Singapore - To Eat 29thMay2016 (Ginza Kuroson)

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Gina Kuroson
(Located at 03-10 Takashimaya)

Orchard MRT Station

Click here for ABBA location of Ginza Kuroson, located in Takashiaya.

Checking out new eats as suggested by others on a Sunday afternoon!

Ordered On:

29May2016
Special Lunch Sets

 

 *Lunch sets come pretty standard. Salmon cuts I'd say slightly thicker and freshers than competing counterparts.*

Grilled Akau (Red Rockfish & Sashimi Set) SGD29
Limited to 10 meals

*Price wise a little steep but it was pretty alright. Meat was quite flavorful but nothing really the scream about. The miso soup was as expected and the chawanmushi nothing much to scream about. Standard fair expected of an establishment as this. The dessert pretty decent as well.*

Grilled Kinki (Rockfish & Salmon Sashimi Set) SGD62
Limited to 10 meals

*The exact same offering but another whopping $22 more! Was the Kinki rockfish worth it? They did fry it beautifully with a nice sprinkling of salt to highlight and accent the dish. The meat is incredibly tender and sweet I must say but there's not a whole lot of meat to the delicate fish. Presentation get pretty high praise, but other than that for the huge premium, to me it ain't worth it. 

That said, checking out Isetan Supermarket downstairs, the same fish is highly prized and seemingly justifies the asking price.*

Although they do put lunch sets at limited quantities, we were there nearing 2pm, expecting little to no options left. However, that doesn't seem to be the case for these 'special deals' seemed to be in  abundance. Price point wise, for the rest of the menu, they range from about SGD25-35 a basic meal. Nothing much to scream about besides its pleasant decor and perhaps bar front dining. The only positive take away was getting to try Kinki Rock Fish which thou nice, did not justify to me the high premium. For the experience and nothing more. In fact, we left a little hungy.

Prices are similar to Sushi chain, Sushi Tei and would probably only pop-in for a meal if the the (slightly chepaer) former is not found. The food doesn't quite match to the setting, or we hadn't ordered the right dishes for the full Gina Kuroson experience. Click here for ABBA location of Ginza Kuroson, located in Takashiaya.

Narita - To Eat 26May2016 (Mister Donut, Ta Na Ka Sho-Teh (Yakiniku), Toh Rai-Ya (Yaki-To Shop)

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Mister Donut

(Chained Outlet) 

 *Aeon Mall Outlet*

ABBA Recommended Joint Located at Aeon mall. There's also a branch at Narita village, located around the round about at the drop off point.

Ordered On:

26May2016

Pon De Ring ¥120

Their signature donut to order, is the Pon De Ring. It's also the recommended one to try by others as well. 

*Interesting donut. It's got a moochi like texture to it and a glaze that's very similar to that found on Kellogg's cornflakes. The flavor profile is quite reminiscent of it. Interesting but I'd personally stick to Krispy Kremes for the classic sugar glazed donuts.

Others however do like the Pon De Ring and have it as their all time favorite donut fix. It's definitely worth the try. Mister Donut, Aeon Mall outlet is located diagonally opposite value sushi joint, Chio Si Ma-Ru. Perhaps a perfect after-meal dessert.*

Cheese Puff ¥194

 *Narita Village outlet*

*Quite nice. Was hopping for a moister crust like bread papa's but it's still very pleasant. The cheese filling is light and complements the puff pastry well.*

All their donuts are pretty different so if you've got a sweet craving, one can pop into many of Mister Donut's outlets to get one's fix.

Ta Na Ka Sho-Teh

(YAKINIKU)

Click here for ABBA location of Ta Na Ka Sho-Teh (焼肉屋田中商店)
A recommended joint that's just down the lane from Eddoku Sushi (a.k.a mother of all sushi). It's location, described to myself, you can't miss it due to the huge bull head that's at the store front. The place is nice with both downstairs and upstairs dining option, which I elected for the latter. Nice cozy and pretty well ventilated. It's possible I was there a little early and the dinner crowd hadn't settled in.

