As Izy as it gets... ...

The Lion had the privilege of choosing a venue for a company luncheon and while racking his brains. he realised that it was going to be as simple as I-Z-Y. Izy prides itself for its alternative spin to traditional Izakaya grub complemented by an edgy and contemporary decor. Upon stepping into the restaurant, you will be greeted by a long, almost kitschy manga-inspired mural by a local artist. Word on the street has it that Izy serves one of the best chicken karaage dishes on the island. Not surprising given the pedigree of the head chef - Tokyo native chef Kazumasa Yazawa hails from celebrated restaurants like Sydney's Tetsuya and Waku Ghin at MBS. A common gripe, however, is that portions are small given the steep prices. But after Mr Business Times' insistent coaxing, harping on Izy's bang-for-buck lunch set meal, the big cat was convinced.

An addition to Club Street's bunch of bohemian eateries.

Izy's long bar seating. If you have a big group, do call ahead to grab the
only few tables situated near the door. However, if you want to catch the chef
and mixologist doing their thang, why not seat at the bar counter and watch them
as you sip your sake?

The mural delights in everything Japanese from Pokemon, Ultraman to
near naughty stuff. Enough to keep your eyes feasting for 5 minutes.

Simple setting with wooden cutlery. Most of the people in the group
opted for the safest bet - chirashi. The lions decided to go for the
chicken karaage instead.

Mixed leaf salad with spicy goma sauce.

Chawanmushi with lotus, chives, lime and wasabi.
Lion and his colleagues  loved
 the surprising kiss of lime in the chawanmushi.

Pickled plum and fermented vegetables to whet the appetite.

Karaage Chicken Don with a crispy coating. Generous portion and the balsamic
soy sauce gave a slightly sour and umami kick to the rice. But was it the best
the lion has ever tasted? He thinks not.

Hokkaido Chirashi Zushi. The sashimi slices were delectably fresh and
again portions were generous.

Wagyu No Shiguerni Don. Josper grilled wagyu beef
with sweet soy, served on rice with mushroom. 
The Chirashi Zushi was the best out of the three dishes.

Dessert of the day. The lion and colleagues found this herb
infused sorbet pleasantly refreshing with chopped grapes at the bottom.

 IZY 

27 Club Street

Singapore 069413

http://www.izy.com.sg/

 

Lucky Four Leaf Clover

Another dreary rainy evening, the Lions had just finished their dinner at home and bemoaned the fact that they are trapped indoors due to the rain. Well that didn’t stopped them from searching for new places to go to in the near future and Cute Cute managed to spot a place …. Clover GAC at Seletar Airport. Now Cute Cute remembered Sunset Grill there but recalled that they have moved…. So there’s another restaurant in Seletar? Looks like an investigation is appropriate.

Not anymore!

To help them with their investigation, the Lions brought Dr Bear, Ms Sarang and Stevie Wonder along. Getting there was a bit of a challenge for them as the area of Seletar had seen some changes. Nevertheless they found Clover GAC after asking a few pilots for directions in the area. 
 

Clover GAC is a Japanese restaurant nestled in the MAJ aviation building. It is not actually very obvious and you have to walk through the main area down a corridor till you can see Clover's sign.
Clover does lunch and dinner except Sundays and they have a yakitori buffet as well. But for now, the Lions and friends gave Clover's Ala Carte a shot.


Edamame

Assorted Yakitori
Clover has a range of yakitori to choose from. For convenience, the Lions just took their 10 sticks plate sampler. The yakitori did not disappoint and worth a shot. Those who are strong of heart can go for the chicken heart and gizzard. 


Tako Wasabi

Sashimi 5 kinds
For the sashimi, there were a couple of selection to choose from. In the end, the salmon, swordfish, tai, tuna and octopus were chosen. Lions and friends enjoyed the fresh sashimi and what's even more delightful was the thickness of the sashimi slices. 


Assorted Sushi



Ebi Tempura and the almost gone Grilled Ika that the Lions forgot to
take a photo of.

Prawns with Shitake mushrooms

What's a meal without dessert?! In comes the creme brulee and the
Tofu Cheesecake.

Tofu Cheesecake

After the meal, the server asked Lions and friends whether they would be interested in having a look at the top. Being curious, they agreed to go up and were dazzled by the view there.

