Sharing our dining experiences: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

O'nya Sayang

When the word of Peranakan cuisine comes to mind, the first dish that I thought is their Ayam Buah Keluak, which unfortunately, not my dish.

So, after couple of times passing this open concept restaurant at basement area, I stopped by to look on their menu and surprisingly, there were other comfort foods that seem may appeal to non Peranakan fans.

We decided to give it a try, it was quite casual arrangement; there was a menu on every table with an order sheet. We filled in the order and brought it to the cashier counter.

Was not sure whether it was only around that shift period but I noticed, the waiting staff was elderly ladies but with good spoken English and one or two young adults. I always support any establishment who is willing to hire the senior citizens, by seeing this during our visit, I would certainly return for more.

The dishes and drinks certainly had that home made touch, it was satisfyingly good, attended by courteous and friendly 'aunties' (at least, that how I felt when being served by the staff)

I loved every dishes we ordered and with such affordable prices for home cooked meals, it is a good option compared to other fast foods found in the mall.

It surely warrants many future trips from us after our first meal.

Very 'Peranakan' style partition, entrance to the dining area

Simple table and seats

The cashier counter, brought the ordering sheet to the counter for payment and your order tag

Simple idea but so befitting the 'Peranakan' theme

The traditional style tile

Fan shaped tag no

The sambal and archer, nice delicious archar/pickles

Home made chin chow

Recommended to try it as it was a nice cooling drink

Luo Han Guo drink with Longan

It was such a refreshing drink

Sambal Kang Kong

It was cooked nicely albeit slightly oily

The Ngo Hiang

This was the thinnest version I've ever eaten

It was nice but I wish it was made as the normal version which has more filling

The Bakwan Kepiting Soup

This crab meat balls cooked as soup was certainly a nice soup, with a good clear broth

All these delicious dishes must be accompanied by a plate of rice indeed

On'ya Sayang

The Peranakan's Flavour

Tampines Mall, Basement 1 - K3

4 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529510

Tel: +65 6783-8140

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Onya-Sayang-The-Peranakan-Flavour/204447196286146

Opens daily from 10 am to 9.30 pm

Monday, May 27, 2013

Nana's Green Tea Cafe

Plaza Singapura mall has never been my regular mall to visit as I feel it gears toward family oriented and teenager patrons. So, when I read there were a lot of new establishments in the mall and new extension over the MRT station, my curiosity was piqued.

Walking through the new extension, you would encounter few Japanese establishments and this one caught my eyes, as I was a fan on Green Tea / anything with Matcha word on it.

The interior reflected the Japanese simplicity but with a new concept of having hanging tables. However, it felt a bit lost and not outstanding enough even though they were the first to have this concept. I believe they could work better on the colour scheme to give it the space more design zest.

We walked in as 2 pax but the young waiting staff showed us to a table of 6 pax, I was a bit puzzled as there were other smaller vacant tables but didn't fuss for it, perhaps they thought it was still non-peak hour (?)

Most of the staff were young adults and they did look slightly inexperienced on waiting tables but they were courteous and friendly.

Dishes offered were quite Japanese dishes standard, only few were different. Perhaps, I expected more diversity on its dishes with innovative green tea idea on the meal and not only drink menu.

The matcha drink menu was certainly extensive but I didn't know why it didn't really make the target for me. As for dessert menu, it was pretty standard and quite limited in my opinion.

The staff inexperience shown when our drinks came. It was served in a tall glass with a scoop of ice cream, there was a straw but there were no long spoon that came with it, we waited a while, called up them and then it was delivered together with the dining utensils.

I am a fans of Matcha drinks but Nana's didn't really satisfy my craving. Perhaps if we give it a time for them to mature in their menu and service, I would gladly return.

The Big Menu

Some of the matcha drink menu

The hanging tables

This concept alone was great but the somehow the area still felt a bit bare

Installed lighting was a good idea, I think it may work better in other colour scheme for the whole area, to make it more attractive

This was my matcha with a scoop of matcha ice cream, yes, it was bitter and it was served with separate sugar to add in

Cafe Mocha

It was pretty decent

The utensils provided

The Waka Tama Udon

Udon with seaweed and poached eggs in a light brothwith spring onion

It was a healthy delicious udon, I would order this if I visit here again

The Chicken Teriyaki Don

This was also a decent chicken teriyaki don

Nana's Green Tea Cafe (Plaza Singapura)

68 Orchard Road

#03-80/82 Plaza Singapura

Tel: +65-66844312

www.facebook.com/nanasgreentea

http://www.nanaha.com

Opens daily from 11 am to 10 pm

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Putien @ Tampines Mall

Putien, it is not like your usual Chinese restaurant, it is a restaurant based on Heng Hwa cuisine. It is not a dialect common to be found in Singapore so I found it a surprise to hear it when it opened.

The dishes relates more to seafood oriented and less soupy dishes on the menu.

