mycc: Casual Dining

[SG] Palette Restaurant & Bar | hub of Asian gourmet delicacies and street food

With no lack of restaurants and cafes popping up at newly opened Capitol Piazza, Palette Restaurant & Bar is definitely an exciting addition. A hybrid almost, it is the latest dining concept by BreadTalk Group in integrating a food atrium, restaurant and bar under one roof. With a specially curated list of ten speciality food brands around Asia, guests can look forward to a selection of more than 400 gourmet delicacies and street food items!

While the restaurant looks like an upscale food atrium from the outset, expect to be greeted upon stepping through the entrance just as you would in any restaurant. You will then be usher to a table before being given an iPad to order your dishes! Yes, after a day of shopping, all you have to do is to put your fingers to work by browsing through the selection of dishes on the iPad and order it through at simple clicks. Your orders will be processed and the dishes sent right to your table! Of course, if you enjoy the experience of a food atrium, feel free to walk around and check out what each of the ten sub-restaurants within Palette has to offer and you could order it directly through them as well.

IndoChili

Sate Ayam Madura | S$8.50++/5pcs

IndoChili brings traditional recipes from Padang, Bali and Java, offering a variety of Indo-Peranakan dishes on the menu. One of the signatures includes this dish, more commonly known as chicken satay for most Singaporeans. The addition of fried shallots together with the kecap manis (Indonesian sweet sauce) and peanut jam and crushed peanuts was a lethal combination that certainly made our calories count! The robust flavours and the variation in textures were delightful, not to mention the juicy and tender grilled chicken chunks.

Tahu Telor | S$9.80/++

This was one of the more memorable dishes for us as the blocks of deep-fried tofu were coated with crispy fried egg and some crispy prawn crackers to complement. The crushed peanut sauce that drenched the dish carried a mild sweetness from the kecap manis which brought a balance to the otherwise savoury dish.

Huat Huat BBQ Chicken Wings | S$12++/6 pcs; S$21++/12 pcs

A local favourite for most, I doubt anyone would ever reject these beautifully tanned chicken wings that were first marinated with Chinese rose wine before being barbecued and served with a must-try zingy chilli sauce! Do give that lime a squeeze just for that extra tang!

Hok Kee Authentic Hong Kong Noodle & Congee

Braised beef brisket noodles | S$9/++

With a heritage that dates back to 1950 in Yuen Long, Hong Kong, Hok Kee is now a familiar household name there and this outlet in Singapore marks their first foray overseas. With constant experimentation and improvement over the six decades, this dish now comprises a gravy that is brewed from a complex mixture of 10 spices that includes cinnamon, cloves, pepper and star anise. The tender beef brisket has been braised for 2.5 hours in the blend of 10 spices before being served with homemade dried chilli oil. There is also the soup version though the dry version is a definite must-try in my opinion!

Wonton noodles | S$8/++

These large handmade pork and shrimp wontons with Chinese ham are served in a clear prawn and pork broth that was light and fragrant. We liked that the wonton skin was not overly starchy and that the ingredients tasted fresh.

Ah Koong Restaurant Fishball noodle (dry) | S$7.90/++; Fried fish cake | S$4.90/++

Another household name, this time from JB, every simple bowl of noodles comes complete with the signature fishballs, sliced fishcake, minced pork, fried shallots and noodles slicked with the gorgeous umami black sauce.

Fried Hokkien Big Prawn Mee by Yong Xin | S$8.80/++

One of the most distracting sights on the dish was the gorgeous plump prawns that were really fresh with a firm texture. If you like your noodles to be slightly firm or al dente, this would be it but for those with a preference for a more limp texture, this might not work. The additional sambal chilli on the side was also a must-try for an extra punch of bold flavours!

Noodles with abalone by Ah Yat Seafood | S$18/++

Ah Yat Seafood is no stranger to most Singaporeans with their prized abalone as a signature dish and having it with your noodles is surely a luxurious treat with a light yet savoury abalone sauce, and some perfectly cooked sea whelk to go along together with some Chinese mushrooms and greens.

