Queenstown Lontong

I have always heard about the famous Queenstown Lontong, and each time I pass by, the sight of the snaking long queue never fails to catch my eye. This time, I finally decided to join the line and give it a try.

Queenstown Lontong

The lontong was fairly standard yet satisfying, with generous rice cakes, egg, and tofu. The soft sayur lodeh, ikan bilis, and grated coconut flakes added depth and lifted the dish beautifully.

Lontong - $4

For sides, we added a serving of begedil, soft, hearty, and flavorful. It was filling and tasty, making a nice complement to the lontong.

Bagedil

We also ordered onion rings, which came uniquely paired with crispy fried ikan bilis — adding an extra crunch and a savory touch to the snack.

Onion Rings

To be honest, I preferred their Mee Rebus, the fragrant peanut-based gravy really hit the spot for me. Overall, while the stall has a rich heritage spanning generations and consistently draws long queues, I personally found the dishes rather standard. Perhaps on my next visit, I’ll give their Mee Soto a try instead.

Mee Rebus - $4

 

Rating: 3 / 5 

Queenstown Lontong
Location: Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, Blk 38A Margaret Dr, #01-27, Singapore 142038

Vary.Sg

Dropped by Vary.sg at Arab Street to check out their viral Monster Fries. Riding the Gen Z wave, they cheekily describe their food as "Vary Halal, Vary Mindful, and Vary Demure."

Shop of Vary.Sg

Looking at the menu, besides their star Monster Fries, Vary.sg also offers a playful and hearty lineup like Varispuds (loaded baked potatoes with toppings such as chili jack and Swedish meatballs) and Varichos (nacho platters loaded with cheesy, chili, or guac goodness). There’s even a refreshing Lichi Mojito and familiar iced teas to wash it all down. 

Menu

There are a few seasoning flavours to choose from, and we went with the Snow Cheese Fries. They are crispy, golden, and dusted with a cheesy snow-like coating that makes each bite addictively savory.

Snow Cheese Fries - $9

To elevate the taste, we paired our Monster Fries with mentai mayo and honey mustard, a perfect blend of creamy, savoury, and tangy that amped up every bite.

Mentai Mayo & Honey Mustard

The Lichi Mojito was cooling and refreshing, light, fruity, and a great palate cleanser after the savory fries.

Lichi Mojito - $5 Each

The Beef Chili Jack was hearty and satisfying, loaded with flavorful chili over a bed of spuds, making it a fulfilling comfort dish with every bite.

Beef Chicken  Chili Jack - $14

Sour Cream

A savory shepherd’s pie with a cheesy top and hearty filling sounds like proper comfort food, especially if the meat layer was well-seasoned. From the image, it looks like it had a creamy mashed potato top with those slightly crisped cheese patches, which add a nice texture contrast.

Shepard Pie

That's always a pleasant surprise when a humble-looking or small unit spot delivers food that’s genuinely delicious. It sounds like they really put care into the preparation, especially with a well-executed savory shepherd’s pie like that.

Vary.Sg
Location: 60 Arab St, #01-02, Singapore 199757

SpringLeaf Prata Place (Sunset Way)

While my habit of having Roti Prata usually stick to having breakfast, we made a slight change to have it for lunch. Springleaf Prata Place is a chained restaurant for Indian Food. They are also halal caterers who can make prata at the venue for all occasions. They offer a variety of food like thosai, prata, noodles, murtabak and set meals. 

Prata Set

Prata Set comes with 1 plain & 1 egg prata with 1 mini chicken (Masala/Curry) and a large hot Teh Tarik. The golden-brown and slightly cripsy exterior of the prata was served with fragrant curry that can be of free-flow servings from their self service counter. 

Prata Set - $8

Chicken Briyani Set

The Chicken Briyani Set comes with 1 Masala Chicken Briyani, 1 Large Teh Tarik or Regular Teh Tarik Cold with 2 pieces of Pappadum. The fluffy long grain basmati rice was infused with a symphony of spices, including cumin, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. The Malasa Chicken is tender and succulent, perfecting the marriage between itself and the fluffy aromatic rice, making each bite a delightful blend of texture.

