Cafehopping And Casual Dining

Cafehopping And Casual Dining

Featuring Strangers' Reunion, Lola's Cafe (Simon Road), Tanuki Raw (Orchard Central), Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh), Common Man Coffee Roasters (Martin Road), Roosevelt's Diner & Bar, Riders Café, Arbite, W39 Bistro & Bakery, Roast (The COMMONS)
Justin Teo
Justin Teo

The Masses is very well known for their Braised Purple Cabbage ($14.90) and the C&C&C&C Pasta ($19.90, main course size, additional $7 for uni pictured), but there's something really good as well - The Massess Ramen ($20.90). That yellowish bag at the background contains the broth for the ramen, meant to be heated before pouring over. That way, you get hot piping ramen with ingredients just nicely done (not overcooked or soggy). Broth was refreshing, with lots of yuzu.
🔸
Delivery fee is quite low. I stay about 18km away from the restaurant, and the delivery fee was only $5 (most restaurants I see charge from $8 to $20 if minimum order is not met).

1 Like

These might be the snacks before you start the meal, but they're very yummy. Tender with a crunch, they're savoury and served with Jamworks’ BBQ relish. For an option with cleaner taste, go for the Breaded Wild Caught Whiting with Tartar Sauce ($16, second photo).
🔸
For mains, consider the Borrowdale Free Range Pork Collar ($28, 250g, third photo). The tender part of the meat, using Borrowdale Pork, which is the winner of Australia’s Best Pork National Award 2018. You've probably heard me say this about Borrowdale many times - the meat tasted porky yet non-gamey, and has a floral scent in its fats. By now you would probably know I love both Borrowdale and Five Founders. This pork was deftly grilled with minimal seasoning, and was tender when served.
🔸
In the last photo is a selection of sausages from their Pick & Grill service, where customers select their preferred cuts or house-made cured meats and sausages. Pictured are Pork Cumberland Sausage ($2.80 per 100g; excludes preparation fee), Organic Herb Garlic Beef Sausage ($2.80 per 100g; excludes preparation fee), and Borrowdale Free Range Pork Chorizo.

3 Likes

I really like the texture of the pasta here, which are handmade by the team led by new Head Chef Jay. Most items in Boruto's menu has been refreshed new Italian-Japanese creations, and this dish is primarily Italian. The housemade pappardelle was served with a mix of wild Asian mushrooms and a drizzle of truffle oil, crowned with prosciutto to add intensity to the otherwise creamy but refreshingly light dish.
🔸
[Tasting]

3 Likes

This is the perfect dish for my new low fat low carb diet, as this isn't like any other chicken breast. It was first brined and sous-vide, so the chicken was tender and succulent within (yes, unlike most chicken breast). It was then pan-roasted before being cloaked in a house-made jerk sauce paired with a succotash of sweet corn, red peppers and baked sweet potatoes accentuated with fresh mint and thyme. To whet the appetite further, you may squeeze the charred lime for a zesty finish to this dish.
🔸🔸🔸
[Tasting]

Haven't been to Boufe for a while, and they were still very packed when I dropped by. Ordered the daisy cake, which is still the menu after a year. It has a tea sponge with yuzu cremeux, lychee mousse, almond crumbles and topped with real lychees. It's good, quite light.

2 Likes

To minimize wastage, some of the new dishes at Stranger's Reunion are prepared with upcycled ingredients; typically offcuts such as salmon skin, broccoli stems, and spent coffee grounds. And this involves creative use of ingredients that would otherwise be discarded, and reimagining them as part of a dish.
🔸
This dish utilises salmon offcuts and trimmings from the café’s homemade coffee smoked salmon. Three sauces are served with these light, airy and crisp salmon skin - goma aioli, avocado coulis, and coffee-smoked salmon purée. This gives a delightful combination of nutty, salty, sweet, and sour flavours.
🔸
[Tasting]

2 Likes

With flavours of Thai basil chicken, this is served in a mix of minced chicken with basil, and it's herby and mildly spicy. What's important is to mix everything together with the wobbly onsen egg, as that would bind the bee tai mak with the minced chicken creating a more integrated mouthfeel.

1 Like

My favourite dessert there among all we ordered. Cloud-like whip cream hiding the tropical fruits on crispy but light meringue, laid on passionfruit sauce. The texture is light but the flavours from the fruits are hearty, it's a good mix.

4 Likes

The casual Spanish restaurant aims to offer us a richer understanding of Spanish culture by introducing live performances and weekend specials in true Spanish style at its new VivoCity restaurant.
🔸
There were a couple of highlights:
* Croquetas: Jamon croquettas made with a filling of creamy bechamel and chopped jamon. Topped with pieces of jamon.
* Piquillos Rellenos: A piquillo pepper is a variety of chili that is common to Spain. For this dish, deep-fried piquillo peppers are stuffed with a filling of ground beef, bechamel and onion, enveloped in a demi-glace sauce.
* Cojonudos: This tapas dish originated from the villages located near the border between the regions of Castile and La Rioja in Spain. At Tapas Club, a slice of crisp Chapata bread is topped with Fermin Chorizo - a dry-cured sausage made from the famous Iberian pork of Spain, and a fried quail egg.
* Bocata de calamares: An iconic Tapas dish from Spain, a brioche bread roll is filled with deep-fried squid rings, served with a classic alioli sauce and a touch of a spicy red sauce for a punchy finish.
* Filete De Ternera: A medium-rare serving of grilled pork accompanied with a dollop of homemade garlic aioli. This dish is served with a side of lightly-salted asparagus.
* Pulpo A La Brasa: Pulpo a la Brasa features a beautifully charred grilled octopus imported from Spain and served with paprika oil, pimenton powder and a side of garlic aioli. This dish is served with a side of crispy potato wedges.
* Arroz Negro: Squid ink paella with cuttlefish and clams. The rice is cooked al dente in a flavourful seafood stock that gives a full bodied, rich and briny flavour.  The rice is served with dollops of garlic aioli, best stirred together before serving for a creamy finish.
🔸
📸: @tapasclubsg

1 Like

I'm a fan of local food, but have always approached mod sin with caution. But this caught my eye as the menu described this to be the pasta that launched the mod sin movement in 2005.
🔸
This is one dish that integrated laksa with pesto really well, almost seamless such that the laksa and pesto is one entity with the herbiness from both complementing each other, with some nuttiness and light heat. With the sauce this well executed, the tiger prawns felt unnecessary but nevertheless welcomed since they were sweet and fresh.
🔸
That said, you need to like a dish that's more herby, rather than umami, to appreciate this. Otherwise, the hae bee hiam spaghetti looks like a compelling alternative, even though I've not tried it.
🔸
One more tip, it already has a healthy crowd (80% full on a Wednesday lunch) even though Frasers Tower hasn't fully opened. Go early before it becomes impossible with the office crowd there.

1 Like

This is one of the new items available on Uni Gallery's permanent menu, newly launched as part of the Uni, Milt and Roe collection when they celebrated their first year year in Nov this year.
🔸
This party in the mouth sees three key elements - creamy bafun uni (choice of uni may change depending on the season); savory Polanco caviar; and rich buttery foie gras. This was absolutely delightful, the foie gras was seared to a nice crisp exterior, and the whole slab was buttery and clean. This was finished in a lacquer of aromatic red wine sauce.
🔸🔸
[Tasting]

4 Likes

Was looking for a place to chill and catch up, so we needed a cafe that's not crazy noisy. Found this cafe along Wilkie Road that's bright and spacious, with lots of natural light coming from the windows. Definitely somewhere I'll come again when I needed to have conversations with a friend.
🔸
My eggs benedict on hash brown came sitting on this bed of crispy thin potato strips, goes well when mixed with the runny poached eggs in hollandaise sauce.
🔸
And of course when lunching with Gail, we also wanted an instagrammable spot suitable for ootds. The bright airy space with natural lights from the window is perfect for this.

3 Likes

I started my IG @i_post_for_love with a passion for writing honest independent reviews. It still is.

What To Read Next

Central’s Palate Paradise: Must-Try Foodie Deals in the Heart of Singapore!
Central’s Palate Paradise: Must-Try Foodie Deals in the Heart of Singapore! Hello, fellow foodies! 🌟 If you’re looking for the ultimate dining adventure in Singapore’s vibrant central area, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re craving hearty meals, creative dishes, or delectable desserts, we’ve got a lineup of amazing eateries that promise to tantalise your taste buds—and all come with exclusive deals! 🍽️ Here’s your guide to Central’s Palate Paradise—a mouth-watering journey featuring these must-visit places:
Burpple
Deals This Deepavali
Deals This Deepavali Redemption of most Burpple Beyond deals will be locked from 5pm on the 30th October until 31st October 2024, but over 40 of our merchants are still offering great deals you can enjoy to celebrate!
Burpple
Romantic Rendezvous: Best Spots for Your Next Date Night ✨
Romantic Rendezvous: Best Spots for Your Next Date Night ✨ Looking to impress your special someone or reignite the romance? We’ve rounded up the best restaurants on Burpple Beyond for a dreamy evening. From candlelit dinners to exquisite wine pairings, these venues guarantee the perfect date-night vibes—and the 1-for-1 deals will make the night even sweeter.
Burpple
Twirl, Slurp, and Savour: Where to Celebrate World Pasta Day 2024 in Singapore 🍝
Twirl, Slurp, and Savour: Where to Celebrate World Pasta Day 2024 in Singapore 🍝
Burpple
ADVERTISE WITH US
ADVERTISE WITH US