Showing posts with label Sandwich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandwich. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Joji’s Sandwich Parlour @ Upper Serangoon – A 24 hour Amercian Diner-style Sandwich Joint

Sandwiches

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Nestled near Nex in Serangoon, Joji's Sandwich Parlour, the sister brand of Joji's Diner next door, serves up hearty American-style sandwiches around the clock. This cosy café is perfect for those late-night cravings or a casual meal any time of the day.

Drinks 1
Yuzu Matcha Soda 3.8/5 and Avocado Smoothie 3/5

We started our meal with two beverages. The Yuzu Matcha Soda ($6.90) was a refreshing choice with a citrusy yuzu base and subtle matcha notes, though the flavours could have blended more cohesively. On the other hand, the Avocado Smoothie ($7.90) fell short of expectations — it was served less chilled than we'd prefer, with a somewhat bland flavour profile.

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Fresh Calamari 4/5

The Fresh Calamari ($12), touted as being fresh from Jurong Port, did not disappoint. Each bite was delightfully crispy, with a perfectly seasoned batter that beautifully complemented the fresh squid.

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Bang Bang Cauliflower 3.8/5

The Bang Bang Cauliflower ($9) offered promising flavours but didn’t quite hit the mark with texture. While the seasoning was spot-on, the batter lacked crispiness, and the cauliflower's softness from cooking made the interior slightly soggy.

Classic Reuben 1
Classic Reuben 3.8/5

A signature item on Joji's menu, the Classic Reuben ($24) features Black Angus beef brisket brined for 14 days. The brisket was tender and flavourful but leaned on the saltier side midway through the sandwich. Paired with yellow mustard, sauerkraut, and sliced cheese, the flavours were balanced to an extent. Diners can choose between sourdough and focaccia bread. All sandwiches come with two sides, which you can select. We got the Pico De Gallo, a refreshing contrast to the rich sandwich, but the hash left little impression.

Shrimp Po' Boy 1
Shrimp Po’ Boy 4/5

The Shrimp Po'Boy ($22) was the standout of our meal. Generously filled with fresh tiger prawns in a tangy-sweet sauce, this sandwich was paired perfectly with fresh vegetables. The fries were crispy and satisfying, while the coleslaw, topped with diced apples, provided a crisp, refreshing balance.

Restaurant 1

Restaurant 2

Joji's Sandwich Parlour offers a delightful range of sandwiches and sides, perfect for satisfying your cravings any time of the day. While some items could use minor tweaks, the café's dedication to fresh ingredients and bold flavours shines through. Whether you're a sandwich lover or just looking for a cosy 24-hour café, Joji's is worth a visit.

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


Joji's Sandwich Parlour
536 Upper Serangoon Road
Singapore 534551
Tel: +65 91009030
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Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 24 Hours

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Upper Serangoon Road. Walk to destintion. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Monday, October 21, 2024

Barrio Spanish Restaurant @ Hillcrest Road - Unpretentious Spanish Cuisine Ideal For Intimate Meals and Get Togethers

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Tucked away on the peaceful and charming Greenwood Avenue, Barrio invites guests to celebrate the vibrant flavours of Spanish cuisine. The warm and convivial neighbourhood atmosphere enhances the experience, making it an ideal spot for both intimate meals and lively get-togethers.

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Barrio’s special ‘Ceviche’ 4/5

We began our dinner with a selection of Tapas, and the first was Barrio's special 'Ceviche' ($22), which features marinated seabass soaked in a zesty blend of citrus juices. Barrio's version has more robust, punchy flavours than the usually lighter flavours of ceviche. There are also plenty of fresh ingredients, like diced onions, cilantro, and a hint of chilli. Very addictive crispy tortilla chips accompany the dish, which provides a satisfying crunch and a contrast to the marinated fish.

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Barrio ‘Bikini’ Sandwich 4.5/5

We absolutely loved the Barrio 'Bikini' Sandwich ($20), which stars a winning combination of ingredients that come together very well - roast beef, cheese and black truffle. The tender slices of roast beef are succulent and packed with flavour, while the melted cheese provides a savoury creaminess that perfectly complements the beef.

