Perth - To Eat (29Jan2018 Francoforte Spaghetti Bar)

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Perth - To Eat

 Perth - To Eat
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Francoforte Spaghetti Bar 
(Recommended by others for the Kangaroo Carbonara which was on the old menu.
Located in North Bridge)

Click here for ABBA location of Francoforte Spaghetti Bar, 4/189 William St, Northbridge WA 6003

Francoforte is a small family run spaghetti bar that's located just off William street.

This is their newly formed menu for the season. Sitting maybe a bit limited but they were able to accommodate a large 11man group.

Grande portions would be just nice for guys and ladies, but if looking for a lighter meal, one could go one serving size smaller.

Ordered On:
29Jan2018
Kangaroo Bolgonese - Kangaroo rump and pork belly

 *Good flavor and not too gamey. A strong contender for a well executed Bolgonese dish.*
Guanciale Carbonara - cured pigs cheek, pecorino, free- range egg

*The MUST order. The crispy, salty pigs cheeks were amazing and not overly salty (Unlike another known family joint in Da Enzo Rome). It was just nice with the cheese sauce and not too rich. One of the best, and most satisfying carbonaras had thus far.*
Squid In Vino - Squid, garlic,anchovy, chickpeas, capers, spinach, cherry tomato

*Average. It sounded good on paper but it didn't deliver big on flavor. The spinach was a nice addition, but was hoping for more flavors from the Anchovies and Capers.

Total Fed 11 at about 22-25AUD Each

 Ambiance 3.5/5

Service 3.5/5
Food 3.5/5
Value 3/5

Small and simple menu, but a sure win for the Carbonara which is one of the best had thus far! The Kangaroo Bolgonese for the adventurous packs good flavor. Can't speak for the rest of the option for the Carbonara for sure and can see why its a hit and came recommended!
Click here for ABBA location of Francoforte Spaghetti Bar, 4/189 William St, Northbridge WA 6003

Singapore - To Eat 26Jan2018 (Hana, The Benjamin)

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Singapore - To Eat
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Hana
Recommended by others 
550m from Orchard MRT

Click here for ABBA location of Hana #01-17 Orchard Forum, Singapore 238884
Hana is a hipster/trendy place, taking new ingredients and integrating into traditional ones to create new dishes. Located just off the main Orchard road strip, Hana is located on the first floor of Forum shopping center. 

Ordered On:
17Jan23

Thanks to social media algorithm, Hana popped up for an affordable Omakase. The great thing here was that each one could order their own Omakase to enjoy at different quality ingredients. All options are a 15course meal and takes about 1.5hrs to complete.

*Nothing special really. These are readily available in ready packaged Japanese small bites*

*Average. SGD58++ in the foreground with SGD38++ in the back.*

 *Probably the star serving throughout the meal.*

 

Total Fed 2 at SGD114.05

Purely looking at the Omakase deal. Seem like most of them are probably frozen, from clams, scallops, oysters to keep costing cheap and nothing really creatively prepared. Elevating and dressing up food and splitting it into a 15course meal. Apart from enjoying a leisurely meal and intro to a cheap omakase, there's nothing more to it. Service was still very much on point and tentative to patrons.

Food 3/5
Value 3/5

Ordered On:
26Jan2018
Their Signature "Flying Truffle Somen with Ikura and Sakura Ebi SGD20

*Its all just a song and dance. The noodles are pretty okay, and the truffle oil on top of the Soba dipping sauce makes sure the noodles get coated with the flavor. Its basically a simple assembly of wakame (Seaweed), dried Ebi, sliced cucumbers and salmon roe.) A simple assembly of ingredients in a gimmicky/thou pretty setup.*

 Monkfish Liver w/Ponzu Sauce SGD8

*Simple and delicate. The thinly sliced cucumber could have come pickled and would have livened the dish a little more.*
Raclette Cheese Maki SGD25

*The Cheese Maki is another house Signature. The maki itself lacks luster. For the asking price, one would expect a much larger prawn. The melted cheese is awesome and all that songs and dance though pretty entertaining is a very steep asking price to be slapped on a simple prawn maki.*
Birthday Chirashi SGD28

*All show with little to eat really. It does look very impressive with the dry ice beneath, but its barely filling. The Shashimi pieces are layered and then drenched with a semi spicy mayo which really takes away from the natural flavor of the fish. Too heavy a price point for the quantity really.*
Total SGD95.34 Fed2

 Ambiance 3.5/5

Service 3/5
Food 3/5
Value 2/5

Enjoy with the eyes, pay with your wallet. You can get greater value for larger portion sizes  else where. The food is decent for some others, but others lacked so it really depends on what you order. Best to enjoy in a group so you can try a variety of things. Instagram worthy yes, taste wise is a so-so and price was definitely pricey.
Barely fed 2. In fact we went next door after a quick google search for a dessert place. Benjamin Browns popped up for after dinner dessert and cake. (Another claim to fame due to Instagram worthy over the top milk shakes.)

