Saveur (Purvis Street)

Saveur's Pasta $4.90

Saveur is a restaurant serving affordable French Cuisine. The owners of the restaurant first the business in a coffeeshop before moving to its present location at Purvis Street. Today, the restaurant occupies 2 units at Purvis Street (side by side) and has a second outlet at Far East Plaza.

Saveur located at Purvis Street is directly opposite the National Library. It is around 10 minutes walk from either Bugis or City Hall MRT station.

There used to be long queues at the restaurant but now that the hype has died down and it has 2 units (larger seating capacity), there was no need to wait or queue for a table despite it being a weekend evening. Outside its entrance, there was even a small kiosk for customers to key in their mobile number to enter the queue. I guess there's no need for this now.

The restaurant was around 70% full during our time of visit. Looking at its kitchen counter, it still looks so classy and modern despite its pricing.

French Onion Soup $8.90

The French Onion Soup $8.90 with served with a slice of toasted french loaf was probably the most 'not-for-value' dish. It comes with a pricey price tag and in addition, it failed in the taste department. There was a weird after taste.

Potato au Gratin $3

For sides, we ordered the Potato au Gratin $3. I wonder if it was me, but the word 'Gratin' typically means that the dish is baked and comes with (top) layer of light brown crust. This was not the Potato au Gratin I was expecting. Nevertheless, at $3 this was a decent dish in terms of taste. Maybe they should rename this dish.

Saveur's Pasta $4.90

We also ordered their signature Saveur's Pasta $4.90 for sharing. It consisted of Angel’s Hair Pasta with minced pork sauce, sakura ebi, kombu and chilli oil. Tossing everything together, the taste was amazing with hints of sweetness, saltiness and just a slight hint of spiciness at times. I wonder how come it was not spicy if chilli oil was added. Priced at $4.90 this was a real steal, I could not have expected more in terms of taste at such pricing. It even came nicely plated.

Duck Confit $12.90

I ordered the Duck Confit $12.90. The Duck Confit was served on top of a bed of mashed potato with sauteed shitake with parsley and garlic at the side.

Duck Confit $12.90

The Duck Confit, typically prepared by roasting the leg of the duck till it is crispy was on the skinny side. It was not meaty enough. Moreover, some parts of the duck leg was not even cooked and hence was not crisp. Those parts that were crisp were very well executed. The mashed potato at the bottom was delicious. I was scrapping the empty plate to ensure that none were wasted.

Seabass $14.90

The partner ordered the Seabass $14.90 which was pan-seared. It was served with sauteed potato and french beans.

Seabass $14.90

The Seabass was incredibly fresh with no fishy after taste and its skin was pan-seared till it was so crisp. What puzzled us was that the french beans were layered (i.e. sliced in-between to make it 2 halves). The crunchiness was lost as a result.  

The french food at Saveur is quite affordable and value for money. Other than the French Onion Soup, it would be hard to find such prices at anywhere else. If you are on a budget, this is a place to consider. In terms of ambience, the restaurant was crowded and noisy. It was hard to strike a conversation at times.  

Saveur (Purvis Street)

5 Purvis Street #01-05/06

Singapore 188584

Tel: 6333 3121​

Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 12pm - 215pm, 6pm - 915pm

                          Sun 12pm - 215pm, 6pm - 9pm

Website 

Saveur (Far East Plaza) 

14 Scotts Road

#01-07B Far East Plaza

Singapore 228213

Tel: 6736 1121

Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 1130am - 930pm

                          Sun 1130 - 9pm

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Choo Chiang Roasted Meat Noodle House 珠江烧腊面家 (Bencoolen Road)

Choo Chiang Roasted Meat Noodle House 珠江烧腊面家 is a chain of hawker stalls specialising in selling Roasted Duck, Roasted Pork and Char Siew noodles. Choo Chiang first started its business in 1987. Over the years, it has expanded and today has over 10 outlets with a central kitchen to ensure that quality is not compromised. In addition, catering to buffets and takeaway delivery.

I visited its stall at Bencoolen Road (10 minutes from Bugis MRT station).

Roasted Duck and Roasted Pork Noodles $5

Roasted Duck and Roasted Pork Noodles $5

The Roasted Duck was tender and juicy, not too dry not too hard. The Roasted Pork (sio bak) lacked the crisp cracking skin and was saved by the soft bones (which I like). On the other hand, the noodles was well cooked, soft but not soggy and still springy. It was drizzled with sweet gravy that was robust and flavourful. The pork lard enhanced the flavour even more! The gravy complement the noodles and meat well.

It was served with both green chilli and sambal chilli. The sambal chilli was not bad. But a tad too sweet and lack a spicy kick.

