Going Italian @La Strada

La Strada's sign board, can you tell the heavy rain on the background?

My parental unit were in town that Saturday and I had a feeling that we were going to have Italian at some point during the day. Boy, was I right. Unfortunately, our first choice Italian restaurant, Pontini at Grand Copthorne Hotel was closed for lunch on weekends. Lucky for us, a friend of mine took me once to La Strada during which I had an amazing gastronomic experience.

The quickly vanishing bread basket; white bread slightly toasted and warm pizza slices

Quickly we cabbed it to La Strada, the restaurant wasn't packed. We quickly got seated with menus in our hands. Since one of my parental unit ordered the Spaghetti Carbonara, La Strada's specialty, I opted to try their other specialty which was the Crab Meat Pasta. We also ordered the Beef Carpaccio to share. My other parental unit ordered the 3 course lunch for SGD 35++ consisting of mixed green salad with balsamic vinegar dressing and small 7" salami pizza.

The Carpaccio di Manzon (Beef Carpaccio) was to die for. For me anyway since I love the salty and savory taste of it. It's topped with rockets and parmesan cheese and drizzled with truffle oil. Did I die and went to heaven? It was simply amazing. Such simple ingredients but the taste just shoot you up to cloud 9. Let me warn you though that if you were to eat too much of it, the taste might get too strong. So eat in moderation... ;)

Carpaccio di Manzon: red and green, Christmas came early for your taste buds ;)

The Spaghetti Carbonara, the pasta was boiled to perfection. The cream sauce was just right, not too creamy or thick, pieces of bacon floating on top of the pasta with the lightly broiled egg in the middle. All of these done with truffle oil. I'm not a fan of creamy based pasta, but I bow down my head for this one and so did my parental unit ordering the carbonara.

Spaghetti Carbonara in Truffle Oil

My crab meat pasta, Tagliolini Al Granchio, had a nice consistency too. The crab meat was in abundance. If I hadn't had the carbonara, I would have loved it. However that day, I wasn't in the mood for something light. So it was good if you want something light tasting.

Tagliolini Al Granchio

The 7" salami pasta was thin crusted and yummy. I don't know what it was if I was too hungry that day or what, but I was absolutely enamored with the crust. The dough was baked real nice that it was still chewy but you can taste the sweetness of the bread. And the salami was satisfying.

Salami pizza, personal size

Last but not least, the desert. We ordered the baked berry pie with brown sugar ice cream. The pie was a balance of sweet and sour, it was served warm to contrast with the ice cream. I didn't think the ice cream tasted much like brown sugar, but the combo was good. Next time I shall strive to try the apple dessert.

Baked Berry Pie with Brown Sugar Ice Cream

La Strada

1 Scotts Road

#03-10 Shaw Centre

Singapore

+65 6737 2622

Outdoor Egyptian Dining Experience @Haji Lane

Al Tazzas @Haji Lane

Friday was finally here, but somehow this past friday was too much drama for me which is why when I got an sms from L wondering if I were up for some Turkish food action at Haji Lane that night, I said yes. Even though I was sick and feeling like crap. It gave me the the boost I needed to trudge through the last few hours at the office. 

I dashed out of the office building as soon as I was done and head to Bugis to meet L. From there we walked to Haji Lane, a couple of blocks away. I felt like I was transformed, transported away from this little island where sometimes, everywhere just feels the same. Here in Haji Lane, in this tiny stretch of street, the old shop houses give you a sense of uniqueness and that all is welcomed. I was surprised to see new places opened there, I think there were 2 more cafe(s)/bar(s) that I hadn't seen before. 

Eating at the verandah and streetside

L and I walked from one end to the other dodging the tables and chairs that were set up outside on the street, trying to figure out at which restaurant we should eat. We finally decided to have Al Tazzas the Egyptian restaurant. I remembered having ate there before and that I was please with their dips and falafel. 

We ordered the sampler platter which consisted of Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, Tahini, Tzatziki and Salad, which comes with a basket of warm pita bread. My favorite out of these 5 is the Tahini, it was so savoury. At the end of the dinner L commented that the Tahini is the one that is almost gone while the rest are still there. I enjoyed the Baba Ghanoush and Hummus too, but I thought the Tzatziki was a bit too sour or too liquid. The salad was simply cucumber, tomatoes and some herbs dressed in olive oil and lemon, very refreshing in these tropical weather. 