Chicken Briyani Set - $9.70

The Hot Cup of  Teh Tarik rounds up everything in the meal. The harmonious blend of strong black tea with the fragrance of sweetened condensed milk was noteworthy. The art of "pulling" the tea contributed to its smooth and frothy texture, perking up its overall taste. 

Teh Tarik

Goreng Set 

Comes with 1 choice of Goreng, 1 Large Hot Teh Tarik and 1 Mini Masala or Curry Chicken 

• Maggi Goreng, 
• Mee Goreng, 
• Kuey Teow Goreng, 
• Mee Hoon Goreng, 
• Nasi Goreng

We had Mee Goreng and topped up another $1 for a sunny-side-up egg.

Mee Goreng Set + Sunny Side Up - $10.20

The curry chicken spice level was acceptable and we were served with a large chunk of chicken meat.

Curry Chicken 

While a good cup of Teh Tarik is made up of the right ratio of tea-to milk, I would say that they have it in the right proportion, striking a perfect balance between the robustness of the tea and the creaminess of the milk.

Teh Tarik

Checking out their Ultimate Series in their Menu, we had the Mini Ultimate Murtabak for 1 pax. It was loaded with chunk tandoori chicken, portobello mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. What's more, with the free-flow self-service curry station, we can help ourselves with fish or chicken curry, which makes the entire session merrier. 

Mini Ultimate Murtabak (For 1 Pax) - $10

This is my first time having Barley in combination of lime and I find it quite special. We enjoyed the pearl barleys as well as the refreshing taste from the lime.

Barley Limau

While Springleaf Prata Place offers an extensive menu, especially with some speciality and Ultimate Series which are unique to me, it is definite that we will be back for more.

SpringLeaf Prata Place (Sunset Way)
Location: Sunset Way Residence, 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-64, Singapore 120106
Website

Kebabchi Biryani [Media Invite]

If you are craving for good Biryani, here's an introduction to the Halal Pakistani Biryani at Bedok Mall. It is located on level 1 of the mall beside McDonald's. 

Kebabchi Biryani

Kebabchi is known for serving plates of Authentic Pakistani Dum Biryanis. Ever heard of Pakistani Dum Biryani? What's so different from the usual ones we had? 

On the wall

Kebabchi Biryani is a perfect spot for takeout or even a good dine-in with friends. The environment is both comfortable and inviting. The design of the place are colorful with their cultural art pieces which add a little charm to the entire ambiance. On top of that, the Staff over the counter were friendly and accommodating.

Atmosphere

Mango Lassi hits the right spot. It was not too sweet and to my liking while Bundung Basil is a combination of Basil and our bundung drink. Roohafza Sharbat, is a popular thirst-quenching and energizing drink with cooling effects on a hot day.

Mango Lassi, Bundung Basil & Roohafza Sharbat - $5, $4, $3

Mutton Dum Biryani was packed with fragrance. The rice was steamed perfectly with aromatic spices and further enhanced with chopped celery and fried onions. The chunks of Mutton were perfectly seasoned, succulent and flavourful in every bite.

Mutton Dum Biryani - $14

Mutton does not have any gamey taste and is definitely worth ordering.

Mutton

Besides incorporating the usual spices like star anise and herbs, there was also dried prune among them, making up the unique biryani flavours with the medley of spices and adding a distinct tangy element to the dish. The lamb shank is a recommended dish on their menu and definitely deserves a mention. It was served on the fluffy rice bed and was delicious. The fork-tender and effortless pull of the lamb meat enhanced our dining experience, making us want more. 

Lamb Shank Biryani - $22

Creamy and luscious Butter Chicken had got our appetite too. It was tasty with generous chunks of chicken within. It paired best with the plain whole-meal Chapati.

Chapati & Butter Chicken - $2 + $18

Must Try!

Before bidding goodbye for the day, we had all 3 dessert items on the menu. The Gulab Jamun is a popular and sweet dessert made of fried dough balls soaked in flavoured syrup.

