Showing posts with label Pork Belly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pork Belly. Show all posts

Monday, July 1, 2024

Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie @ Momentus Hotel Alexandra - Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie x Blue Smoke Four Hands Buffet Experience

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Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie at Momentus Hotel Alexandra is elevating its buffet dining experience through a unique and limited-time collaboration with Blue Smoke, a local BBQ and smokehouse led by Executive Chef Ivan Yeo. Running from 1 to 31 July 2024, the weekend buffet dinner will feature an exquisite spread that highlights the best of both Momentus Hotel Alexandra’s Executive Chef Jeffrey Tan and the award-winning Executive Chef Ivan Yeo from Blue Smoke.

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Smoked Garam Masala Beef Tomahawk

Among the many highlights of this buffet, the Smoked Garam Masala Beef Tomahawk was a rare treat. This dish features beef tomahawk marinated with garam masala, smoked for approximately an hour, and then grilled to a medium-rare finish.

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Grilled Tamarind Barramundi

My personal favourite was the Grilled Tamarind Barramundi. Zested up with a thick tamarind paste, the fish was incredibly moist and tender. The smoky nuances combined with the tangy paste add a depth of flavor to the natural sweetness of the fish.

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Charred Napa Cabbage

The Charred Napa Cabbage with Smoked Garlic Aioli, while flavorful, could benefit from more thorough cooking in the middle to ensure a consistent texture.

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Grilled Australian Lamb Shoulder

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Kombu Butter Tiger Prawns

The Grilled Australian Lamb Shoulder, seasoned impeccably with herbs and spices, had a pleasing flavor, though its texture leaned towards being slightly dry. Similarly, the Kombu Butter Tiger Prawns were flavorful but a bit dry.

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Pork Belly Bulgogi

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Balinese Chicken Wings

Pork Belly Bulgogi was another tantalizing dish, with a smoky-sweet caramelization on the surface that provided a satisfying bite. The Balinese Chicken Wings were also a crowd pleaser, thanks to their well-balanced seasoning and tender meat.

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Green Lip Mussels

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Smoked Wagyu Beef Brisket

In addition to the extensive buffet spread, there is a special tasting menu featuring five curated dishes, two of which are from Blue Smoke. The Green Lip Mussels stewed in Thai green curry and smoked lychee were particularly noteworthy, with a superb punchy green curry. The 20-hour Smoked Wagyu Beef Brisket, served in crispy pie tee cups, offered an unctuous mouthfeel with the contrast of crispy bites, making it a delightful indulgence.

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Four Hands Buffet Experience: Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie x Blue Smoke
1 – 31 July 2024. Weekend Buffet Dinner Fri & Sat: 6:00pm – 10:00pm $98++ per adult, $42++ per child (6 – 11 years old).

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.


Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie
Momentus Hotel Alexandra
Level 7
323 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159972
Tel: +65 6828 8880
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Nearest MRT: Queenstown (EW Line), Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Breakfast Buffet (Daily): 6:30am - 10:30am
A La Carte Lunch and Dinner (Daily): 12noon - 10:00pm
Semi-buffet Lunch (Daily): 12noon – 2:30pm
Weekday Semi-buffet Dinner (Sun to Thu): 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Weekend Buffet Dinner (Fri & Sat): 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Queenstown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Queenstown MRT station (Stop ID 11149). Take bus number 195. Alight 2 stops later. Walk towards Ikea, At Ikea, continuing walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10201). Take bus number 33 or 120. Alight 4 stops later. Walk towards Ikea, At Ikea, continuing walk to destination. . Journey time 10 minutes. [Map]

Friday, June 28, 2024

Ajoomma Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant @ Gemmill Lane - Celebrates June Holidays with Moo-ve & Tail Campaign, and A Revamped Menu Featuring Seafood Barbecue and Traditional Korean Dishes

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Ajoomma Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant at Gemmill Lane is celebrating the June holidays with a new "Moo-ve & Tail" campaign. The campaign offers diners a chance to win various prizes, such as a free steamed egg, complimentary side dishes, free plates of pork/beef, and more. The grand prize is 30% off the total dining bill. Along with this exciting campaign, the restaurant has revamped its menu, featuring seafood barbecue delights and traditional Korean dishes.

