CHIKUWA TEI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Location: 9 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 238959
How to get there: Clarke Quay Mrt (it's near Studio M)
Opening hours: 1130-1500, 1800-2200
Contact number: 6738 9395

HI PEOPLE ^^ May&FJ visited Chikuwa Tei for dinner with our usual gang during our stay at Studio M. This review was kinda delayed as I had to retrieve pictures from my friend's camera who was incidentally spending his weekdays and sometimes weekends serving the nation. But oh wells, we manage to churn this out anyways!

As we are Jap food lovers (May especially!) Chikuwa Tei is the best choice for us! For a start, May&FJ ain't strangers to this restaurant as we have visited it a couple of times respectively before the start of this blog. This time with four of our friends, we sat down browsing the menu and in the end, two had Salmon Don ($15) and the other four had Chirashi Don ($25). Why you may ask, as having a variety is always the best. The answer is simple, it's because these two are the best we have tried!! 

Like I have said once, my penchant for good sashimi was cultivated by May here, so when the both of us say the fresh fish  here is good~IT'S GOOD.

Salmon Don:

• Salmon (about 9 slices! I counted ^^)
• Rice

Chirashi Don:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Salmon Roe
• Yellow Tail
• Swordfish
• Tamago
• Cucumber
• Rice

Both meals came with a bowl of miso soup, 2 slices of watermelon and a mini potato salad.

Chawanmushi: (from our previous visit, $5)

• Prawns
• Mushrooms
• Chicken Cubes

Advantages:

• Both dishes have generous servings of fish! (here's your value for money!)
• Both dishes also have GOOD & FRESH fish slices
• For the Chirashi Don, fish slices are real THICK! (May's fav!!)
• Tamago was yummy!
• The Chawanmushi has the most amount of ingredients ever seen by us!
• The egg for the Chawanmushi is smooooooth
• As for the Salmon don; the fish is slightly thinner (good for people like me who can't tank thick raw fish slices)
• Food is served quickly (good for the hungry kids!)
• Complimentary green tea and water served. 
• Green tea is refilled by staff automatically (they come so often! good!)
• We were slightly apprehensive about the service on our first visit as other reviews said otherwise. However, during our 3 visits respectively, the staff we encounter were very friendly and had initiative. We were greeted nicely as we entered and left. Staff even recommended food when people are unsure of what to order.
• Also, the staff there are flexible with the orders. As May and Joey didn't really like Tuna, they had those replaced for them for more salmon. (Ain't it good?)

Disadvantage:

• The egg for the Chawanmushi is overpowered by other ingredients in it.
• There do not hold tables if you are late for the reservation made.

Note:

• Reservation slots are 1800-1945 and 2000-2200 respectively.
• Do make a reservation at night as they are usually packed.
• Be on time for your reservation as they do NOT hold tables if you are late and you'll have to queue for your turn. (Call and change your reservation for the later slot if you foresee yourself being late!)
• The Chirashi Don is kinda filling for girls, you can order one set for two to share! (But for the hungry and bottomless pit people, go ahead and take one FULL set! Worth the experience^^)
• Service charge and GST are applicable in your final bill.

We definitely recommend you to visit Chikuwa Tei!!! For good and fresh fish~a little walk and adventure just makes it more worthwhile don't you think? Till next time!

<3 May&FJ

FOOD HUNT I

Location: Hougang Green Hwaker Center (the one directly next to Shop&Save)
How to get there: buses 325, 101, 161, 256, 159 (gotta walk a little from where ever you stop)

Hi peeps! This is my first little food hunt! Since it's near my house, and I'm slightly free during lunch period, I thought I take some time and do a little exploring and find some cheap food hidden over here! 

Heng Heng Mixed Vegetable stall sells good and cheap mixed vege!!

(3 vege)

Their charges:

• 3 vege = $2
• 2 vege + 1 meat = $2
• 1 vege + 2 meat =$2.50

This is my favourite stall! They always give LARGE servings of dishes!! YUMZ! The stir fried meat in sauce is the best! You guys should give it a go! I have a penchant for curry vegetables; they cook them just fine and they give you huge portions of it too!!
I advise you to head down at about 1145 if you want lunch as they queue is short! The queue starts at about 1200-1210!

Next would be Meng Kee Wanton Mee! They sell Wanton Mee at $2.50. 

