Cliff(y) Goes Dining

Scoop the escargots sauce up with thin, crispy bread slices! UPDATE (23/07/2020):  I just found out that the restaurant has undergone a slight renaming. Living in Chinatown gives me easy access to Keong Saik Road. In this blog, this is apparently the fourth review of an eatery along the road that's said to be a haven for foodies. Taratata Bistrot is designed to look like a Parisian estaminet with red booth seats, checkered tiles and pendant lamps. My friend and I tried the S$45.00 3-Course Set Menu each, ordering the same appetiser and dessert.

A dessert dish inspired by the lighthouse at Pulau Pisang! Lighthouse Bistro is a humble, yet modern eatery that seems to specialise in seafood dishes. Since its inception in 2003, it's said to be an important social arm of Singapore Maritime Officers' Union and the maritime community at large".

Delectable Chinese food, but 1/10 for service... Founded in 1951, Lai Huat has been known for its original creation of deep-fried pomfret topped with chili. My friends and I weren't exactly looking for spicy dishes though, so we gave it a miss. BTW, our evening was apparently ruined by the disgraceful service by the boss. Read more to find out what happened.

A nice interplay between veal and tuna sauce! Situated in the vicinity of the rich with landed properties in all directions is La Nonna (lit. grandmother), a restaurant serving Italian cuisine. The first outlet, which I went to, opened its doors in November 2006. It has since levelled up to include another outlet at Holland Village.

How good is the matcha lava cake? Lava cake has been appearing like wildfire in the recent years. Like many people, I can't resist such a decadent delicacy, especially if the chocolate filling is lusciously rich. Boasting itself to be "the first casual French-Japanese [eatery] along Tyrwhitt Road [that] is set to jazz up the Jalan Besar stretch", Babette serves matcha  (Japanese green tea) lava cake, which I really had to try.

Mediocre Spanish food, but nice ginger mojito~ UPDATE (14/06/2020):  The restaurant has closed down. Who doesn't love to get treated to a restaurant meal once in a while. After the simple birthday celebration I had in Millenia Walk in September, at Tart Blanc to be exact, I found myself back at the shopping mall I hardly visit for a quiet dinner. Parrilla offers Spanish cuisine.

Good satay among the lacklustre European dishes... UPDATE (23/01/2021):  The eatery has closed down. How many of you know that Bussorah Street in Kampong Glam was originally called Sultan Road? I've learnt about the existence of Perfetto Café, along that street from HungryGoWhere, which shows quite a high rating at the point of writing.

First time having stir-fried beef on top of fries~ UPDATE (22/12/2017):  The eatery has closed down. Opened not too long ago at Chinatown Point was Wang Zai Express, a Hong Kong style café that also serves a small selection of Japanese dishes. To think about it, I'm actually flying off to Hong Kong again next week. Hehe... :P

Have you ever had milk cream butter sauce infused with orange juice? De Beer Seafood Restaurant is one of the two food and beverage outlets within D'Kranji Farm Resort , De Beer Garden being the other one (which I didn't try). Diners can choose to sit inside the small, air-conditioned room or outside under the (not starry) sky.

Basic American (non-buffet) breakfast... If you're looking for a quick weekend gateway, but aren't able to travel out of the counry, D'Kranji Farm Resort (3*) can be a destination of choice. Located in a very quiet vicinity in the north, the resort is a place for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Delicious fettuccine and yummy American Favourite pizza~ I didn't exactly have the time to search for interesting eateries in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, I'd really love to write a review on the ubiquitous Pizza Hut there, simply because I've always been enjoying their awesome fettuccine dish. I also have to say that the pizza there is better than the one here in Singapore.

Rely on the salad and yogurt only... An boutique hotel inspired by art, the eponymous Artotel Jakarta (3*) is what I consider to be within a walking distance to Grand Indonesia, one of the largest shopping malls in Southeast Asia. That also means it isn't far away from the historical Selamat Datang Monument in the heart of the capital city along the main avenue of Jalan M. H. Thamrin.

Yummy Balinese fish and Padang chicken with 'nasi uduk'! It was finally time to say goodbye the Netherlands. Instead of flying with KLM again to return to Singapore directly, I purposely booked an open-jaw ticket that allowed me to fly with Garuda Indonesia to the bustling capital city of Jakarta. Let's see how the airline, which has obtained the much coveted status of a Skytrax 5 Star Airline, fares in its long-haul flight.

