!
E E R
F
Download the issue here
T h e s c o o p o n
g o o d
e at s s g . MCI e sm. .cs og m t o b .i c . bwi tw e. s ww 5 w 1 w 0 2 6 r 1 J uc ltyo 2b 0e o
1 35 /7 2/ 0 13 6/ P ) 1 (1 P1 )/ 0 (MCI
2015
We’re
Your BiTE- size personality
inside
2!
BUFFET BOUNTY p12
The ultimate seafood buffets
WOK & TALK p15
We take on Shrimp Mama and critters galore
Gym bunny
Party
animal
basicbabe
120
What you snack on, is what you are. P8
Globetrotting adventurer
Basic babe
DESTINATION: UPPER THOMSON p16
Delicious updates at this dining enclave
Lobang uncle
Supermarket Sleuth p18
These recipes are a wrap Budget
tai -tai Happy
hipster
w e l c o m e
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 • California Pizza Kitchen - Forum • 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) • K.Kook Korean & BBQ Buffet • Milagro Spanish Restaurant • Ootoya Japanese Restaurant • Oriole Coffee + Bar • Our Taproom • 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 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 • SVC@ION Orchard• The Grandstand National Tourism Offices Australia Tourism • Japan National Tourism Organization • Korean Tourism Organization OTHERS Pet Lovers Centre supermarkets Meidi-Ya Singapore • PasarBella Also hand-distributed at: OUTSIDE MRT Stations Ang Mo Kio • Bedok • City Hall• Jurong East • Lavender • Orchard Road • Raffles Place • Woodlands • Yishun
Cover image Dreamstime
Publisher Cecilia Goh Editor June Lee Staff Writer Katie Boon Editorial Intern Weets Goh Contributor Samantha Seah Creative Consultant Thng Wee Nee Associate Art Director Leyna Poh Senior Designer Benjamin Soh Design Intern Soh Kah Khee Head of Business Development (Food Division) Carlos Loh Business Director Ashad Shah Assistant Business Manager Stephanie Tan Marketing Executive Justina Liew Publishing Admin Manager (Admin & Circulation) Siti Haneymah
Consultant Digital Manager Eugene Koh Web Developer Jun Evangelista Accounts Manager Linda Ng Group Publisher Ho Sum Kwong Group Managing Editor Adeline Wong 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 bites.editorial@magsint.com bites.advertise@magsint.com bites.marketing@magsint.com
B i tes
Distributed by Region Periodicals Distributor Printed by Image Printers Company Reg No: 200918015G MCI (P) 111/03/2016
Bring us with you! BITE INTO US ONLINE www.bites.com.sg
BitesSingapore
@bitessg
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.
c a l e n dA r :
j u ly sunday
monday
tuesday
2 016
wednesday thursday friday 1 WORLD OYSTER FESTIVAL GREENWOOD FISH MARKET | 1-30 JUL Slurp your way through 20 varieties of oysters flown in from around the world. www.facebook.com/ events/876460942476139
3 UEFA EURO 2016
10 JUN-10 JUL | BQ BAR Enjoy San Miguel buckets at $45 while you watch the live soccer games. www.bqbar.com/sports
6
4 MEGA RAYA BAZAAR 2016
SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA
12NN-12MN | CITY PLAZA Celebrate Hari Raya Puasa in the heart of Geylang Serai as you shop and load up on delicious treats like kueh and street food.
10 BALLET UNDER THE STARS
12
13 BASILISSIMO FOR HER
$98 | BASILICO | EVERY WED Ladies’ nights get the gourmet treatment. Feast on fine Italian fare and bring home a special gift from the chef. regenthotels.com/regentsingapore/dining/basilico
$30 | 8-10 JUL | FORT CANNING GREEN Relax with picnic basket full of goodies from Creative Catering as you marvel at the graceful performers in their adaptation of Paquita. www.singaporedancetheatre.com/
17ÒNE FARRER
7
14
BASTILLE DAY
$88 | MERCHANTS JOO CHIAT | 6.30PM Spend an evening savouring local delights with boutique wine pairings at a secret location. merchantsofsingapore. com.sg
24 SINGAPORE GARDEN FESTIVAL
GARDENS BY THE BAY | 23-31 JULY Explore your green side! Foodies can pick up DIY herbs or artisanal produce. www.singapore gardenfestival.com/
coming up in August
2
2
26
25
HOT 100 WINES MASTERCLASS
$250 | POLLEN | 10AM-4PM Join a panel of wine experts to taste the best South Australia has to offer. adelaidereview.com.au/hot-100wines-south-australia/
9 August: National Day 19 to 27 August: Singapore Night Festival
27 SINGAPORE FOOD FESTIVAL 2016
1-31 JUL In collaboration with HPB, participating restaurants offer healthier choice dishes. www.singaporerestaurant month.com/
8 HEALTHY MENU PLANNING
$25-30 | DEVAN NAIR INSTITUTE | 2-5PM Get the most out of what you eat at this seminar on healthier food practices and the latest trends in healthy eating. Light refreshments provided. fhi-online.com
21 HAWKER WINE SAFARI
FOOD STREET
saturday 2 SINGAPORE RESTAURANT MONTH
15-31 JUL | VARIOUS LOCATIONS From July till August, celebrate Singapore’s food culture with a slew of workshops, competitions and pop-ups all over the island. www.yoursingapore.com/festivals-eventssingapore/annual-highlights/singapore-food-festival. html
15 RIVERSIDE POINT FOOD FESTIVAL
16 ONE FARRER FOOD STREET
15 JUL-14 AUG | RIVERSIDE POINT Enjoy gastronomic treats in an al fresco setting by the riverfront with a variety of restaurants like Brewerkz and Jumbo Seafood.
FROM 11AM | 16-17 JUL, 30-31 JUL | RACE COURSE ROAD Enjoy a wide array of local heritage delights like Hokkien mee and kueh dadar in a carnival setting along Race Course Road. www.onefarrer.com
22 CROP HANGOVER
23 CHEERS AND BEERS!
$52.50 | CUBA LIBRE | 6.30-11.30PM Celebrate the Barbadian harvest festival with live performances, music and the best mojitos in town. cubalibre.com.sg
TAP CRAFT BEER BAR Celebrate TAP’s first anniversary with $10 pints all day long. There will also be free kegs on draft at different time slots! www.tapthat.com.sg
30
THE GARDEN BEATS 2016
$125 | FORT CANNING PARK | 1-10.30PM Party the day away at Sunshine Nation’s electronic picnic festival. Sate your hunger and recharge with food from MEATliquor SIN, Lime House and many more. gardenbeats16vol2.peatix.com/
Maka
# m a k a n o n b i t e s
n
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!
JULY: 5 readers stand to win DINNER FOR 2
Teochew porridge ranks high on the list of comfort food for Singaporeans. At the same time, we also love variety and the ability to switch between local street foods and Western delights. What better place to find everything than at this value-for-money all-day dining outlet in the midst of the CBD? Named after Singapore’s national flower, housed within a hotel of the same name in Tanjong Pagar, this cafe with its famous Teochew porridge buffet is located on the third floor overlooking the poolside.
