Nara @ ION Orchard

Read about this authentic Thai restaurant opening at ION, I was quite excited to try it as not many authentic Thai restaurants we could find in Orchard road.

Nara occupied corner space where Burger King outlet used to be at Basement 3 of ION Orchard. Didn't have any reservation as we were early, few minutes later after we were seated, patrons keep streaming in. I'd say Nara did provide a good alternative to mostly Western, Japanese and Chinese restaurants in this mall.

We noticed most of the staff here are Thai but with good spoken English. Service was prompt, courteous and attentive enough.

The menu is quite extensive; from starter to dessert; we are bound to find everything for everyone liking.

Most importantly, the dishes were indeed authentic. Why we knew this? Well, it is always a good barometer to order Thai crabmeat fried rice which in Thailand, will be served with chunks of crab meats on the plate. This was what we found in Nara and it was tasty indeed.

For the dessert, I ordered their speciality and oh boy, it really came with a surprise! It only stated on the menu that it is a scoop of coconut ice-cream with 8 condiments. The ice cream being served first and the staff quickly explained from my puzzle look when I saw it was just a plain one scoop ice cream but no condiments, she said the condiments were coming separately as they were still preparing it. And lo and behold when the condiments came, it was 8 of it and turned out, you could just mix and add any of it to the ice cream as your liking. It was very good indeed! It was something different from other Thai restaurants, recommended to try this dessert.

It was a good lunch and for a satisfying authentic Thai cuisine, I highly recommended Nara if you happen to be at ION Orchard or that vicinity.

The F&B Menu

 



Colourful pictures on the menu

It has a nice wall décor but unfortunately that section was not opened yet for seating due to smaller patrons we had that morning

Simple yet chic lighting with wall feature mirroring those lighting

Simple table and seats near the entrance

Quite a smallish placemat 

 

Thai Sweet Mango Smoothies

Lemongrass

 

Hors d'oeuvre Nara

Assorted Nara's starter dishes

The chicken satay was grilled perfectly, still tender and juicy

Pandan Leaf Chicken

It was succulent, tender and not so oily..was tasty

Fish Cakes

It was how a good fish cake should be

Prawn Salad

I would think so, it was only a bite-sized but complimenting well with other dishes here

Crabmeat fried rice

As can be seen, it had chunks of crabmeats in this fried rice. Any crabmeat lovers will enjoy this!

Prawn Pad Thai

It was a good; if you normally like your noodle not too dry, pad thai noodle is the best choice. The portion was just perfect for one person



Thai Red Ruby

I'd say the jackfruit and coconut slices were given generously here; it was a good Thai Red Ruby

The simple and clean looking coconut ice cream for my dessert

Which made me puzzle at first

Here were the 8 condiments

You could mix and add up as much as you like



Here was the end result



 

After mixing, it was a very nice dessert; it wasn't the same like Thai Red Ruby even though some condiments came from same condiments

 

 

Nara Thai

ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, #B3-21
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6634 5787



http://www.narathai.com.sg/

Opens daily from 11.30 am to 10 pm

SKIRT @ W Sentosa Cove

Who wouldn't love W hotel when you visit one; epitome of a hip, modern and fun hotel. Beside its amazing interior design and that famous W Spa, W Hotel also proud on its restaurants.
 
W Sentosa Cove was no exception, they were proud with their 'Skirt' restaurant specializing in their Dry Aged Meat Steak which first one I heard of such item.
 
Dry Aged meat is supposed to have more flavour as it is kept in air-tight compartment, no blood residue and more tender than usual meat.
 
To my surprise, their Skirt steaks selection are within affordable range with good quality meat selection.
 
True to W spirit, the design of this restaurant also goes all out to impress right down to small details. It fits perfectly with Skirt identity of a good steak restaurant.
 
Service was impressive throughout our dinner; knowledgeable on its menu and wine, friendly, courteous, attentive; all we long in restaurant service were full on display here.
 
Proud of its dry-aged menu, Skirt even paid attention to our taste bud by providing 'special drink' to neutralize our tongue from earlier appetizers.
 
Beside its steak, Skirt had beautiful and tasty dishes that were outstanding on its own
 
Adjacent to Skirt outdoor area was the recently opened Sentosa Cove Quayside area which in itself has abundance of good restaurants. With view to parked yachts and sea view, it felt as if you were transported to Miami.
 
Distance may be a bother but with numbers of transportations & free shuttle from Harbourfront to Sentosa and W hotel itself, it is no longer a difficult task.
 
I highly recommended Skirt at Sentosa Cove for steak lovers and if you need a venue that offers different atmosphere to impress either for corporate, family or spouse.
 

 
Simple elegant menu in the 'loud' atmosphere

A very eye-catching bamboo artwork on its ceiling

Sided by this colourful glass lightings

This wall adornment was magnificent and it described what Skirt speciality is, the horns (?)

This was taken after dark but I couldn't helped not to take it as it was impressive when you looked up



 



View to outdoor

Bar counter; by night, the bar seats were occupied

 

Salt and Pepper shaker in Horn shaped



Rectangle Serving Plate..

Gotta love this homemade rosemary buns

Dungeness Crab Cocktail

It was visually attractive and for crab lovers, it was a refined crab dish made to perfection



King Prawn Split and Peppered



It was grilled perfectly with dashes of black peppered to taste but not too strong

My fave appetizer indeed

What W famous about is their attention to detail in creating perfect atmosphere and this steak cutlery was no exception

 

For salt lovers, this is the only place where you are being provided not with one but 3 types of salt and all before you even asked! I knew few salt lovers who always ask for extra salt



One was the sauce and the other was your neutralizing taste bud which you should drink before having your steak



Grilled Asparagus, Truffle Rice and Slow Cooked Egg



When it came, I gasped on its beauty

This was one of the dishes that I felt it was an art and not a meal. So beautifully presented, seemingly a simple dish but it looked opposite. It tasted heavenly too! A very very good choice for vegetarian or light main



Homemade Cut Fries that came with my steak



25-day Dry Aged Sirloin Wagyu on Medium Well

With its Red Wine and Marrow Sauce

Sautéed Portobello Mushroom

We underestimated how big Portobello mushrooms was, this portion is good for 4 pax. It was delish though and if you are a mushroom lovers, it is a Must Try!



Soursop Panna Cotta, Mojito Poached Fruit

It was pretty and it was a good choice for light dessert

This panna cotta was excellent, best I've ever tasted



This was another Art Food; beautiful to the eyes and delicious to our taste

The poached fruits were excellent and never saw anything done like this



Beautiful lighting on the centre of the room, right off the entrance



Illuminated by lighting around this artwork

View from outdoor area



Skirt Entrance

Quite a simple by W restroom standard but loved how the orchids being displayed



Perhaps it reflects how W Sentosa Cove is located next to the sea so we have this 'wave' wash basins (?)

 



Illuminating Lighting Sticks at the lobby

 First time ever seeing a seating bench inside this elevator

 

 SKIRT @ W Sentosa Cove

21 Ocean Way

Singapore 098374

Book onlineTel: (65) 6808 7278

http://www.wsingaporesentosacove.com/en/skirt

Opens daily from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm