Tuesday, October 27, 2015

MEATliquor SIN @ Duxton Road

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MeatLiquor SIN, one of the most talked about burger joints in town, just launched a rather unusual Saturday Brunch - Hours of free flow of burgers and tons of booze, with a DJ cutting tracks to wake the usual sleepy town of Duxton Hill on a weekend afternoon. They called it EATs, BEATs & TREATs, an alternative that set to baffle your plan for a Saturday meal. So are you going to have a Brunch, lunch, or an early dinner?

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The debut was held just last Saturday. We tend to sleep in on Saturdays, so starting the brunch at 1pm is more than welcome. I wasn't the only one who arrived promptly, or, feeling hungry to be specific. A handful was already queuing at the entrance. Apparently, a big group was trying to make their payment in cash. It doesn't come cheap, at $90++ per pax.

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A very straight forward menu. Sides, burgers, and alcohol, with a couple of add ons if you are willing to top up some cash. Judging by the orders round me, their buffalo wings and sambas fries are very very popular. I recommend their Gunpowder Shrimps and Mac n Cheese. The shrimps were very succulent, with a layer of crispy batter. Mac and cheese is actually fried cheese sticks, but it's by far one of the better ones. Best to have it hot, when the gluely cheese oozes out real quick. If I'm not wrong, Camembert cheese is used. (I was so excited that I forgot to take the cheese in action!). Do remember to ask for their blue cheese dips, one of the best ever! It doesn't just go well with all the finger bites, pouring it over my burger also gives me a really delicious 'blue cheese burger'.

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4 burgers to choose from, either chicken or beef. HDB Chicken Tower, Parma Chicken, Dead Hippie and Bacon Cheese. The chicken fillet is served the same way in both chicken burgers. What makes the difference is its accompaniment and sauce. One is with hash brown, which I thought is quite delectable, the other is parma ham. As for the beef, Bacon cheese is self explanatory. Dead hippie has a slightly twist to it, with the beef patty being halved, and comes with a special mayonnaise. Somehow, I prefer this among all. It seems juicer, and the mayonnaise reacts well with the smoky sweet patty.

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Overall, very hearty burgers with solid patties. I wish the buns could be airier. Theirs are kind of too dense for me. Their Sherbets are slightly watered down, best options are properly still their craft and bottled beers.

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The finale to this whole Saturday afternoon is not just the Treats given to us in a canvas bag but their Neh Neh Pop ice creams! Out of the 4 flavours, I tried three - milo dinosaur, strawberry pockie and Bahkula, which is my favourite. Spiked with crunchy pretzels, every bite is a combustion of taste and texture - the bittersweet dark chocolate coating, the sweet creamy vanilla core and the savoury pretzels, it is simply heavenly! Their strawberry pockie is also quite decadent- vanilla ice cream with huge strawberry swirls, coated with white chocolate. So yummy!

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Little did I expect myself to leave after 4pm. So did every of the customers I assume. Although weekends are meant to go slow, but I wish the waiting time for the food could be shorter. When the full crowd settled it, it could take almost half an hour for our next order to reach our table. So what I suggest it, the moment you have settled down, you should go straight into ordering all the food that you want, and maybe start placing your next order when you are almost done. Bear in mind that the ordering stops at 4pm.

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I was somewhat exhausted by the time I walked out of the place, with all the shouting over the loud music and the food coma setting in. However, I could see that whoever were here, and still there by the time I left, have enjoyed themselves. With the amount of food that you are going to take, I'm sure it will provide you with all the energy that you need for your weekend. That, I don't think your usual eggs benedict is anywhere near.

EATs, BEATs & TREATs dates until the end of the year are:
- Saturday 14th November (1pm - 5pm)
- Saturday 12th December (1pm - 5pm)

Photograph and Written By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.



MEATliquor SIN
99 Duxton Road
Singapore 089543
Tel: +65 62215343
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pager (EW Line), Outram (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 5pm - 12midnight
Thu-Fri: 5pm - 2am
Sat: 5pm - 3am
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Cross Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to Craig Road. Walk along Craig Road and turn right onto Duxton Road. Walk along Duxton Road to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight along New Bridge Road to Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and turn left onto Neil Road. From Neil Road walk to Duxton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 23  minutes. [Map]

Monday, October 26, 2015

Terra by Seita @ Tras Street

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
Facebook
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]