OR_Editor's Profile

Chicken rice without chicken? Many of us would think this is absurd, but not Chef Adrian Ling. With Pidgin Kitchen & Bar, he breaks the boundaries of our minds and merges two different cuisines to come up with original and intriguing creations. These successful kitchen experiments, which were the results of his childhood memories and travels across Southeast Asia, can now be found in his new restaurant’s menu.Take, for example, the Chicken Rice Arancini ($8++), which is inspired from the iconic Singapore dish. But instead of serving it in chicken rice slices like we’re all used to, he prepares it differently by cooking the scarmoza cheese-filled carnaroli rice in chicken fat. Served with sweet garlic chilli jam dip, it brings the essence of chicken rice to a whole new level. That's not the only unique item at Pidgin. To find out more of its offerings, read the full review here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=748…Read More

The renovated outlet of Bread Society at Suntec City looks more inviting than ever. When you take the Esplanade MRT (exit A), it’s the first thing you’ll see once you enter the mall. And boy, does it give a good first impression with its bright and spacious interior, marble-top tables and floorings, rustic chairs, and eye-catching intricate glass lamps. It also has tall glass walls which allow the natural light to enter, making the ambiance look more cheery.With the recent renovation of Bread Society, the bigger space now features a boulangerie and a 35-seater café. Diners and shoppers can drop by any time and enjoy the new dine-in menu which offers breakfast items, lunch specials, and classic desserts.Care to find out what the new offerings are, read the full review here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=760…Read More

30 dishes in 2 hours - sounds more like a food challenge, but it’s actually Seafood International’s way of celebrating its big 3-0. In the course of its run in the F&B industry, the restaurant at Big Splash, East Coast has fed us with some of the best seafood dishes and other items in Singapore.The 30-course set dinner re-introduces the restaurant's Thai signatures, Singapore Classics, as well as its all-time favourites. The promotion menu includes free flow wines, beers, and desserts; this runs from 16 September to 31 October 2013. With this hard-to-resist deal, the restaurant hopes to cater to more customers by having 2 seating times: 5:30pm to 7:30m pm and 8pm to 10:30pm. As for the sumptuous offerings, it’s always best to start with the appetisers and soups. The available items are the Freshly Shucked Oyster served with green chilli marmalade, Shooter of Mango with Crab Meal Salad, and the Poached Tiger Prawn & Gong Gong on Ice, Spicy Cocktail Sauce. The seafoods are always served fresh for they are only cooked upon order. To complement these dishes, pair them with one (or all) of the unlimited wines which come with the set. For full-bodied tastes, go for the red wines which just highlight the freshness of the seafood. But for something sweeter, the lighter flavours of white wines are your best bet. Soupy options are also available, such as the Green Chilli Seafood Chowder; a rich and peppery soup which warms your stomach and prepares it for the feast ahead.That's just the preview, to know all 30 dishes, read the full review here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=743…Read More

Good international restaurants are meant to be shared. One such place is Thailand’s Nara Thai, which was founded by Yuki Srikarnchana back in 2006. With a simple goal of sharing authentic Thai street food in a more comfortable setting, the concept was quickly picked up by foodies and later on grew to become a popular chain in Bangkok. It has also consistently appeared in Thailand Tatler’s Best Restaurants List since 2007. Having established itself as one of the best Thai restaurants, it was only natural for Nara Thai to expand overseas. Backed up by managing partners John Wangwanitkul, Christopher Tan, Director Alex Ye, and other local investors, the restaurant has finally made it to Singapore with the first outlet opening on 12 September 2013. Occupying a nook at ION Orchard's B3 level, Nara Thai evokes the same look and feel as all its other restaurants in Bangkok.Nara Thai brings to Singapore authentic dishes which has made it so popular in its country. For appetisers, you can’t go wrong with the Hors d’oeuvre Nara, which consists of Tord Mun Pla (Thai fish cakes) topped with peanuts, Gai Hor Bai Toei (Pandan Chicken), Satay Gai (Barbequed Chicken in Turmeric and Coconut Milk Marinade), and Yum Som O (Pomelo Salad). With just one order, there’s already a bit of everything for sampling: a spicy but refreshing salad, nutty satay; and sweet and juicy chicken. Have these with other nibbles such as the Kao Tang Na Tang(Rice Crackers) and the Pla Kung (hot and spicy salad with Thai herbs). For more items, check out the full article: http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=738…Read More

