Lawry's the Prime Rib (Part 2) - Easter Lunch

Easter Lunch has always been a special affair back home where I come from, so to celebrate Easter here in Singapore, the husband and I went to Lawry's the Prime Rib.  I was here for my birthday last year and have always wanted to come back for their fantastic prime rib.

For appetizers, we had the Pan Seared Atlantic Scallops (SGD 19.00).  I loved the corn salsa on this dish.  This was a nicely light and refreshing starter.

Pan Seared Atlantic Scallops

We learned from our past mistake of ordering a cut that was way too big for our appetites, so this time around we went for smaller portions.  I had the California Cut 160g (SGD 68.00) while my husband had the English Cut 200g (SGD 78.00).  The cuts were perfect this time around.  And the meat was just wonderfully succulent.  Each bite melts in your mouth.  The horse radish sauce was just as perfect with the beef as I remembered it from the past.

The California Cut 160g (SGD 68.00)

The English Cut 200g (SGD 78.00)

The remarkable and consistent quality of the prime rib at Lawry's makes this an obvious favorite for carnivores like me.  I also love the very warm ambience that this place has which makes it perfect for a weekend steak indulgence.

Lawry's the Prime Rib

333A Orchard Road

#04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery

Tel #: 6836 3333

Enoteca L'Operetta - Neapoletan Pizza & Cuisine

An Italian colleague of mine recommended Enoteca L'Operetta at Boat Quay for authentic Neapolitan pizza.  Of course I will trust an Italian completely for pizza recommendations, and so I headed there the following day for a dinner date with the husband over the weekend.

We had the Tre Gusta Caprese (SGD 38.00) as an appetizer.  These are three types of fresh cheeses served with cherry tomatoes.  The cheeses were burrata, bufala and ricotta.  Each was wonderfully smooth and I always appreciate the subtle flavor of Italian fresh cheeses.  The cherry tomatoes were also commendable -- they were so sweet and fruity.

Tre Gusta Caprese (SGD 38.00)

For pizza, we went with the chef's recommendation called Bismark (SGD 26.00).  This had tomato sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, parmesan, and egg.   This was absolutely delicious.  The toasted crust just melts in your mouth and the texture was just incredible.  The tomato sauce was extremely fresh and the toppings were very delectable.  Suffice it to say this is one of the best pizzas I've had so far. 

Bismark (SGD 26.00)

We also had the Pappardelle rosse al pomodoro con ragu di kurobuta (SGD 28.00).  The pappardelle pasta was made with tomatoes while the sauce had black pork ragout and porcini mushrooms.  This was nicely flavored - the tomato pappardelle gave the perfect amount of acidity to the dish which balanced out the savory pork.

Pappardelle rosse al pomodro con ragu di kurobuta (SGD 28.00)

Food was excellent at Enoteca L'Operetta, and I was impressed with everything we ordered.  Service was very warm and efficient.  Pricing is not too bad as well for the great quality of their dishes.  This restaurant has become an instant favorite, and I will definitely be back to try out their other pizzas and other menu items.

Enoteca L'Operetta

78,79 Boat Quay

Tel# : 6438 2482

Table at 7 (Restaurant Week Series)- Asian Fusion

For the Restaurant Week series last March (http://restaurantweek.sg), the husband and I decided to try out Table at 7.  My friends have raved about this place on several occasions, so I instantly grabbed the opportunity of trying out their Restaurant Week set menu.  Their lunch menu was priced at SGD 40.00 per person.

My husband had the Starter Choice A: Salad of the House.  This was a smoked ocean trout with arugula and wasabi dressing.  The dressing was brilliant and had the right amount of acidity and kick to complement the fish.

Salad of House

I chose the Starter Choice B: Authentic Javanese Oxtail Soup served with Root Vegetables and Glass Vermicelli.  This was alright -- it was a beefy soup that was reminiscent of vietnamese pho.

Authentic Javanese Oxtail Soup

I had the Main Course Choice A: Crispy Duck Confit on Lyonnaise Potatoes, Fine Beans and Caramelised Onion, Port Reduction.  The duck was cooked well - beautifully crispy on the outside with meat that falls of the bone. The seasoning however was a bit heavy handed on the salt.

Crispy Duck Confit

My husband ordered the Main Course Choice B: Eugenia’s Signature Reef Fish and Prawn Curry with Fragrant Jasmine Rice.  This was an average tasting curry in my opinion.  Nothing creative about this dish.

Eugenia's Signature Reef Fish

The last course was dessert where we were served the Mango and Passion Fruit Tart with Malibu Sorbet and Coconut Wafer.  This was okay tasting, and similar to the curry was nothing note worthy.

Mango and Passion Fruit Tart with Malibu Sorbet and Coconut Wafer

There were a few good dishes from the set menu.  However overall the restaurant week menu was not as impressive as I had hoped for.  Hopefully I can try out their ala carte menu some other time since I've heard great reviews about their other dishes.

Table at 7
7 Mohamed Sultan Road
Tel #: 6836 6362

Flutes at the Fort - Outdoor Dining

A few officemates and myself went for dinner at Flutes at the Fort just off Fort Canning park.  The ambience is supposed to be vineyard inspired.  I can't comment for sure how close it might look like to an actual vineyard, but the outdoor dining experience was lovely all in all.  The restaurant is actually an old restored house where seating is at the terrace, so it has that country Gone with the Wind feel to it .

For starters we had the Seared Sea Scallops (SGD 28.00).  The scallops were beautifully fresh and the tangy lime dressing was perfect with the gigantic juicy scallops.

Seared Sea Scallops (SGD 28.00)

Our table also had the Pan Fried Foie Gras (SGD 28.00).  The foie gras had the crisp searing on the outside which I always enjoy as a prelude to the inner buttery texture of the liver.  The sweet prune glaze was also fantastic in this dish.

Pan Fried Foie Gras (SGD 28.00)

For mains, a few of us shared the Grainge Black Angus Cote de Beouf (SGD 120.00).  This is a heavy 900-gram steak.  The menu says that it's good for 2, but in my opinion the portions are large enough to feed 3 to 4 people.  This enormous piece of ribeye was delicious, and the meat was very tender with just the right amount of seasoning.

Grainge Black Angus Cote de Beouf (SGD 120)

Our table also had the Gratin Of Whole Lobster (SGD 45.00).  The cheese sauce was rich but very satisfying.  The lobster was a little small in size, though it was cooked well and had a nice overall texture.

Gratin of Whole Lobster (SGD 45.00)

For dessert, we tried out the Dark Chocolate Fondant With Fennel Ice-Cream and Pistachio (SGD 16.00).  This was reminiscent of a souffle or lava cake.  I love anything with oozing warm chocolate sauce, so this was an instant hit for me.

Dark Chocolate Fondant (SGD 16.00)

Flutes at the Fort was delightful, and all the dishes we tried out did not disappoint.  This is definitely a good place to visit for special occasions, and I'm glad I got to try this out.  The place is hidden and quite difficult to find, so do visit their website for clear instructions on how to get there.

Flutes at the Fort
Fort Canning Park
23B Coleman Street
Tel #: 6338 8770
http://www.flutes.com.sg/

Brasserie Les Saveurs - Christmas Day Brunch

I celebrated Christmas Day by having brunch at the very swanky Brasserie Les Saveurs at St. Regis Hotel in Tanglin Road.  I have read great reviews about their champagne brunches and hence booked myself a table as early as 2 months back in preparation for Christmas.  I absolutely fell in love with the interior of the place.  It had a very warm yet classy feel to the ambience.  Check out the photo below taken from our table.

Our table all had the Champagne Brunch with free flowing Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut (SGD 188).  They also had a Non-Alcoholic Brunch (SGD 158) available, but since it's  holiday season, there's absolutely no excuse to refuse getting tipsy in the afternoon.

The Champagne: Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut

The brunch comes with a Seafood on Ice Buffet.  The variety of fresh seafood was absolutely breath taking.  I loved the oysters. lobster tail, and abalone.  The seafood were all fresh, fresh, fresh.  This seafood buffet already made this trip worthwhile!

Seafood on Ice Buffet - Oysters Galore

Seafood on Ice Buffet -Alaskan King Crab Legs, Lobster Tail, Mussels, and Prawns

Seafood on Ice Buffet - Sashimi Station

There were also several Passed Around Appetizers which were offered by the chef on each table.  I was only able to take a photograph of 2 of the appetizers.  There were some hits and misses with the appetizers but overall they had very delectable choices.  And I do enjoy the novelty of having someone come over your table to offer a bite size dish.

Passed Around Appetizer - Truffle Risotto

Passed Around Appetizer - Asparagus and Mushrooms

The rest of the entrees were served as part of a degustation menu.  The first of the degustation menu was L'Oeuf au Caviar, which is egg with French caviar served with finger toast.  The presentation was very pretty.  Taste wise, it was nice and light -- like a fancy scrambled egg seasoned or salted with the caviar.

L'Oeuf au Caviar

Next up was Le Foie Gras.  The foie gras was served with a pumpkin puree and root vegetables on the side.  I thought the foie gras could have used more  salt and searing as the outer layer was still a bit soft in my opinion.  Foie gras of course is still foie gras, so still a very enjoyable dish.

Le Foie Gras

The soup served was Le Marron, made of chestnut, pancetta, croutons, and chives.  This was a very nice and creamy savory soup without the heaviness.  Finished this up in a few gulps.

Le Marron

Le Saint Pierre was a poached dory with zucchini and tomatoes.  The colors on the plate were beautiful, though taste wise I thought this was the most forgettable dish of the menu.

Le Saint Pierre

The main course was La Viande, where you have a choice of Turkey, Lamb or Beef served with vegetables and winter black truffle.  I had the Turkey, though at this point I was so full that I could not enjoy this anymore.  So I will not comment any further on the taste as I was too full to really savor this dish.

La Viande - Turkey

No matter how unbelievably full I get, I always have room for dessert.  And boy did the Dessert Buffet look absolutely appetizing!  The whole table looked like  sugar wonderland, enough to make a child (or adult) giddy with excitement.  I wanted to try out each and every single dessert, but unfortunately my stomach capacity would not allow me to do so.  I had a try of the Lemon Meringue Angel and the Chocolate Souffle.  The Lemon Meringue had black berries in the center which added more depth to the dessert.  The Chocolate Souffle was really delicious -- it had cinnamon and nutmeg to add a festive twist to this divine dish.

The Dessert Buffet

Lemon Meringue Angel

Chocolate Souffle

I was very happy with our visit to Brasserie Les Saveurs this Christmas.  The brunch was on the pricey side, but the quality of the food (especially the seafood and dessert buffet) were more than enough to compensate for the price.  If I find myself spending Christmas in Singapore again next year, I will definitely be eating Christmas Day brunch here again.


Brasserie Les Saveurs
29 Tanglin Road
The St. Regis Hotel
Tel #: 6506 6888

The Goose Station - Degustation Experience in Manila (Manila Series)

I have been wanting to try out The Goose Station's degustation menu for quite some time now, so I was more than happy to oblige when a friend invited me for a pre-holiday dinner there.  We had the Signature Menu, which is a 7-course degustation menu that costs Php 2,500 or SGD 74.

You will have to forgive the quality of the photos below as I left my camera and had to take these with a friend's iPhone.

The first course is called Snacks, composed of Foie Gras Cone, The Chip, Jamon Croqueta, and Mais con Yelo.  I thought the Foie Gras Cone was excellent and I loved the texture of the foie gras mousse paired with the crispy cone.  The rest of the snacks sadly were disappointingly ordinary.

Foie Gras Cone

(R to L) The Chip, Jamon Croqueta, Mais con Yelo

Next up is the Caviar Surprise with Alaskan King Crab, White Asparagus Flan, Prawn Jelly, and Avruga Caviar.  This was a pleasant and light dish.  Quite liked the texture and overall flavor.

Caviar Surprise

Next course was the Eggs Benedict.  This was a poached egg with hollandaise sauce, truffle oil, and bacon tuile.  I normally love anything with truffle, but this dish was an overkill.  I thought there were too many rich and heavy elements.  Perhaps a simple poached egg with truffle oil would have been better suited.  

Eggs Benedict

The only greens for the night was the Carrot and Beet Salad.  The photo below does not do justice, but I thought this dish was superb.  Absolutely loved the use of goat cheese with the rest of the salad.  I also thought the dressing had the perfect amount of acidity.

Carrot and Beet Salad

The Fideua Negra or squid ink noodle had nicely roasted scallops on the side.  I enjoyed this dish and thought the flavors were distinct but not too overwhelming.  

Fideua Negra

Last entree for the night was the 24 Hour USDA Short Rib Steak.  I would have expected extreme tenderness from the meat since this was slow cooked, however in my opinion this was rather forgettable.  The only thing commendable about this dish was the truffle mashed potatoes.

24 Hour USDA Short Rib Steak

For dessert, our table ordered each of the 4 choices in the menu- Strawberry Sorbet, Chocolate Candy Bar, Cheesecake, and Lemon Meringue.  The cheesecake in our opinion was the best of the group.  It was nice and light with loads of fresh berries.  The rest were all okay but nothing worth raving about.

