Welcoming thefoodnomads.com

Dear Awesome Readers/Friends/Foodies,

Thank you all for the great support since The Food Nomads was started in early March this year. Starting off as a simple blog project to chronicle our food hunts, we never expected The Food Nomads to take off as it has and in over 5 months, we have garnered 70,000 views and this simply wouldn’t have been possible without all of you.

The Food Nomads have become so much more than a blog to us over the past few months. It has become an outlet for us to share with all you fellow foodies out there our hidden finds, occasional disappointments and most of the time yummilicious food. The Food Nomads has also been a great medium through which we get to connect with you guys whether its through emails or comments left on our posts, we appreciate the encouragement, the compliments, your thoughts on some of our reviews and the introduction to even more food places! For all this, we are incredibly thankful to you all.

Although wordpress.com has served as well over the past couple of months,  in order to serve our readers better with less restrictions, improved functionality and increased personalization, we will be moving our blog to:

 

 

 

www.thefoodnomads.com

This move will herald a new chapter in our food hunting adventures. Don’t worry though, The Food Nomads will continue bringing you what you love and more and all past reviews will be archived on the new site as well. With our move to the self-hosted blog, we hope to be able to provide better review and site functionality to you readers through a gradual roll-out of new features over the next two months. Do drop us an email if you do have any suggestions or features you would like to see at either:

bryanchoo@thefoodnomads.com
jaspernyl@thefoodnomads.com

Spread the word thefoodnomads.com

And Like us on Facebook!

Once again thank you all for the great support and happy eating!

Bryan C. and Jasper N.

Spruce @ Phoenix Park

Spruce is probably a familar name to many of us. An established dining venue for Weekend Brunch for both locals and foreign expatriates, we arrived at Phoenix Park to find the restaurant to be surrounded by greenery. As we shuffled our lazy feet across the boardwalk, we began to discover several groups hanging around the dining venue’s entrance, waiting for tables to be available.

I was quite annoyed when I discovered that they had lost my reservations but thankfully, they ushered us to our seats in an instance. We were amazed at the overwhelming response that Spruce received and I believe it did heighten our expectations of the restaurant.

Al-fresco dining is also available at Spruce. As we thought that the area was really crowded with many of their patrons, it would ruin the laid-back and relaxing experience (which could have been possible) that we were looking forward to. The interior of the restaurant appeared to be rather simplistic though there was still a cosy and fuzzy feeling which seemed to have been derived from the slight similarity to a dining room of an apartment. The significance of the counter was its display of the many pastries and sugared desserts that might be just too appealing for one with a hungry stomach.

Spruce Eggs Benny ($15.00)

The Spruce Eggs Benny was a delight to us. Although I would have preferred the Poached Eggs to be a little more runny, I liked the traditional accompaniments of Bacon and Hollandaise Sauce. In addition, the Corn Waffle was lightly crisped, which in my opinion, enhanced the gastronomical pleasure as derived from the dish.

fika @ Beach Road

fika was first introduced to me as one of the few European restaurants serving Halal dishes. A rather prominent and noticeable dining venue at the corner of Arab Street and located along Beach Road, fika has been considerably distinguished within the local scene as a restaurant that serves Swedish Halal food.

Situated at a convenient location as compared to her neighbouring competitors, I had found fika Cafe to be one of the more eye- catching and appealing dining venues around the area. Al-fresco dining was available though I would prefer to be seated in the restaurant’s interior; which was decked in a coat of white. The use of wooden furniture and low hanging lamps contributed to a homely feel that reminded me to that of a cabin. There was this cosy and warm feel around the setting which made me feel really relaxed and comfortable.

E-Sarn Thai Corner @ Upper Thomson Road

Located along the highly concentrated food haven that is Upper Thomson, E-Sarn Thai Corner is one of the numerous outlets in the E-Sarn group. And recently as you might have noticed, I have been trying many Thai places. I wonder is it just me or are Singaporeans in general really into Thai food these days. As it is, I am going to allow my tummy a hiatus from the stinging spiciness of Thai food.

Catering primarily to families living around the area and the occasional large crowd, E-Sarn was pretty crowded the evening we were there. Sparsely designed and in an open, airy space, this unpretentious place where people come looking for good authentic Thai food.