Pork ribs soup (premium) by Balestier Bak Kut Teh | S$9.50/++

This is the classic Singapore-style bak kut teh, i.e. one that has a white pepper flavour and we enjoyed the meaty loin rib bones. Unfortunately, given our demanding palette for bak kut teh (one of my favourite local dishes), I felt that it was a little too salty for my liking and lacked boldness in the white pepper heat. Nonetheless the freshness of the meat loins used stood out fondly.

Hainanese chicken rice set by Little Nanyang | S$10.90/++

Another one of my favourite local delights - it was a good rendition though not the best in my opinion. The chicken breast meat was a little stiff for my liking but we enjoyed the fragrance from the chicken rice and liked the fact that it was not overly greasy.

Delhi 6

Multani Barrah Kebab | S$20/++

These beautiful Australian mutton cutlets were marinated with cinnamon and crusted with spices before being Tandoor-grilled to golden brown delicious while leaving the meat juicy on the inside.

Chandi Murg Tikka | S$13/++

Expect chunks of boneless chicken that are ensconced in garlic and cashew nut cream sauce. Flavours are on the rich side and lovely when enjoyed with some of the dips on the side.

90 Gastro Bar

Golden Chilled Mango Soup with Sago & Citrus Fruits | S$8/++

The molten-state blend of mango ice cream, mango puree and coconut milk was a deadly concoction that kept me going back for more! Definitely a must-try for all mango dessert lovers!

Sunset Gula Melaka Banana Parfait & Butterscotch | S$8/++

Did I hear sinful calories and indulgence? Yes, those two go hand-in-hand for this dessert that spots layers of mascarpone and crushed Oreos topped with fresh banana slices and glazed with butterscotch sauce. That is some level of sweetness for you.

Cabaret Oasis | S$17/++

Like any restaurants, it is not complete without a proper bar or alcohol and Palette Restaurant is no exception. Each of their cocktails is dedicated to the history of Capitol Theatre in one way or other. This brandy, pink guava and soda concoction saw a generous portion of the alcohol so while the price may seem to be on the high side, it was definitely worth a shot.

1686 | S$17/++

While the previous drink represented the cabaret screenings showed at Capitol, the title of this cocktail is named after the number of seats of the old Capitol Theatre. If you fancy something more fruity, this would bite with grapes and raspberry-infused gin, elderflower liqueur, lavender and lychee syrup!

While some may think that Palette Restaurant & Bar is somewhat similar to your Food Republic, it is in my opinion quite a hybrid between that and Marche, well minus the card which you have to scan for your orders. The beauty of this place is that you get to enjoy everything at a few touches on the iPad and freshly prepared food would be served straight to your table! Given the good customer service from the moment you enter the restaurant, expect GST and service charge to be levied on your bill so this spells quite a difference for the price conscious when comparing it to food atriums.

Palette Restaurant & Bar

13 Stamford Road, Capitol Piazza

#B1-20/27

Singapore 178905

Tel: (65) 6384 3359

Website: www.thepalette.com.sg

No comments

, by cy

Casual Dining

[SG] Harry's Clarke Quay | Perfect respite from urban hustle with a revamped menu

Where was the last pub that you caught a live telecast of the English Premier League or maybe the French Open? Well, we did it at Harry's and this home grown establishment is surely home to many sport fanatics like us!

While most would agree that Harry's is more of a place for Happy Hour and probably some finger food, few would actually take notice of their extensive food and drinks menu which features some 50 dishes, complete even with pairing tips!

Located right beside the Central Fountain Square at Clarke Quay, this latest outlet is differentiated by a well-trodden bicycle outside. This not only represents the trademark laidback vibe that Harry's hopes to bring to its guests but also a pit-stop for them to refuel. Some pints of the Harry's premium lager would surely do it for us at least!

It is almost a mantra to have a pint when you are at Harry's and this visit was no different. Kickstarting our evening with a pint of Asahi Black and house's special of Harry's Premium Lager!

Be it with colleagues, friends or even family, knocking some pints over and scrambling for some light bites seems like the old-fashion but never out of style manner of bonding with each other so here we go!

