YEN Social @ DUO Galleria - Introduces A Full Lunch Service With Set Menus

Helmed by Taiwanese yakiniku master Chef Jones Chen, YEN Social, located at Duo Galleria, is the sister concept of Michelin-rated yakiniku restaurant YEN Yakiniku - one of Singapore's pioneers in dry ageing beef and the premium Yakiniku experience. Known for its whisky dry-aged wagyu ribeye and Wagyu Taiwanese Beef Noodles, the restaurant has now incorporated a full lunch service, available from Tuesdays to Saturdays. The lunch menu also includes YEN Signature Wagyu Burger, which has made quite a reputation when it was first launched during Singapore's 2021 circuit breaker period.

Caesar Salad with Wagyu Bits & Shaved Parmesan 4/5

Under Salads & Appetisers, we started with Caesar Salad with Wagyu Bits & Shaved Parmesan ($16). By swapping the usual bacon for moreish Wagyu Bits, Chef Jones instilled his restaurant's character into this otherwise common dish.

Smoked Scallop Carpaccio with Yuzu Vinaigrette 4.5/5

We were also served this elegant plate of Smoked Scallop Carpaccio with Yuzu Vinaigrette ($14). Sashimi-grade Hokkaido scallops were smoked with cherry wood and then dressed with a citrusy yuzu oil, creating a creamier mouthfeel.

Lemon Thyme Fennel Salad with Apple-flavoured Quinoa 4/5

Lemon Thyme Fennel Salad with Apple-flavoured Quinoa ($16) was equally refreshing. The licorice flavour of the fennel, the sweetness of the raisins and the fruity quinoa built into one another, forming a well-balanced dish.

Chargrilled Seasonal Vegetables 4.5/5

Chargrilled Seasonal Vegetables ($12) were pleasing with beautifully charred seasonal vegetables, all of which are procured from sustainable sources. What's also notable is the pumpkin, which has been dry-aged for 30 days to attain a more intense flavour and tender texture.

Chargrilled Wagyu Burger 4.5/5

Wagyu Fries

Moving on to the mains, Chargrilled Wagyu Burger ($25) topped my list with a juicy and flavourful patty made with fresh minced meat, which is said to be a 100% mix of specially selected wagyu cuts. It is layered with two types of cheese, mushroom and shredded red cabbage, for a refreshing contrast. Even the milk buns to carry these ingredients are done with consideration - brushed with wagyu fat before they are toasted to build on that rich flavour. It is accompanied by Wagyu Fat Fries, which are house-made double-fried house-cut russet potatoes sprinkled with bits of wagyu fat for an extra indulgence. A more premium choice would be YEN Steak & Wagyu Fat Fries, best with a glass of house wine to complete the dining experience.

Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek 3.8/5

Another beef dish is Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek ($34), featuring Australian wagyu beef cheek braised in red wine for 48 hours. It was incredibly tender, but a tad more seasoning would help bring out its flavours more. The mashed potato served at the side was charcoal infused to add a depth of flavour.

Chargrilled Iberico Pork 4/5

Chargrilled Iberico Pork with Japanese Shisho Chimichurri 4/5

For non-beef eaters alternative, there are two other exceptional dishes, one of which is Chargrilled Iberico Pork with Japanese Shisho Chimichurri ($22). The iberico pork jowl is sous vide cooked for two hours before being chargrilled to develop its flavours. A house-made citrusy shiso chimichurri is served as the condiment to provide some zing for the dish. The accompanying fried rice was a star on its own - within the rice, you will find moreish bits of the caramelised fats rendered from the meat, which amp up the flavours in every mouthful.

Chargrilled Seafood Bucatini Pasta 4.8/5

Chargrilled Seafood Bucatini Pasta ($25) was on par with its meat counterparts. All the seafood featured - octopus, jumbo prawn, and scallops- are sashimi-grade and imported directly from Japan. As they were chargrilled before being tossed with pasta, they carried a hint of smoky flavour built into the robust homemade basil-tomato sauce, elevating the entire dish.

2-course set menus start from $25. All Steak items are served with a side of Chargrilled Vegetables and do not include fries. Lunch sharing set for 3-4 pax start from $100. Add on $5 to enjoy a choice of beverage, be it cold-pressed juice, coffee or tea.

