For pictures and full review, visit http://melicacy.com/?p=3516Restaurants located amidst an abundance of greenery are positively an endangered species in Singapore, with high-rise buildings sprouting endlessly, as are the number of restaurants in the city.

Poison Ivy Bistro is serenely located adjacent to Bollywood Veggies in the Kranji countryside enclave. It is a deep drive into the remote area, but definitely worth the distance.

Make yourself comfortable in the rustic, homely indoors and enjoy air-conditioning after a tour around the beguiling farm.Fig Tea (hot/cold) – $2

The Fig Tea is available both hot and cold – whichever best suits your mood – and arrives unsweetened. The colour of the drink is derived from fig leaves and red sugarcane, au naturel.

Aloe Vera (left picture; $3), Lemongrass Tea (right picture; $2)

Aloe Vera has to be my personal favourite; it is the sweetest amongst the three (oh yes, I have a sweet tooth!) and you get cubes of Aloe Vera for your chewing pleasures.

Beers and wines are available.

Apart from the alcoholic drinks, the food menu is completely Halal, and in strict absence of pork and lard.

Its food menu isn’t extensive, but there are sufficient choices to please everyone. Its menu comprises of breakfast foods, starters, mains, finger foods and the indubitable veggies.

Talented Cordon Bleu Chef Lynn Ee runs the kitchen seamlessly; drawing inspiration from the farm and what’s available for harvest, she designs the menu with the approval of Ivy’s taste buds.Farmer’s Platter, for two ($10 per person)

To get a gastronomic overview, you can start things off with the Farmer’s Platter that features downsized portions of (almost all) the dishes –a diversity of flavours and textures in a single tray.

We also had a bowl of brown rice to accompany the mouth-watering dishes. To my surprise, after years of avoiding brown rice for its uncanny appearance, I have eaten more brown rice than I have ever eaten in my 24 years of living. It actually pairs perfectly well with the dishes!Deconstructed Grilled Coconut Chicken

You would be expecting a whole lot of greens on your plates when you’re at a bistro that is situated amongst the gardening terrain – like myself, who was initially half-hesitating making the trip down due to the fact that I dislike eating my greens – but fret not, because carnivores are certainly not short-changed at Poison Ivy. In fact, there are more meat dishes on the menu than the actual greens, well complemented by farm-fresh ingredients in the cooking process.Otah Omelet

I love eggs, and I love my Otah thick and whole. With Poison Ivy’s Otah Omelet duo, I can have my cake and eat it too.

Apart from the items available on the menu on a daily basis, there are daily specials that are highly dependent on what’s available for harvest.Generally, all the mains cost $6 each for regular portions.Jackfruit Lemak (half portion)

Highlight: The Jackfruit Lemak steals the show. The stew commingles the sweet and the savoury, with soft and juicy pieces of jackfruit immersed in a creamy coconut milk sauce. Slightly lacking in the visual department, it is more than compensated for in its tremendously decadent coalescence of flavours.Bollywood 3-in-1 Dessert ($7.50)
–Banana Bread, Kueh Bingka (Baked Tapioca) and Kueh Kosui (steamed tapioca flour with palm sugar)

The Banana Bread is soft, moist and isn’t too sweet. The best part is, they warm it before serving. Very comforting to dig into! I like!

Must-have: The Kueh Kosui is the best in Singapore. Confirmed. It is a unanimous favourite! It is so, so soft, appropriately sweet and not too chewy or sticky –it is splendid in every possible way.

For pictures and full review, visit http://melicacy.com/?p=3394

Roadhouse serves up all-time favourite diner food in a rustic setting, resembling a cowboy’s den, great for convivial gatherings. This western-themed restaurant is one of the very few in Singapore to char-grill their meats and burger patties using the acclaimed Josper Grill –get ready to be impressed!

There’re not plenty of seats in the restricted space and it is mostly filled to the brim especially during weekends; alfresco seats are available, but scarce. A brief row of counter seating is available as well, where you can catch a glimpse the Josper Grill in action.

Soups

Wet & Wild Mushroom Soup $10

Soups available are Mushroom Soup and the Soup of the day. The soup of the day we had was the Tomato Soup, which I won’t recommend ordering; it tastes like a standard tomato sauce typically used for a pasta dish. The Mushroom soup is ordinary and wasn’t impressive, though it didn’t taste bad.

