Spinelli Coffee @ Tampines Hub - Very First Outlet In The Heartland

Spinelli Coffee has opened its very first suburban outlet in the heartland at Tampines Hub. The newest outlet is located near the library side, directly opposite NTUC income. It has both air conditioned and outdoor sitting area.

Ice Mocha, Iced Latte 4/5

Matcha T-Twist 4/5

The weather has been extremely hot lately, and what better way to cold down at the cafe with a cold drink. A few recommend choices would be the Ice Mocha, Ice Latte and Iced Matcha T-Twist. An interesting twist is the matcha t-twist, which is a blend of matcha powder with cranberries. The combination of bitterness and sourness surprisingly works harmoniously together.

Quinoa Salad Bowl 3.5/5

For the health conscious eater. there is a number of salad bowls at Spinelli Coffee. One of these is the Quinoa Salad Bowl ($9.80). The bowl comes filled with fresh crunchy greens, sweet tomatoes and quinoa patties. I love the roasted sesame sauce that is drizzled on top, boosting a flavourful finishing.

Bagel Tomate Olive 3.8/5

I am not a bagel person as I dislike the dense texture of the dough. However the Bagel Tomate Olive ($4.50) turns out pretty good. The open-faced bagel topped with cheesy pizza toppings is soft and fluffy.

Beef Lasagna 3/5

As for the Beef Lasagna ($10.80), I didn't quite enjoy it. While the flavours from the cheese and beef are spot on, I felt that the pasta sheets are too soft, without texture. This doesn't help with the layer of gooey stretchy cheese on top. it just made the whole dish collapsed into a pool of softness.

Devil's Chocolate Cake 4.2/5, Carrot Cake 2.8/5, Strawberry Shortcake 3.8/5

If you are at Spinelli Coffee just to chill, you may want to order some cakes to go along with your drinks. They have a number of cakes such as the Strawberry Shortcake ($6.80), Carrot Cake and Devil's Chocolate Cake ($5.20). If you like something light, then I would recommend the strawberry shortcake, if not my personal favourite the the rich Devil's Chocolate Cake.

Cold Brew Ice Cream 3.8/5

Another first at Spinelli Coffee besides opening its first suburban outlet is the introduction of their freshly churned Cold Brew Ice Cream ($4.20). The ice cream is infused with the rich coffee aroma on top of its smooth creamy swirls.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Spinelli Coffee
Our Tampines Hub
1 Tampines Walk
#01-K8
Singapore 528523
Facebook
Website
Nearest: Tampines (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 8am - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 8am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station (DT Line). Take Exit F. Walk down Tampines Central 2 road to Tampines Ave 5. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines MRT station (EW Line). Take Exit C. Walk down Tampines Central road to Tampines Central 6 road. Walk to NTUC Income Tampines Junction. Walk to traffic junction of Tampines Ave 5 and Tampines Ave 4. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Zafferano @ Ocean Financial Centre

My last visit to Zafferano at Ocean Financial Centre was almost two years ago. I am back to check out their newly launched Saturday brunch, "The Italian Table" on every first and last Saturday of the month. The Italian feast comes in 4 courses, namely antipasti, pasta-risotto, mains and desserts.

Stewed Clams and Mussels with Rosemary Croutons 4.5/5

When the brunch was served, I was taken back by the table full of food in front of me. This is only the first course - antipasti, and there were already seven different items on the table. On the table, there were Stewed Clams and Mussels, Baby Lobsters flambe with Brandy, Mozzarella, Selection of Cold Cuts, Deep Fried Seafood and Fjord Trout all for sharing according to the number of pax.

Baby Lobster 4/5, Selection of Cold Cuts 4.5/5

The Baby Lobster flambe with Brandy is topped with cocktail mayo sauce, giving it a fruity sweet finishing to the lobster meat. Personally, the highlight of the antipasti has to be the selection of cold cuts (24 month Pio Tosini Ham, Pistachio Mortadella, Iberico Salami) and mozzarella. It was so good that some of us ordered a second servicing.

Deep Fried Calamari, Prawns, Anchovies 4/5

Hidden in the basket is a delightful selection of Deep Fried Calamari, Prawns and Anchovies.

Marinated Fjord Trout, Avruga Caviar, Orange 4.5/5

Live Seasonal Oysters 4.5/5

There were more seafood in the Live Seasonal Oysters and Marinated Fjord Trout which showcases the freshness of seasonal seafood.

