Rong Fu Ji Seafood Steam Pot (荣福季) @ The Grandstand

Singaporean loves eating seafood and steamboat. What if we bring the two of them together? Maybe Rong Fu Ji Seafood Steam Pot (荣福季) at The Grandstand is the perfect answer to it. Having tried a similar concept in Hong Kong using the steam from the pot to cook the fresh seafood, a group of friend gathered together and opened the very first Seafood Steam Pot concept in Singapore.

I was told the restaurant that does the same steam pot concept in Hong Kong has a wait list up to 6 weeks. I am glad that when I went there to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday, there was not a crowd as the restaurant is still in their soft launch phrase.

Flower Crab

We tried the 4-6 persons set menu 

($188) which comes with an abundance of seafood. There are Flower Crab, Scallop, Oyster, Bamboo Clam, Crayfish, Promfret and Tiger Prawn. That is really a lot of seafood on the table.

Scallop, Oyster, Bamboo Clam

Tiger Prawn

Promfret

Crayfish

Vegetable

Don't worry the set does not just consist of seafood only. The set menu comes with a Vegetable Platter that has Nai Bai Cabbage, Cabbage, Enokitake Mushroom and Sweet Corns.

There is also a choice of meat in the set menu. It comes with the choice of Beef Striploin or Special Black Pork Belly Slice.

There is no marination, preservative or artificial seasoning involved. Basically steamed the fresh seafood accordingly to the advised timing, usually around 3 to 5 minutes subject to the various ingredients. If you noticed the holes in the steam pot, this is to collect the essence of the ingredients as it drips down to the bottom of the pot.

My favourite among all the seafood, the crustaceans family all gathered for a good steaming sauna.

Not forgetting to have some vegetables for a balanced diet after all the seafood.

Besides the seafood and vegetable, the beef and pork selection provides a complete feast to the whole steam pot experience.

After all the seafood, vegetable and meat is cooked, the lid is removed to reveal a pot of porridge below the steam pot. Rice grains and dried scallop were placed inside the steam pot at the very beginning before eating. There is a bit of science here. Due to the evaporation and condensation theory, water is collected at the bottom of the steam pot. At the same time, the essence of the seafood, vegetable and meat also drip down. While we were cooking our seafood, vegetable and meat, the porridge below is also cooking at the same time.

To enjoy the porridge, an egg and spring onion are added before served. The bowl of porridge is hearty and comforting to finish off the meal. It is quite similar to the idea of having a cup of tea after a rich and heavy meal.

During my visit, I observe that the staff is still a bit clumsy but I am sure it will improve along the way since it was the soft launch stage where I visited. Although their dipping sauce is specially concocted for the steam pot,  I felt that the restaurant needs to provide a variety of dipping sauces for the demanding Singaporean palate.

Overall for the price that I am paying and the amount of seafood I get, I think it is quite worth it. In addition, no preservative or artificial seasoning is used. Just enjoying the seafood and other ingredients in its natural flavour, and finishing off in a bowl of hearty and comforting porridge.


[CLOSED]
Rong Fu Ji Seafood Steam Pot (荣福季)
The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
#01-14
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 64633855
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Turf Club Road, to bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42019). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT  station. Take Exit A. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to bus stop at Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42011). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Nam Kee JB Handmade Pau @ The Grandstand

I have not been to The Grandstand for a while but my recent visit chance upon Nam Kee JB Handmade Pau located inside The Grandstand, a few doorsteps away from Omakase Burger. Besides selling some dim sum items and bao, majority of the guests are queuing up for the Mee Hoon Kuay and Ke Kou Noodle. Hence I also joined in the queue to check out the reason for the long queue.

Mee Hoon Kuay 4.2/5

The first thing I did is to take a sip of the soup. It almost knocked me off my chair with the rich ikan bilis flavour. The bowl of Mee Hoon Kuay ($3.50) comes with ikan bilis, mushroom and minced pork. I added an egg for additiional 50 cents. The mee hoon kuay or broad noodle is cooked to the right softness that still retained a nice bite to it. The soup itself may come across a bit too salty but if ate with the mee hoon kuay together , it is actually quite comforting and balanced. You can also replaced the mee hoon kuay with yi mian.

