For the complete review, follow the link below:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2017/04/goki-day-korean-bbq.html


Goki Day is an Authentic Korean BBQ restaurant located near Teck Chye Terrace near the Serangoon Heartland. A well-known food enclaved to the foodies. We have visited Goki Day multiple times and see their transformation first hand especially when they change their grill plate from sliding down type to rectangular type, to jumbo type and now to the round type.

Why we said Goki Day is Authentic because it is run by a Korean family from the start. This all-you-can eat restaurant offered the Korean BBQ with Korean steamboat together. So you can please everyone who dines there. It also served ready cooked items while you are waiting for the meat to be cooked. Our favourite here is the thick pork belly. Normally known as 5mm cut, it always delivers the porkgasm that you are looking for in BBQ pork. In the current round grill, you can fit only 3 pcs, but it has the most consistent fire that produces quality bbq pork belly at the end. It has a crisp exterior, follow with fatty and melts in your mouth pork belly. Yum Yum.




There are different choice pork cuts with marinate such as spicy pork, pork bulgogi, pork belly thin cut, bacon, spicy marinated pork belly and most recently pork jowl. Feel free to choose what you like however, we always go back to the thick cut all the time.

For the beef selection, the marinated beef ribs are LD's favourite. It is well seasoned with Korean sweet marinate, tender and meaty. Some part of the beef can be tender, while the rest might need more chewing time.

I personally like the Korean Beef Brisket cut. This cut here is very thin (like sukiyaki thin) and has a good portion fats in it. You can either bbq it or put in the steamboat. I normally have a plateful of these for myself.
There are two types of soup base for steamboat, the non-spicy seaweed soup and the spicy army stew like soup base. For the seaweed, it is on the salty side, so I suggest you dilute it with some water. If you like the spicy kimchi, basically you have the ingredients to create your own army stew here.

Side dishes here is limited and self-service. The kimchi is extremely good according to LD, well-fermented with a crunch and a good dose of red pepper and sourness, and LD loves it so much that she always buy 1 kg to bring home for her Korean instant noodles. I preferred their pickled radish to balance the fattiness in my BBQ.

Other ingredients for BBQ or steamboat includes cuttlefish, octopus(when available), sausages, a variety of mushrooms, chicken, cheese meatball, a variety of vegetables, fresh lettuce to wrap the meal, garlic, onion, fresh cut chilli, eggs and instant noodle. Ice cream, porridge, rice and water are part of the buffet as well.

The recent revamp also introduce some items that are cooked to order. Those items are: Vegetable pancake, Japchae (Glass Noodle), Topokki (Rice Cake), Gimbap (Korean Sushi), Fried Chicken, Kimchi Pancake, Salad and Steam Egg. The service staff will show you this menu when you are seated.

Service is friendly and efficient. The interaction is at the minimum because of the buffet concept, but you can get their attention easily. They will also replace the BBQ plate frequently during your BBQ session. The decor is simple and minimum. As it is a Korean BBQ place, expect to come out of the restaurant smelling like the food you ate.

If you want to have a Korean BBQ at home, you can actually buy the ingredients from the restaurant.  We can tell you the price is very reasonable.

Overall, Goki Day Korean BBQ Buffet is an authentic fuss free Korean BBQ. Although the selection is not extensive, the quality of the ingredients provided is very good. Definitely a place worth to visit if you need a quick fix for your Korean BBQ cravings. Geonbae !! Cheers!!

[MEDIA INVITE] For the complete review, click / copy the link below:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2016/06/alkaff-mansion-italian-gourmet-buffet.htmlIntroducing the Monthly Italian Gourmet Buffet in Alkaff Mansion. This buffet will showcase the popular dishes from Sunday Prosecco Brunch, as well as the scrumptious Italian Grigliata Grill plus bar at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante. The Italian Gourmet Buffet dinner is available only on the third Thursday of the month, unless announced otherwise through social media. The highlights of The Great Italian Gourmet Buffet are:

