Dallas Restaurant & Bar @ Boat Quay - Western Favourites With A Local Twist To Celebrate Chinese New Year

Moving away from the typical Chinese New Year delicacies at Chinese restaurants, dive into the western culinary delights with a touch of Asian flavours at Dallas Restaurant & Bar. The enticing festive set menu comes with a selection of starters, mains and desserts in a 2 course ($28++) or 3 course meal ($36++).

Nestled along Boat Quay, the restaurant offers beautiful views of the Singapore cityscape, especially the balcony seats on the third floor where diners can sip on cocktails while enjoying the view.

Lychee Martini 4/5

Their Cocktail Of The Month, Lychee Martini ($12++) is made using the award-winning and super premium Laplandia Vodka from Finland. It has a pleasant fruity sweet taste, with a slight tart finish.

Black Pepper Calamari 4/5

We remembered our fondness for their signature salt & pepper calamari and were no less impressed with their Black Pepper Calamari, served with black pepper and curry leaf dipping sauce on the side. Perfectly soft and chewy, with a slight layer crisp on the outside, the accompanying black pepper sauce adds a subtle savoury sweet flavour to the calamari, without being too peppery.

Wagyu Cheeseburger Spring Rolls 3.8/5

The Wagyu Cheeseburger Spring Roll is our typical spring roll but given an ingenious western twist with flavourful wagyu cheeseburger fillings within the crispy rolls. While I would still enjoy a proper cheeseburger, this inventive combination is an interesting dish worth trying, served with a side of tomato and mustard dipping sauce for a tangy flavour.

Satay Chicken Skewers 4/5

A classic local fare. their Satay Chicken Skewers comes in larger portions, and the meat is much more tender and juicier than the usual satay.

Tom Yum Prawn Linguine 4.2/5

A surprisingly good combination where East meets West, I was blown away by how good the Tom Yum Prawn Linguine was. The linguine was cooked to a delectable consistency and doused in a spicy-sweet Tom Yum sauce. The result is a spicy, fiery and sweet dish that got us wiping the whole plate clean.

Steamed Barramundi with Ginger 3.8/5

The Steamed Barramundi with Ginger features a soft and fork-tender Barramundi over light and fluffy rice, and mixed Asian greens.

Prime Rib Steak 4.2/5

The restaurant's highlight is the Prime Rib Steak (250g), which is served with fries and salad. The thick slab of prime rib is slow-cooked to order and chargrilled, resulting in incredibly juicy and tender meat. You can choose to pair it with their Red Wine Jus, Black Pepper, Smokey BBQ and Wild Mushroom sauce.

Orange and Almond Cake 4/5

End your dining experience on a sweet note with the Orange and Almond Cake. Perfectly spongy and moist, the cake has a light zesty fragrance, great with double cream atop to balance the flavours.

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.


Dallas Restaurant and Bar
31 Boat Quay
Singapore 049820
Tel: +65 6532 2131
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards the river. Turn left and walk down the river bank. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Reunion Imperial High Tea Set At Tian Fu Tea Room at PARKROYAL Beach Road

Tian Fu Tea Room at PARKROYAL on Beach Road is a fully dedicated tearoom serving premium Chinese tea, with a wide selection of over 30 varieties of fine tea which you can enjoy with handcrafted dim sum. Each Lunar New Year, a specially crafted high tea set menu is offered for you to celebrate the new year in a different manner. Reunion Imperial High Tea (团圆宫廷下午茶) for this year is available from 13 January to 9 February 2020.

The Reunion Imperial High Tea Set comprising 8 handcrafted dim sum items and a tea of your choice A Yusheng is included as well, customised to the party size.

Other than emphasizing the colours of each exquisite dimsum, 'cuteness' level is equally important to pipued your appetite. Steamed Pumpkin with Yam Cake was vibrant with a layer of pumpkin sandwiched between yam and sweet potato, and every bite was a combination of sweet and savouriness. The Deep-fried Spring Roll with Minced Prawns and Mushrooms are made skinny to resemble 上上签, the divinatory sticks. That was rather creative I thought. Steamed Dumpling with Diced Abalone and Minced Meat was cute but letdown by its unpleasant thick and doughy skin.

Steamed Siew Mai with Scallop was a luxurious interpretation of our common siew mai. Encased within the emerald skin is prawns, topped with a whole scallop that was sweet and succulent. The Ebiko provides the right jab of saltiness to the siew mai.

Deep-fried Crispy Dumpling with Foie Gras was quite delectable with its flaky pastry crust, but the filling made with diced lotus didn't quite gel with the crust. While I was expecting something creamy or buttery since the menu stated foie gras, the filling was rather chunky and the foie gras was more like an afternote which tasted slightly odd to me.

