(Dragon Boat Festival 2014) Royal Pavilion debuts its “Lao Gan Tie” Chilli Dumplings

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To be honest, I never knew what Dragon Boat Festival was about, except for the fact that it involves the consumption (and to my late grandma, the handcrafting) of rice dumplings. I am slowly but surely touching base with traditions, re-engaging what used to be trivial to me but significant to my grandparents and forefathers.

Dragon Boat Festival marks the day of commemorating the sacrifice of a legendary Chinese poet who drowned himself in Mi Lo River, millenniums ago, to protest against corrupted rulers. Out of respect, rice dumplings were thrown into the river to provide food for the fish and preventing them from feeding on the poet’s body. Since then, Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of very fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (which falls on 2nd June this year).

Today, rice dumplings have become a delicacy, available in a myriad of flavours –some of which are inventive and unorthodox creations never seen before, some of which remain true to traditions.

Royal Pavilion debuts its first-ever series of dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival –one of which you must not miss is the “Lao Gan Tie” Mushroom Dried Shrimp Dumpling ($9.80+) made with Royal Pavilion’s famed “Lao Gan Tie” sauce. Continue reading →

(Dragon Boat Festival 2014) Premium “Bak Chang” (Rice Dumplings) at Fairmont Singapore’s Szechuan Court Restaurant

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A requisite element during Dragon Boat Festival, rice dumplings at Fairmont Singapore’s Szechuan Court Restaurant come in unconventional massive proportions, crammed full of high quality ingredients.

The gargantuan bundles of bamboo leaf-wrapped parcels are available in four different flavours this year, inventively created by Dim Sum Chef Mandy Yeo. Here, timeless traditional classics are combined with contemporary touches. Continue reading →

Magnum turns 25!

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Here’s wishing Magnum a happy 25th birthday! You’re almost as old as I am, which means I’ve been enjoying the goodness & deliciousness for most parts of my life. Thank you for all the joy you’ve brought into my life. A stick of ice cream that does wonders –only Magnum, the iconic ice cream brand, is capable of that. Continue reading →

Recipes from Chef Cat Cora’s Cooking Demonstration at Resorts World Sentosa

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It was much to fans’ exhilaration when Chef Cat Cora came back to Singapore early last May to see the launch of the new lunch menu at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. I happened to be one of that lucky fangirl who got to meet her in person and had an opportunity of attending her cooking demonstration.

I will be sharing two of her recipes in this post, one of which is part of the new 4-course lunch menu at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. Continue reading →

New lunch menu at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora

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Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora, a restaurant nestled within the perimeters of one of the world’s largest aquarium, S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), unites all ardent fans of .

The restaurant also owes its popular to the stunning backdrop of over 100,000 marine animals occupying the Open Ocean Habitat, making it one of the most sought-after dining destinations in Singapore.

Chef Cat Cora took a trip down to Singapore early this May to see the launch of the new 4-course lunch menu. She also shared some of her recipes during intimate cooking demonstrations held at Forest, which I have shared in my other post.


Kingfish Tartare

For starters, diners have the option of either the Kingfish Tartare or the White Onion Soup. My fondness for all things piscatorial made the decision-making process easier, although I secretly wished I could have both. Continue reading →

Manhattan Bar at Regent Singapore

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Manhattan Bar at Regent Singapore opened its doors on 24 April 2014, and has since become one of the top bars in Singapore, drawing a constant flow of the sophisticated and cosmopolitan crowd.


Main Salon (Photo provided by Regent Singapore)

The concept of this grand hotel bar gets its inspiration from the 19th century’s Golden Age of cocktails and fine dining. Sporting a glamorous and modern space reminiscent of old New York, Manhattan Bar is where craft bartending meets artisanal spirits, and where the classic and forgotten cocktails that leap from the pages of history are given deserved glory and honour. Continue reading →

The Cliff at The Singapore Resort & Spa Sentosa plays host to a different Michelin-starred chef each month: Chef Pascal Aussignac from 14 to 18 May 2014

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Each month, a different Michelin-starred Chef will be showcasing their culinary finesse at award-winning restaurant The Cliff, nestled within the lush, tranquil premises of The Singapore Resort & Spa Sentosa.

Enter the restaurant through a narrow resplendent walkway bordered by a cascading wall-mounted water feature and glass panels, to find a spacious alfresco haven spotlighting a theatrical show kitchen.

Perched on a cliff overlooking lush foliage and the sea, the view is no short of spectacular.

