SKY on 57 @ Marina Bay Sands - "1st Time & Special Dinner" on January 14 2011

Read Justin's interview in http://www.cnngo.com/ in May 2010 - "Justin Quek's homecoming : Return of the prodigal chef" -since then i have been tracking on Justin's Latest Signature Eats on the SKY PARK of Marina Bay Sands & also because he have commented that "this is my boldest experiment yet - featuring Singapore Fav local Eats with his French cooking & presentation style !" And since he left Les Amis in 2004,he had successfully opened his eateries in trendy cities liked Taipei,Shanghai & Hong Kong ! So it's really wonderful that after 6 years wait,i was most happy that i can check out and taste Singapore's most celebrated Chef Justin Quek's Signature Eats !

Address & Contact :
10 Bayfront Avenue Singapore 018956
Tel: +65 6688 8857

So it was our First Dinner @ Sky on 57,we requested Justin to arrange all his Signature Eats in - "Inspired By Asia - Fourteen of January,Two Thousand and Eleven - Menu ( which was prepared and autographed by the famous Chef ! ) for our tasting enjoyment !

Honoured To Enjoy VIP Treatment By Singapore's
Most Celebrated Chef - Justin Quek !



Sparkling Champagne Bubbles To Begin Our
Wonderful Dinner !



TRIO - ( $50.00 )
Goose Foie Gras Parfait,winter black truffle mirror
Steamed Escargot in spinach,parsley butter
Fresh French Oyster in yuzu dressing



Signature Eats - "FOIE GRAS Xiao Long Bao" - $50.00
( Personally i thought that it could be presented better ! )



Sauteed Maine Lobster,Asian Pepper Sauce - $72.00
( Enjoyed This ! )



Recommended By Sommelier - $350.00
For Pair With Our Special Dinner Menu

Charcoal-Grilled Australian 300 days Grain Fed Sirloin.
Braised Tendons in dried Tangerine @ $60.00
( Enjoyed This ! )

Signature Eats - NORDIC CRAB Vermicelli In Ginger Broth
@ $63.00 ( Enjoyed This Especially With Justin's Idea Of
A Shot Of Whiskey Poured Into It ! )

Symphony Dessert @ $25.00 - ( JQ MINI Special Creations )

Scenic Nite View From Sky on 57

Another Angle Of The Scenic Nite View From Sky on 57



TGIF



"AKASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT @ Orchard Parade Hotel" - Delicious Dinner On 8/1/11

Revisiting the above it was a "good break from my recent Celebrity Chefs Eats spree over the festive holidays" ! Happy too it was definitely a Super Saturday starting from the Hokkaido Fair @ Takashimaya ( Ramen Tasting for my late breakfast ! ;-)) ) & then my regular Saturday Lunch Group decided to re-visit the No.1 Hong Kong Steamboat Lunch,which is also my Blog's No.1 FAV EATS ( 2010 ) - "Imperial Treasure @ Triple One Somerset" and then many thanks to my best buddy, it was his great Dinner idea to revisit one of our Fav Japanese Eats - AKASHI @ Orchard Parade Hotel ! Finally it was Sweets & Cocktails @ the SKY BAR @ SALT GRILL ( Luv their night scenic view very much !!! )

Personally i rate AKASHI - "the Best Locally Managed & Owned Japanese Eats !!!" And i really admired Mervin & his Bros building up their successful Akashi group with several innovative Eats.And the Latest is : Freshness Burger ( at NEX & more opening soon ! )

Contact / Address:
1 Tanglin Road, #01-01A
Orchard Parade Hotel
Tel: 6732 4438

And they started @ Tanglin Shopping Centre,due to smaller sized capacity,it was always packed and it also was almost impossible to make dinner reservation because strong support from regulars ! Anyway i much prefer it now @ Orchard Parade Hotel ! Enjoy the cool ventilation with high ceiling.And with several of the same long time Crew,it was excellent service as always ! And i was most happy & looking forward to Japanese Dinner @ the above - when i called about 530pm and managed to booked a table at 730pm easily.Their business was still good and almost packed despite "New competiors in Japanese Eats nearby,Celebrity Eats @ the IRs or some of their Who's Who Regulars probably too busy having a good time @ MBS or RWS and others eating at their other outlets @ Paragon or Vivocity" And i think that when business is good,it means that you definitely will enjoy their imported fresh Seafood especially Raw Fish and Fruits from Japan !

