BiTES - The Scoop on Good Eats (April 2016) by BiTES - The Scoop on Good Eats

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Come makan with bites p3

i a l n a Ie ntection

Zoom into regional Italian favourites faster than you can say 'pasta'! p10

Download the issue here

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inside CAFE HANGOUTS p8 10 spots to indulge at, only at Orchard Central

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BUFFET BOUNTY p14 Indie Sunday brunches and a $15 nett pasta buffet!

DESTINATION: BUKIT TIMAH p18 Hidden antique stores, corner tze chars and quaint eateries amidst the greens

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p atb esto tas p d l read te test p r o s from around the w

DRINK TANK p22 Old school drinks, and bars to support your home team at

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Where to find your B i T E S ? DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE at www.bites.com.sg PICK US UP! Free at over 100 venues Cafes & restaurants Alfresco Gusto • Bonta Italian Restaurant & Bar (District 10) • Brussels Sprouts - Robertson Quay • Brussels Sprouts - Sentosa Cove • California Pizza Kitchen Forum • Chijmes • Delifrance Cafe - Cold Storage Jelita • Delifrance Cafe - Gateway West • Delifrance Cafe - Gleneagles Hospital • Delifrance Cafe - Harbourfront Centre • Delifrance Cafe - KK Women's and Children's Hospital • Delifrance Cafe Lot One Shoppers' Mall • Delifrance Cafe - Mount Elizabeth Hospital • Delifrance Cafe - Rendezvous Gallery • Delifrance Cafe - Thomson Medical Centre • Delifrance Cafe - UE Square • Emicakes @ Kovan • EN Grill and Bar • Farisya's Kitchen • Ginkhao Restaurant • Ginza Lion Beer Hall • IPPIN • Joe & Dough (Kallang) • Kinsa Sushi HillV2 • Milagro Spanish Restaurant • Ootoya Japanese Restaurant • Oriole Coffee + Bar • Outback Steakhouse • Oyster Bar & Grill Wharf • Pu3 Restaurant • Ramen Champion • Roti Mum • Selfish Gene Cafe • Spinelli (all outlets) • Starbucks (all outlets) • tcc - The Connoisseur Concerto (all boutiques) • The Rustic Bistro • The Marmalade Pantry ION • Yellow Submarine (Toa Payoh) • ZEN Japanese Cuisine • 31 Bar Kitchen Car showrooms Chevrolet • Citroen • Honda • Hyundai • Infiniti • Kia • Mazda • Nissan • Opel Singapore • Subaru • Toyota Singapore

Cooking Schools Cookyn Inc • The Eureka Cooking Lab Country & Private Clubs British Club • China Club • Ee Hoe Hean Millionaire Club • Hollandse Club • Jurong Country Club • Keppel Club • Laguna National Golf & Country Club • NUSS - Kent Ridge Guild House • NUSS - Bukit Timah Guild House • NUSS - Suntec City Guild House • Orchid Country Club • Raffles Marina • Seletar Country Club • Sentosa Golf Club • Serangoon Gardens Country Club • Singapore Chinese Swimming Club • Singapore Cricket Club • Singapore Island Country Club • Tanah Merah Country Club • The American Club • The Swiss Club • Tower Club Hotels Amara Singapore • Carlton City Hotel • Changi Village Hotel • Concorde Hotel Singapore • Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore • Dorsett Singapore • Furama City Centre • Furama RiverFront • Hilton Singapore • Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium • Hotel Miramar • Hotel Re! • ibis Hotel Singapore • Intercontinental Singapore • Mandarin Orchard • Moon Hotel • Nostalgia Hotel • Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay • Orchard Hotel Singapore • Pan Pacific Orchard • Park Hotel Alexandra • Peninsula Excelsior Hotel • Ramada and Days Singapore at Zhongshan Park • Studio M Hotel Singapore • The Elizabeth Hotel • The Quincy Hotel • The Scarlet Hotel • Village Hotel Bugis • Wangz • York Hotel

MallS Orchard Central • Parkway Parade (Pedestrian Crossing) • SVC@ION Orchard• The Grandstand National Tourism Offices Australia Tourism • Japan National Tourism Organization • Korean Tourism Organization OTHERS Pet Lovers Centre Petrol Kiosks Caltex • ExxonMobil • Shell • SPC Salon Jean Yip Hairdressing schools •Temasek Polytechnic supermarkets Meidi-Ya Singapore • PasarBella Also hand-distributed at: OUTSIDE MRT Stations Ang Mo Kio • Bedok • Bishan • Boon Lay • City Hall • Dhoby Ghaut • Eunos • Holland Village • Jurong East • Lavender • Orchard Road • Raffles Place • Serangoon • Tampines • Tiong Bahru • Woodlands • Yishun

Cover image Dreamstime Consultant Digital Manager Eugene Koh Web Developer Jun Evangelista

Publisher Cecilia Goh

Accounts Manager Linda Ng

Editor June Lee Editorial Intern Samantha Seah Contributor Timothy Lam

Group Publisher Ho Sum Kwong Group Managing Editor Adeline Wong Group Creative Director Thng Wee Nee

Senior Designer Benjamin Soh Design Intern Soh Kah Khee

is published 12 times a year by Magazines Integrated Pte Ltd 85 Playfair Road, #04-02 Tong Yuan Building, Singapore 368000 Tel: +65 6848 6884 Fax: +65 6748 3453 Website: www.bites.com.sg Advertising enquiries: 6848 6882

B i tes

Head of Business Development (Food Division) Carlos Loh Business Director Ashad Shah Assistant Business Manager Stephanie Tan

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Copyright by the Publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Views and opinions expressed in B i tes are not neccessarily those of the Publisher and the Editors. Although every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the information provided in this publication, neither the Publisher, editors and their employees and agents can be held liable for any error and omission, nor any action taken based on the views expressed or information provided within this publication. You should always seek your own professional advice. All prices are in Singapore dollars unless otherwise stated and exclude miscellaneous taxes, unless stated.w

c a l e n dA r :

a p r i l sunday

monday

tuesday

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wednesday thursday friday TOAST THE MACALLAN EVENT

TILL 3 APR | $30-220 | THE BLACK SWAN The second edition this year celebrates the official unveiling of The Macallan Edition No.1, along with a series of ticketed whisky appreciation events. www.ToastTheMacallan.sg

3 WORLD GOURMET SUMMIT

TILL 24 APRIL | VARIOUS LOCATIONS WGS turns 20! It’s a month-long gastronomic feast of events, including special themed dinners, jam sessions and a street party, among others. www.worldgourmetsummit.com

11 SIP AND PAINT

$58 | 7-9.30PM | MERCHANTS OF SINGAPORE Express yourself through paint on canvas as you savour South Australian winery Artwine’s varieties. Owners Glen and Kelly will be there to introduce their selection personally. www.store. merchantsofsingapore.com.sg

17 HSBC WORLD RUGBY SINGAPORE SEVENS

$98 | 7-10PM | EVERY WED | BASILICO Head chef Luca Beccalli creates a special three-course midweek menu just for the ladies. Get your girlfriends together for an indulgent night out, and receive a gift from chef too. www.regenthotels.com

12 FOOD AND HOTEL ASIA 2016

VANILLA GUERILLA KIDS WORKSHOP

$25 (age 3-9) | 11AM | LEVEL 2 THREE BUNS Bring your little chefs down for a fun-filled handson session with chef Gabe, where they will create the vanilla guerrilla dessert burger and make it their own with a variety of toppings. Take home a complimentary Dizzy Rascals burger, and Three Buns kids’ apron and chef’s hat too. www.littlestepsasia.com

1 May: Labour Day 8 May: Mother’s Day 22 May: Cold Storage Kids Run Till 31 May: Voilah! 2016

27 VOILAH! 2016

15 APRIL-31 MAY The annual French fesitval returns with 40 events, including the Voilah! food lineup featuring Singapore's fave French restaurants and guest stints by visiting French chefs. www.voilah.sg

9 Easter Extravaganza 2, 9, 16 APRIL | $74-112 (BUFFET BUNDLE) | UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Three more dates in April brings you egg-citing good times and (optional) a hearty buffet lunch at Marty's Casa Del Wild. www.rwsentosa.com/uss

$50-160 | 16-17 APRIL | 9.30AM4PM | STELLAR AT 1-ALTITUDE Pick up top tips from 20 best chefs in Singapore’s culinary scene throughout the 20 masterclass sessions held over two days. Sample and stock up on a variety of produce at the farmers market too. www.worldgourmetsummit.com

22 Family Fridays

7-9PM | ENTRY BY DONATION | 155 MIDDLE ROAD Bring your photography skills up a notch at this platform for participants to share and learn through open discussion. Non-profit visual arts centre Objectifs often organises workshop like this and more. www.objectifs.com.sg

11AM-7PM | LEVEL 1 *SCAPE CARPARK Innovation doesn’t happen with an empty stomach. Snack on offerings from Tiong Bahru and more. www.scape.sg/ssbd

WGS 20 BEST CHEFS

PHOTOGRAPHY OPEN SALON BY TOM WHITE

coming up in m ay

$78 | FROM 7.30PM | HOTEL JEN ORCHARD Unwind with free flow Perle de Roseline Rose 2014 (until 10.30pm), not forgetting the complimentary tasting of Rose Grands Crus, live jazz band, as well as canapes and a buffet spread. order@thevintageclub.sg

12-15 APRIL | 10AM6PM | HALL 1-9 ANNEX, SINGAPORE EXPO See and be seen at the region’s premier industry event. Head for the first ever ProWine Asia 2016, dedicated Halal supermarket, as well as over 300 new exhibitors participating this time around. Also, catch the competitions for a display of budding culinary talents. www.foodnhotelasia.com

16-17 APRIL, 9AM | $2-150 | NATIONAL STADIUM Get ready to rock, ruck and rumble as you cheer your favourite teams. Keep energy levels high by recharging at the F&B establishments around the stands. Face painters and balloon sculptors will also be around to entertain. www.singapore7s.sg

BASILISSIMO FOR HER

ROSE ROOFTOP PARTY

saturday 2 SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

SAKE PARING DINNER

Every Fri | ArtScience Museum Perfect for family bonding—up to four kids under 12 years old may enter for free with every adult ticket purchased at the Box Office. www.marinabaysands.com

$120 NETT | 7PM | SUMIYA (SUNTEC) Tantalise your palate with a gastronomic journey through Japan prepared by masterchef Naoki Tsuzuki, accompanied by a harmonious pairing of sake by sake sommelier Takayoshi Aoki. content.tottstore.com/specials

30 FOODCINE.MA

29 APR-14 MAY Get ready for Singapore’s first film festival on food, from the creators of A Design Film Festival. Check their website for updates on the top culinary movies from around the world closer to date. www.foodcine.ma

Maka

# m a k a n o n b i t e s

on BiTES GUESS AND WIN!

Each month, we’ll feature a fresh makan place—whether it’s a new outlet of a familiar brand, revamped concept or completely new entrant—for you to guess what/where it is. Correct answers will be entered in a draw to win a dining experience with us!

