No Burn No Taste (NBNT) Private Dining By Chef Sam Chablani

No Burn No Taste by Chef Sam Chablani is one of the most sought-after private dining destinations. Unfortunately, getting a booking at No Burn No Taste (NBNT) is not easy. The last I checked, the waitlist was already full for 2023/2024. I have followed Sam's cooking philosophy of marrying fire-driven barbecue with a distinctly Asian perspective, combining premium produce with traditional, time-honoured techniques since his days at the now-defunct Fat Lulu.

Steamed Clams

Our dinner started with sweet Steamed Clams in an umami cream. I love the accompanying burnt garlic toast that is not only delicious but also allows me to soak up the delicious broth.

Tomatoes and Burrata

Not everything on the menu is barbecue items such as the light and refreshing Tomatos and Burrata Salad helps freshen the palate and whet the appetite.

Burnt Wings, Spicy Iberico Pork Satay

How can we not have chicken wings and satay when having a barbecue? It is torture to be seated just before the barbecue pit while the Burnt Wings and Spicy Iberico Pork Satay got kissed by the charcoal's heat.

"Porn" Corn

Corn may be a common ingredient, but I remembered how Chef Sam had transformed it into a delicacy at Fat Fuku. The "Porn" Corn grilled to a nice charred on its external was extremely sweet.

Charred Wagyu Skirt Steak MBS9

Moving to the mains, we had the Charred Wagyu Skirt MBS9 paired with Burnt Potatoes. Perfectly grilled to medium with beautiful pink tenderness and crispy charred edges, showcasing the intense marbling and rich beefy flavour.

Lychee-smoked Umami Crab, Lemon Garlic Butter

Besides the grilled chicken wings, pork satay and wagyu, our dinner includes seafood. The crowd's favourite for the night goes to the Crab, smoked with lychee wood paired with lemon garlic butter. The grilling and smoking enhanced the natural sweetness and brininess of the crustaceans while adding a hint of charred savoury notes.

Spencer Gulf King Prawns

As delicious as the crab was the Spencer Gulf King Prawns in an intoxicating burnt sambal cream sauce, topped with coriander. I was screaming for some toasted bread to dredge them in that splendour sauce.

We paid $185 per person for the 10-course Umami BBQ Omakase. It is one of the more expensive private dining I have visited. However, it differs from your usual barbecue as every dish is thoughtfully executed to elevate the appreciation of the premium ingredients as good as any restaurant's standard.


No Burn No Taste (NBNT) Private Dining
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Unilever Buffet Restaurant @ Halcyon 2 - Seafood BBQ Buffet In Jalan Pemimpin

Unilever Buffet opened its doors starting mid-January 2023, offering diners a seafood and BBQ buffet in Jalan Pemimpin. It is $53.90 per adult, while children between 5 to 12 years old are at $23.90 per pax on weekdays and $27.90 per pax on weekends. They are running a 50% promo from now till April 2023, with more details on their Facebook page.

Fresh Food Section

There are oysters, salmon sashimi, chirashi, prawns, mussels and scallops in the fresh food section, while the snow crab legs are provided in limited portions per pax. Though we appreciated the creaminess of the oysters, the freshness among the rest of the other items could have been better.

BBQ Section

BBQ is the highlight of the buffet here. They use smoke-free automatic grillers, which helps to reduce the possibility of lingering BBQ smells on your belongings after the meal.

The selection includes fish, pork, chicken and beef, all available in 10 types of marination. The marinations are black pepper, Thai, German, sambal, Japanese, Korean, lemongrass, garlic, mala, and kimchi. A range of condiment dips is also available to pair with the eats. Unfortunately, we did find some of the marinations too salty, while the flavours we preferred more were the black pepper and German style.

Cooked Food Section

For cooked food during our time of visit, there was a spread of 6 dishes - chilli crabs, sweet and sour fish, pork trotters, fried rice, fried noodles and vegetables with mushrooms. They were generous with the chilli crabs, but the overall quality of the spread could be improved.

