Saturday, March 30, 2013

Lucky Four Leaf Clover

Another dreary rainy evening, the Lions had just finished their dinner at home and bemoaned the fact that they are trapped indoors due to the rain. Well that didn’t stopped them from searching for new places to go to in the near future and Cute Cute managed to spot a place …. Clover GAC at Seletar Airport. Now Cute Cute remembered Sunset Grill there but recalled that they have moved…. So there’s another restaurant in Seletar? Looks like an investigation is appropriate.
Not anymore!
To help them with their investigation, the Lions brought Dr Bear, Ms Sarang and Stevie Wonder along. Getting there was a bit of a challenge for them as the area of Seletar had seen some changes. Nevertheless they found Clover GAC after asking a few pilots for directions in the area. 
 



Clover GAC is a Japanese restaurant nestled in the MAJ aviation building. It is not actually very obvious and you have to walk through the main area down a corridor till you can see Clover's sign.
Clover does lunch and dinner except Sundays and they have a yakitori buffet as well. But for now, the Lions and friends gave Clover's Ala Carte a shot.

Edamame
Assorted Yakitori
Clover has a range of yakitori to choose from. For convenience, the Lions just took their 10 sticks plate sampler. The yakitori did not disappoint and worth a shot. Those who are strong of heart can go for the chicken heart and gizzard. 

Tako Wasabi
Sashimi 5 kinds
For the sashimi, there were a couple of selection to choose from. In the end, the salmon, swordfish, tai, tuna and octopus were chosen. Lions and friends enjoyed the fresh sashimi and what's even more delightful was the thickness of the sashimi slices. 

Assorted Sushi


Ebi Tempura and the almost gone Grilled Ika that the Lions forgot to
take a photo of.
Prawns with Shitake mushrooms
What's a meal without dessert?! In comes the creme brulee and the
Tofu Cheesecake.
Tofu Cheesecake
After the meal, the server asked Lions and friends whether they would be interested in having a look at the top. Being curious, they agreed to go up and were dazzled by the view there.
A view of Seletar airport
 



Here is our review for Clover GAC:

Food Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:
 
Clover GAC
80 Seletar Aerospace View, MAJ Aviation Building, 
#01-01 Seletar, Singapore 797563
Tel: 6694 5228


 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Prohibition Era Cocktails at Pitmasters

Bespoke cocktail joints are experiencing a renaissance on this island. The lions' current favourite hideout for such elegantly crafted concoctions is Pitmasters. What the two felines like best about this new low-key joint is that it is as classy as it is unassuming. Service is warm, smiles are forthcoming and the passion for their work, palpable.  Of course, the main highlight remains their beautifully executed cocktails by resident mixologists.    

Chilling out after a hard day's work
by candlelight and lush tunes from the prohibition era.
One of the best cocktails on the island
is expertly crafted here within the dark, old style elegance
of this joint hidden on the second floor of a conservation shophouse
in the Kampong Glam precinct. Walk pass the American-style deli
on the first floor and head up the wooden stairs.
Cute Cute's choice of poison for the night:
Smooth Criminal
made with Dark Rum, Blackberries, Grape Liqour, Lemon Juice & Gomme.
Cuchi's went for the cocktail named after her beau's current pet pharse:
Bee's Knees
made with Gin, Lemon Juice, Agave liquor and Honey Syrup.
Smooth Criminal was definitely the highlight of the evening.
Well-balanced with an oddly addictive bubble-gummy fruity note.
Snacking Time. The humble potato chip given a posh spin with
the pleasantly subtle cheese froth atop.
Chef acceded to the lion's request for Pitmasters'
piece de resistance: Pulled Pork.
This dish has customers coming back for more and
the lions could see why with its umami-packed marinate.
Dessert served in petit four style.
Canale, Fruit meringue, Pear Jelly, Dark Chocolate
Very classy and the homemade Pear Jelly was outstandingly divine.
Walls come alive with cosmic art.
Bartender working his magic.


Here is our review for Pitmasters:

Food Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10
Drink Quality: 9.0 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:

Pitmasters
359 Beach Road
Singapore199575
Tel: 6292 4916

A neighbourhood delight: Next Door Deli

It's amazing how one thing can lead to another in a good way. Cute Cute was scratching his head about getting a birthday cake for a friend when he recalled that Pine Gardens in Ang Mo Kio whips up very good alcoholic cakes. So he decided to go down with Ms Body Beautiful to grab one. At Pine Gardens, they decided to lunch at Next Door Deli's, enticed by the carpet grass setting.



Next Door Deli has a system of ordering... Step 1, grab your drinks
Step 2, choose your sides and desserts...
Oooo looks yummy...
Step 3, order your main course
Curry Chicken:
Cute Cute enjoyed this dish. Portions were rather generous and it is worth the $6 +. A slightly spicier version of the nonya chicken curry. Curry gravy was not too lemak and went very well with the fluffy white rice.
Stir-Fried Mee Siam
The stir-fried mee siam is only available once every 2 weeks and it does not disappoint. Although it came without gravy, the dry mee siam was fragrant and piquantly sweet-sourish. The fried chicken wing also came as a perfect savoury complement to the dish.
While eating, the neighbourhood kitty came by to say Hi!
Aww.... so cute... Any cat is welcome around the Lions.
Lemongrass drink
A good refresher for a balmy day


Stir fried laksa
The stir fried laksa, also another item that is only available once every 2 weeks, is all spicy goodness. Tasted a little different from your usual wet laksa, reminded Cute Cute of stir fried chilli mee. Still, the laksa is something worth trying.



Margarita Chiffon:
Now this dessert is unique. The margarita chiffon do not just taste heavenly, there is an element of playful fun to it too. I will not spoil the surprise, just order it, follow the simple steps and enjoy.

Here is our review for Next Door Deli


Food Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 7.5 pawprints out of 10

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:

Next Door Deli
529 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
#01-2369
Singapore 560529

Homing in on Homebodies

There's always a time for good coffee and Cuchi knows that very well. She recalled that Henry's Congressional has closed due to the Henry Park Apartment en bloc but she remembered the guys behind Smitten did set up another joint at Boat Quay. In order to fix her craving for coffee, she decided to head down to Homebodies for some caffeine fix.

It was a bit tough to find Homebodies as it is located on the 2nd floor of one of the shophouses. But once Cuchi found it, she realised that Homebodies now stood on the premises of a long forgotten absinthe bar.


The menu at Homebodies, simple and concise.
 


Long Black:
Cute Cute was expecting the coffee to be a bit more acidic but he was rather surprised that the long black was pleasantly balanced.

Latte:
The milk based coffees came in 4,6 and 8 ounces. Cuchi and friends found the latte a little weak, mayhaps a double shot would be better for the milk based coffee?



Banana Bread
The banana bread tasted more like banana cake but still it's good. Goes well with the coffees.
Don't forget Homebodies has craft beer as well!
Cute Cute had an American Burger Beer.
 

Homebodies is a lovely place to hang out especially during the weekends.  If you do get jaded of work, once in a while, you can just sneak upstairs for a brief respite and enjoy a cup of coffee. For food, the hotdogs were decent but not memorable.

Here is our review for Homebodies:


Coffee Quality: 7.0 pawprints out of 10
Food Quality: 6.5 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 7.0 pawprints out of 10

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:

Homebodies
60a Boat Quay
Singapore 049848