Soup of the Day $10

Salads

Cajun Chicken Salad $13

Among the five choices of Salad available on the menu, I tried the Cajun Chicken Salad that is composed of crisp rocket salad, tender Cajun chicken chunks that are succulent and juicy, fresh tomatoes, cashew nuts for that crunchy texture, all tossed in a sweet homemade honey mustard dressing that is used sparingly.

Starters

Crusty Blue Swimmer Crab Cakes $15

For starters, I highly recommend the Crusty Blue Swimmer Crab Cakes. The breaded crust is fried to a golden brown; it is crispy without being greasy. Instead of the mushy interior you’d typically find in crab cakes, the one here encompasses moist chunky pieces of crabmeat minus the starch. Served with sweet corn kernels and savoury milk glaze, this dish will perk up your appetite!

Quesadilla and Tacos

Mushroom Melt Quesadilla $13

In the quesadillas and tacos menu, the Mushroom Melt Quesadilla is highly recommended. The taco shell is baked to a crisp with a nice char, with melted gooey cheese within. It’s delicious and it left me wanting more.

Burgers

Simply Brie-vine Burger $24

The highlight of that evening was the Simply Brie-vine Burger. Expect a 170g Josper-grilled Wagyu patty arriving straight out of the grill, sandwiched between a homemade bun together with grilled poached pear, Brie cheese, wild rocket & sun-dried tomatoes. The thick piece of patty is orgasmic; instead of the minced beef you’d typically get in burgers, the ones here contain tender chunky pieces of meat, so moist and juicy. The moment it arrived at our table, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it.

Miso Cod Burger $26

If you’re not a fan of red meats, the Miso Cod Burger is no less impressive. The Josper-grilled miso cod specked with toasted sesame is so tender and fresh, and simply delectable. I would order this again the next time I visit!

Dessert

Old-Fashioned Apple Strudel $12

I enjoyed the Old-Fashioned Apple Strudel, that is made up of cinnamon apples, plump California raisins stuffed in a light crisp pastry baked to perfection, sided with vanilla bean ice cream.

Cranberry & Walnut Brownie $10

The Cranberry & Walnut Brownie is a tad sour for a brownie to please my sweet tooth, but the liberal drizzle of Varlhona chocolate sauce is divine.

Esther’s Lemon Meringue Pie $10

Esther’s Lemon Meringue Pie came in such a beautifully constructed piece of art – it looks like something you could give as a gift providing it doesn’t fall apart in the gift box – that I almost couldn’t bear to dismantle it. Taste-wise, the lemon curd on its own is a tad too tart, and the meringue on its own is a tad sweet. Put them together, the result is magical.

In conclusion:
Roadhouse gets a tick in all positive aspects in terms on the food and flavour. Service-wise, it is casual and efficient, but could deem as a little unprofessional if you’re a discerning diner.

Business is brisk; although reservations are not necessary, it is recommended to do so especially during the weekends.

Roadhouse is also home to the Terminator Challenge, which requires fast eaters with a huge appetite to wolf down a 1kg burger within 20 minutes. Once accomplished, they get the burger for free and their names and pictures on the Wall of Fame.

Check out my experience with the Terminator Challenge here: http://melicacy.com/?p=3352

For pictures, visit http://melicacy.com/?p=3912

Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家) is a hidden gem along Tai Thong Crescent, Sennett Estate, serving up homely but outstanding Chinese fare, in a humble and casual setting.

The main dining area spreads over the first floor.

The second storey caters to events and functions, but will be opened up to diners when the crowd overflows. There is also a private room that will seat 40 comfortably.

Crispy Bean-jal ($10)

The Crispy Bean-jal is a great way to kick-start a meal. Eggplant (brinjal) is sliced thinly, battered and fried before coating with a sweet adherent sauce –it is highly addictive, and it didn’t even taste like eggplant. French beans add vibrancy and a refreshing balance to the dish. Nicely done, bean-jal.

Special Made Tofu with Lingzhi Mushroom ($12)

Tofu is homemade using egg and soya bean. No shortcuts here. Once deep-fried, crispy skin encases a smooth silky interior that explodes in your mouth.

