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Mitzo (Valentine's Day Feature)
We always had a good impression of this restaurant whenever we thought of good Cantonese food. never quite got around to trying it until recently, when it seemed like a unique choice for Valentine's day. while much of these combinations may no longer be available at the restaurant, this introductory note gives everyone a glimpse of what this contemporary fusion of Cantonese food with cocktails is all about.
Mitzo is located on the 4th storey of Grand Park Orchard hotel. the restaurant prides itself for delivering good quality Cantonese cuisine with a twist of modern flavours and curation of traditional dishes. Kinda thought it would be a unique Valentine's date experience for 2 people of the same dialect group and to see what menu they could conjure to fit the theme of a largely Western celebration. Great first impressions with friendly and knowledgeable staff, who would engage guests with light hearted conversation. They would also pain-stakingly introduce every dish, including giving suggestions on the best ways to enjoy their taste. 
true to its roots, this trio of Cantonese starters came with tea-infused char siew, prawns in sesame mayonnaise and scallops with chicken floss. a good blend of taste and the quality of the barbecued pork was telling of their authenticity. a nod of approval from both of us was probably a good start for the evening. Cantonese folk always would have soup for a complete meal. the next serving of double boiled sea cucumber, served with abalone, mushroom and ham consomme was abundant with ingredients and rich is flavour. another thumbs up. 
then comes the more fusion variants, with this cod fish marinated in beetroot sauce and served with a crispy home-made egg tofu that was interesting and tasty. good texture for the cod fish and a creative blend of sauces which mixed well with the tofu. fine-dining portions no doubt, but a good build-on for a 5 course meal. the final savoury dish of chilled duck with poached Hong Kong noodles in Bonito sauce may only be a spoonful, it was nonetheless a good taster for their capability to whip up good egg noodle dishes. 
dessert was really interesting, passion fruit Granitas topped with lychee sorbet and paired with a chocolate-lava dumpling. we loved the colours and the sweetness of the dish. not to mention, the full course came with a pairing of two artisanal cocktails that were both refreshing and creatively presented. in all, a very pleasantly surprising experience, and certainly made us resolve to come back for the full menu and dim sum lunch sometime in the future. Mitzo now ranks amongst one of the favourites, for good Cantonese cuisine.. 
Mitzo Level 4 Grand Park Orchard 270 Orchard Road Singapore 238857 Opening Hours Daily: 12 pm to 2.30 pm (lunch); 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm (dinner) Thursday to Saturdays & Eve of Public Holidays: 6.30 pm to 1 am (supper) reinvents the Chinese dining experience and brings with it a fresh approach and energy... Labels: #cantonesefood, #cocktails, #dimsum, #finedining, #grandparkorchard, #mitzo, #valentinesday In Piazza
with many restaurants in Singapore staking claim to produce authentic Italian fare, one would really need to be "in the industry" to know who is for real. a new series of F&B outlets opened up at The Pines, an extension of the new Hotel Mercure Singapore on Stevens, of which this restaurant opened up by a group of Italians seemed serious about getting their Italian cuisine right.
located within a glass-house with the hotel as its backdrop, the interior boasts a spartan setting with high ceiling and spacious seating. Operations manager Daniele is often present to greet all patrons and introduce the signatures of the place. together with two Italian chefs, the team enjoy vast experience cooking Italian food across Europe before deciding to bring their interpretation of the dishes to Asia and Singapore. 
The signature of this restaurant comes from their oven grilled pizzas, and even more so by show-casing the most simplistic pizza of all, the Margherita pizza. named after the historic queen consort of Italy, the simple dish garnished with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce is a specialty here. nonetheless, we found that a tad too simple and went to try the recommended Diavola pizza instead. This pizza comes with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and pork salame. we added anchovies for good measure which the Chef readily agreed to and true to good authentic pizza, the dishes is extremely flavourful despite its ordinary outlook. 
we have always said that good Italian food is tested through its Risotto (most places can whip up decent pasta). we tried the Risotto Allo Scoglio which is essentially Arborio rice served with fresh mussels, prawns, clams and squids. there was good aroma all round and every bite was rich with the taste of spices, herbs and a generous serving of seafood. It is notable to also share that In Piazza has a wide selection of Antipasti (starters) to choose from and a good range of pastas, including vegetarian options. the dishes are often introduced by the town in Italy that it originated from and it gave further context to the food that was being served. 
it was somewhat impressive (and also amusing) that the service staff are trained to memorize the wide selection of wines and desserts, having them share the options with us was somewhat of an incredible recital. We ordered an Aperol Spitz, an orange based soda cocktail and a glass of red wine, after receiving good advice from the crew, certainly good choices to wash down the mains. some sorbet ice cream to cap off the first experience there encapsulated the Italian experience. As we share our visit to In Piazza, we hope that this largely undiscovered restaurant gains further popularity as we think it is authentic enough to stand amongst the local institutions. we wish Daniele and his team all the best as they make their way into the Singapore food scene. 
In Piazza The Pines 30 Stevens Road #01-04/05 Singapore 257840 Opening Hours Daily: 10.30 am to 10.30 pm a touch of Italy to your neighbourhood.. Labels: #hotelmercuresingaporeonstevens, #inpiazza, #italianfood, #margheritapizza, #risotto, #stevensroad Blue Willow
there are several gimmicky concepts within thematic restaurants in Singapore, with most of them revolving around animated characters or a costumed theme. and in this ever saturated industry of quirky dining concepts, we managed to discover a themed restaurant that stood out not just for the effort and consistency in delivering the idea, but more importantly, the quality of its food as well.
