Takeshi Noodle Bar @ Hotel Soloha - Jelebu Dry Laksa Pop-Up Restaurant With Modern Twist On Local Dishes

Chef Renee Tang Eyrn, better known for her home-based business Jelebu Dry Laksa has collaborated with Tipsy Collective for a limited time. During this period, she will be running her pop-up restaurant at Takeshi Noodle Bar along Keong Siak Road. Not only is she bringing her dry laksa to the menu, customers can also look forward to her modern twist on the local dishes.

Scallop & Otah Pillow 3.5/5

We commenced the dinner with the Scallop & Otah Pillow ($22 for 3pc) resting on a crispy nori cracker. It is further paired with otah mousse and top with avruga caviar for an exciting play of flavours and textures.

Taupok Poppers 4.2/5

The Taupok Poppers ($12 for 6pc) is one of my favourite items on the menu. The crispy youtiao is stuffed with king mackerel and tossed in a delicious sweet and savoury rojak sauce, topped with ginger flower and peanuts. These popping delights are very addictive.

Szechuan on a Stick 4.8/5

A must-have has to be the Szechuan on a Stick ($14 for 2 skewers). The grilled pepper pork satay is exceptionally tender. The soul has to be Nam Jim Jaew (Thai chilli sauce) that elevated the local pork satay to a whole new level of enjoyment.

Grilled Tiger Prawn Dry Laksa $22

Not forgetting Chef Renee's signature Jelebu dry laska. At Takeshi Noodle bar, there are 3 options - Grilled Tiger Prawn Dry Laksa ($22), Butter-Poached Half Lobster Dry Laksa ($32) and Butter-Poached Whole Lobster Dry Laksa ($46). The plate of slurping goodness is boosted with a beautiful aroma from the rempah. I also noticed the noodle is thinner than what Chef Renee used for her home-based business. In addition, it is also saucier than her home-based business. I prefer this version at Takeshi Noodle Bar.

Kaya Goreng 4.5/5

Wrapping up my dinner is the Kaya Goreng ($14 for 3pc). The kaya coconut mousse is served in a charcoal ice cream cone. It is a very creative dessert paired with coconut ice cream, chocolate soil and salted peanuts. 

Jelebu Dry Laksa's tasting menu will be available on Mon, Wed & Sat. Ala-carte menu items will be available daily except Tuesday when the restaurant will be closed. The 8 Course Set menu is priced at $88 per pax and $118 per pax for the 9-Course Set menu

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Takeshi Noodle Bar
Hotel Soloha
12 Teck Lim Road
Singapore 088387
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 1am
Sat: 12pm - 1am
Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight towards Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Siak Road. Walk down Keong Siak Road and turn left onto Teck Lim Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant @ One Fullerton - Savour Signature Dishes With 65 Years Of Heritage

From a pushcart at old Upper East Coast Road to a notable seafood restaurant at One Fullerton, Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant is now into its 65th year. Indeed, it is quite a milestone. Perhaps the best way to commemorate that is by bringing back the beloved dishes that have won the hearts of many over the years. With the launch of The 1956 Menu, customers can now look forward to popular dishes dated way back from 1956 made with the same traditional recipes fine-tuned over the years.

Singapore Rojak 4.5/5

To start, we had Singapore Rojak ($12) and Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish ($18). The rojak was really delicious with just the right amount of its propriety sauce coating the various ingredients - ginger flower, shaved pineapple, cucumber, turnip and mango, along with beansprouts, tau pok (tofu puffs), and youtiao (dough fritters). The quintessential crushed peanuts were well roasted, adding a good dose of nuttiness to the sweet fruits. I do like the addition of century egg too, which was somewhat creamy and funky in a good way.

Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish 4/5

Fried Kang Kong with Cuttlefish ($18/$28) - A combination that has always appeared odd to me suddenly make sense in this chilled version. This appetiser was pretty delightful mixed with sweet sauce, chilli, and spicy dried shrimps and complete with a handful of deep-fried shallots and nuts. Slightly less sauce would have been even more ideal.

Seafood King Prawn Soup 4/5

Next up was the Seafood King Prawn Soup ($14). Using the same broth as the restaurant's award-winning Coco Lobo that features live lobster with vermicelli in a milky and tangy superior chicken stock, this is a pocket-friendly variant of using a succulent tiger prawn. The star is still the well-loved broth made with evaporated milk, dried orange peel, Jin Hua ham (Chinese cured meat), chilli oil and lime juice. It is pretty close to the taste of Tom Yum but less piquant.

