Oscar’s – Exquisite Lobster Nasi Lemak [MEDIA INVITE]

Lobster Nasi Lemak at Oscar's

Oscar’s at Conrad Centennial Singapore is officially re-open for dine-in. For the month of July, Oscar’s will be serving Lobster Nasi Lemak. The menu will include a welcome drink, starter, Lobster Nasi Lemak, unlimited sides and dessert. For a limited time, the Exquisite Lobster Nasi Lemak is priced at S$40++.

Scan QR Code for Menu

The dining experience starts with a complimentary welcome beverage. You can choose from Air Limau (lime juice) or Gula Melaka Iced Tea. LD choose the lime juice while I choose the Iced Tea. The gula Melaka infused its unique earthy and mild sweetness to the milk tea, while the lime juice is with a hint of sourness and it is not too sweet, quite refreshing!

Air Limau (lime juice) & Gula Melaka Iced Tea

For the starter, we have Kueh Pie Tee. It is served with braised turnips, steamed baby shrimps, fried shallots, sesame seeds and home-made signature sauce. The cup is crispy, while the braised turnips are on the crunchy side, topped with springy baby shrimp. The home-made signature sauce has a spicy and tangy taste to it.

Kueh Pie Tee

Kueh Pie Tee with home-made Signature Sauce

Set Main Course, Lobster Nasi Lemak with fried chicken wings, ikan bilis, peanuts, egg, achar and onion chilli sambal. The lobster is juicy and succulent, topped with sweet onion chilli sambal. I would say the spiciness level of the chilli sambal is about 5 of 10, with a hint of sweetness, so it was acceptable to me.

Lobster Nasi Lemak

The fried chicken wing is well marinated with rempah, served piping hot, making it just irresistible. Meanwhile, the coconut rice was lacking the richness of coconut milk, hopefully, after our feedback, the team will be pouring the coconut milk more liberally. Aside from the lobster, you also have achar, ikan bilis, peanuts and hard-boiled egg on the plate, creating a comfort dish that we all familiar with.

Lobster Nasi Lemak

The Lobster Nasi Lemak comes with unlimited sides including beef rendang, muar otah otah, sotong chili sambal, bergedil, green beans with dried shrimp and white garlic sauce, signature home-made prawn chilli and kerabu timun.

Unlimited Side Dishes

The Muar otah otah is served with steam egg, reminds me of Spanish baked eggs. The otah slices are moist with the rice balance of fish paste and sambal. The steam egg added a smooth and silky eggy coating to it that gives the wow feeling. If you manage to get the one with the yolk still runny, it will be the best. LD and I are going to try to do this at home for breakfast. Yum Yum.

Muar Otah Otah with Steam Egg

Next best dish is the bergedil. The potato is hand mashed, resulting in combo texture of mashed potatoes and chunk of potatoes as well. Since the bergedil is served hot, you can smell the fragrant aroma of the fried egg, we ended with 2 servings of this.

Bergedil

Beef Rendang

Beef Rendang

The beef rendang is pack with spices, though I find the meat is on the lean side. The sotong chilli sambal has a very good springy, yet easy to bite. Meanwhile, the green beans are crunchy and loaded with lots and lots of dried shrimp, a rice thief dish.

  

Sotong Chili

Green Beans with Dried Shrimp and White Garlic Sauce

LD had the signature home-made prawn chili, at first, she feels it was not spicy enough. (Spiciness rating about 6 of 10). Chef Mandar power up the chilli, bringing the spiciness level to 8 of 10. Though she likes it with more heat, she finds the new mix of prawn chilli to be solid and it will be a “rice thief” dish. The acidity in the kerabu timun provided a good balance and palate cleanser from all the rich dishes.

Signature Home-Made Prawn Chilli

Desserts are durian puff, pandan milo tiramisu and ice creams. The durian puff has a light and fluffy pastry, while the fillings is pack with cream durian fillings. The milo tiramisu is solid and creamy. Though it can do with an extra sprinkle of milo. The raspberry ice cream is tangy and delightful.

