Tag Archives: Mediterranean

Winestone – For a dose of good Mediterranean food at Stevens

The new cluster of restaurants owned and managed by Oxley Holdings on Stevens Road houses quite a few interesting places to grab a bite. One of them is Winestone, a restaurant with a strong focus on wines and Mediterranean platters. It serves as a late night bar/eatery with an attempt to retain quality at affordable prices. They also have a retail section that’s slightly separated from the dining area. The warm lighting in the evening sets the tone for business groups and special occasion dinners. There is also bar seating for a quick and casual drink. Strategically located near the Mercure and Novotel hotels on Stevens Road, this restaurant caters to locals, tourists and expats in the neighborhood.

Winestone decor

Winestone decor


Winestone decor

Winestone decor

The Orders
The menu is comprehensive with a fair number of vegetarian options. We ordered the ‘Hummus with Lebanese bread’ which is a classic Mediterranean starter. The long Lebanese flatbread was nicely puffed up and quite substantial. The softness of the bread paired well with the protein packed hummus and we enjoyed it. The fresh parsley sprinkled on the top enhanced the taste of the dish.

Hummus with Lebanese bread

Hummus with Lebanese bread at $8


Since we are fans of good cheese offerings, we decided to try the ‘Pepperonata’. The two adjectives I would use for this dish are – simple and authentic. The dish had straightforward ingredients in the form of goat cheese, truffle and pistachios and was delicious. I was surprised how good the combination tasted together as the sweet notes of honey cut through the salt of the cheese and pistachios effectively.
Pepperonata

Pepperonata at $12


If there’s a vegetarian pasta, giving it variety in vegetables is of the essence. We tried the ‘Fettucine from the Farm’ from the Winestone menu. After seeing the portion size, I can definitely say that it one of the most substantial pastas I’ve eaten in Singapore. It had artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled zucchini and eggplants along with generous cheese shavings. It had the look of a timeless summer pasta dish – right from the taste to the crockery on which it was served. If you do not like any of the veggies, the restaurant is open to customizing the dish to your liking.
Fettucine

Fettucine at $25


Next, we tried the ‘Winestone Pizza’. As with the pasta, the restaurant is open to customizing this dish to your liking. We removed the pumpkin and added on olives and roasted bell peppers. The pizza was superb – a good sauce, generous amounts of cheese and delicious veggies. Bear in mind that it’s quite filling. This is definitely a shareable main.
Winestone Pizza

Winestone Pizza at $25


On the whole, Winestone is so much more than a bar because of its high quality food. For its neat ambiance, convenient location and good food, Winestone is highly recommended for a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Mediterrranean ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Stevens
Address: 28 Stevens Road, #01-01, Singapore 257878
Timings: Tue-Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – midnight
Website: http://www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/winestone/
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Pita Pan – The Shoppes, Bayfront [Permanently Closed]

Once in a while you come across a place that has a combination of interesting cuisine and umpteen choices on the menu. And Pita Pan is exactly that, a 98% vegetarian joint that provides you with numerous options for a filling lunch or dinner. I say 98% because eggs are used in the Mediterranean breeze section of their menu. I went to their Bayfront outlet which has limited seating (approx 30 seats), hence advance reservation is recommended. For a clearer idea of their location, look for the ‘Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’ or the ‘Lady M’ outlets. The eatery is managed by an Indian couple and they are passionate about the joint and ensure that your needs are met. The concept is of self-service – you have to go and place your order at the counter and decide on what you want to eat. The colourful salad bar on display while ordering is quite fresh.

The Orders
To begin with, we went for the healthy serving of ‘Couscous and Soup’. It was filled with vegetables like carrots, cabbage, onions and chickpeas and was quite tasty. Couscous is typically found in Mediterranean offerings and it is mainly a combination of wheat flour and semolina flakes and served as a befitting complement to the soup.

Couscous and soup

Couscous and soup at $11.90

The pocket meal options mentioned on the menu were quite tempting and we ordered the ‘Full Pocket Meal with Falafel’ since a Mediterranean outing without falafel would have seemed incomplete. This had five crispy falafel pieces inside packed into a huge pita bread filled with fresh vegetables and toppings of your choice and served in a neat tub-shaped box. The falafel was crunchy on the outside and quite soft on the inside and it was delicious. Totally not to be missed if you visit here.

Full pocket meal with falafel

Full pocket meal with falafel at $15.90

The orders continued with the selection of ‘Full Pocket Meal with Veg Shawarma’ which also turned out to be a hit. The serving concept is exactly the same as the falafel option mentioned above. The falafels and shawarma are present inside the pita bread and hence not visible from the top in the pictures. The quantity of both is more than sufficient for lunch or dinner.

Full pocket meal with veg shawarma

Full pocket meal with veg shawarma at $17.90

My fried ordered the ‘Red Shakshuka’ which is their only section with egg offerings. It comes in hot skillet which consists of tomato and pepper stew with eggs poached in it. Pita bread comes as an accompaniment to the shakshuka.

Red shakshuka

Red shakshuka at $11.90


Along with the main orders, you can also try the salads and dips which can be ordered a la carte. We ordered the ‘Hummus’ which was delicious to go along with pita bread.
Hummus

Hummus


If you are looking to grab a quick bite for lunch, they also serve half pocket meals and sandwiches which can act as good take away options. Its also a nice place to catch up with friends or to conduct group meetups. On the whole, Pita Pan is total ‘Mediterranean Magic with Pocket Full of Health’ which acts as a welcome refreshing change and is well worth a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Mediterranean ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Bayfront
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave, The Shoppes, Singapore 018972
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11am – 11pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pitapansg/