Sunday, October 25, 2015

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant @ Carlton Hotel

Wah Lok seems to be a very famous restaurant for Cantonese dim sum.  For many years, I had tried to eat there but always told that the place had been fully booked.  This time, I made a reservation 1 week in advance, and I was lucky enough to get a table.

The restaurant opens at 11.30am on Saturday.  For lunch, they have two sessions.  The first session starts at 11.30am, ends at 1.00pm, the second session starts at 1pm, till 2.30pm.

When I arrived at 11.25am, there was already a small crowd in front of the restaurant waiting for it to open, and most, if not all, of them already made their reservation before hand.

Appetizer $4.00

Once I told them my reservation, a staff ushered me to the table right away.  Appetizer already ready on the table.  Their appetizer is quite uncommon, it consists of carrots, reddish, and apple slices, marinated, I think, in orange juice.

My friend was late, so I made the decision to order a whole chunk of dishes :)

Chicken Feet, $5.00

Xiao Long Bao, $6.90

Malay Cake, $4.80

Custard Bun, $5.40

For Malay cake, I still prefer the one from Tim Ho Wan more.  Wah Lok's is not as fragrant and sponge, somehow something is amiss.

Roast Pork, $15.00

The staff there recommended their roast pork.  When it came, I was quite surprised - 9 tiny cubes!  $15 for 9 cubes, so it is $1.67 for each cube!  In terms of taste, the skin is of course very crispy, but then other than that, I can't tell any difference from a less expensive, or 'ordinary' roast pork.  Mmmh...

Siew Mai (steamed pork dumpling), $6.90

For Cantonese dim sum, you can't not to order siew mai, so I did.  Wah Lok's siew mai saves the day.  It is the best siew mai that I have had.  Siew mai from other places tend to have thick skins, and stuffed with lots of flour, but stingy on the real fillings of pork and prawn.  Here, it is all the opposite, thin on the skin, flour is almost minimum, but generous on the prawn and pork fillings.  What makes a real difference is the biting sensation of the prawn.  The prawn kind of pops in your mouth.  It is firm, it is fresh.  The pork, as a supporting actor, brings out the freshness and sweetness of the prawn.  It is a perfect combination.  Such effect can only be achieved with the best ingredients.


Saturday, October 17, 2015

Din Gi Noodle House@Plaza Singapura


Din Gi Noodle House is known for its one-strand noodle, one whole bowl of noodle containing of one single strand of noodle only.  It is a kind of showmanship to demonstrate that the chef is so skillful and the ingredient is so special that a single piece of noodle is long enough to fill the whole bowl.


While we were waiting for our noodle, we munch on the appetizers.  The garlic cucumber is nice, crispy and with the strong taste of garlic.  The spinach is too plain to tell there is any taste, but then it is in the name of healthy eating.


I ordered the beef noodle.  Indeed the whole bowl contains only one single strand of noodle, and the portion is enough to feed an adult male.  If you notice, the noodle is thicker than normal, and it is quite elastic when you bite.

Here, eating is not just to fill your tummy but it is also a way of promoting technical excellence and innovation.  Great!



Thursday, October 15, 2015

Kaiserhaus@The Capitol

A few weeks ago, there was an article about the newly opened Kaiserhaus at the newly renovated The Capitol building at City Hall.  Frankly speaking, I had never stepped into The Capitol building before the renovation.  It is a building that belongs to the bygone period, sealed in the dusty cabinets of history.


The new Capitol building is bright, shiny, yet still retains a sense of old-time elegance.  Kaiserhaus is located right on top of the entrance of the famed Capitol Theatre.  It takes up two levels, so there is quite some seating capacity.

As recommended by the newspaper article, I ordered the Gourmet Beef set.  Didn't know this set is also called the Emperor's set, said to be the favourite food of one of the Austrian-German Emperors.
This set comes with an instruction manual on how to enjoy it.

Gourmet Beef Set User Manual

While waiting for my Emperor set, we enjoyed a glass of beer.  They had a promotion, S$18++ for two beers plus a side dish, choose between bread or fried crispy mushrooms.


The black beer was a bit bitter sweet.  In a slightly hazy afternoon, with a glass of Austrian black beer in hand, with a full window view of the charm of young-old Capitol building, well, what a beautiful world!

Gourmet Beef Set


Then my Gourmet Beef set came.  Stewed beef with mixed vegetables in an old-fashioned copper pot, together with the side dishes - spinach, bread, potatoes, etc.

I was expecting the beef to be quite hard and chewy, but it turned out to be very tender.  You can easily cut it up with no force required on your knife.  The smell of some spice permeates in the soup.

I only ordered a one person set for S$38++, for a two person set, the cost is $76++.  However, if you are not a very big eater, or not very hungry, a one person set is enough for two person, especially if one is a girl.

I look forward to a 2nd visit :)