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weekendeatwhat
This is weekendeatwhat living in Tampines. I work in Raffles Place. Japanese, Singaporean are my favorite cuisines. I also love and Pasta, Ramen, Seafood.
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Ramens with stories to tell Smile Aug 17, 2014   
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Categories : Japanese | Ramen

Having previously ate at the Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons outlet, I was very confident that I would love Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri too.

Customers can customize their bowl of ramen, right down to whether you want pork chasyu (though that sounds like a trick question). Similar to the Four Seasons outlet, the much-raved bean sprouts and hard-boiled eggs are free flow appetizers while you wait for your hot ramen to be served.

 
Four special ramens take limelight at Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Matsuri. There is a story behind each ramen - each represents a Matsuri, which means festival in Japanese.

Tonkotsu Ramen Nebuta

 
Described as mixed pork broth with fried fish stock, it sounded like something I would like as it incorporated seafood flavours. The ramen in short pays tribute to a festival that surrounds a historical battle.
One sip of the broth confirmed this is the work of Keisuke San. The broth was thick with collagen which was due to the pork bones cooked in the soup for a longer time than normal. It is evident from the gelatin texture of the broth - a trademark of Keisuke ramen. While the tonkotsu broth was thick, the taste was not as intense or umami-packed as I expected. The fragrance and sweetness of the seafood stock was subtle and not very distinct. Even after I added the sesame seeds, it was still not as flavorful as I wanted. This would appeal to those who prefer their ramen to have a clean traditional flavour over experimentation.
The chasyu used were the lean portions, which I personally found it tough and not sweet enough. There were very little fatty portions which were lovely, sweet, tasty and melts in the mouth. It would be ideal if the ratio of fat to lean portion is higher.
Nevertheless, I love love love the noodles which were cooked to al dente perfection. It was my ideal width, and bouncy when chewed.
One thing that Keisuke ramen never disappoints me is their soft-boiled eggs. Flavored, runny and sweet, they were soft-boiled to perfection.
Tonkotsu Ramen Awaodori

 
On first look, I thought the Awaodori doesn't look impressive with its more-brownish-than-normal broth. It is actually a tonkotsu broth plus sukiyaki broth, topped with a raw egg yolk. But one sip of the broth proved that looks can be deceiving. The 2-in-1 broth was amazing, thick, flavorful, sweet and umami-packed. It was well balanced and it was as if the soup had its own body. Although by 3/4 of the bowl, one might feel overwhelmed by the sweet broth.

Instead of chasyu, pork slices were used for this ramen. They were thinly sliced with a perfect ratio of lean to fat juicy parts which was a burst of sweet and savory in every bite.
My most favourite out of the 4.

Tonkotsu Ramen Sanjya

 
Sanjya was created for the spicy lovers as it is made up of black, green and red spices sauces. The three different spices are meant to pay tribute to the three founders of Tokyo's oldest temple.
On first look, our Sanjya looks scary with the huge blot of black pepper, red chilli sauce and green chilli sauce. For wimps that don't dare to disintegrate the black blot of pepper and mix the sauces, don't worry. The bomb is fake one. The soup was ok and not as spicy as I thought. It was more peppery rather than spicy hot and numbing. Maybe it is to suit the Japanese palate? Noted tummy was not on fire after eating Sanjya.

Tonkotsu Ramen Yukimatsuri

 
Ramen Yukimatsuri is named after an annual festival held during the snowy winter in Sapporo where snow and ice sculptures are constructed along the city streets. Inspired by snow, Ramen Yukimatsuri spots a generous blot of cheese powder on top of a thick miso cum tonkotsu broth. One would catch a whiff of the pungent smell of the powdery cheese and miso when the ramen is served.
Unfortunately, our Yukimatsuri seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. The broth was a confusing mix of heavy salty fermented miso taste, pungent cheese which disintegrated into lumps, chilli flakes which gave the soup a spicy kick, and sweetness from onions. The noodle saved the day.

Ambience
Decor is refreshing, colorful and imaginative - adjectives that are equally apt for the lord of ramen and his inventive ramens.

Service
Staff were full of energy and kept chanting Japanese niceties. Service speed was good and I didn't have to wait long. Beware of long queues during peak hours. You can help yourself to the free cold drink outside the shop while queuing. So thoughtful of them.

Kudos to Keisuke san who is always pushing the boundaries of ramen cooking, and trying to introduce interesting twists to the conventional ramen.

