G Izakaya @ Golden Mile Tower - 1-for-1 8-Course Omakase at $188++

G Izakaya at Golden Mile Tower is once again offering a value-for-money 8-course Omakase at a promotional price of $188++ for two pax. The restaurant has garnered popularity for its seasonal omakase menus, which are offered at attractive prices. We visited in March, but we are back here again for their new menu, which is valid until 31 August.

Chi Ayu 3.8/5

The appetiser course includes two perfectly fried Chi Ayu, known as sweet fish, topped with Ikura. The tempura batter was light and very crispy. The fish reminded us of shishamo, or plumper whitebait, with a hint of sweetness.

Grilled Hokkaido Pork with Shiokoji Dressing 4/5

Next comes the Yakimono, with tender and flavourful pieces of Grilled Hokkaido Pork with Shiokoji Dressing, a type of marinate fermented from rice. The dish was again topped with Ikura, but we found that it didn't elevate it. Perhaps some tempura bits might add some texture to the dish.

Sashimi 3 Kinds 4.2/5

G Izakaya made the usual Sashimi course fun by combining them into a Rubik's cube! The 3 kinds of sashimi consist of Sakura Masu, Hamachi and Tuna, each topped with a sauce on top and coated with a seasoning of sesame seeds and herbs. Chef Edison said there is no right or wrong way to enjoy this dish, but he suggested we eat them individually first to taste. On our last bite, we combined all 3 sashimi, and the flavour was mind-blowing! We highly recommend you keep the last bite combining all.

Lobster Chawanmushi 4.2/5

The chef is generous with the chunks of lobster meat in the Lobster Chawanmushi! Other than the silky-smooth egg custard, a big shout-out to the rich umami broth within. This chawanmushi definitely left us wanting more! Even the flower is edible, but it has a rather bitter aftertaste, so you may leave it aside if you are not a fan of a bitter taste profile. There were also ginkgo nuts at the bottom of the chawanmushi.

Amela Tomato with Ume Jelly 4.2/5

We were served chilled Amela Tomato with Ume Jelly for the palate cleanser course. If you don't know, the Amela tomato is known for being the highest-grade sweet tomato in Japan. What caught us by surprise in this dish was the sliced lotus flower stem. It doesn't have much of a flavour, but the texture is crunchy, like eating apple slices! We have never heard or seen this ingredient, let alone tasting it so Chef Marcus brought it out to show us how it looks.

Madai

Then we have 7 Kinds of Sushi, made with seasonal sashimi, so we get to try the different profiles of fish, and Chef Edison pairs them with different sauces and toppings to enhance the flavours.

Hirame

Akami

Isaki

Shima Aji

Chutoro

Uni Handroll

The star of the show is definitely the Uni Handroll, which comes last. The chef sprays gold dust on it before serving it. If you like to experience this more than once, you may add it for $32++ per piece. They also have an A5 Wagyu Handroll at $25++, which is not included.

Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd 4.5/5

At an omakase, we are typically served miso soup, but G Izakaya levelled up the soup course for us by serving Pumpkin Fish Soup with Fish Curd. The soup is a flavour bomb, and despite its thicker consistency, it is very light! The fish curd is house-made using fish paste and egg. Its texture resembles a 'tau pok' (beancurd puff).

Melon and Cheesecake 3.8/5

Sweet Japanese Melon and Cheesecake were served as the dessert course, along with a cute free-hand drawing by another chef. The couple beside us was celebrating a birthday, and the restaurant was lovely to present them with a slice of cake with a birthday message written on the plate. Be sure to let the chefs know if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

Overall, we really enjoyed the Omakase experience at G Izakaya. The intimate setting is very welcoming and most importantly, the food was great. Seats are limited so make sure to make reservations in advance. For dinner, they have 2 seatings at 6pm and 8pm.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


G Izakaya
Golden Mile Tower
6001 Beach Road
#01-52A/B
Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 91835393
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 130pm, 530pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

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

Revolver @ Tras Street - A New Private Experience Room Concept

Revolver, a popular restaurant in Tras Street, has elevated its dining experience by unveiling its Private Experience Room on the second floor. This expansive haven features a well-operational bar, a meticulously curated wine cabinet, a cutting-edge sound system, a communal dining table, and sumptuous loungers, creating an intimate space for up to 14 diners. Introducing a novel concept, The Spread ($329++ per pax) is an exclusive menu meticulously crafted solely for this distinguished venue.

