Sushi Tei - Ngee Ann City

Since June this year, Sushi Tei has moved to Level 5 of the Podium Block of Ngee Ann City. No longer beside the taxi stand at the back of Takashimaya/Ngee Ann City. The new location is bigger and more spacious with private rooms as well.

And... it's still as popular as ever. It's one of the few branches of Sushi Tei that our family love to go. We have the Sushi Tei card, so we tend to come here for Japanese food now and then. This was a recent trip where we went with my in-laws.


One of the things that we have been trying since being introduced during a tasting few months ago was this Ika Okura / Squid and Lady's Finger.  ($5.20)

It's gooey with crunchy squid and lady's finger. The mother-in-law was hesitant to try it but when she tried it, she loved it. ;-)

We also had Inari / Sweet Beancurd $2.20 that was placed in the same plate.


This was the Tako Wasabi / Octopus with Wasabi. $5.20.
The colour looks a bit 'dull', but if you like octopus and wasabi, it's yummy. It gives you a rush in the head! Probably a cure if you have a stressful day.


This was the sashimi platter from the Seasonal Menu. It's called Sashimi Moriawase "Kushida" (Kanpachi, Ootoro, Salmon, Nama Hotate). $36.

Look at how marbled the tuna was! Such a delight having them. We laughed because KopiKosongGirl's mum does not take sashimi. It comes with 3 pieces each, and we told Mum, luckily you don't eat, so we can have a slice each!


We usually order the Sashimi Salad, but since we already have sashimi, we thought we would try the Yakiniku Salad. $10.


It's quite nice to have warm beef on salad. It's quite addictive too.


The MIL felt like having Unagi, so we ordered the Phoenix Roll. $18.
We like having king prawns and unagi in our mouth together. It looks pretty too!


DIL like yakitori, so this was the Jumbo Yakitori ($6.80).
This is what we say, it's yakitori 'lor...'.


This was another thing that looked so pretty on the menu and sounded so nice, so KopiKosongGirl wanted to try it. Lobster Salad Roll. ($8.80). It did taste very good.

We also ordered the Asari Sakamushi (Asari Clams steamed with Japanese Sake). Not sure why I can't find the photos, maybe it's because we find that it used to taste better, but nowadays KopiKosongGirl says the amount of sake in it seems to be getting less potent.

We liked this new branch and so did the in-laws. It seems it is already quite popular with the crowds. If you go a bit earlier, you get to go in quite quickly without much wait. Send someone over to queue if you are going between 7-8pm :-)  The good thing is that since moving up to Level 5, we don't need to queue with the taxi fumes anymore!


Sushi Tei - Ngee Ann City Branch
391 Orchard Road
#05-30/31 Podium Block
Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238873

Tel: +65 6737 8878
Hours: Mon–Sun: 11.30am–10pm

Black Forest Cake by Laurent Bernard Chocolatier

It's the FIL's birthday and the wife (KopiKosongGirl) was trying very hard to decide what cake shall we get him? Dad's favourite cake is the Black Forest Cake.

After some intensive online research, (ie reaching blogs and reviews), the wife read a lot of good reviews about the Black Forest Cake by Laurent Bernard Chocolatier. She placed an order for it to be picked up at their Takashimaya basement branch.



We wanted to surprise them by going to their house after work, but... we forgot their schedule! They were out! Anyway, we finally got to meet them when they got back later.

That's how the cake looks. Glaced with dark chocolate, it's a 500gm cake for $45.



How it looks inside. Layers of dark chocolate mousse, Kirch cremeux and cherries that had been soaked in Kirch here and there.

It kind of melts really quickly, as in the outside layer of dark chocolate turns very soft. Dad liked it, I think he likes cakes with liquer cherries. (that's what I think! haha)

KKG and I think it's more of a chocolate mousse cake with a little liquor rather than a Black Forest Cake. It's from a chocolate shop after all. I would prefer it to have more cake and maybe lighter instead of being so rich. It's a bit too rich for me. It's a nice cake though.

Laurent Bernard Chocolatier Takashimaya Basement 2 391 Orchard Road Singapore 238872

Smittten by The Patissier

May is a month of many many celebrations in our family. We have had so many slices of cakes for many occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Cakes are something very high in calories and nowadays people if they see the same cake, they would not touch it, by giving many kinds of valid sounding excuses. (My doctor says can't take sugar, I am on medication, etc)

Sadly, it's no longer the though that counts. Many in Singapore have been having too good a life. We are sometimes guilty of that too.

