Pizza and Pasta

Ristorante Da Valentino
11 Jalan Bingka, Mayfair Park, Singapore
+65 6462 0555
Tues-Sun 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm

Read great reviews about this place on www.hungrygowhere.com and decided to head there for a birthday dinner on a friday night.


I called two days before to make a reservation (yes i admit it was a tad too late) and hence I was put on the waiting list.


In the end, Daniel and I went there for lunch on a Sunday instead.


As the restaurant is situated inside a private estate, there are only a few parking lots. Hence the valet service. We illegal parked anyway.


As the estate was very quiet, I was shocked when I opened the doors to see that it was full-house. I wasn't expecting it to be a casual fine-dining restaurant either. Good thing I wasn't in my flip-flops.


The crowd was a mix of locals and Caucasians, family and couples. 

We had squid ink pasta with crabmeat in pink sauce, a pizza, coffee/tea and ice-cream. The bill came up to about $90...

Go to http://www.valentino.sg/index.php to check out the menu.

The food didn't leave an impression on me, but the excellent service did. The staff were very attentive, prompt and friendly. That really made a difference to the entire dining experience. It's such a quaint restaurant I wouldn't mind revisiting.

Do check out the pastry shop next door as well. They've got some very interesting creation.

Oh, and a little note: They are closed during the June holidays. Something I found out while chatting with the staff.

My rating: 3/5

ORGO

ORGO


Roof Top Dining at Esplanade. 
http://www.esplanade.com/eat_drink_shop/dining/orgo/index.jsp
http://www.orgo.sg/e-contact01.php

A few of us went there for a birthday celebration 2 weeks back. (Birthday girl in the picture.)

ORGO is an awesome hidden find. It's on the 4th floor of Esplanade. Just take the lift near Harry's. Go up a small flight of steps and that will lead you to an open space. ORGO is smacked right in the middle. 

We had called to make a reservation for 8-12 people. For that private room, there was a minimum spending of $300.  The room is air-conditioned.

An excellent place to chill. They do have rooms with proper dining table and chairs for a more formal setting as well. All with clear-glass.

When it comes to service, they were a little slow. We ordered drinks for the most part.

However, just for the view and atmosphere, it's worth checking out.

My rating: 4/5

Pasta

wah, why nobody update???

Anyway, here's a pasta place I went with Rayner and Hwee one Saturday:

BISTRO ONE ZERO THREE
103 Pasir Panjang Road (Next to Manhill Restaurant)
Operating Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11.30am - 3pm, 6pm - 9.30pm
Sat: 6pm - 9.30pm
Sun: 10.30am - 3pm, 6pm - 9.30pm

Check with Hwee or Rayner for details but I remember eating Prawn/Spinach Ricotta which was excellent!

Nice little cosy family restaurant. Definitely worth trying.

BAK KUT TEH

Been passing by this place a few nights and saw that it was really packed so decided to check it out on Saturday afternoon for lunch. This place has got to be the fasting place that has ever served Bak kut teh to me...machiem fast food restaurant...maybe cos it's a sat and almost 2pm when I was there.

If you still haven't figured out this place yet it's just opposite central mall (clarke quay NEL station)...Think it just opened but I think there are a few branches around this island.

Of course besides the usual ribs soup there are other parts of porky that they served...didn't tried any of that..just their signature.

I actually like it...thought it's better than the one in havelock road that MAY recommended before. The pork ribs are quite fresh,tender and slide off the bone without much effort,unlike some place where the meat feels like eraser stuck to a pencil. The soup are peppery but not too overwhelming to the taste bud and not that spicy that feels like ants on tongue...

I think they do top up the soup but I didn't asked for it...the time I was there,there were more staff than customers...from what I see there are at least 7 waiter/waitress and 4 people behind the counter so my guess is on normal days, they are really busy in order to hire so many people... or maybe it's becos PRC staff are getting damn cheap to hire...either that or they are just freelancers....HEEEHEEE.




My rating : worth trying out !!!

song fa bak kut teh

11 New Bridge Road #01-01 Singapore 059383

Time: 0800 - 2300

CLOSED ON MONDAY

You can find the menu here: http://www.sbestfood.com/songfa.htm

Hokkian Mee, Claypot, Ice-Cream PICS

Hokkian Mee, Claypot Rice, Ice-Cream

Okay, here's my list:

Hainan Hokkien Mee:
No 34 Golden Mile Food Centre
62946798
11am to 2pm 3pm to 9pm
Closed on Wed

It's $3 but damn small plate lor. If you like Hokkien Mee with thin beehoon, dry with chilli, u'll like this one. I prefer the 'chup chup' ones.

Tong Chiang Claypot Restaurant (Fully Air-Conditioned):

I first tried this at the branch at Race Course Road.
374 Race Course Road, Singapore 218643
12pm to 9.30pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park

You have to call and order like an HOUR in advance. Besides the claypot rice (which I think, it's okay only), they are known for their side dishes as well.
My favourite dish is 'Hong Zao Chicken', dunno how they cook it, damn nice!

The 2nd time I tried it is at Sims Way in Geylang. We only waited for about 15mins then. I guess becos not many people know that there's a branch here. Four of us spent about $20-$30 each with 2 side dishes, a few drinks and a claypot.

19 Sims Way
Open Daily 12pm to 1am
62964456


ICEKIMO
8 Sin Ming Road
#01-03 Sin Ming Centre
Open Daily 11am to 11pm

I Luuuuuuuuuuurve the Durian Waffle. Ask Dina for pictures.
The building is just outside Jalan Isnin. As the entire building is under construction, we had a hard time looking for it. But walk right in, even though there's a sign that says 'DANGER! KEEP OUT!'

Frogz burger

No lah it's not really frog lah...neither is it a french makan place.Just some laid back kopi tiam in some obsure place in bukit timah...

Thought I checked it out after reading about it...turned out to be another ang moh hang out place...no air con hor...it's open air..

It's actually a pub with a western style burger joint next to it...was packed actually on a mid weekday night and with a burger at$12,the boss is laughing all the way to the bank.

frankly speaking...(not referring to hotdogs here)I have tasted better burgers at least I think its better...maybe its cos of aircon. nothing taste better in an aircon environment even if the food taste like shit...heehee

maybe becos i was sweating in this crappy humid weather of late that is making me give this place a not so favorable review..anyway if you wanna check it out here's the address....

you got to park within the residential estate...that is you got to park illegally.

SMOK'INN FROGZ KITCHEN. 879 Bukit Timah Road

Open: 4pm - 11pm (weekdays), noon - 11pm (Saturdays), 9am - 11pm (Sundays).