Homemade Rainbow Noodles with Fresh Prawn was beautiful with noodles that are naturally coloured with ingredients such as beetroot, spinach etc.

The highlight for me is the sweets - Deep-fried Dumpling with Sticky Rice Pancake. I love the mochi-like sweet potato crust and the sticky rice pancake encased within was soft with just the right amount of sweetness, definitely one of the best Niao Gao delights I have tasted so far. Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Ginger Soup was comforting, and the red bean filling wasn't too sweet either. Despite all the items above, I felt I could stomach a few more of these sweets!

I like the privacy of the Tea Room. The cosiness of the Tea Room is also one of the reasons for you to visit with your loved ones and sip the afternoon away with quality catch-up over the Dim Sum and premium teas. The Reunion Imperial High Tea is priced at $40 per person, available from 230pm to 5pm.

Written and photography 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.


Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 65055724
Website
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
High Tea: 230pm - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead walkway all the way to The Concourse building. Take the exit down to Nicoll Highway and walk towards Parkroyal Serviced Residences. Cut through towards The Plaza at Parkroyal Hotel. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Le Shrimp @ The Star Vista - Special New Seasonal Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen Only For June 2019

Le Shrimp the latest concept by Paradise Group which first opened its door at Paragon has opened two more outlets at Changi Airport Terminal 3 (public area) and The Star Vista. I dropped by their newest outlet at The Star Vista, which has 62 seats to have their Japanese shrimp ramen broth with silky ribbons of Chinese la mian.

Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen 3.5/5

For a limited period from 1 June to 30 June 2019, Le Shrimp is offering a new creation - Le Shrimp Trio Tossed Ramen ($19.90). It is a dry version with a specially concocted sauce for the la mian, topped with peeled fresh prawns, ebiko prawn paste, prawn dumplings, cucumber strips and cabbage. I felt that the sauce didn't quite have the punch I was expecting. It lacked that fragrant and fiery kick.

Spring Roll 4/5

Long Jing Tea Lava Egg 4.2/5

You can complement your meal with the crispy Spring Roll and Long Jing Tea Lava Egg. I personally felt that a bowl of ramen is not complete without the lava egg.

Le Signature Trio Shrimp Ramen 4.2/5

My favourite is still the Le Signature Trio Shrimp Ramen ($19.90). The rich and flavorful broth with its distinctive smoky aroma is topped with fresh prawns, handmade ebiko prawn paste and prawn dumplings.

At Le Shrimp, diners can top-up $3.20 to include an appetiser and a drink with every order of noodle.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Le Shrimp
The Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-24
Singapore 138617
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 35 minutes. [Map]

Paradise Dynasty @ Wisma Atria - Offering Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan And Zhejiang Cuisines Under One Roof

After closing the outlet at Ion Orchard, Paradise Dynasty has re-located and moved next door, re-opened at Wisma Atria on 10 January 2019. The latest outlet can sit up to 196 pax with a new and brighter season. Besides the la mian and xiao long bao offerings that have made Paradise Dynasty a household name, the newest outlet offers cuisines from Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan and Zhejiang under one roof.

Crispy Yellow Croaker Spring Roll 4/5

A new dish on the menu is the Crispy Yellow Croaker Spring Roll ($9.20/3pcs). Wrapped in the crispy pastry skin is the soft and tender flesh of the yellow croaker. A delightful starter packed with different play of flavours and textures.

Chilled Jellyfish in Soy Sauce Vinaigrette 4/5

Using the head section of the jellyfish for that extra crunch, the Chilled Jellyfish in Soy Sauce Vinaigrette ($12.80) whets up the appetite with its tangy seasoning.

Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce 3.5/5

The Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce ($8.80) may look unassuming but it turned out really delish. The fresh and crunchy lettuce roll is complemented by the excellent homemade sesame sauce that simply brought the ingredient to live.

Stir-fried Fresh Organic Bamboo Shoot with Bacon 3/5

Some bamboo shoot may come across having an acquire taste but I did not taste it from the Stir-fried Fresh Organic Bamboo Shoot with Bacon ($14.80). I also like the idea of the bacon giving the dish a coat of aroma on top of its crunchiness.

Braised Tofu with Crab Roe 3.5/5

Smooth and silky is the Braised Tofu with Crab Roe ($22.80). Unfortunately I could not really taste the robustness of the crab roe in the execution.

Prawn and Pork Dumpling in Hot Chilli Vinaigrette 4.5/5

My all time favourite at Paradise's restaurants is their Prawn and Pork Dumpling in Hot Chilli Vinaigrette ($9.80/6pcs). These parcels wrapped in a silky thin wanton skin are plump and juicy. The highlight is the aromatic hot chilli vinaigrette that elevated the whole enjoyment.

Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Date 3/5

Its not all about savoury at Paradise Dynasty, there are sweet takes such as the Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Date ($7.80) and Yam Paste Xiao Long Bao ($8.80/6pcs). It is not that the Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Date is not good but it is something new to me and it probably needs time for me to accept the unique taste.

Yam Paste Xiao Long Bao 4/5

As for the Yam Paste Xiao Long Bao, the take of stuffing it with the sweet yam paste its an unique take of the traditional Xiao Long Bao giving it a sweet finishing.

La Mian with Yellow Croaker Fish and Preserved Vegetable 2.8/5

I have always enjoyed a good bowl of La Mian from Paradise Group's of restaurants. Undeniable the noodle is top notch. However the soup base of the La Mian with Yellow Croaker Fish and Preserved Vegetable ($16.80) was slightly fishy which was a let down. It is definitely note their usual standard.

Chilled Snow Fungus with Peach Resin 4.2/5

Wrapping up the dinner, I have the refreshing Chilled Snow Fungus with Peach Resin ($8.80). Mentioned in my earlier posts, I have a liking for peach resin recently. Hence this just hits the spot.

Note: This s an invited tasting.


Paradise Dynasty
Wisma Atria
435 Orchard Road
#01-08
Singapore 238877
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 1030am - 10pm

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

Bao Makers @ Jiak Chuan Road - Celebrates 3rd Anniversary With A Newer And Even More Extensive Menu

Having relocated to the hip enclave of Jiak Chuan Road from its previous venue at Jalan Besah in November last year, Singapore's pioneer Bao concept restaurant, Bao Makers released a refreshed menu with an even wider array of exciting items in conjunction with their upcoming 3rd anniversary. Established in 2015, Bao Makers pride themselves in their specialisation of delectable open-faced buns, infusing local elements into this delicacy inspired by the traditional kong bak bao.

Crabmeat Beancurd 4.2/5

Starting off with the appetisers, we had the Crabmeat Beancurd with Century Egg Sauce ($5.80). Featuring a silky smooth beancurd tofu with refreshing shredded crabmeat embedded within, it comes with a rich century egg sauce which packs a sharp spicy tinge to further liven up the flavour. The finishing touches of chopped century egg albumen and tobiko contribute another textural dimension to the dish, displaying an excellent interplay of flavours and textures.

Salmon Mentaiko Roll 3.8/5

The Salmon Mentaiko Roll ($16.80) features a maki rolls wrapped around crabsticks and crunchy cucumber pieces, before being topped with blow-torched salmon and drenched in a rich pool mentaiko sauce and generous tobiko atop.

Chilli Crab Bao 4.5/5, Fried Salted Egg Chicken Bao 4.2/5, Salmon Mentaiko Bao 4/5

The highlight would be their signature baos - fluffy mantous pan-fried slightly crisp exterior, loaded with generous servings of chilli crab meat or salted egg chicken were absolutely delicious. My favourite is the Chilli Crab Bao with chunks of fresh chilli crab meat packed with addictive spicy notes admist the meat's natural sweetness.

The Salmon Mentaiko Bao came with the option of steamed bao. Sandwiched in between these soft fluffy buns was a piece of fried crispy salmon slathered with a layer of rich mentaiko sauce and a slice of cheese atop.

Teriyaki Beef Steak 4.2/5

To cater to the greater lunch-time and after-office crowds, Bao Makers further spruce up their menu by offering a variety of Japanese rice bowls and sharing plates as well, apart from their signature baos. For the lunch-goes, tuck into their Teriyaki Beef Steak Bowl ($17.80). Generous slices of pan-seared Australian striploin coated with a savoury sweet house blend teriyaki sauce lay atop a bowl of fluffy Japanese rice, and is further topped with a runny onsen egg that soaks up all the elements in the dish in perfect golden goodness.

Kecap Manis Chicken 3.5/5

Next come the sharing plates which are available on the dinner menu. The Kecap Manis Chicken ($8.80) features deep fried chicken cubes slathered in kecap manis marinate and pepper, which rendered the chicken cubes a tad too salty. While the sauce was overwhelming in terms of flavour, the chicken was executed well.

Cheese Burger Spring Roll 4/5

Bao Makers introduces the Sharing Plates concept for dinner patrons, where diners can relish in a diversity of dishes with groups of friends or family. Reminiscent of the classic cheese burger, the Cheese Burger Spring Roll ($9.80) comes in the form of crispy fried spring rolls instead of burger buns. This rendition is no less satisfying as the richly flavorous fillings of minced beef and cheese taste almost like the real cheese burger.

