Lunch at Ichiban Boshi @ Suntec City

3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-111, Suntec City Fountain area, Singapore 038983

Tel: 6238 7088

Website: https://www.ichibanboshi.com.sg/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IchibanBoshiNovenaSquare/

Been a huge fan of Ichiban Boshi Japanese Restaurant for over a decade, always enjoying their delectable Japanese dishes that are wallet-friendly. From sashimi to rice bowls (don) to Japanese Curry and Lobster Salad Sushi etc- they never failed to be my comfort food.

Ichiban Boshi is a Japanese chain restaurant with 13 outlets in Singapore, and I daresay I have tried most of them over the years.  Happy to review that standard is consistent across the restaurants, and consistent over the years. You can read a couple of previous reviews here and here.

Recently they had a promotion where different outlets served a different specialty menu; and I love the Buckwheat Soba one at Suntec City. One dish in particular had me returning time and again - the cold Natto Buckwheat Soba dish.

Now natto means fermented soy beans so there's a saltish taste that you either love or hate. The rest of the ingredients include cut ladies' fingers, shredded seaweed, poached egg, canned enoki mushrooms and spring onions. Toss everything together and enjoy the flavoursome dish with different textures of crunchy ladies' fingers, smooth buckwheat, texturized natto, etc - very addictive to eat; and healthy to enjoy.

Other enjoyable dishes for me here are also their Sashimi Platter (one may choose the types of fish or seafood you like), the Chawanmushi aka steamed egg custard, and conveyor belt sushi.

I look forward to dining at their restaurants soon again.

Dinner at Madame Fan's Restaurant @ South Beach Tower

32 Beach Road, NCO Club, Singappre 189764

Tel: 6818 1921

Website: https://www.madamefan.sg/

I fell in love with the sultry visuals of Madame Fan Restaurant online, loving the sensational retro vibes exuding class and intimacy, therefore this was was chosen for celebrating of Mommy's birthday.

The place was hard to find because we mistook it to be within South Beach Tower or JW Marriott South Beach Hotel. It is actually on the shorter building, NCO Club right next to the towering South Beach blocks.

The interior, while still beautiful and elegant, was a lot dimmer than we had thought. Wasted, because the darkness marred the appreciation of the restaurant's beauty. Service was impeccable though.

A visit to Madame Fan is reminiscent of the heady nights of old Shanghai. It boasts an evolving, proactive experience that brings to life Alan Yau’s lifestyle-dining concept. Life band and music were essential to the restaurant.

We were here to savour the traditional Cantonese dishes with modern twists. Started with their Scallops Siew Mai (SGD$18.00 for 3) - fresh springy scallops and minced pork dumplings. Not mind-blowing, but definitely palatable dim sum.

Their signature Wok-fried Crispy Duck (SGD$48.00 for half) graced the table, living up to its crispy true name. This delicacy was accompanied by paper-thin pancakes, baby cucumber, Thai spring onion and duck sauce.

An interesting rendition of the grilled Peking duck that we are so accustomed to.

The Jasmine Tea Smoked Ribs (SGD$35.00) was a thick, juicy slab of sweetish, tender, melty meat laced with the gentle fragrance of jasmine tea.

Home-style Stir-fried Lettuce (SGD$12.00) balanced out the meaty meal beautifully.

Lastly, Chinese Pasta (SGD$30.00), seemingly simple but packed with tasty goodness - silver needle noodles fried with XO sauce, sakura ebi and Calabrian Nudja.

Overall dining experience here was very pleasant;  resplendent dining affair that should be repeated sometime soon.

Dinner at Nude Seafood Restaurant @ Marina Bay Financial Centre

12 Marina Boulevard, #01-02, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982

Tel: 8726 1576

Website: http://www.nudeseafood.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NUDE-Seafood-519592191476427

Nude Seafood Restaurant had been on my bucket list for a while, so was glad we finally cleared it. An Asian contemporary seafood restaurant servicing delicious fine-dining seafood dishes at affordable prices.

Despite being situated in the CBD financial hub, Nude Seafood Restaurant sports a simple but elegant decor that makes dining here comfortable. Service was warm and friendly as well.