Give us your best guess of the restaurant’s name and hotel location between 1-18 July to dine on 5 Aug, 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 non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish publicity photos and video in any format without limitation. Participants to ensure they can dine on 5 Aug at 7pm!
S
Makan on BiTE s at Where: flavourrk zhongshan pa When: 9 May, 7pm What we ate: Highlights from each
section included:
• Roasts
sie »» Barbecued char
• Noodles station ya »» Singapore Nyon
w and roasted pork
belly
laksa
ht wok-fr y station • Seafood spotbslig ed , prawns, clams cook
g »» Fresh mud cra ck pepper, salted eg with a choice of bla ion on d d ginger an yolk, assam curry, an sauce
Hawker classicsginger and spring onions,
»» Sliced pork with fish ien mee and salted fried seafood Hokk fried rice
Desserts
d as »» Bubur terigu an
sorted Nyonya kueh
Four lucky readers and their partners were treated to a sumptuous Hawkerlicious buffet in the comfortable setting of Flavours at Zhongshan Park, which showcases mouthwatering hawker grub. Designed to replicate a wet market, the Seafood Spotlight Wok-fry station was an instant hit among readers. Everyone had a blast handpicking raw squid, prawns, snapper fish, clams and mud crabs before pairing it with one of four signature sauces—black pepper, salted egg yolk, assam curry sauce, and ginger and onion sauce—for chefs Kristopher and Melvin to fry up a la minute. While waiting for the seafood dishes to be served to our table, we piled our plates high with familiar local
favourites. The flavourful, wet-style Hokkien mee received stellar reviews, along with the succulent char siew marinated in a sweet barbecue sauce and roasted pork belly. The DIY counter was another winner among the guests, who enjoyed personalising their own rojak and kueh pie tee. Light sweets consisting of assorted Nyonya kueh such as kueh lapis and soft serve vanilla ice cream was indeed the perfect end to our satisfying dinner. Scan the QR We say: Two thumbs up to Flavours at code for a Zhongshan Park for the authenticity of their slice of the action. hawker dishes!
3
c o v e r
s t o r y
Find your
B iT E-size persona l ity Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are, goes the saying. As foodies, we definitely take this adage seriously. To celebrate our 2nd anniversary edition, we’ve sussed out everything snackable for your type, whether you’re the Happy Hipster or Lobang Uncle. Munch on! By Katie Boon, Art by Benjamin Soh
Budget tai-tai Bookmarked on your desktop are deal sites like Reebonz and Groupon, because, hey, who doesn’t like a good discount? But unlike kiasu aunties, you do it with exceptional class. You’re fashionably chic and can be seen strutting down the streets of Orchard Road carrying the latest cult bag, which you got for half the price— score! Your BiTES: Torres Black Truffle Potato Chips ($7.15, better yet if they are on discount!) to suit your expensive taste buds; and Ladurée Patisserie macarons (from $3.95). Packed in an elegant box, this is a treat after a long day of window shopping.
Torres Black Truffle Potato Chips: Cold Storage outlets including #02-18 UE Square, 81 Clemenceau Avenue Ladurée Patisserie: #02-09 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road
8
Gym bunny There’s nowhere else you’d rather be than the gym. Lifting kettle bells and practicing various sun salutations is your idea of fun. Friends think you follow a pretty strict diet, but you just really love eating clean. Your trusty pair of Levi’s have been replaced with funky yoga pants and your arm candy is a Fitbit—duh. Your BiTES: Local brand HIC’s cold-pressed Kale Tales ($11, 250ml) , which are designed by a team of qualified nutritionists; and all-natural, gluten-free Harvest Box’s Go Go Goji Health Bomb ($2.60)—a bite-size ball of berries, chia, cashew and almond goodness. These nutritious noshes will give you all the energy you need to clock that extra mile.
HIC Kale Tales: The Shop by HIC, #02-470 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard Harvest Box Box’s Go Go Goji Health Bomb: www.redmart.com
Globetrotting adventurer
Lobang uncle The go-to person for just about anything. From finding a job to procuring a cheap second-hand phone, you frequently receive calls from friends and acquaintances asking for your help. You might not say it, but you feel great satisfaction whenever you help friends suss out these great opportunities. Your BiTES: A ready stash of Tai Sun Sesame Peanuts ($1.60) and Khong Guan Assorted Biscuits ($2.95). Cause you’re also old school at heart.
Cashiers always look at you impatiently as you mistakenly pass them €1 instead of SG$1—you just never got around to clearing the different currencies in your wallet! Signed up on just about every airline’s mailing list, you are always up to date on the latest travel deals. Back in Singapore, you tend to stay in bed, curled up with a book because you’re constantly saving for your next big trip. It’s only July but all your leave have been used up. Seriously though, how is 14 days ever enough? Your BiTES: Simpkins Travel Sweets ($5.95) and Daelmans Caramel Stroopwafels ($6.65). Oh, how they remind you of your backpacking trip across Europe!
From Meidi-ya Supermarket, #B1-50 Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Road
From NTUC FairPrice outlets including #01-01, 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Party
animal
A feisty firecracker who knows how to get the party started. Boasting a rebellious streak, you live life on the edge and never fail to make friends double over with stiches of laughter. Always getting invites to the hottest parties in town, a good night out ranges from dancing the night away at an exclusive club to playing beer pong at a house party. Your BiTES: Cheetos Crunchy Cheesy Snack ($4.85) and Somersby Cider (four for $17.50). Because they keep the party going on longer.
From Cold Storage outlets including #02-18 UE Square, 81 Clemenceau Avenue.
9
c o v e r
s t o r y
Basic babe
basicbabe
#OOTD is your top hashtag on Instagram and receiving 250 likes isn’t a rarity for you. After all, you did take 165 shots before you found the perfect one. Scented incense candles line your room and a week without Starbucks is totes out of habit. Drake is your go-to artist on Spotify and you are usually seen rocking a pair of Stan Smith. Your BiTES: Oriole Coffee + Bar's cold-brew coffee ($6-$7) and Antoinette’s salted egg croissant ($6.95)—basically, anything that’s trending.
120
Oriole Coffee + Bar: #01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, 96 Somerset Road. Antoinette: All outlets including #02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
Happy hipster Calm and collected; you’re well composed and carry yourself well—nothing ever fazes you. You live for vinyl records and dress in one-off quirky vintage pieces you scored from Salvation Army. A familiar face at indie music festivals like Laneway and Neon Lights, you’re easy to spot thanks to your brightly coloured locks. Your BiTES: Raw Organic’s dehydrated red kale chips ($7.25)—the ultimate hipster health food around the world—in cashew and barbecue spiced blend; and funky flavoured chocolate (think coffee and sprouted buckwheat as well as quiona, smoked tea and vanilla) from Doisy & Dam ($11.95).
