Restaurant HOME & Bar (家) @ Cosford Road (Changi) - A New Home With Kampong Vibe

Restaurant HOME (家) owned by Chef Tan Yong Kang, also know as the first Singaporean chef to beat the Iron Chef Thailand. has moved from the rail mall to its current location at Cosford Road in Changi. For those familiar with the East, this is where Catch Restaurant used to be located. Compared to the previous premise at rail mall, the new location is bigger and it has a kampong vibe to it. Besides the indoor dining area, the restaurant also has an alfresco bar area with a bar.

A separate menu is specially curated to cater for the bar area focusing on barbecued items. We tried some of the barbecue item such as the Barbecued White Snapper Fish with Salt ($7/100gram), Barbecued Prawn ($16/order), Barbecued Sliced Beef ($16/order), Barbecued Sliced Pork Belly ($16/order) and Poached La La ($18/order). The group seemed to enjoy the barbecued sliced beef for its tenderness while I preferred the barbecued sliced pork belly for its marination and rich flavour.

Baked Golden Snapper Fish with Sea Salt 4.2/5

While Chef Tan has retained most of his signature items of the menu, he has also incorporated new items inspired by the kampong surrounding, bring cooking to its basic and showcasing the natural flavours of the ingredients. One of such dishes is the Baked Golden Snapper Fish with Sea Salt ($7/100gram). The whole golden snapper is covered with sea salt and baked to a nice moist texture which comes with slight hint of saltiness that enhanced the sweetness of the meat.

Baked Chicken with Herbal Sea Salt 4.2/5

The other dish that is worth trying is the Baked Chicken with Herbal Sea Salt ($24). The chicken is marinated overnight for the flavours to be absorbed into the tender chicken meat. It is baked for another 1.5 hours wrapped in lotus leaf and cooked with herbal sea salt before serving.

Hot-Stone Sauteed Pig Liver with Ginger and Onion 4.5/5

Not many people will appreciate the pig liver and it is even harder to cook it perfectly. Besides KEK seafood, Restaurant Home is the second place which executed the dish perfectly. The Hot-Stone Sauteed Pig Liver with Ginger and Onion ($14 small) was soft and tender which is complemented beautifully by the savory brown sauce.

La La Crispy Rice 4.5/5

A hearty and comforting dish on the menu is the La La Crispy Rice ($10/pax). Fragrant crispy fried rice is poured into the sweet clam broth. It's like having a delicious bowl of porridge in superior stock with the addition of extra crispiness from the crispy rice.

Black Pepper Crab 4/5

Singapore loves their crab and it is inevitable that the menu showcases the crustacean. We had the Black Pepper Crab ($58/kg) which is tossed in a fiery and piquant black pepper sauce. It goes well with the sweetness of the crab meat.

Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango 4/5

For dessert we had the farm to table Chilled Rosella Flower Jelly with Diced Mango. Chef Tan grows the rosella flower himself at his garden. The dessert has a sourish sweetness that is very refreshing.

Besides the food at Restaurant Home, there new location offers a mini attraction for family and kids. It is actually located at the old Johore Battery where a huge firing barrel is still there. On top of that, Chef Tan is using the plot of land to do some farming, growing some of the ingredients that are used in the kitchen. Definitely a good education for the kids to roam and learn more about nature

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Restaurant HOME & Bar (家)
27 Cosford Road
Singapore 499549
Tel: +65 64651698
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line), Tanah Merah (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sin: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tamplines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 29. Alight 13 stops later. Cross the road to Cosford Road. Walk down Cosford Road to destination. Journey time about 50 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tanah Merah MRT station (Stop ID 85091). Take bus number 2. Alight 16 stops later. Cross the road to Cosford Road. Walk down Cosford Road to destination. Journey time about 55 minutes [Map]

Xing Ji Wanton Noodle @ Tampines Round Market & Food Centre - Go For the Chicken Feet Noodle Instead

During my visit to Tampines Round Market & Food Centre to check out Xing Yun Kway Chap, I noticed there is a constant long queue at Xing Ji Wanton Noodle. Being a foodie, I could not resist my curiosity to join the queue to find out for myself why the wanton mee stall attracts the snaking queue.

