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Merryxmas and enjoy your holidays!

#15: Yomenya Goemon @ CityLink

So during the holidays, i followed my parents as they decided to walk around cityhall and suntec to shop for christmas gifts for our friends and relatives. And yes, no one knows i've hidden my mom Charles and Keith xmas present inside my bagpack hahaha! 

My parents were not that hungry, however i'm starting to feel ravenous so we went to search for a new place to eat. City Link is not a very big place but it is consider quite a distance because it stretches from city hall MRT interchange to marina square and suntec city. There was a wide range of outlet from Thai, American Quiznos to Sushi Express. 

So while contemplating and walking around for a good 30mins we decided to step into this Japanese Spaghetti restaurant called Yomenya Goemon. 

The queue wasn't bad and we don't have to wait long as it was already 7plus in the evening. Their service is very efficient from taking orders to clearing your plates after meal. But their cooking takes quite some time. 

One thing i notice that they do not place any spoon / soup spoon on the table, just a pair of chopstick. 

So we ordered a Smoked Chicken & Three cheese for me . And since my parents aren't that hungry... they ordered a half and half meal which is rather unique. For example, my regular pasta is made with 380g of spaghetti . While the half and half is 190g and by adding the another half (you can choose a different selected spaghetti dish) 190g will give you a total of 380g. So if you are a small eater and would want to share, it will be great to go with this option. 

This is my spaghetti : Smoked Chicken & Three Cheeses , look at their generous amount of toppings and sauce.

The amount of cheese they added is decent enough. Their miso soup between my coke and salad, yes no spoon so you drink it like a cup of tea ! Their miso soup is neither thick nor salty, just right, and it's better than Yoshinoya's miso. 

This is the half and half spaghetti which my parents ordered. Spaghetti Mahgerita and Crab, Shrimp & Scallop.

And i must say that this place serve brilliant spaghetti! But better than Pastamania? Well to me their spaghetti portion > pastamania's portion.  Definitely be coming back to try their wide range of different flavoured dishes. 

#14 Tim Ho Wan @ Plaza Singapura

Dim sum lovers, this is one immensely popular michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan which can help to satisfy your "hongkong's" cravings. This restaurant has had long snaking queues since day one when it was opened in Plaza singapura.

After 8 long months since i came back from Hong Kong , i've been missing on genuine and delectable hongkee food! And the only place i could satisfy and bring back those nostalgic memory is to dine into their famous hongkong dim sum restaurant here. 

The queue is long as usual , while queueing you are able to choose on your dishes but not submitting your order yet until you're seated. It was past 30mins till we were brought to our seats. Although the entrance of the restaurant stated clearly that strictly no takeaway service is allowed, however i had discovered a loophole: which is , you order as much as you want while the ones you want to takeaway as leftovers and you tell their staff to packet for you. 

Most people say that their food are overrated, well i can only disagree to a certain degree. Tim Ho Wan 4 Heavenly King dishes is a must try! It is 4 of their so-called "special" dishes. And one of the four dishes especially their famouse char siew bao really stood out,  this dish still wins my heart. Its crumbly and fluffly, sweet exterior goes well with the ingredients. And becareful its HOT. 

And then there is their other dishes all perfectly hand made. I should not go much into the details least making you hungry. Don't take my words for it, you should try it yourself . And the waiting time is absolutely queueworthy and with  unique offerings for both green-horn eaters and dimsum lovers. 

#12: Lenas @ Tampines 1

Lenas which from what i know is run by the management of MOF umbrella (Ministry Of Food). It works just like Astons however with a twist, using an american Italian style concept and the way they present their dish are different. They do not have big hoohaa over their advertisement, their brand are spread by the word of mouth. Ambiance at Lenas is rustic with wooden furniture and low lighting. Service at Lenas revolves around quick and efficient, which is great. Expect it to be crowded and noisy, partly due to the affordable and reasonable priced dishes.

With a vast choices of mains, (chicken, fish, beef and pasta), and a choice of sauce / sidedish (around 10 over sauce you can choose from) to match your tastebuds and cravings. 

Their dessert menu looks overwhelming, spoilt for choices. Unfortunate thing is my stomach couldn't fit much.

