Grillworks Chicken – Hickory BBQ

Good Western dining at value for money prices, located in a comfortable air-conditioned restaurant with quality service and hygiene is perhaps what Aston’s Specialties can be summed up to be.

So far, I have tried the Grillworks Chicken dishes, Fisherman’s Pride, and a couple of Hot/Cold Side Dishes. And I must say I was rather impressed.

A major plus point of the chicken is that the pieces are juicy, tender, leaving a savoury taste in your mouth. Drizzled generously with the sauce provided, it almost seems like a match made in heaven. What’s best is that if you think you are one of the few who simply must lather the meat with overflowing saucy goodness, simply request for more sauce. 

Grillworks Chicken – Black Pepper with side servings of Coleslaw and Mashed Potatoes 

For most of the Grillworks Chicken dishes, the only difference is the sauces poured on it. To me, I found the Black Pepper variant a little sweet but that is without saying its spiciness is just right. The Hickory BBQ sauce was not really fantastic but if you yearn for that good old fashioned smoky taste, the Hickory BBQ Chicken might just be the one for you.

Black Pepper/ Hickory BBQ Chicken : $6.50      Rating : 4/5

Crispy Fried Fish – I must say this is very good! 

Surprise Surprise! Despite the restaurant being an almost all meat paradise, the Crispy Fried Fish (their version of the popular and traditional Fish and Chips) is just as good. I particularly enjoyed the nicely crumbed crust which gave that extra crunch in each bite. What’s more exciting is that after you get through the first bite, the sweetness of the fish flows into your mouth.

By all means, that is a perfect combination whipped up by the chef.

Crispy Fried Fish : $7.20      Rating : 4/5

Well for each set you order, you will be able to choose 2 side dishes. So far, I have tried the Coleslaw, mashed potato, french fries and the baked potato. But to what I feel, if you go there, try their coleslaw. Each bite gives that lovely crunch ( a sign of fresh vegetables ) and it is also not overly creamy. There is also another side dish by the name of Tasty Rice. Hmmm, I wonder how tasty it really is.

There is definitely more to try at Astons Specialties, and so far I have been impressed. If the chicken and fish dishes are already at that standard, will it be the same for their Steaks and Chops? Well, till my wallet is full again, Aston’s just wait for me.

For more information visit : www.astons.com.sg 

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It's not everyday that you will be able to chance upon a unique restaurant or bar that serves fantastic food (unless you are the sort who really goes and hunt them down). And I was rather thrilled finding a fantastic buffet in an almost obscure part of Newton.

Just a 3 minutes walk from Newton MRT Station, my family and I went to Sheraton Towers open concept styled restaurant for lunch.

You have to admit that not every restaurant comes with a waterfall embracing the scenery. The beautifully landscaped garden really does wonders by creating a soothing ambience. 

I went for this buffet 2 weeks ago but only have time to put them up now because of my examinations. So I can't really remember all the names of the dishes (though I try), but I guess I should really allow the pictures to speak for themselves as much as possible.

Skewered Teriyaki Chicken

Ahh this was good. I enjoyed the smooth and tender chicken glazed with the teriyaki sauce on it. Served with pickled radish by the side, YUMMY!

Fantastic Roast Beef 

Now, its not everyday you come across a giant slab of roast beef all waiting to be carved, don't you?

Ask the chef for at least 2 servings when you order this. The meat has been perfectly roasted on the outside creating that all too good crispy brown texture for you to savour.

Though my only gripe about this dish was that it should have roasted a little longer. It was too rare for my liking, but then again that is a personal preference.

Left - Soba Noodles served with Eel and topped with salmon eggs

Right - Fresh prawns, quail egg with a garnish of black caviar

Now this is what I rave about at this buffet! The appetizers are superior!

I literally had about 4-5 servings of the appetizers. They are very well presented and each one its a unique creation in its own right. It's not your everyday fare at a buffet.

P.S I relished the prawns served nice and whole. *Craving for more....*

Salmon Appetizer served with fruit

Roast Duck served with jellyfish

Serving of Fresh Sashimi from the counter 

Ok, this is like the standard fare for all buffets in Singapore. (*At least to the ones I've been to and excluding Carnivore [ meat buffet ], vegetarian buffets...etc. etc.)

I presume most Singaporeans would grade the quality of a buffet by the quality of the sashimi served. If that were the case, I would give this place a 3.5/5 based on sashimi alone.

Maybe I am particularly biased because while they serve the usual Salmon, Tuna, and swordfish, they also serve the Sweet Prawns(Amaebi) which I so deliciously savour.

However, I would have expected a wider range of sashimi and their sushi selection was not actually fantastic. Hmmm, I think this is one area for improvement for them. Oh I so dream of the days when I was in Himawari Japanese Restaurant for that fantastic Sashimi buffet.

