Stinky Durian Dessert - Stinky Good Times

I absolutely love walking around those streets near Outram Park MRT, such as Neil Road, Teo Hong Road, Keong Saik Road, Bukit Pasoh and the likes. Immersing in the nostalgia brought forth by the quaint shophouses lining the streets while journeying to one of numerous awesome, unique restaurants, eateries or cafes hidden here is an experience to be savoured. I was actually making my way to Keong Saik Bakery when I passed by an interesting place hidden right at a corner. I wouldn’t think that it is possible to have a shop front at there, facing from the side of the building instead of the front. With the lush greenery and tranquility surrounding the shop front that has an arched panel door and striking mural painting, it caught my attention. And right at the door step, I caught whiffs of the beloved fruit by many, so curious me got in to check out this place.

Note: This photo is from Stinky’s official website

The moment I stepped into the quaint little place, I was greeted by an enthusiastic service staff who straightaway presented a slice of stinky roll to me. I was so impressed! Anyway, I decided to buy one whole roll instead for my loved ones to enjoy. Their verdict: amazingly, heavenly good. Thin cake sponge was wrapped around generous huge dollops of the famous Mao Shan Wang durian flesh. So good that it triumphs be over the durian desserts in hotels’ restaurants. The roll is well-wrapped to ensure none of the stinky aroma leaks out when bringing it home on public transport. Real thoughtful.

The place is great for a date (if both love durians), plus the “hidden in a quiet, tranquil spot” vibe makes the date feels exclusive and oh so special. Good for chill-out too due to its secluded location. You know, away from the buzz and such.

Thoughts: Stinky heaven for durian afficionados.

Nearest car park: Roadside parking at Bukit Pasoh, or HDB parking at the Duxton

Nearest MRT: Outram Park

1 Teo Hong Road

Iwatsuka-Seika Butter Mochi Rice Cracker

When my lovely little sister passed to me this cracker, saying it is a senbei, I was pretty skeptical about its taste since senbei invokes the memory of “Want Want Senbei”, which is hard rice cracker made in China. Then she added that it is very different from Want Want, so I took the plunge. And she was absolutely right on it.

It is definitely the best senbei. Made with Japanese rice that is pumped with milky goodness and buttery flavour, the senbei literally melts in the mouth within a few bites. Yes, senbei doesn’t have to be that hard rice cracker. Iwatsuka-Seika Senbei proves just that. It is so good that any foodie got to try it at least once to know what a premium senbei tastes like. For me, I will not be trying it once only. More please!

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: Shopee https://shopee.sg/product/562556271/12458404970?smtt=0.147269227-1645337305.9

Tsukigesho Mochi Bun

Mochi Bun, also known as Manju, is what got me into Japanese snacks when my Japanese colleague brought a box for us when back from vacation at his hometown. Since then, Japanese snacks simply have that power to entice me to buy them, no matter the price. But it got to the taste that got me to continue buying it. And this Mochi Bun is definitely one of those I will buy again. In fact, I finished 8 of them within two days!

The skin is thin but packs a punch in the aroma of baked goods, doing great to harmonize the milky goodness of the finely crushed white bean paste. The taste is there, that’s for sure. The box is so beautiful too, absolutely perfect to give as gift too. But it will take lots of willpower not to finish them up instead.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: Shopee https://shopee.sg/product/135413827/2340062265?smtt=0.147269227-1645330777.9

Cafe 2000 - Better than ever with Ala Carte Buffet

While I had written about Cafe 2000 before, it was during the time where all food was displayed out for patrons to grab. Yes, I use the word “grab” because it was Wild Wild South where everyone was scrambling to get their fill of seafood. The variety was awesome, and the seafood made the buffet very value for money, but I didn’t appreciate the ambience, too chaotic. I want to enjoy my food instead of stuffing my face with food to get the “value” back. Thus I am wowed by the concept of ala carte buffet here. The variety is great, with less seafood featured though, and the place has become way cleaner.

The appetizers here are awesome, with most being European variety. If I want to enjoy local food, I will prefer to go to kopitiams instead. So the appetizers definitely meet my expectations. Super fresh, plump, succulent prawns, buttery quiche with the goodness of cheese, well-seasoned fusilli pasta, refreshing potato salad with shredded egg and scallion plus the good old pizza and coleslaw, I love the choices of appetizers available here. The best part is all are served in bit size, so we get to try a little bit of everything without overeating.

Though I am not really into local delights in restaurants, but still got to order some satays since I love satays. And one of the things I love about ala carte is I can definitely get some satays if it is available in the menu and I want to enjoy some. If it is a no holds barred kind of buffet, I will never get to touch even a stick of satay because I don’t like to wait while watching the person in front of me grabbing twenty freshly cooked satays to put into his or her plate, leaving none for the next person. Yup, satays can bring out the worst in people at any settings. The same thing happened at my corporate events.

The soup of the day is very creamy and flavourful, a nice distraction from the solid food. It is cool that the eggs for breakfast set can be cooked in three different ways, depending on one’s preference. While my companion orders the congee and laksa to accompany his breakfast set as mains, I order Spaghetti Forest Mushroom Aglio Oilo, which get the thumbs-up from me due to the generous helpings of mushrooms.

The festive charcuterie is a nice addition for this Christmas season, but the huge slab of turkey meat does not really appeal to me. The gamey flavour is too strong to my liking, and I have never been into meat served in huge chucks anyway. What I like is the tangy mustard sauce served with the potato wedges, and I add it to the prawns to get the oomph out of it.