Deep Fried ‘Golden Phoenix’ with Spicy Sauce 4/5

A varied version to the classic dish of Sweet & Sour Fish - Deep Fried 'Golden Phoenix' with Spicy Sauce ($48/800g) - deep-fried freshwater 'Golden Phoenix' fish topped with a house-made sauce made which was fiery and tangy with red chilli padi, tamarind paste, sour plum and freshly juiced lime. The fish was meaty, allowing it to carry the sauce well. The papadum at the side didn't quite serve any purposes though.

Stir-fried Mussels in Soy Bean Sauce and Sambal Chilli 3/5

As for Stir-fried Mussels in Soy Bean Sauce and Sambal Chilli ($16/$32), I thought the sauce was a tad too heavy for the mussels.

Oyster Sauce Chicken 4.5/5

One of the must-order dishes from the 1956 Menu is this Oyster Sauce Chicken ($24). Using a whole organic Anxin chicken, the chicken is brushed in dark soy sauce and deep-fried till golden brown, then stuffed with stir-fried chives, garlic and lard before steaming it for 50 minutes in aluminium foil with oyster sauce, sesame oil and Hua Diao wine. The texture of the chicken was wonderfully fork-tender.

Crabs Crab Ala Singapura 4.8/5

Of all the crab dishes I have tried, this Crabs Crab Ala Singapura (Market Price) is one of the most outstanding. The award-winning dish is charcoal-grilled at 400 degrees Celsius with melted mozzarella, aged parmesan cheese, creamy French butter, salt and pepper. Unlike some, which I find too rich and creamy or cheesy, the use of both melted mozzarella and aged parmesan cheese strikes a balance in flavour and creaminess. I like that it was savoury more than sweet and that the creaminess was lifted and sharpened by peppery nuances.

Yuan-Yang Seabass Crackling Rice Soup 4/5

You can also drop by for a sumptuous lunch with the restaurant's latest Lunch-exclusive Pao Fan menu available for lunch between 12pm and 230pm. We tried the Yuan-Yang Seabass Crackling Rice Soup ($16.80) featuring fish cooked two ways – a serving of crispy fried Seabass, alongside silky slices of the fish in a seafood broth containing cooked rice, as well as crispy rice puffs and youtiao. For such a portion and the quality of the fish, this is one of the best lunch deals that you can ever get.

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.


Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant
One Fullerton
#01-09, 1 Fullerton Road
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 63368118
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Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Clifford Centre and then Change Alley. Take escalator to level 2. Cross the road using the OUE Link. Turn left towards Fullerton Bay Hotel. Walk to towards the bay and destination. Journey time about 8 minutes.[Map]

Botanico @ The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens) - 2019 World Gourmet Summit Rising Female Chef Of The Year Brings new Maturity And Confidence In Her Creations

My last visit to Botanico at The Garage was 3 years ago when Chef Sue takes the helm introducing her interpretation of Asian flavours in her dishes. Since then, she has grown from strength to strength, winning the 2019 Rising Female Chef of the Year and spent time in the kitchens of Michelin-starred Mugaritz polishing her culinary skills.

Beef Tongue Tacos 3.5/5

I guess no one has ever seen or tried taco presented in such a matter. The Beef Tongue Tacos ($18) is served jicama slaw, toasted rice, ginger flower, baby bokchoy and cashew cream. To enjoy it, simply piece everything together and have it in one mouthful to get the different textures and flavours all at play in one go.

Corn Pani Puri 4/5

The Corn Pani Puri ($10) is a playful touch by Chef Sue where puffed little pillows of Indian-inspired puri pastry acted as a cup, holding within it, spiced baby corn and a rich espuma of curried Japanese corn. Pop this in the mouth for a burst of aromatic flavours dancing in the mouth.

Rojak 3.5/5

The Rojak ($15) may look plain, but it is actually packed with the lovely savoury shrimp paste flavour. Give the heiko foam a good mix, coating the pile of kohlrabi and seasonal Southeast Asian fruits salad. It reminds me of the Penang-style rojak, giving the refreshing salad a delightful combo of sweet, savoury, and sour with each bite.

Wing Bean Salad 4.2/5

Chef Sue took inspiration from a staff meal that one of her Malaysian chefs created. Together with her team, they took the dish apart and created the new elevated Wing Bean Salad ($15) using European techniques with Southeast Asian flavours. The wing beans are paired with cubes of housemade chickpea tofu, chopped hard-boiled egg, bird's eye chilli, dressed in a bright, punchy dressing of lime juice, lemongrass, fish sauce, belachan and Thai palm sugar. It even comes with a generous topping of Asian anchovies or better known as ikan bilis in Southeast Asia.