Gnocchi 4.5/5

Moving on to the second course which showcases the staple Italian cuisine - Pasta and Risotto. I remembered I was impressed by the Gnocchi when I visited the restaurant 2 years ago. The recipe has changed. Now it is cooked with seafood in a white wine, tomato base sauce compared to the usual cream base. The handcraft potato gnocchi still tasted as good.

Veal Ravioli 3.8/5

I am great fan of Ravioli but I find the veal filling was too rich in flavour, overpowering the balance of homemade veal ravioli with porcini mushroom sauce, truffle emulsion.

Lasagna 4/5

Indulge the layers after layers of pasta sheets in the Homemade Lasagna in minced beef ragout with bechamel sauce.

Saffron Risotto 4/5

Served right on the table side is the Saffron Risotto using Acquerello rice grains cooked to a nice al dente bite. The creamy texture with the aromatic Iranian saffron holds the whole dish together.

If you are already full by then, then you will miss out the delicious trio from the third course - Mains. On the menu is a choice of three mains in the Oven Baked Sea Bass with Tomatoes, Olives, Capers and Fresh Herbs, Roasted Whole French Spring Chicken with Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Mushrooms and Slow Cooked Pork Belly with Potatoes and Bery Sauce. All the mains have its own merits that it is quite hard to lay a finger which is the best. So the best is to go with a group of friends and get to try a bit of everything. If not, really pace yourself in between courses.

Wrapping up the Saturday lunch is the dessert table with at least 5 different types of sweet delights such as Tiramisu,  Macarons, Panna Cotta, Cakes and Fresh Fruits. As you can probably see, the brunch is not on a feast to the eyes but for the tummy too. The 4 courses brunch was just a lie, there were so many food on a table that I need a second stomach to indulge in them.

Saturday Brunch (First and Last Week of Month)
Adult: $88++ per pax include of free flow soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea
Adult: $108++ per pax include free flow Prosecco
Adult: $138++ per pax include free flow champagne.


Zafferano
Ocean Financial Centre
Level 43
10 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 65091488
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZafferanoSG
Website: http://zafferano.sg/
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm
Brunch
Sat: 1130am - 230pm (1st and last Sat of the month)
Dinner
Mon-Wed: 530pm - 1145pm
Thu-Sat: 530pm - 1am
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place. Take Exit C. Walk to Ocean Financial Centre which is on the left. Journey time about 3 minutes.

Bottura Restaurant @ Suntec City

The refurbished Suntec City brought a new lease of life to the mall with many new restaurants and concepts springing out at the various towers. Bottura is the latest restaurant to be opened at Suntec City with the concept of housing a restaurant, gelateria, cafeteria and Italian gourmet supply store under one roof.

Cold Cuts Platter 4.2/5

A good starter for sharing is the Cold Cuts Platter from Emilia Romagna with Marmelade ($22). The abundance servicing of different cured hams and cheese will whet up the appetite for the rest of the casual Italian fare.

Arancini Al Ragu 4/5

Another starter which I enjoyed is the Arancini Al Ragu ($8). The traditional risotto ball is served over a bed of tomato sauce. This is a hearty and comforting dish

Piadina with Parma Ham, Stracchino Cheese and Rocket Salad 3.5/5

A flat bread that can be found in every Italian home is the Piadina that can be filled with any ingredients of liking. With five different combinations available on the menu, I got to try the Piadina with Parma Ham, Stracchino Cheese and Rocket Salad ($12). The freshly made thin flat bread has a nice bite to it, allowing the sandwiched ingredients to be fully enjoyed

Egg and Squid Ink Tagliolini with Shrimp and Zucchini 4.5/5

A signature at Bottura is the Egg and Squid Ink Tagliolini with Shrimp and Zucchini ($18). The house made tagliolini tossed in a beautiful cream was just simply slurping heavenly.

Ravioli 4.2/5, Polenta Lasagne 4/5 and Gnocchi 4/5

Next I tried a trio of different pasta in the Ravioli with Cream, Ham and Mushrooms ($16), Polenta Lasagne with Traditional Ragu and Bechamel Sauce ($18) and Gnocchi with Traditional Ragu ($18). This is just the sampling portion. They are really good and it was quite difficult to say which is my favourite. The thin sheet of pasta stuffed with spinach, the layers of pasta sheet substituted by polenta for the lasagne and the chewy gnocchi. They all stood out on their own, which also means there is something for everyone to suit your preference.

Rockmelon, Parma Ham and Mozzarella 4/5

As one of the oldest and most famous Italian dishes in the world, Bottura does offer quite an extensive selection of pizza on their menu. I have eaten parma ham with rockmelon but having them atop a pizza is very unique. The 12 inch pizza with Rockmelon, Parma Ham and Mozzarella ($24) indeed comes across very delectable with the refreshing combination.