Strawberry Sorbet

Chocolate Candy Bar wit Raspberry

Cheesecake

Lemon Meringue

There were a few hits and misses in The Goose Station's degustation menu.  I would recommend the foie gras cone, carrot & beet salad, and fideua negra.  Seeing that only a handful were worth re-trying, I would suggest ordering ala carte instead as I think forking out that cash for the entire degustation menu may not be the best use of your money.


The Goose Station
W Tower 1117, 39th Street
Bonifacio Global City 1634
Taguig City, Philippines
Tel #: +632 5569068

Restaurant 101 -Culinary Arts Showcase (Manila Series)

Enderun Colleges has one of the leading culinary programs in Manila, and so I was very curious to try out the Restaurant 101 located in the campus.  My family and I headed over there for lunch during my holiday in Manila.  The place is a delightful restaurant that showcases the creations of the Enderun faculty and serves as a training ground for its students who help out as part of the wait staff.

For appetizers, we ordered Gratinated Oysters (Php 180 or SGD 5.40).  These were baked oysters with cheese and spinach.  Really loved how the toasted cheese and butter complemented the fresh oysters.  Absolutely delicious!

Gratinated Oysters (Php 180 or SGD 5.40)

My sister had the Mushroom Cappuccino (Php 260 or SGD 7.70).  Had a sip out of this and thought this was really nicely done.  Not overly creamy and the mushroom had a pleasing distinct taste.

Mushroom Cappuccino (Php 260 or SGD 7.70)

My dad had the Crab Bisque (Php 240 or SGD 7.10).  Cannot comment on the taste as I didn't get to try it out.  My dad seemed to like it but could not finish the whole bowl as I guess it was a little on the heavy side.

Crab Bisque (Php 250 or SGD 7.10)

I had the 101 Caesar Salad (Php 300 or SGD 8.90).  I thought it was presented beautifully.  This had whole strips of parmesan and anchovy on a bed of extremely crunchy and sweet lettuce.  There was also a poached egg in the middle which added depth to the greens.  This is one of the better caesar salads I've had.  The dressing was savory without being too overwhelming which is normally the pitfall of caesar salads.  I really enjoyed this, and I can see myself going back here for this salad alone!

101 Caesar Salad (Php 300 or SGD 8.90)

For mains, I had the 101 Truffle Pasta (Php 420 or SGD 12.50).  I thought it was rather cute and playful that they used macaroni for this.  It had chunks of ham and gruyere cheese as toppings.  I thought however that they could have used less gruyere cubes.  The gruyere made it a little too heavy and tiring to finish, and it overpowered the truffle flavor of the pasta.

101 Truffle Pasta (Php 420 or SGD 12.50)

My sister and dad both had the Braised Sea Bass (Php 880 or SGD 26.10).  The sauce was a coconut cream sauce with calamansi (Asian version of lime).  Had a bite of this as well and thought the combination of coconut and sea bass was surprisingly good.  The vegetable roll on the side was a visually appealing addition to the dish but unfortunately did not add anything taste-wise.  A simpler side of greens may have been better suited.

Braised Sea Bass (Php 880 or SGD 26.10)

My mom had the Pan-seared Red Snapper (Php 480 or SGD 14.30).  My mom thought the sauce had a nice hint of curry.  Didn't get to taste this, so I don't have any personal comments.  

Pan-seared Red Snapper (Php 480 or SGD 14.30)

My husband ordered a 2-course Market Menu (Php 780 or SGD 23.20).  The first course was a Prawn Appetizer (didn't really get the exact name of this) and the second course was a Pan-Seared Hanger Steak.  Serving size was very generous, and quality was not bad at all for Php 780.

Prawn Appetizer - Part of 2-course Menu

Pan-Seared Hanger Steak - Part of 2-course Menu
(Php 780 or SGD 23.20 for the entire 2-course Menu)

For dessert we had the Louis XV (Php 280 or SGD 8.30) which was a chocolate crisp with delectable ganache and praline.  Highly recommended for chocolate lovers like me.  Very much enjoyed the crispy base with the sinfully good hazelnut chocolate.

Louis XV (Php 280 or SGD 8.30)

My first visit to 101 Restaurant was overall a very pleasant experience.  There were some impressive dishes, and I could definitely see myself coming back for the oysters, caesar salad, and Louis XV dessert.  The other steaks and poultry dishes in the menu look interesting and would be worth a try in the future.  Service was pretty good, considering that half the wait staff were students.  They apparently have very affordable lunch set menus during weekdays which makes this ideal for the office crowd around the McKinley Hill area.

101 Restaurant
Enderun Colleges
1100 Campus Avenue
McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig City
Tel #: +632 856 5000 local 101