Hao Kee Seafood Deluxe at Toa Payoh North

Jeremey Tan, 37, the owner is running the stall with his wife. We went on a Sunday, the coffee shop was really quiet and there was just another table ordered some dishes from the stall. While looking at the menu board, I was greeted by the wife. I decided to go ahead with ordering the Chao Tah Bee Hoon ($6) and Chye Poh Hor Fun ($5). Both dishes were served at the same time. 

Chao Tah Bee Hoon, the "burnt" bee hoon, was a little disappointing. I could not actually taste the wok fragrance nor the smokiness though the pile of bee hoon was nicely charred. There were pieces of prawn, sotong and bits of fried lard embedded within. The first impression was that the bee hoon though dry, it did not taste as crispy as it was expected to be. The underneath of the bee hoon was quite greasy, it was a little overwhelming after a few mouthfuls. 

Chye Poh Hor Fun, a Teochew classic, did not fare too well though slightly better. The wide rice noodles were nicely stir-fried but not enough to infuse the charred flavor. The taste of chye poh (preserved radish) was not too distinctive, it would be nicer if they added a bit more chye poh and less greasy. There were other ingredients like egg, bean sprouts, and greens.

HAO KEE SEAFOOD DELUXE

Block 203 Toa Payoh North #01-1097 SINGAPORE 310203

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 2.00 pm / 5.00 pm to 10.30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)

Fatty Bombom Sizzle at Toa Payoh North

We were there at about 5 pm but the light of the signboard of this stall was still off even though it is stated on their Facebook page that they are starting at 5 pm. There were also other customers waiting as well followed by more and more customers coming to wait. This seemed to be the most popular stall amongst the others in the hipster foodcourt. Their food must be of a certain standard to be this popular. 

At 5.20 pm, the staff was spotted walking into the stall. The chap at the counter offered to take my order when I was looking at the menu board. He said, "We will only start cooking at 5.30 pm." I decided to go with Cajun Chicken ($6.90) and Crunchy Chicken ($7.20). I was given a buzzer after paying up. We waited till 5.50 pm to receive the orders despite I was the first customer to order. The Cajun Chicken was ready first followed by the Crunchy Chicken. 

The Cajun Chicken did not taste quite like it. What exactly is Cajun? Cajun is relating to a style of cooking originating amongst the Cajuns and characterized by the use of spicy seasonings such as cayenne pepper and paprika. In this instance, I could not taste the spiciness in the seasoning. The chicken was served in a pool of brown sauce and totally covered by the same sauce, which I suspected to be the black pepper sauce. It might be more appropriate if they named it Back Pepper Chicken instead. By the way, there is also a Black Pepper Chicken on their menu. Did they mess up the order? I am quite certain that it was not Cajun Chicken. The chicken tasted quite bland without the sauce. 

The chunky fries were sprinkled with Cajun seasoning though, the spiciness though mild but quite distinctive. 

I could not understand why did they serve coleslaw on the hotplate? It is supposed to be served cold and not warm. They actually placed it on a leaf of lettuce but it did not keep the heat away. They should have it served separately since there are no other choices for side dishes.

The Crunchy Chicken did not fare any better. It was served along with mayonnaise. It was fried well to a notable crunchiness but the meat was surprisingly bland as well.

My dining companion commented that their popularity might have to do with the limited options of halal Western food which I agreed. There is actually a better Western food stall nearby but not halal-certified though.

When I met up with KF Seetoh, the founder of Makansutra, for the first time for an interview for a writing position. He clearly told me that "Nice say nice and not nice say not nice". I have been following this principle all this while and trying to stay objective. Some might think that writing a negative review will have an indirect impact on the establishment. While writing for Makansutra, I went to review OMGrill, a stall manned by the winner of Wok Star, a local TV cooking programme. He was offered a stall in the coffee shop rent-free for the first 6 months by a particular F & B group as part of the prizes. Apparently, the stall did not make it and closed after a while. I seriously do not think my honest review has directly contributed to its closure. 

FATTY BOMBOM SIZZLE

978 Toa Payoh North Grains & Hops Food Court Bistro SINGAPORE 319001

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 3.30 pm / 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm (Closed on Sundays)

Big Bern's American Grill : Christmas Menu

If you wonder, Big Bern's American Grill is started by Bernie Utchenik, 62, the former boss of Botak Jones after he opted out of the partnership. 

We were there for a late lunch, it was not as crowded as expected, we went through the menu quickly and placed our orders right at the counter. We decided to go with the Louisana Turkey Plate ($16.50) that is part of their Christmas menu. I was asked to select an extra side to go with it. The other order was half of Cajun Chicken ($5.90) that came with 2 sides of our choice. 

The Louisana Turkey Plate consists of their special Louisiana Peanut Oil Fried Turkey, Bread Dressing, Double Baked Cheese Potato and Cranberry Sauce. The presentation was a typical American style, a little messy but homely. I added Coleslaw as an additional side. The texture of turkey was alright, not too fantastic and not much taste as expected of a typical turkey dish. It is all in a good fun though and to soak up a bit of the festive mood.

I particularly enjoyed the Double Baked Cheese Potato, i could taste quite a few pieces of chunky potatoes in it with slices of onions then baked well with cheese. I would think the taste was just right, not overwhelmed and with a good amount of cheese to give it a comforting feel. It is quite an unique side dish amongst the usual selections. 

The Cajun Chicken is always one of their signature dishes since those days when i used to patronise Botak Jones. It still tasted good if it's not better. I did not quite like their Pasta Salad though, the texture was a bit too soggy and taste, not too distinctive. I have eaten a much better one and i could make a much better one, too. 

Overall experience was quite a pleasant one. I would like to go back for their steak. I heard their standard is pretty good, supposedly much better than those that i have eaten at Botak Jones. 

BIG BERN'S AMERICAN GRILL

978 Toa Payoh North #02-01 SINGAPORE 319001

Operating Hours: 11.30 am to 9.00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)