Sate Kajang Hj. Samuri @ Kajang, Selangor

Located at Bangunan Dato Nazir, near the stadium. Kajang is synonymous with satay and the Haji Samuri brand of satay, has been around for as long as I can remember!

main outlet

Satay is available daily from 1030am onwards, except Friday from 4pm onwards. Usually crowded.

In the good old days (read many many many years ago), one would order the meat and grab a seat. Then, a bunch of satay would be served and patrons would eat what they want. Once done with the meal, the seller would come by to count the sticks and for those uneaten ones, they'd take back to re-heat and would probably end up on someone else's table.

Nowadays, it's self-service and payment must be made prior to receiving the food.

self-service counter (order and pay)

antiques

The decor is quaint, with antiques such as old gramaphones, typewriters and charcoal irons displayed on shelves or corners in the dining area.

no sugar cane here

The  best drink to go with satay, would be sugar cane. Unfortunately, that is not available here. Probably too much of a hassle to make. If its any consolation, whole coconut is available. The other drinks are usually a tad too sweet.

cucumber and rice (@RM1.50+ per plate)

kuah (peanut gravy) refillable

After ordering and making payment, do collect the cucumber and rice (ketupat) if you had ordered any, plus the drinks. The only thing that'll be sent to your table would be the satay and cooked items such as fried noodles etc.

chicken satay (@RM0.70+ per stick)

The beef (@RM0.70+ per stick) and mutton (@RM1.40+ per stick) satay suffered the same fate. Both were tough and chewy. The chicken satay was pretty consistent throughout the times that we ordered. Good sized and not too tough. Would have preferred if there's a bit more fats in the chicken satay.

There are rabbit and venison too, should you wish to try.

It's strange how the taste had changed. I remembered the taste of perut (beef tripe satay) that I had when I was a child. It was cheesy. Now, it doesn't taste like cheese, at all. But if you like something soft, then perut satay (@RM0.80+ per stick) would be good. No worries, there wasn't any funky taste nor smell to the perut.

friendly satay chefs

Bliss Restaurant @ Cheng San CC, Ang Mo Kio

Located at Cheng San CC, Ang Mo Kio. How often have I dined within any community club's vicinity? Hmm..almost never?

To get there, I followed the stated directions from SG Food on Foot (Derrick, who had been to Bliss Restaurant before, and in similiar fashion which was, by public transport!).

Alighted at AMK MRT, took exit B, turned right then walk along covered walkway till there is an opening at the right side. At about halfway mark and you'll see people turning right, plus there'd be an ice-cream uncle. Then, you'll see a stairs leading up to the park, or turn left and you'll see a lift, and nearby another stairs. Take the stairs or the lift (if you must), and now walk straight. The MRT tracks would be on your left (fenced). Then, turn right again at a playground of some sorts, and you'll see a public washroom plus that tiny sign that says, "Cheng San CC". Walk right ahead and you'll see the restaurant right away.

The restaurant has an indoor dining area, as well as al-fresco area (non-smoking).

menu (food and drinks)

indoor dining area

alcohol, anyone?

This place has quite an extensive drinks list for a restaurant located in a community club. Wine, whiskey, beer, cocktails etc. Happy Hour happens daily from 3pm till 8pm, with Hoegaarden draught going for just $9+ a pint.

Hoegaarden and San Miguel, on tap

Got myself a glass of premium pour (Long Neck Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa).

Premium Pour (@$8.90+)

light golden, mild to taste, almost non-tannic

Oooh, shouldn't drink on an empty stomach. Had Suicidal Wings (@$6.90+ for 6 pieces, mid-joints and drumlets aka 3 full wings).

Suicidal Wing, coated with Hot Devil sauce & chili flakes

curry leaves for extra flavour

chili flakes

Suicidal did sound abit scary, thus requested to have the chili flakes separated so that it wouldn't be too spicy. Actually, the Hot Devil sauce, turned out to be pretty mild. Too mild, to be suicidal!

could this be Hot Devil Sauce? Turned out to be negative...hmmm..

