How intriguing – Pecel Yusheng ($45.80+) is Tanamera Coffee’s spin on lunar new year yusheng, which has a variety of veggie noodles, fried tofu (which we forgot to put in frame for the picture 😂), hard boiled eggs, peanut crackers & smoked salmon. Definitely getting some good fibre & nutrients in with carrots, red & white cabbage, radish, turnip, cucumber & capsicum here.
Pecel Yusheng (imagine the fried tofu is also in frame…)
With an Indonesian-style peanut sauce as the dressing, this reminded me of gado-gado in salad form that you can toss & shout auspicious sayings while doing so.
I found this unique & quite delicious… Petition to put this permanently on the menu as an option, please! They actually already have this on the regular menu as Pecel ($11.80+), but it comes with veggie sticks instead of thin veggies noodles.
I loved the oodles of spirulized noodles, although great care must be taken when apportioning them as they are really long strands…. But I guess that symbolizes mucho longevity 长命百岁 am I right?? 🕺🏻
Traditional Yusheng
Tanamera Coffee also offers the Traditional Yusheng ($45.80+) option – it is what you’d expect it to be, & I appreciate that this dish isn’t as sweet as some other yushengs I’ve had.
Special shout-out to the copious amounts of crackers 黄金满地, which I believe kids would love… & perhaps adults too (adults are essentially just very big kids, right?). My family always adds an extra packet of crackers to our yusheng for the kids each year 😊
A 3-day advance order must be placed for all yusheng orders; last day to do so is CNY Day 1 初一 22nd Jan 2023 (for it to be ready on the 25th). If you purchase 2 yusheng platters (Pecel or Traditional yusheng), you can get them for a special promo price of $88+ for a pair.
Thanks Burpple for the invite & Nana from Tanamera Coffee for the hospitality! 💕
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Indoor seats available ☀️ Outdoor seats available 🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope 🍴 Burpple Beyond partner: 1-for-1 Mains / Beverages 🙋🏻♀️ Service charge applicable (for dine-in) 🚫 No GST 📶 Free WiFi available
Comforting New York style pizzas sold by the slice or a full pie – convenient to grab & go, but if you’d like to sit & dine, they have some indoor & outdoor seats.
I’ve tried the full works off of Sonny’s Pizza’s pizza menu (yes folks, they now serve more than pizzas with their new sides menu hehe), & it’s become clear to me which ones come up top on my list.
Pepperoni ($8+/slice, $24+/12″, $36+/18″) is a crowd favourite, with a generous load of specialty full pork pepperoni for the meat lovers.
For me, I’m Going Green ($8+/slice, $24+/12″, $36+/18″) is my favourite. Call me basic, but I don’t have mushroom to absorb your insults. I looooove a creamy bechamel sauce on pizza, & the mixed medley of juicy mushrooms give nice earthiness to this simple slice of joy. I rarely crave pizza, but I did for this one. Superb, & I’m sure I’ll keep ordering this time & time again 😂
Saigon Stunner ($9+/slice, $26+/12″, $38+/18″) comes a close 2nd on my list – chunky beef sausage on a marinara base. The herby betel leaf pesto & fish sauce might sound offensive, but it actually is quite balanced & well executed. The flavours just work.
Special mention also goes to the bottle of Hot Honey because DIET STARTS TOMORROW. So addictive to dip the pizza slices into this – especially the crusts when they’re still warm & fluffy. Lends a pleasant sweetness & tinge of heat to the already delicious pizza. I couldn’t stop doing this with my favourite I’m Going Green pizza…
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Indoor seats available ☀️ Outdoor seats available 🙋🏻♀️ No service charge 💲 GST is chargeable 🥡 Takeout options available (convenient!) 🍻 Fridges full of craft beer, mmm yes
My Big Breakfast Club ($18 nett) took a while to be served, but thankfully I had my coffee (double shot as a default) to keep me happy.
Big Breakfast Club with Soft Boiled Eggs & Mushrooms
Wasn’t feeling a scramble or sunny-side up, so soft boiled it was for me. These are basically hard boiled eggs with a runny yolk, which is how I usually cook them on my own as snack prep. On a brunch platter, though, I wish they had poached eggs (my favourite) as an option..
Mushrooms were my choice of “meat” (for lack of a better word) – as opposed to smoked salmon, ham or bacon. These were plentiful, juicy, & appreciated. Great toasting technique on the sourdough toast as well – crispy but not hard. The spicy baked beans didn’t actually feel spicy to me, but lent good flavour to the platter. Was glad to get my veggies in with the halloumi side salad, although the cheese didn’t do much for me & I honestly would’ve been okay without it.
In all, a nice brunch platter that piqued my curiosity. I would love to try their other brunch, pasta, & bagels on the menu. Especially since The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli is such a nice (albeit small) place to chill at. I can totally see myself spending a nice afternoon here relaxing.
💳 Accepts credit cards 💵 Cash accepted 📱 GrabPay accepted 🌬 Indoor seats available ☀ Outdoor seats available 💦 Water is not chargeable 🚫 No GST or service charge
Sian. Made a trip to Tipsy Penguin specially for their oysters, only to find they didn’t have the promo ones anymore that day.
