Nam Hwa Fishboat @ Owen Road

I am glad to know that my favourite Nam Hwa Chong (Ah Chew) Fish Head Steamboat Corner (亚秋南华昌鱼头炉) at the corner of Jalan Sultan and North Bridge Road has opened its second outlet at Owen Road. The second outlet is named Nan Hwa Fishboat offering the signature charcoal fish head steamboat as well as some new zi char dishes. A slight different from the flagship outlet is that the new outlet will be offering premium Dragon Grouper and Potato Cod Grouper for the fish head steamboat besides the traditional promfret, red snapper and red grouper.

Premium Dragon Grouper Fish Head Steamboat 4/5

It is great to know that the new outlet is still using the same recipe for the silky smooth superior fish soup brimmed with an unique combination of 12 ingredients, slow cooked over hot charcoal embers. We tried the Premium Dragon Grouper Fish Head Steamboat ($38/$48/$68). The dragon grouper fish head has a firmer texture. The soup also tasted a bit different from what I am familiar with. The soup seems more subtle and balanced, rather than just hitting you straight in the face with its rich flavour. It was explained to me that the recipe is the same but the choice of fish will relish a different flavour.

Champagne Pork Ribs 4/5

At Nam Hwa Fishboat, besides the signature fish head steamboat, the restaurant also offers zichar dishes to complete the meal. Some of the exclusive dishes available only at the second outlet includes Champagne Pork Ribs, Crispy Fried Prawn in Golden Pumpkin Sauce and Claypot Drunken Rice Wine Clam.

The Champagne Pork Ribs ($12.80/$18.80) is tender and glazed with a subtle sweet sauce that is very pleasing to the palate. Sesame and almond is added for a lift in flavour.

Crispy Fried Prawn in Golden Pumpkin Sauce 3.5/5

The Crispy Fried Prawn in Golden Pumpkin Sauce ($18.80/$28.80) comes with crunchy and plump prawns that are coated with the golden pumpkin sauce. The sweetness is given a hint of spicy kick with the addition of curry leaves and chopped chilli.

Claypot Drunken Rice Wine Clam 3/5

The Claypot Drunken Rice Wine Clam ($15.80/$20.80) was palatable but did not have that wow factor.

Sambal Sweet Potato Leaves 3.5/5

Stir Fried Sambal Sotong 3.5/5

Singaporean loves spicy stuff so it is inevitable that the menu offers zi char dishes such as the Sambal Sweet Potato Leaves and Stir Fried Sambal Sotong ( $11.80/$17.80). The sambal with its mild fiery kick, together with the fragrant from the dried shrimps, accentuated the flavours of the sweet potato leaves and sotong.

Dragon Grouper Shan Lao Hor Fun 4.2/5

The other highlight at Nam Hwa Fishboat has to be their Dragon Grouper Shan Lao Hor Fun ($12/$18). The ordinary looking plate of rice noodles with beansprouts and chunky fish fillet was surprisingly brimming with the nice wok hei flavour. Definitely one of the better shan lao hor fun, I have eaten for a long while.

Nam Hwa Fishboat has been around since 1927. I have eaten at their flagship outlet for many years. Not sure why it took them 88 years, to open their second outlet. A slight different from the flagship outlet is that it is trying to offer premium fish for their steamboat as well as some new dishes into their menu. I think it is a good approach as food needs to progress with time while still retaining the essence of tradition.


Nam Hwa Fishboat
93/95 Owen Road
Singapore 218907
Tel: +65 86132732
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Website
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk straight towards Owen Road. Turn left onto Owen Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

P. Bistro @ Palais Renaissance

Taking a big leap from the quiet street of Owen Road where P. Bistro started its flagship restaurant in 2013, P. Bistro opens its second outlet at the posh Palais Renaissance offering French bistro style dining and an array of French, Italian as well as Asian fusion dishes.

Tangy Pomelo Salad 4.5/5

Beginning our dinner is an unique Tangy Pomelo Salad ($12) that is refreshing with chunks of pomelo, cherry tomatoes, shallots, coriander, sliced red chilli and mesclun. The different combination is binded beautifully together with the chef's special tamarind dressing.

Fugu Japanese Grilled Puffer Fish with Flying Fish Roe 4/5

A good beer snack is the Fugu Japanese Grilled Puffer Fish ($12). I have eaten this before and it felt like having bak kwa or cuttlefish. At P. Bistro, it added flying fish roe for a lift in enjoyment.

Fresh Kuhlbarra Barramundi White Fish Fillet 4.2/5

From the Mains, the Fresh Kuhlbarra Barramundi White Fish Fillet ($26) will be a good selection. The pan seared barramundi fillet is quite a generous serving dressed in a lemon butter sauce, that is subtle but not stealing the show from the moist barramundi.

Duck Confit 4/5

A French classic is the Duck Confit ($28). The oven roasted French Castaing Duck Leg Confit is served with red berry gastrique, roasted potatoes and mesclun. The duck leg is crispy in the exterior and tender inside. The saltiness of the duck confit needed a bit more of the red berry gastrique to balance it off.

Asian Red Curry Seafood Pasta 3.8/5

I am told that the Asian Red Curry Seafood Pasta ($24) is the spiciest dish on the menu. To be frank, I was quite disappointed. It doesn't even manage to make me break into a sweat. However I can understand that they still need to cater to majority of the diner's tolerance level. Nevertheless, this is still a delicious plate of linguini, brimming with seafood.

Nonya Dory 4.8/5

A must try at P. Bistro is the Nonya Dory ($18). It is a meal on its own with brown rice, a sunny side up, achar and premium dory fish fillet. The highlight has to be the Chef's special Peranakan sauce. It simply blown the house down, getting the thumbs up from everyone at the table. This is one dish that will make me go back again.

Mont Blanc 3.5/5, Passionfruit Tart 4.2/5, Coconut Pandan Chiffon Cake 4.2/5

Besides the mains, P. Bistro offers a limited but excellent selection of desserts to end the meal on a sweet note or just to rest the leg after a long day shopping at Orchard Road. We tried the Mont Blanc ($8.50), Passionfruit Tart ($4) and Coconut Pandan Chiffon Cake ($6.50). My favourite is the passionfruit tart for its tartness and pandan chiffon cake for its light and fluffiness.

Palmier 4.5/5

A must try at P. Bistro is the Palmier ($1 each). I understand there is limited bake each day, so do go early to grab it before it runs out. I called it elephant ears because of its shape. Love how the puff pastry is baked to a nice crispiness with bites of the crystal sugar.

Last but not least, how about finishing off the pastries and bakes with a cup of aromatic coffee from Dutch Colony.

P. Bistro may look like any other bistro but you will be surprised with the food they served. I was really impressed with the food I tried during my visit. My most memorable dishes are Tangy Pomelo Salad and Nonya Dory. I also like the fact that the restaurant is located at the quiet end of Orchard Road. It is definitely a good option for a meal away from the crowd.


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P. Bistro
Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
#B1-06
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 67349268
Facebook
Website
Nearest: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and turn left towards Royal Thai Embassy. Walk to Palais Renaissance which is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Shaw House via underpass. At the road level, walk along Orchard Road towards Royal Thai Embassy direction. Walk to Palais Renaissance which is right after Royal Thai Embassy. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]