Rochkirstin | com

Category: Vegetarian

  • Review of Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food (Bel-Air, Makati)

    Review of Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food (Bel-Air, Makati)

    Taking vegetarian fare to amazing heights, Corner Tree Cafe along Jupiter Street in Bel-Air, Makati offers creative dishes with a refreshing change. Tastes set the standard with quality-sourced vegan and vegetarian food delivered in an intimate and relaxed setting. If you want to try all-natural, earthy digs and flee from meaty havens, this is the place to go. Tasting is believing. 😉

    Review of Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food (Bel-Air, Makati)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Corner Tree Cafe’s ambiance felt homely and inviting. Despite the plain and sparsely furnished interior design, the atmosphere was calm, clean, and proper. It’s an absolutely ideal place for those who want to unwind or have an engaging chat, one where bookworms can also hang out and read books on a quiet corner.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    The service attendant was quick and helpful when recommending dishes on the menu, but she wasn’t gracious and friendly as we could have hoped. Perhaps that’s understandable since all other staffs were too busy on their feet attending to requests of customers as well.  They were efficient however were so focused on efficiency that we felt hurried and not totally valued as individual customers. There was little eye contact.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    For our appetizer, the Corner Tree Starter Plate (PhP 295) came out as an interesting combination of dukka and dummus. Dukka is an Egyptian fragrant dry blend of seeds, pulses, and spices with warm chunks of whole wheat bread and extra virgin olive oil. The hummus was made of chickpeas, tahini, and black olives served with vegetable sticks. The fresh, distinct, and interesting array of mixed flavors and textures in one bite make it a good option but not a must-order.

    The Spinach Feta Croquettes (PhP 210, 3 pieces) had a nice comforting flavor and were light and crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. These tasty croquettes were made with spinach, feta, cheese and red rice served with a mint organic yogurt sauce and Corner Tree Cafe’s very own harissa on the side (great for chili lovers). We definitely recommend.

    Made with spinach, roasted bell pepper, mushroom, and three different cheeses, the Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna (PhP 450) was very aromatic and it was an absolute hit. This vegetarian lasagna was about as fresh and summery as it’s ever going to get, creamy and packed with deliciousness altogether.

    A nirvana for a vegetarian’s taste buds, the Arroz a la Cubana (PhP 255) was cooked with flavorful minced tofu, tomatoes, green olives, raisins, and fried bananas with red rice. It was topped with fried egg but that’s optional for vegans. I loved that the plating was artfully prepared, and the combination of ingredients in this dish was both hearty and comforting.

    Price for Value: ★★★☆☆

    Corner Tree Cafe in Makati showcases delectable vegan and vegetarian dishes, so guests can expect satisfaction when opting for their cuisine, especially for the most recommended dishes on the menu. It has received so many high praises and awards in recent years. Being named as the “Best Specialty Cuisine” restaurant by “Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets” (MBKRS) Awards says a lot about this cafe. Prices are on the higher end of the spectrum but dishes in general have good value.

    [schema type=”review” url=”http://cornertreecafe.com/” name=”Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food” description=”150 Jupiter Corner Saturn Street, Bel-Air, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 2469069 ext:147, +63 906 558-6177 or e-mail cornertreecafe@gmail.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2016-02-12″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

    Operating hours: Daily 11am to 10pm

  • Review of Susi Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Review of Susi Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    For most people, the idea of gourmet vegan cuisine is a head-scratcher, but it seems that Susi does not shy away from the challenge. Susi Vegan and Vegetarian in BGC provides interesting, “clean” eats with enough options that are 100% vegan (gluten-free, meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and cruelty-free). How does this kind of food satisfy? Does this vegan joint mimic the flavors of meat in its cooking? Can this be considered “heaven” for vegans? We ordered four of its best-selling dishes to find out.

