FreshGrads's Profile

Tonkichi, by the Pokka Food group, has been making news for its fried pork set meals. And with several outlets at Lido, Takashimaya, Orchard Central, Tampines Mall and Suntec City among others, we found ourselves conveniently having lunch at its Suntec City branch. Here's our take on the slightly above average Japanese restaurant.THE FOOD: First came the restaurant's signature dish: a delicious and freshly-fried hire and rosu (pork) set ($24.90), which comes with miso soup, rice and a small salad. The breadcrumbs-coated meat looked real thick but was tender and soft in the inside – easy to chew and cut into smaller pieces.But we discovered something even better: the fried oyster equivalent is just excellent. Crispy on the outside and soft (or partially raw) in the inside; oyster-lovers should really try this.We were also craving for curry so we ordered an ala carte curry ($6.90) as well as a chawanmushi ($3.50 with a set, $5.50 without a set). The curry and chawanmushi wasn't spectacular but neither were they bad.Ramen is also available but I would advise diners against it. Tonkichi's ramen was too oily, its ni-tamago (soft boiled egg) was over cooked and the pork broth was way too salty with a strange pungent pork taste.What would make a typical male return is this: unknown to many, the Japanese rice and salad with sesame dressing comes free flow! Ideal for the big eaters. But in all, the fried stuff is great but anything else is best left for other Japanese restaurants.THE MOOD:Tonkichi is a great lunch choice for busy office workers. There was no need for queuing during lunch hours as the restaurant – part of the roundabout basement – occupies a pretty large area. The decor is simple and looks as if it's catered for the mass. Service is fairly fast and attentive as well.Visit www.FreshGrads.sg for more good reviews!…Read More

On a lazy afternoon, we were attracted by the adorable cartoons of ramen monsters by this little shop at the corner of Velocity, Novena Square. We dropped in Ramen Monster without much expectations and, fortunately, we were pleasantly surprised…THE FOOD:With a choice between thin and thick noodles, we chose thin for the char siew ramen and thick for the tonkotsu ramen. Both types of noodles were al dente and pretty springy.First came the char siew ramen ($10.90) with pretty lean meat soaked in thick broth is nonetheless succulently delicious. On the other hand, the tonkotsu ramen ($7.90) was a tad disappointing – the meat was slightly too tough and not fatty enough.Portion wise, the dishes at Ramen Monster are a tad smaller than usual but just right for us girls. Guys may need to upsize ($3) for gyoza and a drink.We later heard that the Spicy Ramen is good from the table next to us and that there's no MSG in the broth – a rare treat dining outside.In all, the ramen at Ramen Monster wouldn't be the best or comparable to that of ramen masters at Santouka or Ippudo. However, it is good enough as an affordable lunch nearby office.THE MOOD:The bright and colourful shop is peddled by the cute cartoon ramen monsters donned on the wall. Tables and chairs are basic, and easily moved to accommodate big groups by the helpful staff.…Read More

Say hello to US premium non-fat frozen yogurt, Sour Sally, which boasts to be 100 per cent fat free.THE FOOD:The latest kid on the block offers four basic flavours for its fro-yo, shaved ice and smoothies: original or plain, pinkilicious strawberry, melon mint and green tea. The smallest cup of its tart yogurt with subtle flavourings range from SGD3.50 to SGD4. Compared to Yami, it is more tart but less creamy, and with Frolick, it is more firm but less natural in its flavours. Pre-mixed selections are available but, like at other fro-yo offerings on our sunny island, you can also mix and match toppings like mango, kiwi, almonds, chocolate balls and many more. The little cubes of mochi and nata de coco with the exotic melon mint intertwined with plain yogurt are our personal favourites and go well with the fruity yogurts.THE MOOD: A worthy opponent for bright and funky Frolick, Sour Sally eludes a whimiscally charming and cheery mood. Its interactive website, created by Kinetic Singapore, is just as fun too. Its outlet at Wisma Atria is decked in black and lime green and hard to miss, so give it a try!Visit www.FreshGrads.sg for more good reviews!…Read More

