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Chubby Botak Koala
This is Chubby Botak Koala living in Hougang/Kovan. I am a Foodies, work in Ang Mo Kio. I like to hang out in Serangoon, Katong, Tampines. Singaporean, Chinese, Multi-Cuisine are my favorite cuisines. I also love Hawker Centre, Restaurant, Café, Bistro and Roasted Meat, Desserts and Cakes, Dim Sum, Something not too spicy.
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Chubby Botak Koala  Level 4
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Bye Bye Chocolate Cravings Smile Oct 08, 2013   
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Categories : Bars/Lounges | Desserts and Cakes

2am: Dessert Bar is the brainchild of chef Janice Wong. A reputable chef in her own right, she has honed her skills under the tutelage of world renowned chef such as Thomas Keller from US. Awarded Asia's Best Pastry Chef at the prestigious San Pellegrino Asia Top 50 2103. In this establishment, expect your palate to be charmed and entertained by the creativity of chef Janice Wong and her team.

 
Located on the second floor of 21 Lorong Liput Holland Village, behind the Cold Storage, this is a place to satisfy your sweet tooth and sweet eyes.

Boasting a decoration like a bar, as mention in its name, this place definitely great to chill out. Once you reach the second floor, this place is divided into three section. The bar, the high tables and the couch. For couples, the connecting long couch with coffee tables is a good option if you come in pair. While high bench and chairs, is the perfect choice if you come in a group. If you prefer to see how the chefs in action up close, you can choose the bar. The lighting is very intimate, as you can see I am taking pictures without flash as not to disturb the atmosphere.
The Bar

The Bar

 
The Menu

The Menu

 
The Couple Seat

The Couple Seat

 
For something not too sweet, we recommend Hot Chocolate, served with homemade churros ($10). The chocolate drink is creamy with full bodied chocolate, together with the crispy churros, created a perfect chemistry in your mouth. I will recommend you to order extra churros ($4) to ensure you are fully satisfied. We just can't stop popping the little suckers into our mouth.
Hot Chocolate, served with homemade churros

Hot Chocolate, served with homemade churros

 
Extra homemade churros

Extra homemade churros

 
Shares of Green ($14), pistachio sponge, coco mousse, pandan gula melaka custard. This desserts is delightful to see, due to beautiful combination of green, white and brown. It tasted quite light and refreshing, with Asian flair. The different texture of each part of this deserts will definitely excite your palate.
Shades of Green

Shades of Green

 
For chocolate lovers, Chicory Chocolate ($16) is recommended. Chocolate overload is the proper description of this dessert. Chicory suppose to provide the bitter / coffee like texture to the desserts. The biscotti texture like chocolate slice, with milk jam, vanilla ice cream and mix crumble is just difficult to resist. However, for those who can't tolerate rich chocolate such as myself, you might want to avoid this.
Chicory Chocolate

Chicory Chocolate

 
If you are into wine, the chef has pair each desserts item with the most suitable wine. And for those non-desserts person, there is a snack menu. All the menus are available on the establishment website if you want to check it out.

The chef in charge for the night actually went around and explain the menu to the customers. She gave us the details of each desserts, base on our preference. Although we can't understand more than half of the technical terms that she used, we really appreciate her effort. Kudos to her.

Overall, we were really impressed with the concept of 2am dessert bar. It is provide a wonderful desserts experience like none others. The price is very reasonable as final preparation for each desserts, such as the sauce and melted chocolate are done after they received the order. We look forward to comeback for more. Cheers!!

For the complete Chubby Botak Koala experience, click / copy the below link to your browser:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2013/09/2am-dessert-bar-bye-bye-chocolate.html

 
Recommended Dish(es):  Hot Chocolate with homemade churros,Shades of Green
 
Spending per head: Approximately $19(Supper)

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

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Categories : European | Bakery | Café

Baker & Cook is an European style Artisan bakery, brainchild of Kiwi origin Global Baker Dean Brettschneider. Born in New Zealand, Celebrity Global Baker Dean is citizen of the world, with working experience spanning from his native New Zealand, Europe, USA, Britain and Asia. Baker & Cook in Hillcrest Road is his first outpost in Singapore with the vision to expand a couple more bakeries in Singapore heartland should the opportunity arises.

