Sunday, March 31, 2019

Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap @ Upper Serangoon Road - Thai Style Kwap Chap In Singapore

IMG_6819

I have been wanting to try Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap along Upper Serangoon Road for the longest time whenever the bus passed by the place with the sight of crowd packing the restaurant. We have been eating the local braised type kway chap since young but Thai style is rather new in Singapore. The first time I tried it was back in Bangkok a couple of years back and I am glad to know that this is available in Singapore now.

IMG_6809
Signature Thai Kway Chap 3.8/5

IMG_6811

Unlike the dark coloured soup based type in Singapore, the Signature Thai Kway Chap ($5) comes in a white peppery soup base. The kway is also rolled up instead of being flat, which has a more delectable textural bite. In the bowl, one can find ingredients such pig stomach, roasted pork, pork slices and Thai sausage. However I find that it is not as peppery as the one I had in Bangkok.

IMG_6813

I have not tried Thai Fish Sausage before but this is quite fragrant and it actually tasted like those Taiwan sausage.

IMG_6822

The signature of Thai Kway Chap comes with crispy Roasted Pork, just the way it is done in Bangkok. One may think it is rather random to have them in the kway chap, but I find that it does did its part in providing the extra boost in flavour, just like how we like to add pork lard in our noodle dishes.

IMG_6815
Braised Beancurd 3.5/5

The signature kway chap is a bit small in portion and you may need to have another bowl to be full. Otherwise you may want to complete your meal with some dishes to go along with the kwap chap. I tried the Braised Beancurd ($4) and Kailan with Crispy Pork ($8). The kailan is really well executed with the aroma for wok hei, fish sauce, garlic and of course the crispy pork.

IMG_6816
Kailan with Crispy Pork 4/5

Other sides available on the menu are Thai Mid Wing, Thai Boiled Pork Belly, Deep Fried Thai Pork Belly, Thai Stir Fried Cabbage with Fish Sauce, Thai Fried Beancurd, Thai Fish Sausage, Braised Tau Pok, Braised Egg


Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap
945 Upper Serangoon Road
Singapore 534711
Tel: +65 88225637
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 130am

Direction:
1) Alight at Kovan MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the traffic junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Simon Road. Cross the road. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Gaston Burgundy Bistro & Wine Bar @ Keong Saik Road - Hearty Comfort French Fare With Delectable Wines

Gaston9

Within the bustling stretch of Keong Saik is a new all-day bistro and wine bar - Gaston Burgundy Bistro & Wine Bar, offering comfort French fare and delectable wines from Burgundy. The bistro is helmed by owner and general manager Geoffrey Daurelle from Burgundy, who is inspired to bring the taste and culture of Burgundy to Singapore. He has rooted in Head Chef Julius Soo Thoo, who has worked in the kitchen of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Iggy's to bring the classic Burgundy cuisine to the table.

Gaston1
Croquettes Bourguignonnes 4/5

The Croquettes Bourguignonnes ($9 for 3pc / $18 for 6pc) is like our cheese and ham sandwich except it is in a croquette form. It uses Epoisses cheese which is is known as Burgundy's most pungent cheese. I didn't find it that smelly at all.

Gaston3
Oeufs en Meurette 4.2/5

The Oeufs en Meurette ($13/$21) is like our local soft boiled egg breakfast in dark sauce. It comes with a poached egg in red wine sauce paired with onions, bacon and mushrooms. I do recommend saving some bread to mop up the dish just like how we local have our egg and toast for breakfast.

Gaston6
Escargots de Bourgogne 3.5/5

Some diners can be deterred by the sight of the escargot in its shell but the Escargots de Bourgogne ($15 for 6pc / $28 for 12pc) here is de-shelled and served in a pastry shell paired with garlic, butter and parsley. Love the idea as it is really easy to just pick it up and pop it into the mouth.

Gaston8
Boeuf Bourguignon 4.2/5

Passed down to Geoffrey Daurelle is his mum's recipe for the Boeuf Bourguignon ($32). The beef stew in red wine sauce is cooked to tender with carrots and mushrooms. Noteworthy is the creamy and smooth mash potato, which consists of 50% potato and 50% butter, similar to what the now defunct L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon Singapore used to serve to their diner.

Gaston10
Truite a l'Aligote 4.2/5

The Truite a l'Aligote ($28) is a match in heaven with the white wine sauce made of Aligote (white grape from Burgundy) complementing the steamed trout fillet. The trout fillet is rested on pommes fondant and pair with asparagus. A clean, light and delicate dish.

Gaston11
Flan Patissier 4/5

The Flan Patissier ($12) comes in a light pastry crust filled with smooth and eggy vanilla crustard. It is served together with a scoop of vanilla artisan gelato.

Gaston12
Eclair au cassis 4.2/5

For something richer in taste, there is the Eclair au cassis ($14). The classic French choux dough shell are filled with purple cassis custard cream, instead of the usual chocolate or vanilla cream. The cassis berry which is an iconic fruit of Burgundy gives the eclair a sourish finish that is very appetising.

Contrary to popular belief that wines from Burgundy are expensive, the wine bar offers value for money gems, especially those from lesser-known sub regions in Burgundy such as Côtes Chalonnaise and Mâconnaise, as well as appellations like Macon. There is an extensive selection of quality, great value vinos of close to 350 labels from Burgundy and beyond held within the wine bar’s dedicated walk in cellar. Committed to ensuring that the wine programme is highly accessible, varied and exciting, the wines are sourced directly from the vintners themselves. With an extensive wine-by-the glass programme of close to fifteen wines (including premium Champagnes) as well as a rotating ‘Wine Flight of the Week’, there is something for everyone from novices to seasoned wine drinkers to tantalise the palate.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gaston Burgundy Bistro & Wine Bar
25 Keong Saik Road
#01-01
Singapore 089132
Tel: +65 69098120
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line)

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

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight down New Bridge Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right again onto Keong Saik Road. Walk down Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]