The Simplest Aphrodisiac: Best of the Year 2009

I think the best way to wrap up a good year for this food blog is to present to you what has been the best of the year. While there has only been about 180 food-related posts, certainly not an extensive list at all, I still feel that it would be appropriate (and good fun!) to showcase my favourites of 2009. Moreover, I'm quite sure that creating an honorary roll like this would motivate me further as I continue my search for some of the most delicious food in this little island many of us call home. 2010, or at least the second-half of it, would also mark the end of my "student budget" and I can just imagine the sheer pleasure of indulging in even more delightful gastronomic experiences. For now, the list is only 180-long, and these are the best of the best!

Best Meal of 2009: Gordon Grill @ Goodwood Park Hotel


You have heard me rave about it just a week ago and here it is once again, claiming the top spot for 2009. It is never easy to find a place where you can have a complete meal so satisfying and so complete, but Gordon Grill managed to do that with ease for me. The lovely onion rolls, the fresh scallops, the oh-so-tender beef tenderloin and the amazing crème brûlée were quite simply fantastic. Pair that with great service and you've got yourself a lovely treat. [Review]

Best Lunch of the Year: Gordon Grill @ Goodwood Park Hotel


Naturally, Gordon Grill would have the honor of this title as well. The lunch was part of a UOB Cardmember lunch promotion, priced at a most reasonable $68++ for two. I'm aware that many would try to make a comparison between Gordon and Morton Steakhouse (Mandarin Oriental), I've to admit that I've not been to the latter, so stay tuned and soon enough you'd find me writing a post about Morton! Till then, cheers to Gordon Grill! [Review]

First Runner-Up: Zac's Cafe
Delicious Meditteranean food at lunch sets starting from $9.90++. Say yes to good food at a good price! Definitely one of the better grills out there, and I find the food refreshingly different from my daily fare. [Review]


Second Runner-Up: Big D's Grill
Quality Western food at a heartland coffeeshop, certainly something worth trying if you're in the area. The crabmeat linguine is one of its bestsellers, with a good mix of both sour and spicy. I enjoyed the beer-battered fish and chips, simple but really quite delish. [Review]


Best Dinner of the Year: Summer Pavilion @ Ritz Carlton Millenia


This was where I celebrated the then-girlfriend's birthday, and the dinner at Summer Pavilion really turned out way better than expected. Simple dishes no doubt, but done so close to perfection that you would be full of praise for the masters behind these dishes. The Peking Duck rivals the one served at Hai Tien Lo from Pan Pacific Hotel, while the king prawn and wok-fillet of beef were sublime. [Review]

First Runner-Up: Ah Loy Thai
This is a hidden gem at Shaw Centre, which serves pretty authentic-tasting Thai dishes at very affordable prices. Other Thai places would often have hits and misses but I think Ah Loy Thai is one of the most balanced ones of them all! Tom yum soup and fried rice are just two of the "must-tries" if you're here. [Review]


Second Runner-Up: Seah Street Deli
Ah, burgers, I love them beefy, juicy burgers. Seah Street Deli from Raffles Hotel does them well, with yummy pairings of thick fries or smooth mashed potatoes. [Review]



Best Desserts of the Year: Checkers Deli @ Hilton Hotel


The good thing about food blogger outings is that you get to sample a splendid variety of cakes, simply because we love one another and we share! Amongst the number of (mostly teatime) desserts that I've taken so far, I would say Checkers narrowly edges out 1 Caramel because of it's better balance of note-worthy cakes and tarts. My big favourites include the Lemon Tart and the Snicker's Cake. [Review]

First Runner-Up: 1 Caramel
A great place to chill out on a sunny afternoon with your friends. Most of the "winners" here are ladies' favourites: the Red Miso Soufflé, the Lychee Rose and the Strawberry Shortcake. [Review]


Second Runner-Up: Privé Bakery and Cafe
Admittedly, I've only tried two desserts here, but I'm already won over. The Profiteroles are simply lovely, certainly one of the best that I've tried so far. Many blogs have praised some of Privé's other desserts, so I think it deserves this spot. You can be sure I'll be back here for more soon! [Review]



Best Burger of the Year: Dallas Restaurant & Bar


Sure, you may not find the Best Brunch of the Year (but I'm sure you will see many brunch-related posts in 2010!) this time round, so I thought I would just add two categories specially for two things that you know I love - burgers and ice-cream! The Best Burger of the Year goes to the Wagyu Beef Burger from Dallas Restaurant & Bar, a burger that was so thick, juicy and tender that I thought was out of this world! Well, it's Wagyu-grade beef after all! [Review]

First Runner-Up: Seah Street Deli
As I mentioned earlier, good burgers. Maybe more creativity on the menu could make Seah Street Deli stand-out from the rest of the burger joints. Promising indeed, but it shouldn't rest on its laurels. Bring it on fellas! [Review]


Second Runner-Up: Privé Bakery and Cafe
Another Wagyu beef patty, fresh but would have been better if done less rare! The drawback? Where's the fries! Burgers must always come with fries! That aside, evenly-grilled and tasty enough to bring a smile to my face. [Review]



Best Ice-Cream: Udders Ice-Cream


Other than my all-time favourite Ben & Jerry's, I thought I would include some others as well. Udders Ice-Cream continues to impress with each visit, but I'm still very much enamoured to its Snickers Mars Honeycomb Vanilla flavour - a mix of everything sweet, crunchy and delicious. I hear some of their alcholic concoctions are worth a try too! [Review]

First Runner-Up: Cold Rock Ice-Creamery
Here, the art of selection counts, a lot. Take plenty of time to think through your flavours and toppings before you enter the queue - and you will be pleasantly rewarded! [Review]


Second Runner-Up: The Daily Scoop
For those who prefer smoother ice-creams with less bits and chunks in them, there's always The Daily Scoop along Sunset Way. The durian-flavoured ice-cream is a favourite amongst my friends, but if you love your chocolate like me, there's always Hazelnut or Kookie Monster. Best enjoyed on a sunny day! [Review]


And so, there you have it - the favourites and the best this blog has to offer for 2009. There will definitely be so much more to come in 2010 (I'm not only promising you but I'm also promising myself!) and I'm looking forward as well to even more food bloggers' outings with my new found friends! For my dear readers, thank you so much for your lovely support all this while, do keep reading and if you would like, start talking to me too! Stay tuned as I try to come up with a blog outing within the first quarter of 2010 :)

With all that said and done, here's wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Yours Sincerely,
Harris Chai
Author & Food Blogger
The Simplest Aphrodisiac