Creamy Seafood Pasta

Number one on my list! I am easily satisfied when pasta is around, especially good pasta. But my more discerning buffet lovers will all go like "OH MY GOSH, YOU DO NOT, EAT PASTA AT ANY BUFFET. IT FILLS YOU UP! GO FOR THE EXPENSIVE STUFF"

My maternal grandma's birthday was celebrated about two weeks ago on the 28th of September and the family went to Asia Grand Restaurant to partake in her joyous feast. Located at Odeon Towers, just opposite the Raffles Hotel, Asia Grand supposedly offers some of the best Peking Duck you have ever tasted. Not surprisingly, with all regards to its rich name and grandeur that exudes from it, it is a dining room of top-notch service leaving you at ease and at comfort.

The main highlight of the dinner is arguably the Peking Duck. Presented Crispy Golden Brown, the duck looked like it worth any long wait. I particularly like the way Peking Duck is eaten. The crisp skin, garnished with a teaspoon full of gravy, sprinkled with some light garnish and then wrapped in a beautiful yellow pancake. It is a dish of simple, royal delight.

Asia Grand's Peking Duck I must say presents itself very well. Nothing beats settling down to dinner with a light and crispy dish. The thin layer of fat just under the skin complements with the smooth texture of the pancake and by placing everything on the prawn cracker served, ahhh what delight.

Rating for Peking Duck : 4.5/5

 

Winter Melon Soup with Seafood 

An inspiring melon soup with a loving seafood stock served in the melon husk itself. The broth was deliciously hearty and very heartwarming such that it leaves a sense of satisfaction after each sip. Somehow, it just reminds you of the soup Grandma always makes. Serving size was very generous too with a handsome offering of fresh seafood in it. A definite must try if you ever visit Asia Grand. Rating for : 4.5/5

 

 

Steamed Live Prawns with Garlic 

The steamed live prawns with garlic is the sweetest seafood dish I have tried. No no, its not the sugar but rather the authentic freshness of the prawns itself that gives rise to its aromatic taste. Tantalizing and fragrant, the garlic sprinkled generously on each half piece of prawn added remarkably well to the juiciness of the shellfish. Though I did find the light sauce broth a tad too salty for my liking, but overall an excellent dish if you would like to marvel in seafood freshness. Rating for : 4/5

 

Apart from all the traditional dishes served, I was particularly impressed by the Green Tea Braised Egg Tofu. It was enjoyable biting through the soft pieces while savouring the refreshing light taste of Green Tea. The light braised sauce that was ladled over it also served to add to the flavour of the tofu, bringing out the simplicity yet exquisiteness of the dish. Three Cheers for this dish!

Rating for Green Tea Braised Egg Tofu : 4.5/5

The Chicken, symbolism of the dragon and the phoenix and the coming together of families. Perhaps the most common dish in the entire dinner, yet still lovingly prepared with a roasted skin and tender meat. The taro chips at the side did not disappoint as well :)

Rating for Roasted Chicken : 3.5/5

In Chinese customs, noodles are a symbol of longevity. They are usually served long and whole without it being cut up. Remember that Peking Duck from before? Well, it was cut up and the meat deliciously whipped up with the noodles. Eat a bowl of Longevity Noodles and live a long life for the future.

Rating for Longevity Noodles with Shredded Duck Meat : 3/5

Grandma's banquet doesn't end here though. There were other dishes such as fish, mushroom and dessert being served, which I did not feature. Still, Asia Grand Restaurant provides some of the better quality Asian Cuisine around and with its not too expensive price, it certainly is a nice place to visit occasionally with your family.

Rating for Service : 4/5

Overall Rating for Asia Grand Restaurant : 4/5 

No. 331, North Bridge Road. #01-02 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720. Tel : 68870010 & Fax : 68870020

Mooi Chin's Hainanese Chicken - Gratifying and Sumptuous

Not too far from the busy urban streets of Bugis lies an almost deserted shopping centre whose heyday was in the 80's. Golden Landmark Shopping Complex, with at most slightly more than half its shops open at any time, surprisingly boasts an authentic Hainanese Cuisine Restaurant located in the Golden Landmark Hotel adjacent to it.

The chicken can be summed up in one word - good. It was not too dry like the ones usually found in hawker centres and coffeeshops nor was it too rough. I enjoyed the wholesome texture of each piece of meat with the light soy sauce mixed with sesame oil being a perfect compliment to the overall taste. Together, the meat seemingly just slides down your throat.

Hainanese Chicken Rice - Fragrant, though it came to me as a tad dry.

While there is good chicken, there ought to be good rice. I found the Chicken Rice fragrant but apart from which it was a little too dry and grainy. It would have been better for a softer variety of rice to be cooked. Somehow, if there was better rice, there would have been a better rating.

