[Media Invite] Brownice Italian Bistro @ 53 East Coast Road (Katong)

Brownice has a two shops; one at Sin Ming (Brownice Ice Cream) and the main branch is actually Brownice Italian Bistro at Katong, or more accurately at 53 East Coast Road (near 328 Katong Laksa). Was invited by Tiara to join her for a food tasting at Brownice Italian Bistro, together with Kris, Justin, Ivan and Jennifer.

Brownice Italian Bistro offers Italian vegan food options and, yes vegan ice-cream included! While we know that vegan is not the same vegetarian, but how many of us knows what's the difference? While I have friends on vegetarian diet, there was no personal encounter with vegan friends, yet. Hence, had to seek some answers from Google master to satisfy my curiousity. While both practices meatless diet, vegans do not take dairy product nor eggs but garlic and onions are alright. My vegetarian friend, could consume dairy products and eggs but no to garlic and onions.

menu

alfresco area

indoor dining

Brownice Italian Bistro offers alfresco and indoor dining. Walking into the shop, one would be captivated by the colourful display of housemade ice-creams at the ice-cream counter. Free to sample the flavours.

ice-cream

and more ice-cream

But, it's not time yet for desserts. Let's start proper for dinner. My first ever dining experience of Italian-styled vegan cuisine.

we are about to start, have you chope'd a place?

Here we go, starting with the drinks. A trio of two milkshakes (minus the milk) and a smoothie. Guess which was my favourite.

hazelnut 'milkshake' @$8

Passionfruit Mango Smoothie @$8

Very Chocolate 'Milkshake' @$8

My favourite was the Passionfruit Mango Smoothie, with the passionfruit flavour edging out the mango by quite a bit.

Next up, something not so Italian as we had a side-order of White Truffle Fries. Was pretty impressed by this. The cheese taste was pretty strong and it was so enjoyable. Paired best with a sparkling soda (NC18: though you know I meant cider, or beer. So far, have yet to come across vegan beer or wine in Singapore).

White Truffle Fries @$10

In an Italian bistro, one's supposed to order something Italian, sì?

Tuscan Fennel Orange Salad @$12

Thought the plate of salad was lively and the sharp vinaigrette was pretty appetising. But a tad too much dressing though as the liquid pooled towards the bottom of the plate. After the cold appetiser, let's have a hot one.

Sicilian Arancini @$12

Cute little stuffed risotto rice balls that are coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried. Here, not only was it served with a bright tangy tomato sauce, it was drizzled with some balsamic as well. The Italian style would be to have the risotto would still be slightly crunchy (or when I first tasted it, I might think that it was undercooked). The risotto at Brownice Italian Bistro was cooked to a bit softer texture.

My favourite starter, was something simple. The fresh, thick mushroom soup with intense woody mushroom flavours bursting out to you at each mouthful. Delizioso! Bene! But Chef, please hold back a bit on the salt, ya.

Fresh Mushroom Soup @$8

Of course, in Italian food, there is pizza. Nowadays, thin crusts are more favoured than the thick ones. Suspect that it is so that we could eat more of the other things!

someone's gonna pinch one, if you're not looking - Four Seasons Pizza @$18

cured olives, sundried summer tomato (in pic), autumn mushroom, spring artichoke with soy ham

Truffle Porcini Fungi @$19

The pizza that we tasted were good. Liked the cured olives in the four seasons and mushrooms pizza tasted really creamy. One pizza could be shared by 2 pax.

Also tried the mushroom risotto and again, if you liked the mushroom soup, then this risotto would be right up your alley as well. Seemed like quite a big plate to finish on one's own, though. Best to share unless you have a large appetite.

Truffle Mushroom Risotto @$18

If you have a craving for lasagne, then you might want to try Brownice version. Layered with eggplants and tofu crumble served with tomato ragù.

Lasagne @$17 (handmodels cr: jellylovefats and ivanteh-runningman)

eggplant tofu lasagne

And then, it was time for desserts. Their waffles machine was unfortunately down so no waffles for the night. Got ourselves an ice-cream bowl with 4 scoops of ice-cream of our choice. The sampling of flavours were conducted by 3 individuals so it was our duty to bring group approved flavours back to the table.

Brownice Vegan Ice-Cream Bowl @$4 per scoop with additional $1 for premium flavours

The premium flavours require additional top-up of a dollar and these flavours are marked with a 'P' on their flavour tags at the ice-cream counter. Alright, let's see what we had; matcha, dark chocolate, peanut butter and pistachio.

