Saturday, June 22, 2019

Opus Bar & Grill @ Hilton Hotel Singapore - Introduces New 1kg Grill-smoked Bone-in Australian Roasedale Ruby Sirloin, Premium Sharing Steak For Two

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Available from 1 June onwards, Opus Bar & Grill unveils their new premium sharing steak for two - a 1kg grill-smoked bone-in Australian Rosedale Ruby sirloin ($138++) in conjunction with Father's Day Celebration. Furthermore, in the month of June, the restaurant will extend 2 complimentary side dishes and a special wine package with any order of the new cut. Note: The offer is valid for dads when ordering the new premium sharing steak for two, for the month of June only. Limited to a maximum of two redemptions per table.

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1kg Grill-Smoked Bone-in Australian Rosedale Ruby Sirloin 4.5/5

The bone-in Australian Rosedale Ruby Sirloin ($138++) is presented to diners in a closed glass dome for a show-stopping theatrical presentation, as the vast amounts of smoke waft off from the dome when opened to reveal the enormous sirloin steak sitting within. It is seasoned with chef's special marinade, and then masterfully grilled over an open-flame charcoal grill before being smoked to finish for an alluring woodsy char aroma. Definitely, a dish that evokes all senses of sight, scent and taste.

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Grilled Fat Green Asparagus 3.8/5

Choose 2 complimentary dishes from a selection of sides such as the grilled fat green asparagus, baked mac & cheese, portobello mushrooms and more. The Grilled Fat Green Asparagus ($10) boasts a fresh crunchy texture. However, lacking much on the flavour component as it gets a tad too bland.

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Portobello Mushrooms 4/5

The Portobello Mushrooms ($10) is juicy and lightly seasoned for taste, which was a perfect compliment to the meatier mains.

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Watermelon & Feta Salad 4/5

If the complimentary sides aren’t enough for you, diners can also opt for the appetisers such as the Watermelon & Feta Salad ($15) which is a refreshing addition to the meal with its sweet juicy cubes of yellow and red watermelon, paired with feta cheese cubes and white balsamic sauce.

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Seared Atlantic Scallops 4/5

Other appetisers on the menu include the Seared Atlantic Scallops ($22) with butternut squash purée, pumpkin seeds and basil. The seared scallops are fresh and juicy, while the complimenting butternut squash purée adds subtle hints of sweetness to the fresh seafood.

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End the meal on a sweet note with a series of artfully crafted desserts from the D9 cakery selections, such as the Citron Tart and Ma-Chakura Azuki.

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Upgrade your meal with a two-hour free flow wine at $15++ per person (Sun to Thu), and a 50% off selected wine by the bottle (Fri & Sat).

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Opus Bar & Grill
Hilton Hotel Singapore
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 67303390
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue walking along Orchard Road. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Friday, June 21, 2019

Gaijin @ KAP Residences Mall - Fuss-Free Japanese Soul Food

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Gaijin is a casual two-storey Japanese restaurant in King Albert Park Mall, offering staples such as ramen, udon, and donburi. Where food choices are somewhat limited in the neighbourhood, among the residents and office crowd in the vicinity, Gaijin is quickly becoming a place known for its quality yet affordable Japanese comfort food.

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Gaijin Karaage 3.8/5

Gaijin has a secret weapon to ensure that all its fried items are moist and succulent - that is Dr Fry. Thanks to its unique physical water molecule control technology, your fried food will stay succulent and crispy for a longer period of time, even with a reduction in the absorption of oil. The results were evident in my Gaijin Karaage ($8 for 3pc or $12 for 5 pc). These chicken thigh chunks had a light brown skin that was thin and crispy. There was a good portion of the nicely flavoured meat in every bite, rather than a mouthful of greasy fried skin and fats.

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Katsu Curry Don 3.5/5

Likewise, for the Katsu Curry Don ($15), the Hokkaido Shiro Buta (snow pork) was moist and juicy with a thin, crispy skin. Given the serving size of the tonkatsu, this is quite value-for-money. However, the curry can be better. It combines the flavour profiles of two Japanese curry styles - one that’s more savoury and one that’s sweet and fruity. Although butter was added to it to bring out the flavours of the spices, I feel it wasn't as robust as I had expected it to be.

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Gyudon 3.8/5

Hence, Gyudon ($14) satisfied me much more with its thinly-sliced premium Angus beef, which is chosen for its higher fat percentage. The longer these beef slices sit on your rice, the more the fats will melt into the rice underneath. The combination of the melted fats, the housemade yakiniku sauce and the juice from the sliced welsh onions made the rice really flavourful. Thus, it will take minimal effort to wipe this bowl clean.

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Ebi Tempura Udon 3.5/5

The menu also covers staples such as udon and ramen. Ebi Tempura Udon ($13) uses Inaniwa udon which is relatively thinner and smoother, and its extra chewy texture works well in both cold and hot broth. The Ebi Tempura Udon serves the udon in a light dashi-based broth. The broth tasted a tad salty when I had it alone with the udon, but its higher salt content made it just right as a sauce for the accompanying tempura. The tempura set includes two black tiger prawns and assorted vegetables of the day.

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Shio Tonkotsu Ramen with Kara Chilli Paste 3.5/5

It is rare to find a casual dining place that serves up decent ramen, and the Shio Tonkotsu Ramen ($12) did well with the addition of its homemade Special “Kara” chilli paste ($1). Despite the layer of homemade black garlic oil and pork fat oil floating on top of the broth, this salt-seasoned tonkotsu broth felt light on the palate after I mixed everything in, including the homemade shrimp-based chilli paste. The chilli paste provides more than just heat to the dish. A dollop of it adds depths of flavours into the broth. You will have the options from level one “mild spiciness” to level three “hot”. I reckon you can just go for level three ''hot''.

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Meant to be wallet-friendly, Gaijin offers sake from Saito, Nanbubijin and more from $18 to $35 to complete the dining experience.

Words and photos 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Gaijin
KAP Residences Mall
9 King Albert Park
#01-40
Singapore 598332
Tel:+65 69040400
Facebook
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (DT Line)

Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm
Sat - Sun: 12pm - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at The Sterling (Stop ID 42051). Take any bus alight next stop. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Bukit Timah Road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]