Stacked Dim Sum Bar @ Robertson Quay

When I saw the words "Dim Sum Bar", I wonder what is that? A bar selling dim sum? Does dim sum goes well with beer? Eating dim sum while watching live sports on TV?



We are here to find out tonight. Located next to Red House Seafood along Robertson Quay at The Quayside, Stacked is opened by the daughter of Red House's owner.



Stacked sells not only ordinary beer, but also unique Asian beer such as this North Taiwan Honeydew Beer (S$9.00) and North Taiwan Lychee Beer (S$9.00). It's nothing new to merge fruits and beer together, but the sweet and fruity Taiwan beer was one of the best fruit beers we had in years. We especially like the Lychee version which matches perfectly with the crisp light beer.



This is not your ordinary Dim Sum restaurant, but more of a bar. So it's more suitable for friends and colleagues rather than families and children.



Our first round of Dim Sum consisted of several classics and new items. Clockwise from top: Steamed Haw Kau (S$6.90), Steam Creamy Custard Pau (S$5.90), Steam Chilli Pau (S$8.90), Steamed Siew Mai (S$6.90), Peking Duck Dumplings (S$8.90). The Dim Sum are pretty decent, but I would say a bit pricey as compared to other places.



To be on the safe side, our advise is to order those which consists of seafood. Such as this Chilli Crab Pau. We had the steam version and the pau skin was light. Initially, I thought there was too little chilli crab inside, but after eating it, I think the proportion was just right. And the filling is real 100% authentic chilli crab sauce + real crab meat, and not fake crab sticks.



Free flow of condiments at each table, such as the classic dim sum chilli sauce, vinegar, soya sauce etc.



We had the XO Carrot Cake (S$8.50). Although good, I thought that it could have been better. Nevertheless, it was a good carbo filler.



If you are still wondering why this place is called Stacked, it's because of these unique square shaped dim sum containers. Many diners had fun stacking them up.



The Mango Sago Pomelo (S$7.90), which was suppose to be our dessert, came quickly.



Another of their specialty is the Black Sauce Pork Belly Buns (S$9.50). The meat is 30% fats and 70% tender pork. Diners can sandwich these braised pork within the steamed lotus buns which come together with the pork. Very flavourful and tasty.



As mentioned, Stacked does very good seafood dishes, as they are all prepared from the same kitchen in Red House. The Mildly Spicy Salted Egg Squid (S$12) was crispy and addictive.



A dish which uses "Ang Mor" ingredients in an Asian way is the English Cumberland Sausage Dumplings (S$8.90). These pork sausages are mashed and stuffed inside wanton skins before deep fried.



I didn't really like the Szechuan Fish Dumpling (S$8.50), which was too oily for me.



Stacked is one of the most innovative bar and the dim sum here is actually quite good and on par with some of the Cantonese restaurants in Singapore. As portions are small, the bill also adds up quickly.


Stacked Dim Sum Bar
60 Robertson Quay,
#01-13
The Quayside

Shabu Shabu Gen @ Shaw Centre

Since 2009, Les Amis has bought almost all the available shop space at Scotts Road behind Shaw Centre and International Building. Here, we have fine dining, bistro, and also an authentic shabu shabu Japanese restaurant.



The restaurant had a unique entrance. Shabu Shabu Gen serves only A4 and A5 quality Japanese marbled beef, and even its copper soup pots are imported from Japan.



Hence, you know that every Shabu Shabu meal here is the real deal. But we have also heard good comments about their pork shabu shabu, hence today we are here to try their pork version of the shabu shabu.



We started off our meal with a series of appetizer (S$3 each), where the first was this fresh salad.



It was followed by this tender and fatty Buta Kakuni which translates to braised fatty pork.



Shabu Shabu also serves a wonderful Foie Gras. It was a delight to see how this French ingredient is presented in a Japanese way.



On first look, this looks like sharks' fins. But it's actually Mozuku Su (S$12) - This is a very appetizing Mozuku seaweed with a vinegar dressing. The seaweed is crunchy and has a tangy taste to it.



We also ordered another dish called Beef Sashimi (S$38), where the top grade raw beef is dipped in the egg and spring onion before eaten.



And here comes the Pork Loin Shabu Shabu (S$85 for 2) along with this authentic real copper pot for cooking the pork. We saw UOB's Wee Ee Chong there as well, and you can see him in the photograph above.



The pork shabu shabu came with different toppings to go along, such as freshly chopped spring onions.



There was also a variety of dipping sauce to dip the wonderful pork which includes the Goma (sesame sauce, Yuzu (citrus) sauce and ponzu (Vinegar soya) sauce.



Although the quantity was little, however the quality of the pork made up for it. This is Black pork which came from Kagoshima, Japan. The pork was very tender and almost melt in your mouth, yet you can still taste the pork.



After finishing the pork, the service staff added a pot full of fresh vegetables.



Noodles were also added to make this shabu shabu meal a complete meal. You can just imagine how sweet the soup was after cooking both the pork and vegetables inside.



