Elemen 元素 @ Millenia Walk

For our foodies get-together, Elemen @ Millenia Walk was suggested. Rather unusual choice but we gave it a try. One of our new friend liked the place quite a bit and has been there for a few times already. Reservations were made (which we later learnt was quite a necessity) and at the appointed date, we turned up for brunch at Elemen.

Elemen is located at Level 1 of Millenia Walk and was quite easy to find. The shop ambiance was refreshing with a rather spacious dining area.

shopfront

interior

Once seated, diners could peruse the paper menu or via the tablet. When ready, just order via the tablet device. One could opt for course set menus of 5-courses @$23.80++ or 8-courses @$32.80++, or go ala-carte.

menu cum ordering pad

traditional menu

Basically the items in ala-carte are the same as those that you can mix and match into the course sets. For ala-carte menu, the starters price ranges from $2.80++, salads goes for $5.80++ while soups can be as high as $8.80++. Main courses generally either $12.80++ or $15.80++ while desserts are priced at $5.80++, $6.80++ and $8.80++.

Liked the restaurant's versatility in terms of not making it compulsory for everyone at the same table to order all ala-cartes or all course sets. For our group of 9 pax, we ordered 2 x 8-courses set and a few ala-carte mains.

rosemary infused water

(included in 8-Course Set) Elemen Appetiser @$4.80++ and apple cider

Didn't manage to taste the Elemen Appetiser except for the small squares of sesame pudding. Nice intense sesame flavours in the beginning but it finishes with a burnt after taste. The apple cider tasted like a sharp version of apple juice.

tomato looks inviting

Wild Mushroom Cream Soup with Truffle Oil

Double Boiled Maca Soup @$8.80++

We chose soups from western and asian influenced. The mushroom cream soup was thick and not too overpowering. It was unfortunate that by the time I managed to get a sip, the soup had turned cold. With all the items served on the table, it was tough to pay equal attention to each dish. The Asian styled Maca soup was pleasant and tasty.

Avocado Salad with BBQ sauce @$5.80++

Mushroom Salad @$5.80++

Gosh, I think I might had missed out on the avocado salad! Haha, what a bummer. Nevertheless, managed to have a bite of the mushroom salad. It looked pretty cute with the plump stem. Light earthy flavour.

For mains, we ordered mostly Asian items. We tried the Tempura Tofu with Avocado Roll, Oven Baked Mountain Yam with Walnut, Braised Pumpkin with Glutinous Rice in Hot Stone and a relatively new item at Elemen, the Japanese Curry Noodles with Beancurd Roll.

Tempura Tofu with Avocado Roll @$15.80++

The Tempura Tofu with Avocado Roll was done up very nicely. Easy to share too! The sushi rice was good and it goes well with the fried bits and the sauce.  Yummy and quite worthwhile to get it in a set. Tasted like something one could get from a Japanese restaurant.

Yet, another Japanese-inspired dish. Japanese Curry Udon with Beancurd Roll may not look pretty but it tasted quite likeable. The sweetish Japanese curry that wasn't too thick, the strands of thin udon that required a bath in the curry gravy, ample leafy greens and lovely beancurd roll too. Surprise find was the chestnuts. 

Japanese Curry Noodles with Beancurd Roll @$12.80++

Next, two dishes that were recommended by foodie friend that had dined at Elemen before. The Wild Mushroom and White Truffle Pizza and the Braised Pumpkin with Glutinous Rice in HotStone.

The pizza was thin-crusted and crispy round its edges. The toppings were not overpowering and great for sharing.

Wild Mushroom and White Truffle Pizza @$15.80++

Braised Pumpkin with Glutinous Rice in Hot Stone @$15.80++

The braised pumpkin hotstone pot was served bubbling. There's green apples, pumpkin, and king oyster mushroom in there. The sauce is made of red wine and teriyaki sauce. The crispy glutinous rice would soften once its soaked enough in the pot.

yuzu mint mojito @$4.80++

For drinks, there are four choices in each of the hot or cold beverage categories. Chose Yuzu Mint Mojito for something cold and the Lychee Black Tea from the hot selection.

The cold yuzu mint mojito had a tad too much ice in it and that kind of diluted it a little. Nevertheless, it was refreshing on a warm day.

The hot Lychee Black Tea was served in lovely black teapot that was pretty heavy. The tea has been properly infused and the fragrance of lychee was noticeable.

