Country: Singapore
Food:Sponsored
I love to prowl around Mackenzie area for some chow.And this time, there is a new addition: Ole Ole satay. I noticed this Al Fresco restaurant a year ago but did not get a chance to try it out. This time, I was invited for a food tasting session with the newly decorated restaurant. and best part is, the partners has recently taken over this franchise and start afresh only recently.
It was a small dining area but very warm and cozy. Especially at night, the Al-Fresco corner is quite windy and spacious.The 3 partners embraced my arrival. Mr Matthew showed me around whereas Mdm Rahayu gets busy in the kitchen. Meanwhile Serene, joined us later.
Scrutinizing the walls and deco, I couldn’t help but noticing this old picture of yesteryears. Mdm Rahayu’s father was the man behind the famous Mas’ud Satay at Esplanade. She said the satay that they manufacture has the traditional Javanese recipe with a modern twist. And the funny thing is that her father started out humbly at the Rex Mackenzie area and now, in a twist of fate, she comes back one full circle near the place where her father started out. Now is that coincidence or what? Hmm….
I checked out the HUGE menu hanging on the wall. Hmm, western food and javanese food? Fascinating combination! Will the Javanese food be authentic? Or will it be fused with the western fusion? Hmm, let’s check it out!
Matthew lead me to another premise (2 doors down) where it is air-conditioned. He told me that this is another collaboration whereby people can enjoy delightful satays in a much cosy airconditioned place. But he mentioned that liquor and alcoholic beverages will be sold here. Mdm Rahayu said that she is just collaborating with the food but this air-conditioned premise is a separate entity to Ole Ole Satay. But if the muslims patrons would like to dine in the aircon premise, they are welcome to do so.
Matthew gives me a very good insight on what Ole Ole Satay is all about. They are an established satay brand that many top organisations,companies and even catering companies often ordered with. They have been in this line for more than 12 years!
Matthew further explained that their brand is all about quality. They want to bring quality food yet affordable to the community. Mdm Rahayu adds on that she will ensure that her food are really authentic Javanese according to her family roots. And she said that soon,the Western food (after Ramadan) will be introduced into the menu with a Javanese twist.
Now, this is very interesting. Have u ever eaten Western food with a Javanese recipe fused into it? For sure, I have not.I shall look forward to their Western food for my next visit, insya-Allah.
The waiting time for the food is about 15 minutes. They do not want to rush the orders and preferably wants to give their best to the customers thus they will inform them of the waiting time before hand.There was a small flat screen tv to keep me occupied.
Their food as promised will not be using any preservatives such as MSG. Even their fruit juices are not added with sugar. I definitely like my green apple juice. Its so fresh!
Soon, my food came….
My orders are Sup Buntut (oxtail soup), ayam kalasan and Satay (beef,mutton,chicken and tripe). Ayam Kalasan are deep fried farm chicken which are marinated with spices. They are then topped with dessicated coconut. The chicken is different than the local chicken sold in supermarket. Much tender and juicy.I like the coconut toppings, it adds more flavour to the tasty chicken. The rice is actuallyNasi Kebuli. Try tasting it on its own before u add the chicken meat and chilli dip. I almost did not notice it until Mdm Rahayu nudged me on its unique flavour.
As I stop and pay close attention to the Nasi Kebuli. I was charmed by its subtle savouriness. Mmm…its fragrant too.
Next is the satay. As munched on the satay, the deeply marinated skewered meat release its flavours onto my delicate palate. I can even taste the fresh turmeric! And what I like most is the CHUNKY peanut gravy. I love CHUNKY peanuts! Fyi-They also take orders for their Satay gravy/dip.
Below is the tripe satay (cow’s stomach). Don’t worry, no unpleasant smell can be detected. The tripe is very tender.
Last but not least is my favourite! This Oxtail soup has earned itself into my hall of comfort food. I have tasted generous variations of Oxtail soups in this Ramadan expedition. And I must embraced this Oxtail soup as the winner! It’s not that it is very authentically Javanese but because I feel that this is one food that spells P-A-S-S-I-O-N cooking from the heart. And it’s broth is so flavourful, and the chunky meat is so tender that it just falls off the bone without much work.
No wonder, it took Mdm Rahayu and Matthew some 8-10 hours of braising the stock and soup.DELICIOUS! Thumbs up! Cost about $6 but I feel it’s definitely worth it cos its filled with generous tender beefy goodness. I can just eat this as a meal on its own. It comes with a sweet spicy soya chilli dip.
Mdm Rahayu was having her Ayam Rahayu (*chuckles) for her dinner. And she let me taste the chicken (cos Im really full) . The farm chicken was differently marinated (as compared to Ayam Kalasan) and freshly fried. It’s nice!I noticed that both Ayam Kalasan and Ayam Rahayu comes with rice and soup. And the soup tasted homemadely. I like.
They are only open for lunch (12pm-2.30pm) and dinner (6.30pm-10.30pm) till supper. Opening hours can be extended till wee hours of the morning. Opposite public carpark are free from 5pm onwards, so bring down your gang for a supper satay treat!
They do caterings for functions and events (if u want a personal catering room for 10-20 people,the air-con premise can be booked.(do call up early for reservations) And they also do DELIVERY, yipee! Hotline: 63668648 (Delivery service for orders above $50 has a FOC delivery, orders less than that has $5 delivery fee)
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.