Tag Archives: Closed restaurants

Acapulco Mexican Bistro and Bar – Telok Ayer [Permanently Closed]

After office hours, the busy Robinson Road turns into a convenient spot to relax and unwind. Filled with watering holes and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, people have umpteen options to head to for a nice meal and drinks. In this stretch is Acapulco Bistro and Bar, a restaurant which specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is small but has a festive atmosphere and an awesome live band that plays on Fridays. If you like good food along with classic English songs, head here right away!

The Orders
The menu is filled with handcrafted, traditional dishes from Mexico and the whole vibe of the restaurant lends itself to make it feel like a home-cooked meal. All the main Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos and quesadillas have vegetarian options, hence there is no hassle while placing the order. First, we ordered the ‘Burrito Bowl’ and directly sprung into the main course. Burritos are all well and good but sometimes you just don’t want to deal with the messy and tearing sides of the tortilla wraps. This burrito bowl was served with Mexican rice accompanied by capsicum, tomato, onions, pico de gallo and melted cheddar cheese. This flavoursome bowl with well spiced veggies has you covered for a delicious meal.

Burrito bowl

Burrito bowl at $12.50


If you want to simplify your ordering process and not think too much, then most of the times you can rely on ‘Veg Fajitas’ for a quick and easy meal. They offer the Norteno Fajitas which is nothing but Tex-Mex, a blend of styles born from the Norteno border of Mexico and Southwestern border of the US. In this version, the veggies were seasoned to perfection and served along with a flour tortilla. The guacamole and sour cream on the side brought the whole dish together making it tasty mouthfuls of goodness for me.
Veg Fajitas

Veg Fajitas at $12.50


Since I was not in the mood for cocktails, I went for the ‘Apple Juice’. Refreshing, crisp, and light – a glass to enjoy while soaking in the music.
Apple Juice

Apple Juice at $6


I have tasted many veg quesadillas in Singapore at various restaurants. Most of them have stringy cheese oozing out of them along with some veggies as fillings. All you can taste in these is the cheese. In Acapulco’s ‘Veg Quesadillas’, you can actually taste the (generously filled) veggies which is such a welcome change for a vegetarian like me. The melted cheese, chopped jalapeno, sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole made for perfect dipping for these absolutely well-made quesadillas. Highly recommended.
Veg Quesadillas

Veg Quesadillas at $12


A special mention to the live band – https://www.facebook.com/Clique-The-Groovy-People-369261880123695/ who were absolutely fabulous. For their authentic Mexican taste, use of loads of veggies in their dishes and friendly vibe, Acapulco Mexican Bistro and Bar is a must-visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Mexican ★★★1/2
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer / Tanjong Pagar
Address: 138 Robinson Road, #01-03 Oxley Tower, Singapore 068906
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11am – 11pm
Website: https://www.acapulco.com.sg/
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Argo Restaurant – Purvis Street [Permanently Closed]

Purvis Street is a favourite haunt of foodies – it is stacked with restaurants offering various cuisines. You will be spoiled for choice once you get here! Hidden under the radar, in the premises of Adonis Hotel is Argo Restaurant. It mainly serves as the breakfast joint for guests who stay in the hotel. A lesser known fact is that it is open to the general public to dine and has an extensive menu offering a variety of options for vegetarians. Tastefully done decor, white walls, paintings and potted plants give the restaurant a home-y feel. If you are looking for a quiet place, Adonis is a very good option in this central location.

The Orders
I was pleasantly surprised by the number of green symbols indicating vegetarian pastas on the menu! To start the meal, I ordered the ‘Soup of the Day’ which was Tomato Soup. This soup offered a zesty and familiar flavour that was ideal to start a great meal. The bread slice was soft and complemented the soup perfectly. Priced at $3, it is a no-brainer to order this excellent soup!

