Buko Nero, Tanjong Pagar Road

The first time I ate at Buko Nero (126 Tanjong Pagar Road) was a lifetime ago. Back then, there weren't reservation platforms and we had to call and...accept the fact that the restaurant will only talk to you when they deemed fit to do so. And after you've gotten through the reservation, you'd still have to wait for something like a month before you get your table.

They also used to not allow photography. That seemed to be no longer the case. Maybe at some point along the way, they came to the realisation that the world around them is better postured sell their food better than they could ever.

Mood of the restaurant did not feel like it has changed from the impression that was left in me 19 years back. It has that bit of uppity vibe without actually being uppity. In fairness, I need to state that the server was friendly and earnest. To also get something off the chest, it was a little uncomfortable to say the least, having the proprietors hawk over you from the counter while you were trying to eat/have a conversation.

Don't know if I remembered the amuse bouche correctly. Left was halibut on cucumber with apple and edible cornflower. Tasted like tuna mayo. Right was baccala in a little tart shell - this one's nice. Baccala's totally pureed and creamy.

Bread came in the form of spicy breadsticks and focaccia with sweet peppers. It's $4 if you want another serving.

Not bad tasting burrata with momotaro & strawberry salsa. Kinda expensive.

Tried their homemade tagliolini spicy engawa & basil ragu because...engawa. Didn't taste like much in the tomato sauce and I should have anticipated that but for some reasons, the aburi-ed version kept popping up in my head while making the decision to order it. Didn't taste bad but I thought it costed too much at $36.

This was product picture of their wagyu beef cheek red wine & cherries jus that got me sold into ordering it. I mean...that red wine & cherries jus sounded/looked good right?

Here's where I again, ask if there should be a law against deliberate misrepresentation of product? I feel that there should.

$46 and probably 3 spoonfuls of cheek meat. Not bad tasting but I'm kinda put off by the fact that I paid so much for so little.

Nasi lemak & bee hoon meatless from Oriental Kopi

Oriental Kopi has nasi lemak and bee hoon without meat but it's only for breakfast it seems. With one less distraction, we had a chance to tune in just to the santan infused rice. Which I haven't had a chance to since the first time we ate at their City Square outpost. There's coconut, pandan, cardamom and that light lemon grassy flavour in it. Still don't know what are those green beans for. Definitely more complex than regular nasi lemak.

Chef Lup Roasted (立师父烧腊), Lau Pa Sat

Like moth to a flame, we were drawn to Chef Lup Roasted (Stall #04 Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay) by the char siew hanging at the front of the stall. This was char siew rice with additional roast duck breast for $8.50. There was a lot more duck than char siew but that char siew was smokey sweet, beautifully caramelized with burnt ends. Duck's pretty decent with that sweet herbal sauce. I like the greasy chicken rice (油饭) it was served with.

Isle Cafe, Far East Plaza

Cai png at Isle Cafe (#02-66 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road). I've seen them so many times and we've finally decided to get some. The basic premise of Isle Cafe is affordable, frills free and decent tasting economy rice. Liked the long beans and curry chicken I picked today. Not a fan of the cornstarch slurried spinach which was kinda bland.

Chop Chop, International Plaza

Came across Chop Chop (#02-67/68 International Plaza, 10 Anson Road, tel : +65 8770 3533) recently. The shop's located close to the escalator in the middle of the building. Food could be considered Thai and the menu offers a curated and straightforward combination of starch and proteins with options for sides.

This was the chicken with turmeric rice. $4.50 for the basic configuration which was just that - chicken and rice. Topping up a few dollars ($7.50 ☝🏼) gets additional two sides and a drink. Got myself some buttery broccoli/cauliflower called California Mix (🤔) and a mushroom egg thingy.

Chicken was thigh meat with a flavouring that tasted like a soy glaze/marinate that was savoury and a little sweet. Rice has turmeric flavouring and little else I could discern. The plate got a lot better once the tub of their nam jim has been drizzled over. Layered an umami hit of garlicky sweet, salty and lime with just a bit of coriander (which I didn't mind) that bumped both the rice and chicken up by a considerable notch. 👍🏼

There's sea bass with jade noodles. Noodles had garlic bits and fish came with a sweet sauce which like kecup manis. That nam jim worked on this too.

Lemon tea's not bad. Didn't taste like the regular variety. Something about the citrus in there that's different.

Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh (豐香肉骨茶 · 炒粥), Food Republic @ Vivocity

The last time I had the fried porridge from Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh was when they were still operating at Beauty World. I've been wanting to come to this stall in Food Republic at VivoCity (#03-01 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk) for some time but have also been avoiding it because of the crowd. Finally happened by chance. Got a serving with mixed pork innards. The smokey fried porridge was till as good.