The Waterfall Ristorante Italiano @ Shangri-La Hotel

Tucked somewhere amidst the Garden Wing of Shangri-La Hotel, you may just find yourself in a cosy Southern Italian trattoria serving the freshest ingredients and exquisite selection of wines. The place is  known as The Waterfall, and the man responsible for this transformation, is its Executive Chef Marco de Vincentis, a native of Naples. Naples is also considered as the birthplace of pizza.

Was invited to taste Chef Marco's Heirloom Signatures at The Waterfall with the good folks of HGW.

menu

cosy dining

The vibe was of ease and relaxation. Diners could choose to have their meal indoors or alfresco by the pool. Of course, smoking is not permitted in The Waterfall.

pool side dining

Walking into the restaurant, felt akin to walking into someone's kitchen. Guests would be greeted by the sight of the handmade pasta, and all the typical kitchen gadgets. Perhaps, our dinner components were prepared right here at these countertops?

pasta heaven

For wine lovers, The Waterfall has an extensive selection of wines and they might just have your favourite bottle. We know, because we found ours.

a Tuscany red

these glasses are made for drinking

Did you notice those barrels as you strolled into the restaurant? They are not just decorative, though it adds to the charm. In fact, those oak barrels contained Nero d'Avola, their house red. The black of Avola, is said to be the most important red wine grape in Sicily. [wiki]

Interestingly, the house red is served in the traditional ceramic Boccalino mugs, instead of the usual wine glass.

Sicilian Nero d'Avola from the oak barrel

Think I asked too many questions till the friendly (and probably amused) service staff, whom was pulling the wine for other guests, offered a small mug for a quick taste. Accepted with much thanks! Keke. The wine tasted mildly fruity and clean, and of warm berries. Nice as a starter.

Nero d'Avola served in cute Boccalini ceramic mug

Chef Marco took pride in explaining the items in our menu for today and we looked forward to his creations. Meanwhile, we started nibbling on the complimentary breads. Loved the balsamic and olive oil.

bread basket

For antipasto, we had the Insalata di Granchio Aranche e Finocchi (Crab Salad with Oranges and Fennel). It felt like a colourful summer dish that was refreshing to the taste buds. Very lightly dressed, tasted of tangy citrus, sweetness from the cherry tomatoes and cold crab, and that slight bitterness from the leaves.

Insalata di Granchio Aranche e Finocchi @$23++

Next, was the Primo (first) course of Spaghetti alla chitarra con Ragu' di Crostacei, served in a pan. The serving size was good for 2 pax.

Spaghetti alla chitarra con Ragu' di Crostacei @$29++

The handmade egg pasta was served with plenty of sauce, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, shrimps, prawns and lemon. Subtle taste that was more of tomato sweetness and with just a hint of seafood goodness.

Next, the main course was the Spigola all'acqua pazza. A Neopolitan-style seabass with cherry tomato, olive, capers, wine and parsley. The flavours of this dish was good, somewhat similar to asian-styled steamed fish until that bite of olive came through. The fish was done perfectly, retained its moist texture with some lovely fish oil to taste. I think the carrots were lovely too.

Spigola all'acqua pazza @$36++

lovely seabass

The final main course was a dish that we waited quite a fair bit for. Somethings are worth waiting for, and this may be one of those things. Roasted lamb rack, served with potatoes, thyme and sautéed vegetables.

Agnello Arrosto con Timo e Patate @$36++

The meat was easy to slice through, with an attractive pink center. It was a joy to bite into these morsels as the smokey flavour of the grill swept through the palate. The texture was gentle. Mellow wine and good meat, that would be a good way to enjoy a pre-holiday evening.

hard to resist

Indeed, Chef Marco had expertly transformed the fresh produce and allowing them to shine into beautiful flavours.

Alas, all good things will come to an end. Thus, we bade our farewells but not before we had the sharing platter for desserts that was beautifully plated.

The pannacotta looking item was the Biancomangiare or almond pudding. Chef Marco added a hint of orange blossom water to this nicely wobbly dessert.

