Pastaria Abate @ Craig Road - No Frill Italian Restaurant with Handmade Pasta

If you are like me visiting Pastaria Abate at Craig Road for the first time, you would think that it is a full service restaurant. Apart from the beautiful decor of the restaurant, that make you feel that you are in Italy, this place is actually no frill. You have to order from the cashier, collect your own food, utensils and even serve your own drink. I am not complaining as long as the food is good and reasonable priced.

Fettucine Pasta Italian Meatballs 3.8/5

Pastaria Abate is known for its homemade pasta. They made 4 different types of pastas - Tagliatelle, Fettucine, Tagliarini and Pappardelle. Ordering here is pretty simple, choose the type of pasta and follow by the sauce. I decided to go for the Fettucine with Italian Meatballs ($12.80). It comes with 2 huge handformed meatballs that is soft and tender. The meatballs are first pan seared and then stewed. While I love the meatballs and the sauce, I felt that pasta was a bit too soft, kind of overcooked.

Spaghetti Italian Sausages 4/5

Not all the pasta at Pastaria Abate is homemade, such as the Spaghetti Italian Sausages ($12.80). It comes with hom homemade skinless Italian sausages in Marinara sauce. The kitchen has got the timing right for the spaghetti, it has a nice bite to it.  While the skinless italian sausages are lovely, I thought it is a bit little.

Besides the pasta, you can also find other appetisers, mains and desserts on the menu. I didn't try them but I think they are quite reasonable priced. Most of the appetisers are reasonable priced around $8.80 while the mains range between $12.80 and $15.80.

While the pasta dishes here are good, do not expect top notch service here. Even the plate used are those canteen, metal type. Its basically a no frill Italian restaurant.


Pastaria Abate
43 Craig Road
Singapore 089681
Tel: +65 69090672
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1130pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road and walk to Craig Road. Continue on Craig Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Beauty in The Pot @ One KM Mall - Third And Largest Outlet With A Totally Pink Colour Theme

New hairdo, manicure, massage... These ain't just the only ways to spruce and better yourself up for the Lunar New Year! Head down to Beauty in The Pot's latest and the largest outlet at One KM Mall, for its well acclaimed skin nourishing collagen soups and exquisite broths. Spanning over 7,600 square feet with 288 seats to accommodate you and your loved ones, this pink-centric outlet at Level 3 offers 6 soup bases which you can enjoy all your favourite hotpot ingredients with.

Inspired by cherry blossoms, ladies might be awed by the pink princess theme, illustrated by the different shades of pink that colored the restaurant - from the entrance, the walls, ceiling, chairs and even charging points!

Our hotpot of the evening come with 4 different soup bases (quart pot starts from $5 each): Signature Beauty Collagen Broth - featuring Shark's Cartilage as the key ingredient. Every sip was rich and lined my lips with the 'collagen'. If you love mala spicy, their Signature Spicy Nourishing Soup will hit the right spot with its Chinese herbs infused pork broth. It is also hard to resist the Herbal Drunken Chicken Broth when the aroma of the glutinous white wine and herbs that keep emanating from the hotpot. The Cooling Coconut Broth is satisfying in its own right with a balance of richness and cooling elements lent from coconut flesh and white fungus. There is also a much milder option - Vitamin C Tomato Sweet Corn Broth for immunity boosting and Longevity Wild Pine Mushroom Broth (vegetarian).

After enduring the long queue, there are a few items not to be missed - Homemade Fish Tofu ($2/pc) made with yellowtail, soya bean and egg white. Unlike those tough commercial seafood tofu, this is really the real deal as I could even taste the fattiness of the fish. Prettily shaped, just apt for the Chinese New Year!

Around the table or even across the board, the most loved item is the Fried Beancurd Skin ($4.90 half portion/$9.80 full portion). For first timer, be advised of the 3-sec rule set by the restaurant. That will ensure that your blanched crispy beancurd skin will remain crispy in the inside while the exterior get soaked with broth. This 3-sec rule applies to their new item Alasaka Crab (so that it won't fall into pieces and dissipate into the boiling broth) and Fry Fish Skin.

