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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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]

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lemon Tart 3/5

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]

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

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.

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.

Cannellini Bean Hummus 4.2/5

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

NORTH Miznon @ Amoy Street - A Modern Israeli Dining Experience

First established in Tel Aviv, Israel, NORTH Mizon at Amoy Street is the concept's first Asia outpost. Founded by Chef Eyal Shani – a leading figure in the Israeli culinary scene and most famously known as a judge on MasterChef Israel, NORTH Mizon showcases modern Israeli flavours, with a daily-changing menu of sharing plates to reflect the multifaceted nature of Israeli cuisine.

Naked Heirloom tomatoes Mosaic 4.5/5

You will find interesting plant-forward dishes, such as the stunning Naked Heirloom Tomatoes Mosaic ($19) topped with olive oil and salt flowers. The specially sourced tomatoes are sliced paper-thin and drizzled with Greek extra-virgin oil with a generous sprinkle of sea salt, teasing the beautiful flavours of the produce.

Melting Baby Leeks, Parmesan 4.2/5

Melting Baby Leeks, Parmesan ($18) is another dish that highlights one of the key principles of Chef Eyal Shani. He strives to source the freshest, best, and, where possible, local ingredients to be served in his restaurant. Buttery, sweet and savoury with parmesan, these baby leeks were just as satiable as a plate of well-barbecued ribs.

Focaccia 4/5

Hummus topped with Prawns in Beurre Noisette 4.5/5

Inspirations from French and Italian cuisines are reflected on the menu as well. For example, Hummus topped with Prawns in Beurre Noisette ($36) was lusciously creamy and rich. The prawns added a layer of texture and flavour to every bite. Thanks to the restaurant's signature Focaccia served on the house, I could mop up the humus on the plate. The focaccia itself is a great starter too. It comes with a trinity of sauces served at almost all Israeli meals; zhug – a fresh green chilli paste with garlic and olives, Maggie tomato salsa and sour cream.

Palamida Fillet 4/5

We also had Palamida Fillet ($34) roasted on plancha, served on a pretty-in-pink tomato cloud and tahini. Though the fish was very well done with firm and moist flesh, it was relatively underwhelming.

Roast Beef Carpaccio on the Rock 4/5

Talking about inventive ways to present dishes, Chef Eyal Shani's Sirloin Roast Beef Carpaccio on the Rock ($47) is served to us on a solid rock. Its sight will definitely excite your taste buds and your friends, and the portion makes it even more ideal for sharing.

The dessert selection features up to six glorious and utterly satisfying creations. A classic to try will be the Ants Nest Cake with Queen Hajar shiny glaze is a honeycomb cake with toasty caramel notes, and a touch of ginger. However, my personal favourite is the Semolina Cream Cake, which gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling for each bite. Each dessert is $20, or enjoy a cardboard comprising a mix of all desserts at $19 per person.

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.


NORTH Miznon
110 Amoy Street
#01-01
Singapore 069930
Tel: +65 80285204
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 530pm – 12am
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Byblos Grill @ Bussorah Street - An Authentic Labanese Fare In Kampong Glam

Food choices aplenty at Kampong Glam, and Middle Eastern cuisine is one of them. Located at Bussorah Street, Byblos Grill serves up Lebanese cuisine with a wide selection of mezze and main courses.

Hummus 3.5/5

Lavash 4/5

Chickpeas were and are abundant in the Middle Eastern, resulting in this highly nutritious, and delicious Hummus. Made with chickpea, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, ours was creamy and rich with nutty tahini flavour. What it needed was perhaps a couple more dashes of lemon juice for an extra zing. The best way to appreciate its flavours is to have the Lavash, a thin flatbread served to us poofy and warm.

Platter 4/5

For mains, we had a platter consisting Lamb Kofta, and Chicken Tawouk served with rice and homemade sauces. The Lamb Kofta is a Middle Eastern meatball made with minced lamb marinated in 7 different Turkish and Lebanese spices, mixed with chopped parsley and onions. Skewered and grilled, the meat wasn't too gamey, and flavours of the spices came through quite well without being overpowering. The latter is chicken chunks marinated in a yoghurt spice mixture, skewered and charcoal grilled. The chicken chunks were lean but moist. Similar to the lamb skewer, the spices were just right. Their version of tomato salsa and a spice dip which is made of several spices were punchy and also helped to cut the richness of the meat skewers. The fluffy rice was a plus too.

Lahmacun Lamb 3.5/5

Lahmacun Lamb is like a Turkish pizza made with flatbread and minced lamb toppings. The sweet tomato base worked well with the juicy minced lamb.

Kunafa 4.2/5

For dessert, try Kunafa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry soaked in sugar syrup and layered around cheese and baked. Although the expected stringy cheese was missing, as well as that sprinkle of vibrant green crushed pistachios, all other elements made it really yummy - the tart citrus wedges, the savoury cheese bits and the milky cream that mellow out and complement the sweetness of the pastry. And Turkish Coffee is a must!

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. 


Byblos Grill
14 Bussorah Street
Singapore 199435
Tel:+65 6296 8577
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Walk towards the junction of Jalan Sultan and Beach Road. Cross the road and walk down Beach Road. Turn right onto Bussorah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Raffles Hospital. Walk to junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the junction and walk down North Bridge Road towards Arab Street. Turn right into Arab Street. Walk down Arab Street. Turn left onto Baghdad Street. Turn right onto Bussorah Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]