Desserts - Sharing Platter - Biancomangiare N @$12++

Desserts - Sharing Platter - Tiramisu A @$15++

Desserts Sharing Platter - Ricotta @$15++

Profiteroles N @$15++

My personal favourite would be the simple Ricotta. Cheese cake made from Puglia region's fresh ricotta cheese. Paired with a cup of bitter coffee. Hmmm.

coffee to end the night

Thank you to Wen Xian and Shangri-La for hosting the dinner, and the HGW team for the invite. Once again, thank you to Chef Marco and to the friendly service crew at The Waterfall.

The Waterfall Ristorante Italiano Shangri-La Hotel

Location: Level 1, Garden Wing, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
Website:  http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/restaurants/waterfall/
Contact: (65) 6213 4138/ 4398

Reservation: https://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/restaurants/waterfall/book-a-table/

Operating Hours:
Breakfast
6.30am - 11am

Light Snacks
11am - 12noon
3pm - 6pm

Lunch
12noon - 3pm

Dinner
6pm - 10.30pm

The Bao Makers Cafe and Bakery @ 78 Horne Road

A cafe serving contemporary Asian influenced bao (包) or buns. The bun variant is of the kong bak bao (扣肉包) type. Besides the bao, there are other foods available. One could get salad, soups, small hot snacks like chicken wings, fries or fish sticks. Or, for mains if you are not into the buns, there are plates like fish and chips and pasta to choose from. Otherwise, there are brunch items such as eggs benedict or breakfast set. Or, just get any of the cakes baked in-house with their coffee.

signage

cakes

We were there to try its bao, and as it was part of our cafe hop, decided just to try two flavours of its buns. The bao platter offers 4 flavours (Classic, Bulgogi, Chili Crab and Teriyaki Chicken) at $28 but we wanted to try salted egg bao which was not part of the 4 included flavours. Can't do replacement with top-up too. So went non-platter instead.

self-serve iced water and wait for the order to arrive

The Salted Egg Shrimp made its entrance known by its fragrance. The salted egg sauce smelled really nice and strong. The shrimps were of a good size and there are three of those inside each bun.

Salted Egg Shrimp @$15

Very likely because we had taken some minutes to photograph these instead of biting into those soft buns filled with warm savoury salted egg sauce when it was just served, the oomph factor was lost. Tasted like any good zichar salted egg. These buns certainly won't fill up the stomach (unless you are on a diet). It needed at least a cup of coffee and perhaps that slice of cake.

Chili Crab @$16

Think the Chili Crab buns were fried but was impressed that it was not oily. In fact, it seemed a tad like a baked bun instead. The Chili Crab sauce here has some spicy kick that would be counted as a notch above the usual cafe spice level. Well suited for the local taste, I'd say. Also liked the fact that the crab meat chunks are very visible to the eye. Good.


Expect to spend about $20 - $24 per pax for a meal here.

The Bao Makers Cafe and Bakery

Website: https://www.baomakers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baomakers/
Phone: +65 6291 2330
 
Business Hours:

Monday to Friday            11am to 9pm
Saturday/Public Holidays  10am to 10pm
Sunday                         10am to 6pm

Non Entrée Desserts Cafe @ Rangoon Road

Located at 204 Rangoon Road, and the place is just beside one of the popular bak kut teh eatery there. If you are looking for main course, there is none here. Unless you count those sugary treats as one. Described as a place that take on classic European desserts, pastries and artisanal gelato.

Was there as an interlude between our cafe hops and it was pit stop #4. Gosh, we were having so many sweet stuff that day.

shop sign

door front

Its door front is painted bright yellow. Can't miss it. Quite heartening to see rattan furniture being adopted at this place. Retro cool.

alfresco

The place was rather packed on a Saturday. Once you step in, you will notice the gelato and then the cakes and subsequently, the chandelier.

chalkboard menu

chandelier and chefs at work

seat and nice tiles

Here is a collage of the ready-to-eat cakes on display that day. They have white florest, gold bar, chocolate charlotte, montblanc and strawberry shortcake.

