Can your camera take beautifully saturated photographs like these?

Try a lomo camera. All the photographs you see above are taken using the Holga 135BC camera, and I have one purple unit to give away!

Here’s what the purple camera looks like:

For a chance to win this camera, simply identify correctly the following locations.

#1

Clue: The Big Swamp Land, the 2nd satellite town in Singapore

#2

Clue: One where we get our water from

You can find the answers from the SG Tidbits 365 photo contest entries. Once you know the answers, submit them here.

Terms and Conditions:

1. All submissions have to be submitted by 2359 on 22 Nov 2009 using the Google Form found in this blog post.
2. Each participant may submit up to three entries but only one entry with both correctly identified locations will stand a chance to win.
3. The winner will be determined via lucky draw from all participants with correct entries.
4. Each winner is only eligible to win ONE prize from this contest.
5. The winner has to collect the prize in person on the stipulated date, time and venue, which will be revealed in the winning notification email.
6. The prize cannot be transferred, negotiated nor exchanged. Only the prizewinner and not any other person or agent, may claim the prize. 24seven, and its partners for this contest, reserves the right to use the winner’s name, picture and information for publicity purposes, including but not limited to print, broadcast and online media.

Want more prizes? Participate in the SG Tidbits 365 photo contest. Snap a picture/video with your camera (or camera phone) and you may win prizes including an iPhone 3GS.

1. INQmobile Freebies Promotion Extended
2. INQmobile Contest Winners and Freebies Promotion
3. Share What You Like About INQmobile and Win $200! [Closed]
4. LG Viewty 3G Mobile Phone – Black Beauty
5. Sparklette on iPhone!
6. Hawt Kevin with His Hawt Pocket PDA

Posted by Veron in Contests, Tech category.
Tags: camera, gadget

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/tech/holga-camera/ | 4 comments

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© 2003-2009 Sparklette

The INQ Mini 3G social networking phone that comes pre-installed with various social networking software such as Facebook and Twitter can be yours for free!

The freebies promotion has been extended to November 30 at all hello! shops.

Don’t forget to use this voucher print-out:

Enlarge and print

Get it and start social networking on the go!

1. INQmobile Contest Winners and Freebies Promotion
2. Share What You Like About INQmobile and Win $200! [Closed]
3. LG Viewty 3G Mobile Phone – Black Beauty
4. Sparklette on iPhone!
5. Hawt Kevin with His Hawt Pocket PDA
6. LG Shine 3G Mobile Phone – My First Impression

Posted by Veron in Tech category.
Tags: gadget, mobile phone, social networking software

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/tech/inqmobile-freebies/ | 2 comments

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Color me impressed. The Sapore Italiano caffé-bar has opened on our island with style. Whether it’s espresso coffee in the morning, a pizza for lunch, or a nice after-work aperitivo (with a free buffet spread!), you can enjoy gourmet food all day long. Welcome to gourmet paradise!

With over 20 outlets worldwide, their goal is to spread Italian culture and provide diners with a true Italian experience. There are specially imported Italian beverages and authentic Italian food. Many of the staff are Italian. Even the flat-screen TV screens show Serie A football!

A tasting session comprising various gourmet food reveals that this is so much more than just a bar.

Pizza

Order pizza! That is my first advice to any customer here. You can’t go wrong with the house specialty of Pizza SI SI, which is the squid ink pizza.

Pizza SI SI
$22++

I’ve had black pasta before. As for black pizza, that’s definitely a first.

The pizza is smothered in a succulent tomato gravy with a good spread of seafood such as octopus, squid and prawn. The marvelous seafood flavor that fills the mouth bite after bite easily makes this the most enjoyable pizza I’ve ever had. Mmm… And that’s not all.

Check out how thin the crust is! Minimal carbs! Yes, you can indulge in this pizza without taking a guilt trip or ditching that Atkins diet.

Tagliatelle Dello Chef
$19++

The chef’s special pasta of tagliatelle with a mild-flavored sauce comes with slices of chicken breast meat. The accompanying cheese wafer is crispy and delightful, and adds much taste to the dish.

Asparagus soup
$12++

The chilly days ahead are the perfect occasion to warm up to some cream soup. The zuppa di asparagi is good comfort food. Instead of the usual bowl, it’s served in a tall glass! While the texture is mostly creamy smooth, some small chunks of asparagus remain intact, providing that characteristically tender chewiness.

