Eat

Posh Picnics

Tedious prep work, begone! Round up your girlfriends, grab some of this gourmet grub, and enjoy an alfresco meal in the park without having to lift a finger in the kitchen.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Tedious prep work, begone! Round up your girlfriends, grab some of this gourmet grub, and enjoy an alfresco meal in the park without having to lift a finger in the kitchen.

PIMP MY SALAD

(Pasarbella Suntec City, #01-455 Suntec City Mall North Wing, www.pimpmysalad.xxx)

True to the spirit of “pimping” one’s salad, the bowls of greens here are boosted by delicious ingredients like slowroasted rosemary lamb shoulder, charred baby corn with paprika and fresh thyme, and Dijon roast beef. You can even do away with greens as a base if you like, and opt for grains like couscous with raisins, bell peppers and gluten-free pasta instead. What rabbit food?

The Veg Almighty ($11.50) with baby spinach, couscous, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, grilled asparagus and pesto
The Veg Almighty ($11.50) with baby spinach, couscous, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, grilled asparagus and pesto
The Fish’en Good ($13.50) with pan-seared salmon, baby spinach, marinated olives, roasted carrots, corkscrew pasta, mirin and ginger
The Fish’en Good ($13.50) with pan-seared salmon, baby spinach, marinated olives, roasted carrots, corkscrew pasta, mirin and ginger
READY-TO-EAT @ EMPORIUM SHOKUHIN

(#01-18 Marina Square, tel: 6224-3433, www.emporiumshokuhin.com.sg)

If you fancy something a little more posh than regular sandwiches and salads, opt for one of the sashimi and sushi boxes, the bento sets or the onigiri ( Japanese rice balls). These are all prepared on the emporium’s premises, using premium Hokkaido rice and prime ingredients flown from Japan or Europe thrice a week.

Teriyaki Salmon Bento ($11.80), consisting of salmon with homemade teriyaki sauce, pickles, rice topped with furikake, seasonal vegetables and tamagoyaki.
Teriyaki Salmon Bento ($11.80), consisting of salmon with homemade teriyaki sauce, pickles, rice topped with furikake, seasonal vegetables and tamagoyaki.
SAINT PIERRE MARKET

(#02-11 Ngee Ann City, tel: 6694-4414, www.saintpierremarket.com)

This gourmet deli by chef Emmanuel Stroobant (of Saint Pierre fame) focuses on sustainable eating. Its soups, salads, gourmet sandwiches, wraps and even desserts are therefore all made with health-conscious ingredient tweaks and preparation methods. Think free-range eggs, organic vegetables and wholewheat tortilla wraps as well as gluten-free or vegan options.

Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($14.80) with smoked Norwegian salmon, Roma tomato, romaine lettuce, egg, dill mayonnaise and French cereal baguette.
Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($14.80) with smoked Norwegian salmon, Roma tomato, romaine lettuce, egg, dill mayonnaise and French cereal baguette.
AN AN

(Pasarbella Suntec City, #01-455 Suntec City Mall North Wing)

The Vietnamese classics here are prepared by a veteran chef with more than 25 years of experience, and feature favourites like pho, broken rice, rice rolls and salads. It’s wholesome, fuss-free food that’s also easy on your palate.

Net prawn rolls ($7.50 for two).
Net prawn rolls ($7.50 for two).
WOLF BURGERS

(Pasarbella Suntec City, #01-455 Suntec City Mall North Wing)

These gourmet burgers by the meat-centric Carvers & Co have plenty of heft but are priced at less than $10 on average – a fraction of what standard gourmet offerings cost. Just four burgers (a classic beef, a buttermilk fried chicken, a Korean-inspired version with pork patty and spicy gochujang sauce, and a double portion of the classic beef) make up the main menu, but are bolstered by other tempting treats like kimchi cheese fries, salted caramel peanut butter waffles and Horlicks vanilla milkshake – all perfect for extra indulgence.

From left: Horlicks Vanilla Milkshake Topped with Cornflake Crumble ($6) and The Wolf ($9.90).
From left: Horlicks Vanilla Milkshake Topped with Cornflake Crumble ($6) and The Wolf ($9.90).
GRILLLO

(Pasarbella Suntec City, #01-455 Suntec City Mall North Wing)

You can’t go wrong with grilled Japanese skewers of beef meatballs, pankocrusted prawns, dory, or shiitake mushrooms. Have these with Grilllo’s signature sides like edamame and corn salad or slow-cooked egg, or get a more substantial meal by ordering the rice bowls with truffle short rib, yuzu salmon, chicken or garlic tofu.

My Reading Room
My Reading Room
From top: The Yuzu Salmon Bowl ($12.90) with chicken and leek skewer ($2) and beef tsukune skewer ($2.50), the Yuzu Salmon Bowl, and the Garlic Tofu ($3).
From top: The Yuzu Salmon Bowl ($12.90) with chicken and leek skewer ($2) and beef tsukune skewer ($2.50), the Yuzu Salmon Bowl, and the Garlic Tofu ($3).