Fourgather @ Telok Ayer Street - Newest Modern Thai Restaurant with Fusion Flavours in Vibrant Thai Street Food-Themed Space

Discover Fourgather, the latest addition to Telok Ayer's dining scene, tucked away within Amoy Hotel. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a vibrant and eclectic ambience carefully curated by its four co-owners.

The casual restaurant is divided into two spaces adorned with stylish decor pieces imported from Thailand. Combined with lively background music, we definitely felt like we were transported to the Land of Smiles. The extensive menu features both authentic Thai dishes and creative items of fusion flavours.

Beverages

The beverage menu offers a wide variety, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Opting for non-alcoholic choices, we selected Thai Chrysanthemum ($5.50), Pandan Thai Milk Tea ($5.50), Butterfly Pea Lemonade Soda ($7.90), and Soya Bean Milk Tea ($6.50). While slightly pricey, we appreciated that the drinks weren't overly sweet, with the fragrant Thai Chrysanthemum standing out for its lovely herbal notes.

Fourgather Matchstick Wings 4.8/5

The Fourgather Matchstick Wings ($11.90) is a must-try! The 10 split mid-joint wings are marinated in a housemade aromatic sauce and expertly fried to perfection. They are so juicy, crunchy and addictive. Remember to enjoy them with the fragrant, crispy garlic for an extra burst of flavour.

Roasted Rice Pork - Moo Koop Foon 4.5/5

Before this dinner, I had never tried nor heard about Roasted Rice Pork — Moo Koop Foon ($18.90). This deep-fried pork dish is coated with roasted rice and finished with chilli powder, giving it an extra texture dimension on its exterior. Much like the Matchstick Wings, the pork is fried to a perfect crunch while retaining its juiciness inside.

Thai Style Kang Kong - Morning Glory 4/5

We opted for the Thai Style Kang Kong - Morning Glory ($12.90) as our vegetable dish. While the taste was as expected, the portion size was small for the price.

Thai Fried Kway Teow - Pad See Ew 3.5/5

One of our favourite Thai mains is Pad See Ew ($14.90), the classic Thai Fried Kway Teow. We ordered it here as well but were disappointed to find it lacked the wok hei.

Thai Train Fried Rice - Khao Pad Rod Fai 3.5/5

We were curious about the Thai Train Fried Rice ($13.90), which we later learned was named after a popular dish sold by vendors at train stations. It was average on its own, but it was better when paired with a side of Thai fish sauce and cut chillies.

Green Curry Chicken with Roti 4.2/5

If you prefer less thick and creamy Thai green curries, go for the Green Curry Chicken with Roti ($15.90). The fragrant curry was loaded with assorted vegetables and chicken bites. Make sure to dip the roti pieces while it's hot for that crisp.

Yum Salmon 4.2/5

Yum Salmon ($26.90) is one of the raw marinated seafood dishes on the menu, next to Yum Raw Prawn ($20.90) and Yum Puu Maa — Flower Crabs ($39.90). The salmon sashimi comes in thick chunks, tossed in a salivating tangy-spicy Thai sauce mix.

Tom Yum Soup - Seafood 4/5

Between the creamy and clear Tom Yum Soup ($24.90), we went with the former. Fourgather's rendition leaned a bit more to the sweet end while staying decently fragrant with the classic tom yum herbs of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime. Apart from Seafood, you can choose other toppings, such as Vegetable ($13.90), Chicken ($16.90) and Prawn ($19.90).

Fisherman’s Harvest - Fried Fish Miang 4.2/5

Consider trying the fried whole fish dishes when dining here in a group. The Fisherman's Harvest - Fried Fish Miang ($44.90) was perfect for sharing and presented impressively. The fried fish chunks, conveniently boneless, boast a meaty texture with a light crispiness. Served with a whole tray of vibrant condiments and various chillies, diners are encouraged to wrap the fish chunks with vegetables and select their preferred condiments, akin to our familiar Korean BBQ wraps. It was refreshing and interactive, ideal for enjoying in a group.

Coconut Ice Cream 4.2/5

Our desserts started with the classic Coconut Ice Cream ($8.90) served with fresh coconut meat and crushed peanuts. Although it was quite pricey, it was good, mildly sweet, and creamy.

Freshly Made Red Ruby 3.5/5

Next was the Freshly Made Red Ruby ($9.90) served with jackfruit and coconut meat. While the red rubies were expectedly crunchy, we found the chewy tapioca flour exterior to be too thin in ratio.