The cake selection is less than that of the previous style of buffet, but the quality is better now. Signature Durian King Cream Puff has my companion raving over it. He even said, “This is what I come here for.” As for me, I love odeh odeh cake and the warm, moist Chocolate Soufflé served in a coffee cup. There are other varieties of cakes, butter milk waffles with different toppings and ice-creams to satisfy the sweet tooth.

The service is pretty good, being prompt in responding to requests. And the setting has improved a lot. In fact, after the first visit, I have been planning on going there again soon!

My Thoughts: Thumbs up!

Nearest car park: M Hotel's car park

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar

M Hotel Singapore
81 Anson Road
Singapore
Contact No: 65006112

Yumi’s Dip

 

This is rich and flavourful, yet so healthy because this dip is loaded with the goodness of vegetables and spices. And the small crunchy bits of vegetables give a nice variation to the texture. Even a meat eater loves this dip! It can definitely compete with butter on yumminess. And best of all, it helps me to maintain my weight. I’m having the best of both worlds.

Country of Origin: Australia

Where to buy this: Cold Storage

Gochi So Shokudo - Value for Money Premium Black Pig Feasts

Iberico pork is renowned for being the best due to the rarity of the breed, high level of oleic acid, the marbling and the nutty aroma resulted from the pigs’ unique diet. So naturally, it will cost an arm and a leg to savour this premium pork. So imagine our excitement when the new kid on the block of Nihon Street at Millenia Walk, Gochi So Shokudo, offers Iberico set meals at a very affordable price range of $15 onwards.

Secreto Belly Don immediately got my attention when I was flipping through the menu full of all kinds of Iberico pork dishes, being prepared in various ways: from stir fried, charcoal grilled to deep fried. For one, it is not often that I can find in other Japanese restaurants pork prepared this way: chargrilled till the exterior is imbued with strong aroma of roasted meat while retaining the succulent texture in the middle. It is a bit like char siew meat actually, except that it is more premium. Needless to say, it tastes very good. The marbling makes the meat tender and juicy. And it helps that the rice is well-cooked, being firm and starchy.

Bellota Iberico Katsu features, again, fresh, succulent, juicy meat, wrapped in a layer of crispy deep fried breadcrumbs. This, of course, gets the thumbs-up from us.

Teriyaki Bellota Iberico Loin Donburi set is oh-so-good too. And for obviously the same reasons as Secreto Belly Don and Bellota Iberico Katsu. The meat in this dish is like katsu being grilled and then being drizzled with the flavourful teriyaki sauce. And it works. Though this dish is seasonal, so if you see it, gonna try it before it disappears from the menu.

For the price I’m paying for Iberico pork, I know the ambience of the place will not be fancy and posh. And I’m right, in fact, it is like atas foodcourt setting, but I’m not complaining. I will take premium goods with great pricing any time over fancy setting.

And yes, I am a regular of this place already.

Thoughts: Must try! For the sake of your palates and wallet.

Nearest car park: Millenia Walk's car park
Nearest MRT: Promenade

Millenia Walk #02-16
9 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore

La Scala Ristorante - Rustic Good Food

This restuarant is no longer in operation

Despite knowing nothing about La Scala, I jump at the chance to dine at here upon invitation. I guess the craving for European cuisine strikes again since I hadn’t been indulging in it for quite a while. And a meal here definitely satisfies that craving. And it helps that the place has this rustic, European vibe, completed with vendetta and faux windows, it feels like one is enjoying the meal in a cafe at a quaint European neighbourhood.

Champagne is lovingly served in cold champagne glasses, which is a nice touch to things.

Things got off to a great start with Baked Cheesy Mushroom Crostone & Crispy Parma Ham. The woody aroma of mushroom, soaked in the creamy, springy melted cheese and peppered with the intense flavours of parma ham, simulates the senses and covers a wide range of harmonious flavours. It sure makes me look forward to the next dish.

Egg Tagliolini Prawn has me cleaning up the plate real good because of the springy al dente tagliolini, the sweet taste of the sea from the fresh prawns, completed with the tangy, slightly sweet taste of tomato sauce.

Being very satisfied with our meals, we decide that we need to try more dishes here before the desserts come, thus the order for Calamari Fritti. And we are not disappointed. Thin crispy, not oily, fried dough coats every piece of squid that is of the right texture: slightly chewy but easy to bite off. The garlic dip completes this cool little snack with a splash of creaminess and spiciness.

Liquid Chocolate Panna Cotta is a decadent treat with silky texture that will please most palates. Fans of coffee will be pleasantly surprised by the strong taste of coffee foam that reminds one of tiramisu. Though I’m no fan of coffee, which is why is I prefer another dessert on the restaurant week special menu instead.

Rich buttery lemon cake and whipped cream makes Caprese “Al Limone” is a very sinful dessert that I love to indulge in. I love the strong aroma of butter in the cake, which is perked up by the zest of lemon, and the light whipped cream is like of a wash of refreshing dairy goodness that makes the taste of the cake more nuanced.

Service is good, the staffs are full of passion for their work, being fast to response to requests and bring a certain positive energy to the table.

I like this quaint little restaurant. It has a unique vibe that I appreciate. It is like the place I can visit often, since it feels casual, yet at the same time, proper, making it an ideal place to have a sumptuous, nicely crafted meal with that special someone, family or friends while still feeling at ease.

Love to visit it again when the chance arises.

Thoughts: Perfect place to hang out at

Nearest car park: Funan Mall car park (this is my main gripe with Capitol Kempinski: there is no car park in this hotel! Either that or it is very difficult to find the entrance to it)

Nearest MRT: City Hall

13 Stamford Road #01-86

Arcade @ Capitol Kempinski

Singapore

Contact No: 6715 6877