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gninethree
This is gninethree . I am a Full-Time Foodie
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Charming and Chic Smile Sep 21, 2013   
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Categories : American | Café

Five & Dime Eatery opened to much fanfare last year and getting a reservation on weekends have been near to impossible until recently. Located along River Valley road, this charming white-washed two-storey shophouse is almost hard to miss, and surprisingly accessible with the bus-stops strategically situated nearby.

The first floor is decidedly more chic as compared to the second, with a minimalist bar where the cocktails are concocted and diners can choose between the stylish stools that line the bar counter or the lacquered wood tables with matching chairs of brown and seafoam. My favourite spot in the day would probably be at the tables beside the windows, where a ray of sunlight enters and falls onto your food so naturally.

 
The French Toast $15 came highly recommended by the server and it was good! That piece of fried toast with a slab of butter melting so conspicuously and lathering the entire surface was simply a standout. The best part would be munching down the middle section where the bread has soaked up all the butter with sticky notes of syrup. While it comes with a choice of pork bacon or chicken chipolata and fruit salad, the french toast is really all you need on the plate.

 
Possibly what Five and Dime Eatery is most popularly known for, their Mentaiko Pasta $18 is yet another dish seen on almost every table. The spaghetti was cooked al-dente and tossed in creamy mentaiko sauce before being topped with more cod fish roe. If you are those who shy away from dishes with a 'fishy' aftertaste then this is probably not for you. Apart from that, I liked how it was not overly heavy and brimming with umami. This is one creamy pasta you will not find difficulty finishing on your own.

 
We could have probably stopped after a salad, two mains and dessert but after seeing how almost every table had a platter of Fish and Chips $20, it was hard to resist ordering it as well.

I liked how the deep fried battered catfish, cut into smaller pieces, gave the illusion that there was more fish. It was flaky, crisp and extremely fresh. While I am hardly the best judge of Fish and Chips, I thought this one was possibly one of the better ones I have had. Extra points for presentation and the overall rustic feel contributed by those chunky cut fries as well.

 
Ordering the dessert from the blackboard was not the smartest of ideas because the prices were not written next to it. And let's face it, $15 for this Tiramisu Affrogato Parfait is quite a stretch. With that said, the deconstructed Tiramisu did admittedly hit the sweet spot and comes with a shot of Affrogato served separately on the side so you can regulate the intensity you want.

 
Overall, I am glad I finally paid a visit to Five & Dime Eatery, which has been on my radar for quite some time now. While the food does come in relatively petite portions and is not exactly cheap either, I can understand why this eatery continuously draws the crowd. Simple, uncomplicated and comforting, I definitely foresee a second visit in the near future.
 
Date of Visit: Jun 06, 2013 

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Categories : Bakery


Bored of the usual baked variety of mooncakes or regular snowskin mooncakes? Then try something interestingly different this year! Iconic Teochew confectionery shop Thye Moh Chan rolls out an exquisite Mid-Autumn collection of traditional Teochew mooncakes for the first time and it has been a huge hit among their long-time customers.

I personally witnessed a bustling crowd at the store in Chinatown Point when I went down to collect my box. And as the mouthwatering pastries on display seem to be disappearing at top speed, I decided on the spot to buy an additional box. But not just because I was being kiasu, but also because the aroma of those freshly baked pastries coming out of the oven hits you as you are waiting in line and was simply irresistible.

 
Somewhat like your Tau Sar Piah, these mooncakes from Thye Moh Chan had a crisp buttery texture with a light flakiness that was truly unrivaled. The makers have after all, been conjuring handcrafted pastries for the past 3 decades since 1943 and judging from how popular they still are after all these years, is testament to how they have been delivering the 'goods'.

 
There are 4 main fillings available to choose from: Sweet or Salty Tau Sar (single yolk), Yuan Yang and Double Delight. You can mix and match your selections and each box of 4 sells for $24.80. Incredibly affordable!! It is no wonder the boxes were flying off the racks like hot cakes! No pun intended of course.

 
My personal favorite was the Yuan Yang made up of savory mung bean paste, fried shallots, white sesame, spicy pork floss and salted egg yolks all handsomely packed layer by layer into the crumbly pastry. Every appetizing Chinese ingredient thrown into the mix, the result was simply piquant and scrumptious.

The Double Delight features a distinct split layer of red bean paste and a unique ‘crystal’ filling made with winter melon, melon seeds, dried orange peel, white sesame, spring onions, and glutinous rice flour- hence the gorgeous contrast of color. Together, they formed an extremely smooth paste that is actually laboriously handmade by the workers themselves.

 
So did I regret getting another box without even trying it first? Definitely not! I did however regret not buying a few more to share among my relatives and friends because they were really very good. I am so glad I got to know about Thye Moh Chan because from next year on, I know where I will be getting my mooncakes.
 
