Orchard Road: Quantum-quality food for a fraction of the price

Orchard road.

Absolutely bustling; (photo credits: pearceonearth.com)

Whilst the bustling "must-visit" boulevard's defining traits are the long stretch of shopping enclaves that cover almost every square inch of its extensive sector, what most tourists aren't privy to is that the mall-encrusted district is stocked from head to toe with delectable delicacies of all kinds. From well-known restaurant chains to one-off, irreplaceable hawker stalls, Orchard Road has them all. Throughout this issue, I'll be keeping you posted on two value-for-money must-tries for real foodies.

We start our journey at the Concorde Hotel. Tucked in a neat alcove on the 2nd floor, unit #02-16/17 houses a small, unassuming Korean cafe. Don't be fooled by the prudent image though. This place houses some of the best Korean hotplate dishes in Singapore, all sold at rates you simply would not believe. Whilst all items on the menu look mouth-watering, one especially good dish is the signature Spicy Chicken Hotplate. Succulent stir-fried chicken strips are drenched in a special Korean Chili Paste-based sweet and spicy sauce and served on a bed of fresh lettuce. When eaten alongside a simple bowl of rice, this dish is simply phenomenal.

Ordinary name; Extraordinary food

The chicken used is completely lean, so for those fat-haters among us, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The sauce takes the natural smoky flavour of the stir-fried chicken and accentuates it, opening a new dimension of taste. It's spicy for one, but it's not the typical in-your-face burn. There's also the sweetness of the chicken and the rice mixing together, and the mild tang of the sweet chili. It's an explosion of taste with each bite. And the best part? It won't empty your wallet with the pace of a bullet. The entire set, with generous helpings of rice, soup and chicken costs just S$7.

This isn't even the full menu

Our second spot takes us to City Square Mall, unit #B2-55/56. Saizeriya is a small Japanese-owned Italian restaurant-chain with 6 outlets in Singapore. Whilst the cuisine here may not be la perfezione assoluta, Saizeriya serves up stunning cuisine for a quarter of the price. The ambience is extraordinary for a restaurant of its type, complete with pleasant warm-white mood lighting. Here, for just over $10 per person, you can get an opulent full-course feast that's excellently cooked, though some dishes are better than others, as we shall now explore...

A generous spread for 3: all for just S$21.20

The freshest there is

One of the most delectable dishes offered here has to be Saizeriya's thin-crust pizzas. Among the best of their offered flavours is the classic Pineapple & Bacon pizza. Stocked full with sweet and juicy pineapple chunks, flavourful bacon strips, a well-heeled helping of mozzarella and layered over a delicate yet rich tomato base, this pizza is one of the best in Singapore, especially since it comes to you completely fresh, the bacon strips still sizzling. And keeping with the economical theme of this post, this exquisite delight, which is more than enough for one person, is just S$6.40.

Absolute perfection

A must-have extra to complement your meal is the S$2.20 Focaccia with Garlic-Butter. Baked completely fresh, it comes out piping hot and incredibly fragrant, doubly so with the melted garlic-butter roiling across its

 surface. The texture of the warm bread is surprisingly soft, accentuating both the flavour of the sweet Focaccia and the savory garlic-butter.

With its affordable pricing, good service and excellent cuisine, Saizeriya's City Square Mall branch is well worth the visit.

With excellent cuisine all around and magnificent shopping malls surrounding every inch of its sector, Orchard Road really is one of Singapore's most amazing enclaves, whether for shopping or cuisine.