KM Bagel & Waffle @ Tanjong Pagar - A Fun Bagel & Waffle Omakase Concept With Cocktail Pairing

Located on the second floor of the Tanjong Pagar Plaza is KM Bagel & Waffle, Singapore's first bagel and waffle bar. It is a small restaurant with a 15 seater round bar. As per its name, the restaurant's menu focuses on bagels, waffles and bespoke cocktail pairing. We had the 5 Course Chef's Curation Menu ($118). If you go for the cocktail pairing, it comes with an additional $108.

Canapes 4/5

Our first course is a selection of Canapes. The plate consists of Crab Rillette on Bagel, Foie Gras on Bagel, Tuna Tartare with Oscietra Caviar on Waffle and Dill Egg White Foam with Oscietra on Waffle. These are all delectable canapes to kickstart the meal with a few cocktails.

With the round bar seating, you can fully view the bartender shaking up your cocktails. For our dinner, we left it to the bartender to do the pairing, which was excellent.

Salad 3.5/5

Next is the Salad item comprising mesclun, burrata, plum infused cherry tomatoes, dates, blood orange and yellow frisee, dressed in basil oil and citrus shallot vinaigrette. It is a pleasing starter to ease into the main course.

Duck & Waffles 3.8/5

There are two mains for the five-course menu. The first main is Duck & Waffles. The duck breast is sous vide to fork-tender, paired with duck crackling, charred sweet corn, wakame and potato bacon waffle. I like the addition of bacon in the waffle, accentuating the flavour of the soft, fluffy waffle.

Lobster & Clams 4.2/5

From the land, we moved to the sea for our next main. The Lobster & Clams is served in a miso and chrysanthemum infused broth packed with umami, brightening the enjoyment of the boston lobster and diamond shell clams. The toasted bagel is perfect for wiping up the delicious broth.

Mochiko Waffles 3.5/5

Wrapping up our five-course menu, we have the Mochiko Waffles for dessert. The soft and spongy mochiko waffles come with a scoop of salted lavender caramel ice cream, paired with assorted berries, citrus chantilly, berry compote, and cinnamon crumble.

I observed the kitchen serve different desserts for each group. I guess it gives an element of surprise and variety to the customer. The other dessert is ice cream in a sugar dome with assorted berries.

KM Bagel & Waffle is an interesting and fun concept, pairing bagel and waffles with bespoke cocktails. I enjoyed the food and cocktails. The idea is pretty new to the local scene, but with the food and cocktail on the spot, I hope more people will get to discover it and enjoy it.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


KM Bagel & Waffle
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
#02-101
Singapore 081007
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Fri: 5pm - 11pm
Sat: 12pm - 12 midnight
Sun: 12pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano @ Shangri-La Singapore - New Chef De Cuisine Featuring Pugliese Classics, Signature Handmade Pasta And Pizza

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano at Shangri-La Singapore welcomes new Chef De Cuisine, Simone Loisi. Chef Simone Loisi is formerly from iO Italian Osteria, a popular Italian restaurant in HillV2. With Chef Simone Loisi at the helm, customers can look forward to a new and refreshed menu.

Caprese Di Mare 4/5

We started our dinner with the Caprese Di Mare. What you get is a beautiful plate of marinated salmon and buffalo cheese atop a bed of fennel salad. It is a light yet appetising starter to kickstart the meal.

Porchetta Alla Birra 4.2/5

A worthy dish to order is the Porchetta Alla Birra. It is Chef Simone's rendition of the sumptuous beer-marinated pork belly that is both crispy and juicy. It is best to enjoy with the honey mustard adding a touch of tangy sweetness, while the tangy homemade sauerkraut helps to temper the meat's richness.

Pizza Mortadella Stracciatella 4/5

Italian cuisine is known for its pizza and pasta; hence, we need to try them. From the pizza selections, we had the Pizza Mortadella Stracciatella. The thin crust pizza comes with delightful toppings of stracciatella cheese, mortadella, grounded pistachio and sundried tomato.

Gnocchi Mare E Monti 4.2/5

We tried a couple of pasta dishes from the menu, starting with the Gnocchi Mare E Monti. The soft and fluffy handmade potato gnocchi is tossed in an umami prawn bisque sauce.

Orecchiette Broccoli E Salsiccia 4.2/5

The Orecchiette Broccoli E Salsicca is a pasta dish from Chef Simone's hometown of Puglia. The comforting pasta features a trinity of broccoli, Italian pork sausage meat and handmade Orecchiette pasta. The ear-shaped pasta is ideal for holding the creamy sauce, accentuated by shaved Pecorino, chilli, toasted fennel seed and breadcrumbs.

