Part of the Tung Lok Group of restaurants, and fronted by celebrity singer/songwriter Dick Lee, MAD: Modern Asian Diner is one of those restaurants you definitely would not want to miss out on. Cast in soft warm lighting, stepping into this restaurant at The Grandstand is like walking into an art gallery of sorts. Decked out in bold bright colours, the decor is definitely befitting of Dick Lee’s eclectic and flamboyant sense of style.

Marrying the best of both Asian and Western cuisine, MAD serves up a good variety of Chinese dim sum and also some Spanish tapas. And if you’re ever in need of a potent drink any time of the day just head on down to their bar counter, helmed by mixologist Kino Soh, for a cocktail or two. =DWell, I’m not exactly a teetotaler but I seldom drink alcoholic beverages in mid-day unless I’m on holiday lounging on the beaches of the Caribbean or something. So I decided to go for a kiddie mocktail instead – Pink Thyme Lemonade($4), which looks equally pretty but without the alcoholic kick. =P You can really taste the crushed up herbs in the drink and it makes for a refreshing beverage to chill down on a hot day.One of the interesting dim sum that caught my eye was the Black Angus Siew Mai 黑安格斯烧卖 ($6.20). Sadly, the novelty of putting black angus beef into a siew mai did not translate into a palate-pleasing dish. Its chewy and springy texture was quite an interesting take on a siew mai, but it was a little bit on the dry side.Is it just me being ignorant? But I seldom come across Deep-Fried Liu Sha Bao 炸流沙包 ($4.80). In fact, this was my first time trying a liu sha bao that has been deep fried instead of the usual steamed version. And I must say that it is OH-SO-GOOD! The fluffy insides encased in a crispy skin and oozing golden salted egg yolk lava was simply divine. Well, it was a little on the oily side, but there’s no harm in indulging in a sinful treat once in a while. =DEveryone has been raving about how good the Wagyu Beef Claypot Rice is, but I decided to try the Lobster Crispy Noodle 龙虾面 ($32) instead. The noodles were deep fried to a crisp and there is this distinct smokey and burnt flavour to it even though it doesn’t look burnt. Plus, the lobster meat was really fresh and prepared skillfully such that the meat is springy and just about right, not at all overcooked. My only gripe is that the gravy was way too salty and the noodles were a bit difficult to eat since it was displayed in a standing tower of sorts. They also threw in some seaweed on the side which adds a splendid “oceanic” tone to the dish.Overall my experience at MAD: Modern Asian Diner was a pretty good one. What’s not to like about a chic ambiance, fuss-free ordering via iPads and all that good booze? The service staff were also pretty friendly and showed us how to make our orders via the iPad step by step – he even brought over an additional iPad instead of having the 4 of us share just one single device. I would probably pop by again for happy hour if I get the chance!

For more food reviews, check out my blog at www.jerjerjer.com!

You might have heard about “gastropubs” before – a term which originated from the British, referring to a pub where you could drink away your sorrows and also eat some grub at the same time. An “Izakaya” (居酒屋) is the Japanese equivalent of that.You will find Tamon Izakaya somewhere along East Coast Road. Against all odds, this particular restaurant has stood up against the test of time and has been in business for the past 18 years (and hopefully many more years to come)! For a Japanese Izakaya in Singapore to have been around for that long is no mean feat.

It was drizzling that day when we arrived at Tamon Izakaya. Like a scene out of Memoirs of a Geisha, we tip-toed our way into the restaurant to take shelter from the rain. The staff greeted us with a warm smile and welcomed us into the cozy restaurant. As we ventured further inside, I was delighted to find more typical Izakaya decor – Japanese lanterns, a sake bar and paintings of samurai on the walls.While its menu may not be that extensive, you will find a rather unique selection of Sumiyaki (char-grilled skewers) including chicken tail, heart, gizzard and liver. I'm not particularly fond of eating the insides of any living thing, so I was conscious to steer clear of those items, though it's pretty common place in a typical Japanese Izakaya to find much more guts.The first dish that we ordered was the Salmon Mentai Maki ($15). Strips of salmon sashimi, lightly scorched with a dollop of mentaiko on top. It’s amazing how the chef can achieve this melt-in-your-mouth texture with the salmon sashimi and the mentaiko provided a good tangy boost of flavour to the dish.I’m quite the veggie person and especially when you pair it with Japanese Wafu dressing. The citrusy dressing from our Wafu Salad ($10) is an awesome perk-me-up on rainy days like these. The salad comes with a heap of tuna, though I would have preferred it with sashimi or slices of beef tataki.And of course, nothing beats a bowl of warming stew on a cold rainy day – talk about the ultimate comfort food! =D The Pork Belly Stew ($10) was filled to the brim with onions, potatoes, carrots and slices of pork. It goes amazingly well with Japanese rice and even just the stew alone would leave me utterly satisfied.

