Tom iSTEAKS @ JEM was where we visited for our “steaks”-fix while doing some shopping in the Jurong area. The JEM iSTEAKS has a slightly different facade from the other outlets because of the large neon lights that resembles that of the Hollywood retro signs – creating an unique dining experience altogether.
About iSTEAKS @ JEM
With its humble beginnings as a “western food” stall in a Serangoon Gardens coffeeshop, iSTEAKS today offers full dining service, complete with plush seats and an excellent dining ambience. One might even say that the restaurant is a posh venue for a dinner date – especially the one at JEM. What we like about dining at iSTEAKS (besides air conditioning and comfy seats) is the extensive menu that it offers as well…
iSTEAKS Menu
At iSTEAKS, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of food including pasta, burgers, poultry, pork and seafood. Of course, we were here for the steaks and there was no shortage of choices here as well.
In general, you’ll be able to choose from 2 main types of steaks offered at iSTEAKS. Firstly, there’s the pasture-fed cows that produce steaks that are lean, beefy, nutty and complex. There’s also the grain-fed cows that produce steaks that are tender, buttery with beautiful marbling.
Originally, we wanted to go for the 1kg OP (Oven-Prepared) Ribeye that is described as “an impressively thick but tender oven prepared (OP) Ribeye grilled with its fatty cap that gently melts and flavours the steak“. Priced at $98, it is served with 3 complements or side dishes. However, after making our decision, we were told that the OP RIB was not available this evening. 🥺
Hence, we decided to…
GO BIG OR GO HOME with choice of the 1.2kg Wagyu MS4/5 D-Rump!
Priced at $143, it comes with 4 complements and is described as “a thick remarkable cut of 3 muscles with different textures – the fatty cap that caramelises and flavours the steak, the tender center – a deep beefy flavour and the tri-tip“. But we were told that we had to wait 45 minutes to 1 hour which was not the wait we wanted for a week day dinner this evening. 😭 Hence, we decided that perhaps the Lord was telling us to not have those monstrous portions of 500g/600g each but to dial down and have a normal steak and burger instead. Hence, we eventually decided upon
1. 350g New Zealand Silver Fern Steak ($42) that comes with 2 complements which we chose the Bacon Onion Sauteed Brussels and Parmesan Asparagus
2. Beef Burger ($13) with an egg ($1.5) and cheddar ($1.5)
The cool thing about dining at iSTEAKS is that the price is “all-inclusive”. Meaning, there’s no additional ++ that would be added to your bill. What is priced on the menu is exactly what you’ll pay. We also took the opportunity to go for the Stella Artois at $12 a pint.
What We Had at iSTEAKS
First up, the Beef Burger. We originally had trouble finding the beef patty as it was hidden beneath the egg, cheese and vegetable that came along with it. However, when we eventually sunk our first bite into it, it was delicious! The beef patty though small, had robust smokey, grilled flavours. We were also glad that we added the egg and cheese that made it that much more enjoyable – resembling a typical American burger – and by that we mean, just like the ones we enjoyed in the USA.
Next, the 350g New Zealand Silver Fern Steak. What we loved was the robust and beefy flavours of the steak. The portion was good that affords thick cuts – you could see the juices that were “locked in” during the grill, flowing as you cut into it. What we didn’t like was the sinews at certain parts of the cut. It was somewhat expected but it does affect the overall texture as you bite into it. Nonetheless, the flame was controlled very well, producing a juicy and nicely charred piece of steak. Besides the steak, we were also pleasantly surprised by the brussels (with slight garlicky taste) as well as the asparagus that is very well seasoned and grilled. Will definitely choose these sides again when we return the next time – hopefully to try out the bigger cuts next time.
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Overall, we had a great dining experience at iSTEAKS JEM. The steaks and burgers were both excellent and we were pleasantly surprised by the “all-inclusive” prices on the menu. The ambience at iSTEAKS JEM also elevated the overall dining experience. Have you tried the 1.2kg Wagyu or 1kg Oven-Prepared Ribeye from iSTEAKS? If so, let us know more in the comments section below, before we return to try them out at iSTEAKS.
