Showing posts with label Panna Cotta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panna Cotta. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Mama Jac's Kitchenette Private Dining - A Memorable and Satisfying Cantonese-Peranakan Dinner

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During my visit to Mama Jac's Kitchenette Private Dining in April 2023, I had the pleasure of experiencing an 8-course meal priced at $125.50 per person. Mama Jac specialises in Cantonese-Peranakan cuisine, offering a unique fusion of flavours and culinary traditions.

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Mango Salad 4.5/5

Our private dining experience commenced with the tantalising Mango Salad, a refreshing appetiser that combined the perfect balance of crunch and pungent flavours. The vibrant mangoes added a delightful sweetness to the dish.

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Hai Zhou 4.8/5

Next, we indulged in the Hai Zhou, a substantial dish featuring plump prawns wrapped in crispy beancurd skin. The prawns were succulent, bursting with natural sweetness, while the beancurd skin added a satisfying crunch to each bite.

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Bakwan Kepiting 5/5

One of the standout dishes was the Bakwan Kepiting, a meatball soup packed with depth and robust flavours. The generously sized meatball was juicy and tender, enhanced by the addition of crabmeat, which imparted a delightful seafood sweetness. The bamboo shoots added a layer of texture and flavour to the dish.

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Brandy Cincalok Ayam 4.8/5

A highlight of the evening was the Brandy Cincalok Ayam, a unique Peranakan creation that surprised and delighted my taste buds. The combination of cincalok, a traditional fermented shrimp paste, with brandy brought a new depth of flavour to the tender chicken, resulting in a deliciously unique culinary experience.

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Nonya Chap Chye 4.8/5

The Nonya Chap Chye was executed flawlessly, with the various ingredients retaining their crunch and the fermented soybean imparting a distinct savoury note that elevated the dish's overall taste.

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Mengkabo (Babi Masak Asam) 4.2/5

Mengkabo, also known as Babi Masak Asam, was another standout dish on the menu. The tender pork slices were cooked in a spicy and tangy sauce, tantalising the palate with their robust flavours. We were even encouraged to enjoy the dish with cut green chilli for an added dimension of enjoyment.

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Assam Pedas Stingray 4/5

The Assam Pedas Stingray, a classic fish stew, is further impressed with its tangy and spicy profile. The addition of pineapple lent a fruity sweetness that beautifully complemented the tender stingray.

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Panna Cotta Chendol

We savoured the Panna Cotta Chendol for dessert, a delightful conclusion to our meal. The homemade chendol, sea coconut, corn, and red beans were immersed in a thick and creamy coconut milk infused with the rich sweetness of Gula Melaka. While the dish was served without ice to allow the natural flavours to shine, I preferred it chilled for a more refreshing experience.

Mama Jac's Kitchenette Private Dining provided an enchanting culinary journey through Cantonese-Peranakan cuisine. The meticulously prepared dishes showcased a harmonious blend of flavours and textures, with each course leaving a lasting impression. Mama Jac's passion for her craft was evident in every dish, making this private dining experience a memorable and satisfying exploration of unique flavours and cultural influences.


Mama Jac's Kitchenette Private Dining
Blk 434 Clementi Ave 4
Singapore 120434
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Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Acqua e Farina @ The Rail Mall - Authentic And Hearty Italian Fare In Homely Italian Family Restaurant

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Along the stretch of dining options at The Rail Mall is a cosy little Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina. It is helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who are natives from Southern and Northern Italy respectively. They bring together a full menu of authentic Italian cuisine for diners to enjoy.

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As the restaurant's name suggests, Acqua e Farina, which is Italian for water and flour, reflects the Chefs' goal of showcasing their Italian fare using simple traditional recipes and top-quality ingredients.

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The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. I have passed by this restaurant several times but always assumed it has a more formal setting. What I loved most about our dining experience here was how warm and cosy it was! Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an Italian friend's home.

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Drinks

We went with a glass of Limoncello Prosecco ($13) and a Blood Orange San Pellegrino ($4) for drinks. If you are a fan of wines, the restaurant features an entire wall of wines you can pick from. The Chefs also offer recommendations based on preferences.

