Armoury Steakhouse @ Orchard Central - Exclusive Big Cuts and Beer O'Clock Promotion

Armoury Steakhouse at Orchard Central takes pride in its exceptional offering of big cuts for its steaks. From solo cuts of 250g to 2.2kg Tomahawk, the menu is designed to create a feast for meat lovers. An exclusive Beer O'Clock promotion has also been launched to complete the experience!

AUS Wagyu Ribeye 4/5

One of their most popular cuts, AUS Wagyu Ribeye for 2, weighing 500g, is now available at a promotional price of $68 (U.P $100). It also comes with 2 sides of your choice. The recommended doneness is medium rare, and ours came blushing in pink with a nicely charred exterior.

Bacon Mac & Cheese 4/5

There are also premium sides for add-ons. Bacon Mac & Cheese (+$9) was creamy and comforting, with the macaroni evenly coated in melted cheese. The bacon bits accented the dish with a smoky and savoury note, which added a detectable contrast to the creamy moussels.

Truffle Fries 3.8/5

We also tried a side dish Truffle Fries ($15). The texture of the fries was good, carrying the aroma of truffle.

For their exclusive Beer O'Clock promotion - From lunch until 4pm, the beers are available at just $3 per pint. As the day progresses, the prices increase gradually, with pints available at $4 from 4pm, $5 from 5pm, $6 from 6pm, and $7 per pint until 8pm.

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.


Armoury Steakhouse
Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
#11-03/04
Singapore 238896
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Tue: 1130am - 10pm
Wed-Sat: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Brotzeit @ Westgate - Everyday's A Fest This Oktoberfest At Brotzeit

For this Oktoberfest, Brotzeit outlets at Raffles City, VivoCity, Westgate and Katong have put together a collection of scrumptious festival dishes and specially imported limited-edition Erdinger Oktoberfest beer from Germany to celebrate the annual event from 31 August to 24 October 2022.

Brotzeit has also organised Party Days across its outlets, held over brunch and evening sessions.
Brotzeit Katong: Sunday, 9 October, 11am - 3pm
Brotzeit Westgate: Sunday, 23 October, 11am - 3pm (Closing Party)
Brotzeit Vivocity: Sunday, 23 October, 6pm - 12midnight (Closing Party)

Munchner Weisswurst 4.8/5

Not to be missed is the Munchenr Weisswurst ($15), better known as the white sausage. The traditional Bavarian sausage is made from minced veal and pork, flavoured with parsley, lemon, onion, ginger and spices. By the way, unlike other sausages, weisswurst is never consumed with its skin on. The most popular way to enjoy this sausage is by cutting it lengthwise, folding it open in the middle and "rolling" the meat out to the side with a knife.

Pretzel 4.5/5

Traditionally, weisswurst is eaten with pretzels and sweet mustard. Hence, how not to order some Pretzels ($17) to go along with the weisswurst.

Brotzeit Oktoberfestplatte 4.2/5

Great for sharing is the new Brotzeit Oktoberfestplatte ($145). The festive platter is filled with goodies and great for four to six persons who can tuck into the Signature Pork Knuckle, Nürnberger Stadtwurst, Thüringer Sausages, Fried Chicken and Meatloaf. Complete and enjoy the platter with a 3L Erdinger Oktoberfest beer in a barrel for $228++, only available for dine-in.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Brotzeit
Westgate
3 Gateway Drive
#01-04
Singapore 608532
Tel: +65 64659874
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Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Cowaramup Roadhouse @ Telok Blangah Road - Australian Roadhouse Style Family Restaurant & Bar

Newly opened along Telok Blangah Road is Cowaramup Roadhouse, an Australian roadhouse style family restaurant and bar by Mooloolabar and Kitchen by JT. It replaces the now-defunct San Laksa Steamboat. Customers can look forward to an extensive menu featuring a wide variety of starters, grilled skewers, gourmet meats, sharing platters, kids and weekend breakfast. It even has a dog-friendly alfresco dining area.

Since Cowaramup is an Australian roadhouse-style restaurant, I just have to kick start the dinner with a few beer glasses.

Veal Sweetbread 3.5/5

From the starters, we had the Veal Sweetbread ($18) to kickstart our dinner. The deep-fried breaded veal nuggets are incredibly tender, an ideal munch to go with a few drinks. It is a change from the usual fries and chicken wings.

