Nana's Green Tea (Plaza Singapura)

Nana's Green Tea first started off as the Japanese version of Starbucks in Jiyugaoka, Japan. It all began when the owner (a Japanese man) was worried that the culture of drinking tea would be overtaken by coffee. Hence, he started Nana's Green Tea and concentrated on Japanese green tea and Japanese Food. Nana's Green Tea has many outlets in Japan. Besides Japan, they have also expanded to China, Hong Kong and even Singapore. 

Nana's Green Tea opened its first outlet in Singapore at Plaza Singapura (directly above Dhoby Ghaut MRTStation).

The design of the restaurant was unique. Each table was be 'surrounded' by either wooden or metal mesh rectangle frames providing customers with their own private yet cozy dining area. 

Week Day Set Lunch

Nana's Green Tea current has a Week Day Set Lunch promotion from 11am to 230pm on weekdays. With the promotion, customers can order any main course and a beverage below $8.00 for only $13.90! In my opinion, this lunch promotion is a real steal considering the prices of the main courses and beverages. Hence, I have went back more on more than four occasions during weekday lunch. 

The photos below are a summary of what I ate over several occasions. For reference, I will show the ala carte prices. 

Matcha Soft Cream Latte (cold) $8

Judging from the name (i.e. Nana's Green Tea), I knew that I had to try their Green Tea (Matcha). I ordered the Matcha Soft Cream Latte (cold) $8 which was topped with soft serve vanilla ice cream. It was initially very bitter at first. The magic starts when the ice cream melted resulting in a perfect harmony with the green tea. More creamy, sweeter and yet retained the distinctive green tea fragrance and bitterness.

Thin Matcha Green Tea Float (cold) $8

The Thin Matcha Green Tea Float (cold) $8 was topped with green tea ice cream was served without milk and sugar. Instead, sugar syrup was given. Personally, I preferred the Matcha Soft Cream Latte.

Hoji Kuromitsu Latte (cold) $8

Hoji Kuromitsu Latte $8 could be served hot or cold. I ordered the cold version. This drink is a type of Japanese green tea. The difference is that it is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal resulting in its colour and a caramelised taste. As I had not tried this before, I decided to try this. I did not like the taste of it. I will stick to the green tea instead. 

Azuki Latte (hot) $7

Azuki Latte $7 could be served hot or cold. The Azuki (red beans) was boiled with sugar and then blended with milk. Despite its dull appearance, it was quite addictive. The hot one was a tad too sweet. I preferred the cold version better as the ice helped lessen the sweetness level. 

Unagi Mabushi Don $16.80

The Unagi Mabushi Don $16.80 consisting of grilled soy marinated eel served with Japanese rice and topped with sesame, nori (seaweed) and spring onion was the most expensive main course. It was served with a bowl of miso soup. Their miso soup was quite good! 

Unagi Mabushi Don $16.80

Unagi Mabushi Don was easily one of the best main course in Nana's Green Tea. The grilled eel was so delectable and soft that it provided a melt in the mouth sensation. With the juices from the soy marinated eel drizzled over the rice along with the toppings, the rice was so savoury and addictive. 

Salmon and Maguro Don $15.80

The Salmon and Maguro Don $15.80 was also served with a bowl of miso soup and special sesame oil. It comprised of soy marinated tuna and salmon served over Japanese rice topped with sesame, nori, pickled ginger, spring onion, daikon sprout and mayonnaise sauce. 

Salmon and Maguro Don $15.80

Drizzle the special sesame oil over this dish to enhance the taste further. Although there was a generous serving of salmon and maguro (tuna), it was a pity that they were not fresh.

Sukiyaki Udon $14.80

Sukiyaki Udon $14.80 was served with sliced beef, toufu, mushroom, leek, poached egg and udon. The poached egg was decently executed and the egg yolk was still runny. Overall, it was a decent bowl of udon, but more ingredients could have been given. 

Sukiyaki Don $14.80

Sukiyaki Don $14.80 was similar to the Sukiyaki Udon, instead of Udon, it was served with Don (rice). 

Sukiyaki Don $14.80

We preferred the Sukiyaki Udon as the beef slices in the Sukiyaki Don was harder and saltier. 