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Capesante con Funghi 4.2/5

First up was the Capesante con Funghi ($28), with pan-fried Hokkaido scallop dressed in a creamy and richly earthy mushroom sauce paired with baby spinach and croutons. We had the tasting portion here, while the full portion includes three scallops.

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Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci 4/5

Our next starter was the Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci ($27), which has pan-fried shrimp wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed spinach. My dining companion and I found the prawn a touch drier than we would like, but we appreciated the balance of flavours. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty.

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Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio 4.5/5

Our first main was the Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($34), homemade squid ink pasta with crabmeat tossed in tomato sauce. The pasta is made fresh daily, and diners can also request for gluten-free spaghetti. I don't often choose my pasta with a tomato base, but I would come back for Acqua e Farina's rendition.

Their tomato base has a touch of cream and hence is not as acidic as usual. The slight creaminess complemented the chunks of sweet crabmeat.

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Pizza Quattro Formaggi 4.5/5

The Pizza Quattro Formaggi ($34) is one of the restaurant's only two pizzas with a white cheese base. The other nine pizzas on the menu use a red tomato base.

If you are a cheese fan, I am sure you will enjoy this. It uses four types of cheese - Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (Blue Cheese), Smoked Scamorza and Asiago. Chef told us this is one of the top two popular pizzas here. It's not difficult to understand with its generous topping of cheese and a whiff of truffle fragrance on a crisp and slightly chewy base.

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Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante 4.2/5

Acqua e Farina regularly launches special menus which keep things fresh and fun, especially for their regular diners. It was coincidentally Mother's Day weekend when we were here, and we had the pleasure to try one of the dishes on their Mother's Day Special menu, the Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante ($38). The linguine tossed with cured fish roe, garlic, chilli, and herbs was appetising, and we polished this off quickly.

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Dessert Platter 4/5

The Dessert Platter ($19) is the easiest way to try an assortment of their dessert offerings. Each platter comprises mini portions of Crème Brûlée, Lava Cake, Panna Cotta and Tiramisù.

The highlights for us were the Lava Cake and Crème Brûlée. The former had the perfect cook and was not too sweet. We wished the caramelised layer on the Crème Brûlée could be thinner, but we enjoyed the smooth and fragrant custard.

Overall, our dinner at Acqua e Farina was a fantastic experience put together by the quality food and servers who go the extra mile to provide a comfortable environment for diners.

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.


Acqua e Farina
The Rail Mll
400 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 678050
Tel: +65 69708191
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Morsels @ Dempsey Hill - Celebrates 10th Anniversary With A New Spring Menu

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Morsels at Dempsey Hill celebrates its 10th anniversary with a renewed concept. Moving away from its small plates sharing menu concept, Morsels 2.0 offers a new fixed course tasting menu concept to showcase the season's best produces with Chef Petrina's fermented sauces.

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Season Oyster 4.2/5

We had the 9-course Full Tasting Menu ($188++), starting with four snack items. Interestingly, Chef Petrina incorporates East and West influences into each snack. We kickstarted with the fresh Season Oyster (French + Japanese) paired with citron green tea kombucha vinaigrette and olive gel, brightening the taste profile of the shellfish.

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Sanchoku Corned Beef Cream 4/5

Next is the Sanchoku Corned Beef Cream (British + Indian) that is presented in the form of a Pani Puri. The blended Sanchoku beef d-rump is mixed with crunchy cornichon stuffed inside a crispy pani puri shell. Bite into it and get an explosion of flavours.

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Zucchini Pancake 4/5

The bite-size Zucchini Pancake (Korean + Spanish) coated in egg batter is pan-fried till golden brown and topped with ricotta cheese, red bell pepper and boquerones. I felt the soul of the dish come from the marinated anchovy fish, accentuating the whole dish.

