We all know that the Clarke Quay, River Valley and Robertson areas are big on Japanese food. But little did i know i've been missing out on the biggest in-plain-sight gem, Z'en Japanese Cuisine, for so long. I've walked past (and even through) this restaurant at UE Square too many times and i can't believe i never considered going in. 

To my defense, i only visit Robertson with restaurants already in mind like Gyu Kaku or Chikuwatei or Foodbar DaDa or coffee at Toby's... In short, there are just too many things to eat/check out. Well. Z'en finally popped up on my radar when i did some searching around for Shabu Shabu to satisfy my craving (and also the boy's).

Dinner reservation was made for 7 to celebrate the Nov babies' birthdays (J and S). We were given the intimate tatami space on the mezzanine level which could accommodate 15-20 people, perfect for dinner gatherings. 

Z’en (a sister outlet of En Japanese Dining Bar) is run by executive chef, Masashi Yasui from Kyoto. You'll be dizzy with choices just looking at the a la carte buffet menu (64 items in total) and there are a lot more in the main one. I would highly recommend the buffet for the quality items and reasonable price. Buffet prices are listed at the end of the post and it's cheaper to go on weekends (i don't know why but i'm not complaining). 

I was looking forward to lots of Shabu shabu after a recent authentic meal. Z'en serves both the beef and chicken shabu shabu. Needless to say, we went for the Australian Wagyu beef (200g for $39). The meat isn't sliced very thin and that took a while to cook on the portable stove but it was quite delicious with the ponzu sauce. Remember to ask for the peanut one too! We had at least 10 plates of this. Very nice and not too bad marbling.

Other than shabu shabu, other items include some sushi and salmon sashimi. The pieces of sashimi are very small (1/4 the regular size). It's easier to order a few more sets at a go. I wasn't expecting very high quality sashimi anyway so it met my expectations. The Aburi salmon sushi was nice too with small amounts of rice and the salmon was nicely torched. We gave the rest of the sushi a miss to save our stomach space. Of course the rice and noodles section was left unordered. If you must, try the Zuwai Chahan with gravy (Crab Fried Rice, mui fan style, S$23).
From the Grilled Dishes, you mustn't miss the Sirloin Steak with ponzu sauce (200g for S$32). This was perfectly grilled to a tender pink and when it was served, we simply ignored the shabu shabu. This is THE DISH to eat. The fried garlic at the side were irresistible and went well with the meat. For moo moo lovers, do order the Stir Fried Tenderloin Beef cubes with mashed potatoes as well (we forgot about it)

The boys loved the Grilled Squid (S$13) and Baked Oysters as well. Not too rubbery, nicely grilled and rather fresh. There are some skewers and grilled fish on the menu but we gave that a miss.

From the fried section, i adored the Cream Crab Croquette (4pcs for S$10), Ebi Tempura (3pcs for S$13) and Age Gyoza (5pcs for S$10).

A mix of texture is perfect for breaking the monotony of a meat buffet, but go easy on these, if not you'll feel really full after a while. 

The Agedashi Tofu (S$10) wasn't too bad either as it cleanses the palette with its light broth.

Desserts weren't that fantastic but i ate some anyway. You need a sweet end to every meal. Skip the chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The green tea one is a little too milky as well. The Tofu cheesecake and Creme Brulee were adequate in taste and texture. 

Thankfully, the smart me got cupcakes from Swirls which IMO is way better than what Z'en served us for desserts. Yay me. 

There were many dishes that we didn't try but we were very happy with most of the items which we had. The boys were quite happy with my restaurant choice, even the picky W. I will probably be back when my Shabu craving kicks in again. 

Service was a little slow and they have the tendency to forget your orders so place more in advance. Wastage is charged though so don't over-order!

Now for the buffet prices: 

Weekday Lunch (S$38++)

Weekday and Eve of PH Dinner: S$52++

Weekend and PH Dinner: S$48++

Make a reservation! It's very popular. Have an overeating weekend! Cheers!

