Mitzo @Grand Park Orchard

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Verdict:
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Total Score: 2/5
[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Couples, Groups, Family

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About it:
Mitzo
Address: Grand Park Orchard, Level 4 Grand Park, 270 Orchard Rd, 238857
Menu: http://mitzo.sg/pdf/weekendbrunch_menu.pdf
Price: $68++ per person (food only), Top up $50++ per person for free flow of cocktails, wines and beer

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Pool Grill @Orchard

24 April 2016

A re-visit to one of my favourite hide-outs in Orchard! Food and service is great as usual.

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29 August 2014

This restaurant's pretty quiet as usual. If you're looking for somewhere quiet and beautiful to spend some intimate moments, this's the place. Although the pool was under renovation, the lights and view of Orchard made up for its unsightly barricades.

The place at night!

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The House of Robert Timms @Orchard, Wheelock Place

The House of Robert Timms. We've always thought this looks similar to TCC. Their colors perhaps. We thought they served more of coffees, desserts etc, but after reading about a promotion they were having, we were sold.

The promotion, featured on a popular deal site, was 1-for-1 on all mains, pastas and steaks. And judging from the prices on the menu, it's a really good deal if you go in pairs. One person ends up paying for only less than $15 before taxes if you're not going for the more expensive dishes. Well, provided if they have what you want available, and that you actually get a table. Because when we went there without a reservation, we had to gobble our meal so that we could let the next guest have it at 7pm. Also, the table on our side had to re-consider their order twice as their Mussels were out of stock, their Short Ribs unavailable...

As they're an Australian restaurant, they should be good in their Kangaroo dishes right?
So we tried...

Stout Braised Kangaroo Loin ($30)

Barramundi with Cilantro Butter ($28)

The Stout Braised Kangaroo Loin ($30) was kind of hard to chew, or rather just tough. Some parts were tender. The loin is the least used part of the kangaroo, so if it's still so tough, we wonder what would the other parts taste like... But then again, this is probably their "cheap cut", being on the lower end of the menu, as they have the more expensive "Steak" tier, going for $40 a cut. So well, beggars can't be choosers. 

Also, it seemed like it went in to a microwave before meeting us, because the heat just 'erupted' from the middle when we mixed the sauce with the meat. Nonetheless, the taste of the sauce wasn't compromised. In fact, the sauce tasted quite good, and we actually used the sauce as a dip for the healthy, natural vegetables. The two sticks of pastry were interesting touches as well. 

The Barramundi with Cilantro Butter ($28) is a pretty normal dish. The fish is of a decent portion. The tomatoes somewhat a different world from the fish... Anyway, if you don't really like meat, I guess fish is the way to go. 


At 1-for-1, our dinner is definitely value for money, coming up to only $35 after taxes for 2 pax just for mains of kangaroo and fish. Well, if you've never tasted kangaroo meat, like deer meat, which are under the game meat category, do give it a try. We read somewhere there's a crocodile sandwich as well!

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Verdict:
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Total Score: 3/5
[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Couples, Groups, Family

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About it:
The House of Robert Timms
Address: #01-02/03 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238880 (2 other outlets available here)
Prices: (Mains), $18++ onwards

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Gyoza-Ya @Orchard, Ion

Gyoza-Ya, the store which has taken over Charlie & Co. for a few months. There is always a steady queue and if you do not really want to wait and do not mind the slight oil and smoke as the kitchen is in close proximity, then sit by the bar. You can see the chefs working in full view, and see how your gyozas made, partially by two big machines.

Apart from quite a few interesting kinds of gyozas, they do not have much selections of starch.

Order via your friendly iPad!

Gyoza

More Gyoza. 

Yea they look like the same...

Mentaiko Gyoza.

Slightly pricey. Must-try.

Add this to make your Jya Jya Men tastier!

Don't forget to ask for your egg from the server when you're finishing! Then mix well!

They use an iPad ordering system, which you can keep ordering if you feel that your meal portion is insufficient.