With Swensen's 1-for-1 Lunch Treats for all food items from its ala carte menu, we have more reason to step into the restaurant for the occasional slightly more expensive lunch.THE FOOD:The offer is available on weekdays from 11am to 2pm, excluding Public Holidays. Diners get to choose from a pretty extensive menu including an Asian section.We begun with the signature Rodeo Wings, which was satisfyingly tossed in BBQ sauce and sprinkled with black pepper. For the free side, we went for the Deep Fried Mushrooms, essentially deep fried Shiitake served with tartar sauce. Sinful but delicious.For the mains, my companion went for the Crayfish pasta, which was the most value for money being the most expensive item on the menu. The serving was extremely generous with large chunks of fish and a medium-sized crayfish doused in sweet tomato sauce. A bit more pepper would complete the package.I went for my old favourite, the Salmon Baked Rice, and was sorely disappointed. The fish baked rice used to be good and a bit too salty but for the past three times we were there, the baked rice has been a consistent disappointment. Sure there were plenty of cheese but the fish and rice were strangely bland.By the time we were done with our appetizers and mains, we were pretty full. Nonetheless, being the gluttons we were, we pressed on with desserts.The Banana Crumble, served on a sizzling hot pan, is a must-try though desserts and drinks are not included in the 1-for-1 offer. If it was, I would have gone for the Sticky Chewy Chocolate sundae as well – another popular dessert item at Swensen's.THE MOOD:Queues start forming by 11.30am and diners should be prepared to wait 15 to 30 minutes for your food thanks to the crowds. Iced water is served but service is not the best here though still reasonable.Most Swensen's outlets – many spread throughout the island – are spacious and hence good for big crowds. And if you work near a shopping mall, chances are there will be a Swensen's conveniently nearby. So the next time you crack your heads for a suitable, value-for-money place for a farewell lunch or a department bonding meal, you could consider Swensen's. Visit FreshGrads.Sg for more good reviews!…Read More

Every neighbourhood can sure do with its own ice cream parlour, and Tampines is no exception. Ben and Larry's Ice Cream, or more popularly known as Blic, is a chirpy orange parlour found along Tampines avenue 4.The Food:There are just so many flavours to choose from! You name it, they (almost) certainly have it: Double Choc, Ferrero, Dino Milo, Lychee, Coffee, Rum & Raisin, Banana Peanut Crunch, Green Tea, Black Sesame, Seasalt Malt, Mentos Chocolate Ball, Baileys, Mango, Strawberry Chunk and the list goes on.After much fuss, we settled on the Chunky Peanutella. The lethal "heaty" combination of peanut and nutella was so thick that it tasted like the real peanut butter stirred with nutella and accompanied by bits of peanut. We wondered how it would have tasted with some bread but was too distracted by the premium scoop of Mao Shan Wang ice cream. The older folks would've given us a chiding: "What? Peanut, nutella then Durian? You want to fall sick is it?" But, but… the creamy rendition of Durian King here is my favourite – it is a must to get a scoop of this everytime I come here! Ultra rich and creamy, Blic's Mao Shan Wang is comparable to Udders, if not better.Last but not the least, we found out that SCaM – soursop, calamansi and martini – is no scam. A very unique combination that seems popular with the fruit lovers and the girls, the concoction is sour, sweet, and dry all at once.Like we said, there are just too many flavours to choose from. So ask for a sampling at the counter before you commit to the few precious scoops you can wolf down or pay for! The rather steep prices are divided into two: $5.20 per scoop for premium choices and $3.20 for the classics. Double scoops goes for $4.80 (classic), $7.80 (premium) and $6.30 (mix). They offer sidekicks such as waffles, brownies and milkshakes as well.The Mood:Expect plain but cheerful orange walls with very simple furniture. Powerpoints are also available, which adds another reason to why Blic is so popular among the students, especially those from nearby Temasek Poly. What's more, there's free flow of water and and napkins at the self-help station.If you are driving, make sure that you park legally. The popularity of the coffeeshop nearby and of course Blic often causes congestions and frequent appearance of our favourite "Fatimah's".For pictures, more awesome food reviews or other lifestyle pieces, visit <a href="http://www.freshgrads.sg/index.php/articles/lifestyle/food/1041-blic-ice-cream-cafe.html">FreshGrads</a>!…Read More

