New Taste Restaurant (新嘉飨) @ Macpherson Road

Macpherson Road is not somewhere that I will go often for a meal but after visiting New Taste Restaurant (新嘉飨), it seems I have more reason to do so now. Helming the kitchen is 26 years old Chef and co-owner Cao Yong 曹勇. Cao Yong is a new citizen having come to Singapore with his parents when he is 15 years old.

Just recently this year, Cao Yong represented Singapore in the World Chef Championship in Shanghai (世界厨王上海争霸赛) and came in first place in the team competition. He is also the team leader of the 4 men team that made Singapore Chinese cuisine proud beating teams from other countries especially China.

Chilled Pork Belly 3.5/5 and Smoked Duck 4/5

Dinner at New Taste Restaurant started with some appetisers. We had the Chilled Pork Belly with Garlic Sauce ($6.90) and Smoked Duck with Pickled Ginger ($8.90). The chilled pork bell paired with the cucumber whetted up the appetite with its refreshing and crunchy finishing. The smoked duck was tender and flavourful. Eaten together with the pickled ginger, it helps to cut through the greasiness and gaminess.

Handmade Crispy Long Cheese Stick 4.2/5

The Handmade Crispy Long Cheese Stick ($12.90) will be enjoyed by both the young and old. The cheese stick is filled with a mixture of cheese and potato. I was telling my dinner friends that it actually felt like eating samosa but in a stick form.

Vegetable Juice 4.5/5

I know of one Chinese restaurant that serves the Vegetable Juice ($4.90) but it was off menu. Hence I am very happy to find it at New Taste Restaurant and it does it even better. The juice is blended together with Hong Kong Cai Xin, Pineapple and Sour Plum. The other partner of the restaurant explained to us that the white cloudy appearance of the juice shows that it is freshly blended. This is a very refreshing drink especially for the humid Singapore weather. It does not have that earthy vegetable taste at all.

Marmite Chicken 3.8/5

Moving on to the mains, we started with the Marmite Chicken which is fried to crispy. The sweet marmite marination topped with sesame seeds is quite enjoyable with the sweet bitter aftertaste.

Deep Fried Spinach Beancurd with Fresh Mushroom and Black Truffle 4/5

The Deep Fried Spinach Beancurd with Fresh Mushroom and Black Truffle ($12.90) is a classic dish with the homemade silky beancurd. The earthy black truffle seems to give it an additional layer of flavour with the carrot and mushroom providing the extra texture.

Crispy Fried Prawn, Fruit Salad with Wasabi Cream 3.8/5

The Crispy Fried Prawn, Fruit Salad with Wasabi Cream ($21.90) received mixed reviews. The huge prawn was fresh and crunchy. However I find the wasabi cream was on the sweet side missing the pungnet wasabi kick.

Stir Fried Udon with Homemade XO Sauce and Black Truffle 4/5

At New Taste restaurant, besides the eclectic selection of cooked dishes, there are also one meal dish such as the Stir Fried Udon with Homemade XO Sauce and Black Truffle ($12.90) for those that just one to grab a quick meal. I understand that it is not easy to stir fried udon if the chef does not have a good control of his wok. The noodle can end up too soft or lumpy. My plate of udon turned out to have a nice wok hei with almost al dente bite to the udon.

Signature Crab Porridge 4.5/5

The highlight at New Taste restaurant has to be their Signature Crab Porridge that is good for 2-3 pax. Currently it is having promotion at $19.90 (usual price $39.90). The huge bowl of porridge comes with a whole mud crab. The porridge is the grainy type like Teochew porridge. What made the crab porridge so delicious has to the broth that is cooked with chicken stock and pumpkin. I think I can eat his everyday.

Lemon Glass Jelly 3/5

Dinner at New Taste restaurant finished on a sweet note with the Lemon Glass Jelly ($3.90). It was a refreshing and light dessert to finish the dinner. If the lemongrass flavour can be more distinct will be perfect.

New Taste Restaurant is actually split into 2 sections. One section offers ala carte dishes of modern fine chinese fare at affordable price, the other section offers steamboat buffet.

