Showing posts with label - Tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - Tea. Show all posts

Thursday 1 August 2013

Paradise Inn (Changi Airport T1)

Paradise Inn is one of the brands under the Paradise Group. Paradise Group has come a long way. Back then in 2002, it was located in a coffee shop in the industrial estate at Defu Lane. Today, Paradise Group has expanded rapidly over a short span of time to more than 30 restaurants with 8 different concepts. In addition, they have breached into the overseas market with 9 restaurants in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China. Always good to hear that a Singapore brand has set foot into the overseas market.

Paradise Inn's concept is to replicate the concept of inn (tea house), restaurant and dessert house, and at the same time offer authentic and value for money food. Paradise Inn at Changi Airport Terminal 1 is the largest outlet under the Paradise Group with a capacity of more than 150 seats.
As we visited the restaurant at 945pm on a weekday, the restaurant was relatively empty. Although the restaurant closes at 11pm, the last order is at 10pm.
Braised Peanuts $1.50
The Braised Peanuts, a common common starter at Chinese restaurants was highly addictive. Once you start with one, it would be hard to stop.
Jasmine, Osmanthus, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum Tea ($3.80 per person)
There were a variety of floral and herb fruit-infused hot teas to choose from as its concept was a tea house too. We chose the Jasmine, Osmanthus, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum Tea which cost $3.80 per person. Its benefit includes nourishing the heart, improving the immune system and strengthening eyesight. With the tea candle below, the tea was kept warm at all time. The Jasmine, Osmanthus, Dried Longan & Chrysanthemum Tea was light and refreshing. Tea lovers would love this!
La Mian with Beef Brisket Soup (non-spicy) $10.80
The La Mian with Beef Brisket Soup came in either spicy or non-spicy version. The partner ordered the non-spicy version. The beef was tender and the broth was rich and tasty. A plus point to mention would be that the soup was not oily.
La Mian with Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetables in Signature Pork Bone Soup $7.80
La Mian with Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetables in Signature Pork Bone Soup $7.80
I ordered the La Mian with Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetables in Signature Pork Bone Soup which was served with half an onsen egg. The la mian was quite good; smooth and springy. The broth was tasty and had the preserved vegetable (Sze Chuan vegetable) flavour was infused in the broth. Kudos to the chef for the execution as the broth was not overly salty, which is normally the case when preserved vegetable is used. Furthermore, the onsen egg was surprisingly very well executed!

We were so glad to enjoy such delicious Chinese cuisine the moment we arrived in Singapore! Home sweet home.

Paradise Inn (Changi Airport T1)
80 Airport Boulevard
#03-19 (Viewing Gallery)
Singapore 819642
Tel: 6546 2711
Opening Hours : 10:30am - 11.00pm (last order at 10pm)
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Sunday 2 June 2013

Galerie Kebab (France, Paris)

We were still at Galeries Lafayette when it was dinner time. We decided to head back to the same street and try Galerie Kebab
Galerie Kebab is located along Rue Joubert; less than 5 minutes away from Galeries Lafayette. It is located just directly opposite Croque SaveurGalerie Kebab is a restaurant specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine, to be more specific, Turkish cuisine. 
It is a small restaurant with limited sitting capacity with simple and no frills decoration. Ironically, their kitchen size took up a quarter of the total restaurant size. If they had made the kitchen smaller, they could sit even more customers.   
The food took a very long time to be served. As I was hungry, I decided to pop by the kitchen to see if I could find out the reason. Well, the meat skeers were cooked only upon order. I guess we Singaporeans are too used to our fast-paced lifestyle. I really should take things slow. Feels good to know that the food was freshly cooked, not heated up or cooked a second time. 
The staff were all Middle Easterns, not Europeans. They were friendly and always with a smile.
A quick look at the menu.
Luckily besides French, the menu had English translation at the bottom! Yeah! This makes it so much easier to decide what to order.
Thé Turc (Turkish Tea) 1 € (S$1.6)
We were not keen on ordering any drinks until we saw 'Thé Turc' which is in French, when translated to English, it means 'Turkish Tea'. We had no idea how Turkish Tea would tasted like. Hence we decided to order this.