Clockwise from left to right: Tahini, Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tzatziki and salad in the middle

Bread basket and cutleries

The falafel did not disappoint. They came freshly fried, warm and loaded with Tahini and some red sauce I forgot to ask what. The falafel had just the right consistancy, not too dry or too soggy. It was a piece of saving grace for my Friday. L was so happy with the falafel that she cut it to 6-8 little pieces. I did mine in quarters... Oh, alright the second one I cut in 6. The falafel came with some more pita bread and I wished that they just give us more falafels than pita bread. 

Falavel with tahini and red sauce

Last but not least, what is a visit to any Middle Eastern food joint without some meat? I was so tempted to ordered kofte, minced lamb meatballs with herbs, but I always always always order that. So I decided to order the Shawarma chicken. By the time it came, I thought they forgot this order... but it was good. The chicken was very well spiced and given some tahini and red sauce. My only wish is that they served it earlier before I had gotten so full eating the dips. 

For drinks, we both ordered this Hibiscus Flower drink which I can't remember what it was called. It was kind of like red tea, sweet sour taste, but very refreshing. I love middle eastern food and I just had so much fun soaking in the atmosphere of the outdoor dining experience there. Oh, and the other nice thing that I almost forgot to mention is... price is already including GST, so when the time comes that your bill arrives you don't get shocked of all these extra charges that got accumulated! 

Hibiscus drink

Al Tazzas

Egyptian Restaurant

24 Haji Lane

Singapore 189217

+65 6295 5024

Seafood Galore @Long Beach Dempsey

Long Beach Dempsey's

I can still taste the Scottish bamboo clamp I had that night with my brother, fresh, succulent, meaty. Superb. I have to tell you though, I had the worst day ever before I sat down to enjoy my meal that night. I woke up at 4.30am with a massive headache all over my head, all the way to my jaws, this throbbing that I could feel all the way through my teeth. All these lasted almost 5 hours till I finally took some pain killer. I was so glad that my brother came that day to accompany me to the doctor, I couldn't even walk straight.

My plate with some peanuts and no idea why the towel's wrap is a girl in a swimsuit?

So, after the afternoon visit to the doctor my bro said to me, 'okay, lets grab some real nice fancy dinner and go home and rest'. Then I heard him say, "Long Beach"? That's when I knew that the meal was not a pure brotherly love but also some hidden craving for crabs. Anyway, I was game cause I love the Scottish Bamboo Clamps there. It's quite costly SGD 10/piece, but good heavens it is worth it. So I told him, let's go as long as I get my 2 pieces of Scottish Bamboo Clamps.

Scottish Bamboo Clamps in garlic and soy sauce

We ended up ordering the bamboo clamps, Singapore Chili Crab and Cereal Prawn. It was cholesterol madness, but last time I had my check up which wasn't too long ago, my cholesterol level is good. It'd be ok for this feast. The clamps were huge. The flesh so tender but yet firm and sweet. The simplicity of minced garlic and soy sauce brought out the freshness of the clamps.

The Cereal Prawn came after the bamboo clamps, it was huge, full of meat and sweet. The cereal nicely complimented the prawn. The cereal were crispy, savory and lightly sweet. I really wish I was more famished that day.

Plateful of Cereal Prawns

Notice the size of the prawn...

The Singapore Chili Crab had lots of flesh which was quite easy to pick apart. Since we ordered a female crab, the eggs were just fantastico! The Singaporean chili sauce was done nicely too, not too sweet but savory.

Singapore Chilli Sauce Crab

It was a nice crabby ending to a crappy day... Yeah, I know it's cheesy, but just give me this once...

Long Beach @Dempsey
25 Dempsey Road
Tanglin Village
Singapore
+65 6323 2222

Underground refuge @Viet Cafe

The little underground Viet Cafe has been a favorite lunch spot for me since I discovered around 6 months after I moved to Singapore. I was hardpressed to find a decent Vietnamese restaurant and Viet Cafe is the answer. In actuality, it doesn't serve authentic Vietnamese food, but I like their modification which still preserve the Vietnames-ity of the taste.

