Arossa (ex-La Luna Rossa)

Imagined my surprise when I received an email confirming my lunch reservation at 'La Luna Rossa' which informing me that it is now called 'Arossa Wine and Grill Bar'

I immediately thought whether it would still be the same Italian Japanese fusion fare or totally changed. To my delight, it still the good Italian Japanese fusion fare with new Japanese chef on the helm.

Didn't take a lot of interior photos as everything still remain the same. Only slight changed on the table facing the window onto Scotts Road.

For lunch, it was still Set Menu but I think it was much better than before. The menu had more selection and with additional of extra amount to few selective menus. There were 2 selections for month of July; the Pasta Lunch and Prix-Fixe Lunch with more selections.

For our waiting staff, I had a feeling he was quite new at the venue and few were Japanese staff as before. Our waiting staff was not so attentive and was a bit in a pushy kinda attitude, not to annoying state but still not so calm and collective. Beside that, overall staff were quite attentive and prompt. 

As before, food quality was excellent and the Tiramisu was heavenly; was not a fan of Tiramisu but here, I became a fan, only at Arossa (at the moment, until I find other that equally good or better)

It is such a nice place to have lunch, either corporate or personal. It was not too crowded as limited table they have on main dining room. And it is a great venue to have private dining, as I noticed they have more than 1 private dining room.

Wine and Drink Menu for Lunch



View to Kitchen area

Even though, it was an open area but you would not be bothered at all

Gotta love this lighting

View to Private Room doors and corridor



Good breads and dipping oils



Pink Rose

Cloudy apple juice, lime juice and grenadine syrup



The capuccino



Starter: Fresh fish carpaccio of the day with crisp vegetables

Didn't taste any rawness taste on this carpaccio. I think the blend of vegetables and fishes were excellent



Starter: Fresh Garden Greens with Arossa dressing

Yummy salad



Main: Grilled Ribeye (NZ, grass fed) with Red Wine Sauce

The beef was tender and not too thick; the mashed potatoes was heavenly

I loved this main dish



Tagliatelle with Wagyu Bolognese and Black Truffle

The pasta sauce was amazing; it was so tasty and not oily

 

Dessert: Tiramisu, Sweet mascarpone and savoiardi biscuit

It was soft, creamy and tasted so good for a tiramisu

 

Dessert: Chef's Daily Creation

If not mistaken, I heard from our 'hurried' staff, it was Chocolate Tartare with caramelized banana slices



It was good indeed! The chef was very good in blending the taste balance



English Breakfast Tea as the closure of Prix Fixe Lunch set



 

 



Arossa Wine and Grill Bar

(ex-La Luna Rossa)

6 Scotts Rd #02-01
Scotts Square
Singapore 228209

https://www.facebook.com/Arossa.Singapore

 

Opens daily from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm



Bakerzin @ Vivocity

Always passing by Bakerzin at Vivocity but never had a thought of trying it; but in one hurried afternoon before catching movie, I decided to give it a try.

It was a right decision as it was more secluded than other restaurants at Vivo which enable you to have a chat and not elbowing your fellow patrons. And what surprised me was the serving time from ordering to your meal being delivered. It was honestly the fastest I had ever encountered, am not kidding. It was like 5 minutes and it comes one after another within 3 minutes of each order. Perhaps it was still a quiet lunch time ? But, still the readiness of the meal being dispatched astounded me.

The staff were busy preparing some cake boxes which was scattered around the cake counter and on the table around there so not much attention when we walked in.

The waiting staff didn't look that keen when waiting to take our order and when you asked for clarification on the menu, he answered in a one liner. Then, you need to ask another liner and he answered in a one liner again. You got the gist.
Seeing his attitude and no notes taking done made me a bit wary. But our orders were delivered correctly, I guess at least he got good memory despite of the attitude.

The food surprisingly quite good as I recalled few years back, it was quite disappointing and the homemade lemonade drink was good.

