The Ship

This casual restaurant is always full.  While killing time before going to see a movie in Nex, we popped into The Ship for something to eat. 

I ordered the set lunch that came with soup, main course and ice cream.  The soup of the day was carrot soup.  To be honest, I did not have any expectation.  Surprisingly, it was not bad at all.  It was seasoned well and the consistency was neither too thick nor too runny.  I thought it was pretty decent.

Carrot Soup

My friend ordered the fish noodles.  I had a taste and thought it was good.  The broth was tasty without being overpowering.  The fish was served on the side and it was crispy.  I will order this the next time.

My sirloin steak came with fries, carrots, corn with mushroom sauce.  I asked for medium and it was just right.  The steak was quite good too.

The Ship is a casual steakhouse.  They have two outlets.  The other is in Shaw Centre.  On the whole, I enjoyed my meal (but then again, it could be the company :)) and I will return if I am looking for somewhere casual to have a meal...

Ratings:
Carrot Soup 7.5/10
Sirloin  7.5/10
Fish Noodles 8.5/10

23 Serangoon Central, nex #01-61/62 Singapore 556083

Tel: 6834 3833

1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre #04-34/36 Singapore 228208 Tel: 6235 8189

BERGS- Gourmet Burger

I love burgers.  Hence, my JJCM3 (jalan-jalan cari makan, minum, massage) kaki thought I should try this gourmet burger joint.  We went to the Changi Business Park outlet and got there around 12pm.  There was a rather long queue.  He wanted the fish burger and I thought I will try the lamb burger that they had listed on the board.  I grabbed a seat while he ordered.

Chips ($5.50)

They delivered the burgers to us in brown bags and the chips came in paper (see chips photo).  I think you can also count how many pieces there were.  No tray, no plate, no cutlery, no napkin.  The server who delivered the burgers just plonked it on our table with no smile either.

Lamb burger ($13.50)

Lamb burger

As my lamb burger description didn't mention tandoori marinated, I was surprised that it was.  I feel they should be more specific in their description on their board menu that was handwritten.   However, on the menu on their website (while writing this), I noticed they did mentioned that it was garam masala marinated.  Tastewise it was decent.  However, I was expecting something a little bit more with a wow factor since it's supposed to be a gourmet burger and I do think the patty was slightly on the thin side.

Fish Burger ($14.50)

My friend's fish burger tasted fine.  As you can see, the burger is with the standard lettuce, tomatoes, mayo-ish spread.  Personally, I think it looks ordinary.  I guess it's gourmet as they use proper lamb and fish ( I hope).  However, in terms of looks, I think you would agree with me that it does not look like gourmet burger and for what it is, I think it is pretty pricey but they are packed with the office lunch crowd.

Lamb Burger  6/10
Fish Burger 7/10

BERGS @ Changi Biz Park.
#02-21 Plaza 8 @ CBP
1 Changi Business Park Crescent
Singapore

Far East Square                             
137 Amoy St,                              
 #01-01 Far East Square, 

Mandarin Court Chinese Restaurant

I love Peking Duck.  Felt like having one and thought I gave Mandarin Court a try.  We arrived for dinner at around 6.45pm and was greeted as soon as we entered the restaurant.

The peking duck arrived at the table sliced.  It was nice and crispy.  The pancakes were warm though I think it would have been better if it was a tad warmer.

 
Beef cubes ($28) were delicious!  It was tender and the meat was juicy.  It was well cooked and the sauce on the beef was yummy!  All of us enjoyed that very much.  This is not a good photo as it is not very clear.

When I was going through the menu, this vege dish caught my eye.  It is spinach and poached with 3 eggs: salted, century and normal ($20).  It is different and I rather like it.  The different taste and texture of the eggs with the slight crunchiness of the spinach makes the dish rather interesting.

We tried a different style this time with the duck meat.  This one was deep fried with spices.  It was crunchy, crispy and lovely.  It was hot and just the way how it should be served.

Crabmeat Fried Rice ($12) was delicious too.  You can see bits of crabmeat and roe.  I think this is a fabulous dish.  The portion is very small so it is enough for one person only.

All of us enjoyed the food very much.  The service was excellent.  They were very observant and helpful.  The location of the restaurant is also superb.  It is on the 34th level of the Mandarin Hotel so you get a fabulous view.  Ask for a window table (unless you are afraid of heights) and reservations are recommended.

Peking Duck: 8/10
Saute Beef Cubes: 9/10
Spinach with 3 poached eggs: 8/10
Fried Duck Meat: 8/10
Fried Rice with Crabmeat and Roe: 9/10

Mandarin Court Chinese Restaurant
Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Level 34
333 Orchard Road
Singapore (238867)
Tel: (65) 6737 4411

Korat Thai Cafe

I have not been updating this blog for quite a while as I've been really busy.  So, to my friends who kept asking "where is that chicken skin place?", here it is...

I don't usually go to Orchard Towers but I must say you must try out the food here.  A good friend recommended an authentic Thai cafe with Thai chef and all.  So, I thought, why not?  Actually, I had dinner but my friend insisted that I had a taste :P

We started with the crispy chicken skin.  LOVE it!  It is deep fried till it is crispy like "keropok" (crackers).  It was awesome! 

Next is the Garlic Beef.  It has the fab taste of black pepper and garlic.  It is superbly tasty and morish!

The Fish dish (Cu Ci Pla, if I am not mistaken) was also delicious.  The sauce was slightly spicy, but full of flavour.  I think I could detect galangal, chilli, turmeric, lime leaves, lemongrass and a hint of coconut milk.    This is also a "must-order".

