Restaurant-Dining Critiques

Oosh
22 Dempsey Road
Tel. 65 6475 0002
Email: info@oosh.com.sg
Website: www.oosh.com.sg
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

Oosh is located at the former British Army barracks district at Tanglin Village (Dempsey Hill) formerly known as Dempsey Road. The alfresco bar and restaurant has a long beautiful sushi bar, attractive and artfully-lit cabanas along with numerous aquatic special effects. You will find an extensive drinks menu listing most of the premium liquors available. Sensibly, there is a dress code: no slippers, singlets or cut-offs.

A lot of thought has gone into the architecture, design, and décor, it is really very well coordinated. The negatives are that the service is slow in spite of a service call button, and the prices are high for food that is only average at best, and drinks and wine are unfairly marked up. It is not necessary to dwell anymore on this establishment except to say; that it is a romantic place to visit but the bullet stops there—nothing else will impress!

275 Thompson Rd., #01-05 Novena Ville, Singapore
307645 (opposite Novena Church)
Opening Hours: 10am-2am
Tel. 6255 6396 Take Away

As is so often the case, the landlord thought that Wee Nam Kee chicken rice was doing such a good business that they did not renew the lease and took over the shop house themselves to serve chicken rice,
and Wee Nam Kee was forced to move up the street, where they still are doing a thriving business while
the landlord’s operation went bust.

1 Empress Place, Asian Civilisations Museum
Tel. 65/6339-1720
Modern Chinese, Vietnamese, Lao/Cambodian, French
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs noon-2:30pm and 6:30-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-2:30pm and 6:30pm-midnight
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate

The view of the Singapore River with a backdrop of skyscrapers is the most effective part of the décor at IndoChine, embellishing this are lotus flower-shaped crystal chandeliers and towering Sukothai Buddha statues, which blend the charms of the old world with what we are offering today; convenience.

The cleverly designed and implemented menu gives a glimpse of truly authentic Indochinese cuisine prepared by chefs from Indo-China. More traditional Vietnamese favorites, like spring rolls and prawns grilled on sugar cane, are good starters.

IndoChine has other sister restaurants, one in a quaint Chinatown shophouse

Club Street

49B Club St.; tel. 65/6323-0503) and another in Wisma Atria on Orchard Road #01-18/23 (tel. 65/6238-3470).

IndoChine Forbidden City
3A Merchant’s Court, River Valley Road, #01-02, Singpore
Restaurant madame Butterfly (+65 6557 6266
Bar CoCoon +65 6557 6268
Bamboo Bar

Siem Reap 1
44 Lor Mambong Holland Village, Singapore +65 6468 5798
Stop by for a drink and appetizers or for dinner that is enhanced by the extensive wine list, a mix of New World and Old World wines.

Raffles Grill
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673 Singapore
Tel. +65 6337 1886
Opening Hours: Lunch: Monday to Friday - 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm; Dinner: Monday to Saturday - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
http://www.raffles.com/raffles/mini_site/mini_site_dining_entert
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Very Expensive

The formal dining room known previously as the Main Dining Room (1899) and the Elizabethan Grill (in the 1950’s) and now named simply, Raffles Grill has been beautifully restored to its original luster with French windows overlooking the Palm Court, the Raffles Grill captures the true essence of fine dining. The kitchen is in the very capable hands of, Chef Jean Charles Robert who weaves a blend of contemporary and classical French cuisine. You may choose from either the a la carte or degustation menus, everything I sampled was superb. There is a large 400 plus wine list with vintages dating back to 1890.
Gentlemen are required to wear a collared long sleeve shirt and a jacket, although not required, would be advisable. Of course, dress pants and shoes are also required.

Chatterbox

333 Orchard Road
Level 1, Mandarin Singapore Hotel
Singapore SG, 238867
Tel. +65 6831 6288; 6737 4411
web: http://www.mandarin-singapore.com/weddnrest_chatterbox.html
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Inexpensive-Moderate

This at one time was one of the best places to find Hainanese chicken rice, a local favorite. In fact, the dish is the main reason to dine here. The chicken is firm; the rice fragrant while the ground chilli sauce with ginger provides the finishing touch. Other local favorites include the nasi lemak with its fragrant coconut milk rice and fresh sambal chilli, and laksa. There is also a wine list.

