Gem Bar

Just a stone throw away from Amoy Street, lies Ann Siang Hill. Another amazing street of many hidden finds waiting to be uncovered. And just in case if you're worried about this place being unaccessible, fret not. It's just a walking distance away from Tanjong Pagar MRT and is near to Amoy Food Centre and Maxwell Hawker Centre.

Discovered the existence of this dining place while strolling along Ann Siang Hill one day and I can't wait to try this place out. Hence, our destiantion for lunch one day!

The interior of the place gives diners a comfortable and cosy feel. Equipped with air-conditioners, you will definitely be glad you found yourself this place knowing that weather in Singapore can be so hot it's almost unbearable.

Promotion
Right now, they are having this Set Lunch Promotion every Monday - Saturday at 11am - 3pm. One Soup/Salad + One Main Course at $10++. They will serve you chilled/warm water upon asking. Or if you prefer other beverages, you can always top up $2 for soft drinks and $3 for juices.

What if you can't make it for lunch due to a meeting? No issues. Head down to Gem Bar for a Late Crowd Promotion (Monday - Thursday at 3pm - 9pm) which you will be able to enjoy 50% discount off the main course. Do check out if there are terms and conditions!

Salad

Tradition green mix with a couple of tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. Some of the vegetable tasted way too bitter for me to handle. Left more than half the plate of greens untouched. Would have been better if they were more generous with the dressing though.

Beef Lasagna

Carbonara

Spaghetti tossed in creamy sauce with bacon and mushroom. Two words: Super Delish.

Bangers & Mash

Chicken Sausage and Mashed Potato with onion gravy.

Wagyu Beef Burger

Mushroom Burger

Beef Patty topped with Mushroom and Gratin with Gouda Cheese served with a side salad and cripsy fries.

Meat Ball Pasta

Spaghetti tossed in tomato sauce and wagyu meat ball.

Fish & Chips

Deep Fried Battered Dory served with a side salad and cripsy fries and tartar sauce.

Herb Crusted Salmon

Baked Salmon topped with Herb Crust laced with Mustard Cream Sauce with side salad and cripsy fries. My opinion? The slice of salmon certainly doesn't do justice to the amount of price paid.

Spent a total of $99 on this meal for 8 of us, thanks to the set lunch promotion. Definitely worth the money in my opinion.

If you happen to be in this area, do drop by for a meal! Or a drink, if you're in this area at night.

Gem Bar

10 Ann Siang Hill

Singapore 069789

Tel: 6423 9562

Website: http://www.gemsingapore.com/

[PROMOTION] ETNA

Pardon me if I am too slow, but I just got the true definition of ETNA. (Refer to my dining experience at ETNA over here). And ETNA means... Every Table Need Attention!

So, if you're looking for a restaurant, where you will be served good (italian) food with above average service, please make your way down to ETNA. I assure you that you will not be disappointed, because I wasn't.

Here's a promotion for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Surprise your partner by bringing him/her for an unforgettable dining experience!

Etna Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Another new post. Another new post on Italian cuisine.

2 Saturdays back, L decided to bring me to Enta Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria! We took quite awhile to find the location, and the rain didn't help at all.

Entrance (courtesy of google.com)

There wasn't any set menus for us to choose, so we had to make do with the ala-carte menu. It took both of us awhile to decide on what we want because all the items on the menu are so attractive!

Funny how neatly presented dining utensils can affect my mood for the meal.

The traditional fire place where the chefs will prepare our pizza.

Fire place

While the chefs were preparing our mains, the waitress politely serve us some warm bread.

Bread was warm, and fluffy. Not the kind of usual plain bread served in other restaurants though. L and I finished all 4 pieces up in a jiffy.

Another cute container for the olive oil and vinegar just like that one we saw at Pasta Inc.

Our mains!
L got the Chef's Special of the Day. Pizza with Burrata, Parma Ham & Rocket Salad

Pizza with Burrata, Parma Ham & Rocket Salad (S$29.00)

This didn't quite score with me, though the thing crust did impress me quite abit. The saltiness from the parma ham is delicious with the crust, but sadly, the rocket salad dressed on top was too bitter for our comfort. But I must say that the pizza is worth trying still!