This is just an ordinary cafe but I must say the food is excellent!  They are open only after 6pm onwards.  After dinner, we went to Naughty Girl on the 2nd level to listen to a Singaporean band, who plays every Sunday, from 10.30pm onwards.  I must say, it was a different experience but I thoroughly enjoyed my evening... chicken skin and all... :D

Chicken Skin: 9.5/10
Garlic Beef: 9/10
Fish dish: 9/10

3rd Floor,
Orchard Towers

Kashmir (East Coast)

I noticed there are now many eateries around Katong and Joo Chiat area.  I checked out this North Indian restaurant as I noticed they had quite a number of customers who looked clearly like they were enjoying their food.... and I felt like having a snack. :)

We were recommended a fish appetiser, and I agreed to try it out.  The burst of flavour from the spices were fabulous but it was not too overpowering.  Only that I find it a tad too salty for me, if they had tune the salt just a notch down it would have been perfect.

The fish was fresh and it was in chunks.  It was tender and moist and so flavourful.  I will order this again but I will request for less salt.  It is a little like fish and chips, only that, this is much better :)

I ordered my favourite Rogan Gosht  but the waiter recommended the Boneless Lamb Gosht and I thought why not?  Again, it was fabulous.  The lamb was tender and the gravy delicious!

When we were ordering the chicken dish, we asked the waiter for suggestions and he came up with this dish that I don't know the name.  Nevertheless, it was very very good.  It was a little sweet for me but it was very nice.  Again, the chicken was tender and moist and the spices were well put together.

The garlic and butter naan that we ordered was also freshly made and it was still lovely and hot when served.  The service was very good too.  They were extremely observant when we needed service although we were sitting outside.  They were also extremely polite.

I will definitely go back to try out other dishes with my other makan friends. :)

Ratings:
Fish with spices (appetiser) 9.5/10
Boneless Lamb Gosht 9/10
Chicken dish 9/10
Garlic and Butter Naan 9.5/10

Service: Excellent

19 East Coast Road (beside Odeon Katong)
Tel: 6344 9163

Haig Road Putu Piring

This is a traditional Malay kuih (cake) that is rather difficult to find nowadays.  I think as it has to be made fresh on the spot.

My good friend been raving about it and since my daughter never tried it before,  we decided to head to the one in Haig Road.  They are located in a coffeeshop just beside the Haig Road Market.  When we got there, there was a long queue, which reminded me of people buying 4D! Lol.

Putu Piring

This kuih is made from rice flour that has been roasted with pandan leaves.  It is served with desiccated coconut that has been seasoned with a little salt.  The Putu Piring is filled with palm sugar.  When it is steamed, the rice flour feels soft and slightly powdery.  The palm sugar inside melts just to the right texture.  The fragrant of the pandan leaves (most times also shredded with the coconut) permeates the air when you unfold the banana leave that serves as a packaging to the Putu Piring.  When you sink your teeth in one, it is simply yummy!

Long queue

The one here is simply delicious.  You can have at least 6-9 pcs, no problem.  Be prepared for a long queue.  It goes for $1 for 3 small pieces.  Must try!

Putu Piring
Coffeeshop, beside Haig Road Market

Rating:  9.5/10

Cocotte

This restaurant reminds me of a rustic French countryside kitchen.  One of my friends suggested the place and I thought why not?

I was very late for my lunch appointment as traffic was a nightmare on that Saturday afternoon.  I hate to be late.  As soon as I arrived, we quickly placed our orders.

Fried Tripe

The Fried Tripe was coated with bread crumbs.  Taste wise was ok as it was a pretty straight forward appetiser.  It reminds me more of tapas where you pick and snack.

Chicken Liver Mousse

 The Chicken Liver Mousse was done well.  It was creamy and smooth in consistency.   It was served with mesclun, cornichons and tomato coulis.  The portion was decent and tastewise, it was good.

Escargots Gougeres

The Escargot Gougeres was also rather interesting as the escargot was served in a pastry, instead of the usual style.  The parsley cream gave it some extra flavour to the escargots.  The tomato coulis was served again with this dish.

Navarin D' Agneau Printanier $37

 The stewed grass fed lamb shoulder was extremely tasty and tender.  It was served with baby carrots, pearl onions, fava beans, peas and new potatoes.  We all agreed that this dish was done well.  The sauce was not overpowering and it has just enough flavours and seasoning.

Sole Meuniere

One simply must try the sole meuniere when in a french restaurant as well.  This was done very well, cooked to perfection.  The fish was tender and juicy on the inside and the skin lightly crisp.  The brown butter sauce was good too.  Again, it was well seasoned without being heavy handed.  I really enjoyed this dish very much and even more so when I had a whole row of roe in my sole :)

Basque Cake

This is a traditional cake from the Basque region, we thought we should try this to share as we were stuffed.  I must say the cake was excellent...  each morsel was delightful, moist, creamy, not too sweet and taste like how a cake should be.  We thought it was good too.

Ratings:

Fried tripe:  6.5/10
Chicken Liver Mousse: 8/10
Escargots Gougeres: 7.5/10
Navarin: 8.5/10
Sole Meuniere: 9/10
Basque Cake: 8.5/10


No. 2 Dickson Road
Singapore 209494

Opening Hours:

Lunch:
Mondays to Saturdays
1200hrs – 1430hrs
(Last order 1400hrs)
Sundays
1200hrs – 1500hrs
(Last order 1430hrs)
Dinner:
Mondays to Thursdays
1830hrs – 2230hrs
(Last order 2200hrs)
Fridays to Saturdays
1830hrs – 2300hrs
(Last order 2230hrs)
Closed on Sundays

Bar Hours:

Mondays to Thursdays
1200hrs – 2300hrs
Fridays to Saturdays
1200hrs – 0000hrs
Sundays
1200hrs – 1500hrs

http://restaurantcocotte.com/