Showing posts with label Impossible Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Impossible Food. Show all posts

Saturday, November 21, 2020

8ASH @ Ann Siang Hill - Multiconcept Modern Casual Diner That Houses Hoshi Hill, Mirai Burgers And Love Handle Burgers

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8ASH is a new kid on the block at Ann Siang Hill. It is a multi-concept modern casual diner with a retro-outfitted 40-seater restaurant that houses three different brands under one roof. Mirai Burgers is the American-Japanese burger concept, while Love Handle Burgers is the other burger concept that is entirely vegan. Apart from burgers, Hoshi Hill brings to the table casual-luxe Japanese set meals.

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Chilled Hokkaido Scallop Somen 4.2/5

Our lunch at 8ASH started with the Chilled Hokkaido Scallop Somen ($25) from Hoshi Hill. The chilled somen is topped with sweet and plump Hokkaido scallops and ikura. The somen is enlivened by the shio kombu dressing, sakura ebi powder and ponzu jelly. It seems like there are many flavours at work, but they gel together in harmony.

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Sparkling Sake 4.5/5

You may want to pair your meal with a bottle of chilled Sparkling Sake. Sweet, light and refreshing!

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Baller Beef Bowl (Japanese A4 Wagyu) 4.5/5

You will be in for a treat with the Baller Beef Bowl ($45). It is a feast fit for the king. On the plate, there are luxurious ingredients such as Hokkaido A4 Wagyu, Hokkaido scallops, Japanese rice, pickles, spicy tare, shio kombu, uni, Kairos caviar.

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Hoshi Wagyu Steak 4/5

For sides at Hoshi Hill, we had the Hoshi Wagyu Steak ($18) which uses Australia Wagyu Picanha (MBS8-9) paired with seasonal salad. The diner has options of 4 sauce choices - shiso pesto, mustard cream, beef jus and spring onion bearnaise. Compared to the Hokkaido A4 Wagyu in the Baller Beef Bowl, this has a firmer bite. 

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Katsu Okonomiyaki Burger 3/5

From the Mirai Burgers brand that offers American-Japanese burger concept, we had their burgers that use classic Japanese flavours and cooking techniques. A good showcase of the concept is the Katsu Okonomiyaki Burger ($16) that comes with pork katsu, bonito flakes, bulldog sauce, kewpie and lettuce sandwiched in between two soft and fluffy buns. Unfortunately, I find it tough to bite through the pork katsu. I wish it can be more tender and juicy.

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Shaun San Burger 4.2/5

The Shaun San Burger ($20) fares much better than the Katsu Okonomiyaki Burger with its juicy wagyu short rib patty that is exclusively mixed in house. The addition of bacon, mature cheddar, provolone, onions and special housemade sauce brightens up the whole enjoyment. There is also a slight difference in the bun used. It is airier compared to the katsu okonomiyaki burger.

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Mushroom Cheese Burger 3.5/5

For the vegan diners, you will fall in love with the Love Handle Burgers concept that uses the Impossible meat patty. Even meat-eaters will also enjoy the plant-based burger such as the Mushroom Cheese Burger ($17) whereby the Impossible patty is topped with melty vegan cheese, and a stack of trumpet mushrooms smothered in shroom sauce and finished with creamy garlic aioli.

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Fillet-O-Fishless

There is even a vegan fish burger, Fillet-O-Fishless ($16.50). It comes in a tangy, herby tartare sauce with a whole cheddar-style slice on top of a generous stack of flakey, crumbed fishless sticks. I thought the fish fingers would taste like the real thing, but it tasted more soybean-based, unlike the Impossible beef which tasted closer to the real thing.

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PBJ Cake

Besides burgers, there are also vegan dessert options from Love Hand Burgers. We tried both PBJ Cake and Lemon Crumble. Of the two, I prefer the PBJ Cake ($4.50) which comes in a generous portion of Peanut Butter and Date Cake topped with a housemade strawberry compote.

