db Bistro Moderne, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

New Year saw us in Singapore and what better place to have dinner than at Marina Bay Sands!

After scanning through the celebrity chef restaurants, we decided to have dinner at db Bistro, as the menu piqued our interests.

“db Bistro Moderne offers an exciting mix of traditional French bistro cooking with contemporary American flavors, and a world-renown collection of signature burgers. Chef Daniel Boulud reinterprets the classic Parisian bistro while sharing the energy and style of his acclaimed db Bistro Moderne in Midtown Manhattan.” - http://www.dbbistro.com/singapore/about/

Let’s start with the appetizers!

Prosciutto Ham, 20 grams (SGD 35)

Gaj: The ham was nothing short of amazing! I have always loved prosciutto and this did not disappoint! Definitely will have seconds!

Shiv: A fantastic way to start our meal – the prosciutto was cured to perfection, with a good balance of brine and meat. It was not too dried out, and the accompanying rocket salad and bruschetta made for a magnificent marriage of flavours.

Kav: Generally love prosciutto, but this one just elevated that feeling of love to obsession. Savoury, brine-y goodness!

Seafood and Vegetable Aioli, Olive Oil Poached Cod, Tiger Prawns, Market Vegetables, Garlic Aioli (SGD 18)

Gaj: The cod was very disappointing as it lacked flavour and the garlic aioli was equally flavourless. The prawns were alright, but unfortunately, it was not enough to make up for the disappointment.

Shiv: The prawns and mussels were fresh and the assorted vegetables were dressed well. However, the unacceptably stale cod completely put us off this one! And, is it just me, or who serves breadsticks at a place like this?!?!

Kav: Shock through my heart!!!! Bad Bad Bad!!! Cod was dried out (It’s an oily fish, hardly needs any help), garlic aioli - blah blah blah, the rest - blah blah blah

Escargots Persillade, Herbed Garlic Almond Butter Roasted Tomatoes (SGD 25)

Gaj: Not the best escargots that I have had, but the herbed garlic almond butter sauce was divine!

Shiv: Good, but certainly did not blow my socks off! The earthiness of the herbed-almond butter provided a nice contrast to the pungent garlic flavour, but the texture of the flesh itself wasn’t as palatable as can be. I have certainly tasted better. (Try: Acme Bar and Coffee)

Kav: Loved this dish, garlic-almond butter was earthy and savoury at the same time, which made for an explosion in my mouth.

Oliver’s Alsatian Tarte Flambée Fromage Blanc, Bacon, Onion (SGD 18)

Gaj: This was a simple dish and it was good!

Shiv: Nice take on the classic Italian pizza, this French favourite was sublime in its simplicity. The chef relied on the perfect union of gruyere, bacon and thinly-rolled bread dough to carry the dish, and rightfully so, as it needed little else.

Kav: The most amazing part of this dish was that there was almost nothing in it. Just goes to show that the medley of a few key ingredients makes for an incredible dish. Cheese, bacon, chives & onion... Yum!!!

Now on to the mains!

Saffron Tagliolini, Fresh Spanner Crab, Tomatoes, Chili Italian Parsley, Lemon and Olive Oil (SGD 38)

Gaj: This dish was really disappointing, the crab was not infused in the pasta and the lemon and olive oil was not enough to carry the dish. Overall, there was a general lack of flavour.

Shiv: This dish looked and sounded better than it actually tasted! The pasta lacked oomph, and the spanner crab, which was expected to do all the work in rendering flavour to the dish, fell short of doing so. Shame!

Kav: Agree with Gaj that there was a general lack of flavour. I din get no crab flavour, y’all! This made for bland pasta!

Duck Confit, Brussels Sprout Marmalade, Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Sweet Onions, Natural Jus (SGD 36)

Gaj: The duck confit was amazing! The flesh just fell off the bone and the accompanying sauce was nothing short of perfection! Really really good!

Shiv: Possibly the best duck confit I have ever tasted! The duck was beautifully brined, and the skin was crisped to a perfect brown. The flesh was sublimely savoury and moist without being too lardy, making the meat magnificently moreish. This main DOES NOT NEED sauce or sides, for that matter.

