Next time if you are in Katong, and looking for something to eat that is not nasi lemak, a pinch of salt or smith's fish & chips, go to the Big Bad Wolf restaurant/bar. I saw it first on a review on the Sunday Times, and from there was intrigued because the review was positive, and a cafe that is named after a fairytale character would definitely be more special than your normal western food joint. Also, immediately after the review came out and I went to visit, they were sold out! So I never did have the chance to try it then, until now.It's a really chillax restaurant in terms of decor, reminds me of Fat Boys at upper thomson. There are some nice touches too.
Ordered a ginger beer, and a cottage pie. I really liked the bowl it was served in because there's a cute little lamb on it! A lamb in a wolf's den? Danger.. in the form of my spoon digging into the piping hot beef stew covered with mashed potatoes! In the background you can see a glimpse of the chicken mushroom burger, which was also not too bad! (juicy chicken with creamy mushroom sauce on top of rocket leaves and mushrooms).
The cottage pie was really satisfying because it is simple, yet tasty. The only gripe might be that the beef was too finely minced and slightly over proportioned in comparison to the mashed taters! They could so go with another bowl of porridge. However, I could taste the carrots in the stew, which was nice.
So remember to check out this little eatery next time when you are in the east for some good old western food. I know I will be back.
Big Bad Wolf
226 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore
Tel: +65 6346 6858
Mon–Thu: 3m – 10pm, Fri: 3pm – 11pm (Closed on Tue)
Sat: 12pm – 11pm, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
www.bigbadwolf.com.sg
Discovered this little gem hidden in the sleepy enclave of Duxton Hill during lunch on Monday when my french colleague introduced me to it, saying that it is nothing too fancy but just a simple steak with secret sauce. I was initially doubtful, since I was under the impression that it wasn't that great from the reviews, but hey I take personal recommendations over online reviews any day (unless it is by me, then of course you need to take it).
It was a really nice little restaurant. When we walked in there were barely 2 tables of patrons. There is one gigantic row of tables in the restaurant and the decor is very much like a classic french bistro or brasserie. There's also a very nice sun roof to let in the light.
The story of L'entrecote is on the first page of the menu. I like how they have a story! So there is a secret butter-based sauce that got invented, and the owners also decided that because it is so delicious that nothing else comes close, they will only serve ONE plat du jour, 1 mouth watering dish, all day every day!
Then came the masterpiece. Generous serving of fries with a well-portioned slab of good ol' beef covered in a buttery peppery sauce. I asked for medium rare, and they did it impeccably. Good piece of meat, and well supported with the addictive sauce that is light on the palate yet slightly sinful. After we finished this portion, they served up another 3 smaller pieces of the steak to 'top-up'! I do think that for $29++, the complimentary drink + salad + fries + good steak is really not too pricey because you pay for quite a bit of good stuff (and it is the same price for dinner too).
L'entrecote
36 Duxton Hill Singapore 089614
6238 5700 (No reservations)
Weekdays 12pm-10.30pm; Sat 6pm-10.30pm. Closed on Sundays.
www.lentrecote.sg
It was a really nice little restaurant. When we walked in there were barely 2 tables of patrons. There is one gigantic row of tables in the restaurant and the decor is very much like a classic french bistro or brasserie. There's also a very nice sun roof to let in the light.
The story of L'entrecote is on the first page of the menu. I like how they have a story! So there is a secret butter-based sauce that got invented, and the owners also decided that because it is so delicious that nothing else comes close, they will only serve ONE plat du jour, 1 mouth watering dish, all day every day!
Well that makes my job easier. But actually they do have an interesting selection of entrees (sardines anyone?) and some rare french desserts as well instead of the standard creme brulee.
Because we went for lunch, we went straight for the plat du jour instead of risking a food coma after lunch.
First we were served complimentary apéritif. A cheery red and light alcoholic drink.
Then came the walnut salad. I had no idea it was a full plate by itself! Great to start off with some greens.
My colleague then ordered the Cherry Pie and we all tried it. It's basically custard baked with cherries! It is not too sweet, and apparently a very traditional kind of dessert that french grand-mamans would make.
Therefore, my impression of this place has lifted considerably after the meal. It was satisfying, to say the least. If you are craving for just a simple steak with no bells or whistles, go to L'entrecote! Je suis sûr qu'il va vous enchanter!
L'entrecote
36 Duxton Hill Singapore 089614
6238 5700 (No reservations)
Weekdays 12pm-10.30pm; Sat 6pm-10.30pm. Closed on Sundays.
www.lentrecote.sg
I finally satisfied my salted egg yolk crab craving yesterday! It was at this really obscure corner near Outram MRT station opposite of Chinatown and had an odd name "Swis Ling". I first knew about this place back in uni days when my friend Shaun brought us there for lunch one day and we discovered the joys of butter pork ribs. I first wrote about that on Hungrygowhere on Feb 2010, imagine!
Well, Scott mentioned that they also do crabs, and are pretty decent at it too. I was definitely interested when he said they do the Salted Duck Egg Yolk version, with quite rare in Singapore. I had asked a few times around for where I can find them, and the answers had been rather scattered and seems like I had to queue very long for it, so mehh.
This plate right here says yes. (And it arrived within 15 mins) The salted egg crab was really nice, and coated with the grainy salted egg butter sauce with bits of roe all around. I usually don't like roe, but those were so fresh and scattered around I did not realize it was roe until I asked about it later (about 5 mouthfuls of roe kind of later). Scott says it is very fresh cos the roe is orange! I agree. The crab meat was also juicy and fresh.
We also ordered a chili crab to counter balance! The classic signature of singaporean crab, the chili sauce was not spicy at all but more like the tomato egg gravy with a mild taste of chili, which makes it really acceptable. Heavenly when fried mantou buns were dipped in them!
It is completely alfresco and it feels like malaysia, which is perhaps why the food tastes so good. Other than Ban Leong seafood's chili crab which is better, I definitely know where to go next time for my salted egg crab fix.
Well, #don'tsayinevershare!
Swis Ling Restaurant
1 Teo Hong Rd, Singapore 088321
Tel: +65 62246110
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 1am
No, it does not read bed is loyal. even though I AM loyal to my bed a thousand times over, faithfully and truthfully, it is time to be disloyal to something. A new venture is coming to town - launched on 9 September, this venture by "antics and cortadito" was inspired by the Disloyalty Card created in East London in 09 by a world barista to inspire people to check out other indie coffee places. Well, the time is ripe for us Singaporeans to finally have enough indie coffee places to map out a card of our own.
If you have been reading my blog long enough, you would have realized that I am an avid lover of brunch bistros and indie cafes. I am however, not any sort of connoisseur of coffee. I always order the same thing - latte - when I go to the cafes, and usually the milk just sort of mask over the details of the coffee. I am more of a tea person (can I even say it here?).
I did however check out some of the places on the card already. Though I don't think Oriole is that much considered as a indie coffee place for me since it is located in a swanky part of town. So, 3/8 done. Check out my past reviews of Loysel's Toy and Forty Hands!
I did think it is a bit too much of an effort to need to try ALL 8 of the cafes before you can redeem just one cuppa joe, but hey, it seemed more to be a marketing/word of mouth effort more than anything, to get people to try new things. With this at least I know which other indie cafes I should be checking out next, so it becomes more like a bookmark, and I can check them off my list!
Well, there are only 100 cards in each participating cafe and this thing will run until the end of the year, so collect your limited edition disloyalty card next time you visit an indie cafe alright!
Oh and they have a twitter and facebook page too so .. go forth and be disloyal. #dontsayinevershare
So i bought the most awesome pair of ballet flats last night from Topshop. I was originally on the search for a pair of black flats, and upon random browsing not expecting to find anything good, I chanced upon the Topshop ballet flats. It was love at first sight.
The retail price listed it as $36 SGD, but as there is a 10% off Topshop till end of this week (18th September), I got it for $32.40! A quick peek at New Look had one of their flats retailing for.. over 40 dollars! Wow that's a ripoff.
I tried it and it was like slipping into a second skin. Or slathering my feet with protective butter that looks even better. I couldn't wait to put it to the test after buying it! There are other colors in the Topshop shoe range, contemplating on the suede/velvet ballet flat, but those are like $56. I did not look closely at the rest, definitely have to go back there before the discount ends.