Next: We sample the house brand coffee and specially imported cocoa, as well as the designer gelati.

Coffee

“Your cappuccino with one liter of milk and a bit of coffee — this is not cappuccino, it’s café latte,” says founder Pietro Mazza.

Well, I have to agree. I can’t really tell the difference between the cappuccino and café latte we get at most coffee chains. Can you?

Here, coffee addicts enjoy a wide range of fresh coffee from the house brand.

Marocchino
$6++

The marocchino, not available elsewhere in Singapore, comes in a delicate glass cup. This is basically a shot of espresso coffee garnished with frothed milk and a light sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. The fresh coffee aroma certainly makes this a nice morning pick-me-up!

Gourmet Chocolate

For cocoa connoisseurs, a wide range of gourmet chocolate beverages from the Italian gourmet chocolate brand Cioccoliamo is available.

Gourmet chocolate
$7-9++

There, cocoa in a cup! These come in 12 exquisite flavors including White Chocolate, Gianduja Chocolate and even Chocolate with Chili Pepper!

Aside from the pizza, what I find most impressive on the menu is definitely the gelati that are made in-house. It’s not only the common gelato scoops that you can get here, but entire sculptures of culinary arts! Adorned with fruit slices or rocher, these look more like elaborate floral displays!

Chock-full with low-fat gelato and assorted fruits like kiwi, orange and strawberry, this is certainly more healthful than your typical ice cream dessert. Perfect for sharing with someone close!

Coppa Della Casa
$20++

If you look closely, the pink gelato in this bowl of colorful delights has been shaped to resemble spaghetti. It reminds me of the spaghetti with meatball ice cream at Icekimo!

For more gelato art, check out these restaurant menu designs:

If we aren’t already stuffed, we would have gone for the Coppa Rocher, too. Filled with Rocher candies, it is every chocolate lover’s dream!

Aren’t these awesome? Every one of these gelato sundaes is so huge and impressive!

Next: Let’s take a look at the free buffet and hot girls!

Have you ever seen these cool soda drinks? They are from the Abbondio Vintage range, with soda labels featuring beautiful pin-up girls.

Colorful! And totally appealing to at least half the population in the world.

One huge draw of Sapore Italiano is the free buffet spread of appetisers and finger food at Happy Hour (6-8pm daily). Feast on mini pizza, raviolis and fruit cocktails for free with any purchase of an alcoholic drink.

Now you know where to go for an authentic Italian experience!

Sapore Italiano
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road #01-15
Singapore 179103
(65) 6333 4236
Service rating:

8am – 12midnight (weekdays)
10am – 12midnight (weekends)
Happy Hour: 6 – 8pm daily

1. Pasta Inc – A Taste of Italy
2. Swensen’s 1-for-1 Ice Cream & Dessert Buffet!
3. Ricciotti Italian Deli & Pastry – Decadent Desserts
4. Icekimo – Eat Like an Eskimo!
5. Kia Hiang Restaurant – Durian Delicacy
6. Ben & Jerry’s – Free Cone Day 2009!

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: buffet, dessert, italian, pizza, raffles city, rocher

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/sapore-italiano/ | 10 comments

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Last month, I ran a contest to seek your opinion on what makes the INQ social networking phones so cool. In true social networking fashion, many of you left comments here, tweeted, Plurked and Facebook updated!

Well, we have a winner! Actually, 2 in fact.
- Wei Wen wins S$100 cash and S$100 shopping vouchers.
- Out of all the contestants across 10 blogs, Sparklette reader Daphne wins the grand prize of S$500 cash.

Congratulations!

If you have been looking to lay your hands on one of these social networking devices, grab your chance now! Sign up for your INQ Mini 3G mobile phone at the roadshow this weekend and get these freebies with this voucher print-out:

Enlarge and print

- 3x INQ Mini 3G mobile phone battery covers (worth $34.95)
- Waiver of registration and SIM card charges (worth $42.80)
- One lucky customer each day wins a 12-month SingTel mobile subscription.

