Category Archives: exploreSG

(Christmas Feature 2013) Food Trail at The Star Vista with Food&Travel Magazine

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Thanks to Regent Media’s invitation, a bunch of readers and bloggers gathered at The Star Vista for an exciting food trail, sampling some of the establishments’ Christmas menus.

Loads of festive rewards are lined up at The Star Vista this celebratory season.

From 15 November to 31 December 2013, spend a minimum of $80 and stand to win shopping and dining vouchers in the Sure-Win Lucky Dip. Other Christmas treats include complimentary gift wrapper and sticker with a minimum of $60 spent. You can top up to $120 ($90 for CapitaCard members) to redeem a specially designed Xmas mug. CAPITASTAR members get extra goodies.

There’re no short of dining establishments at The Star Vista. Confirmed coffee lovers can head over to Jamaica Blue for some Christmas desserts to complement a warm cuppa Signature Blend Latte.

Taking its name from the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, one of the world’s best coffee-growing regions and the origin of one of their exquisite coffee blends, Jamaica Blue prides itself for its fine selection of coffees.


Jamaica Blue Signature Blend Latte

Cute latte art!


Classic Chocolate Mousse Pot

The Fabulous Christmas Sampler includes a platter of two desserts and your choice of either the Jamaica Blue Signature Blend Latte or a pot of earl grey tea. Continue reading →

Weekend Brunch Buffet at Ku Dé Ta Restaurant, Marina Bay Sands Singapore

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Ku Dé Ta Restaurant makes its way to the list of best brunch buffets in Singapore with its impeccable spread and unbeatable environs. Perched on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, it is where you’d dream of spending every other languid weekend at.

Available on Saturdays and Sundays, the Weekend Brunch ($98), includes juices, coffees, teas, smoothies, milkshakes and soft drinks, on top of a stunning buffet spread and an amazing a la carte menu that you’re free to order as much as you can possibly stuff yourself with. For alcohol devotees, go for the Cocktail & Champagne Brunch ($178) that’s inclusive of Louis Roederer Bruit Premier, selection of white, red & rosé wines, cocktails, sangrias and draught beers.

Spanning from 11am till 3.30pm, diners can feast leisurely at the slowest of pace till their hearts content.

The crowds start streaming in at noon, so be sure to make reservations or arrive early to secure a table.

On a side note, the spread is effortlessly photogenic, which sets the perfect circumstances for photography enthusiasts to hone their photography skills.


Manuka Smoked Salmon with Scrambled Eggs and Toasted Rye Bread

The a la carte brunch buffet menu comprises over 20 savoury items. As one would expect, there are the quintessential egg-dominated items, which include the Classic Benedict, Goat Cheese & Tomato Omelette, Mushroom & Mizuna Leaf Omelette, Crab Benedict, Steak & Eggs and Smoked Salmon with Scrambled Eggs. Continue reading →

Singapore River One unveils Weekly Campaign “Tuesdays by the River”

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“Tuesdays by the River” is a 6-month weekly campaign organised by Singapore River One (SRO) and its partners, which aims to hype up and enhance the appeal of the Singapore River with a whole new nightlife experience.

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay are three bustling spots that line the fringe of the Singapore River, which is popularly known as the nightlife mecca of Singapore teeming with a diverse range of food and beverage options. Currently the Singapore River and its three quays include 500 property owners, 700 business owners and 10,000 residents.

In a nutshell, Boat Quay comprises conserved shophouses that provide a diverse range of F&B options; Clarke Quay is a vibrant entertainment, shopping and hospitality destination; and Robertson Quay is a welcoming mixed-used area that offers riverfront living alongside dining and leisure offerings.

This promotional campaign marks the start of SRO’s one-year partnership with Visa as the official card for the Singapore River, where Visa cardholders can enjoy exclusive offers, discounts and promotions, including having access to exclusive 1-for-1 deals every Tuesdays from 17 September 2013 to 18 March 2014.

A highlight for “Tuesdays by the River” is the first-ever ‘river taxi pub crawl’ –a collaboration between SRO, Singapore Pub Crawl and River Explorer. Participants get to barhop via a scenic ride on board the river taxis, enjoy the breeze, meet fellow party lovers, and bask in Singapore River’s vibrant lights.

Highlights of the River Boat Pub Crawl include visiting 4 bars and 1 mega club via a River Boat, free shots at every bar, free club entry (VIP Treatment), and exclusive drinks specials (Special prices just for all pub crawlers). Continue reading →

Bellwethers Bistro Bar (Free Drink for Melicacy’s Readers with No Minimum Order!)

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Nestled in an unobtrusive alleyway within the Little India precinct, Bellwethers Bistro Bar is a funky spot diverging itself from the shabby and old-fashion conception of eateries in the vicinity.

It inhales rusticity from its quaint surroundings, at the same time putting on an edgy veneer with artistic murals adorning the walls. The interior setting is decidedly modern-simplicity with a sleek bar to boot.