    Review of Susi Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    Susi Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant, a two-story sleek spot with white and polished wood walls, turned out as a host of greens and creative vegan eats. The ambiance here can be described as a pleasant departure from noisy bars and restaurants in Forbes Town Center. Quirky decors, dim lighting, and comfortable seating enhance aura of peace and satisfaction, making it an ideal place to hang out and carry long conversations over a nice meal. In addition to items on the menu, packed snacks as well as memorabilia are displayed for selling beside the counter.

    Service: ★★★★★

    Service was spot-on. The staff made it a point to make everyone happy with their friendly accommodation and cheeriness. On each table, there were buttons for us to press if we need to call their attention for any request. These served as a discreet way of alerting them for assistance. I tried pressing a button once and was glad that it worked. Overall, our needs were met with prompt and efficiency.

    Food: ★★☆☆☆

    At one glance, Susi’s menu was impressive. Distinctive names of dishes with elaborate descriptions were written, and these were not classic digs we normally find in other vegetarian restaurants. It was also great that enthusiastic servers were present to explain them further. We took in their best recommendations and had the following:

    Sea Shepherd’s Pie (PhP 345) is said to be one of the most comforting vegan dishes. Susi made it with the classic mashed potato crust, but taste executed fell flat. The mashed potatoes could have been more flavorful when topped with cheese, cream, or fresh herbs. Proportions of salt and pepper should also be increased at pleasure, and perhaps a bit of chopped thyme or oregano would have delivered better embellishment and matched in flavors, too.

    Beet burger with chimichurri, cream cheese, pico de gallo, and sweet potato wedges made up the Instagram-worthy El Chimichurri (PhP 475). The burger bun wasn’t made of wheat, oats, or gluten but still it provided textural interest. It was hard and robust enough to stand up under the pressure of biting into a bun. As for flavor, the “beet patty” did not taste anything artificial but was earthy and quite bland. What enhanced the taste was the chimichurri, a delicious green sauce originally from Argentina. Sadly though, the result was still not as savory and decadent as we expected. The burger was a tad dry for our liking.

    The Emerson (PhP 495) consisted of baked lentil-mushroom loaf served with zucchini-aubergine ratatouille and mashed potatoes. While made with wholesome ingredients and healthfully prepared, taste was nothing other-worldly. We were looking for the hearty, umami flavor of the lentil and mushroom combination and sorry to say, this dish just missed it. 唔好食 🙁

    Tender rice grains in the Quinotto (PhP 415) held their shape and retained a pleasantly chewy texture that’s not too mushy. Topped with fresh lemon zest strips, teriyaki quinoa risotto with tamari-glazed king oyster mushroom scallops was surprisingly filling. With slightly nutty and a little sweet taste, this cohesive dish was the tastiest among these four however the overall flavor did not win us over.

    Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆

    Plant-based food gets a delicious spin at Susi Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant in Burgos Circle. The guilt-free dishes we tried might not have been right up our alley, and tabs are not so affordable either. Nonetheless, they were still worth a try. The textures and ingredients used to make food presentations were inventive, and these can possibly convert meat eaters to become vegans/vegetarians. 🙂 Check it out!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/susiphilippines” name=”Susi Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant” description=”Bellagio 2, Forbestown, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 8337874″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-08-18″ user_review=”12″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Nowadays, grabbing a healthy lunch is not always easy. That’s unless of course you live in an area where all the freshest ingredients and colorful vegetables can be found. One afternoon, as I was searching the web for “healthy eating restaurants,” I found Pino Resto Bar in Jupiter Street, Makati. I heartily bookmarked it on Zomato and decided to treat my family to lunch on a Sunday. Their menu turned out to be a riot of plates whose ingredients tumbled across vegetarian and non-vegetarian modern Filipino dishes. These are food which I describe as those that aren’t ashamed of their nutritional stats. 🙂

    For those of you who don’t frequent the North and are not familiar with Pino Resto Bar + Pipino Vegetarian, Pino serves creative comfort Filipino food, while Pipino presents vegetables in more playful light. The person behind both is Chef Ed Bugia who wanted to redefine the concept of Filipino comfort food and serve something special.