Wanton Mee 2.8/5

The Wanton Mee ($3) comes with slices of char siew, two wanton and a few strand of vegetables. The char siew is only passable lacking the carmalized charred. Overall the wanton mee lacks the depth to be considered as one of best.

Chicken Feet Noodle 4.2/5

Chicken Feet Noodle 4.2/5

While I find the wanton mee lacklustre, the Chicken Feet Noodle ($4) is actually worthy trying. Using the same noodle as the wanton mee, I find it more suitable to soak up the braised gravy of the chicken feet noodle. The chicken feet is also well executed with its crispy skin and braised to tender.

Conclusion I do not think it is worth queuing up for the wanton mee. However I feel the chicken feet noodle is worthy a try if you happen to be in the area.


Xing Ji Wanton Noodle
Tampines Round Market & Food Centre
Blk 137 Tampines Street 11
#01-35
Singapore 521137
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line), Tampines West (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Thu-Tue: 6am - 1pm
(Closed on Wed)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 20, 39, 292. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to junction of Tampines Ave 2 and Tampines Street 11. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines West MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to junction of Tampines Ave 2 and Tampines Ave 5. Cross the road. Turn right onto Tampines Ave 5. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.  [Map]

Xing Yun Kway Chap @ Tampines Round Market & Food Centre - Opens Only 3 Days A Week Kway Chap Stall

I got to know about Xing Yun Kway Chap at Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, when I noticed a facebook posting from my friend who is queuing for the kway chap. Apparently the stall only opens three times a week, from Friday to Sunday. It immediate aroused my interests to find out for myself what is so good about their kway chap.

The very following week, I made the long journey from West to East. There was already a queue when I reached. We have to queue for around 45 minutes for our turn to order. Since it took us so long, we ordered almost everything including the pig tongue. My friend was telling me that he spotted the stall auntie brimming with smile when she heard our order.

Kway Chap 4.5/5

Kway Chap 4.5/5

So what is the verdict of the kway chap? It is worth the queue. Many may worry about the gamy taste of the innards but the ingredients were all well cleaned, braised and absorbed the flavoursome sauce. What I enjoyed even more is the balanced consistency of the sauce which is neither too sweet or salty. It sure suits my taste buds.

Kway 4.2/5

Not to forget the other component of a good kway chap, the sheets of kway. The kway was smooth and thin. A mixture of pork ribs broth and braising sauce makes up the soup base for the delish bowl of rice sheets.

Having tried the kway chap myself, I can understand why patrons are willing to wait up to almost an hour for the delicious kway chap. I have to thank my friend who posted the stall on facebook, allowing me to discover another good kway chap stall in my food journey.


Xing Yun Kway Chap
Tampines Round Market & Food Centre
Blk 137 Tampines Street 11
#01-14
Singapore 521137
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Fri-Sun: 8am - 1pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 20, 39, 292. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to junction of Tampines Ave 2 and Tampines Street 11. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines West MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to junction of Tampines Ave 2 and Tampines Ave 5. Cross the road. Turn right onto Tampines Ave 5. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.  [Map]

Jubilee Coffee House & Bar @ Netheravon Road (Changi Village) - The Old Bungalow Charm

Converting the bungalow along Netheravon Road near Changi Village into a restaurant is Jubilee Coffee House & Bar , a sister restaurant of Coastal Settlement further down the road. The old bungalow has a nostalgic charm that serves up a selection of Western and Asian fare.

Ter Kar Bee Hoon 4.5/5

I go to know about Jubilee Coffee House & Bar after Christina brought me here for lunch a couple of months back. I am back here again for the Ter Kar Been Hoon ($15). Usually pig trotter bee hoon is dry version but here it is wet version with the aromatic scent of Chinese wine. It says something when I am back for the same dish.

Pork Curry Rice 4.2/5

The other dish we tried is the Pork Curry Rice ($18). The plate of rice comes with a huge serving of breaded pork with a fried egg. The pork cutlet is deep fried to golden brown, tender, moist and juicy. For a localised twist, a bowl of local curry is served on the side.

Ching Teng 4.5/5

For dessert, we tried the Ching Teng Cold ($7). Served in huge glass, the Ching Teng comes in abundance of ingredients that is perfect for the humid weather.

