A good throwback to something that you can still enjoy today!

On 7 November 2017 (7/11/2017) a.k.a. 7-Eleven Day, the ubiquitous convenience store chain in Singapore, we were invited for a tasting of their ever-expanding range of ready-to-eat (RTE) meals. With already over 40 (FORTY) RTE products you can get in stores, 7-Eleven delivered their promise of delivering a wider range of hawker fare, western choices, grab-and-go snacks and post-meal desserts.

“We are constantly garnering customer feedback for potential dishes to add to our repertoire of RTE meals and snacks and are on target to introduce new delectable picks every month to the stores. With so many choices, 7-Eleven aims to be the destination for hungry Singaporeans at any hour of the day.”

Mr Kenneth Victor, Assistant Director of Food Services Development

Ready To Eat (RTE) Meals

This time, there were 8 wallet-friendly additions to the RTE menu (deep breath):

• Chicken Floss Onigiri ($2.50)
• Unagi Onigiri ($2.50 too)
• Black Pepper Chicken Wings ($2.90)
• Black Pepper Chicken Leg ($3.60) – damn worth it
• Honey Chicken Wings ($2.90)
• Honey Chicken Leg ($3.60) – I preferred the black pepper ones
• Nyonya Dry Mee Siam ($3.60)
• Red Velvet Lava Cake (2.80)

My favourites were actually the Nyonya Dry Mee Siam and Black Pepper Chicken Leg; the Mee Siam has enough spice and tanginess from the lime provided in the packet, and does not feel like you’re eating hay despite it being a microwaved meal. Likewise for the chicken leg and wings, the juiciness of the meat is retained together with the strong flavour of pepper/honey.

We also got to try favourites (at least to me) like their marinated Hanjuku Eggs, among others. I urge you to give their chicken rice and Katsu Curry Rice a go, no ragrets!

In fact, it was so good that here are some pictures for you rn!

Also do check out their new 7-Select Range, a exclusive selection of high quality, yet affordable snacks from various prefectures in Japan, with each being famous for cultivating the respective produce.

More Information

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At no time are we ever in such complete possession of a journey, down to its last nook and cranny, as when we are busy with preparations for it. After that, there remains only the journey itself, which is nothing but the process through which we lose our ownership of it. – Yukio Mishima

EDIT JUL 2020: Nook & Cranny are closed till further notice.

So not that long ago I saw this on my Facebook timeline:

I decided to try my luck (some of the answers were pretty good guesses, like pistachio) and lo behold, I was right! So off I went to get a taste of this unusual concoction…

Nook & Cranny

Started in 2015 by part of nookedmag.com, Nook & Cranny is well, literally in its namesake along Sin Ming Road, more popularly known for roti prata and Udders ice cream. Situated at Thomson V One, it is easy to miss it if you’re not looking. Despite that, it’s actually not difficult to reach, with Marymount MRT Station just a couple bus stops out, or a 10 minutes walk.

The interior’s nothing much to yell about, but it feels spacious and cosy despite the area not actually being really big; the biggest table at the al-fresco area is good enough for 8-10 people, although I’m sure they will be happy to accommodate.

The menu also exudes the cosiness and down-to-earth concept of the cafe design. The Truffle Mac & Cheese, topped with a soft boiled egg and the Chicken Bleu (Chicken Cordon Bleu), served on a bed of orzo rice pasta (it feels like rice but tastes like pasta!), are all comfort and zero nonsense. Also check out their signature “Nook Wings” that’s battered with a *secret* recipe and served with a generous amount of BBQ sauce dip!

Other items on the menu that you should check out as well include the Salmon Benedict, and their waffles & ice cream, just to name a couple.

See you Latte

The star and main purpose of my visit, the Pandan Latte, was an interesting spin. Kind of reminds me of eating ondeh-ondeh, a traditional snack in Southeast Asia, with some hints of nasi lemak. However for now it remains a one-time special, as the guys at Nook & Cranny are refining the drink for a comeback (hopefully soon!).

In the meantime, check out their signature drinks like the matcha latte and signature hot chocolate! Perfect for a pit stop in the afternoon or to wind down the evening if you’re that sort of coffee drinker like me (having coffee at night but still managing to sleep).

Recently, they’ve also won the 2017 Singapore AeroPress Championship held at the Singapore Coffee Festival 2017. You know they’re up to some good brews when their barista’s award-winning!

