The Oyster Bank @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Thrid Outlet With New Bar Concept And Exclusive Offerings

Nestled in a row of shophouses, The Oyster Bank at Tanjong Pagar is designed as a bar with a sit-and-stand concept. Like the youngest sibling, who often has the luxury of being more carefree and laidback, this third space exudes much more of that easy-going and relaxed vibes than the first two outlets.

Assorted Oysters 4.5/5

The Oyster Bank offers Japanese oysters in their freshest original state and with various condiments to jazz them up a little. Out of the three we tried - Kimchi Cucumber ($4.75), Tosazu Combu ($4.75), and Uni Ikura ($9.90), I enjoyed Kimchi Cucumber the most, while I find the latter a tad too briny.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

Salmon Crudo ($18) was an enjoyable starter. The thick-cut salmon sashimi was enlivened with a nutty and zesty wafu goma sauce, with extra crunch and freshness from julienned green apple.

Pork Kushiyaki 3.5/5

Pork Kushiyaki is a superb bar food if you intend to drink and sip your day away. Served with fermented apple puree and shiso oba to cut the richness of these fatty morsels, they were tender with flavoursome caramelised bits of fats. However, the layers of fats were pretty thick. It would have been even more delish if the cut was smaller to achieve more charred surfaces.

Hamachi Kama 3.8/5

Hamachi Kama ($36/2 pcs) with ginger ponzu sauce and kosho daikon was tasty too. The accompanying dipping sauce was perfect for the fish.

Chargrilled Octopus 3.8/5

The Chargrilled Octopus ($32) was delicious, but the dish's name is misleading. It is more of a rich potato cream soup with chunks of octopus. The bonito potato espuma was rich and buttery, laced with smoky bonito flavours that reinforced the octopus's chargrilled taste. However, the shiso chimichurri sauce lacked the acidity to enliven the dish.

Ikura Kaisen Don 3/5

Ikura Kaisen Don ($38) features Hamachi slices, hokkaido scallops, tuna, uni and ikura. It tasted all right but lacked brightness and excitement.

Warabi Mochi

Cha-Niwa Ice Cream

The desserts were simple but satisfying. The stars were definitely the two ice creams featured - Warabi Mochi ($14) with sea salt ice cream and Cha-Niwa Ice Cream ($12) featuring yuzu gel and matcha ice cream.

Pop Goes The Weasel, Umeshu Daze

Do give the cocktails a go ($25 each). One of our popular ones was Pop Goes The Weasel, a twist to the Bellini cocktail - bubbly with a popsicle of your choice, strawberry or passionfruit. Umeshu Daze is an excellent sour with bourbon and aged umeshu.

Garden of Eden, Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin

We also had 2 others with more floral notes - Garden of Eden and Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin. Check out their Happy Shucking Hour (for oysters): Monday to Friday 3-8pm, Saturday to Sunday all day. The all-day promotion is valid till 30 June 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.


The Oyster Bank
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
#01-02
Singapore 088462
Tel: +65 69707662
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 3pm - 11pm
Wed-Fri: 3pm - 12midnight
Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Art de Noël Holiday Traditions @ Sofitel Singapore City Centre - A Gourmet Affair For This Holiday Season

From 1 November to 1 January 2023, celebrate this Christmas season with your loved ones with Sofitel Singapore City Centre's festive feasts. Immerse yourself in the joyous mood with their specially crafted set lunches, dinners, exquisite afternoon tea, festive decadent buffet spreads, or feast at home with their gourmet takeaways.

Roasted Turkey with Truffle Butter

Racines gives a touch of French flair to your celebratory dinner with its Weekday Semi-buffet Dinner ($98++ per adult) featuring classics such as Seafood Shepherd’s Pie, Gammon Ham, or Duck Breast in Mulled Wine alongside unlimited servings of salads, soups, appetisers and desserts.

Miso Glazed Halibut with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Christmas Eve Dinner ($138++ per adult), Christmas Brunch ($148++ per adult) and Boxing Day Brunch ($148++ per adult) entice you with an even more indulgent spread, including Roasted Turkey with Truffle Butter and Miso Glazed Halibut with Beurre Blanc Sauce.

