Botany By Dazzling Cafe @ Robertson Quay - Signature Honey Toasts And Soulful Food

If you are a fan of Dazzling Cafe's honey toasts, you will be glad to know that you can still have them at the newly opened Botany by Dazzling Cafe at Robertson Quay. With the closing of Dazzling Cafe, the trio of Actress Julie Tan, her cousin Cassandra and childhood friend Serene have come together to create a relax space for bonding while enjoying a soulful meal, regardless if one is a meat-lover, vegetarian or vegan at Botany.

The Botanist Salad 3.5/5

For those that are looking for something light and healthy, there is the The Botanist Salad ($15). It comes in a blend of fresh greens dressed in homemade apple cider vinegar honey sauce. Add-ons such as almond flakes, smoked salmon, grilled chicken, pan seared salmon, pan seared steak and Impossible patty are available at an additional cost ranging from $3 to $7 for each topping.

Curried Cauliflower Soup 4/5

The Curried Cauliflower Soup ($10) is a vegan soup made with coconut milk and spiced with curry paste. The soup has a velvety and creamy texture, in which one can still bite into the blended cauliflower bits.

Homemade Hummus with Baked Nachos 3.5/5

A delightful snack on the menu is the Homemade Hummus with Baked Nachos ($12). Applauded to the homemade hummus doused with olive oil that goes well with the crispy baked nachos.

Otah Chips 3/5

It is quite common to see French fries or spam fries on the menu but Otah Chips ($13) is a first for me. I love my otah but the fried mackerel fish paste strips did not manage to wow me. I guess I still like the traditional otah more.

Signature Mentaiko Fries $15

Of course there is still fries on the menu. At Botany, they served an elevated version, Signature Mentaiko Fries ($15)  with mentaiko dressing topped with nori. Nothing unique but definitely an all time favourite to munch and share with a group of friends.

Taiwanese Chicken Bites 4/5

A more addictive starter is the Taiwanese Chicken Bites ($13). Love the used of marinated chicken thigh for the tender bite, complemented by the Taiwanese spice seasoning. This is great to go along with some beer and wine.

Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl 4/5

A very hearty and comforting rice bowl is the Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl ($18). The Japanese rice is paired with silken tofu cooked in Szechuan spices and minced chicken, topped with sous vide egg. I would prefer it to be more spicy but I can understand the need to cater for the wider group.

Signature Grilled Chicken with Balinese Salsa 4/5

Another rice dish on the menu is the Signature Grilled Chicken with Balinese Salsa ($18). A complete meal on a plate that comes with boneless chicken leg marinated with spices and a fried egg, paired with homemade balinese salsa. My advice don't miss out the delicious chicken skin, it was heavenly.

Uni Truffle Capellini 3.8/5

While I enjoyed the texture of the pasta for the Uni Truffle Cappelini ($28) topped with sea urchin and salmon roe, it was unfortunate the truffle was a tad overpowering, masking the appreciation of the sea urchin. Served chilled, this is actually quite refreshing.

Pan-Seared Barramundi 4.2/5

A dish that I would go back for is the Pan-Seared Barramundi ($26) with mash potato. The huge piece of pan seared barramundi is well cooked and justify for the pricing. It is paired with pesto sauce which highlighted the moist fish but not stealing the limelight.

Australian Grass Fed Ribeye 250g 4/5

For the meat-lovers, there is the Australian Grass Fed Ribeye 250g ($28). Nothing fancy but just allowing the succulent ribeye cut with black pepper sauce to shine . It also comes with butter mash and greens on the side.

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake 3.5/5

For dessert, we tried the Gluten Free Chocolate Cake ($9). A moist and soft interior with crusty edges for the chocolate indulgent.

Dazzling Cafe's Signature Honey Toasts 4.2/5

I have to admit that I have never tried the Dazzling Cafe's Signature Honey Toast ($18) and this is my first time having it. Not only is it pretty and instragrammable, it is actually very good. Definitely one of the better ones I have eaten. Other flavours available on the menu are dazzling classic, caramel macademia nuts, banana chocolate, strawberry lover and hazelnut chocolate.