    Review of Pino Resto Bar (Bel-Air, Makati City)

    Service: ★★★★★

    The entire place was reserved to a christening of a baby that day. I didn’t call ahead and make a reservation, so that was my bad. Pino Resto Bar was nicely setup with pink balloons and white curtain-like table cloths. I’m sure the place is not designed like that normally, so I won’t anymore give a rating for the ambiance.

    Leaving Pino without tasting its food would be a letdown. On that note, I asked the staff if they could allow us to be seated at The Burger Project instead, since it’s operated by the same management as Pino Resto Bar anyway. Fortunately, he agreed and assisted us to the adjacent restaurant. We ordered food from there, and the dishes quickly arrived from a shared kitchen of BRGR and Pino.

    Food: ★★★★☆

    Sufficiently buttery, Pino’s version of the Vegetable Kare-kare (PhP 185) was not the best I have tasted so far but it could be unfailingly pleasing for most vegetarians and vegans alike. I found the nuttiness a little bland if not eaten with the Bagoong Rice (below) made of black beans. To improve, I think the taste will be enhanced if there’s some level of heat we can live with.

    The Calamares Negra (PhP 275) was comforting and slightly elevated. Because they’re black, you might have the impression that the pieces were dipped in squid ink. I don’t know if that’s right, but I’m sure that these hit the spot as they’re quite exotic and yummy. It’s a new spin from a simply fried calamari with a golden crust we often are served in most restaurants.

    The quality of layered pasta in Pino Resto Bar’s Vegan Lasagna (PhP 175) was great. Balanced in flavor, this lasagna had a great mix of sweet and tart elements—the kind of bright, popping flavors that Southeast Asian cuisine is known for. The tomato sauce dominated the top part and it was assertive but not so much as to overwhelm the vegetarian fillings.

    As the name Watermelon Steak (PhP 245) appeared on the menu, it got me curious on how it would look and taste like. It sounded suspicious and ended up nothing particularly good. Watermelon juice oozing out in every forkbite was just weird. The mushrooms, asparagus and mashed potatoes were memorably delicious.

    We destroyed the mystery of kale and malunggay in one when we had two orders of  the Kale Malunggay Pesto Pasta (PhP 195). Hearty and heavy went hand-in-hand. With a substantial amount of pesto flavor, this pasta dish could be better with toasted pine nuts scattered on top and a bit of grated Parmesan.

    Having started our day at Pino with kare-kare, it was perfectly acceptable to end it with one, too. This time though, we had the Seafood Kare-kare (PhP 625) which featured various seafood such as shrimps, mussels and squids. It was totally likable. The peanut gravy and the coconut milk blended well together. Adding an extra luscious dimension was the richness of the texture of the sauce. This can be your Achilles heel!

    Price for Value: ★★★★☆

    The meal was certainly not cheap considering the small serving size of the dishes, but overall it was not preposterously expensive either. Most of the dishes are around the PhP 200 mark, and the mains similarly push you to spend from about PhP 250 to PhP300. To get lucky with good choices, the trick is to realize before you place your order what you are going to get. Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, or probably a mix of both.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pino-Resto-Bar/511800612177186″ name=”Pino Resto Bar” description=”38 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call 550-1781″ rev_body=”Operating Hours: Sundays from 5:00pm-10:00pm, M-Sat from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; 5:00–11:30 pm)” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-07-12″ user_review=”13″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”15″ ]

  • Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    We have been to Quezon City area a number of times for years without paying much attention to Mother Ignacia Avenue. That said, I had little knowledge of what exists along that avenue—until Louie brought us into this “secret” establishment at dinnertime on our fifth-year anniversary as a couple. Where? At The Vegetarian Kitchen, a house-turned-restaurant located on Mother Ignacia Street, right across St. Mary’s Academy.

