Todai @ Marina Bay Sand (MBS)

It has been 2 years since I last visited Todai, popular for its selection of fresh seafood and Alsakan Snow Crabs. For the month of July, Todai has launched a Longevity Section (长生不老) to promote healthy living with a variety of healing foods. The buffet line will feature 10 of the finest healing food known to boost the immune system, strengthen vital organs and promote a longer life.

Sea Eel BBQ 3/5

Available on weekdays dinner and both lunch and dinner on weekends, is the Sea Eel BBQ. We hardly get to have Sea Eel in Singapore. Most we had at restaurants are farm bred eel. The sea eel barbecued on spot at the live station was very meaty and fat compared to the usual farm bred eel. The rich in vitamins eel is ideal for the Singapore heat aiding in rejuvenating the body. However the fatness was a bit too much for my liking.

Abalone Ginseng Chicken Soup 4/5

Abalone has the benefits of building and protecting healthy muscle tissues while ginseng chicken soup has energizing properties. The Abalone Ginseng Chicken Soup combines both health benefits.

Korean Abalone 4/5

Todai has also specially imported these beautiful Korean Abalone for the Longevity (长生不老) promotion. The abalone was fat and firm with a nice chewy bite to it.

Known as Mother of All Seafood Buffets, you can count on Todai to serve up a selection of freshest seafood. It is hard for one to resist them especially the wide variety of delicious snow crabs at the All Day Snow Crab Buffet.

I saw this beautiful piece of prime ribs and I could help getting a slice of it. At Todai, there are so many different types of cuisines and selections that you may not know where to start with.  Todai restaurants are family oriented and offer a wide varieties of quality and fresh food. Senior citizens above the age of 60 get 20% off on the dinner buffet bill every Monday and Wednesday. Customer who made their reservation via Todai office website are also entitled to a special 10$ discount on their lunch buffet bill on any day of the week. Todai has different dining promotion on different day of the week, so do check their website for more information first.

Prices
Lunch
Mon, Wed: $42++ (adult), $22++ (child*)
Tue, Thu, Fri: $46++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Sat, Sun, PH Eve and PH: $64++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Dinner
Mon, Wed: $58++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Tue, Thu, Fri: $68++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Sat, Sun, PH Eve and PH: $68++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
*Child below 130cm


Todai Singapore
The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Ave
#B2-01
Tel: +65 66887771
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TodaiSingapore
Website: http://www.todaisingapore.com/
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm (lunch), 530pm - 10pm (dinner)
Sat: 1130am - 3pm (lunch), 5pm - 1030pm (dinner)
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit D. Proceed to basement 2. Walk towards the other of the building and turn left. Todai is located at the far left of The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

[CLOSED] Jamie's Italian @ Vivocity

The culinary scene in Singapore has been buzzing with the latest opening of Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Jamie's Italian at Vivocity. The much anticipated Jamie's Italian, first in Asia opened its door on 17 July 2013. As expected, long queues have been formed every day since the opening. Although the restaurant takes reservation, only a couple of tables are set aside each day. It is wiser to join the queue if you want to try the food as reservation has been fully booked till late August at the time of this publication. Jamie's Italian Singapore is headed by Executive Chef Gary Clarke who is former Jamie's Italian UK Head of Academy for Senior Chefs.

Baked Mushroom 4/5

There are quite a number of antipasti selections from the menu which comes in planks or plates. We tried the Baked Mushroom ($12.50), the crispy paper-thin flat bread is topped with sauteed Swiss brown mushrooms and smoked buffalo mozzarella. A delectable antipasti to start of the meal.

Crispy Squid 4/5

The other antipasti we tried was the Crispy Squid ($11.50). The fried squid had a delightful bite to it, fresh and crunchy. The flavour was further lifted with a squeeze of the lemon zest and garlic mayo dip. However the portion was way too small for sharing.

Black Angel Spaghetti 2.8/5

The pasta at Jamie's Kitchen is made freshly on site everyday. I am actually quite interested to know how much pasta they need to make daily since most customers come to try their pasta, its an Italian restaurant after all. Inevitably, we ordered some pasta dishes to try which comes in either appertiser or main course portion.

The Black Angel Spaghetti ($16.00/$24.50) was cooked perfectly al dente with a nice firm bite to it in the middle. The squid ink pasta was served with scallops, garlic, chilli, anchovies, wine and capers. While the texture was good, I did not quite enjoy the dish though. I thought the whole execution was on the bland side.

Jool's Favourite Sicilian Tuna Fusilli 4/5

Another pasta dish we tried was named after Jamie's wife, Jool's Favourite Sicilian Tuna Fusilli ($14/$21), Albacore tuna slow cooked with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and cinnamon. The pleasing spicy tanginess and the delightful texture of the Fusilli made it one of the better dishes we tried for the night. I also like how Jamie's Italian served the herby breadcrumb on the spoon for their pasta and risotto dishes. The breadcrumb gave the dish a lift in texture.

Brixham Bay Crab Risotto 3.5/5

The Brixham Bay Crab Risotto ($19.00/$28.50) uses acquerello rice was cooked to perfection. Topped with lemony crab, samphire and chilli, the creamy risotto was bursting with beautiful flavours. While flavours we incredibly good, the crab meat seemed to be lost in the sea of grains. I would prefer more chunky crab meats for the price I am paying.

Lamb Chop Lollipops 4.5/5

The Lamb Chop Lollipops ($29.90) was my favourite dish for the night. The bone-in grilled lamb chops were served with a creamy artichoke and mint sauce, roasted nuts, chilli and fresh mint. The lamb was tender, succulent and cooked to a nice pink.

Ji Warm Brownie 3/5

For dessert, we have the Ji Warm Brownie ($11.50) which was made from mix of chocolate, raspberry and amaretto served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The brownie was really moist but it was not warm.

Creamy Panna Cotta 4.2/5

The Creamy Panna Cotta ($9) is probably the best dessert at Jamie's Italian. Everyone who has tried it has recommended it. The wobbly light, silky and smooth panna cotta served with fruit compote was a memorable dessert to end the night on a sweet note.

Overall, Jamie's Italian is a casual restaurant with homely Italian food. The price for homely Italian food may be a tad expensive but considering its a celebrity chef restaurant it is quite reasonable priced. Judging from the daily queue, it seems like customers do not mind the price. Staffs are very attentive and there was a merry and relax vibe throughout the restaurant making one feeling comfortable dining in.


[CLOSED]
Jamie Italian 
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-165/166/167
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 67335500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiesitaliansingapore
Website: http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/singapore/home
Nearest MRT: Harbour Front (CC Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Vivocity Level 1. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]