Other than the fresh meats that really set you up into a feasting mood, such as Waygu and Pork Belly (and that's also when your DIY dips became seriously important), my personal favourite is the Pork & Chives Dumpling.

When fresh and juicy dumplings are rare at hotpot places, these juice-bursting dumplings are all the more satisfying. If you have a thing for meatballs, the Soft Bone Pork Meatballs ($5 half portion/ $10 full portion) are solid with premium pork meat.

Don't be surprised when you are handed a pink rose by a hunk if you drop by this outlet. In conjunction with the grand opening, male models will be giving out pink roses to female guests during during special dates and times. You will also receive a pair of exclusive Beauty in The Pot chopsticks as well as a $20 catering vouchers. These vouchers will come in very handy if you decide to order Beauty in The Pot Catering Sets for this CNY, available from $218+ for 5 pax. This include all you need steamboat items - full set crockery ware, steamboat pot, induction cooker, disposable table cover, soup refill etc. Orders must be made at least 5 working days in advance.

Other CNY takeaways includes Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng ($48.80 for 10 pax), Paradise Treasure Pot ($268 for 5pax/ $438 for10pax).

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.


Beauty in The Pot
OneKM Mall
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#03-39
Singapore 437157
Tel: +65 62848820
Facebook
Website
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3am

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to Singapore Post Centre. At the Singapore Post Centre, turn right again and continue straight down the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Folklore @ Destination Singapore Beach Road - Celebrates Lunar New Year With Tok Panjang

For a different kind of Lunar New Year celebration, Folklore at Destination Singapore is offering Tok Panjang to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The lavish spread of of heritage Perankan feast will be available from 15 February to 2 March 2018, specially put curated by Chef Damian D'Silva. The festive spread will have up to 15 different heritage dishes, a repertoire of Chef's grandmother's recipes.

Peranakan Prawn Salad 4.2/5

Be warn! The Peranakan Prawn Salad which features poached prawns on a bed of fresh Chinese lettuce leaves is super fiery! The chilli plum sauce is not for the faint hearted.

Kueh Pie Tee 4/5

Kueh Pie Tee is not really uncommon but what makes it different here is that it comes with bamboo shoot and pork slices which has been cooked in a prawn and pork stock, on top of the hand-shredded turnip.

Bakwan Kepiting Sup 4.5/5

The Bakwan Kepiting Sup or Crab Meatball Soup comes with succulent meatballs that is made from a mix of minced pork, crab meat, chopped prawns and bamboo shoots. The comforting bowl of soup comes with a hint of garlic which has been sauteed till fragrant before pork and prawn stock is added.

Fish Maw Soup 4.2/5

The Fish Maw Soup is lighter in taste compared to the crab meatball soup. However it is brimming with many ingredients such as pig stomach, pig intestines, fish maw stuffed with minced meat, sea cucumber, fish and prawn balls.

Itek Teem 4/5

The Itek Teem or Salted Vegetable Duck Soup has a bit of heat on top of its slightly sourish flavour. To make the soup, duck pieces are added to a pot of water together with sour plum, ginger, salted vegetables, garlic and tomato.

Otah 4.2/5

Mackerel is used to make the Otah, together with in a spice mix and coconut milk. It is then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. Love the chunky bites of fish meat on top of the aromatic spices.

Babi Pongteh 4.8/5

One of my favourite Peranakan dishes is the Babi Pongteh. Chef Damian has set the bar even higher now with his version of braised pork with fermented bean paste, slow cooked with bamboo shoot. dried mushrooms and dark sugarcane. The babi pongteh I had usually is on the sweet side but the version here has a sourish finishing to it which is very appetising.

Sambal Belimbing 4.5/5

This is probably the first time I come across the used of belimbing in cooking, a type of miniature starfruit. Cooked together with the sauteed sambal and coconut milk, the Sambal Belimbing gives the prawn dish a sharp tanginess that will whet up the appetite.

Ayam Buah Keluak 3.8/5

A dish that requires a lot of effort to prepare is the Ayam Buah Keluak. The buah keluak fruit itself its actually poisonous and it required proper fermentation to be edible. It is also known as the Asian truffle to some. The taste can be acquire to some though. For me I like the nutty flavour of the buah keluak and how it gives a distinct character to the ingredient, in this case the chicken. While the flavour is spot on, I felt the chicken was a bit on the dry side.

