Kha

When I read about Kha some time ago, I felt strongly to visit it but due to its location, didn't think it was familiar enough. Well, after the visit, now I know it is located around Boat Quay area, facing the cluster of private residential blocks.

Didn't make any reservation as we arrived around 6 pm-ish, surprisingly 1 table was occupied. 

Felt in love with the chic interior decor and such an intimate atmosphere.

The waiting staff excelled in their duties, from their friendly welcome, attention to details such as when he put an extra chair for our bag without being asked, and our lady staff were able to recommend and explain what was in the menu.

I also noticed the staff put some of the guests' shopping bags and handbags (who came in group of 7 pax) in the wooden sliding door cabinet next to the table, which made me realized that it could be designed to store guests carried bags, how attentive was that!

It certainly showed how Kha took into detail from its restaurant concept, the menu, the presentation of each dish, quality of the food and beverage to its staff training and attitude. 

By around 7 pm, crowd started to streaming in and mostly were expatriates. The biggest crowd were around 7 pax and mostly either table for 4 pax and few for 2 pax.

I highly recommended on trying their Fish Cake, it was heavenly! We tried the platter combo as we felt the other dishes we ordered may be quite a lot and turned out, it was! All the main dishes were prepared for 4 pax instead of 2 pax.

My fave dish was their Steamed Sea Bass, with its sauces and it was done nicely, I certainly couldn't found fault with this dish at Kha.

Their mocktails were another thumbs-up to try if you are not in the mood for cocktails.

If you are looking for a good and fine dining of Thai cuisine, Kha comes highly recommended. Albeit, in a quiet surrounding within a chic cluster of apartment, gym and next to Bomba, latest Paella Bar in town; your meal in Kha is guaranteed to give you a lasting impression. An intimate setting in a modern chic ambience with a good food and drinks to boot.

This is definitely the focal point of the room
I was kinda impressed by this King portrait as if it were blown up from a stamp template

Loving this chic decor

There are round table by end of each dining table, I guessed it should be for drinking guests ?

Noticed how they alternate type and colour of chairs in different col and shape? Not on every table though

Retro fan and the wooden cabinets to put guest table

The Menu, another interesting idea...

Loved the napkin holder

Our complimentary rice crackers with an appetising sauce to boot

Baby Eve Mocktail
Fresh raspberries, fresh strawberries, cranberry juice, fresh mint, sprite 
Refreshing and not that sweet as I thought

Dragon Eye Mocktail

Forgot what was the combo inside but it has Lime and Mint and it was certainly refreshing

A good appetizer option for a small bite and if unsure which you would like to have
Kab Klam Ruam
three signature kha appetizers – crab cake, char-grilled chicken, thai fish cake 

The chicken was made like a satay but the peanut dressing was really good, with smooth and unlike Singapore version of satay peanut sauce

Their crab cake was okay, not bad but not fantastic either

Their Thai Fish Cake was heavenly, I would order this as appetizer next time without hesitation

Kha's Seafood Tom Yum soup

We asked for less spicy when the staff asked for spiciness preference and I think it tasted just right. The prawn was fresh and it is less oily too

Pla Krapong Nueng Manow 
steamed sea bass with sweet and sour chili dressing, fried shallots and coriander 
This was a must try as their Sea Bass was cooked excellently and it was a portion for 4 pax. The sauce was another excellent work of the chef, it complimented the fish nicely

Kai Phad Med Ma Muang
wok fried chicken cashew nuts, spring onions and chili paste 
When it came, I didn't think it would be such a big portion. It was good but again, it will be a good portion for 4 pax

The Seafood Pineapple Fried Rice

Was wondering where was the pineapple bits until I saw it was in the bottom. The rice was cooked perfectly!

At the corner of dining area to restroom corridor, such a chic setting

Even the restroom corridor also designed in a chic concept

Caught a glimpse of the wooden cabinet

Entrance to Kha..

Kha
Martin No. 38
38 Martin Road
Singapore 239059

Tel: +65-6476 9000

http://www.kha.sg/

Opening Hours Daily for:
Lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm
Dinner from 6 pm to 11 pm

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Hatched @ Evans Lodge

I do think the idea behind Hatched as All Day Breakfast venue was a good idea, who would not associated breakfast with Eggs and the name Hatched was so appropriate.

Coming to the Evans Lodge outlet around 11 am and found it was quite busy but not to the extend of full house. Good idea to have it next to hostel with such affordability and menu that appeals to most. But, most of the patrons apparently were passerby like us.

By looking at the menu, you couldn't help to smile when reading its menu category, with titles such as Scrambling Sam, Oliver Omellete, Frying Pan, Friends of Eggs and then going down to its dishes under each category.

Staff were friendly, cosy ambience and no service charge; I believe these few factors are what attracts the regular patrons.

Unfortunately, to me, the food was okay but not as good as I expected, after seeing the concept, interior and the menu.

Again, if going to venues that not in the main street/mall, I find it a bit put off. Cause you need to make your way there just for a meal which can be fantastic or not; it creates a hassle for those who don't drive and not many patrons as what the business may expect too. But, some do prefer these secluded venues to have different atmosphere and relaxing time.

Not sure on other outlets accessibility, but for this outlet, unless you are around Evans Rd area/to Orchard direction, it does provide you a choice to have an affordable breakfast/simple brunch with less crowd to compete.

The entranced to Hatched from main door of the lodge/hostel

The plastic laminated menu, thot, it could made a good placemat too..

