Foodsnoop: Northern noms

Posted On 11 Feb 2016

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The North Spine Plaza has set the school abuzz with new food offerings that bring welcome variety to our remote frontier in the far west. The Nanyang Chronicle checks three of these pocket-friendly eateries out on your behalf.

THE SANDWICH GUYS

Address: #0122 North Spine Plaza, between Each-A-Cup and Udon Noodle Bar
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 8pm; Saturday 9am – 3pm

Philly Cheesesteak by The Sandwich Guys. PHOTO: JAMES NG

When it comes to eating fresh, Subway isn’t the only choice on campus — homegrown eatery The Sandwich Guys is giving the global fast food chain a run for its money.

At the takeaway-only shop, a six-inch sandwich costs from $3 to $4.50. An upgrade to a set meal is an additional $1.80 for a drink of your choice and side of mashed potatoes or buttered corn.

The Philly Cheesesteak ($4.50) which features well marinated beef slices between toasted bread is bound to be a crowd favourite.

The grilled beef was done just right and complemented with a generous drizzle of nacho cheese. The onions, peppers and jalapeños added a nice crunch.

Those with a big appetite can add a variety of toppings at $0.70 to $1 per serving, such as smoked duck and sautéed mushrooms.

Other sandwiches available on the menu include BBQ Pulled Pork ($4) and Cajun Grilled Chicken ($4). Vegetarians also need not miss out on the fun with the MLT (Mushroom, Lettuce, Tomatoes) sandwich.

The Sandwich Guys also sells desserts and finger food, with hot dogs, nachos and peanut butter crumble at less than $4.

Be prepared for crowds during lunch time — the modest eatery can get stuffy as queues form.

Luckily, the wait time averages five to 10 minutes, mak- ing The Sandwich Guys an ideal choice for those strapped for time. — LOY KHENG WEE

PLUS39 GELATO

Address: #0116 North Spine Plaza, opposite Mini Toons and beside Paik’s Bibimbap
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 9pm; Saturday, Sunday 11am – 7pm

Gelato ice cream at the new +39 outlet at NTU’s North Spine. PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

Fancy a little more than a convenience store ice popsicle to combat the blistering weather?

You’ll be happy to hear that we now have another ice cream parlour on campus, serving up a range of gelatos, soft serve ice creams and sorbets.

Prices start from $2.50 for a single scoop on a waffle cone and go up to $5 if served in a cup with three toppings of your choice. Toppings available include chocolate rice, chopped almonds and mini marshmallows.

Our top pick would be the moreish pistachio gelato, which is chock-full of roasted pistachio nuts. The rich nuttiness cuts through the sweetness of the ice cream and adds texture to every bite.

The icy desserts are best consumed on a waffle cone for maximum crunch and satisfaction.

We also liked the palate-cleansing mango and pineapple sorbets, both of which struck a nice balance between sweet and tart.

The shop also sells soft serve ice-creams in popular tropical flavours like passionfruit and coconut.
— MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ

MIA PIZZA & PASTA EXPRESS

Pending halal certification

Address: #0123 North Spine Plaza (between Udon Noodle Bar and Mini Toons)
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am – 3pm; Sunday, 11am – 3pm

Turkey Ham and Mushroom Pizza by MIA Pizza and Pasta Express. PHOTO: JAMES NG

Mamma Mia! Italian-style fare is no longer limited to Pitchstop near the South Spine. The cosy bistro, which can seat up to 70 diners, prides itself on its healthier take on the popular pizza. Customers can choose between dough made from organic or soy flour.

We opted for a slice of the Turkey Ham and Mushroom ($7.50) pizza, made with organic dough. Other flavours include the Margherita Classica ($5.50), topped with mozzarella and basil and 4 Seasons ($7.50), topped with mozzarella, turkey ham, mushrooms, artichokes and olives.

We liked the thin pizza crust with its crisp edges but were disappointed that the dough was unevenly kneaded, making for an unpleasantly dense bite towards the center.

The standout dish for us was the Crab Meat Linguine ($8.50) with its generous amounts of shredded crustacean, which lent a natural sweetness and satisfying bite to the otherwise ordinary tomato cream sauce.

The Penne Arrabiata ($6.50) is a vegetarian-friendly option with a fiery kick. Tossed in tomato sauce, garlic slices and chopped chilli, the dish is spicy without being overwhelming. Our penne came with a side of tomato bruschetta that was lightly buttered and toasted to serve.

Other items on the menu include salads and piadinas (Italian flatbread), all $7 and below.

Set meals cost an additional $2 to $4, for a bowl of mushroom or tomato soup, and a soft drink. — GOH PEI XUAN