Surrey Hills Grocer @ Vivocity - Largest Surrey Hills Outlet, Bringing Diners the Aussie Rainforest Experience

Surrey Hills Grocer has unveiled its largest branch on VivoCity's rooftop, offering diners an Aussie rainforest-themed experience. The cosy space is adorned with lush greenery and playful animal decor like kangaroos, koalas, and giraffes.

Like its other branches, this new outlet introduces outlet-exclusive dishes and their first ever full kids menu.

Pet owners will also be happy to know that the outlet is pet-friendly and offers an all-new pet-friendly menu. Their freshly made treats are all crafted with quality, human-grade ingredients.

Diners can find a great variety of produce and food items to be purchased. The retail space is in a dedicated store segment near the entrance.

Surrey’s Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

Surrey has an extensive beverage list, which includes alcohols, fresh juices, wines, smoothies, teas and homemade options, such as the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8). It is made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Corn & Crab Chowder 4/5

For a comforting start, we opted for the Corn & Crab Chowder ($14), a mildly creamy soup peppered with sweet crab meat bits and served with a side of focaccia.

Pumpkin Soup 4/5

Equally satisfying was the Pumpkin Soup ($12), which featured warm flavours of burnt orange and dukkah, balanced by a refreshing touch of mint, accompanied by focaccia.

Tender Seared Turkey 4.8/5

To add to the festive cheer, Surrey Hills Grocer has rolled out a seasonal Christmas menu available till the end of December. I was especially excited to try their Tender Seared Turkey ($32), which was strongly recommended by the staff. It was stellar and indeed one of the most tender renditions I've had of the meat. The turkey breast is drizzled with fragrant truffle butter and served with a bed of creamy truffled pomme puree, sherry caramel, miso glaze butternut squash and mushroom gravy.

Christmas Porchetta 4.5/5

Another festive highlight was the Christmas Porchetta ($28), which features tender Spanish chestnut pork belly with perfectly crisped skin stuffed with aromatics and sweet yet tangy apple cider glaze and cranberry apple compote.

Octopus Salad 3.8/5

Unfortunately, the Octopus Salad ($28) was less memorable, primarily due to its texture, which was a little too chewy. The sides of edamame, grape salsa and whipped cod roe went well together.

Flat Bread Hammy Benny 4/5

From the standard menu, we had the Flat Bread Hammy Benny ($26), featuring smoked Kurobuta ham, eggs of your choice, wilted spinach, truffle mushroom ragout, and foam-textured hollandaise on warmed flatbread. While enjoyable, my companions found it slightly overpriced for its simplicity.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza 4.2/5

A standout speciality exclusive to this outlet is its Sicilian-style pizzas and pasta. The Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza ($12) was a crowd-pleaser, featuring creamy ricotta, spicy pepperoni, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick.

“Hokkien Mee” 4.8/5

Among the pasta options, the "Hokkien Mee" ($26) impressed us with its creative local twist. Al dente malfadine pasta was bathed in a rich prawn bisque with lard and topped with ikura, grilled prawns, and spicy shrimp sambal. It was a bold, crustacean-infused dish.

Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta 4/5

By contrast, the Roasted Garlic Miso Butter Pasta ($22) felt slightly underwhelming. The casarecce pasta, paired with pork sausage, asparagus, and fresh herbs, was well-cooked but lacked the robust flavours of the other dishes.

Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard, Vanilla Glazed Donut 3/5

We sampled two donuts for dessert: the Strawberries Donut with Vanilla Custard ($6.50) and the Vanilla Glazed Donut ($5). Both were dense and much sweeter than expected. We favoured the latter for its delicate sugar coating.

Sticky Date Pudding 4.5/5

Finally, the Sticky Date Pudding ($16) stole the show. This moist sponge cake was paired with sea salt butterscotch, almond crumble, and vanilla ice cream. The sweetness was balanced with a contrasting touch of saltiness.

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.


Surrey Hills Grocer
VivoCity
#03-02
1 HarbourFront Walk
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 8189 6392
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront MRT (NE, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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

Fatt Choy Eating House (發財餐馆) @ Haji Lane - Enjoy Modern Singaporean Fare With Craft Beers and Sake

Fatt Choy Eating House at Haji Lane prides itself on its modern Singaporean fare, complemented by house-brewed beers and locally brewed sakes. Situated opposite its sister brand, Good Luck Beerhouse, Fatt Choy offers a well-curated menu that features small plates and bites that pair perfectly with drinks and classic local delicacies served in much heartier portions.

Pitan with Ice Lettuce 4.2/5

The vegetable dishes are meant to be as indulgent. We started with a refreshing Pitan with Ice Lettuce, which combined ultra-creamy Taiwanese Century Egg with a Pickled Ginger Dressing, providing a great contrast with the crunch of the Ice Lettuce. This dish hit all the right notes with its balance of creaminess and texture.

Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace 4.5/5

The umami-packed Wawa Cabbage with Fried Dace ($12) brought a nostalgic flavour, with the fried dace sauce recalling the familiar taste of fermented black beans, albeit in a healthier version.

Masala Brussels Sprout 3/5

The Masala Brussels Sprout ($15) delighted with its chunky fried sprouts, but the masala sauce lacked depth and could have benefited from more tang and robustness.

Iberico Satay 3.8/5

The Iberico Satay ($15) featured grilled Secreto Iberico Pork skewers paired with Javanese Peanut Sauce and Pineapple Salsa. One of the tastiest skewers I had with all the sauce and zingy salsa, but a bit more grilling to render the fat and add a more robust char on the meat would have elevated the dish.

Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee 4.2/5

The signature dishes included Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee ($18) and XO Carrot Cake ($15). Although the wok hei was missing from the Hokkien Mee, it was still rich in flavour, loaded with various cuts of pork, squid, and a handful of crispy pork lard. The accompanying sambal was spot-on.

XO Carrot Cake 3.8/5

The XO Carrot Cake stood out for being generously coated with XO sauce, delivering a surprisingly well-rounded flavour with fried egg, beansprouts, and chives. However, the radish cake lacked caramelisation, likely due to being prepared with just a quick toss in the sauce.

KL Dai Lok Mee 4.2/5

KL Dai Lok Mee is a more elevated version of KL style Hokkien Mee, served in a claypot and adorned with mini abalones, offering a much celebratory vibe. There were also tender pork tendons in it, flavoursome with the sauce and adding even more textural bite to the noodles. Serving it in a claypot allowed the sauce to thicken and caramelise over time, enhancing the overall dish.

Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro 4.8/5

For dessert, Fatt Choy keeps it simple with one option and a delicious one: Kaya Ice Cream with House-made Churro ($12). This coconut cream-based kaya ice cream, housemade with fresh pandan, struck the right balance of sweetness and aroma and paired perfectly with the churro, which had a golden crust and a light, airy bite.

The restaurant also collaborates with a local sake brewery to offer a unique sake menu. We tried Utama The 2nd (Fresh on Tap) ($25) and the creamy, unfiltered Cempedak Cream Sake ($15), both of which complemented the food well.

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.


Fatt Choy Eating House
10 Haji Lane
Singapore 189203
Tel: +65 8128 0660
Facebook
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B or E. Walk to North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road to junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the road and walk to Haji Lane. Turn right onto Haji Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) @ Bukit Batok - Tuck into Comforting & Unique Charcoal Hot Pot Bases Such As Wintermelon Seafood and Congee

Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅) is a fresh addition to the hot pot scene, nestled within a coffeeshop at IBIZ Centre, located between Bukit Batok and Jurong East. Its unique broth bases set Da Pang apart from other hot pot spots.

In addition to their signature hot pot offerings, they also serve Fried Hokkien Sotong Prawn Mee ($6/$8/$12), prepared in a slightly wetter style.

When you visit Da Pang, the ingredients for the hot pot are neatly packed and available for self-service from display refrigerators.

With a basket in hand, diners can enjoy a 'shopping trip' experience, selecting their preferred ingredients and bringing them back to the table. Each item is cling-wrapped and organised by categories such as vegetables, seafood, and meats, making it easy to choose.

The ingredients are priced according to the colour of the plates: White ($1) for mostly vegetables, Green and Yellow ($3), Orange ($5) for a selection of house-marinated meats, and Red ($8) for premium items.

Right in front of the stall, you'll find a variety of condiments, along with free-flow cabbage and xiao bai cai in these vintage baskets. Live crabs are also available at $10 each, which will be prepared by the staff upon order.

We were pleasantly surprised by the range of fresh ingredients, which came in more substantial portions than we've experienced in other similar hot pot eateries.

Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot 4.2/5

We opted for the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot ($32) as our base for our meal. We sipped the broth before adding any ingredients and enjoyed how flavourful it was. This base features a carved winter melon centrepiece, filled with prawns and la la clams, surrounded by watermelon cubes. The broth itself had a comforting, well-balanced herbal sweetness married with seafood flavours. I particularly liked how it was not overly salty.

Da Pang offers a variety of other broth bases, including Lala Hotpot ($18/$28), Prawn Hotpot ($18/$28), and Lala & Prawn Hotpot ($22/$32). These bases can be paired with different soups such as Clear Soup, Tomato Soup, Herbal Soup, or their Specialty Congee base. If you're interested in trying the Wintermelon Seafood Hotpot, it's best to call ahead and reserve it at least a day in advance.

Some of our favourite ingredient picks included marinated pork paste, prawn paste, marinated chicken, dumplings, and green bamboo shoots. The clams, prawns, and winter melon that came with our soup base were satisfying, too.

