[Media Invite] Outback Steakhouse @ Millenia Walk

Outback Steakhouse is not a stranger to the steak scene in Singapore. Outback is an American outfit which started in Tampa, Florida and its restaurant has an Australian theme. Just a month ago, it has launched some new items in its menu. Was invited to try the new additions along with fellow bloggers. Dinner with the blokes.

featured menu

interior

The place gets rather busy after 7pm on weekdays. The favourite orders would include the classics such as Typhoon Bloom as appetiser and rib-eye steak served with two sides of your choice as mains.

Upon placing your orders, diners would be served with complimentary bread. Two small loaves bushmen bread served with butter cream spread. Rather enjoyable soft mini-loaves. Its slight sweetness came from honey and cocoa powder. Yummy.

Honey Wheat Bushmen Bread (complimentary)

For drinks, we had the refreshing non-alcoholic Barrier Reef Punch. Basically a fruit punch made of mango, pineapple and orange juices blended with pureed strawberries. A cooling thirst-quencher!

Barrier Reef Punch @$5.90++

Tried the Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta. Was impressed by the thick cut mozzarella on the grilled baguette. Crunchy toast with thick soft slice of mozzarella topped with cherry tomatoes and greens. Liked the sweet dressing of basil pesto and balsamic vinaigrette. Good for sharing amongst 3-4 pax. It was quite hard to stop eating the breads. Enjoyed both the bruschetta and bushmen bread.

Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta @$14.90++

One of the crowd favourite thus far at Outback Steakhouse in terms of appetisers, would be its 'Typhoon Bloom'. A huge mound of onion rings, stacked like a flower and deep fried till golden brown. Dusted with Outback's seasoning, it was rather sweet on its own. But having it with the dip added to the enjoyment.

Typhoon Bloom @$14.90++

I think it would be rather daunting for two pax to devour that huge plate of onion rings as appetiser!

As part of The Great Aussie Eats menu, Outback is introducing its Crab Topped Sirloin. Chunks of lump crab meat sitting ontop of a 6-oz seasoned and seared sirloin. Served with two sides of your choice and hollandaise sauce.

Crab Topped Sirloin with two sides (baked potato and seasonal vege) @$37.90++

 As usual, we ordered our meat medium rare. The baked potato was really good with its salt crusted skin.

Loaded Baked Potato @$6.90++

Crab Topped Sirloin, medium rare

While we were there, most diners would opt for the USDA ribeye steak as their choice of mains. Got ourselves a chargrilled ribeye with peppercorn sauce to try. For the sides, we tried corn-on-cob and sweet potato fries. Was rather disappointed with the bland corn. The sweet potato fries (@$5.90++) on the other hand was good. Well fried and great seasoning. The ribeye was rather thin but its marbling was good. Can be eaten without sauce as it was adequately seasoned with Outback's secret blend of 17 herbs and spices.

10 oz. Chargrilled Ribeye @$39.90++

For non-beef option, you may want to try the Sweet Chili Chicken and Shrimp combo, served with one choice of freshly made sides. For the sides, we had Rice Pilaf and Fresh Seasonal Veges. Thought the rice pilaf was rather good. Moist and soft.

Sweet Chili Chicken and Shrimp @$23.90++

Ended with a new dessert of Key Lime Pie. Soft fragrance of lime and the sweet creamy curd encasted on slightly spiced pecan graham cracker crumbs base. Not too heavy and probably can do with a cup of coffee with this.

Key Lime Pie @$6.90++

Special thanks to Meghana and Outback Steakhouse for hosting the dinner, and Hence for the invite.

Outback Steakhouse

Website:  http://www.outback-sea.com/

[Media Invite] Borderless Sunday Brunch @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Sunday brunch options are a plenty in our sunny island of Singapore. If you are looking for a good one somewhere along Havelock Road area, am glad to recommend the newly launched Borderless Sunday Brunch at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Imagine three hours of gastronomical enjoyment with three different experiences.

Be greeted by the friendly staff right at the entrance of the dining area. You will be handed the 'passport' to the Borderless Sunday Brunch, which in effect is a little guided map to the various food and drinks stations.

Passport to Borderless Sunday Brunch @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront

dining area

There were simply too many things to try. Food Capital definitely has us, the diners in their mind. Appetiser of foie gras ala-minute, yes there is. Singapore's favourites of laksa, prawn noodles, chicken rice and chili crabs? Yup, why not!

foie gras, coming right up

chili crabs, mantous, chicken rice

How about naan, curries and tandoor goodies? Of course. Amazingly, they've even got a whole tandoori lamb as well. Impressed much!

