Monday, September 9, 2024

Aburi-EN @ Shaw House - New Izakaya Menu with Each Dish Priced Below $10

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Aburi-EN has recently expanded its offerings with a brand-new Izakaya Menu, available across most of its outlets islandwide. Known for their range of donburi bowls, this Aburi-EN has recently expanded its offerings with a brand-new Izakaya Menu, available islandwide across most of its outlets. Known for its range of donburi bowls, this new addition brings a variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood, all priced under $10.

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From 5pm daily, diners can enjoy their meal with a 1-for-1 Classic Highball or Asahi Beer promotion.

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Pork Gyoza 3.8/5

We began our meal with the Pork Gyoza ($6.90 for 5 Pcs). The gyozas were filled with juicy and well-seasoned meat, though I would have preferred them with a little more crisp.

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Sweet Corn with Butter Shoyu 3.5/5

Next up was the Sweet Corn with Butter Shoyu ($4.90). While the corn was slightly dry but still well-seasoned, bathed in a savoury blend of butter and soy sauce.

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Mehikari Karaage 3/5

The Mehikari Karaage ($8.90), featuring deep-fried green eyes fish served with mayonnaise and shichimi, could have benefited from a crunchier texture. The flavour was decent but didn't quite hit the mark for me.

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Crab Cream Croquette 3.5/5

The Crab Cream Croquette ($6.90) had a creamy, oozy centre and a crunchy exterior. Served with tartar sauce, these croquettes were enjoyable, though we were hoping for a stronger seafood flavour in the filling.

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Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki 4/5

One of my two favourites from the evening was the Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki ($6.90). This dish featured crunchy asparagus wrapped in juicy pork belly, grilled, and glazed with a savoury seasoning.

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Sumibi Chicken Yaki 4/5

My second favourite was the Sumibi Chicken Yaki (available at $5.50 for half and $9.90 for full). The charcoal-grilled chicken chunks were succulent and paired harmoniously with a bright and spiced yuzu paste, adding a refreshing citrusy kick to each bite.

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Surume Ika Ponzu 4/5

Lastly, we tried the Surume Ika Ponzu ($9.90), a dish of grilled squid in ponzu sauce. While I wished the squid was less salty and offered in a larger portion, it was tender and had a satisfying fresh crunch.

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Overall, the grilled items stood out the most during our meal. Currently, the Izakaya Menu is available at several Aburi-EN outlets, except for Jem and Paragon, where it has yet to be introduced.

Those interested in the full menu can visit Aburi-EN locations at Causeway Point, Chinatown Point, Guoco Tower, Isetan Scotts, Junction 8, NEX, and Tampines 1. A slightly adapted menu, excluding the Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki and Kinoko Itame, will be available at Changi City Point, Jewel Changi Airport, Orchard Central, Suntec City, and VivoCity.

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.


Aburi-EN
Shaw House
350 Orchard Road
#01-K1
Singapore 238868
Tel: +65 6235 7616
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alightat Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Take the underpass and walk to Shaw House. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]






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]