Supergreek @ Raffles City - Singapore's First Greek Fast-Casual Concept

Have a taste of Greek flavours and traditions at Supergreek. Nothing fancy but wholesome souvlaki grain bowls, pita wraps, and salads loaded with ingredients and dips freshly made daily such as traditional Greek hummus, yoghurt avocado sauce and even Harissa. And speaking of yoghurt, Supergreek serves its proprietary homemade authentic Greek yoghurt, made daily through a process that spans 30 hours. Souvlaki is the highlight of Supergreek’s menu offerings. An everyday Greek street food of small pieces of meat or vegetables grilled on a skewer, Supergreek dresses it up with herbs such as oregano and dill, as well as tomatoes, onions and Greek vinaigrette, then grilled, roasted, or steamed, but never fried. Conceptualised by the team behind Omakase Burger and Picnic Food Park, the chef imparting his knowledge and culture into the food is Head Chef Altin “Alex” Mata, an Albanian immigrant who ran his own Greek restaurants in Athens, Greece for 20 years.

Lamb Kebab 4.2/5

The meat that best represents the concept is this Lamb Kebab ($10.90). I'm definitely not a red red-meat person, but the combination of the souvlaki of minced lamb kebab, the zesty house-made hummus and the spicy-sweet harrisa did get me thinking about it for a couple of days. The souvlaki of minced lamb was well-seasoned with spices and herbs, and I was surprised by how juicy it was when I took my first bite. The harrissa sauce spread on the pita was punchy and bright, with just a hint of heat. Another key element is the specially imported Greek pita bread - soft with a very toasty aroma. To balance the richness of the meat, the accompanying ingredients are basmati rice, grilled zucchini and eggplant, purple and white cabbage, cherry tomatoes and onions, with a little drizzle of orange vinaigrette.

Fresh Seafood Roasted Barramundi 4.2/5

With eight types of souvlaki grain bowls, you can choose to enjoy these combinations within a traditional pita, or in a hearty salad. We had Roasted Barramundi ($12.90) as a salad, which seemed to be one of the most popular picks. Within the bowl are a dill-marinated Barramundi fillet, quinoa, mixed salad, arugula, mashed potato, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, onions, cherry tomatoes and Greek vinaigrette. The Barramundi fillet was very tender and moist, and the mashed potato was a texture boost to the salad. And I think what makes this salad so appealing to our appetite is the creamy homemade Parmigiano sauce that binds the ingredients together.

Grilled Steak 3/5

Grilled Steak ($13.90) uses a premium USDA choice roast beef, paired with house-made Tzatziki and hummus, and served with brown rice, arugula, lettuce, roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of sunflower seeds. Using its housemade yoghurt as the base, the Tzatziki was refreshing with bits of pickled cucumber, and its creaminess goes well with the beef. The steak was a bit tough to chew though, which is a pity.

Grilled Chicken Steak 4/5

Grilled Chicken Steak ($9.90) salad gets a lot more exciting when you have a dollop of creamy Greek yoghurt avocado sauce and zingy hummus to go with. Grilling the chicken breast accentuates its herbs marination along and releases a hint of smoky flavour, which complement the smoky-sweet grilled capsicum and roasted pumpkin.

The Roasted Vegan 3.8/5

For a 100% Plant-Based meal, the Roasted Vegan ($7.90) hydrates your body with a myriad of crunchy vegetables - cured beetroot, purple and white cabbage, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, corn, cucumber, onions, cherry tomatoes and quinoa, bind together with a dollop of creamy house-made hummus and roasty mango capsicum sauce. A dash of orange vinaigrette at the end makes it even more refreshing.

Greek Classic 4/5

Not just as a base for its sauce, the triple-strained greek yoghurt has a texture almost like dry ricotta cheese, rich and creamy, making it a very suitable choice for a healthy snack or dessert. To appreciate it's natural milky taste of the yoghurt, go for the Greek Classic ($4.90), fresh Greek yoghurt topped with the classic pairing of honey and walnuts.

Each souvlaki grain bowl is scrumptious in its own right, and what stands out is really its kebab!

Written and photography 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.


Supergreek
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-54
Raffles City
Singapore 179103
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit C and D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Sushi Goshin @ Vivocity - Japanese Dining With Value-For-Money Set Meals And Free-Flow Japanese Salad Bar

Nestled within the basement of Vivocity is Sushi Goshin - a casual Japanese dining concept which offers a variety of charcoal-grilled dishes, sushi, sashimi and other ala carte items. They have recently launched a new menu with affordable set meals (which include rice or other options like cauliflower rice, garlic fried rice, or tonkotsu ramen) from $15.80 onwards, and comes with free-flow Japanese salad bar as well.

