The Bird Southern Table & Bar Opens at Marina Bay Sands

Award-winning Yardbird has finally opened its doors at Marina Bay Sands under the name The Bird Southern Table & Bar, offering authentic Southern U.S. cuisine and warm hospitality. Think hearty, comfort flavors that are rich and leaves you coming back for more. 

On the table of almost every group of customers is the signature Chicken "n" Watermelon "n"Waffles ($45) which spells everything that you see on the plate. Brined in a secret marinade for 27 hours according to a heritage family recipe before being deep fried in an air pressure fryer, the chicken is not shatteringly crunchy but has a light crispness that retains moistness beneath the skin. Even the most challenging breast meat section was well-executed. The chicken wings are already very flavorful on its own but the honey hot sauce is readily available for that extra kick (though less spicy than Tabasco). Just as important here are the tender Vermont sharp cheddar Cheese waffles that works as an outstanding pair with the bourbon syrup.

The Macaroni n Cheese ($14) is another popular favorite (especially amongst kids) that is made with five artisanal cheeses. Probably because I had this immediately after the chicken, the taste was comparatively lighter than usual Cheese dishes elsewhere. But that's not a bad thing. Just try to dig in while it's hot before the pasta starts to dry up.

For those looking for light appetizers and drinks, The Bird's extensive beverage program serves up high quality cocktails, whisky and bourbons from the signature Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade and to the regional-inspired The Japanese Pork Chop, Ong Bak and Pandan Mule. The drinks are truly refreshing and their restrained sweetness is what I like best about them. In fact, alcohol lovers or wine connoisseurs would delight to know that The Bird boasts one of the most impressive selections of bourbon and internationally sought-after spirits. The menu even offers special bourbons to pair with the fried chicken!

Diners can enjoy them alongside appetizers such as the creamy deviled eggs and Fried Green Tomato B.L.T, of which the latter is a less common combination of house smoked pork belly, pimento cheese, smoky tomato jam all stacked on a deep fried green tomato. With plenty of umami-packed ingredients all in one bite, this dish would make you go mamma Mia. For desserts, we tried the Cafe Creme Brulee and Banana Pudding which are truly keeping up with the spirit of authentic Southern US desserts. In other words, they are extra creamy, rich, dense and sweet. Honestly speaking, I'm not a fan of their desserts. However, for their other interesting sweets that are not categorized under desserts (e.g. 77 elvis pancakes - peanut bacon butter, bourbon maple syrup, banana compote, chocolate chips) give me a call and I'll be right back anytime.

B1-07, Galleria Level

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Lunch
Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Dinner
Daily: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Drinks and Light Snacks
Daily: 11:00pm - 2:00am
Weekend Brunch
Sat/Sun: 10:00am-4pm

Click here for updates and menu

 

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IZY Dining & Bar @ Club Street : Relaunch of Japanese-American Fusion Menu

 Over-the-top sushi piled with all sort of luxurious ingredients can be found in several  izakayas in Tokyo and Izy Japanese Dining is probably the first place in Singapore which serves this. Opened since 2013,  this pop culture urban izakaya has recently revamped its menu featuring new items with a focus on sushi rolls.

Piled with heaps of fresh uni, Ikura, crab meat and negitoro, the Nokke Roll ($32) is a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the belly. The ingredients are surely fresh but I'm not so sure it is worth the value as I've had an almost exact same replica at half the price back in Tokyo.

One issue was the rice. It was rather dry and the grains did not bind well. The same issue arose in the Izy Roll ($16), a tempura shrimp and asparagus roll with spicy crab mayo and avocado spread on top. While Izy has a leaning towards Japanese-American fare such as these kind of mayo sushi, one can still find classic sushi on the menu.

Nonetheless, the game is not lost. The Wagyu Don with Fresh Truffle Slices ($40) was an excellent rice bowl. The Josper grilled beef was well-marinated and juicy, bonding cohesively with the rice thanks to the Onsen egg buried within. The presence of truffles is definitely welcomed here as its aroma enhanced the sweetness of the beef.

I had always thought Gyu Katsu $30 would be thick and chewy, but not the case here. The beef was sliced so finely, cooked to a beautiful pink with only a thin layer of fried batter around it to qualify this as a katsu. It comes with three different types of sauce but I think the best way to enjoy it is just simply with a dabble of salt.

For some sharing dishes, get the Grilled Swordfish or the Nanban Chicken (ala carte $9/$20 as lunch set). The fish was fresh and the the unique combination of parmesan and seaweed in the sauce gave it a delicious twist to the usual grilled fish we have in Japanese restaurants. The Naban Chicken were simply juicy and tender, doused generously in the tasty tartar sauce. Both dishes are my favourites that night too.