Blue Willow is located along Clementi Road, near the Kent Ridge bus interchange and famous for its nearby prata shops that almost all NUS students would have fond memories of. the restaurant prides itself for being the only blue themed restaurant in Singapore. everything here from the fit out, to the lighting and the natural ingredients used to prepare the dishes includes an element of punchy blue colours. The Western-fusion cuisine served up here is generally on point, and the clever use of blue colours add to its photogenic quality. 
The starting inspiration of this cafe would be its blue wine. Probably one of the few places to serve up the Spanish Gik brand - the wine is a natural blue colour made from the skin of grapes used at the vineyard. the sweet taste of the drink makes it extremely palatable to wash down and over at Blue Willow, it is a popular choice that can either be chosen by the bottle or by each glass. with this joint being operated by the same group of young entrepreneurs behind Platform 1094 (the wizardry themed cafe), do ask for any other colour changing cocktails that may not be on the menu. 
in terms of their standout main dishes, we enjoyed this serving of the Blue Willow's Barramundi, a flame grilled fish dish that was already fragrant when served. decked with beetroot, baby spinach and splashed with blue mustard cream sauce, we enjoyed the freshness and tender texture of the fish. The other main dish that we ordered, the Grilled pork loin, was also very juicy and well accompanied by a generous serving of zucchini, eggplant pesto, mashed potatoes and mayo sauce. under the blue lights of the restaurant, the mains are as Instagrammable as they are tasty. 
the desserts here are another "attraction" by themselves. Needless to say, the cakes are in bright blue colours. we picked the Blue Velvet cake and this dome shaped mousse-like cake called Tea by Lupicia. We particularly enjoyed the latter, because we simply love sweet stuff, and the chocolate mousse infused in tea and a tinge of Gik wine makes it one refreshing dessert. All in all, we found our visit truly experiential dining. from being able to interact with the colour-changing cocktails, to the discovery of blue dishes and their distinct natural tastes to enjoying desserts in the al-fresco backyard of blue, we rate this as one of the best thematic restaurant experiences we had in recent time. 
Blue Willow 28 Clementi Road Singapore 129754 Opening Hours Tuesdays to Fridays: 12 pm to 12 am Saturdays & Sundays: 11 am to 12 am (closed on Mondays) The blue Alfresco seating backyard opens from 6 pm.. Labels: #bluethemed, #bluewillow, #bluewillowsg, #bluewine, #clementiroad, #thematiccafe, #westernfood Sumo Bar Happy
Japanese styled Sake and sashimi bars are extremely popular in modern day Tokyo, a common after work quick chill for the fast paced city dwellers. over here, the culture usually ties after work chill out celebrations to certain occasions, and usually with it comes a more laid-back mood. Inspired by the very successful Tanuki Raw and Standing Sushi Bar, the owners have decided to open another similar joint, focusing on Ramen and Tachinomi Sake.
tucked in a corner under one of the pioneering public housing blocks along Waterloo Street, Sumo Bar Happy is essentially a bar-top dining concept with few table seats. everyone crowds around the square bar to enjoy alternative interpretations of Ramen, Sushi and drinks - with the benefit of watching the bartenders in action. while we think the target crowds should be PMETs, we did spot a few Japanese families even bringing their kids along. i guess back home, these concepts are mainstream culture already. 
the highlights of this place are their beef bowl Ramen as well as unique interpretations such as this Sashimi Mazemen, replacing a typical Chirashi Don by using dry Ramen over rice to go with the fresh seafood. there's Shoyu on the side to either dip the Ramen like how you'd eat Soba, or some people will blend it into the dish which also comes with a very watery Onsen egg and Ikura (fish roe). 
because it is also a Japanese tapas bar concept, there are many interesting sides to choose from as well. These Lobster Taiyaki Sliders will give any lobster sandwich a run for their money. with chunky lobster filling stuffed into a Japanese fish-shaped pancake with some greens. the outer pastry is soft which complimented the crunchiness of the lobsters. do also look out for Happy Hour bar bites that the staff will gladly introduce to you. we went for a couple of unique sushi combinations such as the spicy Miso Char Siew sushi and the spicy salmon sushi, all good pairings for Sake and cocktails. 
Drinks are also a highlight of Sumo Bar Happy, with the bartender mixing the drinks in front of you - show kitchen style. we tried this Passionfruit Sake that comes with a very attractive outlook. the drink is smooth, sweet and easy on the throat, which can be potent since its technically Sake. for the less adventurous, there's still typical warm Matcha and normal Sake as well. In all, a very different Japanese experience, we enjoyed the food tremendously and would certainly feel like coming back again soon. 
Sumo Bar Happy 261 Waterloo Street 01-24 Waterloo Centre Singapore 180261 Opening Hours Mondays to Thursdays: 12 pm to 11 pm Fridays & Saturdays: 12 pm to 12 am Sundays: 12 pm to 10 pm (closed on public holidays) a focus on one-cup sake and tonkotsu ramen with beef toppings.. Labels: #japanesefood, #japanesesashimibar, #japanesetapas, #ramenandsakebar, #sakebar, #sumobarhappy, #waterloostreet Paradise Teochew
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
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 |
..ThE lEgEnD..
Last Movie: Ad Astra
Golden Village, Singpost Centre 
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