Showing posts with label Hash Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hash Brown. Show all posts

Thursday, July 23, 2020

El Carbon Grill House @ Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 - Halal Western Food Stall With An Authentic Charcoal Grill Concept


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Situated within a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio, western hawker food stall El Carbon delivers quality western food at wallet-friendly prices. The storefront has a unique aesthetic appearance and gives off fancier vibes which made it different from other stalls in the coffee shop. They also have 2 other outlets opening daily at Yishun and Tampines as well.

One of the highlights is that they use a Mibrasa oven (Carbon’ is Spanish for coal, and Mibrasa Oven uses only charcoal as fuel), which employs all the great taste and rustic techniques of traditional charcoal cooking - which means a hands-on versatile process that allows the chef to push the limits of a menu. This also allows the chef to closely monitor the temperature and fire to keep different batches of food consistent in taste.

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Signature Roasted Half Chicken 4.2/5

First, we had their most popular dish - the Signature Roasted Half Chicken ($9.50). It is of little wonder why as their chicken is extremely crispy and juicy inside.

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Haddock Fish 'N' Chips 4/5

Haddock Fish 'N' Chips ($7.50) - Different from other stalls, they use Haddock Fish for their version of Fish 'N' Chips. Crispy, and tender yet still firm on the inside, I was pleasantly surprised that the Haddock Fish did not fall apart when cut and picked up by the fork. Dip it in to the cheese sauce or mayo for either a savoury or tangy-sweet taste which paired well with the seafood sweetness. At just $7.50, it's definitely a steal.

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Angus Ribeye 3.8/5

Done medium rare, the Angus Ribeye ($13) is tender with a rich beefy flavour. Furthermore, it's only priced at $13 for such a huge portion of beef, so there is nothing to complain about.

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Grilled Japanese Squid with Kicap Manis Sauce 4/5

One of the starters we had was the Grilled Japanese Squid with Kicap Manis Sauce ($9.50). An interesting dish - the kicap manis sauce used is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce which gave the tender and smoky charcoal-grilled squid a delicious spicy sweet flavour.

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Cheesy Tater Totes 4.2/5

My favourite goes to the Cheesy Tater Totes ($5). The mini hash browns are crispy and fluffy inside, layered with melted cheese and mayo which gave an extra boost in flavour without being too cloying. It definitely makes for an addictive side to the meal.

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Forest Mushroom Soup 4.2/5, Garlic Bread 3.8/5

Another of our favourite starter is the Forest Mushroom Soup ($3) which is thick, creamy and loaded with a rich mushroom earthiness.

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.


El Carbon
Blk 721 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8
#01-2823, Food Loft
Singapore 560721
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to traffic junction. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Artichoke @ Middle Road - The Least Authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant

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Nine years and still standing tall is Artichoke in the heart of Singapore's Arts and Heritage district. The restaurant in Middle Road is helmed by chef-owner Bjorn Chen, offering Middle Eastern inspired cuisine, which is the least authentic Middle Eastern restaurant. The funky take of the cuisine draws inspiration from Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients while injecting the element of fun and creativity into the dish.

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Our dinner commences with a couple of small plates. We have the Turkish Eggplant ($12). Hummus & Iraqi Spiced Mushrooms ($14), Sea Asparagus ($12) and Beetroot Borani ($12). My favourite is the Hummus & Iraqi Spiced Mushroom. There is something different about the hummus here. On top of the nutty chickpeas, we got to know from chef Bjorn, he added miso to brighten the flavours, elevating the taste profile.

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Sea Asparagus 3/5

The Sea Asparagus is a new item on the menu. Usually, the ingredient is used as a garnish in Singapore, but it is served as a dish here, just like the way it is eaten in Middle East. As the sea asparagus is grown in salt mash near the seas, it is naturally briny in taste. Hence I would recommend having it together with the labneh and crispy fried buckwheat to tone down the saltiness.