Kav: This was just so fatty, greasy and salty, and the skin… Mmm… So help me god if I have to be that sinful again!!! The skin was just cooked perfectly, without being dried-out, and accompanied the tender duck meat beautifully.

The original db Burger, Sirloin Burger filled with Braised Short Ribs and Foie Gras served on a Parmesan Bun (SGD 42)

Gaj: True to its reputation, this place does serve world-class burgers! This is definitely one of the best burgers that I have ever eaten. The meat was done perfectly, and who knew foie gras and beef would make such a good couple!

Kav: What on earth?!?!?! Are you telling me that I have been through 28 years of life, and not tasted only the most incredible meat in the world? %$#!$!$%! It was truly the most amazing burger I have ever tried. The patty was so juicy and savoury, with just the right cook (medium rare – no better way, trust me.), and the flavours that came through, ooh… It was almost like having a pork and lamb patty all at once. TOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!

Now for the best part of the meal... Desserts!

Profiteroles (SGD 15)

Gaj: This is definitely the best profiteroles that I have ever tried - the chocolate sauce was soo good, I must have died and gone to heaven – totally AMAZEBALLS!

Shiv: Tasty, but not the best I’ve tried (La Vie En Rose makes ‘em better!). The pastry was fluffy, and filled adequately with custard, and the chocolate ganache topping coated the pastry balls nicely, without overwhelming the dessert.

Kav: One of the best profiteroles I have tried, as the chocolate was smooth and a tad bitter (just the way I like it) and the cream puffs were light and fluffy, which carried the heavy ice cream and chocolate perfectly. Also, love the fact that it was not too sweet, as most profiteroles are.

Crème Brûlée (SGD 12)

Gaj: Very very good crème brûlée. Would definitely have seconds! Yums!

Shiv: A very well-executed dessert! The subtle orange-flavour infusion and the texture of the custard base were perfect, without being too egg-y. Also, the burnt caramel layer on the top was flambéed faultlessly – no annoying burnt bits! One of my favourites of the French dessert variety, db’s version hit all the sweet spots. Only wish it came in a larger portion!

Kav: Probably one of the best crème brûlée I have tried, in a long time. It was creamy and smooth, without being overly sweet, plus the flambé was done just right, without burning the sugar, that is.

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Expensive. SGD426.07 for 7 dishes, 2 desserts, 4 glasses of wine and 1 fruit juice. However, this is expected for an establishment such as db Bistro Moderne, not to mention, it is one of the cheaper celebrity chef restaurants at MBS, Singapore.

AMBIENCE: Cosy, warm with a modern bistro vibe – perfect for a date or business lunch/dinner, or even for family get-togethers. There is also a 15-seater bar as well as an informal lounge area for casual dining and a private room seating up to 20.

SERVICE: Food arrived promptly and the service was excellent, despite the restaurant being very busy for New Years Eve. Kudos to the staff of db!

FOOD: Good. The original db burger, duck confit and desserts are a MUST TRY!

db Bistro Moderne

B1-48 Galleria Level (across from the theater)

Marina Bay Sands,

10 Bayfront Avenue

Singapore

Tel: +65 6688 8525

Website: http://www.dbbistro.com/singapore/

Opening Hours:-

Lunch
Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Weekend Brunch
Saturday - Sunday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Dinner
Sunday & Monday 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm - 11:00pm

Capri Restaurant Bar and Pizzeria, Lumut

A recent visit to the coastal town of Lumut had us prowling the area for a suitable location to enjoy a leisurely lunch with loved ones. Once a fishing village, it is now the home base of the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Lumut jetty forms the entry point to the famed Pangkor Island – a popular tourist destination.

No doubt, Lumut is well-known for its abundance in seafood items, and as such, we chose to dine at an Italian-inspired restaurant, located unassumingly at one of the back alleys of the town.

Our samplings for the day included:

Pizza Salmone e Capperi – Smoked salmon and capers (RM36).

Shiv: Delicious! The salmon was super fresh and smoked to perfection and capers added a nice tartness to the pizza. The crust was done well and the resulting dish was just sublime.

Kav: The pizza was simply delicious. The smoked flavor from the salmon was complimented by the piquant flavours from the capers. The best part…unlike most salmon pizzas, this one did not have a cream cheese topping.

Linguine ai Gamberi e Capperi – Prawns and capers in spicy garlic sauce (RM26).