Grandma's Chicken Curry 4.2/5

This is one of Chef's Damian's favourite dishes from his grandma's recipe. The Grandma's Chicken Curry is made from a spice mix of shallots, dried chillies, ginger, and homemade curry powder. It did not look as fiery as it seen. The spicy level is quite mild and balance. A homely and comforting dish that calls for an extra bowl of rice.

Kueh Bengkah with Ice Cream 4.2/5

Not to be missed at Folklore is their traditional Peranakan kueh. Chef Damian is not only good with savoury dishes, his desserts are awesome too. The signature Kueh Bengkah and Kueh Kosui will be also available among the Tok Panjang festive spread.

Kueh Kosui 4.5/5

Folklore Chinese New Year Tok Panjang is available for dinner from 15 February to 2 March 2018 from 6pm to 930pm daily, at $68++ per adult and $28++ per child (12 years old and below). Chinese New Year set lunches are served at $18.80++ per person. A la carte menu will not be available during this promotional period.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Folklore
Destination Singapore Beach Road
(Beside Golden Mile Complex)
700 Beach Road
Level 2
Singapore 199598
Tel: +65 66792900
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Turn right onto Beach Road.Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

ABC Hawker Ah Hua Fish Ball Noodle @ Telok Blangah Crescent Food Centre - Huge Bouncy Meat Balls

A rare visit to Telok Blangah Crescent Market and Food Centre, brought me to ABC Hawker Ah Hua Fish Ball Noodle. Spotting a queue at the stall, I decided to join them and check out the fish ball noodle stall.

Fish Ball Noodle Dry 3.5/5

First, we had the Fish Ball Noodle Dry ($3) which comes with 4 medium size fish balls, 2 fish dumplings and a few slices of fish cake. The mee pok is cooked to al dente with a good bite to it. However the chilli sauce lacked a good punch to it. Worth mentioning is the bouncy fish balls.

Fish Ball Noodle Soup 3/5

We also ordered the Fish Ball Noodle Soup ($3). The stall offers 6 different type of noodles (mee sua, bee hoon, mee kia, mee pok, kway teow and yellow noodle). I decided to have the kway teow which is my usually preferred choice for noodle soup. Nothing much to shout about. Old school taste with the soup flavoured by the used of pork lard and fried shallots.

Meat Ball Soup 3.8/5

Last but not least, I ordered a bowl of Meat Ball Soup ($3). The size of the meat ball is huge! It is probably bigger than a golf ball. The meat ball comes with some minced pork, scallions and chillis. Totally enjoy the bouncy texture of the huge meat ball but then I could not find the meat at all. Maybe it was mixed together with the fish paste.

Overall I think the fish ball noodles here is good but not outstanding. The note worthy is the stall still handmade their own fish balls which is quite rare nowadays with factory readily available. I thought the pricing is rather cheap for the portion I am getting. For my three bowls of meat ball soup, fish ball noodle dry and soup. it only cost me $9. I even asked the stall auntie whether she charged me wrongly.


ABC Hawker Ah Hua Fish Ball Noodle
Telok Blangah Crescent Market and Food Centre
Blk 11 Telok Blangah Crescent
#01-131
Singapore 090011
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
TBA

Direction: 
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop at Harbour Front MRT station (Stop ID 14141). Take bus number 131. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10161). Take bus number 195. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Mui Kee Congee (妹记) @ Singapore Botanic Gardens - Popular Hong Kong Street Food Congee Available In Singapore Now

Over the weekend, I made my way down to Singapore Botanic Gardens to check out the popular Hong Kong street food stall - Mui Kee Congee which is doing a pop up at Casa Verde from 30 June till 31 December 2017. It is understand that it is hoping to set up a physical shop in Singapore at the end of the year, in partnership with the Les Amis Group.