    Being raised in a vegetarian family, I am always in the lookout for vegetarian restaurants offering completely zero meat, not even seafood and dishes containing dairy products. According to Kiko Soliongco, son of The Vegetarian Kitchen’s owner, their menu has items for both vegetarians and vegans, as a result of suggestions raised by customers. Those with “V” at the side are vegan food, while those without are good for vegetarians. Anyway, we’re okay to try anything as long as they’re delicious and satisfying!

    Review of The Vegetarian Kitchen (Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City)

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    The vibe at The Vegetarian Kitchen was laid-back and a bit boring. Lighting was dim; no music was played in the background; and air conditioning was not sufficient. Simple yet clean and sturdy tables and seats occupied the dining area. The lack of tablecloths gave it a feel of a less than special place. Hence, I just kept reminding myself deep inside that we were here for the food, and you should be, too.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The menu is available for viewing on blackboard on the wall, so customers must either stand to read and choose which to order. I guess that staffs are asked for recommendations often, since the meatless (vegetarian) food at The Vegetarian Kitchen aren’t those that most of people in Metro Manila are familiar with.

    Given that the vegetarian segment in the market remains to be small, staffs in this vegetarian restaurant must be more patient in explaining their food repeatedly or as required. On that note, I commend the friendly workers for being hospitable and helpful. Food came to our table relatively fast. Our glasses were also refilled with water whenever they were seen empty. Operations run smooth from 11AM to 3PM and from 5PM to 9PM on Tuesdays to Saturdays.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The Spinach and Cream Cheese Dumplings (PhP 160) is one of the most popular items on the menu, and it’s no surprise. Tasty spinach was layered inside an incredible crisp, fresh dumplings skin that’s baked in-house. We decided to try it with the white sauce provided on the platter and scattered in small blobs here and there. If Dad were here with us for dinner, I’m sure he would be unstoppable and he’d take them all. 🙂

    Next was the Spanish Lengua (PhP 240) with cucumber salad and organic rice. The “lengua” was made from gluten, which arrived swimming in tomato and mushroom sauce sauce. Louie said it bears semblance to the non-vegetarian version. However, for how bright and colorful this dish was, I had initially dismissed it as dull but certainly not bland. (Sorry, I’ve just grown tired of eating this taste as cooked by my mom at home.) The Lengua was like classic Filipino recipe Beef Mechado—but one whose ingredients were mock meat.

    Finally, we took a stab at the Rich Tomato and Malunggay Lasagna (PhP 270), which was a showstopper. Every bite of the square piece of vegetarian lasagna was heavenly. The globs of uncommonly delicious and sweet baked cheese on top was so good that you’d almost forget to notice how tender and perfect the pasta are. For the record, Louie said he would rather want to become vegetarian if food he’d be served every day are cooked like this.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    The ingredients used were of high quality, and the presentation of food looked really good. Generally, the dishes at The Vegetarian Kitchen surpass one’s typical preconceptions of vegetarian food. So stop thinking that vegetarian food equates to just salads and greens. 😛 With prices of food ranging from PhP 120 to PhP 250, you can definitely get yourself a decent vegetarian meal here.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheVegetarianKitchen” name=”The Vegetarian Kitchen” description=”62 B Mother Ignacia Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, contact (02) 544-7733 or 0915-8300511″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-05-10″ user_review=”18″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

  • Review of Chennai Dosa (Little India, Singapore)

    Review of Chennai Dosa (Little India, Singapore)

    I am not cutting my umbilical cord to Chinese food, but with impressive succulent surfeit of spices, some Indian vegetarian cuisine are also good. Sauntering around Little India, I’ve come across this humble food house, a quiet enclave perpendicular to the busy Serangoon road, while in active pursuit of pure vegetarian restaurants yesterday.

    Their menu lists Indian snacks having different flavors of pratta, rava, uthappam, dosa and other sweets. I’m not well-versed with any of these but I felt the urge to try masala dosa (because it sounds good), a staple food in the South Indian region.