The Turkish Tea was served in a very small cup. The height of the cup was almost the same as the packet of sugar you see in this photo. As for the taste, well... it tasted exactly like English Breakfast Tea! 
Brochettes De Poulet (Chicken Skeers) 9 € (S$14.1)
The partner ordered the Brochettes De Poulet (Chicken Skeers) which was served with salad, fries, wheat and chicken meat on metal skewers. This was well worth the wait. The chicken chunks on the metal skewers were cooked to perfection. So tender and juicy on the inside. On the outside, the it was crisp with some parts charred that provided a different texture and also a smokey fragrance. Heavenly! The wheat and fries complemented perfectly and were delish. Not oily too!

Do be careful as the metal skewers are hot.
Brochettes D'Agneau (Lambs' Skeers) 11 € (S$17.2)
I ordered the Brochettes D'Agneau (Lambs' Skeers) which was also served with salad, fries, wheat. The lamb was also cooked just right. The lamb skeers compared to the chicken skeers was slightly tougher. Nevertheless, the chef grasped the cooking time perfectly. Moreover, it was well marinated. What a great meal! 
Bread
The bread was served after we were halfway through our mains. It was hard and tough to chew. By then, we were too full and left the bread untouched.

Although the service tended to be on the slower end, the staff were friendly. Overall, the mains were well executed and it was an enjoyable meal.

Next post on Europe will be on Pierre Herme!

Galerie Kebab (France, Paris) 
8 Rue Joubert
75009 Paris 9
Île-de-France, France
Tel: +01 48 74 13 09
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11am - 1030pm
Location


The locations are as follows:
A - Pierre Herme in Galeries Lafayette
B - Croque SaveurGalerie Kebab
Blue area shows Galeries Lafayette


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Monday 29 October 2012

Yixing Xuan Teahouse 怡心軒 (Tanjong Pagar)

Yixing Xuan Teahouse 怡心軒  located along Tanjong Pagar Road, a few units from 2D1N Soju Bang is a teahouse that specialises in conducting tea appreciation and tea tasting classes. In addition, they serve food and dim sum too.
Located just outside a bus stop
2 units
As we happened to be in the area on a Friday evening at around 715pm, I suggested this place. However, when we stared through the glass of the 2 units of the tea house, we were shocked to see that there was no one! It was empty, not a single customer. Should we enter? How come there was no one on a Friday and also considering that the past few eateries we walked past was filled to the brim especially 2D1N Soju Bang which had a long stretching queue.

After standing outside for what must have been a good 5 minutes, we decided to enter. 

As mentioned earlier, we were the only one. There's another unit next door which was empty too. The teahouse had an Oriental theme decoration with Chinese music being played softly in the background. It provided a good ambience for a chat and unwind away from the fast paced life. 
Activities
The activities board full of tea appreciation and tasting that was conducted for students, exchange students, foreigners and organisations.
Tea pots and tea leaves
Tea pots
A wide range of tea pots and tea leaves available. 
White Tea $4
White Tea $4
White Tea (tea leaves) $4
The White Tea was classified under special Chinese tea together with the likes of Pu-er, Jasmine and Oolong tea. To be frank I have never heard of White Tea before. Nor have I seen such tea leaves (so much for a foodie).

The White Tea (refillable) had a fragrant subtle flavour and was slightly sweet. It seemed to be accompanied by a grassy after-taste. Best for you to try this yourself. The best part is that this is refillable; sit down relax and enjoy the tea.. Also, of all the teas, this has the least caffeine. 
Regular Chinese Tea $1
Regular Chinese Tea was well, average (note: this is not refillable).