Click here for ABBA location of Hana #01-17 Orchard Forum, Singapore 238884

 

The Benjamin's
Known as Benjamin Brown's
(Googled for dessert in Forum)
550m from Orchard MRT

Another Claim to fame because of their over the top milk shakes. The Benjamin serves up mostly brunch eats, shakes and cakes. 

Ordered On: 

26Jan2018
Unicorn Milkshake (With red velvet cake) SGD16
and their Classic Waffle SGD16

*Its sooooo pretty. The Unicorn hair is basically piping skills of cream. Beautifully presented and the fondant unicorn top. The shake itself is pretty decent but it could have use more of the red velvet cake. A star for presentation and the flavor that's pretty good. A filling shake that's probably meant for two. As for the waffles, nicely buttered and prepared. A well executed dish and enough for sample all around.*

Total Fed 2 at SGD37.66

Real creative use of the glass mug and a fairly portioned serving. A unique after dinner place to grab some cake and shakes. For unicorn fans, the unicorn cake is available for order and only is a rainbow layered cake. 

 Ambiance 3.5/5

Service 3.5/5
Food 3.5/5
Value 3/5

 Click here for ABBA location of Benjamin Brown #01-20/21 Forum Shopping Centre, 583 Orchard Road, 238884

Melbourne - To Eat 13Jan2018(ABBA Contribution by Panda Teo Hardware Societe)

Melbourne - To Stay
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Melbourne - To Eat

Melbourne - To Eat

(Recommendations for the new year 03Jan 2016)

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Contributed by Panda Teo
 Hardware societe
@120 Hardware St

600m/8min walk 
- rustic chic bfst/brunch place (closes at3 pm)

Click here for ABBA location of The Hardware Societe, 118 to 120 and 123 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000

A phenomenal recommendation that am only able to try 2years later! Why not sooner! Hardware societe serves all day breakfast brunch fare and opens from 7.30/8am-3pm!

Be prepared for a queue unless you get there really early or towards the end.

We arrived at 1250pm and its about a 20min wait still. Mind you that this was a Saturday. It maybe better on weekdays. 

Ordered On:
13Jan2018

Their House Special. Lamb and leak sausages AUD20ish

*A beautiful presentation. I think its pea tendrils with a light vinaigrette dressing at the top which brights up the whole dish. The lamb leak sausages went well with the lightly pan fried chicken drum-let. The fresh pesto really shown through and was great with the large white beans. The poached eggs were runny in the center. A great dish!*
Lobster Egg Benedict 29AUD

*The charcoal buns are light and crispy. The Eggs Benedict done to text book perfection, but the absolute star is the lobster which are succulent and have the light salt taste of the sea. Definitely one of the better, if not best lobster egg Benedict had thus far.*
Passion Fruit Cruffin about AUD6

*Not visiting San Francisco soon to try out amazing bake house Mr Holme's Baker? There's Cruffins served here! They had a chocolate filled one and a passion fruit one which we went for. Amazing smooth and flavorful filling, with a nice crispy exterior. Memories of Mr Holme's Bake House just came rushing back. As to which was better, its really hard to separate the two but the filling flavor of the day at Mr Home's Baker was superior that day. Save the cruffin for the perfect end to a great meal!* 
Total AUD59. Fed 2

Food: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Value: 3.5/5

A definite must return for a solid breakfast/brunch. Though it maybe a bit steep-ish in price, it doesn't loose out in quality. Especially for the Lobster and Cruffin, in particular those two items matches or even beats out some all time favorites from San Francisco. Perfect all day! It probably edges out Mama's On Washington by way of its presentation, and unique variety of dishes.

*Some of the other food orders at other people's table which looked just as good. To the left is the french toast with caramelized banana and to the right, the vegetarian option of mushroom and toast with roasted almonds.*

Click here for ABBA location of The Hardware Societe, 118 to 120 and 123 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Paris - To Eat (Leon, Angelina, Le Petit Cler, La Maison)

Paris - To Stay
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Paris - To Eat

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Leon
located 80m walk from Le Meridian Hotel

Click here for ABBA location of Léon de Bruxelles - Porte Maillot, 95 Boulevard Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017 Paris

Ordered On:
04Jan2017
The Festive 21.10Euros
Mussels cooked with Foie Gras, Linguini, smoked duck breast, forest mushrooms, creme fraiche, white wine, fresh parsley, garlic and shallot.

*An interesting use of Foie Gras to add a depth of richness to the dish. There isn't a lot of Linguini, but its a pretty large serving with all ingredients in. Not my favorite of the two but interesting. The cream sauce isn't heavy and portion just nice.*
Mussels Provencale 18.90Euro
Tomatoes, garlic, mixed herbes, black olives and olive oil, with white wine and creme fraiche. 

