Magosaburo

Located on the first floor of Tiong Bahru Plaza where Three Little Pigs used to be, Magosaburo is a Japanese Western Café not to be confused with the Japanese BBQ-turned-wagyu-dining restaurant of the same name (sometimes spelt as Magosaburou) on the 5th floor of Ion Orchard. Visited on a weekday for lunch and tried a few dishes. Scoop your spoon through its Salted Konbu and Truffle Chawanmushi to get a mix of ingredients in every mouth so none would be too salty. You have been warned. Sakura Ebi Angel Hair Pasta was a tad spicy but good. Break apart the runny egg yolk and mix it with the al dente angel hair pasta – also known as capellini reminiscent of our local mee kia, if you prefer to eat your food with a little sauce or dressing. And could neither rave about nor fault the Sunny Breakfast.

Baba Wins

My dining companions and I were finding a place for late lunch at Tiong Bahru Plaza over the weekend when we chanced upon Baba Wins on the 2nd floor. It used to be at The Star Vista, and offers items that we have not seen in other Peranakan menus. Other than the familiar Bakwan Kepiting Soup and Nonya Chap Chye that I could not fault, we also ordered the highly recommended Assam China and Chinchalok Omelette. The meatballs of minced pork and crab meat, in light Bakwan Kepiting Soup was well-marinated and neither too tough nor mushy. Homely, just like Assam China where tender pork slices and tau pok were cooked in flavourful gravy made of taucheo and ikan sepat. Chinchalok means fermented shrimps, and that is what the fragrant Chinchalok Omelette was pan-fried with. I preferred this, with chopped long beans for the crunch to balance the a-tad-oily dish, to the Nonya Chap Chye. A pleasant meal – would be back to try other items on its menu.

Update: The restaurant has closed.