Sharing our dining experiences

Monday, August 6, 2012

Sky on 57

It has been a while from our last visit to Sky on 57, so when our pal mentioned he never been there, we took an opportunity to revisit it. Reservation is a Must for Sky on 57 as it seems to be getting more popular nowdays.

We got our seat on the back area, separated from the main dining room but near another entrance to the Sky Bar (or it might be a smoking area but didn't see anyone smoking). I always like the view from Sky on 57 as it is facing the CBD/Marina area, when the night comes, it is such a nice view with all the lights across the table (provided you got table by the window!) which this time, we got it!

Coming here, I had a secret wish then when I saw the menu there would be no Foei Gras but alas, Chef Justin Quek with French background definitely still has it on his menu. I do hope there will be No Foei Gras movement soon in Singapore.

Our host of the night, Mr Thaiga was fantastic! He was so attentive and for every dish that was served, he explained to us in detail without failed. It was such a fine dining experience in whole aspects.

And since, our table was on different section of main dining area, there were only 6 tables for 4 seaters with quite a distance from each other, this is what I liked the most. It gave privacy between each table, such a rare find this days! I recalled the main dining area also shared similar arrangement, tables were not arranged too closed to one another.

For starter, we ordered one from Australian Black Winter Truffle promotion then we had the JQ’s signature fresh mushroom cappuccino, I would recommend ordering this if you are in Sky on 57, it ain’t like any mushroom soup you had before.

We could shared our main courses but that night, we thought we were having individual dishes; oh boy, it was huge despite minimalist presentation.

Even though we were full, we still thought of trying the desserts! So, we ordered 2 dishes for sharing which was Symphony of Harmony and Warm chocolate tart with caramelized banana.

Again, the presentation just marvellous..luv the creativity!

The interior decor is just simple minimalist and I think the emphasize is more on the Sky Bar..

The terrace bar/Sky Bar was a nice venue to wind but its smoking area so it was a bit put off for me to lounge around, perhaps one day…

I highly recommend Sky on 57 especially if you are having a special occasion to celebrate or hosting overseas guest, it definitely a restaurant to impress and be impressed!

View from our window/Sky Terrace Bar section to CBD area

Some patrons at Sky Terrace Bar, the entrance will be from Sky on 57 restaurant

The Menus

View to Main Dining Area

The partition separating this dining area from corridor

The cheese bread, yummy! In my opinion, the butter plate would look nicer in plain white as the serving plate

Closer look at the Cheese bread, I went for 2 rounds!

The Onion bread, also yummy...

The Berries Rage

Mango Addiction

My Aspiration (it's really the name of this drink)

King Scallop; the Ceviche of scallops, truffle vinaigrette, black truffle shavings, micro greens. It was delicious, neatly done with thin sliced scallops, never thought scallop to be prepared that way.

For 2^nd starter, we had Tempura stuffed soft shell crab which again, another class on its own, it was delicious and nicely presented.

The famous JQ Mushroom Capuccino; just drank it as if it was capuccino..nice!!!

Sautéed whole Maine lobster, Asian pepper sauce which our host said similar to Singapore version of Black Pepper Crab sauce but the Chef has toned down the black pepper sauce. I must said, we were surprised to see the presentation, it was nicely done and served with a tiny portion of rice and veggie lined up artfully.

Steamed Turbot fillet with curry scented cream and air flown seasonal vegetables, the cream was not spicy and certainly no strong curry smell.

Baked miso black cod with lime and ginger butter and organic greens, the fish was cooked to perfection and it was quite a big portion, didn’t expect it. The sauce was not French like buttery at all, it was just nice with hinge of sweetness.

For warm chocolate tart, beside the caramelized banana (which was only 2 slices L ), it was also served with coffee ice cream and some chocolate shaving.

Asked what was Symphony of Harmony as there was no explanation on the menu, must be one of the tricks to keep you intrigue! Ha!