 

 


For full review, please visit: http://weekendeatwhatsg.blogspot.sg/2014/08/ramen-keisuke-tonkotsu-king-matsuri.html
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Awaodori,Nebuta
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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It's worth every penny Smile Nov 17, 2013   
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Categories : English | Café | Desserts and Cakes | Burgers and Sandwiches | Brunch

Penny University is the Eastie's best kept secret. The only problem is that everyone and their grandma knows about it. I have been wanting to go there for the longest time, to see for myself if the online raves were justified. And I was surprised to see throngs of early-risers occupying the little cafe on a Saturday morning.

I got a little cute mango cupcake ($4). Quite expensive for this size. Luckily it tasted good. In fact, it was one of the better cupcakes I've had. Sweet mango jam filled the core of the fluffy and moist pastry. Vanilla cream atop the cupcake and decorated with stripes of mango jam. I like how it wasn't overly sweet and how light it was. A simple cupcake yet it was satisfying.

 
I am no coffee expert but the iced mocha ($6.50) that I ordered tasted excellent in my opinion. The mocha was smooth and balanced. Talk about that perfect ratio between the bitterness of the coffee beans and the sweetness of the chocolate. Makes me wanna shout, "Penny University, you've got a very good barista!"

 
I could see why the Marmite toast with poached eggs and cheese ($4.50) was a crowd pleaser. The toast was spread with marmite and cheese, making it very salty and savory. Looked at that poached egg! Doesn't it look heavily pregnant? Golden orange runny egg yolk flows out when the knife cuts through it. Only one word could describe when I soak the toasted bread in the egg yolk and the melted cheese - Blissful! The accompany refreshing greens gave a healthy side to the dish. Although the portion looks little, it was sufficient enough for my brunch.

 

 
While I adore the rustic wooden theme - wooden chairs & tables, wooden cupboard, I wished the ambience was quieter. In fact, it was too noisy until I couldn't make out the music playing in the background. A planned morning of solitude was shortened by the incoming flux of customers queuing up which made me feel too guilty to linger around any longer.

However, I observed that the queue at 10 or 11am was much shorter. Hence try to come at those times else you might have to join the insane queue which was trying to get in at 12pm.

In conclusion, a lovely cafe that's worth every penny (pun intended) except it was too overcrowded.
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Marmite toast,coffee
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 5

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Categories : European | Restaurant | Fine Dining

When I first heard that Nox Dine in the Dark was launched in Singapore, I wanted to try it immediately but the cost of $78 per pax threw me off the chair. Recently, I had the luck to save some buck to dine at Nox after I won an Openrice contest for two! Thanks Openrice!!

In a gist, the concept is dine in the dark. The menu is unknown to us. The server asked if we had any dietary restrictions or allergies. After the dinner has ended, we were brought back to a lit room where we make a guess on what we have eaten. The menu was then revealed to us. That’s when bragging rights belong to the most acute taste buds #ChallengeAccepted

Before our dinner and while waiting for our guide, we were served the Amuse-Bouche - salmon cod fish with roe (below). This is the only food picture I have as the rest of my dinner was held in the dark. For the Instagram addicts, I am sorry but you have to try to curb your Instagram withdrawal symptoms for this dinner.

 
It was a while before we were informed that our guide Halimi is ready. I was absolutely thrilled! The feeling was just like the moment before I boarded on an aeroplane for the first time. I knew it was going to be an adventure and finally the moment has arrived. The dining room was a total pitch-black. We ordered a glass bottle of still water. The challenge was to make sure the table (and the floor) was not wet after the dinner. Nevertheless it was less stressful when we sensed that the cups were made of plastic instead of glass.

Dinner was a 3 course prix fixe menu - Appetizer, Main Course, Dessert. Each course had 4 smaller different bowls of food, which were placed on a tray.

It's bizarre how our other senses (hear, taste, touch, smell) were heightened when we can't see. I thought my taste buds were more sensitive in the dark as everything I ate tasted very strong. For example, saltier, sweeter, more sour. I could also smell my food before it came, especially the truffles.

And it’s a rare occasion where you aren’t distracted by Whatsapp or busy catching up on Candy Crush. I can’t remember when the last time I gave full attention to my dining companions. And girls, this is also probably the only restaurant where your BFs can't look at other girls.

We weren't sure how Halimi was going to know when we had finished eating. I joked, "Maybe let's just raise our hands." OK I know that's lame and I was quite sure my friend rolled her eyes even though I can't see that. We waited quite some time after our last desserts before Halimi returned.

After we finished, we were brought to the reception area on first floor where we then filled up a questionnaire on what we think was the food we ate. When the server revealed the menu and photos of the food that we ate, we were really caught by surprise by some of the ingredients. We couldn't take pictures of the menu/photos as the restaurant only changes the menu every four weeks and it won't be fun for the rest if we revealed.

