Full review on http://www.nahmj.com/2016/02/24/founder-bak-kut-teh/

Founder Bak Kut Teh 发起人肉骨茶餐馆 at Hotel Boss isn’t new to many. It started out in 1978 at Balestier by Mr Chua who was formerly a pig farmer, whipping quality and fresh bak kut teh to patrons daily. Many Singaporeans are fan of their Bak Kut Teh and even the overseas famous artiste.With such a success, little wonder why Founder Bak Kut Teh doesn’t expand as it should.I like the concise one page menu whereby I could glance all its offering at once, without flipping through pages. On close examination, the dishes its offer are pretty similar to those other Bak Kut Teh store. And one striking item on the menu was the Abalone.At Founder Bak Kut Teh, 4 types of pork ribs were offered. Premium Ribs 排骨 ($11.80) was what we have. We tried the Premium Short Ribs 小排骨 ($10.80) too. While we missed out on the remaining 2; Founder Bak Kut Teh 发起人肉骨 ($9.90) and Popularity (Ninki) Bak Kut Teh 人气肉骨 ($7.80).For diners who find eating the pork ribs cumbersome could select the tender Sliced Lean Meat Soup 瘦肉汤 ($7.80). Personally, I would chose this over the pork ribs when I am laze to dirty my hands.There are also various pig’s organ soup with selection of Pig’s Liver 猪肝汤 ($7.80), my all time fave. And it my opinion, it was cook at perfect timing since the pig’s liver remained tender. We didn’t try the rest Pig’s Stomach 猪肚, Kidney 猪腰 and Intestine 猪肠 Soup. All priced at $7.80 per bowl. If one would like to have the best of all world, Founder Bak Kut Teh provide an excellent option of Mixed Organ Soup 猪什汤 ($8.80)3 vegetable with oyster sauce selection. First being the recommended which we didn’t order is the Lettuce with oyster sauce ($5.80/$7.80). The remaining 2 were on the table, Bean Sprouts with Oyster Sauce 蚝油豆芽 ($5.80/$7.80) and Choy Sim with Oyster Sauce 蚝油菜心 ($5.80/$7.80). The vegetables were fresh and crisp but I find the sauce a little too salty. The rest have no issue with it though.At all Bak Kut Teh, how can we not have the Bean Curd Skin, Tau Kee ($3.80/$5.80). This is also available on the menu.If diners prefer vegetable soup, there are 5 options; Mushroom, Tang O, Lettuce, Choy Sim and Seaweed Soup. All priced at $5.80.Braised items are generally found at Bak Kut Teh store too. Two key dishes, Braised Pig’s Intestine 卤粉肠 ($8.80/$11.80) which is also my fave when having Bak Kut Teh. A pity some were a little over cooked. And Pig’t Trotter ($9.80/$12.80) is also the signature dish at Founder Bak Kut Teh.Other side dishes include the Dried Bean Curd/Tau Pok 豆腐干 ($2/2pcs), Braised Egg 卤蛋 ($1.50), Salted Vegetables ($3.80/$5.80) and Peanut 花生 ($3.80/$5.80). Though most might find the braised pretty good but as I am a Teochew, I have high standard for the Teochew style Braised. Personally, I felt there are still room for improvement for the braised stock.After all the above, how could the You Tiao, Dough Fritters 油条 ($2.50) be missing from the table when eating Bak Kut Teh. This is the must have on the table. Most would usually dip it in the Bak Kut Teh Soup while I like to dip it with the dark soy sauce. The You Tiao at Founder Bak Kut Teh is freshly prepared and fried each day at its kitchen ensuring freshness and crispness. Indeed, they were.If diners need some carbo to complete the meal, one could choose Vermicelli Noodle Soup 面线汤 ($2) or Rice ($1). I chose none.Various drinks are also available such as the Water Chestnut, Barley, Soft Drinks and Coconut. How could we missed out the Gong Fu Tea at Bak Kut Teh outlet? Of course, it is available at the Founder Bak Kut Teh too. And end the meal with the Ice Jelly with Honey Lime ($3.50)

Food though may not be as high a standard compared to the Balestier outlet for now but nonetheless delish. I am sure it will get there soon. What I truly like is their location. Centrally located with an MRT station at walking distance

Original post at http://www.nahmj.com/2016/03/04/modestos-restaurant-vivocity-harbourfront-singapore/

Modesto’s Restaurant used to be at the ground floor where Jamie’s Oliver occupied. But since its move to level 3, I am sure many do not know of its existence since it isn’t at a very prominent location.
The space is in a irregular shape with mainly brown tone for almost everything. It a little dark even in the day, unless you are seated next to the glass panel.