When you step into Baker & Cook, you can see the bright, warm, modern but with slightly rugged finishings. Designed by top architecture firm in Singapore, Ong & Ong, the design drew inspiration from the breads texture, grains and crumbs. The products such as bread, cake, tarts, cookies, quiches, sandwiches or salads are proudly displayed on the counters and shelf in the restaurant. There is a humongous wooden dining table inside the restaurant for indoor dining and lots more table and chair for the alfresco section.
Counter

Counter

 
Counter

Counter

 
Coffee Counter   Pie & Salads Counter

Coffee Counter Pie & Salads Counter

 
Eggs Benedict ($19) this is the main reason that I came here for. Two poached eggs, laid on two slices of Pain au Levin (White sourdough) bread, topped with hollandaise sauce with generous glaze of balsamic vinegar and chilli oil. You can choose bacon or salmon as the topping. The eggs are cooked to perfection, with the yolk ooze out when you break the eggs. The sourdough is firm but light with crispy edge, managed to absorb the egg yolks and hollandaise sauce. The balsamic vinegar and chilli oil act as the counter balance against the richness of the sauce. Yummyyy!!
Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict

 
Next come the Pancake Stack ($17) served with compote of caramelized apples, Greek yoghurt and lashing of homemade toffee sauce. The pancake is quite generous in size. Although the pancake is moisty, the natural apple compote with cinnamon powder and greek yoghurt made the dish slightly sour and dry. Personally, it is not to my liking, but the Little Devil's ('LD') liked it.
Pancake Stack

Pancake Stack

 
LD also ordered sausage rolls with salad for her main dish. It was reheated, with a nice crispy texture on the outside and moist filling on the inside. Again, I am a meat pie person rather than a sausage roll, so I just endorse her opinion that it is good.
Sausage Roll

Sausage Roll

 
As a little greed sips into our marrow, we also ordered Baker & Cook Freshly Baked Bread & Viennoiserie Selection ($10). They are served with butter and three type of homemade jams (marmalade, mixed berries and blackberries). The jams are natural and not too sweet, as I used them to help me finished my share of the slightly dry pancakes. The whole bread basket basically went to a paper bag and brought home for the satisfaction of family members at home.
Baker & Cook Freshly Baked Bread  & Viennoiserie Selection

Baker & Cook Freshly Baked Bread & Viennoiserie Selection

 
The service staff here is friendly, good and efficient. However, just like the common practice in may café or food establishment in Singapore, you actually have to place your order in the counter and make payment first before you can enjoy your food.

Overall, we are glad that Baker & Cook brought European Atrisan Bakery to Singapore to satisfy the well-travelled food lover Singaporeans. They have some many delicious, yummy looking products, we just find one visit to this place is just not enough. We want to try the cake, croissants, bombolini doughnuts, cakes and many more. “We'll BE BACK!!!” Bon appetite!
Meringue

Meringue

 
For the full review and phots of Baker & Cook, click or copy the link below to your brower:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2013/07/baker-cook-getting-to-know-artisan-bread.html

 
Recommended Dish(es):  Eggs Benedict,Breads
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Categories : Japanese | Restaurant | Sushi/Sashimi | Omakase

In December 2012, a plane missed it's designated landing strip in Changi Airport Singapore. It was reported the plane that was piloted by Chef E.C. Wong, had managed to land safely in Kampung Glam area and luckily no one was hurt. As the plane was carrying fresh seafood and ingredients from Japan, the pilot has no choice but to open up a sushi bar from that point onwards and continue to serve the freshest ingredients flew in four times a week from Japan.

 
As according to its name, the restaurant is designed based on the 1930s aeroplane stereotype. The kitchen, tables and sushi bar are made of shiny metal that are found in the galley of aeroplane. The restaurant can probably only seat less then 40 person. So to make sure you get a seat, you might want to call to make reservations during the peak period.