Among the many other new fried chicken outlets in Singapore, Texas Fried Chicken opens at the Singapore Expo, the airport, and United Square.The Food:Let's go straight to the main point. There's basically two kinds of chicken to choose from: original or spicy. The original was bland and tasteless though you have to give them credit for being crunchier than at Popeyes and KFC. The spicy? People with low tolerance beware! Texas Fried Chicken takes its spicy wings more seriously than the other joints.Overall, the chicken's as fresh as the rest and less salty than those from Popeye. However, the flavouring which is what differentiates the various outlets is fares the worst. We are still with Popeye's and good old KFC.Now to the sides, the mashed potato was gross and we are almost certain its made from powder. The honey butter biscuits, however, was delightful! Sweet and tasty at the same time. Their fries are great too.Drinks-wise, there's quite a range at Texas Fried Chicken. Besides the usual soft drinks, there's Sjora juice, iced peach tea, hot chocolate, and a selection of coffee like latte, cappuccino, espresso and cafe mocha. I absolutely loved the coke float with soft serve ice cream.For an overview, you could go for the Texas Sampler ($7.80), which consists of fried chicken, honey butter biscuits, a side and a drink. Otherwise, you go for the two-piece chicken meal ($7), three-piece chicken meal ($9.60), 3 wings meal ($6.40), 3 tenders meal ($6.40) among others.The Mood:Simple, no-frills fast food joint style. Expect no cushy sofas like Starbucks! For photos and their website links, visit www.FreshGrads.Sg…Read More

Start your day right with a breakfast at Jie Traditional Bread Cafe, immersed in the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and a strong scent of brewed coffee.THE FOOD:Unlike the recent sprout of air-conditioned traditional bread cafes in Singapore like Toast Box and Ya Kun, Jie Traditional Bread Cafe is relatively less known but it sure serves up good old loaves of slightly charred bread. More importantly, the bread is baked and served in the same shop; diners could be assured of the freshness of their bread.The little cafe, situated along Serangoon road and just a stone's throw away from Kovan MRT station, offers three variants – bread (soft or toast), bun (soft or toast) and french toast. While we much preferred the bread version at Ya Kun, the soft bun version here trumps any other elsewhere. We ordered a soft bun with kaya as well as one with margarine, and both were generously spread with creamy goodness. We especially loved the way the auntie leisurely smothered the bread with kaya – to each of the four corners. Other spreads include peanut butter and strawberry jam.Not only the food's cheaper (capped at $1.40 for bread or bun with a spread), so are the drinks. The most expensive on the menu would be the iced Horlicks or Milo at $1.60. Plus, they have the brewed Hong Kong-styled Hot Lemon Tea, a treat rarely found at the other coffee joints.Other more filling breakfast items such as Curry Chicken ($4.50), which is great for dipping freshly baked bread in, Chwee Kueh ($1.50), Chee Cheong Fan ($2), and half-boiled egg ($1.20) are available too.THE MOOD:Simple. Orange-brown decor with plastic stools and swirling fans. Non-airconditioned but well-ventilated... Just like the good old days.Visit www.FreshGrads.Sg for more cool reviews!…Read More