Interestingly, they also served Bayan Cauda ($15), a very common dish in Japan, especially Italian trattorias, but rarely found here. It's a classic Piedmont vegetable fondue made with onion, garlic and anchovy but here white miso is incorporated, giving it an extra intense umami boost. Located in Club Street, I can understand why this place is popular with after-work crowd and business expats looking for a nice place to chill out after work.

IZY Dining & Bar
27 Club Street, Singapore 069413
Reservations: 9678 0027
www.izy.com.sg
Mon to Fri 12pm to 2pm;
Mon to Sat 6pm to 10.30pm


This is an invited tasting

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Countdown 2017 : New Year's Eve Buffet @ Grand Hyatt Singapore

Don't fuss over what to cook at home on 31st December. 

There's only one more day left to 2016 so treat yourself to an A-grade dinner at any of five restaurants at Grand Hyatt. Be spoilt with all kinds of choices from Indian to Italian cuisine or a scrumptious platter of fresh sashimi served using sustainable seafood. But after your dinner, don't be too kanchiong to head home! Toast to a "Beautiful Age" at the Belle Époque countdown party where free-flow beverages and a dessert extravaganza awaits you alongside live music and entertainment. 

Here's a sneak preview of some of the dishes offered at Grand Hyatt for New Year's Eve dinner and of course, the dessert extravaganza!  

Straits Kitchen Indian section Lobster masala 

Assorted Bouchons

Macarons & Champagne Truffles

Chocolate Caviar Tiramisu

mezza9 spit roasted over yarrah hard wood, british red poll prime rib, garlic, black pepper 

StraitsKitchen Chinese Section : Double boiled superior seafood herbal soup in whole coconut” (Scallop, prawn, mushroom, chinese herbs, whole coconut)

Artisan Gelato (Must Try!)

For more information, click here  to view the detailed menus for 10 Scotts, mezza9, StraitsKitchen, Pete's Place, Oasis.

Prices start at SGD138++ for New Year's Eve dinners that include one complimentary ticket to the Belle Époque countdown party.

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Alter Ego @ Esplanade : Eat Clean and Indulge Dirty

Angel and Demon. 

Pure and Evil. 

Clean and Dirty. 

Everyone has an alter ego hidden inside ourselves. That alternate face that's always deviating from the norm, gravitating towards the sinful, unhealthy actions. Imagine having healthy poke bowls with sinful fries drenched in cheese. That's what you can find at AlterEgo, an edgy underground space at Esplanade where you can "unleash your alterego".

Over food, that is. 

Indulge dirty with the Chilli Cheese Dog ($13), an impossibly soft butter griddled bun stuffed with grilled cheddar sausage smothered in sweet and spicy house-made minced beef, sour cream and melted cheddar cheese. It spoke the language of comfort food just like the twice-baked Buffalo Wings ($14). These were more smoky than spicy, but already flavorfully seasoned on its own without the need for house ranch dressing. 

Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside consistency is the litmus test of good fries but Alter Ego takes it to an extreme new level with its original Pizza Fries drenched in seemingly endless three-cheese sauce and smoky pepperoni ($14)

Yes, this is bound to ruin your diet plan tremendously but you know you just want to jump right in the ship of melty goodness. And the bacon ketchup sauce served at the side only worsen things by making the fries extra moreish. Don't ever eat this with your hands. And this applies for the dangerously addictive deep-fried Fish Skin ($8) that latched to the special Umami dust. 

Yet another stunningly lavish treatment of potatoes is the heaping bowl of Loaded Taters ($13) I actually didn't know tater tots are hash browns in small cylindrical forms but knowing that made me realized how crazily tasty hashbrowns can be. 

The crisp, golden shells yielded gently to a soft piping hot interior. Tossed them with spicy japeleno cheese sauce, fragrant flecks of maple glazed bacon and sour cream and you've got an entirely different beast. 

With so many heavy, rich-flavored dishes across the board, the Grilled Cheese ($11) suddenly became pretty lightweight and easy to handle. Imagine golden toasts with wafer-like crispness collapsing into an ultra-gooey center as you sink your bite into it.

I knew I needed to work my ass out for all the #cheesepull goals but no regrets as this IS the best cheese toast I've ever had after the one at Dominique Ansel Japan. Add on $3 for beef short ribs fillings.

Healthy eats? Did I mention that at the start? Yes, the poke bowls are definitely a must-try and I loved them as much or even more than some of the above dishes. All the poke bowls are pre-set but you can still swap or top-up for certain ingredients.

