Pasta Cafe

This is the kind of place you wouldn't intentionally know of but lured in as you walk pass. In fact, they are one of the longest-stadings in the area.

Dad and i conveniently entered the cafe during our dinner search at Ngee Ann City, after the "Pasta Cafe" title hit to our delights. We are two pasta fanatics ready to take on new attempts anytime. However, they were yet another fusion specialisation offering bizarre pastas like Seafood Sambal Marinara, XO Seafood and Kong Bao Chicken.

Seafood Spaghetti ($17.90)

I would be happier skipping those.

My Seafood Spaghetti was a clear option downed in a seafood stock infused with white wine. The highlight went straight to the abundance of fresh Seafood, especially prawns and crayfish. For the soup it stood on the blander scale,best suited to the less-salt, healthier choice! crowd.


Spaghetti Vongole ($16)

Dad's dish with air-flown japanese clams raised high hopes which fell to an unexpected disappointment. The sweet soup base was no doubt satisfying but a inaccurate extract from the dried out clams.

Clearly good service, especially from the manager himself. They do have more to be tasted but a revisit is still unclear.

Pasta Cafe
391 Orchard Road
#B2-37 Ngee Ann City

Pasta de Waraku 2

A new menu revamp. Just as you could already be driven up the wall for choice-making, Waraku pumped in more new creations to spoil customers further. Options also extended to the pasta sizes- available in Mini or Regular.

I thought the usual decision-dilemma thing will occur to me as it always does... until i saw "salmon & salmon roe wafu" and my mind was instantly set.


Salmon & Salmon Roe Wafu Pasta (Mini $12.80)

Pathetic, was the only word i could think of. The three-quartered spaghetti portion, barely a handful of salmon flakes and a few salmon roe came as a triple blow to me. This was an utterly ridiculous size-cut to save $2.

Pasta cooked past the correct consistency and the oily pool of residue further dampened the satisfactory level. I would rather return to the Marina branch for my fuller portions of food and much better service.


Bacon & Spinach Wafu Pasta (Mini $12.80)

Despite being listed in the menu's Wafu section, Dad's order felt just like having spaghetti bathed in a cream soup. Very suspicious of promoting their spinach cream soup to a duo-purpose broth.


Chicken Aglio Olio ($12.80)


Prawn & Scallop Pizza ($10.80)

Not only was Mum's measly chicken dices unforgivable, their mini version pizzas were equivalently anger-invigorating. This famed thinnest-crispiest pizza sure did resemble an indian chapati blanketed with plenty of cheese, whole prawns and scallops. The seafood pieces were the sole saviour.

Oh my, what has gotten into Pasta de Waraku?

Pasta de Waraku
10 Sinaran Drive
#01-07 Novena Square 2

Relish

Dad and i were driving along the Bukit Timah roads when i chanced upon an orange "relish" atop Cluny Court, alerted him and we happily turned in for a hamburger fix.



We may not be one of those kids-go-gaga type of burger fanatics, but i sure approached the food with great anxiety. How could the second brainchild of lawyer-turned-chef Willin Low go anywhere too wrong right? And indeed, the place already struck a positive impression.



The eatery's unadorned white walls and high ceiling drew a youthful welcoming vibe, just as unintimidating as their simple menu.Adding just a bit of fun is a wall mural filled with squiggles of cartoon drawings of cows, pig and a chicken. Quite an entertaining insert.



There are just three salads, three side orders, 10 burgers and three desserts- to go along with a beverage list. Picking off this single-sided menu board was not much of a dilemma for me since half the range was beef-based. Then, i spotted the... charsiew burger. ahah this one practically called out to me.


Bacon Cheese Burger ($19)

The wait for Dad's burger was quite significant as he wanted his beef patty well done. This was the basic classic of meat patty, cheese, bacon strips between burger buns.


Char Siew Burger ($19)

Then came my order. The BBQ char siew pork open burger turned out to be unlike any char siew I've eaten- i knew red was not right but black wasn't any prettier.

To nitpick, it had failed to meet the local charsiew characteristics. A major identity crisis lied in this East-Meets-West creation, struggling to find a hit spot between its hawker roots and a gourmet status. However, i still thought i could relish it up with much ease- the soft-bone pork made things really tender while the meat proved a flavoursome addiction.

