Singapore Restaurant Tips by Carino

Straits Cafe: Straits Cafe

I believe most people are heading to the Straits Cafe because of its buffet lunch and dinner.
After we had a look at the menu, we decided to order a la carte.

Favorite Dish: I was craving for some nice local food until I spotted something on the menu: Pork Zurich Style with Roesti. Now, you have to understand that I am Swiss, from Zurich, and I have not been home for more than a year. I changed my mind and ordered it. I probably expected something that tastes half way like the original dish. But to my surprise, the dish was pretty equal to what you get in Zurich. Only difference would be the Roesti, which was a bit too little and not that crispy as I like it. But they meat! Oh my! Thin sliced pork on a creamy mushroom sauce, just the way I liked it. Even though the portion looked small I was rather full. And trust me... that means something. The dish came at a pretty decent price tag, considering location and quality, SGD 25.90++. I can highly recommend the place and the dish.

Address: 9 Bras Basah Road, 1F Rendevous Hotel

Comparison: about average

Directions: Between Dhobby Ghaut & City Hall MRT. Located on the ground floor of the hotel.

Phone: +65 6336 0220

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Buffet

L'Angelus: L'Angelus

Not caring about the recession for once, we enjoyed a nice dinner at a French Restaurant called L'Angelus.

Favorite Dish: I really enjoyed their beef tartar, while my friends went for the chateau brion. Both meals were absolutely delicious and our choice of wine, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape was the crown to a great evening.

The only downsides are probably the "too french" ambiance and the hefty price tag. It seems that the label french justifies high prices around the world.

Staff seemed rather junior but made it up with a friendly attitude.

Address: 85 Club Street, Singapore 069453

Comparison: most expensive

Other Contact: Fax: 6225 0320

Phone: +65 6225 6897

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: French

Maru Korean BBQ: Maru Korean BBQ

Maru Korean BBQ is another great Korean Restaurant in Singapore and probably the one with the nicest interior.

Favorite Dish: We went for a Chinese New Year treat, which included several types of meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, rice & noodle dishes. The Squid and the marinated beef are my favorites. Don't forget to order some Soju and Korean beer along your dishes. Also try the Korean Tea.

Address: 27 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238971

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: On Mohamed Sultan Road, about 50 metres from River Valley Road.
Closest MRT stop: Clarke Quay (800m, about 10 - 15 min) walk.
Bus stop on River Valley Road (#32, #54, #139 and #195).

Other Contact: Fax: +65 6235 9344

Phone: +65 6235 7273

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Jeju Korean Restaurant: Jeju Korean Restaurant

Singapore is a Food-Heaven. You can get all kinda different food and of course also Korean. There are a lot of food courts with Korean Stalls and a lot of Korean Restaurants. Yet, many of them are run by chinese and they adjusted the dishes to suit the Singaporean Taste. Fortunatelly this is not the case with Jeju Korean Restaurant. This place is run by a Korean and the food didn't loose its authentic taste.

Favorite Dish: Bulgogi (SGD 18) is always an easy choice for the first time Korean Food Eater. It's marinated beef with onions and bean sprouts. Also Kim Bab (SGD 7.50) the Korean Version of Sushi is easy to eat, as it is not made with fish, but vegetables and meat.

Tofu Soup (SGD 10) would be an "advanced" dish. Quite spicy and unique in its taste.

This goes all perfectly along a Korean Beer (SGD 5), which is just better than Tiger and other Asian Beers.

Another big advantage: GST is already included. Prices are only subject to a 10% Service Charge, which is very usual in Singapore. Also the location is great. It's in a small side road, right next to Raffles Hotel.

Address: 38 Seah Street, Singapore 188394

Comparison: about average

Directions: Close to Raffles Hotel

Other Contact: kdkim@jeju.com.sg

Phone: (65) 6333 0304

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

La Cave @ Chijmes: La Cave @ Chijmes

I like Chijmes and I like the variary of Restaurants. One evening we went to La Cave.

Favorite Dish: I love the Corriander Tomato Rice with Chicken! Awesome dish! The downside was the staff. I ordered the CHECK and they came over and brought us a JUG! Hello? Is my english so bad? And the best thing.... they got mad! Isn't the customer still king? Didn't get the feeling there.

Address: 30 Victoria Street, #B1-10, Fountain Court,Chijmes

Comparison: about average

Phone: +65 6337 9717

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 2

Theme: Other

Congress Kopitiam: Congress Kopitiam

Congress Kopitiam is a small restaurant in Suntec City. Pay at the cashier and get in line to get your Indian Pancakes called Roti Prata or Murtabak (Roti Prata with meat).

Favorite Dish: Murtabak comes at just SGD 3.20. Excellent local dish for few money.

Address: Suntec Convention Centre

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: +65 6825 2045

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

O'Briens: O'Briens

O'Briens is a Irish Sandwich Bar with a franchise at City Link Mall. They have free Wireless Internet and serve great sandwiches.

Favorite Dish: Try the Chicke & Bacon Tripledecker at SGD 8.80. Good stuff.

Address: 1 Raffles Link, Citylink Building #B1-63A

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: +65 6238 8174

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Other

Sketches Pasta & Wine Bar: Sketches Pasta & Wine Bar

Located in Bugis Junction, Sketches offers good pasta for reasonable prices. There is a second outlet on Robertson Walk.

Favorite Dish: I had Spaghetti Carbonara for SGD 11.90. The redwine is served to cold, but was good afterall.

Address: 200 Victoria Street, #01-85/86/87

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Bugis Junction

Phone: +65 6339 8386

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting

Bobby Rubino's: Dining at Chijmes

After arriving in Singapore I was starving and very thirsty. Therefore we picked the first restaurant at Chijmes, which happend to be Bobby Rubino's.

Favorite Dish: I had the Chicken Breast Sandwich for 16.99 S$. Together with an appetizer sample I was definitely stuffed.... Tip of 10% and GST of 0.5% is allready included in the final tab.

And for the beer lovers: Jug of Heineken cost you S$ 30.

Address: 30 Victoria Street, Singapore

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: The Fountain Court (donwstairs) @ Chijmes

Phone: +65 6337 5477

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: American

Salsa - Tex Mex: Boat Quay Boat Quay Review

That place is closed now.....

Favorite Dish: Chicken Fajita was a lovey choice. Watch out: Extra Tortillas are not for free....

Prices: Chicken Fajita for 21 S$, extra Tortillas (3 pieces) for S$ 3.50, Pitcher of Marguerita for S$38.

Address: 52 Boat Quay, Singapore 049841

Comparison: about average

Directions: Boat Quay

Phone: +65 6533 1282

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican