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Reputedly one of Singapore's finest Chinese restaurants serving classic Cantonese cuisine, we have heard much about the quality food served, especially their dim sum menu. On a crusade to discover the finest dim sum places in town, we decided to visit the elegantly yet contemporary styled restaurant at InterContinental Hotel.


With the ongoing Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake promotion, Man Fu Yuan apparently reduced their dim sum offerings and it left us mildly disappointed since the purpose of our visit was centred on trying their hand-crafted dim sum. Nonetheless, we were assured by the serving lady that the list of dim sum available comprised the house's signatures. Afterall, at the end of the day, it is quality that would make our calories count!


Amuse-bouche
We were quite surprised that even for dim sum, Man Fu Yuan served us amuse-bouche each to prepare us for the meal ahead. This not only gave us an insight to the Chef's approach to the art of Chinese cuisine but was also a very nice gesture to kickstart our lunch.

Quality and fresh lump of crab meat was neatly tucked into a thick slice of cucumber. It tasted light and refreshing but more importantly, it showcased the Chef's emphasis on quality and fresh ingredients to glorify simple dishes.


Har Kau, Prawn Dumplings | S$6.80/++
We were both truly impressed upon the first bite and were convinced that this had to be one of the top har kaus to be found in Singapore. Carefully hand made, each har kau had more than eight pleats imprinted on the paper-thin crystalline wrapper that had good elasticity. The fresh large prawn within the dumpling was succulent and was bouncy rather than crunchy, emanating just the desired level of natural sweetness with each mouthful. Quite simply the best har kau we have had so far.


Siew Mai, Pork Dumpling | S$6.80/++

Siew mai is just about the next dish after har kau to put a Chinese dim sum chef to the culinary test. Filled with fresh minced pork, this rendition had an interesting twist with a thin slice of scallop sitting atop. While the robust flavours of the simple dumpling aced and the juiciness of the siew mai appealed favourably, the presentation was somewhat clumsy. The wrapping for the siew mai was inconsistent and when presented in the classic bamboo steamers, it seemed vulnerable to topple or fall sideways anytime.


Lo Bak Go, Radish Cake | S$5.20/++
When it comes to dim sum, the sequence always runs in the following order - har kau, siew mai, lo bak go! At least that is how it goes with the folks here at make your calories count. With that many different renditions out there by various dim sum chefs, this was one of the more memorable ones. Encased in a light batter deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown colour, it gave a nice layer of crispness and crunch to the soft but not overly mashy radish cake on the inside. What I liked about this simple dish was that the basics were not overlooked as you could identify the fine strands of shredded radish packed together to form the classic dim sum dish. With a classic Cantonese-style XO sauce to top the radish cake enhancing the unami flavours of the dim sum, this is one of the few must-orders!

Char Siew Bau, Honey Pork Bun | S$5.20/++

The steamed char siew bau was light and fluffy. It could be pulled apart with a gentle peel, revealing a blend of diced honey barbecued pork. There was a mild sweetness that was enough to please our demanding dim sum palates yet falling short of satiating our appetite. The beautiful flavours of the honey marinade and fragrance of the roast combined harmoniously to make this a must-try for char siew bau lovers!


Liu Sha Bau, Steamed Egg Custard Bun | S$12/++ for six pieces

When it comes to liu sha bau, there is no better way to judge than to let the bun do the talking. A gentle peel to the sides of the bun revealed a warm and luscious salted egg yolk beautifully blended with custard to create one of the best fillings in town. While the flavours were perfectly balanced in sweetness and salinity, our only complaint stemmed from the inconsistency in the bun where the base was much thicker and denser than the rest of the bun. Apart from that, the filling was as close to perfect as one could possibly ask for.

While all good things come in pairs, a basket of liu sha baus comes in sixes and you could choose between the steamed or fried version. It was a shame that we were unable to get a mix of three each so we would have to reserve our calories for the fried version till next time!