Here's our Dinner Menu ( arranged by their Manager ) which we enjoyed very much -

"Office Boy Turns Sushi Chef" - MERVIN GOH
( Refer - The Monday Interview - Straits Times 27/12/10 )
- Very Interesting Read !!!



Nama Kaki  - $32.00 ( 4 nos )



Kotsuzumi 720ML - $138

Ankimo ( Fish Liver ) - $32.00 ( 4 nos )

Selected Sashimi - $160.00 ( 4 nos )

Selected Sushi  ( 4 Nos )

Hime Sazae ( Baby Turban Shell With Bean Paste & Fish Roe ) - $28.00 ( 4 Nos )

Omi Gyu Kushi Yaki ( Grilled Japanese Beef ) - $152.00 ( 4 sets )

Kama Shioyaki ( Grilled Kampachi Cheek ) - $32.00 ( 1 Nos )



Ume Shu - $75.00 ( 1 Nos )



Musk Melon & Pear Imported from Japan - $28 + $36.00

 

"SALT GRILL By Luke Mangan @ 55-56 F ION Orchard" - "1st Special Lunch Tastings Hosted By Richard Loo" on Jan 5 2011 - ( CLOSED )

Many thanks and much appreciated to my Good Friend - R LOO's lunch invitation today to the above - "Must Visit" - SALT GRILL - finally i was able to enjoy another well known Celebrity Chef - Luke Mangan's Latest Eats ( and of course,as always R Loo's Fine Wine Collection below ! )

I was really looking forward to the above since our last week enjoyable Italian Tastings Lunch @ Casa Tartufo ( where he was so nice to invite & host our regular Lunch Group of good Friends ( 10 pax ) And please don't LOL because it maybe amusing because it actually made me "toss & turn last night dreaming about today's "conquest" on the current highest Eats located in Orchard Road & "Tasting all the Signature Dishes" !!! ;-)

Just love all the Eats with the breathtaking 360 degree panaromic view liked from The CHINA CLUB and my Latest FAVourite - SALT GRILL ! And very soon,it will be - Justin Quek's SKY On 57 @ Marina Bay Sands !!! ;-)

And i also liked their tasteful Decors liked their SKY BAR on 56 F for Pre & Post Dinner Cocktails and of course the Main Dining area - it will be a really excellent idea for Lunch - to impress your Major Clients or Bankers or Overseas Guests and then later in the evening to enjoy,watch the Sunset and then enjoy a Romantic Dinner ! ;-)

At the side it leads up to Observatory & Event Space

SKY BAR

And of course since my good friend R LOO is a VVIP here,we were greeted by their lovely Guest Relations Manager - ERNA and also enjoyed "special attention" from their friendly Sommelier cum Director - ANDY KIU.And there was a special Lunch Menu especially prepared for today's Lunch Party ( which i truly enjoyed and already looking forward to the next meal here !!! ;-)) ) Please enjoy this :

Soft Proached Egg,Caviar,Brioche

Yellowtail Kingfish Sashimi,Ginger,Eschallot & Goats Feta

Smoked Kurobuta Ham,Pickled Cherries,Honey Thyme Dressing

Maori Lakes Beef Tenderloin,Heirloom Carrots,Truffled Mash

Mixed Leaf Salad

French Fries

Luke's Liquorice Parfait,Lime

Caffe Latte

Contact & Location :
2 Orchard Turn #55-01 & #56-01 ION Orchard Singapore 238801

Tel: +65 6592 5118
Email: info@saltgrill.com
Website: http://www.saltgrill.com/

"ETNA Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria" @ Duxton Road - 1st Lunch Tastings on Jan 3 2011

Since i created my FavEats Blog i look forward to every Monday's The Business Times - DINING OUT page especially if my good Food ( & Car ) Writer Buddy - Geoffrey EU have a New Eats review to share ! And today i liked because it featured another Italian Eats - the above - ETNA ( which actually stands for - Every Table Needs Attention ) which i read later in other blogs that this casual Italian Eats have been around a few years already - in the Upper East Coast,then added another branch at Aroozoo Avenue.And just in case if you are working near Lau Pa Sat,there's one there too !

And after quick read at breakfast,it actually made me "interested and hungry for more Italian Eats especially if it's PASTA and started daydreaming about their "Linguine Con Capesante - Scallops in light lobster sauce - $24"...And after my business meeting,i drove to Duxton to check out the above.But somehow changed my mind on the Linguine - when their Manager introduced their Daily Set Lunch Menu - $24.80 ++ I thought i will start with this on my 1st visit - to check if it's really "value for money vs other nearby several Italian Eats !" And so that i can order and taste more "their House ala Signature Eats" with a group my makan buddies on the future visits soon !!!

