Blu Kouzina @ Siglap - Greek-style Breakfast In An Idyllic Setting

Blu Kouzina at Dempsey has been known for its authentic Greek cuisine for the past decade. Its latest outlet at Siglap now even includes a breakfast menu, allowing customers to enjoy a full-fledged Greek dining experience any time of the day. It opens as early as 730am on the weekend!

It is such a great place to be before the day begins with its idyllic island-inspired setting. I was lucky to visit on a weekday morning, where I got to enjoy its serenity before it got disturbed by the buzz of chatter from the afternoon crowd.

Greek Breakfast 4.5/5

The biggest drawn of its Breakfast Menu is its Greek Selection. We had the Greek Breakfast ($22) that comes with a choice of coffee or tea, alongside a Spinach Pie ($9.50) and Lamb Sausage Roll ($11.50). The Greek Breakfast was wholesome with a slab of feta cheese, two perfectly done hardboiled eggs with a slight oozy yolk, tomatoes, fried bread, olives, a generous portion of yoghurt, a handful of walnuts and a serving of honey.

I amped up my Greek Breakfast with a few Add ons - Crispy Kale ($2), Roasted Potatoes ($3), and Spinach ($2). The Roasted Potatoes is not your usual kind but are marinated with lemon before roasting to give it a touch of tanginess.

Spinach Pie 4.2/5

Rarely you will get a good Spinach Pie loaded with spinach and feta cheese filling. The pie is incredibly yummy with a thin, buttery and flaky crust made with phyllo pastry.

Lamb Sausage Roll 3.8/5

The highly recommended Lamb Sausage Roll ($11.50) comes with homemade sausage. The lamb sausage was tender and juicy, and the rich tomato sauce complemented it excellently.

Homemade Granola 4/5

Every place has its recipe for homemade granola. You will probably crave its Homemade Granola ($8) if it is your kind of breakfast. The granola wasn't too sweet, and the generous portion of yoghurt and honey dolloped over the granola was pleasingly satiable.

Lemon Verbena Tea

Greek Coffee

The regular coffees are great but do try the specialities such as the Greek Coffee and a range of tea imported from Greece.

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.


Blu Kouzina Siglap
907 East Coast Road
#01-01
Singapore 459107
Tel: +65 91010681/ 91010682
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Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed - Mon: 830am - 10pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Bedok Bus Interchange (Stop ID 84009). Take bus number 16. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

One-Ninety @ Four Seasons Hotel - Festive Celebrations At Its Best

With less than a month to Christmas,  One-Ninety at Four Seasons Hotel has lined up a series of classic dining menus and lavish buffets, as well as gourmet takeaways for the festive celebrations.

Fresh Seafood on Ice 4.8/5

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, and what best is to have the Fresh Seafood on Ice to share with family members and friends. Accompanying is the cocktail sauce, horseradish cream and marie rose sauce which brightens the sweetness of the seafood. This is only available during Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Semi-Buffet Dinner and Christmas Day Brunch.

Winter Squash Soup with Goat Cheese 3.5/5

For something homely and comforting is the Winter Squash Soup with Goat Cheese. Mix reviews from the table. Some likes it sweeter whole others appreciate the natural flavour of the winter squash lifted by the goat cheese when eaten together.

Ricotta Tortellini with Truffle Mushroom Sauce 4/5

It is a joy to receive gifts during Christmas and what best gift is this little parcels filled with ricotta and paired with truffle mushroom sauce. What I enjoyed most is the delightful texture encasing the creamy ricotta. The Ricotta Tortellini with Truffle Mushroom Sauce is available only during Semi-Buffet Lunch and Christmas Day Brunch.

Oven-Roasted Organic Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing 4/5

A must-have in every Christmas dinner is the turkey. Not to be missed at Four Seasons Hotel is the Oven-Roasted Organic Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing which uses a house-secret recipe, prepared for 18 hours before roasting, The turkey is stuffed with chestnuts and served with homemade bread, chestnut stuffing and condiments. This is also available for the festive takeaways.

Asian Spices Glazed Ham with Lemongrass and Pineapple Raisin Sauce 4.2/5

The Asian Spices Glazed Ham with Lemongrass and Pineapple Raisin Sauce is a new rendition of the well-loved festive ham. A perfect balance of local spices and herbs, for that festive indulgence. This is available only for festive takeaways.

Cherry Panna Cotta 3.5/5

Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme 4.5/5

Moving to the desserts, we have the Cherry Panna Cotta, Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme and Pumpkin Pie. I love all three desserts. If only I have the stomach space to clean all up. The Cherry Panna Cotta while light and delicious, would be more enjoyable if it is smoother and creamier. As for the Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Creme, it is rich with a bittersweet aftertaste. Fans of chocolate will love it.

Pumpkin Pie 4.2/5

Usually eaten during Thanksgiving, the Pumpkin Pie is not to be missed. With a delectable pumpkin-based custard filling in a buttery pie shell, this is the perfect after-meal sweet treat for the festive celebration.

