Cantina @ Arab Street - Crane's New Bohemian Inspired Cafe With An Asian Farm To Table Concept

Located along Arab Street is Cantina, a new cafe bistro with a bohemian theme that is opened by the folks behind Crane. The food takes on an Asian farm-to-table concept in which dishes are made with ingredients sourced fresh locally, and portions kept just nice to minimise food wastage.

Brekkie Burger 4.2/5

We had the Brekkie Burger ($18), which features a marinated beef patty, farm mushrooms, tomato salsa and herb slaw. The beef patty is exceptionally tender and juicy, and the tomato salsa lends some brightness to the dish with the addition of chewy juicy mushrooms.

Red Curry Prawn Conchiglie 4.5/5

Our favourite dish is the Red Curry Prawn Conchiglie ($22), consisting of locally sourced prawns, grilled greens, herb salad, peanuts and charred lime, served with conchiglie pasta. The pasta is perfectly cooked to an al dente texture and coated with fragrant red curry.

Lebanese Sweet Potato Fries 4/5

The Lebanese Sweet Potato Fries ($10) comes in a generous portion of sweet potato strips, which retain a thin layer of crispiness while packing a solid bite. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of spices the fries were coated in, and they provided just the right amount of umami flavour to the usual sweet potato fries.

Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bites 4/5

We also had the Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bites ($10) served with garlic yoghurt sauce. The meat is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within, and the garlic yoghurt sauce also helps to cut some greasiness from the fried chicken.

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.


Cantina
148 Arab Street
Singapore 199831
Tel: +65 88297116
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 930am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 6pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Victoria Street towards Arab Street. Turn right onto Arab Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

SOD Cafe @ Upper Thomson Road - Opens Second Outlet At Upper Thomson With Bubble Tea And All-Day Cafe Brunch

After their first outlet within Ci Yuan Community Centre in Hougang, SOD cafe has recently launched their second outlet in the bustling enclave of Upper Thomson. Besides being more accessible, the new space has experienced a new facelift with chic design and vibrant settings. Their menu has also expanded to include more outlet-exclusive items.

Taro Milk Tea 4/5, Tan Milk Tea 4/5

Having started as a bubble tea shop originally, you can expect the same boba tea options at SOD Cafe's second outlet here. Their Taro Milk Tea ($4.70) has a pleasant taro fragrance, while the Tan Milk Tea ($4.70) has a subtle charcoal oolong flavour to the smooth milk tea base. We added black pearls as well, and they were sufficiently soft and chewy, providing a great bite to the drinks.

Sourdough Big Breakfast 4/5

SOD offers an all-day brunch with a selection of breakfast essentials. We went with the Sourdough Big Breakfast ($15.90), which comes in a satisfying platter of scrambled eggs, ham, sausages, bacon, baked beans, garden greens, and crispy sourdough bread.

Waffles with Scrambled Eggs & Candied Bacon 3.5/5

The Waffles with Scrambled Eggs & Candied Bacon ($12.90) features perfectly cooked soft scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. However, we felt that the waffles were done overly brittle and a tad too dry, lacking the expected fluffiness.

French Toast with Salted Caramel Bananas 3.8/5

The French Toast with Salted Caramel Bananas ($12.90) is a pleasant salty-sweet combination of soft and fluffy brioche toast slices. However, we wished there would be some maple syrup provided, as the caramel sauce was on a slightly excessive side.

Sweet Potato Fries 4/5

The Sweet Potato Fries ($7.90) comes in a generous portion of well-done sweet potato strips, mostly fluffy and retains a thin layer of crispiness around it.

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.


SOD Cafe
183 Longhaus
183 Upper Thomson Road
#01-05
Singapore 574332
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Website
Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line), Upper Thomson (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am – 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of Marymount Lane and Thomson Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Min Jiang @ Goodwood Park Hotel - A New Chapter In Its Decades-long History Following A Refurbishment

Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel has reopened after undergoing refurbishment with a rejuvenated interior, refreshed menus and revitalised dining experience. Fans of Min Jiang will be glad to know that the restaurant has brought back the dim sum pushcart service during lunch.