Get high on food – literally – with Stellar @1-Altitude, perched right on top of the OUB Centre – the restaurant, at the height of 282 metres, is officially the highest in Singapore. Helmed by the executive chef for 1-Altitude, Christopher Millar, the latest venture by the group is equipped with the full works including an impressive sushi bar, an oyster bar, and a wood-fired grill and rotisserie.THE FOOD:We went for the communal dinner set, which goes at $120++ per pax, for a minimum of 10 persons. The set includes an appetiser to share, a pantry taster, a selection of contemporary sushi, a charcuterie taster, your own main course and a variety of desserts – made specially for Stellar from its sweet sister restaurant 1-Caramel just a stone's throw away. There are just too many dishes for me to review them all, so here are some highlights of my evening there. The first few dishes of foie gras croustades, which was silky and smooth, and the sashimi selection with freshly-grinded wasabi sure met my expectations but it was the sushi selection – unagi roll with avocado and unagi sauce, spicy tuna roll with katsuo furikake and spring onion, and swordfish roll with fresh crab meat, prawns, aka miso and aonori – which took my companions and my breath away. The ingredients were fresh and succulent, and the rice moist with the perfect tinge of vinegar; this definitely supports the restaurant's claim of making it a la minute. And judging by how fast the spicy tuna roll went, you could tell that it was definitely one of the most popular dishes of the night.Now for the mains, the truffle risotto with Maine lobster was my favourite out of the main courses. The risotto is cooked in shellfish stock, doused in generous amounts of truffle judging from its sweet potent smell, and served with poached Maine lobster imported from the States. Observe the silence as you savour the dish all the way to the last spoonful. The wood-fired Wagyu rib eye with deliciously creamy Paris mashed potatoes and Porcini pear sauce came a close second. And finally, to complete the perfect meal on a sweet note, we had the patisserie platter – pistachio fraise, velvety lemon pecan mousseline, azure, muscovado macadamia creme brulee and sticky date pudding. My favourite? Definitely Azure made up of layers of crisp, crunchy hazelnut biscuit, peach sanguine jelly and griotte cherries. The cherries make a surprisingly nice twist to the dessert. THE MOOD:Stellar at 1-Altitude eludes a relaxed yet sophisticated ambience but what makes it a must-go is really the view at the rooftop, where the world's tallest alfresco bar may be found. Chill out up at the roof bar for the breath-taking paranomic views of MBS, Suntec City, Esplanade, Marina Bay float, and the Singapore Flyer. Perfect for a romantic date or as an impressive business dinner.For photos, visit: www.FreshGrads.Sg…Read More

At a well-hidden corner of The Central is Santouka, a small restaurant that serves up great kurobuta pork.THE FOOD:Unknown to most Singaporeans, Santouka is a pretty famous ramen chain in Japan and around the world. According to the waitress, compared to the Shoyu (meaning soya sauce in Japanese) and miso-based ramen, the Shio (salt)-based ramen is the most popular at Santouka and much raved among Japanese media.And understandably so – after trying it for ourselves at its Singapore branch, we found the broth milky with a satisfyingly rich pork taste. The staff explained that the restaurant uses kurobuta (black pig) pork bones as the soup base. The tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen is served kyushu style with curly, springy yellow noodles, which is often sadly mistaken for instant noodles, in Santouka's signature blue bowl with umeboshi (pickled plum).Next came the highlight, tokusen toroniku (special pork cheek) ramen! This part of the pig is premium stuff since each pig obviously has only two cheeks and hence there are limited portions. The tender charshu is served separate from the soup and the right way to enjoy this dish is to dip the toroniku into the hot soup to warm it while melting the fats. Now, sit back and enjoy the sweet velvety taste that lingers in your mouth – you would not be able to get this from other parts of a pig.THE MOOD:If you are lucky, you might even get the window seats which overlooks Clarke Quay. But as a corner restaurant with no more than 25 seats, Santouka is extremely crowded and perpetually with a queue after 7pm. The service, however, is great – polite staff who offers baskets for your bags and refills water promptly. Visit www.FreshGrads.Sg for photos and more reviews!…Read More

Easily accessible for fresh graduates with holes in their pockets is Just Acia, one of the most value-for-money places for lunch in town with branches at Marina Square, Dhoby Ghaut and Suntec City. There, set lunches with free flow ice cream and drinks start from as low as $5.90.FOOD:Just Acia offers a mix of Asian cuisine – Japanese, Korean and Chinese. The restaurant's fried chicken chop set, gyoza set and spicy chicken set are priced at $5.90, and the fried salmon set and dory fillet set at $7.50. All set lunches come with miso soup and pickled cabbage as well as free flow of Magnolia ice cream and drinks including iced tea, coffee, tea and soft drinks.We particularly liked the spicy chicken set and the tom yam set, which came with sufficient hint of lemongrass. And from the speed the bulgogi beef and dumplings disappeared from the table next to ours, they must be good as well.MOODespite a bustling crowd, service at Just Acia was surprisingly fast. We were promptly handed menus upon seated. And with wireless connection and open powerpoints to charge your laptop with available within the restaurant, it is no surprise Just Acia is popular with working executuves and students.But while service is brisk, the queues at the counter, which are strangely separated into two counters, one for NETS and the other for credit cards, might put diners off.Though the restaurant does not serve the best Asian food in the area, Just Acia might just be one of the cheapest and most value-for-money in town. On weekdays, that is – the cheapest set on weekends starts about $11.90.Pictures available at: www.FreshGrads.Sg…Read More