Holiday Cookies and Sweets 4/5

In the spirit of giving, you can let the hotel's Gift Professionals put together an impressive gift or design your own Yuletide Hamper. With an extensive selection of signature goodies, traditional treats and festive sweets such as Nicolai Bergmann Signature Preserved Flower Box, Chombost Salami from Lyon, Marron Glacé, Musical Box with Fine Oblaten Lebkuchen (German cookies) and a variety of Panettones to select from, a Four Seasons Yuletide Hamper is perfect for business associates and loved ones.

These festive takeaway items will be available from 12 November to 24 December 2019 at the Festive Desk (Lobby Level) of Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, 10.00 am to 7.00 pm daily. An advanced order of three days is required. For orders and enquiries, speak with us at (65) 6831 7253, email festiveseason.sin@fourseasons.com or visit http://bit.ly/FSSIN-XmasGoodies2019

Ash & Elm @ InterContinental Singapore - Celebrate Hygge With New Nordic Sunday Champagne Brunch

Ash & Elm at Intercontinental Singapore launches a new Nordic-themed champagne brunch, inspired by the culinary philosophy from the wintery Northern Europe regions. Besides the classic Nordic dishes, the buffet also showcases a variety of the finest produce flown in exclusively from Iceland, Finland and Norway.

Products and dishes from the likes of Finland and Iceland were not commonly found in Singapore, which is why Chef Eric Neo, Singapore's first Nordic-Asia Culinary Ambassador, appointed in 2018, heads up this Nordic Sunday Champagne Brunch in order to bring awareness to this exquisite cuisine and enhance food diversity in Singapore at the same time.

Kickstart the feast with the dainty appetisers from the mini appetisers gallery. We loved how plump and juicy the shrimps were for the Shrimp Salad with Dill and Capers, while the Beetroot and Gin Cured Salmon with Pickled Cucumber was a refreshing combination.

Another refreshing appetiser is the new Potato Salad with hard-boiled egg. The addition of the apples added a subtle sweetness to the sourish pickles.

Indulge in a slew of crowd favourite dishes such as the Pan-seared Salmon with lemon herb and butter sauce, and tender Lamb and Cabbage Stew with Black Pepper from the Hot Food section.

For meat lovers, head over to the live station for their succulent Beef Wellington, and Parchment Roasted Cod with fennel, lemon and tomatoes.

Not to be missed is their premium seafood on ice presented on a long table, including the chilled tiger prawns, black mussels, Boston lobsters, clams, Finnish crayfish, and shucked oysters with condiments and sauce.

A selection of caviar and roe, such as Queen Kaluga Caviar, Ikura, Avruga, Wasabi Tobkio, Ebiko are displayed on the caviar counter with condiments and blinis.

End the meal on a sweet note with their dazzling array of desserts from the Rhubarb Cake, Summer Berries Pie to the Lingonberry Creme Brulee.

For something lighter, opt for some ice cream from their ice cream counter, with popular flavours such as the green tea and Thai milk tea. Don't forget to dip the condiments provided into their chocolate fountain too.

Elevate the brunch experience with a handcrafted gin cocktail, Aurora, inspired by the Northern lights. Concocted using Metsis Gin, specially imported from Estonia for brunch. It is available for top-up at $15 nett per glass.

The Nordic Sunday Champagne Brunch is available every Sunday from 6 October to 17 November 2019 from 12pm to 3pm, at $148++ (includes unlimited Taittinger Champagne, cocktails, house wines, beers, soft drinks and juices) or $98++ (includes unlimited cocktails, soft drinks and juices) per adult, and $48++ (includes unlimited soft drinks and juices) per child.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ash & Elm
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:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

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

FatFuku @ Upper East Coast Road - Private Dining By Singapore-based Food Writer, Annette Tan

Private dining has been one of the latest trends in Singapore. After my visit to Lucky House Cantonese Private Kitchen, together with a couple of foodies, we made a booking at FatFuku which we waited for about a month for our reservation. For $95 per pax, you get about 7/8 dishes.

Keropok with Green Chilli Ikar

While we wait for the rest of the group to turn up, Annette from FatFuku offer us some Keropok with Green Chilli Ikar to snack on.

Devil Curry Pie 4/5

I have to say I was not expected to be served the Devil Curry Pie as it is an Eurasian dish and not a Peranakan dish. Nevertheless, the recipe comes with generous filling (chicken, sausages, mushrooms and carrots) in a buttery pastry.

FatFuku Mee Siam 4.2/5

The signature dish at FatFuku which almost everyone is talking about has to be her Dry Mee Siam. As we have the full view of the kitchen, I can see her pan fried the mee siam to get that crispiness. It is then topped with prawns and quail eggs. I like the idea that she has more of the tangy sauce at the side, allowing the mee siam to remain crispy while those that prefer to have it more saucy can help themselves to it.