Ke Kou Noodle 4.2/5

The other noodle dish I tried is the Ke Kou Noodle ($3.50). I also add an egg for additional 50 cents. The bowl of noodle comes with minced pork, pork slices and pork livers. The soup is not as rich or salty compare to the mee hoon kuey. The springy noodle complemented by the hearty soup, is simply a bowl of slurping goodness.

I actually like both the Mee Hoon Kuey and Ke Kou Noodle. I am not able to pick a favourite. It probably comes down to the mood that day, whether I want something rich or more subtle. Beside the noodles, Nam Kee also sells porridge and the super big Ye Zi Mei Bao. The Bao at the shop are all handmade. Guest can see the whole making process through the glass panel at the back of the shop.


Nam Kee JB Handmade Pau
200 Turf Club Road
#01-09
Singapore 287994
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Turf Club Road, to bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42019). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT  station. Take Exit A. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to bus stop at Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42011). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh @ Sixth Avenue (Bukit Timah)

I have known Jabez from Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh when I first visit his flagship outlet at Simpang Bedok back in January 2014. Since then, it has grown from strength to strength expanding his business into Indonesia as well as another 2 new outlets in Woodland Close and Sixth Avenue. I am glad that it has opened the latest outlet at sixth avenue which is near home. Now I need not travel all the way from West to East to satisfy my craving for Bak Kut Teh.

Bak Kut Teh Soup 4/5

My favourite at Soon Huat has to be their Dry Bak Kut Teh but I decided to try the Bak Kut Teh Soup ($11.80) today. The portion I ordered is good for two. In the claypot, I can find pork ribs, golden mushrooms, tau kee, pig liver and pig stomach. The soup base is a recipe that Jabez created which is an in between of the herbal and pepper versions of Klang and Teochew bak kut teh.

Salted Vegetables 4/5

I always love to order a plate of Salted Vegetables to go with bak kut teh. It was cooked to a nice softness and a nice balance of saltiness and sweetness.

Braised Tau Kee 3/5

I am not sure whether Soon Huat has changed their Tau Kee supplier but it seems like the quality of the Briased Tau Kee has dropped. It still has the crispiness but I remembered there was a bite or chew to it but somehow the one I had here felt hollow inside. The braised sauce was also on the greasy and salty side. I hope it is only one of those bad days.

A lot of restaurants when they expanded, the quality control seems to fall. I really hope that it is one off day during my visit in some of the items I tried. Nevertheless, I am glad that Soon Huat has opened its latest outlet near my place.


Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh
Good Good Eating House
24 Sixth Avenue
Singapore 276481
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Sixth Avenue. Turn left onto Sixth Avenue. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tin Hill Social @ Turf Club Road (Bukit Timah)

Tin Hill Social, a new restaurant focusing on comfort western fare has took over the place at turf city where Picotin and Roundhouse used to be located. I have always passed by the location but has never step inside the premises. The place was huge basically comprises of 5 different areas, main indoor dining hall, outdoor dining hall, outdoor candlelit bar, outdoor bar with a pool table and sports screening, lastly a private bar.

Pimm's O Clock 4.2/5

Dinner at Tin Hill Social started with the Pimm's O Clock ($14/glass). The cocktail with fresh fruits was light and refreshing. Perfect for the humid weather. Just a note to watch your drink as you may unnoticeable have a drink too much if you can't hold your alcohol well.

Seafood Platter 4.2/5

Next is the Seafood Platter ($38) which is good for two. On the platter, there is a selection of gravlax, smoked salmon, marinated seafood, pumpernickel bread and dipping sauces. A delicious selection of seafood for sharing and kick start the rest of the night.