Assam Pedas Snapper 4.2/5

Fish lover will adore Chef Sue's modern take of the traditional assam pedas - Assam Pedas Snapper ($32). The red snapper fillet is grilled over banana leaf, complemented with saffron risotto, okra 2-ways, assam pedas and ginger flower.

Herbal Chicken 4.5/5

I love both Hainanese chicken rice and herbal chicken; hence I really enjoyed the Herbal Chicken ($29) at Botanico. The chicken breast is slow-cooked to tender and dressed in angelica sauce. The sauce is definitely the star which brightens the dish. Not forgetting the chicken rice couscous, which is a flavourful substitution of the usual rice to pair with the herbal chicken. What I feel missing is the chilli sauce to complete the whole enjoyment.

65 Degree Kurobuta Pork Belly 4.2/5

I am sure not many can resist the gorgeous piece of 65 Degree Kurobuta Pork Belly ($30) slow-cooked to fork-tender. It is served with textures of sunchoke, leek flowers and housemade soy-vinegar infused with Szechuan peppercorns.

Crab Rissoni 4.8/5

The crowd favourite definitely goes to the Crab Rissoni ($32). The outer circle is a ring of Japanese deep-sea red crab and blue swimmer crab. The internal circle is Japanese nori rissoni and a comte custard right in the middle. The beautiful dish is sprinkled with octopus bottarga made in house with octopus egg. Give everything a good mix, to get the lovely crustacean's sweetness swimming in each mouth fill. 

BGR (Black Glutinous Rice) 4/5

Even the desserts at Botanico are inspired by flavours in Southeast Asia. First up is the BGR ($12), a playful name for the black glutinous rice dessert recreated with a modern look. It came in the form of black glutinous rice mochi cake topped with toasted rice ice cream and compressed coconut resting on a bed black glutinous rice foam.

Ondeh Ondeh 3.5/5

Familiar yet not is the Ondeh Ondeh ($12). The beloved nonya kueh is transformed into a bowl of pandan glutinous rice cake with coconut foam, kaya ice cream and gula melaka. It is definitely interesting and yummy, but I still miss the oozing gula melaka moment whenever one bites into the traditional ondeh ondeh.

Having dined at Botanico when Chef Sue first took over the helm, I can really taste the improvement in her culinary skill. Her creations now reflect a greater nuance and finesse with a new focus on South East Asian flavours. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Botanico 
The Garage (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
via Cluny Park Gate
50 Cluny Park Road
Singapore 257488
Tel: +65 98311106
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Botanic Gardens (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to Cluny Park Road. Turn left onto Cluny Park Road and continue walking down the road. At Cluny Park Gate, walk in and walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. {Map]

The Matriarchs Kitchen X Buttercup Mixes Private Dining @ Bartley Road - Private Dining With Cocktails/Mocktails Pairing

The booming private dining scene in Singapore came to a standstill when the COVID-19 pandemic hits Singapore. While the pandemic is not over yet, the government has relaxed the COVID measures, allowing some form of business to restart. With the relaxation, I have noticed some private dining places have started taking reservation in smaller session accordingly to the COVID measures put in place by the government.

We visited The Matriarchs Kitchen, which is new to the private dining scene. Jazmyn is an amazing cook who is well-versed in many cuisines, partly due to her rich family roots. Hence there is not really a fixed menu but different cuisine theme for each session. In fact, Jazmyn has done private dining eight years ago but took a 3 years break. Now she is back collaborating with Melissa from Buttercup Mixes, the resident mixologist pairing the meal with cocktails. Mocktails are available too.

We started with Kueh Pai Tee to kick start the dinner. The host has made some for us, and if you want more, you can make them yourself too, having some hands-on fun piecing the snack together.

Next is a refreshing Fruit Salad paired with homemade rojak sauce. I have not been an attentive listener during the meal as I was enjoying the food more than paying attention to the host explaining the ingredients that go into the rojak sauce. If I am not wrong, plum sauce is added to balance the saltiness of the prawn paste, complementing the sweetness of the fruit.

There are also some mid-wings for us to nibble before moving to dinner proper.

The dish that wows me most is an assuming soup dish which I have never come across before. This is the first time I have Mee Soto Soup paired with Begedil. Unlike the begedil we get outside, which only consists of potato, the version here is a mixture of potato and mutton.