We gave our aunt a birthday surprise few days ago. With the help of our cousin, we went to her house and surprised her.


This was an interesting cake we bought. It's a meringue roulade. It's full of sugar, but since we are going to eat only a slice each, it's easy to work off the calories ;-)

The cake's from Smitten by The Patissier.We got it from the Takashimaya basement 2 aka the food floor.



It's called the Enchanted Hug. We initially wanted to get something else but was convinced to buy this instead after sampling some of it by the lady at the counter.

The description does sound very yummy right?
 Yes, it's a bit dear in pricing. 


This is how a cut slice of it looks. It has a combination of sweetness plus a little sourness of the passionfruit and tartness of the berries.

Taste like having light fluffy meringue layered with sinful decadent ingredients.


Lots of mouths / lips!


The kiss again! That's how the box looks like. Very lady bling!
They provide dry ice in the box that stays cold for about 1 hour according to the lady at the counter.

This post is for those who like us are always on lookout for interesting cakes to buy and try.

Smitten by The Patissier Takashimaya Food Hall (Basement 2) 391 Orchard Road Singapore 238873

Paul Singapore @ Ngee Ann City

This was one of the rare times we made appointment with our friend, Lady Di to meet for 'tea' at 9:30pm! KopiKosongGirl and I wanted to celebrate Lady Di's birthday. She just wanted a slice of cake.  One of the few places that open till late is surprisingly PAUL. Lady Di wanted to try out PAUL so we were here.


Millefeuille chocolate ($6.40)
Their famous Napoleon with chocolate creme patissiere filling. It was very chocolatey. Layers of puff pastry and creme patissiere that makes you feel guilty eating it past 9 pm!


I was told on Facebook when I loaded the photo that their Millefeuille nature  (Plain Napoleon) is better. So which is your favourite?

Oh Lady Di drink was Hot Chocolate so it was like double dose of chocolate goodness.



Tartelette Fraises ($6.40)
Creme patissiere and strawberries.  This looked very pretty and the ladies wanted to try it.
I was quite pleased as the strawberries were sweet and not tart like other places. It was not just because of the glace over it.

I had the "Ice Tea of the moment" and when I was ordering, I asked what's the tea for the moment, the service staff said, it's Peach Tea for the moment and also any other moments and we all laughed together.



Mushrooms and Potato Pancakes.
Oh, we realise Lady Di was so busy at church that night, she did not have dinner yet, so we thought we would order something other than cakes/desserts. We had the Mushrooms and Potato Pancakes. The mushrooms were very good. It's something that KKG and I can eat lots and lots of it. That was quite a fair bit of mushrooms that has shrunk from their original size. We prepare this at home, so we know before cooking, it must had been quite a bit.

Looks like when you dine in, the are many meal dishes to go as well. It did not take us long to get a table, probably because it was 9:30pm. The service staff all seems quite busy and sometimes lost. We had one that was quite friendly. The table beside us seemed a little unhappy though, probably because they asked for water after their sweet drinks and it did not arrive. We did not ask for it and it was served to us. (We think our water was their order. haha)

Paul Singapore 391 Orchard Road #03-16/17 Ngee Ann City Singapore 238872

Cedele @ Ngee Ann City

A quick brunch with sis. We were at Takashimaya for the cardmember's extra 10% off sale.
Something healthy and something quick, Cedele comes to mind.

*** Home-style Chunky Beef Stew ***

I love their Home-style Chunky Beef Stew. ($10) I seem to have it whenever I come here.
The spice in it makes it taste a bit curry-ish, but it's not curry. It's a very addictive soup.




Inside the soup: Root veggies like carrots, potatoes with skin on, onions, mushrooms, etc.
Oh yes, chunky pieces of beef.



It comes with as much bread as you want from the bread bin.
I had the olive bread and raisin bread.




    

*** Wild Mixed Mushroom Whole-meal Pancakes ***

Wild Mixed Mushroom Pancakes ($13.90)
Organic whole meal flour pancakes. Inside the pancakes are lots of scallion and coriander leaves.



The only thing that makes it not so healthy is the choice of either bacon or sausages. haha..
Well, if you do not have enough fat, vitamins A, D, E, K can't be carried along in our body right? So eat your bacon!


Cedele @ Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
#B1-37 Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Tel: 6235 2380

Hours:  10.00am to 10.00pm daily.