(Wanton Mee with Ketchup Sauce)

While Wanton Mee doesn't differ much from stall to stall, I would say that this is cheap wanton mee around my neighbourhood! It's usually one of my alternatives when I'm too lazy to think of what to eat. Wanton Mee never fails.

Lastly, it would be the Chicken Rice from Traditional Hainanese Chicken Rice stall. 

(Roasted Chicken Rice)

(Boiled Vegetables)

They sell:

• Chicken Rice (Roasted/White), Char Siew Rice, Roasted Pork at $2.50
• They have a chicken rice set with vegetables at $3.80 
• They also have side dishes like fried tofu, vegetables etc at no more than $4

I read else where that they'd give your a soup of your choice if you eat in but I had a take away, so I was unable to attest to it. I would say that the rice itself is slightly dry, I'm sure if you eat in the soup would help. The salted vegetables given is a good combination with the rice! Their chili sauce is good. I would say that the chicken set meal is more worth it as if my memory serves me well, to order vegetables separately would cost you and extra $2/$3; the vegetables in the set meal is more than enough. Also their chicken meat is tender (i hate those tough ones).

So here you go my dear friends! This is a short review of my food hunt! Those living near Hougang Green should drop-by and check em' out! If you have any places with cheap hwaker food to recommend us, do comment!! Till more to come...see ya!

<3FJ

KITH CAFE

Location: 7 Rodyk Street #01-28 Watermark @ Robertson Quay
How to go: Clarke Quay Mrt (It's rather near Studio M)
Opening hours: 0700-1900 daily
Contact number: 6341 9407

Hi everybody!! It's been some time since May&FJ came together and do a review! This time we went to Kith Cafe for breakfast after a crazy party with the usuals at Studio M yesterday! To start with, the atmosphere at Robertson Quay is rather cosy with a tinge of being in a little town in Europe. It's favored by the expats over here; it's like a little community here and hence you feel like you're in another country for that slight moment till your local company pulls you back into reality.

They are pet friendly! They have a water bowl right right underneath the water dispenser so that the dog owners can bring their dogs over for a quick sip during their walks. It's a rather interesting sight and it adds plus points with customers. Also pets are allowed since all the seats are situated outside!

What we ate: We had a Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich with Poached Eggs ($10), Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($10), Big Breakfast ($14), Mocha ($4.70), Vanilla Chai Tea Latte ($4.50) and Hot Chocolate ($4.30).
We have attached a link here to their menu on their website for you to take a look. Their menu changes periodically.

(Vanilla Chai Tea Latte)

(Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich with Poached Eggs)

Advantages:

• They have a wide variety of food and beverages at reasonable prices (all below $15)
• The food portions are huge (we felt so stuffed)
• There is a generous serving of smoked salmon.
• The smoked salmon is not salty. GOOD!
• The cheese, tomato and cucumbers coupled with the sourdough complimented the smoked salmon. 
• Smoked turkey breast is good. It is light and it blends with the citrus mayo sauce.
• Poached Eggs are the ULTZ!! I love the way the egg spills the yolk out at one go! You can also try shoving the WHOLE egg into your mouth and enjoy instant bliss like what Joey did.
• They are rather generous with their vegetable portions. It's good for people who love vegetables like me :)
• Their hot chocolate is THICK! It's really worth trying. 
• The vanilla chai tea latte has cinnamon in it! Smells heavenly!
• No service charge.
• Staff is rather friendly over there. Perhaps they are influenced with the Western cultures due to a huge influx of expats visiting that area. They asked if the food suited our tastes and also recommended one of my friend a drink when he could not make a choice. (It's the little things like these that leave a good impression on customers)

(Mocha)

(Smoked Salmon Sandwich) 

Disadvantages:

• May feels that the sourdough is a little hard making it difficult to cut.
• They serve bitter vegetables for the turkey breast sandwich with poach eggs (it's a preference thing, i like it though)
• Inconsistency of Poached Eggs; some were not runny.
• The hot drinks came in rather small cups.
• The Big Breakfast does not look like it's worth the $14. I quote my friend: Why do I feel that my Big Breakfast doesn't feel as good as what the rest of you ordered?
• There are very few seats.
• The outdoor seats can be a little stuffy and warm at times during the morning when the sun's scorching bright! (wear comfortable clothing)

(Big Breakfast)

(Hot Chocolate)

Note:

• We would advise you all to go early, we were there at late 11 and the place was rather pack.