For a quick good western lunch at Vivocity, I would consider returning to Bakerzin. It was a good place to have a chat compared to other venues there.

The 'dainty' looking menu

They changed their logo and first time I saw it at Vivocity, not sure on other outlet

The previous logo that we knew as seen on the napkin



Slight Parisian bistro feel with the chandelier and the setting of the counter



The heavy draping certainly added the Parisian touch



View to the fountain, never saw this view/facing at Vivocity



 

Homemade Lemonade

Really liked this drink



Carbonara Spaghetti

Pasta with cream thickened with egg, cheese and topped by bacon and parma ham

It was better than expected, a good pasta indeed from Bakerzin



Bakerzin Signature Curry Chicken With Rice

It was cooked like traditional Singapore-style cury with chicken and potatoes



First time seeing shallow cup rice, to accompany the chicken curry

 

Bakerzin

VivoCity

1 Harbourfront Walk #01-207
Singapore 098585

Tel: +65 6438 8700

 

http://www.bakerzin.com/



Opens daily from 11.30 am to 10 pm

Jones the Grocer @ ION

Jones the Grocer, the pioneer of store café in local market from Australia, has been a success in local market with 3 outlets around the island up till date.

Somehow, I never been keen to try their Mandarin Gallery, perhaps the snobbish attitude of the staff from the moment you stepped in to queue was the major putting-off factor.
Really, I tried few times to saunter in but again and again, the staff never been friendly and courteous in welcoming you in.

So, here I was at ION Orchard, wondering what to have for my lone lunch meal and saw the latest outlet opened on 4th floor, there and then, decided to try it.

It was lunch time but there was no queue and few tables were available though from outside, it looked quite busy.
Staff here were much better compared to Mandarin, they were at least friendlier with a smile. But, the lack of staff training started to show once I placed my order, she asked whether I'd like cold/warm water and I asked for warm water.

Waited for the water but no sign of anyone approaching me. My drink came around 10 mins and I asked for the warm water to the serving staff, who was different staff. He noted but then I saw he was busy clearing other tables and started delivering other orders. Then my pasta came, I forgot to ask my glass of water from this 3rd different staff. In the end, I called up the 1st staff, she suddenly recalled and slightly embarrassed but quickly filled my glass.

Preferred the drink than the pasta which was presented nicely but sadly, lack on taste. Thought of trying the cakes which I recalled was on popular page when the 1st outlet opened.

The clearing plate staff were the 2nd staff, a young guy, so I asked (instead of my usual habit of walking over to cake counter display), what were the popular cake they offered. He mentioned they got variety but Lemon cake was one of it, I instantly perked up hearing about Lemon. I clearly asked whether it was a big slice of cake; but he said, No, should be enough for 1 person consumption. Okay then, I asked for one.

5 minutes past and another staff came over but brought me Lemon Meringue Tart (?)... Wait a minute, I thought I clearly asked about Cake and he answered me about Slice of Cake but not Lemon Tart (?)

Lazy to ask another, I just settled in and it was pretty good though the pastry was quite hard.

I got the feeling, Jones the Grocer, relied to much on its name but lack the attention in training their staff. It was so apparent from lack of warmth, attention to order and inconsistency.

It just a so-so establishment and some may don't care for the service standard shown here but in my opinion, with dishes that just average and disappointing service, it just not value for money at all.

From entrance

 

The menu

View to the main entrance, opposite Crate & Barrel

 

I do like their ceiling lighting, it just so 'Scandi' style; sleek, modern yet simple

 

Simple yet modern looking furnitures

 

The Bar counter and prepping area

 

The groceries corner / wall

 

Some of the groceries on sale

 

Orange Earl Grey Ice Tea

It was refreshing indeed, you tasted both the orange and earl grey flavour

It was something new and I liked it

 

Angel Hair Pasta with Blue Swimmer Crab, Chilli, Rocket, Garlic & Grana Padana

 It beautifully presented and all the ingredients were fresh but it lack of taste; something amiss but I couldn't pin point what was missing. A pity, though

 

Lemon Tart

 

It was bigger than normal tart that I encountered and the pastry was too hard

 

 

Jones the Grocer
ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn #04-14 
Singapore, 238801
Tel: +65 6884 5597        

http://www.jonesthegrocer.com/

Opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm


The White Rabbit

Down the Rabbit Hole, that was what came into my mind when we walked passed the side door of The White Rabbit.