Surprisingly, the total bill was quite affordable (under $50) and we had our fill of really good, home-styled Japanese cuisine. It was still mid day, so we didn’t have the chance to try their sake but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to try it the next time I visit again!

Meat lovers will be thrilled to know about this new steakhouse opening at Plaza Singapura called Bull and Butcher. Lavishly decorated with cowhide upholstered chairs and a lively alfresco dining area, you will be surprised to discover that the dishes on their menu are actually quite wallet-friendly.The restaurant’s open concept kitchen is headed by Patron Chef Sam Neoh who has 17 years of culinary experience in the kitchens of Regent Hotel, The Fullerton and more recently One Rochester Group.Bull and Butcher offers a variety of appetisers to whet your palate before sinking your fangs into their succulent cuts of meat. From Beef Carpaccio with Black Truffle ($26), Duck Confit ($16) and even Cream of Mushroom ($10) or Baked Onion Soup ($10). I particularly enjoyed their signature Crab Cake with Sundried Tomato Sauce ($16). The sauce had a hint of curry powder in it which gives it this fragrant, Asian twist and the Crab Cake was chock full of crab meat enveloped in a buttery crispy batter. We also had some Prawn Cocktail ($14) served on a bed of crunchy greens smothered in a slightly tangy thousand island dressing.If you’re a fan of garlic (like me), you definitely must try their Roast Whole Garlic ($8) which is roasted to perfection leaving the cloves of garlic absolutely sweet and juicy. This is a side dish that would match your steak perfectly. We also had the chance to try out a new found cut of meat previously not available in Singapore, and is now exclusive to Bull and Butcher – the Petit Tender. This cut originates from the chuck shoulder clod and requires a more skilled butcher to extract it, making it relatively unknown.The Petit Tender looks similar in shape to a Tenderloin and is equally delicate. Check out that pinkish-red piece of medium rare meat just oozing with so much flavour. You can choose from a variety of sauces to compliment the meat too – Bearnaise sauce, Garlic Herb Butter and their famous Carl’s Steak Sauce which is a tangy salsa-like creation by one of the restaurant’s founders, Carl Duggan.nother great meat dish you will find at Bull and Butcher is their Australian Wagyu Beef Cheek ($38) braised for over 3 hours until the meat is absolutely tender and melts in your mouth, served on top a good, buttery mash potato.For those who are looking for some pasta, you should give the Australian Wagyu Bolognaise Pasta ($26) a try. It is served with Fettuccine pasta in a homemade bolognaise sauce topped with cheese, making for an addictive combination that you will not be able to resist.Finally, for dessert we had some Pear and Chocolate Crumble ($12) served with a scoop of vanilla Ice Cream. The salty crumbly bits at the side went perfectly with the chocolate filling which was not too sweet.

Overall, I think Bull & Butcher serves up pretty good quality food and although I’m not so much of a meat-loving person, I would still recommend that you head there to try out the Petit Tender for yourself. Afterall, you can only get this cut of steak in Singapore exclusively at Bull and Butcher. And for others who prefer a less-meaty alternative, be sure to order one of their Crab Cakes!

For more food reviews, check out my blog at www.jerjerjer.com

I can picture myself sipping on a cup of coffee with a sketchbook in hand, just lazing around and gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows. It almost feels like I’m on a holiday in Europe, but in reality, I’ve wandered into PS.Cafe at Palais Renaissance. Perhaps it’s the high ceiling, chic decor and palm trees that makes me feel like I’ve been transported to a different country.For a weekday lunch the place was pretty packed, mainly with expatriates – a couple of Japanese ladies seated to our left and another group of westerners to our right. Lots of idle chatter and a fragrant whiff of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. We ordered 2 mains to share – a Steak Sandwich ($36) and Chicken in a Basket ($28).Served on thick slices of char-grilled sourdough bread, you can see the steak glistening in the light just waiting for you to sink your fangs into its juicy, slightly pinkish meat. For those of you self-acclaimed meat lovers, the steak is a 400-day grain fed striploin. I’m just glad the cow got to live for over a year before it entered the slaughterhouse. =DThese are one of the most gorgeous looking fries I’ve seen and even its name is pretty too – Sesame & Nori Shoestring Fries. Served together with the steak sandwich, the fries seemed to be a little bit on the bland side, but I like it that way. It feels somewhat.. healthier, I guess. =P But you also have that tangy mayo dip which is oh-so-sinfully-good.You can’t really go wrong with fried foods, as long as the ingredients are fresh and the temperature is right. I find the Chicken in a Basket pretty “standard fare”. Sure enough, the chicken was chunky and juicy (not dry at all) and the mayonnaise dip that comes with it is rather good too. It also comes with slightly thicker wedges instead of fries and some veggie sticks.Sadly, it was time for me to bid farewell to my holiday in Europe and jump back into reality once again – time always seems to speed up when you’re on holiday. Overall, PS.Cafe is a great place to dine in style and quiet elegance. Don’t expect too much from the food, but I’m sure that great company (or your favourite book) and the change of environment will leave you feeling refreshed and recharged.