Right at the doorstep of the new Bras Basah (depending on which exit you emerge from) is Food for Thought @Queen Street, a witty restaurant with a cosy feel, hearty portions and a good cause. For one, we were tickled by the packs of tissue paper with the sticker "Chope!" plastered across, used in place of reservation signs.THE FOOD:While waiting, we downed a Real Hot Chocolate ($5) which didn't come hot. That is promptly solved by the server though. Between milk chocolate and dark chocolate, we chose the latter. It was perfect – not too sweet and with a tinge of bitterness.We would have loved to try the Flavoured Milkshakes (choices include: Earl Grey Vanilla, Mixed Berries Vanilla and Mocha) but the prices deterred us. We secretly wished they would increase the price of their relatively cheap House White and Red Wine ($10) in return for cheaper milkshakes! First came the Potato Gratin with Garlic Mushroom ($6), a dish that is not meant to be a meal alone though it is potentially filling. Generous amounts of cheese accompanies a not-so-generous amount of potato as well as garlic mushrooms.The Broccoli & Bacon Risotto ($15), which comes with generous portions of nicely pan-fried bacon and broccoli, was extremely filling and tasty though the risotto itself was a tad too dry and slightly on the bland side. Gulping a little warm water here would do the trick.And finally, the best for the last – desserts! After all the rave reviews, the Red Velvet Cake was disappointing. What secured my return trip was instead the Peanut Butter & Jelly Pudding – basically a toppled moist peanut butter muffin drowned in sweet vanilla sauce.A must-try would be the apple crumble – the crumbles were baked to a perfect crisp, the sliced apples tart and juicy and the homemade vanilla ice-cream just so heavenly.I have yet to be hungry enough to try the Full Works ($18) – scrambled eggs, bacon, garlic mushrooms, chicken sausages, hash browns, toasted brioche with roasted tomato salad – but it came highly recommended.In all, besides the desserts, the food wouldn't make you go wow but the entire package – witty details, good causes it supports and the laid-back vibe of the restaurant – has guaranteed my return several times.THE MOOD:Having visited this branch when it first opened doors to diners, I brushed aside the sub-standard service to teething problems. But having visited Food for Thought @Queen Street for more than five times now, there is simply no excuse. There are two kinds of service staff there – the blur and the nonchalant. Well, there is no service charge and this could be overlooked for the leisurely vibe of the restaurant and its food quality.Compared to the first branch, tables at Food for Thought @Queen Street are set more spaciously apart thanks to a bigger shopfront with high ceilings. Nonetheless, reservations are strongly recommended as this branch is just as popular or even more so.Last but not the least, iced water is served free but a small note in the menu suggests you donate $2 to bless one African for a year in support of the Living Water International. The restaurant also supports eight kids from World Vision.Pictures available at: www.FreshGrads,Sg…Read More

