Friday, July 25, 2014

Irodori Japanese Restaurant @ POMO (Selegie)

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Whenever my friends asked me to recommend a place for Japanese buffet, I would always suggest Irodori Japanese Restaurant at Riverview Hotel for its reasonable priced a la carte Japanese buffet. Fans of Irodori will be glad that it has opened a second outlet at Pomo Selegie. Probably many is not aware of it as the second outlet compared to the Riverview hotel branch is much quieter. It will be a good alternative if you wish to avoid the crowd at Riverview hotel branch.

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Sashimi Moriawase 4.2/5

One reason why I like to go for Japanese buffet is the unlimited servicing of sashimi. As usual I started off with the Sashimi Moriawase allowing me to try the different selection of raw fish available for the day. On my plate, I had the octopus, snapper, salmon, tuna, yellow tail and sword fish. The sashimi was pretty fresh and good that I went for another round.

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Green Tea Cold Tofu 3/5

The Cold Tofu was pretty interesting with its silky smooth texture and green tea flavour.

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Nigiri Sushi 3.5/5

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Maki Mono 3.5/5

For sushi lover there is a good varieties of Nigiri Sushi and Maki on the menu. There are 11 different Nigiri Sushi available on the menu. I tired the Salmon finger pressed sushi which was nicely balanced with the right ratio of the rice and fish.

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Salmon 4/5

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Beef Roll with Golden Mushroom 4/5

From the Teppan Yaki section of the menu, there are all together 12 different selections of items. I tried both the Salmon and Beef Roll with Golden Mushroom which are nicely done and paired with a delightful sauce.

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Age Dashi Tofu 3.5/5

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Torikaraage 4/5

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Tempura 4.2/5

The Age Mono or deep fried section of the menu offers an eclectic selection of 24 different items. Among the couple I tried, my favourites were the Deep Fried Marinated Chicken, Age Dashi Tofu and Tempura. The tori karaage was very well marinated with the flavours being absorbed by the meat. The tempura has a light batter giving it the crunch while still allowing one to appreciate the ingredient itself.

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Shishamo 4/5

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Grilled Salmon Neck 4.2/5

Besides the sashimi moriawase, not to be missed is the grilled seafood. I tried the ShishamoGrilled Salmon Neck and Grilled Prawn. I love having Shishamo as I enjoyed biting into the roe inside grilled capelin. The Grilled Salmon Neck is another delicacy with the sweet and moist flesh of the salmon perfectly grilled with some light seasoning giving it a smoky flavour. The bed of roe mayonnaise blanketed over the Grilled Prawn further enhanced the whole enjoyment.

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Grilled Prawn 4/5

Overall I have enjoyed my experience at the Irodori Japanese Restaurant. The extensive selections of items on the menu plus the price of $36.80++ for adult and $23++ for children under 10 years old is considered reasonable and value for money.


Irodori Japanese Restaurant
POMO
1 Selegie Road
#01-14/15
Singapore 188306
Tel: +65 63377230
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrodoriJapaneseRestaurant
Website: http://www.irodorijapaneserestaurant.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), Dhoby Ghuat (CC Line, NE Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit D or E. Walk down Bras Basah Road to the junction of Bras Basah Road and Prinsep Street. Cross the road and turn right onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

2) Alight at Dhoby Ghuat MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Orchard Road to the junction of Orchard Road and Prinsep Street. Turn left onto Prinsep Street. Walk down Prinsep Street and continue onto Selegie Road. Continue walking down Selegie Road until destination. Journey time about 12 mins. [Map]

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The Tastemaker Store @ Havelock Road

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Like many neighbourhood cafes such as Percolate, The Bakery Chef and Shrove Tuesday, we are seeing a growing trend of cafes opening up at our housing estates. One such recently opened cafe is The Tastemaker Store at Havelock Road. I would say I really like the decor of the cafe. Keeping it very simple, clean, white wall and wooden chairs and tables.

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Lemon Curd Toast 4/5

I do kind of like the concept of The Tastemaker Store taking traditional snacks and delights giving it a new twist of life. Similar to stepping into your neighbourhood coffeeshop or Ya Kun, you can order your Toast Set ($5.80) that comes with 2 soft boiled egg, coffee/tea and a choice of kaya, lemon curd and fruit jam. Instead of the usual bread toast, muffin is used here. I gone for the Lemon Curd Toast as I was told it was imported from Italy. I really like the new interpretation of the classic toast.

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Caffe Latte 2/5

Unfortunately the toast set was lacked down by the Caffe Latte ($5). I tried to ask what beans they used but I was told that they could not tell me and they have to check with the owner. Very interesting encounter ever from all my previous cafe hopping. Anyway the coffee was really bad and its has no body at all. I really hope they could do something to the coffee or the whole concept will be waste.

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Yam Cake 4/5

The Tastemaker Store does offer some bakes from Maple and Market but I have my eyes on the local delights, Yam Cake ($3.80). The homemade yam cake from the owner's mum is packed with so many components such as 3 different textures of yam, 2 different types of Chinese sausages, fried shallots, pumpkin, dried shrimps and chilli. The generous slide of yam cake will delight both the young and old.

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I really hope The Tastemaker Store can really give a thought about using artisan coffee beans. I think they really have the potential to go far except for the fundamental flaw of a cafe, that is good coffee. I will be back again and hopeful by then The Tastemaker Store can satisfy my caffeine addiction.


The Tastemaker Store
Blk 22 Havelock Road
#01-705
Singapore 160022
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetastemakerstore
Website: http://thetastemakerstore.com/
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to PSB Academy. At the junction of Jalan Bukit Ho Swee and Bukit Ho Swee Crescent, cross the road walk towards the HDB flats. Cut through the HDB flats and walk towards block 22. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]