Beef T-Bone 4.2/5

Moving on to the mains, we had a 600 gram Beef T-Bone ($70) in red wine sauce that comes with a choice of two sides. The huge portion is good for sharing too. For the sides, we went for the Coconut Corn on the Cob and Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts and Garlic Confit, The beef was grilled to a beautiful pink tenderness. However the highlight has to be the coconut corn on the cob. It never occurred to me such combination can accentuate the flavour of the corn.

Hay Smoked Pulled Pork & Pancetta Pizza 4.5/5

A worthy item to try at Tin Hill Social is the Hay Smoked Pulled Pork & Pancetta Pizza ($29). The thin crust pizza with the slow cooked pulled pork rib, sausage, pancetta and onion.is one of the best I have eaten.

Mango Chilli Pie 3.5/5

For desserts we had the Mango Chilli Pie ($10). The mango chilli pie with with rice pudding ice cream and coconut sago, gave a nice balance to the sweet and spicy filling of the flaky pie.

Hay Infused Panna Cotta 3.5/5

The other dessert we tried is the wobbly Hay Infused Panna Cotta ($10) with spiced honey sauce and apple butter. Eaten together with the spiced honey sauce and apple butter, the play of the different flavours complementing one another is very pleasing to the palate.

The relaxed, idyllic dining location among the greenery with its huge premises offers a fun and inviting setting for families and friends to bond over good food and drinks, with something for everyone.


Tin Hill Social
100 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287992
Tel: +65 64660966
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 10am - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 9am - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Huber's Deli @ Pasarbella (The Grandstand)

Inspired by other global markets around the world, Pasarbella at The Grandstand is set up to offer a one stop food and lifestyle experience under one roof. Nestled in the 30,000 square feet market square is Huber's Deli that offers freshly made sausages in a bread roll or sandwiches. The concept reminds me of Victoria Market in Melbourne where one can do their marketing and have a quick bite after that.

The sausages at Huber's Deli comes in a convenient takeaway box. The sausage is also cut into half for easy consume.

Spicy Pork 4.2/5

After browsing the menu, the Spicy Pork ($9.90) caught my attention. I felt in love with sauerkraut in my previous trip to Germany and since then I could not resist having anything that comes with it. The pork sausage came with a hint of spiciness, with the sour sauerkraut and salty bacon bits lending a balance to the delightful bite. Not only is the sausage freshly made, the baguette too. It was also crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

Chicken Cheese 4/5

The Chicken Cheese ($9.90) is more tender texture compare to the pork sausage. The coating of melted cheese on the chicken sausage gave it a nice buttery and saltiness to fully enjoy the bread roll

For shuttle bus service to The Grandstand, frequency is every 1 hour interval.
- Botanic Gardens MRT station (850am - 850pm), pick up point at exit A bus stop.
- Toa Payoh MRT station (945am - 845pm), pick up point at exit C bus stop.
- Clementi MRT station (945am - 845pm), pick up point at exit B bus stop.
- Sixth Avenue Centre (11am - 8pm), pick up point at bus stop (Stop ID 42011)


[Closed]
Huber's Deli
Pasarbella
200 Turf City Road
Unit K20/21
Singapore 28799
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubersdeli
Website: http://www.hubers.com.sg/index.php
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 930am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk to Turf Club Road. Continue on Turf Club Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Turf Club Road, to bus stop opposite Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42019). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT  station. Take Exit A. Walk down Bukit Timah Road. Walk to bus stop at Sixth Avenue Centre (Stop ID 42011). Wait for The Grandstand Shuttle Bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Caruso Ristorante Pizza Bar @ Bukit Timah

Along the stretch of Bukit Timah Road near Sixth Avenue, a new restaurant offering genuine Italian cuisine has opened its door. The month old Caruso Ristorante Pizza Bar spots an orange and white furbishing replaced the defunct Onion Restaurant & Bar. The owner Leonardo Palmisano has named the restaurant after the great South Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso. Leonardo has also brought in Chef Franco and Chef Mario to help him run the kitchen while he oversees the front of the house.