Red Organic Red Kale Chips by Loving Earth: www.lebonocollection.com Doisy & Dam Chocolate: Meidiya Supermarket, #B1-50 Liang Court Shopping Centre, 177 River Valley Road
10
pets goes digital! An online presence like no other pet magazine
Available at all leading book stores, newsstands and in the following formats:
Like us on:
Apple Newsstand For iOS devices
Singapore’S leading magazine for pet loverS thE only auditEd pEt magazinE in singaporE www.petsmagazine.com.sg
www.facebook.com/PETSmag
Zinio For PC, iOS and Android devices
ExcEllEncE award winnEr of bEst fEaturE on pEts
Follow us on:
asian publishing awards 2014
1
06/01/2010
10:26 AM
The Summer Issue
ISSN 17937736_00_00.pdf
www.twitter.com/petsmagazine
@petsmagazinesg June/July 2016 www.petsmagazine.com.sg MCI (P) 075/01/2016
Subscribe to us on:
www.youtube.com/PETSmagazine
Visit our website at:
ISSN 1793-7736
jun/jul.16
S$5.00
Scan to download the app
9 771793 773006 00petscover_June.indd 1
26/5/16 2:52 PM
www.petsmagazine.com.sg
r u o y p u n e h s e r F ! h t i w r caree d food and e t a ic d e d h rgetic, ia g roup w it e d n e e m r o a f t is u d o Integ rate on the look e ’r e W . Magazines e r gapo mic tea m. n a i n S y n d i r s u le o it leisure t tives to join u c e x e s le a gsint.com. motivated s e to hr @ma m etailed resu d d n a r e tt fied. cover le w ill be noti Email your s te a id d n a isted c Only shor tl
er lovrE po pet a r g o e fin sin zi n gaazinE a g m ag din t m leaEd pE S ’ e it por ud .sg ga ly aazine.com SinE onsm ag et th ww.p
S
w
nEr win 2014
d a r r ds aw awa ncisEhing E l E l bl
pu Exc ia n as
of
t bE s
tur fE a
Eo
np
E ts
b u f f e t
b o u n t y
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. Savour the fruits of the ocean with these lavish buffet spreads [Best for: BBQ]
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
20
bountiful seafood buffets
[Best for: a la carte dishes] CRAB CORNER #03-26 Fairprice Hub, 1 Joo Koon Circle. Tel: 6333 6969 With a name like that, it’s all about the crabs at this restaurant; from more trendy flavours like salted egg crab to classic favourites like chilli and black pepper crab. The a la carte buffet ($48.80++; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, Mon-Thu 5-10pm) entitles diners to one serving of more expensive items like prawns and crabs and unlimited helpings of other tze char dishes like sweet and sour sliced fish and seafood soup. THE SEAFOOD INTERNATIONAL MARKET AND RESTAURANT #01-01 Blk A, Big Splash, 902 E Coast Parkway. Tel: 6345 1211 A departure from the ubiquitous hotel seafood buffets, this destination offers a more affordable option with their a la carte Thai-style buffet lunch (Daily 11.30am-2.30pm; $29.80++ Mon-Fri, $32.80++ Sat-Sun). While you are limited to only one serving for premium dishes like braised mini abalone and baked scallops, there are plenty of other options on the menu such as stir fried beef, steamed fish filet and pad thai. TUNGLOK SEAFOOD #11-05 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road. Tel: 6834 4888 With their a la carte deluxe buffet (daily 6-10.15pm, $58++) you can be sure that the food is freshly cooked. While each diner only gets one serving of white pepper crab and shark’s fin soup, there are other Chinese-style seafood dishes such as cereal prawn, steamed tilapia and crispy baby squid to fill you up.
12
ALKAFF MANSION RISTORANTE 10 Telok Blangah Green, Tel: 6510 3068 Popular wedding destination Alkaff Mansion Ristorante has launched a new gourmet Italian buffet ($98++) with popular dishes from their Sunday Prosecco brunch and the Italian Grigliata Grill+Bar. While a selection of antipasti, pastas and desserts are available, the grilled seafood items are the highlight here, with smoky, tender Sardinian octopus and fresh tiger prawns. The buffet runs only on the third Thursday of each month so plan ahead for it ONE-NINETY [ ] Main Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard. Tel: 6734 1110 The restaurant uses an apple wood-fired grill and oven to cook up smoky treats for its Mezze dinner buffet (daily 6.30-10pm, $64++). Pick a grilled main course—a choice of seafood or meat which includes onglet steak, sea bass fillet and king prawns with calamari to go along with unlimited appetisers as well as a selection of desserts. SILVER SHELL CAFÉ [ ] Level 3 Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa, 101 Siloso Road Sentosa. Tel: 6371 1966 Another buffet with themed nights (6-10pm; Fri $88++, Sat $68++), Fridays are when you get seafood while Saturdays are focused on barbecue. Silver Shell has a wood-fired oven that they use to serve up baked whole fish and the more common roast beef. They also have a rarely-found spread of smoked seafood including gravlax and smoked squid.
SILVER SHELL CAFÉ
kwee zeen
[Best for: crab] KWEE ZEEN [ ] G/F, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road. Tel: 6708 8310 The standout feature of this Magnifique Sunday Champagne brunch (12.30-3.30pm $138++, $168++ for additional free-flow Taittinger champagne, wine and non-alcoholic drinks) is definitely their varied crab selection. Other than the usual Sri Lankan and flower crabs, they also serve brown, rock and Dungeness crabs; the latter of which is prized for its sweet and tender flesh. PLAZA BRASSERIE G/F PARKROYAL on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road. Tel: 6688 7771 As part of their ongoing Ultimate Crab Feast (daily 6-10pm, $75++), Plaza Brasserie has added six new locally inspired flavours of crab to their existing selection including assam, wasabi salted egg yolk and petai crabs. The buffet will also offer Canadian snow crab legs for the month of July. All that crabby goodness doesn’t end there; crab meat chawanmushi and crab curry kueh pie tee are also available. The Ultimate Crab Feast ends on 30 September. SPICES CAFE Concorde Hotel Singapore, 100 Orchard Road. Tel: 6733 8855 Be spoilt for choice at their Harvest of the Sea buffet (Mon-Thu 6.30-10pm $52++, Fri-Sun 6.30pm-10.30pm $58++) with six different crab dishes, from salted egg to sauteed saffron, all cooked to order—great value if you love your meaty crustaceans. The dishes offered here are largely Chinese-inspired, with plenty of wok dishes, including a braised sea cucumber with mushrooms and broccoli. If that isn’t enough, the buffet also comes with a complimentary serving of baked half lobster and braised baby abalone.
[Best for: lobster]
COLONY
colony
LIME G/F PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Tel: 6809 8899 Until 19 December, Lime will be hosting Lobsterfest (daily 6.30-10.00pm, $99++), where you can enjoy an abundant harvest of Maine lobsters cooked in a variety of ways. The buffet features classic favourites like lobster Thermidor and a decadent Maine lobster with truffled hollandaise sauce. For more local palates, lobsters wok-fried in black pepper sauce or salted egg yolks are also available.
