Blogger's Makan Gathering 28 July 2012 @ Jacob's Dinner Club

The last dinner club at Jacob's (cooksnapeatlove) place was back in March 2012 (read here) and I am glad to be part of another dinner session at his place on 28 July 2012. This time we have Irene (Moonberry) & partner, Shiting (lobsterpaints), Alvin, Philip (Keropokman), Serene (kopikosonggirl), Karen (superfineline), Vicki and me. Jacob has prepared a 3 course meals for us.

Spinach & Feta Filo Rolls 4/5

I am glad to see Jacob prepared for us the Spinach & Feta Filo Rolls. He tried the recipe from Gorden Ramsay's cookbook which Maureen and I bought for his birthday. The golden brown filo pastry was baked to a nice crisp with a nice spinach and feta filling.

Pork Belly Confit and Pan Seared Magret 4.2/5

For main, Jacob prepared a duo of Pork Belly Confit and Pan Seared Magret with Grand Marnier sauce. The pork belly fell short of the melted in the mouth tenderness. However the Magret to me was the highlight. Magret refers specifically to the breast of a Mallard or Barbary duck that has been force fed to produce foie gras. It was beautifully cooked and has a hint of buttery foie gras flavour.

Nectarine Tart 4.2/5

For dessert, Jacob baked us a Nectarine Tart.

Chloe, Jacob's wife to be doing the finishing touch.

Nectarine Tart 4.2/5

Topped with berries, the Nectarine Tart tasted as good as it looked. The lovely dessert ended the dinner in a sweet note with lovely people and great company. Looking forward to the next Dinner Club at Jacob's place.

Silver Shell Cafe @ Shangri-La​'s Rasa Sentosa Resort

I am back at Silver Shell Cafe Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort after I reviewed their Meet the Meat Buffet last month. Now Silver Shell Cafe presents Good Ol' Days Buffet on every Thursday in August/September from 6pm to 10pm. The buffet showcases a combination of good old favourite hawker fare in a buffet spread, accompanied with games of yesteryear and a cultural performance for guests to experience Singapore in the olden days.

Every Thursday the restaurant is given a touch of nostalgia. Walking into the restaurant, it felt like walking into a museum. Keropok is also given out as door gift.

Mentioned in my previous review on Silver Shell Cafe, the restaurant does not look after the adult only. Being family oriented, kids can enjoy the toys and game stations at the restaurant while the adult indulges in the buffet spread.

Five Stones

Pick Up Sticks and Donkey

Congkak

Bubble Balloon

Children these days are normally glued to the computer, iPad or smart phone. Little will they know of the games we used to play in our childhood. It would be a good education for the kids as well as memories for the adults.

If you are thirsty after all the games, check out the typical drink stalls one can find at a typical hawker centre.

In additional to the usual international buffet spread, the Good Ol' Days buffet pays homage to Singapore as a melting pot of cuisines, cultures and backgrounds.

Sample the traditional recipes of Malay and Indian influences infused with aromatic spices. My favourite was the Roti Prata (Indian flat bread) and Curry Chicken.

Fish Otah

Satay

Fish Otah and Satay are my all time favourite BBQ food. Satay is quite common on buffet spread but I am delighted to find Fish Otah, fish paste with spices and coconut milk.

Mee Rebus

Lor Mee

For the noodles lover, Silver Shell Cafe offers quite a variety of the local noodle fare. At the Good Ol' Days buffet one can find noodle dish such as Laksa, Lor Mee and Mee Rebus.

Black Carrot Cake

White Carrot Cake

Fried Oyster

Fried Hokkien Mee

Good Ol' Days buffet also brings together delectable favourite local hawker food such as Black & White Carrot Cake, Fried Oyster and Fried Hokkien Mee.

Kueh Pie Tee

Tao Suan

Kachang Puteh

Assorted Nonya Kueh

Kueh Lapis

For snacks and desserts, a great spread of local delights are available for the sweet tooth. One can have a taste of the different cultural cuisines in Singapore such as Kueh Pie Tee, Tao Suan, Kachang Puteh, Kueh Lapis and Assorted Nonya Kueh.

If you need a boost in vitamin C, a wide selection of tropical fruits to get the doctor away.

The Good O1' Days buffet is priced at $58++ per adult and $25++ per child from 6 to 12 years old. Comes with a wide spread of popular hawker fares on top of the normal international spread. It felt like paying a price for 2 buffets. On top of that, there are various childhood games booth and cultural performances enlivening the evening.


Silver Shell Cafe
Shangri-La​'s Rasa Sentosa Resort
Leve 3 at Dine on 3
101 Siloso Road
Singapore 098970
Tel: +65 63711966/1970
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/singapore/rasasentosaresort
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 11pm
Buffet Breakfast: 630am - 1030am
Buffet Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Buffet Dinner: 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to pick up point at exit of Lobby F in Vivocity (near JPot and Nyonya & Baba Restaurants). Wait for the complimentary shuttle bus service. The shuttle service is available every 20 minutes of the hour. Journey time about 20 minutes.

