Tapas 24 @ Robertson Quay - A Special Menu Welcoming Founder Chef Carles Abellan To Singapore

Since its opening in May 2021, Tapas 24 at Robertson Quay, Singapore, has received raving reviews. Tapas 24 is a Barcelonian concept that offers Spanish ingredients in traditional tapas with a twist. Chef Carles Abellan founds it with the original outlet located a stone's throw from Passeig de Gracia, a prime shopping and business area in Barcelona, Spain. Tapas 24 Robertson Quay has put together an exclusive limited-edition menu of new creations from 17 February to 27 February 2022 to celebrate Chef Carles Abellan's long-waited trip from Barcelona to Singapore.

King Crab Ensaladilla Rusa 4.5/5

The luxe version of the King Crab Ensaladilla Rusa is topped with egg yolk, tobiko and miso mayonnaise. I have not eaten anything like it before. It reminds me of our Chinese Sai Pang Xie (Stir Fry Egg White) but an elevated Western version.

McFoie Burger 5/5

This is the only place you can have the McFoie Burger in Singapore, one of the signature dishes that brought Tapas 24 to fame in Barcelona. Unfortunately, it is no longer served in Spain. The Foie patty sandwiched between grilled, soft brioche buns is served with foie gras mousse on the side. Spread the foie gras mousse onto the burger for a hot and cold, umami enjoyment.

Squid Ink Paella 3.8/5

I felt the Squid Ink Paella with slivers of cuttlefish was a bit heavy-handed for it. Though so, the Spanish saffron rice infused with squid ink is deliciously flavourful coupled with delightful bites.

Truffle Spanish Tortilla 4.8/5

Another favourite item on Chef Carles's special menu is the Truffle Spanish Tortilla. I had the potato and egg omelette in Spain but not this version with a molten interior accentuated by the truffle's earthiness. It is hearty and comforting, and most important, deliciously good.

Churros 4.5/5

Wrapping up our dinner is the Churros and Chocolate Cake. My eyes brightened when I saw the churros because they are the thin and airy type I like. It is accompanied by three different dipping sauces - Chocolate, Coffee Toffee, and Mango & Passionfruit. For the chocolate lover, you will love the chocolatey richness.

Chocolate Cake 4/5

In light of Chef Carles’ visit, the restaurant will also present a carte of exclusive ‘Carles Abellán Specials’ (17 to 27 February 2022) and 3-day only (25 February, Friday, 6pm; 26 February, Saturday, 12pm and 6pm; and 27 February, Sunday, 12pm) lunch and dinner set menus that unabashedly showcase the Chef’s inimitable personality. Reservations are for a minimum of two persons and maximum of five and may be made online at https://www.tapas24.sg/ under Reservations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tapas 24
60 Robertson Quay
#01-04
Singapore 238252
Tel: +65 65136810
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Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite State Courts (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road and walk to Alkaff Bridge. Cross the bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite UE Square (Stop ID 04329). Take bus 64 or 123. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road and walk to Alkaff Bridge. Cross the bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and turn left onto Clemenceau Ave. Walk down Clemenceau Ave to the river. Turn right and walk down the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Sabai Sabai Thai Private Kitchen @ Valley Point @ Fei Siong Group's First Thai Restaurant Concept

Fei Siong Group, known for offering affordable local and Malaysian hawker fare, is sailing into uncharted water with the group's first Thai restaurant concept, Sabai Sabai Thai Private Kitchen. The "hidden restaurant" is tucked within Valley Point inside the premises of Nam Kee Pau, giving patrons a cosy dining experience akin to dining right in a chef's home kitchen.

Grilled Pork Skewers 4.2/5

Pomelo Salad 4.2/5

We started with two seasonal items on the menu - the Grilled Pork Skewers ($7.80 for 3pc) and Pomelo Salad ($11.80). I enjoyed the marination of the grilled pork skewers giving it a delish sweetness on top of the tender texture with a hint of smokiness. The pomelo salad is a refreshing and fruity starter to whet the appetite.

Pandan Chicken 4/5

The boneless chicken leg wrapped in Thai pandan leaves is marinated in herbs and pure pandan juice. The Pandan Chicken ($11.80) is then steamed and deep-fried, giving it a crusty exterior while sealing within all the juices and flavour.