Broth refills are complimentary, and the attentive staff were quick to assist with this. We also learned that instead of breaking down the winter melon, you can leave it boiling whole and dip your ingredients into it. The winter melon is cleverly carved with a tunnel inside, allowing the ingredients to cook thoroughly.

We concluded our meal with a piece of fried egg floss that soaked up the soup!

Although Da Pang is not located in the most accessible location, we had an enjoyable meal and look forward to returning.

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.


Da Pang Congee Base Hot Pot (大胖粥底火锅)
IBIZ Centre
32 Old Toh Tuck Road
#01-17
Singapore 597658
Tel: +65 8788 5812
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Clement (EW Line), Beauty World (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 2pm, 4pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17171). Take bus number 106. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clementi Bus Interchange (Stop ID 17009). Take bus number 173. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 41. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Beauty World MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Beauty World MRT station (Stop ID 42151). Take bus 173. Alight 7 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 16 minutes. [Map]

Crystal Jade Palace @ Takashimaya - Limited-time Special Menu of Reimagined Local Favourites to Celebrate National Day

With Singapore's National Day approaching, Crystal Jade's various restaurant concepts are proud to launch a limited-time special menu of 'Local-inspired Delights' (本地经典风味菜肴) dishes available from now to 30 September 2024. The chefs have meticulously crafted this menu to pay homage to local dishes and flavours. At Crystal Jade Palace, featured dishes include Chilli Crab in Golden Kueh Pie Tee Cup, Hokkien Live Prawn Noodle with Pork Lardon in Opeh Leaf, and more.

Other Crystal Jade concepts, such as Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade Pavilion, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, will each offer their own special reimagined dishes. During this period, Crystal Jade Jadeite members and UOB Cardmembers can enjoy 20% off all promotional dishes (excluding dessert) when dining in.

Chilli Crab in Golden Kueh Pie Tee Cup 4/5

First, we had an elevated kueh pie tee - Chilli Crab in Golden Kueh Pie Tee Cup ($18.80). The crispy pastry shell was filled with crab meat shreds in a tangy and spicy chilli crab sauce.

Double-boiled Fish Maw with Sea Whelk, Black Garlic & Chicken Soup in Coconut 4.5/5

Next, we moved to a nourishing bowl of soup. The Double-boiled Fish Maw with Sea Whelk, Black Garlic & Chicken Soup in Coconut ($42 per person) was brimming with many ingredients. The heartwarming soup had a depth of black garlic and sweetness from red dates.

Seafood Medley in Lime Leaf & Chilli Crab Sauce served with Golden Mantou 4.2/5

Enjoy the local favourite chilli crab without the mess. Crystal Jade’s Seafood Medley in Lime Leaf & Chilli Crab Sauce served with Golden Mantou ($68 for regular) features scallops, mussels and prawns cooked in a rich chilli crab sauce.

The mantous were fried to the best crunch, ideal for mopping up the spicy-sweet sauce.

Sambal French Bean & Eggplant with Crispy Silver Bait 4.2/5

Our vegetable dish was the Sambal French Bean & Eggplant with Crispy Silver Bait ($26 for regular). The french bean and strips of eggplant are sautéed in a slick homemade sambal sauce that perfectly coated every vegetable, while the silver baits were fried to a perfect crunch.

Hokkien Live Prawn Noodle with Pork Lardon in Opeh Leaf 4.2/5

The Hokkien Live Prawn Noodle with Pork Lardon in Opeh Leaf ($32) easily won the hearts of my dining companions and me. The noodles were well-textured and not simmered too soft, paired with prawns simmered in a robust prawn and pork lard stock. Make sure to mix in their addictive house-made belacan, which is also sold in bottles at the reception counter.

Durian Chendol in Coconut 3.5/5

Our first dessert was a tropical-themed Durian Chendol in Coconut ($18.80 per person). The base includes typical chendol ingredients such as atap chee, red beans, and pandan jelly, topped with coconut ice cream and D24 durian pulp. This rendition was more of a 'dry' chendol, with much less coconut milk and ice.

I ♥ SG Red Ruby with Coconut Pudding 2/5

Decked in our national colours, the I ♥ SG Red Ruby with Coconut Pudding ($8.90 for four pieces) was created to pay homage to Singapore and the upcoming National Day. Unfortunately, we found it slightly bland, and its texture was a tad too sticky.

To make reservations, visit the restaurant website at www.crystaljade.com/reservation.

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.


Crystal Jade Palace
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
#04-19
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 9017 5423
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 10.30am - 3.30pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Follow the walkway through Wisma Atria to Takashimaya. Continue walking straight at Ngee Ann City until destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B to Orchard Road. Head west or turn left onto Orchard Road against the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]