Showing posts with label Hummus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hummus. Show all posts

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Entrepôt @ The Robertson House - A Taste of Anglo-Asian Inspired Cuisine

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Entrepôt at The Robertson House stands the hotel's all-day dining restaurant and bar. Conceptualised based on Singapore's quayside story and growth as an entrepôt port, Entrepôt's menu is inspired by Anglo-Asian cooking techniques and flavours. The dishes are also crafted with communal dining and a spirit of friendliness in mind.

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Black Sesame Hummus 2.8/5

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Pita Bread

Our dinner began with an off-the-menu starter - Black Sesame Hummus and Charcoal-grilled Pita Bread with dukkah. The acidity of the hummus was quite on point, but the flavour of the black sesame seemed to have been overshadowed by the seasoning.

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Signature Chinese Terracotta Tea 4/5

Next was the Signature Chinese Terracotta Tea ($10/portion), featuring a Crustacean Tortellini in Chinese Dried Mushroom Tea and Lapsang Souchong. The tea-infused mushroom consomme was earthy and light, complementing the meaty tortellini well.

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Heirloom Tomato and Fermented Plum Salad 4/5

From the Starter menu, we also tried the Heirloom Tomato and Fermented Plum Salad ($18). The Fermented Plum Dressing, combined with a sprinkle of salty Olive Vegetables, worked harmoniously to enhance the inherent sweetness of the tomatoes. Elevating the dish further were drops of Thai Basil Oil, adding a delightful pepperiness to the overall flavour profile.

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Angelica Root French Corn-fed Chicken Roast 3/5

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Tasting portion

For Mains, we had the Angelica Root French Corn-fed Chicken Roast ($45), served with Cordyceps, Mushrooms and Asian Napa Cabbage. The well-caramelised skin was deliciously savoury-sweet with Herbal Honey. While the meat was tender, I found it rather bland, particularly when contrasted with the heavily seasoned Angelica Root Chicken Jus.

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Claypot Rice 3/5

Claypot Rice ($28) indulged with Chorizo Sausage and Smoked Pancetta, contributing robust flavours and a meaty texture to the rice. The earthiness of the Wild Mushrooms provided a well-balanced contrast to the intense flavours of the meats. However, the dish leaned towards being a bit overly flavoured due to the infusion of Harissa in the rice.

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Sticky Red Date Pudding 3/5

For desserts, we had Sticky Red Date Pudding with Butterscotch Ice Cream. The ice cream had a smooth and velvety texture, but the pudding, unfortunately, lacked the dense and sticky texture that I was anticipating.

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The Drinks Menu is attractive with spirits and teas exclusively crafted for The Robertson House, such as Dr Robertson's Gin & Tonic concocted with Dr Robertson's Gin, the hotel's exclusive gin crafted with Tanglin Gin, Singapore's pioneering gin distillery.

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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.


Entrepôt
The Robertson House
1 Unity Street
Singapore 237983
Tel: +65 8301689
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to Clemenceau Ave. Turn left onto Clemenceau Ave, walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, August 7, 2023

Common Man Coffee Roasters @ Alexandra - New Outlet Housed In A Heritage Building

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Common Man Coffee Roasters has recently opened its outlet at Alexandra, located in a beautiful heritage building outside Anchorpoint. In the evening, Common Man Night Shift takes over to provide after-hours sessions with food and wine.

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Turkish Common Man Breakfast 4.5/5

Its menu has been updated with a few dishes. Under Breakfast, we had Turkish Common Man Breakfast ($29). Presented in a rather unusual way but equally tasty. We had a phyllo-wrapped soft-boiled egg on the plate accompanied by 2 crispy feta balls on a bed of green hummus, served with grilled pita bread. The egg was gorgeous with a jammy centre, and the green hummus was well seasoned with a good amount of spice that gave this dish its characteristic flavour profile. The toasted pita bread had a nutty taste, making it a good base for the dish's bold flavours.

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Kouign Amann Toast 4/5

For a sweet breakfast item, Kouign Amann Toast ($25) is an excellent alternative to waffles or pancakes, featuring the popular Kouign Amann from TBB crowned with Vanilla ice cream, complete with a classic cherry-chocolaty combination of cherries, plume compote and chocolate sauce. The sprinkle of chocolate granola nuts and almonds gave the dish a delectable crunch and nuttiness.

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Conti Sandwich 3/5

Under Lunch offerings, Conti Sandwich ($29) features Foccacia from TBB spread with sundried tomato, and shaved ham and rocket leaves are sandwiched in between. The Foccacia was excellent, with a fluffy and chewy texture and a pronounced rosemary flavour. Though Strataciatella and Pecorino cream were listed on the menu, there was little of it. Overall, it is still a decent sandwich.

