Odem @ New Bahru - Modern Korean Restaurant and Craft Makkoli Bar

In New Bahru, Singapore's latest trendy lifestyle and dining destination, Odem is a modern Korean restaurant and craft makkoli bar. Nestled in the corner of this vibrant development, Odem brings a fresh take on Korean cuisine with a contemporary twist. During my visit, I had the chance to sample several standout dishes.

Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter 4/5

We began our meal with the Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter ($20). With its soy glaze, the brioche was soft, buttery, and delightful. The highlight, however, was the Gamtae seaweed butter, which paired perfectly with the warm brioche, enhancing its flavours and adding a hint of umami. It's a simple dish but incredibly satisfying.

Banchan Platter 3/5

Next, we tried the Banchan Platter ($24), which consisted of Granochi (an Anchovy Granola bar with anchovies, nuts, and seeds), Dubu mousse, kimchi, Spinach & Tott, Cucumber Kimchi, and Gim Chips. The Granochi was my personal favourite, offering a nice crunchy texture, while the cucumber kimchi was refreshing. However, considering most Korean restaurants serve banchan for free, I don't know if I would justify paying for this platter.

Makkoli Flights

Odem distinguishes itself from typical Korean restaurants by offering an impressive array of handcrafted makkoli sourced from across South Korea. They've curated two tasting flights for those unfamiliar with makkoli: Odem Quintet ($60) and Moonshots ($88). For those eager to explore, this is a fun way to delve into the world of makkoli, with a range of flavours and profiles that complement the modern Korean fare.

Savoury Donut 4.2/5

The Savoury Donut ($15) was a pleasant surprise. Fluffy and dusted with smoked gochugaru, the donut had a delicate sweetness that balanced perfectly with the savoury filling. Bite into it, and you'll find a delicious combination of shio kelp, salmon roe, and creme fraiche, making it a unique burst of flavours. A definite must-try!

Toro Kimbap 4.8/5

One of my favourite dishes of the night was the Toro Kimbap ($55). The generous portions of chutoro and akami were luxurious, wrapped with perilla, pickled radish, kelp-soy, and sesame. The balance of fish to rice ratio was perfect, and the freshness of the fish elevated this dish. It's a luxurious spin on the classic kimbap and absolutely worth the splurge.

Barbecued Kalbi 5/5

The star of the night was undoubtedly the Barbecued Kalbi ($78). These US boneless beef ribs were marinated to perfection, boasting a sweet glaze that beautifully complemented the charred exterior with tender, juicy ribs that melted in the mouth. This dish was a showstopper, served with a side of watercress salad dressed in tokki butter sauce. If you only try one dish here, make sure it's this one.

Chapssal Donut, Pine Nut Gelato (3pc) 3.5/5

We ended the meal with the Chapssal Donut with Pine Nut Gelato ($18 for 3 pieces). The donuts, filled with red bean paste, offered a nice twist from the usual dessert offerings. While the donuts were good, I actually enjoyed the Pine Nut Gelato more. It was light and refreshing, making for a lovely palate cleanser after the richer dishes. I wouldn't mind having just the gelato to wrap up the meal.

Odem offers a refreshing take on modern Korean cuisine with unique twists and luxurious ingredients. The ambiance, paired with their expertly crafted dishes, makes it an exciting dining spot to explore. While some items might seem a little pricey (especially considering banchan is usually complimentary), the quality of the food and the innovative takes make it worth a visit. If you're looking to indulge in something new, be sure to try the Toro Kimbap and Barbecued Kalbi!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Odem
New Bahru
46 Kum Yam Road
#01-17
Singapore 239351
Tel: +65 8494 8626
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 2pm, 5pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and cut through UE Square to Unity Street. Turn right onto Unity Street and walk to Mohamed Sultan Road. Cross the road and walk to Kim Yam Road. Walk down Kim Yam Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

A Yuletide Season of Love and Peace at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

For this festive season, Marriott Tang Plaza Singapore has launched an exciting line-up starring 11 new items for this year's festive takeaway, such as traditional roast turkey, whole king crab, dry-aged Irish beef, log cakes and more. Pre-orders start on 6 November 2023, with collection and delivery available from 24 November to 25 December 2023.

Whole Roasted Turkey

Whole Roasted Turkey with Singapore Sling Marinade, Cherry and Pineapple Stuffing with Singapore Sling Sauce, and port Wine Sauce ($240/ 4.5 kg to 5 kg, serves 6 to 8 persons) draws inspiration from Singapore's famed cocktail, Singapore Sling. The exceptional crispy and caramelised turkey skin results from submerging into a brine solution for 72 hours before roasting, consisting of ingredients like orange, juniper berries, cinnamon, brown sugar, white wine and cherry liquor. This step gives it a good season while drawing out the skin's moisture. The meat was kept pretty tender. Cherry and Pineapple Stuffing is served on the side, with a tart sweetness to pair with the turkey.