On the Decor - It's a cosy and comfortable Shophouse near the Berjaya Hotel at Duxton.So easy to find and park along both sides of the road.And there was "no fuss about reservations at all but only a nice welcome by a Italian couple at the entrance.And later experienced & professional Malay Manager and Waiter.

And i enjoyed my lunch today because i like it very much especially when the Italian Chef or Owner is "friendly & entertaining" host that will move from table to table to get to know all their guests ! And i was most happy to meet their MD & Partner - Gianluca Impemba who shared the same business thoughts as per Geoff's review today ! But there was a bit more sharing after i have told him all my other Fav Italian Eats.And also my liking for Italian Fashion for their taste and designs ! He's a really nice Italian that anyone can get along with almost immediately ! And with this good feeling i will definitely be a "frequent visitor" when possible or whenever i have business meetings near this location because i thought their Prices vs Portions was good value plus good service ( especially when i told their manager that i was in a hurry to my next business meeting and the main course was cooked immediately ! )

Finally on my Set Lunch today - i enjoyed their quality & freshness of their Salad and i also enjoyed taste of their Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce so much that i requested for another serving of their Freshly Baked Focassia Bread to "wiped off the plate !" And most of all - their TIRAMISU !!! ( Because Gianluca wanted me to have a taste of their specially prepared Pistachio Tiramisu ! It truly delicious & unique ! ) GRAZIE !!! ;-)

Contact / Address :
ETNA@DUXTON
49/50 Duxton Road Singapore 089513
Tel : 6220 5513

Here's my Set Lunch :

Must Taste ! - Pistachio TIRAMISU

Insalata Mista - ( Mixed Salad Drizzle With Extar Virgin Oil )

Penne all Amatriciana - ( Short Tube Pasta Cooked With Bacon and Onion in Fresh Basil Tomato Sauce )

Dessert Of The Day - Strawberry Ice Cream

"OSTERIA MOZZA @ The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands" - 1st Dinner Tasting - December 30 2010

Before our dinner @ CUT,we wanted to do a quick survey of the Latest Celebrity Chef Eats @ MBS & when we walked by the above "almost packed" MOZZA and immediately decided to make reservations for dinner the next evening.Since it was our first time & we had no idea on their Menu @ both OSTERIA ( Fine Dining ) and PIZZERIA ( Casual Dining & please note that their Pizza are not allowed to be served @ Osteria ! ) we probably choose the wrong side of Mozza ! Personally i felt it was a disappointment !!! ;-(

Even with reservations for 6 pax,the table was not prepared when i arrived at 730pm sharp ( at that time it was not liked it was packed or there was a long queue at the entrance ! Or maybe they thought there will be last minute cancellation ! Also if possible - "tried not to accept any table too near to the Bar !" ) Liked CUT - there were few American Managers ( first overseas posting with Italian accent to impressed ! ) and a mix of Asian Crew "that needed more time to gel and also understand the taste of their Asian Diners !" ( for eg - this American Manager recommended for starters with a Italian name & it turned out to be - their sliced Ham and Sausages platter that included strips of the "fats" when we already told him that we didn't liked our Rib Eye Steak with too much fats ! )

Since my Makan Kakis arrived a bit later,i managed to have a bit time to study their Menu and also checked with a Local Manager on their "Bestsellers" ! So we decided to order and share as follows :

ANTIPASTI
- Steamed Mussels With Passato Di Pomodoro Chillies & Herbs - ( Personally i thought the Mussels were too Small and their Sauce was not tasty or spicey enough ! )
- Butter Lettuces With Hazelnuts, Bacon,Gorgonzola Dolce & Eggs - ( This was acceptable ! )

PRIMI
- Linguine With Clams,Pancetta & Spicey Fresno Chilies - ( Again the Clams were too small and the sauce was liked it was already prepared and just pour into the plate ! )
- Tagliatelle With Oxtail Ragu - ( This was recommended and was acceptable ! )
( There was another Pasta dish that i didn't manage to taste ! )

SECONDI
- Porcini Rubbed Rib Eye Bistecca Primi - ( See Pic Below - Didn't liked it "too burnt" but the taste of the meat was acceptable ! )
( There was Pan Roasted Fish - See Pic Below - which my friend commented it was "fishy" ! Personally i have tasted better in Bedrock ! )

