For original review, please refer to http://www.makeyourcaloriescount.com/2014/07/sg-arossa-grill-wine-bar-dressing-up.html

Tucked away quietly in a corner at Scotts Square, Arossa Grill & Wine Bar is quite a rare gem within the busy shopping district of Orchard. Specializing on grills, the philosophy of female Chef Chiaki Watanabe lies in Simplicity. She sources for the freshest seafood and grills from Australia and New Zealand before she works her magic with accumulated culinary experience working in various restaurants in Italy. Led by the in-house sommelier Louis, there is also a selection of more than 120 labels of old and new-world wine in addition to classic cocktails.
Following her roots, Chef Watanabe observes Japanese and to a great extent, Italian traditions closely. It is also imperative for her to introduce pockets of creativity in her dishes while upholding quality. Setting strict benchmarks for herself, she continuously strives to improve and her sheer determination may be witnessed as she is the only lady in her culinary class who remained a chef today. Interestingly, while discussing with Chef Watanabe, we learnt about the dominance of males in Japan's socio-economic position and while the status of women is revolving, it is rare to see a Japanese lady to head a kitchen.Sommelier Louis and Chef Watanabe spontaneously agreed to a picture!

Moscow Mule | S$15, S$18/++

 

There was no better way to break the ice among the diners at the table with a glass of cocktail each. Moscow Mule is a refreshing concoction of ginger juice, lime and vodka and at present there is an ongoing promotion 1-for-1 Happy Hour Session and is valid from Monday to Saturdays, 1800 to 2100hrs!
Other available cocktails include Whiskey Sour and Lime Mojito. Arossa is in the midst of introducing more cocktails so stay tuned for more interesting mixtures coming up!
Complimentary bread

 

Freshly baked by Chef Watanabe, the focaccia and walnut loaves were a delight and warms up the stomach for the food to come. Served warm, the walnut bread had a nice crust on the edges while remaining soft on the inside. The focaccia had a nice level of salinity which suited my palate but the accompanying condiment took things a step higher.This specially prepared dipping sauce to go with the bread is a blend of anchovies, garlic, olives and drizzled with olive oil. Expect an intense burst of savoury flavours when you spread it across your bread but it was so good that the diners were requesting to buy portions of it home!

Calamari | S$21/++

 

The deep fried squid had a nice crispy batter that was perfectly matched by the spicy aioli sauce. Do not worry even if you have a low tolerance for heat because the spiciness was mild and together with the calamansi, it was well neutralised and balanced. I liked that the fresh squid was cooked beautifully to retain a nice chewiness to it.

Lasagne di Melanzane | S$22/++

 

I believe most people have tried various renditions of lasagne but having eggplant as the core ingredient was surely something new for me. Being a huge fan of eggplant, I have had my fair share of disappointment when it comes to preparation techniques from most restaurants but this was firm and moist. It was cooked perfectly and the rich creamy cheese would make most swoon.

Chitarra | S$29/++

 

Chitarra | S$29/++

 

The homemade square-cut pasta reminded me fondly of my experience at Sanpoutei Ramen where they were one of the few places which serves squarish noodles. The fresh sea urchin used was blended into the sauce which was rich, creamy, briny with a slight nutty flavour.
While I enjoy my pasta slightly undercooked, retaining a slightly hard texture, this might not appeal to most who prefer a more al dente touch. So if you are ordering the pasta, it would be recommended to make your orders clear and known to your server.
Guanciale di Manzo | S$37/++

 

 

This Piemonte style beef cheek was braised in red wine and acacia honey. Unlike most savoury preparation methods, this tasted surprisingly good with the tender meat almost melt-in-your-mouth. The slightly saccharine gravy complemented the smooth potato mash, overall a palatable dish. I was told that most of the cuts would be prepared medium-well unless instructed otherwise upon ordering.For different types of meat or seafood served, the sommelier can actually recommend various forms of wine-pairing and for our beef cheek, we had the 2009 Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon to match. It delivered a crisp and grassy flavour that was bold and intense.

