[Tasting] Omakase Seasonal Lunch Course @ Monte Risaia

Been wanting to try exquisite omakase using premium and seasonal ingredients? 

Monte Risaia offers Omakase Seasonal Lunch Course for just $79++ per pax. Definitely good value for a lovely 5-course omakase treat! 

The place is cosy and tends to get very busy hence, recommend to make your reservations to avoid disappointment. Do come early around 12pm for lunch.

As in omakase, the item served would depend on season and availability on your day of visit. Below are a list of what I tried recently in Dec 2021.

Staff would check with the guests for their dietary restrictions, before commencement of the meal.

Omakase Seasonal Lunch (5-course)

Engawa (flounder fin) fillet, wrapped with Japanese eggplant and topped with Mozzarella cheese and Italian anchovy butter sauce

The first dish was delightful and comforting. There were layers of soft, smooth texture of the engawa, sweetness from the onions, juicyness from the eggplant (initially I thought it tasted like bittergourd!), topped with salty-creamy mozzarella and plenty of that wonderful tasting, anchovies butter sauce/broth. Just give me some bread to mop up the deliciousness.

Speaking of which, Monte Risaia do have its own housemade foccacia that one could order separately. Oooh, I fancy this because of its cake-like bread texture, plus it goes really well with the anchovies butter sauce.

housemade foccacia (not part of omakase)

The first course was so tasty that one couldn't help but to keep on eating. The plate was polished off pretty quickly.

Next course, was lobster bisque. Now, what I didn't expect, was it to be served inside a parchment paper. So interesting!

Lobster Bisque with Japanese Scallop and Minced Shrimp

hi there

lovely Japanese Lobster Bisque

The flavours of the Japanese Lobster Bisque was pronounced, and each bite had plenty of those sweet scallops and shrimps. Nice.

Next, was the Triple Dashi pasta dish. Lovely shiso fragrance from this dish. Sauce was a good balance of tangy and sweetness. Had enjoyed the previous version of this signature dish back in 2019, and am  loving this version too!

Triple Dashi

A meat dish was served for the next course. We had duck. 

The texture of the Irish duck was expectedly good; firm but not tough. Must try with the plum crystal sauce. Basically horseradish, plum and there is a surprise element in it. A good kind of 'crystal' surprise that adds to overall enjoyment of the dish.

Irish Olive Fed Duck served with Grilled Endive paired with Balsamic Reduction and Plum Crystal Sauce

Almost too quickly, we have reached the last course; dessert. Okinawa black sugar gelato with fresh fruits such as blueberry, raspberry and gooseberry. Berry good.

Fresh Fruits with Okinawa Black Sugar Gelato

The portion was good for the omakase lunch. Do come early to enjoy all the 5 dishes in the Omakase Seasonal Lunch Course at a comfortable pace.

Kudos and thank you to Chef Taizo, Chef Kent and team as all the dishes in the Omakase Seasonal Lunch Course were superbly tasty and comforting. Pronounced flavours that hits all the right spots.  Special mention of Alby, for being such a delightful presence.

Thank you Jennifer (Jennifer Yeo Consultancy) for the invite, and Monte Risaia for hosting the lunch.

Monte Risaia

Address: 59 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089523

Contact: 6970 0067

Reservation: https://www.chope.co/singapore-restaurants/restaurant/monte-risaia

Business Hours:

Mon to Sat : 12–2:30pm, 5–10:30pm

Closed on Sundays.

[Tasting] The Parlour Mirage - Craft Beer Tap Room @ 140 Owen Road

In collaboration with The Parlour Singapore (newly opened artist hub, founded by artist jaye), The Parlour Mirage is a craft beer tap room restaurant that serves up creative cuisine, of both Japanese and Mediterranean fusion.

The nearest MRT to Parlour Mirage would be Farrer Park MRT.

The Parlour Mirage (recognisable by the super big QR code signage)

let's drink

Thank you Hence for the invite, Naomi (The Linch Agency) for showing us around and Parlour Mirage for hosting the tasting.

While guests enjoy their ice cold beer downstairs at Mirage, there are plenty of happenings upstairs as well. Head on up and there are rooms for Creative Workshops, Grid Cuture (music production school by Singapore's first Ableton Certified Trainer, Syafiq Halid) and The Music Parlour.

feel the vibe

Second Life flea market products

let's learn music from Grid Culture

The Music Parlour

Follow The Parlour Singapore instagram for updates and latest happenings.