Lychee Black Tea @$4.80++

For the Course Sets, we got ourselves desserts; the interesting purple-coloured Sweet Potato Puree and the previously most-ordered cafe dessert of chocolate lava cake served with gelato.

The Sweet Potato Puree offered an unadulterated taste of sweet potato. Mild and light. As for the chocolate lava cake, it was decent and pretty enjoyable. Just don't expect the lava to flow out.

Sweet Potato Puree @$5.80++

Chocolate Lava Cake with Gelato @$8.80++

On the overall, we thought it was quite a good value to get the course-set when you're dining at Elemen.

For a 5-Course Set @$23.80++, one gets:

• 1x Elemen Appetiser
• 1x Salad/Soup
• 1x Main
• 1x Dessert
• 1x Drink

For 8-Course Set @$32.80++, one gets:

• 1x Elemen Appetiser
• 1x Rosemary Breadstick with yoghurt sauce
• 1x Salad
• 1x Soup
• 1x Apple Cider
• 1x Main
• 1x Dessert
• 1x Drink

Recommended for families, large groups or anyone that would like to dine in a comfortable environment to enjoy meatless dishes.

[Media Invite] Kay Lee Roast Meat 琪利珠江燒臘 @ Tanjong Katong Road

Kay Lee made the headlines two years back in 2014, when it was sold to Aztech Group for a cool sum of $4 million Singapore dollars. Fast forward two years later in 2016, Kay Lee's outlets have grown to 7 in total. Located at various parts of Singapore, these outlets aim to bring Kay Lee roast meats closer to the people. There's one at Upper Paya Lebar, Suntec City, Ubi, Tanjong Katong, Singtel Comcentre, Bedok North and the latest at Bukit Batok WCEGA Tower. Expect difference in ambiance, price points and promotions at these different outlets.

Was invited for a tasting and rounded up a few others to try Kay Lee's famous roast meat at its Tanjong Katong outlet. If not wrong, this outlet was launched in 2015, and nestled amongst the many other restaurants along the stretch of Tanjong Katong food street.

Kay Lee Roast Meat @ 283 Tanjong Katong Road

This is a self-service outlet, so just go ahead and place your order at the counter located at its entrance. The menu is shown prominently at the counter as well.

hmm, char siew, roast pork or duck, or triple combo?

The place is airconditioned and has plenty of seats for diners. Whether you're a single diner or in groups of 8 pax, this outlet could accommodate.

spacious and clean

wall of fame (spot Gordon)

Since I've not tried Kay Lee before, was pretty curious to know how it'll taste like. The primary focus is still the dark char siew, roast duck and roast pork but its parent company has also invested in R&D to add variety to its F&B line-ups.

We tried the Kay Lee savoury meat roll, or otherwise also known as wu xiang. Small compact and well-fried. Suitable as light bites. The meat was soft, strongly flavoured and slightly moist. Best eaten while its hot.

Kay Lee savoury meat roll  潮州五香 @$6.90

For drinks, one could choose from its $1.50 range that has Ice Citrus (which tasted like plum), the healthy red Roselle Tea, homemade barley or a favourite of mine, the Honey Plum. Honey Plum (桔子梅) is priced at $2. Stir well before drinking. The Roselle Tea was nicely sweet with an attractive dark red hue.

(left to right) Roselle Tea, Ice Citrus, Homemade Barley and Honey Plum

If you don't feel like eating too much meat, one could opt for the wanton or shrimp dumpling noodles instead. As usual, we left the noodles out for far too long and by the time we wanted to eat it, it was clumped up. Not to worry, as a few spoonfuls of soup and liberal tossing around, the noodles became nicely separated and as good as new. I liked mine with some chili. The shrimp dumpling was rather good. Firm, crunchy and sweet.

wanton noodles 云吞面 @$5

shrimp dumpling noodles 水饺面 @$5

housemade chili

Next, of course was the 3 Combi Meat Platter. This combi platter comes in Small, Medium or Large and priced at $24, $36 and $44 respectively. Tanjong Katong's outlet current promotion include free rice for each of these platter with the 2 free rice for small, 4 rice for medium and 6 rice for large.

3 Combi Meat Platter 烧味三拼 (Large) @$44

important step

One of the important step to elevate the enjoyment of roast meats, is to drizzle those deliciously dark savoury sauce over the steamed white rice grains. Kay Lee's dark sauce was not overly sweet nor too salty. The dark char siew was well caramelized and the only lament that we had, was that the meat was overly lean! Unfortunately, the fattier cuts were all sold out. Do come early, if you want to try the fattier cuts.

