黄金の塩らぁ麺 Due Italian: Michelin Bib Gourmand Cheese Ramen in Tokyo

No, it's not some Angmoh cooking up some ramen. It's Japanese ramen with an Italian twist. Think ramen in cheese broth with Parma ham. Something like soup pasta but the broth is thinner and not overwhelmingly rich. This Fromage Ramen is the signature creation of Due Italian, a little red ramen-ya that has been awarded Michelin Bib gourmand for 2 consecutive years. 

Chef-owner Ishizuka was born in Italy and opened up to 6 Italian restaurants in Tokyo at one point in time. Business took a downward turn due to economy recession but he met Sato Minoru san, the founder of famous ramen chain "支那そばや" and learnt the ropes from him. With the aim of serving healthier ramen, he created his signature "Golden Shio Ramen" (黄金の塩らぁ麺) that boasted a special broth made with a golden formula of Nagoya chicken bones, scallop, konbu etc. When I first stepped into his little red shop in Ichigaya, I thought I entered a small Chinese noodle house, not a typical hole-in-the-wall ramen ya. The only thing that reminded one that it is a ramen shop is the self-order vending machine. Nonetheless, it felt more welcoming than a ramen-ya and no wonder 80% of the customers are ladies. 

The basic Fromage noodle (980 yen) was an interesting dish served with two globules of cheese. Parma ham can be added for 200 yen and I think anyone should do so because it imparted more bite and flavor to the dish. Once stirred with chopsticks, the cheese disintegrated rapidly under the heat and turned the soup creamy white. Yet it wasn't as thick nor rich like a carbonara but more like a cheese-flavored milky chicken broth that was light and tasty. 

Add the beauty Genmai rice served towards the end into the remaining soup and you'll get somewhat watery porridge which they call "risotto". 
On the other hand, the Golden Shio Ramen (880 yen) tasted quite flat and pedestrian. I was expecting more from this bowl but there was nothing much to shout about except for the tender Matsuzaka charsiu. The soup was clear and significantly less oily than average ramen, though those who are used to rich heavy flavors will find that this lacked the kick. 

One thing I like is the flexibility to change the usual noodles to zero-calorie konnyakyu noodles for extra 100 yen. In fact, the texture was almost the same. 

Overall, the concept of a healthy Italian style ramen sounds pretty attractive but I'm uncertain if it is worthy of a bib gourmand. I'll look elsewhere for a more satisfying ramen experience. 

Due Italian 黄金の塩らぁ麺
〒102-0074 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Kudanminami, 4 Chome−4−5−11
Mon-Fri 11am-4pm/5pm-10pm
Sat 11am-10pm
Sun/PH 11am-9pm
http://www.dueitalian.jp

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

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.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

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/

reade more... Résuméabuiyad