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Review: e.BlackBoard
By daniel | August 24, 2007
Most of us have heard about how Botak Jones introduced American food to the HDB heartlands crowd, with its popularity no doubt boosted by its use of young ang-moh girls as wait staff (heartland ah-peks like that kind of novelty). What is less commonly known, is that e.BlackBoard is making a similar culinary impact in Bedok South - sans girls.
Stalls serving Western food are not exactly rare in the heartlands, being present in many kopitiams, food courts and hawker centres. But those that are more “high-class” and with a menu as vast as that of e.BlackBoard’s is far more uncommon. We counted more than 30 mains on its menu, and that’s not including salads, soups and desserts. Staggering. It took Esther and I quite some time to decide, but she finally settled on the BB Burger ($6.80) and I on the BB Mixed Grill ($15.00).
We’re far going to be far more forgiving about the ambience than usual, this being a kopitiam after all. We were distracted by an event happening in the open space next to the coffeeshop, so time passed rather quickly and the food soon arrived.
Like any good burger, it was of a very respectable size. We wondered how they managed to pack so much beef into the patty at just $6.80. Esther found the answer in her first bite - they added shredded vegetables in with the beef. Although well-grilled, the patty was somewhat dry despite the addition of the greens such as carrot and zuchinni. The Tuscan fries that came along with the burger looked good but was a seriously cold and soggy disappointment. It had so much potential, as its seasoning tasted quite promising.
The Mixed Grill, consisting of a modest piece each of pork chop, lamb chop and Cajun spice chicken, fared better. The lamb and pork was ok, and well-seasoned enough to mask any meaty smell. The real star was the spiced chicken, which was well-marinated and had real flavour. We couldn’t get enough of it. The Mixed Grill came with three accompanying sauces - black pepper, apple and salsa. The black pepper was tongue-numbingly hot, the salsa rather blah but the fantastic apple sauce went extremely well with the pork (and even the lamb!). I have to admit I was somewhat taken aback at the Mixed Grill’s rather hefty price of $15.
Honestly it wasn’t a bad meal, but I’m not certain if I’d make a special trip down just for e.BlackBoard if I didn’t live in the area. But since our new flat just happens to be in Bedok South, we may pop by once in a while and give the other items on a menu a fair shot.
You can find e.BlackBoard at Block 18 Bedok South Road #01-87 KK18 Makan Place Singapore 460018. Reservations not necessary.