1. INQmobile Freebies Promotion Extended
2. Share What You Like About INQmobile and Win $200! [Closed]
3. LG Viewty 3G Mobile Phone – Black Beauty
4. Sparklette on iPhone!
5. Hawt Kevin with His Hawt Pocket PDA
6. LG Shine 3G Mobile Phone – My First Impression

Posted by Veron in Contests category.
Tags: gadget, mobile phone, social networking software

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contests/inqmobile-winners/ | One comment

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© 2003-2009 Sparklette

Get in the mood of Halloween with one of these extreme Halloween treats! Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, it is fun to see people around the world concoct these Halloween dishes. Feast your eyes upon these culinary arts and have an extreme Halloween!

Trick or treat?

Photo credit and recipe: Talk of Tomatoes

Photo credit and recipe: MyRecipes.com

Who knew gourmet chocolate truffles can look so spooky?

Photo credit: veganbakesale

Photo credit: junebugmomma

Photo credit: The Bleeding Heart Bakery

An organic cake with a crazy squirrel on top, made with organic milk, organic eggs and pure organic products.

Photo credit and recipe: Food Network

Photo credit: treedork

Now that’s an extreme Halloween dish! It’s made with peach jello and red grenadine syrup.

Photo credit: pkoceres

Photo credit: covetthycupcake

Photo credit and recipe: Jojoebi

Eyeballs are always a staple at Halloween parties.

Photo credit and recipe: Food Network

Photo credit and recipe: Food Network

1. 12 More Mooncakes You Don’t Want to Miss in 2009 – A Remix!
2. 12 Mooncakes You Don’t Want to Miss in 2009
3. Kia Hiang Restaurant – Mooncakes Packed with Tradition & Innovation
4. Raffles Hotel Mooncakes 2009 – Have You Ordered Yours Yet?
5. Tetsu – Festive Dining
6. Seventh Heaven – Christmas in Heaven!

Posted by Veron in Food, Holidays category.
Tags: halloween, holiday food

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/extreme-halloween/ | 34 comments

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© 2003-2009 Sparklette

I’m going to try not to use words like “whoopee!” and “yowza!” to describe how I feel after a sumptuous meal of gourmet food at Pasta Inc. Let’s just say that if you’re ever having a craving for gourmet pasta, this is one Italian restaurant that is definitely worth checking out.

The restaurant takes up a spot in a row of shops along Jalan Besar. It is run by chef-owner Keith, a boyish-looking 28 year old entrepreneur who worked at other restaurants for many years before striking out on his own.

The vast experience has certainly provided him with a firm grasp of the cuisine. Our meal here comprises of well-executed Italian gourmet food, including the exquisite squid ink pasta, that do not disappoint.

Portobello mushroom
$12.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST

We start with Portobello Al Forno, a large-sized baked mushroom that is topped with mixed cheese and a dash of tomato sauce. It is very fresh, oozing juices and flavor with every bite. Oh, they also serve bread with olive oil before each meal.

Crayfish pasta in tomato based sauce (Cartoccio style)
$21.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST

As a huge fan of crayfish, or seafood in general, I must give a thumbs-up to the crayfish gourmet pasta. It is done al cartoccio, a technique of cooking gourmet pasta that involves wrapping it in paper and baking it. Not only does the end product look mighty impressive, there is also that sense of anticipation as you watch the waiter carefully unwrap it before your eyes.

The tomato based sauce is dreamy, with none of the tartness you get from inferior sauces that come in a jar. The baking also helps lock in the moisture and flavors, resulting in a pasta that is succulent and delicious. I am most delighted at the generous serving of crayfish. There is not one, not even two, but altogether three crayfish halves! Magnifico!

Fresh assorted seafood pasta in squid ink based sauce
$18.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST

Your experience here is not complete until you have tasted the house specialty — squid ink gourmet pasta. This dark and mysterious dish is served chock-full with clams and prawns, and topped with a mussel, all of which help lend extra seafood flavor. That said, the most appealing (or perhaps unappealing to some) quality of this pasta has to be its dramatic appearance.

Black as sin itself, the squid ink sauce is surprisingly pleasant and mild, with none of the pungency that I had prepared myself for. It is cooked al dente with a hint of tomato flavoring. A must-try for squid ink fans, as well as the people who are curious about squid ink but have yet to muster enough courage to taste it.

