not-raves

A friend remarked over dinner that I don't seem to have enthused about food/dining spots recently. And she's right. It's been a while since I've really enjoyed a good meal, well not since a surprisingly good dinner at a very not-me place (more later).

I've had a pretty blah lunch at Le Papillon (kinda long ago and not really worth talking about!), a pretty blah dinner at Cicada (involved a overly-onioned and dressed beef salad, although the rare beef itself was really good, the amount of raw sliced red onions, pickled onions and pickles, combined with too many splashes of a creamy dressing overpowered the meat; the pizza of scallop and melted leek had an odd grainy texture; the brownie/peanut butter slab of dessert was alright but nothing to rave about; however it was a nice setting, like Dempsey used to be before the hordes arrived), a decent but not raveable dinner at Kharma Kettle & Rhapsody (had the lavendar chicken, which was really nice and tender but didn't really hint of lavendar, although the rice that came with it is quite delicious, with some herbs and spices thrown in) followed by sago pudding at the nearby Cellar Door.

However, I did recently delight in a rather yummy dinner at Pasta de Waraku at the very youth-oriented Central. It involved waiting for ages (and entertaining ourselves by looking at the plastic food on display outside, although the staff very nicely offered some soft drinks for those of us waiting) until our queue number was called, and then squeezing into a table for two in the very crowded and noisy restaurant ('Welcome to Waraku' or whatever they shout to every entering customer). We decided that the set would be a good idea, as it would allow us to try a variety of pastas/pizzas (although the waitress pointed out that the choices would be rather limited). Eps had the pasta/pizza set (she chose the carbonara and the only pizza option was a pork salami and tomato pizza, and it was a really nicely thin-crusted sort), and I went for the pasta/baked pasta set. The set comes with a corn soup, a small salad, a soft drink/glass of organic wine (although wines are limited to 'red' or 'white' - ask the waitress what type of red and she points to the menu, which says, yes, 'red' or 'white'. Still it's quite drinkable). And mine was a baked pasta with eggplant (the only option available, although I thought the tomato sauce was a bit too sweet) and a cod roe pasta (far tastier than the version at Satsuma, which was more a garlic-y pasta than anything). The food sure came fast (although probably a bit too fast for us, as the table was quite small) and service was very efficient and friendly. So thumbs up for that. And the set is just $19.80, which is a pretty good deal if you haven't been before and want to have a variety of dishes. Either go early or be prepared for a wait.

Cicada
7 Portsdown Road
Tel: 6472 2100

Kharma Kettle & Rhapsody
501 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01A & #01-05B Cluny Court
Singapore 259760
Tel: 6314 3483

Cellar Door
619 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 269720
Tel: 6463 5296 / 6469 7665

Pasta de Waraku
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#02-82/83 The Central@ Clarke Quay
Singapore 059817
Tel: 6534 8085
Their menu is available online