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Garlic Prawns 4.2/5

The Garlic Prawns ($30) captivated our senses as soon as the dish arrived at the table, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Each large, juicy prawn is perfectly cooked and beautifully presented alongside a velvety, earthy hummus and a sprinkling of dried chilli. It is an interesting flavour combination that captures both the taste of land and sea. There's also some crunchy toast to mop up the hummus and garlic sauce.

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Fideuà 4.5/5

Our interest was piqued by the arrival of a huge pan of Fideuà ($55 for small, $75 for large), the less often seen sibling of Paella. Originating from the coastal region of Valencia, Fideuà is an interesting twist on the traditional rice dish, using short noodles instead. As we eagerly dug in, we discovered that the noodles had indeed soaked up the rich flavours of the broth and other ingredients like the pork sausage and mushrooms. Whether you prefer this or the rice version will probably depend on what texture you enjoy. We found that the noodle version was softer and easier to bite, whilst the rice version usually has a more chewy texture with some crispy, charred bits. Other options exist for the Paella and Fideuà, such as seafood, squid ink or vegetables.

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¼ ‘Cochinillo’ Suckling Pig 3.5/5

Moving on to the main meat dish, we were presented with an impressive platter of ¼ 'Cochinillo' Suckling Pig ($89, good to share between 3-4 pax), a culinary centrepiece that requires approximately 45 minutes of preparation time upon order and is also served with Panadera potatoes and Padron Peppers. With succulent meat and a golden-brown crispy skin, there is little to fault regarding the execution of the dish or its texture, but we found the taste of the suckling pig to be quite strong, which was not to our taste preferences. Perhaps true pork lovers will enjoy this dish more than we did.

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Churros with chocolate 4.8/5

Churros ($14) are always a delightful end to a Spanish meal, and Barrio's version is everything I want in a churro. Each churro has a soft, slightly mochi-like centre, providing a satisfying chewiness that contrasts beautifully with the crisp, crunchy exterior. The churros are accompanied by the slightest sugar dusting and a rich, velvety chocolate dipping sauce that offers a decadent finish.

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Barrio offers an unpretentious dining experience that captures the essence of community. The food is tasty, and the portions are generally good to share. Little wonder the restaurant was quite full when we visited, with groups of families and friends enjoying the evening and some delicious Spanish food.

Penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Barrio Spanish Restaurant
73 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288945
Tel: +65 8328 7467
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Nearest MRT: Tan Kah Kee (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tan Kah Kee MRT station. Take Exit A. Use the overhead bridge to Exit B. Walk straight to Hillcrest Road. Turn right onto Hillcrest Road. Walk down Hillcrest Road and make a left into Greenwood Avenue. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Lucine by LUNA @ Somerset - Popular Cafe With Intricate Entremets Now Serve Hot Savouries

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Lucine by LUNA, the new cafe opened by the popular homegrown patisserie LUNA, has made its debut at 111 Somerset, offering an expanded menu that includes exclusive hot savouries and unique flavoured lattes.

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Much like their flagship on Amoy Street, Lucine continues to serve the intricately crafted cakes and pastries that have made LUNA a favourite among dessert lovers and cafe-goers.

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Tiramisu Latte 4.2/5

The Tiramisu Latte ($8.50) is a standout on the drink menu, which pleasantly surprised us with its balanced sweetness. Unlike many overly sweet-flavoured lattes, this one was creamy and came with a ladyfinger for dipping into the latte.

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Black Sesame Latte 4/5

We also tried the Black Sesame Latte ($8.50) but felt that the black sesame flavour could have been more pronounced.

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Eggplant Salad 4/5

On the savoury side, we started with the Eggplant Salad ($12.90). The highlight of this dish was the panko-crusted eggplant fritters, which were crunchy and well-seasoned. The base of mixed lettuce, baby spinach, hard-boiled egg, cherry tomatoes and onions was dressed with roasted red capsicum dressing.

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All Day Breakfast 2.8/5

The All Day Breakfast (from $8.90) was a customisable option that started with scrambled eggs, toasted sourdough, and salad greens. Unfortunately, it didn't impress us as much as we had hoped, as the sourdough was thin, and the scrambled eggs lacked creaminess. We also had add-ons of Tater Tots ($2), Creamed Spinach ($3.90) and Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms ($3.90) as sides, but they fell short of expectations.