Antipasti (Appetizer)
12 appetizers listed on the menu to choose from. 12 is quite a lot of choices.I am sure Calamari ($20) is one of the hot favourite with many. The calamari may not be as tender as some, slight chewy but still very much acceptable.Bruschetta priced at $2 to $4 per piece with 3 different topping available. First with marinated diced fresh tomatoes ($2 per piece). The other 2 types of toppings both at $4 per piece; Norwegian smoked salmon, fresh arugula & mayonnaise and Fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese with marinated tomatoes. Fresh baguette and ingredients are the trick to this dish.Alette Di Pollo ($16) consisting of 8 pieces of well marinated Fried Chicken Wings and Drumlets with a pretty spicy homemade chilli. The chilli reminds me of the chilli served with Chicken Rice. The chicken remained succulent. We enjoyed.

Insalate (Salad)
3 choices. I tried only Insalata Mista ($14) consisting of a mixed of fresh greens, carrots, capsicum, olives and fresh tomatoes served with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil as dressing. Fresh greens that is the key.

Pizzeria (Traditional Wood-fired Pizza)
2 sizes of pizza (regular and mini) with 27 flavours of pizza.
Capricciosa Pizza ($26/21) is topped with Cooked pork ham, mushroom and artichoke. If this isn’t your choice, there are 26 others to choose from. Choice of pizza really depends mainly on one’s preferences for the ingredients.Paste Speciali (Modesto’s Special Pasta)
Modesto’s Restaurant offers 14 selections of Modesto’s Special Pasta; quite a lot to choose from.

Tagliatelle Nere ($32) consists of fresh home-made black ink flat pasta with sauteed fresh prawns, scallops and diced tomatoes in a shrimp bisques sauce. If you like a rich seafood flavour, this is for you.
Ravioli Funghi ($28) may be common but this is special as it uses a saffron walnut sauce.

Ravioli Funghi

 

I am quite neutral to this dish. I couldn't say I enjoyed it but neither do I dislike it.


Paste Classiche (Classic Pasta)
More pasta selection from the Classic Pasta category, another 10 choices.
Linguine is my favourite pasta as such Linguine Vongole ($25) is a great choice. This is one of the better Vongole as I could savour the white wine fragrance. Absoluate a must order for all Vongole fan.Carbonara ($25) is a rich and sinfully delish pasta and always a comfort pasta to turn to especially whenever I don’t know what to order. This is one of the very flavourful Carbonara where all the taste elements attain a great balance.

I find that the pasta at Modesto’s Restaurant fare much better than the pizza. I am not saying the pizza is no good but I thought it could be improved. I have been returing for mainly the pasta.

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I usually dine at VivoCity outlet of Paradise Dynasty as this is one of my favourite Chinese restaurant. The first Paradise Dynasty that I knew and dine at was when it started out at Ion Orchard. Ever since, I have been returning for more.
Paradise Dynasty is a name I am sure need no introduction, as many must have known about it by now. It is fame for its colourful Xiao Long Bao in various filling. Some may find certain filling exotic when it was first introduced. I did back then.


Dynasty Signature Xiao Long Bao
Based on the name, Dynasty 8 Flavours Xiao Long Bao, one would have known that there are 8 flavours.The original is in the centre. Starting from the Green, clockwise; Ginseng, Foie Gras, Truffle, Cheesy, Garlic and Crab Roe and Szechuan. If diner like any a particular flavour, diner could order just for that flavour in 6s or 10s. Personally, my favourite is still the original.

Shanghai Dim Sum
On Paradise Dynasty Menu, 14 Shanghai Dim Sum are offered. They are mainly the classic Shanghai Dim Sum.Pork Dumpling with Hot Chilli Vinaigrette is a dish I seldom order. In fact, I ordered it only once. It is not that I didn’t like it but I don’t usually dine with a huge enough group to allow me to order both the Xiao Long Bao and Pork Dumpling.

La Mian
Paradise Dynasty offers 8 La Mian in Pork Bone Soup selections and 9 other La Mian.La Mian in Signature Pork Bone Soup has a dense an rich soup full of pork flavour. And I like the egg with runny yolk that came with the bowl of noodle soup. All the La Mian in this category are similar except for the main topping.Pork Dumpling La Mian in Chilli Sauce and many more are available for selection. Noodles are very much the same. Likewise, it depends on what ingredient does diners prefer to have it with the handmade noodles.

