NOW Noodles+ @ Novena Square 2

Occupying the space that was previously 天晴 Appare Udon and Tempura Japanese Restaurant (that has been left vacant for the longest time), is NOW Noodles+.

NOW Noodles+ has just opened its doors on 10 September 2016 and serves up Asian contemporary noodles from family recipes. Shop has a modern decor, warm lights, manned by a young crew and with a small menu for a start. Payment at the moment is by cash only and the style is semi-self service. Order and pay at the counter. Take your own utensils and sauces and take a seat. Your food shall be served to your table.

now opened

menu

The menu at the moment has five mains only of Dry Laksa, Dry Mee Siam, Mee Tai Mak with century egg, Vegetarian Mee Goreng, and Heng Hwa Noodle Soup. Sides such as Gyoza, Chicken Mid-Wings, and Sotong Balls and two desserts of churros and malasada. Drinks choices include coffee from coffee machine with choices including espresso, latte, cappucino and black coffee, and other drinks like black tea, chinese tea and mineral water.


The mains are all currently priced at $9.80, sides at $2.80 and desserts at $3.80. All prices are nett.

The Dry Laksa was nicely fragrant in all aspects. The prawns were of a good size, translucent and barely cooked, just the way I liked it.

Dry Laksa

Dry Mee Siam

At one glance of its menu, my choice would be the Heng Hwa Noodle Soup as this item is rather rare as compared to mee siam or laksa. The mee tai mak with century egg just seemed a tad too funky for me. I'll probably play safe and let someone else order and I'll just try that.

The noodle soup has plenty of ingredients in it including sweet pea, bok choy, egg strips, black fungus and dried lily bulb with a piece of chunky chicken meat. We got a drumstick!

Heng Hwa Noodle Soup

thin egg noodles

The broth of the noodle soup was robust but with bitter aftertaste. The smell of chinese wine was quite evident. Am not sure how many would like the bitter aftertaste though. I certainly enjoyed it less.

For desserts, we were eager to try the churros but unfortunately it was not available that day. So we tried the malasada instead. According to wiki, malasada is a Portugues confection much like a doughnut which is balls of dough, deep-fried and sugar dusted.

Customer can choose two choice-fillings from three flavours; Thai Tea, Kaya and Orange. We chose Thai Tea and Orange. The word malasada also refers to under-cooked. After taking a bite into this, and it was understandably true to taste. It tasted abit undercooked and doughy. The filling was nice and creamy though.

malasada @$3.80

As with all restaurants that had just began its operation, teething problems were bound to occur.

Will probably do a revisit after it has been in operation for another few weeks.

Expect to spend about $13 per pax inclusive of a drink.

[Media Invite] Outback Steakhouse @ Millenia Walk

Outback Steakhouse is not a stranger to the steak scene in Singapore. Outback is an American outfit which started in Tampa, Florida and its restaurant has an Australian theme. Just a month ago, it has launched some new items in its menu. Was invited to try the new additions along with fellow bloggers. Dinner with the blokes.

featured menu

interior

The place gets rather busy after 7pm on weekdays. The favourite orders would include the classics such as Typhoon Bloom as appetiser and rib-eye steak served with two sides of your choice as mains.

Upon placing your orders, diners would be served with complimentary bread. Two small loaves bushmen bread served with butter cream spread. Rather enjoyable soft mini-loaves. Its slight sweetness came from honey and cocoa powder. Yummy.

Honey Wheat Bushmen Bread (complimentary)

For drinks, we had the refreshing non-alcoholic Barrier Reef Punch. Basically a fruit punch made of mango, pineapple and orange juices blended with pureed strawberries. A cooling thirst-quencher!

Barrier Reef Punch @$5.90++

Tried the Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta. Was impressed by the thick cut mozzarella on the grilled baguette. Crunchy toast with thick soft slice of mozzarella topped with cherry tomatoes and greens. Liked the sweet dressing of basil pesto and balsamic vinaigrette. Good for sharing amongst 3-4 pax. It was quite hard to stop eating the breads. Enjoyed both the bruschetta and bushmen bread.

Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta @$14.90++

One of the crowd favourite thus far at Outback Steakhouse in terms of appetisers, would be its 'Typhoon Bloom'. A huge mound of onion rings, stacked like a flower and deep fried till golden brown. Dusted with Outback's seasoning, it was rather sweet on its own. But having it with the dip added to the enjoyment.

Typhoon Bloom @$14.90++

I think it would be rather daunting for two pax to devour that huge plate of onion rings as appetiser!

As part of The Great Aussie Eats menu, Outback is introducing its Crab Topped Sirloin. Chunks of lump crab meat sitting ontop of a 6-oz seasoned and seared sirloin. Served with two sides of your choice and hollandaise sauce.

Crab Topped Sirloin with two sides (baked potato and seasonal vege) @$37.90++

 As usual, we ordered our meat medium rare. The baked potato was really good with its salt crusted skin.

Loaded Baked Potato @$6.90++

Crab Topped Sirloin, medium rare

While we were there, most diners would opt for the USDA ribeye steak as their choice of mains. Got ourselves a chargrilled ribeye with peppercorn sauce to try. For the sides, we tried corn-on-cob and sweet potato fries. Was rather disappointed with the bland corn. The sweet potato fries (@$5.90++) on the other hand was good. Well fried and great seasoning. The ribeye was rather thin but its marbling was good. Can be eaten without sauce as it was adequately seasoned with Outback's secret blend of 17 herbs and spices.

10 oz. Chargrilled Ribeye @$39.90++

For non-beef option, you may want to try the Sweet Chili Chicken and Shrimp combo, served with one choice of freshly made sides. For the sides, we had Rice Pilaf and Fresh Seasonal Veges. Thought the rice pilaf was rather good. Moist and soft.

Sweet Chili Chicken and Shrimp @$23.90++

Ended with a new dessert of Key Lime Pie. Soft fragrance of lime and the sweet creamy curd encasted on slightly spiced pecan graham cracker crumbs base. Not too heavy and probably can do with a cup of coffee with this.

Key Lime Pie @$6.90++

Special thanks to Meghana and Outback Steakhouse for hosting the dinner, and Hence for the invite.

Outback Steakhouse

Website:  http://www.outback-sea.com/

[Media Invite] Borderless Sunday Brunch @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Sunday brunch options are a plenty in our sunny island of Singapore. If you are looking for a good one somewhere along Havelock Road area, am glad to recommend the newly launched Borderless Sunday Brunch at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Imagine three hours of gastronomical enjoyment with three different experiences.

Be greeted by the friendly staff right at the entrance of the dining area. You will be handed the 'passport' to the Borderless Sunday Brunch, which in effect is a little guided map to the various food and drinks stations.

Passport to Borderless Sunday Brunch @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront

dining area

There were simply too many things to try. Food Capital definitely has us, the diners in their mind. Appetiser of foie gras ala-minute, yes there is. Singapore's favourites of laksa, prawn noodles, chicken rice and chili crabs? Yup, why not!

foie gras, coming right up

chili crabs, mantous, chicken rice

How about naan, curries and tandoor goodies? Of course. Amazingly, they've even got a whole tandoori lamb as well. Impressed much!

Indian food station

whole grilled tandoori lamb

All time favourites of fresh seafood like crabs, oysters, mussels, prawns, sashimi and sushis? Definitely. Not forgetting the desserts and cut fruits.

scallops, mussels, oysters

cold seafood galore - prawns, crabs and crayfish

If you think, that was it...nope, there's more. Walk on towards the center and be mesmerized by the golden glitter that's Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne. Never be thirsty as Tempo bar kept up the pace by topping up the champagne flutes, or plying out bottles after bottles of beer and ciders. Signature cocktails and mocktails are available too. Sweet. For the non-alcoholic drinkers, there's juices and slushies. Yep, slushies for our hot weather. Cool!