Linguine Al Crostacei in Crostia Di Pane 4.5/5

My favourite pasta dish is the Linguine Al Crostacei in Crostia Di Pane. It arrived covered in a thin layer of bread dough. Cutting open the bread dough reveals a hearty pot of luscious linguine brimming with a medley of crustaceans. The highlight is the delicious housemade tomato sauce. I recommend wiping up the leftover pasta sauce with the bread dough from the plate.

Polpo Alla Plancia 4/5

It is not just about pizza and pasta at Waterfall Ristorante Italiano. There is a selection of mains too. One of them is Polpo Alla Plancia, Mediterranean octopus leg with potato cream and mixed salad. The octopus leg was huge. The kitchen got the cooking spot on for a delightful, firm and bouncy texture.

Tiramisu Classico 4.2/5

The Tiramisu Classico is a light and sweet ending to a beautiful meal at Waterfall.

Cannolo Siciliano Fatto in Casa 4.2/5

If you still have space, I recommend going for the Cannolo Siciliano Fatto in Casa. The homemade cannoli stuffed with sweetened ricotta cheese with a hint of orange zest come with bitter chocolate chips and nutty pistachio on each side. It is one dessert, two ways of enjoyment.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Level One, Garden Wing
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134398
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes. [Map]

Binary @ Palais Renaissance - New Gastrobar Featuring Asian And Western Cuisines

Newly opened at Palais Renaissance is Binary, a gastrobar that offers both Asian and Western cuisines complemented by a remarkable selection of 60 wine labels and cocktails. The menu allows guests to choose from two culinary approaches or enjoy both styles on the same plate.

Home-made Kubaneh Bread 4.5/5

A crowd favourite with almost every diners that I know that has visited the gastrobar is the Home-made Kubaneh Bread ($14) served with garlic butter and kombu butter. The Jewish Yemeni pull-apart bread is so soft and fluffy that is addictive so good with the butter pairing. 

Tomato Bruschetta 3/5

The other bread item on the menu is the Tomato Bruschetta ($14) served with fresh tomato concasse and sour plum infused tomatoes. Tomato is served two ways incorporating both Asian and Western flavours. It is enjoyable but not something extraordinary.

Deep-fried Burrata 

It is my first time having a Deep-fried Burrata ($18). The whole burrata is coated in panko and deep-fried. It is paired with pesto alla genovese. It may be an interesting idea, but I didn't find it helps elevate the enjoyment. I still prefer the burrata in its original form.

Chicken Wings 4.5/5

I adore the "Nasi Lemak" style Chicken Wings ($18) served with sambal tumis. It is very flavourful and aromatic from the various spices marination. The accompanying sambal tumis is an excellent pairing for the delicious chicken wings.

Tiger Prawns 4.5/5

A beautiful dish on the menu is the classic Spanish tapas, Gambas Al Ajillo. The bouncy and crunchy tiger prawns are sauteed in olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, parsley, lemon juice and white wine.

Octopus 4.5/5

The Grilled Octopus in Lao Gan Ma Chilli is a unique dish on the menu. It is an interesting combination that works for me. I have tried a local take using sambal, but Lao Gan Ma Chilli's version is even better.

Iberico Pluma 4.5/5

The Iberico Pluma ($38) is marinated with Korean Gochujang, served with fresh green coral lettuce, ssamjang sauce, chopped kimchi and sea salt. The best way to enjoy the tender meat is to eat it like a wrap, wrapping it with lettuce.

10 Veg Chopped Salad

Parmesan Bacon Cauliflower

You can also order some sides to go along with your mains such, as 10 Veg Chopped Salad ($14) and Parmesan Bacon Flower ($14).

Ice Jelly, Yuzu Sorbet

Warm Homemade Fudgey Brownie, Vanilla Ice Cream

Ending the night on a sweet note, we have the Ice Jelly, Yuzu Sorbet ($16) and Warm Homemade Fudgey Brownie, Vanilla Ice Cream ($16). I prefer the Aiyu Jelly as it is sweet and refreshing.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Binary
Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
#01-01A
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 93630101
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Angullia Park. Cross the road to Royal Thai Embassy. Turn left and continue down Orchard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes.  [Map]

Ristorante Pietrasanta @ Connexis Tower, Fusionpolis - Authentic Tuscan-style Dining Inspired By The Town Of Pietrasanta

I could not believe this was my first time visiting Ristorante Pietrasanta until it recently relocated to Connexis Tower, Fusionpolis. It moved from Portsdown Road to the current location, which is more accessible. It is so much accessible now located just beside the One-North MRT station.

Burrata 4.5/5

The Italian Burrata ($42.90) is not available on the menu flown in from Italy every three days. The 300g fresh Italian burrata is served with cold-pressed olive oil, parma ham, rocket salad, San Marzano tomatoes. The chef's brother specially produces the olive oil in Italy to a long-kept family recipe. This olive oil makes Ristorante Pietrasanta's burrata apart from its competitors.