Ground Floor

Second Floor

Caruso has 2 floors. The ground floor comes with an Italian Trattoria setting while the second floor has a more modern setup.

Joining me on the Saturday afternoon for lunch was Charleen and Hazel. We started our Italian lunch with some homemade Focaccia, Grissini Al Parma and Polpette. It was my first time having the breadstick wrapped with parma ham. It actually quite like the combination. The chef has also prepared for us 2 version of the polpette, one made with eggplant while the other made from fish. The little delectable balls were fried to a nice crispy golden brown

Insalatina Di Mare 4/5

Presenting the ocean on a plate, the Insalatina Di Mare ($25) or seafood salad showcased the freshest catch of the day. Keeping in clean and simple with just a drizzle of lemon sauce, the plate allowed the seafood to shine with its natural sweetness.

Vitello Tonnato 3/5

The Vitello Tonnato ($24) is a popular Italian cold dish whereby thin slices of veal loin is served with tuna mayonnaise sauce and capers. It was a good dish but mixed review as the local palate was not quite receptive to the taste of veal that is not commonly eaten here.

Calamari Fritti 4/5

The Calamari Friti ($19.50) was interesting stacked up into a tower but do not expect to get the same presentation in your next visit. The calamari was lightly battered and deep fried to a nice exterior crisp with a delectable bite to it.

Filetto Di Pesce Alla Napoletana 3.5/5

The Filetto Di Pesce Alla Napolentana is a light and refreshing dish that came with melted in the mouth cod fillet.

Paccheri Amalfitani 4.5/5

The Paccheri Amalfitani ($21.50) is definitely the star for the day. The freshly homemade paccheri pasta was served with eggplant, mozzarella and basil in a tomato sauce. What blown me away is how the cooked al dente pasta worked harmoniously with the rest of the elements on the plate.

Risotto Al Poricini Con Fegato Grasso 3/5

After having the pasta, it is inevitable that we need to try the other classic Italian dish, risotto. The Risotto Al Poricini Con Fegato Grasso ($26.50) was cooked beautifully where the grain still came with a bite. There was a hint of mushroom flavour but I would preferred it to be more earthy and creamy.

Costatine Di Agnello Al Timo 4/5

I could smell the lovely aroma of the thyme from a distance when the Costatine Di Agnello Al Timo ($29.50) was served. Although the lamb was a bit over it still tasted beautiful.

Cheese Platter and Puff Pastry 4/5

Moving on to dessert, we were served a Cheese Platter and Puff Pastry. I love having cheese but I have never tried having it with honey. I enjoyed the combination and learnt a new way to appreciate cheese more. Worthy a mention was also the crackling puff pastry that I could not help going back for more.

Panna Cotta Alle Fragole 4/5

The Panna Cotta Alle Fragole ($11.50) was smooth, creamy and wobbly served with fresh strawberries.

Tiramisu 4/5

How can we not try the class Italian dessert, Tiramisu ($12.50). The dessert with ladyfinger biscuits sponged in coffee Marsala liqueur and mascarpone cream cheese was simply beautiful.

Tortino Al Cioccolato 4/5

The Tortino Al Cioccolato ($12.50) looked like a mess up chocolate lava cake served with vanilla ice cream. The ugly chocolate tart was surprisingly rich and moist wrapping up the lunch on a sweet note.

Chef Franco Lorello

This is Chef Franco who used to own 17 restaurants in Holland is the co-partner of Caruso. He is in charge of the kitchen's direction and prepared the delicious food during my visit. Currently he flies to Singapore every couple of months. During his absence the kitchen is run by another Italian Chef Mario who is a friend of Leonardo.

I have enjoyed my lunch at Caruso Ristorante Pizza Bar. If the restaurant continues with its quality and standard, the new kid will go far. Under the experience hands of Leonardo and Chef Franco, I look forward to Caruso's success and scaling greater height.


Caruso Ristorante Pizza Bar
791 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01
Singapore 269764
Tel: +65 64697508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caruso.singapore
Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]