Gullible Travels

Paradise Teochew

POSTED ON Saturday, January 20, 2018 AT 5:40 PM \ leave a comment (0)

I guess we can't quite take the Paradise Group as seriously as before, especially as they get more mainstream and somewhat produces en-masse. But since the family is half-Teochew, we decided to give their Teochew concept restaurant at the Chinese Swimming Club a shot. we kind of braced ourselves that this is no Huat Kee or Chui Huay Lim (renowned Teochew eating institutions in Singapore), but we were still somewhat curious at what the group could conjure.

Teochew Paradise now has 2 outlets in Singapore, with the latest opening at Scotts Square. sticking to traditions, we started the meal with a classic tea appreciation appetizer that the restaurant serves by default. actually this is a unique selling point, we all loved the deep fried fish skin chips that they served with the tea! nothing beats a good start. the staff were helpful and offered us suggestions on some Teochew classics that were suitable for a small group.

The first dish came and it was Sauteed scallops with asparagus in XO sauce. perhaps due to the group size, the portions were somewhat meagre, but having said that, the scallops were actually fresh and the dish was aromatic due to the condiments added to stir-fry this dish. we also ordered the popular Teochew fish maw soup to go with our dishes, so far so good.

the fundamental dish that most visitors would note when they come to Teochew Paradise is their offering of a combination of popular Teochew dishes. this setup is ideal for small groups who would like to try a wider selection but would struggle to finish full servings typically offered at other restaurants. We went for the Teochew four varieties combination set which came in small servings just enough for each of us. there was pork roll, braised slice duck with tofu, prawn ball and pan fried scallops. these dishes are typically somewhat salty and strong in flavour. a few hits and misses here, but perhaps 1 piece per person is taking the interpretation a little too literally.

and so alas, we had to order some carbs to have our fill. This crispy sweet and sour noodle (Teochew style) is actually a winner. firstly a unique dish that is rarely found elsewhere, the pancake style noodles are usually eaten with sugar or vinegar. the noodles are warm, but very crispy even after they are drizzled with vinegar and when eaten with sugar, it tastes more like a pastry that a carb dish. Probably the highlight of our visit. In all, we felt that this concept is a welcome change from the typical Paradise Group restaurants, the menu serves up several authentic Teochew classics and although a tad pricey, isn't lacking in quality. Perhaps a good place for a family gathering or an office team lunch.

Paradise Teochew
21 Amber Road, #03-01
Chinese Swimming Club
Singapore 439870

Opening Hours
Mondays to Fridays: 11.30 am to 3.30 pm; 6 pm to 10.30 pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 10.30 am to 3.30 pm; 6 pm to 10.30 pm

Embracing the roots of Teochew cuisine with an emphasis on natural flavours, light seasonings and fresh ingredients..

Labels: #chineseswimmingclub, #crispysweetandsournoodles, #paradisegroup, #paradiseteochew, #teochewcuisine, #teochewfood

The Palmary

POSTED ON Saturday, January 06, 2018 AT 11:20 PM \ leave a comment (0)

Enter the new year and in a flash, it's 2018. we start the year talking about an up and coming district in Singapore - Farrer Park. with a string of new restaurants and cafes opening up in the area, we think that Rangoon Road and Owen Road may one day become the new Keong Saik. Of course, they have still some way to go, as the area is still relatively less discovered, with more of the second generation shop owners still occupying the conservation shop-houses.

The Palmary along Owen Road is less than a year old as this is written, but the Mediterranean-Asian fusion bar and restaurant has already racked up a host of print and social media coverage. To some extent, the founding group of young entrepreneurs seem to have built alot of traction with their interesting food menu, unique blend of drinks and very Instagrammable interpretations of their dishes. to top it off, they seem to be earnest in going back to their roots by both including local flavours into their menu and in remembering the previous shop-house owner - a vintage bicycle shop.

we could have disappointed the bartender a little, by ordering a bottled craft beer after his strenuous efforts introducing several blends. do read this beer as you see it, but at the same time, please Google its meaning, lest you think we are being offensive on a family-friendly webpage. to be fair, The Palmary has quite an extensive selection of signature blended drinks, from its cocktails to its hard liquor mixtures. we recommend the Palmary's Bicicletta - and do ask them about the story that inspired the drink.

we thoroughly enjoyed the food, and this standout dish practically made every visitor's hero-shot when they covered this restaurant. The Mentaiko Cream Lobster Linguine is a very popular dish here, served on a large jaw-bowl with a generous serving of cream-based linguine, a large Boston lobster and sprinkles of garnish, the dish is as tasty as it is attractive. do note the chef's recommendations for wine-pairing to go with the main dishes that you order, they are listed on the menu itself. we also ordered the "must-try" Mediterranean Duck Confit which was served with quinoa salad, kale and a Mediterranean spice mix. we've read mixed reviews about this dish, but it was probably our lucky day. the duck skin was crispy, the meat tender and the well-seasoned spices gave the leg its needed flavour.

in fact, we enjoyed the food and drinks here so much that in our opinion, the slight let-down was the dessert. The Earl Grey cake we had lacked the flavour of the earl grey finish and the almond pecan brownie wasn't quite warm enough. anyways, we don't think this restaurant should be measured by their desserts when the starters, entree and drinks are already more than ample to provide a hearty meal. the staff are friendly and the cosy dim setting makes this restaurant perfect for dates and gatherings. watch this space, as we think The Palmary would get bigger in 2018.

The Palmary
142 Owen Road
Singapore 218941

Opening Hours
Mondays to Thursdays: 6 pm to 11 pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 12 pm to 11 pm
(closed on Sundays)

Asian Fusion Cuisine with an artisanal range of cocktails and craft beers

Labels: #asianfusion, #cocktails, #fusionfood, #lobsterlinguine, #owenroad, #thepalmary