Prawn Balchao Monaka 4/5

Burrata Tokri Chaat 4/5

Rock Oysters 4/5

Our dinner began with a trio of exquisite snacks. With their briny essence, the Rock Oysters were paired with a smokey chipotle chutney, yuzu juice, and moilee espuma, creating a sea-inspired overture. The Burrata Tokri Chaat, nestled in a delicate tart shell, featured layers of soft cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, chimichurri, and caviar, a harmonious medley of flavours. Completing the trio, the Prawn Balchao Monaka, a Goan-inspired delight, balanced the sweetness of prawns with a spicy and sour paste.

Japanese Hamachi, Pickled Daikon "Pani Puri" 4.2/5

Next, we savoured the Japanese Hamachi with Pickled Daikon for the small plates, offering a Pani Puri-inspired twist. The Hamachi, known for its fresh and clean taste, was a canvas for the diverse array of flavours that followed. Each bite revealed a nuanced symphony – the buttery richness of the fish, the tangy notes from the pickled daikon, and the zesty finish that lingered, inviting another bite.

Delhi Paneer, Winter Spinach, Shishito Pepper 4.2/5

The Delhi Paner tandoor-baked to perfection, masterfully marries the robust flavours of tandoori cooking with the lush creaminess of paneer, all harmonised by a Winter Spinach mash and the gentle heat of Shishito Pepper. The inclusion of Shishito Pepper is a stroke of genius, adding a mild heat that builds gradually, enhancing the overall experience without overpowering the other elements. It's a subtle heat that complements rather than competes, allowing the tandoori essence to shine.

Japanese King Crab, Gunpowder 4.2/5

The Grilled Japanese King Crab is the epitome of seafood opulence. The crab's natural sweetness was accentuated by the aromatic embrace of gunpowder spices, creating a symphony of flavours. Perfectly grilled to preserve tenderness, each bite was a revelation, marrying smokiness with the delicate richness of the crab.

Whole French Turbot, Spiced Dust 3.8/5

Anticipation hung in the air as the Whole French Turbot made its grand entrance, shrouded in the alluring aroma of spiced dust. The olfactory prelude promised a sensory extravaganza, yet the tasting experience fell short of the aromatic build-up. Although the fish exhibited exemplary texture — firm and moist — the expected infusion of spiced nuances remained elusive. Regrettably, the flavours of the fish appeared somewhat muted, lacking the aromatic depth anticipated from the tantalising spiced dust.

Mayura Station Tomahawk, ABC Sauces 4.5/5

The pièce de résistance of the evening was undeniably the Mayura Station Tomahawk, grilled to a perfect medium rare. With its intricate marbling, this pinnacle of wagyu excellence bestowed upon each bite a heavenly tenderness and a lavish, buttery flavour that lingered on the palate, marking it as the undisputed star of the night.

Comte Kulchette, Black Perigord Truffles 5/5

Stealing the limelight, the star was undeniably the Comte Kulchette, adorned with the richness of Black Perigord Truffles. The flatbread, baked to perfection in the tandoor, cradled a harmonious medley of flavours. Stuffed with comte cheese, truffle puree, stracciatella, mushroom confit, and a generous shaving of Black Perigord truffles, it delivered an exquisite interplay of textures and flavours that was nothing short of extraordinary — a symphony for the taste buds, creating an indulgence that transcended the ordinary.

Japanese Mush Melon Chaat 4.5/5

Grilled Orange 4/5

In a grand finale of sweet delights, the dinner reached its zenith with the entrance of the dessert maestro — the sweet Japanese Musk Melon adorned with the tantalising essence of Chaat masala and a surprising twist of Grilled Orange. Delving into the orange, its meticulously grilled skin presented a novel gustatory experience, revealing an extraordinary way to relish citrus.

Saffron Cheesecake 4.8/5

The dinner at Revolver culminated in an extraordinary encore — the Saffron Cheesecake. The cheesecake redefined indulgence, boasting a molten, lusciously cheesy body that was nothing short of divine. The enchanting infusion of saffron added a regal touch, elevating the dessert to unprecedented heights. The cheesecake's crowning glory, a delightful biscuity base, provided the perfect foundation for the best cheesecake ever eaten.

