Country: Singapore
Food: Sponsored
Glancing at the bustling restaurant located in Plaza Singapura, I noticed the long queue are made of youth in their funky weekend clothes. Chattering endlessly with their friends, they do not mind waiting in queue as long as they get to have a meal inside.
Manhattan Fish Market has turned HALAL certified this year and eversince it has been one of the most popular seafood restaurants for the locals. Friends, colleagues, schoolmates of different races and colourful cultures are all enjoying their seafood under one fun roof. And with the cinemas at the top floor, that further enhance its attractiveness. Cos often cinema goers have this sudden hunger pangs before or after watching a movie.I know that for sure, cos I am one of them! *chuckles (And popcorns don’t fill me up *wink)
With MFM ingenious ways of bringing its seafood to our plates, gone were the days, where we have to manually picked out the fish bones or deshelled the prawns in our own messy way. Here, I noticed, they make things easier for the customers.Especially those dressed to impressed, thus chowing down on seafood with modern cutlery may seem kinda “up” then the typical seafood in hawker centre. Thus I wouldn’t be surprised that many will not mind spending a lil bit more for that cosy,yet fun ambiance and a chic place to dine.
Ok, my “mysterious dinner date” pop up while I was busy indulging in my favourite book while having one ear to the chattering of the crowds. As she approached me, I am pleasantly surprised to have such a beauty gracing my dinner today.
As we were seated, we were attended personally by the restaurant Manager Mr Sebastian.Quite an honour really cos the place is so packed and everyone seems flusteredly busy but he took that extra time to explain the menu in details and give us his humble recommendations and not forgetting for his endless popping in and up to ensure we have a great time! Splendid customer service!
Fadilah is the gorgeous PR who is accompanying me on this “gorging” experience. I was quite intimidated to have this slim lady as my dining companion cos I fear, she might just bite the salad but ..boy..was I wrong! She really eat! I love that… in my dining companions.I want them to really EAT and not just faking it.
And as we chat,giggled and smack our lips in glee…to get to know each other further (its really like a blind date!) , she further surprised me on her passion for backpacking (well..that really starts the ball rolling!).She really looked like the petite dainty-spa,manicured from head to toe type of “tai-tai” girl (Sorry, Fadilah!hehe!) but this shows that first impressions often is unreal.It’s our own “fake” perception and that often was derived from our past experiences in mingling with the people.
Ok, MFM has a special menu for this Ramadan (16/8/10-26/9/10). The theme is the Mediterranean twist (yeah, I suspect after the meal, I need to do lots of twisting!! *chuckles).The meal consist of Mediterranean Baked Fish, Bandung Freeze (what?!) and some Mediterranean flavoured rice with a tiny salad at its side.After we orderd that, my eyes are still glued at their normal menu. They looked so tempting!Eh, I also noticed that they have oysters and lobsters in their menu…wow!
First to come, is the pinkish Bandung Freeze. As I slurped this pink sensation in a cold restaurant (but full of human warmth), I was ECSTATIC!!! It’s the bomb! It’s definitely my FAVOURITE Ramadan drink! Oohh wow! The bandung was perfect, sweet but not overbearingly , milkish white with the right proportions and the icy blendedness…oooh! No need to describe anymore, you got to taste it to believe it! And once you buy this, the typical bandung will no longer entice u cos…. this is it! Guys, do not be turned off by this feminine colour. You won’t know the taste of real bandung till you try this!! Thumbs and toes up!
Fadilah chose this Sizzling Louisiana Prawns.The prawns are innocently deep fried and cooked in generous dollops of garlicky buttered gravy.
Aah…I absolutely adore its creamyness. Dip those soft slices of baguette into the sauce and ooh lala…The prawns are alright.. And if you are savouring this alone (or with like minded “eating buddies”), please suck those prawny heads for me …..yum! *chuckles
Then came the salad…Manhattan Caesar salad. Romaine leaves ,tomatoes in Caesar dressings,topped with hard boiled eggs and then seasoned with grated cheese and croutons. Nice and fresh!
Next is the Famous Flaming prawns.I heard its “notoriousness” long before it was even halal. And it’s one of those promised must haves that I cannot deny. 
It was flamed right on front of us. I was expecting a fiery display and was nervously looking for the extinguisher…but fret not, they are professionals.Don’t do this at home (yes, you..that lil kid in blue tee).