Tiramisù
$8.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST

I always feel that the mark of a good Italian restaurant can be measured not only by the pastas, but the tiramisù as well. Perhaps the most famous Italian cake, a trip to an Italian restaurant or café should always end with this dessert. Here, new batches of tiramisù are freshly made in-house everyday.

My verdict? It is one of the lightest versions I have ever had. The intersecting layers of creamy mascarpone cheese and airy sponge cake are so light and smooth, the cake seemingly melts in the mouth. This is a stellar example of the Italian dessert.

Creme brulee
$9.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST

There is also the creme brulee dish that is off the menu for now, but I reckon it wouldn’t stay that way for long. The crack of the hard, burnt caramel top layer releases the wonderful aromas of the rich custard base. It is silky and creamy without being too heavy and sweet. I love it!

Aside from the food, one thing that I must commend about Pasta Inc is the excellent service. Our waiter is dedicated and furnishes useful information about the dishes. He also offers to split our pastas into smaller portions for sharing. I find such attentiveness and product knowledge a rarity in Singapore restaurants.

I have worked out an agreement with Pasta Inc for all Sparklette readers. If you’re visiting Pasta Inc, look for Keith and let him know that Veron recommended you. This way, you get your second pasta at half price! I swear I am not benefiting from this, but I know a promotion like this definitely sweetens the deal for many of us that would like to try out good gourmet pasta.

Pasta Inc
279 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208943
(65) 6297 7515

pastainc.sg

Bus services: 21, 23, 64, 65, 66, 130, 139, 147
Nearest MRT: Lavender / Farrer Park

Opening hours: 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

1. Sapore Italiano – Welcome to Gourmet Paradise
2. Fish & Co – Seafood Sensation!
3. Swensen’s 1-for-1 Ice Cream & Dessert Buffet!
4. Ricciotti Italian Deli & Pastry – Decadent Desserts
5. Ben & Jerry’s – Free Cone Day 2009!
6. Ben & Jerry’s – Free Cone Day 2008!

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: dessert, italian, pasta, promotion, seafood

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/pasta-inc/ | 14 comments

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Not many home-grown companies in Singapore can boast of a history like that of The Cathay Restaurant. They had their roots planted in 1940, going back to even before the World War 2! In their heyday, they were considered one of the finest Chinese restaurants in Singapore.

As you enter the restaurant, what first strike you are the blown-up photographs of movie stars and singers from the yesteryear that cover the walls. At the same time, you hear music from the golden era playing in the background. One tune that I immediately recognise is 泥娃娃 (clay doll), a song from my grandparents’ time!

As you can see, this place goes way back. Today, it is popular for its dim sum and wide array of Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine. I have the opportunity to partake in a private tasting session comprising a good mix of traditional and creative dishes.

Cathay twin combination 国泰双拼 (玉露日式炬鲈鱼拼千丝芝士球)
Price: $14.80 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

I kick off my meal with an appetiser: the twin combination of scallop and sea perch. The first thing that I notice is the beautiful Western-style presentation of the food. While a stylish plating is welcomed, the mark of a good restaurant still lies in the cooking.

On that note, this dish does not disappoint.

The curious-looking “shaggy-haired” ball is actually scallop, which just happens to be one of my favorite seafood. Deep-fried and stuffed with cheese, the scallop is lightly sweet with a soft texture. The cheese tastes heavenly and adds a touch of uniqueness.

The second part of this dish is the baked sea perch fillet, coupled with the delightful fish roe and egg white. The fish is nice and firm, its smooth flesh going well with the special sweet-tasting sauce.

Shark’s bone cartilage with bamboo pith in spaghetti squash melon 千丝白玉炖鲨鱼骨汤
Price: $16 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

An unusual creation is the shark bone cartilage soup. The milky soup comprising bamboo pith is the product of an 8-hour-long labor of love. Its pleasant mild flavor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits, plus the collagen protein content, would help it find many fans.

Indeed, after drinking the soup, I feel healthier! It may have been the placebo effect though.

Notice that the soup comes in a hollowed out spaghetti squash. This fruit earned its name from the way its flesh falls out in strands resembling spaghetti. The Chinese liken it to shark’s fin, and Chinese restaurants frequently market it as shark’s fin melon.

The soup and the melon are very filling, so this dish can even be a meal on its own!