Thai Butter Toast 4/5

Seeing the Thai Butter Toast ($9.90) reminded us of Thailand's popular After You Cafe! Choose between steamed or toasted toasts, and they will be served with housemade pandan custard dip and Thai milk tea dip. The portion could definitely do with more toasts at this price tag.

Although the prices may be on the higher side, we found the overall experience and ambience at Fourgather to be enjoyable. The food was generally well-balanced in flavours - being flavourful and avoiding being too oily, overly sweet or salty. Surprisingly, the sides impressed us more than the mains.

The restaurant also serves Lunch Sets available between 11.30am to 3pm (last order at 2.30pm) at more attractive price points.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fourgather
76 Telok Ayer Street
#01-02
Singapore 048464
Tel: +65 8071 2946
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am - 11:30pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant @ One Fullerton - Savour Signature Dishes With 65 Years Of Heritage

From a pushcart at old Upper East Coast Road to a notable seafood restaurant at One Fullerton, Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant is now into its 65th year. Indeed, it is quite a milestone. Perhaps the best way to commemorate that is by bringing back the beloved dishes that have won the hearts of many over the years. With the launch of The 1956 Menu, customers can now look forward to popular dishes dated way back from 1956 made with the same traditional recipes fine-tuned over the years.

Singapore Rojak 4.5/5

To start, we had Singapore Rojak ($12) and Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish ($18). The rojak was really delicious with just the right amount of its propriety sauce coating the various ingredients - ginger flower, shaved pineapple, cucumber, turnip and mango, along with beansprouts, tau pok (tofu puffs), and youtiao (dough fritters). The quintessential crushed peanuts were well roasted, adding a good dose of nuttiness to the sweet fruits. I do like the addition of century egg too, which was somewhat creamy and funky in a good way.

Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish 4/5

Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish ($18/$28) - A combination that has always appeared odd to me suddenly make sense in this chilled version. This appetiser was pretty delightful mixed with sweet sauce, chilli, and spicy dried shrimps and complete with a handful of deep-fried shallots and nuts. Slightly less sauce would have been even more ideal.

Seafood King Prawn Soup 4/5

Next up was the Seafood King Prawn Soup ($14). Using the same broth as the restaurant's award-winning Coco Lobo that features live lobster with vermicelli in a milky and tangy superior chicken stock, this is a pocket-friendly variant of using a succulent tiger prawn. The star is still the well-loved broth made with evaporated milk, dried orange peel, Jin Hua ham (Chinese cured meat), chilli oil and lime juice. It is pretty close to the taste of Tom Yum but less piquant.

Deep Fried ‘Golden Phoenix’ with Spicy Sauce 4/5

A varied version to the classic dish of Sweet & Sour Fish - Deep Fried 'Golden Phoenix' with Spicy Sauce ($48/800g) - deep-fried freshwater 'Golden Phoenix' fish topped with a house-made sauce made which was fiery and tangy with red chilli padi, tamarind paste, sour plum and freshly juiced lime. The fish was meaty, allowing it to carry the sauce well. The papadum at the side didn't quite serve any purposes though.

Stir-fried Mussels in Soy Bean Sauce and Sambal Chilli 3/5

As for Stir-fried Mussels in Soy Bean Sauce and Sambal Chilli ($16/$32), I thought the sauce was a tad too heavy for the mussels.

Oyster Sauce Chicken 4.5/5

One of the must-order dishes from the 1956 Menu is this Oyster Sauce Chicken ($24). Using a whole organic Anxin chicken, the chicken is brushed in dark soy sauce and deep-fried till golden brown, then stuffed with stir-fried chives, garlic and lard before steaming it for 50 minutes in aluminium foil with oyster sauce, sesame oil and Hua Diao wine. The texture of the chicken was wonderfully fork-tender.

Crabs Crab Ala Singapura 4.8/5

Of all the crab dishes I have tried, this Crabs Crab Ala Singapura (Market Price) is one of the most outstanding. The award-winning dish is charcoal-grilled at 400 degrees Celsius with melted mozzarella, aged parmesan cheese, creamy French butter, salt and pepper. Unlike some, which I find too rich and creamy or cheesy, the use of both melted mozzarella and aged parmesan cheese strikes a balance in flavour and creaminess. I like that it was savoury more than sweet and that the creaminess was lifted and sharpened by peppery nuances.