I opt for pasta, as usual.

Linguine con Polpa di Granchio e Crema di Aragosta (S$25.00)

Liguine served with chunky crab meat in a lobster cream sauce.

And I really meant Chunky.

One word : Delish. Although it does annoys me to find some shell (probably due to crab meat) in my food...

Total bill came up to a total of S$57.78 for just 2 mains. Not cheap, but not expensive for a decent Italian meal too. Afterall, you get what you paid.

Promotion: There is a on-going 3/4 course set menu which is only valid on Weekdays Lunch.

ETNA Italian Restaurant & Pizzaeria

49/50 Duxton Road

Singapore 089513

Tel: 6220 5513

www.ETNAitalianrestaurant.com



Pasta Inc

Hello to everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Although it is already the 18th day into this brand new year, Livelifelovefood still want to do a newyear shoutout to everyone reading this space!

Thank you to everyone who is reading lllf. No, we are not people who want fame and be a celebrity bloggers or whatever of that sorts. We just want to capture memories of the nice and not-so-nice food and share with everyone at the other side of the computer. And we definitely wish you will enjoy our posts as much as we enjoy the food heh.

Back to food! L and I finally had the chance to taste some really tasty Italian food after afew weeks of humble eating. Decided that eating real tasty food every single week isn't a good thing for both our wallets and waistlines. Afterall, almost all yummy things are fattening.

So here we go, at Pasta Inc for our lunch one Saturday!

Panorama Shot of the street

Had a tough time finding this place, but thank goodness for smartphones and the maps app. We finally reached here. I have always wanted to explore this part of Singapore, all the shophouses and narrow street attract me somehow.

The first step into this restaurant was a pleasant one. Politely greeted by one of the staff and led to our table straight away. Love how the tables are all spread out neatly with a decent amount of empty area in between each table. Remember how some restaurants have uncomfortabley small narrow spaces in between each tables, and how you have to whisper to your date awkwardly over meals just so that the other tables won't have the chance to hear what sweet nothings you two are saying?

Panorama Shot of the Interior

Over at Pasta Inc, you don't have to worry about that.because each table is neatly spaced out.

We were served bread as well, just like how we were served in other Italian restaurants. The bread here wasn't warm, neither are they fluffy and soft like the ones served at Modesto's. Quite disappointed, but my disappointment turns into amusement immediately when I see this.

Container of Olive Oil and Vinegar.

Cheap thrill, yes I know.
Soups were served very quickly.

Soup of the Day - Mushroom Soup

Bisque Di Aragosta - Homemade Lobster Bisque Soup

To be very honest, I wasn't impressed by either of them. L had the Lobster Bisque Soup while I opt for the Mushroom one. The Lobster soup was abit too fishy for my liking. While the mushroom one didn't impress me either.

Main course is up next!

Linguine Carbonara - Linguine with bacon in cream sauce and egg yolk

Was disappointed when I realised that the squid ink based pasta wasn't in the menu, as I was dying to try that as there were many raving reviews. But my carbonara quickly turn my disappointment around. I love to have linguine as my choice of pasta when I am having carbonara, and the chef did up my order as what I wished without much hassle too. The linguine was done al-dente (the italian way), accompanied with fresh bacon slices and delish sauce. Perfect-o! Although the one at Modesto's/Michengalo are better in my opinion. But nonetheless, I wiped the whole plate clean.

Tagliolini Ai Brocolli E Funghi - Tagliolini with Brocolli, Mushroom and Cherry Tomato in Oil, Garlic and Chillies.

L's choice. To me, this is like the italian version of our chinese wanton mee, with different sides. A very refreshing dish, but it will be better if the chef drizzle more olive oil as it gets a little too dry after afew mouthfuls.

A sweet dessert will end your meal nicely, thats what everyone says. And of course, we are glad to live by it.

Dessert of the Day - Tiramisu

This tiramisu didn't capture my heart nor stomach. Abit too bland, and too watery. A better dessert will definitely make us happier!

The total bill comes up to only S$31.80 because I got this 3 course meal deal off groupon. Would come back for the pasta anytime, but I will be saving my stomach for better desserts.