Be prepared to be spoilt for choice at their salad bar, which has 25 different items served daily. Not just limited to plain ol' lettuce and greens when it comes to 'salad', expect a variety of appetisers such as the Tuna Pasta Salad, Sweet Potato Salad and Soba Salad to satisfy your carb cravings.

Opt for the Kimchi Salad for a kick of spice. For something lighter, go for the Braised Raddish & Carrot Salad or the Harusame Salad. We loved the Kani Coleslaw, drenched in a light creamy mayo dressing that gives a subtle sweetness to the mix of crunchy fine-shredded raw cabbage and crab meat.

Yaki Tonbara 4/5

One of our favourite dishes is the Yaki Tonbara ($16.80). The grilled Irish pork belly has a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency with an excellent meat to fats ratio. Braised in a signature rich sweet and savoury sauce, the flavourful chashu is perfect to go with your bowl of rice or ramen.

Goshi Torin 4/5

We had the Goshi Torin ($15.80) which features tender, juicy pieces of grilled chicken marinated with signature seasoning.

Salmon Mentai 3/5

The only gripe I would have is the Salmon Mentai ($22.80) as the salmon trout served was slightly dry, lathered with an equally dry homemade mentaiko sauce that did little to enhance its flavours.

Soft Shell Crab Nadare 3.8/5

The Soft Shell Crab Nadare (16.80) consists of a soft shell crab avalanche which yielded commendable crispiness on the exterior while being soft and juicy within.

Unagi Tamago 4/5, Ebi Mentai 3.8/5, Aburi Salmon Cheese 4/5, Aburi Wagyu 4.2/5

For the sushi selection, we had the Unagi Tamago ($4.20), Ebi Mentai ($4.20), Aburi Salmon Cheese ($2.40), and Aburi Wagyu ($12). The well-conceived combo of the soft tender unagi, fluffy tamago and crunchy cucumber slices gave a multi-dimensional mouthfeel to the Unagi Tamago sushi. While the Aburi Wagyu had a decadent mouthfeel, as the thinly-sliced wagyu meat wrapped around the rice boasts a smoky, tender and slightly chewy texture, which just melts in your mouth.

With affordable lunch sets starting from $15.80, which comes with a side of rice/ramen and free-flow salad bar, Sushi Goshin is definitely the go-to-spot for a fulfilling Japanese meal on a budget.

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.


Sushi Goshin
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#B2-28
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 63769972
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (NE Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am -10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tablescape Restaurant & Bar @ Grand Park City Hall - Old School Charm With Bread And Dessert Trolleys

Stepping into Tablescape Restaurant & Bar at Grand Park City Hall gives you an old-world charm with gueridon service. Having visited the restaurant when it first opened. I was looking forward to the new changes new Executive Chef Armando Aristarco has brought to the restaurant.

It is great to see that the bread trolley is still around. With 4 types of freshly baked in-house bread in rotation daily (out of the 14), this is paired with a choice of salted or unsalted butter that is churned in-house. This is followed by an amuse bouche whereby the Sicilian prawn is paired with burrata, zucchini and squid ink croutons.

Scallop 4/5

The Scallop ($20) is a light starter in which the raw scallop is served with a refreshing cucumber gazpacho. A dish that allows the natural freshness to speak for itself without any strong seasoning to distort the taste.

Beef Tataki 4/5

Next is the Black Angus Beef Tataki ($20). The beautiful beef slices are paired with pumpkin puree at the side and white pepper foam on top. It is another light-handed dish, allowing the main ingredient to shine.

Egg 4/5

The Egg ($28) is a luxe version of our local breakfast. The slow-cooked 62 degree Celsius egg is covered with Parmesan fondue. It is then topped with two textures of asparagus and black summer truffle. I would recommend saving some of the earlier bread to mop up the dish.

Duck Risotto 3.8/5

Moving to the mains, we started with the Duck Risotto ($38). Using camaroli rice, the rice is slow-cooked with duck stock until the starch is released from the rice, giving it a creamy consistency. This is finished with olive oil, parmigiano reggiano and parsley. Not to forget the tender smoked duck and cubes of pan-seared foie gras that adds colour to the dish.

Iberico Pork Chop 4/5

One of my favourite for the night is the Iberico Pork Chop ($42) which has been marinated with salt, sage, thyme and black pepper. The piece of pork chop is then grilled to perfection upon order. It was tender, flavourful with an exterior char. The beautiful piece of pork chop is served with pommery mustard sauce, sauteed vegetables and roasted potatoes.

Organic Chicken 4.2/5

The Organic Chicken ($28) comes all the way from France. It is sous-vide and then roasted until crispy on the exterior, moist and juicy inside. Not to forget the baby romaine lettuce with housemade cardini dressing, topped with baked bacon bits and Parmigiano Reggiano shavings.