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Black Trumpette Angus Beef Tataki 4/5

We began our meal with the Black Trumpette Angus Beef Tataki ($32) and Truffle Steamed Egg ($16) to whet our appetites before diving into the barbecue. The Angus Beef Tataki was a standout, with its beefy richness beautifully complemented by the accompanying components.

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Truffle Steamed Egg 4/5

The Truffle Steamed Egg, resembling a soufflé, was extremely fluffy and pillowy. The truffle's earthy note elevated its flavour profile.

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Korean BBQ 4.2/5

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Marinated Chicken Thigh 150gm

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US Prime 2MM Beef Short Plate 150gm

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2MM  Pork Belly 150gm

Moving on to the highlight of the night, the Korean Charcoal BBQ, I appreciated the use of charcoal fire, which imparted a wonderful smokiness to the grilled ingredients. For our BBQ selection, we had:

- Marinated Chicken Thigh (150gm)
- US Prime 2MM Beef Short Plate (150gm, $31)
- 2MM Pork Belly (150gm, $28)

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Marinated US Scallops with Dill

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South Africa Live Abalone

Besides the meats, the restaurant also offers a variety of seafood for grilling. We tried the Marinated US Scallops with Dill ($36 for 5pcs) and the South Africa Live Abalone ($18/pc). Watching the live abalone being grilled over the charcoal fire was a unique experience, as this is not commonly seen in most Korean BBQ restaurants.

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Spicy Kimchi Tuna Soup 3/5

Apart from the BBQ, the restaurant offers several mains. We started with the Spicy Kimchi Tuna Soup ($20), a hearty and flavorful stew that showcased the bold and tangy flavours of the kimchi, making it a comforting choice.

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Korean Beef Tartare Bibimap 4/5

The Korean Beef Tartare Bibimbap ($25) is an innovative two-in-one dish where traditional Korean bibimbap is topped with beef tartare. The beef tartare added a textural contrast and an extra layer of flavour, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the dish.

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Japchae 4/5

The Japchae ($23) featured glass noodles stir-fried with a variety of vegetables in a sweet-savoury soy-based sauce. The delightful mix of flavours and textures, along with the fragrance of sesame oil, made this dish a joy to eat.

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Coconut Jelly with Coconut Ice Cream 4.2/5

We ended our meal with the Coconut Jelly with Coconut Ice Cream ($12.50). The coconut jelly, made with coconut water, was very refreshing, and the coconut ice cream added an extra touch of sweetness, rounding off the dinner perfectly.

Ajoomma Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant at Gemmill Lane offers an exciting dining experience with its "Moo-ve & Tail" campaign and revamped menu. The use of charcoal fire for grilling imparts a delicious smokiness to the dishes, while the inclusion of seafood and traditional Korean mains adds variety. Whether you're there for the BBQ or the mains, Ajoomma promises a delightful meal.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ajoomma Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant
No 2 & 4 Gemmill Lane
Singapore 069247
Tel: +65 8789 8650
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Friday, May 31, 2024

Pura Brasa @ Tanjong Pagar - New Fiery and Smoky Menu Featuring Charcoal-grilled Creations

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Pura Brasa, located directly above Tanjong Pagar MRT in Guoco Tower, is a well-known Spanish restaurant chain with its seventh outlet in Singapore. Known for serving quality Spanish comfort food, Pura Brasa is launching a new fiery and smoky menu at the end of May, featuring items made with its Josper charcoal oven. Despite being a Tuesday night, the restaurant was bustling with diners happily chatting over food and drinks.

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Hand-Cut 72-Month-Aged 100% Acorn Fed Bellota Jamón Ham 4.5/5

We started with a classic appetiser: Pura Brasa's Hand-Cut 72-month-aged 100% Acorn-Fed Bellota Jamón Ham ($65/60g, $35/30g) from award-winning producer Monte Nevado. The jamón had a lovely and delicate saltiness that didn't overwhelm, making it perfect to pair with the provided slices of bruschetta.

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Josper-Grilled House Smoked Wild Tasmanian Abalone 4.2/5

Presented in its shell, the tender Josper-Grilled House Smoked Wild Tasmanian Abalone ($48) carried a waft of smokiness. The portion is suitable for sharing.

