Table at 7

Restaurant Week, October 2011. Lunch set @ $40++. I preferred the food here than at their previous establishment: Sage. For the restaurant week lunch set, I had the yellow fin tuna tartare with daikon, avocado and sesame oil, followed by a main of chargrilled beef onglet and a warm valrhona chocolate tart. The tuna tartare tasted like the old-school sheng-yu (raw fish) that I used to eat with my porridge in chinatown market, but the daikon, cucumber and avocado does add another dimension to the texture of the dish. The onglet was done medium-rare (which we had to specify directly to the wait staff who did not ask) and it was really good, with a nice charred taste in the exterior and just enough tenderness and chewiness within; the accompanying mash was blah. Lastly was the dessert. Interesting way of serving the usual warm valrhona cake, kudos if the pastry tart was home-made, though the moccha ice-cream was way more ice than dairy!

Verdict: May go back, but I won't particularly hunt it down.

Table at 7
7 Mohammed Sultan Road
Singapore 238957

tel: 68366362, 83386362
e-mail: reservations@tableat7.com

Opening Hours:

Mon - Sat: 6.30pm - 11pm

Kraze Burger

The Korean burger joint is now here at Marina Bay Sands! Think Carl's Junior meets Mos Burger meets Billy Bombers. Make no qualms about it, this is a sit down restaurant that serves burger. DO NOT EXPECT FAST FOOD price! Good burger. Big juicy burgers. Not HUGE! But substantial...as is the price! Other than the over-priced foodcourt at MBS, this could be the next most value in this IR. What I liked about it is one particular "burger" on its menu: the "Semi-nude". Essentially, it is a double patty burger with 2 cheeses, bacon, sunny side up, onions WITHOUT the buns (hey! I try to cut down the calories whenever I can...the irony?! hahhaha), served with a side of fresh salad (with too-sweet a dressing over.)...but that cost $16! Taste-wise, it was good. The beef was a tad dry, but it had a nice charred taste to the edges. Real pork bacon makes the difference, and it was satisfying. Coupled with beer...yum!

Verdict: Will eat again if looking for burger or a cheapish eating place at MBS.

Kraze Burger
The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Ave, #B2-54 (next to the ice-skating rink)

Opening Hours:
Sun - Thurs: 10am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 12mn

Kit Chan - The Music Room [Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands]

Kit Chan's first solo concert in many years, excluding her previous one where she shared the headlines with Singapore Chinese Orchestra, was undoubtedly highly awaited by her fans, and boy were they rewarded. At times sultry, at times coy and earnest; but always a diva. She started off nervous and the first song was off on a shaky start, but after 2 songs in she finally got into her stride and belted hits from an  18-years repertoire  (7 of which were out of circuit) and some others. Kit has a very theatrical voice which shines at some of her more drama songs, however it also highlighted some of the pitfalls in the concert. She should not have mentioned Barbara Striesand before breaking out into "Send in the Clowns": girl, there is no comparison (not even with Rachel Berry)! Her version of "Nothing Compares to You" was similarly over-theatrical and would have benefitted from a slower tempo. Lastly, I come for a pop concert expecting a secular experience. Sure, you may thank "the man up there", and say "god" in your songs, but I do not expect a whole charismatic, adulating experience. That was a major turn-off! And if you think about it, the song "What if God was One of Us" really does not mean that! But otherwise, when Kit started on her Mando-pop and Canto-pop hits, the crowd went wild, and very deservedly so. She even did a commendable, passable, but too sultry version of Edith Piaf's "Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler". Her back-up singers were also a tad off-key quite often, which is a distraction. She is a consumate performer and entertainer, now she just needs to work more on being polished and less stage-y! Perhaps just first day nerves?

Stellar @ 1-Altitude

Restaurant Week, Oct 2011. What a disappointment. First impressions: the place was rather stunning with gorgeous view overlooking the completed MBS (once the gardens are up, it will surely be more impressive). For the set lunch for Restaurant Week, I had the foie gras terrine with poached pear and brioche, scallop and prawns risotto with black truffles and tempura zucchini flower, and raspberry mascarpone cheesecake. Again, I was suitably impressed when the starter arrived within 10mins; taste-wise, nothing special, but the terrine was a bit dry and a let down (goose??? nah...). Then came the disappointment. They forgot the main course. For 40mins! And during the interim, our server did come over and apologise and offer more bread (which frankly is very underwhelming). However, each apology is followed by a longer wait. Disappointingly, for a restaurant of such purported standing and repute, none of the supervisors/managerial staff actually came over to try to soothe the situation nor placate the (angry) guest. 40 mins wait is no joking matter, especially when you are in the CBD and lunch hour is sacred! How hard is it to offer a sushi (or something) as apologies? Anyways, unfortunately, the long wait did not guarantee an excellent dish. The risotto ended up too bland. There is no flavour in the rice unless eaten with the teeny scallops (two); the truffles was barely sufficient to imbued any of its flavour; and the zucchini flower needs more practice. Dessert was another long wait (10mins), and not like the dessert requires pre-ordering like souffle or molten cake. The cake itself was nice but unimpressive.

Verdict: Won't be going again, unless it's free. (I can get a good view from Jaan too, and better food many, MANY places else).

Stellar @ 1-Altitude
1 Raffles Place (former OUB Centre)
Level 62
Singapore 048616

tel: 64380410

Opening Hours:
Sun, Sat: 6pm - 12mn
Mon - Fri: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6pm - 12mn

The Conspirator

Robert Redford's latest directorial effort follows in a similar political satirical footstep as its predecessor "Lions for Lambs", this time a disguised as a courtroom drama. Talky but gripping with an interesting and intriguing bit of American history. Interestingly directed by Redford with an unusal play on the lightings. Justice only serves those in political power - a great analogy to current times. Not as star studded, with more small screen stars: Gilmore Girls's Alexis Bledel, 24's James Badge Dale and Glee's Jonathan Groff(!) but sadly their acting paled to the powerfully subdued Robin Wright and rest of the big screen hitters (Kevin Klein and Tom Wilkinson); James McAvoy is commendable and Evan Rachel Wood does her best with her short screen time. Inter arma silent leges: in times of war the law is silent.

Attack the Block

This is what Super 8 wished it could had been. Funny, scary, with a heart, and even socially satirical, and all that with a non-Hollywood summer flick budget. It's like Shaun of the Dead meet Super 8: Alien invasion in a district with only the kids to save the day, and these ain't your Hollywood-scrubbed kiddies but toughened by the block hooligans. Even the damn aliens are way scarier and cooler than that lame-o by Abrams. Definitely not for everyone unless you are into irreverent, dry, Brit wit and accent/slang. Which then in that case, this show is ace! Go catch it (if still available)!! Well paced, laugh out loud and scary all at the same time. Goes to show you don't need a gazillion budget to do something good. Well done Joe Cornish!

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Haunted house pic with the usual Guillermo del Toro fantasy twist. Sadly, though slightly atmospheric in the beginning, it just felt too long and dragged out in the end even though it's just less than 100mins. Definitely not Pan's Labyrinth-quality; not even near. Way too many plot holes, stupid character decisions and cliches. The concept was good, sadly direction and acting let it down, especially Katie Holmes (if only she grew like her Dawson's Creek compatriot Michelle Williams) and the child actress (where's the Fanning sisters?). If only they had a more convincing child in the role this might actually be better.