Hot Tomato Steak And Prawn Combo

When I went to Hot Tomato Cafe & Grill at NEX shopping mall for dinner last weekend, I was surprised to find out that the steak and prawn combo costs only $13.50.

Topping up $3.50 for the set meal upgrade of soup, garlic bread and drink, I ordered the steak and prawn combo which comes with a large piece of steak, two grilled prawns and aglio olio (spaghetti with garlic and oil). The service was fast as I got my main course within 15 minutes after ordering. Although nowhere near the best that I have tasted, the steak is thick and delicious and the prawns are fresh and juicy.

 

Even though I would prefer my steak to be slowly grilled and served on a sizzling hotplate, it was nevertheless a satisfying and value-for-money dinner at Hot Tomato Cafe & Grill. Indeed a lovely place for a casual Western dinner, do bring your family there too but remember to go early as the queue can be long especially during weekends. 

 

7.5/10

Hot Tomato Cafe & Grill
NEX
23 Serangoon Central Mall
#B1-47

Astons Specialties Wagyu Ribeye Steak

Even though I am not a steak connoisseur, I could not resist the temptation of trying the wagyu ribeye steak from Astons Specialties which was offered at a promotional price of $38.90 for 200 grams.


Served with two free side dishes (baked potato and tasty rice), the Grade 5/6 wagyu steak is well-marbled with an exceptionally smooth texture and a remarkably tender consistency. Another differentiating factor of wagyu beef is its delightful succulence with mouthwatering juices exuding with every bite.

Given its expensive price, I certainly had very high expectations of Astons' wagyu ribeye which unfortunately, failed to impress me to return for more. Somehow I still prefer its prime ribeye that is not only more robust and flavorful but costs less than half the price of the wagyu.

7/10

Astons Specialties
Sembawang Shopping Centre
#03-14
604 Sembawang Road

Chef Hainanese Grilled Steak

I always wondered if this stall at the old Tanglin Halt Food Centre had permanently closed down. After all, it was closed when I walked past on several occasions during lunch and in the evening.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Chef Hainanese Western Food open when I went there at 7pm today. Finally I had the opportunity to taste its $4 grilled steak and it was indeed impressive.


Served with baked potato, baked beans, salad and french fries, the $4 steak comes in a reasonably satisfactory portion. Topped with savory black pepper sauce, the mouthwatering steak is fresh, tender and flavorful.

No where else in Singapore can you find another steak that is as cheap as Chef Hainanese's. I will certainly return for its grilled lamb chop and its grilled chicken chop which cost $4 too.

7.5/10

Chef Hainanese Western Food
Tanglin Halt Food Centre (Old)
Blk 3 Commonwealth Drive
#01-242

The Garden Slug

When my friends first mentioned about going to a new restaurant in Telok Kurau named The Garden Slug for dinner, I immediately rejected their suggestion. With a distasteful name like the Garden Slug, I doubt if the food can be anything fantastic. Several months later, I happened to read the excellent reviews of the food online and realised that it might be a mistake to write it off.


When we finally went there for dinner last weekend, I ordered the recommended ribeye steak which costs $18.90. Evenly grilled to a medium doneness and lightly topped with savory sauce, the mouthwatering steak is extremely tender and juicy, every bite exudes a flavorful taste and a smoky fragrance. I must admit that this is one of the most impressive steaks I have eaten in Singapore.


We also ordered the Wasuga chicken wings which were well-marinated and well-grilled and the pan-tossed mushrooms & zucchini which were delightful and appetizing.


Apart from the delicious food, the beautiful ambience was soothing and the efficient service was commendable. The Garden Slug is certainly the ideal restaurant for a relaxing meal with family and friends.


7.5/10

The Garden Slug
55 Lorong L Telok Kurau
#01-59/61 Bright Centre
Singapore 425500
Tel 63460504

Borshch Steakhouse

Let me begin by introducing Borshch Steakhouse as the restaurant which serves the best and most affordable Russian food in Singapore. Located at Serangoon Gardens, opposite Chomp Chomp Food Centre, this restaurant is surprisingly quiet despite its inexpensive set lunches and set dinners. Maybe it's the lack of publicity. Maybe it's the lacklustre surroundings. Or maybe it's the old-fashioned layout. Nevertheless I decided to give it a try and I was extremely impressed.

I ordered the set dinner which comes with shrimp cocktail, Borshch soup, sirloin steak, peach melba and coffee for only $13.80 ($14.50 after service charge and no GST). Where else in Singapore can you get a sumptuous Western set dinner at such a price?


The shrimp cocktail which is delightful and appetizing, serves to prime the taste buds for the irresistable main course. The authentic Borshch soup which comes with cabbage and mutton, is absolutely mouthwatering with a kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from sweet to spicy to sour.


Served sizzling on the hotplate, the impressive sirloin steak is tender, succulent and fingerlicking good. Every portion of the sirloin steak is evenly grilled with a distinctive charred aroma and an unforgettable smoky taste.


Complete your sensational dining experience with peach melba which is vanilla ice-cream topped with a slice of peach.


This Russian restaurant is indeed praiseworthy for its affordable food and prompt service. However its dim lighting and poor ventilation can be improved. Nevertheless Borshch Steakhouse left me a great impression and I will certainly be returning for more.

8/10

Borshch Steakhouse
58 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555954
Tel: 6280 4351
Opens daily from 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm

Astons Specialties

Whenever I walked past Astons Specialties, I always felt so tempted to try its famous steaks but more often than not, I was discouraged by the perpetual long queue outside. Even though I have recommended and blogged about Astons Prime, a neighboring restaurant recently set up by the same owner, I have never dined at Astons Specialties before. The golden opportunity finally came when I went there for lunch yesterday, soon after it opened at 11.30am, when the crowd was still not overwhelming.