Two types of dim sum pushcarts will be pushed around the restaurant. One for the steamed items while the other for the fried stuff. From the steamed dim sum pushcart, we had the Siew Mai, Steamed Dumpling and Chicken Feet. Old school classic delicately executed.

From the other dim sum pushcart which offers fried items, we had the Pan-fried Carrot Cake and Egg Tart. While we have gone for the more classic items, a new range of handmade dim sum has also been introduced to the new menu such as Steamed Pumpkin Ball, Deep-fried Homemade Squid Tofu with XO Sauce, Deep-fried Bacon Roll with Enoki Mushrooms and Prawns that will be popular with diners of all ages.

Min Jiang Land and Sea Quartet

The creativity of Master Chef Chan Hwan Kee sees the new Min Jiang Land And Sea Quartet ($16.80 per order). From the land, we have the rabbit-shaped Steamed Prawn and Carrot Dumpling, and Deep-fried Pork Char Siew and Pine Nuts in Glutinous Pastry fashioned like a carrot. Moving to the sea, we have the Steamed Squid and Sea Cucumber Dumpling, and Steamed Prawn and Chinese Stem Lettuce with Tobiko Dumpling formed like a sea cucumber and starfish respectively.

Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss

The Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss ($13.80 per order) is dangerously addictive. I have a similar dish before, using eggplant instead of pumpkin. I feel the sweetness of the pumpkin is a better interpretation of the dish, complementing the savoury salted egg yolk and pork floss.

Spicy Sliced Red Garoupa Soup with Preserved Cabbage

A rather underrated soup in the menu is the Spicy Sliced Red Garoupa Soup with Preserved Cabbage ($18). In the bowl of milk soup, you get slices of red garoupa fillet, preserved cabbage, semi-dried tomato and soft tofu. Each sip of the soup, you get a combination of sweet, sour and peppery kick from the dried Sichuan peppers.

Roasted Chicken Skin with Prawn Paste in Sesame Pockets

One of the new dishes in the new menu is the Roasted Chicken Skin with Prawn Paste in Sesame Pockets ($36 half/ $72 whole). It is a remake of a traditional sesame encrusted baked flatbread or Shao Bing that envelopes a variety of fillings. At Ming Jiang, the chef stuffed the sesame pocket with deep-fried chicken skin with prawn paste, rock melon, Japanese cucumber and sesame beancurd skin. All these components are held together by a hoisin and fermented red beancurd sauce mix. Personally, I like the idea, but I find it a bit hollow and airy for a substantial bite. The rock melon is a great idea, though, it freshened up the whole enjoyment since most of the components are deep-fried.

Slow-braised Beef Brisket, Tendon and Radish

A very hearty dish in the new menu is the Slow-braised Beef Brisket, Tendon and Radish ($36/ $72). The beef brisket and tendon are cooked to tender, absorbing the delicious, savoury brown sauce. What I look most is the radish that best absorbed the essence of the sauce.

Braised Noodle with Spring Onions, Ginger and Yabbies 

Wrapping up on the hot dishes, we had the Braised Noodle with Spring Onions, Ginger and Yabbies ($16 per person). A delightful noodle dish with springy noodle tossed in the delicious braising sauce.

Deep-fried Purple Sweet Potato Crispy Milk

Even the dessert gets a transformation. The Deep-fried Purple Sweet Potato Crispy Milk ($20 per portion) is made by simmering condensed milk and coconut milk till gelatinous. Sweet potato paste is rolled into a ball-shaped and stuffed with the gelatine simmered milk into the centre and deep-fried. The result is a crispy exterior with a soft interior. Do be careful as the milk filling may burn your tongue if you are not careful.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301704
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant @ OCBC Centre - Oishi Flavours Of Japan

For a limited period from 02 March 2020 to 30 April 2020, Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant presents "OISHI Flavours of Japan", a delectable menu with Japanese-inspired creations to celebrate the Cherry Blossom season. The menu showcases the chefs' culinary skill incorporating Cantonese fare with premium ingredients sourced directly from Japan, rolling out the brand new dim sum, a la carte and set menu offerings.