Meanwhile, I'd just head back downstairs for my beer. There are 12 rotating beer taps and I'd be selecting my drink based on 'tikam' basis if not for the friendly bar manager. I gave him key words like "fruity, don't want sour beer" and we ended up with a beer from Wild Brew , one of our local brewery. I liked its refreshing taste, and the immediate sweetness which tapered off to a bitter finish. 

Wild Brew Hammerhead IPA

Chicken Karage @$12

For food orders, Mirage uses the waitrr app. We tried the Chicken Karage with mayo dip. Lovely, chunky thigh that's deep fried to golden. Thin batter and juicy meat. Yums!

chicken and beer, what's not to like?

Another must order at Mirage is the Fried Cheese. Premium aged cheddar is used and these little small cheese balls are huge in flavours. I think of it as dessert. So good that we kept popping one after another till it is all gone.

Fried Cheese @$10

can't get enough of these

Beer and yakitori makes a good pairing as well but have you tried yakitori with hummus? At Mirage, for every purchase of yakitori platter, one could get two accompaniments. My choice would be Pesto and Hummus.

clockwise from top: Asian slaw, fried mantou, Tzaziki, Pesto, Hummus, Guacamole, Pita Bread and Sweet Butter Corn in the center

Hokubee Beef Yakitori @$9.50 (2 sticks)

Salmon Belly @$9.50 (2 sticks)

Tsukune @$6.50 (2 sticks)

left: Devil's Peak Lager (South Africa)

My second beer, Devil's Peak Lager was mild and perfect for our hot and humid weather. If you are hungry, there's Hokubee Beef Don which is quite a substantial bowl. Meltique beef cubes in kombu sauce for that satisfying bite. Overall, the sauce was a tad too sweet for me though but there's the spicy pickles in the bowl to balance things a bit.

Hokubee Beef Don @$24

We also had the Straccietella and this works as a dessert for us. Think soft, mild ad creamy burrata with mixed honey nuts.

 Straccietella @$15

sweet cheese and beer

Overall, it was a fun tasting and I never thought I could have yakitori with hummus, or deep fried mantou with pesto. Am thinking about the cheese balls with Hammerhead beer. So good!

Come visit, and try it yourself!

The Parlour Mirage

Address: 140 Owen Road, Singapore 218940

Contact: 9654 5687 

Business Hours: 

Daily - 12:00pm to 10:30pm

[Shopping] SAKANA - Purveyor of Fine Seafood with Delivery to Your Doorstep

Established since 1971, SAKANA has acquired the knowledge and experience with the ability to discern quality seafood. Known for their top-quality salmon and salmon roe in Japan, SAKANA have since expanded into sourcing scallop, mackerel, shrimp and other premium seafood, right to our doorstep with the best price.

To shop: https://sakana-ots-sg.myshopify.com/

Recommendation

AOMORI SCALLOP (JAPAN) (500G/PKT)

青森県産 ホタテ

AOMORI SCALLOP (JAPAN) (500G/PKT) @$33.20

How about getting some sashimi grade scallops to satisfy sweet cravings for this mollusk? Loved the size of the scallops and tried it pan-fried as well as sashimi style. Just need to thaw it before cooking. Lovely sweetness from the scallops, and so satisfying when it's meaty.

good sized

miso butter pan-fried scallops

Shop SAKANA scallops: https://bit.ly/323gnCV

KABAYAKI UNAGI FILLET (JAPANESE STYLE) (250G/1PC/PKT)

うなぎかば焼き

KABAYAKI UNAGI FILLET (JAPANESE STYLE) (250G/1PC/PKT) @$15

I love unagi, but the size of the unagi commonly sold in the supermarket would normally be around 120G, hence not so shiok. With 250G, the portion was adequate to indulge and yet have enough to share with my sibling. Keke.

Not sure why, but unagi usually thaws faster than other types of frozen meat. Usually, I'd have it with noodles/sandwich style but this time round, made it as luxed-up toppings for the simple egg and vege porridge. There were some small bones in the fish, so just need to be aware. Otherwise, the fish was firm, with sweetness of the glaze intact. Flavourful, and instant elevation to any dish!