Buttora does offer a selection of yummy dessert on their menu to end the night on a sweet note. However I was too full to try them. Instead I hit over to the gelateria and got myself a scoop of the Pistachio Gelato ($5). The rich, nutty flavour together with the creamy texture made it a perfect ending for the night.


[CLOSED]
Bottura Restaurant
Suntec City Mall
North Wing
3 Temasek Boulevard
#02-472/3/4
Singapore
Tel: +65 62387527
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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

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

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano @ Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

Waterfall Cafe at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore first opened in 2012 and I still remembered I attended their first ever cooking class. After more than 2 years, Waterfall Cafe has been given a make over to serve south Italian cuisine with the appointment of Marco De Vincentis as chef de cuisine of Waterfall Ristorante Italiano, responsible of transforming the former waterfall cafe into a Southern Italian trattoria featuring handmade pasta and fresh seafood.

Insalata Di Mare All'Amalfitana 4/5

The dinner at the revamped Waterfall Ristorante Italiano started with the Insalata Di Mare All'Amalfitana ($23), a luxurious seafood salad on a plate. It is a pleasing and light antipasti to kick start the dinner.

Parmigiana Di Melanzane 4/5

Layers of eggplants cooked to perfection is the Parmigiana Di Melanzane ($20) with parmigiano and tomatoes. This goodness simply melted in the mouth complemented with the parmigiano and tomatoes.

Linguine Allo Scoglio 4.5/5

If you are a tomato based lover, then the Linguine Allo Scoglio ($28) is a worthy try. The fresh homemade pasta was cooked to perfection and packed to the brim with fresh prawns, scallop, mussel, clam and cherry tomato. A noticeable different is the tomato sauce base which tasted more refine and lighter allowing the ingredients to shine instead of drowning it with its richness.

Lasagna Croccante Ragu' Bianco E Porcini 4/5

If you prefer cream base pasta, then you should try the unique Lasagna Croccante Ragu' Bianco E Porcini ($24) which chef Marco created the crispy lasagna recipe in memory of his childhood cravings for the crispy edges of his mother's lasagna. It felt like a huge dumpling floating on top a creamy sauce. This is really a very interesting variation of the classic Italian dish and it tasted really good, especially the crispy pasta sheet.

Tagliolini Al Pesto Siciliano 4.2/5

Another twist to the pesto pasta is the Tagliolini Al Pesto Siciliano ($22). It comes with homemade pasta, tomato, ricotta cheese, pine nut, basil and roasted almond. This is yet another pasta dish that impressed me with its combination which is something new to me.

Stufato Di Pesce 4.2/5

Moving on to the main, we tried the Stufato Di Pesce ($68) which is good for 2 pax. The signature seafood stew is cooked in a delectable tomato sauce with sun ripped tomatoes and flavoured with garlic and garden herbs. I could find clams, mussels, prawns, lobsters and red snapper in the red sea. Similar to the Linguine Allo Scoglio, the seafood stew highlights the freshness of the seafood with the tasty yet refined tomato based sauce.

Tagliata Di Manzo Rucola E Grana 4.2/5

If you need your meat there is the Tagliata Di Manzo Rucola E Grana. You have a choice of three different cuts in the Striploin Black Angus 120 days grain fed ($38), Tenderloin Hunter Valley grain fed ($41) or Wagyu Rub Eye 5+ ($56). The meat was cooked beautiful to a nice pink accompanied with fresh greens and shaved cheese.

Zabaione All'Espresso 3/5

Tiramisu 3.8/5

Torta Caprese 3.5/5

Dinner comes to an end with a trio of desserts in the Zabaione All'Espresso ($14), Tiramisu and Torta Carprese ($16). Most memorable of the three for me is the torta caprese which is originated from Capri. The flour and gluten free dessert with its rich chocolate flavour did come across a bit weird in texture initially but as I had more of it, I started to appreciate it more.


Waterfall Cafe
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 62134138
Facebook
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/restaurants/waterfall/
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily:
630am - 11am (breakfast)
11am - 12pm, 3pm - 6pm (light snack)
12pm - 3pm (lunch)
Mon-Sat:
6pm - 1030pm (dinner)

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Transfer to hotel shuttle bus. Journey time about 15 minutes. (Shuttle bus at 1h interval). [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk down to the end of Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orange Grove Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23 minutes. [Map]

Original Sin @ Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village)

Original Sin the first vegetarian Mediterranean restaurant in Singapore has been around for 14 years since 1997. Chef Michael Hadley from Michelangelo together with co-owner Chef Marisa Bertocchi created the concept of Original Sin and since then never look back. This is really quite an achievement for a vegetarian restaurant in the current F&B scene where restaurants opened and closed in a couple of years.

