Sunday, September 8, 2024

Brewerkz @ One Fullerton - Brand New Look and a Refreshed Menu Offering Modern European Dishes Infused with Local Flavours

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Brewerkz at One Fullerton has recently reopened with a brand-new look and a refreshed menu, offering modern European dishes infused with local flavours. The updated menu introduces a range of bar bites, small plates, and mains that cater to a diverse palate.

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Salted Egg Mermaid Fish 3.5/5

The Salted Egg Mermaid Fish, Crispy Tofu Fritters, and Baby Squid & Calamari are some new additions to the Bar Bites. The Salted Egg Mermaid Fish ($12) delivered a satisfying crunch without being overly sauced, but the salted egg flavour was a tad too subtle.

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Crispy Tofu Fritters 3.5/5

The Crispy Tofu Fritters ($12), more like tofu fries, were sprinkled with Szechuan peppercorn and sesame. While the peppercorn wasn't very pronounced, the sesame provided a savoury-sweet contrast that worked well.

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Baby Squid & Calamari 3.5/5

The Baby Squid & Calamari ($18) combined the best of both worlds with a well-seasoned batter, although the accompanying sour plum mayo dip lacked the expected sour plum notes.

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Memphis Baby Back Ribs 4.5/5

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Nasi Lemak Focaccilla 2/5

We had a couple of appetisers - Nasi Lemak Focaccilla ($22) and Memphis Babyback Ribs ($20). The Nasi Lemak Focaccilla, intended to be a hybrid of focaccia and quesadilla, turned out more like a dry quesadilla with a thin spread of rendang and hardboiled egg bits. However, the Memphis Babyback Ribs were a standout, with tender meat glazed in a smoky BBQ sauce that was finger-licking good.

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Wagyu Steak & Frites 4/5

The mains offered a more refined dining experience. The Wagyu Steak & Frites ($74) was satisfying, with a beautifully grilled Wagyu Ribeye (MBS4-5) that rendered enough fat to deliver a rich, buttery flavour, enhanced by a red wine reduction and a hint of smokiness. The chunkier Sidewalker Fries were a great complement to the steak.

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Apple Bacon Pork T-Bone 2.8/5

The Apple Bacon Pork T-Bone ($34) was served with apple bacon sauce, onion chutney, and confit potatoes. While the fruity sweetness of the apple bacon sauce helped cut through the pork's richness, the gaminess was a bit overwhelming. The buttery, soft confit potatoes, however, were indulgent and enjoyable.

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Pugliam Seafood Stew 2/5

Unfortunately, the Pugliam Seafood Stew ($36) was disappointing, presenting itself as more of a pasta-in-cream dish. It seemed hastily prepared, with orecchiette pasta, bits of fish, squid rings, sliced scallops, and prawns thrown into a weak cream sauce. The broth lacked the depth of flavour, and the prawns should have at least been deveined for the price.

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Sour Cherry Crumble 4.2/5

The highlight of the evening was the Sour Cherry Crumble ($18). It was divine, with a base of dark tart cherries topped with sweet, chunky walnut crumble and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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.


Brewerkz
One Fullerton
1 Fullerton Road
#01-01
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 96431571
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 12midnight

Direction
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT. Take Exit A or B. Walk to Clifford Centre and then Change Alley. Take escalator to level 2. Cross the road using the OUE Link. Turn left towards Fullerton Bay Hotel. Walk to towards the bay and destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar @ Kamping Bahru - Bringing a Fresh and Inventive Twist to Traditional Japanese Cuisine

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Nestled in the tranquil stretch of Kampong Bahru, Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar is a recently opened Izakaya Bar that brings a fresh and inventive twist to traditional Japanese cuisine.

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With its cosy and intimate ambience, the bar features a softly dimmed atmosphere with Japanese-inspired decor.

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Guests can choose from a private dining room with traditional Japanese zaisu seating or table and bar seating for a more casual experience.

