European💶

This was a dollar more expensive than the birria, but I’d get this any day over the latter. Though not the kind of cheesy goodness you’ll get with a birria taco, this was refreshing and delightful. The Argentinian garlic prawns was grilled to perfection to give that slight Smokey flavour, not withstanding them being huge and fresh. The combination of Thai mango salad and cilantro gave an appetising boost to every bite. The chipotle mayonnaise added that slight creaminess and light spice to it, and they all the elements added up together very well. That being said, it’s more worth it at Lavi Taco’s if you use the burpple deal since it guarantees you some discount, though it also presents some limitations in flavours - such as not being able to go for this dish, and timings that you can eat there.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

For 2 pieces and pretty little stew by the side my first thought was how unaffordable it was. The masala lamb deep fried taco was not as oily as I’d expected, but the gaminess of the lamb was much more overpowering, to the point the masala felt like a little tingle. In fact, when you dip the taco into the birria, it’s unlikely that you’d get much masala flavour. Cheesy with a decent amount of meat, but, I would go for the other tacos instead.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

Not sure if this dish is highly raved about but if it is it is entirely deserving. My absolute favourite of the night. The brioche was wonderfully toasted with the perfect softness and crustiness. The blue manna crab came with such a generous portion, mixed with smoked enoki and packed with an umami flavour. I’m not sure if the sauce underneath is the umami butter, but if it is then it was absolutely delightful. The entire dish felt fresh, savoury, and overall delicious - I really couldn’t have enough!

Rate:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Red wine braised octopus with beef tendon, a rich pasta dish that is good for sharing lest you feel too overwhelmed. I couldn’t really see the portion of ingredients because of the colour of the sauce and how it was really infused into the entire dish, but I thought that the portion of it was just right. The beef tendons were a tad too gelatinous especially for the thick sauce. Really good flavours to this dish though.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

Loved the freshness of the amber jack that came with a slight sweetness. The base with tomatoes made it light and citrusy, which was very refreshing for the palate. A nice and delightful raw dish to start your meal!

Rate:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pastry was quite soft and not as crusty as I would like, and salmon was a bit dry. However, the flesh of the salmon was still tender, and went nicely with the delicate lemon and dill beurre blanc. Pretty decent but definitely on the pricier side.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

Before you is the large portion of the classic fish & chips at Lad & Co, a hidden gem opposite Tanglin Mall that has sheltered outdoor seating with a cozy, laid back vibe. The regular portion costs $19, which I believe both portions are well worth the price for the quality of fish & chips delivered. The haddock was fresh, with tenderness in every bite yet not disintegrating into measly pieces before your eyes. The beer batter was a crisp, thin, layer, which made every mouthful so delightful! You get a choice of classic thick cut fries or thin fries with your fish, and I went for the unorthodox thin fries that came well-seasoned. They go British all the way by having mushy peas on the side. I guess the only downside was the tartar sauce, which leaned towards an ordinary mayonnaise more than anything. Would have loved more relish in all the creaminess. That being said, I now have a new favorite go-to for fish & chips!

Rate:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Huge portion of fish & chips which makes the price point pretty worth it at Bread Street Kitchen. Fish was fresh and slightly tender but the batter was a bit too soft. Generally very average in terms of flavour and quality but at BSK you’re very much also paying for service and ambience.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

Fresh squid tentacles that gave a nice slight bounce with every chew, and I loved the sourness from the spicy green sriracha which complemented the squid with impeccable flavour. The argyle had a slight herbaceous note but have more a refreshing peppery taste alongside the grilled tentacles.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Homemade Bavarian egg noodles were of a slight chewy texture, similar to that of gnocchi but flatter. The cream and Emmental cheese combination was not as cheesy as you’d expect in a typical mac and cheese dish, but a cheesiness that was light on the palate. An overall pretty interesting flavour! The garnish of roasted onion rings gave a nice crunch to this carb-loaded dish as well. Complement this with a sausage platter and it’d be a good meal for sharing!

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

BARCELONA prides themselves on affordable cava & a wide range of Spanish tapas to go along with your wine. You get two different vibes sitting outdoors and indoors. Outdoor seating gives you a warm, chill vibe, while the indoors give a dark, elusive, but cosy atmosphere. Choose as you will, because the friendly service extends both indoors and outdoors, making diners feel both comfortable and welcomed.

When it comes to a tapas date, I never neglect my garlic shrimps. The gambas al ajillo doused it oil could have afforded to been more garlicky, but the prawns were sufficiently juicy. The bread at the side was surprisingly really good.

Rate:🌟🌟🌟

Second main dish was, of course, steak. The Futari Wagyu skirt steak was served alongside bone marrow sauce, bagna cauda, as well as white asparagus and sweet potato pave. One bite of the steak and you know its quality, bursting with flavour so natural yet decadent. Complement every bite with the bone marrow sauce and/or bagna cauda and you’re in for a treat.