Opus Bar & Grill Review @ VOCO Orchard Singapore

Whenever our wedding anniversary draws near, I will start cracking my head to think of places to bring my wife - by now you should know she's Lady M. Places that I have not brought her to. To be fair, we covered most restaurants with a view. Last year's at Artemis, we did LeVeL33, SKAI, CÉ LA VI, Monti, Riviera.. As you see, we always do Western at Marina area for some reason. So this year after some researching and filtering, we chose Opus Bar & Grill, conveniently located at the newly refurbished VOCO Orchard - once called Hilton. For once something different.

Limbeh and Lady M 5 years already lo!

VOCO does house some fancy luxury brands, but just to set expectations right, the entrance isn't grand. Just as with a lifestyle hotel. Cosy, small, a couple of check-in counters, unlike hotels like MBS or Shangri-la. The location of Opus can be easily spotted beside the check-in counters.

Okay, first impression. Busy Friday night, most tables are filled with crowds chatting loudly away. What do you expect, it's a bar and grill. We were seated promptly, but the table beside was uncomfortably close to us (imagine less than 50cm - how I miss the COVID restrictions), so we requested for a change of table at least thrice before we got our butts nestled at a nice corner.

We got ourselves their freshly shucked oysters (half dozen, $31), which is nicely dosed with plum vinegar, soya and spring onions. The freshness and tanginess from the sauce really hit the spot. But considering one of them cost most than five bucks, I'd say they better taste good. Speaking of which, I do miss the ones we had at the oyster bar in Perth. Cheap and good.

Recipe: Egg Benedict + Literally Pay Lesser with Paylesser!

What's up my beautiful readers, because today, you are in for a treat. Ever thought of making cafe-grade brunch but you're not confident of your cooking skills? Or perhaps you are afraid to mess up your kitchen? I feel you, because that's what I used to be like this. Cooking is supposed to be fun, delicious, and seeing the smiles (hopefully) of people eating your creations is just worth it.

Okay, I am saving my saliva, or rather my finger strength for something else (if you know what I mean - to make more food la. Don't think dirty hor). Presenting to you limbeh's version of Egg Benedict, completed by toasted English bread, fresh Arugula salad, crispy prosciutto ham, and a beautifully poached egg slathered with homemade hollandaise sauce. Sounds complicated? (Actually it's just putting stuff together. lololol)

Bourbon Baby Back Ribs Promo at Morganfield's + GIVEAWAY

Happy Belated National Day from Morganfield's, the land of quality BBQ pork ribs. Although it was about four years since I first tried their signature Sticky Bones at their first branch (The Star Vista), I still remembered the taste. Back then, I wrote: "And the most brainless thing to do in Morganfield's is not to order their Sticky Bones." And yes, I am saying this again because these signature prime spareribs have a sweet and tangy barbeque taste infused in their soft, succulent meat which were slow cooked over hickory wood with a hint of cider. Oh damn, and yes, it is as yummy as it sounds (and definitely comparable to Tony Roma's).

Platypus Kitchen @ Bugis, Singapore

Platypus Kitchen has been on my to-visit list since their opening in 2012, but for unknown reasons (perhaps due to being a broke uni student) I didn't visit them. While eateries selling western cuisine is aplenty, Platypus Kitchen distinguishes itself with its array of handmade pastas (apparently the largest selection in Singapore) and creative gourmet creations at reasonable prices. Besides Platypus Kitchen, the Platypus restaurant group owns several other eateries, which also focuses on modern cuisine with Mediterranean and Italian influences.

Backstage Cafe @ Kallang Way, Singapore

Backstage Cafe is located at a industrial park in Kallang Way, somewhere between Kallang and Aljunied. Although it does sound slightly ulu, the ambience is beautifully crafted, accompanied by a spacious, industrial-style interior and high ceilings - definitely the kind of place where you can chill and watch the world goes by. One of the best things with cafes appearing in neighborhood locations is that people do not rush you. Ya know? Sometimes, you just wanna shout "kua simi kua?!"

Ricciotti Pizza Pasta Grill @ The Star Vista, Singapore

Nestled at a lovely corner at The Star Vista, Ricciotti Pizza Pasta Grill is a casual, home-style Italian restaurant that serves more-than-decent Italian cuisine  (duh). On top of their branches at China Square and Riverwalk, the outlet at Buona Vista features a contemporary setting with sleek wooden furniture and an Italian-inspired wall mural. There is also a nice alfresco dining place - a relaxing ambience for chilling out at night.

Supreme Pork Chop Rice (一品排骨饭) @ Beach Road, Singapore

Despite being constantly on the move, loyal customers never fail to track its location down within a short while. The reason is simple - reasonably-priced and good food. Moreover, it's location near the Bugis and City Hall area makes it a popular dining place for office workers. Recommendations from one of my dear friends led us here one weekday afternoon. Fortunately, it was not at all crowded at around 4pm. Besides the popular pork chop, this eatery specialises in fish fillets and other Taiwan-inspired dishes as well.

