[CLOSED] 1 Market by Chef Wan – Average Food with Overwhelming Crowd

1 Market is Malaysia Number 1 Celebrity Chef, Chef Wan first foray in Singapore restaurant scene. Located in Plaza Singapura, this place opened with much fan fare and publicity in Singapore and across the Causeway. This buffet restaurant is filled to the brim everyday, so if you never make a reservation, your chance of getting a table is very slim. Reviews on this establishment on food review websites has not been positive, however it did not stop me from suggesting this place for a catch up session with our friends.

Let me start describing our experience from reservation. It actually took me two days to get through to get a reservation. First, I make a few calls during the break time in hope that the staff will be lessen their work stress in taking reservation during their busy period. Unfortunately, it went unanswered. Later I found out from their FB page, they only take reservation during their operation hours. So I tried the next day and by luck, managed to get through and place my reservation for our big group. The person on the other line was courteous and give me the details on pricing, especially for kids under a certain age.

Come to the D Day, we arrived on time and was shown to our table. Luckily they already allocated the table, so as long as someone come on time, they will allow you to be seated and the rest can come a bit late. Normally you need to pay before you enter, however as we are in a big group, they actually do the final count at the end and we can pay the bill before the end of our meal. Kudos to them for allowing this flexibility.

The Crowd

So once you enter the restaurant, can see their food selection starting with cold seafood, Japanese section, Rotisserie section, Asian Home cooking, Grill Section and deserts. So how is the food.

Cold Dish Selection

We start with the cold dish section. The prawn and blue swimmer crab are quite reasonable in size, but not fantastically fresh. The cockles, clams and mussels are over cooked, and the meat actually shrinks. To accompany the seafood, you can choose their Thai Chili Sauce mix, but according to the Little Devil, it is not spicy enough. Got no KICK!!

The Condiments

Food the cold dish section

For the Japanese section, the selection is quite limited. For sashimi you will have the Salmon, Tuna, Octopus. It is not the best cut, but it is all right. The same can be said on the sushi and maki selection.

Sashimi

Come to the rotisserie section. Two options of meat, roast chicken and beef rump. The service staff tried her best, however it is difficult to de-boned and sliced chicken on the spot where you got a long queue of hungry customers. Both the meats are very dry and it was not well-seasoned. Disappointing.

The Beef Rump

The Beef Rump - sliced

The Roast Chicken - sliced and a bishop

Come to the Asian section, Laksa Lemak, Kueh Pie Tee, and Rojak. The lemak gravy is quite thick and you can feel the lemak (coconut fat). Rojak. The rojak here is DIY (Do It Yourself), so you can mix and match the ingredients. The dressing is quite well balance, where you can taste the ingredients of belacan, tamarind and black bean paste. Can't comment on the Kueh Pie Tee, it seems we miss out on this.

The Laksa Counter

Laksa Lemak

Rojak

On the home cooked Asian section such as Chicken Belado, Lamb Stew, Thai Prawn and Tumeric Crab. All the dishes are quite flavourful, however nothing really pop up to be highlighted.

The grills section. Probably the best part of section of the restaurant other than the desserts section. The Satay, you can choose chicken and beef complete with the condiments, ketupat and satay sauce. This is fresh from the charcoal grill, you can taste the charcoal burnt part with the thick satay sauce. The meat was well marinated but slightly chewy. The ketupat is all right but not fragrant. Their grilled sotong / calamari is a must-try. It is nicely grilled and tender and you have to be quick as both dishes flying off the serving place at an extreme pace.

The Satay Master!!!

Satay

Last but not least, the desserts section. They have a numerous selection of deserts, however the most popular is the waffle with ice cream. It is so good, if you leave this till the end, you can expect long queue until you want to give up. The sago, pandan pudding, peach pudding, jelly are average. So don't miss the waffle. The drinks are free flow.

Waffle with Ice Cream

Sago, Pandan Pudding, Lychee Pudding

1 Market has a modern decoration, bright and well space in between tables. Service is average, but our table got cleared before any noticeable stack of plates.

Overall we find 1 Market provide another choice for Halal buffet. The food is average but I was really amazed by the popularity of Chef Wan as the number 1 celebrity Chef in Malaysia. This place continue to be packed, packed and packed. I personally feel that if you never been to this place, you should try at least once. Just keep your expectation in check and have a good time with your friends. So Selamat Makan!

Food & Drink: 6/10

Value: 6/10

Service: 6/10

Ambiance: 7/10.