Yuan-Yang Seabass Crackling Rice Soup 4/5

You can also drop by for a sumptuous lunch with the restaurant's latest Lunch-exclusive Pao Fan menu available for lunch between 12pm and 230pm. We tried the Yuan-Yang Seabass Crackling Rice Soup ($16.80) featuring fish cooked two ways – a serving of crispy fried Seabass, alongside silky slices of the fish in a seafood broth containing cooked rice, as well as crispy rice puffs and youtiao. For such a portion and the quality of the fish, this is one of the best lunch deals that you can ever get.

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.


Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant
One Fullerton
#01-09, 1 Fullerton Road
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 63368118
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Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Clifford Centre and then Change Alley. Take escalator to level 2. Cross the road using the OUE Link. Turn left towards Fullerton Bay Hotel. Walk to towards the bay and destination. Journey time about 8 minutes.[Map]

Moonbow @ Dempsey Hill - New Royal Midday High Tea, 70% Savoury 30% Sweet

Having visited Moonbow when it opened earlier in the year, I was back at the restaurant on a weekend afternoon to check out the newly launched Royal Midday High Tea. The high set is available on Friday to Sunday, from 230pm to 530pm.

High Tea Set

I am not a high tea person because I do not have a sweet tooth. Thanks to Chef Heman, who has come up with the new High Tea Set ($68.80) that focuses more on savoury than sweet. I was overwhelmed as 70% of the high tea set is savoury, and only 30% is sweet. For the savoury items, diners can look forward to Parma Ham Rose, Evvo Caviar, Salted Egg Bacon Bits Choux Pastry, Scallop Flower Amuse Bouche, Braised Short Rib Artisan Squid Ink Bread and Dark Chocolate Coated Foie Gras Lollipop.

High Tea Set

There are Green Tea Fondant, Black Berries Rice Sorbet, Bacon Cheesecake and Mango Chocolate Mousse for the sweets selection.

Tomato Butter Scones

A must-have to complement the high tea experience is the Tomato Butter Scones. Unlike the traditional English scone, Chef Heman's version is infused with tomatoes giving it a sweet, tangy finishing.

As it is the truffle's season, Chef Heman has also incorporated the premium ingredients into the high tea menu.

Cheesy Truffle Curly Fries

Besides the high tea set and scone, do check out the small plates to complete the high tea experience. The Cheesy Truffle Curly Fries covered with Parmesan Cheese and paired with Truffle Mayo Dips are delightfully addictive.

Crispy Salmon Finger in Drawer

I feel that the Crispy Salmon Finger in Drawer is worthy of a shot at the main menu. Deep-fried to golden brown and looks like our local goreng pisang, it is a unique take of the usual deep-fried fish with a crispy exterior coat. In addition, it comes with two dipping sauces - truffle mayo and arrabbiata olio for the fullest enjoyment of the crispy salmon finger.

Suppose you are someone like me preferring savoury over sweets. In that case, you will enjoy the high tea set at Moonbow, which is different from other places with more sweets than savoury. As you can see from the set that I tried, it's not your usual cake, tart, sandwich or kueh.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
MOONBOW
Block 10 Dempsey Road
#01-21
Singapore 247700
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Holland Village (CC Line), Farrer Road (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 10am -3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Orchard Boulevard (Stop ID 09022). Take bus number 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 7 stops later. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time 30 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Block 12 (Stop ID 11401). Take bus 106. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to Dempsey Road. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Farrer Road MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Farrer Road MRT station (Stop ID 11119). Take bus number 174 or 564. Alight 5 stops later. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Walk to destination. Journey time 20 minutes. [Map]

Celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day at Crystal Jade Restaurants

With the upcoming Mother's Day and Father's Day in May and June. Crystal Jade Restaurants will be launching several promotions at its group of restaurants for this two months. A line up of thoughtfully crafted dishes and tantalising set menus to celebrate the occasions.

Pan Seared Foie Gras with Crispy Beancurd wrapped with Crepe 4/5

Probably inspired by the way we have Peking duck is the Pan Seared Foie Gras with Crispy Beancurd wrapped with Crepe ($16.80/pax). I find this combination much better than Peking duck. The creaminess of the foie gras gives it a substantial bite while I though the crispy beancurd is a good substitute of the crispiness duck skin. This dish will be available at Crystal Jade Palace which has re-opened in early June after a major renovation,

Supreme Fried Rice with Prawn, Bacon and Lychee wrapped in Lotus Leaf 3.5/5

Another dish available at Crystal Jade Palace is the Supreme Fried Rice with Prawn, Bacon and Lychee wrapped in Lotus Leaf ($30). The fried rice is wok fried to fragrant with the egg aroma. However the sweetness from the lychee in the savoury dish needs getting use to.