I like the new space at Botany by Dazzling Cafe with its greenery and river facing. Food is pretty decent but in the competitive F&B stretch, I felt that it needed more character or theme to stand out.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Botany By Dazzling Cafe
Robertson Quay
86 Robertson Quay
#01-03
Singapore 238245
Tel: +65 69514861
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 9am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 9am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop along Upper Cross Street (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 and 186. Alight 2 stop later. Cross the road and walk to Four Points by Sheraton. Walk to the river. Cross the bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Four Points by Sheraton. Walk to the river. Cross the bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Starker Signature @ Holland Village – For Authentic German-style Fresh Brews And Delicious Bar Grubs

Nestled within the heart of Holland Village is Starker Signature, a casual bar serving authentic German brew, and probably one of the best authentic hotspot known for their top notch friendly staff and laid-back vibes among the multiple Starker Group outlets across the island. Here, it offers a variety of incredible Starker Fresh Brews with a 7 days shelf policy, and an even wider selection of food items such as their signature roasts, mains and bar grubs to complement the ice-cold beer and further accentuate the fresh brew drinking experience for their diners.

The main highlight at Starker is undeniably their fresh beer - Adopting the traditional German-brewing techniques using the finest European ingredients from milling to fermentation, Starker aims to deliver unfiltered and unpasteurized quality German-style craft beer served icy cold straight from the barrel, and with a strict 7-days shelf life to guarantee absolute freshness. Starring their 5 unique brews: Lager, Dunkel, Charcoal, Aromatic and Lychee. All these award-winning beers, from the sweet Lychee to the smokier Charcoal, are freshly brewed in-house and served the traditional way for beer connoisseurs.

Starker Ale 4.2/5

Starker has recently launched a new beer - Ale. Brewed from specially selected caramelised malts using top fermentation, the Ale is lusciously vibrant-coloured and boasts a mild fruity aftertaste, constituting a refreshing beer with a nice crisp finish that will leave you wanting for more.

Great news! If you're looking to chill out with your loved ones this Friday, look no further as you can now settle your TGIF plans with Stärker - Starker will be giving away 600 half-pints of Ale every Friday from 6pm onwards at different Stärker outlets till 2 Feb 2018. Do note that each customer is limited to only one half-pint beer per day.

5 Jan 2018: Stärker Signature Holland Village
12 Jan 2018: Stärker Bistro Katong Square
19 Jan 2018: Stärker Music Zhongshan Park
26 Jan 2018: Stärker Bistro HillV2
2 Feb 2018: Stärker Signature Tanjong Pagar Centre

If you’re looking for some unique brews, Starker serves a pretty fancy range of fresh brew catering to the preferences of different customers.

Starker Lychee 4.2/5 and Starker Charcoal 4.2/5

What is a trip to Starker without having a round of their renowned beer? For something lighter, go for their Starker Lychee (half-pint $8.90/one-pint $16.90/2L barrel $63.90/5L barrel $148), a medium bodied beer with a distinctive Belgium lychee fragrance. Brewed with a unique mix of wheat malts and 100% lychee extract, it is refreshingly light with a subtle fruity aftertaste and a hint of tartness. Best paired with fresh succulent seafood, salad or pasta.

The Starker Charcoal (half-pint $8.90/one-pint $16.90/2L barrel $63.90/5L barrel $148) is a fuller bodied dark beer with a more intense and robust body. Brewed from crystal and dark roasted malt, it boasts an edging bitterness and leaves a distinctive aftertaste with a hint of coffee. Best paired with Starker's signature roasts or burger.

Even the best beers don't sit so well on empty stomachs, so be prepared to indulge in their extensive selection of unpretentious grubs with a beer or two in hand.

Traditional Pork Knuckle 4.5/5

The Traditional Pork Knuckle ($38.80) features a huge portion of pork knuckles (serve 3-4 pax) marinated with Starker secret spice recipe and roasted to a perfectly crisp exterior, with tender juicy meat within that boasts a decent firmness in each bite. Served with a side of creamy mash, Starker beer sauce and house salad, as well as crispy freshly cut onion strips, battered and golden-fried, each of these complements contribute to the flavour and textural interplay of the dish, yet not overshadowing the perfectly executed pork knuckles.

Roasted Pork Belly 4.5/5

The Roasted Pork Belly ($14.80) comes in a plate of generously portioned sliced pork belly, with a half-half ratio of tender meats and fats that boasts a melt-in-the-mouth consistency, and roasted to a perfect crackling texture for its thin golden crisp outer skin layer. Served with vinegary French mustard and sourish sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) for a more flavorous addition, though the pork belly has already shone on its own.