Char Siew & Siew Yuk, Roasted Meat Platter | S$32/++

Available in various combinations, we went for my favourite char siew (barbecued pork) and siew yuk (roast pork). Price wise, it was slightly more expensive as I understood from the serving lady that siew yuk comes at a premium. For S$32/++, you could actually enjoy a trio platter comprising char siew, soya chicken and roast duck while this same price fetches you just char siew and siew yuk.


The char siew had a decent cut with just a good thin layer of fat though the leaner portions were slightly too stiff for my liking. What we could not deny was that gorgeous honey marinade that made us empty the plate!


Precision was just about everything for the siew yuk; starting with that lovely crackling sound from the crispy skin, defined layers of fat to the well-blended homemade mustard sauce. What I appreciated was that the chef thoughtfully sliced the siew yuk in bite-sized portions, making every mouthful a delightful crunch. Dipping siew yuk in the sharp, hot and pungent mustard not only brought back memories of dining at my favourite dim sum place in Hong Kong (Fook Lam Moon) but exudes authentic Cantonese culinary flair.


With a classic communal layout expected of most Chinese restaurants, Man Fu Yuan has a touch of elegance. We are also appreciative of the service rendered by the ladies who were attentive to our requests. While there was a minor hiccup when it came to billing, the situation was handled professionally with sincere apologies and immediate rectifications.

Perfect for business lunches or even an intimate dim sum affair like we experienced, it was truly one of the best dim sum meals we had in Singapore. While we continue to search for the next best dim sum restaurant, it would not be long before we return for the quality food served at Man Fu Yuan.

For those working at the Raffles Place area, the newly launched One Raffles Place Mall would be a familiar spot for foodies with its abundant offering of eateries at the basement level. What many failed to identify, including us, is that good food at the building stretches beyond shoppers haven of H&M and Uniqlo to the third level where JBM Coffee & Dining resides.

The open concept restaurant reflecting touches of rustic French and Italian cuisines is quite an overlooked gem in the heart of the CBD area. Led by Chef Chamara Fonseka, who previously honed his culinary skills at Au Petit Salut and Covelli, he ingeniously combined the essence of the two European fares. What set this restaurant apart however is not just the food but also its coffee creations. Helmed by head barista, Shawn, who recently came in first runner up at Singapore's National Latte Art Championship 2014, expect your caffeine kicks to be treated in good hands.


Serving up different types of coffee brews with various methods, do not be shy to check with Shawn or any of the other well-trained friendly baristas to make sure that you enjoy your coffee the way it was meant to be. With the owner, Evangeline Wong being a trained barista herself, she sources for the best Jamaican coffee beans and does her own roasts. Testified by the success of her first coffee hideout, Blue Mahoe Estate Caffee at the Esplanade, can JBM Coffee & Dining equally impress with its food offerings?
The Green Knight | S$8/++

With a variety of soups to choose from, we were well-greeted by this light zucchini soup topped with crispy seaweed, croutons and cream. The delicate summer squash carried a tinge of natural sweetness and the richness of the soup was enhanced by the cream drizzled in, piquing our appetite for a sumptuous meal ahead!


The Pork Terrine | S$15/++

Flavoured with herbs and spices, the thickly sliced pork terrine accompanied a side walnut salad. This not only added texture to the dish with the crunch but allows the savouriness of the freshly prepared terrine to shine.



What made this simple dish a star was the freshly baked brioche with a smear of the gorgeous grape juice blended mustard sauce. This not only added a different dimension to the dish in terms of flavours but the crispness of the brioche added a desired layer of texture. The slight acidity from the vines paired with the pungency of mustard provided complexity and cuts through the savouriness of the pork terrine beautifully.


Lil' Froggy | S$24/++
A Big Bowl O'Mussels | S$14/++
Looking to share? How about a brimming bowl of plump and succulent New Zealand Blue Lip mussels cooked in a gorgeous white wine, garlic and seafood broth flavoured by saffron. Served with some sliced baguette, I could not resist soaking up all that goodness in that creamy broth!


Beef Outside the Cubes | S$24/++



The grain-fed tenderloin, cut into cubes, were grilled medium-rare by default, allowing the red meat to flaunt its quality and freshness. Tossed in a mushroom sauce and a choice of mash or fries, the natural option was the former where the chef's skills was put to test. Full marks for the consistency and creaminess of the velvety mash, making it pure decadence to scoop it all up!


