Jones The Grocer
Jones the Grocer is Australian gourmet food. With it’s first branch at Dempsey Hill, it’s now located more central – at Mandarin Gallery. The ambience is nice, suitable for coffee talk or to read a lovely book.
White Jones Sea Salt Flakes and Pinkish Murray River Salt Flakes
Brunch from 10 am to 5 pm and dinner starts at 6pm. Hence we ordered a “3 to Share” as our starter to wait for 6pm.
For our “3 to Share”, we chose serrano ham from Spain, Perl Las blue cheese and mascarpone stuffed pepperdews. It comes with crusty bread (with balsamic vinegar and olive oil), fig and walnut slices, rosemary jam, crackers.
The cheese was creamy, buttery and salty. It went very well with the bland yet fragrant crackers which we believed was hand-made by Jones the Grocer. The mascarpone stuffed pepperdews were a mix of tastes – sour and a little spicy. They were appetising. The ham was nicely cured but after the second piece, the “pig” smell haunted me again. The jam was very nice.
To many diners who claimed that the Jones wagyu beef burger is a must try on foursquare, I feel that it was only a so-so. Despite being tender (I ordered it at medium rare), this wagyu beef does not have that fragrant “beef” taste. I also didn’t expect it to be a minced into a patty. I would have preferred it steak-style. The sides come with a large slice of roasted tomato and an abundance of rocket salad. The “burger” was only a piece of toast underneath the patty and caramelised onions. The potato wedges were really good with spices and salt! They were hard outside and fluffy inside. Ok, maybe a little bias here for a wedges lover.
JH’s smoked salmon roesti looked more of an appetizer than a main course. MH’s duck pasta was a huge serving but tasted so-so even though the waitress said it was a popular dish. The duck confit pasta from Delicious at 1-Utama tasted so much better.
Overall, the “3 to Share” was a good experience. Will want to try their breakfast menu next time round!
Any 3 to Share – $29
Cheese Accompaniment – $4.50
Pasta with braised duck – $28
Jones Wagyu Beef Burger – $26.50
Salmon Roesti – $16.50
Prices inclusive of service charge and GST.
Restaurant: Jones The Grocer
Address: 21-23 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238837
Tel: 64761512
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 11:00pm daily
Email: mandaringallery@jonesthegrocer.com
Website: http://www.jonesthegrocer.com/
Note: Another outlet at Dempsey Road
Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road, Dempsey Hill
Singapore, 247697
Tel: +65 6476 1512
Fax: +65 6476 1518
e-mail: dempseyhill@jonesthegrocer.com
Scruffy Murphy’s Cafe-Pub
We initially wanted to go over Cafe Cabana but it was drizzling. Hence, we had to change to somewhere with shelter. So we came over to Scruffy’s. It had a good ambience and the al fresco place faces the sea. At night, the sea breeze blows gently and everything feels romantic.
It was having St. Patricks promotion and oysters were on the menu. The oysters were disappointingly SMALL. The food standard were lower than average. The only good one were the spicy drumlets. The chilli crab dip for wedges didn’t even have that famous Singaporean chilli crab taste. My salmon fillet did no justice to the sacrificed poor salmon.
Hoegarden Bucket (of 5) – $40
Oysters (1 dozen) – $48
Mushroom soup – $8
Spicy Drumlet – $12
Chilli Crab Dip Wedges – $12.50
Crispy Salmon Fillet – $18
Fish n Chips – $16
Beef Burger – $15
St Clair SB White Wine (Bottle) – $45
St Clair SB White Wine (Glass) – $11
Prices exclude 7% GST. No service charges.
Pay using Citibank Credit Card from Mon to Thur to get 15% on food items.
Restaurant: Scruffy Murphy’s Cafe-Pub
Address: B7 Marine Cove, 1000 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449876
Tel: 64497717
Fax: 67371854
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed 3pm-12am; Thu 3pm-1am; Fri 2pm-2am; Sat 9am-2am; Sun 9am-12am
Website: http://www.scruffymurphys.com.sg/
Restaurant Hoshigaoka
This is a newly opened Japanese restaurant at Eastpoint Mall. The previous Eatzi has shifted to Bedok Point. This Japanese restaurant’s parent company JP Pepperdine also owns Jack’s Place, Eatzi Gourmet, Seafood Harvest and BrewBaker’s. With competition from Sakae Sushi in the same mall, we went to try to find out its survival rate. Here’s what we ordered:
The taste of salmon is normal. This is replaceable at Sakae Sushi.
For the price, this is pretty good deal.
Sakae Sushi definitely does not have this. Be careful of oil sizzles while eating this. The amount of butter on top is too much. Two layers of beef here, so make sure you flip the top side down otherwise they will not have the “grill” taste. The meat was sweet, juicy, tender and succulent. Not bad at all.
Chawanmushi was normal.
On another occasion, I stepped in again. This time I had the Saikoro Steak with a Set E (rice, miso soup, chawanmushi, salmon sashimi and fruit) and Gindara Teriyaki. The steak was not bad at all. All I could say is their beef is quality.
However, the Gindara was not to my liking. Somehow, after coating and deep-frying it, the taste of the cod fish was missing. Sushi Tei does a good job at its gindara. Sakae’s is too salty.
Chawanmushi – $3.60
Ishiyaki Wagyu Steak – $28.80
Hot Green Tea – $1.50
Salmon Sushi – $3.80
Salmon Harami – $8
Saikoro Steak – $8.90
Gindara Teriyaki – $13.80
Verdict: I will travel to Tampines 1 for Sushi Tei.
Prices exclude 10% service charge and 7% GST.
Restaurant: Restaurant Hoshigaoka
Address: 3 Simei Street 6 #03-14 Eastpoint Mall Singapore 528833
Tel: 67866388
Opening Hours:
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