Sunday 30 September 2012

Sweetspot, Marina Bay Sands: Unique lantern mooncake box

It came to my family as a complementary gift from Marina Bay Sands (MBS) after a staycation at the prestigious hotel. We were all surprised not by the kind gesture from the hotel staffs handling our gift to us but rather the design of the mooncake box. A shape of a lantern and now just how many restaurants and hotels put in effort to create such a pretty box like MBS does?
While I hardly have a double egg yolk white lotus mooncake of any sort near me due to the amount of cholesterol in each pastries, I was more than happy to take one or two cuts out of this sinfulest baked pastry. Sweetspot rendition was soft, almost like a knife through butter. It didn't crumble that much compared to other brands and the white lotus paste was commendable. Not too sweet and not too sticky that it sticks to your gums and teeth.

The only problem I have was the double egg yolk which was just plain unhealthy. Especially if you have been eating mooncakes of every sort since bakers just churning them but apart from that, MBS mooncakes could do very well if it ain't that expensive ($60 for a box of four double egg yolk white lotus traditional baked mooncakes).
 Have a wonderful Mid Autumn Festival!

Sweet Spot
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
10 Bayfront Avenue
Singapore 018956
Tel: 65 6688-5668

Saturday 29 September 2012

Sze Chuan Court, Fairmount Singapore's mooncakes

It came to my family as a gift and being the gluttony in me, I just couldn't resist sampling Sze Chuan Court's traditional baked mooncakes. The fillings were mainstream ranging from Double Egg Yolk in White Lotus Paste or Peach Shaped with Single Yolk and Macadamia Nuts in White Lotus Paste to the nutty Roasted Pine Nuts in White Lotus Paste. I didn't quite like the previous three until I tried their Black and White Sesame in White Lotus Paste which I have to say taste quite unique.  
I kinda enjoy the mildly aroma emitted from the fillings and it doesn't make you queasy if not rather addictive. The only downside was the overtly crumbly crust but still a fairly good piece. 

Just when mooncakes doesn't get as creative as it taste, this year, Sze Chuan Court launched their a limited edition Angry Bird series mooncakes. Bringing savouring mooncakes experience a whole new visual level. It's innovative that's for sure but I shall not comment on the taste since I've yet to try one myself. For that, I shall leave it till next year...

Fairmount Singapore, level 3
80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560
Tel: +65 6431 6156

Dragon Phoenix Restaurant's traditional baked mooncakes

Talk about the legendary first generation Cantonese restaurant and I will think of the elongated box of traditional baked mooncakes. Dragon Phoenix Resturant is one of those places that I will never fails to disappoint me. I shall not proclaim them as the best traditional baked mooncakes in Singapore but I can profess of their quality and consistency if not I wouldn't be buying a box on a yearly basis.
Just when you think mooncakes are often best when they're just out of the oven, Dragon Phoenix rendition of the Chinese pasties are carefully aged which they claim that their freshly baked mooncakes are stored facing down, allowing the crust to absorb oil from the lotus paste that is fused with aroma from the egg yolks. Giving a melt-in-your mouth gastronomic experience. 

I'm not sure about the gastronomic experience is the actual reason why their mooncakes fare better than other places but what I really love would have to be their smooth lotus paste and thin crust. It's almost like bread and butter which go hand in hand. You can't have too much of either ingredient or too less of any one. That applies to the amount of almonds nuts that goes into one mooncake too!
"Every mooncake is skillfully hand-crafted, as we believe traditional culinary arts can never be totally replaced by technologies, at times, things just have to be done the old ways!" 

If you're a fan of good old school mooncakes, maybe it's time to give Dragon Phoenix Restaurant a try. 

Novotel Clarke Quay Singapore (Liang Court) #06-00
177A River Valley Road, Singapore 179031
Tel: +65 6339 3368
Website: http://dragonphoenix.com.sg/home/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

Friday 28 September 2012

Dean & DeLuca: Quiet weekday afternoon brunch

Photo above from Dean & DeLuca.

