Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Onaka Restaurant & Wine Bar @ Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC)

IMG_3838ed

Conceptualized in 2008, Onaka which means Optimum Nutrition And Kitchen Art is specializes in so called Creative Conscious Cuisine to educate the public to eat consciously and live mindfully. Onaka which uses only the most wholesome and selective organic ingredients, amalgamates Asian culinary cultures together with modern Western influences in order to produce uniquely healthy dishes.

IMG_3837ed
Watermelon Sashimi 3/5

I have been wanting to come to Onaka to try the Watermelon Sashimi ($10). The sous vide watermelon rest on a bed of kombu and topped with agar wasabi tobiko is served with daikon tamari dip. I never knew that watermelon has such and interesting and unique texture that really felt as if one is have sashimi. The whole dish was light and refreshing.

IMG_3842ed
Duck Confit 3.8/5

The Duck Confit ($33) is served on a pumpkin mash, orange segment and roasted mushroom with orange. The duck leg itself was rather huge and it a way a bit fatty. I have to leave the skin untouched due to the layer of fats underneath it. Nevertheless, the duck leg was really tender and succulent. I also applauded the use of orange and pumpkin to give a fruity and sweet balance to the whole dish.

IMG_3839ed
Chilli Crab Capellini 4.2/5

There are many so called fusion chilli crab pasta dishes but usually they did not live up to their proclaim because of the lackluster chilli crab sauce that is not even close to the local dish. Using in house made chilli sauce, the Chilli Crab Capellini ($24) with real crab meat and a sous vide egg was really delicious. It has to be one of the closest interpretation of the local chilli crab sauce I have tried that goes well with the capellini.


Onaka Restaurant & Wine Bar
Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC)
PSA Building
460 Alexandra Road
#01-32
Singapore 119963
Tel: +65 62702012
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Onaka.at.ARC
Website: http://www.onakafoods.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Labrador Park (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Labrador Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Follow the overhead bridge across the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Whale & Cloud (鲸舆雲) @ Niven Road (Selegie)

IMG_4187ed

The words have been out and soon this little hidden cafe at Selegie will no longer be a secret. Whale & Cloud (鲸舆雲) is a cafe located at Niven Road. To be exact, the entrance is at the back of the shop house, access via the back alley. The door is usually locked, so you have to knock on the door. Is she trying to be secretive? Well I felt it is more for safety reason since she runs the place herself and being at the back alley, there is some element of danger.

IMG_4175ed

The lady owner has rented the backyard of the office and converted it into a small cafe which only opens during weekend when she is free from her sales and marketing job in a technology start up company. In fact the front of the cafe is the office where she holds her day job.

IMG_4167ed

The sight of the unfinished red wall, potted plants hanging down from the ceiling and a platoon of Bearbricks toy collection welcome me when I stepped into the little cafe. This place is so beautiful. It felt like I have been transformed into her own little wonderland.

IMG_4169ed

The lovely cafe is really small with 2 small tables and a row of old Cathay cinema chairs. The little cafe probably can sit about 12 people at max. The center of the cafe is where the daily freshly bakes are being displayed.

IMG_4176ed

There is something about this cafe that makes you feel at ease and in a way forget about the world beyond the blue metal door. Time and pace seems to slow down in the small little space. The soft spoken and gracious lady owner, the lady owner goes about asking the customers what she can get for them and offering her fresh bakes. The whole atmosphere and ambience felt as if I am at home or visiting a friend's kitchen.

IMG_4172d

Currently the coffee at Whale & Cloud is served in paper cups. The lady owner shared with me that she is currently using Omotesando Koffee beans from Japan. These beans are brought during her recent Japan trip. The coffee beans used at the cafe will depends on her oversea trip, so do look forward to sample different type of coffee beans from various part of the world when she returns from her next trip. A little cup of old school biscuits will be also served together with the coffee.

IMG_4184ed
Carrot Cake 4/5

Actually I came from a lunch tasting so I was actually quite full but when the owner offered me a slice of the homemade carrot cake to try, I simply could not reject her. I like the fact that the carrot cake is dense, moist, nutty and mildly spiced. I am not a big fan of cinnamon hence I enjoyed this version at Whale & Cloud. In fact I finished the whole slice.

IMG_4180ed

Whale & Cloud operates on a trust concept. There is no menu or price for their offerings. You simply pay what you want before leaving.

IMG_4181ed

If you wish to check out this little secret cafe in Selegie, please follow them on instagram @whalencloud as their operating hours are irregular and only open on weekends.

Updated: Whale & Cloud actually has three owners. During the visit of my post, the other 2 owners were not around. Whale & Cloud has also started to get their bakes from Kisses Bakery. Each slice is priced at $5. For the coffee, it is still pay per what you like.

Updated 2: Now bakes and coffee are fixed price.


Whale & Cloud  (鲸舆雲)
48 Niven Road
Singapore 228396
Nearest MRT: Little India (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sat Only: 9am - 4pm
(Do check their instagram for actual opening hours even on Sat)

Direction:
1) Alight at Little India MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the carpark and walk to Rex Cinema at Mackenzie Road. Cross the road to Niven Road. Instead of going down Niven Road, go to the back alley of the shop houses beside the hostel. Walk down the alley to destination. Journey about 5 minutes. [Map]