Paulaner Bräuhaus @ Millenia Walk - Singapore's First And Only German Microbrewery Reopens After A Two-Month Makeover

After a two months of renovation, Paulaner Bräuhaus at Millenia Walk is re-opened again. Singapore's first and only authentic German microbrewery has a new stylish and dapper interior marked by a contemporary palette of light maple. tan leather, matt gold and royal blue. In conjunction with the re-opening, it has also updated its food menu.

We started with some beers from the tap. From left to right, we have the Paulaner Brauhaus Weissbier Wheat Bear, Paulaner Brauhaus Helles Pale Lager and Paul Brauhaus Drunkel Dark Lager.

Obazda with Pretzel 4.2/5

Kicking off the meal at Paulaner Brauhaus, we started with some light bites. First we had the Obazda with Pretzel ($16.90). The Munich-style pretzel, baked freshly in the premises daily is accompanied by a bottle of obazda (a Bavarian cheese spread). The cheese spread is made with fresh butter, camembert, various spices, chopped onions and topped with fried onions. The obazda is really very enjoyable that you may end up ordering a few pretzel to go with it.

Paulaner Trio Fish 4/5

The Paulaner Trio Fish ($15.90) is another good choice to go with the pretzel which comprises of smoked salmon in cream cheese, herring salad and red radish salad with smoked trout. My favourite is the herring salad which adds a sourish touch to whet up the appetite.

Pork Knuckle 4.2/5

A staple of German cuisine, undoubtedly is the Pork Knuckle ($31.90) served bone-in. The whole pork knuckle is marinated in Bavarian spice blend, brushed with Paulaner beer, and then oven roasted for 2.5 hours for a crackling and crispy skin with succulent flesh. It even comes with a traditional Bavarian bread dumpling for a hearty full meal. I like the sauerkraut side that helps to cut the richness.

Pork Schnitzel 3.5/5

For a meaty enjoyment, go for the Pork Schnitzel ($25.90). The pork escalope is coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried in butter until golden brown. It is then served together with lemon wedges, french fries and ketchup.

Spatzle 2.8/5

For diners who like to have some additional sides to go with their mains, an unique item on the menu is the Spatzle ($6.90), a homemade egg noodles. While the noodle has a enjoyable chewy textural bite, I thought the execution was a little bland. I also don't like the taste of the alfalfa sprouts.

Currywurst Hot Paula 4.2/5

Besides pork knuckle, German cuisine is also known for their sausages. Not to be missed is the Currywurst Hot Paula ($12.90) which is a six inch smoked pork sausage in a delectable curry tomato-chilli sauce, dusted with curry powder and paired with a side of fries. The addition of curry and chilli definitely made it more receptive to the local palate.

Apple Beignets 4/5

A warm and comforting dessert at Paulaner Brauhaus is their Apple Beignets ($14.90). The apple rings is coated with wheat beer batter, ddeep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Paired it with some vanilla ice cream and vanilla sauce with berry compote for a sweet treat.

Kaiserchmarrn 3/5

Guess I don't have a king's palate as I did not enjoy the Kaiserchmarrn ($14.90), which is heralded as the Emperor's Pancake because King Franz Joseph l is known to be very fond of the dish. The thick-cut pancakes are caramelised in a pan with butter and sugar. To enjoy,  have it together with the red berry compote, apple compote and vanilla ice cream.

Every Sunday, Paulaner Brahaus serves up a sumptuous German Brunch buffet from 1130am to 230pm. A myriad of hot and cold stations teeming with sausages, Bavarian meatloaf, pork knuckle, salads and much more. The dessert station station also comprises a delightful chocolate fountain, warm apple strudel and an assortment of ice cream. Activities such as colouring or mask masking are available for children during the brunch too.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Paulaner Brauhaus
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
#01-01, #02-01, #03-01
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 68832572
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Bar
Sun-Thu: 12pm - 1am
Fri-Sat, Eve of PH: 12pm - 2am
Restaurant
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 630pm - 1030pm
German Sunday Brunch
Sun: 11am - 230pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Conrad Hotel. Continue towards the direction of Suntec Convention Centre. Walk to destination. Paulaner Brauhaus is at the end of the building facing Suntec Convention Centre. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Wine & Chef @ Keong Saik Road - Pairing Italian Boutique Wines With Mod-Sin Cuisine

The newly opened Wine & Chef along Keong Saik Road is the brainchild of SG Wine Cellar in partnership with wine distributor Papawines from Italy. The new establishment offers a cosy destination for affordable Italian boutique wines paired with homestyle Mod-Sin cuisine. It is also a wine shop boasting over 250 exclusive Italian wines from boutique family-owned wineries, making them Singapore's largest collection of Italian wines.

