Spice Things Up At SUVAI 2015 This Weekend

Hi Huneybees,

If you are craving for something spicy this weekend, why not come join me and hop by the Singapore's First Indian Gourmet Festival - SUVAI 2015? It started on 30 Jul and will be ending to day, 2 Aug 2015 and there are tons of events to give you a peek into the Indian food culture...

You will be able to taste a diverse collection of Indian cuisine by top chefs, both from local and oversea, regardless of gender, race and religion! Not only were there traditional flavours, there's also a diverse collection of new tastes that tantalizes your taste buds. If you are like me, who loves a little spice and try new things, this is the place to be at today!

And speaking of spice, we witnessed 2 Guinness Record breaking events where 66 chefs worked together to make 15 tonnes of vegetable curry to break the World's Largest Curry record as well as a pot over 11m long to cook the curry in, setting a new World record for the World's Largest Cooking Vessel.

The large amount of curry was named SG50 CURRY, featuring an amazing total of 50 ingredients! It was shared with their fans on the spot and the rest was then packed into tubs and distributed to homes and dormitories around Singapore.

Whilst waiting for the curry to be weighed and packed, we went around the festival grounds and spoke with some of the chefs as well as tried out their creations. We aimed to try something from every booth, but seems like we overestimated ourselves. Hehehehe...

Mysore Lamb Ribs

Some I would recommend would be the Hot Indian Chick by Chef Devagi Sanmugam, Mysore Lamb Ribs by Chef Jonathan Lee, Saffron Tulang by Chef Sultanul Arfin, Potato Paneer and Croquette and Tandoori Baked Snapper by Chef Vik.

I like the surprising "explosion" of flavours these dishes made on my taste buds. I've always been a huge fan of Tulang, but normally my limit is 2, because of the gamy smell. But Chef Sultanul Arfin's Saffron Tulang, kept me wanting more.

Chef Sultanul Arfin's Saffron Tulang

After speaking with chef, I learnt that he went through a long process of blanching and improvisation to get rid of the gamy smell. To share a little of his secret with my Huneybees, he incorporated Singapore's Chilli Crab taste into this dish, no wonder it taste so familiar and irresistible! :)

As for Chef Vik's creations, it was a debate between hubby and I as he loved the Potato Paneer and Croquette, whilst I stand firm for the Tandoori Baked Snapper. Hubby liked the combination of potato and cheese in the croquettes and paired with the spinach puree, he finds them a great combination and very refreshing.

But for me, I'm more of a visual creature. The first look at the Tandoori Baked Snapper, I was already sold. But of course, the dish did not fail me too. The snapper was well marinated, presenting the Tandoori flavour where you can taste the spices used and when paired with the pickled cucumber, it was a balance of spicy and sour. And who knew chilli powder actually went well with potato puree?! I'm definitely gona be requesting chilli powder to go with my mash potato in future!

There're definitely even more dishes to try, more things to see and experience and you have got to head on over yourself to see it all!

SUVAI 2015
Date: 30 July - 2 August 2015
Time: 12pm – 10pm
Location: Tan Quee Lan Street, behind Bugis Junction
More details at: http://www.suvai.sg/

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

Read More

Délicieux Food @ Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill

Hi Huneybees,

On Tuesday, I was invited to Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill for a food tasting session. I've always walked past the restaurant and finally that day I got to give it a try.

From the looks of it, you would never notice that this is a French based restaurant, but not looking back at this lighter Hippo, it does reminds me a little of Moulin Rouge. Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill was created in Paris in 1968 and has gained strong reputation, especially in the Paris region.

It has always been the go-to place for meat lovers looking for quality steaks at reasonable prices and a great dining ambience with mouth-watering core menu items such as Prime Ribs, Heart of Sirloin, Hanger and Beef Skewer.

Once settled down, I was already served complimentary home-made chips. The chips are so crispy and addictive that you would want to get second helping! I also ordered a Shirley Temple to drink. Come on! It's Tuesday! Celebrate that the blues was gone right?