Dim Sum 4.2/5

The restaurant has jazzed up the dim sum creations with fine Japanese ingredients such as Steamed Siew Mai with Sea Urchin ($8.80), Steamed Xiao Long Bao with A5 Wagyu Beef ($8.80) and Steamed Dumpling with Japanese Geoduck Clam ($7.80). The classic siew mai is crowned with premium-grade uni, while the xiao long bao is levelled up with the use of top-grade A5 wagyu beef silvers within. My favourite is the steamed dumpling with Japanese geoduck clam. It is a luxe version of the har gow, topped with a slice of crunchy clam paired with ginger.

Chilled Sea Urchin Tofu 4.2/5

Served in an ice bowl is the Chilled Sea Urchin Tofu ($22) inspired by the Japanese pitan tofu dish. While the tofu was smooth and silky, I couldn't really taste the uni. However, the star for me is the piquant sake-spiked century egg sauce, that brings the dish together. The century egg "white" topping provided that extra textural enjoyment, garnished with tatami iwashi.

Pan-fried Shirobuta Pork with Chef's Special Sauce 4.2/5

Meat lovers will enjoy the Pan-fried Shirobuta Pork with Chef's Special Sauce ($28). It is simply seasoned with salt and pepper for diners to appreciate the natural flavour of the beautiful meat. It is paired with seasonal vegetables, edible golden popped rice and a choice of chef's special sauce. There are 3 flavours to choose from black pepper, mala or mushroom. An A5 wagyu beef option is also available on the new menu.

Flaming Seafood Fried Rice in Whole Japanese Pumpkin 3.5/5

If you order the Flaming Seafood Fried Rice in Whole Japanese Pumpkin ($28), the staff will set it alight at the table. Actually, I find it gimmicky as the dish is not infused with the liquor aroma. Inside the Japanese pumpkin is fragrant fried rice with prawns, scallops and morsels of sweet pumpkin, blanket with a layer of melted cheese.

Poached Surimi-men with Japanese Oyster 4.5/5

Besides the a la carte dishes. There is a 6-course set menu priced at $68 per person for the Oishi Flavours of Japan promotion. A highlight of the set menu is the Poached Surimi-men with Japanese Oyster. The pink noodle is made from fish paste hence the springy bite, complemented by the comforting superior broth. It comes with 2 juicy and plump Japanese oysters too.

Sweet Temptation 3.8/5

For a sweet ending, there is the Sweet Temptation which comprises of half creamy pumpkin and half pandan-infused sweet potato paste. On the side is a flower-shaped pastry filled with Mandarin peel accented red bean paste.

The Oishi Flavours of Japan promotion will be available at all seven Peach Garden Chinese Restaurants across the island except for the dim sum items which are only available at Thomson Plaza and Hotel Miramar outlet.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Peach Garden Chinese Restaurant
OCBC Centre
65 Chulia Street
#33-01
Singapore 049513
Tel: +65 65357833
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 6 - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Chulia Street. Turn left onto Chulia Street and walk down the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Yan Restaurant @ National Gallery - Heralding A Joyful Lunar New Year

For the upcoming Lunar New Year, Yan Restaurant at National Gallery celebrates the joyful reunions with a bounteous spread of six set menus, ranging from $98++ to $198++ per person, with classic Cantonese fare curated by Head Chef Ng Sen Tio.

Kaleidoscope of Prosperity 'Shun De' Style 4.2/5

For a different style of Yusheng, Yan Cantonese Restaurant offers the Kaleidoscope of Prosperity 'Shun De' Style ($138). It is savoury rather than the usual sweet type. The Shunde-style yusheng presents a mountain of crispy vermicelli adorned with shreds of purple and yellow sweet potatoes, kailan, and pickled ginger. Surrounding it is a vibrant medley of vegetables, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and youtiao, as well as slices of fresh yellowtail, and topped with gold flakes and crunchy coils of mee pok.