 
Airways Garden Salad ($15) which is fresh garden salad with wafu dressing. The salad is light, refreshing, yummyy and delicious. The dressing simply binds the ingredients which include avocado, tamago and tomato. A good way to open up your appetite.
Airways Garden Salad

Airways Garden Salad

 
For mains, we recommend their Mango Roll ($30) first – avocado, mango and flying fish roe. Each ingredients are generously prepare and served. You will notice the freshness of the mango to balance the slightly fiery fish roe. The sushi rice are mixed with other fresh flavourful vegetables, to create a unique flavour to the mango roll. Uniquely fresh.
Mango Roll

Mango Roll

 
Mango Roll

Mango Roll

 
Sushi airways version of California Roll ($15), is the inside out version, where the rice is on the outer part of the roll and covered generously with flying fish roe. Using just white sushi rice, it simple and nice. The chef just let the ingredients speak for itself.
California Roll

California Roll

 
For people who like some fizz in their drink, try their Passion Fruit Soda Smoothies ($6). Not sure where the smoothies come from, it is more like a Passion Fruit Soda Fizz. It is more on the sweet side, I actually have to dilute it further with some ice water.
Passion Fruit Soda Smoothies

Passion Fruit Soda Smoothies

 
To cleanse your palate after the meal, a complementary beancurd pudding will be served. Nice balance of texture and sweetness.
Beancurd Pudding

Beancurd Pudding

 
We boarded the plane on one Saturday afternoon, after the lunch crowds and there are only 4 tables occupied. The service is good, but the food took quite a while to come to the table, especially their rolls. As only Chef Wong and his assistant are preparing the food for the whole plane, the captain seek your understanding.

Overall, Sushi Airways food represent a creative, unique and fresh. Each dish prepared individually by Chef Wong and his co pilot, so you can expect the high and consistent standard. The price is reasonable, if you compare the quality of the food that you received. I'm looking forward to my next visit to try out their other fresh air flown ingredients. Bon Voyage!!!

For the full review and photos, check out the link below:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2013/07/sushi-airways-sushi-plane-has-landed.html

 
Recommended Dish(es):  California Roll,Mango Roll
 
Spending per head: Approximately $38(Lunch)

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

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Categories : Japanese | Restaurant | Seafood | Sushi/Sashimi

I heard about this place from a friend in F&B business telling us how good was his Omasake dining experience in a Japanese restaurant. When he told us, it was in Jubilee, Ang Mo Kio, it was to my disbelief. So when the opportunity arises, I decided to give this place a try.

Located on the 2nd floor of Jubilee Square, we thought the place will be packed on a Friday night, to our surprise, it was the opposite. It seems the closure of the cinema on the upper floor, depleted the human traffic going to the building except to the Popular book store.

 
We arrived at the restaurant on time for our reservations and was seated immediately. This time around we (group of 4) decided to order from the menu instead of Omasake.

Appetizer of Grilled Stingray Fin ($8.8), Tatami Iwashi (Tatami Style Slices of White Bait) and Ika Mentaiko Ae (Squid with spicy cod roe – $4.80). The squid is fresh and combined nicely with the spicy cod roe. The white bait is crispy and appetizing, can be considered as white bait crackers. While the grill stingray fin has a slightly chewy texture which was nice to bite on but not fishy. Similar taste to dried sotong, but without the fishy smell. It is actually a good dish to have when you are drinking sake or beer.
Grilled Stingray Fin

Grilled Stingray Fin

 
Our sashimi adventure begin with half of Aji (House mackerel), 3 kinds of sashimi (salmon, swordfish and sweet prawns – $15.80), and Sake to Shiromi no Karupatcho (Salmon and white Fish carpaccio – 13.80). This is our first experience with Aji. As it come from a smaller fish, the cuts are smaller and it has a clean, firm and resilient texture. Unlike swordfish, where it is more firm and taste buttery. The salmon sashimi and swordfish cuts are thick and generous. The carpaccio combines the soft texture of the sashimi, with the crispiness of the vegetables and well balance sauce. Yummy.
Aji (House mackerel)

Aji (House mackerel)

 
3 kinds of sashimi (salmon, swordfish and sweet prawns)

3 kinds of sashimi (salmon, swordfish and sweet prawns)

 
Sake to Shiromi no Karupatcho  (Salmon and white Fish carpaccio)

Sake to Shiromi no Karupatcho (Salmon and white Fish carpaccio)

 
Moving to the maki, we had Sanshoku Dragon Roll (Fried King Prawn Rolled topped with Avocado, Mango and flying fish roe - $12.80) and Soft Shell Crab Roll (fried soft shell crab roll topped with flying fish roe – $7.80). The prawns and soft shell crab are well fried. However it was let down with the sushi rice which was slightly loose, a little under cooked and not well season with the rice vinegar.
Sanshoku Dragon Roll

