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http://www.epinosh.com/tsukada-nojo-singapore/I am not obsessed with birds but one of my sisters often get bewitched by their meaty leg – weak! Oops…lol. (she better not read this..) Yes, I very much wanted to introduce this pot of fabulous collagen-based soup to her, they called it the “Beauty-Pan” or more formally Bijin Nabe ($25/head, min 2 to order & available only at dinner time). Never heard of it? Fret not, I’m here. Tsukada Nojo, pride itself in using the highest quality breed of free-range chicken which they titled; “Lord of the manor Miyazaki chicken” – cultivated from their own poultry farm. Sounds prestigious, doesn’t it? So, what’s the hype about? The first flagship outlet brought in by AP Company (Japan), has more than 120 outlets under its 13 brands. Particularly, Tsukada Nojo – under AP Company makes debut in Singapore on 31st Oct, 2012. I spotted the new restaurant – its name was first mentioned in the papers while announcing the opening of the upcoming Atrium@Orchard mall. Then the inquisitive me, just have to comb the world-wide-web hungrily and be rewarded with a stream of new discovery.Having their own farm-house in Japan, AP Company raised its own Jidori at 4 locations in Miyazaki Prefecture. Farming process is difficult, especially when it was first achieved with a 3-way mating system in 2004. Carefully groomed without the use of hormones, the species are called “chicken estate steward” with good reputation for its chewy texture and rich flavour.

Unfortunately, Singapore has banned poultry imports from Japan. More directly, these prized Miyazaki chickens will never make it through the port gantry under AVA’s radar. Its a shame. So, where were these replacement from? Upon checking with the wait staff, these chickens parts are from our neighboring country – Malaysia. But the collagen puddings are imported from Japan – made from Jidori (chicken) bones that have been boiled for more than 8 hours to extract the pool of collagen. Carrying the pot, the wait staff slowly lowered it on the table, onto the induction pad. Here, I saw a pot of silky “bean curd” stacked up like a mole hill which miraculously liquefied within a minute under high heat. I witnessed the melting process, unveiling chicken chunks hidden within the wobbling curd, bubbling by now.One needn’t do anything, the friendly staff will introduce the plate of ingredients (mostly Malaysian produces) and placed them in the pot, sequentially (they claimed that the soup will somewhat taste different if the sequence wasn’t followed). Once the collagen pudding has dissolved, it will be served in a small cup for the guest to take a sip. Whoohoo – instant gratification! Seasoned only with salt, this soup’s the Real McCoy! Intensely rich in flavour & full of chicken aromas, very concentrated. The chicken parts (NOT Miyazaki) were good, despite the constant boiling and swirling in the broth – the meat still exhibit a springy texture, not dull and non-gamey. Then, the staff went on to add Tori Tsukuni – a combination of fresh pork & chicken minced meat into the soup, followed by yellow zucchini, winter melon slices, winter melon radish, black & white fungus. Next, add the yuzu peel to freshen up the soup (I didn’t taste the difference) before throwing in the deep fried beancurd pockets and loads of leafy vegetables.To end the meal, choose between 3 types of ramen; of which I had the semi-cooked Thick mochi-mochi noodles. After a short swirl in the broth, the noodles turned springy and chewy in texture.What could be more enjoyable when you have a sublime dinner and a great interior. A classic twist to a typical Japanese-style, the space emits the impression of natural and calm with the interaction of stones and wood frames. Photographs of their poultry farms backdrop the small dining room, interestingly.This is the best quality chicken soup I ever had for a long time, especially soothing on a rainy season like now. It’s so comforting, sparing you from extreme thirst even after the pot has been scoop cleaned.Alternatively, one can opt for a la carte small dishes like the popular sweet Tamagoyaki that tasted moist and custardy, or try various Nikumaki, salmon spring roll, grilled chicken wings, steamed meatball dumplings and perhaps coupled with ebi fried rice for a fuller meal. They even served Zosui (porridge) for those who prefer a bowl of soupy rice. Desserts such as puddings, sorbet and ice-creams are available as well. So, even if you are not out to have the Bijin Nabe, there is always a couple of something to choose from. For lunch, an array of ramen dishes will be offered but not the pot.