What comes to mind when you hear Belgium waffles?You are most likely to conjure an image of a nice restaurant with fancy desserts or a classy cafe in your mind. But quality Belgium waffles - a great breakfast food as well as for dessert - can now be found at Sweet Stone Para'Ice, which also brings a wide range of hand-made gelato and authentic Belgium chocolate to Golden Mile Food Centre along Beach Road.THE FOOD:The Sweet Stone Parad'Ice, a cross-cultural establishment owned by a Belgian and a Singaporean, has a simple menu for success - Belgian Liège waffles, Belgian chocolate and hand-made gelato.Unlike the traditional soft and (strangely) greenish-yellow waffles you can typically get from Prima Deli or any heartland bakery, these are thick Belgian waffles that go very well with the rich, pure and gooey chocolate that Belgian boss Sebastian imports from home. The waffles here are made from dough instead of the usual batter and hence, has a bread-like texture. This, however, also means that it does not fit our reasonable expectation for a crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside texture. A wide range of gelato, including traditional flavours such as vanilla to more exotic ones like corn gelato, compensates for this disappointment though. Just like the waffles and chocolate dip offerings at The Sweet Stone Parad'Ice, the gelato here screams quality; a good way to cool down from the almost unbearable afternoon heat.The humble waffle place offers several sets in various combinations of its three offerings and more. Set A ($2.50) comes with one waffle and a bowl of chocolate dip, Set B ($4.20) comes with 2 waffles and a chocolate dip, and Set C ($6) is essentially set B with an additional scoop of gelato. Feeling rich? Try the Royal set ($14.50) - chocolate fondue that comes in a claypot, assortment of fruits including strawberries, bananas, grapes and honeydew - for three.The price of the desserts may turn some hawker goers away but for their offerings all fresh and handmade with high quality ingredients, it is reasonable. THE MOOD:At first glance, the little European dessert stall does not stand out from its neighbours. But take a closer look, you will find a clean, simple wood paneled wall decor and European offerings.Seats are as other hawker stalls - free for all. So, be prepared to feel a little confused and even get a few stares. After all, desserts usually mean Ching Tng or Ice Kachang in hawker centres and foodcourts.A loyalty rewards programme allows The Sweet Stone Parad'Ice customers to earn and redeem free waffles and gelato as they frequent the stall.For images, go to FreshGrads!…Read More

Pork knuckles topped with sauerkraut, an array of grilled sausages, salads, cheese, ham and cakes… I can almost wax lyrical about it. And have I already mentioned the beers? FreshGrads brings you the wonderful Sunday brunch at the Paulaner Brauhaus – a great reason to get out of bed on a sleepy weekend.The Foodaulaner Brauhaus and Restaurant offers a healthy range of original Bavarian dining that compliments the Paulaner’s masterly brewed beer excellently. For $50, enjoy the Fruhschoppen (which happily means morning pint) Sunday German brunch with free flow Paulaner beers. It is worth ditching the healthy lifestyle for!For lovers of red meat, be bowled over by the delicious pork knuckles paired with the traditional sauerkraut. The combination of firm red meat and crunchy skin with finely shredded fermented cabbage is a delight for the taste buds, especially with a swig of Paulaner.Another hit was the juicy pork leg, served by an attentive chef stationed by the wooden chopping board. Show an interest and he will whip out his carving knife to serve you a generous portion. Yum!Compliment the abundance of meat with greens to curb the guilt; Paulaner has a good range of green offerings. Try the Farmer’s Salad with feta cheese and olives, tomato salad with herb vinaigrette or the cucumber salad topped with dill.I, however, zeroed in on the warm potato salad with chives – a creamy mix of carbohydrate goodness – and the seafood salad, which was a refreshing mix of squid, shelled mussels and crab.Of course, drink plenty of beer! Paulaner Lager is medium bodied, with a slight malt sweetness and fruity, wheaty flavour; the Dark shares the sweetness but has a toasted malt flavour that finishes dry. Both are, of course, great with the Bavarian menu.Finish up the delicious meal with sweet offerings – chocolate fondue with skewered fruits, Movenpick ice cream, cake and fruits. Being a cake lover, I picked the blackforest, which put all other blackforest cakes I have tried to shame with its quality chocolate and cream, and a delightfully tangy passion fruit cake.Another hit was the tiramisu-in-a-cup, a good version of the Italian with its rich cream and coffee flavour – with the hint of rum.Give the chocolate fondue a miss though. The lack of choice in the items – there is only one choice of grape, honeydew and strawberry on a single skewer to be contended with – to be dipped is not helped by the wooden taste the fruits seem to have gotten from the skewers. On hindsight, I realized I should have paced myself through the meal. My eager, hungry approach towards the brunch buffet got me through the meal too quickly; I missed the tasty looking tomato cream soup and the chocolate mousse cake, among others.But, I will be back again!The Mood: Do not let the empty bar fool you like it did me; the action is hidden from public’s view by a lift – probably the only bar with their own to serve all their three floors – tucked in the corner.The restaurant level, where the brunch is held, is a homey place, with its wooden furnishing and red tiles reminiscent of warm kitchens.I was told that the setting was of a unique Bavarian atmosphere. The focal point of the restaurant was a huge Maibaum (Maypole), a 16th century Bavarian architectural feature. The spacious interior was also adorned with hangings of traditional Bavarian costumers and individual pendant lamps.Unfortunately for my dining companions and myself, the uncomfortable stuffy air marred our visit – and our meal. I was assured that almost never happened; their air-conditioning was just faulty that day.In all, it was a delightful experience that I would not mind getting out of bed for. The buffet goes for $50 (with free flow Paulaner beer) or $40 (with free flow soft drinks) from 11.30am to 2.30pm.It is recommended to reserve your seats. For light eaters or late sleepers, you can opt for the ala-carte menu.Visit FreshGrads for pictures and comments!…Read More