Similar to bara chirashi dons as they seemed, these poke bowls got the higher vote as I find that the sauce marinade is more livid without draining the natural sweetness of the sashimi. The poke bowls also offer plenty of textures and nutrition than an average chirashi don. For example, the Umami Omega ($16) features a spicy garlic sesame salmon with lime avocado and kale chips on signature sushi rice. There's also a vegan option great for vegan and non-vegan eaters alike. 

To cap it all off, there's desserts such as Lemon Ice Box Pie ($11) and Berries & Cream  ($11) to help you gain more weight. Both of them reminded me of classic Ang-moh desserts that are buried under an incredulous mountain of fresh chantily. However, I soon realized that the amount of cream was actually just right to go along with the tangy lemon filling or even the juicy macerated berries.

At AlterEgo, it's really go big or go home. If you've already swallowed down so much cheese and flavors earlier, why still bother about the cream? :D 

Be true to yourself. 

Let loose and eat for your ego. 

Alter Ego by A Poke Theory

#01-13D Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue

Mon – Fri 11am – 1am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 10am – 1am

www.alterego.sg

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Suzette @ Esplanade : Picnic by the Bays

I never imagine myself to do picnics in the hot, humid weathers like Singapore. But after experiencing a uniquely #SuzetteSG picnic at Esplanade by the Bays, I think I'm a convert now.

Suzette, the younger sister of Lola's Cafe, is the latest dessert bar in town that offers desserts and drinks with a touch of playfulness. "Playful" is the word here because you get rather unconventional pairings of flavors like Matcha and Mango or even a white chocolate durian tart inspired by the Esplanade architecture.

The cakes belonged to those dense buttercream Victorian-style cakes which I'm not a fan of. However, I highly recommend the tarts as the pastry shell was thin and crisp as they should be.

The Black Sesame Tart with Matcha Cookies Shavings ($6) might not be aesthetically attractive but the gooey and rich black sesame cream within would leave a lasting delicious imprint on your taste memory.

From 5th Nov onwards, they will launch a weekend brunch and takeaway picnic concept which brings cafe dining to another whole new dimension. Pay a deposit of $50 for the picnic basket and you can bring it anywhere around the Marina Bay to enjoy outdoor dining with your loved ones.

Highlights of the menu include Cold Angel Hair Pasta with Seared Salmon ($18) that is fit for any weather. Tossed in a light dressing of miso, furikake and vinegar, the springy pasta provided a refreshing vibe that didn't make me feel sluggish unlike most carbs. This is served with a generous hunk of salmon that is sous vide at 59 degrees before finishing with a caramelized tan in a quick sear.

Another must try is the French Toast ($16) that was well-soaked in maple milk before being brûléed to a nice golden crisp. It turned out less cumbersome to eat than I had imagined for a picnic and its appropriately soft and eggy interior was perfect for mopping up the melting vanilla ice cream. Yes, the ice cream survived through the picnic despite the photo-taking time. This dish got even better with the chewy bacon and bananas spiced with masala chai.

If French Toast works so well already, I guess putting a Crepe Suzette on the picnic brunch isn't a bad idea right? 

Suzette

8 Raffles Avenue #01-13 Esplanade Mall. Singapore 039802

Tue – Thu: 3pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 11.30pm
Sun: 3pm – 10.30pm

https://www.facebook.com/suzettesg/

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OHAYO Biscuit オハヨー ビスケット : Quaint Kyoto Cafe selling Traditional French Sweets

Ohayo Gozaimasu!

What a rare find to chance upon a cafe owned by two ladies that bakes their own countryside French sweets! Pies, tarts, poundcakes, animal cookies...these old-fashioned rustic treats are arranged in front of the kitchen without any flamboyance to speak. It's simple, minimalist, just like any Japanese kitchen. 

There's only a counter table that sits 3 customers at the same time so it won't be such a nice thing to hoard the seat for too long if there are customers around. While I love those sophisticated entremets from posh cake boutiques, I also adore these humble, down-to-earth pastries that bring a sense of warmth to my heart. I had the popular Carrot Cake in the shape of a peculiar cylinder frosted unevenly with cream cheese.  

It probably did not look as attractive as those classic carrot cakes and it was a nightmare for me to find no more cream cheese inside the cake! Look how much a habitual animal of cream I've become!


But the cake itself was actually not too bad. It must have been the least sweetest carrot cake I've ever eaten in my life and the blend of spiced cinnamon was subtle at best. Some people might complain that it's too bland but the more I taste, the more I got accustomed to the simplicity. It was the perfect sweetness for me. The cake was tender but could be less dry and crumbly. 