A dish that I can't resist to order in Putien as I don't find it in any other Chinese restaurants or even any other type of restaurants in Singapore beside Putien, is their Deep Fried Tenggiri Fish.

Another dish is one of their signature ones, is the Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon. It ain't like usual fried bee hoon you find in chinese restaurant. Heng Hwa version is full of seafood flavour, with fried seaweed and ground nuts as their garnish.

Another signature dish is their Meat Bun with provided plastic glove provided.

Another reason to like Putien is their staff service, the staff always courteous and attentive and their service is prompt and efficient. When it first opened, I found most of the Chinese staff had limitation in English comprehension but it seems by now, it has improved significantly.

The table setting were clean and neat, the dining area were cosy with a separate private dining area on one side.

Another plus for Putien is their selection of fresh fruit juices beside the normal teas.

All in all, Putien is a good option for something different in Chinese cuisine presented with a good service and ambience, especially for family outing. It presents simple yet refined Heng Hwa cuisines compare to traditional Heng Hwa restaurants (albeit only one or two) in Singapore.

With their seasonal menu on offer, Putien always has something new to offer

Putien signature colour, the Tiffany Blue/Turquoise, it certainly represented the Putien name derived from Putian, a coastal town in Fujian, surrounded with ocean and mountains

The Ala Carte Menu

It was a new menu layout with few new menus included. They do have set menu to offer separately

The Heng Hwa Fried Bee Hoon in a page of its own..

My fave dish in Putien especially added with Putien chili sauce

This is my fave chili type, with abudance of garlic and the spiciness of red chili

Previously, it was sold in bottle but not sure whether it is still being sold nowdays..

View to entrance

The row for couple diner, with its large mirror on the end side, it does give the bigger space illusion

The regular Soursop Juice

The mixed juice of pineapple, green vegs, plum and soursop

The one and only Deep Fried Tenggiri Fish

It was deep fried excellently and with its special garlic sauce, it just tasted heavenly for fish lover or shall I say Tenggiri Fish lovers

I kinda compel to always order this dish in support of Putien having it in their menu since I don't want to lose my fave dish that not easy to find elsewhere.

The famous Heng Hwa Fried Bee Hon

Not your typical chinese fried bee hoon

It just got you addicted when you added in Putien chili sauce

The prawns, cockles, sliced of bean curds, chye sim, fried seaweed and ground nuts with the spicy chili sauce gave this simple bee hoon an abudance of flavour

This is really my comfort food, it just never fails me..

Putien @ Tampines Mall4 Tampines Central 5, #B1-27
Singapore 529510
Tel: (+65) 6781 2162

http://www.putien.com/index.htm

Lunch: 11.30am-3pm Last order: 2.30pm
High-Tea: 2.30pm-5pm Last order: 4.30pm (Fri-Sun & PH)
Dinner: 5.30pm-10pm Last order: 9.30pm

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Skinny Pizza @ Great World City

We like Skinny Pizza, as it ain't like ordinary pizza due to its crackingly thin crispy pizza base and fresh ingredients that comes with it.

This was our first time trying it at Great World City outlet, it was right in across the GV cinema so you won't miss it.

Skinny Pizza interior design concept leaned toward the rustic industrial concept with few difference touches on different outlets.

It was a busy hour when we came around 1 pm and the serving staff were busy hurrying up and down from kitchen window to tables. I did wonder why they looked so busy as the tables were not full and it wasn't a big space.

This time, we only ordered 2 dishes, the English Breakfast pizza and the Squid Ink Paella which quite uncommon to find at other venue.

I guessed it was due to that, the staff, a young girl gave us wrongly for a plate of fries which I didn't order, I was puzzled and questioned her but she said the fries came complimentary with the pizza. Didn't hear clearly when she said which pizza but I thought there was some new adjustment in Skinny Pizza, especially, afteward my pizza came. Luckily we didn't eat it as few mins later, she came back and asked us about which pizza we ordered. Later, she took back the fries and passed it to our right table.. (oh, oh...)

And when it was our pizza turn, the same girl gave it to my left side table, luckily, they didn't order it and luckily, I happened to hear when she said English Breakfast.

So, now, it seemed I got a pass the 'dish' marathon from left to right table.

Too bad, the Pineapple Pitstop, their signature drink was not available at ordering time, so I opted for fresh juice and trying the Rooibos Tea.

Despite the hiccup during the dish serving, we had tried other outlet and didn't find any fault on the serving. In fact, a friend of us liked the staff at Wheelock Place so much, it was one of his fave haunt, especially for the Chai Tea Cake.

I was too full that time to try any of their cakes, it comes in a big portion, mind you...

If you are looking for a good pizza which less carb to boot, Skinny Pizza is a good place to go. It will curb your hunger with a healthier choice of pizza.

Would love to try their Raffles Place outlet next time..