Muchos Nachos 4/5

One of their upcoming new items on the menu, the Muchos Nachos comes loaded with generous servings of home-made ground beef and cheese sauce to have your crunchy Nacho Chips with. The best kind of savoury pairing for your Nachos, and the perfect finger food to go with your Starker fresh beers.

Gamabas Spanish Style 4.2/5

The Gamabas Spanish Style is another upcoming new item on the menu. This classic Spanish tapas dish features succulent shrimps in a spicy garlicky sauce, served with toasts on the side. The shrimps, which boast a bouncy texture power packed with a great deal of juiciness in each piece stole the show. The mild spicy garlicky sauce is not too overwhelming, and provides just the right amount of flavour to the shrimps so as to not overshadow its freshness.

King Prawn Pasta 4/5

The King Prawn Pasta ($19.80) comes with a single large grilled king prawn on a bed of spaghetti. The king prawn meat is tender and succulent down to the last bite, while the spaghetti is executed excellently as well, cooked al dente and tossed in tomato sauce with a hint of crustacean sweetness due to the prawn stock used.

Seafood Pizza 4.2/5

The Seafood Pizza ($10.80) features a home-made crispy thin crust pizza topped with copious amounts of prawns, squids and crab meats marinated with garlic and herbs. The assortment of seafood toppings are juicy and fresh with a subtle herb aroma, while the blanket of generous mozzarella cheese on top balances the tangy tomato base.

Reviving the old world style of beer drinking with their authentic German-style fresh brews, and bringing to the table such quality food pegged at affordable prices, Stärker is fast becoming the hip joint to be in the neighbourhood. So before the place gets even buzzier, make your way down soon for a relaxing night over some beer and food with your loved ones. Make sure to enjoy their half-pint giveaways which will be happening every Fridays at stipulated outlets till 2 Feb 2018 too!

This post is brought to you by Starker Group


Starker Signature
25 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277684
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Fri: 3pm - 1am
Sat, Eve of PH & PH: 3pm - 2am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

B Burger @ Orchard Cathay Cineleisure - The Local Version Of Shake Shack?

Gourmet burgers in a quick service restaurant format, The Benjamin Barker Group newest burger joint – B Burger at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard is set to go satisfy your burger craving with its juicy, handmade patties, alongside with pretty sinful desserts. Inspired by American burger joints such as Shake Shack and In-N-Out, B Burger carries similar laid-back vibe with American rock music playing in the background. My favourite feature of this colourful place is the Scrabble-like menu board, that allows you to play the labels around.

Baller Burger 3.8/5

Though infused with a Japanese twist, the burgers here are inherently American. Each order is made ala minute, hence expect 6 to 10 minutes of waiting time. First up on the menu is B Burger, a basic burger for customers who simply just want to enjoy the meat. You can even triple up the beef patty if a single 100g patty is insatiable. Umami burger is a meatless version, with a Buttermilk Fried Portobello replacing your meat. Combining these two gets me a Baller Burger ($10.90), which I feel is really the best of both worlds - a large piece of fried Portobello which has a firm bite to it, supplementing the juicy beef patty which has a slightly loose texture. Then it comes the secret sauce - B Sauce, which elevates the burger with a sweet and tangy zing. I really love the home pickled daikon found in some of the burgers here - sweet and a little acidic but not vinegary.

B Supreme 4/5

Sliding in an aged cheddar, B Supreme ($9.90) gains a savoury height and flavour that are brought to balance with sweet notes from caramelised onions. The smell of the warm truffle aroma greets my nose even before I get to hold the burger in my hand. The sautéed mushrooms are chunky, with flavour and aroma accentuated by truffle mayo. The bun does get a little soggy after a while, which I think the team needs to address this abit. Still, this burger is finger-licking good.

Bomchika Wow Wow 3/5

Although I feel burgers should be experienced with beef patty, Bomchika Wow Wow ($10.90) is a satisfying burger in its own right. Big chunks of kaarage chicken topped with fried egg, its physique beckons you to reach out for it. It may sound greasy but the crunchy wafu slaw and piquant daikon pickles bring it to a balance. Sweet with a tinge of spiciness, the sticky sriracha honey that glazed the fried chicken gives this burger a new identity that differentiate itself from other fried chicken burgers.

Osaka Corn Dog 2.5/5

A interesting snack to try would be Osaka Corn Dog ($6.90) which is a cheese corndog topped with tobiko, teriyaki, mayo and nori. When the sausage itself is already salty, I feel there are too much savoury condiments dressing it.