Their salad is generous with their cheese and greens. I do have to comment on their dish portions, its quite big actually. Thus i can say its worth your money. 

Grilled Chicken Mozzarella 

Suprisingly the mozzarella cheese tasted like pizza.

Ribeye 180g

However, taste and quality its where Lenas falls short. One thing that turns me off is the additional charge of $0.30 for a cup of plain water... Hence you should try their signature ice lemon mint tea float drink instead. Which you couldn't find anywhere else but here. And also their fried banana dessert which i've yet to try.

Ice lemon mint tea float

Quite a big jar

In retrospect, i would be back for more because their pizzas, pastas and dessert looks very appealing, wondering when will be my next visit. 

#11: Thien Kee SteamBoat Restaurant @ Golden Mile Tower

During this chilly night, the best place to overcome this cold weather is to head down to Golden Mile tower at beach road for a hot piping rejoicing steamboat session. 

I have been coming here for a good old local steamboat since i was a little kid, and their food is always consistent. As a  kid, i would always cook myself beef and skip all the vegetables. However as time flies, i've learnt to cook and enjoy the other ingredients especially their cockles, sea cucumber etc, this is how you enjoy a proper steamboat.

I have to stress to you that this place is really crowded around 6pm onwards and the crowd just keep flooding in as time pass. Eventhough they have plenty of staff on standby and opened tables that can stretch across to the other side of the untenated shopping mall. Yes, you still have to wait so its best if you come early.

It is time consuming to wait for a table as on every table everyone is busy cooking and happily chatting away. But i'm lucky enough to get seated. And at around 7pm onwards, their staff will be too busy to even find you a table and even take your additional orders.

Much further a do i will like to take you to their side dishes which i've tried, not bad actually. First of all their satay, I can say it tasted both chewy and tender at the same time, you wont see large overburnt on the surface. Thumbs up! They even have their Hainan specialty chicken which is superb, for me its better than the 5 star chicken rice at katong. Ask for less oil. You can choose between white rice or chicken rice, i always go for the chicken rice! 

And after your meal, a glass of lime juice to clear up the after taste of the soup. And the rest is up to your cooking standards! One thing good about steamboat is you're able to bond with your family and friends :)

#10: NamNam Noodle Bar @ Wheelock

Every now and then, whenever i pass by this Vietnam cuisine i've notice long queues every single day. So i decided to dine in and check out what is so special about their dishes. 

NamNam noodle bar is a Vietnamese restaurant basically well-known for their beef noodle soup and mouth-watering sandwiches. The decent timing to grab a bite is during brunch or early dinner. 

As we were brought to our seats, their layout is organise but cramp. Every "big" movement when walking or around your table area, you could eventually apologise for knocking into someone. However, the crampy and crowded atmosphere really makes you feel like you're in their local bar.

Their bowl of soup may not seems appetising to you without those heavy garnishes. But do not judge a dish by its appearance! The soup makes you craves for more (Must be the MSG) and noodles are indeed "bouncy" because they are made from rice.

The beef bowl i ordered contains quality ingredients such as wagyu beef, big and juicy large home-made beef ball larger than the size of your soup spoon, and also includes other beef parts as well which combines together beautifully.

Reluctant to say this but their sandwich tasted heavenly. ( though i've been making subway's sandwiches for over a year. ) NamNam's sandwich is filled with flavoursome ingredient which includes: Cold Cuts, Char Siew and Pork Pate. They also have other sandwiches that have ingredients like fish cake and tofu (Must Try!) or Vegetarian. 

Extra flavouring / Seasoning if you need them.

And yes definitely i will be back for more!

#9: Astons Express / Specialties / Steak & Salad

Astons Specialist is located at the 2nd level of Changi Airport Terminal 1. And if you ever wonder what is the difference between Astons Express and Astons Specialist is that you can find Astons Express at coffee shops in the heartlands of Singapore. While Astons Specialist outlets are normally found in shopping centres with classy furnitures. In my opinion, the only thing different is the ambience. This my 1st time trying out their Astons specialist while 3-4 times i've been having Astons Express.

So i went there with my family during the weekend for dinner and i must say the queue is always long during peak periods, eventhough after our meal i've notice that the queue outside is never ending.

