Paradise Inn - 313@Somerset (樂天客棧)

We were at 313@Somerset looking for value for money lunch set. Only managed to come across the Paradise Inn at basement 3 after we had our lunch. We were quite attracted by their Seasons of Paradise set lunch and decided to come back again another day.

Finally we are here at Paradise Inn 313@Somerset today. Paradise Inn is part of the Paradise Group of Restaurants. Its a casual dining concept offering traditional and popular chinese cuisine, fruit fusion tea and variety of desserts.  To me, I interpret casual dining as affordable or cheap dining and I am truly satisfied with this meal.

Paradise Inn

The settings in the dining area are quite nice for casual dining. We get to choose a more spacious table as there isn't a lot of customers. If it gets crowded, believe you may need to sit side by side with strangers.

Dining Area

Seasons of Paradise are the first individual set lunch for Chinese cuisine offered by Paradise Inn @$11.80++ (U.P $15.80++).  Didn't really sight any use of ingredients that really goes according to the seasons, just pick the dishes you like.  Each set comes with a choice of double-boiled soup. It was an easy decision, we ordered the Summer and Autumn Lunch sets.

Seasons of Paradise Set Lunch

You can top up another $1.50 (U.P $4.20) for a choice of fruit-infused iced tea (水果冻茶).  We picked Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea (玫瑰与香草兰冻茶) and Lychee Mojito Iced Tea (荔枝与薄荷冻茶). Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea is a soothing blend of rose extract, vanilla and earl grey tea with some rose buds on top of the foamed tea. This drink is a bit sweet with a strong scent of rose. Didn't really taste the vanilla.

Lychee Mojito Iced Tea is quite nice, not too sweet.  I like the fact that the mint is not over-powering, well balanced with the lychee taste. From the menu, its tropical lychee and mojito with Earl Grey tea which is supposed to be an invigorating drink perfect to chill the summer heat. Wondering what's "Mojito"? Here's the description from Wikipedia -  A Mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, sparkling water and mint.

 Rosy Vanilla Iced Tea (玫瑰与香草兰冻茶)
and Lychee Mojito Iced Tea (荔枝与薄荷冻茶)
Rating: 3.5/5

Summer Set consists of Sliced Smoked Duck, Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing, Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock, Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style and sliced Osmanthus Jelly.

Sliced Smoked Duck (熏鴨片). Though the sliced duck is not juicy, but it goes with the refreshing cucumber, with a smoky fragrant and the salty and sweet sauce.

Sliced Smoked Duck (熏鴨片)
Rating: 3.75/5

Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing (青芥末蝦球).  This Wasabi Mayo Prawn is also an item in Taste Paradise signature trio (pan-seared Foie Gras, Wasabi Mayo Prawn and Bejing duck) which cost more than the Summer lunch set.  You can taste the crispness and freshness of the fried prawn and the well balanced "hotness" of the wasabi and sweetness of the creamy mayo.
The watermelon base is not complimenting the dish, I suppose its for clearing the taste bud before moving onto another cuisine.

Crisp-fried Crystal Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Dressing (青芥末蝦球)
Rating: 4.25/5

Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style looks simple and good. Can't say much as I only get to eat a tiny bit of leftover, which is less than a mouthful. But I would have to say that the small mouthful is enough to convince me that its good.

Stir-fried Curly Noodle "Hong Kong" style (樂天炒麵)

Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock (金銀蛋浸莧菜) taste quite good as well. The difference between this and other poached chinese spinach egg trio is maybe the additional minced pork which adds more flavour to the stock.



Poached Chinese Spinach with Egg Trio in Superior Stock (金銀蛋浸莧菜)
Rating: 3.5/5

 For the soup, we get the double-boiled spare ribs and sea whelk.  Was a bit disappointed as its a bit salty.

Autumn Set comes with Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee, Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss, Poached Lettuce with Supreme Soya Sauce, Supreme Seafood Fried rice, Sliced Osmanthus jelly. For the choice of soup, we get the double-boiled Spare Ribs and Winter Melon.

Autumn Set

Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss (肉鬆蝦球) tastes heavenly. I like this more than the Wasabi Mayo prawn. You can taste the different texture - fluffy pork floss, creamy mayo, crispy and springy prawn. I can't deny that the taste is a bit complicated and it may get a bit "jalut" if you eat more. But with only one precious piece in the set, its only right that it should give its best shot and thus the full-bodied taste. Yum yum.