We had Kheer, a pudding or porridge popular in the Indian Subcontinent. It's topped and flavoured with nuts. Texture wise it is soft and reminds me of the oats.

While the cold dessert, Kulfi is a frozen dairy dessert often described as the Traditional Indian Ice Cream. They are part of the national cuisine of Pakistan too.

Gulab Jaman, Kulfi, Kheer - $2.50, $6, $5

Thank you Kebachi, Waqas & Zarrar for the Invitation and hospitality.

Kebabchi Biryani
Location: Bedok Mall, 311 New Upper Changi Rd, #01-12, Singapore 467360
Website

Good Bites [Media Invite]

Good Bites has recently reopened after a minor facelift from a neon-filled exterior theme to a trending Glamping Theme. Look at the tentage setup with the portable chairs and tables, it definitely gives a good feel for outdoor activities.

While we all thought that the cafe was opened in an inconspicuous location at Level 3 of Bishan ActiveSG Sports Hall, we were all amazed by how bustling the place was.

The alfresco dining area is divided into 2 kinds of glamping environments and is well-illuminated. With one side featuring the desert vibe while the other featuring the planet vibes. 

Entrance Walkway of Good Bites

The vibes and mood of the alfresco area really did give a different dining experience. Enjoy the starry starry night under this romantic setting.

Alfresco Dining Area

Entering the Cafe

Desert Vibe

A combination of savoury crispy fried chicken with freshly baked waffles. The sweet and fluffy waffle creates a unique and delicious flavour contrast. We drizzled some maple syrup to enhance the savoury elements. Love the comforting food that combines the texture and flavours.

Fried Chicken & Waffle - $16.90

The party basket is a very good choice of side for sharing if you are dining in a group. The basket has 8 pcs calamari, 6 pcs of spicy mid-wings and sweet potato fries served with tartar sauce.

Party Basket - $18.90

If you are a Burger and fries person, Good Bites offers 7 kinds of Burgers for you to choose from. We ordered their Fat Prawn Burger. Homemade Prawn Patty, with sliced tomato, lettuce and cheese topped with tartar sauce. Every Burger Set comes with Cajun Fries.

Fat Prawn Burger - $17.50

Unsure what to grab from their Mains? We had the recommended Baked Salmon from their menu. The Salmon was perfectly done with a crisp layer of skin while retaining a good texture and juicy salmon meat. Its served with seasoned vegetables, sauteed mushrooms and a bed of yummy mashed potatoes. Pair them with the delectable herb cream sauce!

Baked Salmon - $19.90

Linguine was cooked to its correct texture and tossed in fragrant butter, garlic and chilli. The chicken ham was cut into little cubes, providing a savoury and meaty element.

Pasta Aglio Olio (Turkey Bacon & Chicken Ham) - $14

Enjoy their signature Tom Yum Seafood Pasta or Tom Yum Chicken Pasta. The tangy and spicy flavours tickled our taste buds. It was addictive with pasta cooked to the correct texture.

Tom Yum Pasta (Seafood) - $15.50

Indulging in their Fruitty Frappe and we had both from their menu. The Mixed Berries Frappe was "berry-licious". We were overwhelmed by the overflowing of Berries. What I like about it was that the frappe was not too sweet and was refreshing with the vibrant flavours of the berries.

Mixed Berries Frappe - $8.90

Another delightful and refreshing Frappe that gave a creamy texture. The frappe is perfect for a hot day or simply a delightful treat if you are in the mood for anything cool and fruity. 

Mango Frappe- $8.90

A unique refreshing twist on the classic Americano with Sparkling Passionfruit drink.

Passionfruit Sparkling Americano - $9

Enjoy the best of both worlds of Croissant and Waffle? Try their Speculoos Croffle! Get a try of the combination of the flaky layers of a croissant waffle with the spiced sweet flavour of speculoos. 