Carrot Cake $3
The Carrot Cake was soft, smooth and flavourful. It was steamed and was not oil or salty. Topped with shallots and dice spring onions, it was so savoury. At $3, this is well worth the price. We were told that they made the dim sum themselves (not factory made). 
Chicken Feet $3
The Chicken Feet was decent and was well marinated. 
Fried Rice $5
The Fried Rice was surprisingly good with generous amount of ingredients. Suitable for sharing with two person. It was well fried and not overly oily.
Special Pancake $6
Yixing Xuan's Special Pancake was indeed special. It is a dessert and will be served at the end of the meal. The appearance of this dish reminded me of Bak Kua (BBQ Pork Slices). Outside, the pastry mixed with green tea was incredibly crispy. Inside (in between the layer of pastry), it was filled with warm melted red bean paste. The sweetness of the red bean paste was just right. A must try.

If you want to learn more about tea and the authentic Chinese tea experience, this is the place. Moreover, Yixing Xuan Teahouse is not only a place for tea lovers, but also THE place for food lovers! I am quite impressed with the quality of food and dim sum and the fact that it is so value for money. If I pass by this area again, I am definitely coming back for more! Last but not least, all prices are in NETT! No plus plus (gst, service charge).

ps: if you are wondering, we were the only customers throughout our meal. Quite a number of people did peep through the glass and none entered.

Yixing Xuan Teahouse 怡心軒 (Tanjong Pagar)
30 Tanjong Pagar Road
Tel: 6224 6961
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 10am - 9pm
                         Sun 10am - 7pm

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Tuesday 24 July 2012

Shin Yeh 欣葉 (Liang Court)

Shin Yeh 欣葉, a well known Taiwanese restaurant chain has established itself in Singapore at the 2nd level of Liang Court. It is brought over to Singapore under the Tung Lok Group (might be a franchise agreement, I am not too sure).


The interior of Shin Yeh was spacious and classy. There are many private rooms suitable for (large groups) family gatherings. There is a nice view of the Clarke Quay river towards the very end of the restaurant. If you would like a table with such a view, it would be advisable to make reservations.
Appetiser - Braised Beancurd $3

Kick started the meal with the appetiser; Braised Beancurd
Wok-seared Pig's Liver with Coriander $14
The signature Wok-seared Pig's Liver with Coriander had garnered the most raves on the net. It did not disappoint. No wonder this is a must order dish at Shin Yeh. Very tasty, it was still tender and soft in the interior. It was quick fry under high heat to seal the flavours in and prevent the liver from being overcook. 
Pan-fried Turnip Cake $10
The signature Pan-fried Turnip Cake was very well executed. The crunchy dried turnips (chye poh) were not overly salty while the egg was fluffy and moist. Despite being so thick, it was well cooked. Moreover, it was not oily and certainly not soggy after a period of time. This dish was a test for the chef's skill and I am most impressed by the execution of the dish. A case of minimal seasoning, non-greasy and using the freshness and natural flavour of the ingredient (turnip). However, $10 for this, is quite expensive. In layman terms, it is just egg with turnips (chye poh)..
Poached Savoury Kampong Chicken $16
The Poached Savoury Kampong Chicken was another hit. The skin was crunchy while the meat was very tender, juicy and tasty. There was a layer of jelly underneath the skin (this occurs when the chicken is dunked into iced water after the cooking process to chill it to ensure that the chicken will not be overcooked).  Polished off this dish and still wanted more despite it being just the 2 of us.
Double-boiled Shark's Fin with Bamboo Pith, Dried Scallops and Cabbage $28 (per person)
Double-boiled Shark's Fin with Bamboo Pith, Dried Scallops and Cabbage $28 (per person) 
This bowl of Doubled-boiled Shark's Fin with Bamboo Pith, Dried Scallops and Cabbage was incredibly delish! The bamboo Pith was cooked till soft, retained its shape and texture, and had absorbed essence of the soup. The cabbage added sweetness to the soup. While the scallop enhanced the flavour further. It was a delight drinking this flavourful, tasty soup together with the ingredients including the Shark's Fin. Desipte the fact that not a lot of shark's fin were given, this bowl of soup was unforgettable for all the positive reasons stated above.
Wok-fried Seasonal Vegetables (Broccoli) $12
The Wok-fried Seasonal Vegetables (Broccoli) was decently cooked. Not overcooked, not undercooked. The timing was just right and it was tasty.
Taiwan-style Sweet Potato Porridge $1.50 (per person)
Pipping hot Taiwan-style Sweet Potato Porridge to complement the dishes ordered. For this dish, it is refillable. We had two bowls each. The porridge was cooked till the rice grains were soft and still retained its shape. 
Chinese Tea $12 (per pot)
Pot of Chinese tea that was kept warm by the tea light below. 
Complimentary Muah Chee
Complimentary Muah Chee with grounded peanuts. The peanuts were too finely grated for my liking.