Clear Tom Yum Soup (Seafood) $13.50

Don’t be fooled by it demure clear appearance, this seafood Tom Yum soup packs a significant punch. This clear soup hit my tastebuds with a searing spiciness that was deliciously tangy. Coupled with the fragrant lemongrass and Thai lime juice, the soup was a heady combination of spicy and sour. Personally, I felt this was one of the best Tom Yum soups I have tried recently as it was light and fragrant, yet spicy enough to be considered authentically Thai.

Mango Salad – $15.50

Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar @ Portsdown Road

Following a long and winding stretch and passing by various lodges, my friend, E and I arrived at Wessex Village Square to be greeted by none other than Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar. I had suggested the visit since it had been a long time since I have had Chocolate desserts (E is more of a dark chocolate fan) and like many others, I was really looking forward to have Laurent’s all so- tempting Chocolate Souffle. As we reached our destination, I found the cafe to be bathed in the orange glow of the afternoon Sun, a seemingly appealing venue for our Weekend afternoon tea.

 

Rattan chairs were situated near the entrance of Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar, alongside a fenced division from the greenery. The fine ambience had eventually caused E and I to opt for the al-fresco dining area to enjoy a bit of the afternoon Sun, the greenery and the comfortable looking seats provided for the patrons.

I thought that there was a certain European touch to the interior of the cafe; a rather warm and homely feel about the setting which must have arisen due to the exquisite furniture, the careful selection of decor and the wooden flooring. Upon stepping into the cafe, the venue had somewhat left me with an impression that is a little similar to that of an English cottage. Apart from the display of pastries available for the day, one could actually catch a glimpse of the pastry chefs at work, from the glass panels located ride beside the bar.

Chocolate Truffle ($7.80)

Spoilt for choice, we decided to get their Chocolate Truffle as recommended. The creation was well-layered with rich chocolate fudge, which did wonders with the dense sponge cake and the huge serving of dessert was made even better by the lusciously smooth ganache. Chocolate-y in every way and definitely a treat in every aspect, I would opine that the Chocolate Truffle cake is definitely worth the order.

Keisuke Tokyo @ Parco Marina Bay

It has been quite some time since Bryan and I had a meal together and as such, both of us decided to satisfy my cravings for fine and authentic Ramen. Situated away from the rows of shops in Millenia Walk and well-nestled within Parco Marina Bay (which is still within the entire same building itself), we got slightly lost while trying to locate Keisuke Tokyo, a Ramen eatery which is just as established as her fellow competitors in the local scene.

The venue was a little quiet and empty, considering that Bryan and I arrived at the restaurant around noon. There was a certain modernistic touch to the setting, with the arrangement of stylish- looking furniture around the area and a few paintings on the side wall. I noted that besides the low hanging lamps, spotlights were also used to shine on the tables and paintings as well.

Yaki Gyoza (5 pieces for $5.00)

Definitely the few better Pan-fried dumplings I have had, the skin of the dumpling was a little more thick than most of the other Gyozas in the local dining scene and there was a subtle sweet taste to it. Encased within the dumpling, the pork filling was sufficient enough for both the bite and gastronomical pleasure. I would opine that the Yaki Gyoza was a delectable side- dish to accompany our main Ramen creations.

The Moomba Tuckshop @ Bank of China Building

An extension of the Moomba Restaurant located along Circular Road, I have been trying to find time on one of my weekday afternoons to patronise this particular Aussie joint for her sandwiches.  Acclaimed as the Winner of Singapore’s Best Sandwich in the CNNGo’s Best Eats 2010 Awards and featured in Time Out Magazine as Singapore’s top sandwich deli, the Moomba Tuckshop offers an extensive selection of exquisite gourmet sandwiches.

It was a bright afternoon and it was apparent to us that the beams of sun ray shone through the glass windows of the venue, causing the deli to be bathed in a yellowish- white glow. Other than the neat arrangement of tables, chairs, benches and tall stools, I thought that the touch of white in the cafe, provided for a favorable setting for the sandwich deli. Small and simple, the Moomba Tuckshop seems to offer an ideal spot for my family to indulge in a fuss-free session of fine sandwiches.

