Forlino - Dining By the Bay

When I read that Forlino chef is a Japanese chef and this is an Italian restaurant, it immediately piqued my interest.

Going to Forlino was like going through maze if you came from Fullerton by The Bay hotel side but it wasn't hard to follow the clear directions. I must say, it build up your anticipation and it will not disappoint you either once you reach the restaurant.

The black & white tiles with its pastel mint wall colours greeted you once you were up the upper floor by going up a staircase from the reception counter (the journey certainly continued) Passing the modern lounge setting facing opposite the Fullerton Hotel will awe you and you kinda know how the tone of this restaurant.

Walking into dining area with its beautiful chandeliers and full height window to MBS view was just astounding. Everything is carefully planned; the arty steel partition between tables, the table setting and what some restaurants still lacking here (and what you encounter often in Japan) is the 'Handbag' stool. It just another thoughtful gesture from Forlino and indeed, it shows the Japanese touch in this restaurant. True to behold; not long after, the patrons coming to Forlino were mostly Japanese for that night.

Our waiting staff were excellent; her friendly demeanor from a start promised a good evening for us and it was. She definitely knowledgeable which wine to suggest for our dish and promptly able to accommodate my query if I didn't wish for Foei Gras on my meal.

The meal was excellent; it was still true to Italian cuisine but with some refined techniques and skills infused to these dishes; attention to every detail on its presentation and most importantly the taste were excellent.

All in all, it was a lovely evening in a romantic ambience with great service and food, not to mention a view to boot; we just can't found any fault with Forlino.

I would highly suggest Forlino for a special dinner or occasion; combining Italian cuisine and Japanese chef are a must try dining experience.

Hallway to lounge and dining area

 

The bar

 

Chic lounge

 

Attention to detail

 

Looking at you to sit here

 

 Or here

 

The wall ornate not to be missed

 

Chef Kentaro Torii

 

 

 

View to MBS

 

The handbag stool

The artsy steel partitions to admire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Entrance to their private restroom

Adorable wall decoration

Beehive shaped tiles

 

Leather bound menu

 

 

Starting out with a glass of Chianti Red Wine

 Duet of Angus Beef

Braised short rib Brasato and Tenderloin Rossini 'Foie Gras' (I requested for it to be changed), Marsala Wine Sauce, Ricotta Spinach Raviolone

I had extra Raviolone replacing the Foei Gras

The beef was very tender and juicy; the combination of Marsala worked very well

Spinach Raviolone

Another thumb-up; it may seemed a humble item but it was made very well; it was soft yet firm and the spinach melted nicely in your mouth

 

Orata

Grilled Fillet of Sea Bream Amalfi Lemon Anchovy Sauce, Baby veggie, Panchino Tomato Confit

 

The fish was grilled to perfection and the lemon anchovy sauce complimenting it very well

Coconut Panna Cotta

Pineapple Confit, Moscato Jelly, Passion Fruit

Glad we skipped the starter in favour to have dessert as it was delish.

Never thought I would love Passion Fruit but combined with this coconut panna cotta and the pineapple; it was superb

And we loved every detail put into the presentation 

Warm Chocolate Fondant

Gianduja Lava, Vanilla Gelato

It may sounded simple but believed me; this chocolate fondant was excellent

 

Forlino Dining by the Bay
1 Fullerton Road
One Fullerton
#02-06
Singapore 049213
Tel: (65) 6690-7564

Opens Daily
Lunch: 12PM to 2.30PM
Dinner: 6.30PM to 10.30PM

 

Wrap & Roll @ ION Orchard

When I walk toward the restaurants corner at B3 level at ION Orchard, I am always discouraged by the waiting crowd flocking in front of Imperial Jade restaurant. It was one of the reason why I never noticed Wrap & Roll outlet which adjacent to it.

Judging by the name, I thought it was like a fast food style sandwich/roll which even more discouraging. Luckily, they distributed their marketing flyer which made me aware that they do offer Pho Bo and rice dishes too.

Turned out, the seating capacity at Wrap & Roll is bigger than expected which applies to its menu too.

