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

 

 



4 Fingers Bonchon Crispy Chicken

Been a while that I didn't update our going dining so here is the start of many to come..

Always seeing a long queue during lunch or dinner albeit whether it is on weekday or weekend here which frankly discouraged me to dine in as not sure I could even got a seat. So, when we were at ION way too early for lunch time crowd, I thought it would be a good idea to try it.

I recalled eating here when they first opened and there were no table seating but only counter seating with pull-out chairs. So, it had been years and they had expanded and added more options to the menu. Gosh, I must not been here for years for not noticing it expanded and added more menu if not for that long queue!

Décor wise, I would say, it fit the bill for fast food joint, simple yet modern and vibrant in midst of the crowd of ION Orchard basement/food area.

The menu as you guessed it, has crispy chicken as its main star, with addition of calamari, shrimps and tofu. Presentation wise, it was certainly a niche using their tin basket and looked more appetizing than just normal fast food.
We ordered one of their Star Dish which was the 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken, the Drummets; together with Chicken Chop in Soy Garlic Combo Meals which comes with soft drinks and sides, we chose their Seaweed Skinny Fries and Kim Chi Fries.

Yes, it was quite crispy and flavourful albeit a bit greasy; for the fries, it were given wrongly so we didn't get a chance to taste the Kim Chi version as we didn't want to make a fuss to change it. I guessed, for Kim Chi, it would be spicy and reddish in colour.

For something different as fast food, BonChon certainly fit the bill but to make me queue during lunch or dinner hour, I think I’d pass.

Ordering counter

Table seating area next to ordering counter

 

Pager for room collection

 

Cheeky slogans

 

Modern lighting adding that modern vibe to this joint

 

Different waste bins; good initiative

 

The stars of our combo meals, top was the Signature dish and bottom was the Chicken Chop

 

The skinny fries were tasty and cut in nice proportion

 

 

4 Fingers Bonchon Crispy Chicken

ION Orchard #B4-06A

2 Orchard Turn

S 238801

Opens daily from 11 am to 10 pm

http://www.gimme4fingers.com/crispy/main.html



Chye Seng Huat Hardware

I have been hearing good reviews about this establishment which some touted as the best coffee experience in town. Was not too sure whether this place was easy to find, we took time in making a trip there.

I would say if you don't drive, it may be tricky to find this but when you are around the vicinity, it wouldn't be hard to miss the camouflage of steel door 'olden' days which has an open entrance/like garage-kind next to it which is actually the main entrance.

The decor is like modern industrial and rustic look and quite spacious with outdoor and indoor seating. Came in before lunch and it was not packed but few patrons were occupying both areas.

It was certainly a laid-back atmosphere but I wish they have more table seating instead of high counter table setting for its indoor area, to make it easier and more relax for patrons to sit; but it still a cool design..

Not many brunch menu on offer but we were here for the Coffee as often heard how good the coffee was. Either my buddy who were coffee lover got up on the wrong side or the coffee was not to their liking, their verdict was it was Okay but not as great to make them return for more.

The staff mostly clustered around the ordering table as it was where they prepared for drinks and meals, but one or two were around the venue though I felt we were inclined to go over the counter for any request instead of calling.

All around, it was a good experience and showing support for local independent establishment is always a good thing and especially if you are a coffee lover. CSHH certainly requires strong local fans as their patrons considering the limited menu and not so common to find location. 

Too bad I am not a coffee lover so can't comment much on its coffee but I would suggest a visit here.

Cute idea of having the ice coffee housed in a bottle

A cuppa of cappucino with a slice of lemon cake, the cake was good!

We were seated right at the counter where a staff prepared a coffee manually

For the music in the house

Condiments area next to equipments

Homemade Lemonade

Our brunch plate

It was good, simple yet good

A good pie to share...

Sorry for late posting, this was during Xmas period hence the decor

Simple yet clever idea for wall decor

Order counter

Getting busier at noon time

View to next door area

Who doesn't love bamboo bike?

Chye Seng Huat Hardware
150 Tyrwhitt Rd, 
Singapore 207563
Tel: (+65) 6396 0609
Opens from 
Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm
Saturday to Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm
Kitchen closes at 5 pm