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Blacktulip
This is Blacktulip living in Tampines. I am a HR Generalist, work in Tanjong Pagar. I like to hang out in Clarke Quay, Bedok, Tampines. Japanese, Peranakan / Nonya are my favorite cuisines. I also love Food Court, Hotel, Restaurant and Seafood, Steamboat/Hot Pot, Sushi/Sashimi.
Member 32 First(s)
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A spread fit for a King Smile May 08, 2012   
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Categories : Multi-Cuisine | Hotel | Restaurant | Sushi/Sashimi | Buffet

I was extremely honored to be invited to ORTU (Openrice Tasty Union) #20 for Plaza Brasserie's High Tea buffet. This is actually the first ORTU after stopping for a short while. Upon setting foot into the restaurant, we were greeted by Karen Chang (Marcoms Manager) who also toured us around the restaurant introducing the food and pointing out specialties to us.

Leading the kitchen was none other than Singaporean Executive Chef Jackson Goh. Although Chef Jackson joined ParkRoyal only in 2007, he brought with him years of experience. Chef Jackson came a long way having started cooking at the young age of 13 while still in school. His passion, creativity and excellent skills has been widely recognized by the Singapore International Halal Showcase in 2008 as well as Singapore Gourmet Hunt in 2003. He is extremely well versed in French and Asia fusion cuisine.
Some buffet spread

Some buffet spread

 
This photo didn't do justice to the awesome spread of goodies at the restaurant. But it's a good sneak preview to what you would be expecting.

 
Had a simple start of spreads and biscuit. Nothing too fanciful as I prefer to start my meal really light.

 
Created my own cold platter with prawns, mussels, tomato salad and very fresh lettuce. The prawns are very fresh and succulent. The sweetness that comes from the meat of the prawn engulf my entire tastebud so much so that I keep going for the prawns. Took a little bit of sushi just to try the taste. Realized that they don't make a whole lot of sushi and leave them in open air. Rather, they make enough and constantly top them up. Good move coz that way, the sushi remains fresh.

 
It was totally taken aback when I ordered salmon sashimi and this was served. At most buffet restaurants that I went to, I would get a plate with at most 4 pieces of sashimi and that's about it. But this one, they are really generous. And not forgetting how fresh the sashimi is!!!

 
The prawn noodles tasted really authentic. The soup was so tasty that I wasted no time in gulping down the entire bowl of soup. As we were told that their signature dish was sea cucumber and soft shell crab, I took some to try. The sea cucumber cooked well. Didn't have the soft mushy feel. Instead, the meat was springy and the entire taste of the sauce had sipped into the sea cucumber making it extremely yummy. The soft shell crab was a little disappointment. I reckon the crispiness was not there because it was left in the open for too long. So the crispiness turned soggy.

 
The drunken prawns is a must have. I finished mine and helped my friend finish hers as well. You can actually taste the strong rice wine in the soup. Best to drink while hot.

 
Ended my high tea with my favorite tau suan and English breakfast tea. The tau suan wasn't exactly the best. Something is missing and I can't quite pick out with is missing. The restaurant served a whole range of Twinnings and we were really spoilt for choice.

 
Before we left the place, we were served carrot cake. It was sweet and I like it that they put walnuts on the top of the cake. Didn't manage to finish because well, I ate too much.

This is definitely a place I would go back again.
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 5  |  
Service
 5  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Beer market stock market Smile May 07, 2012   
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Categories : Multi-Cuisine | Bars/Lounges | Live Sports Broadcast

I think the concept is really cool. There is this panel that shows the beer prices. And it changes all the time depending on the demand. Once the market closes and reopen, the price of beer will change according to how much it was sold before the market closes. Yah, it is very much like stock market....except that instead of selling stock, they are selling beer.
Strawberry beer

Strawberry beer

 
I had the strawberry beer. The first one was $12. When I wanted to get my second bottle, the price jumped to $16.80. So I waited until the market reopens (normally, when the price is high, not many people will buy. When market reopens again, the price will go down due to lack of demand). The moment market reopens, the beer was going at $12.60. I didn't hesitate to get my second bottle. It was actually quite fun. On taste, the beer was slightly sweetened. The fruity taste was awesome. For some reasons, fruit beers are always nice.

 
For food, I ordered the grilled pork cheese bratwurst. It's served with home-made sauce, sliced potatoes, onions and seasonal vegetables. The sauce is actually their own black pepper sauce and it is definitely spicy!!! The fat juicy sausages tasted great too. The black pepper sauce added a spicy feel to the cheesy sausages. I don't really like to eat potatoes, but this one tasted yummy. It must be the way they cook it. I would surely go back for another round sometime in the near future! ($13).

