Category: AsiaPac

Melbourne – Estelle by Scott Pickett Worth a Try, Good Food Offsets Opening Day Quirks

Estelle by Scott Pickett ("ESP") is a fine dining, omakase-only new eatery by the guy behind the popular St. Crispin and Estelle Bistro. While the fine modern-Australian cuisine was good, we came on opening night on July 17 when the service was less than stellar and they had a quirky exhaust system. I believe they should be able to resolve these teething problems but if not, be in for a slightly longer evening than expected and wear clothes you don't mind smelling of food. Overall, I think...

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Tokyo’s Butagumi – For Pork Cutlet Lovers, This Place Takes the Bacon

Butagumi pork cutlet

A friend just asked me for some restaurant recommendations in Tokyo and although there are numerous great places to eat, I always make a point of going to tonkatsu (pork cutlet) specialist Butagumi. This is seriously gourmet tonkatsu where you get to choose the type of pork you want. Butagumi describes the taste of the various kinds of pork in their menu (light, rich, flavourful, etc.), with cuts that come from all over Japan as well as overseas, including Berkshire, Iberico and Bigorre....

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Melbourne’s The Kettle Black – Good Design and Brunch

A good reason to go back to The Kettle Black

Melbourne seems to be awash with a number of good breakfast/brunch cafes currently and one-year old The Kettle Black has great decor, service, and food. I came here after an overnight flight from Singapore so it was just nice to be out walking and with a good cup of coffee. But what instantly struck me about The Kettle Black is its welcoming interior design - fresh white walls and muted citrus tones and lots of natural light - and helpful staff.

Located not far from the CBD near the...

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Casse Croute – French Charcuterie in Singapore

Excellent terrine and pate at Casse Croute in Singapore

Update: Casse Croute has closed but chef Patrick Hueberger is now at Atout, a much more comfortable restaurant in Singapore's Dempsey area. The charcuterie is still good.

It's worth the drive out to Singapore's western suburb to find homemade rillettes, the most amazing lamb sausage I've had in a while, and other typical french charcuterie items. Casse Croute is the new baby of Chef Patrick Hueberger, formerly of Au Petit Salut and Bistro du Sommelier in Singapore. Limited...

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Capitol Piazza – New Mall in Singapore’s City Centre

Capitol Theatre

Before I left for the U.S. earlier this week, I went to check out Capitol Piazza - Singapore's one month old shopping mall located opposite City Hall. There are obviously a lot of places yet to be opened but I think the new restaurants should be welcome additions for those working nearby and tourists staying in the area. Parisian cafe Angelina is already open as is London's Hong Kong style restaurant Four Seasons and food hall Palette that has a variety of local coffeeshop specialties.

I...

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