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

Where to eat at Orchard Road?

Orchard Road is a must go to for anyone who is visiting or live in Singapore. It is a shopping belt with glitzy shopping malls and myriads of shops and eateries.

If you plan to have your meal from breakfast to dinner somewhere at Orchard than the regular food courts, hope these restaurants review may be of assistance.

It is a long stretch of Orchard Road that you can cover, this recap covers from Orchard Central to Scotts Road area.

From Orchard Central to
Dean & Deluca
Good for brunch, light meal or tea break and buying gift too. It's on 4th floor of Orchard Central, there is a long escalator that will take you directly to Dean & Deluca.


Cathay Cineleisure (Behind Mandarin Gallery)
Raindrops Café
A small café/bistro with access from Cathay Cineleisure back side door (next to KFC), it is ideal for hanging out with few of your buddy for a chat. Food was good and nicely presented

Continuing to Mandarin Gallery/Mandarin Orchard Hotel
Tonkatsu by Ma Maison
Good for a hearty meal either lunch or dinner. This is one of the popular restaurants scattered throughout Mandarin Gallery; beside Ippudo, Ma Maison seems to be the most go to here.

Antoinette @ Mandarin Gallery
You wouldn't miss this Parisian looking bistro, with its pastry counter at the entrance and long queue during lunch hour. Ideal for light meal follow by pastry and a cup of tea or coffee.

Triple Three @ Mandarin Orchard Hotel
Famous buffet restaurant in this smack in the middle of Orchard Road. The hotel went into major revamp and its restaurants too. Triple Three has an open concept but I found its grilling station to be the most outstanding. I didn't like its live station though during my last visit; hate it when they cooked live prawns alive after scooping it out in front of you, a bit distasteful for a hotel standard.

And across to Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya
TWG @ Takashimaya Ngee Ann City
Latest opening of TWG, I couldn't help but felt this outlet tried too hard and its staff let it down from their lack of attention and half-hearted service. Even though, the lunch or dinner dish was quite good. Warning to first timer, you will be overwhelmed by their Tea List; a hint for you, it is not so much different from the basic teas (Earl Grey, Oolong, Jasmine) so just pick one from the basic flavour.

Pique Nique
This more suitable for youngster, it is at Basement 1, next to KFC and entrance to Takashimaya Dept. Store, you wouldn't miss its whimsical décor which quite rare to see inside Ngee Ann City. Good for western brunch/eggs, ham, bacon and fries collection.


From Ngee Ann, we across the main road to Paragon; food spots mostly located at B1
OCha Cha
This is a simple bistro specializing in Green Tea/Ocha at B1, opposite Starbuck, cladded with light green and white décor. It served simple Japanese fusion meal from sandwich to cold noodles. A must try is their Smoked Chicken Somen Noodle served cold, it was a fantastic dish; light but enough to satisfy your hunger with a sip of fantastic ocha.

If you come early to Paragon before lunch hour, it is recommended to try Shimbashi Soba, which also at Basement 1; serving handmade soba cold and hot. There is no food court at Paragon but you will find myriad of restaurants at B1 with enough diversity for your food hunt.

I do like the Sushi Tei located on 5th floor if you are looking to more comprehensive Japanese menu or those in favour of Chinese, there is always the Imperial Treasure on same floor.

From Paragon, take a walk passing Lucky Plaza to Tangs Ochard
Island Cafe
Where you will Love this café located on 4th floor; it serves Good local cuisine as well as western with Excellent service. Popular local dishes like Char Kwey Tiauw, Laksa, Chicken Rice, Chicken Biryani Rice and Soft Shell Crab Tang Hoon are patron favourite. You can always get a seat and it is a good spot to rest and have your meal after a good day around Orchard or before starting your Orchard shopping venture.

It is a sure no fail spot each time we visit Island Café, but beware that some of popular dishes may out of order by evening time.

Walking down passing Tangs Orchard, you will meet the newest addition of apartment and sizeable shopping spot on Scott Square. Restaurants are not many but it certainly hand-picked to be among the best

Wild Honey @ Scott Square
From 3rd floor, this is one of the most popular restaurants in Singapore; it never ending queue and reservation is a Must. Willing to wait for 1 hour...Perhaps its novel concept of serving All Day Breakfast from all over the world is the winning formula...