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http://www.epinosh.com/podi-the-food-orchard-singapore/The new "bold" eatery; PODI - the brainchild of Cedele, unveiled a spread of high-end dishes. One pointed that PODI bares the meaning for Bold, the Germans call it. To me, while the name represents the new restaurant's philosophy for being dauntless, creative and being exclusive, they deliver more towards International cuisines. A few on the Westerns - Grilled sea bass, seared NZ beef steaks; then the Italian range with pasta & risotto; Turkish range - Stone-baked Pide Pies, all of which without the influenced from the Germans. In my opinion, PODI epitomizes the beauty of healthy eating, taking care of those with strict gluten-free diet in exciting form with quinoa, millet and brown rice being featured in the dish. They are serving breakfast/Brunch from 10:00am - 12noon (not 8:00am per their webpage upon clarifying) with a varied pancake range and herb omelettes. Those who yearn for a light alcoholic kick, may go for Mojitos, Sangrias, Martinis and many more under the cocktail listing, wines are available too. Seriously a wider pick from a food orchard.Paying close attention in the preparation of food, PODI delights customers with fresh and healthier choices. Here, you will be able to begin with small plates, ideal if you have a larger dining group. I wouldn't mind having a small plate as a teaser. Small plates, not exactly bite-sized that comes with meat, seafood and salad options. Particularly, I am attracted to the Mini Burgers.A huge fan of Cedele's bread, I get to savour slices of wholemeal bread with balsamic & olive oil dips, here at PODI serves complimentary. At Cedele, one requires to pay $1 for a free-flow of bread unless a regular bowl of soup is ordered. So, it's a inexpensive deal.Adorable puny burgers arrived in pair. This is one of the delicious burgers I had under the Cedele's Group. The size makes a perfect starter, and 2s can be quite filling if you ordered a salad small plate along with. The buns, glazed with a touch of rosemary accentuate a louder note than one without herbs. Each mouthful was met with a bit of that crunchy Italian bacon strip, it's saltiness intertwined the moisture in tiny slab of tender, juicy beef patty; creating a different layer of robust flavor and mouth-feel. I love that tangy with a light garlic scent mayonnaise spreading underneath the bun, tingling softly to keep your taste buds awake.While waiting for my treats, I sit back to observe things around me. Its not uncommon to find people willing to swing here for a caffeine fix, their table having a slice of cake. Most of them are attracted to this bright casual spot for a quick get together - in pairs - in small group - young and old. The new restaurant (open-concept space in the mall) has a pleasing ambiance - spontaneously like the All-Day-Dining outlets at Wheelock Place & Raffles City.The Cinnamon honey cake fared slightly better than the Whoopie pie. The cream frosting here is soft & smooth but overly sweet. While the crushed walnut in the cream enlivened the cake with a bit of crunch, the nutty flavour becomes the spotlight. I find the cinnamon spice a bit faint, though the cake texture is moist and fluffy. Not knowing exactly what was covering the cake, it tasted like some sort of a spiced almond meal. I chose to do away with the almond cuppaccino ice cream and have a solo cake instead, paying for $12 instead of $15. That is to say, you saved $3 for that scoop of ice-cream, $0.80 less than what would cost you at Cedele for a scoop of Cloud 9 version - Eggless & No trans fat! Alternatively, they offer 2 scoops that plate with roasted nuts, mixed fruits with a dollop of chocolate sauce at $10. Didn't like things look complicated, I'd prefer getting a 2 scoops from Cedele's counter. I only liked ice-cream in its simplest form.

You will be delighted if you hold a Cedele member card, from 15th November till 02 Jan, 2013, you will get a 20% off on all food items. And if you are looking to order some cookies this Christmas, they are having this Chocolate Crinkles Cookies - a dark chocolate fudge-like soft cookie, capped with confectionery sugar, available from 15th November onwards.

For a full story coverage and picture, please join me at the dining table: http://www.epinosh.com/brussels-sprouts-singapore/Not that teeny edible buds that everyone’s knowing, but possibly associate with the capital of Belgium when one talks about Brussels – its largest city. I remember seeing that naked boy peeing into the fountain’s basin, if you can guess who I was referring to. Of course, one has to walked quite a fair bit from the Grand Place (side lane from Brussels Town Hall) to meet this famous bronze statue, wasn’t tall, about your 24″ LCD monitor, measured diagonally. Yes, it’s the famous Brussels landmark of today - Manneken Pis. During my trip to Brussels, I couldn’t recall eating these miniature cabbages which are seemingly popular and may have originated here since early 13th Century. I have no chance to validate if naming this eatery “Brussels Sprouts” has anything to do with its origin since it offers Belgian cuisine, unless Emmanuel Stroobant stands before me.If you are familiar with cable channels, then this “Chef in Black” is no stranger to you. This blond-haired punker who is obsessed with bikes has a long list of achievements under his belt. Started off as a humble dishwasher at 16, this young man worked his way through to his first restaurant - Le Bal in Liege where he lives. He was barely 23. Then he came to the Asia Pacific and won himself several respectable titles/awards and founded Saint Pierre (2000) – his first restaurant in Singapore. A few other awards followed through; Most Innovative Menu 2002, 2004 and 2007, the World Gourmet Summit – Award of Excellence. Today, this ambitious 44-year old manages and provide consultancy to 7 restaurants under The Emmanuel Stroobant Group (with his no. 8th – Brussels Sprouts 3rd outlet coming up at Sentosa Cove); took time starring in the latest AFC Original Production - 36 Ways to Live; and kept himself busy with cookbooks writing. The avid yogi and a believer in eating Organic produces has turned vegetarianism for some health reasons. I don’t know, but I think it’s painful for a chef to abstain from meat eating. Again, with superior culinary skills, a chef will circumvent any restriction in ingredients. Besides, all the 7 restaurants cook with living organisms, each serving its niche cuisines.

Brussels Sprouts at Big Splash is the 2nd outlet following its first at The Pier@ Robertson. It was a distance away from my usual arrival point – the defunct East Coast Park McDonald’s. I missed the area so much that I decided to stroll my way to the Big Splash. It was not effortless. I could feel that blow torch blistering my scalp after that 5 minutes’ walk but I continued.The blazing heat was unbearable! The sun was beaming right into the restaurant - a greenhouse I am entering. Packed with families and couples, dining at Brussels Sprouts on a Sunday afternoon was full of elation. Didn’t want to sprout like a mung bean, I begged for high-table seats next to the bar. It was so much cooler without that see-through glass roofing and well-ventilated with sliding glass doors being pull apart. I would definitely appreciate its architecture during the night, not on a sunny day. It took a while before I no longer feel the heat. With more than 120 varieties of Belgian beer available, it is a common sight to see everyone gulping down a glass of icy cold Hoegaarden – mostly foreigners, while I am with my bubbling cola.

Without delaying, I gave my orders to one of the wait staff who looks so peppy. Not knowing what to do and didn’t want to toy with my phone, I turn to watch the kids running around with their colorful balloons. I enjoyed the causal atmosphere it brings with laughter and cutlery orchestrating in the background. What a lighthearted moment.The food arrives. I had one of the Belgian classics - Moules Frites. The portion was larger than I expected, given a starter at 350 gram (S$20.00). The pot was filled with wedge-shaped, blackish shells, half-drowning in the broth. Each valves split opened fully, revealing its meat body soaking in that savory veal stock made peppery with paprika. The mussels taste fresh, a light ocean scent. Smaller breed, they are slightly chewy but easy to swallow. Perfect. It goes well with the diced chorizo in the broth. Overall, the pot of moules was good, though I find something lacking in the broth – more briny and requires a balanced flavour. Maybe I should just opt for the classic Brussels Sprouts version.What is Moules-Frites when mussels comes without fries? That basket of chunky cut fries is so dominating! Crisp on the exterior, meaty and soft in the middle – my weakness ever. To make it more evil, it was made refillable! Argh… put them to jail, stat!! It reminds me of that tantalizing scent wafting from those thick & fluffy chips served in paper cone, which I happily eating away on the street of Amsterdam!The Fish & Chips (Vis En Frites) going for S$24.00 was monstrous, just as they named it – “Big Eat”. Who hasn’t eaten Fish & Chips in their life!!? I have a few tries in London which I find one that I didn’t quite enjoyed, with skin on. Then some in Europe and then in the United States, mediocre at best. But, this one I find it hard to resist though not at their prime. The batter covering the white fish was deep fried to golden crisp and I wonder if beer has been added to do the trick. When you forked into the nice crisp crust, what you get is a layer of soft, moist and fresh piece of fish meat. Not overly greasy is what I am attracted to. Don’t neglect the lemon wedge, give it a hard squeeze – it makes a different. A handful of hot fluffy chips were laid underneath the big slab of fried fish – dancing with gusto! Dip into any 3 condiment that comes along – hunter sauce, curry tomato, garlic saffron mayonnaise, each steak turned even more globby. A hearty late-night supper treat & you can forget about your next day’s breakfast!To complete the Belgian fare, I thought the Belgian Waffle is not to be missed. I am especially looking for a crispy outside and a creamier interior. I swear this is the first I had. Unlike other ice-cream parlor that serves the American style, this Gauffre evolves between a Brussels and Liège version. Lightly crisp on its top crust, the cake is eggy than anywhere I have tried. It tastes sweeter, has a moist and dense structure. If you were to ask what it resembles, I have to say, very close to a muffin but less rich in taste. Even though the dough is sweet, it complements well with the accompanying vanilla ice-cream which is surprisingly less sugary. If you enjoy sweet and soft masses, then this S$12.00 high grid cake may be your best pick.