Crisp-fried Prawns with Fluffy Pork Floss (肉鬆蝦球)
Rating: 4.5/5

Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee (荔枝咕噜肉).  The pork is fried to perfection and is still crispy with the sweet and sour sauce. I have to admit that I realised that this is lychee sweet and sour pork only after seeing the one and only piece of lychee on the plate. Besides lychee, there is still the usual pineapple, onion, capsicum included in the dish.



Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee (荔枝咕噜肉)
Rating: 3.5/5

 Poached Lettuce with Supreme Soya Sauce (玻璃生菜) and the double-boiled Spare Ribs and Winter Melon (冬瓜燉排骨湯) are normal. The Supreme Seafood Fried rice (海鮮皇炒飯) is a bit disappointing.  Its quite dry and is really not up to the usual fried rice standard of a chinese restaurant.

Supreme Seafood Fried rice (海鮮皇炒飯)
Rating: 3.25/5

Sliced Osmanthus jelly (飄香桂花冻) is a soft jelly dessert.  Its not sweet and has some floral or herbal taste which we couldn't quite appreciate.

Osmanthus jelly (飄香桂花冻)
Rating: 3/5

The whole bill comes to only $32. Can't believe that we are spoiled with all the variety of fine Chinese cuisine at only $32! Will definitely be back for more, before the promotion ends.  Great Lunch deal!


Paradise Inn (樂天客棧)
313@Somerset  
#B3-39/40
Tel: 6733 0348
website: http://www.paradisegroup.com.sg/ParadiseInn/index.html

Refer to my previous blog on Paradise group
- Taste Paradise (ION)

Bimi Kaiho Restaurant - 美味海鵬

A small japanese restaurant at one corner of International Plaza. Don't think we can find this restaurant if there is no one to recommend and show the way.

I think the restaurant is run by a Japanese guy and his chinese wife.  Believe the food is quite authentic and that's why you will always find a few japanese among the customers having dinner and drinking sake. 

Japanese menu hanging on the wall

whole row of japanese wine

Restaurant is small and setting is simple, it can accomodate at most 20-30 customers. There is a japanese menu hanging at the counter. On the counter, you will also be able to see a long row of japanese wine bottles with names of the customer written on the bottles. Good gesture of the restaurant to help their regular customers to store their unfinished wine for next visits.

Cha Soba Set
Rating: 4/5

My favourite in this restaurant is the Cha Soba set. Usually i will request to change all the sushi to Salmon, with an additional cost. Their sushi taste great, the fish is fresh and the amount of rice is just enough to complement the fish.  The chawanmushi is soft and you can taste the stock flavour, unlike the bland chawanmushi elsewhere.

Dinner Set - chicken karaage + grill fish (Pacific Saury)
Rating : 3/5

Dinner set which u can choose any 2 items within the list, we picked chicken karaage and grill fish.  A bit disappointed with the chicken karaage as its not hot when served. The grill fish is nice, but need to be careful as there are lots of bones.

The set meal are quite affortable, range from $15 to 20+.


10 Anson Road
#02-28 International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: 6220-2262
Opening Hours : 11:30~14:30hr, 18:00~22:00hr
Closed on Sunday & PH

TWG

ION TWG is just next to the ION taxi stand (which is outside of CBD). Had always been attracted by the lush and impressive looking cafe when we pass by. During tea time, there is always see a long queue in the shop waiting for a seat. Since there is no reservation for tea time, we make a reservation for lunch instead to avoid the queuing.

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

The cafe is actually quite small, with almost half of the space used for store front, there isn't much space left for the dinning area.  Its actually quite camped in the dinning area, when seated, the back of the chairs are actually touching each other. The ambience is quite nice though, like the tins of teas as a backdrop in the dinning area.

Dinning Area

TWG had a long tea list, was a bit disappointed that the waiter can't really help to do much recommendation. We just settled for Orange Blossom Oolong @$10.50 and Smoky Russian @$11. The Orange Blossom Oolong taste is quite normal, some floral fragrance and citrus taste. The Smoky Russian is quite strong and there is really some smoky taste and "fragrance".


We ordered Soup of the day @$10. Can't really catch the name of the soup but it does taste good.  Its creamy, smooth and there seems to be quite a lot of vegetables in it . It come is a small cup portion with bread and TWG tea jelly and whipped cream.

Soup of the Day
Rating: 3.5/5

The bread is crispy on the outside and a bit chewy or tough inside.  It goes well with the soup, especially the crispy "skin".

Bread

Was initially quite impressed with its decor, plates and cutlery until i finish the soup. Was really disappointed when the base of the soup cup is revealed as i finish the soup, its quite badly scratched.