The matcha flavour gave me a surprise when I first tasted it. See if it does the same to you. Would recommend matcha (only if you're game for a slight change and not a matcha purist!) and the pistachio for its really really good for its 'just-like-eating-a-real-pistachio' kind of flavour. Unadulterated goodness. Peanut butter and dark chocolate were equally good. Now I know that vegan ice-cream can be just as creamy, as delicious and satisfying as one with dairy in it.

This had been an interesting introduction to vegan food. Thank you Khai and Brownice Italian Bistro for hosting us, Brownice staff who assisted in our queries and Chefs who came out to speak to us (or rather to see what we were doing with their food!), and Tiara for inviting.

Brownice Italian Bistro

Address: 53 East Coast Road, Singapore
Contact: 6348 2295
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovebrownice

[Media Invite] Roosevelt's Diner & Bar @ New Bridge Road

Located at New Bridge Road, conveniently within 2 minutes walk from Exit H of Outram MRT station. Of course, the directionless me took the wrong exit and ended up having to walk for about 8 minutes to get there. Roosevelt is just round the corner of Dorsett Residences. Can't miss it, and easily recognizable by the neon lighted Teddy in a suit that smokes a cigar.

entrance to the diner

Roosevelt's Diner offers a comfortable space suitable for small and large groups alike. It also offers brunch menu whole day long everyday till 6pm. So, if you have any brunch items cravings, there isn't a need to wait till weekends! Just pop by Roosevelt's to satisfy those cravings.

interior

there's a vespa in da house!

Let's have a look at what's available in the brunch menu.

menu

no kidding, brunch menu available everyday till 6pm

What's the first thing that came to mind, when someone says "American Diner"? For me, that'll be milkshake, burgers, pies and jukebox. Yes, I watched a tad too much TV.

Here, we had a chance to sample 3 flavours out of the 7 available milkshakes; Signature Salted Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake and Oreo. In terms of flavours that stood out, it was the Signature Salted Caramel with its gloriously sweet and salty smooth concoction. The granola bar crumblies in the milkshake added a bite to the creamy smooth texture.

Signature Salted Caramel Milkshake @$10++

But my personal favourite, was the Strawberry Cheesecake. A lady's drink, if you may. Liked the milder fruity flavour of strawberries. Yummy.

Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake @$12++

For food, we had a taste preview of an appetiser from the Dinner menu; the Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops. Plump, juicy seared scallops served with housemade yuzu mustard ricotta, lovingly drizzled with umami'ish seaweed brown butter and topped with toasted hazelnut and ebiko. The contrast of textures between soft, firm and crunchy worked well and loved the flavours of chopped hazelnut.

Was actually looking for some bread to mop up the seaweed brown butter. So delish! But have to restrain self. Too much of a good thing, may not be good after all.

Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops @ $24++

Next up, we got to try some wholesome salad bowls. For some Mexican flavours, one could opt for the Charred Corn Quinoa and should you prefer Asian'ish flavours, go for the Shitake Sesame Salmon.

Charred Corn Quinoa @$17++

pouring some hot sauce yoghurt over the Charred Corn Quinoa

Quinoa is a healthier alternative to rice. The hot sauce is really not spicy, so overall, this bowl has adequate greens, pickled cabbage and lovely crunchy prawns in a good mix of pico de gallo (salsa, typicall made of fresh tomato, onion, and jalapeno) and sliced avocado.

e

Shitake Sesame Salmon @$18++

The Shitake Sesame Salmon bowl offers a taste closer to Asians with its sesame dressing. There's tofu, shitake mushroom slices, pomegranate, mixed greens, soba and edamame at the base, and a square of tender sous-vide salmon at the top, garnished with plenty of seaweed strips. Simply lovely.

But for those that loves your carbs, how about a well crafted mozarella steak sandwich? Roosevelt takes pride in curating the most suited bread to match with its tender sous-vide sliced beef chuck cooked to allow natural flavours of the meat to shine through. The wholemeal bread was toasted to a lovely crisp brown and melted mozarella over beef slices that exuded beefy flavours when chewed.

Mozarella Steak Sandwich @$16++

look at this lovely steak sandwich

how about some housepour wine to go along with steak sandwich?

For drinks, one could go for bottled craft, or Kronenbourg on tap. If you prefer wine, there are a few housepours with starting price of $8++ per glass (75ml). Or, coffee if you are like me. Mocha was my choice for the day.

coffee and latte art

Usually, brunch food will involve some eggs action. Similarly, one could get plenty of that at Roosevelt's.

If you have a big appetite, or just want to get the most variety, then you may want to order the Big Breakfast that has spiced potatoes, scrambled eggs, chipolata, bacon, shitake mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, greens and a croissant. Am inclined to think that this feeds two.

