Admittedly, I was drawn to The Dragon Chamber because of how fascinating it is to enter the premises – through what looks like a fridge door.
Enter the Dragon Chamber
I was on the hunt for a Chinese restaurant to bring my tourist friend from the US to. The interior seats here looked comfortable enough for a good catch up session. & indeed, it was… Not too noisy as well, as the tables were spaced out nicely.
Interior & Bar Area of The Dragon Chamber
There are several unique, head-turning items on their menu, e.g. Dragon Claw ($60++), D*** Soup ($30++) (just a crocodile’s penis in soup), Flaming Pineapple Beef ($32++), but for the less adventurous there are regular, tasty options to choose from. & vegetarian options as well.
Wasabi Prawn with Tobiko (Small)
I was pleasantly surprised by the Wasabi Prawn with Tobiko ($26++ Small/$48++ Large). Several places over-fry the prawns & they end up being dry on the inside, overly oily on the outside… But not The Dragon Chamber.
This small portion was enough for 2 pax to share. The batter was light & crispy, & the sautéed de-shelled prawns remained juicy with a firm bite to them. Wasabi sauce was more creamy than spicy; I would’ve liked more of a kick to it, but that isn’t a crime. Lots of tobiko atop each piece for that added crunch. Would order this again.
Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun (Small)
As a yolk-porn egg lover, I couldn’t pass up the Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun ($32++ Small/$58++ Large). Coupled with the fact that it has everything I love in a bowl.
While I found the presence of truffle lacking in this dish, it made up for it on other fronts: Silky smooth noodles & tender slices of wagyu beef, tied together by a copious amount of rich sauce to tantalize your taste buds.
After this was served to our table, our waitress broke the yolk & mixed everything nicely for us. So get your phones/cameras out for a nice video opportunity, & some oohs & aahs….
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 🖥 Accepts reservations – I used Chope 💦 Water is not chargeable
Considering how the dining space at The Seagrill isn’t large, the menu here is quite sizeable. Quite atypically, I appreciated this al fresco dining spot along Changi Beach, made even more comfortable with the cool breeze in the evening.
The Seagrill’s bar
There was one pesky housefly that kept bothering me & my dinner (maybe cos we sat at the outermost tables), but I’d attribute that to how scrumptious the food is.
Spinach Salmon Linguine
In all honesty, the Spinach Salmon Linguine ($19.90++) looked like quite a small portion.. & it was, but it made up for it in flavours. Thick delicious cream sauce that wasn’t cloying, in part from the acidity of the lemon that cuts through it & binds the flavours together nicely.
The salmon was done perfectly too, fork tender & juicy. Would order this again.
Seafood Platter
I was on the fence re ordering the Seafood Platter ($55++), as there were some items in it that didn’t tickle my greatest fancy. Eventually did the Math & convinced myself it was (mathematically & otherwise) worth ordering… & thankfully it didn’t disappoint.
Good variety – grilled king prawns, barramundi fillet, short-neck clams in white wine sauce, baked scallops in half-shell, & salmon croquettes.
My favourite were the clams, quite plump & soaking in a delicious sauce that I joyfully dipped my bread in. What surprised me the most were the salmon croquettes – which I thought I wanted to pass up. The crispy edges were fried lovingly, & lent a satisfying bite into the soft, creamy insides.
💳 Accepts credit cards ☀ Al fresco seats only 🖥 Accepts reservations – I used Chope
As I entered The Elephant Room, I got seated at the bar I was served a Welcome Drink on the house. It was a clean & refreshing one of gin, green mango & sour plum. It gently woke my taste buds up.. I was ready to explore.
My Welcome Drink – gin, green mango & sour plum
The Elephant Room’s cocktails & nibbles are “inspired by Indian heritage” – cool concept, but I only truly understood this when I flipped through their menu. Reading through each drink’s descriptions & details, I learnt that each one has a story behind it. The stories are centered around Indian culture & childhood experiences, & iconic landmarks/experiences around Little India.
While these stories don’t necessarily resonate with me, I was captivated listening to the bartender tell them. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this will be quite the novel & special experience for you.
Super unique infusions!
My drink of choice was Mogul’s Sweets ($22++), which alludes to the nostalgic memory of the local childhood sweet shop. I picked this because of the unique use of savoury, nutty ingredients: Salted cashews & roasted chickpeas. They sounded like they would go well with the characteristic spicyness of the Amrut, an Indian single malt whiskey.
