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.

Nolboo Hangari Galbi @ Orchard Central

Our craving for Korean food came about due to our initial plans of our much anticipated vacation come December. I decided to bring my friends over to Orchard Central again as I had patronised Nolboo Hangari Galbi exactly a year ago and I had ecalled that I had a relatively pleasant gastronomical experience at this very hidden gem. Injected with more of a unconventional touch and together with the use of cushions on high seats in a designated area as well as mere normal tables and chairs in another, there was nothing exactly fanciful about the ambience. However, I noted that the venue had been fairly quiet during both my visits, a considerable aspect that my clique had rather enjoyed.

Complimentary Sesame Congee

Lightly flavored and somewhat an appetizing dish, we finished the tiny portions of Sesame Congee within minutes. As the subtle relish of sesame had made the congee rather palatable, the small servings had definitely appeased our hunger in the form of carbohydrates.

Complimentary Appetizers

A small variety of appetizers which I had rather enjoyed, I liked the slight crisp of the Ikan Bilis and there was this fine sweetness to this particular dish which  made it really delectable. The Kimchi dishes had a pungent relish that might be unbearable to some, but personally, I was rather fond of the Kimchi appetizers. The Beansprouts were slightly salty but it was still a dish that could not really go awry.

Deli @ Goodwood Park Hotel

After our late brunch, Bryan and I decided to head over to Goodwood Park Hotel for some of their pastries since the popular hi-tea venue was just around the corner. Having recalled my rather memorable experience at their hi-tea buffet, I was definitely looking forward to a gratifying afternoon accompanied with fine pastries. When we arrived at their lounge, we were greeted by many locals and foreign expatriates, with their desserts and beverages settled on their table.

A wide assortmeant of pastries were made readily available at the counter, such as a variety of dessert cakes, pound cakes, delectable-looking tarts and so on. Not to forget mentioning about an entire section dedicated to their highly recommended selection of Durian specialities in conjuction with the anually- held Durian Fiesta. Bryan and I took a long time to decide on the pastries since we were really spoilt for choice.

Durian Eclair ($6.00)

We decided to get one of Deli’s Durian Eclairs after feeling tempted by their exquisite Durian specialties arranged at their counter. A large serving for the price, I would feel that the Eclair was worthy of our order. Strong with the relish of the “Mao Shan Wang” Durian, the pastry was well-executed as besides the delectable Durian filling, the dough was baked to the right precision in the sense that it was neither too hollow nor too tough.

Gyoza no Ohsho @ Cuppage Plaza

My friend, R had decided to bring us to one of his favorite venues to satisfy his craving for good Ramen . I have never been to Cuppage Road and as such, I was slightly amazed when my friends brought me to this small stretch of road beside Centrepoint. Having been more attracted to the popular shopping malls around in town, it was a pleasant surprise to find many restaurants hidden within this area. Probably better known as Ohsho, the simple little Ramen stall has a setting which is similar to a coffee shop. As we had encountered the dinner crowd then, we had to wait for a while before we could settle down for our simple meal.

Background: Han- Chahan; Half-Portion of Fried Rice with Chicken ($5.00)
Foreground: Tenshinhan; Crabmeat and Egg with Thickened Sauce
on Rice ($8.00)

I was initially a little skeptical when my friend decided to order their Han- Chahan but I must admit that I was slightly impressed with the dish’s preparation. The ‘Yao Wok Hei’ (wok-fried) relish was rather strong and there were generous servings of egg and chicken within the rice. The other dish, Tenshinhan was quite delectable, mainly due to its flavorsome thickened sauce and well-prepared egg omelette which was wrapped around the rice.

Grilled Gyoza ($4.00 for 6)

We chose the Grilled Gyoza over the Raw Gyoza as it was the popular choice most would prefer. I would feel that the culinary team could be more generous with the meat fillings and each dumpling had a very thin skin as to what I have experienced. The Gyoza might be too greasy for some and as such, I might have preferred to opt for the Raw Gyoza since it might have eliminated the oily texture and in comparison, they might have tasted better since the skin is rather thin.

Coffee Stars by Dao @ Wisma Atria

With international branches located all over the world, such as New York, Beijing and Tokyo, Coffee Stars by Dao is a newly set-up restaurant in probably one of the more popular shopping malls in Singapore. The restaurant offers a fusion between both Thai and Western cuisines. Despite setting up just a couple of months ago, Coffee Stars by Dao has generated much hype among the locals, and that included some of my counterparts.

We were fortunate enough to find seats the moment we arrived at the restaurant; while we were taking our time to browse through the menu, a steady line began to form outside the area. Coffee Stars by Dao has an ‘open area’ setting which might be rather uncomfortable to some, with many shoppers passing by, observing the dishes a table would have ordered. Nonetheless, with a hanging chandelier, cushioned seats and elegant-looking tables, the restaurant exudes a rather classy feel to her diners.