Tofu & Century Egg 3/5

The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Wilson Ang who has worked at DB Bistro, Spruce and Fordham & Grand. Starting with the small bites, we tried the Tofu & Century Egg ($6). The dish is served cold. The soft and silky tofu is made from homemade organic soya milk. It is then garnished with creamy century egg yolk sauce, sesame dressing, extra virgin olive oil and pok chui crackers.

Steamed Black Mussels 4/5

Next, we had the Steamed Black Mussels ($18) which is one of their popular dishes. The Chilean mussels are steeped in chicken broth, Chinese rice wine, minced ginger and garlic. This is topped with chillies, shallots, cliantro, and finished with a spritz of lime juice.

Salmon Confit Risotto 4/5

I was told that the Salmon Confit Risotto ($18) is inspired from the local fish porridge, I have to admit it was a bit hard sell for me. However, this is really a yummy dish. Instead of rice, it is replaced with mascarpone barley. A while Norwegian salmon fillet is used instead of fish sices. It is finally crowned with ikura, tobiko and celery leaves, and dressed with lemon juice for a zesty finish.

Crab Meat Hokkien Mee 4.2/5

The Crab Meat Hokkien Mee ($26) is a upgraded version of the chef's mum recipe. The linguine pasta s tossed in a seafood broth and top quality dark soy sauce from a local producer, giving it a Hokkien touch. Seafood such as blue swimmer crab, tiger prawns, black mussels and squid are added with a generous lashings of pork lard, imbuing a richness to the dish.

Curry Pork Knuckle 4.2/5

An incidental creation when someone spilled leftover curry sauce onto the pork knuckle is the Curry Pork Knuckle ($20). For the portion and pricing, this is value for money and good for sharing among a group of friends. The pork knuckle is cured for 12 hours i a proprietary spice mix and then sous vide for 24 hours. It is deep fried and blanket with a homemade curry sauce before serving. I applauded the achar side that helps to cut through the richness of the dish.

Venere Rice Pudding 4/5

For dessert, we had the Venere Rice Pudding ($8). Basically this is pulut hitam or black rice cooked with pistachio paste and a bit of gula melaka for sweetness. Topped with a vanilla bean ice cream and coconut crumble for a cold and crunchy finish.

For diners that enjoy having a drink or two to pair with their food, you will be delighted to know that their house pour is only $6 per glass. The extensive wine list offers over 250 wines from 42 different wineries spanning North to South Italy to complement the food menu.


Wine & Chef
7 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089115
Tel: +65 62219279
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight down New Bridge Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right again onto Keong Saik Road. Walk down Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Amara Singapore Chinese New Year 2017

Amara Singapore will be ringing in the Year of the Rooster with an abundant array of Chinese New Year delicacies and reunion meals from 3 January to 12 February 2017. We dropped by Silk Road Restaurant to sample some of the celebratory signatures and traditional festive dishes that will be available on the menu of Silk Road and Thanying Restaurant this Lunar New Year.

Eight Treasure Yu Sheng 3.8/5

It was double happiness at Amara Singapore with the duo Lo Hei from both Silk Road and Thanying Restaurant. From Silk Road, we have the Eight Treasure Yu Sheng that comprises of cured salmon, jellyfish, golden silver fish, crispy fish skin, sliced abalone, ikura roe, tobilo roe and pomelo with chef's special spicy Sichuan garlic sauce. It has a lot of different types, especially coming from the silver fish and fish skin. The spicy sauce is a unique variation from the norm.

Thanying's Salmon Yu Sheng 4.5/5

From Thanying Restaurant, we had the Salmon Yu Sheng that is made up of shredded vegetables, yam strips and green mango. The highlight is the tangy and spicyThai sauce comprising of fish sauce, lime juice and chilli padi. This is surprisingly the favourite among the group. It felt like having the Thai dish, Som Tum.

Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Ginseng and Gastrodia Root 4.2/5

The Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Ginseng and Gastrodia Root is a nourishing goodness which has been boiled over 6 hours to kick start the meal. This is my first time having gastrodia root, which is commonly used in Sichuan cuisine.