APR: 5 readers stand to win DINNER FOR 2

Foodies, get ready to enjoy a meal prepared by passionate fellow foodies. This casual bistro serves quality food and drinks without pretention, emphasising fresh and creative ingredients. Opened in 2011, it is housed inside one of the most centrally located malls in Orchard Road. Signatures include tender BBQ crocodile ribs, enticingly coated with a homemade sauce, as well as the much loved duck leg confit—crisp outside, moist inside. Homemade pastas, grilled items and gourmet burgers further tempt. Finish with the oh-so-pretty Flowerpot Milo Tiramisu or durian chocolate mousse. Give us your best guess of the restaurant’s name and location between 1-18 April to dine on 9 May, 7pm! For full details and to enter, visit www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites.

B i T E S reserves the right to publicise winners’ names and pictures. By entering the contest, you grant us a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish publicity photos and video in any format without limitation. Participants to ensure they can dine on 9 May at 7pm. More on www.bites.com.sg/makanonbites

n BiTES Makan oJ6 at 5 Tanglin Where: Hotel Jen7pm When: 9 March, What we ate:

hlights included • The J65 dinner hig stations such as: r with Thai beef salad »» Crafted salad ba s with quinoa »» Homemade soup ng bak kut teh minestrone and Kla bread selection »» Cheese & ar tisan th pressed sushi wi »» Japanese corner and sashimi roasted lamb and »» Meat carvery with baked salmon with tiger prawns, »» Seafood counter clams and mussels sa n with 6 styles of lak »» Live action statio and HK BBQ meats hot dishes such styled »» Southeast Asian s op all sc as wok fried cream selection, ice th wi »» Desser ts d variety of cakes local Nyonya kueh an and jellies

In March, 10 lucky BiTES readers and their dining partners scored a seat to one of the most vibrant Southeast Asian buffest in town. J65, with its name inspired by Singapore’s dialling code, presents a modern day market look and feel for diners to mix and match their dining experience. While some readers adopted the tried-and-tested buffet strategy of starting with salads and chilled seafood, others headed straight for the enticing hot Asian dishes, from the Nyonya kueh pie tee and cereal fried prawns, to the live station where six laksa noodles are on offer.

Whether comparing Singapore’s lemakstyle laksa to Johor’s earthy curry leaf version, or choosing the rice for their chicken rice dish, readers had a fun time enjoying their favourite street dish. Desserts were not overlooked at this buffet, not when some were arrayed in pretty glass drawers, and ranged from the popular coconut jelly to the red velvet cake in handy bite-size portions.

Scan the QR code for a slice of the action.

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Beat the heat!

Love Binggare’s banana milk beverage? You’ll fall for this creamy popsicle, or as they call it, creamsicle. The latest Melona banana flavoured ice bar ($7.65/box of eight, available in major supermarkets) in all its milky goodness with a burst of fruity notes, is a perfect cooler in our sweltering heat. Directly imported from South Korea by F&N Creameries, and certified Halal, this tropical dessert might just displace their other favourite, melon, as your go-to treat. Adding to the delicious variety is Hong Kongbased handcrafted ice pops I SEE I SEE with its first international store. Look forward to fruit and milk-based ice pops ($5.90-7.90 per stick) with no added preservatives or colouring like the earl grey pistachio, one i see of HK’s best sellers, i see using freshly brewed tea and a sprinkling of hand-crushed U.S. pistachios, and the refreshing kiwi for an energiser during the heat wave. Daily 11am10pm. #B3-46 313 @ Somerset, 313 Orchard Road. Tel: 6509 6608

Dallas

New openings

It’s Dallas’ 10th anniversary and they’ve celebrated with a slick second outlet. This glasshouse concept at Suntec's Sky Garden seats 92 guests indoors and another 70 outdoors beside a reflecting pool feature. Snack on snapper fish tacos ($22/3 pieces), which are admirably crisp while nested in pineapple chutney and topped with chipotle mayo. It’s the meat platter ($70 for two, $130 for four) we’re eyeing though—each with four types of protein. Grilled Aussie lamb cutlets and slow-cooked pork ribs disappear quickly, as does The Rotisserie’s moist and juicy chicken—yes, the chook chain is part of the same restaurant family. The star? 100-day grain fed prime rib steak, medium rare, sourced from Australia and slow roasted for 15 hours before being finished on the grill. Pair this with a choice of eight wines

hive by wala wala

by the glass ($13-18). Mon-Wed & Sat 11.30am12am; Thu-Fri 11.30am-1am; Sun 11.30am-11pm. #03-302/303 Suntec City Sky Garden, 3 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6333 4068 HIVE by Wala Wala is the offshoot of 23-yearold Wala Wala. The spacious bar features a signature Beehive cocktail ($23, keep the wine glass) and draughts like Asahi Jukusen ($15-46). Flaming chargrilled honey-glazed pork ribs with Maker’s Mark bourbon ($36) and oxtail stew ($12) served in rustic claypots are comfort food for any time of the day. Trademark live band performances continue here, daily 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Lunch specials and an ice cream and cake counter cater to schoolkids and their parents, while the retail shop stocks house branded merchandise and a good selection of wines. SunThu 12pm-1am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am. #01-01 Furama RiverFront, 407 Havelock Road. Tel: 8876 1109 We welcome Bali’s famed ribs specialist Naughty Nuri’s, though here it’s located in airconditioned comfort. The generously sized ribs ($18.80/half rack, $35.80/full rack) are just as succulent with a sweet, sticky marinade, charred on a charcoal-fired grill. We liked the tender beef rendang ($9.80), fragrant nasi goreng ($11.80) using brown and white rice, and killer chicken wings ($9.80), deboned and stuffed with chorizo, shishito peppers

naughty nuri's

and cheddar cheese. Wagyu steak ($23.50) is served with burnt asparagus, for a great value alternative to pork ribs. #01-84 Capitol Piazza, 17 Stamford Road. Tel: 6384 7966 Modern European restaurant 999.99 is great for diners on a budget. On the menu are sharing plates such as a refreshing burrata & tomato salad ($14), served with sundried tomatoes, sweet tomato jelly and zesty orange. Delicately placed atop earthy truffle mayo

999.99

is the lightly-battered king crab croquettes ($13). Hot sellers include luscious Boston lobster gratin ($29) and succulent beef tenderloin topped with foie gras ($29); both of which are generously offered at $19 for the first 20 orders daily. Treat yourself to the four-course lunch ($29) or go on a pocket-friendly date with the fivecourse dinner ($59) that comes with scrummy mains like pan-fried lamb chops. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 6pm-midnight. 29 Keong Saik Road. Tel: 6221 7098

tang restaurant & bar

Revamped Tang Restaurant & Bar has been garnering kudos for its modern Sichuan dining in luxed up ambience. Check in at different times for various eats such as the expanded lunch menu featuring cold noodles with sesame sauce ($7) and twice-cooked pork ($15). Evening tapas showcases wagyu rice rolls ($13) and lotus root pai tee ($9). It’s the hot pot dinners that’s the draw, with rich soups that hit the right spot. We couldn’t get enough of the translucent sliced fish ($22) and bamboo shrimp roll ($18), but you’d do equally well to go for the omakase sets ($50, $80). Wash it down with a wide range of wines, sakes, whisky and beers. Sun-Wed 12 noon-2.30pm, 5-11pm; Thu-Sat 5pmmidnight (closed 1st and 3rd Tue). 25 Keong Saik Road. Tel: 6222 7708

Cafe H t Seat

this year. While previously interning at Braun Büffel, her attention to detail and naturally inquisitive and conversational personality came together in the most unexpected way: “I discovered I had a very suitable social media voice,” she says with a laugh. “I’m very into social media, I don’t find it overwhelming although I’m managing several at a time. I just check my phone all the time.” Andrea believes it’s the personal touch that makes the difference, such as when posting about experiences and not just promotions. That’s why she didn’t hesitate when a blogger asked to include her in a list of “10 Good Looking Female Baristas in Singapore.” A.R.C. Coffee was still in its opening stage, and she figured any kind of publicity was good publicity. “If my chef or barista is famous, then the place will be famous, so that’s good for the team!” “I’m a feelings oriented person,” she concludes. “Once I see the beauty in something or how passionate a person is about the topic, I’ll work very hard for it.”

Andrea Tan, winner of the Singapore National Brewers Cup 2015, is a business student who's found passion in mastering the brew—but don’t assume she’s a java snob. By June Lee, Photography by Soh Kah Khee

@seventeenmarch has found passion in manual coffee brewing

Serious brews at @a.r.c.coffee She can drink numerous cups of coffee a day without any side effects. In fact, warm coffee makes her sleepy. Andrea Tan, 21, was working part-time while still a Ngee Ann Poly Business Studies student at coffee joint 8 Stanley Street when she started drinking java seriously. "I didn't like coffee then," she admits, but her boss, John Ryan Ting made her a flat white that was "nice and balanced. From that point, I was like, I'm going to search for a coffee that tastes like this!" Our considerate interviewee also has a "cannot waste" rule, where she would make it a point to drink the experiments of her friends who were learning to make coffee. That's what she's doing today, sipping a mocha that her colleague just practiced making. "I had to learn to drink without milk and sugar too," she sighs, noting that her friends would look sad when she added sweeteners that would distract from the real taste of the espresso. We're at A.R.C. Coffee, where Andrea is employed as a marketing and PR executive during her gap year. Her natural stance is graceful, thanks to a childhood spent in ballet. When staffing issues surface, she doubles up for a shift behind the counter, relishing the

chance to make specialised brews that won her the Singapore National Brewers Cup title in 2015 at Cafe Asia—the first time the contest had been held. Andrea had the full support of A.R.C’s owner, John, himself a Singapore National Barista Champion in 2008, 2009 and 2015 and most recently semi-finalist at the 2015 World Barista Championship. One of the unexpected perks has been the travel opportunities. “I love travelling,” Andrea exclaims, ticking off Gothenburg, Brisbane and Seattle as part of her coffee-related trips. Prior to competing for the first time, John sent Andrea to Taiwan for an in-depth field trip as the country is known for its brewed coffee culture. “Taste is subjective,” notes Andrea, who doesn’t feel she’s very critical about coffee. Check her Instagram feed (which is named after her birthday) and you’ll see plenty of café and coffee pictures where she generally says nice things about other people’s coffee. To help you become a better drinker, she reels off a list of characteristics: aroma, flavour, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance and the most important question: would you drink or order the same coffee again? Beyond this, Andrea is passionate about marketing and planning events, and will be taking up those relevant courses when she heads to university later

What We Ordered: Andrea had: Café mocha ($5.50) June had: Brew of the day (variable) Kah Khee had: Flat white ($5)

#TRAVEL IN GOTHENBURG: “John, Shawn (chef barista) and I stayed in AirBnBs and cooked because it was cheaper. They really love coffee and it was great travelling with them. One of our smoked salmon dishes at A.R.C. was inspired by the trip.” FLOWERS: “Why are the flowers overseas so nice? I love daisies by the roadside. I think they’re just like me: comfortable, simple, easy and hardy.”