Next up, main course. Wasn't feeling particularly hungry, so chose a seafood dish, the Lobster Tail & Caviar (@$23.90+). Originally served with rice, but requested to have that changed to garden salad instead. Not a problem. Liked that the restaurant was able to provide options to suit particular dietary requests.

Lobster Tail & Caviar

closer view

from top: miso-mayo, onion sambal and balsamic vinegar (for salad)

Am glad that the sauces were served separately, as both the miso-mayo and sweet onion sambal were pretty salty. Unfortunately, the lobster meat was a little tougher than expected.

sweet onion sambal lobster

The table near mine (dainty gals) were having sirloin steak medium rare. That blissful look on their faces after taking a bite out of the tender-looking, still pink in the middle meat, had me convinced that my next order in this restaurant, would be exactly that!

How about desserts? Perhaps a scoop of ice-cream? How about a scoop of ice-cream laced with rum? Oooh. That piqued my interest.

Mango Mojito Mambo (@$7.90+)

mango ice-cream laced with rum

with some fruit bits

This was one potent dessert! Strong rum. Recommended if you like alcohol/rum and mango ice-cream.

The restaurant has a pleasant, family-friendly vibe at its indoor area. Though I spied mostly young-adults and working adults making up its clientale during the eve of visit (weekday). Prices are reasonable and service was courteous and accommodating.

Thank you to Ms Pamela Mariveles (Marketing Officer) and Mr Xiao Yu Lin (Assistant Manager) for your hospitality.

For more information:
Bliss Restaurant & Catering Pte Ltd
Cheng San Community Club
6 Ang Mo Kio St 53,
#01-01 Singapore 569205

Tel: 62803389, Email: info@blissrestaurant.com.sg
Web: www.blissrestaurant.com.sg
Operating hours: Sun-Thurs (3pm-12am), Fri-Sat (3pm-2am)

[Closed] Satsuma (さつま) Shochu Dining Bar @ Gallery Hotel, Nanson Road

Located at 1 Nanson Road, this restaurant was our chosen venue to celebrate a friend's birthday. As it was our first visit, we were kind of lost. Went in to the hotel, and followed the sign to the restaurant. Was a bit confused when the sign pointed us out of the hotel. Nevertheless, we made a right turn, and saw Mimigar (but it was closed that day) and shortly after, found Satsuma (さつま).

Level 1 dining area looks quite small. Since we had made reservation for 8 pax, we were informed that our table is at Level 2. Climbed up the metal stairways to Level 2, and we were then showed to the private dining area. Not exactly private since everyone can still see us and vice-versa. Birthday boy said he felt as if we were sitting in a cage. Hahaa!

our dining room, with a clear view of yakitori chef

chirp chirp

That aside, it was kind of cosy. One has to take off the shoes prior to entering the room. The staff will hide/stow away your shoes, and it will reappear when you're ready to leave.

menu

utensils

Two bowls of otoshi, consisting of raw vege (cabbage leaves, and vege sticks of cucumber, carrot and turnip) were already placed on our table.

vegetable munchies

miso, after much dipping and dabbing

Extensive list of sake and shochu, but we had none. Chose hot roasted tea instead.

roasted tea (refillable)

For starters, we had the Salmon and Avocado Tartare (@$20++) from the cold dishes (冷たい) selection.

salmon & avocado tartare

raw food: salmon tartare on cabbage

I think the waitress suggested raw oysters (probably seasonal items?), so we had that as well.

small sized raw oysters (@$10++ for 3 slivers)

Quite yums, the raw oysters. Slurps.

Then our platter of Sashimi Moriawase (large @$69++) arrived. Consisting of ebi, hotate, sake, akami, tako, mekajiki and hamachi. Liked the flowers too. Nice visuals.