Zen Japanese Cuisine
205 River Valley Road
UE Square #01-75
Tel: +65 6732-3110
Weekdays: 12 - 2.30 pm; 6 -11.30pm

Weekends & PH: 6 - 11.30pm

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My heart absolutely pitter-patters with the flourishing of the Spanish food scene in Singapore. I don't know about you guys/girls out there but IMHO small plates are absolutely awesome for greedy tummies who love variety. One of the much raved about addition is Bomba Paella Bar, helmed by Chef Jean-Philippe Patruno, who earned his ranks at London Spanish Tapas institution Barrafina, 3-Michelin star Chez Nico and Quo Vadis.

Located at Martin No. 38 in Robertson Quay, Bomba serves up some authentic and rustic Spanish classics in a funky underground setting; a renovation upheaval from the previous idyllic garden setting of Graze. Rosa, the graffiti wall mural by SBTG, assaults you with her big guns as you take a seat on the vintage church chairs, under the kitchen sieve lampshades. 

Even though it's called a Paella Bar, Bomba does more than just the pedigree of Spanish rice. A variety of tapas and La Planchas (grilled items) are available too and they are perfect for sharing.

I started dinner with the Bomba Punch made from Mazanilla Sherry, kaffir lime, fresh lemon juice, lemonade. It tasted pretty much like fruit punch; very light and absolutely no embarrassing Asian flush. If you need something stronger, try the Sangria. I quite enjoyed my red but would love for more pieces of fruits in them. I was told the white one tastes better after i had half of mine. Zzz. Gotta head back for another drink some time. 

Ham bechamel croquette is one of my must-order-tapas. The Iberico Ham Croquettas (3 for S$12) was satisfying enough though it still comes in second after Catalunya's. I found the breaded crust a little thick and the creamy paste lacking in the saltiness of the Iberico ham. 

Gambas Al Ajillo (S$14) was well flavored with parsley, garlic and olive oil. I would have loved for some bread to soak up the salty sweet essence in which the thoughtfully shelled prawns were sitting in. 

The seasonal Carabineros were done in a similar fashion as the Gambas. This bright red shrimp got its color from the pink plankton that it feeds on. The taste is more intense but the meat was slightly powdery. It's weird because they looked pretty fresh on the ice display counter.

I wasn't too impressed with the other seafood la plancha like the Razor Clams (seasonal) or the Grilled Octopus "Galician Way" (S$20). Both dishes were lightly seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, paprika and parsley, nothing to shout out about. The latter was much too tasteless and rubbery for my liking, perhaps due to it being boiled in water prior to the grilling. Texture wise, it really didn't do it for me.

Undoubtedly, the favorite dish of the night was the Signature Secreto Iberico (S$28). The tender pork was grilled to a pink perfection over the Loko mangrove charcoal spiced with apple branch wood chips. This gave the juicy meat a smoky sweet flavor with a hint of apple fragrance. Absolutely divine dish. 

Finally the paella. I would always choose squid ink over Valencia and the Arroz Negro (S$35 for small) is a wet paella of squid ink, squid, dry sherry, fish stock, spring onions and black mushrooms. It is almost risotto like. While we didn't get that sacarrat crust at the bottom, the moist aromatic grains with copious amount of squid were hard to resist.

Of the 2 desserts we tried, i much preferred the Bitter Chocolate Ice cream (S$14) over the cloyingly sweet Pineapple Gazpacho ($12). I love the interesting combination of bitter sweet and extremely smooth chocolate cream with the salted olive oil. The lovely presentation on that familiar antique plates (from Carpenter and Cook) was almost too pretty to be devoured (but we dug in anyway).

Overall, Bomba hits the right spots mostly and it does quite fill the gap for casual Spanish group dining. The only other restaurant I enjoy is Don Quijote. The friendly prices and the no service charge bonus also help pull in the crowd which started piling in at 6pm sharp. Go early or make a reservation to avoid disappointment! 