I guess the baking philosophy here was "less is more" but I still wish there was more cream cheese. Since its named "Ohayo Biscuit", I couldn't leave without the signature Raisin Sandwich, a chunky block of sable cookies prised with buttercream and raisins. It looked like a tasty jigsaw puzzle to me but the sheer thickness made it less crispy than the superior ones from Hokkaido and quite difficult to chew as well. 

If they could serve a complimentary glass of hot milk or chocolate with the cookies, it will be perfect for dunking.

Ohayo Biscuit

〒602-0923 京都府京都市上京区中立売油小路東入油橋詰 96-2

11am-6pm daily (closed on Mon, Tues)

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Fat Lulu : Kickass Food with an Attitude

If you are after barbecue or grilled meats, chances are you will head to a western steakhouse or Korean BBQ house. But what if you prefer a mixup with a more eclectic selection of foods? 

Fret not, there's Fat Lulu. 

Opened by the same founders of Five & Dime, Fat Lulu is a truly hip eatery whose kitchen is run by two #Samsong chefs of opposing personalities. Chef Sam is the BBQ dude who enjoys burning his food because #noburnnotaste while Chef Song is the cool-headed dude who doesn't joke at making desserts that #tastesdope. 

There's no wafting smoke or raucous sounds of inebriation inside, but the space is full of spontaneity yet welcoming. 

The one-page dinner menu is concise and straight to the point. It's divided into three sections--vegetables, seafood and meats--with literally no carbs at all except for the Roasted Potato and Mushrooms ($12). 

Ooh yes, don't be surprised that even a humble dish like this offered intensely vivid splashes of flavors, thanks to the wicked use of lamb fat that must have permeated the potatoes and reduced it to a perfect softness #eatfirstdietlater
Ok, that's not the true story for the adventurous date with Fat Lulu as we played cheat by ordering the Open Beef Ravioli ($22) #notlagsania, a special dish off the printed menu. 

It can be easily mistaken as Japanese Omurice but actually ravioli sheets layered with carrot cream, spinach and red-wine Braised shortribs. 

For me, there's nothing short of revolutionary when I get a deconstructed dish that tasted unpredictably good and even better than a classic version. #mammamia 
To start, we had some small, elegant plates such as the Burnt Asparagus to warm up the bellies. For the burnt corn, there's a deep and special sweetness unlocked by salt, oregano, hot coals and time. 

But at Fat Lulu, the meats are undoubtedly the top picks for the fire magic. Take for instance the Sataytay ($12). Somewhere in between the soft sweet fat of the Iberico pork trimmings and sambal marinade lies a gustatory intensity no where to be found in satays or pork skewers elsewhere. 

The Duh Meat Board  ($28) is #likeduh dish one should order because it exemplifies the noble philosophy of burnt food. The wagyu skirt adopts a low char burn for a nice caramelized skin with succulent juices to boot while the Sambal-marinated Pork Collar is exposed to high heat, burnt in such a fast and furious way that it transformed into sweet caramelized char siew! But of course, the way Chef Sam prepared it was different from char siew. Even the bitterness of the soy dashi-glazed Kailan was burnt away to a crunchy crisp. #nomercy 

This place shouts Asian barbeque but don't come expecting the dishes to be as spicy as your sambal stingray. That said, you still get a numbing sensation from the Ikan kabar--fresh parrot fish seasoned with chilli oil, garlic and ginger paste, Kashmir chilli powder and tumeric--neutralized by a refreshing burst of cucumber achar at the side. #cleaneats 

But that's only half the story of Fat Lulu. There's an excellent repertoire of sweets created by Chef Song who used to deliver his dose of happiness at Grand Hyatt, Halia Restaurant and Raven. In fact, I applaud the move to give half weightage of the menu to desserts because that section is often overlooked or simply neglected. 


For those who fancy zesty or fruity flavors, get both the Pineapple and Coconut Ice Kachang ($14) and Berries & Chocolate ($16). But as a creature of comfort food, I'm head over heels for the warm Banana bread in Brandy Butterscotch Sauce ($14). Moist and tender, the cake was not too sweet and complemented perfectly with the Coconut ice cream. 

And there's the Apple Tarte Tartin ($14) born by mistake when the chef burnt the base of his vanilla ice cream. Even though the apple tart tarte Tartin wasn't as "burnt" as I would love it to be, smoky bitterness of the smooth ice cream provided a counterpoint to the sweet richness of the baked apples. 

Looking back, it is really hard to find a place these days that win me over with both savoury and sweet. Indeed, the bromance chemistry of wacky duo must have spilled over to their cuisine and a return is a must. #pigoutforbrunch

Fat Lulu Singapore
297 River Valley Road Singapore 238338
Sun-Thur 6pm-11pm
Fri& Sat 6pm till late
Brunch:
Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Closed on Mondays
http://www.fatlulus.sg/

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