If you're a pasta lover as well, why not check out our posts on Italian Cusine over here?

Pasta Inc

35 Keong Saik Road

Singapore 089142

Tel: 6297 7515

Michelangelo's - Innovative Italian Cuisine

It's Restaurant Week! And of course both L and I couldn't give this chance to try good food a miss. I am very excited that I'm finally participating in RW for the first time!

Here is some background information, Restaurant Week comes bi-annually, and this October, Singapore has her 5th edition of Restaurant Week! RW, as the name suggests, means dining at participating restaurants which offers a set course menu at affordable prices! Lunch is a 3-course meal at top restaurants at S$ 25.00++, while dinner will be a 4-course meal at S$ 35.00++. If the restaurant of your choice is awarded a Dining City Star, then you will be required to top-up an addition S$ 15++/20++ for lunch/dinner respectively.

Being a huge lover of spaghetti, I've decided on an Italian restaurant, Michelangelo's, situated quietly in Chip Bee Gardens, just a stone throw away from Holland Village.

Two kinds of sitting arrangements, just pick what you like.

Panorama Shot

Perfect for first dates!

Just a word of caution, you may be a little uncomfortable over how dim the whole dining area is.

This seating arrangement will be nice if your date doesn't mean the heat, or if it isn't pouring.

Our set menu for the afternoon!

Don't worry if you're very hungry. While your dishes are being prepared, you will be served pieces of bread together with a platter of sides.

These taste perfectly normal. Nothing too fanciful. But please don't over stuff yourself with these.

For starters, both L and I picked Caesar Salad.

What attracted me was the poached egg. This is good. Wait, I mean this is very good. Fresh greens, drizzled with some magic sauce which is sweet and sour, yet not overwhelming. Simple, yet tasty enough to make both of us finish every single green on the plate. However, the bacon pieces, both chunky and flaky, was a little disappointing. Would prefer bacon bits anytime.

For the main course, L picked Quarantaotto, while I picked the Spaghetti Carbonara.

We were both surprised when this dish turns out like this, with soup. I guess that's the problem when you don't read the menu carefully, because I was expecting steak. But I feel that it turns out nice, because L commented that the meat was tender and tasty.

One word: Perfect-o.

Being a spaghetti lover, I have a soft spot for them. Which means everywhere I go, if I spot Spaghetti on the menu, I will not think twice about ordering that.

This particular dish, I must say, is lip-smacking good. I can't wait to finish everything in one go, yet I want to savour it for as long as I can. The spaghetti is done al-dente, not under or overcook like how some restaurants might. The white wine cream sauce is really tasty. Some wine sauce may be too strong, and turns people off with the 'wine taste', but this is done so perfectly, the wine sauce just brings the whole dish up to a higher level.

By this time, I am already extremely satisfied with my meal, and I can't wait for the desserts to be served because I believe that good desserts to sum up the meal is as important as the main courses being good.

I'm not a Tiramisu fan, after learning that it is made from raw egg. But this particular Tiramisu won me over, both its appearance and taste.

What is more amazing is the attentiveness of the waiter/waitress, who never fail to refill our glasses without being prompt to do so, even though the bottle of water is on our tables. At the end of the meal, when one of them saw L and I trying to take a photo on our own, he came up and initiated to help us take a photo. Isn't this what F&B service should be all about?

This meal came up to a total of S$ 96.51 for the both of us.

Inclusive of a whooping S$ 12.00 for the above aqua mineral.
I have to admit that this meal is quite expensive, and not exactly pocket friendly. But for the ambience, quality of food served, and of course, the thoughtfulness of the waiter/waitress, this particular meal is worth every penny.

Will I be back again? Yes I will, definitely. But I need to make sure that there's a promotion going on, else my wallet will not be able to afford it.

Michelangelo's

Blk 44 Jalan Merah Saga

#01-60, Chip Bee Garden

Holland Village

Din Tai Fung

There's one famous question. What are birthdays without celebrations?
Then this will lead to another question. What are celebrations without food? Glorious Food!

L turned 25 a few days ago ,so we went to Din Tai Fung at Wisma.

