Carousel at Scotts

This is the sight that awaits you as you enter Royal Plaza at Scotts:

The most enthralling and dreamy wedding reception venue every bride could ask for. (Imagine all candles lit up. A page out of --insert your preferred Disney princess’ name-- is it just not….)

And of course, of decadent cakes and yummy macaroons!

But alas, these eye candies (in both senses) or rather works of art (isn’t the practice of good food?) weren’t part of the buffet, but surprisingly reasonably priced at around 5 buckaroos ++ a piece.

Much to our delight, the spread awaiting inside was no less… delightful? (for the lack of a better word :p)

Ambience was definitely one of the highlights in Carousel, the place partitioned into several dining areas with its own name and décor; The State room for functions and gatherings, the serene setting of the Verandah, the bright-burst of sunshine in the Terrace and the Living room for casual dining.

The Verandah

Pretty neat decor

The Japanese station offered the usual fare. The sushi was too my liking but the sashimi, I gave a miss. Blame it on all the horrifying sashimi-related stories and images in my head.

Cold soba, cali maki, and salads that'll rock your socks off

Popiah cups, spring rolls and more sushi & cold salad

Sandwiches were comparable to many I’ve tasted (pita dough being an exception. That’s hot.) but it’s the salads that really hit the chord (or tastebuds rather?) for me. Poached salmon salads and many other weird-sounding salad concoction (enlighten me please on what’s a vert) that nonetheless tasted great.

For the sweeter palate, expect scones, muffins, array of all cakes familiar and of house creations. And not forgetting the chocolate fountain, with accompanying sticks of fruits to coat (or multi-coat for me hehe). Western desserts were balanced with a fair share of local kuehs and puddings.

Sweets for my sweet

Chocolate & rasberry mousse, brownies, fruit tart and french pattisierie

It's nice to eat when it's nice to look at

Glowing hot scones!

Spot FD... (The Chocolat fountain)

...and Mardi! (The Asian Influence)

Bread pudding with vanilla sauce

All in all, I would describe this dining experience as pleasant – in both ways. Pleasant in that the place was cosy & welcoming, and customer service was tops. Pleasant also to the extent of blandness. The food averaged out decent and palatable but didn’t really make me come for thirdths. But seconds I did hehe.

But hey, it was high tea. Don’t expect a glorious spread of dense food aimed to burst your belly. Food at this hour is meant to be light, doi. But we were famished. Oh well.

But judging from Dimas’ rave reviews on lunch – roast lamb, whip-on-the-spot pasta, cheescakes, belgium waffles… shots of desserts?! You definitely got me there. Expect more ‘station kitchens’ offering a bigger food spread of international sorts.

For those keen to give it a try, be sure to make reservations. Turn-outs are usually high owing to it being Halal and a hot-spot for teachers, especially on half-days (I kid not!). And be sure to make it for lunch or dinner to not miss on the good stuff, which I’m sure I will soon.

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CAROUSEL

Royal Plaza On Scotts

25 Scotts Road S228220

Tel: 6589-7799

Buffet hours: Lunch is 12.00 to 2pm; high tea is 3.30 to 5.30pm; dinner is 6.30 to 10.30pm; supper is 11pm to 4am.

Ayam Penyet Surabaya

Next stop on my list of makan places tried and tested is an Indonesian restaurant located somewhere in the glitzy wondershopping fashion street that is Orchard Road. Just that it’s neither one of them upmarket dining places nor the most chic of restaurants.

Located in the humble but popular shopping mall to foreigners and bargain-hunters, Resto Surabaya at Lucky Plaza has my thumbs up for authentic Indonesian fare.

It’s about time really, to get a taste of the much talked about Javanese dish that has made headlines and lured many celebrities (Sheila on 7, Peterpan, tinkerbelle?). Yes, all the hype surrounding their signature dish - Ayam Penyet Kremes.

And surely enough, the Ayam Penyet did not fail to deliver. Translated loosely as “smashed” chicken, this suggests actions of hammering, only to loosen the meat from the bones. The result? One tasty Ayam Penyet. Tender and moist meat, crispy skin with no hints of sogginess – Sure chases away the guilt of eating fried chicken! The dish also includes a generous serving of rice with fried tempe (fermented soybeans), tahu and great-tasting sambal thrown in for good measure.

So what really sets apart Resto Surabaya’s Ayam Penyet from the rest? I would think that the secret lies in the chili paste aka sambal. Variations to the sambal (in the attempt to cater to the local tastebuds) usually render them sweeter than the original. This restaurant however values the authenticity of Javanese cuisine and has fortunately conserved its distinctive flavour. The sambal maintains the tart taste with a good dose of spicy; definitely one that may scorch the unseasoned tongue and leave others wanting more.

Other appetizing dishes include Pecel Sayur - vegetables with “assam” and peanuts and Cah Kangkung or stir-fried kangkung, with the freshness of the vegetable preserved to the crisp. You’d need to try the rest to know how they'd fare now, wouldn’t you :)

All good things shouldn’t have to carry hefty price tag and this eatery very much understands this. Dishes are reasonably priced at hawker rates, probably owing to the rather confined and crammed space allocated for the restaurant.

You may have your own favourite Ayam Penyet eatery serving Indonesian food alike. In Lucky Plaza itself, outlets such as Ayam Penyet Ria and Ayam Bakar Ojoli have their own fair share of loyal customers. Not forgetting the most raved (as mentioned in a newspaper review) Changi Village Ayam Penyet Bistari, known to have modified their sambal to the likes of many.

Who knows, I might just change my mind on the best-tasting Ayam Penyet meal as I survey from store to store (speaking of which, there is this one restaurant around the corner – Waerong Penyet at Marine Parade opened and run by the famous Indon brothers. Hmm sounds like a hearty lunch to me :p). So far though, Resto Surabaya proves to be my personal fave. At the end of the day, you just gotta appreciate the food you're blessed with.

It may not be a Kintamani or Kartini in ambiance or location, but really, who gives a hoot when you’re dining on good food?

Resto Surabaya
Lucky Plaza #02-63/64
304 Orchard road Singapore 238863
Operating Hours: 1100 -2100hr
Tel: 6732 1803