Tomato Soup

Tomato Soup at $3


From the vegetarian pastas, the first one we ordered was the ‘Aglio Olio e Pereroncino’. The pasta is tossed in a spiced olive oil. It was heartening to see generous portions of veggies in the dish – capers, black olives, and red, green and yellow bell peppers. The garlic, capers and dried chili pepper gave the dish a nice spicy twist. Highly recommended.
Vegetariano

Aglio Olio e Peperoncino at $9.90


The second pasta we ordered was the ‘All Arrabbiata’ which was spicy and light with the right punch of garlic in the tomato sauce. Seasoned to perfection, this dish was simple and delicious.
All Arrabbiata

All ‘Arrabbiata at $7.90


Never say no to desserts at a Italian place that offers ‘Homemade Tiramisu’, especially when its priced at $4. The layers of mascarpone cheese goodness lavishly sprinkled with cocoa were moist and spongy. Worth trying for sure.
Homemade tiramisu

Homemade tiramisu at $4


For quality Italian food at such wallet-friendly prices at a central location, for their homely feel and for their affable service, Argo is highly recommended – maybe even for a staycation 🙂

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Italian ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Bugis
Address: Adonis Hotel Singapore, 13 Purvis Street, Singapore 188592
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11.30am – 3pm , 6pm – 10.30pm
Website: http://hoteladonis.worldsignaturehotels.com/wp-content/uploads/Argo-Menu-2015.jpg

Paper Crane – Waterloo Street [Permanently Closed]

Paper Crane is exactly one of those cafes that you would chance upon while roaming. A sign stating ‘Want Hearty Meals for $10?’ set in a vibrant design was what caught my attention – even on a rainy evening. Tucked away on Waterloo Street in the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) building, this is a fuss-free cafe offering simple food. Their menu is neatly written on a chalkboard and they keep changing it frequently. For vegetarians, the options are limited and hence it is better to inquire before you travel specifically to this place. If you are in the area, you can surely drop by to check the menu and their daily specials. I am pretty sure they can make a basic vegetarian pasta on request. Our alfresco seating was perfect (even with rains) as the cafe is well-shielded.

Paper crane cafe

Paper Crane cafe


Paper Crane menu

Paper Crane menu

The Orders
With limited veg options, it’s always safe to go for the Pasta. The ‘Spaghetti Arrabbiatta’ was a delightful experience with the sauce evenly coated across the pasta strands. The olives and capers provided the necessary bite and this turned out to be a decent dish.

Spaghetti Arrabbiatta

Spaghetti Arrabbiatta at $10


The regular readers of my blog would know by now that I consider it as a welcome sign when a cafe attempts a non-mushroom burger in the vegetarian section. The same thought made me order the ‘Falafel Burger with Fries’ with a lot of anticipation. Unfortunately, I was let down by the dryness of the chickpea burger which had the texture of a frozen patty. But it was heartening to see that the owners took the feedback in a constructive manner and I hope to try it again sometime 🙂 The fries on the side were a good munch.
Falafel burger

Falafel burger at $10


During rains, its thrilling to get a ice rush in the form of slushies which are ideal summer time treats. I ordered the ‘Watermelon Slushie’ filled with ice and this turned out to be a good slow sipping drink.
Watermelon slushie

Watermelon Slushie


The cafe has a small dessert counter with few options. We tried the ‘Carrot Cake’ and ‘Baklava’ which were strictly passable. Nothing much to write about on these offerings except that the prices were reasonable.
Carrot cake

Carrot cake at $4


Baklava

Baklava


On the whole, the dishes are friendly on the wallet and the service is extremely friendly. Pay them a visit if you are in the area!

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Western ★★★
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah
Address: 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
Timings: Mon-Sat: 11am – 10pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/papercranesg/

Hungry Heroes – Tessensohn Road [Permanently Closed]

With Batman vs Superman not hitting the mark, a lot of expectations are pinned on Captain America: Civil War for the superhero crowd storming the theaters. Nevertheless, we always look forward to this genre for the larger-than-life characters to infuse entertainment into our daily routine. Hence, I finally decided to visit Hungry Heroes, a superhero themed cafe situated at Tessensohn Road in Little India. Located in an unassuming alley, the cafe lights shone bright through the dark night. They have a cool logo that looked quite interesting. There are fewer options for vegetarians on the menu but my fascination to explore a different dining ambiance led me to this place.

