The Oyster Bank @ Tanjong Pagar Road - Thrid Outlet With New Bar Concept And Exclusive Offerings

Nestled in a row of shophouses, The Oyster Bank at Tanjong Pagar is designed as a bar with a sit-and-stand concept. Like the youngest sibling, who often has the luxury of being more carefree and laidback, this third space exudes much more of that easy-going and relaxed vibes than the first two outlets.

Assorted Oysters 4.5/5

The Oyster Bank offers Japanese oysters in their freshest original state and with various condiments to jazz them up a little. Out of the three we tried - Kimchi Cucumber ($4.75), Tosazu Combu ($4.75), and Uni Ikura ($9.90), I enjoyed Kimchi Cucumber the most, while I find the latter a tad too briny.

Salmon Crudo 4/5

Salmon Crudo ($18) was an enjoyable starter. The thick-cut salmon sashimi was enlivened with a nutty and zesty wafu goma sauce, with extra crunch and freshness from julienned green apple.

Pork Kushiyaki 3.5/5

Pork Kushiyaki is a superb bar food if you intend to drink and sip your day away. Served with fermented apple puree and shiso oba to cut the richness of these fatty morsels, they were tender with flavoursome caramelised bits of fats. However, the layers of fats were pretty thick. It would have been even more delish if the cut was smaller to achieve more charred surfaces.

Hamachi Kama 3.8/5

Hamachi Kama ($36/2 pcs) with ginger ponzu sauce and kosho daikon was tasty too. The accompanying dipping sauce was perfect for the fish.

Chargrilled Octopus 3.8/5

The Chargrilled Octopus ($32) was delicious, but the dish's name is misleading. It is more of a rich potato cream soup with chunks of octopus. The bonito potato espuma was rich and buttery, laced with smoky bonito flavours that reinforced the octopus's chargrilled taste. However, the shiso chimichurri sauce lacked the acidity to enliven the dish.

Ikura Kaisen Don 3/5

Ikura Kaisen Don ($38) features Hamachi slices, hokkaido scallops, tuna, uni and ikura. It tasted all right but lacked brightness and excitement.

Warabi Mochi

Cha-Niwa Ice Cream

The desserts were simple but satisfying. The stars were definitely the two ice creams featured - Warabi Mochi ($14) with sea salt ice cream and Cha-Niwa Ice Cream ($12) featuring yuzu gel and matcha ice cream.

Pop Goes The Weasel, Umeshu Daze

Do give the cocktails a go ($25 each). One of our popular ones was Pop Goes The Weasel, a twist to the Bellini cocktail - bubbly with a popsicle of your choice, strawberry or passionfruit. Umeshu Daze is an excellent sour with bourbon and aged umeshu.

Garden of Eden, Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin

We also had 2 others with more floral notes - Garden of Eden and Chrysanthemum Osmanthus Gin. Check out their Happy Shucking Hour (for oysters): Monday to Friday 3-8pm, Saturday to Sunday all day. The all-day promotion is valid till 30 June 2023

Photos and 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.


The Oyster Bank
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
#01-02
Singapore 088462
Tel: +65 69707662
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Nearest MRT: Maxwell (TE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Tue: 3pm - 11pm
Wed-Fri: 3pm - 12midnight
Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left onto Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

First Grill @ Bukit Pasoh - Grilled Gastronomy, Where Culinary Meets The Flames Of Passion

First Grill, located at Bukit Pasoh is dedicated to serving delicious grilled cuisine to customers who enjoy the beauty of grilled food over charcoal and flames. Using the renowned Josper Charcoal Grill paired with a team of chefs who have mastered the wild nature of flames. First Grill serves a comprehensive menu of grilled meats, seafood and even paella that best bring out the alluring smoky flavour of grilled food.

Australian Grass-Fed Ribeye 3.8/5

Australian Grass-Fed Ribeye ($29) is a simple dish that will satisfy your craving for a steak any time of the week. Ours was evenly cooked, with the right doneness to bring out the flavour of the beef. For fancier options, try those paired with sambal belacan for a touch of local flavours.

Iberico Spare Ribs 4.2/5

The extravagant-looking Iberico Spare Ribs ($29) were pretty spot on. The exterior was slightly charred and caramelised with an alluring smoky flavour, with the meat juicy and tender. It can be grilled even slightly longer to render more fats to get more out of the meat.