Turned out, it was a plate dashed with all sort of desserts, the pistachio thin meringue with sweet potato, lemon sorbet, dark chocolate shaving, hazelnut nugget, etc etc…

Sky on 57

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Sands Skypark, Tower 1, Level 57

Tel:+65 6688 8857

http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Restaurants/Celebrity-Chefs/Sky-on-57/

Operating Hours:

Breakfast Daily: 7am - 10:30am

Lunch Daily: 12pm - 2:30pm

Dinner Daily: 6pm - 10:30pm

Dress code:Smart casual

Age restriction:Children must be 8 years and above

Monday, July 30, 2012

Loola's by Awfully Chocolate

Was browsing around where to have our dinner around Esplanade, wanted to try something different than all the restaurants that we had before. Found out, Awfully Chocolate opened a restaurant inside the Esplanade Mall, I think the space previously belonged to a Japanese restaurant (forgot the name at the moment)

When we came, it was full, a good spot to have your afternoon break as Loola's sells an array of cakes and cookies that look so tantalizing.

The decor is simple, clean, modern but casual; I commended how they make use of the daylight pouring in to the room by having big windows on the wall side, so it gave a warm feeling.

Was so hungry, so we ordered 2 starters to share; main courses each and it was huge, leaving no space for dessert. So tempted but will return some other time.

It's a good casual place to hang out, especially if you have a show to catch at Esplanade...

Main dining area...nice lighting and such big windows they have

Our A3 menu

I do like how the flooring was arranged, the black section makes a focal point of the area

View to the kitchen and pastry counter

Clockwise from top left: Our Portobello Mushroom Salad, Breads with chutney, pesto and butter. The fantastic and huge grilled Barramundi with one egg soup, it was very good! Ordered various of teas for washing down the fullness. The other main of Pork Belly. The cocktails of Rosemary, Coumulus (got to try it, very refreshing) and not in picture was Ginger Ale.

Loola's by Awfully Chocolate

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
8 Raffles Avenue #02-14 Singapore 039802

Tel: (65) 6336 9563

http://www.loolas.sg/

Operation Hours:
Sun to Thu: 12 pm - 10 pm
Fri - Sat: 12 pm - 12 am

Monday, July 16, 2012

Zaffron Kitchen

Been wanting to go to Zaffron after I read the review in the newspaper, with its modern retro design and good South and North Indian food.

Went there for lunch with no reservation and still able to get a table, saw most of the big tables were occupied with families, mostly foreigner.

I think it is so befitting to have orange as the main colour concept for this Indian food joint, it so contrasting against its retro tiles, black chrome pendant lighting, white and grey settings.

Waiting staff were prompt, friendly, mostly male from what I recalled and looked chic with their white shirt, black trouser and brown waisted apron.

I commended Zaffron for be so thoughtful for parents bringing their children for a meal there, they have a sizeable children play area, with a small house, table with all drawings equipments and some toys. It will keep the children occupied when they are bored with seating while parents are still having chat with their friends.

When I walked to their toilet, I even more surprised, such a nice decor with blue turquoise-ish tiles against the white sinks. Then, they even provide a children restroom cubicle with its kids theme decor even! How thoughtful! First one that I encountered too.

Food definitely up to par with good selections of both South and North cuisines, one thing that put a minus was the size of the table for 2 persons seating, a tad to small when they placed all the dishes. But I did like how the waiting staff had the courtesy to arrange the plates when he put a new dish, some restaurant didn't even bother.

I never expected there is a such thoughtful establishment in Katong area, since I seldom come to this area, but walking around Zaffron surrounding, it surely changed my mind.

Zaffron is a great place to have a good Indian food with your family and friends, and even if you have children to bring along.

