Putien Restaurant @ NEX

Mum's birthday is coming! Wow time really flies, it seems the celebration for her last year at The Line was still fresh in my mind hehe. This time round to avoid the crowd near the F1 race area, we decided to have it at Putien @ NEX. Well, they only allow reservation at 6pm or 8pm as 7pm is when the walk in queue starts.

Appetizer, unlike the usual peanuts we see. These were much bigger and you can deep with their self made chilli.

Starter - Drunken Cockles.  I didn't know this was a cold dish at first. It looks so different from the one in menu haha. Well, if you are into shell type of seafood and like a little raw taste in it with mouthful of garlic as companion, do give it a try. :P

Hot and Sour Squid Soup - Out of all their available soups, I think this should be the best, otherwise the alternative fish soup. The rest are just not so appetizing to me. :X

Steamed Prawn with Minced Garlic - I like this dish best so far, fresh steamed prawns with garlic and light soy sauce gravy. Simple and nice.

Deep fried Squirrel Fish with Gravy - Actually I preferred steamed fish especially those fresh one with light soy sauce. However this one looks interesting so I ordered to try. Hmm not really fascinating, probably lack of sweetness in the fish itself even though there's gravy.

Fry Asparagus with Scallops - This wasn't in the menu, the waitress told us it was only available today (tactic? :P) Yes it was the most ex dish due to the scallops (wasn't that big), the asparagus is more to hard than crunchy. Didn't really meet my expectation as I have tasted better one elsewhere.

Deep Fried Duck with Yam - The yam wasn't as fragrant as I thought and the duck meat was kind of tough. Kinda dry.

Fried Egg Plants with Pork Floss - This was alright but I should have ordered small portion instead as medium portion really looks alot. I still prefer stewed egg plant which is more tasty and juicy. Fried one feels rather cloy after 2 or 3 pieces.

 Sweet & Sour Pork with Lychees - Like any normal sweet and sour pork, you probably can't feel any lychee taste in the meat unless you eat the lychee itself haha. :X

Pumpkin cream with Ice cream - This dessert was recommended by them, quite refreshing, not very sweet but goes well with the ice cream.

Putien Restaurant

23 Serangoon Central
#02-18/19, NEX Mall

Tel: 66347833

More outlets at their website: http://www.putien.com

Putien Restaurant @ NEX

Minoriya Japanese Restaurant

Thanks to a friend who helped to buy the online deal vouchers, from an originally $39.40 per pax we get to enjoy the ala carte buffet at $17 each. Located along Tanjong Katong road, you will see this Zen style Japanese restaurant, with cozy seating area inside.

The staffs were helpful and polite, attend to you when needed. Food wise were satisfactory but each serving was very little even though we asked for the amount to suit all of us. It's like one mouthful each? You just have to keep ordering. Well, probably this can minimize their losses and at the same time prevent wastage of food.

The images below may appear to be "big" portion. It's just closeup trick. :P

Assorted Sashimi

Grilled Shiitake Mushroom - my fav!

Tako Yaki - Soft Octopus Ball

Bean curd with Bonito sauce

Assorted Tempura

Grilled Chicken Wings

Saba Teriyaki - Mackerel with sweet soy sauce

Different types of Sushi

Egg plant with Miso

Shishamo - Pregnant Capelin fish

Beef with Special sauce

Chicken boiled with egg and special sauce

Pork Belly with garlic seasoning - tasty!

Seafood salad

Kimchi with Pork

Soft shell crab handroll

 Salmon with special sauce

 Griddle fried mix vegetables

 Peach fresh salad

 Chocolate ice cream

Exterior of the shop

Minoriya Japanese Restaurant

309/311 Tanjong Katong Road

Tel: 63466686

Opening hours:

Daily Lunch: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Daily Dinner: 6:00pm - 10:30pm
Lunch : Last Order for buffet 2.00pm.
Dinner : Last Order for buffet 9.30pm 

*Close on Monday

Minoriya Japanese Restaurant

Ippudo Ramen

I'm so happy that I have found another top choice Ramen again ever since Nansuttei Ramen has my vote for so long. Let's welcome Ippudo Ramen haha. 

 

I always like those strong flavour Ramen where the soup base is thick and savoury instead of those light ones. That is why previously I'm into Nansuttei's black roast garlic oil style of soup base. Not to general liking by all but I love it. 

 

However, although Ippudo's miso paste + garlic oil soup base is not as strong but it's still very tasty and captivating. The noodles, chashu and the soup seem to blend so well together and this is the first time I finished my Ramen clean and still craving for more. I'm gonna go back again!

 Akamaru Chashu - Blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil soup with thin noodles, tasty pork belly and spring onion.

 Tender pork belly *thumbs up*

I love this type of noodles, thin and chewy, and goes so well with the soup.

Exterior of the shop at Mandarin Gallery

Ippudo @ Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04
Tel: 6235-2797

Opening hours:
Mondays to Saturdays
11am-11pm
Last order at 10pm
Sundays
11am-10pm
(Last order at 9pm )

Another branch is at UE Square
More info: http://www.ippudo.com.sg/contact-us/

Ippudo Ramen

Paradise Inn Restaurant 2

The craving for prawns with salted egg yolk made me reminisce the taste at Paradise Inn. Despite how long the queue, we still plan to dine in there on a Sat evening. We are unable to make reservation as they need a minimum of 10pax for booking, otherwise all is required to walk in. As expected, we queued for around 45min.

Crisp-fried seafood with Wasabi - tastes ok but I'm not quite used to fried food with wasabi, still prefer them with raw food though :P

Jelly fish with vinaigrette - Nice appetizer as the sour taste stimulates your appetite.

Venison with ginger and spring onion - strong venison taste, goes well with a bowl of white rice.

Stewed Egg Plant - I love eggplants! Soft and chewy, another tasty dish for recommendation.

Scallop with asparagus - This is one of my favourite too. Fresh scallops with crunchy asparagus.

There! This is what I came for but somehow, I didn't feel satisfied like the first time I tried. Probably the thickness and taste of the salted egg yolk is not as strong as before.

  The herbal soup is here. Chinese cabbage and mushroom chicken soup - Healthy and nourishing, tastes like chicken essence.

My share! :D

Lastly, sweet Taro paste and Mango Sago desserts! Taro paste is what we normally call 'Or Ni' a sweet Teochew yam paste dessert with pumpkin bits. Texture is just nice, very delicious, I love it. :D

Paradise Inn Restaurant

23 Serangoon Central

#03-20/21/22, NEX

Tel: 66344228

(And lots of other branches)

Paradise Inn Restaurant 2

Olio Cafe

Situated in Sengkang, Compass Point shopping mall, you will find this casual and cozy ambiance cafe which serves coffee, contemporary food and pastries, suitable for relaxation after a day's work. 

It was dinner time and this cafe caught my attention. After looking at the menu outside we decided to give a try. We were welcomed by a friendly staff who is attentive to our needs and will pop by to recommend dishes which are more popular and nice. At last we ordered 2 main courses and the soup of the day - my favourite Minestrone soup.

 Minestrone Soup - very strong tomato taste :)

Ribeye beef steak with creme style duck liver and 2 side dishes, mashed potato and vegetables.

Beef Steak with Crayfish combo and 2 side dishes, mashed potato and vegetables.

Pretty decent dinner yet may seem quite costly for those who are on budget. However, those with Citibank or UOB cards can enjoy discounts off your total bill.

Olio café

 Compass Point Shopping Mall

1 Sengkang Square

#01-14/15

Tel: 6388 9381

For more branches, please visit their website at:

http://www.olio.sg

Olio Cafe