Wednesday, November 8, 2017

The Durian Story @ 151 Serangoon North Avenue 2

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Hurrah as the durian season is back! Good news is that it will last all the way till the Lunar New Year. But I supposed that's only possible provided we did not go crazy and ate up all the available stocks before that...Who knows.

But while stocks last, we had a sneak peek into the currently available D13, Mao Shan Wang (MSW) and Wang Zhong Wang (WZW).

Would you like to enjoy the king of fruits in a comfortable, air-conditioned and bright cosy place? Hell yes! So, let's head on to The Durian Story located at Block 151 Serangoon Avenue 2. The block is quite long, so this shop is in between of the coffeeshop and the fruits stall.

shopfront
Owned by passionate young entrepreneurs, and they serve with a big smile and an even bigger heart. Friendly people, so feel free to drop in for a taste or for a chat. However, reservation is encouraged to avoid disappointment. They even have delivery too, so you could enjoy the durians in the comfort of your own home.

in stock
busy cracking open the fruit
ready to be devoured

First taste was the D13. Pale yellowish beige in colour and the most juicy of the lot. However, it packed a good overall sweet taste. Softest in texture and bitterness level was weak and almost non-existent. For people who loved this sweet.

D13

Next up, was the all time familiar 猫山王 (mao shan wang). Bright yellow in colour and smelled so good. Probably could smell it from miles away! Firm skin and intense flavour. Creamy buttery texture that's so finger licking good.

nom nom nom
Saved the best for last, and that'll be the 老树王中王 (Old Tree King of Kings). Encased in a large shell that's faded greenish brown in colour, the colour was an alluring yellow. Similar to mao shan wang in terms of fragrance. Its texture was creamier than mao shan wang and less firm and bitterness level that's higher than mao shan wang, with a lingering aftertaste.

老树王中王 (Old Tree King of Kings)
packing a punch

The innovative folks at The Durian Story will also be coming up with durian ice-cream, targeted to retail next year. So watch out for it!

durian ice-cream

Thank you Jonathan and The Durian Story for hosting the tasting and Jennifer for inviting. Enjoyed the bountiful harvest and meeting of new friends.




Monday, November 6, 2017

iSteaks Diner @ MyVillage Serangoon Gardens

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iSteaks had existed for so long at Holland Village but I've yet to try it. Hardly believable, yes? So when the gang decided to do a food trail at MyVillage and iSteaks happened to be at the same location, well what else could I do? To try it of course!

order and pay first
But of course, there was one tiny weeny problem. It was so difficult to get a seat on a weekend! Works similarly to a food court format, one basically need to stand close to the table that you think would be finishing their meal. For some reason, I felt like a vulture that day.

cowboy decor
It was our third meal for the day. Prior to that we had dined at Petaling Street and Hajime, so we decided to go modest in iSteaks. Ordered a 250gms NZ and AU ribeye, and an AU lam shoulder all with two sides. Hmm, I guess that's about 650 to 700 gms of meat for the 5 of us, excluding the sides. WoooOoo...we big eaters!

AU Lamb Shoulder @$16.50

The lamb shoulder was tough! Had to send it back to the kitchen to help us cut it. Think they saw that certain parts were rather rare and helped us to cook it some more. The lamb tasted much better when it came out of the kitchen the second time round. The spinach & sesame salad was good. Tastiest of the lot. The buttered corn kernel were rather normal.

AU Ribeye 100 days grain-fed 250gms @$27.50

Look at that thick-cut meat with nicely pink center for the AU ribeye. The Australian meat had a more beefy flavour, and of a texture that can be described as 'macho'. The sides of cauliflower cheese and sauteed brussels sprouts were enjoyable.

NZ ribeye 250gms @$23.50
However, I do prefer the NZ ribeye for its more genteel texture. The mac & cheese were off that day, so we didn't enjoy any of it.

give me more meat!

Not sure since this place is perpetually packed on the weekend. It probably wouldn't have a queue before 12pm. The queue continued all the way till 230pm on a weekend. The place seemed popular with families and young adults.


Saturday, November 4, 2017

Hajime 初め Tonkatsu and Ramen @ MyVillage Serangoon Gardens

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Hajime "初め"  means 'beginning'. Did you know that Chef Tan-san is the first tonkatsu chef in Singapore? Now we can enjoy this taste that has been mastered over the years at Hajime located at Level 2 of MyVillage Serangoon Gardens.

Bright and spacious but do go there early as there will be a crowd during weekends.

shopfront
what shall we have today?

Of course, one should be getting a tonkatsu. It was only a matter of which one. For meat, we chose the premium pork loin and the other a fillet. One with miso and the other without. Also took a bowl of shabu shabu to try.

grinding sesame
For appetiser, we tried the chicken skin. All agreed that these salty, crisp sinful bites are to be had with drinks. The edamame too was tasty with the generous sprinkling of salt over the charred skin. Someone please get me an Asahi!

deep fried chicken skin @$4.50
edamame @$4

Of course, the heavyweights are the much awaited tonkatsu. My goodness, please go for the premium pork loin. Wonderfully smooth and firm meat that's gentle to the jaw. Clean tasting and loved the crisp crumbed batter.

Nagoya Miso Fillet Set @$19.50
Premium Loin (ala-carte) $13.90

I love Japanese rice, and the Niigata rice served at Hajime satisfied the need for carbs. Could finish the rice even if it's with the occasional salty deep fried skin and lots of shredded cabbage with tonkatsu sauce dressing. So yums.

rice

Tried the kurobuta shabu-shabu and it had a mild pleasant flavour. Lovely broth and comforting to eat when the weather is colder.

Kurobuta Shabu Shabu Ramen @$15
lifted and ready for take-off!

Would definitely return for the premium pork loin tonkatsu.


 
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