So Pho - Delivery

Let me just start by saying that I'm gonna try and use as many 'Pho' jokes as I can in this post. That's right. They're gonna be super corny but I told myself I'm gonna try and challenge myself in 2015.
And I have to say that it's been So Pho So Good <<< That's Pho Joke #1

Anyways we're trying something a little different this time. This actually happened one rainy day in the last week of 2014 (which was just last week lah no need to count so far). It was too rainy to step out for lunch so a few of us in the office decided to order in. I suggested we use Foodpanda.com (which we featured before) and see what we could come up with.

Because of the rain, quite a few places would not deliver because of the bad weather but after much hubbub and fuss, we finally managed to order from So Pho. That's right - we were gonna have Pho Pho lunch <<< That's Pho Joke #2

Yeah a few of our readers and even our friends had mentioned So Pho before which actually has an actual restaurant at Nex in Serangoon so I though since can't visit there yet might as well try out the food via delivery and then can compare with when we actually visit there.

Prawn Cakes with Sugar Cane ($7.50)

ALWAYS wanted to try this when I see it at other restaurants but always end up having something else instead. Finally!!

Well, for all my excitement, it ended up being quite a disappointment. The prawn cake was actually pretty hard. It was even tougher than fishballs or fishcake which is kinda weird now that I think about it... And it was kinda bland so thank goodness for the sweet chilli sauce there.

And in case you were wondering where's the sugarcane in all this, it's what they use as the skewer.
See it there? I'm not sure if that's supposed to make any difference to the taste of the dish? Anyways it's quite a medium size so you'll get about 3 pieces instead of Pho <<< That's Pho Joke #3

Grilled Beef with Mango Salad ($11.90)

This was actually a very tasty and refreshing salad to have. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was not that bad to be honest.

I was expecting those young green mango type of salad you know but this was actually those yellow mangoes in the salad. Mixed that in with some tender slices of beef, red onions and a (very) few strips of lettuce. The dressing was a sesame and peanut kind of dressing. Had a bit of a sour tang to it which really gets your tastebuds going.

But as tasty as this salad was, it's definitely a bit too pricey. It costs more than the main dish! That is Pho-nomenally <<< That's Pho Joke #4 high for something that takes up only about a quarter of the plastic bowl am I right or am I right?

I ordered a noodle dish for my main and it came with a broth. Just wanted to show you all that they will pack everything separately for the delivery. Noodles in one pack, extras like taugeh in one pack and the broth in a plastic bowl which is pretty well-sealed.

So what you can do it combine everything in the bowl and then stick it in the microwave for a bit if you want it to be steaming hot.

Vietnamese "Pho", Sliced Beef, Brisket and Beef Balls Noodle Soup ($10.80)

Yep that's pretty much everything all combined. Looks not bad right??

So I ordered the triple threat combo of Sliced Beef, Beef Brisket and Beef Balls. I know it sounds like a lot but not really lah if you love beef. Plus I'm the meat guy remember?

Sliced Beef

Beef Brisket

Beef Balls

Yep that's the whole gang there. The Beef Balls has a nice bite to them and quite tasty actually especially when you slurp then down with the beef broth.

What's the difference between the Sliced Beef and the Beef Brisket actually you might be asking?
Well, the beef brisket is one of the most favourite cuts of the cow but it has a lot of connective tissue (I think they call it 'urat' right??) so must be cooked properly so it's super tender. This one was not bad I guess but hmmmmm we've had better.

And to be honest I was super disappointed with the beef broth. It was not as tasty or 'beefy' as I was expecting. And I was expecting a lot from a place which supposedly specializes in Pho because the broth is a super important part Pho sure <<< That's Pho Joke #5

Just thought I'd give you guys a look at the noodles while I'm at it so please check out the Pho-tograph <<< That's Pho Joke #6 above to see the Pho.

Adam's Verdict:
Prawn Cakes with Sugar Cane 2/5 -- Grilled Beef with Mango Salad 3/5
Vietnamese "Pho", Sliced Beef, Brisket and Beef Balls Noodle Soup 3/5

I really think that the food will definitely be better when eaten at the restaurant instead of delivery  most probably because it will be fresh and steaming hot. I guess a certain element is lost when you have such Pho-od <<< That's Pho Joke #7 delivered.