I read there was a change on their Head Chef so I was looking forward to try how The White Rabbit has changed their menu from my last visit few years ago.

Didn't make any reservation as I thought from my 'last' experience, it was quite easy to get in and Oh Oh, how wrong I were, it was quite packed and it gave me a slight worry of not getting any table. Luckily, the small table was still available but most of the tables were occupied.

I thought the menu was cleverly done in incorporating various types of Brunch, from salad, crepe, sandwich, omelette, etc in a concise selection of ingredients.

The significant difference in The White Rabbit from my previous visit was the service standard, the staff were excellent on that day. Busy time but they never failed to notice and pay attention in refilling your warm water and hot water for my tea. Our waiting staff even noticed a speck of sauce on my dessert plate when she was about to place it, I saw it when she was holding it and thought she may not.

Dishes were served promptly, another plus point which I didn't expect. Plates were cleared promptly too. Everything went so prompt and proper on that busy day. Kudos to the staff, indeed.

Our dishes were thumbs-up, the portion was just right for a person and even though, it seemed like a simple dish but it was perfectly cooked and well presented.

It was such a lovely ambience at The White Rabbit and with a fantastic acoustic too! Never I experienced other restaurant which has good acoustic sense like White Rabbit. I think they did a splendid job in converting this chapel into a restaurant and judging from the crowd and events that took place here, The White Rabbit has long life in local F&B industry.

Access to this area may be a bit tricky if you are not driving, but for a lovely ambience, good food and excellent service as what I experienced that day, a return visit is warranted.

Definitely a recommended venue to have a good casual dining in a beautiful surrounding.

Down the Rabbit Hole (side door from parking area/ taxi drop off)

 

The concise brunch menu

 

Who doesn't love high-ceiling like this?

 

Pretty sofa seating, isn't it?

 

Modern touch on the lighting

 

Simple 2-seaters table; loving the retro tiles

 

View to the main entrance

 

Another ex-chapel signature décor beside the high-ceiling

 

My 'White Rabbit' Tea

It didn't have any description what sort of tea but it was quite strong but not overpowering

The Rabbit shaped biscuit was just adorable

 

It was a small pot, pour out for a cup but the waiting staff refilled the hot water without me asking

 

Cape Grim Steak & Eggs

Australian grass-fed striploin, two sunny side ups, truffle sauce, housemade pickled veggie

 

The fries were excellent, the steak was okay though it was tender and the veggie was good

 

Maine Lobster and Cheese Omelette

Smoked Scarmosa, chips and greens

The omelette was fluffly with hints of lobster meats

The Belgian Waffle

I ordered this as I thought about the 'real' Belgian Waffle with Belgian chocolates... :(

The waffles were so crispy and the berries were fresh but it just okay

I was so in awe with this table arrangements and the knick knack which located opposite the rest room

 

These just reminded me of those movies in the 40s

 

Waiting chairs for restroom queue

 

See...1940s era sign

Not sure whether the restroom locked accidentally or not but it was engaged for longest time and no one came out at all

 

Loving the door handle, the handle used the Club card sign

 

Lovely signs, didn't take photo of the sign which looked like a 'church/chapel' sign facing the main road. It was just adorable 

Such an adorable setting

 
The White Rabbit
39C Harding Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 6473 9965

http://www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg/

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 12-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 10:30am-3pm, 6:30-10:30pm
Closed Monday
Bar Open Late