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Spam & Cheese 4.2/5

We were more impressed by the Spam & Cheese Sandwich ($10.90), which featured thick-cut chicken spam and cheddar, served between toasted brioche. The crisp crust on the fried spam and a tangy sriracha mayo added just the right amount of tangy heat. Each sandwich is accompanied by a side of mixed greens.

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Pistachio Roulade 4.5/5

Of course, LUNA's handcrafted entremets were the highlight of the visit. The Pistachio Roulade ($8.80) was a personal favourite, featuring a soft pistachio chiffon sponge layered with nutty pistachio cream and a tangy raspberry compote.

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Blossom 4.2/5

The Blossom ($8.50) is an excellent choice for something more refreshing. This dessert offers subtle sweetness and a floral fragrance, combining strawberry elderflower yoghurt mousse, strawberry curd and compote, rose sponge, and feuilletine crunch.

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Citrus Tart 4.2/5

If you're in the mood for a bright and tangy dessert, the Citrus Tart ($8.50) won't disappoint. With its tangy lime curd, orange confit, and vanilla sponge all nestled in a vanilla tart shell and topped with chantilly cream, it provided a well-balanced and zesty finish to our meal.

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.


Lucine by LUNA
TripleOne Somerset
111 Somerset Road
#01-06
Singapore 238164
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 9.30am - 6.30pm
Sat-Sun: 9.30am - 9pm
Sun: 9.30am - 7.30pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Monday, September 2, 2024

Tims Signature @ Somerset - Iconic Canadian Coffee Chain Opens New Elevated Concept in Town

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Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee chain, has quickly expanded its presence in Singapore. It now boasts six locations since its debut in November last year. Their latest venture, Tims Signature, introduces a unique and elevated coffee experience in the heart of town at 313@Somerset. This new concept store offers exclusive menu items and focuses on artisanal coffee brewing.

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The store takes the space right across Garrett Popcorn and Marché Mövenpick on the mall’s first floor. You will see it once you enter the mall’s side entrance if you’re walking in from Orchard.

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The store takes the space across Garrett Popcorn and Marché Mövenpick on the mall's first floor. You will see it once you enter the mall's side entrance if you're walking in from Orchard. Coffee enthusiasts can sit at their new Coffee Craft Bar and opt for three speciality brewing methods. It includes the V60 Pour Over ($7), Chemex Pour Over ($7) and Kyoto Drip ($7.50) cold brews. Skilled baristas will be around to take customers through the brewing process.

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Maple Cinnamon Latte

In addition to these speciality brews, Tims Signature also offers the brand's classic beverages. The Maple Cinnamon Latte (from $7 for Small) is a signature made with Tims' signature espresso blend.

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Maple French Vanilla Iced Capp

The Maple French Vanilla Iced Capp (from $7.50 for Small) is a popular choice for something sweeter. For all beverages under its Iced Capp series, diners can request complimentary plant-based whipped cream and a syrup drizzle to finish.

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Maple Glazed Chicken Ham & Cheese 4/5

Aside from beverages, the menu also features a selection of food items, including the Sourdough Melts series. We tried the Maple Glazed Chicken Ham & Cheese ($9.90), which, while not particularly extraordinary, was a comforting and no-frills choice. I wished there was a more distinct sourdough tang, but the bread was soft with a chew.

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Pesto & Mozzarella 3.5/5

The Pesto & Mozzarella ($9.90) sandwich was another option we had. I would have preferred a stronger pesto flavour to pair with the oozy cheese.

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Truffle Chicken Carbonara 3.5/5

The range of Pasta Bakes is another exclusive to Tims Signature. We tried the Truffle Chicken Carbonara ($9.90), served sizzling hot with a generous amount of shredded chicken and melted cheese. Unfortunately, the macaroni was a bit dry.

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Classic Aglio Olio 3.5/5

Go for the Classic Aglio Olio ($9.90) if you are looking for a vegetarian option. It was more savoury, without the expected spice of an aglio olio.

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No visit to Tim Hortons is complete without indulging in their range of sweets. Tims Signature features a display counter filled with popular items like donuts, Timbits, tarts, and muffins.

