LeBan HK Cafe @ Upper Thomson Road

LeBan HK Cafe is the new kid on the block at Jalan Leban along Upper Thomson Road. The 1 month old cafe serves a wide range of Hong Kong inspired food.

LeBan HK Cafe has a youthful ambience with its contempoary colorful interior with walls painted in purple and white, red chairs and black tables. Even the lightings are in rainbow colours.

Chili Cheese Fries 3.5/5

The Chili Cheese Fries ($6.50) is topped with Chef's special chili and oven baked. I was confused as I did not taste any spiciness. The dish is a bit old school in my own opinion. I would prefer the cheese to be more liquid or even lava form.

Seafood Baked Rice in Cream Sauce 3.5/5

The Seafood Baked Rice in Cream Sauce ($9.80) came with fresh and big succulent seafood such as prawn, squid and mussel hidden inside a bed of baked cheese. It comes in either cream or tomato sauce. I felt that the dish did not have a body to gel all the wonderful flavours together.

Crispy Butter Bun with Condensed Milk 4.5/5

The Crispy Butter Bun with Condensed Milk ($4) brough back my childhood memories. I love having my bread with condensed milk. The toasted buns with the condensed milk spread was simple, sinful but yummy!

Savoury French Toast Bites with Ice Cream 4.5/5

I will definitely return for the Savoury French Toast Bites with Ice cream ($4.90). The deep fried breaded cubes comes with a scoop of New Zealand Natural ice cream. They are a total of 7 flavours to choose from currently. Bite into the breaded cubes and there is a little surprise. The french toast had peanut butter in it! LeBan definitely knows my weakness...we have condensed milk and now peanut butter.

Sizzling Crispy Noodles with Jumbo Prawns 3.5/5

I applauded the concept but not the dish. The noodles of the Sizzling Crispy Noodles with Jumbo Prawns ($8.50) had an unique crisp and crunchy texture. It reminded me of Mamee Monster Noodle Snack. The sauce which tasted like sweet and sour sauce was too sweet and overpowering.

Potato with Corned Beef Hash & Egg 3.5/5

When the Potato with Corned Beef Hash & Egg ($5.50) was served, I thought it was carrot cake with scrambled egg. Corned beef is salt-cured product hence the dish was a tad salty. An enjoyable dish but nothing fancy about it.

Sun Fried Ice Cream 4.2/5

Sun Fried Ice Cream with Green Tea flavour 4.2/5

The huge ball shaped Sun Fried Ice Cream ($4) is a must try. The ice cream is breaded, deep fried and topped with chocolate rice. Good quality New Zealand Natural ice cream is used with a choice of flavours. The hot and cold combination will leave your taste buds delighted.

Affagoto 4.8/5

Being a coffee addict and ice cream lover, the Affagoto ($4.80) is the mix from heaven that satisfied my weakness for them. A scoop of vanilla ice cream was dropped into a shot of freshly brew espresso. The coffee and the ice cream combination was so good that I selfishly finished the glass all by myself.

LeBan's is giving out 10% discount to our blog readers from now till 31 July 2012! Simply quote "Funky Food" before making payment and you will be entitle to the discount.

I would like to thank Stephenie for having us and Cheryl for asking me along.


LeBan HK Cafe
No.2 Jalan Leban
Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 577547
Tel: +65 62578801
Website: http://lebanhkcafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebanhkcafe
Nearest MRT: Marymount (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 4pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Upper Thomson Road towards SPC Petrol Kiosk direction. Take bus number 163, 167, 855 or 980 across the road (Stop ID B53021). Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination across the road. Journey time about 15 minutes.

The Square Restaurant @ Novotel Clark Quay

The Square Restaurant at level 7 of Novotel Clark Quay Singapore is helmed by their new chef Jean-Philippe. He has revamped the menu and came up with the current theme What's the big deal? So what is the big deal all about? It features food that comes in gigantic size! Don't believe me? Check out the photos.

Giant Brie

38kg Parmesan Cheese Wheel

Giant Paella

1 Metre Grilled Snail Sausage

Giant Mortabella Sausage

Pink Giant Rainbow Cake

Roasted Beef

As you can see from the photos, these gigantic food items which we normally do not get to see are available among the extensive buffet spread at the restaurant. You get to eat them too.

Oysters 4.5/5

Usually when I went for buffet, I will start with the cold section and I definitely will have the oysters. However I will not have more than 3 so that I leave space for the other buffet spread down the line. I broke the rule at The Square and went back for another 4-5 serving of their oysters. Although the cold section is not big but their oysters were very fresh, big and full.

Cooked Salmon 4.2/5

The lovely cooked Salmon was huge too. The fish was nicely cooked, moist and creamy.

A wide variety of cooked food indulging you to various international flavours and cuisines are available at the buffet spread.

Cheese Risotto 4.5/5

I felt very privileged to have Chef Jean-Philippe cooking personally for us the risotto and poached cod fish. The risotto was first cooked in a pan, transferred and tossed in the huge parmasen cheese wheel to have an even coating of cheese on each grain. Simply love the intense and rich cheesy flavours of the Cheese Risotto. The rice was not mushy or under cooked, still having a little bit to it.

Laksa Risotto 4/5

Chef Jean Philippe cooked us 2 version of the Laksa Risotto. One with cheese while the other without. We had mixed preference and I preferred the one without cheese. For me the cheese confused the flavour of the laksa which was the core and uniqueness of this dish.

Poached Cod Fillet 4.5/5

The Poached Cod Fillet ($34) is available on the ala carte menu. The fresh and moist cod fillet was poached in spicy coconut and prawn broth, served with sauteed vegetables and chicken rice. I liked the thick and creamy gravy which had a nce balance of sweetness and spiciness, making it very addictive.

Laksa 3.8/5

Like all hotel buffet line, there are also live stations and local fares. I love laksa and I always made a point to try the Laksa. The laksa missed its mark for me. The gravy lacked both the dried shrimp flavours and rich coconut cream.

Most people would leave the dessert to the last so as to end the meal on a sweet note. It is the same for me too. The Sqaure does offer a good spread of delectable desserts. Do try the Durian Pengat and Lemon custard in chocolate cup tart. They were my favourite among all the desserts.


The Square Restaurant
Novotel Clark Quay
Level 7
177A River Valley Road
Singapore 179031
Tel: +65 63383333
Website: http://www.thesquarerestaurant.com.sg

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6am - 1030am (for breakfast),
          12pm - 230pm (buffet lunch),
          6pm - 10pm (buffet dinner)
          All day a la carte service

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C, F or G. Walk along the river toward Riverside Point direction. Cross the bridge to the other end of the river. Turn left and walk towards Liang Court. Journey time about 7 minutes.

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to bus stop at Clark Quay Station (Stop ID 04222). Take bus number 54. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.