Friday, September 16, 2022

Mio Fine Foods ( 美桜 ) @ Neil Road - A Sanctuary Awaits You With Artisanal Fine Japanese Cuisine

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Mio Fine Foods ( 美桜 ) is the latest restaurant to be opened along Neil Road. The restaurant offers traditional yet artisanal fine Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is designed with the concept of Kanso, bringing the Japanese Zen philosophy that emphasises simplicity to its space. Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an indoor garden.

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Premium Sashimi Moriwase 4.5/5

The Premium Sashimi Moriwase ($80) features the freshest catch comprising Nama Uni, Akami, Hamachi, Salmon Belly, Nama Hotate, Ikura, Toro and Mekajiki. A great selection of sashimi to kick start the dinner.

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Hotate Uni Truffle Somen 4/5

We had the Hotate Uni Truffle Somen ($38) and Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba ($29) from the cold noodle selection. The Hotate Uni Truffle Somen comes with fresh Hokkaido scallops, sea urchins, and truffle salsa on top of the Japanese white noodles. I enjoyed the smooth and silky somen that soaked up the delicious sauce.

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Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba 3.8/5

Compared to the somen, the Hotate Salmon Zaru Soba is lighter in flavour, and the buckwheat noodle has a firmer bite in texture. Complementing the cold soba are torched Hokkaido scallops, torched salmon, tobiko, and sous vide egg yolk in Japanese dressing.

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Potato Nesuto Tempura 4/5

Great for sharing is the Potato Nesuto Tempura ($16), whereby hand shred potatoes are stacked into a tower, scented with truffle and showered with parmesan cheese. Best having it with the accompanying kaffir lime aioli, which is very addictive.

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Nori Taco 4.2/5

A great bite is the Nori Taco ($14 for 2 pc) which comes in three flavours - Assorted Sashimi, Soft Shell Crab (+$2 each) and Negitoro Uni (+$8 each). All nori tacos are served with avocado puree and sushi rice on top of your choice of flavours. I love the crispy nori taco shell that holds everything together for delightful textural enjoyment.

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Smokey Corn 5/5

A must-have is the Smokey Corn ($16). The grilled pearl white corn rubbed with teriyaki mayonnaise is super sweet! It is further dusted with Parmesan cheese and shichimi to enhance the sweetness. I highly recommend this is the first dish to order as it needs 10-15 minutes of waiting time.

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Wagyu Sando 4.5/5

At Mio, there is even a wagyu section in the menu. Using only premium A5 Japanese Wagyu, guests can look forward to a variety of dishes such as wagyu uni rice bowl, wagyu tataki, and wagyu teppanyaki. Of course, not to forget the crowd's favourite Wagyu Sando ($40). The tender and juicy breaded A5 Japan Wagyu is sandwiched between toasted Japanese shokupan bread, served with lotus chips.

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Goma Goma 3.5/5

We have two desserts on the menu, starting with the Goma Goma ($15). The moist and spongy black sesame cake is served with housemade black sesame ice cream and speculoos crumbles for texture.

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Daigaku Imo 3/5

The other dessert is the Daigaku Imo ($13). Candied Japanese sweet potato is served with vanilla bean ice cream and black sesame. The sweet potato is on the tough side, I am ok, but some may not like it.

Overall, I find the savoury items are stronger than the sweets. I also noticed there are more female than male customers at the restaurant. Not sure if it has to do with the restaurant's food or interior design.
Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mio Fine Food
82 Neil Road
Singapore 088843
Tel: +65 62912330
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 930pm
Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 12pm - 4pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 12pm - 4pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Cut through Duxton Plain Park to Keong Saik Road. Turn left onto Keong Saik Road and walk towards Neil Road. Turn left on Neil Road and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Neil Road. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Osteria BBR By Alain Ducasse @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Savour Wonderful Flavours Of Italian Riviera With Refreshed Menu

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Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse welcomes new Chef de Cuisine Natalino Ambra and presents a newly refreshed menu alongside signature favourites that encapsulate a revitalised and imaginative Italian concept.

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We had the Tentazioni Menu ($128++ per guest), which exhibits a selection of must-try signatures and newly-introduced dishes. We started with some amuse bouche to kick start the dinner.

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Amberjack 4.2/5

We started with the light and refreshing seafood antipasti - Marinated Amberjack, topped with pomegranate seeds alongside citrus condiment, brightening the appreciation of the fresh fish slices.

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Black Angus Beef Tartare 4.2/5

Next, is the Black Angus Beef Tartare topped with almonds and parmesan cheese. I enjoyed using carrots for the sauce, a refreshing touch of the usual pairing I have eaten.

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Octopus 4.2/5

Cooked to a lovely tender texture is the charred Octopus complemented by a light potato foam infused with a Mediterranean scent.

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Tagliolini, Zucchini, Kristal Caviar 4.8/5

One of our favourite dishes is the Tagliolini tossed in seaweed butter. It is paired with three forms of zucchini - pureed, roasted and crisped. Finally, it is crowned with Kristal caviar for a luxe finish.

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Black Angus Beef Tenderloin 4.5/5

For the Mains, diners can choose either the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin or Atlantic Cod Fish. The beautifully medium-cooked Beef Tenderloin is paired with nutty celeriac and full-bodied truffle beef jus.

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Atlantic Cod Fish 4.2/5

The Atlantic Cod Fish will be an excellent choice if you don't eat beef. The toothsome and buttery cod fish is accompanied by a flavoursome orange sauce that lifts the enjoyment.

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Chocolate Mousse from Alain Ducasse 4.2/5

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Homemade Buckwheat Ice Cream 4.2/5

Finally, round off the dining indulgence on a luscious note with the Mousse Al Cioccolato, a rich chocolate mousse made from Alain Ducasse's chocolate, complemented with Homemade Buckwheat Ice Cream.

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Signature Baba 4.5/5

Not to be missed is the Signature Baba drizzled with limoncello and topped with whipped cream.

Besides the Temptation Menu I had, guests can opt for wine pairing for an additional $98++ per guest. There is also a 2-course ($39++ per guest) and 3-course ($46++ per guest) lunch menu option exclude Sundays.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121816
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Restaurant
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 945pm
Bar
Mon, Thu-Sun: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]