Backyard @ Dempsey

Backyard@Dempsey is a casual and comfort restaurant and bar amidst the lush and mature greenery nature just off the Dempsey catchment of F&B establishments. The nook in the woods is a relaxing haven for the frazzled and for those seeking a brief respite from the everyday hustle of Singapore.

Cream of Shitake Mushroom 3.8/5

I enjoyed the Cream of Shitake Mushroom ($6.30) that came with slices of shitake mushroom giving it texture and flavour.

Lobster Bisque 3.5/5

I could tasted the roasted lobster flavour in the Lobster Bique ($7.30) but I would prefer it to be more creamy.

Ayam Goreng Kunyit 4.5/5

When the Ayam Goreng Kunyit ($2.10 per pc) was served, I already could smell the aroma of the spices. We were pleasantly surprised that such Malay style chicken marinated in turmeric and cumin is served at Backyard@Dempsey. A best try.

Spam Fries 4.2/5

Actually I have no clue what is Spam Fries ($9.80) until I bite into it. Instantly fell in love with the luncheon meat fries! This is my first time having them and I hope I don't sound like a mountain tortise.

Spinach Salad with Marinated Chick Peas & Feta with Grilled Chicken 3.8/5

The Spinach Salad with Marinated Chick Peas & Feta with Grilled Chicken ($14.30) is a lovely combination of fresh and healthy ingredients.

Kronenbourg Beer Battered Fish & Chips 4.2/5

Two types of Fish & Chips are available at Backyard@Dempsey, the bread crumbled and beer battered. Han, the owner told us the best beer battered fish is from Guinness Stout but the appearance is not presentable. The Kroenbourg Beer Battered Fish & Chips ($14.30) is the next best. Golden brown and crispy outside while fresh and moist inside.

Pomodoro Sausage Linguine 4.5/5

The pasta at Backyard@Dempsey is quite special. I would labelled it as semi dry version with a nice amount of sauce coating the linguine. It also has a nice balance of tomato and cream sauces making the Pomodoro Sausage Linguine ($12.80) very delectable.

Grilled Chicken Spaghetti 4.2/5

Like the Pomodoro Sausage Linguine, the Grilled Chicken Spaghetti ($12.80) is cream base but same semi dry version with the right amount of sauce coating the spaghetti. Both the pastas were as good except that I preferred tomato base sauce.

US Black Angus Prime Ribeye 250g 4.2/5

This may not be Wagyu Beef but the US Black Angus Prime Ribeye 250g ($45.80) was just as good. The lovely beef was nicely grilled and fork tender. The ribeye was already flavourful without any sauces. Nevertheless you can still request for topping such as truffle salt ($2.80), blue cheese ($2.30), sauteed onions ($1.20) or sauteed shitake ($2.80). I tried the truffle salt with the ribeye and it enhanced the flavour even more.

Shroom Burger 4.2/5

The Shroom Burger ($13.80) was topped with shitake mushrooms sauteed in a special herbed mozzarella brown sauce. The patty may not look appetising but it was packed with flavours and juiciness. Definitely one of the better burgers I have tried.

Dressed Up Dog 4.2/5

Dressed up indeed it was. The Dressed Up Dog ($14.80) was all dressed up with bacon, melted cheddar cheese and a sunny side up egg. We had the giant chicken hot dog as some in the group does not take beef. The owner told me that giant beef frank will be more flavourful with the combo.

Affogato 4.2/5

Being both a coffee and ice cream lover, I just can't fault the Affogato ($7.30) that is shot of espresso served over a scoop of clotted cream ice cream. As per what I have shared with the owner, I have affogato elsewhere where it is more elegantly presented.

Blueberry Panna Cotta 4/5

I don't really know how to appreciate panna cotta but I do enjoy the silky smooth lightness of Blueberry Panna Cotta ($7.30).

Honey Walnut Panna Cotta 4/5

Besides blueberry panna cotta, Backyard@Dempsey also serves Honey Walnut Panna Cotta ($7.30) if you prefer stronger flavours.

Most of the F&B establishments are located at the hill top of dempsey and it is rather inconvenient for people that do not drive. Backyard@Dempsey is conveniently located within walking distance from the bus stop opposite Gleneagles Hospital. For car owners, Backyard@Dempsey has plenty of free parking lots too.

Thank you for Han, Val and Jerome for the invitation and hospitality.


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Backyard @ Dempsey
130E Minden Road
Singapore 248819
Tel: +65 64790388
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/backyardatdempsey
Website: http://www.backyardatdempsey.com
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am to 12am

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to bus stop at Boulevard Orchard opposite Orchard MRT (Stop ID 09022). Take bus no. 7, 77, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Minden Road. Journey time about 20 minutes.