Price : $12.00

Overall Rating for Hainanese Chicken and Hainanese Chicken Rice : 4/5

The two sauces served (Chicken Rice Condiments on the left, whatever not Sambal Chilli on the right) is perhaps a must for the meal. Arguably, the chicken went well with the spicy looking red chilli sauce which turned out to be quite sweet and not blazingly hot. It might be an idea to mix the Chilli, Ginger and Sweet Black Sauce all up for that savoury taste,

Also, the Sambal Chilli is perhaps one of the freshest which I have seen in a restaurant setting. The chilli is not too hot and with the squeezed lime, the tangy taste really added flavour to the dishes. I must comment that the spices used in Mooi Chin's have been toned down (obviously...) for the foreigners and tourists visiting the establishment. So you might want to ask for that Sambal Kang Kong of yours to be spiced up!

Sambal Kang Kong

The Sambal Kang Kong was perhaps a disappointment for my tastebuds. Though it was nice and crunchy with the occasional spice in it, I felt that the chefs have been slightly too skimpy in the sambal. It was a dish that really needed more hotness for that kick in it. Once again, ask for more sambal when you order (I learnt that to my disappointment)

Price : $10.00

Rating for Sambal Kang Kong : 2.5/5 

Hainanese Mutton Soup - The mutton simply melts in the mouth!

Its not everyday you are able to come across Hainanese Mutton Soup. This particular one at Mooi Chin's is in a class on its own. Served generously with a wide variety of mutton meat and tendons, bamboo shoots, black wood ear mushroom and beancurd skin, in addition to that herb infused broth, this soup aims to please. The meat was tender and the fat (yes fat...stop running from it) simply melted in the mouth. Pair this with the Sambal Chilli provided and it will taste exceptionally great! One point to note is that this soup won't leave you sweltering with perspiration as I suspect that they (once again) reduced the quantity of herbs used to suit the tastebuds of the foreigners.

Price : $12.00

Rating for Hainanese Mutton Soup : 4.5/5

Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet - An Definite Award Winner!

Now this is what I call fantastic! Crispy on the outside, fresh, tender and cotton smooth on the inside, with an absolutely delicious fried sambal chilli topping to boot - the Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet is perhaps what you can call a gift from the heavens. Each bite leaves you with a tantalizing desire for that next piece of fishy goodness and by gosh, this may turn you into a Sambal Fishatarian. (if there was ever such a word)

Price : $10.00 per piece of Fish Fillet

Rating for Sambal Deep Fried Fish Fillet : 4.5/5

Hainanese Chicken - This is really good! 

To find Hainanese Chicken Rice across Singapore is quite easy these days. What you need to find now are those that really stand out. After trying the likes of those heavily soaked in sesame oil and light soy sauce, perhaps it is time to revert back to the original flavour of home cooked Hainanese Chicken.

Now, Yet Con Hainanese Coffeeshop might be familiar to the older generation but this is my first time visiting this place. It was extremely crowded and a bit of a squeeze but it really felt like I was back in the good old days (minus the air conditioning).

Their Hainanese Chicken stands out particularly for its simple taste. There is no heavy sauces ladled over the meat, but just good kampung chicken with its yellow skin. Each piece was smooth to the bite and not tough and dry. You could actually feel the juice and moisture of the meat.

Rating for Hainanese Chicken : 4/5

Fabulous Roast Pork - Smoky and breahtaking 

Roast Pork is one common dish found in food courts and kopitiams, and they all have that standard salty taste. However, Yet Con's roast pork is slightly different.

The first bite exuded that smoky flavour of the meat which is entirely unique and the interestingly enough, the meat was drizzled with dark sweet sauce. I don't know how many of you would like this, but for me, this is a dish two thumbs up!

Rating for Roast Pork : 4/5

Overall, Yet Con Hainanese Coffeeshop is a unique outlet to visit for that traditional home cooked Hainanese food. Forget about all those additives like MSG, this is the real deal!

For a group of 6 people, expect to spend an average of $80 depending on what you order. Ambience was ok for a coffee shop but apart from all that, the feel of a genuine walk back into the past was there.

Overall Rating for Yet Con Hainanese Coffeeshop : 3.5/5

 

Yet Con Hainanese Coffeeshop. Purvis Street. (Near the National Library and Bugis MRT Station)

Double Serving of Luscious Snickers Ice Cream (top) and D24 Ice Cream (bottom) 

After tonight's class dinner at the Hong Kong Street Restaurant at Upper Thomson Road (which was not very good), the group of us went to Icekimo located around the bend of the restaurant itself.

From the looks of it, the journey to this Ice Cream Shoppe is a little bit extravagant as it is quite far. (unless you are some sort of die-hard Ice Cream fanatic aiming to try out every single Ice Cream shop in Singapore)

Double serving of Wild Strawberry (top) and the D24 Durian again (bottom) - the durian is very popular.

Still, Icekimo serves up over 10 types of flavours with locals variants such as Teh-tarik (pulled tea), Milo, and even the D24 Durian which Singaporeans love so much. For me, it would be considered a quaint little outlet located in the suburbs. There is a limited number of seats and it is generally crowded at times.