Have you tried McKroket and Milkshake Limoen before? Like many people around the world, I've succumbed to the temptation of McDonald's, thanks to globalisation. I've always been interested to discover the menu offered by the Golden Arches in different parts of the world. Let's see what the Netherlands has got to offer.

Delectable Dutch croquettes on top of (boring) bread~ Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands is undergoing a major renovation this year. Nevertheless, I had fun exploring the transit area before catching my flight to Jakarta, Indonesia. My BFF and I stopped at Dutch Kitchen to rest our legs and satisfy our hunger pangs.

Memorable last meal in Istanbul with sumptuous 'revan kebap'! UPDATE (22/12/2017):  The eatery has closed down. With a heavy heart, my BFF and I dragged our luggage out of the hotel. Before leaving the old town of Istanbul, Turkey, we had lunch at a simple hotel restaurant nearby. It was a good decision to dine there, especially having just found out that it's quite highly rated in the Internet.

Baklava, glorious baklava galore~ After the relaxing dinner at Nostra Casa , there was just one more place that we had to visit without fail. Karakoy Gulluoglu specialises in the quintessential Turkish baklava , a type of pastry made of layers of filo and sweetened with simple syrup or the likes. A must-go place in Istanbul, Turkey, it's been in business since 1820, close to 200 years at the point of writing.

The messiest and the best tiramisu I've ever had thus far! Our last evening in the heart of the old city of Istanbul, Turkey, was spent on a highly rated Italian restaurant. It offers a rooftop terrace where diners can view the sunset while enjoying their food.

Yummylicious cream cheese poppers for appetiser! If you're a big fan of dinosaurs like me, you really can't miss the awesome Jurassic Land at Forum Istanbul, the largest shopping mall in not only Turkey, but also the whole of Europe. Built on a huge area of 10,000 square meters, it combines both entertainment and education for children and adults alike. Next to it is a café to satisfy your appetite, especially if you're hungry like a T-Rex. :P

Where I had a bottle of weirdly salty juice, but the colourful mixed appetiser dish was good~ November is here! Pikachu and Melon can't wait for December to come as they'll be going to Hong Kong and Japan (again!). For the time being, let's continue with our food review at Istanbul, Turkey. Istiklal Caddesi is Istanbul's Orchard Road, bustling with avid shoppers and street performers. After walking around for so long, my BFF and I decided to give Konak Kebap a try for dinner.

Serving chewy beef balls since 1920! This review on a famous eatery serving local grilled meatballs shall be the last one for this extremely hectic month. Established in 1920, the eatery somehow escaped my attention when I was doing a research prior to flying to Istanbul, Turkey. I discovered it from a travel guide while waiting for my friend to buy souvenirs at one of the gift shops around.

A wide array of fresh and juicy fruits in a small, comfy hotel! Sultan Palace Hotel (3*) is a small, but comfortable boutique hotel located within the old city of Istanbul, Turkey. Its close proximity to many famous landmarks is the reason why my BFF and I chose to stay there for three nights. 

Have you heard of the dish known as 'Sultan's Delight' before? On the first day of exploration in Istanbul, Turkey, my BFF and I immersed ourselves in the old city. Aimless walking was pretty much the agenda for the evening. We wanted to visit a particular terrace restaurant, but failed to locate it. Hence, we ended up dining at the topmost floor of Blue House Hotel.

Cool, refreshing Turkish ice cream near Hagia Sophia! It's time to talk about the food I had in Istanbul, Turkey. Let's start with something chewy, elastic and thick. These are the three adjectives that I can think to describe Turkish ice cream, known as dondurma (lit. freezing) in its country of origin. Not far from the famous Hagia Sophia is a stall serving such a delicacy of various flavours.

A substantial picnic box for an hour flight! I purposely didn't buy a return ticket on Atlas Global as I'd wanted to give Turkish Airlines a try for the first time in my life. For an hour flight, I was amazed by the offerings. Flights of the same duration from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (and vice versa) by Singapore Airlines or Malaysia Airlines only offer peanuts and drinks in the economy class.

A place where sweet wins over savoury, I guess... It was hard to say goodbye to Izmir, but that wasn't the end of the Turkey trip. Before going back to Istanbul, my BFF and I grabbed a quick bite at Cakes & Bakes past the immigration control at Adnan Menderes Airport.

