Korean NeNe Chicken @Star Vista

It has been sometime since I have spotted NeNe Chicken and wanting to try it out.  At last, found a chance to lunch there on a Sunday noon.  NeNe Chicken is indeed authentic Korean fried chicken, originated from South Korea, Seoul since 1999.  You might find it awkward to pronounce its shop name, but don't think in that direction!  Ne Ne means "yes yes" in Korean!  YES!!
For what I know, Star Vista outlet is the only outlet in Singapore at the moment.

NeNe Chicken
(opp. Gong Cha & toilet entrance)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-24 Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nenechickensingapore

 

Patronising for the first time, we asked the service staff direct for its more popular choices by customers.  So he recommended the Top 3 Popular choices are (in random ranking) :-

1. Freaking Hot
2. Bulgogi
3. Green Onion

 

Our set meal cost $9.90 each.  Quite worthwhile for money given that the chicken serving were substantial and filling.  Each set comes with a small packet of fries, a soft drink, and either coleslaw/pickled radish. 
(Was playing around with my camera settings for special effect, so the colour tone is different than usual.)

 

Green Onion Tenders (boneless) - Real crispy chicken tenders drizzled with their subtle concoction of a sweet-savoury sauce and tinge of lemon juice, and finished the look with alot of shredded green onions on top.  *1 thumb up!*
I am not a fan of having green onions in my food (be it cooked or as garnish), thus did not order this item and I am sorry!  For those of you who are like me, can simply brush those green onions shreds aside and indulge in this super crispy tenders.  Rest assure there wasn't prominent stink of raw onions or whatsoever. 

 

Black Sesame Tenders (boneless) - VERY different from any sauced/fried chicken I have ever tried.  The special-blended sesame sauce coated every inch of the chicken tenders.  Not exactly soggy, at the same time you can still taste the crispy portions in the fried tenders while eating it hot.  The black sesame sauce was more on the sweeter side and a little marshy in texture, which I believe this is how the sauce can cling onto the tenders. 
A little con here, the tenders were too big in size with only a mini fork given, it wasn't that easy to just bite through it (of cos' not to mention your teeth will be stuck with the black sesame remains after the meal!).  Would have been better if it comes in bite-size.

 

I exceptionally like their fries and pickled radish!  The fries were very similar to the A&W type of curly fries, except it is in the straight shape and form of normal fries.  While the pickled radish were fresh, crunchy and carried slight sourness that appetite you more.

 

Took away 8-pc Bulgogi Chicken Wings ($8.90) for our parents to try out.  The wings were flavourful with its marinated sauce and sesame sprinkled over it, but pity not meaty enough.  I can't use this to compare with 4Fingers for it would not be a fair comparison.  This wings are marinated with soy sauce gravy, instead of deep-fried, thus I can't compare apple to apple.

As I have yet to try out the Freaking Hot and other fried wings..Got to go back for more and not forgetting the new experience of eating wings using disposable glove!

Snoozy Late Brunch @Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar

During the long weekend, all I could think of was to avoid the crowded scene as there would be high influx of people going everywhere possible (Singapore is just too small so most people if not travelling overseas, could only hangout in shopping malls and aircon places).

I'm such a bum who likes to laze around..haha  It took my Hubby some time to drag me out of my bed and to bring me to Skype for brunch cos' it was  already 2ish when we got there.  We were lucky to get the only remaining table with sofa seats without reservation, but no so lucky for the couple who came after us, had to take the outside seats.

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar
10 Winstedt Road
Block E #01-17
Singapore 227977
Tel: 6225 6690
*Reservation is recommended!

 

Main entrance from the road-side.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Their brunch menu is available from 10am - 4pm daily!  Yippee I can sleep in more and still have brunch items in the afternoon!

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first thing I notice stepping into the bistro, was that strong scent of truffles..

 

The indoor seating area are segregated into 3 sections.  The first 2 sections are all sofa sittings, suitable for couple dating or group gatherings.  The last section all the way back is the largest section in proper table setting, which can be rearranged for special events to create a different ambience.

 

A little "extra" to share with you, is their common toilet.  Hope you won't get turn off by the sight of below picture.  I must let you know first otherwise ladies might get frightened or "scream" when you see a male entering/inside the toilet!  Their toilet is meant for both sexes, which last 2 cubicles are reserved for the ladies, and first 2 cubicles for the gentlemen.  A side note, I do like their retro theme employed and toilet bowl-shaped alike washing basin used.  However, may not so convenient or at ease for the ladies to powder their nose or comb their hair inside this common WC.

