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2010-07-06
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After thinking long and hard, I can finally think of one thing I like about Oriole Cafe: the location. It’s snugly tucked away in an inconspicuous corner within the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, just a stone’s throw away from the perpetually crowded 313@Somerset shopping mall. But other than its prime spot in town, there’s nothing else I like about it. The garlic prawns bruschetta ($10++) with tomato and basil didn’t whet my appetite for more. The sautéed prawn was fresh enough but the toasted br
The garlic prawns bruschetta ($10++) with tomato and basil didn’t whet my appetite for more. The sautéed prawn was fresh enough but the toasted bread was quite dry and hard.
Another starter that didn’t impress was the salad of coriander-tomato ($14++) with baguette wafers and potted black crab. The latter tasted suspiciously like chicken and while I do like coriander, it’s not a good idea to use so much of the strong-scented herb all at one go without throwing in other salad greens for balance.
Half the table ordered the signature fish & chips ($15++) with very ordinary home-made wedges, NOT because we were all dying to try it, but because of the limited choices on the menu. The three thick slabs of lightly battered snapper loins were no doubt generous but I prefer quality to quantity as these were rather dry and bland. I quote the friend: “can find better ones at hawker centres”. Enough said.
The beef cheek tagliatelle ($15++) is apparently one of the most popular items on the menu. But the pasta was a tad undercooked and left virtually untouched by the friend at the end of the meal. I did try the mushrooms but the strong beefy taste of the sauce turned me off.
Though boring, the safest bet is to go for the spaghetti prawns ($15++) with rocket and tomatoes. Cooked aglio olio-style, this seems to be the best dish (relative to the rest) of the day.
Food was so-so; the enclosed space was incredibly dim and noisy; and service was a little pushy at times. Perhaps, Bedrock next door may be a better choice?
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