Mio Fine Foods ( 美桜 ) @ Neil Road - A Sanctuary Awaits You With Artisanal Fine Japanese Cuisine

Mio Fine Foods ( 美桜 ) is the latest restaurant to be opened along Neil Road. The restaurant offers traditional yet artisanal fine Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is designed with the concept of Kanso, bringing the Japanese Zen philosophy that emphasises simplicity to its space. Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an indoor garden.

Premium Sashimi Moriwase 4.5/5

The Premium Sashimi Moriwase ($80) features the freshest catch comprising Nama Uni, Akami, Hamachi, Salmon Belly, Nama Hotate, Ikura, Toro and Mekajiki. A great selection of sashimi to kick start the dinner.

Hotate Uni Truffle Somen 4/5

We had the Hotate Uni Truffle Somen ($38) and Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba ($29) from the cold noodle selection. The Hotate Uni Truffle Somen comes with fresh Hokkaido scallops, sea urchins, and truffle salsa on top of the Japanese white noodles. I enjoyed the smooth and silky somen that soaked up the delicious sauce.

Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba 3.8/5

Compared to the somen, the Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba is lighter in flavour, and the buckwheat noodle has a firmer bite in texture. Complementing the cold soba are torched Hokkaido scallops, torched salmon, tobiko, and sous vide egg yolk in Japanese dressing.

Potato Nesuto Tempura 4/5

Great for sharing is the Potato Nesuto Tempura ($16), whereby hand shred potatoes are stacked into a tower, scented with truffle and showered with parmesan cheese. Best having it with the accompanying kaffir lime aioli, which is very addictive.

Nori Taco 4.2/5

A great bite is the Nori Taco ($14 for 2 pc) which comes in three flavours - Assorted Sashimi, Soft Shell Crab (+$2 each) and Negitoro Uni (+$8 each). All nori tacos are served with avocado puree and sushi rice on top of your choice of flavours. I love the crispy nori taco shell that holds everything together for delightful textural enjoyment.

Smokey Corn 5/5

A must-have is the Smokey Corn ($16). The grilled pearl white corn rubbed with teriyaki mayonnaise is super sweet! It is further dusted with Parmesan cheese and shichimi to enhance the sweetness. I highly recommend this is the first dish to order as it needs 10-15 minutes of waiting time.

Wagyu Sando 4.5/5

At Mio, there is even a wagyu section in the menu. Using only premium A5 Japanese Wagyu, guests can look forward to a variety of dishes such as wagyu uni rice bowl, wagyu tataki, and wagyu teppanyaki. Of course, not to forget the crowd's favourite Wagyu Sando ($40). The tender and juicy breaded A5 Japan Wagyu is sandwiched between toasted Japanese shokupan bread, served with lotus chips.

Goma Goma 3.5/5

We have two desserts on the menu, starting with the Goma Goma ($15). The moist and spongy black sesame cake is served with housemade black sesame ice cream and speculoos crumbles for texture.

Daigaku Imo 3/5

The other dessert is the Daigaku Imo ($13). Candied Japanese sweet potato is served with vanilla bean ice cream and black sesame. The sweet potato is on the tough side, I am ok, but some may not like it.

Overall, I find the savoury items are stronger than the sweets. I also noticed there are more female than male customers at the restaurant. Not sure if it has to do with the restaurant's food or interior design.
Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mio Fine Food
82 Neil Road
Singapore 088843
Tel: +65 62912330
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Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 930pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 12pm - 4pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Cut through Duxton Plain Park to Keong Saik Road. Turn left onto Keong Saik Road and walk towards Neil Road. Turn left on Neil Road and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Neil Road. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Cantina @ Arab Street - Crane's New Bohemian Inspired Cafe With An Asian Farm To Table Concept

Located along Arab Street is Cantina, a new cafe bistro with a bohemian theme that is opened by the folks behind Crane. The food takes on an Asian farm-to-table concept in which dishes are made with ingredients sourced fresh locally, and portions kept just nice to minimise food wastage.

Brekkie Burger 4.2/5

We had the Brekkie Burger ($18), which features a marinated beef patty, farm mushrooms, tomato salsa and herb slaw. The beef patty is exceptionally tender and juicy, and the tomato salsa lends some brightness to the dish with the addition of chewy juicy mushrooms.