Griddy Gourmet Waffles @ Westgate, Singapore

Since Westgate opened its doors a few years ago, I have been frequenting Griddy Gourmet Waffles, a hidden gem specialising in waffles. Did you really think waffles are for desserts only? At Griddy, it's your standard Western cuisine. With a slight twist - just imagine having your burgers, with the burger buns replaced with savoury-sweet waffles. Ingenious.

Oh! For the wallet-conscious, their items are very, and really affordable. Most of their mains are priced around S$10 on average, plus you could add a few bucks to size up your meal with a drink and dessert waffle/chicken drumlets!

Artistry @ Jalan Pinang, Singapore

Hello hungry people! Sorry for the lack of updates these few weeks as university and work are really time-consuming, and I had to set my priorities right. So, anyway Christmas is once again around the corner, and I will most probably do up a Christmasy post soon. Please look forward to it!

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Nestled along Jalan Pinang, a quiet lane tucked away in the midst of Kampong Glam, Artistry is a cafe, which specialises in art and food. As one could have expected, the decor was cozy, with a great creativity amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Artistry serves as a platform for art-lovers, featuring live bands and an art gallery with paintings which are up for sale.

Waffle Slayer @ Kampong Bahru, Singapore

Located in the neighborhoods of Kampong Bahru, Waffle Slayer is an expansion and spin-off from its predecessor, Strangers' Reunion. Likewise for its cozy interior, this trendy cafe is built upon the rustic industrial concept, featuring vintage furniture and an open-kitchen. This cafe specialises nothing else other than its highly acclaimed waffles of assorted flavours, ranging from sweet to savoury delights.

We were there on a weekday afternoon and were surprised to find that the cafe is more than 80% full, mostly with females - maybe they are wired for waffles? God knows. Nevertheless, we got seated in a moment of time albeit the very limited seating.

Blisshouse @ Clarke Quay, Singapore

Enter the whimsical world of Blisshouse, a fairytale-themed restaurant which serves Western cuisine amongst beautifully crafted gardens and fountains (and even a carriage!) that you might only discover in Disney movies. Photo opportunities are aplenty, making this place a well-desired venue for events such as solemnisation ceremonies, birthday parties and product launches, etc. In fact, the day we were there, there was some ongoing filming where there were parlour chairs and a grand piano set.

Ambience definitely scored high for Blisshouse, and service was pretty good as I would have expected. The service staff were attentive and dishes did not take long to arrive. Food-wise, there were some negative reviews from friends' experience and through my prior research, hence to be utterly honest, my expectations were not high for their offerings.

Eggs & Berries 2 @ Westgate, Singapore

Having been there earlier this year for their brunch, I decided to visit Eggs & Berries once again. This time bringing a different date - well, my mother. Having a quirky and conceptualized name such as "Eggs & Berries" left little room for guessing, as most of their creations contain either the components of eggs or berries.

Eggs & Berries is well-known for their all-day American breakfast. Thus, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't try their breakfast dishes out. For starters, go for their Italia Eggs Benedict (single, S$14.90; doppio, S$18.90) - beautifully poached eggs complemented by a combination of English muffin, parma ham, salad greens, caviar and drizzled with hollandaise sauce. You know what's better? Perfect, runny egg yolks. (On this visit, rosti was unavailable, so they have to switch the side to hash-brown instead.)

Kith Cafe @ Park Mall, Singapore

This was not our first visit to this quaint cafe. The previous one left us with much disappointment. No, not because of their service nor their food, but because we did not have a reservation early for a weekend brunch. Foolish us - better should we know that Kith Cafe is overwhelmingly crowded, even on a normal weekday afternoon.

We tried their offerings, and were pleasantly surprised. Firstly, they have an incredible breakfast and brunch menu. Secondly, this menu lasts until 5pm daily. This is good news for people who still have breakfast cravings even in the late afternoon. Dear had Salmon and Eggs (S$16.50) - a brilliant combination of multi-grain toast spread with avocado mayo, two poached eggs, smoked salmon topped with black caviar, served alongside a heap of baby spinach and spicy baked beans. 

Yup, all of these for that price - highly recommended for both quality and price.

Tablescape @ Movenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa, Singapore

Planning the events for your significant other's birthday is a pleasurable hassle, you had to rack your brains what to do, what gift to get, not to even forget what to eat. Luckily, a few days before her big day, I came across this particular Groupon deal which saved both my cognition and wallet. Nonetheless, the restaurant is located at Movenpick Heritage Hotel, just a stone throw away from Sentosa's Imbiah station (also known as the "Merlion station"). You'll know when you're there. Other than their humongous hotel name in the classic Times New Romans font, the hotel has a luxurious exterior which exudes a contemporary mixture of colonial-style and grandeur.

