Rahmath Cheese Prata : skip the cheese prata, go for the plain one

It was a rainy Wednesday when I came specifically to look for this stall in this food centre. I was expecting a queue but there was none at 12.40 pm. This is a stall located at Toa Payoh Vista Food Centre, near Toa Payoh MRT station and is directly opposite Church of the Risen Christ. It is in the same food centre with the famous Gen Shu Mei Shi Shi Jia (根叔美食世家). They serve Prata in the morning and Mee Goreng from 1.30 pm to closing, at about 4.00 pm. 

A Makansutra award of 5-chopsticks was given to their Apom in 2013, it could be easily overlooked and mistaken that award is for their prata. Ali, the owner, acquired the skill in making prata from a friend and started off with his first shop in Ang Mo Kio before moving to Toa Payoh about 11 years ago. Ali named the stall as 'Rahmath Cheese Prata" using the name of his grandfather and also to include their signature prata on the signboard. 

I initially ordered 2 pieces of plain prata for $1.80 but decided to change a piece to cheese prata since it is their signature. Their prata is usually freshly made upon order. A piece of cheese prata is priced at $2.00, which is slightly expensive for just a piece of normal cheese to be added. It was served on a piece of brown paper placed on a tray and curry sauce in a small disposable bowl. 

I was looking forward to tasting the cheese prata but it did not quite meet my expectations. Perhaps, I am just expecting too much? I would actually prefer the plain prata to the cheese one as the cheese has not much effect in enhancing its flavour and it did not go quite well with the curry sauce, too. It might taste better if eat it with just sugar, the rather old-school way of enjoying prata. You should, in my opinion, skip the cheese prata and just go for the plain ones as it does not quite make sense to pay extra for that piece of cheese. It might not be the best prata but its texture was fluffy and slightly crispy on the surface. The accompanied mutton curry sauce was not as diluted as compared with some of the other stalls out there. 

I might just come back for their Apom someday as I am curious how good it is. 

RAHMATH CHEESE PRATA

74 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 #01-08 Toa Payoh Vista Food Centre SINGAPORE 310074

Operating Hours: 6.30 am to 4.00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

REM'I,NIS : Tex-Mex Fare in a Coffee Shop at Sembawang

It was a Sunday when i made my way there for a late lunch as this stall starts only at 1.00 pm. It is located in a coffee shop along Sembawang Road, near to the Nee Soon Camp. It should not be too difficult to locate them as the coffee shop can be seen from the main road. This 5-months old stall is muslim-owned by a couple, Ashraaf Shariff and his wife, Nadhirah, serving Texas-Mexican (Tex-Mex) food like Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas, and also, Burrito Fried Rice and Nacho Burger. I do not usually come across a hawker stall that is serving Tex-Mex food and so, this is definitely a rare find.

I went to make an order at the counter. I wanted to try their Nacho Burger ($9.50) but i was told by Nadhirah that they have run out of beef and i was asked to choose between Fish, Chicken and Mutton. I asked for a recommendation. She said, 'Most of my customers would prefer Beef or Mutton." Then, i asked, "Would the Mutton has a strong smell?". She replied as no. I also decided to try their Triple Threat Krusty Crust Quesadilla ($6.00). And i was asked whether i want to add meat for an extra $1.50 to it. The choices are Fish, Chicken, Beef and Mutton. I decided to go with Chicken.

When it was served to the table by Nadhirah, she said, "Hope you enjoy it".

The Triple Threat Krusty Crust Quesadilla is one of their best sellers, it consists of a double dose of cheddar cheese with mozzarella cheese and also nacho cheese then grilled it to melt the cheeses within. A bit of cheddar cheese was scattered on the wrapper and browned it lightly for a slight smoky flavor. I shared it with a friend and we agreed that it was delightfully tasty. 

The Nacho Burger was served much later to the table. And, Nadhirah said, "Sorry to keep you waiting". That is a good service attitude though we did not actually waited that long for it to be served.

The Nacho Burger is their unique creation, serving with cheese coasted tortilla chips, the handmade mutton patty, salsa, sour cream, cabbage slaw and corn kernels. This was my first time eating burger with a mutton patty. Somehow, it needs quite a bit of getting used to it for a non-mutton lover like myself though it actually tasted not too bad. The crunchiness from the tortilla chips and corn complemented the burger nicely. I would be interested to have it with their beef patty next time. 

Those fries tasted a bit like those frozen cajun fries that are commonly available in the supermarkets, the texture was slightly hard. 

There are other burgers on their menu, like, Hola Dorie ($8.50) that consists of a battered dory fish with jalapeno mayonnaise and cheese as well as Jeng-Goat ($9.00) which consists of a mutton patty garnished with cheese, harissa and greens. Fried Burrito Rice ($7.00) is an innovative creation, it is fried with tomato sauce, coriander, cumin and served with other side dishes like mutton bolognese, fried egg, salsa and cabbage slaw. Their menu also includes King Calzone ($16.00), a combination of Krusty Crust Quesadilla & a pizza and Truffling ($7.00), a classic Macaroni & Cheese infused with truffle butter.

Ultimately, it is not just the food but the attentive eagerness and sincere service demonstrated by Nadhirah that has left a deep impression. 

REM.I'NIS

33 Sembawang Road Hong Heng Centre SINGAPORE 779084

Operating Hours: 1.00 pm to 9.00 pm (Daily)