1 Market by Chef Wan

68 Orchard Road

#04-45 to 49. Plaza Singapura

Singapore 238839

Tel: 6341 9159 (Only call during op hours)

Website / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1marketbychefwan

Op Hours: Daily 11.30 – 14.30; 18.00 – 22.00

Pricing available on facebook page.

PS: Apologies for the pictures, as we were more focus on catching up with friends then taking photos :)

[CLOSED] The Coffee Daily – Away from Daily Grind

This Cafe has been my must-go-place since its opening last year. It has changed their management a few times since its opening in 2012, however it seems always for the better. Kudos to the new management.

Menu Part 1

Menu Part 2

Chubby Botak Koala can be considered a regular here. You will most likely spot me here during the day, where it is more quiet. I find it to be a good getaway place if I need a little break from endless work, as it is nearby my office. The main attraction for this cafe has always been the coffee and their old school deco. They get their beans from Highlander, one of the renowned artisan bean roaster in Singapore. The latte is fragrant, smooth, creamy and no bitter after taste. Accompanying their latte is Malongo Biscuit Speculoos.

Latte

Other than the coffee, you should also try their ice cream and gelato. The best combination will be in form of Affogato. I had this once in the evening with a friend from Jakarta, the lethality of the espresso lead to insomnia until 4 in the morning. The ice cream has a nice sweetness level, perfect creaminess that will make you ask for more.

Affogato

The cakes here is also quite good. I tried their yuzu cake and passion fruit moose, both has a delicate balance, light and refreshing. For non coffee drinker, they have tea selection from Gryphon, Mark & Spencer, Ginger Beer, Artisan Beer and others.

Yuzu Cake

Passion Fruit Moose

Decoration of this place is simple. They claimed that their design is old school deco, personally I think they probably pick up the furniture from a second hand shop, repaint and put it together. However, I have to say they did a good job with it and I always feel comfortable spending my time in the cafe.

Part of Seating Area

Service has always been friendly and efficient. For the price, The Coffee Daily actually deliver value for money. Their price of coffee, ice cream / gelato and cakes are comparable to the neighbourhood cafe's or even lower. At this point of time, I can include this as one of my Top 3 Coffee Place in Singapore. Cheers !!!

Food & Drink: 7.5/10 (Coffee 8.5/10)

Value: 7.5/10

Service: 7.5/10

Ambiance: 7.5/10.

The Coffee Daily

75 Brighton Crescent

Serangoon Garden Estate

Singapore 559216

Tel: 6284 8894

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Coffee-Daily/237339416383191

Op Hours:

Mon- Thu: 12.00 – 22.30

Fri: 12.00 – 23.30

Sat: 09.30 – 23.30

Sun: 09.00 – 22.30

Sushi Airways – The Sushi Plane has Landed

In December 2012, a plane missed it's designated landing strip in Changi Airport Singapore. It was reported the plane that was piloted by Chef E.C. Wong, had managed to land safely in Kampung Glam area and luckily no one was hurt. As the plane was carrying fresh seafood and ingredients from Japan, the pilot has no choice but to open up a sushi bar from that point onwards and continue to serve the freshest ingredients flew in four times a week from Japan.

As according to its name, the restaurant is designed based on the 1930s aeroplane stereotype. The kitchen, tables and sushi bar are made of shiny metal that are found in the galley of aeroplane. The restaurant can probably only seat less then 40 person. So to make sure you get a seat, you might want to call to make reservations during the peak period.

Airways Garden Salad ($15) which is fresh garden salad with wafu dressing. The salad is light, refreshing, yummyy and delicious. The dressing simply binds the ingredients which include avocado, tamago and tomato. A good way to open up your appetite.

Airways Garden Salad

For mains, we recommend their Mango Roll ($30) first – avocado, mango and flying fish roe. Each ingredients are generously prepare and served. You will notice the freshness of the mango to balance the slightly fiery fish roe. The sushi rice are mixed with other fresh flavourful vegetables, to create a unique flavour to the mango roll. Uniquely fresh.

Mango Roll

Mango Roll

Sushi airways version of California Roll ($15), is the inside out version, where the rice is on the outer part of the roll and covered generously with flying fish roe. Using just white sushi rice, it simple and nice. The chef just let the ingredients speak for itself.

California Roll

For people who like some fizz in their drink, try their Passion Fruit Soda Smoothies ($6). Not sure where the smoothies come from, it is more like a Passion Fruit Soda Fizz. It is more on the sweet side, I actually have to dilute it further with some ice water.

Passion Fruit Soda Smoothies

To cleanse your palate after the meal, a complementary beancurd pudding will be served. Nice balance of texture and sweetness.