We ordered 2 scones @$8 which comes with TWG tea jelly and whipped cream.  The scone are light and crumbly, it goes really well with the refreshing whipped cream and the fragrant tea jelly.

TWG Homemake Scone

TWG Tea jelly and whipped cream

We also ordered a patisserie from their trolley @$8.50.  Quite nice, a bit crunchy, creamy chocolate moouse with some tea leaves on top. 
 

Chocolate Cake
Rating: 3.5/5

 
ION Shopping Mall
2 Orchard Turn, #02 - 21
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6735 1837 +65 6735 1837
Fax: +65 6736 1837

Fruit Paradise

Their fruit tarts are simply stunning and gorgeous.  Wonder if they taste as good as they look.

They offered a Tart Set @$9.80, with a choice of 1 sliced Tart with blend Tea / Coffee / Soft Drink.  I ordered some citrus tea (can't remember the name) and a mixed fruit tart.

Citrus Tea

There are too many different tarts to choose from, with the "Kia-Su" spirit, decided to have the mixed fruit tart so as to have a bit of everything.  The tart is served on a plate decorated with sauces and blueberry.  There is a lot of japanese cream in the tart, not too sweet and quite light.


Mixed Fruit Tart
Rating: 3/5

Got the chance to try a lot more flavours during one of my colleagues' farewell dessert party.  He got 4 different fruit tarts - Mango Strawberry Tart, chocolate banana tart, mixed berries chocolate tart and mixed fruit tart.

Mixed Fruit Tart.  Same as what we had previously. There is blueberry, banana, strawberry, kiwi, mango, orange, grapefruit and i think apple.

Mixed Fruit Tart
Rating: 3/5

Chocolate Banana Tart.  Chocolate and banana suppose to be the best combination, but somehow this doesn't impress me. The banana flavour is so strong that i seems to missed out how the nuts and tart base actually taste.

Chocolate Banana Tart
Rating: 3/5

Mango Strawberry Tart.  Mango is one of my favourite fruits.  For the price paid, will be expecting much more mango slice and cubes.  Doesn't really get the fragrant of the mango as well, not too sure if its due to the jelly coating.

Mango Strawberry Tart
Rating: 3.25/5

Mixed Berries Chocolate is my pick among the 4. There is lots of stuff in there, not in a messy way but complementing one another. You can taste the nuts, the freshness of the berries, the sweetness of the chocolate, lightness of the cream and the crunchy base. With all the fruits and thee notion of free of unhealthy additives and preservatives, somehow we feel less sinful gobbling a few more pieces.

Mixed Berries Chocolate
Rating: 3.5/5

Verdict? Think its a bit pricely for take-away and they do not taste as gorgeous as they look. For dine-in, its definitely a cheaper alternative to hotel hi-tea.


Fruit Paradise VivoCity
VivoCity #01-59
1 Habourfront Walk
Tel: 6376 9978
http://www.ajisen.com.sg/fruitparadise/

Taste Paradise 味之樓 @ ION Orchard

Taste Paradise is in a modern chinese settings with a number of Chinese Emperors' portraits as a backdrop in the dinning area.  The dinning tables are laid with matching tablecloth and exquisite cutlery and china plates.

Dinning Area

Dinning chair and table

Century egg with Pickled Ginger in Chestnut Roll with Wasabi Mayonnaise (芥末皮蛋子姜卷) @$4.20. The name sounds delicious and the it looks appetising as well. However, its a disappoinment. The ginger is too tough that you have to practically tear them apart. The sourness of the ginger also overwhelmed the mayonnaise and century egg.

Century Egg Wasabi Roll (芥末皮蛋子姜卷)
Rating: 2.5/5

Taste Paradise Famous XO Carrot Cake (金典萝卜糕) @$7.80. The carrot cake is soft but the XO sauce was a bit disappointing.  Find the XO sauce a bit choking and overpowering, the spiciness cover the other taste.

XO Carrot Cake (金典萝卜糕)
Rating: 3.5/5

Their Steamed Chicken Claw with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁蒸凤爪) @$3.80 is very nice. The chicken claws had absorb the black sauce and skin is tender yet chewy, unlike some which can be too soft, wet and oily.

Steamed Chicken Claw with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁蒸凤爪)
Rating: 4/5

Steamed Pork Dumpling Siew Mai (香菇魚子蒸烧卖) @$4.80 is pure delicacy. The tenderness of the pork, the aroma of the mushroom and the refreshing roe definitely mark it different from the other Siew Mai.