Sea Buckthorn Marshmallow 3/5

The soft and pillowy Sea Buckthorn Marshmallow, a canvas of sweetness, was transformed into a sublime dessert by adding sea buckthorn. It imparted a delightful tartness, orchestrating a harmonious dance with the inherent sweetness of the marshmallow.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Revolver
56A Tras Street
Singapore 078995
Tel: +65 62232812/ 96685119
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1030am - 4pm, 5pm to 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right on Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

SENSHI Sushi & Grill @ Dorsett Singapore - All-You-Can-Eat A La Carte Japanese Buffet with Newly Expanded Menu

SENSHI Sushi & Grill sits in the corner of Dorsett Singapore, a stone's throw away from Outram Park MRT Station. The Japanese restaurant offers both a la carte dishes and an all-you-can-eat buffet that has recently introduced a refreshed selection. Diners can expect new dishes that include Aburi dishes, Kaki Fry, Kani Gratin, Niku Jaga Braised Beef, Buta Kakuni Braised Pork and Japanese Mochi.

The buffet rates are as follows:

Lunch (11.30am to 3pm)
Weekday: $40+/pax
Weekend: $48+/pax

Dinner (6pm to 10.30pm)
Weekday: $50+/pax
Weekend: $55+/pax

The buffet includes free-flow drinks of house tea, soda and juice. With an add-on of $38/pax, you can also enjoy free-flow alcohol.

Included in the buffet are free flow drinks of house tea, soda and juice. With an add on of $38/pax, you can also enjoy free flow alcohol.

We tried the Weekend Dinner menu here, which differs slightly from their Weekday and Lunch menus. The range includes appetisers, sashimi, maki sushi, nigiri sushi, aburi nigiri sushi, handrolls, grilled dishes, hot dishes, deep-fried dishes, rice and noodles, and shabu shabu.

Assorted Sashimi

It's not a Japanese buffet without sashimi! We started with an Assorted Sashimi platter with salmon, tuna, swordfish, yellowtail and octopus. Their quality was decent, though some of the cuts could be improved. You can order these individually too.

Hot Appetisers - Truffle Chawanmushi

There is a selection of both hot and cold appetisers. From the Hot Appetisers range, you can choose from dishes such as Truffle Chawanmushi, Mentaiko Fries, and Asari Tofu Soup.

Cold Appetisers - Pidan Tofu

There are Pidan Tofu, Wafu Seafood Salad, Cold Spinach, Edamame, and more from the Cold Appetisers. The Pidan Tofu was a little disappointing, as I hoped the Pidan sauce would be more distinct.

Sushi

We ordered a mix of different items from the extensive range of Sushi items, consisting of maki, aburi sushi and nigiri sushi. Our favourites from here were the salmon dishes, such as the Aburi Salmon Mentaiko, Aburi Salmon Cheese and Salmon Mentaiko Maki.

Other non-salmon dishes include Chicken Floss Maki, Tuna Truffle Sushi and Aburi Ebi Mentaiko.

Handrolls

There are six types of Handrolls. We had the Softshell Crab Handroll but did not like it as the crab filling came lukewarm and needed a crunch. I suggest skipping this and trying the others instead.

Grilled Dishes - Baked Half Shell Scallop

From the Grilled Dishes section, we tried the Baked Half Shell Scallop, Baked Half Shell Oyster and Kani Gratin. These were generously topped with torched cheese! While the Kani Gratin had little crab meat, the scallops and oysters were plump and fresh.

Hot Dishes - Niku Jaga (Braised Beef)

My dining companion had the Braised Beef, one of the newest items in the Hot Dishes section. While she appreciated the flavourful sauce, the beef slices were a tad tough.

Hot Dishes - Sea Clam Butter Monte

Other Hot Dishes include the garlicky Sea Clam Butter Monte, Beef Cubes, Eggplant in Miso, Pork Yakiniku and more.

Deep Fried - Kaki Fry

My dining companion and I recommend getting their Kaki Fry from the Deep Fried selection. The oysters were creamy and fried to a crunch, faring much better than we expected.

Shabu Shabu

Their Shabu Shabu comes in a sharing portion with the choice to add on Pork Slices, Beef Slices and Sea Clams. The base broth leans towards the bland side. Hence, I suggest adding meats and clams to provide better flavour.