Desserts

Pandan Milo Tiramisu

Overall, this Lobster Nasi Lemak dining experience just hits the spot for me. While the lobster is the star of the show; however, the supporting side dishes are incredible as well. Definitely worth a visit. Cheers!!

Lobster Nasi Lemak

When: now till 31^st July 2020.

Time: Monday – Sunday, Dinner 6PM to 10PM

           Saturday – Sunday, Lunch 12PM to 2.30PM

Price: $40++

Where: Conrad Centennial Singapore, Lobby Level at Oscar’s

Reservation: Please call +65 6432 7481/63, email sinci.oscars@conradhotels.com

Thank you very much Conrad Centennial Singapore for the tasting invitation.

Food & Drinks: 8.25/10

Value: 8.75/10

Service: N/A

Ambiance: 8.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50

Oscar's

2 Temasek Boulevard

Lobby Level, Conrad Centennial Singapore

Singapore 038982

T: +65 6432 7481

W: http://bit.ly/cbkconradoscars

F: https://www.facebook.com/conradcentennialsingapore

IG: @Conradsingapore @Oscarsatconrad

OH:

Open 24 Hours for A la carte menu

Breakfast: 06.00 – 10.30

Lunch: 12.00 – 14.30

Dinner: 18.00 – 22.00

Pin Ji Fishball Noodle – Delicious All Round Fishball Noodles

Pin Ji Fishball Minced Meat Noodles - Mee Kia

Pin Ji Fishball Minced Meat Noodles (‘Pin Ji’) is owned and operated by Keith and Michelle. The stall first catches my attention a month after it started its operation through social media post. Two things that attracted me were handmade fishballs and handmade fish dumplings. The best part is that it is located in the same wet market in Serangoon North that I regularly bring my MIL and auntie to shop.

Pin Ji Fishball Minced Meat Noodles - The Shop

When I visited them for the 1^st time back in 2019, I was not impressed. The fishballs are bouncy, packs the fish taste yet slightly under seasoned. The meatballs were solid, peppery while the fish dumplings remind me of Song Kee version but not at Song Kee standards. The main problem was their noodles, the mee pok is overcooked, lumpy and slow. My auntie and MIL also wonder what so good about it and why there is a queue?

A few months after our first visit, I dropped by again and I noticed some improvements. The noodle had a bit of life into it. Slightly springy and with a little more bite. The seasoning on the fishballs has improved, it is bouncy, tasty and savoury. The meatballs have a better overall taste compare to the fishballs. The fish dumplings have a bit of gooeyness, with bouncy skin and flavourful fillings.

Mee Pok - April Visit

Mee Pok - April Visit

Mee Kia with Chilli - April Visit

           

On 1^st April, before the CB, LD and I visited them again. This time around I feel Pin Ji finally get into their grove and all the key ingredients started to fall into its place. The only comment that LD has that time was their chilli was not powerful enough.

Handmade Fishball

Handmade Fish Dumpling

Handmade Fish Dumpling - The Fillings

Our last visit before writing this review as on 6 July 2020. I was impressed with the fishball noodles. I ordered the $5 version.  The texture of the noodle was just right. Springy, bouncy with a solid bite to it. Keith mixed the noodles with the ketchup or chilli, pork fats and black vinegar with care and ensure every strand are evenly coated. His timing on the cooking is spot on and so much faster compared to the initial period.

Mee Kia - July Visit

For the mix soup ($5), the texture of the fishballs is bouncy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned and packs with fish flavours. The same can be said with their meatballs. The fish dumplings tasted so so good now. The fish dumpling skin is QQ and slippery, while the ‘tee po’ (dried sole fish) are bursting from the dumpling. Awesome!!

