Monday, January 28, 2019

HEYTEA @ Clarke Quay - Opens 2nd Outlet With 4-Exclusive Alcoholic Creations

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The popular China Number 1 contemporary tea connoisseur and the original inventor of cheezo tea HEYTEA has opened a second outlet in Clarke Quay. The new outlet reflects a lighthouse theme design inspired by the history of the maritime trade at Clarke Quay.

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The latest outlet also comes with an in-store tea experience laboratory TEA GEEK BAR. Tea-baristas at Tea Geek Bar, upgrades the tea drinking experience of Singaporeans with 6 brand new alcoholic tea creations inclusive of 4 Singapore exclusive: 2 alcoholic tea creation and 2 alcoholic ice creams.

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The Royal's Romance

The 2 Singapore-exclusive alcoholic tea creations are The Royal's Romance and Scarlet's Heart. The Royal's Romance ($22) is a stellar combination of vodka and osmanthus oolong, laced with a sprig of thyme and coupled with a splash of zest from fresh lemons. The summer cocktail is light and refreshing. Perfect for the humid weather in Singapore.

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Scarlet's Heart

The other Singapore-exclusive alcoholic concoction is the Scarlet's Heart ($16). It is a refreshing watermelon-pink tipple topped off with a layer of fomay egg white. The combination of fresh fruits, pineapple pulps, cognac brandy and jasmine green tea give the drink a silky texture and sweet mellow flavours.

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Singapore Sling

 The other 2 Singapore-exclusive alcoholic creations is the Singapore Sling ($5.50) and Guinness ($4.50) soft serve. The iconic Singapore sling cocktail is transformed into an alluring blush-pink soft serve. As for the Guinness soft serve, it has a malty Guinness flavour that goes well with the refreshing oolong tea ice cream.

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Salted Egg Yolk Ice Cream

If you are not into alcohol, there is another Singapore-exclusive ice cream - Salted Egg Yolk Ice Cream ($4.80). It has a very subtle salted egg flavour infused in the creamy swirls. It is more sweet than savoury.

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Right across the Tea Geek Bar is where you can get your non-alcoholic tea drinks such as their popular Cheezo Teas, Fruity Cheezo Teas and Bobo.

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Duo Bobo Milk 

The Duo Bobo Milk ($5.5) has a fragrant brown sugar taste, soft chewy bobo pearls infused with sweetness from the brown sugar. The drink is capped with a creamy milk foam, sprinkled with brown sugar and torched to give it a smoky caramalized flavour. It is pretty enjoy. It will be perfect if the brown sugar aroma is stronger.

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Located amidst the bustling bar scene at Clarke Quay, unlike all other HEYTEA outlets, this outlet opens at 12pm and closes as late as 1am into the night to cater to all the party lovers. Its well-thought-out opening hours fits perfectly with the Singapore drinking culture, especially when it is located in Clarke Quay.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


HEYTEA
Clarke Quay
3A River Valley Road
#01-06
Singapore 179020
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
12pm - 1am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Turn right and down River Valley Road. Turn right onto Tan Tye Place. Walk to the end of the road. Turn left onto Clark Quay. Walk to destination. Journey time bout 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C or G. Walk to the river front. Turn left and walk down the river. Cross the bridge. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Boruto Sake and Tapas Bar @ South Bridge Road - New Chef, New Italian-Japanese Menu

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Boruto Sake and Tapas Bar at South Bridge Road welcomes new Head Chef Jay Lee and a new Italian-Japanese menu. The refreshed menu retains its East meets West concept, featuring new dishes that can be categorized under salad, bites, cold dish, mains, thin crust, pasta, donburi, desserts and specialty.

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Risotto Croquettes 4/5

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Tako 4.2/5

Great with a few cups of sake is the Risotto Croquettes ($10.80) and Tako ($12.80). The potato croquettes are stuffed with tomato risotto encased in a crispy breadcrumb. Similar to having french fries with ketchup. The sweetness from the tomato risotto provided that needed harmony in flavours, making it an delightful one bite dish. As for the tako, it is enjoyed like popcorn chicken. The deep fried octopus leg with wasabi shio, Japanese karaage style. The seasoning is super addictive. Luckily we have 2 serving or else we will be fighting over it.

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Foie Gras with Nashi with Cipollini 3.5/5

I probably have different view from my dining companions for the Foie Gras with Nashi with Cipollini ($26.80). I love the sweetness of the caramelized cipollini onions which complemented the creaminess of the foie gras. However I felt the poached nashi pear is too sweet, masking the appreciation of the foie gras.

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A4 Wagyu Beef Tartare 4.5/5

One of my dining companions does not take raw beef but she could not stop herself from going for more of the A4 Wagyu Beef Tartare ($28.80). The traditional beef tartare is paired with gherkins, cocktail onions, capers and kombu giving it an Asian twist.

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Ise Ebi 4.2/5

The Ise Ebi ($22.80) is a beautifully plated dish. The lobster tail is glazed with miso and grilled. The dashi foam with chive oil also created the visual effect, whetting up the senses for the bouncy lobster flesh.

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Wild Mushroom Pappardelle 4/5

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Uni and Bonito Pizza 3/5

You need some carbo there is the Wild Mushroom Pappardelle ($22.80) and Uni and Bonito Thin Crust Pizza ($28.80). The chef handmade the pappardelle daily and this is cooked together with wild Asian mushrooms, prosciutto and drizzle of truffle oil. The taste of freshly made pasta alone is worth the calories. It may look simple but very well executed in terms of textures and flavours. While we all like the idea of the uni and bonito thin crust pizza, it uni and tomato paste was a very on the salty side which unfortunately didn't quite manage to let the fresh uni to shine.

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Wagyu Tomahawk (+/- 2Kg) 4.5/5

On the Borutos specialty is the Wagyu Tomahawk ($188.80) which is around 2Kg. The grilled tomahawk steak comes with sides of potato mash, red cabbage slaw and brown gravy sides. This is idea for sharing. The meat itself was so flavourful that we either have it on its own or with just a pinch of salt. Advance orders and full payment is required for the wagyu tomahawk.

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Ton Toro Sio Bak 3.8/5

The Ton Toro Sio Bak ($22.80) will delight diners with its crispy crackling skin and juicy meat. It is served with Japanese sweet potato and brown gravy. Unfortunately the rub on the crackling skin was a bit heavy handed during our visit. It also has a whole Roasted Kurobuta Ton Toro Porchetta at $58.80 which needs to be pre-order like the tomahawk.

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Matcha White Chocolate 3.5/5

The Matcha White Chocolate ($12.80) comes in a glass of white chocolate mousse infused with matcha served with raspberry gelee. I like the play of sweetness and acidity which works harmoniously for this dessert.

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Yuzu Tiramisu 4/5

Last but not least, we have the Yuzu Tiramisu ($12.80). The characteristic of the Italian classic is elevated with the addition of yuzu and sake. The lightness and subtle flavours works for me. It didn't feel heavy after all the food.

Overall I have enjoyed the new menu at Boruto. While there are some minor tweaks needed in some dishes, the concept works for me. I could taste the idea and potential that the chef wanted to bring to the table. Definitely looking forward to be back to try more of the chef's creation.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Boruto Sake and Tapas Bar
80 South Bridge Road
#01-01
Singapore 058710
Tel: +65 65320418
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line), Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 430pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to North Canal Road. Turn right and walk down North Canal Road. At the junction on North Canal Road and South Bridge Road, turn left onto South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Battery Street onto North Canal Road. Continue on North Canal North. At the junction on North Canal Road and South Bridge Road, cross the road and turn right onto South Bridge Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]