Bomba

38 Martin Road

Tel: +65 6509 1680

Mon-Sat: 6-11pm

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I'm a meat girl as you all know. I love my slab thick, juicy, bloody and char grilled. Call me an American girl if you must but i think the best setting for steak would be outdoors, with lots of friends, loud music and booze. A pool party would be fine too; it's a lot easier to grill food in a bikini. Takes the heat off ;)

That kinda explains why I have put off visiting The Prime Society at Dempsey for so long. The name and location kinda gives the impression that it's fine steak dining, similar to the stuffy Morton's (didn't like it) and glitzy Lawry's. After all, it prides itself as a provider of prime cuts of the best grass-fed and grain-fed meat in town. I was surprised to find out for myself that it is more tongue-in-cheek fun than expected. The feel is contemporary chic with a relaxed vibe than high society (especially so if you dine alfresco).

I had the first taste of The Prime Society's newly expanded menu (includes non-moo dishes), which is designed by new executive chef Dallas Cuddy. Chef Dallas has a slew of awards Down Under his belt (pun intended). This includes Young Chef of the Year and Best New Restaurant for Izakaya Den (which he co-owns). Having gained experiences from star studded restaurants e.g. Nobu London, he brings to the table some world famous signatures transformed by his Midas touch. 

What i love about this man is how he remains so humble and down to earth. Throughout dinner, he patiently went from table to table, explaining to us how each dish was prepared. This quirky chef constantly looks out for local ingredients to infuse into his dishes. Apparently, he picks out fresh herbs/leaves around Dempsey for his creations. Despite the megawatt charm that we turned on, he kept mum about his secret herb garden location. Boo.   

We started out with some light bites and cocktails before dinner commenced. I was intrigued by the Beef Tartare Pastry ‘Cigar’ (S$7ea). The brick pastry cigars appearance leaves diners with no inkling of what to expect. The first taste was of the finely diced plum wine jelly which is a little sweet and acidic. As you chomp on further, you would then realize that it's filled with a refreshing blend of chopped beef, red onion and chives, lemon juice and olive oil. I foresee this new form of presentation is gonna gain popularity in the coming months.

The Cold Smoked Tuna (S$26) is good for sharing. Marinated in citrus dressing with ricotta, feta and yogurt milk curds, chives and slow-cooked mustard seeds, this is a refreshing dish without the fishiness of the red meat.

Our first course was the Cured Kingfish with eggplant and pickled mushroom (S$15). The fish is first cured in salt, sugar, orange zest, vodka, juniper berries and star anise for six hours and then sliced sashimi style and served. The accompanying puree, made of roasted eggplant blended with tofu and lemon juice, was most interesting. I couldn't figure it where the eggplant in the dish was till it was pointed out. Overall, the dish is tangy and refreshing with hints of yuzu, rice wine vinegar and citrus vinaigrette. 

The steamed Bamboo Clam with green basque sauce and jamon (S$24) was bursting with flavors from the garden, farm and sea. Each flavor could be tasted separately but everything works well together: the sweetness of the clams perfumed with white wine; the herby oregano, basil, chili, parsley and olive oil mix and the saltiness from the shaved jamon. Lovely combination.

Lobster Raviolo was freshly made and stuffed with live lobster and spanner crab meat and served with a lobster shell bisque foam. Herbs and tofu are added to the mix to bind the meat and seal the juices. Though the seared foie gras was bland, the salmon roe kinda made up for the flavors. This is a very light dish and quite perfect for the ladies.

We were extremely lucky to taste the famous Nobu Miso baked Black Cod (S$44) but this has a local twist to it. Served with the egg drop noodles known as lau shu fen or mee tai mak, the dish also features soy beans, spring onion, roast eggplant, tatami iwashi, and a thickened dashi with soy. Chef Dallas does his own dashi fish stock by simmering konbu seaweed and adding bonito flakes. The Black cod needs no introduction; it is marinated in miso, sugar, mirin and sake for three days then baked to order and the flavor and texture are to die for. 

 

Finally onto some beef. I kinda forgot that i was at Prime Society as the new dishes were all seafood. The Mayura Station Wagyu (S$90/200g) is a Full Blood Wagyu Sirloin, 550 Days Grain Fed (marble score nine). Simply grilled and served with Prime Society seasoning, the meat was quite flawless. I picked the green tea salt along with their sauce. The red was accompanied by confit shallot and truffle custard cream which was irresistible. For big eaters, The Prime Society does 100g supplements for their steaks so you can easily add on a half portion (or full) instead of getting another slab.

