Ristorante Bologna: the perfect Tortelloni for butter lovers
1 Comments Published by andrea on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 7:01 PM.ODE TO THE TORTELLONI
With porcini rich and earthy
Enveloped in a delicate fold...
Of perfection, buttery and light
The lingering aftertaste of sweetness...
Found in a bite
The tortelloni is larger version of the stuffed, ring shaped Tortellini pasta. This means you get to enjoy more delicious filling in every bite.
Ristorante Bologna's version of Tortelloni with Porcini Mushroom is a delicate, fresh pasta that hits all the right notes in taste and texture. Glazed with a coat of light butter sauce, this dish is delicious, yet surprisingly light on the stomach.
The refined mushroom, which has a distinctive earthy flavour, blends perfectly with the parmesan cheese and sage fondue. Neither the taste of the mushroom nor the parmesan overwhelms, but is instead enhanced by the light buttery flavour permeating each mouth-watering morsel. Butter lovers will find the lingering buttery aftertaste simply delightful.
Now, if you're not a big fan of butter, you might be wondering what else deserves a try at this 18-year-old establishment. Well, it's certainly not the tagliolini with traditional bolognese sauce. This standard dish was too salty, with hardly any trace of red wine (allegedly a key ingredient in the sauce). The fresh pappardelle with prawns, onion, oregano and saffron sauce was equally unappetizing, being rather tasteless despite the substantial ingredients.
To avoid disappointment, try the fresh tagliolini with bacon, eggplant and salted ricotta cheese or the black tagliolini with crabmeat, lemon skin, and light tomota sauce. Although, if you must decided between these two, go with the former.
[For optimum enjoyment, pasta should be eaten with a smile. My ever-chirpy friend, Cindy demonstrates in the photo below.]
Recommended for:
Diners craving for authentic Italian home-style cooking. Ristorante Bologna serves only its own homemade pastas, and the ingredients are flown in directly from Italy to ensure authenticity.
Ambience:
The restaurant is spacious and has a sophisticated, light and airy ambience. Overall, the decor is modern with Renaissance-inspired murals on the walls and carrara marble tiles. If you sit by the glass panelling towards the back of the resturant, you can enjoy the view of a cascading man-made waterfall.
[Note: This place is popular with the business crowd. Not recommended if you're looking for a cozy and romantic setting.]
Service:
Friendly and attentive. Superb.
Price:
Approximately $20 - 28 for pasta dishes. More for meat/seafood courses.
[There is currently a 1-for-1 pasta promotion with the ABN-AMRO credit card]
Ristorante Bologna
Marina Mandarin Singapore
6 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: 6845 1000
Floggers’ Dinner 2006: Sage the Restaurant, 26th Aug 2006
1 Comments Published by andrea on Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 12:44 AM.
[above: photo mosaic courtesy of Ivan from Recent Runes]With guests known by chic, mysterious names like Umami, Ice Blue Orb, and Cocotte Rouge, and a long table lined with boxes of Kasumi knives (a sponsored gift), the Floggers’ Dinner at Sage could have been mistaken for a gathering of not-so-discreet assassins. But the only thing that was “killer” at the restaurant that evening was the food. In particular, the starter courses were what I would classify as “I’ve died and gone to heaven” good.
A Brilliant Start and Brilliant Starters
- Escargot, Chestnut & Oxtail Consomme
After initial introductions, the natural camaraderie and easy chatter that emerged amongst the guests were not surprising, given our common passion for food. Even though some of us were new to the group, there was a general sense of togetherness, like an urban tribe with shared points of reference, lingo and rituals centered on food and food blogging. Where else would you find people equally eager to talk about food at other places while dining at one place? Where else would everyone be following the “take photo before consumption” rule?
[Photo courtesy of Colin from Only Slightly Pretentious Food.]
Art in a Cup: Chestnut mousseline with oxtail consumme and truffle oil
The highlight of the 5-course meal was definitely the two starter dishes of Chestnut Oxtail Consomme and Escargot. Each a juxtaposition of complimentary taste and texture, these were perfect examples of top-notch creative cooking, from inventive choice of ingredients to preparation method to presentation style.
[Photos - bottom left and right - courtesy of Ivan from Recent Runes who takes great macro shots.]
Gastronomic Masterpiece: Fricassee of Burgundy escargot with lentil du puy and field mushrooms, poached egg and Italian parsely foam
The Main Experience
- Sea Bass, Beef Short Ribs
Being highly dependent on Google when it comes to researching new dining venues, I’d come across the blogs of most of the floggers present. The best part about dinner was being able to meet these like-minded folks in person, and finding out that they are as warm, friendly and sincere as they come across in their blogs.
Regrettably, some of the guests were seated too far away from me, and I didn’t have the chance to get to know them better during the sit-down dinner. I would have liked to...
- Ask Umami how her blog name came about. [Before the dinner, I thought she was Japanese!]
- Confess to Chubby Hubby that I'd always wondered if he was actually chubby. [Turns out he's a standard-issue, regular-sized hubby]
- Find out if Joone of Nibble & Scribble is a food writer in real life. [She writes really well on the "technical" aspects of food tasting.]