Wisma Atria

Went over at lunch time, so we had to wait for a little while for a table. No reservations made (again) but since this was an impromptu trip, I can't grumble much! Thank goodness the waitress gave us the menu so we can decide on our order while waiting. Brilliant idea, in my opinion. (:

After a short wait, we were brought to our table by a waitress. Glad we got a table by the window, allowing us to see the busy streets of Orchard Road. Wouldn't want to be seated in the middle of the restaurant and feeling suffocated amongst the crowd. Then, we were served a cup of jasmine tea each, which was warm and good. Heh, now my stomach's all ready for the food!

After a long wait, the food was finally served! Oh joy oh joy. Picture the smile a kid will have on his face when you give him a lollipop, or a hungry man chancing upon his favorite dessert. Picture that yet? Okay cut that smile, paste that on my face. Yup, that's how happy I am to see food. What's more, GOOD FOOD! What's life without food, I'd say.

Fried Rice with Pork Chop 

Shared the main course of the day with L since we wanted to save stomach space for xlb. Got a shock when I sank my teeth into the meat, the pork was so tender that I mistook it for chicken! However, despite the incredibly tender pork chop, this dish didn't quite score for me. It's a little bland, and ... just incomplete, much to my disappointment. I definitely expected more. L commented that this dish used to taste much better, before the store was relocated to the 4th floor.

We had one of the best fried rice ever at a coffeeshop near my neighbourhood. Will give it a review as soon as I managed to snap pretty photos of it!

Ahhh. A meal at DTF wouldn't be complete if one doesn't order some xiao long baos. Mark my words.

Legendary Steamed Pork Dumplings

Definition of xlb: Sinful small pouches of meat. Put one into your mouth, and feel the goodness burst into your mouth. The tenderness of the meat, and the savoury soup which surrounds, filling your heart with joy. The happiness that linger even after you've swallowed the xlb. Swallowing one immediately begets another. 

The original ones, and probably the most famous. Definitely famous for a reason. One simply can never get sick of these. A must-order dish when you dine at DTF! The skin is so incredibly smooth and thin, yet strong enough so it will not break when it's still hot. Do you know? One single xlb will have a minimum of 18 folds, and are finished with a twist on the top. This isn't just food, this is an art piece.

Before you get too excited when your xlbs are being served, do remain calm. Note that one simply DO NOT put the whole thing into your mouth because you will probably end up scalding your tongue and wasting the whole meal with burnt tastebuds.

How L and I eat our xlbs.

First, you bite the top part of the dumpling skin. Take note that you should just nibble and not chomp off a huge part of the dumplings. If you must, take a small sip of the soup which is already oozing out from the little pouch. Then, you pour vinegar into the pouch, add some ginger if you fancy, before finally throwing the whole thing into your mouth and munch away! Yes, that's it. Savour the taste. That's the taste of happiness.

Steamed Chilli Crab Dumplings

Latest item on the menu! Mention Singapore to many foreigners, and one of the things that they will mention will definitely be Chilli Crab. So, being a true blue Singaporean, how can I give this a miss? Ahhh, And I'm sure glad we ordered this. A tinge of spiciness to complete the taste. I wouldn't dare say this is better than the original one, but I would go as far to say everyone who likes crab should give this a try. (:

Steamed Pork Dumplings with Shrimp

Compared to the rest of the dumplings, this one scored the least. The skin was a little too heavy and thick for our liking. Finishing it was quite a struggle given that the xlbs had already caught our hearts. Would exchange this for more xlb, anytime!

Good food aren't always expensive!
Currently, there's a promotion for the Steamed Chilli Crab Dumplings.

If you're up for it, go try them! Oh, and while you're there, please don't forget to order the Steamed Pork Dumplings too! (: You will not regret it, trust me.

L enjoyed his birthday meal very much, and so did I. This trip to DTF would have been alot better if the restaurant wasn't so busy, and we had to remind the waiter to refill our cups of tea a couple of times. But well, at least the food made up the slow service!

Din Tai Fung

Wisma Atria

435 Orchard Road Level 4

Singapore 238877

Tel : 6732 1383