Well anyways they have so many items to try on the menu so we're still looking forward to dropping by one of their 3 restaurants (Nex, Paragon or Jem) soon. In fact, I might even order the exact same things for myself to compare how it is.

So Pho

Food in this review was delivered but you can check out their restaurant at

NEX
23 Serangoon Central 
#B1-15

www.katrinahldgs.com/restaurant/Sopho
Tel: 6636 8195

Operating Hours:
11:00am - 10:00pm

KL Sedap 2014 Part 2: Tony Roma's

Tony oh Tony... you master of the beef ribs.
I don't know about you guys but when someone says beef ribs, we think of Tony Roma's. Yeah we know that we have to go across the Causeway to get our fix (for now) but hey when we're in the area we figure why not? Cos it's the rocks!

But first, something to get the appetite going (as if BBQ Beef Ribs were not enough)

Kickin' Shrimp (RM26.90)

I'm not really the shrimp/prawn guy because I'm really fussy about it. Yeah I know but hey that's just me. It's gotta be done some way I really like or I really can't be bothered. But these Kickin' Shrimp were not half bad to be honest.

They're coated in this kinda like spicy mayonnaise cream and just the right size to pop into your mouth for a nice bite. The sesame seeds are a nice tough and give a nice texture contrast. Not a bad start to the meal I'd say.

Onion Loaf (RM12.90)

Something deep fried can seldom go wrong and the Onion Loaf is a good example. When you're talking good ol' deep fried goodness, onions are a good bet!

Giant Spanish onions are ringed, battered up and fried to a nice crisp for you to dig into. You could go in with a fork but you know the best way is to just dig in with your fingers. The batter has a nice crisp to it and the onions are not going to overpower your tastebuds don't worry.

The only fault I found is that it's served with a BBQ sauce. I'd much rather have my deep fried battered onions served with a nice creamy ranch sauce. It's because of this factor that I'd still rank the Onion Glory at The Manhattan FISH Market still #1 in our books for deep fried onions.

Strawberry Walnut Salad (RM19.90)

For all you salad fans this one is for you. Some greens tossed in with walnuts, strawberries and feta cheese and a tangy vinaigrette here. Nothing really spectacular here but I'd definitely give points for the fate cheese.

Bountiful Beef Ribs

 Now this is what we are talking about - MEAT!!!

Time to unleash your inner caveman/cavewoman and enjoy a nice rack of BBQ Beef Ribs. These big ol' things are BBQ-ed to perfection in BBQ sauce. The meat is so succulent and tear off the bone with no issues whatsoever.

Like we said - cooked perfectly! It's got a nice char on the outside and inside you get some meat and some chewy bits. ZOMG I'm drooling just thinking about it!!

If you find the meat a little too dry for your taste, you can squirt on some additional BBQ sauce too.
They have a few flavours to choose from depending on what your taste is... Blue Ridge Smokies for that extra smoky flavour, Carolina Honeys for that sweet hint, Tony Roma's Red Hots for the spicy seekers and last but not least The Original BBQ Sauce.

Put on whatever sauce you want in whatever combination. The star is still the meat!!

You can choose to a Roma Rack of Ribs (RM53.90) or go the full monty with a Full Slab (RM78.90).

Filet Medallions and... Beef Ribs (RM69.90)

We decided we wanted to try some steak too and the Filet Medallions seemed like a good choice. But as you can see from the picture, it was a big disappointing.... And those ribs there are supposed to be the same Bountiful Beef Ribs from the first picture above but errr.... so different right...

So if you're going for the BBQ Beef Ribs, then we'd suggest you just go for the BBQ Beef Ribs.

Anyways as you can see from the pictures above, you do get some sides to go with your ribs...
You can choose from

• Fire Roasted Vegetables
• Cole Slaw*
• Corn on the Cob*
• French Fries*
• Loaded Mash Potatoes*
• Rice
• Ranch Style Beans
• Fresh Vegetables
• Baked Potato

The ones with the * are the ones we have tried. The Loaded Mashed Potatoes are a must and the Corn is a nice touch to be honest. If you want more sides that what you get in your meal, feel free to add on as much as you'd like but keep in the mind that the ribs are a big filler-upper!