Roast Pork Saddle

Roast Pork Saddle with Pancetta and Porcini Mushroom Stuffing with Spiced Orange Rum Sauce – $225 nett (2 kg, serves 6 to 8 persons). This famed Roast Pork Saddle is well-loved for its crispy, crackling skin. The meat was tender with a good ratio of fats, stuffed with pancetta, porcini mushroom and aromatic herbs that impart flavours to the meat during the roasting process. The accompanying spiced orange rum sauce helps to cut through the strong flavours for a savoury-sweet balance.

Smoky BBQ Dry Aged Irish Beef Mid Ribs

Smoky BBQ Dry Aged Irish Beef Mid Ribs (Bone-in) – $270 nett (1.8 kg to 2 kg, serves 6 to 8 persons) is sous vide for 36 hours to attain a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Specially sourced, John Stone's dry-aged Irish beef famed for its sustainable practices that focuses on the farm, environment and ageing process. This premium 39-day dry-aged Irish Beef Mid Ribs is known for its luxurious richness.

Baked Whole King Crab with Sea Urchin Gratin & Pasta

For seafood option, you can consider the stunning Baked Whole King Crab with Sea Urchin Gratin & Pasta – $325 nett (1.5 kg to 1.8 kg, serves 6 persons). The fresh crab roe and crab meat chunks are first separated and folded in with sea urchin, grated cheese and white wine before baking to achieve a glistening gratin crust. It is served on a bed of orecchiette pasta lightly sautéed with garlic and olive oil. While the flavours were there, I found it a tad too saltish for my liking.

For the sweets, Blue Pea White Peach Log Cake (1 kg, $90 nett) is designed specially for the ladies. Glazed in lovely hues of blue and white from all-natural butterfly pea, it is layered with peachy-goodness of fresh white peach puree, mousse and blue pea sponge cake sandwiched in between.

My favourite would be the berries-chocolate combination found in the Mulled Wine Mixed Berries Log Cake (1 kg, $90 nett), cute with a Santa suit. Layered with raspberry cream, red wine jelly, forest berry, chocolate mousse and crunchy chocolate biscuit, the hint of alcohol helps to cut through the sweetness.

A classic would be Signature Chocolate Fudge Log Cake (1 kg $85 nett / 500g, $45 nett), well known for its fluffy chiffon cake made of Belgian chocolate. It wasn't as rich a chocolate cake as I anticipated.

Caramel Popcorn with Apple Christmas Train

Caramel Popcorn with Apple Christmas Train (1 kg, $90 nett) allures with layers made of buttery popcorn biscuit base, caramel sponge and apple jelly.

Seafood Paella

Grilled Octopus with Chorizo

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Crossroads Buffet will be offering a scrumptious seafood fare featuring an assortment of Sashimi and Ceviche Live Station of Barramundi Ceviche, salmon carpaccio and tuna tartare, a selection of Spanish tapas like Grilled Octopus with Chorizo, Gambas al Ajillo, Dry-Aged Irish Skirt Steak with Garlic Puree, and more.

Pre-order* on https://celebratorydelights.com/christmas starts from 6 November 2023, with collection and delivery available from 24 November to 25 December 2023.

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.


Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865

Usher in this Joyous Season with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s ‘Everyday Italian’ Festive Highlights 2023

Usher in this joyous season with Da Paolo Gastronomia's 'Everyday Italian' Festive Highlights available for self pick-up and delivery. They are available for orders online from 1 November to 31 December 2023 or while stocks last (whichever is earlier) for self pick-up from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet and delivery from 4 November 2023.

Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey 4.8/5

The Stuffed & Deboned Roast Turkey ($388, approximately 4kg) was excellent. Filled with its own meat and its Christmas Stuffing, which comprises chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and veggies, enveloping a classic Italian sausage Cotechino, it breaks the monotony of having roast turkey during the Christmas season. The stuffing itself was seasoned just enough to complement the tender turkey meat, and the flavoursome sausage imparted a depth of savoury and meaty flavour that truly enhanced the experience of enjoying a roast turkey on this special occasion.

Braised Beef Rib 3/5

The Braised Beef Ribs ($248, approximately 1.3kg) is new to the line-up, suitable for 6 to 8 persons. It's low-cooked in red wine and served with roasted potatoes, onions, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. While the rib was fork-tender, I found it lacking in flavour.

Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad

Truffle Mac & Cheese

Sumptuous sides are available to pair with the roasts. For a refreshing crunch, the best option would be Brussels Sprouts, Turnip & Cranberry Salad ($69). The cranberries lent pop of sweetness to the roots and vegetables. For something hearty and indulgent, Da Paolo's signature Truffle Mac & Cheese ($110) is good for 4 to 6 persons.

