As we had just finished our karaoke session at Party World Clementi, we decided to shop around Clementi Mall for a quick dinner fix.

Ootoya offers pretty authentic Japanese fare that will not burn a hole in your pocket. I especially like their concept where you get to choose other rice varieties that are healthier and tastier!

Belly Shio Koji ($23.50++)
The pork belly was very nicely marinated and grilled. It was tender and chewy but I found it a tad too oily. The set also comes with rice (we chose the mixed grain variety), miso soup, some preserved vegetables and chawanmushi.
Yasai Seiro ($4.00++)
This is basically steamed vegetables consisting of broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lotus roots, and radish. A very healthy side dish to complement the main course. Maccha Mousse ($7.00++)
The Maccha Mousse is rich and silky in texture. It is not too sweet and brings out the full flavours and fragrance of green tea! A really great dessert that is quintessentially Japanese. Warabimochi ($7.00++)
This is a really light dessert that does not make me feel guilty at all. The mochi is soft and melts instantly in the mouth.

Overall, it was a satisfying meal that makes me wanna go back for more, especially for their desserts!

We were running some errands around town and decided to pop by Bakerzin for lunch and some dessert.

Chick Pea Soup ($6.90++)
An uncommon offering spotted in local menus, this soup not only looked appetizing but tasted great too! The rich and creamy texture will definitely make you crave for more. Barramundi Fish ($17.90++)
The fish was fresh and blended well with the aromatic cream sauce that exuded a hint of buttery fragrance. Nicely presented and suited our palate. Warm Chocolate Cake ($11.50++)
Bakerzin’s signature molten chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries. The cake was moist and chewy but somehow lacked the “oomph” factor. Nevertheless, it was still a yummy treat! Overall, Bakerzin’s regularly updated menu offers an array of delectable mains and desserts that not only look pretty, but tickle the palate with its delicious taste too!

We were here for a second visit to redeem our complementary set of half-ribs as we had just signed up for their membership.

This time round, the husband had the Ribeye Steak while I had the Tony Roma’s Red Hots Rib.

Ribeye Steak ($34.90++)
The steak was rich and flavourful. Flamed-grilled to perfection, the smoky taste coupled with steak’s natural juices was simply delicious! The portion was generous and left the husband contended and satisfied.

Half-rack Tony Roma’s Red Hots Ribs ($22.90++)
Their signature ribs were tender and soft as usual, with the right balance of fats and meat. Laced with a zesty blend of peppers and Tabasco sauce, the ribs were surprisingly more tangy then spicy. The portion was just nice for one pax. Overall, it was a good dining experience with quality food and pretty decent service! We will be back for more

The husband and I brought our parents here for a birthday lunch celebration and ordered four sets of “Valuable Seafood Lunch Set” ($32++). Each set comprised of four exquisitely prepared dishes and diners even get to enjoy the dessert buffet spread. Set A
Jumbo Oyster with Green Chili Marmalade
Image gulping down one fat and succulent oyster – indulgence overload! And did we mention that this is by far one of the freshest we’ve tasted in Singapore! Golden Braised Shredded Abalone & Bamboo Piths Soup
The soup was flavourful as evident by the fresh quality ingredients used. Pan-fried Prawn with “Hoi Xing” Sauce
This was a disappointment. Although the sauce was rich and tasty, this “would-be” star dish was smeared by the no-so-fresh prawns used as evident from the shells that were “stuck” to the prawns. Thai Curry Fish Fillet with Garlic Bread
The fish curry was rich and creamy. The aromatic fragrance of the spices was thoroughly absorbed by the fish fillet. The two giant slices of garlic bread that accompanied this dish were crispy and tasty. Overall, the curry was moderate (not too spicy) and a little on the heavy side (thick and creamy). Set B
Spicy Lemon Fan Scallop with Salad Prawn
One phrase to sum this up: Looks may be deceiving. No doubt regarding the freshness of this delightfully presented dish. However, the taste paled in comparison to other dishes served (perhaps only beating the chili prawns in terms of the freshness of the ingredients used). The lemon sauce tasted bitter and masked the natural sweetness of the scallop. Braised Crab Meat with Dried Seafood Soup
Akin to shark’s fin soup, this was a well cooked broth comprising of fresh quality ingredients. Baked Cod Fish with Pepper Cream Sauce
A definite must try! This was probably the star dish and highlight of the set lunch menu. The cod fish was baked to perfection and was soft and tender. The cod fish was very fresh and the natural juices and sweetness was well preserved. In addition, the slightly spicy pepper cream sauce added a zesty kick to the overall taste, greatly enhancing the flavours of this dish. Crispy Thread Noodles with Crab Meat in Supreme Stock
The seafood stock was light and exuded the sweetness of fresh crab meat. The crispy thread noodles were complemented with a generous portion of soft crab meat. The intertwining textures were a delight to savour. The desserts – ranging from fresh fruits, nyonya kuehs, puddings in glass shots, Chinese pancakes and ice jelly – were in all, were a nice complement to our mains. To sum it all up, this is a must visit for all seafood lovers, despite a couple of misses as experienced.

We decided to head down to Jumbo Seafood @ Dempsey for a triple celebration – CNY lunch with parents + mum’s birthday + Valentine’s Day lunch. What a combination, right?

The place was nicely decorated with CNY ornaments and we were promptly ushered to our table.

Pen Cai ($268++)
Simply delicious and heavenly! This Pen Cai tasted much better than Paradise Group’s one which we had during reunion dinner. Laced with live prawns, baby abalone, dried and fresh scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw and many other delicacies; the sweetness and essences of the myriad of ingredients emerged from the pot and a whirl of flavours greeted our taste buds. The ingredients blended harmoniously together and the soup broth was rich and tasty. The stars of the dish – live prawns, baby abalone, scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw and mushrooms – were fresh and well braised. The only shortfall, I feel, were the baby abalones which were slightly overcooked, and therefore, tougher than usual.

The hidden gems - boiled chicken and roasted duck tucked at the bottom of the pot – were light, soft and tender, a complement to the rich flavours exuded by the sea treasures.

Yu Sheng ($48++)
The waitress that helped prepare our Prosperity Yu Sheng was friendly and warm. Auspicious words were uttered with every ingredient added and soon, we were tossing to a bountiful snake year ahead! Good ol’ traditional lo-hei during this festive period to usher in abundance, prosperity, vigor and harmony among the family. Truly a memorable and exceptional dining experience – where we unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and where family bond blossoms.