Salt Tapas & Bar @ Raffles City Shopping Centre

A few months back, Australian chef Luke Mangan, who had a successful restaurant over at ION Orchard, opened a tapas bar right in Raffles City shopping centre. It occupies where the former Double Bay restaurant was.



The restaurant looks small, but there are actually quite a few seats and tables inside. Although diners have to wait during peak hours.


They have ordinary tables, as well as communal bar counter tables.


Here, iced tap water is served to all diners.


Ordered some tapas to share. First was the Marinated Olives (S$6). They were not too salty, and very juicy.



The Oysters served natural with smoked tomato salsa (S$5 each) were average. Not exactly the freshest, but still is quite acceptable. Drizzle lemon juice and the salsa over the oysters.



Also had the White anchovies (S$8) with garlic toasts. The anchovies here were a bit small.


This Roasted pumpkin with dukkah (S$12), Spanish blue cheese, caramelised pear and walnuts, is quite unique. Really enjoyed the creamy and sweet pumpkin chunks with fresh greens.



Prawn lovers should try this Taco of Tempura Prawns (S$13 for small), pineapple salsa, chipotle aioli. The prawns are fried in a light tempura batter, and the pineapple salsa added some tangy flavours to the taco.



Had the Emilio Lustau East India sherry (S$23 per glass), which was the same one we had at Santi.



Many places have deep fried soft shell crabs, but here they serve a special Crispy soft shell prawns (S$15) with chilli and garlic aioli. You are suppose to eat the shell and everything. But I would recommend go slow on this dish, so that the pricky shells will not prick your tongue.



Also good was the Iberico Pork Loin charcoal grilled (S$27), curried lentil stew, minted yoghurt. The pork was tender and we like the curried lentil stew.



One of our favourite dish here is the BBQ Spiced Beef Tongue (S$14), fried cauliflower, pistachio tabbouleh, harissah yoghurt. We feel this is a must order dish here in Salt Tapas. The tongue did not have any weird taste. Only an intense beefy taste. Good texture.



Ended our dinner with 3 desserts. First was the Roasted figs with candied ginger, baklava and yoghurt sorbet (S$13). Find this quite average, although a few reviews gave this the thumbs up.



Also quite ordinary was this Gooey hot chocolate tart (S$14), caramelised bananas, salted caramel ice-cream. Nothing unique about this.



What I like most was the Churros and chocolate (S$11). The Churros, which taste a bit like our fried dough fritters, was dusted with cinnammon sugar. Dip them in the chocolate sauce and you are in heaven.





Salt Tapas and Bar
252 North Bridge Road,
#01-22A
Raffles City Shopping Centre

Dian Xiao Er @ Changi Airport T3

Had a quick dinner at Dian Xiao Er in Terminal 3.

Did not come here for a long time, and was surprised at the renovations done in the restaurant. Now, the branch here spots a Mongolian theme. (but food remains the same)


A view of the Mongolian hut within the restaurant.


Ordered Chrysanthemum Tea (S$2.40 per person).


Roast peanuts were served for each table.



First dish that came was the Deep Fried Kailan (S$9.80). This dish featured a unique presentation, so unique that the diners at the next table actually asked us what it was. Basically, it is Kailan cooked 2 ways (stem is stir fried, while the leaves are deep fried till crispy). Surrounded by a layer of crispy pork floss.


The sweet and sour Mongolian Ribs (S$12.80) went well with white rice.


The Soup of the Day (S$5.50 per person) - Winter Melon + Pork Ribs Soup. Pretty good.


A must order here is their Ten Wonders Duck (S$12.80). We see it at almost every table. Here, the duck meat is infused with herbal tastes.


Also recommended is their Seaweed Prawns (S$16.80). Almost like deshelled cereal prawns, but with bits of seaweed.


Dian Xiao Er
65 Airport Boulevard
Level 3,
L-F3
Changi Airport
Terminal 3

Esquina Tapas Bar @ Jiak Chuan Road

While Singapore awaits British chef Jason Atherton's upcoming restaurants at the Gardens by the Bay, this Michellin starred chef has already opened tapas bar located right in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown area.

I always like how restaurants find new ways to occupy the rows of shophouses along the many streets in Outram Park. I guess its previous occupants would have never gussed that their home could one day become a popular and famous restaurant now in 2012.

Moscatel Emilin (S$15), a rather sweet Sherry that was recommended by the staff here. As they do not accept any reservations (please try to come here at 6pm), ended up eating outside along the warm pavement area.

We were famished, and thus began our feast. 1st - Slow cooked egg, bravas sauce, potato and crispy iberico (S$17). This is comfort food at its best.



The Grilled Asparagus (S$17) added healthy crunch to our dinner.

