La Barca

Goodman Arts Centre

90 Goodman Road Block C

6346 5813 | www.labarca-sg.com

Hidden away in the Goodman Arts Centre off Goodman Road and Mountbatten Road is Katong’s answer to fine dining; La Barca. This is a very romantic restaurant with its dark polished floor, crisp white linen, dim, ship-like lighting and Ella Fitzgerald-style jazz music playing in the background. An imposing wooden boat frame hangs from the ceiling in the entrance.

I chose a deliciously light asparagus and ricotta flan with basil sauce ($18) for my starter, while Phil ordered the raw tuna marinated in pesto ($25) with a rather unusual, but tasty, rosemary-scented cannellini bean cream. My main course of butternut squash filled ravioli with potato and leek sauce ($22), one of La Barca’s best sellers, was slightly too al dente for my liking and the sauce was rather like thick potato and leek soup. Next time, I’d like to try the pecorino filled tortelli with Parmesan sauce and summer truffle. Phil enjoyed his lamb chops with olive crust, served with a spinach tart ($45). The pastry-less spinach tart was surprisingly like my ricotta flan starter. A bottle of Vignamaggio Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 ($105) went down well with the meal.

For me, dessert was the best part. The coffee mousse with caramel sauce ($16) was deliciously melt-in-the-mouth and the dark chocolate tart with white chocolate sauce ($16) went down a treat, too, despite its rather thick pastry.

The service was excellent and very attentive. Each course was served in fairly quick succession, perhaps a little too quickly for diners hoping for a long, drawn out dinner – we were in and out in about 75 minutes. This is a great place for a romantic night out unless you have the misfortune of having a large, rowdy table beside you like we did. As all the portions are on the small side, it’s better to order both a pasta and a main course, unless you’re on a diet.

You’ll love it if: you’re looking for a beautiful restaurant for a romantic meal; but ask them to slow things down

Must-try dish: coffee mousse with caramel sauce

You’ll hate it if: you’re expecting substantial portions for substantial prices

Harriet Empey

Rio Tapas Lounge

2 Bayfront Avenue

#01-77/78/79/80 The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands

6688 7429

When Carnivore opened just steps from Pangaea and Avalon, this Brazilian churrascaria, known for its meat-carving passadors and mile-high plates of meat, realised that partygoers tend to dine on a much smaller scale (until the late-night meal, of course). Thus, Rio Tapas Lounge was born.

Small plates of chargrilled squid ($12), salmon sashimi ($14) and grilled scallops with deep-fried leeks and passion fruit ponzu ($16) accompany meat dishes like the mini duo beef burgers with cheddar or Gorgonzola cheese ($16). Our favourite: the spiced crab cakes ($12) – six perfectly proportioned discs of minced crab served with peanut sauce and pickled cucumber salad. On the sweeter side, it seemed fitting to try the homemade churros, but we fell victim to the triple chocolate treat ($12) and strawberry cheesecake ($12), the latter a heavenly crust-less custard served in a martini glass.

A pre-party meal is nothing without stiff drinks to start the night off right. There are over 100 labels of wine as well as cocktails such as the Caipirinha Float ($16), freshly squeezed lime muddled with sugar and cachaca topped with a generous scoop of rum lime sorbet.

You’ll love it if: you’re in need of pre-party bites of savouries and sweets

Must-try dish: spiced crab cakes; strawberry cheesecake

You’ll hate it if: you are in the mood for a big meal. However, if you happen to be craving carvings and tapas, book a table in Carnivore where you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Monica Pitrelli

Little Nonya Express

101 Jalan Kembangan

Call 6242 8191

www.littlenonyaexpress.com.sg

Whether served in a hawker market or at a five-star restaurant, Peranakan (Straits Chinese) food is generally created with care and heed for tradition. Recipes are passed on through the generations, or the chefs are instructed by masters like Baba Jolly Wee who put together the menu for Little Nonya Express.

This casual new café in suburban Kembangan is the perfect place to try out inexpensive Peranakan fare, and a good way to introduce children to a new cuisine. We loved the kueh pie tee ($4), the beef rendang ($12) and the crayfish tails with sambal tumis ($12). The latter two had a subtle chilli kick that did not overpower the dish. Dessert is mandatory, the black rice pudding (pulot itam) and sago pudding with gula melaka ($3 each) so good that we had to resist the temptation to lick our plates clean.