[Best for: oyster]
lime
the line
COLONY Level 3 The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue. Tel: 6434 5288 This one is for the oyster lovers. Besides the usual suspects of seafood on ice, Colony’s Champagne Brunch buffet (Sun 12.00nn-3.30pm $188++) features a collection of seasonal fresh oysters sourced from around the world including medium-sized, sweet Fin De Claires and the nuttier, more fleshy ones from Normandy. Should you decide to subsist on more than oysters, there are eight different kitchen stations, each showcasing different cuisines and cooking methods. 10 AT CLAYMORE [ ] Lobby Central, Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road. Tel: 6831 6686 Till 31 July, 10 at Claymore will be hosting Oyster Occasions during their dinner buffet (daily 6-10.30pm, $68++). Work your way through an international selection of plump, juicy oysters flown in from New Zealand, Ireland, U.S., Canada and France. This is in addition to the Boston lobsters and razor clams, which are rarely found in seafood buffets. Go on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to also enjoy food from their popular Penang Fiesta.
10 at claymore
THE LINE Lower Lobby Tower Wing, Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road. Tel: 6213 4275 With freshly shucked oysters and succulent lobsters, The Line’s seafood counter is as impressive as its venue. Their Seafood Marine Harvest happens on Thursdays (6-10pm $108++ with wines, beers and soft drinks), where you can find a saffron-tinged seafood bouillabaisse as the centrepiece. TRIPLE THREE Level 5 Mandarin Orchard, 333 Orchard Road. Tel: 6831 6271 There are two different seafood-themed nights here; Thursdays (6.30-10pm, Thu-Sat $108++) are Tsukiji Market-themed, with premium Japanese seafood on offer. Fridays and Saturdays are Lobster Nights, where a scrumptious lobster mentaiyaki makes an appearance.
buffet town
[BEST FOR: sashimi SPREADS] BUFFET TOWN #B1-44E Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road. Tel: 6837 3793 With more than 300 items, you’ll be hard-pressed to try everything at this international buffet (Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm $26.80++; Sat-Sun $33.80++; 6-10pm Mon-Fri $36.80++ weekends, Sat-Sun $42.80++). Look out for their wide array of freshly sliced sashimi, which includes salmon, tako, snapper and tuna. There are also robatayaki counters where you can get grilled mackerel, shishamo and scallops. IKOI JAPANESE RESTAURANT #01-01 Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road. Tel: 6887 3788 One of the most popular Japanese buffets in Singapore, Ikoi makes the list by offering an a la carte buffet at an extremely reasonable price (daily 11.30am-2pm, 6-11pm $38++). The sashimi is sliced and served to you upon order, so you can rest assured that they have not been lying out in the open for long. VIENNA INTERNATIONAL SEAFOOD AND TEPPANYAKI RESTAURANT #B1-01 United Square Shopping Mall, 101 Thomson Road. Tel: 6254 6686 Since 2002, Vienna is the go-to place for a consistent buffet experience (11.30am- 3pm Mon-Fri $37.80++; Sat-Sun $39.80++; 5.30-10.30pm Mon-Fri $47.80++; Sat-Sun $49.80++) with crowd pleasers like sashimi and oysters that are refilled quickly due to the high turnover.
13
b u f f e t
b o u n t y
5
under $50 supper buffet
unique coffee shop buffet. Be sure to try their more interesting flavours like pepper, pineapple and ikan bilis when you’re there. 459 Changi Road. Tel: 8369 5664
Aroy Jing Jing NETT
Nocturnal foodies—keep this list handy for your next late-night hunger attack.
Grilled over an open flame barbecue is an indulgent Thai seafood spread ($29.90, Tue-Thu 6pm-12mn; $32.90, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am and Sun 6pm-12mn) filled with fresh scallops, flower crab, slipper lobster, clams and mussels. Feeling guilty for feasting so late? Just walk off the calories after and take a leisurely stroll along beautiful ORTO Park where the restaurant is located. #01-05 ORTO, 81 Lorong Chencharu. Tel: 6257 2328
Quality Café This famous porridge supper buffet ($12.80, Mon-Thu; $14.80, Fri-Sun) never fails to attract a swarm of hungry folks from 10.30am-12.30mn. Choose from a banquet of home-styled dishes including braised chicken feet and duck, chilli crab, steamed prawns, and beef rendang to go along your porridge. Besides porridge, there’s also rice and fried bee hoon. Quality Hotel Marlow, 201 Balestier Road. Tel: 6233 6363
2D1N Soju Bang Buzzy nights out don’t get any better than this. Have supper like how the Koreans do and knock back soju over a barbecue grill ($25.90 nett, Mon-Thu 5pm-11pm and Fri-Sun 5pm-12mn). Meats are of high quality and include beef ribeye, short ribs, pork collar and pork belly. Queues form even before the restaurant opens, so be sure to head there an hour before your intended time to secure a seat. 44/46 Tanjong Pagar Road. Tel: 6220 7119
quality cafÉ
Zhong Hua Steamboat Buffet
Al Jasra Restaurant It’s undeniable that prata is Singapore’s most common supper nosh; we could have it every night! Go on a carb-fuelled supper and load up on 15 different types of prata ($9.90 nett, daily 12pm-12am) at this
[Best for: variety] EDGE [ ] Level 3 Pan Pacific, 7 Raffles Boulevard. Tel: 6336 8111 Edge’s seafood themed night; Hooked @ Edge happens every Wednesday and Thursday evenings ($88++, 6.30-10.30pm), where you can find less common offerings like ceviche, seafood paella and Korean seafood pancakes in addition to fresh seafood on ice. The restaurant also does their seafood baked or grilled at their live cooking stations. THE KITCHEN TABLE G/F W Hotel, 21 Ocean Way Sentosa. Tel: 6808 7288 With a rotating menu created by celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita (Flying Fish Sydney), the restaurant’s Seafood from the Heart buffet (Fri-Sun 6-10.30pm, $88++) is where oceanic delights take centre stage. Expect Asian-inspired dishes like betel leaf mirissa fish salad and Jaffana black prawn curry. Chef Peter changes the menu every time he visits, so be sure to look out for when he is next in Singapore!
14
aroy jing jing
edge
Step in front of this restaurant and the fragrant smell of soup immediately lures you in. Open well into the wee hours, this small but modern restaurant’s steamboat buffet ($22++, Mon-Thu 10am-5am; $23++, Fri-Sun 10am-5am) offers fried dumplings and free flow drinks alongside a variety of fish balls, seafood balls and seafood items, as well as many sauces. That fragrant smell? It’s their superior stocks—Sichuan mala, laksa, tom yam and satay. #01-01, 95 Beach Road. Tel: 6337 1655
OSCARS [ ] Lobby Conrad Centennial, 2 Temasek Boulevard. Tel: 6432 7481 The Sunday brunch (Sun 12.30-3.30pm, $98++, $158++ for free flow champagne, house wines and selected cocktails) at Oscar’s is a meal fit for a king with Boston lobsters, freshly shucked oysters and king crab gracing the spread. Non-seafood offerings include organic pastas and pan-seared foie gras. Don’t forget to check out their liquid nitrogen ice cream, which promises a smoother and creamier consistency.
oscars
w o k
&
t a l k
Creature from east coast lagoon Something is stirring in the depths of the Singapore Straits… Could it be the… By Weets Goh. Photography Benjamin Soh
where is the smell coming from????