Tampopo @ Takashimaya Shopping Centre

We are back at Tampopo again. But since it's October, the 'sale' is over! If only they extended their promotion!

We were initially thinking of getting something quick at the new and nicer looking Takashimaya Food Court. As usual, that place is so packed! After waiting around for 15 minutes and with so many other people standing all over the food court like bodyguards of diners from different table, we decided to go somewhere else.

Tampopo was suggested and off we went. 6 of us with almost different tastebuds got our seats quite quickly.

*** Salmon Sashimi ***

Pretty little thingy that looks like a flower. Wasabi is not potent at all though.

*** Beef Udon Soup ***

Our cousin orders this wherever she goes! Well, she likes it and the sashimi is 'technically' for her, since she is the one who wallops it all. :-)

*** Black Pig Shabu Ramen ***

I had the Black Pig Shabu Ramen. $14.30 It says on the menu, is No. 1 Ramen in Singapore. Hmm.. Who voted it? :-p



They had a double portion of meat version, so I took that. I love my pork!The double portion is only a dollar more!

*** Hakodate Rich Shoyu ***

Uncle had the Hakodate Rich Shoyu ($14.80) that was made from pork bone and seafood soup.
We had a sip of the soup and it's quite nice.

*** Deluxe Hakodate Ramen ***

Sis and Momo wanted to have it all. They had the 'deluxe' version of the Hakodate Ramen. ($16.30)
It has everything! Pork, Corn, Egg, Seaweed and even an extra dollop of butter.




Momo's egg. She said, take a photo of it! haha....
People who love runny egg yolks will love it!

*** Teriyaki chicken ***

Aunt who don't like to eat pork and did not want to have noodles, had a Teriyaki Chicken and a bowl of rice.





Tampopo Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road
#B2-33
Takashimaya Shopping Center
Singapore 23887

Tampopo @ Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Momo and I had a quick dinner at Tampopo, Takashimaya Shopping Centre. We were attracted by the huge banner outside that said they were having anniversary specials that will end by September 2010. If you want to try out their food, there are 2 days left to enjoy their offer!

*** Hokkaido Cold Tofu ***

The photo on the menu looked really cute so we ordered it. The real thing does not look as cute.



The Hokkaido Cold Tofu ($8) was very 'bean flavour'. We were taught how to eat it. To make it nicer, we can pour some soy sauce over it. Personally, am not very impressed, probably because I am not a very tofu person.

***  Top Grade BP Tonkatsu Set ***

When we were seated, the server showed us a list of their discounts available. One of the pages that attracted our eyes were the Black Pig Tonkatsu page.

We saw the Top Grade Black Pig Tonkatsu Set had a 40% off. Like many of you I am sure you will be attracted by the discounts. LOL!  



The set was quite filling. You can ask for more salad (shredded cabbage) and rice if you want. I doubt anyone asks for more since there's already so much to eat.

There's a bottle of salad dressing on the table for you to add to the salad.
The salad dressing is just ok. It's a bit too acidic tasting for our liking.

We liked this breaded deep fried pork. Crispy outside, moist inside. Yummy!

*** Black Pig Loin Tonkatsu ***

This is the other set we had. It's the loin cut instead. This one had a 50% off though.
We just had to order it because of the 50% tag. So kiasu eh?

For both sets, you would have noticed the sauce with dark brown sauce on it. The sauce in the middle of the tray was the Miso based sauce which is sweeter. We were told if we want the saltier version, it's the bottle on the table. We can try and see which suits our taste buds.

We liked the service because they gently hint to you how to eat. So if you a noob, don't worry. They will tell you. I guess they want you to eat the food the way it should be eaten?





I liked mine with the miso based sauce and with lots of the yellow mustard (the yellow thing in the photo on top). Momo did not like the mustard so I took all of hers. I thought mustard and the miso sauce went really well with the pork.

*** Miso Soup ***

The miso soup that was part of the set was good! There was thin strips of pork inside and lots of leeks, carrots and onion. It was quite a hearty miso soup!

Their service was quick and good. Momo said this outlet at Takashimaya is brighter so you feel happier eating here. The other branch at Liang Court seems darker. It's your preference, go to the outlet you like! If you want to try their stuff, I guess the anniversary deals could be a good time to try it.