Dessert Section

Free Flow Bubble Tea

Lastly, for beverages, there is free flow bubble tea, alongside calamansi, blueberry and orange juices, while desserts were a mixture of bakes, such as eclair, cream puffs and swiss rolls.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Unilever Buffet Restaurant
Halcyon 2
47 Jalan Pemimpin
#01-02
Singapore 577200
Tel: +65 98707673
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Nearest MRT: Marymount MRT (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 4pm to 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road,  walk down Jalan Pemimpin. Turn left after Tailee building. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Meow BBQ @ Bugis+ - Cat-themed BBQ Restaurant From China Opens First Overseas Outpost In Singapore

Award-winning Meow BBQ from China, with over 30 outlets across ten major Chinese cities, opened its first overseas outpost at Bugis+, Singapore. The founder's love for cats can be seen around the interior of the cat-themed BBQ restaurant. The cuteness of cat paws and motifs can is found all around the restaurant, from the front entrance to the crockery used and various decorative ornaments in and around the space.

Meow Signature Spicy Beef 4/5

The Meow Signature Spicy Beef ($23.80) is a must-have at Meow BBQ. Do not be deceived by the name of the dish. It is not spicy at all. The thinly cut grain-fed 129-day-old sliced beef is marinated with pickled chillies and sprinkled with sesame. While the flavours are appetising, the meat is too thinly cut for a satisfying textural enjoyment.

Meow Signature Mixed Meat Platter 3.5/5

Great for sharing and trying out the different options on the menu is the Meow Signature Mixed Meat Platter ($66.80). It comprises Meow Signature Beef Cubes with Onion, Premium Iberico Pork Belly, Iberico Pork Collar in Smoky Sauce, Teriyaki Chicken Thigh and Marbled Beef Chunk.

Iberico Pork Collar Marinated in Pineapple Sauce 3.8/5

The Iberico Pork Collar Marinated in Pineapple Sauce ($22.80) is succulent and juicy with a hint of sweetness from the pineapple marination.

Meow Signature Chicken with Cheese Dip 3.5/5

The Meow Signature Chicken with Cheese Dip ($15.80) is incredibly tender. Heat the cheese dip and dunk the chunky chicken pieces into the melting cheese for an accentuated enjoyment.

Meow Signature Beef Donburi 3/5

For something more substantial or a quick lunch, one can go for the Meow Signature Beef Donburi ($8.80). For less than ten dollars, you get a bowl of grilled beef, sweet onions and an onsen egg for a wallet-friendly meal.

Black Cat Snow Ice 4/5

Diners can go for the Black Cat Snow Ice ($10.80) and Meow Signature Caramel Pudding ($6.80) to wrap up the meal on a sweet note. My favourite is the snow ice which is like the Korean bingsu. The snow ice is soft and fluffy, with a sweet finish. As for the caramel pudding, I preferred it to be more caramelised.

Meow Signature Caramel Pudding 3/5

Meow BBQ restaurant offers wallet-friendly grilled meats for the masses hence do not expect premium cuts for the price you are paying. Overall, it will appeal to the students and younger generations.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Meow BBQ
Bugis+
201 Victoria Street
#01-17
Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 80384659
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Nearest MRT: Bugis(EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 930pm
Fri-Sat, PH: 11am - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Victoria Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Roof Terrace BBQ Private Dining @ East Coast Road - A Feast Of Grilled Meat and Seafood

Recently, together with my foodie friends, we went to Roof Terrace BBQ, a private dining home at East Coast Road that specialises in barbeque. The action happens on the roof terrace under the stars. However, during our visit, the roof terrace's lighting was not working, so we shifted indoors.

Smoked Beef Brisket

We started the dinner with the Smoked Beef Brisket. It comes with a beautiful pink smoke ring. The smoked beef brisket was flavorful, succulent and packed with a smoky aroma.