I ordered a Prime Ribeye Extra Cut, with coleslaw and tasty rice as my two complementary side-dishes. The service was prompt and commendable and I was served within 15 mins after placing my order. Even before I sink my teeth into the mouthwatering steak, I was already impressed by the generous portions of coleslaw and tasty rice. The delicious coleslaw was flavorful with well-blended sweetness and subtle sourness. The tasty rice was delightful with unmistakable butter fragrance and lived up to every bit of its name.


The highlight of the lunch, the prime ribeye steak, was simply a masterpiece. Thoroughly and splendidly grilled, the steak exudes a distinct smoky aroma and an exceptional sizzling taste. The meat is extremely tender and juicy, every bite is simply irresistable. The special sauce accentuates the meaty flavour and leaves an unforgetable aftertaste on the taste buds.


The sumptuous Prime Ribeye Extra Cut (with two free side dishes) costs only $15.90 with no service charge and no GST. It is almost impossible to find such excellent steaks at such incredible prices in other Western restaurants. Indeed Astons Specialties has the BEST STEAKS IN SINGAPORE AT THE MOST AFFORDABLE PRICES.

8.5/10

Astons Specialties
119 East Coast Road
Singapore 428806
Tel: 91474627 / 62477857
Closed on Mondays

Jack's Place

Whenever I have to think of a romantic and affordable Western restaurant to bring my loved one for dinner, Mariners' Corner Restaurant comes to my mind. Similarly, when I have to think of an equivalent restaurant for lunch, Jack's Place comes to my mind. No other restaurant provides sumptuous Western set lunch at such affordable prices than Jack's Place. And as there are so many outlets in Singapore, there is almost always one near your workplace.

The set lunch menu differs from day to day and outlet to outlet. Hence you don't have to worry about lack of variety. And if you are not a steak lover, you can always go for chicken or fish. The value-for-money set lunch costs $8 (chicken or fish) or $9.50 (steak) and comes with the main course, soup of the day, garlic bread, pastry and coffee or tea. With service charge and GST, it adds up to only around $12 per person.


When I went to Jack's Place last Friday, I upgraded my set lunch to rib eye steak for $13 and it was indeed worth every dollar spent. The succulent rib eye steak is tender and mouthwatering and comes with complementary side dishes of baked potato, salad and corn. The barbeque sauce accentuates the meaty flavour, making every bite seem irresistable. Last but not the least, the sweet dessert which consists of pastry and coffee or tea completes the satisfying lunch experience.


May Jack's Place continue to make delicious and affordable steaks available to everyone in every part of Singapore.

7.5/10

Jack's Place
http://www.jacksplace.com.sg/main.html

Astons Prime

Much has been blogged and discussed about Astons Specialities in our online food communities over the past year eg Dr Leslie Tay's ieatishootipost blog and Astons Specialities blog.


There is no doubt Astons' mouthwatering steaks are value for money but questions have surfaced about the inconsistencies of service and food quality which are aggravated by the perpetually long queue and setting up of franchises.


On the contrary, little is known about Astons Prime that is recently set up in Joo Chiat near to Astons Specialties. With dark-colored glass windows and the absence of a queue outside, many food enthusiasts are curious about what is happening inside Astons Prime. Are the prices in Astons Prime similar to Astons Specialties? Is the quality of the food as remarkable?


So I decided to take the opportunity to have lunch there today. Glancing through the menu, I noticed that the prices of the food were slightly more expensive than Astons Specialties. I ordered the New Zealand Rib Eye Steak which was highly recommended in many forums & blogs. Indeed the service was quite slow and I waited impatiently for around 40 minutes for my steak to arrive.


When I took my first bite into the rib eye steak, I finally understood why the long wait was so worthwhile. It was unbelievably fabulous, more than words can say. The meat was extremely tender and succulent, every bite is wholesome and satisfying. In addition, it was well-grilled to the right extent, it exudes a characteristic smoky aroma and an irresistable meaty taste. The New Zealand Rib Eye Steak cost $18.90 and it was indeed one of the best steaks I have ever tasted.

Overall it was a memorable lunch experience and I certainly look forward to returning to Astons Prime for more.

8.5/10

Astons Prime
467 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427678
Open 11.30 to 11pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Call 63442447 for reservations

Mariners' Corner Restaurant

Whenever I have to think of a romantic Western restaurant to bring my loved one for a special dinner, Mariners' Corner Restaurant is always the first to come to my mind. Situated inside Maritime House which is well-hidden within the HDB flats of Cantonment Park, this restaurant serves the most affordable and the most delicious Western food I have ever tasted in Singapore.


If there is one dish which I have to recommend, it will be the sirloin steak with grilled lobster set which costs only $18. The steak is tender and juicy and the lobster is delicate and mouth-watering. Top up $3.50 and you will enjoy free flow salad bar, garlic bread, soup of the day, ice cream and coffee or tea.


Enjoy a memorable dinner with your loved one under the cozy ambience of candlelight and soothing music of sentimental love songs. Experience the nostalgic feeling when you dine in the dim lighting, surrounded by wooden walls, tinted windows, beautiful paintings and checkered table cloths. In addition, the experienced staff are friendly and approachable, and never fail to make you feel comfortable at all times.


What is even more worthwhile mentioning, is that every time upon leaving the restaurant, I feel the satisfaction of having a sumptuous dinner and a lasting impression which no other restaurant can give.

8.5/10


Mariners' Corner Restaurant
120 Cantonment Road
#01-02 Maritime House
Singapore 089760
Tel: 6224 9928