The dishes that we had were impressive and delicious. To me, it was all hits except for the complimentary Muah Chee. The only issue I have is the service. The dishes were served quickly (which was a good thing for us). Initially, the service was prompt, our pot of tea was refilled with hot water constantly. However, towards 730pm when the place was packed (almost full house). We had to request thrice before our pot of tea was refilled with hot water. In addition, to pay the bill, I waited for almost half an hour! Furthermore, The Muah Chee was served after I received the bill slip. It was pretty obvious that there were insufficient staff as several customers were also trying to get the attention of the waitress/waiter.

Another point to note, is that the prices of the food are on the higher tier. But for this quality, I can't complain much as the dishes were delicious and used quality ingredients. Worth the price! It is highly recommended that reservations be made if you are coming over for a meal on weekends or Friday as the restaurant was full during my visit on a Saturday night.

Shin Yeh 欣葉 (Liang Court)
177 River Valley Road 
#02-19 Liang Court
Tel: 6338 7337
Opening Hours: Daily - Lunch 1130am to 230pm, Dinner 630pm to 1030pm
Website
Location

Tuesday 20 March 2012

High Society (Marina Bay Sands)

High Society is a record company and is the only record company in the world that is endorsed by all four major recording labels ; Sony, Universal Music, Warner and EMI. You may be wondering what High Society has to do with food since it is a record company. Well, High Society has ventured into the F&B industry and opened its first music theme restaurant in Asia at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.


Display of cakes

 The restaurant has a very modern and classy look. Looks like the perfect place for a date!
Two Menus
Two different menus. 1 for wine and 1 for the set lunch. There are 3 different set lunch to choose from. We chose the lunch set that cost $29++ with choice of Starter, Soup of the Day, Choice of Main and Choice of Black Coffee or English Breakfast Tea.
Starter - Salmon Tartar
There are two choice for Starters; Salmon Tartar or Crab Caesar. I choose Salmon Tartar.
Soup of the Day - French Onion Soup
Soup of the Day - French Onion Soup
The French Onion Soup was full of.. well caramelised onions. The caramelised onions were delicious! However, the soup was on the salty end.
Choice of Main - Oxtail Stew
Choice of Main - Oxtail Stew (Focaccia Bread)
My friend ordered the Oxtail Stew which was served with Focaccia Bread. The Oxtail was stewed in red wine sauce and underneath the Oxtail, there's mashed potato.
Choice of Main -  Chicken Vin Jaune
I ordered the Chicken Vin Jaune was seared baby chicken served with madeira sauce. It is served along with Asparagus, sauteed mushrooms and carrot puree. The chicken was delicious! Outside, it was seared till its skin was very crispy! Inside, the meat was very soft, tender and juicy! I would have given this dish a perfect score.

But well... I was disappointed... the joint area was under-cooked with red blood visible. When I inform the waiter, he told me that the meat was cooked and that it was the lighting that made it look red. Well, with his (waiter) remark, I was even more disappointed as this was not the way this should be handled. (With such a nice setting and ambience, their customer service did not match up to it) It was clearly undercooked. As it was a happy occasion and I was with my friends, I did not want to make a big fuss. I just left that part untouch.
English Breakfast Tea
English Breakfast Tea which they used their own blend of tea mix. Nothing special about its taste, was normal.

Initially, when I entered this place, I thought that this could be a perfect place for a date. But after the meal, I guess not. The food and customer service were disappointing.

High Society (Marina Bay Sands)
10 Bayfront Avenue
#B2-43/44 The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
Tel: 6688 7522

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am - 11pm
                          Friday to Saturday 10am - 1am
Website


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