Red Curry Prawn Conchiglie 4.5/5

Our favourite dish is the Red Curry Prawn Conchiglie ($22), consisting of locally sourced prawns, grilled greens, herb salad, peanuts and charred lime, served with conchiglie pasta. The pasta is perfectly cooked to an al dente texture and coated with fragrant red curry.

Lebanese Sweet Potato Fries 4/5

The Lebanese Sweet Potato Fries ($10) comes in a generous portion of sweet potato strips, which retain a thin layer of crispiness while packing a solid bite. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of spices the fries were coated in, and they provided just the right amount of umami flavour to the usual sweet potato fries.

Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bites 4/5

We also had the Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bites ($10) served with garlic yoghurt sauce. The meat is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within, and the garlic yoghurt sauce also helps to cut some greasiness from the fried chicken.

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.


Cantina
148 Arab Street
Singapore 199831
Tel: +65 88297116
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 930am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Victoria Street towards Arab Street. Turn right onto Arab Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Fish & Chicks @ Clementi West Street 2 - Salted Egg And Chilli Crab Fish & Chips

Fish & Chicks has recently opened a new outlet in Clementi West Street 2. It has eleven outlets around the island. The western food stall is known for its array of Asian-infused western food, pairing Asian spices with classic western dishes, served in generous portions.

Salted Egg Fish & Chips 3.8/5

I had the Salted Egg Fish & Chips ($11.80). It comes in an enormous piece of moist fish fillet coated in a crispy and light batter. I was sceptical whether the salt egg yolk sauce complements the fried fish, and it turned out the sauce was legit yummy, which goes very well with the fried fish. For the sides, we have coleslaw and french fries.

Chilli Crab Fish & Chips 3.5/5

My partner has the Chilli Crab Fish & Chips ($11.80), which comes with the same coleslaw and french fries for the sides. However, the chilli crab sauce fell short of my expectation. It lacks the punchy taste profile that makes the chilli crab a national dish both locals and foreigners love.

Besides Fish and Chips, the stall sells many other western fares such as steak, pasta and even Japanese donburi. Fish & Chicks is a hawker stall; hence I can't expect restaurant quality for its fish and chips. However, it is affordable, and serving is generous. I don't mind going back to try the other items on the menu.


Fish & Chicks
Blk 713 Clementi West Street 2
#01-115
Singapore 120713
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Website
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 201. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk straight across the housing blocks to Clementi West Street 2. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clementi Bus Interchange (Stop ID 17009). Take bus number 282. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ju Hua Tai (菊花台) @ Duxton Hill - Oriental Themed Cocktail With Asian Inspired Bar Snacks & Mains

Ju Hua Tai (菊花台) is an oriental-themed cocktail bar that has recently opened its doors at Duxton Hill. Alongside its artisanal tippers are Asian-inspired bar snacks and mains to complete the experience.

Chrysanthemum's Secret 4.5/5

You may find its list of cocktails as alluring as I did. Ju Hua Tai's signature cocktail, Chrysanthemum's Secret ($22), indeed is a must-try as raved by many. It is a concoction of Chrysanthemum-infused 135 East Hyogo Gin, Lychee, Raspberry and Elderflower Liqueur. The cocktail's distinctive earthy Chrysanthemum scent and herbaceous notes went well with the fruity sweetness of the Lychee. The exquisite handmade Chrysanthemum jelly was aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and delicious.

Osmanthus Concubine 4/5

We also tried Osmanthus Concubine ($23) concocted with Brasslion Dry Gin, Goji Berries and Osmanthus Cordial. It will have stood out more if the Osmanthus notes are stronger.

Szechuan Cucumber 4.5/5

Criss Cut Fries with Thai Curry Crab Dip 3.8/5

The crunchy Szechuan Cucumber ($10) was moreish with piquant Szechuan sauce. The concept of Criss Cut Fries with Thai Curry Crab Dip ($16) is akin to that of Fried Mantou with Chilli Crab sauce. The rich and creamy Thai Curry Crab dip was punchy with herbs and spices, and the addition of the crab meat gave the dip a meaty texture. Plain fried mantou would have been a better medium to complement the dip as the combination of both the saltish fries and rich sauce proved to be rather heavy.