Sides 2.8/5

Complete your meal by topping up $3.50 with every main order and get a side of wafu ramen slaw, nacho soup or fries and drink (soft drinks, add $1 for other drinks, excluding milkshakes). If you have always loved nacho cheese dip, you get your wish with this Nacho Soup ($3). It is a tone-down version with a tinge of spiciness but nonetheless, it is still as rich. Curry Beef Fries ($5) is similar to Carl's Jr beef chilli cheese fries but a much more scaled down version with a Japanese flavour.

S’mores 2.8/5

Not easy to find milkshakes these day, so do try one of its creation. S’mores ($6.90) is a simple concoction of vanilla ice-cream mixed with Nutella which I thought makes a good grab & go as well. Freshly Cut Coconut ($5.90) is available if you want something a lot healthier but at this price, maybe not.

Death By Chocolate 3.2/5 and Peanut Butter Jelly 2.5/5

Still have room for more? Another noteworthy item from B Burger is its Homemade Concretes ($7.50 – two scoops of concretes with toppings), made from adding egg yolk to ice cream to achieve a denser and creamier body. We tried Peanut Butter Jelly (Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Horlicks, Granola, Peanut Butter Cups, Toasted Bread Cracker) and Death By Chocolate (Chocolate, Oreos, Hersheys, Chocolate Wafers, Sea Salt). Death By Chocolate won me over with its sticky, rich chocolaty texture. It's sweet but with hints of bitterness. The sprinkle of sea salt adds burst of intensity that I really enjoy.

In terms of pricing, quality and taste, B Burger has a balance of all 3 factors, making it a notch higher than a few other brands of similar concept. Yes, it's a burger place that I would return to.

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.


B Burger
Orchard Cathay Cineleisure
8 Grange Road
#01-01A
Singapore 239695
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Take the escalator to the ground level. Turn left and walk to the junction of Orchard Road and Grange Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.

Barrio by Mex Out @ Vivocity - Mexican Cuisine In A Beer-Garden Inspired Casual Dining Setting

With the success of its 313 Somerset outlet, Barrio by Mex Out has opened a second outlet at Vivocity offering Mexican cuisine in a beer-garden inspired casual dining setting. On weekends, it even has a breakfast deal at $12.90, which comes with a breakfast dish + a coffee (available 9am to 12pm).

Smashed Avocado on Toast 3/5

Let us check out what do Barrio by Mex Out has to offer on its breakfast menu. The Smashed Avocado on Toast ($7.80) comes with tomato jam and smashed avocado on a grilled sourdough. You can add bacon/fried egg / mushrooms for an additional cost of $3 each.

Huevos Rancheros 3/5

Comes in a Tortilla shell is the Huevos Rancheros ($12.80) that comprises of black beans, rice, guacamole and a fried egg with barrio breakfast sauce. This is a bit heavy for me to eat as breakfast though. For those with big appetite, you may want to add extra bacon/fried egg/mushrooms for an additional $3 each.

Churros with Yogurt & Fruits 3/5

How about Churros ($11.90) for breakfast with Yogurt and Fruits? It is a first for me to have churros for breakfast. Not my preference but it is quite nice though with its crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Loaded Nachos 4.2/5

Be warned! The Loaded Nachos ($13.60) is super addictive. I have told myself not to have to eat too much but I just could not control myself from going back for more of the freshly fried corn tortillas, which is topped with a generous amount of chilli con carne, cotija cheese, moazzarella and cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, coriander, sour cream and freshly made guacamole.

Pulled Pork Torta 4/5

For a more hearty bite, the Pulled Pork Torta ($15.90) is a good consideration. Sandwiched in between the deep fried brioche buns is the delectable pork marinated with Chipotle Aioli, cotijatas cheese, pickled red cabbage and mayonnaise. Be prepared to get your hands messy.

Fish Taco 4.5/5

A mush try at Barrio is their Fish Taco ($13.40 for 2pc / $15.90 for 3pc). The taco uses beer battered sea bass and topped with pickled red cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. With a squeeze of the lime to zest up the whole enjoyment.

Barbacoa Quesadilla 4.2/5

The Barbacoa Quesadilla ($13.40) did not disappoint with the diced chargrilled flank steak encased in a crispy tortilla, paired with pico de gallo, chilli jam, cheddar and jalapenos for a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Jalapeno with Cheese 4/5

I am great that Barrio is still servicing the Jalapeno with Cheese ($8.40) on its menu. Lightly battered for a crispy exterior, the Jalapeno is stuffed with cheese for a harmonious combination of spicy and cheesy finishing.