Popular cafes often depicts the typical scene of a busy lunch time crowd where tables for twos and fours are hoard up with families and friends with staffs both busy inside and outside the kitchen. Churning and whipping if not styling everything into plates and bowls in an attempt to feed those hungry souls. Hoping that everyone would leave through the same doors as they entered feeling gratified if not, satisfied. It's kind of chaotic if you ask me, imagine all the formulated opinions about the food and service all at one go. Good if all goes well and bad if it's well, really bad.

I can imagine that kind of chaotic scene during the first one or two months of the famous gourmet cafe across the Pacific Ocean. But I never like to enjoy my meals in a explicitly noisy area since it's distracting to strike a conversation when the kid next table is crying in an attempt to sound his mummy he soiled his pants. 

So I waited out the months and reading the hits and misses online. Spying with my little eyes when would be a good time to drop by Orchard Central for breakfast, lunch or simply, brunch. I found the perfect time just when the cafe was fairly cleared of the office crowd during a rather late weekday afternoon. Lunch or brunch for all I care. I'm just gonna walk in and see how the cafe from New York fares.
Everything on the menu is up there, in between of city's clock below and the food loaded counter above. Fresh salads and humongous sandwiches that Dean & Deluca has to offer but nothing caught my attention than the section that says "All-day Breakfast". Forget about lunch or tea, if it's breakfast then thumbs up for me!

The American Country Breakfast ($22.00) was what I guess the American by the countryside would have? Everything was huge and everything was great. Maybe just the scrambled egg, My brunch partner and I prefer it firmer than runny.
Belgium Stacks ($21.00) was a name too tempting to resist from saying. Upon arrival, I think they should call it Belgium tent instead. I like how everything was presented from the vivid colours from the berries and sweet sauce even down right to the vanilla snowball hidden within. It was only a pity that I've ordered it only to devour it. 

Popular places like Dean & Deluca usually signifies a great deal of crowd so if you're trying to squeeze yourself amidst the hustle and bustle just to enjoy some time with friends or yourself, why not enter the room when it's quieter? How about a quiet weekday afternoon brunch instead of the usual weekend ones...

Orchard Central #04-23/24
181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 7708
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DeanDelucaSG

Sunday 23 September 2012

3 Inch Sin: Another chocolaty paradise awaits

I think I've been subconsciously telling myself to search for all chocolate desserts available out there that my flimsy wallet can spare. I've eaten more lava cakes this year than any others. Where some have disappoint me so badly that I don't even think it's blog-worthy, there are a handful of cafes/restaurants/shops that never fails to make my soul gratified with a capital G. 

And one of such places I'm referring to has got to be 3 Inch Sin. Just like Max Brenner and Laurent Chocolatier, 3 Inch Sin is also another must-go places if you're a chocolate lover living and exploring all the cracks and crevices of this isle. Personally, I do not think there's a need to compare who does lava cakes better since they craft and bake their desserts with their own chocolate recipe although out of the three places, I have to admit that 3 Inch Sin is the most affordable with prices under $8 as compared to the other two specialty shops.

Upon entering the shop located amidst the building which we call Millenia Walk, one would be greeted by an array of chocolate desserts sitting by the counter just waiting for that moment when your lips touches them. Such is the chocolate paradise that we don't get to see but we yearn for it every single day.

Then came the lava cake, served warm with a scoop of strawberry field to complete this wonderful afternoon tea affair with my lovely girlfriend. I'm thinking the lava cakes is as they say, 3 inch? The cake was moist and crumbly which is typical of any lava cakes but unlike the name, the core didn't really flow as it should which was rather disappointing but still a great piece considering that they only use Valrhona's Chocolate which is said to be one of the best if not THE premium grade of black gold you can ever grasp. Just joy. Only a true chocolatier can ever apprehend.

If you're looking for an affordable lava cakes in town, try 3 Inch with their sinfully made lava cakes. There's said to be 11 flavours to pick from. Ranging from the fruity Bitter Orange and Lemon to nutty Hazelnut and Peanut Butter and to the adult's extend, Baileys and Cherries Jubilee. It's one flavour down and 10 more to go! And I shall leave those 10 in time to come...

"It's only three inch. It's only a few bites. But it will hook you forever..."

PS: Do note that the outlet at Cluny Court, Bukit Timah is closed.