For more food reviews, check out my blog at www.jerjerjer.com

For more foodie reviews, check out my blog at www.jerjerjer.com

Dog lovers are in for a real treat! It’s not easy finding a restaurant that is pet-friendly in Singapore but here’s one, situated in Serangoon Gardens, aptly known as Sun Ray Cafe. The cafe spans across 2 shop spaces – one area for pet owners and their furry friends, and a separate area for non-pet owners to kick back and relax.You can catch bus 317 or 315 from Serangoon Bus Interchange (at NEX mall) and it takes about 5 – 10 minutes to arrive at 79 Brighton Crescent. The interior of the cafe uses soft orange lighting that exudes a mellow, homely feel to it. Dave Lim, the founder and owner of Sun Ray Cafe says that he had recently re-furbished the place. The cafe has been around for over 2 years now, so I guess it’s about time for it to get a facelift too. Check out its swanky new look: Besides the cozy interior, the cafe also serves up pretty good gourmet coffee with their own unique blend made from a variety of 6 single origin beans to achieve a chocolatey and nutty blend with slightly floral undertones. Dave also happens to be a “Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE)” certified barista with Level 1 and 2 certification. He is one of the 9 baristas in Singapore to receive this certification and he is also a SCAE Authorized Trainer. Not many coffee aficionados in Singapore can boast such international accreditation.We had a Shakarato ($4.50) which is an iced shaken sweetened espresso and a Cafe Latte ($4). The Shakarato was served in a stemmed glass and topped with a layer of foam. The acidity and sourness of the espresso was more pronounced because of the cool temperature but I found it rather refreshing and well-balanced out with a bit of sugar syrup. Now, on to the food!Their American Breakfast brunch set ($14.90) comes with savory scrambled (or sunny side up) eggs set atop a freshly-baked and slightly sweet scone, making it a rather interesting and unique combination. I love scones with butter and jam but eating it with scrambled eggs is a first for me. The serving portion was quite big and also comes with Italian sausages, hash browns and salad – overall great value-for-money. Another signature brunch item on their menu is Eggs Benedict ($10.90) that is served with a unique Orange Hollandaise sauce which is not as creamy and rich, but instead was citrusy and tangy. Unfortunately, the poached eggs were overcooked and did not really make the cut.After giving our feedback about the eggs, we were pleasantly surprised that the chef decided to make us another batch – this time round, the yolk was perfectly runny the way a poached egg should be. It’s these little gestures and attentive service that would make people feel the warmth of the place and want to go back there again. =]Next, we also had some Asparagus and Bacon Rolls ($8.90) which uses a thicker variety of bacon wrapped around huge sticks of asparagus. The freshness and crunchiness of the asparagus balanced out the oiliness from the bacon and complimented each other pretty well.

And again it’s time for my favourite part of every meal – the dessert! We had a Chocolate Lava Cake and Homemade Tiramisu ($6.50).I personally preferred the Tiramisu better because the mascarpone cheese wasn’t too sweet and you can really taste the espresso coffee in it. The only thing that was lacking for me was the booze . The little bit of Kahlua coffee liqueur added into the Tiramisu was barely noticeable. It would have been a perfect dessert if there were just a bit more booze in it.The Chocolate Lava Cake is definitely something for sweet tooth lovers. The dark chocolate that came flowing out of the sponge cake was thick and rich but a tad on the sweet side for me. Also, since the sauce is already so sweet, usually the chef would make the sponge cake less sweet to balance out the sweetness. But this wasn’t the case. It also comes drizzled in more sweet caramel sauce making it a real sugar overload! Good thing we had a cup of Cold Brew Coffee to go along with it. See that rock at the bottom of the coffee cup? Well, that’s actually a Whiskey Stone which is traditionally used to cool down a cup of whiskey without watering it down. The same concept applies to coffee. The stone is used to maintain the cold brew coffee at optimum temperature so that it remains cool and refreshing. This cup of coffee really packed a punch and is probably my favourite brew out of the other coffees we had that day. Overall, the food here at Sun Ray Cafe is pretty decent for the price that you pay and coffee connoisseurs can definitely look forward to something exciting at the skillful hands of Barista Dave and his team. We were so comfortable in our seats that we didn’t really want to leave until we saw the sky getting dark with rain clouds.

There are also quite a number of other mains on their menu too – from a variety of Pastas and Risottos to Lamb Rack served with Ratatouille and even Asam Fish with Rice. I definitely look forward to trying out more of their mains the next time I’m around the area.

For more foodie reviews, check out my blog at www.jerjerjer.com