New ma la stall just behind the office. While flavours seem slightly muted - the xiao la is more salty-spicy than tongue-numbing - we found the spread of ingredients fresh and the bill very pocket-friendly!
My ma la order of noodles, cabbage, mushrooms, beancurd skin and pork belly would typically cost me close to $10 (sometimes more), but this big bowl only set me back $7.50. Score.
Found a formidable kouign amann at this unassuming bakery! Flaky, caramelised layers with a soft centre. Would do great for a takeaway teatime snack, if you live in the area.
This came recommended, and while a nice and fragrant, crunchy snack to start with, I’m not sure fried sage leaves with a sprinkling of Maldon salt are worth $8.
Very yummy, melt-in-the-mouth brisket meatballs with tomato paprika sauce, parmigiana and a side of gremolata toast. Probably the best dish of the lot we tried!
A bite of the perky, savoury meatballs, another of the bright, addictive toast — perfect with a glass of good wine.
Lamb sugo, truffle salsa and girolle (yellow mushrooms). This reminded me a lot of an Italian mee sua, mostly because the thin pasta felt a tad overcooked and not al dente.
But that aside, I liked how the mushrooms and lamb flavours came together (not so much the truffle salsa). Would’ve been even better if there was more sauce to carry the dish along.
Beetroot pasta with sweet pumpkin filling and brown butter. This was beautifully made pasta, and rocks a fancy millennial pink shade too. But as tasty as the first bite was, the flavours were far too sweet for my liking, lacking the edgy zest or umami for balance.
Served warm and with the husks in there for re-brews, this is one drink I don’t mind at all. I remember trying a cup here that’s a little nuttier, more chocolatey, but this one here was much brighter. Think a pleasant plum tea!
One of the rare cafes that’s got cascara on the menu. This one’s definitely is on the acidic side, strong and intensely tangy.
First, let me acknowledge that this is a terrible picture BUT a very good meal. As expected from a Keisuke outpost. For $13.80, you get your choice of gyoza (we tried all three: chicken, pork, prawn), two sides, rice and free flow pickles!
It was a bad day for the gyozas, which didn’t seem to be sealed properly, and so kept coming apart. But even as separate components the filling and the skin fared well. Favourite has to be the crunchy, flavourful prawn that comes mixed with pork.
On sides, get the pork sukiyaki (melt-in-the-mouth slices with raw egg for dipping), crispy chicken nanban or the jiggly egg with chives. Yum.
Didn’t enjoy this as much as we did the hamburg, only because it lacked the fattiness we’re used to in a good piece of steak. The beef itself has great flavour, although it could’ve done with better seasoning. Shame we couldn’t afford the Ribeye (prices begin at $58!).
Also comes with a sauce, which was stellar!
This was super delicious. Made with Hokkaido beef, the hamburg is cooked to a perfect medium rare (with a beautiful dark pink centre). The texture is every bit a hamburg is supposed to be - meaty and firm, but still relents upon your bite. There is the option for demi-glace or wafu sauce. We went with the former, which was excellently savoury and tangy. The chef seems to know his sauces, so I expect nothing less of the wafu either! Go for the extra cheese topping, adding a layer of rich, creamy yum on your hamburg. Also comes with fries, salad and your choice of rice or garlic bread.
The new Rubicon Steak House is a small hole-in-the-wall within Imperial Court, and it’s run by an adorably earnest Japanese duo.
