First Time? Try First Thai.

Inside the restaurant. 

Singapore is known, at least by Anthony Bourdain as the food Mecca of Southeast Asia. This is pretty much true because you can find such an diverse array of delicious foods from Malaysia to China to India. Just go to an average hawker centre and you will be overwhelmed with the choices of food you can pick from. However, what I have noticed is that there are few, and few good Thai restaurants. My theory is that Thailand is a close plane ride away, (2.20 hours), so people from Singapore would rather just fly to Thailand and eat it. However, DO NOT use this theory on Indonesia (also 2 hours away) --there are tons of Indonesian restaurants here, but I attribute that to the much larger Indonesian population here. 

Needless to say finding good authentic Thai food is pretty hard in Singapore. You have the Golden Mile, but that is another adventure in itself. But suffice to day First Thai is a good bet. Now, don't quote me as this is the best Thai food in Singapore but it comes pretty close when you are far away from the motherland. The best part of the restaurant? The menu comes with pictures and Keanu Reeves hanging on the wall.

Other Suggestions: Pad Thai, Pad Siew, Fried Fish

My favorite Yum Mango Salad and another favorite, Keanu Reeves next to the Royal Family. Because somehow Keanu is synonmous with Thailand. 

Pandan Chicken. A classic at the restaurant and Hor Mok (fish cake). Like an Otah in Indonesia. Otah means brains in Indonesian and Malay. Because the dish kinda looks like mushed brains.

23 Purvis Street

Singapore

+65 6339 3123

Cash Only.

Its Chili Crab Time!

If you travel to Singapore, without a question one of the first things you should try besides the ubiquitous hawker centres is Chili Crab. There are many debates as to which restaurant has the best chili crab. Locals like Red House, (which I found to be fine) but my favorite is No Signboard on East Coast Park. Order a side of fried Moa Toa (Fluffy Bread) and some Kang Kong veggies, and I am set for the evening! Be warned though, this is probably not the best first date type of place. The meal is pretty hands on. 

Some Kang Kong vegetables.

1202 East Coast Parkway

#01-02 East Coast Seafood Centre

Tel: +65 6448  9959

    Fried Mao Toh. Deliciously fried bread. 

Marmalade Pantry Oh My!

The food served up here is as cute and kitchy as the name of the restaurant. There are two locations, one in Hitachi Tower (my personal favorite) and the other at Palais Renaissance. Marmalade Pantry serves up sandwiches, pitas, salads, pasta and even all day breakfast! We had the Crab Meat Cesar Salad. Personally, I don't like that much crab meat in my salad, it tends to overwhelm the rest of the other fine ingredients -- such as the lettuce. Otherwise, this dish was a nice spin on the traditional Cesar Salad. I also sampled the snapper cooked in breadcrumbs and I couldn't have been any happier. I am trying to go on a diet the past couple of days (success rate zero) so this dish fit the bill perfectly. My friend on the other hand had an extra large helping of eggs, sausages and french fries?! Muahaha. Verdict? They definitely don't skimp here.

Crabmeat Cesar Salad with Pine Nuts.

Marmalade Pantry

Palais Renaissance

390 Orchard Road

Singapore 238871

House of Singapore

I am strangely drawn to places that have been 'converted.' 'Oh this use to be a convent where nuns used to pray. Now they serve Spanish tapas.' or 'This used to be my mom's house, but I kicked her out and turned it into my dream restaurant.' So, it was only fitting that I visit a place called Dempsey Road. It's an area of Singapore that used to be army barracks (are you shocked as I am that this place even needs an army? I have lived here or one year and saw a police officer once. It was at the police station to file a lost ID card.) which has now been converted to a series of restaurants on a road called Dempsey. Here you will find a large number of expats as well as locals dining a range of Mexican, Italian and American cuisine. 

House is a combination of things: spa, restaurant, bar and/or living. However, I went for the Sunday brunch. The place serves your basic American breakfast with its own unique twists on the average sunny side up eggs and pancakes. A tad on the expensive side, think NYC prices. When I arrived I was immediately drawn to the 7-layer pancake with nuts and other various delights on the menu. Sadly, when the plate of pancakes arrived I was completely taken aback. It was 7-layers of pancakes alright, but what they forgot to mention was that they weren't going to serve 3/4 of the rest of the pancakes. What I got was actually 7 slices of pancakes. Deceiving. I took matters in my own hands and went back home to create the same exact dish --with my own added touches of course. And yes, they look exactly like the ones at House. ;)

Making 7 stacks of pancakes takes a long time! I could only do 3 stacks before I got hungry.

Each layer had nutella inside with toasted almonds, pistachios, green raisins and dried figs. Don't forget the maple syrup!

Dempsey House

8D Dempsey Road, Singapore 249672

Singapore