(top clockwise) White Forest, Gold Bar, Mont Blanc and Chocolate Charlotte

pretty in red

Since we had overdosed on our sugar quota for the day, the three of us decided to just share one plated desserts from the seven available choices. Finally decided on Rubbery Ducky, only to be informed that it was not available. Then, wanted to try Tiramisu but without the alcohol but that was not possible since some of the ingredients were already infused with liqueur. But went ahead and ordered Tiramisu anyway since it was the next available desserts that we perceived as of the 'lighter' variant.

When the desserts was served up, we were surprised to see a Rubber Ducky. Checked the receipt and lo and behold, we did order a Rubber Ducky. Glad they were able to make one for us because it was just too cute!

Rubber Ducky @$12.90+

Essentially, Rubbery Ducky is made from 'exotic' gelato, mango puree, lemongrass foam and underneath it was creme fraiche pudding and sago. This was their take on mango pomelo sago (楊枝甘露).

creme fraiche pudding, sago, mango puree and lemongrass cloud

Rubber Ducky was pretty refreshing, sweet and very Asian.

Karafuru カラフル Desserts @ Jalan Klapa

Instagram shots of colourful éclairs? You must have seen one of those, right? Found it fascinating. After a certain amount of exposure over a period of time, it has created a desire to visit the shop. 

The place was kind of zen with white walls and minimalistic furnishing. The éclairs were categorized as non-alcoholic and alcoholic ones.

colourful éclairs

Choose your éclairs and pay at the counter. If éclair is not your thing, how about trying its yoghurt parfait? Or, choose from its dessert sets as it include a small pot of tea. 

dessert sets options

interior

If you had ordered the parfait dessert set, then a buzzer will be given as they will need a bit of time to plate the desserts.

number one customer

Let's bring out the カラフル エクレーア~

(front anti-clockwise) sakura, matcha azuki, blackforest, cafe au lait

matcha azuki @$6+

blackforest (alcoholic) @$7+

cafe au lait @$6+

For éclairs, I liked the cafe au lait best. The yoghurt parfait was nice and not too sour but the syrup underneath the pudding tasted like cough syrup.

Soba seed tea, was mild and soothing.

parfait set with sakura dango, pudding and raspberry coulis, served with soba seed tea

The sweets were photogenic and pretty to look at. Noted that it was not overwhelmingly sweet. We spent about $9 per pax.

Actually, the whisky creme éclair was one of those that caught my eye...wonder how it will taste like...

Hyde & Co @ 785 North Bridge Road

Was our monthly cafe hopping time with the usual gang but minus some. Met up with the lovelies Kris, Jennifer, Rachelle and Ivan at Hyde & Co for cakes and coffee.

welcomed

First time to this small little cosy cafe. Captivated by the lovely colours of lychee rose, we ordered a slice of that, plus a slice of ondeh-ondeh cake. For mains (and for sustenance), we ordered up the Pulled Pork Mantou and a Mr Frosty to share.


Started with the cakes first. Liked the flavour and fragrance of the lychee rose, but the chiffon was too crumbly and a tad dry. The ondeh-ondeh cake fared better in terms of texture and moistness. Sweetness level was nice.

lychee rose & ondeh-ondeh cakes @$7.90 per slice

moist and buttery ondeh-ondeh cake

And of course, one need to have coffee when having cakes. Mine was a piccolo latte, served with heart and some cutesy art. The colourful marshmallow and the blue teacup added to the charm. It was a very pretty cup with smooth coffee that was not too bitter and rather mellow.

piccolo latte @$4.50

Here are the other latte art that we got or rather, can we say, requested for? Haha, thank you Damien for indulging us!

swan art for the mocha

cutesy bunny for the guy's latte

and, a somewhat cheeky looking kissy doraemon

Of course, we must have food. Rather hungry by then. Mr Frosty is a plate of s'mores brioche french toast, chocolate sauce, marsmallow fluff, vanilla ice-cream, caramelized banana stuffed in between the toast and a few segments of orange.

Mr Frosty @$18

Pulled Pork Mantous @$14 (5 pieces)

The pulled pork man tou could have been great with its tender flavourful meat, if not for the oily man tou and a slightly too sweet sauce. Sweet buns combined with sweet sauce for the pork, equated to some jelakness.

The shop has a friendly and cosy vibe.