Waffletown [Closed]

We were thrown a surprise to learn that Waffletown at Balmoral Plaza is closing its doors after 40 years of operation and coincidentally we were there for lunch last week. My last visit to Waffletown was way back in 2016. Base on the media, this popular homegrown family restaurant will cease its operations on 18th May 2021 due to rental issues. 

Waffletown

The queue in Waffletown was surprisingly long and its kind of worrying that we cannot find available seat to dine it as it was full house.

The fish and chips meal was nothing fanciful but rather basic with just 2 strips of deep fried fish fillet and a handful of fries couple with lettuce, slice of tomato and tartar sauce.

Fish and Chips - $8.90

Love the plump and juicy calamari rings. 

Calamari Rings - $3.90

Making up the 3 piece chicken with a meal, it comes with sides like mashed potato and coleslaw. Taste was old school as an overall. It kind of give a reminiscent of the western food that we had during the younger days.

3 Pcs Chicken Meal - $10.90

Out of so many waffle places, Waffletown has a unique combination of Waffle being served. They have Turkey ham, egg, sausage, and bacon on the waffle. However, having a traditional choice with ice cream on waffles would never go wrong.

Double Scoop Waffle - $6.50

The Belgian waffle was decorated with whipped cream pipped at the side as well as the top of the ice cream.

Are you hungry for it?

It's quite sad to hear that they are closing their business after so many years for this place has brought quite some memories to those who enjoyed their food.

Rating: 3 / 5

Waffletown
Location: Balmoral Plaza, 271 Bukit Timah Road #01-08 Singapore 259708

Empire State [Closed]

Being a West Person so much, it was by chance that I notice Empire State during one of the weekends in Causeway Point Mall. Though they have been in the industry for a while, it was the first time I have ever visit them. Knowing such, Causeway Point is the outlet for Empire State Currently.

Decorations and furnishings were loud with colors in its illustration which kind of reminds me of "New York New York", one of the past restaurants in Singapore.

Empire State

Menu covers American Cuisine from Burgers, Pasta to even Pizzas. We ordered one pasta and one from the Mains.

Menu

Since it was a weekend, its not surprising to see Singaporean spending quality time dining outside with families. Place was pretty pack and with perpetual queues during dinner timing.

Surroundings

A hefty portion of grilled chicken, sun dried tomatoes in Garlic Cream sauce was addictive. Moreover, Fettuccine was presented in not just the usual yellow but also green pasta. The savoury cream-riched pasta was good and stomach filling.

Grilled Chicken Fettuccine - $14.90

Served with fries and Mesclun salad, though chicken was herb roasted, the taste did not quite reveal the processes. Nevertheless, the outer skin of this Maple Glazed Chicken was perfectly done with the roast flavours, giving a light crisp.

Herb Roasted Maple Glazed Chicken - $13.90

The half chicken was succulent but if tastes were a bit stronger, it would be wonderful. Luckily, the brown sauce was placed into good use and complimented the white meat perfectly.

Thigh Meat

Hits & misses. Overall, food is generally average. For those who want to skip the sweet beverages and opting for plain water instead, do note that it is chargable at $0.30 per cup.


Rating: 3 / 5

Empire State
Location: Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square #02-10/K10 Singapore 738099
Website

The Carving Board

What's carving in Jurong East now? Looks like those residing on the west side start their rave on some western cuisine. Let's check it out!

The normal coffeeshop in the day has somehow turned into a bistro serving quality western food which is moderately priced in a modest setting.

The Carving Board

Having experience the similar concept in Bukit Merah area whereby a humble HDB coffeeshop had transformed into a Quality Western / European Eatery, I'm glad such concept is happening in the West, at least nearer to my home.

On the other hand, the down side is that it attracts crowds and long queuing time is inevitable, let alone weekends. Thus its recommended not to go there empty stomach as long waiting time is required.

Long Queue

The ordering process took away 20 minutes of our time in queuing and another 40 minutes while waiting for the food to be served.

Table Number

Barbecued Pork Chop was one of the recommendations under the Char Grilled category. Pork chop was served with salad greens, sauteed lyonnaise potatoes with pork drenched in their home made BBQ sauce.

Those sliced pan fried potatoes together with thinly sliced onions were awesome while the salad sides tasted a tad sour.

Barbecued Pork Chop - $9

Meat was well charred with burnt grilled lines yet not too dry and were succulent. However the level of marinate were subtle, whereby taste was not prominent.

Juicy Pork Chop

Opted the brown mushroom sauce over the rosemary sauce. Dish was made up of 3 portions, Salad Greens, French Fries and chicken chop.