A view of Seletar airport

 

Here is our review for Clover GAC:

Food Quality: 8.0 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:

 

Clover GAC

80 Seletar Aerospace View, MAJ Aviation Building, 

#01-01 Seletar, Singapore 797563

Tel: 6694 5228

 

Understated Elegance at LP + Tetsu

This is a long-delayed post! Following a meal with Mr Business Times, Cute Cute and Cuchi's curiosity was piqued when Mr BT waxed lyrical about his dining experience at a restaurant named LP + Tetsu. It is not often that Mr BT would rave about any restaurant given his fussy palate. His main gripe was that this fine-dining establishment was too low-key despite the good ambience, value-for-money set menus and excellent service.

 

Time to get your shy bunny butts outta hole
and start exploring!

 

Following his fervent recommendation, and after checking out the potential damage to their kitty purses, the two lions made their way there for lunch to celebrate the birthday of their homeland - the Lion City.  

 

Many renowned fine-dining establishments and their Michelin-star decorated chefs have, in recent months, made the Lion City a base to showcase their culinary flair in Asia. Latest news on the grapevine was that even Chef Jamie Oliver would be jumping on the bandwagan.

 

LP+Tetsu, a collaboration between one-Michelin-starred chef, Laurent Peugeot and home-grown Food Junction Holdings Limited (surprised?), is discretly tucked away on the third floor of Tanglin Mall. Hmm... an unconventional choice of location for such an establishment compared to the current trend of high profile restaurants taking root in glitzy, mammoth landmarks. 

 



Cosy interiors:
Modern sleek lines with Asian contemporary touch

Anyways, as mentioned, LP+Tetsu is a contemporary French-Japanese fine dining restaurant helmed by Chef Laurent Peugeot of the 1-Michelin starred Le Charlemagne in Burgundy, France. This is his first restaurant collaboration outside France.

 

Pick from these choices:
 

1) Encounters (lunch only): 3-course set menu for 45 dollars. Add 15 dollars for a glass of red or white wine and choice of coffee or Japanese green tea.

 

2) Simply LP + Tetsu (lunch & dinner): 6-course set menu for 98 dollars.

 

3) Wander & Savour (lunch & dinner): 7-course set menu for 138 dollars.

4) Ala carte menu with mains starting from 30 to 60 dollars.

Since it was their first visit, the lions chose the Encounters set menu with wine and coffee.
 

An ornamental jar of water with a fish to accompany
you for lunch. Hmm relaxing... but cannabalistic pleasure
if we tuck into fish for lunch, no?
Love the simple but chic table setting with
utensils held in stones.

Regal detail on plates.

 

Matcha salt flakes

Brioche that had the texture of a croissant
above a mini French baguette

Nori seaweed olive oil to dip your bread in
followed by an amuse bouche of three
liquid-infused orbs. Handle them delicately
and you will be rewarded with flavorful bursts of
tomato, celeriac and zucchini in your mouth. 



Cauliflower Cream with sesame wasabi espuma

Salmon Sushi with tumeric and soy pearl



Caramelised Mackerel with bamboo shoot

Rice in Tube

Iberico Pork with mushrooms, giner and honey onions

 

French Cheese Box
with apple marmalade and melted reblochon cheese

Standard Nespresso Coffee

Hey deja vu but this time these happy gobules
contain, not savoury, but sweet bursts of goodness:
 raspberry, cardamom and chocolate 

OMG! This came with the coffee ...
Multi-tiered plates of sinful delights!
Favourite: the unadulterated Hokkaido brown sugar.
It had a natural hint of chocolate flavour in it!

Close-up of the Hokkaido sugar

 

Panna Cotta with granita and caramelised apples

Mini Madeleines

Complimentary National Day Dessert:
sweetened tomatoes on sticky rice
with wasabi ice-cream

Chef de Cuisine, Franck Pelux

 

Overall, the Lions found the dining experience lovely and unpretentious. Special kudos to Sarah (Chef Franck's special other half) for her attentive and warm service. The food presented was deliciously straight-forward, portions were almost too generous (no complaints!) and nothing too alienatingly advant-garde. They were also surprisingly stuffed after the meal having came expecting miniscle fine-dining portions. Highly recommended restaurant that goes easy on the wallet as well.

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address:

LP+Tetsu

163 Tanglin Road
#03-18 Tanglin Mall
Singapore 247933
Tel: 6836 3112