Hungry Heroes

Hungry Heroes


This two floor cafe has the decor nailed to the T. Large figurines adorn the walls – most of the superheroes are from the owner’s personal collection. There is a huge chandelier made with tiny superheroes stuck together. The place is a delight for fans of superhero memorabilia – there’s a lot to look at and admire. Needless to say, this cafe is quite a hit with children and a good option if you want to throw a birthday party for large groups. The placemats were newspaper style and quite hilarious to read. They helped in bringing the superhero world to the forefront on the table.
Hungry Heroes decor

Hungry Heroes decor


HH placemats

HH placemats

The Orders
As a refreshing summer salad, we ordered the ‘Super Corn-y’ salad which was fresh corn shucked from the cob and served along with a tangy twist. The charred effect on the cob was definitely a hit and the tomatoes and onions lent balance to the salad.

Super Corny

Super Corny at $5


As a complete no-brainer, I had to try their (only) vegetarian burger offering called ‘Mario’s Lifeline’. Neatly stacked with layers of vegetables on the breaded and fried portobello mushroom, this burger was damn good! I was glad the the mushroom patty had a crisp bread covering which gave the necessary bite to the burger. Having said that, I really wish F&B outlets think of using ingredients like beetroot, chickpeas, zucchini etc. instead of the traditional mushroom offering everywhere. (Just a thought!) The fries and the side salad were well made.
Veg burger

Mario’sl Lifeline at $21


As a fun accompaniment to the burger, we ordered the ‘Colossal Coke Float’ which was a refreshingly bubbly ice cream float. Imagine a mammoth 1 liter mug on the table – that quantity is obviously to be shared 🙂 The vanilla ice cream was delicious and as it melted and blended with the coke, the drink became more tasty!]
Colossal Coke Float at $10

Colossal Coke Float at $10


Along with the food menu, they have an extensive drink selection in the form of beers, ciders and wines. Happy hours ends at 8pm, so if you are in the weekend mood, place an early beverage order.
Red wine

Red wine glass at $10


Advance reservations are recommended for this place. A special mention to service staff who clearly knew that I had vegetarian food requirements (as I had mentioned during reservation) and they were helpful, provided guidance and followed up when I actually visited the restaurant. For their superhero memorabilia, for their unique implementation of the themed cafe concept right from decor to the menu, for their service and good food, Hungry Heroes is worth a visit!

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: American ★★★
Nearest MRT: Little India/ Farrer Park
Address: 33 Tessensohn Road, Singapore 217656
Timings: Tue-Fri: 4pm – 11pm ; Sat-Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Website: http://www.hungryheroes.sg/

Pita Pit – Fusionopolis Place [Permanently Closed]

A large number of cafes and restaurants have sprung up in One North over the last few months, specially around Fusionopolis. Since it is primarily an office area, there are lot of lunch options – be it takeaways or dine-ins. During an exploratory walk, I came across Pita Pit which is a wrap and salad shop. When I entered the place, I found their signage quite interesting as it marked their global reach.

Pita Pit map

Pita Pit map

The Orders
Orders are placed across the counter. It helps that their well-lit menu mounted on the wall clearly states the options. I was happy to see vegetarian and vegan offerings. There were combo meal options for a wrap + juice or wrap + coffee.

Pita Pit menu

Pita Pit menu


Upon payment, the ordering process is very simple as you choose your type of wrap along with your preferred toppings. It was obviously nice to see that they aren’t stingy on toppings. Also it was good to see the service staff know about eating preferences of customers and clearly ask for vegetarian or vegan requirements.

