Johor Kaki was invited for a food trail of 4 (of many) food outlets at Orchard Central in Singapore.
We visited Tonkin Vietnamese Noodle Bar (unit #B1-02), Milagro Spanish Restaurant (unit #08-06/07), 49 Seats (unit #08-08), and Nunsarum (#05-51/52) for Korean style desserts.
Orchard Central is extremely accessible as it is located right at the heart of Orchard Road and is linked to Somerset MRT station by underpass. Orchard Central has many trendy new and established shops including the F & B outlets we visited today.
Let's start with Milagro Spanish Restaurant and 49 Seats which are located directly opposite each other on the same floor (#08).
Milagro is a simply laid out, cosy restaurant with bright window views on one side.
The decor is quite sparse except for these beautiful lamp shades hanging from the ceiling.
We started with Cold Soup Chupitos (SGD8.00), a cooling Spanish classic for scorching Mediterranean summers.
It's a trio of Andalusian gazpacho, ajo blanco and melon gazpacho served in shooter glasses and eaten with fresh house made bread.
Prawns al Ajillo made with good sized, shelled fresh tiger prawns sizzled in olive oil and garlic (SGD16.00).
Paella Valenciana (SGD47). A classic Valencian rice dish with chunks of juicy chicken.
Arroz Negre (squid ink rice with squid) normally shared between 4 persons (SGD59). A signature staple from the Valencian and Catalan regions of Spain.
Chicken Harissa is one of the good value set lunches available at Milagro at SGD12.90.
Fried Cauliflowers (SGD4.00).
Milagro brings Spanish cuisine to Singapore with sincerity and without frills at affordable prices. This is a restaurant which I would like to come back to and slowly savour the food for a detailed blog post.
(Note: We can use the Entertainer App for buy-1-get-1-free main course deals at Milagro. If you haven't got the Entertainer App 2015, get it here << click.)
Hopping across the narrow walkway, we are at 49 Seats. Like Milagro, the decor at 49 Seats is also basic and practical, yet comfortable.
Cheese Fries (SGD7.90).
Old Fashioned Fish and Chip with tom yum (SGD16.90).
Tom Yum Seafood is one of the hot favourites at 49 Seats (SGD14.90).
Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (SGD14.90).
I like aglio olio, I like smoked duck and I like more than some spicy hot in my food. So, this dish hits all right spots for me ;-p
I stepped in 49 Seats thinking that the food might not be appealing to my old fashioned palate. But, I surprised myself that I quickly grew to like many of the dishes here. I think 49 Seats is successful because it hits the right notes for many, in terms of flavours and price point.
I would like to revisit 49 Seats and get to appreciate the food and restaurant better for a detailed blog post.
Tonkin Vietnamese Noodle Bar (unit #B1-02).
Drip ice coffee (milk cold) SGD3.90.
Come to a Vietnamese restaurant must of course start with a Vietnamese coffee ;-D
Fresh Spring Rolls SGD6.90.
Green mango salad with shrimps SGD7.90.
Pho Nam Dinh or beef combination noodle soup Nam Dinh style SGD9.90.
Banh Mi with grilled chicken SGD6.90.
Our last stop was appropriately at Nunsarum for trendy Korean style desserts.
I must confess that this was my first taste of bingsu which had been the hot raging Korean dessert fab for a couple of years now in Singapore ;-p
Bingsu 빙수 is made of fine ice shavings splashed with fruit syrups and topped with cut fruits such as strawberries, mangoes, kiwi fruit, papaya and bananas. Some versions are topped with small pieces of tteokbokki (rice cake), crunchy nuts, chewy jelly cubes and bits, and crispy cereal flakes. Ice cream or frozen yogurt toppings are also common. Bingsu is not so different from Malaysia/ Singapore ice kacang or ABC (Air Batu Campur).
Bingsu is drizzled with a small cup of condensed milk before we dig in with our spoons.
Strawberry Bingsu SGD15.90.
Oreo Bingsu SGD12.90.
Injeolmi Bingsu one of Nunsarum's top selling signatures SGD12.90.
Mango Bingsu is Nunsarum's number one selling bingsu SGD15.90. It's my favourite too ;-D
Garlic Cheese Bread is one of Nunsarum's savoury best sellers (SGD7.90).