Beverages

For Beverages, we had their Slushies from the a la carte menu - Strawberry Yuzu ($6) and Lychee Grapefruit ($6). Unfortunately, both of them were too sweet for my liking.

If you prefer alcohol, they have quite a range of alcoholic drinks, from wines, beers and sake to soju, umeshu and Japanese whisky. Non-alcoholic options include juices, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water.

Hokkaido Cheesecake with Soft Serve Ice Cream

Desserts are not included in the buffet. We picked two from the a la carte menu, the first being the Hokkaido Cheesecake with Soft Serve Ice Cream ($9). While the cheesecake was creamy and soft, the soft serve had quite an icy texture.

Fresh Melon

The second dessert we chose to end the night was the crunchy and sweet Fresh Melon ($6).

Overall, we appreciated SENSHI’s fast and warm service in serving orders, but the buffet dishes were a mix of hits and misses.

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.


SENSHI Sushi & Grill
Dorsett Singapore
#01-01
333 New Bridge Road
Singapore 088765
Tel: +65 8518 8616
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park MRT (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1. Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Akanoya Robatayaki & Bar @ Orchard Rendezvous Hotel - A Revamped Robatayaki Experience with a $48++ Lunch Set

Nestled within the Akashi Group, Akanoya Robatayaki, a renowned Japanese bincho grill restaurant, has unveiled a fresh chapter in its culinary journey. After 8 years of serving delectable robatayaki dishes, the restaurant underwent an extensive transformation, modernising its space to provide an enriched dining encounter. This makeover added more booths, private rooms, and a bar while keeping the central robatayaki dining counter intact. Simultaneously, as part of this renaissance, Akanoya Robatayaki introduced lunch service for the first time in its history. The Hirugohan Lunch Set, priced at $48++, presents an indulgent collection of 8 delightful dishes.

The Hirugohan Lunch Set ($48++) commences with a parade of 5 diverse appetisers, which vary daily to ensure a fresh experience. This initial array aptly reflects the restaurant's meticulousness and commitment to quality.

Sashimi 4.2/5

Additionally, an optional Sashimi course is available for an extra $20. Our sashimi ensemble spotlighted Maguro, Hamachi, and Salmon, each exhibiting the impeccable freshness synonymous with Akanoya Robatayaki.

Meat Skewer with Half-boiled Egg 4.5/5

Moving ahead, we savour the Meat Skewer with Half-boiled Egg. This creation boasts a unique combination of meat with soft bone, providing a captivating textural interplay. As the half-boiled egg complements the skewer, a delightful fusion of flavours emerges, evoking memories of a classic Singaporean breakfast.

You can also order a couple of cocktails from the bar to complement the lunch. If not, it also has a stellar sake list offers 30 to 40 selections of rare sakes carefully sourced from various parts of Japan

Grilled Japanese Vegetables and Mushrooms 4/5

Enhancing the culinary affair, Grilled Japanese Vegetables and Mushrooms come into play. These delectable bites, caressed by the bincho charcoal's essence, acquire a subtle smoky allure while retaining their inviting crunch.

Beef Croquette 4.2/5

Among the highlights of the lunch set is the Beef Croquette, a scrumptious creation that marries flavoursome, juicy beef with a crispy exterior.

Wagyu 4.2/5

The main course offers a choice between Wagyu and Cod. Opting for the Wagyu, diners are treated to marbling that translates to a heavenly blend of flavour and melt-in-the-mouth texture, an epitome of culinary delight.

Donabe 4/5

The finale arrives with the Donabe, where fragrant rice dances with sakura ebi and salmon roes. Each spoonful bursts with intricate flavours, crafting a memorable conclusion to the meal.

Dessert 4.5/5

As a final touch, a duet of Japan Melon and Nashi Pear provides a sweet epilogue, aligning harmoniously with the lunch's unbeatable value.

This splendid 8-course lunch set, priced at $48++, is not limited to weekdays. The offering extends its allure on Saturdays, providing an equally captivating afternoon escapade. Akanoya Robatayaki beckons all who seek a revitalised robatayaki encounter brimming with authenticity, innovation, and culinary finesse.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Akanoya Robatayaki & Bar
Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
1 Tanglin Road
#01-01
Singapore 247905
Tel: +65 6732 1866
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 130am
Sun-Mon: 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Walk down Orchard Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]