Cookie Bomb 4/5

End the meal on a sweet note with the restaurant's perennial favourite dessert of the Cookie Bomb ($7.50) which features the perfect combination of hot and cold with the cold creamy vanilla ice cream atop a warm soft baked cookie dough base filled with chocolate chips within.

Black Sesame Ice Cream 4/5

With 3 ice cream options on the menu, we went with the Black Sesame ice cream, which was smooth and creamy with a rich roasted nutty fragrance.

Singapore's Latte Peng 4/5

Opt for the Singapore's Latte Peng to quench your thirst after feasting on the rich flavoursome dishes. The fragrant iced latte comes with homemade espresso jelly. The sweetness of the jelly complement the bitterness of the latte to achieve a balance in taste.

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.


Bao Makers
4 Jiak Chuan Road
Singapore 089261
Tel: +65 62912330
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(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. Turn left onto Jiak Chuan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

SG Pho House @ North Bridge Road - New Vietnamese Restaurant By True-blue Vietnamese Lady Boss

SG Pho House is a newly opened Vietnamese restaurant, nestled in one of the shophouses along North Bridge Road. The lady boss is a true-blue Vietnamese and with her leading the kitchen together with her own team, expect real Vietnamese flavours in your pho as well as other dishes.

Its interior is probably one of the closest to that of those eating places I had been to in Vietnam, perhaps what's missing are the little stools for a morning beer. Shiny mental foldable tables with much sturdier legs that are built to last, these dining tables are actually imported from Vietnam. The menu is fairly simple, offering Beef and Chicken Pho, Vermicelli, Rice varieties and sides.

Mango Salad 4.2/5

Seafood Spring Rolls 3.5/5

For sides, we had Mango Salad ($6.90), Fresh Spring Rolls ($3.90) and Seafood Spring Rolls ($4.90). I'm really pleased with their mango salad which comes with fried shallot, shrimps and sliced pork. The acidity is just right and I could taste the citrusy of the lime juice. What I really appreciate is how the shrimps and pork are being sliced to align with the shredded mango, hence there is a bit of everything in each bite. As for the spring rolls, I thought the fresh ones are kind of flat, while there is definitely a lot more going on with the fried seafood version.

Beef Vermicelli Soup, Hue's Style 3.5/5

I was told that different style of pho uses different bases. The traditional beef noodle soup, Hue style vermicelli soup, chicken noodle soup and even Thailand style (Tom Yum) vermicelli Soup have a different soup base. The sweetness and flavours are not from MSG but a concoction of imported Vietnamese herbs, spices and their solid good broths. For the mains, we had Beef Vermicelli Soup, Hue's Style ($7.90), Rice Spaghetti Soup with Crab Meat ($9.90) and Grilled Pork Vermicelli ($9.50). The broths here are indeed the soul of the dishes. What hit my senses first was the sweetness of the broths, born from hours of simmering bones and marrow. There is depth to it, accented with herbs and spices. Served alongside the beef vermicelli soup is not just your usual plate of basil and beansprouts but with a pile of shredded kang kong to provide an extra crunch and freshness to the overall taste.

Rice Spaghetti Soup with Crab Meat 3/5

Their Rice Spaghetti is similar to our local Mee Tai Mak. The soup is made with pork bones which explains the unexpected level of sweetness. I thought it was just going to be a mediocre soup base. I like the homemade meatballs which reminds me of how a yummy minced meatball make a difference to a bowl of handmade noodle soup. However, the crab meat which is supposed to be the star of the dish was rather dry and bland, hence a better option may be their vermicelli soup with seafood only.

Grilled Pork Vermicelli 3/5

As for the Grilled Pork Vermicelli, although it didn't pack much surprises, it is a crowd pleaser with very well marinated juicy pork chop. And it is not at all boring when a bowl of it comes with a pork spring roll and a grilled fermented pork, akin to a sausage.

Vietnamese Coffee 3/5

One thing I learnt from this lunch is the similar to how a Hong Kong evaporated milk made its mark in a Hong Kong milk tea, Vietnamese have their own version of condensed milk as well, which apparently is less sweet than our local ones. True enough, even though our Avocado milkshake and Strawberry milkshake were made with big spoonfuls of their condensed milk, they turned out creamy and milky without being cloying. My Vietnamese version of 'Piccolo' was fine too, though I wish it could be a lot stronger.

Out of malls and away from the crowd, I quite enjoy the rustic atmosphere of SG Pho House which elevates the experience of tucking into their hearty broths and dishes. The chicken noodle soup is highly recommended by the owner so when you need a alternative chicken soup for your soul one of these days, do drop by!

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.


SG Pho House
774 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198742
Tel: +65 62998774
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk down North Bridge Road towards Ophir Road direction. Continue walking North Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]