I am the CREATURE FROM EAST COAST LAGOON!!!!
??
“…Wah lau, so hungry. Eh, I smell BBQ seafood”
help!!!
Run!!!!
shrimp mama
VS eastern red
seafood showdown
The BBQ prawns from eastern red are topped with delightful soft and crispy garlic!
burp! Luckily super cute baby squid from shrimp mama. It's good, very good...
The bill
But what is this place? How does a Cajunstyle seafood boil measure up to oldschool BBQ?
so full
Too much food! DaBaoing the rest back home.
east coast lagoon food village, 1220 East Coast Parkway, S468960
(because sea monsters need to pay too): #47 Shrimp Mama: Shrimp Mama River Combo $18, comprising 4 prawns, 75g clams, 50g mussels, 50g squid and 2 pieces of roti prata. #037 Eastern Red Seafood: BBQ prawns with garl000ic $20, Fried la la with sambal $10 (small), Fried squid with salted egg yolk sauce, $12.
THE VerdicT
The score
➔ Shrimp Mama’s bountiful seafood bags are definitely more value for money. chock-full of super fresh seafood all drenched in a tangy-spicy Cajun sauce. Traditional BBQ seafood is pricier, but you get more choices of seafood and sauces like sambal or salted egg yolk.
shrimp mama
➔ VALUE ➔ variety ➔ taste
eastern Red ➔ VALUE ➔ variety ➔ taste
Have a favourite hawker hunt? Talk to us at [bites.editorial@magsint.com] *BiTES dined incognito and paid for our own meaL
15
d e s t i n a t i o n
d i n i n g
Uniquely Upper Thomson
Sin Ming
Overview Previously only home to longstanding ‘truly Singaporean’ restaurant New Ubin Seafood (#01-174, 27 Sin Ming Road), famous for their tze char dishes with a local twist; the sleepy residential-industrial area has since been brought to life with hip eateries like French bistro Black Sheep Café (#B1-30, 11 Sin Ming Road). Go on a walk and find Singapore’s biggest Mahayana Buddhist temple, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery for a moment of serenity.
Upper Thomson is synonymous with good food. From having some of the best hawkers on our Little Red Dot, the stretch is now peppered with hipster cafés and mom and pop restaurants galore. The bad: It’s so popular that URA has recently banned new F&B outlets from opening to ease traffic congestions. The good: The current variety is interesting enough to keep us going back.
Nook and Cranny (#01-03, 9 Sin Ming Road) Taking over defunct Five by Five is Nook and Cranny. Serving scrummy grub in the day, the space transforms into a laidback drinking den come nightfall. Fit for a king is their delectable brioche toast ($6.50) sprinkled with cinnamon. Griddled until golden, the buttery treat is perfect with a scoop of ice cream. They take extra pride in their coffee, so don’t leave without grabbing a cup of Joe. Sun-Thu (excluding Tue) 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12mn. Tel: 6452 7449
By Katie Boon, Photography by Benjamin Soh
Sparks (#01-04, 9 Sin Ming Road) One of Thomson V Two’s newest additions, Sparks whips up mouthwatering homemade pastries. The moist butter cake slice, served with a dollop of ice cream ($3.80) promises to send you to foodie heaven. Takeaway is impressive with yummy treats like fragrant eggless earl grey cookies ($8) and classic sugee cake ($38/1kg). At night, the joint becomes a buzzing sake bar, offering quality labels like Tsukasa Botan Hana Junmai ($21/carafe) and Ichinokura Karakuchi Tokubetsu Junmai ($24/carafe). Mon 11.30am-10pm; Tue-Sun 10am-10pm. Tel: 6635 3539
nook and cranny
Famous Ice Cream Roll Shop (#01-12, 11 Sin Ming Road) The name says it all. This halal creamery has garnered a huge following for its grilled ice cream rolls ($4.20 nett). With flavours including Milo, Nutella, Thai ice tea and mango, these handmade desserts boast a unique, chewy texture we can’t resist. Best served on top of fluffy Belgium waffles (additional $1.50 nett). Mon-Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat 2pm11pm; Sun 2pm-10pm. Tel: 9272 5119
sin ming roti prata
Sin Ming Roti Prata (#01-51, 24 Sin Ming Road) Hidden in Jin Fa Kopitiam, this humble stall may not seem like much. But all that will change once you bite into their freshly made coin prata ($3.50 nett) that’s crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Top up $3.50 nett for creamy chicken curry to go along with your prata. Daily 6am to 7pm. Tel: 6453 3893
Sembawang Hill Estate
Overview Further up Upper Thomson, this quaint estate houses popular local dessert store Awfully Chocolate and Ice Cream Chefs. The coolest, and certainly the focal point, is one of Singapore’s last remaining taxi service huts. Operating since 1968, Sembawang Hill Estate Taxi Services is currently maintained by a group of old taxi drivers. Take an #OOTD with the two old stone benches, painted with the old taxi booking number, in front of the outpost.
si
lotus en gard
n mi ng
r ve @
op
ho
us
es
jln batai oad upper thomson r
Peirce view
nt
d
up
pe
r
om
so
n
ro
ad
lower pierce resevoir
se
ra ya
cr
es
ol
th
Vroom Vroom The first ever Singapore Grand Prix in 1961 was held at a new circuit
sembawang hill estate taxi services
16
the eureka cooking lab
from Old Upper Thomson Road extending into Upper Thomson Road. The circuit was approximately 4.8km long with dangerous bends and sections called Snakes, as well as the infamous Devil’s Bend; now known as Singapore’s creepiest road. Find out more about the turbulent history of the Grand Prix in the book Snakes & Devils by Eli Solomon. Available for loan at the National Library.
ng e n da
u lin
upper thomson road
ng lan
jln rebana
j ln
sh
n
jln g
ba
ser
th
kuras jln chempedak le
g on et e le w m pl kie te
n
hill sem bawangtre food cen
ce
g
om
so
s
jl
j ln
se
shophouses
angklo
fa garbe r den
bu
r
l
j ln
u
le n pa gg rk an g
faber condo
ta m
o
nd
c
o
ra
se
e h c sc ir y pe a r d n o
ng
o
ang mo kio telephon exchang e e
bishan ang mo kio park pond garden
nj ut
th
eg
ar
de
ns
k condo
at b
s in
is h
m in
rs te wa c ab
bis han par
2
jln la
jln ru
jln m en
ik am
arong
ppan jln sa ph
ge
an
ka
gw al
ll
k
an
n
g
tio
ri
c
av e
ll
u
o
hi
ki
ht
mo
ig
o
Sembawang Hills Food Centre (590 Upper Thomson Road) Stalls here rarely open at the same time. Visit Lai Heng (#01-15) for his slippery char kway teow ($3 nett) and tasty grilled batang fish otah ($1 nett). Fresh Fish Seafood Soup (#01-36) honours its name by serving quality bowls of oceanic goodness ($4.50 nett). Supporters of famous Ang Mo Kio satay bee hoon ($3.50 nett) will be pleased to know they can find the second branch here under the name Centre Satay Bee Hoon (#01-28).