& by golly, they did. This was delicious in a buttery-smooth & creamy way. It felt like I was drinking a nutty alcoholic milkshake. Despite the slightly oily notes it had (which I generally am not a fan of), I enjoyed it through & through til the very end.
Mogul’s Sweets ($22++)
If that doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, don’t worry. The Elephant Room has other cocktails like Tekka (Old Monk rum, spiced palm & banana skin), Jothi’s Flower Shop (Jasmine gin, davanam tinture, lime & honey) & Beeda Man (sour mango rum, caraway & jeera goli).
Whilst sipping on my drink, I was introduced to the other Amrut whiskey variants on the shelf. Being very new to Indian whiskey, I listened intently while being schooled about them. Service here was attentive & warm, & the bartenders are friendly & chatty. I did feel a bit bad having to work on my phone from time to time, but I was glad to be left alone when that had to be done. Appreciated 😉
Different types of Amrut Indian single malt whiskey
I ended off my night by sipping some of their Ghee liqueur neat. Honestly, it smells ordinary, but tastes AMAZING. It’s like liquid butterscotch on steroids!!! I don’t like ghee in my food, but I’d happily drink this all day. Totally blew my mind.
Ghee Liqueur – crazy good & smooth
The Elephant Room has sold me on these crazy funky infusions. I am sure it’s not easy to get the perfect balance, but I do hope they continue to reinvent their infusions & cocktails in fresh ways to keep things exciting. They already have these cool ones – ghee liqueur, briyani whiskey, chickpea whiskey!? Daaaamn son. Keep them coming.
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 📱 Accepts reservations via Chope
I remember the days where Hopscotch was a cosy bar inside the Red Dot Traffic Building, whipping up a good variety novelty cocktails. They haven’t deviated from this specialty, but the vibes here now are quite different in the hipster/artsy enclave of Gillman Barracks.
Walking to Hopscotch (don’t park illegally like these cars!)
They still keep things interesting, changing their menu up once in a while. They’re on their 5th menu at the moment, with Singapore or Asian themed cocktails.
Bar seats available
My cocktail of choice: Kungfu Hustle (U.P. $22++/HH $15++), which has a base of Chrysanthemum infused scotch. It’s exactly what I look for in a cocktail: Strong, & not sweet. A harmonious balance of floral rose honey, fragrant Gunpowder Tea (珠茶), with a hint of heat from young ginger. Also, check out the bottle it’s served in – soooo aesthetic.
Kungfu Hustle Cocktail
Happy Hour is 5:30 – 8:30PM daily, & yes I could get HH prices on my cocktail ($15++) despite redeeming a Burpple Beyond deal on the same bill. I always make sure I check, & never to assume. I appreciate it when restaurants are flexible like that, so thank you Hopscotch!
Shelves of games you can play – fun idea
The Ribeye Steak ($26++) is part of the Burpple Beyond 1-for-1 menu options. 220g of New Zealand Grass-fed Black Angus Ribeye. It’s a simple hunk of steak, with not much else to the dish. It lies on a light swoosh of Purple Potato Mash that wasn’t very carby, & has a small side of sauteed baby spinach for you to get your veggies & fibre in.
I opted for my usual medium rare, but was afraid that at this thickness it’d be a little tough. But it wasn’t! It was also seasoned pretty well; I didn’t need to dip it in the veal jus served on the side – though that was tasty too. (My dad lapped it up quite eagerly…)
Ribeye Steak, eligible for Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 deal
Hopscotch’s Chilli Lobster Tagliatelle ($28++) pays homage to local flavours with a chilli sauce of local spices & a lobster-based stock. The chewy homemade tagliatelle pasta was firm to the bite, & the half a Boston lobster it comes with is fairly meaty. The heat isn’t unbearable, in all quite pleasantly tingly on the tongue with a subtle sweetness.
Chilli Lobster Tagliatelle
Being a pasta & seafood lover, I would order this again. Exceptionally pleased that I got this at “half price” thanks to Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 main deals, too!