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Lemon Crumble

Of the three concepts, I like Hoshi Hill more than the rest. I was won over by the chilled hokkaido somen and baller beef bowl, whereby you get to enjoy fine and quality Japanese seafood and beef. However, it does feel kind of weird to be enjoying fine Japanese food in a casual American burger joint setting.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


8ASH
8 Ann Siang Hill
Singapore 069788
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Maxwell (TE Line), Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 11am - 10pm
Thu-Sat: 11am - 1030pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Continue to the end of Amoy Street. Climb the stairs beside Siang Cho Keong Temple, up Ann Siang Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down South Bridge Road towards Ann Siang Road. Turn right onto Ann Siang Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 4 minutes.[Map]

3) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street to South Bridge Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down South Bridge Road. Turn left onto Ann Siang Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Monday, May 13, 2019

Les Bouchons Rive Gauche @ Robertson Quay - Sunday Brunch Along The Singapore River

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Located at Robertson Quay, the laid back ambience is what Bouchons Riviera Brunch is all about. Inspired by the decadence of the French Riviera and staying true to its French heritage, Head Chef Mickael Cornac of Les Bouchons designed the a la carte menu with 30 new all-time brunch favourites including the classic French dish.

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Riviera Wellness Bowl 3/5

Riviera Wellness Bowl ($18) has a couple of exciting elements such as the strawberries which have been soaked overnight with balsamic vinegar to soften and infused it with an additional layer of flavour. The same goes to the Goji berries which were soaked in passionfruit tea beforehand. Given all the exciting dishes on the menu, this serves more like a sharing appetiser to start off your brunch.

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Eggs Mimosa 3/5

Have a taste of some of the French classics such as the Eggs Mimosa ($14) with sauteed garlic asparagus but what really got me into the mood is the Escargots De Bourgogne ($16) with garlic butter.

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Escargots De Bourgogne 4/5

I have a little aversion to escargots, to be honest, but being cooked down to such tenderness helps to diversify the attention away. The hero of this dish, I would say is the garlic butter, and the escargots are there to give the dish some textures, while you deliver the rich and flavourful sauce into your mouth. If you love pesto sauce, this will hit all the right spots.

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Gueule de Bois 3/5

I learned that the concept of Sunday brunch dates as far back as 120 years ago. It came about as a means to overcome a British author’s own hangover from the night before, which is the reference behind this ​Gueule de Bois ($24) ​or more commonly referred to as the ​Bouchons Hangover Cure. You get to try the most hyped about “Impossible” meatballs, served along with scrambled eggs with truffle oil on a slice of toasted sourdough bread. The meatballs are infused with other aromatics and spices; hence it tasted almost like lamb meatballs but without the gaminess. Still, it lacks the natural sweetness from real meat. I'm still not convinced after trying it, but I love how wholesome this dish has been played out, with all other elements such as the sautéed porcini mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes and asparagus so nicely done to draw out their freshness and flavours.

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Sunday Roast 3.8/5

Bouchons Sunday Roast ($32) may vary each week and our ‘Roast of the Day’ was chicken with mushroom sauce and roasted baby potatoes. Nothing much to fault about the chicken really, what I want to highlight is the decadent mushroom sauce. It was so rich and shroomy, if you were to lighten it with cream and stock, it would have been one of the most comforting mushroom soups ever.

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Grilled Black Angus Rib Eye Steak 4/5

Les Bouchons is amongst one of the first restaurants in Singapore to serve French Steak Frites “Steak and Fries” and if you are here with just one or 2 friends, Grilled Black Angus Rib Eye Steak ($39.80) would be enough to last through your whole Sunday conversation, coupled with a few glasses of wines. The steak was packed with good fats and flavours, and they thoroughly nailed it with the free flow homemade French fries that came with unevenly crisped edges, with dented soft pockets to give you the potatoey flavour. I don't remember having such good fries for the longest time.

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Crepes 2.5/5

For desserts, the Crepes ($8) with Nutella and banana was a little underwhelming, with the crepe being a little stiff.

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Chocolate Brownie 3/5

Chocolate Brownie "Fait Maison" ($10) with vanilla gelato is definitely more apt for the occasion with the warm, dark and moist chocolate brownie. Much bigger scope of ice cream is needed for sure.

Brunch at Les Bouchons, overlooking the Singapore River on a Sunday noon is the kind of hours that you would wish to spend just to have a quick escape from everything else. ‘Bouchons Riviera Brunch’ menu is available on Sundays between 1130am and 330pm.

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.


Les Bouchons Rive Gauche
60 Robertson Quay
#01-02
Singapore 238252
Tel: 65 67334414
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 10pm
Fri: 12pm - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sat: 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 1130am - 830pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the bus stop along Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 and 186. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road and walk towards the river. Cross the bridge and walk to the destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to the bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk down Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Nanson Rd. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction of Clemenceau Ave and River Valley. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Then left onto Merbau Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]