Mint & Fruit Dream (RM14.90)

Orange juice, strawberries and cane sugar plus some mint make up this refreshing beverage that is guaranteed to cool you down. To be honest, one is not enough LOL
But do keep in mind that the fruit garnish may be fresh but not necessarily sweet *wink*

Adam's Verdict
Kickin' Shrimp 3/5 -- Onion Loaf 2/5 --  Strawberry Walnut Salad 1.5/5
Bountiful Beef Ribs 5/5 -- Mint & Fruit Dream 3.5/5

Maryah's Verdict
Bountiful Beef Ribs 4.5/5

Well, until a better beef ribs joint comes a long (and is Halal) then this is tops in our list.
May the beef be with you.

And before any of you go "Are you sure Halal? No lah not Halal! Got alcohol how come you say Halal?", please note that they do it a little differently in Malaysia compared to Singapore :)
Please do enjoy this read at this link. Maybe it'll help.

http://www.businessinsider.sg/heres-tony-romas-won-customers-muslim-majority-malaysia/

PS no need to go all the way to KL! Johor Bahru City Centre also got Tony Roma's!!
Thanks to our reader @NoraHirin for the heads up!!

Tony Roma's

Pavilion KL
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Lot No. 1.15, Level 1

Tel 603-2143 3278
www.tonyromas.com.my

Operating Hours:
11.00am til 10.00pm Daily

J's

When we first started the blog not too long ago (like 2 years ago lah!), we received a message inviting us to a newly Halal-certified restaurant located at Purvis Street. And that place was J's.

We were so busy with work and one thing always leads to another and we never did get to visit J's.
Every now and then we'd hear someone mention J's or we'd read about it somewhere online and we were sure we'd eventually be lucky enough to visit. And finally the day had come. And we didn't come down as invited guests mind you. We visited a normal diners to see if we would have the experience we had been hoping for almost 2 years in the making.

Boy oh boy did I hope this was a good meal!

Poppers ($17.00)

So we started off with something to whet our appetites and what better than some Jalapeño Poppers!
This is a classic appetizer and a great snack on its own actually. Jalapeño peppers are stuffed with mozzarella cheese, breaded and deep fried!

Served with a small salad and also some salsa and guacamole to go along.
And how does the inside look like?

Chef's Salad ($18.00)

Something else to start with is the Chef's Salad.
This is definitely one to share with a group because as you can see it's pretty.. errr... vast!

It has the usual mix of green leaves, tomatoes, onions, baby radishes (which were a nice touch), avocado and some pretty nice roasted chicken. Also coming along is a sesame dressing which you can choose to drizzle over or just simply leave it out depending on your tastes.

Have I mentioned this one is definitely for sharing?

Beef Fajitas ($33.00)

Mein Brudder went for the Beef Fajitas (you could also choose the chicken if you'd like) which is served up with onions, peppers on a sizzling hot plate.

The only other place we've had Fajitas is at Hard Rock Cafe when we visit across the Causeway and we hold that as the standard because, well, we don't have anything else to compare with. Well both are served on a hot plate and even though it comes with some peppers, I'd say that the Fajitas here look kinda messy to be honest.

 

The Fajitas of course some with some accompanying tortillas, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and cheese to tuck in and pack up before you gobble down.

But if you're a meat lover than this is it! Wish they'd have an option to have a mix of meats though.

Sirloin of Beef ($32.00)

Another choice for all you meat lovers is the Sirloin of Beef. 180gms of pure meat for you served with some garlic mashed potatoes and accompanying veggies.

The feedback on this is that it's pretty standard but a real pity that again we don't get the correct doneness that we asked for. Does the picture above look like medium-well to you? Quite disappointing considering the price you pay.

Catch of the Day ($27.00)

A departure from all the meat perhaps? Then you might want to try the Catch of the Day!
When we visited, it happened to be the seabass which was cooked perfectly.

My mum really seemed to enjoy this (and she's REALLY picky about her fish) so that means it must have been good right? They even try to dress up the plate quite creatively but I guess in the end the fish had better be nice and thankfully this time it seems like it was.

Braised Lamb Shank ($33.00)

I could have gone for the Adobo Chicken or the Paella but hey I'm the meat guy o I went for the Braised Lamb Shank because I have a soft spot for slow-cooked meats.

Pretty generous lamb shank rests on a bed of parmesan mashed potatoes and dressed up with some simple garnishes so you can enjoy the meat and the braised flavour that comes along. And as you can see the meat is pretty tender.

And there was absolutely no gamey 'lamby' taste. How can I confirm that? Mein Bruder hates lamb and mutton because of the smell/taste but even he took a few bites of this dish!

And since it was a celebration, we decided to finish off with some desserts because there some pretty interesting ones on the menu that we wouldn't mind trying.

Bocas Negras ($12.00)

This was a warm chocolate lava cake with "edible soil" (yes the menu actually says that), citrus espuma and  chocolate ice-cream. I guess this is one of those desserts where you get a little of everything. You get your dose of chocolate with some citrus tang and even the chance to try something innovative.

So what exactly is the "edible soil"?

"Edible Soil"

We were son intrigued that we literally asked the staff whether this was really soil?
Well, sorry to burst your bubble kiddos - it's a peanut-based crush mixture. Oh well. It's innovative I'll definitely give it that much!

And how was the lava cake?

Churros with Bananas & Mangoes ($12.00)

Well we saw Churros and you know we simply can't resist right?
And what's more - it's paired with Mascarpone!!

Okay so it's actually a Mascarpone sabayon mixture that's infused with a little coconut flavour (that we actually couldn't detect). Inside the jar, you'll find a delicious mix of salted caramel bananas and sweet fresh mangoes while some berries line the top of the mixture.

This was really the highlight of the dish to us. Maybe we love cheese and all the more when it's used in a dessert but this was simply a delight and (believe it or not) the best thing I had that evening.

Unfortunately the Churros themselves didn't fare so well...
I'm not sure if maybe it's because they were too thick or something but the insides were not really cooked through properly... Check out the picture below... That's just dough...

We also had some of the specialty drinks aka J's Signature Drinks that evening to wash our meal down. You could choose from their Sodas or even some soft drink but if a place has 'Siganture' drinks then you know you have to try them right?

Salty Lime ($8.00)

I was the hero and went for the Salty Lime which is fashioned like a margarita-styled beverage complete with salt around the rim so you get the 'salty' part whenever you take a sip. And boy oh boy was this drink living up to its name because the 'lime' was really sour too!

I guess this was something refreshing and helped to awaken my tastebuds but I'd recommend this only if you love sour things.

Lychee Cooler ($8.00)

My Darling Wife went with the safe choice known as the Lychee Cooler. Quite a safe bet.
Fruit punch gone fizzy and you have some lychees in there too.

It's so nice that Mein Bruder is already having a go in the picture LOL

Cuban Mint ($8.00)

And last but definitely not least was the Cuban Mint which turned out to be pretty much everyone's favourite that evening.

This one is style after the Mojito and has a fresh flavour with lime and some mint. It's not as sour as the Salty Lime so it's nice and easy on the palate but you'll have to accept the fact that it comes in a pretty small glass.

Adam's Verdict:
Poppers 3.5/5 -- Chef's Salad 3/5 -- Beef Fajitas 3/5 -- Catch of the Day 2.5/5
Braised Lamb Shank 3.5/5 -- Bocas Negras 2.5/5 -- Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 3.5/5

Maryah's Verdict:
Poppers 2.5/5 -- Chef's Salad 3/5 -- Sirloin of Beef 2/5 -- Bocas Negras 3/5
Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 2.5/5

Azlan's Verdict:
Poppers 2.5/5 -- Chef's Salad 4/5 -- Beef Fajitas 4/5 -- Sirloin of Beef 3/5 
Catch of the Day 4/5 -- Braised Lamb Shank 4/5 -- Bocas Negras 4/5
Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 2/5

Dad's Verdict:
Poppers 3/5 -- Chef's Salad 3.5/5 -- Sirloin of Beef 3/5 -- Catch of the Day 3/5
Braised Lamb Shank 4/5 -- Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 1/5

