Garibaldi Italian Restaurant @ Purvis Street | Restaurant Week March 2015

Visited on a weekend lunch during the recent Restaurant Week. Was my bro's birthday as well, so decided to bring us to Garibaldi to experience some good service and good food. It better be since it has a star for Restaurant Week!

The restaurant gave us a call when we ran abit late that day. From the outside, the place felt rather deserted but once ushered into the dining hall, the restaurant was rather busy.

Garibaldi's RW 3-course set lunch costs $40++ as with any other restaurants that had been awarded a Dining City star.

RW menu

cheese sticks to chew on

Complimentary bread to ease the hunger. Replenishable upon request.

house bread, complimentary

As in any celebration, how about a bottle, err.. make it half since there's only two of us. Half bottle of Livon Pinot Grigio.

Pinot Grigio @$60++

cheers!

The wine was light, and with mineral taste.

Service was quick and courteous. Food was delivered promptly. First course, was seafood soup.

seafood soup 'acqua pazza' style

Light and slightly tangy broth, and pleasant. However, it lacked that seafood umami taste.

Main course was pasta or meat.

homemade saffron fettucine with jumbo prawns and zucchini

baby pork drumstick confit with chestnut gnocchi and mushroom

The texture of the homemade fettucine was simply lovely. Well tossed with olive oil, tasty and the trombetta zucchini could've fooled me for asparagus. Very nice.

Baby pork drumstick was probably an alternative way of saying, 猪脚? My bro and I concluded that this dish will be excellent if there was skin left on the meat and some fats in between. Generous amount of protein but it was a tad too dry. However, there was some hidden gem in this dish; namely, the gnocchi.

gnocchi, chestnuts and mushroom

Am a gnocchi fan but only for good gnocchi. The Garibaldi version is of course, excellent. Perhaps the 'limited edition' amount of these small pillowy babies added to the 'want'. Found only 4 pieces in this entire plate. Of course, there's perfect explanation to it. Gnocchi in this dish was meant to augment the dish, not overshadowing it. Agree, as too much of it will cause 'jelakness'.

Last course was dessert. Knowing that it was a celebratory lunch, they brought out a small surprise in the form of a complimentary tiramisu.

happy birthday bro!

complimentary tiramisu

dolce - banana everything

Tiramisu was very likeable. Soft and not too sweet. The RW dessert was good too, although the recurring flavour of banana got a bit tiring after a few bites. Liked the middle one best. Tasted like a dense banana tofu.

That's not all. Included is the post-meal drink of coffee or tea. For coffee, one could opt for black, latte or cappucino.

latte

It is served with a generous amount of biscuits.

nice container

Was an enjoyable experience dining at Garibaldi. Efficient and attentive service, and the lovely tiramisu for birthday boy.

Do enquire from them if you wish to celebrate your birthday there and with a group of 4 pax (min.), as you might be eligible to enjoy a complimentary bottle of prosecco and a free tiramisu.

Expect to spend about $80+ per pax.

Zzapi Pizza Bar @ Balmoral Plaza

Was at Balmoral Plaza, Bukit Timah recently and noticed this new pizza joint. Zzapi looks familiar and realized that previously, it was located at Valley Point. Decided to grab dinner and a drink from there.

outdoor area

Happy Hour till 8pm, so had a glass of red for $8++.

main subject out of focus, but everything else comes to clarity - sounds like life

Food came fairly quickly and portion was good.

deep fried calamar and shrimps @$15++

osco busco risotto (specials)

parma ham pizza @$24++

The deep fried shrimps were of a good size. However, it was lacking in taste.

Had wanted to get a risotto and was asked if we would like to try an off-menu item. Game on.

The risotto was enjoyable, moist and tasty. Plenty of veal too. Best parts were those with some fats.

Pizza was alright, but we were too full to finish.

The place closes at 11pm on a Friday night.

Gan Yakitori 岩やきとり @ Star Vista Part III

Quiet dinner at Star Vista.

sapporo draft beer @$8++, cabbage with miso (complimentary)

cosy interior

what shall I have today?

To go with beer, how about some hearts, liver and chicken yakitori? Preferred the heart, as the liver was not as soft as expected.

chicken hatsu and liver @$2.80++ each

chicken thigh and negima @$2.80++ each

Those sticks were just enough to line the tummy, so ordered a bowl of oyakodon.

chicken oyakodon 親子丼 @$11.80++

The oyakodon was served piping hot, with tender and smooth chicken meat. Yums. Rice was soft and sauce was not overpowering.

Skyve Wine Bistro @ 10 Winstedt Road

Was at Skyve again. Friend was not hungry, so we had snacks.

"What do you want to eat?" Very simple. Chicken wings. But of course, if we were having main course, then I'd like to have the delicious spicy kalbi beef shortribs.