Mala Chicken Popcorn 4/5

Mala Chicken Popcorn ($15) is inbetween a Szechuan Laziji and Popcorn chicken. It has the flavours of the former but a relatively meatier texture.

Pork Belly Bao 3/5 and Scallop Bao 3.5/5

On the menu, there is also a selection of Baos. We tried Pork Belly Bao ($8.80) with stewed pork belly in a fried bun and a Scallop Bao ($9.80) with a tempura-style scallop in a steamed charcoal bun. Overall, we find the type of bun too skinny, which works against the Pork Belly Bao as the bun becomes too greasy when deep-fried. The Scallop Bao was way more enjoyable. However, a smaller and fluffier bun could have made it look fuller and a lot more enticing.

Octopus Leg with Thai Vignette 3/5

Cauliflower Steak 4/5

For mains, the Octopus Leg with Thai Vinaigrette was disappointing with a squashy texture which was not palatable. On the other hand, the Cauliflower Steak ($23) stood out with an evenly grilled exterior that lent a layer smoky flavour that elusively enhanced the flavour of the sweet grilled Cauliflower. To further elevate it, it is topped with punchy ingredients - pickled radish, pomegranate, yuzu dressing.

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.


Ju Hua Tai (菊花台)
9 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089593
Tel: +65 88692629
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm -1030pm

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]

ClickAFood (CAF) @ Upper Paya Lebar Road - New Pastel-themed Café With 5 Concepts By Singer-songwriter Hong Junyang

Located along Upper Paya Lebar Road is the new multi-concept pastel-themed cafe CAF Clickafood in Singapore. The cafe offers a variety of cuisine - Korean, Thai, Western and local cuisine under one roof. It is the perfect place to have all your different cravings satisfied when dining together.

Seoul Army Stew 4/5

From the Korean menu, we had the Seoul Army Stew ($19.90/2 pax). One of the most popular hot pot dishes in Korea, it comes in a rich, spicy broth made with chilli powder, kimchi and topped with a variety of meats, cabbage, and instant noodle. With a choice of spice level from 1 to 4, you can opt for the amount of heat in your favourite army stew.

Korean Andong Jjimdak 3.8/5

The Korean Andong Jjimdak ($19.90/2 pax) features a soy sauce braised chicken stew with vegetables and chewy sweet potato noodles. Savoury, mildly salty and sweet with a very subtle spicy kick. It has a somewhat complex flavour that we enjoyed.

168 Nasi Lemak 3.8/5

We tried their 168 Nasi Lemak ($8.90), which comes with ikan bilis, peanuts, fried chicken wings, cucumber and sunny side up atop a fragrant butterfly pea-infused coconut rice.

Pad Thai “Bomb” 4/5

One of our favourites is the Pad Thai "Bomb" ($12.90) with spice Level 1-4. It features a fluffy deep-fried omelette covering wok-fried rice noodles, tossed in a delicious pad thai sauce and served with bean sprouts, peanuts and chilli flakes.

Crab Meat Omelette Fried Rice 4/5

Another of our favourites goes to the Crab Meat Omelette Fried Rice ($10.90), with geenrous pieces of crabmeat and soft omelette over a mound of fragrant wok-hei fried rice. While we still wished that the omelette came slightly runny. we still enjoyed the dish, especially with the addition of sweet chilli which went well with the savoury elements.

Nemo Burger 3.5/5

The Nemo Burger ($9.90) came with a huge golden battered dory fish sandwiched between fluffy buttered buns. The fish fillet looked promising, but we felt that the batter was a tad too sticky rather than having the nice crisp we were expecting. Add on the side of shoestring fries for an additional $2.90.

Mango Coconut 4/5, Bandung 3.8/5

The Mango Coconut ($5.50) is a refreshing ice blend of coconut cream, coconut foam, mangoes, and pomelo sago, as well as nata de coco for toppings. The Bandung ($3.90) was syrupy and fragrant, although a tad too sweet for our liking.

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.