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats available ☀ Al fresco seats available 🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope & Quandoo 🍽 Burpple Beyond partner 🏃🏻 Shopback GO partner 💦 Water is not chargeable
Trapizza is located right by Siloso Beach in Sentosa. Admittedly quite the journey to get here, I persevered because I can’t say no to a good breakfast & also Italian food. If you love alfresco dining, this is the place for you. If not, there’s still a spot for you here – seek refuge in their air-conditioned indoor dining area!
Al Fresco Dining Area
I reckon it’d be perfect outdoors with the cool temperatures lately (of course, provided it isn’t raining cats & dogs). I arrived a Sweaty Betty though, as this was pre-Singaporean-winter days. Quenched my thirst with a bottle of Organic Sparkling Passionfruit & Orange Juice ($12++). Lightly flavoured & slightly fizzy, this did the job. Don’t be a dumb dumb like me & shake the bottle in a disoriented state, though. It IS, after all… Sparkling 😂
Organic Sparkling Passionfruit & Orange Juice
[BREAKFAST MENU] We dove right into the breakfast items from Trapizza’s “Hot from the Pan” menu, starting off with the Wagyu Minute Steak & Eggs ($32++). I don’t eat beef for breakfast regularly, so this was new to me.
I certainly enjoyed it, though 😍 Perfectly poached eggs with runny yolks, & tender slides of beef. The hearty ratatouille with lightly toasted bread on the side tied all the flavours together quite well.
Wagyu Minute Steak & Eggs
I can imagine waltzing here from the nearby Rasa Sentosa Hotel to have a relaxing breakfast by Siloso beach. Don’t come here too late, though – breakfast hours are for a short window only, 9-11AM on weekends!
If poached eggs aren’t your thing, try the Italian Sausage Breakfast Platter ($26++). You don’t just get sausage with this, you also get bacon. The scrambled eggs are cooked fluffy & slightly runny.. & I just realized you can’t see them in this photo, lol. But that just shows how much food you’re getting, quite the bang for your buck.
Love carbs? You will enjoy the chunky oven-roasted potatoes with a pleasant bite to them. It’s great how you get a good variety of carbs, meat & vegetables in this one.
Italian Sausage Breakfast Platter
Should you be looking for something lighter on the palate, try the Organic Homemade Mango Granola ($12++) from the Healthy Selection of the menu.
The sweetness of the mangoes contrasted well with the sourness of the yogurt, & the granola added crunch with every bite. I quite liked everything about this.. It was so addictive. Something you can really keep eating & before you know it, you’ve finished the whole thing.
Organic Homemade Mango Granola
[LUNCH MENU] Trapizza’s pizza menu is extensive, which means there’s bound to be something for everyone. Each pizza is handcrafted & wood-fired, & it’s on a thin-crust base that makes it easy to eat. I’m not a fan of crunchy-thin pizza bases; thankfully this was just the right thickness for me (that’s what she said).
Got my hands grubby with the Pizza Siciliana ($28++), which has a sauce that is tomato-based. They have some cream sauce pizza options as well, which I would be keen to try next time.
I surprisingly enjoyed this pizza despite not being big on salami or sausages. We’re talking about chunks of traditional Sicilian pork sausage – which, like the salami, weren’t too salty for my liking. The vegetables added variety in terms of textures & tastes too: Roasted capsicums, onions, baby spinach.. A yummy dish great for sharing.
Pizza Siciliana
The Risotto di Mare ($29++) is a match made in heaven. Each grain of arborio rice was cooked al dente in a rich lobster bisque, & the plethora of seafood is commendable: Mussels, clams, prawns. My favourite was the prawn as it was super juicy, even at the end of my meal when you’d think it’d be cold & hard? Nope. Shiok ’til the end.
This IS a very rich dish that tastes like the ocean (in a good way), so it may not be for everyone. But it’s a clear winner in my books. The awesome juicy AF tomatoes make an appearance here too. Such a perfect dish that I would order again in a heartbeat.
Risotto di Mare
[DESSERTS] There’s always room for dessert, right? Check out their homemade Tiramisu ($12++) with a cute squidgy of espresso. It squirts nicely in the middle & spreads out, so those who love coffee can dig in there, & those who want less of it can tuck in by the side.
This is a perfectly light & fluffy tiramisu, with the taste of coffee & liqueur not overwhelming on the palate. Despite it being light, I can’t imagine finishing this on my own, so I was glad to have friends to share this with. I mean, this IS a pretty sizeable jar… You’re getting real value for money here.