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Crab Toast 4.5/5

The crowd favourite has to be the Crab Toast ($16). On top of the fresh house-baked brioche is blue swimmer crab mixed with Greek yoghurt, mayonnaise, chopped chives, chopped and degorged cucumber. This is complemented by the deep-fried chicken skin and ikura topping. It is the sort of dish that you just need to pick it up with your fingers and pop it into the mouth to get that explosion of flavours.

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Falafel Salad 4/5

Same same but still different is the Falafel Salad ($20). Cooked and chopped vegetables are added to the chickpea blend for a fluffier texture to go along with the butter lettuce dressed in fruity sumac dressing. It is further served with mint, pomegranate, dill, tomato and onion slices.

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Housemade Hashbrown 4.5/5

The Housemade Hashbrown ($14) topped with sour cream, and fresh za'atar (wild thyme in Middle East) is probably the best hashbrown I ever have eaten. It uses Russet potatoes that have been steamed, grated and seasoned with cornflour and salt. It is then baked at low temperature at 150 degrees Celsius for an hour, giving it a soft interior complemented by the crispy exterior.

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Cuttlefish Shawarma 4.2/5

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Green Harissa Prawns 4/5

From the seafood section of the menu, we tried the Cuttlefish Shawarma ($25) and Green Harissa Prawns ($38). The cuttlefish is grilled over the mangal grill, suspended naked over the flame for even heating. It is dressed in a delicious special dressing of chicken fat, lime and soya sauce. As for the Green Harissa Prawns, I find it similar to Thai green curry with huge crunchy prawn.

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Charcoal-Grilled Duck "Shish Taouk" 4.5/5

For the meats, we have the Charcoal-Grilled Duck "Shish Taouk" ($30) and the Steak of The Day. I love the Charcoal-Grilled Duck "Shish Taouk" which has been marinated in yoghurt, onion juice and spices for a minimum of two days and cooked on charcoal grill with olive oil and lemon. The duck breast cubes are tender, juicy, flavoursome and in a way addictive. I can't stop going back for me.

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Steak of the Day 4.2/5

The Steak of The Day is the Australian Black Angus Rump Cap seasoned with salt and grilled over woodfire to medium-rare. It is a prized cut commonly used in South America, especially in Brazil but not in Singapore. Being not a lover for A5 wagyu, I prefer my beef to have that textural bite. Hence the beautifully cooked rump cap is the right cut for me for that satisfying bite.

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Malabi 4/5

Moving to dessert, we started off with the Malabi ($16). Underneath the pile of passionate granita is a silky smooth avocado pudding. In fact, this is their third version, garnished with Thai basil leaves and meringue pieces for an Asian feel to it.

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Baklava Cheesecake 4/5

The Baklava Cheesecake ($22) is soft and fluffy. It has all the original elements of baklava retained in a cheesecake form,

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Date Pudding 5/5

You definitely have to leave some space for the Artichoke's Date Pudding ($16). The plate comes with a date pudding drenched in a pool of smoked mil. It is finished off with coffee jelly, cashew praline, cashew nut brittle, cracked sea salt and cocoa powder. Though messy looking, this is the best date pudding I have eaten. Definitely a mush order here.

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Chicken Urfa Kebab 4.2/5

Besides checking out the new dinner menu, we also tried some items from the weekend brunch. One of their popular weekend brunch items is the Chicken Urfa Kebab ($28). The minced chicken thigh is grilled to a delightful tender texture, packed with beautiful aromatics. The cabbage salad tossed in tahini and amba, orange, mint and a dollop of garlic sauce brighten up the whole enjoyment.

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Crispy Lamb Floss 3/5

The Crispy Lamb Floss ($28) comes topped with a sunny side-up and hummus on the side. Using lamb shoulder, it is braised, shredded and cooked to crispy. The hummus has also been thinned down.

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Cauliflower Kushari 3/5

The Cauliflower Kishari ($24) consists of deep-fried cauliflower, rocket leaves, onions, lentils, mint, puffed corn and fragrant basmati rice. It is then tossed in shallot oil, and seasoned with salt and amba. For brunch, it even comes with a marinated Japanese ramen egg.