We ordered the Jya Jya Men as our stomach-filler, and thought it was a pretty 'labour-intensive' dish as the server has to come back and pour hot water and give you an egg as the third step. When there is a lot of people during dinner time, completing this last step can be pretty daunting as you can spend a few minutes trying to get the server to come to you. Well, we thought the last step didn't really add much excitement to the dish, so it's really up to you to skip this step or not.

All of Gyozas we ordered, the Mentaiko is the must-try. Flame-grilled to the right cream texture, they melt in the mouth and taste extremely rich. The little spheres pop in your mouth- flavour burst. Though it's slightly more expensive, it's worth the try.

The other gyozas... I'd say order when the crowd is not that much, or risk getting it too cooked, or undercooked. The chef we saw handling the gyoza station didn't seem very confident with himself, and he actually put some of them back on the grill again. Hmmm. But then again, he would have improved by the time you read this post :)

If you'd ask me, the gyozas are slightly expensive at 5 pieces each only, and there aren't much dishes on the menu that could fill you up apart from the gyozas. For me, gyozas are meant to be side dishes...

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Verdict:
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Total Score: 3/5
[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Couples, Groups, Family

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About it:
Gyoza-Ya
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-56 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Menu: http://www.gyozaya.com.sg/menu/

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Original Hock Lam Street Beef Kway Teow @Orchard, Ion

Another affordable eat in town, Teow Chew Beef Noodles!
If you're a beef noodles lover, you will love this place. There's also rice if you are in need of more carbo.

If you prefer dry, the soup is extremely fragrant. If you prefer dry, I am glad to let you know the sauce is very rich. Both of them are very tasty!

No wonder, as the soup is home-made, boiled for 24 hours with herb base. The chillies are good as well. The beef is one of the most tender ones we've tried. It is because they are sliced (not machine cut), and hence even if it was overcooked, if would not be as hard as those in hawker centres.

Soup  

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Medz, Rainbow Cake @Orchard Central

This store has closed at this location...

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We were rushing around Somerset to find a cake for dear mummy, after deciding last minute that another birthday cake before the clock chimes 12 would be another birthday surprise. But, we were running late! It was 9pm when we finally had errands done and had this idea and started hunting.

But the first round around Orchard Gateway and 313 Somerset saw some cafes selling slice cakes, or humongous cakes that you have to ta-bao for many breakfasts the next few days. And, we had already ordered the chocolate cake from Chocolate Origin for a birthday previously, hence it's off the list. Click here for pics & review!

Suddenly, I thought of a recent article I read on a magazine, best rainbow cakes in Singapore. And one of it was Medz. By then, I was so desperate, anything that doesn't look traingularly-sliced will pass. I walked into the one at Orchard Central, and behold! They told me they do sell Rainbow cakes, 500grams and 1kg!

I saw the cakes in the fridge and they looked pretty. The servers told me 1kg costs $64.90 (Off my budget) and 500grams is at $38.90. Great! The frosting was ready in less than hour, (so glad they close at 11pm that day!) and I even got a handwritten birthday wish on the cake itself!

The cake's topping and frosting was done well. In fact, my dog couldn't pull his head away from the cake amid the loud birthday song!

Overall, I would say the cake itself is fragrant and soft, like the usual sponge cake. I wouldn't order for the taste, but for the whimsical colours. I'd definitely give kudos for their friendly service!

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About it:

Medz

Address: #B2-01/03 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd

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Tonkichi @Orchard, Ngee Ann City

We've visited the one at Shaw Center, and recently had a craving for Tonkichi's signature Tonkatsu. While walking around Takashimaya in Ngee Ann City, we spotted another outlet (just steps away from Shaw Center!) and quickly got a table for our group.

We were served our drinks quickly and given the menu. Hence, we ordered the following:

Hire Katsu Tonji Set

Deep fried pork fillet simmered with egg and special soy sauce in hot claypot

Black Pork Tonkatsu ($33)

Jumbo Set

Includes Prawns, Pork and Oysters

Jumbo Set

From another view...