    Address: 5 Hindoo Road, #01-01 Singapore

    Contact Number: 63417552

    Opening Hours: 11:30am–3:30pm, 5:30pm–11pm daily

    Nearest MRT: Little India

    How to Go: From the MRT, walk past Tekka Centre and straight ahead you’ll have your nearest landmark: Broadway Hotel. Cross the street and there’ll you find the restaurant on your left.

    Food I Ordered: Masala Dosa

    Pictures:

     

    The Experience:

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Chennai Dosa can be like a resting / chill-out place. Why’d I say? The person on the table opposite me never ordered any food from the time I came in until I left. He talked to somebody on the phone, hanged the mobile phone up, waited for a while, drank [free] water and just sat, waited there and acted like he had time aplenty to be stashed away. Oh, well, the other two people seated next to me also just talked relentlessly without ordering anything. The waiter did not bother them at all.

    Service: ★★★★★

    The waiter was very friendly and productive. Though it was like a one man show for him (he was the one preparing the food, taking the orders and payments in the restaurant that can accommodate 40 people), he was able to present good service, powered probably by his passion to create something outstanding for the guests. When I asked him to pack the leftover food, he asked with a smile, “Why? Unable to eat?” I was embarrassed because he might think that I didn’t like their food but the truth was that I was full to the max. I gave out my honest reason and he said okay. 

    Food: ★★★☆☆

    Dosa is a fermented crepe or pancake made from pureed rice batter and black lentils. In India, it is a common breakfast dish and street food. It’s rich in carbohydrates, with no salt, sugar, saturated fats and gluten content. The crust was crispy and the filling was stuffed with mashed potatoes which are bland in taste. I had to dip portions of it to the sauces: coconut chutney, curry and muddha pappu. Overall, the dish was decent and satisfactory but by no means transcendental. Because of its novelty, their masala dosa can be a good starter course for those who want to try Indian food.

    A little bit of trivia: Masala dosa was listed at number 49 on the World’s 50 most delicious food compiled by CNN Go in 2011.

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    I paid S$2.60 without service charge. The meal was more than adequate for my stomach to contain for a snack, so I give this full marks. My instinct was right when I decided to go into their restaurant all along.

  • Review of Nature Vegetarian Delights (Serangoon, Singapore)

    Review of Nature Vegetarian Delights (Serangoon, Singapore)

    I only wanted to try one of Nature Vegetarian Delights’ dishes because over the Internet, many bloggers have reviewed the restaurant and found it to be one of the best. Here’s the list of places you can find the same restaurant name Nature Vegetarian Delights or 大自然素食 in Chinese, although I’m not sure if these branches constitute to the same food chain and if they still are open:

    • No. 37, Teck Chye Terrace, Singapore 545734
    • Blk 356, Hougang Ave 7, #01-803, Singapore 530356
    • Blk 112, Bukit Purmei Rd, #01-201, Singapore 090112
    • No. 24, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 59000

    I went to the branch in Serangoon because it’s nearest to our place:

    Address: 756 Upper Serangoon Road, #04-26 Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre, Singapore
    Contact Number: 62868028
    Opening Hours: 9am-9pm daily except Tuesdays
    Nearest MRT: Serangoon
    How to Go: From Serangoon Central, walk north east and go straight to Upper Serangoon Road. When you see the Paya Lebar Methodist Church, cross the road and straight ahead is the shopping center. All these walking might take you about 10-15 minutes.
    Food I Ordered: Claypot Trotters Rice
    Pictures:

    The Experience:

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    Situated in a rather old building, I first thought that it was closed when I saw the signboard on the glass in the first floor. I read further and saw another banner in Chinese pointing to their new location–to the fourth floor. Upon entering, I felt a strong Buddhist vibe because of the paintings, sayings and statuettes of Buddha and His teachings mounted on the wall. The restaurant was spacious, designed with thorough simplicity and practicality.

    Service: ★★★★☆

    The waitress ushered me to a table and gave me the menu at once. I took pictures of the area first before reading their laminated book-style food menu. What is she, a reporter? she might be thinking deep inside her head. The food came promptly and she asked me if I wanted any dessert or drink. When I said “not this time,” she just left the menu on my table for any chances of following through.

    Food: ★☆☆☆☆

    For the record, this claypot trotters rice was my least favorite item among all vegetarian food I ever tasted. Walau-eh! Full of ginger (as you can see in the pictures above) more than the actual mock trotter pieces, it had a punch of medicinal herbs with plenty of vinegar, dark soy sauce and a smack of sugary sweetness. I could not take all but I didn’t want to put it to waste and I already put out the effort of purposely going to Serangoon for it so I had to carry on. I looked at the menu again to see if there’s anything I could add on to balance out my dissatisfaction and redeem my impression on the restaurant. But no, I was full. Let’s leave it at that. The tofu, mushrooms and the mock meat were fine anyway.

    Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

    The meal was one of the most expensive in the list under the “Rice” category. I paid S$5.80 for it, and on a scale of 1-10, my satisfaction rate can only go as far as 1. Sorry.  On a positive note, I have tried yet another special delicacy and I could share about it. ٩(-̮̮̃-̃)۶

  • Review of Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant (Bugis, Singapore)

    Review of Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant (Bugis, Singapore)

    Chicken rice is one of Singapore’s unofficial national signature dishes, and lots of tourists never leave the country without devouring this enticing meal. Consisting of rice cooked in chicken broth and poached or roasted chicken slices, it is eaten with chilli-lime sauce, black soy sauce and a bowl of soup made from the chicken stock.

    Here in Singapore, a hawker place or kopi tiam without a chicken rice stall is almost next to impossible. But finding stalls serving vegetarian chicken rice is as rare as an ice cube in the Sahara Desert, probably.

    I’ve only seen this in two restaurants so far: one in Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant in Fortune Centre and another in Tian Yi Vegetarian Food in Ang Mo Kio where I was supposed to have had it yesterday morning.

    I was disconcerted when the owner said it’s only available on Sundays, and there’s no way I’m ever musing of going back to that faraway place. So I returned to the Fortune Centre today to be “at peace with the world.”

    Address: 190 Middle Road, Fortune Centre #01-07 (Other branch: 19 Upper Dickson Road Singapore 207478)
    Contact Number: 63967769
    Opening Hours: 9am-8:30pm daily

    Nearest MRT: Bugis / Bras Basah

    How to Go: You can walk from Bugis MRT, north to Selegie Road. It’s just a block away from Midlink Plaza, also near Sunshine Plaza. You can also walk from Bras Basah MRT and go straight from Waterloo Street.

    Food I Ordered: Chicken Rice

    Pictures:

    The Experience:

    Ambiance: ★★★★☆

    There was a standing tarpaulin at the entrance stating that this vegetarian fast food serves no onion, no garlic and no egg. Offering a variety of Asian, Western and Indian cuisine, its signature dishes include: ardine murtabak, paper masala dosa, chicken rice and soup tulang. On the counter were printed cards and photographs of the Hindu god Krishna. (Gokul is actually where Lord Krishna was brought up.)

    There were also a box for donations and a basket of mint candies for customers to take in after meal. The walls were painted plain white, the floor was black and the chairs were red. The colors just reminded me of Germany’s old flag.

    The kitchen and the dining area was separated only with a clear divider, so we could see how the chef cooks the food. There were like 10 tables only, with four chairs per table in the entire rectangular-shaped diner. Noise from inside and outside could be heard outstandingly.

    Service: ★★★★★

    I stared at the Indian chef with a grown mustache because he was also staring at me, when I was unsure if I’d order from him directly. Why, he was standing by the counter, while the wait staff were so busy taking in payments and tidying the mess of tables of customers who had just left.

    To cut the first turf, I called him out for one chicken rice. He repeated my order and got to the wok. I paid at once to the cashier attendant and I noticed he handed me the change in a traditional North Indian manner–by lightly placing his left hand on his right forearm near the elbow.

