Kookaburra Restaurant & Gastrobar @ Albert Court Village Hotel

Kookaburra sounds like an Australian restaurant, but it's actually branded as a bistro with an "Asian twist".



Located near Little India, this restaurant is on the street level of Albert Court Hotel, which I have not heard till now.



Complimentary iced water for all diners.



Kurobuta Rendang (S$28) - Kurobuta Pork Cheek slowly braised in herbs and spices, toasted fresh coconut macadamia long bean sambal, soused pineapple and sticky rice. This is one of their signature dish, and I can understand why. First, I think this is the 1st time I had a pork rendang in Singapore? So it's good for people who don't take beef. The pork is fork tender, rendang gravy is as good as those served in popular shops. The pineapple added some texture to the dish. All in all, a very hearty and delicious combination.



I guess is our first time trying the BBQ Kangaroo (S$16) - Marinated Skewered Kangaroo loin, smoked salt dusted chunky chips, mustard and horseradish BBQ sauce. Yes, it's Kangaroo meat. Taste a bit like mutton I guess. A bit chewey, but if you are OK with mutton or beef, then I think you will like it. No gamey taste. Very well marinated.



Presenting this tower of Fluffy pancake stack (S$22) - Caramelized apples, crispy pork belly, swirled Cinnamon Rhubarb ice-cream. It's not a dessert dish when you see pork belly on top of the pancakes. Pancakes here are of a good standard, and they are fluffy.



Something special to drink: Alain Milliat juice from France (S$12) - Summer Pear Nectar



We were recommended their signature Brandy snaps with poached pears (S$10). I like the crunchy brandy snaps. Went well with the poached pears.


Kookaburra Restaurant and Gastrobar
180 Albert Court
#01-09
Albert Court Village Hotel

Les Amis @ Shaw Centre

During 1994 when there were not much fine dining restaurant, Les Amis opened its door to Singaporeans and her visitors. There were no IRs and no internet, and it was really one of its kind in the Singapore dining scene. Fast forward to 2012. The island now is considered one of the top culinary destination in Asia, and quite a few people have forgotten the existence of this restaurant along Scotts Road amidst all the Michelin stars restaurants.



And so, we revisited what is considered one of Singapore's finest French restaurant, and ordered their 3 courses Executive Lunch (S$70++). As you can see, the restaurant is very quiet during lunch time. Except for a Minister who zipped past us to the VIP room.



Although complimentary iced water were served, we opted for the San Pellegrino Sparkling Water (S$14 for 1000ml)



Warm assorted bread with Mustard French butter and Austrian pink salt crystal



Gillardeau oyster from France (S$96 for 6). No doubt it is expensive for these top quality oysters, but then these oysters specially farmed by the Gillardeau family in France, is produced in small quantities due to the traditional methods they have been using.



Amuse bouche. Iberico jamon



Panko crusted confit free range hen egg, Joselito Iberico, spinach, crispy farmers bread. The excellent quality eggs were fried in panko crusts.



White asparagus soup with mushroom ravioli and lobster knuckles.



Olive oil poached Atlantic cod, heirloom tomatoes, bonito, tomato consomme, basil oil. Good quality fish!



Crispy Fried Kurobuta pork belly, white asparagus, mushrooms, "Gao Zhi". We were wondering what is Gao Zhi, and it is actually the big dumpling you see on top!



Coconut, Mango, Lime, Thai Basil. Very "Thai"



Tarte Tatin, Hazelnut, Aged Sherry Liquer



Petit Four. Had to tarpao the Petit Four because we were late for movie. Overall, a very tasty lunch.


Les Amis
1 Scotts Road
#02-16
Shaw Centre

Trattoria Gallo D'oro @ Central Mall

Central Mall, a place forgotten by many in Singapore. Although situated along the busy Clarke Quay river side, but the crowds seem to prefer the other side of the river. So what's nice to eat here? Well, we are here to try out this Italian restaurant which we have read about it in the media and on other blogs.



According to reports, the Italian chef here has previously worked at a local hotel. Bread was served and we were glad that they warmed it prior serving to us. We don't like cold breads.


Rather empty on a Saturday afternoon. But it's good to know that there are some places where you don't have to make reservations.


Free iced tap water from the restaurant.


According to previous recommendations, we had the Frittura di calamari (S$18) - Deep-fried squid with Tartar sauce and lemon. Good choice. Squid was tender and not those chewey type. Batter was crispy and we polished off the plate in no time.



Ordered Astoria Prosecco (S$14 per glass) & Peter Lehmann Chardonnay (S$10 per glass) to go with our Italian seafood lunch.



A rather large and hearty portion of the Minestrone del contadino (S$14) - Traditional vegetables soup. The soup was good, but a bit on the watery side. Would have been better if it was a bit more dense.



Carpaccio di manzo (S$18) - Thinly sliced raw beef with shaved Parmesan cheese, arugula salad and lemon. Cheese was good, so was the beef carpaccio.



Filetto di maiale arrosto (S$28) - Roasted pork tenderloin with Italian gravy, dry prune and mashed potatoes. Mixed review here. One find the pork a bit dry, while another find it juicy and tender. But overall, was quite well executed.



Another dish with mixed opinion. Foiade del Gallo D'Oro (S$20) - Homemade pappardelle pasta, with sausage and spinach. It may be too creamy for some, and that is why portions were kept small.



Ended our Saturday brunch with a Torta della Nonna con gelato (S$10) - Grandmother's custard cake with vanilla gelato. The Grandmother here is the chef's grandma. =)



Look out for this red wall entrance when you exit the lift from the car park.


Trattoria Gallo D'oro
7 Magazine Road,
#01-03
Central Mall

Wok & Barrel @ Duxton Hill

Those who work near Tanjong Pagar would have heard of the famous Madam Tan Nasi Lemak stall in Maxwell. Well, the stall is no longer there, but instead Madam Tan now joined forced with the people behind Wok & Barrel, and is now located in Duxton Hill, just a stone's throw away from Maxwell.



Since the nasi lemak has upgraded from a food center to an air con cafe, the prices also "upgraded" together. But I find it worth paying a bit more for the cool comfort.


The really tender and flavourful Beef Rendang (S$9.90). Not too spicy, but still retains the full punch of rendang.


Ordered the Pear Cider (S$15.90) to wash down all the spicy food.


Although the Nasi Lemak Rice (S$1.90) is the item that pulled customers here, but I actually find it rather average.


The Crispy Pork (S$7.90) - Thinly sliced pork belly marinated and deep fried.


We need more beer. Hence, we were recommended this MOA Breakfast Lager (S$17.90) - A blend of premium wheat malt, floral Nelson hops and cherries. Refreshing and fruity. From New Zealand, and designed to go with European breakfast. However, often enjoyed during the warm mid-afternoons in NZ.


Wok & Barrel's Bak Chor Mee Pasta (S$19.90) - Signature dish with 5 spiced pork confit mixed with silken handmade tagliatelle tossed in spicy sauce. It's really spicy, and your mouth will be on fire after a few mouthfuls.


Softshell Chilli Crab (S$17.90) - We didn't like this one. The batter was soft and I think after a while, the whole thing turned really oily.


Pulau Hitam cake with gula melaka butterscotch and coconut ice-cream (S$9.90). Not bad, but the original one at Marmalade is still the best.


Kueh Balu Tiramisu (S$7.90) - Quite okay. Something special as the base is made of Kueh Balu.


Wok and Barrel
13 Duxton Hill

La Luna Rossa @ Scotts Square

Continuing our review of the twin restaurants at Scotts Square, we made reservations for dinner at La Luna Rossa. La Luna Rossa, one of the more popular Italian restaurant in Japan, has too opened its first overseas outpost here in Singapore.



The management team for both La Luna Rossa and Ginza Sushi is actually by the group which brought in Salt @ Orchard ION and other restaurants in Singapore.



Do make reservations so you can have a table next to the window with a view of the ever-busy Orchard Road. And they also have a nice circular display rack of pasta and olive oil.



Started off with the bread and butter. The bread basket was good. The chef here is Japanese, so you can expect top quality food from the restaurants.


Iced tap water is served free of charge to all diners.


Our first appetizer is the Wagyu beef carpaccio (S$28) with balsamic vinegar dressing. The Wagyu is tender and not too salty.



Next up, a pasta dish of Earlobe shaped Orecchiette pasta (S$36) with Hokkaido sea urchin and tomato cream sauce. We like the crunchy baby lily bulb.



In our quest to find good risotto in Singapore, we ordered their Porcini risotto (S$38) with Hokkaido sea scallop. The standards here is quite good.



Our favourite dish for the night must be the Piemonte style beef cheek (S$50) braised in red wine and acacia honey. Beef cheek is really tender. Tasty beet root crisp too.

Ordered a dessert wine of  2007 Stefano Accordini (S$18 per glass). Sweet red wine

Tiramisu (S$14) - sweet mascarpone cheese and savoiardi biscuit soaked in espresso sprinkled with cocoa powder

Chocolate terrine with orange sorbet (S$14)

La Luna Rossa
6 Scotts Road,
#02-01
Scotts Square