A newly introduced page with a list of cafes, bars and restaurants the grumpy chef recommends and frequents.
1) Al forno, East Coast Road, Singapore : For home-style Italian food with mountains of pasta and giant pizzas. I recommend the Cartoccio and Aglio Olio Pepperocino, but there’s so much more good stuff! For wine, Mara is my choice.
2) Le Bistrot, Kallang Waterfront Stadium, Singapore: For an escape to little Paris. You couldn’t fault anything there, starters, mains and desserts are all good. A must-try, Poor Man’s Cavier and the Hot Chocolate dessert.
3) Nogawa, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore: For impeccable sushi and sashimi. A treat for all.
4) L’Entrecote, Duxton Hill, Singapore: For a quick steak. This is not fine dining nor a prime cut, but the sauce that it’s famed for, is not famous for nothing. Try the creme caramel, it’s beautiful. Beef bone marrow and the escargots are not to be missed either.
5) Wah Lok, Carlton Hotel, Singapore: For good dim sum. The Har Kow is a must try along with the Po Lo Bao and Char Siew Bao. Great for family lunches and gatherings.
6) Victor’s Kitchen, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore: Quick and easy Dim Sum. It’s almost like a small Hong Kong eatery. Everything is fast-paced. I recommend the H.K Summer Ice tea, Carrot Cake and Pan-Fried Chee Cheong Fun.
7) Salt Grill & Sky Bar, Ion Orchard, Singapore: For one the best gnocchis I’ve ever had.
8) Tsui Wah, Everywhere, Hong Kong: For the best Po Lo Yau in Hong Kong and other local Hong Kong eatery delights i.e. Instant Noodles with Luncheon Meat. Some outlets are open 24 hours!
9) Ah Biao Wanton Mee, Johor Baru, Malaysia: For a darn good Wanton Mee. Only 5 ringgit a portion. Opens from 1030pm- 11pm onwards. The noodles are a perfect texture. Wanton is great and so is the soup! You’ll want to sacrifice the waistline for this wanton mee.
10) Forty Hands, Yong Siak Street, Singapore: For a small luncheon or tea-break. Good coffee and great Tau Sau Pao. Unfortunately, it’s a little pricey.
11) Hong Kong Street Cze Char (uncertain about the exact name), Joo Seng (next to prime supermarket), Singapore: For damn shiok cze char, I recommend the beef fried rice, prawn paste chicken wings, sweet and sour pork, crispy fried baby squid, sambal french beans, dried shrimp potato leaves and not forgetting the pomfret steamboat. Great for any night, any day and best on cold wet nights. Last order about 930pm to 10pm.