Shiv: The pasta was al dente and the prawns were succulent and flavourful. The spicy garlic sauce was deliciously savoury and carried the dish amazingly. Yummylicious!

Kav: The pasta was well quoted with the spicy garlic sauce. The fresh prawns and the accompanying flavors from the olives and capers made this dish grand.

Fish & Chips – Fish fillet dipped in batter, deep-fried and served with potato chips and salad (RM23).

Shiv: The fish was moist and fell apart instantly upon prodding! The batter was also not too thick, and added a lovely crisp exterior to the fantastically fluffy fish. Also, nice to know that they did not overlook the potato chips, as they were crispy and NOT rancid.

Kav: This dish would have been great if the batter was less thick. The winning point, however, was that the fish was cooked and seasoned well.

Fish Parmigiana – Pan-fried fish fillet topped with pizzaiola sauce and melted cheese (RM26).

Shiv: The pièce de résistance of Capri, this parmigiana was prepared beautifully with the fish taking centre stage and the cheese and tomato purée layer not overwhelming the entire dish (as it sometimes can). Again, the fish was really fresh and the potatoes were baked stunningly. Highly recommended!

Kav: Lovely dish. The cheese did not overwhelm the fish and the tomato purée was not overly sweet.

Tiramisu – Coffee soaked sponge fingers layered with mascarpone cheese (RM13).

Shiv: Amazing! The tiramisu was authentic and light, with attention paid to the individual layers. The distinct flavour notes of coffee and liqueur were very well-balanced and the mascarpone layer was whipped to a perfect consistency. Who would have thought, huh… =)

Kav: This one took me by surprise. It was just delish. The ratio of coffee-soaked sponge fingers to mascaporne was perfect, and had just the right amount of liqueur to enhance the dessert.

Mud Cake – Rich chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream (RM13).

Shiv: OMG! They did not overstate the description on the menu, as it was chock-full of rich and moist chocolate, without being cloying! Good quality chocolate was used and the vanilla ice cream elevated this to a whole different level. A mighty fine creation, I might add.

Kav: Again, kudos to the chef, as it was an excellent chocolate cake. The cake was moist, rich and just heavenly. Loves!!!

Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream (RM10 per single scoop or RM19 for double scoop).

Shiv: I am not a big fan of chocolate ice cream, but this was good. It was light, easy to eat and had just the right amount of cocoa.

Kav: Love chocolate ice creams and this one was really good!!!

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Average. RM170.50 for 4 mains and 3 desserts (5pax).

AMBIENCE: Cool café atmosphere with a warm and cosy interior, and a rustic bar adorning one side of the restaurant. Reminiscent of an old English pub, this eatery has al fresco dining options available for those who want to enjoy the lovely sea breeze.

SERVICE: Excellent. The staff was pleasant and attentive, and food arrived promptly.

FOOD: Delicious. Very fresh seafood, with good flavour infusions. A must-try, if you happen to find yourself in Lumut!

CAPRI RESTAURANT, BAR AND PIZZERIA

4174, JALAN SULTAN IDRIS SHAH,

32200 LUMUT

PERAK

Tel/Fax: 05-683 3112

Opening hours:

Mon - Sun: 11:30 am - 11:30 pm

Canoodling, Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur

Let’s CANOODLE!!!

Another one of The B.I.G group restaurants, Canoodling serves Chinese hawker food in a very convenient and affordable way.

These are what we had:

Dan Dan Mein (RM12.90)

Hand-made noodles tossed in a peanut buttery spicy Szechuan sauce with minced chicken heaped with curly cucumber & crunchy peanuts.

However, we replaced the hand-made noodles to charcoal noodles... SCORE!

Mien: This is my usual at Canoodling. Love the peanut-y taste, mixed with the taste of the charcoal noodles. Tasty on its own or with the Pan Mee chilli. LOVES! Peanut butter lovers... this is the one for you!!!

Shiv: The pleasant and aromatic taste of peanut sauce, married with the earthiness of the charcoal noodles make this a go-to dish here. Simplistic and fresh – reminiscent of rojak pasembor.

Kav: Nicely done dish. The peanut sauce and charcoal noodles are a good pairing. Taste better with a heaped spoon of Pan Mee chilli (not for the faint of heart though).