 
Spending per head: Approximately $38(Dinner)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Return of the mini steamboat Smile May 07, 2012   
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Categories : Fusion | Restaurant | Porridge/Congee | Steamboat/Hot Pot

After our recent trip to Joaquim, we were given a voucher to come back for a 1 for 1 buffet. As I really love the crispy skin roast pork, my first stop was to march to the counter but they were not serving it. Quite a pity actually. But I had some other nice food too.
Mee soto

Mee soto

 
First on our table is their version of mee soto. It's a buffet so do not expect a big bowl. This tiny bowl is yummy especially the soup. I drank up the entire bowl. It wasn't very oily unlike those you see in hawker centre where there's one inch of oil on top of the soup. The noodles blends in very well with the soup base and you can't even feel the starchy taste that normally comes with fat yellow noodles.
Rojak

Rojak

 
Didn't get to mix my own rojak. It was done by one of the chefs at the counter. The sweetness is just right. Peanut was also sparingly added.
poh piah

poh piah

 
Again poh piah was soggy coz we left it on the table for too long before consuming it. That's the problem with bringing too many items onto the table. Should have ordered this only when we want to eat. But the fillings is good. Didn't taste too salty or sweet. I can say that it is just right for my taste bud. Would have been less cold if we didn't leave it there for so long.
Seafood with chilli crab sauce

Seafood with chilli crab sauce

 
We still like the chilli crab sauce. They will cook the seafood for you (except fish) and you get to choose the sauce. This time we had mussels, prawns and crabs.
Mini steamboat pots

Mini steamboat pots

 
We order two soup base. My partner had the tom yam and I had the chicken. As they are not using the normal stove, we can't adjust the temperature. So if there's not enough good in there, you will see your soup boiling. To get around it, I'll normally stuff lots of veges. I love veges so I tend to eat everything I stuff in the little pot.
chicken rice and mushroom

chicken rice and mushroom

 
Tried abit of the chicken rice coz the soup was too filling. Wasn't exactly the chicken taste you get at hawker centre. The taste was too blend. The chicken meat was tender though...so it made up for the lack of taste in the rice.
Burbur hitam

Burbur hitam

 
First dessert was the burbur hitam. I found it too sticky. Looks more like sticky glue than a dessert. But I ate it anyway. Didn't think it was any special.
Mixed desserts

Mixed desserts

 
Left the cakes to the last bit. Logan almond jelly was ok. Mango pudding wasn't too spectacular that I would want to brag about. The carrot cake wasn't too amazing either. The cream on top was tasteless. Would be good if it can be slightly sweeter abit. But then again, it's a personal taste. The tiramisu was the only dessert I can say it's nice smile

We ordered coke 3 times before the service crew decides to serve it to us. That can definitely be improved.
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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HongKong delights Smile May 05, 2012   
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Categories : Cantonese/Hong Kong | Restaurant

Walked past Kim Gary whenever I shop in Cold Storage but never get the chance to try. Finally decided to hop in because of the 1 for 1 offer after 9.30pm.

Kim Gary restaurant first opened it's doors in 1992 in Sham Shui Po (Tong Mei Road)...yes, it's near Ap Liu Street where you get your brand new and second hand techie products. From Hong Kong, they have since expanded to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Singapore (and still growing). They have brought in authentic Hong Kong taste to this very land.

 
I tried the hot and spicy noodles with pork chop when I was in JB so I thought it would be interesting to try the chicken wings one. I like the springy feeling of the noodles. It wasn 't over cooked. The soup base was also very yummy. There were 2 chicken wings (with the drum stick) included with the noodles. And I can say that the quality of their food is across the board (well, at least between JB and Singapore). $8.80

 
Date of Visit: Apr 29, 2012 

Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 5  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Sweet indulgence Smile Apr 29, 2012   
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Categories : Multi-Cuisine | Restaurant

A good way to spend some cozy evening chilling out would be a slice of sinful dessert from TCC.
Dark Devotion

Dark Devotion

 
Dark devotion is super sinful especially when the chocolate started oozing out of the cake. It is definitely too sweet to eat on it's own BUT when you take a spoonful together with the vanilla ice cream, you get a good blend. The vanilla ice cream actually helped to equalize the over powerful sweetness of the molten chocolate.
Special breakfast tea

Special breakfast tea

 
As a huge lover of English breakfast tea, it wouldn't be surprising that I ordered the special breakfast tea. The tea is very thick but I like how I can keep topping up hot water. The quaintly tea set make the experience all the more enjoyable. I prefer see through tea cups than those white porcelain type.
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 5  |  
Service
 5  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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