Big Breakfast @$28++

However, am excited to introduce two personal favourites from the Brunch menu. First up, a simple looking Beef Cheek on Potato Pancake. Three patties of shredded potato, lovingly stacked ontop of creamy cayenne buttermilk, topped with tender flavourful slow-braised beef cheek and on it, one perfectly poached wobbly free-range egg.

Beef Cheek on Potato Pancake @$22++

lovely side profile

What did I like about this dish? The way its flavours just come through together and the way one could still taste the flavours of the potato.

looking at delicious

Another brunch item that you need to try at Roosevelt's, is the Truffle Potato Foam with Croissant. Have never tried potato foam before, have you?

Truffle Potato Foam with Croissant @$21++

The truffle oil smell was strong, and the surprise find when one digs in. On top, one gets panko or toasted breadcrumbs, torched parmesan, then hidden inside was the free-range poached eggs and bacon bits.

so good, eat while it is hot!

For desserts, we tried the Churros Waffle with chocolate sauce. This is the good old buttermilk waffle with cinnamon spiced sugar. Served with vanilla ice-cream.

Churros Waffle @$12++

Thank you Ying and Roosevelt's for hosting the brunch preview and thank you Kris for the invite.
Click here for Roosevelt's FB page.

[Media Invite] Cucina Italian Restaurant @ Aperia Mall Kallang

Aperia Mall is some 10 minutes distance away from the Kallang MRT. I was lost and ended up having to ask for directions from the good people at 7-Eleven.

Aperia Mall, as seen from across the road

Aperia Mall is actually a huge space with plenty of dining options. If you're looking for restaurants that has plenty of seats and able to accommodate large groups, can consider the restaurants in Aperia Mall. Quiet on weekday nights too.

First time at Aperia Mall and first time trying Cucina Italian Restaurant. Click on the links to check-out Cucina's current promotions at Groupon as well as Hungrygowhere.

set meals are available

what shall we eat?

If you are around the area during lunch hour, you may want to try their lunch pasta special at just $8.90++. Otherwise, there's also an All Day Special Meal @$12.90++.

Lunch Special

more options for All Day Special Meals

Was there for dinner, so we tried quite a bit of starters and main courses. What would be your wine of choice when having Italian food? At Cucina, had a glass of housepour red of Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. Usually, am not for Chilean wine but found the Cabernet Sauvignon at Cucina pretty drinkable.

housepour red

If you prefer Italian wine, there's only one choice at the moment.

Italian wine

For starters, we had bruschetta, soups, pumpkin salad, rolled parma ham and sauteed vongole.

Zuppa di mare (fresh seafood soup) @$12.90++

Gil Involtini di Proscuitto di Parma (rolled parma ham stuffed with rocket leaves) @$15.90++

Saute Vongole @$15.90++

Pumpkin Salad @$13.90++

Sauteed mushrooms @$10.90++

Of all the appetisers, am favouring the rolled parma ham stuffed with rocket leaves and mascarpone cheese dressed with balsamico. Also liked the bruschetta al Pomodoro, the pumpkin salad and sauteed mushrooms.

Tried the Quattro Stagioni where one gets four flavours in a pizza. Perfect for the undecided. Thin crust, and plenty of cheese. Expect strong flavours. The mushrooms topping was quite lovely.

Pizza Quattro Stagioni - mushroom, seafood with tomatoes, parma ham and pepperoni @$27.90++

Also sampled a risotto and a pasta dish before we proceeded with the meats. Both were pleasant.

Seafood Risotto @$28.90++

Aglio Olio e Peperoncino con Granchi (crabmeat pasta with garlic, olive oil) @$30.90++

Then, of course the meats. Who would've thought that an Italian place would have duck confit? If you're not sure of which meats to get, then perhaps get a platter with 3 types of meats; lamb, ribeye and chicken.

Duck Confit @$32.90++

Primo e base de carne with red wine sauce @$42.90++

Would recommend the lamb cutlet. Good stuff as it was very tender and not too gamey. Seasoned perfectly too. The chicken was good too but tasted a tad too Asian'ish. Would have preferred medium rare for the ribeye as medium doneness was rather chewy.

The favourite for the table, was the grilled barramundi in safron cream sauce. Sounds like fusion but it sure tasted good! Fish was firm and well cooked with a hint of sweetness.

Grilled Barramundi in saffron cream @$28.90++

And, we ended with tiramisu. Don't we always order tiramisu in every Italian restaurant in Singapore?

Tiramisu @$11.90++

Thank you Cucina Italian Restaurant for hosting the dinner and the good folks of HGW for the invite.