Barrio by Mex Out
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-116
Singapore 098585
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 12midnight

Direction: 
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Barrio by Mex Out @ 313 Somerset - Modern Mexican Beer Garden Offering Fresh-Mex Cuisine

Opening at the heart of Orchard Road is the latest concept by Mex Out called Barrio by Mex Out. The new restaurant looks like a modern Mexican beer garden at the street level of 313 Somerset. The restaurant features an expanded menu of fan favourites at Mex Out and new plated Fresh-Mex cuisine.

Margarita 4/5

We started off with some Margarita ($12) to get the mood swinging while we waited for our food to be served. The drink list at Barrio by Mex Out includes also sangrias, homemade soft drinks called aguas frescas and a selection of wines.

Burnt Nachos 4.5/5

A great starter for sharing is the Burnt Nachos ($13.60). The corn tortillas is freshly fried everyday. It is then topped with a generous amount of chilli con carne, cotija cheese, moazzarella and cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, coriander, sour cream and freshly made guacamole.

Barbacoa Quesidillas 4.2/5

Encased in a crispy tortilla and sliced for easy consumption is the Barbacoa Quesidillas ($13.40). The chargrilled flank steak which is diced into pieces works beautifully with the pico de gallo, chilli jam, cheddar and jalapenos for a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Chicken Wings 4.5/5

One of the best Chicken Wings ($8.50 for 6pc) I have eaten for a while. Besides the crispy exterior, the highlight is the spicy and tangy homemade sauce which the chicken wings are tossed in.

Mexican Street Corn 4.2/5

Corn itself already carries a sweet flavour. Imagine the Mexican Street Corn ($7.90 for 3pc) is further chargrilled with butter, mayo, paprika and cotija cheese, topped with coriander and oregano. It totally enhanced the whole enjoyment.

Jalapeno with Cheese 4/5

The other item from the snack menu that I personally enjoy a lot is the Jalapeno with Cheese. Lightly battered for a crispy exterior, the Jalapeno is stuffed with cheese for a harmonious combination of spicy and cheesy finishing.

Pulled Pork, Chicken, Fish and Carne Asada Tacos

What is Mexican cuisine without the traditional and staple tacos. At Barrio, guests can a choice of Pulled Pork Taco ($12.90 for 2pc), Chicken Taco ($14.40 for 2pc), Fish Taco ($13.90 for 2pc) and Carne Asada or Steak Taco ($13.90 for 2pc). Each of them has their own characteristic with their own filling folded in a tortilla shell.

Fish Taco 4.5/5

Out of the four tacos I tried, my favourite is the Fish Taco. The beer battered sea bass is topped with pickled red cabbage, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli. The golden brown crispy batter with moist flaky white meat, coming together with the rest of the ingredients like musical scores in a musical composition, a symphony performance you should not miss.

Protein Salad 3.5/5

When this is served to the table, the first impression of the Protein Salad ($15.90) is it looks like the Korean bingsu, topped with a guacamole ice cream. When salad looks so pretty in sight, it already whets up the appetite.

Vegetables "De le Cruz" Bowl 3.8/5

Vegan lovers will be rejoiced with the Vegetables "De le Cruz" Bowl ($13.30). The messy plate of fluffy basmatic rice is topped with capsicum, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. I understand a burrito version is also available if that is what you like.

Fried Chicken Burger 4/5

A crowd flavourite is the Fried Chicken Burger ($14.90). A multi texture enjoyment starting with the beef battered buttermilk marinated chicken. The crunchy fried chicken fillet sandwiched with the soft brioche buns, rounded up with chipotle mayo for a spicy and tangy finishing.

Chilli Cheese Burger 4.2/5

I preferred the Chilli Cheese Burger ($16.90) over the fried chicken burger. The beef patty is moist and juicy which consists of chilli, beef, tomatoes, beans and cumin. The crowning jewels to the burger is the guacamole, black beans, homemade cheese sauce (cheddar and mozzarella) and pico de gallo.

I am not a big fan of Mexican food but after checking out Barrio by Mex Out, it definitely has added new colours just like their colourful dishes into my food journal. I can't wait to return to try some of their snacks and tacos. I would recommend spending your calories on the barbacoa quesidillas, chicken wings, jalapeno and tacos.


Barrio by Mex Out
313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road
#01-14/15
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 66342102
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to 313 Somerset. Take the escalator to basement 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]