The concept of wrap and rolls applies to either using rice paper or lettuce to wrap around selection of proteins and add on with few garnishes.

It was quite tempting to try few different wrap and roll dishes but due to ordering of Pho Bo and rice dish; we limited ourselves to one selection which I chose due to my personal fave, their fried spring roll.

Bad thing about choosing fried spring roll was the idea of using lettuce around it, which not really convenient and slightly messy if you try to add on garnishes.

Food wise, it was good and it presented an interesting concept on their wrap and roll dishes.

Service was prompt and fair but they were a bit shorthanded, understandable though due to our lack of manpower in this industry at this moment.

Décor is simple with bright wall colour added with few Vietnamese touches.

Would love to return here and try different dishes; it is such a refreshing option to have your meal at ION or Orchard Road area.

Menu 

Thumbs-up for sustainability of local produce 

 Simple yet functional

 Ceiling lights inspired by Vietnamese Hats

 Subtle Vietnamese touches

Table setting 

Steps on doing your Wrap & Roll 

Beef Pho Bo 

I wish (should try to ask next time) for more beansprouts...

Overall, it was a good Pho; though, meat slices were a bit tough but quite alright 

Vietnamese style Ice Coffee 

Chrysanthemum Ice Tea

The flower flavor was quite strong; not used to it

 Fried Spring Roll as Wrap & Roll selection

It was every bit how fried spring roll should be with the sweet sauce to dip in 

Lettuce, mint leaves, rice noodle and carrots as its garnishes

The spicy Vietnamese Yellow Chili 

Upon exiting, saw these wall decors 

Entrance  

One of the wall display at entrance 

Wrap & Roll
ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-19,
Singapore 238801
Tel: (65) 6509 1555

http://www.wrap-roll.com.sg/

Opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm

Ippudo SG @ Mandarin Gallery

I still recalled when Ippudo first opened here, the Ramen fever reached a new height and soon after, more Ramen outlets sprouting up everywhere.

After few years, Ippudo at Mandarin Gallery still going strong and they even have few outlets around the island, proving their solid fan base.

So, after a while from last visit here, this visit was to refresh why Ippudo still remains popular.
 
Service was prompt but our waiting staff who took the order didn't listen properly and when he repeated, he mumbled and I only caught few words that ‘seemed’ to be what I ordered. Only to find out later on, that when we discussed whether to try on Spicy or Non Spicy bun, yet mentioned to him, I would try the non-spicy Shrimp buns, he got the idea that I ordered both. Well, didn’t want to make a fuss and thought it was good to try even though our full tummies experienced gastric pain afterward; consequences of eating past lunch time and too much….Oh well….I called this as another encounter with 'snobby' waiting staff who thought he knew so well and tried hard to impress with his 'efficiency' which failed....
 
Ippudo scored well on their flavourful ramen base soups and good consistency of noodles firmness; added with well cooked cha shu, soft-boiled eggs, negi, etc; it ticks all the points on what make a good ramen.

Some said it isn’t as impressive/memorable as what they had in Tokyo but to soothe our cravings, Ippudo SG is a place to go for good ramen. But, I would say, better to pay more attention when the waiting staff takes our order.

Counter seating this time, another proof on how well Ippudo been doing so far

Trademark of Ippudo outlets, the red and white dinnerware on display

Glimpse of ramen prepping

Add-on garnishes on the table

View to table seating area

Having a pot of tea

Ippudo SG Buns Collection

Shrimp Buns

The black plate indicated it's a Spicy version

A peek inside the bun

Akamaru Tamago

Original Ippudo Tonkotsu broth with flavoured egg enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil served with thin noodles, black fungus and spring onions

Closer look on Akamaru Tamago

Karaka Tamago

Another Ippudo's original broth with flavoured egg, special spicy miso, cashew nuts, garlic oil and spring onions

Ippudo SG @ Mandarin Gallery

333A Orchard Road

#04-02 to 04

Mandarin Gallery

Singapore 238897

Tel: (65) 6235 2797

http://www.ippudo.com.sg/



Opens daily from 11 pm to 10 pm