Be prepared to pay top dollar (S$78++ without drinks), but be rest assured that you will be served high quality food. The ingredients are worthy of the price you will be paying. There is so much emphasis on food presentation nowadays and sometimes I am guilty of letting it confuse the taste buds. This is a chance where you can focus on just the taste. I must highlight that the food served was enjoyable and I loved all of them, except for one of the main courses which was due to a personal preference.

Not to mention that the service you will get is top-notch. Our guide Halimi is not just a waiter, but an inspiring character. He was formerly a Singapore Airlines crew member but had to undergo an operation to remove his brain tumour. Although he became visually-impaired after the operation, he was never despaired and continued to live life to the fullest and continue to do what he loves - customer service. To many, he might be physically handicapped but actually I think he is no less handicapped in terms of his personality.

Overall, if I could only describe my experience in five words, that would be: "eye-opening", once-in-a-lifetime, amazing, unique, touched. In fact, I am thinking of going back there again after the menu changes.

Some tips :
1) Use the toilet before the adventure as it would be difficult if you need to use the toilet in the middle of the dinner. Don't worry, the toilets are lit.
2) Wear clothes with pockets so that you can keep the locker key. That’s because we also had to keep our bags, mobile phones, cameras, and anything that can gives off light in the lockers.
3) For the klutz, wear dark coloured clothes to prevent food stains.
4) Wear flats/low heels as you would need to climb the stairs to the dining area on 2nd floor.

 

 
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 5  |  
Service
 5  |  
Clean
 5  |  
Price
 3

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Categories : Pasta | Steaks and Grills

I was really looking forward to the OpenRice tasting session at Gourmet Plus because it offers a mixture of Spanish, Italian and French food. So I'll get to try different types of European food at one go smile

The Gilda on Shot Gazpacho ($10 for two shots, below) is an appetizer served in a shot glass. Kudos for being creative! Step 1: Please dip the skewer of marinated olive, chilli, antxoas & baby onions into the gazpacho soup. Step 2: Sip a little of the refreshing gazpacho soup that is made of cold tomato . Step 3: Eat each piece of the vegetable on the skewer. The overall result is a lingering spiciness and sourness on the tastebuds, a refreshing starter to our 10-course dinner.

 
The Haloumi & Green Olive Salad ($18, below) had grilled haloumi cheese tossed with olive, rocket & frisee, Japanese cucumber, pine nuts, red onion in a light mustard dressing. This is my first time eating Haloumi cheese, a Greek cheese, and I loved it. The cheese was pan-fried, slightly salted, texture was like toasted scallop but a bit harder. An interesting dish.

 
Pulpo ala Gallega ($16), is a pretty stack of boiled octopus in between slices of potato, topped with fish roe. Quite a creative combination as the octopus was chewy while the potatoes were soft so there was variation in texture.

The next dish may look like a kitchen disaster, but never judge a book by its cover. Although the Squid Ink Coated Calamari el Bulli with Aioli ($16, below) doesn't look appetizing, my appetite was aroused by the garlic fragrance of this dish when it was served. The calamari was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Must eat with the smooth Aioli sauce. An addictive dish that I couldn't stop going for.

 
Coca Iberico Jamon Lomo & Rocket ($28, below), uses Spanish ham which is from the loin and hence it is more tender than the normal ham. Coupled with the melted cheese and golden baked pizza crust, the result was a robust taste that exploded in the mouth.

 
The roasted Corn-fed Chicken ($30, below), was very tender, and the taste was enhanced when the chicken was drizzled with the essence of chicken demi that accompanied it. Together with the shiitake mushroom, roasted potatoes, and kitchen vegetables, this makes a hearty French dish.

 
Back to Spanish.. the Rabo de toro ($28, below). Spicy spanish oxtail stew, braised for 6 hours, and the result was ultra soft oxtail which tasted both gamey and tender. Eaten with the toasted bread provided.

 
Just when I thought it doesn't get any better than this, we were introduced the Crispy Wagyu Beef Cheek ($35, below). Pan-seared melt-in-your-mouth beef cheeks on mashed potatoes, US asparagus, to be smeared with the red wine shallot gravy. The knife effortlessly cut through the reddish meat, evidential that it was well-braised for hours. How do they make it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside? They only fry the beef cheeks when it is ready to be served. And the mashed potatoes was also a scene stealer with its subtle cheese flavor.