#FOODIE I EAT: “Local food. Char kway teow, popiah or just grandma’s lotus soup—that’s homey and comforting. I love noodles too.” F&B: “Having done internships in other industries like FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), I still prefer F&B. Food is a special industry, you’re doing something more fulfilling.” SULTAN GATE HOODIE TIPS: “I like Bar Stories— unassuming and chill, and Mrs Pho for the best pho in town.”

@bitessg meets @seventeenmarch

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New promotions

Pining for Penang? 10 at Claymore flies to the rescue with a Pearl of Orient Penang Fiesta prepared by Penangborn executive chef Andy Oh. The feast ($42, Mon-Fri lunch; $48 Sat-Sun lunch; $68 dinner daily) comprises live stations offering assam laksa, XO seafood popiah, a rocking bak kut teh with Kurobuta belly rib and durian pancake, in addition to the Lobby lounge stellar Penang rojak, pork trotters in black vinegar, chicken kapitan, and more. At Lobby Lounge, you’ll enjoy the Authentic Flavours of Penang Set Lunch ($16 nett, Mon-Fri noon-3pm), where a three-course menu features an appetiser of chicken lor bak; choice of Penang char kway teow, live king prawn noodle broth, or assam laksa with barramundi for main; and dessert of Teochew chendol. Both promotions from 1 April-31 May. Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road. Tel: 6831 6686 (10 at Claymore), 6831 6685 (Lobby Lounge) Upping the rahdc comics rah for Batman vs. super heroes Superman: Dawn of cafÉ Justice, comes DC

Menu updates

Manhattan FISH MARKET launches their Louisiana Seafood Bomb (for two pax) in three variations with either the mud crab ($39.95), tiger prawns ($29.95) or salmon ($33.95) till 31 May. With their signature garlic herb rice as the base, a special Louisiana sauce unites the whole dish, and is topped with six different types of seafood. 15 outlets including #02-183 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6338 8116 Akari Japanese Dining & Bar launches its 2016 menu with exciting new dishes. Chef Hirotaka Murata with over 20 years of experience in kaiseki cuisine brings an authentic edge with over 70 items. Dishes to look out for include the shyutou bagna cauda—raw vegetables and warm Japanese mackerel pickles with cheese dip ($19), yamato ebi zou-sui, whole boiled rock lobster claypot porridge ($24) and the tofu teppan

Comics Super Heroes Café's specially crafted menu. If you’re a Batman fan, try out his menu of wagyu beef jaw burger ($31.90) or truffle pasta ($26.90). Superman fans, go for the free range chicken burger ($27.90), and the pasta crevettes carbonara ($28.90), which consists of mentaiko cream fettucine, red prawns, ikura and topped with a poached egg. Menu available till 30 April. Sun-Thu 10.30am-11pm and Fri-Sat 10.30am-11.30pm. #01-03 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Tel: 6688 7610 Originally located at The Treasury, the renamed and relocated The Sapling is still a training platform for SHATEC students. New the sapling in is the monthly Gourmet Night (every last Friday of the month), where a different established alumnus chef will work closely with current students to come up with the multi-course dinner menu ($50/ $75 with wine pairing, 7-10.30pm, reservations required). MonFri 11am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm. #01-17 Academy Block, The Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru. Tel: 6472 0933

Akari japanese dining bar

gratin ($8), homemade tofu with cream sauce. Daily 123pm and 6-10pm. #01-02 Marina Bay Financial Centre, 8A Marina Boulevard. Tel: 6634 0100 Japan may be 3,260 miles away, but Emporium Shokuhin’s restaurants means you can get your fill of Japanese delights right in the heart of town. Indulge in fresh seafood flown direct from Japan’s wholesale seafood markets at Senmi Sushi. Order the Giant Chirashi Don ($36) to share, along with their creative California makis such as the Dynamite Maki ($16.80) featuring flame-seared A5 wagyu beef, and flamed salmon maki ($15.20). If raw seafood doesn't excite, Burosu Honten’s Hakata-style ramen definitely will. Inspired by Tokyo’s ramen joints, Burosu Honten is

the house of robert timms

Get ready for The House of Robert Timms Ultimate Pancake Challenge. Wipe the plate clean of the 18cm high by 24cm wide stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes layered with fresh fruits ($39), and you’ll get it on the house! Friends of the competitors are included in the fun too, with a complimentary coffee or tea while cheering the hero on. Also, look out for the $25 set menu offer (Mon-Fri 11am3pm), with choice of Robert Timms signature fish and chips, jumbo footlong, garlic prawn spaghetti, Aussie baby ribs or 100 days ribeye sandwich with a cup of coffee or tea. Sun-Thu 8am-1am and Fri-Sat 8am-3am. #01-02/03 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road. Tel: 6735 9201

the first in Singapore to introduce individual booths— ideal for busy executives looking for a quiet meal. Slurp up their ultimate blend ramen ($17.80) that comes with bouncy-thin white noodles, two juicy prawns, and fatty chashu slices. The umami broth boasts an intense flavour made from simmering shrimp, lobster, and crab shells for 11 hours. The shop also does seafood panfried gyozas ($7.80) that’re browned and crisped to perfection. Daily 11.30am-10pm. #01-18 Marina Square Singapore, 6 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6224 3433

burosu hoten

#Hashtags & App-enings

Jack’s Place brings a sizzling Symphony of Flavours in their 50th Jubilee year with the grilled sirloin steak with tempura slipper lobster ($27.80), grilled salmon with crispy calamari ring ($21.80), and grilled tenderloin with tempura kani, mushroom ragout and signature JP baked potato ($31.50). Stand a chance to win $500 of restaurant vouchers; create a video of yourself making a “ssszzz” sound next to a sizzling object and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #JacksPlaceSymphony. Also, present this video to the waitstaff at any outlet to enjoy a free side of curly truffle fries. www.jacksplace.com.sg. CityButler from ButlerTech offers citybutler handpicked restaurants, hotels, events and more for travellers. Each featured outlet is carefully picked, like buzzy Spanish eatery Binomio, May May restaurant and Berlin Bar. Currently operating in eight cities including Phuket, London and Melbourne, they aim to expand to 100 worldwide destinations. Future plans for the app include online bill payments, insurance purchases and daily deals. Free download in iTunes store and on desktop via www.citybutler.co.

Ready to eat

Time-starved souls can now whip up an impressive spread under 15 minutes with Jade Cuisine’s Ready To Eat line, by the company who famously bought Kay Lee Roast Meat Joint in 2014. Expect 11 fine-tuned dishes (serves 2 to 4) such as tangy sweet & sour fish ($8.75), comforting 8 Treasure chicken soup ($8) and even the Kay Lee dark char siew ($12.60); these tasty meals are packed in a vacuum food grade pack and frozen till needed. The jade proof is in the tasting, and we were particularly cuisine impressed with how the meats didn’t taste frost-bitten or dried out. Don’t miss the only dessert in the list: authentic Teochew yam paste with gingko nuts ($7.75), smooth and bouncy the way grandma would want it. Available exclusively at Giant supermarkets. CP Foods has introduced even more dishes to its frozen halal range, with plenty of spice to perk up an everyday meal in 10 minutes. The Thai style laksa ($4.95) from the Gourmet line is microwave ready, holding a single serve of ramen noodles, fried fish ball, fried tofu, fish cake and lemongrass-accented laksa soup in one bowl. More Thai favourites include the stir-fried chicken with holy basil and chicken Panang curry ($4.60 each)—just add hot rice for a quick meal for one. Available at major supermarkets.

All your beverage solutions under one roof Boncafé, now part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, cordially invites you to join us in our booth at HallƒSpecialty Coffee & Tea 2016!

As the leading beverage solutions provider in Asia and beyond, let us wow you with our extensive collection of product and equipment offerings! Following this year’s theme “Coming together to share the same ingredient: Passion”, Boncafé and Segafredo Zanetti will be showcased together for the first time in Food & Hotel Asia in a dual branded booth of 126sqm in the Specialty Coffee Tea section.

Sharing the same business philosophy, both brands are dedicated to spread the taste and an authentic espresso culture to the Asia and Middle East regions. To do this, we are invested in advanced roasting facilities and constant research, to reconcile tradition and innovation to produce the best coffee beans possible. Visit our booth and be impressed by our Bon-stop Hospitality and attractive Beverage Solutions packages! Indulge in irresistible new product offerings, delectable smoothies, unique iceblended frappes, juices and not forgetting that renowned cup of Joe at our booth from 12-15 April, Hall 4 Booth No: 4H3-01! See you there!

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BoncafeSingapore

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10 café hangouts Coffee, tea or bingsu for me and you? At these cool café hangouts at Orchard Central, you can have your pasta and ice cream too, not to mention churros, cakes and crepes in all the flavours you crave.

Lady M® Confections #01-27/#02-07

You won’t miss Lady M® Confections now that she’s residing in a dramatic two-storey glass-fronted boutique. This New York Mille Crêpe specialist conjures up a magical cake that’s rich but light as air, thanks to 20 paper-thin crepes layered with the lightest pastry cream, in flavours from Lady M® Signature Mille Crêpes ($8.50/slice) to specials such as Earl Grey Mille Crêpes or Gâteau aux Marrons. Grab a window seat and you won’t want to leave. Tel: 6509 3673

Churros Factory #B1-01

Spanish donuts take on a local twist at Churros Factory with ondeh churros ($5/3 pieces, $8/6 pieces), which are infused with pandan, drizzled with gula melaka sauce and topped off with coconut flakes. Believe it, the churros stay crisp even a dozen Instagram photos later, and fluffy on the inside. There’s savoury too: the BBQmayo-cheese-egg ($6.50/3 pieces, $8.50/6 pieces) reminds us of classic okonomiyaki, just sans bonito flakes. Tel: 8500 0700

Cold Stone Creamery #01-09/10/15

Just how many flavour combos are there at Cold Stone Creamery? A potential 11.5 million, all mixed on a frozen granite stone—customised by you with options of fruits, nuts, candy, cookies and brownies. The premium ice cream is made fresh daily, which you can enjoy in cakes, smoothies, shakes and signature creations such as the Founder’s Favourite, Cookie Minster and the unbeatable Peanut Butter Cup Perfection— the name says it all. Tel: 6634 1015

181 Orchard Road, S238896 Tel: 6238 1051 w w w.orchardcentral.com.sg

w w w.facebook.com/oc

Maccha House #B1-39 to 45/K1/K6

Replenish yourself with premium Kyoto green tea in Maccha House’s sweets like the maccha shiratama parfait ($10.99) and maccha tiramisu ($6.99), which are especially refreshing on humid days. The all-day restaurant serves up full meals as well, but for those in-between hours where you just want something light, linger in the minimalist woodpanelled café for traditional maccha ($3.90) with shiratama dumplings. Tel: 6636 5830