Seafood Paella 4.5/5

I love the Seafood Paella ($25) here! Perhaps due to the amount of socarrat present in the dish. Some parts of the rice at the bottom of the pan had caramelised and turned crispy due to the direct heat from the flame, adding more texture and flavour to the dish. It came brimming with many ingredients, such as shrimp, squid, salmon, bell pepper, green peas, tomato and onion.

Grilled Octopus Leg 4.8/5

The Grilled Octopus Leg ($35) is a must-try here. It is very popular and gets sold out in the afternoon. The portion was quite sizeable and evenly grilled to perfection with a delightful texture.

English Clam Chowder 3/5

The menu offers Starters as well, such as soups and salads. Unfortunately, they were rather average, with the English Clam Chowder ($9) being the best out of the lot.

Photos and 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.


[CLOSED]
First Grill
2A Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089860
Tel: +65 80449297
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn right onto Teo Hong Road. Walk to Bukit Pasoh Road. Turn left and walk down Bukit Pasoh Road. Journey time about 5 minutes. Walk to destination. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road. Turn right onto Bukit Pasoh Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Osteria BBR By Alain Ducasse @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Savour Wonderful Flavours Of Italian Riviera With Refreshed Menu

Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse welcomes new Chef de Cuisine Natalino Ambra and presents a newly refreshed menu alongside signature favourites that encapsulate a revitalised and imaginative Italian concept.

We had the Tentazioni Menu ($128++ per guest), which exhibits a selection of must-try signatures and newly-introduced dishes. We started with some amuse bouche to kick start the dinner.

Amberjack 4.2/5

We started with the light and refreshing seafood antipasti - Marinated Amberjack, topped with pomegranate seeds alongside citrus condiment, brightening the appreciation of the fresh fish slices.

Black Angus Beef Tartare 4.2/5

Next, is the Black Angus Beef Tartare topped with almonds and parmesan cheese. I enjoyed using carrots for the sauce, a refreshing touch of the usual pairing I have eaten.

Octopus 4.2/5

Cooked to a lovely tender texture is the charred Octopus complemented by a light potato foam infused with a Mediterranean scent.

Tagliolini, Zucchini, Kristal Caviar 4.8/5

One of our favourite dishes is the Tagliolini tossed in seaweed butter. It is paired with three forms of zucchini - pureed, roasted and crisped. Finally, it is crowned with Kristal caviar for a luxe finish.

Black Angus Beef Tenderloin 4.5/5

For the Mains, diners can choose either the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin or Atlantic Cod Fish. The beautifully medium-cooked Beef Tenderloin is paired with nutty celeriac and full-bodied truffle beef jus.

Atlantic Cod Fish 4.2/5

The Atlantic Cod Fish will be an excellent choice if you don't eat beef. The toothsome and buttery cod fish is accompanied by a flavoursome orange sauce that lifts the enjoyment.

Chocolate Mousse from Alain Ducasse 4.2/5

Homemade Buckwheat Ice Cream 4.2/5

Finally, round off the dining indulgence on a luscious note with the Mousse Al Cioccolato, a rich chocolate mousse made from Alain Ducasse's chocolate, complemented with Homemade Buckwheat Ice Cream.

Signature Baba 4.5/5

Not to be missed is the Signature Baba drizzled with limoncello and topped with whipped cream.

Besides the Temptation Menu I had, guests can opt for wine pairing for an additional $98++ per guest. There is also a 2-course ($39++ per guest) and 3-course ($46++ per guest) lunch menu option exclude Sundays.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121816
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 945pm
Bar
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Saketoshi @ UE Square Shopping Mall - New Modern Izakaya & Sake Bar That Accepts Cryptocurrency Payment

Saketoshi is a newly opened modern izakaya located at UE Square Shopping Mall, offering exquisite sake and classic Japanese bar bites. It also has an alfresco dining area for guests that prefer to enjoy their sake outdoor with the night's cool breeze. On top of that, the sake bar allows customers to pay their bills with cryptocurrency.

Amaebi Karaage 4.2/5

Ika Geso Karaage 4/5

We started with some Agemono to go with our drinks. The Amaebi Karaage ($15) is extremely addictively, sweet and crispy. The Ika Geso Karaage ($15) is also ideal for pairing with a couple of drinks. The portions for both bar snacks were huge too.