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Pancetta and Kale Pizza with Sour Cream 3.8/5

Pura Brasa's pizzas feature a much chewier crust. We tried the Pancetta and Kale Pizza with Sour Cream ($33). While we enjoyed the combination of roasted kale, slices of cured pork belly, and tangy sour cream, we found it a tad too salty overall.

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Josper-Grilled Crispy Pork Belly with Porcini Mushroom Sauce 4.2/5

Fans of fattier cuts of pork belly must check out the Josper-Grilled Crispy Pork Belly with Porcini Mushroom Sauce ($29). Each piece of sous vide pork belly boasts a crunchy skin, while the high fat-to-meat ratio ensures the rest melts in your mouth.

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Josper-Grilled Red Snapper with Panaderas Patatas and Umami Crab Sauce 4.2/5

Next on the menu was the Josper-Grilled Red Snapper with Panaderas Patatas and Umami Crab Sauce ($34). Enjoy the fish with its skin for a distinct smokiness. I thoroughly enjoyed the flaky fish meat, complemented by the crab sauce, which added bits of umami and crustacean sweetness.

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30 Days Dry-Aged Australian Wagyu Ribeye

While I couldn't try the 30 Days Dry-Aged Australian Wagyu Ribeye ($33), my dining companions found it flavourful and tender. They quickly polished it off the plate.

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Injeolmi Iceballs with Chocolate Comb by Sobok 3.8/5

I was surprised to see that the dessert we were having was Korean. The Injeolmi Iceballs with Chocolate Comb by Sobok ($16) featured chewy rice cake iceballs in assorted flavours, covered in ice cream and rolled in bean powder. They were topped with a sweet comb-shaped chocolate.

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.


Pura Brasa Singapore
Guoco Tower
#01-16
5 Wallich Street
Singapore 078883
Tel: +65 6386 9678
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Friday, May 24, 2024

Yuiitsu Yakiniku & Butchery @ Jalan Riang - Unlimited A5 Wagyu Buffet at $79.80++

Meat Galore

Nestled in the quaint estate of Serangoon, Yuiitsu Yakiniku & Butchery is a hidden gem that offers a buffet extravaganza unlike any other. It boasts unlimited servings of Japanese A5 Wagyu beef and more at only $79.80++ per person or $59.80++ per person (without A5 Wagyu).

Wagyu

Wagyu in onsen egg

The A5 Wagyu comes in 200g per serving, and you can order as much as you can! The marbling on the cut gives it a melt-in-your-mouth texture. We got the onsen egg and used it as a dipping sauce! They also provide two dipping sauces and sea salt, so you get a variety of tastes in every bite.

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Yuiitsu Yakiniku 4/5

Other cuts, such as Short Rib, Flap, and Shabu Shabbu, and unique options like gyu tongue, are also available.

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Pork Belly 2

We love the marinated Pork Belly with a good meat and fat ratio. Increase the heat when grilling them to get a nice crisp and charred.

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The Pork Jowl has a nice crunch. What's even more enjoyable is watching the fat sizzle and the meat caramelise before your eyes as you cook it. You can't help but feel a sense of anticipation building.

Cooking

Oyster

Squid

The buffet menu also includes half-shell scallops, oysters and prawns. The scallops are topped with garlic butter sauce and oysters in kaki sauce, which are both very flavourful. A variety of mushrooms and vegetables are also available, which are good to have in between all the meats. We also ordered a slice of pineapple. If you have yet to try grilled pineapple, please do! The caramelised natural sugar made it extra sweet and is a great palette cleanser. We wish they have thinner slices without the skin which we feel will be better and faster for grilling.

Garlic Fried Rice

If you need carbs, they have garlic fried rice, which is flavourful with crispy garlic pieces. They also have Udon if you prefer noodles.

Retail

They also have a retail section where you can buy quality cuts of meats to cook at home. There is a seasonal 1-for-1 promotion, too!

Ambience

Overall, it was a nice, cosy place for a good feast. The meats served are all very fresh! However, be prepared to smell like BBQ afterwards, as we found the exhaust was not as great.