@oc _t weet

@orchardcentral

Nanyang Old Coffee #B2-09/10

Serving up a dose of tradition, Nanyang Old Coffee has a winning formula of quality Nanyang-style kopi and cosy cafe setting. Wake up to the traditional breakfast set ($4.50) comprising kaya butter toast, eggs and of course that aromatic coffee, served kosong, si and siew dai, and alternatively in modern ice blended style. If you’re lucky— and early enough—you can get your hands on the breakfast white bee hoon ($3.20). Tel: 6509 8060

TVoilá Café #B1-15 to 19

This tea nook beckons with their cosy interior, which is also equipped with a play corner for kids, and their wide selection of NUMI organic teas. TVoilÁ’s crowd pleaser is the fragrant white rose tea ($6.50/ pot, $7.50/takeaway) while savoury teas like carrot curry are for the adventurous. They share that turmeric teas, known as a digestion aid, are the next up-and-coming fad—drink up! Tel: 6966 6626

Nunsaram Korean Dessert #05-51/52

Thank you Nunsaram for snowy, flaky bingsu! Made from milk to form a ‘snow ice’ that doesn’t melt too soon (thankfully for Instagram addicts), the bingsu at this airy atrium outlet is perfectly priced for sharing. Huge bowls come with chewy cheesecake and dried cranberry in cheese bingsu ($15.90), and sweet, fresh banana chunks in the popular choco banana ($13.90). www.facebook.com/nunsaramsg

Ya Kun Kaya Toast #05-33

Ya Kun provides tired shoppers, busy executives and hurried city slickers a quiet ambience to unwind over a delightful range of Singapore-styled beverages and toasts. Perfect for quiet personal reflection or meeting up with friends or business associates, enjoy your time at Ya Kun by savouring their toasts or steamed bread with kaya or butter, or softboiled eggs. Complete your experience with their unique blend of coffee, tea, barley or ice blended Frostyz. Tel: 6884 9552

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf #01-26

One taste of the creamy, smooth Original Ice Blended®, and you just can't get enough. Step into The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for coffee creations made with their specialty grade Arabica beans, or fine handpicked teas ranging from green and oolong to flavoured and herbal infusions. Top it off with a signature brownie or cheesecake. It's their 20th anniversary in Singapore, so look out for specials all year round. Tel: 6272 0036

49 Seats #08-08

Yes, 49 Seats did start with 49 seats at their first original outlet at Chinatown but this popular fusion bistro at Orchard Central outlet sits 86 people. Check out punchy flavours like tom yum seafood pasta ($14.90 nett) and fish & chips al scampi ($16.90 nett). The generous portions and creamy sauces are much appreciated when hungry friends gather and just can’t stop pinching at the food. Tel: 6509 5895

Fancy a treat from one of the cafes in this feature? Flash a picture of this blurb, whether print or online, at OC L1 Concierge Counter to win a dining voucher in their sure-win lucky dip. Valid from 1 to 30 April 2016, while stocks last. Terms & conditions apply.

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The Italian connection You've had your fair share of pizzas and pastas, but how well do you really know Italian food? We zoom into the regions where your favourite taste of Italia comes from, and delve into some iconic restaurants over the past four decades in Singapore. By Samantha Seah, additional text June Lee

Campania: pizza and mozzarella

History of region/cuisine: Naples is best known for their Neapolitan-style pizza (only considered one when baked in a wood-fired oven), especially the Margherita. It was first baked in 1889 in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy, and topped with the colours of the Italian flag: mozzarella (white), tomato (red) and basil (green). Campania is also home to 80 percent of Italy’s water buffalos, producing the largest quantities of buffalo mozzarella. WHERE TO GO: Latteria Mozzarella bar. Opened in 2011, it's now under general manager Daniele Fiore’s stewardship. Focuses on a wide range of fresh buffalo milk mozzarella specifically from Solerno, Campania, flown in weekly. WHO: Chef/owner Marco Caverni. Specialises in: Dishes such as stracciatella, eggplant caponata and pine nuts ($23), slow roasted lamb shank, chickpeas and red wine casserole ($36) and raspberry and pistachio meringue cake ($16). Sun-Fri 12-2.30pm and Mon-Sun 6.3010.30pm. 40 Duxton Hill. Tel: 6866 1988 WHERE TO GO: Al Forno (which means “at or from the oven”). Opened since 1995, offering rustic tastes of Amalfi Coast (the most scenic coastline). The interiors with their classic wooden chairs date back to the beginning, even pricing of their coffee and tiramisu remain unchanged at $9 then and now. WHO: Chef and owner (since 2014) Alessandro Di Prisco from a small town in the south of Italy came to Singapore when he was 21. Married to a Singaporean with two children and a dog named Spike, they live close to the restaurant in the Siglap area. “For me, it’ll never be about the glory. At the end of the day, Al Forno has always been about its people—if they’re happy, I’m sure we’ll be fine,” he says. Specialises in: Authentic wood-fired pizzas like the classic margherita ($22) and marinara ($21), or custom pizzas (from $22). Daily 12-2pm, Mon-Fri 6.30-10pm and SatSun 5.30-10pm. 400 East Coast Road. Tel: 6348 8781

ermomilaiagna

bologna

florence

Sicily: seafood

tuscany

History of the region/cuisine: The Greeks introduced fish into the Sicilian diet. As many as 150 species of fish were eaten throughout the island then. WHERE TO GO: Gattopardo Ristorante de Mare, opened since April 2010 with a switch from Italian grill and pizza bar to seafood restaurant. WHO: Chef-owner Lino Sauro arrived in Singapore in 2006, and proudly introduces himself as a “traditional village boy”. Born in Gangi, a tiny mountain village in Sicily, he started his culinary journey at the age of 15. “It is difficult to think of Sicilian food without thinking of fresh seafood,” he says, preferring to showcase fresh catches from the Tyrrhenian Sea. His family also owns a farm that is almost a hundred years old. They harvest the 200 olive trees and press their own oil. For the first time this year, chef Lino has bottled them under the Gattopardo label, available for retail at the restaurant. Specialises in: One of the first to use gambero rosso (Sicilian prawns) in his dishes, such as the carpaccio di rosso di mazara, olio al cerfoglio, colatura di alici ($30). Of notable mention is the zuppa di pesce Gattopardo ($42) and bucatini con le sarde, wide spaghetti with fresh sardines, wild fennel, raisins and pine nuts ($32). Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm, Mon-Sat 6.30-10.30pm. 34/36 Tras Street. Tel: 6338 5498

rome

Tuscany: the Florentino steak History of the region/cuisine: The land of simple and honest flavours based on the Italian idea of cucina porcera or â&#x20AC;&#x153;poor cookingâ&#x20AC;?. Roasted meats serve as the base of most traditional Tuscan meals, and the most popular of them all is the bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Florentine T-bone steak). An exceptionally thick cut of meat which usually weighs three to four pounds originating from Valdarno and Mugello, and from a special cow breed, the Chianina. WHERE TO GO: Ristorante Pietrasanta, established in 2008. WHO: By brothers Guiseppe and chef Loris Massimini, who also established two outlets of La Pizziola. Specialises in: Pizzas and the Fiorentina alla griglia, patate arrosto, insalata di fagioli e rucola, basically, a grilled 1kg Angus T-bone served with roasted potatoes,

beans salad and rocket salad ($142.90). Mon-Fri 11.45am-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.45am2.45pm and daily 5.45-10.30pm. #01-03, 5B Portsdown Road. Tel: 6479 9521

campania naples

Emilia Romagna: charcuterie palermo

siciliy

History of the region/cuisine: Lying in the fertile Po River Valley, Emilia Romagna also known as Italy's food basket, produces exceptional wheat, butter, cheese and a variety of cured meats. Blending Byzantine traditions and Lombard customs, the region's cuisine has some of the richest foods including balsamic vinegar, prosciutto di Parma, ParmigianoReggiano and mortadella (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati as well as Ducati motercycles are manufactured here too). WHERE TO GO: & SONS Bocaro, started in 2014, an Italian cafeteria by day and trattoria by night, making its own specialty-cured meats and salami on premises in a custom-made curing room. WHO: Chef-owner Beppe di Vito and and an Italian team. Beppe (see next page) is married to notable foodie Lynn Yeow, with four boys between them. Specialises in: Salamis like the salame dolce, salame piccante, black pork capocollo, pancetta, guanciale, nduja and sopressata veneta, available for sale. Other notable mentions include the grilled whole Italian seabass with rucula ($48, ideal for two), and tagliolini, crab and nduja ($24), a spicy salami sauce which balances the sweetness of fresh crab meat. Mon-Fri 11.45am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm;Sat 6pm-2am. #01-19 China Square Central, 20 Cross Street. Tel: 6221 3937

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A recollection of Italian restaurants that have come and gone (or stayed).

pete's place

Opened in 1973, Pete’s Place doles out rustic charm, with red checked table cloths, wooded tables, and black and white photos dotting the walls. Their traditional hearty Italian fare has stayed consistent till today—a spread of over 45 creations from authentic wood-fired pizzas, homemade al dente pastas, baked bread and herb butters to salads, cheeses and desserts.

slick—check out their Panorama wine lounge at the Boat Quay outlet which stocks over 70 types of wine and liquor. Must-tries on the menu include melanzane alla parmigiana ($14.80), eggplant baked in layers of mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, panzerotti mushroom alla pastora ($18.90), a type of stuffed pasta with shepherd’s inspired sauce of bacon and mushrooms sautéed in olive oil, garlic and chilli, and tagliata di manzo con rucola al rosmarino ($36.90), sliced beef tenderloin in rosemary oil. Da Paolo opened as a simple trattoria at Tanjong Pagar in 1989, da paolo leading husband and pizza bar wife team of Paolo and Judie Scarpa to create more concepts under the group. Now it has expanded to include Gastronomia gourmet deli and more, with their children Francesca and Andrea heading the company.

Fine dining reached its height at Ristorante Bologna, opened in 1987 together with the launch of the Marina Mandarin Hotel. This was the place to see and be seen by high society. The restaurant received a revamp in 2005 but subsequently bowed out of the highly competitive dining scene in 2012.

iilido

Fine dining yet accessible, Garibaldi was a hit from the beginning, with Roberto Galetti in the kitchen and Beppe de Vito at front of house. But in 2005, Beppe left to set up ilLido. Since then, he’s built reputable restaurants like Southbridge, & Sons Bacaro, Osteria Art and Aura at National Gallery Singapore. Roberto continues to grow his business, with casual dining Ricciotti and shares in various other F&B. Senso Ristorante & Bar opened in 2000, spizza with executive chef Diego Chiarini and maitre d' Stephane Colleoni creating waves on the Club Street scene. While The Senso Group would go on to create beloved brands Spizza, La Nonna and Spizza Mercato, Diego and Stephane combined forces to open modern OSO Ristorante in 2004, with various other forays after that. osteria art

garibaldi

ristorante bologna

Longer lasting is DOMVS, The Italian Restaurant, opened in 1985 and revamped in 2007. Its name means home in Latin, and the decor calls to mind a stately Italian living room. Established in 1988, Pasta Fresca da Salvatore was an early pioneer in casual Italian dining. Now with three fully revamped outlets, they’ve gone a bit more

Former hotelier Roland Luceri opens a charming Italian restaurant in 1993, and has been hands-on ever since. At Pasta Brava, Straits Chinese collectibles abound while pasta and meat items are done the traditional way. Beppe De Vito arrived in Singapore in 1995 to help launch Bice at Goodwood Park (closed in 2000), and in 2003 would set up Garibaldi with fellow Bice alumni and business partner Roberto Galetti. The dynamic Ascione Gaetano, formerly from Ristorante Bologna, makes a splash in 1997 with his own restaurant Gaetano at Club Street (closing in 2006).

