Monday, October 02, 2006

Old Raffles Place

Introduction: On the corner of Johnston and Wellington St Collingwood this restaurant, which grew out of a coffee lounge, serves Singapore style food. Famed for Hainese chicken rice
Ambience: Remains a restaurant in a coffee lounge. You could call it understated but that would be overstating the case.

Service: Alan Han, the owner also serves. He has a long history in the hospitality business. While his wife cooks he is happy to talk at length about his experiences and about the influences the created the characteristic Singapore food of today
Food: Unfortunately, arriving late, we missed the Hainese Chicken which is descrbed most appealingly on the menu. We started with a Chef's selection entree of Prawn, spring rolls, a small samosa package fried crumbed calamari accompanied by some unusual prawn crackers - a nice start to the meal. The Laksa is really good not overly spiced and the beef rendang was also excellent

BYO $3.50/bottle

Price: Inexpensive. Mains $10 to $19 Cash only but there is an ATM on the premises!

Comments: Very good food at very reasonable prices. I MUST go again to try more of the specialties so glowingly descrbed on the menu

Score: 13.5/20

Chu The

Introduction: A traditional Vietnamese Pho noodle soup shop on Victoria St Richmond
Ambience: Eat and go. No frills

Service: Efficient

Food: Basically a broth spiced with five spice and coriander served in a large bowl filled with noodles and either chicken or beef tho there are some variations. I tried tripe which was tasteless and undercooked.

There is a side plate with bean shoots and mint to add to thje soup
Price: $7 to eat in $8 to take away
Comments: A good place for a quick light meal. Peasant food.

Score: 13/20

Lentils as Anything

Introduction: To cheap to get into the Age Cheap 2005 as there are no set prices - pay what you can afford and what you think it's worth!
Ambience: It feels like a squat. Dark, rather dingy, some modern inoffensive background music.

Service: Quite personal and very nice. I was impressed that when I began to ask my waitress Kate some questions she introduced herself, put out her hand and shook hands with me. I had been told it was very slow - not that night.

Food: Organic vegetarian. Substantial serves. I had a warm Vietnamese Salad - red and white cabbage, bean shoots, tofu, crispy noodles lightly spiced w some mild chilli. If this was served on fine crockery in flash surroundings customers would find it very acceptable.
Drinks: There are a variety of soft drinks and Chai available
Price; You decide. There's a large box with a slot in the top - just drop it in. If your lucky you might get a fanfare!

Comments: There are a few of these I went to the one in Blessington St. St. Kilda. If you don't mind going 'down market' in the extreme try it

Score: /1320