Kindly note that the congee is only available on Tuesday to Sunday from 730am to 3pm only. The menu offers 7 different types of congee - Sliced Fish, Homemade Pork Meatballs, Pig's Innards, Sliced Beef, Pork with Century Egg, Fish Belly and Scallop. Each bowl of congee is served with a side of dough fritters and century egg. In addition, there are other side items such as drunken chicken, kai lan, pig's innards, dough fritters and century egg. I notice their signature fresh fish skin with scallion and ginger is not on the menu.

Personally I like the free side of dough fritters and century egg that comes with each bowl of congee. At least I felt consoled for the amount I am paying for a bowl of congee. It also comes with slivers of scallion and ginger for diners to add into the congee as per their own liking.

Homemade Pork Meatball Congee Set 4/5

The Homemade Pork Meatball Congee ($12.50) comes with succulent bite size meatballs. The texture is not those bouncy type but instead it tasted as if all the fibers have broken down without resistant. The congee itself was very smooth, almost paste like. You can't even see any rice grains in it.

Fish Belly Congee Set 4.5/5

I preferred the Fish Belly Congee ($14.50) over the homemade meatball congee for the simple reason it has more depth in the flavour. This is because chinese wine is added into the congee for that extra unami. Not only that, the fish belly slices were moist and fat. We can also tasted that the fish belly has been pre-cooked with a wok hei aroma. However do note, all the fish congee comes with bones. Hence it may not be appropriate for kids and old people.

Kai Lan 4.5/5

To complete our meal, we ordered the Kai Lan ($7). It may be costly and simple but we appreciated the fact that efforts were put into the crunchy greens layered with the aroma of pork lard and deep fried shallots.

Do note that Mui Kee Congee is currently operating as a pop-up at Casa Verde, Singapore Botanic Gardens beside the vistor centre up to 31 Decemeber 2017 until they have found a physical shop in Singapore. Meanwhile if you plan to head down to try their congee, kindly note that it is only avaible from Tuesday to Sunday, 730am to 3pm.


Mui Kee Congee (pop-up at Casa Verde)
Singapore Botanic Gardens (Beside Vistor Centre)
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569
Tel: +65 64677326
Website
Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 730am - 3pm
(Not available on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Timah Gate. Walk to vistor centre which is in the middle of Singapore Botanic Gardens. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

Boat Quay (Original) Mushroom Noodle @ Punggol - Finally A Good Bak Chor Mee Stall In Punggol

Too many times I have heard from my friends that there is no good food in Punggol. I was quite excited when my foodie friends asked me to check out Boat Quay (Original) Mushroom Noodle at Sumang Link, Punggol which has moved from its previous location in Bukit Batok to the current location at G7 coffeeshop.

Signature Noodle 4.2/5

We tried the Signature Noodle ($5) which consists of fishball, meatball, pork slices, mushroom and teochew dumpling. Both the fishball and meatball were huge and bouncy. The noodle is on the softer side which still retained a good bite to it. Unfortunately I felt that the chilli sauce still lack a bit of punch to it. If not it would be perfect.

Teochew Dumpling 4.5/5

The highlight at Boat Quay (Original) Mushroom Noodle is the homemade Teochew dumpling which is bursting with flavours accentuated by the tee poh in the minced meat stuffing wrapped in a soft dumpling skin. A must try here.

Fishball Noodle Soup  4/5

For something light you can go for the Fishball Noodle Soup ($3/$4/$5) which comes in a light but flavourful broth with a huge bouncy fishballs made from yellowtail fish.

From our brief conversation with Uncle Lim, I gathered the reason for the stall's name because his grandfather used to sell the dish in Boat Quay. Back then it was operated from a push cart. Uncle Lim learnt the skills from his grandfather and opened his first stall at Ang Mo Kio in 1984. After operating in Ang Mo Kio for 10 years, he moved to Defu, Chevron House, Singapore Shopping Centre and Bukit Batok before settling at the current location.