Tonno | S$36/++

 

Grilled blue fin tuna with caponata. From my understanding of caponata, it should carry a sweet and sour tinge due to the use of sweetened vinegar but I found that lacking in the dish. I was quite disappointed with this as I had expected more given Arossa's specialisation in grills. It was slightly overcooked which resulted in a slightly stiff texture. Personally, I would prefer my fish bear some tinge of pinkness on the inside while seared beautifully on the surface. The fresh and crisp tomatoes livened the dish with its burst of freshness.

Tiramisu | S$14/++

 

Introduced as one of Arossa's signature desserts, it was with great anticipation that we await the arrival of the tiramisu. All the elements were checked with the velvety mascarpone cheese juxtaposing the coarseness of the cocoa powder though the alcohol level was quite reserved and did not quite shine through. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable dessert that is worth a try when you visit.Overall, I felt that the ambience is simply sublime. Tucked away at one of the latest buildings to occupy the Orchard district, Arossa within Scotts Square is beautifully decorated with its brick wall layout, illustrating a very rustic look and feel. The service was impeccable and Chef Watanabe would even come out to greet her guests and diners. The open kitchen concept right in the middle of the restaurant is also an interesting feature and while there was hits and misses on the food, it has a comforting aura that makes me want to return after the first visit.
For those working in the area, be sure to check out their lunch set menus starting from S$15 and goes up to S$38/++ for the four-course Executive Lunch. Chef Watanabe also innovates and reviews her menu periodically and with the National Day coming up, she has prepared a special five-course dinner set priced at S$75/++. There is no doubt that the chef pays top attention to the source and quality of her ingredients and while you might notice that most of the cooking have a more Italian influence, there exists elements of Japanese touches especially with the selection of premium ingredients.

District 10 opens its fourth branch at The Star Vista with the concept of a bar with different themes at each outlet, we came to this one which allows diners to chill out and enjoy tapas at the bar table. However,we are here today in anticipation of their newly introduced brunch menu available only on weekends!When it comes to daytime on weekends, it becomes so family-oriented unlike the usual perception we've had prior to this visit. There are inflatable bouncer at the outdoor dining area, tiny chairs and tables for children to have some fun themselves in the midst of the chitchat sessions of mummies and daddies. Attentively, there is also a kid's menu with animals on it provided with colour pencils for them to play!

Spanish Omelette with Bell Peppers, Mushrooms & Chorizo | $14++

We appreciated the generous amount of food they served here, with a big patch of omelette as main and together with sides of half a grilled tomato, hash brown and plenty of rocket salad. The crunchy bell peppers mixed in the omelette complemented well with the soft mushroom, flavoursome chorizo and eggs. A simple dish well executed.

District 10 Eggs Benedict | $16++
Poached Eggs on Toasted Muffin with Sautéed Spinach, Smoked Salmon & Hollandaise SauceWhile the serving was similarly generous for this dish, the major drawback was the hollandaise sauce on the poached eggs was not thick and creamy enough, perhaps due to the imbalanced proportion of egg yolk and butter. The muffin was toasted to perfection together with smoked salmon and sautéed spinach that sat on top, which completed the dish.

Pandan-Coconut Pancake with Gula Melaka Syrup | $9++

We thought that this dish had the best mixture of ingredients out of others, it was a fusion of Southeast Asian and Western cuisine. We loved the fact that the pancake was actually made from pandan and coconut, as well as drizzled with gula melaka syrup replacing maple syrup or honey on top made the dish addictive! The drawback of it would be texture of the pancake tasted like 'kueh' which lacked fluffiness, though some might like the way they did.

Pizza Margarita with Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella | $19++
This was not part of the brunch menu but you could order from their main menu. We loved this simple yet delicious thin crust pizza as it was the highlight of the whole tasting. A harmonious combination of tomato sauce and cheese spread was nicely complemented by the soft and chewy buffalo mozzarella that was evenly placed on top of each slice of the pizza. We unknowingly finished the pizza slice by slice!

Antioxidant (Peach, Green Apple, Mango and Strawberry) | $13++

 

We find that there are always different types of juices out there which try too hard to blend many different types of fruits which may not always turn out tasting pleasant. This particular rendition with peach, green apple, mango and strawberry turned out surprisingly smooth and good! After drinking this antioxidant-rich juice, it certainly made our calories count!Apart from their tapas, now diners could enjoy their new affordable brunch mains at a relaxed ambience surrounded by laughter!

