XI MEN DING

Location: Raffles City B1
How to get there: City Hall Mrt

Hi people, I thought I'd just update you guys on a value for money meal when I was out today! I had a set lunch today at XI MEN DING today. XI MEN DING is a Chinese restaurant that serves Taiwanese food. From the friend whom I ate with said; its Braised Minced Pork Rice taste the closest to the one he had in Taiwan itself. (I have not been to Taiwan, so I'm taking his word!)
The set meal includes:

• 3 out of 6 choices of side dishes
• 1 out of 7 main dishes
• 1 out of 4 desserts

I have attached the menu at the bottom so you guys can know more about it! (The best part is that this offer is even available during weekends!)

My friend and I had: all the 6 side dishes, braised minced pork rice, beef noodles, almond tofu dessert and yam paste dessert; both of us paid $16.25 each.

Advantages:

• Food is in huge portions (I kid you not, I couldn't finish my noodles)
• I had the beef noodles and it tastes great! The beef just MELTS in your mouth (calling out to beef lovers!)
• Like I said above, the braised minced meat rice is close to the authentic one is Taiwan (GOOD)
• The ikan bilis side dish is nice! (I highly recommend that you should try it!)
• Spacious
• They are quick in serving.
• They have an awesome collection of Chinese music
• VALUE FOR MONEY (I think I can repeat it on and on)

Disadvantages:

• I have no idea why, but we were served dessert first (shouldn't it always come last?)
• The chicken side is really salty (daylight murder; don't torture your kidneys)
• I had yam paste for dessert and it was SOUR (i don't remember yam paste to be sour~EW)
• They don't serve you plain water, you have to order drinks (cos I asked for warm water and was kindly rejected)

Hence overall, if you take steps to counter the disadvantages, i.e. bring your own bottled water, request for dessert to be served later and don't order the chicken side dish and yam paste dessert, it would be rather alright. 

Afterall, the price is so reasonable for a restaurant (so we applied the 'close one eye and open one eye' tactic). Therefore, if you're in town and you wanna try some reasonably good Chinese food without paying through your nose for those fancy restaurants, you may wanna consider XI MEN DING.

<3FJ

SAVEUR

Location: 5 Purvis St

How to get there: Its very near the national library, so you can essentially alight at Bugis Mrt and google map the rest of your way (ain't we tech savvy people? ^^)

Hi darlings, once again May&FJ are back with our weekly food reviews:)

Today the 2 off us went to a highly recommended restaurant  SAVEUR. It serves French cuisine  We would say that this restaurants serves food that is high in quality and at very REASONABLE prices! While I'm not really a French cuisine person, I really have to say, the food is good!

Situated in a little corner at Purvis St, the choice of white and black painted walls and warm yellow lights sparks a very homey and welcoming feeling.

We ordered: Saveur Pasta (1 each) and Duck Leg Confit and the total bill hits up to $24.30 only!

We managed to snag some photos of the menu so you can have a peak of what this restaurant serves.

Advantages:

• The food is served promptly (about 5 mins!).
• The service staff is very friendly. (we've got a: "thank you, hope you have enjoyed your meal" from one of them! It's always a plus to be friendly!)
• Food is really affordable for French cuisine.
• Saveur pasta tossed with chili oil, fine chopped Japanese konbu and sakura ebi with minced pork sauce complimented each other well. (There was a generous portion of sakura ebi! YUMZ)
• Duck leg confit comes with homemade mashed potato, saute shiitake mushroom and orange segments. The duck leg looks dry, but do not be deceived by its looks! The meat is tender and the sides complimented the duck confit!

Disadvantages:

• The pasta could be warmer! (it seemed a little cold)
• As they serve awesome food at affordable prices, the turnover is really high, so its definitely not a place where you can sit and chat much.
• Reach before 7pm for dinner or be prepared to queue! (We were there at 6.30pm and it was already packed!)
• Seats inside there are rather cramped.

Things to note: 

• If you want more variety we recommend you to order just one Saveur Pasta and leave your stomach for others! (there is sooo much more!)

But overall, these disadvantages ain't that bad cos the good food makes up for it! Do drop by there! You're gonna miss out a lot if you don't check this out!

GASTRONOMIA-Bukit Timah Outlet

Location: 501 Bukit Timah Road #01-01 Cluny Court

How To Get There: Botanic Gardens Mrt

Yes! May&FJ visited one of the restaurants we so happen to pass by while on our way to school yesterday. We decided to go "undercover" and not announce our reasons for this uncalled visit. That way we can assess them fairly without them trying to put up a wayang.

First impressions: very European styled and the atmosphere is rather calming and relaxing. When we tried to take a photo of the menu to showcase what they have to offer, we got a very friendly reminder that photos are not allowed. Okay, so photo of the menu is not allowed?!?? (sense the sarcasm?) But okay, one shall not be biased. Since we have visited this place before, we will include photos we took with the Iphone previously.

The picture below (taken from their FB page) is the menu they offer.

What we had: All day smoke salmon breakfast with srambled eggs. Price: $9

A closer shot:

Advantages:

• Generous portions of scrambled eggs + smoked salmon (value for money~~~)
• Nice ambiance (if you're sitting inside)
• Wide variety of Italian food: soups, salads, lasagna  pizza, pasta, all day breakfast, desserts, cupcakes and more all at reasonable prices
• Complimentary water is given
• No service charge (and food is served to you)
• Their pizza slices looks real good too! (but it's a give and take, the slice ain't that big and it cost about $7-$8)

Disadvantage:

• Birds flying everywhere, can't really eat in peace (we took the outdoor seat)
• Service staff are not prompt in clearing the plates (resulting in birds)
• Mind you, we cleared the table ourselves; we took an empty coffee cup into the restaurant to the waitress and then after, they started noticing that there are plates to be cleared outside.
• Bitter vegetables (but healthy MAX, so it depends on your preferences)
• Bread was hard, not crispy

Things to note:

• Go during off-peak hours (it's kinda packed and the seats are limited)
• Breakfast set (the one that includes a cup of coffee / tea of your choice) offer ends at 1030am.

Overall, we would say that the atmosphere is good and the smoked salmon ain't that salty! Give it a go! Try to take the inside seats!