If you are keen for a weekend breakfast at the same time watching the coast, Brussels Sprouts at Big Splash serves Sunday Breakfast menu. Only at this outlet, you get to choose between sandwiches, tartines, sausage platter or simply just go with a Brussels Sprouts Breakfast to save your agony in decision making. What a way to sit back and appreciate that short Sunday moment.

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http://www.epinosh.com/penny-university-singapore/Peculiar name it has. A coffee shop - deck out interestingly in modern lighting fixtures, serving you in its customized bar and counter table tops using recycled railroad ties (by THE RAIL LIFE CO.), with a raw finishing – polished cement flooring. I walked in and find myself a table seat, adjacent to the communal table. I wish I had a chance to the booth seat for a more enclosed space or that little couch corner for a homely feel, still I had a wonderful time just people watching in the open area. I returned to the counter for my orders. The menu is not long, making your choice is a lot more easier. Serving a small range of breakfast and a few selection of tea/coffee, the friendly young lady took the orders on her electronic portable tablet. While I am charmed by the catchy wood-cut coffee menu pinned on the wall, I find the old rustic-looking cash register very striking. I don’t seem to spot any functioning one (no receipts-paperless & they accept only Cash), how cool.Seconds after I made payment, I find myself honing after some treats. The see-through display shelved some mouth-watering cakes, pies, tarts (supplied by other home-grown bakeries, by Fluff Bakery, Windowsillpies) Surely I have missed the pop-up cookies store – my lovebites on their Salted caramel butter biscuits but still managed to try a piece of that crunchy earl grey tea almond ones.

Wanna know why named Penny University and not others? It's too long to spell it out here, so visit me at http://www.epinosh.com/penny-university-singapore/ to get a clearer picture.I learn to appreciate how things fall into place, how each new start-up was conceptualized & established. The process was lengthy but each baby steps were taken painstakingly with great passion. Likewise, the 7-ounce of simply coffee and water bond together brilliantly with careful brewing method – a clean & creamy mouth-feel, less harsh. Honestly, I’d prefer this to the one using Papa Palheta roast.The breakfast toasties definitely amp up my lazy morning. I opted for a single toast instead of two but regretted as the marmite spreading the toast was marvelous. I used to make myself a slice at home but hardly these days, so when I saw them on the menu, I just know this it it! A deliberate amount is used so no worries about being overly-salted. The taste was made even more paramount when paired with cheese, supremely good! Then comes the poached eggs and a handful of rocket leaves salad to wrap up your morning – what an awakening!If you find the marmite extract too acquiring, they offer sourough toast with butter, marmalade & fig condiments. I like the amount of heat that browned each round slices but I didn’t seem to be able to locate its tangy taste. It needed a greater dose of levain. Of course, they have a few more options available.The Rock Cake makes a fabulous teatime treat. The Great Britain first had them during the WWII as one of the rationed food item. Quintessentially, a fruit cake with a jagged contour but minute-sized. Scone-alike, this fruit bun is somewhat moist and crumbly. The candied jumbo-sized dried cranberry & raisin fruits complement the cake which has been baked universally less sweet. Accompanied by a cup of brew – unmistakable. Enjoying this classics of British food, I can now claim to be part of the Harry Potter’s gang.

