Tocha Bistro @ Hotel Boss - Crazy Happy Hour With A Huge Selection Of Western Food

Tocha Bistro is the new gastropub that replaces char gril bar at Hotel Boss. The grastropub is actually located at the back of the hotel along the canal, giving diners the feel of alfresco dining alongside the river.
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Mushroom Soup 3.5/5

We started with the Mushroom Soup ($5.80) which is hearty and comforting. I enjoyed the earthy flavours of the different blend of mushroom with a creamy finishing.

Spicy Mid- Wings 3/5

The Spicy Mid-Wings ($8.80 for 10pc) was deep fried to an enjoyable light crispiness on the exterior while retaining the juiciness inside. However I did not find it spicy at it. The marination did not manage to wow me.but the children seemed to be loving it.

Baked Scallop 3/5

The Baked Scallop ($8.80 for 3pc) is baked in mayonnaise and 3 different types of cheeses. I applauded the generous used of cheese and mayonnaise but I thought it was a bit heavy handed, masking the sweetness of the scallop.

Tiger Prawn with White Wine Sauce 3.8/5

The Tiger Prawn with White Wine Sauce ($13.80) which comes with 3 huge prawns tossed in slightly spicy and robust white wine sauce. It is a pity that the spaghetti was overcooked or it will would be my favourite dish for the night. On a good day, this definitely will be the star of the menu.

Grilled Salmon 3.5/5

Grilled Cod Fish 3.5/5

For the fish items, we tried both the Grilled Salmon ($15.80) and Grilled Cod Fish ($19.80). For the pricing, I thought the portion is a bit small.While I could not really fault the cooking, I was not able to find excitement in the whole execution.

Lamb Rack 2.8/5

Tenderloin Steak 3.5/5

Moving to the meats, we tried the Lamb Rack ($22.80) Tenderloin Steak ($28.80). I probably will give the lamb rack a miss. It was dry and the pricing is too expensive for the portion served. The tenderloin steak ($28.80) fared better and was cooked to a nice pink. Once again I am not too sure about the pricing as I think I can get better quality piece of steak elsewhere at the same price or lower.

Iberico Pork 4/5

The dish that I would come back for is their Iberico Pork ($22,80). The piece of pork is well seasoned, complementing the natural sweetness of the pork. The pork was also tender and juicy. The kitchen has given justice to the beautiful piece of pork.

Hawaiian Pizza 3.5/5

Tocha Bistro has a huge selections of their menu and it includes pizza too. The Hawaiian Pizza ($12.80) is a tomato base pizza with chicken, ham and pineapple. A classic combination that works with the crispy thin crust. dough. This is best to go with a glass of beer.

If you are looking for a place to chill out, then don't miss the Crazy Happy Hour at Tocha Bistro. Crazy Happy Hour happens 5-6pm every day, where a pint of beer starts from S$7.80, and a bucket of 6 from S$25. On Mondays, the Crazy Hour Promotion runs all day and all night! Normal Happy Hour promotion will be from 6-9pm every day, where a pint of beer starts from S$10.80 and a bucket of 6 from S$35.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tocha Bistro
Hotel Boss
500 Jalan Sultan
#01-20
Singapore 199020
Tel: +65 62917118
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Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Fri: 11am - 1am
Sat: 11am - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Continue walking down Kallang Road towards Victoria Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Full of Luck Club @ Holland Village - Launches New Menu Showcasing Progressive Cantonese Cuisine

Full of Luck Club at Holland Village is a modern Cantonese restaurant that subverts the traditional style of Chinese dining. Hues and pastel colours set for a cheerful and jazzy mood, aligning with its hip Cantonese bites and beverages. With that direction in mind, it has launched new selections of Chinese baos, beverages and items from its Signature and Prestigious set menus.

Green Tea Macchiato 3/5

I ditched my usual cup of Chinese tea and opted for its Green Tea Macchiato ($12) to go with the dishes. To fully appreciate tea macchiato, one is advised to sip the tea directly from the glass instead of using a draw. That allows the respective layer to greet your taste buds individually before harmonising each other. Mine is a simple concoction of Emperor's tea infused with gin, tea, milk foam. This macchiato tea series is inspired by Taiwanese beverages. Though the drinks are quite creative especially when I like tea cocktails, I don't quite see how this gel with the theme.

Huat Huat Fried Chicken Bao 4/5

The Bao series is one of the most popular items here especially back when modern mantou was on the roll last year. The bao here have taken on a slider form, so that diners get to try more flavours. Huat Huat Fried Chicken Bao ($3.50) is the latest creation. I thought it looks really adorable, like a puffed-up fried chicken burger. The kimchi sauce really gives this bao a strong identity with its robust flavour. The fried chicken was tender and moist with just a thin deep fried crust.

Flowers of Life 3.8/5

Flowers Of Life ($7.50) is a light bite with a TCM twist. These fried cordycep flowers are made moreish with house made seasonings. The most common substitutes would be enoki or mushroom fries hence I find this quite a brilliant dish. The taste is right and it suits the oriental theme too.

Chef's Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew, Genghis Khan Premium Pork Rib 4/5

Roast meats is a quintessential Cantonese dish and is usually the star of the restaurant. Both its Chef's Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew ($14) and Genghis Khan Premium Pork Rib ($18) are refine and rather exquisite in taste. The char siew came with a glistening sugar armour. It had a balance of meat and fats, neatly sealed up by a layer of caramelised sugar which bring the flavours together as it melted away in my mouth. As for the pork rib, although I'm not familiar with Mongolian sauce, this mildly spicy sauce did jazz up the pork rib quite a bit.

Crunchy Medley of Vegetables with Lilybulb 4.2/5

Balance your meal with a plate of its nourishing Crunchy Medley of Vegetables with Lilybulb ($12). I love ginko and it's rather rare to find them in a savoury dish. For stir fried dishes, wok hei is like your umami that adds dimension to the flavour but that comes only when the chefs are highly skilled. And indeed they are in here.

Yuan Yang Hor Fun 3.5/5

The same goes for its Yuan Yang Hor Fun ($16). The wok hei is very pronounced in the stir fried hor fun. The fried hor fun atop gave the dish its crunchiness, along with a good portion of fish slices, leafy greens and beansprouts.

Sakura Ebi Fried Rice 4/5

I enjoyed the Sakura Ebi Fried Rice ($14) a lot. Each grain is neatly separated, loaded with crunchy cubed fresh prawns. Both sakura ebi and tobiko can be quite salty but as there's minimum seasoning in the fried rice, both flavoured the rice just right.

Osmanthus Raindrop Cake 2.5/5

For desserts, I was hoping for some good Cantonese homemade desserts. However, since this is a modern Cantonese place, you will get desserts such as my Osmanthus Raindrop Cake. I thought it is rather blend and a waste of effort. Perhaps, traditional Cantonese desserts may still be the team's forte.

Prosperity Shooter 3.8/5

Ended the meal with a Prosperity Shooter ($16 for 2) which is supposed to aid digestion with its mint infused vodka, fermented pineapple, basil and yakult foam. I love it! It may be a bit strong but very refreshing.

Presentations may have changed but the essence of Cantonese food is pretty much still there. It reminds me a lot of the Asian fusion restaurants and bars that I patronised in Melbourne, which imbue a strong underground vibe within. Perhaps, Full of Luck Club could be slightly naughtier to fully stand out among the Chinese restaurants that dominate the area.

Words and photos 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Full Of Luck Club
243 Holland Ave
Singapore 278977
Tel: +65 62086845
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Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 2 minutes. [Map]