The Confit Pork Belly, chorizo, white beans and paprika skin (S$27) was a dish that was good, but not that good. I think some of the items here didn't go well with one another.

As spaces were now available, we moved in to the main restaurant. What a difference it made. The atmosphere inside was livelier, and here we could watch the chefs in action. And of course, the air-con was very much welcomed.

We could not make up our mind with the choices of seafood mains, so they recommended us the everything in one Seafood Platter (S$38) - Grilled Seabass with salt cod puree and black olives, salt and pepper squid, grilled scallops and prawns. This is good for sharing for 2 diners. No complaints,



We also enjoyed the Aged rib-eye. mushroom ketchup, truffle lentils (S$33). Fork tender beef slices.



Almost every table would order this Baked bone marrow with snails, parsley and horseradish pesto (S$25). I guess if there is a signature dish, this would be it. As the bone marrow is baked with lot's of salt, do be careful and try not to touch any of the salt.

A shot of the long bar table where diners sat.

Pre-dessert special from the team: Sangria Ice-cream (complimentary)



Decided to choose something different for desserts. Cheese Platter - Manchego and quince (S$14)



And also the Pistachio cake, sangria jam, vanilla ice-cream (S$13)



Mas Amor (S$18) and Amontillando (S$14) to go with our cheese platter. This 2nd sherry is not as good as the first one we had earlier.

Conclusion is that while almost every review raved about Esquina, we didn't think it was really mind-blowing good. It's not bad, but we very much prefer the atmosphere and food at Salt Tapas Bar (stay tune for our review there).

Esquina Tapas Bar
16 Jiak Chuan Road

Summer Pavillion @ Ritz-Carlton Millenia

Had a dim sum lunch on a public holiday here at Summer Pavillion. As always, this place is crowded but noise level is still acceptable.



Chinese Tea (S$2 per person). Prawn crackers? A little old fashion. But it tastes good and crispy


First, we had the Vegetarian dumplings (S$4.50). The veges add crunch to the soft skin.


The XO Scallop Crystal Dumplings (S$7.00) taste different from Cassia. but equally yummy



Unlike other dim sum restaurants, the Beancurd Skin Rolls (S$4.50) served here is deep fried, steamed and then served with gravy on top.



Pork Congee (S$4.50 per person). The black thing in the porridge is actually preserved vegetable, which adds sweetness to the porridge.



The Century Egg Congee (S$4.50 per person) is equally good too.



Ritz Carlton's Pork and Prawn Siew Mais (S$5.20) come with whole prawns.



One of the specialties here is the Abalone Puff (S$7.80 each). And we are not talking about minced abalone, but a whole abalone topping the crispy puff shell.



Also had the Tianjin Shark's Fins Soup (S$20 per person)



And our all time favourite Portuguese Egg Tarts (S$4.20), served warm and straight from the oven.


Summer Pavillion
7 Raffles Avenue,
3rd floor
Ritz-Carlton Millenia

Caffe B @ Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands, currently still one of the hottest destination in Singapore. Other than the celebrity restaurants here, MBS also offers a wide variety of food options. Today we are going to this Caffe B restaurant, which is an Italian restaurant with a touch of Japanese.



We were there on a glorious day. Blue skies and bright sunlight.



The entrance of Caffe B. The black and white flooring reminded me of Prada's shop in Milan.



Classy look from the inside of the restaurant. It's actually cut away from the shops. Maximum privacy.



Was served Ferrarella (S$13 for 750 ml) water. Notice that we were the ONLY customers here. Guess they need to do more promotion.



Here comes the bread and olive dipping sauce. After going through the menu, decided on the Caffe B Executive Lunch Menu (S$85 per person).



The 1st appetizer we had from the lunch set was this Thin eggplant slices layered with Crab Meat chunks and Avacado cream. Served with Picadilly Sicilian Tomato slightly orange and Basil flavoured with Lemon dressing.




Another one was the Special fresh Mozzarella Cheese soft and creamy in the centre, served whole with Italian cherry tomatoes and wild rocket. Mozzarella cheese was of good quality.



Tangy Tomato Soup was served next.



Caffe B had done a good job with their Grilled Sea Bass Fillet with Light Fennel and Purple Mashed Potatoes, Scent of Orange, Yuzu and Rosemary Citrus Butter. Fish was tender and had a citrus butter to balance the flavours.



Also good was the Classic Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms "Mantecato" with butter and 24 months aged Parmigiano Reggiano.



Ended our lunch with Coffee & Tea



Plus the dessert of the day: Chocolate Cake + Ice-Cream



Nice place for lunch or dinner if you want to avoid the crowds here at MBS.


Caffe B
10 Bayfront Avenue,
#B1-15
Marina Bay Sands