[Photo courtesy of The Skinny Epicurean.]
The main courses were baked fillet of sea bass topped with tiger prawn mousse, braised fennel and lemon-basil emulsion and beef short-ribs braised in red wine topped with slices of foie gras and glazed root vegetables and a mousseline of butternut pumpkin.
The beef was succulent and tender, with the sweet butternut pumpkin mousseline nicely balancing the savoriness of beef. The only let-down of the night was the fillet, which suffered from all the symptoms of having been overcooked. [Let's just say that McDonalds' fillet-o-fish tastes far superior to this.]
A Sweet Ending
- Panna Cotta
[Photo courtesy of Kitchen Crazy Daffy.]
At the end of the day, Colin, the event's organiser did a fantastic job. Everyone really had a good time, and thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
Read about how the other dinner guests experienced the event, and find out more about the fabulous sponsored gifts at their blogs:
Cheateat
Chubby Hubby
CindyHeartLife
Cocotte Rouge
Dim Sum Dolly
Food Recent Runes
Haute Stuff
Ice Blue Orb
Nibble & Scribble
Kitchen Crazy Daffy
Lavender Cupcaker
Only Slightly Pretentious Food
Skinny Epicurean
SooksFoodNotes
Umami
Private Party Location: In-City Lofts
0 Comments Published by andrea on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 5:56 PM.
My friend Leslie celebrated his 30th birthday in-style (or rather, out-of-style) with a "Cheena-Cina" themed birthday party at the In-City Lofts last Saturday. The Penthouse Loft with 3 bedrooms, a huge living room, kitchen and dining area was perfect for the occasion. We reckoned that the place can comfortably fit 100 - 120 guests, if not more.
The catch? The cost of rental is $800 for 24 hours. But definitely money worth spending for that BIG "3-O" Birthday Bash.
Party folks hamming it up...
In-City Lofts
700 Beach Road
(next to the Golden Mile Shopping Centre)
The Dim Sum Trail: Royal China @ Raffles Hotel
0 Comments Published by andrea on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 5:34 PM.The Good...
Steamed-dishes such as prawn and scallop dumplings are a safe bet. These tasty morsels are refined, exquisitely made, and pleasing to the palate. Similarly, the Cheung-Fun is a marriage of fresh ingredients and blanket rolls with the lightest, almost "melt-in-your-mouth" texture. Its standard is comparable to the Cheung-Fun at the fantastic Hakassan.
There are several non-steamed dishes that are outstanding as well. Notably, the char-siew puff pastry, filled with rich-tasting and tender char-siew pieces, has a superb light texture and crumbles at a bite. [This must be the best I've eaten in Singapore.]
Another must-try (if it happens to be on the specials menu during your lunch), is the baked fried rice with cheese. A refreshing re-interpretation of the traditional "he ye fan", the rice is first fried with the usual ingredients, then baked with a light cheese sauce. Served on a fragrant lotus leaf, the rice is surprisingly non-oily, and the cheese sauce is light, creamy, and mixes easily into the rice to coat each grain. The result? A mouth-watering, fragrant masterpiece.
L-R: Appetiser dish of pickles is light, tangy, and addictive; Honey-roasted pork is lean and tender
L-R: Char-siew puff-pastry is heavenly, perhaps the best in Singapore; The Royal China Cheung-Fun is equally divine. You get 3 thin blanket rolls of fresh prawns, char-siew, and fresh scallops, all drenched in light soy sauce and sesame oil.
L-R: Soft and tasty steamed spare ribs; Innovative coconut ice-cream in pumpkin puree with pulau hitam bits
The Bad...
At the other end of the spectrum, there are some "must-not try" dishes. These aren't really hard to swallow, but they are just uninspiring, and inferior to the same dishes you can get for less at East Ocean and Lei Garden.
In particular, Royal China's signature lobster noodles is memorable for all the wrong reasons. While the lobster was sweet and firm, the noodles are no better than what you'll get at your neighbourhood wanton mee stall. In fact, the slight alkaline taste of the noodles distracts your tastebuds from the natural flavour of the lobster. If you're ever curious what "cheap" tastes like, just try a mouthful of this stringy starch. Other dishes that deserve mention in this category include:
L-R: Silver Fish is too oily and the batter is so thick that it's all you taste; The mango pudding comes without taste - literally... it's bland bland bland!
And the Ugly...Duckling
There are mixed reviews on the Crispy Aromatic Duck, a favourite crowd-pleaser at Royal China's London branches. [I find it too dry and ordinary.] But whether you love or hate it, you'll have to agree that it's a $24 plate of "Ugly".
L-R: To keep its ugliness under wraps, the Crispy Aromatic Duck is served with Chinese pancakes, shredded spring onions and cucumber.
Verdict
The dim sum at Royal China appears to be more subtle and refined than the usual East Ocean, Lei Garden, Crystal Jade Palace fare. However, this doesn't mean that it tastes better. Overall, a pleasant place for high-quality dim sum if you order selectively. The steamed dishes and char-siew puff pastry here are definitely in a class of their own.