Next, we have the Beef Rendang and Sambal Chilli Eggplant that are cooked with rempah and sambal homemade by Jazmyn. The host indeed makes an impression with the aromatic rempah and sambal.

Our main is the Udon Laksa that comes with prawn, squid and quail egg. The laksa broth is thick and creamy, pack with flavours. It is quite interesting in the choice of noodle, using the Japanese udon instead of the usual thick beehoon noodle. The similarity is like having a bowl of Japanese curry udon with a local twist. We felt the laksa can be spicier too.

Wrapping up our dinner, our dessert is Yam Paste. Jazmyn's version is healthier without the use of lard or shallot oil. It is lighter in taste and smoother in texture. We thought the addition of a contrasting texture will make the dessert more enjoyable.


The Matriarchs Kitchen X Buttercup Mixes
Bartley Road
Instagram
Reservation

White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel - Unlimited Servings Of Penang Hawkers' Fare From 13 December 2019 to 1 January 2020

The ever-popular Penang Hawkers' Fare returns for the thirty-third years at York Hotel from 13 December 2019 to 01 January 2020. Diners will get to savour a variety of Penang street food from the twelve live stations at White Rose Cafe.

Penang Rojak 4/5

Kick start the Penang street food feast with the refreshing Penang Rojak that consists of diced cucumbers, jambu and pineapples, tossed in savoury sweet prawn paste and topped with peanuts.

Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

Not to be missed is the packed with wok hei Penang Char Kway Teow. The dancing chef has also made a return this year. Be entertained by her move while she swings into a rhythm while frying the rice noodles. This is less sweet compared to the local version and a little spicy too.

Roti Canai 4.8/5

I have attended previous Penang Hawkers' Fare, but I have yet to try the Roti Canai. I am glad they brought back the roti canai stall. I really enjoyed the crispy and fluffy texture of the flatbread, paired with either the Dhal Curry or Chicken Curry. This is my favourite dish for the latest edition of the Penang Hawkers' Fare.

Nasi Lemak with Nonya Chicken Kaptian 4/5

Simply irresistible is the Nasi Lemak with Nonya Chicken Kapitan. Besides the fragrant nasi lemak rice, the die for is the succulent Nonya chicken kapitan, a dry version of the chicken curry. This is paired with homemade sambal chilli and crispy ikan bilis.

Lor Bak 4/5

Good for sharing or to go along with your other dishes is the Lor Bak. On the plate, you will get five-spice meat rolls, prawn fritters and deep-fried bean curd served with homemade chilli sauce and a thick soy-based sauce.

Oyster Omelette 4.5/5

Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside are the Oyster Omelette. This is best enjoyed together with the tangy chilli sauce.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 4/5

A dish that is hardly seen nowadays is the Cuttlefish Kang Kong. The crunchy cuttlefish and water convolvulus are matched with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce together with quality prawn paste, and peanuts.

Penang Laksa 4.2/5

For noodle dishes, there are Penang Laksa, Penang Prawn Mee, Kway Teow Soup and Dry. If you enjoy something sour and spicy, then the Penang Laksa will be an appetising choice with its tangy tamarind fish-based broth.  The addition of pineapple, cucumber and torch ginger gives the bowl of thick rice noodles a distinctive fragrance and refreshing note. Add a dollop of prawn paste to crown the flavour profile.

Penang Prawn Mee 4.2/5

For the Penang Prawn Mee, the bowl of noodle is packed with a comforting and robust stock that has been laborious boiled for hours comprising of prawn heads, shells and pork ribs.

Kway Teow Soup 4.5/5

Kway Teow Dry 4/5

If you want something light, there is the Kway Teow Soup. The smooth flat rice noodle comes in a light yet refreshing soup, together with fish balls, fish cake and shredded chicken. A dry version is also available.

Ice Kachang 4/5 and Chendol 4.2/5

Wrapping up the meal on a sweet note with the Ice Kachang and Chendol. Given a choice, I would go for the chendol for the used of fresh fragrant coconut milk, which usually is substituted with those instant ones.

Ban Chang Kueh 4/5

If you still have space for some dessert, the Ban Chang Kueh is not to be missed. The crispy pancake shell is folded into half with a spoonful of margarine, ground peanuts and sugar. Crispy on the edges while chewy inside.

Price
Weekdays (lunch and dinner): $29++ per adult | $20++ per child
Weekends and PH (lunch and dinner): $33++ per adult | $23++ per child

Note: This is an invited tasting.


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 67370511
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road towards Goodwood Park Hotel. At Goodwood Park, turn right and walk to the end of the carpark. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]