sh
The Eureka Cooking Lab (8 Jalan Kuras) Founded by chef Jason Lim of Men-Tei Ramen, this fully-equipped cooking lab specialises in Japanese ramen classes ($5,000) for aspiring professionals who are keen on opening their own ramen store. The five-day course teaches you how to create the perfect ramen, from noodles to broth, as well as tips on managing and running your own restaurant—you’ll even be attached to a ramen store for a day to see what goes on behind the scene. The Eureka Cooking Lab organises parties and business networking sessions from a more pocket-friendly $200 too. Daily 10am-6pm. Tel: 6456 4322
g
e av
shangri-l a walk
an
er r d t n s u on c
Yahava Koffeeworks (4 Jalan Gelenggang) Coffee connoisseurs, this one’s for you. Roasting their coffee beans in-store daily, the coffee ($5 nett) here is first-rate and well-balanced. Beat the sweltering heat with their cold brew ($8 nett) while you munch on their zesty orange loaf ($6 nett). The coffee specialists also organises three-hour barista courses ($180 nett) and informative coffee workshops ($30 nett). Daily 9am-6pm. Tel: 6554 7080
br
k par ool han sch b is dary on
s ec
Upper Thomson Road
Overview Connected to one of Singapore’s oldest roads, Thomson Road, Upper Thomson Road was a vital route for northern residents to enter the city in the past. Over the 8km long stretch, we touched base on the central part of Upper Thomson. But if you have time to spare, head further up for goodies like famous Ampang yong tau foo haunt Ngee Fou Restaurant, hole in the wall German bistro Wilder Mann and the Thomson branch of the well-loved Springleaf Prata Place.
Did you know…
Nam Kee Chicken Rice & Restaurant (201 Upper Thomson Road) Pastel blue tiles lined the walls of this charming old-world restaurant. One of Singapore’s longest running Hainanese chicken rice eateries, Nam Kee is frequented by older generations who prefer the lightly seasoned version of this staple local dish. There’s also a wide variety of traditional Chinese tze char dishes to choose from. Daily 11am-9pm. Tel: 6253 4502
Thomson Road was named for John Turnbull Thomson, a government surveyor of the Straits Settlements for 12 years who helped lay out the road we see today. In 1959, the Singapore Rural Board renamed the stretch from Thomson Road junction to the junction of Mandai and Sembawang, as Upper Thomson Road.
es us ho op sh
es
a at
us o
an
pe
ta ma er np
an m ta
pe
tin la
a
ba
th
ht
h
om
s
s om
t
r on
id
m ho
ge
so
m r Lo
e
em
dg
nl
n
ri
jl
so m o
se
o so
pasta j
th
y wa
d
jl
a at rm
pe
ge id nr
a eg
so pl o c so ay ho g w o ro w c u a h n lk o d w
rm
ph o
ad
sh
ro n so
om th r pe s se u o
ri so
on
ch
ow
vi
ew
w so so on gaon rdch ch e n ow o
le patisseries
io
la
d
r
r
ld
rd
fo da
u s r
sr
ho
us
d
es
d win
cheap chirashi Thomson Plaza, or
Thomson Yaohan to the older folks, is now a hotspot among foodies thanks to Sushiro (#01113F); a Japanese eatery that serves quality bara chirashi for just $12.80.
o
op
ave
nu
sh
rio nta
ve
oa
d
kr
r
ar rp
s
so
u
d
d
v
en
Meng's Kitchen (246B Upper Thomson Road ) This noodle joint is constantly packed even up till closing time. While they serve fancy bowls topped with abalone, their simple bak chor mee is still the best selling bowl here. Noodles are springy and the bowl is overflowing with mushrooms and minced meat. Have it doused in vinegar and chilli for an added oomph. Daily 12pm-12am. Tel: 6455 4890 Chicken House (255 Upper Thomson Road) Serving only kampong chicken, which is low in cholesterol and fats, their poached chicken is lean and tender. Elevating the dish is the accompanying fragrant and well-oiled rice. Go easy on their chilli if spicy food isn’t your forte. Daily 10.30am-9.30pm. Tel: 6456 0698
r
d
rd
ld d
e
igo
dr id ch
or
n
mar
rd a
dr
ni at i rn ca
in
on
de ar g
sm
old school delights
m ta
n jl m an ik n jl
up ph o sh
on es
ms n tio
us
th o
ho
er
un co der n st ruc
op sh
u pp
rd e in sm ja
sin ming ave
k
jl
di
grcou an nt d e ry ur
d glewoo
ing th e pl ayle wood g ro und
th e in
er
g an bil ibas
ns
j ln
nt sce cre ill ht h brig
rd fu lton
ong
g kl
la
ia
n an
en
n
lk wa
ve
ns
ns
de
de
ar
ar
upper thomson road
o
ja
g
h
r shophouses
rd
ark ee p
c
d
n
n
en
co
m
o
d
ew
al w
so
ar
vi
iu
ga
dg
dg
an
an
is l
e tr
g
n
in
ow
k
so
m do
ch
en
om
s
rd
th
m fl a
dr
g
is l
ne
o so
thomson pla za
n so ion om ss thpre im
se
ga
on
u
ow
nt
o
ch
brig ht hill
y tr e n r u i o u c sq e
pu
ph
on
r
o
so
modern montessori pre-school
carden ominum
sh
ar np
ia r t n h c o h m u a r c h
sin ming ave
lo
ah
li
c h h ur o c ly h sp of i r th sy m it e r a
bel
jl
jl
er
r
lia
ke
d
w
j ln
g
ocbc thom son
ye
n
em
ke
nm
ah
dr ng mi li
n
jl
ok
w
bis han point
ub
in
ne
ol
er
w
si
nt
m
son thomun it y m com ub cl
a at rm pe k anpar
jl
n rt so ou om l c th ria pe im
n
Thai in Town (244P Upper Thomson Road) Aside from dishing out authentic Thai grub like pad thai ($7.90 nett) and seafood tom yam soup ($13.90 nett), this modern Thai eatery is better known for their creative spin on Thai favourites. Indulge in the extravagant Lobster Seafood Tom Yam Thai Mama ($49.90 nett), which features an entire lobster! Round off your meal with a cloyingly sweet parfait-esque Red Ruby sundae ($10.90 nett). Mon-Fri 11.30am-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm. Tel: 8687 9990
m ta
th o pa mso rk n
si
midview city
scho ai tong
ing si n m a pl az
sin ming centre
on
g
Les Patisseries (222 Upper Thomson Road) Formerly located in Toa Payoh Central, this pastry shop and cafe’s main draw is their delicate pastries. Giving Parisian bakeries a run for their money is their croissant ($2.80 nett)—light, airy and crisp. Tend to your sweet tooth with their over-the-top waffles (from $13.90 nett) that’s crowned with a macaron, along with an array of chopped fruit, nuts, syrups and ice cream. Sun-Thu (excluding Wed) 11am-12am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Tel: 9744 0504