Soy Glazed Baked Cod with Bonito Sauce 4.5/5

Making a grand entry is the humongous Soy Glazed Baked Cod with Bonito Sauce. Cod fish is known for its buttery sweetness and this is further enhanced by seasoning with sake and mirin for over 4 hours before being baked to perfection.

Braised Pork Knuckle with Sea Cucumber and Chestnut 4.2/5

The Braised Pork Knuckle with Sea Cucumber and Chestnut may not be the most presentable dish but definitely one that will melt your heart with its succulence and tenderness. It has to be stewed for 6 hours over slow fire to achieve the texture and for the flavours to be absorbed to be locked into the ingredients.

Traditional Beijing Roasted Duck 3.5/5

A classic dish offered at Silk Road is their Traditional Beijing Roasted Duck, seasoned overnight and roasted to perfection. Two ways of enjoying this delicacy - the meat is eaten together with skin in a crepe and pair the crispy skin with sugar.

Phad Kra-Praw-Pla 3.5/5

From the Thai Restaurant - Thanying, we tried the Phad Kra-Praw-Pa which is available as a la carte item during the Chinese New Year period. It is actually stir fried fish maw with dried mushroom and crabmeat. The execution was slight on the salty side. If not for that, I would have rated it highly.

Steamed Fragrant Rice with Salted Fish, Chinese Sausage and Waxed Meat 4.8/5

A must try at Silk Road is the Steamed Fragrant Rice with Salted Fish, Chinese Sausage and Waxed Meat. The rice is cooked in the water that is used to boil the sausages. ensuring each grain absorb the flavour. The salted fish further elevated the overall flavour.

Fried Sesame Dumpling and Nian Gao with Coconut Flakes 3/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we have the Fried Sesame Dumpling and Nian Gao with Coconut Flakes. The fragrant sesame dumpling is quite delightful with its peanut filling. The chewy texture of the nian gao is like having mochi.

For enquiries, please contact
Silk Road - (65) 6227 3848, silkroad@amaraholdings.com
Thanying Restaurant - (65) 6222 4688, thanyingrestaurant@amaraholdings.com

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Amara Singapore
165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088539
Facebook 
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Le Bistrot du Sommelier @ Armenian Street

If I'm not wrong, Le Bistrot du Sommelier at Armenian Street;is the only place in Singapore where you can find a Rillette bar. I like the modest setting, which is almost at its bare minimum - Narrow tall tables and bar stools filling up the floor, with the in between taken up by music, chattering and laughter. Being in Singapore for 8 years, they will be celebrating their 2016 Chinese New Year with us with their specially crafted "CNY Prosperity Delicatessen" menu.

Lo Hei, one of the most symbolic dishes of Chinese New Year, is being presented as Prosperity Salad ($68.00 for 6-8 pax, $10.80/pax for dine-in) in a layering of fresh greens, sliced pickled beets and cured salmon. I love the beautiful colours, the vivid red and the greens. Accompanied with a dressing concocted using oils and vinaigrette, every bite was full of crunch, tangy and freshness. The buttery flavour released from the 'gold' (croutons) balances the overall vinegary. This is by far one of my favourite Lo Hei hybrids.

Prosperity Salad 4/5

Having their own rillettes bar, showcasing their home made rillettes is of course a must. Rillettes de Saumon ($18.00 for 150gm takeaway, $16.80/100gm dine -in)  is included as part of the festive menu. Mixed with white wine cream sauce, the overall texture was not too buttery, which sits well with me.

Rillettes de Saumon 3.8/5

For Hot Dishes, we had Rillon de Porc - crispy Canadian pork belly ($88.00/$108.00 for takeaway/ dine in) and Jarret en Trios Coupes - Red Wine Braised pork Knuckle, Chicken Legs and Duck Legs ($198.00/$218.00 take away/ dine in). For the pork belly, the skin is the key, which didn't disappoint. As for the braised pot, all the meats were just as tender, but I love the braised pork knuckle for its fats. However, I would have enjoyed both dishes should they had been less salty.

Rillon de Porc and  Jarret en Trios Coupes 3.8/5

Brie de Meaux aux Truffes, "Brie cheese" ($28.80/180gm takeaway, $31.80/180gm dine in) infused with black winter truffle may be the perfect dessert to sum up your celebration if you are a cheese lover. It is quite mild, creamy, with a subtle sweetness. You may want to have that along with some fine wines, which are carefully selected by the owner himself from France.

