Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant

So when I visited Chikuwa Tei last year, thinking that the original Wasabi Tei's chef (Peter) was still there, only to be informed by a reader that he had also left Chikuwa Tei and opened Mitsuba.

$48 for 18 pieces of sashimi. Expensive? Yes. Fresh? Yes. Shiok? DEFINITELY YES. Especially the 'Mekajiki' (swordfish) and 'Hotate Gai' (scallop). So sweet, and they literally melt in your mouth - brings back all the Nazi Jap chef memories back in days at Far East Square (where prices were almost halved). On a side note, chef Peter looks much more friendly now.

Cooked food was so-so. Just go for the sashimi.

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★

Mitsuba by Yurine Japanese Restaurant
#03-88, The Central
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, S(059817)
(+65) 6227 0388
Mon - Sun: 11.30am - 10pm

The Line @ Shangri-La: Spicy Thai

This is totally a dream buffet come true. From the moment I stepped in and started drooling through all the 16 theatrical kitchens, I knew I had crossed the line - the line of self-indulgence.

Don't get excited. That was just a brief introduction.

For all the great food you see above, a significant fraction is owed to resident Chef Ratree Khongthong, whom has been around for as long as the restaurant has been. So in celebration of this soft-spoken talent, The Line will be presenting 'Spicy Thai' - where Chef Ratree's best dishes (a mix of Chiang Mai and Bangkok cuisine) are showcased.

My first time encountering this 'Miang Kim' and I love it!

It is Northern Thai snack where you wrap a variety of savoury items in a leaf. I like mine spicy and refreshing, so I doubled up on the lime, garlic, and chilli padi!

These fried rice crackers went well with anything - minced pork prawn sauce, salted egg spread, chilli jam.

From front to back, and from the least to most spicy, we have the 'Yam Som O' (white pomelo salad with shallot flake), 'Yam Woon Sen' (spicy glass noodle with poached prawn), and 'Lab Gai' (minced chicken with ground rice and mint leaf). All three made lip-smacking appetisers but I thought that the 'Yam Som O' was most unique with a balance of juiciness and crunchiness.

Similar to our local 'otak-otak' - only creamier, softer, less spicy, and sweeter due to the unmatched company of rich coconut sauce.

Tom yum soup is CLEARLY my top favourite among all Thai dishes. (Oops, bad pun.) For those who don't know, clear tom yum soup is more deadly than the thick base (reddish-looking) ones. Not to worry though, the spiciness levels have been adjusted to suit most people.

Spiked with the aroma of eggplant, this green curry is a must with steamed rice.

Another must with rice is the popular wok-fried minced pork with basil. Spiciness levels have also been toned down here.

Both the 'Kluay Thod Nga Kha' (banana fritter with sesame seed) and 'Khao Niew Mamuang' (sticky rice with mango) were a bit too sticky for my liking.

To pair with the plethora of Thai delights, even the mojito is specially concocted - Tom Yum flavoured! Weird? Maybe. It's either you like it (and get a full glass at $10) or you don't (and down the complimentary shot).

The impressive 'Spicy Thai' spread will run at the Line during dinners from now till 26 May. In case you're beginning to hyperventilate about the removal of your oysters sashimi and whatnot, rest assured that the 16 kitchens will still be serving their usual fare. Prices start at $72 per adult and $36 per child.

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★ ★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★ ★

The Line
Lower Lobby, Tower Wing, Shangri-La
22 Orange Grove Road, S(258350)
(+65) 6213 4275
Mon - Sun: 5am - 10.30pm
www.shangri-la.com

Nylon Coffee Roasters

So after having cakes-in-jars at Grin Affair, you can swing by Nylon Coffee (one block away) for a cuppa, or vice versa.

They refer to their coffee by 'OZ' here. 5 OZ somewhat represents a latte, while 7 OZ is similar to a cappuccino. I'm not sure about 3 OZ.. Flat white, maybe?