Tom Yum Thick Seafood Soup 4.2/5

My entry-level for a good Thai restaurant is their tom yum soup. The spiciness must not be watered down to cater for the local palate. Glad that the Tom Yum Thick Seafood Soup ($11.80) did not disappoint. It has all the characteristic tangy and spicy flavours of a good bowl of vibrant tom yum soup, teeming with fresh squid, slices of snakehead fish, a jumbo tiger prawn, straw mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.

Phad Thai Prawn 4/5

Another Thai classic is the Phad Thai Prawn ($15.80). The kitchen uses rice noodles specially imported from Thailand. It is plumper and chewier compared to the local variety, offering a more satisfying bite. Their version is also wetter, which is quite different from my places.

Thai Flower $9.80

Another seasonal dish is the Thai Flower ($9.80). It is my first time trying the ingredients with delightful crunchiness and sweetness, paired with silky tofu.

Steamed Sotong 4.5/5

The Steamed Sotong ($19.80) is cooked perfectly to a beautiful tender and bouncy texture complemented by the punchy yet delicately balanced blend of lime juice, lemongrass, chilli padi, green chilli and garlic.

Claypot Jumbo Prawn & Crispy Pork Belly Vermicelli 4.2/5

The glass noodles for the Claypot Jumbo Prawn & Crispy Pork Belly Vermicelli ($26.80/ $44.80) are also specially imported from Thailand. The chewy rice noodles are flambeed in a wok and then transferred to a heated claypot to soak in the homemade peppercorn sauce. It is finally crowned with tiger prawn and coriander.

Wrapping up our dinner, we have Red Ruby for dessert. Interestingly, it even comes with chendol in a sweet coconut milk soup. 

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Sabai Sabai Thai Private Kitchen
Valley Point
491 River Valley Road
#01-07/08
Singapore 248371
Tel: +65 88235988
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Redhill (EW Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12 - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop before Orchard Station (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 14 or 65. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Redhill Station (Stop ID 10209). Take bus number 32. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop before Fort Canning Station (Stop ID 04331). Take bus 32. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Nude Seafood @ Marina One - It Is Not All About Seafood Here, The Non-Seafood Dishes Are Delicious Too

I decided to drop by Nude Seafood at Marina One for a weekend lunch to get myself out of the house for a change from all the food delivery. We decided to go for the Feast For 2 priced at $98, which comes with 2 Starters, 2 Mains, 1 Side, 1 Dessert and 2 Drinks. While the menu is extensive, the choices are pretty limited for the feast for 2 unless you top up for most of the dishes.

Kale & 'Ma Haw' 4.2/5

For the starters, we go for the Kale & 'Ma Haw'. I am not a big fan of kale, but this version is exceptionally addictive. The Thai pork dressing brightens up the earthy flavour while adding pomelo and mint gives it a refreshing touch, finished with nuttiness and texture from the peanut.

Clam in White Wine 4.2/5

The other starter we choose is Clam in White Wine. We have to add an extra $6 for it. The sweet and juicy clam accentuate by the confit garlic, and wine broth is worth the extra dollar. It even comes with sourdough to soak up the delicious broth.

Nude's Rosti 4/5

For the side, we had the Nude's Rosti. I like the charred edges for their crispiness.

Young Chicken 4.2/5

It is not all about seafood here. I tried the Young Chicken, which comprises coriander emulsion, nameko, daikon, chicken fat aioli, Sansho and sourdough crisp. What stood out for me was the dark-coloured sauce which complemented the grilled tender chicken excellent. If I am not wrong, the dark coloured sauce is some squid ink concoction.

Miso Halibut & Udon 4.2/5

The other main we had is the Miso Halibut & Udon. I love the chewy texture of the sanuki udon in the refreshing mushroom dashi broth. Not forgetting the grilled halibut, which has a delectable buttery flavour further enhanced by the sweetness of the miso.

Daifuku Mochi 3/5

Wrapping up our dinner is Daifuku Mochi. It comes in a sweetened filling, but the texture is gelatine like instead of the chewy type, which I didn't enjoy.

