denise tan blogs

YANTRA
$15 nett fine dining Indian buffet!
Mon-Thu 12-3pm

At the posh entrance, with their restaurant name projected on slate-grey walls.

The Buffet! Very Classy!

Trying to be lady-like with my portions… A little chicken, a little spinach, a little paneer, a little helping of beans… You don’t want to see what happened after this photo… Heaps! Piles! Of food gobbled up in record time!

Yantra
#01-28/33 Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road

… in Singapore!

Today, I mentioned a lovely little french bistro my friends and I enjoy eating at when we feel like treating ourselves.


Grilled jumbo prawns. Juicy, huge and a beautiful smokey-charred flavour. Perfect with a squeeze of lemon.
I also recommend the escargot as a starter – can’t get more french than that! Juicy snails smothered in a rich, buttery, herby sauce? Lip-smackingly good! More please!
This a good place for a robust lunch or a fun, casual dinner out with friends!

Lamb Skewers, fresh off the grill, with peppers and onions and again, a wonderful smokey char on the meaty chunks.

Les Bouchons is my go-to place for steak frites – it’s cosy, intimate and serves up a little slice of France along with their wonderfully bloody (the way I like it) beef and free-flow fries!

Les Bouchons
7 Ann Siang Hill
64230737
Open 12 – 2pm (mon-fri), 7 – 10pm (mon-sat), closed on sundays
Will probably set you back $50 or so, but a lot less if you skip the wine and concentrate on what they’re good for – no frills Steak and fries!

HUGE, MEATY OTAH, WITH CHUNKS OF FISH!

STEWED PORK KNUCKLE – FATTY, SLIPPERY & SINFUL!

MILD, YET FLAVOURFUL & WELL-SEASONED CURRY FISH HEAD.
My favourite! I love the lady’s fingers and eggplant and tomatoes swimming in the curry, which, by the way is so good, you can drink it on it’s own! And I have! Haha.

The Curry Wok
5 Coronation Road
#01-04
Coronation Arcade
Tel: 6464 8878
Wed – Mon: 11am – 9pm
Closed Tues

Aroy-Dee
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street #01-12 Sunshine Plaza Singapore
Tel: +65 6336 8852
Opening Hours
Mon–Sat: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Sun)


BLACK PEPPER BEEF

OLIVE FRIED RICE WITH CHICKEN, OMELLETTE AND FRESH RAW MANGO

SQUID IN BLACK SAUCE

STIR-FRIED GARLIC KAILAN

GREEN CHICKEN CURRY

Hellooooo, I’m back from my week-long hiatus refreshed and raring to go! But first, let’s fill our hungry tummies, shall we?

Today, try the irresistable noodles at
NAM SENG NOODLE HOUSE

Nam Seng Noodle House (南生麵家) is a culinary institution that serves up delicious noodles. Started by grandma Madam Leong almost 50 years ago, you might remember its humble beginnings in 1957 at the former Catholic High School in Queen Street selling macaroni and chicken porridge. Two years later, you must remember the stall at the old National Library at Stamford Road where their signature dish, Wanton Mee attracted queues. After a brief fliratation with the Joo Chiat area, they are now finally at Far East Square and everything on the menu is still prepared and cooked the same way Grandma Leong has done over the last 50 years.
I recommend their signature dish, the traditional Wanton Noodles, served with succulent charsiu and home-made wanton in clear soup.
Another must try is their ever-popular Shrimp Dumpling in clear broth (shui gow) – hand-made and only in limted batches daily. You MUST get there early because they usually sell out within half an hour!

