Santouka Hokkaido Ramen

I'm lack of adventure when it comes to ramen after a few disappointments and there was a period I only go Ippudo to fix my ramen craving. Until one day I decided to try on Santouka and I have to say this is really good!

My ramen arrived first. I had kara-miso ramen with Iberico pork cheeks. The pork cheeks were heavenly. If you love eating sashimi that melt in your mouth, imagine this pork cheek can do the same thing too. It was definitely tender but not greasy at all. I also like the kara-miso broth, it was rich and flavourful. 

We also had ramen with char siew rice bowl set and ramen with fried chicken set. The shio broth is their signature but I personally prefer kara-miso. The ramen noodles was as good, I love the springy texture and the eggy taste was just right. 

Santouka Hokkaido Ramen is now my new favourite ramen place and it is definitely one of the best ramen in Singapore. 

Santouka Hokkaido Ramen

6235 1059

21, Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace 

Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm, 5.30pm - 12am

Sat 12pm - 12am

Sun & Public Holiday 12pm - 9.30pm

Saveur Art

The Saveur group latest food venture, Saveur Art has opened at Ion Orchard recently. This time round, they are aiming to be more upmarket, offering French fine dining experience at down-to-earth price.

The two of us ordered two appetisers and two main courses.

Amuse-bouche is a French term. It  is usually a small, bite sized appetiser which is not ordered from the menu and preselected by the chef that serve complimentary to the guest or patron. To my understanding, it means appetiser before appetiser.....

We had squid ink cracker topped with marinated anchovies & pepper puree and seaweed sabayon with potato broth. Both were good but I think the latter was a bit too salty.

Saveur Art's Pasta -  Mozambique langoustine, cold angel hair pasta, olive oil emulsion $13

I like how the pasta was done nicely and well seasoned. The langoustine (small lobster) was very fresh too. 

Egg Confit & Truffle - truffled potato mousseline, roasted macadamia nuts, brown butter $12 (Add shaved truffle for additional $18)

I love everything with truffle and this is a very outstanding dish. The foam is made of truffle, on top of the creamy eggs and paired with crispy potato chips and roasted macadamia nuts. I appreciate the chef's creativity in contrasting the textures and flavours beautifully.

Iberico Pork Two Ways - pork belly, pork cheek pithivier, celeriac puree, sauce perigueux $23

It is basically shao rou (roast pork belly) and shao bao (barbecue pork pastry) on the plate. The pork belly was tender and the fats will melt in your mouth. But it will be better if there's more meat because the ratio of meat to fats was like 1:3. I also like the buttery texture of pithivier (pie) with pork cheek and minced vegetables. 

Duck Leg Confit - pearl barley risotto, green grapes, organic beetroots, foie gras infused Moscato Jus $19

The whole leg of duck confit served atop a bed of barley risotto with two foie gras cubes. It wasn't the crispy type but tender and flavourful. The only thing I do not like is the barley risotto as I prefer short-grain rice.

Considering the level of presentation and quality ingredients, it was affordable and value for money. They don't have many choices on the menu, but every dish is an art itself. 'How Great Thou Art', they said. 

Saveur Art

6634 1141

2, Orchard Turn #04-11

Singapore 238801

12pm - 9.30pm Daily

Baja Fresh

Baja Fresh, the quick-casual Mexican chain which owns more than 250 stores in US and Dubai since 1990 opened its first Asia outlet at Singapore in 2012. With their motto, EAT WELL, LIVE FRESH, it continues to serve Mexican favourites like tacos, burritos, salads and fajitas featuring fresh and flavourful ingredients. All entrees are made with all natural, hormone free, fire-grilled chicken, steak, fish and shrimp.

I love the fact that they are take pride on serving freshest and highest quality food with very reasonable price. Taste-wise, it didn't really blew me away, but it was still good. I didn't take any photo of the interior, it basically like a fast food style concept with a salsa bar for guests to choose from a selection of freshly made salsas.

Char Siu Burrito $14.95

The burrito is huge... and very filling. Saw some people add on with Enchilado style and it looks sooooo good! They will actually top up the burrito with chips in red chile sauce and melted Jack cheese with sour cream and pico de gallo. Definitely going to try it if I visit this place again.

Chicken Breast Fajitas - Regular $12.95/ Grande $15.95

The chicken Fajitas came with mix of grilled veggies, Baja rice, beans, sour cream, guacamole with warm tortillas. Sadly it was a bit lack of flavor.

Complimentary Nachos

Nachos! I love it. Crispy, extremely satisfying when dip in the salsas they offered. 