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Grilled Veggie Salad 3.8/5

Grilled Veggie Salad ($27) was vibrant with savoury and citrusy orange miso dressing and appetizing with a salty punch boosted by an addition of Anchovy cream. It was hearty with charred courgette, burnt cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado and a soft-boiled egg. The salad is topped with pieces of morish parmesan crisp for a textural crunch.

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Chilli Chicken 4/5

Chilli Chicken ($32) features a Supreme cut chicken breast, a dish that celebrates warm flavours and that of spices. Despite its lean nature, the chicken breast was exceptionally succulent, enriched with a serving of creamy avocado salsa and starchy smashed sweet potato. The accompanying harissa sauce elevated the bold flavour profile, with peppery rocket leaves and pickle onions to cut through the savoury intensity.

Words and photos 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.


Common Man Coffee Roasters
368 Alexandra Road
#01-01
Singapore 159952
Tel: +65 6877 4872
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon: 730am – 5pm
Tue–Thu, Sun: 730am – 10pm
Fri–Sat: 730am – 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, January 29, 2023

True Cost @ Suntec City - A Rooftop Restaurant And Wine Bar In Suntec City’s Sky Garden

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If you have yet to hear of True Cost, it is a restaurant in the Sky Garden of Suntec City dedicated to providing a dining experience for its guest with quality food and drinks without high markups in cost.

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Seafood Lucky Tower 4/5

True Cost kept in mind the universal lucky number '8' while putting this Seafood Lucky Tower ($88) together. In each of these towers, you will enjoy 8 slices of scallop sashimi, 8 slices of salmon sashimi, 8 slices of unagi, 8 pieces of Japanese oysters, 8 prawns and 8 baby lobsters, accompanied with tobiko caviar. Though we were not big fans of the texture of the baby lobsters, freshness was there for the sashimi items and prawns.

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Hummus with Kimchi Cucumbers 4.2/5

The Hummus with Kimchi Cucumbers ($7.50) was a pleasant surprise. In this unlikely combination, the tangy kimchi cucumbers gave an extra brightness and a slight kick of spice in contrast to the creaminess of the hummus. I recommend topping up more of the fluffy soft pita, as the default portion comes with only a piece. We heard that they fly in their pita bread from Greece!

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Burrata with Dried Grapes and Mint Leaves 4/5

If you are a fan of burrata, the Burrata with Dried Grapes and Mint Leaves ($14.50) is one to look out for. We preferred it to be less sweet, but it was an interesting take, with juicy grapes and chopped mint leaves paired with the creamy burrata.

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Bone Marrow with Mushrooms and Bulgogi Sauce 4/5

My dining companions enjoyed the Bone Marrow with Mushrooms and Bulgogi Sauce ($18.95). They described the bone marrow and bulgogi sauce pairing as unexpected but something they'd have again. From all the dishes we have tried, unique flavour combinations are something True Cost emphasises.

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Pork Belly with Sweet Potato Purée and Tomato Jam 4/5

Lastly, we had the Pork Belly with Sweet Potato Puree and Tomato Jam ($14.95). We found this a bit oily, but the fatty pork belly was tender. The sweetness from the sweet potato purée and slight tartness from the tomato jam complemented nicely.

Do note that there is a moderate entrance fee applied to all guests visiting True Cost, depending on the time of day. It is $5 per pax for lunch between 12 to 3pm, and $10 per pax for dinner between 5pm to 9pm. Entrance fee is complimentary daily between 3pm to 5pm and 9pm to 10pm. If you opt for bar seatings, there is a 50% discount off for entrance fees. Table reservations can be made via https://reserve.oddle.me/en_SG/truecost/.

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.


True Cost
Suntec City, SkyGarden
#03-302/303
3 Temasek Boulevard 
Tel: +65 88940615
Website
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 11pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, July 3, 2022

True Cost Singapore @ Suntec City - Quality Fare Priced At its “True Cost” Instead Of Usual Market/Restaurant Price

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True Cost Singapore at Suntec City prides itself on offering quality dining at a fraction of the market price. You need only pay a relatively low cover charge ($5 for weekday lunch) and ($10 for weekend dinner) to experience good quality fare at a fraction of its market price. Each dish is tagged on the menu with its "True Cost" price and market prices.

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Yellowtail Crudo 4.8/5

We started the meal with a few cold appetisers showing off their ingredients' freshness. The Yellowtail Crudo ($7.65 / Usual Market Price $24.00) had a firm flesh and a light flavour elevated with a citrusy but savoury dressing. I love how the olive tapenade and green chillies atop lent an extra bite and freshness.

