Froth - Asian Fusion Dining in CBD

What do you do if you love Chinese food but end up in a western restaurant because of work? Froth is an Asian Fusion Dining concept located at Ascott Raffles Place. It was introduced to me by a colleague who doesn't enjoy noodles or western food but he mentioned that the food at Froth resonated with him.

This Sio Bak Aglio ($24.90) was his recommendation. It's legitimately good! The sio bak has a very crispy skin with fat, juicy and tender meat. Its flavour was literally oozing out of every bite. To top it off, another friend who also doesn't appreciate these 'atas' dishes actually praised the sio bak. If this isn't valid testimony of the dish, I don't know what is.

The Chilli Crab Pasta ($24.90) is another noteworthy dish. For a start, the fried till crispy shellcrab is loud and distinct. The chef also included a fried mantou at the side which is pretty ingenious. The pasta sauce was slanting towards a tomato sweet flavour which kinda appeals however not spicy enough! As a whole though, the dish stands out for good execution and generosity.

I enjoyed my Prawn Aglio ($24.90) dish. At first glance, it looks kinda ordinary and the prawns used look like something my mom can prepare. Dishing into the linguine, my entire perspective change. For a start, the noodles were oozing with wok-hei flavour. I strongly believe that good pastas are fully immersive in both the initial taste and the subsequent after taste. This one left a lingering after taste which leaves you craving for more. It's western yet chinese which reminds you of char mee yet it's linguine and aglio olio.

I reserve special praise for the linguine. You notice that all 3 dishes were using the same noodles but they all carry their own distinctive taste. The fact that they are all supposed to be aglio olio but yet stand out in such a differentiated manner highlights the ingenuity of the chef's skill. I guess with the hotel price tag, it's a given. That said, good food is good food and my meal at Froth is definitely memorable.

Froth
2 Finlayson Green, Ascott Raffles Place
Singapore Level 2, Singapore 049247

Gyoza Bar

This week, time seems to fly faster than usual as I over-committed myself to a host of activities so that life is more productive and progressive. I'm waiting to watch Tottenham vs Manchester United as I'm typing this. Can't wait to watch the Premier League LIVE when I'm in London. We might as well call this week a sports week since I'm heading to the indoor stadium tomorrow for the WTA Finals.

This mid-week, I finally managed to meet the ever busy Fat Fat for dinner. Apparently Fat Fat was in Raffles Place for Yoga which she somehow 'missed' and thus we ended up dining at Gyoza Bar. This is an interesting bar cum ramen venue, hidden in an obscure stairway. It explains why the place is fairly quiet and empty when we got there. It's like a secret hidden haunt, and I'm feeling a bit selfish about sharing this to be honest.

We kicked started our meal with gyoza. Obviously right? Given the name of the restaurant....

So greedy Fat Fat and I (trust me, we almost always over order), ordered the 15 pieces Yaki Gyoza ($19.90) to share! I found the gyoza very generous with the meat, taste is on the milder side but the dish seems to jump to life when we dip it with the salt on the side. I'm certain it will appeal strongly to those with a lighter palette.

For mains, I ordered the Chicken Soup Ramen with Egg ($15) and Fat Fat settled for the Mazesoba with Soft Boiled Egg ($12.30). I pretty much enjoyed my chicken soup ramen. I found the soup to be sufficiently flavourful, ramen Q enough and the egg and char siew well prepared. I definitely felt some hearty satisfaction after my main.

Fat Fat too enjoyed her Mazesoba with soft boiled egg. The noodles were well prepared, seasoning sufficiently tasty and the overall dish definitely provided the adequate balance to the lightly flavoured gyoza.

Of course, Gyoza Bar as the name suggest meant we also enjoyed some hot sake to go with our food. There's a range of alcoholic selection and it's an awesome place to catch up with a friend. I liked it that it is quiet and cozy. You can sit there for hours without the stress of a hurried meal with long queues and many pairs of eyes staring at you to finish your meal.