Date of Visit: Sep 18, 2013 

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 5  |  
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 5  |  
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 5  |  
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 5  |  
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 5

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The Pioneers of Teppanyaki Smile Sep 21, 2013   
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Categories : Japanese | Hotel | Sushi/Sashimi | Japanese BBQ/Teppanyaki | Omakase


Shima Restaurant @ Goodwood Park Hotel is one of the pioneer Teppanyaki Japanese restaurants in Singapore. While I am not too sure how long exactly this restaurant has been around for, I do know that my very first Teppanyaki memories were made here when I was just a little girl so I am just going to assume that it has been for quite a while.

 
Back in the day however, we did our own bbq-ing over the grill and used to come out of the restaurant smelling of charcoal and grilled meat. But now coming back here slightly more than 10 years later to celebrate my birthday, I realised that the place had changed quite a bit from the old settings that I was used to. For starters, the dining area had dimmer lighting and there were now special chefs to mend the iron griddle. I did appreciate the change of having chefs now because it was certainly entertaining watching their skilled maneuvers as they prepared the food, poured the sauces and did their magic to ensure that we were being served delicious grilled dishes for our main course.

The prices of the teppanyaki buffet lunch which we had were:

ADULT: $39.90++
CHILD: $24.00++

I believe the prices for dinner would certainly be more expensive due to a longer duration of 4 hours as compared to the only 2 we had for lunch.

 
To whet our appetites and while waiting for our chef to get his tools ready, we were served with a few appetizers first.

APPETIZER: Salmon Sashimi

While I was not a fan of sashimi, my sister who gamely finished all three serves, enjoyed it and said that it was sweet, fresh and sliced to just the right thickness.

 
APPETIZER: Prawn and Shishamo Tempura

Great batter used for the tempura that went well with the dipping sauce. I especially enjoyed the prawns while the shishamo had a slight fishy aftertaste. Or perhaps I just was not too used to eating fish with roe still intact.

 
MAIN COURSE: Prawns and Salmon

Special mention to the garlic prawns that were so fresh and plump! It was a great serve of sweet grilled juicy prawns.

 
MAIN COURSE: Beef

Requested Medium rare and this was juicy, tender and full of flavour. YUM!

 
DESSERT: Fresh fruit and Coffee/Tea

And finally ending the meal with some watermelons and tea once we had ordered our fill of appetizers and main courses.

 
 
Date of Visit: Jun 17, 2013 

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 3  |  
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 3  |  
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 3  |  
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 3  |  
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King of Gyoza Smile Sep 21, 2013   
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Categories : Japanese


Osaka Ohsho – which translates to ‘The King of Gyoza in Osaka’, is one of Raffles City basement's newest casual eatery to open. With more than 40 years of Gyoza experience and prominently known as The Gyoza Specialist back home in Japan, Osaka Ohsho has more than 300 outlets all over Asia and a following of diners who appreciate a menu which highlights and fuses the best of both Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and of course extremely delicately-thin skinned crispy dumplings or gyoza.

This outlet at B1 of Raffles City Shopping Centre is the flagship store in Singapore and judging from the crowds that gather here especially during the lunch hour, it comes as no surprise that Osaka Ohsho sells about five thousand gyoza every day just at this space alone.

 
Ban Ban Chicken $5.90

A starter dish served cold to whet the appetite, this Ban Ban Chicken is best appreciated for its moist, succulent and lean meat which has been thinly sliced for your convenience. The chicken is steamed and topped with its homemade goma (sesame) sauce, which adds to it, a nice creamy texture.

 
Fried Chicken with Negi Sauce $5.90

And who does not love fried chicken? These fried till crisp strips of chicken meat are absolutely addictive and irresistible. Though the sauce served alongside is supposedly spring onion sauce, it is not too overwhelming and complements the chicken quite well.

 
Gyoza $3.90 (six pieces) $7.80 (12 pieces)

And since we were at a gyoza specialist house, we HAD to try their gyozas which are freshly made everyday. The wanton skin specially made from Japanese flour is so incredibly thin but sturdy enough to hold all that moisture and filling made up of cabbage, pork, garlic and ginger. The people at Osaka Ohsho are so particular in perfecting their gyozas that these are put on customized grills that maintain a temperature of 95 degrees celcius to ensure consistency and just the right browned crispness. And with such an affordable price tag, it is definitely a steal!

 
Fuwatoro Tenshin Han $9.90

Another signature dish here at Osaka Ohsho is this yellow sunshine dome of goodness. Not to be confused with Omurice, this fluffy omelette is cut to reveal steaming Japanese fluffy rice that is soaked in a rich tasty gravy. Extremely comforting and can be eaten as a meal in itself, the Fuwatoro Tenshin Han is a unique find here at Osaka Ohsho and is a must try!

