Sharing our dining experiences

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...

Facing the kitchen window

The Huge Menu

Industrial vibe....

Glass panel in middle of the room

View from the entrance

Strawberry and Banana Smoothies paired with Mango and Kiwi Smoothies

The truffle fries! Crunchy and a good portion for 3 pax sharing

Mushroom Wellington, wild mushroom and cashew nut filled pastry parcel, roasted roots and mushroom vegetable jus. Nice presentation!

My White Egg Omelette with Feta, Mushroom and Spinach. It certainly filled up my tummy..delicious..

Crab Tart, served with Crab Bisque Cream, Lemon Honey Vinaigrette dressed Greens & Homemade Harissa...Phewwww! Tasty and Big Portion!

Already full but I couldn't resisted this Lemony Ginger Cheese Cake which I saw at entrance/cake counter

Affogato, an Espresso with Vanilla Ice Cream

Green Tea to finish off our brunch

PS Cafe at Palais

Level 2, Palais S.C

390 Orchard Road

Tel: +65-9834 8232

http://pscafe.com/

Opening Hours:

Weekend Brunch from 9.30 am to 5 pm

Weekday Lunch from 11.30 am to 4 pm

Daily Tea Hour from 3 pm to 6 pm

Dinner from Mon to Thu and Sunday from 6 pm to 12 am

Dinner on Fri, Sat, and PH eve from 6 pm to 1 am

(phewwww...so many different hours)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Salt Grill & Sky Bar by Luke Mangan

This is Luke Mangan's first foray in Singapore, located in 55th floor of ION Orchard Residential.

Unfortunately, I didn't take more photo of the interior, totally forgot (again and again), I guessed I was to eager seeing how the sunset descended on Orchard Road, since this was our first time for dinner at Salt Grill, as previous occasion was always lunch.

Next time will take photo of its private lift which I think is intended to make you as if you were lifting up to the Sky and its pretty standing chandeliers and its high ceiling and full height windows.

Reservation is a Must in Salt Grill, especially if you would like to have a table by the window and not to mention, for dining in, the seats are pretty limited. It does give sense of exclusivity.

Salt Grill has the most excellent waiting staff, they are courteous, professional, friendly, prompt and able to give you some suggestion; I'd say everything you expect from a fine dining restaurant. Truly.

Food was exquisite, it was fresh and combination of ingredients created excellent flavour in your mouth, presentation was as what you expected from a fine chefs.

If you would like to have a fine dining experience, Salt Grill is the restaurant to dine in middle of Orchard Road.

Will see how the Sky Bar on top floor looks like next time...

Our table view...

Night view and a bottle of still water

Dunno why I love the vinegar and spices provided for our sliced soft breads, it was a good combo

This was the must order appetiser, the 'glass' Sydney crab omelette with miso mustard broth

This was our Mains to Share, The Chef's Choice and that night was the excellent grilled Barramundi topped with crab char siu mushroom, tomato salad, mashed potatoes and brocollini...Fresh, Healthy and leaving a very full tummy indeed!

My Lycheetini

Strawberry Sling

It was our Anniversary and the kitchen was so sweet in making this nice chocolate wording with a candle..we ordered the vanilla sourbet...it was delicious..

Salt Grill and Sky Bar by Luke Mangan

ION Orchard, Level 55

Private lift from Level 4

2 Orchard Turn

Singapore

http://saltgrill.com/

Opens daily with hours for:

Lunch from 11.30 am to 2 pm

Dinner from 6 pm to 10 pm

All Day Bites from 11.30 am to 5 pm

Sky Bar from 6 pm to 11.30 pm

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Raindrops Cafe

Read about this cafe from another blog about cafe in Orchard, location is not as exposed like other cafes, as it is located behind Orchard Cineleisure.

It is quite secluded and perhaps known to those who frequenting the bazaar and *Scape area.

Thought I needed to make reservation for Sat lunch time but turned out, it was empty.

And the indoor space was smaller than expected, they do have alfresco seating area.

Most eye-catching when you entered would be their hanging bulbs, simple idea but gave a modern eclectic impression.

The menu quite a variety with some combination that we seldom see at similar establishments.

The cooking was okay, definitely a level up than other self-confessed cafes, service was okay too considering only one waiting staff and a cook at that time.

It's a good place to stop by if you happen to be in this area and got nowhere to go for your meal, but not a destination to try out its meal or enjoying its surrounding.

The hanging bulbs

Only 2 rows of seating, the other side of timber sets and to this side is sofa seating

The wooden folder menu

Truffle fries, okay but you could smell the oil

Squid Ink Pasta with prawn and scallop, a good pasta

Fish and chips, the battered fish was too crisp

The dessert, wanted to order other item but not available so we tried this Caramelized Apple with Puff Pastries and Berries

Our Mocktails, it was refreshing cool drinks

Raindrops Cafe

2 Orchard Link

*Scape #02-38

S 237978

http://raindrops.sg/

Opens Daily from 11 am to 1 am

Monday, June 4, 2012

Antoinette @ Mandarin Gallery

Wanted to visit Antoinette for quite a while at Mandarin Gallery as first outlet at Penhas Road, I felt as not so accessible. Few times passing by, the queue was long and I don't think it was like fast food outlet where 'finished and left' kind a thing at Antoinette.

So, we got a chance on one Sunday evening before dinner time, again, the queue was there but wasn't long as peak hours.

Seats by the window were all for 2 diners, a good arrangement. It wasn't a big space and as it was modelled as french style, the armchair and table definitely took a bit of space.

The menu as usual, around pasta, crepes, sandwich, pancakes, even has All-Day Brekkie; if you've been to Canele, you'd found the similarities. Not surprising, considering Chef Pang was an ex Executive Chef from Canele.

For main course, I ordered the Crab Suzette, spaghettini in alio olio style with crab meat, white wine, chilli and basil. It was a good pasta but I felt slightly oily to my liking.

Service was a bit let down, not attentive enough and not that friendly either, especially the one at pastry counter.

I was expecting a full array of cakes as it is Chef Pang's speciality but only saw few options, in the end, decided on Strawberry shortcake. The strawberries were fresh and the cream was just right, not too creamy and in right proportion.

I wonder how long those in queue would wait as I noticed most of patrons were taking leisurely time and if in big group, it would had longer chat. Especially with Antoinette's atmosphere where taking tea and cakes are supposed to be done leisurely.

Not really in my interest to return here...food was okay but long queue for having meals here, definitely a No No for me.