The Boiler Seafood Bar and Beer

There are a few places in Singapore that serves seafood in a bag where diners are expected to dig in with their hands, whether or not the contents are poured onto tables covered with paper or plastic that will be thrown away after every meal. No placemats, crockeries and cutleries. The concept from Louisiana was started in 2012 by The Cajun Kings (it has since closed), followed by Crab in Da Bag in 2013 and Dancing Crab in 2014. Another who jumped on the bandwagon in the same year as the latter, was The Boiler Seafood Bar and Beer, located off MacPherson Road in an ulu industrial estate. Not where you will expect. As it continues to give a free Boston lobster to every birthday baby who orders a Boiler's Bombdiggity Bag, my dining companions and I decided to try it. This promotion must be selected when making reservations through its website or Facebook, or HungryGoWhere's website or mobile app.

Crab in Da Bag

Wanted to try Crab in Da Bag after cycling at East Coast Park one weekend but it was packed and we did not have a reservation. With the intent of getting our hands dirty at this Louisi-Asian seafood restaurant, my dining companions and I reserved a table for six on another day. Opened since Sep 2013, its presence has since expanded to Sports Hub but it was the 1st branch at Big Splash that we visited for dinner. We ordered Caboodle Boil, a mix of succulent seafood boiled in its secret blend of Louisiana herbs and spices. The contents of the Titanic Pot were ceremoniously yet gently emptied onto the table. They included Boston lobster, Sri Lankan crabs, tiger prawns, Boston Bay mussels and Venus clams among others. These were served with three types of lip-smacking and finger-licking-good dips – garlic butter, Malaysian sambal and Thai green bird that accentuated the freshness and sweetness of the crustaceans.

You may also be interested in Dancing Crab.

Dancing Crab

My dining companions, one of whom has tried Crab in Da Bag at Big Splash before, and I met up for dinner on a weekend at Dancing Crab. Located at The Grandstand where Modern Asian Diner (abbreviated as MAD) used to be, it is also by Tung Lok Group. Flags of various countries strung together, and fishing nets hung from the ceiling at the spacious place. Opened last April, it is one of the restaurants in Singapore where seafood is poured onto the table for diners to dig in with their hands. While the concept from Louisiana started with The Cajun Kings in August 2012, others such as The Boiler Louisiana Seafood & Beer which serves seafood in bags and The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill have also jumped on the bandwagon.

Lady M

There are four branches of Lady M in the United States, three of which are in New York and the other is in Los Angeles, and two in Singapore. Opened last September, the 1st branch at Marina Square's Dining Edition on the 2nd floor has no kitchen space (cakes are apparently too complicated to be prepared with the limited countertop space and instead delivered daily from its central kitchen). The 2nd, a late-night joint, opened recently at One Fullerton. According to the website, it prides itself on creating the freshest and finest cakes and confectionery delights. Combining French pastry techniques with Japanese etiquette of precision, they are handmade following recipes refined over the years to provide the highest quality in taste and appearance. It is known as the original creator of the well-known mille crêpe cake with 20 layers of paper-thin handmade crepe interspersed with light pastry cream – vanilla, chocolate, citron, coconut, green tea, marron and strawberry.

Eggs & Berries

When I first saw drooling pictures and rave reviews about Eggs & Berries, there was only a branch at Changi City Point beside Expo MRT Station. But now, a 2nd had opened at Westgate beside Jem in Jurong East. Located beside 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken on the 2nd floor, the all-day American-styled breakfast restaurant had both indoor and outdoor seats. Candy-coloured chairs in blue, pink and yellow against lots of wood (from the chair frames and tables to counters and cabinets) gave the 50-seater place a cheerful vibe. My dining companions and I visited on a weekday for its tea time special of 50% off selected crêpes, desserts, pancakes and waffles. In fact, it also has a breakfast special of 1-for-1 for its triple omelette on weekdays. I believe these run 'til month-end though am not sure about the $3.90 deal for grilled chipotle sausage with choice of egg (fried, poached or scrambled), baked beans, warm sandwich toast, a side salad and coffee or tea.

db Bistro Moderne

Except Ku Dé Ta and Sky on 57 at the rooftop, most celebrity chef and fine dining restaurants congregate along two stretches in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. One is on the 2nd floor (includes Guy Savoy, Hide Yamamoto and Waku Ghin) whereas the other is at B1. Beside MasterCard Theatres – Grand Theatre is Cut, Chef Wolfgang Puck's modern take on the American steakhouse. And across are Chef Mario Batali's Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza as well as db Bistro Moderne, Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud's reinterpretation of the Parisian classic with New York style. Offering traditional French cooking with contemporary American flavours like signature burger collection inspired by the modern American palate. My dining companions and I started with a pitcher of Endless Summer Punch. It had a nice aroma of apples, tasted more like fresh orange juice than apple juice and was mostly sweet, with a tinge of tartness and a distinct note of raw cucumber slices but not ginger beer.

Pique Nique

After a day of eating and shopping, my dining companion and I were more tired than hungry. It was time for dinner and we were in town where snaking queues were the norm for most restaurants. Pique Nique is no different most of the times I passed by the casual laid-back American eatery and whenever I went to buy its cookies in pretty boxes as gifts for friends. The branch at basement 1 of Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City where Mac Donald used to be and opposite Kentucky Fried Chicken has a setting inspired by the Central Park in New York City. While that at JCube is a blend of nature with SOHO living so customers can experience the outdoors in the comfort of indoor dining. I have tried the afternoon tea at JCube before and did not think much of its sweets and coffee. As such, I ordered a Big Breakfast during my 1st visit to the one at Takashimaya.

New Kid on the Block – Dean & Deluca

With all the hype and positive sneak previews, I just had to make a trip to Orchard Central visit Dean & Deluca though I have never been to any of its retail stores and cafés in the United States, Asia and the Middle East. But either Monday lunch was a bad choice or the staff had yet to get their act going less than three days after the American gourmet food retailer and café opened at 8pm (the unusual timing was probably to coincide with New York time or due to fengshui) on 22 Jun. The self-service place was packed and many customers on their own were wondering if they should take the risk to queue and order food at the counter lest they could not get a seat after that.