InItaly by head chef Mario Caramella, formerly from Forlino restaurant, opened our palates to items such as the ravioli di ossobuco in gremolata and the risoni al nero. @Ciao, helmed by chef Domenico Cicconi, installed his ‘home’ in Singapore, as he doesn’t just welcome guests into his restaurant in a bar, but into his home, like family. The front entrance from 8 Haji Lane depicts the bar area, while the back entrance from 39 Arab Street hosts a family-friendly space, complete with an interactive Battleship game on the flip side of the menu. Savour hearty dishes like the signature beermarinated pork knuckle ($32), ravioli di ricotta ($22) and Zia Luisa’s tiramisu ($12) inspired by his sister. Italian goes to the heartlands too, such as at Ah Bong’s Italian, tucked away in a small corner of Tiong Bahru, and opened by the humble chef Chris Ng who @ciao

chef mario caramella

The Singaporean entrepreneurs of Pasta Mania (originally Mario’s) capitalised on making Italian accessible, taking flight in the Middle East and locally with seven stores in 2002, as well as abroad in other regional countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and India by 2007.

pets goes digital!

trained under chef Bruno Menard, or Concerto by Saveur started by Joshua Khoo and Dylan Ong, which originally operated at a coffee shop stall in Joo Chiat. Celebrity restaurants also landed, with offshoots of Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, and Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza by Mario Batali reaching our shores. pizzeria mozza

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Wish you had a reliable buffet resource available to guide you to the best all-you-can-eat spots? Buffet Bounty is your go-to resource on buffets for all budgets, tastes and locations. Hotels aren’t the only places to have endless brunches and tipple, try these independent gems to tickle your Sunday nosh frenzy. Meanwhile, don’t miss five affordable feasts in the East, and an Italian lunch buffet for $15 nett!

Bites guide: Price guide (nett) $ wallet-friendly (below $50) $$ just can’t resist a splurge ($50-100) $$$ a special occasion ($100-150) $$$$ indulgence galore (above $150)

Certified halal Does not serve pork or lard Kid-friendly facilities Veg-friendly

La Nonna 26/26B Lorong Mambong. Tel: 6468 1982 Traditional Italian country cuisine served in a trattoria, prepared like how a grandmother would, just as its namesake suggests, family brunch ($39++, 12-2.30pm) here is a hearty affair fit for the whole family. With the menu changing biweekly, pastas and pizzas served here are always a delightful surprise, and with an additional $29++, you can get a free-flow of prosecco, Italian wines and beers.

la nonna

[$\]

o batignolles

Momiji Japanese Buffet #02-02 Revenue House, 55 Newton Road. Tel: 6253 2469 Tired of the standard bread, eggs and bacon? Having Japanese for brunch ($40.80++ 11.30am-3.30pm) could mitigate those bored taste buds with free-flow succulent zuwaikani (snowcrab), Sapporo beer and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Every paying adult is also entitled to 100g of king crab leg (subject to availability). O Batignolles 2 Gemmill Lane. Tel: 6438 3913 Have brunch ‘Parisien’ style ($29++, 11am-4pm) as a free-flow of crossaints make its way to your table, paired with a set consisting of bread and eggs done just the way you like it. The pain au chocolat basket together with eggs cocotte is an indulgent pairing to start off a lazy Sunday morning, together with delicate flutes of champagne ($89++, 11am-2pm).

[$$\] 5th Quarter Hotel Vagabond, 39 Syed Alwi Road. Tel: 6291 1936 Let chef Drew Nocente spoil you and your friends in this brunch service ($60++, 11.30am-4pm) which features the chef’s favourite comfort brunch items. Relish the mushroom cappuccino as you munch on the smoked maple bacon, before diving into the stack of delightful pancakes served with fried chicken on the side. Opt for free-flow cava at an additional $45++.

indie Sunday Brunch Buffets

Don Quijote #01-02 Block 7 Dempsey Road. Tel: 6476 2811 Critically acclaimed tapas and traditionally made Spanish fare will greet you at this weekend brunch buffet ($38++ 11am-2.30pm). Share some calamares fritos (fried battered squid) and croquetas con jamon (croquettes with cured Spanish ham) before taking on the manitas de cerdo con garbanzos (stewed pigs feet with white beans). Free-flow beers, wines, sangria ($58++) and sangria de cava ($69++) are also available.

5th quarter

ADRIFT Hotel Lobby Tower 2, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue. Tel: 6688 5657 Yes, it’s located in a hotel, but this standalone celebrity chef restaurant makes it to our list for its unique Californian and comfort food offerings—step inside and it feels intimate, a world away from the hubbub of tourists in the lobby. Adrift’s weekend brunch (Sat-Sun, 11am to 3pm, $88++, additional $70++ with free-flow champagne, fruit cocktails and other beverages) offers mains such as the crispy chicken and sweet potato waffle with maple-umeboshi syrup. Chilled seafood, cheeses, charcuterie and pastries are also available.

adrift

Cocotte 2 Dickson Road. Tel: 6298 1188 Let the taste of France envelop you as Cocotte’s weekend brunch trolley ($69++, 12-3pm) serves up signature dishes such as the poulet roti, escargot and roast pork collar. These brunch savouries and sweets are wheeled in trolleys across the dining hall for diners to choose from, with an additional option of free-flow rose, prosecco and wine ($119++) available for those who seek some tipples.

Paulaner Brauhaus COLONY #01-01 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6883 2572 Dig into traditional Bavarian classics at this German brunch ($48++ ,11.30am-2.30pm) and slake your thirst with free-flow freshly brewed Paulaner beer for an additional $10++. Start with some oven-fresh pretzels before moving on to the signature pork knuckles and bratwurst sausages, and finish it all off with a warm apple strudel topped with vanilla ice cream.

Forlino #02-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road. Tel: 6690 7564 This multiple award-winning Italian fine dining restaurant will definitely be a treat for the senses at its all you can eat weekend brunch ($44++, 12-2.30pm). Their range of soups, salads and mains changes by the week, ensuring never a dull moment at this classy affair. Add $40++ to enjoy a free-flow of prosecco as you toast the weekend away.

Sabio Tapas Bar 5 Duxton Hill. Tel: 6690 7562 Enjoy this hangover brunch ($49.90++ 11.30am-3.30pm) with family and friends as traditional Spanish sharing tapas gets passed around. Expect Spanish favourites such as paella, churros, jamon and queso to crowd the table as you sit back and enjoy some patatas bravas. Add $28++ for free-flow cava and sangria.

Garibaldi #01-02, 36 Purvis Street. Tel: 6837 1468 Sit down and indulge in the decadence that is an authentic Italian brunch buffet ($78++, 11.30am-3pm) that varies weekly in accordance to the freshest produce available such as an oven-baked Kurobuta pork tenderloin with berry sauce. In true Italian fashion, a free-flow of prosecco is available, together with beer and house wines ($108++), and for those seeking true luxury, Billecart Salmon Brut ($158++) can be added to the list.

garibaldi

jim thompson

Latteria Mozzarella Bar 40 Duxton Hill. Tel: 6866 1988 Dine alfresco in a little corner of Duxton Hill as this laid-back Italian brunch ($48++ 12-2.30pm) promises hearty cheeses and homemade pastas. Enjoy the daily selection of bruschetta and mozzarella before moving on to the daily pasta, fresh wild fish and gourmet meat mains. Their fine selection of wines are available freeflow for an additional $30++ to end off the delectable meal. Patara #03-14 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road. Tel: 6737 0818 Partake in classic Thai dishes at this brunch buffet ($48++ 12-3pm), savouring dishes like spicy green papaya salad with dried prawns, clear spicy and sour soup with seafood, as well as green curry chicken with baby eggplants and basil. For $68++, premium selections such as grilled iberico pork collar as well as soft shell crabs in yellow curry become available. Add on $45++ for unlimited sparkling wines, wines and beer.

patara

Jim Thompson Dempsey Hill, 45 Minden Road. Tel: 6475 6088 Pamper yourself in this heritage venue with an equally stunning interior design as you savour the brunch buffet spread ($68++, 12-3pm) prepared by an expert team of Thai nationals. Revel in the classics such as pad thai, green curry as well as mango sticky rice, whose recipes have been tested and refined by the chefs, with a constant stream of champagne and beer ($108++) to wash it all down.

una at one rochester

Tamarind Hill 30 Labrador Villa Road. Tel: 6278 6364 Order up a sumptous feast at this ‘Thai-mless’ a-la-carte brunch buffet ($60++, 12-3pm) and enjoy delectable dishes such as foie gras with green curry reduction, tom yum martinis together with a cold spread. Finish off with the dessert offerings while sipping on free-flow wines, beers and selected cocktail ($120++) to end a well deserved lazy afternoon. UNA at One Rochester 1 Rochester Park. Tel: 6773 0070 Let your hair down in this garden brunch affair ($58++ 11am-3pm) and tuck into tiger prawns fresh off the grill, or UNA’s signature eggs benedict which includes smoked mackerel and bonito flakes. As the little ones enjoy the themed bouncy castles, parents can kick back and top up $38++ for bottomless sangrias, wines and sparkling wines. Yantra #01-28/33 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road. Tel: 6836 3088 Embark on an adventure into Northern Indian cuisine at this brunch ($49++ 12-3pm) as you partake in the signatures such as mahi macchi tikka and tandoori lobster. Watch as the chefs prepare tandoori dishes and whip up fresh hot Indian breads, while you sip on freeflow wine and beer ($65++) or champagne ($95++).

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RAS BITES

ras bites

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in the east

Easties, explore your territory for a wide array of international buffets.

