I really enjoyed our first visit to Man Fu Yuan as their quality of food was outstanding (albeit a couple of slips here and there) and their service level, commendable. Although the menu was on the pricier end, the overall ambience and dining experience justified the cost.

Siew Mai ($6.80++)
Topped with fresh scallop and fish roe, the Siew Mai was tastefully prepared. The firm yet texture was a delight to savour. One of the must orders here! Beef Ball ($6.80++)
The Beef Ball was a disappointment though. It was rather bland and overly soft (almost to the extent of crumbling upon the touch of my chopsticks). Somehow, the beef didn't taste very fresh as well and resulted in the lackluster review. Radish Cake ($5.20++)
A simple and wholesome treat for the palate. The Radish Cake was soft, flavourful and not too oily. I particularly liked the fact that it was not too starchy with more real radish chunks rather than flour present. Roast Meat Platter ($32++)
We ordered their Char Siew, Roast Duck and Roast Chicken and it was really authentic and delicious! The Char Siew was slightly charred and crispy at the sides and chewy in the centre. The Roast Duck and Chicken were exceptionally soft, succulent and delectable – a true hallmark of a Cantonese restaurant!

Steamed Custard Bun ($12++)
Although this was rated as one of their signature dishes, I found it rather average and lacked the wow-factor. The bun was quite thick and a little on the tough side. Thankfully, the custard was rich, gooey and flavorsome. We will definitely be back to try out their other offerings soon!

I was privileged to be invited to the OpenRice food tasting event at Ambush. Upon entering, the sight that immediately greeted me was a bright and spacious interior overlooking a sky garden – a warm and inviting ambience to spend an afternoon over good food and company!

Ambush serves up a wide array of European cuisine – ranging from Swiss German Wurst, Belgium Moules/Palourde, Spanish Paella, French entree to Italian Pasta – that will definitely satisfy your palate without emptying your wallet. For the reader's info, they are currently running an Oktoberfest promotion featuring interesting fusion creations such as the Curry Wurst and Chicken Gordon Bleu which I found to be quite delectable. Do read on for my reviews of some of the more impressionable dishes which I enjoyed...

Curry Wurst ($16.50++)
The star of this dish was actually the zesty BBQ/curry sauce that accompanied the pan seared Bartwurst. The Bartwurst were crispy on the outside, while tender and juicy on the inside with a hint of tanginess. When dipped into the accompanying sauce, the full flavours of the Bartwurst was instantly released with a zesty and refreshing aftertaste.

Chicken Corden Bleu ($18.50++)
I have always loved Chicken Corden Bleu, with its multiple textures encrusted underneath the crispy breaded layer. The generous amount of cheese oozing out from the tender chicken breast was definitely an inviting sight. The taste and texture of the chicken was just right and blended well with the creamy mushroom sauce and braised red cabbage.

Ambush Paella ($14.20++)
My favourite dish served during the food tasting! Topped with white clams, mussels, scallops, prawns and sliced bacon/sausages, the rice exudes a hint of light buttery fragrance complemented by the natural sweetness of fresh seafood ingredients. Delicious! Poulet Roti ($17.20++)
A tastefully prepared entree. The chicken leg was very soft, tender and literally melted in your mouth. Special mention goes to the grainy mustard mash potato which added a complementing texture to this dish. Baby Scallop & Flying Fish Roe - Squid Ink Sauce ($14.80++)
I was initially quite apprehensive to try out this dish after an awful experience with squid ink sauce pasta. However, the taste was pretty acceptable (the squid ink was fresh definitely!). I thought this dish was quite well prepared, well done. We were treated to an extensive selection of drinks and desserts as well. I ordered the Green Apple Mojito ($5.50++) , one of their signature drinks recommended by the restaurant manager, and found it to be very refreshing and visually appealing! However, I thought that the desserts were a little anti-climax and paled in comparison to the mains. The Tiramisu ($6.80++) was quite dry with an overpowering layer of chocolate powder that masked the overall taste of the mascarpone cheese and coffee. The Chocolate Lava Souffle ($8.80++) and Molten Chocolate Brownie ($6.80++) were pretty average and lacked the Oomph factor. The Apple Crisp ($6.80++) naturally became the better tasting desserts of the day (though there's still much room for improvement). I felt that they could be more generous with their apple chunks (and less of the apple puree) to improve on the overall texture of this dessert.

Overall, it was a pretty enjoyable luncheon on an idyllic lazy Saturday afternoon.

Thank you Ambush for the scrumptious lunch! I will be back to try out the other offerings in the menu!

We were shopping around the vicinity and decided to drop by Waraku for some interesting bites.

Hiyayako ($3.80++)
The cold tofu was silky smooth and firm – one of the better ones we've tasted so far! Beef Houba ($16.80++)
Grilled over the Japanese Magnolia, the beef slices were infused with the natural aroma of the leaf, making it really tasty and fragrant. The rich taste of the beef blended perfectly with the flavour of the soybean paste. It was not only a feast for the eyes, but a tantalising experience for the palate as well.

Sashimi ($16.80++)
The sashimi was quite fresh as well. Nothing fanciful, just good ol' sashimi to satisfy our craving for high quality protein and omega-3. Ika Maruyaki ($14.80++)
Another tastefully grilled squid that was soft on the inside yet slightly charred on the outside. Topped with a special teriyaki sauce that was surprisingly light yet flavoursome , every bite into the succulent squid was simply irresistible!

Nestled within Raffles Town Club, Miyabi offers authentic Japanese fine dining cuisines at pocket friendly price tags! Their food quality is commendable with prime, quality ingredients used. Service wise, the waiters/waitresses were friendly and attentive to our needs.

Shake Harasu Carpaccio ($16+)
This cold starter is an impressive and deliciously fresh way to start a meal. The zesty marinade over the fresh salmon slices makes this starter even more the appetising.

Sashimi & Teppanyaki Set ($38+)
The Sashimi & Teppanyaki Set consists of 8-pcs thick and fresh sashimi slices (just look at how translucent the salmon sashimi are to imagine the sweetness and quality of it ;)), 3-pcs grilled giant scallops topped with teriyaki marinade and a piece of fried salmon skin, grilled salmon with miso marinade, bean sprouts, and teppanyaki beef cubes grilled to perfection.

I especially enjoyed the succulent teppanyaki scallops that were oh-so-juicy-and-chewy!

Fugu Mirin ($14+)
One of the rarer items found in local menus, the air-dried puffer fish slices tasted somewhat similar to grilled cuttlefish but sweeter and more refined in taste and texture.


Overall, it was a delectable dining experience that left us eagerly looking forward to our next visit. A perfect place to celebrate special occasions with your loved ones!

We visited Olio Cafe for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the food variety and quality. The husband ordered their Golden Fish n Chips ($16.50++) and found it to be quite tasty. The fish was tender and moist while the batter had just the right amount of fluff. However, for that price, the portion seemed a little too stingy. Service wise, the waitresses were quite attentive and polite. We will definitely visit again to try out the other mains which look all-so-mouth-watering from the menu!