If you have been a loyal fan of Brazilian cuisine and culture, brace yourself for the newest member of The Dining Edition at Marina Square – Carnivore Appetite, a new Brazilian offering in buffet style launched on 1 August.Be greeted by well-trained Brazilian chefs through the 4.8-metre show window at the entrance, as they demonstrate their skills in meat-marinating and grilling on the rotating spit. Carnivore Appetite boasts a custom-made charcoal rotisserie in the middle of a 13.5-metre long buffet line, clearly the star of the restaurant.Some highlights on the rotisserie include the Lamb Shoulder with Garlic and Mint and Beef Topside with Mozzarella, where each divine bite of beef is stuffed with the goodness of mozzarella cheese. You can also smother your aromatic plate of grilled meat with any of three classic sauces – Mushroom, Port Wine or Homemade Barbeque. And to complement the meats, the Caramelized Pineapple are yours for the taking. For other dishes, read the full article here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=725…Read More

You’ve probably heard about E!GHT Korean BBQ - the latest restaurant to join the cluster of eateries at The Central, Clarke Quay. Brought to you by Jamie and Kristin Lim (who also gave us Sticky candies), the owners wanted to introduce a unique dining concept to a country where foodies are always on the lookout for unique eateries to try.Enter, E!GHT Korean BBQ which introduces us to the 8 Colour Set. Many people are actually buzzing about this offering, so to find out what we think about it, read our review:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=730…Read More

Only a few people know about the exceptional food this beautiful country has to offer. We mean, how many of you can really tell us what New Zealand food is like? If you’re not too sure, then you can find out the answer at Fern & Kiwi.The restaurant has brought to Singapore authentic New Zealand cuisine. Translation: it only uses local NZ ingredients to come up with mains and desserts. Now that it’s been in Singapore for more than a year, its goal is to introduce more authentic items to the local palate by revamping the menu. The wine selection has also been updated to give diners more choices to pair with their food items.New Zealand is more than just a “meat” country – it’s also got massive lands which grow vegetables and other produce. Since it’s also made up of islands, seafood is quite abundant. With Fern & Kiwi’s new menu, it has incorporated these factors to come up with new items. A refreshing start is the Kumara Salad ($22), which is made with grilled sweet potato, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, radish, and feta cheese. We quite liked how the Balsamic vinegar dressing provided a stronger taste to the overall dish. Meats are also abundant at Fern & Kiwi. To find out what these are, read the full review:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=741…Read More

Surrounded by Newton’s lush landscape, Skyve Wine Bistro is a chic, modern bistro situated just minutes away from Orchard Road. Its discreet location makes it the perfect hideaway for those seeking refuge from our ruthless urban jungle. So what do you get when you throw delish bites and incredibly affordable wine into the combo? Well, you have yourself a new favourite place to kick back and relax in town!With nearly 20 new additions to the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice dining at Skyve. An excellent starter to go with would be the Sous-vide Egg & Spaghettini ($18++) – this truffle-infused pasta delight makes us think of brunch on a lazy Sunday morning with its soft poached egg and bits of iberico ham.Other lovely starters we recommend include the Crab & Tomato Momotaro ($22++), which consists of crabmeat, confit of tomato momotaro, Thai-style basil pesto and lime sorbet, as well as the incredibly clean-tasting Compressed Watermelon Oyster ($34++ for 1/2 dozen of each type of oyster), a mix of diced compressed watermelon, pickled watermelon green and extra virgin olive oil.To read the full review, click herehttp://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=651…Read More

Lunchtime just got a little more interesting with overdoughs, a quaint little bakery specialising in modern and traditional versions of Arabic sweets and pastries. A chip off the old artichoke block, overdoughs is located right next door to its humble predecessor and now has a simple but dangerously addictive lunch menu for those who want a taste of the Mediterranean. Available from 12pm to 2pm on weekdays, the concept of the overdoughs lunch menu is all about mixing and matching so you basically have the freedom to choose what you like, from the base to the fillings and sauces.Interested to find out what fillings are available, click here for the full review:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=628…Read More

Little India’s status as a dining hotspot just got a big boost with the addition of Jewel Café + Bar. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Little India’s main streets, this casual chic dining concept is located on Rangoon Road and has a little bit of everything on the menu. From scrumptious comfort food to original cocktails and of course, its signature specialty coffee (does Jewel Coffee ring a bell? Jewel Café + Bar is actually the artisanal coffee house’s second outlet), you can definitely find something to tantalise your taste buds here.With such a laid-back vibe to it, Jewel Café + Bar makes it tough to leave the place long after you’ve finished your meal. And trust us, no matter which spot you pick out of the three dining areas – be it the al fresco patio, the cosy second storey, or the main dining area on the first level – you’ll feel the same way.Got a monstrous appetite? Just feeling peckish? There’s nothing more satisfying than some good ol’ comfort food!…Read More