Boat Quay (Original) Mushroom Noodle
Blk 312A Sumang Link
Singapore 822312
Nearest MRT: Punggol (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Punggol MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic light junction of Punggol Central and Punggol Walk. Cross the road and turn right onto Punggol Walk. Walk down Punggol Walk. Turn left onto Sumang Link. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Punggol MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Punggol Bus Interchange (Stop ID 65009) Take bus number 382. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road Walk to destination. Journey time 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Punggol MRT station. Go to LRT platform. Take LRT to NIBONG station (PW5). Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Baba Chews Bar & Eatery @ Hotel Indigo - All-New Neighbourhood Cafe In Hertiage Katong

Occupying the former Joo Chiat Police Station is a new dining place, Baba Chews Bar & Eatery. Located inside an old conservation building with colonial and Peranakan elements, the restaurant offers a marvel of grubs influenced by cuisine across the Straits of Malacca.

We started the dinner with some keropok that comes with a chilli sauce dip and satay sauce like dip. The chilli sauce dip is rather spicy so go easy with it. Made from 3 different types of nuts, using peanut, pecan and walnuts, the satay sauce like dip is quite addictive.

Side Dish Sampling 

On my sampling plate, there is the Otah Siew Mai, Five Spice Ngoh Hiang, Chilli Crab Cake and Achar. Do kindly note that this not the actual portion. It like the idea of the Otah Siew Mai dressed in a prawny flavoured sauce. It has never come across my mind that we can incorporate both otah and siew mai into a dish. Not to be missed is the Five Spice Ngoh Hiang that is wrapped in a thin beancurd skin and fried to golden crisp. I enjoyed so much that I ordered it again during my re-visit.

Pong Tauhu 4/5

Pong Tauhu ($9) is a traditional Peranakan soup with homemade prawn stock, pork meatballs and bamboo shoots. The pork meatballs may appear to look like a huge tough rock but it was actually very soft. If I am not wrong, the minced meat is mixed with tofu before shaping into the round meatball, hence the wonderful texture.

Chap Chye 4.5/5

A dish that I always order when I have Peranakan food is the Chap Chye ($12). The Peranakan mixed vegetable stew is a dish that will determine the standard of the nonya food for me. The vegetable were not too soft but still retained a crunch to it. Fermented bean can be quite acquire in taste but this is nicely balanced not overpowering instead complementing it.

Barramundi Goreng Chilli 4.2/5

The Barramundi Goreng Chilli ($29) is a dish that I would not order normally but it turned out to be a wise decision. The pan fried seabass fillet is coated with homemade sambal chilli that added a coat of shine to the moist texture of the fish. I have enjoyed the dish and ordered again during my second visit with my foreign friends.

Beef Short Ribs Rendang 4/5

A signature at Baba Chews is the Beef Short Ribs Rendang ($25). The beef short ribs were stewed in a rich gravy of coconut cream, spices, gula melaka and turmeric leaf. During my visit the texture was a bit tough but on my second visit, the texture was really tender. Not to mention the delicious rempah that worked the beef short ribs beautifully.

Kueh Durian 4.5/5

The dessert menu maybe small but its not to be missed, especially the Kueh Durian ($12). Chef has cleverly took the traditional kueh dedar, wrapping the pandan crepes with a variation of homemade durian mousse and shredded coconut cooked in gula melaka. This is topped with a scoop of homemade gula melaka ice cream. The interpretation has definitely elevated the whole enjoyment of a traditional dessert.

Tea Tarik Ice Cream 3/5

Besides the All Day Dining Menu and Dinner Menu, Baba Chews also offers a Weekend Brunch that consists of an A La Breakfast Carte Menu of Continental, American and Asian breakfast staples, as well as a breakfast semi-buffet option priced at $28++ per person. Staying true to its café identity, Baba Chews also serves up coffee that are carefully crafted with roasts by Common Man Coffee Roasters, making it first in its neighbourhood to offer this option. A selection of TWG teas is also available on the menu, catering to diners who prefer tea to a cup of joe.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Baba Chews Bar & Eatery
Hotel Indigo
86 East Coast Road
#01-01
Singapore 428788
Tel: +65 67232025
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
All Day Dining Menu: 11am - 1030pm
Dinner Menu: 630pm - 1030pm
Bar Bites Menu: 11am - 12am
Weekend Brunch: 1030am - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take exit A. Walk to bus stop at Blk 99 Old Airport Road (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 10 or 32. Alight 6 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]