day. Clean flavour, tasty and moist, the baked seabass was a delicious choice.

Tagliatelle Al Tartufo 5/5

A must try at Cacio e Pepe is the Tagliatelle Al Tartufo ($24). The homemade egg pasta has a very delectable texture. Cooked in an aromatic truffle cream sauce, this is definitely one of the best pasta dish I have eaten that stimulate all the senses.

The little Italian restaurant at Bamboo Grove Park is an exciting discovery. Never would I have known of this hidden Italian kitchen if not for my friend's recommendation. My own complain is that the lighting in the restaurant is very dim and I really have difficulty reading the menu.


Cacio e Pepe
Bamboo Grove Park
3 Chu Lin Road (off Jalan Remaja)
Singapore 669890
Tel: +65 67603534
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CacioePepeSg
Website: http://www.cacioepepe.com.sg/CacioePepe/Cacio_e_Pepe_Restaurant.html
Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Bukit Batok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 43009). Take bus number 173. Alight 11 stops later. Walk back towards junction of Jalan Remaja and Jalan Batu. Turn right onto Jalan Remaja. Continue on Jalan Remaja and turn left onto Chu Lin Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]

Sweet Salty Spicy @ The Rail Mall

Sweet Salty Spicy belongs to the same owner of Cafe Epicurious at The Rail Mall that serves delish Thai cuisine. Both restaurants are located adjacent to each other and you exactly can sit on either restaurants and order from both menu.

Tasting Platter 4.2/5

We started the lunch with a Tasting Platter ($26). Interestingly on Sweet Salty Spicy menu there is a street hawker food section and the tasting platter allows one to have a choice of 4 street hawker food. We have a selection of Crispy soft shell crab with chilli jam and lemongrass dressing ($13), 'Miang' of prawns and pomelo on betel leaves with a palm tamarind dressing and crispy garlic ($3.50), Crispy rice cakes with a warm chicken and prawn chilli dip ($10) and Traditional prawn and vegetable rice rolls with a sweet tamarind dressing & crispy garlic ($6). The perfect platter to taste the local fare of Thailand.

My favourite of the tasting platter was the 'Miang' of prawns and pomelo on betel leaves with a palm tamarind dressing. This a very unique street hawker food that I have never tried before. It was full of flavours and textures. Even the betel leaves were grown locally at the back of the kitchen.

Greem Mango Salad 4.2/5

The Green Mango Salad ($9/$14) is a must order starter for me whenever I visit a Thai restaurant. At Sweet Salty Spicy, the green mango salad even comes with crispy salmon topped with cashew nuts and chilli lime dressing. The salad if not done properly can be too spicy or sourly but the green mango salad here is beautifully balanced.

Phat Thai 4.5/5

Being to Thailand numerous time, I still have not come across a restaurant that wok up a plate of authentic Phat Thai. Eventually I stopped ordering the dish outside Thailand. I have to take back my words after I tried the Phat Thai ($12) at Sweet Salty Spicy. The stir fried Thai rice noodles with chicken, peanuts and bean shoot blown me away. No wonder Maureen insisted that I must try their it.

Hot and Sour Soup 4/5

The Hot and Sour Soup ($12) came with big fresh prawns, straw mushrooms and aromatics. We like the spiciness of the soup but the soup could be a bit more sour.

Deep Fried Silken Tofu 4/5

The Deep Fried Silken Tofu ($18) was indeed smooth and silky in texture. I actually felt that the fresh crab and minced pork filling was not really necessary. The tofu itself was already delish.

Curry Triplets 4.2/5

Like the street hawker food if you can't decide which curry dish to try, you can go for the Curry Triplets ($18/$24) which includes jasmine rice. We have the Roast Duck Red Curry with seedless grapes and fried shallots ($10/$14), Green Curry Baby Snapper with apple eggplants and holy basil ($10/$14) and Jungle Curry Scallops and Prawns with long green beans and sweet Thai basil ($12/$17). I could not decide which curry was my favourite because they were all as good with their own characteristic.

Black Sticky Rice 4/5

Wrapping up lunch with the Black Sticky Rice ($7) with caramelised coconut flakes and coconut cream. Love the caramelised coconut flakes giving it a new dimension in texture and enjoyment.

Thank you Sweet Salty Spicy for the invitation.


