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Thanks to the social media exposure, I get to know about the opening of Bottura which happened last week. Few days old Italian café, restaurant and retail concept is located at Level 2, North Wing of Suntec City Mall. The place is spacious enough to cater for more than 100 seater with casual dinning design style. Bottura offers wide selection of antipasto, pastas, pizzas and gelato. There are all handmade from the scratch by the chef to provide the authentic Italian cuisine for the customers. What’s more you can enjoy the dishes with affordable pricing. If you walk around the restaurant, there is a corner where they display the dry products and wines from Italy for sale.
As we were browsing the menu and deciding what to have, the staff is kind enough to suggest us to try their Degustation Menu where it is customized with 6 types of fresh pasta with a choice of traditional condiments S$18.00 and include a glass of Italian red or white wine. All of the pastas are served in 6 different plates with tasting portion. So, here are the 6 types that I tried:-Foglie di polenta con ragu e besciamella – Polenta lasagna with traditional ragu and béchamel sauce (Normal serving S$18.00)
Nidi di rondine – “Swallow’s Nest” –fresh pasta rolled into a spiral, filled with béchamel sauce and ham (Normal serving S$14.00)
Spaghetti alla carbonara consists of egg, bacon and parmesan (Normal serving S$12.00)
Ravioli panna prosciutto e funghi – Ravioli with cream, ham and mushrooms (Normal serving S$14.00)
Tagliatelle conragu tradizionale (Normal serving S$15.00)
Penne al tonno con capperi di Sicilia e acciughe- Penne with tuna, Sicilian capers and anchovies (Normal serving S$14.00).
Of all pastas, my favourite is the Nidi di rondine and Ravioli panna prosciutto e funghi. I love the chewy texture of ravioli. It reminds me of the Chinese mee hoon kueh texture in a way. The sauce has an unique taste that compliment well with the pastas. We were told that perhaps the next round when we order again, the 6 pastas served will be different. It’s all depends on the chef’s preparation of the day. I personally feel that this menu idea is brilliant for those who wants to try everything in a bit. People like me definitely will order this to get a taste of the individual pastas.Gelato is also one of their selling point here in Bottura. We decided to try their signature Spaghetti Gelato S$7.00 where the chef will choose the flavors of gelato to serve. We had the custard flavor with wild berries sauce and sprinkle some icing sugar on top of it. One glance, you will thought it is a spaghetti. I find the gelato taste creamy and sweeter as compared to other places. But it’s all depends on individual preferences. Their signature gelato is the smurf flavour in blue. Interesting bubblegum flavour but I tasted like fanta taste though.We had a wonderful dinner here with affordable pricing and delicious meal. The staff is friendly and approachable with explanation of the dishes. I find it good in a way that customers will have better understanding on the foods served on the table and know more about Italian cuisine. I will definitely be back to try their other dishes in the menu. All prices exclusive of service charges and GST.

For more reviews and photos: http://hazeldiary.comAngelina has a long history since 1903 and has built its reputation as a tea room with sophistication and indulgence. This reputable brand has finally opened its branch here in Capitol Piazza, Singapore. Hannah, Luna and myself were at the same building last Saturday and decided to check it out after our event. It was an impromptu lunch as we are so excited with it's opening. It was only the 2nd day of soft launch and surprisingly we did not need for long. We managed to dine in within 15 minutes waiting time.We ordered Old Fashioned Ice Chocolate "L'Africain" S$12.00 and Angelina mix Iced Tea S$9.50. Ice hot chocolate L'Africain has the chocolaty taste that is not overwhelming and flavorful. I am loving it! The mixed ice tea serves with a syrup serving where customers can customize your own sweetness level. Light taste to pair with desserts.As for the mains, we decided to try Pan Fried Scallops S$29.00 served with 4 seared scallops with black venere rice and shellfish cream. The rice has the unique taste that best to have it with the shellfish cream. Otherwise, you might find it's hard in texture and tasteless.We also had Chicken Supreme S$23.00 served beautifully with the art plating. Chicken breast roll with chestnut puree and braised endive (leafy vegetable on top of the chicken roll). The servings are nicely roll up and very easy to consume if you are going for a date here. The meat texture was tender and flavorful with the chestnut puree.There is always room for desserts. Although Mont Blanc is the signature dessert in Angelina, we decided to try other desserts. So, we had Paris-New York S$13.00. Choux pastry with pecan light cream and crunchy pecan praline heart. Beautifully presented on the table for us to feed our cameras before we attacked it. Some may find the cream too sweet but I personally feel that it is just fine. So, it's all depends on individual preferences.We glad that we ordered Choc Africain S$13.00. Combination of 3 chocolates which are African pure dark chocolate mousse, chocolate brownie and bitter dark chocolate cream. If you are a chocolate lover like me, you definitely should give this a try. Well-balance of sweetness and bitterness that best to enjoy with your companion.
Despite of their 2nd day of soft opening, the operation staffs are friendly and polite towards customers. The foods are served less than 15 minutes time. If you would like to have a classy yet affordable dinning, I think Angelina cafe can be one of the option. Although, the price is at a steep side, their foods and desserts are indeed quality and nicely plated on the table. This truly live up their brand's reputation throughout the years. I can see myself returning back to try other dishes and desserts soon.