With so many interesting options, Orchard Central is a good food stop during a day or night out in Orchard Road.
Disclosure: As this is a media invite, the food is not reviewed.
Date visited: 24 May 2015.
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The Pecking Order is a small watering hole located in a pre-war corner shop lot smack in the middle of Singapore's central business district, in the shadow of looming glass towers.
I was invited to this tasting but wasn't expecting much from such bistro/ cafe/ bars catering to sleep deprived, overworked financial types with deep pockets but no time or mood to smell aromas or taste flavours. I expected the food to be overpriced and of average quality.
I was wrong.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food, reasonable pricing and enthusiastic service; coming away from the tasting session feeling good and satisfied ;-D
Inside The Pecking Order, the oblong shaped interior is cosy and suitably hip without overdoing it. The lights were warm, subdued and calming - exactly what is needed after a frenzied day and night chasing targets and numbers.
The decor is an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary. A bit psychedelic, slightly dazzling, it blends in with the buzz of the vibrant Boat Quay area outside.
If you prefer al fresco dining and someplace more toned down away from the razzle dazzle, the side lane beside The Pecking Order is quite cosy actually.
It's a nice hideaway.
The staff at The Pecking Order were all warm, attentive and enthusiastic. Our used plates were changed promptly. We were asked smilingly, politely and unobtrusively at suitable intervals, if we needed anything more. The arrangements for the tasting session were also meticulous.
The bar at the front is well stocked and the enthusiastic mixologist serves up some delightful cocktails.
I had a couple of this gin and grape (SGD20 nett). Yes, two ;-D
The Pecking Order serves salads, sandwiches and pastas during lunch.
Here's what we had at dinner ;-D
Burnt aubergine mash (eggplant) with spicy piment d'espelette and fried garlic (SGD10 nett).
Roasted potatoes with blue cheese, black truffle and chives (SGD12 nett).
Mussels escabeche with sour sweet shaved funnels and garlic toasts (SGD12 nett).
Crispy oyster and prawn fritters with avocado creme (SGD12 nett).
Croquette shaped salt cod fritter with anchovy aioli sauce (SGD10 nett).
Pressed sandwich of sea urchin and dry cured coppa ham (SGD18 nett).
Sea tiger prawns with crustacean butter and seaweed sauce (SGD16).
The good size prawns (about the size of my forefinger) were de-veined and pan seared in butter. I was able to taste the ocean freshness and crustacean flavours with buttery savouriness in the firm flesh.
Braised lamb ribs on a bed of carrot mash and dressed with gremolata (SGD24 nett).
I like the gentle gaminess and the creaminess when I chewed on the fat and meat of the moist tender lamb. The sweet fine carrot mash was good too.
Sliced grilled Kurobuta pork jowl with honey and soy sauce, and braised red cabbage side (SGD22 nett).
Sweet porcine flavour with subtle smokiness from the slight char outside. A savoury sweet crowd favourite. A little bit more moist would make this perfect for me.
Tender, slightly chewy, beefy wagyu hanger steak with red pepper "chimmichurri" and portobello mushroom sauce (SGD28 nett).
Molten chocolate and salted egg custard lava cake with vanilla ice cream (SGD12 nett).
Quite an adventurous creation but I was too full by this time to appreciate the unique blend of chocolaty savoury sweetness. I suspect that I will enjoy this more with coffee or tea during mid-day or mid-afternoon breaks.
The Pecking Order is one of 800+ businesses that honour The Entertainer App for "buy one get one free" deals.
Please note that this is an invited tasting.
Restaurant name: The Pecking Order Cafe Bar
Address: 13 North Canal Road #01-01, Singapore
Map: http://bit.ly/PeckingOrderBar
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:00am - 12 midnight (cafe & bar) | Sat 10:00am to 8:00pm (cafe only) | Closed on Sun
Non Halal
Date visited: 24 Mar 2015
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I attended a tasting session at DEN at Boon Tat Street in Singapore's Central Business District.