While the Feast for 2 Pax at $98 seems quite value for money, the choices are pretty limited unless customers decide to add on extra for more options on the menu. Before my visit, I thought Nude Seafood forte was on seafood, but the non-seafood dishes I had were as delicious.


Nude Seafood
Marina One
East Tower
5 Straits View #01-23
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 87261576
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Marina Bay (CC Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 1130am - 2pm Tue-Sun: 1130am - 2pm, 6pm - 8 pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to junction of Straits View and Boulevard Central. Turn right onto Stratis View. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRt station. take Exit B. Walk to junction of Marina way and Boulevard Central. Turn left onto Marina way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]

Kushikatsu Tanaka Singapore @ Clarke Quay - Japan's Number 1 Kushikatsu Chain Fires Up New Grand Menu

I first visit Kushikatsu Tanaka at Clarke Quay when it opened its door in January 2018. Back then, the menu is focused on its signature kushikatsu, the Osaka-style fried cutlet skewers. Recently it has expanded its menu, rolling out a fresh new line-up of authentic Japanese izakaya items as well as yakiniku.

Great for sharing over a couple of drinks is the izakaya dishes such as the Salmon Sashimi ($10), Pork Kakuni ($10), Chicken Skin & Aspara Amakara Itame ($10), Ika Butter Yaki ($8) and Tako Butsu ($10). My favourite is the stir-fried chicken skin and asparagus in a mildly spicy soy-based sauce, followed by the sliced salmon sashimi in yuzu mustard sauce. The other items are as good too. The pricing is also very attractive, ranging from eight to ten dollars.

Cheese Imo Mochi 3.5/5

Cheesy Fried Potato 3.5/5

The new menu has a Cheese Special section. If you love something more cheesy, you can have the Cheese Imo Mochi ($6) and Cheesy Fried Potato ($6). The potato mochi is pan-fried and then topped with sweet teriyaki sauce. As for the cheesy fried potato, it is drizzled with nacho cheese sauce.

Okonomi Yaki 3/5

Salmon Belly Teriyaki 3.5/5

It's not just about small plates at Kushikatsu Tanaka. Some items are more substantial and filling such as the Okonomi Yaki ($8) and Salmon Belly Teriyaki ($12). Besides vegetables, there is also pork in the okonomiyaki. Initially, I thought the salmon belly teriyaki looks like unagi, this is because it is drenched in a sweet teriyaki sauce. This literally melted in the mouth due to the use of the fatty cut.

Yakiniku 4/5

The highlight of the new menu has to be the Yakiniku. It comes in 3 different offerings. The Yakiniku Rib Eye ($17), Yakiniku Age Beef Tongue ($22) and Yakiniku Mori ($26). If you want variety, I would recommend the yakiniku mori which comes in a mix platter of rib eye and aged beef tongue.

Kushikatsu 4/5

A must-have here is definitely the Kushikatsu which has been deep-fried to golden brown that ranges from $1.20 to $2.80 per skewer. Some of the new golden skewers are Unagi Cheese ($2.80), Shitake Niku Tsume ($2.80) and Tomato Bacon ($1.80). Besides the new items, I also had some of the classic golden skewers such as the shrimp, bacon cheese and asparagus. It even has dessert skewer such as Cookie & Cream and Banana.

The revamped and expanded menu at Kushikatsu Tanaka means there is something for everyone. Besides its golden fried skewers, the menu also includes yakiniku and an array of Osaka-style street foods and sharing items.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kushikatsu Tanaka
Merchants' Court Clarke Quay
Block A #01-01B
3A River Valley Road
Singapore 179020
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 12midnight
Fri & Eve of PH: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 2am
Sat: 11am - 2am
Sun & PH: 11am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn right and down River Valley Road. Turn right onto Tan Tye Place. Walk to the end of the road. Turn left onto Clark Quay. Walk to destination. Journey time bout 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C or G. Walk to the river front. Turn left and walk down the river. Cross the bridge. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.  [Map]

Shi Hui Yuan @ Lau Pat Sa Festival Market - 4 Times Michelin Bib Gourmand Winner Opens New Stall

Started in Mei Ling Market and Food Centre in 1969, Shi Hui Yuan has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand for 4 consecutive years from 2016 to 2019. Recently it opened a new stall at Lau Pat Sa Festival Market, whereby it is more central. I think its location is ideal for introducing the delicious dish to the younger working crowd as well as tourists.