Clockwise: The cute menu, nice motto on the napkin, the wine list menu shaped as wine bottle

I really like the overall design concept

View to kitchen and from entrance

The retro tiles against industrial cement flooring

Clockwise: Chicken tikka, our Lassies, Biryani rice, Palaak Paneer, the Pappadums of 2 styles

The children house

A good play area

Such a chic restroom area

Even got a sink for children, so thoughtful and next to changing table

The cute children restroom cubicle

Zaffron Kitchen

135/137 East Coast Road
Singapore 428820

Tel +65 6440 6786

http://zaffronkitchen.com/

Opens from Mon to Thu from 11.30 am - 10 pm (close 3 pm to 5 pm)

Opens on Fri, Sat and eve of PH from 11.30 am to 11 pm

Opens on Sunday from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm

Monday, July 9, 2012

Dean & Deluca

Turned out the hype was so high on Dean & Deluca Singapore; I underestimated its anticipation indeed when I thought I would managed a seat on its first opening day to public. The seats were limited but the patrons seemed kept streaming in, some bought some pastries and some patrons just ‘hanging out leisurely’ on its seat. In the end, we only managed to look through the store section, its array of herbs really amazed me, in the end I bought the Asian Herbs and collection of teas (some compensation on my failed attempt to taste the food)

Came back a couple of weeks later and even before lunch time, the queue was long but at least this time, we didn’t see ‘hanging out leisurely patrons’ on the dining area, Dean & Deluca even expanded their seating areas to outside of its café section, I did hope I got the table on its proper dining area, and luckily we did!

Saw so many tempting pastries which looked good but I already aimed trying their menu. Read that the French brioche was the recommended one, but as always, I would went with their American breakfast.

The French brioche with its caramelized banana and a scoop of vanilla ice cream sprinkled by berries was certainly up to its hype; but its portion was a bit too much for 1 person since we are talking about caramelized item here, it’s probably best to be shared by two. As for the All American breakfast took about 15 mins preparation time but it was worth the wait, it came with whole meal bread which I must commended but somehow for the mashed potatoes, it wasn’t too much of my liking.

What you must try is their Milkshakes! It has Add-On on top of the mixed options; I tried on Biscuit as our add-on and it gave the milkshakes refreshingly crunchy taste.

Service was prompt and friendly, but due to such a busy day, I felt a bit overwhelming for anyone who work there but still a great service.

Even though it is located inside Orchard Central mall but with its high ceilings, it gave a different vibe, as if you were not inside a mall but a stand-alone outlet itself in a casual and relax atmosphere.

Definitely a point for me by its location, convenient and easy to reach...

Will come back next time for their pastries and drink..hopefully, the crowd has subsided by then...

Finally, at Dean & Deluca

View while queuing

The pastries counter...really looked fresh and yummy

In case you wanted to know time in NYC or Tokyo while having your meal

Full house on Saturday morning

View to the shop from main dining area

My fave drink of the day, definitely will order again next time..
The Strawberry and Banana with Add-On of Biscuit and Choco Chip with Add-On Biscuit too

French Brioche with caramelized bananas and a scoop of ice cream vanilla and berries

My All American Brekkie, somehow, the mashed potatoes were not to my liking

Dean & Deluca
04-23/24, Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65-65097709

Opens daily from 11 am to 10 pm

Monday, June 18, 2012

PS Cafe @ Palais

Decided to try on PS Cafe at Palais as it is still around Orchard vicinity, easy for us to meet up and more to its own space compare to smaller version at Paragon.

First time at Palais Renaissance and it gave you an exclusivity feel as the commercial area was very quiet but when you arrived at PS Cafe, the crowd was there but luckily there was still table by the window for us.

Quite an industrial bistro touch for the decor, with its high metal ceiling and black hanging lights and mostly black or dark brown furniture.

The menu certainly being carefully selected, it ain't like normal cafe or bistro menu, it gave me quite a difficult decision to select which one, I guaranteed you that everyone would feel the same as first time patron here.

Don't let the look of the dish fools you, it may look normal but it is guaranteed to fill you tummy to its capacity in no time.

The dishes definitely exceeded my expectation, it was delicious, nicely done and presented, it simple yet not easy to achieve.

Service was friendly but somehow, either due to our seats that by the window or it was a busy day, the waiting staff was not so attentive to our table, but still up to standard.

It was a good brunch time and the dishes with its beautiful presentation definitely entice me to return...