Other dishes to try are their seafood horfun or venison Hor Fun in black sauce (a great alternative to the usual beef hor fun).
Grandma Leong’s favourite creation is here Soya sauce chicken leg noodles, so it’s worth a try too.
If noodles aren’t your thing, they also serve up a mean fried rice, although this is a noodle house, so I’d most definitely go for their noodle dishes first!
NAM SENG NOODLE HOUSE
25 China Street
#01-01
Far East Square
Mon–Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm (Closed on Sun & PH)

FREEMANTLE is a month old restaurant, bar and seafood market which you may have read about in the newspapers – I did and had to try this restaurant for myself. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Perth’s famous port city, Fremantle, is the inspiration behind the concept for the seafood market and restaurant – located at a corner of Clarke Quay facing the Singapore River, which gives you the feel of feasting on seafood right from the water.
They prides itself on the quality and freshness of its seafood from all over the world. So whether you’re a foodie on the search for a new place to tease your tastebuds or a home chef hoping to score some super-fresh fish, Fremantle Seafood Market is a place you’ve got to try.
Décor and atmospherically speaking, it’s a great place for al fresco dining, right next to the Singapore river and don’t worry about being too hot – it’s shady, well-designed, well-ventilated and river-side have their own air vents to keep you cool even at lunchtime. The views are great and you can imagine how chilled it gets as evening falls. If you prefer air-conditioned comfort, they also have an interior dining area.
This lunchtime, you might want to consider going down to take advantage of their super value $15 nett three-course Set Lunch which includes an appetizer, main and dessert:


The shellfish soup – yum! Tomato-based broth, chock-full of mussels, scallops, prawns and squid! Tasty herbs add flavour to the already rich, delicious stock.

Seabream cooked in paper. I loved the firm texture of the fish and it was very fresh. The creamy sauce was very tasty and apparently, the sauces change according to what the chef feels like making, so it’s always gonna be variety and surprises! The mains all come with 2 sides, which changes everyday, depending on what the chef creates! I had lovely chunks of herby zucchini…


… and potato gratin with salmon flakes. 


I also tried their house-battered fish and chips – it was crisp, light, and the once again, the freshness of the fish really came through. The chips were beautifully cooked – very crisp with a crunchy crust on the outside,  and creamy on the inside! One thing you’ll find though, this dish requires your own seasoning. I went to town with the salt and pepper and the fish-and-chip must-have, VINEGAR!

Their vinegar is dispensed in this unique spray canister, which is also avaible for purchase in their shop!

By the way, their fish and chips are available for takeaway, along with other sinful deep-fried treats and beers!


Finally, we get to dessert – 3 tiny cakes (raspberry, strawberry and green tea) beautifully presented!

OK, this wasn’t part of the $15 set, but I couldn’t resist trying a cocktail! Both the Capuccino Martini & Mojito were refreshing and perfect for the alfresco experience!


Kept cool by our table’s personal air vent!

The alfresco dining deck and bar.


Check out the views of the Singapore River!

All-in-all, a very enjoyable, picturesque dining experience and at $15 nett for a set lunch, super value for money, considering how fresh the fish was!
The menu also features a range of familiar favourites such as Fish & Chips, Lobster Bisque, and Crab Cakes. But not to worry if you’re not a seafood lover, because they also have on the menu Foie Gras Risotto, Lasagna with Wagyu Bolognaise, Kurobuta Pork Chop and gourmet salads.
Other highlights of their extensive ala carte menu are the indulgent Seafood Platters for 1 to 6 persons, chilled or cooked varieties of Oysters from the seafood bar, and a unique selection of The Fisherman’s Catch fillet or whole fish cooked in a variety of styles according to your taste. Tempting side dishes include Battered Onion Rings, Chargrilled Sweet Corn, and Cream Spinach & Garlic Parmesan.
 
For families, their Kids’ menu with pizza and burger options should come in handy at $10 nett for a main, side & drink.

For those who enjoy a tipple:
Daily Beer promotion 12noon to 5pm
½ pint Tiger/Heineken Draft at $5.00
1 pint Tiger/Heineken Draft at $9.00
Heineken Beer 2 Jug for $40.00
Tiger Shuttle at $60.00 (Whole Day)

 Every Friday & Saturday (From 10pm till last order)
Australia Beers per bottle at $8.00
Bucket of Australia beer (5 bottle) at $38.00
 
Oyster Monday Madness!!!
Eat-All-You-Can Tasmanian and NZ Oysters @ $29.90++ per person.
Every Mon from 5pm to closing.

Fremantle Seafood Market
#01-05/06
Clarke Quay 3E
River Valley Road
Open 12 noon till 11pm weekdays, till 2am weekends.