Mum's Verdict:
Poppers 3/5 -- Chef's Salad 4/5 -- Sirloin of Beef 3.5/5 -- Catch of the Day 4/5
Braised Lamb Shank 3.5/5 -- Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 2/5

Leslie's Verdict:
Chef's Salad 3.5/5 -- Beef Fajitas 3.5/5 -- Sirloin of Beef 2/5 -- Catch of the Day 4/5
Braised Lamb Shank 2/5 -- Bocas Negras 3.5/5 -- Churros with Bananas & Mangoes 3/5

One thing I notice about J's Restaurant is that it does not have a very wide selection of food. you could probably go through the whole menu in 2-3 visits but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps J's is taking the stance that they serve only a limited selection but these are dishes that they do extremely well.

And so they should especially since the dishes are priced on the higher side than most.
But you do get quality ingredients for the most part. Now, if only they could cook the steak the wat we asked... Hmmmm.... Well at least the staff were very nice.

J's Restaurant

7 Purvis Street #01-01

Tel: +65 6887 4787
www.dineatjs.com

Operating Hours:
Lunch
12.00pm to 2.00pm Mondays-Friday, Sundays
(No Lunch on Saturdays)

Dinner
6.30pm to 10.00pm Mondays - Thursdays
6.30pm to 10.30pm Fridays - Saturdays
6.30pm to 10.30pm Sundays

Ramadhan Special 2014: 21 On Rajah

Alhamdulillah! Ramadhan is once again upon us!

As promised, The Halal Food Blog is running a special series for the benefit of all this Ramadhan!
This will be the 2nd year running where we will feature special posts which will include information and reviews of makan places which are having Ramadhan specials (great ideas for Iftar!) and even those bazaars you can visit and buy back some goodies for your family, friends and colleagues for Iftar (including our beloved Geylang Bazaar!)

First on our list is a firm favourite with us (and also with YOU by the looks of it)...
We're back at 21 on Rajah for their special Ramadhan spread!

I am sure that you all remember our first post about 21 on Rajah when they first started operations.
Did you know that post remains our most popular post til this day? Almost 50K views in less than 4 months so far and still counting!!

A combination of good food, attractive pricing and also superb service makes 21 on Rajah a good choice if you're looking for a great meal experience. And this Ramadhan, something special in store!!

As usual, there are no many great choices that we're gonna break it down into sections okay!

Let's start with some Salads and Appetizers!!

Assorted Sushi

 

All you Sushi lovers have quite a selection here. Assorted Maki, Nigirii and Gunkan Sushi for you to choose from including favourites like California Maki and Ebi (Shrimp) Sushi. Accompanied with Shoyu and Wasabi FTW!!

Spicy Potato Moroccan Style Salad

Smoked Duck Salad

D.I.Y Salad

They have a great selection of Salads for us as usual.
Everything from Potato Salad and Prawn Salad. My personal favourite was the Smoked Duck Salad which was tasty and definitely not something you can get at many other places.

D.I.Y Salad Station is a must!
Make your own salad with fresh Romaine Lettuce, Arugula, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Onions, Gherkins, Cucumbers and even rarities like Anchovies and Beets! And don't forget your dressings like Caesar, French, Italian or maybe the standard Thousand Island.

And depending on the menu being served on the day you visit, you could also enjoy Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing or Traditional Greek Salad with Feta Cheese among other things.

Gado-Gado

And did I mention that they have Gado Gado too?
Still counts as a salad!! :P

You might also get Tahu Goreng depending on when you visit.

Seafood on Ice

Seafood on Ice! Choose from Tiger Prawns, Green Mussels, Scallops and Snow Crab!

And I know we normally have it as is to enjoy the fresh seafood flavour but 21 on Rajah has some tasty Dipping Sauces like Tomato Coriander Chili Sauce, Lemon Wasabi Mayonnaise and Garlic Salsa Verde to accompany the seafood.

This is a good idea if cold seafood is normally not your taste because the dipping sauces will allow you to enjoy the fresh seafood without worrying about the 'taste of the sea' if that's not your thing.

And now it's time for the mains!