Rosemary Chicken Chop - $7.50

Kitchen was very busy but standards of the food remained unchanged. It gave me a strong feel that the chef took pride in each and every order and perhaps the reason why the long queue as well as waiting time.

Chicken Chop

Presentation and standards are above average, actually quite luring to the empty stomach but just too bad that they were not enough to satiate the craving.

Rosemary Chicken Chop

Under the Classic or Signature Spaghetti, all dishes are topped with Parmesan Cheese and Parsley, served with Garlic Bread.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara - $8

As a carbonara lover, I would prefer their cream sauce to be creamier than this. The dish comes with a little surprise with poached egg apart from its standard ingredients like onions and bacon.

Garlic Toast

I have learnt my lesson not to go on an empty stomach. McDonalds is just across the road, perhaps we can take away some food while waiting? Even after an hour of wait for just a meal, I dont mind going back for their signature burgers but maybe in the weekdays evening.

Word of note for those who do not want to smell smoky after meal, do take up their alfresco seating.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

The Carving Board
Location: Blk 252 Jurong East St 24 #01-107 Singapore 600252
Operating Hours: Tues-Sun 6 to 10 pm (last order 930pm)

Black Angus

Black Angus is one of America's finest steak house and had their first outlet in Singapore's Orchard Parade hotel since Novemeber 1997.

Steaks were directly imported from US to ensure that the quality is similar to what we can have in USA.

Black Angus

Dining area was spacious and one part I like about the environment was that patrons get to sit in their confine sector, separating from other diners with partitions and glass panels.

Partitioning and Glass Panels

With the festive mood last christmas, the restaurant was well adorn with Christmas decorations.

Dining Area

Menu

Tomato soup was the soup of the day and tasted pack with flavours, added with light cream.

Tomato Soup

The combination in the beef soup was rather new to me with vegetables, bareley beans and beef cubes. When compared to the former, I will prefer this for its variety of ingredients which stirred my interest.

Beef Soup

I'm excited by the Wild West Onion as it was my first time having such interesting dish. It looks like fries sprouting out from the clear dish.

Wild West Onion -$17.90

Wild West Onion is actually colossal onion, sliced to shape like a desert flower then battered and fried.  It was tasty and to enjoy its full flavours, it is best to dipped in their Wild West dipping sauce.

Desert Flower

We had mains with New York Steak and meat was beautifully charred grilled with criss cross patterns on the meat. The Center-cut new York Steak was tender and flavourful.

New York Steak -$44.90 (10 oz)

The mains comes with sides of our choices as well as homemade sauces from the selection of  pepper, red wine, teriyaki and herbs, lending a perfection combination to the the slab of medium well done beef.

Sides like mashed potatoes was completely filling to the stomach however the style of the potato was dry and lack of butter fragrance while mixed vegetables was bland in taste or somehow tasted raw to us.

Steak

Straight forward and generous portions are reflection of American Style. Though only half a rack of baby back pork ribs was ordered, the mains was actually quite stomach filling. Thus I think that the meal is suitable for people with huge appetite.

Rib Stickin' Baby Back Pork ribs - $30.90 (Half Rack)

Ribs were well seasoned and packed full of flavours fromtheir own barbeque sauce through roasted and grilling method.

Pork Ribs (Half Rack)

Black Angus is a place suitable for both young and old who has an appetite for Amercian Style beef or ribs.

Rating: 3 / 5

Black Angus
Location: Hill V2, 4 Hillview Rise #01-06/07 Singapore 667979
Website

Swensen

The lobster roll trend has finally hit the shore! And into Swensen "Rolling in the deep" menu.


Served with sides like mesclun salad and fries, the Loster Roll was toasted perfectly till pillow soft lending its butter fragrance, together with its shiny crust it was an unforgettable experience I had in Swensen so far. The lobster meat came in generous chunks making up one lobster and was succulent. It was completed with a final touch of honey lime. Yummy!

Boston Lobster Roll - $21.80

Lobster, yummy!

 With breaded chicken added a rough texture to the juicy marinated chicken cutlet, drizzled with meuniere sauce, served with U.S fries and coleslaw. Simply love its portion (right thickness) and its crispiness yet not too greasy taste!

Breaded chicken - $15.60

Close Up of Breaded Chicken

No meal in swensen will ever be completed without having a dessert! With christmast around the corner, besides having new dishes like lobster, the ice cream menu has also been altered to the festive mood. Santa's favourite is make up of delicious chunks of christmas pudding and yummy raisin ice cream accompanied with strawberry toppings as well as sprinkle of sliced almonds.

Santa's Favourite - $11.50

Santa's Favourite (Top View)

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Swensen
Location: West Mall, 1 Bukit Batok Central Link #02-05 Singapore 658713

De'Pop Culture

De'Pop Culture is a colourful theme pop art cafe located along North Bridge Road. The 2 months old cafe with 30 Seaters is run by a couple who has great passion for desserts.