Roasted Baby Potatoes with Fried Garlic and Shallots, Sauteed Swiss Brown Mushrooms

Japanese Coleslaw

Grilled Zucchini, Eggplant, Baby Corn, Bell Peppers

Cornbread

To go with the mains, the host has prepared a couple of sides to go along with them. They are delicious sides that complemented the mains excellently. Diners can look forward to sides such as Roasted Baby Potatoes with Fried Garlic and Shallots, Sauteed Swiss Brown Mushrooms, Japanese Coleslaw, Grilled Vegetables, and our favourite Cornbread.

Grilled Spanish Duroc Pork Chops

For the non-beef eaters, do not worry, as the host can customise the menu, such as the Grilled Spanish Duroc Pork Chops we had. Grilled to perfection, it is tender and juicy.

Salted Baked Fish

Grilled Jumbo Tiger Prawns

Besides the grilled meats, we also have seafood on the menu. We had a whole Salted Baked Wild Caught Red Snapper and Jumbo Tiger Prawns.

Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel and Homemade Burnt Vanilla

Wrapping the BBQ feast, we had Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel and Homemade Burnt Vanilla. A beautiful dessert for a sweet ending.

We paid $75 per pax. It is a price you can't find in the current private dining scene. Most of the private dining places are charging above $100 per pax nowadays. Unlike other private dining places, Roof Terrace BBQ does not allow alcohol.


Roof Terrace BBQ Private Dining
East Coast Road
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Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生) @ Ubi Ave 4 - Affordable Japanese Grilled Meat Sets From $8.80

Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生) is a relatively new Yakiniku hawker stall hidden in a kopitiam within Ubi industrial estate, just beside Comfort Delgo Driving Centre. Besides affordable Japanese grilled meat set starting from $8.80, the place has instagrammable corners such as torii replica, Japanese lanterns and fairy lights.

Beef Set and Pork Set 4/5

Have problems deciding what to order, or do you want a bit of everything? Don't work. You can go for the Beef Set and Pork Set. The Beef Set comprises Karubi, Short Plate, Harami (100g for $11.80/ 200g for $17.80), and the Pork Set consists of Pork Jowl, Pork Belly, Pork Collar (150g for $14.80, 250g for $21.80).

Kinoko Moriawase 3/5, Yasai Moriawase 3/5

We also had assorted mushrooms and vegetables to go along with the meats. The Kinoko Moriawase (100g for $7) and Yasai Moriawase ($4.50) save me a lot of trouble deciding what to order.

Wagyu Steak 4/5

Though it is a hawker stall, you can savour premium cuts such as the Wagyu Steak MS4/5 (120g for $19). Diners will be delighted by the tender texture from its beautiful marbling.

Karubi Prime 4/5

Another cut we enjoy a lot is the Karubi Prime (50g for $8, 100g for $14). Though the boneless short rib is not as fatty as the wagyu, it still comes across as very flavourful and tender.

Chicken Thigh 3.5/5

Mentaiko Ebi 4/5

Hotate 3.5/5

Besides the various Japanese beef cuts, there are many other ala carte items that diners can add to the yakiniku experience. We had other selections such as Chicken Thigh (50g for $3/ 100g for $5), Mentaiko Ebi ($5 for 2pc/ $9 for 4pc) and Hotate ($11 for 3pc).

Not forgetting the four homemade Yakiniku Sauces to complement the grilled meats and seafood. They are the Signature Mr Yakiniku Sauce which comes with pineapple puree for tartness, Togarashi Salt, Ponzu and Citrus Salt.

Overall, I find Mr Yakiniku is worth checking out. I like the whole ambience with the entire fairy lights and Japanese lanterns set up while having bbq under the stars. The pricing is also very reasonable with value-for-money meat sets.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mr Yakiniku (烧肉先生)
179 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408793
Tel: +65 80444007
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Nearest MRT: Ubi (DT Line), Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 5pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Ubi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Ubi Ave 3. Turn right onto Ubi Ave 3. Walk to the end of Ubi Ave 3. Continue onto Ubi Ave 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right and walk to Breadtalk IHQ. Walk to Airport Road. Cross the road and walk to Ubi Road. Turn left onto Ubi Ave 4. Walk down Ubi Ave 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]