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


YEN Social
DUO Galleria
7 Fraser Street
#01-25/26
Singapore 189356
Tel: +65 86696788
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 2pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sun-Mon: 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E and F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Gourmet Italian Osteria (GIO) @ Tanjong Pagar - Showcases The Essence Of Traditional Italian Gastronomy With A Contemporary Approach

Gourmet Italian Osteria at Tanjong Pagar is created to offer you high-quality dining experiences that you will get from an Italian restaurant in Venice or Rome. With vast experience under his belt, including being the creative director of Italian Trade Agency Pavillon at the Food and Hotel Asia 2022 in Singapore, Chef-in-House David Marchiori brought into Singapore not just genuine Italian flavours but also a taste from home. A series of 4-course set menus showcase the essence of traditional Italian gastronomy with a contemporary approach - Traditionals, Journey to Venice, Mama's Recipes and Signatures. We had the pleasure of trying out Signatures Se Menu, which serves the best of beef goodness of things.

Balsamic Negroni

Pizza Fritta con Chef’s Nduja e Burrata 4.5/5

The dinner started with Pizza Fritta con Chef's Nduja e Burrata, featuring a hot fried pizza base juxtaposed with cold and spreadable homemade pork salume, burrata, and spiked with fiery Calabrian chillies. Instantly transformed from a typical main to an appetiser, this fried pizza with its mouth-filling texture is the perfect accompaniment to your wines or, even better, Gio's Balsamic Negroni. I love how the cold, milky-sweet burrata harmonises the heat and savouriness of the chilli and the flavoursome pork salume.

Beef Fillet Tartare 4.5/5

Our 2nd course is a Battuta di Filetto di Manzo con Zabaione al Parmigiano Reggiano e Prosciutto Chips. Chef David Marchiori believes in allowing the beef to shine. Hence GIO's Beef fillet tartare deviates from a typical steak tartare because it carries no acidity. Instead, the technique is more on amping up the savoury elements - a drizzle of Parmigiano zabaglione and brilliantly crowning the tartare with moreish prosciutto crudo chips.

Beef Cheeks 4/5

The 2nd main was interesting - Guancetta di Manzo Brasata Biscottata con Verdure Baby. The beef cheek is first braised, then hand-pulled before being compacted into a block. Then it is portioned out like a brownie and pan-fried to crisp the exterior before being served. Hence, as my fork pierced through the crusty layer, it unveiled the gelatinous meat. What a refreshing way to enjoy beef cheeks!

Pumpkin Ravioli 4.8/5

Before dessert, we also tried a tasting portion of Ravioli di Zucca, Amaretto e Ricotta Affumicata. The Pumpkin ravioli is made with the chef's mama's recipe that consists of amaretto and smoked ricotta, and it is the most memorable one to date. Unlike most pumpkin kinds of ravioli I had tried, this plate has so many more flavours permeating through and mingling with one another instead of just the singular sweetness of the pumpkin.

Tiramisu 4/5

Dessert was Tiramisù al Pistacchio di Sicilia. The pistachio mascarpone was nutty and creamy but light and simply mellow sweet.

GIO also has a strong curation of wines, including La Cantina Di Cunez Nadir, located near the town of Gressan, which offers a local mix of grape varieties and Tenuta Il Palagio, a Tuscan wine estate owned by rock star Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler.

You may wish to join its House of Artisans of Wine – a wine club membership whereby the terroirs of hidden gem Italian wine-making are harvested and brought to a sharing community right here in Singapore. At an annual membership fee of SGD 500, members will receive a welcome vintage bottle, SGD 300 voucher to buy selected wine, special retail price for their exclusive wine selection, 15% discount on GIO's Artisans of Wine (AoW) list, exclusive wine scouting upon discovering a favourite Italian winery, as well as 30% discount on GIO's wine monthly events. Members also enjoy monthly special offers and monthly pre-order air shipments.

