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Thursday, 29 September 2011

Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice (Middle Road)

Spotted this Hainan Chicken Rice outlet along Middle Road called Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice







Menu Cover
The menu cover looks like looks like some vintage Shaolin Martial Art book.


Part of Menu (a)


Part of Menu (b)
As usual, I ordered 1 plate of 'white' chicken rice with organ (gizzard).
'White' Chicken Rice $3.50 with Organ $0.50
With such a large plate, it make it seems as though the chicken rice is very little. The chicken rice was hard and dry. The chicken flavour was not fully infused into the rice.


How was the chicken? Just average. But glad that quite a generous portion of chicken was given. However, only 4 pieces of gizzard was given.


The chilli was average. But the ginger was surprisingly fragrant and cut finely. 


Despite all the positive reviews online. I beg to defer. Overall, it was disappointing. The chicken was average while the rice was disappointing. In any chicken rice stall, there are 3 important factors. 1) The chicken. 2) The rice. 3) Chilli. So far none met my criteria for this stall. 


Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice (Middle Road)
270 Middle Road
Tel: 6336 7579
Opening Hours: Daily 11am  - 11pm



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Monday, 26 September 2011

Tao's Restaurant (PoMo)

This is my 3rd visit to Tao's Restaurant. First visited this place 3 years ago in 2008. Recently, we went back to again on a Saturday afternoon. I was quite surprised to find that the layout of the place and even price has not changed. In terms of the menu, some of the items on the menu has changed.
Tao's Restaurant concept is to serve 6-7 course meal at an affordable price.

Lunch, it is 6 course meal at $19.80 ($23.30 nett)
Dinner, it is 7 course set meal at $29.80 ($35.07 nett)

What's the difference between lunch and dinner other than price? Well, for dinner there is an addition dish which is the Grilled King Oyster Mushroom & Sorbet. So far, have not eaten during dinner before so can't comment about this dish.

Now let's start with the lunch - 6 course set meal.

Menu (a)
Starter - Bacon & Mushroom Gratin

Bread (2 pieces for each person)
Course 1: Starter - Bacon & Mushroom Gratin with soft toasted bread.  It was baked in with mushroom, bacon and cheese. Using it as a spread for the bread, the Bacon & Mushroom Gratin was delicious although it was slightly on the salty end. You can ask for more serving of bread, I asked for 1 more to accompany this heavenly starter.
Salads - Top Shell Salad with Cold Japanese Noodle
Course 2: Salads - Top Shell Salad with Cold Japanese Noodle. This dish was served cold. The top shell was served with chop chilli, peanuts, Japanese noodles and a dressing that seems similar to Thai dressing. This dish did not suit my taste bud as it was on the sour side.
Salads - Prawn Roll with Pork Floss
Course 2: Salads - Prawn Roll with Pork Floss. This dish is so much better than the Top Shell Salad. It was light, refreshing and sweet, the taste of this dish complement the ingredients well.
Soups - Cream of Mushroom
Course 3: Soups - Cream of Mushroom. This dish is my favourite1 As mushroom is one of my favourite ingredient, this might be biased! This bowl of soup is 100 % mushroom! So many chunks of mushrooms between each flavour and the whole soup has a strong flavour/essence of mushroom (that I was wondering if my nose will start bleeding from being too heaty =P) Definitely home-made and totally different from the ones outside or the ones you find in cans. The only issue I had was why the bowl was not even half filled!
Soups - Cream of Pumpkin
Course 3: Soups - Cream of Pumpkin. Ordinary, I prefer mushroom soup. 
Menu (b)
Main Entrees - Tao's Grilled Chicken Jumbo Leg
Course 4: Main Entrees - Tao's Grilled Chicken Jumbo Leg. Surprisingly, there was a layer of chilli oil and giving it a spicy flavour which did not suit the sauce. Otherwise, the chicken leg was well cooked and well marinated. Moreover, it was very tender.
Main Entrees - Tao's Oven Roasted Steak