Harry's signature wings | S$13++/6pcs

You can hardly go wrong with the house's special and that goes without saying for the signature wings that were deep-fried to a tan of golden brown delicious. Dressed in a secret spice, the homemade chilli sauce was definitely something to savour with a burn that excites. For those who can hardly take the heat, fear not as you can always wash it down with another pint of draught beer.

Fish crackling | S$13/++

A small plate to go around sharing and hear some crackle as the crispy fish skin was deep fried, without the grease, and tossed with house spices. A side of aioli was also served and the light mayonnaise complements the snack perfectly.

Crab & potato cakes | S$19++/6pcs

While we held high hopes for the cakes that came served in a coat of golden brown breadcrumbs, the texture was somewhat disappointing to say the least. We enjoyed the freshness of the blue swimmer crab but the potato cake lacked a firm hold to hold it together. One would probably struggle to pierce it through with a fork and dip the Sirarcha tomato dip without creating a mess for your fellow dining companions as the soft and slightly mashy cake would crumble.

Jalapeno steak sliders | S$13/++

Served in trios, the juicy steak sliders was cooked just right, leaving the protein still succulent to the bite. What upsets me though was the lack of harmony in the bun as the charred bell peppers and jalapeno cheese sauce somehow failed to unite the flavours. I ended up enjoying the steak slices separately on its own as credit goes to the chef for nailing it right with the seasoning and grill.

Crabmeat spaghettini | S$23/++

For the pasta, it was easy to identify the plus as the handpicked crabmeat was bursting with freshness. The flavours were however slightly muted despite the rich tomato sauce that saw the addition of freshly cut chillies. It however failed to lift the overall taste of the dish and what was disappointing was the dullness in texture. Our spaghetti was cooked just slightly over the mark of al dente so despite the crunch of the pine nuts, it tasted a touch too soft for my preference.

Chicken masala | S$23/++

Quite frankly, I was never quite expecting to taste some Indian food at Harry's and the pot of chicken masala on the menu surely caught my attention. While this was an interesting, albeit a refreshing addition to the menu, the dish would need some tweaks to draw the crowd. We liked the added touch of toasting the charcoal bread before service but the letdown was the viscosity of the sauce. It was just a little too runny and lacked depth in its flavours. What we enjoyed however was the succulent chicken chunks that also saw a generous portion being served!

Toffee apple crisp tart | S$14/++

Never say no to desserts and this mandate applies on this occasion. A newly introduced dessert, thinly sliced apples on crust pastry was served alongside salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. While the guests at the table enjoyed the ice cream, the pastry failed to meet our expectations as it came across rather stale and cold while crisp was the adjective I hope to ascribe to the delightful looking sweet treat.

Sticky date pudding | S$14/++

Reputedly one of the signature desserts, the sticky date pudding was served with a pool of toffee sauce and classic plain vanilla ice cream to neutralise some of the sweetness. I enjoyed the fluffiness of the pudding though this can be quite a heavy dessert given the richness of it, a guaranteed sugar rush after effect!

We were recommended a pairing of the sticky date pudding with moscato, an Italian sparkling wine that is mildly sweet and went perfectly well with the dessert!

Overall, we loved the ambience of the place and it always makes one closer to the next traveller seated beside when you cheer for the same home team being televised live on the big screen. During our visit, there was a football game being featured and from time to time, you can hear some cursing and cheering being shouted across the hallway. That is the absolute beauty of basking in a pub!

Besides having eight types of brew on tap such as Asahi Super Dry (S$16/++) (my personal favourite), Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc (S$15.50) and Tetley's Smooth (S$15/++), there are also various types of cocktails designed for the ladies or simply for the gentlemen who choose to unwind to a zesty drink. Do give the Harry's 1992 (S$16/++), a concoction of vodka, blue curacao, lychee liqueur, grapefruit and lime juice a try or even the Harry's Old Fashioned (S$16/++), a whiskey-based cocktail with a touch of Angostura bitter and orange zest.

With no lack of comfortable lounge sofas to chill, it would not be long before we revisit for some of the draught beers and the finger food platter for sharing!