The Sassy Cassoulet | S$32/++

Tracing the origins of the dish, this rich and slow-cooked casserole originated in Southern France which typically contains meat, pork skin and white beans. Taking a more sassy twist, this rendition was seafood-centric, offering nothing shy of the freshest lobster, scallops, mussels, prawns and squids over a pot full of home-made white beans.

A hearty dish perfect for sharing, what made this stew spectacular was the seafood broth with crab meat shreds that added a strong punch in flavours. Recommended for the seafood-lovers.


The Golden Hen | S$23/++
If you have a picky palate for desserts like me, I highly recommend the layered dessert of fresh orange wedges, orange jelly, Grand Marnier foam and the assuring caramel crisp to score the dish a home-run. The flavours were robust, complex and I was highly intrigued at the various dimensions the chef managed to introduce to the dessert building upon a base ingredient, orange. Textures were plentiful, starting from the crisp crunch to the melt-in-your-mouth foam before a pleasant tang from the orange jelly to make all guests award a thumbs-up. Recommended for those with a sweet tooth but might come across as slightly too sweet for some.


JBM Espresso Crème Brulee | S$8/++



Obscenely good is how I define this dessert. Served innocent with that classic caramelised crust, it turned into a messy affair as soon as you crack it open and the shot of espresso oozes upwards like a geyser. While some might find the dessert too satiating with the richness of the rich custard, expect to be in heaven if you enjoy bold flavours. The bitterness of the caffeine shot cuts through the richness beautifully. If you are having quite a heavy meal, I would recommend sharing this as it might be too heavy for just one pax.


Salted Caramel Freeze | S$7/++

While most close friends would know that I only enjoy my black coffee plain in the form of Americano or Espresso, I could not resist the highly recommended java-inspired drink. Freshly made Chantilly cream together with home-made salted caramel, I was impressed by the consistency that made this a must-order by anyone's standards. Depending on your tolerance for sweetness, some might find this a tad too sweet though it was okay by our standards!


Americano | S$5/++

Just the desired way to conclude an evening of good food with a balanced cup of black coffee with just the right amount of acidity, robustness of the beans and aroma of the roast.


Right in the middle of the restaurant is this two-metre tall state-of-the-art Probat Roaster specially imported from Germany which defines who the owners are and where they started the business. Soon, this machine will be where JBM Coffee & Dining does its daily roast which will bring a divine aroma to the area!

Tastefully decorated with plush brown leather chairs, banquet seats, there are even two private booths which can seat up to eight diners. While restaurants and eateries in general within the Raffles Place area are swarmed during lunch-hour, it would also be a great time to visit in the evenings if you are looking for some quiet moments with a date or even a meal with a business associate.

Service at tastings are usually good but I noticed how the service crew was equally attentive to the surrounding diners at nearby tables. A place that serves quality food at reasonable prices, I am looking forward to my return visit already.

For those working in the CBD area, you would probably be familiar with La Cantine, located at Asia Square. With an unique interior featuring inverted rooster inspired by the Montmartre in Paris, this traditional French brasserie is the latest brainchild of Michelin 3* Chef, Bruno Menard.

With a communal setting in the restaurant, it coincides with the intention of 'dishes-to-share', which makes it a venue perfect for celebrations and events. Having previously tried &made and duly impressed, we were really looking forward to our visit at La Cantine!


"Nicoise" Salad | S$22/++

Recommended by the lady who took our orders as one of the house's signatures, we thought it would be a good start to our meal. Dressed with Tonnato sauce, a creamy, tangy sauce made with anchovies, capers and canned tuna, we enjoyed the umami flavours in it. Among the usual salad greens, there were bell peppers, tomato, egg, anchovies, tuna drizzled with roasted garlic oil for extra fragrance. While the large salad bowl looked impressive, the amount of tuna in the dish was disappointing. On a more positive note, the combination went really well as the sauce brought the dish together harmoniously.