Beancurd Pudding

We boarded the plane on one Saturday afternoon, after the lunch crowds and there are only 4 tables occupied. The service is good, but the food took quite a while to come to the table, especially their rolls. As only Chef Wong and his assistant are preparing the food for the whole plane, the captain seek your understanding.

Overall, Sushi Airways food represent a creative, unique and fresh. Each dish prepared individually by Chef Wong and his co pilot, so you can expect the high and consistent standard. The price is reasonable, if you compare the quality of the food that you received. I'm looking forward to my next visit to try out their other fresh air flown ingredients. Bon Voyage !!!

Food & Drink: 8.5/10

Value: 8/10

Service: 7/10

Ambiance: 8/10.

Sushi Airways Sushi Bar

20A Baghdad Street

Singapore 19969

Tel: +65 6291 1151

Website: http://www.sushiairways.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sushiairways

Op Hours: Daily 12.00 – 14.30; 18.00 – 22.30

[CLOSED] Cafe Brio's – Buffet at the Waterfront

Cafe Brio's is one of the main restaurants for Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Located on the first floor of the hotel, it boasted a range of distinctive cuisine with International and Asian flair.

This is actually the first visit by The Little Devil and Chubby Botak Koala to Cafe Brio's. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel actually hold a special meaning to us, because this is the hotel where we had our wedding reception. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming activities, alcohol during the reception and entertaining the guests, we did not manage to spend any valuable time here 8 years ago. (Darn, have we been married for so long???)

So enough of my rumblings and fumblings, let's get to the food. The first thing that you notice when you enter into Cafe Brio's is actually the spread of the desserts (international and local), followed by fresh shellfish, then sushi and sashimi.

Part of the Desserts Selection

The Seafood Sections

The Sushi Sections

The shellfish here consist of oyster, prawns and mussels. The size of the shellfish are quite big and fresh. Next come to the sashimi section, with selection of salmon, tuna, yellow tail and cuttlefish. The sashimi are as fresh as they get, with a good portions of the cuts. The minus side are the selections are quite limited.

Oyster, Prawns and Mussels

During the night, the roast station churn out roast beef. It is tender and roasted to medium, where you can still see the pink meat in the centre. It is tender however the gravy is lack of flavour. The Indian food section is something that you can't miss, especially the briyani and beef rendang. The basmanti rice is full of flavour and the rendang is succulent to the point of melting in your mouth. To complete our selections of main dishes, we have finished it with their famous crayfish laksa. We personally find the laksa quite average. The gravy lack of presence and not as robust as it suppose to be. There is nothing pretty special about it, except it is serve with half potion of a crayfish.

Roast Beef

Crayfish Laksa

So finally come to the desserts, where the selection from hot to cold desserts are so extensive, they can actually just do a buffet for their desserts. I like their Pineapple upside down cake, where it is moist and light; Manggo Pudding, Rose Syrup Aloe Vera, Apple Jelly Panna Cotta shots are light and refreshing. For chocolate lovers like me, the Chocolate Pudding with custard sauce or ice cream is just heavenly if you like something heavy, while chocolate fondue with fruits is the alternative for something light. There are also some Peranakan desserts if it is to your liking.

Chocolate Pudding With Custard Sauce

Chocolate Fondue with Condiments

A little peranakan selection

Service here is actually good. The service staff clean the plate regularly and top up your drinks. We actually went using the Deal.com promotion, so it is actually value for money for us. However, if you are paying a full price, it will be slightly overpriced.

Overall, Cafe Brio's presents good spread of buffet to the patrons. The food quality are of better than average, we do hope they can expand the buffet spread, especially on their sashimi and shellfish to the extend of their desserts range. At this current time, it won't be my first choice for buffet. Cheers!!!

The Bread Selection
(did not try due to limited stomach space :)

The Cheese Selection(did not try due to limited stomach space :)

Food & Drink: 7/10

Value: 6.5/10

Service: 7.5/10

Ambiance: 7/10.

Cafe Brio's

392 Havelock Road

Grand Copthorne Waterfront

Singapore 169663

Tel: 6233 1100

Website: http://www.millenniumhotels.com.sg/grandcopthornewaterfront/dining/cafe-brios.html

Op Hours: Daily 06.30 – 10.30; 12.00 – 23.30

For the pricing of the buffet, see the link above.

Also check out some online deal website.

[CLOSED] Nolboo Hangari Galbi – Authentic Korean Grill

Nolboo Hangari Galbi is a brand part of Nolboo Co Ltd, a Korean Franchise Restaurant with more than 520 branches and 8 brands in Korea. The group of restaurants are popular because they manage to develop various dishes to suits the taste of modern Korean Society and delivery unchangeable taste throughout its franchises.