DOLCI
- Cannoli Di Gelati Caramel,Pistachio & Espresson - ( See Pic Below - which was acceptable ! )
( There was a Chocolate Item that my Makan Kaki's son was enjoying ! )

NOTE : Since my Best Makan Kaki PC was hosting his "good friends" and his family,it was not so nice that i start taking photos of all the above tastings and request for the Menu to write down the items that we ordered ! Anyway the above was a disappointment "because the total bill was almost $600" ( Without any Wine - same as CUT,their prices was way too high !!! ) and we could have enjoyed better service and food at some of our other Fav Eats !!! So to complete MOZZA tasting - we may check out their PIZZERIA one day because we had friends there that night and they seem liked they had a better time and eats !!!

Contact : 65.6688.8522

Porcini Rubbed Rib Eye Bistecca Primi

Cannoli Di Gelati Caramel,Pistachio & Espresso

 

"CUT by Wolfgang Puck" @ The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands - 1st Dinner Tastings On December 29 2010

After my recent posting on CAFFE B @ Marina Bay Sands ( MBS ),i mentioned that i look forward to check out the Latest Celebrity Chefs Eats @ MBS liked the above - CUT by Wolfgang Puck and across on the same level Basement 1 there's Mario Batali's - MOZZA and next door it was - Chef Daniel Boulud's - DB Bistro Moderne.So when my Best Makan Kaki - PC called and invited me to check out the above,i had "mixed feelings" - very happy and concerned ( because i heard recently that reservations are needed to book few days ahead ! So when i called at 530pm,this Indonesian accented receptionist told me that "the earliest table was 845pm ! Anyway we arrived earlier to check out the latest Branded / Designer Shoppes to "buy time and work out our appetite for the huge US Sized Steak meal !"...And i also went over and reminded this American receptionist and later their GM - Adam Crocini on our Dinner booking ( Of course he was very professional and experienced to informed me that "the place was packed and the 8pm booking have not been arranged...Would liked having Drinks @ their Bar area ? or during our dinner he informed me that New Year's Eve they enjoyed a Full House ! He was really a good "Sales Guy" indeed !!! )

Finally at 845pm our table was ready and i can't understand why their main dining area lighting was so dimmed or candlelit ( liked the Chef didn't want you to let you have real good look at their meal servings ! Definitely Not Food Blogger Friendly ! But it was definitely suitable for Romantic Dates if you can request for their Couple seating ! )

Please note that "if you request for their Still or Sparkling Water,it will be Imported Designer Bottle Water which will be Expensive H20 !!!" So you may want to check if there is Iced Water instead ! And On the Wine List - "their Prices are extremely high liked Double Pay especially for our Fav - Pichon Lalande !!!

On the Service - "again over here liked Mozza,the Asst Managers and Crew are still "strangers" so their Teamwork need more efforts to fine tune ! And also you need to do your "homework on their Menu" or you will be "experimenting or end up with foodstuffs that you don't enjoy so much !!!" So again thanks to my good Foodie Reporter friend - Geoffrey EU - "CUT is a Meat Lovers' Paradise"...i had some idea how i was going to order ! ( Because i am really not a Steak Lover Guy ! ) Of course there was - Lobster ( that seem quite popular sharing eats since it's huge sized ! ) but since it was my first visit,it had as follows :

Note : Our Dinner For 3 Pax - 1 Bottle Of Wine + Starters +
Mains Only = $1100 ( subject to 7% Gst )

Starters - Big Eye Tuna Tartare Wasabi
Aioli,Conge Togarashi Crisps Tosa Soy
- $35

American Wagyu / Angus "Kobe Style" Beef
From Snake River Farms,Idaho
Rib Eye Steak 280g - $180

Complimentary Sweets
( Didn't had any capacity to order their Desserts or Coffee ! )

Contact Details :
CUT by Wolfgang Puck
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue
Suite B1-71
Singapore 018972

65 6688 8517 Telephone

http://www.marinabaysands.com/
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/
 

CASA TARTUFO RISTORANTE @ Forum Shopping Mall - Tastings On December 27&28 2010

Wishing Happy New Year 2011 to All Foodies !!!