Ending off our extremely delightful dinner was the Chocolate parfait, coconut cream and basil dessert (S$15). Now this, you cannot miss. The flavors and textures are mind blowingly awesome. Taste a bit of everything individually and then mess it up for the wow effect. I never thought that basil and coconut could ever go with milk chocolate but it did. And that aerated chocolate/coconut meringue that simply sublimes, that crunchy salted caramel popcorn and creaminess of chocolate..This is dessert heaven.

Gotta say i love the new dishes at The Prime Society and i'll definitely be back to try more of their meats. They also do a neat brunch on weekends. :) 

Thanks to The Prime Society for hosting the event. It was a fantastic girls' night out with great food, happy juice and conversations that we never wanted to end.

The Prime Society
10 Dempsey Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6474 7427

Mon – Tue: 6 pm to 10.30 pm
Wed – Fri: 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Weekends: 10.30 am to 10.30 pm

  

I love my brunches but i really hate the crazy crowds at the popular brunch spots. When the craving for creamy scrambled eggs kicks in, there is no choice but to wait or starve. OR you could head to some uber out of the way brunch spots like Parco Caffe.

Nestled in Raeburn Park, a commercial space that was the former Gan Eng Seng School, Parco Caffe is extremely hard to get to. The management really mean it when they say it's off-the-beaten-track (pun intended- it's behind Tanjong Pagar KTM). I would never head to this place unless i'm driven here. The great news is that you won't have to jostle for a spot with annoying kiddos here.

The vibe is quite similar to that of Skyve Elementary Bistro though Skyve feels a little more fun while Parco more serene. The Park theme is consistent throughout the restaurant with open spaces and lush greenery. I love that it is filled with natural lighting and there is a seamless integration with the outdoors but yet it maintains that air conditioned comfort. Singapore ought to have more of these indoor alfresco dining places.

I especially love the atrium, which can be booked for private events. This is the perfect garden party location minus the disgusting humidity we have. We tried to do dinner here once (their online reservation failed us) but the place was booked for a couple's solemnization ceremony. I thought it looks better in the day with its chapel-like atmosphere but i guess it's equally romantic at night.

Artificial Peace Bellini made with syrup (S$14) and diluted Mojito (S$12)

Food-wise, if you like the food at Spruce and Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, then you would probably like the offerings at Parco; they are managed by the same group. Expect classic Italian cuisine and some Asian fare for lunch and dinner daily. The Homemade Tagliatelle with Duck (S$23) sounds like a crowd pleaser, so does their Calzone with spinach and smoked duck (S$20).

Weekend brunches (also on PH) offers indulgent items like Scrambled Eggs with shaved Black Truffle (S$25) and Foie Gras & Wild Mushroom Eggs Benny (S$21). Served from 9am - 4pm, this is perfect for all you lazy birdies. 

I had the Parco Continental Colazione (S$20) because i was craving for meat. The freshly baked bagel with creme fraiche was more of a bread than a bagel for it lacks in the density department. Wasn't too impressed with the rest of the items. Hash brown was too flaky and tasteless and the tomato was the fishy Malaysian sort. I enjoyed the juicy Portobello but it didn't come grantinated with Gruyere cheese as promised on the menu. The sausage was a little flat and powdery. I regretted ordering this instead of the foie gras benny. :((

The pancakes were fantastic S had the Strawberries (S$11) which were 3 ginormous fluffy and moist pieces stacked with fresh strawberries, tons of buttery sweet thick cream (it didn't seem whipped to me) and maple syrup. Love the light sweetness of the cream with the lightly salted pancakes. 

If you are still clueless over where to eat this weekend, perhaps check Parco Caffe out. I'm a little uncertain about the brunch menu but would probably head back here some time to try their all-day Italian mains which i heard fantastic reviews about. Try it and let me know?

Parco Caffe
10 Raeburn Park #01-28
Singapore 088702 

Tel: +65 6223 6338
Weekdays: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5.30 -10.30pm

Weekends & PH: 9am to 4pm (Brunch/Lunch), 4.30 - 10.30pm

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. However, that journey could be made easier with 'carrots' along the way and food is always the best way to provide that energy to press on. One carrot that came my way was Iggy's, thanks to S who took it upon himself to book his early birthday meal and swept me off from work to indulge/pick up the tab. 