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Mushroom Garum Broth 3.8/5

Lastly is the Mushroom Garum Broth (Chinese + Indian), packed with the essence from the smoked willow tree mushrooms and blaze mushrooms, topped with burnt banana leaf oil. It even comes with a crispy light puffed pastry twist dusted with oregano, thyme and onion powder.

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After the snacks, we had the bread course, in which a warm and fluffy Brioche is served together with seaweed herb butter.

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Cured Stolt Farm Turbot Carpaccio 4.2/5

We moved on to the entree, starting with the Cured Stolt Farm Turbot Carpaccio. The sustainably sourced turbot is aged for 3-5 days, then thinly sliced and dressed in smoked zucchini dashi to enjoy the turbot. It is paired with crunchy ice plant, cucumber and crispy rice puff for texture, enhanced with 8 Gems caviar for popping brininess.

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Toriyama A4 Japanese Wagyu Eye Round Tataki 4.2/5

Next is the Toriyama A4 Japanese Wagyu Eye Round Tataki paired with a spring salad. The wagyu eye round is cured overnight in Morsels's two years old corn miso and finished in the hibachi for a pleasant smokiness while retaining the tender and juiciness. Round up the enjoyment with the thick creamy sabayon and cured eye yolk.

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Chinese Celery Tortellini 4/5

Another beautiful dish is the Chinese Celery Tortellini. The delectable texture of the pasta dough is stuffed with wild mushrooms and potato duxelles, served in a vibrant green pea sauce and preserved lemon foam. Lastly, the morsel is topped with charred fermented asparagus for texture.

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Jeju Abalone & Sakura Chicken 3/5

The Jeju Abalone & Sakura Chicken is a rice dish. The bouncy abalone and tender chicken rested on a bed of multigrain risotto flavoured with Morsels's four year old doenjiang. I enjoyed the risotto texture comprising Koshihikari Japanese rice, Calrose Californian short grain rice, Cambodian brown rice, and barley. It felt like travelling to Jeju island with the beetroot stock surrounding the dish, poured at the tableside. However, there was a lack of sharpness in the flavour, and it was too earthy for my preference.

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Fjord Trout 4/5

Still from the ocean, we had the Fjord Trout that is lightly cured and smoked, complemented by a delicious soy dashi stock, rhubarb compote and edamame cereal. Though cooked using Western techniques, each bite has flavours resembling our local fish soup.

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Primrose Farm Pork Tenderloin 4.2/5

I have already lost count of the number of dishes I had, and we are just moving to the mains. For mains, there is a choice of Primrose Farm Pork Tenderloin or Rougie Magret Duck. The sous vide Primrose Farm Pork Tenderloin was tender and succulent, enlivened by the accompanying kumquat red pepper kosho. The other components on the plate are potato pave and grilled baby gem.

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Rougie Margret Duck 4.2/5

The other main is the Rougie Margret Duck presented in Western and Asian styles. The grilled duck breast grilled and glazed with ume bbq sauce is tender and comes with a hint of smokiness and sweetness. For the Asian style, it is served as a Japanese duck tsukune.

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Palate Cleanser

After all the savoury dishes, we had a cup of refreshing beverage comprising a mixture of lemongrass, pear juice and yuzu juice as a palate cleanser.

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Apple 4/5

Moving to desserts, we started with the Rice Whipped Panna Cotta, which is topped with sago and diced apple. The dessert, served chilled with shiso granita and apple lemon balm kombucha, provided the acidity for a light and refreshing finish.

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Ang Butter 3.8/5

Morsels's version of Any Butter comes in the form of a polenta cake crowned with Amalfi lemon cream, sitting atop a bed of sweet red bean paste, paired with rosemary namelaka and kinako sable. It is richer in flavour than the first dessert, but the combination worked beautifully.

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Petit Fours

Wrapping up the 9-course meal is the Petit Fours comprising of choux, nougat, and pear sour cherry pate de fruit.

