JAI THAI

Thai food has never featured greatly in my epicurean journey. But I do like its eclectic mix of spices and flavourings. 

Jai Thai at Clover Way does not come to my mind easily even though I live in the vicinity. It's less than 10mins away from Marymount MRT station. Prices are affordable. Food is a pass, but not mind blowing. 

If you are in the area and hankering for Thai, this is the place.

The Food

I told my colleague I paid about $25 at Jai Thai. He chuckled and said I must have ordered too much for two persons. That's the degree of affordability here. Unlike some Thai joints that charge double for the same quantity/quality. Tom Yum soup not pictured here.

Red ruby and Thai milk tea 3.5/5

Thai glass vermicelli 4/5

Pandan chicken 4/5

Prawn cakes 4.25/5

7 Clover Way
Singapore 579080
Tel: 6 258 0228

HANNIBAL

One of the hottest dramas which I am currently in pursuit of is Hannibal. If you were a fan of Silence of the Lambs, this series is like issue #0 as in comic-speak.

We had the last episode of the season last night. And I can't wait for season #2 to come on soon.

I'm so sorry Abigail. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you in this life.

Because I was going to kill you. I didn't poison your dinner. I wouldn't do that to food.

EXTRA VIRGIN PIZZA

Pizzas are not for everyone.

If you do not like carbo, sodium and cheese, Extra Virgin Pizza (EVP) is definitely not for you. But if you do, I would welcome you :)

EVP at United Square does not stinge on its ingredients and sodium. Coupled with a fiery oven, the pizzas usually turn out nice, crisp and have robust smokey flavour.

The Food
I like my pizzas cheesy. So white pizzas are a good choice here. A good measure of a good pizza,to me, is a pepperoni. Nothing beats pepperoni fats flowing onto good cheese and fusing the flavours together on a well-spotted pizza.

White pepperoni 4.25/5

It's not often that one sees clams served baked in briny broth at a pizza joint. The ones done here are very well executed with a very strong clamy taste, that borders on bisque and butter. 

Oven baked clams 4/5

If you like meatballs, you may wish to try EVP's version here. Not fantastic, but passable if you like a tangy basil laced ball of meat.

Oven baked meatballs 3.5/5

Conclusion


I must warn you about the place. It's all indoor seating with an open concept kitchen. If you do not wish to smell of smokey pizza, try asking for a table further in the restaurant where the cashier/bar is located. Prices are reasonable and food great if you are in the Novena area. 

101 Thomson Road

United Square, #01-14

Singapore 307591

Sunday - Thursday, 11.00AM - 10.00PM

Friday - Saturday, 11.00AM - 11.00PM

AU PETIT SALUT - PART 1

Business lunches, as what the phrase implies, usually involve the discussion on work-related issues. Au Petit Salut (APS) at Harding Road was often used by my co-workers for business lunches. 

Not that it was all that good of an option. You have a good mix of suits and tai-tais. And you can imagine the din in the closed indoor dining area. The noise sure is distracting.

That's why I prefer seating outdoors under the fan and soaking in the sounds of the waterfall feature. If you do not mind the lack of air-conditioning, it's a pretty good option. At least you get to hear yourself better.

The Food

Anyway, they serve up a set-lunch which can be had for S$36 less taxes. For starters, you can try the snails or pork terrine. But if you had tried APS prior, you would have noticed that snails are now served on 'half a bone'. I preferred the previous way that it was served...in a 6-pitted bowl which sizzled with overflowing herbs and garlic butter. 

Burgundy snails 3.5/5

However, I prefer the pork and prune  terrine. Even though I am not a fan of dried fruits like raisins, prunes and dates, the culprit here is not discernible. The pork is of a good briny flavour and smooth texture. Goes well with the complimentary bread.

Pork and prune terrine 4.25/5

 

If you are adventurous, you can have a go at the prawn tartare if it is available. Raw prawns paired with poached quail egg and cucumbers....heavenly.

Prawn tartare 4.25/5

  

Conclusion   

There are also other starter options to be had for an added cost such as the Alaskan king crab or seared foie gras. But if need to be mindful on the wallet, the standard fare are good as well. I will explore the mains in another post.

Au Petit Salut
40C Harding Road
Singapore 249548
6475 1976
Monday - Saturday
Lunch: 11.30PM - 2.30PM
Closed on Sunday

HOE NAM PRAWN NOODLES

I have always been enamoured by prawn noodles. My mother had tweaked the recipe handed down by my paternal grandmother and the latest version is wonderful to say the least. And I swear the stock is better left overnight!

The Food

Anyway, Hoe Nam was an early discovery in my epicurean journey of sorts during the late 1990s. The flavour has not changed much, the chilli powder still as good. Maybe the $1.20 fish cake is new, but that's about it. 

You get the usual suspects of big prawns, pork ribs, pig tails, intestines, clams etc in various price combos. Do not forget to ask for extra pork lard bits if you like them. If you are thick-skinned enough, you can also try asking for more soup halfway through your meal.

Hoe Nam's soup version $5 with big prawns only. 4.25/5

Conclusion

Remember to skip the pork ribs as they tend to be a little tough. The dry version is not likely to excite you too. Do not stinge, get the $5-version or above, it is worth the price. Try to be there during off-peak timings like 11.00am.

Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles
31 Tai Thong Crescent
6281 9293
6.30am - 4.30pm daily
Closed once a month on Mondays

SHANGHAI REN JIA

Shanghainese cuisine has never been familiar to me. Thus I can never tell if the food at Shanghai Ren Jia is authentic, or not. 

But I sure can comment on its tastiness. 

Located in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, this little shop-for-a-restaurant displays all the traits of a small team helming the kitchen and working the tables. I understand the wait for service and food can be found wanting at times, thus the best times to patronise are either before or after the peak hours.

The Food
 
4 dishes were ordered. First up was the steamed xiaolongbaos. The skin was firm without breakage and piping hot. But what was more tantalising were the soup stock within the dumplings. 鲜甜!

Xiaolongbaos 4/5

Their noodles with dark sauce and diced chicken did not disappoint. The tart springy noodles were of a good bite. Coupled with the dark sauce and chicken, it was a meal in itself if not for the small portion.

Noodles with dark sauce and diced chicken 4.25/5

  
If you like chives, you would definitely love Shanghai Ren Jia's yellow chives omelette. Done with good wok hei and a generous splash of oil, the eggs fluffed well. The chives were pleasant smelling with a nice crunch. A must-try!

Yellow chives omelette 4.25/5

We waited for close to 30mins for the last dish...Sheng Jian Bao. Essentially pan-fried buns with meat fillings, it was crisp and hot when it eventually arrived. But what disappointed was the cloying oil-filled base of the buns. It would have fared better if it was not the last dish. But it was still a commendable effort.
 

Sheng Jian Bao 3.75/5

Conclusion

Shanghai Ren Jia is a restaurant you should not patronise if you do not have a good 1.5hrs to spare for lunch on a weekday. But if you do, there are some gems to be found.

Shanghai Ren Jia
Blk 151 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5
#01-3046
11.00am - 3.00pm / 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Closed on Mondays
6368 6927