Overall, we feel that the food is good! So you guys should take some time and go to Kith Cafe with your friends to hang around! Merry Christmas to all of you out there!! Loads of love from May and I  <3

<3May&FJ

**Update: we have managed to snap a shot of the menu when we were there that day! Here's an updated pict!

HAINANESE DELICACY

Location: Far East Plaza #05-116
How to get there: Orchard Mrt (you gotta walk) or buses that go there directly: NR2, NR1, NR3, 5, 54, 105, 124, 128, 132, 143, 162M, 162, 167, 171, 190, 518, 518A, 587, 590, 598, 700, 700A
Contact number: 6732 4892

Hi darlings! This is gonna be a short one! Phyllis and I decided to go shopping in town with a friend yesterday. We've decided drop-by here for lunch before the start of our long shopping spree! (which he only bought a pair of pants-.-and we walked for hours!) Okay, back to the topic; Hainanese Delicacy only serves CHICKEN RICE! Whoa~I gotta say the queue was LONG! We waited in the queue for about 10-15 minutes?

We ordered half a roasted chicken, a plate of xiao bai cai and one can of green tea! Our bill came to a total of $24.70. Truthfully, half a roasted chicken can feed about 4 people, so bring more people there to eat yeah! (lowers down the per person cost!)

Advantages:

• There's a lot of chicken!
• They remove the bones for ya!
• The chicken is very tender!
• It does not leave you a very oily after taste unlike some others.
• The cucumbers that come with it is crisp and they taste good with the sauce!
• Chili sauce there is good! Try it!
• They steamed the vegetables instead of stir-frying them like some other stalls (MORE healthy!)

Disadvantage:

• The chicken is slightly cold (I'd prefer it a little warmer though)
• The soup tastes rather bland (but it depends on your preference)
• The turn over rate is rather high during lunch hour, there's really a pressure to eat a little faster
• It's rather cramp inside (but you won't stay more than 30 minutes inside so it's actually alright)

I would say that overall it's slightly pricey compared to a normal chicken rice stall at any hawker center. But then again, if you ordered a plate of chicken rice which is at an average of $3 and a small plate of vegetables which they ALSO charge at roughly $3 (bringing it to a total of $6) I would say that this would be a cheaper choice as the vegetable served is definitely more than what 3 small plates of vegetables from a normal hawker center put together would serve and you get half a chicken too with loads of cucumbers! If you happen to go there, let me know your opinions too^^

<3FJ

WIMBLY LU

Location: 15-2 Jalan Riang Singapore 358987
How to get there: 105 or 58 stop right outside Zhonghua Secondary or Yangzheng Primary (It's right behind The Sunnydale, or as I usually advice if you really can't find your way, use google map! Technology is so advanced nowadays^^)
Opening hours:
Tues to Fri: 1300 - 2230
Sat: 0900 - 2300
Sun: 0900 - 2230
Contact number: 6289 1489

Hi all! You may be wondering why there has been a sudden spam in food outings these few days; Well, to start with it's the holiday season and I'm enjoying the mood and moreover, my friends are free from school so you'll see more guests here and there these few days! (Our dear May has flown to Korea for holiday today!!! *sobs* So I'll be out food hunting with my other friends!) Today, our guest would me darling Phyllis! We decided to visit Wimbly Lu after my class today. I was introduced to Wimbly Lu by a friend who told me it houses great desserts and has a very good atmosphere; I was not disappointed.

The atmosphere was calming and the open roof concept makes you feel like you've entered into a mini garden. For me, it feels like a mini getaway from the bustling city. I can literally sit here with a book and enjoy my afternoon. One thing that caught my attention was the way the service staff took down our orders; SWITCH uses iPad to get customers to do the ordering themselves and Wimbly Lu's staff uses the new iTouch to take down orders! Talk about technology taking over our lifestyles!

I have attached the menu for your reference as the one on it's web ain't that updated!

I had a Molten Lava Cake ($6) and a Brownie with Honey Cinnamon Ice-Cream ($7.50), and Phyllis had a Root Beer Cake with Vanilla Ice-Cream ($6) and a Single Tuna & Cheese Toasty Melts ($3.50). We paid a total of $25.30. I would break the review into the different food items we've ordered then I'll address the general advantages and disadvantages of the place itself.