Skyvers Wings and Truffle Fries @$12++ each

Piping hot wings to go with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (Bordeaux).

Cab. Sav. @$18++

The wine tasted ripe and tannic. Truffle fries was half-half. Liked the salty flavour and strong truffle scent  but the potato was soggy, almost as if it was lifted out of the fryer a tad earlier.

Then, we had dessert. Ordered a tiramisu but it came out looking like an opera cake. Served with a shot of crushed coffee ice and one strawberry.

tiramisu?

The cake base was crunchy, biscotti was nicely cruncy as well but the cake was too dense to be a tiramisu.

Was it really a tiramisu? I wonder...

Paid about $50 per pax.

Travel | Seoul 28 Oct - 2 Nov 2014 | Wangbijip 왕비집 @ Myeongdong 명동

When in Seoul, eat BBQ! That was part of the plan, and it was opportune that Wendy's friend would be joining us for dinner. Wendy is someone whom I've known since university days. We were hostel mates, "Wheel of Fortune" (am not sure how many of you remember this!) virtual contestants and basically, one who will remember each other's birthdays, though we only meet twice a year. Wendy was my travel buddy to Seoul, last year.

"Meet at Exit 9 at Myeongdong at 8pm. Don't be late." she warned.

Arrived at Exit 9 wifi-less and mobile phone pretty useless. Time was 8.05pm. No Wendy.

Oh no, did she get mad and left already? She is particular about timeliness after all. Waited for about 5 minutes before running around Myeongdong station for signs of Wendy. No luck. Gave up at 820pm.

Should've asked her earlier where's our dinner venue. Sobs. To head back to hotel, or to roam around Myeongdong? Chose the latter, 'coz already there mah.

Was wandering around aimlessly, feeling cold, hungry and anxious, thinking of whether I should eat the streetfood or head to one of those brightly lit restaurants or whether Wendy was angry, or... when I noticed a familiar looking tote bag. Of all the different paths we could have taken, the time that had lapsed, the many shops that one could've gone into, I bumped into Wendy and her friend. It was a "wow" moment for me.

Hence, she brought us to Wangbijip (she did the research), a Korean restaurant specializing in grilled meat (galbi).

restaurant's entrance, go up the stairs beside the beauty shop

There was a queue and so we waited for 15 minutes before getting a table. The menu was simple. For grills, there's a choice of pork and beef. Wendy doesn't take beef, so we settled for pork belly. One portion each. Plus a kettle of makgeolli.

No problem ordering as the staff is conversant in Mandarin as well.

waiting for our food

side dishes 반찬

spring onion salad with raw egg

we are so ready

Wangbijip's staff will do the cooking, but their attention would be divided as there is no one person assigned on a per table basis. So ours was impatiently flipping the meats then left it over the grill for quite a while as he went away to do the other table. But it was alright, as the pork belly still tasted better in Seoul than back home.

dinner

we're almost there

gorgeous meat

The restaurant was full of tourists actually. To our left, was a family from Singapore and to our right, was probably from Hong Kong. 

The pork belly was so good. Wrapped a hot one with the fresh crunchy lettuces, accentuated by the tangy kimchi and a dab of that gochujang. Yums! 

pot of rice wine

It was a tiny pot, but we poured about 6 to 7 small bowls. My dinner kakis claimed they'll drink, but pssshh, not true lo...

cheers 건배

Did about 3 bowls and feeling a good buzz. Offered one bowl to the Singapore family and that was it. Done.

all grilled pork belly, should taste like this

What was so good about the grilled pork belly? The meat was not frozen and cooked just right. Fatty and oily enough to sizzle, tender and every chew entices even more. 

The meat was about ₩13,000 per pax and the makgeolli was about ₩5,000.

Paid about $20 per pax.

Tburu Bar & Grill, Sushi Restaurant - Orchard Gateway@Emerald | Restaurant Week March 2015

Tburu is a month-old fine dining Japanese restaurant, located at Level 5 of Orchard Gateway@Emerald. Orchard Gateway@Emerald is where we find the Crate & Barrel shop. Took the lift to the fifth floor and you will see the entrance to the restaurant.

Tburu entrance

would you like to dine with me?

While Tburu may be new, its owners are veterans in the F&B scene. Having owned restaurants in Hong Kong, and in Singapore; One on the Bund (defunct) and the currennt KIKU Kappo Izakaya Restaurant at Duxton.

menu cover

Ordered a Kirin draft beer that was served in a rather unusual looking mug.