Japanese Oysters Karaage 3.8/5

Instead of fresh oysters, we decided to go for the Japanese Oysters Karaage ($24). Another deep-fried item that has a delightful exterior crisp locking the briny tang of the plump oyster within.

Saketoshi Cocktail 4.5/5

For a luxe enjoyment, the Saketoshi Cocktail ($39) consisting of caviar, uni and ikura tasted heavenly with all three ingredients coming together harmoniously.

Uni Seaweed Tempura 4.8/5

Elevate the experience at Saketoshi with the Uni Seaweed Tempura ($24 for 2pc), comprising fresh sea urchin perched atop a bed of seaweed tempura and juicy slices of otoro and garnished with a dollop of truffle caviar.

Scallop IKura 3.5/5

Scallop lovers will have a choice between the Scallop Ikura ($24) and Scallop Foie Gras ($48). The Scallop Ikura is deep-fried in a thin crusty coat, plump and juicy, topped with popping ikura. However, I thought it was slightly on the salty end.

Scallop Foie Gras 3.5/5

As for the Scallop Foie Gras, while I enjoyed the beautifully pan-seared foie gras and scallop, the combination didn't come together as a dish. Instead, they are individually delicious on their own, paired excellently with the mentaiko sauce.

A4 Wagyu Steak 4.5/5

One of the crowd's favourites is the A4 Wagyu Steak ($48) that is given a quick kiss on the grilled for the appreciation of the beautiful full flavoured tender beef. Customers can also have it with salt on the side to enhance the taste profile.

Aburi Engawa 3.8/5

Suppose you are still hungry and need something more filling. In that case, you can try the Aburi Engawa Donburi ($28), which features a flame-seared halibut fin atop Japanese pickles, ikura, pickled ginger and an onsen egg. The mild sweetness of the halibut is complemented by the crunchiness from the pickles, ginger and ikura for that extra textural enjoyment.

Saketoshi is unlike typical modern izakaya. Established by a group of crypto-investors, you can pay for your meals with cryptocurrencies at Saketoshi. In fact, its name is a witty play on the pseudonym for the elusive Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Saketoshi

UE Square Shopping Mall

81 Clemenceau Avenue
#01-14
Singapore 239917
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to UE Square. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

LUCE by Davide Giacomelli @ InterContinental Singapore - New Italian Restaurant Taking A Bistronomic Approach

Taking over the defunct Ash & Elm at InterContinental Singapore is LUCE by Davide Giacomelli. This new Italian restaurant embodies the marrying of gastronomic Italian dining experience with a warm and inviting bistro ambience.

Before starting our dinner, we are served complimentary bread paired with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. There is also a pot of herb with crackers placed in it.

Bruschetta 4/5

The Bruschetta ($19) here is enormous. It is not those that you can finish in one or two bites. The bread spread with grated garlic is toasted until very crispy. It is then piled with parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato concasse, rocket leaves and basil.

Octopus Peperonata 4.2/5

A recommended dish on the menu is the Octopus Peperonata ($36), a Sicilian-style cooked octopus pan-roasted with ratatouille of red and yellow pepper, red onions and fresh tomatoes. We enjoyed how the lovely sauce complemented the firm yet tender octopus.

Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo 4.5/5

The Tagliatelle Coda di Manzo ($36) may look plain, but each slurp contains punchy flavours from the deboned oxtail and shaved cheese. Not forgetting the fresh homemade tagliatelle pasta.

Acquerello Lobster 4.5/5

A LUCE signature must be their Acquerello Lobster ($46). Each mouthful of the carnaroli rice is cooked in lobster stock packed with robust crustacean flavours. It also comes with half de-shelled boston lobster.

Fragola 4.5/5

Luce-misu 4.5/5

For dessert, we had the Fragola ($18) and Luce-misu ($18). The Fragola is a light, sweet strawberry yoghurt mousse, yuzu chocolate cream, strawberry coulis, and dulce crumble. The Luce-misu is an upgraded version of the classic tiramisu sitting on top of a chocolate cake. It is like having two desserts in one.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


LUCE by Davide Giacomelli
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Mon-Tue)

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