BAN HENG @ ARANDA COUNTRY CLUB Located in the endmost tip of Singapore, Ban Heng @ Aranda delivers two a la carte buffet menus for no-frills Chinese cuisine. Menu A ($22.10 nett, Tue-Fri 11.30am-3pm & Tue-Thu 6-10.30pm; $26.80 nett FriSun 6-10.30pm) presents simpler dishes such as jelly fish with cucumber and fried venison with ginger and onions, while menu B ($33.90 nett Tue-Fri 11.30am3pm & Tue-Thu 6-10.30pm; $38.60 nett Fri-Sun 6-10.30pm) showcases more premium options such as steamed scallops with garlic and chilli or black pepper crab (one-time order only). 60 Pasir Ris Drive 3. Tel: 6585 1770/ 1093

LITTLE ICE CREAM KAFE (LICK) Looking for a Friday night binge and chill-out spot? LICK sweetens up the deal for you with their Friday eat-all-you-can ice cream buffet on-going promotion ($15 nett / students $14.50 nett). Held in two sessions, 2-4pm and 6-8pm, pick your scoop(s) of ice cream such as the avocado gelato, kaya ice cream or the honey-lavender flavour, then help yourself to the freeflow waffles and toppings. 258 Tanjong Katong Road. Tel: 6440 8526

MOMOYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT Every neighbourhood deserves a cosy, welcoming Japanese diner with quality dishes to satisfy your craving. Stalwart Momoya is one such favourite with their popular a la carte buffet with over 120 items (Wed-Mon: $41.20nett 11.45am-2.30pm, $45.90nett 6-10pm). Get your fill of the usual suspects of sushi and sashimi, and save space for the chef’s recommended dishes like shishamo karage, wafu tori karage and sumoko kamo sarada. 16 Jalan Pari Burong, Picardy Garden. Tel: 6245 3303

Alkaff Mansion Ristorante 10 Telok Blangah Green. Tel: 6510 3068 Marvel at the colonial architecture and ornate fountains framing your vision as you tuck into a succulent Italian buffet ($108++, 11.30am-3pm) that includes favourites such as the Scottish Salmon carpaccio dressed with caviar, and seasonal oysters. An unlimited flow of Bottega Prosecco, premium white and red wines accompany the spread that also features live cooking stations.

Most fans would travel to Tanjong Pagar or Telok Ayer Street for a touch of meat grilling the Korean way. But Ssiksin—related to Ssikek at Tampines 1—has ensured that Easties get their fill of marinated beef, pork and chicken at all times. The regular buffet spread (Mon-Fri 11.30am-3.30pm $17.50 nett, 5.30-10pm, Fri till 10.30pm, $29.30 nett, and Sat 11.30am-10.30pm and Sun 11.30am-10pm $29.30 nett) offers ceramic grill plates to make grilling easier, while cooked food and free-flow drinks complete the feast. #02-10/14 Bedok Point, 799 New Upper Changi Road. Tel: 6241 4478

momoya japanese restaurant

catalunya

Catalunya The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay. Tel: 6534 0886 Have brunch with passion ($98++, 12.30-3.30pm) while overlooking the waters of Marina Bay and be spoilt for choice with over 40 traditional Spanish brunch dishes. Delight in the signature dishes such as the Segovian suckling pig, jamon iberico, and the deconstructed other Spanish tortilla, all prepared a la minute. Add $48++ for free-flow alcohol as you embrace the exuberant Spanish culture.

SSIKSIN KOREAN BBQ

Senso Ristorante & Bar 21 Club Street. Tel: 6224 3534 Known for its authentic Italian fine-dining cuisine, expect some scrumptious fare at their brunch buffet ($98++, 11.30am-3pm), which includes a free-flow of prosecco, wines, beer and juices. Orders are prepared ala minute to guarantee their freshness as you wait upon pastas such as green tagliatelle with rabbit ragout, or mains like the pan-seared scallops with beetroot cream and quail egg to start off a beautiful Sunday morning.

[$$$\]

alkaff mansion

From Palate Vine Group that has brought us Viva Mexico and Ras, the Indian fine dining restaurant in Clarke Quay, comes this casual dining outfit in a business estate. Brightly lit and cheery, Ras Bites dishes up a hearty value lunch buffet on weekdays, 12-3pm ($16 nett Mon-Tue, $20 nett Wed-Thu and $22 nett Fri). Favourites include butter chicken, naan and tandoori prawns. For busy execs who can’t make it here—they do a takeaway service, with vegetarian options included as well. #01-13 Plaza 8, 1 Changi Business Park Crescent. Tel: 6783 5330

senso ristorante & bar

buffet r ev iew Italian buffet

*27 Tanjong Paga

Pasta, pronto Charming Capricci—its name means caprice, or whimsy—offers Italian lunch at a steal, when you’re in the mood for something different or in a rush.

16 March, 12pm * $15 nett (Mon11.30am-2pm)

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First impressions: Established since 2009, independent Italianowned Capricci attracts a local and expat clientele. Its a th samanh Pagar location Tanjong sea is a natural draw for the office crowd who’d rather not sweat it out at the foodcourts. The decor is rustic—bare concrete flooring, red exposed bricks, wood accents and even a Spartan-like helmet at the bar counter. They’re getting a facelift soon, so stay tuned for a more traditional, homely Italian lunch hangout. They also have an exclusive six-seater wine tasting room, with wines from 11 Italian regions.

Top 1: PICKs The surprisingly

Good vegetable soup of the day warmed our hearts

Tip-off: Sit near the buffet table and you might get to watch the chef work those pizzas. Don’t just observe, but smell that toasty, slightly charred crust. Yes, grab them while they’re hot. Food stations: It’s a straightforward selection, functionally categorised into two sections: the salad and fruits bar, and the main dishes station. Soft drinks, coffee and tea are at an additional $4 nett. As the spread changes daily, what you see is what you get—if you’re craving a particular item, then it’s best to order from the a la carte menu instead. Starting off with the salad bar, we had a pick of assorted greens (lettuce, rocket leaves and romaine lettuce), broccoli, potato salad, sweet corn (de-cobbed), long beans, and tomatoes. Top off your salad with dressings such as the traditional Italian dressing and lemon dressing. Though having only a limited choice of greens, a selected few come from organic sources and the quality is decent. Moving on to something denser, we had the day’s vegetable soup which was a delightful blend of cauliflower, pumpkins and potatoes. It had a porridge consistency and was well seasoned. Other more familiar soups you might get to try include minestrone and mushroom soup, depending on chef’s whims of the day. For something hearty, the assorted pizzas, a pasta and meat of the day are also part of the selection (for just a mere $15 nett so eat to your heart’s content). We tucked

homely interior vibes

Top PICKs 2: focaccia made fresh

Top PICKs 3: homemade pasta with the classic tomato base

Salad offerings

into a pink sauced fusilli, basically a tomato base pasta dotted with vegetables like green beans, asparagus and zucchini. The pastas are mainly vegetarian and the selection changes each time. On our visit, the meat of the day reminded us of a milder version of ma you ji (sesame sauce chicken). The spread also includes Sicilian style fish using dory or red snapper and beef with potatoes and brown gravy on rotation. We mopped up the last bits of our lunch with some toasty, relatively thin-crust pizza slices. On offer were the classic focaccia, a traditional tomato and mozzarella cheese pizza and mushroom pizza. To finish off, the server sweettalked us into ordering the tiramisu (additional $4 nett), but we had no regrets. Made with Avanti espresso and not a drop of alcohol, their dreamy homemade tiramisu was redolent with rich coffee aroma –kudos to the moist lady finger pastry and fluffy whipped cream. Not so hawt: The mains turns cold on the buffet table fast. It’s best to ‘attack’ when the food comes out piping hot. Final say: If whimsy led you here, you won’t be disappointed. Capricci is an expression of the Italian heart— homely, welcoming and quirkily unique. The value lunch buffet is a great idea and something you won’t find anywhere else in the CBD. Pick the seats at the back of the place with its dimmer lighting, as it gives you a quiet corner to focus on satisfying your appetite.

During the $15 nett lunch buffet, you also get 20% off a la carte items on the menu. Items such as the gelato, mini tiramisu, crème brulee, coffee/tea and soft drinks/ juices go for $4 nett each.

Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm and Mon-Sat 6.30-10.30pm. Bar opens till late. 27 Tanjong Pagar Road. Tel: 6221 6761

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Tin hill

Bukit Timah (literally: tin hill) isn’t just an expensive residential area. Indie makan destinations and a canvassing shade of green permeate this long straight road, now bolstered with convenient new stations on the Downtown Line. We crisscrossed three of those stations wandering amidst vast bungalows and prestigious schools to uncover hidden pockets of culinary delight.

Binjai Park

overview Another discreet region, Binjai Park is well known to local denizens for its array of food options. The Chinese art shops that line the road give testament to the history this place holds. Ivins Peranakan Restaurant 21 Binjai Park Standing resilient, this Peranakan restaurant opened its doors since the 1970s and has yet to change a thing, from furnishing right down to its tradition family recipes. Try Ivin’s own mix of sambal belachan in stuffed chilli selar (daily market price for fish), as well as the itek sioh ($6.40) for genuine Peranakan goodness. No service charge.

ivins peranakan restaurant

Merinda 1 Binjai Park Slightly burnt bits at the bottom only accentuates the claypot goodness that this stall provides in the local kopitiam. Their focus is on pork, served in various forms, from the claypot pig trotters ($5) to claypot pork liver and kidney ($5), and even claypot pig tail ($6).

By Timothy Lam, Photography Benjamin Soh

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The Living Café 779 Bukit Timah Road Taking vegan dining to new heights, The Living Café lives up to its namesake with their offerings of raw food. With low-heat or no cooking done so as to not decrease the digestibility, vitamin and mineral density of ingredients, this diet is said to improve nutrition while eliminating stress. Smoothies such as Chocolate Monkey ($8.50) contains cashew milk and medjool dates among other ingredients, and while salads might be what pops into mind at the thought of raw food, try their raw entrees such as the TLC ‘cheese’ burger ($18.50) for a change. www.balancedlivingasia.com/the-living-cafe/ Good Good Eating House 24 Sixth Avenue This kopitiam offers the usual suspects of chicken rice, bak kut teh and curry rice, but it's the bowl of abalone noodles ($10) or pacific clams noodle ($6) at this original Jalan Tua Kong 132 stall that you should feast on.

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Lazy Lizard 2 Sixth Avenue If it’s a pub you seek, then Lazy Lizard is the one you need. The local watering hole where residents congregate at prides itself on their relaxed atmosphere as well as friendly staff and prices. Share some crispy pork belly ($10.80) and the sausage platter ($11.80), before hitting the mains like a cheese burger steak ($13.80), and washing it all down with a Hoegaarden or San Miguel. www.treelizard.com.sg

overview The sixth is the avenue that counts, being one of the priciest housing districts in the costly Bukit Timah area, just a stone’s throw away from Queen Astrid Park. Lying along this bustling avenue is the first Brazilian churrascaria opened in Singapore, aptly named Brazil Churrasco, where meat cravings are blasted away by their juicy barbecued goodness. Another one of the older tenants lies just adjacent to Sixth Avenue, Pasta Fresca da Salvatore (see cover story, p10), a classic for those who have heard its old TV jingle.

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Rifle Range Road begins right where the old train bridge lies, opposite King Albert Park. Traverse along the long climb up this straight road and you will find yourself at a junction, with trails to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the left, or the Kampong Trail on the right which eventually leads to MacRitchie Reservoir and the Tree Top Walk there.