Live Noodle Station

The Live Noodle Station is always a big hit. It was Prawn Noodles Soup when we visited but they also have Laksa and.... TOM YAM!!!

Order what you'd like and they prepare to order on the spot! Fresh and hot!

Roasted Baby Lamb

Pita, Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Muhammara and Tabbouleh

One of the main highlight for 21 on Rajah's Ramadhan Buffet is the Roasted Baby Lamb.
That's right!! A WHOLE BABY LAMB!!

And it comes with all the usual tasty accompaniments that go oh-so-well with lamb!
Hummus (my fave), Baba Ghanoush, Muhammara and Tabbouleh (BOLEH!) to enjoy with your nice and succulent lamb.

The last pic looks a little dry because I asked the guy to carve me some of the outer layers of the lamb because I like the toasty bits a little :)
The lamb is plenty tender and definitely something you meat eaters are gonna enjoy!!

Singapore Seafood Bee Hoon

Ayam Panggang

Nyonya Assam Fish

I didn't get to try this (because I was stuffing my face full of lamb) but Mein Bruffer, Yana and my Darling Wife all tell me that the Assam Fish was really good!

Make sure you have a try and see what you think.

Moroccan Braised Lamb Shank

Singapore Chilli Slipper Lobster

Sambal Prawns

Sauteed Kai Lan, Chicken Curry, Beef Meatballs, Lamb Rendang and even Satay are some of the other dishes you might see on rotation.

Well, besides the Roasted Baby Lamb, they also have another highlight on offer for this special Ramadhan Buffet. Yes that's right - it's time for more meat!

Herb-Roasted Beef Striploin

If you are a meat lover then that has got to be a mouth-watering sight for you!
In the same vein as their signature Roasted Prime Ribeye, 21 on Rajah has more beef roasted to sheer perfection here for us.

They also have Roasted Prime Ribeye on rotation on some days but I assure you that you will have no complaints about the Roasted Beef Striploin!

It's meaty! It's tasty1 It's roasted to perfection! It's tender! It's juicy!
Do you really want me to keep going?

And in case you don't like too much pink in the middle, let the chefs know and they'll be more than happy to cook it a little more for you. I'm getting hungry just looking at the pic!!

And yes - it still remains as tender and juicy! :)

And now it's finally time for dessert!!

Assorted Nyonya Kueh

Chocolate Fondue Fountain

Quite an assortment of cakes and dessert to choose from!
And I KNOW that the Chocolate Fondue Fountain is always a favourite (because there's always a line whenever I try to get some for myself)

Fruit Cocktail in Agar Agar Shooter

Fresh Fruits

Kaya Pandan Cake

Tow Suan

Durian Mousse

There's definitely a lot of tasty desserts for you to choose from but let me give you a tip...
If you see the Durian Mousse there, you''d better grab a glass or two for yourself while you have the chance... Because it'll be gone in a flash!!

It's DURIAN!! And they add a little Gula Melaka for added glee.
And this is the real thing too. Not those mixed up stuff. Look at that last pic. Not watery at all!

And there will also be Kurma available for us as we break our fast at 21 on Rajah :)

So as you can see, 21 on Rajah is offering quite a spread for us to enjoy this Ramadhan!
In fact, what you see in this post is not even the full range of the menu and there're actually more goodies for us to enjoy.

But to avoid any confusion, I think we'd better make this next part loud and clear...
THE MENU IS ROTATIONAL. PLEASE CALL AND CHECK WITH 21 ON RAJAH ON WHICH MENU WILL BE SERVED WHEN YOU VISIT TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT :)

Just wanna make sure you don't get disappointed that's all. But to be honest, with this spread, I doubt anyone will be disappointed.

And in case you were wondering - Yes they do have a room for solat there.
Just ask the friendly staff and they'll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

So the special buffet spread will be offered between 28 June - 28 July for dinner 6.00pm til 10.30pm.
Prices are $48++ per adult and $24++ per child (aged 4 and above)

Like we said, 21 on Rajah is one of our favourite places to dine.
Good food, super value and great service!!! Be sure to reserve your tables for Iftar now!

 21 On Rajah

Days Hotel At Zhongshan Park
1 Jalan Rajah

Tel: 68086868
www.dayshotelsingapore.com