Some of you might not have heard of ORTO but the name ‘Bottle Tree Park’ might just ring a bell. ORTO (means ‘garden’ or ‘orchard’ in Italian) is a new leisure park that has now taken over the site of former Bottle Tree Park in Yishun (about 8-10 minutes walk from Khatib MRT Station). The latter has shifted its seafood restaurant to Marina Barrage which I’ve yet to visit. And it’s sad that the signature bottle trees have also said goodbye.
Despite the change in management, the current ORTO still retains that rustic charm and kampong feel which really take us away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. I enjoy taking a stroll around the fishing pond, listen to the sounds of cicadas in the background, relax in the sun and unwind in the breeze. Besides that, we can also try our hands at several recreational activities like fishing & prawning (available 24/7), longkang fishing (for kids), paintball and futsal. A new trampoline park will open soon as well.
Park map (image source: ORTO website)
In terms of dining options, there are currently five F&B establishments in the park that serve up different cuisines:
- Taste Garden (French/Western)
- Mookata (Thai BBQ)
- Long Jiang Chinos (Chinese)
- SGMY (Singaporean/Malaysian/Local)
- Quench! Bistro & Bar
What actually kept me coming back to ORTO is the prawning (or prawn fishing) facility there that is open 24-hour everyday. And because I’ve been heading to nearby Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for my orthopaedic appointments and physiotherapy, I’d just stop by here after I’m done at the hospital for a therapeutic prawning session which I can never have enough. I can just sit there for 4-5 hours straight trying to hook up prawns, lol. But it’s also because the environment is generally pleasant (looks quite new) with clean toilet facilities and a restaurant/bar next door so it makes the prawning experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.
This pond in the foreground is the yabby pond whereas the rest are prawn ponds.
Standard rates
Image source: Prawning @ Orto FB Page
They have a weekday promo that gives you an extra hour free if you buy 3 hours and you can split that 4 hours between 2 rods too if you find the timing too long. And on weekends, they will release tagged prawns and yabbies in the ponds and if you manage to hook any one of them, you can win free prawning hours 🙂
My best catch was during my first prawning session here -> 19Â prawns in 2 hours while the husband got 5. All skewered and grilled on the spot. Freshness guaranteed, lol. But the thing about such freshwater prawns is that they are not sweet and tasty like sea prawns so if you are going to cook them there like what we did, please bring along some salt, pepper or dipping sauce. Alternatively, we brought our cooked prawns to SGMY which is located next to the prawning pond. It’s no issue so long you order food from there.
If you like relaxing activities like fishing and prawning, I do think ORTO can be quite an appealing concept. Because it’s located near where I live, I don’t mind coming here to people-watch, prawn or dine and just spend a day out here. Good for families with kiddos too as the little ones can try out longkang fishing. By the way, SGMY serves up some scrumptious local fare which I will cover more in my next post. 😉 The atmosphere of the park is worth coming back for and I can’t wait to try out the other restaurants too.
ORTO
81 Lorong Chencharu #01-01
Singapore 769198
Website: http://orto.sg/
For restaurant reservations:
Taste Garden: +65 6257 2361
Mookata: +65 6257 5198
Long Jiang Chinos: +65 6757 7887
SGMY/Quench: +65 6257 3657
For activities’ enquiries:
Fishing Paradise @ ORTO: +65 9632 7626
Uber Sports Futsal: +65 6303 0663
Red Dynasty Paintball: +65 6659 4782 / 6755 7537 / 6659 8095
Prawning @ ORTO Facebook page:Â https://www.facebook.com/prawningatorto
Too disappointed! No prawn at all!
3 hrs caught 3 only! My god!
That’s a shame. I would be equally disappointed too.