It was a hot Friday afternoon when we arrived. Like most online deals, reservation have to be made prior. Anyway, the deal we had at that point of time was S$29 for a 3-course meal, which includes a starter, a main, and a dessert. Fish and Chips was one of the two mains - a melt-in-your-mouth rendition of the classic Western dish. The texture was a tad too mushy for my liking, however the beer battered exterior was golden and nicely crisp. So I'll forgive the former.

Hoshino Coffee @ Plaza Singapura, Singapore

Following Plaza Singapura's expansion, Hoshino Coffee has been boasting snaking long queues during meal-times, serving authentic Japanese cuisine, which includes their signature hand-dripped coffee and pancake souffles. Having recently been to Miam Miam, I would have to admit that there was an uncanny resemblance between the two, in terms of their offerings etc. I haven't had the former's main courses, so I shouldn't judge as much.

Nevertheless, if you had a chance to pass by Hoshino Coffee, I wouldn't be surprised if you got seduced by their eye-captivating artificial food display. Pancake Souffles, like I said, are one of their best-sellers - boasting a light, fluffy texture that it's sure to get any dessert-lover hooked on first bite. Prices are S$9.80 for one, and S$12.00 for the double (and, of course.. if you're in the right mind, you should get the latter for sharing). The pancake souffles are served with a dollop of cream and maple syrup. Preparation time takes 20 minutes, but as they always say.. Good things are worth the wait.

Compared to Miam Miam's rendition, Hoshino won hands-down.

Eggs & Berries @ Westgate, Singapore

Being an absolute brunch lover, I am always on the hunt for good brunch places. When Eggs & Berries opened another outlet at Westgate - the newest kid in the block of West Singapore, I knew I just had to check it out. Whilst having a weird combination of eggs and berries as their brand, they definitely made their statement when inSing featured them as the top 5 brunch places in Singapore.

So what are you waiting for? Dig in to a world of lovely eggs and berries-filled pancakes here.

Miam Miam @ Bugis Junction, Singapore

Nestled outside the second floor of BHG in Bugis Junction, Miam Miam is the newest addition of cafes locally. Bringing a combination of French artisanal cuisine and Japanese-inspired culinary arts, this casual restaurant promises the fresh flavours and the charms of the best of both worlds. Well, as a guy, shopping can be a tiring and sleepy chore, hence I always find comfort in desserts, and as a method to pick myself up via a sugar rush.

Alongside with a dose of their Matcha latte (S$6.80) - a soothing mixture of premium matcha and steamed milk, we had their highly acclaimed French Toast (S$9.80). Originally known as "pain perdu", their rendition of this French classic was fluffy, yet robust with a hint of sweetness. It comes with a scoop of home-made whipped cream (which I thought was vanilla ice cream initially) and maple syrup as well, and it is only sane to indulge a good piece of toast with those amazing pairings. As they say, good things are worth waiting, most of their desserts, including toasts and soufflés have a waiting time of 20 minutes (while they do their magic in the open-concept kitchen).

Tanglin Halt Western Food @ Clementi Market & Food Centre, Singapore

As part of the Healthy Food Hunt, jointly organised by South-West Community Development Council (SWCDC) and premier dining guide, Openrice, food-lovers united at Clementi Market and Food Centre on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a casual food tasting. (This is part two of a two-parts blog post, please click here for part one.)

Prior to this tasting experience, I have never tried Tanglin Halt Western Food before - not even once in their decades of business at Clementi Food Centre. No, it is not that their dishes are not to standard. Rather, it is the snaking long queue whenever their stall opens for business. (Now, if you're an avid reader of mine, you should know that queues are a huge turn-off to me. Yes, despite being a true blue Singaporean.) Every. Single. Time.

Read on what's drawing the crowd here.

W39 Bistro & Bakery @ West Coast, Singapore

There aren't many noteworthy cafes in the west, hence the recent addition of W39 was more than welcomed to the people residing in the near vicinity. Jointly opened by two sisters, this cosy, brightly-painted bistro and bakery sits quietly within the residential area of West Coast, bringing little hints of nostalgia - a cheery invitation for people from all walks of life. Despite being a newly opened cafe, seats during weekends are already hard to come by without prior reservations. Find out what's drawing the crowds to W39 here:

 

Marche Movenpick @ Jem, Singapore

Unlike the typical "credit-card system" that most Marches utilise currently, the brand new Movenpick outlet at JEM serves their dishes in a la carte style, bringing about a whole new dining experience. Yet, the ambience and concept was pretty much similar, coupled with rustic furniture, miniature pots of greeneries and soothing light, that resembles the interior of a cosy country-side restaurant. Al fresco dining is also available for diners to enjoy their meals amidst the occasional night breeze.

Their rendition of fried Ravioli was surprisingly good. The exterior was nice and crisp, but unfortunately, filled with barely sufficient fillings. This dish is served with their home-made sauce, which is difficult to distinguish between cheesy and sour creamy, kinda flavour. Makes a good side to go along with their beer.