 

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Skyve Sous Vide Eggs Benedict - Was alright.  Though you can see the amount of oiliness lingering in the plate.  The serving portion may not seem alot, but it certainly can fill up your stomach while enjoying the quiet and nice ambience.

 

Truffle Scrambled Eggs - Don't be mistaken!  The main role of this breakfast is the scrambled eggs, however the Portobello mushrooms are humongous!  Can't really go wrong with simple scrambled eggs.

 

Iced Mocha (left) & Iced Cappuccino (right) - Not their forte for sure.  Bet the Barista overlooked that our drinks are iced, not enough coffee taste, not enough sugar syrup in my iced cappuccino.  Bland.  The iced mocha was slightly better as you can still taste the chocolate presented in it.

 

Finally, it's my dessert time after a hearty meal!  There isn't many choices available to choose from....just 4!

 

Carrot cake - It's real worth it, for its size and quality!  Took me by pure amazement, the cake is layered with rich cream cheese but not overwhelming.  So you can crave and dive your fork more for more bites.  The cake layers are packed with many many thin slices of red carrot and walnut, plus caramelised whole walnut garnished on top of the cake.  Have never seen any shop's carrot cake can be this tasty and good quality (not even Cedele).  Very filling and good quality for the price you pay!

 

NEW! Chill-Out Spot @Jiu Zhuang 酒庄, Dempsey Road

Thanks to my informant cum dear Sister, Janice for bringing me to this new joint (as she has a girlfriend working there).  I heard it is about 3 months' old only!

Jiu Zhuang
6C & 6D Dempsey Road
Singapore 247664
Tel: 6471 1711

Well-hidden and secluded from the main blocks in Dempsey Road, one must walk passed the "IN" CM-PB (Contemporary Melting-Pot and Bar), all the way to the back and you will find Jiu Zhuang on the right-hand side.  Refer to location map# below (#Source: jiu-zhuang.com).

 
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The interior of the bar (Block 6D) is strongly influenced by the Shanghai style in the 1920s era.  Exudes a certain elegant air and lavish of opulence in the atmosphere.  The ambience is cosy and intimate, with the entire place dimmed with warm yellow light shining through antique side lamps and hanging Chinese lanterns.  Listening to the remix versions of Chinese songs (some of which are songs we are familiar listening to growing up) in jazzy tunes under such ambience, and couching into those comfortable leather chairs, enable one to fully relax (provided no big groups present at the same time for laughter are unavoidable).

I exceptionally like the owner's choice of the bar counter, breaking away from the conventional type of bar counter with liquors displaying at different heights of shelving.  To enhance the appreciation and feel of 1920s' Shanghai, replica pictures of Chinese women dressed in cheongsam (typically featured in calendars and posters during the old days) adorn the area.  If you look closely, you can also detect the slight European flair introduced in some of the furniture chosen.

 

On the other side of the bar (Block 6C), there is alfresco and private dining area, with a walk-in wine cellar.  A nice, quiet corner for couples and friends who prefer more serenity.

 

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Their thoughtfully designed Dining Menu (left) and Drinks Menu (right) resemble the Chinese Kungfu manuals and scripts.  The little lock on the Drinks Menu intrigued my Hubby and kept him entertained for a while..hee

You will be spoilt for choices with their extremely wide selection of wines and liquors.  Jiu Zhuang also carry award-winning Japanese Sake from Iwamura Brewery.

  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Home-made Lotus Root Chips - The first time I have ever heard and tried this snack.  Only salt is lightly used to add some flavour.  The first few bites may seemed saltish, but after that you will be hooked to it.  It is liked extremely crispy thins in the form of lotus root.  Commendable on how the Chef came up with this healthy snack and slicing the lotus into such insanely fragile thickness.

 

Complimentary bite-size prawn chips with chilli powder and black sesame seeds sprinkled over it.  Goes very easy with drinks.  Super addictive!

 

Pinot Grigio (white wine handpicked & recommended by our girlfriend) - Sweetness at right amount!  Also, very smooth down the throat.  Good quality wine!