Char Siew Roasted Duck Noodle $4.50

Char Siew Roasted Duck Noodle $4.50

The Char Siew was well marinated and tender with a good ratio of fats and lean meat.  A pity there was no charred parts which would have appealed more to me. The Roasted Duck and noodles were as good as what I ate during my last visit.

Overall, I would say that the food here is tasty and affordable. Choo Chiang has several outlets in Singapore. Hopefully, the standard is the same in all their outlets.

Choo Chiang Roasted Meat Noodle House 珠江烧腊面家 (Bencoolen Road)

180 Bencoolen Street 

#01-05 The Bencoolen

Tel: 6759 5512

Website
Location

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Alex Eating House (Beach Road)

In my previous blog, I did a post on Alex Eating House. Will add on to the post.

Prior to my post on Alex Eating House, I have not heard of this place. It was only when I googled this place online, then did I know that Alex Eating House is famous. It is known for its char siew and sio bak(roasted pork) [some have mentioned that the char siew is the best in Singapore]. Well, enough say about track record or what is being said, here’s my post.

Alex’s Eating Place is located at Beach Road, opposite Shaw Towers. The eatery was packed during lunch time. Full house, every single table was occupied and there were other people waiting. It can be hard to grab the attention of any of them to take your order or to even ask for the bill.

Roasted Duck and Char Siew Rice

Ordered Roasted Duck and Char Siew Rice. It cost either $3.50 or $4.00. The Char Siew was not bad, however it was a bit too dry and as can be seen, each piece was way too thick. The Roasted Duck had the same problem, each piece was ‘huge’. Moreover, there was little meat with lots of fat. Rice was hard. At the side of the plate there is cabbage which was so so. Really nothing fantastic. Well it was value for money. Oh, my friend ordered lotus soup, it cost just $1.50! cheap!

Char Siew Dumpling Noodle $4.00

The Char Siew Dumpling Noodle was much better. The noodle was well cooked, springy and has absorbed all the sauce. This time, the Char Siew was much better but could have been softer. The dumpling was good. Its skin was soft and thin. The filling inside though small was delicious. 

Soup

MSG ladened soup.

Will not be back anytime soon as the food is average. If I do come back, I will go for the Roasted Pork (sio bak). 

Alex’s Eating House (Beach Road)
87 Beach Road, #01-01
Chye Sing Building 
Tel: 6334 0268
Opening Hours: Daily  9am – 6pm (or until sold out)
Location

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Lian Huat Heng Cantonese Roast Duck

**Edited 6th Nov 2011

Stall closed**

Lian Huat Heng Cantonese Roast Duck is located at a corner of 'Good Time Coffee Shop'.Have always noticed that alot of patrons in the coffee shop always seems to order from Lian Huat Heng Cantonese Roast Duck. Hence, decided to give this stall a try on 2 occasions.

On both occasions, there was a short queue at the stall.

Roast Pork & Char Siew Rice

On the first occasion, I ordered the Roast Pork & Char Siew Rice. It does not look very presentable does it? Well do not let its appearance fool you. The rice grains were slightly hard, it help that sauce was added as it help soften the rice. The roast pork  was crispy and not too fatty. Delicious and fragrant. The char siew fared even better. Slightly charred parts providing a crispy and crackling layer at some parts. It was well marinated. Moreover, each piece was sliced such that it was not too thin. A bonus, each order comes with a bowl of soup! Why is it a bonus? Well, like any other roasted meat or chicken rice stall, free soup is given. But this free soup comes along with sichuan vegetable 四川菜 (zha cai) and even pork meat that is with soft bones/cartilage! The soup is salty, but well the ingredients inside was good!

Roasted Duck & Char Siew Rice

On the 2nd occasion, I ordered the Roasted Duck & Char Siew Rice. Similar comments for the rice and char siew as above. The roasted duck was disappointing.  Skin was not crispy. Although meat was tough and dry, it was flavourful.

Again, the soup comes along with sichuan vegetable 四川菜 (zha cai) and even pork meat that is with soft bones/cartilage! To me, I have always prefer pork meat that comes along with the soft bones/cartilage compare to those without.(wonder if I am lucky or all their pork comes with soft bones). A sides note, I have noticed that some people's soup had duck wing or duck leg.

Overall, cheap and good. I am sure I will continue eating here and maybe one day I will be lucky and get the soup with duck leg =)

Lian Huat Heng Cantonese Roast Duck

Good Time Coffee Shop

Blk 1 Rochor Road

#01-612 Rochor Centre

Tel: 9018 9409 

Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 7pm