Sirloin Angus Beef Tartare (Appetiser Portion) | S$22/++
The pictures above showed the beef tartare as an appetiser portion while the most updated menu revealed that it is now only offered as a main course served with fries and salad at S$38/++. While I enjoyed the croutons that added a layer of texture to complement the beef tartare, the flavours were mainly from herbs sprinkled generously atop. As a result, the seasoning of the beef tartare failed to stand out.


Pan Roasted Atlantic Cod Fish, Sweet Corn Sauce and Broccoli | S$32/++


Recommended as one of the signatures, my expectations was naturally held high. It was a shame that the beautiful cod fish was overcooked, resulting in a rather dull texture. The bland flavours of the fish fell short of impressing while the sweet corn soup was merely pedestrian. The broth was not creamy enough and lacked oomph to elevate flavours for the dish as a whole.


Caramelized Pork Belly | S$36/++

The well-defined pork belly slices were succulent and were everything you could possibly ask for. What I would have desired though would be a layer of the crispy skin for that crackling effect. That would have elevated the dish to the next level of indulgence.


The potato puree was a classic side to the pork belly, which was creamy but too salty and oily for our palate. Although the mash was velvety and got a boost in flavours and fragrance from the diced roasted garlic, the grease was enough to stop us short of a second mouthful.

Photo credit: La Cantine

Overall, we thought that the food was quite pedestrian though this was compensated by the attentive service rendered and lovely ambience. While we visited on a Friday evening, the restaurant was less than half occupied and we were able to enjoy some privacy with a seating at a corner. Also, service of food was too quick for comfort as there was hardly any break before the next course was served.

For those in the area looking for a place to unwind after a hard day at work, La Cantine offers a different 'Happy Hour' promotion from 5 - 8pm daily, Mondays to Fridays ranging from 1-for-1 housepours to S$10 per glass freshly made margaritas!

Many people would be familiar with Outback, the world's largest steakhouse chain, which first opened doors in Singapore back in 2000. Embracing Australian's hospitality, this American diner continues to uphold the philosophy of 'Quality, Freshness and Flavour' as outlined in one of the signboards in the restaurant. This mantra explains why Outback continues to grow its operations worldwide with more than 1,000 locations in 22 countries.

Taking pride in its brand name, Outback promises to deliver premium ingredients and fresh flavours at affordable prices. Attention is given to the most intricate details such as their produce where all vegetables were seasoned and steamed just enough to coax the medley to blossom into full flavour just before service.

Moving away from conventional assumptions that Outback is famous only for their steaks and meat dishes, they have gone on to revamping their menu with a focus on introducing poultry and seafood dishes.
With my last dining visit to Outback in Australia some time ago, we were really looking forward to visiting the second outlet in Singapore newly opened at Orchard Gateway!

Typhoon Bloom | S$14.90/++

With hand-cut fresh onion rings carefully laced and stacked together, it was served with Outback's signature Bloom sauce which is a blend of spice mix, mayo and horseradish. You are not going to refuse that beautiful golden-brown crispy batter that gently coats the fresh onion rings. Dipped in the creamy sauce, it is a perfect starter for sharing among friends or simply over some beer!


Spinach Artichoke Dip | S$13.90/++


Another for sharing platter is this plate of freshly fried corn tortilla chips with an indulgent creamy melange of spinach and artichokes in Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese. What made this a star for me was that the tortilla chips tasted clean and not greasy, which meant that a fresh pot of oil was used for the frying. The rich flavours from the cheese bearing a hint of spinach and artichokes went almost perfectly well with these lovely crunch bites.


Tilapia with Pure Lump Crab Meat | S$27.90/++
Served with seasonal vegetables, expect Tilapia fillets with crab stuffings piled atop with crab meat, sautéed mushrooms and a homemade lemon butter Chablis sauce. A classic sauce to drizzle over fish fillets, the white-wine based sauce was light and flavourful, packing some citrus zest from the lemon. This helped to enhance the freshness of the seafood dishes.

Between the dishes, we were introduced to the various types of cocktail drinks offered at Outback!