  

Fried Chicken Wings in Prawn Paste - Scotching hot on our fingers when we attempted to eat it.  Beat the standard of many Chinese restaurants and "Zi Char" eateries!  Normally I will stop at 2 pieces the max., but this dish got me wanting for more (eyeing my Hubby's share)!  *2 thumbs up!!*

  

Jiu Zhuang Xiaolongbao, infused with Whisky - This traditional Shanghainese soup dumpling has taken a new different twist.  I was surprised by the slight bitterness brought onto my taste buds due to the whiskey.  Somehow I still prefer the traditional xiaolongbao with flavourful soup.

 

Guo Tie with Minced Pork Filling & Foie Gras - I love foie gras and guo tie (pork dumpling) but first time eating them together is something new.  A pity that you can't really taste the foie gras, perhaps a waste on this luxurious ingredient to go with such strong taste filling like pork.

 

Shrimp Dumpling with Baby Abalone - This is one dish you have to gobble it up as a whole.  Splendid to add in the baby abalone and fish roe in elevating the usual taste of a shrimp dumpling.  May not be my favourite but it's a "can-try".

 

Jiu Zhuang Wanton Dumplings with Dried Scallops, in Superior Broth  - "Power" is the word for this dish.  For I am a Cantonese who grew up eating dianxin and boiled soup on a regular basis, fresh ingredients and long hours are crucial to extract the essence of a good soup.

 

Felt so pampered to be able to enjoy fresh, piping hot dianxin cooked with the most extravagant ingredients during wee hours.  What a premium gourmet experience!  Definitely something new and worth trying out!  I last heard from the Management of Jiu Zhuang, that they are coming up with Sunday brunch menu and improvising the menu with more dianxin items.  Hence this could be an alternative dianxin spot to bring my family for gatherings. 

To end this review, I urge you to share with me other dianxin spots which you may have known and worth recommending, as good (& not-so-oily) dianxin is hard to come by in Singapore. 

Ice-Cream Buffet @Seventh Heaven, Orchard Central

As greedy as can be, we bought the Seventh Heaven ice-cream buffet vouchers from Groupon (when it came out) almost instantly.  Can't wait for an icy feast!
[*My Tip]: Reservation is recommended for big group gathering.

Seventh Heaven
181 Orchard Road
#02-31/32 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: 6884 7510
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/seventhheavensg

 

Stepping into the little shopfront, we are immediately bowled over by the wide selection of ice-creams and sorbets.  There are two full display fridges (but too bad Lychee Martini was not available that day)!

 

1.  Twin Sesame - Not in my favour, though black sesame has always been one of my favourite ice-cream flavours.

2.  Malty Oreos - Nice try to have one of our local flavours, Horlick with oreo biscuit bits.

3.  Matcha - Japanese green tea flavour.  Would prefer it to have some of the original bitter aftertaste from the matcha.

4.  Potato Chip Shatters - Can barely see the potato chips nor taste it, for they are so itty-bitty.

5.  Finest Rum & Raisin - Very rich rum taste (provided you like liquor) and smooth.  Must-try!

6.  Little Red Velvet - Contains chunky bits of red velvet cake.  Can't make out what exactly is the flavour.  Nothing distinctive about it.

 

7.  Salty Caramel - Yes, I can taste the saltiness but not so much of the caramel.  Still room for improvement.

8.  A-Maizing Pop - It was actually sweet corn and popcorn.  Interesting combi!

9.  Black Forest - Made of chocolate and rum.  Pleasant, though ice-cream melted faster than usual.

10.  Strawberry & Cream - Simple, yet nice..  Creamy strawberry taste. *smile*

11.  100% Chocolate - as the name states, nothing but chocolate.  So I would expect to have loads of rich chocolate in it.  Tad too sweet.  Would have been more palatable if it is made of dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.

12.  Peanut Butter Brickle - Made of peanut butter and chocolate.  Tasted alright.

 

After finishing up 12 scoops of ice-cream with my Sister, besides feeling coldness, we couldn't seem to feel full in our stomachs.  So we ordered one of their hot dishes cum appetisers, Chicken Noodle Soup.  Making us very happy, it came with lots of potato chips on the side.  A savoury, yet light clear soup with boiled skinless chicken chunks and very thin yellow noodles.  Warm and comforting for our tummies.

 

13.  Superman - This is a raspberry flavour, though blended with flashy colours, it is not exceptionally tasteful.  A bit disappointing for its mismatch between the attractive appearance and mediocre taste. 