Course 4: Main Entrees - Tao's Oven Roasted Steak. The steak was huge considering that this was our 4th dish. Moreover, it was well marinated and well cooked. It was tender, soft and tasty. I have no idea why the 2 dishes use the same sauce.But the mushroom sauce really spoilt the dish, does not compliment the steak. What about the sides (mashed sweet potato, yam chip and boiled broccoli)It was delicious!
Desserts - Creme Brule
Course 5: Desserts - Creme Brule. After my previous 2 visit, I knew that the Creme Brule was a must order. But this time, I was disappointed. There was a very strong eggy flavour which even overwhelmed the flavour of the charred caramelised sugar. 
Desserts - Tiramisu


Course 5: Main Entrees - Tiramisu. This was good! 
Menu (c)


The 2 cup size are different!
Beverages - Lavender Tea
Course 6: Beverages - Lavender Tea. Too strong a flavour. Taste like medicine to me. 
Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea
Course 6: Beverages - Iced Rose Apple Tea. Inside, there was pieces of apple and also rose bud. This was very refreshing and light. The fork at the side is used for the apples inside. Certainly something to try.


Overall, Tao's restaurant's lunch set is quite value for money. What I look forward to over here is Bacon & Mushroom Gratin, Mushroom Soup, Tiramisu and Iced Rose Apple Tea. If you noticed, the main course was not something I look forward to. As they were average or should I say below average. The service was good and prompt. I will definitely be back for some of the items here during lunch.

*restaurant 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

Friday, 23 September 2011

Paradise Dynasty (ION Orchard)



A trip down to Paradise Dynasty on a weekday for lunch. We arrive before 12 noon. Do not be mistaken by the queue. They are waiting for either their friends or waiting to be seated. Still lots of space available inside at this time. Do note, you will only be brought inside when all your guest have arrived. 




The World's First 8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao

The World’s First 8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao which created lots of publicity online and in the media for this restaurant.
Tables near the entrance. This photo was taken as we were leaving at around 130pm. By then, the place was full. Not an easy accomplishment as it was a weekday and the place was huge!


We were seated inside. Here you can spot more empty tables as these photos were taken when we arrived. Huge place with large sitting capacity. Amazing, it was full by 1245pm. Look at setting of this restaurant. Moreover, waiters and waitress were in uniform that makes you feel as if they are serving a prince/princess (you).

he cLighting on teiling


What drinks to order? Water or tea when the price is the same.
Tea

Well, we ordered tea, which was refillable.
Legend of Xiao Long Bao

How to eat your Xiao Long Bao?
Signature Dynasty Dumplings (8 flavours) $13.80
Needless to say, we ordered the Signature Dynasty Dumplings. Appearance wise, I would have given a perfect 10. Taste wise, it was a disappointment. Even the original flavour one was so-so. I would still prefer Crystal Jade’s.


Part of La Mian Menu
La Mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup $9.80
I ordered the La Mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup. The la mian was good,  each strand was thin, soft and fragrant. Each piece of pork was thinly sliced. The half an egg was nicely cooked too with its runny yolk. The only down side was that the soup base was quite salty.

Part of La Mian Menu
La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup $8.50
The La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup was supposed to be spicy and sour. But it was way too sour.
Making Xiao Long Bao
Overall, in terms of food, Paradise Dynasty reminds me of Crystal Jade. After tasting the food, I would prefer Crystal Jade’s Xiao Long Bao and La Mian. In terms of service, Paradise Dynasty’s service was prompt and efficient. Felt that Paradise Dynasty’s Xiao Long Bao was over-hyped. Nothing special. But overall, is still a decent place to come for lunch if you are in town especially for its la mian.

Paradise Dynasty (ION Orchard)
2 Orchard Turn
#04-12A ION Orchard
Tel: 6509 9118 
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri  11am – 10pm
                                 Sat–Sun & PH10.30am – 10pm
Website

  

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