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


Yuiitsu Yakiniku & Butchery
15 Jalan Riang
Singapore 358987
Tel: +65 8930 8351
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Nearest MRT: Lorong Chuan (CC Line), Serangoon (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11.30am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to Serangoon Bus Interchange (Stop ID 66009). Take bus number 105. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Jalan Girang. Turn right onto Jalan Girang. At the junction of Jalan Girang, turn left and walk down Jalan Girang towards Jalan Riang. Turn right onto Jalan Riang. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Serangoon MRT station (Stop ID 62139). Take bus number 100, 107, 147, 153 or 853. Alight 1 stop later. Cross the road to Wolskel Road. Walk down Wolskel Road to Jalan Riang. Turn right onto Jalan Riang. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lorong Chuan MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Lor Chuan MRT station. (Stop ID 66391) Take bus 58 or 105. Alight one stop later. Cross the road and wlk to Jalan Girang. At the junction of Jalan Girang, turn left and walk down Jalan Girang towards Jalan Riang. Turn right onto Jalan Riang. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Monday, May 13, 2024

WO WO DIAN 窝窝店 @ Raffles City Shopping Centre - Buns Made with 130 Years Old Recipe

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Established in 1889 in Mianyang, Sichuan, Wo Wo Dian (窝窝店) recently opened its first overseas outpost at Raffles City. Over the past 130 years, it has become renowned for its steamed stuffed buns made with real Laomian (traditional sourdough). Today, Wo Wo Dian offers a menu that encompasses traditional Sichuan cuisine for a complete dining experience.

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Traditional Sauced Pork Buns 4.5/5

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Traditional Pork Bun 4.2/5

The buns here are truly superb. Crafted using traditional sourdough, the bun skin is exceptionally light with a slight chewiness that leaves you wanting more, even after indulging in three buns. Two types of pork buns are available: the Traditional Pork Bun ($8.90) and the Traditional Sauced Pork Bun ($7.90). The latter boasts a more flavourful and aromatic profile due to the marination, while the traditional version offers a more straightforward taste with a slightly porkier flavour.

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Crispy Bamboo Shoots 2.8/5

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Mouth-Watering Chicken 3.5/5

We tried a couple of cold dishes - the Crispy Bamboo Shoots ($6.90) and the Mouth-Watering Chicken ($10.90). While the bamboo shoots with peppercorn dressing didn't quite suit my palate, the Mouth-Watering Chicken was much more appetising with its well-balanced piquant chilli dressing, although the portion was relatively small.

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Firecracker Chicken 4.5/5

The Firecracker Chicken ($13.90), a common dish in Sichuan restaurants, is one of the better versions I've tried. Each morsel is crispy yet tender inside, with just the right amount of heat.

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Kung Pao Eggplant with Shrimp 4/5

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Boiled Pork Belly With Spicy Sauce 3.8/5

Other side dishes include the Kung Pao Eggplant with Shrimp ($22.90) and the Boiled Pork Belly With Spicy Sauce ($25.90). The Kung Pao Eggplant with Shrimp features a mild in-house sauce that pairs well with the spongy texture of the deep-fried eggplant cubes and the prawns. On the other hand, the Boiled Pork Belly With Spicy Sauce feels like a hearty hangover dish, mainly because its finishing touch was a douse of hot oil. While the meat was tender, it lacked its own distinct flavours.

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Classic Chicken Broth Rice Noodles 3.5/5

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Szechuan Beef Broth Rice Noodles 4/5

There are two noodles options: the Classic Chicken Broth Rice Noodles ($14.90) and the Szechuan Beef Broth Rice Noodles ($13.90). Both feature silky rice noodles imported directly from Mianyang, as well as kelp and chickpeas. While the chicken broth was rich and thick, I found it needed more depth of flavour. In contrast, the beef broth was robust and heady.

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Poached Pear in Rice Wine 4.2/5

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Three Delicacies Iced Jelly 4/5

Be sure to try their dessert. The Poached Pear in Rice Wine ($6.90) and the Three Delicacies Iced Jelly ($4.90) are delightful options. I particularly enjoyed the poached pear for its rice wine infusion, and neither dessert was overly sweet. The Three Delicacies Iced Jelly is a refreshing choice to cleanse the palate after a hearty meal.

Penned 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.


WO WO DIAN (窝窝店)
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
B1-13/14/15
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6513 5598
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon–Thu: 1130am – 9pm
Fri–Sun: 1130am – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]