Monthly Archives: June 2012

Café Epicurious at The Rail Mall

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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What do you crave for on a lazy, sunny late morning? It is past breakfast hours but you’ve barely gotten your lazybones out of bed, snoozing at every chance you get. It is time to freshen up and head out for brunch –you won’t regret this.

“I love eggs” is an understatement. I can’t stress enough how much I love eggs. All my favourite foods involve egg –whether as a main ingredient, or just as an appendage to add flavour. The world would be disastrous without eggs. For that matter, I will never become a vegan by choice.

Brunch affairs best exemplify the glory of eggs.

In this post, I will introduce to you one of my favourite brunch spots: Epicurious, which is situated at The Rail Mall.

I would usually skip breakfast and even lunch (not wise), due to my odd sleeping habits, but getting out of bed for brunch at Epicurious is nowhere near dreadful. I was, in fact, looking forward to it all week long.

The Rail Mall is home to a several eateries, cafés and restaurants. Previously, I have tried lip-smacking Thai food from Sweet Salty Spicy (Click to read my review), adjacent to Epicurious. You are free to sit at either restaurant (whichever ambience suits your mood) and order anything you fancy – you have the option to mix and match items from both menus.
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The Square at Novotel, featuring “Flavours of the World”

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Having visited The Square previously, representing Sparklette for a review, I returned again for more –this time with my lovely friends Hazel, Derrick and Celes.

What left the deepest impressions during my previous visit were the Risottos, Chocolate mousse and Durian Pengat. I also overdosed on their Potato Salad during my last visit –which has mysteriously disappeared from the spread. *sad!*
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Ginza Bairin at Jcube

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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The number of days I spent in the west side of Singapore amounts to no more than 1% of my life.

I remember the good old days when I actively engaged in leisure ice-skating – probably the only reason why I would travel all the way to the west – but that is now history. With prolonged procrastination, my bones have stiffened; my balance is probably deteriorating with age. (I sound like an old hag.)

The most agile and widely exercised part of my body is my mouth. Predictably, the reason behind my virgin trip to the new mall, Jcube, is all in the name of food. (Now I sound like a fat old hag.)

This new mall, to residents of Jurong, is probably as highly anticipated as Nex is to residents of Serangoon. We (residents of Serangoon) were deprived of the shopping, dining and entertainment experience that bustling malls in the city have to offer –until the sprouting of Nex brought life to our suburb.

There are plenty of dining options in Jcube: Canton Paradise (I’ve been to the 112 Katong outlet, it was goooood!), ThaiExpress (click to see my review), The Manhattan Fish Market, Nana’s Green Tea Café (looks interesting), Nando’s and so many more!

What warrants my attention is Ginza Bairin –a specialty Tonkatsu restaurant with history dating back to 1927 in Tokyo.

I came across the outlet at ION Orchard, and my friend – currently undergoing culinary training with an Italian chef – who raves constantly about their Katsudon being the best in Singapore, has been urging me to try it.

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“Velvet and Roses” Spa Party at Mary Chia with Moonberry

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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The annual OMY Singapore Blog Awards is here! It is to my endless delight that Irene, widely recognised as Moonberry, is shortlisted as a finalist once again –she was a winner of last year’s Best Beauty Blog.

Each category – such as lifestyle and beauty – is sponsored by different organisations –Panasonic for the former and Mary Chia for the latter. Psst… Moonberry is shortlisted in the Best Lifestyle Blog category as well. Do shower her with your support generously by voting daily in both categories!

Being a finalist in the Mary Chia Best Beauty Blog category is no easy role. Not only do the 10 beauty bloggers need to look pretty and solicit votes with their puppy eyes and enchanting smiles, but they were also given a task to complete.

They each are to orchestrate a themed party, which will be held at randomly assigned Mary Chia outlets. They have to work within a $300 budget –but that certainly did not flag Irene’s enthusiasm!

The best parties are never templates, only ideas hungrily deliberated. After a good deal of brainstorming, Irene came up with the theme “Velvet & Roses”.

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PUTIEN –Summer Menu 2012

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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When the opportunity arose to tour PUTIEN’s central kitchen – think: being able to sneak a peak at the behind-the-scenes of their daily operations and food preparation, and getting to interact with the chef – I jumped at the chance.

(Scroll down further to read about my experience there.)

After the educative tour, we headed to the flagship outlet along Kitchener Road –with our rumbling tummies and curious palates.

We sampled items from the new summer menu, along with their signature homemade beancurd (which we witnessed the making-process of, at the central kitchen).
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ThaiExpress –Sa-nook Menu available from 1 June to 31 August 2012

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Experience the quintessential flavours of Thailand at ThaiExpress, where there are over 15 outlets islandwide, conveniently located in both the heartlands and in the city.

ThaiExpress goes global, with numerous outlets in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

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SHINE Youth Festival 2012 (30 June – 29 July)

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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20 Omy.sg bloggers were invited to the SHINE Youth Festival Media Conference, held at Scape Warehouse.