Pan-fried pork chop 中式猪仔柳
Price: $7 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

For people that can’t do without meat in their diet, I recommend the pan-fried pork chop. Judging from the burst after burst of flavor with each bite, it’s obvious that the cut of meat has been well marinated. The pairing with diced fruit is a surprise. They lend a bit of crunch and a hint of tartness that brings out the sweet and salty flavors in the meat perfectly.

This medley of meat and fruit sure is interesting, but more importantly, it actually works. It would have been perfect if the meat is a tad more tender and less chewy. Nonetheless, this is one of my favorite dishes for the day.

Braised stuffed fresh scallop with prawn paste in crab meat sauce 银湖百花酿带子
Price: $8.80 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

Seafood fans would absolutely love this dish, a composition of fresh scallop, prawn paste and crab meat. In other words, you get all the good stuff on one plate! Additionally, the whole thing is smothered in crab meat sauce! Simply sublime.

The part I love most are the oodles of crab meat. They come with all the seafood sweetness, and none of the shell cracking! The only thing I can find fault with is the prawn paste, which reminds me too much of those pseudo prawn/lobster balls you find at steamboat restaurants.

Crispy noodle with king prawn 香煎大虾脆筒面
Price: $12.80 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

Another must for seafood lovers is the crispy noodle with king prawn. The king prawn even sits on a “throne”, none other than noodles that have been painstakingly shaped into a small bowl.

You may think that the star of a dish like this is the prawn itself, which is big, firm and delicious, or even the noodles that are imported from Japan. But for me, the star is really the gravy. Made from chicken stock and the head of the king prawn, the result is a heady (no pun intended) sweet-tasting and full-flavored gravy.

Cream of almond mousse with snow lotus 椰皇杏汁炖天山雪莲
Price: $12 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dessert rating:

Dessert is warm almond mousse filled with goodies like gingko nuts. It is done perfectly — thick and yummy, and not too sweet. Plus, because it is served in a young coconut shell, you can scrape out and enjoy the gelatinous strips of coconut flesh. Now, tell me if that’s not a wholesome dessert!

After showing my Mom the photos that I took of the food and the restaurant, she had a sad look in her eyes because she couldn’t join me for the meal. Yes, this is one of those places that are perfect for family gatherings. You can safely bring your parents here and know that they would enjoy the food.

The Cathay Restaurant 国泰
The Cathay
2 Handy Road #02-01
Singapore 229233
(65) 6732 6623
Service rating:
www.thecathayrestaurant.com.sg

Bus services: 64, 65, 139, 578, 579, 581, 587, 590, 598, NR6, NR7
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

Opening hours:
11:30am – 3pm, 6 – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)
10am – 3pm, 6 – 10:30pm (Sun)

1. Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah – The Original Balestier Tau Sar Piah
2. Tiong Bahru Lien Fa Shui Jing Bao – Crystal Clear This Is the Best Crystal Dumpling
3. Kuehs and Snacks – Aunts’ and Grannies’ Best
4. Zhou’s Kitchen – Posh Zi Char
5. Teng Yu Chee Cheong Fun Porridge – Fun Rolls!
6. 6 Kinds of Rice Dumplings You Haven’t Seen

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: cantonese, cathay, chinese

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/cathay-restaurant/ | 12 comments

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When it comes to Japanese casual dining, my restaurant of choice is Ichiban Boshi or Ichiban Sushi. Both fall under the same parent company and the menu is largely similar.

Aside from their innovative sushi that have won me over from rival conveyor belt sushi chains, the main courses also keep me going back for more.

In particular, one ala carte dish that I love enough to make my staple order during each visit is the chicken cutlet with scrambled egg. It looks nondescript, it sounds nondescript, but the taste is really out of the ordinary.

Chicken Katsu Tamago Toji (chicken cutlet with scrambled egg)
Price: $10.80 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

The chicken katsu is served on a sizzling hot plate with the egg on top. It sits in a delicious soup gravy, which is the part that makes it extraordinary. This gravy is mostly sweet with onion slices tossed in, and has a nice flavor that is highly addictive. Ichiban!