For full review, please visit http://www.makeyourcaloriescount.com/2014/09/sg-jbm-coffee-dining-birth-of-new-star.html

For those working at the Raffles Place area, the newly launched One Raffles Place Mall would be a familiar spot for foodies with its abundant offering of eateries at the basement level. What many failed to identify, including us, is that good food at the building stretches beyond shoppers haven of H&M and Uniqlo to the third level where JBM Coffee & Dining resides.

The open concept restaurant reflecting touches of rustic French and Italian cuisines is quite an overlooked gem in the heart of the CBD area. Led by Chef Chamara Fonseka, who previously honed his culinary skills at Au Petit Salut and Covelli, he ingeniously combined the essence of the two European fares. What set this restaurant apart however is not just the food but also its coffee creations. Helmed by head barista, Shawn, who recently came in first runner up at Singapore's National Latte Art Championship 2014, expect your caffeine kicks to be treated in good hands.Serving up different types of coffee brews with various methods, do not be shy to check with Shawn or any of the other well-trained friendly baristas to make sure that you enjoy your coffee the way it was meant to be. With the owner, Evangeline Wong being a trained barista herself, she sources for the best Jamaican coffee beans and does her own roasts. Testified by the success of her first coffee hideout, Blue Mahoe Estate Caffee at the Esplanade, can JBM Coffee & Dining equally impress with its food offerings?

The Green Knight | S$8/++

 

With a variety of soups to choose from, we were well-greeted by this light zucchini soup topped with crispy seaweed, croutons and cream. The delicate summer squash carried a tinge of natural sweetness and the richness of the soup was enhanced by the cream drizzled in, piquing our appetite for a sumptuous meal ahead!

The Pork Terrine | S$15/++Flavoured with herbs and spices, the thickly sliced pork terrine accompanied a side walnut salad. This not only added texture to the dish with the crunch but allows the savouriness of the freshly prepared terrine to shine.What made this simple dish a star was the freshly baked brioche with a smear of the gorgeous grape juice blended mustard sauce. This not only added a different dimension to the dish in terms of flavours but the crispness of the brioche added a desired layer of texture. The slight acidity from the vines paired with the pungency of mustard provided complexity and cuts through the savouriness of the pork terrine beautifully.

Lil' Froggy | S$24/++An undisputed French-inspired dish, the frog legs were lightly seasoned with salt and pepper before being seared in the pan together with some chopped onions to add extra fragrance to the dish. What made this dish complete however was the veal jus which elevated the oomph factor for the dish. Paired with the mushroom-filled ravioli, it was an attempt by the chef to marry Italian culinary fare with the classic French. Personally, I would have preferred a slightly thinner egg pasta dough to avoid the slightly starchy after-taste.

A Big Bowl O'Mussels | S$14/++

 

 

Looking to share? How about a brimming bowl of plump and succulent New Zealand Blue Lip mussels cooked in a gorgeous white wine, garlic and seafood broth flavoured by saffron. Served with some sliced baguette, I could not resist soaking up all that goodness in that creamy broth!

Beef Outside the Cubes | S$24/++

 

 

The grain-fed tenderloin, cut into cubes, were grilled medium-rare by default, allowing the red meat to flaunt its quality and freshness. Tossed in a mushroom sauce and a choice of mash or fries, the natural option was the former where the chef's skills was put to test. Full marks for the consistency and creaminess of the velvety mash, making it pure decadence to scoop it all up!

The Sassy Cassoulet | S$32/++Tracing the origins of the dish, this rich and slow-cooked casserole originated in Southern France which typically contains meat, pork skin and white beans. Taking a more sassy twist, this rendition was seafood-centric, offering nothing shy of the freshest lobster, scallops, mussels, prawns and squids over a pot full of home-made white beans.
A hearty dish perfect for sharing, what made this stew spectacular was the seafood broth with crab meat shreds that added a strong punch in flavours. Recommended for the seafood-lovers.