Ippudo in Mandarin Gallery is always in long queue whenever we passed by. I am glad to they have decided to open another branch which located at Shaw Centre. I remembered Ippudo was one of my first few food tasting with OpenRice two years back. If you have trouble finding the place, you might want to enter the Isetan cosmetic area at the familiar Lido Shaw on the first floor and turn right to Shaw Centre.Beef Tataki is definitely my favourite here. Loving the beef marbling with slightly seared at the top . The yuzu pepper paste was placed around the beef to give a slight appetizing taste.
Beef Steak S$15.00 serves in cube size and sizzling teppan plate with black pepper sauce. It was medium done and you can taste the tender and juicy of the meat.Tsukune Rice S$7.00 was served with a juicy minced pork patty and sweet sauce. And not forgetting the soft-boiled egg that runs through the Japanese rice. Splendid satisfaction I would say.Tomato cream sauce-drizzled Kani Cream Croquette which was served in golden flaky crust. The fillings were filled with creamy crab that was gives a ‘wow’ after a biteIppudo Original Salad S$12.00 indeed gives a surprise taste. Eric was saying to have some greens for dinner so we decided to go for salad. Mixture of avocado, tofu and grated deep-fried potato created a good chemistry and the wafu sauce enhanced the flavours of the dish. We are so into the sauce and approached the staffs on the ingredients used. Mashed carrots and onions were added into the sauce which makes the sauce has the spicy and sweet taste. Good job for the chef’s creation.Gyoza served here is consider one of the good ones that you can find in town. The skin is very thin and the pork filling is tender and soft to enjoy.We moved on to their signature ramen. Shiromaru Motoaji is Ippudo’s original creamy gelatinous tonkotsu ramen. It comes with char siew and our choice of noodles done hard. S$12.00 for small and S$15.00 for regular. All I can say is awesome. I love the thickness soup base which is quite addictive.Tan Tan Tonkotsu S$16.00 is the specialty ramen for this branch. The ramen is modified to suit the local taste. It is blended with Japanese sesame paste and of course their creamy and thick soup base.As for desserts, we have sesame ice with shiratama S$5.00, matcha ice with shiratama S$5.00 and Strawberry parfait S$8.00. If I were to choose for second serving, I will go for sesame ice with shiratama.
For more reviews, check out my post: http://hazeldiary.com/media-invite-ippudo-shaw-centre/

Located deep inside Serangoon Gardens is the newly Korean dessert shop. Nusongyee (snowflake) is an authentic Korean dessert that owned by Koreans. Since my brother-in law is driving, we (sisters) decided to give it a try. The shop is evolved with variety flavors of bingsu, Korean rice cakes and variety flavors of toast breads. Korean folks are managing the operation here with the self-service concept. Customers will place an order and make payment at the counter. Once everything is done, we are given a device to notify on the collection at the counter.Here are the lists that we explored:-Injeolmi Bingsu S$14.90.
It’s recommended by the staff as one of the signature dessert in-house. Injeolmi is sweet Korean rice cake made by steaming and pounding with powdered coating. It’s like having muah chee texture as the desserts are made from dried beans, nuts and seeds. The roasted soy bean and almond taste with added sugar definitely enhance the sweetness and crunchiness of the dessert.Chocolate Banana Bingsu S$13.90.
You will never go wrong the combination. Sweetness taste of chocolate and banana with fine ice milk shaving like snowflakes works pretty well. It is best shared with friends as it is quite a sweet tooth for individual.Garlic Cheese Toast S$9.90.
Toasted with flavorful garlic cheese comes with 8 slices. We love the crispy crust with cheese toasted.
Total bill does not include GST and service charge. Although the price is to the higher side, it does served authentic taste of Korean dessert. This is a premium price to pay if you want to get a taste of it.
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MATCH Restaurant & Lounge located at Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore serve modern American cuisine with late night bar serving as well. The interior design gives a classy and contemporary chic feeling. The ambience of the restaurant gives a romantic feel for couples and also comfortable feel for group gathering events as well.My foodie partner and I decided to try out the foods here after seeing good reviews from social media. We started off with complimentary homemade walnut and raisin bread. The bread is soft and fluffy inside which we can't help having it more than one.Our choice of starter was Ceviche Barramundi S$17.00. Simply refreshing and fresh. Presented in a colourful servings left a deep impression. The diced seabass (barramundi) blends well with the assorted ingredients such as chilli and mint leaves.Slightly sweet twist and refreshing after taste.As for the mains, diners get to customize to your preferences. There are options for sauces for the meat and two sides to go with it. We had 250g striploin drizzled with shallot and red wine sauce and sauted mushrooms and onion tart as the sides S$45.00. Did I mentioned that you can get your preferred way of cooking as well? We chose char grilled and medium done for the beef. The beef texture was tender and juicy for my liking. I am already missing it while drafting the post now.Next, Pan Fried Atlantic Cod with Champagne Caviar Sauce with squid ink risotto and zucchini served as sides S$38.00. The cod fish was fresh, tender and soft. It's like melting into your mouth when you taste it.We also ordered Mac & Cheese S$10.00 which i think it's just taste normal. It's cheesy and filling given the portion and value. But I think it's not worth coming to Match to try this though. There are many others interesting dishes to try.Complimentary candy cotton served. Definitely a sweet treat!We ended the dinner with Ultimate Match Sundae Dessert S$21.00. It comes in a huge bowl with four big scoops of ice-cream choice of vanilla, chocolate, oreo and raspberry sorbet. Toppings include meringue, different types of fruits and biscuits. Combination of sweetness, crunchy bites when you have everything in one go. And of course the highlight of the dessert is the fireworks gimmick. Definitely gives a smile on the face!
Wonderful dinner experience with good customer service. Although the prices are on higher side, I personally feel that it's worth with the foods quality and also the services. The staffs here are well-trained and knowledgeable on the foods serving.It's also a nice bar for chilling and relaxing. Those who wish to come for a drink who be enjoying the atmosphere of the restaurant. We spent S$151.80 for the dinner.