Coffin Bay Oysters. This South Australian Oysters are fresh and plum. I like my oysters simple, with a touch of lemon. You can taste the simple freshness of the oyster when it glides down your throat. A good start to the buffet. Carpaccio. There are a few selection of carpaccio in the antipasti, such as Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Tuna Carpaccio with Orange & Black Olives, and Octopus Carpaccio with Orange & Balsamic Reduction. Our pick is the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, not commonly available, where the thinly sliced beef just melts in your mouth with the tangy dressing. Yum Yum. Mozzarella Cheese. The perennial favourite dish Mozzarella Cheese with Tomato & Basil. We just can't say no to it. The soft texture of the cheese, sliced sweet tomatoes and aroma of the basil definitely our pick for cheese salad combo any day. Pizza. A must try here. No matter what toppings they put on it, the combination of thin crust, marinara sauce and generous mozzarella cheese just made it delizioso. Lamb Rack. The Lamb Rack with Sardinian Vermentino, The lamb was tender and succulent, as it was marinated with Italian white wine. The balance of the fats and meat is just spot on. Though the 36-hour marinated Beef Striploin is good, but it just can't beat the lamb. We are guilty of finishing about one rack of lamb here. Grilled Sardinian Octopus. To be exact grilled Sardinian octopus leg. Not the first time that we tried this in Alkaff Mansion, but not the one to be miss. Slightly hard to chew on this time around, but still give a pleasant taste. Desserts. The chocolate desserts are ... Chocolategasm!!! There is a special chocolate cake, which basically infused with chilli. Yup Cake with chilli. The people here just love their chilli surprise, just like the chilli mix in the cocktail, named Alkaff Potion. (Please note that some of the chocolate cake contain coffee, if you are allergic to coffee like LD, you might have to check on the content in the dish dessert). LD's favourite is the chocolate profiteroles. This bit size desserts is just so irresistible, you just pop it in your mouth one at a time. Yum Yum. Overall, it was definitely a pleasant experience to be back in Alkaff Mansion. The food definitely top notch and so does the service. So check out the details below, as well as the menu for the buffet. Ciao!! Cheers!! Thank you very much Alkaff Mansion Ristorante and H3(Cube) for the tasting invitation.

Italian Gourmet Buffet (Third Thursday of the month – unless stated otherwise)
Time: 18.00 – 22.00
$98++ per adult
$48++ per child (Ages 5 to 12)*

For the full review, click / copy the link below:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2016/05/cafe-melba.htmlThe name Melba is inspired from the blend of Melbourne and Asia cuisine. Located in Goodman Arts Centre, Café Melba offer a unique dining experience. It is a family friendly cafe hidden in the tranquil garden of Goodman Arts Centre, with indoor and outdoor dining area plus plenty of space in the yard and designated children playing area for the little one to run around. The food on offer definitely reminds LD and I of the time we were back in Melbourne. Such as Crayfish Pasta ($27). This simple looking spaghetti are infused with crustacean broth. The pasta is al-dente, robust, and well complement the fresh crayfish. The rocket salad add a slight bitterness to the dish, however it is definitely a pasta dish that you don't want to miss. During the weekend, they have a special Weekend Roast on the menu that rotate weekly. On the day, it was Roast Pork ($30). The roast pork was on display in the kitchen passing area. It was just so inviting, we decided to order one. Three beautifully roasted cut pork saddle, served with Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables and apple sauce. The meat is tender, succulent with a nice balance between meat and fats. The cracking is crispy with a bit chewiness, typical in western style roast pork. For a good measure, they also include a few crispy pork rind. The yorkshire pudding is about the size of your fist, eggy and definitely goes well with your pork and roast vegetables. The apple sauce is infused with vinaigrette to balance the fattiness in the dish. The only thing missing here is the au jus or gravy, something for the yorkshire pudding to hold on. Ticking off one of the must try food list, I ordered Reuben Sandwich ($24). A thick solid slices of corned beef, topped with sauerkraut, melted cheese and Russian dressing in between rye bread. The portion of the sauerkraut is the same as the portion of the meat. On my first bite, the sourness really hits me, follow with tanginess. Though the sliced corned beef is tender, I just feel sourness in every bite onwards. I was not what I expected. If I ever order this again, I will definitely ask them to cut down on the sauerkraut portion or serve it on the side. We also drop by during one of the weekday and I had the Roast Chicken. A perfectly roasted spring chicken, with a nice paper crispy skin. The meat on the breast is moist and the same can be said on the thigh and drumstick. The au jus really boast the flavour of the chicken. End result, I clean up my plate and left with just the clean bones, my homage to a perfectly cooked roast chicken. However, during the weekday visit, we also notice the inconsistency in standard of cooking. The steak on that day was done pretty ordinary. Though it has the grill mark, it did not seal the juice in the steak. LD was disappointed with the steak on the weekday. Moving on to desserts, Chocolate lava cake ($14) is a must try. Had this on both of our visit. Solid chocolate flavour on the cake and on the ozzing thick chocolate fillings. On the side was chocolate crumbs, berries and crumbs, provided a contrasting crunchy texture and nice topping for the berries sorbet. Granny's Apple Crumble ($12) is also a good pick for dessert. The apples is chopped to mini cubes, well coated with sugar and baked to soft yet remain crunchy. The crumbles was slightly chewy, while the vanilla ice cream provide a nice finishing to the desserts. Of course an Aussie cafe will not be completed with Lemon Lime Bitters ($8). A little bit overpriced, but definitely worth the money. The mix of Angostura bitters, lemonade and lime cordial was spot on. If you want something more healthy, try their Mango Smoothie ($9), fresh, thick and creamy. The décor in Café Melba is bright, airy, with see through glass windows and doors surrounding the restaurant. There is a flow between the indoor and outdoor dining area is very seamless. For indoor dining, the menu and order can be done through the tablet available on each table. While outdoor, still using the traditional way. Service is good, though it can be hard to get their attention sometimes. Overall, LD and I really enjoy dining at Café Melba. The food is good, the place is bright, comfortable and family friendly. If you are looking for a place to enjoy your leisure dining during weekend or weekday, this is a place to try. Cheers Mate!!