This May, Chef Pascal Aussignac of award-winning French restaurant Club Gascon in London, brings his French and British influences to our sunny island with a menu that showcases his signature culinary techniques. He will be presenting a 6-course degustation menu from 14 to 17 May at The Cliff, and lead the Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Terrace on 18 May. Continue reading →

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto MILO –a stylish and fuss-free way of enjoying MILO

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MILO is one of my favourite beverages –it gratifies in both its cold and hot state, also in both its liquid and solid state (think: eating MILO powder straight out from the tin, MILO chocolate, etc). We speak a lot about comfort foods but rarely about comfort drinks. Should there be a benchmark to measure comfort drinks, MILO would be a great fit.

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto recently launched a new capsule flavour that takes the pleasures of drinking MILO to a whole new sophisticated and chic level. Continue reading →

Eu Yan Sang Mother’s Day Experience –Home-brewed Bird’s Nest for the Loved One

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Bird’s Nest is a highly prized delicacy that boasts a great deal of health and beauty benefits for all ages and genders. It is rich in nutrients and minerals with restorative effects, and contains Epidermal Growth Factor, which promotes youthful complexion and smooth radiant skin. Many of us, especially women, luxuriate in this delicacy for that reason. It is every woman’s wish to look always young and radiant –of course that includes moms.

This Mother’s Day is the best opportunity to help mum look her best with a heart-warming bowl of home-brewed Bird’s Nest soup.

Always go for the best quality possible! Bird’s Nest from Eu Yan Sang is harvested in a natural, pollution-free environment in Kalimantan where swallows have abundant food and are well taken care of. The result is healthier and better quality nests.

I’ve always had the privilege of enjoying already-cooked Bird’s Nest, thanks to the pampering and love from mum. I never knew how to prepare it, but thanks to the little pocket guide by Eu Yan Sang, cooking it was a breeze.

Here’s how:

Continue reading →

(Mother’s Day Special) Longevity Peach buns with Egg Custard by Peony Jade (6 to 11 May 2014)

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Longevity Peach buns with Egg Custard

Peaches are traditionally associated with long life and immortality since antiquity. According to legends, Queen Mother of the West had a magical peach tree that blooms every three thousand years. These peaches were known to grant immortality to those fortunate enough to taste them. As the folklore is passed down through generations, peaches and similarly shaped steamed buns remain a staple at any Chinese celebrations.

This Mother’s Day, what better gift to present your beloved than the peach-shaped longevity buns that symbolises health, eternal blessings and longevity?

Longevity buns are typically stuffed with red bean paste or lotus paste. Specially for this occasion, Peony Jade gives this traditional item a twist with its well-loved buttery sweet and flowy egg custard filling.

Made fresh daily, these Longevity Peach buns with Egg Custard are priced at $1.20 per piece for dine in (minimum order of 4 pieces) and 6 pieces in a basket for $10 for takeaways. A one-day advance order is required for takeaways. They are available at both Keppel Club and Clarke Quay for both dine-in and takeaways from 6 to 11 May 2014.

(Guest Post) Afterglow at Keong Siak Road

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Don’t you just love uncovering hidden gems, that sudden rush of euphoria, as if you have just discovered the next best thing? I kind of wish to keep this place a secret, but I believe it does deserve the publicity. Hidden away amidst hipster cafes and bars, this unassuming shop is located opposite the famous Tong Heng eatery.

Afterglow is among the growing number of healthy eateries that have been popping up everywhere; however what sets it apart is its specialisation in raw food. The menu, comprising 6 sections, all embody the establishment’s belief in bringing the Farm to Table experience to customers with strong insistence on fresh ingredients. Although the recurring theme is raw, grains and soups are cooked. Continue reading →

MAGGI 2-Min Extra Spicy Curry Noodles

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MAGGI introduces the new, bigger and spicier MAGGI 2-Min Extra Spicy Curry Noodles. Providing a more satisfying tummy-filler, there’s a visible difference in portion size compared to the regular MAGGI 2-min noodles.

A simple addition of fresh vegetables and meat completes the meal. Here, I’ve added hardboiled egg, vegetables, meatball, crabstick and fishcake. Each packet of noodle comes with a sealed pack of deep-fried shallot bits for the finishing touch.

For a richer soup base, add less water than the recommended when cooking.

The spice level is just right for me. Any spicier I might need a fire extinguisher. Try it and let me know what you think!

MAGGI 2-Min Extra Spicy Curry Noodles are available at all leading supermarkets including Cold Storage, FairPrice, Giant, Sheng Shiong and Prime, at $3.45 for 5 packets of 103g.