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New Taste Restaurant (新嘉飨)
476 Macpherson Road
Singapore 368191
Tel: +65 68485233
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line), Macpherson (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Macpherson Road. Turn right onto Macpherson Road. Continue on Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Macpherson MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight towards the temple. Turn left onto the walk path beside the temple. Walk to bus stop at Ubi Ave 2, Aztech Building (Stop ID 71169). Take bus number 8. Alight 4 stop later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Curious Palette @ Prinsep Street

To be frank, with the number of cafe opening up every couple of weeks, it was not easy to keep track. If not for my friend Benson, I probably would not have known about Curious Palette at Prinsep Street. Taking the space of a two storey shophouse, the spacious and brightly lighted cafe is very welcoming with its white walls and wooden furniture.

Truffle Fries 4/5 and Pork Scratching 3/5

Truffle Fries ($14.90) topped with shaved parmesan cheese and truffle salt has always been a popular choice for cafe hoppers. It comes with aioli sauce. New on the menu is the Pork Scratching. The crackling pig skin is perfect with a glass of beer. Since this is a beer snack, I would prefer the seasoning to be heavier.

Boneless Chicken Wings 3.8/5

The Boneless Chicken Wings ($9.80/3pc) comes with chicken minced stuffing, spiced batter and served with homemade Thai chilli sauce. The marinated chicken stuffing and spiced batter has a aromatic scent of Indian spices that distinct it from elsewhere. However. the Thai chilli sauce does not work for me

Pan Grilled Baby Squid 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes on the menu at Curious Palette is the Pan Grilled Baby Squid ($12.90). Funny enough it seems that I was the only one at the table enjoying this. I kept going back for more of the crunchy baby squid.

Pan Seared Salmon 3.5/5

I think the Pan Seared Salmon ($18.90) is very value for money. There are so many different components on the plate. On the plate, guest will get grilled Halloumi cheese, bacon scone, poached egg, guacamole, arugula, semi-dried tomatoes and honey mustard dressing. Unfortunately, the kitchen has a bad day, the poach egg is overcooked.

Scotch Egg 3/5

I like the idea of having Scotch Egg on the cafe menu. It does get a bit boring with egg benedict in every other cafes. Paired with cauliflower fritters, unfortunately the scotch egg was a bit flat in taste. The meat needs more flavours. I have tried better ones else where, especially By The Fire.

Chicken Leg with Pumpkin Risotto 4/5

The Chicken Leg with Pumpkin Risotto is not only beautiful in its presentation but the taste too. The large chicken leg is seasoned with ginger and prepared confit style. The confit chicken leg is paired with pumpkin risotto, The dish is finished with chilli foam. Tender and juicy chicken with fluffy risotto for a substantial meal.

Lamb Short Rib 4/5

The Smoked Lamb Short Rib is paired with compressed pineapple, sweet potato fries and mint jelly. I like the idea of the mint jelly to pair with the fork tender lamb short rib, with the compressed pineapple cutting through the greasiness.

Beef Steak 4/5

The Beef Steak with red wine sherry reduction is sou vide for 48 hours for a tender and delectable bite, accompanied with baby carrot and pencil asparagus. This may not be the most premium cut of the cow but definitely executed to the level of one.

Buttermilk Waffle with Gula Melaka & Coconut Cream 3.8/5

Buttermilk Waffle with Gula Melaka & Coconut Cream ($14.50) is quite an enjoyable dessert to wrap up the meal. The fluffy waffle with vanilla bean ice cream is a classic combination that is timeless. Could not really taste the hint of gula melaka and coconut but the roasted peanuts made up for it together with the nutty texture. The red beans had a bite to it which I thought the softern version would be more appropriate.

Berry Ricotta Hotcake 4/5

The most instagram worthy item at Curious Palette is the Berry Ricotta Hotcake ($18.90) with vanilla bean ice cream, fresh seasonal berries, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. It comes with golden maple syrup at the side. This is a huge serving and I would never image myself finishing it alone. The hotcake was buttery and spongy, with the cold vanilla bean ice cream giving it an enjoyable warm and cold contrast.

Of the many cafes around Singapore, I would say Curious Palette is one of the better ones with the whole package. Meaning besides the cosy and spacious ambience, it serves good coffee and quality food.


Curious Palette
64 Prinsep Street
Singapore 188667
Tel: +65 62381068
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghaut (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu: 9am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 9am - 12midnight
(Closed on Tue)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bencoolen MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 mins minutes.[Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D & E. Walk down Bras Basah road towards Prinsep Street. Turn right onto Prinsep Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]