In Astons their food ingredient are always fresh, maybe its the constant replenishment of ingredient due to the high turnovers of customers, not forgetting flight passengers and airport staffs. 

Their main course include a large variety of Steak, chicken cutlets, burgers while you are allowed to choose 2 side dishes from fries, onion rings, pasta salad, wedges to coleslaw etc. Freedom of choice!

While upon receiving our dish, i've learnt that the Astons specialist dish is no where far different from the dish you have in Astons express, the ingredient they use and the portion especially is them same! This is quite of a let down.

Their fries comes with sprinkled red pepper powder, and the steak i've ordered is succulent and tender, the way i want the gradation level of cooking of my steak to be. And worth mentioning are the onion rings, which help me realise in all my life i have been missing out on this! 

New york steak

Prime Sirloin 

Black Pepper Steak 

Not forgetting their root beer float! It is a must try if you ever want to come down here for a meal.

Before i went there i read some reviews stating that their services is poor. And i agree that it is slow and inefficient. But i guess i found out the reason behind this. While i see some empty tables still left vacant despite the long queue. This explains that they are short handed and the manager have to quickly rectify this problem because they are serving tourist who are catching a flight too! (Remember it is an Airport not a mall or coffee shop)

However, One thing good about dining in airport is that you don't have to pay extra GST / Service tax. 

P.S: Suprisingly, they do have a buffet style of Astons which is located at Centrepoint. One tip for you, if you order buffet try not to have their main course because the portion is really BIG. If you are a big eater, yes. Small eater, i suggest not to haha! 

Here are some pictures from Astons Express. ( Look, they are not much different from Astons Specialties ) 

Pepper Sirloin

Pork Chop

Honey B/Rib

#8: Cold Stone Creamery @ Orchard Central

Its a season to be jolly falalalal lalalala ! Pardon me for being in a delighted mood for xmas! Who doesn't? Haha! Anyway, me and my family went down to orchard to embrace in the xmas atmosphere, and while strolling along crowded brightly litted malls filled with dazzling and attractive christmas trees and decoration, we stumbled upon a shop that sells super-premium quality ice cream ( not sure if they could keep up their standard? )

The queue was long and heavy, it stretches until the outside panel of their see-thru glass kitchen ( Which you are able to view their fresh ice cream making process ) . Maybe because they are lacking staff during this festive season. 

Finally i get to place my order. They have 3 different scoop sizes, "The like it" (small) , "The love it" (medium) and "The have it"   (large) and also cones and pint size if you are a big fan! 

As a mint flavour lover, i grab two mint but with different toppings. "The have it" on Cookie Mintster with waffle and "The Love it" on Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chips. And then i proceed to the next counter where they pull off their amazing skill by throwing my ice cream into the air, and ended perfectly into the cup after skillfully mixing the ingredients infront of me and the other curious onlookers. Phew! That was a breathe-taking performance i must say haha! 

Next its time for the verdict, both ice-cream were very sweet especially the Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip which they include brownies, fudge and chocolate chips. Likewise the Cookie Mintster too, and it goes well with the waffle too. Both icecream need some plain water in between to neutralise the sweetness.

However, honestly speaking their icecream texture and quality are just as normal as $1 icecream store run by uncle and aunties on motorbikes. It is just the brand you are paying for. But why not pay a little more for great ambience and services :$ 

Christmas is a season of giving and sharing, so i hope this do share a few dessert recommendation when you come down to orchard for christmas! I would like to wish everyone here a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

World On Fire (Food Version) 1.0

Some of my food selection in recent years

#7: Deconti Cafe @ Tampines 1

Deconti Cafe is an Italian cafe, it is a small and open-concept cafe which is situated at level 2 in Tampines 1. The Cafe serves excellent gourmet coffee in general.

They also serves brilliant home-made icecream, croissant and dessert. Their frappuccino is by far the most creamiest and solid-tasting in terms of what flavour you've order. 

Their hazelnut frappuccino tasted really sweet. Their cold chocolate were well blend together to keep both the sweetness and bitterness together. Their coffee taste were strong but not bitter.

The vanilla icecream in hot chocolate is one of their signature drinks which you definitely have to try. With hot bitter rich thick chocolate melting the sweet vanilla icecream combining them both together really puts on a show, giving customers a run for their money. 

