The 4-day gourmet festival has come to a close, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installation. SAVOUR 2013 was a huge success, despite the brutal and unforgiving heat.
The alfresco Gourmet Village featured over 25 leading chefs and 18 award-winning restaurants, several of them with Michelin-stars to boot. Continue reading
Last Saturday, a multitude of tweets and instagram photos were uploaded with the #SgMemory hashtag, adding to the library of over 5000 photos (now 8,900 and counting). Five bloggers, armed with cameras, smartphones, and a ravenous appetite, set out on a Nostalgia Tour to some of the most enduring food establishments in Singapore with rich histories to boot. Even the gray skies and threats of thunderstorm could not dampen our high spirits.
The #SgMemory hashtag can be used on anything Singapore-related, and need not feature anything ‘retro’ or dated. The purpose of this hash tag is to establish a gallery of images for the future generations to look at, and for us to look back on. Continue reading
Wine appreciation workshops are aplenty, but in recent times, the nation has seen a surge in the popularity of coffee appreciation with the emergence of specialty coffee.
Coffee appreciation is in no way less comprehensive than wine appreciation. The coffee-equivalent of wine tasting would be coffee cupping –in which taste, aroma, flavour, acidity and body are determining factors of a great wine or coffee.
I recently attended a coffee appreciation workshop at DEAN & DELUCA, jointly hosted by Papa Palheta.
As much as I’ve been wanting to return to Torte since my last visit, my tight schedules haven’t been lenient on me –either that or my intense craving for Torte happens to fall on a Saturday, which is their official off day of the week.
Still reminiscing the scrumptious meatballs baked with two cheeses, and my all-time favourite Basa fish, I’ve also been meaning to try their highly raved duck confit. Finally, the very moment when my schedule is freed up, Torte is the first dining destination that comes to mind.
Returning to Torte after slightly more than a year, the vibe remains unchanged. I’m instantly reminded of my previous wondrous experience –not that it was in any way forgettable.
Still offering value-for-money lunches and dinners, each dish range from $13 to $20 nett. No GST or service charge.
Pan-seared Portobello with Mozzarella, Parmesan & Truffle Oil ($15)
To commence our meal, the sizable and juicy Pan-seared Portobello sure whets our appetite with the drifting aroma of truffle oil and melty stretchy cheese that lend richness to this dish.
Crab Custard ($13)
It’s common to associate custard with the smooth pudding-like texture, matching that of a ‘chawanmushi’. But, the Crab Custard has a texture comparable to a scramble –except much softer and smoother. The addition of whipping cream contributes to its delightful fluffiness. Also noteworthy is the generous chunks of crabmeat you get in every mouthful. This is a must-try!
Crab Omelette
The Crab Omelette is of a different execution from the Crab Custard, but with similar taste. Chunks of crabmeat prevail, although not as evenly distributed –still yummy. Accompanying the omelette are baby potatoes and a side of salad topped with shavings of Parmesan. There’s something very characteristic and addictive about those baby potatoes… read on to find out.
Duck Confit over Sauerkraut with Baby Potatoes and French Beans ($20)
Baby potatoes are sautéed in duck fat, and so are the French beans, which is why they impart a pleasing fragrance that at first we couldn’t identify –until Chef-owner Jason Ong came over for a chat. The fatty juices from the duck do not go to waste; instead, it infuses the potatoes and French beans with magnificent flavour.
DEAN & DELUCA Singapore’s flagship store at Orchard Central may arguably be the chicest gourmet grocer in town. With its recent expansion, shoppers can look forward to an array of gourmet selection from around the world, such as premium meat products, specialty herbs, fruits, salad bowl concept, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, alongside one of the largest California wine retailer in Singapore.
This table is made from wood that’s extracted from the old railway track in Singapore!
On top an impressive selection of wines, there are high quality wine glasses and fancy wine openers to accompany –nothing close to the run-of-the-mill sort. Continue reading
STREET 50 Restaurant & Bar at Bay Hotel Singapore presents a global spectrum of flavours – from Italian, French and American to Vietnamese, Indonesian and local – with its own unique twists.
The menu caters to diverse palates of both consumers in Singapore and visitors from across the world, ranging from meats and seafood, Asian selections, gourmet bites to pastas and pizzas. With so many good possible choices, you will have a hard time making a decision on what to order.
Salmon Cutlet
Chef Ricky who helms the kitchen is classically trained in French cuisine, but has also tremendous experience churning out Asian cuisine.
Starters start at $8, pastas range from $12 to $18, mains range from $18 to $22 and Asian selections range from $12 to $24. Continue reading
This Easter, Pan Pacific Singapore has lined up a series of activities and eatables to fill your weekend with endless treats. Continue reading
In line with the upcoming grand opening of Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is presenting an extensive array of Turkish Delights at The Line from 15 to 24 March 2013.
Diners of the Turkish Delights promotion get to stand a chance of winning the grand prize of return business class air tickets on Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and a three-night stay at the new Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. Other prizes include weekend stays at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore’s newly renovated Garden Wing and rejuvenating treatments at Singapore’s first CHI, The Spa.
The Line’s impressive theatrical kitchens feature “live” carving stations, freshly baked breads and authentic dips and pastes to accompany. During the ten-day promotion, the menu is rotated daily, offering an extensive selection of Turkish signature dishes that will bring Turkey closer to you in an instance. Continue reading
NOOK is Singapore’s first ever D.I.Y pancake house, offering patrons a fun, interactive and memorable experience.