Tiramisu
For those who aren’t about the creamy life, try the Italian Torta Di Limone ($13++), a lemon tart with strawberry ice cream. In theory this sounds like it’d be hella sour – but no! It was actually quite a balanced dessert.
The lemon flavour was slightly tart (as in, sour) indeed, but the slight sweetness of the tart base & strawberry ice cream made it more pleasant. I recommend having a bit of each on your fork/spoon each mouthful.
Winestone is a little out of the way to get to, but the ambience here makes up for it. Somewhat classy, but not pompous or stuffy. You could dine here with a friend, a date, or for business.
The interior of Winestone
I dined here in the evening, which isn’t the most ideal for food photography – but I reckon the floor to ceiling glass windows will give you ample natural light in the mornings!
Winestone’s bar
Burpple Beyond’s 1-for-1 brought me here; I was dead set on their pastas, & had a bit of dilemma on what to order from their Taste of Italy menu. Everything sounded good.
Eventually ordered the Ragout Tagliatelle ($25.00++) & Fettuccine Ai Funghi ($22.00++) to share with my friend. I originally thought these wouldn’t fill me up when they were served, but I was wrong.
Ragout Tagliatelle
Being a beef lover, I thought I’d enjoy the ragout more, as it is generally a hearty solid dish right up my alley. I generally prefer shredded meat ragout over minced meat ones, & this was minced meat town. I did enjoy my half of this while it lasted, but on a comparative basis, it was definitely heavier on the palate which I can’t guarantee everyone would appreciate.
Fettuccine Ai Funghi
Don’t look down on the Fettuccine Ai Funghi ($22.00++) for being a vegetarian dish. This was delightful. A great mix of juicy sliced mushrooms & confit tomatoes, with creaminess from the ricotta cheese & some acidity from balsamic vinegar that cuts through the heaviness of this dish. What a winner.
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats available ☀ Al fresco seats available 🍽 Burpple Beyond partner
There’s still time to take advantage of Chope’s deal at Ash & Elm! For the month of August (2019), all items on their “From the Pan” menu are at 50% off of you book via Chope & use the code CE8AE. Valid for dinner only, & other Terms & Conditions apply – check the Chope app for more details.
It was my first time here & I was impressed by the ambiance. It’s a nice place to go on a date… Then again, I expect no less, it being located inside the lovely InterContinental Singapore.
Ash & Elm – good for date nights
I had the Hand-cut Wagyu Beef Burger ($39++) with the patty done medium rare; chowed down on it & enjoyed it from start to finish. It wasn’t soggy at the end, & the bun remained quite fluffy & soft. The caramelised onions gave this a balanced sweetness, & in all this is a well-rounded burger.
Served with a side of thick-cut fries which were okay (average lah), & a side of coleslaw which was too acidic.. I didn’t enjoy that nor finish it. & I rarely don’t finish food. The star of the show, rightfully, is the burger!
Delicious Wagyu Beef Burger
I nibbled on my friend’s Black Cod Fillet À La Plancha ($48++) out of curiosity, & of course politeness cos she asked I wanted to 😂 The texture of the fish was on point, but it was a little too salty for both our liking. I would’ve expected more from it at this price point, especially since its one of the Chef’s Specialties. But the saffron pearl couscous was lovely.
Let’s just say I’m glad I dined here with a 50% off discount thanks to Chope. I’d say give this one a miss, unless they can fix the saltiness. Because the texture is awesome, as a nicely done cod should be.
Tender cod but way too salty
Sautéed Mushrooms ($10++) weren’t eligible for the half-off discount, but this was a great add on. Loved how juicy these were!
Juicy mushrooms are a great side dish
Lastly (though served at the start not end of one’s meal), this isn’t going to be a deal breaker for most diners.. But their bread here isn’t fabulous. I usually wipe the bread bowls clean, but not this time. Perhaps it’s just not to my liking – I like full thiccc carby bread, not so much flatbread crackers. Probably boils down to personal preference.
Didn’t wipe the bread basket clean like I usually do
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 🖥 Accepts reservations – I used Chope 🏩 Located inside Hotel Intercontinental 💦 Water is not chargeable
Bui Bui Eats 