The food was $38.78 after the discounts. Total bill with GST and service charge was $45.65



Tampopo Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road
#B2-33
Takashimaya Shopping Center
Singapore 238872

Swiss German Sausage Bar @ Takashimaya

Keropok girl and i were wanting a quick dinner. We were on our way to exchange her newly bought toy, which spoilt 2 days after using.

We were spoilt for choices on which sausage to choose.




She finally decided on Chicken Garlic with Rosti - $9.50.



I had Smoked Pork with Rosti - $9.80



Both plates were accompanied with sour cream and some browny coloured, salty stuff, which we couldnt figure out what it was. We also thought the rosti were a little thin, not enough for the greedy me :P

Swiss German Sausage Bar
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
#B204-4-1

Romankan Yokohama @ Takashimaya Basement

It's Takashimaya's card member add an extra 15% off sale. Sis and Momo are stocking up their L'occitane moisturizers etc. (It's the only time you get their stuff for 15% off)

Sidetrack...
Our younger sis is getting married in the UK. We will be attending her wedding there next week. So we asked her what she wants as a gift from her big bro and big sis. She said a memory foam pillow. A pillow? You want us to bring a pillow all the way from Singapore to London? Here's the funny reason. Her future in laws got their son (her future husband) one memory foam pillow, but did not her one. She was a bit jealous that they did not get it for her. LOL...

So, don't worry sis, your ever doting big bro and sis here got you a better pillow. Yours is an original Tempur instead.

For the rest reading this, if you want a Tempur, now's the best time to get it from Taka. The Queen size L size pillow is usually $299. But they are having a $50 off promo, which makes it $249. If you are a taka card holder, you get 15% off the price at the payment counter. (Plus, if you are a Taka Platinum card holder, you get another 6% off in terms of rebates) So you get around $80 plus off these 4 days.

Anyway, back to food. We are busy shopping, walking around gets you hungry. We headed to the basement to look for a quick bite. We saw empty seats at Romankan Yokohama at Basement 2. With the maddening crowds, we just took the empty table.



Sis had the Rosu Katsu that comes in a pan. $15



Momo also had the Rosu Katsu, but off the pan. LOL $13



I had the chicken katsu. $11.50



They were all served like this.



Sis was not particularly impressed with it. I remember it to be better too the last time I was here. Maybe it's not the cook's day? Too busy because of the big traffic flow these few days during the sale?

The katsu were all nicely deep fried, moist inside, crispy outside. But it just had something missing and we could not figure out what. Anyway, we were too preoccupied with shopping.


Romankan Yohohama
#B2-04
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
238874

Mr Sushi Grill Shop @ Takashimaya Basement 2

The dinner that Momo and I had last night was at Takashimaya Basement 2. We were wondering around and saw this little stall/kiosk near Aji Tei that seems to be popular. It has name that will 101% tell you it's Japanese food. Mr Sushi!

You sit at the counter bar that surrounds the kiosk. Food's ordered over the counter and served rather quickly. You might like this place if you like fish. Almost everything on the menu has fish. It looks reasonably priced too. It looks like they only serve set meals, with around 8-10 sets to choose from.



What did we have? Momo had the Unagi Set. $8. Looks decent. It comes with a bowl of miso soup too.



While we were waiting, we noticed this pot of stew in front of us. In fact everyone's sitting at the counter's staring at it. The soup's telling us, try us, try us, and we did!

We ordered the "Oden". $4. The lady was saying, it's Japanese Yong Tau Hoo. Two slices of daikon, seaweed, an egg, 2 different kinds of fish cake, and one big piece of konnyaku below. Also a teaspoon of mustard (karashi) as well. It's light and it's a nice appetiser.

The person beside us saw what we had, ordered it. Before long, everyone on the counter bar ordered one too! LOL...



I had the Mirin Saba set. $10. My set came with this delicious eggplant. I love this.
(I usually order many helpings of these if I am at a Jap buffet :-) )



The mirin saba. It taste quite good. I love fish, so maybe I am biased. The bottom part of it is reddish. Maybe from the mirin marinate?



The usual pickle and salad that goes with it.



A big bowl of rice.



And a bowl of soup that's similar to Momo's set.

Looks plain, it is quite flavoursome. It has lots of salmon pieces in it. Think they used the extra salmon from the sushi to make this soup.



Just a new discovery Momo and I had and it's quite reasonably priced and fast.

Mr Sushi Grill Shop
Takashimaya Shopping Centre,
Basement 2 Food Court.
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873