National Kitchen by Violet Oon @ National Gallery

With the much anticipated opening of the National Gallery, we also see a lot of new restaurants opening in the historical building. One of them is the much looking forward National Kitchen by Violet Oon. The restaurant is stunning beautiful with its Peranakan decoration that incorporated a Victoria twist.

Sambal Timun Nanas 3.5/5

The three of us took a while to decide on the menu as there are so many items that we wanted to try. Eventually, we started with the Sambal Timum Nanas ($4) that is made up of pineapple, cucumber, chillies, onions and lightly sweet rice vinegar. The tangy concoction is a refreshing and tangy starter to whet up the appetite.

Pineapple Patchree 4.5/5

The other pickle dish we tried is the Pineapple Patchree ($4) that comes with pineapple, raisins, chillies and yogurt in a sweet sour spiced gravy of turmeric, ginger, garlic and shallots infused with the fragrant curry leaves. I could not help associating the sweet sour turmeric gravy to the familiar taste of the fish head curry which is very addictive.

Chap Chye 4/5

The Chap Chye ($15) is a Peranakan dish that I always order on the menu. The vegetable is cooked to a soft texture but still retaining an enjoyable crunchy bite. Many chap chye comes across on the sweet side but this is well balanced.

Daging Chabek Beef Cheek 4.5/5

There are three beef items on the menu, llwe decided to try the Daging Chabek Beef Cheek ($35) which is only available at National Kitchen. The slow braised beef cheek is cooked in a rich spicy tamarind gula melaka gravy and coconut. The beautiful flavoured beef cheek literally melted in the mouth. The subtle sweetness hits the palate first before the spiciness starts to grow on the taste buds.

Cod in Creamy Laksa Sauce 4.5/5

We initially wanted to try the Curry Fish Head but was advised that it maybe too much for our group, as it is good for 5-6 pax. So we ended up having the Cod in Creamy Laksa Sauce ($34). I was disappointed with the portion, I think it is small to be shared among 3 pax. Putting that aside, the buttery cod fish works beautifully in the creamy laksa sauce. I have no regret in ordering it but maybe next time just for myself.

Hakka Abacus Beads 2.8/5

I was looking forward to try the Hakka Abacus Beads ($16) but turned out disappointed. The abacus beads is on the doughy side in my opinion, and I could not really taste the yam. The minced chicken topping with dried shrimp and dried cuttlefish was also on the salty side.

Opor Udang Nankar 3/5

A rare dish on the menu is the Opor Udang Nankar ($14). It is young jackfruit stewed with salted fish and prawns in a rich fragrant spiced coconut gravy.  I thought the salted fish will throw the dish off but it is not salty at all. If you have not eaten stewed young jackfruit before, the texture is similar to brinjal.

Kueh Beng Kah 3.5/5

Moving on to the dessert, we tried the Kueh Beng Kah ($9) and Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($12). The grated tapioca cake is excellently paired with the gula melaka syrup and coconut milk. I personally prefer the texture to be rougher and coarser. The Pineapple Upsdie Down Cake is nothing special but just a light butter sponge topped with pineapple and a butterscotch sauce. The condense milk sauce may comes across too sweet to many but this is my perfect child memories.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake 3.5/5

After trying the food at National Kitchen, I have to say that there are hits and misses. The price is also on the high side but you definitely can impress your foreign friends or partner for that special occasion. Although the restaurant is beautifully designed, the spacing between diners can be quite uncomfortable. Not to mentioned, when I was there, the full house restaurant can turned into a noisy night market with the noises bouncing off the decorative tiles around the restaurant.


National Kitchen
National Gallery Singapore
1 Saint Andrews Road
#02-01
(City Hall Wing)
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 98349935
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Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left onto North Bridge Road. Walk down North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Coleman Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Montana Cafe @ POMO

Since my last visit to Montana Cafe in 2015, the cafe has expanded and move up to level two of Pomo. With the new movement, it also took over the two storey space that used to be The Connoisseur Concerto (TCC). Montana Cafe and Fabulous Dough are located at level two while South Bronx Burger is at level one.

Red Velvet Waffle 4/5

With the new expanded space on level two, Montana Cafe has also revamped its menu. Having introduced new items on the menu, it has also keep some of the classics. One of them is the Red Velvet Waffle Stack ($11) with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate rose sauce. I like the idea that the cafe allows customer to choose between crispy or fluffy waffle, since everyone has their own preference.

Black Velvet Waffle 4/5

The new dessert waffle on the menu is the Black Velvet Waffle ($14). The black sesame waffle comes with black miso caramel and black chocolate coated vanilla ice cream.I was thinking that the miso caramel will be very sweet and overpowering but it turned out otherwise. The whole creation is very balanced for a wholesome enjoyement.

Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Waffle 4.2/5

On the savoury menu, Montana Cafe has retained the Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Waffle ($12) topped with white truffle oil, and served with tomato relish and jalapeno cheese dip on the side. This is one of their earlier creation that I enjoyed a lot with the mac & cheese stuffed inside the waffle. A combination that still works beautifully until today.

Assam Crab Waffle 4.8/5

There is no one waffle recipe that can paired with all ingredients. In my opinion, Montana has always been my waffle specialist. They have put in many thoughts in each waffle creation that is put on the menu. Their latest creations, Assam Crab Waffle ($18) is inspired by the Kedah laksa. The unique creation comes with assam spiced waffle, seasoned crab meat and pineapple cucumber salsa. At many times, a lot of the savoury waffles felt like piecing two items together. But the assam crab waffle felt completed, with everyone components working harmoniously together as a dish. This is definitely a must try!

Bulgogi Beef Waffle 3.8/5

Another Korean inspired creation is the Bulgogi Beef Waffle ($16).  The Gochujang rice waffle comes with sous vide bulgogi beef, orange sesame coleslaw, sous vide poached egg and bonito flakes.The waffle is very different. It is more cakey and moist. I noticed that it is also served in a bowl with a spoon instead of the usual plate, fork and knife. It's like telling me to have it like a bowl of rice. My only wish is that the bulgogi beef can be sweeter and more flavourful.

Nitro Coconut Cold Brew 4.2/5

Montana is not only a waffle specialist, they are a coffee specialist  too. Introducing a new twist in appreciating coffee is the Nitro Coconut Cold Brew ($6.50). The cold brew is poured into coconut juice infused ice ball. As the ice ball dissolved and released the sweetness of the coconut juice, it gives a new experience in coffee appreciation. Usually cold brew can be quite acidic and the coconut sweetness also help to reduce it.

The folks from Montana Singapore has definitely brought to Singapore an interesting 3-In-1 concept that house Montana Cafe, Fabulous Dough and South Bronx Burger under one roof. Montana Cafe has also up the game, setting a new standard in the waffle world with its new creation and menu. It has successfully retained my title of waffle specialist.


Montana Cafe
Pomo
1 Selegie Road
#02-25
Singapore 188306
Tel: +65 98331790
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk down Bras Basah Road to the junction of Bras Basah Road and Prinsep Street. Cross the road and turn right onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Orchard Road to the junction of Orchard Road and Prinsep Street. Turn left onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]