Sashimi Moriawase (刺し身盛り合わせ)

Tried the akami, hamachi and hotate. Liked the scallops best as it was sweet~

hamachi (はまち)

akami (赤身)

hotate (帆立)

Then, the grilled items (炭焼き) began to arrive.

Japanese mackerel with plum and chicken thigh with leek (3 portions = 6 sticks)

tebasaki (3 portions shown)

Chicken thigh with leek was tender and succulent.

chicken thigh with leek (ねぎま) @$6++ per portion (2 sticks)

The Japanese mackerel with plum received very favourable feedback from birthday boy. It has quite the smokey taste with deep char on its outer skin, adequately salted and oozes with fish oil.

Japanese mackerel with plum (秋刀魚梅巻) @$9++ per portion (2 sticks)

By this time, I was beginning to feel quite full. Nevertheless, one can never be too full for chicken wings!

tebasaki/chicken wings (手羽先) @$7++ per portion (2 sticks)

Oily, lovely, tiny salted wings. Oh, devoured in minutes and you'd probably make such a nice snack to have with beer or shochu.

Next, beef rib-eye. Think it was by default done medium (to medium well), and should be eaten as soon as it was served. Tender with a slight chew and kind of juicy. Lightly salted. However, when it was left out for a little while longer, the meat became slightly tougher and more dry.

rib-eye (バーベ牛) @$14++ per portion (2 sticks)

By this time, I am convinced that those vegetable sticks that we had earlier, really did a good job in filling up the stomach!

spicy cod roe (mentaiko) spaghetti (明太子スパゲティー) @$15++

wickedly salty

When we thought we could eat no more, the last plate arrived. Nicely done, and good hint of smokey flavour.

grilled squid/ika sugata salted (烏賊すがた / 塩) @$9++

Glad that the restaurant allowed us to bring our own cake, and we ended the night with Antoinette's Le Royale.

Happy Birthday, Reuben!

La Barra @ Star Vista, Buona Vista

Located at Level 2 of Star Vista, and it looked like a good place to start my maiden Colombian food experience.

menu

food~

cosy interior

The menu focuses on empanadas and arepas, and thus, that was what we ordered.

beef empanadas (@$10++)

For a small eater, empanadas sounds good. Three choices (chicken, beef or cheese) for its filling but one order can only be that one choice. So if you chose beef, all 3 pieces will be beef. There goes the plan to taste all three! I understand from the service staff that these lovely fritters were handmade by the lady boss.

Served piping hot, and with two sauces; Aji (salsa made from tomatoes, chili and corriander) and a greenish sauce, probably avocado mix.

golden corn fritters

filled with strips of beef

The fritter's skin tasted of slight sweetness as one chewed along. The beef filling was good, savoury tasty but yet, mild.

Aji sauce

avocado sauce?

Had the misconception that the Aji sauce would be spicy, but it was not. Gave a somewhat 'green' (probably from the corriander) taste when eaten with the fritters.

Did someone ask for a drink? Haha, of course. Ordered the ladies drink, a Redd's lime flavoured beer. Liked that it was served out in a glass with salted rim.

beer (@$12++)

Redd's beer, served and ready to be enjoyed

My friend had the Arepa Burger.

Arepa Burger (@$18++), served with plantains

onions, tomato, cheese, beef patty and vege sandwiched between arepa

nicely textured, tasty beef patty

 Not quite used to the arepa. Maybe we left it out for a tad too long while we talked. It was a bit hardened when we got to it. Liked the beef patty, the cheese and everything else in the burger. Nice combo, that tasted just right. Have this with a glass of slightly sweet red wine. Yums.

red wine (@$12++)

The Arepa Burger was served with a side of plantain, which is deep fried banana, lightly salted. Tasted kind of like deep fried tapioca, though.

deep fried plantain

How about some Colombian coffee to end the meal? My friend had the espresso. Tiny tiny cup, cute.

espresso

Juan Valdez, signature Colombian coffee

Service was earnest and friendly. Would like to come back sometime, to try the dessert and coffee.