The roasted pork was pretty good too. Would've preferred a thicker cut to maximize the taste. Its skin was crackling and the ratio of fats was good too. Those who had tried original Kay Lee mentioned that the roast duck looked very different now. The current version has meat that's more moist and the duck skin colour is no longer black but restored to a shining sheen of brownish hue (like peking duck skin).

If you're dining alone, I'd recommend getting a dark char siew rice with double boiled soup. That's because this outlet is having a Super Deal promo and you could get those for just $6.90. Rather good deal as the savings is about $2.10. One could add a drink for just $1 when you get this deal. Hence, total savings is potentially $2.60.

We tried the Salted Vegetable and Duck Soup. Portion was just right for 1 pax. This heat reducing soup was slightly sweeter than other places and pleasant to drink.

Tanjong Katong outlet promo

salted vegetables and duck soup (ala-carte) $4.50

As this was a food tasting, we had the privilege of trying Kay Lee's desserts that are only available at its Suntec City Mall outlet.

Tried the Red Bean Cream, Ginger Tea (both with glutinous rice balls) and the Yam Paste. My favourite was the Ginger Tea. Strong ginger taste. Can be less sweet though. The Yam Paste has no lard, and suitable for vegetarian. It was smooth and sweet.

Available at Suntec City Mall: Red bean cream with glutinous rice ball @$4.50

Available at Suntec City Mall: Ginger tea with glutinous rice ball @$4.50

Available at Suntec City Mall: Yam paste (orh nee) @$5.90

Thank you to Haysen, Noelle, Christine and Kay Lee for the invite and hosting the tasting. It was great to explore the Tanjong Katong Road area with my fellow foodies.

view from across Kay Lee

Kay Lee Roast Meat @ Tanjong Katong Outlet

Address: 283, Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437066
Website: http://www.kayleeroastmeatjoint.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayleeroastmeatjoint/
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Weekends / Public Holidays: 11:00am - 9:00pm

[Media Invite] Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar @ Tanglin Post Office | GSS 2016 Food Trail

In conjunction with GSS 2016, Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar offers the 4th main free with every 3 paid main courses. The offer is valid after 4pm and till 14 August. While you are there and if you are thirsty, Nassim Hill does have a few drinks on offer. How about 1-for-1 draught beer? Happy Hour till 9pm. Or, how about Ladies Night with free flow Prosecco with a minimum of $25 spend. Do take advantage of all these goodies!

take a look

As part of our last stop in this GSS 2016 Orchard Dining Delights food trail, we landed on Nassim Hill for a drink and shared some more food. Previously, I had the Raspberry Lychee drink. That night, I opted for Yuzu Breeze. It was a good choice. Refreshing taste of sweet yuzu, soda water, Prosecco and Triple Sec. The alcohol level seemed to be slightly higher than previous visit. Now, that's improvement.

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Yuzu Breeze @$19++

Cheddar Cheese Bacon Waffles @$19++

For food, we revisited the items as tried previously; cheese bacon waffles, chili crab pasta and poutine. The chili crab pasta now comes with large chunks of jumbo lump crab meat sitting atop of the pasta, doused with fiery sauce. Spicy but nothing that the Yuzu Breeze can't douse.

chili crab pasta @$16++/$25++ (half/full portion)

The poutine tasted better than the ones that we had previously. The fries managed to maintain some crispness to it while the minced beef, entrecote sauce (with red wine) seemed tastier than previous too. Good with a drink on hand.

Poutine @$13++

Next up, we tried something new, the Baked Bone Marrow. The bones came with crispy toasted baguette, parsley and shallots. Scoop some marrow and spread it onto the bread, then topped with shallots and parsley. Rather nice, I must say.

Baked Bone Marrow @$12++

For desserts, there's a new addition of banana and chocolate waffles but we were too full to have that. Opted for a slice of Triple X.  Our new friend on her first visit to Nassim Hill, found this dessert to her liking.

Triple X with Triple Sec @$9++

All in all, expect to spend about $40 per pax for a shared appetiser, main course, shared dessert and a drink.


Good news for ladies. With a minimum spend of $25++, you'll get to enjoy free-flowing Prosecco. Wow!
Click here to view Nassim Hill's July Specials (to Nassim Hill FB page).

View and book HGW GSS deals here. Or, call reservation hotline (68846884). GSS offers ends on 14 August 2016.