Millenia Walk #01-103
9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6333 4562
Website: http://www.3inchsin.com/home.html
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 9.pm daily

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant's mooncakes: The best Snowskin Mooncakes in town

It is possibly if not undeniably one of the best snowskin mooncakes you will ever find buy in Singapore. Each exquisitely if not intricately made from scratch. The knelling and the molding, all made from hands. Dusted with snowy powder, East Ocean's mini snowskin mooncakes are one of the highly sought ones I must have for every mid autumn festival. I can do away with carrying lanterns (or burning them as with all other children would when their parents aren't looking), do away with sipping tea and peeling pomelo but there's one thing I can never do without is a box of their mini snow white pastries. 
What I really love about the Teochew restaurant's snow white delights is the fact that they got the filling to the soft glutinous rice crust ratio just right. You could savour the filling and yet not having  that overkill feeling while enjoying the soft chewy texture of the thin mochi skin and still have room for another one. 

Aside from the perfect marriage of fillings and crusts, another plus point that makes East Ocean rendition so different from your typical mainstreams one would be the firmness when attempting to slice one. Where there are mooncakes which simply disintegrate and make a whole mess on your knife and plate, I find East Ocean's sweet little mini treats still standing firm and strong as I portion them into minier treats. That's definitely a plus point for me. The ease of cutting cutting mooncakes without making a whole lot of mess.
They come in three different fillings; the sweet white lotus paste, delicate green tea paste and mild yellow custard ones. Out of the three, white lotus paste fare the best and to a larger extend better than most other mooncakes I tried over the years. The paste is pleasing to the palette if not smooth silky consistency. Green tea is the runner up which I like it mild while  yellow custard could be slight richer as it hover around the range of bland but still fantastic.  

When it comes to mooncakes, I prefer to stick to a few brands although once in a while curiosity calls me to try new ones but I never end the festive season without a box or two from East Ocean. I would even go as far that it's the standard I expect for any other snowskins mooncakes. If not I wouldn't say proclaim on my blog as one of the best snowskin mooncakes in Singapore.

Ngee Ann City #05-08/09
391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6235 9088

Saturday 22 September 2012

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium's Mooncakes

When my aunt came to my house claiming she has a surprise for me and my family, hinting it's one of my favourite food that is only eaten once a year, I already knew it was bound to be mooncakes given the time of the year. The only question that bugged me was whether it was the traditional oven baked or soft snowskins ones. Personally, I prefer the snowskins over the baked ones but as long as it's a well-made one, I'm more than happy to chomp them one by one.

Then came the distinctive footsteps of a office lady and like a small child waiting impatiently for his turn on the slide, I greeted her with a grin and she pass me a box and before she could say anything else, I rushed into the kitchen eager to see what's inside.
I have never heard of Xin Cuisine at Holiday Inn much less trying out their mooncakes. It was a first time experience with six in a row, pink and white. It was a sight to behold but hold a on sec. How's the taste? That, I was about to know...
All I know was how unique these two were. The pink ones known as Soursop & Chocolate Crunch was a total disaster just waiting to be munched. First bite was cold and powdery taste which is typical of all snowskins mooncakes. Subsequent chewing was made horrible with the sourness from the fruit with the crunchy chocolate bits within it. It wasn't even photo worthy when I tried to slice it. Everything just stick to the knife in bits and pieces. 

Where there are disappointments, all we need is just a saving grace to save the day. Grace came in the form of Champagne Chocolate & Pandan Lotus Paste. It was soft but definitely firmer. I was taken by surprise when I was consumed by the intense liquor taste emitted from the white chocolate core. The sweet green paste came only after the liquor aftertaste wears off. A wonderful experience if you are looking for alcoholic mooncakes in town.

I sort of realised how bakers are willing to push the extend of inventing new ones every single year. While some worked out great, there are always a few (in my opinion) will never work and one of which would surely be Soursop & Chocolate Crunch which will serve me as a reminder.