The Rainbow Pancake ($12)
Design your own pancakes with the colourful array of pancake batters –Original Buttermilk, Asian Pandan, Dark Chocolate, Funky Banana and Strawberry Farm to name a few.
Nook is where you can unleash your artistic potentials, and eat your own masterpiece. A griddle is placed in the middle of each table, along with the necessary spatulas for your flipping pleasures. Continue reading
Last weekend, a group of Omy.sg bloggers were invited to a 6-hour-long food trail, covering over 10 dining establishments in Bugis+. With an empty stomach and a voracious appetite, we sampled a wide range of cuisine from American to Chinese, and Korean to Thai, available in the promising mall.
(Hashtag for the event: #BugisPlus; follow me @melicacy on Instagram)
Regrettably, I had an event to cover earlier in the day, hence I missed out on several restaurants. Nevertheless, I’ll be featuring some of the restaurants I’ve visited at Bugis+ during the past few months, in addition to what we’ve sampled during the food trail. Continue reading
The Grandstand, formerly known as Turf City, is now home to numerous dining establishments that are generating lots of hype and traffic to the once inaccessible and secluded area. MAD, short for Modern Asian Diner, is no stranger to food and music enthusiasts.
Named after Dick Lee’s Mad Chinaman nickname, this celebrity-fronted diner is a five-way collaboration between reputable Singaporean success stories, including Tung Lok, Bakerzin, Bar Stories and Top Wines. The presence of Dick Lee prevails in the form of quirky Mad Chinaman pop art that adorn the walls, and the groovy choice of music that are personally curated by the legend himself. Continue reading
Set amidst lush greenery in the East Coast with an aggregation of calm swaying trees welcoming you as you enter the precinct, 1-TwentySix by the One Rochester group makes a chic getaway from the hectic city life.
Thanks to its close proximity to the coastline, diners can simply soak in the cool breeze and gaze at the beauty of the sea, clinking glasses and indulging in delectable chomps, while the minds and bodies unwind.
The alfresco area possesses the green landscape, reflecting the fusion of natural elegance and contemporary comfort. With Mother Nature framing the restaurant, it’s bedecked with stone pavements, rattan furniture and water features, manifesting a modern garden setting. Continue reading
Weekends are for family bonding; Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa makes for the perfect location to spend the day with your entire family. Barnacles is offering a fun-filled dining package from January 2013, whereby you needn’t have to book a hotel room in order to enjoy the facilities, from 12 till 6pm.
The Sunday Garden Party by the Sea includes a seafood buffet spread, replete with a children’s buffet corner at Barnacles.
The video begins with an introduction by Manda Foo, Executive Secretary at Kranji Countryside Association and Media Relations Manager at Bollywood Veggies.
Following Singapore’s winning bid to host the 2016 Agricultural Conference of The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC), Mr Michael Lambert, Honorary Secretary of RASC, flew in specially to grace this private luncheon with his presence, held at Bollywood Veggies. He shares the rationale on why Singapore, a non-traditional agricultural country has been given the honours.
“An excellent bid was put forward by Ivy and her colleagues. The real excitement was that this is the first time the conference is going to be held in Asia,” Mr Michael Lambert mentioned with anticipation. “Asia is of growing importance economically around the world; it’s the area where the world’s fastest economy is situated; it’s an area where the population continues to rise.” He was also thrilled at the opportunity to see farming in a different part of the world.
On behalf of KCA and her fellow farmers, Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, owner of organic farm Bollywood Veggies and restaurant Poison Ivy, unveils exciting new developments for 2013.
Highlights include:
- A New Look at the Kranji countryside with the launch of the 2nd Edition of the Wild Wild West Brochure
- KCA: World’s First & Best LOHAS region (Lifestyles of Health & Sustainability)
- Happy & Healthy Food Focus: Fresh Local vs Processed
- Launch of Bollywood Veggies 2013 Recipe Calendar
- Introduction of Jurong Frog Farm’s Singapore MADE & Singapore SAFE –Hashima
Chef de Cuisine Lynn Ee, who creates novel recipes from what’s available in the farm, also stresses the significance of fresh versus frozen or fresh versus processed, “the buzzword in the city is organic, raw food and vegan, but food is processed food at the end of the day.” She also emphasises the importance of supporting our local farmers and produce, as a means to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. “Raw food comes from Australia where it’s 4-7 hours away, so how fresh is it when by the time it comes to your plate.”
The video ends with a visual feast of mouth-watering delights, prepared by Chef Lynn. There was a calorie count that compares typical junkfood and freshly made fastfood. You will find the healthiest Lor Mee, the BEST Bee Tai Mak and the BEST Kueh Kosui in Singapore, at Poison Ivy.
Chef Lynn reminds us, “when you eat something, always think about where it comes from; how it got to your plate.”
Read my previous post on Bollywood Veggies here (https://melicacy.com/?p=3493) and Poison Ivy here (https://melicacy.com/?p=3516).
Visit http://www.kranjicountryside.com/ and http://bollywoodveggies.com/ for more information.
This video was taken using a SONY NEX-VG20E Handycam.
Backyard@Dempsey is a stone’s throw away from the commercial bustle of the Orchard enclave, sitting in a quaint little nook just off the fringe of the Dempsey catchment of F&B establishments.
Set amidst lush foliage, Backyard is laidback and unpretentious; it is tranquil by day and atmospheric by night.
Here are the recommended items: Continue reading