The first impression of the menu is that price is rather steep. However the food portion is actually quite generous. Hence I think it is quite reasonable. Food wise I am quite surprise by the quality and standard. If not for the distance, I would definitely go back more often to try the rest of their offering in the menu.


Jubilee Coffee House & Bar
580 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508516
Tel: +65 65430060
Website
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 12midnight
Sat, PH Eve: 930am - 1am
Sun, PH: 930am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 29.  Alight 22 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 70 minutes. [Map]

Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roasted Meat (尖沙嘴港式烧臘) @ Tampines Street 43

Yes the words have been out and it has also appeared in KF Seetoh's Makansutra column recommending this hidden gem in the hood for having one of the best Sio Bak in town. Coming from the food guru himself, it is like a stamp of guarantee. Credit has to go to Uncle Martin who has unearthed this humble stall at Tampines Street 43. Surrounded by a maze of urban concretes, it was not easy to navigate to the coffeshop where Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roasted Meat (尖沙嘴港式烧臘) is located. I could have easily gotten lost if not for the foodie buddies showing me to this hideout.

Roasted Pork Belly or Sio Bak 4.8/5

My first visit was in the late afternoon so the Sio Bak was a bit cold. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the different layers of of the pork belly was basically belly dancing in a seductive matter seducing me to eat them up quickly. Sinking my teeth into the seductive piece of roast pork. My first response was that the blistered skin tasted special. Even though it was a bit cold, the skin still has that crackling and crumbly texture. Borrowing Seetoh's description, it was biscuit like.

In my second visit I was earlier and I got to try the roasted pork while it was still warm. The piece of sio bak literally melted in my mouth. The blistered skin still has that biscuit like texture which is really very enjoyable. I felt that my limited vocabulary did not do justification to the beautiful piece of roasted pork belly. You just have to try it yourself to know what I meant.

At Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roasted Meat, besides the roasted pork belly it also has roasted duck, roasted chicken and char siew. I tried their Roasted Chicken which was also quite good although I can't say they are the best. For the Char Siew, my advice is to go for the armpit cut which has a nice layer of fats that is more succulent.


[CLOSED]
Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roasted Meat (尖沙嘴港式烧臘)
476 Food Loft Coffeeshop
Blk 476 Tampines Street 43
#01-205
Singapore 520476
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 8pm
(Closed on Mon or Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampine MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Central 1 Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 28, 29, 293 or 553. Alight 4 stops later at block 493B. Cross the road to block 484. Cut across the block of flats to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Bangrak Thai Kitchen @ Tampines Street 81

Competition is heating up in Tampines Street 81 with the opening of another neighbourhood Thai eatery, Bangrak Thai Kitchen just two doors away from Soi Thai Kitchen. It was a rainy afternoon and perfect for some Thai food. I was there with Maureen and Leroy to check out the 2 months old restaurant.

Thai Prawn Cake 3/5

Lunch started with the Thai Prawn Cake ($6.90) which was deep fried to a nice golden brown. The crust was crispy and not oily. However the filling was lacking that prawny satisfaction that one seek out in a good prawn cake.

Pandan Leaf Chicken 4.2/5

The other appertizer in the menu we tried is the Pandan Leaf Chicken ($5.90/2pc). This fair much better than the Thai prawn cake. The aroma of the pandan leaf can be detected from a distance and infused to the chicken. The chicken was also tender and moist.

Stir Fried Chilli Basil with Chicken 3.5/5

The owner told us that their Stir Fried Chilli Basil with Chicken ($5.90) was cooked to order unlike other restaurants that prepared in batch. Flavours were spot on but it was lacking that unique fragrant basil aroma.

Stir Fried Squid with Salted Egg Yolk 4.2/5

It just seems like salted egg yolk can be incorporated in almost any dishes. Bangrok created the Stir Fried Squid with Salted Egg Squid ($16) which is one of their popular dishes. I can understand why so, with the salted egg working magically well with the fresh and crunchy squid.

Steamed Fish with Spicy Lime Sauce 4/5

Another popular item on the menu is the Steamed Fish with Spicy Lime Sauce ($22). The fresh and moist fish definitely will be well received with their spiciness and sourness. However, I felted the flavours can be more heavy handed.