Steamed Pork Dumpling Siew Mai (香菇魚子蒸烧卖)
Rating: 4.5/5

Crispy Spring Roll with Smoked Duck Meat (脆皮熏鴨春捲) @$3.80. The fried spring roll is so-so, the smoked duck meat taste like ham and a bit salty and dry.  Still prefer the usual spring roll that is more juicy with those bean sprouts and vegetables.

Crispy Spring Roll with Smoked Duck Meat (脆皮熏鴨春捲)
Rating: 3/5

Crisp-Fried Egg Plant Tossed with pork Floss (肉鬆茄子)@$9.80.  A bit costly and somehow not as fluffy as what we expect it to be.

Crisp-Fried Egg Plant Tossed with pork Floss (肉鬆茄子)
Rating: 3.5

Steamed Cheong-fun with Dough Fritter (蔥花炸兩腸粉) @$4.80.  The fried dough fritter is crispy but a bit hard. Maybe we should have pour the black sauce onto the dish instead of using it as a dip.  The cheong-fun is thin, soft and nice with the sesame.  They also provide some extra dipping sauce that goes well with the cheong-fun.  Think its average rating is purely our fault for not pouring the black sauce.


Steamed Cheong-fun with Dough Fritter (蔥花炸兩腸粉)
Rating: 3.5/5


Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry (煎南瓜餅) @$3.20.  Was hoping that the pumpkin pastry will be something like what we had at Summer Pavalion, but its just a normal pumpkin dough fried pastry with some fillings.

Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry (煎南瓜餅)
Rating: 3.5/5

No. 2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: 6509 9660
website: http://www.tasteparadise.com.sg/

Reference other blogs on Dim Sum
- Summer Pavalion
- East Ocean

Reference an cheaper alternative for Paradise group
- Paradise Inn

East Ocean Teochew Restaurant 东海潮州酒家

East Ocean is one of the restaurants that we usually go for Dim Sum. Over here, the waitresses will be dishing out the more common dim sum for you to choose from. For the less common dishes, you will need to order from the captain.

What is dim sum without prawn dumpling and Siew Mai. The prawn dumplings (虾饺) are quite big and I like the soft skin which might just tear off if you are not careful. The fresh prawn dumpling goes well with mustard and their famous chilli.

prawn dumplings (虾饺)
Rating: 3.5/5


Their Siew Mai (烧卖) are quire nice, you can taste the tenderness of the pork and freshness of the prawn and roe.
 


Siew Mai (烧卖)
Rating: 4/5 

  
Pan-fried Carrot cake (煎腊味萝卜糕). Simple yet nice carrot cake, the pan-fried gives some crisp to the surface, preserved meat add aroma to and gives a different texture to the soft carrot cake.

Pan-fried Carrot cake (煎腊味萝卜糕)
Rating: 4/5

We ordered the lotus root cakes 香煎藕饼 as we wanted to try somthing different. However, was very disappointed with our selection. You can taste the crunchiness of the lotus root but besides that, its only oily, oily and oily.

lotus root cakes 香煎藕饼
Rating: 3/5

Steamed Chicken feet 蒸凤爪. Find the seasoning a bit too strong, its a bit spicy, sour, sweet and a bit too wet and oily. I do like the additional beancurb skin added into the dish, which absorb all the gravy and make it very fragrant.

Steamed Chicken feet 蒸凤爪
Rating: 3.5/5

Steam rice rolls with deep fried dough (炸兩). You will need to order this from the captain and it will take some time to prepare. The deep fried dough is crispy yet not too hard and blends well with the soft steam rice rolls. The sauce is also the key element of the dish, nice!

Steam rice rolls with deep fried dough (炸兩)
Rating: 4/5

East Ocean inhouse Teochew chilli. Not sure what's inside the chilli, but there are some fried dried shrimps and its very fragrant. My hubby usually don't take chilli but he simply loved this.

Teochew Chilli

Pan seared Foie Gras (煎鹅肝)@$18++. The foie gras is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.  The strong aroma, sweetness of the onion and creamy taste and texture is pure heavenly when it melts in your mouth. There is peach, blackberry and bread to clear and wake up your taste buds when it gets too "jialut" or over-whelming after a few mouthful.  It's definitely value for $$.




Pan seared Foie Gras (煎鹅肝)
Rating: 4.5/5




East Ocean Teochew Restaurant (东海潮州酒家)
1 Scotts Road #02-18 Shaw Centre
Tel: 6235-9088
Mon to Fri: 11:30am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat to Sun: 10am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Refer to the other blogs on Dim Sum
- Summer Pavalion
- East Ocean