 

Hoppy Monday! Hop on over to our cozy space for a cuppa matcha latte! we’ve heard stories how even a hot weather can’t stop you for having our signature matcha latte try them out for yourselves and let us know what you think by tagging us @nookandcranny.sg #nookandcrannysg || We love you a matcha! : via @aashkkoon

A post shared by Nook & Cranny (@nookandcranny.sg) on Feb 19, 2017 at 11:43pm PST

 

it’s Thursday! spend your evening here with us, chat over with friends and colleagues with our signature hot chocolate! tag us @nookandcranny.sg #nookandcrannysg

A post shared by Nook & Cranny (@nookandcranny.sg) on Mar 1, 2017 at 10:11pm PST

Verdict

hole-in-the-wall-ness: [star rating=”5″]
Hidden from street view, and before the Thomson-East Coast MRT line comes, you will definitely need to do some legwork to find Nook & Cranny, in a nook and cranny. There’s ample parking available in the complex though.

Price: [star rating=”3.5″]
Mains and drinks set us back about $50, which puts it in a slightly upper range but still decently priced.

Quality: [star rating=”4.5″]
The food here is not complicated, and servings are comfortably adequate. You can also feel the freshness in their beverage as they prepare them fresh too.

Overall: [star rating=”4″]
A nice hideaway in what is more famous as a favourite supper area, you can cosy up and spend hours here to get your fill of nice food and drinks!

More Information

For the whole month of August, celebrate their first birthday by enjoying a 2nd main course at 50% off!

Nook & Cranny
9 Sin Ming Road
#01-03
Thomson V One
Singapore 575630
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12:00pm to 10:00pm, CLOSED TUESDAYS
Fri: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sun: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Reservations: 6452 7449 or info@nookmag.com
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The post [CLOSED] Nook & Cranny Review – Pardon the Pan(dan) appeared first on You Otter Go There.

Young hawkers have, at least for the last few years, became the mark of innovation in what is already one in SIngapore (food hawker culture). With a new enterprising approach to a bold career path that many generations of Singaporeans have taken, they seek to stir the pot and (definitely will) bring about new flavours. I will of course from time to time, #supportlocal and regularly feature these brave vanguards of food culture.

Ted’s Kitchen

The good thing about starting off as a food hawker outweighs the perceived lack of prestige; a smaller overhead means flexibility to explore operationally and creatively, and generally mature as a food entrepreneur. Just being opened for less than 2 weeks at the time of visiting, Ted’s kitchen is one such outfit that serves food with gusto. Chef Thad, the young owner, had a wish to serve quality western food at pocket friendly prices after graduating from the prestigious Enderun Colleges. At first thought, being situated in a industrial estate’s local kopitiam may not be the ideal starting point; but it does keep Ted’s life a bit more secure as compared to opening shop in some hipster district in town or *worse* a shopping mall.

Food-wise, Ted’s keeps it simple: get a pasta (just spaghetti for now) with your choice of style, add some meat for just $7! Then, get yourself some nice sides like cheese fries or their signature chicken wings to snack along!

The star of Ted’s is their chicken cutlet: coated with a light batter and deep-fried perfectly, golden brown, to lock in flavours of the chicken thigh, and it was delightfully juicy. At the end, I wolfed the entire cutlet down not having the ‘jelat’ (cloyed for you non-Singlish speakers) as it was not crusted excessively with flour and not overtly salty. The pasta (I got it aglio olio style) was also served al-dente and does not fight for attention with the protein. The serving size is also very generous, which Chef Thad says is a hit with the blue collar workers that have grown a following to his cooking.

For good measure we also got the carbonara pasta with turkey ham to try out. The flavour was wholesome, although the consistency was a wee bit runnier than what you’d usually get at Italian restaurants. To that, Chef Thad says he’s working on perfecting his sauce and we can all expect more from him!

In fact, over the week his business has built up so much, now he has to install a queue system and extended his service hours!

Verdict

hole-in-the-wall-ness: [star rating=”5″]
The kopitiam they’re in is indeed quite out of the way (a 7-10 minute stroll from Paya Lebar MRT station) and nondescript so yes, 5 stars to that.

Price: [star rating=”4.5″]
$7 does give you more than enough to fill your tummy! Don’t let the size of the plate fool you, it’s a trap!

Quality: [star rating=”4″]
As the chef fine-tunes and expands his already “solid” recipes, his existing menu like the cutlets won’t let you down (please get it)!

Overall: [star rating=”4.5″]
A new entrant to the unique western food hawker culture in Singapore, Ted’s is doing something right here, and it can only get better. I was already bugged to return for more, which I definitely will!

More Information
Ted’s Kitchen
30 Eunos Road 5
Singapore 400030
Operating hours (it varies so read here)
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 11:30am to 3:00pm
Thursdays & Fridays: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Saturdays: 11:30am to 9:00pm
Sundays: 11:30am to 5:00pm
Email (orders in advance available): tedskitchensg@gmail.com
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The post [CLOSED] Ted’s Kitchen Review – Chicken Cutlet You Down appeared first on You Otter Go There.