Finally found time to post this ! Recently it have been almost & hectic Non-Stop Tasting New Eats spree especially with my "MakanKakis" ( Foodie Friends ) feeling more relaxed during the festive holidays week so of course i was most happy share & suggest Latest Eats starting from the above (  you will noticed that we had "back to back lunches" there ),then on the other New Eats ( dinner only ) it was CUT by Wolfgang Puck and finally - MOZZA - Osteria ( their Fine Dining half...which was really disappointing to me ! ) Stay tuned for all these New Eats Posting soon !

Recently I managed to "hook up" with my "much travelled" good "young" Foodie Buddy - Jansen Ek ! As always he was so nice to introduced me to his curremt Fav Italian Eats - CASA TARTUFO ( which means House Of Truffles ) - which was Newly opened & their DECOR was especially designed liked a old fashioned Italian Eats by a lovely couple - Alex Calabro & Tammy Boh ! ;-)

Btw - Another good reason to Taste Casa Tartufo as soon as possible was because it reviewed by my good friend - Geoffrey EU - "Enjoy Truffles at Casa Tartufo all year round"....Most likely it caused a packed full house because of his Interesting write up !!! ;-)

During my enjoyable lunch with EK-san,I enjoyed the same VIP status ! - It was nice to that I got to know this "happy & loving - soon to be married !" couple - Alex & Tammy better ( Read that Alex have years of F&B experience from Gunther,Garibaldi and Gattopardo.And Tammy told me that she was from the Banking sector.Of course I shared with them that "i really admired their guts to start their Italian Eats venture because it's already so competitive especially there were already so many established Italian Eats liked Bonta,Senso,Otto and many others !" And there are also a few nearby liked - Basilico ( Regent Hotel ) La Forketta and Pete's Place ( Grand Hyatt ) ! So if they really want to succeed then there were several interesting ideas that i shared with them ! And i will be very happy if they reall succeed & do well ! :-)

On FOOD - Personally i enjoyed for my 1st Time Tasting their - Tajarin Pasta with House White Truffle and the next lunch tastings - Spaghetti Vongole ( which they told me that especially arranged for our Tasting Lunch ( 5 pax ) Btw our Special Lunch Tastings billing was - S$1300....with various Starters,Pastas,Meats+Beef from Italy and Sweets liked their Special Tiramisu a la minute ( which will be freshly prepared ! ) which we thought since Casa Tartufo was a newly opened Italian Eats,that billing for our 2nd Tastings was on the "high side" as compared to Marina Bay Sands - "celebrity Chef owned Eats that we tasted above,the billings which were all above $1000+ - as their prices was comparable to their other overseas locations !!! ;-)

Again Many Thanks for your efforts for both the Lunch Tastings ( if both of you - Alex and Tammy read this posting ) and please note that - I will still definitely recommend your new "baby" - Casa Tartufo to all my "Foodie friends and clients !"

Wishing All ( and both of you- Alex and Tammy ) all the Very Best for a Successful,Healthy and Happy New Year !!!

Cheers & Enjoy !!!
AnDreW

CONTACT & ADDRESS :
CASA TARTUFO
Forum Shopping Mall #01-17
583 Orchard Rd Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 6836 4647  Fax: +65 6836 4617
Email: calabro@casatartufo.com
Website: http://www.casatartufo.com/


PS - these are Pics of my Lunch Treat by my good Makan Buddy - Jansen Ek only ! And on the Follow Up Tasting Lunch with my Makan Kakis the next day lunch - "it was impolite for me to request that i take photos & take notes after every serving & best to enjoy the yummy eats with flowing,interesting conversations !"

Cosy & Comfortable Decor

Bread With Their Special Butter

Scampi Aglio Olio Peperoncino

Risotto Squid-Ink With Scampi

Classic Tajarin Pasta With House
White Truffle Sauce
( This Tasted Really Delicious !!! ;-) )

Tiramisu a la minute

Apple Mille Foglie with
Vanilla Custard

Also Reviewed By :

- Wong Ah Yoke - Taste - The SundayTimes - January 16 2011 - "Tantalising Truffles" - His Rating was 3 1/2 Stars & he tasted and recommended the following from their MENU ( please note that the menu is changed according to the Truffle Season ! )  -

- Wagyu Beef Carpaccio With Rucola ( Rocket Leaves ),Parmesan & Truffle - $26

- Mesclun Salad With Warm Prawns and Truffle - $24

- Grilled Vegetables and Scamorza Cheese With Garlic & Chive Oil - $22

- Pan Fried Seabass with Eggplant Caviar,Pecorino and Tomato - $40

- Truffle Tiramisu - $15