Adding to the collection of restaurants that have taken local cuisine a level up towards fine dining, Café Oriental offers local specialties in an authentic 1960s style. Save for the less-than-hygienic hawker style of cooking, one can expect everything else to be right down to pat – from marble-topped tables with stiff-backed wooden chairs to Chinese-motif plates and porcelain cups of tea.

• The Vibe
  Recently revamped in November 2005, this charmingly quaint corner overlooking the streets of Tanjong Pagar brings about moments of nostalgia. Marble-topped tables and wooden chairs are reminiscent of olden-day eateries, and vintage wooden fans spin above you. Opened 24 hours, this modern kopitiam is the perfect excuse for supper, post-party activities and the occasional sleepless night.

• The Food
  The menu, scrawled on large chalkboards hung from the walls read off authentic local dishes like prawn mee, chicken rice, Nasi Goreng, fried kway teow and teochew porridge. Out of these, Penang Fried Kway Teow ($12.90) is a hot favourite – almost every table had at least one plate ordered. Served in a mountainous heap of springy flat noodles, its quantity and quality definitely matches up to its price. The un-charred fried kway teow is less oily and drier compared to that of the hawker variety, yet its taste remains just as delicious. While you find shrimp in low-budget hawker fried kway teow, Café Oriental serves juicy and fat fresh prawns together with home-made belachan, combining sweet and spicy to further enhance the dish’s overall taste.

  Likewise, the Indonesian Nasi Goreng ($12.90) is good value for its price. Well-marinated and tender chicken fillets take away the hassle of cutting apart a chicken wing, but ingredients of frozen peas and carrot cubes accompanying the fried rice were a little disappointing. Nevertheless, be it the accompanying belachan sauce, or its slightly-oily fried rice, taste more than makes up for its shortcomings.

  For a healthier yet equally mouthwatering dish, try the Cod Fish Bee Hoon Soup ($13.90). Milky soup broth with hints of wine, coupled with glass noodles that slide down your throat, as well as generous cuts of lightly fried cod fish, it spells gastronomic heaven. Silken tofu and fresh greens complete the healthy bowl of goodness.

  For a twist on the usual prawn noodles, try Café Oriental’s Penang Prawn Mee Soup ($12.90). Boiled with prawn heads and other items off the chef’s recipe, its soup base is salty, savory and sweet mixed into one. Yellow noodles and juicy prawns have never been so gratifying; the strong flavour of prawns within the soup enhanced with sprinkle of chilli flakes.

• The Service
  Staff of Amara Hotel bustle about between kitchens and dining outlets located within the hotel; it is admirable how they juggle service in different restaurants effortlessly. Expect cups of coffee to be delivered freshly brewed and steaming hot to your table, for prompt service seems to be evident with all Amara’s friendly staff.

The SD Food Advisor’s take on Café Oriental
As much as hawker fare is thought to dominate local cuisine, Café Oriental proves itself worthy of equally delicious and scrumptious authentic local delights. Though a little pricey in comparison with budgeted hawker fare pricings, its quantity and quality makes this 24 hour café a worthy visit complete with excellent service, homely atmosphere and good food.