Unagi Porridge うなぎのお粥 

Shop SAKANA unagi: https://bit.ly/3kYoqYQ

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE (20PC/PKT)

カニクリームコロッケ

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE (20PC/PKT) @$15.10

The price works out for under a dollar each for a croquette! Imagine crispy outer with the panko and all, and delicious creamy molten insides. Let the photo speaks for itself.

CRAB CREAM CROQUETTE

Tasty and convenient.

Thank you Jennifer for the introduction and SAKANA for the delivery.

At the moment, SAKANA offers free island wide delivery for every $80 and above purchase. Happy Shopping!

To shop: https://sakana-ots-sg.myshopify.com/

delivery pack

Tantalising and Affordable Lunch Sets from Dashi Master Marusaya @ 86 Robertson Quay

Dashi Master Marusaya, flagship restaurant of the Marusaya Group had launched their new lunch sets and I was fortunate to have the privilege for a taste. Be spoilt for choice as there's Udon Lunch Set, Dashi Shabu Lunch Set, Rice Bowl Set Lunch, Tantalising Set Lunch, Hot Toban Set Lunch and Shokado Bento Box.

Opens from 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch and from 5pm to 10.30pm for dinner. On Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, it is open from 12pm to 10.30pm. Dashi Master Marusaya is a cosy chic 90-seater restaurant and offers a comfortable space for dining-in.

cosy interior

First things first. I'd recommend to place an order for the Shokado Bento Box as it is only available in limited quantity daily. Ideal for us who would like to have a bit(e) of everything. Multi-course meal that includes appetiser, chawanmushi, tempura, grilled fish, meat dish, 2 kinds of sashimi, small rice bowl, small udon and dessert. Beautiful Shokado Bento, a highly satisfying and enjoyable experience.

SHOKADO BENTO 松花堂弁当

Shokado Bento Box 松花堂弁当 @$58++

Super loved the thick-cut sashimi, the luscious fatty pork that glistened, healthy grilled salmon and best of all, one also gets their famed chewy udon in lovely dashi topped with katsuoboshi plus a bowl of salmon don to satisfy most cravings.

meat dish (Shokado Bento Box)

beautiful thick-cut sashimi of salmon, maguro and a white fish (part of Shokado Bento Box)

grilled fish (Shokado Bento Box)

Tempura (Shokado Bento Box)

small salmon don (Shokado Bento Box)

small udon (Shokado Bento Box)

Shokado Bento Box offers generous portions of food, but for the lighter eaters, fret not as there are enough variety from the various lunch sets that's bound to satisfy almost everyone.

RICE BOWL SET LUNCH 丼ランチ

Tuna Belly Don Set 大トロ丼セット @$38++

For most of the lunch sets (except for the Shokado Bento), one could choose 3 sides to go along with the meal. For example, one could add-on a small dashimaki tamago, fried chicken, edamame, hijiki salad, nanbanzuke, ohitashi, california roll or matcha cake.

beautiful tuna belly

For first-timers to Dashi Master Marusaya, the must-try would be the all-time favourite Dashi Shabu Set Lunch. There's Hokkaido Pork Shabu, Beef Shabu and Wagyu Beef Shabu Set to opt from. For the all luxurious mouthfeel, go for the Wagyu Shabu set!

DASHI SHABU SET LUNCH だししゃぶランチ

Wagyu Shabu Set 和牛しゃぶしゃぶセット @$48++

choose your salt

If you like your meal sizzling hot, do try the Wagyu Toban Set from the Hot Toban Set Lunch menu, Thick-cut wagyu slices, sitting pretty ontop of the grill plate. Tender meat with a good chew, with tasty jus and laid ontop of a spoonful of fluffy rice. Yums!

HOT TOBAN SET LUNCH 熱々陶板ランチ

Wagyu Toban Set 和牛陶板ランチセット @$48++

still thinking of this

Come on down to Dashi Master Marusaya today and enjoy their new set lunch menu! Price ranges from $13++ to $58++.

Once again, thank you Jennifer and Dashi Master Marusaya for the invitation.

Dashi Master Marusaya

Address: 86 Robertson Quay, #01-01 Robertson Blue, Singapore 238245

Website: http://bitejapan.asia/marusaya/

Contact: 6732 0383 or email: info@marusaya.sg

Business Hours:

Mon-Fri: 12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm - 10.30pm

Sat-Sun: 12pm - 10.30pm