The Asian Kitchen

Outlets:
Marina Square
Citylink Mall

July 29, 2006

This is our first attempt at this eatery located at Marina Square. Considered quite new in this F&B industry. If we're not wrong, their first outlet should be in citylink mall.

Once we sat in and were given the menu, then we knew they were associated with VienTai, even though store decor were different as this one incorporates more simple chinese theme. They had the VienTai set menu selections. They also offer other viet / thai / chinese cuisines. We made our selections real fast for a fast grab.

We were actually quite disappointed with the food. They don't seem to go easy on the salt, as the dou miao was extremely salty and we waited real long for this dish. The mince meat noodle was the first dish being served to us, and it tasted just like noodle in processed bottled tomato sauce. The fried rice tasted a bit salty too, and the pork ribs that comes along is very dry.

At the end of makan session, we feel like consuming an overloaded MSG meal with amateur cooking skills.

Rating: 4/10

Changing Appetites

Modern Japanese . Fun Western Cafe & Restaurant
Marina Square
#01-204/205
Tel: 63397670

July 01, 2006

A new restaurant serving refreshing cuisine at the renovated expanded Marina Square. Business seems to be quite good for them. It gives us a very similar feeling to places like NYDC, TCC and Coffee Club.

We decided to give it a try coz we can't get seats at other makan places in MS, so why not head in there. We were given outdoor seats as indoor is packed. We find their seats too low and table too high, so kinda of uncomfortable.

We began searching for japanese food items in the menu but can't seem to find any. Maybe this is why it is called modern japanese. And maybe they are too modern that service staffs can't be bothered to be too attentive. We have to wave our hands in the air a few times. In the end, mel ordered lamb shank curry rice while i got myself a mushroom pizza.

When all is presented to us, mel's order looks like a plate of curry mixed vege rice @ kopitiam, just that here is much more expensive. And as my pizza, one look at it, distorted. And it tasted oily.

So after paying so much for such quality of food, I think it should be more worth it to sit here for a drink & have dessert rather than a proper dinner.

Rating: 6/10

VienTai

Great World City Shopping Centre
1 Kim Seng Promenade, #03-31
Singapore 237994
Tel: 67338891

Nowadays, eating places like to incorporate a few different type of cuisines to offer more varieties & preferences for consumers like us. But this could turn out to be either very well-received or fair very badly, as restaurants are most likely to be good at only one type of cuisine specialization.

VienTai serves a combination of vietnam & thai food as per stated in their name. But once you browse through their al carte menu, there is more thai food instead of viet food. Perhaps this is why their food still taste above average, though it don't taste super authentic as the ones in bangkok.

Service wise, food are served fast by a couple of polite service staffs. Space wise, not very spacious so sitting capacity is limited. They also offer dine in specials. Order one main + one side + one drink @ only $9.70+++ (From their selection menu only).

I dine here very often with my colleagues and we already have our favourite dishes like the Pork Chop Rice, Fried Rice, Fried Tofu & etc. Their green curry is a bit on the sweeter side but still good.

Final Verdict: No harm trying out here. And if you ever order Fried Rice, pls note that it is not spicy at all and you might even add chilli padi. As the waiter will always warn you "This fried rice is a bit spicy". Haha.

Rating: 6.5/10

Tao's Modern Pacific Cuisine

1 Selegie Road
Paradiz Centre #B1-19
Singapore 188306
Tel: 6339 8858

March 29, 2006

Remember the advertisement on tv about 4 ladies who can't make up their mind on what to eat? They landed in Tao's Cuisine whom gives them the opportunity to try out 7 dishes. Though this advertisement looks like a super cheap production with no quality, I still decided to try out this eatery.

When me & ash reached the place waiting to be seated while browsing the menu, a very friendly staff ask us if we still wanted to look around before we decide to come in. Then i realised the one pot steamboat stall beside is under the same management, if not they must be stupid to push us to competitors. But we just request to be seated in. Though back of our mind, me & ash was thinking "Oh yah, sure...why not, and in the end we walk over to subway instead which is 2 shops away and make them regret"....haha....evil thoughts!!

Business don't seem very good as there are only another 2 tables occupied. The whole place is filled with emptiness which makes us hear wee bit of echo when talking, of coz which means all conversations are easily heard in there. The manager i supposed, came over to introduce the dishes to us before we placed our orders.

We began our 7 course with a starter "Bacon & Mushroom Gratin", it was quite addictive but very small portion though they give unlimited toasted bread. Second dish was the grilled mushroom, so dull & so little, waste money. After which, we proceed on to the salads "Italian Caprese Salad" & "Fruit Salad", disppointing as it's plain & blend + super small portion.. After which, soup were served. We have chosen Cream of Mushroom which tasted normal and Shark Fin Melon Herbal Soup which tasted like MSG water.

Then comes the main courses. I chose Marinated Lamb Cutlet which is very good, tasted medium cooked. While ash ordered their recommended Slow Cooked Pork Back Ribs which is equally good, as it is very tender. Both of portions are still acceptable, at least it is not very little. Then came the dessert Creme Brulee and Assorted Fresh Fruits which turns out to be fruits in jelly. Last of all, for our last dish, we ordered ice fruit tea which tasted ok.

After all the 7 dishes, we strongly feels that it is the soup & tea that makes us full due to too much water, felt so cheated. And of coz, not to forget the fact that they have super over friendly staffs that gets on our nerves as they kept coming over to us at every single dish to ask for comments, just too much for us to take.

Final Verdict: If you think you have a lot of $$$ and nowhere to spend, just come here and waste your money. And if you think this meal is not worth it, pls eat more of their free flow bread to compensate.

Rating: 5.5/10