26 February 2014

Skinny Pizza (Dhoby Ghaut)

Skinny Pizza offers thin crisp pizza base with healthy lashing of green toppings which is different from the traditional pizza with thick crust and heavy cheese. They provide a variety of pizza choices such as the truffled mushroom, squid ink, cod fish and a few others.
How to get there?
Address: 68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura #03-79/83 Singapore 238839
Tel: 6884 8381
Website: www.skinnypizza.com.sg

By Car -
  • Along Orchard Road, turn left to Handy Road and park at Plaza Singapura
  • Bike parks at $1.07 per entry, free 1st hour from 10am to 5.59pm (Mon to Fri excluding Eve of PH and PH)
  • Check the parking rates at Plaza Singapura website
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08057 (Dhoby Ghaut Stn) - Bus No. 7, 14, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 162, 167, 171, 174, 175, 190, 502, 518, 700
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08058 (MacDonald Hse) - Bus No. 64, 65, 139, 587, 590, 598

Nearest MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Opening hours
Daily from 11am to 10pm (Last order at 9.30pm)
Portobello Mushroom S$7
Sweet Corn Crab S$7
The English Breakfast S$24
Smoked Turkey Pizza S$26
Truffle Fries, Sweet Potato & 1/4 Pork Sausage


Other outlets
Wheelock
601 Orchard Road #03-04 Wheelock Place Singapore 238880
Tel: 6235 7823

House
8D Dempsey Road Singapore 249672
Tel: 6475 7787

Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road #B1-63/64 Raffles City Shopping Centre Singapore 179103
Tel: 6333 5069

Great World City
1 Kim Seng Promenade #03-31/32 Singapore 237994
Tel: 6235 0644

100AM
100 Tras 100AM Shopping Mall Street Singapore 079027
Tel: 6444 2136

Westgate
3 Gateway Drive #01-03 Singapore 608532
Tel: 64659908

24 February 2014

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi らあめん花月嵐

Established in 1992, Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is ranked as the third most popular Ramen chain in Japan with more than 290 outlets worldwide. It is also the Number 1 Ramen chain in Japan for Garlic Tonkotsu broth. And within a short span of 6 months, Ramen Kagetsu Arashi has already opened three outlets in Singapore.
There are two exclusive dishes, Ginjiro ramen and Itameshi dry curry rice, introduced by Ramen Kagetsu Arashi. The Ginjiro ramen is already a hit in Japan and Taiwan. The broth's natural sweetness consists of the pork bones which are simmered over long hours and the dried bonito.
Moreover, customers could customise their ramen by adding the specially imported black pepper, soy sauce made from Kagetsu Ramen's secret recipe passed down from generations, special in-house seasoned chives prepared daily or the freshly crushed garlic.
After adding the seasoned chives, the broth became a bit spicy. Shiok! The soy sauce tastes good with the ramen (a little bit of soy sauce so it's not that salty) and the crushed garlic gives a strong unique taste with the ramen. I've tried both the soy sauce and crushed garlic with the noodles and not adding them to the broth.
Ginjiro Ramen (豚そば銀次郎 ラーメン)
The Itameshi Dry Curry Rice (イタめしカレー味) tastes savoury with the blend of spices and the crispy texture with the rice that is slightly scorched.
And this dish is my favourite - Gyoza (餃子)! The Gyoza skin is specially imported from Japan and tastes crispy and chewy with juicy pork meat filling. It is best to taste with the mixture of Layu, Vinegar and Shoyu.
You could also order the Number 1 favourite in Kagetsu Ramen outlets in Japan - Arashi Genkotsu Ramen! Known for its in-house made Tonkotsu broth which consists of Pork marrow bones, fat and collagen simmered for hours.
Another dish - Arashi Genkotsu Sio Ramen uses natural sea salt to produce a more refined taste and to accentuate flavours of the milky white broth.
How to get there?
The Cathay
Address: 2 Handy Road, #B1-01/02/03, The Cathay, Singapore 229233
Tel: 6736 3055

By Car -
  • Along Orchard Road, turn left into Handy Road and right turn into The Cathay carpark
  • Alternatively, go straight on Handy Road and park at Plaza Singapura carpark
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08058 (MacDonald Hse) - Bus No. 64, 65, 139, 587, 590, 598, NR6, NR7
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08041 (YMCA) - Bus No. 7, 14, 14E, 16, 36, 64, 65, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 139, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 174, 174E, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 850E, 951E, 971E, 972, NR6, NR7
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08079 (Sch of The Arts) - Bus No. 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 64, 65, 131, 139, 147, 166, 857, NR6
Nearest MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut
Opening hours: Daily from 11.30am to 10pm


The Star Vista
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-41 Singapore 138617
Tel: 6339 0335

By Car -
  • Along North Buona Vista Road, turn left to Vista Exchange Green and turn right to Star Vista Carpark
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 11191 (Buona Vista Stn) / 11199 (Blk 15) - Bus No. 105, 106, 147, 185
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 11361 (Buona Vista Stn) - Bus No. 74, 91, 92, 95, 191, 196, 198, 200
Nearest MRT Station: Buona Vista
Opening hours: 11.30am to 10pm (Weekdays) / 11.30am to 11pm (Fri, Sat & eve of PH)