 

*Loving this dish. The mussels are well cleaned, fresh and sweet. Don't be fooled by the serving, size. It is pretty filling and this soup/sauce is to die for. The bowl was lapped clean with the help of table side french loafs. The fries aren't much to scream about but a starch filler to the amazing plump mussels.*
Total Fed2 at 40Euros

 Ordered On:
05Jan2017

*Set meals, though limited in choice are more bang for your buck with a dessert that comes with. Ordered the mustard mussels which has a very slight depth of heat. Its good but the preference still goes to the Tomato Garlic mix.*
Fed2 at 39.80Euros
Food 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Service 3/5
Value 3/5

Decent mussels and amazing soup/sauce. That was a clear favorite for myself. Worth to try the other flavors available and the serving portions are respectable. Its probably more delicate and a step up or different from Occidental in Auckland which features the huge green lip mussels.

Click here for ABBA location of Léon de Bruxelles - Porte Maillot, 95 Boulevard Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017 Paris

Angelina
Recommended by Hotel Staff 1km walk from the Louvre Museum

Click here for ABBA location of Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris Note!: There is an Angelina located opposite Le Meredian Hotel at Porte Maillot. A smaller outfit to go to try their pastry.
From Wikipedia. Angelina is a famous tea house located at 226 Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Angelina is known primarily for its almost pudding-like hot chocolate and for its Mont Blanc dessert. (Of which we had neither. We went for whatever the front of house staff's suggestions.)

*This is the queue to get a seat into the tea house at 4pm in the afternoon. For take-away, the queue is fast moving and significantly shorter.*

Ordered On:
04Jan2018

*The pastries don't come cheap with each going for about 6eruos and up.
Pictured left is a coffee pastry whose complexities in moose, strong flavors and textures are just mind boggling. Pictured right, the thickest/richest vanilla cream puff pastry had. A very different expectation of what Vanilla Cream. 

The desserts were probably best had there but seating is next to impossible.

Its a glimpse of the power of French pastry and their mastery of the desserts really. Another great joint for bakers/pastry artistry is  Mr Holme's Bake House in SFO for theri Cruffins.*

Click here for ABBA location of Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
Note!: There is an Angelina located opposite Le Meredian Hotel at Porte Maillot. A smaller outfit to go to try their pastry.

Le Petit Cler
Googled to be good cosy french eats located near the Eiffel Tower. 1.1km away

Click here for ABBA location of Le Petit Cler, 29 Rue Cler, 75007 Paris

Ordered On:
05Jan2018
Flank Steak 13Euro

 *Don't bother. Nothing much really. Its an okay only steak but a decent size serving.*
The roasted Goat Cheese with endives

*Simple, good flavors and amazing together. Really loved this dish and the cheese flavor wasn't over powering but complimenting.*
Total Fed 2 at 26EurosFood 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Service 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5

As googled, a cozy joint offering simple classic french fair. Affordable prices and its nice that its located along a food/market street offering fresh produce, freshly to-take away oysters at around 12Euros for a dozen (You can choose the oysters from different regions) and much more. 

 *Take away half dozen oysters that are to go and from harvested from two different regions*

Click here for ABBA location of Le Petit Cler, 29 Rue Cler, 75007 Paris

La Maison
Came recommended by Concierge to serve up French Eats
450m from Le Meridian

Click here for ABBA location of La Maison, 28 Place Saint-Ferdinand, 75017 Paris

Ordered On: 
05Jan2018
Beer and free serving of Home made Chips

Bone Marrow with Toast 9.8Euros

*This I felt was an absolute bargain and to die for. Its rarely seen and you get three half bone marrows. They go amazingly well with a small sprinkling of salt and toast!*
 Lamb Shank "Confit" with mashed potatoes 20.9Euros
 
*The lamb shank is very well cooked and served with their velvety and well seasoned mash potatoes. It could do with a little more sauce but the portion is large and probably can be shared with another with an additional appetizer order*
Steamed Salmon Steak, shellfish sauce and linguini pasta 19.8Euros

*Though good, this dish fell short of expectation and needed seasoning. I was intrigued by the shellfish sauce, but essentially it was a little shellfish in a light cream sauce. The salmon was a tad over cooked. An alright dish.*
Total Fed 2 at 55.20Euros
Food 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Service 4/5
Value 3.5/5

The bone marrow was the star here! Honestly with two mains and a starter, it was a bit too much of an order. If just two people, a main and a starter would be about right, or stick to a main each. The waiter tending to us knew their menu well and was very tentative.

 Click here for ABBA location of La Maison, 28 Place Saint-Ferdinand, 75017 Paris