Cooking workshops and private dining are also on offer at this unassuming café. It is definitely worth a visit.

Katie Roberts

Zaffron Kitchen

135/7 East Coast Road

6440 6786

It’s been open since July, and Zaffron Kitchen is pulling in the crowds. Very family-oriented, the cheerful and brightly lit Indian eatery belongs to First Gourmet, the Chinese-owned group that also owns Prata Wala and Ottoman Kebab & Grill.

One corner features a sort of Wendy house; next to it is a play kitchen with an impressive array of miniature appliances to keep the under-sevens happy. And – though I generally avoid reviewing the washroom – Zaffron’s is notable for offering nursing and nappy-changing facilities, plus a tot-sized toilet.

It’s been a tough week on the copy-editing coalface, so Harriet and I are more than ready for a drink. While she dutifully sips a mango lassi  ($5), I’m straight into a glass of the house wine ($9 per glass; $46 per bottle). It’s the first Indian wine I’ve tried, and the Grove Vineyard Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from the Nandi Hills is eminently quaffable – especially at the price. Top tip: The other house wine, a cab shiraz from the same estate, is better value because, if you’re lucky, they pour twice as much into the red wine glasses. There’s a small selection of reasonably priced international wines, beers and whiskies, including a couple of single malts.

Don’t miss the delicious papdi chaat starter ($6). This popular North Indian street food comprises crispy round wafers topped with chickpeas, crispy sev and a sweetish yoghurt, mint and tamarind sauce. Also delightful is our dum chicken briyani ($11), a large dish of the stuff baked under a lid of dough to keep the succulent thigh-meat and whole-spice fragrances in.

Featuring mainly chicken with some fish and spicy minced lamb kebab, the tandoori platter ($38, serves 3) is rather average. And though I’m a big fan of cauliflower, I didn’t much like the peculiar sweetness of the khatti meethi gobi ($8.50). Our kadhai jhinga ($15) featured fresh, just-done prawns and, being a tad bland, might appeal more to those who don’t like chilli. Piping hot naans include a wonderfully garlicky variety ($3) and a Kashmiri one ($6.50) stuffed with vaguely Christmassy dried fruit. 

East met West in the moong dal halwa ($9), a healthy-ish lentil-based confection served with a scoop of (less-healthy) Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream. I could have lingered over a snifter of that Indian single malt; under the circumstances, I settled for a cup of sweet, spicy chai.

A destination spot it’s not, but Zaffron is a welcome, family-friendly addition to the East Coast foodie wonderland.

You’ll love it if: you’re in the area and looking for fresh, fun Indian fare, or somewhere that won’t break the bank

Must-try dish: papdi chaat; dum chicken briyani

You’ll hate it if: you’re in the mood for an intimate, low-lit dinner

Verne Maree

Fandango

Chijmes #01-17

30 Victoria Street

6333 3450            

www.fandango.com.sg

There are two simple reasons to visit Fandango any night of the week: the food and the wine. Set at the back of the Chijmes courtyard, the outdoor location has a casual, relaxed feel that perfectly suits the menu.

The tapas are split into two streams: traditional and “with a twist”. If you feel like evoking memories of La Rambla, then try the meatballs in tomato sauce ($13) and pan-fried scallops and Serrano ham on skewers ($18). Surely the barometer of each and every tapas establishment, big or small, famous or obscure, is the chorizo sausage. At Fandango it is pan-fried with onions and a dash of paprika; highlighting rich, smoky flavours and a little caramelisation. Thumbs up; it’s good.

The sauvignon blancs and rieslings shine from a solid, thoughtfully chosen list of 60 white and red wines. The standout is the 2010 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from Malborough, New Zealand and the Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling from the same region. Twenty of the wines are served in either a 150ml or a 250ml Riedel glass. The larger glasses, starting from $17.50, are seriously good value. But be warned: when you say, “I only had two glasses of wine”, you will actually have had well over half a bottle!

The non-traditional tapas are clearly influenced by Asia. The creative chef has had some fun creating the popular pork with green mango, lemongrass, chilli and garlic ($11), and the fried Japanese eggplant in oyster sauce ($11) which, despite its unassuming appearance is very, very good.

You’ll love it: if you want to sit outdoors, snack on small bites and people-watch

Must try dish: garlic prawns with artichokes, lashings of garlic and white wine

You’ll hate it: if it’s raining

Katie Roberts