Mad Jack Cafe, Bukit Timah

After having walked by this place (6 Dukes Road, tel : 6462 4300) near the junction of Bukit Timah and Farrer Road numerous times in the past, we've finally decided to head in and try their food. I had some idea of what to expect from this place from all the signs that were at the front of the shop but still I was thinking...who knows? It might surprise me. As to that, I was both wrong and right.

Their fish and chips ($7.90) was surprisingly quite good. There was a garoupa option which was about twice as expensive which we didn't go for because we didn't have any idea if that was really worth the extra dollars compared to the regular version - which was already rather enjoyable. The crispy batter was both thin and light. Also didn't expect to see them offer vinegar which was available along with tartare sauce. The sides for the fish and chips were either fries or mushroom rice. Was glad we picked the mushroom rice which was unsuspectingly tasty. The rice was infused with the flavour of mushrooms and was lightly peppered. Portions were a little small.


There was mixed fries ($4.50) available as a side that came slathered with mayonnaise and cheese sauce. Not usually a big fan of mayo but I thought that the fries in this place turned out to be pretty good....and heart clogging. They're called mixed fries because half of them are regular fries and the other half are "spiced" with some seasoning. It was also an additional dollar if you decided that you want them all spicy instead of mixed.

To tumble downhill, their Blue Diamond burger which cost about half of  a burger at Relish which they claimed to be the tallest burger in town was disappointing. Obviously, they've either disregarded or have not heard of Botak Jones to make that claim. Heh! The thin and crumbly patty had plenty of fillers. If you asked me, I thought it was probably just 40% meat at best. The patties were doused with mayo and sauces - causing them to end up tasting like an unidentifiable meat substance more unidentifiable than the ones in Ramly burgers. Wouldn't recommend this. Stick to the fish and chips. Tap water is 50 cents here.

Hum Sand?

Hmmmmm.......

Butter chicken and garlic naan from Sim Lim Square food court

I was recommended to try this Indian and Pakistani stall in the food court at the basement of Sim Lim Square (B1-15). I was initially a little skeptical about them but went ahead anyway. It turned out to be not bad after all. The naan was kneaded into shape and sprinkled with bits of garlic then baked in the that clay/stone oven. All made to order. That much can be seen was freshly made. I didn't expect that the butter chicken was actually served on a foil sheet on a hotplate which had it sizzling all the way back to the table. The gravy tasted a little thinner than I expected but had a good level of spice. Which would have been better if the gravy were more creamy. The chicken portions was quite miserable as well and didn't taste as smoky like it did at Jaggi's.

One thing for sure as many of you are probably already aware, the coffee at the food court was horrendous.

Steak @ Les Bouchons

I was recently seized by a craving for beef after a "cold tipoff" which brought us down to Les Bouchons (7 Ann Siang Road, tel : 6423 0737). Since the last visit some time back, the menu has gone through some changes. The price of the cote de beouf has gone up a little (it's now $40 per pax) but was still good value for money. Previously the other steak items also costed less. Today I didn't want to pass on the previously unavailable XL US beef ribeye ($42) which the server estimated at 400g and would be fattier than the standard ribeye option where the meat was from Australia or New Zealand. Tenderloin lovers got  their loving as well in the form of their larger beef fillet ($34) option.


As you can see, the ribeye was the only thing that's on the plate. It turned out to be as large (yes!) as the server had mentioned and the fries had to go on a separate basket. The meat was fatty as claimed but was also sinewy. Wasn't as juicy as I had expected though. At the back of my mind, I was actually imagining something else. I had to let go of some of the fat as there was too much that my conscience refused to let me eat them all. Lol.


In spite of being less juicy than I had been imagining for, the tenderloin scored points by being as tender as one would expect of the cut. It was leaner and slightly less flavourful than the ribeye but still turned out to be very enjoyable. Probably is one of the larger tenderloins I had.



There wasn't much of variety for desserts in Les Bouchons. Apart from some ice cream with fruits and preserves, there was only the Ile Flottante ($10) and a Grand Marnier flavoured creme brulee to be had. I didn't remember how the former tasted like since it was quite some time back since I had it. After the first mouthful of that soft wobbly egg white in the caramel milk, the memories steadily back. This stuff was light and fell apart in your mouth more easily than foie gras. The sliced almonds were toasted which added a depth of crunch and fragrance.

Kamakura Nihon Ryori, Circular Road

The truth be told, this is one of those Japanese places (83 Circular Road, tel : 6438 0820) that I would normally avoid. But since a couple of other locations we were originally intended upon were packed to the brim and we had to get a quick dinner, having empty seats wins you customers sometimes. On hindsight, Shah Alam just across the road would have cost less and have been more satisfying. Lesson learnt.


I was initially wondering at the taco chahan which I've had my encounter with initially back in Mimigar as one of the identifying items of Okinawan cuisine in the strange hybrid of Japanese and Mexican styles. I ordered it despite a strong apprehension about what it would turn out to be and this would be one of those times when you feel like shooting yourself for not trusting your instincts. Lo and behold, ground beef fried rice at an amazing value of $8.50! I would have been a lot happier paying slightly more than double for twice the portions and a generous portion of crab meat. The strange salvation of the taco cha.......ground beef fried rice came in the from innocuous small bottle of fragrant and spicy La-Yu on the condiment tray which really upped the taste of the miserably portioned rice to lip smacking levels. Sometimes, the it's the small things that we overlook that make a difference. After all, the fate of Middle Earth once rested precariously upon the shoulders of a certain hobbit. I'll probably not return to this place, but I'll definitely stock up on that La-Yu.

The hotate mentaiko ($11.80) didn't really come across to me or anyone at dinner to be filled with mentaiko on the creamy top neither. And honestly, while palatable, I've had much better.

Balsamic mousse cake from Eden Cafe

Dropped by at Eden Cafe for some sweets again, so that means more of the ostrich egg creme brulee and hibiscus cheese filo. But, here's a look at the balsamic mousse cake. Despite the nondescript appearances as a cake this is interestingly quite pleasant with an above subtle aroma of balsamic vinegar in the light creamy mousse that wells up in your tastebuds as you wedge it between your tongue and the roof of your mouth. The chocolate sauce tasted like those from Hershey's squeeze bottles.