Violet Oon @ Jewel Changi Airport - Biggest Outlet To Showcase Our Local Flavours To The World

Violet Oon has opened its biggest ever restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport, an ideal location to showcase our local flavours, allowing jet-setting travellers as well as local to savour our much-beloved cuisine. On top of that, a lot of the dishes are exclusive at the Jewel outlet only.

Nyonya Poh Piah Party 4/5

Available only at Jewel Changi Airport is the Nyonya Poh Piah Party ($58). The condiments and sauces are served in platters, allowing customers to put them together and fold it themselves. It can serve up to six pieces. The highlight has to be the rich bamboo shoot and jicama stew braised in a housemade prawn bisque and Fujian bean paste. There is also a vegetarian version at $56.

Mango Kerabu with Ikan Bilis 4/5

The Mango Kerabu with Ikan Bilis ($10) resembles and tastes like the Thai mango salad with its tang and spiciness. The strips of sour green mangoes, sliced tomatoes, onions, and pink ginger flowers are tossed in a sweet and sour plum and chilli infused sauce. I like the touch of adding ikan bilis into it for that extra crunch.

Crispy Kurobuta Pork Fingerlings with Garlic and Curry Leaves 4.2/5

A great finger bite with a few glasses of drink is the Crispy Kurobuta Pork Fingerlings with Garlic and Curry Leaves ($18). The juicy kurobuta pork marinated in spiced batter is very addictive. Once again, it resembles another dish that we are familiar with, the Taiwanese fried chicken.

Marmite Baby Sotong Salad 3.5/5

Salad with baby sotong is something different from the usual. The Marmite Baby Sotong Salad ($25) comes with deep fried crispy baby squid that has been tossed in marmite sauce, served on a bed of mixed greens, cucumber and cherry tomatoes with housemade vinaigrette.

Otah Toast 4.2/5

The Otah Toast ($16) reminds me of my childhood. It was my favourite breakfast combination. A whole chunky piece of spiced coconut cream fish otah is served on toast and a bed of sliced zucchini. It comes with a side of house salad. It is slightly spicy for those that can't handle chilli well.

Roti Violet Tuna Wala-Wala 3.8/5

For the prata lovers, there is the Roti Violet Tuna Wala-Wala ($15) and Little India Vegetable Curry with Roti Prata (Vegetarian) ($17). The Roti Violet Tuna Wala-Wala is a modern take of the traditional dish with crispy tuna flakes that have been seasoned with spices, mustard seeds and curry leaves on top of a fluffy roti prata.

Little India Vegetable Curry with Roti Prata (Vegetarian) 4.2/5

For traditional is the Little India Vegetable Curry with Roti Prata. This is the vegetarian version. There is also a fish curry version for the non-vegetarian. The curry comes with vegetables such as eggplant, okra, tomatoes, and cabbage infused with tamarind juice and creamy coconut milk. The curry is really shiok and pairs excellently with the fluffy prata.

BBQ Eggplant with Sambal (Vegetarian) 4/5

The BBQ Eggplant with Sambal ($13) is a dish for the brave who dares to take the chilli challenge.  The eggplant is grilled and then topped with two types of chillies. The green coloured chilli is sambal hijau, and the red coloured chilli is goreng chilli sambal. It seems quite an odd dish, but it does allow the appreciation of the laborious effort in making the sambals.

Ayam Panggang Katong 4.5/5

Another grill dish that most of us enjoyed is the Ayam Panggang Katong ($16 Half/$25 Whole), served with piquant achar and VO chilli sauce. The chicken is grilled to perfection. It is tender with a subtle charred sweetness on its skin, which has been brushed with gula syrup.

Sugee Cake with Calamansi Drizzle and Ice Cream 4/5

For dessert, we had the Sugee Cake with Calamansi Drizzle and Ice Cream ($15). This is a traditional Eurasian cake made from semolina and ground almonds. At Violet Oon, it is topped with lime drizzle and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a lifted enjoyment.

Pandan Gula Melaka Cake 4.2/5

My favourite cake at Violet Oon has to be the Pandan Gula Melaka Cake ($13). The sponge cake is light and airy, which has been infused with fresh pandan juice. In between each layer is buttercream frosting and desiccated coconut tossed in gula melaka syrup.

I have enjoyed the food at Violet Oon. It definitely showcases the flavours of our local cuisine. However, the pricing is a bit on the steep side. Let's be honest, would you pay $17 for 2 pieces of prata and vegetable curry? I know I can't compare the cost of running a restaurant to a hawker stall, and probably the quality of ingredients used. However, this is a fact that consumers will tend to do so.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Violet Oon
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#01-205/206
Singapore 819666
Tel: 65 98349935
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 11pm

Direction:
Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to the link bridge to Jewel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Marmalade Pantry @ Ion Orchard - Launches New Outlet With Exclusive Creation Alongside Perennial Classics

Homegrown bistro, The Marmalade Pantry announces the launch of its new flagship outlet at Ion Orchard, along with its 20th anniversary this year. Back with a fresh new look, the outlet rolls out exclusive menu items in collaboration with Chef Gen Lee. We had the opportunity to try the new menu items as well as the limited edition series of desserts solely conceived for the outlet and conceptualised by the talented culinary student and MasterChef Singapore Runner-up.

Baked Camembert 4/5

We start off the meal with the Baked Camembert ($18) which came with sundried tomatoes, capers, dried fruits and black olives. Dip the sourdough bread into the warm melty cheese, which was pure enjoyment.

Grilled Pear and Argula Salad 3.8/5

For something lighter, the Grilled Pear and Arugula Salad ($22) was a great option. Featuring a plate of rocket greens mixed with a medley of walnuts, tomatoes and a drizzle of honey mustard dressing for a good balance of flavours and textures, the grilled poached pear adds a touch of subtle sweetness to the bitterness of the rocket.

Maryland Crab Cakes 4.2/5

The Maryland Crab Cakes ($26) features soft savoury crabmeat which comes in a panko-crusted purse, served with homemade tartar sauce to elevate its flavours.

Spicy Sriracha Chicken Burger 4.2/5

We start off the mains with the Spicy Sriracha Chicken Burger ($24) which features a tender succulent chicken patty with sriracha mayo and blue cheese. The heat from the spice packs a punch to the burger. Together with a side of parmesan fries and mesclun salad for a hearty meal.

Curry Barramundi 4/5

The Curry Barramundi ($28) is a notch lower in heat from its curry sauce. However, it is no less flavourful with a good balance of sweet and spice. The dish also comes with a slab of tender fish, aubergrine, okra and onion. Pour the cup of curry around the mount of fragrant jasmine rice and mix it all in, to enjoy the curry.

Kimchi Fried Rice 3.8/5

The Kimchi Fried Rice ($26) features a Korean-inspired take on the donburi, topped with tender sous vide steak and egg, bringing together different new flavours and textures.

Singapore Laksa 4/5

Taking inspiration from the typical local dish, the Singapore Laksa ($32) was a welcoming favourite. Filled with an abundance of fresh slipper lobster, dried bean curd, fishcake, quail eggs, tiger prawns and scallops, steeped in a sweet-spicy laksa broth which is refreshing yet comfortingly familiar.

Reimagined Kaya Toast 4.2/5

As part of an exclusive collaboration between The Marmalade Pantry and Gen, diners can enjoy three unique confections conceptualised by Gen, available only at The Marmalade Pantry ION Orchard from March to October 2019.

The Reimagined Kaya Toast ($14) presents a unique take on the well-loved local breakfast of the kaya toast - with pistachio sponge, coconut cream, brown toast meringue shards as well as gula melaka ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, presenting good balance of textures and flavours while not being cloyingly sweet.

Sunset in the Glass 4/5

For a cool and refreshing finish to the meal, the Sunset in the Glass ($14) is a great option. Inspired by the land of smiles, this beautiful dessert is crafted with sticky rice, lemongrass water, kaffir lime meringue, mango sorbet, fresh mango and spiced nuts. The sourness of the mango sorbet compliments the richness of the sticky rice well. Suffice this cuts a close second to the Reimagined Kaya Toast.

Blue Rhapsody 4/5

The Blue Rhapsody ($10 per slice, $70 for a whole cake) comes in a huge slice, composed with layers of blueberry gel, lavender hazelnut crumble and sponge cake, topped with cream cheese frosting, blackcurrant meringues and a sprinkling of gold dust.

With the opening of its newest outlet in town (its two outlets are located at Novena and Downtown), it is bound to entice diners to indulge in a short respite from all the shopping. Enjoy a delightful afternoon or a mid-day treat with a refreshed Afternoon Tea Set ($60 per set for 2 pax) as well, available only at The Marmalade Pantry ION Orchard. The decadent two tiered high tea set features new selections such as smoked salmon sandwiches, cucumber & watercress sandwiches, truffle egg mayo sandwiches, chili crabmeat sliders and petite fours, in addition to buttermilk scones with candied orange & cranberry, strawberry preserve, clotted cream and two signature cupcakes. Each tea set comes with two pots of artisan tea by Monogram. Mastercard® cardholders enjoy a 15% off the ala carte menu at the bistro.

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.


The Marmalade Pantry
Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-11a
Singapore 238801
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

99 Buona Vista Kitchen @ South Buona Vista Road - My Go To Place For Zi Char Dinner Near My Place

I was a bit lost when my favourite zichar stall, 138 Hong Kong Street Teochew Fish Head Steamboat near my place closed down. Now that I have discovered 99 Buona Vista Kitchen, it is my to go place for zichar nowadays. For those that is not familiar of the area, the zichar stall is located at the same row of shophouses where Paddy Hills is at.

Black Bean Pork with Bittergourd 4/5

Having visited the place a couple of times, I have noticed it is quite popular with the residents in the neighbourhood. Even expats are seen dining at the zichar place, immersed in the local dining scene.

Chinese Chives with Beansprouts 4/5

I ordered a couple of dishes to try and they are really quite delicious. The Black Bean Pork with Bittergourd is tender complemented by the slightly sweet and spicy black bean sauce. The addition of beansprouts with the Chinese Chives provides the extra crunchiness.

Salted Egg Tofu 3/5

I thought the Salted Egg Tofu topped with pork floss was quite interesting but it did not quite meet my expectation. While the tofu was silky, the salted egg sauce is too sweet and lacked the robustness.

Fried Fish Tail 3.5/5

The Fried Fish Tail may not be any refine dish served in some big restaurants. The fish tail is crispy with the skin on and moist in texture. Dressed in a brown savoury sauce, everything comes together as a homely cooked dish.

Beef Curry 4.2/5

Sometimes what is good at a dining place, you need to observe what other diners are eating. I noticed a lot of tables ordered the Beef Curry, hence I also got a plate to try. The beef cut may not be the best but the portion is quite generous. It even comes with potato. Most important the curry is fragrant and creamy.

Black Bean Sauce Hor Fun 4.2/5

If you are alone, there are also a selection of one plate meal such as noodles or rice. I had the Black Bean Sauce Hor Fun which comes with wok hei rice noodles, bittergourd and slices of fish cakes.

I am great that there is such a a good zi char place near my place. Hidden in the corner of the row of shophouse, the place can be quite crowded on weekend. Great thing, the kitchen is quite fast in dishing out the orders.


99 Buona Vista Kitchen
22 South Buona Vista Road
Singapore 118156
Tel: +65 64731719
Nearest MRT: Haw Par Villa (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alighat at Haw Par Villa MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Haw Par Villa MRT station (Stop ID 16019). Take bus number 200. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Window on the Park @ Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre - Southeast Asian Gastronomic Extravaganza With Boston Lobster Weekend

Window on the Park at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre has launched a Boston Lobster Weekend, in addition to its buffet which is themed the Southeast Asian Gastronomic Extravaganza. The spread showcases the warm and robust flavours of dishes from Southeast Asia and our local fare, paying homage to the region’s rich culinary heritage.

Only making an appearance on weekends, the Boston Lobster will be a treat to your precious once-a-week indulgence. Each diner will get a pan-seared Boston Lobster done ala minute, alongside with the buffet spread.

Succulent, firm and sweet, you know that the meat is done right when it can be easily lifted off from its shell. Other lobster dishes are added to the range of delicacies as well, such as Black Pepper Lobster Claws and Baby Lobsters.

Prata with Fish Curry 3.5/5, Sambal Ikan Tenggiri 3/5, Mutton Curry 3.5.5

Indeed, Southeast Asia cuisine is a lot about flavours and spices. If you love curries and spices, you may probably enjoy most of the dishes here, such as the Prata with Fish Curry, Sambal Ikan Tenggiri, Mutton Curry etc.

Laksa 4/5

Despite the aura around the Boston Lobster and seafood, the Local dishes still shine. The Laksa here is still one of the finest, perhaps not the ingredients but the Laksa gravy itself. I have tasted Laksa with really premium ingredients before but the gravy often disappoints.

Kueh Pai Tee 3.5/5, Rojak 3.5/5

The DIY Kueh Pai Tee is finger licking good too. All thanks to the succulent shrimp, creamy mashed egg and crunchy shreds of tapioca which has just the right flavour. The same goes to the DIY Rojak. The prawn paste is the key to making a professional serving of Rojak. I was quite surprised by how moreish my self-made rojak is.

Durian Pengat 4.2/5

For desserts, simply head for the bowl of Durian Pengat sitting in its exclusive fridge. My favourite part is biting into bits of the durian flesh. I still prefer eating durian straight from the seed but this is probably the closest and most satisfying way that you could get to a durian. Of course if durian is not for you, there are other sweet treats around, such as mini cakes, egg tarts and ice cream.

Southeast Asian Gastronomic Extravaganza, 1 FOR 1 
Promotion Period: Now to 30 Nov 2017
Mon-Thu
Lunch: $65++, Dinner: $80++
Fri-Sun (Boston Lobster weekend)
Lunch: 70++, Dinner: $96++
*Child 6-12 years old: $22++ per child

Words and photos 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.