Pork Belly Buah Keluak 4.5/5

We all went wow when the Pork Belly Buah Keluak is served. On top of the fragrant buah keluak fried rice is huge pieces of wobbly and tender pork belly cooked in buah keluak. I usually have ayam buah keluak and it usually turned out rather dry. This is a good change from the usual.

Ayam Tempra 4.5/5

A simple and hearty Peranakan dish cooked to perfection is the Ayam Tempra. Besides the tender chicken, the highlight foris the braised onions with their sweetness complementing the poultry.

Beef Cheek Rendang 5/5

This is probably the best Beef Cheek Rendang I have ever eaten. The aroma of the rempah and the melted in the mouth beef cheek, just come together like a beautiful note in a song, that just keeping sounding over and over in my head.

Nanka Lemak 4/5

Do you know that the whole jackfruit can be eaten? Using unripe jackfruit, this is made into the Nanka Lemak. The texture of the nanka is quite similar to artichoke. The whole experience is like have a bowl of vegetable curry.

Kueh Bingka Ubi 4.8/5

Not to be missed is the Kueh Bingka Ubi. a favourite nyonya tea time treat. The baked tapioca cake so soft and delicious. We even asked for second serving.

Dulce de Leche Ice Cream 4.5/5

Wrapping up the dinner, Annette made us some Dulce de Leche Ice Cream and Cookies. She even offered us coffee and tea.

Cookies 4.5/5

Reservation at FatFuku takes about a month. If I am not wrong, Annette is not doing this full time, she only hosts dinner up to 3 times a week. Annette is a well known food writers and she is still contributing to many publications as well as conducting cooking classes. If you ever getting a seating at her private dining, you will be assure that you will be in for a tummy good time.


FatFuku
451 Upper East Coast Road
Singapore 466499
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Nearest MRT: Bedok (EW Line)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bedok MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bus Stop at Bedok MRT station (Stop ID 84039). Take bus number 137. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ami Ami @ Great World City - Relish In The Art Of Sushi With Unique Sushi Roll Creations By Award-Winning Chef

With award-winning Master Chef Naoki Tsuzuki at helm, Ami Ami takes on an unconventional approach towards sushi-making and rolls out a new selection of avant-garde sushi rolls that reflect an infusion of bold new flavours with the traditional sushi. Diners can look forward to unique creations such as the cheese pie sushi and fruit sushi, as well as exquisite presentations of the dishes paired with sauces such as the refreshing green leek sauce and flavourful anchovy olive paste.

Ebi Tempura Cheese Pie Roll 4.2/5

The only one-of-its-kind in Singapore, the Ebi Tempura Cheese Pie Roll ($15.80) features 8 delicate pieces of sushi rice, prawn tempura and cheddar cheese all wrapped up in a pie crust. Baked to crisp perfection, the pie roll has a slight crisp, flaky exterior while retaining a slight amount of oozing cheesy goodness when bitten into. The overall flavour is balanced with a dab of sweet teriyaki cream sauce.

Fruit & Ebi Tempura Vegetable Sheet Roll 4.2/5

The Fruit & Ebi Tempura Vegetable Sheet Roll ($9.80) amps up the usual sushi roll with the wholesome goodness of prawn tempura and mixed fruits with mango mayonnaise and wasabi flavoured shrimp roe all wrapped with paper-thin carrot vegetable sheet. An ingenious combination of sushi with fruits and vegetables which gave it a refreshing multi-dimensional taste profile, this dish is recommended for those seeking for a healthier alternative.

Mixed Sashimi Carpaccio 4/5

The Mixed Sashimi Carpaccio ($16.80) comes with dainty pieces of fresh assorted sashimi, salmon roe and blanched sea urchin gorgeously plated in a visual feast. Mix all ingredients with the special anchovy olive paste and enjoy it tapas-style on the crispy buttery baguette toast.

Sushi Pizza 4/5

A well-loved favourite among many, the Chef creatively incorporates this pizza concept into sushi making with the Sushi Pizza ($17.80), where warm sushi rice is spread on thin spring roll skin and topped with melted mozzarella and Gouda cheese together with a generous portion of mixed sashimi, flying fish roe, omelette and avocado with spicy mayonnaise. A conventional dish infused with a unique Japanese twist, the flavours work surprisingly well together. Bump up your sushi pizza to the next level with the unique Japanese spicy sauce and tomato-based sauce drizzled on the plate.

Zuwaigani Shell Sushi 3.8/5

The Zuwaigani Shell Sushi ($9.80) comes with a generous portion of juicy snow crab meat, omelette and wasabi-flavoured shrimp roe on sushi rice served on a crab shell. Refreshing to the palate, the flavours in the combination are well-balanced, with the tinge of wasabi spice complementing the freshness of the seafood well.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ami Ami
Great World City
Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street
#B1-01/02/03/04
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 68359071
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Orchard MRT station (Stop ID B09022). Take bus number 16 or 175. Alight 4 bus stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station. (Stop ID B06011). Take bus number 75 or 970. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Great World City. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 5, 16 or 195. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]