Think Happy Thoughts: Food For Thought

Finally getting some downtime, I realized I still had one more backlog post from my stay in Singapore.  With breakfast being my most favorite meal of the day, trying out a brunch spot was a fitting finale for my food adventures in the sunny little island.

Come to think of it, Singapore seemed to lag behind the Philippines when it comes to all-day breakfast places.  (Wow, that's a first for my country!).  The "brekky" revolution was already sweeping the Philippines years ago, when almost every corner boasted of an all-day breakfast menu.  It came in all shapes and sizes: from the classic Pancake House, to the classy Breakfast Club, even to the downright dirt-cheap carinderia (hawker) style Kanto Freestyle Breakfast.

That's why it seems Singapore is poised for its own "brekky" revolution.  And I just had to experience it before it went full blast.  The difficulty in finding a brunch spot is that most places there offer a typical English breakfast, instead of the usual greasy American breakfast I was more acquainted with. Nevertheless, after scouring the web for hours, I found a good place tucked nicely in a botanic park.

Located right smack in the entrance of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Food For Thought boasted of a serene and tranquil dining experience. Unfortunately, we arrived on a holiday and quite late, so the place was absolutely packed. 

5 Steps to Success according to the gospel of Food.

The really long queue was both an encouraging and upsetting sign: it was evidence that the food should be spectacular, but the wait would be epic.  As with most shops in Singapore that don't charge for service, we had to line up before ordering, thus adding to the hunger pangs.  I just crossed my fingers and hoped it was worth all the effort.

Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork, SGD 9.00 (approx. PHP 310, GST included)

I was craving for brunch worthy burger, and the Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork seemed to fit the bill.  This huge sandwich barely kept itself together.  The pork meat was bursting out between the hapless buns, topped with a creamy vegetable slaw.

The messy, merry mix was draped in a sweet tangy barbecue sauce, and added both zest and body to the sandwich.  The pork meat was a bit inconsistent: soft in some parts, too big and tough in other portions.  The flavor also seemed to be concentrated in some morsels but lacking in other parts.  The slaw was a good contrast in flavor, adding a little sourness to it.  The potato fries (add SGD 2.00) that came with it were quite good - none of that fast food flavor, that's for sure.  

House Works, SGD 15.00 (approx. PHP 518, GST included)

A leveled-up version of McDonald's Big Breakfast, the House Works was a colorful and enticing sight to behold.  It served the whole package: carbs, proteins, and some greens.  The butter brioche was made in-house.  It was soft on the inside and toasted perfectly on its sides, slathered on the surface with butter and caramel kaya.  Being a fan of kaya toast, I absolutely loved it.

United colors of breakfast.

The bacon was also divine - it was pork, finally!  Crisp on the edges, it tasted more heavenly than before, perhaps because of our long separation anxiety from bacon.  The scrambled eggs were fluffy and had the right saltiness, although it seemed too watery.  Nonetheless, it paired well with the bread and bacon.  The greens were fresh and crisp and surprisingly enjoyable, drizzled lightly with sweet vinaigrette. 

The pleasant surprise, however, was the marble-sized hash browns.  It was quite unusual for these to be cooked like this, and it tasted fabulously.  Deep-fried to perfection, the inside was surprisingly mushy and salty.  It was a shame there were only a few pieces, since it was highly addicting and I could certainly eat a whole bunch of it.  The House Works was indeed the full package, and my only gripe was the butter they used was Anchor.  For this price tag, I would have preferred something like Lurpak.  Heck, the barbecue guys in Maxwell FC could serve Lurpak with their dinner rolls, so what's stopping Food For Thought, right?

Pancakes with banana and walnuts, SGD 14.00 (approx. PHP 483, GST included)

No all-day breakfast will be complete without your typical slappy cakes.  Sadly though, the choices were limited to two options, although one can add a few more toppings.  We went for our favorite mix of banana and walnuts.

One interesting variation in their pancakes is that they use gula melaka syrup instead of your run-of-the-mill, off-the-grocery-shelf maple syrup.  Their syrup thus was milder in sweetness, and felt healthier!

