Medusa Osteria Romana - Hearty Roman Cuisine

I got to know about Medusa Osteria Romana via  newsletter of Fortuna, my favourite place for Italian hearty comfort food. With the curiosity on how Roman food tastes like, I find myself here, ready to tuck in to some Roman classics.

The dishes here are hearty in both taste and portion, full of flavours, making for a hearty good time.

The place, of Italian modernism, is so impressive. Neon lights at the entrance, bold red walls, edgy italian posters at the interior, and a ceiling mirror to make the restaurant look bigger than it actually is. Due to this unique layout, the place has the grandeur look and feels intimate actually due to the mirror across the ceiling. It feels like that cool, polished watering hole.

The service here is very friendly, with a kind of big-hearted vibe. And boisterous birthday celebration with Italian song ensured if celebrating birthday there. This is a good place to enjoy some hearty cuisine.

When the Polpette Al Sugo, aka Beef & Pork Meatballs with Crispy Guanciale, is served, the staff torched the surface of the cheese to release a lovely aroma of burnt melted cheese. The meatballs surprise me by how good they are. Light meaty sweetness with nutty undertone from the cheese for the richer mouthfeel, not gamey in taste, succulent and juicy, crumble in the mouth, this tastes so satisfying. And the specialty chilli adds an extra oomph. This dish is highly recommended.

Creamy briny sweetness of the goodies, such as scallops, chucks of juicy prawns and caviar comes through rich carbonara sauce, with the pepper cutting through the richness. Nice rich spaghetti dish to enjoy.

Super smooth and creamy Pistachio Tiramisu with nutty undertones.

Thoughts: Hearty Good Times

26 Beach Road

South Beach Avenue #B1-22

Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

I never thought that I will enjoy a ballet performance so much, given that I’m not into passive activity, until I come to Dracula ballet performance. I decided to buy a ticket for this because well, a performance filled with darkness, intrigue and gothic elements does appeal to me. And this show actually exceeds my expectations to grab my attention every second. The production of this show is simply awe inspiring.

I feel like I step into another world during this performance due to the incredibly impressive sets packed with dark, unworldly and gothic influences, immersive gothic experience, top notch atmosphere, brilliant use of lighting, gorgeous, totally on-the-point costumes, gothic music and spectacular performances. 

The permanent fixtures of the show are the two gothic grey brick pillars: one with a gothic stained glass clock, another with a tunnel at the top at first, morphing into a bell later.  These set up that dark gothic feel right at the beginning, and as gateways for the performers to enter and exit as required by the storyline to create smooth transitions between movements.

The first scene starts with the woods: lonely, desolate. Then the stage transforms into a town by the woods that is shrouded in fog, which is festive and cheerful. The high point comes with the appearance of the Dracula Castle, which is so incredible, foreboding, dark, grand and menacing. There are dungeon-like gates, tunnels to crypts, candlelights, grey brick walls and the impressive gothic window with stained glass. Through the colour of light shedded through the stained glass, from white, yellow purple to red, the mood changes. A romantic moment between the couple turns into horror and inescapable fate when the music changes and the light shedded turns into red.

The music also heightens the mood: being dramatic during the fight, cheerful during a wedding, gothic music in Dracula castle, creepy and menacing oozing through when horror is near, tragic when the cruel inevitable fate comes.

The whole show feels like graceful storytelling, where the choreography, plus the movements and expressions of the performer, showcase the different moods, thus making it possible that I understand what’s going on without a word. Despite knowing that this is a performance on stage, the show manages to make me feel moments of dread when the townfolks venture into Dracula's territory. Top notch.

Got to say that the ghostly performers’ ghoul and light movements totally convey that creepy and "I'm everywhere" feel. Their costumes have a unique contrast of rugged seams and bodice sewn with crystals to create that ethereal yet ghoulish feel. The costumes have that realistic style of the gothic era while having the light flowy skirts to showcase the beautiful ballet movements of the performers.

Absolutely a wonderful show that brings me to a gothic world.

Thoughts: Fantastic show that truly combines Beauty, Tragedy, Drama, Grandeur, Horror and Darkness.

Aniplus Cafe - Anime and Fun

Because of a special event, I find myself i  Aniplus Cafe, a cafe with a focus on anime. It is cool concept and the cafe is full of anime goodies, bright colours and Instagram-worthy spots. It is unique and I enjoy immersing in the vibrant, youthful vibe here. The service crew, being helpful and efficient, makes it even better.

Event Special’s MORE MORE JUMO!'s Pesto Pasta is Shrimps and asparagus tossed into Pesto Pasta. It is very flavourful and pretty good. 

Wonderlands x Showtime's Wonderhoy! Meal is Omurice with smiley hashbrowns, chicken sausage, ketchup, carrot, corn and peas. The rice is slightly spicy for the kick. A very filling meal option.

I actually like Nightcord at 25:00's Grape Soda with Grass Jelly a lot. It is so refreshing!

Leo/need's Blue Macaron Parfait is stcked with lots of goodies like blue themed macaron, oreo biscuit, cream, yoghurt, jelly and granola. It has good texture due to the bouncy jelly and good taste due to the juxtapose of creamy sweetness and refreshing zest.

Thoughts: Fun, Unique Cafe

8 Raffles Avenue Esplanade Mall 01

Annexe #013C

The Masses - Truly Singaporean with a Modern Touch

Always on a lookout for local culinary talents and the refined taste of Singapore, The Masses naturally comes under my radar. And this quaint, humble little restaurant delivers. Combining the meticulous techniques of French dining and the distinctive tastes of Singaporean food, the food here invokes the feel of familiarity and cosiness, enhanced by good doses of lux, uniqueness and creativity. I really enjoy tucking into the food here that offers a new perspective on local delights.

The place is an eclectic, interesting mix of stylish modern watering hole and old school Chinese restaurant. It actually feels cosy here, great to hang out with friends. In addition, the service here is friendly and sincere.

Crabmeat Kueh Pie Tee is generously stuffed full with briny sweet, silky crabmeat. This is so good! And the Kueh Pie Tee pastry shell is so thin and crispy. And part of the magic lies in the bottom of the shell: shredded turnip with XO sauce that showcases that beloved local flavour. 

Charred Grilled Squid is nice, but I actually love the sauce and salad more than the squid. The salad is packed with flavours of all spectrum and tastes so refreshing. And the joy of biting into fresh crunchy apple and fennel to release refreshing juices that is complimented by the tangy, slightly spicy sauce of tomato and nduja, an Italian pork sausage. The squid goes so well with the sauce. The squid is quite easy to chew, but it can be more tender in texture in order for me to swoon over it.

I love C&C&C&C Pasta because of the generous dollops of crab meat, the hint of wok hey and smooth thin mee-sua-like pasta soaked in lobster bisque. The caviar amps up the umami meter further, which I always welcome. So luxurious and so satisfying. So unique and so old school. A must-try here.

Coconut & Lychee dessert is Chinese cracker and coconut ice-cream stacked on top of light, cloud-like coconut foam blanking over lychee salsa. A local flavourful dessert beautifully reinterpreted with French techniques to include excellent texture and juxtapose of flavours. Highly recommend.

The lunch set menu is really value for money since it has all the main stars of the restaurant featured here. And I also love the free drink of Pineapple Mango Basil that comes with the set meal. This is one of the great places to go to to enjoy luxurious local fare or just chill and have fun.

Thoughts: Totally worth it for the unique experience 

25 Beach Road #01-02

Nearest MRT: Esplanade or City Hall