 
In short, Osaka Ohsho definitely deserves its accolade as The Gyoza Specialist. By far one of the best gyozas I have tasted to date, it would be a mistake not to make a trip down for those Japanese dumplings. Oh yes, you may want to avoid peak hour so as to avoid the crowds as well!

 
Date of Visit: Aug 15, 2013 

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Good ol' Italian fare Smile Sep 21, 2013   
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Categories : Italian | European | Restaurant | Pasta

Named after the beautiful and charming Capri Island in Southern Italy, Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria is an authentic Italian diner set up by two Italians who simply wish to share their love for Italian food with their customers. And staying true to its Italian roots, framed pictures of the Amalfi Coast hang on the white-washed rocky walls of this laid-back and cosy trattoria.

The brainchild of owner Luca Iannone and chef Michele Cuozzo, who by the way are heavyweights in Italian cuisine, Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria is fast gaining popularity with both locals and the Italian community here in Singapore who show their support by boasting a full headcount of the restaurant even on weekdays. Reservations are a definite must or you may just have to leave disappointed.

It is said that good food is spread by word of mouth and Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria is testimony that this statement holds true. The clientele here is made up of mostly regulars, judging from the friendly banter exchanged between the owner, chef and diners. It is a lively atmosphere and almost casual but certainly not sloppy as servers are attentive to your needs and not at all intrusive.

 
Starting with the Tagliata Di Manzo, a modest grilled platter that will have steak lovers rejoicing. Thin slices of Sirloin done Medium rare, and simply marinated with just olive oil, pepper and salt, allowing the full flavour of the meat to come through. Tender, juicy and seared only on the exterior, and finally sprinkled with some parmesan cheese and laid atop a bed of rocket salad, this antipasti was picture perfect.

 
The Sauteed Calamari in Squid Ink was certainly very unique in both appearances and taste. Jet black with its distinct iodine, briny flavour and a touch of Chef Michele's spices and condiments which consists of a generous amount of garlic powder, this squid ink paired off very well with the large calamari rings or as the chef calls it in our own Singapore dialect- 'sotong'.

 
Moving onto some 13-inch pizzas prepared on the spot upon ordering and baked in a brick-laid oven that is said to have been put together one brick at a time by owner Luca. Talk about adding that personal touch into your own restaurant!

The Amalfitana came with a large serve of shaved parma ham, some Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese with rocket salad and cherry tomatoes. A wonderful combination of really fresh ingredients that tied in so beautifully together on a piece of dough that was baked to life.

 
The Baccala alla caprese was a table favourite. Super fresh baked cod fish fillets which had soaked up the flavours of the tomato sauce it was cooked in. This mild flavoured cold water fish was pitch perfect and simply melted in your mouth. It was no surprise that this plate was polished off in no time.

 
Another Chef's Recommendation, the Scialatielli di Capri was a homemade long pasta oven baked in paper with seafood and cherry tomatoes. This practice of baking the pasta in parchment paper allows the pasta to thoroughly absorb all the flavours of the sauce which was made up of white wine, garlic and parsley, while keeping the texture of the pasta well moist and the ingredients well baked. And I have to say, this was spot on.

 
And of course no matter how stuffed and full we were from all those amazing hearty Italian dishes, there is always room for dessert!

A lovely platter with four of the best desserts on the menu, sprinkled with icing sugar, this was greeted with squeals of delight when it was served. Actually, I think I was the only one squealing...what can I say? It's the ultimate sweet tooth's dream!

From R to L:

The Torta al limone is a lemon cake prepared with Luca's mom's own special recipe. The adults at the table who were not fans of too sweet desserts loved this and it was the first to be cleaned up. Luca's mom would be pleased.

An Italian classic, the Tiramisu is a must-try at any authentic Italian diner. Creamy, not too sweet with sponge fingers soaked with the subtle coffee flavour, I loved how they added their own twist with dollops of dark chocolate ganache.

The Torta caprese which tasted a bit like a brownie is actually a classic almond and chocolate cake from Capri. Not too heavy and crumbly, this tasted great on its own and even better when I used it to soak up the last bits of the Tiramisu.

Chocolate lava fans MUST order the Lava cake here! Served with a live flame, this grand marnier-laced chocolate cake was oozing with melted good quality chocolate. Delish!

 
Owner Luca Iannone and chef Michele Cuozzo are two faces you will definitely recognise when you come here because they will be walking around, talking to customers and probably at your table regularly to ask you about the food and also to share more about their food with you. It is all a very interactive experience dining here at Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria, and one hard to find anywhere else.

While Capri Trattoria & Pizzeria just turned one not too long ago, this place has great potential and I believe, will be around for a very long time. I am already looking forward to coming back here when I next have a craving for good ol' authentic Italian cuisine at an affordable price.
 
Date of Visit: Jun 19, 2013 

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 4  |  
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