White Forest Log Cake 4.8/5

For the very first time, I've found a white log cake that isn't cloyingly sweet. Conversely, this White Forest Log Cake ($89, approximately 900g) was light, featuring white chocolate yoghurt chantilly. What makes all the difference is the homemade rum-spiked morello cherry compote in the centre. Sweet and tart, with a depth of smoky and bittersweetness imparted by the rum, perfectly matches the yoghurt chantilly.

Homemade Stollen 4/5

The new Homemade Stollen ($48, approximately 400g) is crafted with month-long macerated dried fruit and toasted nuts in their very own spice blend and traditional Kirschwasser. The toasted nuts are melded within, giving it a moreish nutty flavour, which helps cut through the richness of the sweet marzipan core.

Gingerbread Chocolate Tart 3.5/5

Rocky Road Eggless Brownie 3.5/5

There are new sweet delights as well. The Gingerbread Chocolate Tart ($89, approximately 700g) boasts a buttery gingerbread spiced crust with a gooey homemade caramel layer between almond frangipane and dark chocolate. While the tart is unique with its gingerbread tart shell, it could have been less sweet for a better balance. The new Rocky Road Eggless Brownie ($89, approximately 850g) features a layer of dark chocolate ganache and is topped with walnuts, marshmallows, and Maraschino cherries. I find the chocolate notes a tad overwhelmed by the sweetness.

Panettone

Exquisite Gift Hamper Panettone - Handmade by Da Paolo's artisan bakers in Italy, the dough is leavened for 36 hours to develop a softer and fluffier crumb with more intense flavours. Panettone Classico ($72 for 750g) and Panettoncino Classico ($14.90, 100g) are filled with raisins and candied citrus peels. In contrast, the Panettone Cioccolato ($75 for 750g) is studded with dark chocolate chips, and the Panettone Prosecco ($75 for 750g) contains Prosecco D.O.C.G. cream.

All offerings other than the Gingerbread Cookies, Stollen, Tea Tins, and Panettone are exclusively available online at https://gastronomia-foodtoorder.dapaolo.com.sg from 1 November to 31 December 2023 or while stocks last (whichever is earlier) for self pick-up from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet, and delivery from 4 November 2023. Orders must be made three days in advance, before 12pm. Enjoy anlol early bird offer of 15% off the Christmas Roast Bundle for orders placed from 1 November till 30 November 2023.

Lime House Caribbean Restaurant @ Jiak Chuan Road - Launches New Caribbean Weekend Brunch Menu

Indulge in a captivating weekend brunch experience at Lime House Caribbean Restaurant, where the new brunch menu is set to delight your taste buds. Led by Chef Ricardo Allen, a talented chef from Jamaica, the menu showcases his passion for Jamaican street food and his heartfelt culinary creations inspired by his grandmother. The brunch menu at Lime House offers a delightful range of options inspired by all things Caribbean, from tapas to sharing platters, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

With over 300 labels, Lime House boasts one of the largest and most robust selections of rums, allowing you to pair your meal with refreshing rum or tropical cocktails. Sip on expertly crafted libations that perfectly capture the spirit of the Caribbean, further enhancing your dining experience. The Rumgria at Lime House Caribbean Restaurant is a tropical twist on Sangria, featuring homemade sorrel, a mix of fruits, red wine, and blended rum. This refreshing drink captures the essence of the Caribbean with its vibrant flavours and tropical flair.

Vegetable Stamp and Go 4.2/5

The Vegetable Stamp and Go ($10) features deep-fried fritters made with a flavourful blend of various vegetables, creating a medley of textures and tastes. To enhance the flavours and add a touch of sweetness, the fritters are served with a mango-flavoured sweet chilli sauce. The mango flavour adds a tropical twist, bringing a refreshing and fruity element to the dish.

Mini Patties 3.8/5

The Mini Patties at Lime House Caribbean Restaurant are delicious bite-sized pastries available in Beef ($15) or Vegetable ($12) options. The Beef Mini Patties feature tender and flavourful beef fillings, while the Vegetable Mini Patties offer an assortment of seasoned vegetables. Both options are wrapped in flaky pastry and served with jerk BBQ sauce. These Mini Patties are a delightful treat that packs big flavours in a small package, perfect for enjoying as an appetizer or as part of a shared meal.

Reggae Jerk Platter 4.2/5

The Reggae Jerk Platter ($50) brings together a mouthwatering combination of jerk BBQ shrimp, chicken, and pork or beef ribs. Served with sides of festival, roasted corn, and coleslaw, it offers a complete and satisfying meal that showcases the vibrant flavours of the Caribbean. The dish comes in a family platter for $80 or single platter for $50.