Hay-smoked Magret Duck Breast with Christmas Spice

A quick but equally sumptuous option will be their Festive Set Lunch (from $39++) or Festive Set Dinner (from $65++) with delights such as Hay-smoked Magret Duck Breast with Christmas Spice, Soy Baked Cod Fish with Seasonal Vegetables and Chestnut Mousse.

Sweet Treats

Chestnut Berry Financier

Pecan Cinnamon Cheesecake

Another great way is to chill out at 1864 with its Festive Afternoon Tea and Yuletide Cocktails. The Festive Afternoon Tea ($128++ for two persons) offers savoury finger sandwiches alongside dainty sweet treats. The latter includes Chestnut Berry Financier, my favourite of the selections, and Pecan Cinnamon Cheesecake for a touch of Christmas flavour.

Mrs. Claus’ Cosmo, Papa Noël’s Mule

Two Yuletide Cocktails of very different characters were created - Papa Noël’s Mule ($20), a concoction of Rémy Martin VSOP, Campari, ginger beer and angostura bitters, and Mrs. Claus’ Cosmo ($18), which is pretty in pink with Ketel One Vodka, Limoncello, cranberry juice and lime juice.

Soy-glazed Turkey

Takeaway Gourmet Delights from Sofitel Singapore City Centre also offers Turkey with Truffle Butter ($172 nett). If you wish to try a more Asian flavour, the Soy-glazed Turkey ($172 nett) checks the boxes with a sweet and savoury Japanese-style rub comprising soy sauce, sugar, sake and mirin.

Framboise Mousse Cake

For sweets, the vibrant Framboise Mousse Cake ($96 nett) is made of almond sponge layered with raspberry jam, raspberry inspiration cream, raspberry jelly, and Opalys vanilla mousse.

Noisette Noir Chocolate Hazelnut Log Cake

The Noisette Noir Chocolate Hazelnut Log Cake ($96 nett) is a cute pencil-shape log cake with a rich chocolate roll as the base. It is filled with delicious Manjari dark chocolate crémeux, hazelnut praline, hazelnut chantilly cream, and Manjari dark chocolate mousse.

Homemade Stollen

Chocolate Panettone

If log cakes aren't your piece of cake, get their Homemade Stollen or Chocolate Panettone. I wish there were more liqueur in them, but both were delicious.

Celebratory gifts and treats from Sofitel Singapore City Centre are available for purchase via https://bit.ly/sofitel-xmas22 from now until 23 December 2022. Guests can enjoy 15% early bird savings using promo code “EBXMAS15” before 9 December 2022. For reservations, guests can call +65 6428 5000 or email HA152@sofitel.com.

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.


Racines
Sofitel City Centre
9 Wallich Street
5th floor
Singapore 078885
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

SENS Dining @ Holland Village - New Menu With Innovative Add-ons Plus A Hidden Bar Concept

Known for its contemporary Japanese cuisine, SENS Dining at Holland Village has recently launched a new menu, offering innovative new dishes and sets for sharing. In addition, to deliver an even more unique experience, SENS Dining has also incorporated a Japanese whisky and cocktail bar concept - Bar Nikai.

Yagura Ketsuga Sushi Box 4.5/5

Available in limited sets daily, Yagura Ketsuga Sushi Box ($88) allows you to create your own handrolls using the beautiful ingredients provided - a combination of fish and seafood, beautifully arranged in a tower modelled after an ancient Japanese fortress. The first tier of the box (the roof of the tower) holds the pieces of crispy seaweeds; the second tier is loaded with uni, negitoro, ikura and avocado, while the last tier is a chirashi of scallops, salmon, tuna and Hamachi atop sushi rice. It is a tasty and fun way to present and enjoy the food.

Sushi Tacos 4.5/5

Its all-new Sushi Tacos fit perfectly into its Bar Nikai concept. The taco shell is made of ebi senbei prawn crackers, available in five flavours: Ebi with Tobiko ($8), Tsubugai Shellfish ($8), Salmon Mentai ($12.50), Negitoro ($13.20) and Hotate Uni ($25.80). As the ingredients for the sushis were pretty mouth-filling and buttery, the extra crunch and slight savouriness from the taco shell complement the texture and flavour exceptionally well.

Hokkaido Treasure Don 4.5/5

Hokkaido Treasure Don ($48.80) highlights the freshness of the ingredients. Revamped with additional ingredients, the oyster is a rare treat from a don.