(Mother’s Day Special) Velvety Mom-ents Cake from Swensen’s

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Velvety Mom-ents ($49)

This Mother’s Day, pamper mom Swensen’s new Velvety Mom-ents cake that’s fashioned in the shape of a heart – the universal symbol of love – and blanketed in a passionate red hue.

The gorgeous cluster of fondant flowers and marbled white chocolate emulate the spectacle of a dazzling bed of flowers. The cross section of the cake reveals thick layers of red velvet sponge cake sandwiching vanilla ice cream.

This has got to be my favourite ice cream cake creation from Swensen’s thus far.

The Velvety Mom-ents cake is vailable at all Swensen’s and Earle Swensen’s outlets from 25th April 2014 while stocks last.

Visit swensens.com.sg for the list of outlets.

10 Restaurants worth CHOPE-ing your seats at!

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Chope – a term used to express the act of reserving seats – is one trait that’s uniquely Singaporean. Here are 10 restaurants worth Chope-ing your seats at, some of which are popular ones you should Chope way in advance.

1) A for Arbite – Providing relief from the bustling city centre, this spacious and relaxing enclave offers meticulously crafted dishes that will leave an impression. Potentially one of the top brunch places in Singapore, A for Arbite also makes for a cosy and intimate dinner venue. They are also adept at making their own pastas from scratch. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=7067

Make reservations for A for Arbite HERE.

2) Basilico – One of my favourite buffet restaurants in Singapore, Basilico is Regent Singapore’s flagship Italian restaurant offering a gastronomic array representative of the many regions of Italy. Diners get to choose their main course, which will come with the antipasti and dessert buffet of unsurpassable quality. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=5528

Make reservations for Basilico HERE.

3) Checkers Brasserie at Hilton Singapore offers a delectable A La Carte Sunday Brunch. Diners can spend more time bonding, and less time picking from the buffet line –dishes are served to the table, warm and cooked a la minute. Indulge in unlimited portions of Lobster Thermidor, Foie Gras Dumplings, Pan-seared Scallops, Broiled Chilean Seabass and more. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=6025

Make reservations for Checkers Brasserie HERE.

4) Forest – Dishes at Forest reflect Chef Sam Leong’s creativity in interpreting Chinese classics with a modern twist. Read more here: https://melicacy.com/?p=7073

Make reservations for Forest HERE.

5) Original Sin is my favourite vegetarian restaurant in Singapore, because it defies all preconception on vegetables being boring and insipid. The kitchen dishes out meatless dishes with creativity and flair.

Make reservations for Original Sin HERE.

6) Pepenero is a quaint little restaurant housed in one of the conservative shophouses on Stanley Street. This small and cosy restaurant is dressed with crisp white tablecloths and plush seats. Dishes are homely Italian, well executed. Alluring flavours are evidence they cut no corners. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=4845

Make reservations for Pepenero HERE.

7) Platters Bistro & Wine Bar offers a new menu every four months, re-designed by guest chefs. Platters is all about sharing and bonding; items are served as sharing platters on wooden boards. Read about my dining experiences here https://melicacy.com/?p=5096, here https://melicacy.com/?p=5606, and here https://melicacy.com/?p=6921.

NOTE: Platters has reopened as My Little Tapas Bar.

Make reservations for My Little Tapas Bar HERE.

8) Stellar at 1-Altitude was the first restaurant to have blown me away –breathless. The view is spectacular, and the fine dining experience, impeccable. We have also heard of countless marriage proposals happening in this well-appointed restaurant. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=4851

Make reservations for Stellar at 1-Altitude HERE.

9) Wooloomooloo Steakhouse one steakhouse you have to visit at least once in your life. The ambience, service, food and cocktails amount to an experience like no other. Purchase $2,5000 worth of wines to own a personalised locker and receive a personal steak knife with your name engraved on it. Read my full review here: https://melicacy.com/?p=4575

Make reservations for Wooloomooloo Steakhouse HERE.

10) 7Adam is a chic and stylish restaurant housed in a charming black and white colonial house at Adam Park, where apart from dining, guests can admire and purchase art pieces. Exhibits are changed every 8-10 weeks; hence patrons have varied works to admire throughout the year.

Make reservations for 7Adam HERE.

Showcase your talents –be a guest writer at Melicacy.com

Posted on by Melissa Koh
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Melicacy.com is welcoming guest writers on board. As a guest writer at melicacy.com, you get to eat, a lot. Job scope includes attending media tastings/events, eating, taking photos, photo processing (if necessary), and submitting the review. Requirements: a humble personality with a great passion for food, writing and photography. If you think you fit the bill, email with a short description of yourself, along with writing samples or photography works.