Inside, DEN was a long and narrow space with cosy warm yellow mood lighting. The bar was at the centre and seats ring around it as well as outside, along the five foot way. Decor was simple with a travel theme with old timer suit cases popping out from the walls. It fitted well with the clientele here of the globally mobile new age generation.
Seating was quite cramped inside but it is more intimate lah!
Can't remember exactly the background music but it was pleasant. Not the jarring techno kind, and not too loud.
In the cool of the evening, the outside al fresco seats are very popular.
The bar was small and functional, but all the usual wines, beers and spirits were available.
We were presented with many items from DEN's menu but I had just one or two mouthfuls of each item. Still, I found the flavours generally well balanced and the food was likeable. Overall, it tasted better than most pub food that I have tasted so far.
Kudos to the team in the kitchen (though we didn't have the opportunity to meet).
During the two hour long session, we tasted a parade of dishes from the lunch through dinner to the dessert menu.
From the lunch menu.
Watermelon Salad SGD10++
Sweet juicy cubes of watermelon with feta, mint, sunflower seeds, farro grains, and mesclun salad.
The sweet watermelon salad got the evening off to a good start.
Beetroot Salad SGD10++
Beetroot, mesclun salad, oranges, walnut, and quinoa grains on a grassy bed of rocket leaves. The tart sweet flavours were popular with the ladies.
Seafood Mafalda Pasta SGD13++
Fish, squid and de-shelled prawns with soft al dente fettuccine tossed in a tomato and cream sauce. Garnished with a heap of yuzu dressed rocket greens.
Truffle Mac and Cheese SGD12++
Melted cheddar, mozzarella and gouda cheese blanketing macaroni, mushrooms and diced spicy Italian sausages. Topped with a dollop of black truffle paste.
From the dinner menu.
Zucchini Veggie Dish SGD8++
Sliced juicy crunchy zucchinis, lightly grilled, tossed with lemon zest, soy caviar, parmesan and toasted crushed cashew nuts.
Fresh zucchini always works for me.
Truffle Bacon Mushroom Pizza SGD18++
Mushrooms, bacon and cheese on a thin greasy floppy crust. Drizzled with truffle oil.
Truffle and Parma Bikini SGD15++
Toasted bread slices with truffle spread held together by melted cheddar and parmesan cheese.
Pork Belly SGD18++
Fried pork belly topped with apple kimchi and stewed sliced Granny Smith apples on the side.
Grilled Squid SGD15++
Tender sliced squid pieces pan fried with a blended sauce of chilli, garlic, anchovy and kaffir lime leaf.
I liked this dish.
Pigs in a Blanket SGD10++
Savoury Italian sausages rolled in a tight toasted bacon strip jacket. Eaten with mustard sauce.
DEN Wings SGD10++.
Get this with a gallon of beer. This was really good. Savoury sweet tangy spicy crispy outside. Juicy inside.
After dinner desserts.
Brownie SGD8++
Deconstructed brownie. Chocolaty flavour punctuated with candied bacon bits.
Apple Crumble SGD8++
Vanilla bean ice cream set on apple bites and brandied currants.
DEN enjoys a good crowd through the evening even on a random Tuesday when we were there.
DEN is a good choice if you are looking for a chill out place in Singapore's CBD.
DEN is one of the over 800+ Singapore restaurants, hotels and others that honour "The Entertainer App".
"The Entertainer App" lets you enjoy "buy 1 get 1 free" deals at participating restaurants such as DEN. For example, when you have a Seafood Mafalda Pasta SGD13++ mains and your companion orders the Truffle Mac and Cheese SGD12++, you only need to pay for your pasta.
If you haven't got "The Entertainer App 2015" yet, you can download and purchase it from iTunes or Play Store at SGD60.
If you use my promo code 2015JOHOR, you will get an additional 10% discount off SGD60 ;-D
If you entertain or eat out with friends often, get "The Entertainer App". Let's you treat your friend but have the restaurant pick up the tab for it ;-D
Smart, right?
Restaurant name: DEN
Address: 29 Boon Tat Street Singapore (S069624)
Map: http://bit.ly/DENBoonTat
Hours: Mon-Tue: 11am-11pm | Wed-Fri: 11am-12am | Sat: 5-11pm (Closed Sunday)
Non Halal
Date visited: 3 Mar 2015
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