Nara Thai

Missing some Bangkok Street Food? It's time to curb your craving now without flying all the way into Thailand. With the new and revamped menu that was launched lately by Nara Thai Cuisine, it will definitely change your Thai Cuisine Experience here.

Having said that, my last experience in Nara Thai ION Orchard was about 1.5 years back and this now, the place was still well kept in its elegance decor.

Nara Thai

Kai Jiew Cha Om - Cha Om Omelette contains a herb (Acacia) like vegetables with a very strong and unpleasant smell when it is cooked. Having this plate of omelette was really a good kick off as it made us feel so at home with such mummy style cooking dish. Surprisingly, even the herbs smell may be smelly for some or even close the smell of Petai, there was slightly any trace of pungent in it.Instead these herbs give the egg a crunchy bite and it goes well with the chilli dipping sauce.

Kai Jiew Cha Om - $12.90

If you notice Gai Tord Gra Tiem (Crispy Fried Chicken with Garlic) uses small Thai garlic chopped into finer pieces together with its skin. Plate of tender and crispy fried chicken was given additional fragrance with this. For additional flavours, dip them into the Chilli Dipping sauce.

Gai Tord Gra Tiem -$10.90

The star of the night is none other than this appetiser. Moo Yang Jim Jaew are barbecued pork neck . Containing 50% of fat and 50% tendon, these slices were lightly seasoned and grilled into its smokey condition. They were wonderful bites without being too greasy and made a fantastic marriage with the Tamarind Dip. On a side note, the dip was made with Thai Ingredients and herbs too. If you notice, the sauce was topped with some chilli-like powder. In fact they were made from sticky rice and larb, grinded into powder form. You can find this ingredients in most Thai dishes like their salad too.

Moo Yang Jim Jaew - $13.90

Blue is my favourite color and how awesome to have a plate of Kao An Chan (Blue Jasmine Rice) right in front of my eyes. How do we get the blue coloring? Blue was obtained naturally from Butterfly Pea plant, also it has health benefits like high in antioxident, good for eyesight and of course for those who want to stay young, eat more Kao (Rice)!

Kao An Chan - $2

Ruam Mit Talay Yang is a platter filled with seafood goodies featuring Bangkok Street food, bringing out the flavours of Bangkok street food, perhaps the only difference here is without the dust from the streets. Though the platter is expensive, it is good for group sharing. Individual Food Items can also be bought separately from the menu too.

Ruam Mit Talay Yang - $88.90

Ensuring the freshness, the Seabass was chosen by their own chef at Jurong Fishery Port during the wee hours when we were all deep in sleep. This Street Style Grilled whole sea Bass with Thai Herbs was stuffed with lemongrass, kaffir lime and galangal, and slowed grilled to its flaky skin

Fish

Other assortments of seafood were fresh too. Enjoy them to the fullest by dabbing them with the given Thai condiments.

Squid

Scrumptious meal ended well with Ma Muang Khara Mel, Caramelised Mango with Coconut Ice Cream and Basil Sauce. This comtemporary creation was amazing and managed to get some nods from the table. Apart from that, the Thai Mango was sweet and the fusion of Basil Sauce gave a perfect finished to the dessert!

Ma Muang Khara Mel

Nara Thai may be a tad expensive in its Cuisine as compared to the usual restaurant chains but I would say their food are of quality and worth the try. If you want to try Thai Street food in an air conditioned environment and comfortable settings with service from staff, you will find Nara Thai's New Menu as an good introduction on Thai Food / Culture to Singapore.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Nara Thai
Location: ON Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-21 Singapore 238801
Website

Salt Grill & Sky Bar

One of the hot spot to romance your date.

Salt Grill & Sky Bar by Luke Mangan (One of Australia Leading Chefs) located at 55th and 56th floors of ION Orchard, serving contemporary Australian cuisine in a spacious environment with magnificent view of the bustling Orchard Road.

Accessing to the restaurant was make easier with the helpful staff, just proceed to the concierge desk at level 4 and they will direct you to a exclusive elevator that will take you up to level 55 directly in a short moment.