Arossa
Down to 2nd floor, this is one of hidden gem in Orchard and for fusion lover; Japanese fusion food is always a delight

Delicious
Going further down to B1, everyone will be lured in to visit this Turquoise, Black, White and Timber coloured restaurants with its hanging bird cage. Serving us western and Malaysian dishes

Going out from Scott Square and down to the underpass leading to ION Orchard, where you are bound to find a spot to eat from its B4 to 55th floor.

Salt Grill and Sky Bar
Accessing from 4th floor to the ION Gallery Hall, you would be enveloped in darkness going up the chic elevator to this restaurant. A fine dining by Australian Chef, Luke Mangan; in middle of Orchard Road which beyond what we imagined from a busy mall like ION. An excellent choice for hosting corporate guests, romantic dinner to special occasion with family. An impressive venue...


Jones the Grocer
On 4th floor itself; head to Jones the Grocer, for light western meal and your organic food supply

Marmalade Pantry
Down to 3rd floor, you won't miss this restaurant, always popular. Good spot for brunch.
 
TWG
From 3rd floor, we are down to 1st floor; a very popular and long queue during tea break hour. Have a meal or tea break and pastry here


Nara Thai 
Newest opened restaurant at ION at B3 and what an oasis to visit at ION Orchard among the Western, Japanese and Chinese restaurant. This is a place to go for authentic Thai food. You won't regret it!

Toss & Turn
At B4, if food court and other small stalls are not what your heart desire, gearing toward healthy and weight conscious is then this is a good spot to try.


Leaving food spots galore at B4 of ION Orchard, going up to B2; you will find a linkway to Wheelock Place
Nam Nam @ Wheelock Place
Where you will see this when you are walking from B2 ION to Wheelock Place B2; a casual Vietnamese eatery serving Pho Bo (Noodle in Hanoi Stye) and sandwiches

Bangkok Jam
Going up to 2nd floor, you will not miss this attractive open concept restaurant serving Thai cuisine


Connecting by underpass or main road crossing, you will go to Shaw House
Tonkichi @ Shaw House
Few restaurants on 4th floor but it seems Tonkichi is the most popular.

There is some construction going on at Shaw House but if you are walking toward DFS Galleria direction, you will pass Pacific Plaza, a small shopping centre with an eclectic and vibrant handmade burger spot from famous chef, Bruno Menard 
&Made by Bruno Menard
Cleverly called &Made (Handmade), it is a different take of burger that you know..


It is quite a feast to dine at Orchard Road, there is always something new and I will update this list as it goes.. 

In the meantime, enjoy your trip along Orchard Road...

Mango Tree @ Kowloon

I really regretted not making reservation at Mango Tree as I thought I wouldn't had time to make it for dinner there. So, when we were still hungry around 8.30 pm-ish, I thought the dinner crowd maybe thinning out. I was so wrong when we reached there.

It was full and sadly the soon-to-be-available table was the one near the entrance and not the one facing the harbour which also had the wooden tree-like décor with hanging lights. Sad but will visit again next time we come to HK.

Even though, it was that late but still patrons came and queuing for dinner, I was surprised indeed. Staff were definitely busy but yet, they served us promptly and waiting time for drinks and food were minimal. It was impressive for a restaurant that was that busy and just enough staff who were constantly on the move.

Food was tasty and authentic Thai-style indeed and quite generous portion, making the patrons on our table behind leaving quite a chunk of leftover food.

Mango Tree will be an excellent choice if you wish to have a good authentic Thai food with excellent service and nice ambience at Kowloon area, good for corporate and leisure.

Simple yet elegant table setting

Food and Beverage Menu

Fresh flower always brought an elegance to the table

These hanging lights really captured my attention

Very nice design concept with relevant to its namesake

View to the inside dining area and harbour view

Quite a spacious dining area

Full House on Friday Night

Fresh Coconut Fruit and a big one!

Delicious Fish Cakes

It was crisp on the outside, tender with lots of fish on the inside and the chilli sauce was just right

Fried Rice with Crab Meats

It was as authentic as those in Thailand; lots of meat crab chunks in this tasty fried rice

Kale with Salted Fish and Garlic

It was fresh, crunchy and saltiness of garlic and salted fish added a nice balance to this simple veggie dish

Thai Pandan Layer Cake

Steamed layered cake flavoured with pandan leave and coconut cream

It wasn't too sweet and so soft and nice looking cake

Simple seating arrangement yet elegant

Mango Tree

Shop 2032, Elements

1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui

Tel: +852-2668-4884

http://www.mangotree.com.hk/concept.php?nid=1

Opens daily from 11.30 am to 11 pm