The Little Devil is actually is a fan of this Nolboo in Singapore because they always deliver consistency in their food. Although it is nice to grill our own food, we don't mind them doing the grilling for us on another table. At least we won't be walking out smelling like our food.

[CLOSED] Cupcakes with Love – Unillustrated Love

We actually found this place by coincidence as we were looking for a place to catch up with group of friends and kids. As it is located opposite Canadian International School, parking was a breeze during the public holiday.

As you enter the shop, you will see their display of cupcakes and menu. Whatever you see there, it is all they have. You basically have to place your order on the counter, pay and they will deliver to you. Most of the seating is actually located at the back after the counter. Very comfortable, with short table and chairs. Unfortunately the lighting is quite dark, feels that not much effort was put in decorating the place.

From the name of the store, you know already what is their specialty. We ordered Red Velvet ($3.50) and Blueberry Summer ($3.50). Both cupcakes are moist, full of flavour and moist. The frosting only cover half of the cupcakes and it is not too sweet so don't need to worry that you kids will go hyper after too many cupcakes. At the bottom of my blueberry summer cupcake, I was surprised to find some fresh blueberries in it. While the cupcake is nice, we find that it is lacking of the OMPHHHH factor.

Red Velvet Cupcake

Blueberry Summer Cupcake

For their coffee, they use the coffee beans roasted by Nylon at Everton Park. Their latte ($4.50) is smooth, creamy and without much bitter taste afterwards. Good balance between the coffee and milk. A good latte indeed. For the tea, they use Gryphon tea @ $5.50 per pot. As for the other cold drinks, we are told that they have run out of it.

Latte - Beans from Nylon

Cappuccino & Ice Coffee 

Unlike their cupcakes, we find the service slow, unfriendly and 'lack of love'. When our group walk in, it seems they are not keen on serving their customers and prefer to have their shop empty. The cupcakes came at first, but our drink come a good 10 to 15 minutes later after we finish the cupcakes. Hopefully the management can address this matter.

Overall, we find the cupcake and drinks here are good. With the combination of less sugar and more flavour, it is a plus point for this shop. The price is quite steep, however comparable to those in the market. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 6.5/10

Value: 6/10

Service: 4.5/10

Ambiance: 6/10.

Cupcakes with Love

348 Tanjong Katong Road

Singapore 437115

Tel: 6440 0450

Website: http://www.cupcakes.com.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cupcakeswithlove

Op Hours:

Mon – Thur: 12.00 – 21.00

Fri – Sun: 12.00 – 22.00

[CLOSED] Jalan Kayu The Prata Cafe – Prata for any time of the day

Tanjong Katong Road are known to foodies as one of the upcoming happening place for dining in the south east area. This road is practically buzzing during lunch and dinner and finding a car park space is an issue. As this area only serves lunch, dinner and supper crowd, it is actually quite a challenge to find a place to have breakfast.

Fortunately, Jalan Kayu The Prata Cafe is one of the establishment that open early on the day we need some early grub. They open around 10am, while other eatery open from 11am onwards.

So how is the food? The prata here is actually quite good. It is thin, fluffy, good serving size and the best part it is not oily. They did not overcook the egg prata ($1.40) and my plaster ($1.40) have the egg yolk oozing out of it. (plaster is kosong prata + sunny side up fried egg on the outside like a band aid). While the curry has a robust flavour into it, as it was probably from last night stock. To be honest, the best curry for prata is an overnight curry, because the flavour is just fantastic and robust.

Kosong Prata + Plaster Prata + Curry

The kopi-C and ice lemon here are considerably good. However, they can be extremely generous with their sugar. Service is a bit slow, but price is very reasonable considering they are air-conditioned establishment. The plain prata will set you back $0.90 while the egg prata and plaster are $1.40 each. Kopi-C is $1.30 and Ice Lemon Tea is $1.60. In total,we spend only $8 for breakfast.

Kopi C

Ice Lemon Tea

Overall, this place serve a simple Singaporean no fuzz breakfast. Although it open a bit later than other prata shop, but they serve a good grub. We don't mind coming back for more in the future. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 7/10

Value: 8/10

Service: 6/10

Ambiance: 6/10.

Jalan Kayu The Prata Cafe

246 Tanjong Katong Road

Singapore 437034

Tel: 6254 0268

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jalankayupratacafe

Op Hours:

Sun - Tue: 10.00 – 22.00

Wed – Sat: 10.00 – 02.00