Pita Pit ordering process

Pita Pit ordering process


Pita pit toppings counter

Pita pit toppings counter


For the wraps, I ordered the ‘Falafel’ and ‘Halloumi’ versions for takeaway. Once you choose your wrap size, you get to choose unlimited toppings in your order. The other interesting thing to note was they use a separate grill for their vegetarian wraps. If you want some of your veggies grilled (Onion,Mushrooms and Green Peppers), then just let them know that you want O.M.G in your wrap! Their assembly line is pretty neat and the wrap is shaped like a huge pocket so the veggies can be nicely stacked into it. Personally I preferred the Falafel wholemeal wrap but that is purely because of my love for falafels. The Halloumi was also quite nice and halloumi as a cheese goes very well in any grilled version.
Pita pit wraps

Pita pit wraps


Falafel wholemeal wrap

Falafel wholemeal wrap at $9.90


As you can see, the large version of Falafel wrap can be a full meal. They also have a juice counter where bottled fresh juices are available in different flavours. I tried the ‘Calamansi Lemon Honey Juice’ juice which was refreshing and tasty.
Pita Pit juice

Pita Pit juice


Apart from takeaways, they also have a dine-in option with around 15-20 seats. Instead of wraps, you can also order salads. For the freshness of their ingredients, for their liberal portions and for their efficient customer service, Pita Pit is worth a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Mediterranean ★★★1/2
Nearest MRT: One North
Address: 1 Fusionopolis Place, Galaxis #01-15, Singapore 138522
Timings: Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm ; Sat-Sun: 11am – 6pm
Website: http://www.pitapit.com.sg/#about

Roll Up – Kebabs at Circular Road [Permanently Closed]

If you’re looking to unwind on a Friday and you spot the words ‘Kebabs and bottled drinks’ on a signboard, you just have to give it a try! So when we landed at Boat Quay , we were extremely pleased to spot Roll Up, an exclusive kebab joint. For those familiar with ‘dhabas’ (small roadside outlets) in India, this place instantly reminded me of home with their decor, music and overall vibe. Indian pop songs were playing in the background and I heard Apache Indian after ages – now that is some good nostalgia! They have around 20 seats inside the joint and along the road.

Roll up decor

Roll up decor

The Orders
Unsurprisingly, this place has good happy hour deals from 2pm to 8pm. Their refrigerator is packed with colorful bottles of beers and ciders. I tried the ‘Mokai Lime Cider’ which was refreshingly good. It helps you savour the taste of the food, and paints the night with colorful moments. (I mean just look at the cool bottle)

Mokai lime cider

Mokai lime cider


The best part about ordering at this place is you can customize your combos according to your preference. A bottled drink gets elevated with Indian spiced accompaniments. First we ordered the ‘Masala Fries’ which were crunchy and yummy. The in-house mint sauce gave the much-needed tangy flavour.
Masala fries

Masala fries at $3


Another good side was the ‘Masala Peanuts’ made in Indian style. Combined with tomatoes, onions and coriander garnish, this dish is an ideal pairing with drinks.
Masala peanuts

Masala peanuts at $3


For vegetarians, the only option on the menu are the ‘Veg Seekh Kebabs’. The good news is that they don’t disappoint. Freshly made on a charcoal tandoor oven, the vegetables were well marinated in a spice blend. The kebabs taste authentic and it makes sense to order the platter since this was the only main dish. The strewn onions as garnish, tandoor breads and sauce made this a delicious dish. Highly recommended.
Veg Seekh kebabs

Veg Seekh kebabs at $11


On the whole, I wish they launch at least 1-2 more variant kebabs on their menu so that the vegetarian platter gets variety. But otherwise Roll Up have stuck to their concept brilliantly and laid their emphasis on an authentic taste. If you are a fan of Indian kebabs, good service, refreshing drinks and a chilled atmosphere – do not miss this!