Porchetta 4.2/5

I would recommend having the Porchetta ($24.90) to go with the burrata. It comes with thinly sliced roasted pork belly with rocket leaves. It is further sweetened with Italian tomatoes, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and Giuseppe Giusti 15 years aged balsamico.

Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo 4.5/5

A must-have is the pasta dishes at Ristorante Pietrasanta. They handmade all their pasta daily. With their opening at their new location, the restaurant is bringing back its most popular pasta dish - Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo ($28.90). It is also known as the Italian bak chor mee for the pork ragout in a light cream sauce tossed in the handmade fettucine pasta.

Fresche Gamberi E Pomodori Secchi 4.8/5

If the Fettucine Con Salsiccio Tartufo is good, the Fresche Gamberi E Pomodori Secchi ($28.90) is even better. The tagliatelle cooked with fresh prawns, semi-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and prawn broth is packed with robustness, with its fragrance wafting through the air.

Bistecca Alla Fiorentina 4.2/5

The Bistecca Alla Fiorentina ($149.90) is excellent for sharing, which comes in a 1kg grilled Angus T-Bone cooked in Tuscany style accompanied with roasted potatoes and beans. No sauce is served here. The steak is simply grilled with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme to fully appreciate its natural beefy boldness.

Galletto Disossato Arrosto $34.90

The Galletto Disossato Arrosto ($34.90) doesn't come with any sauce like the Angus T-bone steak. The whole organic chicken imported from Europe is roasted and deboned. The succulent spring chicken is further garnished with garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, elevating the taste profile.

For the festive period, Ristorante Pietrasanta has launched a 4-course Festive Menu ($88+) available only from 1 to 31 December 2021. The festive menu is available for both dine-in and takeaway. Orders are to be placed 3 days prior via 98639253.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Ristorante Pietrasanta
1 Fusionpolis Way
#01-08
Singapore 138632
Tel: +65 98639253
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Nearest MRT: One-North (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at One-North MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right and walk out of the building. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Ristorante Takada @ Alexis Condominium - An Italian-Japanese Restaurant By Chef Masahiro Takada

Ristorante Takada is an Italian-Japanese restaurant located at Alexis Condominium. It is helmed by Chef Masahiro Takada, who has honed his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and Japan. We have the 5-course Omakase Dinner priced at $158.

Before starting the omakase dinner, we are served complimentary bread paired with olive oil and balsamic.

Mushroom Soup 4/5

We started with dinner with Mushroom Soup served in a coffee cup. With the layer of foam, it felt like we were having a cup of mushroom cappuccino.

3 Kind Of Mix Appetizer 3.5/5

Our first course is a Trio of Appetizer. We have Scallop & Prawn, Burrata with Tomato & Parma Ham, and Smoked Duck on the plate. I felt the appetizer lacked the finesse I was expecting, but they were good tasting.

Lobster with Hokkaido Scallop and Hamaguri Clam 4.2/5

The next course is the lavish Lobster with Hokkaido Scallop and Hamaguri Clam drenched in a bright orange sauce. I am not sure what the sauce is, but it is sweet, creamy, and tangy that complements the fresh seafood.

Tagliolini Hokkaido Sea Urchin with Squid Ink Sauce 4.2/5

For the pasta dish, we have the Tagliolini Hokkaido Sea Urchin with Squid Ink Sauce. There are two ways of enjoying the pasta. The first is to appreciate the creaminess and sweetness of the uni. Second, you can have it with the squid ink sauce to enjoy another taste profile from the sea.

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Tenderloin Steak with Red Wine Sauce 4.8/5

For mains, it was the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Tenderloin Steak with Red Wine Sauce cooked beautifully to medium-rare. Known as the best wagyu beef in Japan for its signature marbling, the meat stood out for its buttery texture and dense beefy flavour.

Dessert 4/5

Wrapping up the five-course dinner is a trio of desserts. On the plate, we have a slice of Burnt Cheesecake, Tiramisu and Raspberry Sorbet. The tiramisu is a bit heavy for me with the soaked alcohol in the finger. I have a light palate; hence my preference is the burnt cheesecake and raspberry sorbet.

Petite Four

Last but not least, we have Madeleine for Petite Four. The soft sponge cake with crispy edge completes an enjoyment omakase meal at Ristorante Takada.


Ristorante Takada
356 Alexandra Road
#01-07
Singapore 159948
Tel: +65 63393969
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
*1st & 3rd week of month, closed on Mon & Tue
*2nd & 4th week of month, closed on Mon

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT Station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 2 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 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, 120. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]