However, they seemed to have scrimped on the syrup as the pancakes felt a tad dry in some parts.  I usually prefer my pancakes nearly soaked in syrup.  The fresh cream compensated for the milder sweetness of the syrup.  The banana was also underwhelmingly flavored, perhaps not yet ripe enough.  The walnuts was a good contrast in texture, adding crunch to the fluffiness of the pancakes.  The pancakes itself were light and soft.  It was akin to the ones in IHOP, save for the milder sweetness.

Despite its farther location from the city center, Food For Thought in the Botanic Gardens is worth the trip.  Away from the hustle and bustle, the tranquility leads one to leisurely enjoy a hefty and hearty breakfast while taking in the sunshine and the breeze from the lush garden.  Prices are commensurate with the serving size, especially noting that service charge is nil. There were some hits and misses with our orders, but overall, Food For Thought is perhaps the best value-for-money for an all-day breakfast place.  It was a fitting finale as I closed this chapter of my life.  And whenever I want to reminisce on my stay in SG and think of happy thoughts, Food For Thought will always be remembered.

Jones

Food For Thought

Singapore Botanic Gardens

1 Cluny Road, Tanglin Gate

#B1-00

www.foodforthought.com.sg

https://www.facebook.com/FFTsg

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Sushi Tei: More Than Just Sushi

This long overdue post was borne out of my insatiable craving for Japanese food.  Finally getting some downtime, I browsed through my laptop's pictures folder and realized I hadn't posted this yet.  Amazingly, I had only sampled one Japanese restaurant here in Singapore after all these months.

It's not that there is a paucity of good quality Jap joints here.  In fact, the locals are quite crazy over Japanese food, especially sushi.  So, the long queue I often see just outside ANY branch of this restaurant was of little surprise.  Still, I was curious to taste what they had to offer, having been craving good old comforting Japanese food I so thoroughly missed.

Sushi Tei seemed an obvious favorite among locals.  Luckily, we went to the Vivo City branch early to avoid the long queue.  Nestled on the second floor and fronting the harbor, the place was large and brightly lit.  Bamboo fixtures adorned the facade and the interiors, recreating an authentic, oriental feel.  Naturally, a whole section was devoted to an open kitchen featuring fresh sushi and sashimi being prepared by their chefs.  We picked a cozy spot overlooking the harbor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunset.

The menu was expansive, which was a delightful surprise.  Sushi Tei was a full board Japanese restaurant, offering Jap treats from appetizers down to bento boxes.  It wasn't just about the raw stuff.  We weren't in the mood for gobbling sashimi, and we missed real tempura.  Those quick fried ebi in hawker courts were simply just too cheap imitations.

Choosing our orders was therefore easy.  Nevertheless, it was hard not to compare the prices with those back home.  We stuck to our all-time favorites, just to get an idea how Japanese food fares in Singapore.

Ebikko Tempura Maki, SGD 6.20 (approx. PHP 220), +10% service charge

To start off, we picked a non-raw maki.  The Ebikko Tempura Maki was a scene-stealer, with the prawn tails jutting out from two of the rolls.  It was a nice visual treat, but noticeably the two rolls holding up the fins appeared to crumble easily.  It was a portent of things to come.

As I proceeded with my first bite, the whole thing came apart easily.  It was reflective of the skill and manner of how they prepared this dish.  The sticky rice wasn't holding up, the salmon roe falling off easily.  It was a shame, since the prawn was quite good, tasting plump and fresh.  The tempura breading remained crunchy though, saving this dish from a crumbly end.  To be honest, I've had better back home, for a much lesser price tag.

Ebi Tempura, 5 pcs, SGD 10.60 (approx. PHP 380), +10% service charge

As if we weren't getting enough of ebi, we still ordered for actual prawn tempura.  The five piece collection was reasonably sized and priced.  However, it still paled in comparison to what Kenji Tei and Jozu Kin boasted of.  But this was definitely better than the average ebi tempura in food courts.

Crunchy goodness.

Taking cue from its maki cousin, the breading was crunchy but not too thick.  It was fried perfectly, leaving very little traces of oiliness.  The average sized prawns within were fresh and juicy, a bit briny but complemented well by the ever reliable tempura sauce.  Satisfying, yet a bit falling short in terms of value for money.