Mix Soup  

Handmade Meatball

While Keith is doing the cooking, the soft-spoken Michelle is the one taking the order, preparing the tray and topping up the rest of the ingredients and condiments. The photo of the shop is taken in April, with the lady boss consent. No mask required at that time.

Overall, it was a great pleasure to see the journey of this young couple from the beginning till now. The fishballs, meatballs and fish dumplings are a must try. Keep it up!! Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8.25/10

Value: 8/10

Service: N/A (Self Service)

Ambiance: N/A (Coffee Shop)

Budget per Person: $0 - $10

Pin Ji Fishball Mince Meat Noodles

Blk 153 Serangoon North Ave 1

#01-512. S550153

Blk 574 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10

#01-1825. S560574

T: +65 9878 7995

F: https://www.facebook.com/pinjifishballmincedmeatnoodles/

IG: @Pinjifishballnoodles

OH: Thu – Tue, 08.00 – 15.00

Closed on Wednesday

[CLOSED] Kiyoshi – Inaniwa Udon and Wholesome Japanese Restaurant [MEDIA INVITE]

Inaniwa Udon @ Kiyoshi Japanese Restaurant

Kiyoshi means pure, clean and clean in Japanese. True to its name, Kiyoshi Japanese Restaurant (‘Kiyoshi’) focus to provide light and wholesome meal for customers. Kiyoshi pride itself on fresh ingredients prepared using an innovative, contemporary approach.

Kiyoshi Japanese Restaurant

Kiyoshi specialised in Inaniwa udon, a type of udon made in the Inaniwa area of Inakawa Machi, Akita prefecture. This cream colour udon is hand-stretched and is slightly thinner than regular udon, yet thicker than sōmen, or hiyamugi noodles. Other highlights of Kiyoshi include sashimi, donburi, ramen, yakitori and affordably priced bento sets. Not forgetting, Kiyoshi is also known as an Izakaya, a casual place for ‘after-work drinking’

After trying their bento set from the delivery menu (review is available here), we attended the Media Tasting for their Dine-In Menu.

Nice Tea Cup at Kiyoshi

We started with Tofu & Avocado Salada with Sesame Dressing ($11.80). There are a lot of texture happening in this dish, from the leafy vegetables, crunchy cucumber and capsicum, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado and silky tofu. Bind all the ingredients together is the aromatic sesame dressing. A refreshing start to the meal.

Tofu & Avocado Salada with Sesame Dressing

Currently this salad is complimentary for diners who spend $10 and above.

Next up is the Temaki (hand-rolled sushi). We have Soft Shell Crab Temaki ($7.80), Unagi Temaki ($7.80), Salmon Ikura Temaki ($9.80) and Tuna Mayo Ebiko Temaki ($4.80). There were four of us, so each one chooses one type of temaki.

Temaki

I went for the Unagi. This luxurious hand roll is fillings include unagi (eel), cucumber, unagi sauce. The fillings are very generous as I can taste the juicy unagi till the last bite of the maki. LD tried salmon ikura as the salmon roe is just too attractive for her, based on her description, every bite burst out the freshness of the roe and salmon.

Unagi and Soft Shell Crab Temaki

Tuna Mayo Ebiko Temaki & Salmon Ikura Temaki

Following the temaki are Nigiri Sushi consists of Salmon Sushi ($3.80 for 2 pcs), Kanpachi Sushi ($4.80 for 2 pcs) and Maguro Sushi ($6.80 for 2 pcs); and Salmon Mentai Roll ($12.80).

Salmon Sushi

Maguro Sushi, Kanpachi Sushi & Salmon Sushi

The sushi’s are fresh, well made, however, it is not those that will give you the WOW sensation. Instead, it was the special maki that made me go WOW. The prawns are firm and crunchy, rolled with the right portion of rice and topped with super delicious aburi salmon and homemade mentai sauce. I think if you order anything with mentai sauce here, it won’t go wrong.