Salt Grill & Sky Bar

Sitting by the side windows with an overall breath taking view was really an indulgence. I didn't expect that the windows seats was all taken up on a Monday night. However, if you want to secure a seat by the windows and surprise your loves one, just fork out another $95++ for their WOW Package.

Dining Environment

The tall ceiling and its glass panels looking out into the wide dark sky added sensational mood to the elegant dining environment. On top of that, service was polite and friendly with attentive waitresses / waiters who attended to our request without further ado.

Counter

With the panoramic view and the impeccable service from the staff, our mood was eventually tuned to the right frequency, throwing away what we had for that moment. Ambiance was definitely a perfect spot if you want to impress your date.

Bar Area

Upon ushered to our seats, we were greeted by a plate of warm bread with extra virgin olive oil and a plate of mix spices.

Complimentary Bread

Special thanks to the chef for preparing 2 spoonfuls of surprise for us, so sweet of them.

Compliments from the chef

A signature dish across Luke Mangan's restaurant. The 'glass' Sydney crab omelette was impressive with the smooth yellow omelette cradling fresh succulent crab bits.  And Miso mustard broth was poured into the plate upon serving. Simply love this dish with enoki mushroom & herb salad as its garnishing. Yummy!

Appetizer - $33

Tasting of pork is another interesting dish that comes with 4 items on plate. I was advised to dine from the left to right with the first item starring confit belly where its top layer was crispy while the subsequent layer was soft and chewy, not too oily.

Next was its caramelized apple which reminds me of apple pie. A not too sweet version with an apple crunch.

Following the 3rd item from the left, the braised cheek did whet my appetite for more, it seems like the small piece of it was just never enough. Braised and infused to its meat yet retaining itsnatural sweetness and juiciness. Meat was soft and I wish I could have more on the plate.

With the bacon wrapped loin as the last item, it perfect the dish to the so called named "Tasting of Pork".

Tasting of pork - $70

All items were complimented by sweet red wine sauce and spring cabbages as its base.

Right to left

While off the grill, we had Sirloin weighing 250g on the plate, medium-well doneness. The chef did do a great job to have it done at our request. What a tantalizing treat I had with the steak added with moroccan spice, sauteed spinach, eggplant puree and red wine sauce. Awesome! On a side note, the Sirloin comes from Rangers valley, New South Wales and is 300 days grain fed.

Sirloin - $74

We had chosen the dessert with Chocolate delice, salted caramel, honey comb, praline ice cream.

I did a last minute birthday request and the quick witted lady took me to one side as I revealed that I need to have some birthday wordings on the dessert. She was very professional in handling the request and it took me last than a minute without my partner noticing.

Birthday greetings were written on the plate with romantic candle pierce through the creamy ice cream.

Dessert - $22

It started with a warm welcome and ended well with a good bye from the team.

Entrance / Exit

Dining experience was great however one challenging task throughout was that I find it difficult to capture the items under a low light condition thus pictures taken were not too favourable but still, having dine in Salt Grill & Sky Bar was enjoyable. I will be back for their set lunch.




Rating: 4 / 5

Salt Grill & Sky Bar
Location: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn Level 55 & 56 Singapore 238801
Website

Enjoying Dim Sum

Just on a Sunday morning when most of us is still lazing at home under the comfortable shelter, we were already walking ups and downs in Ion Orchard before 11am, waiting for Taste Paradise business to be in operation. As usual, crowds were seen roaming about the main entrance even though dining is mainly due for reservations only. I walked up to the counter and indicated my presence with the ladies waiting my name to be called as I had made my reservations earlier on. This was my second visit but this time round with a purpose – to treat mum for her upcoming birthday. Interior was set to oriental chic design with an impressive feel of ancient elegance as we strolled into the restaurant guided by the well dressed ladies in grand Chinese suits. It had given us additional majestic feel with the greetings of the staff as we approached the dining area. Set in the opulence orange lighting trails with the domino placement of vertical wooden boards on its ceilings had illustrated a swishing tail of a dragon body.