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


[PERMANENTLY CLOSED]
Gourmet Italian Osteria (GIO)
27 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088450
Tel: +65 80301224
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu - 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1130pm
Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm -12midnight
Sat: 530pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell Road. Take Exit 1. Walk to Maxwell Well Road. Cross the road and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 minutes [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 7 minutes. [Map]

True Cost Singapore @ Suntec City - Quality Fare Priced At its “True Cost” Instead Of Usual Market/Restaurant Price

True Cost Singapore at Suntec City prides itself on offering quality dining at a fraction of the market price. You need only pay a relatively low cover charge ($5 for weekday lunch) and ($10 for weekend dinner) to experience good quality fare at a fraction of its market price. Each dish is tagged on the menu with its "True Cost" price and market prices.

Yellowtail Crudo 4.8/5

We started the meal with a few cold appetisers showing off their ingredients' freshness. The Yellowtail Crudo ($7.65 / Usual Market Price $24.00) had a firm flesh and a light flavour elevated with a citrusy but savoury dressing. I love how the olive tapenade and green chillies atop lent an extra bite and freshness.

Heh Marinated Scallop 4/5

Another well-loved dish is this plump Heh Marinated Scallop ($19.76 Usual/ Market Price $24.00) flavoured with fragrant chilli garlic, coriander and pink pepper that brought out the sweetness of the scallop. The pickled cucumber added an enjoyable crunch to these mouth-filling pieces of the scallop.

Salmon Truffle Crudo 4/5

Salmon Truffle Crudo ($10.50 / Usual Market Price $18.00) is a crowd-pleasing dish. The addition of fresh horseradish gave the salmon an edge that counters its richness.

Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers 4/5

Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers ($5.95 / Usual Market Price $14.00) was rich, creamy and wholesome, perfect with the flatbread served on the side.

Japanese Style Beef Tartare 3/5

Japanese Style Beef Tartare ($9 / Usual Market Price $23.00) was decent, but its creamy and tangy accompaniment overwhelmed its flavour.

Bone Marrow 3.5/5

Slathered with dried chilli oil, the Bone Marrow ($14.25 / Price In Other Restaurants $28.00) was full-flavoured, with a cheesy yoghurt sauce served on the side to cut its richness. A basket of bread instead of just a slice is probably more apt to clean the bones!

Grilled Eggplant With Miso 2.5/5

I had an excellent grilled eggplant with miso at Sens of Japan before, and that is just unforgettable. Unfortunately, this Grilled Eggplant With Miso ($6.65 / Price In Other Restaurants $14.00) paled in comparison with a confusing flavour profile and too many elements. The miso lacks flavour, and the presence of the pickled onions seems unnecessary.

Octopus With Potato Mousse 4/5

For mains, Octopus With Potato Mousse ($19.85 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) is a real gem at this price point. The octopus was grilled with the right amount of char and doneness. However, the potato mousse could have been less buttery as it got cloying after a while.

Beef Cheek With Pea Purée 2.5/5

The Beef Cheek With Pea Purée ($12.75 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) comes at a very attractive price point but was disappointingly dry. The curry-flavour puree was too sweet and intense, and the sauce didn't quite bring the elements together either.

Ceviche Mary 4/5

True Cost also keeps the tipples at affordable prices despite its location and gorgeous setting. We had a smokey and piquant Ceviche Mary ($11.30), a reimagination of the morning cocktail Bloody Mary, featuring a tomato mix blended with 12 handpicked secret ingredients.

Cover Charges
Mon - Thu: 11am - 3pm - $5
Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm - $10
Mon - Fri: 3pm - 5pm - FREE ENTRANCE
Fri: 5pm - 10pm - $15
Sat: $15
Sun: $10
PH: $15

I understand the restaurant currently is opened daily from 5pm to 11pm but it has planned to extend it opening hours in the future.

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


True Cost Singapore
Suntec City
Sky Garden
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-302-303
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 88940615
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 11pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Gary's Restaurant @ Rochester Park - New Italian Fine Dining Restaurant In The West

Gary's Restaurant is one of the newest restaurants to open in the Rochester Park area. The Italian restaurant was opened by founder and executive chef Gary Wu. He has honed his culinary skills in Michelin starred restaurant and cooking for the Brunei royal family, cabinet ministers, and celebrities. The restaurant is located in a 2-storey heritage black and white house, surrounded by vast greenery.