Coffee was rich and smooth. We had two rounds, and might potentially end up with even more if they had proper seats.

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★ ★

Nylon Coffee Roasters
Blk 4, #01-40
Everton Park, S(080004)
(+65) 6220 2330
Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5.30pm
Sat - Sun: 9am - 6pm
Tue: Closed
www.nyloncoffee.sg

Grin Affair

There had been a lot of ravings about Grin Affair because of their packaging - having cakes in jars.

Turns out, the only thing worth raving about is their packaging.

Food:	★
Ambience:	★ ★
Value:	★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★

Grin Affair
Blk 3, #01-77
Everton Park, S(080003)
(+65) 8282 7375
Mon - Sat: 12pm - 8pm
Sun: 1.30pm - 6pm
www.grinaffair.com

Carpenter and Cook

Nice quirky furnitures and ornaments with dainty lil' tarts. I loveeeee the lemon one!

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★ ★

Carpenter and Cook
#01-06
19 Lorong Kilat, S(598120)
(+65) 6463 3648
Tue - Fri: 12pm - 10pm
Sat: 10am - 10pm
Sun: 10am - 7pm
Mon: Closed
www.carpenterandcook.com

The Sushi Bar

The first time I had this, I kept ooohing and ahhing with every bite, literally. The way the torched cod roe sauce melds with sweet scallop slices is.. simply.. perfect.

Sashimi was pretty average.

No fancy ingredients - just generous amounts of cod roe and sauce with thin al dente spaghetti.

A MUST-ORDER. You can see this dish on every other table. I think the effect is close to Koh Grill's 'Shiok Maki.' I still can't quite decide which is better actually hahaha.

Despite being tucked in an awkward corner at Far East Plaza, this modest no-frills sushi bar attracts patrons whom seemingly make specific trips to dine there.

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★

The Sushi Bar
#03-89, Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, S(228213)
(+65) 9625 0861
Mon - Sat: 12pm - 11.30pm
Sun: Closed

MEDZS: Mother's Day Special

Fretting over where to bring your mum out this Sunday? I'll share what MEDZS has in store - one of my favourite places which offers solid portions at friendly prices.

This whole XXL seafood platter holds a whopping huge juicy salmon head, grilled king crabs, prawns, mussels, and three different fish fillets - namely sea bass, sea bream, and snapper. The platter also comes with sides like braised tomato aubergine, watercress salad, mashed potatoes, and for $49.80, I'd say it's SUPER WU HUA (worth it).

The meat platter, a dollar cheaper, consists of a myriad of stuffs too - pan-fried duck confit, crispy pork belly, AUS Wagyu beef rump, roasted pork ribs served with sides of green leaf salad and roasted mushrooms and potatoes. This is clearly for true meat lovers. In fact, it has so much meat that we started self-renaming it to "Father's Day Special" hah. While the meat were pretty nicely done, I'd prefer the seafood platter as it is much lighter.

To end it off sweetly, there's also a platter for desserts. My favourite favourite has to be the 'EARL GREY CRÈME BRÛLÉE'! Had it once at the Millenia Walk outlet and it was unforgettable. Other desserts include the lychee rose panna cotta, churros with chocolate sauce, red velvet cake, and chocolate brownie - all for $21.90.

All mums will be treated to a welcome drink of fragrantly concocted lemongrass and orange mocktail.

Food:	★ ★ ★ ★
Ambience:	★ ★ ★ ★
Value:	★ ★ ★ ★
Service:	★ ★ ★

MEDZS
Mother's Day Special available on 12 May 2013

#B2-01 to 03 / #B2-30 to 43, Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, S(238896)
(+65) 6238 9028
Mon - Sun: 11am - 11pm

#01-46/56, Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard, S(039596)
(+65) 6337 7507
Sun - Thu: 11.30am - 12am
Fri - Sat: 11.30am - 1am