CAF Clickafood
339 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Tel: +65 69705077
Singapore 534953
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 9pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to bus stop at Tai Keng MRT station (Stop ID 70281). Take bus number 22, 24, 43, 58, 62, 70, 80 and 76. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Atico Lounge @ ION Orchard - Soar To New Height & Take Flight Into Singapore's Newest Sky-High Lifestyle Landmark

The opening of Atico Lounge marks the completion of 1-ATICO. This luxe multi-concept destination sits on level 56 of ION Orchard. The third and final instalment, Atico Lounge, complements its sister concepts of contemporary "fire-in-the-sky" Argentinian restaurant FIRE and Japanese-Peruvian influenced sumiyaki bar and grill FLNT.

With the golden age of air travel and fine drinking as the backdrop, you will find here an extensively curated list of champagnes and wine labels from across the globe and a bar stocked with craft spirits and liqueurs. But what makes the lists far more intriguing is the collection of cocktails inspired by key getaway destinations around the world. Crafted from artisanal spirits and house-made ingredients, every iconic cocktail tells a story about its place of origin - Japan, United Kingdom, Italy and France, with a series of five cocktail options available from each destination.

Mirukuūron

From Japan, cocktails bind the essence of the Japanese spirit of tradition and ritual with innovative touches. For example, Mirukuūron combines shiso leaves with milk oolong gin and garnished with a representative stalk of hanahao flowers. It's an easy yet intriguing drink to start any conversation of the evening.

Boulevardier

For something much bolder and darker, it would be going back to the classics in the1920s Paris - the Boulevardier, a spirit-forward drink composed of bourbon, Campari and vermouth.

Apollonia

My favourite of the evening was the tiki-style Apollonia, belonging to the destination Italy. Concocted with Spiced Rum, Fernet Branca and fresh pineapple, it was tangy, herbaceous, warm and rich with nuances of sweet spices.

Aviation

We also had another classic Aviation cocktail derived from the United Kingdom. A gin-based cocktail imbued with Crème De Violette. Pretty and mild-looking in pink, but it's pretty potent!

Fleur Du Ciel

The rooftop lounge bar also launches this month with a "travelling" cocktail program inspired by key getaway destinations around the world and monthly guest shifts with local bartenders, such as its upcoming collaboration with The Bar at 15 Stamford on 20 May 2021. That also gives us one of the most delightful drinks of the evening - Fleur Du Ciel, which sets itself apart with a layer of elusive floral notes and flavour. It may look very much like a lady's drink, but it has a good level of strength, allowing one to sip and savour it slowly.

Deep-fried Crumbed Ebi

Edamame

Crispy Chicken Winglets

The gourmet bar bites are from FIRE's culinary team. The simple plate of Edamame with an umami seasoning was extremely moreish. Our Deep-Fried Crumbed Ebi was well done with a succulent ebi wrapped within a crispy crust, and the Crispy Chicken Winglets didn't disappoint with their golden-browned crispy skin and juicy meat.

Hand-cut Shoestring Fries

Another crowd-pleasing bite is the 1-ATICO’s Hand-Cut Shoestring Fries that comes served with truffle mayo and a chilli lime leaf dipping sauce. You can choose from a few Japanese spices such as wasabi-lime, chilli-furikake, Japanese curry and truffle kombu.

Argentinian Beef Burger 4/5, Chicken Karaage Burger 3.5/5

For heartier items, the signature 1-ATICO burgers with a choice of Argentinian Beef, Chicken Karaage and a Smoked Salmon ($24 each) bagel burger. I like the Argentinian Beef Burger. Although some parts of the patty was on the dry side, the flavours lent from the caramelised onions and the fruity Piquillo sauce worked were on point. They worked well with the beef patty.

Smoked Salmon Bagel Burger 3/5

As for the Smoked Salmon Bagel Burger, as much as the flavours were there, it fared better as a simple breakfast sandwich.

Each month starting from April, ATICO Lounge will organise pop-ups where collaborators will present handcrafted cocktails intended to transport guests to far-flung destinations. All cocktails are at $20++ each. Bookings can be made online via www.1-atico.sg/atico-lounge.

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.


Atico Lounge
1-Atico ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Level 56
Singapore 238801
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6pm - 1030pm

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