Root Beer Cake With Vanilla Ice-Cream:

• Subtle Root Beer taste
• The slight bitter taste of the cake and the sweet Vanilla Ice-Cream is a very good combination (It makes you feel like you're actually drinking root beer!)
• The chocolate sauce gives an extra chocolate-y taste!
• The Vanilla Ice-Cream tastes really good on it's own!

Molten Lava Cake:

• Chocolate is not too sweet; there is a faint bitter taste (lovely!)
• The molten chocolate oozes out with just a slight crack on the top!!!
• You definitely won't get sick eating this! It's too awesome!!!

Look at the gooey chocolate!!!

Tuna & Cheese Toasty Melts:

• It comes with 4 slices of Japanese cucumber and diced tomatoes drizzled in salad sauce
• The toast is slightly salty with the combination of tuna and cheese
• The salad sauce is good and the salad itself is a refreshing touch to the sandwhich
• But it also seems like something you can make at home without much hassle  

Phyllis was very eggcited on the sticky cheese^^

Brownie with Honey Cinnamon Ice Cream:

• The brownie itself is $4.50 actually, but if you add a scoop of ice-cream its extra $3. I find this a little expensive really. But you get to have a choice over the scoop of ice-cream.
• The brownie itself is hard on the outside and soft inside (GOOD!)
• I could smell the Cinnamon once the plate was set on the table!! (Incidentally, I'm a Cinnamon fan!!! I gotta say the ice-cream was AWESOME!)

Advantage:

• I would say that it's greatest advantage would be the atmosphere! 
• The service staff is very polite and subtle
• Their ice-cream is handmade!!

Disadvantage:

• It's slightly cramp; especially at the open roof area.

Note:

• 10% service charge applies
• I would recommend you to go in the afternoon as they tend to be really crowded at night!

So looking for a dessert that will delight you? Wimbly Lu's a choice for you to consider! I have to say that I have accumulated a week's worth of chocolate in my tummy! But all's worth it!

(Here's a photo of Phyllis with her Root Beer Cake with Vanilla Ice-Cream!)

<3FJ


***Updates: 12/06/2013

Hi guys!!! I went back today with Joey! There's still so much in the menu that I have yet to try and hence I have decided to update you peeps on the things we ate today!
They have actually changed their menu design, so I'll just include it here just in case they have slight changes to it.

Anyways! We had a plate of pancakes with choice of ice cream ($7.50), Tiramisu ($6.50), Molten Lava Cake ($6) and a pot of Chamomile Tea ($5) and the bill totaled to $27.50.



Pancakes:

• They serve you 4 pancakes with ice cream of your choice and a sauce at your choice as well. I had Honey Cinnamon ice cream and Maple Syrup.
• The pancakes were fluffy, different from those you get at McDonald's.
• The ice cream is gooooood! Spread it on the pancakes and wrap it! It's good! 
• The syrup is sweet (naturally) and if you finish it, they give you free refills!

Tiramisu:

• Loads of cream cheese.
• Their biscuit is not soggy enough for Joey.
• But for it's size, I think it's rather worth the $6.50. It's quite huge.

Chamomile Tea:

• I am really not a good judge for tea as I hardly drink them. But one pot of tea can refill about 6 cups (plus minus) and it's shared between the 2 of us so it's rather worth it!
• Personally, the smell of tea is always so calming and since it price is rather reasonable, I suggest you peeps to check it out too! 

Okay! That's all on my updates!!!!! I am definitely going back for the pancakes again!!!! Kya!

Wimbly Lu always allows me to take pretty photos and they constantly change their deco to liven up the mood and to give customers something fresh. This is really one of the things I love about them. It's always the little things that counts.