Hokkaido Scallop “Crudo” 4.5/5

Our dinner at Gary's Restaurant started with the Hokkaido Scallop "Crudo" ($20). The Japanese scallop is paired with ikura, citrus salad, red radish, and dressed in a ginger ponzu sauce. I enjoyed how ginger ponzu brightened the sweetness of the scallop.

Pan Seared Foie Gras 4.2/5

Next, we had the Pan Seared Foie Gras ($26). It is paired with onion chutney and aged balsamic. The sweetness helped to cut through the creaminess and richness.

Carbonara 4.8/5

The Carbonara ($26) brought a smile to me. It is not the saucy type in which creams are added. Instead, it is the classic way of cooking carbonara. It may look simple, but it is a beautifully cooked pasta paired with crispy iberico chips, parmigiano and a dash of truffle oil. It has been a long time since I had such good tasting carbonara done the traditional way.

Slow Cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek 4.8/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the fork-tender Slow Cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek ($38). It is soft and flavourful, paired excellently with sweet pea, sweet carrot and truffle crush potato.

Tiramisu 4.5/5

I was told the Tiramisu ($14) is baked a la minute. The savoiardi soaked with Kahlua coffee liqueur and the mascarpone has just the right balance of sweetness, complemented by the right bitterness from the coffee and cocoa powder.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gary's Restaurant
41 Rochester Drive
Singapore 138582
Tel: 65 89200200
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Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Take the sheltered walkway and walk towards Star Vista. Turn left onto Rochester Drive. Walk down Rochester Drive towards Rochester Mall. Take the staircase at the back of Rochester Mall. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Fleur De Sel Le Restaurant @ Tras Street - Bringing Fine French Cuisine To The Comfort Of Your Home

Fleur De Sel Le Restaurant is a French restaurant located at the heart of Singapore's Central Business District along Tras Street. I am actually quite surprise the restaurant has been under my radar all these years. If it is a new restaurant I could have understand but it has been around since 2013. If not for the pandemic with the restaurant joining the food delivery bandwagon, I probably would not have known the restaurant opened by Chef/Owner Alexandre Lozachemeur.

Lobster Bisque

Beef Cheek Bourguignon

Who says you can't have fine French cuisine at the comfort of your home? Starting with some soups, we have the Lobster Bisque and Beef Cheek Bourguignon. We also got some bread to go along with the soups. The soups were legit, packed with depth and flavours. 

Crab & Prawn Citrus Salad 

Light and yet refreshing is the Crab & Prawn Citrus Salad, paired with avocado and coriander vinaigrette. 

Chicken Thigh Basquaise with Tomato & Stewed  Capsicums

Moving to the mains, we have a whole Chicken Thigh Basquaise with Tomato & Stewed Capsicums, that has been cooked to tender and soaking up the delicious sauce.

Seared Hokkaido Scallops

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Seared Hokkaido Scallops paired with braised leek and 

black truffle chicken sauce. Besides the plump scallop, what delighted me is the braised leek that complemented the dish excellently.

Beef Tongue with Tomato Sauce, Gherkins and Potato

Beef Tongue maybe acquire for some but as long as you can overcome psychological block, you will appreciate the fork tender piece of meat cooked in tomato sauce. I like the addition of gherkins which help to freshen up the palate from the richness. 

Seabass in Papillote with Zucchini, Tomato, Lemon and Thyme

For the Seabass in Papillote, you just need to heat up and you are ready to dine. The seabass was really moist, complemented by zucchini, tomato, lemon and thyme, elevating the whole taste as well as presentation.

Tiramisu

For dessert, I have the Tiramisu. I like the way it is done, light and not overly sweeten with the distinct espresso coming through from each mouthful. 

Lemon and Meringue Tart

If you like something sweet and sour, you will definitely enjoy the Lemon and Meringue Tart. It is definitely one of the best I have eaten for a long time.

Breakfast Basket

Not to be missed is the Breakfast Basket from Fleur De Sel with their freshly bakes. The breakfast basket consists of 2 croissants, 2 Almond Croissants, 2 Pain Au Chocolat, 2 Pain Au Raisin with 3 mini jams and butter.

Fleur De Sel Le Restaurant 

64 Tras Street

Singapore 079003

Tel: +65 62226861

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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri: 12pm - 2pm, 630pm - 10pm

Sat: 630pm - 10pm

(Closed on Sun)

Direction:

1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]