Indian food station

whole grilled tandoori lamb

All time favourites of fresh seafood like crabs, oysters, mussels, prawns, sashimi and sushis? Definitely. Not forgetting the desserts and cut fruits.

scallops, mussels, oysters

cold seafood galore - prawns, crabs and crayfish

If you think, that was it...nope, there's more. Walk on towards the center and be mesmerized by the golden glitter that's Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne. Never be thirsty as Tempo bar kept up the pace by topping up the champagne flutes, or plying out bottles after bottles of beer and ciders. Signature cocktails and mocktails are available too. Sweet. For the non-alcoholic drinkers, there's juices and slushies. Yep, slushies for our hot weather. Cool!

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, beer and Strongbow ciders @ Tempo Bar

At Grissini, be awed by the ample selection of assorted cheeses, antipasti of salads, hams, parma and jamon. Parma ham and melon?

antipasti

jamón ibérico de bellota

cured meats

Yes, that too! Not forgetting its namesake, do try the breadsticks with the Japanese mayonaise with sundried tomato dip. Pizzas and ala-minute pasta, that too.

paying homage to Grissini

house-cured salmon

assorted breads and cheeses

pizza, fresh off the oven

However, the deal clincher for me was the unlimited servings of premium meats and seafood lovingly Josper oven-grilled. Seriously, how or where else could you find this deal?

lining up for Josper

the grill is on fire~

As I'm not a big eater, I'd need to strategise on specifics. Plus, there's the free-flow of drinks to consider. Started with my favourite of oysters and prawns. The light flavours of the seafood and champagne. Luxurious.

oysters of the New Zealand and Irish variant

Riviera & Champagne

Signature cocktails that week included the French inspired summer drink named as The Riviera. Its base is Perrier-Jouët, has a bit of spice and light sweetness.

foie gras for moi

The mini foie gras was mild and creamy. Served ontop of a tiny square of bread, it was more like a canapé. The western station looked good with the prime roast and the beautifully glazed ribs so, had to take a portion to try. There was an assortment of condiments for the roasts such as mint jelly, mustard, dijon and the likes.

veal ribs, prime roast and pork ribs

pork ribs, prime roast and veal ribs

First time trying veal ribs and found that it was a tad tough and tasted very much like bak kwa. Intriguing. The prime roast was actually quite tender. Perhaps some sauce and yorkshire pudding to go with the roast would be good?

We were jumping from appetisers, meats and then back to antipasti. Strange but hey, that's buffet style. Eat what you like, however you like it.

The cured meats and assorted cheeses were good to pair with the alcoholic drinks. There was a truffle salami, and the jamon was so good.

cured meats

cheeses

jamon

Strongbow cider, Desperado tequilla beer

Moving on to the mains, we satisfied our meaty cravings with the premium meats from the Josper grill. Definitely must-eats are lamb, octopus, wagyu, prawn and chicken. Yup, basically all that's available from the Josper, just take. My favourite was definitely the lamb cutlet. No doubt about it. So tender, so flavourful and not gamey at all. Gorgeous looking, adequately seasoned and expertly grilled. Yummy.

prawns, lamb cutlets, octopus

Australian wagyu and chicken

If you are looking for a sweeter cocktail, try the Bellucci. Sweet sexy and mysterious as inspired by the pretty Monica Bellucci (actress).

Bellucci with creme de cassis

As what other reviewers had mentioned, do try the laksa before you leave. The sea-hum (cockles) were so plump and good. Good amount given in that bowl too. Good job!

laksa with seahum

prawn and pork ribs noodles

The prawn noodles is worth trying too. The warm broth was sweet, flavourful and comforting. Just the remedy after one too many glasses of alcoholic drinks.

Ended on an even sweeter note with desserts.

nonya kueh

mini macarons

Though we didn't eat a lot, we were pretty stuffed by now. Tried some of the desserts and I totally loved the taro ice-cream. So yammy! The mini macarons was not too sweet and likeable.

colourful desserts

It was pretty amazing how that three hours passed by so quickly. Thank you Jennifer and Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel for the invitation. We enjoyed the meal and as usual, with good company.

This amazing Borderless Sunday Brunch is available at a promotional rate of $88++ (with free-flow of juices and soft drinks) and $128++ (with free-flow of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, Strongbow ciders, house pour wines, juices and soft drinks) on 11 September 2016. Brunch starts from 1230pm to 330pm.

After 11 September, diners could still enjoy the Borderless Sunday Brunch at $98++ and $138++ respectively.

For reservations, please call 62331100 or email dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com

Enjoy!

Tomi Sushi 富寿し/シンガポール・ノベナ店 @ Novena Square

Sometimes, one just have a craving for Japanese food. Had never tried the sushi at Tomi, so it was an opportune moment. The place was fairly relaxed on a Friday night and no reservation was necessary. For drinks, ordered a Calpis Highball to try. Never tried a highball, nor a Calpis before!