Tampines 1
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #02-09/10, Tampines 1, Singapore 539536
Tel: 6854 0335

By Car -
  • Along Tampines Ave 4, turn left to Tampines Central 1 and turn left into Tampines One carpark
  • Alternatively, along Tampines Central 1, turn right to Blk 507 Multi-Storey CarPark
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 76141 (Tampines Stn/Int) / 76149 (Opp Tampines Stn/Int) - Bus No. 2N, 3, 15, 21, 27, 168, NR7
  • Alight at Tampines Interchange
Nearest MRT Station: Tampines
Opening hours: Daily from 11.30am to 10pm

22 February 2014

MEDZS All Day Weekend Brunch

Simply Mediterranean! MEDZS introduces brand new All Day Weekend Brunch menu which is a pastiche of authentic French, Spanish, Moroccan, Italian, Greek and Turkish cuisines. However, the Turkish cuisine is only available at MEDZS Orchard Central. Nonetheless, you'll enjoy the dishes at affordable prices ranging from S$12.90 to S$14.90, in a relaxed ambience at both MEDZS Orchard Central and MEDZS Millenia Walk.
With ease, customers will enjoy a cashless electronic card system which they'd pay only at the end of the meal. No Service Charge included!

And for the first month, MEDZS will be giving out a free cup of premium coffee to the first 200 brunch-goers with every brunch item purchased. The weekend brunch menu is available from 22 February 2014.
To provide a greater selection, the Weekend Brunch has 2 menus - Menu A & Menu B which the restaurant will serve alternately on a weekly basis.

MEDZS Brunch Menu

Cuisine
Menu AMenu B
French
Le Jolly Monsieur
Ham, Bacon, Bechémel Sauce, Cheese, Scramble Egg & Pork Bratwurst ($13.90)
 
Le Sunny Madame
Ham, Bacon, Bechémel Sauce, Cheese, Sunny Side Up & Pork Bratwurst ($13.90)
All-time favourites, MEDZSstyle
Bouncy Benedict
Home-cured Salmon, Baked Tomato, Rosti Potato, English Muffin & Salad ($14.90)
 
Porky and the Sage
Herb Crusted Tomato, Sunny Side Up & Steak House Fries ($14.90)
Italy
Stacked Brunch Torte
Puff Pastry, Eggs, Ham, Mushroom, Spinach, Cheese & Bell Pepper ($14.90)

The Frittata Frolic
Ham, Mushroom, Cheese, Bacon & Italian Spicy Sausage ($14.90)

Spain
Toasty Tortilla
Scrambled Egg, Stewed Beans with Chorizo & Brioche Toast ($14.90)
El Beefy Spaniard
Boiled Potatoes, Smoked Paprika, Sunny Side Up & Brioche Toast ($14.90)
Morocco
Egg-crowned Shakshouka
Lamb Kefta, Tomatoes, Eggs Tagine & Garlic Toast ($14.90)

Spicy Chicken Tagine
Tomatoes, Capsicum, Hard Boiled Egg & Potato Pancake ($13.90)
Greek
Poseidon’s Wrap
Prawn, Fish, Squid, Tomato, Lettuce, Scramble Egg, Tzatziki& Greek Salad ($14.90)
 
The Souvlaki Titan
Baked Tomatoes, Scramble Egg, Hash Brown & Pita Bread ($14.90)
*Turkish – special item for MEDZS Orchard Central

The Chicken Ottoman
Adana Chicken with Yogurt Dip & Mixed Salad ($14.90)
Velvety Dips & Toasted Bread
Hummus/Chickpea Dip,Baba Ganoush/Eggplant,Carrot & Cumin Dip ($12.90)
Dessert
A Berry Pancake Gala
Fresh Berries, Summer Berries, Topping Cream

Choice of Maple Syrup, Mango Sauce, Vanilla Sauce, Strawberry Sauce ($12.90)
Oh Fruit Crepe!
Mango, Peach, Chocolate Chips, Almond, Caramel Sauce & Vanilla Ice-cream ($12.90)
 

For the Food Tasting session, we got to try most of the dishes from Menu A and the Spicy Chicken Tagine from Menu B.
Stacked Brunch Torte (Italy)
Puff Pastry, Eggs, Ham, Mushroom, Spinach, Cheese & Capsicum
Toasty Tortilla (Spain)
Scrambled Eggs, Stewed Beans with Chorizo & Brioche Toast
Bouncy Benedict (MEDZS Style)
Home-cured Salmon, Baked Tomatoes, Potato Rosti, English Muffin & Salad
Le Jolly Monsieur (French)
Ham, Bacon, Béchamel Sauce, Cheese, Scrambled Eggs & Pork Bratwurst
I really like this dish! Simply yummy and highly recommended!
Poseidon's Wrap
Prawn, Fish, Squid, Tomato, Lettuce, Scrambled Eggs, Tzatziki & Greek Salad
Spicy Chicken Tagine
Tomatoes, Capsicum, Hard Boiled Egg & Potato Pancakes
Egg-crowned Shakshouka
Lamb Kefta, Tomatoes, Eggs Tagine & Garlic Toast
The lamb kefta is strong in flavour and tastes quite unique.
A Berry Pancake Gala
Fresh Berries, Summer Berries, Topping Cream
Choice of Maple Syrup, Mango Sauce, Vanilla Sauce and Strawberry Sauce
How to get there?
MEDZS @ Millenia Walk
Address: 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-46/47/55/56, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Tel: 6337 7507