14.  Grape Sorbet - Very strong grapey flavour, although it was very sticky in texture (for a sorbet).  Quite nice.
15.  Cotton Candy - Besides getting fascinated by the cute colours, nothing much in the taste though.  It tasted somewhat like vanilla flavour.

  



16.  Yuzu - Mandarin orange and grapefruit sorbet.  Sour yet satisfying.  Exceptionally good and refreshing to have, after having so much creamy ice-creams.

17.  Chocolate & Jack - This is chocolate with whiskey.  Can obviously taste the whiskey in it!  Yummy!

18.  Creamy Durian - Indeed very creamy as the name indicates!  Can't take in much of this, as durian itself has a very rich taste.

 

[ My Verdict ]:  On the whole, their ice-creams are more on the creamier side, and sorbets are more clumpy rather than soft and icy in texture.  In terms of creativity in ice-cream inventions, not much as their selection are pretty much the same as other ice-cream shops.  With only a few that stood out (i.e. Potato Chip Shatters) but lost in taste, without its primary ingredients' taste.  While flavour-wise, the fruity ice-creams definitely score higher than the rest, being more flavourful and tastier with strong dashes of fruits.  Probably their artisan dessert creations are better, but I didn't get any "super high" or extremely good reaction from neighbouring tables (who were not having the ice-cream buffet).

Tea-Break @Tiong Bahru Bakery

Have heard about the highly-raved Tiong Bahru Bakery for sometime, but yet to try it until this day..  Cleverly taking the name from one of Singapore's oldest residential estate, "Tiong Bahru" subconsciously lead consumers thinking that it is an old establishment of a local traditional bakery shop.  In actual fact, you will be surprised with many French pastries and cakes, which are very unlike the usual confectionery in Singapore.
P.S:  They have a more accessible 2nd outlet situated at Raffles City Shopping Centre 

Tiong Bahru Bakery
56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-70
Singapore 160056
Tel: 6220 3430

The main store @Eng Hoon Street is a small shop with maximised seating arrangement.  You have to squeeze yourself in between tables and chairs to get to your seat, and find yourself sitting super close to the other customers around you.  From the picture below, you can notice that there are 2 different queuing lines.  What it means is that - if you are only ordering coffee/drinks, you can go straight to the cashier at the end, without joining the longer queue on the right-hand side.  But seriously, after seeing their wide array and enticing display of pastries and sandwiches, you can't stop by just for coffee!
Note:  Available coffee are painted on the wall next to the cashier

 

Savoury items are bigger in size, can definitely fill your stomach rather than the usual brunch items.

 

Last but not least, the sweet items (not much are left by mid-noon).

 

 

If you like something warm and soupy, you should try their soup items to go with nice toast.  Smart fusion of east and west.

  

The infamous, Lemon Calamansi Tart!  The sourness was overpowering, and it was like having lemon cream placed into the tart base.  Tart was plain normal and kind of hard to "fork" through it.  (Frankly speaking, Antoinette and Carpenter & Cook serve better lemon tarts.)  Each of us merely took 1 bite and that's it.  Overrated.

 

 

My Choice: Chocolate Kouign Amann.  I am usually a croissant person, but have chosen to give it a miss that day.  Nothing too fanciful about its appearance, but once you try it, you will realise how special it is.  The layers of pastry are carefully circled around, with tinge of chocolate infused in the top core.  It turned flaky and fragile the moment you try to cut it open (can be pretty messy eating this).  Its taste is pure and clean, nothing more or less.  Am falling in love and craving for it more each day! *grin*

 

Millefeuille Marron Cassis (NEW!) - One of their new inventions, made up of three layers of puff pastry with alternating layers of chestnut and blackcurrant filling.  Pretty interesting combination.  Rather difficult to eat it as the puff pastry were not fluffy enough to be cut through easily.  Best to eat a small portion of puff pastry with the cream filling in each bite, as the filling itself was on the sweeter side.

 

My usual caffeine fix, Latte was alright.  Only strange thing was that it bubbled up when we are halfway drinking it (and the bubbles lasted quite a while).  Later on, I searched through the internet to find that it is normal to have such bubbles for it is a sign of fresh brewed coffee, due to the natural oils in the coffee beans.

 

 

Can always come back to try out more of their pastry items whenever convenient (never cos' of its fame), especially their pricing is affordable.