 
Meet Bermuda Triangle of Chocolate ($15, below). The delightful trio is made up of: (i) Chocolate lava cake, (ii) Nutella parfait & berries and, (iii) White Chocolate Panna Cotta. Personal favorite would be the cold sweet Nutella Parfait balanced by the sweet and sour berries. Simple yet good.

 
Since they say there is always a separate stomach for desserts, one dessert would not suffice to end this feast. Our second dessert Nutty Chocolate Peppermint Ravioli ($14) - coated with sugar bread crumbs, molasses amaretto (a type of sweet Italian liqueur) and coconut waffle was nutty and slightly mint flavored. A very unique dessert.

This cosy restaurant has been around since 2004, so that means they must be doing it right. There's an alfresco area which has a romantic ambience. The place can serve up to 75 persons, sounds like a good place to hold functions/gatherings. They have an extensive wine list too. For an inspiring dinner experience and high quality Western cuisine in the East, do visit Gourmet Place for a weekend meal.

Many thanks to OpenRice and Gourmet Plus for the kind hospitality and making me feel like a royal during this great tasting session!

For full review and more photos, please visit http://weekendeatwhatsg.blogspot.sg/2013/08/gourmet-plus.html
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Haloumi & green Olive Salad,Squid Ink Coated Calamari el Bulli with Ioli,Coca Iberico Jamon Lomo & Rocket,Crispy Wagyu Beef cheeks
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 5  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Categories : Japanese | Restaurant

Yayoiken offers set meals whereby there is a meat dish, accompanied by a bowl of Japanese rice, Miso soup and Tofu. The Yayoiken outlet at 313 Somerset is actually located all the way down at Level B3 where all the other eateries such as Yoshinoya, Fish and Co are situated. So it's quite easy to find.

I loved the seat structure of this Yayoiken restaurant as it is designed like cubicles and there are partitions separating the seats. Hence it offers a lot of privacy.

There are 2 types of menu : the Ipad menu for the tech-savvy and the hardcopy menu for the technologically-challenged. So thoughtful of Yayoiken! We made our orders by tapping on the Ipad menu and the orders were sent to the kitchen.

The Mix Toji Set ($13.90, below) was a mixture of fried prawn, pork cutlet, pork slices and eggs. The set also comprised of miso soup, tofu and rice. The crispy meat, enveloped with the the battered moist egg, was rich and sumptuous. It kept us going for more.

 
The Miso Katsu Set ($14.90, below) had a breaded pork cutlet simmered in a thick gooey miso paste. The first bite into the meat delivered a salty savory taste. But after a while I thought the miso paste was a bit too intense and salty, and I got sick of it after a while. Probably a wrong choice made. My friend was enjoying her Mix Toji Set very much. Luckily, the comforting bowl of miso soupthat came with the set meal helped to counter the overly-rich miso paste.

 
Ikageso Kaarage ($3.90, below), a dish of deep fried squid tenacles, was chewy and flavorful when dipped with the mayo and eaten with the lettuce that was drizzled with a tangy sauce.

 
You can also get a hot/cold green tea (free flow) for just $1.. However, we had to press the "call for service" button on the Ipad for three times before the service staff came to refill the tea.

Tip 1: For the hungry customer with a stomach that is like a bottomless pit, this is a really value-for-money place as you can top up your rice for free.

Tip 2: Being the sharp bargain hunter, I saw a promotion for a free dessert if I joined as member of Yayoiken. Just need to go to this website Http://jpremium.asia, fill up a short form and you can redeem a free Matcha ice-cream or free Shiratama Zenzai (red bean soup) on the spot. Other privileges of being a new member include 1-for-1 Santouka ramen, free drink at Maison Kayser, 50% off Ginza Bairin pork menu etc. Wheeee!

 
Here is my free Matcha ice-cream (worth $3.50, below).. We felt it tasted more milky than green tea.. Nevertheless, a refreshing end to a big meal.

 
The warm Shiratama Zenzai (worth $4.90, below) is actually red bean soup with four glutinous rice balls. Although the red beans were overly sweet, the soup was subtle and balanced (it absorbed the sweetness of the red beans) and the glutinous rice balls were soft and chewy, another great way to end the meal.

 
The meal cost only $20 per pax after GST and service charge, which was extremely affordable considering I left with a very full stomach that was going to burst. Will definitely be back again to try other dishes (not the Miso paste Katsu).

For more pictures and a less-concised review, please visit http://weekendeatwhatsg.blogspot.sg/2013/08/yayoiken-313-somerset.html
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Mix Toji Set
 
Spending per head: Approximately $20(Dinner)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 3  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 3  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 5

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