Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Grill Werkz @ 7 Stars Coffeeshop (Dover Crescent) - Value for Money Western Cuisine

IMG_7122ed

Recently I discovered a value for money Western food stall near my place at Dover Crescent. Grill Werkz is a western food stall located inside the 7 Stars Coffeeshop. The colour theme of the stall front some what reminds me of Astons Specialities, which also started as a humble stall in a coffeeshop before expanding its business to 24 outlets across the island.

IMG_7130ed
Cream of Mushroom 3/5

We started off dinner with the Cream of Mushroom ($3.50).  It is a decent and comforting bowl of mushroom soup. However I find that it is on the starchy side instead of creamy. The flavour is there and if they can work on the weak link, then it will be perfect.

IMG_7132ed
Norway Grill Salmon 3.5/5

The Norway Grill Salmon ($12.80) comes in a very different cut. Instead of the usual fillet, it comes in a slab. I am not sure whether it is a good thing or not. This is because the fillet gives you a consistent texture while the slab is like eating a fish from head to tail, each section has a different textural experience.

IMG_7136ed
Combo Mixed Grill 3.5/5

The Combo Mixed Grill ($15.80) is good for sharing. The huge platter comes with a variety of ingredients such as pork chop, steak, sausages, ham, egg and potatoes wedges. Definitely value for money with the huge serving portion.

IMG_7151ed
Seafood Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce 3/5

For the pricing, the Seafood Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce ($6.90) definitely is wallet friendly. The spaghetti tossed in a spicy arrabbiata sauce is a bit over cooked for me but the generous amount of seafood in the pan, more than make up for it.

IMG_7146ed
Air Flown New Zealand Ribeye Steak 10z 4.5/5

I think 7 Stars Coffeeshop just found its eighth star in the Air Flown New Zealand Ribeye Steak, 10z ($19.80). Perfectly cooked to medium rare, the ribeye was flavoruful, tender and juicy. For the cost and quality, I am surprised to be able to have such good steak at a coffeeship. Definitely much more worthy then going to some restaurants charging similar or higher price.

IMG_7150ed

I am glad that Grill Werkz has opened a stall near my place offering value for money Western cuisine. While there are rooms for improvement for some of the dishes, I am sure I will be back for more of their beautiful ribeye steak.


Grill Werkz
7 Stars Coffeeshop
Blk 28 Dover Crescent
Singapore 130028
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line), Dover (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to bus stop opposite Buona Vista MRT station (Stop ID 11369). Take bus number 74 or 196. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dover MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Dover MRT station (Stop ID 19039). Take bus number 14, 74 and 166. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Monday, April 18, 2016

CATO @ South Bridge Road - Modern Asian Cuisine with a Holistic Range of Craft Beers and Spirits

IMG_6880ed

CATO is the newest restaurant and bar that has recently become the new resident of the historical building where the first OCBC Bank was located. CATO offers modern Asian cuisine, with a holistic range of over 60 small batched craft beers and spirits from around the world.

IMG_6852ed
Crispy Squid 4/5

Our dinner at Cato started with some small plates. We started with the popular Crispy Squid ($12) which comes in a sweet and salty Thai style glaze. The delectable nip is very addictive, goes well with the beers and spirits.

IMG_6869ed
Prawn and Spinach Wanton 3/5

The Prawn and Spinach Wanton ($10) looks like blooming flower on the plate. The golden baked wanton parcels are stuffed with prawns, spinach and mushrooms. While the crackling wanton skin is outstanding, the stuffing did not manage to excite my taste buds. In addition, the wanton parcel is quite hard to handle and eat.

IMG_6857ed
KFC Korean Fried Chicken 4/5

With the number of Korean restaurants opening around Singapore selling the popular fried chicken, the rendition of the KFC Korean Fried Chicken ($16) at Cato is as good or even better than a few places. It also comes with a sweet and mildly spicy gochujang dipping.

IMG_6862ed
Mentaiko Mac & Cheese 3.5/5

My high expectation of the Mentaiko Mac & Cheese ($15) turned disappointment as I could not traced any mentaiko in the multi layers of flavours. Saying so the Southern comfort is quite enjoyable with the creamy cheese, aburi salmon cubes and tteok (korean rice cake).

IMG_6891ed
Mini Braised Beef Sandwiches 3/5

The flavoursome beef is braised in black bean sauce and served in between bread. The Mini Braised Beef Sandwiches ($16) will comfort the hungry stomach, for a substantial bite.

IMG_6863ed
Sizzling Hotplate Octopus 4.2/5

One of my favourite small plates is the Sizzling Hotplate Octopus ($18). The flavour is straight forward and robust amid the sun dried tomatoes and roasted new potatoes. The grilled octopus was also cooked to a nice tender texture.

IMG_6878ed
Twice Cooked Iberico Pork Cheek 4/5

Moving on the big plates, the Twice Cooked Iberico Pork Cheek ($30) surprised me with the tender pork cheek slices which have been grilled and steamed, this is hold together by the rice wine mustard sauce.

IMG_6911ed
Bangkok Lobster Risotto 4/5

The Bangkok Lobster Risotto ($32) comes with sous vide lobster, tom yum flavoured risotto, seasoned vegetables and lobster butter. It is a very beautiful dish with rich robust and cheesy flavour. The risotto was also cooked al dente with an enjoyable bite to it. However I probably got myself lost in Bangkok as I was not able to taste any tom yum.

IMG_6894ed
Tea Smoked Chicken with Spicy Japanese Noodles 3.8/5

The Tea Smoked Chicken with Spicy Japanese Noodles ($20) comes with Chinese tea smoked chicken, soba, ghost chilli dressing, pearl tomatoes, garden greens and sweet potato chips. The tender chicken was the highlight, well infused with the tea fragrant. However the soba was kind of bland and all I can taste is the spiciness from the ghost chilli dressing.

IMG_6896ed
Pineapple Pork Curry with Baked Rice 4/5

The Pineapple Pork Curry with Baked Rice ($26) is from the recipe book of Grandma Maureen. The traditional Eurasian pineapple curry comes with slow cooked pork belly and baked rice, served in a pineapple and topped with a melted cheese. The curry was some what new and unique to my taste buds. Initially I thought I tasted salted fish or anchovy in the curry gravy but it is actually belacan after checking with the kitchen.

IMG_6888ed
Seared Barramundi Fillet with Homemade Curry 4.5/5

What blow the house down has to be the Seared Barramundi Fillet with Homemade Curry ($28). The pan seared barramundi is served in a traditional Indian fish curry, grilled okra and eggplants. It even comes with sliced bread to soak up the delicious Indian fish curry. This is like a deconstructed modernise fish head curry. A must try!

IMG_6913ed
Valrhona Chocolate and Pistachio Cake 3/5

There is only one dessert item on the menu and that is the Valrhona Chocolate and Pistachio Cake ($12). The decadent chocolate fondant cake served with a scoop of ice cream and fresh pomegranate. A decent chocolate cake with moist interior but the missing pistachio puzzled me. It also need to consider changing their ice cream supplier.


PROMOTION - COMPLIMENTARY TAPAS OF THE DAY


For one month period, 18 April 2016 to 18 May 2016. When you walk in to CATO, let the person at the entrance know and quote "CATO Online" to receive a complimentary Tapas of the Day. The promotion is brought to you by the kind folks at CATO.


[CLOSED]
CATO
237 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058786
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat: 6pm - 1am
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight down Pagoda Street to South Bridge Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]