The Light Trails

We were directed to a corner of the restaurant and have a bird-eye view of the place. Entire dining ambiance was made magnificence with its dragon’s utensils, table cloths and menu covered by golden fabric.

Utensils

Pickled vegetables (appetizers) were served with our beverages (Glutinous Rice Tea) and were promptly refilled by the waitresses. It tastes more towards “Tie Guan Yin” to me.
Cost: S$8.40

Xiao Long Bao with the proverbial flavorful soup that shoot and flows out of the delicate Bao skin. Though thin, it was moist and good enough to contain the soup as we picked it up by the tip (where you can find the thickest portion portion of skin throughout) noting the weight of the big chunk of minced meat within.
Cost: S$4.80 for 4

Xiao Long Bao

Chee Cheong Fun with Scallop. Savour the smooth, fine and thin rice roll with shredded chewy scallops wrapped within. Delicately made with fillings well contained without even breaking through the layers. Added with the light soy sauce and some hints of fragrance from the sesame oil, this version of steamed “intestine-liked” rice rolls are simply worth the taste buds.
Cost: S$6.20

Chee Cheong Fun with Scallop

BBQ Pork Pastries were simply heavenly. As the waitress doles out these freshly baked pastries in a plate of 3, these glossy looking golden pillows were seen flaky and delicate. As we bite, the red juicy BBQ pork fillings was packed to the fullest that every mouthful does have them within the pastries.
Cost: S$4.80 for 3

BBQ Pork Pastry

The perfect marriage of deep fried prawn and mango in a roll just never fail to disappoint. Mum had made the right choice!
Cost: S$5.60 for 3

Prawn and Mango Roll

It’s half time and I’m almost full. 2 Packets of Steam Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaves, the classic “Lor Mai Kai” but with the “parcel” opening feel as we flipped up the lotus leaves, with the wonderful scent rushes into our senses. Tell me, it’s just hard to stop at this!
Cost: S$4.60 for 2

Steamed Glutinous Rice

Siew Mai was rather normal and did not have the “Wao” factor like the rest of the dim sum. I would prefer the meat to have a stronger meat taste as the roes added was a little salty for me.
Cost: S$5.80 for 4

Siew Mai

Har Gao, another common item that one will not miss when having dim sum. Up to the mark but not to die for.
Cost: S$5.80 for 4

Har Gao

Steamed Custard Buns is another noteworthy item that one cannot leave the restaurant without trying. Do not judge the overall just by its plain and ordinary white exterior, its seriously addictive especially when you hit the first bite – just like that molten lava, the golden custard flows out continuously.
Cost: S$8.40 for 3

Steamed Custard Bun

Whet your appetitie for more to come! XO Carrot Cake lends a nice soft texture within the crunchy sprouts and spring onions.
Cost: S$7.80

XO Carrot Cake

BBQ Combi with suckling Pig that strikes just the right punch of crunchy and juicy! It was irrestistible especially when the combi were barbaqued with a exceptional crisp. I just cant stop at one serving!

Cost: S$28.00

BBQ Combi with Suckling Pig

While almost every dishes was remarkable, even for its desserts, we couldn’t take our eyes off them. 3 of our desserts were exaggerating ! Check out in the video!

The Cooling Effect when we received our desserts
Just like enjoying a cup of avocado drink, Taste Paradise’s Avocado With Walnut Ice Cream was rich and creamy.
Cost: S$6.80

Likewise, Mango with Coconut Ice Cream standard were not that bad afterall. Cost: S$6.80

Lime with lemongrass was saltish yet refreshing. Quite refreshing to cleanse the palate after some major savoriness.
Cost: S$6.80

We were requested to do a survey on mini ipad to note that down.
With 10% of service charge and 7% of GST, it sums up to $127.12 for 3 pax.

Note:
(1) Appetizers cost are inclusive with the tea, therefore even if one omit the dishes, amount still remains the same.
(2) Reservations must be made in advance to avoid disappointments.
(3) Even Reservations were made, customers was given a fixed duration for each table.