Dallas Restaurant and Bar @ Boat Quay - Stylish Bistro Bar Experience In The Heart Of Singapore

Established in 2006, Dallas Restaurant and Bar is a contemporary bar-bistro concept occupying two prime locations in the heart of Singapore's Central Business District - Boat Quay and Marina Bay Sands. We visited their first outlet at Boat Quay, where the alfresco seating area is located just beside the Singapore river, so you can the gentle sea breeze and people-watch while indulging in their hearty western cuisine and sipping on cocktails. The first level is a casual bar with high bar stools, while the second level offers a quieter, intimate ambience, with plush cushioned seats.

We had their Frozen Yuzu Lemonade Mocktail ($9) with fresh yuzu, lemonade and mint, as well as the Singapore Sling Cocktail ($14) which consists of gin, cherry brandy, Benedict DOM, grenadine, pineapple juice and fresh lime.

Salt and Pepper Calamari 4.2/5

We started off the meal with one of their most popular appetisers - their Salt and Pepper Calamari ($16) is coated with a light batter and flash-fried so that the crisp on the outside is thin and slightly crispy, while the calamari inside remains tender and chewy. The dish is seasoned simply with salt and pepper and paired with a side of sweet chilli mayonnaise dip to provide a stronger sweet-spicy flavour to this addictive snack.

Snapper Fish Tacos 4/5

The Snapper Fish Tacos ($12 for 2pcs) consists of chunky fish deep-fried to perfection and topped with a homemade pineapple chutney to add a fruity flavour to the savoury dish, as well as coleslaw and chipotle. The lime wedges on the side add some acidity to the tacos as well.

Prime Rib Steak 4.2/5

From the mains, we had their signature Prime Rib Steak ($38), which was lightly seasoned, slow-cooked and then char-grilled to a perfect medium-rare doneness, rendering the slab of prime rib steak extremely tender and juicy, while the wild mushroom sauce added a savoury, earthy flavour to the meat as well. This is served atop fries, and along with a side choice of salad or vegetables.

Avocado Chicken Parmigiana 4/5

Next, we had the Avocado Chicken Parmigiana ($24). The dish features a large, pan-fried panko crusted chicken breast, topped with avocado, melted gooey mozzarella cheese, and napolitana sauce. We were pleasantly surprised that the chicken breast was executed well - still retaining its tenderness and juiciness. The dish is definitely a bang for your buck for its huge portion, and generous servings of fries and salad as well.

Beef Sliders 3.8/5

The Beef Sliders ($12 for 2pcs) features a thick black angus beef patty topped with caramelised onions, then slathered with BBQ sauce, and sandwiched in between two fluffy buns. Flavourful and well-seasoned with a subtle sweetness and a hint of acidity, the sliders are perfect when you are just craving for something a little less substantial than the full burger, yet fulfilling that desire for a mini one.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Dallas Restaurant and Bar
31 Boat Quay
Singapore 049820
Tel: +65 6532 2131
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk towards the river. Turn left and walk down the river bank. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

The Grumpy Bear @ SAFRA Jurong - Serving Signature Chicken Chops With A Local Twist

The Grumpy Bear specialises in western cuisine and is known for its chicken chops that come with a variety of choices. It operates a few outlets in Singapore, with its latest opening at SAFRA Jurong. This new outlet has incorporated local flavours into its menu, alongside with its own range of ice creams.

Nasi Lemak Chicken 3.5/5

On the menu, you will find 2 interesting dishes with a local twist - Nasi Lemak Chicken ($18.90) and Grumpy Chicken Rendang ($18.90). Served with herb rice, fried egg and a dollop of sambal chilli, the oven-baked Lemak Chicken Chop was aptly flavoured with spices, tender and succulent. The quintessential sambal chilli was on the sweeter side, but it still very much brought out the full Nasi Lemak experience. In place of the usual fragrant coconut milk rice is herb rice that was aromatic with Italian herbs, and equally enjoyable. The fried egg can definitely be better.

Chicken Rendang 4/5

The Oven Baked Grumpy Chicken Rendang is made using herb rice topped with hearty chunks of Chicken baked and baked in special Rendang sauce. The rendang sauce was heady and robust with spices, and I love how the slices of tomatoes released bursts of tangy juiciness into the rich sauce. The rice was in distinct grains, which worked well with the rich chicken rendang.

Creamy Pasta with Prawns 3/5

There is also a variety of pasta. We tried Creamy Pasta with Prawns ($16.90). It was decent, but it wasn't satiable at all.

Mushroom Soup 2/5

As for sides such as Mushroom Soup, I suggest giving them a miss and just head for their chicken dishes and desserts. Mine had a strong taste of flour, and the croutons were simply stale bread crumbs.

Waffle with Ice Cream 3.8/5

The Grumpy Bear can also be the place of consideration for waffles and ice creams. The Grumpy Bear has its own range of ice cream, ranging from classic to premium. We tried Red Velvet Waffle with Pistachio and Blueberry Yogurt ice creams. The waffle was pretty fluffy with a crisp exterior, and the ice creams were light and not cloying.

Photos and words 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.


The Grumpy Bear
SAFRA Jurong
333 Boon Lay Way
#2B-02
Singapore 649848
Tel: +65 82996261
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D and E and walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 251. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey about 10 minutes. [Map]