Settled for these Japanese oysters (“premium price” they said, hence not eligible for 10% off $100 spend on OCBC cards back when I visited – not sure if this promo is still available)… Which were delicious, but damn – 6 for $24…
Ps: Naked oysters are the best. These toppings here (grapefruit & ikura in the middle; hua tiao ebi at the bottom) don’t do much for how decadent & creamy these oysters are on their own.
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats available ☀️ Al fresco seats available 🖥 Accepts reservations on Quandoo (I walked in, though)
In the first of YWCA Cafe Lodge’s guest chef series, Chef Ratha (formerly from The Black Sheep Café in Sin Ming) serves up a delightful 3-course meal ($48++ per pax) of his classic French-inspired food.
Cost, casual interior of YWCA Cafe Lodge
Being able to have quality French-inspired food in a comfortable, non-pretentious environment is the selling point for me. Service was attentive & friendly as well, & I had a great time.
This pop-up is for a limited time only – until 15 May 2022, & only available on Saturdays for dinner & Sundays for lunch. So call to make a reservation & head down while you can!
I cautiously took a first sip of the complimentary San Sirra Mocktail, as I tend to favour cocktails/alcoholic beverages over non-alcoholic ones that tend to overcompensate with saccharine sweetness. This might be the first mocktail that I willingly finish & dare I say, even craved for more.
Complimentary mocktail: Non-alcoholic Merlot
I loved how this non-alcoholic merlot (U.P. $8++ per glass) didn’t have any of that artificial syrupy flavour at all. & packed with sliced fruits, this reminded me somewhat of a sangria – pleasant & fun to drink.
We started off our night with appetizers: 🔸 Baked Brie in Pistachio Crust, Pomelo Citrus Salad 🔸 French Onion Soup with Cheese Crouton
When asked to choose from the polarizing duo of soup vs. salad, my choice was clear… SOUP ALL THE WAY BABY.
French Onion Soup with Cheese Crouton
The onion soup was a winner, with the right level of sweetness from the caramelized onions & purity of a good broth. I could drink it on its own, but it was even better topped with oozy cheese & crusty French bread that soaked up the warm & comforting broth. I’d love to have this again.
Having said that, the salad is pretty bomb too. Brie is a palatable cheese – one of my favourites, actually, & the fresh tartness of the fruits go well with the crisp salad leaves. While the presentation could be improved on, I’m glad that I enjoyed this more than I expected.
Baked Brie in Pistachio Crust, Pomelo Citrus SaladBraised Lamb Shank in Red Wine & Apricots, Mashed Potato & Seasonal Vegetables
To me, the highlight of a 3-course meal is the main course, & I was baffled by my struggle to choose a favourite out of the 3 options.. Because they were all just excellent:
🔸 Wagyu Beef Cheeks in Truffle Scented Red Wine Sauce, Gratin Potato 🔸 Duck Confit on Apple Roesti & Tangy Mango Relish 🔸 Braised Lamb Shank in Red Wine & Apricots, Mashed Potato & Seasonal Vegetables
Duck Confit on Apple Roesti & Tangy Mango Relish
Execution was on point, as the meats were tender & fall off the bone. The pairing of accompaniments were complementary too. Loved how the duck confit was Actually Delicious & not overly salty as I tend to find with the others I’ve had elsewhere. The lamb shank was good as well, didn’t have the gamey taste or small that most find off-putting.
Wagyu Beef Cheeks in Truffle Scented Red Wine Sauce, Gratin Potato
Ultimately, though, I think my favourite by a narrow margin is the beef cheeks. They were seriously melt-in-your-mouth, & bonus points for the heavenly gratin potato with creamy sauce that came with it.
We wrapped up our night with a classic pairing of dark chocolate cake & vanilla bean ice cream.. With a slight twist: The cake is flourless. To be honest, when I first ate this from the outside in, I initially found this a little dry on the edges. However, when I got to the center, it was moist & delectable.
The ice cream wasn’t too sweet either (yay), & plus points to the drizzle of raspberry coulis on top that gave it nice acidity & Berry Good Flavour.
Thanks Cheryl for the invite & YWCA Cafe Lodge for the hospitality! 💕
I got to know of 小彭客家菜 Pang’s Hakka Delicacies through Veronica Phua, whose recommendations I trust very much. Hakka cuisine isn’t something I eat often, but I do enjoy a good Thunder Tea Rice 擂茶饭. It’s quite a polarizing dish; some will say it tastes too healthy (lol), others are addicted to it.
My mum is a fan of it, so I ordered a portion of Leicha ($7/set) for her & myself. It is only available with brown rice (#health) & has a minimum order of 5 sets. If you can’t finish all 5 sets, you can keep them in the fridge for a bit – or bless your neighbours with some a delicious contactless-food-delivery surprise!