As i was nearing the end of my open-faced focaccia, something hard hit on my teeth. A plastic-chip-in-homemade-bread sounded gross but a delight to the bill- that sedap charsiew fella became a full subsidy.

A blessing in disguise.

So Relish boasted the concept, the appeal and the flavour but missed to instill a distinct identity on its diners. Plus, the price is an anti-climax (unless you are as lucky as me).

Relish
501 Bukit Timah Road
#02-01 Cluny Court

Best from Out of the Pan

After multiple visits to this favourite creperie of ours, they managed to strike a new fascination in me again. The lively "open-concept" still stretched right to the dining atmosphere itself, making us little displays for shoppers but we have already been immuned to that.



No, also not the splendid waffles this time...it was the Smoked Salmon crepe that claimed the credit. Or perhaps the service did-i received my first ever greeting from the chef (reckon the head chef dressed in white) seconds after my entry, and it was an energetic "good morning!".


Norwegian Smoked Salmon Crepe ($15.50)

Then, after that mood-boosting prelude, an excellent crepe followed-up. My attempt on their smoked salmon, plantation chutney & pistachio cream cheese was no doubt a pleasant one. Luscious, tender slices of semi-cooked salmon is firmly rolled in a whole-wheat crepe... oh-so-good and comforting! Not forgetting the fact it was also value-for money.

It gave me a strong drive to compliment and acknowledge the chef's generousity.


Pork Bratwurst Crepe ($15.50)

Dad gave something new a try as well. Homemade pork sausage slices, glazed apple, onions and mustard sauce in whole-wheat crepe. Unfortunately it didn't shine like how mine did.

I will be back for smoked salmon, for sure.

Bentendo 2

-Rebate voucher claimed-


Prawn, Baby Spinach & Anchovy in Garlic Sauce ($15.80)

The anchovy broth came unexpected, since my first thought of anchovies were generally ikan billis. No doubt it was tasty but the excessive coarse sediments and sodium content pulled down the bliss. Stingy halved prawns spinach were another letdown as well.

What appeared most wonderful had to be those smooth al dente pasta perfectly cooked with resilience. Only Barilla is used here, assuring premium spaghetti well-absorbed with the soup base.


Bacon and Musroom in Garlic Sauce ($13.80)

Although the pastas took quite a while to arrive, each one is done with quality uncompromised. I can sense sincere efforts in the cooking, really!

Pasta de Waraku

50% off promotional vouchers! *(for selected dishes) how can we resist them? This was a planned dinner with my parents to to utilise our set of vouchers on hand.


Salmon, Tofu & Avocado Salad ($12.80)

Our salad to start off with contained little pieces of raw salmon, tofu and avocado. Balsamic dresssing was greasy but tasty.


Squid & Octopus Wafu Spaghetti ($16.80)

I think they did some fine-tuning to their pasta. My wafu squid and octopus featured al dente strands in an appropriate portion. More ingredients please!


Asari Soup-style Spaghetti ($16.80)


Cod Roe Wafu Spaghetti ($12.80)

Mum attempted the soup style pasta with littleneck clams while dad grabbed his usual tarako dish. The service here improved too.

Pasta de Waraku
10 Sinaran Drive
#01-07 Novena Square 2

Out of the Pan

Dad wanted crepes for dinner. We both had some new fillings to try, within the usual whole-wheat batter and he found his smoked ham crepe acceptable.


Seafood Jungle ($15.50)

Mine was a flat roll bearing some dry mini scallops, chopped shrimps and bits of orange. A citrus yogurt dressing comes aside but nothing about the dish was spectacular.


Smoked Ham Crepe ($14.50)

Bentendo

I saw this one coming.

Prior to Pasta de Waraku's booming business in the industry, how can there be no temptations to reap some of their success? So there came Bentendo- with similar concept, presentation and even plates.

If you were thinking of slurping linguine or fettuccine over, no luck for you. The dishes are about $1 more expensive with no choice of pasta given. Just spaghetti, pure Barilla spaghetti.


