SUKA MAKAN: THE ARTISAN'S TABLE @ RAIL MALL

I'm beginning to dig Rail Mall. I usually avoid places that use the word "artisanal", "bespoke", "deluxe" or anything with chi chi French names, simply because these connote high expenses, but made an exception for The Artisan's Table. Walking past the other day, I could not help notice its bright and cheery atmosphere, and small but welcoming menu.

So we came, and were impressed by its simplicity and general wholesomeness. The prices were also looked reasonable for somewhere that prides itself of being "artisanal". What does that even mean? Never mind, I was even tempted to have a cappuccino despite being more of a tea person.

Mackerel in olive oil.

Parma ham pizza

We ordered two dishes to share, and both were excellent. First was the mackerel in olive oil, which was very savoury, and the Parma ham pizza was thin-crust and very delicious. Despite stuffing myself, I even had something to take home for a late night supper. Will definitely come back and try their other dishes.

Just the place to buy items to make
the most perfect high tea at home.

THE ARTISAN'S TABLE

474 Upper Bukit Timah Road

Singapore 678082

The Artisan's Table – The Artisan's Table

SUKA MAKAN: BLOOIE'S ROADHOUSE @ RAIL MALL

We're back at Rail Mall, another stretch of shophouse and eating places on Upper Bukit Timah Road. This used to be the only major trunk road to Johore Bahru, and there were crops of commercial businesses every few miles, which explains the shops and food places on the 7th mile (Beauty World), 9th mile (Rail Mall) and 10th mile (Bukit Panjang).

Rail Mall is now gentrified, and fancy restaurants rather than kopitiams occupy the long row of shophouses that face the main road, and where the Malayan railway crosses overhead in an iron truss bridge. 

BLooiE's Roadhouse is a Western-styled tavern, drinking hole which also serves Western food. A recent addition to its menu is Lee's Taiwanese, specialising in classic Taiwanese dishes. According to one of the friendly staff, one of the restaurant owners happens to be Taiwanese.

Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice

Western: T-bone Steak with black pepper sauce

On this occasion, we decided on the best of both worlds - Taiwanese for Janet and Western for myself. And we could not resist the Taiwanese fried chicken chop - a must whenever the idea of Formosa comes to mind.

Taiwanese: Fried Chicken Chop

The name Fuyong refers to the public
housing estate which Rail Mall fronts,
a community founded by Lee Kong Chian.

BLOOIE'S ROADHOUSE

426 / 428 Upper Bukit Timah Road

Rail Mall, Singapore 678054

BLooiE's Roadhouse (@blooiessg) • Instagram photos and videos

 

SUKA MAKAN: ACQUA E FARINA @ THE RAIL MALL

Here we are at Rail Mall on the 9-mile junction of Upper Bukit Timah Road. Here the old Singapore-Johor Bahru railway crosses the Bukit Timah axis for the second time, and there has always been rows of shophouses fronting a housing estate on the west side of Bukit Timah Hill. For years, a Domino's Pizza outlet which we regularly brought our son to has been replaced by an actual Italian Restaurant, Acqua e Farina (translating to Water and Flour) in more recent years.

This is an authentic Italian restaurant, owned by Italians, and that's how it should be. Acqua e Farina has a special lunch promotion of pastas, pizzas and desserts, which is what we came for. And we were not disappointed taste-wise but the portions are on the smaller side. Which is why we had to have a pizza as well. 

The paper place-mats have views
of Naples and Milan.

Salmon Genovese pasta (with basil) 

Aglio olio pasta with
mushrooms and bacon strips.

A delicious prosciutto pizza
that finally filled the stomach.

The non-promo and dinner menu goes into the realm and prize-range of fine dining, and we can only guess what it is like on another occasion. 

A view from across the
iron truss bridge over Upper Bukit Timah Road.

ACQUA E FARINA

400 Upper Bukit Timah Road

The Rail Mall

Singapore 678050

Authentic Italian Restaurant in Singapore | Rail Mall Acqua e Farina