by thywhaleliciousfay

Dinner @ Au Jardin [CLOSED]

January 22, 2009 in French by thywhaleliciousfay

Normally, if I dont update my list of ‘Where next to try out’, my friend and I would spend at least 15 minutes trying to think of a place to have our dinner while driving aimlessly (Though my friend always drives in the direction of town. Haha). But this time round, he was quick in thinking of heading back to Botanic Gardens to try the other restaurant there! And so we went to Au Jardin. =)

And from the menu, we ordered:-


Complimentary Starter


His Hors D’oeuvre: Alaskan King Crab (A la plancha with pickled radish, avocado mousse)


My Hors D’oeuvre: Duck Liver (Pan seared, mission figs, vanilla & palm sugar)


Our Entree: Hokkaido Scallops (Free range egg cooked at 62′ C, truffle cream)


His Viande: Blackmore Wagyu Brisket (Braised, truffled onions)


My Viande: Pigeon (Smoked, seared foie gras, black turnip cream)


His Dessert: Chocolate Mousse (Citrus fruits)


My Dessert: Pear (Carpaccio, pear sorbet)


Complimentary Dessert

And this time, I remembered to bring my camera. Yeah! Haha. And I like the place alot! A colonial house tucked behind greenery on a small hill. They even provide those golf taxi to fetch/bring you from/to the main gate, but we chose to walk. =)

AU JARDIN
1 Cluny Road, EJH Corner House, Singapore Botanic Gardens Vistors Centre, Singapore
(65) 64668812

Food:
Everything was pleasantly nice except for my pigeon. I opted for medium well, but it came too raw. I guess pigeons are better taken well done
Service:
First class. One of the best standards that I’ve received!
Ambience:

Must Try: Hokkaido Scallops

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by thywhaleliciousfay

Dinner @ The White Rabbit

September 6, 2008 in European by thywhaleliciousfay

So… After learning of The White Rabbit from The Straits Times (and after reading so much of it from blogs), I finally checked out the place with my ODACians last night. Yeah! =) And thankfully we played safe by calling in on Wednesday to make reservation. When I called on Thursday to increase the number of people from 5 to 10, we were informed they were full house! Wow.

The White Rabbit is truly a piece of art. The high ceiling, the stained glass, the intricate details of the window/door metal frames. I felt like we were stepping back into time, but a bit modernised of course. Haha. And since The White Rabbit seem to be targeting at the corporate crowd, there are quite a number of long tables to accommodate large groups. And I like how they used high-back chairs for the colonial feel.


Starter #1: King Oyster Mushroom Roll


Starter #2: Shallot Tart Tatin


How it really looks under those green. Small full-sized onions.


My soup: Chicken Consomme


My main course: Live Maine Lobster Thermidor

Basically, The White Rabbit serves European cuisine. So I was kinda expecting everything to be served The European Way. Thus, when my soup came, served like a Chinese dish, I was like “Errr…” (^^lll) But my main course was good and fresh! I was actually contemplating between the Roast Rack of Lamb and the Live Maine Lobster Thermidor, and I am so glad I chose the latter! =p


My drink: Mojito

I don’t know when and how it began, but I am always ordering Mojito. It’s as though I am on a treasure hunt searching for places which serve good Mojito. (^^lll) Anyway, The White Rabbit’s cocktail list is spilt into ‘The Classic’ and ‘The Reinvented’. And I tried their Mojito the classic way, which was not too bad though its lime taste was not strong enough to continue lingering in my mouth. But I like it that they use big mint leaves (so that the leaves wont go up the straw and get stuck in between my teeth. Haha).


Dessert #1: The White Rabbit Blackforest Cake


Dessert #2: Mars Bar Souffle


Dessert #3: Baked Alaska


The good stuff hidden inside

Baked Alaska is a must try! Everything of it goes very well together. The soft outer layer with the crunchy inner layer. Yum! The souffle was not too bad. It’s airy spongy, which melts delightfully in the mouth. However, the blackforest cake, which was not like our traditional blackforest cake, was a bit too bitter for my liking.

Looking forward to next week cause I am going back to The White Rabbit. Just made reservation in fact. Hee! And I know what I am going to order too. Their signature Mac&Cheese and the reinvented Blackforest Mojito. Haha. And this time round, I must check out their Bar! =)

THE WHITE RABBIT
39C Harding Road, Singapore
(65) 97210536

Food:
Service:
Ambience:

Must Try: Baked Alaska

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by thywhaleliciousfay

Dinner @ Akanoya Robatayaki

March 11, 2008 in Japanese by thywhaleliciousfay

Went to the newly opened Japanese restaurant by the group behind Akashi at Orchard Parade Hotel. The chefs are actually kneeling as they cook, and because we are sitting quite a distance from them, they would use these long wooden spoons to pass us our orders. Yes, it’s counter seating and there are 3 of such small U-shaped counters. Makes sense since the chefs are kneeling and cant pass us our food in too-long spoons. Haha. And the arrangement contributed to the restaurant being cosy/intimate as everyone has full view of the chef in charge of their counter.

My friend being a regular at Akashi, we allowed the chef to decided what to be served. Omaske style, you can say:-









A very unique experience. The atmosphere is very lively as all the staff (both chef and waiting staff) will be greeting costumers loudly, shouting orders, acknowledging orders loudly, etc. And halfway through the dinner, the staff started clapping and we were asked to join in too.

The traditional way of drinking sake. Sake is poured excessively such that some would overflow into the wooden box. This gesture is to show the host’s generosity. And after we finish our glass cup of sake, we are to pour the excess Saké from the wooden box into our cup, before the whole cycle repeats. So yes! I learnt something new. Haha.

AKANOYA ROBATAYAKI
1 Tanglin Road, Orchard Parade Hotel, #01-01, Singapore
6732 1866, Website
Overall: 7.5
Opening hours:-
Food/Beverage: 8
Mon – Sun : 18:00 – 01:30
Ambience: 8
Value: 7
Service: 7

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