Thai Style Beancurd ($6 for 6 pieces)

In this Thai-inspired dish, tender squares of beancurd are fried to a golden exterior, doused in an invigorating sweet-spicy sauce, and scattered with strips of onion atop for pungency and texture.

A pity we tasted the Special Made Tofu prior to this; the texture of this store-bought tofu pales in comparison. If only they employed the homemade tofu in this dish.

Prawn Roll ($8 for 8 pieces)

The Prawn Roll (Ngoh Hiang) reminds me deeply of my late grandmother.

Wrapped in a beancurd skin and fried to crispy perfection, the inside is meaty and tender with chestnut bits for crunch. It is not starchy at all –which is evidence that they don’t scrimp on ingredients.

Oyster Omelette ($12)

I love my Or-Luah (Oyster Omelette). I patronise my favourite Fried Oyster stall at Chomp Chomp on a regular basis. I love that starchy egg-y composition, and I tend to order it without oysters just so they would add more of that starch.

The cooking style here differs: there is less starch, more egg, and the stars are the oysters.

Plump juicy and fresh oysters, strewn amid light fluffy beaten egg that boast a crisp complexion.

A hot plate emerges from the kitchen, carrying a foil-wrapped dish set aglow with a dancing flame.

Kyoto Pork Ribs ($20)

As the rose-wine-ignited fire diminishes, the aluminium foil is being unwrapped; it follows by an aroma that wafted up our noses, inducing salivation.

Tender with a meaty bite, well infused with sweet-savoury flavours. Nicely done!

Assam Fish Head ($25)

Their signature dish – Assam fish Head – is highly favoured.

Red snapper fish head is pristinely fresh, handpicked from the market daily.

The fish is deftly executed –it isn’t overcooked, with meat firm but moist, and sufficiently tender.

Comprising more than 13 spices and herbs, you’re bound to be intrigued, and impressed. The cooking process is painstaking, but very much worthwhile.

The spiciness is toned down to cater to a wider audience, but it still possesses enough kick to stimulate your taste buds.

Sambal Seabass on hot plate ($25)

A thick blanket of Sambal (a thick chilli-based sauce) camouflages an immaculately fried fish –crispy skin with a tender flesh.

Don’t be too engrossed in the distractingly vibrant and delicious sauce; do be careful of bones.

I have to commend their Sambal for its wonderful fragrance and complexity in taste; so good I can eat it with plain rice and nothing else.

Cereal Sotong with Curry Flavour ($20)

I tend to avoid squid for its chewy or resilient texture, but this dish completely took me by surprise.

Squid is battered and deep-fried before tossing it with the fragrant cereal for another round of frying. The mollusk is nicely tender but still slightly springy, with enough bite.

The generous heap of cereal is mixed with curry leaves and curry powder, and spiked with chilli padi for a kick. It’s highly addictive! Those who can’t take the heat, beware!

Butter Baked Salted Egg Sir Lanka Crab (Seasonal Price)

Again, Gu Ma Jia has successfully brought enjoyment to the food I didn’t use to appreciate.

Eating crab is a hassle, and most of the time, a mess. What’s most disappointing is when you strenuously break the shell to find an underlying miserable morsel, tiny and limp.

I am mesmerised by the substantial size of meat that lies beneath the rigid hard shell –worth every action of cracking and knocking. Thanks Derrick for helping me with this, for I am still a novice.

The meat is not only ample; it is fresh, sweet and succulent. Great on its own but even better with the salted egg sauce.

Herbal Chicken Soup ($8.80)

For a tummy warmer, the Herbal Chicken Soup is divine; it is flavourful, rich and ample without any bitterness. It comes brimming with clams, chicken and a melange of herbs. Very nourishing.

Black Glutinous with Ice Cream ($4)

Traditionally paired with coconut milk, Gu Ma Jia substitutes the sweetening component with vanilla ice cream –both the young and old will enjoy this dessert.

With over 10 years of experience in the food industry, Gu Ma Jia certainly didn’t disappoint. It makes an ideal spot for family bonding, and I would love to bring my family down for a feast.

There is no GST or service charge. Awesome.

They do delivery too. There is a delivery charge of $3 with a minimum order of $25. Give them a call.