Iggy's is well known for its Modern European delicacies by many in Singapore and around the world. Since 2009, it has been awarded the World's 50 Best Restaurants and has steadily moved up the charts to its current 26th place. 

We started off with the Amuse Bouche, Iggy's rendition of Nasi Lemak (a Singapore local dish). It was interesting to taste the familiar flavors presented in the molecular gastronomy form. The bottom layer is a nutty coconut pudding with a layer of rice grains laid on top of it. The mousse is a fragrant fish, coconut, pandan and lemongrass mix and the dish is then topped with some crispy fried white bait. This local delicacy is then completed with the Sambal Chili cracker on the plate. Love the presentation and the taste in this one. Who says local food can't be high class? 

For Starters, S had the Salmon served atop a light Champagne foam and fava beans. The icing on the cake has got to be the generous dollop of Avruga caviar. I could taste the freshness of the sea in this one. 

I can never resist the temptation of Foie Gras even though i know how artery clogging this is. The best way to do it is to sear it for the browned and crisp exterior and serve it with a refreshing fruit mix. Iggy's uses figs, hazelnuts and Creme de Cassis for that slightly sweet and acidic taste. I'm imagining a fat duck waddling in a garden when the dish was presented. :P

It's quite a sizable piece of foie gras though it pales in comparison to Gold by Harlen Goldstein. That has to be the biggest piece of foie gras i've eaten in my life. Will do a post on that some time. This is about as delightful. 

S then picked the Gnocchi with Lamb belly, sugar snap and green pea puree. The gnocchi were little fluffy puffs that soaks up the flavorful lamb jus. Didn't really remember much of this dish because i was enjoying my cappellini too much. 

On first look, the Signature Cappellini with Sakura Ebi, Konbu and Shellfish oil reminded me of the dry Mee Kia (another local noodle dish). In fact, it tastes pretty much like that though the flavors are a little more defined and refined though. I enjoyed the crunchy sakura ebi and the shellfish oil gave the dish an additional seafood sweetness. Very umami.

For the meat dish, we both picked Wagyu without a second thought. Sea Bream and Sanma are available but I'm not a fish fan. I stand by my 'fish is not meat' rule. Our bad experience with pigeon (at Hibiscus London) has left us scarred and terrified of birds done the European way. The meat was done medium rare though i thought it to be a little tough. Love the sweet onion puree and the Madeira wine sauce that coats the beef. 

The Pear; a pear dessert with yogurt, elderflower and Spanish onion was very light and icy. This is not what i would consider as a dessert. It felt more like a palate cleanser to me. 

Out of the lot, only the Kaya and Teh Terik sounded more like a sweet ending to the meal, though i must say that it felt like i had high class Singaporean food rather than European. However, this Brioche French toast is to die for. Filled with a creamy custard, the fluffy pillow was almost like a cream puff. Pair it with the thick and smooth egg, coconut and pandan jam (it was more custard) and that milk tea ice cream and foam and that's the fine dining version of a local breakfast dish. Now that they have spoiled me, how am i ever going back to the usual Kaya toast? :( 

For a mere S$85++, you will be able to enjoy the delightful four course meal daily. Now that is extremely reasonably priced. I've heard of people who were underwhelmed by Iggy's dinner/gastronomic menu (S$195/275) due to the price. I'd say try lunch first and if you like it, go for the full menu at dinner.

Iggy's
581 Orchard Road
The Hilton, Singapore 238881
Tel: +65 732 2234

If you are in the East Coast/ Siglap area and searching for reasonably priced and good tasting Japanese food, you musn't miss Megumi. This unpretentious joint may look plain to the unknowing; simple rattan chairs and tabletops covered by a plain red tablecloth. The distraction caused by its more commercialized neighbors, Pasta Fresca (Italian) and Udders ice cream, also contributes to its hidden gem quality. But of course, no good food will escape these sharp peepers. You can't call yourself an Eastie if you don't know of this joint. Can't believe S missed this. Tsk.