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Heh Marinated Scallop 4/5

Another well-loved dish is this plump Heh Marinated Scallop ($19.76 Usual/ Market Price $24.00) flavoured with fragrant chilli garlic, coriander and pink pepper that brought out the sweetness of the scallop. The pickled cucumber added an enjoyable crunch to these mouth-filling pieces of the scallop.

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Salmon Truffle Crudo 4/5

Salmon Truffle Crudo ($10.50 / Usual Market Price $18.00) is a crowd-pleasing dish. The addition of fresh horseradish gave the salmon an edge that counters its richness.

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Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers 4/5

Hummus With Kim Chi Cucumbers ($5.95 / Usual Market Price $14.00) was rich, creamy and wholesome, perfect with the flatbread served on the side.

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Japanese Style Beef Tartare 3/5

Japanese Style Beef Tartare ($9 / Usual Market Price $23.00) was decent, but its creamy and tangy accompaniment overwhelmed its flavour.

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Bone Marrow 3.5/5

Slathered with dried chilli oil, the Bone Marrow ($14.25 / Price In Other Restaurants $28.00) was full-flavoured, with a cheesy yoghurt sauce served on the side to cut its richness. A basket of bread instead of just a slice is probably more apt to clean the bones!

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Grilled Eggplant With Miso 2.5/5

I had an excellent grilled eggplant with miso at Sens of Japan before, and that is just unforgettable. Unfortunately, this Grilled Eggplant With Miso ($6.65 / Price In Other Restaurants $14.00) paled in comparison with a confusing flavour profile and too many elements. The miso lacks flavour, and the presence of the pickled onions seems unnecessary.

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Octopus With Potato Mousse 4/5

For mains, Octopus With Potato Mousse ($19.85 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) is a real gem at this price point. The octopus was grilled with the right amount of char and doneness. However, the potato mousse could have been less buttery as it got cloying after a while.

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Beef Cheek With Pea Purée 2.5/5

The Beef Cheek With Pea Purée ($12.75 / Price In Other Restaurants $30.00) comes at a very attractive price point but was disappointingly dry. The curry-flavour puree was too sweet and intense, and the sauce didn't quite bring the elements together either.

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Ceviche Mary 4/5

True Cost also keeps the tipples at affordable prices despite its location and gorgeous setting. We had a smokey and piquant Ceviche Mary ($11.30), a reimagination of the morning cocktail Bloody Mary, featuring a tomato mix blended with 12 handpicked secret ingredients.

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Cover Charges
Mon - Thu: 11am - 3pm - $5
Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm - $10
Mon - Fri: 3pm - 5pm - FREE ENTRANCE
Fri: 5pm - 10pm - $15
Sat: $15
Sun: $10
PH: $15

I understand the restaurant currently is opened daily from 5pm to 11pm but it has planned to extend it opening hours in the future.

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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.


True Cost Singapore
Suntec City
Sky Garden
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-302-303
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 88940615
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 11pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, February 24, 2022

La Belle Epoque @ Boat Quay - New European Restaurant Along The Singapore River

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La Belle Epoque (which means 'the golden age' in French) is a European restaurant and bar concept that has recently opened its doors at Boat Quay. It offers contemporary European cuisine using fresh ingredients seasoned with natural herbs. Most of the herbs are sourced from Head Chef Firdauz's very own herb garden.

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Oyster & Iberico 4/5

Starting off the evening was Oyster & Iberico ($26), an interesting combination of fresh oyster and crispy iberico ham, tomato salsa and Avruga caviar. Other than the delightful crunch lent by the crispy iberico ham, I love how the different elements within the tiny shell played out when I consumed it as a whole. The crispy iberico ham and caviar seasoned the fresh oyster with their savoury notes, while the sweet and acidic tomato salsa balanced the overall flavours.

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Hummus Taco 3.5/5

Next, we had Hummus Taco ($10). The hummus is made with smoked chickpea. The elusive smoky accent of the hummus made it even more moreish and delicious. However, it might be better to serve the corn taco shell as a side as it turned soggy after a while.

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Cauliflower Steak 2.5/5

The Cauliflower Steak ($12) is a vegetarian-friendly dish featuring a smoked and cured cauliflower with vegetable butter herbs, served with purple sweet potato. Unlike the hummus taco, smoking the ingredients didn't work in the dish. The presence of that smokey flavour was somewhat overwhelming and got unpleasant after a while. The cauliflower was not very well cooked through either.