I'll certainly be back again with another companion on another catch up session. I highly recommend this place if your companion loves the occasional alcohol indulgence with a fairly presentable dinner. I even think this is an awesome place to bring a first date! It is inexpensive, cozy with food and wine to complete the night out.

Gyoza Bar
7 North Canal Road, 048820

The Westin - Lobby Lounge

My weekends this week was great because of the company. Unfortunately I found the food at Populus Cafe not worth blogging about so I'll share with everyone somewhere else I dined at sometime this month which was another pampering experience.

I picked the Westin Lobby Lounge Seafood High Tea ($85++ for two) as a way to thank my Tai Tai friend for recommending me my latest job which I'm extremely happy with. Believe me, it's a very pampering experience with 2 champagne flutes, seafood platter, fresh lobster and oyster and desserts.

I just want to add that I thought this high tea set is extremely value for money because how often you get seafood and champagne for 2 at less than a hundred? 

I'd like to add that we met up for this high tea on a weekday afternoon. Believe me when I say that the feeling is awesome. Everyone else present from the business associates discussing their grand plans over food or the rich Tai-tais enjoying their regular afternoon teas to the young girls enjoying their girlfriend time while the rest of the world is working helps you enjoy your afternoon better. At least I did. Tai Tai friend was very satisfied with the entire experience too.

I strongly recommend giving the Westin Lobby Lounge Seafood High Tea a shot when you are on leave and want to have a pampering afternoon on a weekday. You'll appreciate the experience better.

Westin Singapore - Lobby Lounge 
12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2

A weekday food adventure...

I didn't even realize it's public holiday till someone asked if I was working today. Incidentally I am. In any case, all work and no play makes life really dull and it's not what I envision my life to be. Given that Vain Pot was on leave yesterday because she's flying off to Aussie, I took the opportunity to squeeze in another food exploration. Contrary to what some of my friends think, I need to work for a living even if my hours are flexible.

Vain Pot had errands to run prior to meeting me so we kinda had to settle for a quick lunch at Raffles Place. I've been wanting to try &Sons since I started a research on affordable places to lunch in the CBD area. The lunch menu is really value for money and worth every dollar paid in my opinion. 

The lunch was so rushed we didn't have the opportunity to order much. Besides, Vain Pot surprised me with dessert ... By now most regular readers know my love for spaghetti and I particularly like Aglio olio. My choice of Spaghettini with Fresh Prawns ($11.90) was really value for money. Just look at the generous serving of fresh prawns and you get the picture. The pasta was cooked till al dente and the olive oil that it's tossed with was just right. I like it that its not oily and the garlic taste was strong enough to give me satisfaction while I eat but yet not overwhelming. 

Vain Pot's choice of Linguine with Seafood Marinara ($11.90) was another dish which presents excellent value. The seafood was extremely generous and the pasta was al dente. I also like it that the tomato sauce carried with it some seaside freshness yet not overly sour unlike some restaurants who use ready made sauce. The only minor complain was that the dish would be perfect if it was slightly hotter. Within an air-conditioned compound, a lukewarm dish turns cold doubly fast. 

Would I come back again? It's a resounding yes! I can't wait to try more of their lunch menu, in fact I would and would edit this entry as I tackle the menu whenever I have the luxury of being in Raffles Place for lunch. There's a number of worthwhile places to lunch at in the CBD area but I felt &Sons tops the list in terms of the value and quality presented. 

&Sons

#01-19, China Square Central, 20 Cross Street

Another thing I thought I'd feature is the baked cheese tarts hailing from Hokkaido. Anybody who loves food probably knows of the insanely long queues at the open space at B4 of Orchard Ion. Vain Pot was nice enough to gift me a box. Freshly baked, it tastes heavenly because the crust is buttery and crispy with melted cheese that melts in your mouth. Each queuing person is only limited to two boxes and the box can last up to 4 days if you put it in the fridge. But eat it while it's fresh and piping hot and you'll realize it is worth the 1-2nour wait. 

BAKE Cheese Tarts

Orchard Ion, #B4-33