All posts filed under: Places we ate at before we turned Vegan

Hashi Japanese Restaurant @ Bukit Pasoh

Published by Beatrice

Hashi is part of the TRE Group, who also owns Oso Ristorante, Gaia Ristorante & Bar and Absinthe Restaurant, and opened in May 2013. Hashi is helmed by ex-Nobu Australia head chef, Tadashi Takahashi. Hashi (means chopsticks in Japanese) is atas fine dining that serves exquisite authentic simple Japanese food. Tip: Restaurant Week is a good time to try out at $55/pax for 3 course dinner, considering their usual Kaiseki 5 course Lunch Menu is already $80! I liked the decor of Hashi – very minimal, elegant zen feel juxtaposed to Oso’s darker complex ambience. The sake bar structure reminded me of chopsticks (Hashi), and I loved the details of the rolls of kimono fabric leaning against the wall connecting the sushi bar to the inner seating area (that can seat up to 80 diners). First up, Appetizer – Cold Soba and Mixed Salad with Yuzu dressing and  Sashimi (3 kinds of seasonal sashimi) The Cold Soba was refreshing. The sashimi was good no doubt, but not as fresh and sweet as my favourite sashimi/chirashi dons as my best-value-and-freshness-for-money …

Nylon Coffee @ Everton

Published by Beatrice

I should have started this blog a long time ago when Nylon first opened and when they were still hipster. I dare say they started the Everton Trail. Now they are so crowded that they are almost mainstream! Nonetheless, one of our favourite coffees in Singapore, we love the coffee and the 2 bosses – D and JM =) For those who may not be aware, NYLON = New York and London, because D and JM spent time in both cities and loved the coffee and culture and hence incorporated the 2 cities into their brand name. This couple is the most passionate and involved people I know in the coffee business. They travel to faraway remote places to visit farms and cooperatives to actually see the beans they are buying. They try to understand from their peers the entire journey that the coffee takes –  harvesting,  processing of coffee cherries, the transportation process of the coffees. They talk and spew all their knowledge to their customers who are interested to learn. Just to be clear, …

Drury Lane Cafe @ Tanjong Pagar

Published by Beatrice

Drury Lane is another new hipster cafe (4-months-old), tucked in a bright red shop house unit along Tanjong Pagar, opposite the row of bridal studios. PS: This is NOT a real lane, but the name of the cafe. This was recommended by my Melbourne trained chiropractor so I trust his taste in food, given Melbourne’s proliferation of good cafes! Drury Cafe turned out to have pretty good food, decent coffee and a lot of space with a nice ambience compared to usual more squeezy hipster cafes. Fun fact: “Drury Lane” came from a nursery rhyme called “The Muffin Man” hence they serve a good selection of muffins! Drury Lane has spacious seating on the second floor! We had 4 mains, 1 side and 2 desserts to share. My personal favourite is the Steak and Cheese sandwich ($8). The chunky tender beef slices reminded me of the ones Mortons serve over their martini, while the onions were sweet and juicy. I ordered additional poached eggs ($1) on the side and dipping the sandwich into the eggs and hollandaise sauce was quite heavenly. Also fairly good …

The Provision Shop @ Everton

Published by Beatrice

The Provision Shop is a 2-week-old addition to the Everton Trail, and it was already crowded when we reached! The Provision Shop positions themselves as a gourmet deli with a focus on salads, sandwiches and light meals. Anthony Yeoh, executive chef of Cocotte at the Wanderlust hotel, is the culinary director of The Provision Shop and bring his vision of gourmet takeaway food to discerning clients. Hence, the dishes can be a full meal in itself or conveniently complement a meal at home.

Kombi Rocks Diner @ Yio Chu Kang Road

Published by Beatrice

Kombi Rocks Diner is the v2 of Koon Kee Restaurant (established 1971), serving Thai and Chinese recipes passed down for three generations. The owner’s wife is Thai so you will find some Thai fusion into the menu choices. Kombi (I know it more as the VW Camper) has been made in Brazil since 1957 but production ends this year. There are only 13 Kombis in Singapore, and I believe the owner of the cafe owns 4-5 of them.  So if you are a Kombi Fan, or have friends (like our dear friend, M) who are Kombi Fans, this is a must go in Singapore to see the rows of Kombi parked outside the diner. This diner event rents out Kombis, and sells a selection of vintage memorabilia for wedding shoots if you need.

Bellwethers Bistro Bar @ Desker Road

Published by Beatrice

The reviews of Bellwethers on HGW have been amazing, so we tried this bistro that opened in Jan13, for a gathering of 4 on a Friday chillout night, to further my Jalan Besar Trail. Nestled in a corner of Singapore’s oldest red light district, Bellwethers Bistro Bar definitely looks like a modern oddball at the corner of the historic shophouses. The design of Bellwethers Bistro Bar is modern, simple and unpretentious, juxtaposed against the quaint shophouses and edgy characters in the neighbourhood. Edgy enough to see police patrolling around :P. Bellwethers’ goal is to “create a quirky and offbeat watering hole away from the humdrum of Singapore’s concrete jungle and bring cool to this charming hidden gem” and they have definitely succeeded. And I am not sure what is with bicycles recently, but Bellwethers also have one in their bathroom to add to their charm. Personally feel that Bellwethers has an Aussie/NZ feel.

Oxwell & Co @ Ann Siang

Published by Beatrice

Despite reading quite a lot of horrid reviews on Oxwell’s service, I couldn’t help but try this 3 month old Oxwell & Co restaurant because the chef used to work with Gordon Ramsay! And I had one of the most mind blowing experience with Gordon Ramsay in the UK, I was willing to risk the bad service. Oxwell’s executive chef, Mark Sargeant, spent 13 years with Gordon Ramsay Holdings, including 7 years as head chef at Michelin-starred Claridge’s. Sargeant is known for his simple, honest food that is easy on the palate. I must say, firstly, the restaurant must have taken the service feedback quite seriously; I had a pleasant experience with the staff. When I called, they were initially full but gave me the option of going slightly earlier at 630pm so they can still seat me, so long as I could return the table by 8pm. When we arrived, the service crew did seem a little disorganized in that they weren’t sure about my reservation and took a while to check, but they were warm …

Mai Noodles @ Pekkio Food Center

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Had a simple meal at Pekkio Food Centre at Owen Road. I originally wanted to try the Wah Kee Prawn Noodle that my friend recommended but this is my second trip there and it was closed again!. So I opted for Mai Minced Pork Bee Hoon ($3), which honestly surprised me with its good taste! Be prepared to wait though, as the food is prepared by 2 elderly folks.  

Novena Peranakan Cuisine @ Novena

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I discovered an old gem recently at Novena recently. Apparently, I was told by Jeffrey, one of the owners, that they have been open 9 years! Funny how I have always passed it eating the Hong Kong Family restaurant on its left or Prawn Mee to its right but deselected Novena Peranakan Cuisine. They run a set lunch/dinner at $12.90, with 3 mains (1 each from 3 different lists), 1 drink and 1 dessert. Been there twice now! And these are the dishes: 1) Assam Pedas Fish Meat – so good I repeated on second visit! Assam Pedas, literally meaning “sour spicy,” is a classic Malaysian/Indonesian dish. It is supposed to be sour and fiery hot, and this dish didn’t fail to live up to its name. Rich and sour punch with every mouthful of fish and curry. This dish at Novena Peranakan Cuisine tastes extraordinarily satisfying and has become one of my favorite top fish curries in Singapore (alongside Ocean Curry Fish Head @ Toa Payoh Lorong 4 and Hong Kong Street Chun Tat …

Common Man Coffee Roasters @ Martin Road

Published by Beatrice

Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) is a unique concept brewed from a partnership between Harry Grover, Five Senses Coffee (Australia), and the Spa Esprit Group. The cafe roots from the notion that great coffee should not be a privilege, but instead available for all to enjoy, hence, “common man”. But truth be told, the prices of the food is not the most  “common”/affordable. Located at 22 Martin Road, Common Man Coffee Roasters houses a coffee roaster, a specialty coffee bar, a 60-seater cafe and a retail space that offers coffee accessories. Even though it has quite a lot of seats, they do not take reservations and the cafe was packed when we arrived on Sunday lunch time. However, they reassured me that there is usually no longer than 5-10min waiting time during busy hours for groups of 4 or less. I actually find this cafe a smart business partnership  for all the partners. This is the first tieup that moves Spa Esprit in the wholesale business, an expansion from retail which they already do very well. …