Recommended for:
Familes and dim-sum lovers
Ambience:
Much quieter than the typical chinese restaurant. You don't have to raise your voice to be heard, so it's a good place to enjoy dim sum and good conversation.
Cost:
With 15% discount for Citibank card holders, the bill comes up to less than $30 per person for a table of 5, based on the dishes pictured above.
Additional Info:
Pineapple buns (bo-luo pao) are served on alternate Sundays.
Egg tarts are available but not on the menu. Order them early as they sell-out fast.
Royal China at Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: 6338 3363
http://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk/
Saturday night has stretched to 1 am on Sunday morning and you're not ready to go home? Consider winding-down at Bar Opiume for dessert and wine. Nothing beats ending a great night out on a sweet note...
Bar Opiume is part of the IndoChine restaurant at the breezy Empress Place Waterfront. In the early hours, the air is cool, and the soft breeze is refreshingly soothing. Just sit back, take in the view of the Singapore river and the business district skyline, and enjoy the band which plays easy-listening jazz music.
L-R: Chocolate Fudge Torte with bitter-sweet layers of fudge chocolate cake and buttery-rich chocolate cream is deliciously moist; Dessert Wines provide the most palatable compliment to the cake - Inniskillin Ice Wine, Cloudy Bay Late Harvest and Cockburn's Special Reserve Port
L: All style, no substance - The dessert called "Temptation" is anything but tempting. For $12, you get a sorry scoop of tasteless black sesame ice cream, the world's soggiest red bean mochi, and a pitiful portion of unidentifiable yellow-coloured mousse. This overpriced plate of mediocrity is complete with a pretentious trail of red beans on the side. Well, at least it's pretty to look at.
Recommended for:
People with late night dessert cravings; After party alfresco chill-out
Happy Hour:
5 - 9 pm
Closing Time:
3 am on Fridays & Saturdays
1 am on Sundays
Additional (useless) Info:
Claims to be Asia’s first prosecco (sparkling wine) and vodka bar
Bar Opiume
1 Empress Place
Asian Civilisations Museum
Tel: 6338 7596
No. 5 Emerald Hill: The Perfect Friday Night Hangout
0 Comments Published by andrea on Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 6:36 PM.
Exhibit A: The chicken wings, marinated with shrimp paste and Chinese wine, are sooooo good that they’ll make the KFC Colonel cry with envy. [A very affordable $14 for a full-basket]
Exhibit B: Must-try! Ice Cold Beer Pizza - fresh tiger prawns on the thinnest, crispiest crust in town. [The crust is simply superb... about the same thickness as a potato chip, and equally crisp!]
The perfect Friday night (defined with mathematical precision) =
No. 5 Emerald Hill + chicken wings + communal peanut shell throwing + thirsty, hungry friends in high-spirits
On Friday nights, No. 5 Emerald Hill (a charming 1910 Peranakan shophouse turned European style pub), is always filled with cheery, happy, and boisterous people out to celebrate the start of their weekend. The friendly, good-natured vibe of the place is infectious, and makes you feel welcomed and at home the moment you’ve settled into your table.
And the path to high-spirits is paved with… peanut shells. You’re invited to relax, be laid-back, and to freely throw your empty shells on the floor. As the night progresses, the peanut shells at each table accumulate into a perfectly happy, neat little mess...the symbolic remains of the laughter and banter shared...
Ambience:
Laid-back, chill-out environment. Lively alfresco scene.
Recommended for:
Casual get-togethers, themed birthday parties
Additional Info:
No. 5 shares the same kitchen with sister pubs Ice Cold Beer and Que Pasa.
No. 5 Emerald Hill Cocktail Bar
5 Emerald Hill, Singapore 229286
Tel: 6732-0818
And so when you step into Azhang, and meet the 2 owners – Patrick (he cooks) and Ava (she hosts and does the desserts) – you’ll immediately sense their passion for their down-to-earth restaurant and understated pride in the quality of their food.
The food is obviously a labour of love…from the fresh ingredients, to the care taken to prepare each dish “just right”, and the attention to detail in the food presentation. What’s more, you can expect sincere service, which definitely makes the meal more enjoyable.
L-R: Refreshing & tasty roasted corn salad; Seafood platter with grilled salmon belly, tigerprawns, and calamari on bed of pilaf rice. Comes with homemade belachan. [Special mention for the calamari which was grilled to perfection, leaving the centre soft and moist]
L-R: Honey-roasted lamb rack is tender & juicy.
L-R: Perfectly grilled tigerprawns - sweet & fresh!; Room for improvement for the beef curry.The good part was the beef which was so soft it almost melts in your mouth. But the curry is kind of bland, and not spicy at all.
Average price per person w/o wine:
$30 [based on the appetite of 5 hungry gals, and the spread of food shown above]
Recommended for:
Families, friends, large gatherings
Slow food movement:
Not for folks in a rush. Expect to wait about 30 – 40 minutes for the main course to be ready.
Azhang
6 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238956
Tel: 6836-3436