Sangria

Patrons can participate in the Trivia Pop Quiz that happens every first Wednesday of the month, forming teams of 2-4 to compete for the top 3 positions, to win a bottle of whiskey each.


Refreshing Cucumber Smoothie

Embracing creativity and talents, there’s an ‘Open-Mic Night’ every Saturday from 7-11pm, welcoming artistes to sign up to perform and showcase their flair for music. Bellwethers provides a space and platform for aspiring artistes to develop their confidence and showmanship to bring their performing skills to another level.


Lamb Rack with Grilled Vegetables (serves 2-3) – $60

Bellwethers’ menu is curated by resident chef, Warren Poh, who exhibits a distinct Spanish influence in his style of cooking. He has trained under renowned chefs such as Chef Reynaldo (head chef of 7Adam), Chef Aitor Olabegoya (Executive Chef of Migas and Elite concepts, Hong Kong), and Chef Quim (Chef-owner of el quim la bouqueria, Barcelona Spain).

Food is served in sharing portions as communal dining something they highly advocate. Continue reading →

Brasserie Les Saveurs presents contemporary French indulgences crafted by Chef de Cuisine, Antoine Bonnet

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Brasserie Les Saveurs, the signature restaurant of The St. Regis Singapore, announces a new culinary experience with its latest a la carte menu featuring brasserie-style contemporary French indulgences specially crafted by Chef de Cuisine, Antoine Bonnet.

Before I begin raving about the gastronomic experience, the opulent surroundings and luxurious settings at Brasserie Les Saveurs is simply enchanting. The alluring live singing and melodious tunes from the grand piano further adds to the mood of elegance.


Amuse Bouche

Our meal commences on a high note with the Amuse Bouche creating a sweet dance of sensations on the palate. Continue reading →

RWS Food Affair: RWS Celebrity Chefs Dinner (18 September 2013)

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Resorts World Sentosa puts up a spectacular display of culinary finesse with six celebrity chefs joining forces for this one-night-only gastronomic event –the RWS Celebrity Chefs Dinner, part of the inaugural RWS Food Affair.

Read more about the RWS Food Affair in my previous blog post.

One of the highlights for me was meeting the legendary Chef Joël Robuchon in person.

The S.E.A. Aquarium’s Open Ocean habitat transforms from a viewing gallery to a massive dining room, enthralling diners with the magnificent view of marine animals including manta rays, leopard sharks and goliath groupers. Continue reading →

RWS Food Affair: A 9-day showcase of 6 Celebrity Chefs (14 to 22 September 2013)

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The inaugural RWS Food Affair takes place from 14 to 22 September 2013, showcasing the prowess and expertise of six celebrity chefs with their specially crafted menus exclusive to this gastronomic event.

The climax of the RWS Food Affair is an opulent 6-course dinner in a magnificent setting at S.E.A Aquarium, happening on 18 September, which features the cuisines of Chef Joël Robuchon, Chef Sam Leong from Forest, Chef Li Kwok Kwong from Feng Shui Inn, Chef Cat Cora from Ocean, Chef Douglas Tay from Osia and Executive Pastry Chef Kenny Kong, who each designed a course for this dinner.

The 6-course set dinner is priced at $288++, which includes free flow Ayala Brut Majeur NV Champagne for pre-dinner cocktails and free flow Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvrdre & Penfolds Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling for dinner.

I attended a media preview, which brought us to four participating restaurants to get a peek of the dishes that are going to be served during the RWS Food Affair. Continue reading →

Breez Bistro.Bar at Hotel Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore

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Breez Bistro Bar is located on the newly revamped of Hotel Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore, ensconced comfortably by the poolside. Diners can choose to dine indoors or spend a languid day sipping on tipples and munching on bar bites outdoors by the pool.

Happy Hour happens daily from 5pm to 8pm.

Hotel Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore operates a Halal Certified Kitchen on that prepares all the Halal cuisine available in the hotel, including the a la carte menus at Breez Bistro Bar, Feast@East Buffet Restaurant, and the Halal selection in the In-room Dining menu. Continue reading →

Laksa Food Trail with OpenRice and CDC

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Laksa is one of Singapore’s most loved local delights. Speak of laksa and conversations flow endlessly with what variants of laksa one prefers. Some like it rich, some like it extra spicy, some like it without hum (cockles), some like it with lots of them, some like it with thick rice noodles, some like it with thin vermicelli. So what pleases your palate most?

Growing up, I used to order laksa without cockles, as my unadventurous palate refuses to step out of its comfort zone and cockles have always seemed alien to me. It was only in recent times that I allowed my teeth to sink into a cockle, and it happened to be one of the juiciest and freshest morsels I could ever imagine in a humble bowl of laksa; it was then that I decided I would not omit cockles from laksa. Never regretted that decision one bit.