This poor fella saved the day.

The highlight of the meal though, was snagged by another all-time fave.  As I've previously mentioned, I often believe there are a few dishes that define the quality of a Japanese restaurant.  One of that, of course, is the tempura.  The other is how well they deliver on their salmon teriyaki.

Salmon Teriyaki, SGD 12.80 (approx. PHP 460), +10% service charge

This sizable chunk of fresh salmon arrived at our table, its fragrance slowly wafting upwardly. The scent of grilled seafood was really enticing.  The outer skin was charred beautifully, contrasting with the freshness of the salmon meat it wrapped within.

The flesh was flaky but not dry.  The teriyaki glaze was sweet yet not overpowering, coating the salmon lightly and infusing deep into the meat itself.  Despite a rather hefty price tag, the dish was worth it, and conjured memories of the salmon teriyaki from the now defunct Origami restaurant back in Greenbelt, Makati.

Sushi Tei's other dishes should receive more attention, especially the salmon teriyaki.  They offer more than just the usual sushi and sashimi, for which the locals go gaga over.  I'm quite sure there are other hidden gems on their menu just waiting to be discovered.  

Overall, my first experience of Japanese cuisine in Singapore was okay but not mind-blowing. Sushi Tei appeared to cater to the mid-level crowd, and for the price, it seemed reasonable for the locals but not for foreigners like me who couldn't avoid comparing stuff back home. Nevertheless, a testament to Sushi Tei's success and popularity are the long queues and numerous other branches all over the island.  I could find myself back in Sushi Tei, but I would rather try out some other joints.  Although that salmon might be enough temptation.

Jones

Sushi Tei

1 Harbourfront Walk

#02-152/153, Vivo City

Singapore

https://www.facebook.com/SushiTei.Singapore

www.sushitei.com

  

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Starting the New Year With A Stop: Wingstop!

With my current state of affairs here in Singapore, I have rarely found time to blog about my food finds.  Heck, I almost forgot my own password for my blogger account, finally figuring it out after a couple of tries.  It has indeed been so long since I've written anything! And it's such a sad predicament, especially with the treasure trove of multi-cultural cuisine that can be discovered in this island.

Nevertheless, the short break during the holidays gave me enough time to rave and rant about something I so thoroughly miss.  Despite the myriad of other cuisines here, I chose to share my first ever chance to devour one of my favorite comfort food - buffalo wings!

My kind of wall. 

Strangely, Singapore's love affair with chicken wings start and end with either barbecue wings or Asian fried chicken wings.  In my nearly three months here, I have never encountered a joint that served buffalo wings with much dedication.  This fueled my craving for the wings I miss most.  So, when I discovered that an American wing franchise was setting up its flagship store in Bedok Mall, I didn't think twice.  Wings or bust.

American vibe all the way.

Wingstop, as I soon learned, was quite well-established in the U.S. (though I've never heard of it in my few visits there).  Their first store in Singapore is quite the experiment - the space is safely small, its location unassuming in one busy corner of this mall.  Brightly lit, with famous U.S. landmarks providing the wall graffiti, the spot exudes American vibe all the way - a welcoming sight for ex-pats here, for sure.

Queing for the 'cue.

Like most wing joints, ordering is straight-up, no frills, fast-food style.  But mind you, the wings are made-to-order, so rest assured you're getting freshly created masterpieces.  Wingstop offers up to 11 unique flavors, and tiny red chili icons beside each item alert you to the spice level. However, there are only four flavors that come with a spicy kick (Original, Cajun, Louisiana Rub, and Atomic) - a tad disappointing for us who like to dabble in heat.  Seems like the flavors are not too challenging.

Unidentified flat object.

We ordered two of their 6-piece combo sets which seemed easier on the pocket (nothing is cheap in Singapore, of course!), priced at SGD 9.95.  The combo comes with 1 side, your choice of 1 dip, and of course a drink.  We chose to top-up (ooh, I so love that word here) one combo for a larger order of french fries and drink, all for an additional SGD 1.50 (around 53 PHP).  You can opt to mix two flavors for the combo, by the way.  After placing our orders, we were handed out this queer flat disc that lit up once our order was ready.  Pretty cool.  Chicken Charlie in ATC actually has a similar contraption.  Way to go!