The session kicked off with a performance by John and Deniece Glee Studios.

Celebrating July as the month of Youth, the SHINE Youth Festival has orchestrated a series exciting activities throughout the entire month.

The theme for this year’s SHINE Youth Festival is ‘Aspirations’, accompanied by a new tagline – “Fire up your passion!” – inspiring youths to dream big and take risks.
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Xin Wang Hong Kong Café –new menu

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Known as one of the key players in the Singapore market for Hong Kong cuisine, Xin Wang Hong Kong Café needs no introduction to our dining scene.

To up the ante on flavour and adventure, an exciting new menu ushers in over 30 new dishes, in addition to perennial favourites.


Deep-fried Mango ‘N’ Prawn Roll ($4.50 for 3 pcs) New!

For starters, the Deep-fried Mango ‘N’ Prawn Roll is highly recommended.

Experience a burst of sweetness and savouriness in your mouth as you crunch into the crispy skin, flecked with sesame seeds. The fresh mango and succulent prawns make a harmonious combination, cleverly complemented by a lilting hint of sesame fragrance.
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Grains of Love – Rice Dumplings at Mandarin Orchard Singapore

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Dragon Boat Festival occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and rice dumplings are traditionally eaten during this festive season.

The mere sight of dumplings brings to mind the good old days at my grandparents’ modest abode, where dumpling making used to be yearly affair.
Back then, I knew nothing about the history behind the festival; all I knew was that dumplings are delicious, and I look forward to that every year.
After my grandparents passed on, traditions soon faded.

People these days are less inclined to get involved in the labour-intensive process of making dumplings.

The world progresses, and dumpling making is no longer just a tribute to the patriotic poet, Qu Yuan. Families get together, and revel in an array of dumplings, that can easily be purchased almost everywhere: a wide variety of flavours and sizes, with new inventive flavours that will drive your taste buds to sheer jubilation.

What used to be a humble affair can now be an elaborate event.

At Mandarin Orchard Singapore, premium ingredients that are incorporated into the dumplings will blow your mind.


Abalone and Seafood Mixed Grains Dumpling ($48)

The Abalone and Seafood Mixed Grains Dumpling is an exquisite new creation by Executive Chinese Chef Sunny Kong.

The size of the dumpling is massive – the biggest I’ve encountered with in my life – comparable to the size of a regular log cake. It comes in a rectangular block unlike the customary triangular-shaped ones.

Lotus leaves are used to wrap the dumplings, imparting a distinctive fragrance to the rice filling.

As I unwrapped the dumpling, a rich aroma releases, scenting the air, and triggering my hunger pangs. Irresistible!

The rice is nicely soft and sticky, just the way I like it. As I cut into it, I was dumbfounded by the generous amount of filling.

You will find dried scallop, dried oyster, dried shrimp, sea whelk, shiitake mushroom and two hunks of whole abalone.

Instead of using purely glutinous rice, it is specked with a mixture of rice grains. They add texture and pleasantly reduce the cloyingness of starchy glutinous rice.

It is a luxurious recreation of what used to be a humble dish.

I give nothing but the highest praise and compliments to the chef.
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Fun in Genting: Day 2

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Good morning Genting!

It was 19°C that morning, 7.55am to be exact.

I put on my hoodie, my mum her denim jacket, and we sallied forth to Coffee Lounge at Maxims Genting Hotel for breakfast.

We passed by this restaurant the previous day, and I have been anticipating all night for this meal!

I’m soooo not a morning person, and I hate waking up early. Back at home in Singapore, I would skip breakfast and laze in bed all morning.

BUT I simply cannot resist good food. AND it certainly was worth the sleep deprivation. Wake me up any day for this. I will spring out of bed.

The buffet spread is wide-ranging: from Local Favourites to Nonya to Chinese to Western to Japanese to Indian –there’s something for everyone.

It’s always my inner curiosity taking over; I wanted to try every single item!

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Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家)

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家) is a hidden gem along Tai Thong Crescent, Sennett Estate, serving up homely but outstanding Chinese fare, in a humble and casual setting.

I have never come across this estate despite staying just one MRT station away, but apparently this area houses several well-known eateries including the highly raved Ser Seng Herbs Turtle Soup Restaurant.

Perhaps I should step out of my house – and my comfort zone – more often.
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Perkies; munchies at Changi City Point

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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I can trace my interest in street food to the time I spent scavenging the streets of several countries I’ve visited.

Perkies, a new kid on the block, brings the enjoyment of street food to a whole new level, introducing a hassle-free on-the-go snacking culture.

Having a rough day?

Waiting for your friend who’s stuck in a jam?

Feeling dull while shopping alone, or simply hankering for munchies?

A cone-full of Perkies may just brighten your day; swinging your mood from boredom to pleasure.
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