De'Pop Culture

In case you are wondering, the name De' Pop Culture was created with "De" referring to desserts while Pop culture is referring to their pop art theme cafe.

A peep into De' Pop Cutlure

Pop Menu

The colorful themes with its pop decorations were fanciful and engaging, even their air conditioners were painted in pop pink colors.

Dining Environment

With interesting graphics and vibrant colors, the place is very enjoyable, allowing a change in mood.

De' Pop Culture

Part of the Pop Culture

Pop Art

Besides the usual table and chairs on the limited shop space, there is one cozy corner with sofa and bean bag. It makes us feel so at home, relaxing with the provided magazines and comic graphics on the wall.

Cozy Corner

Dilbert

Halloween is around the corner? This looks abit spooky though as if someone is looking at us in the corner.  Its actually the stereo which keeps the environment alive and comfy.

Stereo

A walk down into the cafe and there's the place where their desserts were well refridgerated in the display fridge. I cant help it and I have already make rooms for them after my meals. Yum Yum!

In the display Fridge

Drooling over these!

Ring for a Cuppa

Flavourings on top of the refrigerator

Have something to perk you up for the week, do try out their Italian Soda. It comes in four fruity flavours, Red Raspberry, Kiwi, Blue Raspberry and Passionfruit (Left to Right).

Italian Soda Line Up

They are absolutely refreshing coolers for the night.

Kiwai Italian Soda - $4.90

Truffle oil infused thick cut fries were served. These straight forward and generous portions is a reminiscent of comfort food, a good start, lending a bench mark on the up coming dishes.

Truffle Fries

Bacon Surprise featuring miniatures of toasted brioche bread with bacon wrapped. It came in 3 with creamy scrambled egg, sauteed mushroom and sunny side up egg. The presentation was further enhanced by the salad with Japanese roasted sesame sauce.

Out of the 3,  I like the scrambled egg the most as it gave a smooth creamy texture whereas the sauteed mushroom's texture was quite firm and not to my liking. As for the sunny side up egg, I find that it was a reminiscent of microwaved egg which was not really my style too.

Bacon Surprise - $10.90

Breakfast Platter for 2 was a large portion served on a lazy susan. It comes with toasted brioche, sauteed mushrooms, streak bacon, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, baked beans, bratwrust sausage and salad. The portion can significantly be divided by 2 and its a great choice if you want to fill up the stomachs.

De'Pop Breakfast Platter For 2 (SGD $28.90)

De'Pop Culture Breakfast for 2

A quirky name "Crab and the Dog" featuring local's favourite spicy Chilli Crab sauce on the Italian pork sausage with sides like fries and salad. The piquant chilli sauce had hit me on the right spot and with the toasted sausage buns, its as good as enjoying dipping the fried buns into the sauce after a chilli crab meal. I would recommend this dish to anyone who can take spice.

Crab and the Dog - $15.90

Crab and the Dog (Close Up)

Black pepper crab spaghetti is served with mushroom, crab meat and the chef's inhouse special black pepper sauce. The dish was too salty to our liking and the peppery taste was overpowering, covering up the natural sweetness of the crab meat.

Black pepper crab spaghetti - $14.90

Thick buttermilk waffle was topped with a scoop of ice cream and a dallop of whipped cream. Sweetness of the waffle was moderate with fluffy texture and crispiness on the outside. The dessert was further complimented with the crunchy granola bites. Best of all, the creamy salted caramel ice cream was already outstanding and addictive by itself. I would rate this as the best dessert I had among the others.

Waffles Caramel - $11.50

Thick Toast with caramelized bananas and caramel drizzles, served with a dash of hazelnut chocolate.

French Toast feat. Banana-tella - $11.90

The crumbles was great, crunchy but a tad sweet, topped with an ice cream. As we sink out spoon to the bottom and discovered the chunks of caramelized apples, we realized that it takes a while before we can reach the apples and this showed how thick the crumbles are.

Apple Crumble Pie with Ice Cream - $7.90

Panna Cotta was coated with a layer of Raspberry sauce with red wine, lending a sweet and sour aftertaste.

Panna Cotta

Though the panna cotta was wobbly with a soft texture, the liquid content was somehow overdone. Perhaps it could have score better given a firmer texture.

Scoop up the panna cotta

All in all, I find that De'Pop Culture is another alternative added to my list of  Cafe that provides All Day Breakfast at a value for money range. On top of that there is no GST and Service charge required.


Rating: 3.5 / 5

De'Pop Culture
Location: 749 North Bridge Road #01-01 (Off Jalan Kledek) Singapore 198717