I tried both pho and bunh here, but most of the time I order the bunh as I have this bias towards sweet and sour taste. They serve both ala carte and set, this time I chose the set as it included chicken cabbage salad and deep fried battered fish pieces as appetizers. The chicken cabbage salad was fresh and light tasting and the deep fried battered fish pieces were light, fluffy and soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside. I also like soaking the fried fish on my sweet and sour sauce even if it was intended for the bunh.

Chicken cabbage salad and fried fish appetizers

The dry beef noodle (bunh) was served using vermicelli instead of the usual thicker version of vermicelli that I've tasted in other nearby Vietnamese restaurant. I found that the thicker noodle tasteless and flourful. The thinner noodles are much tastier and delightful to chew. The sliced beef was tender with plenty of water cress, beansprouts, and peanuts, drenched with sweet and sour sauce of fish soy sauce base. I usually ask for an extra as I like having the sauce kind of soup-y. Anyway, I like the whole combo as it gives you this fresh and light taste, it makes you come back for more... like it does to me.

Dry Beef Vermicelli Noodle ala carte @SGD 8.50,

set @SGD 15.90 including appetizers and a juice drink

The beef noodle soup (pho) here is quite traditional, it still uses the thin flat noodles with clear beef stock broth, sprinkled with fresh onions and basil leaves. They also have the spicy option which is quite tasty but can be too spicy for me. My advice is, get the chili on the side so that you can moderate the amount you put in the soup. I love having pho on a rainy day or if I ever feel like under the weather. It's just so comforting. Rain or shine though, this is one of my favorite refuge at lunch times.

Beef Noodle Set @SGD 16.90 including appetizers and a juice drink

Viet Cafe
Standard Chartered Building #B1-01
6 Battery Road
Singapore
+65 6220 2186

Mountain Ocean Sun Burger

The Yakiniku Burger Set including small fries and iced milk tea

Mountain Ocean Sun Burger. Sounds like a mouthful doesn't it? Some thought it as premium burgers, others as gourmet burger, whichever way you think to me, its a Japanese style burger and since it originates from Japan I am not even surprised that the concept, taste, quality and even packaging style has a certain Japanese twist on. I wish I could have told you that I came across MOS burger in Japan, but it wasn't so. It was introduced to me by a family friend more than a decade ago. Gosh, that makes me feel so old just saying that. Anyway, at that time the closet MOS burger was in Singapore luckily my always travelling family members were able to bring me some to taste.

Close up of the yakiniku rice burger, notice the rice-based-bun

Tsukune rice burger (minced chicken patty)

It was a revelation to see that instead of buns they used rice shaped into buns and that instead of burger patties, they used sliced beef, yakiniku style. For a long time, I used to always order yakiniku burger, but now I've ventured out of making this my only choice and add teriyaki chicken burger, scallop burger (their latest edition starting March 8 in Singapore), MOS burger, etc.

Close up fries, notice the perfect golden color

Another thing that I really like at MOS burger, well two things actually are the iced milk tea and their fries. Their fries are just nice, not too thin but not too big either, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Someone told me that their favorite thing in MOS burger is the fries and the chili sauce. Go figure. The iced milk tea, is basically iced tea that has been sweetened and you get these little cream cups which you pour inside to transform it into ice milk tea.

Iced tea with milk (before)

Iced Milk Tea (after ;))

N ordered the kakiage burger that day. I have never tried it but I think you can never be disappointed with any of the burgers here. The other day, I tried the scallop burger and I was surprised that I could taste scallops, quite a bit of them, with asparagus! Premium burger eh?! The sauce though tasted very similar to teriyaki sauce and a little to sweet for my taste. I think they should work on the sauce, steer it towards tempura sauce taste than to teriyaki.

Scallops Rice Burger

Kakiage Rice Burger

Anyway, I just have to say that I'm very happy when they opened their Telok Ayer's outlet as it's so close by from my office. Now I don't need to walk all the way to Chevron house to get my fix of Mountain Ocean Sun burger.

MOS Burger

http://www.mosburger.com.sg