Assorted Croffle - $10

Having tried their Molten Chocolate Lava Cake at Citrus By the pool, we were all tempted to ordering this as our dessert. The Rich Chocolate Lava had the right amount of sweetness.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Love the warm gooey chocolate lava that packed the richness of chocolatey goodness coupled with the generous scoopy of vanilla Ice Cream. If you are there for an occasion, you may want to request them to write something on the serving plate instead. 

Chocolatey Goodness

Similar to Citrus By the Pool located in Woodlands, they operate daily, from 11am to 5am the next day. Now we know where to go again if we are in this area at the wee hours.

Thank you Ericia & Good Bites for the invitation. 

Good Bites
Location:  Bishan ActiveSG Sports Hall, 5 Bishan Street 14, #03-01, Singapore 579783
Website

Dim Sum Haus (Jln Besar)

There are a number of Dim Sum eateries around the area in Jalan Besar and Dim Sum Haus has always been on my list to go for I have not visited the place as I heard good comments from my peers. There are two Dim Sum Haus outlets and the other one is located in Upper Weld Road.

Dim Sum Haus

Let's begin with the Hong Kong Dim Sum Staples, Har Gau and Mini Steam Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf. The Steamed Shrimp Dumpling aka Har Gau was decent and best go with the chilli on the table.

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling “Har Gau”  晶莹鲜虾饺 & 
Mini Steam Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf (2 pcs) 迷你荷叶糯米饭

While the Mini Steam Glutionous Rice in Lotus Leaf comes in 2 packets. The Glutinous Rice was not greasy and was addictive. There was salted egg, braised meat and dried shrimp in the rice, another version of the Chinese "Ba Zhang" aka Dumpling which is served differently, 

Unwrapping the Lotus Leaf 

Delicious Meat Cubes

The Crispy Mee Sua Kueh with Chinese Sausage (3 pcs) 香脆腊味面线糕 was special. It has bits of Chinese Sausage with fragrant dried shrimp in it and was evenly deep-fried in its rectangular shape. 

Yummy Dim Sum Spread

Love its well-baked crispy and flaky texture with its molten lava custard. Yummy!

Baked Salted Egg Custard Bun (3pcs) 脆顶流沙包

The Black Truffle Rice Roll sounds interesting! This item is offered on their Seasonal Menu from Oct to December 2023. The Rice Roll texture was more chewy than the conventional ones we had and tossing these Rice Roll with the Black Truffle Sauce elevates the plain roll with additional aroma.

Black Truffle Rice Roll 黑松肠粉

Teriyaki Siew Mai is also one of the items on their Seasonal Menu and caught my attention immediately as it was eye-pleasing. It was served in a stick of 2 like meatballs. Siew Mai was coated with Teriyaki Sauce and topped with Egg Roes. It tasted a tad on the salty side of the Teriyaki Sauce.

Teriyaki Siew Mai 照烧鱼子烧卖

Pretty interesting to see this from a Dim Sum place with a Halloween Special. What a lovely creation in celebration of the upcoming Halloween. The Halloween Set costs $16.80 while Ala Carte item cost $6 each.

The texture of the Xiao Long Bao was decent and the essence of the XLB was well encased within the skillful wrapup by the XLB Chef. The soup was tasty and yummy.

Halloween Set (Cheesy Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Pumpkin Mochi with Red Beans,
Pumpkin Sago Dessert)- $16.80

What's the fillings inside of the little pumpkins on the Dim Sum Tray? It's the traditional Red Beans paste wrapped with Steamed Pumpkin Mochi. The texture was sticky and sweetness of the paste was acceptable.

Steamed Pumpkin Mochi with Red Beans 南瓜红豆麻

The drink did give us the Halloween feel with the skull and its red eye sockets.

Pumpkin Sago Dessert 南瓜西米露

Having visited a few dim sum eateries in the same area, I would say that Dim Sum Haus will be my preferred choice of Dim Sum Place as the service is friendly and the variety is kind of surprising ~ in this case they have Dim Sum made for the occasion like Halloween. 

Thank you Dim Sum Haus & PR Salon for the invitation.

Dim Sum Haus
Location: 57 Jln Besar, Singapore 208809