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Blu Kouzina 893 Bukit Timah Road A hop and a skip away from Cherry Avenue is a mini Santorini in the middle of Bukit Timah. The white and blue decor stands out as this Greek restaurant instantly impresses with their custom made olive oil, used in dishes such as horiatiki ($21.80), xtapodi shara ($29.80), and tzatziki ($14.80).

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Forture Seafood Restaurant 885 Bukit Timah Road Before you gripe about the spelling error, the ‘R’ was intentional by the restaurant owners, who heeded advice from a feng shui master to improve business. The salted egg crabs ($30/kg) and the signature assam curry fish head ($15) are the way to go.

Violet Oon Singapore 881 Bukit Timah Road Let Singapore’s food ambassador bring you on a culinary adventure of Nyonya proportions in this exquisitely designed restaurant. Savour Peranakan culinary delights such as gado gado ($18), buah keluak ayam ($23) and chap chye ($15) before finishing off with some mini kueh salat ($10). www.violetoon.com/violet-oon-singapore-atbukit-timah/

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Bar Bar Black Sheep 879 Bukit Timah Road This tiny outlet serves as a bar in the local kopitiam, with draft beers available such as the Asahi black ($15 per pint), bottled Erdingers ($12) and Duvels ($12), as well as ciders and wines. www.bbbs.com.sg

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dancing crab

The Old Stables

The old stables

A long hot walk or a quick drive to the old stables of the former Turf Club will be rewarded by a trip down memory lane as old and nostalgic items greet you in heaps and piles along the road. The stables are now shops filled to the brim with antiques and junk, ranging from Chinese guardian lions to park benches. The owner of one of the shops has been in the business for over 30 years. While there are cheap finds that go for as little as $4, major treasures over $300,000 are also available to those with a discerning eye. To get there on foot: Walk past Blue House Nursery & International Preschool (2 Turf Club Road) and follow the road in.

The Grandstand

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Giddy up over to the former horse racing site and embrace the lush greenery and one million square feet lifestyle destination that is the Grandstand. Other than having one of the largest repositories of pre-owned cars right in its backyard, The Grandstand offers a selection of multi-cultural cuisines to tickle your taste buds. Shop and eat at the same time in the farmers market that is Pasarbella (#02-06), housing more than 30 unique stalls. Shop for craft beer (The Great Beer Experiment) and French produce (Quartier) while munching on Iberico pork (Bistro Botintin) and sipping a cuppa (Dutch Colony Coffee Co.). If that isn’t enough, head on down to the Dancing Crab (#01-20) for finger-licking countrystyle Cajun seafood which includes Boston lobsters and Dungeness crabs.

Kings, Crowns and Dukes

Aristocracy permeates between the lanes with King’s, Queen’s and Duke’s roads lined up side by side; named in recognition of various royalty in Britain. The old shophouses at Duke’s Road harbour tenants with the newest being Assembly Coffee’s latest venture, Atlas Coffeehouse. Brunch just got better with their butterscotch banana pancake. LeWu Café next door oozes more of a Bali vibe with their laidback alfresco dining, Thai food and cheap beers. Find Crown Bakery & Café (#0103) nowhere else but at Crown Centre, adjacent to Queen’s Road. The wholesome loaves of sourdough are a result of a food crown bakery collaboration between Far East cafÉ Flora and Significant Signifie. Hidden in Kings Arcade lies Little Hiro (#01-01), the lesser known sister shop of Island Creamery, that grills up Hawaiian-Japanese food with their signature Sanzoku black pepper sauce.

overview Nestled behind Raffles Girls Primary School lies the quiet enclave that is Greenwood Avenue. Donna Carmela, one of the old timers in the region sticks to tradition with crowd favourites like squid ink pasta, while Fratini La Trattoria mixes it up by not having a fixed menu and serving only the fresh produce of the day. One shop’s popularity draws Singaporeans from all corners of the region to this small area, and that is the chocolate cakes from Lana Cake Shop. With recent news of Violet Kwan’s intent of retiring and the cake shop being put on sale, we can only hope for a worthy successor to this household brand. Baker & Cook 77 Hillcrest Road The brainchild of Dean Brettschneider, known internationally as the global baker, is the artisan bakery and foodstore Baker & Cook. Using sourdough culture that is over 25 years old, the bakery products are all hand crafted, with their signature sourdough round loaves adorning countertops to windowsills. Have the eggs benedict ($17) for brunch and munch on their bread, pastries and cakes for tea time after. Just a stroll down the street is Brettschneider's Baking & Cooking School (opening 11 April) at 1 Greendale Avenue. www.bakerandcook.biz

Greenwood Fish Market Bistro 34 Greenwood Avenue To shop or to eat. That is the question. And that answer is always a resounding both at this fish market that has been open since 2001. With lobsters, oysters, squid and fish flown in, and using an imported cast iron smoker from Oklahoma, the produce here is of obvious quality. Having sold more than 300,000 servings of their famous fish and chips, it is still going for just $9.50 nett. Mondays see Boston lobsters go for $39.95 per quart (550-650g), and Tuesdays are for oyster lovers with freshly shucked goodness at $1.50 per pop. www.fishshop.com.sg Rubato 12 Greenwood Avenue The most prominent restaurant in Greenwood, with its jazzy signage taking centrestage the moment the shophouses come into sight. Its elegant and bright interior accentuates the clean design, a worthy rival to the plethora of Italian restaurants in Greenwood. Tradition meets luxury in the menu, with classic Italian fare like the spaghetti carbonara ($13.90), and the more opulent dishes such as diver caught Hokkaido scallops ($35), and the Rubato classic – daily air-flown ‘live’ Maine lobster ($68).

Coronation

Amidst the low rise landed properties and prestigious schools that surround the area, Coronation Shopping Plaza, built in 1979, still stands out in all of its antiquated glory. The Cosy Corner is a shop that fits right into this humble venue, with comfort food like popiah, mee siam, and kueh pie tee and Japanese dishes. The shophouses adjoining the side of the plaza have endured over the years, with old and new such as My Little Spanish Place with its array of tapas and paellas, as well as Choupinette offering French cuisine with their fresh bread.

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my little spanish place

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Hey, pesto

Scoop, toss in hot pasta, season and voila—a gorgeous green meal right out of a jar. We put supermarket pestos to the taste test, looking for that perfect alchemy of basil, olive oil, nuts and cheese. By June Lee, Photography Benjamin Soh B i T E S paid for our own products at the respective supermarkets MO S T V a l u e

LU X E

f o r m o n e y best f l a v o u r b a l a n c e

Leggo’s Traditional Basil Pesto ($6.60, 190g) From: FairPrice Basil content: 27% Taste Test: Aussie brand Leggo’s is better known for its tomato paste, but delivers a moderately decent pesto as well. The airy consistency is pasty smooth with even distribution of nutty bits. There’s a slight sour tang, rounded out by a thin milky, cheesy flavour, but we wish it had more basil concentration. Verdict: 2.5/5

A dependable base for pasta, but needs more basil.

Tesco Classic Green Pesto ($5.50, 190g) From: FairPrice Finest Basil content: 47% Taste Test: Kudos to this giant British supermarket brand for breaking down all the key ingredients (the only one in this list who did so), so that we know there’s 5% Grana Padano cheese, 5% cashew and 1% pine nut content too. The grassy, fibrous texture of the thick, almost ‘meaty’ pesto clings well to pasta but some of us found it on the saltier side. Verdict: 3.5/5

Looks, smells and tastes good—hard to beat for the price.

Alce Nero Organic Pesto Genovese ($5.80, 120g) From FairPrice Basil content: 34.6% Taste Test: The only organic product on this list may not excel in packaging, but delivers a smooth, creamy dip-like consistency that was much finer in texture than the rest, perhaps aided by a bit of potato flour. There’s a rich basil and cheese essence, though the slightly oily and sour aftertaste let it down. Verdict: 3/5

M&S Green Pesto ($7.90, 190g) From: Marks & Spencer Basil content: 41% Taste Test: The cleanly designed, modest bottle doesn’t shout, but its contents do. Glossy olive oil at 40%, premium Pecorino at 8% and crunchy fibres possibly from basil stalks or carrot fibre add up to a granular, thick paste that would go far when tossing into your pasta. It smells and tastes pretty fresh considering it’s a supermarket product. Verdict: 4/5

Smooth blended paste for the health conscious set.

Best homemade consistency, if a bit grassy for some.

Jamie Oliver Italian Herb Pesto ($6.30, 190g) From: Cold Storage Basil content: 12% Taste Test: Jamie Oliver brings the whole garden to the blend, packing this pesto with parsley, rosemary, thyme, capers, almonds and Pecorino Romano. The result is a punchy, cheesy, nutty paste that’s grainier, more piquant and lighter in colour, in a cute ergonomic bottle that stands out on the shelves. It's less liquid compared to the rest, so you may need to add more olive oil to lubricate your pasta strands. Verdict: 4/5

It’s always go big or go home with the Naked Chef.

Waitrose Bright & Green Basil Pesto ($9.05, 190g) From: Cold Storage Basil content: 48% Taste Test: While the basil concentration impressed us, this premium-priced pesto tasted ordinary—the basil wasn’t evident. The generously oiled paste was more cheesy (Pecorino Romano) than nutty (cashew nuts and pine kernels), but a sourish tinge belied how green and glossy it looked. On the bright side, it has no vegetable oil—letting the rich taste of the olive oil shine. Verdict: 2.5/5

Ina Paarman’s Basil Pesto ($8.95, 125g) From: Cold Storage Basil content: 29% Taste Test: The only pesto with macadamia nuts, this slim pouch contains vividly rich green contents. With large shreds of basil that resembled spinach and reminded our panel of preserved Chinese olives, it’s not a conventional choice but delivered flavour that felt fresher, more intense and less paste-like than the others. On the downside, it lacked cheese and nut flavours. Verdict: 4/5

Great olive oil flavour can carry it only so far.