Includes Prawns, Pork and Oysters

Our dinner!

Not enough sauces, drinks, cabbages and rice? We were served fairly quickly, as the crowd was lesser at 9-ish on a Sunday night. As usual, the food is great, and we were quickly filled by the fragrant Japanese rice.

If you're sick of the hard and veiny Tonkatsu in your kopitiam or food court, visit this place and you'll taste the difference. I'll definitely be back if I have a craving for Tonkatsu...

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Verdict:

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Total Score: 4/5

[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Couples, Groups, Family

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About it:

Tonkichi

Address: 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City,#04-24 Takashimaya S.C., Singapore 238873

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Orchard Cafe @Orchard Hotel

It was a last minute booking for a birthday party, and all around town was quite full, perhaps due to the F1 race.

No live meat-carving station, no cheese station, no make-your-own ice cream, no breads, no prawns at seafood station. They just launched a crabs and crepes promotion, which wasn't really fantastic either...

For a birthday present to our birthday lady, a tasty chempelak tart with a lit candle was delivered by one of the staff, who sang a birthday song together with us- a definitely sweet surprise.

A tasty chempelak tart!

All very local food. If you're a Singaporean, avoid this place. It's like paying $34++ per pax to eat less-than-average hawker food. We spent $68++ per pax on a Sunday, with one-for-one promotion, coming down to $34++ per pax. Their service is warm, friendly. However, for this price, variety and quality, check out hotels in the City Hall area or book earlier in advance for other hotels in town. Or even, go try Resorts World Sentosa's buffets.

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Verdict:

Food: 2.5/5

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 2.5/5 

Total Score: 1/5

[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Casual dining

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About it:

Orchard Cafe

Address: Lobby Level, Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road 

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Yayoiken @Somerset

There're several outlets across Singapore, and this one's pretty unique, in that MK steamboat restuanrant is just beside it, creating a big and spacious feeling.

Order using an iPad!

Fancy ordering ice water with this iPad?

Yofu Hamburger Set ($15.90)

Miso Katsu Set ($14.90)

Miso Katsu Set ($14.90)

Using an iPad to order, even ice water, the food here is just average. I was reminded of Saizeriya- the potatoes, the hamburger steak, the vegetables. And I was also reminded of the stark price difference, even though there's free flow rice here. The mains' portions are just enough for one bowl of rice. A second top-up would be too much.

I'd not come back here again...


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Verdict:

Food: 2/5

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 2.5/5 

Total Score: 1/5

[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Casual dining

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About it:

Yayoiken

Address: 313 Orchard Rd, #B3-33/34, Singapore 238895

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Marmalade Pantry @Orchard, Ion

This is another affordable place for meals in Orchard, well, if you're looking at places like Saveur, and thinks that Alfresco Gutso downstairs is too expensive. For more affordable eats, you can check out Ion's basement.

They do have many kinds of flour-based mains like pasta with all sorts of interesting sauces, meats, sandwiches, and the likes.
Also well-known are their pastries, which are in full glory on the counters, totally making those hungry people queuing up even hungrier, like me.

Here's what we had for dinner...

Pork Lagsana ($24) 

with fresh ricotta

The Maramalade Mac and Cheese ($24)

on a skillet with mozzarella, parmesan, emmental and gruyere

Sea-salt Caramel Cheesecake ($8) 

Sea-salt Caramel Cheesecake ($8) 
The cakes comes in slices and wholes, which can be a good idea for birthday cakes, if you do not mind the $60+ price tag.

Nothing fantastic, just very normal. It's usually crowded during dinner time and totally not worth the queue-up...

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Verdict:

Food: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 3/5 

Total Score: 2/5

[1- Never visit again, 2-Won't visit unless there's no other option, 3-Perhaps, 4 & 5- Yes!]

Good for? Groups

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About it:

Marmalade Pantry 

Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #03-22 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Menu: http://themarmaladepantry.com.sg/city/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ION_New-Food-Menu_Nov-2013.pdf 

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