You call these wings? Butterfly wings, perhaps?

The moment I grabbed my tray, my excitement dropped from eager anticipation to graveyard sorrow.  The wings were so miniscule!  Those absorbent white paper did nothing to help their sorry state  - it nearly obscured the dwarvish wings.  Still, I kept my spirits up as I slowly bit into each piece.

Cajun Flavor

My first dibs was the Cajun, as I still distinctly recall my last bite of Cajun in Red Buffalo back in the Philippines (oops, haven't posted that one yet, stay tuned!).  The authentic taste managed to perk me up again!  Each piece was lovingly coated with a unique mix of sour and zesty sauce, with a dash of real cajun spices that you can actually see!  The flavor seeped in to the juicy meat, and the skin was as crisp as it can get.  This was true cajun style wings, no doubt.

Louisiana Rub

I chose to stay home with the Southern flavors, so I picked the Louisiana rub.  Mundane to the eyes, the dry rub was barely noticeable.  At first bite, the flavors are subdued and subtle, almost bordering on the ordinary fried chicken flavor.  But as you continue munching away, the real flavors emanate, although still weakly.  This would have been a knock-out, had it been executed well.  Perhaps continuous bites were needed to bring out the flavor, but the only problem is, the wings were too small! (Luckily, for unknown reasons, an extra piece found its way in my tray accidentally).  Still, the wings were admirably crunchy on the exterior and juicy within.

Original 

For our third set, we tried out their version of the Original Buffalo flavor, as our palates sorely missed that distinct tangy taste.  To our utter disappointment, it was nothing close to the original.  It tasted more like sweet tomato ketchup flavor, like that old Jolly spaghetti sauce!  It was the biggest letdown of the night.  There was no trace of that sour-y and zesty flavor so typical of real buffalo wings.  Epic fail for a shop that claims to be wing experts.  In my opinion, every buffalo wing joint should get the original right!

Garlic Parmesan

But, the savior of the night came in 3 little pieces.  The Garlic Parmesan was perfectly done - crisp on the outside, bursting with flavor on the inside.  The strong taste of garlic was matched harmoniously by the parmesan cheese, cloying on the palate, joyfully playing on the tongue.  Every corner of each piece was full of flavor - down to the sinews and the bone itself.  Memories of our experiences in Wingman back in Makati were instantly conjured - this Wingstop version so closely mirrored what we had before.  This alone will make us come back for more.

6-piece Combo Set, SGD 9.95 (around 350 PHP)

All the wings would have been perfect with rice, but sadly, there was none (not even cajun rice).  We picked a large order of fries for our carbs, though.  And these were glorious - not your fast-food type lard fries.  The 1.50 SGD top-up was well worth it.

What's inside the big pack?

Fries overload!

In spite of the terrible mishap of the Original flavor, Wingstop manages to churn out at least one chart-topping flavor, the Garlic Parmesan of course!  The Cajun comes close, but I still have to try out the other flavors.  But, I can't help but compare Wingstop, a supposed American strongman, with the Philippines' own local versions.  First off, the servings back home are way bigger, not to mention with lower price tags.  Pound-for-pound, Wingstop is light-years behind in flavor and creativity with our own top guns (Wingman, Buffalo Wings 'N Things, Red Buffalo).

I still hope these are just first game jitters for Wingstop, and it needs to find its wings fast!  But for now, for lack of anything that comes close to real fried chicken wings here in Singapore, I would keep coming back - even for just the Garlic Parmesan or the Cajun.  Sorry, but the chicken wing scene in the Philippines is flying higher than anything here.

Jones

Wingstop

Bedok Mall

311 New Upper Changi Road

#B1-53

Singapore

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Jumpstarting My Singapore Food Crawl: Makansutra Gluttons Bay

It's been a while since my last blog post, having been busy adjusting to a new way of life and a vastly different culture here in Singapore.  Unlike our Filipino habits, majority of Singaporeans live a fast-paced, career-driven, achievement-hungry lifestyle.  Yet despite this seemingly hectic pace, one thing I noticed in my first two weeks here is that they will slow down, queue up, and wait patiently for really good food.  Be it a hawker stall or a high-end restaurant, long lines are the best clue for something good.