Shrimp Quesadillas - Regular $15.95/ Grande $18.95

This happened to be my favourite dish of the night :) 

It was cheesy and I really like the slightly crispy texture.

Single Taco Mahi Mahi $7.45

It is a long overdue post and I can't remember the taste of taco. I think it was just so-so judging by the look. 

Baja Fresh very much reminds me of Subway. Healthy, fresh fast food at great prices. (Is Subway really healthy? I will leave the answer to you) Although you can't expect some life-changing Mexican food here, but it is always an ideal place for the quick fix to satisfy your Mex cravings. P/S: The food they posted on Facebook page looks very attractive and I really doubt that it was me who don't know how to order (or take better photograph)

Baja Fresh

6337 7300

9, Bras Basah Road #01-03 

Rendezvous Gallery

8.30am - 10pm 

Weekend Brunch At Cafe & Bar Gavroche

Cafe Gavroche, located just across the street from Brasserie Gavroche, is the second creation by Chef Patron Federic Colin. While Brasserie Gavroche showcases the hearty classic entree and main dishes of Parisians, Cafe Gavroche food features lighter French fare like tartines and breads with a large selection of French wines to complete the beverage menu. 

The design of the cafe is true to the ethos of the Parisian spirit. Upon entry is the main bar area. Next is the indoor 'terrace' section filled with natural sunlight with cobblestone flooring, reminiscent of a typical Parisian cafe. The inner space is a intimate dining area with long rustic wooden tables and chairs, perfect for big groups gathering. 

They serve weekend brunch from 10.30am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Diners can indulge in their signature croissants, pastries and country breads along with French jams and our familiar egg dishes. 

Croissant $2.50, Pain Au Chocolat $3.50

We love the croissants. They were flaky, puffy and salty. We ended up eating three. The jams were good too, but I only love eating my croissant with butter. They are perfect match! The pain au chocolat was rather normal. 

Smoked Salmon Oeufs Benedict $25

When was the last time I had egg bens? I couldn't remember... I'm not fancy of brunch, cafe stuff. This dish was decent enough but nothing spectacular. The only thing I don't quite like is the hollandaise sauce was way too cheesy. 

Their another signature dish is Croque Monsieur but I couldn't convince myself to order a ham & cheese toast at $16. As there are getting more n more subpar cafes in Singapore, I'm confidently to say Cafe Gavroche is still one of the better brunch place. And if you have sick of seeing industrial/ vintage cafe designs, why not drop by here one of the weekend for a feel of Parisian?   

Cafe & Bar Gavroche

69, Tras Street

Singapore 079008

6225 4869

Tuesday to Fridays 12pm till late

(Food available from 12pm to 2.30pm & 6pm to 10.30pm)

Saturdays from 10.30am till late

(Food available for Weekend Brunch and from 6pm to 10.30pm)

Sunday from 10.30am to 2pm

*Weekend Brunch from 10.30am to 2pm, available Saturdays and Sundays.

Afternoon Tea At Anti:dote

Anti:dote is a stylish and modern cocktail bar located at Fairmont Hotel Singapore, combining the artistry of experimental mixology and innovative modern tapas. They serve afternoon tea daily at 3-5pm. I'm a lil surprised that their tea time are usually fully booked, I thought not much people know about this place. 

They are 3 types of afternoon tea to choose from, both Anti:dote Tea and Oriental Tea are priced at $38++ per person while the Royal Tea is $75++ per person, inclusive of a pot of TWG tea and if the tea you select is worth more than $12.50, you will be required to top up for the difference. 

The waitress recommended vanilla bourbon tea (on the left), came with a strong vanilla aroma, tasted delicately sweet. On the right was my just-another-english-breakfast-tea.

We ordered both Anti:dote Tea and Oriental Tea so we can try the different starter. For Oriental Tea, the first course was a basket of dim sum that came with shrimp har gau, chive dumpling and scallop siew mai. I have to say their dim sum is better than a lot of chinese restaurants. 

The appetizer of Anti:dote Tea was black truffle scrambled egg... How I miss it! Dip the buttery crispy bread stick into the creamy egg with truffle taste lingers in your mouth... heavenly.

Next was their iconic jewel box tea set that came with  sweet and savoury goodies. Again I was only concentrating on the savouries and scones. 

On the mirror top were the petite desserts: (from left) anti:dote rum baba, karukera chocolate mirror tarts, earl grey eclairs, strawberry gateau, chocolate dipped strawberries and apple delight almond crumble. Behind was lime macarons and there were handmade truffles at the front. To be frank I could't remember any of their taste, the most edible was strawberry gateau.

This is more like my kind of food. The sandwich drawer chest featured (from left) coronation curried chicken, boston lobster roll with herb mayonnaise, prosciutto with onion jam and aged cheddar, cucumber and dill salad with cream cheese and smoked salmon with crème fraîche and caviar. I'm glad they tasted as good as they look. 

Babies

Then we had warm raisin and candied ginger scones, cookies and lemon basil pound cake. The scones were just okay, Devonshire clotted jam didn't impress me too. I love the cookies thou, I took it home and ate it the other day. 

Love the presentation of the food, reasonable price and contemporary atmosphere. Will be back again to try their tapas. 

Anti:dote

Level 1, Fairmont Hotel

80, Bras Basah Road

Singapore 189560

6431 5315

Daily 3pm - 5pm (Afternoon Tea)

GÆST

Gaest (pronounce as 'guest') is a small little nordic cafe tucked at The Cliff building just 

opposite to Amoy Food Court. Everything here is made from scratch, breakfast served as 

early as  7am. 

They don't really have a lot of choices on the menu, but I guess people won't mind coming 

back to eat the same thing again and again, just like me. Quality over quantity, yeah?

Pork Sandwich $14

This is a MUST order from their menu. Crackling pork is usually oily and fattening, but the chef in gaest balance it with orange marinated red cabbage, apple slices and mustard mayonnaise. It was so good I want to cry. Love the crispy skin with tender meat. The pork is rubbed with salt and rosemary, roasted for 4 hours in order to produce the amazing crackling exterior. 

The freshly baked wholemeal sourdough was a standout by itself, so soft and fluffy. Unluckily during our second visit, it wasn't as good as the first time. Chef was in bad mood, lack of sleep, maybe.

Potato Sandwich $13

I never had a potato sandwich before, but I guess I will have a lot of this for the rest of my life. The salt boiled potatoes was delightful. What made it more irresistible is the hazelnut and rye crunch, lemon and  salt marinated leek and smoked mayonnaise to rid off the bitter taste of pea tendrils. 

Chicken Sandwich $14

The chicken sandwich was good, but it became normal if compare with the other two sandwiches. It came with roasted chicken breast with lemon celery stalk, green apple slices, pea tendrils and fresh herb cream. 

Salmon Sandwich $15

I love eating this locally cold smoked salmon with honey and apple pickled beetroot, which had sweet and savoury taste. Came with horseradish cream spread and rocket.

Elderflower & Rosemary Soda $5

I just had to order it by looking at the name. It didn't disappoint me and it was better than I expected. But sadly it became tasteless after the ices melted. 

Hot Dark Chocolate $6

The hot dark chocolate is made from pure Valrhona Chocolate, it was so rich, so I don't know how to appreciate it because I don't like chocolate.

Varlhona Chocolate Brownie $4.50

Call me suagu but this was my first time came across eating brownie with greek yogurt and green apple slices. This is also made from Varlhona Chocolate but somehow I like it over the hot chocolate. In fact this probably the best brownie I ever had. Although I don't usually eat this dessert, because I don't eat chocolate, but I believe nobody will give a negative comment on this crusty-skin-with-melt-in-the-mouth-texture brownie. What a perfect ending.

Gaest used to served pizza for dinner but they stop it since November. It was a sad news to me because I never try it before, especially I'm a sucker for pizza. Sigh.

GÆST

The Cliff,

21 McCallum Street

#01-01 S(069047)

6634 0922

Mon - Fri 7.30am - 4.30pm

Sat - Sun 8.30am - 3.30pm

Chop Chop, JB

Chop Chop is a new eatery in JB town, bringing the interesting concept of taiwan railway bento for takeaways and dine-in with very reasonable price. The name, Chop Chop, not only refers to the meat chops on their menu, also showing their efficiency on serving food. It is not surprising that this place packed with lunch crowd everyday. 

Deep Fried Chicken Chop RM9.90

This deep fried chicken chop didn't disappoint me in term of tenderness and taste. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The rich and flavourful mushroom sauce went perfectly with the chicken chop.

Pork Burger RM11.90

The pork burger seems dry, but it wasn't. I wonder how this simple grilled pork and lettuces can taste so good. Again, the grilled pork was tender and I like the sweet savoury taste.

Fish and Chips RM10.90

Next, they impressed me with the breaded fish and chips. The fish fillet was fresh, tangy and deliciously satisfying. Needless to say the price is dirt cheap!

Chop Chop also serve breakfast from 9am - 12am and I'm looking forward to trying it! Wishing them a prosperous business and continue to serve good food in JB.

Chop Chop

54, Jalan Pelangi, Taman Pelangi

80400 Johor Bahru, Johor

(+6) 012-7343759 (for delivery)

9am - 7pm (closed on Fridays)