A brand that once represented unfailing quality, TCC’s “performance” has unfortunately been inconsistent at best. Though I no longer visit them for meals, their ’boutiques’ make for decent high tea venues. Another reason you may still find me there is my love for penny-pinching, a trait that becomes difficult to resist during their birthday promotions (up to 50% off).
And as some of you may have guessed, this place is far from being a contender for the best steak in Singapore. Here’s a short review where we celebrated a friend’s birthday and a couple of things stood out.
The Meat
Knowing that their current standard is a far cry from years back, I personally avoided all their steak/ beef dishes. A more forgiving dining companion however, thought she’d give their Wagyu Meatball Baked Rice ($20.90) a try. I took a small bite of the meatball and after tasting it, I made sure not to go back for seconds. The meat was hardly fresh and it was the first time I experienced a lingering, “beefy” smell when consuming Wagyu. If other ingredients – the cheese and Japanese curry – were of any good, they were pretty much overshadowed by the dismal meatball.
The Food
Since I was already wary of their fluctuating standards, I kept a safe distance from the meat and fish mains. Instead, I chose a couple of appetisers and thankfully, one of them definitely made its mark.
The Crayfish Mexicano ($11.80) was a dish where crayfish meat, spicy mayonnaise, avocado and pickled radish were pleasantly packed into little crispy gyoza skins moulded into tiny tacos. These little pockets looked inviting but their taste went one step further. When I bit into the freshly fried (might be baked) gyoza ‘shells’, I got a mouthful of plump crayfish meat and the spicy mayonnaise brought about just enough heat for that much needed zing. Though tiny, the flavours these little wonders delivered were huge.
When food you eat with your hands can deliver a punch of flavour with every mouthful, you know that it’s a good find. So this dish definitely made up for any slack the others may have left behind.
Everything Else
The atmosphere was okay and nowhere close to it’s former self, but still inviting enough to grab small bites with a group of friends. Service was average, and food didn’t take long to arrive. Price wise, I wouldn’t consider TCC a place of value…even the Crayfish Mexicano was bordering on being costly.
Should You Try It?
Their drinks, desserts and small bites make for decent high tea sessions.
Details
TCC (Isetan Scotts)
350 Orchard Road Level 2
Isetan Scotts, Singapore 238868
Opening Hours
Sun – Thu & PH: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Fri, Sat & Eve PH: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Tel: +65 6235 5622
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