Prego

2 Stamford Road
Level 1, Raffles The Plaza
Singapore SG, 178882
Tel. +65 6431 6156; 6338 8585
Opening Hours: Lunch: 11.30am-2.30pm daily. Dinner: 6.30pm-10.30pm daily.
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate

This casual modern trattoria located in the Colonial District has become one of the more popular Italian restaurants in Singapore, although it may not be at the same level as it was 15 or so years ago it is still a viable choice and a very comfortable and pleasant experience. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow natural light to stream in and the décor creates a relaxed ambience that appeals to the upscale diner as well as the younger crowd. The wood-fired pizzas are freshly made and offer a wide selection. Many of the pasta dishes are good as are osso buco and grilled items such as pork chops and baby chicken. A good selection of Italian wine is available by the glass.

39 Scotts Road, Singapore 228230
Sheraton Towers Singapore
Reservations
(65) 6737 6888
Sheraton Towers Lower Lobby Level
39 Scotts Road, Singapore 228230
Tel. +65 6839 5623
Fax. +65 6737 1072
Website: http://www.sheratonsingapore.com/libai.html#menu1
Opening Hours: Monday- Saturday
Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner: 6:30am – 10:30pm
Sunday
Lunch: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner: 6:30am – 10:30pm
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

I remember first dining at Li Bai and gave it one of the highest ratings for the Chinese category in 1990 and being most impressed by the jade chopsticks and silver holders along with the bone china plates and elegant décor, as well as its excellent Cantonese cuisine.
Named after the famous Tang Dynasty Poet, the restaurant is known for its proper service, Dim Sum and the Sunday Yum Cha, which has become a habit for their regular patrons.
Executive Chinese Chef Chung Yiu Ming was born in Hong Kong, the center of authentic Cantonese cuisine, he has had 30 years of experience as a chef of Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong, China and Singapore.
A few of his specialties are: Pan-fried Lamb Chop with Black Pepper Sauce, Sautéed King Prawn with Shimeiji Mushroom in X.O. Chilli Sauce and Sautéed Superior Shark’s Fin with Crabmeat & Beansprouts served with Shark’s Bone Soup. It is interesting to note, that the name “X.O. Sauce” was coined by Yutaka Oyamada, the chairman of Clarion Corporation, when he was in Hong Kong and a well-known chef served him this sauce. When Mr. Oyamada asked him the name of this delicious sauce the chef replied, “It has no name”. Mr. Oyamada though for a minute, and said, “It will be called X.O. sauce”, because my nickname is “O” and I adore Cognac. The chef agreed, the name stuck and it was copied everywhere.

85 Club Street
Tanjong Pagar
069453
Tel. +65 6225 6879
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday
Lunch: Noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: 7pm – 10:30pm
Saturday
Dinner: 7pm – 10:30pm
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate-Expensive

This restaurant is located in a pre-war shophouse and has served good French cooking since its opening in 1998 by its Parisian owners. Everything about it is French including the surly waiters. Inside the high-ceilinged room, crisp white linen-covered tables are set spaciously apart. The outside dining area is pleasant, although there are only two tables.

176 Orchard Road, #04-17/18 Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Ph : 6734 2192, 6734 2249 ; Fax : 6734 2337

391 Orchard Road, #04-16 Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
Ph : 6734 3434, 6737 3133 ; Fax : 6734 5627

1 Woodlands Square, #03-43, Singapore 738099
Ph : 6893 7555 , 6893 7666 ; Fax : 6893 5690

A small chain of authentic Indonesian cuisine slightly modified to accomodate the local taste. Some of the more popular items are: Tahu Telur, Ayam Panggang Rojak, Ayam Marrica, Beef Rendang, Kepala Ikan, Sotong Kalio, Sambal Udang, Satay Chicken, Sop Asam, Gado-Gado, Desserts - ice cendol & beverages
The blended avocado with coffee is a unique experience; as far as I am concerned, once is enough.

1 Scotts Road
#02-16 Shaw Centre
Singapore SG, 228208
Tel. +65 6733 2225
Email: lesamis@lesamis.com.sg
Website: http://www.lesamis.com.sg
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday
Lunch: Noon – 2:00pm
Dinner: 7pm – 9:45pm
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

Les Amis first opened its doors in 1994 and has had an extensive remodel in 2007 by Tan Kay Ngee, a local architect. The facade exudes nothing unusual and is almost unnoticeable and the interior might be considered cold by some.
Two of the orginal founding partners, Justin Quek and Ignatius Chan have left; Quek to open restaurants in Taiwan and Chan has opened Iggy’s at the Regent Hotel, chef Gunther Hubrechsen left to start his own restaurant Gunther’s also in Singapore. There are queries whether the new resident chef, Thomas Mayr who has worked the circuit in Italy, Germany and the United States will be able to continue the former level of unfailing ingenuity and quality of the previous kitchen.
I believe it will be difficult to capture the restaurant’s original esteem and only time will tell if it will make marks with its new direction.