Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒) @ Grantal Mall Macpherson - Delicious Noodles By The Same Team Behind Daruma Tavern

Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒), located inside Grantal Mall Macpherson, is a food court stall operated by the same team behind Daruma Tavern. This stall offers a variety of tantalizing dishes, including Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, Crispy Bee Hoon, and KL Dai Lok Mee.

Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee 3.8/5

The Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee ($7.80) at Hei Bai Chao is prepared in the wet style, showcasing a robust and prawny stock. However, it can be a bit salty for some palates. The dish features more vermicelli than yellow noodles, which can throw off the balance of flavors and textures. Nonetheless, the inclusion of fragrant pork lard adds a delightful aroma to the dish, enhancing its overall appeal.

Crispy Bee Hoon 3.5/5

When it comes to the Crispy Bee Hoon ($9.80), it boasts a crispy exterior while remaining moist on the inside. However, it falls short in comparison to the version served at JB Ah Beng, a popular eatery known for its crispy bee hoon. While enjoyable, the Crispy Bee Hoon at Hei Bai Chao doesn't quite reach the same level of crispiness that some might prefer.

KL Dai Lok Mee 4/5

On the other hand, the KL Dai Lok Mee ($8.80) stands out with its delicious and savory dark sauce, generously layered with fragrant pork lard. The noodles in this dish have a satisfying bite to them, further enhancing the overall experience. This flavorful noodle dish is likely to satisfy those seeking a hearty and satisfying meal.

Hei Bai Chao, located inside Grantal Mall Macpherson, offers a range of dishes that are worth trying if you find yourself in the vicinity. While some dishes may have their shortcomings, the stall provides a variety of flavors and options that are sure to cater to different tastes. Whether you're in the mood for the robust flavors of the Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, the crispy and moist textures of the Crispy Bee Hoon, or the savory delights of the KL Dai Lok Mee, Hei Bai Chao has something to offer. So, if you happen to be in the area, it's worth giving them a try and discovering which dishes appeal to your palate.


Hei Bai Chao (黑白炒)
Grantral Mall @ Macpherson
601 Macpherson Road
#01-31 Stall MR4
Singapore 368242
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Nearest MRT: Tai Seng (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tai Seng MRT Station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Acqua e Farina @ The Rail Mall - Authentic And Hearty Italian Fare In Homely Italian Family Restaurant

Along the stretch of dining options at The Rail Mall is a cosy little Italian restaurant, Acqua e Farina. It is helmed by Chef Antonio Manetto and Chef Roberto Galbiati, who are natives from Southern and Northern Italy respectively. They bring together a full menu of authentic Italian cuisine for diners to enjoy.

As the restaurant's name suggests, Acqua e Farina, which is Italian for water and flour, reflects the Chefs' goal of showcasing their Italian fare using simple traditional recipes and top-quality ingredients.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. I have passed by this restaurant several times but always assumed it has a more formal setting. What I loved most about our dining experience here was how warm and cosy it was! Stepping into the restaurant felt like stepping into an Italian friend's home.

Drinks

We went with a glass of Limoncello Prosecco ($13) and a Blood Orange San Pellegrino ($4) for drinks. If you are a fan of wines, the restaurant features an entire wall of wines you can pick from. The Chefs also offer recommendations based on preferences.

Capesante con Funghi 4.2/5

First up was the Capesante con Funghi ($28), with pan-fried Hokkaido scallop dressed in a creamy and richly earthy mushroom sauce paired with baby spinach and croutons. We had the tasting portion here, while the full portion includes three scallops.

Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci 4/5

Our next starter was the Gamberetti con Pancetta e Spinaci ($27), which has pan-fried shrimp wrapped in pancetta, served with sautéed spinach. My dining companion and I found the prawn a touch drier than we would like, but we appreciated the balance of flavours. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty.

Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio 4.5/5

Our first main was the Fettuccine Nere alla Polpa di Granchio ($34), homemade squid ink pasta with crabmeat tossed in tomato sauce. The pasta is made fresh daily, and diners can also request for gluten-free spaghetti. I don't often choose my pasta with a tomato base, but I would come back for Acqua e Farina's rendition.

Their tomato base has a touch of cream and hence is not as acidic as usual. The slight creaminess complemented the chunks of sweet crabmeat.

Pizza Quattro Formaggi 4.5/5

The Pizza Quattro Formaggi ($34) is one of the restaurant's only two pizzas with a white cheese base. The other nine pizzas on the menu use a red tomato base.

If you are a cheese fan, I am sure you will enjoy this. It uses four types of cheese - Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (Blue Cheese), Smoked Scamorza and Asiago. Chef told us this is one of the top two popular pizzas here. It's not difficult to understand with its generous topping of cheese and a whiff of truffle fragrance on a crisp and slightly chewy base.

Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante 4.2/5

Acqua e Farina regularly launches special menus which keep things fresh and fun, especially for their regular diners. It was coincidentally Mother's Day weekend when we were here, and we had the pleasure to try one of the dishes on their Mother's Day Special menu, the Linguine alla Bottarga e Capesante ($38). The linguine tossed with cured fish roe, garlic, chilli, and herbs was appetising, and we polished this off quickly.

Dessert Platter 4/5

The Dessert Platter ($19) is the easiest way to try an assortment of their dessert offerings. Each platter comprises mini portions of Crème Brûlée, Lava Cake, Panna Cotta and Tiramisù.

The highlights for us were the Lava Cake and Crème Brûlée. The former had the perfect cook and was not too sweet. We wished the caramelised layer on the Crème Brûlée could be thinner, but we enjoyed the smooth and fragrant custard.

Overall, our dinner at Acqua e Farina was a fantastic experience put together by the quality food and servers who go the extra mile to provide a comfortable environment for diners.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Acqua e Farina
The Rail Mll
400 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#01-15/16
Singapore 678050
Tel: +65 69708191
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Nearest MRT: Hillview MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left onto Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk down Upper Bukit Timah Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]