By Car -
  • Along Raffles Boulevard, after Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore, turn left into Millenia Walk basement carpark.
  • Alternatively, along Raffles Boulevard, turn right into the Marina Square carpark or park at Suntec City Mall carpark and walk over.
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 02089 (Pan Pacific Hotel) - Bus No. 36, 56, 75, 77, 97, 171, 195, 960, 961C, NR2, NR5, NR7, NR8
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 02151 (Suntec Convention Ctr) - Bus No. 36, 70M, 97, 97E, 106, 111, 133, 162M, 502, 502A, 518, 518A, 531, 700A, 857, 868
Nearest MRT Station: Promenade or Esplanade (10-15 minutes' walk)
Opening hours: Sun to Thurs: 11.30am to 12am / Fri & Sat: 11.30am to 1am


MEDZS @ Orchard Central
Address: 181 Orchard Road, #B2-01 to 03/#B2-30 to 43, Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Tel: 6238 9028

By Car -
  • Along Orchard Road, turn right into Orchard Central carpark
  • Alternatively, park at Centrepoint or Orchard Point carparks
By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 08121 (Somerset Stn) - Bus No. 7, 14, 14E, 16, 36, 65, 77, 106, 111, 123, 124, 128, 143, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 174, 174E, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 971E, 972, NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 09038 (Midpoint Orchard) - Bus No. 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7, 14, 14E, 16, 65, 106, 111, 123, 175, 502, 502A, NR1, NR2, NR3, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8
Nearest MRT Station: Somerset
Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 11am to 11pm

MEDZS Facebook

18 February 2014

Katsuya かつ屋 (East Coast)

Katsuya かつ屋 (House of breadcrumbs) is located along the stretch of shops and restaurants at East Coast Road. They believe in serving the best Tonkatsu (Breaded Deep Fry Pork)/Katsu to their customers. I'd recommend the set meal which is hearty in portion, and consists of the red miso soup. The tonkatsu/katsu is tender yet crispy on the outside.
How to get there?
Address: 85 East Coast Road #01-01 Singapore 428787

By Car -
  • Along East Coast Road, park at 112 Katong, Katong Village or kerbside parking lots

By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 92111 / 92119 (Opp Roxy Sq/ Roxy Sq) - Bus No. 10, 12, 14, 32, 40

Nearest MRT Station: Dakota (Take Bus No. 10 or 32 from Bus Stop at Blk 99, takes about 30 minutes)

Opening hours
Mon: 6pm to 10pm
Tues to Sun: 11.30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
(Last order: 30 minutes before closing)

いただきます!
Hire Set (Pork Tenderloin) S$21
Dory & Ebi Set (S$25)
Cheezy Chicken Set (S$20)
Chicken Breast with Mozzarella
They serve KatsuDon and KatsuToji too.
Tonkatsu sauce and Sesame sauce
The salad tastes best with the sesame sauce.

11 February 2014

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball 和记鸡饭团 (Jonker Street, Malacca)

Read about the three famous Chicken Rice Balls - Chung Wah, Hoe Kee and Famosa. The chicken rice balls are strongly recommended whenever one travels to Malacca. I couldn't give them a miss but only managed to try two of the restaurants. Hoe Kee was established in 1962 and has since been in the chicken rice business.
How to get there?
Address: 4, 6, 8 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka
Tel: +606 283 4751

It is distinctively located at the start of Jonker Street which is very near to San Shu Gong.

Opening hours
Daily from 10.30am to 5.00pm

We reached Jonker Street at around 4.30pm and Hoe Kee's chicken rice was already sold out. On the 2nd day, we attempted to queue at Chung Wah but the queue was very long (expect to wait for at least an hour). So, we went to Hoe Kee at around 10.30am which they have just opened for business. Thus, to avoid the queue at Hoe Kee, reach early.
Ice Barley
Steamed white Chicken
I prefer Hoe Kee's Hainan Chicken as compared to Famosa.
It's not that tender but it's more fragrant (due to the sesame oil).
Loose rice
We were there when they have just opened for business.
Rice balls were not ready, only 'loose rice' was available.
Asam Fish
This dish is strongly recommended. It is one of the dishes that you should order.
The fish tastes a bit spicy and sour.
Cabbage
I agree with some reviews that the chicken rice balls are overrated. 
Somehow, the overrated reviews have also contributed to the long queues at these restaurants.
However, Hoe Kee does have sincere friendly staff and having lunch there was a pleasant one.
Read my post on Malacca.

Where else have I been in Malacca?