While my wife is banging away at the keyboard, I thought I might throw a little update. I am seated at a public terminal at the Pacific Coffee Company @ Langham Place, Mongkok sipping a bottle of Passionfruit juice *I have to buy something in order to look less conspicuous using the terminal*.
About an hour earlier, I had a steaming bowl of milk custard. This is a heavenly concoction of steamed milk sitting in hot ginger syrup. It kinda looks like Chawan Mushi in a bowl. Silky smooth, smoother than tofu even! Absolutely wonderful stuff.
It's called Yee Shun Milk Company and it does have a few branches throughout Kowloon and Hong Kong. They serve typical HK "tea house" fare from milk custards, to peanut butter toast to deep fried pork chops on a bed of dry noodles.
It costs around $4 for a bowl of steamed milk custard and $1.20 for a slice of toast.
Ok gotta run! Time to shop some more.... ... ..
Ratings
Milk Custard - 10/10 *It can't get better than this*
Chicken Rice at Ho Sing along East Coast Road
My colleague Lionel had a thing for chicken rice yesterday. So after being nice enough to drive from our office to East Coast Road, I suggested that we have some wonderful chicken rice at Ho Sing chicken rice. Along east coast road right across from the Waraku along east coast road right next to Roxy Square.
What turned out to be lunch for 2 people turned out to be 4. So anyways, here we are in a rush for lunch due to some unforseen delay caused by yours truly. We ordered a big bowl of dumpling soup, 4 cups of Lime juice, a whole chicken, actually 2 halfs of roasted and hainanese chicken, and an order of vegetables. 6 bowls of rice. The total amount was $36.
Food: Was good. Dumpling soup was hot and flavorful. More than enough dumplings provided in the big bowl. Vegetables were nice and warm. Not too salty. The rice was not as good as I expected. I have been to Ho Sing many times before, and I have to say that the rice wasn't exactly up to par yesterday. The roasted chicken was succulent and delicious! There was light roasted flavor coupled with the tenderness of the chicken, chicken meat was soft and juicy. The hainanese chicken looked odd actually. It was not as tasty. The meat actually, tasted like chicken. Not the best of days from Ho Sing but it was the first time in a long time that I have been let down by the Hainanese chicken there. Even my colleagues commented the same thing.
Service: good. Maybe because they knew that we were in a hurry and there were not alot of people. I ordered as fast as I could and the lady was nice enough to tell me what special they had - the whole chicken costing $18 instead of $20. A steal in my opinion and encouraged us gently to order more things. She spoke really fast in chinese but I got most of it. The drinks came as fast as they could. And when I asked for the bill, she acknowledged that I was asking for it and told me that she would get back to me after she served the other customers.
Value: You really can't complain about chicken rice. At least not at Ho Sing. I think Boon Tiong Kee is good but its severely over priced. Even though the bill was $36. It was a steal for 4 people, we were full to the brim and we had a whole chicken, and soup and vegetables and rice! And I did I mention that this place was semi air-conditioned?
I am a sucker for Hainanese chicken rice. Ho Sing wasn't the best but you can't really complain too much can you?
Food:6/10
value: 7/10
Service: 7/10 ... for a chicken rice store. Its like 5 out 5.
Hope this helps.
What turned out to be lunch for 2 people turned out to be 4. So anyways, here we are in a rush for lunch due to some unforseen delay caused by yours truly. We ordered a big bowl of dumpling soup, 4 cups of Lime juice, a whole chicken, actually 2 halfs of roasted and hainanese chicken, and an order of vegetables. 6 bowls of rice. The total amount was $36.
Food: Was good. Dumpling soup was hot and flavorful. More than enough dumplings provided in the big bowl. Vegetables were nice and warm. Not too salty. The rice was not as good as I expected. I have been to Ho Sing many times before, and I have to say that the rice wasn't exactly up to par yesterday. The roasted chicken was succulent and delicious! There was light roasted flavor coupled with the tenderness of the chicken, chicken meat was soft and juicy. The hainanese chicken looked odd actually. It was not as tasty. The meat actually, tasted like chicken. Not the best of days from Ho Sing but it was the first time in a long time that I have been let down by the Hainanese chicken there. Even my colleagues commented the same thing.
Service: good. Maybe because they knew that we were in a hurry and there were not alot of people. I ordered as fast as I could and the lady was nice enough to tell me what special they had - the whole chicken costing $18 instead of $20. A steal in my opinion and encouraged us gently to order more things. She spoke really fast in chinese but I got most of it. The drinks came as fast as they could. And when I asked for the bill, she acknowledged that I was asking for it and told me that she would get back to me after she served the other customers.
Value: You really can't complain about chicken rice. At least not at Ho Sing. I think Boon Tiong Kee is good but its severely over priced. Even though the bill was $36. It was a steal for 4 people, we were full to the brim and we had a whole chicken, and soup and vegetables and rice! And I did I mention that this place was semi air-conditioned?
I am a sucker for Hainanese chicken rice. Ho Sing wasn't the best but you can't really complain too much can you?
Food:6/10
value: 7/10
Service: 7/10 ... for a chicken rice store. Its like 5 out 5.
Hope this helps.
Followup of Din Tai Fung in Tampines.
I went there on the 20th of April last week with a few of my resellers after a training. I just want to say that this time, the service was great. They couldn't stop refilling my tea and asking people if they had enough and wanted to help so much more. I appreciate that. Maybe because I am in long sleeved shirt and pants?
The food on the other hand was still ho-hum.
Its DUMPLINGS!
Service: 7/10
food: 6/10
value: 5/10 .... only because I had to foot the bill for 6 people!
The food on the other hand was still ho-hum.
Its DUMPLINGS!
Service: 7/10
food: 6/10
value: 5/10 .... only because I had to foot the bill for 6 people!
A trip to Ichiban Sushi at Parkway
Let me just say that I love Thai people. Love the country. Love the food. Love the shopping. Love it! I also want to say that I absolutely love Japanese food. You must be thinking why in the world does the beautiful country of Thailand has anything to do with a review of a Japanese restaurant? You'll see.
Unfortunately, unlike Tastybits, I mean Tastybites; who has the fortune of going to good restaurants, I have obviously not been doing something right in my life.
I went to Ichiban restaurant for a lunch meeting with my colleagues and principal. We had 2 orders of the Katsudon set with a side of Salmon Sashimi, my female colleague who was pregnant ordered the fried fish special and my Principal ordered the Chawamushi with fried salmon set. The pictures on the menu looked great! They looked fresh and tasty. But the food that came was nothing like it. The food was mediocre at best, something you would taste at the foodcourt, not at a restaurant.
The food took forever to reach. In hindsight, why the restaurant was so crowded is beyond me. My katsudon was cold and my salmon sashimi only came after I finished my meal. The worst thing was, they brought my pregnant female colleague's dish last.
I love Thai people. Love them. You cannot dislike them. But I don't think they make good servers in Singapore. No. Not really. Let me qualify my statement: they don't make good servers in this particular restaurant. How about that ? My drink refill had to be constantly reminded. We kept asking her where our food was but there was no response. Never apologized for the late food. But I have to say that she was NOT rude at all. I don't think its entirely her fault that the orders took so long, but she could have managed it better.
At the end of the day, I don't know what to think about Japanese chain restaurants in Singapore. The Sakae, Genki and Teis. Singaporeans have cannabalized the Japanese food to it horrific death. Stick, meet dead horse.
If you're ready for bad Japanese food....
Ratings for Ichiban Sushi at Parkway Parade on the 21st of April .
food: 3/10
value: 4/10
service: 4/10
Unfortunately, unlike Tastybits, I mean Tastybites; who has the fortune of going to good restaurants, I have obviously not been doing something right in my life.
I went to Ichiban restaurant for a lunch meeting with my colleagues and principal. We had 2 orders of the Katsudon set with a side of Salmon Sashimi, my female colleague who was pregnant ordered the fried fish special and my Principal ordered the Chawamushi with fried salmon set. The pictures on the menu looked great! They looked fresh and tasty. But the food that came was nothing like it. The food was mediocre at best, something you would taste at the foodcourt, not at a restaurant.
The food took forever to reach. In hindsight, why the restaurant was so crowded is beyond me. My katsudon was cold and my salmon sashimi only came after I finished my meal. The worst thing was, they brought my pregnant female colleague's dish last.
I love Thai people. Love them. You cannot dislike them. But I don't think they make good servers in Singapore. No. Not really. Let me qualify my statement: they don't make good servers in this particular restaurant. How about that ? My drink refill had to be constantly reminded. We kept asking her where our food was but there was no response. Never apologized for the late food. But I have to say that she was NOT rude at all. I don't think its entirely her fault that the orders took so long, but she could have managed it better.
At the end of the day, I don't know what to think about Japanese chain restaurants in Singapore. The Sakae, Genki and Teis. Singaporeans have cannabalized the Japanese food to it horrific death. Stick, meet dead horse.
If you're ready for bad Japanese food....
Ratings for Ichiban Sushi at Parkway Parade on the 21st of April .
food: 3/10
value: 4/10
service: 4/10
Quickie@Pho House Suntec City
Okay here's a really quick one before I start packing my bags for my week long trip!!
Pho House serves typical Vietnamese street cuisine cooked using the freshest ingredients. I think they've been around for a couple of years now. If I remember correctly, the owner is of Vietnamese descent and relocated here from Canada a couple of years ago.
I have dined here on a number of occasions and the consistency of the quality of the food is really great. It's the place to come if you want a clean tasting light Asian meal. The service is nothing short of fantastic. The staff are friendly and attentive, always aiming to please. I guess this is a direct result of the owner running a tight ship.
Pho House serves typical Vietnamese street cuisine such as rice flour rolls, egg rolls, beef noodle soup, broken rice with grilled beef/pork..
They've got a set meal deal menu from which you can choose a starter, a main course and Vietnamese drip coffee or iced tea for $12
The rice flour rolls I ordered were served chilled and tightly packed with fresh noodles and crunchy vegetables. Dip this in the piquant fish sauce and red sweet sauces provided and you have a perfect appetizer.
I had a red chicken curry for the main course. The fragrant curry, served with a plate of broken rice was richly thickened in coconut milk had ample chunks of onions, cubed potatoes and chicken breast meat. Not bad.
My wife ordered the vermicelli. This is a flat rice noodle dish served with crunchy bean sprouts, lettuce, ground nuts and shallot mixture, thinly sliced grilled beef coated with groundnuts and deep fried egg rolls. It is served with a bowl of fish sauce mixed with a little hint of lime juice and some chillis for that zesty taste. Delicious.
So if you happen to be in or around the Suntec City Mall area, Pho House is located on Level 3 Suntec City Mall.
Ratings
Food 8/10
Service 9/10
Value 8/10
Next up.. yummy roast goose from Yung Kee Restaurant, Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pho House serves typical Vietnamese street cuisine cooked using the freshest ingredients. I think they've been around for a couple of years now. If I remember correctly, the owner is of Vietnamese descent and relocated here from Canada a couple of years ago.
I have dined here on a number of occasions and the consistency of the quality of the food is really great. It's the place to come if you want a clean tasting light Asian meal. The service is nothing short of fantastic. The staff are friendly and attentive, always aiming to please. I guess this is a direct result of the owner running a tight ship.
Pho House serves typical Vietnamese street cuisine such as rice flour rolls, egg rolls, beef noodle soup, broken rice with grilled beef/pork..
They've got a set meal deal menu from which you can choose a starter, a main course and Vietnamese drip coffee or iced tea for $12
The rice flour rolls I ordered were served chilled and tightly packed with fresh noodles and crunchy vegetables. Dip this in the piquant fish sauce and red sweet sauces provided and you have a perfect appetizer.
I had a red chicken curry for the main course. The fragrant curry, served with a plate of broken rice was richly thickened in coconut milk had ample chunks of onions, cubed potatoes and chicken breast meat. Not bad.
My wife ordered the vermicelli. This is a flat rice noodle dish served with crunchy bean sprouts, lettuce, ground nuts and shallot mixture, thinly sliced grilled beef coated with groundnuts and deep fried egg rolls. It is served with a bowl of fish sauce mixed with a little hint of lime juice and some chillis for that zesty taste. Delicious.
So if you happen to be in or around the Suntec City Mall area, Pho House is located on Level 3 Suntec City Mall.
Ratings
Food 8/10
Service 9/10
Value 8/10
Next up.. yummy roast goose from Yung Kee Restaurant, Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New Arrival @ Singapore Restaurant Review
Allow me to introduce myself as tastybites (the lovely wife vehemently objected to my original nick tastybits), your co-host wannabe food critic on the Singapore Restaurant Review blog.
Together with your gracious host Food Critic, I hope to give you a decent unbiased review of establishments around the island. Enjoy!
Together with your gracious host Food Critic, I hope to give you a decent unbiased review of establishments around the island. Enjoy!
Easter Sunday
So I went to Din Tai Fung at Tampines Mall on Sunday for lunch with a couple of my friends. There were a total of 6 of us and we couldn't decide where to eat in the east and one of my friends suggested this place. In all honesty, I have never really liked the place. I mean how much do you really need to pay for flour and meat? Is the extra cost handed down to the consumer because we want to stand by the glass window and see how they make dumplings? Its a skill I guess to make dumplings, but to watch people make it? Why don't we name the dumplings while we watch the dumpling assembly line and insists that we eat that specific dumpling that we named?
Alas, I tried to do that yesterday but was given the typical Singapore response. A blank stare.
The service was pretty normal for a Chinese restaurant in the heartland. They seat you, leave you alone for 10 mins to decide what you want to eat, you fill out the list of what you want to order, the servers come back and made sure you ordered more than enough, they go away and hopefully what you ordered show up on the table every 5 minutes hot and ready to be eaten. With my high expectations, the staff met with flying colors! In fact, so good was their service that I had constantly remind the servers to refill our tea .... There is no service like apathetic service I say.
The food was standard dumpling fare. We ordered their famous egg fried rice, and egg fried rice with prawns. A bowl of soup dumplings, two bowls of their special dry la mian and of course their xiao long bao. Hot and Sour Soup came with the use of UOB credit card for orders more than $40. It was a pretty good meal. You can't complain about dumplings because its dumplings. Dumplings on a good day done in plain sight can't go wrong. The fried rice was fair. It wasn't too warm but fried just right. The hot and sour soup was neither hot nor sour, maybe that's why its free? The la mian was done al dente and sauce was tasty. Personally, I always thought that their dumpling skin was abit too thick and their xiao long bao looks like sacks. Again, that's just my opinion.
In the end, the total bill was about $88. Its about what you pay per person at my previously favorite dumpling store along East Coast Road. But sub-consciously, I always wandered how hygienic the dumplings are there. Maybe they should have a glass window for us dumpling experts to see how they are done?
Ratings for Din Tai Fung at Tampines Mall on the 16th of April.
Food: 7/10 ...... Ho Hum.
Service: 4/10 ..... Miss, My tea please?
Value: 6/10
Cedele for Breakfast.
It was Good Friday morning. The missus and I wanted some good old western breakfast. After surfing the internet the night before and not being able to find a hotel that I was willing to pay without knowing how good the food was, I decided to stick with the old faithful . Cedele at Great World City.
I never had the breakfast before at Cedele. Never. I always go there for my favorite soup and bread buffet. I LOVE BREAD! And Cedele does have darn good bread for Singapore standards. I ordered the bacon and eggs with toast. The missus ordered her favorite French toasts with bacon. Both plates come with a small little side salad. We both had English Breakfast tea, and the total damage was about $20.
Service was okay. Man at the counter was friendly and was patient enough to let a half sleepy man think about what to order for breakfast. For a $20 breakfast, the food was brought to you but not the utensils. You would think that they would bring it to you. But they don't. By the way, before I forget; Cedele at Great World does have this special where if you were to order tea or coffee with breakfast before 11, I believe that Cedele offers a free-refill. And the Cedele breakfast lasts till 5pm. I thought it was 11 hence the rush to get there, much to my wife's chagrin.
The breakfast was okay. I am not really a breakfast person unless I'm in the United States, and being local, my idea of a good breakfast is chui kueh and fried bee hoon or carrot cake. I was impartial to it. My eggs were cooked with a tinge of too much butter and bacon was well cooked. The toasts were unconvincing. Unconvincing toasts are like people who can't decide if they want something hot or cold. Or maybe the toast was left out for too long. The 2 slices of bread were slightly crispy on the outside and still too soft when you chew it. So I would say that the 2 slices of bread were just 2 slices of bread and not toasts.
My wife was partially complaining to me in her own way that the French toasts were slightly too sweet and my wife has an extremely sweet tooth.
I didn't mind the breakfast yesterday. I actually wished Cedele can expand on their menu to add more breakfast items. If you ask me if I would go back to Cedele for a meal again, I would whole heartedly say yes. BUT not for the breakfast. I would stick to the Soup and bread buffet and of course their lovely Walnut Carrot Cake ... BEST in Singapore in my opinion.
Cedele at Great World City. Rating based on 14th April and on the food tasted and restaurant visited.
Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Value: 7/10
I hope this helps.
In the beginning ....
Let me just start this blog by saying that I love great food! I love to find new places to eat. And I love to write! What I am not: A professional food critic. I cannot break the taste of food up to 7 different categories and senses. And I definitely am not paid to write ANY of my reviews.
Therefore I hope this is the beginning for a fair, balanced and subjective review of restaurants in Singapore. Have you ever read great reviews about restaurants and they turn out to be rubbish? I have, and too often have I forgotten that before the newspapers, magazines and websites send the food critics to restaurants, most of the time, they inform the restaurants of their coming. The food will definitely taste better wouldn't it? The chefs will throw in extra preparation or give special attention to the select customers.
I started this blog out of frustration. I feel that there aren't enough fair and balanced reviews of Singapore restaurants or even reviews that are not motivated by publicity or marketing. This blog is dedicated to be an honest review of restaurants in terms of value for money and more importantly, how good the food is! I am a customer. I want to write for potential customers who need to know if restaurant X is good enough to bring his or her potential date or for business meetings or to impress the heck out of the in-laws.
My blog hopes to point you in the right direction.
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