Quayside Fish Bistro & Bar

Quayside Isle at Sentosa is the new dining destination, next to W Sentosa Cove hotel, you will not miss this vibrant and open area. One thing for sure, it doesn't feel like you are in Sentosa, as if you are being transported to Miami or some marina living area.

Seeing those yachts parked, walking on the wooden plank and these vibrant and happening restaurants on its side, you would love to soak in this atmosphere.

We couldn't really decided which one of these restaurants that we'd love to try but upon seeing Quayside Fish Bistro & Bar, it won our vote.

Didn't expect that reservation would be helpful here as we kind of underestimated the crowd which came before dinner time, so we ended up with alfresco seating.

I'd love to sit indoor as it seems so cosy surrounded by sleek and modern design with excellent background music too.

Our waiting staff, Edward, was excellent; he was friendly, courteous and knew what to suggest about my drink when I wasn't too sure about it and he noticed it. I was glad he did that as the virgin mojito was excellent! Edward was exception but overall service by other staff bound to make you leave as satisfied diners.

We also fell in love with the dishes; it was fresh and cooked beautifully, particularly my cod fish. It was the first time I encountered a 'charcoal' asparagus and I got to tell you, I was desperate to know how to cook this after eating it.

Strongly suggest to make any reservation at any of restaurant here as we saw endless patrons streaming in throughout the night in Quayside Fish Bar & Bistro and some of its neighbouring restaurants.

Would love to try other restaurants but to do that, we would need to spend few days and nights around Quayside Isle.
Choosing Quayside Fish Bistro & Bar is a no-fail choice and it just goes well with the marina atmosphere .

View around Quayside Isle

It wasn't even 6.30 pm yet and the crowd was already occupying all indoor seats

Loving this modern and sleek décor; there is a fresh seafood counter on the right

Alfresco area

This was one of the best calamari I've ever had

Fresh smoothies of Orange and Mango

Bespoke Mocktail and I loved this Virgin Mojito; it was made on the spot and all the balance was right

Pan Roasted Chilean Cod

Feta cheese corn grits, 'charcoal' asparagus, blood orange-figs sauce

The fish was cooked beautifully, the balance of feta cheese and orange-figs sauce complemented the fish very well

And this charcoal asparagus was truly amazing, first time I encountered this and I loved every bits

qsfb's signature chilli crab linguine

For chili crab meat lovers, you wouldn't regretted this



 

Quayside Fish Bistro & Bar

31 Ocean Way

#01-11, Quayside Isle

Singapore 098375

Tel: +65 6268-8633

http://www.qsfishbar.com/index.html

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Thursday from 12 pm to 12 am

Friday from 12 pm to 1 am

Saturday from 11 am to 1 am

Sunday from 11 am to 12 am

 



 



Lady M Confections @ Marina Square

The marketing hype surrounding this famous cake shop from NYC has been bombarded local media so it wasn't a surprise when we went there in one late afternoon, the eatery was full and we needed to queue. This outlet is located in the new wing of Marina Square, the Dining Edition area.

While queuing, we saw a few tables which vacant and getting more tables as some were leaving but there was no staff in attendance and even acknowledged seeing us standing in the line.

Even the couple stood behind me getting impatient after seeing how we in line were being ignored. It was an annoying start indeed.

One of the male staff saw me and he kinda nodded to us but didn't really welcome us but we took it as a sign for us to sit in on one of the cleaned table.

Ironically, the couple behind us was then being noticed by other young staff and were guided to sit and given a menu; whereas, the male staff who saw us first didn't even bother to attend to us and most of them just huddled and chatted behind the beverage counter.

I had to ask for the menu, given and immediately ordered it, and again worry whether they got our order right as I noticed another discrepancies, some of the staff took the order by keying it into electronic pad, while ours was no note taking at all.

There was no consistency at all; most of staff were either huddled and chatted behind the cake counter or the beverage counter and none were really looking over for tables and incoming patrons.

Our order came and yes, while the layered cake tasted good but nonetheless, it wasn't that fantastic and aching your dessert appetite to return here.

I strongly suggest if you wish to try Lady M cake, please order a take away which was done directly at the cake counter instead of sitting in to have your tea break. It wasn't worth the wait and expenses.