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
317 Outram Road, Singapore 169075
Tel: +65 6731 7173

Friday 21 September 2012

The lan party: Where gamers meets food

It is said that when light is at it's weakest and the moon turns blue (once every blue moon), six awesome (I think they are awesome!) individuals would gather by the table of hollies surrounded by mouth watering, lips smacking if not a whole lot of delicious food. It was the highest calling indeed with each righteous soul giving thanks to their creators for the meal. Dish after dish they consumed till siren was sung. The incredible six moved to their respective station made of make-shift tables upon cold hard wooden floor. With mouse and keypads ready at their dispense, they game till the sound of cute and cuddling dogs barking grows ever louder signalling a new dawn ceasing the joy of gaming in time to come with breakfast by the table of hollies once again.

Sometimes, I seriously think I could be a writer (which I think I am) although my command of English isn't that great but well, I can leave that story for another day and share what I want today or whichever day you come across this post. 

As much as the title gives everything off, I still like to tell the Whole Wide World that I'm a gamer as much as I'm a foodie. I'm gonna foresee many of my friends would be in a state of shock reading the previous sentence but hey! Live with it and accept the fact that I still love to shoot zombies and own a few noobs okay?
Like I mention in my "story line", every once in a while, we would gather at a friend's house for dinner and games. Miss L and Mr Q (not married yet since they are still very young) would prepare a dinner feast for like-minded gamers like me or even you if you're ever invited to join our guild.
Food usually varies but never short of carbos which usually comes in the form of potatoes. Whipped or whole depending on the chef's mood of the day.
Gamers need their carbos if not they wouldn't even last a second in a intense team fight!
If carbo give you strength then proteins gives you wings! Two whole chicken roasted with fatty skins on would do best in this case. 
I can always spare a stomach or two for home-made desserts. Miss L made them whole and all. Pretty darn good I have to say. Chocolate brownies with ice creams anyone? If not then more for me!
On a separate occasion, Miss L decided to make a dozen or so cupcakes. Cookie Monster would be glad to eat his own kind if he ever sees this! 
It was as she couldn't get enough of Jia Jia and Kai Kai, she actually made panda cupcakes too. I think she's fit to be the Pambassador which I seriously think she could seriously considering taking care of pandas for a living! 
I just couldn't resist taking this photo of the chicken in the making or I should say, chicken sitting in the oven. Isn't it sexy or what? 

When gamers are done with their meals, it's back to gaming again and I can't wait for another round, just pondering when will we have another night of games...

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Seki Japanese Restaurant & Bar: The 1 for 1 Japanese set lunch

When I came to know about the contemporary Japanese restaurant and their 1 for 1 lunch set menu, I just couldn't resist the value for money fine-dining luncheon with price ranging from $19.90 with the unassuming vegetarian set to $39.90 with grilled fish, sashimi and udon sets. Don't you think it's a great deal too? I mean you get to dine at a posh restaurant with a lunch partner to spare and above all, sharing the food at the price of one. That's how I define value for money.
I kinda like the contemporary interior with sleek with furbish furniture. Forget about sitting by the counter watching the itamae preparing your meals. It was equally interesting watching from the reflective pillars too.
I love mackerel and nothing beats a piece of saba lightly salted with salt then grilled over charcoal. It's delectable if not surprisingly sweet. At a price of $29.90, the set comes with three good slabs of salmon sashimis, a bowl of miso soup, rice and salad and you end off the meal with two slices of sweet watermelons. 
My lunch partner aka the girlfriend had the mood for noodles that afternoon and the Tempura Udon & Futomaki Set ($39.90) caught her interest. Nothing really fanciful to be honest. Just buckwheat noodles in a soy based broth accompanied by handroll sushi, a few pieces of tempura and a little salad here sliced watermelons there. Did she enjoy her meal? She sure did! And that was all it matters.
Seki's rendition of the steamed egg which we call Chawanmushi ($6.00) was not the typical cuppas you find along the street. I think they added something but I just couldn't decipher what's was just in it. All I found was a ginkgo nut and strands of crab meat. Until then, it's one of those mystery that never fails to intrigues even for a foodie like me. 

Lunch at Seki was made terrific with approachable staffs taking their time to explain the menu and my cup of green tea never seem to go half filled. I was really caught by surprised when the manger handled us a $20 voucher upon our exit. I never expect superb service but good service always leaves a good impression. 