Ordered On:

26May2016

Asahi Super Dry Draft ¥530

Beef Serving ¥1200

Beef Serving ¥1550

*Definitely top quality cuts. I personally couldn't really tell apart the ¥1550 cut from the ¥1200 cut. They were all so juicy and full flavored, absorbing the dipping meat sauce after a flash cook was absolutely perfect.*

Yuke ¥880

*The Yuke (raw beef shashimi) was pretty good too and if you haven't tried it before you really should. The yolk it's like the thickening sauce and gives the richness together with a sweet sauce to enhance to flavors of the meat. The fresh squeeze of the lemon really pops the dish.*

Total Fed1 ¥4,687

Due to the lack of an English menu, I really had no idea what cuts they were. However, it's so rare that one gets served exactly what is pictured in the menu. A beautiful cut of quality beef. Going for the Set menu may have been about ¥1,000++ cheaper but am not sure of the serving proportion or the cut of meat. There are cheaper priced cuts which taste wise may or may not be that distinctively from these.

Quality cuts, in a cosy place, with cold draft beer. Worth the visit for sure!

Price wise, it is a little steep due going Al-La-Carte but it's still value for the quality that one gets. For similar style dining at cheaper prices, one can try, personal favorite chain, Gyu-Kaku (Which has tons of stalls all over Japan)

Click here for ABBA location of Ta Na Ka Sho-Teh (焼肉屋田中商店)

Toh Rai-Ya

(Yaki-To Shop)

Located at the foot of the bridge before crossing over to Eddoku Sushi.

Click here for ABBA location of Toh Rai-Ya 

Everything on yaki-to menu ¥300 for two sticks.

All meat served here is pork and its various cuts. That includes its innards. A snack/meal hang out joint, where office workers take a pit-stop, and socialize.

Ordered On:

26May2016

Chefs Choice - Pork diaphragm

*I must say, it was really good. Though the pork does have a bit of a gamey scent, the meat texturally was similar to cow tongue. It has a springy bite, but its really delicious. Especially with a dash of salt and adding some chili powder.*

¥300 Fed1

Toh Rai-Yi has that very local vibe to it. Somewhat rustic, with standing room only, specializes in serving  only Pork. Worth the try for a Pre/post meal snack. Will Probably swing by another time to try the other cuts of pork.

*Unfortunately there is no English menu or pictures. Only Japanese menu is available. Communication maybe difficult but a staff on site had some command of the English language.*

The place has a very homely and local feel to it. A snack/meal bar for all cuts of pork. Worth the try for all the various cuts. Simple, yet deliciously satisfying. They serve beer by small glasses as well!

 Click here for ABBA location of Toh Rai-Ya

London - To Eat 16May2016 (Outlaw's, Kerbisher and Malt)

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Outlaw's
At The Capital

1 Michelin Star 
(Located beside Harrods)

This place wasn't really planned on and chanced upon when meeting up with friends who too were in London. Outlaw's is a Michelin Star restaurant that specializes largely with seafood and its located just beside Harrods.

Click here for ABBA location of Outlaw's at The Capital, 22-24 Basil Street, London SW3 1AT, United Kingdom

Ordered On: 

16May2016

3 Course Lunch Meal 29Pounds
Starters
Grilled Octopus - Grapes Almond and Bread Sauce

 *A delicately grilled piece of octopus. Nice light char without over doing it. The thinly sliced grapes were really pleasant and that sweetness definitely helped accentuate the flavors. However, the best octopus had thus far still goes to Duck and Waffles.*

Mains
Slow Cooked Pork Collar - Smoked Mash Potato, Mustard Sauce and Sage

 *In all honesty the dish was a little bit of a miss for me. The meat itself though really tender, was on the dry side. I did however adore the mustard sauce with the fried sage, which added some depth to the dish. The crackling, I've seen it done before with other dishes, and seems very similar Thai street snacks of fried pork skin. A cheap substitute but worth a try back home. An okay dish but nothing really over the top with this one.*