Double Boiled Giant Grouper Head with Ginger and Premium Nan Zao 3.8/5

Over at One-Michelin Crystal Jade Golden Palace, look forward to a bowl of nourishing and collagen rich Double Boiled Giant Grouper Head with Ginger and Premium Nan Zao ($22/pax). The giant grouper is prized for its high collagen content while the Nan Zao also known as black date has several health such as enhancing the digestive system, keeping blood pressure normal, high in vitamin C and more.

Deep Fried Groupa Fillet with Prawn Paste tossed with Crispy Garlic 4.2/5

One of our favourite dishes is the Deep Fried Groupa Fillet with Prawn Paste tossed with Crispy Garlic ($26.80 for 4pc) available at both Crystal Jade Kitchen and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. The prawn paste gives the generous pieces of grouper fillet an addition crunch in texture complemented by the crispy garlic that has been tossed with curry leaves and sliced chillis.

Deep Fried Yellow Croaker with Sweet Vinegar Sauce and Pine Nuts 4.2/5

Over at their newest concept Crystal Jade Jiang Nan, one can look froward to the Deep Fried Yellow Croaker with Sweet Vinegar Sauce and Pine Nuts ($29.80). This is a classic Jiangsu dish in which the deep fried fish is cloaked in an appetising sauce concocted with vinegar, hawthorn and red wine lees.

Chargrilled Iberico Pork Rib 4/5

There are also some items that is available at all the three Crystal Jade fine-dining (Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace and Crystal Jade Dining In). One of these is the Chargrilled Iberico Park Rib ($26.80 per portion). To appreciate the dish, one needs to dip the tender pork with the piquant mala dip.

Creme Brulee Ginger Egg Tart Topped with Bird's Nest 4/5

Exquisitely crafted is the Creme Brulee Ginger Egg Tart Topped with Bird's Nest ($6.80/pc) and Lychee Begonia Flower-Shaped Pastry ($11.80 for 3pc). The egg tart with its caramelised surface is an inventive take of the traditional snack. While I applauded the crowning of bird's nest, it didn't really help to elevate the flavour. As for the lychee begonia flower-shaped pastry, lotus paste is filled inside the flaky pastry.

Lychee Begonia Flower-Shaped Pastry 3.5/5

During the promotional periods, diners who dine at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Kitchen will receive origami paper with instructions to fold an origami tuip to present to their parents. Customer who share a photo of the completed tulip origami with any Parent's Day special dish on instagram will stand a chance to be one of five lucky winners to win $100 Crystal Jade Dining voucher. Those who also share a memory of their first gift to their mum or dad in the caption of the post will receive double the chance to win.

For more details of the promotions and outlets, do log on to the website at www.crystaljade.com

Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯) @ Ghim Moh Food Centre - Just Go For The Sliced Fish Soup

Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯) is a common brand that can be spotted in a number of hawker centres around the island. Even so, I have not tried it until my recent visit to Ghim Moh Food Centre. The stall sells about 10 different dishes on the menu and I ordered a couple to try.

Sliced Fish Soup 4/5

I have the Sliced Fish Soup with Rice ($4.50). You can also choose to have it with bee hoon or porridge too. The clear soup itself is sweet and it comes with fresh, thick batang fish slices. I also like the fact that it comes with bitter gourd.

Fried Fish 2.8/5

I decided to order some extra Fried Fish slices to go with the rice. Unfortunately they are pre-fried, cold and not crispy.

Pork Trotters in Black Vinegar 3/5

It was a pity that the Pork Trotters in Black Vinegar ($8) is not as tender as I would have expected. Although the sweet tangy black vinegar was gorgeous, it was let down by the dry and tough meat.

I can't say this is the best fish soup but it is decent enough to satisfy one's hunger. I would go for the slice fish soup and skip the rest.


Hong Sheng Fish Soup (鴻升魚湯)
Ghim Moh Food Centre
Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
#01-08
Singapore 270020
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 8pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Walk to bus stop along Buona Vista Road (Stop ID 11361). Take bus no. 92. Alight 1 stops later. Journey time about 3 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Cross the underpass towards Ghim Moh Estate Blk 12A. Cut across the open air carpark towards Ghim Moh Road. Cross the road and walk towards Blk 20. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]