The Golden Hen | S$23/++

 

 

Half a spring chicken, expect to be greeted by an abundance of fragrance from the roasted garlic cloves. A hearty dish perfect for the wet and cold days, the chicken was treated delicately by the chef. It was first roasted to derive that slightly crisp chicken skin and the nice golden brown tan on the bird. Finished with a braise, the chicken retained absolute moisture in its flesh, defining succulence at its best. If you are a garlic lover, embrace that beautiful aroma and because the cloves were cooked through till soft, tuck away your mints even if you are having a meeting post-meal.

Orange Blossom | S$12/++

 

If you have a picky palate for desserts like me, I highly recommend the layered dessert of fresh orange wedges, orange jelly, Grand Marnier foam and the assuring caramel crisp to score the dish a home-run. The flavours were robust, complex and I was highly intrigued at the various dimensions the chef managed to introduce to the dessert building upon a base ingredient, orange. Textures were plentiful, starting from the crisp crunch to the melt-in-your-mouth foam before a pleasant tang from the orange jelly to make all guests award a thumbs-up. Recommended for those with a sweet tooth but might come across as slightly too sweet for some.

JBM Espresso Crème Brulee | S$8/++

 

 

Obscenely good is how I define this dessert. Served innocent with that classic caramelised crust, it turned into a messy affair as soon as you crack it open and the shot of espresso oozes upwards like a geyser. While some might find the dessert too satiating with the richness of the rich custard, expect to be in heaven if you enjoy bold flavours. The bitterness of the caffeine shot cuts through the richness beautifully. If you are having quite a heavy meal, I would recommend sharing this as it might be too heavy for just one pax.

Salted Caramel Freeze | S$7/++While most close friends would know that I only enjoy my black coffee plain in the form of Americano or Espresso, I could not resist the highly recommended java-inspired drink. Freshly made Chantilly cream together with home-made salted caramel, I was impressed by the consistency that made this a must-order by anyone's standards. Depending on your tolerance for sweetness, some might find this a tad too sweet though it was okay by our standards!

Americano | S$5/++

 

Just the desired way to conclude an evening of good food with a balanced cup of black coffee with just the right amount of acidity, robustness of the beans and aroma of the roast.Right in the middle of the restaurant is this two-metre tall state-of-the-art Probat Roaster specially imported from Germany which defines who the owners are and where they started the business. Soon, this machine will be where JBM Coffee & Dining does its daily roast which will bring a divine aroma to the area!Tastefully decorated with plush brown leather chairs, banquet seats, there are even two private booths which can seat up to eight diners. While restaurants and eateries in general within the Raffles Place area are swarmed during lunch-hour, it would also be a great time to visit in the evenings if you are looking for some quiet moments with a date or even a meal with a business associate.
Service at tastings are usually good but I noticed how the service crew was equally attentive to the surrounding diners at nearby tables. A place that serves quality food at reasonable prices, I am looking forward to my return visit already.

Of a more accessible location for brunch (finally!), this turned out to be better than expected! A comfy seating with full-length windows to allow ample sunlight in, I liked how it was bright enough unlike the typical dimly lit cafes around, great if you were planning to do some readings while sipping your cup of coffee!

Jamaica Blue started off in Australia as a franchise model, and is grounded in two beliefs: sourcing the very best coffee and using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. I like its ideology on how it's about stopping to savour the very moment, to rest and recharge over a cup of coffee. Isn't that one of the joys of visiting cafes?I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw this, two poached eggs fully covered with a thick layer of hollandaise sauce! Slightly over-poached on one side of it, the sauce managed to make up for it, or at least it was done to my liking. A rich creamy version with a slight lemon zest to it, it was the perfect dip to go with everything, though this might get jelat (or overwhelming) for some! I would have preferred more bacon and a slightly toasted baguette for that warm touch, though it's good enough at the sides where it's slightly harder for that varied texture! A pretty satisfying one for me!A smooth cup that was just right on its acidity, I liked how it wasn't too sharp though I would have preferred a more robust flavour to it. Toby's Estate has the perfect brew to my liking so far, if you're one to go for a stronger taste! This was a decent one in my opinion, and it's certainly a much bigger cup compared to the ones served up by usual cafes.