Like any good Japanese joint, the interior is very clean and functional. A little opening showcases the sashimi counter and part of the kitchen. Service is efficient and the food is served shortly after the seat is warmed. You're really meant to just eat and then go off. Be considerate, don't let the hungry folks outside wait too long. 

There is a good selection of dishes: sushi, sashimi, yakimono, nabe, shabu shabu, sukiyaki, don, teppan and the list goes on. If you have no idea what to order, start with their signatures (they have a good selection of that as well). UFO Maki (S$12) is a crunchy salmon, crabstick and deepfried seaweed roll coated with roe. The savory Hotate Miso Yaki (S$15.80) is guaranteed to explode in flavors and the Teppanyaki styled Saikoro Steak (S$16.80) will satisfy any meat craving.

I was drooling over the Scallop and Bacon skewers. The succulent and bouncy shellfish flesh is complemented by the smokiness of the fatty bacon. The grilled leeks lifted the dish with its freshness and left us craving for more. 2 sticks were definitely not enough.

While the Salmon Aburi was chunky and generous in its serving, the blow-torch technique has been executed rather amateurishly. There wasn't any charred appearance on the surface and the fish was mostly raw. What i didn't like about it was how the texture felt like biting into human flesh due to the coarseness of the surface and the thickness of the meat. None of that melt-in-your-mouth texture. I would advise you to stick to the sashimi. 

The sets are worth every buck you pay and they are extremely easy on your wallet (S$18-25). S and i shared the above dishes and we were stuffed at the end of the meal. I was extremely satisfied with my Tenzaru Soba Set. The cold soba was nicely chilled and has a nice bite to it. Tempura was light and crunchy and the buttery smooth sashimi was the icing on the cake. Will definitely be having this one again. There is also another sushi set for all of you who loves having variety in your meal.

There is also another outlet at Sunset Way.

Megumi
77 Upper East Coast Road #01-03
Singapore 455218
Tel: 6243 0700/ 6243 0700

Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30 – 10pm

Block 106 Clementi Street 12 #01-64 

Singapore 120106
Tel: 6779 1411 / 6779 1411
Daily 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6 – 10pm

Singaporeans are a disgruntled lot. We complain about everything under the sun, and about the sun as well! The weather is too hot and humid for anything outdoors and so we hide in the air conditioned comforts of shopping malls. Then we bemoan the lack of things to do. This never ends, does it? Why not bear the heat, explore the green spaces we have and marvel at the beauty of nature? You may even find some hidden surprises.

Casa Verde is one of those surprises. Very few dining establishments can boast of being at the doorsteps of nature. What's more? It is located in the heart of the city, nestled in a quiet corner of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The vibe is very relaxed, with pets roaming freely in the alfresco area and people chilling after a hike in the park.

Brunch is a casual semi self-serve affair where you place your orders at the counter and wait to be served. We took refuge in cosy indoor section to escape the sweltering heat while waiting.

Brunch is never complete with eggs. I can never say no to a Gourmet Breakfast with scrambled eggs (S$15) because it provides a great variety of ingredients. Even though the eggs weren't sufficiently creamy or buttery, I love the juicy Cumberland sausage and flavorful back bacon. The portions were huge for the price we paid.

I'm always fearful of eating Carbonara because the cream sauce could be rather overwhelming if not done well. However, Casa Verde's version (S$15) kept us going on till none was left. The cream, egg and Parmesan mix is drier as compared to most but it was just sufficient to coat each strand of spaghetti to give it a flavorful burst.

The slightly doughy Italian thin crust pizza was very decent as well. We had the Pizza Frutti di Mare (S$23), which came with fresh chunks of scallop, squid and shrimp on a tomato salsa base. This is perfect picnic food. Grab a few friends, lay out the red and white checkered mat on the luxuriant green and enjoy a good conversation over wine and pizza. Life is too short to be stuck in overcrowded shopping malls.

Sunnies up folks! It's time to stop and smell the roses.

Casa Verde
1 Cluny Road
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Tel: 6467 7326

This post was first published on LadyIronChef.