Seafood Skewer 3.8/5

A delightful starter is the Seafood Skewer ($25 for 2pc), comprising of tiger prawn wrapped with fish skin, squid, scallop and baby octopus. If you are not a seafood person, there are other skewers such as chicken, beef, lamb, and vegetarian.

Oven-baked Barramundi 3.8/5

We started with the Oven-baked Barramundi ($22) for the mains. The huge fillet of barramundi comes wrapped in bacon, resting on a bed of creamy spinach, crowned with smoke onion rings. It is indeed value for money.

Beef Wellington 4.2/5

Suppose you have tried the western fare at Meet 4 Meat at East Coast Road by Chef Jimmy Teo for its affordable gourmet meat. In that case, you will be delighted to know that Chef Jimmy Teo curates the menu at Cowaramup. I have tried his beef wellington before, so I am glad that he had brought the dish to the West. Now, I need not travel to East Coast to savour it anymore.

Beef Wellington 4.2/5

The Beef Wellington ($34/$100/$180) comes in three weights - 200g, 500g and 1kg. The charcoal-grilled Australian beef tenderloin and mushroom duxelles are wrapped in puff pastry paired with a brown sauce and fresh herb salad. Customers who want to perk up the enjoyment further have a choice of adding foie gras.

Cowaramup is a new exciting addition to the F&B scene in the west. I am glad that there is a new place near my home for me to grab a drink complemented with affordable Western fares. I am looking forward to my next visit to try more of the dishes curated by Chef Jimmy Teo, especially his Duck Wellington and Chicken Parmigiana.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Cowaramup
404 Telok Blangah Road
Singapore 098840
Tel: +65 85001111
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Nearest: Telok Blangah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri:3pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun & PH: 9am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Blangah MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Telok Blangah Road. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Frieda Restaurant @ The Capitol Kempinski - New Bavarian Weekend Brunch

Frieda Restaurant at The Capitol Kempinski has recently launched Früehschoppen, a weekend Bavarian Brunch experience similar to the concept of brunch, where men gather over the weekend in the late morning in pubs, inns or taverns over drinks and light bites before lunch.

Beer Flight

And of course, the beers. Früehschoppen Beer Specials are available to complete the experience. Beer Flight with four beers in tasting portion at $15nett and two pints of German Weissbier or Weissbier Dunkel at $19++. You may be happy to know that the beer flight is available on weekdays as well.

Bavarian Sausage Salad 3.8/5

We started off with Bavarian Sausage Salad, served with sourdough bread. It was hard at first to imagine having a salad with beer, but this was different. Consists of beer sausage, gruyere cheese and pickles, it was saltish, piquant and has a meaty bite.

Frieda Fruhchoppen Vesper Platter 3.8/5

From the Brunch menu, Frieda Fruhchoppen Vesper Platter ($19) truly reflects the vibe of Früehschoppen, where the table gathers around the platter, reaching out for the various German cold cuts and cheese, complemented with mixed pickles and pretzel.

Oktoberfest Meat Platter 4.2/5

Since Oktoberfest is approaching, Frieda Restaurant has also prepared something special to celebrate this greatest beer festival in the world. At $55 per person, you get to enjoy a welcome pint of beer and a free-flow butter of German grub. We tried the Oktoberfest Meat Platter, comprising Grilled Nuremberger Sausage, Meatloaf, Weisswurst with Mashed potato and Sauerkraut. One of the highlights of this platter is the Weisswurst, a traditional boiled white sausage, very lightly flavoured with some herbs and spices. Not so commonly offered elsewhere, this is a breakfast sausage, best eaten with sweet mustard and the soft pretzel dumplings.

Apple Bread Pudding 3.5/5

Ending the meal, we have something sweet to balance out all the savoury grub. The Apple Bread Pudding is served with vanilla ice cream. The vanilla ice cream was really good. It was light and almost refreshing to the palate. As for apple bread pudding, I wish there were more apple slices to lighten it up.

Topping up $50 will give you four hours of free-flowing beer. There's Early Bird Discount of 20% off for booking made before 30 September 2020.

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.