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Smoked Pork Belly 4/5

We had two meat dishes, of which I would highly recommend the Smoked Pork Belly ($16) marinated with spices. It is served with crispy pork crackers, grilled peach salad and pork veloute. The taste of the pork cracker needs to be improved for sure, but otherwise, the pork belly itself was scrumptious. Instead of the usual apple sauce, the chef used the sweetness of grilled peach to complement the meat.

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Beef Short Ribs 2.8/5

However, the Beef Short Ribs ($28) was rather disappointing. Marinated with local spices and sous vide for 48 hours, the meat was relatively dry.

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Cheese and Cold Cuts Board 2.5/5

We also had a sample of their Cheeses and Cold Cuts Board, but I find it rather lacklustre.

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Lemon Tart 3/5

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Tiramisu 4/5, Guerre Stellari 4.5/5

The desserts were good. We had Lemon Tart ($10), Tiramisu ($10) and Guerre Stellari ($10). The Guerre Stellari was my favourite. Encased within dark chocolate crust was rum chocolate mousse, and it was a perfect marriage with the tart raspberry sorbet.

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.


La Belle Epoque
63 Boat Quay
Singapore 049851
Tel: +65 67321687
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 3pm - 1130pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Cross the road walk to Upper Circular Road. Walk down Upper Circular Road to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to the riverfront. Turn left and walk down Boat Quay. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Fat Prince @ Peck Seah Street - A Fresh, New Season At Fat Prince

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Fat Prince, which has been around for five years, welcomes the new Chef de Cuisine, Simon Bell, giving the menu a refreshed take of Modern Middle Eastern cuisine. Chef Simon marries his contemporary Australian background with Middle Eastern cuisine, breathing new life and flavour to the venue.

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Chilled Oysters 4/5

Served in a pair is the Chilled Oysters ($16++). The Hyogo Oysters are topped with saffron-infused charred orange juice, coriander cress, and charred orange segments. The pairing is Chef Simon's memories of his childhood flavours of sweet orange, salty sea air and grassy meadows.

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Cannellini Bean Hummus 4.2/5

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Turkish Pide 4.5/5

Instead of the usual chickpea hummus, Chef Simon uses the Cannellini Bean Hummus ($14++), which has a creamier texture. It is then topped with muhammara, lime zest and pita croutons, brightening the flavours. Turkey pide is served on the side to scoop up the delicious hummus.

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Pit Smoked Aubergine 4/5

Next, we have the Pit Smoked Aubergine ($19++). I could smell the smokiness even from a distance when served. The smoky, smooth aubergine sat on a bed of yoghurt tahini and finished with fresh harissa in the ingredients' natural form rather than the traditional paste. The pairing helps to lift and lighten the experience.

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Warm Mud Crab 4.8/5

The Warm Mud Crab ($29++) is served in a crab shell with Turkish pide. The hand-picked crab meat is lightly seasoned with shallots, chives, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, enhancing the sweetness of the crab. There is a layer of hazelnut tarator at the base of the crab shell too. Give it a good mix and have it together with the Turkish pide.

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Adana Kebab Tartare 2.0 4.2/5

The Adana Kebab Tartare 2.0 ($19++) is a beautiful iteration to capture the flavour of adana kebab in tartare form. The wagyu is tossed with herbs, lemon juice, Turkish peppers and shallots for freshness and heat. At the same time, the charcoal oil lends the smokiness. Diners can enjoy the wagyu tartare together with the buttermilk and rye crackers.

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Pit Smoked Pork Ribeye 4.2/5

I decided to have the Pit Smoked Pork Ribeye ($31++ per 100g) as the mains. The smoky and tender pork ribeye has the right ratio of fats and lean meat. It is paired with black garlic sauce and crunch fresh cabbage slaw to cut the richness. It also comes with warm pita, which you can have the smoked pork ribeye like a wrap.

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Wild Mushroom 4.2/5

The Wild Mushroom ($18++) is ideal with the mains. The oyster mushrooms are grilled, then tossed with balsamic, garlic, and thyme, finished with gremolata.

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Rosewater Pavlova 4/5

We started with the Rosewater Pavlova ($15++) for desserts. It is a sweet and light dessert that brings Chef Simon's Christmas day memories back home in Adelaide. It can also be served as a palate cleanser.

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Mascarpone Knafeh 4.2/5

The Mascarpone Knafeh ($15++) dessert is served warm. The traditional Middle Eastern dessert comes in layers of kataifi, syrup and nuts. The culinary team even incorporated coconut, pandan and gula melaka, giving the traditional dessert a local take which I enjoyed a lot.

It is my first time visiting Fat Prince. Unlike the typical Middle Eastern cuisine, Chef Simon has given them vibrancy, redefining modern Middle Eastern cuisine.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Fat Prince
48 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079317
Tel: +65 62217794
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]