Ootoya, Orchard Central

Ootoya's a new restaurant in town (181 Orchard Road, #08-12 Orchard Central, tel : 6884 8901) that specialises in teishoku - which I've only recently learnt was the word for those Japanese set meals.

The Atka mackerel option I tried appeared appealing. The fish was flaky, salty and had a nice char aroma from the grilled skin. But those tiny bones which made it a hassle to eat. Rice was free flow with each order of their sets meals. There were a few toppings that one could pick for them. I got one with hijiki seaweed and it tasted like it had ume in them.

Steak and eggs from Handlebar

Wow, this was a pleasant surprise coming from Handlebar. Not that I was anticipating anything that I wouldn't have liked, but the steak and eggs plate did feature a tender and properly done medium rare cow that would make me re-think sirloin as an option. The sirloin in question was one juicy and flavourful piece. Then again, it's not a cut that I look at most of the time so perhaps, I've just been missing out. Coming from the Biker's food section of the menu, this was certainly a no frills and just a steak with sides thing that I appreciated. I noticed that the prices have gone up from the last visit. Their tenderloin has gone up by $10!

A return to Bella Pizza

I left this place with the same gripe as I did in my first visit. They're a scrooge with blue cheese. Even after requesting for extras, the pizza cipolla still had much less of that Gorgonzola topping than I was hoping for. Maybe most people enjoy just a tiny bit of them. Didn't change the fact that I've already asked for more and the portions were still very miserable. Was disappointed. What made me come back was because Bella Pizza serves pizza bianca which still isn't all that commonplace at this point. But one of these days, I'll definitely stop wanting to come back.

From the Natsumatsuri Fair @ Isetan......

Supermarkets that bring in import produce should definitely consider the carrot to the thousands of people that shuffle across the aisles of their products. Having actual samples encourage people more than just having them gawk at expensive price tags which just scares them off. 

These were definitely not the priciest of fruits that one could find but I've seen them on the shelves countless of times and have always wondered how good they were. Until today when I tasted some samples and decided that they were worth the dollars stuck to their labels. These momos were probably one of the most delicious peaches that I've had. Not that I eat peaches that often. Sweet and really juicy were the operative words here. The same went for those Kyoho grapes which was bursting with full bodied grapey goodness. Something one doesn't experience with regular grapes. It was like wine without the alcohol. 

Since I was there in the late morning, there were also some take away lunch as well from the cooked food corner and a rather uninteresting pre-packed negitoro gunkan which was mostly saved by the spring onions.

 

Ketchup...

I've been afflicted by a common malady of recent that has prevented me from updating this blog. That ailment is commonly known by most as laziness.

So there I've said it. I've stumbled into a state of inertia which was caused by various factors. Work being one of them. Also that there was quite a bit of hours spending time shuttling in transit between Kadrin Valley and Reikland and Eataine and well.....that's that. I'm not doing those today, which is the reason why I'm here typing this.


I've been out eating still if anyone was wondering. It's mostly been some of the same old stuff that I've mentioned before and a place call Wan Tou Shek which turned out to be quite nice. Have actually been there two or three times in the past month so I guess I'm quite liking it. Along with the durian trip across the road after that for some rather expensive Mau Shan Wangs. Otherwise, it was mostly a bunch of noodle craving that led me back to Tai Hwa where a fortunate case of running out of mee pok led me to ordering the mee kia version with extra minced meat. And a bowl of meatballs. Firm noodles with the spicy fishy vinegar toss....... good stuff here still.


The noodle binge included more minced pork noodles from Fei Xiong at the basement of Junction 8 and a leap back to QQ Noodle House which has really lousy char siew, but tasty noodles which made me forgive the other things that I didn't quite like. And even more minced meat noodles from the little food centre at Holland Village. And then there was also the potato noodles from Lai Lai. Or the Northern Chinese hand cut noodle thingy with braised beef and tendons from Crystal Jade La Mien place. Plus a return back to the same restaurant, but in another outlet for their rendition of the Dan Dan Mien which paled in comparison with Yoshimaru Ramen Bar and Ichibantei.


Still on the thread of noodles, one of my favourite duck places formerly known as Circular Sumptious Square has rechristened itself into Cookalicious Sumptious Square. I don't know what prompted the change in that name but the shop has gotten renovations and felt a little less imbued with the spirit of the former setup as an old trusty roast meat stall. Still the food was enjoyable the same. Prices haven't changed if my memory serves me.


Like I said, basically re-visits and oodles of noodles.

I'll stop short of talking about a rather disappointing and unsatisfying visit to Aston Prime. So here's one month of catchup for you.