Dessert
Dark Chocolate Tart - Malted Milk Ice Cream, Orange Syrup

*Made to order, this dish is delicately prepared and very delicate. I particularly enjoyed the malted milk ice cream which worked supremely well with the chocolate tart. Warm, chocolate served in a brittle tart bowl and 'spiced-up' with shaved orange and a dash of orange syrup. All of which are classic pairings that just work. A great way to end of the meal*

I was really glad to have caught up with Jedd, albeit being his last leg of his holiday stint.

Fed4
29Pounds per pax
Three Course Meal

Outlaw's is primarily known for seafood and in my opinion, one should probably stick to that. Like any impression, how they start and how they finish have the strongest and longest lasting impression. It defiantly hit the marks on those two accents. The pork dish itself was okay only, but given their menu selection, there are other interesting options available as well.

Price point wise, its always worth it especially for lunch set menus and for seafood, a fair deal. For about 30pounds another unique dinning experience, more so for the view than the food is Duck and Waffle.

Another option, for 38Pounds lunch set meal , one can try world number 5, two Michelin-stared restaurant, Dinner, located across the street (Currently the highest-ranked meal tried and extreme value. You'll only discover what real service is when dining here. Was shared that there is no lunch set on Sundays!).

Click here for ABBA location of Outlaw's at The Capital, 22-24 Basil Street, London SW3 1AT, United Kingdom

Kerbisher and Malt

 (A chain location with several location)

 

Click here for ABBA location of Kerbisher & Malt, 164 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PB, United Kingdom 
The fish and chips joint that came recommended by others. Unfortunately today, I was greeted by typical English weather. But having set on trying this place to find out what's so good about, I ventured out via the subway to take a short 7min walk from Hammersmith station.

 Ordered On:30July2016

*This time round trying out the Haddock and it does have a stronger flavors as compared to cod. Worth the try for sure as recommended by others. Their mash peas are creamy and beautifully seasoned. The battered Onion Rings however are a little strange in that I suspect them to be pickled. The batter is fantastic, however the onion itself is a little sour. Strange. An okay order. The rest agreed too, to the Haddock.*
Ordered On:
18May2016

 Full potion of Cod 6.90pounds (Battered) 
*Fantastic! Cod came out softy, flaky and oozing its natural omega three from the fry. Absolutely delicately handled and fried beautifully. The fry on it was a lovely golden brown, no soggy bits and a good crisp. An even batter with being to caked up in portions. Amazing!*
 Chips 2.20pounds

*About 70% of the chips still had their crispy crunch to it and a signature for typical English Fish and Chips which are hand cut and twice fried. Not many places have crunchy chips like this place does.*

K&M Coleslaw 2.50pounds 

*Pretty alright. Its more carrots and a little bit of red onions to make the dish pop.*

Tartare sauce 0.50pounds  
*You definately get your money's worth! A huge serving of sauce which in many other places are in short supply. Good flavor too!*

Total 11.10pounds Fed 1

ABBA Contribution by AC

 "Just tried this and its really good and worth the $$... Hard to find a nice fish and chips... recommend the haddock as is more flavorful than the cod which is a bit bland....." -A.C

Totally worth it! By far the best value and damn good fish and chips had. Price wise and flavor wise it beats Tavern's Fish and Chips hands down, and dare I say even out doing Mr Heston's fish and chips at The Perfectionist, if it came without all the 'glitz and glamor'.

What's fantastic about this place you get to pick and choose the fish you want, as well as how it's prepared. The sides are all optional as add-ons and you can order half portion sized one or their lunch specials. Worth to try if you're in the mood for Fish and Chips. Salt and pepper your own chips to taste, with table water and tomato sauce avaialbe on the house.

Click here for ABBA location of Kerbisher & Malt, 164 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7PB, United Kingdom