Horizon Bistronomy @ NOL Building, Singapore

Fusion is not always a bad word...

UPDATE Jul 2018: Sadly, Horizon (at NOL Building) is permanently closed. :(

It's pretty rare that I get to go out for lunch, as work is generally quite busy.

Lunch for me is usually a quick run to the nearby food court for takeaway, then back to office to enjoy my meal in the comforts of my office's pantry area with my colleagues. So, what a treat it was for me and my team-mates to go out for lunch at a nearby restaurant.

It turns out that Horizon Bistronomy has been opened for quite a while now, but I never noticed it before as it is located on the ground floor of the NOL building, which I don't pass by much. They serve fusion food (Asian/French/Italian) which is kinda passé, so I had my reservations.

Outside Horizon...

While there were interesting items on the a la carte menu, we focused on the Lunch set options:
- the Pasta/Risotto lunch set ($16.90++), which comes with a drink and choice of one starter and a pasta/ risotto for your main, OR
- the Main lunch set ($24.90++), which comes with a drink and a premium starter (eg. angel hair pasta with crab meat, tobiko and truffle oil) and heavier options for your main (eg. Duck Confit).

For my starter, I choose the Caprese salad - it was beautifully arranged and tasted refreshing, with the slightly sweet tomatoes pairing well with the mild pieces of mozzarella.

Cheese, Tomato, Basil deliciousness...

For my main, I chose the cauliflower risotto with Kakuni pork (Japanese style braised pork). The risotto was so delicious! - al dente grains of short grain rice, cooked to creamy perfection.

As for the pork, it was also absolutely delicious - tender texture, with a nice mix of savoury and sweet, pairing perfectly with the risotto.
(I was in a food coma after that, but it was totally worth it)

 

 Cauliflower risotto with Kakuni Pork...

 

I enjoyed the food there so much that I returned soon after.
During my second visit, I chose the Value Lunch instead - a small but very well priced selection of pastas.

That day, I chose the Laksa Pasta ($ 7.90++). It usually comes served with Mussels, as I understand, but that day they (ran out? and) served it with Soft shell crab instead (which I certainly don't mind). While it was just a tad too oily, but overall it was very enjoyable - fragrant, lightly spicy laksa sauce and al dente pasta. The crispy little morsels of tofu puffs added a nice texture too. The serving was pretty generous and I (again) fell into a (happy) food coma after.

Note: For the value lunch, you only get a main (no starters or drinks), but considering the serving size and ingredients, I think it was super worth it)

 

The Laksa Pasta...

 

As for the décor was nice but not too formal, and the service was always friendly - great place for a work lunch or a casual dinner date.
(Better to sit inside though I think, while it can get a bit noisy when it's full, the outdoor seating can get a bit warm)

So, it's: Really delicious fusion food, reasonable pricing, friendly service BUT nothing much bad to say :) I just wish it was opened on weekends!....

Summary Information:
Horizon Bistronomy @ NOL Building, Singapore
Website: CLICK HERE

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 11am-11pm
(Closed Sat and Sun)

Phone: +65 6884 6884

Address: NOL Building, 456 Alexandra Road, 119962
Map: CLICK HERE

NOT HALAL

OTHER REVIEWS:

- PrisChew Dot Com

- NAHMJ

- Secret Life of the Fatbacks

Sow & Reap Cafe @ Viva Vista Mall, Singapore

Waffles are life...

We were in the area visiting a friend, and stumbled upon this café in a secluded location (new-ish shopping center at the base of Viva Vista condominium).

Secluded location...

Once you walk past the many empty shoplots - there is this cute and cosy little café, Sow & Reap:

A nice surprise at the end...

There are not many options on the menu (pretty much a burger, a pasta, some brunch options, a savoury and a sweet waffles, sandwiches, home made ice cream, and some baked goods like croissants and cakes)... Still, its more than enough to choose from.

They also have some daily specials like Herbal Chicken with Brown rice - doesn't fit on the more Western theme of the main menu but hey, whatever works, right?

We felt like brunch so we ordered the big breakfast ($15.90). The serving was big enough and everything was lovely - I especially liked the moist scrambled eggs and crusty slice of bread.

Certainly a hearty breakfast....

The highlight for me though was the Homemade Meatballs with Buttermilk Waffles ($14.90) - loved how crispy the waffles are, while still being moist inside. At first I thought the combination of scrambled eggs, spicy meatballs and cranberry sauce was a bit weird... but somehow it works! (Nice combination of savoury, spicy and sweet)

A rather eccentrically topped waffle...

 

The coffee was also decent, served in a oh so hipster mason jar cup ($5? - oops I forgot the price for this).

Caffeine is my only addiction (thankfully)...

Overall, I enjoyed the food there, and have been back a few times for the waffles which have been consistently yummy. :) Service is always friendly too - really feels like a very nice, homey café.

Cosy décor inside...

So, it's: Good food at good prices, friendly service BUT secluded location, there really isn't much else to do at this "mall"....

Summary Information:
Sow & Reap Cafe @ Viva Vista Mall, Singapore
Website: CLICK HERE

Opening Hours:
Tues to Sunday 9am-9pm

Phone: +65 6250 1220

Address: 3 South Buona Vista Road, #01-41 Viva Vista Mall, Singapore, 118136
Map: CLICK HERE

NOT HALAL

OTHER REVIEWS:
- Cannot find any :(