View from our queue

The cake counter, much worth it to order a take away



These were 'empty' tables yet no one looked at us to welcoming us for a seat



Lady M Iced Grey and Lady M Iced Café

Nothing special though



Vanilla Mille Crepes

Twenty paper-thin handmade crepes layered with light pastry cream

This was the trademark and others were just average



Gateau Aux Marrons

Almond flour cake with whipped cream and chestnut cream



 



You got slight hints of almond taste but it was mostly icing and it looked different than the pix



 

Lady M Confections
Marina Square Shopping Mall
6 Raffles Boulevard
#02-103
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6822 2095
http://ladym.com.sg/
Opens daily from 11 am to 9 pm

Addiction Cafe & Remedy Bar @ Marina Square

Marina Square has done some revamp recently on one of its building wings, it is named The Dining Edition, where new collective of eateries are located.

We haven't been to Addiction Café & Remedy Bar at Dempsey but knowing it has an outlet at Marina Square, it certainly whisked my appetite to visit this café here while we were around that vicinity.

The café was in the inside end but it has an open concept for its venue; modern and simple looking, kind of reminded me of Scandinavian design.

Too bad that we were quite full from breakfast, we didn't sample appetizer or dessert at this café. From what we had, it definitely worth the visit. Its food was better than regular café, fresh ingredients and twist on certain dishes.

It was late lunch hour, so, not many patrons here and only a single waiting staff on standby. I was impressed though, by her professionalism, she was courteous and attentive enough even though not so nearby tables were also in need of her attention.

I would say though, it seems that Dempsey outlet may be better suitable in line with their dishes and ambience, there is something amiss of having an outlet here. Not that I complain on the location but somehow the ambience doesn't really suit the whole concept of Addiction itself.

From its menu, I would recommend the Earl Grey Salmon Egg Benedict, it had Earl Grey scented aroma yet not overpowering.

Would love to return to Addiction for its other dish and drink, perhaps, we shall go to Dempsey next time. But if you are looking for all day breakfast or brunch menu around Marina Square area, this is the place to visit
 

The drink menu in this wooden box with slot in panel is certainly a charm

Palatable Platter for your palate; what a motto!

On the back of its menu



Very Scandinavian looking furniture



Very open concept all around the café

Open view to kitchen area

 Our good, simple, mixed fresh juices



Earl Grey Salmon Benedict with sautéed mushroom and citrus hollandaise



I would say that this was one of best salmon egg benedicts I've ever had; the eggs was poached perfectly, you got hints of earl grey aroma and citrus yet not overpowering

Linguine with crab meat in cherry tomato sauce

It was a no fail dish especially for those crab lovers

 

 Addiction Café & Remedy Bar

Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard #02-105A

Singapore 039594

Tel: (+65) 6338 9969

https://www.facebook.com/addictions.sgOpens daily from 11 am to 11 pm

Au Chocolat Bistro @ MBS

Au Chocolat, the name of this establishment is so intriguing and as majority are chocolate lovers, it seems as a no fail formula. But as we know, one factor doesn't count as a good and successful F&B establishment.

As namesake, there is supposedly hint of chocolate taste on every dish which I did have it on my steak but it didn't apply to its fries.

The food was average and acceptable as some sort of French Fusion but it is not something that will give you thumbs-up kinda feeling when you are having it.

What annoyed me was their service standard. First, they did have sufficient staff on that day, during busy hour of dinner time; however most of them huddled around the serving counter, didn't pay attention to patron direction, didn't stand in on their stations resulting in difficulty to catch their attention by most of patrons.

Second, I changed my order around 2 mins after she left, from pasta to steak and I said if it possible to change it to steak, I wish to cancel my side order of French fries as the steak came with it. She replied that she was able to change the pasta to steak but not able to cancel the fries. I accepted it, thinking fries would come first therefore it wasn't possible to cancel it. What did you know, my medium well steak came first and waited another 10 mins for the truffle fries. I even asked 2 times for it and wanted to cancel it but they said it was on the way. How on earth did frying fries which didn't look like hand-cut and prep on the spot ruled out medium well steak cooking and a duck confit? Apparently, the staff who said not possible to cancel the fries, didn't know how long and how the fries were done or tried to minimize less order by patrons? At least, that was the bad impression I got.

Considering more restaurants are opening up in MBS, I would highly recommend to try others and even the food court on same side of Au Chocolat tasted better than this average French fusion.

As it costs almost the same with Moluccas but stark contrast on the food and service standard, I would encourage you to go for Moluccas instead.

Au Chocolat impressed me as being pretentious and thought too highly of their establishment.
 

The Menu with extensive selection

The ceiling with Choo-Choo Train Track go around it..

