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

 

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



 

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse @ Raffles City

Been wanting to visit Wooloomooloo ever since I read few reviews on its steak; which mostly quite encouraging.

Finally, got a chance to visit it on one rainy Sunday lunch but I only realized upon seating down that it’s Weekend Brunch Set Course Menu and there was no Ala Carte menu.

I would say this Brunch menu of 5 Set Courses turned out good and warrant me to bring my guest here on weekend.

The décor is really represent traditional Steak House with its leather covered chairs, dark wood furniture and well-dressed waiting staff.  Usually we have view from high floor but in Wooloomooloo, an eye-level view to Marina Bay Sands and surrounding is quite a good change. Overall, it gave you that sense of sit back and relax when having your steak and glass of wine.

I chose my course as Fried Hen’s Egg, French Onion soup, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Filet Mignon as my main course with fries as side dish, Wooloomooloo Lemon & Lime Pie. Comment on each dish are on photo below.

My partner in crime for lunch ordered an Egg Benedict , Lobster Bisque, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Tasmanian Salmon Fillet as main course and Wooloomooloo Cheesecake.

It was quiet when we came at 12.30 pm but slowly, few patrons streamed in around 1.30 pm.

I would say this is really a good place to have your basic steak cut and good dishes that accompanying it in a relax atmosphere especially after work.

It definitely warrants another visit with fellow steak lovers…

Leather bound menu

A comfortable chairs

A glass of sweet wine for the day

Classic ambience

View from the table

My Fried Hen's Egg

It was good, the timbale of tomato, avocado and hash brown really worked well together

Egg Benedict

Prettily done egg benedict

Lobster Bisque

A good lobster bisque indeed and generous portion too

A very good design of this wooden plate, with a curve to make it easier to carry

French Onion Soup

It was done perfectly, a good balance of onions

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

I was imagining a Jumbo version but it was the opposite; it was a good crab cake and a good portion too considering we still had few meals to go

Wild Mushroom Risotto

My first bite was so good! It ain't easy to cook risotto but that day, it certainly inspired me to try my hands on at home in cooking this dish

 

Australian Grass Fed Filet Mignon

It was a very good filet mignon and the portion just right with fries, tomatoes on vines and arugula as side dishes

Beautifully cooked

Tasmanian Salmon Fillet

For non steak lover, this was a very main course, the sauce and its garnishes just added in nice flavor for this dish

Wooloomooloo Cheesecake

I preferred this than the Lemon & Lime Pie, the cheesecake texture was soft and worked well with the ice cream

Wooloomooloo Lemon & Lime PieIt was good but somehow it had quite overpowering taste and the pie was a tad too hard to bite

 

 

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse

2 Stamford Road
Level 3 Swissotel The Stamford
Singapore 178882

Tel: (65) 6338 0261

 

http://www.wooloo-mooloo.com/sg/wooloomooloo-steakhouse.aspx

 

Dining:
Mon to Fri from 12pm to 2:30pm
& 6:30pm to 11pm
                   

Sat to Sun from 11:30am to 2:30pm
& 6:30pm to 11pm

Lounge:
Mon to Thurs from 12pm to 1am
Fri-Sat 12pm to 2am
Sunday from 12pm to 12am