Sanshoku Dragon Roll

 
From the debacle of the maki, we proceed to the perfectly executed tepanyaki dishes. Kinoko Sarada (Assorted Mushroom salad – $5.80), Wakadori Teriyaki (Grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce), Gyu Tataki (Thinly sliced surfaced grilled beef – $12.80), Saba Shio Yaki (Grilled mackerel with salt) and Ebi Mentai Mayo Yaki (Grilled Prawn with cod roe mayonnaise). The mushroom salad are crunchy and refreshing. The chicken teriyaki has a slight crispiness texture on the outside, with well marinated, juicy, tender and succulent.
Kinoko Sarada (Assorted Mushroom salad)

Kinoko Sarada (Assorted Mushroom salad)

 
The beef tataki is done medium rare, where you can see the pinkish side of the beef in the centre. Combine well with the tangy dipping sauce. The saba fish has firm but juicy meat on it. While the grilled prawn is immaculate with a well balance cod roe mayonnaise. It was flawless.
Gyu Tataki (Thinly sliced surfaced grilled beef )

Gyu Tataki (Thinly sliced surfaced grilled beef )

 
To end the meal we had zaru soba and su udon (plain udon). The texture of both are al dente.

The service here is very attentive and caring. However, the food come out from the kitchen is in an irregular order. Such as maki – grill – sashimi – appetizer – grill, so it kind of become slightly confusing for the palate. For the décor, it is very Zen like, but more towards modern Japanese restaurant. Can't really comment much on the inside, as we are seated on the facing the escalator and can't see the activity in the sushi counter.

Overall, it is not very common you can find a good quality Japanese food in the heartland other than the bigger Japanese Restaurant operator. The best part of the restaurant is that they have different range of pricing in their menu to accommodate different range of customers. We hope they continue to thrive and we should be back for more. Cheers!!

For the full review and photos, open the link below on your browser:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2013/07/kinsa-sushi-good-japanese-food-in.html

 
Recommended Dish(es):  Sashimi,Ebi Mentai Mayo Yaki,Gyu Tataki
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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Categories : Café

This Cafe has been my must-go-place since its opening last year. It has changed their management a few times since its opening in 2012, however it seems always for the better. Kudos to the new management.

 
Chubby Botak Koala can be considered a regular here. You will most likely spot me here during the day, where it is more quiet. I find it to be a good getaway place if I need a little break from endless work, as it is nearby my office. The main attraction for this cafe has always been the coffee and their old school deco. They get their beans from Highlander, one of the renowned artisan bean roaster in Singapore. The latte is fragrant, smooth, creamy and no bitter after taste. Accompanying their latte is Malongo Biscuit Speculoos.
Latte

Latte

 
Other than the coffee, you should also try their ice cream and gelato. The best combination will be in form of Affogato. I had this once in the evening with a friend from Jakarta, the lethality of the espresso lead to insomnia until 4 in the morning. The ice cream has a nice sweetness level, perfect creaminess that will make you ask for more.
Affogato

Affogato

 
The cakes here is also quite good. I tried their yuzu cake and passion fruit moose, both has a delicate balance, light and refreshing. For non coffee drinker, they have tea selection from Gryphon, Mark & Spencer, Ginger Beer, Artisan Beer and others.
Cake Selections

Cake Selections

 
Yuzu Cake

Yuzu Cake

 
Passion Fruit Moose

Passion Fruit Moose

 
Tea Selections

Tea Selections

 
Decoration of this place is simple. They claimed that their design is old school deco, personally I think they probably pick up the furniture from a second hand shop, repaint and put it together. However, I have to say they did a good job with it and I always feel comfortable spending my time in the cafe.

 
Service has always been friendly and efficient. For the price, The Coffee Daily actually deliver value for money. Their price of their coffee, ice cream / gelato and cakes are comparable to the neighbourhood cafe's or even lower. At this point of time, I can include this as one of my Top 3 Coffee Place in Singapore. Cheers !!!

For the full review with photos,menu board, go to the below link:
http://www.chubbybotakkoala.com/2013/07/the-coffee-daily-away-from-daily-grind.html

 
Recommended Dish(es):  Coffee,Latte,Affogato,Cakes
 
Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 4  |  
Service
 4  |  
Clean
 4  |  
Price
 4

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