Peranakan Flavours

Peranakan Flavours is quite a low-key restaurant compared to its peers such as Candlenut/Violet Oon. They were originally in Ardennes Hotel, a boutique hotel along Jalan Klapa. Recently, they have moved to Tan Quee Lan street which is much more accessible from Bugis MRT station. 

Being an ardent fan of Peranakan food and a frequent visitor of Bugis, this was right up my alley.

The menu comprises the usual suspects: babi pongteh, buah keluak, though there were quite a few special ones that caught my attention.

Hae Cho

Out of the appetizers, this Hae Cho ($16++) caught our attention. Wrapped in crispy fried beancurd skin, the fillings were substantial, made of minced prawns, pork and water chestnuts. The accompanying plum sauce elevated the overall taste of this savoury dish by giving it a sweet and sour note.

Laksa goreng

The chef's personal recommendation: Laksa goreng ($15++). Woah.

I can have this every day if only it doesn't give me clogged arteries. A twist to the soupy laksa, this comes in a dry version with a texture akin to hokkien mee. The thin noodles and other essential ingredients such as tau pok, prawns, egg are drenched in a thick home-made rempah gravy that packs a spicy umami punch. Very satisfying.

Sotong Hitam

Another chef's recommendation: Sotong Hitam ($18++). No woah for this though. The squid was a bit tough for our old teeth to chew. The lemongrass, which was supposed to be in the supporting role, was in conflict with the sweet black sauce. The result was an identity crisis that confused us.

The modest decor couldn't have been more ironic to the rich flavours of Peranakan cuisine. But it's ok. It was a delicious one-way ticket (albeit pricey) to food coma. 

Not trying to be a cheapskate but I think this place will bring in the crowds if the prices were about 33.33% cheaper. A promising establishment. 

Address:  7 Tan Quee Lan Street Singapore 188096
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peranakanflavours/

The Clifford Pier

In the nineteenth century, it was a port that marked both the end and start of the journey of immigrants who sailed to seek new fortunes in Singapore. Fast forward to today, the port was revamped to become a classy dining destination called the Clifford Pier. 

With that provenance, local delicacies, naturally, take centre stage in the menu offered at the Clifford Pier. The menu is mainly made of $15 laksas, chicken rice and other local hawker fare which you could get for less than one third of the price in a real hawker centre. Which is also a reason why I have put on hold a visit to Clifford Pier for a long time. So this visit was made only due to a request by a friend whom I was supposed to treat.

Located on the ground floor of Fullerton Bay Hotel with high ceilings that gave the place its grandeur, the restaurant ambience was cosy and sophisticated without being intimidating. We were there on a weekday and most of the patrons were made up of the business crowd, tourists and occasionally the tai tai. 

Complimentary appetizing crackers helped to soothe the agony of waiting for our food to arrive. 

We took a two-course set lunch at $31 menu. Starters featured Kong Bak Bao, Satays, fried carrot cakes, rojak. We got the fried carrot cake which was surprisingly same same but different from the hawker centre version. The larger than usual carrot cake pieces were addictive and a burst of sweet and savory in every bite. I loved the full prawns that accompanied them. Give me this version anytime.

Instead of going for hawker cuisine for our mains, we got the lobster roll (+$15)  and the Porchetta (+$19). Ironically, a very Singaporean thing to do. Luckily the lobster roll did not disappoint. The lobster meat was tasty and succulent in delicious mayo that filled a well toasted brioche bun. 

As for the Porchetta, just skip it.

Service was very attentive without being intrusive. My friend accidentally watered a pot of hot water on me and the waiter dashed from nowhere to render assistance before I could recover from my shock. However, the same lightning speed cannot be said for the serving time. One bowl of Keropok is not enough to feed our impatience. 

Overall, we largely enjoyed our experience dining at the Clifford Pier.  It did certainly clear some of my bias of it being a touristy restaurant with the chi chi associated. I would say it's a decent place to bring a foreign friend to for some local food in a comfortable setting.

Address: 80 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore 049326