Principessa 3.5/5

The colorful salad garden, Principessa ($18) has an eclectic mix of roasted pumpkin, avocado, asparagus, tomato, french beans and boccocini, all mingled in a bed of mixed lettuces and dressed in a light balsamic vinaigrette that was subtle and unassuming.

Basilico 3.5/5

The Basilico ($13) is homemade herb bread with creamy goat cheese, char grilled eggplant and roasted   capsicum and rocket leaves. The bruschetta has a nice balanced of flavours that will whet your appetite.

Fritters 3/5

The Eggplant and Parsnip Fritters ($16) drizzled with zesty house mayo was rather simple with a light batter but was surprisingly quite delectable with a nice exterior crisp. This is my first time having parsnip and I thought the texture is quite similar to potato, very enjoyable.

Haloumi 3/5

The Haloumi ($18) which is usually made from a mixture of goat's milk and sheep's milk was nicely pan fried and served on a bed of salad greens, roasted capsicum, lentil, cucumber and mint salad. Due to its high melting point, the haloumi is ideal to be served pan fried or grilled giving it a nice texture and alternate way to enjoy cheese.

Mezze Platter 4.2/5

The Mezze Platter ($22/$30) reminds me of a similar dish I had at Blu Kouzina. The Middle Eastern platter served with Falafal balls and Pita Bread comes with Hummus Chick Pea, Aromatic Pumpkin and Carrot, Eggplant Baba Ganoush and Yogurt Tzatziki dips. My favourite is the pumpkin and carrot dip.

Magic Mushroom 4.8/5

The Magic Mushroom ($18) which is baked portobello mushroom with ricotta cheese, spinach, pesto, topped with a tomato basil sauce and mozzarella was simply magical. The medley of rich flavours with the earthy mushroom magically sent the mouth blooming with wonderful flavours. I will definitely go back for this.

Bosco Misto 4.5/5

This is another must try dish at Original Sin. The Bosco Misto ($26) is like 2 beef patties stacked on top of each other but this is the vegetarian version made of spinach, feta and tofu coated with crushed almonds and sesame seeds, asparagus and a button mushroom plum sauce. Being a meat lover, I was actually very satisfied and content. I didn't feel I missed out any meat.

Vegetable Tandoori 3/5

Out of all the dishes, the Vegetable Tandoori ($26) is probably too vegetarian for me. The skewer has char grilled button mushroom, brinjal, capsicum, onion and tofu marinated in tandoori spices. It is served with rice, youghurt and mangjo chutney dip.

Lasangna 4.2/5

The Lasanga ($26) comes with baked layers of pasta sheets filled with button mushroom, spinach, onion, zucchini, capsicum, tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil topped with shaved parmesan. I couldn't help digging into the melange of beautiful flavours.

Porcini 4.8/5

By now I am already very impressed with the creativity of Chef Marisa Bertocchi. She definitely has bring vegetarian food to a new level. Cooked to perfection, the Porcini ($26) was exquisitely executed. The creamy white wine sauce also married the pasta beautifully, bringing the whole dish together.

Risotto 4.5/5

Do allow the restaurant 20 minutes to cook your Risotto ($26). It is definitely worth every minutes of the wait. This is probably one of the best of risotto I have ever tried.

Chocolate Brownie 3.5/5

Apple Crumble 3/5

Tiramisu 4/5

Hazelnut Chocolate Cake 4/5

Original Sin not only serves delish starters and mains, they also have a decent selection of desserts. I tried the Chocolate Brownie, Apple Crumble, Tiramisu and Hazelnut Chocolate Cake. All desserts are priced at $10 and were pretty good. My favourite was the tiramisu and hazelnut chocolate cake.

Being able to stand tall for the past 14 years, Original Sin has tapped on a niche segment of the market and brings vegetarian to a whole new level with its creativity. Vegetarian food is no more boring and even better than many non vegetarian food. Price can be on the high side but you are paying for the quality.


Original Sin
Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village)
Blk 43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-62
Singapore 278115
Tel: +65 64755605
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OriginalSinRestaurant
Website: http://www.originalsin.com.sg/
Nearest MRT; Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and cut through the carpark. Walk towards the shophouses. Journey time 3 minutes.