The chicken itself is a huge portion occupying the whole of the shallow round pan. Sure, you can add a side order of steamed rice. But normally I can’t even finish all that chicken by myself! There’s really a lot of it, and that’s great. Good things are meant to be shared :)

Sizzling black pepper beef
Price: $11.90 + 10% service charge + 7% GST
Dish rating:

In recent months I discovered another dish on the menu that may well surpass the chicken dish. It’s the sizzling black pepper beef.

The beef is similarly served on a hot plate, an elevated one with a flame underneath in this case. The black pepper sauce is really quite something. Normally I’m not a fan of this sauce, but this isn’t your regular black pepper sauce. For one, it’s way sweeter, and, uh, actually less peppery so the other flavors aren’t masked. The beef slices are tender, too. Ichiban!

I actually like these dishes more than their sushi. Let me know your favorite dishes at Ichiban, too!

1. Re!Fill at Hotel Re! – Different Themed Cuisine Daily
2. Tetsu – New Menu, New Surprises
3. Benten Café – Shrine of Happiness
4. Japanese Gourmet Town – 3 Restaurants Under 1 Roof!
5. Tetsu – Festive Dining
6. Rakuzen – The Joy of Dining

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: japanese

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/ichiban-boshi/ | 21 comments

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© 2003-2009 Sparklette

Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved chicken. She loved it so much she would have it in every single meal.

One day, she was walking at Plaza Singapura when she came upon a stall at the food court which had a curiously long queue. Everyone bought a banana-leaf plate of food with the biggest chicken thigh she had ever seen!

“This chicken comes with a magical black sauce that grants happiness to whoever eats it,” an elderly man in the line said.

Intrigued, the girl joined the line, bought the grilled chicken, and ate it. My, she thought, this is the best chicken ever! And she felt happy.

As time went by, she returned to the stall for more chicken. But the lines just kept growing longer and longer. It came to a point where the agony of waiting for her grilled chicken became a tad too much. She went cold turkey (no pun intended) and weaned herself off the best chicken she’d ever had.

Years later, she was walking at another mall, Tiong Bahru Plaza this time, when, lo and behold! She found her beloved chicken with the same magical black sauce! And there was no queue! Eagerly, she bought a plate of grilled chicken. Her hands shook and lips quavered as she took the first bite.

“It’s a blast from the past!” she exclaimed. “This is the exact same chicken, minus the queue!”

Photo credit: kitchen secrets

It’s even grilled and served the same way, too!

Ayam Panggang (grilled chicken)
Price: $4.80
Dish rating:

It cost the same and came with the same sides of omelette, a bowl of soup and a yummy chili paste. The chili and the magical black sauce were just as awesome.

The only thing that may had been slightly different, she observed, was that the chicken thigh here was a wee bit smaller than the original, which looks like this:

No one seemed to mind. People were just happy to enjoy the grilled chicken without having to queue.

How should I know? Because I am she, the girl who loves chicken. And she lives happily ever after.

1. Riverside Indonesian BBQ – Best Grilled Ayam of All Time
2. Padang Corner – Tasty Corner
3. Indonesian BBQ at Fork & Spoon – Last Lunch in Singapore (Before Japan Hour!) [Closed]
4. Riverside Indonesian Restaurant – BBQ Extravaganza [Closed]
5. Dallas Restaurant & Bar – Small Bites
6. Charco’s – Flaming Goodness!

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: food court, grill, indonesian, tiong bahru

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/indonesian-grill-delights/ | 24 comments

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© 2003-2009 Sparklette

For a seafood-loving population, we have rather few Western seafood eateries here. chinese seafood hawker stalls and restaurants are aplenty, but Western ones are rare. One reason may be the fact that the Western counterparts are generally the pricier luxury-class type. Another may be that the Western style of grilling seafood is deemed as not doing it justice.

With the affordable and delicious seafood served at the aptly named Mariners’ Corner Restaurant, that perception can be easily changed. Lobster, anyone?

This place is one hidden gem. It is tucked within Maritime House, an aged pink building home to the Singapore Mariners’ Club. What most people wouldn’t know of is the wonderful restaurant that has been serving steaks and seafood ever since 1984!

There is certainly an old-school charm to this place. The interior is decked out like a ship, with wooden panels and naval-themed decor. The feel and ambience is a cross between the Manhattan Fish Market and Naked Fish Shoppe.