[MEDIA INVITE] For the full review, click / copy the link below:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2016/05/cook-and-brew-dinner-set.htmlLast time I drop by at Cook & Brew, was in 2014 when a German Executive Chef was in charge. Currently, Cook & Brew is helmed by Executive Chef Aaron Foster, a proud Canadian who bring his love for home town produce and his interpretation of comfort food.

Recently, Cook & Brew introduced a three course set dinner menu, priced at $55. This include a starter, main course and dessert.

I started with Heirloom Tomatoes & Plums (Buttermilk and gorgonzola cheese dressing, butter curd, pecan brittle). First impression, beautiful presentation of the salad, with fresh tomatoes and plum. I thought that the gorgonzola cheese will be subtle as I can't really smell it at first. However once I took a bite, the pungent flavour of the blue cheese burst in your mouth. The fresh tomatoes and plum does well to offset the blue cheese flavour. If you find the blue cheese is too strong, you can actually eat the fruits and vegetables without the dressing. A must try dish for cheese lover. Main Course was The Chicken Parm (Breaded basil and yoghurt marinated chicken, mushrooms, sweet peppers, tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella). One of the most traditional comfort food and one of the best that I have tried. The crust was thin and crispy, while the meat is tender, succulent and well-seasoned. The melted buffalo mozzarella added to the richness of the dishes, while the tanginess of the tomato sauce with bitterness of the rocket salad provide the balance to the richness of the chicken. Yum Yum, two thumbs up. Please note that the portion of the main course is Canadian size, instead of Asian size. Dessert was Home-made Raspberries Chocolate Layers Cake (Vanilla sauce, fresh berries, house-spun raspberry sorbet). Cook and Brew version of layer cake. A nice taste of dark chocolate, with berry flavours sponge cake. The raspberry sorbet is very tangy, yet refreshing provided a perfect ending to the dish. I did not manage to finish the cake after a big portion of the main, but I did polish off the sorbet. On top of the set menu, we also sample some item from the bar menu, which was obvious has Canadian influence in it. My picks for the bar menu are: Poutine “EH” ($16), a Canadian comfort food and popular cure for hangover. This hearty dish normally only consist of French fries, cheese curds and gravy. At Cook and Brew, Chef Aaron up the ante and introduced pulled pork into the Poutine. Rich, tasty and comforting. Definitely a must-try dish here. Whipped Buffalo Milk Ricotta ($14). Something for cheese lover. Unlike the starter, the cheese here is creamy and mild. Infused with truffle honey, it added sweet and aromatic touch to the cheese. Spread it over the crisp yet chewy grilled bread, making it a good finger food. Turkey Meatballs ($15). I actually thought its made of pork. The filling is moist, unlike most of the turkey made food that I ever tasted. The pecorino cheese and tomato really complete the dishes. The atmosphere of this place is still gorgeous. Definitely a place you want to chill out. It has a good view of the Marina Bay, however with the new development directly in front of the hotel, the view of the bay will soon be blocked. The décor is combination of wood, classy and classic furniture. You have the option to sit yourself in couches, dining area, balcony and even the bar.