Addictively crispy cheese and herb roll! October is here! I really hope I can finish this series of eateries in Turkey before I fly off again in December. Anyway, Hotel Baylan - Basmane (3*) is the last hotel in Izmir where I stayed with my BFF before we flew back to Istanbul.

Smooth lotus paste infused with jasmine so fragrant! Today is 2015 Mid-Autumn Festival! This is the fourth time I'm going to write about mooncakes in this blog, and apparently I've never written a single thing on traditional baked ones. Hence, a few days ago, I decided to get some from Bakerzin.

An incredibly fresh grouper, ending with an amazingly special dessert! Let's continue with our adventure in Izmir, Turkey. The evening at Izmir was spent at Konak Pier, which includes a long stretch of marina for a pleasant walk. Out of the innumerable eateries there, my BFF and I decided to give Kordon Yengec Restaurant a visit, which is one of the most highly rated restaurants there.

A happy marriage between peach and salted egg yolk! Let's take a short break from Turkish food as it's Pikachu's and my birthday! In spite of the current not-so-good situation I'm currently facing, I took a bit of time off in the afternoon for a simple celebration with my BFF. Tart Blanc is a small café tucked in a row of shops in Millenia Walk with its unsurprising, unmistakable white interior.

Have you ever tried General Tso chicken? :P It was time to leave for Izmir, Turkey by train. My stomach was growling throughout the whole journey, waiting to be fed. Upon arriving at the city, my BFF and I quickly made our way to the next hotel to check in and put down our things. SushiCo was the destination for our late lunch, a seemingly popular chain of restaurants serving Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine.

Delicious homemade cheese spread to go with French toast! In Selcuk, Turkey, my BFF and I stayed for one night at a small, but cosy inn called Urkmez Hotel (no star). It's written on the Internet that the buffet breakfast is served at its topmost floor daily, offering a panoramic view of the town. The inn is manned by friendly and polite staff who'll make you feel at home.

Messy, but appetising Turkish scrambled eggs! September is here! To be honest, I really want to sing "Wake Me Up When September Ends" due to the hectic schedule I'm having at the moment, but I suppose I shall look forward to Pikachu and my birthday this month. Back in Selcuk, Turkey, after having lots of fun exploring Ephesus, it was time for dinner at the well-known Mehmet & Alibaba Kebab House.

Anyone up for a dish of Swiss rosti in Selcuk, Turkey? I can't believe I've been physically down for five days and have yet to fully recover. I've just managed to access my Blogger account again, and realised that this post should see light instead of being cooped up as a draft. Anyway, after approximately an hour flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Izmir Adnan Menderes on Atlas Global , my BFF and I took the free shuttle bus provided by the airline to Selcuk, a small town in close proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus. We visited St. John's Café before going to the first inn we'd booked earlier.

Sweet peach juice and sour grape juice onboard! UPDATE (31/07/2020): The airline has ceased operation. After the sumptuous buffet breakfast at WOW Istanbul Hotel , it was time to go to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport once again to catch a flight to Izmir. Atlas Global was my choice of domestic airline due to its inexpensive price, as well as another perk that I'll reveal at the end of this short review.

Bowls of heart-warming lentil soup for breakfast! My first night in Istanbul, Turkey wasn't spent on exploring the city, but to recover from the unavoidable jet lag. My BFF and I chose to stay at WOW Istanbul Hotel (5*), which is just one metro station away from the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, before flying off to the lovely city of Izmir the following day.

A delicious, huge pizza slice with sausages, olives and jalapenos! Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey! After being awake for as long as I could remember, all I needed was a bed for me to sleep well. Before going to the nearby airport hotel, I quickly grabbed an early dinner. As you can see, it wasn't a full-fledged Turkish meal, though there were elements of it. :P

The best in-flight pasta I've ever had in the economy class! Following the previous post on a long-haul KLM international flight , I'm now going to write on two meals, each on a slightly more than three hours flight between Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Istanbul, Turkey.

Waking up to a delectable cheesy and herby frittata! The time has finally come for me to write on my food adventure in Turkey. Are you ready? Focusing on Istanbul, Izmir and Selcuk this time round, I'll try to review the food my BFF and I had in chronological order. Anyway, it was my virgin experience flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the flag carrier of land of the tulips.

"Kara Mellisa" - a beautiful caramel brownie with sea salt! UPDATE (31/12/2019):  The branch at China Square Food Centre is no longer there, but there are  still other branches across the island. Wednesday is gonna be over soon, and that means tomorrow is National Day celebration for each of the many of us whose second home is school. Aren't we excited? Anyway, if you're looking for a take-out meal, P.Osh can be an option. Serving a few Western dishes, as well as a selection of brownies, it currently has three branches: Dhoby Ghaut, Kovan and Telok Ayer.

Delish food at Relish! The first polenta in this blog! The recent inscription of the Singapore Botanic Gardens as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites has brought me back for a stroll there, the last time being two years ago when I had a reunion with my JC classmates. It wasn't exactly a stroll with my ever-loud classmates though, as it suddenly poured at one point of time, prompting us to run and scream due to the ominous lightning the other day. Anyway, not far from the MRT station is a cosy restaurant serving mainly Western food.

The only eatery serving green and orange-coloured burgers! UPDATE (05/03/2017):  The café has moved to 350 Joo Chiat Road. August is here! It's been a while since I last stepped into, let alone watched movie, at The Cathay. On the second floor of a building is a Lego-themed cafe that has a play area for children, making it a family-friendly eatery. Are you a fan of The Avengers?

Prawns with buttery, garlicky sauce and heaps of chopped vegetables! There used to be a restaurant named SUN Asian Bistro in NUS (I'm sure you notice something there!). It was pretty surprising that it was no longer there when I went back to NUS a while ago, being replaced by a new one called Melite Restaurant. Apparently, the interior remains the same, but the menu has changed, presenting more exorbitant items.

Tender fish fillet with sweet and spicy salted egg sauce onboard! When was the last time you took a cruise along the Singapore River, if ever? I can still vaguely recall how mine went in June 2004. Marketing itself as "Singapore's very first dinner cruise and floating bar, combining F&B with the stunning beauty of the Singapore River at night", Float @ The Bay offers 4-Course Dinner , priced at S$88.00 per pax, that's inclusive of one beverage of choice.

Well-known for deep-fried chicken, but its grilled counterpart was good too! In the evening of the staycation at The Elizabeth Hotel , my BFFs and I went for a simple dinner at Ayam Penyet Ria at Lucky Plaza. Within the old, yet ever-popular shopping centre, there are quite a few eateries offering the Indonesian deep-fried smashed chicken, but Ayam Penyet Ria is one of the pioneers of such a delicacy.

How often do you see seafood fried rice offered for buffet breakfast? We've come to the end of this long weekend. I sincerely hope that all of you have been enjoying yourselves, and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to our Muslim friends! My first staycation ever in this country was spent at The Elizabeth Hotel, which is a stone's throw away from Mount Elizabeth Hospital at Orchard Road.

Generous set meals, but the tonkatsu was dry... Whenever I go to Terminal 1 of Changi Airport, I've always caught a glimpse of Saboten, a restaurant specialising in tonkatsu (Japanese breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) that offers set meals with free flow rice, cabbage and miso  (J apanese fermented rice, barley and/or soybean ) soup. The time finally came for my BFF and me to give it a try.

Red velvet and pandan churros! One year has passed since I had my first bite of  Ramly Burger @ Geylang Serai Pasar Malam 2014  during the Ramadan season. This year, Bakes & Crafts has decided to set up a stall, whipping up the crowd with unusual churros (Spanish deep-fried ridged snack).

Nicely done apple cinnamon crumble pizza! Hailing from Australia, Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar has recently been recognised as one of the fastest growing franchise networks. To sample their interesting pizza creations, simply head down to Holland Village or some of their newly opened branches across this sunny island. Yes, the weather has been too hot recently, hasn't it?

Fresh seafood indeed, but the maki rolls weren't value-for-money at all... UPDATE (24/10/2019):  The eatery has closed down. A friend of mine told me, "Hey, Tsukiji is in Singapore!" I was scratching my head trying to figure out what he meant until he said that there was a purveyor of fresh seafood from that famous fish market in Tokyo, Japan in PasarBella. At its eatery, Oceans of Seafood serves not only Japanese cuisine, but also its Western counterpart.