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Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi 4.2/5

Although Hiyaki labels itself as a yakitori izakaya bar, its menu is impressively diverse, featuring a wide range of both raw and cooked dishes. We sampled the Assorted 5 Kind Sashimi ($70.80), which included generous slices of otoro, kanpachi, maguro, sake (salmon), and mekajiki. The freshness of the fish was evident in the sweetness of each bite. A similar sashimi platter is also available with chutoro at a reduced price of $10.

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Potato Salad 4/5

The quintessential Japanese Potato Salad ($8.80) is a new addition to the menu and offers a delightful twist with crispy fried shredded sweet potato on top, adding an extra crunch to the dish. This creamy salad also features sweet corn kernels, carrots, cucumber, and eggs, making for a satisfying blend of textures and flavours.

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Pidan Tofu 4.2/5

Another exciting new appetiser on the menu is the Pidan Tofu ($7.80). Thanks to its inventive twist, this dish left a lasting impression on me. Like the potato salad, it features a topping of crispy fried potato, which adds an unexpected crunch and elevates the traditional pidan tofu. It's a successful and refreshing take on a familiar favourite.

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Deep Fried Silver Fish 3.8/5

The final appetiser we tried was the Deep Fried Silver Fish ($12.80), served with mayonnaise dip. While the silver fish was well-fried and pleasantly plump, the dish itself was somewhat ordinary. However, it pairs nicely with drinks and would make a great snack for casual sipping.

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Salmon Mentai Maki 4/5

A new addition to the menu, the Salmon Mentai Maki ($16.80) is a favourite among Singaporeans. This maki roll is generously filled with ingredients such as salmon sashimi, avocado, and what appears to be pumpkin. It's topped with Aburi salmon, mentaiko sauce, and the crunchy shredded sweet potato used in the potato salad.

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Charcoal Grill – Tsukune, Torimomo & Tebasaki 4/5

Given that Hiyaki prides itself on being a yakitori bar, we had to sample some of their grilled offerings. We tried the Tsukune (chicken meatballs, $7.80), Torimomo (chicken thigh, $5), and Tebasaki (chicken wings, $5). Each item was well-grilled and flavourful. The tsukune featured bits of soft bone, adding a pleasing texture, while the torimomo had a flavour profile more akin to chicken breast, with less fat than expected but still very tasty. The tebasaki, however, was a bit too salty for our taste. The grill menu also includes other chicken parts such as bishop's nose, liver, gizzard, and heart and vegetables like ladyfinger, ginkgo nut, and oyster mushroom.


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Kurohana Wagyu (150g) 4.5/5

For our main course, we enjoyed the Kurohana Wagyu Ribeye Steak ($60.80), accompanied by three condiments: snowflake salt, yuzu shisho, and wasabi. The wagyu was perfectly cooked, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, juicy and flavorful. Despite its premium price, we highly recommend giving it a try.

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Hotate Nori Wasabi 4/5

We were surprised to find the Hotate Nori Wasabi ($19.80/3 pcs) listed under the main course, as they are bite-sized and feel more like an appetiser. Nevertheless, the scallops were perfectly pan-fried and paired wonderfully with the kizami wasabi and crispy nori.

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Unagi Chahan 4.2/5

Last but not least, we tried the Unagi Chahan ($16.80). While it may look ordinary, it packs incredible flavour! Each grain of rice is coated in a savoury sauce and fried to a delightful char. The overall taste is a balanced savoury mix with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of teriyaki. This dish is both appetising and hearty, making it perfect for sharing. Be sure to enjoy it while it's hot for the best experience.

Entrance

For drinks, Hiyaki offers a well-curated selection of beers, sake, and cocktails. Their highballs are priced at S$10.80, and they feature a 1-for-1 Sapporo beer deal at S$11.80 from Monday to Thursday, between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the quality and flavours of the food at Hiyaki. We look forward to seeing them maintain these high standards in the future.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hiyaki Yakitori Izakaya Bar
33 Kampong Bahru Road
Singapore 169354
Tel: +65 9487 5363
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 5pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to New Bridge Road. Left turn and walk down New Bridge Road. Continue onto Kampong Bahru Road. Walk to the row of shophouses along Kampong Bahru Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]