Sweet Prawns, Salmon Roe & Salmon Cold Pasta ($17.80)

Doesn't this remind you of that Seafood Salad Pasta at Waraku? Maguro and ika is replaced by Amaebi shrimps and a wasabi-dissolved shoyu used as its dressing. Expect that probably more compatible sauce, this copycat version is largely crippled by the lack of alluring ingredients.Give me waraku's anytime over these small squishy roe.


Bacon & Mushroom in Garlic Sauce ($13.80)

Dad's wasn't too bad. He enjoyed the mix of mushrooms and bacon in a pleasant garlic sauce. The best part of today's meal- reward vouchers for this opening season! For our $30+ bill, we received a $15 voucher so i can foresee a revisit soon.

Bentendo
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#03-32/33 Great World City

Angus Steak House

Dad specially made a trip down to Orchard from work to meet me for lunch. One of his favourite steak haunts frequented with his Apple Computer colleagues many years back.



It was difficult to put their interior theme to words... the sunlight illumination, humble service and an unobstructed view of Orchard Road gave a positive description. Even the menu pleased with american & italian cuisines delicately infused with japanese flavours and styles.

It is recommended to go for their Executive Business Lunch Sets.


Cream of Carrot


Salad

Their starters had never failed to stir up some pre-meal bliss. I pleasurably lapped up my carrot soup, arousingly brimmed with natural sweetness and a cheery bright hue. Also relished the light refreshing salad tossed in japanese dressing quickly.


Bread Roll

Next came their freshly-baked bun. Masterfully crisp on the crust and miraculously airy and clingy inside. One of the most awe-strucking and jaw-dropping bread ever. Foolstop.


Grilled Salmon ($31)

Garnished with sticks of carrots, potatoes and a watercress sprig, this takes a very old-style way of presentation. One of the most fatty salmon i've had with waxy fat layers clinging every flake together that devilishly melts down in the mouth. It may not have hit the right spot for me, but i am certain there is a whole lot of appreciators out there.



Sirloin Steak ($35 for 200g)

Sizzling atop a savoury japanese sauce and a knob of herbed butter. A blue flag indicates medium-well doneness. Dad loves the sauce so much he requested for an extra portion.


Tiramisu

Yet another impressive fix-up. Tiramisus were never my cup of tea but this slice of dainty cheese and coffee and coffee combination was easily cleared off the plate. The coffee flavour was galdly toned down by a bitter cocoa powder.


Angus Steak House
391 Orchard Road
#04-25 Ngee Ann City

Essential Brew

Tea is stretched to new dimensions at this novel cafe. Offering a wide array of innovative tea-infused dishes with an European slant, they bring the concept of tea appreciation to a new high.

Rose Buds Tea for me- the super-safe brew of sensuous youthful pink rosebuds. Samantha and i each ordered a set (with soup, floral tea of choice) and added an $8 side special for two more appetizers and an apple crumble.

It was alot for two young girls like us.


Vegetable Soup


Baby Potatoes

Shivelled new potatoes infused with rosemary, garlic and parsley. A fragrant approach yet not well-executed.



Grilled Tofu Steak

Pieces of panfried hard-crust beancurd generously sandwiching some robustly-marinated mushrooms. The first bite may seem like they have entered a whole bag of salt into this immense saltyness is subsequently balanced off by a delightful Jasmine fragrance.



Tangy Breaded Dory ($11.95)

The sharp kick due to the paprika-spiced crust didn't do for me but the fish fared generally well- thick and not too dry. A novel touch of Jasmine rice balls could also be bolder in its laidback flavour. I loved the sweetish citrusy sauce with it though, and basil paprika dip was passable too.



Honey Mustard Chicken ($14.95)

Her main course was far more palatable than mine. Tender boneless chicken grilled coated with delectable honey-tasting sauce with the same side given. Once again a poorly-defined infusion of Jasmine Tea.



Apple Crumble

And then came dessert. A solidly thick slab of buttery crumble crammed with a base of soft stewed apples and drizzled with green tea cream sauce. The distinct separation of the two layers and the overbaked hard crumble failed to give the melt-in-the-mouth sensation- overall terrible.


What a feast, but not a very dreamy one. I'll give full marks for the concept, ambience and variety but the food ceraintly needed improvement.

Essential Brew Tea Cafe & Restaurant
269 Holland Ave
Holland Village