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, beer and Strongbow ciders @ Tempo Bar

At Grissini, be awed by the ample selection of assorted cheeses, antipasti of salads, hams, parma and jamon. Parma ham and melon?

antipasti

jamón ibérico de bellota

cured meats

Yes, that too! Not forgetting its namesake, do try the breadsticks with the Japanese mayonaise with sundried tomato dip. Pizzas and ala-minute pasta, that too.

paying homage to Grissini

house-cured salmon

assorted breads and cheeses

pizza, fresh off the oven

However, the deal clincher for me was the unlimited servings of premium meats and seafood lovingly Josper oven-grilled. Seriously, how or where else could you find this deal?

lining up for Josper

the grill is on fire~

As I'm not a big eater, I'd need to strategise on specifics. Plus, there's the free-flow of drinks to consider. Started with my favourite of oysters and prawns. The light flavours of the seafood and champagne. Luxurious.

oysters of the New Zealand and Irish variant

Riviera & Champagne

Signature cocktails that week included the French inspired summer drink named as The Riviera. Its base is Perrier-Jouët, has a bit of spice and light sweetness.

foie gras for moi

The mini foie gras was mild and creamy. Served ontop of a tiny square of bread, it was more like a canapé. The western station looked good with the prime roast and the beautifully glazed ribs so, had to take a portion to try. There was an assortment of condiments for the roasts such as mint jelly, mustard, dijon and the likes.

veal ribs, prime roast and pork ribs

pork ribs, prime roast and veal ribs

First time trying veal ribs and found that it was a tad tough and tasted very much like bak kwa. Intriguing. The prime roast was actually quite tender. Perhaps some sauce and yorkshire pudding to go with the roast would be good?

We were jumping from appetisers, meats and then back to antipasti. Strange but hey, that's buffet style. Eat what you like, however you like it.

The cured meats and assorted cheeses were good to pair with the alcoholic drinks. There was a truffle salami, and the jamon was so good.

cured meats

cheeses

jamon

Strongbow cider, Desperado tequilla beer

Moving on to the mains, we satisfied our meaty cravings with the premium meats from the Josper grill. Definitely must-eats are lamb, octopus, wagyu, prawn and chicken. Yup, basically all that's available from the Josper, just take. My favourite was definitely the lamb cutlet. No doubt about it. So tender, so flavourful and not gamey at all. Gorgeous looking, adequately seasoned and expertly grilled. Yummy.

prawns, lamb cutlets, octopus

Australian wagyu and chicken

If you are looking for a sweeter cocktail, try the Bellucci. Sweet sexy and mysterious as inspired by the pretty Monica Bellucci (actress).

Bellucci with creme de cassis

As what other reviewers had mentioned, do try the laksa before you leave. The sea-hum (cockles) were so plump and good. Good amount given in that bowl too. Good job!

laksa with seahum

prawn and pork ribs noodles

The prawn noodles is worth trying too. The warm broth was sweet, flavourful and comforting. Just the remedy after one too many glasses of alcoholic drinks.

Ended on an even sweeter note with desserts.

nonya kueh

mini macarons

Though we didn't eat a lot, we were pretty stuffed by now. Tried some of the desserts and I totally loved the taro ice-cream. So yammy! The mini macarons was not too sweet and likeable.

colourful desserts

It was pretty amazing how that three hours passed by so quickly. Thank you Jennifer and Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel for the invitation. We enjoyed the meal and as usual, with good company.

This amazing Borderless Sunday Brunch is available at a promotional rate of $88++ (with free-flow of juices and soft drinks) and $128++ (with free-flow of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, Strongbow ciders, house pour wines, juices and soft drinks) on 11 September 2016. Brunch starts from 1230pm to 330pm.

After 11 September, diners could still enjoy the Borderless Sunday Brunch at $98++ and $138++ respectively.

For reservations, please call 62331100 or email dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com

Enjoy!