Brie de Meaux aux Truffes 3.5/5

Even though this was my first experience with Le Bistrot du Sommelier, I like them for their quiet charm. When placing your order for their festive menu, do remember to include some of their baguettes too. They are one of the most ideal vehicles to deliver the rillettes and cheeses into your mouth and satiate your whetted appetite.

Photograph and written 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.


Le Bistrot du Sommelier
53 Armenian Street
Singapore 179940
Tel: +65 63331982
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT Station. Take Exit A. Head towards Stamford Road at the traffic junction of Bras Basah Road, Queen Street and Stamford Road. Continue onwards onto Armenian Street. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at City Hall MRT Station. Take Exit A or B. Head northwest onto Stamford Road. Turn left onto Armenian Street. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Ciao@ Italian Risto-Bar @ Haji Lane

Ciao@ Italian Risto-Bar is a restaurant in a bar with front entrance at Haji Lane and back entrance from Arab Street. Chef Domenico calls it his home and I can understand why. The passionate chef has created a menu comprises of recipes from members of his families as well as using most of the ingredients from Italian whenever he can.

Fritto Del Piceno 3/5

Diners at Ciao@ can start with some Italian finger food in the Fritto Del Piceno ($16). The mixed fried of Marche region includes cheeses, vegetables and a chef's surprise. If I am not wrong, the chef's surprise is minced meat with olive. It turned out to be my favourite among the trio for the layered flavours.

Calamari 4/5

The Pan Fried Calamari with pine nuts, cherry tomato and olive taggiasche is a light and refreshing appetiser, lightly seasoned, allowing the main ingredient to be the star.

Sughe D' Magre 4/5

The Sughe D' Magre ($23) is a linguine dish cooked with tuna, anchovies and green olive in tomato sauce. It may look like any ordinary dish but this is packed full of flavours. The fresh tomato sauce is the highlight for me, bringing the pasta to life.

Ravoli Di Ricotta 4.2/5

The fresh tomato sauce once again is the highlight for the Ravoli Di Ricotta ($22). The handmade pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese works beautifully together. This is definitely one of the best ravoli I have tried.

Focaccia Al Rosmarino 4/5

The Focaccia Al Rosmarino ($15) is definitely good for sharing. The Italian bread is topped with fresh rosemary and garlic for an enriched flavour.

Pizzawich 4/5

For an unique offering at Ciao@, there is the Pizzawich ($15) which is a cross between a pizza and sandwich. It is like having a toastie. There are a total of nine different flavours to chose from. We tried the Sud E Nord Pizzawich which has burrata cheese and parma ham. I personally like the idea of the pizzawich. Besides the fact that it is good, it is also convenient to eat and for takeaway.

Pizzawich 4/5

With innovation in the pizzawich, Ciao@ also offers the traditional thin crust pizza in their menu. As we were too full to tried the different pizzas, we specially requested for the chef to do a half-half pizza. Do note they do not sell half-half pizza on their menu. This is specially done for the purpose of our tasting. Anyway we tried the Tartufina ($24) and 4 Stagioni ($20) pizza.

4 Stagioni 3.5/5 and Tartufina 4/5

The Tartufina Pizza is spread with the earthy truffle paste and mozzarella. The aroma of the truffle can be smelled from a distance. It is a rich and flavourful pizza but somehow one dimensional in terms of flavour. For the 4 Stagioni Pizza it has more varieties, topped with mozzarella, tomato sauce, cooked ham, artichoke, black olive and mushroom. I preferred this for the medley of flavours.

Stinco Di Maiale Alla Birra 4.5/5

Besides the staple pasta and pizza in Italian cuisine, we also tried the Stinco Di Maiale Alla Birra ($38). The chef seems very proud of his pork knuckle. He explained that usually pork knuckle are done such that the flavour is concentrated on the exterior but the meat itself is bland.  I can understand why after having a piece of it. I can still taste the beer in the tender meat which fell off the bone with ease. The pork knuckle is also served with mash potato and white cabbage.

Bistecca Di Polipo 4/5

I was actually quite curious when I saw grilled octopus steak with sauteed spinach in the menu. The Bisteeca Di Polipo ($32) is actually chopped grilled octopus molded into shape. A beautiful dish with the light seasoning, allowing the full enjoyment of the pillowy grilled octopus.

Zia Luisa's Tiramisu 3.8/5

Accordingly to the Chef, the Zia Luisa's Tiramisu ($12) is his sister recipe. The layers of velvety mascarpone cheese and finger biscuit drenched in coffee is on the lighter side compare to many other places. He explained this is how his sister likes it and he finds it appropriate to be part of the menu after all the rich flavour dishes.