Frieda
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
13 Stamford Road
#01-87 and #01-K1, K2
Singapore 178905
Tel +6567156873
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 8pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to traffic junction North Bridge Road and Stamford Road. Cross the road. Walk down Stamford Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Brotzeit @ Vivocity - Celebrating Oktoberfest In Singapore

While Oktoberfest has been cancelled in the hometown of Munich, and we can't travel to Germany to celebrate one of the largest folk festivals in the world, let Brotzeit brings the celebration to Singapore from 15 September to 25 October 2020.

What is Oktoberfest without beer, right? In Munich, only six breweries have the honour of serving Oktoberfest beer. For this year Oktoberfest, Brotzeit has specially imported the Oktoberfest brew from one of the six: Hofbrau, founded by William V, Duke of Bavaria in 1589 which is still a traditional Bavarian-run brewery today.

Crispy Pork Cracklings 4.2/5

Crispy Fried Pig Ears 3.5/5

We had some snack bites to go with the beer. We tried the Crispy Pork Cracklings ($6) and Crispy Fried Pig Ears ($12). I enjoyed the pork skin for its crispiness and seasoning. As for the pig ears, I felt the seasoning was a bit lacking. It would be more enjoyable if the batter is more heavily seasoned though it is accompanied with mustard chilli dip at the side.

Preserved and Smoked Spreads 4.2/5

The Preserved and Smoked Spreads is an interesting platter that is to be eaten like a Korean bbq. You take a piece of romaine lettuce, spread it with the choice of duck confit, chicken truffle or smoked trout, and finally add some salt pretzel, wrap and eat it. It is quite a new and interesting way to appreciate German cuisine in this way.

Cold Roast Pork 4.5/5

Moving on we have the Cold Roast Pork ($16) which comes with pork collar marinated overnight in Brotzeit's 12-spice pork knuckle mix, pickled beer radish, mustard chilli sauce and crispy pork skin. This is a dish that reminds Chef Lorenz of his grandma, who always prepared cold roast meats with apricots for him after school. It seems like a start dish but its really substantial. I enjoyed everything on the plate, which is very appetising.

Giant Pretzel with Farmer Sausage 4.5/5

I have eaten pretzel, but not a Giant Pretzel ($28) sandwiched with red cabbage, pickles, mustard and farmer sausage. This is good for 2-3 people. It is really hearty and comforting. I would highly recommend ordering this.

Crispy Roasted Pork Shoulder 4.2/5

Value for money dish on the Oktoberfest menu is the Crispy Roasted Pork Shoulder ($45) which comes with Autumn vegetables and potato dumplings. The fork-tender pork shoulder comes with a layer of extremely crispy skin, that echoes a thundering crackle with every bite. The accompanying fluffy potato dumplings and vegetables provide a delightful textural and flavour contrast.

Roasted Pig Liver 4.8/5

An acquire dish on the menu is the Roasted Pig Liver ($26). Either you love it or hate it. I didn't know German cuisine has this dish on the menu. Though it is cooked using the Western technique with a blend of mustard and paired with poached apples, it tastes similar to the Asian way of cooking pig liver. I am really surprised and excited that pig liver can be prepared this way. If you are adventurous enough, you should really try it.

Battered Fried Apple Wheels 4/5

Wrapping up the meal is the Battered Fried Apple Wheels ($11). The Fiji apple is coated in a light beer batter and dusted with sugar and cinnamon. It has a delightful crunch complemented by a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.

I really enjoyed the new Oktoberfest menu created by recently joined Group Executive Chef Lorenz Raich. He brings with him a wealth of culinary experience in highly lauded boutique venues, famous Michelin-starred restaurants as well as five-star hotels. For the new menu, he has brought a touch of finesse to the traditional dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Brotzeit
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-149/151
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62728815
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Danger Close Beverage Co. @ Alexandra Village Food Centre - Gourmet Tea & Nitro Cold Brew Coffee On Tap

Having been to Alexandra Village Food Centre so many times, I didn't know that there is a hawker stall by the name of Danger Close Beverage Co., selling gourmet tea and coffee on tap besides draught beer and craft beer. All thanks to KF Seetoh for introducing me to the stall.

We ordered the Chinos and Lady Grey, which are pulled from the tap directly. The layer of foam and colour of the tea looks like a glass of beer, isn't it?