Thai Iced Tea ($4.50)

Our first impression was that a tad too much of ice might have made up the concoction of the beverage; though I have to admit that the tea did remain full-flavored irregardless. The precise amount of milk was added to complete the sweetness and there was a subtle taste of jasmine which made the beverage even better.

Aromatic Beef & Aniseed Soup ($6.80)

The waiter had recommended their traditional Tom Yum soup but as I would have preferred a less spicy soup, he recommended their Aromatic Beef and Aniseed Soup. A rather generous serving was served and I believe the soup could be shared between two or more since my friend and I had difficulties finishing the dish.

With generous chunks of beef which were chewy and tender, the relish of the soup was deliciously sweet and the peppery taste went really well with the original flavors of the broth. I would say that this is probably one of my favorite dishes from our visit and I would highly recommend this variation from the Tom Yam soup we are often so used to ordering in a Thai restaurant.

Yan Ting @ St Regis

Reputed to be one of the better Chinese restaurants in Singapore, Yan Ting serves a fusion cuisine of Cantonese dishes with Western influences. Set in the posh St Regis hotel, Yan Ting is located on the second floor in a quiet little corner that overlooks the hotel’s grand lobby.

Stepping into the restaurant through a walkway not unlike those inspired by Chinese corridors, we were greeted with chandeliers and an array of tables in the central dining area.

With little booths located along the sides that offer diners a little more privacy, the whole place exuded a very chic and posh vibe.

Appetizer Trio

Pete’s Place @ Hyatt

Pete’s Place has been an institution in Singapore’s Italian dining scene way before the wave of Italian restaurants hit out shores. Serving rustic Italian dishes, Pete’s Place used to be one of the few places where you could find good, no-frills quality Italian cuisine at very reasonable prices. Although the Italian restaurant scene is much more saturated, Pete’s place still continues to attract its fair share of loyal customers.

Located in the basement of Hyatt hotel, stepping into Pete’s place feels like a flashback to the past with its large checked gingham tablecloths, wooden chairs and tables and old-fashioned light fixtures. The dim lighting and brick walls also contributed to the feel of dining in a place of the past.

Basilico @ The Regent

Yes, most international buffets we often frequent, do offer a large variety but as calorie-inducing as they are, we are often faced with more misses than hits. Other than offering either set menus or dishes in ala-carte style, my family and I opted for a lunch buffet at Basilico, a much celebrated Italian Restaurant hidden in the The Regent hotel- widely acclaimed for her high standards of service and her exquisite Italian creations.

Step forth and be bewitched by the centrepiece crystal chandelier and below it, a huge and enticing circle of appetizers, a known hit with many diners when it comes to a buffet feast at Basilico. To one’s left, spot the chefs live in action; a corner offering grilled meat and vegetables, pastas and pizza and right infront of them, another circular table which puts forth a rather limited yet scrumptious-looking selection of other main dishes. End your meal with a vast corner of a comprehensive variety of desserts, be spoilt for choice when it comes to Basilico’s heavenly cakes, authentic Italian desserts and even an Gelato ice-cream section.

A small array of semi-cheese for you to cut slices out of; I preferred the Ricotta, Mozeralla and Bocconcini which in my opinion, had a stronger cheese flavor though they were still considered to be rather light due to the infusion of cream. They went really well with the tomatoes, specially imported from Italy. More commendation needs to be bestowed on one of everyone’s favorite vegetable; the tomatoes of either green or red hue, were fresh and with every bite on the firm exterior, I was met with an outburst of raw tomato flavor, which actually overwhelmed the relish of the light semi-cheese in my mouth.

Quizno Subs @ Orchard Central

Started in 1981 in Denver, Colorado, Quiznos has gained popularity rapidly in North America to become the second most popular subway chain there behind Subway. A few years back, Quiznos Sub finally arrived on our shores, however we did not get the chance to try it till recently when we chanced upon it at Orchard Central while searching for a convenient place to dine. Located in a hard to miss spot on the third floor, Quiznos was pretty quiet on the weekday we were there.

Famed for its freshly toasted sandwiches, I ordered a six-inch Zesty Steak sub which was supposed to be one of their best-sellers.

Noodle House Ken @ Orchard Plaza

Noodle House Ken is a small ramen eatery tucked away in a quiet little corner along Orchard Road. Located in Orchard Plaza, a small shopping centre with numerous tailors and electronics shops, Noodle House Ken occupies two shopfronts: one with the kitchen and a ramen bar and the other with a bar counter and several small tables.