Perhaps in line with its beliefs, it sets transparency on letting consumers know what they're eating, with nutritional values listed online (section on breakfast menu is still under construction).A classic cafe menu that might not have much to excite, it's grounded on getting its basics right. A decent spot for that fix of the day, it offers a comfortable ambience for some quiet moments and chill-out gatherings, topped off with a friendly and warm service crew. Though we've spotted some inconsistencies in the food quality like over-poached eggs or inadequate hollandaise sauce on Instagram, it's probably one of those places that's still got some work to do in terms of always delivering.
Nonetheless, given the experience we've had, it's still a decent spot to visit especially if you're looking for brunch in the west!

Our previous visit to Arteastiq Boutique at Mandarin Gallery was a memorable experience as it was somewhat a sanctuary haven to retreat to in the midst of the busy city life. A relaxing trip to the Millenia Walk area brought us to its affiliated boutique, the Arteastiq Tea Bone China.

Priding itself for serving a range of speciality tea, this branch is more known for its offering of all-day Shanghainese and Cantonese dim sum, all handmade using Arteastiq very own special recipes. The concept of Tea Bone China is inspired by the luxurious experiences of olden-day Chinese merchants who used to lounge in the garden and sip tea while watching birds sing.

Salted egg yolk bun | S$4.90/++

 

 

When this was first served to us, we were dumbfounded as this was quite unlike the usual presentation of the popular salted egg yolk bun or more commonly known as "liu sha bao". The clever use of bamboo charcoal powder to the bun gave a sharp contrast in colour when you pry open the bun, revealing the rich salted egg yolk on the inside. Apart from winning points at a presentation level and novelty's sake, we felt that it was a decent version whereby the buns were not too thick but the intensity and flavours of the salted egg yolk lacked strength. It was good but not the best when I draw comparison from more dim-sum focused Chinese restaurants such as Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck.

Crab egg pork siew mai | S$4.90/++

 

Carefully wrapped into bite-sized portions, this would be gone in one mouthful even for the ladies. We enjoyed the juiciness of the siew mai but the crab eggs atop failed to shine through. Overall, I felt that it was rather pedestrian and okay-tasting, do not expect to be wow'ed, that is for sure.

Xiao Long Bao | S$7.90/++

 

We are generally spoilt by the vast offering of xiao long bao places in Singapore such Din Tai Fung, so it is no surprise that our palate have been sharpened to taste a good rendition when one comes along. Once again, like the other dim sum dishes tried, this was good but not impressive. The broth within the xiao long bao was not as full as expected and the skin of the wrapping was slightly thicker than desired. We however enjoyed the moistness and juiciness of the minced pork but that was not enough to win us over.

BBQ pork puffs | S$4.90/++

 

While most of the dim sum dishes seemed to fare just about average, this managed to be quite a surprisingly good rendition. The flaky pastry was done beautifully and the minced bbq pork on the inside was also delectable to our palate without tasting overly sweet. The drawbacks were that the pork filling was insufficient and it was served cold, which might have been due to it being exposed for a while and personally, I would settle for nothing less than freshly baked pastries when it comes to dim sum.

Pan-fried pork dumplings | S$5.90/++I actually enjoyed this dish though I have always been quite a fan of pan-fried dumplings or 'wo tie'. It does not involve rocket science to perfect this dish but it is important to ensure that the surface is pan-fried to a nice golden-brown crispness which was done so on this occasion. The chives and minced pork filling on the inside was moist and juicy and it was also not overly greasy which appealed.Like its sister branch Arteastiq Boutique, this place has a nice decor which was thoughtfully designed. Offering art jamming sessions in an attached partitioned room next door, I find the focus to be leaned towards art rather than on food.The service staffs were courteous, friendly and approachable. It was always easy to try and fetch their attention. While the customer service, setting and the offering of art jamming remain crowd-drawing factors, the dim sum dishes failed to justify the calories and it might be a while yet for us to return for their food.

Please refer to http://www.makeyourcaloriescount.com/2014/02/sg-arteastiq-tea-bone-china-reunion-of.html for full review.