So, a search was necessary to understand the stuffs that am drinking. Calpis is a Japanese uncarbonated softdrink. Hmmm, like a soda? But interestingly, Calpis is manufactured by Calpis Co. Ltd. which is a subsidiary of ...*drumroll please* Asahi! Ooh...so interesting. Actually, Calpis tasted like a sweet yoghurt drink. Quite nice, in fact. Cloudy coloured.

So what about Highball? Highball is simply a mixed alcoholic drink with an alcoholic base and a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixer. Japanese people do like their Highballs. Very common to find it at yakitori places. Usually its base is whisky and topped with soda.

Calpis Highball (カルピスのハイボール) @$10++

Am liking the Calpis Highball but was rather doubtful of the whisky proportion...tasted mostly of Calpis.

Food-wise, had some sushi. Ordered my usual favourites of Hotate and Tsubu-gai sushi. Lovely sweet scallops sushi.

(front) hotate sushi (ホタテの寿司) @$8++

The main reason why I'd order the whelk sushi (tsubugai nigiri sushi) was for its refreshingly crunchy texture. Better than squid, I'd say. Best value for money at $5++ for a pair.

tsubugai nigiri sushi (つぶ貝[ツブガイ]握り寿司) @$5++

That few sushi won't be able to fill you up, so let's have some more. Wanted to order a tamagoyaki (玉子焼き) but it wasn't in the menu, I think or perhaps didn't see it. So ordered a tamago sushi anyhow. It was one huge oversized cold sweet egg with a bit of sushi rice in it. Preferred savoury egg though.

tamago sushi (卵寿司) @$4++

For the finale, was the best sushi of the night. The anago sushi. It was the last plate to arrive. Two beautiful piece of salt-water eel sushi. It was fatty and so plump tasting. Good choice.

anago sushi (アナゴ寿司) @$12++

[Media Invite] XBox Showcase 2016

Microsoft has announced the arrival of the Xbox One S Gears of War Limited Edition 2 TB Bundle that will be coming to Singapore on 25 November 2016. Crimson red in colour and designed as if it came right out of the game with a battle-weathered console chassis, bloody thumbprints on the controller red metallic D-pad. How's that for a close encounter of the ultimate Gears of War 4 experience? Brings a smile to the face.

Gears of War 4

XBox One S Gears of War Limited Edition 2TB Bundle @$699

Was invited for a preview on the games as well. It has been a while since I played any console games. Hope I didn't embarrass myself in front of the hardcore gamers. Oops.

coming to SG on 11 Oct

woOhOOo!

Tried it on a XBox One S white and the experience was all good. Yay to the HDR quality and the fluid movements in the game. Tactile feedback on the console was good and the hints from the game was adequate for a newbie to move around and to complete the mission.

battle on via console

Other games available for XBox One and Windows 10 include Forza Horizon 3, Dead Rising 4, ReCore, Scalebound and Halo Wars 2. Gamers can now buy one game and enjoy it on XBox or on PC with Windows 10.

ReCore is an action-adventure set in the futuristic world of spacecraft and sand dunes. The protagonist is Joule and her friends are robots. ReCore was created by Keiji Inafune of Metroid Prime fame.

ReCore will be available from 13 September 2016

In ReCore mission, there were specific actions that the gamer needed to do. Was so troublesome...the event helper that was standing behind me couldn't stand it anymore and decided to just show me how to do it. Hahaha! Other than that, the character's movements were very good and can even scale the wall. So cool!



If you are into more gore, then Dead Rising 4 might be your kind of game. Zombies, everywhere. Blood, everywhere. Anything and everything, can be a weapon. It has a rating of M18, so you know.

The protagonist is Frank West, and the trailer was quite amusing. You can watch it in YouTube. Mayhem is the theme and of course, zombie slaying.

#frankieisback

What can I say? I started with Frank with lots of swag, and heaving a big hammer which was used to the max in a melee, then a baseball bat which was quite good but all gone too soon. I think it was used till they broke! Then, I had some cannister of sorts which spewed fire when I managed to figure out how to throw it to the zombies. Ended up with Frank having to box his way out of the hordes and hordes of zombies...am so sorry Frank! Had a gun in the inventory list but couldn't figure it out how to switch to that. Faints. Haaha!
Dead Rising 4 coming to SG in December.

If you are purely in for the speed, then the racing game Forza Horizon 3 features stunning Australian skyline and beaches.

let's race along the beach

Happy Gaming!

Thank you Microsoft and Diandra for the invite.