Dishes
Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Conpoy has mainly egg white topped with only a single yolk on centre. It is not quite my kind of dish as I prefer yolk. But I like this dish.Diners could opt for the Stir-fried River Shrimp in Spicy Bean and Tomato Sauce too. Though this isn’t quite kind of my dish.An healthy option is the Stewed Sliced Fish in Chinese Wine.For Szechuan Specialty, one could turn to Spicy Szechuan Crispy Chicken. The chicken in this dish was so crispy. I find the spice level acceptable.Quite a good selections of greens are also available.Mains
Among the few rice option at Paradise Dynasty, I usually turned to Yangzhou Fried Rice but strangely, I couldn’t find a photo of this dish in my archive.Shanghai Fried Rice is pretty similar to the Yangzhou Fried Rice except that it is fried with an additional dark sauce. Personally, I still prefer the YangZhou Fried Rice.

Desserts
The desserts offered at Paradise Dynasty has a mixed of Shanghai dessert and Hong Kong Style dessert.Pan Fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste and the Banana Souffle like Shanghai Dessert are 2 of the available selection.For the more conventional diner, they could go for the Mango Pudding or Lemongrass Jelly.Diners are definitely spoiled for choice, as always when diners are at Chinese Restaurant. The must order at Paradise Dynasty is certinaly the Xiao Long Bao.

Original Post http://www.nahmj.com/2016/03/10/kraftwich-swissbake-one-raffles-place/


Kraftwich is the latest concept cafe created by Swissbake. The environment is casual with some hipster touch.On weekdays, Kraftwich starts as early as 7.30am to serve the early birds in the CBD area with some hearty breakfast items. There are 3 types of bread to choose from; the Croissant sandwich, Multigrain Croissant and Swiss Crumpet. Each with different fillings; Turkey Ham & Cheese Croissant, Egg Mayo Croissant, Tuna Mmultigrain Croissant, Fritata Multigrain Croissant, Poached Egg & Turkey Ham Swiss Crumpet and Beef Pastrami Swiss Crumpet at $5.90 each. These 6 items are available till 11am. Diners could add $1 to enjoy it with coffee or tea. For even healthier Breakfast option, both the Bircher Muesli and Crunchy Apple Granola Mix are available.We tried both the Poached Egg & Turkey Ham Swiss Crumpet and Beef Pastrami Swiss Crumpet. Though it was delicious, I find the mayo spread a little too sweet for my palate.Kraftwich has named its fame sandwich Kraftwich ($8.90) too. With 8 fillings; Smoked Salmon, Turkey Ham & Cheese, Tuna & Egg, Vegetarin, Smoked Duck, Portobello and Smoked Chicken to choose from, diners are spoilt for choice. Diners could opt for either the Maize bread or the Mutligrain bread. Both are considered healthy choices.

The top favourite among the group diners for the night was the Smoked Duck. Surprisingly, the Portobello was also very well received. Me too like these 2 items. And the other important factor of the sandwich was bread was fluffy and soft.If bread isn’t your preferred choice, diners could choose to Go Green with Our Kraft ($9.90); replacing bread with greens. Likewise 8 toppings for the salad. Alternatively, diner could go for DIY Your Kraft ($7.90) consisting of mixed veggies and 5 regular toppings of diner choice. There are 20 regular toppings and 9 premium toppings to choose from.
Good news for diners, one could opt for Kraft Me A Meal at $13.90 consisting of a Main, choose either the Kraftwich or Our Kraft Salad (add $1) and a Side, either Mini Salad or Soup. Lastly a drink, Cappuccino or Iced Lemon Tea.As we know Swissbake has various delicious bake which include the pastries, Quiche and Pies should diners wanting to opt for something light there are various flavours to choose from.Sweet Endings with either Daily Cakes or Mug Cakes ($6.90) is always a great way to complete the meal. We tried 4 of the 5 daily cakes. The top choice for most is Paradiso Di Nocciola, followed by Chocolate Fudge. A handful enjoyed the Hazelnut Crunch, which I didn’t. No one chose the Blueberry Cheesecake to be their fave. It was a pity we missed out on the Black Forest Cake.There are 5 flavours of Mug Cakes ($6.90); Chocolate, Chocolate Banana, White Choc Strawberry, White Choc Blueberry and Bread & Butter Pudding. Each Mug Cake come with a scoop of ice cream. We tried only the Bread & Butter Pudding Mug Cake which most of us find it a little too sweet. Daily from 2pm to 6pm, diners could enjoy a pastry and coffee or tea at $6.90 or Cake and coffee or tea at $7.90; value for money.At Kraftwich, there are both Coffee or Non-coffee option. For Coffee, both black and with milk are available. The signature coffee drink is the Salted Caramel ($5.50 hot / $6 iced). I tried their Cappuccino ($4.90). It is a cuppa with low acidity, nutty full body.A handful of Not Coffee selection with the Swiss Pure Hot Chocolate where can customise the level of chocolaty and option of marshmallow are available too. As usual, Assorted Hot Tea($4.90) isn’t missing. A pity there is only an Iced Tea available for selection, the Iced Lemon Tea ($4.90). 2 Frappe ($6.90) are also on the menu, Strawberry Yoghurt Frappe and Banana Choco Cookies Frappe. Lastly the Cold Pressed Juice, Orange ($5.90), Spinach Apple ($6.90) and Beetroot Orange ($6.90).Kraftwich provides delicious and healthy option of both Salad and Sandwiches will certainly attracts the Executive working in the area.