    Two minutes after I sat down and the chef served me a plate of chicken rice with chili sauce and soup. He nodded to the wait staff who then gave me a napkin and a pair of utensils. While I was eating, the chef gave me this crispy crackling (like some bonus treat), which was not originally found in their picture:

    Food: ★★★★★

    I don’t know but maybe their vegetarian chicken rice tastes closely to the non-vegetarian chicken rice, without the chicken fats. The main ingredients tossed to the wok, I guess, were: coarsely chopped ginger, fresh red chilli padi, salt and pepper, pandan leaves and stir-fried mock chicken made of wheat gluten. Side dishes were cauliflower (with Indian flavor) and a small slice of cucumber.

    The chicken was staggering good when paired with the fragrant rice. The whole meal made me ravish with delight. I can’t say any negative.

    Price for value: ★★★★★

    With a dose of excellent food and great customer service, what more can I say? The price was just right at S$5, and there was no added service charge. I like this place very much!

    brocolli head emoticons 11 Broccoli Emoticons
  • Review of LE Cafe Confectionery & Pastry (Bugis, Singapore)

    Review of LE Cafe Confectionery & Pastry (Bugis, Singapore)

    After walking for like 10 minutes from New Green Pasture Café, I stumbled upon one pastry shop located in the same road. As I read through the menu of house specialties (pineapple tarts, moon pies, coffee cookies, chocolate cookies and rum balls), my attention was most diverted to bean curd tarts since I have never tried (or heard of) bean curd tarts before.

    LE Cafe Confectionery & Pastry is the first to produce Singapore’s bean curd tarts. Posters of pictures and pricing were on the wall. (Here’s the complete list of their available items.) Theirs is also one of the talk-of-the-vegetarian-town pastries crafted by hand to have no pork, no lard and known to be “uniquely divine and highly addictive.” I wondered, how true can this be?

    Address: 264 Middle Road Singapore 188990 (Other branches: Blk 42 Cambridge Road #01-02 Singapore 210042 and Blk 637 Veerasamy Road #01-111 Singapore 200637)
    Contact Numbers: 63372417, 62981477 and 62948813
    Opening Hours: 10:30am–7:30 pm Mondays to Saturdays; 10:30am–3:30pm Sundays and Public Holidays
    Nearest MRT: Bugis or Little India
    Food I Ordered: Bean Curd Tart

    Pictures:

    The Experience:

    Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

    The welcoming/ordering area was really small. Behind the counter was an (untidy) office area and they had their stocks in shelves all over the place. Beside the counter were their refrigerators standing like closets where they take the boxes of pastries. Hanging by the walls were the many awards and newspaper clippings kept for recognition and display of appraisal, as well as neat photos of their products.

    Service: ★★★☆☆

    As I first walked in, I thought there was nobody in there until I walked further. There was only one lady who comes to the counter wherever the motion-sensor alarm senses movement from the entrance and rings a [bell] sound. Does this mean that they are all too busy and occupied inside baking their goodies that they don’t intend to sacrifice one headcount to look out for customers?

    Hmmm. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to have gotten the last box of bean curd tarts for the day. The lady said that bean curd tarts are only available after 12:30pm and they are finished up fast. So she recommended to call them first before taking the order from their store.

    Food: ★★★★★

    The minimum I could purchase was eight pieces in a box. I thought they were too much for me to consume so I’ve shared them with my house mates. The bean curd tarts appeared like egg tarts. Wobbly and smooth in texture, the bean curd itself was not too sweet but just fine and delectable. Its crust was thick and buttery, like any crust of normal tarts. As a whole, they were awesome pleasures (might be sinful indulgences, for some)!

    Price for Value: ★★★★★

    The box of eight costs S$8, so one bean curd tart costs one dollar. As compared to other pastry shops selling other tarts, this one can be affirmed as affordable. For this rate to rack up a heavenly gastronomical experience, I’d say I agree: it’s uniquely divine and highly addictive.

    In fact, I’m planning of buying another box before I go to the airport for departure, as a quick Google search didn’t result to any hit that we have them in the Philippines.