Baba Steven's Private Dining - Our Cheapest Private Dining Experience

Our next private dining adventure brought us to the humble home of Baba Steven's Private Dining at Bukit Batok. The chef is Mr Steven Quak who is in his 70s and used to work in a Peranakan Restaurant. We are hosted by his wife while he sweated it out in the kitchen preparing our Peranakan feast. We paid $480 for a table of 8 pax which works out to be $60 per pax.

Pineapple Tarts 3.5/5

While we waited for the rest of the group to turn up, we were offered some home-baked Pineapple Tarts to snack on. They also made these for sales too. The pineapple jam is not too sweet and it is complemented by the buttery pastry.

Bakwan Kepiting Soup 3.8/5

Having tried a number of Bakwan Kepiting Soup, I find the version here is much cleaner and lighter in taste. While the meatball was a bit firm, it stood out for the addition of the bamboo shoot for that extra crunch.

Sambal Lady Finger 4/5

The Sambal Lady Finger is simple but it shone through that simplicity with the beautifully blanched and crunchy lady fingers paired excellently with the homemade sambal. Though the sambal can be more spicy.

Chilli Sotong 4/5

Another homely and simple dish is the Chilli Sotong. Fresh bouncy sotong cooked with chilli, allowing the ingredients to speak of themselves.

Tulang Babi Sio 4.2/5

Well braised prime rib with fall of the bone meat is the Tulang Babi Sio. Besides the tender meat, I really enjoyed the tanginess in the sauce, so much that I was drenching my plate of rice with them.

Ayam Buah Keluak 3.8/5

Most of time when I have Ayam Buah Keluak, the chicken turned out rather dry. I am glad that uncle Steven manage to keep them juicy and tender, with the nuttiness of the acquire fruit shining through.

Nonya Chap Chye 3.8/5

I like the Nonya Chap Chye for the fact that it is cooked to a delectable crunchy bite. I only wish that the fermented beancurd flavour can come across stronger.

Beef Rendang 3.5/5

Unlike the saucy version which I usually have, the Beef Rendang is like a dry version with a thick coat of rempah blanketing the tender beef.

Ikam Kuah Lada 4.5/5

Last but not least we have the Ikam Kuah Lada. This is a dish that I have not eaten before. In the orangey curry-like gravy it comes with chunky stingray and eggplant. The gravy is quite unique with a peppery kick to it. I am glad to discover a new dish for my food journal.

Besides opening his house for private dining, Uncle Steven also do a bit of takeaway catering too. All you need to contact him. Psst...besides Peranakan food, he can cook Thai food too.


Baba Steven Private Dining
Blk 204 Bukit Batok Street 21
Singapore 650204
Tel: +65 97506564
Nearest MRT: Bukit Batok

Lynnette's Kitchen Private Dining - Taste Of Refinement In Peranakan Food.

Our private dining adventure continues with Lynnette' Kitchen at her HDB flat in Tiong Bahru area. Lynnette Seah is probably one of the pioneer in the private dining scene before the private dining scene starts booming. She may be better as an internationally acclaimed Singaporean violinist and the recipient of the Cultural Medallion for Music in 2006.

Keropok with Homemade Belachan

Before starting on our meal, we are served some Keropok and Homemade Belachan to snack with.

Bakwan Kepiting Soup 3.8/5

Dinner started with a bowl of Bakwan Kepiting Soup. The meatball is firmer with tougher texture. I would prefer it to be looser. The proportion of the meat and crab ratio has more pork than crab too. On the other hand, I like the bamboo shoot and radish in the soup for a light and refreshing finish.

Crab Beehoon 4.2/5

Catching my attention is the hugemonous Sri Lankan Crab that has been separated from the beehoon after cooking. The crab itself is fresh and sweet but the highlight has to be the bowl of slurping goodness packed with rich flavour of the crustacean. The beehoon is very delicious soaked with the richness.

Assam Pedas Snapper Fillet with Honey Pineapple 4.5/5

My favourite dish is the Assam Pedas Snapper Fillet with Honey Pineapple. Buried under the pool of redness is tender snapper fish fillet and honey pineapple. The clever recipe uses the sweetness of honey pineapple to create the harmony against the hot and fiery chilli. This dish sings for me.

Chap Chye 4.2/5

Another well cooked dish the Chap Chye that comes with cabbage, tofu, black fungus, tang hoon, carrot, lily stems and mushrooms. I appreciated that fact the vegetables still retained a crunch to it, not too soft. Lynnette's version also has a more distinct taste of the fermented beancurd which I enjoyed.

Buah Keluak Prime Pork Ribs Stew 4/5

Instead of the using chicken, Lynnette uses Prime Pork Ribs in her Buah Keluah dish. I am not a big fan of ayam buah keluah as I find the chicken always ended up being dry. Hence the prime pork ribs version is a good chance, with fall of the bone meat.

Beef Rendang 4.5/5

The soul of a good Beef Rendang has to be the rempah and this definitely stole my soul. Unknowingly, I was drenching my rice with the gravy and enjoying the tender beef with my plate of rice.

Sugee Cake with Gula Melaka Cream Cheese Frosting 4.5/5

Even before my visit, I have already heard some much about Lynnette's sugee cake. I understand that if it is not an easy cake to bake. If done wrong, it can be very dry and crumbly. For dessert, I am glad that I get to try her famous Sugee Cake with Gula Melaka Cream Cheese Frosting. It is another smart recipe to pair the sugee cake with the gula melaka cream cheese frosting, which lifted the whole enjoyment of the cake.

Diner at Lynnette's Kitchen is not cheap. It costs $120 per pax. In fact, most of the private dining places I have visited have increased their prices recently too. It now average around $100 per pax to dine at someone's home. Back to Lynnette's food, I find her dishes are more refine than the other peranakan private dining places I have visited, she has fine tuned her recipes until they are perfect. Unlike other places, she also has a wide selection of dishes which you can pick from her website. One difference from other private dining places is the host actually joins us for dinner, while others are busy in the kitchen cooking. But don't get me wrong, she is a great host and we enjoyed the conversation over the food and drink.

Lynnette's Kitchen
Jalan Membina
Website