So imagine my elation this morning when I wore it to work and it suited me very well. So well in fact I was grinning all the way to the bus stop because YES I FOUND MY HOLY GRAIL FLATS. My previous pair, a Steve Madden trebble ballet flat in gold, was really getting run down, though now it is my 2nd fav pair (made of leather, super awesome).
On my way home then I thought I had better share this with everyone because it is such an awesome find. And I know plenty of girls who would be as glad as me to find a pair of flats that does not smell (of fake PVC), is as soft as butter, light as clouds, and cuddles your feet like a lace glove instead of entrapping it within a small tight space with no sunshine or rainbows. Plus it is affordable and looked like it will last beyond 2 months. You can have the former if you buy those 9.90 flats but it will not fit the latter criteria.
Ok this is too much text for just a pair of flats. but no, wait, i need to share it lah!
The people who tweeted me to ask about this pair of raved flats will also agree with me once they check that out. In case you are wondering, follow me on @alexischeong to get the latest deals and such nuggets of info yea. Cuz sharing is caring.
Alright, so here are some pics! See for yourself.
Over here, the color is slightly darker than actual. The sole of is made from leather. I mistaken thought it was pigskin lining, but no, that was for other flats in topshop.
Over here the colour is more accurate.
The base of the flat is a smooth surface so it might prove a bit challenging on a rainy day, though i do believe it might hold up because of the rubber texture. And you can see here it is printed to be €24, or 32 USD.
The thing I find amazing is the sticker on it that says: "The shoes are traditional ballet construction. Therefore will not withstand extended outdoor wear." But where else can I wear these to, ballet class??
Well, don't say I didn't share. Now go get yourself a pair and stop mistreating those feet in heels.
Visited this rather new cafe today called The Orange Thimble. It's been on my radar since a month ago but finally got the chance to visit it on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't easy either. It is really hazy today and when I went out it was pouring! No car means I have to take the bus, though it was a direct one at least. 40 mins later and voila!
It was totally worth the journey. Let the photos do the talking!
The food was alright. My English all-day breakfast set was $12, and I finally get to also have a Shepard's Pie! That was not done as well though cos it is dry. (The search for Singapore's best Shepard's pie continues)
Lovely place to go for a lazy Sunday afternoon though. Highly recommended. Do it before the crowd rushes in and fills this place to the brim!
The orange thimble
Blk 56, 01-68, Eng Hoon Street, Tiong Bahru, Singapore
Tues Wed Thurs: 11am - 9pm, Fri Sat: 9am - 10.30pm, Sun: 9am-9pm
Closed on Mondays
www.theorangethimble.com
It was totally worth the journey. Let the photos do the talking!
Lovely place to go for a lazy Sunday afternoon though. Highly recommended. Do it before the crowd rushes in and fills this place to the brim!
The orange thimble
Blk 56, 01-68, Eng Hoon Street, Tiong Bahru, Singapore
Tues Wed Thurs: 11am - 9pm, Fri Sat: 9am - 10.30pm, Sun: 9am-9pm
Closed on Mondays
www.theorangethimble.com
So there has been recent observations that I might possibly be a food blogger. Those observations are only natural, so don't panic everyone! However, other than food, I do have other interests.
One of them includes funny or cute iPhone games, in which "Cut The Rope" wins the prize for the cutest and sometimes most challenging game ever! I seldom game on my iPhone, preferring to read my RSS feeds or twitter, but once in a while i have to fire that game up just to see my fav. game character in the world.
It's the Om Nom monster!
The premise of the game is really simple.
Cut the ropes holding the candy so it falls into Om Nom's mouth!
Om Nom has many expressions and makes this really cute sound when it doesn't get the candy.
I had been eyeing their plushies every since reading about it! They are so cute, immortalized into all the different expressions.
Then today, we walked past a shop and saw the monster sitting in a shelf with angry birds! The shopkeeper referred to them as "Frogs". Really? They look more like apples to me actually. Haha of course, *points to me*, I want! And i can haz om nom, yay!
So now Totoro has a new friend in bed. Fellow monsters say hi.
End of post. Time to cuddle up with my bed fellows, good night all!
