Cali Cafe @ Park Avenue Hotel Rochester

Nestled within Park Avenue Hotel at Rochester is a Californian style cafe called Cali Cafe. The cafe seems rather quiet on a Friday evening. Hidden away from the main dining scene of Rochester Park, it seems like a nice quiet place for a peaceful dinner.

Boosters Juices 4/5

We started our dinner with some boosters juices which were freshly squeezed. I had the Summer Cooler ($7.50) which is a melange of watermelon, orange and lemon. A refreshing drink for the humid Singapore weather. My partner went for the Detoxnic ($7.50) a concoction of celery, apple and orange that is great for cleansing and immune system.

Napa Caesar Salad 3.5/5

The Napa Caesar Salad ($11.90) comes with crunchy romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, peaches and egg served with lemon custard dressing. It was a decent plate of salad with a sweet, fruity finishing. While it is nice, I doubt it can be considered a caesar salad with it fruity interpretation. One can also choose to add on grilled chicken, crispy bacon or smoked salmon at an addition cost.

Pan Seared Salmon 3/5

Pan Seared Salmon 3/5

The Pan Seared Salmon ($28.50) is topped with mushroom sauce and served with potato puree and seasonal vegetables. I am not a big fan of pairing salmon with mushroom sauce. I always felt that salmon goes well with a creamy sauce instead. The salmon was also slightly over. Nevertheless the huge salmon fillet is pretty generous in servicing.

El Camino Chicken Thigh 3.5/5

I was expecting a whole piece of chicken thigh for the El Camino Chicken Thigh ($23.50) but instead it turned out to be more like a piece of chicken chop. The baked chicken thigh was marinated with honey and whole grain mustard, served with creamy mashed potato and sauteed vegetables. A flavourful, moist and tender piece of chicken thigh.

Overall I think Cali Cafe serves decent cafe food but not to the mark of restaurant quality yet. That makes the restaurant pricing it is charging very sensitive. I also observed that the service is not very organised and some of the staffs need to be sent for more training. It can be quite a frustrating experience when the staff has to return to you a couple of times to reconfirm your order, customers waiting in vain to be served and food needs to be brought to the counter to reconfirm with supervisor before being served to table.


Cali Cafe
Park Avenue Hotel
The Rochester
31 Rochester Drive
#01-01
Singapore 138637
Website: http://www.cali.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cali-Cafe-Bar/425415427577547
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk towards Star Vista. Turn left onto Rochester Drive. Walk to the end of Rochester Drive. Turn left onto Rochester Park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Mouth Restaurant (地茂馆) @ China Square Central

It was almost two years since I last visited Mouth Restaurant at China Square Central. Today I am back for their Treasure Pot Feast (九大簋盆菜) promotion. The value for money 9 course feast begins at $31.80++ per pax (for 6 to 9pax) or $29.80++ (for more than 10pax). The background of the treasure pot feast is based on the fact that in the past for village celebrations, the ordinary people ate poon choi while the wealthy family feasts over a total of nine courses.

Steamed Shanghai Hairy Crab 4/5

Our 9 courses feast started with the Steamed Shanghai Hairy Crab. Actually the Treasure Pot Feast (九大簋盆菜) does not have this dish. The owner decided to replace the Suckling Pig with the Hairy Crab for us to try since it is in season. This is actually my first time having hairy crab. It is quite an experience eating the delicate crab with the creamy roe and sweet flesh. Currently Mouth restaurant is having 3 different promotion sets for the hairy crab at $38.80, $48.80 and $88.80 per pax.

Early Days Shark Fin Soup 4/5

Next is the Early Days Shark Fin Soup, I like the extra fried wanton skins that is topped to the soup to give it an addition layer of texture.

Nostalgia Whole Prawn 3.5/5

The Nostalgia Whole Prawn is given a modern interpretation with the used of whole prawn instead of minced prawn paste. Toast and kaya or butter is common but it never came across my mind to pair it with prawn. A delectable combination that will be enjoyed both the young and old.

Sauteed Asparagus with Wild Mushroom in Truffle 4.2/5

The Sauteed Asparagus with Wild Mushrooms in Truffle was very well executed. The asparagus retained its crunchy texture while the use of real truffle and truffle essence further enhanced the sweetness of the crunchy greens.

Traditional Braised Pi Pa Tofu 4.2/5

Not to be missed is the Traditional Braised Pi Pa Tofu. I actually don't understand how the dish is associated with the classic Chinese instrument. All I know is that the tofu was silky and smooth.

Hong Kong Temple Street Claypot Rice 4/5

The aroma of the Hong Kong Temple Street Claypot Rice filled the air when the lid was lifted. I like the fact that the chicken was still moist and tender. While I hope that the sauce for the rice could be more there was actually an even better way to enjoy this to the fullest. Add a bit of the garlic vinegar sauce to the claypot rice and be surprised by the accentuated taste.

Sauteed Basil Grouper Fish Meat in 3 Cup Sauce 4/5

I like the fact that the Sauteed Basil Grouper Fish Meat in 3 Cup Sauce is fillet into cubes, making it easy to eat. Cooked in a sauce that is similar to the 3 cup chicken, I actually enjoyed this more. I find that the fish meat infused with the sauce better than chicken. The basil also given the dish an added dimension in flavour.

Braised Trio Sea Treasure in Abalone Sauce 4.5/5

For me the highlight of the 9 course treasure pot feast has to be the Braised Trio Sea Treasure in Abalone Sauce. The premium sea cucumber and fish maw infused with the delicious abalone sauce simply sent me to seventh heaven with the luxurious ingredients. For the amount one is paying for the 9 courses feast, I think this already recovered if not all but most of your cost.

Doubled Boiled Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Balls 4/5

This is specially served because using when one has hairy crab it is paired with ginger tea or yellow wine for a balance in ying and yang in the diet.  The Doubled Boiled Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Balls was warm and refreshing, serving the purposes in a yummy one.

Legendary Baked Salted Egg Yolk Bun 4.5/5

How can I come to Mouth Restaurant and not have the Legendary Baked Salted Egg Yolk Bun. The name already say for itself, it is legendary. The baked crust bun with its crisp and fluffy texture filled with flowing salted egg yolk lava was like a match made in heaven. It was heavenly.

Squid Ink Char Siew Bao 4.2/5

Ever since my previous almost two years ago, I still remembered and missed their Squid Ink Char Siew Bao. Hence I made a special request to try them again. I am glad that it is still as good and I was really content. They also have the squid ink har gow and chee cheong fan. Unfortunately I am too full to have more. I will save my stomach for my next visit.

Mouth Restaurant (地茂馆)
China Square Central
South Bridge Court Shop House
22 Cross Street
#01-61
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 64385798
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mouth-Restaurant-%E5%9C%B0%E8%8C%82%E9%A6%86/213508241996944
Website: http://www.mouth.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Weekday: 1130am -3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Weekend & PH: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit E. Cut throught Chinatown Point and Hong Lim Complex. Cross South Bridge Road. Walk towards the stretch of shop houses along South Bridge Road. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to South Bridge Road. Cross South Bridge Road. Turn left and walk towards the stretch of shop houses along South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]