What an Egg...???!!!!

All Eggs Around You...

Casual and Cosy atmosphere...

I applauded this wall decor..such a good idea..simple but so eye-catching

Even the furniture has Egg-Shaped related/feel 

Was that a rooster trapped inside the light?

Everyone would smile when they see this..

So, this how it works, people...

Papilotte

Smoked salmon folded over scrambled eggs on toast, topped with sour cream, served with sauteed potatoes..

One of the recommended dishes, the salmon with scrambled eggs were quite good but the potatoes were very very bland..

The Usual Suspects..

As the name is, it is the usual order of Big Brekkie..Ha!

Customize how you want your eggs to be, with choice of bacon/ham/sausage, baked beans, sauteed potatoes, toast and either a tea/coffee

Has sunny side up, it was okay but I thought it was too well cooked for the egg yolks but when you sliced thru, it was not. Again, the potatoes with its skin felt a bit rough and bland. The bacon was okay, bit greasy and not too crisp.

Toast were surprisingly good, baked beans were as normal (not my dish)..As you could see, the bacon was not crisp type but okay..

I always like it when a restaurant serve fresh fruit juice, in this case, Hatched has either Apple or Orange as their Fresh Juices option. Ordered the Ice Mocha, I thought the gradation colours on the Ice Mocha were so attractive..

My Earl Grey Tea, served by a pot of hot water and using The Clippers Tea Bag.

 

Hatched @ Evans Lodge

26 Evans Road

Singapore  259367

Tel : +65 6735-0012

http://www.hatched.sg/

Opening Hours from 8 am to 4 pm (Thu-Mon)
Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

TWG @ Takashimaya SG

 

I was puzzled, really, by the queue at all TWG outlets, which also included the latest at Takashimaya Level 2. Perhaps if it's the one at ION, I could understand the lack of space which made it looked like the crowd queue like mad on certain hour. And perhaps, at MBS, due to the flock of tourist that was intrigued by TWG concept.

 

So, I planned to try their lunch since I tried their brekkie which just enough as a one time experience, and said to myself, perhaps lunch will be different.

 

Arrived at around 11.45 am so there was still no crowd queueing up and to my surprise, the dining area is the most spacious compare to other outlets.

 

Sat next to the window facing Mandarin Orchard hotel and the male staff immediatly handed me the meal & tea menus. Everytime I come to TWG and seeing the Tea Menu, there was a sense of confusion and overwhelm to see all the Teas selection. Doubtful, anyone can remember to differentiate how each tea taste like. Well, unless, you are a very very regular patron here.

 

The dishes presented very well indeed, taste wise also okay but not fantastic and I found it was a bit pricey.

 

What irritated me the most was the staff, mostly are foreigner staff with English speaking but they was so absent-minded, lack of attention, slow to act.

 

I asked for just a piece of macaron and I even walked up to the pastry trolley next to my table. Waited for 15 mins but it didn't come and looking around, the lady staff I asked for was still there but busy attending to others (it was not a full house and not even half full). In the end, I called up another staff and this time, she did take the macaron and then I asked for the bill on the same time. Waited another 10 mins and no bill came, again, called another staff for the bill. Waited another 10 mins for the process.

 

They surely not short-handed but everytime I looked up, either no staff around or they were busy at the counter, prepping the meals to be delivered and no one ever looking around to patrons.

 

I also got the impression of snotty attitude from all TWG staff, different outlets but similar attitude and similar service.

 

I don't think I will ever visit TWG in all their outlet..the service was not on par with the price they charged, not to mention the ridiculous queue.

 

TWG tried to impress patron with their so sophisticated overall concept and staff appearance, added with so elaborate Meals and Tea description but failed in the most important factor in retaining the patrons, their Service Skill. Cleverly located in vicinity that has throngs of tourists and elite areas, it certainly gives tremendous boost to their business.

 

Dining area, view to entrance after passing the pattiserie corridor

 

 Dining Menu and the Tea Menu



The typical TWG white linen table setting

 

This the pastry trolley that next to our table, even I walked up there and asked for a single macaron, it failed to come..

View to the back area, it remained quite empty even after we finished our meals

View to Mandarin Orchard Hotel..

That big tea tins of TWG..

There was an ant walking around this sugar pot..

Steamed Vanilla Cod

Pave of cod infused with Vanilla Tea served with button mushrooms, chicory and shallots, accompanied by a white sauce enhanced with notes of vanilla..

Phewwww...such a long description

Cod fish was fresh, tad a bland and the sauce tasted a bit milky at first but once you ate it with the mushroom, it balanced nicely..tasted the vanilla indeed

Scrambled Eggs

Fresh farmhouse eggs scrambled with a choice of matcha green tea, pure saffron threads of white Alba truffle oil and served with

smoked salmon and mixed salad of tender spinach shoots and marinated shrimps

The salad has quite a tasty dressing but rest were just okay

Ordered the side dish, the plate of matchstick potatoes drizzled with pure white Alba truffle oil and matcha salt

The fries were fried nicely, crisp and I was impressed by their presentation, using the crispy layer of crepe to hold the fries

Soft bread came with the main course

The toasts were done nicely..

Matcha Green Tea Macaron, the cookie shell was a bit hard..TWG is not famous for its macaron for sure..

 

 

TWG Tea Boutique
Takashimaya Department Store, B2 391 Orchard Road Singapore 238873 Tel : +65-63631837   http://www.twgtea.com/index.php
Opens daily 10 am - 10 pm