Aburi Sugoi Maki 4/5

A crowd-pleaser is the Aburi Sugoi Maki ($18.50) - Seared Avocado Salmon maki roll with Century Egg sauce and Flying Fish roe. What makes this special is the use of century egg sauce. The maki was good, but the century egg sauce was less distinctive than I had expected.

Wagyu Sukiyaki Set 4.5/5

The Wagyu Sukiyaki Set ($39.50) is my all-time favourite with its extremely comforting broth. The broth's recipe has been tweaked to make it even more flavourful.

Kurobuta Rosu Katsu 4/5

Kurobuta Rosu Katsu ($19.80) features an aged Kurobuta pork cutlet. The pork has been aged for a richer flavour. The katsu wasn't as moist as I had wanted, but I still enjoyed its clean taste and crusty texture.

Bar Nikai curates a wide array of rare Japanese whiskies and Sakes from independent breweries. In addition, the cocktail menu features Japanese culinary-inspired drinks.

Enjoy 1-for-1 tacos for the entire month of November 2022. You get the options of Tsubugai Taco, Negitoro Taco or Salmon Mentai Taco. The free taco will be of the same flavour and exclusively for dine-in. Best to go with a drink or two from the bar!

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.


SENS Dining
243 Holland Avenue
Singapore 278977
Tel: +65 62625618
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Beast Restaurant and Bar @ Duxton Hill - Savour The Art Of Steak At Beast Duxton

Inspired by North America steakhouses, Beast Restaurant and Bar, located at Duxton Hill, combines a modern steakhouse with chic bar vibes. Setting into the restaurant, you are first greeted by the bar. Then, stepping behind the curtain separating the bar and dining area, diners transform into an intimate dining room with exposed brick walls and leather banquettes.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Muhamad, formerly from Santi Marina Bay Sands, Bam!, Gaig Singapore, and Park Grill in Kuala Lumpur. The food is centred around a specially designed grill and a special mix of Binchotan Charcoal, oak wood and lychee wood.

Live Pacific Oysters 4.5/5

We started our dinner with some Live Pacific Oysters ($38/ $72) that were freshly shucked, fresh and briny. The pairing of ponzu, kimchi and avruga caviar brightened the enjoyment.

Smoked Tuna Tataki 4/5

The other starter we had was the Smoked Tuna Tataki ($32). The smoked tuna, foie gras and terrine are layered like fallen domino blocks, paired with Aji Amarillo and hazelnut. It has a delightfully fruity sweetness from the Aji Amarillo, while the foie gras gives an extra soothing creaminess.

Grilled Bone Marrow 4.2/5

To go with our mains, we ordered a couple of sides to go along. First, we had the Grilled Bone Marrow ($22/2pc). It smelled so good that we started on it before the mains arrived. I love the sweetness from wine-braised caramelized onion and bacon bits that accentuated the taste profile.

Creamy Spinach 4.5

I decided to get some vegetables to our diet, so I went for the Creamy Spinach ($14), which consists of feta cheese and raisins. It is one of my favourite side dishes for any steakhouse.

Sanchoku MB7 Australian Grained Fed Wagyu Picanha 4.8/5

Unique at Beast is the extensive range of different cuts of meat ranging from Sanchoku Australian Grain Fed Wagyu Picanha ($68, 300g), Margaret River Australian Wagyu Tenderloin ($58, 180g) to Miyazaki Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye ($108, 200g). We had the Sanchoku MB7 Australian Grained Fed Wagyu Picanha cooked to medium pink. The priced cut with its beautiful marbling is tender and juicy. The beef is so flavourful on its own that no extra seasoning or sauces are needed.

Chilean Sea Bass 4.2/5

There are other protein choices for those who don't eat beef, such as the Chilean Sea Bass ($42). The moist fish is grilled to perfection, floating on a bed of green lentils and sake foam.

Earl Grey Tea Flan

Not to be missed are their desserts too. I definitely recommend you to save some space for the them. We had the Earl Grey Tea Flan ($14) and 72% Chocolate Cake ($16). The Earl Grey Tea Flan made from goats milk is light, but well-flavoured for a tealific finishing, paired with Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

72% Chocolate Cake 4.2/5

For the sweet tooth that prefers something richer and more intense, the 72% Chocolate Cake is a good choice. The chocolate is moist and soft, like tiramisu's texture, paired with salted caramel ice cream.