<3FJ

ARBITE

Location: 66A Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555962. 
How to get there: bus numbers 136, 315, 317 (it's just above guardian which is opposite the bus stop)
Operating Hours: 
Tue – Fri, 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00pm - 10.30 pm
Sat – Sun 11.00 am – 10.30 pm 
Last Order at 2.30 pm & 9.45 pm 

Closed on Mondays 

Contact number: 6287 0430

Hi everybody! This is a spur of a moment review~Due to one disadvantage that I was itching to point out. (perks of going unannounced to prevent any sorts of wayang, really!)
I'm not sure if you all have heard of Arbite, I went there once before the start of this blog upon a friend's recommendation and another time today. Personally, I would not say that this place essentially sells cheap food, but their portions are huge for a reasonable price (so you can say it's a give and take)

My friends and I ordered: A Kiddy Fish & Chip ($5.90), a Arbite Breakfast ($15.90) and a Eggs Benedict ($11.90). I have included the menu here so you all can check it out :)

Advantage:

• Food comes in huge portions (especially the kiddy fish & chip set, we thought it was small but it turn out huge.)
• Their poached eggs are awesome!
• Ice water comes without asking.
• The atmosphere is really nice. Loads of white and light wood colours, very calming.

Disadvantage:

This one is really bugging me since the minute we stepped in the place: Bugging Service Staff (to say it nicely, they may be too friendly? But, sense the sarcasm my friends). 

As we were waiting for a friend to arrive, we decided to browse the menu and took our time to decide on what to order. One of the service staff paced next to our table to and fro for more than 5 times before she decided to pluck up some courage and ask if we were waiting for a friend. (We walked in clearly indicating a table for 3 by the way and there were only 2 of us, but it's only given that she may not have heard us). I find that a little irritating (the pacing). 

All was fine after we made our orders until we were almost done with our meal (we still had food left but we couldn't finish it), the service staff very promptly decide to come and clear away our plates (an indication to tell you: if you are done, get out thank you. But you gotta give them kudos for prompt action.) My friend still had her almost-untouched strawberry milkshake on the table and hence we decided to let her finish it at her own pace as we were stuffed. Then we got more pacing from the staff again! (side note: my friend was getting irritated too). 

I do not see the point for this, there were no awaiting customers who needed the table and we still had a milkshake left on the table, it's not like we have decided to hang around without making continued purchases. From knowledge, they tend to be very crowded at night during dinner and they are usually fully booked on reservation; but in the afternoon, the crowd level is manageable, a couple of empty tables here and there. This is the very point that sparked my irritation. If the turnover rate is rather high, I would have brush this off.

Hence, if they would like to close at 3pm promptly, I would suggest that they give customers a slight hint at 2.30pm that there are closing at 3pm for dinner preparation. Just this sentence and it would do the trick. STOP the pacing. (we left before 2.30pm)

Note: 

• They have a 1-for-1 lunch promo for UOB credit card holders. It is very worth it! Salad + soup of the day + a main course (3 choose 1) + a drink (4 choose 1) all for $30++
• Note that this promo ends at 2.30pm.
• If you wanna do dinner, I suggest you make a reservation!

So that's all on my food for thought on Arbite!

<3FJ

WATAMI JAPANESE DINING @ ION ORCHARD

Location: Orchard Ion B3-23
How to get there: Orchard Mrt
Opening hours: 11.00am - 10.00pm
Contact number: 6509 9366

Hi people! I have been hanging on this review for sometime...due to a million reasons! But here it is!!! It all started when my friend Joey (who wants to appear as a guest now and then...I'll introduce a picture of her later^^) decided to chill out as her exams just ended! What better way then to eat and shop, and shop and eat again? So we hit town!

I ordered a Beef Stone Bowl and Joey ordered a Okonomiyaki! The bill totaled to $20.60.

Advantages:

• Both the Beef Stone Bowl and the Okonomiyaki is about $8.80 (excluding GST and Service charge). This is rather cheap for a Japanese restaurant!
• They serve you plain water! (FREE! I always harp on water as it's important to allow your customers to quench their thirst after a meal)
• As my Beef Stone Bowl comes in a lunch set, I get a free salad and drink too! (That makes $8.80 so much more worth it!)
• The Okonomiyaki has loads of sauce just the way our guest Joey likes it! 
• The atmosphere is great and the staff is always greets customers in and out.

Disadvantages:

• The tables are place very close to each other, hence there it is rather hard to move around.
• The Beef Stone Bowl needs more sauce! (I prefer it sauce-y) 

Note:

• The set lunch meal is from 11.30am - 3.00pm.

So what are you waiting for? If you want some cheap Japanese food during lunch period here's your ticket!!! Go go go!!!

(Here's a picture of our guest Joey with a red bean dessert from Honeymoon Dessert at 313)

<3 FJ