We were given complimentary Japanese Desserts after our pork shabu shabu meal.



And separately, we ordered the Kuzukiri (S$7 each) too to end our meal on a sweet note.



We had an enjoyable Shabu Shabu here and would definitely return again.


Shabu Shabu Gen
1 Scotts Road,
#02-13
Shaw Centre

Ootoya @ Clementi Mall

It used to be difficult to eat at Ootoya because there is only 1 outlet in Singapore, and the queue is never ending. Then, they opened another outlet at Suntec. Within a few months, the 3rd branch at Clementi Mall started operation.



Ootoya serves pretty good quality Japanese food, and you can get a meal within S$20. Service varies branch to branch, and also depending on the crowd size. I was at their Clementi Mall outlet on a weekday afternoon, and their customers here are mostly families and Japanese housewives who have just finished their shopping at Holland Village.



Ootoya serves free iced water. In fact, I notice that most Japanese restaurants here will offer free tap water when diners are seated without even asking.



Had the Oyakojyu Set (S$15.50) - Grilled chicken with egg on rice. The set came with appetizer (a chicken + vegetable stew), salad, miso soup and roasted seaweed.



Portion was big and the chicken had this aromatic BBQ taste to it. Would recommend this dish if this is your first time here, and you want to avoid fried food (which Ootoya is also famous for).


Ootoya
3155 Commonwealth Ave West,
#03-53
The Clementi Mall

Roadhouse @ Dempsey Road

Dempsey has seen many restaurants come and go, the most recent addition being Roadhouse, which belongs to the Prive group of restaurants. Roadhouse serves mainly hearty American food, and burgers are their specialty.



The whole environment is a very laid back US atmosphere. It's noisy and you can hear the cluttering of the metal knives against their plates. Certainly not a place you want to be if you want a quiet meal.



It's an american style eatery, but we are having beer from elsehwere. First is the arch rival of US - China's Tsingtao beer. Next is Belgium's Stella Artois. Both are light and crisp beer, which went well with all the oily and fried stuffs we are having.



Free ice water is served here too.



Our mains actually came before our starters. The Bacon Marinated Burger (S$26) was just sufficient for a guy's appetite. 200g Josper-grilled Wagyu patty, homemade buns, melted gorgonzola, streaky bacon, caramelized onions, aioli & sauteed mushrooms. Served with fries and coleslaw. Wouldn't say that this was the best burger in Singapore, but it's pretty decent.



Our favourite dish of the day - Shrimp in a Blanket (S$18) - Jumbo shrimps wrapped in maple roasted bacon served with roasted tomates & jalapeno salsa. Just look at how shiny the bacon and prawns were. And it tasted really good. Anything with bacon tastes good.



Equally good was the Tomato Braised Ox Tongue (S$24) with summer vegetables and potatoes. Portion was ok and the dish was hearthy enough for 2 as a starter. Ox tongue was tender, and the vegetables were tender soft.



I found the Wet & Wild Mushroom Soup (S$10) rather ordinary.




The Business Times rated their BBQ Kurobuta Baby Back Ribs (S$26 for half rack) with crispy Cajun onion rings & Roadhouse special BBQ sauce as very plump and tender. And that is how I felt after trying it. But the ribs were not as meaty as I had hope that it would be. Extra points for their crisp onion rings. Next time, I will order a separate portion of their onion rings.



The whole place fills up very quickly during peak hours, so it is advisable to call to make a reservation before coming down. And for those who are not familiar with this area, they are behind Jumbo Seafood.


Roadhouse
13 Dempsey Road,
#01-07

Grandma's Restaurant @ Orchard Parade Hotel

Those who have been to Kuala Lumpur will know this famous Malaysian food chain of restaurant called Madam Kwan, which serves excellent Nasi Lemak and other Malaysian dishes from all the different races.



According to sources, the former chef of Madam Kwan has packed his bag and came to Singapore to open a similar concept restaurant, named Grandma's. Although they are famous for their Nasi Lemak, we decided to try something different today.



We love how generous they are in giving us not 1, but 2 bottles of tap water. It's a drink all you can feast! If only all restaurants can learn from them.



I like the thick gravy from the Claypot Tofu (S$8.90), especially when mixed with white rice. The tofu was not the usual circular egg tofu, but a softer silken square tofu which has been fried and stewed with seafood and meat.



White Rice (S$1.50 per person)



Special recommendation for their Beef Rendang (S$9.90). The rendang is not too spicy, and my tongue tells me that there are lot's of spices in this dish. The beef was really tender and not too dry.



Had this Dumpling Soup (S$10.90). There were only a few dumplings inside the soup, and so we won't recommend ordering this.



We like the Chendol (S$3.90) and Bubur Cha Cha (S$3.90), all served cold. Though the chendol was good, but the red bean was of inferior quality. My opinion is that so far, the Penang Cafe opposite of Novena Church serves the best version of Malaysian chendol.


Grandma's Restaurant
1 Tanglin Road,
#01-13
Orchard Parade Hotel