The fries have always been in my good books. I heard they did lots on research and try many ways in making their fries crispy even after 2hours it was served!(I didn’t wait, it was almost gone when served).But the moment of glory is the prawns and its sinful cheesy dollops.It was creamy,tasty and surprisingly tangy.I absolutely adore! Please, feel free to poke those fat fries into its luscious cheese. Smackingly good!
I almost forgot about the Ramadan special.Usual price is $19.40 but for Ramadan,it is only $14.90.(wow!) This Mediterranean twist set is very light and healthy. The baked fish , is nice with richly marinated mediteranean spices. And I like the rice,aside from its Meditteranean feel, it also has a slight hint of garlic. And not forgetting the steamed vegetables of broccoli,mushrooms and carrots.The whole set really,complements each other.Nice!
Oh no! Do not be taken in by the innocent look of this Sweet Alabama Drink. (It reminds me of the actress-Reese Witherspoon) It is sinfully rich with Chocolate, Vanilla Ice-cream and…PEANUT BUTTER!!! I wasn’t turned off by this combination cos I had a similar drink when I was in the States last year (and that one was even chunkier and evilly sinful!) .I like. It’s like drinking creamy peanut butter with nutella…and fancy vanilla ice cream. Imagine that. If you can take that, by all means, order it!
Last but not least is this Twisted Mud Pie. This is an extra. You can opt for it with just an additional $4.90 with their soup of the day. This is only the mini version (yikes!I cannot imagine it’s actual size). I was expecting a warm thick fudgey brownie with dollops of ice-cream. But I was surprised…I was staring at its rigid stance, it looked frozen! And as I pushed the silver spoon ,crumbling it down, indeed it was FROZEN! It is made of ICECREAM!! Ooh….
Coated with chocolates and peanuts, and based on thick turgid Oreo cookies at the bottom. As I savour it more and more, my palates are getting drowsy..so much so that it began to confuse itself and soon I was visualising eating a PEANUT BUTTER icecream! (I was so adamant that I seek Sebastian’s expertise to confirm its ingredients with me, and NO, there isn’t any ounce of peanut butter there,none at all..hee!)
So there it was…my “sinful” meals of the day. I was tempted to walk back home to walk off those sweets temptations but luckily Fadilah accompanied me to the MRT station. Aah..well, there’s always another day to trudge on that treadmill, right? *chuckles
So bring down your loved ones and enjoy this Ramadan at Manhattan Fish Market! You are gonna love the attentive ,fun staff serving your every dining needs, the joyful food and the warm chirpy human ambiance.
Location:
Manhattan Fish Market
Halal-certified
68 Orchard Road,
Plaza Singapura
#06-07, Singapore 238839
Tel/Fax: +65 6835 9300
(11am-9pm/weekends till 10.30pm)
http://www.manhattanfishmarket.com/
Gratitude:
Thank you to Manhattan Fish Market for it’s friendly embrace to many bloggers (including me).Especially to Fadilah for this entertaining date, Restaurant Manager-Sebastian Lau who graciously serve us with the biggest pie of his attention, and not forgetting the tireless staff that accomodates our visit with big smiles.
P.s: I noticed there is a 1800+ year date at its logo. I was like WOAH! Did this company existed since my forefathers’ days? But I was misled, it was actually referring to the famous Fulton Fish Market . And by savouring their food, you might think they are an American company,right? Well, they are much closer to home than you think. Yeah, you guess it right. It is a Malaysian company. And I really wonder how they actually replicate that American feel in their every food and restaurant setting…Really intriguing.
Disclaimer: Food featured are subject to my personal taste. I hold no responsibility for your body’s gastronomical adventure.All food shown are either from Halal-certified or Muslim owned establishments(with no liquour/alcoholic beverages).I will try my utmost best to update and maintain the relevant information shown,insya-Allah…but your body,your responsibility.Do ensure that the Halal-certificates are up-to-date,renewed (not expired) and displayed promptly before ordering/consuming. If in doubt,always ask the staff with a smile.Remember: Use ur senses especially your heart.But mainly, ask your iman (faith). Don’t assume: A headdress/scarf lady is not equal to HALAL. “No pork no lard” signage is not equal to HALAL. A crescent moon and star symbol is not equal to HALAL. Not all Mediterranean (e.g Turkish kebab), Malaysian, Indonesian cuisines (especially Nasi Padang food) is HALAL. Whatever franchise that is HALAL in Malaysia,Indonesia or in any muslim country does not mean it is HALAL in Singapore or anywhere else. Your body,your responsibility, check its HALAL authenticity. More on disclaimer?Thank you for your kind attention.