Panna Cotta 3.5/5

The Panna Cotta ($9) with its wobbly and silky smooth texture, paired with the mixed berry compote is another light and pleasing dessert to finish the dinner.

Ciao@ Gelato 4/5

The homemade gelato, Pistachio Mascarpone Cheese ($6) will cap off the diner in a sweet note with its sweetness and creamy texture.

It makes me wonder Chef Domenico wants to open an Italian restaurant in the Malay enclave at Kampong Glam. Probably he sees an opportunity that non of the food establishments in the vicinity is offering authentic Italian cuisine. It may also caters to the hotels and residential nearby. One thing for sure, the large menu offering an array of home cooked fare will delight diners with the home recipes, just like dining at the Chef's home coupled with his warm hospitality.


Ciao@ Italian Risto-Bar 
8 Haji Lane
(39 Arab Street - back entrance)
#01-01
Singapore 189201
Tel: +65 62969688
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line), Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 5pm - 1am
Fri-Sat: 5pm - 2am
Sun: 1130am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge to Beach Road. Walk towards the junction of Jalan Sultan and Beach Road. Cross the road and walk down Beach Road. Turn right onto Arab Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Raffles Hospital. Walk to junction of North Bridge Road and Ophir Road. Cross the junction and walk down North Bridge Road towards Haji Lane. Turn right into Haji Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

HaHa Thai @ Takashimaya

Do you love Thai food? If you do, there is a new Thai restaurant, Haha Thai located on the fifth floor of Takashimaya. Haha Thai is not new to the F&B industry as they used to be operating Hahaha Seafood restaurant in Lavender before relocating to their new premises.

Seafood Tanghoon Salad 4.2/5

Our dinner at Haha Thai began with a fiery start with the Seafood Tanghoon Salad ($14.80). All the characters of Thai flavours are showcased in the dish accompanied with fresh seafood.

Pork Knuckle Tom Yum Soup 3.5/5

Usually when we visit Thai restaurant, we probably order seafood/prawn tom yum soup but Pork Knuckle Tom Yum Soup ($18.80) is the first for me. Taste wise the clear soup is no different from other tom yum soup except the main ingredients. Hence it is up to individual's preference.

Himalayan Snow Baked Seabass 4/5

The Himalayan Snow Baked Seabass ($49.80) is probably the most expensive item on the menu but it is worth every penny. After peeling off the skin, underneath it, is the delicious flesh which is soft and moist.

Sambal Kang Kong 4/5

The Sambal Kang Kong ($8.80) tossed in sambal chilli is cooked to a nice crunch. I find the vegetable not spicy enough but I am sure you can ask to kitchen to give it some more kick.

Buttercorn Tiger Prawns 4/5

For seafood lover, the Buttercorn Tiger Prawns ($18.80) with its plump and bouncy flesh is a luxurious enjoyment to the dinner.

Pineapple Fried Rice 3/5

For a more substantial dish, the Pineapple Fried Rice ($10.80) topped with pork floss, fried shallot, nuts and raisin will be a good choice to complete the meal.

Red Velvet Lava Cake with Ice Cream 3/5

Actually I am a bit confused to find Red Velvet Lava Cake with Ice Cream ($10.80) served in a Thai restaurant. This is probably to attract the younger crowd with the latest cafe hopping craze. The lava cake itself is quite moist and my dining partner seems to enjoy it more than me.

Rainbow Gems with Ice Cream 3/5

Red Ruby is commonly served in Thai restaurant but have you heard of Rainbow Gems with Ice Cream ($8.80). Instead of the usual chestnut coated with tapioca flour, Haha Thai gives it a little playful twist with the additional of yellow and green chestnut. The chestnut was crunchy and not floury. However the dessert was lacking the rich coconut milk and sweetness.

In conjunction with the golden jubilee, Haha Thai is also offering 2 set menu at $50++ per pax. The set menu comes with a total of 8 dishes, plus coffee/tea and a complimentary glass of house wine per pax. This is available only from Sunday to Thursday.


Haha Thai
Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road
#05-29
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 62994401
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 1100am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit D. Follow the walkway through Wisma Atria to Takashimaya. Continue walking straight at Ngee Ann City until destination. Journey about 8 minutes. [Map]

2)  Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B to Orchard Road. Head west or turn left onto Orchard Road against the flow of traffic. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]