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Sweet Salty Spicy
The Rail Mall
392/394 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678046
Tel: +65 68772544
Website: http://www.sweetsaltyspicy.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Chua Cho Kang (NS Line), Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 4pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chuoa Cho Kang MRT station. Walk to Chua Cho Kang Bus Interchange. Take bus no. 67. Alight 13 stops later. Walk about 170 metre to destination . Journey time about 22 minutes.

2) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Walk to bus stop opposite Blk 628 (Stop ID 43411). Take bus no. 178. Alight 8 stops later. Cross the road and walk about 160 metre to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes.

Cafe Epicurious @ The Rail Mall

Located along the shorter stretch of shophouses along Upper Bukit Timah at the Rail Mall, Cafe Epicurious is at the greenery part of the vicinity facing the bukit timah railway bridge. When we (Melissa and ShiTing) were here for the tasting session, I instantly fell in love with the cosy, warm and relax ambient of the place. We even saw a malay couple having their wedding shot at the railway bridge.

Orange Juice 4.5/5

I love how the freshly squeezed Orange Juice ($6) were served in a mini jar.

Half of This and Half of That 4.2/5

I find it very thoughtful for Cafe Epicurious to offer the Half of This & Half of That ($16) on its menu for those that is indecisive. We went for the Green Egg & Ham and Egg Benedict combination.

The green egg is exactly basil pesto scrambled egg . It came with prosciutto and topped with parmigiano reggiano. The basil pesto and pramigiano reggiano lifted the flavours of the moist and creamy scrambled eggs.

The poached egg was cooked to perfection with the egg yolk oozing out. While the others felt that the hollandaise sauce was a tad sour, I actually liked that mild tang taste. However, I would preferred the sauce to be more rich and buttery.

Baked Eggs with Toast Soldiers 4/5

The other egg dish available on the menu is the Baked Eggs with Toast Soldiers ($14). I have always wanted to try this way of enjoying egg, dipping the toast into the creamy and cheesy baked egg. I couldn't help to associate it with our local half boiled egg. Do I prefer the East or West way? I would have to say I prefer my soy sauce and pepper over cream and cheese. The baked eggs was good and I only blamed it that I am born with an Asian palate.

French Toast 4.5/5

The French Toast ($8.50) came with 3 slices of raisin bread soaked thoroughly with egg and topped with chunks of strawberry and banana. The seared golden french toast was moist and fluffy. The french toast itself was already so awesome that I am happy to leave out the marmalade and maple syrup.

Pancakes 4.2/5

The Pancakes ($8) topped with chunks of strawberry and banana was equally good. The pancakes were light, moist and fluffy.

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup with Cheesy Garlic Bread 4.5/5

I love the puree version of Mushroom Soup ($8) served at Cafe Epicurious. The comforting soup had a more robust texture and flavours from the different wild mushrooms used.

Epicurious Burger 4.8/5

The Epicurious Burger ($18) was voted as the top 10 burgers on IS Magazine caught my attention when I was browsing through the menu. I just had to jump to the opportunity to try out the freshly made burger. The patty was moist and juicy with a nice charred grilled aroma. Paired with the beautiful caramelised onions, bacon and cheese, this one big messy burger indeed was awesome. No wonder it made it to the top 10 burgers listing.

H's Vietnamese Chicken Bolognaise 4.8/5

I am quite adventurous coming to food and I like to browse through the menu for unique dish offered by the restaurant. Most of us probably would have tried laksa or chilli crab pasta but have you seen Vietnamese Chicken Bolognaise Pasta ($15) on the menu before? The flavours got my taste buds dancing in excitment when the new unique experience. The used of lemongrass, a probably a dash of lemon zest fusing with the tangy tomato sauce tasted were surprising a heavenly combination for the al dente pasta.

Breakfast Parfait 4.2/5

For the sweet tooth, you would love the Breakfast Parfait ($7). The home-made granola layered with a generous amout of honeyed yourt and fruits came with abundance of sweetness that simply brightens up one's day.


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Cafe Epicurious
The Rail Mall
392 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678046
Tel: +65 68945926
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Epicurious/176758295066
Nearest MRT: Choa Chu Kang (NS Line), Bukit Batok (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 4pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Walk to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange. Take bus no. 67. Alight 13 stops later. Walk about 170 metre to destination . Journey time about 22 minutes.

2) Alight at Bukit Batok MRT station. Walk to bus stop opposite Blk 628 (Stop ID 43411). Take bus no. 178. Alight 8 stops later. Cross the road and walk about 160 metre to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes.