Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe (Liang Court)

Saizeriya restaurant, a Japanese chain of Italian style family restaurant well-known for its low prices first opened in 1968 in Japan. Today, it has expanded to over 750 stores world wide, in Japan, China and South East Asia. 

In Singapore, Saizeriya has 4 outlets in Liang Court, City Square Mall, Bukit Timah Plaza and Toa Payoh Central and is known as Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe. Similarly, it has made a name for itself in Singapore as a place for affordable (value-for-money) Italian food. 

Made a visit down to their outlet in Liang Court, near Clarke Quay for dinner on a weekend. The restaurant was packed. In terms of ambience and decoration, it was simple and causal.  

Drinks Station

Drinks Station, where you can have free flow of drinks for just $2.80 per person. A very good deal as there is a wide variety of drinks available ranging from Cappuccino, Coffee, Tea (Earl Grey, Green Tea, Peppermint, Camomile), Lemon Barley, Orange Juice, Pepsi, Ice Lemon Tea, Mug Rootbeer, Mountain Dew to H-TWO-O!

Menu Cover

The food on the menu cover looks so appetising.

Garden Salad (small) 

Alternatively, instead of paying $2.80 for free flow of drinks, you can pay $3.90 instead for a Garden Salad and free flow of drinks.

Grilled Spicy Chicken Wings (4pcs) $3.90

Grilled Spicy Chicken Wings served on a hotplate is one of their best sellers and has garnered many positive reviews on the net. They were very well marinated and tasty. However, it arrived on a hot plate with a layer of oil that resulted in the exterior (of the wings) being soggy.

Oven Grilled Escargot $5.80

The Oven Grilled Escargot (cooked snails) cooked in their own recipe of special garlic butter sauce. It may not be the best, but it was pretty good and yummy with the sauce. At $5.80 nett, the price is ridiculously cheap affordable. (I do not know where else can one get such decent half dozen escargots at such prices!) If  you have not tried this before, and do not want to burn a hole trying it out, this is the place for you. If you have been craving for esargots, this is also the place to have a quick and value-for-money escargot fix.

Focaccia with Garlic Butter $2.20

We were torn between ordering the Original Focaccia or the Focaccia with Garlic Butter. Following the recommendation of the staff, we ordered Focaccia with Garlic Butter. Focaccia is a flat oven baked Italian bread. Saizeriya version looks similar to a naan or prata. Nevertheless, it was delish! A must order. We were so tempted to order another one.

Chicken Bolognese Doria $4.40

Chicken Bolognese Doria another best seller, is white sauce baked rice with their special recipe of chicken meat sauce. Well-executed dish with lots of creamy cheese on top complementing the baked rice at the bottom. If only more meat sauce and some meat was given. But at this price, I can't complain.

Black Pepper Chicken Steak $6.90

Black Pepper Chicken Steak served with corns, wedges and black pepper sauce on a hot plate. The corn was very sweet, while the wedges were a tad too soft. The chicken was decent but the oily was not drained off properly. It was saved by the black pepper sauce which was complemented it perfectly.

All prices quoted on the menu are nett and there is no service charge. Despite there being no service charge, the service was prompt and efficient, from seating, ordering, serving, clearing of dirty plates to paying the bill. Each staff knew their role and everything went like clockwork. My first dish was served within 5 minutes after I have ordered. Needless to say, I am impressed by the efficiency of the staff and also the food. There were hits and misses, but taking into consideration the prices, its pretty reasonable. I will definitely be back! 

Liang Court is now having the Gourmet Journey event in the mall till 29 July 2012. (Its hard to miss it out. The posters are all over the mall). There will be several challenges held during the two upcoming weekends. Some of the events that caught my eyes are the Tamago Peel-Off, Kraze Time and Cooking Demonstration.

Gourmet Journey Poster (Source: Liang Court)

I used to Liang Court just for my Tampopo fix. During this recent visit, I saw more restaurants such as Nirai-Kanai, Shin Yeh, Marutama Ramen, Mazazu Crepe, Trung Nguyen Cafe and Shabu No Koya. On my next visit, I will aim to try Shin Yeh.

Meidi-Ya Supermarket

Of course, a visit to Liang Court is not completed without a visit to Meidi-Ya Supermarket! It is a supermarket well-known among the Japanese community for its authentic Japanese products directly imported from Japan.  

Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe (Liang Court)
177 River Valley Road
#02-22 Liang Court
Tel: 6337 9001
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Location 

Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe (City Square Mall)
180 kitchener Road
#B2-55/56 City Squre Mall
Te: 6834 4877
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe (Bukit Timah Plaza)
1 Jalan Bukit Anak
#02-24C Bukit Timah Plaza
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe (Toa Payoh Central)
Blk 190 #02-514
Tel: 6253 8001
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant (Greenwood Ave) 2nd Post

Another visit to Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant on a weekend lunch! This visit is my 3rd visit in two years! Shin Yuu is a restaurant that specialises A La Carte Japanese Buffet.

Buffet prices (top), Interior (bottom)

Buffet prices:

Daily Lunch 12pm to 3pm (Adult - $36.90++, Child - $21.90++)

Daily Dinner 6pm to 1030pm (Adult - $49.90++, Child - $29.90++)

Interior

Ok, let's start on the food now shall we?

Hot Green Tea

(left to right) Complimentary Smoked Duck, Seared Tuna Belly Sushi, Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon)

The Seared Tuna Belly Sushi and Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon) were fantastic - a must try. The Seared Tuna Belly Sushi was a complimentary item that cannot be ordered a second time. The Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon) was a seared salmon sushi with a smear of mentaiko sauce that brought this item to a whole new level. It was perfect with a melt in the mouth sensation. Luckily the Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi can be ordered multiple times!

Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon)

Another round of Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon).

Complimentary Fried Sliver Fish

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi - steamed egg with salmon roe. Definitely one of the better Chawanmushi around topped with mushroom and generous amount of salmon roe! In addition, it was not salty. Had 2 servings of this.

Sashimi Moriawase (Mixed Platter)

Sashimi Moriawase consist of an assortment of Maguro(Tuna), Hiramasa (Kingfish), Shake (Salmon), Mekajiki (Swordfish) and Tako(Octopus). I must say that the Sashimi was very fresh. Sashimi fans will love this! 

Shin Yuu Special Makimono (Unagi Rolls with Avocado)

Shin Yuu Special Makimono is another must try it is Unagi Rolls with Avocado. Very good combination. Soft and delicate pieces that will break apart if not handled with care. We ordered this despite the fact that there is just the two of us. Testimonial to how much we love this dish!

Wafu Steak

Cubes of soft, tender and juicy Wafu Steak! Another must try. 

Spare Ribs Teriyaki 

What happened to the Spare Ribs Teriyaki which I had during my previous visit? This time it was dry, salty with little meat. Give this a skip.

Kani Karage (Soft Shell Crab)

Tebasaki

Tebasaki; Grilled Chicken Wings, marinated with honey! Soft, tender, juicy and well-marinated. If you like chicken wings, order this.

Shishamo

Shishamo, also known as pregnant fish was grilled. It is fresh, no fishy taste and filled with roe! This is my favourite and I had over a dozen of this!

Green Salad in Special Dressing

When we were around 70% full, we ordered the Green Salad in Special Dressing. Great dish that acted as an appetiser so that we can have more food. In addition, it was delightfully tasty. Who said that greens can't be delicious. We had 2 servings of this! Yummy!

Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)

Tempura 

This is actually from the Yasai Tempura (Vegetable Fritters). However, we request for only sweet potato (purple potato)! Had 2 servings of this too!

Kuruma Ebi Teriyaki

Kuruma Ebi Teriyaki; Tiger Prawn with Sweet Soy Sauce. Well, you can give this a miss.

Overall, Shin Yuu is still one of my favourite place for buffet as the quality of the food is quite good (Normally in buffets, quality is compromised). Great food, great service (plates are frequently changed, green tea is frequently refilled, orders are taken and served efficiently). My favourites are Seared Tuna Belly Sushi,Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi, Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi, Shin Yuu Special Makimono, Wafu Steak, Tebasaki, Shishamo, Green Salad and Tempura (sweet potato)!

Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant (Greenwood Ave)
16 Greenwood Avenue
Hillcrest Park
Tel: 6763 4939
Opening Hours: Daily Lunch 12pm to 3pm (Adult - $36.90++, Child - $21.90++)
                         Daily Dinner 6pm to 1030pm (Adult - $49.90++, Child - $29.90++)
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Jack's Place (Woodlands Civic Centre) - New Zealand Feast Promotion

Jack's Place specialises in serving western cuisine has been around in Singapore for a long long time; 1966 to be exact! Today, there are 14 outlets island wide. Over the years, Jack's Place has evolved to include several concept restaurants such as Eatzi Gourmet, Seafood Harvest, Brewbaker's Kitchen & Bar, Hoshigaoka and Jack's Place under the JP Pepperdine Group.

I still remember several years ago, Jack's Place Woodlands Branch used to be situated in Causeway Point. Ever since Causeway Point started its renovation, Jack's Place has shifted to Woodlands Civic Centre just across the road. If Woodlands Civic Centre rings a bell, well.. that is where the Woodlands Regional Library is. 

Interior

If you are a regular, you will notice that the interior of all Jack's Place restaurants are similar. Signature white and green checkered tablecloth.  

New Zealand Feast Promotion (a) [Source: Jack's Place]

New Zealand Feast Promotion (b) [Source: Jack's Place]

The New Zealand Feast Promotion is back again for the month of April 2012 at Jack's Place, Eatzi Gourmet and Brewbaker's Kitchen & Bar. The New Zealand main courses includes Chunky Beef Shepherds Pie (Stewed Beef Chunkys with Peppercorn & Mushroom and topped with mashed potato and Assorted Green Salad), N.Z. Silver Fern Farms Lamb Shank (Slowly braised with Shiitake Mushroom Sauce, served with mashed potato), N.Z. Silver Fern Farms Beef Carpetbag Steak (N.Z. Beef Tenderloin stuffed with N.Z. Oyster) and N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Fillet Mignon with Creamy Green Peppercorn Sauce (Served with Baked Potato & Seasonal Vegetable). 

Customers can choose to top up: 

a) Set Meal:  $4.80 to the main course price to include Soup of the Day, Day's Dessert & Coffee / Tea

b) Big Saver Meal: $8.80 to the main course price to include a la carte Soup, choice from 3 daily Pastry / Dessert & Coffee / Tea

Useful Guide on Beef Cuts

We ordered 2 main course (1 Set Meal, 1 Big Saver Meal) along with an Appetiser.

Garlic Bread

Wish that the garlic and butter flavour was more intense.

Leek & Potato Soup (Set Meal - Soup Of the Day)

The Soup of the Day was Leek & Potato Soup. Tasty and flavourful with chunks of potato and leek in it. Very satisfying bowl of soup.

Lobster Bisque (Big Saver Meal - a la carte Soup)

Lobster Bisque Soup, was creamy, smooth and rich in flavour. There are pieces of lobster meat in it. It was delicious! No wonder it is their house speciality. 

Kiwi Fruits & Prawns Topped with Feta Cheese (Appetiser)

The Kiwi Fruits & Prawns Topped with Feta Cheese was unique. So many different flavours to excite the taste buds. The Kiwi and Tomatoes were sweet and not sour. The cubes of Feta Cheese that helped enhanced the taste was rich and creamy. Underneath, there were lots of lettuce. 

N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Beef Carpet Bag Steak $27

N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Beef Carpet Bag Steak $27 (Close-up)

N.Z. Silver Fern Farms Beef Carpetbag Steak (N.Z. Beef Tenderloin stuffed with N.Z. Oyster served with Baked Potato & Seasonal Vegetable) served in a sizzling hot plate. The Beef Tenderloin is the tenderest part of the beef as this part of the muscle does very little work. I ordered medium-well done for this piece of steak. It was topped with Asian Butter as seen in the close-up photo. Let it melt into the beef and savour it. It was very tender with no fats. In the middle, it was stuffed with oyster and mushrooms! 

The Baked Potato did not disappoint. It was not dry or powdery, topped with sour cream, chicken bacon bits and spring onions. Yes, I did not type wrongly, it is chicken bacon bits not pork! The seasonal vegetable consist of carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn and onion. Healthy greens with no oil!

N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Fillet Mignon with Creamy Green peppercorn Sauce $26 

N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Fillet Mignon with Creamy Green peppercorn Sauce $26  (Close-up) 

N.Z Sliver Fern Farms Fillet Mignon with Creamy Green Peppercorn Sauce (Served with Baked Potato & Seasonal Vegetable) was served in a sizzling hot plate too. The Fillet Mignon situated at the smaller end of the tenderloin is considered an expensive tender cut of the beef. My partner ordered well-done for her steak. Despite this, the Fillet Mignon was extremely tender and soft with no fats in it; literally  melt-in-the-mouth. If you are observant, you may notice that there is something wrapped around the Fillet Mignon. Well, it is Chicken Bacon! Taste like bacon! This is the first time I heard of chicken bacon. Any one heard of this before or knows how it is made?

The green peppercorn sauce was savoury and aromatic. It was so nice that she had to ask for extra sauce! According to her, the best way to eat this is to cut the Fillet Mignon, add the green peppercorn sauce with a green peppercorn on top and enjoy! I tried this and it totally blew me away. Superb!

Tea (for Set Meal or Big Saver Meal - Coffee / Tea)

 Strawberry Cake (Set Meal - Day's Dessert)

The Day's Dessert was the Strawberry Cake. Too much cream and too little cake. 

Oreo Cheesecake (Big Saver Meal - Pastry or Dessert)

Looks mouth-watering?

You will be spoilt for choice when deciding on the Pastry or Dessert. After pondering for a while the partner decided to order the Oreo Cheesecake. She made the right choice! It was awesome! The cheese was very forgiving. Generous amount of Oreo cookies crumbles on the top and in the cheese. Moreover, below there was a layer of crispy Oreo crust base. What a way to end off the meal! If you know me, I am not a fan of cheesecake. Even I myself was surprised that I  find Oreo Cheesecake great! Credit to the partner for ordering this.

I am glad / lucky that we had the opportunity to try the New Zealand Feast. It was an amazing meal and interesting learning experience for us. The service provided by the team was wonderful. Drinks were refilled promptly and utensils were also cleared efficiently (not only for my table, but the surrounding tables too).

Try the New Zealand Feast before it ends! You will never know what you are missing till you try it. In addition, customers will be entitled to take part in the New Zealand Grand Lucky Draw with any purchase of the New Zealand Feast Main Course. Prizes include Complimentary Roasted Beef on Wagon (worth $480) or Tickets to Universal Studios Singapore!

Thank you Evelyn (JP Pepperdine) and Felicia (Jack's Place Woodlands) for invite and having us.

Jack's Place (Woodlands Civic Centre)
#02-05/06 Woodlands Civic Centre
Tel: 6363 4803
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 1030pm
Website: 
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Tao's Restaurant (PoMo) 2nd Post

Another visit to Tao's Restaurant located at the basement of PoMo (formerly known as Paradiz Centre). Tao's Restaurant is a fushion restaurant that serves a combination of Western and Asian Cuisine. It is well known for its concept of set menu; serving 6 to 7 course meal at affordable prices. 

Modern classy design.