Lastly their Croissant with gelato is one of my favourite. The aroma of their freshly bake Croissant is overpowering. It is serve with gelato on top of it. 

When you first cut the bread into small portion, the outer layer of the bread is crispy, however inside the bread is soft and then you eat it with the gelato BAM! what an awesome combination. 

Deconti cafe even have their own mini ice cream pushcart outside the mall to further publicise their product. 

Pleasant experience.

Average spent $6 per person

#6: Old Malayan Cafe @ Tampines Mall

Just found a great cafe with food pricing around foodcourt range. This place is no other than "Old Malayan Cafe". 

This cafe is well decorated with antiques and time worn wooden furnitures, with the retro feels that brings back the nostalgic feelings from the past. 

They bring their malacca / penang cooking style into this traditional food. For instance, their Malacca's original chicken ball rice which is made up of sticky rice rolled into a palm-fitted ball. 

I shall just name a few of the dishes which i think is worth trying. 

1) Popiah

A mouthful appetiser. This is their specialty which you should have it in between your food. Their popiah skin is made fresh, and the main ingredients of the fillings are heated and stir right infront of your eyes.

2) Penang Laksa 

Filled with freshly diced toppings of pineapple, onions and chilli. Not forgetting their authentic "tuna" in their laksa gravy. Yes you heard it, "tuna" was also added into the bowl of hot piping laksa. That is why its called their traditional penang laksa.

3) Penang Chendol

The most famous dish every tourist will try when they travel to penang is their chendol. What makes it taste irresistable is their gula melaka, coconut milk, green rice flour jelly with red beans all over the ice shavings! This sweet dessert will sum up your meal. 

(Laksa)

Try to avoid their drinks as it may be overpriced, replace their drinks with chendol instead. Avoid peak hours as mostly residents and office workers will flock to this cafe during crowd period.

Average spent $7-8 per person

#5: Nonya and Baba Peranakan Cuisine @ Vivo City

Came across this "Nonya and Baba Peranakan Cuisine." They served traditional nonya food and it is not easy to find this home cook dishes, so without thinking i had to give this place a try.

During the peak hours , we've to wait in line for about 10-15mins. Imagine the amount of peranakan's food lovers in there.

As we were brought to our tables, the eye-catching deco of the peranakan's really perks me up.

We then start off with their complimentary appetisers : The traditional "Keropok" (prawn crackers) and "Achar" (mixture of cucumber, carrot, sesame seed and spice) 

The waiter then uses a traditional basket made of pandan and scoop the amount of rice we wanted. 

Soon our food arrives, their pork meat and pork soup were succulent and top with generous amount of gravy. 

And i've notice on every table there is this particular dish call the assam fish head curry, so we give it a try. The meat of the fish is fresh and tender, spicy and sour at the same time. 

Last but not least, one dish i have to highlight is their Nonya Chap Chye, it is one of the mouth-watering dish i tried here and it is simmered to perfection, which i'm really please.

All in all the only disappointment is the small portion of dishes which is little for a big stomach eater like me. But their free flow of rice make up for my half-filled stomach. 

 

Average spent $17 per person.

#4: 8 Korean BBQ @ The Central

This is one bbq restaurant that really take my hats off. One dish famous for is the Korean national dish we started off was their Kimchi, which got our tastebuds tingling. 

The slightly warm napa cabbage come bursting into our mouths filled with both spicy-sourness taste. Moreover it goes perfectly well if you combine them with other different dishes.  

We ordered the 8 Flavour Pork which were expertly marinated consist of : Wine, Red Pepper, Ginseng, Garlic, Herbs, Curry, Miso and Original flavours.Their staff even offers to barbecue this appetising-looking raw dishes for us.

The pork were obviously discharging unwanted oily fats out into the hotplate funnel which makes disposing of oil much more easier. 

Not forgetting about their kimchi stew over-brim with fresh seafood. Which tasted spicy nor sour. Kimchi lover would love this!

Last but not least, you should try their korean wine / German Beer. I was hoping beer could help wash down and breakdown the majority intake of cholesterol we have consume haha! 

And yes with great food comes with great company. However i wouldn't be back for a 2nd visit because it really burn a hole in my pocket as a student.

Spent average $58 per person.