Window on the Park
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
Level 2
11 Cavenagh Road
Singapore 229616
Tel: +65 67338333
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Koek Road. Cross the road. Walk down Koek Road to Karmat Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Na Na Original Thai Food @ Clementi Road - The Popular Golden Mile Complex Restaurant Has Opened A 2nd Branch In The West

Great news for folks staying in the West, the popular Na Na Original Thai Food at Golden Mile Complex has opened a second branch at Clementi Road, at the stretch of shop houses beside Kent Ridge Bus Terminal. It has taken over the space of Fei Fei Wanton Mee. Great to see the change as the wanton mee was nothing close to the original one in Joo Chiat.

Papaya Salad 3.5/5

Our dinner started with the Papaya Salad ($6). The flavours hit the palate like a tank with its sweetness and spiciness, on top of crunchy papaya stripes. It definitely whetted up our appetite.

Phad Thai with Prawn 3/5

I could not say I actually enjoy the Phad Thai with Prawn ($5). The version was a little too sweet for me. It was also quite stingy in the ingredients, the whole plate looked very pathetic.

Red Curry Chicken 3/5

For our meat, we gone for the Red Curry Chicken ($8) which comes with chicken pieces, pineapple, tomato and eggplant. Do not be deceived by the red coloring of the curry, it is not spicy at all. It fact I find it diluted and sweet.

Stir Fried Kai Lan with Oyster Sauce 4/5

Lastly we had the Stir Fried Kai Lan with Oyster Sauce ($7) to complete the meal. This is probably the best executed dish, with the green retaining its crunchiness. On top of that the oyster sauce was balanced, not overly salty, complementing the earthy taste of the green.

During my visit, the kitchen was a bit chaotic with many tables getting impatient waiting for the food. I could not really blame them because it was only a few days to their opening. It probably needs more time to smooth out the operations. Food wise, I thought it was rather average. However the price point is reasonable cheap. By the way, the restaurant is 24 hours!


Na Na Original Thai Food
18 Clementi Road
Singapore 129747
Tel: +65 68732250
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line), Haw Par Villa (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 24 Hours

Direction:
1) Alight at Haw Par Villa MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Har Paw MRT station (Stop ID 16011). Take bus number 10 or 200. Alight 8 stops later at Kent Ridge Bus Terminal. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Haw Par Villa MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Har Paw MRT station (Stop ID 16011). Take bus number 30, 51, 143 or 188. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station. (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 183 or 201. Alight 7 stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Beach Road Kitchen @ JW Marriott Singapore South Beach - An Epicurean All Day Dining Restaurant

The new JW Marriott Singapore South Beach along Beach Road is one of the newest hotel in Singapore. It boasts a total of nine dining concepts at the property. I dropped by its all-day dining restaurant - Beach Road Kitchen to check out its scrumptious buffet spread.

Seafood 3.5/5

The first station I checked out its their Seafood Room. They are many seafood on ice such as prawn, crab, mantis shrimp, clam, mussel, oyster and even razor clam, an item I seldom see on buffet line. A highlight in the seafood room is an array of smoked fish. There were green tea salmon, spiced salmon, gravlax salmon, smoked mackerel and smoked martin

Rib Eye 4.2/5

Not to be missed is their Charcoal Grill station that features handsome cuts of meat such as Rib Eye. The beautiful roast is best to paired with some grilled asparagus, broccoli and mushrooms. I also tried the Korean BBQ which is well seasoned and marinated, delivering a smoky sweetness to the tender meat.

Indian Food 4/5

International fare sch as Western and Indian cuisine are also available among the spread. I could not resist trying some of the Indian dishes such as the biryani, curry fish, lamb and curry vegetables. The aroma of the spices will spiced up your diner experience.

For those that want to have a taste of the local food, you can head to the Local Favourites section. You can find many Local Favourites such as the Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, nasi goreng kampong and angus hor fun.

Laksa 4/5

Head to the Noodle Bar for a bowl of comforting Laksa cooked a la minute by the staff at the live station.

Soft Serve Ice Cream 4.5/5

Do remember to leave some space for the Dessert station. It features an delightful spread of homemade desserts and pastries., fresh waffles and crepes with compotes and sauces. There are also fruits and nonya kuehs among the sweet selections. You can also have some fun making your own soft serve ice-cream cone.

Cakes & Pastries 4.2/5

Price of Buffet
Breakfast Buffet - $42
Lunch Buffet - $58
Dinner Buffet  - $78
Sunday Brunch Buffet - $108

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Beach Road Kitchen
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
30 South Beach Road
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 68181913
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 10pm

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