Sungei Road Laksa
Jin Shui Kopitiam, Blk 27 Jalan Berseh #01-100, Jalan Besar, Singapore 200027

Sungei Road Laksa has one of the freshest and juiciest cockles, which come in generous portions, nestled atop thick slurpable rice noodles steeped in piping hot broth. The broth is thin and a tad watery, but some prefer it this way as it is less cloying. Plus, it is so tasty I could drink it like soup! Continue reading →

(National Day Celebration) NDP Picnic Party at SAFRA Jurong

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Happy birthday Singapore! 9 August marks the independence of Singapore. This annual affair never fails to unite Singaporeans with the impactful and heart-warming atmosphere. The elaborate celebration includes marching contingents, military bands, dance performances, choirs, the flypast of military aircrafts, fireworks and more.

One of the highlights for me would be the goodie-bag! It is always filled with delightful surprises and treats. This year, the NDP 2013 Funpack is designed by a group of 10 students from Nanyang Polytechnic. Incorporating selected ideas submitted by some 200 students, it is a simple and functional design that can easily be converted from a sling bag into a backpack. The funpack also includes a collapsible light stick that can be extended to a 75cm light sabre.

The patriotic aura is present, whether one is watching National Day Parade at the lively venue itself, or in the comforts of their own home. I had the privilege of joining the crowd at SAFRA Jurong to enjoy the live broadcast of the National Day Parade, while nibbling on the picnic treats that we prepared. Continue reading →

Skyve Wine Bistro’s Revamped Menu

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Since April 2013, the menu at Skyve Wine Bistro has undergone a major revamp, with close to 20 new dishes to whet your interest.

Complementing the latest food menu is a comprehensive new wine list comprising good quality yet extremely affordable options, spanning across 70 labels, priced from $49++ a bottle. Diners can also order by the glass from a selection of 9 wines, across white, red and bubbly, priced from $11++ per glass.


Tuck into warm toasty breads that are baked in-house, while anticipating the forthcoming appetisers.


Crab & Tomato Momotaro ($22++)

Our meal commences on a high note with the awe-inspiring Crab & Tomato Momotaro. Tremendously selective about the quality of tomato, momotaro (one of Japan’s most popular tomato varieties) is brought into play, to ensure supreme juiciness and sweetness. The arresting combination of sweet and fresh chunks of crabmeat, confit of tomato momotaro, Thai-inspired basil pesto and yuzu sorbet is set to leave diners savouring each bite in silent bliss.


Sous Vide Egg & Spaghettini ($18++)

Skyve is best known for using the sous vide technique in cooking, hence despite the menu revamp, their specialty in this cooking method continues to pervade throughout the menu. Continue reading →

Launch of Culinary Cocktails at Atrium, Pan Pacific Singapore

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Pan Pacific Singapore launches an exciting array of Culinary Cocktails at Atrium, manifesting the masterly art of incorporating culinary ingredients into creatively crafted cocktails.

Turning to the kitchen for inspiration, the mixologists have raided the larder for vegetables, herbs and spices to add depth to their cocktail concoctions.

Fresh juices, distorted fruit, earthy spices and leafy herbs are added to enliven classic alcohol-based cocktails. Think: cool and refreshing watermelon, invigorating coarse grinds of black pepper, the nutty sweetness of maple syrup, a dollop of egg white, a tinge of white balsamico, a bright splash of rhubarb puree and the distinctive fragrance of shisho leaves.

Chill out in the comforts of Atrium’s ‘lantern-inspired’ booth seats or at the dramatic 44-metre-long bar –the longest in Asia. Continue reading →

Jazz by the Beach Every Friday in July at Coastes, Sentosa

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An annual event running for the third year, Jazz by the Beach returns with an exciting line-up of talented jazz artists and bands, every Friday nightin the month of July. The exciting line-up of talented jazz artists and bands include IRESON (5 July), Chronicles 5 (12 July), Indigo (19 July) and ChromaZone (26 Jul).


Penne Carbonara ($18)

Performances start from 8pm till late. Immerse your soul and sway along to the various genres of jazz ranging from Latin Jazz to Funk Jazz, while lapping up the sea breeze. Continue reading →

Tangerine at ESPA, Resorts World Sentosa

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How often is it that you can eat a sumptuous 5-course meal and still stay in tip-top shape without feeling the bulge? Well I haven’t experienced anything like that in a long time, if I ever did at all –until Tangerine’s flair took me by delightful surprise.

Helming the kitchen at Tangerine are celebrity chefs Sam Leong and Forest Leong –and for the first time ever, creating a menu focusing on light, healthy and nutritious dishes to complement the spa and wellness concept, while still preserving their creative integrity and executing spectacular flavour profiles.

Working hand in hand with ESPA’s in-house nutritionist, recipes are carefully calibrated to meet nutritional requirements, with each and every ingredient carefully calculated to ensure the meal is well balanced.

Whether you’re embarking on a detoxification programme, or simply yearning to reinvigorating the body and relaxing the mind, Tangerine offers a wide scale of wholesome and easily-digestible dishes comprising wholegrains, fresh fruits, vegetables, sustainable seafood, premium free-range poultry and grass-fed beef, designed to provide the body with an optimum amount of energy and sustenance. Continue reading →