An alternative, less cheesy choice

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Kitchen situations

It’s never too late to pick up that apron again! Learn to whip up everyday meals to decadent desserts in these state-of-theart kitchens we’ve picked out for you. By Samantha Seah

ABC Cooking Studios

Small, intimate hands-on classes are taught in this Japanese cooking studio–fans rave about the meticulously tested and well-illustrated recipes. Cooking stations are stocked with ABC’s own premium tools such as scrapers, whisks, sieves and more. Originally based in Japan, it has expanded to countries like China, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore which boasts the largest kitchen studio in Asia. #03-12 Ngee Ann City, 391A Orchard Road. Tel: 6694 6104

ToTT Studio

Started in 2010 (ToTT @ Dunearn accomodates up to 64pax with 12 cooking counters) while the Suntec outlet (accommodates up to 16pax) recently opened in 2015, ToTT’s cooking studio is the epitome of classy. You’ll find sleek, long marble countertops with 60cm and 80cm induction hobs at each station. Adorning the hands-on studio are Cuisinart appliances like hand blenders and ice cream machines, Samsung ovens and Epicurean cookware. Classes at ToTT studio range from French and Japanese to Mediterranean and Indian, for all levels. #01-01A Sime Darby Centre, 896 Dunearn Road. Tel: 6219 7077

Creative Culinaire

Clean and simply designed cooking stations adorn Creative Culinaire’s classrooms. Their flagship Classroom 1, with industrial scale ovens, proofers and mixers, caters to large groups being able to accommodate up to 50 students. They have seven main course genres, focusing mainly on bakes and local Asian dishes. Enroll in professional courses ranging from three to 14 days, as well as engaging ones for junior chefs. #01-03 Eng Hoon Mansions, 17 Eng Hoon Street. Tel: 6324 1663

CulinaryOn

Centrally located amidst towering banks, CulinaryOn offers city views while you go hands-on. With four interconnected studios which when expanded can accommodate a maximum seating capacity of 200 people, it’s a great place for hosting company bonding sessions. The professional cooking stations are moveable and each station comes well equipped with a Kenwood chef stand mixer and complete set of accessories, Electrolux 60cm induction hob and tool set. #04-63 Tower 2, One Raffles Place. www.culinaryon.sg

Palate Sensations

Established in 2006, Palate Sensations boasts an open concept studio housing Brandt induction hobs and ovens, Scanpan pots and pans, and Henckels knives. Their baking and cooking lessons span various cuisines, even with their drinks concoctions, which are taught in the studio of over 2,000 sq ft and maximum capacity of 75 persons. Popular comprehensive classes include the art of bread making, fundamentals of French pastry and the foundations of Chinese cuisine. #01-03 Chromos, 10 Biopolis Road. Tel: 6478 9746

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Classic comebacks Nostalgia can evoke powerful memories, whether you’re 18 or 80. Walk down memory lane as you reminisce your first time enjoying these old school drinks. By Samantha Seah, Photography Benjamin Soh B i T E S paid for our own products at the respective supermarkets

A&W Root Beer

Orangina

($1.45, 330ml, Cold Storage) What is it? Orange juice made with real fruit pulp and natural orange zest. Origins: United States A snippet of history: Introduced in 1935, and launched overseas in 1984. The shaking motion to stir up the pulp collected at the bottom of the bottle made an impression as Orangina’s original feature.

($0.75, 330ml, FairPrice) What is it? Another sparkling sweet soda—the base for your classic root beer float. Origins: United States A snippet of history: A combination of the initials of the last names of Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright, founders of the A&W brand. Introduced in 1919, A&W was also one of the first American fast food chains that set up in Singapore (1968), selling the iconic root beer on tap at just 40 cents. Sadly, the last outlet here closed its doors in 2003.

($0.75, 330 ml, FairPrice) What is it? Mirinda is a brand of carbonated, flavoured soft drinks, with orange being the most popular. Origins: Spain A snippet of history: Established in 1959, owned by PepsiCo since 1970, and managed by Yeo’s in Singapore. Mirinda has extended their range of fruit flavours, with banana, grape, watermelon, and much more (not all are available in Singapore).

Ice Cool Bandung

Fanta Grape

($0.85, 300ml, Sheng Shiong) What is it? Bandung—evaporated or condensed milk paired with rose cordial, for that signature pinkish colour. Origins: Singapore A snippet of history: Under Sheng Sheng F&B Industries, which was established in 1985. It is a favourite beverage in Malaysia, served during Iftar in Ramadan month or at wedding receptions. The popularity spread to Singapore, where it is now commonly available everywhere.

($0.70, 330ml, FairPrice) What is it? A sparkling flavoured drink that is a product of The CocaCola Company. Origins: Germany A snippet of history: This FANTAstic beverage came about due to a trade embargo implemented in Nazi Germany, which halted the import of Coca-Cola into Germany during WW2. Max Keith, then head of Coca-Cola Deutschland, decided to create a new product for the German market using only available ingredients. Discontinued after the war, it was relaunched again in 1955 to compete with Pepsi. Now with over 100 flavours under its belt.

Sinalco Special

($1, 325ml, Mui Yee at #01-78, Blk 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza) What is it? A mixed fruits flavoured carbonated drink—a well-known thirst quencher familiar to ‘80s kids (or older). Origins: Europe A snippet of history: Established in 1905, Sinalco, is a combination of the Latin words “sine alcohole” which means “without alcohol” in English. Returning to our shelves in its 110th year history, it is the oldest non-alcoholic beverage brand of continental-Europe origin exported to more than 150 countries. Brought back by Pokka International.

Mirinda Orange

Fun fact: The word Mirinda actually means ‘admirable’ or ‘wonderful’ in Esperanto, a constructed international auxiliary language.

Kickapoo Joy Juice

LEE Pineapple Juice

($0.80, 325ml, Cold Storage) What is it? A fruit juice with "no artificial colouring, no artificial flavouring and no preservatives". Origins: The company has its base in Singapore since 1931, with canneries and plantations in Malaysia. A snippet of history: LEE Pineapple Co. has been in the pineapple business for over half a century. Started as a small familyowned company, it is now a recognised brand worldwide, exporting their pineapple products for more than 50 years.

Green Spot Orange

($1.70, 260ml, Maple Loft) What is it? A non-carbonated, non-caffeinated orange-flavoured soft drink Origins: United States A snippet of history: Developed in 1934 using fresh ingredients to produce a quality fruit juice drink. Hard to find these days, it is still widely popular in Thailand where they introduced other flavours like lemon-lemon and honey-lemon.

($0.75, 325ml, FairPrice) What is it? A citrus flavoured, fizzy drink. Origins: United States A snippet of history: Fun Fact: Inspired by a fictional Take a closer look at your beverage from Kickapoo can and American satirical you’ll notice the vintage Li’l Abner comic strip Li’l drawing. Abner (1934-1977), described as “a liquor of such stupefying potency that the hardiest citizens of Dogpatch, after the first burning sip, rose into the air, stiff as frozen cod fish”. However, the real world version is a carbonated, non-alcoholic soft drink introduced to Southeast Asia in 1966.

Barmy army Stand fast and cheer for your teams—or the home team at their local strongholds. By Timothy Lam

Bojangles ➽ Crown Centre, 557 Bukit Timah Road. Tel: 6463 0293 Join in the merry cheer of the SingTims as their beloved Celtic Football Club defends their reigning title in the Scottish Premiership, and wash it all down with a pint of Erdinger ($16.80) or Kilkenny ($16.80) on the tap. All prices are nett with no GST and service charge. Season: 2015/2016 Scottish Premiership fixtures end mid April. Opening hours: 4pm-1am daily

Boomarang ➽ The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay. Tel: 6738 1077 While this Australian bar is known for serving classics such as Pure Blonde ($11) and Victorian Bitter ($11), and broadcasting Australian sports like AFL, NRL and Super Rugby, it is also the proud sponsor of the Singapore Tornados Hockey Club which fields four men’s and two ladies’ teams in the Singapore Hockey Federation Leagues. Season: National Hockey League starts in July. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7am-3am

Brewerkz ➽ Riverside Point, 301 Merchant Road. Tel: 6438 7438 Valencia Football Club supporters have taken over the microbrewery at Riverside Point as their official venue. The Singaporean owner of Valencia FC, Peter Lim, gives local fans something more to cheer about, apart from the seasonal brew Xipa ($16, 500ml), World Beer Cup gold medal winner 2004. Season: 2015/2016 La Liga ends mid May. Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat & PH 12pm-1am

London Boat Quay ➽ 55 Boat Quay. Tel: 6535 2273 Singapore Hawks take roost at this Victorian pub by the river to catch the Hawthorn Football Club smash, grab and kick their way through a game of Australian Rules football in the Australian Football League. Staying true to the Aussie spirit, grab cold beer from the fridges such as Heineken ($3.90) and Becks ($4.90) at nett prices. Season: 2016 Australian Football League goes on till October. Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am3am, Mon 3pm-midnight

Mogambo ➽ Boat Quay, 3 Canton Street. Tel: 6438 9808 Hang out with Singapore’s footy club, the Singapore Wombats and learn more about Aussie Rules from the members of diverse nationalities in the club at their local watering hole. Buy them a bottle of Pure Blonde ($13) or better yet, buy them all a shot by ringing the bell at the bar for a place in the hall of fame. Season: Australian Football League Asia Anzac Round on 23 April. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30am

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub ➽ 56 Circular Road. Tel: 6536 2029 Despite all the woes that Leeds United has endured, their mighty supporters, crowned the most vocal on Twitter among all other English clubs, have never faltered. Their clashes in the Football League Championship are staged in the oldest Irish pub in Singapore complete with Molly’s famous fish & chips ($16) and the Irish favourite Guinness pint ($15.90nett). Season: 2015/2016 Football League Championship ends in May, 2016/2017 starts in August. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am

The Sportsman Bar ➽ Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Road. Tel: 6735 1350 Loyal supporters of the Rangers Football Club have set up camp right in the middle of town, and there is no better way to rouse the current top team in the Scottish Championship to victory than with a bottle of Scotland’s favourite, Tennent’s Lager ($10) in hand. Season: 2015/2016 Scottish Championship fixtures last till end April. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 4pm-midnight

Uncabunca ➽ 80 Mohamed Sultan Road. Tel: 6735 9848 Upton Park’s devoted hammers have gathered in the Lion City to form the Singapore Irons, claiming Uncabunca www.odocoagency.com in Robertson Quay as the West Ham United supporter’s home base. Debate the finer details of the matches over a game of pool or darts, or a couple of Magners Irish ciders ($18). Season: 2015/2016 English Premier League ends mid May. Opening hours: Mon-Thu 3pm-2am, Fri 3pm-3am, Sat-Sun noon-2am

b t las

The real flat lay While pizza may be the most international of flatbreads, these delish doughs from all over the world have got us hooked. How many do you know? By Samatha Seah

chapati

lao bing

Thick, doughy and chewy in texture, these are also referred to as Chinese pancake. Usually served plain or with minimal toppings.

Made from atta flour (an indian wheat flour which is high in protein), salt and water. Eaten with various regional dishes, it is also known as roti.

rtill Usually a m ade fro wheat m maize flou to hold r and best u or tilis an of fillin inventive var ed iety gs for favourit everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s e - tac o.

Pane carasau

Large paper thin shape. Made of durum wheat flour, salt, yeast and water. Eaten either dry or wet with water, wine or sauces. Originally made for shepherds who stay away from home for a long time.

Rieska

Unleavened ade flatbread m , from barley toes rye or pota in Finland is rved normally se red warm, butte ith and drunk w rt milk - comfo food !

Injera

The national dish in Ethiopia and Eritrea, injera is made from teff flour and typically eaten with stew. Similiar to this are appam (South India), Lahoh (Yemen) and canjeero (Somalia).

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pita

A circular puffed up dough, made from wheat flour and water and cooked under high heat to produce separate layers within, these opened spaces are ultilised to hold dips like hummus or other types of stuffing.

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