Kirin draft beer (@$11+)

Counter seat offers a clear view of what the chefs are preparing, plus you get to see seasonal items from Japan.

looking at ya, fishes from Kyushu

Chatted with the chef while waiting as I was rather curious about the odd looking fish that was staring at me. Learnt that the middle one is called Kawahagi 皮剥ぎ, or otherwise also known as leatherjacket fish. The skin can be grilled and good as beer food, while its flesh is for sashimi. Was told that Kawahagi's liver is fattiest in Autumn.

First course in the Restaurant Week set was the "Truffle Kanpachi Carpaccio". Sort of like Japanese fish, Italian styled.

Truffle Kanpachi Carpaccio

The dipping sauce was not needed since the fish slices had been adequately sprinkled with sea salt. Every mouthful was a delight. That burst of saltiness from the ikura and sea salt, plus the kanpachi flesh was firm and oily. Yums.

While waiting for the next course, a complimentary plate of crunchy Japanese cucumber キュウリ was brought out. The housemade miso has other ingredients mixed into it, was a tad dry and not overly salty. Can be eaten on its own.

housemade miso, toasted sesame and Japanese cucumber

Next was an ala-carte order of a grilled item.

can you guess what this it?

The smoke escapes and whiffs of rosemary floated passed and dissipated faster than you saying, "whoa".

grilled A4 wagyu oyster @$22+

The meat could do less time on the grill as it turned out to be rather chewy. Hints of rosemary was evident in the meat.

Next item was continuation of the Restaurant Week set menu; The Bincho-tan Charcoal Grill Platter.

roasted potato and garlic

kurobuta belly, mentaiko tori, yasai

The kurobuta belly was oily and that's how it should be. Nicely grilled till its edges are a slightly charred. Loved the smokiness of the meat. Mentaiko tori was so soft and succulent. Usually I won't order ginkgo for yakitori and I still won't.

For yakitori, was quite interested in the pork intestine and duck tongue. Perhaps, next time? Was informed by the maître'd that most grilled items in the menu is priced per stick for individual portion, and the lamb chop and iberico collar offers a bigger portion as it is meant for sharing.

For the last course, it was Tburu Makimono.

Tburu Makimono

salmon and eel makimono

Dainty morsels of balanced taste.

For RW dinner sets here, there is definitely space for something with more carbs. Was informed that the Dan Dan Somen was the top item ordered by regulars.

Tburu is a quiet, unhurried place with elegant settings.

Travel | Seoul 28 Oct - 2 Nov 2014 | Dr. Bang Masan Monkfish 方박사아구찜 @ Sinsa-dong Ganjang Gejang Alley

Ganjang 간장 means soy sauce and ge 게 means crab while jang 장 means condiment.  Ganjang gejang simply means raw crabs marinated in soy sauce. Yup, that's right, raw crabs. Sounds like something that Andrew Zimmern would eat? Actually, this seasonal delicacy was rather yummy. It was on my "die die must eat" list we visited Seoul in late Oct last year.

Was at Sinsa-dong 신사동 Ganjang Gejang Alley to find a place to lunch at. Convenient as plenty of shops sells the same stuffs, so we didn't know which one to choose. For tourists, Pro Ganjang Gejang is often cited. Their service staff was uniformed and looked like valets.

We wanted to find out if their prices were similar, so we went around asking about the prices. Outcome was yes, most have priced their ganjang gejangs similarly; 2 small crabs for ₩55,000 with banchans. Usually, the minimum order is 2 small crabs.

Finally found a place that can do two small crabs for ₩50,000, inclusive of rice. On top of that, we requested for one crab in marinated soy style and the other one spicy yangnyeom gejang 양념게장 style.

Dr. Bang Masan Monkfish

dining area

Yes, this is another place where one needs to remove their shoes.

side dishes with the crabs

Not a whole lot of side-dishes, just 4 types. The konbu and blanched cabbage were eaten as wraps. The soup was bean paste soup with some vegetables that tasted like dried vege that's used to boil soups.

soy sauce marinated crab 간장게장

yangnyeom gejang 양념게장

Raw marinated crabs have very soft flesh. Very much like raw shrimps. To eat it, one simply squeezes it from bottom up and suck on the soft tasty flesh. Plastic gloves are provided so that your hands don't get too dirty.

We squeezed out some of the flesh onto the blanched cabbage (or konbu) and wrap it with some hot rice. The hot cold combo with soy or spicy, tasted awesome! For the soy crab, put some rice onto the shell, top it up with roe and mix well. The umami taste was just heavenly!

rice with millet

The spicy version was very shioks and its spice level was about a scale of 3 out of 5.

Enjoyable experience. Saw the locals indulging in a pot of red stew with noodles. That should be the agu jjim 아구찜, a braised spicy monkfish. Huge pot meant for 2 pax. Ganjang Gejang Alley was used to be known for its agujjim, but nowadays it is more popular for raw marinated crabs.