Red Curry Prawn 3/5

The Red Curry Prawn ($11.90) was a love and hate affair. I loved the sweet creamy gravy that goes well with a plate of rice. However the prawn was lacking in sweetness even though the restaurant claims that they used live prawns.

Clear Tom Yam Soup with Seafood 3.5/5

The Clear Tom Yam Soup with Seafood ($7.90) was perfect for the rainy day. Like most of the dishes, I can taste that fiery level of the dishes have all been toned down to suit majority of the patrons. I personally prefer it to be more spicy or else that will lose the characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Stir Fried Kang Kong Thai Style 3.8/5

The Stir Fried Kang Kong Thai Style ($5.90) was cooked to a nice crunchy bite but not overly spicy. 

Phad Thai 4/5

The Phad Thai ($5.90) was actually pretty delectable. It's probably one of the better one that I have eaten.

Tapioca with Coconut Cream 4.2/5

Our lunch ended with some Tapioca with Coconut Cream ($7.90). The tapioca was pretty fork tender. Paired with the coconut cream which I suspected honey was also added gave it a nice sweet finishing.

It is good to see another Thai eatery opening in the neighbourhood offering affordable Thai cuisine. My first impression of Bangrok Thai Kitchen is that the pricing is wallet friendly. While the food is good but I think it has lost the characteristic of authentic Thai cuisine when seasoning is being toned down too much.


[CLOSED]
Bangrak Thai Kitchen
Blk 824 Tampines Street 81
Singapore 520824
Nearest MRT: Tampines (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 291 or 554. Alight 4 stops later at Block 827. Walk to Block 824. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Bistro@Changi @ Changi Beach Park

Compared to the other beaches in Singapore, Changi Beach is probably the quieter of the lot. Little did I know that there is a bistro, Bistro@Changi located at the idyllic stretch of sandy Changi Beach Park just beside the PCN Pitstop or bicycle rental kisok.

In the day, one can relax and laze at the alfresco cafe over an icy beer. At night, one can dine under stars enjoying the sea breeze. All these come with a scenic view of the sea, ships sailing by and airplanes touching down at Changi Airport.

I was at Bistro@Changi on a weekend around 530pm. We started with some ice cold beer relaxing and enjoying the idyllic surrounding and watching airplanes making their approach to land.

Topshell Salad 4/5

The ideal snack to go with beer is the Topshell Salad ($8). The refreshing salad was tossed with fresh onions and lettuce, dressed in chef's thai spicy sauce. Topshell itself is quite bland hence the sauce plays an important part in lifting the flavour and the spicy tangy sauce definitely did that.

Calamari 3/5

Only available on Thursday and Sunday is the Calamari ($8). While I enjoyed the fresh and crunchy squid, I felt that the batter is too thick to allow me to enjoy the texture.

Flame Grilled Chicken Chop 4.2/5

The crowd favourite is the Flame Grilled Chicken Chop ($15.90). The boneless chicken thigh was perfectly grilled, tender and succulent. It was beautifully topped with the delectable hickery barbeque sauce with salad and baked potato on the side.

Barramundi In Thai Sauce 4.2/5

The Barramundi in Thai Sauce ($18.90) was cooked perfectly and served with butter rice. Light crisp on the outside and yet moist in the inside. Topped with green mango and Thai sauce, it further enhanced the whole enjoyment of the dish giving it a fusion twist.

If you have the chance to visit the relax and casual bistro at Changi Beach Park, do check out the creative cocktails from the bartender too. Currently they are running a naming contest for their latest cocktail creation of vodka, lime and sour plum (picture above) which ends on 31 July 2013. Car owners will be delight that free parking is available after 5pm on Monday to Saturday and whole day on Sunday and public holiday.


Bistro@Changi
Changi Beach Park (Carpark 1)
260 Nicoll Drive
Singapore 498991
Tel: +65 65465229
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bistrochangi
Website: http://www.changibistro.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Pasir Ris (EW Line), Tampine (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 1am
Sun: 10am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Pasir Ris MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop along Pasir Ris Central, opposite Pasir Ris Town Park (Stop ID 77171). Take bus number 89. Alight 18 stops later. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tampines Bus Interchange (Stop ID 75009). Take bus number 19. Alight 20 stops later. Journey time about 30 minutes. [Map]