Just Acia - Very Value for Money

Actually, I have never intended to write about this restaurant since I am not feeling particularly inspired to do so. In other words, I kind of take this place for granted. It is only until I had visited Hifumi that I feel this place does deserve a mention here after all.

Ambience wise, the place is clean and pleasant to dine in. It scores more on functionality instead of aesthetics. The staff is okay; some are friendly while some are just doing their job, nothing more. The main drawing point is how incredibly value for money the set meals here are. For just $6 plus onwards, patrons can get free flow of drinks, soft-serve yoghurt and Mingo ice-creams to go with a main course. While these are not exactly something to rave about, I like the variety of drinks available, from the usual suspects of frizzy drinks and sugary drinks to Thai ice tea and hot beverages of coffee and tea. The ice-cream section features an interesting selection not commonly found in supermarkets, like lychee for example. To me, this is a huge plus point since I don't fancy eating ice-cream that I can easily get from NTUC or Cold Storage.

Main course dishes vary from mediocre to decent in terms of standard. The dumplings are bland, and the amount of filling inside is pathetically little. The Aglio Olio is surprisingly not bad. Not al dente, but the spaghetti has not fallen into the category of "soggy", in fact, far away from it, thus I still find myself enjoying this dish. And it helps that the aroma of garlic is pronounced in this dish. This is the dish that gives me the reason to visit Just Acia again when I am in saving mode. This is also the place that comes into my mind if suggesting a place for gathering since it will not hurt the wallets.

My Thoughts: Not Bad

For locations, click on the link below:
http://www.justacia.com/findus.html

East Bistro - Sembawang Well-kept Secret

Who says Dim Sum are meant for lunches only? I want to have them whenever I feel like it, especially given the fact that I have a preference for dishes that come in small plates instead of a huge mountain of food slapped in front of me. Though the fact remains that most restaurants do not serve Dim Sum at night time. This is where East Bistro comes to the rescue, not literally, of course.

Besides the trademark soupy rice, featuring rice grains soaked with the flavourful milky soup base while retaining the firm texture of rice, Dim Sum items are also on the all-day menu. The good part is they are of decent quality and incredibly low price. And the Barbecue Pork Bun has an amazing fluffy exterior that is out of this world, partly because I have never eaten a Chinese Bun with such soft and fluffy skin. And since I dislike the mush-like porridge and is bored with the regular Thai rice, the Soupy Rice here, which has different texture and taste from the other types of rice dishes, does well to entice me into getting my dose of carbohydrates for the night.

Ambience there is ... well ... serviceable. At least, it is clean, air-conditioned, with ample space between the tables. Just keep in mind how wallet-friendly the food there is, and all will be good.

Service is like ... well ... what you find in common Chinese restaurants—efficient but brutal. But I do appreciate that the boss, a chef from Hong Kong, goes around to enquire on our opinions of the food.

Oh yes, the boss greets us and bids farewell if we see him in the restaurant, as we are kind of like regular patrons there already. I do like patronizing this place since both my palates and wallet remain happy after a meal there. One last thing, this restaurant is way better than Tim Ho Wan, in terms of food, ambience and pricing.

My Thoughts: Nice!

Nearest car park: Victory 8 Condominium's car park
Nearest MRT: Sambawang

10 Jalan Tampang
Contact No: 67524844