Ottoman Kebab & Grill @ Bedok Mall

From the same folk that brings you Zaffron Kitchen and Prata Wala, the group has opened another new concept at Bedok Mall in Ottoman Kebab & Grill offering culinary delights from Turkey. Helming the eatery is Turkish native Head Chef Ali Kose who has ten years of culinary experience with 2 years working as the Sous Chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred Maze in London.

Kick start the dinner with a glass of Apple Tea ($3) that is served both hot and cold. The apple tea has many health benefits such as strengthening the immune system, helps fight arthritis and other type of inflammations.

Homous 4.2/5 and Pide 4.2/5

Ordered a plate of the Homous ($6) to go with the lava stones cooked Pide ($2). The delicious creamy chick pea dip paired excellently with pillowy flat bread.

Falafel 3.5/5

Falafel ($5 for 3 pieces) is a Middle East snack that is deep fried to a delightful crusty exterior and filled with chick peas and fava beans that is flavoured with aromatic spices. My advice is to take bite size of it and not the whole piece at one go due to its dryness in texture to enjoy it to the fullest.

Cheese Borek 3.8/5

Wrapped in thin flaky dough, the Cheese Borek ($6 for 6 pieces) filled with feta cheese is like the Middle East version of deep fried spring roll. Nice crackling texture that is very enjoyment. I only wished that the cheese can be more prominent.

Iskender Mutton Kebab 4/5

The huge servicing of Iskender Mutton Kebab ($18.50) which is good for two comes with grilled mutton patties atop a bed of crispy pide croutons smeared with a rich sauce of sun dried tomatoes, celery, carrots, shallots and dried mint. Enhance the flavour further with the tangy yogurt.

Ottoman Shish Platter 4/5

If you think that the portion of the Iskender Mutton Kebab is huge wait till you check out the Ottoman Shish Platter ($29). Served with well marinated beef, chicken and seafood that were threaded onto metal skewers and grilled. They were flavourful and succulent. It also comes with pide and pilav rice. 
If the portion is too huge for sharing, individual skewers ($7.50 to $12.50) is also available on the menu.

Kunefe 4/5

My knowledge of Turkish dessert is only Turkish Delight which is quite embarrassing. Nevertheless that is also the beauty of food blogging learning and exploring new food along the journey. The Kunefe ($8.50) i a traditional dessert that is freshly prepared upon order. It takes about 20 mins of preparation. The nabulsi goat cheese encased within shredded kadayif phyllo pastry is pan fried with butter to a golden brown. I was told that the chef needs to constantly flip the kunefe during the cooking process to avoid burning it. Drizzled with sugar syrup and topped with crushed pistachios, this dessert is really suitable for those that have a very sweet tooth.

Turkish Coffee 4/5

Wrapping up the dinner with a cup of Turkish Coffee ($4) served either black or with milk. Not commonly available in Singapore, the coffee beans are roasted and finely grounded. It is then boiled in a copper cevze pot with sugar. Do let the ground coffee to be settled down to the bottom of the cup before drinking.

I have to confess that Middle East cuisine is not my thing but the food at Ottoman is pretty good with its reasonable pricing. For greater value, one can check out their weekday lunch set from 11am to 2pm or dinner set from 530pm to 930pm.


Ottoman Kebab & Grill
Bedok Mall
311 New Upper Changi Road
#01-75
Singapore 467360
Tel: +65 67024031
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottomankebabandgrill
Website: http://ottomankebab.com/
Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Bedok Mall. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Siam Society @ Jalan Riang

I am glad that a new Thai restaurant, Siam Society has opened up near my neigbhourhood at Upper Serangoon. Located at the same row of shop houses along Jalan Riang as Cajun King and Wimbly Lu, Siam Society has taken over from The Fat Cat which has moved to Holland Village. Spotting a white and black interior theme with floor to ceiling glass around the restaurant, it has a modern but yet casual ambience where one can relax eat, drink and fell in love with the place.

Lemongrass 4/5 

I got myself a refreshing Lemongrass ($4) which is served in a nostalgic metal mug while I waited for the rest of the dinner companions to arrive. It was also a good precaution for fire fighting if I could not handle the hot and spicy Thai flavours.

Prawn Cake Balls 4/5

A little twist to the usual prawn cakes, Siam Society shaped them into these delectable Prawn Cake Balls ($11.50) served with Thai sweet sauce on the side. Popping them like having popcorns, these plump and crusty prawn cake balls were very addictive.

Cabbage with Fish Sauce 4.5/5

Stir fried with fish sauce, the Cabbage with Fish Sauce ($9) was simple but yet so delicious with the saltiness of the fish sauce and the sweetness of the cabbage working harmoniously. What I enjoyed most is the cabbage still has an enjoyable crunch to it.

Clear Tom Yam Seafood Soup 4/5

With a sip of the Clear Tom Yam Seafood Soup ($10/$16.50), my dining companion commented that it tasted like Beach Road? Huh? Beach Road Golden Mile Complex is known for being a gathering place for Thais in Singapore and there are a lot of Thai eateries there servicing authentic Thai cuisine. I took it that he meant the signature soup flavoured with fragrant lemongrasss and kaffir lime leaf was very authentic.

Weeping Tiger 4/5

The grilled sirloin beef has a very interesting name, Weeping Tiger ($24). Legend has it that the Thai style grilled sirloin steak was so good that tigers started weeping after eating it. Marinated in an in house special sauce, the grilled sirloin beef not only was succulent but bursting with bold robust flavours. The flavour was so strong that it made me wonder was there a need of the homemade side sauce.

Deep Fried Pork Knuckles 4.2/5

Marinated for a good full day with the in house special marination sauce, the Deep Fried Pork Knuckles ($35) was crispy crackling on the outside and still succulent inside. Eat with the dipping sauce, this further accentuated the flavour. No wonder this is one of their popular dishes. Order a beer or cider to go with it with be just perfect for the night.

Steamed Seabass in Chilli Lime 4.8/5

Another must try dish at Siam Society is the Steamed Seabass in Chilli Lime ($32). The fish was cooked to perfection with all the beautiful sour, sweet, spicy Thai flavours that packed a punch.

Actually the people behind Siam Society is the same owner of Soi Thai Kitchen at Tampines. Having try their food before, I am glad that the owner has continued to ensure that the food is as authentic as possible with the distinct sharp flavours of Thai cuisine. What I noticed is the heart put into preparing the food with a different homemade dipping sauce to accompany each dish. With such heart and soul, I am sure to be back again for their Thai food.


Siam Society
15 Jalan Riang
Singapore 358987
Tel: +65 62868603
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/15siamsociety
Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 62139). Take bus number 107, 147, 153 or 853. Alight 1 stop later. Cross Upper Serangoon Road onto Wolskel Road. Walk along Wolskel Road and turn right onto Jalan Riang. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to bus interchange (Stop ID 66009). Take bus number 105. Alight 2 stops later. Track back and turn right onto Jalan Girang. Walk along Jalan Girang, take left of Jalan Girang at the intersection. Continue on Jalan Girang and turn right onto Jalan Riang. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lorong Chuan MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Lorong Chuan MRT station (Stop ID 66391). Alight 1 stop later. Walk down Serangoon Ave 3 and cross the road onto Jalan Girang. Walk along Jalan Girang, take left of Jalan Girang at the intersection. Continue on Jalan Girang and turn right onto Jalan Riang. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]