As the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover, don't be misled by the front of the restaurant thinking it is a drinking hole. The food here impressed me. It's one of those restaurants that I made a mental note to return or if my friend asked me for a recommendation.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Beast Restaurant and Bar
10 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089594
Tel: +65 97822661
Facebook
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 5pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. At Orchid Hotel turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road to the opposite side of Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk along Tanjong Pagar Road to Duxton Hill. Turn left onto Duxton Hill and then turn right on Duxton Road. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Turn righ and walk to Neil Road. Cross Neil Road. Walk to Duxton Road. Turn right onto Duxton Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Daejim BBQ @ Craig Road - Korean BBQ Restaurant Offering Fresh Seafood Air-flown From Korea

The latest addition to the buzzy Korean BBQ restaurants in Tanjong Pagar, Daejim on Craig Road, sets itself apart from other Korean BBQ joints by offering the option of fresh seafood, air-flown from Korea. Inspired by traditional Korean pojangmacha, where people gather over grilled meats and drinks, Daejim also provides a large selection of soju, makgeolli, beers, liquors and non-alcoholic beverages and their very own signature cocktails are a must-try.

Assorted Bancha 4/5

Rolled Omelette

While waiting for our seafood and meats to be prepared, we tucked into the banchan provided that were pretty wholesome. I love the housemade Kimchi here. They had a very good spicy kick balanced with a hint of sweetness. Compared to the commercial ones, they had a better depth of flavour and were less acidic. Having the Jaechae as a banchan is a bonus, especially when it was so deliciously done. Another highlight is the Rolled Omelette, which is also less commonly available.

Seafood Set

Daejim prides itself on providing premium grilled seafood to its customers, including abalone, octopus, scallops, squid and oysters. Its fresh seafood selection includes Ganjang Saewoo (soy-marinated raw prawns), Ojingeo-tonggui (marinated spicy BBQ Squid) and Godeungeo (grilled mackerel). We tried the signature Seafood Set ($118) that comes with oysters, scallops and even abalones.

Scallop with Cheese 4.5/5

Abalone 4.5/5

There are mini plates of butter and shredded mozzarella cheese, which you can melt over the fire or on the scallop itself. Slather the savoury butter over the abalone for an enriched texture and mouthfeel.

A Selection of Pork and Beef Cuts 4.5/5

The meat selection is equally comprehensive. The pork mainly comes from the Jeju Black Pig, known as the Kobe beef of pork. Daejim also offers a variety such as Kkotsal (prime cut boneless short rib, which translates to 'flower meat' in Korean due to its white flowers-like marbling). For the best of both worlds, you may choose the basic beef/pork set - USDA Beef/Pork Set with Prime Beef Finger-Rib, Sliced Beef Brisket, Pork Belly and Pork Collar.

Marinated Short Ribs

The Marinated Prime Beef Short Ribs had a satisfyingly rich texture, and it is best to eat it simply with the fresh lettuce provided without dipping sauce that might overwhelm their flavours.

Steamed Egg

Sundubu Jjigae 2.8/5

All sets include 1 Steam Egg, Choice of 1 Soup Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Soup ) / Sundubu Jjigae (Korean Spicy Tofu Stew) / Doenjang Jigae (Soybean paste stew) ), 3 Cream Cheese Croquettes and 1 Cheese Fondue. Unfortunately, my Sundubu Jjigae had a relatively weak soup base.

Honeycomb Makgeolli

The drinks here are superb. A must-try is the Honeycomb Makgeolli ($38++ for two people). The honey lent an uplifting flora aroma to the Makgeolli and a touch of sweetness, making it the perfect accompaniment to the savoury food.

Soju Cocktail

Another delightful drink is its Soju Cocktails, and we had this pretty pink lychee rose-flavoured soju cocktail inspired by the concept of bubble tea.

There's a launch promotion right now: Get 4x Cheese Scallops air flown from Korea with every order of the BBQ set for the whole month of September (from 1st till 30th September 2022). For more information, visit www.daejim.sg.

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.


Daejim
4 Craig Road
Singapore 089664
Tel: 9796 9593
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily:12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Continue on Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]