Harry's Clarke Quay

3D River Valley Road

#01-01

Singapore 179023

Tel: (65) 6338 7331

Website: http://harrys.com.sg/

No comments

, by cy

Casual Dining

[SG] RamenPlay | introducing the brand new Shabu Shabu set

It's been a while since we last updated our blog, while both cy and swee are swamped with work, I've also settled down with a job in Singapore! I always feel frustrated, especially during lunchtime, with the limited food offerings around my workplace at ulu industrial area Tai Seng. Thankfully, the various F&B outlets at BreadTalk IHQ have become my saviours!

The well-known RamenPlay has been around in Singapore for quite a while. For those who are not familiar with them, they are a collaboration between BreadTalk Group Limited and Sanpou Co Ltd with decades of experience in the Japanese F&B industry, which targets a wide range from age of 18 to 45 with an extensive menu selections.

Shabu Shabu | Pork with Clear / Kimchi Soup - S$13.90++ | Beef with Clear / Kimchi Soup - S$14.90++

This is some real deal for a shabu shabu set with an assortment of generous portions of fresh vegetables such as tofu, cabbage and three types of mushrooms (hon shimeji, shiitake & enokitake). Customers can customise their own meals with a choice of soup base either clear or kimchi; thinly sliced good quality Australian striploin beef or Brazilian pork collar; and choose a staple between premium Niigata Koshihikari rice or thin udon.

The clear soup was cooked by simmering chicken bones and shoyu, which was light and ended on a sweet note. If you have a heavier palate, go for the Korean kimchi soup which carried a mild spice taste that would whet your appetite. It was a perfect reunion of flavours when the succulent meat soaked up the soup and dipped into the goma 'sesame' sauce. Accompany that with a few spoons of the fragrant pearly rice!

*Currently available at four restaurants, BreadTalk IHQ (from 5pm onwards), Nex, Jem and Velocity @ Novena Square, and will be introduced at Bedok Mall by June 2015.

Toroniku Uobushi Tonkotsu Ramen | S$11.80++ (3 pcs Toroniku) | S$14.80++ (5 pcs Toroniku)

The bowl itself was already piping hot, perhaps to prevent the heat of the ramen from fading away quickly and we were really impressed by their thoughtfulness. One of RamenPlay's best-sellers, this dish serves thin, elastic Kyushu ramen in a heart-warming broth of smoked fish and pork bones. While I enjoyed the greasy, tender seared pork cheeks, the broth lacked a depth of flavour.

Butariki Ishinabe | S$13.80++

Hard to resist this sizzling stone pot rice with pork which uses premium Niigata Koshihikari rice from Japan, complemented with pan-fried and barbecued pork, spring onions, seaweed. It was topped with a raw egg and upon service, a special sauce was drizzled down in the stone bowl for an extra boost of flavour.

Chicken Sides

Bamboo Chicken | S$3.00++ (1 pc) / S$5.80++ (2 pcs)

The chicken flesh was stuffed and grilled to beautiful golden-brown on bamboo sticks. The bamboo imparted a natural sweetness to the chicken flesh and the dish was completed with a dip of egg yolk.

Crispy Dango | S$3.60++ (3 pcs)

Unlike the usual yakitori grilled meatball we usually get, this deep-fried rendition adorned with mayonnaise and plum sauce was a simple pleasure to everyone at the table. Although it was deep-fried, the chicken meatball was crispy and not overly oily, best served as a side dish.

Crispy Chicken Gyoza | S$3.60 (3 pcs) / S$5.80 (5 pcs)

Another side delicacy that's worth trying and a must-order at any Japanese restaurant, the chicken gyoza was stuffed with minced meat pan-fried till crisp and finished with a touch of goma sauce. The juicy flesh was starkly juxtaposed with the crispy dough skin, which made every mouthful a joyful munch.

Warabi Matcha Mochi Ice Cream | S$6.80++ a la carte / S$4.80++ with order of any main course

It is almost a mantra to feature matcha in any classic Japanese dessert. The matcha ice cream served with azuki beans and chewy mochi dusted with kinako 'roasted soy bean flour'. The ice cream was a bit too milky for my liking and I would prefer it to have stronger matcha taste.

Super Yuzu | S$4.80++

A refreshing beverage to go along with the savoury dishes, concocted with yuzu juice, soda and yuzu peel, there's even an alcoholic version filled with 15% of soju available.