Watermelon Margarita | S$14.90/++

Featured in the above picture, this cocktail was served in a sugar-rimmed glass containing fresh watermelon juice, Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila and citrus juices.


Apple Mojito | S$12.90/++

My personal favourite for the evening has to be this which contained Bacardi Silver Rum, diced red apples, limes and mint which helped to give a refreshing twist to the otherwise heavy dishes served! For those with a sweet tooth, the diced red apples have that added sweetness to make it a pleasing drink for both gents and ladies.

My other half however preferred the Strawberry Basil Lemonade | S$13.90/++, which packed Absolut Citron Vodka, fresh basil and strawberries, lemonade and Sprite. The best part about all the different cocktails is that fresh fruits were used in the making of the cocktails!


Alice Spring Chicken | S$25.90/++

A dish that tasted far superior than what it looked. Served with sweet potato fries, the flame-grilled chicken breast was covered with melted Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheese, crispy bacon strips and sautéed mushrooms. There was also a pot of honey mustard sauce on the side to add some extra flavours to the already rich dish. I was really impressed with how moist and tender the chicken breast was. Paired with the crispy sweet potato fries which had a natural sweetness, it complemented the savouriness of the crispy bacon covered by the melted cheese.


New York Strip | S$36.90/++

With a choice of two sides from nine, the 10oz thick-cut Strip Steak was a favourite at the table and was dissected before I had a chance to catch a snapshot of it. Seasoned with a secret blend of 17 spices, it was cooked beautifully to medium rare, retaining that desired pinkness in the meat upon the slice of the knife. My only complaint was that the Strip cut had some portions which made it hard to chew.


Among the nine sides, the potato mash blended with potato skin was quite a star as the added texture gave an unexpected twist to the usual velvety mash. It was well seasoned, creamy and rich with the coarseness of the crisp potato skin to make it a worthy add-on!


Our favourite side for the evening was the newly added sweet potato served with cinnamon and honey butter. Protected by the sweet potato skin, the luscious orange flesh of the sweet potato had a natural sweetness that made us scouring for more. The addiction of the honey butter and cinnamon sprinkle made this a must-order to your side!


Baby Back Ribs | S$32.90/++ for full rack and half for S$19.90/++

A classic American diner meal with fries that had potato skin on and a lovely rack of succulent-tasting ribs coasted in tasty homemade BBQ sauce that you could not resist. Smoked and flame-grilled to perfection, this was a natural winner and is no wonder why it is one of the signature dishes at Outback. With more than 500 recipes available under Outback, only some 30 to 50 classic recipes made it worldwide and this was one of it.

Chocolate Thunder from Down Under | S$14.90/++

Can you ever end a hearty meal without some sweet treats? Not for us anyway as we were pampered with this pecan brownie paired with vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce, chocolate shavings and a sinful whoop of whipped cream. The lightly warm and moist pecan brownie made the vanilla ice cream melt almost instantaneously and this calories-laden dessert is surely not for the faint-hearted.

The serving was generous and easily makes this dessert a sharing portion, at least by our standards! This is your classic simple dessert made glorious by virtue of its divine combination.


Carrot Cake | S$9.90/++

Quite an unexpected winner, the classic carrot cake actually won me over with its moistness and loads of pecan bits. Topped with a coconut, vanilla cream cheese icing, the combination went surprisingly well to make me award this generous slice of carrot cake a thumbs-up.


This part of the restaurant is also available for private parties and events as it occupies the back of the restaurant.


While the general seating arrangements at the front of the restaurant suggests a casual dining layout, the tables are still appropriately separated from the next, making it the perfect venue for social gatherings or even a family dinner. The service crew for the evening was attentive to our requests and we had no problems winning their attention.

In order to provide a holistic casual dining experience, booze is almost a necessity and apart from having a 7-seater counter where guests can have a full view of the cocktails preparation while knocking a few pints over!


If you are looking for some quality Western food with generous portions while shopping in the Orchard Road precinct, Outback might be a worthy place to call in for a sumptuous meal. Consider yourself warned about the sinful calories you might pack in though!