An interesting starter of Tofu Skin Salad (SGD$5.80) with chewy texture, paired with zesty tinge of sourplum vinaigrette, cloud ear fungus and spinach.

Then we had the Crab White Chawanmushi (SGD$8.00), a premier Japanese steamed egg custard luscious with crab meat.

Next, Stir-Fried Broccoli with Almonds (SGD$5.80), a crunchy and sweet dish that is a very enjoyable appetiser.

Then we had the Black Pepper King Prawns (SGD$8.90) - an interesting fusion of black pepper and tangy assam flavours, riding on springy texture of the fresh king prawns. There is a minimum 2 pieces order requirement for this dish; and it comes with crispy fried buns ("mantou").

A Korean delight was served next - Gochujang Cauliflower (SGD$6.80). Expect the red pepper paste to tease your tongue, and soft crunch of cauliflower, almond flake and daikon radish to support the interesting taste medley.

Next up, Hickory Smoked Salmon (SGD$12.80) in Bamboo Leaf, wrapped a la "otah" style; tasty and succulent, highly recommended.

Then we had the Squirrel Grouper (SGD$18.80), deep fried exterior with flakey interior. The foam of oat milk espuma atop, as well as lychee slices at the base, added elements of sweetness to the appetite-whetting sweet sour sauce.

Following that, the Steamed Pomfret (SGD$13.80) on banana leaf. The layer of preserved molded vegetables "mei cai" and spring onion atop the single side of pomfret lends a nice satisfying flavour.

Another fish dish was the Miso Halibut (SGD$20.80) , accompanied by shitake mushrooms and spinach. Robust mushroom broth floored the dish, turning up the flavours by a few notches.

After that, we enjoyed the Grilled Japanese Squid (SGD$16.80), bathed in tantalising Thai spices sauce, sporting a lovely chewy texture that gives great "mouth-feel". By its side lay the purple shredded cabbage slathered in Thai chilli vinaigrette.

Last but not least, Oatmilk Spinach Tofu (SGD$12.80) - velvety fingers of beancurd and sliced mushrooms luxuriating in the flavourful dark gravy, tasting fantastic and texturized with crispy kale topping.

We also tried their special Nigata Japanese steamed rice in bamboo - Salted Fish Blue Pea Flower Rice with Jinhua Ham (SGD$4.80), too bad the sweetness of the corn overpowered the ham; but the salted fish's umami flavour still broke through nicely.

The Blue Pea Mushroom Rice (SGD$4.80) was more outstanding in taste; redolent of straw mushrooms, and topped with shredded seaweed.

Moving on to desserts, the Nude Honeydew Sago (SGD$6.80) was both refreshing and delicious- honeydew melon balls, sticky peach gum and chewy tapioca sago spheres dressed by rich, chilled, milky coconut gravy.

Next, Brownie with Ice-Cream (SGD$6.80) - moistened chocolately rectangle served with vanilla ice-cream. Nothing mind-blowing, but good comfort dessert that keeps to its quaint normalcy.

Finally, the Tiramisu (SGD$6.80) is a homemade delight served in a glass - a rich medley of espresso soaked sponge fingers, mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, cocoa powder and hints of rum.

Overall verdict of our experience here was definitely worth many shots, enjoyable, and a place worth revisiting time and again.

Review on Aqua Filler Facial @ Bionn International

190 Clemenceau Avenue #04-20 Singapore Shopping Centre, Singapore 239924

Tel:  6100 0661 / 6338 8096

Website: http://bionn.biz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BionnSingapore

Bionn International was my go-to place for my facial issues, the very first facial treatment centre I signed up for. Due to personal reasons, I have stopped visiting them but was surprised to receive their call to return now, after a decade.

Founded in 2003, Bionn International uses a suite of facial services and house-brand products to provide solutions for customers' skin issues. This award-winning beauty centre has upgraded its services to medi-aestbetics level now, having their own doctors and are able to provide even fillers and boosters, etc.