If you come to Singapore lacking any knowledge of the good foodie spots or their best-selling local delicacies, you will surely find yourself giddy searching for what to eat.  Often, for first-time tourists (and even for second timers who just miss the food, like me), one quick jump start for an authentic culinary experience is Makansutra Gluttons Bay.

This is one sutra that is unadulterated.

The brainchild of KF Seetoh, the street food photojournalist guru (I love this guy and his shows on AFC!), Makansutra seeks to replicate a real hawker experience - open-air, smokey, crowded, yet home to tasty treats.  Although the real gems of Singapore cuisine are tucked away in the vast array of hawkers and food courts all over the island, Makansutra is a pretty good place to sample the local food and grab an overview of what the fuss is all about - without getting lost in the heart of the city.

Composed of several stalls which offer their own unique dish, one should manage to try out the best from each.  Having been here for the second time, we wanted to sample a different dish.  In the mood for grilled skewers, our first stop was Alhambra Padang Satay.

Satay Set, SGD 7.00

Apparently famous for their grilled skewers, their stall is a hit among both local and foreign beer guzzlers.  Now I'm really missing the kanto barbecue stalls of the Philippines!  But the satay had a curious charm on its own.  The set consisted of 5 sticks of tender chicken meat and another 5 sticks of soft beef mutton, with a side dish of fresh sliced onions and a peculiar looking yam of some sort.

Basted in a secret marinade, the chicken satay was juicy and flavorful.  It was like our own inasal but zestier.  The beef was my wonderful surprise.  The meat was soft and smokey, grilled to perfection.  Both varieties paired perfectly with their peanut sauce dip.  My only complaint was the seemingly small serving size of the skewered meat per stick.  But hey, nothing comes cheap in Singapore (that is, if you always convert to peso!)

Crispy Baby Squid, SGD 5.00 (?)

One of the first few things we craved for upon setting our feet again in this country was this dish, the Crispy Baby Squid.  This time, I tried out another stall for a different version. (Sorry, I forgot the name of the stall, but it's the one nearest to the bay side).  

Sponge Bob's boss.

These babies were deep fried to a crunch, and then tossed in a sweet spicy red sauce, garnished with chopped onions, red chili, and green pepper.  The entire mix is laid on a bed of what appears to be desiccated rice noodles.  The squid was indeed crispy - not a single piece tasted old nor chewy.  The sauce was executed well, a right mix of sweetness and an ample amount of spicy kick.  The serving size was good enough for two people, although again the price may seem steep for others.

Thai Crab Fried Rice, SGD 7.00 (?)

There's no better way to enjoy both dishes than with a heaping serving of rice.  This stall, Thai Yummy Food, serves a variety of fried rice creations.  We picked the crab fried rice to complement our two dishes.  As expected, the rice was a bit too oily, yet was exploding with flavor - just the right amount of saltiness and zest.

Generously mixed with chopped crabmeat and all sorts of veggies, it was definitely heavy and filling.  Good enough for four persons (or two really hungry people), yet again the price appeared to be inappropriately high.  Nevertheless, it went well with both the grilled skewers and the deep fried squid.  

With this view, I won't complain about the price anymore.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay has gathered some of the best hawker stalls in Singapore into one place, relieving us of the hassle of journeying from place to place, searching for the stall that serves its own unique best-seller.  Even homesick Filipinos can grab a quick bite of good old pinoy food, with Gerry's Grill having their own nook (just don't convert the price to peso though, or you'll feel sorry).  

Recreating an authentic hawker experience with its open-air ambiance, humid atmosphere, and noisy sales-talking vendors, you can be sure the food is genuine and fresh - as you have to wait for each dish to be cooked, just like the real hawker courts.  Perhaps because of its prime location in Marina Bay, the prices are steeper compared to overcrowded food courts in the city.  But then again, with a captivating view of the Singapore skyline, who's thinking about the price?

Jones

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

8 Raffles Avenue #01-15

Singapore

http://www.makansutra.com

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