Always dreamt of helping yourself to the soft serve ice cream machine at MacDonald's? You can now do that: DIY your own frozen yogurt at self-serve froyo boutique, Swirl Art, and be prepared to eat your art out!FOOD:At each time, Swirl Art offers eight to 10 flavours such as blueberry, mango, green apple and even slightly more unusual ones like taro. The yogurt's smooth and stays frozen for sufficient time while we snap away. Though taro was surprisingly good, we particularly liked the green apple and mango-flavoured ones. Smoothies and freshly baked Belgian waffles are, too, available if just your froyo's not filling enough for you.You will also find common toppings like chocolate rice, nata de coco and freshly cut fruit to dress your yogurt with. But do beware of getting carried away with adding this and that – you pay for your masterpiece according to its weight. Every 10 grams cost you a nifty 30 cents.MOOD: This froyo shop has its machines decked out like ATMs and customers are to mix and match the various flavours then sprinkle all the toppings they want to their heart's desire. But while the interactivity's great fun, it is the quality of the froyo that would keep us returning.Visit <a href="http://www.freshgrads.sg/index.php/articles/lifestyle/food/896-swirl-art.html">here</a> for more pictures! …Read More

"I'm Full of Crab!" buffet by the SQUARE restaurant, part of the "Flavours of the World" Buffet, is as its name suggests - a sinful free-flow of crabs. On top of other side dishes, diners may order and eat as many chilli crabs, black pepper crabs and garlic butter crabs as they can finish at the SQUARE restaurant. The FreshGrads team seeks to satisfy our carbohydrate cravings there.THE FOOD:Besides the exciting free-flow of crabs, the crab-themed buffet offers other mouthwatering dishes such as gourmet Italian antipasto selection (parma ham, salami and char-grilled vegetables), XO seafood fried rice, Japanese Salmon sashimi, cook-to-order seafood laksa and durian pengat (thick durian paste dessert) among others.We went straight for the crab extravaganza. After all, it is the most expensive item on the menu. Crabs are not served in whole but portions for one. However, our first choice, the garlic butter crabs, were greatly disappointing. The butter was cooked gooey to the extent of gross. Next, we tried the black pepper crab which was satisfyingly peppery and fresh. Having said that, except for being a tad too sweet, the chilli crab was pretty well done but unfortunately overshadowed by the black pepper crabs.Like most buffets, everything was so-so at the "I'm Full of Crab!" buffet… But the black pepper crabs as mentioned and the durian pengat were exceptional. The salads were fresh, the cheese selection adequate, and there were about a dozen desserts including the usual mango pudding and tiramisu, but what really took our breath away was the durian pengat. Thick with bits of durian meat, we each had at least three servings of this dessert.THE MOOD:Located on the level 7 of the Novotel Clarke Quay hotel, The Square restaurant specialises in international and asian buffet, and regularly comes up with different themed buffets. Service is tip-top and managers are friendly. Ice water was served instantly.From now until end June, lunch goes at $27++ per person (usual: $34++) and dinner, $36++ per person (usual: $45++). For kids, it's $22++ for lunch and $25++ for dinner. For senior citizens, it's $22 nett. There is also a 15% off the total bill for CitiBank card members.While it might not be the best buffet we have tried, it is not the most expensive as well. Worth a try if you have the cash to spare and happen to be sick of all the Japanese food in the Clarke Quay area. …Read More