Part of our lunch (not pictured: the other 3 Thunder Tea Rice sets required to make up the minimum order of 5)
You really get quality ingredients in this bowl with a thicccc green tea sauce. Yes, I called it a sauce – not a soup or broth, because it is that thick & chock full of flavours.
Our variety of Hakka delights
My dad isn’t a fan of Thunder Tea Rice (he doesn’t like little nibblies in his rice), so I ordered a portion of Hakka Mee Tai Mak ($7 for 250g, $24 for 1kg) for him. He happily slurped it up, though admittedly this is a small portion for a big eater like him. The Leicha is definitely a more filling dish!
I had to order their Abacus Seeds 算盘子 ($9 for 250g, $31 for 1kg) for all to share. Doughy soft & super fragrant, these were the best we’ve ever had. Heated all our dishes up the moment I got home, & my mum was so pleased with this meal that she now wants to make friends with Chef Pang. Hallo mother, people very busy cooking don’t disturb them hor.
Check out their menu on their social media pages (@hakkapang on Instagram / Facebook) , & WhatsApp them your order at least 2 days in advance. I opted for self-collection instead of delivery, & it was a fuss-free experience stepping into Antoinette to pick up my meal. There is ample street-side parking so I could easily do this on my own. Cash on delivery, all you need is the order number.
Fuss-free self-collection at Antoinette
Pang’s Hakka Delicacies has made one family very happy today!
Freehouse turned 4 recently (time flies – congrats!), but Taco Mantra taking over their kitchen was something that happened only recently.
Serving up Indian-Mexican fusion cuisine, their tacos (2 for $12, 3 for $15) are characteristically packed with lots of flavour, with ingredients nestled in a single soft flour taco.
Beef, Chicken & Fish Tacos
I thought the Kerala Beef & Chicken Tikka tacos were ordinary; my favourite was Ma’s Fish! It wasn’t too oily & the fish was tender, flaky & moist inside. The fruit salsa complimented the fried fish well, too.
I liked the Ma’s Fish Tacos best
A 4th variant, the Pulled Karana Jackfruit, was out of stock when we visited.. But it is meant to mimic pulled pork slathered in barbecue sauce. Would be curious to try it after seeing all the veganized food videos on YouTube!
If you & your friends are looking for finger food to go with the plethora of craft beer that Freehouse has on tap, you can consider Taco Mantra’s sharing platters. This one, the Platter for 2 ($60), has ribeye steak, fried pork belly (sio bak), chicken tikka, mantra wings & samosas. All platters are served with slaw, poppadum chips, mint yogurt & house sauce.
Platter for 2
For more manageable portion of snacks, you could opt for the Pachos ($15) – their version of poppadum nachos, or Quail Egg Sambal Fries ($15). The Grilled Cheese Naanwich ($15) isn’t an appetizer, but is quite highly snackable.
Pachos are Poppadum Nachos
Grilled Naanwich
Personally, though, I wasn’t a huge fan of these. I prefer the crunchiness of original nachos (the poppadum quickly became soggy where the sauce hits), & the sambal fries were too peppery for my tastebuds. I did love the bouncy quail eggs though, hehe.
Quail Egg Sambal Fries
Finger food does go well with beer, but as someone who isn’t much of a snacker, I’d rather spend my money on the tacos. Or, even better…
.. THEIR BURGERS. Taco Mantra’s burgers really stood out to me. The crowd favourite was the Spiced Lamb Burger ($20), & that was mine too. The lamb patty had the slight gameyness that I love, yet it’s palatable enough for others as it doesn’t overpower the flavours of the dish. Topped with a cool mint yogurt for good balance. I would order this again in a heartbeat.
The Double Cheeseburger ($24) was also good, with 2 juicy beef patties, cheese, sweet bacon onion jam & tangy dill pickle mayonnaise.Their patties are fairly thick, so IMHO a single patty would suffice. A Single Cheeseburger goes for $20.
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 🖥 Accepts reservations on Chope (Freehouse) 📱 FavePay accepted 🍽 Shopback GO partner ⬆️ Located on the 2nd floor
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
I’ve read about this stall at Alexandra Village Food Centre for the longest time, & have always walked past it but never tried. My dad ordered a bowl of laksa ($4 small/$5 medium/$6 large – prices are nett) & wanted to share – I couldn’t say no.
I was surprised to find the soup not viscous at all; in fact, I was afraid with such thin soup, I’d be disappointed.
Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
My fears were alleviated as I slurped my first spoonful – the soup is on the lemak side, but overall good flavour. Without adding any extra chilli paste (i.e. this is the default), the spicyness really hits the back of your throat. Have a drink prepared if you, just like me, don’t eat spicy food much!
The thick bee hoon 粗米粉 noodles were a bit too soft for my liking, but absorbed the soup well. In terms of ingredients, they were alright in terms of variety, & fairly fresh. Plenty of shredded chicken, a dismal single prawn, several taupok pieces, cockles & beansprouts.
In all, this was a delicious bowl of laksa. I’m not head over heels in love with it, but I’d eat it again. Just not too often as it isn’t the most healthy dish!
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.
Bui Bui Eats 