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Note: This is an invited tasting


Morsels
25 Dempsey Road
#01-04
Singapore 249670
Tel: +65 62663822
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Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Sun: 1130am - 3pm
(Closed on Sun dinner and Mon Full Day)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to bus stop at Opposite Botanic Gardens (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 and 174. Alight 2 stops later. Take the flight of stairs up to Dempsey Hill. At Dempsey Road, turn left and walk to the open-air carpark in front of block 25. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

La Pizzaiola @ Sime Darby Centre (Dunearn Road) - Authentic Italian Pizza-maker Launches New Menu Of Fresh Flavours

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Since reopening in 2012, La Pizzaiola has grown to 3 outlets strong, in King Albert Park, Jalan Riang and Kalidasa. It's been most known for dishing out homely authentic Italian classics such as wood-fired pizzas baked in a traditional oven crafted in Italy.

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This time, it's ready to welcome diners with its brand new menu of fresh flavours, including new salads, appetisers and pasta. Alongside the new launch, enjoy free-flow filtered sparkling, still water at $1 and wine as low as $7.

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Focaccia Aglio, Burro e Mozzarella 4/5

Served as our first appetiser, the warm and toasty Focaccia Aglio, Burro e Mozzarella ($16.90) was the perfect start. The freshly baked focaccia bread is lined with chopped garlic, butter and Mozzarella Fior di Latte. The subtle aroma of garlic with oozy mozzarella worked wonderfully together. My only gripe, I wished they had added more mozzarella near the ends of the focaccia!

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Sardine Fritte 4/5

In a portion of Sardine Fritte ($20.90), you have four pieces of deep-fried breaded fresh sardines with a side of salad. The thickness of the batter was just nice with tender sardine meat.

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Porchetta Salad 4/5

The last of our appetisers was the Porchetta Salad ($19.90). On thinly sliced roasted pork belly dressed with mustard honey sauce, it's further topped with tomatoes, rocket salad and balsamic vinaigrette.

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Pancetta Affumicata e Funghi 4.2/5

Moving on to the wood-fired pizzas. The first on our table was the Pancetta Affumicata e Funghi ($23.90), which also ended up as our favourite dish of the night. Their pizza base was thin with a slight chew on its crust. The slices of crispy bacon gave a nice saltiness to the red onions, mushrooms and Mozzarella Flor di Latte.

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Calzone 3.5/5

We were a little disappointed to cut open to a watery Calzone ($22.90). I wished they had used a thicker and punchier tomato sauce to better contrast the other fillings of cooked ham, button mushrooms and Mozzarella Flor di Latte.

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La Pizzaiola Speciale 3.5/5

My dining companions sang praises of the La Pizzaiola Speciale ($27.90), which had toppings of roast beef slices, shaved parmesan, arugula salad, truffle oil and Mozzarella Flor di Latte. However, they shared the same sentiments about the tomato sauce used here.

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Risotto ai Funghi Porcini e Tartufo 3.8/5

The Risotto ai Funghi Porcini e Tartufo ($26.90) is risotto with porcini mushrooms and truffle oil. Unfortunately, the earthy mushrooms we expected to be prominent didn't come through, as the cheesy flavours dominated it more.

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Pollo Biologico alla Diavola 3.8/5

La Pizzaiola's Pollo Biologico alla Diavola ($33.90) features roasted organic spring chicken marinated with Italian herbs and spices, served with roasted potatoes and rocket leaves. Some parts of the chicken were tough, but the rest were primarily tender with crisp skin. The herbs and spices are very strong here, something good to note if you're not a fan of such flavours.

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Panna Cotta 3.8/5

Unfortunately, the Panna Cotta ($10.90) was a tad too watered down, though we enjoyed the tangy sweet berry sauce.

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Tiramisu 4/5

La Pizzaiola’s rendition of the Tiramisu ($11.90) was lovely. It wasn’t overly creamy and had a distinct kick of coffee and alcohol notes.

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Creme Brulee 4/5

Our unanimous favourite of the desserts was the Creme Brulee ($12.90), which had a rich custard base and a thin and crisp caramelised layer on top.

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.



La Pizzaiola
Link@896
896 Dunearn Road
#01-10
Singapore 589472
Tel: +65 64848896
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Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at King Albert Park. Take Exit B around the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]