Blissful Set 4.5/5

The stall offers up to ten different combinations to pair with their silky hor fun. Since I have never been to their flagship stall and it is my first time having it. I decided to go for the Blissful Set ($7.80) that comes with almost everything. In my plate, there are chicken drumstick, duck drumstick, spare ribs, braised egg and mushrooms.

The thing that makes the plate of hor fun special is the aromatic gravy that consists of 30 different types of herbs. It gives it a unique take which is somewhat in between of Ipoh Hor Fun and local Cze Char Hor Fun.

Braised Chicken Hor Fun 4.2/5

That is not all, the well-braised items completed the whole package. I would highly recommend their braised chicken feet and spare ribs.

Being greedy, I ordered the Blissful Set that comes with almost everything. If you have more self-control, you can choose from the Braised Chicken Hor Fun, Braised Chicken Drumstick Hor Fun, Braised Chicken Feet Hor Fun, Braised Duck Hor Fun, Braised Duck Drumstick Hor Fun, Braised Chicken & Duck Hor Fun, Braised Spare Ribs Hor Fun, Braised Mushroom Hor Fun and Combination Platter.


Shi Hui Yuan
Lau Pat Sa Festival Market
Stall 18
18 Raffles Quay
Singapore 048582
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Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line), Downtown (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 7am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit I. Walk to Robinson Road. Turn left onto Robinson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Central Boulevard. Walk to junction of Central Boulevard and Raffles Quay. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Cross Street. Turn left onto Cross Street. Walk down Cross Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

WAKANUI Grill Dining @ Marina One - Mutunga Wiki Sunday Brunch

WAKANUI Grill Dining Singapore at Marina One is a New Zealand steak and lamb restaurant, featuring Ocean Beef and WAKANUI Spring Lamb from the Canterbury region in the South Island of New Zealand. When WAKANUI started in Tokyo in 2011, it successfully became one of the leading steak and lamb dining experiences in Tokyo in a short period of time. Experience this fusion of flavours of New Zealand meat and Japanese cuisine at an unhurried pace with its newly launched Mutunga Wiki Brunch & Bubbly.

Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Fillet 100g

Mutunga Wiki is "weekend" in Maori and this leisure brunch is available only on Sunday 11am to 3pm. There will be a buffet spread of cold seafood selection, appetiser, dessert and cheese with any main course order. From $89 onwards, the main course menu features its signatures such as the Wakanui Spring Lamb Half Rack, which is highly raved about, Ocean Beef Ribeye 350gm ($118) to highly prized Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Fillet 100g ($118). My choice of main was Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Fillet. Aptly cut into cubes, each cube was evenly seared, breaking down the fats and releasing the flavours. The rest of the mains were definitely a lot more sizeable, but the full-bodied flavour and texture of this Wagyu were deeply satisfying.

Besides, there is no lack of food from the buffet spread. It was a simple lineup of brunch items, but each dish was done extremely well. I adored the creamy eggs, crispy slices of bacon, and everything you need to create a hearty bistro brunch is right there.

Scallop and Salmon Sashimi

Clams, Oysters, Prawns

These cold seafood selections will be good accompaniments to your wines and champagne, free flow at $39. The sweet and plump scallop sashimi was superb.

Cheese Platter

Do not miss out the Kapiti Smoked Havarti from the Cheese Platter! This creamy havarti cheese will whet your appetite with its buttery flavours, imbued with a smoky taste.

Beef & Potato Casserole

Since Wakanui specialises in high quality beef and lamb, you can imagine how yummy this Beef & Potato Casserole is.

Bread Pudding

For dessert, the rich Bread Pudding was decadent with a creamy base reminiscent of rum-and-raisin flavour and a golden crust. I love the flaky crust atop; it felt like I was having a croissant dessert. That summed up my Sunday brunch with a blissful sweet note.

Written 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.


WAKANUI Grill Dining
Marina One The Heart
5 Straits View
#04-02
Singapore 018935
Tel: +65 63842665
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Downtown (DT Line), Marina Bay (CC Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm
Sat: 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Downtown MRT station. Take Exit D. What to Straits View road. Turn right on Straits View road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marina Bay MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Marina Way road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]