Double-boiled Peru Maca Soup with Dried Seafood 4.5/5

Lunar New Year feast doesn't mean we can't eat healthily. The Double-boiled Peru Maca Soup with Dried Seafood ($90/$180) is a nourishing soup. The Peru maca is a Peruvian plant reputed for energy boosting and reduces blood pressure. Sea whelk is added to balance the yin of the body.

Sauteed Prawns with Vegetables accompanied with Deep-fried Mango and Scallop Roll 4/5

The Sauteed Prawns with Vegetables accompanied with Deep-fried Mango and Scallop Roll is a 2 in one dish. One gets to enjoy the crunchy prawns and asparagus, as well as the crispy panko crumbs coated sweet mango and scallop roll.

Steamed Star Grouper with Yunnan Preserved Vegetables and Cordyceps Flower 4.2/5

Fish is a must-have during Chinese New Year, symbolising surplus and abundance for the new year. At Yan, the wild-caught Steamed Star Grouper is deboned and served with Yunnan preserved vegetables, fresh cordyceps flowers and chye sim. The seasoning is light but flavourful, allowing the natural sweetness of the fish to shine through.

Yan Harvest Pen Cai 4.5/5

Usher in the year of the Rat with the majestic Yan Harvest Pen Cai ($280/$560). The huge treasure pot comprises of 18 ingredients. There are 6 Head Whole Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Live Prawn, Whole Conpoy, Fish Maw, King Grouper Fillet, Scallops, Roast Pork, Soya Chicken, Roast Duck, Black Mushroom, Yam, Lotus Root, Tianjin Cabbage, Beancurd Skin, Sea Moss, Ginkgo and Broccoli in braised duck gravy. It is available for both dine-in and takeaway.

Pan-Fried Nian Gao 4.2/5

For dessert, Nian Gao is a popular treat during Lunar New Year as the name sounds similar to better and higher achievement for the year ahead. The chef has kept the Pan-Fried Nian Gao simple, lightly pan-fried and coated with toasted grated coconut and crushed peanuts.

Hot Purple Sweet Potato Cream with Bird's Nest, Ginkgo and Mini Glutinous Rice Balls 4/5

For a good chance from the usual mango sago dessert, the Hot Purple Sweet Potato Cream with Bird's Nest, Ginkgo and Mini Glutinous Rice Balls is a well-received by the table.

For those planning to celebrate reunion at the comfort of the home, pre-orders commences on 23 December 2019 to 4 February 2020. Orders for takeaways can be placed at www.yan.com.sg. Reservation and enquiries call (65) 6384 5585 or email: reserve@yan.com.sg.

Noted: This is an invited tasting.


Yan Restaurant (宴)
National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew's Road
#05-02
Singapore 178958
Tel: +65 63845585
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn left and walk down North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Coleman Street. Walk down Coleman Street. Walk to destination. Journey time around 5 minutes. [Map]

Monga Fried Chicken @ Jurong East Mall (JEM) - Fried Chicken Brand By Famous Taiwanese Celebrity Nono

The famous Taiwanese Celebrity Nono's Fried Chicken brand, Monga Fried Chicken, has opened its first Singapore outlet at Jurong East Mall (JEM). Monga Fried Chicken prides itself for using only fresh and not frozen chicken, and its huge juicy thick-cut chicken fillets.

The tender chicken breast meat comes in three flavours. The King ($6.90) which is dusted with original salt and pepper seasoning; Hot Chick ($6.90) which is dusted with chilli paprika powder hand-made from Anaheim peppers; and The Taiker ($6.90) which is dusted with Japanese sauce and seaweed powder imported from Okinawa.

The King 3.5/5

You will get your money's worth as one whole fresh chicken can only make two pieces of Monga fried chicken cutlets. Each cut is also kept to a minimum of 2cm thick. That is why it is so huge. Unlike other fried chicken brand, it uses honey instead of granulated sugar to marinate the chicken breast meat. The amylase in honey tenderise the meat and elevates the taste of the chicken fillet. While the meat is juicy and tender, I didn't quite like the batter. I find the batter is not crispy enough and slightly on the thick side.