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Indian Kebabs ★★★1/2
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place / Chinatown
Address: 76 Circular Road, Singapore 049430
Timings: Mon-Thu: 12pm – 11pm ; Fri: 12pm – 1am ; Sat: 6pm – 1am
Website: http://www.roll-up.sg/

Bridge Restaurant and Bar – Seah Street [Permanently Closed]

Seah Street in Singapore has a variety of restaurants just waiting to be explored by foodies. I am always on the lookout for fun weekend brunches and one such walk along this street led me to Bridge Restaurant and Bar. This place had a relaxing and friendly vibe. The interiors are done well and make a great first impression. They serve modern European fare at wallet-friendly prices which makes the brunch experience worth a visit.

The Orders
As we settled in, we ordered ‘Fries’ for the table. Fresh and crunchy, they were a good option to pass the time as we placed the order for the brunch mains.

Fries

Fries


The traditional breakfast order was the ‘Veggie Breakfast’ which comes with roasted potatoes, asparagus, sauteed mushrooms and choice of eggs. If you do not eat eggs, you can choose to have the dish served without them. Since my husband eats eggs at brunch menus, he ate the scrambled eggs which according to him was done quite well. I liked the freshness of their ingredients like the cherry tomatoes and asparagus and the dish was enjoyable.

Veggie breakfast

Veggie breakfast at $22


A friend had the same dish, and chose the Sunny side up egg. Bridge uses edible flowers in their plating which adds to the appeal of the dish.

Veggie breakfast

Veggie breakfast at $22


For the toast lovers, do not miss the ‘Honey French Toast’ at this place. The plate was presented beautifully with the edible flowers gently adding a purple touch. Drizzled with the right amount of honey, cinnamon and sugar, every bite of this dish was enjoyable.

Honey french toast

Honey french toast


For a sweet treat, go for the ‘Waffles’. This is another well plated dish with hot and crisp waffles served with ice cream and fruits. We chose the chocolate ice cream and bananas.

Waffles

Waffles


If you are spending time there with a large group of friends the ‘Coffee’ at this place is quite good. They have a barista counter with a decent selection.

Coffee

Coffee


If you are looking for a weekend brunch with wallet-friendly prices coupled with smiling staff who are prompt in their service, then Bridge is worth heading to (and centrally located!).

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Modern European ★★★
Nearest MRT: Bugis
Address: 31 Seah Street, Singapore 188387
Timings: Tue-Thu: 3pm – 11pm; Sat: 3pm – 1am; Sat: 11am – 1am; Sun: 11am – 5pm
Website: http://www.dineatbridge.com.sg

Kaiserhaus – Capitol Piazza [Permanently Closed]

Imagine a restaurant menu resembling the beginning of a ‘Game of Thrones’ episode where each region is introduced in all its glory. That is exactly how Kaiserhaus describes the Habsburg Empire and its cuisine. Opened in the renovated Capitol Piazza, this restaurant dishes out authentic Austrian and Hungarian cuisine. Yes, now that is something unique in the Singapore food scene! The elevator is slightly out of the way and it opens into a spiral staircase that will instantly make you feel royal while climbing down. You are welcomed to the restaurant with some pleasant live music.

Kaiserhaus decor

Kaiserhaus decor

The Orders
Let me start by saying that the menu has immense clarity in the explanation of every dish. For starters, we ordered the ‘Goat Cheese Salad’ to get a taste of the fresh ingredients. The goat cheese was of high quality and the seasonal lettuce, cucumber, shallots and lettuce balanced the dish well. But the stars of this dish were the marinated beetroot slices that greatly enhanced this salad.

Goat cheese salad

Goat cheese salad at $17


As a side dish, we ordered the ‘Crispy Roasted Potatoes’ which resembled a disintegrated Rosti. They were crispy, roasted in butter and were gobbled in no time.