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Table Manners - abbreviates TM, is one of the interesting bistro in the newly opened – Changi City Point, a mall sits directly opposite the Singapore Expo MRT station which can be conveniently reached. Cafe Fables and Bar Stories, a cafe-cum-furniture store venture out into a full-fledged restaurant; TM to serve a more varied contemporary Western dishes.I almost lost my way in the mall while trying to locate TM. Without any visible signage and especially difficult when the mall has quite a number of small exits around. I don’t seem to be able to spot the restaurant until I reached the open space – a small garden-like area. There, I saw a black outdoor gazebo dining area with an open counter featuring a prominent “pigeon-hole” backdrop. I knew I have found it and walk right up. I was greeted by a zealous wait staff at the door, who explained the ordering instructions patiently and thereafter showed me to the indoor seats.Entering the dining hall, it is the democratic design that I saw. I could imagine how the people behind TM conceptualized the area, decking out in modernistic Scandinavia-inspired furniture characterized by simplicity and practicality. The “piecemeal” communal table stood out from the space, without looking cluttered. The area was highlighted by the wall shelving with potted plants, retail pieces stuffed in each pigeon holes. Fitted mostly in pressed wood, the room was made less formal with a sense of nature integration. The first thing that comes to mind is Ikea, this group of Swedish makes really sensible tools with a small price tag.

If sirloin steaks, Cajun- style marinated chicken thigh, sauteed mussels, and baked salmon are something that you are after; TM is the place. Lunch is served in a mix-and-match manner, where it comes with 4 main categories; “fibers” – Staples & Vegetables, “protein” – Seafood & Meat. You can choose to have the lightest meal with 3 fibers for $9.50 or the hearty combination of 2 fiber and 2 protein for $19.00. of course, if these ain’t going to fill you, get some add-ons and pay additional $3.50 – $7.50. I customized my plate with a mid-sized combo plus 1 add-on & a dessert to end the meal.The lightly salted Truffle fries are so addictive that I can’t stop but emptied the bowl within a short 10 minutes. Each string was deep fried to crisp and I liked the fact that they are cut fatter than any shoe-strings yet sliced slimmer than the regular straight fries. Smell of comfort, less gasoline taste – a great snack packed in umami-rich aromas. Go for potato wedges if truffle fries seem less idolizing.The Chopped Pumpkin Salad came with a decent portion of fresh greens. Never mind if the diced pumpkin looks miserable, a generous toss of that tangy salad dressing add scores to the boring greens. I was looking for a sweet flavour in the pumpkin but the morsels were too tiny to taste.The Cajun seasoning lends a sweet and spicy scent to the sizable chicken thigh. One incision and you witnessed how moist and tender the meat was roasted, with the bursting juices oozing out onto the plate. It was quite close to what I have eaten at Amuse, a delicious piece of bird meat. Other “protein” like beef stroganoff, pork cutlet, pesto fish fillet and burger steak, are available as well. There’s nothing you won’t choose.That additional fiber I had – Spaghetti Pomodoro akin tomato sauce was equally tasty. The pasta had a good boil, yielding a springy bit but it will be perfect if it was cooked Al dente. Every strand was coated in the mildly acidic tomato sauce, fair amount of concentrate yet not overly seasoned. Sometimes when I am really unlucky, I get some bad tasting pasta that either comes with a chunk of soggy noodles or a pool of unpalatable watery sauce. Here, no slipshod piece of work seen.What is a complete meal without a sweet ending? You’ve guess it! A chocolate-caramel war. Undoubtedly, the sweet course didn’t come cheap, ranging from $6.50 – $7.50. But I am willing to foot the price if it tastes divine. I am split between a Strawberry Shortcake and the chocolate tart. In the end, the latter succeeded in talking me over. Fabulous piece of tart. The shortcrust crumbles neatly on my plate each time I forked right through. The highlight was that chilled chocolate fillings – soft and chewy. The cocoa flavour was explosive, so intense. Each mouthful was gooey when the chocolate fused with that sticky caramel substance in the middle. Flavour becomes good when it has a lot of layering and this Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel Tart depicts that – speechless.Coffee addict will not leave TM without a good Papa Palheta dose. The potion was rich, aromatic, not acrid – truly a stimulant. Not a fan on coffee? How about a cup of tea from Tea Forte? And if you are in the mood for some cocktails, they have the so-called popular drinks from Bar Stories presented in 5 groupings, that is, sweet, spicy, sour, bitter, and intriguingly to chill you.

Though lesser known by diners, you could pick up anything from this retail-cum-cafe that fits a housewarming gift. Browse the pigeon holes and check with the friendly wait staff if something caught your eyes.