Traditional Jamaican Escovitch Fish 4/5

The Traditional Jamaican Escovitch Fish ($39) is a classic dish showcasing Jamaican cuisine's vibrant and bold taste, offering a tantalising combination of crispy fried fish, tangy escovitch pickles, and fluffy festival. The combination creates a symphony of flavours that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Jamaica. It is a must-try dish that celebrates the bold and vibrant flavours of the Caribbean.

Curried Goat 4.2/5

The Curried Goat ($30) showcases tender goat meat cooked in a flavourful curry sauce alongside potatoes and carrots. To complete the meal, ripe plantains are served alongside the curried goat. The sweet and caramelised flavours of the ripe plantains provide a delightful contrast to the savoury curry, adding a touch of sweetness. The dish is also served with rice and peas. The rice is cooked with flavourful coconut milk and kidney beans, infusing it with a creamy and aromatic quality.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Lime House Caribbean Restaurant
2 Jiak Chuan Road
Singapore 089260
Tel: +65 6222 3130
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 5pm - 12midnight
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk down Neil Road towards Keong Siak Road. Turn right into the lane after the carpark. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Duxton Plain Park. Cut through the park to Keong Siak Road. At Keong Siak Road, walk to Jiak Chuan Road. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Grill Ninety Nine @ Arab Street - Halal Restaurant Offering Quality & Affordable Western Cuisine

Less than 5 minutes walk from Bugis MRT station will bring you to Grill Ninety Nine at Arab Street. Serving western cuisine that is prepared using halal-certified ingredients, Grill Ninety Nine prides itself on its meat offerings, featuring good quality beef and lamb from New Zealand.

Crispy Crab Cakes 4.5/5

Appetisers may not be the primary focus of your meal, but you must try its Crispy Crab Cakes ($12.90) which is also available as a burger variant. When so often crab cakes are loaded with fillers, crusts that are too thick or over-fried even, these were thin and crisp, with the inside moist and well-seasoned to bring out the delicate flavours of the crab leg meat.

Cream of Mushroom 3.5/5

Cream of Mushroom ($6) is made in-house too. I loved the peppery-ness of it, which elevated the aromatic and earthy flavours of the mushrooms. It is very creamy and heavy, hence do share if you are going for it.

Ribeye Steak 4/5

Grill Ninety Nine's signature items are undeniably its steaks, served with a choice of black pepper, mushroom or brown sauce. We tried Ribeye Steak ($29.90 for 200g/ $45 for 425g). Lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, it was skillfully grilled to the doneness we requested. What made it even tastier was the fresh medley of herbs, in particular rosemary, that accented its fats and juice. Steaks are served with either fries or mash potato. We had ours changed to their new side item, sweet potato fries, for tasting purposes. It is available as a side for $9.90.

A highlight on its menu is the offering of Raclette Cheese at $8.90, which you can add as a topping on your mains, be it steak, burger, pasta. Prepared a la minute after your main is served, get your phone ready to capture the wow moment as you see a huge dollop of warm, gooey raclette cheese being scraped and allow to fall onto your plate.

Oven Roasted Angus Beef Ribs 3/5

The much anticipated Oven-roasted Angus Beef Ribs ($49.90) didn't quite hit the mark. The portion definitely sells, which was a feast for the eyes when it was served to us, but the sticky glaze that coated the meat was too sweet, and the meat was not as tender as expected.

Jawbreaker 3.5/5

Moving on to burgers, Jawbreaker ($22) offers your ravenous soul with a triple handmade beef patty piled between freshly baked brioche buns. Each patty is about 150g and in between patties are pickles and inhouse sauces. I like the buns used here, they didn't go all soggy even then they had to hold what was being stuffed between them. The spices and herbs used in the patty flavoured the meat well, but the juiciness of the patties fell short from expectations. Without the natural fats and juice from the meat, it lacked the beefy flavour that I seek. Nacho cheese is used for the burgers here, and personally, I feel that hard cheeses that are sharper in flavours work better in burgers. That said, the whole visual entertainment and satisfaction derived from eating a three-tiered patty burger are still considered tummy and senses filling.

Nutella Brownie Milkshake 3.5/5

On the drinks menu, what stood out is the Nutella Brownie Milkshake ($10) that comes with a rich and moist brownie stick. I think this combination will also work should there be a hot version of it.

Waffle with Ondeh-Ondeh Ice Cream 3.8/5

Desserts are simple, such as cakes, scoops of ice cream or housemade soft-serve ice creams. We tried the combination of Waffle with Ondeh-Ondeh Ice Cream. The waffle was soft with a crispy exterior, and interestingly as they sopped up the ice cream, they attained a slightly chewy texture which accentuated the characteristics of Ondeh Ondeh experience. A handful more grated coconut would have made this dessert more complete.

Written and photography 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.


Grill Ninety Nine
142 Arab Street
Singapore 199828
Tel: +65 62927363
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Victoria Street towards Arab Street. Turn right onto Arab Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]