You do not need to be a domestic goddess to be able to prepare Japanese food. The Ebi Ten Maki (Fried Shrimp Sushi) and Coffee Jelly are really simple, and taste good enough to fool everyone. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. 
Ootoya hails from Japan, with outlets in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. The restaurant is also arguably one of the most popular eateries in the quiet Orchard Central Shopping Mall.
Interestingly, Ootoya does not serve any sushi, sashimi or ramen which are the popular Japanese fare over here. The small and cozy eatery serves Japanese set meals – and perhaps a true blue Japanese dining experience.
The open-concept dining area is not big, but feels somewhat zen with its simple layout, tatami and ikebana at the centre.
5 CommentsTucked at Jalan Wangi Road, the little red cafe is not easy to find. But the food was decent. And the uniqueness of this humble cafe is the service staff – most of them are young adults with special needs.
I noticed that I haven’t been updating much on the wine & dine front. I have been going back the same old, same old and just didn’t have any mind-blowing experience to report back. With new establishments sprouting around the island like dandelions, I have decided with a list of interesting places that I MUST VISIT!
1. Cocotte
Tucked near One Raffles Quay, The Sail and the up-and-coming Marina Bay Financial Centre, Customs House is slated to be the IT place for Shenton Way executives to hang out.
There are currently 4 restaurants at Customs House – Oyster Bar, Nueva Cuba, Proccaci (Italian restaurant that is opening soon) and Kinki.
3 CommentsOn a late Sunday morning, you wake up, get dressed and take a leisurely drive to Keppel Bay. Brunch was served and savoured with the soothing view of luxurious yachts by the water. That’s life!
I didn’t expect the place to be rather occupied – among the crowd were many young families having a good time. Keppel Bay is akin to the quickest getaway out of the concrete jungle and at Privé, the smell of bread and brunch promptly sets you in relax mode.
Privé Bakery Cafe serves all-day breakfast as well as lunch staples such as pasta and burgers. At night the outdoor area is transformed into a waterfront bar. For more formal and high-end meals, you can dine at the neighbouring Privé restaurant.
I started off with my usual hot chocolate, which was rather average, but good enough for me on a comfortable Sunday.
Eggs Benedict ($13.50) was generally delicious, with mouth-watering runny yoke. If I were to make a comparison, I think the eggs here are slightly better than Spruce. But Wild Honey still win hands down with their European breakfast.
The Fluffy Pancakes ($13.50) was true to its name – light and fluffy. With simple garnish as well as the traditional maple syrup and cream, this was as good as it gets but I wouldn’t have the 3 pieces of pancakes all by myself.
As you can tell, the food offering was affordable but mediocre. Nonetheless Privé felt like the unpretentious place where you could dress down and enjoy a laid-back day. The spectacular view and the chill-out ambience more than make up for the average food.
Privé Bakery Café
2 Keppel Bay Vista
Keppel Bay Marina
Tel: 6776 0777
I think I have uncovered another gem at Mandarin Gallery. Thai Thai is is the place where you can indulge in your “tai tai” fantasy. Relax in designer furnishing complete with an extensive stash of wine and modern art collection. Enjoy the attentive service staff and a conducive ambience, and tuck into the nicely-styled dishes with truly Asian flavour.
Photo credit: Thai Thai
In short, it’s Asian, or specifically Thai food, in a chi-chi setting.
Considering the quality and presentation of food, as well as the lush setting, dinner at Thai Thai is actually not as expensive as it appears to be.
We started off with an appetizer platter that comprised of 4 types of well-prepared and divine appetizers. The price tag: $22.
(clockwise from top left) Mieng Kam (traditional Thai leaf-wrapped appetizer), Fried soft-shell crap, Rice cracker with chicken floss and Thai fish cake.
Special mention to the Mieng Kam. This was the first time I tried this appetizer. Apparently, Mieng Kam is a street snack easily found in Thailand. Thai Thai’s interpretation was aesthetically pleasing with a betel leaf and lotus petal that contained shallots, toasted coconut and diced vegetables. Top it up with lots of shrimp paste and you get a symphony of different flavours. Interesting!
The main dishes that we ordered cost between $18-25.
I had the stir-fried vermicelli (bee-hoon) with scallops (not in picture). Frankly, you can’t go wrong with stir fry dishes but with a decent serving of tasty vermicelli topped with succulent scallops at $18, I had nothing to complain about.
Apparently, Thai Thai serves a wicked Mango Sticky Rice and their alcholic concoctions are highly recommended. This is a good place for private events and nice sit-down dinners. Thai Thai is also working on a tea menu for 3-6pm – so the fantasy of taitai living and enjoying high tea at a well-priced but posh place is likely to come true!
Photo credit: OneSixtyNotepad
Thai Thai
333A Orchard Road
#04-08/09/10 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6737 9107
(Standard Chartered cardholders get 15% off total bill)
MsGlitzy.com is a women's lifestyle and fashion blog based in Singapore.