Crispy roasted potatoes

Crispy roasted potatoes at $7


There are fewer options for vegetarians in the main course. But, trying out the vegetarian options in a new cuisine is part of what makes me a passionate foodie. We ordered the ‘Lecsó’ which is a Hungarian Paprika Stew. These are basically bread dumplings served on a mushy and tangy stew made primarily of chunky red bell pepper slices. The stew was lacking in balance and I had to add quite a bit of salt and black pepper to get any form of taste going in the stew. If they fix this, this stew can turn out to be pretty comforting.

Lecso

Lecsó at $19


Next we tried the ‘Spinach Spaetzle’ which was the pasta offering. Once again, the dish was lacking in balance. The caramelized onions used for garnish were overpoweringly sweet and permeated the entire dish. It took salt, pepper, and some tabasco before I arrived at a taste I liked.

Spinach spaetzle

Spinach spaetzle at $22


The dessert course was the star of the entire meal. Along with the options mentioned on the menu, they have a very good display of sweet treats on the counter. They have partnered with renowned Austrian patisserie, Zauner. We tried the ‘Zaunerstollen’ which is a nougat praline mixture with wafers, hazelnuts and chocolate. It has a nice crunch to balance the smoothness. This is recommended.

Zaunerstollen

Zaunerstollen at $5


Since the dessert counter was irresistible in its options, we ordered the ‘Chocolate Raspberry Cake’ which was divine. The cake was nicely moist and this was a winning combination all the way.

Chocolate raspberry cake

Chocolate raspberry cake slice at $8


Overall, they can improve on their vegetarian main course offerings. They have a $28 for two high tea deal which should be worth exploring as their desserts are pretty good. For an attempt in the direction of new cuisine offerings, for the ample seating space with good decor, for its central location and for their desserts, Kaiserhaus is worth a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: European ★★★
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Address: Capitol Singapore, 17 Stamford Road, #02-06 and #03-06, Singapore 178907
Timings: Sun-Thu: 10.30am – 12am ; Fri-Sat: 10.30am – 1am
Website: http://kaiserhaus.sg/

Sacha & Sons [Permanently Closed]

Wild Honey is well known in Singapore for its all-day breakfast offerings. The same owners have opened a New York style Deli called Sacha & Sons . Situated in the plush Mandarin Gallery , this place offers classic delicatessen selections. There’s a great ambiance with people chatting away and grabbing a quick bite that does remind you a bit of New York cafes.

Sacha and sons nameboard

Sacha and sons signboard

The Orders
As a foodie, I am always excited to go through menus and check for the different vegetarian options I can try out. To start our meal, I decided to go for the ‘Bagel and Cream Cheese’ which is a classic combination. These were sesame flavored bagels with a chewy texture and the herb infused cream cheese had a nice amount of garlic in it. I quite enjoyed this dish and forgot about the calorie count in the process.

Bagel

Bagel with herb cream cheese at $8


The most interesting dish that I found on the menu was ‘Latkes’ which I had never tried before this outing. ‘Latkes’ are basically potato pancakes deep fried in oil. It is a traditional Jewish dish made during Hanukkah. They have different toppings on this and I opted for ‘Sour Cream’ and ‘Applesauce’. It is quite filling and I would highly recommend this delicious dish.
Potato latke

Potato latke at $10


On the side, we also ordered the ‘Cold Potato Salad’ which was passable. Its more a matter of personal preference as I prefer warm potatoes to the colder version.
Cold potato salad

Cold potato salad


As a thirst quencher, we went for the ‘Ruby Grapefruit Juice’ which was refreshing and nice. It was a dark red colour that clearly glistened in the warm lights and made it one visually appealing glass.
Ruby grapefruit juice

Ruby grapefruit juice at $9


On the whole, they are slightly pricey for the serving portions. Barring that – for the introduction of a new concept, for unique food offerings and good food, Sacha and Sons deserve a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Deli ★★★
Nearest MRT: Orchard
Address: 333A Orchard Road,#03-02 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Timings: Sun-Thu: 10am – 10pm ; Fri-Sat: 10am – 11pm
Website: http://www.sacha-deli.com.sg/