Seafood ($9.00)

Lusciously stuffed with blue swimmer crabmeat, I thought that the creation was indeed a fine recommendation from the team behind The Moomba Tuckshop. I noted that the original vim of the highlight stood out on its own and unlike many of the common sandwiches out there (the sauce or dressings contribute more towards the overall flavor of the creation), it was not overwhelemed by the avaocado mayo, marinated wakame and tobiko. Moreover, the hint of subtle sweetness from the Walnut bread was distinctly brought out by its warmth.

Sui Japanese Dining @ Neil Road

Located along a stretch of shop houses on Neil Road, Sui Japanese Dining recently relocated here from its old premises just a few blocks down. Having been around for a couple of years already, we decided to pay this restaurant a visit after hearing strong recommendations from a friend. With chic and cosy appeal, the shop front opens up into a veranda with couches for guests and the glass-front leads into the dining area. Decorated by the owner Kenny Chin himself, Sui gives its diners a very intimate feel with comfortable seating areas.

On the evening we were there, Kenny helped plan a dinner menu for the group of us incorporating ingredients that were fresh, in-season and currently in stock. Usually not that huge a fan of Japanese cuisine myself, I was looking forward to trying their interpretation of modern Japanese dining and to see how it stacks up, especially with the rave reviews I have been hearing.

Homemade Japanese Tofu with Century Egg Sauce (Hiyayakko)

Starting off with a homemade Japanese tofu that was topped with a semi-liquid century egg sauce, I found this appetizer charming in both its simplicity and its great execution. The tofu was at once both light and porous yet well compressed.  Also the soy flavour and  sweetness stood out and was complemented by the slightly salty century egg sauce.

Grilled Leatherjacket (Kawahagi)

Bruno’s Pizzeria & Grill @ Tanjong Katong Road

Upon hearing raving reviews about Bruno’s Pizzeria & Grill, this particular Italian restaurant has been on my to-go list for quite some time. My clique has passed by the popular dining venue along Tanjong Katong Road on several occasions to find it fully occupied. As such, we decided to make prior reservations before paying our visit on a Saturday afternoon.

As brought about by the rather low hanging lamps and xanthous -coated walls, the setting was as though bathed in a warm yellow hue,  and I thought that this could have added a certain level of intimacy for her patrons. In order to accomodate large groups like ours, long tables were also found in the dining venue. There was this slight hint of grandeur around the air although there was no particular fuss about the allocation of antiques or grand furniture in the restaurant.

Complimentary Bread

Multi-grain and Italian bread were served warm, both which were deemed to be appetizing enough (with the olive oil and vinegar) for a hungry group of guys with growling stomachs.

Lasagna Di Carne ($19.90)

Minced beef layered with sheets of pasta, many of us thought that the oven-baked Lasagne was a little disappointing as it got especially dull after a few spoonfuls of the dish. The pasta sheets were a little too thick while the minced beef could have been more distinguishable within the creation.

Linguine Al Granchio Di Polpa ($22.50)

The hearty Basil Tomato sauce had a fine sweet taste to it and I must say that together with the shredded crabmeat, it accompanied the smooth strands of Linguine till perfection. A different texture to the bite was brought about by the crunchy pine nuts and I thought that they were a delightful addition to the pasta’s concoction.

Hediard @ Tudor Court

Started in France as a small gourmet shop over 150 years ago, Hediard has grown into a global lifestyle gourmet brand with over 200 retailers and 20 boutiques worldwide. Located at the row of colonial-style shophouses in Tudor Court, Hediard’s cafe-boutique in Singapore is a symbol of Parisian chic with its black and white exterior and red and black interior tones.

Adding a touch of understated elegance is the consistent use of the red and black colour scheme across its monogrammed china-ware, furnishings and product packaging.

Always up for coffee, Hediard is officially my favourite cafe in Singapore at the moment to enjoy a nice cuppa. With a pretty comprehensive tea and coffee list, one can choose from the wide variety available and I found particularly interesting that the caffeine percentages of each different coffee bean origin is indicated.