One attractive deal offered here is the $3.80 upgrade of a main course to a set meal. It gives you the additional:
- free flow of salad
- garlic bread
- soup of the day
- dessert
- coffee or tea

The best part of the deal has to be the free-flowing salad that allows you to have your fill from the salad bar. It is a similar concept as sizzler. Over here I have tried to create a healthful, colorful and delicious salad. I think I succeeded!

Buffalo wings
Price: $5 + 10% service charge
Dish rating:

Done with the salad, garlic bread and soup, we start with the appetiser of buffalo wings. It’s basically six deep fried chicken wings and drumsticks accompanied by a sweet Thai chili dip. The chicken has not been cooked thoroughly; the reddish blood is still very much visible when you get to the innermost part of the flesh. Ugh. It’s a disappointment because I want to love this restaurant, I really do.

Lobster (250 grams) & chicken fillet combo
Price: $22 + 10% service charge
Dish rating:

Fortunately, the main courses are good! I order the lobster combo that comprises a 250 gram lobster plus a choice of steak, chicken, fish or oxtail. For a chicken lover, the pan-seared chicken fillet is a natural choice.

Lobster has a reputation as a luxury food in the same class as foie gras and caviar. Instead of paying exorbitant prices at posh restaurants, you can indulge in it at a much fairer price range here. It is no less satisfying, too, with headily sweet flesh that is so tender, it slips out easily from the tail half at the slightest tug of the fork. I truly enjoy every precious morsel of my grilled shellfish.

As for the meat item included in the combo, chicken in my case, you can further pick your sauce from black pepper, mushroom or barbecue. I go for barbecue. It is a curious shade of orange-red that resembles sweet and sour sauce, and tastes like sweet and sour sauce. No complaints from me though. It is deee-licious.

This is one dish I would order again the next time I visit Mariners’ Corner. With both lobster and chicken, what’s not to love?

King prawn & chicken fillet combo
Price: $18 + 10% service charge
Dish rating:

Another item that would appeal to the shellfish fans is the king prawn combo. It comprises two king prawns, again with the choice of meat and sauce. This time round, you get to also select the way you want your prawns — thermidor or garlic butter. We go for the latter.

The prawn tastes pleasant, although lacking the same splendid sweetness as its bigger cousin. If I didn’t already have the lobster for comparison, I would easily award this dish 5 drumsticks.

For both combos, you get a huge slab of chicken fillet. As though all that shellfish and meat isn’t enough, the combo also includes vegetables and mashed potato. Excellent, excellent value!

By the end of the main course, we are too stuffed to swallow another ounce of food. It’s too bad, because we would love to have a second helping at the salad bar.

And we still have coffee and cake to go!

Another perk of dining here is that the GST is included in the food prices. The downside is that the service is excruciatingly slow and the waiters seem to be quite forgetful. For every course of our meal, we have to politely ask for our food because it never comes. Hopefully this is a one-off incident because other than that, we can find no fault with the restaurant. The captain, an elderly man in his 60s, is sincerely apologetic and he alone has made our meal that much more pleasant.

One particularly memorable scene is that at the neighboring table, a group of people in their 20s are celebrating a friend’s birthday. Said captain brings out the cake, and sings the birthday song with unrivaled gusto! All the friends and the waiters are singing, but you can clearly hear that one particular guy is singing his heart out. Just imagine a 60 year old man singing Happy Birthday to a bunch of kids! He is obviously extremely dedicated to his work. Kudos.

Will I be back? Definitely. After all, I can never say no to shellfish.

Mariners’ Corner Restaurant
Maritime House
120 Cantonment Road #01-02
Singapore 089760
(65) 6220 6572
Service rating:

Bus services: 75, 167, 196
Nearest MRT: Outram Park / Tanjong Pagar

Opening hours: 11:30am – 10pm daily

Many thanks to reader Alex for writing in with this recommendation!

1. Fish & Co – Seafood Sensation!
2. Naked Fish Shoppe – You’ll Be Hooked!
3. Mingles La’ Brassarie – Seafood at the Coast [Closed]
4. The Tavern at Tanglin Club – Tavern of Yummies [Members only]
5. Pasta Inc – A Taste of Italy
6. Harry’s Card – Gives You 20% More Each Time!

Posted by Veron in Food category.
Tags: lobster, seafood, western

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