Overall, this return visit to Cook and Brew definitely a memorable one. It seems the Canadian influenced comfort food really strike the cord in me. The unpretentious and heart warming food really set the standard on how Gastropub meal should be. Cheers!!

[MEDIA INVITE]  For the complete review, click here:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2016/05/wok15-kitchen.htmlIt is not very often you can dine in Singapore, with the sight of of a “boat” (all right, a Yacht) that cost more than your house in Singapore. Well, at Wokº15 Kitchen, the million dollars picturesque view is part of the package. While walking to the restaurant, LD and I had fun choosing which yacht we like most. Wokº15 Kitchen is the flagship Chinese Restaurant by Oneº15 brand in Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore. With Executive Chef Chum Kar Ho leading the charge in the kitchen, expect to see the most exquisite Cantonese dishes. In case you are wondering, Wokº15 Kitchen is open to public. Appetizer for the tasting session was Japanese Greenhouse Tomatoes served with Wasabi Infused Sesame Sauce (胡麻酱芥末温室番茄 - $8 per plate ). The tomato was huge and ripe, well covered in the sesame sauce. Although, it sesame sauce supposed to be infused with wasabi, you will barely notice its presence. It was served chilled and provide a refreshing start to the meal, especially during this hot weather. Double Boiled Japanese Chicken Soup with Himematsutake Mushrooms (姬松茸炖日本樱花鸡 - $36 per pot). One of the essence of Cantonese cooking. The soup. The clear brown colour broth is well infused with he flavour of chicken, mushrooms and the dry abalone. The nutritious soup was served individually without the fillings. It is robust and feels clean at the same time. Grilled Garoupa Fillet with Beancurd Skin served in Stone Pot (石窝豆筋焖星斑件 - $32). The garoupa fillet was well coated with flour before it was deep fried, so it sealed the juice inside the fillet. The skin is slightly crispy, which compliment the slightly chewy beancurd skin. The special soy sauce binds the whole ingredients together. A simple looking dish but with different layer of texture in it. Chilli Crab served with Fried Mantou (星洲辣汁螃蟹伴炸馒头 - $55 per kg and Golden Fried Man Tau $1 per pc). The chilli crab is the signature dish of the restaurant. It was finger-licking fantastic, the crabs was huge and solid. The chilli sauce was not mind blowing spicy, instead it has a nice balance between the sweet, spicy and tanginess to the dish. The crispy skin man tou with fluffy inner part provided a good sponge for the sauce. We basically just slurping the egg coated chilli crab gravy like a soup. The two crabs that we have is about 1.2kg each. Priced at $55 per kg at the moment, it is also cheaper than those outside. Definitely give you the motivation to drive into Sentosa Cove, to try their special chilli crab. The carbo was Braised Vermicelli with Diced Seafood, Salted Fish, Shrimp Paste and Vegetables (大澳焖米粉 - $22). Though you should not judge the food from the looks, this dish look slightly pale from the beginning. We were expecting the infused vermicelli broth will give us a wow factor, however it was flat all the way. We decided to spice things up and add XO sauce, and it just bring life to the dish. The sweet ending was Double Boiled Snow Fungus and Osmanthus served in Coconut (椰盅桂花海底椰雪耳 - $12). A flawless dessert where the snow fungus and osmanthus are double boiled inside the coconut. The coconut juice provide a unique sweetness and a hint of coconut richness to the desserts. Definitely a way to end a memorable meal, which nourish your health and complexion. For lunch, the amount of food served was just nice. It filled us up, but not to the point of food coma. The décor of the restaurant is just elegant. Modern Chinese restaurant design with cushioned chairs and clean with table cloth. The private room is decorated in dark blue, in contrast to red and white in the main dining area. Overall, it was really a wonderful dining experience. Wokº15 Kitchen dishes really epitomise the nature of Cantonese Cuisine. The Chilli Crab is a definite must try and a deserving signature dish of this restaurant as well. So if you are looking for a Cantonese restaurant with Millions dollar picturesque view, give Wokº15 Kitchen. Cheers!!