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Timbit

"Timbits" are bite-sized portions of Tim Hortons' donuts. They come in a variety of flavours but tend to be denser than their full-sized donuts. Personally, I'd recommend opting for the donuts over the Timbits.

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Donuts here are generously glazed and filled, which also lean to be much sweeter. Two exclusive donut flavours are the Belgian Chocolate Cruller ($4.90) and Maple Crumble Apple Fritter ($4.90). Among those we tried, we preferred the latter and the Maple Salted Caramel donut.

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.


Tims Signature
313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road
#01-29
Singapore 238895
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Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 9pm

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

Friday, August 23, 2024

The Lobby Lounge @ InterContinental Singapore – Reimagined Flavours of Japan Afternoon Tea

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Timeless elegance with teatime affair at The Lobby Lounge as Executive Pastry Chef Jason Goh and his talented culinary team bring back the crowd-favourite Flavours of Japan Afternoon Tea following its successful debut last year. The updated menu reimagines classic Japanese sweet and savoury delights that marries traditional Japanese flavours with modern culinary artistry.

Savoury 1
Japanese Lobster Salad Sandwich 4/5

Savoury 2
Seafood Inari with Shoyu Ikura 3.8/5

There are 4 savoury items, and our favourite was the Japanese Lobster Salad Sandwich, which was really flavourful, and we loved the overall texture. The Seafood Inari with Shoyu Ikura has great potential with Hokkaido Scallop, Jumbo Lump Crab, Octopus, Seasoned Wakame, Salmon Roe and Wasabi-Yuzu Dressing but the sweet tofu pocket overpowered all the ingredients. The other 2 items were the Baked Miso Black Cod, which was a little too salty for our liking, and the Charcoal Barbeque Eel Quiche, which has a nice flavour but is a little dry.

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Scones: English Buttermilk and Ichida Hoshigaki / Charcoal Barbeque Eel Quiche

Scones are one item we always look forward to during an afternoon tea. The classic Buttermilk Scones are buttery and perfect with clotted cream. The other 2 condiments to go with the scones are Sakura Peach Preserves and Strawberry-Mint Marmalade. Even though we can't taste the mint, we prefer the Strawberry-Mint Marmalade over the Sakura Peach Preserves. As for the Ichida Hoshigaki Scones, made with dried Japanese persimmon, have a slightly bitter aftertaste, which we are not a fan of.

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The afternoon tea set includes a good selection of TWG Tea or Coffee. However, note that it is only one serving. If you order a tea, you may refill hot water.

Sweets 1
Yuzu Kumquat Mame (in shot glass) 3/5 and Japanese Matcha Roll 3.5/5

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Okinawan Tartlet 3/5

The Sweet Fancies look so pretty we didn't know where to start! Our favourite has to be the Kurogoma Ryokucha Mousse, which actually is just a simple black sesame cream on a genoise sponge, but it is so soft and light, and the fragrant black sesame is such a delight; it was unexpected! Chef Jason told us that he was trying to mimic soba for the black sesame cream part, it's cute. The Japanese Matcha Roll made with roasted almond sponge was rolled with a light hojicha mascarpone cream but sandwiched with 2 pieces of white chocolate, which made it a little too sweet.

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Mizu Shingen Mochi 3.5/5

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Kurogoma Ryokucha Mousse 4/5

The Okinawan Tartlet has good potential, but the tart shell was too bitter for our liking, overpowering the Okinawan sweet potato crème, and the caramelised macadamia wasn't sweet enough to balance it out. Mizu Shingen Mochi, the once viral raindrop cake, was paired with Japanese black honey (we thought it was Okinawa's famous black sugar at first) and kinako (soybean powder). It was fun to eat but nothing surprising. You may adjust your preference for sweetness with the amount of black honey.

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Enjoy the free flow of sorbet and gelato, with two flavours rotating daily. We had the Mixed Berry Sorbet and Vanilla Gelato.

Flavours of Japan Afternoon Tea is available daily till 12 November 2024 at $65++ per person on weekdays and $70++ per person on weekends. Add on $28++ for one flute of champagne. There are 2 seatings available at 1pm-3pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm.

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


The Lobby Lounge
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 68251008
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Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1-3pm, 330pm - 530pm

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