Coconut Raspberry Mousse 3.5/5

Champagne Jelly 3.8/5

From the dessert trolley, we have the Coconut Raspberry Mousse and Champagne Jelly. The Coconut Raspberry Mousse comprises of a layer of raspberry gel, coconut mousse, and almond crumble. Each spoonful comes with a multi-textural enjoyment. As for the Champagne Jelly, it is a light and refreshing dessert, with the candied orange peel giving it a citrusy lift.

Chocolate Souffle 4.2/5

A classic dessert is the Souffle ($16), It is light and fluffy. It comes with the choice of Grand Marnier or Valrhona Chocolate and Creme Anglaise.

Executive Chef Armando Aristarco has put together a fine European menu rooted in classical cuisine made excitingly contemporary. The bread and dessert trolleys give the restaurant an old school charm too.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tablescape Restaurant & Bar
Grand Park City Hall
Level 3
10 Coleman Street
Singapore 179809
Tel: +65 64325566
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn left and walk to junction of Coleman Street and North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Peninsula Plaza. Continue down Coleman Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Salt Grill & Sky Bar @ Ion Orchard - Introduces 'Weekend Social' An Elevated Australian Communal Brunch Experience

Located at the summit of ION Orchard with a stunning 360 view of the city skyline, modern Australian all-day restaurant and bar, Salt Grill & Sky Bar recently introduces 'Weekend Social'. It is a brand new communal brunch dining experience, featuring a selection of shared plates which showcases the best produce that the region has to offer.

Cold-smoked Aoraki King Salmon 4/5

The new brunch menu is no less impressive, with a variety of options to choose from from the small, large plates to larger dishes. Start with a light Cold-smoked Aoraki King Salmon ($22) served with creme fraiche, horseradish, and crunchy fermented cucumber to add a zestiness to the rich oak-smoked flavour of the fresh salmon.

Roasted Spencer Gulf Prawns 4.2/5

Next, indulge in the Roasted Spencer Gulf Prawns ($24). So fresh and sweet, it needs no further condiments to enhance its natural flavours. It is served with dollops of seaweed butter for a kick of umami richness, as well as a special lap cheong chilli jam to add a subtle tinge of spice to the juicy prawns.

Parmesan & Truffle Polenta 4.5/5

The Parmesan & Truffle Polenta ($18) was an absolute favourite, with plenty of truffle shavings, parmesan and shimeiji mushrooms on a smooth, creamy bed of polenta. Break into the Japanese free-range egg and mix in the yolk to meld all the ingredients in the dish together. Best enjoyed with the complimentary bread slices, which you can also use to mop up every last dollop of this goodness.

Miso-glazed Bangalow Pork Chop 3.8/5

For something more substantial, opt for the large plates with meatier options such as the Miso-glazed Bangalow Pork Chop ($39) served with warm kimchi & potato, apple & cabbage slaw.

Slow & low Indian Spiced Lamb Shoulder 4/5

The Slow & low Indian Spiced Lamb Shoulder ($38) comes marinated in fragrant Indian spices which rendered it meltingly tender, and teams perfectly with the saffron fregola, rita and cucumber salad.

Grilled Local Chicken 'Inasal Style' 4.2/5

While the unanimous favourite around the table is the Grilled Local Chicken 'Inasal Style' ($36). The grilled chicken boasts an extremely tender texture and comes served with a side fragrant truffle fried rice, onsen egg and tomato salsa, adding a refreshing tang to the dish.

400g Westholme Wagyu Rump Cap MBS 5 4.5/5

The Weekend Social menu also features a few larger dishes for diners of bigger group sizes. The highlight goes to the 400g Westholme Wagyu Rump Cap MBS 5 ($108). A thick cap of fat runs across the top, which gives a rich depth of flavour and succulence to the steak. It comes served with an umami mushroom ragout, thick, crispy hand-cut chips, Japanese free-range eggs, bearnaise and house ketchup.

The rest of the weekend brunch menu is a curated selection of raw dishes like oysters and wagyu beef tartare; different types of artisanal cheeses like the aged cheddar, brie au poivre and reblochon; as well as sweet treats such as the Pavlova with Vanilla Mascarpone and Balsamic Strawberry Compote ($14), House Coconut Sorbet ($14), and Banoffee Tart ($14)

Banoffee Tart 4.2/5

My favourite goes to the Banoffee Tart ($14) with miso caramel, and chocolate & banana mousse encased in a cinnamon shortcrust, adorned with a dehydrated banana. From the saltiness of the miso caramel which balances perfectly with the slight sweetness of the chocolate banana mousse, to the buttery, crumbly crust, it is a well-crafted dessert to end your meal with on a sweet note.

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.


Salt Grill and Sky Bar
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65925118
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

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]