I have always known Artichoke as a brunch place, and it never occurred to me that it is a Middle Eastern restaurant, serving delicious but yet not so authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. After nine years and it is still around, it speaks a lot of their food, isn't it?

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Artichoke
161 Middle Road
Singapore 188978
Tel: +65 63366949
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line), Bencoolen (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun:
Hang Time: 4pm - 6pm
Dinner: 6pm - 945pm
Sat-Sun:
Brunch 1130am - 245pm
(Closed on Mon)

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

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to junction of Victoria Street and Middle Road. Turn right onto Middle Road.  Walk to junction of Middle Road and Waterloo Street. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Friday, April 12, 2019

Scrambled @ Icon Village - Burgers And Steak With Scrambled Eggs By Michelin-Starred Chefs

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Nestled within Icon Village is Scrambled - a new egg-centric cafe with a scrambled eggs-focused concept and features a wide range of over 9 gourmet scrambled egg burgers, as well as a variety of palatable sides. Helmed by Michelin starred chefs, Hayden and Ju Lih, the scrambled eggs are undoubtedly one of the best I've had. The fluffy brioche burger buns are also made fresh daily by Michelin Star renowned restaurant Burnt Ends as well, and toasted on the spot upon order to ensure absolute freshness in every burger.

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Signature Egg 4/5

We headed straight for it’s most popular dish – Signature Egg ($9.90) which comes in a hearty stack of signature scrambled eggs, melted cheddar and hash brown. From the fluffiness of the toasted buns, buttery scrambled eggs to the crunchy hash browns, it boasts a simple yet superb combination. Add in sweet & savoury onion jam, and a touch of spiciness from the chiptotle aioli which was a tad mild to detect.

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Bacon & Cheese 3.8/5

The Bacon & Cheese ($9.90) is another one of their top sellers. Featuring the signature scrambled eggs, melted cheddar and bacon strips in between, it was executed pretty well. My only gripe was that the bacon strips were not crispy enough and were rather soft in texture. Top it all off with some sweet & savoury maple aioli for subtle hints of sweetness to go along with the savoury burger.

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Scrambled Stack 4.2/5

Arriving in a massive stack of goodness sandwiched in between the familiar toasted buns is the Scrambled Stack ($14.90) which was an absolute hit. Nothing can go wrong with a medley of all the favourite ingredients – signature scrambled eggs, melted cheese, crispy hash brown, spam, crispy bacon, tomato and avocado slices sandwiched in between toasted buns. The addition of sweet & savoury onion jam, and the spicy chipotle aioli provide different flavour dimensions to the burger as well. It was akin to having the ultimate big breakfast (in burger-form), and I was impressed with how thought out this combination was, with all the flavours tying in and balancing off one another.

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Steak & Eggs 4.2/5

The Steak & Eggs ($17.90) features generous slices of sous vide sirloin steak cooked to medium rare which renders the meat to a perfect tender succulence, and further drizzled with chimichuri sauce to provide a lift in its flavours with a hint of fresh herbs. The dish also comes with a generous portion scrambled eggs on the side which boasts a buttery, creamy consistency. Simply seasoned with only salt, pepper and chives, and yet already stellar on its own.

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Go for their other burger choices on the menu which include the Spam & Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Smoked Duck, Smoked Chicken Burger or the Avocado & Tomato for a healthier alternative. Apart from the scrambled eggs burgers, there are also the Truffle Grilled Cheese Sandwich and truffle fries for the truffle-fans as well. No doubt one of the places I've came across which does their scrambled eggs so well, and paired with unpretentious hearty ingredients in these rich stacks of goodness. It's definitely worth a try!

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.


[CLOSED]
Scrambled
Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street
#01-33/34
Singapore 078877
Facebook
Website
Tel: +65 62210289
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 8pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station: Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Peck Seah Street. Cross the road at the junction of Peck Seah Street and Gopeng Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]