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Original post is on http://www.nahmj.com/2016/02/26/kokomama-marketplace-new-pizza-croissant-menu-sota-singapore/

Kokomama Marketplace has taken over Three Petite Croissant at the School of The Arts (SOTA). The design of the cafe hasn’t changed much but the menu is much more than bakes alone. I have been wanting to visit Kokomama to try out some of their Mains but keep couldn’t find time for it. Finally, thanks to the invite.

At a glance of Kokomama menu, I wasn’t quite sure of what the focus might be. As the name of the cafe suggested, “Marketplace” and indeed it was. As you find French, Korean and Japanese dishes whipped by Kokomama kitchen. I like varieties. And with the salted egg craze happening in Singapore, Kokomama has also jumped in to introduce this trend food together with other flavours and 3 new pizza.Beside the Kokolava Salted Egg Croissant ($6.50), Kokokmama has also introduced 2 other flavours; Kokolava Peanut Croissant ($6.50) and Kokolava Custard Croissant ($6.50).Custard being the lightest was the first to be consumed. The custard was lightly sweet and flowed like lava, true to its name Kokolava Custard Croissant ($6.50). But personally, I prefer the custard to be stronger in flavour and thicker in consistency.Next on the list was the Kokolava Peanut Croissant ($6.50). It uses Kokomama secret peanut butter recipe. A pity, it didn’t flow like the Custard one. It has the typical peanut butter aroma. This is a hit among peanut butter fan.Lastly the Kokolava Salted Egg Croissant ($6.50). I tried the Salted Egg Croissant about 2 weeks ago and was disappointed. But the improved recipe version, I was impressed. It could easily be on par with the current best. The salted egg cream flows, was creamy and smooth and we could savour the salted egg fragrance. The cream has a slight sweet tint which I suspect some may not favour over it. But I do. In fact, I thought the sweet tint was the key to make the totality taste better. Anyway, that’s my personal preference, I suppose.Over to the pizza, 3 new flavours; Chilli Crab Pizza, Salted Egg Seafood Pizza and Smoked Duck Pizza. We enjoyed the Smoked Duck Pizza most. The pizza offered at Kokokmama does not consist of the usual tomato sauce and it is topped with the various ingredients on a freshly baked baguette. As such, the pizza flavour is light.The Salted Egg Prawn Pasta ($14.90) has prawns, a small cup of mushroom soup and a garlic bread. I thought this was value for money. We enjoyed the pairing but personally, I would prefer a more al dente pasta.

The popular Korean dessert, Bingsu was also offered. The Matcha Craze ($12.90) is the top seller at Kokomama. Shaved Ice quality was fine and lightly milky and sweet. In it was Yuzu mochi, green tea powder dusting, with a ring of red bean around the scoop of green tea ice cream.Mango Madness is the other hot favourite; available in either Baby ($8.90) or Giant ($12.90). We were mesmerized by this bowl of bingsu. All 6 at the table voted this to be their fave, including myself. The mango ice cream was strong in Mango flavour, topped with fresh mango, it was simply heavenly.Lastly the Yogurt Fruity Flair ($14.90). This is also a lightly flavoured, refreshing and certainly fruity as it is topped with many different fruits.Kokomama Marketplace whipped an array of food and freshly baked bread and pastries in-house each day. I felt the menu was designed with the students in the area in mind and at a wallet friendly prices for the students to enjoy.

More reviews on http://www.nahmj.com/