Hot Chick 3.8/5, The Taiker 3/5

Apart from the fried chicken cutlets, it also offers a variety of sides to munch on. There are Monga Nuggets ($5.90 for 6pc / $7.90 for 9pc), Fried Chicken Skin ($3.90), Signature Fries ($2.90), Seaweed Fries ($3.50), Sweet Potato Fries with Plum Powder ($3.50), Fried Broccoli ($3.50) and Fried King Oyster Mushrooms ($3.90). My favourite is the nugget, sweet potato fries and fried chicken skin.

Remember to wash down all the fried food with some refreshing beverages. There are the refreshing fruit-infused green teas - Orange Green Tea ($4.50) and Grapefruit Green Tea ($4.50). My preferred choice would be the classic and fragrant Osmanthus Oolong Tea ($3.30).

To celebrate its grand opening in Singapore, Monga Fried Chicken will be giving out free limited-edition Monga merchandise to the first 40 customers daily on the first 7 days of operations from 28 September to 4 October 2019.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Monga Fried Chicken
Jurong East Mall (JEM)
50 Jurong Gateway Road
#B1-K10
Singapore 608549
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

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

11 Hamilton @ Hamilton Road - Modern Chic Cafe That Offers A Contemporary Australian-Inspired Menu With A Fusion Twist

The folks behind cafe Hustle Co. has recently rebranded and officially opened a new all-day dining concept - 11 Hamilton. Moving out of its former premises at Craig Road, the cafe was relocated in the Lavender and Jalan Besar precinct, serving contemporary Australian inspired menu with a fusion twist. Gather your loved ones over hearty brunch dishes during the day, or enjoy a range of craft beer and dinner service from 5pm onwards.

Breakfast For Champs 3.8/5

The Breakfast For Champs ($22) comes in a huge heart portion of Huevos Estrellados made with crispy potato cubes, jamon slices, scrambled eggs and runny yolk sauce to bind everything together. The dish is initially obscured by the mass of wild rocket which provides a bitter, nutty taste to the dish.
 

Deconstructed Spanish Jamon Omelette 3.8/5

The Deconstructed Spanish Jamon Omelette ($22) is reminiscent of a huge pizza on a pan. It features jamon slices doused with piquillo mayo, a mass of wild rockets and grilled asparagus spears on a thin bed of omelette. Although I enjoyed the rich savouriness of the jamon slices, again, we felt that the bitter, nutty rocket leaves overwhelmed the primary flavours of the dish.

Blueberry Banana Cinnamon Pancake 4/5

The Blueberry Banana Cinnamon Pancake ($18) comes in a thick fluffy slab of pancakes, embellished with berries and caramelised banana slices, and sweetened with a slight drizzle of maple syrup. However, we felt that the sweetness of the pancake can be brought up a few more notches. Perhaps the maple syrup could be served on the side for diners to adjust the sweetness level themselves.

Sweet Potato Fries 4/5

The Sweet Potato Fries ($9) arrived in a pretty huge portion, perfect for sharing. The fries boast a crisp exterior, yet pack a solid bite filled with fragrant sweet potato filings. A simple, yet well-executed side to go along with the mains.

Ondeh Ondeh Cake 4.2/5

Round off your meal on a sweet note with an array of gorgeous bakes from a local partner, The Brickyard. We tried their bestseller, Ondeh Ondeh ($7), which boasts light and fluffy pandan chiffon, layered with gula melaka frosting and topped with crunchy coconut shreds. This delicate, locally inspired dessert is not too sweet or cloying and is totally worth the indulgence.

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.

11 Hamilton
11 Hamilton Road
#01-00
Singapore 209182
Tel: +65 94510821
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 9am - 10pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to traffic junction of Hamilton Road and Lavender Street. Cross the road and walk to Hamilton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Horne Road. Turn left and walk down Horne Road. Turn right onto Hamilton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]