Gan Yakitori 岩やきとり @ Star Vista Part II

Visited again and this time round to try its yakitori. And my first Yamazaki whiskey.

Yamazaki Single Malt 12yrs with Iceball @ $13++

Take a sip of this light golden coloured liquid and leave it to linger for a while on the palate. Smooth with woody aroma. An unhurried drink to savour. Why whiskey? Partly because my friend loves it, and it made me curious. Of course, Suntory was also recently awarded the Distiller of the Year 2014. Perhaps next round, will try Hibiki 17 yrs.

Had the counter seat again, and at dinner time, there was plenty of grill action. Seems like Chef likes to say "はやくう!" Keke.

busy

Meanwhile, got a complimentary plate of きゃべつ (cabbage) with kara miso dip.The cabbage was crunchy and the miso was sweetish saltish and addictive.

無料です cabbage with kara miso dip

As and when Chef had done up your plate, he'll hand it to you if you're at the counter.

しおはつ　chicken hearts @$2.80++

たれねぎま chicken with leeks @$2.80++

Super love the chewy chicken hearts (with salt) and the negima (in sauce). But gosh, they were tiny. Luckily, there was raw cabbage to munch on.

あかむつ Dry Red Rock Fish @$8++

The fish was rather small. Much much smaller than an ayu fish (sweetfish). Most likely panfried as I didn't see it being grilled.

soft white flesh

Skip the fish and use the money to have rice or more yakitoris.

There's a 20% discount on drinks at the moment, so the total cost was about $29.

Horioka-san was there and he would ensure that your food had all arrived. The fish took forever to come and he pottered over to the kitchen to fetch it.

ごちそさまでした, ありがと！

Skyve Wine Bistro @ 10 Winstedt Road

Been here countless of time for bar snacks and drinks, and this was the second time we ordered main courses.

Grilled Whole Boston Lobster @$49++

Quite an enjoyable dish. The lobster meat was sweet and succulent. Spaghettini with ample sauce of crushed tomatoes and reduced cream, what's not to like?

First time having a Malbec as well. Spicy but not overly, smooth and easy on the palate.

Malbec

Sous Vide Grilled Angus Ribeye @$40++

medium rare

On hindsight, medium would be better as our medium rare doneness turned out to be pretty rare! It doesn't have that metallic tang though it looked rare. Tender and easy to chew except when one bites into the ligaments.

The truffle and potato mash was a favourite. So yummy.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum @ Parkway Parade

Was invited to try TOBY'S in a far away location that is known as Parkway Parade. For travellers from north-west, one could take bus #966 from Woodlands Bus Interchange. It is an hour ride away and bus interval is about 15 minutes on weekends.

TOBY'S is located at Level 2 of Parkway Parade, and quite easy to spot with its bright purple signage.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum

seats

menu

Seems like its online menu and the actual menu are a bit different. For example, wanted to try the "New" Taco Fried Chicken Wings but its menu only listed Spicy Hot Wings. Hmm.

Nonetheless, its menu looked pretty extensive with starters, salads, burwiches (a cross of burger and sandwich?), pasta, pizza, baked rice and house specials.

For 2 pax, we ordered one starter, two mains and two desserts.

Spicy Hot Wings @$8.95++

The fried wings were coated with spicy sauce and packed some heat though not overwhelmingly so. Thought there was tabasco in the sauce but it was revealed to be sambal instead. Nice asian twist. Best eaten while it is hot.

Was thirsty, so got myself a glass of "Hulk A Mania", or simply put, it is green apple juice with  lime and sour plum.

Hulk A Mania @ $6.95++

Realisation hits when the pasta was brought to the table. Had ordered a main course that was similar to the appetiser! Both were spicy and tomato based sauce also had sambal for spiciness.

Spicy Marinara Spaghetti @$17.95++

The spicy marinara came loaded with crunchy prawns, squid and fish chunks. Plenty of carbs here. 

BBQ Baby Ribs (pork) looked good and tasted good. BBQ sauce was slightly on the sweeter side. The meat was fork tender and enjoyable. There was quite a bit of potato salad too. It wasn't just a small mound, it was a tower of potato salad! Nicely seasoned.

BBQ Baby Ribs @$19.95++

fork tender meat

After the mains, then it was time for desserts. Cakes or ice-cream? How about both!

selection of cakes and tarts

more cakes

For the ice-cream variant, got ourselves a mudpie called "TO-BY or Not TO-BY". My dining companion described the rum & raisin ice-cream as having 'punch'. I liked the crunchy bits in the mudpie.

rum and raisin ice-cream, chocolate ice-cream with choc chips and waffle bits @$10.95++

Pretty sweet. Has been quite a while since I had any rum and raisin ice-cream. Used to be the de-facto selection way back in those days when salted caramel has yet to be introduced.

If you're a durian lover, then Spike D is one dessert here that you wouldn't want to miss. Was glancing at its online menu and this was the dessert that I wanted to get.

Spike D @$5.95++

A nondescript looking round choco globe but inside, ooh, its inside is soo good! Cut a section and one gets that strong whiff of durian. The taste was heavenly. One simply must have this.

fresh durian with chocolate fudge

On the day of visit, I spied that there were only two Spike Ds left at 5pm. So weekend diners who are coming for dinner, you may not get to taste this wonderful dessert.

Overall pick would be BBQ Baby Ribs for the main course and no prize for guessing, yes Spike D for desserts.

Special thanks to Francis for the invite and for being a generous host. The service crew were friendly and helpful.

TOBY'S - The Dessert Asylum

Address: #02-68/69/70 Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road, Singapore
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm
Contact: 6346 2435
Website: http://www.tobys.com.sg
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TobysTheDessertAsylum/