They will also accede to catering requests for parties and buffet receptions. Check out their website for more information.

For the full review, visit my blog post at http://melicacy.com/?p=5457

The owner takes pride in cooking the gravy from scratch, insisting on using only the freshest ingredients he obtains from the wet market daily.What sets this Mee Siam apart from others is the secret blend, of several fruit juices that yields a light and refreshing taste. The commixture of fruit juices imparts a familiar tangy flavour that we associate Mee Siam with, but without the heaviness, oiliness and cloyingness of the accustomed version. There’s also a subtle sweetness coming through the tangy notes, which I suspect comes pineapple juice. I couldn’t discern the other ingredients he’d added, but the grittiness commonly encountered in Mee Siam (from the addition of shrimp paste) is not present.

Hawker foods are generally high in calories. A regular serving of Mee Siam consists of an average of 700 calories. For those who seek a healthier alternative, this Fruit Juice Mee Siam is more forgiving on the waistline –same amount of satisfaction, but lesser the guilt. I actually enjoyed this version more than the conventional version of Mee Siam.

A bowl of Fruit Juice Mee Siam costs $3 to $4. For a slightly more lavish option, you can order the $6 portion that comes with poached crayfish. The succulent flesh comes off the shell easily –evidence of its freshness.

For pictures and the full review, visit http://melicacy.com/?p=4967

The ever-expanding Thai Express Group has got a large chain of restaurants under its belt. Poulét, its newest concept, has received innumerable positive feedback from returning patrons. Their second outlet, at Great World City, will not be their last.

The snaking queues at Bugis+’s outlet, especially on weekends, can be a tad overwhelming. I’ve had friends who waited more than 3 hours before they could get a table. The upcoming outlets would definitely be advantageous in dispersing the crowd.

Read about my previous dining experience at Poulét (Bugis+) here: http://melicacy.com/?p=4537

Along with the opening of Great World City outlet, Poulét has also launched a new Signature dish –a twist to the brand’s highly raved ‘Amazing French Roast Chicken’ (Poulét Roti).

Poulét de Cranberry ($17.80 for half, $30.80 for whole)

Cranberry Sauce, Double Pommery & Dijon Mustard

Pleasing the palate with both fruity and savoury notes, this new signature came just in time for the jolly festive season!

Personally I really loved the creamy homemade mushroom chardonnay sauce in the Poulét Roti, while the Poulét de Cranberry makes a healthier option that is less rich. It really boils down to personal preferences, as both dishes are as enjoyable. The most important component of the dish – the chicken – turns out perfectly tender and succulent.

Here are some other items on the menu I had that day:

Chicken and Fig Marmalade Sandwich ($8.80)

Homemade fig marmalade and shredded chicken dressed with aioli sauce, crispy lettuce and tomato

Why didn’t I try this gem earlier? I’m so glad I did this time round. They bake croissants from scratch. I’m so impressed (and I never knew I would be, this much, with sandwiches).

Chicken tends to turn out dry in most sandwiches, but here, there’s no lack of moisture. The aioli sauce also helps keep the chicken moist. The sweetness from the fig marmalade complements the shredded chicken beautifully.

Love it.

Prawn Fritters ($7.80)

Fried prawn fritters served with sweet and spicy sauce

This is sooo not French (who are you trying to kid, the sweet and spicy sauce screams Thai), but taste triumphs it all. I’m so addicted to these golden strips of breaded prawns –crisp on the outside, succulent on the inside. I will definitely order this again during my next visit.

Oxtail de Bourguignon ($15.80)

Pressure-cooked oxtail in red wine sauce with carrot and onion

I heard they tweaked the recipe for the Oxtail de Bourguignon, so I HAD to try it! The previous rendition was a tad salty and heavy on the palate, but I saw potential in it. After trying this new version, I can safely say that I 100% recommend this dish.

They’ve infused even more flavour into the sauce without having a high salt content; oxtail, melt-in-the-mouth tender; pricing-wise, totally value for money. Must try.

Tiramisu ($7.80)

Mascarpone cheese, sponge finger soaked in espresso and rum syrup

Ordered the Tiramisu because I couldn’t get enough of it during my previous visit.

Guess what? I’ll be ordering it again on my next visit.