Gaj: Enjoyed this dish, a big favourite amongst peanut butter lovers!

Pasta Pad Thai (RM14.90)

A classic reinvented; linguine stir-fried Thai-style with prawns, squid, egg & bean sprouts, garnished with fresh coriander & peanuts.

Mien: Tasty... Just the right amount of spice and sourness! You can taste the ‘Thai-ness’ of this dish!

Shiv: Loved this. The linguine was al dente and the Thai-style base coating the pasta was not sweet, as you find in most pad thai noodles. Not too spicy, and the freshness of the seafood is worth a mention.

Kav: Loved this dish. The tanginess of the sauce was perfect together with the crunchy bean sprouts and earthy coriander. Again add a little Pan Mee chilli for a little spice!!!

Gaj: I am usually not a big fan of pad thai as it is has a sweetness to it, but this dish was good, not too sweet and generous amount of ingredients.

Wok Fried Loh Shu Fun (RM14.90)

Thick rice noodles wok-fried with seafood, egg, beansprouts, chives, a touch of chilli and garlic.  

This noodle comes with sambal.

Again, we decided to become chefs, and requested for the thick rice noodles to be replaced with yellow egg noodles.

Mien: One of the better Loh Shu Funs I have tasted in a loooong time. Really good. The sambal is sour and spicy! Yummy!!

Shiv: Fantastic! They managed to achieve the brilliant wok hei flavour, and the garlic adds a nice pungency to the dish. This one needs no help with additional condiments.

Kav: The garlic-y flavour combined with the wok hei and seafood flavour was just sublime. The replacement of the noodles were brilliant as egg noodles are more flavourful than the Loh Shu Fun noodles (not a big fan of Loh Shu Fun noodles).

Gaj: Probably the best dish of the night! Love the spiciness of the dish and the yellow egg noodle actually taste better than the thick rice noodles. Great swap idea, Kav!

XO Chee Cheong Fun (RM6.90)

Wok-fried rice flour sheets in our special XO sauce, made with dried shrimps, scallops, chillies, garlic & spices.

Mien: This has a very unique taste, but in a good way! The portion is small as this is an appetiser.

Shiv: The xo sauce had a deliciously unique flavour, but I wish they had been a little more generous with the shrimps and scallops, as the chee cheong fun can be quite floury without the host of other ingredients to help it. Also, I wish they would serve this in a regular portion so big eaters, such as moi, can have our fill… =)

Kav: Agree that it should come in a bigger portion, as I couldn’t get enough of it. This was hands down the best dish of the night. Was very much like a classic Char Kuey Teow except with thicker rice flour sheets. My only complaint is that there was a lack of ingredients as the noodles were thick and it drowned the other ingredients and flavouring. Loves!!!

Gaj: This dish is interesting, I have never had this variation of Chee Cheong Fun before. It was really good, the spiciness and XO sauce complimented the Chee Cheong Fun. A perfect dish if you are not too hungry and a small portion is sufficient.

* Canoodling is now closed until further notice. Their rental contract with Bangsar Village II ended, and it is in the process of finding a new home! QUICKLY FIND A HOME CANOODLING!!!!!!!!!

** Ricetaurant, under the B.I.G group as well is located directly next to Canoodling, and one can order from the Ricetaurant menu in Canoodling and vice-versa. However, Ricetaurant is also closed due to the same reason as Canoodling.

Auf Wiedersehen Canoodling, until we meet later!

Verdict: WOK ON!

PRICE: Reasonably priced for hawker style food in an accessible, clean and convenient environment.

AMBIENCE: Simple decorations and child friendly. They provide crayons for doodling and most of their utensils are plastic, so no danger of tiny tots breaking anything.

SERVICE: Prompt, good service, and the waiters are more often than not willing  to oblige our requests to swap to different varieties of noodles.

FOOD: Good, tasty hawker style food. We will definitely revisit when Canoodling sets up shop at another location.

CANOODLING,

2F-29, SECOND FLOOR,

BANGSAR VILLAGE 2,

NO.1 JALAN TELAWI 1,

BANGSAR BARU,

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Opening Hours:

11am -10pm, daily.

(9.45pm: Bar & Kitchen last order.)