I think they are trying to give whimsical ambience here

I believe this cutie is their mascot as they do sale plush toy too

Heart-shaped metal chair

View from the table

Duck Confit

Pan-roasted duck thigh served with mashed potato, white wine poached pear and with tangy chocolate orange sauce

It was okay but not fantastic

Steak Frites

Angus beef ribeye steak

 

I would say this was au jus sauce mixed with chocolate as there was no description on the sauce in the menu

Even though I chose medium well but the steak was cooked too hard to chew

Last one to arrive, the truffle fries which just average too

 

Au Chocolat Bistro
Bay Level L1-03
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956 
Tel: (+65) 6688 7227

http://www.auchocolat.com/bistro
Opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm

 

Where to dine at Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia?

If you are visiting Jakarta, you are bound to visit these 2 grand shopping malls which adjacent to each others.
Not only famous for its upscale shops, entertainment mix, department stores; these two are full of good dining spots.
We covered some of the new and favourite with the crowd and hope this guide will help you to choose which one to go for it. No doubt that new establishments are still sprouting up or new ones replace the closed ones, once we have a chance to visit Jakarta again, we will gladly add in those in here.
 
First, we went to Plaza Indonesia which was the older one but recently went through major revamp and extension on its space.
 
 
Salt Grill by Luke Mangan
Another establishment by a reputable Australian Chef, Luke Mangan, who in recent year opened two of his restaurants in Singapore. Coming to Jakarta F&B scene was just a matter of time and by the look of it, it is bound to be a popular fine dining spot in Jakarta. An ideal place for romantic dinner and a good corporate or celebrating special occasion for lunch or dinner.
 

Kafe Betawi @ PI Extension
Who doesn't know Kafe Betawi if you are in Jakarta? They are practically exist in every mall in Jakarta. Featuring Indonesian and Betawi dishes, they never fail to satisfy your craving. Good option to have a good local meals in an accessible place.


Kitchnette @ PI
When this restaurant opened in Plaza Indonesia, it was a huge success, with crowd never fail to fill in the seats. It was the first open-concept yet modern setting inside a shopping mall instead of the typical entrance door setting. It offers simple French inspired dishes. Speciality in crepes that either sweet or savoury.


Bistro Baron
This restaurant is just opposite the Kitchnette; with French flair to its detail. It offers French cuisine and opens for breakfast. Not many restaurant open for breakfast in this mall but Bistro Baron offers a good one indeed.

B-Side Wakai Café
Stepping into this café which next to Wakai Shoes/Sandal shop; was like stepping into a small café in Tokyo or Kyoto. The ambience, furniture and design are definitely Japanese. It offers easy, simple and casual dishes, dessert and drink which are surprisingly very good!

There are still plenty of restaurants around Plaza Indonesia and in due course, we will try to cover them all and update it here! Meanwhile, if you only have limited time in Plaza Indonesia, I recommend that at least you try one of those mentioned above, it is worth it..

Crossing over to Grand Indonesia, there are 2 wings; East and West; both have restaurants to offer. But first, let's go to Menara BCA which next to Grand Indonesia mall itself.



Skye @ Menara BCA
When this restaurant and bar opened, it was very popular and taking photo at this open deck has been a must to feature in any social media. We must admitted that it was quite a ground breaking F&B scene in Jakarta. The first to have an open deck feature with good architecture detail and interesting interior design, we understood why it was so massively popular among the crowd. But, I would recommend on not having your meal here but instead have a drink at the bar/lounge area which facing the open deck which is more worth it


Djournal Coffee
Going down from Menara BCA, you could visit the West mall and on first ground floor, you wouldn't miss this café/bistro which has every detail props that you could ever imagine. Emphasizing on its coffee, you could see why it is popular with coffee lovers. Have a coffee break here!

Crossing from West mall, we came to East mall which feature more restaurants than the shops.
When Grand Indonesia opened, the restaurants here had truly helped to rejuvenate restaurants setting inside a mall to a higher standard. And now, in every mall, gone are the regular and casual typical restaurant setting but in with the modern and interesting concept of restaurants.


Social House - Brunch
Social House was truly one of the pioneer in rejuvenating the F&B scene in the mall. The interior design was the first attraction for patrons to queue for hours just to get a seat. Some may be sceptical of its food quality when seeing how the interior design was the key attraction factor on first sight but fret not, the food and drink on offer here are very good. Have a brunch and you will find an array of attractive selection to choose.


Social House - Dinner
How the same place looked different during dinner time...


Ninety-Nine
Either when you are looking down from upstair or when you went down from the ground floor to basement, adjacent to the supermarket and deli, you are bound to be attracted to this restaurant. With its black and white flooring and open concept, Ninety Nine is a restaurant that offers you pasta, pizza, fried rice and variety of drinks and dessert. It is quite a selection and good for a casual dining.