Where better to experience the Christmas ambience better in Singapore this year, if not IndoChine @ Supertree Grove? We took the elevator all the way up to level 16 (rooftop level) and were immediately greeted with the cool touch of breezes and magnificent views overlooking seas and the Marina Bay Sands areas. We could hear the carolers in the background, and service here was impeccable. We reached around 6.45am where the skies were slowly darkening, and we watched the moon forming over the gentle seas. The views were more and more becoming as the night drew deeper.We started with Hand-pounded Papaya Salad (SGD$18.00), made up of green papaya hand-pounded with dried shrimps, Asian spices, greens and Laotian dressing. We also spotted peanuts, carrot strips and tomatoes in the mix. The salad was refreshing, tangy and zesty all at once, making it very delicious and appetite whetting. The nuts added crunch to the salad.We then had the Crispy Lychee with Kurobuta Pork Loin and Bacon (SGD$24.00) - crispy lychee wrapped with kurobuta pork loin and apple-smoked bacon; served dressed with mayonnaise and ebikko. These dainty items were served on spoons; we loved the luscious, crispy exterior that paved the way to the tender pork within. The lychee aroma was rather distinctive, perfect for us both lychee lovers.

For full review and more detailed information, please feel free to visit:
http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/12/christmas-at-indochine-rooftop-bar.html

 

I used to frequent the 6 Oz Espresso Bar at Fuji Xerox Tower quite often; they have better decor there - faux grass and all. Anyway, today we decided to lunch at the flagship outlet because it was a rainy day and this place was fortunately, not crowded at that point in time. The decor here is minimalist and simple, no fuss or muss. Service is efficient and businesslike; customers order and pay at counter while the crew would bring the food / drinks to our tables.The Scandinavian Cured Salmon Sandwich (SGD$9.00) - gravlaxed salmon served caramelised onions and alfafa sprouts clasped between wheat bread. The cured salmon was smooth in texture and springy; tasted good but would have been better with cheese or some lettuce, we felt - but oh well, this was probably the healthy concept or something.For drinks, I had the Salted Caramel Cafe Latte (SGD$6.00), which was good. The coffee was satiny in texture and had a good body infused with salted caramel's subtle flavours, making it delicious and addictive.

For full review and more detailed information, please feel free to visit:
http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/12/afternoon-tea-at-6-oz-espresso-bar.html

The restaurant / bar was dimly-lit, with dark wood decor, to give it a very European feel - relaxing, foreign, contemporary and even intimate - the faux wooden walls bore testament to the descriptions. A bar counter and high tables lined one section of the room, while large cushy booths filled up the other. I loved especially the mock-chandelier lights suspending from the ceilings, giving it a touch of enigma.The Chicken Piev (SGD$28.00) - breaded chicken stuffed with clarified butter, served with baked vegetables and mushroom sauce. The crust of the chicken was crispy with the breaded butter layer, tasting alot of cheese; the chicken was tender and light in taste. It made for a simple but sumptuous dish.I had one of their signatures - the Beef Straganov (SGD$32.00), fine beef strips served on mashed potatoes, embraced with creamy mushroom sauce. The beef strips were very tender, having been sliced rather finely; their rawer, sweeter taste infused with the wondrous taste of the luscious, umami mushroom sauce pooling it. The mashed potato was very soft, melting in the mouth immediately. This was a rather unforgettable dish.

For full review and more detailed information, please feel free to visit:
http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/12/dinner-at-buyan-russian-restaurant.html

Part of the Spa Esprit Group, Open Farm Community is their initiative to kickstart local farming, letting the diners connect to the great nature and celebrating local spirit. This is a collaboration between celebrity chef Ryan Clift and award-winning food garden specialists Edible Garden City. Thus, it is not surprising to see that this cafe / restaurant is sitting on 35,000 square feet of green land, surrounded by local produce growing on tiny mounds of "hills" or flat green lands. Yes, the greens that you eat would come from these home-grown lush greenery surrounding the restaurant.The Warm Salad of Broccoli, Pine Nuts, Sugar Snap Peas Topped with Crumbled Feta and Minden Mint (SGD$19.00). This dish looked deceptively average and simple, but the first bite knocked us off our socks with the delicious taste and texture of the vegetables.Next, Mangalica Pork Collar (SGD$35.00) served with Asian BBQ glaze, corn and speckled ragout with pickled cucumber - was, to quote *I, "the wagyu of pork". It was utterly succulent in texture, easy to slice through with a cut, almost melty when eaten, light in flavour and it just danced on the tongue. The zesty ragout was fresh and infused deliciously with the BBQ glaze. The pork crackling topping the meat was another addictive delicacy we could not stop chewing on, relishing in its crispiness.Then the Potato Dumpling Gnocchi (SGD$27.00) with shredded pork sausage, sun-dried tomato jus and fresh fennel was served - lovely little pockets of sticky stuffed potato that were both tasty and chewy, engaging the palate immediately. Flavour was substantial without being too overpowering.Finally, the thing I came here specially for - Lemon Curd with Basil Ice-cream (SGD$17.00), a strudel-like dessert with layers of lemon curd piped between sable planks, served with gel of chia seeds soaked in lemon basil oil and of course, the basil ice-cream. The strudel-like dessert was gently crispy, breaking easily and neatly under the pressure of fork point, and the citrusy sweetness of the smooth lemon curd perked us up. The more subdue basil ice-cream was lightly exotic, exuding hints of sweetness between its "raw-er" green taste; and utterly silky in texture.

For full review and more detailed information, please feel free to visit:
http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/12/lunch-at-open-farm-community-dempsey.html

It was the Beau's birthday and we decided to celebrate at the 3-cuisined restaurant, ME@OUE Bayfront.   It was a breathtaking restaurant no doubt, offering gorgeous views of the cityscape, and accessible by its own private elevator at OUE Bayfront Building. One would pass by a long passageway with rows of wine on display before desccending upon the restaurant entrance. The interior was simply stunning - I could not help staring because it looked like a skyful of stars overhead, and the intimate, elegant ambience was nearly unearthly. On the table were poinsettias in anticipation of Christmas, and behind us was an open kitchen. Service was personalised, attentive and thoughtful.We started with the Squid Ink Croissant - a pleasant surprise, which was flakey, soft and utterly tasty, redolent with the sweet murkiness of squid's natural flavour.The Foie Gras Terrine (SGD$28.00) - a thick disc with pretty plating of quince marmalade, mint, caramelised hazelnut, coffee salt, and served with scrumptious Cheese Brioche. The foie gras was lightly-flavoured, none of that heavy, dank tasting that mediocre foie gras contains; it was light, creamy and velvety - and perfect either spread over the brioche or eaten in tiny bits on its own.The Lobster Risotto (SGD$38.00 for appetiser portion / SGD$72.00 for main course portion) - doused with hazelnut squid ink, sea asparagus and parmesan cheese. The rice was chewy and grainy the way I loved it, pooled by a luscious gravy sapid with lobster's flavour; the lobster pieces were generous, springy and pleasing to the palate.

For full review and more detailed information, please feel free to visit:
http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/12/dinner-at-meoue-bayfront.html