fu un sh FC
fu
w
in
un
r
m
Old School Delights (215M Upper Thomson Road) Resembling a classroom from yesteryears, Old School Delights has an extensive collection of vintage knick knacks. Signature dishes include their Old School Heritage Mee Siam ($5.80), which follows a 30-yearold recipe. Their Laksa D’Lite ($7.40), which is a lighter rendition of the coconut-based dish, is another favourite. Tue-Fri 11.30am-10.30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10.30pm. Tel: 6458 4518
in
o ch
n
n
u
si
is
n
sh
jl m n in gg
ak
jl
gu
d
ing
to
nm
n
ra
jl
jl
bu
Pasta J (205 Upper Thomson Road) Make a date with your furkid as this pet-friendly restaurant provides free treats for dogs. Almost everything on the menu is made in-house, from their pesto ($6.50 with crackers) to soup stocks. Fill up on a wide selection of pasta offerings like the piquant seafood laksa ($23.90) and cured salmon carbonara
($29.90). Mon-Fri 12-3pm, 6-10pm; Sat-Sun 10.30am-10.30pm. Tel: 9004 1800
chicken house
meng's kitchen
Dino Cake House & Café (257 Upper Thomson Road) Opened in 1993, cakes from this long-established bakery are simple and homely. Their dense sweet sugar roll ($0.80 nett) and coffee peanut roll ($8.50 nett) brings back fond memories. Fans of the king of fruits will love Dino’s “die die must try” durian cake ($16 nett) and Durian Well ($3 nett) that’s made with D24 durians. Daily 9am-9.30pm. Tel: 6552 5088 Tomoe Japanese Cuisine (263 Upper Thomson Road) Dishing out authentic Japanese grub since the early 90s, Tomoe is wellloved by locals and Japanese expats alike. Skip the dinner crowd and go for their affordable bento lunch set instead. They have a wide range of sets including pan-fried yakiniku ($10), chicken misoyaki ($12) and mixed teppan combining seafood and chicken ($14). All sets come with miso soup, watermelon and pickles. Daily 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm. Tel: 6732 7522 Little Part 1 Café (15 Jasmine Road) This electrifying neighbourhood watering hole boasts a wide selection of craft beers from German, Japan and Belgium. The comprehensive food menu offers comforting favourites like chicken and waffles ($18.90) and Irish beef stew ($21.90); only available on weekends. Tue-Thu 12pm-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm; Fri 12pm-3pm, 5.30pm-12am; Sat 12pm-12am; Sun 12pm10pm. Tel: 6451 7553
17
s u p e r m a r k e t
s l e u t h
It's a wrap
For a meal on the go, nothing beats the convenience of a burrito-like wrap filled with your favourite ingredients. Plan your meals around flour tortillas with these three easy ideas. By Weets Goh BiTES paid for our own groceries from Cold Storage and FairPrice supermarkets
Mission tortilla wrap ($6.65)
Slice your tortilla wrap into wedges. Cinnamon sugar
sambal
Spread both the mayonnaise and sambal onto the wrap.
Mayonnaise
Raita (cucumber, onions, yoghurt, ground cumin and salt to taste)
Mixed greens
Make raita by combining thinly sliced cucumber and onions with the yoghurt, salt and ground cumin. Mix well and leave in fridge for 15mins for flavours to develop.
Egg omelette
Arugula, or vegetables of your choice
Melted butter
Brush your tortilla wedge with melted butter and sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar. Toast in a toaster on high or oven at 200°C for 5 minutes, flipping once halfway. Let it cool so that it crisps up.
Cut the luncheon meat into strips and fry.
Roasted chicken breast ($5.80 for a whole roasted chicken from FairPrice)
Ice cream
luncheon meat Top with strips of luncheon meat, the omelette and greens.
Fold two sides, tucking them in as you roll so that the ingredients don't drop out. The end result should look like a small burrito.
LOCAL BREAKFAST WRAP
18
Combine all the ingredients on the wrap and fold it into a square pocket.
CHICKEN LUNCH WRAP
Serve with your favourite ice cream!
DESSERT TORTILLA
k i t c h e n
p l a y g r o u n d
Get your dough into shape From cool to cute, there’s a cookie mould for every occasion.
SAISON COOKIE PRESSES Maximise your cookie-making efficiency with this handy press from Saison. This gadget produces perfectly identical cookies with each press of the handle, making it ideal for large-scale baking. TIN-PLATED PRETZEL COOKIE CUTTER Produced by Spanish company Ibili, this cutter boasts a sleek design made from high-quality stainless steel. It punches out that classic Danish butter cookie pretzel shape with zero hassle—clever!
$36.18 from www.fishpond.com.sg
$9.90 from www.tottstore.com
By Weets Goh
TRANSPORTATION COOKIE KIT With five different shapes, sprinkles, wrapping cellulose and stickers, this transport-themed cookie kit is all you need create your own fleet of confectionarybased vehicles—which you can then promptly devour.
$39 from www.hipvan.com
SUPERHERO CUTTERS No matter if you are team Batman or Superman, hone your baking skills at your next superhero themed movie night with this four-piece Batman and Superman cookie cutter set.
$17.30 from www.lazada.sg
RUSSIAN DOLLS COOKIE CUTTERs Experience cookie-inception with this set of Russian Nesting Doll cutters made from stainless steel. Tell friends you “have to go deeper” as you snack non-stop on delicious baked goods.
$12 from www.dreamsandconfetti.com
ERNEST PANDA COOKIE CUTTER This comes with four different facial expressions and poses (fun fact: that’s 16 possible permutations!) so that you can customise your own too-cute-toeat panda cookies.
$17.90 from www.qoo10.sg (additional $5.90 shipping to Singapore)
TALA 5 CUPCAKE CUTTERS Is it a cupcake or a cookie? Befuddle your friends with this set of five cheery cupcakeshaped cookie cutters from Tala— add some icing for the perfect finishing touch.