Chinos and Lady Grey

The Chinois is a sparking tea on tap that has a fruity taste of lychee, dried fruit and honey. On the other hand, Lady Grey has a citrus and smoky flavour.

Ping Pong Tie Guan Ying

If you want to see some showmanship, order the Ping Pong Tie Guan Ying. Calvin, the stall owner, will brew the Tie Guan Ying from Pek Sin Choon, one of the oldest tea merchant in Singapore, in a traditional teapot. It is then mixed together in a cocktail shaker like a cocktail. It is a light and refreshing drink that is suitable for the humble Singapore weather.

Abyss Nitro Cold Brew

For the coffee lover, you may want to have the Abyss Nitro Coffee on tap. It has a soft, creamy finishing, almost like having a stout. I have to warn you that coffee quite intense as nitro cold brew contains a much a higher level of caffeine.

Danger Close Beverage Co. definitely brings fresh air to the hawker scene in Singapore. Besides crafted beers and the classic coffee selections, it also offers gourmet tea and nitro cold brew on tap, which is something very unique for the hawker scene.


Danger Close Beverage Co.
Alexandra Village Food Centre
Blk 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-05
Singapore 150120
Contact: +65 94359194
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 2pm, 530pm - 9pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]

Miss Vanda - The Delivery Arm of One Michelin-Starred Restaurant Labyrinth

Miss Vanda is the delivery arm of Michelin-starred restaurant Labyrinth. The menu consists of local favourites which are somewhat familiar but yet different with an elevated twist. The concept was originally Chef Han's expansion into casual dining, but the pandemic gives birth to the delivery service instead.

Singapore Style Laksa with Premium Seafood

The Singapore Style Laksa with Premium Seafood ($28) blown me away with with its no holds barred rich flavours. The laksa broth made from fresh coconut milk, belachan and prawn heads hit me like a tank with its richness. Look deeper into the creamy broth, you will discover a treasure of pan-seared Hokkaido scallop, local Green Lip Mussel stuffed with Fish Paste, and Her Geow with Crabmeat filing. This is definitely an atas rendition of the local laksa.

Boneless Crispy Har Cheong Chicken Wings

Unfortunately the Boneless Crispy Har Cheong Chicken Wings ($14) did not travel well. It lost its crispiness when I received the delivery. However, I can imagine how good it will tastes if I get to have it pipping hot as the distinct prawn paste flavour was well marinated into the chicken wings.

Labyrinth Signature Claypot "Ang Moh" Chicken Rice

If you have tried the Labyrinth's "Ang Moh" Chicken Rice, now you have the full portion at Miss Vanda. The Labyrinth Signature Claypot "Ang Moh" Chicken Rice ($18) is created in memory of Chef Han's grandmother. She created the version during the colonial era whilst working for a British family, pairing Hainanese chicken rice with creamy chicken mushroom sauce. For those that is used to our local Hainanese chicken rice, it will take sometime to appreciate it.

Hainanese Style Sweet & Sour Sakura-Kurobuta Pork Collar

Unfortunately another dish that didn't manage to travel well is the Hainanese Style Sweet & Sour Sakura-Kurobuta Pork Collar ($24). It lost its crispy when its reached me. Putting that aside, the pork collar was tender and the accompanying sauce complemented it excellent.

Wagyu Beef Rendang with Buah Keluah

A dish that I enjoyed a lot is the Wagyu Beef Rendang with Buah Keluah ($28). This is so good with the buah keluah giving the whole dish that extra oomph. Not to mention how tender the beef rendang was, well flavoured with the aromatic rempah.

Bo Luo Bao - Char Siew Creme Diplomat Choux Puff

An interesting take of the choux puff, giving it an Asian twist is the Bo Luo Bao - Char Siew Creme Diplomat Choux Puff ($15). You can even find bits of diced bak kwa in it.

To be frank, I am glad that Chef Han is able to adapt to the new norm and started Miss Vanda. During the pandemic, the most worry thing is resistant to change and not moving on. I applaud the courage of Chef Han to take the first step. My favourite dishes are the Laksa and Beef Rendang. This is a must order.


Miss Vanda by Labyrinth
Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
#02-23
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 62234098
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B or D. Walk to Raffles Avenue. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]