Menu

During my visit last year, I was expecting the price to increase. But to my surprise, there was no increase. Well, this year, there was an increase in price, which was expected. Their new menu now looks so classy!

Lunch: 6 Course Set Meal at $21.80++
Dinner: 7 Course Set Meal at $31.80++

I visited during lunch time with a group of friends (6 to be exact), hence it was a 6 Course Set Meal.

Starter - Bacon & Mushroom Gratin

Bread (2 pieces per person)

Course 1: Starter - Bacon & Mushroom Gratin with toasted bread (soft and fluffy). Bacon & Mushroom Gratin baked with mushroom, bacon and cheese. It was perfect using it as a spread on the bread. Delicious! You can request for more pieces of bread!

Salads - Prawn Roll with Pork Floss

Course 2: Salads - Prawn Roll with Pork Floss. Light, refreshing and sweet. It is akin to popiah. The pork floss inside added unique texture and taste to the prawn roll! I have also tried Top Shell Salad, Farm Boy Splendour and Fruit Salad during my past visits. My favourite is still Prawn Roll with Pork Floss!

Salads - Huai San & Tofu

Course 2: Salads - Huai San & Tofu. Will not comment on those that I did not taste. 

Soups - Cream of Mushroom

Course 3: Soups - Cream of Mushroom. Another of my favourite! This bowl of soup is for mushrooms lovers only, contains 100% mushrooms! Chunks of mushrooms in each spoonful. The whole bowl of soup has a strong essence/flavour of mushroom. Definitely made themselves and different from the ones you get outside from cans. Can't help but notice that the bowl is the same colour as the bowl. 

Soups - Cream of Pumpkin

Course 3: Soups - Cream of Pumpkin. I am a mushroom person! Having said that I am sure you know which soup I prefer. 

Main Entrees - Spicy Stingray

Course 4: Main Entrees - Spicy Stingray. This stingray is different from those at Chomp Chomp, East Coast Park or other restaurants. The stingray was very fresh and well cooked. It was definitely not barbecued or fried. Most likely steamed? The sambal chilli on top was very spicy and certainty complement the stingray well. For those who can't take spicy food, you are strongly advised to avoid this! 

Main Entrees - Grilled Sea Bass with Japanese Sauce

Course 4: Main Entrees - Grilled Sea Bass with Japanese Sauce. During our last visit, the staff actually informed us not to order this dish as the Sea Bass was not fresh. Where else will the staff tell you not to order certain dish as the ingredients are not fresh? So far this is the only place that I know that does this! Kudos to Tao's Restaurant.

Main Entrees - Slow-cooked Pork Back Ribs

Course 4: Main Entrees - Slow-cooked Pork Back Ribs. 

Desserts - Brownie with Ice Cream 

Course 5: Desserts - Brownie with Ice Cream. Nothing to shout about for this dish. 

Desserts - Tiramisu

Course 5: Desserts -  Tiramisu.

Desserts - Yangsheng Poached Pear with Red Dates

Course 5: Desserts - Yangsheng Poached Pear with Red Dates. 

Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea (left), Iced Tropical Grapefruit Tea (right)

Course 6: Beverages - Iced Tropical Grapefruit Tea.

Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea

Course 6: Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea. This is my favourite! Refreshing, light drink with hints rose tea fragrant. Inside, there are pieces of apple (can be eaten) and rose buds.

Beverages - Iced Grassjelly Mint Tea

Course 6: Beverages - Iced Grassjelly Mint Tea. 

Despite the price increase, I still find the lunch at Tao's Restaurant value for money. I especially like the Bacon & Mushroom Gratin, Prawn Roll with Pork Floss, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Iced Rose Apple Tea and Tiramisu. 

*Edited: Tao's has moved to Central #04-86 (Clarke Quay)*

Tao's Restaurant (PoMo) 
1 Selegie Road
#B1-19 PoMo
Tel: 6339 8858
Opening Hours: Daily 1130am - 10pm
Website: 
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