They have 3 outlets now, at Singapore Shopping Centre, Peck Seah Street and One KM Mall - I returned to the SSC branch. Still donning its corporate colors of blue and white, the outlet seemed to have undergone a facelift, looking even more comfortable and professional now.  The centre manager, consultant and therapists seem to be more well-spoken and customer-oriented now (in the past they were very huge on hard-selling and up-selling).

I changed into the gown and the therapist removed my makeup before doing cleansing. Then a machine was uses remove dead skin cells using some kind of suction tube.

Following that, extraction and eye brow shaping. Next, another device was used to kill bacteria using some infrared light - made a buzzing sound and had a strong door but gentle on the skin.

Moving on, facial massage which felt very good and lifting. Then a generous layer of Hydraulic Acid was spread over my face. Another equipment was brought into the room, attached with a black nozzle that produced suction to open up the pores for better absorption and deeper penetration of the hydraulic acid. There was water being sprayed with each contact on the skin as well, extremely quenching sensation.

Both photos above no-filter, and no makeup. Look at how
clear and moisturised my skin fared, after the treatment.

Finally, the application of a cooling Stem Cell mask over my face as well as Protein Eye Treatment Mask while I tested for 20-30 minutes. Brand finale was toner and moisturizer, followed by a consultation.

My skin felt moisturizer and brighter, utterly soothed. The Aqua Filler Facial costs SGD$280.00 a session and is undeniably beneficial for my skin; I should come back more often.

Thank you Bionn International for taking care of, and pampering my face!

Dinner at Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant @ Dempsey

Block 7, Dempsey Road, #01-02, Singapore 249671

Tel: 6476 2811

Website: https://www.don-quijote-restaurants.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donquijotespanishrestaurant/

This is a revisit after a few years (click here for review during media invite). I was excited to bring my family for a Spanish cuisine to celebrate The Bro's birthday, and Don Quijote came to mind immediately.

Priding themselves on using only the finest and most quality ingredients, owner Ken and team spares no expenses sourcing for the same, so as to give patrons a great dining experience. That, and keeping the prices to reasonableness, is certainly no easy feat but Don Quijote has attained it.

Comfortable settings among the serene ambience at Dempsey's private dining enclave, coupled with the warm service of service crew,  would be the first noticeable attributes upon entering the restaurant. On the menu would be a plethora of Spanish items such as paellas and tapas, etc.

The basket of bread with garlic butter was a very delicious palate opener. We could not stop dipping the aromatic flavoured butter with the soft chewy bread rolls.

The signature must-have would be the Roasted Spanish Style Suckling Pig (SGD$89 / SGD$169 / SGD$329 for quarter, half or whole). Crackling skin and tender flesh, leaving the palate ringing in delight. This must be ordered at least 2 days in advance.

Another favorite of mine is Paella. They have 5 types; we chose the Paella Valenciana (SGD$33 / SGD$48 / SGD$65) - cooked in pan, made up of rice, chicken and seafood in saffron stock.  Lovely grainy texture coupled with saccharine fresh seafood; definitely a good choice.

This made us return again a week later to try out more items.

We had special Croque Monsieur with Serrano Ham and Cheese; enjoying the crispy toast sandwiching the melty cheese and ham ; something seemingly simple yet soul satisfying.

Then tantalising tapas of Barbecued Prawns in Garlic Sauce (SGD$13.00); smokey hints blending fabulously with the garlic aroma, resulting in a burst of flavours with each springy bite of fresh prawns.

Next, Baby Squids (SGD$15.00), utterly satisfying and delectable, the squishy texture bringing forth the fragrance of garlic and olive oil. You can choose to have it battered, cooked in garlic olive,  or squid ink.

Saving the best for last, we got to savour the 400 Day Grain-fed Australian Wagyu (SGD$18.00 per 100 grams, cooked over Japanese Binchō-tan Grill for that ultra tender, velvety finish complete with hints of smokiness. The beef was melty and tasty, making for an unforgettable treat.

Another enjoyable meal at Don Quijote; indulgence at its maximum. Thank you Ken and team for the recommendations and memorable meal experiences.