$4.50 from www.bakeking. com.sg
19
t h e
d r i n k
t a n k
New bars in town Drinking in Singapore never gets old; there’s always a new theme and style to keep you entertained, you never have to visit the same ole’ bar twice! By Katie Boon
Insider intrigue Named after an Italian toast, Cin Cin has the swanky act down pat with their turquoise accent chairs, marbled tiles, and gold trimmings. Carrying a huge range of gins, the secret agent themed bar is known for matching the distinctive fruit or spice elements from each gin with flora, shrubs and unique ice cubes. Order the citrusy sweet, yet potent, Poppy War ($18) that features ingredients like poppy, Crème de Coquelicot, and sour plum. #01-02 Oasia Hotel, 100 Peck Seah Street. Tel: 6385 2604
cin cin
The moment every cocktail connoisseur has been waiting for: the opening of New York’s legendary speakeasy Employees Only. Calling Amoy Street home, the buzzy space reflects the prohibition era and evokes a frivolous, fun vibe. Tap your feet to swinging jazz tunes as you knock back a glass of EO Gimlet ($28). Late night grubs are also offered till 2am including a Singapore rendition of the popular The Employees Only Staff Meal ($16). 112 Amoy Street. Tel: 6221 7357 Mikkeller bar
Craft beer drinkers, rejoice! The brains behind Druggist have set up the island’s first licensed Mikkeller Bar by Mikkel Bjergsø. Located at Deck, the 20-tapped bar showcases a rotating selection of brews; the only constant pours on the menu are the Bugis Brown, Prinsep Pilsner and Waterloo Wit ($9 half, $17 full). While the outdoor area can accommodate up to 80 people, we recommend heading down early to score a seat inside the air-conditioned 40-foot container. 120A Prinsep Street. Tel: 6352 0950 Local loves Aside from dishing out hearty steamed buns and scrummy modern Cantonese dishes, Full of Luck
20
Club also has an impressive line-up of Asian-inspired bevvies. On the shelves are interesting Hong Kong craft beers like Gambler’s Gold ($15.80) and Hong Kong Beer ($11). Innovative concoctions are also available like the Wing Chun Kick full of ($14) made with dried luck club chrysanthemuminfused rum, goji berries, fresh limed juice and mint. 243 Holland Avenue. Tel: 6208 6845 Kandahar Street welcomes our taproom new cocktail bar Our Taproom into their list of swish dining establishments. Helming the bar is Alex Tan, who was awarded the Media Choice Award during the 2013 La Maison Cointreau Cocktail Competition, and vice president of the Asia bartender association Singapore Jeremie Tan. Look forward to interesting handcrafted cocktails like The Peranakan ($20), which infuses chilli and capsicum into Skyy vodka with lemon grass and lime leaves. 32 Kandahar Street. Tel: 6291 8001 Boat Quay boozers Set atop sister restaurant Pasta Fresca, Panorama: Riverside Lounge brings together over 70 wines and Panorama: liquors, sourced Riverside Lounge from almost all regions of Italy with many exclusive to the group. They now offer Free Flow Fridays with wines and antipasti from 6-9pm ($39). Enjoy a picturesque view of Boat Quay waterfront while you explore different wine pairings with the array of cheeses, breads, pasta and cured meats available. Level 2, 30 Boat Quay. Tel: 6532 6283 A boisterous night out is to be expected at American-styled KTV Skinny’s Lounge. Opened by
Nick Haas— previously from The Cufflink Club and Vasco— the no-frills space pushes out solid cocktails skinny's lounge starting from just $15 nett. Set yourself straight with Skinny’s Penicillin ($18 nett); a combination of blended Scotch whisky, ginger and citrus, with a squirt of Islay whisky for a smoky aftertaste. The late-night howff (they are licensed to serve till 3am!) also offers a 3-litre cocktail tower ($200 nett) to share. Oh, and don’t worry about bad singing. The soundproof karaoke room is closed off from the main drinking area. 82 Boat Quay. Tel: 9653 8886
bago
Rum a Dum Dum Immerse in Caribbean’s booming rum culture at BAGO at Lime House, with its vibrant interior and jivin’ tunes, and some 150 rum labels. Experience how rum is served in old Caribbean shops with signature drink Morris ($27), where quality rum is mixed with fresh coconut water and cinnamon syrup. Off the menu infusions include marshmallow infused Bacardi Gold. Get your hands on the Bago Rum Passport and collect stamps whenever you order a rum drink to get exclusive invites to rum previews and dinners. Level 2, 2 Jiak Chuan Road. Tel: 6222 3130 Bar-Roque Bar is the place to be for rum enthusiasts. Chef Stephane Istel of Bar-Roque Grill restaurant (who worked in the Caribbean) has created a range of gourmet infused rum, which first started as a hobby and now fills the shelves at the newly renovated al fresco bar area. The six initial flavours include Bar The Sing (pineapple, baroque bar red chilli, vanilla), and Shanghai (lychee, mint and vanilla), priced from $12 per glass or in a cocktail ($20 each) that expresses the nuances of the ingredients. #0100, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road. Tel: 6444 9672
es
it
. k n i r Eat. D epeat. Write. R
last
b
t azine, bu g a m d o o k af M joiningoments too. Chdec LA G in l l y a a m ’t It isn pl ay of a FABULOUS e re v k a h ee h o -c we d tongue-in intern. S E out our o T i B a f the lifentha Seah a m By Sa
6 1 M A Y 201
9am
11am
time for YS ha ve oon in A W L “A : k e up ca ll ort e con omic be eh. riter’s wa f s A food w t ”. Toda y, it's com y of food ta sting a s d a f y k v a ea bre n fo r a h bring out pre pa ra tio es! C ue: for IG k a c n o o m folk s— e styling ma gic p from P R om Media drora phon es a n d do s e m a c e h t pictures.
11.30am
n a tion—whe lun ch situ't a gre e: e ic ff o e Th din ers ca n discern ing
's So, whan cth for lu ? toda y
breakfast
e n a si Le t's haavt the le ma k shop! corn er
it w.b ww
n ough... e k a m e l rice isn't B ut, the
12 pm
1pm 3p m
r the corn e we go to o s d e h c be re a n ye t to C on clusio a y s h o p a n yw imes ich some t h w , g in t s a k lun ch t for a wor he lun ch t u o d a e t H c e a f te r ta k es pla s down. in h crowd t e o rm o n t h to bra in st e im t d n a e sk Ba ck to dkbuster issue. c lo b t x ne
5pm 7pm
9pm
I
n e... writing do e m o s t e g ca n Fin a lly! I editor be ck on s: e h T s. p Oo Kore a n n in e-la yerg. a 's It . lp in Gu in n er ta st se a f o o d d a f te r 1st . e m ish o d h g in Roll So. Full.
11pm
ge t gh time to J ust e n ou -ups don e the n... some write
I
I
for a ta ld you go u o c , m a S Hi Yup, sure!
a f te r 2 nd dish
a f te r 3rd dish
es.c
om
.s g
pres s rele ase
sting with 5.07pm
me?
5.01pm
more food
. zzzzzz.. pasta...
21
Official Caterer at CHIJMES The Star Performing Arts Centre Singapore Civil Service Club
• Wedding catering • Cocktail reception • Corporate events • Private parties
Established in 2004, Shiok! Kitchen SK Catering is Halal-certified, and adheres to the highest catering standards of both food and service - offering a vast selection of cuisines ranging from Western gourmet dishes, Chinese cuisine to irresistible local delights. Be it a simple office tea reception, mini buffet for 10 at home, an elaborate wedding party or a large-scale corporate event, Shiok! Kitchen SK Catering guarantees to deliver a delicious dining experience to remember.
21