Terra by Seita @ Tras Street

A new kid on the block has taken over the defunct Buttero at Tras Street. Offering Italian-Japanese cuisine is Terra by Seita, helmed by Chef-owner Seita Nakahara. Chef Seita is not new to the F&B scene, having worked in Enoteca L'Operetta as Executive Chef since 2010. Now he has ventured out on his own to set up the new restaurant to continue wining his customers' palate with his culinary skill, passion and philosophy for producing fine, authentic Italian cuisine.

Iberico Ham with Burrata 4/5

I am privileged to be able to try Chef Seita's interpretation of Italian-Japanese cuisine during the soft launch period. Our Degustation Menu ($98++) started with the amouse bouch of Iberico Ham with Burrata. A classic combination that was pleasing to the palate to whet up the appetite for the rest of the night.

Scallop from Salfutu 3.5/5

For starter, we have the Scallop from Salfutu. The huge and plump Hokkaido scallops are cooked in a pot of gratin, mushroom, herbal butter and capsicum puree. This somehow reminded me about the traditional Italian tomato based seafood stew, giving a glimpse of the Chef's interpretation of Italian-Japanese cuisine.

Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Bottarga 4/5

Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Bottarga is one of Chef Seita's signature dish and I am glad that I finally get to try it at Terra. This is simply luxury on the plate with the al dente spaghetti tossed in the house-cured bottarga from fresh mullet roe and the unami sea urchin. I was expecting the richness to hit me like a tank but instead it turned out to be rather subtle.

Tajima Wagyu Beef 4.5/5

The highlight of the night has to be the Tajima Wagyu Beef. Chef has cooked the shoulder loin of the beef to a beautiful pink. The wagyu beef which has lesser marbling was pure enjoyment with each bite of the beef bursting with the full flavour.

Tiramisu with Shine Muscat Grapes 4/5

Ending the Degustation menu is the Tiramisu with Shine Muscat Grapes. The tiramisu was moist and light for a pleasing finishing. However the highlight for me is the Shine Muscat Grapes. The priced grape costs around $200 to $250 a bunch. I am so glad that I finally get to try these jade colour like grapes which is sweet and does not come with any tartness or sourness.

I enjoyed Chef Seita's interpretation of Italian-Japanese cuisine. However it does not come cheap as premium ingredients are used. You are paying for the quality. Nevertheless, Terra also offers 3 Course Omakase Lunch ($42++) and 4 Course Omakase Lunch ($58++) if you have a tight budget.


Terra by Seita
54 Tras Street
Singapore 078993
Tel: +65 62215159
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Website
Nearest MRT

Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 11pm
Sat: 630pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Orchid Hotel via Wallich Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

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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Great news to readers of SG Food on Foot. You just need to show this article to the staff of New Taste Restaurant to enjoy a discount of 15% of your total bill (except for promotional items), valid until 30 November 2015.


New Taste Restaurant (新嘉飨)
476 Macpherson Road
Singapore 368191
Tel: +65 68485233
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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]