Dempsey is arguably one of our top destinations when it comes to some late night bites and drinks. Well, if you ever decide to hang out here any time of the week, why don’t you visit the latest addition to the restaurant and bar scene — Tigerlily?Located where Dempsey Brasserie used to be, the Asian tapas bar promises you a relaxing and enjoyable experience within its unique and cosy interior. As soon as you step inside this place, you will immediately be mesmerised with its unique décor. Hanging from the ceiling are 88 birdcage lights which remind you of HK director Wang Kai Wai’s movies (that is, if you're familiar with his works). These lights give a warm yellow glow to the bar and accentuate the oriental furnishings of this tapas bar.At Tigerlily, you can drink and be merry with the wide range of alcoholic beverages on its menu. Beer drinkers can cheers to draught beers such as Heineken or Guinness. There are also Asian bottled beers available which include Chang, Huda, Asahi, or Tsingtao. As for the food, they have quite a number of choices which are inspired from Asian cuisine. Interested to find out what they are? Click here for the full review:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=614…Read More

From now until 31 May 2013, the restaurant is having its Seafood Fiesta promotion which makes all these favourites available for dinner!There are quite a lot of offerings so we help you out by listing down some recommendations. You can warm up your stomach first and head over to the Appetiser Section. Here you can find the Oyster Shooter, Fresh Prawns on Sesame Toast, Tangy Crabmeat Cake with Coriander Leaves, Spicy Squid Salad, Deep-Fried Crab Claws, Gratinated Half Shell Scallops with Fresh Herbs and Tangy Crabmeat with Coriander Leaves and Baked Whole Salmon.Over at the seafood section, you can relish on Black Mussels Tiger Prawns, Australian Queen Scallops, Fresh Oysters, as well as Flower Crabs! Feast on this together with some crab dishes which include Stir-Fried Egg Yolk, Stir-fried Crab with Black Pepper Sauce, and Stir-fried Chilli Crab.The restaurant has many other sections you have to visit for the fresh seafood offerings. To read the review, click here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=590…Read More

There’s no need to fly all the way to Paris for some amazing macarons – you can visit Ladurée at Takashimaya Shopping Centre for the store’s famed dainty delicacies and much more!Even before the official opening this morning at 10am, loyal fans of the French patisserie were already hanging around and eyeing the rows and rows of brightly-coloured macarons. In Takashimaya you’ll find not one outlet but two – with the more prominent, open-concept one situated on the first floor, right by Chanel, and the boutique store on the second floor. Macarons here are priced at $3.80 per piece and you can either box it or bag it, depending on how many pieces you’re buying (for those wondering, a box of eight macarons is $30.40).The macaron flavours are pretty much the same as those found in its flagship store on Champs-Élysées in Paris. Don’t expect anything specially created for local taste buds (not right now at least). We loved the ever-popular Salted Caramel, as well as the classic Vanilla. A couple of macarons you might wanna grab fast are Marie Antoinette and Chocolate Yuzu as these are seasonal flavours.To read our full review, click here:http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=607…Read More

Have you tried visiting the Botanic Gardens for a little escape from the city? Well, if you appreciate such Zen, we suggest popping by on a weekday for some absolute peace and quiet and enhance the experience by tucking into some exquisite lunch specials at The Halia.Located somewhere in the middle of all the greenery, the ambience at The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens is one that is unrivalled. Dining here feels almost like a quick getaway!The new weekday lunch specials feature divine creations by Aussie Chef Peter Rollinson. Perfect for executive lunches or a private lunch date, the lunch specials are available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 4pm and come in your choice of a 2-course meal or a 3-course meal (both with coffee or tea, 2-course without dessert) at an affordable price of just $28++ and $32++ respectively. To find out the dishes for these menus, click here to read the full review: http://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=600…Read More

As a one of the gazillion eateries located in Clarke Quay, Octapas has gained quite a number of loyal fans due to its authentic tapas offerings as well as a whole lot of choices with its alcoholic beverages. Now, there are more things to look forward to when you visit this restaurant. First up is the look and feel. To give the feeling that you’re dining in Spain, the whole place is modelled after a traditional tapas place. The interior is dimly lit by shades of bold yellow and red, and the décor somehow reminds you of grandma’s house with those brick walls, wooden tables and chairs, and old photographs surrounding the place. There’s also an al fresco area if you prefer to enjoy your food while admiring the scenic view of the Singapore River and the rest of Clarke Quay.As for the food, there’s more to just tapas especially now that it has come up with the Bay of Biscay menu. A collaboration with Consultant Chef Javier Lecumberri (who hails from San Sebastian, Spain), his contributions feature rustic Basque creations which you can now have a taste of right here in Singapore! To find out what these dishes are, click the link for the full reviewhttp://sg.openrice.com/singapore/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=604…Read More