Gyu Shabu Goma Dare Udon $15.80

The Gyu Shabu Goma Dare Udon $15.80 was beautifully presented. It consisted of beef slices, tomato, corn, cucumber, lettuce, spring onion, daikon sprout with cold udon. The difference ingredients provided different textures (crunchy, hard, soft) and flavours to this dish. It was exciting going through this dish at the initial stage. However, towards the end, I got jelak (tired) of eating this dish. 

Locomoko Don $15.80

Locomoko Don $15.80 comprised of beef patty, tomato, broccoli, lettuce, poached egg and Japanese rice. The tomato sauce which was added over the beef patty was just too spicy for our liking. It overwhelmed the other flavours. What a pity. 

Although there was hits and misses, the Week Day Set Lunch promotion made it so much more affordable having a meal at Nana's Green Tea! 

Nana's Green Tea (Plaza Singapura)
#03-80/82 The Atrium@Orchard
Plaza Singapura 
68 Orchard Road  
Singapore 238839
Tel: 6684 4312 
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm

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Costa Coffee: Free Coffee In Support of Earth Hour 2014 (29 Mar 2014)

Source: Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee: Free Coffee In Support of Earth Hour 2014 (29 Mar 2014)

- Valid on 29 Mar 2014 from 830pm to 930pm
- Valid for the 1st 100 customers at participating Costa Cafes
- Flashing this Costa Free Coffee Post to redeem offer
- Valid at all Costa Cafes in Singapore except Costa @ Metropolis and Costa @ Changi Airport T3 Transit
- Free drink redemption refers to any primo-sized beverage (excluding bottled drinks)
- Limited to one redemption per person
- Not valid with other promotions or discounts
- The management reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions without prior notice

Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1)

Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1) is a cafe hidden in a corner of one of the oldest HDB estate in Singapore (i.e. Toa Payoh HDB estate)! Homemade (handcrafted) ice cream, coffee and waffles are sold in this cafe. This cafe is located in between Braddell, Toa Payoh and Caldecott MRT stations. The nearest MRT station is Braddell and it is around a 10 minutes walk away from the station.

We (a group of three) visited Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee on a weekday (Friday) at around 215pm. Although I was aware that this cafe was popular and that it was small, I did not expect it to be full house even on a weekday! 

Interesting lights

We tried waiting for a table, but after 15 minutes of wait, we only managed to get a counter table. Well, what to do.... I can't imagine what the crowd would be like on a weekend. 

After securing our seats, we proceeded and place our order. 

After making payment, we were given this paper cup with the number "09" on it. Any guess what it is?

The answer was hidden in the cup. It was the key to our orders. A waiting number!

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

After around 10 minutes, we received our food! Needless to say we ordered their signature Belgian waffle with ice cream! From observation, this was the most popular order, every table had at least one of this! 

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

We ordered our Belgian Waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80. They had a wide variety of ice cream such Sea Salt Gula Melaka, Roasted Pistachio, Banana Chocolate Chip Crumbles and Banana Roasted Pecan. We sampled several of them before settling for the two ice creams.  

The Earl Grey Lavendar ice cream which had a unique lavendar after taste, was fragrant and creamy. The Orange Cranberry Vodka ice cream was a premium ice cream. The combination of orange and cranberry was a perfect match as both flavours complemented each other well and did not overwhelm each other.

For information on the cost/prices: A waffle with ice cream cost $8.50. Extra scoop of ice cream cost $2.50 each. As the Orange Cranberry Vodka was a premium ice cream, there was an extra cost of $0.80 per scoop. 

Belgian waffle with Earl Grey Lavendar and Orange Cranberry Vodka Ice Cream $11.80

The freshly made Belgian Waffles were well executed! They were incredibly crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. The slightly hard (outside), soft (inside) texture, warmth of the waffle couple with the cold ice cream were such a perfect combination.  The addition of the maple syrup and chocolate sauce went very well with this too! 

After trying this, I understand the raves about the dessert served here. The Belgian Waffles with Ice Cream is a must try! But I will not advise coming on a weekend unless you are prepared to wait and squeeze with the crowd. 

Creamier Ice Cream and Coffee (Toa Payoh Lorong 1)

Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 

#01-835

Singapore 310128

Tel: 6250 1476

Opening Hours: Fri to Sat 12pm - 11pm

                          Sun to Thur 12pm - 10pm

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