There's also a promotion for happy hour when you order drinks. There will be free calamari and I must say that's the best I've had so far.

The purpose of  this food tasting session was held to introduce Hippopotamus's new additions in their menu in Singapore - Cod Fish, Grilled King Prawns, Rack of Lamb!

The Codfish ($36.90) and Grilled King Prawn ($22.90) are very fresh, it's as though you just caught them off the Atlantic Ocean. I would recommend eating them with a dash of lemon as you would want to taste its original freshness and slight marination.

The Rack of Lamb ($36.90) was cooked to the right tenderness and it's so easy to cut the meat up. It's so juicy and goes well with the sides (French Fries, Potato Gratin, Green Beans, Baked Potato, Ratatouille and Steamed Vegtables) and sauces given.

The sides.

The sauces - Barbeque, Bearnaise, Homemade Thai Chilli, Stewed Shallot, Pepper, Roquefort Cheese.

Other than that, we also got to try some of the popular hot sellers at the restaurant.

Starters

The French Onion Soup ($8.90) is a must try. I do not eat onion, but this soup is simply too hard to resist. Crowned with melted cheese bread on top and abundance of onions below, the soup is delectably sweet.

If you are going for a healthier choice, try the Hot Goat Cheese Salad ($9.90) or the Caesar Salad ($8.90). The Hot Goat Cheese Salad is served with goat cheese slathered in a slice of crisp toast, topped with herbs from Provence and olive oil.

As for the Caesar Salad, it is done in classic Hippo fashion, adorned with chicken, parmesan and that is still my favourite salad of all time!

Or, if you are as adventurous as me, you must try the Bone Marrow ($11.90) and Escargots ($16.90). They are both popular french dishes and I guarantee you will not regret having it! I literally sipped the escargots dry, down to its sauce!

Main Courses

The Beef Skewer ($21.90) is my top favourite! You get to try all types of beef (Sirloin, Rump, Skirt and Hanger) and the presentation is simply so fun to look at. I'm not a fan of the dripping blood but the seriously, once you get the beef melting in your mouth, you will be wanting more like a vampire! =X

You could also choose to have a bigger portion of the steak like the Sirloin Steak N.Z. ($22.90) above.

For the non-beef eaters, there's also pork. Taste the Hippo's slow-grilled U.S. Pork Chop ($19.90) that is crisp on the outside and juicy tender meat in the inside or the BBQ Ribs ($19.90), a large portion of luscious pork spare ribs served with barbecue sauce.

The Grilled Game Hen ($21.90) was a cute sight to see chicken being served this way. But that aside, this U.S. imported Cornish Game Hen is nothing I've tasted before. It's so tender and juicy, I just can't stop eating. Trust me ladies, it's so easy to cut through it, you will want to want a white dress for it. =)

Desserts

Do not, I repeat DO NOT leave Hippo without having the desserts. There is not a huge selection, but this few are just enough to make you run the extra runs. 

Every one of these desserts are my favourite. It's simply too hard to choose. Above, I had the Chocolate Mousse ($7.90). It might look like chocolate ice cream, but it's really not very sweet and I love how the mousse simply melts in your mouth and below is every girls' favourite - Creme Brulee ($7.90). It is a classic beauty with silky smooth cream underneath the thin top layer of caramelised brown sugar. Cracking through the torched golden caramel crust is extremely satisfying. 

The next 2 dessert was a top favourite amongst us. Who doesn't love a load of chocolate right? Get the feel of hot and cold with a dish of Warm Chocolate Cake ($11.90) as well as a tangy twist Roasted Pineapple ($7.90). What's good is that the ice cream do not melt fast, so that it doesn't come as a mash by the time the dish reaches your table!

By the end of the meal, I am so satisfied that I have to refrain from licking the plate! 

You should definitely check out Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill and you will know what I mean...

Hippopotamus Restaurant Grill
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard #01-204/205
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6338 5352

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily

Prices listed are subjected to Service Charge and GST Tax.

Read More