Pasta de Waraku (Square 2)

This was my 1st visit at Pasta de Waraku @ Square 2... the restaurant entrance isn't very prominently located in the building though the restaurant itself is just next to a taxi stand. The entrance is located next to The Face Shop and not at the taxi stand side.

I decided to go for a light meal and order the Japanese-Style Clam Chower ($8.80). Thou V and J found the soup to be quite diluted, it was just right for me. However, what was very misleading was the BIG soup bowl, that gave us am impression that the serving portion was generous.

Guess some of us may be familiar with the famous Japanese plum alcohol - Choya Plum Wine. I ordered the Umeshu-soda ($6.80) which was a mix of the alcohol with soda.

And finally, my yummy dessert - Macha Azuki Parfait ($6.80). The bottom-most layer is corn flakes, covered with vanilla ice cream, topped with macha ice cream, strawberry, japanese rice balls, red bean paste and a piece of wafer biscuit.
 

Total damage - approx $25.

Ministry of Food - My Izakaya @ Marina Square

Was initially a little skeptical about Ministry of Food since it looks like yet another Japanese casual dining place in the shopping centres.

R highly recommended the hot stone rice and so I gave it a try. It comes in either salmon or unagi ans I opted for salmon hot stone rice ($6.80). He kept emphasing that I should continue to stir the rice while eating, else the rice will get burnt and get stuck on the bowl. And it was true cos another fren's rice got stuck onto the bowl for not stirring.

The hot stone bowl is really really hot and there is no way one can touch the bowl with bare hands. So, it actually comes with a wooden base. And the wooden spoon is meant for stirring the rice. My only complain is... why do they provide metal spoons instead of wooden spoon for eating?

Food quality wise - it was not disappointing at all! The rice is very fragrant and I like the salmon bits. Thou the dish was a wee bit too oily.

My dessert - Macha Imo ($6.50). Japanese soft gelato with a piece of fried sweet potato and fried yam. A combi of hot and cold dessert in 1 serving.
 

It even came with a small instruction card on how to enjoy the dessert. Cool!