Address: 48/49 Mosque Street, Chinatown, Singapore 059527
Tel: +65 62262959

Taste Paradise is the upmarket sister restaurant to Seafood Paradise. The owner of this budding chain is just 27 years old. I had decided on this place to give my family a treat - in particular my mum and my grandmother (Ah Ma) as make-up for the lack of a Mother’s day celebration. No expenses were to be spared.

My Ah Ma had specially decked herself in her fine clothes and done up her hair for the occasion…heh heh. I thought she looked radiant.

We were served appetisers of a prawn and fruit salad (S$2 per person) in dainty saucers. This pattern of exquisite presentation would repeat itself throughout our meal.

A good sign that my Ah Ma would enjoy the food was when she monopolised the chilli that was jazzed up with fried shrimps (or he bi hiam in Hokkien). She was walloping the stuff up…heh heh.

The Carrot Cake in XO Sauce (S$8) arrived first. Not to be confused with the western style carrot cake dessert. Prior to the visit, my girlfriend had heard good things about it. She was insistent on trying the Carrot Cake. Great choice I say. The pieces of radish were lightly fried and the ensuring fragrance permeated our table. A must have. The contents on the plate were finished in a matter of minutes.

Originally meant as a starter for one, my family shared an order of the Pan Fried Foie Gras with Red Wine Sauce and Crisy Prawn in Mayonnaise (S$15). I wasn’t sure if my Ah Ma and parents would take to it. But they were evidently pleased with the injection of a new taste experience when the Foie Gras, to borrow a cliche, was “melt in your mouth” heavenly good. The fried prawn provided balance to the soft buttery texture of the Foie Gras.

To satisfy my mum and sister’s soup cravings, we had the Daily Double-Boiled Soup (S$8) and the Hot & Sour Imperial Soup ($6). The Double-Boiled Soup was certified as truly refreshing by the ladies. They kept praising that the use of apples accentuated the sweetness of the soup.

The reception obtained by the Hot & Sour Soup was more muted. My dad had a grimace as he branded the soup as too sour.

I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the next course - the Prawns in Wasabi (S$20). I was not to be disappointed. The rich prawn balls were covered in a smooth layer of mayonnaise and wasabi. There was a taste explosion of Oriental flavours when I popped the whole nugget into my mouth. My venerable Ah Ma and parents took well to the taste of the wasabi, much to my surprise as I thought they would have rejected the introduction of the foreign flavour.

The next course of fish was instigated by my dad. He had “wondered” aloud how the codfish were like. I took the hint and ordered the Baked Cod Fish in Honey (S$8) and the Baked Cod Fish with Chef’s Special Sauce (S$10). The relatively low prices are because the portions were meant for one person each. Thankfully, the servings were sufficient for my family. I thought the chef overdid the addition of honey on the cod fish. He fared better with the other cooking style, probably because he had more compulsion to do a good job…what with his Special Sauce being called into play.

Our solitary meat dish was the Sliced Venison with Spring Onions (S$16). My Ah Ma had vetoed the idea of having beef. Some of the Chinese older generation refrain from eating beef. This stems from some buddhism/cultural lore that reflects on how the bull/cow had to toll so much when alive that it would be cruel and morally wrong to eat their flesh when they are dead. I guess this makes sense only if you believe in some form of afterlife and karma. Anyway, the Venison tasted just like beef. For those who have no abhorrence to eating dead hardworking bulls/cows (you animals!!), go for the Sliced Beef with Spring Onions (my girlfriend says it tastes slightly better).

The Scallop with Lily Buds (S$20) was next. Scallops were good. Lily buds are vegetables. Nuff side. The rest of the table enjoyed it.

Initially, we had ordered rice to go with the dishes. Halfway into our meal, our rice had not been served. Realisation dawned that this was not the place where the chef will take kindly to his patrons stuffing their faces with carbohydrates while his masterpieces served only as some form of distraction. To avoid having to eat plain rice after we had finished all the before mentioned courses (we would have looked like a bunch of ignoramus…which we sorta were…heh heh) , we changed the order to Fried Hong Kong Noodles (S$14). Just in time.

Lunch completed, as I spied the happy and stuffed faces of my family, I felt contented and blissful. My Ah Ma thanked me profusely for the treat and my dad gave me a pat on the back. My girlfriend burst my bubble when she noted that the highly positive vibes I got from my family was due to the scarcity of such occasions when I display my generosity. I will resolve to give more treats..hopefully. (A unexpected surprise was that there was a 10% discount with the use of HSBC credit cards.)

One last item. Un-related to food. I visited the toilet and was quite taken by the latrine. I think lots of household arguments over the aiming capabilities of the male members (double entendre not intended) could be resolved with the installation of a latrine. Food for thought.