Salmon Mentai Roll

For the Yakitori Range, we were served Chicken Yakitori ($2), Buta Bara ($2.50), Enoki Maki ($3), Gyu Cheese Maki ($4.50), Cheese Maki (pork - $3.50) and Aspara Maki ($3). We had a great impression from the beef yakitori for the delivery menu. This time around, the Gyu Cheese Maki sure get out two thumbs up. It was succulent and the cheese fillings just enhance the flavour of the beef.

Yakitori

For the pork, the Aspara Maki got our nod of approval, combing the fatty pork belly with crunchy asparagus. We find the buta bara is a bit lean, we were hoping for pork belly to be fattier. To spice up the yakitori, there are three dips served: yakitori sauce, curry and ume (plum) salt.

[From Left to Right] Chicken Yakitori, Buta Bara, Enoki Maki, Gyu Cheese Maki,
Cheese Maki (pork) and Aspara Maki.

Aspara Maki

We finally get to try Kiyoshi speciality, Inaniwa Udon. We tried their cold udon, Tem Chirashi Udon ($16.80) and Vegetarian Inaniwa Udon (Hot Soup, $14.80).

Tem Chirashi Udon

The Tem Chirashi Udon is cold Inaniwa udon with assorted tempura: scallop, cherry tomato, mushroom, avocado and capsicum. The udon is lightly seasoned and in each bite, you can taste smooth and bouncy udon. The crispy assorted tempura compliments the udon perfectly.

Tem Chirashi Udon

Meanwhile, the vegetarian Inaniwa udon is a simple version of soup udon. The udon is softer, yet the vegetarian broth is warm and comforting. The toppings include beancurd skin, fried beancurd, seaweed, shiitake and shimeji mushrooms introduce contrasting flavour and texture to the dish.

Vegetarian Inaniwa Udon

Other main dishes that we tried are Pork Katsu Curry Rice ($11.80) and Tempura with Cha Soba ($19.80). The portion of the pork katsu curry is about medium in size. The pork katsu is on the lean side, I think it can be better if the meat has more fats. However, the curry sauce sure hits the spot.

Pork Katsu Curry RIce

The green tea soba is al-dente and comforting. The tempuras are well executed and the star of this dish. The batter is light, crispy coating provided the perfect vessel for the prawns and vegetables. Though the soba is good, I will probably order the tempura with cold Inaniwa udon for that extra chewiness.

Tempura with Cha Soba

Kiyoshi is designed and decorated for family comfort in mind. The design is clean, with light walnut wood colour elements. There are booth seating area, normal dining tables and of course the coveted chef’s table, where you can see the chef at work. The seating area is spacious and you won’t feel squeezy. As it is in Amoy street, you can also have your lunch meeting or after-work gathering here.

Part of Dining Area

Part of Dining Area

Overall, it was a delightful dining experience. The Inaniwa Udon dishes are a definite must-try here. The sushi, yakitori, curry and soba are good as well. A wholesome Japanese family restaurant. Kanpai!! Cheers!!

Chef's Table

Cheers!!

Thank you very much Jennifer Yeo Consultancy and Kiyoshi Team for the delicious meal

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 7.75/10

Service: N/A (Media Drop)

Ambiance: N/A (Media Drop)

Budget per Person: $11 - $25

Kiyoshi Japanese Restaurant

75 Amoy Street

Singapore 069894

T: +65 6223 0995 / +65 9366 6419

W: https://inline.app/order/kiyoshi/amoystreet (Online Order)

F: https://www.facebook.com/75amoystreet/

IG: @Kiyoshi.75

OH: Daily 11.00 – 22.00

*** Kiyoshi Takeaway

Order through:

- Online: https://inline.app/order/kiyoshi/amoystreet

- Call +65 6223 0995 or - Whatsapp: +65 9366 6419

- Email: info@kiyoshi.com.sg

* Islandwide delivery is available at $11. Minimum order is $30/-