With a voucher in hand, let's see when am I free to head down again...

Seki Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Rendezvous Gallery #01-02
9 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189559
Tel: +65 6336 3806/ 6336 3807

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Tea Lounge, Regent Hotel: How high tea partners say "Happy Birthday!"

Between me and my high tea partner, there's no need for gifts and no need to wish with words. When the time is ripe, we just take an afternoon off the calendar and make ourselves free and say "Let's go for afternoon tea!" 

Our last afternoon tea, L'Espresso, ended with a wonderful note. We were content but somewhat disappointed that we couldn't try the ever popular weekend afternoon tea buffet by Tea Lounge, Regent Hotel. I learnt my lesson well and make a reservation way ahead of time. Three months to be exact. I've no idea why is it so popular but I'm guessing everyone wants to be part of the game...
Tucked away from the grandeur lobby of the hotel, Tea Lounge is sure to be found. Arm chairs and sofas by the tables with tea sets already in place. It's the details that I'm impressed but not so for the service since it's inconsistent but still acceptable with smiles and a whole lot of laughters.  
Oh by the way, everyone starts at the same pacing. Meaning to you, you can't really start picking your favourite desserts do anything else with the food but just wait. I've no idea why are we waiting but all I see was kitchen staffs taking snapshots of the food they have beautifully crafted. Naturally, I just go away minding my own business, maneuvering and weaving around taking my so-call perfect shots.

You see stations of desserts and all things sweet on one side, heavy dishes and whatever Japanese on the other and savoury finger food like your sandwiches in between. Everyone starts at their own pacing after the photoshooting session and for me, I like to work my way with the sweeter things but that's just me. I just find their savoury finger food nothing amazing if not rather mainstream.
Everything was great until curiosity lead me to Mocha Tiramisu. I dare say it's the worst tiramisu I've ever tried. It was no tiramisu at all! Only coffee powder and what else runny underneath it. I don't even want to get started with their Creme Brulee which was another disaster in the making. One spoonful of each was enough. I rather waste my calories on other worthy things. 
Everyone is entitled to a serving of baked souffle but just like the tiramisu and creme brulee, it wasn't worth another spoon. My partner and I were wondering what happen to Tea Lounge. It was totally unacceptable. No standard at all!
At least their macarons saved the day! I find joy indulging in the rich dark chocolate ones while my partner loves munching on the pink strawberries pleasures. 
I kinda like how the various cheese rested on the wooden board with grapes dividing each in between then guarded by dried fruits and gourmet biscuits on both ends. For a cheese noobie, the Herb Cream Cheese as well as the Wensleydale With Cranberries sure caught my attention. 
Caviar is a luxury food that many of us could only dream of spamming... For my partner, it's her first time trying the these black peas and much to her skepticism, she tried and she loved it. Not bad for her first.
I heard many relishes and recommendations about Tea Lounge's scones and personally, tried them too many times to recall and I daresay they were pretty darn good but somehow the scones didn't taste the same as before. Don't get me wrong going away thinking that it was bad. It was good but it just lack the buttery luster as it once did. It's just like my high tea partner's comment. "Something seems to be lacking."  We just don't know what.

Sorry mum, Regent's scones are no longer the best...
The cranberries scones fare slightly better but nothing special worth talking more about.
It's no secret among my friends how much I love Tea Lounge after the countless experiences I had over the years but upon this visit, I've no idea how much their standards have dropped and I can't help but to say that I'm very disappointed in them. I can accept the fact that they have two seatings instead of the one full seating that they used to offer, no credit card promotions and inconsistent service but I just can't accept food that is not up to standards. Particularly desserts. It's like a sin to create such hideous ones. Memories of that powdery and runny tiramisu still haunts me in my sleep.

I won't be heading back Tea Lounge anytime soon but when I do in the future, I hope it'll be better. You know, everything is worth a second try.
That's how we say happy birthday to one another. No need for gift and no need for words. Just a wonderful afternoon sipping tea and conversing with one another and to my high tea partner, I wish her the best in all her endeavors and may her tai tai dream materalise one day.

Tea Lounge
Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel
1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715
Pricing: Adults: $48++, Children: $24++
Tel: +65 6725 3246
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